Jesus’ Allusion Concerning Sheep & Wolves (Updates ~ 4/2014)
Jesus, in speaking about these false prophets used the allusion (an indirect reference to something or somebody by using symbolism) of them coming to the people as “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (see #1) in order to take advantage of them. We understand that Jesus used the allusion of sheep in describing people, which we should look at first in gaining greater understanding of what Jesus was communicating.

First, we should examine Jesus’ allusion regarding sheep in describing God’s people (Israel) and Believers (the church), and goats symbolizing unbelievers.

Sheep have no natural defenses within their environment, yet quite often they seem to be unaware of this; in the same way that believers have no natural defense against sin, the devil, or the world; without the protection of their shepherd, or the indwelling of His Spirit, yet many times they seem to forget this fact.

Sheep have a tendency to wander off (Luke 15:6) without ever thinking about it, most the time when they’re in danger, they have no idea of how dangerous it really is, with their focus stuck in what is right in front of them, having no concerns about the greater picture. They are self-centered, yet are unaware of it. They are not very surefooted, subject to falling off the side of cliffs; they display very little discernment, very similar to many within the church.

Other animals display traits that humans can more easily identify with; such as the intelligence, ingenuity, and comic behavior of monkeys, the cunning and wilfulness of cats, the friendliness of dolphins, or the loyalty of dogs.

Yet sheep are not animals that humans would like to more readily identify with. They are stupid, obnoxious, and noisy. Certain civilizations, such as the Old Egyptian Empire consider sheep to be unclean, defiled, or polluted in the same way that the world considers believers to be unnatural or polluted.

Sheep will over eat, gorge themselves and destroy the fields with no thought of tomorrow living only in the day.

Sheep are prone to flocking behavior, which is behavior where during a time of danger the strongest animals fight their way to the center of the flock, which offers the greater protection from the predators, yet this type of self-centeredness ultimately leads to the destruction of the whole flock as the weakest are on the perimeter, and the strongest are where they could do the least good. How often have we heard it said that the army of God is the only army that kills their wounded while befriending the enemy; therefore making themselves vulnerable at the institutional level which would ultimately lead to their destruction, if it was not for God.

The judgment of both sheep and believers is terrible; they will easily follow a goat that makes a lot of noise, or a wolf in sheep’s clothing because of their refusal to utilize proper Biblical judgment (Matthew 7:16, 20), as if discernment was somehow ungodly or unloving; all of which is completely unBiblical and at the expense of a vibrant living Church that grows in quality as well as quantity.

However, they also have the capability of learning the voice of their master (John 10:27), the one who takes care of them.

When shepherds in the Middle East would go to watering holes, there might be two or three different flocks drinking at the same time. As a Shepherd determines to leave, he would start walking away from the watering hole singing, and the older sheep, who had come to know their master’s voice would follow him, and the little ones, as well as those that weren’t so discerning would follow the group.

Good Shepherds We in America have a hard time understanding Jesus’ analogy concerning sheep as an object lesson, because many times we raise sheep for their meat as compared to the shepherds of Judea which raise sheep mainly for their wool.

We have a tendency to use dogs that drive sheep from behind, biting at their limbs, using force and intimidation; yet this is unlike the shepherds in Israel, who walk in front of their sheep, leading them, setting the example before them to follow concerning where to go, constantly speaking to them.

With the sheep following the shepherd because of his care and concern for them, which facilitates their faith and trust in him.

It was common for the Shepherd to sing as they led their sheep so that the sheep became accustomed to their voice, it was also common for the shepherds to sing the Psalms of Israel.

These shepherds would protect their sheep with their very own lives. At night they would cut a large hole in the middle of a briar bush for the sheep to enter into, with the shepherd sleeping in the entrance (with the shepherd becoming the door ~ John 10:7), in order to protect them.

This is the information we need to understand whenever Jesus speaks about Himself being the Good shepherd, and His people being the sheep, because it is a relationship of trust and faith, as opposed to domination and fear.

The Difference Between Sheep & Wolves Getting back to Jesus’ object lesson concerning wolves. Wolves have very few common traits with sheep, though they both have four legs and a tail.

The tails on sheep serve very little purpose except in covering their anal and sexual organs. They can’t hold their tail’s up, except slightly to keep fecal matter off; they have no ability to actually raise their tail.

In America, we normally cut off (dock) their tails because without bone, only having ligament and cartilage, it is common for them to not raise their tails enough and therefore collect fecal matter which draws parasites, which will bring infection and eventually death .

What is interesting about the Lord speaking of false teachers as wolves in sheep’s clothing (Matthew 7:15) is one of the obvious characteristics of wolves is that they declare their pecking order, their power; by how they hold up their tail.

The leader will hold his tail almost straight up, with his lieutenants, sergeants, and corporals progressively holding their tails lower. The tail standing straight up displays complete dominance, power, authority and supremacy. The wolves’ leadership is according to this type of violent dominance, where intimidation and power establish their authority.

With the height of holding their tails as a means of identification of their authority, this is somewhat analogous to the stripes or bars on a soldier’s sleeve or collar which indemnify his rank or authority. Dogs determine who they will fight in order to establish their dominance according to where the tail is held, this is how they survive in their “dog eat dog world.”

Also, the display of submission is seen when they lower their tail and even wrap it under your belly, with the final act of submission being when a dog lies on its back, exposing its jugular and belly to a more dominant dog. The reason this is the ultimate sign of submission is that if a dog is bitten, creating a tear in its belly, when it stands up its intestines fall out, as compared to being bitten on his back which might eventually heal, with other dogs licking it and cleaning it, unlike the wound of the belly (I will address why this is important in a few paragraphs).

Jesus’ Guidelines for Leaders
As the good Shepherd, Jesus loves His sheep; in fact Jesus is personification of love, wherein it has been said that 1 Corinthians 13 in addressing love, illustrates Christ especially when it states:

“Love has patience, is kind; love is not envious; love is not vain, is not puffed up; does not behave indecently, does not pursue its own things, is not easily provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices in the truth. Love quietly covers all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” (1 Corinthians 13:4-8)

And when it comes to spiritual leadership, the week before Jesus was crucified, Matthew 20:25, records:

“But Jesus called them unto him, and said, Ye know that the princes of the Gentiles exercise dominion over them, and they that are great exercise authority upon them. But it shall not be so among you: but whosoever will be great among you, let him be your minister [servant]; And whosoever will be chief among you, let him be your servant”

The point that Jesus was making was that church leadership would not be as it is in the world, centered upon displays of dominance, power, authority and supremacy, but according to sacrificially serving the followers, which is completely antithetical to how the world leads, which is also analogous with how wolves lead their pack.

Therefore, if you ever look across a valley to a Hill where sheep are grazing, and you see a sheep with his tail sticking straight up, displaying his dominance, power, authority and supremacy; watch closely because you are witnessing a “wolf in sheep’s clothing.”

The point is false teachers and prophets will lead by dominance, power, authority and supremacy. False teachers and prophets may use Biblical words, may exhibit false humility, may speak with lofty expressions concerning love and self-sacrifice; yet it is their dominance and power which will be seen in their pride and arrogance that will indemnify them every time. Please do not misunderstand, each one of us deals with pride on a daily basis, many godly ministers and teachers have issues concerning control or pride.

An awful lot of us who aspire to the title of leader, minister, or pastor; constantly address the pride of life (1 John 2:16), yet, this is not to be confused with the type of manipulation that occurs with false prophets and teachers that must be in total control in order to maintain their income levels and their future profits at the expense of their followers.

The acid test is the pride that is exhibited when they are questioned, or threatened concerning an inability to use God’s Word to validate their assertion, how do they stand up according to God’s Word. Or do they twist God’s Word taking scriptures out of context in order to make their OWN point, demanding that they are anointed of God, filled with the Holy Spirit, if anyone that would dare question them.

Regarding teachers: Do they seek to shackle their follower’s hands, or to wash their feet?

Conclusion
One last thought.

Having raised sheep I understand why so many ranchers hate them, they smell, their noisy, their ignorant, and they need a lot of maintenance.

Yet what is amazing to me in considering the similarities between people and sheep, is that the great Shepherd, became a sheep to save sheep.

Jesus became a man to die for the sins of other men who would place their faith in Him as the Savior of the world, hence John’s expression when he saw Jesus:

“The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.“  (John 1:29)

It has been said that the nails that were driven in His hands did not hold Him to that tree, it was His love for His followers; for you and for me.

1. Matthew 7:15 – “Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.”  Also see: Matthew 10:16; Luke 10:3; Acts 20:29.   Also see 2 Peter 2:1-22 for a more in-depth description [see our essay on 2 Peter 2]  

Brent

“The difference between ‘involvement’ and ‘commitment’
is like an eggs-and-ham breakfast:
the chicken was ‘involved’ – the pig was ‘committed’.”

Reprinted and expanded from “Faith ~ Part 2,” at: www.FaithBibleMinistries.com

Introduction
Hebrews 6:4-6 is one of two passages (The other is Hebrews 10:25-27) in the book of Hebrews that has been used to support the premise that believers can lose their salvation, yet the grammar proves this to be untrue.

If you would take the time to consider our previous extensive articles on Eternal Security, and observe the overabundance of Scripture which proves that salvation not only comes from God, but is an eternal condition which cannot be undone, you would find that the few scriptures that seem to support the opposing view, when compared to the overwhelming passages which support eternal security, pale in comparison.

There are many individuals who do not understand the Greek language and grammar, who utilize the English translation as their sole anchor concerning the subject, yet they do so to their own misunderstanding.

There is a principle within biblical interpretation (Called: “Perspicuity“) that when there is an abundance of passages which are clear and which support one interpretation, you do not utilize a few opposing passages which are more ambiguous.

It is the clarity of a multitude of passages that the prudent Bible student should adhere to concerning any biblical subject – God is a good Father who is not ambiguous with His children concerning those issues which are of paramount importance – it is foolish to attempt to promote your own presupposition based upon a few ambiguous passages; especially if you do not dig deep into the Greek grammar to understand what these passages really mean.

The first question becomes does God give every human being a fair chance at salvation – the only righteous answer is yes.

Is There an Example of Un-Regenerated Man Perceiving that which is Spiritual – Yes
One example is found in Hebrews 6:4-6, which is one of two Scriptures (The other is Hebrews 10:25-27) thought to be examples of how a believer could lose their salvation – yet, this is an incorrect interpretation, grammatically speaking.

The following will display how an individual can be an unbeliever, and yet a follower of Christ for a while – commonly referred to as apostasy.

Apostate
Before going on to define the word “apostasy”, perhaps a living example would bring us greater clarity concerning this word.  Perhaps the greatest apostate ever to live would be Judas Iscariot, he who was a follower of Jesus Christ for 3 1/2 years, who gave the appearance of a born-again believer yet was only a follower of Christ.   He who was a hearer and not a doer of the word, he who felt repentance after the betrayal of eternity, yet he that was never saved and doomed to hell.  This is an example of a true apostate.  An individual who was a follower of Jesus Christ, yet was never truly saved.  We know as stated in Acts 1:16-20, that a prophecy concerning Judas was written in the 69th Psalm, which states:

“Let their habitation be desolate; and let none dwell in their tents.” (Psalm 69:25)

And also Psalm 69:28, which states:

“Let them be blotted out of the book of the living, and not be written with the righteous.“

Some have misunderstood verse 28 to indicate that he was once saved, then lost his salvation; yet nothing could be further from the truth.  When the text speaks about being blotted out of the book of the living is talking about his life being taken away from him, and the 2nd half of the verse when speaking about not being written with the righteous is an indication that he never was written in the Lamb’s book of life which is referred to throughout the Bible yet most notably in Revelation 21:27.

Scholar, Albert Barnes states concerning this passage

“Let them be blotted out of the book of the living – That is, Let them cease to live; let them not be numbered among living people; let them be cut off. This language is taken from the custom of registering the names of persons in a list, roll, or catalogue, as in Exodus 32:32. See the notes at Phi_4:3. Compare Rev_3:5. The language has no reference to the future world; it is “not” a prayer that they should not be saved.

And not be written with the righteous – Let them not be registered or numbered with the righteous. As they “are” wicked, so let them be numbered; so regarded. Let them be reckoned and treated as they are. They deserve to be punished; so let them be. All that this “necessarily” means is, that they should not be treated as righteous, when they were in fact “not” righteous. It cannot be shown that the author of the psalm would not have desired that they should “become” righteous, and that they should “then” be regarded and treated as such. All that the language here implies is, a desire that they should be regarded and treated as they were; that is, as they deserved. The language is evidently derived from the idea so common in the Old Testament that length of days would be the reward of a righteous life (see Job_5:26; Pro_3:2; Pro_9:11; Pro_10:27), and that the wicked would be cut off in the midst of their days. See the notes at Psa_55:23.”

Apostasy
One of the best examples of the word apostasy is found in 2 Thessalonians 2:3, which states:

“Let no man deceive you by any means: for that day shall not come, except there come a falling away [Greek: apostasia, English: apostasy] first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;”

According to Strong’s Greek Dictionary (Which utilizes generic Greek words, not specific to the text, and deals little with the grammar), the general use of the word apostasy is generically rendered:

apostasia (G646)
ap-os-tas-ee’-ah
Feminine of the same as G647; defection from truth (properly the state), (“apostasy”): – falling away, forsake.

SIDE THOUGHT
The problem that many Bible students encounter when dealing with Greek dictionaries, is that many sources (such a Strong's) do not deal with the specific word in a specific passage which is different from other passages due to a breakdown in the grammatical definition of the word.  In the English Bible you can have the same word in different places that utilize different grammar and change the understanding of that word - this is a generic rendering of the Greek words in the Bible.

Yet the advanced student who specifically breaks down Greek words according to their individual spelling and context will achieve the correct interpretation.  We must remember that Strong's purpose was to create a generic concordance regarding the words used in the Bible, yet to do so correctly would mean listing specific words in their passages to achieve the correct meaning, Vines is closer to this purpose than strong's.

Every time I have debated individuals who oppose Eternal Security they utilize resources such a Strong's, that was never meant for the purpose of specific interpretation of specific words.  It is by taking each Greek word, letter by letter, that you come to a correct understanding of the grammar, and therefore a correct interpretation of a specific word.

If you are a teacher of God's word, use Strong's Concordance as a concordance, not the dictionary in the back which is generic and will mislead you if you attempt to cross-reference Greek words without specifically dealing with each individual word.  Word Studies can achieve this, yet the only approach that should be utilized is to gain an understanding of the grammar and break down the words individually yourself - quit regurgitating other men's folly.  It is God's Spirit within you that will lead you to correct interpretation if you are willing to set aside your own presuppositions. 

For decades I disputed Eternal Security in ignorance using such sources as Strong's, and did not learn the truth until I was willing to oppose my own presuppositions and learn the Greek grammar for myself.   I am still a student, who has had to let go of many wrong presuppositions which I was taught, which is painful; yet God honors.

People need to quit preaching their denominational doctrines, and start letting God's word interpret God's word based upon the grammar which God chose to use in the koine Greek.  God did not deliver his word in the sloppy English, which violates every rule it makes, changes the meaning of words, is inconsistent, especially within its linguistics (spelling is a good example, in order to spell well many times you must memorize words, rather than phonics, due to the exceptions to basic spelling rules).

Yet more specifically concerning this word, the Complete Greek Word Study Dictionary (Spiros Zodhiates, Th.D.), says:

ἀποστασία
apostasía; gen. apostasías, fem. noun from aphístēmi (G868), to depart. Departure, apostasy. Occurs in Act_21:21 translated “forsake” and in 2Th_2:3, “a falling away”; Sept.: 2Ch_29:19; Jer_29:32. In Act_21:21 the new Christian believers among the Jews, having departed from Moses and coming to Jesus Christ, decided that they should stay apart from Moses, i.e., their Judaistic practices, for they were in a new dispensation. They were not Judaizing Christians, but Christians standing apart from Moses. In 2Th_2:3 the word apostasía does not refer to genuine Christians who depart from the faith, but mere professors who, without divine grace, succumb to the Satanic deception of the Antichrist. If those who are truly Christ’s and through the Holy Spirit have become members of His body (1Co_12:13) could be detached, then the assurances Jesus gave that His own will not perish would be made null and void (Joh_10:28-29). See Sept.: 2Ch_29:19.

It is an understanding that apostasy, the “falling way,” does not necessitate that the individual was saved, but that they were a follower.  Jesus commonly told all men to follow him, yet how many of those that followed him became true believers.  Whenever the cost was too much, many followers began “falling away,” and what was Jesus question to the 12, “will you leave to“ (John 6:66-67).  And we must remember that verse 66 states that these that followed him no more were called “disciples.”

There is a vast difference between being a follower of Jesus Christ, and a believer in Jesus Christ.  Is everyone who attended church, which would be a follower; are they all saved?

Apostasy has to do with falling away from that which was once followed, it never necessitates that the follower is a true believer – this is an assumption made by many.  Do we forget that one of his followers, Judas, was not a true believer, yet he was an apostate of the true faith in Jesus Christ.

Before addressing the text directly we need to first examine the biblical context of this book.

Hebrews 6:4-6
The book of Hebrews is written to Jewish Christians concerning those issues which affected them at that day, as opposed to Gentile believer’s issues.

Among the many issues central to the Hebrews was that of converting from Judaism to Christianity, and the fact that to the Jews Christianity was anathema (“Damned of God”), as a heresy.

We 21st-century Gentiles have no capacity to understand what this meant to the Jew in Jesus’ day.

The Temple Life
For the Jew, the Temple in Jerusalem or the synagogue in outlying areas, was the reference point of their daily lives.

The trade guilds that journeymen belong to were run with the control of the synagogues or Temple (The Temple to be included with the term synagogues for the sake of brevity) if it was in Jerusalem.

The markets which provided food were run by the synagogues.

synagogues are the place of meeting, the place of marriage, and the place of family was the synagogues.

Therefore, to become a Christian meant to completely change one’s life, and completely lose one’s identity, ability to make money, provide the necessities of life, and even congregate with one’s family.

So when we see the book of Hebrews, where Jews are addressed concerning becoming Christians, the predominant issue at hand is conversation itself; and the singular sin this passage of the book of Hebrews addresses is that of “drawing back to Judaism.”

In fact the paramount issue this whole book addresses, that of forsaking the truth concerning Christianity, and returning to Judaism, which is to “crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh,” (Hebrews 6:6) by returning to the Levitical system (Notice that they don’t actually crucify the son of God afresh, it is to “themselves” alone that they retry Jesus Christ, yet according to the un-regenerated man, they find Christ guilty as a man – because a man is sinful and could not die for the sins of anyone, which is what the Jews taught concerning Jesus of Nazareth).

How unusual, that for centuries, before Christ, the Levitical system was God’s tool, which now became a hindrance to the Jew (Actually they were Israelites, Hebrews; “Jew” was a term that they inherited after the Babylonian captivity, taken from the same root word as a tribe of “Judah”).

And for the Hebrew, who is a new convert to Christianity, not established in their faith, at that place of determining their commitment to Christ, how detrimental is this choice.

This is what Hebrews 6:4-6 is dealing with, not the person who has become a true Christian (The term Christian is a cognate of two words: “Christ,” meaning “anointed,” or as from the Greek Septuagint Scripture of the Hebrews, the Christian Old Testament, the term “Messiah“; which when used with the definite article referred to God’s deliverer of His people.  The suffix “ian”, meant a person that followed whoever placed before it as a word; in this case a Christian is a follower of the Christ.  Christ, which is a title for Jesus of Nazareth – The Son of God – His name was not Jesus Christ, it was His title; He should be called: “Jesus The Christ“) – not one that has actually become a Believer, who is not saved, but a temporary follower.

It is the same as in our current vernacular we state that a Christian is one that goes to church, or that they are a Christian because of their politics.  We talk about the warring tribes being the Christians and the Islamist in Eastern Europe, this is the sense of the word for Christian, does not mean a true follower of Jesus Christ.

There is a difference between the term Christian as applied to where you come from, who your family’s, or what your culture is, as compared to a legitimate individual that specifically follows Jesus Christ and does what Jesus said to do.

It is the difference between being a hearer and a doer – as between a goat and a sheep – or as between a tare and wheat.

Stony Places
Jesus addressed this many times in the Gospels, such as seen in parable of the seeds, as presented in Matthew 13:20-21, which states:

“But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.”

or perhaps as found in verse 22, which states:

“He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.”

Those that Prophesy, Cast Out Devils, or Work Miracles
Or when Jesus said in Matthew 7:21-23:

“Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.  Many will say to me in that day, Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works? And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.“

Tares
Or lastly as Christ explained in Matthew 13:24-30, which states:

“Another parable put he forth unto them, saying, The kingdom of heaven is likened unto a man which sowed good seed in his field: But while men slept, his enemy came and sowed tares among the wheat, and went his way. But when the blade was sprung up, and brought forth fruit, then appeared the tares also.  So the servants of the householder came and said unto him, Sir, didst not thou sow good seed in thy field? from whence then hath it tares?  He said unto them, An enemy hath done this. The servants said unto him, Wilt thou then that we go and gather them up?   But he said, Nay; lest while ye gather up the tares, ye root up also the wheat with them.   Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.”

Tares and Wheat Better Understood
One aspect of this last parable that is so interesting is the integrity of God’s Word, as seen even in the examples that Jesus utilized (Which is true of every parable Jesus presented).

From the outside a tare looks just like wheat, it is the inside that makes  all the difference.

The inside of the wheat is filled with fruit that when it falls in the ground produces more fruit.

A tare is empty inside, is void which is the same word that comes from the root of the word pride – which is the basis for our expression when we say someone is full of hot air.

The way that tare and wheat are separated is that close to the top of the hill, at a place that the wind blows, just prior to the crest of the hill, the worker would dig a hole, and then take a rake like device filled with wheat and tares and throw it above the whole.

The wheat, which had substance and therefore weight would fall into the whole to be collected.  But the tares, which had no substance and therefore no weight were caught by the wind in blown away.

The difference between a true Christian and a person that looks like a Christian is on the inside, and will not be fully exposed into the rapture where the separation process takes place.  Though the one thing to look for is that of producing fruit, which aligns with Jesus teaching in the 15th chapter of John.

But then again busy work is not necessarily spiritual work.  There are many religions that they workers appear to work very hard and produce others like themselves.  However, this is not bearing spiritual fruit as Jesus spoke about – numbers mean nothing – being doers of jesus’ word is what counts (James 1:22, 23, 25).  Now back to the text at hand.

Hebrews 6:4-6, says:

“For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost, And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come, If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”

And though it would appear that the individuals in question are fully Believers, the text says otherwise.

Hebrews 6:4, uses the term “partakers of the Holy Ghost”, with the word “partakers” being the same word translated “partners” in Luke 5:7, with diverse grammar, which states:

“And they beckoned unto their partners, which were in the other ship, that they should come and help them. And they came, and filled both the ships, so that they began to sink.”

Limited Partnership
The Greek word “partaker” has usages which include ”limited partnership,” (Greek: metochos, meaning “partner, though limited.” Used only once in the New Testament in this form of the word regarding the grammar – here in the dative case [an indirect object, “with“], plural number, and masculine gender.  This grammatical form displays a limited, indirect partnership), such as seen in the above Luke passage wherein there was not a full partnership.

They did not share in the full experience in the same way, in the same ship, receiving the same load of fish.  Simon Peter and Andrew went back out alone at the charge of Jesus, their ship started to sink, unlike James’s and John’s ship back at the shore came to help them. 

These two ships were limited partners, separate – but still two, and there was not total equality – there was a limited partnership with another ship.

Simon Peter and Andrew were in their ship which was being over filled, and James and John in the other ship which was not – these were partners in fishing – yet, separate ships, separate owners, separate businesses, separate experiences – unlike the relationship that the Believer has with the Holy Spirit who now lives within the Believer in a non-separate manner.  Believers before Pentecost, before the Church dwelt with the Holy Spirit, who was with the Believer, but not in full partnership, dwelling inside the Believers after the creation of the Church at Pentecost – as seen in John 14:17, which states:

“Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.

The Holy Spirit & Salvation
When the Holy Spirit brings a person to the place of decision about conversion, there is a process which takes place in completing the terms of their conversion.

The Holy Spirit is with them, but not living in them until the person becomes truly Born-Again, a true Child of God; this is where the relationship becomes intimate; wherein the person becomes a full partaker with the Holy Spirit.

I personally believe that God gives every person a chance to choose, with their eyes wide open, to receive the Gospel of Jesus Christ (Based upon: 2 Pet. 3:9; 1 Tim. 2:3-4), an opportunity to join in relationship with God – to become a full partner with the Holy spirit.

The Holy Spirit is called the “comforter” (Greek) paraklētos, also means an “intercessor,” an “consoler,” an “advocate,” who comes alongside the Believer and helps them walk (As in when someone has a hard time walking, and another comes along side them, and has the person put their arm around the neck of the helper, who helps them walk – this is one of the functions of the Holy Spirit as their partner with the Believer), the Holy Spirit is the Helper who partners with the Believer.

And though we can refer to the date and time that most of us accepted Jesus Christ, we must realize that the Holy Spirit had been moving us to that point for quite some time (In fact, we are really “chosen” before the “foundation of the world” ~ Ephesians 1:3-5).

Once Enlightened & Tasted the Good Word of God
This is a reference to that point in time where God in his fairness and justice gives every individual an opportunity to respond to him in faith, the Holy Spirit enlightens them.

The word “Enlightened” (Greek) phōtizo, means to “exposed to light,” “to shine light on,” “to illuminate.”

Yet, what is not conveyed is a permanence.

The word “tasted“ (Greek) geuomai, means to “eat,” “taste,” “experience.”

And for those that make the statement that the only other place this word is used is Hebrews 2:9, which speaks about Jesus tasting death; which would necessitate a complete consumption, this statement is untrue.  This same Greek word translated into the English “tasted,” is found 5 times in the New Testament, with 2 of these passages utilizing the same exact grammar.  The same Greek word utilizing the same grammar is found in: Matthew 16:28; Mark 9:1; Colossians 2:21.

Again, what is not conveyed  is a permanence.

Fall Away
The word translated into the English is “fall away”, which in the Greek is the word parapipto (G3895), means to fall aside. And can be translated as to stumble, yet without falling completely down. This is the only place in the New Testament this word is translated wherein a solid understanding of this word is limited.

However, if the writer wanted to convey the idea of completely falling out, all the way down they would use the Greek word ekpipto (G1601) which means to totally fall down, to drop away, to be driven out of one’s course; meaning concerning salvation to totally lose one’s salvation.

Most Important Facts

This passage does not indicate that the individuals cannot be renewed again to salvation, but cannot be renewed again to repentance, when it states:

“…If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance…”

Repentance vs. Salvation
Notice that it does not say they cannot be renewed again to salvation.  The subject here is not salvation but repentance.  We must remember what the word repentance means.  It means to “change one’s mind,” though the way that many Christians misuse this word, they think that it means specifically turning to God in salvation, which is not true.  

This is interpreting this word in a specific way (denotative) yet the word itself is generic (connotative).  You can repent of anything, meaning you can change your mind about anything.  

Yet, because the word repentance is used to describe what must occur when the unbeliever changes their mind from going their own way, to going God’s way; most people only use it in this narrow focus (denotative) sense concerning salvation.  

However, the subject that the word repent concerns can only be dictated by the direct context of the Scripture concerning the meaning that is implied in that text, such as where Jesus says “repent and believe,” which in this case concerns salvation.  However, it is wrong to think that this is the only context the word repent concerns.  

There is no denotative (specific) understanding of the word repentance – it always means “to change one’s mind” – not to specifically “change one’s mind by following Christ unto salvation.”  Our ears have become numb to the understanding of this word, rather than what God’s word says in conjunction with the language and grammar He chose, not based upon denominational shortcuts regarding this term.

What If This Did Mean You Could Lose Your Salvation
For those that would state that this passage regards salvation, let’s consider what the statement would mean according to their own interpretation, so for the sake of argument let us say that these individuals are true Christians, once they would backslide they could never ever repent again and turned back to Christ.  A person would have only one chance to follow Christ in perfection never backsliding are turning back again such as like Peter did when he cursed and stated he didn’t know the Lord.  People don’t truly think about what this passage would mean if they interpret the way that they desire, their own salvation would be uninsured to the extent that everyone, I mean everyone has backslid at some point in their Christian life.  We have all sought to sin openly and willingly after having learned the truth, so according to their own dictates actually no one could become and stay saved – if we only had one chance at getting it right.  

Thankfully this is not what the word repentance solely means especially in the context of this passage.  This passage is not speaking about salvation, it’s speaking about repentance – a person changing their mind.

Therefore we see that even for those that claim the believer is what this text is alluding too, again the subject matter is not salvation.  And do you not think that our precious heavenly Father would not say directly that it was regarding salvation.

The fact that this direct warning is left out indicates it is not the subject matter – to state that this text regards salvation is reading into the text something that is not there.

There are a multitude of verses which proclaim the security of the believer who is given eternal life.  How can you lose that which is eternal? Therefore, to attempt to prove that a born-again believer can lose their salvation based on a few vague and hard to understand passages defies biblical interpretation.  It is always the preponderance of clear Scripture that we must submit to, not a few ambiguous passages.

The Grammar of Salvation
And on top of this, the Greek grammar – the verbs regarding the words used for salvation are always in the present tense, meaning “a continuous action that never stops,” or in the perfect tense, meaning “an action completed in the past with results in the present,” or in the aorist tense, meaning an action occurred in the Past (“Once & for all”) “an action which is thoroughly completed;” and always in the Indicative Mood, which is the “Mood of Certainty” (A Reality); without exception!

Sheep & Goats, Wheat & Tares
This goes back to the idea that sheep never become goats, goats don’t become sheep; tares never become wheat, we never turns into tares; believers never become unbelievers.

You will notice from the pictures of the wheat and tares above, as well as this picture of sheep and goats, that the outside physical similarities are uncanny, and the only way to tell the difference is by an up close examination.  As is seen regarding Jesus admonition concerning religious leaders to examine their fruit, which was a synonym for their deeds (Matthew 7:15-20).  

Examine Their Deeds
Jesus was not referring to an artificial, or simple observation concerning their deeds, He was talking about from God’s perspective of understanding those deeds that were done for the kingdom of God, and those deeds that were done to be “seen of men” which Jesus refers to in Matthew chapter 6 regarding the subject of alms, prayer, and fasting.  In this passage Jesus was referring to conducting these behaviors in private where God in private would openly reward His true followers for these behaviors.  The point Jesus was making is that man can fake these outward behaviors of appearing to be true Christians, yet it was God who saw the heart and understood the true motivation behind the behaviors of those that were His children and those that were not.

Born Again
And last of all, when Jesus chose to use the terminology born-again in reference to salvation (John 3:3).  Tell me what part does the baby have in their own birth, none; it is when 2 human beings come together in intimacy that they create the baby.  

Salvation Is God’s Gift to Us, It Is by God’s Grace
We must understand that salvation is God’s gift to us that we do not earn it in exchange for faith, we are not saved by faith.  We are saved by grace wherein God has mandated that we utilize faith to receive God’s grace, His unmerited favor unto salvation.  

How can we lose what we did not gain in the first place.  

Salvation vs. Heavenly Rewards
And for those that would think this creates license to live in sin, they missed the point.  We all get to heaven equally because of the value of the blood of Christ.  Yet once we get into heaven there are all different types of rewards based upon service and sacrifice done on earth.  This is where those that live more in their flesh as believers will lose out, and those that sacrificially put Christ at the center of their life will gain greater reward.  

A License to Sin
For those that think that the teaching of eternal security is unjust or unrighteous, and that it is not fair that those individuals who say they are believers and live more of the flesh ,they display their own hypocrisy and envy of those that sin on earth and are still be called believers.  Yet, it is the justice of God that those that use their talents to the greater extreme will receive greater reward in heaven.

Those that are referred to as carnal believers, those that live more in their flesh than other believers that live more in the spirit, will reap what they sow regarding rewards given in heaven, and those rewards they don’t receive based upon their own selfishness.  

God’s Ability to Keep His Children
And those that demand that eternal security is not eternal question the integrity and ability of God the Father to keep that which is His own and that which He is given His Son – it is a heresy to say that God cannot fulfill what He is promised to those that have accepted His sacrificial gift of the blood of Jesus for their sins, to give them eternal life which never ends.

Brent

Concerning the grammar regarding salvation, please see the following links:  

“ETERNAL SECURITY – ITS ABOUT GOD (A NOTABLE WORK)” – LINK

“PROOF OF ETERNAL SECURITY ~ EPHESIANS 2:8 (NOTABLE WORK)” – LINK

“WORK OUT YOUR OWN SALVATION ~ PHILIPPIANS 2:12-13 (NOTABLE WORK)” – LINK

“To most Christians, the Bible is like a software license.
Nobody actually reads it.
They just scroll to the bottom and click ‘I agree.’ 

Introduction 
When dealing with the subject of salvation (Soteriology, meaning: “The study of the doctrine of salvation“) from a Biblical foundation, perhaps the most well-known, most thorough, and most insightful treatment of the subject is found in Ephesians 2:8-10, which states:

“For by grace you have been saved through faith⁰, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.  For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.” 

The key word concerning the subject of salvation in this text is actually a phrase in the English, the phrase is: “have been saved” (which in the Greek is a single word), sesosmenoi¹ in the Greek. 

By examining this word, we shall uncover unseen shades of meaning. 

One need not ever study the original languages to understand what God is saying in His Word. 

Studying the Holy Scriptures in the languages God chose to communicate through has been compared to adding color to a black and white picture. 

The black and white picture gives meaning; color simple adds a fuller understanding, emphases, and clarity. 

If God chose those languages⁶ to communicate the good news to all of mankind, who are we to imply it is of no importance to search out their fullest meaning, especially in this day and age when it is so easy to do so.

Key Word
Sesosmenoi is a verb, which is an action, something that is done.  The following explains how verbs function in Koine Greek.

Greek Verbs
Greek verbs have five aspects: mood, tense, voice, person, and number.  They reveal:

†      Far more than a lexigraphical definition.

†      Who is performing the action.

†      Whether just one or more than one is doing it.

†      When it is done.

†      Whether it is a single event or process.

†      Whether it is an actual happening, a command, or something wished for.

†      Whether the subject of the verb is an active or passive participant (or both!).

 The Greek word sesosmenoi¹ is outlined as such²:

Perfect Tense:             Completed in the Past,
.                                         Results in the Present

Participle Mood:        Indicating a Full Completion, a Reality

Passive Voice:             The Subject Receives the Action – The
.                                          Subject is NOT the Performer
.                                          of the Action

Second Person:          Applies to the Person Reading It,
.                                           or Whom Spoken To

Plural Number:          All May Receive, “we,” No Exceptions

What this means is that the phrase “have been saved” is broken down as follows³:

1. It is a (Periphrastic) Participle Mood (PPM), which means; it is used to complete the idea of the main verb, it is called supplementary. 

An example is the statement “he is destroying,” is changed to “he has destroyed completely,” when the verb is changed to a PPM.

In the key text, it reinforces the concept of being completely saved, with no possibility of being or becoming unsaved.

The participle is a verbal adjective having tense and voice like a verb, and case, gender, and number like an adjective. Participles function as adjectives, adverbs, substantives, and verbs.

The Nominative Case means that the verb is the topic (focus, theme, and issue) of the sentence.  Salvation is the focus of attention in the text: not “grace” (though, it is how salvation is obtained), not “faith” (though, it is the vehicle that delivers salvation via grace), not “yourselves” (though, people are the ones being saved), not “the gift” (though, that’s what salvation is), not “of works” (though, that is how NOT to get saved), not “lest anyone should boast” (though, that is why God will not let salvation be worked for).

The focus of this verse is God’s free unmerited gift of salvation to those that will believe.

Salvation is not a trade for faith, though one must have faith to receive salvation. 

Because salvation is the focus and there are no conditions, the person that obtains it cannot lose it; and those that have obtained it, have done so due to a response in faith to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

2. It is in the Perfect Tense, which is an action that took place in the past, the results of which have continued to the present. 

It has no exact equivalent in the English, but it is understood as a past completion with the results effecting the present. 

This indicates that the salvation of the subject was completed in the past and continues to affect the subject in the present. 

Once gained, salvation cannot be lost.

3. It is in the Passive Voice, meaning that the one being saved did nothing to become saved. 

The action of the verb was done by someone else; in this case, God. 

God and God alone saves, the subject of the verb (man) has no power to save it’s (him) self.

4. It is in the Second Person, meaning what is being said is intended for the reader, the person who is reading this passage, the person who meets the conditions in the passage. 

Therefore, the person reading this passage, which lives by faith; shall (was-is-will) be saved.

5. It is in the Plural Number, meaning what is being said is meant for all who read it. 

God wants all of those who read this passage, who meets the conditions of this passage to know they are saved, though no act of their own, by His grace alone.

Main Grammatical Insight
Concerning the Participle Mood of this verse (as well as concerning other Greek words), when someone is saved, they are completely saved. 

They cannot be more saved, or less saved. 

Salvation is something that once gained it can never ever be lost; it can never ever, ever be undone.  Once you have it, you have it. 

This rhetoric expresses the vigorous emphasis that the grammar conveys.

Positionally, the believers are made “alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised … up with Him, and seated … with Him in the heavenly places, in Christ Jesus.”⁴  

However, functionally, they are still here on earth, living out their life; living out their salvation, which is guaranteed with a seal (a promise that cannot be broken, positive proof of ownership), which is the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.⁵ 

“When Jesus therefore had received the vinegar, he said, It is finished: and he bowed his head, and gave up the ghost.”  (John 19:30)

An Extra Consideration ~ It is Finished, Completely…
Salvation is completely finished – no one can add to it. 

Salvation is something that the Christian did not gain by merit or effort; therefore, it is something that they cannot lose by effort or a lack of merit. 

According to the Authorized Version (King James Version), the last thing Jesus said before His death on the cross (John 19:30) was “it is finished” (Tetélestai in the Greek). 

Other translations render Tetélestai, either, “accomplished” or “completed,” which is closer to the true meaning. 

Both these words indicate more than simply finishing an act; they mean a complete fulfillment of a purpose. 

Resent archeological digs have shed much light on our understanding of the word Tetélestai.

The first indication that there is a fuller meaning to this word was found concerning a property deed that had Tetélestai written across it, proving that the deed holder had paid for the land completely and owned it. 

After this find, archeologist started noticing Tetélestai used in accounting parchments and codex’s, as a conclusion rendering that accounts were “paid in full.”  And most notably it was also found on prisoner’s paperwork. 

In the Roman judicial system incarceration was used (not so in the Hebrew culture) and when a person was sentenced to serve time upon conviction of an offense, there was a copy of the court transcript, which stated the charge, and the verdict, and was posted outside their cell. 

This was technically called a “bill of indebtedness” in the Latin, in English it’s called “a debt to society,” and in the Hebrew it was referred to as the “handwriting of ordinances,” which Paul refers to in Colossians 2:14 (“Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross“). 

When a prisoner served a year, this would be reported on their “bill of indebtedness” until finally they had fulfilled their full sentence. 

They would be given this document to hold on to showing that they had paid the debt to society, so if anyone ever accused them of committing the offence and getting away with it or of being an escapee, they could produce the court transcript showing they served their sentence. 

When they had completed their punishment, Tetélestai, would be written across it, corner to corner, which meant the penalty was “paid in full.”

The reason this becomes important is concerning Christ’s last words, is it could be generally said: that “it is finished ,” or “it is completed,” could refer to a number of things. 

Jesus could having been saying that His life was completed, that His mission was completed, or that His teachings were completed. 

And while generally true, this is not the essence of what He was stating specifically. 

Tetélestai says much more specifically or denotatively, than it does in the general or connotation sense of the word. 

Jesus not only completed His mission, but much more important to the believer; He paid for their salvation in full. 

The point that Christ was making is that He had done it all on the cross. 

This is why you and I can add nothing to our salvation; because Jesus did it completely in that He paid in full the price of our redemption.

The Timeline of Salvation
Understanding that the Ephesians passage utilizes the perfect tense, indicating it was something completed in the past, with consequences which are ongoing, in the present and yet in the future as well; displays the three tenses of salvation, past, present, and future; which can be examined in Scripture by the following passages.

Past – Having Been Saved:      Ephesians 2:8-9
– Positionally Saved
– Entrance Ticket to Heaven
– Occurred at the Cross of Jesus
– Called Justification
– It Is a One Time Event
– Saved from the Penalty of Sin.

Present – Are Being Saved:      Romans 6:3-22
– Operationally Saved
– by the Holy Spirit
– Moment by Moment
– Occurring in the Life of the Believer
– Called Sanctification, It Is a Process
– Saved from the Power of Sin.

Future – Shall Be Saved:      Romans 8:23
– Eternally Saved
– Legally Ratified at the Bema Seat of Christ
– Occurring at the Rapture
– Called “the resurrection of our body”
– Saved from the Presence of Sin. (Based upon a teaching by Chuck Missler)

Conclusion
When Jesus died on the cross for the sins of the world, He paid the full price for those sins. 

There is nothing that a person can do to aid in their own salvation; it is freely given by God’s grace, it is an unmerited gift, Jesus did it all. 

He paid the price in full, in fact to imply otherwise or to attempt to add to it is blasphemy and according to God is rewarded with hell.

When Jesus died on the cross He just didn’t finish His life, finish His teaching, finish His work; Jesus paid the penalty for our sins, He Tetélestai, “Paid it in Full.”

 All Scripture verses listed, unless otherwise noted, refer to the King James Version.

bb

“The difference between ‘involvement’ and ‘commitment’
is like an eggs-and-ham breakfast:
the chicken was ‘involved’ – the pig was ‘committed’.”

Endnotes
0.  Biblical Faith

Biblical faith is found in God’s word because of the consistency of witnessing miracle after miracle exhibited in God’s word, with the end result being that truly this book could not have been authored by man, but must have been offered by He who can see the ending from the beginning – God Himself, wherein this book deserves our greatest attention as God’s revelation to man.  Biblical faith is to be primarily based upon an interaction with God’s word, as is declared in Romans 10:17, which states:

“Faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God“

The Source of Biblical Faith
Biblical faith is created and grown wherein as a person reads the Bible, and the Holy Spirit opens their spiritual eyes to perceive that which is laid out, it is a logical reasonable process of coming to the conclusion that this book could not have been written by mortal man (2 Timothy 3:16), because:

1) There are prophecies given in Old Testament, that are fulfilled in the New Testament.
2) There are prophecies given within the Bible as a whole, which are fulfilled since it’s closing.
3) There are scientific and natural insights presented in the Bible, which were once considered completely false; in time, science has caught up with the Bible proving that it was correct in the first place, and that it is beyond human insight.
4) There is deep wisdom that is written between its pages, which are far beyond the capacity of a human being to create.
5) There are internal evidences found in the Bible when it is crossed-referenced within itself in such a way that it is obvious that 40 different men could not have utilized the exact same type of “Figures of Speech,” including: typology, such as seen in metaphor, similes, models; along with prophetic symbols as seen in even the use of numbers, colors, events, material and substances, dates, mathematics, names, roles, and even people’s personality and lives; all done to portray a shadow of things to come rather in heaven, or in the particular case of Jesus, the fulfillment of the Messiah; as witnessed in His First and Second coming – as well as Last Days events – all done in such a way that the only explanation is that God orchestrated the creation of this Book.

All leading to the conclusion that this book was not written by man, but by a God that is outside of our time domain, who can see the ending from the beginning (Isaiah 46:9-10); who is all-powerful, and in total control of His creation (Isaiah 45:5-7), and therefore worthy of our complete trust and faith in what He has said and what He will do (Isaiah 46; Jeremiah 29:11).

1.   For the sake of doing any further Greek word study, the stand-alone Romanized transliteration of the word “saved” is sozo in the Greek, Strong’s Number 4982.
2.  The text used is from the ”H KAINH ΔΙΑΘΚΗ” translation by the Trinitarian Bible Society, and is a Byzantine text in accord with the Textus Receptus.
3.  THE COMPLETE WORD STUDY NEW TESTAMENT WITH GREEK PARALLEL, Dr. Spiros Zodhiates, PH T., AMG Publications, Chattanooga, TN 37422, USA, 1990.
4.  Ephesians 2:5-6.
5.  Ephesians 1:13-14; 4:30.
6.  Concerning the Languages of the Bible

Introduction
Both the Hebrew and the Greek languages have their own particular differences which are utilized by God, and which presents God’s message to man in a diversity of style and effectiveness that complement each other.

The Hebrew (Old Testament) language displays vividness, conciseness, simplicity and denseness, and is very poetic and therefore necessitates many more English words in its translation is due to its vagueness; therefore it has the ability to utilize puns, and many other rhetorical devices; which add color and nuances to the language beautifully.

Whereas in comparison, the Koiné Greek language (New Testament) is beautiful, rich, and harmonious, a very specific language, technical, efficient and effective; an excellent tool for vigorous thought and religious devotion.

These are characteristics which make Greek an excellent language for debate, philosophy, logic, and science, due to its strength and vigor; a language of argument with a vocabulary and style that penetrate and clarify phenomena rather than simply describe verbiage.

Greek takes many more English words to translate a single Greek word into English because of its specificity and exactness, yet for a different reason the Hebrew also needs  many more English words to translate a single Hebrew because it is vague.

Greek is perhaps the most precise form of expression found in any language, far beyond the English, Latin, or Oriental languages.

This is one of the closest to perfect languages in man’s existence, making it more than appropriate as God’s tool of communication to man.

What we find in these 2 languages, is that the Hebrew language, which God used as mankind was coming of age, growing from a single man (Abraham), to a family (the 12 Tribes), to a nation (Israel); is vague, limited in its revelation in the same way that God limited his exposure to the human race in the time of the Old Testament by utilizing a single man, his family, and a nation that would carry his word to the rest of the world.

During this time it is as if God is seen as if from behind the veil.

Yet, when we see the Greek language, with its specificity and preciseness, a language that reveals in great precision in a way that would be synonymous with God’s revelation of Himself in the person of Jesus.

This is why many people think that there one God of the Old Testament that is a judge, mean and condemning; and another God of the New Testament, patient, loving, and sacrificial.

There is only one God, He simply chooses different ways to reveal Himself, He has chosen a progression in revealing Himself (The good side of this is that as God has patiently and slowly revealed Himself, He has been patient with man as well, even winking at his transgressions [“And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men everywhere to repent” ~ Acts 17:30] – giving man a temporary acceptance through faith in God, as seen in the yearly sacrifice, prior to Jesus, but once Jesus has come; God specifically demands faith be placed in Him.)  

In the Old Testament they knew the Messiah was coming, but didn’t know who he was.  

In the New Testament God specifically revealed who the Messiah is, and that salvation can be found in no other  (See Gal. 3:22-26).

Concerning the precision and methodical nature of Koiné (Greek: “common”*) Greek, it should be understood that Hebrew Old Testament Scriptures, were translated into the “common” Greek  three centuries before the time of Christ, known as the Septuagint translation and was what Christ and the disciples used as their Scripture in their day (except for within the Temple and the synagogues, where the Hebrew translations of the Torah were utilized). 

(*The common dialect, as opposed to Attic dialect.  Koiné Greek is an ancestor of modern Greek, having come from the Classical Greek and mixed with local variances.  And is the first supra-regional dialect in Greece, becoming the lingua franca for the Eastern Mediterranean and ancient Near East throughout the Roman period due to the prior conquest of Alexander the Great – 336 BC to 323 BC, and therefore became the common language of the known world ~ 300 BC to AD 300.  Septuagint meaning: “seventy,” – the abbreviation LXX is found in your Bible margins when referring to it, and comes from the Roman alphabet symbolizing “70” – because seventy [72?] translators were used in its translation.  It took fifteen years to finish the Septuagint, from 285 to 270 B.C., and was commissioned and paid for by the Greek King of Ptolemaic Egypt, Ptolemy II Philadelphus [285-245 B.C.], his father was Ptolemy I.  Ptolemy I, was one of the four Greek generals of Alexander the Great, who after his death, slit up the kingdom of Alexander the Great; the Greek king of Macedon who became a world dictator. Ptolemy I and his son ruled the area of Egypt.)

This is why many times there is an inconsistency between our New Testament quotations of Old Testament passages, and the Old Testament passages themselves.

The reason that the two Testaments are not exactly the same is that our Protestant Old Testament is based upon the Hebrew Masoretic Text (The Hebrew Old Testament that was not codified until the 8th century A.D.), and Jesus and the disciples were quoting from the Greek Septuagint translation of the (Hebrew) Old Testament Scriptures, which explains the differences seen between the two (many Christian translators believe that the 8th century Hebrew Jewish translators used variant Hebrew words in the Masoretic translation to attempt to distance their translation from the Christian Bible which at the time used the Septuagint Old Testament; they believed Christianity was an evil cult), translations.

The supernatural outcome of having a (Septuagint) Greek translation of the Hebrew Old Testament is the ability to specifically understand the Hebrew words used in the Old Testament, as they could be laid next to the (specific) Greek, which would set up a parallel of translation effect.

So as to define the Hebrew according to the Greek; by thus setting aside the vagueness that was originally introduced, as well as gaining the ability to cross-reference each with each other, and have both of the Testaments comparable at the same time.

And in the process, acquiring greater insight into both translations; as seen in the New Testament quotes of the Old Testament which are made more precise and clear, and the Old Testament prophecies fulfilled in the New Testament with greater understanding.

It’s like God presented Himself in the Old Testament while still behind a veil to the Jews (“the Hebrews”), more mysterious and at arm’s length.

Yet, in the New Testament, Jesus revealed God in a more personal, detailed and intimate manner, in Himself (which is where we get the idea of: “having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ as our Lord and Saviour”).

We also have God presenting His written word in the specificity of the Greek language in the New Testament, and eventually (c. 280 BC) presenting a more precisely regarding the Old Testament as seen in the Septuagint.

Jesus Christ is the revelation of God the Father that was never seen before in such specificity (1 Timothy 3:16).

In the Old Testament we see the actions of God; in the New Testament we see this personality in the person of Jesus Christ.

Both of these languages are dead languages, meaning that they are permanently set – they do not change (which is important to us, in that consistency and uniformity are assured), and are therefore excellent tools for translation purposes with set meanings; even though our English is a living language, which is fluid – always changing; and therefore mandates a greater deliberation in translation.

Conclusion
How amazing is our God that He would specifically utilize two languages which are almost opposite of each other in order to fulfill His Will.

The one language He uses as He begins His journey with man from behind a veil, vague as He slowly, mercifully, but surely introduces Himself to mankind, utilizing a temporary year-by-year Levitical system to teach man that he is a sinner, awaiting the permanent substitute as seen in the person of Jesus Christ, the Messiah of Israel; the Savior of the world.

Jesus who was declared in a specific thorough language which gives great detail concerning the person of Christ who reflects the Father, wherein salvation is made specific concerning God’s demand that man placed his faith in God, wherein man accesses the grace of God for forgiveness through the atoning work of the cross.

Salvation comes only one way, God’s way.

Yet how miraculous it is to see how God even uses the languages He has chosen to symbolically display what He has literally written in His Word – our God is beyond awesome, there are no words to describe Him – all we could do is praise and glorify Him for His mercy and grace.  Aman

Introduction
The following is one of those passages wherein translating from the original Greek into the English renders it an enigma to many. 

Philippians 2:12-13 states:

 “Wherefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.” 

It is also a passage that those that would support the heresy that a truly born-again child of God can lose their salvation, would attempt to use in an effort to support this unbiblical presupposition. 

Kenneth Wuest says it best in his foundational work concerning this verse:

“The English translation is good, if one uses the words “work out” as one does when referring to the working out of a problem in mathematics, that is, carrying it to its ultimate goal or conclusion. The Greek word here means just this.” (see Endnote #4)

As Kenneth, so aptly points out that this phase is synonymous with a teacher who writes out a mathematical problem with its conclusion on the blackboard, then instructs the student to go through the problem and work out how the conclusion is achieved in order to understand the problem itself, this is how the phrase “workout” is to be best understood when translated in to the English. 

The context clearly points this out as it draws the conclusion that in considering the problem of sin, that God had to nail His own Son to the cross to deal with the severity of sin , it should move us to a place of “fear and trembling;” understanding how powerful and devastating sin truly is, and that it is God who works in us to desire and do HIS GOOD WILL, as is stated in verse 13 of Philippians 2, which fully states:

“For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.”  (Philippians 2:13)

Understanding that biblical context, wherein the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27 ~ “For I did not keep back from declaring to you all the counsel of God.” As stated in the literal translation, as in the Greek; wherein the counsel of God is synonymous with God’s word, known to us as the Bible), is examined concerning any doctrine is most important, with immediate context follows next. 

Yet, as seen in the immediate context of this following verse; it is God, and God alone who deserves the credit both to motivate us to do His good will, and also giving us the ability to do His good will. 

So where do we have the opportunity to boast that we keep ourselves saved, which is antithetical to teaching we can lose our salvation. 

You see you cannot proclaim that a person can act in such a way as to lose their salvation without necessitating that the person acted in such a way as to receive their salvation – this is heretical in that it is Christ, and Christ alone who acted in a way that would grant us salvation. 

Have we forgotten what Ephesians 2:7-10 states

“That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in his kindness toward us through Christ Jesus. For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast. For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them.”

You see good works do not proceed salvation, they follow after in salvation.  Which mandates that it is not good works that keep us saved in the first place, it is by God’s grace; his unmerited favor that we are saved, and it is by God’s grace that we continue unto the end of our salvation as well.

The old question is how do I lose what I never earned, and less I earned that which I would then proceed to lose.

As the old preacher said, this passage does not say to work for your salvation, nor to work to maintain your salvation, you are to work it out in understanding what a high price God paid for our salvation by the shedding of His son’s blood, wherein our mindset should engage in with “fear and trembling,” understanding the weight of sin.

It is being mindful of this weight of sin that helps keeps us walking and following our Lord and obedience, “with fear and trembling;” not that we would lose our salvation, but that we would let Him down; and allowing sin to reign our mortal bodies.

There’s a big difference between working for and “working out,” especially understanding the original Greek, which God choose to use to convey this precious New Testament of the blood of Jesus (Matthew 26:28).

The following commentary excerpt (I have lost the source information) exemplifies an excellent exegesis of , which states:

“Wherefore”
This refers to the verses that have preceded.  That of having the example of Christ’s humility to guide us and the exaltation of Christ to encourage us.

“Work out” 
Keep on working out thoroughly in your own mind, so as to achieve the desired results of understanding. 

Both freedom and responsibility are implied.  In verses 12 and 13, we see divine sovereignty and human freedom in blessed cooperation. 

Our salvation is worked in by the Holy Spirit in answer to faith in God’s promises and it is worked out by Christ’s atoning death upon the cross. 

It is always a matter of trust and obey; which is always based upon Biblical faith as seen in Romans 10:17, which states:

“So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

The verse does NOT say, “work for” your salvation.  The Philippians had already been saved.  Salvation is all of grace (Eph. 2:8-10), but is to be manifested in the daily life by glorifying Christ in everything. 

One must possess salvation first, and then work it out to its ultimate conclusion, namely, Christ-likeness. 

No one can live the Christian life until he has Christ.  It is not a matter of the imitation of Christ, but the manifestation of Christ, the Holy Spirit reproducing the life of Christ in and through the believers.

“Your Own Salvation”
Salvation is a personal relationship; it is a divine work accomplished at Calvary.  Salvation should be viewed in three tenses:  past, justification; present, sanctification; and future, glorification.

“With fear and trembling”
These two words describe the anxiety of the person who distrusts his own ability to meet all the requirements, but nevertheless does his best to discharge his duty. 

This is not slavish fear, but wholesome, serious caution. 

It is the constant apprehension of the deceitfulness of the heart, taking heed lest we fall (I Cor. 10:12); or stop short of the final goal (II Peter 1:1-11).

It is that desirable distrust of our own self-sufficiency and the consciousness that all depends on the grace of God. 

It is not fear of being lost, but fear of the failure of not walking in lowliness of mind, in true humility, and in unfailing obedience. 

It is fear of all that would rob us of our spiritual vitality and spiritual victory and of shrinking from all carelessness in matters of faith and life.

“For it is God which worketh in you”
For God is the one continually working effectually in you.  This word is used in Galatians 2:8 (wrought effectually) and in I Thessalonians 2:13 (effectually worketh).  We are God’s workmanship (Eph. 2:10).

“Both to will and to do”
To keep on being willing and to keep on working.  God is the source of al we need.  The Holy Spirit dwelling within makes the abundant life a reality (not merely a possibility).

“Of his good pleasure”
For the sake of His good pleasure – His sovereign and gracious purpose.

“Do all things without murmurings”
We are to keep on doing all things apart from “murmuring.”  “Murmurings” mean to mutter, to murmur, an expression of secret and solemn discontent.

The English word “murmurings” (Gr. gongysmos) appears many times in the LXX (Septuagint) of the children of Israel in the wilderness and refers to their stubborn spirit.

This is a direct action of displaying a lack of faith – the act that will send a person to hell for rejecting the atoning death of Jesus Christ, wherein a person will pay for their own sin.

It is perhaps the most insulting act against God, it is to say with their actions that God is not faithful, and trustworthy.

“And disputings”
“Disputings” refer to the thinking of a man deliberately with himself, rationalizing and calculating.

This word is translated “imagination” in Romans 1:21.  It has two distinct meanings:

1) inward questionings; and
2) outward disputings or discussions.

Used here in the first since it implies a doubtful spirit.  We get our word dialogue from this word.  The Christian is called to unquestioned submission to God’s will (see Endnote #1).

The Greek
Concerning the part of the passage: “work out your own salvation with fear and trembling;” the Greek word for “work out” is katergazomai.  The make-up of this verb is (see Endnote #2).

1. Its mood is an         Imperative

2. Its tense is               Present

3. Its voice  is               Middle (or Passive Deponent)

4. Its person  is             Second Person

5. Its number  is           Plural

Which Means

1. What this means is that the word “work out” is an imperative mood, which means it is a command, God demands for us to do something.

2. It is in the present tense, which means that the action is continuous – It never stops.

3. It is in the middle (or passive) voice, meaning that we have something to do, but the main action is done by the one sending the message – God.

4. It is in the second person, meaning what is being said is intended for the reader, the person who is reading this passage is the one God means it for.

5. It is plural in number, meaning what is being said is meant for all who read it, God wants all of those who read this passage, to understand, and constantly reflect on how God, using Jesus worked out (paid the price for) our salvation.

Main Grammatical Insight
This is why an understanding of the Grammar is so important.

If the word katergazomai was in the active voice (which is NOT), then the subject (the person it is written too) does (or is told to do) the action of the verb (work out their own salvation).

If it was in the passive voice  (which is NOT), the subject would not need to do anything at all.

BUT IT IS IN THE middle voice, this means God does the major action of redeeming the reader – He does the salvation, however, God intends for the reader to do something less as powerful (indicated by the passive deponent voice), which is to examine how God has worked out their salvation.

We are to keep examining this sacrifice, to keep reading God’s Word, to keep our eyes focused on God’s Son who died for us (see Endnote #4).

Warren Wiersbe states:

“The Greek word, katergazomai, which is rendered “work out” in the English was first used as a mathematical term, in the context of a teacher writing out an equation along with the answer, and then have the pupil (TO “work out”) go over the problem and answer so that he would understand the process.  It was done to reinforce an understanding of the process.”

“Work out your own salvation” (Phil. 2:12) does not suggest, “Work for your own salvation.” To begin with, Paul is writing to people who are already “saints” (Phil. 1:1), which means they have trusted Christ and have been set apart for Him. The verb “work out” carries the meaning of “work to full completion,” such as working out a problem in mathematics.”

“In Paul’s day it was also used for “working a mine,” that is, getting out of the mine all the valuable ore possible; or “working a field” so as to get the greatest harvest possible. The purpose God wants us to achieve is Christlikeness, “to be conformed to the image of His Son” (Rom_8:29). There are problems in life, but God will help us to “work them out.” Our lives have tremendous potential, like a mine or a field, and He wants to help us fulfill that potential.”

“This is why we are to review and keep reviewing how God saved us “with fear and trembling,” because God had to nail His own Son to the cross to save us, and we better hold that with the utmost respect and Godly fear.” There is a minor action for the hearer, that of the function in accordance with this insight, to: “do for His good pleasure,” meaning God’s Will.  Therefore, the hearer does not create or add to his salvation, but does obey God according to God working in the hearer, to desire to do God’s Will, and enables him to be able to achieve God’s Will” (see Endnote #3).

Endnotes
1.   THE KJV PARALLEL BIBLE COMMENTARY, Thomas Nelson Publishers, Nashville, TN, 37234, USA, 1990.

2.  THE COMPLETE WORD STUDY NEW TESTAMENT WITH GREEK PARALLEL, Spiros Zodhiates, PH T., AMG Publications, Chattanooga, TN 37422, USA, 1990.

3.  WIERSBE BIBLE COMMENTARY: NEW TESTAMENT, Warren Wiersbe

4.  WORD SRUDIES OF THE GREEK NEW TESTAMENT, Kenneth Wuest

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Introduction

“Sin,” in its most foundational depiction is anything opposed to that which is good (“Beloved, follow not that which is evil, but that which is good. He that doeth good is of God: but he that doeth evil hath not seen God.” ~ 3 John 1:11), and the ultimate depiction of what is good, is God Himself (the old English word “good,” in its non-Germanic masculine form of the noun is thought by some to be derived from the root word “God;” though some Etymologist disagree with this – what is a fact is that the expression “good-bye,” is a contraction of “God be with ye” used in the late 14th century); and a reflection of who God is (“And Jesus said unto him, Why callest thou me good? there is none good but one, that is, God.” ~ Mark 10:18), is seen in the law, which is the reflection of God’s principles, which are good (“If then I do that which I would not, I consent unto the law that it is good.” ~ Romans 7:16). 

Therefore, sin is anything that is opposed to God, His Will, or the law.

Observationally speaking, an old-time preacher once said that sin is selfishness; that there’s never been a sin committed for the truly good of others that isn’t upon further observation determined to be the act of a selfish person – a fallen human being.  

The Meaning of the Word “Sin”
The Greek word for sin is Hamartia, which means: “missing the mark.”  There is only one right way of doing anything, only one purpose in all of existence that is good, anything except for this perfect Will of God is “missing the mark,” and therefore sin. 

It is a word that was originally utilized within archery, wherein except for the perfect center, the bull’s-eye, which was the size of an arrow; anything outside of this perfect mark, was missing the mark (SIDE NOTE: This is where we get the Christian teaching that all sin is the same to God, rather you miss the mark by an inch or by a mile, it is still sin – however, to say that all sin is the same to God is actually incorrect.  We should say that sin is sin; it all is missing the mark.  God treats sin according to His perfect Will, wherein there is righteousness; but also justice. And the idea that someone lying to keep from supposedly hurting someone’s feelings would receive the same punishment as murder is unjust.  Example: God blessed the Egyptian midwives that lied to Pharaoh when they protected the Hebrew babies from slaughter; yet God killed millions of people in the Valley of Sodom and Gomorrah because of their sin.  Or take the lies and deception of the Germans that hid the Jews from slaughter during World War II.   And please don’t attempt to preach the fallacy of “The Greater Good” philosophy which has been used by every evil king and despots to rationalize mass genocide since the beginning of time.  The ends never justify the means; man does not have the ability to rationalize what sin is acceptable and what is not.  The believer must walk daily with God, and the Holy Spirit will display God’s Will when situations such as the above are encountered.  God is the only pure and righteous One that can differentiate the above types of situations, and what reward or punishment should incur – never forget the lesson of the potter and the clay, see Romans 9:21-23), complete perfection is what is demanded to be on the mark; and anything else, no matter how large or small is to miss the mark, and is thus hamartia – sin.   

Vines Greek Dictionary States:

Sin
A. Nouns.

1. hamartia (G266) is, lit., “a missing of the mark,” but this etymological meaning is largely lost sight of in the NT. It is the most comprehensive term for moral obliquity. It is used of “sin” as (a) a principle or source of action, or an inward element producing acts, e.g., Rom. 3:9; Rom. 5:12, Rom. 5:13, Rom. 5:20; Rom. 6:1, Rom. 6:2; Rom. 7:7 (abstract for concrete); Rom. 7:8 (twice), Rom. 7:9, Rom. 7:11, Rom. 7:13, “sin, that it might be shown to be sin,” i.e., “sin became death to me, that it might be exposed in its heinous character“: in the last clause, “sin might become exceeding sinful,” i.e., through the holiness of the Law, the true nature of sin was designed to be manifested to the conscience.¹

Our Examination
We shall examine 4 areas in regard to the subject of sin: 

1)      The 3 Categories of Sin

2)      The 5 Stages to Sin

3)      A Strategy used by Satan to Entice Sin

4)      The Threefold Progression of the Power of Sin

The 3 Categories of Sin

Categories or Types of Sin

In the world there are three types or categories of sin as seen in 1 John 2:16, which states:

“For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.”   

We understand that the Greek word for “lust” (epithumia) more correctly alliance with our English idea of strong desire (especially for what is forbidden), rather there is the sexual aspect or not.  Over the last 4 centuries the English word for “lust” has encapsulated the Anglo idea of sexual desire, which may or may not be the case.  However, to only classify the word lust concerning sexual desire is incorrect and has allowed many to lust after money and property without ever realizing that this word describes their desire to sin as well (which is to condemn the sin of greed).  In defining the above verse, a simplistic breakdown is:

“the lust of the flesh” summarizes the strong desire for (forbidden) comfort or pleasure  

“the lust of the eyes” summarizes the strong desire for (forbidden)  possessions & power

“the pride of life” summarizes the strong desire for (forbidden) standing & appearance – pride  

The desire of the flesh is our urges for comfort and pleasure: sex, food, drink, shelter, relief of discomfort.²  When it becomes sin, it manifests itself in gluttony, unlawful sex, drunkenness, laziness and uncontrolled unrighteous pleasure, to name only a few.  It is when we become all-consumed in desire due to our selfishness to gain greater comfort, pleasure and happiness (happiness is defined by those good things that happen to us and is an external condition; as opposed to joy which is an internal condition in regards contentment and well-being), in solely satisfying self; rather than Gods glory.  (Its key word is urge in regards to pleasure).

The desire of the eyes is our ever wanting covertness to have³ more, and more.  It is never content in trusting that God has provided us with what we need or where we are in life.  (Its key word is more in regard to possessions).

The pride of life is our pride in who we are⁴, what we have, and what we have done.  It always focuses back on self, rather than God. (its key words are me and mine, concerning appearance as manifested in pride – which is simply preoccupation with self).

The 5 Stages to Sin

Sin has a progression it follows:

 Å Sinful Contemplation⁵

Å Sinful Resolve⁶

Å Sinful Act⁷

Å Sinful Consequences⁸

Å Sinful Habit…   the 5^th stage

Biblical Example
II Kings 5:15-27 tells a story of the prophet Elisha, his servant Gehazi, and Naaman, a military Captain of Syria.  God healed Naaman through the hand of Elisha.  Elisha refused to be paid or to receive a gift in return for the healing.  Elisa’s servant, Gehazi lied to steal payment for himself.  He was cursed of God through Elisha; to receive the very disease Naaman had been cured.

“But Gehazi, the servant of Elisha the man of God, said, “^ALook, my master has spared Naaman this Syrian, while not receiving from his hands what he brought; ^Bbut as the Lord lives, I will run after him and take something from him.  So Gehazi pursued Naaman. When Naaman saw him running after him, he got down from the chariot to meet him, and said, “Is all well?” And he said, “All is well. My master has sent me, saying, `Indeed, just now two young men of the sons of the prophets have come to me from the mountains of Ephraim. ^CPlease give them a talent of silver and two changes of garments.’ …he took them from their hand, and stored them away in the house. … Elisha said to him, “Where did you go, Gehazi?” And he said, “Your servant did not go anywhere.  Then he said to him, “Did not my heart go with you when the man turned back from his chariot to meet you?” …  “^DTherefore the leprosy of Naaman shall cling to you and your descendants forever.” And he went out from his presence leprous, as white as snow.”

^A. Sinful Contemplation.

^B. Sinful Resolve.

^C.Sinful Act

^D.Sinful Consequences

We can see sin’s progress though this tragic display of disobedience based upon a lack of faith (a lack of faith can be seen when a person does not believe that God will punish them for evil committed, as well as trusting God to supply their needs rather than sinning in an attempt to meet their own needs in their own efforts).  Sin always involves both these elements; we will disobey God when we don’t believe or trust Him.

Faith involves the aspect of fearing God’s righteousness; and His ability to punish as much as it does His ability to protect (Psalms 2:11; 5:7; 19:9; 22:23,25; 25:14; 33:18; 34:9,11 for only a few).

“Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” (2 Cor. 7:1)

If the sin is not arrested and dealt with, but continues, then the 5th stage; that of a sinful habit is sure to follow.  This is where sin gains power and control over the individual, it predominates the life of the person (see below) and habituation is the result; yet normally not merely in this particular sin – but leads to many other types of sin as well.

These stages are repetitively seen in God’s Word.  Yet, this is not to say that this is the only pattern of progression into sin, though it is repetitively seen; such as in the first sin of man, as noted in Genesis 3:6-7, which states:

“So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes^A., and a tree desirable to make one wise^B, she took of its fruit and ate^C.  She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate.  Then the eyes of both of them were opened, and they knew that they were naked^D; and they sewed fig leaves together and made themselves coverings.  (Genesis 3:6-7)

Yet, for every problem, God has created an answer; if you are a child of His.  We must remember that the only forgiveness levied towards man from God is to His children which become such according to grace through faith in the atoning death of God’s Son, Jesus Christ.  The only pure sacrifice not deserving of death, who covered our sins by taking the punishment upon Himself at the cross.  All others who reject this amazing grace of son-ship and forgiveness of sin are doomed to hell; and will pay for their sins themselves throughout eternity.

For the Believer⁹ only, there is a way to deal with sin:

*   Godly sorrow¹⁰ 

*   Godly Confession & Repentance (turn from the sin toward God)¹¹

*   God’s Forgiveness¹²

*   God’s Peace¹³

*   God’s Strength to overcome the sin¹⁴

A Strategy used by Satan to Entice Sin

There are two obvious texts within the Bible that deal with the personage of Satan in the act of attempting to entice individuals to sin; the Garden of Eden, and the desert temptations of Christ.

The Garden of Eden – Sin’s Origins
When it comes to examining sin and the strategies Satan uses to entice sin, perhaps it is best to start at the beginning, concerning man’s mortal fall into sin (the hermeneutical principle of the “Law of First Mention,” wherein a word is best defined at its original point of origin), as found in Genesis chapter 3.

(SIDE NOTE: The first place that sin is seen in all of existence, would be Lucifer’s fall as recorded in Isaiah 14:12-20; which presents the foundation of sin, which is pride.  Pride is more than what is displayed in arrogant behavior.  Pride takes place in the heart – the internal makeup of the being.  Pride is preoccupation with self, rather as seen in grandiosity, or even in self-loathing; the issue is the point of focus; which must be on self.  Pride in its most elementary form is Self-Centeredness.)

Genesis, Chapter Three, Verse 1 reads:

“Now the serpent was more crafty than any beast of the field which the Lord God had made. And he said to the woman, “Indeed, has God said, `You shall not eat from any tree of the garden’?” (2) And the woman said to the serpent, “From the fruit of the trees of the garden we may eat; (3) but from the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, `You shall not eat from it or touch it, lest you die.” (4) And the serpent said to the woman, “You surely shall not die! (5) “For God knows that in the day you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” (6) When the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was a delight to the eyes, and that the tree was desirable to make one wise, she took from its fruit and ate; and she gave also to her husband with her, and he ate.

The Attack of Satan
In verse one, Satan attempts to create doubt (the opposite of faith in the mind of a person), by indirectly questioning what God has said.

In the second part of verse one, Satan attempts to distort by misquoting what God has said. Genesis 2:16, says: “From any tree of the garden you may eat freely; but from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat, for in the day that you eat from it you shall surely die.” Yet Satan only recites the first part of God said, leaving off the (deadly) Exception to the rule.  In verse 4, Satan states that God is a liar, then Satan states the logical reason why God would lie, He is afraid, and therefore God is unjust because he does not want man to be like Him.

There is Satan’s (“A liar and the father of lies,” ~ John 8:44) subtle attack.

1) He indirectly questions, and then.
2) He Distorts by misquoting, then.
3) He openly says God is a liar, and then.
4) He uses logic about fear to prove his case.

Satan’s attacks are basically simple; he attempts to slyly introduce doubt, misquotes God’s Word just enough that the distortion feeds into his premise.  Then once the individual has taken the bait, he openly attacks God, and uses what appears to be a logical rationale.

When attempting to understand Satan’s end run, all we must do is look at what is our crowning mandate from God unto salvation and son-ship, it is grace; but grace is accessed through faith – faith is our vulnerability.  It is not a lack of sin that will get you to heaven, because all have sinned and all deserve hell (Romans 3:23), and we will all continue to sin until we depart from this flesh (“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.” ~ 1 John 1:8 – the phase: “we have” (Greek: echo) is in the present tense, meaning it is a Continuous Action – It Never stops; and indicative mood, meaning it is a FACT).  What will get you to heaven is faith and trust in God.  True Biblical faith will always lead to obedience, because when one believes and trusts what God has said in His Word to do or not do; faith displays reliance upon that to obey for one’s own well-being; as well as that of pleasing God (Hebrews 11:6-8).

To Reiterate
Faith – it is the thing that Adam violated when he did not trust that God could take care of the situation.  This is Satan’s greatest desire, not just to have man sin, but that the sin is based upon a lack of trust in God – going the opposite direction of faith.  One of the Greek words for “faith” is pistis.  In Greek when a “a” is added as a prefix to a word (in front of the word, such as asymptomatic, or atypical) it means the opposite of the word.  The Greek word: apistos – means “no faith,” “it is a negative particle – actively disbelieving” ~ an active act of continually disbelieving.  Faith is never stagnant it either increases (pistis) or decreases (apistos), as in this form which is decreasing continually.  It is your faith that Satan will attack, and to do so he must impugn the Word of God and the nature of God, displaying that God is not worthy of your trust – this is what you must keep in mind when you are tempted to sin.  Satan is trying to create apistos in us.

On some level every sin is the lack of faith in God.  If you are hungry and have not eaten food in a few days and steal, you are not trusting that God can use that painful situation for your betterment.  If you covet your neighbor’s possessions to the extent that you become preoccupied with it, you have not trusted that God is giving you what you need.  If you murder (which is not killing in self-defense or the protection of life or limb), by taking the life of another based upon your own justification, you are not trusting that God is the one that will vindicate you and work all things out – you usurp His authority and will.

We’re not to simply obey for the sake of obeying, we are to obey for the sake of faith because God is trustworthy and therefore what He says is trustworthy to do.  It is in understanding that Satan is always attacking your faith, your faith in God’s Word, your faith in the personage of God; yet always attacking your faith wherein sin will be manifest.

Christ’s Temptation
Christ understood sin, in all its forms and devices and the many cloaks it uses to perpetuate itself.  He not only knew the Word of God, He was the Word of God.  Every time He was faced with sin he relied upon Scripture¹⁵, this is what we must do.

The New Testament displays two accounts concerning the temptation of Christ as found in the 4th chapter of Matthew, and in the 4th chapter of Luke.  What is notable concerning these two accounts is that the sequences of temptations are not exactly the same between the two accounts.  It is notable to remember that Matthew was a tax collector which mandated that he was also a stenographer to the extent that the book of Matthew displays the verbatim quotes of Jesus due to Matthew’s ability to write out in real time what was said.

Why a Difference in the Two Accounts of Jesus Temptation
If we remember from our previous articles concerning the diversity of the 4 Gospels, wherein God displayed four different aspects of the Messiah; the book of Matthew was written from Jerusalem to the Jew concerning the Messiah, the lion of the tribe of Judah.  It was concerned with what Jesus said (the word “said” is used 151 times ~ which is the phrase that is used more than any other).  The Matthew genealogy focuses on “Jesus Christ, the son of David,” as is seen in the 1st verse; and starts with the father of the Hebrew faith Abraham; and centers on His royal bloodline.  The book of Mark displays Jesus as the suffering servant of Isaiah 52-53.  There is no genealogy because slaves do not maintain a pedigree, and is the shortest book.  It was written from Rome to Romans, and focuses on what Jesus did.  The book of Luke presents Jesus as the perfect man (what Adam was meant to continuously be), written by a Gentile physician, Luke a follower of Paul.  It was written to the Greek world and emphasis what Jesus felt, and speaks more about the universal salvation which included Gentiles, than the other Gospels.  The genealogy starts with Jesus and goes back to the 1st perfect man, Adam; and focuses on his natural bloodline through Heli, Mary’s father.  The book of John was written from Ephesus to the church, and focuses on the deity of Jesus Christ; as seen in the genealogy in verse 1, “in the beginning was the word and the word was with God, and the word was God.”

Many people point out the differences concerning the chronological order presented in the first 3 Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke; which make up the synoptic Gospels – the word synoptic means forming a general summary or synopsis: “a synoptic outline of the contents” – these 3 Gospels follow a basic chronological narrative), not recognizing that certain events our singular to other events that occur in other gospels, and that not all singular events are reference to the same event.  Such as more than one feeding of the 5000, even within the same locality.  There are many events which appear similar but are separate that occurred during the 3 and half years of Christ ministry.  Many books written about this and not the Gospels which tried to parallel these events do or great disservice to faith not recognizing that many events that appear very similar are yet different.  I spent years following the fallacy of attempting to explain the differences rather than walking in the faith already established based upon the infallibility of God’s word, to the extent that the effort undermined faith rather than build, and displays the vanity and pride of certain scholars who attempt to prove of God.  This is the fallacy of attempting to understand something diverse according to our own presuppositions rather than taking it at face value.  What we negate is that within the Hebrew mindset chronology was not as important as purpose. And wherein according to the logic of our Western way of thinking, presenting events out of their chronological order is an assault against the truth; this is not true within the mindset of the middle and Far East thinking and rationality.  This is what is seen in the book of John which is not chronological concerning the individual events, nor is it ever meant to be; but groups things according to their greater purpose.  The book of John is spiritual because it deals with the divinity of Christ, which many times appears to be almost mystical.  Yet, what is more mystical than finite man attempting to understand an infinite God.  To see more on the differances in the 4 Gospels – click here.

Therefore it is in understanding that the diversity between the sequences concerning Christ temptation as found in the 4th chapters of Matthew and the 4th chapter of Luke are presented as such in order to emphasize certain characteristics that the book is meant to display, and does not display a lack of integrity; but is used to either present Christ according to him being the Messiah, King of the Jews; lion of the tribe of Judah as found in the book of Matthew; or as presenting Christ as the perfect man as found in the book of Luke.

The Book of Matthew Account

The shorter of the two versions, the book of Matthew states:

“Then was Jesus led up of the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil. And when he had fasted forty days and forty nights, he was afterward an hungred. And when the tempter came to him, he said, If thou be the Son of God, command that these stones be made bread. But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God. Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple, And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone. Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God. Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them; And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me. Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve. Then the devil leaveth him, and, behold, angels came and ministered unto him.”  (Mat 4:1-11)

The 3 temptations can be broken down in the following way:

“If thou be the son of God” (tempting in the “pride of life“) “command that’s the stones be made bread” (tempting in the desire / “lust of the flesh“)

“If thou be the son of God” (tempting in the “pride of life“) “cast thyself down: for it is written, he shall give his angels charge concerning the: and in their hands they shall bear thee up lest at any time thou shalt dash thy foot against the stone” (a misquote of Scripture – tempting in the “pride of life“)

“All these things I will give the, if thou wilt fall down and worship me” (tempting in the desire / “lust of the eyes“)

Each time Christ retorts using Scripture only, not philosophy, not ideology, not logic, nor even common sense; He only uses God’s word.

The Threefold Progression of Sin

The Progression of Sin ~ The 3 P’s
Sin can be seen to move in a progressive manner.  Some have wisely said that sin is like cancer in that it never stays stagnant, but always must grow overtaking its host in the same way that cancer does, until finally it has caused death through decay.

One of the deceptions of sin is that it can lay dormant and benign, with little interruption in one’s spiritual life; innocent and nonthreatening.  However, there is a progression; in a manner in which if left unchecked will always grow.

Sin first preempts, then preoccupies, then finally it predominates its host.  This marked progression is notable; though it may function extremely fast, or rigidly slow; but it will occur.

Preempt ~ “to take the place of,” “displace,” “to make something first,” primarily a singular activity – may not be habitual behavior.

“Thou shalt have no other gods [“anything!”] before [“prior to” – “preempt”] me. (Exodus 20:3)

“But seek ye first [“before everything else”] the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.” (Mat 6:33)

Preoccupy ~ “to take possession of, you live in, to occupy,” repetitious singular activities – habitual behavior.

“Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, ye which are spiritual, restore such an one in the spirit of meekness; considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.”  (Gal. 6:1)

Predominate ~ “to have control over,” “gain power over,” “to prevail,” habitual behavior that totally controls all other areas, and rules anything else”

“In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth; And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.”  (2 Tim. 2:25-26)

In the garden eve fixed her eyes (Concerning: “fixing our eyes” see below “Our Example”) on the object of sin, she studied it, she watched it – it preempted her life.  She became obsessed with it, even concerned about touching it.  Her eyes got fussy about it, when Lucifer questioned her (he realized her fascination with it, this was his “in”) she seemed to get confused about exactly what sin was.  She said she couldn’t eat it or touch it, indicating the confusion that came from being preoccupied with it.  The first lesson we should learn is to not stare, fix our eyes on, or think upon sin this is preoccupation with sin, and leads to playing with it.  We try to figure it out, how it affects us, why it is so pretty; we even try to move it from view rather than running from it.  At this point we are ready to be predominated by it.

The Answer
So the question is, how do we handle sin; the answer is we don’t – Christ did 2000 years ago when He was nailed upon that tree.  Though that is a curt answer, is actually the correct theological answer in that we are not supposed to attempt to handle sin on our own, this is where we seek God.

What We Do
First, we should pray.  Pray for God’s protection and direction.  But pray to get out of the temptation.  In the disciple’s prayer as recorded in Matthew 6:9-13, Jesus states:

“…And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.”

However, this is not to suggest that God leads us into temptation.  God is not the tempter, Satan is.

Warren Wiersbe says concerning this passage:

“It is right to pray for daily physical needs, for forgiveness, and for guidance and protection from evil. “Lead us not into temptation” does not mean that God tempts His children (James 1:13-17). In this petition we are asking God to guide us so that we will not get out of His will and get involved in a situation of temptation (1 John 5:18), or even in a situation of tempting God so that He must miraculously rescue us (Matt. 4:5-7).”

This stance has more to do with being plugged in with God, and not placing ourselves into her position of being tempted, as seen in the following suggestions.

Next, we are to RUN, if at all possible (1 Cor. 6:18; 10:14; 1 Tim. 6:11; 2 Tim. 2:22; James 4:7), run.

Preparation
And if we cannot run from the temptation to sin, we are to STAND (Rom. 5:2; 14:4; 1 Cor. 2:5; 16:13; 2 Cor. 1:24; Gal. 5:1; Eph. 6:11, 13, 14; Philip. 1:27; 4:1; Colo. 4:12; 1 Thess. 3:8; 2 Thess. 2:15; James 2:3; 1 Peter 5:12).  But not in our own strength, but in His; according to the armament He has prepared for us.

“Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord, and in the power of his might. Put on the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual wickedness in high places. Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Stand therefore, having your loins girt about with truth, and having on the breastplate of righteousness; And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Above all, taking the shield of faith, wherewith ye shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.”  (Eph. 6:10-18)

There is much here which should be studied on its own concerning equipping ourselves for the battle which we are in; a battle that occurs each and every day of our life after having become the child of God.

Our Example
We are NOT to fix their eyes on sin; we are to fix our eyes on Christ.

“Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.”  (Heb. 12:2)

The word: “Looking” (aphorao) [G872] means: “to consider attentively” and the grammar is:
Tense-Present ~ A continuous action (it never stops)
Voice-Active  ~ The subject (person) causes the action (keeps looking at…) the object receives the action

The verb here, “looking,” is in the present tense, indicating it is a continuous action that never stops.  This is not as some have stated in singular examination of Christ in order to be saved.  This is the continual decision to fix our eyes upon Christ, who is the author and finisher of faith.  The original Greek does not have the word “our,” this is the presumption made by the original translators and not in the original text whatsoever.  The reason for this is because of the Greek words which are translated into the English “author” and “finisher.”

This passage states indisputably that we are to look unto Jesus as our example (this is the context that this set-up according to the prior verse, v. 1), as Jesus is the author and finisher of faith, not our faith, but of faith! This is not speaking of faith in the sense of: “the faith,” concerning Christianity as an institution or of Christian doctrine (please review our teaching website “FaithBibleMinistries.com,” the “Faith – Part 1″ page (Link); the section entitled: “Faith Applications,” which emphatically proves that this is not speaking about the faith in the generic sense, but in a denotative sense, as in the exercise of faith); because the article (“the”) is missing.

Concerning the subject of faith; the word for “author” (Greek: archēgon) more specifically is translated “the originator and first to utilize;” and the word “finisher“ (Greek: teleiōtēn) more specifically means “to completely have done and finished what was started and works in unison with“ (Greek: archēgon), both describing Jesus being the originator and best example to have thoroughly demonstrated faith.

The reason that we keep our eyes constantly fixed on Christ as displayed in God’s Word, is He is our perfect example of one that exercised total faith in God.  This is why He did no miracles prior to being baptized with the Holy Spirit in preparation for His ministry (Luke 3:22).  This is why He claimed to have limited knowledge (Mark 13:32).  Jesus repetitively stated that He could do nothing of Himself (John 5:19; 5:30; 8:28), outside of the power of the Holy Spirit or the Father. Plus, if He had all this power in hand, why was there a necessity for the Holy Spirit to indwell Him (Luke 3:22), empowering Him for His ministry. While some have said this was for display purposes only; this is ridiculous concerning God. God may do something and then display it so we can see it, but God never acts, nor does He need to make excuses or prove Himself to man. What God does or says is either real; and choses to display it; or it is real and is hidden. God does not act or do things simply to be seen.

While I am aware that this may sound like heresy to some, it is only because of the traditions of the church where those that cannot accept that Jesus while maintaining the essence of divinity, disrobed Himself of those attributes of Omniscient (Latin: “All Knowing”), and Omnipotence (Latin: “All Powerful, Visible & Invisible”); without maintaining His deity.  My next blog  shall be an outline of this doctrine which is far more complete and compelling than this very small tidbit (please review the blog that is set to auto publish on 04/27/2012, entitled: “Jesus ~ The Ultimate Example of Faith” which emphatically proves this teaching).  Jesus was not a faker, an actor or a liar when He displayed His humanity and the necessity that He too would be limited and have to exercise faith as our great example – are author and finisher of faith.  Would Jesus demand of us that which He would not do Himself?

The Conclusion
We are instructed in God’s word that if we had the opportunity we are to run away from temptation.  Many believers based upon their own pride have attempted to stand and fight temptation on their own, only to be taught the lesson of humility and dependence upon God.

However, there are those situations where we cannot run away from the temptation; and in these situations are protection is the full armor of God as seen in Ephesians chapter 6 wherein we are to stand.  Notice how it doesn’t say that we are to go forward, that we are to march in the battle.  We are to put on the armament of God, his protection and power and stand and watch him fight the battle for us.  When we attempt to go into the battle ourselves we are setting ourselves up for failure.  This is why we are to stay, and having done all – STAND.

The Positive Side of the 3 P’s
If we put on the full armor of God, our life will become preempted by the preeminence of Jesus Christ.  We will become preoccupied with Him and His word, and we will therefore be predominated by doing the will of the Father.

A Last Consideration ~ Please Read and Study Romans 6, which states:

“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know ye not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection: Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: Knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dieth no more; death hath no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God. Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord. Let not sin therefore reign in your mortal body, that ye should obey it in the lusts thereof. Neither yield ye your members as instruments of unrighteousness unto sin: but yield yourselves unto God, as those that are alive from the dead, and your members as instruments of righteousness unto God. For sin shall not have dominion over you: for ye are not under the law, but under grace. What then? shall we sin, because we are not under the law, but under grace? God forbid. Know ye not, that to whom ye yield yourselves servants to obey, his servants ye are to whom ye obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you. Being then made free from sin, ye became the servants of righteousness. I speak after the manner of men because of the infirmity of your flesh: for as ye have yielded your members servants to uncleanness and to iniquity unto iniquity; even so now yield your members servants to righteousness unto holiness. For when ye were the servants of sin, ye were free from righteousness. What fruit had ye then in those things whereof ye are now ashamed? for the end of those things is death. But now being made free from sin, and become servants to God, ye have your fruit unto holiness, and the end everlasting life. For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.”  (Romans 6:1-23)

Endnotes
1. VINE’S EXPOSITORY DICTIONARY OF OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT WORDS, W.E. Vine, Ellis Enterprises Inc., Oklahoma City, OK 73120, USA, 1988, Electronic Media
2. James 1:14               (Luke 4:3)
3. Luke 12:16-20         (Luke 4:7)
4. James 4:16               (Luke 4:9)
5. James 1:14
6. James 1:15a
7. James 1:15b
8. James 1:15c
9. Romans 6:12
10. II Corinthians 7:9-10
11. I John 1:9; Matthew 3:2, 9:13, 21:28-32; Mark 6:12; Luke 3:3; 15:7; II Peter 3:9
12. Ephesians 1:7; Colossians 1:14
13. Acts 10:36; Romans 5:1, 8:6, 14:17, 15:13; II Corinthians 13:11; Philippians 4:7
14. I Corinthians 10:13; Romans 16:25
15. Mark 7:6; Luke 4:4-12, 10:26; John 6:41-45, 8:15-17, 10:33, 34

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Introduction
All believers need to develop self-discernment – introspection. 

Introspection is the ability to see ourselves as we really are, based upon God’s word, and not clouded by our own sense of wanting to be right

The Need to be Right
Don’t misunderstand, it is this innate God-given desire to be right that keeps us from being totally comfortable with sin wherein we must justify that our wrongs are actually right. 

And if God had not placed this desire to be right with us, there is no doubt that man would destroy himself if he did not need to feel right, which we refer to as have a conscience – John 8:9. 

It is the conscience within man that drives him to be right, yet when he is wrong it is also this drive that forces him rationalize that his wrong is really right in order to live with himself.

On a personal note, as a counselor I have never met a client that is in all actuality really comfortable with being wrong, in the present tense. 

There are times that people will admit that “I was wrong back then, but now I’m okay.”

However, this is totally different than taking personal responsibility that a person is actively wrong at that present time without any justification of that behavior.

The Spiritual Difference
This is what should occur when a person accepts the Lord and owns the fact that they are sinners deserving of hell; coming to God confessing themselves as a sinner pleading for God’s grace; and believing and trusting in God’s word that God is faithful to forgive him based upon what God’s word has said.

Always remember we are NOT saved by faith, we are saved by grace; yet faith gives us access in appropriating God’s saving grace to our lives. 

Salvation is always a gift; it is never bartered for (Ephesians 2:8).

Denial is the Worst Sin 
It is the rationality of sin that becomes the worst problem, much more so than the sin itself.

Because if we have a rationality of why our wrong was really right, then we have a rationality to continue in it; and in the process we start a pattern of rationalizing all sin in our lives that makes us feel comfortable with ourselves.

We must understand there is a difference between a singular sin, and a sin that becomes habitual.

Introspection, or better stated self-discernment aids us in being truthful with ourselves, wherein the Holy Spirit has a greater ability to convict us of the sin in our lives (John 16:8-11,13).

And for those that would protest and state that as believers we can stop sinning, we need to see what God has to say on the subject.  But first let me say why this is wrong. 

The Teaching that Believers can Totally Stop Sinning
This teaching distorts the Word of God.  Many well-known teachers have taught this heresy – yes I say heresy – the devil uses this form of pride more than any other promote overt sins which are easily seen by others, by due to the self-denial are unseen by the person himself.

Whereas the pride that states that you must no longer sin, and have the ability to do so is a sin so well hidden, whose aim is to hide other sins – because if you’re truly saved, and the truly saved cannot sin; then you must not be sinning if you are saved; or even worse yet, if you sinned as a believer, then you have lost your salvation and you’re going to hell .

What does the Biblical text say in 1 John 1:8:

“If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us.”

Why would I go so far as to say that teaching that the believer can become sinless is a heresy, it is because this is what God says in His word.

You see, if we go so far as to say that we have no sin; the Scripture says the truth is not in us – which is to enter into heresy (Heresy Is an opinion or doctrine held in complete opposition to an Orthodox position which undermines a foundational truth concerning an essential belief.).

And for those that would say that this is prior to the Christian’s conversion, speaking about our prior life as unbelievers, they ignore the Greek grammar which God utilizes to make the point.

You see the verb translated into “we have” (Greek: echo) is in the perfect tense – meaning:  it is a continuous action that never stops – period!

The full grammar of this verb is:

present tense,           meaning it is:     Continuous Action – Never stops

active voice,              meaning it is:     Subject Causes the Action (Object Receives Action)

indicative mood,        meaning it is:     Mood of Certainty – A Reality

first-person,              meaning it is:     Applies to the Speaker (“I” – “We”)

plural number,           meaning it is:     Applies to All

So you see this applies to everyone, believer or not (as seen in the grammar of the word: “we”); especially in light to the fact that John was addressing believers only as seen throughout this letter.

And to validate this point even further, we read 1 John 1:10, which states:

“If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.”

The verb “sinned” (Greek: hamartano, a derivative of hamartia) meaning: “missing the mark“- it is an archery term, wherein the bull’s-eye is the size of the arrow dead center in the target, and anything outside of dead center – perfection, is missing the mark – sin.

The Greek grammar of the word hamartano used here is:

Tense Perfect           Completed in the Past, Results in the Present

Mood Indicative         Mood of Certainty – A Reality ~ it is an undeniable fact

Voice Active              Subject Causes the Action (Object Receives Action) ~ we choose to do it

Person First              Applies to the Speaker (“I” – “We”) ~ this is to you and I

Number Plural           Applies to All ~ it applies to everyone

And as we know, the perfect tense is meant to show a complete unmovable reality that the thing has occurred, yet is ongoing in the present.

It is not that the results of the sin are present without the action present also – The action is present with the result.

The idea is that the reality of the presence of the thing is so assured that it is stated in the past tense
Within the Greek grammar, to express the complete solidity of something, it is referred to in the past tense – this does not mean that it occurred only in the past, and is not present in now. 

The idea is you cannot change the reality of something’s existence anymore to change the past

This, among many other Scriptures teaches that believers are still sinners; and will sin as part of their makeup (Read Romans 7:14-25, is also in the present tense).

Yet at the same time we are not captive to sin – it is not our master that we MUST succumb to it EVERY TIME sin is presented.  We have choices.

By no means am I rationalizing sin.

The choice to sin is a moment by moment decision.

And we’re told in God’s word, over and over TO NOT CHOOSE SIN!

The problem with the singular sin is it many times leads to an habitual sin – plural sin – and then the sin solidifies within our lives, it takes root and is much harder to remove.

This means that a sin then becomes a habit, and once it becomes a habit; we have yielded ourselves to it as our master, which is what Paul refers to in Romans.

Yet based upon 1 John 1:9 (“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”); the Scripture found between the two above Scriptures, it is when we confess our sins and relinquish its control and choose not to let it be our master, that the power of sin is broken in our lives.

Warren Wiersbe States:

“Christians do sin, but this does not mean they must be saved all over again. Sin in the life of the believer breaks the fellowship but does not destroy the sonship. A true Christian is always accepted even if he is not acceptable. How does God provide for the sins of the saints? Through the heavenly ministry of Christ. We are saved from the penalty of sin by His death (Rom. 5:6-9), and we are saved daily from the power of sin by His life (Rom. 5:10). The word “advocate” means “one who pleads a case” and is the same Gk. word as “Comforter” in John 14:16. The Holy Spirit represents Christ to us on earth, and the Son represents us to God in heaven. His wounds testify that He died for us, and therefore God can forgive when we confess our sins. Read carefully Rom. 8:31-34. The word “confess” means “to say the same thing.” To confess sin means to say the same thing about it that God says. Keep in mind that Christians do not have to do penance, make sacrifices, or punish themselves when they have sinned. Every sin has already been taken care of at the cross. Does this give us license to sin? Of course not! The Christian who truly understands God’s provision for a life of holiness does not want to deliberately disobey God.”

Self Discernment
As believers we must be able to discern when we are simply defending our own egos based upon pride, as opposed to defending the gospel in humility.  And believe you me; unbelievers have the ability to know the difference, if they choose.

How often I hear preachers talk about the blindness of the unbeliever, glossing over the fact that the unbeliever sees the hypocrisy that happens in many of our churches and uses this to accuse Christ, to blasphemy and slander Him and His Church.

We must not forget that the unbelievers were created in God’s Image (In the person of Adam prior to man taking on a fallen nature, yet we were born after man’s fall in the image of our father Adam – in the image of a fallen man), just as much as believers are, even though the human nature has been corrupted by the fall, much of the unbelievers discernment (many things are simply too easy to recognize, rather for the Believer or non-believer), is much better than we wish to give them credit, especially in regards to pride.

And do not attempt a fool yourself that because you’re a believer, and because the Holy Spirit indwells you that you cannot be self-deceived about your own sinfulness (remember Christ’s admonition to the apostles “be not deceived,” which would make no sense if this could not occur ~ Luke 21:8.  Believers can be deceived, and of the worst type of deception – self-deception), God is a gentleman and will not crush you into seeing the truth, but will use His Word and experiences in life to teach you concerning your own pride and self-deception – if you will allow this to occur.

And this does not diminish the fact that unbelievers can tell the difference between an arrogant attitude, and a humble one.

So self-examination is necessary in order to foster humility based upon a true examination of who we really are as sinful creatures.

Judging
Paul elegantly said it best when he stated in 1 Corinthians 11:31:

“For if we would judge [Greek: diakrino] ourselves, we should not be judged [Greek: krino].”

The first word for “judge” is diakrino, and means to separate thoroughly, to withdraw from, to discriminate, or decide; depending on the grammatical breakdown.

The second word in this passage for “judge” is krino, and according to its grammar within this passage means to condemn.

The literal Greek rendering is:

“if we discern for ourselves, then we will not be eternally condemned.”

According to the full context of the chapter which centers on the Lord’s Supper; what is implied is that if a person discerns himself according to the Gospel, faith unto salvation, they will not be eternally judged – the discernment here is unto life, not unto death.

Many preachers have unwittingly taught this passage of Scripture concerning the Lord’s supper completely opposite of what the Greek text states.

If we notice a few verses prior to verse 31, 1 Corinthians 11:27 states:

“Wherefore whosoever shall eat this bread, and drink this cup of the Lord, unworthily, shall be guilty of the body and blood of the Lord.”

The mistake that many preachers make concerns them teaching that you must be sure that you are right before the Lord before taking the Communion of the Lord, it deviates from the text in that it teaches the person to focus on themselves as being acceptable to God.

No man, on his own is acceptable to God.

We are accepted because and through Jesus Christ.

And what this text focuses on is the word “unworthily”, which is an adverb, and speaks about the form or manner that these people were indulging in the Communion of the Lord.

We know from previous statements that the Corinthian church were taking the love feast (It was a potluck supper), wherein they would have a meal and during the meal serve communion as seen in 1 Corinthians 11:21-22, which states:

“For in eating every one taketh before other his own supper: and one is hungry, and another is drunken. What? have ye not houses to eat and to drink in? or despise ye the church of God, and shame them that have not? What shall I say to you? shall I praise you in this? I praise you not.”

What Paul addresses is that they had turned this love feast into a gluttonous party where people became intoxicated.

It is when they took communion without focusing on Jesus Christ and Him supplying their salvation, doing so in a matter of not taking it seriously, being drunk; this is what brought sickness upon the believers.

Again the focus is not if you are justified before God, Jesus took care of that.

And if you spend your time trying to figure out if you’re good enough you’re doing the opposite of what should be done at communion.

What we do is we remember what Jesus did.  It’s not about us, it’s about him.

 In verse 32 it states literally in the Greek:

“when we perceive we are condemned as sinners, this perception by faith leads to God’s training/teaching [by and through His Word] wherein we are saved apart from the world that is condemned to pay the price for that condemnation“. 

What we should always do is keep ourselves in check by examining ourselves concerning how we act in life.

The manner in which we engage ourselves with unbelievers and believers, based upon the truth of what is occurring in not upon self-deception.

Introspection is a necessary aspect of being a Christian. 
Introspection is never to be done to figure out if were worthy of salvation, as some have mistakenly taught concerning the above Scriptures – no one is worthy.

Romans 3:11 through 12 is not only describing the unbeliever, but all mankind including believers when it states:

“There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.”

This is why we must always be self-discerning so that we would be eligible workman doing the good pleasure of our Father in truth and reality.

It is in being honest about our own sinfulness that we gain humility – humility in serving God, humility in serving each other.

Brent

Filed under: Brent's - Biblical Perspective Tagged: 1 Corinthians 11:21-22, 1 Corinthians 11:27, 1 Corinthians 11:31, 1 John 1:10, 1 John 1:8, Engage in Introspection, Introspection, John 8:9, Judging, Romans 7:14-25

Introductory foundation (Correct Article)

Understanding the Generic Use of a Word As Compared to the Specific
Contextual Analysis is the science of studying biblical words according to the context in which they exist within God’s Word, as opposed to our current usage of them.

A good example can be found in the biblical word repentance which when we hear it spoken of in our current vernacular we only see it concerning salvation, where we translate it as a word concerning a person that stops sinning and starts following Christ; however the word repentance simply means to change one’s mind to the extent that they also change their behavior. 

It is whenever we’s use the word repentance solely as we believe it affects salvation that we miss the fact that repentance has to do with any subject where there is a change in one’s thinking which affects their behavior. 

One such example of this is seen in the Old Testament where the Bible speaks of God having repented of having created man (Genesis 6:6), or God repented of the evil that He once thought to do against His own people for their sin and rebellion (Exodus 32:14). 

As well as Judas having repented of betraying our Lord (Matthew 27:3), or Paul speaks about the gifts and calling of God are without repentance (Romans 11:29), or 2 Corinthians 7:8 and 7:9; or Jesus’ parable as recorded in Matthew 21: 28-31, which states:

“But what think ye? A certain man had two sons; and he came to the first, and said, Son, go work to day in my vineyard. He answered and said, I will not: but afterward he repented, and went. And he came to the second, and said likewise. And he answered and said, I go, sir: and went not. Whether of them twain did the will of his father? They say unto him, The first. Jesus saith unto them, Verily I say unto you, That the publicans and the harlots go into the kingdom of God before you.”

The point is we limit our understanding regarding certain passages in God’s word when we limit words to such a narrow definition that we lose what the passage is actually saying.  A good example of the kind of mischief that can be caused by misunderstanding this word in such a narrow way, wherein the context can be lost, is seen in one of those passages which seems to go against eternal security, that of Hebrews 6:6, which states:

“If they shall fall away, to renew them again unto repentance; seeing they crucify to themselves the Son of God afresh, and put him to an open shame.”

Do you notice what this passage doesn’t say, it does not say to renew them again to salvation. 

You see what it speaking about is those that have changed their mind concerning living as Christians with in a Jewish community that had ostracized them and had condemned them as anathema, wherein they could not become involved in the Temple trades gilds to make money ,or even to shop in the kosher markets. 

The author of Hebrews was not talking about people losing their salvation, but of changing their mind concerning their stance for Jesus because it was costing dearly, being Jewish Christians living in a Hebrew society which segregated them for their open announcement that they were followers of Jesus. 

The subject was not salvation, it was them refusing to lay claim to Jesus even to the extent that they were not meeting with other Christians which is spoke about addressed a few lines later (Hebrews 10:25) in this letter written to Hebrew Christians living among the Jews.

The passage goes on to state, how could they change their mind about who the Messiah was, and if it was worth it to openly admit they were followers of Jesus, understanding it would be like again crucifying Jesus for their sins, could they again change their mind. 

There is too much within Hebrews 6:4-6 to consider at this time, so please see our article entitled: “Hebrews 6:4-6 Does Not Teach That a Believer Can Lose His Salvation”  LINK.  

It is when we take the time to look through God’s Word and note the singular uses of a specific word that we come to understand it more fully. 

It is in understanding that meanings change according to diverse spellings which effect the inflections of verbs and nouns and other tools of grammar. 

Therefore, it is in recognizing specific spellings that one must take note in determining the definition of any given word. 

God’s Perspective

One of the unfortunate casualties of the way that we humans process information is our habitual tendency of encapsulating ideas and principles into standards and beliefs which are incapable of change. Now

This is commonly referred to as “our perspective,” and is merely the way that we develop to look at certain things, which makes it easy for us to understand the world around us. 

This is a survival tool that God has built within this, yet it is our ability to step out of our own perspectives that we have an opportunity to grow spiritually concerning God, and eternally concerning the subject of faith.

I say all this to say, “we need to get outside of our own way of looking at things, and attempt to look at things from God’s point of view in order to understand what is truth concerning us and the world around us.”

Manna
One example of the diversity between our perception and God’s perception can be seen in the term that is used concerning the bread that God provided for the Israelites as they were crossing the desert, which they referred to is “manna.” 

However, God refers to the substance as: “heavens bread” (Exodus 16:4; Nehemiah 9:15).

“Manna” is a derogatory term in the Hebrew.  Because the Israelites got sick of eating the same thing, they referred to it as “manna,” which is in the Hebrew is insulting and disrespectful (Derogatory: “displaying distain by demeaning something), term literally meaning: “what is it?” (Exodus 16:15).  This is not a question according to the phraseology, but is a disparaging title.

Nebuchadnezzar’s Dream 
Another example of the difference between perceptions can be seen in the dream that was given to King Nebuchadnezzar – an earthly man.  

God used an idiom that Nebuchadnezzar could understand according to his human mentality; that of a human being made up of different metals; gold, silver, bronze, iron (Daniel 2:31-36). 

Yet, later when you see how God presents it to Daniel – a Godly man, these same kingdoms are made up of ferocious beast, which displays how God looks at these kingdoms of man (Daniel 7:2-7).

The Subject – Murmuring
The reason that the subject of human perception, compared to God’s perception become so important is never seen better in the consideration of murmuring.

Murmuring easily appears as such a small sin, as compared to adultery, murder, or even blasphemy – which is slander (Meaning to deliberately lie against another person).

It was the murmuring of the Israelites against God and Moses that brought them the snakes in many other afflictions while in the desert (Numbers 21:5-6) 

According to God’s perspective it is one of the worst behaviors that a believer can do, as it displays a total lack of trust in God, His Will, His ability, and His judgment.

Murmuring is an outward expression of a lack of faith from within, yet beyond this display of a lack of trust is a behavior that becomes repetitious when practiced openly by others as a lack of faith breeds a lack of faith when dire situations are encountered. 

The worst thing a believer can ever do is to maintain a murmuring heart which produces an outward manifestation of murmuring among believers. 

Brent

The Following Scriptures address murmuring, and if you research the context of each passage, you will gain a better insight into how bad it is to God – please take the time to read the below passages in order to understand how to better safeguard yourself against this most heinous of sins against God (by not following bad examples), that of accusing Him of being unfaithful, not meeting His promises to take care of His children.

There is no worse sin than calling a parent incapable at the least or unreliable at the worst concerning his ability and desire to take care of his children.

This is why faith is so important to our Father, without it we have no foundation to stand before Him as it is the worst sin which we can commit against Him.

Faith is the only human expression that pleases God, there is no other expression that He speaks about in this manner, and it is the worst of violations against faith to murmur against God – Hebrews 11:6.

Old Testament Scriptures About Murmuring

(Exodus 15:24)  And the people murmured against Moses, saying, What shall we drink?

(Exodus 16:2)  And the whole congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness:

(Exodus 16:7)  And in the morning, then ye shall see the glory of the LORD; for that he heareth your murmurings against the LORD: and what are we, that ye murmur against us?

(Exodus 16:8)  And Moses said, This shall be, when the LORD shall give you in the evening flesh to eat, and in the morning bread to the full; for that the LORD heareth your murmurings which ye murmur against him: and what are we? your murmurings are not against us, but against the LORD.

(Exodus 16:9)  And Moses spake unto Aaron, Say unto all the congregation of the children of Israel, Come near before the LORD: for he hath heard your murmurings.

(Exodus 16:12)  I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel: speak unto them, saying, At even ye shall eat flesh, and in the morning ye shall be filled with bread; and ye shall know that I am the LORD your God.

(Exodus 17:3)  And the people thirsted there for water; and the people murmured against Moses, and said, Wherefore is this that thou hast brought us up out of Egypt, to kill us and our children and our cattle with thirst?

(Numbers 14:2)  And all the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron: and the whole congregation said unto them, Would God that we had died in the land of Egypt! or would God we had died in this wilderness!

(Numbers 14:27)  How long shall I bear with this evil congregation, which murmur against me? I have heard the murmurings of the children of Israel, which they murmur against me.

(Numbers 14:29)  Your carcases shall fall in this wilderness; and all that were numbered of you, according to your whole number, from twenty years old and upward, which have murmured against me,

(Numbers 14:36)  And the men, which Moses sent to search the land, who returned, and made all the congregation to murmur against him, by bringing up a slander upon the land,

(Numbers 16:11)  For which cause both thou and all thy company are gathered together against the LORD: and what is Aaron, that ye murmur against him?

(Numbers 16:41)  But on the morrow all the congregation of the children of Israel murmured against Moses and against Aaron, saying, Ye have killed the people of the LORD.

(Numbers 17:5)  And it shall come to pass, that the man’s rod, whom I shall choose, shall blossom: and I will make to cease from me the murmurings of the children of Israel, whereby they murmur against you.

(Numbers 17:10)  And the LORD said unto Moses, Bring Aaron’s rod again before the testimony, to be kept for a token against the rebels; and thou shalt quite take away their murmurings from me, that they die not.

(Deuteronomy 1:27)  And ye murmured in your tents, and said, Because the LORD hated us, he hath brought us forth out of the land of Egypt, to deliver us into the hand of the Amorites, to destroy us.

(Joshua 9:18)  And the children of Israel smote them not, because the princes of the congregation had sworn unto them by the LORD God of Israel. And all the congregation murmured against the princes.

(Psalms 106:25)  But murmured in their tents, and hearkened not unto the voice of the LORD.

(Isaiah 29:24)  They also that erred in spirit shall come to understanding, and they that murmured shall learn doctrine.

New Testament Scriptures About Murmuring

(Matthew 20:11)  And when they had received it, they murmured against the goodman of the house,

(Mark 14:5)  For it might have been sold for more than three hundred pence, and have been given to the poor. And they murmured against her.

(Luke 5:30)  But their scribes and Pharisees murmured against his disciples, saying, Why do ye eat and drink with publicans and sinners?

(Luke 15:2)  And the Pharisees and scribes murmured, saying, This man receiveth sinners, and eateth with them.

(Luke 19:7)  And when they saw it, they all murmured, saying, That he was gone to be guest with a man that is a sinner.

(John 6:41)  The Jews then murmured at him, because he said, I am the bread which came down from heaven.

(John 6:43)  Jesus therefore answered and said unto them, Murmur not among yourselves.

(John 6:61)  When Jesus knew in himself that his disciples murmured at it, he said unto them, Doth this offend you?

(John 7:12)  And there was much murmuring among the people concerning him: for some said, He is a good man: others said, Nay; but he deceiveth the people.

(John 7:32)  The Pharisees heard that the people murmured such things concerning him; and the Pharisees and the chief priests sent officers to take him.

(Acts 6:1)  And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

(1 Corinthians 10:10)  Neither murmur ye, as some of them also murmured, and were destroyed of the destroyer.

(Philippians 2:14)  Do all things without murmurings and disputings:

(Jude 1:16)  These are murmurers, complainers, walking after their own lusts; and their mouth speaketh great swelling words, having men’s persons in admiration because of advantage.

Brent

Introduction (Major Update ~ 4/2014)
The term “Kinsman Redeemer” (Hebrew: goel, [H1350] translated: “kinsman” ~ Num. 5:8; 27:11; Ruth 2:1; 3:9, 12, 13; 4:1, 3, 6, 8, 14; John 18:26; Romans 16:11) is the title for a position of responsibility within an Old Testament Hebrew family which was established by God. 

This individual was entrusted with the ability to protect, as well as seeking justice when a family member was wronged; as a way of maintaining righteousness within the tribal society of Israel. 

We might refer to this position as the godfather of the Hebrews, yet in a legal and moral function, as compared to one of criminality and abuse.

The idea of the Kinsman Redeemer held two different functions / roles within the same title.

The Two Roles 

First, was the function / role of the “Goel” or Redeemer. 

The idea was that if a man died without children, normally his brother, or Goel (Next in line of kinship), had an obligation to raise seed to the dead brother so as to keep his posterity going, along with the inheritance of the land. 

He redeemed that man’s progeny, this is referred to as the “Levirate law.” (See Endnote #1) 

Second, was the function / role of the “Avenger of Blood”(See Endnote #2).

Responsibility

When a “wrong” (Crime) was done to a single member of the family; it was considered a crime against the entire tribe, yet the responsibility was left to kinsman-Redeemer.

It should be remembered that at this time there was no social governmental structure within Israel that would carry on this function.

And even after there was a governmental structure installed, the kinsman-Redeemer still had the responsibility to maintain order and leadership within the family, wherein the government might utilize a punishment of those that had violated a tribe member, this did not override the role of the kinsman-Redeemer.

In the case of a murder committed, the kinsman-Redeemer would fulfill Justice by killing the murderer himself.

This was not looked at as revenge, but justice.

Regarding righteousness, according to the imagery set-up by God, the blood of the murdered man cried out from the ground for justice, and the cry was heard loudest by the member of the clan who stood nearest to the dead in kingship, the kinsman-Redeemer; therefore, the closest of kin would follow through as the blood avenger fulfilling this responsibility” (Genesis 4:1-16,10; See Endnote #3)

The family Has the Lead

We must remember that within a theocracy (A governmental system that ruled over men based upon God’s leadership, as opposed to monarchy, social rule or democracy), which is what Israel was; it is a system that does not believe that the government itself is responsible for the people, the tribe / family is.

Those that ruled a culture or society were not considered responsible for the welfare of the people in a direct manner as it is today.

The ruling party rather, a monarchy as in the King or Queen, a dictator such as a King, or a king who was a conqueror who captured nations and acquired lands, or a theocracy; the main responsibility of these governing powers was the cohesion of the nation itself, which did involve protection from outside forces, and the carrying out of the “laws of the land” in the form of maintaining justice, yet not the personal responsibility of individuals.

Within the nation of Israel, post Egyptian flight and pre kingship; based upon God’s commands, welfare if not met by the family was met by rules such as NOT collecting the fallen wheat as the crops were being gathered by owners.  So that the poor could pick up what was left, called gleaning (See Endnote #4).

From the time of the inception of the church 2000 years ago, the churches has taken on meeting the needs of welfare regarding the poor, orphans, widows, and those disabled, this was not normally a function of the governments themselves.

Leadership Within the Family

Therefore it is an understanding that under God’s original design the family was responsible for its members, and within the family there was one central person who is considered the leader to fulfill the responsibilities of the family, this was the kinsman Redeemer.  This is a Prophetic role that God established concerning the Messiah and mankind.  The kinsman Redeemer had two roles which mirrored the two roles which Jesus plays out as seen in His First and Second Coming.  This reflects the fact that as it was man who brought mankind into sin and judgment, righteousness to clear that only another man, who is righteous could bring mankind to redemption – this is what Jesus was to us, He is and was our kinsman Redeemer.

The Qualifications of the Kinsman-Redeemer

• First and foremost, there must be a blood connection, within the same tribe
  (In the case of mankind, the Kinsman Redeemer must be a human)
• Next, is the biological proximity concerning the family member
  (In the case of mankind, the Kinsman Redeemer must be fully man, not an aberration)
• Lastly, a willingness to fulfill the position
  (In the case of mankind, the Kinsman Redeemer had to choose this responsibility)

Greater Detail

The Goel
Normally, the role of the Kinsman Redeemer, or Goel in the case of the death of an adult male without progeny, is to bear children to their name.

This is seen as part of the Levirate Law (Deut. 25:5-11) to fulfill the responsibility of the Goel, first to fall to the brother, to be accepted by him (See Gen. 38:11-30: the story of Tamar; Judah’s daughter-in-law, mother of Phares, listed in Luke 3:33 as part of the lineage of Christ, she is mentioned in Matt. 1:3), however, if a brother or one closest in bloodline refused, as seen in the book of Ruth, then the man that refused would perform a ritual of taking off his shoe and handing it to the next inline of kinship that would redeem the progeny and the land – this was a symbol of giving someone else your authority. (See Endnote #5)

The Avenger of Blood
This primarily dealt with protection, righteousness, and justice.  If there was a murder of a family member, the kinsman Redeemer was responsible for bringing justice, referred to in this function as the “Avenger of Blood.”  In the case of manslaughter or accidental killing, the accused was afforded the ability to escape the retribution of the Avenger of Blood if he could get to one of the six “Cities of Refuge” (Num. 35:16-29; Deut. 19:2-6) before the Avenger of Blood caught up with him.  The accused would present his case before the elders of the city, and if accepted would be granted sanctuary.

The accused would only remain safe as long as he stayed within the City of Refuge (LINK), and was free to leave when the High Priest in Jerusalem died.

If the Avenger of Blood violated any of these conditions, he would be considered guilty of that murder, and the avenger of blood could take his life.

Further Research

The Book of Ruth
The best example that we have concerning the Kinsman Redeemer is seen in the Old Testament book of Ruth. 

In this story a Hebrew woman, Naomi; who moves with her husband and two sons to outside the land of Israel to among the Moabites. 

Her two sons marry local women, which were not Israelites, one of which is by the name of Ruth. 

Eventually her husband dies, them both of her sons die. 

Naomi decides to move back to Israel and advises her two daughter-in-law’s to go back to their families and live. 

Yet, Ruth refuses to leave Naomi, and goes with her back to Israel.

Naomi’s husband had sold (Leased until the year of Jubilee, meaning 50) their property. 

Therefore, Naomi and Ruth who had no finances, lived off of charity, that of gleaning the fields of wheat that was left over after the harvest. 

Naomi, who was too old to glean, directed her daughter-in-law Ruth to go to the field of their kinsman redeemer, Boaz and glean his field in order to produce bread for their subsistence.

Eventually an unnamed servant introduced Ruth to the kinsman Boaz. 

Boaz made sure that extra droppings were left for Ruth and Naomi to pick up. 

Naomi gave specific instructions to Ruth on how to secure back the property of Naomi’s husband’s family, and gain an inheritance by marrying the kinsman and bearing children. 

During the harvest festival there was a procedure whereby after Boaz had went to sleep on the floor of the grain threshing floor (so as to protect the grain that they had thrashed, separating the wheat from the chaff), Ruth was to go to sleep at his feet, and cover up with the hem of his overcoat.

Traditions

The Hem
The Hebrews had a tradition that the hem of their overcoat would display emblems which would identify their position within the family and their authority (Remember the story of the woman that touched the hem of Jesus garment, She was recognizing his authority wherein she could access healing.  Also, remember the story of David repenting of having cut Saul’s hem.  The reason why David repented indicating this was a sin was because he was challenging the authority of Saul being King), similarly to how military soldiers wear patches on their arm, or ensign on their caller to identify their rank. 

Ruth completed this, and during the night Boaz awoke, and she petitioned him to marry her under the law of Levirate marriage. 

Boaz agreed, but determined that there was another kinsman closer in relationship to her. 

Therefore, Boaz approached the individual, and managed to obtain the right of the kinsman redeemer (Deut. 25:5-11). 

In doing so, this gave him the right to purchase back the land for Naomi’s lineage, and raised up children for Ruth and her inheritance as one of the tribes of Israel. 

One of Ruth’s sons is named in the lineage of Jesus as stated above.

Why – For our learning

So why is this important?   Romans 15:4 states:

“For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.”

It is in understanding that everything in God’s Word is therefore for a purpose, and everything that God has communicated, especially those things that seem mundane are there as object lessons to teach us – In this case to set up a prophetic role that had two functions which the Messiah would fulfill – wherein Israel could recognize your Messiah.   

God set up the institution of the kinsman redeemer in order to produce a type, a model of what was necessary for Jesus Christ to do in order to die for the sins of the world.

It was the failure of the man Adam which led to his lineage being cursed as sinful creatures, and according to God’s justice; this would necessitate another man to do the opposite; to respond in faith which would mandate that He be sinless.

Sin is alway produced because of a lack of faith.

Wherein Adam did not have faith in God wherein he would trust that God would give him a mate he would love as much as Eve, and therefore chose not to trust God and to go his own way.  

Sin is choosing to do things man’s own way rather than trusting God, no matter how difficult the situation becomes.

Why –  For God’s Righteousness

Righteousness in mercy do not function together.  If you are a judge and you give out mercy then you are not being righteous.  Hence, how could God be merciful the man and yet still righteous concerning sin.

Righteousness demands that sin is punished.

God therefore made sure that sin was punished by him who did not deserve it, so that those that did deserve it could receive the blessing Of him that did.

Jesus was treated like us, so that we could be treated like Jesus.

All of this is done so that God could be both righteous by not merely forgiving sin without punishment,as well as merciful by giving man an opportunity to re-enter fellowship with him, God’s righteousness demanded a radical answer to the problem of man’s sin.

Since the offense came by man, righteousness demanded that the answer come by man.

This is why Jesus had to become a man to save mankind.

Jesus maintained the essence (See the article: “The Incarnation of Christ ~ God’s Essence and Attributes” ~ LINK) of his deity, in that the Holy Spirit came upon Mary, wherein Jesus became a human.

This is where we get the term “begotten” regarding Jesus as seen in John 3:16,

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

Jesus, prior to his incarnation (Becoming human), has always been eternal and divine.

Yet, by impregnating a human woman by God’s Spirit, He became a man.

His essence was still deity, remembering that essence is that inward part that cannot be seen, which is the internal makeup of His personage – who he was in reality.

Yet, He became fully man as well, having a human mother Mary; and as a human had the attributes of a man, remembering that attributes are the outward expression, the behaviors, actions and limitations of humanity, which included death.

The Incarnation
Of all the mysteries of God the incarnation is perhaps the most mysterious.  

The fact that Jesus Christ has always been the eternal Son of God, Who became begotten – born of men; how mind-boggling is this.  

One Scripture that shows both of these aspects, His divinity and his humanity is Isaiah 9:6-7, which states:

“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace.  Of the increase of his government and peace there shall be no end, upon the throne of David, and upon his kingdom, to order it, and to establish it with judgment and with justice from henceforth even for ever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.”

This Old Testament prophecy points out that the Messiah to come, who in time is known as Jesus of Nazareth; He would be born as a child; yet He was a son – He is called The mighty God.

Jesus, during his incarnation was fully God  and fully man; and here’s the big surprise; Jesus is still fully God and fully man as he sits upon the throne of His Father awaiting His Own throne, remember what Revelation 5:3-4 concerns, that a “man“ was “worthy” to “open the book,” which is later identified as Jesus.  

The grammar is present tense meaning that Jesus is still a man, while also fully God.

His Role
Jesus lived a sinless life by always choosing to exercise faith in God, never sinning, thus He did not deserve the curse of the law; yet took the curse upon himself and trade for humanity.

How many times have unbelievers and believers alike said, it is not fair that all of humanity would pay the price of eternal damnation because of one man’s choice, Adam’s decision.

Yet, the righteousness of God is seen in that Humanity is saved, with the penalty of sin paid for by one man’s choice, Jesus decision to take our place.

There is both quality and justice in the trade; wherein God’s righteousness is maintained, while at the same time displaying mercy and grace.

This is the reason for 1 Corinthians 15:22, which states:

“For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.”

And 1 Corinthians 15:45, which states:

“And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit.”

The only way that God could save fallen man was by Jesus becoming our kinsman Redeemer, by both purchasing us with His blood; while at the same time killing death for the sake of His family – humanity (And in the second coming destroying the enemies of his people).

Jesus stated in John 5:39:

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”

All of God’s Word has one purpose, and no it is not the salvation of man, it is the glorification of God (“Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.” ~ Isaiah 43:7), and His Son Jesus Christ (Ephesians 1:20-22; Romans 11:36; Colossians 1:12-19). 

It is Jesus that deserves preeminence in God’s Word.

All of these Old Testament types and shadows (Hebrews 8:5; 10:1; Colossians 2:17) and figures (Theologically referred to as “Expositional Constancy” ~ See Endnote #6) were meant as object lessons to paint the picture of the Messiah, so that He would be recognizable when He came.

And we know that He came in the person of Jesus Christ.

It is Jesus the Christ that is our Kinsman-Redeemer

To Reiterate

The kinsman Redeemer had two main functions, that of redemption of man, and the justice of avenging evil and sin against His people, Israel.

It is Him that came the 1st time to redeem the world with His blood, and it is Him that will come the 2nd time as the Avenger of blood to save Israel and destroy His enemies wherein the justice of avenging evil and sin is performed.

This is why it is so important that we understand that Jesus was the ultimate example of faith (See “Jesus ~ The ultimate example of faith” – LINK).

He did right what Adam did wrong.

He trusted God even though He would die.

He allowed Himself to become a man, after having spent eternity as God.

On the promise that God would resurrect Him, and restore Him to His state, that Christ would sit in God the Father’s throne, until all was fulfilled; and Christ would come the 2nd time to redeem Israel, destroy his enemies and then will sit on the throne of David(“And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David” ~ Luke 1:303132), a throne that He was ultimately meant to rule from (for thousand years until always completed and there is the new heaven and new earth ~ Revelations 20:2-6), for a thousand years.

Endnotes
1.  Deuteronomy 25:5-10; Ruth 3:9-12; Genesis 38:8.
2.  Numbers 35:12; Deuteronomy 19:6, 12; Joshua 20:3, 5, 9.
3.  HOLMAN BIBLE DICTIONARY, Trent C. Butler, Ph.D., Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, TN, 1991, page 848.
4.  God in His wisdom had set up a system where if individuals had no income or food, they could survive in Israel by going through fields after they had been harvested the wheat, and salvage the reminiscence that were dropped.  This was referred to as “gleaning a field” (Lev. 23:22).
5.  Ruth 4:5-10.

6.  Expositional Constancy 

Expositional Constancy is the repetitive use of the same(uniform)idioms throughout Scripture, both in Hebrew and Greek; in symbolizing something in order to create an object lesson which enhances details in producing clarity. 

God’s use of typology, which is a symbol, sometimes referred to it as a model or example, or biblically speaking a “shadow”; is meant to generate greater detail and precision in identifying something or someone.   (Heb. 8:5; 1 Cor. 10:11; Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:6).  

Hebrews 3:1-6 – Illustrates that God created the role of the earthly priest as an object lesson to later help identify Jesus’ role as the intercessor of mankind. 

Heb. 8:4-5, describes how God caused the tabernacle to be fashioned specifically concerning its materials and construction in order to convey greater details in describing Jesus Christ as our substitutionary sacrifice, advocate, and the perpetuation to God in providing salvation to humanity.  (Also see: 1 Cor. 10:4;  Heb. 4:11; Heb. 10:1; & Col. 2:17).  

A substance, principle or reality may have more than one typological symbol or idiom  used as a model or illustration which God wishes to communicate, yet there is never an inconsistency in using the same typological idiom representing something else, that would therefore create any confusion concerning the symbolic representation. 

Examples can be seen such as the use of a fire and cloud concerning the Holy Spirit as God led Israel across the desert, the fire for protection at night, and the cloud for relief from the desert sun – God’s protection and His Providence, His mercy and His grace. 

The Holy Spirit depicted as anointing oil that was used to display God’s seal of approval on prophets and kings.  The Holy Spirit depicted as a dove at Jesus baptism, to represent the peace of God landing upon Him. 

The Holy Spirit depicted as cloven tongues of fire coming upon the church when it was established at Pentecost, using fire to express the power that came in the form of boldness to proclaim the gospel. 

Throughout God’s Word every type of living creature, as well as substance is utilized to symbolize greater meaning in what God desires to communicate. 

Jesus has over 333 titles, names and expressions; everything from Him pictured as the “Lamb of God,” to being the “Rock of our salvation.” 

With the Bible depicted as living water, because of its cleaning sanctification. 

There are usually many different types of symbols, yet complete consistency in that they always represent the same thing, without contradiction. 

A rock is always used concerning Christ as the foundation of the church, the capstone. 

A rock is never used for anything else.   

Shadows, types, and figures are used to paint pictures which are to be object lessons for our own edification in order to understand with simplicity something or someone that on their own are quite complex, hence the 333 titles and descriptions of Christ from the Old Testament. 

for more on this please see our master website, http://faithbibleministries.com/  the LINK to the: “Something to think about -Part 1″ dropdown (“Rightly dividing the word of God”), see the index.    

Brent

Introduction 
Hermeneutics, the study of the methodological principles of Biblical interpretation, is vast in its scope and beyond the intent of this paper.

However, due to the nature of this subject matter it is important to present a caveat by way of an insight into the author’s particular frame of reference in order to maintain integrity.

Disclaimer
The author believes in the inerrancy of the Bible, and also as important, the sufficiency of it.

He believes, as has been said before, that the Holy Spirit has so intricately engineered God’s Word that a person could search it their whole life as a scholar and not plumb its depths, yet a child can understand it and be fed. The author believes in “the”(1) literal interpretation of the Bible.

That to avoid pretext, one must always maintain context. Scripture must be used to interpret Scripture, meaning the Bible is a singular document that is completely congruent and whole.

It speaks about many diverse issues through out its pages and thus is necessary to cross reference passages to verify a complete and balanced (mature and perfect) perceptive.

The Holy Spirit has engineered the Scripture so that it always verifies itself; there are no inconsistencies in God’s Word.

If there appears to be a contradiction, it is a signpost that the Holy Spirit employs to bring the reader’s attention to a passage that has deep importance when explored thoroughly.

Having said all this, the author also believes that God has designed into the language of the Bible aids that give clarity and perception, without violating the literalness of the text.

In addition, it is believed that God uses men’s lives as object lessons that “whatever things were written before were written for our learning, that we through the patience and comfort of the Scriptures might have hope“(2).

Figures of Speech
God’s Word is made up of “words which the Holy Ghost teacheth“(3). A “Figure of Speech” relates to the form in which the words are used.

It consists in the fact that a word or words are used out of their ordinary sense, or place, or manner, for the purpose of attracting our attention to what is thus said.

A Figure of Speech is a designed and legitimate departure from the laws of language, in order to emphasis what is said. Hence in such Figures we have the Holy Spirit’s own marking, so to speak, of His own words.

This peculiar form or unusual manner may not be true, or so true, to the literal meaning of the words (such as: Jesus is not a literal “Lamb,” He is Man and He is God; and the term “Lamb of God” is meant to give meaning and identity that Jesus is God’s design for the substitutionary atonement of man’s sin, thus: Jesus is God’s appointed Lamb ~ John 1:29), though never contrary to them; but it is more true to their real sense, and truer to truth in meaning.(4)

Figures are used for the sake of emphasis and clarity. They can never, therefore, be ignored. Ignorance of Figures of speech has led to the grossest errors, which have been caused either from taking literally what is meant to be figurative,(5) or from making figurative what was literal(6).

As an example of the needed understanding of figures of speech all one must do is turn to the book of Genesis, chapter three, verses fourteen and fifteen.

By interpreting these figures literally as meaning “belly,” “dust,” “heel,” “head,” we lose the volumes of precious and mysterious truth which they convey and intensify.

It is the truth that is literal, while the words employed are figurative. Without the understanding of the true meanings of these words, one would miss the prophetic references to Jesus Christ.

Another example of figures of speech can be seen in God using names and titles to identify and describe the Messiah, such as: The Seed of the woman,(7) Shiloh,(8) The Stone of Israel,(9) The Peace Offering,(10) The Captain of the host of the Lord,(11) The Rock of my salvation,(12) The Light of Men,(13) My Shield,(14) My Glory,(15) The Lifter Up of mine head,(16) My Fortress,(17) My Shepard,(18) A Stranger and an alien,(19) God’s Firstborn,(20) The Branch of the Lord,(21) The Child,(22) A Sanctuary,(23) Wonderful,(24) Counsellor,(25) The Mighty God,(26) The Prince of Peace,(27) A Rod of the steam of Jesse,(28) Shadow from the Heart,(29) The Lamb of God,(30) The Messiah,(31) Savior,(32) Bread of life,(33) The Foundation,(34) The Word of life,(35) The Resurrection,(36) The Holy One,(37) The Alpha and Omega,(38) The Way, The Truth and The Life(39). This is only 33(40) of the [over?] 333 known allusions to Jesus Christ: His Person, His pre-existence, His Human Birth, His Life, His Teaching, His Mission, His Death, His Resurrection, His Return, His Rule on earth and in heaven, His Glory, His Preeminence, and His Deity.

The Greeks and Romans named hundreds of such figures. There are more than 217 separate types of figures listed in English by Dr. Bullinger in 1898, 28 are listed below with brief explanations(41).

 Similes (or, Resemblance, A declaration that one thing resembles another)

Syncrisis (or, Repeated Simile, A repetition of a number of resemblances [Parathesis, Comparatio])

Metaphors (or, Representation, A declaration that one thing is [or represents] another, Comparison by representation)

Hypocatastasis (or, Implication, A declaration that implies the resemblance or representation. Comparison by implication)

Allegory (or, Continued Metaphor and Hypocatastasis, Continued representation and implication)

Parabola (or, Parable: i.e., Continued Simile, Comparison by continued resemblance)

Apologue (or, Fable, A fictitious narrative used for illustration [Fabula])

Parœmia (or, Proverb, A wayside saying in common use [Proverbium] There are 5 types)

Type (A figure or ensample [this is the 1880’s spelling of “example”] of something future, called the antitype)

Symbol (A material subject substituted for a moral or spiritual truth)

Ænigma (or, Enigma: i.e., A Dark Saying, A truth expressed in obscure language)

Polyonymia (or, Many Names, An application of Enigma to the names of persons or places)

Gnome (or quotation, There are 3 groupings with a total of 11 subject types)

Amphibologia (or, Double Meaning, A word or phase susceptible of two interpretations)

Eironeia (or, Irony, The expression of thought in a form that conveys its opposite. There are 3 groupings and 5 types)

Oxymoron (or, Wise-folly, A wise saying that seems foolish [Acutifatuum])

Idioma (or, Idiom, The peculiar usage of words and phrases [Idiotismos] There are 11 types)

Prosopopœia (or, Personification, things represented as persons [Personificatio, Personæ Fictio, Confornatio] There are 6 types)

Antiprosopopœia (or, Anti-Personification)

Anthropopatheia (or, Condescension, There are 3 groupings with a total of 12 types)

Antimetathesis (or, Dialogue, a transference of speakers [Polyprosopon])

Association (or, Inclusion, When the writer or speaker associates himself with those whom he address)

Apostrophe (A turning aside from the direct subject-matter to address others [Prosphonesis, Aversio] There are 4 groupings with a total of 5 types)

Parecbasis (or, Digression, A turning aside from one subject to another [Digressio, Parabasis, Ecbolie, Aphodos)

Metabasis (or, Transition, a passing from subject to another [Transitio, Interfactio])

Epanorthosis (or, Correction, A recalling what is said, in order to correct it as by an after-thought [Diorthosis, Epidorthosis, Metanœa, Correctio] There are 3 types)

Amphidiorthosis (or, Double Correction, A setting both hearer and speaker right by a correction which acts both ways)

Anachoresis (or, Regression, a return to the original subject after a digression [Regressio, Epanaclesis])

Clarification
So that there may be no misunderstanding concerning what has been mistakenly called in the past allegorical or spiritual interpretation (in reality it is man-based manipulation which is subjective, mystical and has no basis for acceptance) and figures of speech, the following history has been included.

Allegorical Interpretation
Up front let me say that this author vehemently disagrees with “Allegorical Interpretation,” which was popularized and accepted through the work of the third century Alexandrian theologian, Origen (ca. 185-254).

He was completely dedicated to the allegorical method of interpretation like his mentor, Clement of Alexandria. Origen spiritualized virtually every Christian doctrine. Under Origen’s influence, the blessed hope of the Christian apologists—belief in Christ’s imminent return to establish His kingdom—began to yield to the spiritual hermeneutics of Alexandria.

Origen maintained a theoretical threefold understanding of the meaning of Scripture: the literal, typological, and spiritual that supposedly corresponded to the threefold human nature—body, soul, and spirit.

In practice, however, he most frequently made a distinction between the literal and the spiritual method of interpretation of Scripture(e.g., De princ. 1.3.3).

The literal method, which Origen considered crude and unreliable, was allowed to the weak of intellect, the mass of Christians in general. The spiritual method, extolled by Origen, was reserved for a few like himself on whom the grace of the Holy Spirit is bestowed in the word of wisdom and knowledge (De princ. Preface, para. 8).

Origen’s method of exegesis (of defining; or literally exegesis means: “A critical explanation or interpretation of a text”) was so subjective that it allowed for an almost infinite number of symbolic meanings and interpretations of the Biblical text, most of which bore little resemblance to the plain meaning of the words.

Mystical theological speculation was typical of Origen’s eschatology. For example, according to his doctrine of the apokatastasis (restoration of everything in the universe to its original, spiritual, primeval state), there will be no hell or eternal punishment.

Rather, the Logos (Jesus’ eternal reference) will purify every living being, presumably even demons and Satan himself. Then Christ can return and raise all people, but in spiritual bodies only (De princ. 1.6.1-3; 3.4-6).

As for the meaning of the Second Coming, Origen explained away the gospel references to a literal, visible return of Christ and substituted a completely spiritualized interpretation (De princ. 2.11.2).

In essence, Origen taught that Christ’s return signifies His disclosure of Himself and His deity to all humanity in such a way that all might partake of His glory to the degree that each individual’s actions warrant (Comm. On Matt. 12.30).

In effect, Origen took the catalytic event of the prophetic calendar and reduced it to a kind of general, mystical encounter [that was only in the past, no future hope] with Christ(42).

Origen’s allegorical interpretations, including his views on Bible prophecy, gained wide acceptance in the church of his day.

His influence, followed by Constantine’s acceptance of Christianity and Augustine’s (a follower of Origen) teaching in the fourth century, are usually cited as the principal causes of premillennialism’s eventual replacement by Amillennial eschatology.

Though he was broken by the persecution under Decius in 250 and died a few years later at the age of sixty-nine, Origen’s exegesis still colors prophetic expectation in modern times(43).

Conclusion
When Martin Luther nailed his 95 theses to the door of Wittenberg Hall (which had already started to change due to Huss, Wycliffe, and Knox), the world became a different place. For a thousand years the Roman Catholic (world) church had so corrupted the public reading of God’s Word (by reiterating the Scripture in Latin to non-Latin or unlearned people’s, and taught the traditions of men [Catholic canon] as the law of God), that when the masses finally could read the Holy Scriptures for themselves, they also had to learn how to interpret their Bibles.

The Catholic Church had so emasculated the Word of God; that learning to take God at His word was unheard of.

Though Martin Luther was still an Amillennialist, He had changed from an Allegorical interpretation to a literal one.

He believed that the Bible was not only inerrant; but that God met what He said.

For the first 350 years of the Church, the Bible was only interpreted literally, unless the text left obvious hints that figures of speech were present.

Now as Christ draws near His Church is again coming to have a full understanding of the endless treasure the Holy Spirit has engineered into God’s glorious Word.

See “Figures of Speech” ~ Part 2 ~ LINK

Endnotes
1. “The,” is used, rather than “a,” because “a” implies that there are other forms of Biblical interpretation that are valid.
2. Romans 15:4.
3. I Cor. 2:13; I Thes. 2:13; II Tim. 3:16; II Pet. 1:21.
4. Though this may be a departure from the usual manmade composition of language and correct grammar, yet it is God who makes laws, which He is far above, and steps outside of to show Himself, prove Himself, and do of His good will, He is exempt. A good example of is the law of primogeniture (the right of the first-born to inherit the blessing of the family). Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, and Joseph, were not the first-born. Yet, God in showing His sovereignty and in creating a typology chose them above the firstborn, to show His hand in the affairs of men, and to exhibit His sovereign Lordship.
5. A rationale for killing Muslims during the dark ages was Christ’ teaching concerning cut off body parts it they cause one to sin in a way that would send them to hell for eternity. The forgone conjecture was that killing unbelievers was sending them to purgatory where salvation was available as compared to allowing them to multiple in number and in spreading their Satanic religion, it was thought (sure?) to be more merciful.
6. Such as: salvation by grace through faith alone, the completed work of Christ’s death on the cross, the existence of hell as an eternal place. Amillennialism and therefore the complete distortion of many of the teachings and whole books of the Bible, like the books of Revelation, Daniel, I and II Thessalonians, parts of the Gospels, Gods future dealings with Israel (The church has not taken Israel’s blessings or place in history yet future), and much of the major and some of the minor prophets, and many other important issues.
7. Gen. 3:15.
8. Gen. 49:10.
9. Gen. 49:27.
10. Lev. 3:1.
11. Josh. 5:14.
12. II Sam. 22:47.
13. John 1:4.
14. Psa. 3:3.
15. Psa. 3:3.
16. Psa. 3:3.
17. Psa. 18:2.
18. Psa. 23:1.
19. Psa. 69:8.
20. Psa. 89:27.
21. Isa. 4:2.
22. Isa. 7:16.
23. Isa. 8:14.
24. Isa. 9:6.
25. Isa. 9:6.
26. Isa. 9:6.
27. Isa. 9:6.
28. Isa. 11:1.
29. Isa. 25:4.
30. John 1:29.
31. John 4:25.
32. I John 4:14.
33. John 6:35.
34. I Cor. 3:11.
35. I John 1:1.
36. I John 11:25.
37. Mark 1:24.
38. Rev. 1:8.
39. John 14:6.
40. T. C. Horton & Charles E. Hurlburt, Names Of Christ, Moody Press, Chicago, 1994.
41. E.W. Bullinger, D. D., Figures Of SPEECH USED IN THE BIBLE, Baker Book House, First printed in 1899, Twenty-second printing 1999.

42.In addition, Origen misguided application of Matthew 19:12 to himself wherein he emasculated himself, which he later regretted. This may help in understanding why he was so against literally interpreting the Bible.  Later, as a prolific writer based in Caesarea, in his book De Principiis, systematically laid out Christian doctrine in terms of Hellenic thinking and set the most subsequent theological thought for many years. His numerous sermons and commentaries, however, tragically also established an extreme pattern of allegorizing Scripture, which was to strongly influenced Augustine in subsequent years.
43. Larry V. Crutchfield, Dictionary of PREMILLENNIAL THEOLOGY, Mal Couch General Editor, Kregel Publications, Grand Rapids, MI, 1996, page 289.

Introduction
In part one of “Figures of Speech” (LINK), we technically defined what “Figures of Speech” are and provided a few dozen examples of the different categories in regards to Figures of Speech.

In part 2, we will give you specific examples of Figures of Speech, however we will start off with a very basic introduction displaying why God would choose to use words in an unusual manner – which is to draw attention to itself in order to emphasize the literal text.

What we must always remember is that Figures of Speech do not make the literal text mean something it does not say.

Figures of Speech are meant to be utilized on top of the literal meaning, and are used to create emphasis and understanding concerning the shades of color that the text wishes to provide.

It has been stated that Figures of Speech are like adding color to a black and white photo, in that it creates emphasis and shades of deeper meaning without changing the literal textual understanding of the passage.

These type of rhetorical (“The art of speaking or writing effectively”) tools are part of the human experience.

God has created the human mind in such a manner that it is the greatest computer within creation in that it understands not only on the literal plain, but also within the nuances of meaning, as well as the larger picture of how one word relates to another.

The ability to learn on a multiplicity of levels is common to the human experience.

We will start with the most basic of teaching and understanding, that of “Object Lessons.”

Object Lessons
Object lessons are so essential to our experience in life that we usually never think about them as distinct tools.

It has been said that the brain of a newborn child functions at a rate that far exceeds that of its adult human equivalent in it’s ability to interact within its new environment.  While a babies reasoning seems primitive, it is very effective.

If they are hungry, they cry; if their uncomfortable because they’ve soiled themselves, they cry; if their board and want stimulation, they cry.

While this is primitive, it is also completely effective, yet as they grow and seek to expand within this new environment, so too does their ability to communicate.

Normally the first object lesson that a child learns is the understanding of the word “no”.

It is when we utilize this word, “no”, coupled with the tones of reinforced reflection in saying the word itself, the volume of our speech, the expressions on her face, as well as the physical reinforcers that we use to communicate this most important of all words to learn.

Without an understanding of the word, “no,” a human being is destined for failure, they will not be able to function adequately within their environment, and therefore will cease to exist at a young age.

Those that do poorly in understanding or accepting the word “no” fill our prisons and our graveyards.

It is the reinforcers that are used with the word “no” that makes this type of object lesson important.

It is when a child risk harming itself by sticking it’s hand into a fire, and the parent says “no” while slapping the child’s hand, that the training in object lessons becomes crucial.

A reinforcer is created when negative conclusions are coupled with negative behavior.  Plainly stated, when it hurts to do something; that is how we learn not to do it.

Object lessons are normally quite simple ways of digesting meaning.  Jesus used them quite often in telling stories.

A story is an excellent tool to present object lessons in a memorable way.

In the Bible, God’s wisdom is manifested in that He not only used language to communicate with man; but He continually utilized object lessons as well.

When God created physical existence, what we refer to as creation; God did nothing by chance, everything has a purpose within God’s realm.

Nothing is random within God’s world, everything was made based upon meaning that could and would be discovered as chronological time determined; all based upon God’s will.

When God made man, He made us in His own image (though technically, you and I are made in Adam’s image after the fall, you and I are not made in the same image as sinless man, we are a hybrid because of our capacity to sin which Adam was void of when he was created.  The similarities may seem subtle, but in reality they are immense), for a reason, so that we could function and understand our Creator.

God even ordered creation in such a way that it resembles (which the Bible refers to as “types,” or “shadows”) things in the spiritual (heavenly) realm (diminution) as seen in Hebrews 8:5; 10:1.

Examples of Object Lessons
General Examples of these object lessons are:

Names (such as: Abraham [meaning: “father of a multitude,” from Abram, meaning “father”], Isaac [meaning: “laughter”], Jacob [meaning: “supplanter,” ~ all the before mentioned name translations are according to Dr. William Smith]…).

Relationships (like fathers and sons as an insight into the relationship of God the Father and Jesus.  Husbands & wives, concerning the relationship of Jesus Christ and the Church).

Roles (such as: Kings, priests, servants, and slaves as representatives displaying the roles of Jesus, believers, and fallen man’s natural state).

The natural laws and sciences of limitation (exhibiting deterioration, decay, commonly referred to as the “Laws of Nature,” wherein the entropy laws portray how sin functions within God’s creation).

Utilizing seasons; growth, sowing & reaping concerning reciprocity and the demand of justice (wherein sin cannot simply be forgiven, but must be atoned for).

Things (such as: the materials of the tabernacle – colors, skins, metallurgy, wood, numbers, dates).

The design of the animals (illustrated by people seen as sheep, the lion of the tribe of Judah, wolves as false prophets, and goats for unbelievers).

Events (as seen in the crossing of the Red Sea, the Jordan, the order of the rebuilding of the Temple).

Situations (wherein Moses strikes the rock, a lack of faith that Israel displayed in murmuring, and the Son of man lifted up like the brazen serpent).

These, along with rhetorical devices (like: language, grammar, & Figures of Speech), and many other types of object lessons are all meant to be tools for our learning (1 Cor. 10:6, 11; Heb. 8:5).

Object lessons take many forms beyond these general examples, even to the extent that God used men’s lives to play out meaning that He wished to convey to man.

Men’s Lives as Object Lessons
God habitually used object lessons by orchestrating men’s lives to play out and illustrate His message, hence they are living object lessons.

Living object lessons go beyond words, beyond language, beyond perception, beyond culture, beyond time, beyond the limitations of audio-visual experience; to impact people in a deeply spiritual manner.

Time does not permit for a competent examination of all of the Biblical characters whose lives played out the realities which God wished to display in order to teach truth.

Everyone from Joseph, who displayed attributes, lived out events, concerning a type of Messiah; to the wandering of Israel concerning believers pilgrimage in this world, concerning the trials and tribulations encountered in the desert as well as the Promised Land in reference to faith.

The lives and events of the prophets which serve to be a prophetic play depicting God’s relationship with Israel (Isaiah, Ezekiel [Eze. 4:1, 4, 9, 5:1], Hosea [Hos. 1:2, 4, 6-9], just to name a few), as well as the lives of Ruth, Naomi and Boaz, displaying Christ as the Redeemer of mankind as seen in the Kinsman-Redeemer (1st coming as the Lamb of God), as well as the Avenger Blood, the Goel and Savior of Israel (as seen in His 2nd coming, to save Israel and to extract judgment upon His enemies), while also displaying His relationship with the church (Ruth a Gentile bride, and His relationship with Israel, as seen in Naomi for whom Boaz [a type of the redeemer of Israel] redeems the land).

There are many other examples ranging from the Feasts of Israel, to the dreams of Daniel; to symbols of gold, silver, brass, blood, wine, water, fire, thorns, and much more.

One very large display of object lessons is referred to as “Expositional Constancy.”

Expositional Constancy 
Expositional Constancy is a term that theologians use in regards to idioms in the Bible which consistently display repetitive meanings and patterns.

Expositional Constancy is the recurring use of uniform idioms (either symbols or rhetoric) throughout Scripture, both in Hebrew and Greek; in symbolizing something in order to create an object lesson, which enhances details in producing clarity.

The website, “All About God,” states:

“A type (an example), or Biblically speaking a “shadow;” is meant to generate greater detail and precision in identifying something or someone in the future (Heb. 8:5; 1 Cor. 10:11; Rom. 15:4; 1 Cor. 10:6).”

Hebrews 3:1-6 ~ Illustrates that God created the role of the earthly priest as an object lesson to later help identify Jesus’ role as the intercessor and Redeemer of mankind.

Hebrews 8:4-5 ~ Describes how God caused the tabernacle to be fashioned specifically concerning its materials and construction in order to convey greater details in describing Jesus Christ as our substitutionary sacrifice, advocate, and the perpetuation to God in providing salvation to humanity (also see: 1 Cor. 10:4; Heb. 4:11; Heb. 10:1; & Col. 2:17).

Hebrews 8:4-6 states:

“For if he were on earth, he should not be a priest, seeing that there are priests that offer gifts according to the law: Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount. But now hath he obtained a more excellent ministry, by how much also he is the mediator of a better covenant, which was established upon better promises.”

Typology
A substance, principle or reality may have more than one typological symbol or idiom used as a model or illustration which God wishes to communicate, yet there is never an inconsistency in using the same typological idiom in representing something else, that would create confusion concerning the symbolic representation.

These symbols utilized within Expositional Constancy are a form of what is commonly referred to as a “Figure of Speech,” where language is utilized in a diverse sense to convey more than the simple direct meaning.

There are many different types of rhetorical devices, the Romans and Greeks listed over 217 different forms of these rhetorical devices, which we covered in Part 1 of this article.

A few very well-known examples of biblical Figures of Speech are types and “shadows.”

Bible Concordance – The Principle of Expositional Constancy
One of the most important uses for a Bible Concordance is the study of Bible structure and integration.

The entire Bible (66 books written by 40 authors over a period of approximately 1,600 years) tells the story of the world’s Redeemer – the Word of God is about Jesus – John 5:39 is where Jesus states:

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”

Every story, every genealogy, every number, every page, every detail speaks of the Messiah, Jesus Christ.

One of the compelling evidences for the Divine authorship of the Bible is the principle of Expositional Constancy.

You can get a good understanding regarding the exhaustive nature  of Expositional Constancy by using an exhaustive Bible concordance.

For example, using a concordance, take the term “rock” or “stone” and search for every usage of the word from Genesis 1 through Revelation 22.

We discover that many of the uses of this word ties together, the climax being 1 Corinthians 10:1-4, where the Apostle Paul elaborates:

“Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; And were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; And did all eat the same spiritual meat; And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ“

We may never truly comprehend the depths of God’s Word this side of heaven, but with a good Bible Concordance we can at least take our Bible study to a whole new level.

God’s use of typology, which is a symbol, sometimes referred to as a model or transform is a common biblical tool which is one of the Figures of Speech used to teach insights on another level.

Common Biblical Examples of Typology

Symbol                                           Type
Egypt                                               World
Pharaoh                                           Satan
Moses                                              Deliverer (Heb. 3:5-6)
Red Sea                                           Baptism
Pillar – Cloud / Fire                         Holy Spirit (1 Cor. 10:2)
Manna                                             Bread of Life (Rev. 2:17)
Water from Smitten Rock                Living Water (1 Cor. 10:4)
Rock/Stone                                     Jesus Christ (Dan. 2:34-35, 45;
                                                       Rom. 9:32-33; 1 Cor. 10:4;
                                                       Eph. 2:20; 1 Pet. 2:8)

Animals/Beasts                              Kingdoms of the World
…………………………………..(Dan. 7:3, 5-7, 11-12,
……………………………………17, 19, 23; 8:4)
Colors
Purple / Blue                                 Affluence / Royalty (Est. 8:15;
                                                      Jer. 10:9; Mar. 15:17; Joh. 19:2)
Red / Blood                                  Redemption (Exo. 26:14;
.                                                    Num. 19:2)

Precious Metals
Gold                                            Kingship (Rev. 4:4)
Silver                                          Redemption (Lev. 27:3, 6)
Brass                                           Judgment (Exo. 38:2; Num. 21:9)

A Biblical Example Concerning Christ
A good example of typology is the reference to “The Lion concerning the tribe of Judah“ (Gen. 49:9).

The lion was used emblematically of a King in general, yet of a particular King concerning the tribe of Judah when the definite article, “THE” was used.

The Jews understood that Jacobs prophecy (Gen. 49:8-12) concerning his 4th son, Judah was a prophecy that the kingship of Israel would always come from the tribe of Judah (Gen. 49:10 ~ “the scepter shall not depart from Judah”), until the ultimate savior, the Messiah of Israel would arrive (Gen. 49:10b ~ “nor a lawgiver from between his feet, and tell Shiloh [“the peaceful one” ~ always understood to be the Messiah] come”).

We know that every passage which specifically refers to the King, the Messiah; which utilizes the definite article “THE,” (Rev. 5:5) holding Him distinct as from any other King of Judah.

This symbol was to be ultimately fulfilled in the personage of Jesus Christ, “THE Lion of the Tribe of Judah.”

However, how does this symbol reflect upon 1 Peter 5:8, which refers to the Devil, using what seems to be the same type of symbol; which states:

“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour”

An allegory is specifically drawn in the Bible when figurative language is used, such words as: “like,” and “as,” wherein this context tells us that Satan is acting like he is a lion.

Satan attempts to act like Christ in order to usurp Him, this is yet another example of a Figure of Speech, an allegory – wherein Satin is only acting like…

It does not say the devil is a lion, but that he is roaring “as” a lion.

As stated, there are over 300 of these illusions, titles, and object lessons singularly to do with Christ, they are meant to be descriptions in order that the Messiah would be recognizable when He arrived (the author’s favorite title used for the Messiah is “the rock,” found both the Old and New Testaments ~ Dan. 2:45 ~ Rom. 9:33).

The use of the definite article, “THE,” identifies the Messiah as singular, having no equal or substitute.

In those passages where “a” is used, God does so in order to indicate that there was no appearance in Him that would identify Him physically [Isa. 53:2], yet, it also mysteriously eludes to His humanity, yet to say that He was “a stone… cut without hands,” is yet another hallmark that this is the Messiah.

Men cut and shape stones, a stone that is cut without human hands refers to His Divinity and is an indication of the Messiah’s supernatural origin, and indicates the preeminence of the Messiah as distinct from humanity, wherein the definite article is redundant).

Albert Barnes states concerning the Holy Spirit descending like a dove, as recorded in Luke 3:22:

“And the Holy Ghost descended in a bodily shape like a dove upon him, and a voice came from heaven, which said, Thou art my beloved Son; in thee I am well pleased.”

In a bodily shape-

“This was a real visible appearance, and was doubtless seen by the people.

The dove is an emblem of purity and harmlessness, and the form of the dove was assumed on this occasion to signify, probably, that the spirit with which Jesus would be endowed would be one of purity and innocence.

The “Holy Spirit,” when he assumes a visible form, assumes that which will be emblematic of the thing to be represented.

Thus he assumed the form of “tongues,” to signify the miraculous powers of language with which the apostles would be endowed; the appearance of fire, to denote their power, etc., Acts 2:3.”

One last example of an allegory can be seen in understanding the meaning behind the expression “whitened sepulchers” used by Jesus in Matthew 23:27, which states:

“Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye are like unto whited sepulchers, which indeed appear beautiful outward, but are within full of dead men’s bones, and of all uncleanness.”

What is insightful (note the figurative language: “like.” This will be cover later under the heading: “Allegorical Interpretation”) about this expression, “whitened sepulchers,” is that it referenced the time of the mandatory attendance to 3 of the feasts of Israel by every able-bodied male, from all over the known world to congregate at Jerusalem in order to give sacrifices.

The law had mandated that any one that touched a dead body or the tomb of a dead body was unclean and could not come into the city or Temple for a week.
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And with certain sepulchers being part of a rock formation which was unknown by a visitor, the priest would make sure that bright whitewash was used on all the sepulchers just before the feast so they would be easily identified and no one would come in contact of them and not be able to fulfill the requirements of the feast.

Therefore, when Jesus referred to the Pharisees as hypocrites, as whitened sepulchers.

He was referring to the fact that contact with them by way of following their behavior would pollute the individual (see Luk. 11:44), while the Pharisees appeared to be righteous on the outside; they were full of falsehood on the inside – thus hypocrites.

The point was for those Pharisees that taught the Law, Jesus said follow what they said, but do not follow their behavior (Matt. 23:3); for a person to be in close contact with a Pharisee, and start to mimic those behaviors of hypocrisy, this is the pollution that Jesus warned people to avoid.

Why Aren’t Their Specific Passages Defining Typology
Many times concerning the subject of typology (wherein it concerns the future), where things are utilized as symbols of yet other things, there is always a point of singularity, or else it would make no sense.

Yet, it is common that the reference is not made according to verbiage, but is seen in application.

There is no text that states that silver is representative of redemption, yet we see that God utilizes the Temple’s Silver shackle as the only monies utilized in redemption of males and females (Lev. 5:15; 27:3, 6; Deut. 22:19;) from the slave market.

We also see that Silver is utilized in the construction of the tabernacle without reference to why silver, or why gold, or certain colors or materials were used. However, there was a specific design that God demanded that Moses follow which indicated a particular purpose for everything that was used (Heb. 8:4-6).
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The words: approximate, somewhat, and almost, are not words that God utilizes. God corners Himself (in order to prove Himself as God, for it is God only who knows the ending from the beginning ~ Isa. 46:10) concerning His prophecies, it is by His specificity and the exactness of His pronouncements that displays that it is He alone that is God.
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When God is vague it is to hide something on purpose so that at a later point identification can be made, yet it is mysterious at the point it is uttered, and until it is meant to be understood.
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Typology, as it is referred to has been known and taught to the Hebrews (as well as every civilization since the time of the garden), and found in many of their teachings for thousands of years, yet God has felt no compulsion to define these in His Word; any more than God feels any compulsion to define Himself or defend Himself.

Many times we must take things at face value, because God is the potter and we are the clay, and how fortunate that many of these object lessons He takes the time to explain to us, while we are still on the potter’s wheel (Romans 9:21).
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The Tabernacle
An excellent example of the specificity and exactness of God is seen in the typology (symbolism) built-in to the tabernacle.

Every piece of the tabernacle had a symbolic meaning that God built into the design (Exo. 25:9), wherein He didn’t feel the obligation to explain it to us, yet upon close examination these meanings become obvious.
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Even with the things that God left out of the tabernacle, which is evidence of His use of object lessons as tools for our learning.

“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday [The Feast of Israel], or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.” (Col. 2:16-17)

“Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.” (Heb. 8:5)

“For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.” (Heb. 10:1)

Introduction
Perhaps one of the more baffling statements that Jesus made is found in John 5:39, which states:

“Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me.”

The term used in the New Testament “Scriptures“, referred directly to the Old Testament which included the law, the prophets, and the writings; but not the New Testament itself.

The reason this passage seems baffling is having sat under almost 6 decades of preachers, I have yet to have someone show me Jesus as the main focus of attention concerning ALL of the Old Testament.

Jesus and the Old Testament
We see those times that we refer to as the Theophanies, which were Old Testament appearances of deity; and to our current point we would refer to these as Christophanies (See LINK); which were Old Testament occurrences of Christ appearing on the earth prior to His incarnation, wherein John refers to Him as the logos, meaning “The Word of God,” or better stated: “The Communication of God.”

We see where God uses the examples of individuals lives and experiences which were played out to display aspects of the Messiah as seen in the life of Joseph, the event of Isaac’s sacrifice, to mention two.

Of course we have the direct and indirect prophecies, which in retrospect we understand are description of the roles and personage of the Messiah, as also found in what we would call the titles and names which again were descriptions of Christ.

Yet as a whole, shown me Where preachers present Christ in the Old Testament as the main subject matter and main focus, As opposed to teachings regarding man, his fall, his makeup, his redemption; many teach that man and redemption is a main focus.

However, the writer of the book of Hebrews states in Hebrews 10:7,

“Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.”

First, we need to realize that the writer here is quoting Psalm 40:7, as well as stating it’s current application even as it related to the sacrificial system; thus indicating that this Scripture has fulfillment in the Old Testament and in the New Testament, as the passage has meaning concerning both the Old and New Covenants (Hebrews 8:13), indicating that Jesus is preeminent in both the Old and New Testament.

In the English this text seems somewhat straightforward, though many misunderstand the use of the word “volume” thinking it means the amount of space concerning; yet this is NOT what it means, it has greater significance than even this misunderstanding.

Jesus Holds it All Together
The word that is translated into the English word “volume” in the Greek is kephalis, which holds great significance in understanding this passage.

At the time it was written, the Hebrew Holy Scripture was a long manuscript which we commonly refer to as a scroll which was rolled up due to its massive length (Codices, synonymous with our ideas of a book with individual pages that were held together by a binder were not yet prevalent).

In order to handle the scroll without damaging it, and to aid in reading the scroll, the Hebrews used a kephalis, which were wooden rods that would be placed at the end of each side of the scroll, in order to facilitate the reading of the scroll by simply unrolling the kephalis on the left, and rolling up the kephalis on the right (remember, Hebrew was read from the right to left).

The kephalis was what held the Scripture together and made it functional – readable, while at the same time protecting the scroll itself.

It would be somewhat synonymous with our current understanding of what bindings on books are meant to do.

The point that this Scripture is making is that Jesus holds together God’s Word and presents it in such a way that it is readable, understandable, and protected – Jesus in essence is the foundation and the mortar that holds the pages of God’s Word together concerning its subject matter – which is Jesus Himself.

Jesus Is on Every Page
What we are less aware of is that everything in God’s Word – everything, within the whole of God’s Word, including the Old Testament points to Christ – He is on every page!

Such as the fact that all of the events and symbols within Hebrewism which God set up are metaphors, examples, models, symbols and pictorials of the role and personage of the Messiah as seen in such things as the seven “Feasts of Israel,” the architecture and materials of the Tabernacle and the Temple, the priesthood and the Levitical system as a whole, relationships such as the “Kinsman-Redeemer,” and today’s subject, the establishment of redemption as seen in the six “Cities of Refuge” which God established.

It is Jesus Christ that is seen when we closely examine the “Cities of Refuge.”

“Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses: That the slayer that killeth any person unawares and unwittingly may flee thither: and they shall be your refuge from the avenger of blood.”  (Joshua 20:2-3)

In this passage we have the LORD commanding Joshua to fulfill that which He spoke to Moses – to establish the “Cities of Refuge.”

The Cities of Refuge
The purpose of the cities of “refuge“ (Hebrew: miqlat, meaning “to contract” or “receive“) was to provide a shelter for any who “killeth any person unawares and unwittingly,” which we would referred to as involuntary manslaughter.

The Old Testament makes a clear distinction between murder, premeditated murder and unintentional manslaughter (Numbers 35:16-18; Deuteronomy 19:5).

When a premeditated murder was committed, the penalty must be paid – death. The family “Avenger of Blood“ (“Avenger” in the Hebrew is: gaal or goel hadam) was a literal term and function, the person who held this position was the next of kin, or the head of the family in many instances.

The Hebrew word “Avenger” literally means “redeemer”, he who brought back the honor of the family by slaying the murderer (Deut 19:12).

He had two main functions; he could redeem a family member in debt, such as Ruth (Ruth 3:12-13); and he was the “Avenger of Blood,” seeking justice when a family member was murdered (Numbers 35:18-19).

The locations of the cities

He who took the life of another accidentally, would present himself at the gate of one of the six cities of refuge (The gate to a city was where all legal business was transacted, And where the city Council and Local leaders presided to hear cases and make determinations – Ruth 4:1; 2 Samuel 15:2) and plead his cause to the elders of the city and thus would find shelter in the city.

The Safeguard of a Procedure
Later, he had to stand trial before the congregation of the town nearest the scene of the slaying. If found innocent, he was returned to the shelter of the city of refuge until the death of the current high priest (presumably enough time for the wrath of the family of the slain to be abated).

For the sinner, to be found in the city of refuge was to be found in the only place of salvation, which is a pictorial of what Jesus did for us.

The similarity between these cities of refuge, and the LORD Jesus is striking.

Living object Lessons ~ Types and Shadows ~ Examples for Our Learning
This is one of the hundreds of prophetic examples wherein Jesus is found on every page of the Bible through object lessons; rather allegory, similes, metaphor, symbols, Figures of Speech (Please see LINK), types or shadows, as indicated in the following Scriptures (The term for all of these examples is “Expositional Constancy” ~ Please see Endnote #1).

1 Corinthians 10:1-6 ~

“Moreover, brethren, I would not that ye should be ignorant, how that all our fathers were under the cloud, and all passed through the sea; and were all baptized unto Moses in the cloud and in the sea; and did all eat the same spiritual meat; and did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.  But with many of them God was not well pleased: for they were overthrown in the wilderness.  Now these things were our examples, to the intent we should not lust after evil things, as they also lusted.”

Colossians 2:16-17 ~

“Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the sabbath days: which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Christ.”

Hebrews 8:5 ~

“Who serve unto the example and shadow of heavenly things, as Moses was admonished of God when he was about to make the tabernacle: for, See, saith he, that thou make all things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the mount.”

Hebrews 10:1 ~

“For the law having a shadow of good things to come, and not the very image of the things, can never with those sacrifices which they offered year by year continually make the comers thereunto perfect.”

Jesus Our City of Refuge
Jesus is the only escape for the punishment of sin wherein all of us are guilty and deserve death and damnation When seen in the light of God’s perfection which is reflected in his law.

His law which was meant to be a schoolmaster to teach us the true depths of our sin wherein we all deserve to be separated from God, to be imprisoned where God had created hell and damnation for the Angels that chose to rebel because of their lack of faith.

It is when we come to the end of our self and the understanding of our wickedness, wherein we choose to repent; to change our mind in such a formidable way that it changes are behaviors.

Wherein we forsake our own way and follow Jesus, turning 180° from ourselves; to Him who died for us.

Hebrews 6:18, tells us that

“…it was impossible for God to lie, we have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us: which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil; whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec“

The sinner can flee to Christ and find eternal refuge and safety.

Jesus calls to all and says in Matthew 11:28:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.”

John 3:16 says,

“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life.”

“Forgive them for they know not what they do”
One of the passages that baffled me for years was Luke 23:34, which states:

“Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots.”

The reason this baffled me is that the people understood what they were doing, they were crying for an innocent man to be crucified.

A Good Man
A man that did miracles, and displayed only that which was good.

But…
However, the fact is that there were those that understood that Jesus was claiming to be God, in fact most of the people understood that, he was very open about it, if you really look at what He said.

If you examine every situation where Jesus does or says something wherein afterwards the religious leaders and Pharisees pick up stones to stone Him, these are situations where He claims deity.

The punishment for blasphemy by claiming to be God is stoning.

Jesus claimed to be Divine (See Endnote # 2 regarding Christ’s claims of deity).

Yet in spite of His assertions, and the belief by many that He was the Son of God, as a nation; they did not recognize their Messiah.

Two Comings – Two Roles
God in His great wisdom presents Old Testament prophecies concerning the Messiah wherein the Messiah comes to earth twice in totally different roles.

The Jews received those passages concerning the Messiah on a white horse to kill the enemies of Israel, which we Christians recognize to be the Second Coming of Jesus.

Yet the Jew, not knowing how to handling the Suffering Servant passages found largely within the book of Isaiah, with many references in the major and minor prophets, the typology set within the Torah; simply ignore these passages.

In fact, many tore Isaiah chapter 53 out of their manuscripts.

But then the Dead Sea Scrolls, that were much older than their manuscripts were found to contain this chapter which presented the Messiah as a suffering servant who would be slain by His people, who would be ridiculed and killed.

Not Guilty of Murder
The point is that Jesus’ statements from the cross (“…Forgive them for they know not what they do…“) was making a statement that the people were not guilty of murder, that of knowing killing the Son of God, but that they had committed manslaughter – because they did not understand what they did.

A Fact of The Law
Jesus’ words were a statement of fact – a technical statement of fact – a legal statement of fact that was necessary regarding salvation unto repentance of the Jews, as well as us too.

But Jesus paid the price of salvation for anyone who believed in Him and His atoning death, wherein a lack of knowledge of who He is created the environment of their choice to reject Him, analogous to manslaughter; Wherein those that truly perceive that he was a son of God and chose to reject him would be guilty of murder.  This not only pertain to the Jew of his day, but unto those who heard the gospel and responded later, namely the Gentiles; as well as those Jews during the tribulation that will turn to the Lord and repentance, understanding that Jesus is their Messiah.

Why the Angels Could Not be Forgiven
One way of understanding this is to examine at the Angels, Those angels that rebelled and were cast out of heaven would Lucifer for their lack of belief and faith in God wherein they disobeyed because of this lack of belief.

The point being is that regarding rational beings the choice to disobey God is based upon a lack of faith that there will be an ultimate penalty for that disobedience.

You cannot disobey without exercising a disbelief in God that he has the power and the will to punish that disobedience.

Disobedience and a lack of faith are always connected.

What rational being would choose to fight against God when they truly believe that they will spend eternity in hell for that choice – none is the only rational answer to that question.

Now, we know that there is no forgiveness to the Angels As stated in 2 Peter 2:4, which states:

“For if God spared not the angels that sinned, but cast them down to hell, and delivered them into chains of darkness, to be reserved unto judgment”

It is because they fully understood what they did by not trusting in God and therefore rebelling against Him.

They either did not believe in God’s ability to protect his kingdom from Lucifer and stop them from their take over, or they did not believe in his commitment to do so – either way they did not believe in God, and therefore rebelled against Him, perceiving Him as weak.

Their lack of forgiveness was based upon their full knowledge of God, yet they still chose to not believe in him and rebel.

They were in God’s very presence and could see Him, they interacted with God and saw His greatness; they saw God with their own eyes and yet still chose not to believe in Him.

This is why they are not given forgiveness through grace, they had knowledge – which would be the same as if we (As represented by the Jews) had knowledge – it would have been as if we crucified Christ knowing who He was – it would have been murder, not manslaughter.

The point is, that Jesus is man’s city of refuge – where man who has the blood of Christ on His hands because of His own sin, can go to Jesus “the City of Refuge” because what they did, they did in ignorance.

This is but one of the ways that God teaches us about the Messiah – this is one of the object lessons for us to learn.

The Sanhedrin – The Representatives of Israel
The Sanhedrin definitely planned to have Jesus crucified; however, at the same time, God had planned this by His pre-determinant council (Acts 2:23 ~ “Him being delivered by the determinate counsel and foreknowledge of God, ye have taken, and by wicked hands have crucified and slain:”), yet did they do it in knowledge, did they mean to execute the Son of God?

No, they did not believe that Jesus was the Son of God, therefore the Law says, if a man claimed to be God, He committed blasphemy and deserved death.

The Fate of Those Who Knowingly Committed Crucified Christ

There were those among the Sanhedrin and the Pharisees who knew that Christ was the Messiah, the anointed of God, not only God’s representative, but God incarnate.  The Jews never believe that the Messiah was a mere man, they always taught him believe that he was deity.

These would be the same individuals that Jesus confronted which committed blasphemy of the Holy Spirit, the sin that can never be forgiven; the reason why is that blasphemy is slander, and slander is to openly lie about someone in full knowledge.

Those that committed blasphemy of the Holy Spirit as acknowledged in their prior statements that they believe that Jesus was of God when they called him the Lord (Seen in the text where the translators used Capital letters to distinguish deity from men of power and prestige), Yet when he contradicted their teaching regarding the Sabbath which jeopardize their standing and therefore their livelihood; they chose to slander the Holy Spirit incomplete knowledge.

They knew exactly what they were doing and they choose to defy God and slander the Holy Spirit for personal gain – this is unforgivable because the person by the very nature refuses to seek forgiveness.

The Pharisees that committed this sin did it incomplete knowledge, by analogy they would be those that in full knowledge crucified Christ which would be murder.

You and Me
You see what held Christ to the cross were not those nails, but his love of those who would Choose to believe in him.  Who in ignorance and the blood of Christ on their hands, who were guilty to manslaughter, Who would choose and repentance to turn to the living God Forgiveness of sin through God’s grace accessible by faith (See Endnote #5, “Who Really crucified Christ”).

As our precious, loving, and forgiving Lord, our High Priest, said at the cross (Luke 23:34),

“Father, forgive them for they know not what they do.” 

As all that surrender their life in faith to God and to Christ for his atoning work on the cross, those that are guilty of manslaughter yet not murder, those that run to Christ as our city of refuge, to those God calls to be His children – Adopted into God’s family, sealed with the Holy Spirit.

Jesus, our High Priest in whom we are completely secure, died at the cross for you and for me; therefore, the Avenger of Blood (Remember deaths Angel at Passover, wherein every household who displayed the Blood of the Lamb on the threshold was saved; Yet for those who did not believe and respond, only death and destruction remained for the oldest male child, the representative of each families posterity) cannot touch us!

Brent

Endnote
1.  Expositional Constancy (Hebrews 8:5)

Expositional Constancy is the repetitive use of the same (uniform) idioms throughout Scripture, both in Hebrew and Greek; in symbolizing something in order to create an object lesson which enhances details in producing clarity. God’s use of typology, which is a symbol, sometimes referred to it as a model or example, or biblically speaking a “shadow”; is meant to generate greater detail and precision in identifying something or someone. (Heb. 8:5; 1 Corth. 10:11; Rom. 15:4; 1 Corth. 10:6)

Hebrews 3:1-6 – Illustrates that God created the role of the earthly priest as an object lesson to later help identify Jesus’ role as the intercessor and Redeemer of mankind.

Hebrews 8:4-5 – Describes how God caused the tabernacle to be fashioned specifically concerning its materials and construction in order to convey greater details in describing Jesus Christ as our substitutionary sacrifice, advocate, and the perpetuation to God in providing salvation to humanity. (Also see: 1 Corth. 10:4; Hebrews 4:11; Hebrews 10:1; & Colo. 2:17)

A substance, principle or reality may be more than one typological symbol or idiom used as a model or illustration which God wishes to communicate, yet there is never an inconsistency in using the same typological idiom representing something else, that would therefore create any confusion concerning the symbolic representation.

Preamble Concerning Biblical Illustrations Jude 1:9
Whenever a writer or speaker addresses his audience and utilizes illustrations or references, he always uses illustrations or references that the audience is aware of, because to do otherwise would be to assume a fallacy in his presentation; presuming that he would not clarify an obscurity to his immediate intended readers, in which he obviously meant for them to understand is illogical.

Unless, at some point he alludes to a further explanation concerning a reference or illustration in order to create relevance to the subject at hand. Or if he purposefully introduces a mystery or enigma with the intent of maintaining their obscurity; he makes this obvious, never displaying an assumption that his audience could understand what he has not explained.

Therefore, when reading Scripture, it should be understood that any of the Biblical writer’s references, illustrations, or applications; are presented with the assumption that the writer is aware that his audience holds complete understanding concerning his allusion.

Therefore, this means that what may appear upon face value to be an unusual illustration or reference to the current reader, must be considered to be common day to the writer’s direct audience when written.

Some examples are:

Michael fought with Satan over the body of Moses (Jude 1:9)
The existence of the Nephilim (Gen. 6:1-4)
Satan individually tests believers, only according to God’s permission (Job 1:6-12)
1st Biblical prophecy was by Enoch, concerned the 2nd coming of Christ (Jude 1:14-15)
Noah was a preacher (2 Peter 2:5)
Jesus words, “it is more blessed to give …” not recorded in Gospels (Acts 20:35)
Names of the 2 priests of Egypt which Moses encountered, according to Paul (2 Timothy 3:8)
The 3 years of drought of Elisha, was by his prayer, according to James (James 5:17)
Previously unknown about Abraham & Moses, by Stephen: Pharaoh not an Egyptian,
Moses was taught in the science of Egypt. (Acts 7:2-54; Acts 7:20-54; Acts 7:38-54)

Typology
Egypt – World
Pharaoh – Devil & his armies
Moses Deliverer – Christ
Red Sea – Baptism
Pillar: cloud, fire – Holy Spirit
Manna – Bread of Life (Lord’s Supper)
Water from Smitten Rock – Living Water
Those overthrown in the wilderness – not in Egypt, but short of Canaan.

Misconceptions of Exodus typology
– Crossing over Jordan is not dying
– Canaan, the promised land is not heaven (There is battles they are, victories & defeats)
– Crossing into the promised land is the idea of entering what God desires for us, the victory of a life of faith (Heb. 3:1-19; 4:1-16; 1 Cor. 10:1-6)
– Recognize that while it’s undesirable to wander in the wilderness, and desirable to cross over the Jordan into Canaan, it is not about dying, but about living in faith.

Application to the Church
– Most of us make a 40 year wandering out of a 11 day journey.
– Had Israel excepted God’s Word in faith they would have entered into the land as a nation 38 years earlier.
– We need to appropriate all that God has for us according to faith in Him.
– We can live in the wilderness of doubt, defeat, failure, or enter victory by faith.

Thank you to Chuck Missler for most of the above in number 1 and 3.

2.  Jesus’ Claim of Deity as the Son of God

Jesus made many claims in regard to being Divine, the Son of God Incarnate; we will look at two of these passages. 

There are many other issues which display His belief that He was divine, such as the titles He used for Himself which were titles used of deity, His claim of sinlessness, His posture of superiority to the Pharisees, who He refused to cow down to.

He orchestrates worship of Himself, such as a Triumphal Entry, and the healings wherein He receives worship, and the fact that He seated within Himself the power to forgive sins – who does that, except God?

First, Mark 14:60-62, which occurs at Jesus’ trial, when He was asked by the High Priests (Which according to the Torah, a suspect had to answer, therefore Jesus had to answer as a suspect.  Jesus went through 6 trials [See Endnote # 3 ], 3 secular and 3 religious, and only twice did He give an answer, once in fulfillment of the Torah when the High Priest demanded an answer, and once when the secular judge Pilate, based upon Roman law demanded an answer), if He was the Messiah (the “Christ”), the Son of God. 

The text states:

“And the high priest stood up in the midst, and asked Jesus, saying, Answerest thou nothing? what is it which these witness against thee? But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed? And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.”  (KJV)

The second passage we will address is probably one of the most dramatic dialogues Jesus held with the Pharisees wherein Jesus claimed Divinity as the Son of God; as recorded in John 8:12-47, which states:

“Then spake Jesus again unto them, saying, I am the light of the world: he that followeth me shall not walk in darkness, but shall have the light of life. The Pharisees therefore said unto him, Thou bearest record of thyself; thy record is not true. Jesus answered and said unto them, Though I bear record of myself, yet my record is true: for I know whence I came, and whither I go; but ye cannot tell whence I come, and whither I go. Ye judge after the flesh; I judge no man. And yet if I judge, my judgment is true: for I am not alone, but I and the Father that sent me. It is also written in your law, that the testimony of two men is true. I am one that bear witness of myself, and the Father that sent me beareth witness of me. Then said they unto him, Where is thy Father? Jesus answered, Ye neither know me, nor my Father: if ye had known me, ye should have known my Father also. These words spake Jesus in the treasury, as he taught in the temple: and no man laid hands on him; for his hour was not yet come. Then said Jesus again unto them, I go my way, and ye shall seek me, and shall die in your sins: whither I go, ye cannot come. Then said the Jews, Will he kill himself? because he saith, Whither I go, ye cannot come. And he said unto them, Ye are from beneath; I am from above: ye are of this world; I am not of this world. I said therefore unto you, that ye shall die in your sins: for if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins. Then said they unto him, Who art thou? And Jesus saith unto them, Even the same that I said unto you from the beginning. I have many things to say and to judge of you: but he that sent me is true; and I speak to the world those things which I have heard of him. They understood not that he spake to them of the Father. Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things. And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him. As he spake these words, many believed on him. Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed; And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. They answered him, We be Abraham’s seed, and were never in bondage to any man: how sayest thou, Ye shall be made free? Jesus answered them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whosoever committeth sin is the servant of sin. And the servant abideth not in the house for ever: but the Son abideth ever. If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed. I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. I speak that which I have seen with my Father: and ye do that which ye have seen with your father. They answered and said unto him, Abraham is our father. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I have heard of God: this did not Abraham. Ye do the deeds of your father. Then said they to him, We be not born of fornication; we have one Father, even God. Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. And because I tell you the truth, ye believe me not. Which of you convinceth me of sin? And if I say the truth, why do ye not believe me? He that is of God heareth God’s words: ye therefore hear them not, because ye are not of God.”  (KJV) 

Jesus also made seven “I AM,” statements, which the Jews understood to be an allusion that Jesus was using to indicate He was God, the one speaking from the “Burning Bush” as seen in Exodus 3:14, which states:

“And God said unto Moses, I AM THAT I AM: and he said, Thus shalt thou say unto the children of Israel, I AM hath sent me unto you.” (KJV).

Jesus used this “I Am” statement many times, such as John 8:28:

“Then said Jesus unto them, When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he [“he” is not in the original text, it is added by the translators thinking it was needed], and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me, I speak these things.”

And to make sure that He was referencing Exodus 3:14, Jesus said in John 8:58,

“Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am.”

Jesus left no ambiguity in connecting Himself to the “I AM” statements, therein claiming Deity (The 7 “I AM” statement are recorded in: John 6:35; John 8:12; John 10:7; John 10:11; John 11:25; John 14:6; John 15:1)

Please also see: John 10:25-33; John 5:17-18; John 5:23-24; John 8:12-47; Mark 2:5-7, John 14:1; John 14:6, John 14:8-11; John 20:28-29; John 5:39; Luke 24:27; Luke 24:44-46. 

  3.  The Trials of Jesus in their Sequence  

Jesus was put through six trials, three secular and three religious (Within the Bible, 6 is the number of man, Jesus as a man was Judged; though He was God)

Trial #1:    Jesus was taken to Annas. (Mark 14:53; John 18:13-24) Annas was the original (former) High Priest, however, the Romans in order to reinforce their own the power, placed his son-in-law, Caiaphas, the current High Priest. And while Caiaphas, was the high priest of record, the Sanhedrin still look to Annas as the true high priest.

Trial #2:    Jesus was taken before Caiaphas. (Matthew 26:57-68; John 18:24-28)

Trial #3:    Jesus reviewed before the Sanhedrin. (Luke 22:66-71)

Trial #4:    Jesus taken before Pilate. (Luke 23:1-6; John 18:29-38)

Trial #5:    Jesus taken before Herod. (Luke 23:8-11)

Trial #6:    Jesus taken back before Pilate. (Matt. 27:11-24; Mk. 15:1-14; Lk. 23:13-24; John.  18:39-19:16).  Pilate offered either Barabbas or Jesus; the crowd choose Barabbas to be released, and Jesus condemned to death.

4.  The Bible is about Jesus

God’s Word, the Bible is ALL about Jesus as recorded in the following Scripture:

Hebrews 10:7 ~

“Then said I, Lo, I come (in the volume of the book it is written of me,) to do thy will, O God.” 

John 5:39 ~

“you search the Scriptures for and then you think you have life, it is these that speak of me.”

Matthew 5:18 ~

“Do not think that I came to destroy the Law or the Prophets. I did not come to destroy but to fulfill. For assuredly, I say to you, till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle will by no means pass from the law till all is fulfilled.”

Luke 24:27 ~

“And beginning at Moses and all the prophets, he expounded unto them in all the scriptures the things concerning himself.”

Acts 8:35 ~ 

“Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture [Isaiah 53:7], and preached unto him Jesus.”

Acts 26:22-23 ~ 

“Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day, witnessing both to small and great, saying none other things than those which the prophets and Moses did say should come: That Christ should suffer, and that he should be the first that should rise from the dead, and should shew light unto the people, and to the Gentiles.”

Acts 28:23 ~

“And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening.”

Romans 1:1-3 ~

“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the gospel of God which He promised before through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh, and declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead.”

Hebrews 1:1-3 ~

“In the past God spoke to our forefathers through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom he made the universe. The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being, sustaining all things by his powerful word. After he had provided purification for sins, he sat down at the right hand of the Majesty in heaven.”

Matthew 24:35 ~

“Heaven and earth shall pass away, but my words shall not pass away.”

5.  Who was Really Guilty of Crucifying Christ. 

While pondering my Lords crucifixion I feel compelled,
compelled that someone should be held accountable.

I mean this was such an injustice.

He was innocent of any wrong doing.

His trials were illegal.

He was taken in the dark of the night.

Betrayed with a kiss by someone
claiming to be a friend.

Had that betrayer not have done so wickedly,
had he not allowed Satan to beguile him
into such deceitfulness;
He would have awoken as the
sun rose in Gethsemane –
the beginning of another glorious day.

Cursed be that traitor – Judas!

But then I thought, it was the Jewish religious
leaders who took Him, they had sought
His death all along, mostly out of envy,
they so feared that the people
would follow Him, and that they would
lose their precious positions.

It was their golden opportunity, and they seized the moment.

So, without question they are to blame, it’s therefore
no wonder their plight has been so grievous through
the years, certainly they had it coming –
an eye for an eye, tooth for a tooth.

Yes, surely it’s them deserving the blame,
cursed be the Jews!

Yet, when I think further of it, that was a
Roman cross, was it not?

Pilate, he was a Roman; he had the power to
just release Him – but did he?

No!  He had Him beaten and flogged.

His beard was ripped from His face as a
Roman cat of nine opened His flesh.

Mockingly, Pilate’s soldiers placed a
thorny crown upon His head,
“Look at the King of the Jews” they taunted.

Oh, sure Pilate washed his hands in some
menial gesture, as if that cleared
him of any guilt.

Pilate had the power to free Him, after all he had
said himself; He was guilty of no crime.

Pilate is without excuse, he gave them Barabbas
in His stead, they crucified the innocent
and freed the guilty, cursed be the Romans!

Then as they laid Him upon that cross; and “whack”
drove those nails into the flesh of His wrists,
His Blood began to flow ever more deeply.

Then mercilessly again, “whack” into His legs
as He now became as One with the wood.

Without hesitation I’m sure they lifted and
dropped the wooden pillar of death into
a waiting hole – “Thud,” as it slammed
into the ground; ripping His flesh
even further from the impact.

There He was, the Creator of the Universe,
bleeding profusely, beaten beyond recognition
by the Romans; handed over by His own people,
betrayed by a friend, but do you know who He saw?

Me!  All my sin, sin I had yet to commit,
though He knew I would – I was not yet even born.

Tears fall, He who sees the end from the beginning,
looked down the corridor of time; He saw my plight.

So very lost in my sin with no hope of
reconciliation, none apart from Him.

I know I wasn’t here yet – but I can hear it as it
comes from His lips, even now as I type, Him
whispering my name, Rocky it’s for you I died.

I’m the one that deserves to be cursed,
instead I’m blessed.

I deserve death,
yet He gives me life.

Is that fair?

No, far from it.

So you ask me,
why am I so big on grace?

Because I’m the one who’s guilty….
I killed Him

I killed Him by my sin!

(Written by Rockman, my best friend and Brother in the Lord; Brent)

Judgment
Within our current generation, due to this Gondi like presentation of Christ, wherein pacifism is the standard; how easy it is to demand that people not use discernment, biblically speaking, judgment; which appears to be so hard-hearted.  “Let each man stand before his God,” is heard as an excuse to not exercise biblical judgment.  It would seem to be so hard-hearted to exercise discernment concerning a brother’s unbiblical behavior.

This is perhaps one of the greatest tools of our generation that Satan has used to hinder the spiritual growth of the church.  If no one is allowed to use discernment, then everybody can do whatever they want.  And fact, you can talk about the power of the authority of the Word of God, but without the discernment to hold others accountable for their behavior when it opposes God’s Word; where is the cleansing force God’s Word is meant to maintain within the church.

Therefore, it is only when the church follows the example of the first century church and exercises proper Biblical judgment concerning that which is righteous according to God’s Word, and that which is proper according to God’s Will, that the church will again be empowered to affect the world as occurred in the 17th and 18th century, with more headway for salvation made than has ever been known in the history of man – or is it too late.

Have we refused to judge others so that they in turn will not be allowed to judge us in return, to the extent that there is no going back?  Did God not say in Isaiah 1:16-20:

“Wash you, make you clean; put away the evil of your doings from before mine eyes; cease to do evil; Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed, judge the fatherless, plead for the widow. Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. If ye be willing and obedient, ye shall eat the good of the land: But if ye refuse and rebel, ye shall be devoured with the sword: for the mouth of the LORD hath spoken it.” (KJV)

Judgment is not the Same as Condemnation
It is common in Christian circles to hear believers state that “we should not judge other people,” and while we are never to condemn (Greek: kataÌkrima, “to render condemnation” ~ Romans 5:16, 18; 8:1) another person, as this is God’s role and not ours; this statement is not completely true, in fact sometimes it is completely false because we are commanded to judge others².  What is unfortunate concerning our English translation of the Greek New Testament, is that the English word “judgment” is translated from more than a few Greek words which don’t have the same meaning in the Greek.  Sometimes the Greek word is the equivalent of the English judgment, as in the use of discernment.  However, sometimes the Greek base word is the word “condemnation,” in the sense of condemning something or someone to hell, which is only God’s privy.  Unfortunately, the same English word “judgment” is translated for these two opposing Greek words, wherein in the Greek the use of discernment is never considered on par with the use condemnation.

Correct Application
We are to “keep” God’s Word (Deuteronomy 11:8, 18-22; Psalm 19:13), which mandates that we watch (Greek: gregoreuo: which means “to give strict attention to”; “to exercise judgment and discretion in the most serious sense of readiness and awareness”) how others interpret it (Acts 17:11), and teach it (Acts 20:28-32; Romans 16:17-18), which will lead to identifying those false prophets and teachers that distort the Word of God (2 Corinthians 11:12-15; Galatians 1:6-10; Ephesians 5:6-11; Colossians 2:4,8; 18-19), for without watching and staying aware (1 Thessalonians 5:6; 2 Thessalonians 2:1-4), the ability to be productive workman for the kingdom is made null and void (2 Timothy 2:15).

We are to judge when believers sin against other believers, such as defrauding each other financially (1 Corinthians 6:1-4), though this is normally referred to as church discipline (Matthew 18:15-20), it is the discernment of the individual members of the church that is necessary, not just the pastor (1 Corinthians 6:5).

We are also to judge other believer’s behaviors within the church which are sinful (1 Corinthians 5:1-12; 6:2-6).

We are to judge the actions of our leaders as well (Matthew 7:15-23), determining by their behavior, referred to as their “fruit“, if it lines up with sound Biblical doctrine, displaying what good spiritual leadership should entail, or if their behaviors can identify them as false leaders or prophets (2 Peter 2:1-3).

Fallen Human Nature & Judging
At the worldly, secular level it is common to observe a lack of desire to judge or be judged, which becomes understandable in light of the natural (fallen nature) human rejection of authority in general (Proverbs 12:15; 16:2; 21:2), and the authority of God in particular (Psalms 107:8-11; 10:4). Added to this is the observation that the display of judgment lends itself to the manifestation of condescension, aggression, a lack of sensitivity or being unsympathetic, and of being inconsiderate, callous, unkind, or harsh.

What is unfortunate is that those in the church are following this example, many times in the name of tolerance, diversity, acceptance, and what it refers to as love.

However, without the ability to discern, there is no ability to rightly choose, and without the ability to choose correctly [only made possible by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit] we are cursed to follow the sin nature, which is opposed to the Word of God.

The Source of Godly Discernment
Perhaps one of the most important, as well sophisticated passages that addresses the application of judgment, also referred to as discernment is found in Hebrews 5:11-14, which states:

“Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing. For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat. For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe. But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.”

First, we should note that the writer states that in spite of his desire to press on and teach the weightier issues of God’s Word, he cannot because they are dull of hearing. He goes on to state that in spite of the amount of time that they have been believers, in which they should be teachers by now, they haven’t even began to understand the elementary principles and doctrines of God’s Word, which he refers to as milk, that they are unable to metabolize whole food, the more deeper issues presented in God’s Word.

Discernment & Spiritual Growth
What a pathetic picture the author draws, that of believers who should be spiritual adults, yet spiritually immature believers unable to dig deeper into God’s Word; not because they have not heard the teachings, not because there’s not been a teacher to explain it, not because there is a lack of ability to perceive what is stated cognitively; but because of their lack of exercising proper judgment concerning what is good and evil. In the same way that faith is like a muscle and must be stretched and used in order to grow, the same principle is true concerning Spirituality, wherein the muscle that must be stretched is that of judgment and discernment. There must be an application of God’s Word concerning what is right or wrong in order to create the condition for yet further growth.

It’s like a baby that does not practice crawling, can never achieve the muscle necessary for standing. What is unfortunate is that the lack of ability to judge is formulated because of a lack of desire to use it.

Discernment, which is simply a politically correct way of saying judgment, must be used or it will be lost. And when there is a lack of judgment there is a lack of ability to spiritually perceive reality, and see what the Holy Spirit wishes to teach the believer from God’s Word.

The Connection
There is a connection between spiritual perception, the understanding of God’s Word, spiritual growth, the ability to discern good and evil

                                               and

The repetitive and habitual use of Biblical judgment.

Correctly Dividing God’s Word Regarding Judgment
As was stated in the introduction, many times we hear well-meaning Christians state we are not to judge one another, citing Matthew 7:1, or Luke 6:37, or Romans 2:1.

Summary
What this means is that there are many believers who cannot perceive deeper spiritual truths in God’s Word, which are necessary for spiritual growth, because of their refusal to exercise discernment according to God’s Word; and are therefore lacking spiritual perception concerning what is good and what is evil.

Matthew 7:1
However, concerning these three passages (Matthew 7:1, or Luke 6:37, or Romans 2:1; which appear to be abused more than most), we need to exercise grammatical and contextual integrity in examining them. Matthew 7:1-5, states:

“Judge [Greek: krino³] not, that ye be not judged [Greek: krino] .  For with what judgment [Greek: krima³] ye judge [Greek: krino], ye shall be judged[Greek: krino]: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again. And why beholdest thou the mote that is in thy brother’s eye, but considerest not the beam that is in thine own eye? Or how wilt thou say to thy brother, Let me pull out the mote out of thine eye; and, behold, a beam is in thine own eye? Thou hypocrite, first cast out the beam out of thine own eye; and then shalt thou see clearly to cast out the mote out of thy brother’s eye.”

In verse one, the Greek word for judge (Greek: krino)³ is a verb wherein the word can mean judgment, but it in can also mean condemnation, depending on the grammar, and condemnation is not about evaluating something, but it is about damning the person.  The grammar here is not condemnation.

Concerning the grammar concerning the above Greek word “judgment” (Greek: krima³) used in this verse, it is a verb, the tense is present (a continuous, never stopping action), the voice is active (the person being spoken to is doing the action, not receiving it), the mood is imperative (this is a command, it is absolute, the person doing it is not ambiguous), and the person is second (the command is to anyone), and the number is plural (the command applies to everyone, no exceptions).⁴ What this means is that the judgment was a continuous action, never stopping, not contingent upon the situation but upon the person who continually judged. The judgment was therefore not discernment, but an attitude of condemning others which is prohibited.  And the condemnation came from the person was not a reflection on God’s Word, but their own opinion.  This grammar displays a permanent attitude of superiority, wherein the final result is ultimate condemnation (this word in the English, though it has the same base as the other word for Judge; would better be translated “condemnation,” it is the grammar that more fully displays the difference in these two Greek words), that of condemning someone to hell in judgment.  This command from our Lord to not condemn others applied to His local audience as well as you and I, and it pertains to everyone.

Defined & Applied
What this means is that the intention of the word  (“judgment” ~ Greek: krima) was “condemnation,” not simple discernment or judgment, but putting oneself in a place of superiority in condemning another person, and doing so in hypocrisy. This is seen in contrast to the correct application of judgment where discernment and judgment are rendered rather than condemnation, and where the person doing the judgment does so not in hypocrisy, but yet in humility in accordance with God’s Word. The point is, this is not about a subjective opinion, this is about application of God’s determination of right and wrong. It is applying God’s Word to a situation where judgment is necessary in order to bring correction, as opposed to condemnation and self-righteousness which is never correct.

Robertson states that concerning the word “judgment” used here that it was:

“The habit of censoriousness, sharp, unjust criticism. Our word ‘critic’ is from this very word. It means to separate, distinguish, discriminate, that is necessary. But prejudice (which is prejudgment) is unfair, and captious criticism.”⁵

Barnes states concerning this passage in the word “judgment“:

“Judge not … – This command refers to rash, censorious, and unjust judgment. See Romans 2:1. Luke 6:37 explains it in the sense of “condemning.” Christ does not condemn judging as a magistrate, for that, when according to justice, is lawful and necessary. Nor does he condemn our “forming an opinion” of the conduct of others, for it is impossible “not” to form an opinion of conduct that we know to be evil. But what he refers to is a habit of forming a judgment hastily, harshly, and without an allowance for every palliating circumstance, and a habit of “expressing” such an opinion harshly and unnecessarily when formed. It rather refers to private judgment than “judicial,” and perhaps primarily to the customs of the scribes and Pharisees.”⁶

What we need to see about this particular use of the word judgment was that the focus was not on the judgment, but upon condemnation, as well as inappropriate hypocrisy when judgment was merited. What Jesus is honing in on is the attitude of the person, who did not have genuine concern for the person they observed as having a mote in their eye, and was the observer in a position to where they had clarity to truly discern the situation, by not having a mote and their own eye. This passage deals with pride, arrogance, and condemnation, along with hypocrisy, and spiritual immaturity; it is not condemning discernment or evaluation in judging, but the use of judging others in an immature ungodly manner.

The Real Issue
It is by noticing that verse 5 goes on to instruct the hypocrite that once he has corrected his own error, to go on and address the error of his brother, in support of helping a brother by the exercise of judgment that needs to be focused in on concerning the subject of judgment.

What should also be noted is that a few sentences later, at verse 15 and 16, Jesus commands (Jesus states: “beware” ~ Greek: prosecho ~ which is in the imperative in the Greek, meaning it is a command not an option) the people to become fruit inspectors, meaning that they were to judge the behaviors of their leaders to discern if they were teachers according to God and His Will, or false teachers.

Without proper judgment, without proper discernment; the believer is not properly using God’s Word or following His guidance.  Judgment is not only a privilege (1 Corinthians 6:2-3) but a necessity as far as God is concerned (1 Corinthians 6:5).

Acting ~ Hypocrisy
One other aspect concerning hypocrisy is seen in the Greek word for “hypocrite” which is based upon one of its derivatives combined with the Greek word for “to cover,” meaning: “a person that judges from behind a mask.”  This word was used of actors. The Greek plays, which were symbolized by two masks, one laughing and the other crying (this icon has been used ever since movies originated), goes back to this idea. Hypocrites are not those that say one thing, and do another, they are individuals that hide behind a mask and judge and mock those in front of them. This is what the actors had the ability to do because of the cover of the mask while they were wearing (these masks were not worn on the face, but held in front of the face with stick which was held by the actor, in order to disguise who they were, but also what they were really feeling. This was a valuable tool concerning sarcasm, condescension, and mockery. Sometimes the actor presented according to their words sympathy while behind the mask truly feeling sarcasm or contempt) them on stage.

Luke 6:37
This passage appears to be a reintegration of the sermon of the Mount as was in the above Matthew passage.

Romans 2:1
Concerning the context of the Romans 2:1 passage, it would be best to consider as much of it as possible to gain the full context, at least through verse 11, which states:

“Therefore thou art inexcusable, O man, whosoever thou art that judgest: for wherein thou judgest another, thou condemnest thyself; for thou that judgest doest the same things. But we are sure that the judgment of God is according to truth against them which commit such things. And thinkest thou this, O man, that judgest them which do such things, and doest the same, that thou shalt escape the judgment of God? Or despisest thou the riches of his goodness and forbearance and longsuffering; not knowing that the goodness of God leadeth thee to repentance? But after thy hardness and impenitent heart treasurest up unto thyself wrath against the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God; Who will render to every man according to his deeds: To them who by patient continuance in well doing seek for glory and honour and immortality, eternal life: But unto them that are contentious, and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, indignation and wrath, Tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that doeth evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Gentile; But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile: For there is no respect of persons with God.”

Proper Outline

First, it must be understood that this passage is to the unbeliever, not the believer. The unbeliever has no ability to discern or judge anything due to their spiritual deadness, which in turn mandates spiritual blindness. This essay, concerning discernment only applies to born-again believers, and only applies to those that by studying God’s Word, and exercising what God has said concerning good and evil, have gained the ability to correctly judge the world they live in, as always only according to and by God’s Word. In no way is this essay meant to separate Biblical discernment from God’s Word, Biblical discernment cannot be separated from God’s Word. It is when the believer has hid God’s Word in his heart⁷, has studied God’s Word and taken it as his own, when he has incorporated God’s views and judgments; that the believer can thus exercise discernment.

When reading the above passage in Romans in context, it is clear that God is contrasting the arrogant, presumptuous, evil type of judgment of fallen man (nonbelievers) in relation to God’s own judgment and that God speaks against those that condemn according to their own blindness. This passage has nothing to do with the judgment which comes according to the Holy Spirit as seen in God’s Word, meant for reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness, as stated in 2 Timothy 3:16 (bracketed words from Warren Wiersbe), which states:

“All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine [teaching ~ “what is right”], for reproof [correcting wrong doctrine ~ “what’s wrong”], for correction [correcting wrong behavior ~ “how to get it right”], for instruction [teaching right living ~ “how to stay right”] in righteousness“

The reason for all of this is explained why in the next verse (2 Timothy 3:17), which tells us:

“That the man of God may be perfect [Greek: artios: “complete, sufficient, qualified”]³, throughly furnished unto all good works.”

Correct Application
What we must understand is that there are many different aspects (over 12 words in the Hebrew and Greek, with more diverse renderings according to the grammar) to the root word for “judgment“ (such as: judge, judging, judged, judgment, discern, separate, select, choose, to determine, to examine, investigate, question, to separate throughout, discriminate, to decide, to judge, to pronounce judgment, to condemn⁴).

A few examples taken from the Word of God concerning the word “judgment” in regards to diverse applications are:

1) Execution of Judgment ~ Only God’s prerogative ~ 2 Thess. 2:12; Acts 7:7.
2) Making the Judgment of Condemnation ~ Man’s wrong assumption ~ Rom. 2:1.
3) Exercising the Role of a Judge ~ Rulers ~ Matt. 5:25; 7:1; John 3:17 (Noun).
4) The Process of being under Judgment ~ A trial ~ John 3:18; 16:11; 18:31; Jas. 2:12.
5) Judgment Rendered ~ A sentence or verdict ~ Acts 15:19; 16:4; 21:25.
6) Legislative Judgment ~ Plaintiff ~ Matt. 5:40; 1 Cor. 6:1; Defendant ~ Acts 23:6.
7) Governmental Judgment ~ To administer affairs, to govern ~ Matt. 19:28; cf. Judg. 3:10.
8) Figurative Judgment ~ To make a resolve ~ Acts 3:13; 20:16; 1 Cor. 2:2.
9) Discerning Judgment ~ To form an opinion ~ Luke 7:43; John 7:24; Acts 4:19; Rom. 14:5; I Cor. 6:5, 11:31; Heb. 11:11.
10) Believers to Exercise ~ Judgment according the truthfulness of what is said (fulfilled prophecy, which is speaking for another, speaking for God, rather future tense or not) ~ Deut. 13:1-5; 2 John 7.
11) Believers to Exercise ~ Judgment according to the Biblical doctrine of the divinity of Christ ~ 1 John 4:1-3; and Jude 1:3.
12) Believers are ~ commanded by Christ judge the fruit (behavior) of spiritual leaders in determining that they are not false prophets ~ Matthew 7:15.
13) Believers to Exercise ~ Judgment according to doctrine / God’s Word ~ Acts 20:28-32; Rom. 16:17-18; Gal. 1:9; Eph. 5:6-11; Colo. 2:8; 1 Thess. 5:6, 21; 2 Thess. 2:1-4; 2 Pet. 1:20 to 2:3.
14) Believers to Exercise ~ Judgment according to the prompting of the Holy Spirit within ~ Eph. 5:10; 1 John 4:1-3 ~ 1 Tim. 4:1.
15) Believers to Exercise ~ Judgment concerning the behavior of believers in the church ~ 1 Cor. 5:12-13, 6:2-5.
16) Believers to Exercise ~ Self-Examination/ Judgment ~ Mark 4:22-25; 1 Cor. 11:31.
17) Spiritual Leaders to Exercise ~ Guarding Their Doctrine ~ 1 Tim. 4:16; 2 Tim. 4:3; Tit. 1:9 to 2:1.
18) Spiritual Leaders to Exercise ~ Guarding Their Congregation ~ 1 Tim. 6:20-21; 2 Tim. 2:23-25. (From K-House.org)

A Good Example
It is in understanding the diversity of a word that we gain clarity concerning what the Scriptures expect of us in exercising discretion, as compared to the act of condemnation. A good example can be found in I Corinthians 11:31, which states:

“For if we would judge [Greek: diakrino] ourselves, we should not be judged [Greek: krino].”

The literal Greek rendering is: “if we discern for ourselves, then we will not be eternally condemned” (according to the full context of the chapter which centers around the Lord’s Supper; what is implied is that if a person discerns according to Gospel, faith unto salvation, they will not be eternally judged, the discernment here is unto life.  Those in verse 29 are unbelievers, which is displayed because they could not see the value of Christ’s death, and indulged in the Lord’s Support focusing on themselves, not on Jesus’ as the only acceptable sacrifice for their sins.  In verse 32 it states literally in the Greek: “when we perceive we are condemned as sinners, this perception by faith leads to God’s training/teaching [by and through His Word] wherein we are saved apart from the world that is condemned to pay the price for that condemnation“).  The first word for judge, diakrino, means to separate thoroughly, to withdraw from, to discriminate, or decide; depending on the grammatical breakdown.  The second word for judge, krino according to its grammar means to condemn.

Therefore, we understand that this is stating that,

“if we would discern ourselves; with the implied intent of change, we would not be subject to ultimate condemnation.”

This is what is to take place within the life of the believer according to the indwelling of the Holy Spirit.

Lack of Discernment
In these last days, one of the most predominant features within the church is this lack of discernment which allows carnality to run rampant, even disguising itself as spirituality.

Some have said the greatest trick the devil ever performed was to convince the world that he was nonexistent.  Yet, I believe the greatest trick Satan has performed within the church of Jesus Christ is to convince us that the application of discernment and judgment has no place within Christendom, and that therefore tolerance and acceptance are true signs of Christian love.

It is when we lower the standards of God’s Word, either due to a lack of application, judgment; that we open ourselves to all kinds of worldly pursuits.

Corinth, a Church for 21st-century America
The church of Corinth displayed such poor judgment that it had allowed incest to be accepted openly, as well as believers defrauding other believers financially, their preoccupation with mysticism, along with signs and wonders in place of gifts of the Spirit, where the supper of the Lord was abused in drunkenness and gluttony, while others went hungry. Where selfishness became the norm to the extent that Paul worked a full-time job to support himself as well as the Ministry (which he later regretted because it added to their spiritual immaturity) no doubt exhibiting their lack of financial support in spite of the fact that they were very affluent. Yet, in a close examination it becomes apparent that all of this existed because of their lack of and refusal to exercise proper judgment according to the mind of Christ. They were a very worldly church that refused to judge and intervene according to the church discipline (Matthew 18:15-17).  Unfortunately for us, of all the New Testament churches we most resemble them today.

We in America are affluent and prosperous, we suffer no persecution; and yet we are also arrogant, self-centered, and morally bankrupt as a society. The buzzwords of the day which display that which is politically correct (concerning a lack of judgment) are: tolerance, broadmindedness, open-mindedness, forbearance, patience, acceptance, conformity, understanding, and respect.  As well as (concerning the selfish, me-first, “refusal to die to self,” egocentric mindset which is becoming predominant within the church) such politically correct buzzwords as: success oriented, victorious, expedience, pragmatic, and purpose driven; all words which display our narcissism, and underpin a mindset that is contingent upon a lack of judgment in what is good and what is evil concerning God’s perspective as reflected in His Word.  It is the idolatry found within Christianity today which explains why America is becoming more and more ungodly in spite of its Biblical roots.  Christian idolatry can be seen when believers:

“Worship Their Work, Work at Their Play, and Play at Their Worship.”

Deception – Warning
Without judgment we have no ability to perceive danger when it is present. This is why Jesus spoke so often about deception.  The only protection against deception is God’s Word and its application as seen in proper Biblical judgment.

Jesus repetitively warned: “Take heed that no man deceive you,” and “be not deceived,” as recorded in Matthew 24:4; Mark 13:5; Luke 21:8.

Paul and others also warned us concerning deception as recorded in: John 7:24; Acts 20:28; Romans 16:18; I Corinthians 3:18; 5:1-13; 6:9; 15:33; Galatians 1:6-9; 6:3,7; Ephesians 4:14; 5:6; 5:11; II Thessalonians 2:3,10; 3:6; 3:14-15; Titus 1:10-16; II Timothy 2:15; 3:5-7; Hebrews 5:14, James 1:22,26; II Peter 2:14; I John 1:5, 8; 3:7; 4:1; II John 1:6-9; as well as the seven times that the word “deceive” is used concerning the Devil in the book of Revelation.

What we must keep in mind is that these references are exclusively to believers, it is the believers that can be deceived when they refuse to stand firmly on God’s Word and judge according to what God has said.

An Example from the book of Revelation
One of the common denominators within the seven letters to the seven churches as recorded in the book of Revelation, chapters 2 and 3; is their inability to perceive their true spiritual state. It is their lack of discernment, their lack of judgment that stands out so predominantly concerning their condition, and was why they could not see the remedy to their problems.

Defending God’s Word
We, as the church of Jesus Christ have been granted the privilege of holding God’s Word in written form in our hands. And with privilege comes responsibility, which cannot be separated from accountability. This is why Peter said in I Peter 4:17:

“For the time is come that judgment must begin at the house of God: and if it first begin at us, what shall the end be of them that obey not the gospel of God?”

Judgment Commanded
It is in realizing that many times judgment is demanded in God’s Word concerning the ability to “Watch, “or “Guard,” or in warnings such as: Be not deceived.”  The point is that the Bible is filled with admonitions to judge as seen in the following examples: Mark 4:24; Acts 20:28-30; Romans 16:17-18; Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 2:4; 2:8; 2:18-19; I Corinthians 5:12,13; 6:2-5; 11:31;14:29; I Thessalonians 5:6; 5:21; II Thessalonians 2:1-4; I Timothy 4:16; 6:20-21; II Timothy 2:23-25; Titus 1:9; I John 4:1-3; and Jude 1:3.  Judgment is even demanded many times in the Bible as seen in Christ’s command (“beware” in the Greek is in the imperative, which is a command) to believers to judge the behaviors (idiomatically referred to as “fruit“) of their spiritual leaders to affirm that they are not false prophets, as seen in Matthew 7:15-23. Jesus also commanded judgment in John 7:24, yet “righteous judgment,” which Biblically speaking is always according to God’s Word.  The largest amount of text concerning judgment is the Biblical admonition and/or command to judge which in comparison to those passages which speak against judging because it is either condemnation or condescension; is minimal, as seen in James 2:4; 4:11, 12. Or where conditions are required, such as: Matthew 7:1; or areas where judgment is not allowed due to an incorrect application (their interpretation of fulfilling the laws of Moses), such as: Mark 2:16-28; Romans 14:1-17; Colossians 2:16.

Church Discipline

Matthew 18:15-20 ~

“Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established. And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Verily I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever ye shall loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Again I say unto you, That if two of you shall agree on earth as touching any thing that they shall ask, it shall be done for them of my Father which is in heaven. For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them”

A few insights concerning Church Discipline according to Jesus:

1. We, the reading audience are not who Jesus is directing addressing here as He is speaking to the second person (“thee,” or “you”), He does this to communicate that we have all been guilty of offending someone else, and within the church this is something that should be dwelt with rather than allowing it to fester.

2. We can assume that the person accused (whether the accusation is verbalized, or simply felt by the other) is innocent of the accusation, otherwise the Lord would have instructed him to apologize, make amends, openly confess his sin, and thereby be restored to their brother, the accuser.

3. Therefore, if a brother (Church Member) has something against you, you are not to wait for him to approach you; you are to go to him. Be assertive, not aggressive; be gentle, not forceful.

4. When you go, go alone (the first time), keep it private – don’t attempt to use others to make you feel justified, the one who is right.

5. You are not to go to other brothers and attempt to enlist them as a jury where you present your side, and win approval.

6. You are to show honor by keeping the privacy of your disagreement between yourselves, to go tell others in order to receive reassurance is actually gossip, and brings division to the church, setting people into groups, and against each other.

7. If you cannot convince your brother that you are right and an agreement cannot be reached between the two of you, then meet with him again and this time bring 2 or 3 other brothers as witnesses, but also to attempt to convince of him of his error.

8. If he refuses to concede, next you are to take the issue before the whole church as an assembly to judge.

9. This is not a jury situation where opinions are rendered, where discretion is allowed. Either you are vindicated according to the Bible or your brother is. This judgment is not about what others think; only who lines up with God’s Word, and who does not. It is black and white; there are no gray areas in the Bible. When there appear to be contradictory passages, clarity is obtained according to the priority as it is set in the Bible, yet always according to God’s Word.

10. What should be noted here is that there is no specific reference to the pastor or leader of the church being involved. No doubt that Jesus left out the Pastor so that there would be no intention of trying to draw him in and make it about the Pastor and the two of you. Church discipline involves the whole church, yet without voting. What is inferred by this is that it would be obvious to all according to their knowledge of God’s Word who is innocent and who was guilty, it is not propagating a democracy. God’s Word and the Torah are not subjective, but the idea is that the whole church was involved in the process so that if a person was excommunicated, the whole church would shun the person, and not associate with transgressor.

11. If the person refuses to repent (Change his mind and ways) and obey the judgment of the church, he is to be excommunicated, and treated as a heathen, not as a brother in Christ. There is not the option to show forgiveness without consequences, because the priority here is the purity of the church, without the option of mercy to individuals. Forgiveness cannot he granted without repentance, and a turning from the sin, making amends and setting it right.

We like to paint Jesus as a loving individual that showed mercy to all, without exception. Yet, this is an un-Biblical picture of Jesus, as repentance (changing direction ~ Acts 20:21) was mandatory (Matthew 9:13; Mark 1:4), as well as sorrow for wrongs committed (2 Corinthians 7:9, 10). The wrongdoer had to admit that they were wrong (Mark 2:17), seek for forgiveness, and be willing to make amends (Matthew 3:8; Luke 3:8; Acts 26:20). It is un-Biblical to allow sin to persist within the church, corrupting others; in the name of mercy, grace, and love; and allowing sin to go unanswered, which in reality has nothing to do with any of these 3 virtues.

It’s like allowing your oldest child to habitually violate your rules with no repercussions, while their younger siblings watch and learn from this pattern of rebellion. Excommunication is demanded in this situation, it is not an option. The motive was always to correct, to drive the brother to repentance, in order to receive him back (2 Corinthians 2:6-10). It must also be seen that when a brother was excommunicated, there was no Biblical defense against litigation. 1 Corinthians 6:1, forbids a brother from taking another brother to court, yet when a believer has been maltreated, or mistreated by a non-believer, they have the right as a citizen (Matthew 5:40 ~ presupposes involvement in the judicial system) to utilize the legal system which was meant as a defense against evil being allowed to permeate, and grow, perverting the community, and contaminating every one.

What About Forgiveness as in: “turning the cheek”

Matthew 5:38-41 ~

“Ye have heard that it hath been said, an eye for an eye, and a tooth for a tooth. But I say to you, that ye resist not evil: but whosoever shall smite thee on the right cheek, turn to him the left also. And if any man will sue the act the law, and take away thy coat, let him have thy cloak also. And whosoever shall compel thee to go a mile, go with him twain.”

An eye for an eye
The problem that we have in understanding this passage is our lack of awareness that it had become common during that period of time, that if a Jew (wealthy & powerful prominent individuals) had felt that he had been wronged and suffered loss at the hands of another, rather than following Gods ordained system of law (Deuteronomy 19:18-21) which dictated that a local magistrate would investigate the situation and render justice in the form of any prescribed punishment according to the law of God, the Jews would revenge themselves, which meant that it was no longer a system of justice, but of vengeance.

What Christ is not saying here is to disregard the law, which contained a criminal justice system concerning the punishment of criminal behavior (Matthew 7:12; Romans 3:31). What Christ is saying here is that believers are not to revenge themselves upon perpetrators, but being willing to forgo what had become the standard of the day, which was to retaliate when one was wronged. Christ is indicating that we should forgive those that offend us.

Resist not evil, but whosoever shall smite thee on thy right cheek, turn to him the other
It had become common that if a Jew felt humiliated or shamed by another, in return they would strike a person upon the cheek which in itself was viewed as an act of humiliation (Lam. 3:30; Job 16:11). This was usually done with an audience, in front of others as a display of shame and ridicule. The physical pain was minimal and not meant to address or correct negative behavior, but it was the humiliation of the act that was the point of the offense.

The very act of slapping another person on the face was an act of condescension, displaying pride and arrogance, and therefore considered evil in its self.  The Greek phrase used here (me antistenai toi poneroi), would be more literally translated: “resist not him that is evil,” which concerning the grammar is in the infinitive (second aorist active), an indirect command; which could place the emphasis either on “the evil man,” or “the evil deed,” but either way this plays the assumption of the definite article (“THE“) in the English, which indicates that Christ was NOT saying to allow evil to permeate our society, without resisting it according to God’s law (1 Timothy 1:8-9).

On any individual basis, when a believer is minimally assaulted physically, and (to the real issue at hand) is humiliated or shamed, which is evil or done by an evil person; don’t retaliate, or supposedly defend yourself by verbally insulting them in return. We must keep in view that the issue here is not the physical contact, but the humiliation and shame intended.

This also doesn’t say that we are NOT to defend ourselves if we are physically attacked – it is the shaming that we allow to occur – to use this verse to say we are not to defend ourselves physically in “reading into the text” that which Christ did not say. As believers, we should allow our feelings to be hurt by others shaming us, which is not about our feelings, but our pride – THIS IS THE POINT OF THIS TEACHING – DON’T LET YOUR PRIDE LEAD YOU BY GETTING INTO A TIT FOR TACT SITUATION WHEN YOU ARE HUMILIATED.

Jesus displayed our example of this Himself when He was slapped (as a sign of humiliation and ridicule) by one of the Temple officer’s while being questioned by the High Priest (John 18:19-23), and Jesus responded by verbally defending himself and saying, “If I have spoken evil, bear witness of the evil: but if well, why smitest thou me?”  Jesus also protected His followers, which is much easier to see in the Greek Grammar than the English (John 17:12; John 6:37-40 – SEE JOHN 18:8-9), displaying His ability to defend them (Jesus kept them spiritually concerning salvation, yet also physically as well).

The point is that Jesus is not presenting a pacifist doctrine here. As believers we are always to fight against evil, and those that promote it, otherwise we would violate the very law which God had given to man as a reference concerning what was good, which always mandated fighting and punishing what was evil. Jesus was not contradicting the law.

Jesus did not come to change the law, but to fulfill it (Matthew 5:17; Luke 24:44) by dying for the sins of the world (2 Corinthians 5:21). The point was not that we are all forgiven, but that our punishment was paid by Jesus, that there had to be punishment (1 John 2:2; Romans 3:25; 1 John 4:10), that the justice of God would be upheld (Romans 3:25).

What Christ is saying is that if a (small) offense is committed against you, such as being shamed by another (to reiterate, which is what being stricken on the cheek meant to the Jews, striking on the cheek was considered a non-punishable offense, one of questioning another’s integrity by publicly shaming them), take the offense and don’t revenge yourself, show honor and character in the face of humiliation.

If any man will sue thee at the law
First, and most importantly, what Jesus indicates here is that you are guilty in this litigation, and that your accuser wins against you, according to the legal conclusion against you in that the court determines to: “take away thy coat.” The law was very specific concerning the loss of personal property, especially if it was the essentials, such as a personal wardrobe (which are many consisted of the clothes on their back).

Jesus is here referring to a common occurrence of his day, wherein an individual would utilize their (tunic) inner garment as collateral for a purchase, and after being found guilty of not having fulfilled your part of the bargain, be prepared to surrender your outer garment as well. Because of the essential nature of the need of clothing, such as the tunic, in Hebrew law, the only way that your adversary could seize your tunic was because you used it as collateral for a loan and default on the loan. It was common that if an individual conducted a street transaction (bartering) and did not have the items with them (which in a case where coinage was not used or available, bartering by using animals or other intrinsic articles was common), they would leave as collateral something of greater value with the person, such as their interior coat / tunic. This is seen when Judah doesn’t have the price of bartering (“a kid of the flock“) to pay Tamar, but uses as collateral (pledge) his signet, both bracelets and his staff (Genesis 38:17-18).

Therefore what Christ is saying is if you lose litigation, indicating that you are wrong, be prepared to pay not just your obligation but even more in recompense, which in this case would be to allow the claimant to have your outer cloak as well, which was more expensive.

Whoever shall compel thee to go a mile
The expression “shall compel” was a specific terminology of Persian origin (a Figure of Speech, a current American cultural expression would be like saying “the few, the proud, …”, which would set the stage for the understanding that the reference was an expression concerning “…the Marines”), and was utilized concerning a royal standing command that was as a Royal law of the kingdom, throughout the conquered lands of Persia (from which the Jews had many times been under, such as Cyrus), and was understood that one of the officers of the King’s court could demand that a local citizen would personally escort them during their journey for a distance of up to 1 mile in aiding them during their travels. This principle was used by the Romans, and known as the law of Angaria.  Whereas verbal instructions concerning directions could be misunderstood (“go straight for 1 mile, then turn right at where Farmer Joe’s barn used to be”), having a local citizen personally take you to your destination became necessary.

The point that Christ is making is that when it comes to our civil commitments (whether they seem righteous or not), we should be willing to not only fulfill the requirement of the law, but sacrifice even more than required. Believers, as citizens are not only to meet their requirements, but to exceed them.

A final thought
It is amazing to consider that due to a lack of understanding concerning cultural issues of the (Biblical) times, that when believers do not study (studying is far more than simply reading, it is using credible Biblical dictionaries, encyclopedias, commentaries, word studies, and being fed by Spirit and guided Bible teachers; and more. If we love God with our whole being [Mark 20:30], why would we do less) God’s Word, that what they perceive superficially ends up being much different from the reality that is presented.

Summary
Concerning Matthew 5:38-41, these 3 short verses hold tremendous insights and immense meaning.

First, do not revenge yourself, but allow the Powers that God has ordained (Romans 13:1-7; 1 Peter 2:13-17) to administer justice. ~ Be a forgiving person

Second, if someone shames, humiliates, or ridicules you; do not revenge yourself, but show honor and character by not reiterating the same back. ~ Be a humble person

Thirdly, if you have been found legally guilty, and rightly so, be prepared to suffer for your wrongs into pay back even more than what seems fair. ~ Be a righteous person

Fourthly, concerning your civil commitments; be willing to not simply meet your requirements, but to exceed them as well. ~ Be a good neighbor and good citizen, therefore be a good example

Endnotes
1. But what about “Thou shalt not kill?”
Notice that it’s “Thou shalt not kill,” but David slew Goliath? [In the Bible, when you find a word in italics, this means that this precise word is not in the original text, it is implied or there is not an exact English word with the same meaning, and the translators use their own guess at what the word would be close to in their current grammar.  The main problem with this is that many English words have changed their meanings over the last 400 years.  The Biblical Greek word can now be better understood based upon the grammar and a more educated understanding of the Koine Greek as compared to four centuries ago.].  Why two different words?  Because the original meaning of kill was more nearly that of murder, whereas slay meant homicide in general. Although there’s some overlap in usage in the Bible, generally actions like killing in battle are translated with slay. The distinction was clear in the 1600’s when the King James Bible was published. It’s only when we became intellectually sloppy that we blurred the distinction between the two words.  This is a pons asinorum (bridge of asses) – an initial first step that has to be made before any productive discussion can begin. People who trot out “thou shalt not kill” as a basis for pacifism are revealing only their illiteracy.  (http://www.uwgb.edu/dutchs/PSEUDOSC/ProblemWithPacifism.HTM)
2.Repfrint from above: Judgment Commanded
It is in realizing that many times judgment is demanded in God’s Word concerning the ability to “Watch, “or “Guard,” or in warnings such as: “Be not deceived.”  The point is that the Bible is filled with admonitions to judge as seen in the following examples: Mark 4:24; Acts 20:28-30; Romans 16:17-18; Ephesians 5:6; Colossians 2:4; 2:8; 2:18-19; I Corinthians 5:12,13; 6:2-5; 11:31;14:29; I Thessalonians 5:6; 5:21; II Thessalonians 2:1-4; I Timothy 4:16; 6:20-21; II Timothy 2:23-25; Titus 1:9; I John 4:1-3; and Jude 1:3.  Judgment is even demanded many times in the Bible as seen in Christ’s command (“beware” in the Greek is in the imperative, which is a command) to believers to judge the behaviors (idiomatically referred to as “fruit“) of their spiritual leaders to affirm that they are not false prophets, as seen in Matthew 7:15-23. Jesus also commanded judgment in John 7:24, yet “righteous judgment,” which Biblically speaking is always according to God’s Word.  The largest amount of text concerning judgment is the Biblical admonition and/or command to judge which in comparison to those passages which speak against judging because it is either condemnation or condescension; is minimal, as seen in James 2:4; 4:11, 12. Or where conditions are required, such as: Matthew 7:1; or areas where judgment is not allowed due to an incorrect application (their interpretation of fulfilling the laws of Moses), such as: Mark 2:16-28; Romans 14:1-17; Colossians 2:16.
3. Thayer’s Greek Definitions, Parsons Technology Inc., Cedar Rapids, IA 52404.
4. Robinson’s  Morphological Analysis Codes, eSword, Ver. 9, Rick Myers, esword.org.
5. Robertson’s Word Pictures In The New Testament, Vol. IV, A.T. Robertson, Broadman Press Inc., Nashville, TN 37234.
6. Albert Barne’s Notes On The Bilbe, William McDonald, Thomas Nelson Pub., Nashville , TN.
7. Psalms 119:11 ~ “Thy word have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against thee.”