Daily Bible Nugget #287, 2 Corinthians 2:17

Posted on June 13, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

2 Corinthians 2:17 For we are not as many, which corrupt the word of God: but as of sincerity, but as of God, in the sight of God speak we in Christ.

My Comment:

The wicked corrupt the Scriptures (The New Topical Textbook, subheading under the main topic “The Scriptures,” page 240).

Paul spoke of there being many in his day which corrupt the word of God. In context, much of the second letter to the Corinthians was written to defend his apostleship against the claims of false teachers, namely Judaizers, who did not regard Paul very highly. Paul in 2 Corinthians 13:5 challenges the Corinthian Christians to think more deeply about what they were getting themselves into should they begin to believe these false teachers and turn from Paul’s teaching. Since the Corinthians were brought to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ through the instrumentality of the Apostle Paul, should they determine that he was a false teacher, then how is it they were truly saved?

In our day there are many who corrupt the Word of God. Some teach false doctrines but claim what they teach is the teaching of Scripture. Of course, it is obvious to most Bible readers that groups like the Jehovah’s Witnesses corrupt the Word of God. They have created their own translation called The New World Translation which is anti-Trinitarian. You would never notice, for example, that the Holy Spirit is a person when reading that translation. Yet, in the original language, the Greek text, the fact that the Holy Spirit is a person is clearly there. Even in English one cannot get around Ephesians 4:30, which speaks of grieving the Holy Spirit. It is not possible to grieve a non-person. Therefore this fact alone is enough to establish that the Holy Spirit is a person.

The Jehovah’s Witnesses argue that the “Trinity doctrine” was borrowed from paganism, for the word “trinity” is not to be found in the Bible. Granted the “word” is not there, but the “thing” that “word” names is most certainly there, in both the Old Testament and the New Testament. The Trinity is a necessary inference rightly drawn from a careful study of the Bible text.

The Roman Catholic Church is guilty of corrupting the Word of God found in Scripture. First of all, the Roman Catholic Church adds to the written Word of God what they call Tradition, and hold that Tradition is authoritative in establishing Christian doctrine, and necessary, because the Bible does not contain all God requires us to know and do. Second of all, the Roman Catholic Church holds a view of the Lord’s Supper which is not at all in accordance with what the Bible teaches by (1) holding the belief in Transubstantiation, that the bread and wine are actually transmuted into the actual physical body and blood of Christ, a belief which is based on a misunderstanding or denial of the Figures of Speech in the Bible–as failing to see Metaphor and Metalepsis: when Jesus stood before His disciples and took the bread and said “Take, eat, this is my body”(Matthew 26:26), and when he took the cup and said “This cup is the new testament in my blood, which is shed for you” (Luke 22:20)–clearly both physical elements represent but are not the actual blood and body of Christ, as signaled by the word “is,” and (2) using only one element of the Lord’s Supper rather than both elements as commanded by our Lord Jesus Christ. Third, the Roman Catholic Church teaches salvation through participation in its sacraments, a doctrinal position not to be found in the New Testament, and a most serious error. Fourth, the “Mass” itself is not to be found or hinted at in the New Testament, and as a supposed and claimed repetition of the sacrifice of Christ is directly contrary to the express statement and teaching of Scripture (Hebrews 1:3; Hebrews 7:27; 9:28; 10:10, 12) that the sacrifice of Christ was offered but once and never repeated. One would think that any intelligent reader of the New Testament in a plain text Bible would on a plain reading of that text notice that there is a world of difference between what the Roman Catholic Church teaches and does compared to what the New Testament itself presents as the truth of the Gospel.

A careful study of Scripture, particularly a study of the doctrine of the Atonement of Christ, will demonstrate that what is commonly taught today, the Penal Satisfaction Theory of the Atonement, is utterly unscriptural in the extreme. The Atonement Theory you believe in has far-reaching consequences. R. L. Lavender writes in his introduction to a commentary on the book of Romans by his father, Malcolm Lavender, “There isn’t an error in doctrine or practice that cannot be traced back to erroneous views concerning the Atoning death of Jesus Christ. The way man thinks about the Atonement has everything to do with his philosophy of life, his moral character, and his religious experience. It is, therefore, of the highest importance that our apprehension correspond as nearly as possible to the revelation found in Scripture” (page xv, Introduction to Expository Notes on Romans, Malcolm L. Lavender, 2009).

And again, “The Doctrine of the Atonement is vitally important because one’s view of what took place at Calvary has far reaching consequences. It will clarify or contaminate one’s basic theology concerning the nature of God, salvation, Christian practice, and consequently the nature of the account one will give to God in the final Judgment.”

Mr. R. L. Lavender discusses some central issues by asking: (1) Is salvation non-regenerative, i.e. legal, or regenerative? (2) What is the nature of Christian practice? Are Christians to continue in sin, or stop sinning and live the life of obedience? (3) How does an atonement theory affect one’s eternal destiny? Does God love us all? Even me? What must I do to be saved? Can God save me from my sin, from my carnal nature? Or is full salvation a future experience, after death? If I continue to sin can I still go to heaven? Or do I have to obey God in everything?

The Doctrine of the Atonement is vitally important because one’s Atonement theory determines (1) whether salvation is for the few (the elect) or all of Adam’s fallen race; (2) whether salvation is conditional or unconditional; (3) one’s view of the final Judgment (page xviii, xix). The Biblical view of the Atonement is aptly termed Priestly-Sacrificial Atonement.

We must ever be on our guard against mistaken theology by testing what we are taught, and what we believe, against what is taught in the Bible itself to avoid being among the many who corrupt the word of God.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1331 for 2 Corinthians 2:17.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1353 or in Logos 5 Bible software for 2 Corinthians 2:17.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

2 Corinthians 2:17. For we are not. 2 Cor 3:1. 1 Th 2:3, 5. **2 P 1:16n. as many. ver. 2 Cor 2:6. 2 Cor 11:13. Ac 20:29. which. 2 Cor 4:2. 11:13-15. Pr 13:17. Is 1:18. Je 5:31. 23:27-32. Mt 13:39. 22:16. 24:24. 1 Cor 3:12. 1 Th 2:3, 5. 1 Tim 1:19, 20. 4:1-3. 2 Tim 2:6-18. 4:3, 4. +*Titus 1:11. 2 P 2:1-3. 1 J 4:1. 2 J 1:7-11. Jude 1:4. Re 2:14, 15, 20. 12:9. 19:20. corrupt. or, deal deceitfully with. or, adulterate. or, make a trade. Gr. kapēleuō (S#2585g, only here). The word kapēlos, which occurs once in the Septuagint, meant a huckster, tavern-keeper, and then the verb came to mean “adulterate.” See Is 1:22, where the Septuagint reads, “thy wine-sellers mix the wine with water” (CB). T#1102. *2 Cor 4:2. 11:3. Is 1:22. Da 2:9. Mt 4:6. +*Mt 22:29. Mk 12:14. Lk 20:21. Ro 16:18. **Ga 1:7. **Ep 4:14. *Col 2:8. 2 Th 2:10. 1 Tim 5:13. **+1 Tim 6:5. 2 Tim 3:6. Titus 2:7. *2 P 2:3. **2 P 3:16. 2 J 1:9-11. Jude 1:3. the word of God. +*Is 8:20n. +Ro 9:6. **Ro 10:17. **He 4:12. but as. FS160B, +Ge 25:31. of sincerity. *2 Cor 1:12. **2 Cor 4:2. 1 K 22:14. Ac 20:20, 27. 1 Cor 4:2. +1 Cor 5:8. Phil 1:10, 16. He 11:27. as of. FS160B, +Ge 25:31. in the sight of. or, before. Gr. katenōpion (S#2714g). **2 Cor 5:11. 6:4. 7:12. 8:21. 12:19g. +Ro 1:9. +Ro 9:1. Ep 1:4g. Col 1:22g. 1 Th 1:3. Jude 1:24g. speak we. 2 Cor 12:19. 2 Ch 18:13. Jb 36:4. Je 17:16. +**Je 23:28n. 1 Cor 7:25. in. or, of.

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Daily Bible Nugget #286, Colossians 3:16

Posted on June 12, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Colossians 3:16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.

My Comment:

Let the Scriptures dwell richly in you (The New Topical Textbook, subheading under main heading “The Scriptures,” page 240).

If you let the word of Christ, which is only found in the Scriptures, dwell in you richly, your life experience, and spiritual life, will be the richer for it. Some people struggle with discouragement and depression. Filling your mind with Scripture, and occupying your mind with Scripture will go along way towards improving the health of your thought life. How can you let the word of Christ dwell in you? If you read it regularly and study it, that will help. You might find it helpful and encouraging to memorize some of your favorite passages in the Bible. If you teach to others what you have learned from Scripture, that too will plant God’s Word in your own heart as well as in those you teach.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1385 for Colossians 3:16.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on pages 1404-1405 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Colossians 3:16.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Colossians 3:16. the word. Gr. logos, Mk 9:32n. Col 1:5. =2 Ch 17:9. +**Jn 5:39, 40. +*Jn 8:31, 37. *Jn 15:3, 7. +*Jn 17:6. Ac 8:25, 28. 18:24. Phil 2:5. +**2 Tim 3:15, 16. **He 4:12, 13. +**1 P 1:11, 12. +*1 J 1:10. 2 J 1:9. Re 19:10. of Christ. Ps 45:3-5. 110:2, 3. +*Lk 24:44. +*Jn 5:39. Ac 10:43. 1 Cor 14:37. 1 P 1:10, 11. Re 19:10. dwell. Gr. enoikeō (S#1774g, Ro 8:11). T#1101. *Dt 6:6-9. *Dt 11:18-20. +*Jsh 1:8. Jb 22:22. +*Jb 23:12. +*Ps 1:2. **+Ps 119:11, 97. Pr 4:6-8, 13, 21. 16:23. 22:18. +*Je 15:16. Ezk 3:3. Mt 13:20. Lk 2:51. 6:45. 8:15. 11:36. %Jn 5:38. *Jn 15:7. He 10:15, 16. James 1:22-24. %1 J 1:10. *1 J 2:14, 24, 27. 2 J 1:2. Re 10:9. richly. Gr. plousiōs (S#4146g). Dt 17:18-20. 2 K 22:11-13. +*Ps 19:7, 8, 11. +*Ps 119:9, 50, 92, 98-100, 104, 130. Pr 2:4, 5. 6:23. Mt 12:34, 35. 13:44, 52. %+*Mt 22:29. +*Ro 15:4. 2 Cor 6:10. 7:1. Phil 4:19. *1 Tim 6:17g. +**2 Tim 3:15-17. Titus 3:6g,mg. 2 P 1:4, 11g. 1 J 3:2, 3. all wisdom. *+Col 1:9, 28. 2:3, 8. 4:5. +*Jsh 1:8. *1 K 3:9-12, 28. +*Ps 19:7. +*Ps 119:24, 98, 105. *Pr 2:6, 7, 10. **Pr 4:7. 6:22. 7:1-4. 14:8. +*Pr 18:1n. Ec 2:26. Song 5:9-16. +*Is 8:19, 20. *Is 11:2. Mt 13:52. Jn 2:17, 22. Ac 6:9, 10. Ro 16:19. 1 Cor 1:5, 6, 30. *Ep 1:17. *Ep 5:17. 6:17. +*1 Th 5:21. +*James 1:5. *James 3:17. 1 P 3:15. 1 J 2:14. 4:1. teaching. *+Col 1:28. *Ro 15:14. 1 Th 4:18. *1 Th 5:11, 12. *2 Th 3:15. 1 Tim 4:6. He 5:12. *He 12:12-15. admonishing. Gr. noutheteō (S#3560g, Ac 20:31). +*Col 1:28. one another. He 10:24. in psalms. FS173, +Ge 27:44. 2 S 23:1. 1 Ch 16:9. Ps 81:2. *Mt 26:30. *1 Cor 14:26. *+Ep 5:19n. *James 5:13. and hymns. Gr. humnos (S#5215g). Mt 26:30. Mk 14:26. Ro 13:11, 12. Ep 5:14, 19g. 1 T 3:16. and spiritual. Gr. pneumatikos (S#4152g, Ro 1:11). *1 Ch 25:7. *Ne 12:46. *Ps 32:7. *Ps 119:54. Song 1:1. Is 5:1. 26:1. 30:29. +Ro 1:11g. 1 Cor 2:13. Ep 5:19. *Re 5:9. 14:3. *Re 15:3. songs. Gr. ōdē (S#5603g, Ep 5:19). 1 Ch 25:6. Ps 33:3. singing. *Col 4:6. =1 Ch 6:32. =1 Ch 15:22. =1 Ch 25:7. =2 Ch 23:13. *Ps 28:7. 30:11, 12. 47:6, 7. *Ps 63:4-6. 71:23. 95:1. 103:1, 2. 138:1. Song 2:12. Is 35:6. Ezk 40:44. *1 Cor 14:15. *+Ep 4:29. He 13:15. with grace. or, the grace. It is the divine Grace that is implied (WKF, p. 209). Col 1:2. +**1 Cor 15:10. 2 Cor 4:15. Ep 4:29. in your hearts. T#529. +1 S 16:7 (T#333). Ps 111:1. *Is 29:13. 1 Cor 14:15. Ep 5:19, 20. 2 P 1:8. to the Lord. ver. *Col 3:23. Ep 6:1.

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Daily Bible Nugget #285, James 1:25

Posted on June 11, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

James 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

My Comment:

Blessedness of hearing and obeying the Scriptures (The New Topical Textbook, subheading under the main title “The Scriptures,” page 240).

James describes how we are to make use of our Bible. First, we are to look into it. The Bible is a powerful tool to help us grow and thrive spiritually, but if we don’t look into the Bible for ourselves, it will not prove useful for us.

Second, James tells us that God’s Word in the Bible is perfect. That reminds me of Psalm 19:7 which declares God’s word is perfect, converting the soul and making wise the simple. I began reading the Bible for myself in 1953. At the time, my purpose was to learn its content so I would not always appear so dumb in Sunday school class where I rarely knew the answer to a Bible question. I had no idea then that the Bible was designed to convert the soul. I had no idea that I needed converting. But by reading the little pocket New Testament, my whole life was changed because the Bible led me into a personal relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ, and furnished me assurance of salvation in this life. God’s Word is perfect in many other ways. Those who make light of the Bible, who ridicule those who believe it, are not aware of the ignorance of the truth they unwittingly display when they make remarks in person or on the Internet against the Bible.

Third, James tells us the Bible is the law of liberty. Jesus had something to say about that in John 8:32. He promised (John 8:31) that if we continue in His word, we would truly be His disciples. That would result, Jesus said, in our knowing the truth, and the truth would set us free. God’s Word is not a straitjacket designed to burden us at every turn. God’s Word sets us free from the sin that enslaves us. Some read the Bible, and especially the Ten Commandments, and focus on the Fourth Commandment about the Sabbath, and brow-beat everyone else who goes to church on Sunday instead of Saturday with the accusation that they are Sabbath violators. Any church that teaches this false doctrine is in bondage to legalism, failing to recognize that Christ set us totally free from the Jewish law (Colossians 2:14), and replaced it with a new life. The new life Christ gives us does not focus upon obedience to the commandments of the law, but leads us to produce the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22, 23). New life in Christ results from regenerative change (2 Corinthians 5:17; Titus 3:5), wrought by the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:25). Christ gives us liberty (Galatians 5:1) and He does not place us under the bondage of the Law (Galatians 2:16, 21; Acts 15:10).

Fourth, James tells us we must not merely look into God’s Word, but we must continue in God’s Word. This is a very unpopular doctrine. It is the opposite of the “Once Saved, Always Saved” teaching so popular in so-called Evangelical and even Calvinistic circles. The Bible does not teach unconditional eternal security. Such a teaching is absolutely false doctrine. What the Bible does teach is the absolute eternal security of the believer, not the unbeliever! The Bible teaches we must continue to believe. This is taught by the tenses found in the Greek New Testament, which always teaches the necessity and requirement of continuous belief which will result in salvation, not a one-time momentary “act of faith.” That very truth is obvious starting at John 3:16. See also John 5:24. And don’t miss John 10:27 which must be considered, and its conditions met, before you lay claim to the promise of John 10:28! Take note of Colossians 1:23 too.

Fifth, James tells us we must not be forgetful hearers. The only way not to forget what we hear (or, often as not in our day, what we read) in God’s Word, the Bible, is to continue to read the Bible and make it the object of our study. Remembering what the Bible says does not take place automatically. You cannot forget what you never knew!

Sixth, James tells us that the necessary condition to reap the blessing promised involves being a doer of the work. That is, we must obey what the Bible teaches us. We must put what we learn from the Bible into practice.

Seventh, James tells us that if we do these things we shall be blessed in what we do. As always in Scripture, to receive the promised blessing, we must meet the stipulated conditions.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on pages 1447-1448 for James 1:25.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1466 or in Logos 5 Bible software for James 1:25.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

James 1:25. But whoso. or, he that. looketh. or, became absorbed. Literally, stooped down (to look). Gr. parakuptō [(S#3879g), to bend beside, that is, lean over (so as to peer within) [Strong]: Rendered (1) stoop down: Lk 24:12. Jn 20:5, 11. (2) look: James 1:25. 1 P 1:12]. The mirror is conceived as placed on a table or on the ground (Vincent). Ge 26:8. Dt 27:26. Pr 7:6. 14:15. SS 2:9. Is 2:3. +**Is 8:20n. Lk 12:24, 27. 24:12. Jn 8:31. *Jn 20:5n, 11g. Ac 7:31, 32. 11:6. +**Ac 17:11. *2 Cor 13:5. *He 12:15. *1 P 1:12. the perfect. Gr. teleios (S#5046g, Mt 5:48). James 2:8. Mt 5:48. 1 Cor 9:21. Ga 6:2. law. James 2:12. Dt 33:2, 3. Ps 1:2. **Ps 19:7-10. 40:8. 119:32, *Ps 119:45, **Ps 119:96-105. Pr 6:23. Je 31:33. *Ro 3:27. *Ro 7:12, 14, 16, 22, 23. *Ro 8:2. 1 Tim 1:8. liberty. or, freedom. Gr. eleutheria [(S#1657g): Ro 8:21. 1 Cor 10:29. 2 Cor 3:17. Ga 2:4. 5:1, 13. James 1:25. 2:12. 1 P 2:16, 19]. James 2:8, 10, 12. +*Ps 119:32, 45. Ex 35:5. Dt 28:47. **+Jn 8:32, 36. Ro 6:22. *Ro 8:2, *Ro 8:15. 13:10. 1 Cor 7:22. *2 Cor 3:17, 18. Ga 2:4. **Ga 5:1, 13, 14. 1 P 2:16. 2 P 2:19. and continueth. Gr. paramenō [(S#3887g): Rendered (1) continue: He 7:23. James 1:25. (2) abide: 1 Cor 16:6]. ver. %James 1:24. 1 S 12:14. +*Ps 119:15, 98. +*Jn 8:31. 15:9, 10. Ac 2:42. +*Ac 13:43. 26:22. *Ro 2:7, 8. +*Ro 11:22. +**Col 1:23. *1 Tim 2:15. +*1 Tim 4:16. *1 J 2:24. a forgetful. Gr. epilēsmonē (S#1953g, only here), negligence (Strong). ver. James 1:23, 24. hearer. +*Lk 11:28. but a doer. ver. +*James 1:22. James 4:11. Dt 5:10. 2 K 23:24. +*Ps 119:34. Pr 29:18. Mt 7:24. *Mk 3:35. Lk 6:47. +*Lk 11:28. +*Jn 13:17. this man shall be blessed. Gr. makarios (S#3107g, Mt 5:3). ver. James 1:12. Dt 5:29. 10:13. 11:27. +*Ps 1:1, 2. *Ps 19:11. 106:3. +*Ps 119:1-3. Pr 24:14. Da 6:20. *Lk 6:47, etc. *+Lk 11:28, 36. +*Jn 13:17. +**1 Cor 15:58. +*Re 14:13. 22:14. deed. or, doing. ver. James 1:27. Ro 10:9, 10.

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Daily Bible Nugget #284, Luke 11:28

Posted on June 10, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Luke 11:28 But he said, Yea rather, blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

My Comment:

Jesus expressed the blessedness of hearing and obeying the Scriptures (The New Topical Textbook, subheading under the major topic “The Scriptures,” page 240).

Taking the immediately preceding verse into account will upset some readers who cannot stomach controversy in spiritual things. That is just too bad. In Luke 11:28 notice the word “rather.” That word points back to something that was just said, upon which Jesus was commenting. Here is the previous verse:

Luke 11:27 And it came to pass, as he spake these things, a certain woman of the company lifted up her voice, and said unto him, Blessed is the womb that bare thee, and the paps which thou hast sucked.

Apparently there was already a movement afoot to give undue honor and prominence to the earthly mother of Jesus.

Jesus reacted to this comment by directing attention to the importance of hearing the Word of God, and obeying it, rather than to expressing any religious honor to his mother Mary. Yes, she is blessed according to the written Word of God as expressed in Luke 1:28 (and Luke 1:42), blessed in the sense she was highly favored. She was no doubt highly favored because (1) she was herself faithful to the Word of God, and (2) she was in the direct line of descent of the Davidic line through which the Scriptures had promised the Messiah would come; and (3) therefore became the mother of our Lord. But Jesus called attention to what He said was more important than all this conveyed by the woman who spoke up to publicly give special honor to the mother of Jesus. Jesus said, Yes, rather, blessed are they who hear the word of God and keep it.

It is very important to really hear the word of God as it is recorded for us in the Bible, and nowhere else. Jesus cautioned us to take heed how we hear (Luke 8:18) as well as what we hear (Mark 4:24).

We need to be very careful that we are not fooling ourselves into hearing selectively only what we want to hear (2 Timothy 4:3). Jesus made frequent reference to Isaiah 6:9, 10, which warns not to be among those who hear but do not understand. This verse in Isaiah 6:9, 10 is quoted in the New Testament at Matthew 13:14, 15. Mark 4:12. Luke 8:10. Acts 28:26, 27. Romans 11:8. It is also quoted at John 12:40. In terms of taking care how we hear (Luke 8:18), we must hear with understanding. We need to focus on the truth God presents us in His written Word, the Bible, and make it our sole standard and rule of faith.

We need to take special care in terms of what we hear (Mark 4:24). Are we listening to the wrong voices? There are many voices clamoring to be heard, and in spiritual matters often claiming to be the only true voice. The only true voice is found in Scripture. Some people are listening to false doctrine because it suits their preference. People often are lured into following false cults. False cults are very effective in attracting new adherents. False cults often prey upon genuine Christians who already have an established faith, and attempt to lure a person from the truth to follow the lies of the false cult. Some false cults are attractive to some individuals because they teach against eternal punishment. Some false cults appeal to the unwary by asserting claims of being the original Christian church with a line of leadership which extends unbroken back to the original Apostles of Christ, claiming Peter as their first Pope, or else trace themselves back to John the Baptist through an unbroken line of authorized baptizers. But if you would read a plain-text Bible without any denominational notes in it, you would surely never be led in any of these mistaken directions by what the Bible itself teaches. That is why these false religions make a special effort to (1) declare that you cannot understand the Bible correctly apart from their direction; (2) declare that you cannot go by the Bible alone.

Jesus said it is most important to both hear the word of God, and keep it. To keep the word of God means to obey the word of God. The word of God contains God’s directions for our life. The Bible includes commands from Jesus and commands from God that should guide our morality, our spiritual and religious affiliations, and our lifestyle. Jesus spoke of there being two roads–the broad road traveled by the majority that leads to destruction, and the narrow road that leads to eternal life traveled by the very few who find it (Matthew 7:13, 14). Make sure you are on the right road!

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1130 for Luke 11:28.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1152 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Luke 11:28.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Luke 11:28. Yea rather. Lk 6:47, 48. +*Lk 8:21. +*Ps 1:1-3. 112:1. *Ps 119:1-6. 128:1. Is 48:17, 18. *Mt 7:21-25. *Mt 12:48-50. +*Jn 13:17. +*James 1:21-25. *1 J 3:21-24. Re 1:3. 22:7, 14. blessed. Gr. makarios (S#3107g, Mt 5:3). T#1100. Ps 32:1. 106:3. +*Mt 5:3. 11:6. 25:34. James 1:25. *Re 1:3. 22:7. are they. *Lk 8:21. Pr 7:4. Mt 11:6. +*Mt 12:50. Mk 3:34. that hear. +**Lk 8:18, 21. Dt 11:27. 28:1. 1 K 10:8. 2 Ch 9:7. Jb 29:11. +*Jb 37:2. Mt 7:24. +**Mk 4:24. **Ro 10:17. +James 1:22. the word of God. +Lk 5:1. Is 2:3. +**Ac 17:11. **1 Th 2:13. and keep. **Lk 6:46. *Lk 8:15. Le 18:26. 19:37. 22:31. Nu 15:40. +*Dt 4:40. 5:29. +*Dt 26:16. 27:1. 29:9. +*Jsh 1:8. Ps 119:105. Pr 7:1, 4. 8:32, 34. 10:17. 19:16. 29:18. Is 56:2. %Ezk 18:11. %*Ezk 33:31. **Mt 7:21. 12:50. +*Jn 13:17. 14:21. Ro 2:13. +**2 Tim 3:15-17. 4:7. **James 1:22. 1 J 2:5.

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Daily Bible Nugget #283, Acts 17:11

Posted on June 9, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

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.

My Comment:

They who search the Scriptures are truly noble (The New Topical Textbook, subtopic under the main heading “The Scriptures,” page 240).

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. By way of practical application, readers here would find it helpful to (1) study carefully the cross references I furnish every day; (2) invite others you are in contact with to visit this site regularly to deepen their knowledge of the Bible and how to study it; (3) pay close attention to the Scripture your own pastor uses in his messages, and as time permits, study those verses by means of cross reference Bible study using The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, my revision and expansion of that classic resource, The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge and Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible; (4) teach high school age young people how to study the Bible using these resources–it will lead to a whole lifetime of understanding the Bible better and will bring them into a closer relationship with God and His written Word.

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.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 1250 for Acts 17:11.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on pages 1270-1271 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Acts 17:11.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Acts 17:11. more noble. or, well-born. Gr. eugenēs (S#2104g). High in rank, hence they were more courteous (CB). T#1099. *Ac 13:7. Ge 34:19. 1 Ch 4:9. *Pr 1:5. 9:9. Je 2:21. Lk 19:12g. Jn 1:46-49. 1 Cor 1:26g. Thessalonica. ver. +Ac 17:1. 1 Th 1:1. 2 Tim 4:10. they received. *Ac 2:41. 8:14. 10:33. 11:1. Ne 8:3. +*Jb 23:12. *Pr 2:1-5. **Pr 4:7, 20-22. 8:10. Ec 5:1. Song 8:2. Je 6:16. *Mt 13:11, 23. Mk 4:8. Lk 10:38, 39. 2 Cor 8:5. 1 Th 1:6. **1 Th 2:13. *2 Th 2:10. **James 1:21. **1 P 2:2. the word. Gr. logos, Mk 9:32n. +Ac 8:4. 10:36. *Lk 16:29. readiness of mind. Ac 10:33. %Ac 14:2. 16:14. %+*1 Samuel 25:17. **Ps 25:9. Mk 12:37. *S#4288g: Ac 17:11. 2 Cor 8:11, 12 (willing mind), 2 Cor 8:19 (ready mind). 2 Cor 9:2 (forwardness). This word is used in the New Testament (1) of a ready desire to hear God’s word, and (2) of a ready desire to give to God’s work (Thomas Walker). and searched. or, examined. Gr. anakrinō, *S#350g. Rendered (1) examine: Ac 4:9. 12:19. 24:8. 28:18. Lk 23:14. 1 Cor 9:3. (2) judge: 1 Cor 2:15, 15. 4:3, 3, 4. 14:24. (3) ask question: 1 Cor 10:25, 27. (4) search: Ac 17:11. (5) discern: **1 Cor 2:14. Thayer defines this word “By looking through a series (ana) of objects or particulars to distinguish (krino) or search after. Hence, to investigate, examine, inquire into, scrutinize, sift, question” (Lexicon, p. 39). Compare “search” at Jn 5:39, the same English but a different Greek word (*S#2045g). T#1069. Le 11:3. 1 Ch 28:8. **Ps 1:2, 3. 119:18, 97-100, *Ps 119:148. Pr 2:2. +*Pr 8:9. *Pr 15:14. +**Is 8:20n. *Is 34:16. *Lk 16:29. *Lk 24:44. *Jn 3:21. +**Jn 5:39n, Jn 5:40. 1 Cor 2:14g. 1 Tim 4:13. +**2 Tim 3:15-16. *1 P 1:10-12. +*2 P 1:19-21. *1 J 4:5, 6. the scriptures. ver. Ac 17:2. Ac 8:28. 26:22, 23. *Ps 119:105. *Ps 138:2. +*Je 15:16. +*Je 23:18, 22, 28, 29. +Mt 21:42. +*Mk 12:24. +*Ro 15:4. 2 Tim 2:15. daily. Ac 16:5. Ex 16:4. *Dt 17:18-20. +*Jsh 1:8. 2 Ch 8:14. Ezr 3:4. *Ne 8:18. +*Ps 1:2. Pr 8:34. Lk 11:3. +*Lk 21:36. +**Col 1:10. +*He 3:13. *He 11:6. *1 P 2:2. *2 P 3:18. whether. or, if. FS184D1, +Lk 22:67. A. T. Robertson notes that the Bereans “were eagerly interested in the new message of Paul and Silas but they wanted to see it for themselves. What a noble attitude. Paul’s preaching made Bible students of them. The duty of private interpretation is thus made plain (Hovey)” (Word Pictures, vol. 3, p. 275). T#1059, T#1121. Ac 8:31n. Dt 13:3. +**Pr 14:15. 15:14. *Pr 18:1n, +*Pr 18:17. +**Is 8:20n. Ezk 14:10n. +*Da 11:30. Ho 6:3. +*Mk 4:24. +*Lk 8:18. Jn 4:42. 7:17. **Ro 14:12. 1 Cor 10:15. +*1 Cor 14:29. *2 Cor 4:2. +*Ga 1:8n, 9. **+1 Th 5:21. 1 Tim 4:1. James 1:19. *2 P 3:16, 17. **1 J 4:1.

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Daily Bible Nugget #282, Psalm 119:169

Posted on June 8, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Psalm 119:169 Let my cry come near before thee, O LORD: give me understanding according to thy word.

My Comment:

Saints plead the promises of the Scriptures in prayer (The New Topical Textbook, subheading under the main heading “The Scriptures,” page 240).

The Psalmist is praying to God for understanding. We could all use help in that direction. The Psalmist prays for understanding “according to thy word.” That shows he is basing his prayer request on the promises to be found in God’s Word. God does promise understanding to those who ask for it (James 1:5; Luke 11:9; Proverbs 4:7).

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 634 for Psalm 119:169.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 678 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Psalm 119:169.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Psalm 119:169. Let my cry. Note: This is really a fine image; though, from its frequent occurrence, it is little heeded. The Psalmist’s cry for deliverance is here personified; made an intelligent being, and sent up to the throne of grace, to negotiate in his behalf. This prosopopæia is pursued in the next verse; and he sends his supplication in the same way. S#7440h, 1 K 8:28. ver. Ps 119:58, 145. Ps 17:1. 18:6. 30:5 (joy). Ps 42:4. 47:1 (triumph). *Ps 61:1. *Ps 88:2. *Ps 106:44. 126:5 (joy). *Ps 142:6. +*Ex 2:23. 2 Ch 30:27. give me understanding. ver. +Ps 119:27, +Ps 119:34, 73, *Ps 119:104, 108, 144. Dt 4:6. 1 Ch 22:12. 2 Ch 1:10. Jb 28:12, 20. Pr 2:3-5, 7. 8:14. 11:12. 13:15. 14:29. 17:27, 28. Da 2:21. Ep 1:18. 5:17. +**Col 1:9, 10. 2 Tim 2:7. *James 1:5. according to. ver. +Ps 119:25, 28, +Ps 119:41, 65, 170. thy word. ver. +Ps 119:9, 25.

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Daily Bible Nugget #281, Psalm 119:76

Posted on June 7, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Psalm 119:76 Let, I pray thee, thy merciful kindness be for my comfort, according to thy word unto thy servant.

My Comment:

Saints plead the promises of the Scriptures in prayer (The New Topical Textbook, subheading under the main heading “The Scriptures,” page 240).

Saints are ordinary Bible-believing individuals who have a personal relationship with God the Father, and now since Christ has come, with His Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. “Saints” in the Biblical sense are not created or made so by the declaration of any church. I repeat this because many people are innocently misinformed about this issue by what they hear in the mass media or even from a church that thinks it has the authority to canonize saints. There is no such authority mentioned or granted to anyone by anything that is stated in the Bible.

People are often looking for comfort in the wrong places. Those mistaken places or sources of comfort or relief lead only to despair and ruin, not the comfort promised in the Bible.

I believe the Psalmist, the author of Psalm 119, is David. If I am correct, then David is grounding his request for comfort from God upon what are elsewhere called “the sure mercies of David” (Isaiah 55:3), a most important verse in our Bible.

The next time a representative of the Watchtower Society knocks at your door, answer it. Talk with them. Let them get a word in edgewise, too. Then pop them this question at the end of the conversation: “I have a Bible question, and maybe you could answer it for me, or find the answer for me: What is meant by ‘the sure mercies of David’?”

Probably almost no person you will ever meet from any religious organization or anyone who claims to be from a “One True Church” will know anything about this important Bible passage. Such organizations and churches or denominations do not understand this verse because they cannot harmonize the teaching it represents with their false theological system.

The Psalmist is grounding his prayer on this verse (Isaiah 55:3). He is pleading on the basis of God’s unfailing promise found in His written Word, the Bible. He is praying for comfort–and he knows he can trust God’s mercy and loving kindness–because God has made an irrevocable promise (Romans 11:29) to him in the unconditional Davidic Covenant, and that is the secure source of his comfort. We would do well to learn this great lesson about prayer for ourselves: learn to base our prayer requests on the promises found in God’s Word, the Bible, properly claimed and applied.

Where can you find genuine, lasting comfort? Only in the Bible. The Bible was written for that very purpose (Romans 15:4).

How can you find the comfort of the Scriptures for yourself? One place to start would be to read the cross references given for Romans 15:4. Another place to start would be to read Psalm 34. Or, try Psalm 37. Another place to start would be to read John 14. There are many more helpful cross references to be found and enjoyed on the subject of comfort given at 2 Corinthians 1:3, 4.

You can make a good start on studying the subject of comfort by carefully reviewing the cross references I share below.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 630 for Psalm 119:76.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 674 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Psalm 119:76.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Psalm 119:76. merciful. ver. Ps 119:41, 58, +Ps 119:88, 124, 159. Ps 25:10. 33:22. 57:1. *Ps 86:5. 106:4, 5. *2 Cor 1:3-5. for my comfort. Heb. to comfort me. ver. +*Ps 119:50, +Ps 119:82. Ge 37:35. 2 S 10:2. Is 40:1. *Is 66:13. +*Ro 15:4. +**2 Cor 1:3. according. ver. +Ps 119:25, 28, +Ps 119:41, 58. +**Is 55:3. to thy word. ver. +Ps 119:11, 25, 50. thy servant. ver. +*Ps 119:17, 140. Ps 19:11. 89:39. 116:16n.

Isaiah 55:3. Incline. Is 51:1. Ps 78:1. 119:112. Pr 4:20. 15:31. 22:17. Zc 7:7. come. *Mt 11:28. **Jn 6:37, 44, 45. 7:37. He 11:6. 1 P 2:4. hear. Is 44:1. 48:12. 49:1. Dt 28:1. 30:10. 2 Ch 24:19. Ps 81:8. *Ps 95:7. Pr 1:33. 2:2. +**Pr 18:17. Mt 13:16. 15:10. 17:5. +**Mk 4:24. Lk 6:47. +**Lk 8:18. *Lk 9:35. **Jn 5:24, 25. 8:47. **Jn 10:27. Ac 3:22. He 3:7. 5:9. soul. Heb. nephesh, +Ge 12:13. +**Mt 10:28. shall live. +*Ge 15:6. 19:20. +*Le 18:5. Pr 4:4. 7:2. Je 38:20. Am 5:4. +*Hab 2:4. **Jn 10:27, 28. and I will make. Is 54:8. 61:8. Ge 17:7. 2 Sam 23:5. Je 31:33, 34. 32:40. *Je 50:5. Ezk 16:60. 34:25. 37:26. x Da 9:27. *He 13:20. everlasting. Heb. olam, +Ge 17:7. +Ge 9:16. +Is 44:7n. covenant. Is 54:10. 56:4. 59:21. Ge 15:18. Ex 6:4. Le 26:9. Dt 28:1. Jg 2:1. ** 2 Sam 7:10-16. 1 Ch 16:17. +*Ps 74:20. **Ps 89:34. 111:9. Ro 11:27. He 8:8. 12:24. the sure mercies. +*Is 41:9. +*Is 54:8-10. +*Is 59:21. +** 2 Sam 7:10n, 2 Sam 7:15. 23:5. 1 Ch 17:13. 2 Ch 1:8. 6:42. +*Ps 89:3, 28, 33, 35-37. 119:76. +*Ps 132:11. +*Je 33:20, 21n, Je 33:25, 26. **Ezk 37:24, 25. +**>Ac 13:34. of David. FS181E, +Ge 3:24. Is 38:5. 1 K 11:34. 2 K 20:5. +*Ps 89:49. Je 30:9. Ezk 34:23. 37:24. Ho 3:5. $+*Ac 13:23.

Romans 15:4. whatsoever. +*Ro 4:23, 24. *1 Cor 9:9, 10. *1 Cor 10:11. +**2 Tim 3:16, 17. *2 P 1:19-21. written. +Ro 3:10. *Ps 102:18. Je 30:2. Da 7:1. *Mt 4:4. Jn 19:35. 20:30, **Jn 20:31. aforetime. Jb 8:8. Ga 3:1. Ep 3:3g. Jude 1:4. for our learning. or, teaching. Note: Rather, “for our instruction.” T#1030. Ro 2:18. 12:7. +*Ps 119:130. +*Is 8:20. Mt 13:44. Mk 1:44. +*Mk 12:24. +*Jn 5:39. **Jn 20:31. 1 Cor 1:5. *1 Cor 10:6, 11. Col 2:17. 1 Tim 1:16. +**2 Tim 3:16. He 10:1. 2 P 1:19. **1 J 5:13. patience. or, patient endurance. FS134, +Mt 3:9. In Hebrew the words “patience” and “hope” would be sabbar and subar, thus exhibiting the figure Parechesis, or Foreign Paronomasia. +*Ro 2:7. *Ro 5:3-5. 8:24, 25. *Ro 12:12. Ps 119:81-83. +*Lk 8:15. 21:19. *1 Cor 13:4, 5. 2 Cor 6:4-6. 12:12. 1 Th 1:3. 2 Th 1:4. *He 6:10-19. +*He 10:35, 36. *He 13:5, 6. James 1:3. *James 5:7-11. 1 P 1:13. 2:19-23. 2 P 1:6. Re 2:3. 14:12. and comfort. FS93A, Ge +1:26. T#1051. Ro 8:28. 2 Ch 31:4. 35:2. Jb 5:19. 6:10. 11:16. Ps 27:5. 30:5. 42:5. 103:13. +*Ps 119:50, **Ps 119:52, 76, +**Ps 119:82, 92, 143. 138:7. Is 46:4. 61:3. 63:9. +*Mt 5:4. Jn 14:1-3. Ac 4:36. 15:30, 31. +1 Cor 14:3. 2 Cor 1:3, 4. 1 Th 3:7. 4:13. James 5:7-11. 1 P 4:12, 13. Re 2:10. 3:10. 7:14-17. 14:13. the scriptures. +Ro 1:2. 16:26. Ps 19:7. +Mt 21:42. 22:29. +*Mk 12:24. +**2 Tim 3:15-17. hope. T#1042. Ro 4:18. 5:2, 4-6. 8:24. 12:12. +*Ps 34:4. *Ps 71:14. +*Ps 119:49, 74, 81, 114, 116. 130:5. +*Pr 3:5. 14:32. Jn 15:16. Ac 23:6. 26:6. 1 Cor 9:10. 13:13. 2 Cor 3:12. Ga 5:5. Ep 1:18. +**Ep 2:12. 4:4. Col 1:5, 23, 27. 1 Th 1:3. 2:19. *1 Th 5:8. +*2 Th 2:16. 1 Tim 1:1. *Titus 1:2. *Titus 2:13. 3:7. *He 3:6. +*He 6:11, 18. 7:19. +*1 P 1:3, 4. +*1 P 3:15. **1 J 3:3.

2 Corinthians 1:3. Blessed. 2 Cor 11:31. Ge 14:20. 1 Ch 29:10. Ne 9:5. Jb 1:21. Ps 18:46. 72:19. 135:19, 20. Da 4:34. Mk 14:61. Lk 1:68. Ro 1:25. +*Ro 9:5. *Ep 1:3. *1 P 1:3. God. FS132G, +Ge 3:19. FS68, +Ge 10:1. even. or, and. Ep 1:3. 1 P 1:3. the Father of our. 2 Cor 11:31. Jn 5:22, 23. +*Jn 10:30. *Jn 20:17. *+Ro 15:6. Ep 1:3, 17. Phil 2:11. 2 P 1:17. 2 J 1:4, 9. the Father of mercies. FS96F2, +Ge 4:10. *Ge 19:16. +**Ex 34:6. Ps 25:6. 59:10. *Ps 86:5, 15. +*Ps 119:76. Da 9:9. +*Mi 7:18. +Ro 12:1. Ep 1:17. +James 5:11. the God. Ro 15:5. all comfort. Gr. paraklēsis (S#3874g, +1 Cor 14:3). T#850. 2 Cor 7:6. +*Dt 33:27. Jg 15:19n. Jb 15:11. 29:25. +Ps 23:4 (T#6). Ps 71:21. +*Ps 90:15. +*Ps 119:76. Pr 14:14. *Is 12:1. +Is 41:13 (T#955). *Is 49:13. 51:3, +Is 51:12 (T#956). *Is 54:7, 8. 57:18. 61:1-3. *Is 66:11, 13. *Je 6:16. +*Je 29:11. +**Mt 5:4. Lk 2:25. *Jn 14:18. 16:33. Ac 4:36. 9:31. +1 Cor 14:3. Phil 1:14. *2 Th 2:16, 17. He 6:18.

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Daily Bible Nugget #280, Psalm 119:41

Posted on June 6, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Psalm 119:41 Let thy mercies come also unto me, O LORD, even thy salvation, according to thy word.

My Comment:

Saints plead the promises of the Scriptures in prayer (The New Topical Textbook, subheading under the main topic “The Scriptures,” page 240).

The Psalmist in this prayer for God’s lovingkindness or mercies to reach him, even God’s salvation or deliverance, claims the promises found in God’s Word.

The Bible, therefore, is a suitable guidebook to our prayer life. God reveals His will in His written word found in the Bible, nowhere else. We are told (1 John 5:14) that if we ask anything according to His will, he hears us. Does God always give us what we ask for? Only if our request is according to God’s will, or as the Psalmist prayed, “according to your word.”

If we would base our prayer requests on God’s promises as those promises are revealed in His written Word, our prayers might indeed be more fruitful. But to base our prayers on God’s promises, we would be helped much by doing some Real Bible Study on the subject of God’s promises. One listing of “Promises of God, The” can be found on pages 209-210 of The New Topical Textbook. Another extensive listing of Bible promises may be found in both the Subject Index and the Topic Number Index of The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. I once had a Bible Promise Box filled with little cards on which were printed Bible promises on one side and Bible commands on the other. I still have the little box–but the cards it once contained have been lost. In any case, there are sources available to help you find the promises contained in the Bible.

Once you locate a promise that seems to address your need, you can make a further study of that promise in the Bible by using the cross references which have been collected for that verse. The cross references will guide you to what the rest of the Bible has to say about the promise you found. That can often be of great encouragement when you discover the Bible repeats and further explains a particular promise of interest to you.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 629 for Psalm 119:41.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 673 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Psalm 119:41.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Psalm 119:41. Let thy mercies. ver. Ps 119:58, 76, 77, +Ps 119:88, 124, 132, 159. Ps 6:4. 25:6. 35:3. 69:16. *Ps 106:4, 5. Ge 43:14. +**Is 55:3. *Lk 2:28-32. **Lk 18:13. James 1:21. thy salvation. ver. Ps 119:123, 166, 170. Ps 118:15. Ge 49:18. He 9:28n. according. ver. +Ps 119:25, 28, 58, 65, 76, 116, 154, 170. thy word. ver. +Ps 119:11, 49, 50, 82, 123, 170.

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Daily Bible Nugget #279, Psalm 119:28

Posted on June 5, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Psalm 119:28 My soul melteth for heaviness: strengthen thou me according unto thy word.

My Comment:

Saints plead the promises of the Scriptures in prayer (The New Topical Textbook, subtopic under the main topic “The Scriptures,” page 240).

Once again, the KJV’s “My soul melteth for heaviness” is a bit obscure to readers of modern English. This clause is translated to read “My soul melts away for sorrow” (ESV); “My soul drops with grief” (Literal translation of the Bible); “My soul hath dropped from affliction” (Young’s Literal Translation); “My soul weepeth itself away for grief” (Rotherham); “My soul is wasted with sorrow” (Basic English); “I collapse from grief” (NET Bible); “I am overcome with sorrow” (CEV, Contemporary English Version).

It should be clearer that the Psalmist is saying that he has been overcome with grief, sorrow, or affliction. He turns to God in prayer, claiming God’s promise to strengthen, sustain, establish, confirm, and encourage him according to God’s Word. Thus, the Psalmist is indeed pleading or claiming the promises of God in Scripture in his prayer. The repeated example of the Psalmist encourages us to do the same.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 628 for Psalm 119:28.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 673 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Psalm 119:28.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Psalm 119:28. soul. Heb. nephesh, +Ge 34:3. melteth. Heb. droppeth. T#1404. ver. Ps 119:25. *Ps 22:14. 107:26-28. %+Ex 15:15. Jsh 2:11, 24. Jb 16:20h. Pr 12:25. Ec 10:18h. for heaviness. or, from sorrow. “Weariness,” “despondency” (Kay). or, affliction (Young). ver. Ps 119:25, 50, +*Ps 119:67, 71, 75, 92, 107, 143, 153. Ps 6:7. 116:3. +**Ru 1:13. Pr 10:1. 14:13. 17:21. Is 51:11. Je 45:3. 1 P 1:6. strengthen. Ps 18:1. *Ps 27:14. 29:11. *Ps 68:28. Dt 33:25. 2 S 22:40. Is 28:5, 6. *Is 40:29, 31. *Is 41:10. Da 11:32. Zc 10:12. *Ep 3:16. **Phil 4:13. +**Col 1:10, 11. 1 J 2:14. according. ver. Ps 119:9, 25, 41, 76, 169. +**1 Th 2:13. +*2 P 3:18. thy word. ver. +Ps 119:9.

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Daily Bible Nugget #278, Psalm 119:25

Posted on June 4, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Psalm 119:25 My soul cleaveth unto the dust: quicken thou me according to thy word.

My Comment:

Saints plead the promises of the Scriptures in prayer (The New Topical Textbook subtopic under main topic “The Scriptures,” page 240).

This verse is hard to make sense of in the King James Version, at least for me. To get some added insight into what the Psalmist is saying, looking at another English translation might be helpful. The first clause, “My soul cleaveth to the dust” is translated to read “I collapse in the dirt” by the NET Bible; “I am at the point of death” in the CEV (Common English Version); “I lie in the dust” in the NLT (New Living Translation); “I am completely discouraged–I lie in the dust (Taylor, The Living Bible paraphrase). I think that in this passage the paraphrase by Kenneth Taylor is most helpful as it explains the figure used here by the Psalmist.

The second and final clause, “quicken thou me according to thy word” (KJV) is translated to read “Revive me with your word!” by the NET Bible; “Let your teachings breathe new life into me” in the CEV; “revive me by your word” (NLT); “preserve my life according to your word” (NIV).

It appears, then, that the Psalmist seeks relief from discouragement by praying to God for relief in accordance with the promises God gives of new life or revival in His written Word.

For those who desire to DIG DEEPER into this subject:

(1) Consult the cross references given in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible on page 628 for Psalm 119:25.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 673 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Psalm 119:25.

(3) Lacking access to those two resources, consult the cross references for this passage as I have developed them as given below:

Psalm 119:25. soul. Heb. nephesh, +Ge 34:3. Ps 22:15. 44:25. Ge 3:19. Is 47:1. 52:2. *Is 65:25. Mt 16:23. *Ro 7:22-24. Phil 3:19. Col 3:2. cleaveth. ver. +*Ps 119:28, 31n. Ps 44:25. 63:8. +**Ru 1:13. unto the dust. From the weight of his grief (Ps 44:25) [Kay]. FS121N1, Ge +31:54. Dust put by the Figure Metonymy (of Adjunct) for the dead, as in Ps 30:9; Ec 12:7. Ps 7:5. 44:25. Jb 16:15. 30:19. Ro 7:14. Ga 5:17. quicken. ver. Ps 119:37, 40, 50, 88, 93, 107, 149, 154, 156, 159. **Ps 71:20. 80:18. +*Ps 85:6. 143:11. *Is 40:31. Hab 3:2mg. *Jn 10:10. Ro 8:2, 3. according. T#1098. ver. Ps 119:9, 28, +Ps 119:41, 58, 65, 76, 107, 154, 156, 169, 170. Dt 30:6. 2 S 7:27-29. thy word. ver. +Ps 119:9, 169.

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