Saturday, March 31, 2018

Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 17

Paul Exalts Jesus Christ 

1 Timothy 2:5-6 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. KJV

What is the knowledge of the truth Paul just spoke of in the previous verse? The answer is found immediately written by Paul in the words of this very next verse, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;" (1 Timothy 2:5) (KJV). The idea that many human beings have now, had then when Paul was alive, had even before the Apostle Paul, and will have in the future that there are many 'gods' is completely false, for the so-called 'gods' are only the fallen angels from heaven who have now become demons and like their leader the devil, he and they want to be worshipped as 'god' because this was the very desire that got him (the devil) and the others defeated and kicked out of heaven. Paul like the Prophets of the Old Testament before him is emphatic in his declaration of there being only One God just as the Prophet Isaiah wrote as he was inspired by God to produce these words, "Look to Me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other." (Isaiah 45:22) (Amplified Bible).

The English word 'mediator' is translated by the Greek word mesitēs which means a go between, that is, (simply) an internunciator, or (by implication) a reconciler (intercessor): - mediator. In other words, because of the Holiness and Purity of God, He could not then and cannot now communicate with any unholy and impure creature of His which is what every man, woman, and child are here on the earth, so God had to reconcile man back to Himself by way of an intercessor or mediator that had taken on man's sin but at the same time still remained holy and pure. This is exactly what happened when He (Jesus, 2nd member of the Godhead) took on human flesh and blood, then shed His Blood by death taking on Himself every human beings sin who ever lived and paying the debt for every humans sin, then resurrecting Himself from death to give new life, that is eternal life and eternal forgiveness to all who will believe in or trust in Him alone for salvation and reconciliation with God.

Paul wrote of this with these words in the Book of Hebrews, "[Christ, the Messiah] is therefore the Negotiator {and} Mediator of an [entirely] new agreement (testament, covenant), so that those who are called {and} offered it may receive the fulfillment of the promised everlasting inheritance--since a death has taken place which rescues {and} delivers {and} redeems them from the transgressions committed under the [old] first agreement. For where there is a [last] will {and} testament involved, the death of the one who made it must be established, For a will {and} testament is valid and takes effect only at death, since it has no force {or} legal power as long as the one who made it is alive. So even the [old] first covenant (God's will) was not inaugurated {and} ratified {and} put in force without the shedding of blood." (Hebrews 9:15-18) (Amplified Bible). These words written here in Hebrews are another testimony of the Apostle of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ not only being our sacrifice for sin, but also He is the One God that we true believers worship and no other.

Therefore, Paul now reminds brother Timothy of what our Lord Jesus Christ has done for each and every one of us sinners with these words, "Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time." (1 Timothy 2:6) (KJV). Who gave Himself, that is, who suffered, who yielded, who committed, or who delivered up Himself as a sin sacrifice in our places. The little English phrase 'a ransom' is used this one time only in the entire New Testament and it is translated by the Greek word antilutron meaning a redemption price: - substitution, something to loosen with, an atonement, ransom. It means simply that our Lord Jesus Christ willingly gave His life for many and the many were not those who loved Him, but who ignored Him, despised Him, rejected Him, mocked Him, and even hated Him, let us remember what Paul wrote to the Church @ Philippi concerning our Lord's sacrifice for us, "Who, although being essentially one with God {and} in the form of God [possessing the fullness of the attributes which make God God], did not think this equality with God was a thing to be eagerly grasped {or} retained, But stripped Himself [of all privileges and rightful dignity], so as to assume the guise of a servant (slave), in that He became like men {and} was born a human being. And after He had appeared in human form, He abased {and} humbled Himself [still further] and carried His obedience to the extreme of death, even the death of the cross!" (Philippians 2:6-8) (Amplified Bible).

"The Greek implies not merely ransom, but a substituted or equivalent ransom: the Greek preposition, 'anti,' implying reciprocity and vicarious substitution." (JFB Commentary). The testimony in due time refers to the fact that the Old Testament saints were looking forward to the Messiah coming to redeem, restore, and remake Israel and the entire Gentile world and this due time has already begun by virtue of our Lord's death, burial, and resurrection from the dead and His ascension back to heaven to sit now on His Throne of Grace, but the conclusion will happen at His second coming where He will then return in Power and Might to put down all human rebellion against Him and these words written by this same Apostle Paul to the Church @ Philippi will be fulfilled, "Therefore [because He stooped so low] God has highly exalted Him and has freely bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, That in (at) the name of Jesus every knee should (must) bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, And every tongue [frankly and openly] confess {and} acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father." (Philippians 2:9-11) (Amplified Bible).

"There is one God - And they who have not Him, through the one Mediator, have no God. One mediator also - We could not rejoice that there is a God, were there not a mediator also; one who stands between God and men, to reconcile man to God, and to transact the whole affair of our salvation. This excludes all other mediators, as saints and angels, whom the Papists set up and idolatrously worship as such: just as the heathens of old set up many mediators, to pacify their superior gods. The man - Therefore all men are to apply to this mediator, 'who gave himself for all.'" John Wesley

"There is one Mediator, and that mediator gave Himself a ransom for all. As the mercy of God extends itself to all His works, so the mediation of Christ extends itself thus far to all the children of men that He paid a price sufficient for the salvation of all mankind; He brought mankind to stand upon new terms with God, so that they are not now under the law as a covenant of works, but as a rule of life. They are under grace; not under the covenant of innocence, but under a new covenant: He gave Himself a ransom. Observe, The death of Christ was a ransom, a counter-price. We deserved to have died. Christ died for us, to save us from death and hell; He gave Himself a ransom voluntarily, a ransom for all; so that all mankind are put in a better condition than that of devils/demons. He died to work out a common salvation: in order hereunto, He put Himself into the office of Mediator between God and man. A mediator supposes a controversy. Sin had made a quarrel between us and God; Jesus Christ is a Mediator who undertakes to make peace, to bring God and man together, in the nature of an umpire or arbitrator, a days - man who lays his hand upon u both, Job 9:33. He is a ransom that was to be testified in due time; that is, in the Old Testament times, His sufferings and the glory that should follow were spoken of as things to be revealed in the last times, 1 Peter 1:10-11." Matthew Henry

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 28, 2018

Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 16

Paul Exhorts Timothy to Pray for All Men Part 3

1 Timothy 2:4 Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth.  KJV

Paul's declaration here exposes or opens up the motive God the Father has concerning every human being living currently, living during the time Paul penned this letter, those who will be living in the future, and those who have lived since the very beginning of human creation (Adam & Eve) and that is as written here with these words, "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth." (1 Timothy 2:4) (KJV). This is our Heavenly Father's great desire that no man or woman perish eternally, but that they come to know truth as the Apostle Peter declared the same concept with these slightly different words, "The Lord does not delay {and} is not tardy {or} slow about what He promises, according to some people's conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9) (Amplified Bible). The tiny English word 'will' Paul uses here at the beginning of this verse is translated by the Greek word thelo meaning to choose or prefer (literally or figuratively); by implication to wish, that is, be inclined to, by Hebraism to delight in: - desire, be disposed to, love to, or please to, be willling to. The little English phrase 'to be saved' is translated by one Greek word sozo meaning safe or to save, that is, deliver or protect (literally or figuratively): - heal, preserve, save, make whole. The little English phrase 'the knowledge' is translated by one Greek word epignōsis which means recognition, that is, (by implication) full discernment.

In other words, it is our Heavenly Father's loving desire that all men/women come to our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, for 'in Him' is safety from eternal wrath, deliverance and protection from the evil one right now in this earthly life, and the eyes of our spiritual understanding opened up to know the One and Only Truth as it is written by our Lord Jesus speaking of Himself, "Jesus said to him, I am the Way and the Truth and the Life; no one comes to the Father except by (through) Me." (John 14:6) (Amplified Bible). Here is what Adam Clarke says concerning this desire of God the Father, "The truth - the Gospel of Christ, should be proclaimed to them; and it is the duty of all who know it, to diffuse it far and wide, and when it is made known, then it is the duty of those who hear it to acknowledge and receive it. This is the proper import of the original word, that they may come, to the acknowledgment of the truth - that they may receive it as the truth, and make it the rule of their faith, the model and director of their life and actions." This same desire of our Heavenly Father was infused, impregnated, and instilled into the Apostle Paul by God the Holy Spirit and it motivated, mastered, and moved Paul to see every man and woman as potential believers in our Lord Jesus Christ, so he preached, propagated, and proclaimed the Gospel of Christ everywhere he went praying all the time that those present would hear it with their spiritual ears opened up by God the Holy Spirit and be saved/sozo, just as these words he wrote to the Corinthian Church affirm, "Just as I myself strive to please [to accommodate myself to the opinions, desires, and interests of others, adapting myself to] all men in everything I do, not aiming at {or} considering my own profit {and} advantage, but that of the many in order that they may be saved." (1 Corinthians 10:33) (Amplified Bible).

The Apostle Paul wanted this next generation of saints (Timothy being one of its new leaders) to be as zealous as he was for the Gospel and for putting down the false teachers who perverted the Gospel of Christ (at this time it was the Judizers and the Gnostics), for the only truth was found in our Lord Jesus Christ and every Christian man, woman, and child coming into a closer relationship with Him and recognizing and discerning who He really and truly is just as Paul wrote to the Ephesian Church with these words, "And His gifts were [varied; He Himself appointed and gave men to us] some to be apostles (special messengers), some prophets (inspired preachers and expounders), some evangelists (preachers of the Gospel, traveling missionaries), some pastors (shepherds of His flock) and teachers. His intention was the perfecting {and} the full equipping of the saints (His consecrated people), [that they should do] the work of ministering toward building up Christ's body (the Church), [That it might develop] until we all attain oneness in the faith and in the comprehension of the [full and accurate] knowledge of the Son of God, that [we might arrive] at really mature manhood (the completeness of personality which is nothing less than the standard height of Christ's own perfection), the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ {and} the completeness found in Him. So then, we may no longer be children, tossed [like ships] to and fro between chance gusts of teaching {and} wavering with every changing wind of doctrine, [the prey of] the cunning {and} cleverness of unscrupulous men, [gamblers engaged] in every shifting form of trickery in inventing errors to mislead. Rather, let our lives lovingly express truth [in all things, speaking truly, dealing truly, living truly]. Enfolded in love, let us grow up in every way {and} in all things into Him Who is the Head, [even] Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One)." (Ephesians 4:11-15) (Amplified Bible).

"That is, it is in accordance with His nature, His feelings, His desires. The word 'will' cannot be taken here in the absolute sense, denoting a decree like that by which He willed the creation of the world, for then it would certainly be done. But the word is often used to denote a desire, wish, or what is in accordance with the nature of anyone. Thus it may be said of God that He 'wills' that His creatures may be happy - because it is in accordance with His nature, and because He has made abundant provision for their happiness - though it is not true that He wills it in the sense that He exerts His absolute power to make them happy. God wills that sickness should be relieved, and sorrow mitigated, and that the oppressed should go free, because it is agreeable to His nature; though it is not true that He wills it in the sense that He exerts His absolute power to produce it. A parent wills the welfare of His child. It is in accordance with his nature, his feelings, his desires; and he makes every needful arrangement for it. If the child is not virtuous and happy, it is his own fault. So God wills that all people should be saved. It would be in accordance with His benevolent nature. He has made ample provision for it. He uses all proper means to secure their salvation. He uses no positive means to prevent it, and if they are not saved it will be their own fault." Albert Barnes

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…

Saturday, March 24, 2018

Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 15

Paul Exhorts Timothy to Pray for All Men Part 2

1 Timothy 2:2-3 For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; KJV

Paul continues his exhortation to brother Timothy to pray at all times, for all things, and for all men by being specific about who the prayers were to be made for by writing these words, "For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty." (1 Timothy 2:2) (KJV). The Apostle new a little something about being in a leadership or decision making position seeing that he was a high ranking member of the Jewish Sanhedrin before his conversion to following our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ. Paul himself wrote of this fact and reality in his only letter penned to the believers in the Church @ Galatia with these words, "And [you have heard how] I outstripped many of the men of my own generation among the people of my race in [my advancement in study and observance of the laws of] Judaism, so extremely enthusiastic {and} zealous I was for the traditions of my ancestors." (Galatians 1:14) (Amplified Bible). Therefore, with this in mind, Paul knew how much he was filled with pride and arrogance as a Jewish leader believing that he was even superior to the other Jewish people and especially the Gentile people of the world, even considering them to be peasants and barbarians worthy of only what he and the Jewish leaders allowed them to be and to have for their own.

Now Paul is born again of incorruptable seed by the Word of God (1 Peter 1:23) and he looks at those in the positions of power now through eyes coated with differet lenses as they have been washed spiritually in and by the Blood of the Lamb Jesus Christ, so he sees how needful, necessitous (that is, those in power needing spiritual help), and necessary it is for those in power to be constantly prayed for by those then and those of us now who know our Lord Jesus Christ who only can change the mind/soul/inner man of any man just as He did with this man writing this letter Saul of Tarsus now Paul the Apostle (and this man Clifford DeWayne Tate, Sr.) as he proclaimed with these words written in his only letter to the Church @ Galatia, "They were only hearing it said, He who used to persecute us is now proclaiming the very faith he once reviled {and} which he set out to ruin {and} tried with all his might to destroy. And they glorified God [as the Author and Source of what had taken place] in me." (Galatians 1:23-24) (Amplified Bible). Paul knowing what our Lord Jesus Christ had done for him and in him knew that it was only praying for these kings and Jewish rulers that would cause he and all other Christians to go about their lives in quietness, that is, not being harassed or annoyed or troubled simply for being believers in Jesus Christ, also living peaceable, that is, not being disturbed by turmoil or violence against them/us because we love our Lord Jesus Christ.

Paul knew that prayer could and would cause God the Holy Spirit to move upon some of these men bringing conviction of their sin and lead some to hear the Gospel of Grace and be saved and changed. When Paul wrote these words of exhortation to brother Timothy Nero was ruler in Rome and he was perhaps one of if not the vilest, volatile, and violent rulers Rome had ever had in power and it would eventually be Nero who would order the execution of the Apostle Paul in Rome by beheading. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning prayers for those in power, "The meaning here is, that while all people should be the subjects of prayer, those should be particularly remembered before the throne of grace who are in authority. The reason is, that so much depends on their character and plans; that the security of life, liberty, and property, depends so much on them. God has power to influence their hearts, and to incline them to what is just and equal; and hence we should pray that a divine influence may descend upon them. The salvation of a king is of itself of no more importance than that of a peasant or a slave; but the welfare of thousands may depend on him, and hence he should be made the special subject of prayer." Surely Christians here in the United States and of course those in Cuba prayed for many decades that God the Father would remove Castro from power, but year after year it seemed that God had not heard these prayers, but He does not see time as we see time, but He moves according to His eternal agenda.

The cruel leaders like Castro, Saadam Houesain, Nero, etc. will all have their times come to an end, but even if we do not see that time come, we are still called to pray for them, so that those of us who belong to our Lord Jesus Christ may do His will for His glory, for this is exactly the concept Paul writes here to brother Timothy with these words, "For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour;" (1 Timothy 2:3) (KJV). The 'this' Paul writes here is that we pray for all men, even the most dispicable of men, those in authority and power and those not, hence all men. It is in agreement with the eternal plan of God our Savior Jesus Christ that we pray for all people, even those who hate us, for it is His will that any sinner who turns to Him will be saved as it is written, "Because if you acknowledge {and} confess with your lips that Jesus is Lord and in your heart believe (adhere to, trust in, and rely on the truth) that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9) (Amplified Bible).

"Praying for the salvation of men who hate you and want to do you harm is not something that is easy, but this is what God the Holy Spirit impressed upon the Apostle Paul to exhort Timothy in doing. The idea of seeking the good of those who seek evil against you requires Holy Spirit intervention, for the old man wants to see them destroyed, but the new man knows that prayer can cause God the Father to move and bring conviction to that person or persons soul. Also prayer for evil men or women in positions of power can and will cause our Heavenly Father to keep them from causing harm to us His children and allow us to freely accomplish His will in our lives of pilgrimage here on the earth in whatever corner of this earth we reside, just as the Prophet Jeremiah declared with these words, 'And seek (inquire for, require, and request) the peace {and} welfare of the city to which I have caused you to be carried away captive; and pray to the Lord for it, for in the welfare of [the city in which you live] you will have welfare.' (Jeremiah 29:7) (Amplified Bible)." Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

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 21, 2018

Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 14

Paul Exhorts Timothy to Pray for All Men Part 1

1 Timothy 2:1 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; KJV

Paul now shifts his focus on exhorting and instructing brother Timothy on how he should pray with these words, "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men;" (1 Timothy 2:1) (KJV). Prayer for the Apostle Paul was not a mere rite, ritual, or rule that he must obey, but instead prayer for the Apostle Paul's spirit was like breathing or breath was for his body. Paul wanted brother Timothy and we believers today to understand and be actively engaged in speaking to our Heavenly Father at all times and for all things. The English word 'supplications' is translated by the Greek word deesis meaning a petition: a humble request to God the Father for help. The English word 'prayers' is translated by the Greek word  proseuchē meaning prayer (worship); by implication an oratory (chapel): reverent communication with God the Father through speaking words out loud or through saying the words to Him in one's mind (silent praying or prayer).

Here is what John Wesley said concerning 'supplications' and 'prayers', "Supplication is here the imploring help in time of need: prayer is any kind of offering up our desires to God. But true prayer is the vehemency of holy zeal, the ardour of divine love, arising from a calm, undisturbed soul, moved upon by the Spirit of God." This was the normal course of life for the Apostle Paul when it came to praying for others as it is written by him about the believers in the Church @ Philippi with these words, "I thank my God in all my remembrance of you. In every prayer of mine I always make my entreaty {and} petition for you all with joy (delight)." (Philippians 1:3-4) (Amplified Bible). In other words, supplications made to God the Father are pleas for help from Him to ward off the evil attacks that are constantly coming our way from the evil one and his principalities and powers, that is, to prevent the occurence of evil against us from the evil one. Whereas, prayers are made by us to our Heavenly Father that we might obtain the 'good things' spiritual things (love, joy, peace, etc.) and the temporal things (food, shelter, clothing) that we need down here in our sojourn or pilgrimage here on the earth before we are brought to be with Him  eternally in Heaven.

The English word 'intercessions' is translated by the Greek word enteuxis which means an interview, by extension to entreat (in favor or against): properly the coming near to God with childlike confidence, generally in behalf of another. In other words, intercessions or the practice of interceeding is when our prayers have nothing to do with our own wants or needs, but instead we are making request to our Heavenly Father on behalf of another person or persons entirely. The little English phrase 'and giving of thanks' is translated by one Greek word eucharistia which means gratitude; actually grateful language (to God, as an act of worship). In other words, every prayer to our Heavenly Father should always begin with us giving Him thanks for everything we are and everything we have and for sending our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ to sacrifice Himself for our sins and not just ours, but for the sins of the whole world (John 1:29). Paul instructs brother Timothy that all this be done (not just for or on the behalf of other believers), but for all men, even those men who were then and are still today persecuting the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ.

"That is, as the first duty to be enjoined; the thing that is to be regarded with primary concern. It does not mean that this was to be the first thing in public worship in the order of time, but that it was to be regarded as a duty of primary importance. The duty of praying for the salvation of the whole world was not to be regarded as a subordinate and secondary thing." Albert Barnes

"Prayer for the pardon of sin, and for obtaining necessary supplies of grace, and continual protection from God, with gratitude and thanksgiving for mercies already received, are duties which our sinful and dependent state renders absolutely necessary; and which should be chief in our view, and first of all performed. It is difficult to know the precise difference between the four words used here by the Apostle." Adam Clarke

"A charge given to Christians to pray for all men in general, and particularly for all in authority. Timothy must take care that this be done. Paul does not send him any prescribed form of prayer, as we have reason to think he would if he had intended that ministers should be tied to that way of praying; but, in general, that they should make supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks: supplications for the averting of evil, prayers for the obtaining of good, intercessions for others, and thanksgivings for mercies already received. Paul thought it enough to give them general heads; they, having the scripture to direct them in prayer and the Spirit of prayer poured out upon them, needed not any further directions." Matthew Henry

"The two principal parts of public worship, being the ministry of the word and prayer; and the Apostle having insisted on the former, in the preceding chapter, in which he orders Timothy to charge some that they teach no other doctrine than that of the Gospel, gives an account of his own ministry, and call to it, and of the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to his trust, and stirs up Timothy to the faithful and diligent discharge of his work and office; now proceeds to the latter, to prayer, and exhorts unto it; either Timothy in particular, for so read the Syriac, Arabic, and Ethiopic versions, 'I exhort thee', or 'desire thee'; or else the Church in general; unless it should rather be thought to be a charge to Timothy to exhort, and so Beza's Claromontane copy reads, 'exhort thou therefore': but it is commonly considered as an exhortation of the Apostle's, which he was very urgent in: it was what lay much upon his mind, and he was greatly desirous that it should be attended unto; for so the words may be read, 'I exhort first of all', or before all things; of all things he had to say, this was the chief, or it was what he would have principally and chiefly done by others: for this does not so much regard the order of time, that prayer should be made early in the morning, in the first place, before anything else is done, and particularly before preaching, which seems to have been the custom of the primitive saints, Acts 4:31, but the pre-eminence and superior excellency of it; though the words may be rendered, 'I exhort, that first, the supplications of all be made': and so may regard public prayer, the prayer of the whole Church, in distinction from private prayer, or the prayer of a single person; which is expressed by different words." Dr. John Gill

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…








Saturday, March 17, 2018

Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 13

Paul Commands Timothy to Fight for the Faith

1 Timothy 1:18-20 This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare; Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme. KJV

Paul wants to remind Timothy of the bad blood all around him aimed at our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ coming from the unbelieving Jews and the Gentile nations in every part of the known world at that time. This fact should cause him to not waiver in his faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, but instead to stand strong for the truth of the Gospel, so he writes these words to Timothy, "This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;" (1 Timothy 1:18) (KJV). Paul has now graduated from exhortations to giving brother Timothy direct orders as being one above him in authority as an Apostle. The English word 'charge' Paul uses at the beginning of this verse is used only a handful of times here in  the New Testament and it is translated by the Greek word paraggelia which means a mandate: - charge, command. The little English phrase 'I commit' is translated by the Greek word paratithēmi meaning by implication to deposit (as a trust or for protection).

Here the Apostle is resuming his command to brother Timothy that he gave to him with these words at the beginning of this letter in verse 3 when he said, "As I urged you when I was on my way to Macedonia, stay on where you are at Ephesus in order that you may warn {and} admonish {and} charge certain individuals not to teach any different doctrine, Nor to give importance to {or} occupy themselves with legends (fables, myths) and endless genealogies, which foster {and} promote useless speculations {and} questionings rather than acceptance in faith of God's administration {and} the divine training that is in faith (in that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence)--Whereas the object {and} purpose of our instruction {and} charge is love, which springs from a pure heart and a good (clear) conscience and sincere (unfeigned) faith. But certain individuals have missed the mark on this very matter [and] have wandered away into vain arguments {and} discussions {and} purposeless talk." (1 Timothy 1:3-6) (Amplified Bible).

When Paul writes here of Timothy saying that I am doing this 'according to the prophecies which went before on thee', Paul is affirming what was testified to him concerning Timothy as it is written and recorded for us by Dr. Luke with these words, "And [Paul] went down to Derbe and also to Lystra. A disciple named Timothy was there, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer [she had become convinced that Jesus is the Messiah and the Author of eternal salvation, and yielded obedience to Him]; but [Timothy's] father was a Greek. He [Timothy] had a good reputation among the brethren at Lystra and Iconium." (Acts 16:1-2) (Amplified Bible). The little English phrase 'mightest war' is translated by the Greek word strateuomai which means figuratively to execute the apostolate (with its arduous duties and functions), to contend with carnal inclinations: - soldier, go to war. The little English phrase 'a good' is translated by the Greek word kalos meaning properly beautiful, but chiefly (figuratively) good (literally or morally), that is, valuable or virtuous (for appearance or use, that is, meet and worthy. The English word 'warfare' is translated by the Greek word strateia which means military service, that is, (figuratively) the apostolic career (as one of hardship and danger): - warfare.

In other words, the Apostle Paul is commanding brother Timothy and we believers today also to be strong and brave soldiers in the army of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ knowing that his/our walk as a Christian soldier was then and is now at all times filled with, fraught with, and full of danger lerking on all sides, but just as this same Apostle Paul wrote to the Church @ Corinth concerning our spiritual warfare, so was Timothy equipped then and so are we equipped now with the mighty weapons of our God Jesus Christ to wage the good warfare as it is written with these words to that Church @ Corinth, "For though we walk (live) in the flesh, we are not carrying on our warfare according to the flesh {and} using mere human weapons. For the weapons of our warfare are not physical [weapons of flesh and blood], but they are mighty before God for the overthrow {and} destruction of strongholds, [Inasmuch as we] refute arguments {and} theories {and} reasonings and every proud {and} lofty thing that sets itself up against the [true] knowledge of God; and we lead every thought {and} purpose away captive into the obedience of Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One), Being in readiness to punish every [insubordinate for his] disobedience, when your own submission {and} obedience [as a Church] are fully secured {and} complete." (2 Corinthians 10:3-6) (Amplified Bible).

Now Paul tells Timothy to grip the the truth of the Gospel of Christ, the Gospel of Grace with a bull dog or vice like grip letting nothing or no one persuade him/us into compromising that there are other ways or roads to salvation and to heaven, so he writes these words to him saying, "Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck:" (1 Timothy 1:19) (KJV). Here is what was written of 'holding faith' by the JFB Commentary, "Keeping hold of 'faith' and 'good conscience' (1 Timothy 1:5); not 'putting the latter away as 'some.' Faith is like a very precious liquor; a good conscience is the clean, pure glass that contains it [Bengel]. The loss of good conscience entails the shipwreck of faith. Consciousness of sin (unrepented of and forgiven) kills the germ of faith in man [Wiesinger]." The little English phrase 'having put away' is translated by the Greek word apōtheomai meaning (to shove); to push off, figuratively to reject: - cast away, put away (from), thrust way (from). The little English phrase 'have made shipwreck' is translated by the Greek word nauageō meaning to be shipwrecked (stranded, “navigate”), literally or figuratively: - make (suffer) shipwreck.

Here is what was written of 'having put away' and 'have made shipwreck' by the JFB Commentary, "A willful act. They thrust it from them as a troublesome monitor. It reluctantly withdraws, extruded by force, when its owner is tired of its importunity, and is resolved to retain his sin at the cost of losing it. One cannot be on friendly terms with it and with sin at one and the same time. 'With respect to THE faith.' Faith is the vessel in which they had professedly embarked, of which 'good conscience' is the anchor. The ancient Church often used this image, comparing the course of faith to navigation. The Greek does not imply that one having once had faith makes shipwreck of it, but that they who put away good conscience 'make shipwreck with respect to THE faith.'" Paul informs Timothy of two such men that he knew personally to 'have made shipwreck' of their faith as he writes with these words, "Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme." (1 Timothy 1:20) (KJV). The little English phrase 'to blaspheme' is translated by the Greek word blasphēmeō meaning to vilify; specifically to speak impiously: - (speak) blasphemously, defame, rail on, revile, speak evil.

It is certain that Hymenaeus' blasphemy was to say and to teach others that the resurrection of believers had already past as it written by the Apostle Paul affirming this truth in his second letter to brother Timothy with these words, "And their teaching [will devour; it] will eat its way like cancer {or} spread like gangrene. So it is with Hymenaeus and Philetus, Who have missed the mark {and} swerved from the truth by arguing that the resurrection has already taken place. They are undermining the faith of some." (2 Timothy 2:17-18) (Amplified Bible). Some past and present Bible Commentators believe that 'Alexander' here spoken of by Paul is the coppersmith that did Paul much evil (2 Timothy 4:14-15), but I disagree, this Alexander who did Paul much evil cannot be a believer or a follower of our Lord Jesus Christ seeing that Paul says this concerning him, "Beware of him yourself, for he opposed {and} resisted our message very strongly {and} exceedingly." (1 Timothy 4:15) (Amplified Bible). I consider this Alexander here mentioned in this first letter to be the Alexander spoken of in the following documentation in the Book of Acts as written with these words, "Now some shouted one thing and some another, for the gathering was in a tumult and most of them did not know why they had come together. Some of the crowd called upon Alexander [to speak], since the Jews had pushed {and} urged him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, wishing to make a defense {and} [planning] to apologize to the people. But as soon as they saw him {and} recognized that he was a Jew, a shout went up from them as the voice of one man, as for about two hours they cried, Great is Artemis of the Ephesians!" (Acts 19:32-34) (Amplified Bible).

"It was Paul's commandment to brother Timothy that he was to stand firm in the faith and resist anyone who would present and teach any different Gospel other than the Gospel of Grace that had saved him. Timothy was to hold fast to his confession of faith in our Lord Jesus Christ without waver, waffle, or withdrawal rebuking all who would upset the faith of others just as Paul wrote to him with these words in his second letter to him, 'The saying is sure {and} worthy of confidence: If we have died with Him, we shall also live with Him. If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny {and} disown {and} reject Him, He will also deny {and} disown {and} reject us. If we are faithless [do not believe and are untrue to Him], He remains true (faithful to His Word and His righteous character), for He cannot deny Himself. Remind [the people] of these facts and [solemnly] charge them in the presence of the Lord to avoid petty controversy over words, which does no good but upsets {and} undermines the faith of the hearers. Study {and} be eager {and} do your utmost to present yourself to God approved (tested by trial), a workman who has no cause to be ashamed, correctly analyzing {and} accurately dividing [rightly handling and skillfully teaching] the Word of Truth. But avoid all empty (vain, useless, idle) talk, for it will lead people into more {and} more ungodliness.' (2 Timothy 2:11-16) (Amplified Bible)." Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

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 14, 2018

Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 12

Paul Gives Glory to God for His Grace Part 6

1 Timothy 1:17 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. KJV

Paul's final declaration of his complete gratitude for and awesomeness of the grace of God that came to him by way of obtaining mercy from God, despite him being so hell bent and bound to destroy the Church of God as he desrcibed with these words in his letter to the Galatian believers, "You have heard of my earlier career {and} former manner of life in the Jewish religion (Judaism), how I persecuted {and} abused the Church of God furiously {and} extensively, and [with fanatical zeal did my best] to make havoc of it {and} destroy it." (Galatians 1:13) (Amplified Bible), now leads him to write to Timothy and to all of us today trying to put into words or human language how mighty, magnificent, and marvellous our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ truly is by saying this concerning Him, "Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen." (1 Timothy 1:17) (KJV). There are no human words that can accurately express all that God is, nor can there be any human language that can truly capture just how powerful He is and His works are in all the earth, just as David wrote concerning Him in the lyrics of these two songs the first is, "O LORD, our Lord, how excellent (majestic and glorious) is Your name in all the earth! You have set Your glory on [or above] the heavens." (Psalms 8:1) (Amplified Bible) and the second is, "Let all the earth fear the Lord [revere and worship Him]; let all the inhabitants of the world stand in awe of Him." (Psalm 33:8) (Amplified Bible).

Every sinner that has been redeemed by the Blood of the Lamb our Lord Jesus Christ and has tasted of His mercy and grace worked out in their/our lives, like Paul and David are motivated to reach into our weak human language and grasp at words trying to communicate how much we are in awe of God and fear Him, that is, reverence the beauty of His power, purity, and purpose in His earth. Paul's first word used to describe our God Jesus Christ is the English word 'King' which is translated by the Greek word basileus meaning (through the notion of a foundation of power); a sovereign (abstractly, relatively or figuratively): - king. In other words, Jesus Christ is the lone ruler of the earth and everyone and everything in it. Just like in our human world down here some nations have one man as ruler, but as we have seen over the course of human history many times these earthly kings and dictators have been overthrown by an uprising of the people within the country, however, our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ will not be overthrown ever because unlike earthly kings, King Jesus is The Mighty God (Isaiah 9:6). The English word 'eternal' is translated by the Greek word aion meaning perpetuity or forever or without end. The English word 'immortal' is translated by the Greek word aphthartos meaning undecaying (in essence or continuance): - not corruptible, immortal. In other words, by faith we understand and we believe that our God Jesus Christ had no beginning and has no end and it is He that has made humanity to see that there is more beyond the earthly life as Solomon wrote with these words, "He has made everything beautiful in its time. He also has planted eternity in men's hearts {and} minds [a divinely implanted sense of a purpose working through the ages which nothing under the sun but God alone can satisfy], yet so that men cannot find out what God has done from the beginning to the end." (Ecclesiastes 3:11) (Amplified Bible).

The English word 'invisible' is translated by the Greek word aoratos which means exactly what we think and that is incapable of being seen by the human eyes or sight. In other words, God is a Spirit, therefore, He is unseeable to the human eye, but when our Lord Jesus Christ chose to leave the Ivory Palace of Heaven and be born into a human Body, then and only then was the Mighty, Powerful, Eternal God able to be seen by His creation humanity, so when you look at the God/Man Jesus Christ born to the virgin Mary then you have seen God, just as this same Apostle Paul wrote in two other letters describing this very fact to the Hebrews with these words, "Hence, when He [Christ] entered into the world, He said, Sacrifices and offerings You have not desired, but instead You have made ready a body for Me [to offer];" (Hebrews 10:5) (Amplified Bible) and these words written to the Colossian Church, "[Now] He is the exact likeness of the unseen God [the visible representation of the invisible]; He is the Firstborn of all creation. For it was in Him that all things were created, in heaven and on earth, things seen and things unseen, whether thrones, dominions, rulers, or authorities; all things were created {and} exist through Him [by His service, intervention] and in {and} for Him. And He Himself existed before all things, and in Him all things consist (cohere, are held together)." (Colossians 1:15-17) (Amplified Bible). When Paul writes the phrase 'the only wise God', it is not in dispute that Jesus Christ is the One True and Only God, but Paul writes this as a rebuke to those who worship the demons or fallen angels along with the devil who claim themselves to be 'gods' to unregenerate men and women vulnerable and susceptible in wanting to and believing their lies. The little English phrase 'be honor' is translated by the Greek word time meaning by analogy esteem (especially of the highest degree), or the dignity itself. The English word 'glory' is translated by the Greek word doxa which has almost the exact same meaning as honor/time and that is dignity, honor, praise, and worship. Our Lord Jesus Christ is to be praised, worshipped, honored, and highly esteemed for all eternity as the King of Kings and Lord of Lords above all that remains of His creation.

"With this burst of irrepressible praise the Apostle ends his reference to his own conversion as a transcendent, standing instance of the infinite love and transforming power of God. Similar doxologies accompany almost all his references to the same fact. This one comes from the lips of 'Paul the aged,' looking back from almost the close of a life which owed many sorrows and troubles to that day on the road to Damascus. His heart fills with thankfulness that overflows into the great words of my text. He had little to be thankful for, judged according to the rules of sense; but, though weighed down with care, having made but a poor thing of the world because of that vision which he saw that day, and now near martyrdom, he turns with a full heart to God, and breaks into this song of thanksgiving. There are lives which bear to be looked back upon. Are ours of that kind?" Alexander MacLaren

"He mentions it to the glory of God having spoken of the mercy he had found with God, he could not go on with his letter without inserting a thankful acknowledgment of God's goodness to him: That grace which we have the comfort of God must have the glory of. Those who are sensible of their obligations to the mercy and grace of God will have their hearts enlarged in His praise. Here is praise ascribed to Him, as the King eternal, immortal, invisible. When we have found God good we must not forget to pronounce Him great; and His kind thoughts of us must not at all abate our high thoughts of Him, but rather increase them. God had taken particular cognizance of Paul, and shown him mercy, and taken him into communion with Himself, and yet he calls Him the King eternal, etc. God's gracious dealings with us should fill us with admiration of His glorious attributes. He is eternal, without beginning of days, or end of life, or change of time. He is the Ancient of days, Daniel 7:9. He is immortal, and the original of immortality; He only has immortality (1 Timothy 6:16), for He cannot die. He is invisible, for He cannot be seen with mortal eyes, dwelling in the light to which no man can approach, whom no man hath seen nor can see. He is the only wise God (Jude 1:25); He only is infinitely wise, and the fountain of all wisdom. 'To him be glory for ever and ever,' or, 'Let me be for ever employed in giving honour and glory to Him, as the thousands of thousands do,' Revelation 5:12-13." Matthew Henry

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…




Saturday, March 10, 2018

Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume11

Paul Gives Glory to God for His Grace Part 5

1 Timothy 1:16 Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting. KJV

Paul begins this very next verse with the conjunction 'howbeit' in order that he might join together the fact of him being (in his own soul) the worst sinner ever born of a woman on the earth with this reality as written for Timothy with these words, "Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on Him to life everlasting." (1 Timothy 1:16) (KJV). The little English phrase 'for this cause' is translated by one Greek word dia which is a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act. The little English phrase 'I obtained mercy' we defined in part 2 and so we repeat again that it is translated by one Greek word eleeo meaning to compassionate (by word or deed, specifically by divine grace): - have compassion (pity on), have (obtain, receive, shew) mercy (on). That is, in other words, it was the fact that Paul was a sinner and the worst sinner according to himself that he was granted the Mercy of God that brought to him the Grace of God that turned him from a hater of Jesus Christ to being in love with our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and caused him to no longer persecute other Christians to imprison or murder them, but now Paul was compelled to care for, protect, and love his now new brothers and sisters in Christ Jesus.

When Paul writes here to Timothy these words 'that in me', first he is telling Timothy and everyone else that has read this letter that our Lord Jesus Christ showed to the whole world that no one, that is, no human being or human sinner has sinned too far from His Mercy and His Grace that they (mercy and grace) cannot retrieve them and bring them into a relationship, a loving relationship with the very God (Jesus Christ) that created them and loved them before the foundation of the world was even formed by Him. Secondly, Paul is saying to his brethren in the flesh (other Jews) that our Lord Jesus Christ has never abandoned them as a Nation because He was rejected as the Messiah and then Crucified by the Jewish leaders by turning Him over to the Romans to be murdered, as it is written for us by Dr. Luke documenting what Peter spoke to his fellow countrymen with these words, "The God of Abraham and of Isaac and of Jacob, the God of our forefathers, has glorified His Servant {and} Son Jesus [doing Him this honor], Whom you indeed delivered up and denied {and} rejected {and} disowned in the presence of Pilate, when he had determined to let Him go. But you denied {and} rejected {and} disowned the Pure {and} Holy, the Just {and} Blameless One, and demanded [the pardon of] a murderer to be granted to you. But you killed the very Source (the Author) of life, Whom God raised from the dead. To this we are witnesses." (Acts 3:13-15) (Amplified Bible).

Christ ordained it to be this way, yet He will at all times and on any occasion that a Jew or Gentile turn to Him show mercy and give grace to the sinner, for let us remember what our Lord Jesus said while He was nailed to the Cross suffering in agonizing pain and pouring out His Life Blood for all sinners, He said, "And Jesus prayed, Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do. And they divided His garments {and} distributed them by casting lots for them." (Luke 23:34) (Amplified Bible). When Paul writes the word 'first' concerning himself, here he is telling Timothy that he as a high ranking member of the Sanhedrin, even he was not blocked out or barred or blotted out from the mercy of God and with this being seen now by all the Jews, Paul considered himself as the first example to the obstinate, stiff-necked ruling body of the Jewish people (remember what Steven said to them and about them before they stoned him to death), "You stubborn {and} stiff-necked people, still heathen {and} uncircumcised in heart and ears, you are always actively resisting the Holy Spirit. As your forefathers [were], so you [are and so you do]! Which of the prophets did your forefathers not persecute? And they slew those who proclaimed beforehand the coming of the Righteous One, Whom you now have betrayed and murdered--You who received the Law as it was ordained {and} set in order {and} delivered by angels, and [yet] you did not obey it! Now upon hearing these things, they [the Jews] were cut to the heart {and} infuriated, and they ground their teeth against [Stephen]." (Acts 7:51-54) (Amplified Bible).

Paul was there when this murder happened and he was complicit (holding the coats of the murderers) in this brutal act of violence carried out against a man who only witnessed to them the truth, yet now Paul has come full circle to find himself in the same shoes as Steven telling other Jews like this that Jesus Christ is the Messiah and that in Him only is their forgiveness of sins and salvation because he received mercy. The little English phrase 'might shew forth' is translated by one Greek word endeiknumi meaning to indicate (by word or act). The English word 'longsuffering' is translated by the Greek word makrothumia meaning with long (enduring) temper, that is, leniently: - patiently; that is, (objectively) forbearance or (subjectively) fortitude: - longsuffering. In other words, the Apostle Paul's sin was not greater than the patience of Almighty God Jesus Christ in waiting for the opportunity to open his blind spiritual eyes that he would see the truth of the Gospel and the truth of the Messiah being Jesus Christ, that is, Paul could not stoop low enough or long enough in sin to outlast the longsuffering of God just as the Apostle Peter wrote with these words, "The Lord does not delay {and} is not tardy {or} slow about what He promises, according to some people's conception of slowness, but He is long-suffering (extraordinarily patient) toward you, not desiring that any should perish, but that all should turn to repentance." (2 Peter 3:9) (Amplified Bible). The life of Saul who became Paul served then and still serves now as a sketch, a survey, a study in the willingness of our Lord Jesus Christ that any sinner be pardoned for his sins, no matter how bad the rest of the world may view a man's sin, for it is only the maker of Heaven and Earth that can declare a sinner forgiven and Saul/Paul's life serves as a pattern to humanity that Jesus Christ has indeed come into this world to save sinners (all types of sinners) and none are disqualified from His Mercy and His Grace and His Life which is Eternal, that is, forever lived with Him.

"The fact that great sinners have been pardoned, is a proof that others of the same description may be also. The same mercy that saved them can save us - for mercy is not exhausted by being frequently exercised. The Blood of Atonement which has cleansed so many can cleanse us - for its efficacy is not destroyed by being once applied to the guilty soul. Let no one then despair of obtaining mercy because he feels that his sins are too great to be forgiven. Let him look to the past, and remember what God has done. Let him remember the case of Saul of Tarsus; let him think of David and Peter; let him recall the names of Augustine, and Colonel Gardiner, and the Earl of Rochester, and John Newton, and John Bunyan - and thousands like them, who have found mercy; and in their examples let him see a full proof that God is willing to save any sinner, no matter how vile, provided he is penitent and believing." Albert Barnes

"The smallest of God’s creatures, if it were only a gnat dancing in a sunbeam, has a right to have its well-being considered as an end of God’s dealings. But no creature is so isolated or great as that it has a right to have its well-being regarded as the sole end of God’s dealings. That is true about all His blessings and gifts; it is eminently true about His gift of salvation. He saves men because He loves them individually, and desires to make them blessed; but He also saves them because He desires that through them others shall be brought into the living knowledge of His love. It is most especially true about great religious teachers and guides. Paul's humility is as manifest as his self-consciousness when he says in my text, 'This is what I was saved for. Not merely, not even principally, for the blessings that thereby accrue to myself, but that in me, as a crucial instance, there should be manifested the whole fulness of the divine love and saving power.' So he puts his own experience as giving no kind of honour or glory to himself, but as simply showing the grace and infinite love of Jesus Christ. Paul disappears as but a passive recipient; and Christ strides into the front as the actor in his conversion and Apostleship." Alexander MacLaren

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 7, 2018

Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume10

Paul Gives Glory to God for His Grace Part 4

1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. KJV

Paul now in continuing to give God glory for His amazing grace again tells Timothy (something he surely had done many times during their travels together) how he looked upon himself after he was confronted (on the Damascus road) with the awesome glory that is present and inherent in our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ when he writes these words to him, "This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." (1 Timothy 1:15) (KJV). When Paul begins this verse with the little English phrase 'This is a faithful saying', he is trying to communicate to Timothy and anyone else who would read this letter that what he has already written (thus far) and what he writes at present is not the rambling words of a religious zealot or a religious nut, but these words are sure and true and can be trusted. The little English phrase 'This is a faithful' is translated by one Greek word pistos which means objectively trustworthy; subjectively trustful: - believe, faithful, sure, true.

In other words, what Paul writes here to Timothy concerning our Lord Jesus Christ is not speculation, but Paul concludes it to be sure and true, because of what mercy he received (a sinner who killed those people whom Christ Jesus our Lord loves), yet despite that truth and reality he (Paul) was granted and shown mercy by the Person who was the very object of Saul's rage and hatred. When Paul writes 'worthy of all acceptation', this is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning these words of Paul, 'Worthy to be embraced or believed by all. This is so, because: all are sinners and need a Saviour. All, therefore ought to welcome a doctrine which shows them how they may be saved.' Paul means that what he declares here to Timothy should be received with great reverence and honor and should sink down deep into the soul or inner man or inner woman of every person (not just Timothy) who reads these words because of the faithfulness of our God Jesus Christ to fulfilling His own Word just as Paul wrote with these words to the Thessalonian Church, "Faithful is He Who is calling you [to Himself] {and} utterly trustworthy, and He will also do it [fulfill His call by hallowing and keeping you]." (1 Thessalonians 5:24) (Amplified Bible) and also these words, "Yet the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen [you] {and} set you on a firm foundation and guard you from the evil [one]." (2 Thessalonians 3:3) (Amplified Bible).

When Paul writes to Timothy 'that Christ Jesus came into the world', is a reminder to Timothy and to all Christians everywhere of what a tremendous sacrifice was made for our redeemption, for our Lord Jesus Christ is the very God who created us all and He did not owe us/humanity anything, for we plunged ourselves into darkness by virtue of Adam's sin and everyone of our own personal sins against Him, yet He chose to lower Himself below all of His Own creation and suffer ridicule, railing, and reproach from an unworthy creature whom He could have wiped out of His universes and started over, but instead He became the propitiation, that is, atoning and becoming the atonement for our sin and wrongdoing, just as the Apostle John wrote with these words, "And He [that same Jesus Himself] is the propitiation (the atoning sacrifice) for our sins, and not for ours alone but also for [the sins of] the whole world." (1 John 2:2) (Amplified Bible). The little English phrase 'to save' is translated by the Greek word sozo which means to save, that is, deliver or protect (literally or figuratively): - heal, preserve, save, make whole. The English word 'sinners' is translated by the Greek word hamartōlos which means a human being who misses the mark (and so not share in the prize), that is, (figuratively) to err, especially (morally) to sin: - for your faults, offend, sin, trespass; to be sinful, that is, a sinner.

So, in other words, our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ came into this world to deliver and protect, to heal, preserve, and make whole any sinner, that is, sinful human being who would turn to Him for forgiveness made only possible by His death on the Cross and shedding of His Blood and then His Resurrection from the dead and His Ascension back into Heaven to sit now on His Throne of Grace. Finally, when Paul writes to Timothy these words ('of whom I am chief'), he is not being over dramatic or practicing self-loathing, or false humility, but instead he by mercy received that brought to him the grace of God, he sees himself in truth and in reality as he stands up or stacks up against the unpenetrable purity and holiness of our Lord Jesus Christ, therefore, Paul (like every honest sinner should) saw himself as the most heinous sinner that there was against Jesus Christ our God, but truth be told every human being is the chief of sinners (I know I am, thats why I thank and love my Lord Jesus Christ so much), for all are equal in their offense to Almighty God, no matter whether this is believed or not by all of humanity. Oh, by the way this English word 'chief' is translated by the Greek word protos which means foremost (in time, place, order or importance).

"'Christ Jesus came.' Then He was before He came. His own will impelled His feet, and brought Him to earth. 'Christ Jesus came to save.' Then there is disease, for saving is healing; and there is danger, for saving is making secure. 'Christ Jesus came to save sinners'—the universal condition, co-extensive with the 'world' into which, and for which, He came. And so the essence of the Gospel, as it lay in Paul’s mind, and had been verified in his experience, was this—that a Divine Person had left a life of glory, and in wonderful fashion had taken upon Himself manhood in order to deliver men from the universal danger and disease. That is the Gospel which Paul believed, and which he commends to us as 'a faithful saying.'" Alexander MacLaren

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…






Saturday, March 3, 2018

Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 9

Paul Gives Glory to God for His Grace Part 3

1 Timothy 1:14 And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus. KJV

As Paul continues in his declaration to Brother Timothy of who he was before he encountered our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, we find Paul pausing for just one moment and writing of what turned him around and opened his blind spiritual eyes and halted him in his tracks from wanting to do harm to Christians, to him now wanting to help his fellow Christians in any way he could and this was due to the grace applied to his inner man by our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ as Paul so writes with these words, "And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus." (1 Timothy 1:14) (KJV). The English word 'grace' is translated by the Greek word charis meaning graciousness (as gratifying), of manner or act (abstract or concrete; literal, figurative or spiritual; especially the divine influence upon the heart, and its reflection in the life. In other words, Paul's mercy received manifested itself in the grace of God he received in his inner man causing him to no longer want to blaspheme the Name of Christ, but now he worshipped the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ and regarded Him as the One and Only True God.

The grace of God caused him to have his spiritual eyes opened to the truth and now as a fellow believer in Jesus Christ, Paul saw other Christians as his brothers or his sisters and no longer as his spiritual enemy because he had now (by grace) been delivered from the power of Satan just as he declared to the believers in the Church @ Colosse with these words, "Giving thanks to the Father, Who has qualified {and} made us fit to share the portion which is the inheritance of the saints (God's holy people) in the Light. [The Father] has delivered {and} drawn us to Himself out of the control {and} the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, In Whom we have our redemption {through His blood,} [which means] the forgiveness of our sins." (Colossians 1:12-14) (Amplified Bible). This is what Paul (and everyone of us who truly believe today) had obtained by receiving mercy that translated into God's grace, that is, His Divine influence upon the heart or the inner man or inner woman and its reflection in the individual sinner (now saints) life.

The little English phrase 'was exceeding abundant' is translated by one big Greek word used this one time only in the New Testament huperpleonazō which means  to super abound: - be exceeding abundant. In other words, Paul's sin (just as every persons sin is whether they think so or not) was enormous against our Heavenly Father, yet he (as well as I and every saint of God) received an overwhelming, overcoming, and even an overpowering abundance of grace/divine influence that broke his stubborn, that is, his resolute adherence to his own ideas and desires or his stubborn unbelief in refusing to see Jesus Christ as the Messiah just as he wrote of this dichotomy or duality to the believers in Rome concerning sin and grace, "But then Law came in, [only] to expand {and} increase the trespass [making it more apparent and exciting opposition]. But where sin increased {and} abounded, grace (God's unmerited favor) has surpassed it {and} increased the more {and} superabounded, So that, [just] as sin has reigned in death, [so] grace (His unearned and undeserved favor) might reign also through righteousness (right standing with God) which issues in eternal life through Jesus Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One) our Lord." (Romans 5:20-21) (Amplified Bible).

Paul is also now declaring to Timothy that the grace of God that came to him was exceedingly abundant in dispensing to him 'faith' (that he previously did not have) and this English word is translated by the Greek word pistis meaning persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly constancy in such profession; by extension the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself: - assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity. In other words, now in a complete turn around, that is, totally opposite to his previous unbelief (1 Timothy 1:13) Paul is now flooded in his inner man with a firm, fixed, and focused conviction that Jesus Christ is the One True and Only God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ is the only message sinful humanity needs to hear and this faith was not his own faith, but it was what he received by obtaining mercy that brought the grace of God enabling, empowering, and ensuring that he (Paul) would believe (Wow!).

Just as this grace had implanted faith in Paul's heart or inner man, it also brought to Paul's inner man 'love' and this English word 'love' is translated by the Greek word agape which means love, that is, affection or benevolence; specifically (plural) a love feast: - or simply put it is God's love implanted in the inner man or inner woman. In other words, as Saul of Tarsus he was doing as it is written here for us by Dr. Luke with these words, "Meanwhile Saul, still drawing his breath hard from threatening and murderous desire against the disciples of the Lord, went to the high priest and requested of him letters to the synagogues at Damascus [authorizing him], so that if he found any men or women belonging to the Way [of life as determined by faith in Jesus Christ], he might bring them bound [with chains] to Jerusalem." (Acts 9:1-2) (Amplified Bible).

But now the 'new creation' Paul as it is written by him to the Corinthian Church with these words, "Therefore if any person is [ingrafted] in Christ (the Messiah) he is a new creation (a new creature altogether); the old [previous moral and spiritual condition] has passed away. Behold, the fresh {and} new has come!" (2 Corinthians 5:17) (Amplified Bible), now no longer desires to persecute and oppress believers in Jesus Christ, but a true believer in Christ himself he loves his fellow brothers and sisters and only wants to show them this love that has been implanted into his inner man by God the Holy Spirit as it again is written by Paul himself with these words to the Roman believers, "Such hope never disappoints {or} deludes {or} shames us, for God's love has been poured out in our hearts through the Holy Spirit Who has been given to us." (Romans 5:5) (Amplified Bible). All that this Apostle (and we believers today) received was and is found in our Lord Jesus Christ, for He Only is the source of all mercy, grace, hope, faith, and love.

"That is, in his conversion under these circumstances and in the aid which was afterward imparted to him in his work. Accompanied with the exercise of faith and love; or producing faith and love. The grace which was imparted to him was seen in the faith and love which it produced." Albert Barnes

"The original is very emphatic, that grace of our Lord, hath superabounded - it manifested itself in a way of extraordinary mercy. Not only pardoning such offenses, but leading me to the full experimental knowledge of Christianity; of that faith and love which are essential to it; and giving me authority to proclaim it to mankind." Adam Clarke

"That is, the love of Jehovah the Father; so the Ethiopic version reads, 'the grace of God'; of God the Father, since He is distinguished in the text from Jesus Christ. God is abundant in grace and goodness; He is rich and plenteous in mercy; there is an overflow of love in His heart to His chosen people, and in conversion it flows out, and abounds and superabounds. These are the effects of the love and favour of God displayed in conversion, or which the grace of God brings along with it, and implants in the soul at that time, as it did in the Apostle; for by 'faith' is not meant the faithfulness of God to His Son, and to His covenant, oath, and promise, which now began visibly to be made good; nor the faith of the Gospel committed to the Apostle's trust, which was an high favour; but the grace of faith, which is a pure gift of God, and a distinguishing instance of His grace; for all men have it not, only His elect; and is a most precious and excellent grace, and of great use and importance: it receives every blessing from Christ, and gives Him all the glory; through it much peace, joy, and comfort are enjoyed here, and with it is connected eternal life and salvation hereafter: and by 'love' also is meant, not the love with which God loves His people, for that is designed by the grace of our Lord, though there is a very great display of that in conversion, which is a time of love; but the internal grace of love, even love to God, to Christ, and to His people, which the Apostle was before destitute of; but now instead of unbelief he had faith, and instead of rage and madness against Christ, and the saints, his soul was filled with love to both." Dr. John Gill

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…