Due to changes I will be starting a podcast.
It will also be dreamwalker1960.
My goal is to try and be once a week so I will be posting the broadcast here as well as a blog posting here that will be in concert with it at the same time.
Month: May 2020
An in-depth look at 2 Timothy 3:16-17 and 2 Timothy 4:1-2
2 Timothy 3: 16 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right. 17 God uses it to prepare and equip his people to do every good work. (NLT)
2 Timothy 4: 1 I solemnly urge you in the presence of God and Christ Jesus, who will someday judge the living and the dead when he comes to set up his Kingdom: 2 Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favorable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. (NLT)
This in actuality is a part of the letter that Paul wrote to Timothy that are connected. I have no understanding as to why it was divided by those that assigned chapters and verses to the Bible when this division of the Bible was created.
16 – All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: (KJV)
All – pas – all, any, every, the whole {Strong’s concordance} [Strong’s]
Scripture – graphe – a document i.e. holy Writ (or its contents or a statement in it) [Strong’s]
From the breakdown of the word “graphe” in the Theological Dictionary of the New Testament [TDNT]. Paul’s usage of the words “All scripture” was to show the gentiles that had accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. That all the writings of Holy Scripture which included what we now call the Old Testament were important to Christianity as well. For at that time it was not called the Old Testament, but the Tanakh.
Is given by inspiration of God – theopneustos – from theos (God) and pneo (to breathe hard); divinely breathed [Strong’s]
“It is thus evident that the author is differentiating the writings ordained by God’s authority from other, secular works.” [TDNT]
Paul when giving these instruction to Timothy, which as you go through 2 Timothy you see and understand. That there were false teachings going about in the Christian communities. Thus he was showing that when you bring the teachings of the letters which would one day become the New Testament. That when you combined these letters with the Tanakh. All would see that the true teachings of God would join together in Holy harmony. This was also showing the young Christian groups that the Tanakh was also a part of their teaching and something to embrace and to learn from. Not just the letters that were circulating throughout their communities.
Is profitable – ophelimos – helpful or serviceable, i.e. advantageous [Strong’s]
Doctrine – didaskalia – instruction (the function or the information; that which is taught) [Strong’s]
Reproof – elegcho – proof, conviction [Strong’s]
“’Proof’,’ means of proof’ with a view to convincing and refuting” [TDNT]
Correction – epanorthosis – a straightening up again [Strong’s]
“In 2 Timothy 3:16 we are told that Scripture can teach us how the believer may attain to salvation. Since Scripture originates from God’s Word, it is profitable for teaching, for the conviction of the sinner, and for instruction in righteousness. There is obviously a planned sequence in this list of nouns. If between the conviction of the sinner and his instruction in righteousness there is a reference to “epanorthosis,” this can only mean that the convicted sinner receives the restoration, i.e., the amendment in conversion {unto salvation (2 Timothy 3:15)}, which only God can give. Hence here, too, there is an eschatological determination of “epanorthosis.” Though, in accordance with the general structure of the Pastorals, we have a stronger orientation to ethical outworking.” [TDNT]
Eschatology – a branch of theology concerned with the final events in the history of the world or of humankind (Merriam-Webster Dictionary)
Instruction – paideia – education or training [Strong’s]
Righteousness – dikaiosyne, dikaiosune – equity, justification [Strong’s]
a: equity – 1) the quality of being fair or impartial; fairness; impartiality; 2) something that is fair and just [Dictionary.com]
“The concept of law exercised so strong an influence on the understanding of all social relationships that even theological reflection on the fellowship established between God and man (humanity) was decisively affected by it. One may say that law is the basis of the view of God in the OT in so far as it is proved especially by the usage of the OT. The concept of law is expressed by a series of terms which are used not merely for the relations of God to man and man to God, but also for the conduct of both God and man as determined by these relations. If vital religious relationships and interconnexions are regulated by a religious norm. It is obvious that this norm is valid for all social relationships, and therefore that law fashions the ethical norm.” [TDNT; Vol. II page 174]
“The reference here is to right conduct or a godly walk.” [TDNT; Vol. II page 210]
An important note to place here:
“World-class scholar Bruce Metzger said that compared with other ancient documents, there is an unprecedented number of New Testament manuscripts and that they can be dated extremely close to the original writings. The modern New Testament is 99.5 percent free of textual discrepancies, with no major Christian doctrines in doubt. The criteria used by the early church to determine which books should be considered authoritative have ensured that we possess the best record about Jesus.” [The Case for Christ pg, 280]
This however does not apply to the NIV Bible, which has changed or removed several important elements from the text. This Bible if used should be replaced with either the KJV or a NLT as soon as possible.
Verse 17 – That the man of God may be perfect, thoroughly furnished unto all good works. (KJV)
The man – Anthropos – man-faced i.e. a human being [Strong’s]
Of God – theos – a diety, God [Strong’s]
Perfect – artios – complete [Strong’s]
“At 2 Timothy 3:17 ‘artios’ is used in a sense to denote what is right or proper, and more particularly what is becoming to a Christian, obviously with a moral accent…..” [TDNT; Vol. I pg. 476]
Thoroughly furnished – exartizo – to finish out; to equip fully [Strong’s]
“…. ‘exartizo’ means to bring to a suitable state for Christian moral action.” [TDNT; Vol. 1 pg. 476]
Works – ergon – from a primary “ergo” (to work); toil (as an effort or occupation) act. [Strong‘s]
2 Timothy 4:1 – I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom; (KJV)
Charge – diamartyromai – from “dia” denoting the channel of an act; through; and “martureo” to be a witness, i.e. testify. – to attest or protest earnestly or hortatively [Strong’s]
a: hortatively – urging to some course of conduct or action [the Free Dictionay.com]
Before – enopion – in the face of {Strong’s]
The Lord – kyrios – supreme in authority, i.e. controller [Strong’s]
Jesus – iesous – of Hebrew origin Yehowshuwa – from Yhovah from hayah, to exist; and yasha, to be open, wide or free i.e. to be safe, to free to succor – Jehovah-saved; Jehoshua (i.e. Joshua), the Jewish leader. [Strong’s] It must be also noted that Jesus’ name was very common at this time frame which fits into Isaiah 53.
Christ – christos – from chrio, through the idea of contact; to smear or rub with oil i.e. to consecrate to an office or religious office. – anointed i.e. the Messiah, an epithet of Jesus. [Strong’s]
“Paul senses a distinction between Jesus Christ and Christ Jesus. When he uses the former the original thought is that of the man Jesus whom God raises up and to whom He accords the dignity and position of the Christ, the Messianic deliverer. Conversely, when he uses the latter the original thought is that of the pre-existent Christ who has revealed Himself in a man, in Jesus of Nazareth.” [TDNT; vol. IX page 541 note 321]
Judge – krino – to distinguish, i.e. decide (mentally or judicially) [Strong’s]
Quick – zao – to live [Strong’s]
The dead – nekros – dead [Strong’s]
Appearing – epiphaneia – a manifestation [Strong’s]
a: manifestation – The definition of a manifestation is the proof of the reality of something, often a site or a smell. [Your dictionary.com]
“’Epiphaneia’ is used in the NT only as a religious term, mostly for the future eschatological appearing of Christ.” [TDNT; Vol. 9 pg. 10]
Kingdom – basileia – royalty, i.e. rule or realm [Strong’s]
Verse 2 – Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.
Preach – kerysso – to herald (as a public crier), especially divine truth (the gospel) [Strong’s]
The word – logos – the teachings of Jesus to the disciples that eventually became the gospels.
Be instant – ephistemi – from “epi” (of time, place, order), and histemi – to stand; to stand upon, i.e. be present [Strong’s]
In season – eukairos – opportunely [Strong’s]
Out of season – akairos – inopportunely [Strong’s]
“exercise your office, deal with members of the community who need your official help when in your judgement it is your duty to do so, whether it be convenient for them (or for you?), or not.” [TDNT; vol. III pg. 462]
Reprove – elegcho – see above
Rebuke – epitimao – from “epi” (of time, place, order), and “timao” to prize, i.e. fix a valuation upon; to tax upon, i.e. censure or admonish. [Strong’s]
a: censure – strong criticism or disapproval [Cambridge dictionary]
b: admonish – to tell someone that they have done something wrong [Cambridge dictionary]
Mathew 18:15 – “If another believer sins against you, go privately and point out the offense. If the other person listens and confesses it, you have won that person back.”
Exhort – parakaleo – from “para” – near, i.e. from beside, at, the vicinity of; and “kaleo” – to call; to call near, i.e. invite, invoke (by imploration, hortation or consolation)
a: invoke – to request help from someone, especially a god, when you want to improve a situation [Cambridge dictionary]
b: imploration – earnest supplication [Merriam-Webster dictionary]
b1: earnest – characterized by or proceeding from an intense and serious state of mind [Merriam-Webster dictionary]
b2: supplication – Think of a supplication as sort of a prayer, a request for help from a deity. The word carries a sense of awe and adoration with it, suggesting something tentative, even servile, a respectful appeal to a higher power. [Vocabulary.com]
c: hortation – The act of exhorting, inciting, or giving advice; exhortation [your dictionary.com]
d: consolation – something that makes someone who is sad or disappointed feel better [Cambridge dictionary]
Longsuffering – makrothymia – forbearance [Strong’s]
a: forbearance – the quality of being patient and being able to forgive someone or control yourself in a difficult situation [Cambridge dictionary]
Doctrine – didache – instruction (the act or the matter) [Strong’s]
In summation of this study we find that it is important to read and know that Bible. This will lead us to a righteous live in the sight of the Lord. We are also to help one another when they stumble or do not follow the teachings of the Word and stray off course. We are to in some case to expect to be insulted, berated and yelled at. However, we are called to stay calm, but not surrender. To push forward with the love of God within us to help those that have turned away from God and their Savior Jesus Christ. To help them understand that a sin is a sin and to live in this sin will lead ultimately to the judgement by Jesus Christ Himself upon His return to this reality. Where this will lead is another topic for another time.
How scientist discount God, but how science proves He is.
This is not going to be a thesis paper with supporting documentation. It is simply one man’s observation of the facts presented to the world.
For example: The big bang.
This to me is one of the ultimate proves of God. An explosion of mass at a central location that radiates outward and results in a huge universe of billions of galaxies with millions of stars within each. Sure sounds like creation to me.
Now look at the behemoth in Job. A tail upon the creature is described as being like a Lebanon cedar. For the longest time many could not say that, this “behemoth” was in fact a dinosaur since for years they had tails from dinosaurs dragging the ground. Then scientist figured out that their tails actually went straight back and looks like the trunk of a cedar tree, long straight and tappers to a point. Moreover, Lebanon cedars were huge, used as pillars and masts. So again, science confirms the Bible and thus confirms God. Just think on that for a bit.
The prodigal child, a deep dive into some parables from Jesus Christ (part five)
The eldest son
There is many facets to the eldest son that can be addressed here as he is a reflection of those that have been loyal to God all the time. The religious leaders that were here listening to Jesus tell this parable is one facet. Those within churches that see people come into their churches that look and act different then they do. These are just two facets.
The religious leaders saw Jesus Christ as a threat to their command of the Israeli people. Thus their anger and hatred toward Him. The fact that Christ was causing people to come to God as they never did with those in religious power. That sinners would go to Him and then leave from Him no longer sinning thus becoming the younger son. Being dead and now alive once again. The religious leaders in their own minds saw themselves as being loyal to God, even though there was mounting evidence that this was the furthest thing from the truth.
In many churches today people form a group and see those that come into their churches as invaders. So they make it hard for these intruders to fit in or grow in their belief in Jesus Christ and His Father.
These are all aspects of the eldest son.
What the father says is clear and to the point.
Luke 15:31 – “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”
Simply there is no need to be jealous or envious. For you are a part of the body of Christ, and when someone comes to realize that truth. That God is the Creator of ALL. That they have come home through accepting Jesus as their Savior is a time of joy and celebration. For they were dead and now they are alive and will for all eternity.
This is something that is open to all that are willing to see the truth. Be they now Atheist, Muslim, Buddhist, or even think they are Christian. All they need do is not live their lives in the here and the now, but to look to the eternal life that is yet to come. To stop living in the temporal and plan to exist for billions upon billions of years in the embrace of God, through His Son Jesus Christ our Savior.
The prodigal child, a deep dive into some parables from Jesus Christ (part four)
The epiphany.
As he feeds the pigs desiring to eat the food of what the Jewish people see as an unclear animal. Realization hits him.
Luke 15:17 – And when he came to himself, he said, How many hired servants of my father’s have bread enough and to spare, and I perish with hunger!
Now we have to note how things are different between his life now and those that are servants to his father. As was pointed out in the previous part of this series he had made himself a bondservant. In essence a slave for six years. His master was not feeding him. His father on the other hand had free people working for him. In fact his father paid them. This is shown in the word “hired” and by the fact that they have enough money to be able to give bread to those in need. As shown by the wording: “have bread enough and to spare.”
Hired servant – misthios – a paid worker, hired servant, hireling (contrasted with a slave).
The implication in the next few verses implies that he came to realize that if he stayed a bondservant he would die of starvation. So he leaves his situation.
Now here we must come to another realization within the younger son. At the beginning of this parable he is prideful and arrogant. For he went to his father and demanded his inheritance. Now in the pit of despair and starvation a new man arises. A man that is humbled. He says this:
“Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”
Not only does he see his actions as wrong, but an actual sin. He also realizes that his actions were so shameful that he can no longer consider himself as a child of his father. His humility only begs of him to seek after being a servant of this man who is his father.
So he heads home. As he comes into sight of home. His father sees him coming towards him. Even though he is a ways off his father knows it is him. He recognizes him. At seeing him. The bible says this:
Luke 15:20 – And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.
Compassion – splagchnizomai – I feel compassion, have pity on, am moved.
Pity – sympathy and understanding for someone else’s suffering or troubles
The father understood what had transpired. He did not hate him, nor despise him. In fact he ran to him and fell upon him hugging him tightly and kissed him. This is how God sees all that come humbly toward Him seeking His forgiveness. God loves all of humanity. All that is required by us that are his children, is to acknowledge Him. To say we have sinned, and then to go to Him. He will then run to us as well. Embracing us, holding us to Him. For we acknowledge that He is not only our God, our Creator, but our Father as well.
The sins are already forgiven, just because we turn to God and go to Him. This is seen in the very next two verses. The son begins to make His speech he had planned, but before he can even ask to be only accepted as one of his father’s servants. His father shouts out to his servants, to place the best robes upon him, and a ring upon his finger, and shoes upon his feet. Then the father also says to kill the fatted calf and to eat and celebrate.
Luke 15:24 – For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.
This same joy is promised to all of humanity that comes to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior, for only through Him can God see them approaching His throne, and all of heaven will celebrate as they come to accept that God is their eternal Father.
The prodigal child, a deep dive into some parables from Jesus Christ (part three)
We left the previous part of the series with the youngest son’s demand for his reward. Now we will look to the reward itself.
So, the child is given their inheritance. Again we need to understand something. What he asks for is what is promised in the future, once his father passes from the world. So the prodigal child is asking for in essence their rewards promised them in the eternal life that is yet to be, if we look at the father as God. This is what he asks for and this is what he is given. The same can be said of all that ask God of something. This something, be it wealth, a fancy home, a fancy car. All this is something that was meant for a life they have yet to see. The eternal life. These things you seek after here are not for eternity, but for here, for now, in the contemporary. Yet this is what most demand. This is what the son was asking for.
So the youngest son packs up everything he owns and moves to a distant land. The intent is made clear he turns his back upon his father. Never to see him ever again. Most that deny God live this very way. Many that say they accept Christ as their Savior live this was as well. It is something to be expected as is made clear in 2 Peter chapter 2:
20 – And when people escape from the wickedness of the world by knowing our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and then get tangled up and enslaved by sin again, they are worse off than before. 21 It would be better if they had never known the way to righteousness than to know it and then reject the command they were given to live a holy life. 22 They prove the truth of this proverb: “A dog returns to its vomit.” And another says, “A washed pig returns to the mud.”
Most do not wish to live a Christian live-style. They find it confining, restricted. They see the Bible as simply a reference tool. A book of suggestions, instead of what it truly is. It is a book of laws that we are required to follow.
John 14:15 “If you love me, obey my commandments….”
This is why most run away from God. This is why they pack all their belongings so they can do as the youngest son did. To live a “riotous living,” away from the site of God their Father and Creator.
Riotous – asotos – extravagantly wasteful because of “loose living,” i.e. a debauched, profligate lifestyle
Profligate – utterly and shamelessly immoral or dissipated; thoroughly dissolute.
As he lived this live-style he wasted all he owned. Then when a famine hit the land he found himself without the ability to even feed himself. So he bonded himself to someone in the land he now lived.
What he made of himself voluntarily was a bondservant. A bondservant is something that was established within the Israelite tribes as a way to settle debts. Simply the person become the property of someone else for a period of time. A slave. In most cases for six years. So being a slave, his master did not even feed him, and he hungered even after the scraps that he was feeding unto the pigs he was ordered to feed.
Here is something else that needs to be understood. The pig is seen as an animal that is detestable, filthy and unclean to the Israelites. To be forced to feed one let alone desire to eat what a pig eats means that the youngest hit rock-bottom.
We will continue this in the next part of the series.
The prodigal child, a deep dive into some parables from Jesus Christ (part two)
Yesterday we began to look into the parables Jesus gave one day, nearly two thousand years ago. We discussed the first two parables in part one of this series. Now we will continue our deep dive as we go onto the parable of the prodigal son:
Luke 15:11 – To illustrate the point further, Jesus told them this story: “A man had two sons. 12 The younger son told his father, ‘I want my share of your estate now before you die.’ So his father agreed to divide his wealth between his sons. 13 “A few days later this younger son packed all his belongings and moved to a distant land, and there he wasted all his money in wild living. 14 About the time his money ran out, a great famine swept over the land, and he began to starve. 15 He persuaded a local farmer to hire him, and the man sent him into his fields to feed the pigs. 16 The young man became so hungry that even the pods he was feeding the pigs looked good to him. But no one gave him anything. 17 “When he finally came to his senses, he said to himself, ‘At home even the hired servants have food enough to spare, and here I am dying of hunger! 18 I will go home to my father and say, “Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, 19 and I am no longer worthy of being called your son. Please take me on as a hired servant.”’ 20 “So he returned home to his father. And while he was still a long way off, his father saw him coming. Filled with love and compassion, he ran to his son, embraced him, and kissed him. 21 His son said to him, ‘Father, I have sinned against both heaven and you, and I am no longer worthy of being called your son.’ 22 “But his father said to the servants, ‘Quick! Bring the finest robe in the house and put it on him. Get a ring for his finger and sandals for his feet. 23 And kill the calf we have been fattening. We must celebrate with a feast, 24 for this son of mine was dead and has now returned to life. He was lost, but now he is found.’ So the party began. 25 “Meanwhile, the older son was in the fields working. When he returned home, he heard music and dancing in the house, 26 and he asked one of the servants what was going on. 27 ‘Your brother is back,’ he was told, ‘and your father has killed the fattened calf. We are celebrating because of his safe return.’ 28 “The older brother was angry and wouldn’t go in. His father came out and begged him, 29 but he replied, ‘All these years I’ve slaved for you and never once refused to do a single thing you told me to. And in all that time you never gave me even one young goat for a feast with my friends. 30 Yet when this son of yours comes back after squandering your money on prostitutes, you celebrate by killing the fattened calf!’ 31 “His father said to him, ‘Look, dear son, you have always stayed by me, and everything I have is yours. 32 We had to celebrate this happy day. For your brother was dead and has come back to life! He was lost, but now he is found!’”
Let’s look at this parable in more detail. Our first stop in this deep dive. The demands of the younger son, which is where we will starts. For the son went to the father and did not ask, but told his father. In the KJV it is “said,” but still it was not “asked his father.”
There is a couple of ways to approach just this one sentence. From the main standpoint of this particular teaching we should look at it this way. All of humanity are the children of God. The mere denial of accepting God not only as “God,” but as their creator and Father is a type of demand. That they are their own person. That they are in control and have full say-so in how they wish to live their lives. You see this in most that deny the very existence of God. However, in the other way you can look at it. It is the way those that have asked Christ to be their Savior behave as well. Many still choosing to be the ones in control of their own lives and see the Bible more as a book of suggestions instead of actual laws that demand requirements to be maintained and followed. These two aspects that tie right back into the previous two parables that Jesus had just spoken.
Here is another facet that must be noted. The demand for his rewards now. Again we come to those that are like the lost coin and the lost sheep. In both examples those that turn away from God and His Son seek after their rewards here in this temporal realm we all now exists within.
Matthew 6:19 “Don’t store up treasures here on earth, where moths eat them and rust destroys them, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 Store your treasures in heaven, where moths and rust cannot destroy, and thieves do not break in and steal. 21 Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be.
How does the father, God, respond to His child’s demands? Without question or debate, the father gave to the child what he demanded. This too is how God responses to all His children, which is all of humanity, be they Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, or whatever religion they follow. God loves all His children, but He knows that if their heart is hardened unto the truth there is no way to reach them and cause them to accept Him as who He really is.
This is one reason He has made a type of loophole in the Great White Throne Judgment, for those that have led a righteous life. But this loophole is not a guarantee of eternal life. There is only one way, and that is through the acceptance of Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. God wishes all to come into the eternal life we are all promised. However, he knows that due to free-will most will reject the truth, for all of humanity due to the actions of Adam and Eve, is sinful and the source of their own corruption.
Mark 7:20 – And then he added, “It is what comes from inside that defiles you. 21 For from within, out of a person’s heart, come evil thoughts, sexual immorality, theft, murder, 22 adultery, greed, wickedness, deceit, lustful desires, envy, slander, pride, and foolishness. 23 All these vile things come from within; they are what defile you.”
This also goes directly into why Jesus was telling this parable. For it was the desires of the child that drove him to want his inheritance. We will continue this in the next part of this series.
The prodigal child, a deep dive into some parables from Jesus Christ (part one)
Very quickly Luke sets the stage for the parables Jesus is about to say to those gathered about Him this day. Amongst them are His earthly rivals, the holy men of the Israelites. They scoff that once again Christ has brought sinners before Him.
Jesus goes right to this point immediately:
Luke 15:4 – “If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them gets lost, what will he do? Won’t he leave the ninety-nine others in the wilderness and go to search for the one that is lost until he finds it? 5 And when he has found it, he will joyfully carry it home on his shoulders. 6 When he arrives, he will call together his friends and neighbors, saying, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost sheep.’ 7 In the same way, there is more joy in heaven over one lost sinner who repents and returns to God than over ninety-nine others who are righteous and haven’t strayed away! 8 “Or suppose a woman has ten silver coins and loses one. Won’t she light a lamp and sweep the entire house and search carefully until she finds it? 9 And when she finds it, she will call in her friends and neighbors and say, ‘Rejoice with me because I have found my lost coin.’ 10 In the same way, there is joy in the presence of God’s angels when even one sinner repents.”
In these two parables He says the same thing, for the most part, but in a way that not only both male and females can relate too, but those that live in the country and those that live in the cities. Instantly destroying the religious leaders’ argument and show to those that understand how foolish those that hold onto man-made dogmas really are.
But let’s now look into the parables. Both deal with the property of a person that losses one part of it. It shows how they search and look for it. Jesus then says what the heavenly equivalent is. This statement of joy for just one person that repents is key of these parables.
We need to understand two key words. Sinner and repent.
Sinner – hamartolos – sinning, sinful, depraved, detestable
Repents – repenteth – metanoeo – from metá, “changed after being with” and noiéō, “think”) – properly, “think differently after,” “after a change of mind”; to repent
So any that sin, that after coming to accept Jesus Christ as their Savior begins to think differently and uses the teachings within the Bible to know what is the difference between right acting and wrong acting. Then once realizing these differences end those things within their lives that are called sin, no matter how painful that turning away from these actions could be.
The slight differences between the first and the second though is the former is aimed at someone who had already asked Jesus Christ to be their Savior. While the latter was aimed at any who come to decide to follow Jesus and ask Him to be their Savior. In both cases acknowledging that there is sin in their lives and then turning away from the sin is what is required by both. So even though Jesus is addressing two different type of sinners. The first, someone who was once a part of the vine, the other someone newly grafted into vine, which is Jesus Christ.
These two parables are fixed directly at the ridicule made by those religious leaders present at this particular teaching being made by Christ on that day nearly two thousand years ago. In the next part of this series we will take a deeper look into the parable of the prodigal son.
The Divine Vine – A new and deeper in-depth look into John 15:1-12
Why is this needed? It is needed because it is my belief that the message within this message from Jesus Christ is not being taught correctly. As we go through this I hope this comes to light and helps for those of you reading to awaken to this and help spread it to those that need to hear this and come to a new level of understanding in their relationship with God through His Son the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus, the True Vine
John 15
1 “I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing. 6 Anyone who does not remain in me is thrown away like a useless branch and withers. Such branches are gathered into a pile to be burned. 7 But if you remain in me and my words remain in you, you may ask for anything you want, and it will be granted! 8 When you produce much fruit, you are my true disciples. This brings great glory to my Father.
9 “I have loved you even as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. 10 When you obey my commandments, you remain in my love, just as I obey my Father’s commandments and remain in his love. 11 I have told you these things so that you will be filled with my joy. Yes, your joy will overflow! 12 This is my commandment: Love each other in the same way I have loved you. 13 There is no greater love than to lay down one’s life for one’s friends. 14 You are my friends if you do what I command. 15 I no longer call you slaves, because a master doesn’t confide in his slaves. Now you are my friends, since I have told you everything the Father told me. 16 You didn’t choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit, so that the Father will give you whatever you ask for, using my name. 17 This is my command: Love each other. (NLT)
I read through several commentaries on these verses and each amazed me on how they twisted the words of Jesus to suite their own desires of not be cut off from God. It was shocking to say the least. That is why I am here writing this. So we will go at this verse by verse, because the true meaning of these words of the risen Christ are extremely important to know and understand.
Verse 1: I am the true vine, and my Father is the husbandman. (KJV)
I – ego – a primary pronoun of the first person. I (only expressed when emphatic.) [Strong’s Expanded Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible, 2010] {Strong’s}
a – emphatic – done or said in a strong way and without any doubt [Cambridge Dictionary] {CD}
Here is where we need to go deeper though. For John, especially when quoting Jesus, there is a more profound and powerful imagery that comes out. With the simple word “I” Jesus shows His resurrected form. In these teachings that are given they do not follow the normal syntax. They reach to a new level like saying: “He is light. But He is the true and proper light which alone deserves this name.” [Theological Dictionary of the New Testament] {TDNT}
The true – alethinos – truthful – “true” which denotes the sense of real, ideal, genuine. [Strong’s]
In this deep look we see here Jesus saying “the true” is not just speaking of “true” or “genuine.” He is actually saying “divine.” [TDNT]
a – divine – connected with a god or like a god. [CD]
Vine – ampelos – deeply though we find that there were others that called themselves the vine. Examples: the Dionysus cult, the Mandaean religion. [TDNT]
Just in these four words Jesus is showing that He is the true and divine vine, and no other can come to God except through being a branch upon His vine.
Father – pater – a nourisher, protector, upholder; of the nearest ancestor. [Strong’s]
In the deeper study within TDNT it is showing us the “harmony of the Father and the Son.” Of the two working together for the good of those that are on the vine which is Jesus. {book V p. 999 – 1001}
The husbandman – georgos – a land-worker, i.e. farmer, a vinedresser [Strong’s]
a – vinedresser – a person who cultivates and prunes grapevines [Dictionary.com]
Verse 2 – Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. (KJV)
Every – pas- all things [Strong’s]
To quote the TDNT:
“The uniqueness of the NT view is that here all ideas of totality relate to a specific history of creation and salvation. As compared with the OT, the NT is distinguished especially by a richer soteriology.”
Soteriology – theology dealing with salvation as effected by Jesus Christ.
Branch – klema – a limb or shoot [Strong’s]
a – shoot – the first part of a plant to appear above the ground as it develops from a seed, or any new growth on an already existing plant [CD]
b – limb – a large branch of a tree [CD]
Shoot, young twig, branch, shoot of the vine [TDNT]
So this means “Every branch both young and old upon the vine which is Jesus Christ,” as the next words state.
In – en
“The ‘en’ of Fellowship in John. Exclusively in John’s Gospel and 1 John. We have a distinctive ‘en’ of religious fellowship.” [TDNT]
Meaning a free will relationship between the branch (humanity), the Vine (Jesus Christ), and the Vinedresser (God).
Beareth – phero – bear, bring forth [Strong’s]
Fruit – karpos – of works or deeds [Strong’s]
“This power is fellowship with Christ.” [TDNT]
a – fellowship – a friendly feeling that exists between people who have a shared interest or are doing something as a group [CD]
he taketh away – airo – to take up or away; to take away what is attached to anything, to remove [Strong’s]
It is here that we come to an issue. In the many commentaries I read they go with the definition of “lift up,” which doesn’t make any sense. It doesn’t even flow with the words of the Bible itself. When they translated the Bible to English in the early 1600s and then finalized it in 1611 they agreed upon the wording “he taketh away,” not “he lifteth up.” Those that made these commentaries made it sound as if they were lifting up to God those committing sin. This is contrary to the teachings within the Bible. We do not raise up the sin, we raise up ourselves to the altar seeking the removal of sin. Jesus Himself knew that this day would occur. So he repeats Himself in verse six and clarifies His meaning with more detail, which we will get to later. Their interpretation implies raising oneself up before God. If their intent to say that unfruitful are seeking forgiveness and wish to receive forgiveness and to try to bear fruit. There can be some merit to that. However Jesus made Himself clear on this matter elsewhere in the Bible as well.
Revelation 3:15 “I know all the things you do, that you are neither hot nor cold. I wish that you were one or the other! 16 But since you are like lukewarm water, neither hot nor cold, I will spit you out of my mouth!”
In John, Jesus states that God Himself will remove the branch that does not bear fruit. Not all branches that do not bear fruit lay upon the ground, but are a part of the vine itself.
Here in Revelation the Glorified Christ is making it clear that he will spit those out that are lukewarm. Using Christ’s words in John those that bear fruit would compare to those that are hot in the Revelation. So those that are cold in Revelation equates to those that deny Jesus altogether and live in sin. So that would mean that those that are lukewarm would be those that acknowledge Jesus Christ as their Savior and so are a branch upon the vine, or were attached to the vine that is Jesus Christ. However, they bear no fruit and so are living in sin. So God takes them away in John and Christ spits them out in Revelation. Thus removing them from His fellowship cutting them from the vine. For very few fall upon the ground. Most stay on the vine unless they are cut off from it.
He purgeth – kathairo – to cleanse, to prune, to expiate – purge
a – cleanse – to make something completely clean
b – expiate – to show that you are sorry for bad behavior by doing something or accepting punishment
c – purge – to make someone or something free of something evil or harmful.
That – hina – in order that [Strong’s]
More – pleion – more in quality, number or quality [Strong’s]
Verse 3 – Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
Now – ede – at (or by) this time [Strong’s]
Ye – hymeis – yourself, you [Strong’s]
Clean – katharos – free from impure admixture, without blemish, spotless [Strong’s]
“In both John and 1 John the question of the full purity of Christians is discussed. It is affirmed absolutely in theory in John 15:3.” [TDNT]
Through – dia – denoting the channel of an act [Strong’s]
The word – logos – the teachings of Jesus to the disciples that eventually became the gospels.
“But the person who receives and keeps” the teachings of Christ (the word) is now clean [TDNT in quotations]
I have spoken – laleo – the use of this word was to show that Jesus was like a parent talking to His children, at that point the disciples.
Verse 4 – Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. (KJV)
Abide – meno – remain, dwell, continue [Strong’s]
“…… God abides in Christ. Believers abide in Christ, and Christ in them. God abides in believers, and believers in God. The eschatological promise of salvation becomes immediate possession in virtue of this statement in the present tense.” [TDNT book IV pg. 576]
Cannot – ou, dynamai
a: ou – also [Strong’s]
b: dynamai – to be able or possible, can, cannot, to be able to have power [Strong’s]
Bear – phero – to bear, carry, being moved, borne along [Strong’s]
“The term has the special sense of bearing fruit…… the vine with branches that bear fruit.” [TDNT]
Of – apo – off, away (from something near) [Strong’s]
Except – ean me – unless, except [Strong’s]
It abide – meno – to stay (in a given place, state, relation or expectancy) [Strong’s] See meno above for TDNT
No more – oude, houto
a: oude – nor however, neither, nor, not even
b: houto – in this way
Verse 5 – I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. (KJV)
And I – kago – from kai and ego: likewise me
Much – polys – much, many, great, abundant
Without – choris – separately or apart from [Strong’s]
Me – emou – of me, mine, my [Strong’s]
Do – poieo – to make or do [Strong’s]
The use of this word “poieo” had it usage done primarily to the actions, works and miracles of Jesus Christ. [TDNT] The use here stating that only with Jesus in and with you can you do holy works.
Nothing – ou, oudeis
a: oudeis – not even one, none, nobody, nothing [Strong’s]
verse 6 – If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (KJV)
If – ean me – see “except” above.
A man – tis – some or any person or object [Strong’s]
Me – emoi – to me [Strong’s]
He is cast – ballo – to throw [Strong’s]
“To throw” or “to cast,” “to cast off fruit. ‘Often in the NT “boallo” is used in different ways in connection with the thought of judgement, partly as a committal to the element which exercises it. Partly of expulsion from the community of salvation, when used with “exo.” [TDNT]
Forth – exo – out [Strong’s]
As – hos – in that manner [Strong’s]
And – kai – and, also, even, so, then, too. [Strong’s]
Is withered – xeraino – to desiccate, to shrivel [Strong’s]
Men gather – synago – sunago – to lead together, collect or convene, to entertain [Strong’s]
Them into – eis – to or into [Strong’s]
The fire – pyr – pur – fire [Strong’s]
A judgement [TDNT]
They are burned – kaio – to set on fire, consume [Strong’s]
With the TDNT the emphasis of this word is keyed to self-burning. Voluntarily giving oneself over to be burned.
The main takeaways from the translation of this verse is if you accept Christ as your Savior and you choose not to follow his teaching and live a truly Christian life. You instead choose to live in the world of man which entertains you. You are broken off from the Divine Vine that is Christ and you are cast willingly into the fires of judgement. Which agrees with Revelation 3:15-16.
This also shows that we must actively and with full knowledge follow the teachings within the Bible and if it is called a sin in the Bible and we are told not to live in this fashion. Then that is what we MUST do as our part of this relationship with Jesus Christ. It is not a one-sided relationship. We have an active part within it, which we need to do or we volunteer to lose our salvation and to be removed from Jesus and His Heavenly Father. This is verified in the next verse.
Verse 7 – If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you. (KJV)
Verse 8 – Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples. (KJV)
Herein – en, touto
a: touto – to (in, with, or by) this (person or thing) [Strong’s]
Glorified – doxazo – to render (or esteem) glorious [Strong’s]
Shall ye be – ginomai – to cause to be, to become [Strong’s]
Disciples – mathetes – a learner [Strong’s]
Verse 9 – As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love. (KJV)
As – kathos – just (or inasmuch) as, that [Strong’s]
Hath loved – agapao – to love (is a social or moral sense) [Strong’s]
“In brotherly love the circle of the Father, the Son and the people of the Son constitutes a fellowship which is not of this world. The love of God is the final reality for life if the fellowship, and abiding in His love is the law of its life” [TDNT]
Love – agape – affection or benevolence [Strong’s]
Verse 10 – If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love. (KJV)
Here Jesus makes it very clear. We are to follow the teachings within the Bible and to follow the commandments. What most don’t realize is that the original Ten Commandments are not all the commandments. There entire book of Deuteronomy contains commandments that we should also take into consideration. Should we follow all of them? In certain situations I would say not fully but as closely as possible keeping the ten in mind. In addition Jesus himself added 2 more commandments:
Mark 12: 28 And one of the scribes came, and having heard them reasoning together, and perceiving that he had answered them well, asked him, Which is the first commandment of all? 29 And Jesus answered him, The first of all the commandments is, Hear, O Israel; The Lord our God is one Lord: 30 And thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength: this is the first commandment. 31 And the second is like, namely this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. There is none other commandment greater than these. 32 And the scribe said unto him, Well, Master, thou hast said the truth: for there is one God; and there is none other but he: 33 And to love him with all the heart, and with all the understanding, and with all the soul, and with all the strength, and to love his neighbor as himself, is more than all whole burnt offerings and sacrifices. 34 And when Jesus saw that he answered discreetly, he said unto him, Thou art not far from the kingdom of God. And no man after that durst ask him any question. (KJV)
Verse 11 – 12: These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full. 12 This is my commandment, that ye love one another, as I have loved you. (KJV)
Here in verse 12 Jesus says basically the same thing He said in Mark 12:31. For if we treat everyone as we would treat ourselves how can we commit any sin? The problem is we live in a corrupt body and we listen to the world more than we should. That is why we should strive follow all of the teachings within the Bible. To call what is a sin a sin. For when we sin we place ourselves before God and do not love the Lord God with all our heart.
What many do not realize, especially those that label Christians as “bigots” and “racist” that they are the ones that are being the “bigots” and “racist.” For any who truly seek the love of God and Jesus Christ could never look down upon any other human being. Those that look down upon others are living in sin, by the very fact that they think themselves greater than another human being of any race, creed, gender, or religious belief. For all humanity is our neighbor. We are all equals, we all sin. However, when we accept Jesus Christ as our Savior and strive to live our lives as we are taught by the Bible. We live in a relationship with Jesus, which is all He is asking of us. So we will be a part of the Divine Vine and bear much fruit that is Holy and wonder and a sweet sent unto God our Father.
So obey the laws of the road, for when you speed you sin.(Titus 3:1) Treat all others as if they are a child of God. Because you know what they are. Even if they choose not to follow the Bible and live in sin. That is their choice. Not yours, but they are still a child of God. And one day, for many it will be too late though, they will see that God is real, and His Son is our King the Lord Jesus Christ.
All we can do is endeavor to live our own lives in a full relationship with Jesus, by following the twelve commandments and doing our best to turn away from sin. However, when we stumble, which we all will. We acknowledge this sin and ask for forgiveness and challenge ourselves not to repeat it. To turn it over to Jesus to ask Him to take it from us.
Context, context, context
This is one of the most misunderstood elements of coming to know the teachings within the Bible.
Here is a prime example. An atheist Jew once confronted me one time due to the fact that I was Christian. Over and over again she would spout out “Go sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor!” She was stuck on this like listened to a scratched vinyl record. In her mind all Christians were hypocrites and liars because they had not sold all their property and were living in poverty.
In some aspect she was correct. However to be fixated upon this one line from the Bible taken totally out of context, is something that not only is a problem with those like this lady that have no knowledge of the Bible. It is also to those that state they are Christian, but do not follow the teachings that are within this Holy Book.
Now just for clarification. This verse she was referring to had to do with the young rich man. (Matthew 19:16-22, Mark 10:17-31, Luke 18-23)
Mark 10:17 – As Jesus was starting out on his way to Jerusalem, a man came running up to him, knelt down, and asked, “Good Teacher, what must I do to inherit eternal life?” 18 “Why do you call me good?” Jesus asked. “Only God is truly good. 19 But to answer your question, you know the commandments: ‘You must not murder. You must not commit adultery. You must not steal. You must not testify falsely. You must not cheat anyone. Honor your father and mother.’” 20 “Teacher,” the man replied, “I’ve obeyed all these commandments since I was young.” 21 Looking at the man, Jesus felt genuine love for him. “There is still one thing you haven’t done,” he told him. “Go and sell all your possessions and give the money to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.” 22 At this the man’s face fell, and he went away sad, for he had many possessions. 23 Jesus looked around and said to his disciples, “How hard it is for the rich to enter the Kingdom of God!” 24 This amazed them. But Jesus said again, “Dear children, it is very hard to enter the Kingdom of God. 25 In fact, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the Kingdom of God!” 26 The disciples were astounded. “Then who in the world can be saved?” they asked. 27 Jesus looked at them intently and said, “Humanly speaking, it is impossible. But not with God. Everything is possible with God.” 28 Then Peter began to speak up. “We’ve given up everything to follow you,” he said. 29 “Yes,” Jesus replied, “and I assure you that everyone who has given up house or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or property, for my sake and for the Good News, 30 will receive now in return a hundred times as many houses, brothers, sisters, mothers, children, and property—along with persecution. And in the world to come that person will have eternal life. 31 But many who are the greatest now will be least important then, and those who seem least important now will be the greatest then.”
You can see that when taken in context it is not a statement for all that call themselves “Christian” to go and sell all their possessions. It is showing that those that cherish the riches of this life over the eternal reward that is to come when we enter into the next life. That those who cling to wealth here in this temporal time have their reward, and that it is hard for someone with wealth to enter into heaven. That is why more than once the Bible says you cannot worship God and money. It must be one or the other.
Does this mean that those with money cannot get into heaven? That is a complicated question believe it or not. That is why I said to a degree the woman was correct. Those who are rich and buy multiple homes, travel extensively and in turn do not share their wealth to those in need, are worshiping money and not God. Even if they profess to be “Christian,” then their odds of entering heaven decreases.
This is just one example of knowing the context of the Bible. There are many other things that come out daily that are not in context. Most of these out of context statements come from those that wish to deceive and lead those that are unknowing down a path to destruction.
A very recent example was done by the Democratic Party Presidential Candidate. She said:
“The greatest commandment is to love.”
This is a lie, this is false. This is not only out of context but an outright lie. I will show the following verse first. Then I will show what the greatest commandment is.
Galatians 1:6 – I am shocked that you are turning away so soon from God, who called you to himself through the loving mercy of Christ. You are following a different way that pretends to be the Good News 7 but is not the Good News at all. You are being fooled by those who deliberately twist the truth concerning Christ. 8 Let God’s curse fall on anyone, including us or even an angel from heaven, who preaches a different kind of Good News than the one we preached to you. 9 I say again what we have said before: If anyone preaches any other Good News than the one you welcomed, let that person be cursed.
When someone changes the Bible for their own reward and glory they are cursed, destine to damnation and any that listen will join with them.
Now this is the Greatest Commandment of all:
Matthew 22:36 “Teacher, which is the most important commandment in the law of Moses?” 37 Jesus replied, “‘You must love the Lord your God with all your heart, all your soul, and all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment.
So you see why it is important to know the Bible and to read it in context. You must stay in context and you must not change it, remove from it or add to it. For when you take it out of context you run the change of falling into this curse. A curse that will not lead to God but to the pit of fire and eternal damnation.
dreamwalker1960 