God’s Gift To Mankind - The Lord Jesus Christ Who Gave Himself For Sin And By Faith Sealed with the Holy Spirit:

In Galatians 1:33 Grace be to you and peace from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ,

the Apostle Paul pronounces Grace and Peace to the saints at Galatia from God The Father and our Lord Jesus Christ and continues: “Who (The Lord Jesus Christ) gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father: To Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.” Galatians 1:44 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

4 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

- 54 Who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:

5 To whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

. Unfortunately, most of mankind either remains ignorant of these verses, or if they do read them, they ignore the amazing truth they proclaim. The words “Who gave” are translated from the Greek “didmi” (G1325) found 413 times in the New Testament (NT) “Didmi” is most frequently with our English words "give or gave" but also with other words such as “grant, put, show, deliver, and make.” It occurs in all of Paul’s epistles except Philippians and Philemon. I found a study of the first time “didmi” appears in Paul’s epistles to be interesting and have highlighted them as follows:

• Romans 4:2020 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

20 He staggered not at the promise of God through unbelief; but was strong in faith, giving glory to God;

tells us that Abraham did not doubt God’s promise that he would be the father of many nations but was strong in faith “giving” glory (honor/praise) to God.

• In 1 Corinthians 1:44 I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;

Paul tells the Corinthians he continually thanked God on their behalf for God’s grace given (didmi) to them by (the Person of) Jesus Christ.

• In 2nd Corinthians 1:21 - 22 Paul writes that God confirmed/established both he and the believing Corinthians in Christ; anointed/consecrated them; sealed (stamped/marked/ attested) then and “gave” (didmi) the earnest (advance/security) of the Spirit in their hearts.

• Galatians 1:4 (our text” indicates the Lord Jesus Christ “gave” (didmi) Himself for our sins.

• In Ephesians 1:1717 That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:

Paul prays that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, “may give” (didmi) believers the spirit of wisdom and revelation (disclosure) in the full knowledge of Him.

• In Colossians 1:2525 Whereof I am made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;

Paul tells us he was made a minister (a waiter/teacher/pastor/ servant/ deacon) according to the dispensation (administration/stewardship) “which was given” (didmi) him to fulfil (furnish/finish/complete/accomplish) the Word of God.

• 1st Thessalonians 4:1 - 2 Paul reminds the Thessalonian believers of the commandments he “gave” (didmi) them on behalf of the Lord Jesus Christ as to how they ought to abound in their walk (live/deport themselves) to please God.

• 2 Thessalonians 1:7 - 87 And to you who are troubled rest with us, when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with his mighty angels,

8 In flaming fire taking vengeance on them that know not God, and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ:

Paul tells believers who suffer trouble/tribulation to rest with him with the knowledge that the Lord Jesus and His powerful Angels “taking” (didmi) vengeance in flaming fire on those who do not know God and don’t obey the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ. (They will be punished with everlasting destruction from the Lord’s presence and glory, 2 Thessalonians 1:99 Who shall be punished with everlasting destruction from the presence of the Lord, and from the glory of his power;

.)

• 1st Timothy 2:5 - 6 teaches there is only One Mediator between God and man, the Man Christ Jesus “Who gave” (didmi) Himself as the ransom price (“ransom price” is from the Greek “antilutron” [G487] found only here in the NT) to be testified in due time (the testimony in its own seasons).

• 2nd Timothy 1:7 - 9 (“Didmi” is found in both the 7th and 9th verses.) Paul informs Timothy that God has not “given” (didmi) us the spirit of fear but of power, love and a strong mind (discipline/self-control). Therefore, we should not feel ashamed of the testimony/witness of the Lord nor of His prisoner (Paul was a prisoner of Rome for the sake of Christ) and partake of the hardship Paul experienced because he proclaimed the Gospel by the Power of God. God called Paul, not because of anything Paul did, but to fulfill God’s Own purpose and grace which had been “given” (didmi) Paul before the world came into existence.

• Titus 2:1414 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

our Savior Jesus Christ “gave” (didmi) Himself for us that He might redeem (to ransom) us from all iniquity (illegality/wickedness/transgressions/unrighteousness) and purify (purge/cleanse) us as His Own a peculiar (Greek “periousios” [G4041] found only here in the NT meaning “being beyond usual, i.e., special”) people zealous of good works. (These last two verses recap Ephesians 1:3 - 73 Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:

4 According as he hath chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:

5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,

6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he hath made us accepted in the beloved.

7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;

.)

• Hebrews 2:13 - 1813 And again, I will put my trust in him. And again, Behold I and the children which God hath given me.

14 Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;

15 And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.

16 For verily he took not on him the nature of angels; but he took on him the seed of Abraham.

17 Wherefore in all things it behoved him to be made like unto his brethren, that he might be a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make reconciliation for the sins of the people.

18 For in that he himself hath suffered being tempted, he is able to succour them that are tempted.

Paul writes the Hebrews that The Lord Jesus Christ put His trust in God The Father Who “hath given” (didmi) Him the Nation of Israel as His people. To accomplish this, He Who had been The Holy God came as a Man born from the seed of Abraham for the express purpose of dying in order to destroy the power of death, that is, the Devil and deliver His people from the fear of death, with which had held them in bondage (slavery). As a Man He suffered all the temptations that befall mankind, which made Him capable to be a merciful (compassionate) and faithful High Priest “to make reconciliation for” (these 4 words are from one Greek word “hilaskomahee” [G2433] found only here and in Luke 18:1313 And the publican, standing afar off, would not lift up so much as his eyes unto heaven, but smote upon his breast, saying, God be merciful to me a sinner.

where the Publican prays that God would “be merciful” “hilaskomahee” to him a sinner.) Thus, the truth presented here in Hebrews is that our Lord Jesus Christ experienced all the temptations that befall mankind, so He was/is capable of being merciful to the people for their sins and succor (give aid) to those who are tempted.

I found that comparing each of the first occurrences of the Greek word “didmi” (translated giving, given, gave, may give, which was given, taking, Who gave and hath given) in Paul’s 12 epistles makes an interesting and enlightening study. The first four epistles are addressed as follows, with the others to come subsequently.

• Romans leads off Paul’s epistles teaching that God called/appointed him as His Apostle of Grace and that we are saved by faith (the Greek word most frequently translated faith occurs 40 times in Romans, more than any other book in the NT). The Greek word “didmi” first occurs in Romans teaching that Abraham “gave” (didmi) glory (honor/praise) to God, believing (he was strong in faith) God’s promise that he would be the father of many nations Romans 4:20. Abraham’s name occurs 9 times in Romans where we learn he is the father of faith to both Jews and Gentiles:

“For the promise, that he (Abraham) should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith. For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect: Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression. Therefore, it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,” Romans 4:13 - 1613 For the promise, that he should be the heir of the world, was not to Abraham, or to his seed, through the law, but through the righteousness of faith.

14 For if they which are of the law be heirs, faith is made void, and the promise made of none effect:

15 Because the law worketh wrath: for where no law is, there is no transgression.

16 Therefore it is of faith, that it might be by grace; to the end the promise might be sure to all the seed; not to that only which is of the law, but to that also which is of the faith of Abraham; who is the father of us all,

.

Abraham is the father of faith for all true believers, Romans 4:20 and they should emulate him by “giving” God the Glory (honor/praise) for His promise.

“What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found? For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God. For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt. But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.” Romans 4:1 - 51 What shall we say then that Abraham our father, as pertaining to the flesh, hath found?

2 For if Abraham were justified by works, he hath whereof to glory; but not before God.

3 For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness.

4 Now to him that worketh is the reward not reckoned of grace, but of debt.

5 But to him that worketh not, but believeth on him that justifieth the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness.

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God’s promise to all believers for the last almost 2000 years is not the same as His promise to Abraham, i.e., that he would be the father of many nations. The lesson is that Abraham believed (had faith in) the Word of God to him. On the other hand, for the last 2000 years God’s promise to those who have faith was delivered by the Apostle Paul. That being that believers (those with faith) are promised eternal life in Heaven with The Lord Jesus Christ (and this because of Christ’s finished work on the cross), Ephesians 3:1 - 121 For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Jesus Christ for you Gentiles,

2 If ye have heard of the dispensation of the grace of God which is given me to you-ward:

3 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,

4 Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)

5 Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;

6 That the Gentiles should be fellowheirs, and of the same body, and partakers of his promise in Christ by the gospel:

7 Whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of the grace of God given unto me by the effectual working of his power.

8 Unto me, who am less than the least of all saints, is this grace given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ;

9 And to make all men see what is the fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the world hath been hid in God, who created all things by Jesus Christ:

10 To the intent that now unto the principalities and powers in heavenly places might be known by the church the manifold wisdom of God,

11 According to the eternal purpose which he purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord:

12 In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him.

. And like Abraham believers should constantly give thanks to God for His love for sending His Son to die for our sins and to the Lord Jesus Christ for the terrible pain, suffering and anguish He endured on the cross, dying, buried and rising again because of His love for us.

• The first time “didmi” occurs in 1st Corinthians it is translated “which is given.” Paul writes: “I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ; Corinthians 1:4. All believers, likewise should give thanks for His Grace to us.

• The first time “didmi” occurs in 2nd Corinthians it is translated “gave.” Who (God) hath also sealed us and “given” the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts, 2 Corinthians 1:2222 Who hath also sealed us, and given the earnest of the Spirit in our hearts.

. All true believers have been “given” the Spirit of God to dwell within, this being the earnest (downpayment/proof/assurance) of our position throughout eternity in the Body of Christ.

• Back to our text, the first time “didmi” occurs in Galatians translates to “gave.” “Who (The Lord Jesus Christ) “gave” Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil world, according to the will of God and our Father:” Galatians 1:4.

What amazing Love God has for mankind! Believers should constantly be thankful to God the Father, our Lord Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit for the Grace given us by Jesus Christ Who gave Himself for our sins and The Holy Spirit Who is given to dwell within each believer. Thus, the Trinity of the Godhead is with us now in this evil age and given us hope (an earnest expectation) for eternity.

To be continued, an examination of the first time “didmi” occurs in the rest of Paul’s epistles.