Introduction to the Pauline Epistles: The Perfect Design of Scripture: The Gospel of the Grace of God - through Faith:
Volume 5, Number 1In Volume 5, I hope to cover all words relating to faith in the thirteen epistles identified as the Apostle Paul’s. This includes Romans through Philemon as well as Hebrews, as there are a number of indications that Paul also wrote Hebrews. If so, we have fourteen epistles wherein Paul reveals the Gospel of the Grace of God he received directly from the Lord Jesus Christ in heaven. The number fourteen is significant since seven in Scripture signifies Spiritual perfection and therefore fourteen implies a measure of double Spiritual perfection. *Paul wrote: “All scripture is given by inspiration of God,... Continue reading →
Faith in Romans, Part 1 - The Obedience of Faith among all Gentile Nations:
Volume 5, Number 2This is the first in a series examining the use of the Greek word pistis, (G4002) usually translated “faith” in Romans where it occurs 40 times, the most frequent in any New Testament (NT) book. Today, we’ll compare the first and last occurrences of faith and then the 2nd through the 6th in the first chapter:• First occurrence; “By whom (the Lord Jesus Christ) we (Paul and his fellow apostles) have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name:” Romans 1:5,• Fortieth and last occurrence; “Now to him that is of power to... Continue reading →
Faith in Romans, Part 2: The Gospel revealed to Paul reveals the Righteousness of God and by which believers are saved and unbelievers are judged:
Volume 5, Number 3Today, we’ll revisit two significant verses from the last study: “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.” Romans 1:16 “For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, the just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:17.The word “gospel” in verse 16 is translated from the Greek “euanggelion” (G2098) found 77 times in the New Testament (NT), meaning “good or glad news.” In the NT it is used in... Continue reading →
Faith in Romans, Part 3: The Gospel of Grace: Salvation for Believers but Judgment for Unbelievers:
Volume 5, Number 4The last two studies covered Romans 1:1 - 17 wherein the word “faith” occurs six times, teaching, among other things, the Gospel of Christ that the Lord Jesus Christ revealed to the Apostle Paul “is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek,” Romans 1:16. That same Gospel also reveals the righteousness of God throughout history, i.e., from faith to faith: because for anyone at any time in history to be just or righteous before God required faith, Romans 1:17. That’s not faith for faith’s sake; that is faith... Continue reading →
Faith in Romans, Part 4: The Faith and to Whom it is Attributed:
Volume 5, Number 5The word “faith” occurs 9 times in the third chapter of Romans but before going there, this is a good time to review to whom faith is attributed. Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, Hebrews 11:1, and at this time, I see it attributed in Acts and the Scripture following: 1) as the name of a Gospel as a body of truth, i.e., “the faith;” 2) Jesus Christ’s faith, thus it is referred to as “the faith of Jesus Christ;” 3) the faith of individual members of the Body of Christ.1 -... Continue reading →
Faith in Romans, Part 5: Two Sides of Faith: God’s and Man’s:
Volume 5, Number 6The word “faith” is found 9 times in the third chapter of Romans, the first being our text for today; “For what if some did not believe? shall their unbelief make the faith of God without effect?” Romans 3:3. To understand this verse, we first need to understand the essence of faith. It’s often said that the Bible is the best commentary on itself and Scripture is very clear about faith: “Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Hebrews 11:1. The word “substance” is translated from the Greek “hupostasis”* (G5187) found 5... Continue reading →
Faith in Romans, Part 6: Righteousness Through the Faith of Jesus Christ; the Righteousness of God by Faith - His Wonderful Christmas Gift to Us:
Volume 5, Number 7Shortly before he was martyred, the Apostle Paul wrote the Philippians from his Roman prison cell: “Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, And be found in him, not having mine own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ, the righteousness which is of God by faith:” Philippians 3:8 - 9. Many years before writing this, Paul wrote... Continue reading →
Romans 4: Abraham, The Father of Faith: Part 1:
Volume 5, Number 8Both Muslims and Jews reverence Abraham as their father. Unfortunately, all Muslims and I dare say the majority of Jews reverence him after the flesh only, which does not make them righteous before God. They fail to recognize him as the father of Faith - the righteousness of God which is by faith of Jesus Christ unto all and upon all that believe.Our last study examined the 9 occasions of the word “faith” in the 3rd chapter of Romans, which teaches that no one can be justified by the works of the law, Romans 3:20, and the only way anyone,... Continue reading →
Abraham, The Father of Faith, Part 2: Righteousness Imputed/Put on his Account as well as on Ours:
Volume 5, Number 9Our last study brought us to Romans 4:12. Today, we step back and consider the Greek word “logizomai” (G3049) in the fourth chapter of Romans and what it teaches us. It occurs 41 times in the New Testament (NT). The King James (KJV) translates it with 13 different English words: 9 times it is “think,” 8 as “impute,” 6 as “reckon,” 5 “count,” 4 “account,” twice as “suppose,” and once each as “reason,” “number,” “despise,” “conclude,” “esteem,” “think on” and “lay to (one’s) charge.” The Greek Lexicon defines it: “to occupy one’s self with reckonings or calculations. To reckon or... Continue reading →
Faith in Romans - Abraham, Part 3 - The Father of all who Believe, whether Jew or Gentile:
Volume 5, Number 10God blessed Abraham greatly and he is referred to by name 74 times in the New Testament. (Jesus is named the most frequently, Paul 2nd, Peter 3rd, Moses 4th and Abraham 5th; five in Scripture being the number for grace.) This doesn’t mean Abraham was any better than any other human being because the Bible teaches that everyone has sinned and come short of God’s Glory, Romans 3:23; there is absolutely none righteous, no not one, Romans 3:10. He was a pagan idol worshiper named Abram, Joshua 24:2; Genesis 12:1; Acts 7:2 when God called him and changed his name... Continue reading →
Faith in Romans - Chapter 5 - Part 1: Joy/Glory In Tribulations:
Volume 5, Number 11Note these key words in Romans, chapter 5:• “Grace” is found 6 times in the fifth chapter, which is the most often in any chapter in Romans. It’s found 25 times in Romans, the most often in any New Testament (NT) book and is translated from the Greek “charis” (G5385).• Two different Greek words are used to describe death. The Greek word “Thanatos” (G2288) is found 22 times in the book of Romans, the most often of any NT book and 6 are in the fifth chapter. (Interestingly, Thanatos was the personification of death in Greek mythology; https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thanatos.)• The other... Continue reading →
Faith in Romans - Chapter 5 - Part 2 - Grace & Death; God’s Grace Shown, Proved, Established, Exhibited To Us By His death:
Volume 5, Number 12In Romans, the Apostle Paul established that no one can be justified (stand righteous) before God by any kind of work/s, including adherence to the Law, religion or by any other means by quoting passages from the Old Testament (OT); “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. They are all gone out of the way, they are together become unprofitable; there is none that doeth good, no, not one.” Romans 3:10 - 12. He added: “For all have sinned and come short of the... Continue reading →
Faith in Romans - Chapter 5 - Part 3 - From Being Enemies of God to Rejoicing in Christ’s Finished Work of Atonement and being Blessed with all Spiritual Blessings in Heavenly Places:
Volume 5, Number 13The last study wound up at Romans 5:6 - 8, observing that many believers don’t fully grasp the impact of these 3 verses. They teach that no one deserves Jesus Christ’s sacrificial death, so no one will ever be able to say they even remotely earned what He did for them on the cross. On the contrary, Christ died for us when we were sinners and totally alienated from God. “But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” Romans 5:8. The Greek word translated “commendeth” means “to show, prove, establish,... Continue reading →
Faith in Romans - Chapter 5 - Part 4: Death by Adam - Eternal Life by Jesus Christ our Lord:
Volume 5, Number 14“Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:” Romans 5:12. There’s been a lot of death since Adam, in fact, everyone born after Adam has died (except Enoch and Elijah). One Internet site estimates that at the time of the worldwide flood, the earth’s population could have been 30 billion people, considering the fact people lived long healthy lives and taking into consideration the earth’s maximum sustainable food production, http://www.amunrud.com/noah/population.html. Of course, there’s no way of knowing for sure, but most likely... Continue reading →
Faith in Romans - Chapter 6 - Part 1: Since Believers are dead in Christ, should they continue in sin? - Let it not be; God’s Grace is not license to sin:
Volume 5, Number 15“What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein?” Romans 6:1 - 2. These rhetorical questions are a linchpin that transitions from doctrine in previous chapters to practical application that follows. The last three verses of chapter 5 somewhat recap the doctrine: “For as by one man's disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Moreover, the law entered, that the offence might abound. But where sin abounded, grace did much more abound:... Continue reading →
Faith in Romans - Chapter 6 - Part 2: Law vis a vis Grace; Yielding as Slaves to Sin and Death vis a vis To Righteousness:
Volume 5, Number 16Our previous study noted the word “God” in the phrase “God forbid” in the King James Version (KJV) in Romans 6:2 and Romans 6:15 is not in the original manuscripts, whereas the Greek actually translate into English as “let it not be.”* Thus, believers are warned: “let it not be” that we live any longer in sin since we are dead to sin having been baptized (identified with) the death of Jesus Christ, Romans 6:2 - 7. And, though we are not under law but under grace, “let it not be” that we sin, Romans 6:14 - 15.Law vis a... Continue reading →
Faith in Romans - Chapter 7: The Believer’s Relationship to the Law while being Born of Adam but Alive in the Body of Jesus Christ our Lord:
Volume 5, Number 17The word “faith” occurs 40 times in Romans and 27 of those are prior to Romans 5:2, about 68% of the total. It doesn’t appear in the rest of the 5th chapter, nor in the 6th, 7th or 8th chapters. Of course, there is a good reason for this. Romans 5:1 - 2 reads: “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ: By whom also we have access by faith into this grace wherein we stand and rejoice in hope of the glory of God.” These are blessed assurances for believers; we stand... Continue reading →
Faith in Romans - Chapter 8: No Condemnation/ Judgement on Believers in Christ Jesus who before were Sinners Condemned to Death:
Volume 5, Number 18The first verse of Romans chapter 8 sums up the previous 3 chapters: “There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus,” Romans 8:1. (The King James Version [KJV] adds the phrase “who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.” The New International Version [NIV] is correct in omitting this phrase as it does not appear in the original manuscripts. However, this phrase is in Romans 8:4 in both the KJV and the NIV.) The Greek word translated “condemnation” in Romans 8:1 is from the Greek “katak’rima” (G2631), a particular form found only 3... Continue reading →
Faith in Romans - Chapter 8, Part 2: The Believer’s “Abba Father,” Present Suffering & Glory to Follow:
Volume 5, Number 19Our last study covered Romans 8:1 - 11, recapping the good news that there is no judgement against believers in Christ Jesus who formerly were sinners condemned to death. Today, we continue with Romans 8:12 that begins with the word “therefore,” which means “accordingly, consequently, those things being so,” introducing the statement “…. we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh,” Romans 8:12. Thus, since believers are no longer under condemnation, they no longer owe or have an obligation to live after the lusts of the sinful flesh in which they were born. But the next... Continue reading →
Faith in Romans, Chapter 8, Part 3: The Sovereignty of God; While Believers suffer The Holy Spirit Intercedes & All Things Work Together for Good to Them:
Volume 5, Number 20Part 1 in our study of Chapter 8 (Vol 5, No 19) recapped the good news that there is no judgement against believers in Christ Jesus who formerly were sinners condemned to death, Romans 8:1 - 11. Part 2 (Vol 5, No 19) examined the believer’s personal relationship as children of God who call Him “Abba Father,” notwithstanding the suffering endured in these bodies of flesh while looking forward to the Glory that will follow, Romans 8:12 - 23. Reviewing verses 22 & 23: “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now,” Romans... Continue reading →
Faith in Romans, Introduction to Chapters 9, 10 & 11; God’s promises to Israel and what has happened to them:
Volume 5, Number 21About 3844 years ago, at a time when the entire human race worshiped pagan gods, God called Abram (later Abraham) out of that morass of sin. He promised Abram that his progeny would become a great nation, God would bless those who bless him and curse those who curse him and all nations of the earth would be blessed through him, Genesis 12:1 - 3. Abram believed and did as God instructed, i.e., he obeyed in faith. God subsequently promised Abraham that if man can number the dust of the earth, then shall his seed be numbered and they will... Continue reading →
The Battle of the Wills or God’s Will for the Heavens and the Earth In the Fullness of Time
Volume 5, Number 22The English dictionary gives a number of synonyms for the word “will:” “choice, discretion, determination, purpose, command, direction, desire,” etc. The Greek word translated “will,” referred to later in this study means that faculty of the mind by which is determined either to do or not to do something so this is what is referred to as “will” in this presentation.All humans have a will; some strong, some weak; we all have desires, choices, purposes, etc. and it appears God’s heavenly creatures have wills from what is recorded about the one that was probably the most prominent:“How art thou fallen... Continue reading →
Romans 9:1 - 11: The Sovereignty of God in Election & Restoration:
Volume 5, Number 23The 9th, 10th & 11th chapters form the second great section of the Romans epistle. The first section, chapters 1 - 8, teach justification by faith by the Grace of God apart from works, common to all, whether Jew or Gentile. The problem of how to reconcile this with the special privileges granted to the Nation of Israel is resolved in chapters 9, 10 & 11 with the doctrine or teaching of the Sovereignty of God in Election and Restoration. *Saul, who became the Apostle Paul, exemplifies Israel’s Election and Restoration. Prior to the Lord Jesus Christ appearing to him,... Continue reading →
Romans 9:12 - 29: The Sovereignty of God in Election & Restoration, Part 2:
Volume 5, Number 24We continue in the 9th chapter of Romans where the Apostle Paul reveals the doctrine of the Sovereignty of God in Election and Restoration, which has caused misunderstandings and divisions in the Christian community for 1900 years or so. Part of the problem is that some either don’t recognize or don’t want to admit the human condition. This is evidenced when, at the mere mention of election, they respond that they know God didn’t arbitrarily choose for them to go to heaven and condemn others to hell. They apparently don’t understand that everyone, Jew or Gentile, is under sin, Romans... Continue reading →
Romans 9:30 - 10:8: The Sovereignty of God in Election & Restoration, Part 3: Faith Always necessary, whether Jew or Gentile:
Volume 5, Number 25Our last two studies covered Romans 9:1 - 29, which begins with the Apostle Paul writing that he could wish himself accursed from Christ for his brethren, his kinsmen according to the flesh, Romans 9:1 - 3: “Who are Israelites; to whom pertaineth the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises; Whose are the fathers, and of whom as concerning the flesh Christ came, who is over all, God blessed forever. Amen.” Romans 9:4 - 5. The last phrase here reminds us: our Lord Jesus Christ... Continue reading →
Romans 10:5 - 21: Part 4: Faith by Hearing and Hearing by the Word of God; To Hear or not to Hear, that is the Question:
Volume 5, Number 26Chapters 9 - 11 of Romans teach the Sovereignty of God in Election & Restoration: Election in that God chose/elected the Nation of Israel to be His people, however they rejected Him, first when they crucified their Messiah, then when they stoned His messenger Stephen to death, thus rejecting the offer of His Kingdom; Restoration in that a remnant of Israel will someday be placed in a position of prominence as the leading Kingdom on earth when the Lord Jesus Christ returns after the Tribulation. The end of the 9th and the full 10th chapter document the status of Israel... Continue reading →
Romans 11: Part 5: Gentiles, Branches cut from the Wild Olive Tree vis-a-vis Israel, the Natural Olive Tree Branches:
Volume 5, Number 27Whereas the 10th chapter of Romans explains how individual Jews and Gentiles are saved into The Body of Christ by grace through faith, the 11th chapter deals with the restoration of the Nation of Israel and the salvation of Gentile Nations. Unfortunately, this truth was obscured by early church fathers shortly after Paul revealed it. It was promoted as “replacement theology,” i.e., the false teaching that the Christian Church has replaced National Israel regarding the plan, purpose and promises of God, (What is Replacement Theology). This belief exists to one degree or another today by many who either don’t understand... Continue reading →
Romans 11: Part 6: Election and Restoration; The Unfathomable Riches of the Wisdom and Knowledge of God:
Volume 5, Number 28Remembering that Romans 11 deals with the restoration of the Nation of Israel and the salvation of Gentile Nations we continue where we left off in the last study at Romans 11:21: “For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.” This has nothing to do with the individual believer’s eternal security, Romans 8:38 - 39, it has to do with the Gentile Nations vis-à-vis the Nation of Israel. The “natural branches” refer to the Nation of Israel and the warning to heed lest “God also spare not thee” is directed to the... Continue reading →
Correction to Vol 5 - No 28 published May 24, 2021, titled: Romans 11: Part 6: Election and Restoration; The Unfathomable Riches of the Wisdom and Knowledge of God:
Volume 5, Number 29A reader pointed out an error in my last publication and I stand corrected, appreciate the input, and present this correction. The error is in the first paragraph of the study, quoted as follows:“Remembering that Romans 11 deals with the restoration of the Nation of Israel and the salvation of Gentile Nations we continue where we left off in the last study at Romans 11:21: “For if God spared not the natural branches, take heed lest he also spare not thee.” This has nothing to do with the individual believer’s eternal security, Romans 8:38 - 29, it has to do... Continue reading →
Romans: The Power of the Gospel of Christ revealed to The Apostle Paul:
Volume 5, Number 30Since Adam, “… all have sinned, and come short of the Glory of God,” Romans 3:23; “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” Romans 3:10, quoted from Old Testament (OT) passages, including: “For there is not a just man upon earth, that doeth good, and sinneth not.” Ecclesiastes 7:20, Psalms 14:3. And it’s been impossible for anyone to be righteous before God by doing works of the flesh required by religion. Romans teaches how those living prior to and after the Apostle Paul was commissioned to minister could and can be righteous. Two verses set the... Continue reading →
(31) Romans: The Power of the Gospel, an in depth examination
Volume 5, Number 31This Faith Study is a 50 minute video of a presentation made at the West Valley Grace Fellowship Church on Sunday, August 22, 2021 at 10:30 AM.It is presented to further explain the last Faith Study, Vol 5, No 30 with details that there was not enough space to present in that study.Video unsupported... Continue reading →
The 66 occurrences of Justification/Righteousness in Romans:
Volume 5, Number 32Our last study examined “The Power of the Gospel of Christ revealed to The Apostle Paul;” “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith.” Romans 1:16 - 17. Note that the gospel of Christ reveals the righteousness of God from Faith to faith. This study will examine six (6) Greek words translated variously as... Continue reading →
Romans, the Linchpin of the Bible and the Believer’s Reasonable/ Logical Service:
Volume 5, Number 33Two dictionary definitions for the word “linchpin” are 1) “something that holds the various elements of a complicated structure together,” and 2) “the most important member of a group or part of a system, that holds together the other members or parts or makes it possible to operate as intended.” I submit that just as the Lord Jesus Christ is the “linchpin” of creation, Colossians 1:15 - 18; Hebrews 1:2 - 8, so the epistle of Romans is the “linchpin” of His Word. Romans looks back to the beginning, providing the key to how salvation was accomplished for Abel, Noah,... Continue reading →
Romans 12 - 13: The Believer’s Conduct; Rewards & Loss:
Volume 5, Number 34(Note: this study has been edited/updated on the website since originally published on October 27, 2021.)Our last study opened the 12th chapter of Romans: “I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.” Romans 12:1 - 2. Whereas Israel was commanded to follow the Law, Exodus 20:1 - 17; Exodus... Continue reading →
Romans 12:3 - 16: Thanksgiving for the Measure of Faith God has Given to Each Member of Christ’s Body Who are Called Saints:
Volume 5, Number 35(Note: this study has been edited/updated on the Website since first published on November 25, 2021.)Today, we’ll begin with the 34th occasion of the word “faith” in Romans; “For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith.” Romans 12:3. Paul makes it clear that God inspired what he wrote: “through the grace given unto me,” which repeats the opening words of Romans: “By whom (God)... Continue reading →
Jesus, the Captain and Finisher of Faith, Through Which Salvation Comes by God’s Rich Mercy, Great Love and Grace:
Volume 5, Number 36Our last study addressed thanksgiving for the measure of faith God apportions to members of Christ’s Body, i.e., those who are Called Saints, Romans 12:3 - 8. As we approach the day when many throughout the world celebrate the birth of Jesus, it’s good to contemplate His faith and God’s provision for eternal life; how He planned it and how it’s received. Simply put, salvation is imparted by God’s Grace and comes “through” faith. “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should... Continue reading →
“For whatsoever is not of faith is sin,” Romans 14:23b
Volume 5, Number 37Now at the end of our examination of the use and significance of the word faith in the book of Romans, we consider the last 7 times the Holy Spirit inspired Paul to use it in the last 4 chapters. Seven is the number for Spiritual perfection in the Bible, which is apropos as we find the 7 verses under consideration are instructive and informative for believers. The first 2 were previously covered (Faith Study Vol 5, No 35, https://www.faith-studies.com/article-volume-5-number-35) but are repeated here, as they begin the thought stream of the 7; “For I say, through the grace given... Continue reading →
Words Unique in the Pauline Epistles:
Volume 5, Number 38Words can mean different things to different people so it’s important to understand individual words in Scripture. Before we move on from Romans to Corinthians, I’d like to point out 10 prominent words in the Pauline epistles with a view to define the meaning of the original Greek words translated variously to English. I’m not a student of Greek but have studied various Greek/English references and compared Scripture with Scripture in this endeavor. The King James Version (KJV) is used here so if the reader uses another version, he/she may find a different English word used to translate the Greek.... Continue reading →
Introduction to the Corinthian Epistles, Part 1:
Volume 5, Number 39The Corinthian epistles are very unique and insightful. For instance, 1 Corinthians is the only epistle in which Paul deals with tongues and water baptism. And although Paul labels as Saints those in the church at Corinth, there were many living carnal lifestyles. All of Paul’s epistles have been applicable to the church, the Body of Christ since they were written, and the Corinthian letters are no different; many believers since have lived similar to the Corinthians. During Paul’s time, Corinth was populous, thriving and the chief city of the Roman province of Achaia (the southern area of Greece). Goods... Continue reading →
Introduction to the Corinthian Epistles, Part 2: Review of the Miraculous Sign Gifts Recorded in Acts:
Volume 5, Number 40Our last study reviewed the elements of the Gospel of the Kingdom taught by Peter and the 12 for the Nation of Israel compared to the Gospel of the Grace of God revealed to the Apostle Paul for both individual Jews and Gentiles and it argued that Paul taught the Gospel of the Grace throughout his ministry. Noting 1st Corinthians is Paul’s only epistle that mentions the sign gifts I re-examined the book of Acts to identify every occasion where signs, wonders and miracles are mentioned to put the teaching of Corinthians in perspective. As near as I can tell,... Continue reading →
Introduction to the Corinthian Epistles, Part 3: The Righteous, Albeit Carnal Corinthian Saints Demonstrate both the Holiness and Sinfulness in All Believers:
Volume 5, Number 41The word “faith” occurs 7 times in the first epistle to Corinthians and 7 in the second. Seven in Scripture is the number for Spiritual perfection and the believers in Corinth were spiritually perfect. Paul addressed them: “Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be (“to be” not in the original) saints, with all that in every place call upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:” 1 Corinthians 1:2. Thus we know the Corinthians (and all believers since) are:• “Sanctified,” from the Greek... Continue reading →
Faith In First Corinthians, Part 1: The Believer’s Faith Stands in the Power of God, Not in the Wisdom of Man; One Baptism into the Body of Christ By the Holy Spirit; Divisions Among the Members:
Volume 5, Number 42The word faith occurs 7 times in 1st Corinthians and 7 in 2nd Corinthians. Today we’ll begin to examine the context of its first occurrence: “And my (Paul’s) speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand (be) in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:4 - 5. We won’t get to these 2 verses in this study, but we will cover part of what leads to their conclusion. In the first 3 chapters of 1... Continue reading →
Faith In First Corinthians, Part 2: The Believer’s Faith Stands in the Power of God, Not in the Wisdom of Man:
Volume 5, Number 43The first three chapters of 1st Corinthians deals with divisions among believers despite God’s blessings to them and the foolishness of men vis a vis the wisdom and power of God. As noted in our last study, the first occurrence of the word faith in 1st Corinthians is: “And my (Paul’s) speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: That your faith should not stand (be) in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:4 - 5. Several previous passages lay the... Continue reading →
Faith In First Corinthians, Part 3: It’s Not the Preacher’s Ability that Saves, It’s the Power of God By The Preaching of The Cross To Those Who are Being Saved:
Volume 5, Number 44In Part 1 (V5-N42) we noted that the preaching of the cross is foolishness to those who are lost in their sins and bound for hell, but it is the power of God to those who are being saved, 1 Corinthians 1:18. Paul then asks rhetorically: “Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?” 1 Corinthians 1:20 and he answers “For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching... Continue reading →
Faith In First Corinthians, Part 4: 1 Corinthians 2:6 – 8: God’s Hidden Wisdom Kept Secret Provides Salvation to Mankind while Condemning Satan & His Fallen Angels:
Volume 5, Number 45The past few studies have focused on several (paraphrased) verses teaching that:• The preaching of the cross is foolishness to them that perish; but to those who believe it is the power of God, 1 Corinthians 1:18;• The wisdom of man is of the world (Greek word kosmos G2889) by which man cannot know God, but it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.” 1 Corinthians 1:21;• The foolishness of God is wiser than men; and the weakness of God is stronger than men, 1 Corinthians 1:25;• God hath chosen the foolish things of the... Continue reading →
Faith In First Corinthians, Part 5: The Carnal Corinthians - The Believer’s Primer to a Sanctified Life:
Volume 5, Number 46The King James Version (KJV) of Paul’s 1st Corinthian epistle contains 9,462 words, more than any of his other epistles. Romans has 40 less words at 9,422. Hebrews is 3rd with 6,897 and 2nd Corinthians is 4th with 6,046 (KJF-Stats). Romans describes the Gospel of Grace revealed to Paul and lays the groundwork for his epistles to the other 6 churches: Corinth, Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, Colossi and Thessalonica. (Paul write to 7 churches and 7 in Scripture is the number for Spiritual perfection.) Romans reveals God’s wrath against sin, Romans 1:18 and the only ground upon which the sinner can... Continue reading →
Faith In First Corinthians, Chapter 12: Spiritual Gifts; Part 1:
Volume 5, Number 47Having dealt with the first occasion of the word “faith” in 1 Corinthians; “That your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 2:5, we continue to the 2nd occurrence, found in the 12th chapter: “To another faith by the same Spirit; to another the gifts of healing by the same Spirit;” 1 Corinthians 12:9. Faith is included here with a number of other spiritual gifts the Holy Spirit gave to individuals in the Corinthian church. This study will cover the first 7 verses of chapter 12: Verse 1 “Now concerning... Continue reading →
Faith In First Corinthians, Chapter 12; Spiritual Gifts - Part 2; The Nine in Corinth:
Volume 5, Number 48Our last study examined the first 7 verses of chapter 12, which indicate that the following verses deal with the spiritual; that the Holy Spirit enables the believer to recognize Jesus Christ as the Son of God and distributes gifts to individual believers, accomplishing His work through the believer. This is validation that the believer is an earthen vessel manifesting God’s Word and Work, 2 Corinthians 4:7. We continue today with 1 Corinthians 12:8 - 11: (8) “For to one is given by the Spirit the word of wisdom; to another the word of knowledge by the same Spirit; (9)... Continue reading →
First Corinthians, Chapter 12, Part 3: The Corinthian’s Spiritual Gifts vis a vis the Wisdom, Knowledge and Understanding Available to Believers Since Then:
Volume 5, Number 49Our last Faith Study described 9 Spiritual gifts the Holy Spirit gave the Corinthians in 1 Corinthians 12:8 – 11: (1) the word of wisdom; (2) the word of knowledge; (3) faith; (4) gifts of healing; (5) working of miracles; (6) prophecy; (7) discerning of spirits; (8) tongues; (9) interpretation of tongues. These gifts were necessary because Paul’s epistles were not complete at that time, that is, the Word of God to Members of the Body of Christ was not complete, thus the Corinthians could minister Truth to others. Note that Paul also wrote: “I thank my God always on... Continue reading →
Faith In First Corinthians, Chapter 12: The Body of Christ vis a vis Kings and The King of Kings and Lord of Lords:
Volume 5, Number 50The Apostle Paul goes into more detail about the Body of Christ in First Corinthians than in his other epistles, 1 Corinthians 12 - 27. I’ll quote the first and last of this passage: “For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one... Continue reading →
Faith In First Corinthians, Chapter 13, The Way of Love & It’s Attributes; Part 1:
Volume 5, Number 51While watching an NFL football game on TV recently the cameras focused on the words “Be Love” printed on the back of helmets worn by some players. This seemed a bit contradictory in several ways. I looked up the meaning of this slogan on the Internet and found an article that postulates the “Be Love” moniker worn by NFL players to be “virtue signaling,” which is often defined as an action that shows care towards a cause without making a difference. I won’t pass judgement on the motive/s of the players displaying this slogan but thought about “virtue signaling” in... Continue reading →
Faith In First Corinthians, Chapter 13, The Way of Love, Part 2:
Volume 5, Number 52Our previous study highlighted and characterized the Greek noun “agape” (G26), (pronounced Uh-GAH-pay) translated “love” 86 times, “charity” 27 times, “dear” once, “charitably” once, and “feast of charity” once in the King James Version (KJV) of the New Testament (NT). The verb form “agapa’o” (G25) occurs 142 times, translated “love” 135 times and “beloved” 7 times and the adjective form “Agapetos” (G27) occurs 62 times translated “beloved” 47 times, “dearly beloved” 9 times, “well beloved” 3 times and “dear” 3 times. Agape describes God’s immeasurable, incomparable love for humankind; it is perfect, unconditional, sacrificial, and pure.Today we’ll examine more about... Continue reading →
First Corinthians, Chapter 13, Part 3; Now Abideth Faith, Hope & Love but the Greatest of these is Love:
Volume 5, Number 53It has been helpful and meaningful for me to review 4 key words in 1 Corinthians 13:13, i.e., faith, hope, greatest and love, by comparing their use in other Scripture and I hope this study is meaningful to you as we conclude the 13th chapter of First Corinthians.“Faith:” occurs twice in the 13th chapter of Corinthians: 1) “And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity (love), I am nothing.”, 1 Corinthians 13:2; 2) “And now abideth faith,... Continue reading →
First Corinthians 15; Part 1: The Believer’s Hope of Resurrection is Not Vain:
Volume 5, Number 54King Solomon observed: “Vanity of vanities, saith the Preacher, vanity of vanities; all is vanity.” Ecclesiastes 1:2, referring to the works of man. On the other hand, First Corinthians Chapter 15 teaches there is nothing vain in the Works of God.Our last study examined the 3rd and 4th occasions of the word “faith” in the 13th chapter of 1 Corinthians. The word faith is not found in the 14th chapter, which deals with the gifts of prophesy and tongues and the need for orderly worship in the Corinthians Church. “Faith” occurs twice in the 15th chapter: “And if Christ be... Continue reading →
First Corinthians 15; Part 2: Baptism for the Dead? Resurrection, The Believer’s Hope but the Unbeliever’s dread:
Volume 5, Number 551 Corinthians 15:1 - 31 was the subject of the last study where believers are assured that Jesus Christ rose from the dead and everyone who has ever lived will someday be resurrected. The next resurrection will be the Church, which is The Body of Christ consisting of all believers since Paul, that will be caught up (raptured) to be with the Lord Jesus Christ in Heaven for eternity. The 7-year Tribulation will follow the Rapture; at the end of which all believers prior to Paul as well at those who die during the Tribulation will be raised from the... Continue reading →
First Corinthians 15; Part 3: Believers Stand Fast in the Gospel, Unmovable in the Glorious Hope - Eager Anticipation, of Resurrection, i.e., The Rapture:
Volume 5, Number 56Our two previous studies covered the first 49 verses of the fifteenth chapter of 1st Corinthians. We’ll continue here at verse 50 but first we need to look at two words in the first 4 verses that were not addressed earlier. As noted previously, the first 4 verses summarize the Gospel (Good News) of salvation to eternal life preached by the Apostle Paul; that Christ died for mankind’s sins and rose from the dead on the 3rd day, according to Old Testament (OT) Scriptures. The Corinthians, and all mankind since, are assured eternal life in Heaven with The Lord Jesus... Continue reading →
First Corinthians 16: The Support and Fellowship Enjoyed by Believers Who are to Stand Fast in Faith Like Men and in Love:
Volume 5, Number 57In the 16th chapter, Paul provides insight into his fellow workers in the Gospel and practical admonitions for the believer’s conduct. He orders the Corinthians to take up offerings when they meet each Sunday for delivery to the Jewish believers in Jerusalem, noting that he asked the churches in Galatia to do the same. 1 Corinthians 16:1 - 4. The Jews in Jerusalem believed Jesus was their Messiah and waited in Jerusalem for the prophesied Tribulation and Christ’s return to establish His Kingdom on earth, Acts 1:6 - 11. They had received a taste of that Kingdom when the Holy... Continue reading →
Introduction to Second Corinthians; God’s Comfort/ Consolation/ Exhortation His Exhortation for Reciprocal Comfort Between Believers:
Volume 5, Number 58The word “faith” occurs 7 times in 2nd Corinthians, just as in 1st Corinthians. The significance of each will be noted as we proceed. First, some background to this epistle. During his second missionary journey, Paul lived, worked and taught for 1 ½ years in Corinth, Acts 18:11. He then traveled with Priscilla and Aquila to Ephesus where he left them and went on to Jerusalem, Acts 18:18 - 22. While gone, a Jew named Apollos, born in Alexandria, Egypt traveled to Ephesus. He was a powerful speaker and taught in the synagogue the things of the Lord, but he... Continue reading →
Second Corinthians 1: Recognition/Thanks for God’s Care and that of Fellow Believers; Standing Fixed In Faith in The Gospel of God’s Grace Revealed to the Apostle Paul:
Volume 5, Number 59We covered 2nd Corinthians 1:1 - 7 in our last study, pointing out the significance of two Greek words in this epistle; the noun “paraklesis” (G3874) and verb “parakale’o” (G3870), translated “consolation;” “exhortation;” “comfort;” “entreaty;” “beseech;” “exhort;” “desire” and “be of good comfort” in the King James Version (KJV). Together, they occur more frequently in 2nd Corinthians than in any other New Testament (NT) book and appear to set the tone and theme of this epistle. Two other words that appear frequently in 2nd Corinthians are also of interest. The name Titus, a Gentile and fellow laborer in the Gospel... Continue reading →
Second Corinthians 2: Sympathy/Empathy by Believers; Satan’s Devices; Triumph of the Believer in Christ – a Sweet Odor to God:
Volume 5, Number 60The 2nd chapter continues the thought from Chapter 1 that Paul would not come to the Corinthians again in “heaviness,” i.e., grief or sorrow, 2 Corinthians 2:1, referring to the reproof/correction he sent them in 1st Corinthians. He then asks rhetorically who will make him glad if he grieves them further from what he wrote in 1st Corinthians as he did not want to be sorrowed by those with whom he ought to rejoice because their joy was his joy, 2 Corinthians 2:2 - 3. This demonstrates the sympathy and empathy all believers should have for one another. Paul assures... Continue reading →
2nd Corinthians Chapter 3: Message of Christ Written on the Hearts of Believers Who Reflect the Glory of the Lord; Not on Tables of Stone or as Moses’ Face was Veiled To Israel:
Volume 5, Number 61Paul begins the 3rd chapter asking rhetorically if he and his fellow workers needed letters of commendation to the Corinthians or from them, as was apparently the practice of false apostles, 2 Corinthians 3:1. He answers that the believing Corinthians (members of The Body of Christ) themselves are the epistle (message or letter) written (engraved or inscribed) of all men, because they are declared (rendered apparent) to be the epistle (message or letter) of Christ not written (engraved or inscribed) with ink (as was the Law), but with the Spirit of the Living God, not in tables of stone (as... Continue reading →
2nd Corinthians Chapter 4: The Spirit of Faith; The Message, Gospel & Truth revealed to Paul Reflects onto and from Believers while Satan blocks it from Unbelievers:
Volume 5, Number 62Paul opens the 4th chapter: “Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;” 2 Corinthians 4:1. “This ministry” refers to the New Covenant/Testament revealed in the 3rd chapter, and “The Gospel” later here in chapter 4. The Holy Spirit made Paul an able minister of this gospel/ministry, 2 Corinthians 3:6. This ministry/gospel had been a mystery/secret before it was revealed to Paul, Romans 16:25; 1 Corinthians 2:7. The four words “we have received mercy” are translated from the Greek “eleeo” (G1653) found 31 times in the New Testament (NT) translated variously in other passages:... Continue reading →
2nd Corinthians Chapter 5:1 - 7: Everything the Believer Needs to Know about Their Present, Intermediate and Future Abodes In a Few Short Verses - All By Faith:
Volume 5, Number 63The first 4 verses of chapter 5 are packed with some interesting words and understanding the Greek from which they are translated provides insight into the three phases of the true believer’s existence; here on earth; the intermediate after death and the glorious eternal heavenly existence. Of course, if the rapture occurs before death, the intermediate is skipped. The last two verses of the preceding chapter provide context: “For our light affliction, which is but for a moment, worketh for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory; While we look not at the things which are seen,... Continue reading →
2nd Corinthians Chapter 5:6– 10, Living By Faith, not by Sight & The Judgement Seat of Christ:
Volume 5, Number 64Today, we begin by examining the Greek word “ekdemeo” (G1553) meaning “to emigrate, thus, figuratively to vacate or quit.” “Ekdemeo” is found only 3 times in the New Testament (NT), all here in 2nd Corinthians 5; it’s translated “we are absent” in verse 6; “to be absent” in verse 8 and “absent” in verse 9. Its use in these 3 verses emphasize the truth that all believers, while alive on earth are absent from the Lord, 2 Corinthians 2:6 but are confident (exercise courage) and willing (take pleasure ) to be absent from these bodies to be present with the... Continue reading →
2nd Corinthians 5:1 – 21: To Whom the “We” & “Us Refers;” Key Verses Words; A New Creation; The Fear of The Lord:
Volume 5, Number 65The 5th chapter of 2nd Corinthians has 21 verses and either the word “we” or “us” is found in all but 2 of them. “We” is the most common and sometimes occurs 2 or 3 times in a single verse, while both “we” and “us” are found in some. The dictionary defines “we” as “a first-person plural pronoun that refers to the speaker and one or more other people as the subject of a verb; it is used in various contexts, including: when a speaker or writer uses ‘us’ to refer to both themselves and one or more other people,... Continue reading →
2nd Corinthians 6:1 - 2; Believers Exhorted Not To Receive God’s Grace in Vain; The Resurrection of Jesus Christ In Isaiah’s Prophesy Addressed to Israel vis a vis the Apostle Paul’s Revelation to The Body of Christ:
Volume 5, Number 66The 6th chapter begins: “We (Paul and those with him) then, as workers together with Him (Jesus Christ), beseech you also that ye receive not the grace of God in vain.” 2 Corinthians 6:1. The words “we then” that begin this verse indicate that what follows is based on what was just disclosed in previous verses, i.e., “Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature (creation): old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new. And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to Himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to... Continue reading →
2nd Corinthians 6:3 - 18; Proof That Paul’s Apostleship is Genuine; Paul’s Exhortation To Members of Christ’s Body to Live According to God’s Calling:
Volume 5, Number 67Our previous study pointed out that 2 Corinthians 6:2 is a parenthesis, initially quoting first part the first part of Isaiah 49:8 teaching that God approved of Jesus Christ’s finished work on the cross for the sins of fallen mankind and raised Him from the dead (the major event of history). The second part proclaims that “now” is the day of salvation. It has been the “day of salvation” ever since right up to today. 2 Corinthians 6:1 continues the thought from the previous chapter (2 Corinthians 5:17 - 21) and states that Paul and his fellow Apostles, working in... Continue reading →
2nd Corinthians 7:1 - 16: Saints Are To Avoid Filthiness of the Flesh; The Deep Reciprocal Love Between Paul, Titus & the Corinthians; A Template For Believers Today:
Volume 5, Number 68Chapter 7 opens: “Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.” 2 Corinthians 7:1. “These promises” are listed in the previous chapter, they are that every believer is a Temple of God, separate from and not identified with unbelievers and all are the sons and daughters of God Almighty, 2 Corinthians 6:16 - 18. However, even though believers enjoy this standing before God, nevertheless they are exhorted to cleanse themselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit. “Filthiness” is translated from the... Continue reading →
2nd Corinthians 8:1 - 24: Grace in the Form of Monies Collected from Members of the Body of Christ in Greece by Titus & a Brother in Christ For the Suffering Kingdom Saints in Jerusalem:
Volume 5, Number 69The word “faith” occurs 7 times in 2nd Corinthians, the 5th instance here in chapter 8: “Therefore, as ye abound in everything, in faith, and utterance, and knowledge, and in all diligence, and in your love to us, see that ye abound in this grace also.” 2 Corinthians 8:7. Note the 6 highlighted words in this verse: faith, utterance, knowledge, diligence, love and grace. Let’s first define each of these attributes:• Faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen, Hebrews 11:1.• Utterance is from the Greek “logos,” (G3056) used 330 times in the New... Continue reading →
2nd Corinthians 9:1 - 10:18; Giving Under The Law vs During this Age of Grace; Paul Defends His Ministry as Being Accomplished in the Power of The Lord:
Volume 5, Number 70The 9th chapter continues the thought of chapter 8 concerning the money Titus was collecting from Members of the Body of Christ in Greece. Paul and associates were to take it to Jerusalem for the Jewish Kingdom saints there who had run out of funds on which to live. We note here the difference in giving requirements for Members of Christ’s Body during this dispensation, i.e., this age of Grace, and the requirements under the Law of Moses. Under the Law each was to give 10% of their earnings. Under Grace, Paul tells the Corinthians and believers today: “But this... Continue reading →
Special Edition: Practical Christian Living – Philippians 4:1 – 9:
Volume 5, Number 71The following link takes you to a YouTube video of the Bible Study presented at West Valley Grace Fellowship, Sun City West, Arizona on August 4, 2024, if anyone out there has 30 minutes to watch:Download the handout summarizing this lesson.... Continue reading →
Special Edition: Serving & Worshiping God; Philippians 3:3, etc.:
Volume 5, Number 72This study is in MP3 format, audio only. It was presented to the First Baptist Church in Black Canyon City, AZ on Sunday, August 25, 2024. It is about 38 minutes long. Click the play button below to listen.Your browser does not support the audio element.... Continue reading →
2 Corinthians 11:1 - 33: Paul’s Authority & Suffering as The Lord Jesus Christ’s Apostle vis a vis the Apparent Success of False Apostles at Corinth:
Volume 5, Number 73In Faith Study Vol 5 No 70 dated July 19, 2024, in the 10th chapter, Paul described the deceitfulness of false prophets who were preaching to the Corinthians: “For we dare not make ourselves of the number, or compare ourselves with some that commend themselves: but they measuring themselves by themselves, and comparing themselves among themselves, are not wise.” 2 Corinthians 10:12. On the contrary, Paul would not boast of things that cannot be measured, but he would boast about the ministry to the Corinthians God had blessed him with, 2 Corinthians 10:13. The bottom line: “But he that glorieth,... Continue reading →
2 Corinthians 12:1 – 13:1: Paul’s Defense of His Apostleship & His Conduct Toward the Corinthians Against the Accusations of False Prophets:
Volume 5, Number 74“It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory (boast, rejoice). I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.” 2 Corinthians 12:1. The phrase “It is not expedient” translates two Greek words, one an absolute negative translated “not” (G3756) and the other “expedient” (G4851), which elsewhere is translated “profit, be profitable, bring together, be better, be good.” The word “doubtless” is translated from a Greek word used only six times in the New Testament (NT), and only here it is translated “doubtless.” In other passages it’s translated with four different English words; “also, now, and, therefore” while in... Continue reading →