Paul Instructs Timothy on how Members of Christ Body should be Treated in Christ Church Part 7
1 Timothy 5:11-12 But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry; Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith. KJV
Now the Apostle Paul begins to focus his instruction to Brother Timothy concerning the younger widows in the Church of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ, specifically on how the Church leaders should see them and treat them. Apparently, the Apostle Paul had received reports from many of the Churches expressing concern about the behavior of many of the younger widows in the various Churches of our Lord Jesus Christ and the reports did not speak of them in a positive light. Therefore, Paul immediately and instantly commands Timothy to not allow younger widows to serve in the paid or compensated office of deaconess in the Church as he writes these words first to Timothy, "But the younger widows refuse: for when they have begun to wax wanton against Christ, they will marry;" (1 Timothy 5:11) (KJV). Remember, Paul had just instructed Timothy that the cutoff age for widows to be accepted in the paid/compensated office of the Church was to be the age of 60 years old. Now Paul is declaring to Timothy that all widows that are under this age of 60 must not even be considered for such an office in the Church and he follows up this command with reports of their behavior being damaging to the Church body. The English word 'refuse' is translated by the Greek word paraiteomai which means or carries the same idea of meaning that our English dictionary gives to it and that is, to beg off, that is, decline, shun: - avoid, refuse, or reject.
Just before Paul declares why he sees that the younger widows should be 'refused', he uses the little English word 'when' and this word is translated by the Greek word hotan which means whenever (implying hypothesis or more or less uncertainty); also causative (conjugationally) inasmuch as: as long as or soon as. The English phrase 'they have begun to wax wanton against' is translated by one Greek word katastrēniaō (another one of these Greek words used this one time only in the entire New Testament) and it means to become voluptuous against: - begin to wax wanton against; that is, signifying to feel the sexual impulse, only here, and to run riot. In other words, Paul felt strongly that the widows that were under the age of 60 were more likely to have a strong need to have their sexual desires with a man fulfilled and in so doing would be more vulnerable, that is, susceptible to attack from the enemy in their bodies wanting to fulfill their sexual desires, just as Paul wished that everyone could be as he was with the spiritual gift of celibacy, but knowing that all did not have said gift he warned the Corinthian believers with these words, "I wish that all men were like I myself am [in this matter of self-control]. But each has his own special gift from God, one of this kind and one of another. But to the unmarried people and to the widows, I declare that it is well (good, advantageous, expedient, and wholesome) for them to remain [single] even as I do. But if they have not self-control (restraint of their passions), they should marry. For it is better to marry than to be aflame [with passion and tortured continually with ungratified desire]." (1 Corinthians 7:7-9) (Amplified Bible).
Paul knew that the younger the widow, the more likely she would want to marry again, so as to be able to gratify her sexual desires and passions, which is exactly why Paul set the age limit that he did (under the direction of God the Holy Spirit). Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning the younger widows being refused of this office, "The sense here is, that they would not be subordinate to the restraints implied in that situation, they would become impatient, and would marry again. The idea is not that of wantonness or lewdness, but it is that of a mind not subdued by age and by trials, and that would be impatient under the necessary restraints of the condition which was contemplated. They could not be depended on with certainty, but they might be expected again to enter into the married relation." This next verse perhaps has been long mis-understood by the Apostle Paul as to what he meant in writing these words to Brother Timothy concerning the younger widows who are desiring to re-marry instead of pledging themselves to the sole servitude, service, or slavery of our Lord Jesus Christ and His Church and it even wrongly caused the Catholic Church and other Churches to set up a system of women in service to Christ Church forbidding them to marry a husband and remain celibate for their entire earthly lives in the Church without ever knowing or discerning if all of these women had the gift of celibacy or self-control from God the Holy Spirit and in so doing has caused a lot of harm to other members of Christ Body through sexual abuse. Just yesterday (August 14, 2018) we learned in the news that in Pennsylvania it was discovered that over many years it is alleged that Celibate Priest were allowed to sexually abuse and molest children over the course of many generations in the Catholic Church.
Paul writes these words to Timothy, "Having damnation, because they have cast off their first faith." (1 Timothy 5:12) (Amplified Bible). The English word 'damnation' is translated by the Greek word krima meaning a decision (the function or the effect, for or against [“crime”]): - avenge, condemned, condemnation, judgment. In other words, Paul is not here declaring that younger widows who elect to re-marry instead of pledging themselves to the service of Christ and His Church are to be damned to hell, of course not, but what he is declaring is that if they were to be allowed to serve in that capacity or office in the Church and then back away from said office in order to re-marry, they would bring upon themselves the burden of God's judgement for their about face and that would be their condemnation weighing upon their conscience like a heavy weight on their backs would feel. Here again is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning Paul's reference here to damnation, "Or, rather, having 'condemnation;' or incurring guilt. This does not mean of necessity that they would lose their souls. The meaning is, that they would contract guilt, if they had been admitted among this class of persons, and then married again. The Apostle does not say that that would be wrong in itself (compare notes on 1 Timothy 5:14), or that they would be absolutely prohibited from it, but that injury would be done if they were admitted among those who were 'widows indeed' - who were supported by the Church, and who were entrusted with a certain degree of care over the more youthful females - and then should leave that situation. It might give occasion for scandal it might break in upon the arrangements; it would show that there was a relaxing of the faith, and of the deadness to the world, which they were supposed to have; and it was better that they should be married 1 Timothy 5:14, without having been thus admitted."
When Paul writes here, 'because they have cast off their first faith', he probably means simply having entered into the office of deaconness and then turned away from the office in order to re-marry, however, Paul is certainly not saying these women have lost their faith in Christ or lost their salvation, for their is no such thing for all who have truly been born again, because if you are born you can't then be unborn. The little English phrase 'they have cast off' is translated by one Greek word atheteō meaning to set aside, that is, (by implication) to disesteem, neutralize or violate: Here is what the JFB Commentary had to say concerning the casting off of their first faith, "Namely, pledged to Christ and the service of the Church. There could be no hardship at the age of sixty or upwards in not marrying again (end of 1 Timothy 5:9), for the sake of serving better the cause of Christ as presbyteresses; though, to ordinary widows, no barrier existed against remarriage (1 Corinthians 7:39). This is altogether distinct from Rome’s unnatural vows of celibacy in the case of young marriageable women. The widow-presbyteresses, moreover, engaged to remain single, not as though single life were holier than married life (according to Rome’s teaching), but because the interests of Christ’s cause made it desirable (see on 1 Timothy 3:2). They had pledged 'their first faith' to Christ as presbyteress widows; they now wish to transfer their faith to a husband."
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.
Wednesday, August 15, 2018
Saturday, August 11, 2018
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 50
Paul Instructs Timothy on how Members of Christ Body should be Treated in Christ Church Part 6
1 Timothy 5:10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. KJV
In the last commentary/bible study, we learned that the Apostle Paul instructed Brother Timothy to declare the cutoff age for widows to receive financial relief or assistance from the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ to be the age of 60 years old. Now the Apostle moves on from there to inform Brother Timothy on what the character of the age appropriate widow likewise should be to qualify her, that is, prove her capable and spiritually fit to serve in the paid/compensated office of widow in the Church of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ by writing these words to Brother Timothy at that time and to everyone of us believers of every era and generation saying this should be their well documented character, "Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work." (1 Timothy 5:10) (KJV).
First of all Paul says that she should be 'well reported of for good works', The little English phrase here 'well reported of' is translated by one Greek word martureō which means to be a witness, that is, testify (literally or figuratively): - give evidence of, or bear record concerning the person or persons. When Paul says, 'for good works', he means that the works should be virtuous, that is, morally excellent and good for others and also valuable for others. In other words, the qualified widow should'nt be a witch (literally or figuratively), but instead a woman who has spent her life doing good to others and for others and not in any way causing harm to come to others or hurting others for selfish gain or to gain favor in the community, such as was said of Tabitha as recorded for us by Dr. Luke, "Now there was at Joppa a disciple [a woman] named [in Aramaic] Tabitha, which [in Greek] means Dorcas. She was abounding in good deeds and acts of charity." (Acts 9:36) (Amplified Bible).
Next on the Apostle Paul's list is this reference 'if she have brought up children' and in making this statement, Paul seeks the woman that has experience in loving nurture of her children or the children of another, knowing that such a woman would be well suited to care for the sick and shut in saints and orphaned children in the office of widow in the Church of Christ. The little English phrase 'brought up children' is translated by one Greek word teknotropheō (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning to be a child rearer, that is, fulfill the duties of a female parent: - bring up children. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say concerning bringing up children, "It was customary among the Gentiles to expose their children, when so poor that they were not able to provide for them. Pious and humane people took these up; and fed, clothed, and educated them. The words brought up may refer to the children of others, who were educated in the Christian faith by pious Christian women."
Next on the Apostle Paul's list is this reference 'if she have lodged strangers' and this reference in no way applies to any person that wandered her way off the streets, but it is a reference to her being the person who would provide her place or home for many traveling saints to stay (such as Paul, Silas, or Timothy) as they went about from town to town and city to city as missionaries and evangelist preaching the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to all who would listen. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say concerning the lodging of strangers, "As Abraham and Lot did, who entertained angels unawares: this may be understood of strangers in common, but especially of the brethren, ministers, and others, who came from distant parts, and travelled about to spread the Gospel of Christ. The Jews say many things, 'in honour of hospitality' or entertaining of strangers, especially of receiving into their houses the disciples of the wise men, and giving them food and drink, and the use of their goods; this was what gave persons a very great character with them, and highly recommended them."
Next on the Apostle Paul's list is this reference 'if she have washed the saints' feet' and this reference was peculiar for that day in the land and area where the Apostle Paul lived and the places he visited on his missionary journeys because the land was covered with red dusty clay dirt on the traveling roads that were walked primarily (walked in sandals) by everyone to get to and from their homes and places of business. Therefore, when people would enter the homes of others they would commonly have a servant who would remove their sandals and wash their feet in a basin of water kept by the doorway or entry way. Paul is saying here that the widow who did this regulary and customarily for those who would enter her home was the type of widow given a position in the office of widow or deaconess in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, just as our Lord Jesus Himself did by washing the dirty dusty feet of His disciples showing them how they should treat one another as it is written, "Then He poured water into the washbasin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the [servant's] towel with which He was girded." (John 13:5) (Amplified Bible).
Note: "This act of feet washing in most or many places today is not necessary. Those who do this feet washing (literally) today (in most cases) are not doing some great service for another saint, but instead they should be willing to provide resources such as shoes to the millions of children around the world that have none, nor have any way of ever getting any shoes. The benevolent offering taken up in many Churches is never used for such things just as this, which is exactly why the Church instituted such an offering in the first place." Next on the Apostle Paul's list is this reference 'if she have relieved the afflicted' and here Paul means the persecuted saints by the afflicted and the little English phrase 'she have relieved' is translated by one Greek word eparkeō meaning to avail for, that is, help: - relieve.
The little English phrase 'the afflicted' is translated by one Greek word thlibō meaning the troubled and persecuted saints who were suffering tribulation for and because of their faith in our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ. Lastly on the Apostle Paul's list is this reference 'if she have diligently followed every good work' and this simply means to sum up all the others that he has previously listed above and also that she herself has made it a pattern of her life over the years in Christ Church to follow after or to pursue those things that are good and well pleasing to Him. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say concerning the diligent following of good works, "Not only have done good works at certain times, but has followed that which is good; has closely pursued it, and that with great eagerness and diligence; has been constant and indefatigable in the performance of it."
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 5:10 Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work. KJV
In the last commentary/bible study, we learned that the Apostle Paul instructed Brother Timothy to declare the cutoff age for widows to receive financial relief or assistance from the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ to be the age of 60 years old. Now the Apostle moves on from there to inform Brother Timothy on what the character of the age appropriate widow likewise should be to qualify her, that is, prove her capable and spiritually fit to serve in the paid/compensated office of widow in the Church of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ by writing these words to Brother Timothy at that time and to everyone of us believers of every era and generation saying this should be their well documented character, "Well reported of for good works; if she have brought up children, if she have lodged strangers, if she have washed the saints' feet, if she have relieved the afflicted, if she have diligently followed every good work." (1 Timothy 5:10) (KJV).
First of all Paul says that she should be 'well reported of for good works', The little English phrase here 'well reported of' is translated by one Greek word martureō which means to be a witness, that is, testify (literally or figuratively): - give evidence of, or bear record concerning the person or persons. When Paul says, 'for good works', he means that the works should be virtuous, that is, morally excellent and good for others and also valuable for others. In other words, the qualified widow should'nt be a witch (literally or figuratively), but instead a woman who has spent her life doing good to others and for others and not in any way causing harm to come to others or hurting others for selfish gain or to gain favor in the community, such as was said of Tabitha as recorded for us by Dr. Luke, "Now there was at Joppa a disciple [a woman] named [in Aramaic] Tabitha, which [in Greek] means Dorcas. She was abounding in good deeds and acts of charity." (Acts 9:36) (Amplified Bible).
Next on the Apostle Paul's list is this reference 'if she have brought up children' and in making this statement, Paul seeks the woman that has experience in loving nurture of her children or the children of another, knowing that such a woman would be well suited to care for the sick and shut in saints and orphaned children in the office of widow in the Church of Christ. The little English phrase 'brought up children' is translated by one Greek word teknotropheō (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning to be a child rearer, that is, fulfill the duties of a female parent: - bring up children. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say concerning bringing up children, "It was customary among the Gentiles to expose their children, when so poor that they were not able to provide for them. Pious and humane people took these up; and fed, clothed, and educated them. The words brought up may refer to the children of others, who were educated in the Christian faith by pious Christian women."
Next on the Apostle Paul's list is this reference 'if she have lodged strangers' and this reference in no way applies to any person that wandered her way off the streets, but it is a reference to her being the person who would provide her place or home for many traveling saints to stay (such as Paul, Silas, or Timothy) as they went about from town to town and city to city as missionaries and evangelist preaching the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ to all who would listen. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say concerning the lodging of strangers, "As Abraham and Lot did, who entertained angels unawares: this may be understood of strangers in common, but especially of the brethren, ministers, and others, who came from distant parts, and travelled about to spread the Gospel of Christ. The Jews say many things, 'in honour of hospitality' or entertaining of strangers, especially of receiving into their houses the disciples of the wise men, and giving them food and drink, and the use of their goods; this was what gave persons a very great character with them, and highly recommended them."
Next on the Apostle Paul's list is this reference 'if she have washed the saints' feet' and this reference was peculiar for that day in the land and area where the Apostle Paul lived and the places he visited on his missionary journeys because the land was covered with red dusty clay dirt on the traveling roads that were walked primarily (walked in sandals) by everyone to get to and from their homes and places of business. Therefore, when people would enter the homes of others they would commonly have a servant who would remove their sandals and wash their feet in a basin of water kept by the doorway or entry way. Paul is saying here that the widow who did this regulary and customarily for those who would enter her home was the type of widow given a position in the office of widow or deaconess in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ, just as our Lord Jesus Himself did by washing the dirty dusty feet of His disciples showing them how they should treat one another as it is written, "Then He poured water into the washbasin and began to wash the disciples' feet and to wipe them with the [servant's] towel with which He was girded." (John 13:5) (Amplified Bible).
Note: "This act of feet washing in most or many places today is not necessary. Those who do this feet washing (literally) today (in most cases) are not doing some great service for another saint, but instead they should be willing to provide resources such as shoes to the millions of children around the world that have none, nor have any way of ever getting any shoes. The benevolent offering taken up in many Churches is never used for such things just as this, which is exactly why the Church instituted such an offering in the first place." Next on the Apostle Paul's list is this reference 'if she have relieved the afflicted' and here Paul means the persecuted saints by the afflicted and the little English phrase 'she have relieved' is translated by one Greek word eparkeō meaning to avail for, that is, help: - relieve.
The little English phrase 'the afflicted' is translated by one Greek word thlibō meaning the troubled and persecuted saints who were suffering tribulation for and because of their faith in our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ. Lastly on the Apostle Paul's list is this reference 'if she have diligently followed every good work' and this simply means to sum up all the others that he has previously listed above and also that she herself has made it a pattern of her life over the years in Christ Church to follow after or to pursue those things that are good and well pleasing to Him. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say concerning the diligent following of good works, "Not only have done good works at certain times, but has followed that which is good; has closely pursued it, and that with great eagerness and diligence; has been constant and indefatigable in the performance of it."
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, August 8, 2018
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 49
Paul Instructs Timothy on how Members of Christ Body should be Treated in Christ Church Part 5
1 Timothy 5:9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, KJV
Paul now instructs Brother Timothy on the cutoff age of widows that should be admitted into the paid or compensated service positions in the Church of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ as he declares with these words, "Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man," (1 Timothy 5:9) (KJV). The idea here was that every Churches official list of widows in their Church was not to have listed on it any widowed woman under 60 years of age. Perhaps Paul felt like the widowed women that were 60 years old or older were less likely to want to re-marry verses the widows who were younger, just as Paul himself had given counsel to the Church @ Corinth when he wrote these words in his first letter to them, "A wife is bound to her husband by law as long as he lives. If the husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she will, only [provided that he too is] in the Lord. But in my opinion [a widow] is happier (more blessed and to be envied) if she does not remarry. And also I think I have the Spirit of God." (1 Corinthians 7:39-40) (Amplified Bible).
The older women were also looked upon by the Apostle Paul as mentors and counselors or teachers to the younger women of the Church so that the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ would be sound, solid, and sure even as he instructed Brother Titus to instruct this to the older women in the Church with these words, "Bid the older women similarly to be reverent {and} devout in their deportment as becomes those engaged in sacred service, not slanderers or slaves to drink. They are to give good counsel {and} be teachers of what is right {and} noble, So that they will wisely train the young women to be sane and sober of mind (temperate, disciplined) and to love their husbands and their children, To be self-controlled, chaste, homemakers, good-natured (kindhearted), adapting {and} subordinating themselves to their husbands, that the word of God may not be exposed to reproach (blasphemed or discredited)." (Titus 2:3-5) (Amplified Bible). The little English phrase 'be taken into the number' is translated by one Greek word katalegō (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning (figuratively) to enroll, that is, to register formally as a participant or member: - take into the number.
Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say concerning widows being listed into the official order at age 60 years or older, "That is, of widows, to be maintained by the Church; though some choose to understand these words of the number of such who were made deaconesses, and had the care of the poor widows of the Church committed to them; and so the Arabic version renders it, 'if a widow be chosen a deaconess'; but the former sense is best, for it appears from 1 Timothy 5:1 that the Apostle is still speaking of widows to be relieved: now such were not to be taken under the Church's care for relief, under threescore years old: for under this age it might be supposed they would marry, and so not be desolate, but would have husbands to provide for them; or they might be capable of labor, and so of taking care of themselves. The age of sixty years was by the Jews reckoned, 'old age', but not under." When the Apostle Paul writes here, 'having been the wife of one man', he means that she was married to one man who died, not that she was married only one time, however, other commentators believe that Paul means the qualified widow must have been married only one time in her life and most use the case of the Prophetess Anna as this was spoken concerning her, "And there was also a Prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, having lived with her husband seven years from her maidenhood, And as a widow even for eighty-four years. She did not go out from the temple enclosure, but was worshiping night and day with fasting and prayer." (Luke 2:36-37) (Amplified Bible).
Anna's case in my opinion was a personal one and it is not recorded here or anywhere else in the Scripture that this was the mandatory practice in that day of all widows, but what is recorded is the Lord's heart for and care for widows in that day and all the way up to today as described by the Psalmist with these words, "The Lord protects {and} preserves the strangers {and} temporary residents, He upholds the fatherless and the widow {and} sets them upright, but the way of the wicked He makes crooked (turns upside down and brings to ruin)." (Psalm 146:9) (Amplified Bible). So, we see then that the Lord Jesus Christ Himself will establish and take care of the upright widow whether He takes her to another husband or whether He takes care of her some other way. Again here is what Dr. John Gill had to say concerning widows having been the wife of one husband, "That is, at one time; for second marriages are not hereby condemned, for this would be to condemn what the Apostle elsewhere allows, Romans 7:2. Nor is the sense only, that she should be one who never had more husbands than one at once; for this was not usual for women to have more husbands than one, even where polygamy obtained, or where men had more wives than one: this rather therefore is to be understood of one who had never put away her husband, and married another, which was sometimes done among the Jews; see Mark 10:12, and this being a scandalous practice, the Apostle was willing to put a mark of infamy upon it, and exclude such persons who had been guilty of it from the number of widows relieved by the Church."
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 5:9 Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man, KJV
Paul now instructs Brother Timothy on the cutoff age of widows that should be admitted into the paid or compensated service positions in the Church of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ as he declares with these words, "Let not a widow be taken into the number under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man," (1 Timothy 5:9) (KJV). The idea here was that every Churches official list of widows in their Church was not to have listed on it any widowed woman under 60 years of age. Perhaps Paul felt like the widowed women that were 60 years old or older were less likely to want to re-marry verses the widows who were younger, just as Paul himself had given counsel to the Church @ Corinth when he wrote these words in his first letter to them, "A wife is bound to her husband by law as long as he lives. If the husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she will, only [provided that he too is] in the Lord. But in my opinion [a widow] is happier (more blessed and to be envied) if she does not remarry. And also I think I have the Spirit of God." (1 Corinthians 7:39-40) (Amplified Bible).
The older women were also looked upon by the Apostle Paul as mentors and counselors or teachers to the younger women of the Church so that the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ would be sound, solid, and sure even as he instructed Brother Titus to instruct this to the older women in the Church with these words, "Bid the older women similarly to be reverent {and} devout in their deportment as becomes those engaged in sacred service, not slanderers or slaves to drink. They are to give good counsel {and} be teachers of what is right {and} noble, So that they will wisely train the young women to be sane and sober of mind (temperate, disciplined) and to love their husbands and their children, To be self-controlled, chaste, homemakers, good-natured (kindhearted), adapting {and} subordinating themselves to their husbands, that the word of God may not be exposed to reproach (blasphemed or discredited)." (Titus 2:3-5) (Amplified Bible). The little English phrase 'be taken into the number' is translated by one Greek word katalegō (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning (figuratively) to enroll, that is, to register formally as a participant or member: - take into the number.
Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say concerning widows being listed into the official order at age 60 years or older, "That is, of widows, to be maintained by the Church; though some choose to understand these words of the number of such who were made deaconesses, and had the care of the poor widows of the Church committed to them; and so the Arabic version renders it, 'if a widow be chosen a deaconess'; but the former sense is best, for it appears from 1 Timothy 5:1 that the Apostle is still speaking of widows to be relieved: now such were not to be taken under the Church's care for relief, under threescore years old: for under this age it might be supposed they would marry, and so not be desolate, but would have husbands to provide for them; or they might be capable of labor, and so of taking care of themselves. The age of sixty years was by the Jews reckoned, 'old age', but not under." When the Apostle Paul writes here, 'having been the wife of one man', he means that she was married to one man who died, not that she was married only one time, however, other commentators believe that Paul means the qualified widow must have been married only one time in her life and most use the case of the Prophetess Anna as this was spoken concerning her, "And there was also a Prophetess, Anna, the daughter of Phanuel, of the tribe of Asher. She was very old, having lived with her husband seven years from her maidenhood, And as a widow even for eighty-four years. She did not go out from the temple enclosure, but was worshiping night and day with fasting and prayer." (Luke 2:36-37) (Amplified Bible).
Anna's case in my opinion was a personal one and it is not recorded here or anywhere else in the Scripture that this was the mandatory practice in that day of all widows, but what is recorded is the Lord's heart for and care for widows in that day and all the way up to today as described by the Psalmist with these words, "The Lord protects {and} preserves the strangers {and} temporary residents, He upholds the fatherless and the widow {and} sets them upright, but the way of the wicked He makes crooked (turns upside down and brings to ruin)." (Psalm 146:9) (Amplified Bible). So, we see then that the Lord Jesus Christ Himself will establish and take care of the upright widow whether He takes her to another husband or whether He takes care of her some other way. Again here is what Dr. John Gill had to say concerning widows having been the wife of one husband, "That is, at one time; for second marriages are not hereby condemned, for this would be to condemn what the Apostle elsewhere allows, Romans 7:2. Nor is the sense only, that she should be one who never had more husbands than one at once; for this was not usual for women to have more husbands than one, even where polygamy obtained, or where men had more wives than one: this rather therefore is to be understood of one who had never put away her husband, and married another, which was sometimes done among the Jews; see Mark 10:12, and this being a scandalous practice, the Apostle was willing to put a mark of infamy upon it, and exclude such persons who had been guilty of it from the number of widows relieved by the Church."
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, August 4, 2018
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 48
Paul Instructs Timothy on how Members of Christ Body should be Treated in Christ Church Part 4
1 Timothy 5:7-8 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. KJV
Paul reinforces his desire to Brother Timothy concerning the previous things he has instructed him on regarding the treatment of widows in the Church of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ by saying, "And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless." (1 Timothy 5:7) (KJV). The little English phrase 'give in charge' is translated by the Greek word paraggellō which means to transmit a message, that is, (by implication) to enjoin: - give command or commandment, to declare. The English word 'blameless' is translated by the Greek word anepilēptos which means (by implication) inculpable: - blameless, unrebukeable. In other words, these things were not Paul's suggestions to Timothy, but commands to him from the Throne of God on how widows in Christ Church should be treated and how they (the widows) should conduct themselves so that by virtue of their employment in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ they would be without blame, that is, not rebuked for their service to Christ Church by other members who saw their positions as suspect or unneeded or unnecessary. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say concerning these commands, "Charge the whole Church to attend to these things, that they may be blameless. The words are not spoken of the widows only, but of the Church or its officers."
Now Paul gives Timothy what he has been inspired by God the Holy Spirit to speak concerning the children of a widowed Mother or Grandmother by these very strong words of warning and of rebuke, "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." (1 Timothy 5:8) (KJV). Paul here is again instructing Timothy on how he must inform and instruct the children of widows on their primary responsibility and that is of taking care of their widowed Mother and/or Grandmother in need. The little English phrase 'provide not for' is translated by the Greek word pronoeō which means to consider in advance, that is, look out for beforehand (active voice by way of maintenance for others. The English phrase 'for those of his own house' is translated by the Greek word oikeios which means domestic, that is, (as noun), a relative, adherent: - in this case the widowed Mother or Grandmother. The English phrase 'he hath denied' is translated by the Greek word arneomai which means to contradict, that is, disavow, reject, abnegate: - deny, refuse.
The English word 'faith' is translated by the Greek word pistis and it means persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly constancy in such profession; by extension the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself: - assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity. The English word 'worse' is translated by the Greek word cheirōn meaning more evil or aggravated (physically, mentally or morally): - sorer, worse. Th little English phrase 'than an infidel' is translated by the Greek word apistos meaning (actively) disbelieving, that is, without Christian faith (specifically a heathen); (passively) untrustworthy (person), or incredible (thing): - that believeth not, faithless, incredible thing, infidel, unbeliever. In other words, Paul declares to Brother Timothy that the grown children who have a widowed Mother and/or Grandmother and refuse to provide financial care, emotional care, and every other type of loving care for them is not even equal to an atheist or a witch or a wizard or a sorcerer or a spiritualist or any other person or system of spiritual belief that is contrary to our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and His Gospel, they are even worst than them in the sight of Christ Jesus our Lord.
Here is what F. B. Meyer had to say concerning the childrens responsibility to their widowed Mothers or Grandmothers, "The special references to widows evidence the early practice of the Church. Provision was made for godly women who had lost husbands by death, and who in return for the weekly gift from Church funds, gave themselves to Christian service. The Apostle indicates the age and characteristics of those who might be eligible. It was his clear judgment, however, that, wherever possible, it was becoming for children to make such provision as would place an aged Mother or other relative beyond the reach of want or any need of claiming maintenance from Church funds. Our nurses and deaconesses are the modern counterparts of the order of widows in the early Church; yet the standard of Christian living here emphasized may well be pondered and prayed over by all Christian women, who should, as far as possible without fee or reward, consider Church service only second to the claims of home."
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 5:7-8 And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless. But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel. KJV
Paul reinforces his desire to Brother Timothy concerning the previous things he has instructed him on regarding the treatment of widows in the Church of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ by saying, "And these things give in charge, that they may be blameless." (1 Timothy 5:7) (KJV). The little English phrase 'give in charge' is translated by the Greek word paraggellō which means to transmit a message, that is, (by implication) to enjoin: - give command or commandment, to declare. The English word 'blameless' is translated by the Greek word anepilēptos which means (by implication) inculpable: - blameless, unrebukeable. In other words, these things were not Paul's suggestions to Timothy, but commands to him from the Throne of God on how widows in Christ Church should be treated and how they (the widows) should conduct themselves so that by virtue of their employment in the Church of the Lord Jesus Christ they would be without blame, that is, not rebuked for their service to Christ Church by other members who saw their positions as suspect or unneeded or unnecessary. Here is what Adam Clarke had to say concerning these commands, "Charge the whole Church to attend to these things, that they may be blameless. The words are not spoken of the widows only, but of the Church or its officers."
Now Paul gives Timothy what he has been inspired by God the Holy Spirit to speak concerning the children of a widowed Mother or Grandmother by these very strong words of warning and of rebuke, "But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel." (1 Timothy 5:8) (KJV). Paul here is again instructing Timothy on how he must inform and instruct the children of widows on their primary responsibility and that is of taking care of their widowed Mother and/or Grandmother in need. The little English phrase 'provide not for' is translated by the Greek word pronoeō which means to consider in advance, that is, look out for beforehand (active voice by way of maintenance for others. The English phrase 'for those of his own house' is translated by the Greek word oikeios which means domestic, that is, (as noun), a relative, adherent: - in this case the widowed Mother or Grandmother. The English phrase 'he hath denied' is translated by the Greek word arneomai which means to contradict, that is, disavow, reject, abnegate: - deny, refuse.
The English word 'faith' is translated by the Greek word pistis and it means persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly constancy in such profession; by extension the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself: - assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity. The English word 'worse' is translated by the Greek word cheirōn meaning more evil or aggravated (physically, mentally or morally): - sorer, worse. Th little English phrase 'than an infidel' is translated by the Greek word apistos meaning (actively) disbelieving, that is, without Christian faith (specifically a heathen); (passively) untrustworthy (person), or incredible (thing): - that believeth not, faithless, incredible thing, infidel, unbeliever. In other words, Paul declares to Brother Timothy that the grown children who have a widowed Mother and/or Grandmother and refuse to provide financial care, emotional care, and every other type of loving care for them is not even equal to an atheist or a witch or a wizard or a sorcerer or a spiritualist or any other person or system of spiritual belief that is contrary to our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ and His Gospel, they are even worst than them in the sight of Christ Jesus our Lord.
Here is what F. B. Meyer had to say concerning the childrens responsibility to their widowed Mothers or Grandmothers, "The special references to widows evidence the early practice of the Church. Provision was made for godly women who had lost husbands by death, and who in return for the weekly gift from Church funds, gave themselves to Christian service. The Apostle indicates the age and characteristics of those who might be eligible. It was his clear judgment, however, that, wherever possible, it was becoming for children to make such provision as would place an aged Mother or other relative beyond the reach of want or any need of claiming maintenance from Church funds. Our nurses and deaconesses are the modern counterparts of the order of widows in the early Church; yet the standard of Christian living here emphasized may well be pondered and prayed over by all Christian women, who should, as far as possible without fee or reward, consider Church service only second to the claims of home."
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, July 28, 2018
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 47
Paul Instructs Timothy on how Members of Christ Body should be Treated in Christ Church Part 3
1 Timothy 5:4-6 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. KJV
Paul goes on in his instruction to Brother Timothy on how he and other leaders in Christ Church should care for and guide widows in Christ Church by declaring that true widows should display, depict, and demonstrate that their priorities are in the right place, so Paul says this should be true of them, "But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God." (1 Timothy 5:4) (KJV). The idea Paul is trying to get over to Brother Timothy is that he (as a leader) should make sure that these widows that are being employed in the Church of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ are women who can be trusted by him and the other leaders to care for the sick, shut in, and senior members of Christ Church who are in need of daily care and comfort. The way that Timothy and the other leaders are to tell if these widows are responsible, real, and reliable nurturers would be to see if their own children were well taken care of by them or if instead they were neglected and mistreated by their Mother the now widow. When Paul writes here, 'let them learn first to shew piety at home', he means simply that if the widow has not and is not currently showing an unconditional and caring love for her own blood related children and nieces and nephews in her care (as well as her earthly parents), then how could she ever be trusted and allowed to care for those in need in Christ Church.
The little English phrase 'let them learn' is translated by the Greek word manthanō which means simply to learn something and keep on learning it. The little English phrase 'to shew piety' is translated by the Greek word eusebeō which means to be pious, that is, (towards God) to worship, or (towards parents) to respect (support): - show piety, worship. The little English phrase 'to requite' is translated by the Greek word apodidōmi which means to repay or to give back to. Paul also means this to be directed to the widows children who are old enough to work, that is, that they must learn piety at home by working outside of the home and now taking care of their widowed Mother or Aunt who took care of them when they were babies and young kids. Here is what Dr. John Gill said concerning children showing piety at home, "It is the duty of children to take care of their parents in old age, and provide for them, when they cannot for themselves: this is a lesson they ought to learn in the first place, and a duty which they ought principally to observe; they should not suffer them to come to a Church for relief, but first take care of them themselves, as long as they are in any capacity to do it; and these should be their first care before any others; so to do is an act of piety, a religious action, a pious one; it is doing according to the will and law of God, and is well pleasing to Him."
The true widow who has no family, that is, grown children or grown nieces and nephews that will take care of her Paul declares this of her, "Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day." (1 Timothy 5:5) (KJV). Paul means here that the true widow knows that her hope relies entirely on the ever present mercy of God the Father completely confiding in and trusting Him to act on her behalf by awakening, arousing, and authorizing His Church leaders to bring in this widow and employ her in the Church in order that her needs and necessities of this earthly life would be met, just as Paul wrote to the Philippian believers to do when he said this, "Do not fret {or} have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance {and} in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison {and} mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7) (Amplified Bible). The Prophet Jeremiah said these words given to him by the Lord speaking of widows, "Leave your fatherless children; I will [do what is necessary to] preserve them alive. And let [those who have been made] your widows trust {and} confide in Me." (Jeremiah 49:11) (Amplified Bible).
Paul now contrast the true widow who trust in the Lord with the widow who dedicates, desires, and decides to go it on her own not continuing in prayers and supplications to God the Father for her daily needs and necessities of this earthly life, but taking care of her own needs in her own ways as Paul puts it with these words, "But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth." (1 Timothy 4:6) (KJV). The little English phrase 'she that liveth in pleasure' is translated by the Greek word spatalaō and it means (luxury); to be voluptuous: - live in pleasure, be wanton. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning the widow who lived in pleasure, "It properly means to live in luxury, voluptuously; to indulge freely in eating and drinking; to yield to the indulgence of the appetites. It does not indicate grossly criminal pleasures; but the kind of pleasure connected with luxurious living, and with pampering the appetites. It is probable that in the time of the Apostle, there were professedly Christian widows who lived in this manner - as there are such professing Christians of all kinds in every age of the world. To all the proper purposes of life she is as if she were dead. There is great emphasis in this expression, and nothing could convey more forcibly the idea that true happiness is not to be found in the pleasure of sense. There is nothing in them that answers the purposes of life. They are not the objects for which life was given, and as to the great and proper designs of existence, such persons might as well be dead."
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 5:4-6 But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God. Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day. But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth. KJV
Paul goes on in his instruction to Brother Timothy on how he and other leaders in Christ Church should care for and guide widows in Christ Church by declaring that true widows should display, depict, and demonstrate that their priorities are in the right place, so Paul says this should be true of them, "But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God." (1 Timothy 5:4) (KJV). The idea Paul is trying to get over to Brother Timothy is that he (as a leader) should make sure that these widows that are being employed in the Church of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ are women who can be trusted by him and the other leaders to care for the sick, shut in, and senior members of Christ Church who are in need of daily care and comfort. The way that Timothy and the other leaders are to tell if these widows are responsible, real, and reliable nurturers would be to see if their own children were well taken care of by them or if instead they were neglected and mistreated by their Mother the now widow. When Paul writes here, 'let them learn first to shew piety at home', he means simply that if the widow has not and is not currently showing an unconditional and caring love for her own blood related children and nieces and nephews in her care (as well as her earthly parents), then how could she ever be trusted and allowed to care for those in need in Christ Church.
The little English phrase 'let them learn' is translated by the Greek word manthanō which means simply to learn something and keep on learning it. The little English phrase 'to shew piety' is translated by the Greek word eusebeō which means to be pious, that is, (towards God) to worship, or (towards parents) to respect (support): - show piety, worship. The little English phrase 'to requite' is translated by the Greek word apodidōmi which means to repay or to give back to. Paul also means this to be directed to the widows children who are old enough to work, that is, that they must learn piety at home by working outside of the home and now taking care of their widowed Mother or Aunt who took care of them when they were babies and young kids. Here is what Dr. John Gill said concerning children showing piety at home, "It is the duty of children to take care of their parents in old age, and provide for them, when they cannot for themselves: this is a lesson they ought to learn in the first place, and a duty which they ought principally to observe; they should not suffer them to come to a Church for relief, but first take care of them themselves, as long as they are in any capacity to do it; and these should be their first care before any others; so to do is an act of piety, a religious action, a pious one; it is doing according to the will and law of God, and is well pleasing to Him."
The true widow who has no family, that is, grown children or grown nieces and nephews that will take care of her Paul declares this of her, "Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, trusteth in God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day." (1 Timothy 5:5) (KJV). Paul means here that the true widow knows that her hope relies entirely on the ever present mercy of God the Father completely confiding in and trusting Him to act on her behalf by awakening, arousing, and authorizing His Church leaders to bring in this widow and employ her in the Church in order that her needs and necessities of this earthly life would be met, just as Paul wrote to the Philippian believers to do when he said this, "Do not fret {or} have any anxiety about anything, but in every circumstance {and} in everything, by prayer and petition (definite requests), with thanksgiving, continue to make your wants known to God. And God's peace [shall be yours, that tranquil state of a soul assured of its salvation through Christ, and so fearing nothing from God and being content with its earthly lot of whatever sort that is, that peace] which transcends all understanding shall garrison {and} mount guard over your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus." (Philippians 4:6-7) (Amplified Bible). The Prophet Jeremiah said these words given to him by the Lord speaking of widows, "Leave your fatherless children; I will [do what is necessary to] preserve them alive. And let [those who have been made] your widows trust {and} confide in Me." (Jeremiah 49:11) (Amplified Bible).
Paul now contrast the true widow who trust in the Lord with the widow who dedicates, desires, and decides to go it on her own not continuing in prayers and supplications to God the Father for her daily needs and necessities of this earthly life, but taking care of her own needs in her own ways as Paul puts it with these words, "But she that liveth in pleasure is dead while she liveth." (1 Timothy 4:6) (KJV). The little English phrase 'she that liveth in pleasure' is translated by the Greek word spatalaō and it means (luxury); to be voluptuous: - live in pleasure, be wanton. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning the widow who lived in pleasure, "It properly means to live in luxury, voluptuously; to indulge freely in eating and drinking; to yield to the indulgence of the appetites. It does not indicate grossly criminal pleasures; but the kind of pleasure connected with luxurious living, and with pampering the appetites. It is probable that in the time of the Apostle, there were professedly Christian widows who lived in this manner - as there are such professing Christians of all kinds in every age of the world. To all the proper purposes of life she is as if she were dead. There is great emphasis in this expression, and nothing could convey more forcibly the idea that true happiness is not to be found in the pleasure of sense. There is nothing in them that answers the purposes of life. They are not the objects for which life was given, and as to the great and proper designs of existence, such persons might as well be dead."
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, July 25, 2018
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 46
Paul Instructs Timothy on how Members of Christ Body should be Treated in Christ Church Part 2
1 Timothy 5:2-3 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. Honor widows that are widows indeed. KJV
Paul now shifts his emphasis to Brother Timothy on how he and all other leaders of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ Church should treat women in the Church by first acknowledging the elder women just as he did with the elder men, "The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity." (1 Timothy 5:2) (KJV). The little English phrase 'the elder women' is translated by the Greek word presbuteros (the exact same word used by Paul in the previous verse speaking of the men) which again means senior person, that is, in this case the senior women of Christ Church. Just as Timothy and the other leaders of the Church were to treat the elder men with the same respect and reverence they would an earthly Father, so too were they to treat the elder women with like respect and reverence as they would treat their own earthly Mothers.
The younger women were to be looked upon by Timothy and the other male leaders of Christ Church as their sisters in Christ, but also as they would see their blood sisters in the flesh and in so doing they would then treat them with the respect they would deserve in the congregation. Seeing the women in Christ Church as a 'sister' would also serve to promote the treatment of them with purity, that is, they would refrain from seeing them as sexual objects that they could take advantage of because of their leadership position in Christ Church. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say concerning the discipline of elder women and younger women in the Church, "When they offend in any point, they are to be reasoned, and argued, and pleaded with, as children should with their Mothers; see Hosea 2:2 and are to be considered as Mothers in Israel, and to be treated with great tenderness and respect. The younger as sisters; using the freedom as a brother may with a sister; and considering them as sisters in Christ, and in a way becoming the relation, tell them their faults freely and privately, but with all purity: in such manner as to preserve chastity in looks, in words, and actions."
Paul now turns his instruction to the women who have lost their husbands and are now alone by saying, "Honor widows that are widows indeed." (1 Timothy 5:3) (KJV). The English word 'honor' is translated by the Greek word timaō which means to prize, that is, fix a valuation upon; by implication to revere: - honor, value. The valuing of widows in that day was due primarily or for the most part because women did not work outside of the home to support themselves and their children, that was done entirely and only by the man/husband during the time of Paul writing this letter to Timothy, therefore, with that being the reality, the widows in the Church needed not only emotional support and comfort, but they most certainly needed the financial support of the Body of Christ in order that their basic living needs would be taken care of; food, shelter, and clothing. Here is what Matthew Henry had to say concerning the honoring of widows, "Honor them, that is, maintain them, admit them into office. There was in those times an office in the Church in which widows were employed, and that was to tend the sick and the aged, to look to them by the direction of the deacons. We read of the care taken of widows immediately upon the first forming of the Christian Church (Acts 6:1), where the Grecians thought their widows were neglected in the daily ministration and provision made for poor widows. The general rule is to honor widows that are widows indeed, to maintain them, to relieve them with respect and tenderness."
"The treatment of the elder women, the younger women, and the widowed women (of all ages) in the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ is one of the most important things that takes place in the Church, for any man or woman in leadership who takes advantage of elderly women in Christ Church financially by using their property improperly or taking more money from them than they had planned to give to the Church or by intimidating them to give more money will surely receive perhaps the harshess judgement from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for indeed they should perform their duties as the Apostle Peter instructed with these words, 'Tend (nurture, guard, guide, and fold) the flock of God that is [your responsibility], not by coercion {or} constraint, but willingly; not dishonorably motivated by the advantages {and} profits [belonging to the office], but eagerly {and} cheerfully; Not domineering [as arrogant, dictatorial, and overbearing persons] over those in your charge, but being examples (patterns and models of Christian living) to the flock (the congregation).' (1 Peter 5:2-3) (Amplified Bible). Likewise any man in leadership in Christ Church who would use his office of authority to seduce the younger women in the Church will likewise receive harsh judgement from our Lord Jesus. It is the responsibility of the Church leadership to aid those widows in their flock who are true widows and in need of help with the daily necessities of this earthly life away from the heavenly home, for this should be the Church leaderships first priority, not building huge elaborate buildings and taking money from well meaning believers to build their own earthly empire." 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 5:2-3 The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. Honor widows that are widows indeed. KJV
Paul now shifts his emphasis to Brother Timothy on how he and all other leaders of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ Church should treat women in the Church by first acknowledging the elder women just as he did with the elder men, "The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity." (1 Timothy 5:2) (KJV). The little English phrase 'the elder women' is translated by the Greek word presbuteros (the exact same word used by Paul in the previous verse speaking of the men) which again means senior person, that is, in this case the senior women of Christ Church. Just as Timothy and the other leaders of the Church were to treat the elder men with the same respect and reverence they would an earthly Father, so too were they to treat the elder women with like respect and reverence as they would treat their own earthly Mothers.
The younger women were to be looked upon by Timothy and the other male leaders of Christ Church as their sisters in Christ, but also as they would see their blood sisters in the flesh and in so doing they would then treat them with the respect they would deserve in the congregation. Seeing the women in Christ Church as a 'sister' would also serve to promote the treatment of them with purity, that is, they would refrain from seeing them as sexual objects that they could take advantage of because of their leadership position in Christ Church. Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say concerning the discipline of elder women and younger women in the Church, "When they offend in any point, they are to be reasoned, and argued, and pleaded with, as children should with their Mothers; see Hosea 2:2 and are to be considered as Mothers in Israel, and to be treated with great tenderness and respect. The younger as sisters; using the freedom as a brother may with a sister; and considering them as sisters in Christ, and in a way becoming the relation, tell them their faults freely and privately, but with all purity: in such manner as to preserve chastity in looks, in words, and actions."
Paul now turns his instruction to the women who have lost their husbands and are now alone by saying, "Honor widows that are widows indeed." (1 Timothy 5:3) (KJV). The English word 'honor' is translated by the Greek word timaō which means to prize, that is, fix a valuation upon; by implication to revere: - honor, value. The valuing of widows in that day was due primarily or for the most part because women did not work outside of the home to support themselves and their children, that was done entirely and only by the man/husband during the time of Paul writing this letter to Timothy, therefore, with that being the reality, the widows in the Church needed not only emotional support and comfort, but they most certainly needed the financial support of the Body of Christ in order that their basic living needs would be taken care of; food, shelter, and clothing. Here is what Matthew Henry had to say concerning the honoring of widows, "Honor them, that is, maintain them, admit them into office. There was in those times an office in the Church in which widows were employed, and that was to tend the sick and the aged, to look to them by the direction of the deacons. We read of the care taken of widows immediately upon the first forming of the Christian Church (Acts 6:1), where the Grecians thought their widows were neglected in the daily ministration and provision made for poor widows. The general rule is to honor widows that are widows indeed, to maintain them, to relieve them with respect and tenderness."
"The treatment of the elder women, the younger women, and the widowed women (of all ages) in the Church of our Lord Jesus Christ is one of the most important things that takes place in the Church, for any man or woman in leadership who takes advantage of elderly women in Christ Church financially by using their property improperly or taking more money from them than they had planned to give to the Church or by intimidating them to give more money will surely receive perhaps the harshess judgement from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, for indeed they should perform their duties as the Apostle Peter instructed with these words, 'Tend (nurture, guard, guide, and fold) the flock of God that is [your responsibility], not by coercion {or} constraint, but willingly; not dishonorably motivated by the advantages {and} profits [belonging to the office], but eagerly {and} cheerfully; Not domineering [as arrogant, dictatorial, and overbearing persons] over those in your charge, but being examples (patterns and models of Christian living) to the flock (the congregation).' (1 Peter 5:2-3) (Amplified Bible). Likewise any man in leadership in Christ Church who would use his office of authority to seduce the younger women in the Church will likewise receive harsh judgement from our Lord Jesus. It is the responsibility of the Church leadership to aid those widows in their flock who are true widows and in need of help with the daily necessities of this earthly life away from the heavenly home, for this should be the Church leaderships first priority, not building huge elaborate buildings and taking money from well meaning believers to build their own earthly empire." 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, July 21, 2018
Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 1st Letter Volume 45
Paul Instructs Timothy on how Members of Christ Body should be Treated in Christ Church Part 1
1 Timothy 5:1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; KJV
Paul now shifts his attention, assistance, and admonition to Brother Timothy with the emphasis and focus on a brief bit of instruction to him on how he (as the leader or one of the leaders in Ephesus) should treat members of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ Body in the assembly of saints by saying first, "Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;" (1 Timothy 5:1) (KJV). All in the Church of Christ were not cut out of a cookie mold, meaning they are not all the same and they all require different ways in which they are to be cared for, censured, and counseled by Brother Timothy. The English word 'Rebuke' that begins this 1st verse is translated by the Greek word epiplēssō (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning to chastise, that is, (with words) to upbraid: - that is, express criticism towards or reproach. The little English phrase 'an elder' is translated by the Greek word presbuteros meaning (elderly); older; as noun, a senior; specifically an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or Christian “presbyter”: - elder , older person.
In other words, Paul wanted to see Timothy and all the other leaders of Christ Church pay very close attention to their treatment of the senior or elder members of Christ Body, paying them the respect they would to their own earthly Fathers. Paul growing up as a Jewish boy attending regularly the Jewish animal sacrifices and the other ceremonies in the Synagogue knew how important showing respect to the Jewish elders was regarded by all and even though our Lord Jesus Christ sinless perfect life and then His subsequent death on the Cross, burial and resurrection from the dead has satisfied all of the Mosaic Law and the Moral Law of God, yet Paul still sees that certain Jewish policy, procedure, and practice was in no way disavowed, or denied, or destroyed by our Lord's sacrifice. It is still Christ will that just as the elders in the Jewish Synagogues were reverenced, revered, and respected highly by the younger members, so too should be the practice in Christ Body (the Church). Paul begin as a little Jewish boy and ended as a Jewish man who sat as an elder in the Jewish Sanhedrin, so he saw this profound honoring of the Jewish elders from both perspectives.
The Apostle Paul uses this noun 'elder' here in the dative case, that is, it serves as the indirect object of the verb 'rebuke', therefore, detailing that Paul is here referring to the older persons of the Church and not specifically 'the elder' who is in leadership in the Church. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning rebuking not an elder, "The word 'elder' here is not used in the sense in which it often is, to denote an officer of the Church, a Presbyter, but in its proper and usual sense, to denote an aged man. This is evident, because the Apostle immediately mentions in contradistinction from the elder, 'the younger men,' where it cannot be supposed that he refers to them as officers. The command to treat the 'elder' as a 'father,' also shows the same thing. By the direction not to rebuke, it is not to be supposed that the minister of the Gospel is not to admonish the aged, or that he is not to show them their sins when they go astray, but that he is to do this as he would to a father. He is not to assume a harsh, dictatorial, and denunciatory manner. The precepts of religion always respect the proprieties of life, and never allow us to transgress them, even when the object is to reclaim a soul from error, and to save one who is wandering. Besides, when this is the aim, it will always be most certainly accomplished by observing the respect due to others on account of office, relation, rank, or age."
The English word 'intreat' is translated by the Greek word parakaleō meaning to call near, that is, invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation): - beseech, call for, comfort, exhort, intreat, pray. In other words, Paul instructs Timothy to exhort and call near the elders in the Church, even when they need admonishing for their sin and error as one would show reverence and respect to a Father and also as Paul directed the Galatian believers with these words, "BRETHREN, IF any person is overtaken in misconduct {or} sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right {and} restore {and} reinstate him, without any sense of superiority {and} with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also." (Galatians 6:1) (Amplified Bible). When Paul writes here, 'and the younger men as brethren', he means simply that Timothy is to interact with the younger men as his equal, even though he is a leader in the Church and again this does not mean he must not hand down discipline for wrong, wayward, or wicked behavior, but he is not to lord over them his position of authority. Here again is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning treating the younger men as brethren, "That is, treat them as you would your own brothers. Do not consider them as aliens, strangers, or enemies, but entertain toward them, even when they go astray, the kindly feelings of a brother. This refers more particularly to his private conversation with them, and to his personal efforts to reclaim them when they had fallen into sin. When these efforts were ineffectual, and they sinned openly, he was to 'rebuke them before all' 1 Timothy 5:20, that others might be deterred from following their example."
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 5:1 Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren; KJV
Paul now shifts his attention, assistance, and admonition to Brother Timothy with the emphasis and focus on a brief bit of instruction to him on how he (as the leader or one of the leaders in Ephesus) should treat members of our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ Body in the assembly of saints by saying first, "Rebuke not an elder, but intreat him as a father; and the younger men as brethren;" (1 Timothy 5:1) (KJV). All in the Church of Christ were not cut out of a cookie mold, meaning they are not all the same and they all require different ways in which they are to be cared for, censured, and counseled by Brother Timothy. The English word 'Rebuke' that begins this 1st verse is translated by the Greek word epiplēssō (used this one time only in the entire New Testament) meaning to chastise, that is, (with words) to upbraid: - that is, express criticism towards or reproach. The little English phrase 'an elder' is translated by the Greek word presbuteros meaning (elderly); older; as noun, a senior; specifically an Israelite Sanhedrist (also figuratively, member of the celestial council) or Christian “presbyter”: - elder , older person.
In other words, Paul wanted to see Timothy and all the other leaders of Christ Church pay very close attention to their treatment of the senior or elder members of Christ Body, paying them the respect they would to their own earthly Fathers. Paul growing up as a Jewish boy attending regularly the Jewish animal sacrifices and the other ceremonies in the Synagogue knew how important showing respect to the Jewish elders was regarded by all and even though our Lord Jesus Christ sinless perfect life and then His subsequent death on the Cross, burial and resurrection from the dead has satisfied all of the Mosaic Law and the Moral Law of God, yet Paul still sees that certain Jewish policy, procedure, and practice was in no way disavowed, or denied, or destroyed by our Lord's sacrifice. It is still Christ will that just as the elders in the Jewish Synagogues were reverenced, revered, and respected highly by the younger members, so too should be the practice in Christ Body (the Church). Paul begin as a little Jewish boy and ended as a Jewish man who sat as an elder in the Jewish Sanhedrin, so he saw this profound honoring of the Jewish elders from both perspectives.
The Apostle Paul uses this noun 'elder' here in the dative case, that is, it serves as the indirect object of the verb 'rebuke', therefore, detailing that Paul is here referring to the older persons of the Church and not specifically 'the elder' who is in leadership in the Church. Here is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning rebuking not an elder, "The word 'elder' here is not used in the sense in which it often is, to denote an officer of the Church, a Presbyter, but in its proper and usual sense, to denote an aged man. This is evident, because the Apostle immediately mentions in contradistinction from the elder, 'the younger men,' where it cannot be supposed that he refers to them as officers. The command to treat the 'elder' as a 'father,' also shows the same thing. By the direction not to rebuke, it is not to be supposed that the minister of the Gospel is not to admonish the aged, or that he is not to show them their sins when they go astray, but that he is to do this as he would to a father. He is not to assume a harsh, dictatorial, and denunciatory manner. The precepts of religion always respect the proprieties of life, and never allow us to transgress them, even when the object is to reclaim a soul from error, and to save one who is wandering. Besides, when this is the aim, it will always be most certainly accomplished by observing the respect due to others on account of office, relation, rank, or age."
The English word 'intreat' is translated by the Greek word parakaleō meaning to call near, that is, invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation): - beseech, call for, comfort, exhort, intreat, pray. In other words, Paul instructs Timothy to exhort and call near the elders in the Church, even when they need admonishing for their sin and error as one would show reverence and respect to a Father and also as Paul directed the Galatian believers with these words, "BRETHREN, IF any person is overtaken in misconduct {or} sin of any sort, you who are spiritual [who are responsive to and controlled by the Spirit] should set him right {and} restore {and} reinstate him, without any sense of superiority {and} with all gentleness, keeping an attentive eye on yourself, lest you should be tempted also." (Galatians 6:1) (Amplified Bible). When Paul writes here, 'and the younger men as brethren', he means simply that Timothy is to interact with the younger men as his equal, even though he is a leader in the Church and again this does not mean he must not hand down discipline for wrong, wayward, or wicked behavior, but he is not to lord over them his position of authority. Here again is what Albert Barnes had to say concerning treating the younger men as brethren, "That is, treat them as you would your own brothers. Do not consider them as aliens, strangers, or enemies, but entertain toward them, even when they go astray, the kindly feelings of a brother. This refers more particularly to his private conversation with them, and to his personal efforts to reclaim them when they had fallen into sin. When these efforts were ineffectual, and they sinned openly, he was to 'rebuke them before all' 1 Timothy 5:20, that others might be deterred from following their example."
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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