Category: Bible

Faithfulness – Part 1

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

Hebrews 11:1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen…

From Hebrews 11:1 we have eighteen definitions of faith: Substance of things hoped for (Heb. 11:1). Evidence of things not seen (Heb. 11:1, 7). Invisible backing of elders (Heb. 11:2). Creative power of divine works (Heb. 11:3). Divine testimony of right doing (Heb. 11:4). Cancellation of natural laws (Heb. 11:5). Basis of pleasing God (Heb. 11:6). Dependence upon God’s word (Heb. 11:7). Trust in an unknown future (Heb. 11:8-10). Counting things that be not as though they were (Heb. 11:11-12; Rom. 4:17). Seeing invisible things (Heb. 11:13-16). Assurance of God’s faithfulness (Heb. 11:17-19; 10:23). Confidence in things to come (Heb. 11:20-31; 3:6, 14; 10:35; Eph. 3:12; 1Jn. 3:21). Stimulus of the Christian faith (Heb. 11:32 – 12:2). The life-blood of the just (Heb. 10:38). Shield of Christian armour (Eph. 6:16). Down payment of things desired (Heb. 3:6, 12-14; 6:11-12; 10:22-23, 35-39). Guarantee of answered prayer (Matt. 21:22; Mark 11:22-24; Heb. 11:6; Jas. 1:1-27).

Hebrews 11:6 warns that without faith it is impossible to please Him: for when we come to God we must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him and here we have four secrets of answered prayer: To please God (1Jn. 3:21-22; 5:14-15). To come to God with the right attitude and motives (Matt. 6:5-15; 7:7-11; Php. 4:5-6). To believe that He is (John 16:23). To believe He is a rewarder of them diligently seeking Him. If one can believe this as much as he believes in the existence of God, prayer will be granted. If one believes firmly in His existence and doubts His word, he makes Him a liar and God is under no obligation to answer prayer (Jas. 1:4-8). The Greek for diligently is ekzeteo, translated diligently seek (Heb. 11:6); seek after (Acts 15:17; Rom. 3:11); seek carefully (Heb. 12:17); require (Luke 11:50-51), and enquire (1Pet. 1:10).

To be continued…

Faithful is He – Part 3

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

1Thessalonians 5:24-28 Faithful is he that called you…

Just as God is faithful, we are called to faithfulness and are equipped by the fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23): But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, meekness, temperance: against such there is no law.

‘Faith’ [Greek: pistis] is confidence, faithfulness, trust, and a pledge of good faith. Used 244 times. Translated belief (2Thess. 2:13); fidelity (Tit. 2:10); assurance (Acts 17:31); and faith 239 times (Heb. 11:1-39; 12:2; etc.). Here it means fidelity or faithfulness in contrast to the Lord who is faithful (2Thess. 3:2-3).

The word “believe” denotes the act and process of faith. It comes from the Greek verb pisteuo which occurs 248 times in the New Testament. This use of the present tense indicates that faith must be continued in to receive its benefits (Acts 14:22; Eph. 6:16; Col. 1:23; 2:5-7; 1Thess. 5:8; 1Tim. 2:15; 3:9; 6:12; 2Tim. 3:8; 4:7; Tit. 1:13; Heb. 10:23-38; 2Pet. 1:5-10). It can be lost (Luke 8:13; 1Tim. 1:19; 4:1; 5:8, 12; 6:10, 21; 2Tim. 2:18; 3:8; Jude 1:3; Rev. 2:13). Faith means: To be persuaded of (Rom. 4:17-22; 8:38-39; 2Tim. 1:12). Place confidence in (Eph. 3:12; Php. 1:6; Heb. 3:6, 12-14; 10:35; 1Jn. 3:21; 5:14). The substance or conviction of things hoped for, the assurance of things not seen (Heb. 10:19-38; 11:1, 6; Rom. 4:17; 8:24). Absolute dependence upon and reliance in the Word of God and of Christ (Matt. 8:8-10; 15:28; Rom. 10:17; Heb. 11:1 – 12:3). Full surrender, yieldedness, and obedience to all known truth (Rom. 1:5; 6:11-23; 16:26; Jas. 2:14-26; 2Cor. 10:4-7; Heb. 11:6). Trust wholly and unreservedly in the faithfulness of God (Matt. 6:25-34; 12:21; Luke 12:28-31; Eph. 1:13; 1Tim. 4:11; 6:17; 1Cor. 10:13). Give one’s self over to a new way of life (Rom. 1:17; 6:11-23; 8:1-16; 2Cor. 10:4-7; Gal. 5:16-26; Col. 3:5-10; Heb. 12:1-15; Tit. 2:11-14; 1Jn. 1:7; 2:6; 3:8-10; 4:17; 5:1-5, 18). The attribute of God and restored faculty of man whereby both can bring into unseen existence things (Rom. 4:17; Gal. 5:22; Matt. 17:20; 21:22; Mark 9:23; 11:22-24; Luke 17:6; Heb. 11:1-40). The whole body of revealed truth (Luke 18:8; Jude 1:3; Rom. 10:17; 1Tim. 4:1, 6; 6:10; 2Tim. 3:16-17). Joyful faith in, and acceptance of Christ as the substitute for sin and our Saviour whereby one receives salvation (Mark 16:16; Acts 4:12; 10:43; Rom. 1:16; 3:24-31; Eph. 2:8-9); access into grace (Rom. 5:2); fulfilment of the promises (Heb. 6:12); the Holy Spirit (Gal. 3:14); righteousness (Rom. 4:1-25; 9:30, 32; 10:6; Php. 3:9); sonship (Gal. 3:26); healing (Jas. 5:14-16; 1Pet. 2:24); eternal life (John 3:15-18, 36; 5:24; 6:47); and answers to every prayer (Matt. 7:7-11; 21:21; Mark 11:22-24; Luke 18:1-8; John 14:12-15; 15:7, 16).

Faithful is He – Part 2

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

1Thessalonians 5:24-28 Faithful is he that called you…

We note ten attributes of God from Psalm 36:4-9: Mercy – high as the heavens (Ps. 36:5). Faithfulness – far-reaching as the clouds. Righteousness – high as mountains (Ps. 36:6). Justice – deep as the abyss. Preservation – universal as existence. Kindness – excellent (Ps. 36:7). Providence – complete (Ps. 36:8). Satisfaction – rivers of pleasure (Ps. 36:9). Life – the fountain of life. Light – the source of truth.

Psalm 40:10 reads as follows: “I have not hid thy righteousness within my heart; I have declared thy faithfulness and thy salvation…” His faithfulness here refers to the fulfilment of the covenants and promises through Jesus Christ and His great salvation (John 1:16-17; Rom. 3:2; 9:4-5; 2Cor. 1:20).

The faithfulness of God is eternal – unto all generations. This is another scripture stating eternal generations of natural people (Gen. 8:22; 9:12; Isa. 9:6-7; 59:21; Dan. 2:44-45; 7:13-14, 18, 27; Luke 1:32-33; Rev. 11:15; 21:3-7; 22:4-5).

Two great qualities of the Messiah (Isa. 11:5 – His righteousness (Heb. 1:9) and faithfulness (Heb. 2:17; Rev. 1:5).

To be continued…

Faithful is He – Part 1

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

1Thessalonians 5:24-28 Faithful is he that called you, who also will do it. Brethren, pray for us. Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss. I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. The first epistle to the Thessalonians was written from Athens. 

‘Faithful is he’ – Twelve times God and Christ are called faithful (Deut. 7:9; Isa. 49:7; 1Cor. 1:9; 10:13; 2Thess. 3:3; Heb. 10:23; 11:11; 1Pet. 4:19; 1Jn. 1:9; Rev. 1:5; 3:14; 19:11).

God is faithful and will not let one endure more temptations than he can bear (1Cor. 10:13-14), nor will He allow one to be lost without doing all in His power to save him (John 3:16; 1Tim. 2:4; 2Pet. 3:9; Rev. 22:17). If a man falls into sin or is lost it is his own responsibility. He has not taken God’s way, as the psalmist did (Ps. 119:30, 173). As a last resort, God may allow trouble and even permit satan to afflict with disease to bring a man back to righteousness (Job 33:14-29).

‘Brethren, pray for us.’ Constantly Paul asked for the prayers of the saints. He recognized their prayers as more valuable than all their wealth and help otherwise.

‘Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.’ This was an Eastern custom and was used amongst believers.

‘I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.’ A reason for this is not clear unless there may have been some danger of it not being read to all the believers of the Christian congregations, or perhaps local groups in and around Thessalonica.

‘Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.’ Paul begins and ends the epistle with a statement about the grace of Christ.

To be continued…

Sanctify You Wholly – Part 2

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

1Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

All souls are fully conscious between death and the resurrection, the righteous souls being conscious in paradise and heaven (2Cor. 5:8; Php. 1:21-24; Heb. 12:22-23; Rev. 6:9-11), and the wicked souls in hell (Isa. 14:9; Luke 16:19; Rev. 20:11-15). For example, compare Acts 2:27 with Psalm 16:10; 1Corinthians 15:45 with Genesis 2:7; etc.

Psuche (G5590) is used for: Lower animals (Rev. 8:9; 16:3); Man as an individual (Acts 2:41, 43; 3:23; 7:14; 27:37; Rom. 2:9; 13:1; 1Cor. 15:45; Jas. 5:20; 1Pet. 3:20; 2Pet. 2:14; Rev. 6:9; 18:13; 20:4). The life of man, which can be lost, destroyed, saved, etc. and translated life (Matt. 2:20; 6:25; 10:39; 16:25; 20:28; Mark 3:4; 8:35; 10:45; Luke 6:9; 9:24, 56; 12:22-23; 14:26; 17:33; John 10:11-17; 12:25; 13:37-38; 15:13; Acts 15:26; 20:10, 24; 27:10, 22; Rom. 11:3; 16:4; Php. 2:30; 1Jn. 3:16; Rev. 12:11). The life of a man, which can be lost, destroyed, saved, etc. and translated soul (Matt. 10:28; 16:26; Mark 8:36-37; Luke 12:20; 21:19; 1Thess. 2:8; 5:23; Heb. 4:12; 6:19; 10:39; 13:17; Jas. 1:21; 1Pet. 1:9; 2:11, 25; 4:19). Man, to emphasize self, such as my soul, or myself (Matt. 11:29; 12:18; 26:38; Mark 14:34; Luke 1:46; 12:19; John 12:27; Heb. 10:38; 1Pet. 1:22). The powers of one’s being (Matt. 22:37; Luke 2:35; 10:27; Acts 4:32; 3Jn. 1:2; Eph. 6:6; Php. 1:27).

‘Body’ – The body is the house of the soul and spirit and goes back to dust again at death (Gen. 3:19) and becomes immortal in the resurrection (1Cor. 15:54-58).

‘Unto’ [Greek: en] Translated as “at,” 1Thessalonians 2:19; 3:13. It is at the rapture that saints will be set apart wholly unto God and His eternal will and made whole in body, soul, and spirit (1Cor. 15:51-58; Php. 3:21; Rom 8:18-25; 1Pet. 1:5, 9, 13).

‘Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.’ In each chapter of this epistle, the coming of the Lord is presented in a different aspect: 1Thessalonians 1:10; 2:19; 3:13; 4:13-18; 5:23.

Sanctify You Wholly – Part 1

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

1Thessalonians 5:23 And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 

‘And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly …’ This is the 5th and last New Testament prophecy in 1Thessalonians (5:23-24). If you will obey the commands of the note on 1Thessalonians 5:22, the God of peace will sanctify you (set you apart) wholly for His service and will.

‘Spirit’ [Greek: pneuma] is the equivalent of the Hebrew ruwach. Pneuma is used 385 times in the New Testament. “Pneuma” is used of [1] God as Spirit (John 4:24; 2Cor. 3:17); [2] Christ (1Cor. 6:17; 15:45); [3] The Holy Spirit (Matt. 1:18, 20; 3:11, 16 – altogether of Him over 240 times); [4] Christ’s spirit (Mark 2:8; 8:12; Luke 2:40; John 11:33; 19:30); [5] Angels (Heb. 1:7, 14; Ps. 104:4); [6] Spirits of men (Matt. 5:3; 1Cor. 2:11; 6:20; 1Thess. 5:23; Heb. 4:12; 12:23); [7] Evil spirits (Matt. 8:16; 10:1; 12:43; Acts 8:7; 16:16; Rev. 16:13; 18:2); [8] The resurrection body (1Cor. 15:44).

‘Soul’ – the soul of man [Greek: psuche] life; soul or spiritual part in contrast to the material body; a departed soul; also the spirit which still retains the shape and size of its living owner; the seat of the desires, feelings, passions, appetites, and emotions. Psuche is the only word translated as “soul” in the New Testament. It occurs 105 times. Translated “soul” 58 times; “life” 40 times; “mind” 3 times; and “heart, heartily, us,” and “you” once each. Psuche corresponds to the Hebrew word nephesh in the Old Testament. Job 14:22 plainly expressed the often repeated doctrine of the material and spiritual natures of man. The flesh was upon him and his spirit within him. Only the body is material and of dust and will return to dust (Gen. 2:7; 3:19; Eccl. 3:19-21). The inner man, which is made up of soul and spirit, is spiritual; it was created to live inside the body (Gen. 2:7). At death the body dies and the inner man leaves it, going to paradise or hell depending on the way the individual lived in his lifetime – whether he accepted God’s provision of salvation and conformed to the righteousness taught in the Bible.

To be continued…

Abstain

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

1Thessalonians 5:16-22 Rejoice evermore. Pray without ceasing. In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil.

‘Abstain from all appearance of evil.’ Twenty-two commands and admonitions: Do not sleep; be spiritually alive (5:6). Watch, and be alert for enemies. Let us be sober, not intoxicated (5:6-7). Put on the armour of God (5:8; Eph. 6:1-24). Comfort one another (5:11; 4:18). Edify or build up one another. Know or be kind to ministers (5:12). Esteem ministers highly in love (5:13). Live in peace among yourselves. Warn the unruly, the disorderly (5:14). Console the fainthearted. Sustain the weak, strengthless (5:14; 1Cor. 8:10). Be patient with all men. Render evil to no man (5:15). Follow that which is good. Rejoice always in all things (5:16). Pray always about all things (5:17). Give thanks always in all things (5:18). Quench not the Spirit (5:19). Despise not prophesyings (5:20). Test all things; retain the good (5:21). Abstain from all appearance of evil, not only from all evil (5:22).

Very Highly in Love

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

1Thessalonians 5:12-15 And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you; And to esteem them very highly in love for their work’s sake. And be at peace among yourselves. Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men. See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men. 

‘Over’ [Greek: proistemi] to set over; be at the head of; be the chief. Translated be over (5:12); rule (Rom. 12:8; 1Tim. 3:4-5, 12; 5:17); and maintain (Tit. 3:8, 14). These were the apostles, prophets, teachers, pastors and other ministers (Eph. 4:11; 1Cor. 12:28).

‘Very highly in love for their work’s sake.’ These ministers were not only to be respected but esteemed superabundantly. The Greek word perissos is translated as beyond measure (Mark 6:51); exceedingly abundantly above (Eph. 3:20); exceedingly (3:10); very highly (5:13); more abundantly (John 10:10); more (Matt. 5:37, 47); superfluous (2Cor. 9:1); and advantage (Rom. 3:1). This was to be done in love and for their work’s sake.

‘Unruly’ [Greek: ataktos] means those who are out of step and not performing their duty as Christians.

‘Feebleminded’ [Greek: oligopsuchos] fainthearted. Those who lose heart in any battle.

‘Support’ [Greek: antechomai] to hold one’s hand; to shade one’s eyes; to be a help. Translated support (5:14); hold fast (Tit. 1:9); and hold to (Matt. 6:24; Luke 16:13).

Not Appointed Us to Wrath

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

1Thessalonians 5:9-11 For God had not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him. Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also you do. 

‘For God had not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ.’ God has not appointed Christians to go through the tribulation wrath, the sudden destruction of 1Thessalonians 5:2-3; Revelation 6:1-19:21 and Matthew 24:15-21, or the wrath of eternal hell, but to be delivered by the rapture [resurrection] so that whether we live or die we should live together with Him forever (5:9-10; 4:13-18; 2Thess. 2:7; Rev. 4:1).

‘Whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.’ This refers to the rapture of 1Thessalonians 4:13-18 and proves that all in Christ – dead or alive – will be raptured and live with Christ forever and that all will escape the wrath of 1Thessalonians 5:1-3, 9; Matthew 24:15-21 and Revelation 6:1-19:21.

‘Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another.’ This expression is used in 1Thessalonians 4:18 and here, and in each passage, it refers to comfort because of the rapture and escape of the wrath which will be poured out upon men after the rapture and before the second coming (Rev. 6:1 – 19:21).

Watch and Be Sober

~ iolaHC ~ Leave a comment

1Thessalonians 5:6-8 Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober. For they that sleep sleep in the night; and they that be drunken are drunken in the night. But let us, who are of the day, be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love; and for an helmet, the hope of salvation. 

‘Therefore let us not sleep, as do others; but let us watch and be sober.’ Conditions of escape: Since we are children of the light and the day, and God has not appointed us to wrath but to obtain deliverance from this day by rapture, let us meet the conditions of escape from that day of wrath and the sudden destruction of 1Thessalonians 5:6-11.

Four conditions of escape: [1] Not sleep (5:6-7) [Greek: katheudo] to repose one’s self in sleep. Used of the sleeping, indifferent, careless, and unfaithful virgins (Matt. 25:5); of the sleeping disciples who could not watch with Christ one hour (Matt. 26:45); and of indifferent and backsliding men (5:6-8; Eph. 5:14;). The warning here is that we do not go back into sin. [2] Watch (5:6). Be always alert and live godly in Christ; do not permit yourself to be overthrown by temptation (Matt. 24:42-51). [3] Be sober (5:6-8) [Greek: nepho] to drink no intoxicants; live soberly and righteously (Tit. 2:11-12). Translated as be sober (5:6, 8; 1Pet. 1:13; 5:8) and watch (2Tim. 4:5; 1Pet. 4:7). It was counted a disgrace even among the heathen to be drunk in the day, hence the admonition to live as children of light and the day (5:5-8). Put on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet – the hope of salvation (5:8; Eph. 6:10-18). We are not only to be sober and watch but we are called to fight the fight of faith and lay hold of eternal life (1Tim. 6:12; 1Cor. 9:24-27).

‘The hope of salvation.’ Salvation is a hope and not an unforfeitable possession until the next life (5:8; Rom. 8:20-25; 2Thess. 2:16; 1Pet. 1:5, 9, 13). Eternal life is also our hope now, even though we possess it (Tit. 1:2; 3:7; Heb. 3:6; 6:11, 11, 18-19; 1Pet. 1:3, 13). It will not be an unforfeitable and eternal possession until the next life and at the end of a life of sowing to the Spirit (Matt. 7:13-14; 18:8-9; 19:28-29; Mark 10:29-30; Luke 18:29-30; Rom. 2:7; 6:21-23; Gal. 6:7-8; 1Tim. 1:16; 4:8; 6:12, 19; 1Pet. 1:5, 9, 13; 3:7; 1Jn. 2:25; Jude 1:20-24; Dan. 12:2; John 5:28-29).