Paul Declares that ALL Scripture is Breathed out by God Part 1
2 Timothy 3:10 But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience, KJV
In contrast to those of corrupt minds and devoid of the truth of God, Paul declares to Brother Timothy and every one of us who are true believers and followers of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ now and of every era and generation these words (concerning himself) to keep him and us grounded in the truth, "But thou hast fully known my doctrine, manner of life, purpose, faith, longsuffering, charity, patience," (2 Timothy 3:10) (KJV). First, Paul speaks of Timothy having observed closely his teaching of God's Holy word by saying to him that 'thou hast fully known my doctrine', and the little English phrase 'hast fully known' is translated by the Greek word parakoloutheō which means to follow near, that is, (figuratively) attend (as a result), trace out, conform to: - attain, follow, fully know, have understanding. The English word 'doctrine' is translated by the Greek word didaskalia meaning instruction (the function or the information): - doctrine, learning, teaching. In other words, Timothy having followed near to Paul during many of his preaching and teaching opportunities as a missionary and ambassador of our Lord Jesus Christ was able to hear and understand the instruction and information that came from the soul of the Apostle Paul and witnessed the power of God the Holy Spirit take that Word and make new creatures in Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 5:17). Here is what Matthew Henry had to say concerning Timothy fully knowing Paul and the doctrine which he taught, "The more fully we know the doctrine of Christ and the Apostles, the more closely we shall cleave to it; the reason why many sit loose to it is because they do not fully know it. Christ's Apostles had no enemies but those who did not know them, or not know them fully; those who knew them best loved and honoured them the most. Now what is it that Timothy had so fully known in Paul? The doctrine that he preached. Paul kept back nothing from his hearers, but declared to them the whole counsel of God (Acts 20:27), so that if it were not their own fault they might fully know it. Timothy had a great advantage in being trained up under such a tutor, and being apprised of the doctrine he preached."
Next, Paul puts Timothy in remembrance of his 'manner of life' and this little English phrase is translated by the Greek word agōgē (used this one time only in the New Testament) which means (as used here) mode of living or his way of living. In other words, Timothy saw with his own eyes how Paul lived in the world without being of the world as those false teachers were and are today and in every time, therefore, Timothy could recognize those who were false and not from our Lord Jesus Christ, even when Paul would not be near him, just as the Apostle John wrote with these words speaking the same idea or theme, "Children, you belong to God, and you have defeated these enemies. God's Spirit is in you and is more powerful than the one that is in the world. These enemies belong to this world, and the world listens to them, because they speak its language. We belong to God, and everyone who knows God will listen to us. But the people who don't know God won't listen to us. That is how we can tell the Spirit that speaks the truth from the one that tells lies." (1 John 4:4-6) (Contemporary English Version). The English word 'purpose' is translated by the Greek word prothesis which means a setting forth, that is, (figuratively) proposal (intention). In other words, Paul's intentions were not hidden or concealed so that he could deceive men and women with flattering speech to gain their confidence and trust all to mislead them for monetary gain, no he only at all times wanted the glory of Jesus Christ and to declare Christ Crucified at every opportunity, just as he wrote to the Corinthian Church these words in his first (1st) letter to them, "And I, brothers, when I came to you, I did not come with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God." (1 Corinthians 2:1-5) (Modern King James Version). Here is what the JFB Commentary had to say concerning Paul's purpose, "The Greek is elsewhere usually used of God's 'purpose.' But here, as in Acts 11:23, of Paul's determined 'purpose of heart in cleaving unto the Lord.' My set aim, or resolution, in my apostolic function, and in every action is, not my selfish gain, but the glory of God in Christ."
The English word 'faith' is translated by the Greek word pistis which means (as used here) moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God; fidelity, that is, his faithfulness to Christ and to the Gospel. In other words, the Apostle Paul demonstrated a firm, fearless, and forceful faith that did not waiver under some of the most trying and even deadly circumstances one could find themselves as we remember his own recount of many of the hellish things he went through because of his faithfulness to Christ Jesus our Lord and to His word when he wrote this again to the Corinthian Church denoucing the false apostles they had listened to, "I am ashamed to say that we are too weak to behave in such a way. If they can brag, so can I, but it is a foolish thing to do. Are they Hebrews? So am I. Are they Jews? So am I. Are they from the family of Abraham? Well, so am I. Are they servants of Christ? I am a fool to talk this way, but I serve him better than they do. I have worked harder and have been put in jail more times. I have been beaten with whips more and have been in danger of death more often. Five times the Jews gave me thirty-nine lashes with a whip. Three times the Romans beat me with a big stick, and once my enemies stoned me. I have been shipwrecked three times, and I even had to spend a night and a day in the sea. During my many travels, I have been in danger from rivers, robbers, my own people, and foreigners. My life has been in danger in cities, in deserts, at sea, and with people who only pretended to be the Lord's followers. I have worked and struggled and spent many sleepless nights. I have gone hungry and thirsty and often had nothing to eat. I have been cold from not having enough clothes to keep me warm. Besides everything else, each day I am burdened down, worrying about all the Churches." (2 Corinthians 11:21-28) (Contemporary English Version).
The English word 'longsuffering' is translated by the Greek word makrothumia which means forbearance or patience. The English word 'charity' is translated by the Greek word agapē which means love, that is, affection or benevolence; specifically (plural) a love feast. The English word 'patience' is translated by the Greek word hupomonē which means cheerful (or hopeful) endurance, constancy: - enduring, patience, patient continuance (waiting). In other words, the love for Christ and for what and who Christ loved enabled him to forebear or put up with many indignant, irresponsible, and indecent things done to him giving him endurance to be patiently cheerful under many attacks from the human instruments used by the devil to hinder his progress in dispensing the Gospel of Christ and the Word of God. Note: "Paul's love for the souls of men and women was unflinching, undeterred, and unwavering from the moment he was knocked off his high horse or donkey on the Damascus road, he longed to see every sinner he encountered receive the mercy and grace of God that he had so underservingly obtained, therefore, God's grace and love working through him allowed him to brush off the abuses of men and press forward toward the mark of the high calling he now had in Christ Jesus our Lord and so should we do in like manner."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
I am a Christian Writer of non-fiction primarily and a little fiction. My purpose for forming this site is to Edify Christians with my writing and reach the lost with the uncompromising Gospel of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Sunday, March 31, 2019
Wednesday, March 27, 2019
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 36
Paul tells Timothy to be Aware of the Godless Times Part 6
2 Timothy 3:8-9 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. KJV
The Apostle Paul concludes his discourse to Brother Timothy and to we true believers today and of every era and generation concerning the godless times during his day and our day and every day until the second coming (2nd) of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ by comparing those people that are in many visible churches with the form of godliness minus the power thereof with those magicians of the Egyptian Pharaoh who stood against Moses with these words, "Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith." (2 Timothy 3:8) (KJV). Jannes and Jambres are the names of the two magicians that Pharaoh sent to oppose Moses when he came in the Name of the Lord God Jehovah of Israel commanding him to let the Jewish people go from their captivity or slavery to Egypt. The English word 'withstood' which speaks of what these two did against Moses is translated by the Greek word anthistēmi which means to stand against, that is, oppose: - resist, withstand. You see when Pharaoh (who is a type or picture of Satan) sent these two against Moses, their works were not slight of hand or illusions, no they were real works of magic done in the power of Satan and his demonic host of witchcraft and wizardry, yet his power is nothing compared to the Power of God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit who made or created Satan (Exodus 7:10-12).
First, let us go back and recall how the Lord God showed Moses how He would work through him great signs and wonders before Pharaoh and all the people of Egypt to make him let the Isralites go from captivity in Egypt, "Moses asked the LORD, 'Suppose everyone refuses to listen to my message, and no one believes that you really appeared to me?' The LORD answered, 'What's that in your hand?' 'A walking stick,' Moses replied. 'Throw it down!' the LORD commanded. So Moses threw the stick on the ground. It immediately turned into a snake, and Moses jumped back. 'Pick it up by the tail!' the LORD told him. And when Moses did this, the snake turned back into a walking stick. 'Do this,' the LORD said, 'and the Israelites will believe that you have seen me, the God who was worshiped by their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.' Next, the LORD commanded Moses, 'Put your hand inside your shirt.' Moses obeyed, and when he took it out, his hand had turned white as snow—like someone with leprosy. 'Put your hand back inside your shirt,' the LORD told him. Moses did so, and when he took it out again, it was as healthy as the rest of his body. Then the LORD said, 'If no one believes either of these miracles, take some water from the Nile River and pour it on the ground. The water will immediately turn into blood.' Moses replied, 'I have never been a good speaker. I wasn't one before you spoke to me, and I'm not one now. I am slow at speaking, and I can never think of what to say.' But the LORD answered, 'Who makes people able to speak or makes them deaf or unable to speak? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Don't you know that I am the One who does these things? Now go! When you speak, I will be with you and give you the words to say.' Moses begged, 'LORD, please send someone else to do it.' The LORD became angry with Moses and said: What about your brother Aaron, the Levite? I know he is a good speaker. He is already on his way here to visit you, and he will be happy to see you again. Aaron will speak to the people for you, and you will be like me, telling Aaron what to say. I will be with both of you as you speak, and I will tell each of you what to do. Now take this walking stick and use it to perform miracles." (Exodus 4:1-17) (Contemporary English Version).
The point of documenting this is to show that Moses was not doing any signs, wonders, or miracles, but it was the Lord God of Israel doing these mighty, magnificent, and miraculous signs through him. Likewise, Jannes and Jambres (the two witches and wizards) were not doing their magic either, but it was the devils demons (in them) doing the magic. The Apostle Paul is declaring to Brother Timothy and to we true believers today and of every era and generation that just like Pharaoh and his magicians withstood Moses (who came in the Name of the One True God), so do these people today with a form of godliness, that is, purely religious people stand against the truth of the Gospel and the Word of God with their rites, rituals, and man made rules or with their spirituality that have no connection with the One True God at all. The devil is not and has never been opposed to religion, but he is opposed to men and women becoming new creatures by way of the new birth (John 3:3), because religion does not and cannot make any sinner a child of God, only God the Holy Spirit birthing a sinner into God the Father's Family. Paul declares these people to be of a 'corrupt' mind and this English word is translated by the Greek word kataphtheirō meaning to spoil entirely, that is, (literally) to destroy; or (figuratively) to deprave: - corrupt, utterly perish. Paul also declares that they are 'reprobate' concerning faith in Jesus Christ and this English word is translated by the Greek word adokimos meaning unapproved, that is, rejected; by implication worthless (literally or morally): - castaway, rejected, reprobate. In other words, these that Paul decsribes as having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof are men and women who are of a depraved mind spoiled entirely and who are rejected by God the Father and unapproved and worthless having no part with Him whatsoever, despite all of their formal ritualistic ceremonies and services done in the name of God. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say about these men of corrupt minds and reprobate concerning the faith, "Men of bad principles, holding antichristian tenets, derogatory to the grace of God, and glory of Christ; giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; like Jannes and Jambres, who were given to magic arts, and were under the influence of Satan: men of no judgment in the doctrine of faith; who have not their senses exercised to discern good and evil, to try things that differ, and approve the more excellent, but call good evil, and evil good: or as those who are disobedient and wicked in their lives, are said to be to every good work reprobate, Titus 1:16 so these are said to be reprobate to the faith; that is, to have no liking of it, or value for it, but despise it, hate it, and reject it; and upon that account, as they are like reprobate silver, whom God has rejected, they ought to be rejected by men."
However, Paul declares that these people will not succeed ultimately and in the end they will be exposed for the counterfeits that they truly are as he declares with these words, "But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was." (2 Timothy 3:9) (KJV). The little English phrase 'they shall proceed' is translated by the Greek word prokoptō which means (as used here) to advance in acceptance. In other words, simply their false teaching will not supplant, surpercede, or silence the truth of the Word of God because the foundation of God stands strong and sure forever as our Lord Jesus Christ Himself said with these words concerning nothing stopping His True Church being established, "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18) (Modern King James Version). The English word 'folly' is translated by the Greek word anoia which means stupidity; by implication rage: - folly, madness. The English word 'manifest' is translated by the Greek word ekdēlos (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) which means wholly evident: - manifest. In other words, just as Jannes and Jambres were stupid in thinking that the power of Satan would prevail over the Power of God the Father, so will it be today and in every time that the truth of the Gospel and of the Word of God will always prevail over the devils false teachers and their false and fake spirituality that only leads men and women into spiritual and physical bondage and not liberty and freedom as does the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about this verse, "Such teaching and teachers shall never be able ultimately to prevail against the truth; for the foundation of God standeth sure. As the Scriptures, which are the only rule of morals and doctrine, shall ever be preserved; so, sooner or later, all false doctrines shall be tried by them: and the folly of men, setting up their wisdom against the wisdom of God, must become manifest to all. False doctrine cannot prevail long where the sacred Scriptures are read and studied. Error prevails only where the book of God is withheld from the people. The religion that fears the Bible is not the religion of God. Is Popery or Protestantism this religion?"
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
2 Timothy 3:8-9 Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith. But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was. KJV
The Apostle Paul concludes his discourse to Brother Timothy and to we true believers today and of every era and generation concerning the godless times during his day and our day and every day until the second coming (2nd) of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ by comparing those people that are in many visible churches with the form of godliness minus the power thereof with those magicians of the Egyptian Pharaoh who stood against Moses with these words, "Now as Jannes and Jambres withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth: men of corrupt minds, reprobate concerning the faith." (2 Timothy 3:8) (KJV). Jannes and Jambres are the names of the two magicians that Pharaoh sent to oppose Moses when he came in the Name of the Lord God Jehovah of Israel commanding him to let the Jewish people go from their captivity or slavery to Egypt. The English word 'withstood' which speaks of what these two did against Moses is translated by the Greek word anthistēmi which means to stand against, that is, oppose: - resist, withstand. You see when Pharaoh (who is a type or picture of Satan) sent these two against Moses, their works were not slight of hand or illusions, no they were real works of magic done in the power of Satan and his demonic host of witchcraft and wizardry, yet his power is nothing compared to the Power of God the Father, God the Son (Jesus Christ) and God the Holy Spirit who made or created Satan (Exodus 7:10-12).
First, let us go back and recall how the Lord God showed Moses how He would work through him great signs and wonders before Pharaoh and all the people of Egypt to make him let the Isralites go from captivity in Egypt, "Moses asked the LORD, 'Suppose everyone refuses to listen to my message, and no one believes that you really appeared to me?' The LORD answered, 'What's that in your hand?' 'A walking stick,' Moses replied. 'Throw it down!' the LORD commanded. So Moses threw the stick on the ground. It immediately turned into a snake, and Moses jumped back. 'Pick it up by the tail!' the LORD told him. And when Moses did this, the snake turned back into a walking stick. 'Do this,' the LORD said, 'and the Israelites will believe that you have seen me, the God who was worshiped by their ancestors Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.' Next, the LORD commanded Moses, 'Put your hand inside your shirt.' Moses obeyed, and when he took it out, his hand had turned white as snow—like someone with leprosy. 'Put your hand back inside your shirt,' the LORD told him. Moses did so, and when he took it out again, it was as healthy as the rest of his body. Then the LORD said, 'If no one believes either of these miracles, take some water from the Nile River and pour it on the ground. The water will immediately turn into blood.' Moses replied, 'I have never been a good speaker. I wasn't one before you spoke to me, and I'm not one now. I am slow at speaking, and I can never think of what to say.' But the LORD answered, 'Who makes people able to speak or makes them deaf or unable to speak? Who gives them sight or makes them blind? Don't you know that I am the One who does these things? Now go! When you speak, I will be with you and give you the words to say.' Moses begged, 'LORD, please send someone else to do it.' The LORD became angry with Moses and said: What about your brother Aaron, the Levite? I know he is a good speaker. He is already on his way here to visit you, and he will be happy to see you again. Aaron will speak to the people for you, and you will be like me, telling Aaron what to say. I will be with both of you as you speak, and I will tell each of you what to do. Now take this walking stick and use it to perform miracles." (Exodus 4:1-17) (Contemporary English Version).
The point of documenting this is to show that Moses was not doing any signs, wonders, or miracles, but it was the Lord God of Israel doing these mighty, magnificent, and miraculous signs through him. Likewise, Jannes and Jambres (the two witches and wizards) were not doing their magic either, but it was the devils demons (in them) doing the magic. The Apostle Paul is declaring to Brother Timothy and to we true believers today and of every era and generation that just like Pharaoh and his magicians withstood Moses (who came in the Name of the One True God), so do these people today with a form of godliness, that is, purely religious people stand against the truth of the Gospel and the Word of God with their rites, rituals, and man made rules or with their spirituality that have no connection with the One True God at all. The devil is not and has never been opposed to religion, but he is opposed to men and women becoming new creatures by way of the new birth (John 3:3), because religion does not and cannot make any sinner a child of God, only God the Holy Spirit birthing a sinner into God the Father's Family. Paul declares these people to be of a 'corrupt' mind and this English word is translated by the Greek word kataphtheirō meaning to spoil entirely, that is, (literally) to destroy; or (figuratively) to deprave: - corrupt, utterly perish. Paul also declares that they are 'reprobate' concerning faith in Jesus Christ and this English word is translated by the Greek word adokimos meaning unapproved, that is, rejected; by implication worthless (literally or morally): - castaway, rejected, reprobate. In other words, these that Paul decsribes as having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof are men and women who are of a depraved mind spoiled entirely and who are rejected by God the Father and unapproved and worthless having no part with Him whatsoever, despite all of their formal ritualistic ceremonies and services done in the name of God. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say about these men of corrupt minds and reprobate concerning the faith, "Men of bad principles, holding antichristian tenets, derogatory to the grace of God, and glory of Christ; giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; like Jannes and Jambres, who were given to magic arts, and were under the influence of Satan: men of no judgment in the doctrine of faith; who have not their senses exercised to discern good and evil, to try things that differ, and approve the more excellent, but call good evil, and evil good: or as those who are disobedient and wicked in their lives, are said to be to every good work reprobate, Titus 1:16 so these are said to be reprobate to the faith; that is, to have no liking of it, or value for it, but despise it, hate it, and reject it; and upon that account, as they are like reprobate silver, whom God has rejected, they ought to be rejected by men."
However, Paul declares that these people will not succeed ultimately and in the end they will be exposed for the counterfeits that they truly are as he declares with these words, "But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was." (2 Timothy 3:9) (KJV). The little English phrase 'they shall proceed' is translated by the Greek word prokoptō which means (as used here) to advance in acceptance. In other words, simply their false teaching will not supplant, surpercede, or silence the truth of the Word of God because the foundation of God stands strong and sure forever as our Lord Jesus Christ Himself said with these words concerning nothing stopping His True Church being established, "And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My Church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18) (Modern King James Version). The English word 'folly' is translated by the Greek word anoia which means stupidity; by implication rage: - folly, madness. The English word 'manifest' is translated by the Greek word ekdēlos (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) which means wholly evident: - manifest. In other words, just as Jannes and Jambres were stupid in thinking that the power of Satan would prevail over the Power of God the Father, so will it be today and in every time that the truth of the Gospel and of the Word of God will always prevail over the devils false teachers and their false and fake spirituality that only leads men and women into spiritual and physical bondage and not liberty and freedom as does the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about this verse, "Such teaching and teachers shall never be able ultimately to prevail against the truth; for the foundation of God standeth sure. As the Scriptures, which are the only rule of morals and doctrine, shall ever be preserved; so, sooner or later, all false doctrines shall be tried by them: and the folly of men, setting up their wisdom against the wisdom of God, must become manifest to all. False doctrine cannot prevail long where the sacred Scriptures are read and studied. Error prevails only where the book of God is withheld from the people. The religion that fears the Bible is not the religion of God. Is Popery or Protestantism this religion?"
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Sunday, March 24, 2019
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 35
Paul tells Timothy to be Aware of the Godless Times Part 5
2 Timothy 3:6-7 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. KJV
Paul continues on here in this next verse to describe even further these sort of people that have only a form of godliness, but without its inherent power by writing this to Brother Timothy, "For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts," (2 Timothy 3:6) (KJV). The little English phrase 'they which creep' is translated by the Greek word endunō (used this one time only here in the entire New Testament) which means to sink by implication wrap on, that is, (figuratively) sneak: - creep or to slip in by insinuation. In other words, the idea Paul is trying to get over to Brother Timothy and to we true believers today and of every era and generation is that these people are evil and are spiritually perverted and make a pretense or false appearance of wanting to help lost souls, when they actually want to use and abuse them and bring them in and over to their spiritual perversion. Two of the other Apostles spoke of such people warning us to beware of them, first the Apostle Jude had these words of warning to us of these sort of men when he wrote, "Some godless people have sneaked in among us and are saying, 'God treats us much better than we deserve, and so it is all right to be immoral.' They even deny that we must obey Jesus Christ as our only Master and Lord. But long ago the Scriptures warned that these godless people were doomed." (Jude 1:4) (Contemporary English Version) and secondly the Apostle Peter had this to say warning us of these sort of people, "But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who secretly will bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their pernicious ways, and because of them the way of truth will be evil spoken of. And through covetousness they will use you for gain with well-turned words; for whom judgment from of old does not linger, and their destruction does not sleep." (2 Peter 2:1-3) (Modern King James Version).
What these false people do is very hurtful, harmful, and heinous because they take people away from the true Gospel of Christ or the Gospel of Grace and of the truth of the Word of God and fill them with lies and error, so Paul tells Timothy that they 'lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts'. The English phrase 'lead captive' is translated by the Greek word aichmalōteuō which means to capture or even beguile, that is, to influence by slyness or to bewitch a person or persons, that is, cause them to be enamored with their great sounding speech or words that promise an easy salvation apart from the Cross of Christ and His Blood Shed. The English phrase 'silly women' is translated by the Greek word gunaikarion (used this one time only here in the entire New Testament) and it means simply foolish women, that is, women devoid of good sense or judgment; gullible, that is, naive and easily deceived or tricked because of being too trusting. The English word 'laden' is translated by the Greek word sōreuō which means to pile up (literally or figuratively): - heap, load; Filled with a great quantity. The English phrase 'with sins' is translated by the Greek word hamartia meaning offences. The English phrase 'led away' is translated by the Greek word agō which means (as used here) (figuratively) to induce. The English phrase 'with divers' is translated by the Greek word poikilos which means Of uncertain derivation; motley, that is, various in character: - divers, manifold. The English word 'lusts' is translated by the Greek word epithumia meaning a longing (especially for what is forbidden): - concupiscence, desire, lust (after). In other words, these smooth talking men and women (without godliness) trick women lacking in good judgement and too trusting into lies and error because they are already filled up in their inner and outer woman with sinful weaknesses, therefore, they are induced or made to believe the devil's lies because of their already present longing and desire to walk in and live in that which is wrong and forbidden. Here is what Matthew Henry had to say about this verse, "He shows how industrious they were to make proselytes (converts); they applied themselves to particular persons, visited them in their houses, not daring to appear openly; for those that do evil hate the light, John 3:20. They were not forced into houses, as good Christians often were by persecution; but they of choice crept into houses, to insinuate themselves into the affections and good opinion of people, and so to draw them over to their party. And see what sort of people those were that they gained, and made proselytes of; they were such as were weak, silly women; and such as were wicked, laden with sins, and led away with divers lusts. A foolish head and a filthy heart make persons, especially women, an easy prey to seducers."
Paul now shows Timothy that people who are always into learning new things (except the truth of God and His Word) are the very ones vulnerable, that is, susceptible to attack persuasion or temptation and so he declares these words concerning them, "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." (2 Timothy 3:7) (KJV). The English word 'ever' that begins this verse is translated by the Greek word pantote meaning at all times or always. The English word 'learning' is translated by the Greek word manthanō meaning to learn (in any way): - learn, understand. The English word 'never' is translated by the Greek word mēdepote (used this one time only here in the New Testament) meaning not even ever: - never. The English word 'able' is translated by the Greek word dunamai meaning (as used here) to be able or possible; to be of power. The little English phrase 'the knowledge' is translated by the Greek word epignōsis which means recognition, that is, (by implication) full discernment. In other words, these women (in this case) are always going about to learn things, even spiritual things, but they are never able to obtain the power to discern or recognize or understand the real truth, because it is only revealed by God the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about this verse, "From their false teachers, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth, because that teaching never leads to the truth; for, although there was a form of godliness, which gave them a sort of authority to teach, yet, as they denied the power of godliness, they never could bring their votaries (disciples) to the knowledge of the saving power of Christianity. There are many professors of Christianity still who answer the above description. They hear, repeatedly hear, it may be, good sermons; but, as they seldom meditate on what they hear, they derive little profit from the ordinances of God. They have no more grace now than they had several years ago, though hearing all the while, and perhaps not wickedly departing from the Lord. They do not meditate, they do not think, they do not reduce what they hear to practice; therefore, even under the preaching of an Apostle, they could not become wise to salvation."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
2 Timothy 3:6-7 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts, Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. KJV
Paul continues on here in this next verse to describe even further these sort of people that have only a form of godliness, but without its inherent power by writing this to Brother Timothy, "For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts," (2 Timothy 3:6) (KJV). The little English phrase 'they which creep' is translated by the Greek word endunō (used this one time only here in the entire New Testament) which means to sink by implication wrap on, that is, (figuratively) sneak: - creep or to slip in by insinuation. In other words, the idea Paul is trying to get over to Brother Timothy and to we true believers today and of every era and generation is that these people are evil and are spiritually perverted and make a pretense or false appearance of wanting to help lost souls, when they actually want to use and abuse them and bring them in and over to their spiritual perversion. Two of the other Apostles spoke of such people warning us to beware of them, first the Apostle Jude had these words of warning to us of these sort of men when he wrote, "Some godless people have sneaked in among us and are saying, 'God treats us much better than we deserve, and so it is all right to be immoral.' They even deny that we must obey Jesus Christ as our only Master and Lord. But long ago the Scriptures warned that these godless people were doomed." (Jude 1:4) (Contemporary English Version) and secondly the Apostle Peter had this to say warning us of these sort of people, "But there were also false prophets among the people, even as there will be false teachers among you, who secretly will bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing on themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their pernicious ways, and because of them the way of truth will be evil spoken of. And through covetousness they will use you for gain with well-turned words; for whom judgment from of old does not linger, and their destruction does not sleep." (2 Peter 2:1-3) (Modern King James Version).
What these false people do is very hurtful, harmful, and heinous because they take people away from the true Gospel of Christ or the Gospel of Grace and of the truth of the Word of God and fill them with lies and error, so Paul tells Timothy that they 'lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts'. The English phrase 'lead captive' is translated by the Greek word aichmalōteuō which means to capture or even beguile, that is, to influence by slyness or to bewitch a person or persons, that is, cause them to be enamored with their great sounding speech or words that promise an easy salvation apart from the Cross of Christ and His Blood Shed. The English phrase 'silly women' is translated by the Greek word gunaikarion (used this one time only here in the entire New Testament) and it means simply foolish women, that is, women devoid of good sense or judgment; gullible, that is, naive and easily deceived or tricked because of being too trusting. The English word 'laden' is translated by the Greek word sōreuō which means to pile up (literally or figuratively): - heap, load; Filled with a great quantity. The English phrase 'with sins' is translated by the Greek word hamartia meaning offences. The English phrase 'led away' is translated by the Greek word agō which means (as used here) (figuratively) to induce. The English phrase 'with divers' is translated by the Greek word poikilos which means Of uncertain derivation; motley, that is, various in character: - divers, manifold. The English word 'lusts' is translated by the Greek word epithumia meaning a longing (especially for what is forbidden): - concupiscence, desire, lust (after). In other words, these smooth talking men and women (without godliness) trick women lacking in good judgement and too trusting into lies and error because they are already filled up in their inner and outer woman with sinful weaknesses, therefore, they are induced or made to believe the devil's lies because of their already present longing and desire to walk in and live in that which is wrong and forbidden. Here is what Matthew Henry had to say about this verse, "He shows how industrious they were to make proselytes (converts); they applied themselves to particular persons, visited them in their houses, not daring to appear openly; for those that do evil hate the light, John 3:20. They were not forced into houses, as good Christians often were by persecution; but they of choice crept into houses, to insinuate themselves into the affections and good opinion of people, and so to draw them over to their party. And see what sort of people those were that they gained, and made proselytes of; they were such as were weak, silly women; and such as were wicked, laden with sins, and led away with divers lusts. A foolish head and a filthy heart make persons, especially women, an easy prey to seducers."
Paul now shows Timothy that people who are always into learning new things (except the truth of God and His Word) are the very ones vulnerable, that is, susceptible to attack persuasion or temptation and so he declares these words concerning them, "Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth." (2 Timothy 3:7) (KJV). The English word 'ever' that begins this verse is translated by the Greek word pantote meaning at all times or always. The English word 'learning' is translated by the Greek word manthanō meaning to learn (in any way): - learn, understand. The English word 'never' is translated by the Greek word mēdepote (used this one time only here in the New Testament) meaning not even ever: - never. The English word 'able' is translated by the Greek word dunamai meaning (as used here) to be able or possible; to be of power. The little English phrase 'the knowledge' is translated by the Greek word epignōsis which means recognition, that is, (by implication) full discernment. In other words, these women (in this case) are always going about to learn things, even spiritual things, but they are never able to obtain the power to discern or recognize or understand the real truth, because it is only revealed by God the Holy Spirit through the Word of God. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about this verse, "From their false teachers, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth, because that teaching never leads to the truth; for, although there was a form of godliness, which gave them a sort of authority to teach, yet, as they denied the power of godliness, they never could bring their votaries (disciples) to the knowledge of the saving power of Christianity. There are many professors of Christianity still who answer the above description. They hear, repeatedly hear, it may be, good sermons; but, as they seldom meditate on what they hear, they derive little profit from the ordinances of God. They have no more grace now than they had several years ago, though hearing all the while, and perhaps not wickedly departing from the Lord. They do not meditate, they do not think, they do not reduce what they hear to practice; therefore, even under the preaching of an Apostle, they could not become wise to salvation."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 34
Paul tells Timothy to be Aware of the Godless Times Part 4
2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. KJV
Now the Apostle Paul declares to Brother Timothy and everyone of us who are true born again believers today and of every era and generation that those in visible churches that are lovers of pleasure more than they are lovers of God are of this sort, "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." (2 Timothy 3:5) (KJV). The little English phrase 'a form' is translated by the Greek word morphōsis which means formation, that is, (by implication) appearance (semblance or [concretely] formula): - form. In other words, it means that many people present in visible churches have or hold in their possession an outward pattern or mold of godliness that in many places consist of various rites and rituals like the lighting of many candles in their services or ceremonies or long winded readings of various creeds and church doctrines and many other practices that have no spiritual power associated with them at all. What they have is an outward appearance of godliness without the inward reality of godliness, for our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ vehemently denounced the Jewish religious rulers in His day of walking on the earth of this same thing.
Here is what He said, "Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to His disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." (Matthew 23:1-12) (KJV).
The English word 'denying' Paul uses here speaking about godliness is translated by the Greek word arneomai meaning (as used here) (as a negative particle); to contradict, that is, disavow (refuse to acknowledge; disclaim knowledge of), reject: - deny, refuse. The English word 'power' is translated by the Greek word dunamis which means force (literally or figuratively); specifically miraculous power (usually by implication a miracle itself). In other words, these people in some cases by their perversion of the Scripture, that is, tearing it violently with profane doctrine, definitions, and descriptions so that it will accept their perverse desires of living and lifestyles in the flesh and they do this to their own destruction as the Apostle Peter declared with these words, "Don't forget that the Lord is patient because He wants people to be saved. This is also what our dear friend Paul said when he wrote you with the wisdom that God had given him. Paul talks about these same things in all his letters, but part of what he says is hard to understand. Some ignorant and unsteady people even destroy themselves by twisting what he said. They do the same thing with other Scriptures too." (2 Peter 3:15-16) (Contemporary English Version).
However, there is true power in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ that cannot be denied. That spiritual power that only comes from God the Holy Spirit that turns a sinner into a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), for example taking a man or woman off the crippling addiction to drugs and alcohol for many years and removing from his or her inner man or inner woman the desire for those drugs or drink and this is what the Apostle Paul meant when he wrote these words to the Corinthian believers in his first (1) letter to them, "For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power." (1 Corinthians 4:20) (Modern King James Version) and "Do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor abusers, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) (Modern King James Version).
Finally, Paul tells Timothy and we true believers today and of every era and generation to 'turn away' from such people and this little English phrase is translated by the Greek word apotrepō (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning to deflect, that is, (reflexively) avoid: - turn away. This is not hard to translate or understand, Paul is telling us to stay clear of or keep away from or have nothing whatsoever to do with these people found in visible churches and visible christianity period. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about this verse of Scripture, "The original word signifies a draught, sketch, or summary, and will apply well to those who have all their religion in their creed, confession of faith, catechism, bodies of divinity, etc., while destitute of the life of God in their souls; and are not only destitute of this life, but deny that such life or power is here to be experienced or known. They have religion in their creed, but none in their hearts. And perhaps to their summary they add a decent round of religious observances. From such turn away - not only do not imitate them, but have no kind of fellowship with them; they are a dangerous people, and but seldom suspected, because their outside is fair."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
2 Timothy 3:5 Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away. KJV
Now the Apostle Paul declares to Brother Timothy and everyone of us who are true born again believers today and of every era and generation that those in visible churches that are lovers of pleasure more than they are lovers of God are of this sort, "Having a form of godliness, but denying the power thereof: from such turn away." (2 Timothy 3:5) (KJV). The little English phrase 'a form' is translated by the Greek word morphōsis which means formation, that is, (by implication) appearance (semblance or [concretely] formula): - form. In other words, it means that many people present in visible churches have or hold in their possession an outward pattern or mold of godliness that in many places consist of various rites and rituals like the lighting of many candles in their services or ceremonies or long winded readings of various creeds and church doctrines and many other practices that have no spiritual power associated with them at all. What they have is an outward appearance of godliness without the inward reality of godliness, for our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ vehemently denounced the Jewish religious rulers in His day of walking on the earth of this same thing.
Here is what He said, "Then spake Jesus to the multitude, and to His disciples, Saying, The scribes and the Pharisees sit in Moses' seat: All therefore whatsoever they bid you observe, that observe and do; but do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not. For they bind heavy burdens and grievous to be borne, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. But all their works they do for to be seen of men: they make broad their phylacteries, and enlarge the borders of their garments, And love the uppermost rooms at feasts, and the chief seats in the synagogues, And greetings in the markets, and to be called of men, Rabbi, Rabbi. But be not ye called Rabbi: for one is your Master, even Christ; and all ye are brethren. And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven. Neither be ye called masters: for one is your Master, even Christ. But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant. And whosoever shall exalt himself shall be abased; and he that shall humble himself shall be exalted." (Matthew 23:1-12) (KJV).
The English word 'denying' Paul uses here speaking about godliness is translated by the Greek word arneomai meaning (as used here) (as a negative particle); to contradict, that is, disavow (refuse to acknowledge; disclaim knowledge of), reject: - deny, refuse. The English word 'power' is translated by the Greek word dunamis which means force (literally or figuratively); specifically miraculous power (usually by implication a miracle itself). In other words, these people in some cases by their perversion of the Scripture, that is, tearing it violently with profane doctrine, definitions, and descriptions so that it will accept their perverse desires of living and lifestyles in the flesh and they do this to their own destruction as the Apostle Peter declared with these words, "Don't forget that the Lord is patient because He wants people to be saved. This is also what our dear friend Paul said when he wrote you with the wisdom that God had given him. Paul talks about these same things in all his letters, but part of what he says is hard to understand. Some ignorant and unsteady people even destroy themselves by twisting what he said. They do the same thing with other Scriptures too." (2 Peter 3:15-16) (Contemporary English Version).
However, there is true power in the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ that cannot be denied. That spiritual power that only comes from God the Holy Spirit that turns a sinner into a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17), for example taking a man or woman off the crippling addiction to drugs and alcohol for many years and removing from his or her inner man or inner woman the desire for those drugs or drink and this is what the Apostle Paul meant when he wrote these words to the Corinthian believers in his first (1) letter to them, "For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power." (1 Corinthians 4:20) (Modern King James Version) and "Do you not know that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Do not be deceived; neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor abusers, nor homosexuals, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God. And such were some of you. But you are washed, but you are sanctified, but you are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God." (1 Corinthians 6:9-11) (Modern King James Version).
Finally, Paul tells Timothy and we true believers today and of every era and generation to 'turn away' from such people and this little English phrase is translated by the Greek word apotrepō (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning to deflect, that is, (reflexively) avoid: - turn away. This is not hard to translate or understand, Paul is telling us to stay clear of or keep away from or have nothing whatsoever to do with these people found in visible churches and visible christianity period. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about this verse of Scripture, "The original word signifies a draught, sketch, or summary, and will apply well to those who have all their religion in their creed, confession of faith, catechism, bodies of divinity, etc., while destitute of the life of God in their souls; and are not only destitute of this life, but deny that such life or power is here to be experienced or known. They have religion in their creed, but none in their hearts. And perhaps to their summary they add a decent round of religious observances. From such turn away - not only do not imitate them, but have no kind of fellowship with them; they are a dangerous people, and but seldom suspected, because their outside is fair."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Sunday, March 17, 2019
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 33
Paul tells Timothy to be Aware of the Godless Times Part 3
2 Timothy 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; KJV
Paul again continues his description to Brother Timothy and we true believers today and of every era and generation of the type of times the last days will be and what type of things men and women will commonly, consistently, and coldly practice in those days without care, caution, or concern for other peoples rights or welfare at all, so he declares these words in this second (2nd) letter to Timothy next, "Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;" (2 Timothy 3:4) (KJV). The English word 'traitors' that begins this verse is translated by the Greek word prodotēs meaning (in the sense of giving forward into another’s [the enemy’s] hands); a surrender: - betrayer, traitor. In other words, these are they that are betrayers of the truth of the Gospel and those who become they that pervert the Gospel of Christ (Galatians 1:7) for gain or profit, unlike the Apostle Paul who never used the Gospel of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ as a way of lining his pockets.
This is what he declared with such angst, anxiety, and anxiousness to the Corinthian believers when he wrote these words to them in his second (2) letter, "I am planning to visit you for the third time. But I still won't make a burden of myself. What I really want is you, and not what you have. Children are not supposed to save up for their parents, but parents are supposed to take care of their children. So I will gladly give all that I have and all that I am. Will you love me less for loving you too much? You agree that I wasn't a burden to you. Maybe that's because I was trying to catch you off guard and trick you. Were you cheated by any of those I sent to you? I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent another follower with him. But Titus didn't cheat you, and we felt and behaved the same way he did." (2 Corinthians 12:14-18) (Contemporary English Version).
The English word 'heady' is translated by the Greek word propetēs (used only one other place in the New Testament) it means (as used here) (figuratively precipitate): - heady, rash, that is, someone who does things with very great haste and without due deliberation. In other words, the heady man or woman does things often times on impulse, that is, a sudden desire done rashly and then often times yielding bad consequences. The English word 'highminded' is translated by the Greek word tuphoō meaning (figuratively) to inflate with self conceit: - high-minded, be lifted up with pride, be proud. In other words, the men and women that are highminded are proud people. In a bad sense, they consider themselves a cut above others and will take every occassion to make it known. They have a presumptuously arrogant opinion of their own powers and endowments, that they feel wholeheartedly is due to their great drive and motivation to be the best. They have no inkling of humility and see themselves as superior, for this is the spiritual disease of the white nationalist, white surpremist, and every one with the notion that they are of a supreme or superior race of human beings, however, here is what our Lord Jesus Christ has to say to such people as these speaking through the Prophet Obadiah, "The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground? Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD." (Obadiah 1:3-4) (KJV).
The English phrase 'lovers of pleasures' is translated by the Greek word philēdonos (used this one time only in the New Testament) which means fond of pleasure, that is, voluptuous: - lover of pleasure. The English phrase 'lovers of God' is translated by the Greek word philotheos (used also this one time only in the New Testament) which means fond of God, that is, pious: - lover of God. In other words, there will be some that will make sensual pleasure their pursuit above the pleasure of loving and honoring God the Father with their appetites and their physical tent, house, or body, which is in stark contrast to what the Apostle Paul urged the Roman believers and we true believers today and of every era and generation to do with these words, "Dear friends, God is good. So I beg you to offer your bodies to Him as a living sacrifice, pure and pleasing. That's the most sensible way to serve God. Don't be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to Him." (Romans 12:1-2) (Contemporay English Version). Here is what Albert Barnes had to say about lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, "That is, of sensual pleasures, or vain amusements. This has been, and is, the characteristic of a great part of the world, and has often distinguished even many who profess religion. Of a large portion of mankind it may be said that this is their characteristic, that they live for pleasure; they have no serious pursuits; they brook no restraints which interfere with their amusements, and they greatly prefer the pleasures to be found in the gay assembly, in the ball-room, or in the place of low dissipation, to the friendship of their Creator."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
2 Timothy 3:4 Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God; KJV
Paul again continues his description to Brother Timothy and we true believers today and of every era and generation of the type of times the last days will be and what type of things men and women will commonly, consistently, and coldly practice in those days without care, caution, or concern for other peoples rights or welfare at all, so he declares these words in this second (2nd) letter to Timothy next, "Traitors, heady, highminded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;" (2 Timothy 3:4) (KJV). The English word 'traitors' that begins this verse is translated by the Greek word prodotēs meaning (in the sense of giving forward into another’s [the enemy’s] hands); a surrender: - betrayer, traitor. In other words, these are they that are betrayers of the truth of the Gospel and those who become they that pervert the Gospel of Christ (Galatians 1:7) for gain or profit, unlike the Apostle Paul who never used the Gospel of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ as a way of lining his pockets.
This is what he declared with such angst, anxiety, and anxiousness to the Corinthian believers when he wrote these words to them in his second (2) letter, "I am planning to visit you for the third time. But I still won't make a burden of myself. What I really want is you, and not what you have. Children are not supposed to save up for their parents, but parents are supposed to take care of their children. So I will gladly give all that I have and all that I am. Will you love me less for loving you too much? You agree that I wasn't a burden to you. Maybe that's because I was trying to catch you off guard and trick you. Were you cheated by any of those I sent to you? I urged Titus to visit you, and I sent another follower with him. But Titus didn't cheat you, and we felt and behaved the same way he did." (2 Corinthians 12:14-18) (Contemporary English Version).
The English word 'heady' is translated by the Greek word propetēs (used only one other place in the New Testament) it means (as used here) (figuratively precipitate): - heady, rash, that is, someone who does things with very great haste and without due deliberation. In other words, the heady man or woman does things often times on impulse, that is, a sudden desire done rashly and then often times yielding bad consequences. The English word 'highminded' is translated by the Greek word tuphoō meaning (figuratively) to inflate with self conceit: - high-minded, be lifted up with pride, be proud. In other words, the men and women that are highminded are proud people. In a bad sense, they consider themselves a cut above others and will take every occassion to make it known. They have a presumptuously arrogant opinion of their own powers and endowments, that they feel wholeheartedly is due to their great drive and motivation to be the best. They have no inkling of humility and see themselves as superior, for this is the spiritual disease of the white nationalist, white surpremist, and every one with the notion that they are of a supreme or superior race of human beings, however, here is what our Lord Jesus Christ has to say to such people as these speaking through the Prophet Obadiah, "The pride of thine heart hath deceived thee, thou that dwellest in the clefts of the rock, whose habitation is high; that saith in his heart, Who shall bring me down to the ground? Though thou exalt thyself as the eagle, and though thou set thy nest among the stars, thence will I bring thee down, saith the LORD." (Obadiah 1:3-4) (KJV).
The English phrase 'lovers of pleasures' is translated by the Greek word philēdonos (used this one time only in the New Testament) which means fond of pleasure, that is, voluptuous: - lover of pleasure. The English phrase 'lovers of God' is translated by the Greek word philotheos (used also this one time only in the New Testament) which means fond of God, that is, pious: - lover of God. In other words, there will be some that will make sensual pleasure their pursuit above the pleasure of loving and honoring God the Father with their appetites and their physical tent, house, or body, which is in stark contrast to what the Apostle Paul urged the Roman believers and we true believers today and of every era and generation to do with these words, "Dear friends, God is good. So I beg you to offer your bodies to Him as a living sacrifice, pure and pleasing. That's the most sensible way to serve God. Don't be like the people of this world, but let God change the way you think. Then you will know how to do everything that is good and pleasing to Him." (Romans 12:1-2) (Contemporay English Version). Here is what Albert Barnes had to say about lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God, "That is, of sensual pleasures, or vain amusements. This has been, and is, the characteristic of a great part of the world, and has often distinguished even many who profess religion. Of a large portion of mankind it may be said that this is their characteristic, that they live for pleasure; they have no serious pursuits; they brook no restraints which interfere with their amusements, and they greatly prefer the pleasures to be found in the gay assembly, in the ball-room, or in the place of low dissipation, to the friendship of their Creator."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Wednesday, March 13, 2019
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 32
Paul tells Timothy to be Aware of the Godless Times Part 2
2 Timothy 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, KJV
Paul continues his description to Brother Timothy and we true believers today and of every era and generation of the type of times the last days will be and what type of things men and women will commonly, consistently, and coldly practice in those days without care, caution, or concern for other peoples rights or welfare at all, so he declares these words in this second (2nd) letter to Timothy next, "Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good," (2 Timothy 3:3) (KJV). The English phrase that begins this verse 'without natural affection' is translated by the Greek word astorgos (used here and only one other place in the entire New Testament) meaning hard hearted towards kindred: - without natural affection. In other words, men, women, and children who exhibit this character and behavior toward their own flesh and blood on the earth cannot be trusted in any earthly capacity and are capable of doing anything to society at large, for the affection of a Mother to child and a Father to child and children to Parents is something that should come naturally to every human being, therefore, when it is apparently absent among some, then we are reminded that we are in the last days for sure, as our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ told us would occur during these times when He said this to the early disciples, "Brothers and sisters will betray one another and have each other put to death. Parents will betray their own children, and children will turn against their parents and have them killed. Everyone will hate you because of Me. But if you remain faithful until the end, you will be saved." (Matthew 10:21-22) (Contemporary English Version). Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about this phrase, "Without that affection which parents bear to their young, and which the young bear to their parents. An affection which is common to every class of animals; consequently, men without it are worse than brutes."
The English word 'trucebreakers' is translated by the Greek word aspondos which means truceless: - implacable, that is, incapable of being placated, someone who is relentless and merciless. In other words, the trucebreaker is the person who never wants peace between people and will eventually or at some point always break any agreement that they make with others. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say about trucebreakers, "It properly means 'without treaty;' that is, those who are averse to any treaty or compact. It may thus refer to those who are unwilling to enter into any agreement; that is, either those who are unwilling to be reconciled to others when there is a variance - implacable; or those who disregard treaties or agreements. In either case, this marks a very corrupt condition of society. Nothing would be more indicative of the lowest state of degradation, than that in which all compacts and agreements were utterly disregarded." The English phrase 'false accusers' is translated by the Greek word diabolos which means (as used here) a traducer, that is, One who attacks the reputation of another by slander or libel; someone who acts like the devil who is the father of lies (John 8:44). In other words, the person who is a false accuser is one who is always endeavoring to ruin or destroy the character of others, so that they can elevate themselves above them in the eyes of all. Note: "The false accuser is a man or woman who enjoys being held in high regard, that is, in the place of honor and often they see the way to get to that place is by lying on the person or persons standing in their way of elevation. These people know nothing of taking the lowly place and then being exalted by God to a higher place, that's because they are like their father the devil who said, 'For you have said in your heart, I will go up to the heavens, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north.' (Isaiah 14:13) (Modern King James Version)."
The English word 'incontinent' is translated by the Greek word akratēs (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning (as used here) powerless, that is, without self control. In other words, this describes the men and women who have completely yielded themselves over to the control of their natural selves, their corrupt nature, without any strength or power to resist the passions of the flesh, they then make excuse for it by saying things like, 'God made me this way', 'It is in my genes or genetics', 'I was born this way', etc. The Apostle Paul warned the married Christian couples in the Corithian Church against giving themselves over to their corrupt first nature by committing adultery with these words to them, "Now I will answer the questions that you asked in your letter. You asked, 'Is it best for people not to marry?' Well, having your own husband or wife should keep you from doing something immoral. Husbands and wives should be fair with each other about having sex. A wife belongs to her husband instead of to herself, and a husband belongs to his wife instead of to himself. So don't refuse sex to each other, unless you agree not to have sex for a little while, in order to spend time in prayer. Then Satan won't be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control. In my opinion that is what should be done, though I don't know of anything the Lord said about this matter. I wish that all of you were like me, but God has given different gifts to each of us. Here is my advice for people who have never been married and for widows. You should stay single, just as I am. But if you don't have enough self-control, then go ahead and get married. After all, it is better to marry than to burn with desire." (1 Corinthians 7:1-9) (Contemporary English Version). Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about the incontinent, "Those who, having sinned away their power of self-government, want strength to govern their appetites; especially those who are slaves to uncleanness." The English word 'fierce' is translated by the Greek word anēmeros (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) which means savage, that is, violently agitated and turbulent. The English phrase 'despisers of those that are good' is translated by the Greek word aphilagathos (used also this one time only in the New Testament) meaning hostile to virtue. In other words, those that are savage and violant to others are also especially very hostile to those of us who love and belong to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, simply because the devil hates our Lord Jesus and in turn those who belong to him hate us. Our Lord Jesus said these words concerning this fact, "The one hearing you hears Me, and he who despises you despises Me; he who rejects you also rejects Him who sent Me." (Luke 10:16) (Modern King James Version).
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
2 Timothy 3:3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, KJV
Paul continues his description to Brother Timothy and we true believers today and of every era and generation of the type of times the last days will be and what type of things men and women will commonly, consistently, and coldly practice in those days without care, caution, or concern for other peoples rights or welfare at all, so he declares these words in this second (2nd) letter to Timothy next, "Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good," (2 Timothy 3:3) (KJV). The English phrase that begins this verse 'without natural affection' is translated by the Greek word astorgos (used here and only one other place in the entire New Testament) meaning hard hearted towards kindred: - without natural affection. In other words, men, women, and children who exhibit this character and behavior toward their own flesh and blood on the earth cannot be trusted in any earthly capacity and are capable of doing anything to society at large, for the affection of a Mother to child and a Father to child and children to Parents is something that should come naturally to every human being, therefore, when it is apparently absent among some, then we are reminded that we are in the last days for sure, as our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ told us would occur during these times when He said this to the early disciples, "Brothers and sisters will betray one another and have each other put to death. Parents will betray their own children, and children will turn against their parents and have them killed. Everyone will hate you because of Me. But if you remain faithful until the end, you will be saved." (Matthew 10:21-22) (Contemporary English Version). Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about this phrase, "Without that affection which parents bear to their young, and which the young bear to their parents. An affection which is common to every class of animals; consequently, men without it are worse than brutes."
The English word 'trucebreakers' is translated by the Greek word aspondos which means truceless: - implacable, that is, incapable of being placated, someone who is relentless and merciless. In other words, the trucebreaker is the person who never wants peace between people and will eventually or at some point always break any agreement that they make with others. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say about trucebreakers, "It properly means 'without treaty;' that is, those who are averse to any treaty or compact. It may thus refer to those who are unwilling to enter into any agreement; that is, either those who are unwilling to be reconciled to others when there is a variance - implacable; or those who disregard treaties or agreements. In either case, this marks a very corrupt condition of society. Nothing would be more indicative of the lowest state of degradation, than that in which all compacts and agreements were utterly disregarded." The English phrase 'false accusers' is translated by the Greek word diabolos which means (as used here) a traducer, that is, One who attacks the reputation of another by slander or libel; someone who acts like the devil who is the father of lies (John 8:44). In other words, the person who is a false accuser is one who is always endeavoring to ruin or destroy the character of others, so that they can elevate themselves above them in the eyes of all. Note: "The false accuser is a man or woman who enjoys being held in high regard, that is, in the place of honor and often they see the way to get to that place is by lying on the person or persons standing in their way of elevation. These people know nothing of taking the lowly place and then being exalted by God to a higher place, that's because they are like their father the devil who said, 'For you have said in your heart, I will go up to the heavens, I will exalt my throne above the stars of God; I will also sit on the mount of the congregation, in the sides of the north.' (Isaiah 14:13) (Modern King James Version)."
The English word 'incontinent' is translated by the Greek word akratēs (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning (as used here) powerless, that is, without self control. In other words, this describes the men and women who have completely yielded themselves over to the control of their natural selves, their corrupt nature, without any strength or power to resist the passions of the flesh, they then make excuse for it by saying things like, 'God made me this way', 'It is in my genes or genetics', 'I was born this way', etc. The Apostle Paul warned the married Christian couples in the Corithian Church against giving themselves over to their corrupt first nature by committing adultery with these words to them, "Now I will answer the questions that you asked in your letter. You asked, 'Is it best for people not to marry?' Well, having your own husband or wife should keep you from doing something immoral. Husbands and wives should be fair with each other about having sex. A wife belongs to her husband instead of to herself, and a husband belongs to his wife instead of to himself. So don't refuse sex to each other, unless you agree not to have sex for a little while, in order to spend time in prayer. Then Satan won't be able to tempt you because of your lack of self-control. In my opinion that is what should be done, though I don't know of anything the Lord said about this matter. I wish that all of you were like me, but God has given different gifts to each of us. Here is my advice for people who have never been married and for widows. You should stay single, just as I am. But if you don't have enough self-control, then go ahead and get married. After all, it is better to marry than to burn with desire." (1 Corinthians 7:1-9) (Contemporary English Version). Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about the incontinent, "Those who, having sinned away their power of self-government, want strength to govern their appetites; especially those who are slaves to uncleanness." The English word 'fierce' is translated by the Greek word anēmeros (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) which means savage, that is, violently agitated and turbulent. The English phrase 'despisers of those that are good' is translated by the Greek word aphilagathos (used also this one time only in the New Testament) meaning hostile to virtue. In other words, those that are savage and violant to others are also especially very hostile to those of us who love and belong to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, simply because the devil hates our Lord Jesus and in turn those who belong to him hate us. Our Lord Jesus said these words concerning this fact, "The one hearing you hears Me, and he who despises you despises Me; he who rejects you also rejects Him who sent Me." (Luke 10:16) (Modern King James Version).
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Sunday, March 10, 2019
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 31
Paul tells Timothy to be Aware of the Godless Times Part 1
2 Timothy 3:1-2 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, KJV
The Apostle Paul has told Brother Timothy how he must be a good soldier of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and how he must be diligent to study and learn the Word of God for himself so that he can be an able, appropriate, and approved servant of Christ Jesus our Lord distributing His Word solely and only as it is written by God the Holy Spirit without error or compromise because of the threats and spiritual and physical attacks from men and women belonging to the devil inside and outside of the visible church. So, now he tells him why he has so exhorted and encouraged him with these first words, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." (2 Timothy 3:1) (KJV). Paul wanted Timothy and we true believers today and of every era and generation to know with absolute certainty that the end times (which had begun then) would be perilous times for him and every true Christian. The English word 'perilous' is translated by the Greek word chalepos which means (as used here) difficult, that is, dangerous, or (by implication) furious: - fierce, perilous. In other words, to be a real Christian means to love our Lord Jesus Christ above all things and above all persons and to believe His Word in its entirety or totality and never add to it or take away from it and never compromise it no matter what the false teachers of the liberal churches say who ordain Preist, Bishops, Pastors, and Reverends who are willful practicing sodomites (they don't belong to Jesus Christ at all), likewise those who embrace and except spiritual abominations in their midst who practice magic, sorcery, wizardry, witchcraft, voodoo, and all those other things our Lord Jesus Christ condemns in Deuteronomy 18:9-14. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say concerning this verse, "That not only men of bad principles and practices are in the churches now, as before described in the preceding chapter, but that in succeeding ages there would be worse men, if possible, and the times would be still worse; this the Apostle had, and delivered by a spirit of prophecy, and informed Timothy, and others of it, that he and they might be prepared for such events, and fortified against them."
Next Paul begins to make a list detailing and describing these people for Timothy and for we true believers today and of every era and generation, beginning with this, "For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy," (2 Timothy 3:2) (KJV). The English phrase 'lovers of their own selves' is translated by the Greek word philautos (used this one time only in the New Testament) meaning fond of self, that is, selfish: - lover of own self. The English word 'covetous' is translated by the Greek word philarguros meaning fond of silver (money), that is, avaricious (immoderately desirous of acquiring wealth): - covetous. In other words, the man or woman who unnaturally loves themselvs will also want to have inordinate amounts of earthly money (and in most of these cases be willing to do anything to get it) so that they can treat themselves to their 'heaven' here and now on the earth. Albert Barnes had this to say about those lovers of self and money, "It means a lover of oneself, 'selfish.' Such a love of self as to lead us to secure our salvation, is proper. But this interferes with the rights and happiness of no other persons. The selfishness which is condemned, is that regard to our own interests which interferes with the rights and comforts of others; which makes self the central and leading object of living; and which tramples on all that would interfere with that. As such, it is a base, and hateful, and narrow passion; but it has been so common in the world that no one can doubt the correctness of the prophecy of the Apostle that it would exist 'in the last times.'"
The English word 'boasters' is translated by the Greek word alazōn which means braggart(exhibiting self-importance): - boaster. The English word 'proud' is translated by the Greek word huperēphanos meaning appearing above others (conspicuous), that is, (figuratively) haughty: - proud. In other words, the boastful and proud person will always and at all times exalt themselves when you here them say things like 'I am a very intellegent person' or 'I'm very smart' or 'I don't make mistakes', these people think themselves to be above the rest of humanity and they are often found in politics and government. It is certain that every man or woman that has become a Ruler/Dictator of a country is this type of person and perhaps it is found in many of our own American Presidents, the current one for sure. Here is what the Apostle James had to say about the proud and boasting, "But He gives more grace. Therefore He says, God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6) (Modern King James Version) and "But now you boast in your presumptions. All such boasting is evil." (James 4:16) (Modern King James Version).
The English word 'blasphemers' is translated by the Greek word blasphēmos which means (as used here) impious (against God); railing. The English word 'disobedient' is translated by the Greek word apeithēs which means unpersuadable, that is, contumacious(willfully obstinate; stubbornly disobedient). The English word 'unthankful' is translated by the Greek word acharistos meaning thankless, that is, ungrateful: - unthankful. The English word 'unholy' is translated by the Greek word anosios which means wicked: - unholy. In other words, the irreverent man or woman toward God the Father will naturally be stubborn and obstinate toward their parents and all other forms of authority God the Father has put in place upon the earth, just as we are reminded that this same Apostle declared to us with these words, "Let every soul be subject to the higher authorities. For there is no authority but of God; the authorities that exist are ordained by God. So that the one resisting the authority resists the ordinance of God; and the ones who resist will receive judgment to themselves. For the rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the bad. And do you desire to be not afraid of the authority? Do the good, and you shall have praise from it. For it is a servant of God to you for good. For if you practice evil, be afraid, for it does not bear the sword in vain; for it is a servant of God, a revenger for wrath on him who does evil." (Romans 13:1-4) (Modern King James Version). Note: "A disobedient child grows up often times to become a disobedient adult to every authority and is unthankful, ungrateful, and unholy to God the Father and completely unashamed, unafraid, and unyielding in his or her pursuit to take from others, often times with angry violence."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
2 Timothy 3:1-2 This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, KJV
The Apostle Paul has told Brother Timothy how he must be a good soldier of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and how he must be diligent to study and learn the Word of God for himself so that he can be an able, appropriate, and approved servant of Christ Jesus our Lord distributing His Word solely and only as it is written by God the Holy Spirit without error or compromise because of the threats and spiritual and physical attacks from men and women belonging to the devil inside and outside of the visible church. So, now he tells him why he has so exhorted and encouraged him with these first words, "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come." (2 Timothy 3:1) (KJV). Paul wanted Timothy and we true believers today and of every era and generation to know with absolute certainty that the end times (which had begun then) would be perilous times for him and every true Christian. The English word 'perilous' is translated by the Greek word chalepos which means (as used here) difficult, that is, dangerous, or (by implication) furious: - fierce, perilous. In other words, to be a real Christian means to love our Lord Jesus Christ above all things and above all persons and to believe His Word in its entirety or totality and never add to it or take away from it and never compromise it no matter what the false teachers of the liberal churches say who ordain Preist, Bishops, Pastors, and Reverends who are willful practicing sodomites (they don't belong to Jesus Christ at all), likewise those who embrace and except spiritual abominations in their midst who practice magic, sorcery, wizardry, witchcraft, voodoo, and all those other things our Lord Jesus Christ condemns in Deuteronomy 18:9-14. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say concerning this verse, "That not only men of bad principles and practices are in the churches now, as before described in the preceding chapter, but that in succeeding ages there would be worse men, if possible, and the times would be still worse; this the Apostle had, and delivered by a spirit of prophecy, and informed Timothy, and others of it, that he and they might be prepared for such events, and fortified against them."
Next Paul begins to make a list detailing and describing these people for Timothy and for we true believers today and of every era and generation, beginning with this, "For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy," (2 Timothy 3:2) (KJV). The English phrase 'lovers of their own selves' is translated by the Greek word philautos (used this one time only in the New Testament) meaning fond of self, that is, selfish: - lover of own self. The English word 'covetous' is translated by the Greek word philarguros meaning fond of silver (money), that is, avaricious (immoderately desirous of acquiring wealth): - covetous. In other words, the man or woman who unnaturally loves themselvs will also want to have inordinate amounts of earthly money (and in most of these cases be willing to do anything to get it) so that they can treat themselves to their 'heaven' here and now on the earth. Albert Barnes had this to say about those lovers of self and money, "It means a lover of oneself, 'selfish.' Such a love of self as to lead us to secure our salvation, is proper. But this interferes with the rights and happiness of no other persons. The selfishness which is condemned, is that regard to our own interests which interferes with the rights and comforts of others; which makes self the central and leading object of living; and which tramples on all that would interfere with that. As such, it is a base, and hateful, and narrow passion; but it has been so common in the world that no one can doubt the correctness of the prophecy of the Apostle that it would exist 'in the last times.'"
The English word 'boasters' is translated by the Greek word alazōn which means braggart(exhibiting self-importance): - boaster. The English word 'proud' is translated by the Greek word huperēphanos meaning appearing above others (conspicuous), that is, (figuratively) haughty: - proud. In other words, the boastful and proud person will always and at all times exalt themselves when you here them say things like 'I am a very intellegent person' or 'I'm very smart' or 'I don't make mistakes', these people think themselves to be above the rest of humanity and they are often found in politics and government. It is certain that every man or woman that has become a Ruler/Dictator of a country is this type of person and perhaps it is found in many of our own American Presidents, the current one for sure. Here is what the Apostle James had to say about the proud and boasting, "But He gives more grace. Therefore He says, God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble." (James 4:6) (Modern King James Version) and "But now you boast in your presumptions. All such boasting is evil." (James 4:16) (Modern King James Version).
The English word 'blasphemers' is translated by the Greek word blasphēmos which means (as used here) impious (against God); railing. The English word 'disobedient' is translated by the Greek word apeithēs which means unpersuadable, that is, contumacious(willfully obstinate; stubbornly disobedient). The English word 'unthankful' is translated by the Greek word acharistos meaning thankless, that is, ungrateful: - unthankful. The English word 'unholy' is translated by the Greek word anosios which means wicked: - unholy. In other words, the irreverent man or woman toward God the Father will naturally be stubborn and obstinate toward their parents and all other forms of authority God the Father has put in place upon the earth, just as we are reminded that this same Apostle declared to us with these words, "Let every soul be subject to the higher authorities. For there is no authority but of God; the authorities that exist are ordained by God. So that the one resisting the authority resists the ordinance of God; and the ones who resist will receive judgment to themselves. For the rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the bad. And do you desire to be not afraid of the authority? Do the good, and you shall have praise from it. For it is a servant of God to you for good. For if you practice evil, be afraid, for it does not bear the sword in vain; for it is a servant of God, a revenger for wrath on him who does evil." (Romans 13:1-4) (Modern King James Version). Note: "A disobedient child grows up often times to become a disobedient adult to every authority and is unthankful, ungrateful, and unholy to God the Father and completely unashamed, unafraid, and unyielding in his or her pursuit to take from others, often times with angry violence."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Wednesday, March 6, 2019
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 30
Paul tells Timothy to Study and Know the Word of God Part 8
2 Timothy 2:25-26 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. KJV
Continuing with his theme from the last two verses, Paul instructs Brother Timothy to be persistent in declaring the truth of the Word of God to those who have twisted it or turned it or torn it to their own destruction with these words next, "In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;" (2 Timothy 2:25) (KJV). The English word 'meekness' is translated by the Greek word praotēs meaning gentleness; by implication humility: - meekness. The English word 'instructing' is translated by the Greek word paideuō meaning (as used here) to train up a child, that is, educate, instruct, learn, teach. The English phrase 'those that oppose themselves' is translated by the Greek word antidiatithemai (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning to set oneself opposite, that is, be disputatious (inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree: to be contentious. In other words, it was the will of God for Timothy and is the will of God for we true believers today to gently correct those who wrongly dispute the Word of God by instructing them or teaching them or educating them by the truth given to us from God the Holy Spirit. No brother or sister 'in Christ' knows everything concerning the truth of the Word of God, for we are all like kindergarteners when it comes to the Bible, therefore, we are to instruct only from what God the Holy Spirit has transferred, transmitted, and transplanted into our souls through diligent study and prayer over the Word of God, just as Paul just informed to Brother Timothy earlier in this very same Chapter with these words, "Study earnestly to present yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth." (2 Timothy 2:15) (Modern King James Version).
If we are not this sort of hard working or hard laboring servant of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ within His Word, then we should not endeavor to teach or instruct anyone concerning the truth of God, for as it is written by the Psalmist King David if we are instructable, then God the Father will instruct us, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you, My eye shall be on you." (Psalms 32:8) (Modern King James Version). This Paul wanted Timothy and wants us today to do because it is possible that at anytime, God the Father will grant to those who oppose Him and His Word the ability or the power to repent. The English word 'repentance' Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word metanoia it means (subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication reversal (of [another’s] decision): a change of mind. Here is what the JFB Commentary had to say concerning God granting repentance to those who oppose His Word, "Repentance, which they need as antecedent to the full knowledge (so the Greek for 'acknowledgment') of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4), their minds being corrupted (2 Timothy 3:8), and their lives immoral. The cause of the spiritual ignorance which prompts such 'questions' is moral, having its seat in the will, not in the intellect (John 7:17). Therefore repentance is their first need. That, not man, but God alone can 'give' (Acts 5:31)." Paul wants Timothy and we true believers today to realize and understand that those who oppose the truth of the Word of God are still spiritually asleep and held captive by the devil's spiritual lies and need God the Father to grant them repentance, that they might be made alive from the dead, just as this same Apostle declared to the Ephesian believers with these words, "And He has made you alive, who were once dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience; among whom we also had our way of life in times past, in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the thoughts, and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love with which He loved us (even when we were dead in sins) has made us alive together with Christ (by grace you are saved), and has raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:1-7) (Modern King James Version).
With this in mind, Paul now says this to Brother Timothy, "And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." (2 Timothy 2:26) (KJV). The English phrase 'that they may recover themselves' is translated by the Greek word ananēphō which means to become sober again, that is, (figuratively) regain (one’s) senses: - recover self. The English word 'snare' is translated by the Greek word pagis meaning a trap (as fastened by a noose or notch); figuratively a trick or stratagem (temptation): - snare. The English phrase 'who are taken captive' is translated by the Greek word zōgreō meaning to take alive (make a prisoner of war), that is, (figuratively) to capture or ensnare: - take captive, catch. In other words, these people are held in spiritual captivity or prison by the devil trapped, tricked, and taken by him to do his bidding on the earth, therefore, it is our responsibility to continually give them the truth of the Gospel and of the entire Word of God praying for them to regain their senses and become sober from their spritual hangover. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concernig this verse, "And that they may recover themselves - 'awake.' The word which is rendered 'recover' in the text, and 'awake' in the margin - ananēpsōsin - occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It properly means, to become sober again, as from inebriation; to awake from a deep sleep, and then, to come to a right mind, as one does who is aroused from a state of inebriety, or from sleep. The representation in this part of the verse implies that, while under the influence of error, they were like a man intoxicated, or like one in deep slumber. From this state they were to be roused as one is from sleep, or as a man is recovered from the stupor and dullness of intoxication. Out of the snare of the devil - The snare which the devil has spread for them, and in which they have become entangled. There is a little confusion of metaphor here, since, in the first part of the verse, they are represented as asleep, or intoxicated; and, here, as taken in a snare. Yet the general idea is clear. In one part of the verse, the influence of error is represented as producing sleep, or stupor; in the other, as being taken in a snare, or net; and, in both, the idea is, that an effort was to be made that they might be rescued from this perilous condition. Who are taken captive by him at his will - 'alive.' The Greek word means, properly, to take alive; and then, to take captive, to win over Luke 5:10; and then, to ensnare, or seduce. Here it means that they had been ensnared by the arts of Satan 'unto his will;' that is, they were so influenced by him, that they complied with his will. Another interpretation of this passage should be mentioned here, by which it is proposed to avoid the incongruousness of the metaphor of 'awaking' one from a 'snare.' According to this, the reference is to an artifice of fowlers, to scatter seeds impregnated with some intoxicating drugs, intended to lay birds asleep, that they may draw the snare over them more securely. There can be no doubt that such arts were practiced, and it is possible that Paul may have alluded to it. Whatever is the allusion, the general idea is clear. It is an affecting representation of those who have fallen into error. They are in a deep slumber. They are as if under the fatal influence of some stupefying potion. They are like birds taken alive in this state, and at the mercy of the fowler. They will remain in this condition, unless they shall be roused by the mercy of God; and it is the business of the ministers of religion to carry to them that Gospel call, which God is accustomed to bless in showing them their danger. That message should be continually sounded in the ears of the sinner, with the prayer and the hope that God will make it the means of arousing him to seek His salvation."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
2 Timothy 2:25-26 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. KJV
Continuing with his theme from the last two verses, Paul instructs Brother Timothy to be persistent in declaring the truth of the Word of God to those who have twisted it or turned it or torn it to their own destruction with these words next, "In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;" (2 Timothy 2:25) (KJV). The English word 'meekness' is translated by the Greek word praotēs meaning gentleness; by implication humility: - meekness. The English word 'instructing' is translated by the Greek word paideuō meaning (as used here) to train up a child, that is, educate, instruct, learn, teach. The English phrase 'those that oppose themselves' is translated by the Greek word antidiatithemai (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning to set oneself opposite, that is, be disputatious (inclined or showing an inclination to dispute or disagree: to be contentious. In other words, it was the will of God for Timothy and is the will of God for we true believers today to gently correct those who wrongly dispute the Word of God by instructing them or teaching them or educating them by the truth given to us from God the Holy Spirit. No brother or sister 'in Christ' knows everything concerning the truth of the Word of God, for we are all like kindergarteners when it comes to the Bible, therefore, we are to instruct only from what God the Holy Spirit has transferred, transmitted, and transplanted into our souls through diligent study and prayer over the Word of God, just as Paul just informed to Brother Timothy earlier in this very same Chapter with these words, "Study earnestly to present yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth." (2 Timothy 2:15) (Modern King James Version).
If we are not this sort of hard working or hard laboring servant of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ within His Word, then we should not endeavor to teach or instruct anyone concerning the truth of God, for as it is written by the Psalmist King David if we are instructable, then God the Father will instruct us, "I will instruct you and teach you in the way which you should go; I will counsel you, My eye shall be on you." (Psalms 32:8) (Modern King James Version). This Paul wanted Timothy and wants us today to do because it is possible that at anytime, God the Father will grant to those who oppose Him and His Word the ability or the power to repent. The English word 'repentance' Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word metanoia it means (subjectively) compunction (for guilt, including reformation); by implication reversal (of [another’s] decision): a change of mind. Here is what the JFB Commentary had to say concerning God granting repentance to those who oppose His Word, "Repentance, which they need as antecedent to the full knowledge (so the Greek for 'acknowledgment') of the truth (1 Timothy 2:4), their minds being corrupted (2 Timothy 3:8), and their lives immoral. The cause of the spiritual ignorance which prompts such 'questions' is moral, having its seat in the will, not in the intellect (John 7:17). Therefore repentance is their first need. That, not man, but God alone can 'give' (Acts 5:31)." Paul wants Timothy and we true believers today to realize and understand that those who oppose the truth of the Word of God are still spiritually asleep and held captive by the devil's spiritual lies and need God the Father to grant them repentance, that they might be made alive from the dead, just as this same Apostle declared to the Ephesian believers with these words, "And He has made you alive, who were once dead in trespasses and sins, in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit that now works in the children of disobedience; among whom we also had our way of life in times past, in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the thoughts, and were by nature the children of wrath, even as others. But God, who is rich in mercy, for His great love with which He loved us (even when we were dead in sins) has made us alive together with Christ (by grace you are saved), and has raised us up together and made us sit together in the heavenlies in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in His kindness toward us through Christ Jesus." (Ephesians 2:1-7) (Modern King James Version).
With this in mind, Paul now says this to Brother Timothy, "And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will." (2 Timothy 2:26) (KJV). The English phrase 'that they may recover themselves' is translated by the Greek word ananēphō which means to become sober again, that is, (figuratively) regain (one’s) senses: - recover self. The English word 'snare' is translated by the Greek word pagis meaning a trap (as fastened by a noose or notch); figuratively a trick or stratagem (temptation): - snare. The English phrase 'who are taken captive' is translated by the Greek word zōgreō meaning to take alive (make a prisoner of war), that is, (figuratively) to capture or ensnare: - take captive, catch. In other words, these people are held in spiritual captivity or prison by the devil trapped, tricked, and taken by him to do his bidding on the earth, therefore, it is our responsibility to continually give them the truth of the Gospel and of the entire Word of God praying for them to regain their senses and become sober from their spritual hangover. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concernig this verse, "And that they may recover themselves - 'awake.' The word which is rendered 'recover' in the text, and 'awake' in the margin - ananēpsōsin - occurs nowhere else in the New Testament. It properly means, to become sober again, as from inebriation; to awake from a deep sleep, and then, to come to a right mind, as one does who is aroused from a state of inebriety, or from sleep. The representation in this part of the verse implies that, while under the influence of error, they were like a man intoxicated, or like one in deep slumber. From this state they were to be roused as one is from sleep, or as a man is recovered from the stupor and dullness of intoxication. Out of the snare of the devil - The snare which the devil has spread for them, and in which they have become entangled. There is a little confusion of metaphor here, since, in the first part of the verse, they are represented as asleep, or intoxicated; and, here, as taken in a snare. Yet the general idea is clear. In one part of the verse, the influence of error is represented as producing sleep, or stupor; in the other, as being taken in a snare, or net; and, in both, the idea is, that an effort was to be made that they might be rescued from this perilous condition. Who are taken captive by him at his will - 'alive.' The Greek word means, properly, to take alive; and then, to take captive, to win over Luke 5:10; and then, to ensnare, or seduce. Here it means that they had been ensnared by the arts of Satan 'unto his will;' that is, they were so influenced by him, that they complied with his will. Another interpretation of this passage should be mentioned here, by which it is proposed to avoid the incongruousness of the metaphor of 'awaking' one from a 'snare.' According to this, the reference is to an artifice of fowlers, to scatter seeds impregnated with some intoxicating drugs, intended to lay birds asleep, that they may draw the snare over them more securely. There can be no doubt that such arts were practiced, and it is possible that Paul may have alluded to it. Whatever is the allusion, the general idea is clear. It is an affecting representation of those who have fallen into error. They are in a deep slumber. They are as if under the fatal influence of some stupefying potion. They are like birds taken alive in this state, and at the mercy of the fowler. They will remain in this condition, unless they shall be roused by the mercy of God; and it is the business of the ministers of religion to carry to them that Gospel call, which God is accustomed to bless in showing them their danger. That message should be continually sounded in the ears of the sinner, with the prayer and the hope that God will make it the means of arousing him to seek His salvation."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
Sunday, March 3, 2019
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 29
Paul tells Timothy to Study and Know the Word of God Part 7
2 Timothy 2:23-24 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, KJV
Despite the effort Brother Timothy would make to follow after those things Paul just listed in the previous verse, he would still face (in the Church) those people who wanted to question everything that God has written and said is His Will, but Paul had delt with this himself and now warns Timothy against engaging these people and their stupid questioning with these words, "But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes." (2 Timothy 2:23) (KJV). The English word 'foolish' Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word mōros which means dull or stupid (as if shut up), that is, heedless, (morally) blockhead, (apparently) absurd: The English word 'unlearned' is translated by the Greek word apaideutos meaning (used here this one and only time in the New Testament) uninstructed, that is, (figuratively) stupid: - unlearned. The English word 'question' is translated by the Greek word zētēsis meaning a searching (properly the act), that is, a dispute or its theme: - question. The English word 'avoid' is translated by the Greek word paraiteomai meaning to beg off, that is, deprecate (express strong disapproval of; deplore), decline, shun: - avoid, (make) excuse, intreat, refuse, reject.
In other words, to dispute the Word of God by raising questions or searching into things that come from an uninformed, uninstructed, and unlearned person are fruitless and a waste of valuable time that hold down and hold back the spreading of the truth of the Word of God and should be shunned or avoided or refused or rejected always so that the true Word of God can do only what it can do as the Apostle James says with these words, "Therefore putting aside all filthiness and overflowing of evil, receive in meekness the implanted Word, which is able to save your souls." (James 1:21) (Modern King James Version). The Apostle is very aware and knows that these types of foolish questioning of the Word of God only causes one thing and that is discord among brethren or as he puts it here 'strifes' and this English word is translated by the Greek word machē meaning a battle, that is, (figuratively) controversy: - fighting, strive, striving. We see that the Apostle's concern written here to Brother Timothy some two thousand years (2,000) ago has certainly come to fruition over the course of those years. The disputing of the Word of God has split and splintered many a Church Denominations and caused momumental battles in their midst. Here is what Matthew Henry had to say about this verse, "Those who advanced them, and doted upon them, thought themselves wise and learned; but Paul calls them foolish and unlearned. The mischief of these is that they gender strifes, that they breed debates and quarrels among Christians and ministers. It is very remarkable how often, and with what seriousness, the Apostle cautions Timothy against disputes in religion, which surely was not without some such design as this, to show that religion consists more in believing and practising what God requires than in subtle disputes."
Paul declares to Timothy that he must avoid arguing with people over the truth of the Word of God, for God's Word did not need him to defend it because the Word of God is alive and is truth and just like a male lion needs no other to fight for him, so is the Word of God as Paul wrote to the Hebrew believers with these words, "What God has said isn't only alive and active! It is sharper than any double-edged sword. His word can cut through our spirits and souls and through our joints and marrow, until it discovers the desires and thoughts of our hearts. Nothing is hidden from God! He sees through everything, and we will have to tell Him the truth." (Hebrews 4:12-13) (Contemporary English Version). Therefore, Paul tells Timothy that he must be and do as follows, "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient," (2 Timothy 2:24) (KJV). It is not the will of God for His sons and daughters to be standing outside of abortion clinics with signs telling pregnant girls and women that they are going to hell if they kill their babies. It is also not His will for His sons and daughters to stand outside of gay clubs or bars and hold up signs saying God hates them, but instead it is God the Father's will for us His sons and daughters to just simply, surely, and soundly declare the truth of His Word to all people and allow God the Holy Spirit to bring conviction of sin and then do His work of regeneration and rebirth, for this is the will of God for us His sons and daughters to only get out the Word of God period.
It must be our desire to be diligent, decisive, and determined to do only this one thing, nothing more, nothing less. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say about this verse, "He may calmly inquire after truth; he may discuss points of morals, or theology, if he will do it with a proper spirit; he may 'contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints' Jude 1:3; but he may not do that which is here mentioned as strife. The meaning is, that the servant of Christ should be a man of peace. He should not indulge in the feelings which commonly give rise to contention, and which commonly characterize it. He should not struggle for mere victory, even when endeavoring to maintain truth; but should do this, in all cases, with a kind spirit, and a mild temper; with entire candor; with nothing designed to provoke and irritate an adversary; and so that, whatever may be the result of the discussion, 'the bond of peace' may, if possible, be preserved."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
2 Timothy 2:23-24 But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, KJV
Despite the effort Brother Timothy would make to follow after those things Paul just listed in the previous verse, he would still face (in the Church) those people who wanted to question everything that God has written and said is His Will, but Paul had delt with this himself and now warns Timothy against engaging these people and their stupid questioning with these words, "But foolish and unlearned questions avoid, knowing that they do gender strifes." (2 Timothy 2:23) (KJV). The English word 'foolish' Paul uses here is translated by the Greek word mōros which means dull or stupid (as if shut up), that is, heedless, (morally) blockhead, (apparently) absurd: The English word 'unlearned' is translated by the Greek word apaideutos meaning (used here this one and only time in the New Testament) uninstructed, that is, (figuratively) stupid: - unlearned. The English word 'question' is translated by the Greek word zētēsis meaning a searching (properly the act), that is, a dispute or its theme: - question. The English word 'avoid' is translated by the Greek word paraiteomai meaning to beg off, that is, deprecate (express strong disapproval of; deplore), decline, shun: - avoid, (make) excuse, intreat, refuse, reject.
In other words, to dispute the Word of God by raising questions or searching into things that come from an uninformed, uninstructed, and unlearned person are fruitless and a waste of valuable time that hold down and hold back the spreading of the truth of the Word of God and should be shunned or avoided or refused or rejected always so that the true Word of God can do only what it can do as the Apostle James says with these words, "Therefore putting aside all filthiness and overflowing of evil, receive in meekness the implanted Word, which is able to save your souls." (James 1:21) (Modern King James Version). The Apostle is very aware and knows that these types of foolish questioning of the Word of God only causes one thing and that is discord among brethren or as he puts it here 'strifes' and this English word is translated by the Greek word machē meaning a battle, that is, (figuratively) controversy: - fighting, strive, striving. We see that the Apostle's concern written here to Brother Timothy some two thousand years (2,000) ago has certainly come to fruition over the course of those years. The disputing of the Word of God has split and splintered many a Church Denominations and caused momumental battles in their midst. Here is what Matthew Henry had to say about this verse, "Those who advanced them, and doted upon them, thought themselves wise and learned; but Paul calls them foolish and unlearned. The mischief of these is that they gender strifes, that they breed debates and quarrels among Christians and ministers. It is very remarkable how often, and with what seriousness, the Apostle cautions Timothy against disputes in religion, which surely was not without some such design as this, to show that religion consists more in believing and practising what God requires than in subtle disputes."
Paul declares to Timothy that he must avoid arguing with people over the truth of the Word of God, for God's Word did not need him to defend it because the Word of God is alive and is truth and just like a male lion needs no other to fight for him, so is the Word of God as Paul wrote to the Hebrew believers with these words, "What God has said isn't only alive and active! It is sharper than any double-edged sword. His word can cut through our spirits and souls and through our joints and marrow, until it discovers the desires and thoughts of our hearts. Nothing is hidden from God! He sees through everything, and we will have to tell Him the truth." (Hebrews 4:12-13) (Contemporary English Version). Therefore, Paul tells Timothy that he must be and do as follows, "And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient," (2 Timothy 2:24) (KJV). It is not the will of God for His sons and daughters to be standing outside of abortion clinics with signs telling pregnant girls and women that they are going to hell if they kill their babies. It is also not His will for His sons and daughters to stand outside of gay clubs or bars and hold up signs saying God hates them, but instead it is God the Father's will for us His sons and daughters to just simply, surely, and soundly declare the truth of His Word to all people and allow God the Holy Spirit to bring conviction of sin and then do His work of regeneration and rebirth, for this is the will of God for us His sons and daughters to only get out the Word of God period.
It must be our desire to be diligent, decisive, and determined to do only this one thing, nothing more, nothing less. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say about this verse, "He may calmly inquire after truth; he may discuss points of morals, or theology, if he will do it with a proper spirit; he may 'contend earnestly for the faith once delivered to the saints' Jude 1:3; but he may not do that which is here mentioned as strife. The meaning is, that the servant of Christ should be a man of peace. He should not indulge in the feelings which commonly give rise to contention, and which commonly characterize it. He should not struggle for mere victory, even when endeavoring to maintain truth; but should do this, in all cases, with a kind spirit, and a mild temper; with entire candor; with nothing designed to provoke and irritate an adversary; and so that, whatever may be the result of the discussion, 'the bond of peace' may, if possible, be preserved."
If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...
Sincerely in Christ,
Clifford D. Tate, Sr.
Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…
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