We are about to embark on Paul's second epistle to the Thessalonians, titled: Second Thessalonians. Technically, I had finished First Thessalonians some weeks back, and have been going through a personal drought and lack of motivation that I have been trying, through the grace of God, to bolster through (not because of the Bible but just things in life bearing down).
It happens.
The Lord has been good time me and sometimes the flesh lusts against the Spirit (Gal 5).
If you have been following these, you can tell that I take a dispensational view of Bible study, and more specifically, a mid-Acts dispensational position. That is how I will continue to exegete these books, ...well, all the books.
Grace and Peace.
Tuesday, October 1, 2024
Tuesday, September 24, 2024
1Thess 5:25-28 pray, kiss, charge, amen.
Gleanings in First Thessalonians
Chapter 5
1Thess 5:25-28
Brethren, pray for us.
Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
(the home stretch.)
This is the closing of the book of First Thessalonians.
A call to the brothers and sisters to “pray for us” – meaning Paul and company, because they are out and about doing the work of the Lord in perils each and every day:
2Cor 11:23-28
Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
This is not uncommon for Paul to request this:
2Thess 3:1
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
Eph 6:18-19
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
Col 4:2-4
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
Prayer, don’t leave home without it nor shortchange your brethren of it, especially them that labour among you.
Greeting with the “holy kiss”. I did allude to this a couple of posts ago, it sounds odd for us today, because we think it might be gay (and we don’t want to be gay, in today’s sense of the usage). But it is not. It is just form of greeting, salutation (not lustful desire in an inordinate perverted way, etc.).
Some “kiss”-es in the Bible:
Gen 27:26
And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.
(A father and son, a greeting and show of respect.)
2Sam 20:9
And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.
(Joab and Amasa were both seasoned, manly military men, a couple of beast warriors, this isn’t no pride parade… this was a respectful salutation.)
Psa 2:12
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
(This is in reference to respect to the Son of God, Jesus Christ, the Lord of lords… need I say more?)
Luke 7:45
Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
(Christ talking with a Pharisee, salutation.)
Mat 26:48
Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
Mark 14:44
And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.
Luke 22:47-48
And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.
But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
(A greeting.)
Now we have the “holy” kiss:
Rom 16:16
Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
1Cor 16:20
All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.
2Cor 13:12
Greet one another with an holy kiss.
1Thess 5:26
Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
Again, it is the same thing, but now we are in a setting with the individuals greeting the other individuals who are both in the body of Christ, holy brethren; I believe it then becomes a “holy kiss” and “holy” greeting, a “holy” salutation.
In verse 27, Paul states: “I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.” Paul is giving command about what to do with this letter, and gives us a glimpse on how God is going to preserve scripture: he is going to have the holy brethren, copy it and send it out, using imperfect ink and parchment, and it will be copied and copied and copied, and sent out to other churches. This process will take place until the advent of modern printing, collation of manuscripts into edited copies, and bound in a book.
Also, it indicates that this epistle and the information therein was not solely for the Thessalonian church, as we can see, we have it today, we are gentiles, Paul was the apostle to the gentiles, etc.
And verse 28, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen”
Are we saved? If yes, then we have that grace – and we can carry that same grace to others, “seasoned with salt” no doubt (Col 4:6).
Amen.
This concludes our First Thessalonians gleanings.
Grace and Peace James.
See I made it through the book. I think we shall go directly into Second Thessalonians next, unless I change my mind.
Chapter 5
1Thess 5:25-28
Brethren, pray for us.
Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.
The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen.
(the home stretch.)
This is the closing of the book of First Thessalonians.
A call to the brothers and sisters to “pray for us” – meaning Paul and company, because they are out and about doing the work of the Lord in perils each and every day:
2Cor 11:23-28
Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft.
Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep;
In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren;
In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.
Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches.
This is not uncommon for Paul to request this:
2Thess 3:1
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:
Eph 6:18-19
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
Col 4:2-4
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
Withal praying also for us, that God would open unto us a door of utterance, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds:
That I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.
Prayer, don’t leave home without it nor shortchange your brethren of it, especially them that labour among you.
Greeting with the “holy kiss”. I did allude to this a couple of posts ago, it sounds odd for us today, because we think it might be gay (and we don’t want to be gay, in today’s sense of the usage). But it is not. It is just form of greeting, salutation (not lustful desire in an inordinate perverted way, etc.).
Some “kiss”-es in the Bible:
Gen 27:26
And his father Isaac said unto him, Come near now, and kiss me, my son.
(A father and son, a greeting and show of respect.)
2Sam 20:9
And Joab said to Amasa, Art thou in health, my brother? And Joab took Amasa by the beard with the right hand to kiss him.
(Joab and Amasa were both seasoned, manly military men, a couple of beast warriors, this isn’t no pride parade… this was a respectful salutation.)
Psa 2:12
Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and ye perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
(This is in reference to respect to the Son of God, Jesus Christ, the Lord of lords… need I say more?)
Luke 7:45
Thou gavest me no kiss: but this woman since the time I came in hath not ceased to kiss my feet.
(Christ talking with a Pharisee, salutation.)
Mat 26:48
Now he that betrayed him gave them a sign, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he: hold him fast.
Mark 14:44
And he that betrayed him had given them a token, saying, Whomsoever I shall kiss, that same is he; take him, and lead him away safely.
Luke 22:47-48
And while he yet spake, behold a multitude, and he that was called Judas, one of the twelve, went before them, and drew near unto Jesus to kiss him.
But Jesus said unto him, Judas, betrayest thou the Son of man with a kiss?
(A greeting.)
Now we have the “holy” kiss:
Rom 16:16
Salute one another with an holy kiss. The churches of Christ salute you.
1Cor 16:20
All the brethren greet you. Greet ye one another with an holy kiss.
2Cor 13:12
Greet one another with an holy kiss.
1Thess 5:26
Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss.
Again, it is the same thing, but now we are in a setting with the individuals greeting the other individuals who are both in the body of Christ, holy brethren; I believe it then becomes a “holy kiss” and “holy” greeting, a “holy” salutation.
In verse 27, Paul states: “I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the holy brethren.” Paul is giving command about what to do with this letter, and gives us a glimpse on how God is going to preserve scripture: he is going to have the holy brethren, copy it and send it out, using imperfect ink and parchment, and it will be copied and copied and copied, and sent out to other churches. This process will take place until the advent of modern printing, collation of manuscripts into edited copies, and bound in a book.
Also, it indicates that this epistle and the information therein was not solely for the Thessalonian church, as we can see, we have it today, we are gentiles, Paul was the apostle to the gentiles, etc.
And verse 28, “The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen”
Are we saved? If yes, then we have that grace – and we can carry that same grace to others, “seasoned with salt” no doubt (Col 4:6).
Amen.
This concludes our First Thessalonians gleanings.
Grace and Peace James.
See I made it through the book. I think we shall go directly into Second Thessalonians next, unless I change my mind.
Monday, September 23, 2024
1Thess 5:23-24 Wholly, blameless, and faithful.
Gleanings in First Thessalonians
Chapter 5
1Thess 5:23-24
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
Only God can sanctify us, especially “wholly”, Entirely; completely; perfectly.
Remember, to sanctify is in a general sense, to cleanse, purify or make holy; and to separate, set apart or appoint to a holy, sacred or religious use; and to purify; to prepare for divine service, and for partaking of holy things.
Our final phase of sanctification will be future at the Lord’s coming.
Here at the end of chapter 5, we have another reference to our catching up, the coming of the Lord, being saved from wrath, being with the full members of the body of Christ as we have had in the previous four chapters… our hope:
1Thess 1:10
And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
1Thess 2:19
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
1Thess 3:13
To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
1Thess 4:16-17
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
And now here at the near end of chapter 5.
Paul again is praying for us and our well doing, (not for material benefit, financial gains and wealth and the name it and claim it prayer program,) his prayer is heartfelt, as a benefit to God and you and the body of Christ.
Again, looking at our composition, we are made up of three parts, given in the order of importance to God: spirit, soul and body (we always think of it in the order of body, soul and spirit – we can usually see how it shows how we are grounded).
Our spirit is going to absorb the words of God, scripture, the Bible, and let us know the correct way to think, it is our connection with God. The soul is the essence of our being, our heart, our will and bed of emotions of which we have a part in modifying either to the spirit or to the flesh. The body is this suit we carry around the soul and spirit that is connected tot his physical world.
Paul spends a lot of time telling us how to live and I think that is what is at play when we talk about being blameless.
To be “preserved blameless”: we will be preserved, all three parts can be preserved, if we just do those things that are pleasing to God in this time that we have. God will do his part – we have the free gift. We just have to trudge through “this present evil world” (Gal 1) aligning ourselves to the Lord’s will in this time. Paul exhorts us many times about the opportunity to be “blameless”:
1Thess 3:13
To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
Col 1:19-23
For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
Phl 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Phl 2:15-16
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
Chapter 5
1Thess 5:23-24
And the very God of peace sanctify you wholly; and I pray God your whole spirit and soul and body be preserved blameless unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it.
Only God can sanctify us, especially “wholly”, Entirely; completely; perfectly.
Remember, to sanctify is in a general sense, to cleanse, purify or make holy; and to separate, set apart or appoint to a holy, sacred or religious use; and to purify; to prepare for divine service, and for partaking of holy things.
Our final phase of sanctification will be future at the Lord’s coming.
Here at the end of chapter 5, we have another reference to our catching up, the coming of the Lord, being saved from wrath, being with the full members of the body of Christ as we have had in the previous four chapters… our hope:
1Thess 1:10
And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
1Thess 2:19
For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even ye in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ at his coming?
1Thess 3:13
To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
1Thess 4:16-17
For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first:
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
And now here at the near end of chapter 5.
Paul again is praying for us and our well doing, (not for material benefit, financial gains and wealth and the name it and claim it prayer program,) his prayer is heartfelt, as a benefit to God and you and the body of Christ.
Again, looking at our composition, we are made up of three parts, given in the order of importance to God: spirit, soul and body (we always think of it in the order of body, soul and spirit – we can usually see how it shows how we are grounded).
Our spirit is going to absorb the words of God, scripture, the Bible, and let us know the correct way to think, it is our connection with God. The soul is the essence of our being, our heart, our will and bed of emotions of which we have a part in modifying either to the spirit or to the flesh. The body is this suit we carry around the soul and spirit that is connected tot his physical world.
Paul spends a lot of time telling us how to live and I think that is what is at play when we talk about being blameless.
To be “preserved blameless”: we will be preserved, all three parts can be preserved, if we just do those things that are pleasing to God in this time that we have. God will do his part – we have the free gift. We just have to trudge through “this present evil world” (Gal 1) aligning ourselves to the Lord’s will in this time. Paul exhorts us many times about the opportunity to be “blameless”:
1Thess 3:13
To the end he may stablish your hearts unblameable in holiness before God, even our Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ with all his saints.
Col 1:19-23
For it pleased the Father that in him should all fulness dwell;
And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him to reconcile all things unto himself; by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven.
And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled
In the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblameable and unreproveable in his sight:
If ye continue in the faith grounded and settled, and be not moved away from the hope of the gospel, which ye have heard, and which was preached to every creature which is under heaven; whereof I Paul am made a minister;
Phl 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Phl 2:15-16
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
1Cor 1:4-9
I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
(notice how this structure is essentially the same as 1Thess 5:23-24)
Blameless-(adj) Without fault; innocent; guiltless; not meriting censure.
Getting some insight from other places in the word of God, we see that it is not about being “sinless” or about doing everything perfect, however, it does cover doing the things the way they are to be done:
“Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?” (Matt 12:5) – the sabbath was for rest, no work, yet the priests, according to the law, had to do work on the sabbath days, divinely inspired work, but work nonetheless.
“And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” (Luk 1:6); now in this case, John the Baptist’s parents were not sinless, but they did all things according to the ordinances of the law, therefore they were “blameless”.
“Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.” (Phl 3:6); here Paul was not sinless, however, he did things according to the law, therefore: blameless.
So we may have our faults, but we can adjust and correct them, and do according to the instructions out of the scripture, and be “blameless”.
Phl 2:15
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
“Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it” is the footnote to our “preservation” that Paul brings to our attention. I am not that faithful, but God is; it is through him that we are given the “earnest of the Spirit” (Eph 1:13-14) until the redemption of our bodies, it is through him that we are put into Christ – we will not miss out on the remainder of our salvation.
2Tim 2:11-13
It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
Phl 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Deut 7:9
Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
1Cor 10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
2Thess 3:3
But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
Lam 3:22-23
It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Grace and Peace James
Wholly, blameless, and faithful.
I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
That in every thing ye are enriched by him, in all utterance, and in all knowledge;
Even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:
So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ:
Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.
God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord.
(notice how this structure is essentially the same as 1Thess 5:23-24)
Blameless-(adj) Without fault; innocent; guiltless; not meriting censure.
Getting some insight from other places in the word of God, we see that it is not about being “sinless” or about doing everything perfect, however, it does cover doing the things the way they are to be done:
“Or have ye not read in the law, how that on the sabbath days the priests in the temple profane the sabbath, and are blameless?” (Matt 12:5) – the sabbath was for rest, no work, yet the priests, according to the law, had to do work on the sabbath days, divinely inspired work, but work nonetheless.
“And they were both righteous before God, walking in all the commandments and ordinances of the Lord blameless.” (Luk 1:6); now in this case, John the Baptist’s parents were not sinless, but they did all things according to the ordinances of the law, therefore they were “blameless”.
“Concerning zeal, persecuting the church; touching the righteousness which is in the law, blameless.” (Phl 3:6); here Paul was not sinless, however, he did things according to the law, therefore: blameless.
So we may have our faults, but we can adjust and correct them, and do according to the instructions out of the scripture, and be “blameless”.
Phl 2:15
That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world;
“Faithful is he that calleth you, who also will do it” is the footnote to our “preservation” that Paul brings to our attention. I am not that faithful, but God is; it is through him that we are given the “earnest of the Spirit” (Eph 1:13-14) until the redemption of our bodies, it is through him that we are put into Christ – we will not miss out on the remainder of our salvation.
2Tim 2:11-13
It is a faithful saying: For if we be dead with him, we shall also live with him:
If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us:
If we believe not, yet he abideth faithful: he cannot deny himself.
Phl 1:6
Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Deut 7:9
Know therefore that the LORD thy God, he is God, the faithful God, which keepeth covenant and mercy with them that love him and keep his commandments to a thousand generations;
1Cor 10:13
There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God is faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear it.
2Thess 3:3
But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.
Lam 3:22-23
It is of the LORD'S mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not.
They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness.
Grace and Peace James
Wholly, blameless, and faithful.
Saturday, September 21, 2024
1Thess 5:16-22 Prove. Hold. Abstain.
Gleanings in First Thessalonians
Chapter 5
1Thess 5:16-22
Rejoice evermore.
Pray without ceasing.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Quench not the Spirit.
Despise not prophesyings.
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Abstain from all appearance of evil.
I love these verses. Taken as a unit, you have a compressed “will of God” verse package that can always keep you on the right path…. (and you will not get charged extra for this portable power pack for the pre-tribulation patriot!)
Rejoice Evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. (you should be in the will of God if you are doing these things.)
I always think of Psalm 1 for some reason for the person living under the Jewish dispensation:
Psa 1:1-3
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
That is how I feel about these verses in First Thessalonians 5: to be planted by the waters and bringing forth fruit, always growing and prospering. Amen, amen, amen.
Verse 21 “Prove all things”… what do we think that means?
I suppose it means that we should check everything out, don’t just take someone’s word for it, or some preacher’s take on it, or some church’s stance on it, or some religious institutions explanation of it, or some scholars educational spin on it, etc. Prove all things; prove it. Remember the verse from Acts 17 I used last installment:
Acts 17:11
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Here are a few more to ponder:
Matt 7:15-20
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Rom 12:2
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.
Eph 5:10
Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Phl 1:10
That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
1John 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
But with proving anything, you must needs have a standard -you have to have a faultless firm stable rule of which to measure things against. That rule/standard is not arbitrary or subjective – it is the infallible Bible of which you have in your possession. Find the Bible you deem that God has deemed infallible, and start proving.
And to finish off the verse, “hold fast that which is good.” There you have it. The good stuff keep. The good stuff own. The good stuff is for you to hold fast, securely, tightly, surely. Prov 23:23 “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.”
Remember this one form Romans, “For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.”( Rom 16:19). Hold fast to it and be wise unto it, but the rest, but the evil, be simple towards it, it has no value (yet that is what the carnal mind consumes itself with learning about; the human is a strange creature in its fallen state.)
And here is the clencher, verse 22, “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” I think we know what “abstain” means – to restrain, to refrain, to hold back from, to keep from action – do not partake in. “from all appearances…” wha? From anything that looks questionable my friend. “from all appearances of evil”. There you go. Simple, direct, to the point. Does Paul list them? Do you need them listed? Is it that hard to figure out? Do you have a conscience? Or is it seared? (1Tim 4:2). This is not rocket science here guys. But here are a few to give some appearance…
Gal 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
1Cor 6:9-10
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
1Cor 5:1
It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.
Eph 4:17-19
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Rom 1:22-32
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Those are some of the easy obvious ones to see and avoid – but the appearance as well, are we giving off any appearances of these things, and the other subtle ones?
For something to see, visible, manifested openly, how about:
Rom 12:17
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
1Cor 10:31-33
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
2Cor 8:21
Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
We have what we need for a pleasing to God Christian life:
Rejoice Evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. Amen, amen, amen.
Grace and peace James.
Prove. Hold. Abstain.
Chapter 5
1Thess 5:16-22
Rejoice evermore.
Pray without ceasing.
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
Quench not the Spirit.
Despise not prophesyings.
Prove all things; hold fast that which is good.
Abstain from all appearance of evil.
I love these verses. Taken as a unit, you have a compressed “will of God” verse package that can always keep you on the right path…. (and you will not get charged extra for this portable power pack for the pre-tribulation patriot!)
Rejoice Evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. (you should be in the will of God if you are doing these things.)
I always think of Psalm 1 for some reason for the person living under the Jewish dispensation:
Psa 1:1-3
Blessed is the man that walketh not in the counsel of the ungodly, nor standeth in the way of sinners, nor sitteth in the seat of the scornful.
But his delight is in the law of the LORD; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.
That is how I feel about these verses in First Thessalonians 5: to be planted by the waters and bringing forth fruit, always growing and prospering. Amen, amen, amen.
Verse 21 “Prove all things”… what do we think that means?
I suppose it means that we should check everything out, don’t just take someone’s word for it, or some preacher’s take on it, or some church’s stance on it, or some religious institutions explanation of it, or some scholars educational spin on it, etc. Prove all things; prove it. Remember the verse from Acts 17 I used last installment:
Acts 17:11
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Here are a few more to ponder:
Matt 7:15-20
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep's clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves.
Ye shall know them by their fruits. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles?
Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupt tree bringeth forth evil fruit.
A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupt tree bring forth good fruit.
Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
Wherefore by their fruits ye shall know them.
Rom 12:2
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.
Eph 5:10
Proving what is acceptable unto the Lord.
Phl 1:10
That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
1John 4:1
Beloved, believe not every spirit, but try the spirits whether they are of God: because many false prophets are gone out into the world.
But with proving anything, you must needs have a standard -you have to have a faultless firm stable rule of which to measure things against. That rule/standard is not arbitrary or subjective – it is the infallible Bible of which you have in your possession. Find the Bible you deem that God has deemed infallible, and start proving.
And to finish off the verse, “hold fast that which is good.” There you have it. The good stuff keep. The good stuff own. The good stuff is for you to hold fast, securely, tightly, surely. Prov 23:23 “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.”
Remember this one form Romans, “For your obedience is come abroad unto all men. I am glad therefore on your behalf: but yet I would have you wise unto that which is good, and simple concerning evil.”( Rom 16:19). Hold fast to it and be wise unto it, but the rest, but the evil, be simple towards it, it has no value (yet that is what the carnal mind consumes itself with learning about; the human is a strange creature in its fallen state.)
And here is the clencher, verse 22, “Abstain from all appearance of evil.” I think we know what “abstain” means – to restrain, to refrain, to hold back from, to keep from action – do not partake in. “from all appearances…” wha? From anything that looks questionable my friend. “from all appearances of evil”. There you go. Simple, direct, to the point. Does Paul list them? Do you need them listed? Is it that hard to figure out? Do you have a conscience? Or is it seared? (1Tim 4:2). This is not rocket science here guys. But here are a few to give some appearance…
Gal 5:19-21
Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these; Adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness,
Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, variance, emulations, wrath, strife, seditions, heresies,
Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
1Cor 6:9-10
Know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of God? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with mankind,
Nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.
1Cor 5:1
It is reported commonly that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not so much as named among the Gentiles, that one should have his father's wife.
Eph 4:17-19
This I say therefore, and testify in the Lord, that ye henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind,
Having the understanding darkened, being alienated from the life of God through the ignorance that is in them, because of the blindness of their heart:
Who being past feeling have given themselves over unto lasciviousness, to work all uncleanness with greediness.
Rom 1:22-32
Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools,
And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things.
Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves:
Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen.
For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature:
And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.
And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient;
Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers,
Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents,
Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful:
Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Those are some of the easy obvious ones to see and avoid – but the appearance as well, are we giving off any appearances of these things, and the other subtle ones?
For something to see, visible, manifested openly, how about:
Rom 12:17
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
1Cor 10:31-33
Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Give none offence, neither to the Jews, nor to the Gentiles, nor to the church of God:
Even as I please all men in all things, not seeking mine own profit, but the profit of many, that they may be saved.
2Cor 8:21
Providing for honest things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
We have what we need for a pleasing to God Christian life:
Rejoice Evermore. Pray without ceasing. In everything give thanks. Quench not the Spirit. Despise not prophesyings. Prove all things; hold fast that which is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. Amen, amen, amen.
Grace and peace James.
Prove. Hold. Abstain.
Wednesday, September 11, 2024
1Thess 5:20 ...a prophesying not i despise
Gleanings in First Thessalonians
Chapter 5
1Thess 5:20
Despise not prophesyings.
“Despise not” means exactly what it says, I do not think there is any problem with understanding that phrase. However, when we get to “prophesyings” we sort of start looking bewildered and perplexed and not sure where to go with it
Chapter 5
1Thess 5:20
Despise not prophesyings.
“Despise not” means exactly what it says, I do not think there is any problem with understanding that phrase. However, when we get to “prophesyings” we sort of start looking bewildered and perplexed and not sure where to go with it
[much like the “greet all the brethren with a holy kiss” (Rom 16:16; 1Cor 16:20; 2Cor 13:12; 1Th 5:26)…I gotta do wha?].
Prophesying usually accompanies prophets and we immediately/usually think of the foretelling of future events; that is just how we have been conditioned. And it is an important proof God uses to prove he is who he says he is. So if that is the case, who are our prophets? And what are they prophesying? There are enough false prophet charlatans out there to fill two Grand Canyons, who hoodwink large masses of people into donating money that they do not have in bogus ‘prophet-izational’ efforts – which things I do – I say: I do - DESPISE.(!)
So, what do we do? In our efforts to exegete the previous verse, we determined that the Spirit and scripture might tell us what we need to know; so that shall be our method here. But first, let us look at the Webster’s 1828 for his definition:
PROPH'ESY, verb intransitive
1. To utter predictions; to make declaration of events to come. (Jeremiah 11:21.);
2. In Scripture, to preach; to instruct in religious doctrines; to interpret or explain Scripture or religious subjects; to exhort. (1 Corinthians 13:9. Ezekiel 37:4.)
Hmmmmm, let us take him to task on this to see if it holds shall we? Yes, we shall. I know the first definition about ‘predictions’ is what we usually think of, and that is true – let’s hone in on the second definition about speaking the inspired words of God, because that is the meaning that usually goes forgotten, unnoticed or unknown.
Let us look at his verse references on that definition:
Eze 37:4
Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.
So in this reference, the prophet Ezekiel is communicating the words from the LORD to the dry bones.
1Cor 13:9
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
Again it seems as though it is about the same context, but I would not say these are the greatest examples.
Let’s dig deeper.
Here is an example where “prophesying” is associated with giving thanks and praise:
1Chr 25:1-3
Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:
Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied according to the order of the king.
Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD.
Here is a reference where the seer (the old word for prophet) is to speak the law to the people, to speak right things (of which the Jews do not want to hear at this point in their rebellion against God):
Isa 30:9-10
That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:
Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
This is one of my favorites:
Mic 2:6, 11
Prophesy ye not, say they to them that prophesy: they shall not prophesy to them, that they shall not take shame. ...
If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.
So this is more or less the same, communicating the words of the LORD, giving instruction from God, that they do not want to hear – because it is convicting, and human nature does not want to hear things that convict when we are basking in wrong.
Lastly let us look at a spot in Exodus when referencing God, Moses and his brother Aaron:
Exo 6:28-30
And it came to pass on the day when the LORD spake unto Moses in the land of Egypt,
That the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, I am the LORD: speak thou unto Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say unto thee.
And Moses said before the LORD, Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me?
[...Here Moses does not want the role of the spokesman, because of his “uncircumcised lips”, which is taken to be of slow speech or stammering; continuing on…]
Exo 7:1-2
And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.
Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land.
So we see in this group of verses, Exodus 6:28-7:2, that the role of the prophet was to speak what God has said at hat time – Aaron was to be “prophet” to Moses’ “god” position; in reality Moses was the “prophet” to the LORD God. God spoke to Moses, then Moses speaks those very words to Aaron, and Aaron speaks those very words to Pharaoh. Now the prophet, or the office of the prophet, was to convey the words, and the message, that God wanted delivered to whom it was to be delivered to. The “prophesying” is the words of the “prophet” and could include warning, instruction or foretelling of future events, etc., however, it was all from the LORD and it was the message and words that the LORD wanted to be used.
I hope that helped. : ) I know I enjoyed it.
So coming back to our verse in First Thessalonians, “Despise not prophesyings” hits a bit more different, now that we know we are dealing with the word of God (So Webster’s definition was aligned biblically). So when we see “prophesying” or “prophet” or “prophesying” in New Testament letters/epistles/books it does not necessarily always mean someone “forth telling” of future events. That is a dangerous game to play today if people are going to stand up today and claim they have a new revelation or prophecy from God these days, and it is even more dangerous for the foolish listener (who are not “...more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:11)
One thing that is being discussed here is that “the words of God”, the preaching, the scripture being spoken, is not to be despised. It couples right up to the previous verse about ‘quenching’ the Spirit.
Another thing, historically referring to the writing of this epistle to the Thessalonians (First Thessalonians being either the first or second letter written by Paul to be included in the New Testament (NT) canon of scripture, i.e. the NT Bible), is that at this point in history there is no physical 27 New Testament books yet collected and circulating as a NT Bible. Therefore, the office of the prophet was in need and useful and fulfilled a purpose because the newness of the NT church. The office of the prophet was given as a spiritual “gift”, but it was not to be a lasting permanent thing for the body of Christ, it was going to be done away with at a point in time.
1Cor 12:27-30
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
1Cor 13:8-10
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
Eph 4:8, 11-1
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. ...
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;…
So part of that office (of a prophet) is that we, the body of Christ, get a “perfecting”, that we get an “edifying”, until we come “in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God”; it was to have an accomplishment of providing the substance of “faith” and “knowledge” for us the body of Christ to grow into and by. Now, I will say, that this is when the canon of scripture was completed, and recognized as such, and copied out, and started being collected together for the body of Christ to learn, grow, understand, be edified, and to study and rightly divide. But he says “For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”(1Cor 13:8-9). So it has a point on which it is to stop. And your modern day deceiver and twister of scripture (the false prophet) will play on the biblically ignorant just as the serpent did on Eve in the garden. Tis sad, however but true.
But the body of Christ is not to “despise” “prophesyings”. “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2Tim 4:2); because “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2Tim 3:16-17). Also:
1 Cor 14:3
But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
Now there are prophecies all through the Bible, and a multitude which are yet to come to fruition. There is a whole end time scenario to be played out, that has references from Genesis all the way through Revelation. We do not despise those, but we also know that they will not happen while we are on this earth prior to the rapture. The next event to happen as concerning the body of Christ is the catching up, but until then, God does not see fit to continue to have the office of the prophet for the body of Christ in this current time – everything we need for us to know past, present and future is in that printed word of scripture contained in the 39 OT books and 27 NT books.
(I hope that was clear – sometimes I know what I want to say, but when I go to type it, my hands cannot keep up with my thoughts; plus I never really learned how to type.)
Grace and Peace James. Despise not prophesyings, just my incoherent ramblings.
Prophesying usually accompanies prophets and we immediately/usually think of the foretelling of future events; that is just how we have been conditioned. And it is an important proof God uses to prove he is who he says he is. So if that is the case, who are our prophets? And what are they prophesying? There are enough false prophet charlatans out there to fill two Grand Canyons, who hoodwink large masses of people into donating money that they do not have in bogus ‘prophet-izational’ efforts – which things I do – I say: I do - DESPISE.(!)
So, what do we do? In our efforts to exegete the previous verse, we determined that the Spirit and scripture might tell us what we need to know; so that shall be our method here. But first, let us look at the Webster’s 1828 for his definition:
PROPH'ESY, verb intransitive
1. To utter predictions; to make declaration of events to come. (Jeremiah 11:21.);
2. In Scripture, to preach; to instruct in religious doctrines; to interpret or explain Scripture or religious subjects; to exhort. (1 Corinthians 13:9. Ezekiel 37:4.)
Hmmmmm, let us take him to task on this to see if it holds shall we? Yes, we shall. I know the first definition about ‘predictions’ is what we usually think of, and that is true – let’s hone in on the second definition about speaking the inspired words of God, because that is the meaning that usually goes forgotten, unnoticed or unknown.
Let us look at his verse references on that definition:
Eze 37:4
Again he said unto me, Prophesy upon these bones, and say unto them, O ye dry bones, hear the word of the LORD.
So in this reference, the prophet Ezekiel is communicating the words from the LORD to the dry bones.
1Cor 13:9
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
Again it seems as though it is about the same context, but I would not say these are the greatest examples.
Let’s dig deeper.
Here is an example where “prophesying” is associated with giving thanks and praise:
1Chr 25:1-3
Moreover David and the captains of the host separated to the service of the sons of Asaph, and of Heman, and of Jeduthun, who should prophesy with harps, with psalteries, and with cymbals: and the number of the workmen according to their service was:
Of the sons of Asaph; Zaccur, and Joseph, and Nethaniah, and Asarelah, the sons of Asaph under the hands of Asaph, which prophesied according to the order of the king.
Of Jeduthun: the sons of Jeduthun; Gedaliah, and Zeri, and Jeshaiah, Hashabiah, and Mattithiah, six, under the hands of their father Jeduthun, who prophesied with a harp, to give thanks and to praise the LORD.
Here is a reference where the seer (the old word for prophet) is to speak the law to the people, to speak right things (of which the Jews do not want to hear at this point in their rebellion against God):
Isa 30:9-10
That this is a rebellious people, lying children, children that will not hear the law of the LORD:
Which say to the seers, See not; and to the prophets, Prophesy not unto us right things, speak unto us smooth things, prophesy deceits:
This is one of my favorites:
Mic 2:6, 11
Prophesy ye not, say they to them that prophesy: they shall not prophesy to them, that they shall not take shame. ...
If a man walking in the spirit and falsehood do lie, saying, I will prophesy unto thee of wine and of strong drink; he shall even be the prophet of this people.
So this is more or less the same, communicating the words of the LORD, giving instruction from God, that they do not want to hear – because it is convicting, and human nature does not want to hear things that convict when we are basking in wrong.
Lastly let us look at a spot in Exodus when referencing God, Moses and his brother Aaron:
Exo 6:28-30
And it came to pass on the day when the LORD spake unto Moses in the land of Egypt,
That the LORD spake unto Moses, saying, I am the LORD: speak thou unto Pharaoh king of Egypt all that I say unto thee.
And Moses said before the LORD, Behold, I am of uncircumcised lips, and how shall Pharaoh hearken unto me?
[...Here Moses does not want the role of the spokesman, because of his “uncircumcised lips”, which is taken to be of slow speech or stammering; continuing on…]
Exo 7:1-2
And the LORD said unto Moses, See, I have made thee a god to Pharaoh: and Aaron thy brother shall be thy prophet.
Thou shalt speak all that I command thee: and Aaron thy brother shall speak unto Pharaoh, that he send the children of Israel out of his land.
So we see in this group of verses, Exodus 6:28-7:2, that the role of the prophet was to speak what God has said at hat time – Aaron was to be “prophet” to Moses’ “god” position; in reality Moses was the “prophet” to the LORD God. God spoke to Moses, then Moses speaks those very words to Aaron, and Aaron speaks those very words to Pharaoh. Now the prophet, or the office of the prophet, was to convey the words, and the message, that God wanted delivered to whom it was to be delivered to. The “prophesying” is the words of the “prophet” and could include warning, instruction or foretelling of future events, etc., however, it was all from the LORD and it was the message and words that the LORD wanted to be used.
I hope that helped. : ) I know I enjoyed it.
So coming back to our verse in First Thessalonians, “Despise not prophesyings” hits a bit more different, now that we know we are dealing with the word of God (So Webster’s definition was aligned biblically). So when we see “prophesying” or “prophet” or “prophesying” in New Testament letters/epistles/books it does not necessarily always mean someone “forth telling” of future events. That is a dangerous game to play today if people are going to stand up today and claim they have a new revelation or prophecy from God these days, and it is even more dangerous for the foolish listener (who are not “...more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.” Acts 17:11)
One thing that is being discussed here is that “the words of God”, the preaching, the scripture being spoken, is not to be despised. It couples right up to the previous verse about ‘quenching’ the Spirit.
Another thing, historically referring to the writing of this epistle to the Thessalonians (First Thessalonians being either the first or second letter written by Paul to be included in the New Testament (NT) canon of scripture, i.e. the NT Bible), is that at this point in history there is no physical 27 New Testament books yet collected and circulating as a NT Bible. Therefore, the office of the prophet was in need and useful and fulfilled a purpose because the newness of the NT church. The office of the prophet was given as a spiritual “gift”, but it was not to be a lasting permanent thing for the body of Christ, it was going to be done away with at a point in time.
1Cor 12:27-30
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.
And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues.
Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles?
Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret?
1Cor 13:8-10
Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
Eph 4:8, 11-1
Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. ...
And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;…
So part of that office (of a prophet) is that we, the body of Christ, get a “perfecting”, that we get an “edifying”, until we come “in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God”; it was to have an accomplishment of providing the substance of “faith” and “knowledge” for us the body of Christ to grow into and by. Now, I will say, that this is when the canon of scripture was completed, and recognized as such, and copied out, and started being collected together for the body of Christ to learn, grow, understand, be edified, and to study and rightly divide. But he says “For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.”(1Cor 13:8-9). So it has a point on which it is to stop. And your modern day deceiver and twister of scripture (the false prophet) will play on the biblically ignorant just as the serpent did on Eve in the garden. Tis sad, however but true.
But the body of Christ is not to “despise” “prophesyings”. “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.” (2Tim 4:2); because “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness: That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.” (2Tim 3:16-17). Also:
1 Cor 14:3
But he that prophesieth speaketh unto men to edification, and exhortation, and comfort.
Now there are prophecies all through the Bible, and a multitude which are yet to come to fruition. There is a whole end time scenario to be played out, that has references from Genesis all the way through Revelation. We do not despise those, but we also know that they will not happen while we are on this earth prior to the rapture. The next event to happen as concerning the body of Christ is the catching up, but until then, God does not see fit to continue to have the office of the prophet for the body of Christ in this current time – everything we need for us to know past, present and future is in that printed word of scripture contained in the 39 OT books and 27 NT books.
(I hope that was clear – sometimes I know what I want to say, but when I go to type it, my hands cannot keep up with my thoughts; plus I never really learned how to type.)
Grace and Peace James. Despise not prophesyings, just my incoherent ramblings.
Thursday, August 1, 2024
1Thess 5:19 Spirit-quench-ification
Gleanings in First Thessalonians
Chapter 5
1Thess 5:19
Quench not the Spirit.
Sorry for my absence, anyway, onward, verse 19: “Quench not the Spirit.”
The Spirit is given to us upon our belief in the gospel that saves us. He seals us. He is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of our bodies. He is there for the long haul and will not be taken from us.
Eph 1:12-14
That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Eph 4:30
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
The Spirit is given to us as a gift. And provides abundantly the love of God in our hearts, in the inner man.
Rom 5:5
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
The Holy Ghost sanctifies us.
Rom 15:16
That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
He places us or baptizes us into the body of Christ.
1Cor 12:13
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.
By the Holy Spirit we are taught by the word of God.
1Cor 2:12-14
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
The Spirit cleans us up, regenerates and renews us.
Titus 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
(and I am sure we can find many more, but I shall cease for the moment)
Now to quench is to: To extinguish; to put out; To still; to quiet; to repress; To check; to stifle.
Now we know from some of these verses that (1) the Holy Spirit was a gift and (2) by him we are sealed and (3) he is an earnest payment until the catching up of the body of Christ – so unlike the operation of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, where he could be taken away from the individual after pure neglect or disobedience [e.g. Samson (Judges), King Saul (1 Samuel); and David prayed for the Spirit not to be taken from him after his adultery and murder episode (2 Kings, Psalm 51)], the Christian in the body of Christ, after the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord does not need to fear the possibility of the Holy Spirit being taken from us.
So we are taught as stated in First Corinthians 2 (above) that the Holy Ghost teaches us; he teaches us using words “not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth”. So we are going to be taught out of the word of God, out of scripture, and the Spirit will help us to understand and be edified and to do God’s will. This helps us to “walk in” and “after” and “led” of “the Spirit”:
Gal 5:16-18, 25
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. ...
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Rom 7:25 -8:5
I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
That “mind” and that “law of the Spirit of life” comes from the indwelling Holy Ghost couples with the scriptures to grow into the perfect man, walking in wisdom and circumspection and pleasing to God.
When we “quench” the Spirit, we are not following scripture, we are not listening to scripture, we are not reading scripture, we are not interested in scripture, we are not understanding scripture, we are ignoring scripture, we following man’s wisdom and ultimately the flesh, and as a result of the quenching, we grieve that indwelling member of the Godhead:
Eph 4:30
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
And also, the effects on the Christian become evident:
Rom 15:13
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
When you lose that belief in Scripture with the Spirit, the joy goes, the peace goes, and the hope goes as you are basing your walk on the flesh and your own mind and rationality.
It is a bit of a prophetic statement for the Thessalonians, as when we get to Second Thessalonians we see they seemed to lose their hope as they are swimming in their situations and circumstances and have not followed the command, but I digress.
I meant to get through more verses, but I have been a rambling man already I suppose.
Grace and Peace James.
Chapter 5
1Thess 5:19
Quench not the Spirit.
Sorry for my absence, anyway, onward, verse 19: “Quench not the Spirit.”
The Spirit is given to us upon our belief in the gospel that saves us. He seals us. He is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of our bodies. He is there for the long haul and will not be taken from us.
Eph 1:12-14
That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise,
Which is the earnest of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, unto the praise of his glory.
Eph 4:30
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
The Spirit is given to us as a gift. And provides abundantly the love of God in our hearts, in the inner man.
Rom 5:5
And hope maketh not ashamed; because the love of God is shed abroad in our hearts by the Holy Ghost which is given unto us.
The Holy Ghost sanctifies us.
Rom 15:16
That I should be the minister of Jesus Christ to the Gentiles, ministering the gospel of God, that the offering up of the Gentiles might be acceptable, being sanctified by the Holy Ghost.
He places us or baptizes us into the body of Christ.
1Cor 12:13
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.
By the Holy Spirit we are taught by the word of God.
1Cor 2:12-14
Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
The Spirit cleans us up, regenerates and renews us.
Titus 3:5
Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
(and I am sure we can find many more, but I shall cease for the moment)
Now to quench is to: To extinguish; to put out; To still; to quiet; to repress; To check; to stifle.
Now we know from some of these verses that (1) the Holy Spirit was a gift and (2) by him we are sealed and (3) he is an earnest payment until the catching up of the body of Christ – so unlike the operation of the Holy Spirit in the Old Testament, where he could be taken away from the individual after pure neglect or disobedience [e.g. Samson (Judges), King Saul (1 Samuel); and David prayed for the Spirit not to be taken from him after his adultery and murder episode (2 Kings, Psalm 51)], the Christian in the body of Christ, after the death, burial and resurrection of our Lord does not need to fear the possibility of the Holy Spirit being taken from us.
So we are taught as stated in First Corinthians 2 (above) that the Holy Ghost teaches us; he teaches us using words “not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth”. So we are going to be taught out of the word of God, out of scripture, and the Spirit will help us to understand and be edified and to do God’s will. This helps us to “walk in” and “after” and “led” of “the Spirit”:
Gal 5:16-18, 25
This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh.
For the flesh lusteth against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh: and these are contrary the one to the other: so that ye cannot do the things that ye would.
But if ye be led of the Spirit, ye are not under the law. ...
If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
Rom 7:25 -8:5
I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
For the law of the Spirit of life in Christ Jesus hath made me free from the law of sin and death.
For what the law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, God sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh:
That the righteousness of the law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.
That “mind” and that “law of the Spirit of life” comes from the indwelling Holy Ghost couples with the scriptures to grow into the perfect man, walking in wisdom and circumspection and pleasing to God.
When we “quench” the Spirit, we are not following scripture, we are not listening to scripture, we are not reading scripture, we are not interested in scripture, we are not understanding scripture, we are ignoring scripture, we following man’s wisdom and ultimately the flesh, and as a result of the quenching, we grieve that indwelling member of the Godhead:
Eph 4:30
And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.
And also, the effects on the Christian become evident:
Rom 15:13
Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost.
When you lose that belief in Scripture with the Spirit, the joy goes, the peace goes, and the hope goes as you are basing your walk on the flesh and your own mind and rationality.
It is a bit of a prophetic statement for the Thessalonians, as when we get to Second Thessalonians we see they seemed to lose their hope as they are swimming in their situations and circumstances and have not followed the command, but I digress.
I meant to get through more verses, but I have been a rambling man already I suppose.
Grace and Peace James.
Wednesday, July 31, 2024
1Thess 5:18 (the thankful will)
Gleanings in First Thessalonians
Chapter 5
1Thess 5:18
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
What can we say about “thankfulness”? We can probably say that it is possibly the ultimate key to a bountiful Christian life.
I believe some form of “thank” appears around 139 times in the Bible.
Look at some of these OT verses:
1Ch 16:34
Chapter 5
1Thess 5:18
In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.
What can we say about “thankfulness”? We can probably say that it is possibly the ultimate key to a bountiful Christian life.
I believe some form of “thank” appears around 139 times in the Bible.
Look at some of these OT verses:
1Ch 16:34
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 105:1
Psa 105:1
O give thanks unto the LORD; call upon his name: make known his deeds among the people.
Psa 106:1
Psa 106:1
Praise ye the LORD. O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 107:1
Psa 107:1
O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 118:1, 29
Psa 118:1, 29
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endureth for ever. ...
O give thanks unto the LORD; for [he is] good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Psa 136:1
Psa 136:1
O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.
Obviously, God, nor they, were concerned about repetition, or repeating themselves. The Lord God is good and we should be thankful; God is merciful for ever and we should be thankful – we should give thanks just because he is good and merciful – I think we will see that carry over in the NT.
The verse says “In every thing”, “In”, it does not mean “for” everything (like getting hit in the head with a hammer, or the car driving off the cliff, or the insurance company dropping me), no, those circumstances happen, and we do not enjoy them, and it would be hard to be thankful for a hammer embedded in my skull. However, in each one of those situations, I can be thankful that I am still in the grace of God, that I am still a child of God, that all the promises to me are still in there, that he has given me enough grace and faith to get through my situation, etc.
Let us look at some of the “thank*” verses Paul wrote:
Here are some from Romans:
Rom 1:8
Obviously, God, nor they, were concerned about repetition, or repeating themselves. The Lord God is good and we should be thankful; God is merciful for ever and we should be thankful – we should give thanks just because he is good and merciful – I think we will see that carry over in the NT.
The verse says “In every thing”, “In”, it does not mean “for” everything (like getting hit in the head with a hammer, or the car driving off the cliff, or the insurance company dropping me), no, those circumstances happen, and we do not enjoy them, and it would be hard to be thankful for a hammer embedded in my skull. However, in each one of those situations, I can be thankful that I am still in the grace of God, that I am still a child of God, that all the promises to me are still in there, that he has given me enough grace and faith to get through my situation, etc.
Let us look at some of the “thank*” verses Paul wrote:
Here are some from Romans:
Rom 1:8
First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world.
(Thankfulness for the believer’s faith, and it’s impact.)
Rom 6:17
(Thankfulness for the believer’s faith, and it’s impact.)
Rom 6:17
But God be thanked, that ye were the servants of sin, but ye have obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine which was delivered you.
(Thankfulness that someone changed the wrong path they were on, believed the word, and got saved, and are on a path with God, to do right.)
Rom 7:25
(Thankfulness that someone changed the wrong path they were on, believed the word, and got saved, and are on a path with God, to do right.)
Rom 7:25
I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin.
(Thankfulness that the flesh, and the things I do in the flesh, my mistakes, are not defining my eternal destination; thankfulness that we can have the mind of Christ, and we can keep trying, and working on our mind even if the flesh keeps messing us up.)
Rom 14:6
(Thankfulness that the flesh, and the things I do in the flesh, my mistakes, are not defining my eternal destination; thankfulness that we can have the mind of Christ, and we can keep trying, and working on our mind even if the flesh keeps messing us up.)
Rom 14:6
He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lord; and he that regardeth not the day, to the Lord he doth not regard it. He that eateth, eateth to the Lord, for he giveth God thanks; and he that eateth not, to the Lord he eateth not, and giveth God thanks.
(Thankfulness we can give God thanks regardless of what state we are in or what level we are understanding, whether we have full understanding of the doctrine, or are on the way of understanding the doctrine.)
Rom 16:4
(Thankfulness we can give God thanks regardless of what state we are in or what level we are understanding, whether we have full understanding of the doctrine, or are on the way of understanding the doctrine.)
Rom 16:4
Who have for my life laid down their own necks: unto whom not only I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles.
(Thankfulness for the brothers and sisters in Christ that are helping to advance the gospel of Christ, despite the adverse conditions that present themselves.)
From First and Second Corinthians:
1Cor 1:4
(Thankfulness for the brothers and sisters in Christ that are helping to advance the gospel of Christ, despite the adverse conditions that present themselves.)
From First and Second Corinthians:
1Cor 1:4
I thank my God always on your behalf, for the grace of God which is given you by Jesus Christ;
(Thankfulness for the believers, and the grace of God that they made the choice to be a part of.)
1Cor 15:57
(Thankfulness for the believers, and the grace of God that they made the choice to be a part of.)
1Cor 15:57
But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
(Thankful for our current, ternal, present victory in Jesus Christ, looking forward to the resurrection of the dead and our rapture.)
2Cor 1:11
(Thankful for our current, ternal, present victory in Jesus Christ, looking forward to the resurrection of the dead and our rapture.)
2Cor 1:11
Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.
(Thankfulness to the brethren doing what is asked and thanks resulting to God.)
2Cor 2:14
(Thankfulness to the brethren doing what is asked and thanks resulting to God.)
2Cor 2:14
Now thanks be unto God, which always causeth us to triumph in Christ, and maketh manifest the savour of his knowledge by us in every place.
(Thankfulness to God for the victories in Christ.)
2Cor 4:15
(Thankfulness to God for the victories in Christ.)
2Cor 4:15
For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God.
(knowing the thankfulness that will be directed to God at the result of the saints work.)
2Cor 8:16
(knowing the thankfulness that will be directed to God at the result of the saints work.)
2Cor 8:16
But thanks be to God, which put the same earnest care into the heart of Titus for you.
(Thankfulness to God for working in the inner man of the saints.)
2Cor 9:11-12, 15
(Thankfulness to God for working in the inner man of the saints.)
2Cor 9:11-12, 15
Being enriched in every thing to all bountifulness, which causeth through us thanksgiving to God. For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God; ...
Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
(Again, thankfulness that will be directed towards God for their obedience and the result of their efforts.)
And the list goes on through . We can look all through the Bible, in the OT, in the Gospels, in the Psalms, in the Prophets, in the rest of the NT, there is no shortage of thankfulness, and giving thanks to God! And most of these people who wrote these thankful words were not living the cushy high life at the time, not like the easy life that we experience now. Just something to thank about. We have tons and tons of things to be thankful for, we just need to do it.
He follows up the statement with “…for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
We have already hit part of the “will of God” in chapter 4:
1Thess 4:3-4
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
So we should know how to be set apart, holy, sanctified for God AND…
“In every thing give thanks”. (Remember 1Thess 2:13 “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”)
THIS IS SO CLEAR AND SIMPLE IN FINDING THE WILL OF GOD IN OUR LIVES, and it was in our face in plain words the whole time!
And I will even add the two previous short bursts in there as well: “rejoice evermore” and “pray without ceasing”
If we could do these as if it was second nature, part of our regular habit and behavior, just think what an impact we could have on those in direct contact with us? Around us? Seeing us from afar? Seeing us from near? Family? Friends? Person at Walmart?
Some things to consider.
(Again, thankfulness that will be directed towards God for their obedience and the result of their efforts.)
And the list goes on through . We can look all through the Bible, in the OT, in the Gospels, in the Psalms, in the Prophets, in the rest of the NT, there is no shortage of thankfulness, and giving thanks to God! And most of these people who wrote these thankful words were not living the cushy high life at the time, not like the easy life that we experience now. Just something to thank about. We have tons and tons of things to be thankful for, we just need to do it.
He follows up the statement with “…for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.”
We have already hit part of the “will of God” in chapter 4:
1Thess 4:3-4
For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour;
So we should know how to be set apart, holy, sanctified for God AND…
“In every thing give thanks”. (Remember 1Thess 2:13 “For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe.”)
THIS IS SO CLEAR AND SIMPLE IN FINDING THE WILL OF GOD IN OUR LIVES, and it was in our face in plain words the whole time!
And I will even add the two previous short bursts in there as well: “rejoice evermore” and “pray without ceasing”
If we could do these as if it was second nature, part of our regular habit and behavior, just think what an impact we could have on those in direct contact with us? Around us? Seeing us from afar? Seeing us from near? Family? Friends? Person at Walmart?
Some things to consider.
Grace and Peace James
Monday, July 29, 2024
1Thess 5:17 pray do tell
Gleanings in First Thessalonians
Chapter 5
1Thess 5:17
Pray without ceasing.
Right after rejoicing, before thankfulness, we have prayer. How fitting.
(I suck at prayer, I am bad at it, so this is painful for me to write about.)
Much is said and discussed about prayer, this most confusing subject. How is it to be done?
Well, let us go to the Webster’s 1828 and get a definition:
1. To ask with earnestness or zeal, as for a favor, or for something desirable; to entreat; to supplicate.
2. To petition; to ask, as for a favor; as in application to a legislative body.
3. In worship, to address the Supreme Being with solemnity and reverence, with adoration, confession of sins, supplication for mercy, and thanksgiving for blessings received.
4. I pray that is, I pray you tell me, or let me know, is a common mode of introducing a question.
These are four good definitions to help us grasp this task set before us.
So basically, it is talking, discussing, conversing, which includes asking, but also informing, it is dialogue – it is dialogue between you and the Father. You talk to him, inform, ask, etc. about things and people in your life.
But it is not a magic wicca board thing. This is not Santa Clause central.
This is you in conversation with the Father, where you unload your heart, and seek direction and wisdom, and relief. You are not changing him, you are changing you – you are expressing yourself but in the end you get enlightened as to what his will is – and of course that is going to be understanding achieved through your Bible.
Talk to him about “x” and ask about “y”, go to the Bible and read: then you hear the Father answering back.
Now, this “Pray without ceasing” obviously cannot mean “with every head bowed, and every eye closed”, and it cannot mean continuous second after second, minute after minute “without ceasing”.
This is an ongoing action, or behavior we are to incorporate into our life. All through the day, as we encounter our thoughts, troubles, good things, people (good and bad), we can go to the Father and prayer, discussion, question, etc. You do not need to stop everything and plop prostrate on the ground and start bellowing out this sanctimonious oration; it can be brief and to the point.
Paul mentions the same consistent tone:
Rom 12:12
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Eph 6:18
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Col 4:2
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
Look at the content of some of the prayers Paul prayed in Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians:
Eph 1:15-23
Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Chapter 5
1Thess 5:17
Pray without ceasing.
Right after rejoicing, before thankfulness, we have prayer. How fitting.
(I suck at prayer, I am bad at it, so this is painful for me to write about.)
Much is said and discussed about prayer, this most confusing subject. How is it to be done?
Well, let us go to the Webster’s 1828 and get a definition:
1. To ask with earnestness or zeal, as for a favor, or for something desirable; to entreat; to supplicate.
2. To petition; to ask, as for a favor; as in application to a legislative body.
3. In worship, to address the Supreme Being with solemnity and reverence, with adoration, confession of sins, supplication for mercy, and thanksgiving for blessings received.
4. I pray that is, I pray you tell me, or let me know, is a common mode of introducing a question.
These are four good definitions to help us grasp this task set before us.
So basically, it is talking, discussing, conversing, which includes asking, but also informing, it is dialogue – it is dialogue between you and the Father. You talk to him, inform, ask, etc. about things and people in your life.
But it is not a magic wicca board thing. This is not Santa Clause central.
This is you in conversation with the Father, where you unload your heart, and seek direction and wisdom, and relief. You are not changing him, you are changing you – you are expressing yourself but in the end you get enlightened as to what his will is – and of course that is going to be understanding achieved through your Bible.
Talk to him about “x” and ask about “y”, go to the Bible and read: then you hear the Father answering back.
Now, this “Pray without ceasing” obviously cannot mean “with every head bowed, and every eye closed”, and it cannot mean continuous second after second, minute after minute “without ceasing”.
This is an ongoing action, or behavior we are to incorporate into our life. All through the day, as we encounter our thoughts, troubles, good things, people (good and bad), we can go to the Father and prayer, discussion, question, etc. You do not need to stop everything and plop prostrate on the ground and start bellowing out this sanctimonious oration; it can be brief and to the point.
Paul mentions the same consistent tone:
Rom 12:12
Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Eph 6:18
Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
Col 4:2
Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
Look at the content of some of the prayers Paul prayed in Ephesians, Philippians, and Colossians:
Eph 1:15-23
Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,
Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers;
That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him:
The eyes of your understanding being enlightened; that ye may know what is the hope of his calling, and what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints,
And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power,
Which he wrought in Christ, when he raised him from the dead, and set him at his own right hand in the heavenly places,
Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come:
And hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church,
Which is his body, the fulness of him that filleth all in all.
Eph 3:14-21
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Phl 1:9-11
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Col 1:9-12
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
These prayers are for the saints, that they would be edified, that they would be growing in knowledge and understanding, strengthening the inner man, increasing in the knowledge of God, understanding our position in the world, understanding our position in spiritual things. Some things to think about. Some things to pray about.
Grace and Peace James
Cease not to pray
Eph 3:14-21
For this cause I bow my knees unto the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ,
Of whom the whole family in heaven and earth is named,
That he would grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with might by his Spirit in the inner man;
That Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that ye, being rooted and grounded in love,
May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height;
And to know the love of Christ, which passeth knowledge, that ye might be filled with all the fulness of God.
Now unto him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that worketh in us,
Unto him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, world without end. Amen.
Phl 1:9-11
And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Col 1:9-12
For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
That ye might walk worthy of the Lord unto all pleasing, being fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the knowledge of God;
Strengthened with all might, according to his glorious power, unto all patience and longsuffering with joyfulness;
Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
These prayers are for the saints, that they would be edified, that they would be growing in knowledge and understanding, strengthening the inner man, increasing in the knowledge of God, understanding our position in the world, understanding our position in spiritual things. Some things to think about. Some things to pray about.
Grace and Peace James
Cease not to pray
Sunday, July 28, 2024
1Thess 5:16 rejoice evermore
Gleanings in First Thessalonians
Chapter 5
1Thess 5:16
Rejoice evermore.
Finally, a verse our size we can commit to memory.
[FYI: this verse is the shortest verse in the Greek New Testament (Πάντοτε χαίρετε); in case you are in a trivia contest; the shortest English verse in John 11:35 “Jesus wept.” (ἐδάκρυσεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς) – see you are already glad you came!]
Back to our mission…
As we should expect “rejoice” should be related to “joy”. “To make joyful; to gladden; to animate with lively pleasurable sensations; to exhilarate.”
“evermore”: always; at all times.
So we are to be made joyful, exhilarated at all times. And you can be with Christ in you, the hope of glory (Col 1:27).
Look at what Paul says in other places:
Rom 5:1-2
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.
Rom 12:15
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Col 1:24
Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
In Philippians, Paul uses this word more in this book than all his others:
Phl 1:18
What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
Phl 2:16-18, 28
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me. ...
I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
Phl 3:1, 3
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. ...
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Phl 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
(10X in this small book)
Paul thought highly of rejoicing, and commanded us in the body of Christ to so be, with him, in that rejoiceful state. Things might not be falling out as we thought they would, but we can still rejoice. We have a destination we can look to, that is our expectation, and we can hold forth our promises in Christ and be joyful. We can rejoice together. We can rejoice and be joyful when we see the brethren rejoice. Paul says to do it and that it is safe.
And we should do it always. Need he say it again…to rejoice?
It is a compact verse, the first of several in a row that I suggest we commit to memory. And as I heard someone say, it is like a zip file that when you hit, you can decompress and remember and behold all the things that are “rejoice-worthy” from the books that you have read on the way to First Thessalonians. Romans. 1&2 Corinthians. Galatians. Ephesians. Philippians. Colossians. What are the doctrines that you have encountered up until this book and chapter and verse that you should be rejoicing about, to reflect on? (that would be a good homework assignment.)
Who knows what is ahead for the body of Christ in this world on this earth before the Lord catches us up and out of here. It might get right ugly. But just like some of us prep for a coming collapse of society (I said “us” to sound like a cool guy, but I would die in the first week of such an event), or supply chains, EMP, coup or whatever, we should be prepping the mind with scripture for the work ahead.
Paul was having bad circumstance after bad circumstance laid upon him AFTER Christ called him on the Damascus road – sufferings and persecutions – of the like of which Big Eva would more than likely exclude him from their association if he were here today (he would not fit the business model or the image). But Paul rejoiced to the end, and commanded us to rejoice the same.
And Christ, who stepped down from Heaven to take on flesh, and looked to the joy and the glory that lay ahead after suffering the humiliation and death on a cross:
Heb 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
We as saved members of the body of Christ should be able to always look to the eternal glory, which is far better, and rejoice whilst standing in this muck today.
2Cor 4:17-18
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, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Grace and Peace James
Chapter 5
1Thess 5:16
Rejoice evermore.
Finally, a verse our size we can commit to memory.
[FYI: this verse is the shortest verse in the Greek New Testament (Πάντοτε χαίρετε); in case you are in a trivia contest; the shortest English verse in John 11:35 “Jesus wept.” (ἐδάκρυσεν ὁ Ἰησοῦς) – see you are already glad you came!]
Back to our mission…
As we should expect “rejoice” should be related to “joy”. “To make joyful; to gladden; to animate with lively pleasurable sensations; to exhilarate.”
“evermore”: always; at all times.
So we are to be made joyful, exhilarated at all times. And you can be with Christ in you, the hope of glory (Col 1:27).
Look at what Paul says in other places:
Rom 5:1-2
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.
Rom 12:15
Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Col 1:24
Who now rejoice in my sufferings for you, and fill up that which is behind of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for his body's sake, which is the church:
In Philippians, Paul uses this word more in this book than all his others:
Phl 1:18
What then? notwithstanding, every way, whether in pretence, or in truth, Christ is preached; and I therein do rejoice, yea, and will rejoice.
Phl 2:16-18, 28
Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain.
Yea, and if I be offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all.
For the same cause also do ye joy, and rejoice with me. ...
I sent him therefore the more carefully, that, when ye see him again, ye may rejoice, and that I may be the less sorrowful.
Phl 3:1, 3
Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not grievous, but for you it is safe. ...
For we are the circumcision, which worship God in the spirit, and rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh.
Phl 4:4
Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.
(10X in this small book)
Paul thought highly of rejoicing, and commanded us in the body of Christ to so be, with him, in that rejoiceful state. Things might not be falling out as we thought they would, but we can still rejoice. We have a destination we can look to, that is our expectation, and we can hold forth our promises in Christ and be joyful. We can rejoice together. We can rejoice and be joyful when we see the brethren rejoice. Paul says to do it and that it is safe.
And we should do it always. Need he say it again…to rejoice?
It is a compact verse, the first of several in a row that I suggest we commit to memory. And as I heard someone say, it is like a zip file that when you hit, you can decompress and remember and behold all the things that are “rejoice-worthy” from the books that you have read on the way to First Thessalonians. Romans. 1&2 Corinthians. Galatians. Ephesians. Philippians. Colossians. What are the doctrines that you have encountered up until this book and chapter and verse that you should be rejoicing about, to reflect on? (that would be a good homework assignment.)
Who knows what is ahead for the body of Christ in this world on this earth before the Lord catches us up and out of here. It might get right ugly. But just like some of us prep for a coming collapse of society (I said “us” to sound like a cool guy, but I would die in the first week of such an event), or supply chains, EMP, coup or whatever, we should be prepping the mind with scripture for the work ahead.
Paul was having bad circumstance after bad circumstance laid upon him AFTER Christ called him on the Damascus road – sufferings and persecutions – of the like of which Big Eva would more than likely exclude him from their association if he were here today (he would not fit the business model or the image). But Paul rejoiced to the end, and commanded us to rejoice the same.
And Christ, who stepped down from Heaven to take on flesh, and looked to the joy and the glory that lay ahead after suffering the humiliation and death on a cross:
Heb 12:2
Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
We as saved members of the body of Christ should be able to always look to the eternal glory, which is far better, and rejoice whilst standing in this muck today.
2Cor 4:17-18
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, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Grace and Peace James
Rejoice evermore.
1Thess 5:14-15 exhortations...
Gleanings in First Thessalonians
Chapter 5
[Addendum: from last time, I want to clarify, those that are over you in the Lord, those leaders in the local assembly, are not to brow beat you and you just take it – they should be teaching the Bible and the doctrine of grace; you can esteem them highly by learning your Bible and living the doctrine of grace.]
1Thess 5:14-15
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
And here is the exhortation:
“warn the unruly” – don’t beat them over the head with a blunt object (yet), however, do warn them with the word ( a sharp sword [Eph 6:17, Heb 4:12]) of God.
“comfort the feebleminded” – and who is the feebleminded? Those that are weak in mind, those that don’t think straight, they could be the challenged from brain underdevelopment, to dementia, from young to old. They need comfort. We should be that comfort, not a government institution.
“support the weak” – what does that entail and where does that end? There are those that have trouble getting around and doing things physically, but there are also those who have no financial means. Should the local assembly provide the support, or should we through convenience offload that responsibility to a government institution?
“be patient toward all men” – wow. “all” really? I mean some of these people are incredibly stupid and incredibly evil. ?.
To be “patient”: Having the quality of enduring evils without murmuring or fretfulness; sustaining afflictions of body or mind with fortitude, calmness or Christian submission to the divine will… or, Not easily provoked; calm under the sufferance of injuries or offenses; not revengeful… or, Persevering; constant in pursuit or exertion; calmly diligent.
Rom 5:3-4
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
(It is always a kind of joke to ask for more patience, as you see what comes with it, and that is what you want to be alleviated from as you ask for patience.)
But there it is in print, from the mouth of God, through the pen of Paul, “be patient toward all men.” So just do it.
Uh oh, “See that none render evil for evil unto any man:”; how are we to take this? I mean an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth…what gives?
Let us see what Paul says to the Romans shall we?:
Rom 12:17-21
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Let us take a peak at Proverbs shall we:
Pro 17:13
Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Pro 20:22
Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
Pro 24:17, 29
Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: ...
Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
Pro 25:21
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
(thank you ‘Treasury of Scripture Knowledge’ for the cross references)
So, we are talking about “evil”: Having bad qualities of a moral kind; wicked; corrupt; perverse; wrong
So if we have evil done to us, we do not repay evil with evil, we leave place for the Lord to work, as he is the only person just to provide judgment and wrath in that case, we provide honest things and we do not get overcome of evil, we allow space for justice to step in and not for us to partake in that wrong doing.
And we “follow that which is good”, or “things honest”, and heaping “coals of fire” on our enemies with good conduct, and not evil.
And Paul says this statement “among yourselves” and “to all men” – so I take it that the “evil” can come within the local assembly of believers, the community, the region, the world.
I believe it is time to up our “good” game and our “good” supply in order to “overcome” what we are in store for.
Grace and Peace James
Overcome with good, provide things honest, ever follow that which is good.
Chapter 5
[Addendum: from last time, I want to clarify, those that are over you in the Lord, those leaders in the local assembly, are not to brow beat you and you just take it – they should be teaching the Bible and the doctrine of grace; you can esteem them highly by learning your Bible and living the doctrine of grace.]
1Thess 5:14-15
Now we exhort you, brethren, warn them that are unruly, comfort the feebleminded, support the weak, be patient toward all men.
See that none render evil for evil unto any man; but ever follow that which is good, both among yourselves, and to all men.
And here is the exhortation:
“warn the unruly” – don’t beat them over the head with a blunt object (yet), however, do warn them with the word ( a sharp sword [Eph 6:17, Heb 4:12]) of God.
“comfort the feebleminded” – and who is the feebleminded? Those that are weak in mind, those that don’t think straight, they could be the challenged from brain underdevelopment, to dementia, from young to old. They need comfort. We should be that comfort, not a government institution.
“support the weak” – what does that entail and where does that end? There are those that have trouble getting around and doing things physically, but there are also those who have no financial means. Should the local assembly provide the support, or should we through convenience offload that responsibility to a government institution?
“be patient toward all men” – wow. “all” really? I mean some of these people are incredibly stupid and incredibly evil. ?.
To be “patient”: Having the quality of enduring evils without murmuring or fretfulness; sustaining afflictions of body or mind with fortitude, calmness or Christian submission to the divine will… or, Not easily provoked; calm under the sufferance of injuries or offenses; not revengeful… or, Persevering; constant in pursuit or exertion; calmly diligent.
Rom 5:3-4
And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;
And patience, experience; and experience, hope:
(It is always a kind of joke to ask for more patience, as you see what comes with it, and that is what you want to be alleviated from as you ask for patience.)
But there it is in print, from the mouth of God, through the pen of Paul, “be patient toward all men.” So just do it.
Uh oh, “See that none render evil for evil unto any man:”; how are we to take this? I mean an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth…what gives?
Let us see what Paul says to the Romans shall we?:
Rom 12:17-21
Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
Let us take a peak at Proverbs shall we:
Pro 17:13
Whoso rewardeth evil for good, evil shall not depart from his house.
Pro 20:22
Say not thou, I will recompense evil; but wait on the LORD, and he shall save thee.
Pro 24:17, 29
Rejoice not when thine enemy falleth, and let not thine heart be glad when he stumbleth: ...
Say not, I will do so to him as he hath done to me: I will render to the man according to his work.
Pro 25:21
If thine enemy be hungry, give him bread to eat; and if he be thirsty, give him water to drink:
(thank you ‘Treasury of Scripture Knowledge’ for the cross references)
So, we are talking about “evil”: Having bad qualities of a moral kind; wicked; corrupt; perverse; wrong
So if we have evil done to us, we do not repay evil with evil, we leave place for the Lord to work, as he is the only person just to provide judgment and wrath in that case, we provide honest things and we do not get overcome of evil, we allow space for justice to step in and not for us to partake in that wrong doing.
And we “follow that which is good”, or “things honest”, and heaping “coals of fire” on our enemies with good conduct, and not evil.
And Paul says this statement “among yourselves” and “to all men” – so I take it that the “evil” can come within the local assembly of believers, the community, the region, the world.
I believe it is time to up our “good” game and our “good” supply in order to “overcome” what we are in store for.
Grace and Peace James
Overcome with good, provide things honest, ever follow that which is good.
(I knew I could get this out!)
Monday, July 15, 2024
1Thess 5:12-13 beseeching admonishmental esteeming
Gleanings in First Thessalonians
Chapter 5
1Thess 5:12-13
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
Some word definitions (apologies if repetitious):
Beseech: To entreat; to supplicate; to implore; to ask or pray with urgency
Admonish: (1) To warn or notify of a fault; to reprove with mildness. (2) To counsel against wrong practices; to caution or advise. (3) To instruct or direct.
Esteem: To set a value on, whether high or low; to estimate; to value.
So verse 12, Paul is urgently asking, pleading with the Thessalonians to recognize those wh0 are doing the work among them, doing the work for the Lord, hence “are over you in the Lord”. So those in the local assembly that are in the leadership position or office; in Paul’s letters these are the “bishops”, “elders”, “overseers”, and “deacons”. (I would say “bishop” and “elder” are pretty much the same, and we would call them the pastor or preacher today. I think the “overseers” are a group of bishops, elders and deacons. And “deacons” are a step lower than the bishop/elder who is ready to fill in for him (not like you see deacons in the Baptist churches when I was growing up – these were the secret cabal of religious deep staters the imposed their will on the local assembly). I do not think churches these days function in the same capacity as they did back in Paul’s time, as they have grown into bureaucratic machines on business growth models and ecclesiastical regimes, but I digress.
So we should, as the Thessalonians, recognize, not the managerial bureaucratic stuff we have today, but, the real believers who are doing the work, the “labour”, among us(them) as Paul would have it being done.
How should it be done? Well, we have the Pauline epistles that are scripture and scripture has a certain attribute and is good for several things:
2Tim 3:16-17
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
So it is inspired by God, God breathed, God dictated and written down by man. However, it says that it is good for “doctrine”(teaching, whatever is taught, learning); “reproof”(to cast blame); “correction” (to bring back from error); “instruction in righteousness” (the act of teaching what is right)… those that “labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you”; seems to fit. And the blueprint is “scripture”, the word of God written down, your Bible that you have at your disposal.
Unfortunately, even before Paul was executed in the first century, the church system was developing and going downhill. We are still trying to pick up the pieces. But we have the Bible, complete, and intact, and preserved – so it is not a lost cause, it just requires work, diligence, effort, etc.
2Cor 4:17-18
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, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Chapter 5
1Thess 5:12-13
And we beseech you, brethren, to know them which labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you;
And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake. And be at peace among yourselves.
Some word definitions (apologies if repetitious):
Beseech: To entreat; to supplicate; to implore; to ask or pray with urgency
Admonish: (1) To warn or notify of a fault; to reprove with mildness. (2) To counsel against wrong practices; to caution or advise. (3) To instruct or direct.
Esteem: To set a value on, whether high or low; to estimate; to value.
So verse 12, Paul is urgently asking, pleading with the Thessalonians to recognize those wh0 are doing the work among them, doing the work for the Lord, hence “are over you in the Lord”. So those in the local assembly that are in the leadership position or office; in Paul’s letters these are the “bishops”, “elders”, “overseers”, and “deacons”. (I would say “bishop” and “elder” are pretty much the same, and we would call them the pastor or preacher today. I think the “overseers” are a group of bishops, elders and deacons. And “deacons” are a step lower than the bishop/elder who is ready to fill in for him (not like you see deacons in the Baptist churches when I was growing up – these were the secret cabal of religious deep staters the imposed their will on the local assembly). I do not think churches these days function in the same capacity as they did back in Paul’s time, as they have grown into bureaucratic machines on business growth models and ecclesiastical regimes, but I digress.
So we should, as the Thessalonians, recognize, not the managerial bureaucratic stuff we have today, but, the real believers who are doing the work, the “labour”, among us(them) as Paul would have it being done.
How should it be done? Well, we have the Pauline epistles that are scripture and scripture has a certain attribute and is good for several things:
2Tim 3:16-17
All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
So it is inspired by God, God breathed, God dictated and written down by man. However, it says that it is good for “doctrine”(teaching, whatever is taught, learning); “reproof”(to cast blame); “correction” (to bring back from error); “instruction in righteousness” (the act of teaching what is right)… those that “labour among you, and are over you in the Lord, and admonish you”; seems to fit. And the blueprint is “scripture”, the word of God written down, your Bible that you have at your disposal.
Unfortunately, even before Paul was executed in the first century, the church system was developing and going downhill. We are still trying to pick up the pieces. But we have the Bible, complete, and intact, and preserved – so it is not a lost cause, it just requires work, diligence, effort, etc.
Getting back on track, but those that are doing it correctly, know them, recognize them, listen to them, and…
Verse 13 “esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake”. If they are doing the right thing in the right way, that is valuable, that has weight. It may not be profitable in an earthly, material sense, but that is the wrong scale to measure with.
Gal 1:10
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
Verse 13 “esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake”. If they are doing the right thing in the right way, that is valuable, that has weight. It may not be profitable in an earthly, material sense, but that is the wrong scale to measure with.
Gal 1:10
For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I seek to please men? for if I yet pleased men, I should not be the servant of Christ.
2Cor 4:17-18
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, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Gal 6:14-17
But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
Concerning “their work’s sake”, their “work” is labouring, and admonishing, teaching and preaching what Paul had instructed them about, and what to do with this new life they have in Christ, to continue in the faith, to not be troubled about other saints dying before the catching up or the day of the Lord coming, to love one another, to possess their vessels in sanctification and honour.
“And be at peace among yourselves.” You have to be at peace between you and God first. Get grounded in that fact. And then you can start having peace with your brethren. When you start realizing that these petty things are just that, petty; then, you can move on and do something for the Lord.
Rom 12:18
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
(he gave you a way out here: “if it be possible…”)
We as members of his body should do what we can to provide the best example and make it as authentic as we can – not for gain – but because Jesus Christ suffered for us, and died for our sins, and rose again so we can have newness of life…
Rom 6:10-11
For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
But God forbid that I should glory, save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world is crucified unto me, and I unto the world.
For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth any thing, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.
And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
Concerning “their work’s sake”, their “work” is labouring, and admonishing, teaching and preaching what Paul had instructed them about, and what to do with this new life they have in Christ, to continue in the faith, to not be troubled about other saints dying before the catching up or the day of the Lord coming, to love one another, to possess their vessels in sanctification and honour.
“And be at peace among yourselves.” You have to be at peace between you and God first. Get grounded in that fact. And then you can start having peace with your brethren. When you start realizing that these petty things are just that, petty; then, you can move on and do something for the Lord.
Rom 12:18
If it be possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably with all men.
(he gave you a way out here: “if it be possible…”)
We as members of his body should do what we can to provide the best example and make it as authentic as we can – not for gain – but because Jesus Christ suffered for us, and died for our sins, and rose again so we can have newness of life…
Rom 6:10-11
For in that he died, he died unto sin once: but in that he liveth, he liveth unto God.
Likewise reckon ye also yourselves to be dead indeed unto sin, but alive unto God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
Rom 7:6
But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
Grace and Peace James.
We have been beseeched
(I was a bit like a scattergun today)
But now we are delivered from the law, that being dead wherein we were held; that we should serve in newness of spirit, and not in the oldness of the letter.
Grace and Peace James.
We have been beseeched
(I was a bit like a scattergun today)
Sunday, July 14, 2024
1Thess 5:9-11 Wherefore comfort yourselves
Gleanings in First Thessalonians
Chapter 5
1Thess 5:9-11
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
We have the statement or the reference to avoiding wrath again: “For God hath not appointed us to wrath” (note Rom 5:9 & 1Thess 1:10)
Heb 6:18
That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
“Wherefore”…why, for which reason… “comfort”. Did we not here this in chapter 4? After hearing about the catching up of the body of Christ with the dead saints who are also members of that same body?
1Thess 4:17-18
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Then there should be comfort, and twice as much now! We are getting caught up in the air to meet the Lord (before the tribulation and judgments on the earth) and we won’t be appointed to wrath, but be saved from it.
Comfort together and edify together, one another; the local assembly (which is part of the larger assembly from the first century until today) should be telling, teaching, building each other up with these words, with the great hope that we have before us, that we posses today. Amen.
(Unfortunately most have abandoned these doctrines, forgot about Paul, and pursuing a big box, mass marketed “Christianity”.)
Hope – confident expectation of what we KNOW will come to pass; and we KNOW because of Faith: Gad said it; and God CANNOT lie.
Grace and Peace James
Chapter 5
1Thess 5:9-11
For God hath not appointed us to wrath, but to obtain salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ,
Who died for us, that, whether we wake or sleep, we should live together with him.
Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do.
We have the statement or the reference to avoiding wrath again: “For God hath not appointed us to wrath” (note Rom 5:9 & 1Thess 1:10)
Rom 5:9
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
Much more then, being now justified by his blood, we shall be saved from wrath through him.
1Thess 1:10
And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
Wrath is not something we are appointed to; we have been delivered from (past tense), and shall be saved from (future tense) obviously. And he starts out the phrase with a “For…” to give reason for our faith, love and hope. And then contrasts the sleeping drunken ones in the dark and in the night by the reason of obtaining “salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ”; not by anything we have done, by solely from the one we are trusting, the Lord Jesus Christ – we are saved from all this destruction because we are saved by Jesus Christ.
Why him? Paul reminds the Thessalonians (and us) again: because he is the one “Who died for us” and must be alive. Why must he be alive? Because we “should live together with him”; the only way to live together with someone is if they are alive. So Paul manages to put back into our memory, unless we have believed in vain, how that Christ died for our sins, according to scripture, and was buried, and rose again the third day, according to scripture.[1Cor15:1-4]
Paul also puts in here a “whether we wake or sleep” phrase, so even if we are not awake and sober and watching, we are in the age of grace, Christ has us covered.
That is not a license to just go our own way and be sloppy lousy crusty Christians, to just go and sin and forget what we have been translated to, but it does mean that God is true to his word and his promises to us and the members of the body of Christ, AND he does not lie…
Titus 1:2
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
And to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, even Jesus, which delivered us from the wrath to come.
Wrath is not something we are appointed to; we have been delivered from (past tense), and shall be saved from (future tense) obviously. And he starts out the phrase with a “For…” to give reason for our faith, love and hope. And then contrasts the sleeping drunken ones in the dark and in the night by the reason of obtaining “salvation by our Lord Jesus Christ”; not by anything we have done, by solely from the one we are trusting, the Lord Jesus Christ – we are saved from all this destruction because we are saved by Jesus Christ.
Why him? Paul reminds the Thessalonians (and us) again: because he is the one “Who died for us” and must be alive. Why must he be alive? Because we “should live together with him”; the only way to live together with someone is if they are alive. So Paul manages to put back into our memory, unless we have believed in vain, how that Christ died for our sins, according to scripture, and was buried, and rose again the third day, according to scripture.[1Cor15:1-4]
Paul also puts in here a “whether we wake or sleep” phrase, so even if we are not awake and sober and watching, we are in the age of grace, Christ has us covered.
That is not a license to just go our own way and be sloppy lousy crusty Christians, to just go and sin and forget what we have been translated to, but it does mean that God is true to his word and his promises to us and the members of the body of Christ, AND he does not lie…
Titus 1:2
In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;
Heb 6:18
That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
“Wherefore”…why, for which reason… “comfort”. Did we not here this in chapter 4? After hearing about the catching up of the body of Christ with the dead saints who are also members of that same body?
1Thess 4:17-18
Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord.
Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
Then there should be comfort, and twice as much now! We are getting caught up in the air to meet the Lord (before the tribulation and judgments on the earth) and we won’t be appointed to wrath, but be saved from it.
Comfort together and edify together, one another; the local assembly (which is part of the larger assembly from the first century until today) should be telling, teaching, building each other up with these words, with the great hope that we have before us, that we posses today. Amen.
(Unfortunately most have abandoned these doctrines, forgot about Paul, and pursuing a big box, mass marketed “Christianity”.)
Hope – confident expectation of what we KNOW will come to pass; and we KNOW because of Faith: Gad said it; and God CANNOT lie.
Grace and Peace James
More reasons to be around fellow believers
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