Daily Bible Nugget #958, Psalm 27:8

Posted on January 13, 2026 by Jerry

 

The Nugget:

Psalm 27:8  When thou saidst, Seek ye my face; my heart said unto thee, Thy face, LORD, will I seek. (KJV)

Psa 27:8  My heart said to You, Seek my face; Your face, O Jehovah, I will seek. (LITV, Literal Translation of the Holy Bible)

Psa 27:8  My heart tells me to pray to you, and I do pray to you, O LORD. (NET Bible)

Psa 27:8  When you said, Make search for my face, my heart said to you, For your face will I make my search. (BBE, Bible in Basic English)

Psa 27:8  My heart said to thee, I have diligently sought thy face: thy face, O Lord, I will seek. (LXX., Brenton translation)

Psa 27:8  My heart told me to come to you, LORD, so I am coming to ask for your help. (ERV, Easy-to-Read Version)

Psa 27:8  My heart tells me to pray. I am eager to see your face, (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

My Comment:

Prayer is an essential part of the Christian life. In this passage, the Psalmist lets us know that he is eager to seek God’s face. This is done through prayer.

To Dig Deeper:

Explore the cross references given for Psalm 27:8 from

(1) The original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge:

Psalms 27:8
When: etc. or, My heart said unto thee, Let my face seek thy face, etc

Seek: Psa 24:6, Psa 105:4; Isa 45:19, Isa 55:6, 7; Hos 5:15

Thy: Psa 63:1, 2, Psa 119:58 *marg. Jer 29:12, 13

(2) My expansion of those references in the Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Psalms 27:8
When, etc. or, My heart said unto thee, Let my face seek thy face, etc. Note: Or, literally, “My heart said to thee (thy words are, being understood), Seek ye my face: thy face, O Jehovah, will I seek.” That is, in retired meditation, I recollected Thy exhortations to the sons of men to seek Thy face, or favour; and my heart answered, “Dost thou deign thus to invite us? Then without delay or hesitation, I will seek Thy face.”

Seek. Psa 10:4; Psa 24:6; Psa 44:2; Psa 53:2; *Psa 105:4, Exo 33:7, **Deut 4:29, 30, 31, +*1Ch 16:11 note. Isa 45:19; **Isa 55:6; **Isa 55:7, Lam 3:25, +*Hos 5:15, Amos 5:4, Mat 7:7, +*Luk 11:9; +*Luk 11:10.

face. FS22A4, +Gen 19:13.

my heart said. Psa 16:2, Ecc 2:1.

Thy. Psa 63:1, 2; Psa 119:58 mg. **Jer 29:12; Jer 29:13.

face. FS22A4, +Gen 19:13.

will I seek. Psa 27:4, Psa 4:6, Neh 5:7, Jhn 11:29.

 

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Some Pointed Proverbs & Quotations

Posted on January 10, 2026 by Jerry

 

Here are a few favorite Proverbs and Quotations from my collection. I have shared some of these with my classes during my teaching career when I posted one quotation a day. Many students told me then and even much later that, in the words of one student, “They turned my life around.” I am thankful for those students who were helped.

Ideas

  1. “The only sure weapon against bad ideas is BETTER IDEAS.” A. Whitney Griswold [found 8/22/64 at Resources Development Corporation]
  2. “There is no adequate defense, except stupidity, against the impact of a new idea.” [found 1/9/69]
  3. “A man’s mind, stretched by a new idea, can never go back to its original dimension.” Oliver Wendell Holmes [found 2/22/69]
  4. “Nothing levels a playing field like a better idea.” Stanley Mason, Jr. in The Freeman [RD 5/98 p. 61]

 

Ignorance

  1. “There is a principle which is a bar against all information, and which cannot fail to keep a man in everlasting ignorance. This principle is contempt prior to investigation.”  William Paley quoted in Harold P. Barker, Why I Abandoned Exclusivism, p. 27.
  2. “The trouble ain’t that people are ignorant; it’s that they know so much that ain’t so.” Josh Billings
  3. “Not to know is bad; not to wish to know is worse.” African proverb from Nigeria
  4. “Ignorance is not bliss—it is oblivion.” Philip Wylie [RD 3/74 p. 91]
  5. “It takes considerable knowledge just to realize the extent of our own ignorance.” Thomas Sowell [RD 2/99 p. 61]
  6. “Ignorance of Scripture is the root of all error and makes a man helpless in the hand of the devil.” J. C. Ryle [found 4-23-22]

 

Lincoln, Abraham

  1. “Let the people know the truth and the country is safe.” Abraham Lincoln [The High School Writer 5/96]
  2. “I must stand with anybody that stands right, and stand with him while he is right, and part with him when he goes wrong.” Abraham Lincoln [re-found via Internet at brainyquote.com on 4/18/09]
  3. “Honest statesmanship is the wise employment of individual manners for the public good.” Abraham Lincoln [found 1/29/71]
  4. “The strength of a nation lies in the homes of its people.” Abraham Lincoln [found 8/31/85]
  5. “Bad laws, if they exist, should be repealed as soon as possible; still, while they continue in force, …they should be religiously observed.” January 27, 1838. Abraham Lincoln [found 2/25/79]
  6. “The cause of civil liberty must not be surrendered at the end of one or even one hundred defeats.” November 19, 1858. Abraham Lincoln. [found 2/25/79]
  7. “Determine that the thing can and shall be done, and then we shall find the way.” June 20, 1848 Abraham Lincoln. [found 2/25/79]
  8. “No party can command respect which sustains this year what it opposed last.” July 28, 1859. Abraham Lincoln. [found 2/25/79]
  9. “We know nothing of what will happen in the future but by analogy of experience.” December 26, 1839. Abraham Lincoln. [found 2/25/79]
  10. “The noblest work of God—an honest man.” February 8, 1842. Abraham Lincoln. [found 2/25/79]
  11. “The workingmen are the basis of all governments, for the plain reason that they are the most numerous.” Abraham Lincoln. February 12, 1861. [found 2/25/79]
  12. “Some single mind must be master, else there will be no agreement in anything.” Abraham Lincoln, February 17, 1864. [found 2/25/79]
  13. “There is no keeping men silent when they feel they are wronged by their friends.” Abraham Lincoln, April 20, 1849. [found 2/25/79]
  14. “It is difficult to make a man miserable while he feels he is worthy of himself and claims a kindred to the great God who made him.” Abraham Lincoln, August 14, 1862. [found 2/25/79]
  15. “Better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak out and remove all doubt.” Abraham Lincoln [Lemon, Chalk Thought for the Day, p. 16] 2/21/79
  16. “I like to see a man proud of the place in which he lives. I like to see a man live so that his place will be proud of him.” Abraham Lincoln [found 2/25/79]
  17. “I believe it is universally understood and acknowledged that all men will ever act correctly, unless they have a motive to do otherwise.” Abraham Lincoln, January 11, 1837 [found 2/25/79]
  18. “There is not a moment of time to be lost.” Abraham Lincoln, June 3, 1849. [found 2/25/79]
  19. “If you would win a man to your cause, first convince him that you are his sincere friend.” Abraham Lincoln [RD 2/98 p. 49]
  20. “I’m a slow walker, but I never walk back.” Abraham Lincoln 1/9/1999
  21. “You cannot escape the responsibility of tomorrow by evading it today.” Abraham Lincoln [DFT Calendar 1998-1999, p. 52]
  22. “Fellow citizens, we cannot escape history.” Abraham Lincoln
  23. “You cannot help the poor by destroying the rich. You cannot strengthen the weak by weakening the strong. You cannot bring about prosperity by discouraging thrift. You cannot lift the wage earner up by pulling the wage payer down. You cannot further the brotherhood of man by inciting class hatred. You cannot build character and courage by taking away people’s initiative and independence. You cannot help people permanently by doing for them what they could and should do for themselves.” Abraham Lincoln

 

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #957, Jeremiah 12:5

Posted on December 30, 2025 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Jeremiah 12:5  [KJV1769] If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst, they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?

My Comment:

My attention was first drawn to Jeremiah 12:5 when I heard a sermon on this text by Dr. Bob Jones, Jr. at Bob Jones University. I have been reading a book on Bible Geography all this month of December which also mentions this verse many times.

At this moment I am using an unfamiliar keyboard and am otherwise waiting to finish upgrading to Windows 11. That should explain, in part, why I have not been actively posting new material here. I anticipate that I will be able to resume posting more regularly at the end of this week.

Here are the cross references for Jeremiah 12:5 from The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

If thou hast run with the footmen, and they have wearied thee, then how canst thou contend with horses? and if in the land of peace, wherein thou trustedst,  they wearied thee, then how wilt thou do in the swelling of Jordan?

if. Heb 12:1.

thou hast run. *Prov 3:11; *Prov 24:10, 1Cor 9:24, *Heb 12:3; *Heb 12:4, *1Pet 4:12, 13, 14.

have wearied thee. Jer 11:21, Mark 14:37, +*Gal 6:9.

then how. 1Sam 23:3, Job 41:10, 1Cor 10:13.

canst. Jer 26:8; 36:26; *Jer 38:4, 5, 6.

then how wilt. *Matt 7:14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23; 25:14-30; 25:34-40, +*Luke 16:10, *Rom 8:18, 1Cor 2:2; 3:13, 14, 15; 9:24, 25, 26, 27, *Heb 6:11; *Heb 6:12; *Heb 6:18, *2Pet 3:14.

swelling. FS121N1, Gen 31:54, Heb. pride. FS121N1, Gen 31:54. Pride put by the Figure Metonymy (of Adjunct) for proud beasts in the undergrowth on the banks of the Jordan. Jer 49:19; 50:44, Deut 34:3, *Josh 3:15 note. Judg 3:28; 12:5, 6, 1Sam 13:7, 1Kin 7:46, 2Kin 6:2, 1Chr 12:15, Job 41:34, Psa 42:7; *Psa 69:1; *Psa 69:2, *Zech 11:3, Mark 1:5 note.

 

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Everyone is Wrong About Something–Including Me! Part 7B

Posted on December 16, 2025 by Jerry

 

I have had members of other faiths urge me on the basis of Romans 14:12 to carefully examine my own religion as to its correctness, but in my experience they seem not able to follow their own advice.

Romans 14:12 [KJV1769] So then every one of us shall give account of himself to God.

My most vivid memory is that of a Jehovah Witness who visited my home and shared this challenge with me.

When I ask those who challenge me about how they have followed their own advice they quickly shift to another subject or proceed to defend their religious group as the “One True Church.”

The trouble is, there is more than one religious group that makes this claim, even among Christians.

How do we determine the correctness of any claim of truthfulness about matters that pertain to Bible doctrine? It is very evident from what the Bible itself states that true doctrine must agree with what is taught in the Bible itself.

I have found very few individuals who are able to engage in an actual extended discussion of differences in Bible interpretation and doctrinal belief.

The usual response is that they believe what their church or religion teaches. My response is: What if your church is mistaken in what it teaches?

Few individuals seem willing or able to present actual evidence from the Bible that supports the position they hold.

Neither are they willing to carefully and thoroughly discuss evidence that calls their view into question.

When there are two or more interpretations of what the Bible teaches, it ought to be possible to evaluate differing interpretations to determine which interpretation is better.

Some make the serious mistake of cutting short further discussion by asserting any interpretation or understanding that differs from what their church teaches is a “private interpretation” which they will not consider.

I believe it is  possible to study the Bible carefully enough to arrive at an accurate understanding of what it actually teaches.

The Bible declares itself to be understandable. The theological term for this doctrine is the perspicuity of Scripture.

 

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Everyone is Wrong About Something–Including Me! Part 7A

Posted on November 22, 2025 by Jerry

 

My intention in this series is to call attention to the fact that no religious group is entirely correct in its understanding of the Bible. Of course, no individual person can be entirely correct in his or her understanding of the Bible either.

I personally believe that this fact demonstrates that all claims made by any group of Christians to be exclusively the only “One True Church” are therefore proven false.

Logically, this is so because to make the claim of infallibility or to claim to teach the precise doctrines taught by Jesus and His Apostles necessitates that such teaching conforms to what Jesus and His Apostles originally taught. To differ with what they taught as found in the New Testament invalidates the claim.

An example of a position taken by some mistaken groups is that they:

7A. Deny the right of private or individual judgment and interpretation of Scripture as contained in the Bible.

A. Proverbs 18:1-2

Pro 18:1  Through desire a man, having separated himself, seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom.
Pro 18:2  A fool hath no delight in understanding, but that his heart may discover itself. (KJV)

I have  placed the following note for this text in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge:

Through desire, etc. or, He that separateth himself seeketh, according to his desire, and intermeddleth in every business. Isaac Leeser translates, “He that separateth himself (from God) seeketh his own desires; at every sound wisdom is he enraged.”

Ralph Wardlaw observes that the verse is variously rendered, such that opposing translations express an opposite meaning. Wardlaw argues that since this verse is in contrast with verse two, this verse must be taken in a positive sense of a man who loves and pursues knowledge, whereas verse two speaks of the man who undervalues and despises it. Wardlaw explains “Through desire”—that is, the desire of knowledge—”a man having separated himself”—that is, having retired and secluded himself from interruption by the intrusion of companions and the engagements of social life—”seeketh and intermeddleth with all wisdom” (Ralph Wardlaw, Lectures on The Book of Proverbs, vol. 2, pp. 170, 171).

To suggest this verse teaches that the individual has no authority to read and understand Holy Scripture independently of the authority of a religious organization, as the Jehovah’s Witnesses maintain in their claim to be Jehovah’s exclusive vehicle of divine truth as the “faithful and wise servant” (Mat 24:45), is unacceptable, being in conflict with the direct teaching of Scripture elsewhere regarding the right of private judgment (Gal 1:8 note) and the perspicuity of Scripture (+*Pro 8:9, +*Isa 8:20 note). Job 23:12, Jer 15:16, 1Pe 2:2.

B. Acts 17:11

Act 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. (KJV)

Who are the “these”? This account tells how listeners from a town called Berea responded in a better way (were “more open-minded,” NET Bible; were “much nicer,” CEV) than did those in Thessalonica, a town where Paul and those ministering with him had to flee because of persecution. Notice what the Bereans did: when they heard Paul’s message about the Bible, they searched the Scriptures to verify whether what he was teaching agreed with what the Bible says. When they found the Bible agreed with what Paul was teaching, they believed Paul’s message.

I think there are some very important lessons to be learned from this account of Paul’s ministry and the response of his hearers:

First, they took the time to really listen. They paid close enough attention that they could remember what Paul taught–remember enough so when they checked it out in the Bible they were able to verify the truth of what Paul taught.

Second, the Bereans had access to the Bible for themselves. This means that even back in those days, Bibles were available to the people to read. If you read the New Testament carefully you will find many incidental examples that show just how much the average person in Israel knew, at least collectively. I suspect they knew more than a good many Christians and many of our spiritual leaders do today.

Third, the Bereans were literate enough that they could read the Bible for themselves. This is an interesting and important concept. The greatest motivation for pursuing education in early American history was that it was felt important to teach children how to read so that they could read the Bible for spiritual profit and for their salvation. Now, in the United States, we have foolishly abandoned this motivation in public education by largely removing the Bible from our schools–and we wonder why children and young people and our society as a whole are spiritually and morally illiterate, by and large.

Fourth, the Bible is proven to be understandable, for the Bereans were able to read the Scripture; they were able to confirm the validity of Paul’s message; they came to faith in Jesus Christ as a result.

Fifth, the practical utility of searching the Scripture to arrive at doctrinal truth is demonstrated by the experience of the Bereans.

If we are wise and noble like the Bereans, we will follow their highly commended example and do the same.

If we are foolish, as are most of the people in our culture today, we will ignore–at our eternal peril–the message of the Bible, and go about our business using precious time–precious and very short in the light of eternity–for less worthwhile interests and pursuits.

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #956, John 5:24

Posted on November 7, 2025 by Jerry

 

The Nugget:

John 5:24  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. (KJV)

John 5:24 `Verily, verily, I say to you–He who is hearing my word, and is believing Him who sent me, hath life age-during, and to judgment he doth not come, but hath passed out of the death to the life. (Young’s Literal Translation)

John 5:24  “I assure you, anyone who hears what I say and believes in the one who sent me has eternal life. They will not be judged guilty. They have already left death and have entered into life. (ERV, Easy-to-Read Version)

My Comment:

Seventy-two years ago, on this date, November 7, 1953, I understood and believed what John 5:24 promises. Of the several English translations of this verse I have shared above, Young’s Literal Translation comes closest to what I have since learned is the meaning of the original Greek text underlying our English translations.

I had been seriously reading and rereading the New Testament since August of 1953. On Saturday, November 7, 1953, I was delivering papers for my Detroit Shopping News route. I thought back on my spiritual life and realized that though I had attended church from the time I was an infant, I had never experienced what is called the “new birth,” or being “born again.” But that Saturday morning I saw and believed what John 5:24 promises. That could be considered my “spiritual birthday.” This experience took place outside of church. It did not involve water baptism. It involved the Holy Spirit opening my eyes to the truth of God’s Word.

I have continued since that time to study God’s written Word in the Bible. I am still learning new things from His inexhaustible Word.

If you will read and study the New Testament carefully, as I did, you too can experience the unshakable and blessed experience that “Jesus is Mine” as the Gospel song states. I remember whistling the tune of another Gospel song I had learned in Sunday school, which contains the words, “Now I Belong to Jesus, Jesus belongs to me, not for the years of time alone, but for eternity,” that otherwise grey and dreary cold Saturday morning.

Not everyone can point to a precise time and date that marks the time when they were saved. If you are saved, you can know for sure that you are saved in this life. Contrary to the teaching of some churches and denominations, you can know that you now have eternal life before you die. You need not wait until after death to know your destiny. How do I know this? The Bible tells me so in John 5:24.

 

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Did Jesus Himself Claim to be God?

Posted on October 25, 2025 by Jerry

 

I just recently saw an article on Facebook where the writer made the claim that Jesus never said He was God.

That, of course, is an example of the “Exact Word Fallacy.” The statement, therefore, is not correct.

To arrive at a correct understanding of what the Bible teaches, it is necessary to follow carefully the Rules of Interpretation. I have listed in simplified form about 24 of these rules in two articles posted here in the October, 2010 Archives which are immediately and easily accessible from the links provided on the right hand side of every page.

Perhaps the very first Christian book I bought as a new Christian in the 1950s was Milton S. Terry’s Biblical Hermeneutics. I have been studying that subject for quite a long time.

It is very interesting to study what the enemies of Jesus said about Him as reported in the New Testament, especially in the Gospels. I read a book by Harry Rimmer that was about this very subject published many years ago.

I just received a new book in my Logos Bible software library that discusses this very subject.

It turns out that the enemies of Jesus recognized from the start that what Jesus said and did was the evidence they could use to charge Jesus with blasphemy.

They recognized that what Jesus claimed to have authority to do amounted to a claim of Deity. See Mark 2:7.

Mar 2:6  But there were certain of the scribes sitting there, and reasoning in their hearts,
Mar 2:7  Why doth this man thus speak blasphemies? who can forgive sins but God only?

See Mark 14:61-64.

Mar 14:61  But he held his peace, and answered nothing. Again the high priest asked him, and said unto him, Art thou the Christ, the Son of the Blessed?
Mar 14:62  And Jesus said, I am: and ye shall see the Son of man sitting on the right hand of power, and coming in the clouds of heaven.
Mar 14:63  Then the high priest rent his clothes, and saith, What need we any further witnesses?
Mar 14:64  Ye have heard the blasphemy: what think ye? And they all condemned him to be guilty of death.

I have placed the following Note at John 10:32 in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge:

Joh 10:31  Then the Jews took up stones again to stone him.
Joh 10:32  Jesus answered them, Many good works have I shewed you from my Father; for which of those works do ye stone me?
Joh 10:33  The Jews answered him, saying, For a good work we stone thee not; but for blasphemy; and because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.

stone. Stoning was the prescribed punishment for the non-religious crimes of (1) unchastity, including adultery and rape, Lev 20:10, Deut 22:21, 22, 23, 24, (2) insubordination to constituted authorities (a) parents, Exo 21:15; Exo 21:17, Lev 20:9, Deut 21:18, 19, 20, 21, (b) priest or judge, Deut 17:12. Stoning was the prescribed punishment for five capital crimes of a religious nature: (1) sacrifice to idols. Exo 22:20, Lev 20:2, Deut 13:6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17; Deut 17:2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 2Ki 10:18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25; 2Ki 11:18; 2Ki 23:5; 2Ki 23:20, (2) sorcery. Exo 22:18, Lev 20:27, 1Sa 28:3; 1Sa 28:9, (3) profaning the sabbath. Exo 31:14, 15; Exo 35:2, Num 15:32, 33, 34, 35, 36, (4) blasphemy. Lev 24:10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16; Lev 24:23, 1Ki 21:13, (5) false prophecy. Deut 13:1, 2, 3,4, 5; Deut 18:20, 1Ki 18:40; 1Ki 20:27, 28. When Jesus asked upon what grounds they were about to stone him, their unequivocal answer was for blasphemy, explained in the very next verse, “because that thou, being a man, makest thyself God.” As in the other two cases where the Jews were about to stone Jesus (Jhn 5:18; Jhn 8:59), Jesus did NOT deny the correctness of their understanding of his claims. The Jews, therefore, correctly understood Christ’s claim to be deity, and on this basis they charged him with blasphemy. This proves that Jesus himself asserted his own deity, and equality with God the Father (see Jhn 5:18 note). At Jhn 5:18 the assertion that Jesus made himself “equal with God” is John’s own assertion under Divine inspiration, not merely his report of the understanding of the Jews.

In order to understand God’s Word in the Bible, it is necessary to learn how to apply the rule of Necessary Inference. Many Bible readers fail to make the needed necessary inferences required to arrive at a correct understanding of the Bible.

My newest Logos book that I referred to is:

Rosario, Mikel Del. 2025. Did Jesus Really Say He Was God? Making Sense of His Historical Claims. Downers Grove, IL: IVP USA.

 

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Everyone is Wrong About Something–Including Me! Part 6B

Posted on October 18, 2025 by Jerry

 

My intention in this series is to call attention to the fact that no religious group is entirely correct in its understanding of the Bible. Of course, no individual person can be entirely correct in his or her understanding of the Bible either.

That fact does not always mean that an individual is not a Christian.

That fact does not always mean that a group is not Christian.

I personally believe that this fact demonstrates that all claims made by any group of Christians to be exclusively the only “One True Church” are therefore proven false.

Logically, this is so because to make the claim of infallibility or to claim to teach the precise doctrines taught by Jesus and His Apostles necessitates that such teaching conforms to what Jesus and His Apostles originally taught. To differ invalidates the claim.

An example of a position taken by some mistaken groups is that they:

(6B) Deny the sufficiency of Scripture, +*2Ti 3:17.

A careful study of the context of 2 Timothy 3:17 will help settle the question of just what the term “scripture” includes.

Paul writes about Timothy’s having known the holy scriptures from his infancy. This is verified by the term in the original Greek text, “brephos,” which Strong defines as “an infant (properly unborn) literally or figuratively.” This reference to Scripture in 2 Timothy 3:15 refers, therefore, to the Hebrew Scriptures, our Old Testament. The term for “known” is “oida,” a reference to intuitive knowledge, full conscious knowledge that cannot be improved upon; to know without effort. Paul tells us how Timothy gained this knowledge when he states in 2 Timothy 1:5 that “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well” (English Standard Version). Luke tells us a bit more about how Paul met Timothy in Acts 16:1, “Paul came also to Derbe and to Lystra. A disciple was there, named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer, but his father was a Greek” (ESV).

When Paul writes, in his next sentence, at 2 Timothy 3:16, “All scripture,” he writes in a  manner that intentionally includes the Scriptures of our New Testament. The Apostles knew that what they wrote was Scripture, as confirmed by what Peter wrote at 2 Peter 3:16, “As also in all his epistles, speaking in them of these things; in which are some things hard to be understood, which they that are unlearned and unstable wrest, as they do also the other scriptures, unto their own destruction,” where “also the other scriptures” refers to others of the same kind, rendering the Greek word “loipoi.”

Paul then proceeds to specify what Scripture is sufficient for, when he writes in 2 Timothy 3:16, “All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.”

Now to the key text:

2Ti 3:17  That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

Careful readers of the Bible know that Scripture interprets Scripture. The Bible is its own best commentary. By comparing Scripture with Scripture we gain a more accurate understanding of what the Bible teaches. This is so because the Bible does not speak exhaustively about a subject all at one place. To find out all the places where a particular subject or topic is mentioned it is most helpful to consult a study resource which contains the most complete collection of cross references you can find.

Here are some of the cross references I have found for 2 Timothy 3:17,

that the man of God. Deuteronomy 33:1. Joshua 14:6. Joshua 13:6, 8. 1 Timothy 6:11. 2 Peter 1:21.

perfect. or, fitted. Gr. artios (S# G739, only here), fresh, that is, (by implication) complete (Strong). Job 36:4. 2 Corinthians 13:9. Philippians 3:15. James 1:4.

throughly furnished. or, perfected, or, equipped. Holy Scripture is the only source of doctrinal and spiritual authority for the Christian. This passage teaches the sufficiency of Scripture: Scripture furnishes all that the Christian must know to be saved and to grow in grace, and tells us all we need to know to live a life which is well pleasing to God. This very text of Scripture teaches we must go by Scripture alone. This is a position logically derived from the statements of the Bible itself, starting here (see also Psa 119:104, 105; Psa 119:130, Isa 8:20, Jer 23:28, Mrk 12:24, Jhn 5:39; **Jhn 20:31, Act 17:11, 12, 1Th 5:21 note. 1Pe 2:2, 2Pe 1:19; 2Pe 3:18). The Bible as we now have it is complete: there are no additional sources available today which contain genuine communications from Jesus, his original twelve disciples, or the Apostle Paul, that are essential and necessary for a person to have saving knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ, words which legitimate scholarship agrees are genuine and from the time of Christ. All we have, and all we need, is contained in the 27 primary source first century documents of our New Testament, and the 39 books of the Old Testament, and nowhere else. Psalm 119:104, 113, 128. Jeremiah 23:28. Matthew 13:52. Ephesians 4:11, 12, 13, 14.

unto all. Job 23:12. Acts 20:20, 27, 32. **2 Corinthians 9:8. Colossians 2:3, 4, 7, 8. 1 Thessalonians 2:13. 2 Peter 1:3.

good works. 2 Timothy 2:21. Nehemiah 2:18. Micah 2:7. Mark 12:24. Acts 9:36. Romans 12:2. 1 Corinthians 2:13, 15, 16. **2 Corinthians 9:8. Ephesians 2:10. 1 Timothy 5:10. Titus 2:14. 3:1, 8. Hebrews 10:24.

WHAT THE SUFFICIENCY OF SCRIPTURE APPLIES TO:

Notice the expression, unto all. This teaches that Scripture is sufficient unto all things that pertain to the life of the Christian believer.

The Bible is sufficient to teach us about doctrinal truth;

The Bible is sufficient to teach us about church organization;

The Bible is sufficient to teach us about how God wants us to live;

The Bible is sufficient to adequately guide us in our family life;

The Bible is sufficient to guide us in our church life;

The Bible is sufficient to teach us how to fulfill our responsibilities in each of these areas of life and much more.

As I compiled additional cross references to produce The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, I discovered that the Bible provides sufficient direction even though it does not always provide exhaustive information about a subject of concern.

For example, Jesus commanded us to “make disciples of all nations” (Matthew 28:19, 20).

Mat 28:19  Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost:
Mat 28:20  Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. (KJV)

Mat 28:19 Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Mat 28:20 teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (ESV)

I learned and discovered that the Bible gives much instruction about how to make disciples. I have placed a note in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge at Jonah 4:11 which will lead any serious student of Scripture to the passages in Scripture that provide instruction on how to make disciples.

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #955, Proverbs 11:27

Posted on October 11, 2025 by Jerry

 

The Nugget:

Pro 11:27  He that diligently seeketh good procureth favour: but he that seeketh mischief, it shall come unto him. (KJV)

Pro 11:27  He that devises good counsels seeks good favour: but as for him that seeks after evil, evil shall overtake him. (LXX, Brenton translation)

Pro 11:27  If your goals are good, you will be respected, but if you are looking for trouble, that is what you will get. (GNB, Good News Bible)

Pro 11:27  Whoever eagerly seeks good searches for good will, but whoever looks for evil finds it. (GW, God’s Word translation)

Pro 11:27 Try hard to do right, and you will win friends; go looking for trouble, and you will find it. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

Pro 11:27  People are pleased with those who try to do good. Those who look for trouble will find it. (ERV, Easy-to-Read Version)

Pro 11:27  The one who diligently seeks good seeks favor, but the one who searches for evil – it will come to him. (NET Bible)

My Comment:

Proverbs 11:27 is another example of a verse which states a cause/effect relationship:

cause: “He that diligently seeketh good”
effect:  “procureth favour”

cause: “he that seeketh mischief”
effect: “it [mischief] shall come unto him”

This is yet another new example of a cause/effect relationship passage that needs to be added to the already extensive list at Psalm 9:10 in the New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and the Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury.

It is possible to dig still deeper into the study of Proverbs 11:27 by studying the cross references given for this verse:

from the original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge:

Proverbs 11:27
diligently: Shochair, properly, “rising early to seek” what is greatly desired.

he that seeketh: Pro 17:11; Est 7:10; Psa 7:15, 16, Psa 9:15, 16, Psa 10:2, Psa 57:6

from the Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Proverbs 11:27
diligently. Shochair, properly, “rising early to seek” what is greatly desired. +Job 8:5 (*S# H7836).

he that seeketh. Pro 17:11, *Est 7:10, *Psa 7:14, 16; Psa 9:15, 16; Psa 10:2; Psa 57:6.

It is possible, and for some this may be very helpful, to further expand the number of cross references for Proverbs 11:27 as follows:

Proverbs 11:27
diligently. Shochair, properly, “rising early to seek” what is greatly desired. +Job 8:5 (*S# H7836). Ge 21:14.  22:3. 28:18. Ex 15:26. 24:4. Mat 5:6. Heb 11:6.

seeketh good. Pr 8:9. Ps 5:12. Isa 49:8. Am 5:14. Mat 5:9. 6:33. **Heb 12:14.

procureth favour. Ge 47:25. Mal 3:16, 17. **Mt 10:42. +*Lk 6:35. Heb 11:6.

he that seeketh. Pro 17:11, *Est 7:10, 1Ki 20:7, *Psa 7:14, 15, 16; Psa 9:15, 16; Psa 10:2; Psa 57:6.

mischief. Heb. ra’a’. [S# H7451. Pr 8:13 (evil). Pr 11:15. Pr 11:19 (evil).  Pr 11:21 (wicked). Pr 11:27 (mischief). Ge 2:9, 17 (evil).]

it shall come. Pr 10:24. 14:32.

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #954, Proverbs 4:7

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Jerry

 

The Nugget:

Proverbs 4:7  Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding. (KJV)

Cross References for Proverbs 4:7

from the original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge:

Proverbs 4:7
Wisdom is: Ecc 7:12, Ecc 9:16, 17, 18; Mat 13:44, 45, 46; Luk 10:42; Php 3:8

with: Pro 16:16, Pro 21:6; Psa 49:16, 17, 18, 19, 20; Ecc 2:4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, Ecc 4:8; Mrk 8:36, 37; Luk 12:20

get understanding: Psa 119:104

from the Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Proverbs 4:7
Wisdom is. Pro 8:18, 2Ch 1:10, Job 22:2, *Ecc 7:12; Ecc 9:16, 17, 18, Mat 5:6; **Mat 6:33; *Mat 13:44, 45, 46, Luk 10:42, *Php 3:8.

with all thy getting. Note: Do not be contented merely with the lessons of wisdom, or satisfied with having a sound religious creed; but see that thou comprehend, and rightly apply, all that thou hast learned. Wisdom prescribes the best end, and the means best calculated for its attainment; understanding directs to the ways, times, places, and opportunities of practicing the lessons of wisdom. Wisdom sees, but understanding feels. +*Pro 4:23, Pro 14:18; *Pro 16:16; Pro 18:15; Pro 21:6, *Psa 49:16, 17, 18, 19, 20, Ecc 1:13; Ecc 2:4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9; Ecc 4:8, *Mrk 8:36; *Mrk 8:37, *Luk 12:20.

get wisdom. Psa 90:12.

get understanding. +*Psa 119:104.

My Comment:

During my teaching career in the Detroit Public Schools from 1962 until 2001 I posted Proverbs 4:7 as the first  “Proverb and Quotation” for my students to keep in their English Notebook.

The book of Proverbs has long been one of my favorite Bible books to read and study. There is much practical wisdom and guidance suitable for everyone in the book of Proverbs. My high school Sunday school teachers (Dean Sawdon and John Boyko) at Highland Park Baptist Church encouraged us to read a chapter each day from Proverbs. I took their advice seriously and for many years did what they suggested.

There is a major problem prevalent among many Christians today that I find to be inexcusable: they are not avid readers of the Bible. God expects His people to be diligent readers of His written word, the Bible.

Reading the Preface to Charles Bridges’ Commentary on the Book of Proverbs this past week informed me that in his day (the early 1800s) few Christians took any interest in reading the book of Proverbs. They found it hard to understand. Most Bible readers then read what to them were the more interesting and familiar parts of the Bible instead. Such Bible readers surely don’t know what they are missing!

From Charles Bridges’ Preface I found a valuable suggestion about reading Proverbs: read it according to the following several topics:

1. The sovereign on the throne is instructed as from God:  Proverbs 8:15, 16; 16:10, 11, 12, 13; 20:8, 26; 21:1; 25:2, 3, 4, 5; 28:16; 29:14; 31:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9.

2. The principles of national prosperity or decay are laid open: Proverbs 11:14; 14:34; 24:6; 28:2.

3. The rich are warned of their besetting temptations:  Proverbs 18:11; 23:4, 5; 28:20, 22.

4. The poor are cheered in their worldly humiliation: Proverbs 15:16, 17; 17:1; 19:1, 22; 28:6.

5. Wise rules are given for self-government:  Proverbs 4:23, 24, 25, 26, 27; 16:32; 23:1, 2, 3.

6. ‘It bridles the injurious tongue:  Proverbs 4:24; 10:31; 17:20; 25:23; 26:20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26.

7. corrects the wanton eye: Proverbs 5:20, 21; 6:25, 26, 27, 28, 29; 23:26, 27.

8. and ties the unjust hand in chains,’ Proverbs 18:5; 28:8.

9. It prevents sloth:  Proverbs 6:6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11; 12:27; 13:4; 19:24; 20:4; 24:30, 31, 32, 33, 34.

10. Chastises all absurd desires: Proverbs 21:25, 26.

11. Teaches prudence: [**Proverbs 1:10.] Proverbs 6:1, 2, 3, 4, 5. 14:8, 15, 18; 22:3; 25:6, 7, 8, 9, 10.

12. Raises man’s courage: Proverbs 4:14, 15; 28:1.

13. And represents temperance and chastity after such a fashion, that we cannot but have them in veneration’: Proverbs 5:15, 16, 17, 18, 19 with Proverbs 23:29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35. Basil quoted by Bishop Patrick.

14. To come to important matters so often mismanaged–the blessing or curse of the marriage ordinance is vividly portrayed: Proverbs 18:22; 19:14; 31:10 with Proverbs 12:4; 19:13; 21:9, 19.

15. Sound principles of family order and discipline are inculcated: Proverbs 13:24; 14:1; 19:18; 22:6; 23:14, 15; 29:15, 17, 19, 21.

16. Domestic economy is displayed in its adorning consistency: Proverbs 27:23, 24, 25, 26, 27; 31:10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27.

17. Nay–even the minute courtesies of daily life are regulated: Proverbs 23:6, 7, 8; 25:17.

18. Self-denying consideration of others: Proverbs 3:27, 28.

19. And liberal distribution are enforced:  Proverbs 11:24;  22:9.

20. All this diversified instruction is based upon the principles of true godliness: Proverbs 31:10, 30.

Charles Bridges concludes his Preface, writing that (citing Psalm 119:9, 11) the author of Proverbs “expressly states the Book to be written for the heeding of youth” (Proverbs 1:4; 4:1).

It takes them as it were by the hand, sets up way-marks to warn against coming danger and imminent temptations (Proverbs 1:10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15; 2:10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19; 5:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13; 7:1, 2, 3, 4, 5.), and allures them into the bright ways of God by the most engaging motives (Proverbs 3:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18; 8:17).

And never surely was the object so momentous, as at the present day.

Our young are growing up at a period, when “the foundations of the earth are out of course;” and when subtle and restless efforts are making to poison their hearts and pervert their ways.

Nothing therefore can be more important, than to fortify them with sound principles; that, when withdrawn from the parental wing into a world or a Church (alas! that we should be constrained to use the term!) of temptation, they may be manifestly under a Divine cover–the children of a special Providence.

What this invaluable Book impresses upon their minds is–the importance of deep-seated principles in the heart; the responsibility of conduct in every step of life; the danger of trifling deviations for expediency’s sake; the value of self-discipline; the habit of bringing everything to the Word of God; the duty of weighing in just balances a worldly and heavenly portion, and thus deciding the momentous choice of an everlasting good before the toys of earth.

Charles Bridges, Commentary on Proverbs, Preface, pages x and xi.

 

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