Paul tells Timothy what Men and Women should Do Part 4
1 Timothy 2:12-13 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. KJV
Paul continues on with his instruction to Brother Timothy on how he should teach the Churches of God about the role of women in the Body of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and in so doing he now instructs this as policy, procedure, and practice for the children of God, "But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence." (1 Timothy 2:12) (KJV). In order that Paul makes his point to Timothy something that he will take as it being not from Paul the man or even Paul the authoritative Apostle of Christ, but Paul wanted Timothy and every other Christian man and woman reading this letter to take these words as being directly from our Lord Jesus Christ Himself, so he begins by using some very strong or definitive language to get this point over such as the little English phrase 'I suffer' which is translated by the Greek word epitrepō which means to turn over (transfer), that is, allow: - give leave (liberty, license), let, permit, suffer. The use of the English word 'not'/ou is also strong seeing that it is an absolute negative. The English phrase 'to teach' is exactly as it means in our English language and that is a primary verb denoting the action of imparting skills or knowledge to others and in this letter that means specifically teaching of the Bible or the Word of God in public meetings or Church services.
So we see then that Paul the follower of Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1), the Apostle of Christ (1 Timothy 1:1), and Paul the minister of Christ (Romans 15:16) wanted Timothy and we believers today and of every era to know that he was not giving his opinion here on such an improtant topic or issue in the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ, but he was giving to Timothy and to us today the 'will of God' for His Church. Note: Dr. John Gill says this concerning women teaching or women teachers of the Word of God, "They may teach in private, in their own houses and families; they are to be teachers of good things, Titus 2:3. They are to bring up their children in the nurture and admonition of the Lord; nor is the law or doctrine of a mother to be forsaken, any more than the instruction of a father; see Proverbs 1:8. Timothy, no doubt, received much advantage, from the private teachings and instructions of his mother Eunice, and grandmother Lois; but then women are not to teach in the Church; for that is an act of power and authority, and supposes the persons that teach to be of a superior degree, and in a superior office, and to have superior abilities to those who are taught by them."
The English phrase 'to usurp authority over' is translated by one Greek word authenteō used this one time only in the entire New Testament meaning to act of oneself, that is, (figuratively) dominate: - usurp authority over. In other words, for a women to actively seek to be the leader or the authoritative person in the Church of Jesus Christ by taking over the role of teacher is to dismiss and to disregard and to declare that the Divine order of Almighty God has no or carries no weight inside His own Church, that is, the Divine order as we documented in the last study/commentary found clearly in 1 Corinthians 11:3. Note: "I cannot say that the many women we see today with some form of public teaching ministry were not placed where they are and how they are directly from our Lord Jesus Christ, but what I can say with the authority of Scripture, that is, the inerrant and infallible Word of God is that this is not the original Divine order, but just like in the Old Testament, God the Father does not and will not wait around for some man in the Body of Christ to get with His program and in these cases He will and He has and He still does take a willing obedient vessel of His that happens to be a woman and through her accomplishes His will for the Gospel of Jesus Christ to go out to the ends of the earth just as He said His Word would before the end would come, 'And this good news of the kingdom (the Gospel) will be preached throughout the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then will come the end.' (Matthew 24:14) (Amplified Bible), so we see that Christ Jesus our Lord has a program and He will carry out His program to completeness using men and women in His Body."
Now the Apostle Paul gives the reason why the Divine Order (1 Corinthians 11:3) is the way it is according to order from the Throne of God, "For Adam was first formed, then Eve." (1 Timothy 2:13) (KJV). The explanation is actually simple and straight forward and has nothing to do with superiority as many have declared it to be wrongly for many centuries. It is the order of creation that has determined the order of authority defined in the Church of God by the Creator Himself. Why was man created first many surely have asked and are asking still now? The answer is, I don't know and my Heavenly Father has not disclosed it to me or to anyone else over all these many centuries of human creation. However, what He has said (in His Word) is very clear that the man was formed first from the dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7) and then secondly he took out of man and formed the woman (Genesis 2:21-22), therefore, as we fast forward to the New Testament this same Apostle Paul explains this Divine Creative order with these words to the Corinthian Church, "For man was not [created] from woman, but woman from man; Neither was man created on account of {or} for the benefit of woman, but woman on account of {and} for the benefit of man. Therefore she should [be subject to his authority and should] have a covering on her head [as a token, a symbol, of her submission to authority, that she may show reverence as do] the angels [and not displease them]. Nevertheless, in [the plan of] the Lord {and} from His point of view woman is not apart from {and} independent of man, nor is man aloof from {and} independent of woman; For as woman was made from man, even so man is also born of woman; and all [whether male or female go forth] from God [as their Author]." (1 Corinthians 11:8-12) (Amplified Bible).
"The Apostle, in this verse, and the following, gives reasons why a woman should occupy a subordinate situation, and not usurp authority. The first is, that she was second in the act of creation, or was made subsequent to man. The reason here assigned cannot be understood to be merely that of priority of existence - for then it would give every old person authority over a younger one; but it must refer to the circumstances of the case as detailed in the history of the creation; Gen. 1–2. Man was made as the lord of this lower creation and placed in the garden, and then the woman was made of a rib taken from his side, and given to him, not as a lord, but as a companion. All the circumstances combine to show the subordinate nature of her rank, and to prove that she was not designed to exert authority over the man." 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…
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.
Saturday, April 21, 2018
Wednesday, April 18, 2018
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 21
Paul tells Timothy what Men and Women should Do Part 3
1 Timothy 2:10-11 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. KJV
The Woman of God (as the Apostle Paul saw her) was not to see herself as the women of the world did, such as the daughters of kings or dictators who supposed that it was not only a privilege, that is, their special advantage for them to own and wear the most expensive and finest clothing and jewelry in the world, but they saw it as their right because of who they were verses who everyone else in the world was, that is, being below or beneath them in importance and status. However, for the Apostle Paul, the Christian woman's elegance, that being, her gracefulness and good taste came from what lay within her inner woman and not what adorned or decorated who outer shell, just as the Apostle Peter exhorted the Women of God with these words, "Let not yours be the [merely] external adorning with [elaborate] interweaving {and} knotting of the hair, the wearing of jewelry, or changes of clothes; But let it be the inward adorning {and} beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible {and} unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God." (1 Peter 3:3-4) (Amplified Bible).
Therefore, as Paul continues on with his instructions and directions to Brother Timothy on how he should teach the Women of God, he now declares these words to him concerning their manner of dress, "But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works." (1 Timothy 2:10) (KJV). With these words in this verse of the letter written to Brother Timothy, the Apostle Paul is simply saying that the Woman of God who has promised to follow our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ should wear clothing on her tent, house, or body that is suitable, proper, fit or right in the sight of God and not of man because they have a strong love for our Lord Jesus Christ and are devout followers of Him sincerely seeking to please Him in what they wear (not only to Church, but everywhere else they sojourn on the earth). Here is what Adam Clarke had to say concerning this verse of the Apostle Paul's letter here, "That is: Good works are the only ornaments with which women professing Christianity should seek to be adorned. The Jewish matrons were accustomed to cry to the bride: 'There is no need of paint, no need of antimony, no need of braided hair; she herself is most beautiful.' The eastern women use a preparation of antimony, which they apply both to the eyes and eyelids, and by which the eye itself acquires a wonderful lustre."
Paul now writes to Brother Timothy perhaps the most controversial and scrutinized, even scorned words penned in any of his letters when he declares these instructions to Brother Timothy, "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection." (1 Timothy 2:11) (KJV). Women over the centuries have discounted, demeaned, and disregarded these words written by the Apostle Paul as being his own male biased opinion, not believing for one second that this is actually a command given to Paul by inspiration of God the Holy Spirit. Why has the Apostle Paul been led by the Holy Spirit to write such words, if it is not the will of God that it be so as he writes? In the Divine Realm there is an order (not based from superiority, but for Divine Order). We know that our Lord Jesus Christ is equal to God the Father (Philippians 2:6) being the second person of the GodHead, yet we also know that He (Christ) humbled Himself (Philippians 2:7-8) making Himself subject to God the Father, even though He was and is equal to Him. Therefore, we must understand that it is in the will of God to order the function and structure of His Church (not the Christian man or woman's Church) in the manner that He deems it to be, just as Paul wrote these words to the Corinthian Church declaring the Divine order, "But I want you to know {and} realize that Christ is the Head of every man, the head of a woman is her husband, and the Head of Christ is God." (1 Corinthians 11:3) (Amplified Bible).
If Christ is subject to God the Father, then why is it hard to believe and accept that it is God's will that the wife or woman be subject to her husband or the man as it is the Divine Order, for Paul did not write it only here in his letter to Brother Timothy, but let us remember it was given to the Corinthian Church as well with these exact words, "The women should keep quiet in the Churches, for they are not authorized to speak, but should take a secondary {and} subordinate place, just as the Law also says. But if there is anything they want to learn, they should ask their own husbands at home, for it is disgraceful for a woman to talk in Church [for her to usurp and exercise authority over men in the Church]." (1 Corinthians 14:34-35) (Amplified Bible).
"Even in the Old Testament when the Lord God used a woman as a Prophetess (in one case Deborah who was the Lord's Judge over Israel), the woman always recognized that in times of battle for Israel the Lord God would lead His people into victory by way of a man as leader and such was the case when the Lord commanded Barak to lead the people of Israel into battle against Sisera and all his mighty army, but Barak refused to go into battle except Deborah go with him and we read these words spoken to Barak by the Prophetess Deborah, 'And she sent and called Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, Has not the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded [you], Go, gather your men at Mount Tabor, taking 10,000 men from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun? And I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin's army, to meet you at the river Kishon with his chariots and his multitude, and I will deliver him into your hand? And Barak said to her, If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go. And she said, I will surely go with you; nevertheless, the trip you take will not be for your glory, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh.' (Judges 4:6-9) (Amplified Bible), so we see that it is and has always been the Divine order that men lead, but God the Father will and has accomplished His will using many great Women of God as leaders." 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…
1 Timothy 2:10-11 But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. KJV
The Woman of God (as the Apostle Paul saw her) was not to see herself as the women of the world did, such as the daughters of kings or dictators who supposed that it was not only a privilege, that is, their special advantage for them to own and wear the most expensive and finest clothing and jewelry in the world, but they saw it as their right because of who they were verses who everyone else in the world was, that is, being below or beneath them in importance and status. However, for the Apostle Paul, the Christian woman's elegance, that being, her gracefulness and good taste came from what lay within her inner woman and not what adorned or decorated who outer shell, just as the Apostle Peter exhorted the Women of God with these words, "Let not yours be the [merely] external adorning with [elaborate] interweaving {and} knotting of the hair, the wearing of jewelry, or changes of clothes; But let it be the inward adorning {and} beauty of the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible {and} unfading charm of a gentle and peaceful spirit, which [is not anxious or wrought up, but] is very precious in the sight of God." (1 Peter 3:3-4) (Amplified Bible).
Therefore, as Paul continues on with his instructions and directions to Brother Timothy on how he should teach the Women of God, he now declares these words to him concerning their manner of dress, "But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works." (1 Timothy 2:10) (KJV). With these words in this verse of the letter written to Brother Timothy, the Apostle Paul is simply saying that the Woman of God who has promised to follow our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ should wear clothing on her tent, house, or body that is suitable, proper, fit or right in the sight of God and not of man because they have a strong love for our Lord Jesus Christ and are devout followers of Him sincerely seeking to please Him in what they wear (not only to Church, but everywhere else they sojourn on the earth). Here is what Adam Clarke had to say concerning this verse of the Apostle Paul's letter here, "That is: Good works are the only ornaments with which women professing Christianity should seek to be adorned. The Jewish matrons were accustomed to cry to the bride: 'There is no need of paint, no need of antimony, no need of braided hair; she herself is most beautiful.' The eastern women use a preparation of antimony, which they apply both to the eyes and eyelids, and by which the eye itself acquires a wonderful lustre."
Paul now writes to Brother Timothy perhaps the most controversial and scrutinized, even scorned words penned in any of his letters when he declares these instructions to Brother Timothy, "Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection." (1 Timothy 2:11) (KJV). Women over the centuries have discounted, demeaned, and disregarded these words written by the Apostle Paul as being his own male biased opinion, not believing for one second that this is actually a command given to Paul by inspiration of God the Holy Spirit. Why has the Apostle Paul been led by the Holy Spirit to write such words, if it is not the will of God that it be so as he writes? In the Divine Realm there is an order (not based from superiority, but for Divine Order). We know that our Lord Jesus Christ is equal to God the Father (Philippians 2:6) being the second person of the GodHead, yet we also know that He (Christ) humbled Himself (Philippians 2:7-8) making Himself subject to God the Father, even though He was and is equal to Him. Therefore, we must understand that it is in the will of God to order the function and structure of His Church (not the Christian man or woman's Church) in the manner that He deems it to be, just as Paul wrote these words to the Corinthian Church declaring the Divine order, "But I want you to know {and} realize that Christ is the Head of every man, the head of a woman is her husband, and the Head of Christ is God." (1 Corinthians 11:3) (Amplified Bible).
If Christ is subject to God the Father, then why is it hard to believe and accept that it is God's will that the wife or woman be subject to her husband or the man as it is the Divine Order, for Paul did not write it only here in his letter to Brother Timothy, but let us remember it was given to the Corinthian Church as well with these exact words, "The women should keep quiet in the Churches, for they are not authorized to speak, but should take a secondary {and} subordinate place, just as the Law also says. But if there is anything they want to learn, they should ask their own husbands at home, for it is disgraceful for a woman to talk in Church [for her to usurp and exercise authority over men in the Church]." (1 Corinthians 14:34-35) (Amplified Bible).
"Even in the Old Testament when the Lord God used a woman as a Prophetess (in one case Deborah who was the Lord's Judge over Israel), the woman always recognized that in times of battle for Israel the Lord God would lead His people into victory by way of a man as leader and such was the case when the Lord commanded Barak to lead the people of Israel into battle against Sisera and all his mighty army, but Barak refused to go into battle except Deborah go with him and we read these words spoken to Barak by the Prophetess Deborah, 'And she sent and called Barak son of Abinoam from Kedesh in Naphtali and said to him, Has not the Lord, the God of Israel, commanded [you], Go, gather your men at Mount Tabor, taking 10,000 men from the tribes of Naphtali and Zebulun? And I will draw out Sisera, the general of Jabin's army, to meet you at the river Kishon with his chariots and his multitude, and I will deliver him into your hand? And Barak said to her, If you will go with me, then I will go; but if you will not go with me, I will not go. And she said, I will surely go with you; nevertheless, the trip you take will not be for your glory, for the Lord will sell Sisera into the hand of a woman. And Deborah arose and went with Barak to Kedesh.' (Judges 4:6-9) (Amplified Bible), so we see that it is and has always been the Divine order that men lead, but God the Father will and has accomplished His will using many great Women of God as leaders." 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…
Saturday, April 14, 2018
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 20
Paul tells Timothy what Men and Women should Do Part 2
1 Timothy 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; KJV
Paul now shifts his focus from the Christian man to the Christian woman and in so doing he is moved to first speak concerning their attire, that is, their clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion, and this occassion Paul wants to address is their appearance not only when they met together in Church, but more specifically their attitude, actions, and activities surrounding their making or purchasing their clothing, so he writes these instructions to Timothy to be passed on to the Women of God, "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;" (1 Timothy 2:9) (KJV). The Apostle Paul desires that the Women of Christ dress themselves so as not to draw undue or unwanted attention to themselves from men in the Church assembly that were not their husbands, so Paul declares to Timothy that their 'adorning' or dresses should be 'modest' apparel.
The English word 'modest' is translated by the Greek word kosmios which means (in its primary sense); orderly, that is, decorous: - of good behaviour, or becoming. In other words, Paul's desire was not have the Women of God dressed in such a way that the men in the Church would be more focused on their appearance causing the message or sermon to be lost by some. Also, Paul knew that if there were not guidelines on the apparel worn by women in the Church that it would eventually escalate into a competition among the women of who would be considered to be wearing the fanciest or the dressiest or the most elaborate or the most luxuriant clothing in the assembly and this too would take away from the message brought that day by the Pastor or Preacher. The English word 'shamefacedness' is translated by the Greek word aidos which means (as a negative particle) and (through the idea of downcast eyes); bashfulness, that is, (towards men), modesty or (towards God) awe: - reverence, godly fear, shamefacedness.
The English word 'sobriety' is translated by the Greek word sōphrosunē meaning soundness of mind, that is, (literally) sanity or (figuratively) self control: - soberness, sobriety. In other words, the Women of God (because of their reverence for God the Father) should dress themselves as not to draw attention to themselves from men in the Church and not with the attitude of competing with other women for best dressed as if they were in some sort of fashion competition. Note: "How Prophetic was this Apostle all those years ago when he first penned this letter to Brother Timothy, for as we fast forward from then to now, we see how over the years exactly what he was desiring to prevent has become a fixture in many Churches and Church orginizations for many centuries now, for in some assemblies it resembles a fashion show akin to the top models on the runways of their shows around the world."
When Paul writes here, not with 'broided hair', he must be referring to a hair style back then for women that was mostly attributed to the women of royalty, such as wives of kings or emperors or other rulers, but this I do not know for certain. The English phrase 'broided hair' is translated by one Greek word plegma used this one time only in the New Testament meaning simply a plait (of hair). Today and for many generations and centuries since this time, the plait or braided hair is considered a modest, yet beautiful hair style worn by many women around the world, those belonging to our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and those who do not. The list here of not wearing gold, pearls, and costly array is Paul's way of directing the Women of God to present themselves modestly as he described above, that is, again apparel that will not draw attention to them and away from the Minister of God presenting his message from God to the children of God assembled together.
"Females in the East pay much more attention to the hair than is commonly done with us. It is plaited with great care, and arranged in various forms, according to the prevailing fashion, and often ornamented with spangles or with silver wire or tissue interwoven. The sense here is, that Christian females are not to imitate those of the world in their careful attention to the ornaments of the head. It cannot be supposed that the mere braiding of the hair is forbidden, but only that careful attention to the manner of doing it, and to the ornaments usually worn in it, which characterized worldly females. It is not to be supposed that all use of gold or pearls as articles of dress is here forbidden; but the idea is, that the Christian female is not to seek these as the adorning which she desires, or is not to imitate the world in these personal decorations. It may be a difficult question to settle how much ornament is allowable, and when the true line is passed. But though this cannot be settled by any exact rules, since much must depend on age, and on the relative rank in life, and the means which one may possess, yet there is one general rule which is applicable to all, and which might regulate all. It is, that the true line is passed when more is thought of this external adorning, than of the ornament of the heart. Any external decoration which occupies the mind more than the virtues of the heart, and which engrosses the time and attention more, we may be certain is wrong. The apparel should be such as not to attract attention; such as becomes our situation; such as will not be particularly singular; such as shall leave the impression that the heart is not fixed on it. It is a poor ambition to decorate a dying body with gold and pearls. It should not be forgotten that the body thus adorned will soon need other habiliments, and will occupy a position where gold and pearls would be a mockery. When the heart is right; when there is true and supreme love for religion, it is usually not difficult to regulate the subject of dress." 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…
1 Timothy 2:9 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; KJV
Paul now shifts his focus from the Christian man to the Christian woman and in so doing he is moved to first speak concerning their attire, that is, their clothing of a distinctive style or for a particular occasion, and this occassion Paul wants to address is their appearance not only when they met together in Church, but more specifically their attitude, actions, and activities surrounding their making or purchasing their clothing, so he writes these instructions to Timothy to be passed on to the Women of God, "In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;" (1 Timothy 2:9) (KJV). The Apostle Paul desires that the Women of Christ dress themselves so as not to draw undue or unwanted attention to themselves from men in the Church assembly that were not their husbands, so Paul declares to Timothy that their 'adorning' or dresses should be 'modest' apparel.
The English word 'modest' is translated by the Greek word kosmios which means (in its primary sense); orderly, that is, decorous: - of good behaviour, or becoming. In other words, Paul's desire was not have the Women of God dressed in such a way that the men in the Church would be more focused on their appearance causing the message or sermon to be lost by some. Also, Paul knew that if there were not guidelines on the apparel worn by women in the Church that it would eventually escalate into a competition among the women of who would be considered to be wearing the fanciest or the dressiest or the most elaborate or the most luxuriant clothing in the assembly and this too would take away from the message brought that day by the Pastor or Preacher. The English word 'shamefacedness' is translated by the Greek word aidos which means (as a negative particle) and (through the idea of downcast eyes); bashfulness, that is, (towards men), modesty or (towards God) awe: - reverence, godly fear, shamefacedness.
The English word 'sobriety' is translated by the Greek word sōphrosunē meaning soundness of mind, that is, (literally) sanity or (figuratively) self control: - soberness, sobriety. In other words, the Women of God (because of their reverence for God the Father) should dress themselves as not to draw attention to themselves from men in the Church and not with the attitude of competing with other women for best dressed as if they were in some sort of fashion competition. Note: "How Prophetic was this Apostle all those years ago when he first penned this letter to Brother Timothy, for as we fast forward from then to now, we see how over the years exactly what he was desiring to prevent has become a fixture in many Churches and Church orginizations for many centuries now, for in some assemblies it resembles a fashion show akin to the top models on the runways of their shows around the world."
When Paul writes here, not with 'broided hair', he must be referring to a hair style back then for women that was mostly attributed to the women of royalty, such as wives of kings or emperors or other rulers, but this I do not know for certain. The English phrase 'broided hair' is translated by one Greek word plegma used this one time only in the New Testament meaning simply a plait (of hair). Today and for many generations and centuries since this time, the plait or braided hair is considered a modest, yet beautiful hair style worn by many women around the world, those belonging to our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and those who do not. The list here of not wearing gold, pearls, and costly array is Paul's way of directing the Women of God to present themselves modestly as he described above, that is, again apparel that will not draw attention to them and away from the Minister of God presenting his message from God to the children of God assembled together.
"Females in the East pay much more attention to the hair than is commonly done with us. It is plaited with great care, and arranged in various forms, according to the prevailing fashion, and often ornamented with spangles or with silver wire or tissue interwoven. The sense here is, that Christian females are not to imitate those of the world in their careful attention to the ornaments of the head. It cannot be supposed that the mere braiding of the hair is forbidden, but only that careful attention to the manner of doing it, and to the ornaments usually worn in it, which characterized worldly females. It is not to be supposed that all use of gold or pearls as articles of dress is here forbidden; but the idea is, that the Christian female is not to seek these as the adorning which she desires, or is not to imitate the world in these personal decorations. It may be a difficult question to settle how much ornament is allowable, and when the true line is passed. But though this cannot be settled by any exact rules, since much must depend on age, and on the relative rank in life, and the means which one may possess, yet there is one general rule which is applicable to all, and which might regulate all. It is, that the true line is passed when more is thought of this external adorning, than of the ornament of the heart. Any external decoration which occupies the mind more than the virtues of the heart, and which engrosses the time and attention more, we may be certain is wrong. The apparel should be such as not to attract attention; such as becomes our situation; such as will not be particularly singular; such as shall leave the impression that the heart is not fixed on it. It is a poor ambition to decorate a dying body with gold and pearls. It should not be forgotten that the body thus adorned will soon need other habiliments, and will occupy a position where gold and pearls would be a mockery. When the heart is right; when there is true and supreme love for religion, it is usually not difficult to regulate the subject of dress." 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…
Wednesday, April 11, 2018
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 19
Paul tells Timothy what Men and Women should Do Part 1
1 Timothy 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. KJV
Paul instructs Brother Timothy to teach the men of Christ to be mindful to pray always and at all times for all things, going back to the principle in his exhortation in the very first verse in this chapter (1 Timothy 2:1) with these words, "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." (1 Timothy 2:8) (KJV). These instructions to Christian men are based on the fact that Christian men are the head of their households and they are the head or leaders in the Church, that is, Christ Body of believers just as Paul declared to the Corinthian Church the Divine order that is from Heaven, "But I want you to know {and} realize that Christ is the Head of every man, the head of a woman is her husband, and the Head of Christ is God." (1 Corinthians 11:3) (Amplified Bible). When Paul writes here 'that men pray every where', he is simply but powerfuly acknowledging the mightest resource that every son of God has at his disposal in any place and under the most daunting, dier, and desperate circumstances just as the early Apostles did when they were ordered not to speak or teach in the name of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ.
They prayed this prayer to God the Father, "After they were permitted to go, [the apostles] returned to their own [company] and told all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. And when they heard it, lifted their voices together with one united mind to God and said, O Sovereign Lord, You are He Who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything that is in them, Who by the mouth of our forefather David, Your servant {and} child, said through the Holy Spirit, Why did the heathen (Gentiles) become wanton {and} insolent {and} rage, and the people imagine {and} study {and} plan vain (fruitless) things [that will not succeed]? The kings of the earth took their stand in array [for attack] and the rulers were assembled {and} combined together against the Lord and against His Anointed (Christ, the Messiah). For in this city there actually met and plotted together against Your holy Child {and} Servant Jesus, Whom You consecrated by anointing, both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and peoples of Israel, To carry out all that Your hand and Your will {and} purpose had predestined (predetermined) should occur. And now, Lord, observe their threats and grant to Your bond servants [full freedom] to declare Your message fearlessly, While You stretch out Your hand to cure and to perform signs {and} wonders through the authority {and} by the power of the name of Your holy Child {and} Servant Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place in which they were assembled was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they continued to speak the Word of God with freedom {and} boldness {and} courage." (Acts 4:2-31) (Amplified Bible).
When the Apostle Paul writes here, 'lifting up holy hands', it is first a symbolic reference to the early Jewish custom to wash there hands presenting themselves clean before the alter of prayer as it is written with these words, "I will wash my hands in innocence, and go about Your altar, O Lord, That I may make the voice of thanksgiving heard and may tell of all Your wondrous works." (Psalms 26:6-7) (Amplified Bible). Likewise the lifting up hands in prayer showed that their was nothing that the petitioner (someone praying humbly for something) had worthy to offer God instead turning up their palms to heaven displaying their desperate need for help, just as we saw from the Apostles above in (Acts 4:23-31) and also as King Solomon did after the work of bringing in the Ark of the Covenant into the Temple of God was complete when he began his prayer with these words, "Then Solomon stood [in the court] before the Lord's burnt offering altar in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven;" (1 Kings 8:22) (Amplified Bible). Holy hands indicates one who has confessed his sins before the Throne of Grace (not one who is sinless) and has a contrite desire (that is, feeling or expressing pain or sorrow for sins or offenses), this is the man covered and washed clean by the Blood of the Lamb, the Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord whose prayer will be heard.
The Apostle James writes to Christians with these words indicating what the humble desire should be, "So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you. Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery]. [As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty]. Let your laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection {and} heartfelt shame [for your sins]. Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant]." (James 4:7-10) (Amplified Bible). When Paul writes here 'without wrath and doubting', he is targeting the two most crucial things that can block prayers from being answered by our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ. The English word 'without' is translated by the Greek word choris meaning at a space, that is, separately or apart from something. The English word 'wrath' is translated by the Greek word orge meaning anger, indignation, or vengeance, that is, properly desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), (by analogy) violent passion (ire, or [justifiable] abhorrence); by implication punishment.
The English word 'doubting' is translated by the Greek word dialogismos meaning discussion, that is, (internal) consideration (by implication purpose), or (external) debate: - dispute, doubtful, imagination, reasoning, or thought. In other words, Paul is warning Timothy and instructing him to warn other men in the Church to seperate themselves from anger and ire against other believers especially and even non-believers, for this will certainly hinder ones effectual prayers as the Apostle James writes with these words, "Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense {and} to get angry. For man's anger does not promote the righteousness God [wishes and requires]. So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive {and} welcome the Word which implanted {and} rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls." (James 1:19-21) (Amplified Bible) and these words written by the Apostle Paul himself to the Colossian Church, "But now put away {and} rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, bad feeling toward others, curses {and} slander, and foulmouthed abuse {and} shameful utterances from your lips!" (Colossians 3:8) (Amplified Bible).
To doubt is equal to disbelieving God or unbelief just as the Apostle James said with these words, "If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally {and} ungrudgingly, without reproaching {or} faultfinding, and it will be given him. Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither {and} thither and tossed by the wind. For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord, [For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable {and} unreliable {and} uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides]." (James 1:5-8) (Amplified Bible). Everyone of us Christian men must always remember and heed these words spoken by our Lord Jesus Himself concerning a man's prayers, "And Jesus answered them, Truly I say to you, if you have faith (a firm relying trust) and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, Be taken up and cast into the sea, it will be done. And whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith {and} [really] believing, you will receive." (Matthew 21:21-22) (Amplified Bible).
"A direction how to pray, 1 Timothy 2:8. Now, under the Gospel, prayer is not to be confined to any one particular house of prayer, but men must pray every where: no place is amiss for prayer, no place more acceptable to God than another, John 4:21. Pray every where. We must pray in our closets, pray in our families, pray at our meals, pray when we are on journeys, and pray in the solemn assemblies, whether more public or private. It is the will of God that in prayer we should lift up holy hands: Lifting up holy hands, or pure hands, pure from the pollution of sin, washed in the fountain opened for sin and uncleanness. I will wash my hands, etc., Psalm 26:6. We must pray in charity: Without wrath, or malice, or anger at any person. We must pray in faith without doubting (James 1:6), or, as some read it, without disputing, and then it falls under the head of charity." Matthew Henry
"And how is that to be done? First of all, by keeping out of all places where it is impossible that we should pray; for although He is everywhere, and we want Him everywhere, there are places—and some of us know the roads to them but too well, and are but too often in them—where prayer would be a strange incongruity. A man will not pray over the counter of a public-house. A man will not pray over a sharp bargain. A man will not pray that God may bless his outbursts of anger, or sensuality and the like. A man will not pray when he feels that he is deep down in some pit of self-caused alienation from God. The possibility of praying in given circumstances is a sharp test, although a very rough and ready one, whether we ought to be in these circumstances or not. Do not let us go where we cannot take God with us; and if we feel that it would be something like blasphemy to call to Him from such a place, do not let us trust ourselves there. Jonah could pray out of the belly of the fish, and there was no incongruity in that; but many a professing Christian man gets swallowed up by monsters of the deep, and durst not for very shame send up a prayer to God. Get out of all such false positions." 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…
1 Timothy 2:8 I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting. KJV
Paul instructs Brother Timothy to teach the men of Christ to be mindful to pray always and at all times for all things, going back to the principle in his exhortation in the very first verse in this chapter (1 Timothy 2:1) with these words, "I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting." (1 Timothy 2:8) (KJV). These instructions to Christian men are based on the fact that Christian men are the head of their households and they are the head or leaders in the Church, that is, Christ Body of believers just as Paul declared to the Corinthian Church the Divine order that is from Heaven, "But I want you to know {and} realize that Christ is the Head of every man, the head of a woman is her husband, and the Head of Christ is God." (1 Corinthians 11:3) (Amplified Bible). When Paul writes here 'that men pray every where', he is simply but powerfuly acknowledging the mightest resource that every son of God has at his disposal in any place and under the most daunting, dier, and desperate circumstances just as the early Apostles did when they were ordered not to speak or teach in the name of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ.
They prayed this prayer to God the Father, "After they were permitted to go, [the apostles] returned to their own [company] and told all that the chief priests and elders had said to them. And when they heard it, lifted their voices together with one united mind to God and said, O Sovereign Lord, You are He Who made the heaven and the earth and the sea and everything that is in them, Who by the mouth of our forefather David, Your servant {and} child, said through the Holy Spirit, Why did the heathen (Gentiles) become wanton {and} insolent {and} rage, and the people imagine {and} study {and} plan vain (fruitless) things [that will not succeed]? The kings of the earth took their stand in array [for attack] and the rulers were assembled {and} combined together against the Lord and against His Anointed (Christ, the Messiah). For in this city there actually met and plotted together against Your holy Child {and} Servant Jesus, Whom You consecrated by anointing, both Herod and Pontius Pilate with the Gentiles and peoples of Israel, To carry out all that Your hand and Your will {and} purpose had predestined (predetermined) should occur. And now, Lord, observe their threats and grant to Your bond servants [full freedom] to declare Your message fearlessly, While You stretch out Your hand to cure and to perform signs {and} wonders through the authority {and} by the power of the name of Your holy Child {and} Servant Jesus. And when they had prayed, the place in which they were assembled was shaken; and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit, and they continued to speak the Word of God with freedom {and} boldness {and} courage." (Acts 4:2-31) (Amplified Bible).
When the Apostle Paul writes here, 'lifting up holy hands', it is first a symbolic reference to the early Jewish custom to wash there hands presenting themselves clean before the alter of prayer as it is written with these words, "I will wash my hands in innocence, and go about Your altar, O Lord, That I may make the voice of thanksgiving heard and may tell of all Your wondrous works." (Psalms 26:6-7) (Amplified Bible). Likewise the lifting up hands in prayer showed that their was nothing that the petitioner (someone praying humbly for something) had worthy to offer God instead turning up their palms to heaven displaying their desperate need for help, just as we saw from the Apostles above in (Acts 4:23-31) and also as King Solomon did after the work of bringing in the Ark of the Covenant into the Temple of God was complete when he began his prayer with these words, "Then Solomon stood [in the court] before the Lord's burnt offering altar in the presence of all the assembly of Israel, and spread forth his hands toward heaven;" (1 Kings 8:22) (Amplified Bible). Holy hands indicates one who has confessed his sins before the Throne of Grace (not one who is sinless) and has a contrite desire (that is, feeling or expressing pain or sorrow for sins or offenses), this is the man covered and washed clean by the Blood of the Lamb, the Blood of Jesus Christ our Lord whose prayer will be heard.
The Apostle James writes to Christians with these words indicating what the humble desire should be, "So be subject to God. Resist the devil [stand firm against him], and he will flee from you. Come close to God and He will come close to you. [Recognize that you are] sinners, get your soiled hands clean; [realize that you have been disloyal] wavering individuals with divided interests, and purify your hearts [of your spiritual adultery]. [As you draw near to God] be deeply penitent and grieve, even weep [over your disloyalty]. Let your laughter be turned to grief and your mirth to dejection {and} heartfelt shame [for your sins]. Humble yourselves [feeling very insignificant] in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you [He will lift you up and make your lives significant]." (James 4:7-10) (Amplified Bible). When Paul writes here 'without wrath and doubting', he is targeting the two most crucial things that can block prayers from being answered by our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ. The English word 'without' is translated by the Greek word choris meaning at a space, that is, separately or apart from something. The English word 'wrath' is translated by the Greek word orge meaning anger, indignation, or vengeance, that is, properly desire (as a reaching forth or excitement of the mind), (by analogy) violent passion (ire, or [justifiable] abhorrence); by implication punishment.
The English word 'doubting' is translated by the Greek word dialogismos meaning discussion, that is, (internal) consideration (by implication purpose), or (external) debate: - dispute, doubtful, imagination, reasoning, or thought. In other words, Paul is warning Timothy and instructing him to warn other men in the Church to seperate themselves from anger and ire against other believers especially and even non-believers, for this will certainly hinder ones effectual prayers as the Apostle James writes with these words, "Understand [this], my beloved brethren. Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener], slow to speak, slow to take offense {and} to get angry. For man's anger does not promote the righteousness God [wishes and requires]. So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness, and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive {and} welcome the Word which implanted {and} rooted [in your hearts] contains the power to save your souls." (James 1:19-21) (Amplified Bible) and these words written by the Apostle Paul himself to the Colossian Church, "But now put away {and} rid yourselves [completely] of all these things: anger, rage, bad feeling toward others, curses {and} slander, and foulmouthed abuse {and} shameful utterances from your lips!" (Colossians 3:8) (Amplified Bible).
To doubt is equal to disbelieving God or unbelief just as the Apostle James said with these words, "If any of you is deficient in wisdom, let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally {and} ungrudgingly, without reproaching {or} faultfinding, and it will be given him. Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither {and} thither and tossed by the wind. For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord, [For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable {and} unreliable {and} uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides]." (James 1:5-8) (Amplified Bible). Everyone of us Christian men must always remember and heed these words spoken by our Lord Jesus Himself concerning a man's prayers, "And Jesus answered them, Truly I say to you, if you have faith (a firm relying trust) and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, Be taken up and cast into the sea, it will be done. And whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith {and} [really] believing, you will receive." (Matthew 21:21-22) (Amplified Bible).
"A direction how to pray, 1 Timothy 2:8. Now, under the Gospel, prayer is not to be confined to any one particular house of prayer, but men must pray every where: no place is amiss for prayer, no place more acceptable to God than another, John 4:21. Pray every where. We must pray in our closets, pray in our families, pray at our meals, pray when we are on journeys, and pray in the solemn assemblies, whether more public or private. It is the will of God that in prayer we should lift up holy hands: Lifting up holy hands, or pure hands, pure from the pollution of sin, washed in the fountain opened for sin and uncleanness. I will wash my hands, etc., Psalm 26:6. We must pray in charity: Without wrath, or malice, or anger at any person. We must pray in faith without doubting (James 1:6), or, as some read it, without disputing, and then it falls under the head of charity." Matthew Henry
"And how is that to be done? First of all, by keeping out of all places where it is impossible that we should pray; for although He is everywhere, and we want Him everywhere, there are places—and some of us know the roads to them but too well, and are but too often in them—where prayer would be a strange incongruity. A man will not pray over the counter of a public-house. A man will not pray over a sharp bargain. A man will not pray that God may bless his outbursts of anger, or sensuality and the like. A man will not pray when he feels that he is deep down in some pit of self-caused alienation from God. The possibility of praying in given circumstances is a sharp test, although a very rough and ready one, whether we ought to be in these circumstances or not. Do not let us go where we cannot take God with us; and if we feel that it would be something like blasphemy to call to Him from such a place, do not let us trust ourselves there. Jonah could pray out of the belly of the fish, and there was no incongruity in that; but many a professing Christian man gets swallowed up by monsters of the deep, and durst not for very shame send up a prayer to God. Get out of all such false positions." 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, April 7, 2018
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 18
Paul tells Timothy what Christ Jesus has called him to Be & Do
1 Timothy 2:7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an Apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. KJV
Immediately after Paul expounds, elaborates, or explains to Timothy the singularity, the unniqueness, the absolute one of a kind that is our God Jesus Christ, Paul turns to declare what God has made him now to be and called him now and for the rest of his earthly sojourning days to do with these words, "Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an Apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity." (1 Timothy 2:7) (KJV). The first English word Paul begins this verse with 'whereunto' is translated by the Greek word eis and it is a primary preposition meaning to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose. In other words, the former man Saul has now been changed and made into a new man Paul (2 Corinthians 5:17) with a completely and entirely different purpose and resolve in his earthly life and that being to declare the Gospel of Jesus Christ (the Gospel of Grace) to be the only way for sinful men and women to be made right with Almighty God, having all their sins forgiven (past sins, present sins, and future sins) and live eternally with Him in heaven.
The English word 'ordained' is translated by the Greek word tithēmi which means to place or to set in a position or to put into a position or more simply to appoint someone to a position. The English word 'preacher' is translated by the Greek word kerux meaning a herald, that is, of divine truth (especially of the Gospel): - preacher, that is, to herald (as a public crier), to proclaim or to publish. The English word 'apostle' is translated by the Greek word apostolos meaning a delegate; specifically an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ (“apostle”), (with miraculous powers): - apostle, messenger, he that is sent. In other words, the Apostle Paul was one that saw the Risen Christ in all His Majesty, Miraculousness, and Might. Paul also was commissioned, that is, given official approval by our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ to be an Apostle, to be a Preacher of the Gospel of Grace.
Paul himself wrote first to the Corinthian Church concerning his appointment or his assignment, "And last of all He appeared to me also, as to one prematurely {and} born dead [no better than an unperfected fetus among living men]. For I am the least [worthy] of the apostles, who am not fit {or} deserving to be called an apostle, because I once wronged {and} pursued {and} molested the Church of God [oppressing it with cruelty and violence]. But by the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not [found to be] for nothing (fruitless and without effect). In fact, I worked harder than all of them [the apostles], though it was not really I, but the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God which was with me." (1 Corinthians 15:8-10) (Amplified Bible).
When Paul writes here these words, '(I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;)', he is once again asserting himself to be authentic, that is, one who is the complete opposite of the false apostles and deceitful workers who were going about prostituting the Word of God (2 Corinthians 2:17) for gain to enrich themselves at the expense of others without care or concern for their eternal welfare. The English word 'teacher' is translated by the Greek word didaskalos meaning an instructor (generally or specifically). The little English phrase 'of the Gentiles' is translated by the Greek word ethnos which means a race (as of the same habit), that is, a tribe; specifically a foreign (non-Jewish) one, that is, as we stated above it is all the people on the earth that are not Jews. When Paul says, 'in faith and verity', he means in 'The Faith' that is in Jesus Christ alone and the Gospel Truth which is only about our Lord Jesus Christ death, burial, and resurrection from the dead. In other words, the Apostle Paul had received a special and unique assignment form our Lord Jesus Christ that had not been given to any of the other Apostles at the time and that was to reveal this Gospel of Grace to the Gentile world in order that all men would have the opportunity to believe on Him and be eternally saved, that is, that this Gospel was not just for the Jew but also the Gentile.
It was to be proclaimed to the Jew first, but then Paul was saved and sanctified to now take the Gospel to the Gentile world just as he declared to the predominately Gentile Ephesian Church with these words, "[This mystery] was never disclosed to human beings in past generations as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles (consecrated messengers) and prophets by the [Holy] Spirit. [It is this:] that the Gentiles are now to be fellow heirs [with the Jews], members of the same body and joint partakers [sharing] in the same divine promise in Christ through [their acceptance of] the glad tidings (the Gospel). Of this [Gospel] I was made a minister according to the gift of God's free grace (undeserved favor) which was bestowed on me by the exercise (the working in all its effectiveness) of His power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints (God's consecrated people), this grace (favor, privilege) was granted {and} graciously entrusted: to proclaim to the Gentiles the unending (boundless, fathomless, incalculable, and exhaustless) riches of Christ [wealth which no human being could have searched out], Also to enlighten all men {and} make plain to them what is the plan [regarding the Gentiles and providing for the salvation of all men] of the mystery kept hidden through the ages {and} concealed until now in [the mind of] God Who created all things {by Christ Jesus.} [The purpose is] that through the Church the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety {and} innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere." (Ephesians 3:5-10) (Amplified Bible).
"I am placed or constituted. The word 'ordain' has now acquired a technical signification, meaning to set apart solemnly to a sacred office by the imposition of hands; but it has not that meaning here. It does not refer to the manner in which he was set apart, or to any act of others in consecrating him to this work, but merely to the fact that he had been placed in this office, or appointed to it. He refers doubtless to the fact that the Lord Jesus had designated him to this work." Albert Barnes
"Or faith and truth. The combination only here. Paul has sincerity and truth (1 Corinthians 5:8), and sanctification of the Spirit and faith of the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:13). The phrase must not be explained in true faith, nor faithfully and truly. It means that faith and truth are the element or sphere in which the Apostolic function is discharged: that he preaches with a sincere faith in the Gospel, and with a truthful representation of the Gospel which he believes." Vincent's Word Studies
"Paul was ordained a minister, to declare this to the Gentiles, that Christ is the one Mediator between God and men, who gave Himself a ransom for all. This is the substance of which all ministers are to preach, to the end of the world; and Paul magnified his office, as he was the Apostle of the Gentiles, Romans 11:13. Ministers must preach the truth, what they apprehend to be so, and they must believe it themselves; they are, like our Apostle, to preach in faith and verity, and they must also be faithful and trusty." 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…
1 Timothy 2:7 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an Apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. KJV
Immediately after Paul expounds, elaborates, or explains to Timothy the singularity, the unniqueness, the absolute one of a kind that is our God Jesus Christ, Paul turns to declare what God has made him now to be and called him now and for the rest of his earthly sojourning days to do with these words, "Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an Apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity." (1 Timothy 2:7) (KJV). The first English word Paul begins this verse with 'whereunto' is translated by the Greek word eis and it is a primary preposition meaning to or into (indicating the point reached or entered), of place, time, or (figuratively) purpose. In other words, the former man Saul has now been changed and made into a new man Paul (2 Corinthians 5:17) with a completely and entirely different purpose and resolve in his earthly life and that being to declare the Gospel of Jesus Christ (the Gospel of Grace) to be the only way for sinful men and women to be made right with Almighty God, having all their sins forgiven (past sins, present sins, and future sins) and live eternally with Him in heaven.
The English word 'ordained' is translated by the Greek word tithēmi which means to place or to set in a position or to put into a position or more simply to appoint someone to a position. The English word 'preacher' is translated by the Greek word kerux meaning a herald, that is, of divine truth (especially of the Gospel): - preacher, that is, to herald (as a public crier), to proclaim or to publish. The English word 'apostle' is translated by the Greek word apostolos meaning a delegate; specifically an ambassador of the Gospel; officially a commissioner of Christ (“apostle”), (with miraculous powers): - apostle, messenger, he that is sent. In other words, the Apostle Paul was one that saw the Risen Christ in all His Majesty, Miraculousness, and Might. Paul also was commissioned, that is, given official approval by our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ to be an Apostle, to be a Preacher of the Gospel of Grace.
Paul himself wrote first to the Corinthian Church concerning his appointment or his assignment, "And last of all He appeared to me also, as to one prematurely {and} born dead [no better than an unperfected fetus among living men]. For I am the least [worthy] of the apostles, who am not fit {or} deserving to be called an apostle, because I once wronged {and} pursued {and} molested the Church of God [oppressing it with cruelty and violence]. But by the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God I am what I am, and His grace toward me was not [found to be] for nothing (fruitless and without effect). In fact, I worked harder than all of them [the apostles], though it was not really I, but the grace (the unmerited favor and blessing) of God which was with me." (1 Corinthians 15:8-10) (Amplified Bible).
When Paul writes here these words, '(I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;)', he is once again asserting himself to be authentic, that is, one who is the complete opposite of the false apostles and deceitful workers who were going about prostituting the Word of God (2 Corinthians 2:17) for gain to enrich themselves at the expense of others without care or concern for their eternal welfare. The English word 'teacher' is translated by the Greek word didaskalos meaning an instructor (generally or specifically). The little English phrase 'of the Gentiles' is translated by the Greek word ethnos which means a race (as of the same habit), that is, a tribe; specifically a foreign (non-Jewish) one, that is, as we stated above it is all the people on the earth that are not Jews. When Paul says, 'in faith and verity', he means in 'The Faith' that is in Jesus Christ alone and the Gospel Truth which is only about our Lord Jesus Christ death, burial, and resurrection from the dead. In other words, the Apostle Paul had received a special and unique assignment form our Lord Jesus Christ that had not been given to any of the other Apostles at the time and that was to reveal this Gospel of Grace to the Gentile world in order that all men would have the opportunity to believe on Him and be eternally saved, that is, that this Gospel was not just for the Jew but also the Gentile.
It was to be proclaimed to the Jew first, but then Paul was saved and sanctified to now take the Gospel to the Gentile world just as he declared to the predominately Gentile Ephesian Church with these words, "[This mystery] was never disclosed to human beings in past generations as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles (consecrated messengers) and prophets by the [Holy] Spirit. [It is this:] that the Gentiles are now to be fellow heirs [with the Jews], members of the same body and joint partakers [sharing] in the same divine promise in Christ through [their acceptance of] the glad tidings (the Gospel). Of this [Gospel] I was made a minister according to the gift of God's free grace (undeserved favor) which was bestowed on me by the exercise (the working in all its effectiveness) of His power. To me, though I am the very least of all the saints (God's consecrated people), this grace (favor, privilege) was granted {and} graciously entrusted: to proclaim to the Gentiles the unending (boundless, fathomless, incalculable, and exhaustless) riches of Christ [wealth which no human being could have searched out], Also to enlighten all men {and} make plain to them what is the plan [regarding the Gentiles and providing for the salvation of all men] of the mystery kept hidden through the ages {and} concealed until now in [the mind of] God Who created all things {by Christ Jesus.} [The purpose is] that through the Church the complicated, many-sided wisdom of God in all its infinite variety {and} innumerable aspects might now be made known to the angelic rulers and authorities (principalities and powers) in the heavenly sphere." (Ephesians 3:5-10) (Amplified Bible).
"I am placed or constituted. The word 'ordain' has now acquired a technical signification, meaning to set apart solemnly to a sacred office by the imposition of hands; but it has not that meaning here. It does not refer to the manner in which he was set apart, or to any act of others in consecrating him to this work, but merely to the fact that he had been placed in this office, or appointed to it. He refers doubtless to the fact that the Lord Jesus had designated him to this work." Albert Barnes
"Or faith and truth. The combination only here. Paul has sincerity and truth (1 Corinthians 5:8), and sanctification of the Spirit and faith of the truth (2 Thessalonians 2:13). The phrase must not be explained in true faith, nor faithfully and truly. It means that faith and truth are the element or sphere in which the Apostolic function is discharged: that he preaches with a sincere faith in the Gospel, and with a truthful representation of the Gospel which he believes." Vincent's Word Studies
"Paul was ordained a minister, to declare this to the Gentiles, that Christ is the one Mediator between God and men, who gave Himself a ransom for all. This is the substance of which all ministers are to preach, to the end of the world; and Paul magnified his office, as he was the Apostle of the Gentiles, Romans 11:13. Ministers must preach the truth, what they apprehend to be so, and they must believe it themselves; they are, like our Apostle, to preach in faith and verity, and they must also be faithful and trusty." 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 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…
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…
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…
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