Tag: Corinthians

Moses Leaving Egypt – Part 1

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Hebrews 11:27-29 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible. Through faith he kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them. By faith they passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned. 

‘He forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king: for he endured, as seeing him who is invisible.’ Moses – faith’s fearlessness: this refers to his contest with Pharaoh and the exodus from Egypt (Exodus 5:1-14:31). He feared not the visible king because he saw the Invisible One.

‘He kept the passover, and the sprinkling of blood, lest he that destroyed the firstborn should touch them.’ Moses – faith’s protection (Exo. 12:1-51). The lamb was a type of Christ the Lamb of God (John 1:29; Rev. 5:6-10) who was without blemish (Exo. 12:5; 1Pet. 1:19). They dipped a bunch of hyssop in the blood and struck both side posts and the upper post (lintel) of the door (Exo. 12:7, 22-23). It typified the blood of Christ sprinkled for believers (Matt. 26:28; 1Pet. 1:2, 18-19; Heb. 9:13-14, 22; 10:19; 13:20). No blood was to be sprinkled on the threshold where the feet would trample on it (Heb. 10:29). The Jews were to roast the lamb and not eat any of it raw, as Egyptians who ate raw flesh in honour of Osiris. God was seeking every way to free Israel from idolatry. They also ate unleavened bread – bread without yeast – which is a form of ferment and typifies sin (2Cor. 5:6-8). The bitter herbs (perhaps it was chicory, wild lettuce, and horehound) were to be used with the meal. They were to remind Israel of their bitter slavery in Egypt from which God was now ready to deliver them (Exodus 12:29-14:31).

‘They passed through the Red sea as by dry land: which the Egyptians assaying to do were drowned.’ Israel – faith’s preservation: We see in Exodus 14:15-31 and 15:1-27 that Moses believed God and crossed the Red Sea on dry ground. “And Moses stretched out his hand over the sea, and the LORD caused the sea to go back by a strong east wind all that night, and made the sea dry land, and the waters were divided.”

To be continued…

Pertaining to God – Part 1

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Hebrews 5:1-4 For every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God, that he may offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins: Who can have compassion on the ignorant, and on them that are out of the way; for that he himself also is compassed with infirmity. And by reason hereof he ought, as for the people, so also for himself, to offer for sins. And no man takes this honour unto himself, but he that is called of God, as was Aaron. 

‘Every high priest taken from among men is ordained for men in things pertaining to God.’ The high priest that was taken from ‘among men’ meant specifically from among the nation Israel (Lev. 21:10). The high priest simply took the place of Moses and continued as the mediator between God and man, receiving messages from Him before the ark of the covenant. The high priest was the atoning mediator between God and Israel and consecrated the holy gifts that they might be accepted by the Lord (Ex. 28:38, 43). The consecration was done through anointing with oil by pouring it on the head and this was the distinguishing mark between the high priest and others as far as consecration was concerned (Lev. 21:10; 8:12; Ps. 133:1-3). The high priest also wore different clothes than the other priests (Ex. 28:1-43). The high priest was a chief ruler – a sort of king and representative for God among the people [the nation Israel]. By his anointing he represented God as a chief prophet; by his office [during the Old Testament period] he was typical [illustrated the examples of the ministry of the coming Messiah] and representative of Christ in His sacrificial character; and by his holy crown, he represented the ruling authority of God on earth. No one can today claim that they are God’s high priest, priest, prophet or spokesperson on earth, as Christ fulfilled all those types and more becoming our only High Priest, Prophet, the Word, Saviour, etc.

To be continued…

A Bishop Must Be – Part 2

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Titus 1:6-9a If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly. For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not self-willed, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre; But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate; Holding fast the faithful word as he had been taught…

Sixteen qualifications for bishops (elders) [continue]: [11] Sober (1:8) [Greek, sophron] of sound mind; prudent; moderate; self-controlled. Translated sober, meaning no intoxication or fogginess of the mind (1:8; 1Tim. 3:2); temperate (2:2); discreet (2:5). [12] Just (1:8) [Greek, dikaios] Translated just 33 times; righteous 36 times; right 5 times; and meet 2 times. [13] Holy (1:8) [Greek, hosios] Translated holy (1:8; 1Tim. 2:8; Heb. 7:26; Rev. 15:4); mercies (Acts 13:34); and Holy One (Acts 2:27; 13:35). The bishop must be like God’s Holy One. [14] Temperate (1:8) [Greek, engkrates] having control of oneself; self-disciplined. [15] Holding fast to sound doctrine (1:9) [Greek, antechomai] to hold one’s hand; to shade one’s eyes; to be a help. Translated support (1Thess. 5:14); hold fast (1:9); and hold to (Matt. 6:24; Luke 16:13). [16] Able to exhort believers, and convince the gainsayers (1:9). Compare the qualifications for bishops and deacons in 1Timothy (1Tim. 3:2, 8).

‘Having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.’ This is what men expect from teachers’ children.

‘Bishop’ [Greek, episkopos] translated as “overseer” or “bishop” (Php. 1:1; 1Tim. 3:2; 1Pet. 2:25). A bishop was a preaching elder. Bishops and presbyters were the same.

Be Perfect

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2Corinthians 13:11-14 Finally, brethren, farewell. Be perfect, be of good comfort, be of one mind, live in peace; and the God of love and peace shall be with you. Greet one another with an holy kiss. All the saints salute you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost, be with you all. Amen. The second epistle to the Corinthians was written from Philippi, a city of Macedonia, by Titus and Lucas. 

‘Perfect’ [Greek: katartid’zo] to complete thoroughly, that is, repair (literally or figuratively) or adjust: – fit, frame, mend, (make) perfect (-ly join together), prepare, restore. From James 1:4 we see six perfect things: Perfect work of patience (Jas. 1:4); perfect knowledge (Php. 3:15); perfect gifts (Jas. 1:17); perfect law of liberty (Jas. 1:25); perfect faith by works (Jas. 2:22); the perfect man by restraint (Jas. 3:2).

‘The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Ghost.’ Another clear reference to the Trinity of three separate Persons in the Godhead: The grace of Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father (John 1:17; 1Jn. 5:7). The love of God the Father (John 3:16; 1Cor. 13:1-13; Rom. 5:8). The communion (fellowship) of the Holy Spirit (Php. 2:1; Rom. 8:14-16).

‘Communion’ [Greek: koinonia] communion (1Cor. 10:16; 2Cor. 6:14; 13:14); communicate (Phm. 1:6; Heb. 13:16); fellowship (Acts 2:42; 1Cor. 1:9; 2Cor. 8:4; Gal. 2:9; Eph. 3:9; Php. 1:5; 2:1; 3:10; 1Jn. 1:3, 6-7); contribution (Rom. 15:26); and distribution (9:13).

Do No Evil

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2Corinthians 13:7-10 Now I pray to God that you do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that you should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates. For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth. For we are glad, when we are weak, and you are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection. Therefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord has given me to edification, and not to destruction. 

‘Now I pray to God that you do no evil; not that we should appear approved, but that you should do that which is honest, though we be as reprobates.’ Paul prayed that they wouldn’t do evil that he and the other disciples may be approved by the exercise of power to punish them; Paul wanted them to do right though he appeared to be a troublemaker, a person not approved of God. Their doing right will prevent him and the other disciples to use their power of judgment; otherwise, he would have to give proof that he was approved of God (13:7-10).

‘For we are glad, when we are weak, and you are strong: and this also we wish, even your perfection.’ Paul stated to be glad to be weak if they were strong and in no need of correction.

‘I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the power which the Lord has given me to edification, and not to destruction.’ Paul only wrote to them to warn them by a letter, to put them on their guard, and to lead them to put away sin, so that when he came, he would not have to use his power to their destruction.

Examine Yourselves

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2Corinthians 13:5-6 Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith; prove your own selves. Know you not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except you be reprobates? But I trust that you shall know that we are not reprobates. 

‘Examine yourselves, whether you be in the faith; prove your own selves.’ Seven final commands to the Corinthians: Examine yourselves to see if you are in the true faith (13:5). Greek: peirazo, make proof or trial of one; make a test. Translated try (Heb. 11:17; Rev. 2:2, 10; 3:10); prove (John 6:6); examine (13:5); tempter (Matt. 4:3; 1Thess. 3:5); assay (Acts 16:7); go about (Acts 24:6); and tempt 27 times (Matt. 4:1; etc.). Prove your own selves (13:5). Greek: dokimazo, to assay metals; to prove or test. Translated “try” (1Cor. 3:13; 1Thess. 2:4; 1Pet. 1:7; 1Jn. 4:1); “prove” (Luke 14:19; Rom. 12:2; 2Cor. 8:8, 22; 13:5; Gal. 6:4; Eph. 5:10; 1Thess. 5:21; 1Tim. 3:10; Heb. 3:9); “examine” (1Cor. 11:28); “discern” (Luke 12:56); “approve” (Rom. 2:18; 1Cor. 16:3; Php. 1:10); “allow” (Rom. 14:22; 1Thess. 2:4); and “like” (Rom. 1:28). Be perfect (13:11). Greek: katartizo, to adjust; put in order again; restore; repair; settle by mediation. Translated “mend” (Matt. 4:21; Mark 1:19); “restore” (Gal. 6:1); “fit” (Rom. 9:22); “prepare” (Heb. 10:1-39); “frame” (Heb. 9:3); “perfectly joined together” (1Cor. 1:10); “be and make perfect” (Matt. 21:16; Luke 6:40; 1Thess. 3:10; Heb. 13:21; 1Pet. 5:10). Be of good comfort (13:11). Greek: parakaleo, to call to the aid of one (1:4). Be of one mind (13:11). Combination of the Greek: verb phroneo, to think, and auto, the impersonal pronoun with a definite article which here means “the same thing.” Think and teach the same things; have no disputes (Rom. 12:16; 15:5; Php. 2:2; 3:16; 1Cor. 1:10). Live in peace (13:11). Greek: eireneuo, as in Romans 12:18 and Hebrews 12:14. Cultivate a disposition of peace and harmony. Greet one another (13:12). Be friendly; be glad to see each other; encourage every friendly act by a show of affection. Your party spirit cannot live in such an atmosphere as genuine love and friendship (1Cor. 13:1-13).

‘Know you not your own selves, how that Jesus Christ is in you, except you be reprobates.’ If you will put the acid test to your faith it will be as easy to discover a false faith as a counterfeit coin. If Jesus Christ is in you then you are a new creature (5:17-18). You have His nature and power unless you are reprobates.

Mighty In You

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2Corinthians 13:1-4 This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. I told you before, and foretell you, as if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other, that, if I come again, I will not spare: Since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you. For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he lives by the power of God. For we also are weak in him, but we shall live with him by the power of God toward you. 

‘In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established.’ This states the law of interpreting Scripture. Every doctrine must be proved by at least two or three scriptures to be accepted as truth and binding upon Christians (Deut. 19:15; Matt. 18:16).

‘As if I were present, the second time; and being absent now I write to them which heretofore have sinned, and to all other.’ This indicates that he had been to Corinth a second time. The sense here is, “I foretell to you as I did when I was present with you the second time. Being absent now I write what I said on my second visit.” This is why he speaks of being ready to come to them a third time (12:14). The theory that his first visit was when he founded the congregation and his second and third visits were his two epistles to them is not reasonable. He could not call his letters visits to them. Because there is no record of his second visit is no proof that he did not make it, any more than no mention in the history of all his sufferings of 2Corinthians 11:23-28 is proof he did not go through them. Since he repeatedly mentions coming to them a third time that should be sufficient to prove there was a second visit.

“If I come again, I will not spare’ – this is further proof that his letters were not real visits to Corinth.

‘Since you seek a proof of Christ speaking in me, which to you-ward is not weak, but is mighty in you.’ Since you seek proof of Christ speaking in me, your very conversion and the gifts you have are sufficient proofs (1Cor. 12:1-31). ‘Weakness’ [Greek: astheneia] same word translated “infirmities” in 2Corinthians 12:10. It does not mean disease, but weakness. To people, the crucifixion appears to be Christ’s weakness and defeat. To them, He seemed powerless to help it, but this apparent defeat only demonstrated His power (Col. 2:14-17; 1Pet. 2:24; 1Cor. 1:18-24). We are also weak in Him and that very weakness brings us life and power (12:9-10). Because we are on Christ’s side, we may appear to be weak and on the losing side, but as His seeming weakness was His strength, so it is with us (12:9-10).

Not Repented

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2Corinthians 12:19-21 Again, think you that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying. For I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as you would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults: And lest, when I come again, my God will humble me among you, and that I shall bewail many which have sinned already, and have not repented of the uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness which they have committed. 

‘Think you that we excuse ourselves unto you? we speak before God in Christ: but we do all things, dearly beloved, for your edifying.’ He asked if they thought that he makes an apology for his conduct and that he sent the brethren to them because he was ashamed to come himself; He declares that God is his judge in this matter and know that this was not his motive. What he has done has been for their edification.

‘I fear, lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I would, and that I shall be found unto you such as you would not: lest there be debates, envyings, wraths, strifes, backbitings, whisperings, swellings, tumults.’ Paul has been fearful of three things: Lest he did not find them as they should be; lest he found them full of debates: wranglings (Rom. 1:29), envyings: jealousies (Acts 5:17), wraths: indignation (Rom. 2:8), strifes: contentions (Rom. 2:8), backbitings: slanders (1Pet. 2:1), whisperings: murmurs (1Cor. 10:10), swellings: puffed up feelings (1Cor. 4:6), tumults: uproars (Luke 21:9); lest God shall humble him among them because of some that have sinned and have not repented, and lest he has to use his power to judge all such (2Cor. 12:21; 10:8-11; 13:10; 1Cor. 4:18-20)

‘Uncleanness and fornication and lasciviousness’ – three kinds of moral sins: Homosexuality, known in the lists of sins under the term “uncleanness” (12:21; Rom. 1:24; 6:19; Gal. 5:19; Eph. 4:19; 5:3; Col. 3:5; 2Pet. 2:10); fornication (Matt. 5:32); lasciviousness (Gal. 5:19).

Same Spirit

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2Corinthians 12:14-18 Behold, the third time I am ready to come to you; and I will not be burdensome to you: for I seek not yours, but you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children. And I will very gladly spend and be spent for you; though the more abundantly I love you, the less I be loved. But be it so, I did not burden you: nevertheless, being crafty, I caught you with guile. Did I make a gain of you by any of them whom I sent unto you? I desired Titus, and with him I sent a brother. Did Titus make a gain of you? walked we not in the same spirit? walked we not in the same steps? 

‘Third time I am ready to come to you.’ This is the third time he has resolved to come to them. He planned it twice before, but could not make it (1Cor. 16:5; 2Cor. 1:15-16; 13:1-2).

‘But you: for the children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.’ He seeks their salvation, not their property. He said he will continue this policy (12:14-16).

‘Being crafty, I caught you with guile.’ Paul’s enemies accused him of using tricks to get what he was pretending that he would not take from them. He answers this charge by the questions of 2Corinthians 12:17-18.

‘Same spirit’ – characteristic of all true ministers. It is the same as being ‘one’ or ‘with one accord.’ With one mind (Acts 2:1, 46; 4:24; 5:12; 7:57; 8:6; 12:20; 15:25; 18:12; 19:29; 24:1-27; Rom. 15:6; Php. 2:2; 1Pet. 3:8). Being of one mind means to believe the same and think the same: we are commanded to do so according to the gospel of Jesus Christ (1Pet. 2:21-23) and not what church doctrines, ministers or different teachings ascribe as to the gospel. None will be uninterested, unconcerned, or lukewarm, but all will be in earnest and united in faith and prayer.

In All Patience

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2Corinthians 12:11-13 I am become a fool in glorying; you have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chief apostles, though I be nothing. Truly the signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds. For what is it wherein you were inferior to other churches, except it be that I myself was not burdensome to you? forgive me this wrong. 

‘I am become a fool in glorying; you have compelled me: for I ought to have been commended of you: for in nothing am I behind the very chief apostles, though I be nothing.’ Paul states that he has become senseless in boasting (11:16), but they have compelled him. They should have vindicated both him and his ministry before his enemies among them, for they know his apostolic power which he used among them (12:11-12).

‘Signs of an apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in signs, and wonders, and mighty deeds.’ No man is an apostle without these signs. There are two things that constitute apostleship: Faith of God’s elect. [Greek, pistis] confidence, faithfulness, trust, pledge of good faith. Acknowledging [Greek, epignosis] full knowledge of the truth which is after godliness (Tit. 1:1). Full and true knowledge are requirements for all apostles as well as disciples (Col. 3:10; 1:9-10; Rom. 1:28; 3:20; 10:2; Eph. 1:17; 4:13; Php. 1:9; 1Tim. 2:4; 2Tim. 3:7; Heb. 10:26; 2Pet. 1:2, 3, 8; 2:20). Ignorance is the state of the average heathen who gets to know only a little about nature. Christianity teaches man the true and full knowledge of God and nature, and of the origin and destiny of all things (Acts 15:18; Eph. 2:7; 3:9-11).

Although discipleship continues as we grow in Christ, apostleship ended with the authors of the New Testament. They were all chosen by Christ Himself. Today, however, there are those who call themselves apostles. One cannot call oneself to an office when God stated in Revelation 22:18-19 that if we add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book [Revelation] and if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book. Thus to ‘add’ or ‘take away’ of the Word of God will cause damnation.

‘Forgive me this wrong.’ If refusing to take support from them is the only thing Paul has failed them in, he asks them to forgive him and clear the record.