Category: Philippians

A Building of God

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2Corinthians 5:1-8 For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens. For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven: If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked. For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life. Now he that has wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also has given unto us the earnest of the Spirit. Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, while we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. 

‘Tabernacle’ [Greek: skenos] tent (5:4). This refers to our body which is compared to a tent in which we dwell.

‘Dissolved’ [Greek: kataluo] dissolve; throw down (Matt. 24:2; Mark 13:2; Luke 21:6); overthrow (Acts 5:39); destroy (Matt. 5:17; 26:61; 27:40; Mark 14:58; 15:29; Acts 6:14; Rom. 14:20; Gal. 2:18); come to nought (Acts 5:38); lodge (Luke 9:12); and be guest (Luke 19:7). When the body dies and goes back to dust again (Gen. 3:19), we have a resurrected house to live in forever. This body must be dissolved before we can get the other body. It is mortal and we, in our present house (5:5) in which we groan, are burdened, greatly desiring the immortal body (5:2-5).

‘Building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.’ This building is our future and eternal immortal house which we get after this body is dissolved (5:1-5; 15:35-54).

‘But clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.’ This refers to putting on immortality, as explained in 1Corinthians 15:35-54. It will take place at the rapture (1Thess. 4:13-16; Php. 3:21).

‘Earnest of the Spirit’ God has given us the earnest or the firstfruit of the Spirit as a guarantee that we will be resurrected and put on immortality.

‘While we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord. While we live in the body we are in our temporary home and absent from the eternal home with the Lord.

‘To be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.’ To die and be absent from the body means we go to heaven to be with the Lord (Php. 1:21-24; Heb. 12:23; Jas. 2:26; Rev. 6:9-11). This is proof that the inner man does not go to the grave at death, but to heaven, if one is righteous. If one is wicked he goes to hell awaiting the resurrection of his body (Luke 16:19-31, Rev. 20:11-15).

Look Not

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2Corinthians 4:16-18 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal. 

‘Cause we faint not’ – for the sake of winning souls to glorify God (4:15), we suffer all things without fainting. The outward man is slowly dying through trials and sufferings, but the inward man is being renewed daily.

‘Outward man’ – found only here and refers to the body.

‘Perish’ [Greek: diaphtheiro] corrupted; destroyed (Luke 12:33; 1Tim. 6:5; Rev. 8:9; 11:18).

‘Inward man’ refers to the soul and spirit – the real person in the body (5:8; Jas. 2:26; Heb. 4:12; 12:23; 1Thess. 5:23; Rev. 6:9).

‘Renewed’ [Greek: anakainoo] meaning the whole course of life now flows in a different direction (5:17-18). Be renewed in the attitude of your mind by renouncing its vanity (Eph. 4:17), its darkness and blindness (Eph. 4:18) and learning of Christ (Eph. 4:20-21).

‘Light affliction’ [Greek: elaphros] – from Matthew 11:30 we see it described as a light burden (Ps. 55:22).

‘For a moment, work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory.’ Such is considered momentary lightness compared with the eternal weight of glory one receives for suffering (Rom. 8:17-18).

‘Look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.’ We do not strive for things we see, for they are not worthy of the pursuit of an immortal soul. The things not seen are the eternal and important things of life. This current world system will pass away, but the man who does not conform to it will abide forever. This is all summarized in the pride of life as described in James 4:16 and 1John 2:15-17 and the following characteristics: Self-righteousness (Job 32:1); one’s positions in life (Gen. 3:5; Ezek. 28:11-17; 1Tim. 3:6; 3Jn. 1:9); power (Lev. 26:19); riches (Ps. 39:6; Ezek. 28:5); beauty (Ezek. 28:11,17); strength to war (2Chr. 26:16), and constant boasting of one’s self; glorying in sexual activity; pleasures; and all the vanity of life (1Jn. 2:15; Ps. 24:4; 36:2; Isa. 3:16).

Abundant Grace

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2Corinthians 4:11-15 For we which live are alway delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh. So then death works in us, but life in you. We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak; Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God. 

‘Mortal flesh’ [Greek: thnetos] mortal, human (4:11; 5:4; 1Cor. 15:53-54; Rom. 6:12; 8:11).

‘Death work in us, but life in you’ – we live a dying life that you might live. Our readiness to die for Christ makes you want to live for Him.

‘I believed, and therefore have I spoken’ – quoted from Psalm 116:10 where David made this statement in his sufferings that was great, but he was delivered by God (Ps. 116:1-8).

‘Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you.’ This is the 3rd New Testament prophecy in 2 Corinthians. This happens at the rapture also called the first resurrection (1Cor. 15; 1Thess. 4:13-18).

‘For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.’ All our sufferings we count as nothing if we [Paul and the other apostles] can win you and others to Christ, see the abounding grace save many souls and cause them to give more praise to the glory of God. ‘Abundant grace’ Four secrets of continued grace: Live and walk in the Spirit (Gal. 5:516-26; Rom. 8:1-13; Col. 3:5-10). Be patient in hope (Gal. 5:5; Rom. 8:24; Heb. 3:6, 12-14; 6:19). Continue in Christ (Gal. 5:6; John 15:1-8; Col. 2:6-7; Heb. 3:14). Continue in faith (Gal. 5:6; Col. 1:23). This is part of being a true Christian – continued obedience while taking God at His Word in all Scripture; not cherry-picking only on teachings of His greatness, grace and goodness, to justify living in continuous sin – faith without works [obedience] are dead (Jas. 1:23, 25; Rom. 2:13). Man is commanded to do one thing; then God will do two things (Ps. 55:22; 1Pet. 5:7-8). All promises are conditional. Christians tend to emphasize the promises and ignore their conditions. Then they murmur and complain when the promises aren’t fulfilled. There is more to Christianity than its benefits.

This Treasure

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2Corinthians 4:7-10 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellency of the power may be of God, and not of us. We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair; Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed; Always bearing about in the body the dying of the Lord Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body. 

‘This treasure’ is the light of the knowledge (4:6) of the gospel that God has shined into our hearts to give us life.

‘Earthen vessels’ [Greek: ostrakinos] here and in 2Timothy 2:20. Often in the East treasures are hidden in earthen vessels to protect them from moisture (cp. Jer. 32:14). Here it refers to the power of the Holy Spirit through the light of the gospel in our bodies. The emphasis is on the contrast between a frail vessel of earth and the priceless treasure of power that dwells in it.

‘We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair.’ Four pairs of expressions of sufferings: Hard pressed, but not suffocated. Puzzled, but not utterly baffled. Pursued, but not caught or outrun. Struck down, but not out of the fight.

The first two refer to wrestling; the third to a race; and the fourth to a boxing match (4:8-9).

‘Bearing about in the body’ [Greek: periphero] to carry about with one; to whirl (4:10; Mark 6:55; Eph. 4:14; Heb. 13:9; Jude 1:12). I am under a sentence of death for Jesus and am likely to die at any time for His cause (4:11). There is also an allusion to the marks of battle already fought for Christ (Gal. 6:17).

‘Dying’ [Greek: nekrosis] making dead; a dead condition (4:10; Rom. 4:19). The idea is that of being in a state of crucifixion for Jesus (Gal. 2:20) so that the resurrection life of Jesus might be made manifest or visible in our body and so that the miracles we do might prove the resurrection of Jesus Christ (4:10-12).

Grace and Peace

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2Corinthians 1:1-4 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are in all Achaia: Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ. Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort; Who comforted us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 

‘Apostle’ a delegate, one sent with the full power of attorney to act in the place of another, the sender remaining behind to back up the one sent. In the case of Christians, it means God sends them to do what He, Himself would do if He went. It is found 81 times and translated apostle 78 times; messenger twice (8:23; Php. 2:25); and once he that is sent (John 13:16).

‘Timothy’ associated with Paul in the address of the epistles to Philippians and Colossians, and with Paul and Silas in the two epistles to the Thessalonians.

‘Achaia’ Greece. This epistle was sent to all the congregations in that country.

‘Grace be to you and peace from God our Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ.’ Note that grace and peace come equally from God the Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

‘Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort’ God is called: The Father of our Lord Jesus Christ (1:3; 11:31; Eph. 1:3; 3:14; Col. 1:3); the Father of Mercies (1:3); the God of all Comfort (1:3); the Father of Glory (Eph. 1:17); the Father of All (Eph. 4:6); the Father of Spirits (Heb. 12:9); the Father of Lights (Jas. 1:17); the God of Peace (Php. 4:9).

‘Comfort’ [Greek: paraklesis] translated “intreaty” (8:4); “comfort” (1:3-4; 7:4, 13; Acts 9:31; Rom. 15:4;); “exhortation” (8:17; Acts 13:15; Rom. 12:8; 1Cor. 14:3; 1Thess. 2:3; 1Tim. 4:13; Heb. 12:5; 13:22); and “consolation” (1:5-7; 7:7; Luke 2:25; 6:24; Acts 4:36; 15:31; Rom. 15:5; Php. 2:1; 2Thess. 2:16; Phm. 1:7; Heb. 6:18)

‘Comforted’ [Greek: parakaleo] to call to the aid of one. Used 15 times in this epistle, but translated 4 ways: “beseech” (2:8; 5:20; 6:1; 10:1; 12:8); “desire” (8:6; 12:18); “exhort” (9:5); and “comfort” (1:4, 6; 2:7; 7:6, 7, 13).

‘Tribulation’ [Greek: thlipsis] burdened (8:13); anguish (John 16:21); affliction (2:4; 4:17; 6:4; 8:2; Mark 4:17; 13:19; Acts 7:10-11; 20:23; Php. 1:16; 4:14; Col. 1:24; 1Thess. 1:6; 3:3, 7; Heb. 10:33; Jas. 1:27); tribulation (1:4; 7:4; Matt. 13:21; 24:21, 29; Mark 13:24; John 16:33; Acts 14:22; Rom. 2:9; 5:3; 8:35; 12:12; Eph. 3:12; 2Thess. 1:4, 1:6; Rev. 1:9; 2:9, 10, 22; 7:14); persecution (Acts 11:19); and trouble (1Cor. 7:28).

Think on These Things

~ iolaHC ~ 1 Comment

THINK:

Noun – the process of considering or reasoning about something.

Adjective – using thought or rational judgement; intelligent.

We consist of spirit, soul and body 1 Thes. 5:23 and our spirit is that invisible part that knows – the seat of our intellect, mind, and will, and that which gives us self-determination and makes us a free moral agent and a rational being 1 Cor.  2:11a; Mat. 26:41; Prov. 20:27; Phil. 1:27; Heb. 4:12

It is in this area that the enemy attacks us through theta brain waves which we perceive as thoughts and thus the warning to “put on the whole armor” so that we can stand against the enemy’s wiles and to “take the helmet of salvation” Eph. 5:11,13,17

Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalt itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ   2 Corinthians 10:5  KJV

The Word command – not request or suggest – that we CAST DOWN imaginations and everything that exalt itself against His knowledge (that which He revealed in His Word) and to take every thought captive to obedience of Christ (that which He commanded us to obey).  To set our affection on the things above, not on the things on the earth Col. 3:2 and to Think On These Things:

Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things.  Philippians 4:8 KJV

  1. True things: all that is in harmony with eternal truth 2 Tim. 2:15; 3:16-17
  2. Honest things: all that is grave, decent and honorable 1 Tim. 3:8, 11; Tit. 2:2
  3. Just things: all that is in harmony with justice and righteousness Rom. 3:24-31; 8:4; 2 Pet. 1:4-10
  4. Pure things: all that is chaste and holy for body and soul Rom.12:1-2; 2 Cor. 3:16-17; 7:1
  5. Lovely things: all that is pleasing and tends to bless others 2 Cor. 13:4-8; Gal. 5:22-23
  6. Things of good report: all that is in harmony with the best public good, virtuous and praiseworthy Rom. 13:1-10; 2 Pet. 1:4-10

The weapons of our warfare are NOT carnal but mighty through God to enable us to pull down the enemy’s strongholds 2 Cor. 10:3-4 and therefore we are commanded to resist him 1 Pet. 5:8-9 and therefore implement James 4:7

Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

SUBMIT:

Verb – accept or yield to a superior force or to the authority or will of another person.

RESIST:

Verb – withstand the action or effect of.

In the name of Jesus John 14:13-14 we can rebuke all thoughts that come to mind and that are not acceptable to the standard that was set for us by the Word of God that we are suppose to live accordingly…  we have been commanded to do so, for the victory has been provided for us, but  the choice remain for each individual to choose….

I choose to think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely and of good report…. do you?