Daily Bible Nugget #202, 1 Thessalonians 2:13

Posted on March 20, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

1 Thessalonians 2:13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when ye received the word of God which ye heard of us, ye received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually worketh also in you that believe. (KJV)

1 Thessalonians 2:13 And for this cause we also thank God without ceasing, that, when ye received the word of God which ye heard from us, ye received it not as the word of men, but, as it is in truth, the word of God, which also is powerfully working in you that believe. (Noyes NT)

My Comment:

The Scriptures work effectually in them that believe. The Scriptures as we now have them in written form work powerfully in those who believe the message they contain. Paul wrote to the Romans saying “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone that believeth, to the Jew first, and also to the Greek” (Romans 1:16). Do you see the connection between these two statements? It is the Bible and its message that is the power of God that will work in your life if you read it, study it, and believe it. God by His Holy Spirit works through the written word of God preserved only in the Bible. The Scriptures are the source, by God’s grace, of spiritual life. Not the sacraments of some self-proclaimed “One True Church” or some self-proclaimed teaching authority headquartered in either Rome or Brooklyn, NY. You will not read anywhere in the Bible of grace received through the ritual observance of any church sacraments. But you will read that salvation is by grace alone through faith alone based upon our confessing belief in the bodily resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ from the dead (Romans 10:9-10). Now the precise words “faith alone” and “grace alone” and “Scripture alone” are not found in the Bible, but the truth of these expressions is certainly to be found in the Bible. The concept of “faith alone” is seen in Ephesians 2:8 and related passages; of “grace alone” also at Ephesians 2:8 and related passages; of “Scripture alone” in Isaiah 8:20 and related passages. The concept of “faith alone” does not mean “easy believism,” or a faith that does not result in regenerative change. Good works are the result of true faith, not the basis of faith, and really refer to the fruit of the Spirit produced in the lives of those who are genuinely converted to Christ (Ga 5:22-25). The related passages I allude to (for Ep 2:8 and Is 8:20) can be found by consulting the cross references for these verses as found in standard resources which contain a full collection of cross references, including The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, and Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible. The cross references for each of those verses is likely posted elsewhere on this site as well in an even fuller form than found in those three resources.

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 632 for 1 Thessalonians 2:13.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 676 or in Logos 5 Bible software for 1 Thessalonians 2:13.

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

1 Thessalonians 2:13. For this cause. Jn 12:18. thank. See on +*1 Th 1:2, 3. 1 Ch 29:13. *Ro 1:8, 9. Phm 7. without ceasing. +1 Th 1:3. because. *Je 44:16. Mt 10:13, 14, 40. *Ac 2:41. 10:33. 11:1. 13:45, 48. 16:14, 30-34. +**Ac 17:11, 18-20, 32. *Ga 4:14. *2 P 3:2. ye received. 1 Th 1:6. *1 Th 4:1, 8. Ps 119:102. *Pr 4:10. Ezk 3:10. *Mt 10:40. 13:23. Lk 10:39. **Jn 8:47. *Jn 17:8. +**Ac 17:11, 12. *1 Cor 15:1. 2 Th 1:10. He 4:2. word of God. 1 K 17:24. Je 10:1. Jn 6:63. 2 Th 3:1. *He 13:7. +*James 1:21. which ye heard. lit. the word of hearing. FS144B, +Dt 33:19. Ne 8:3. Hg 1:12. **Ro 10:17. Ga 3:2, 5. Ep 1:13. Col 1:5. He 4:2. James 1:19. of us. Ga 1:6. +*2 Tim 3:14. received it not as. T#1066. +Mt 10:20. +*Lk 8:18. Ga 4:14. word of men. 1 C 2:13. 9:8. *Ga 1:11, 12. **1 J 2:27. is in truth. Gr. alēthōs (S#230g, Mt 14:33). 1 Th 1:9. Ps 45:4. Ga 2:5. the word of God. Rather than contending so much for what is clearly not essential to faith in Christ, true Bible believing Christians encourage others to get into the written Word of God in the Bible for themselves so that others can come to know Jesus Christ in a personal way and have a life-giving relationship with Him that results in genuine belief that brings eternal life. Only the Bible provides the spiritual food necessary for spiritual growth and “works effectually” in those who believe. 1 Th 1:5, 8. 1 K 17:24. **Je 23:28n, 29. Mt 7:28, 29. Lk 1:37. 4:32, 36. *Lk 5:1. *Lk 8:11, 21. +*Lk 11:28. 20:1-8. Ac 8:14. 13:44, *Ac 13:46. +Ro 9:6. **Ro 10:17. *Ep 6:17. +**2 Tim 3:15, 16. 4:2. **He 4:12. *1 P 1:25. *2 P 1:16-21. effectually worketh. Middle Voice verb, so reference to the Word, not God, thus “which effectually worketh,” not “who effectually worketh,” which would require Active Voice. It is the Word of God now contained in the Bible, not tradition, “which effectually worketh also in you that believe.” T#1053. ver. 1 Th 2:1. *1 Th 1:5-10. Ps 110:2. +*Ps 119:105. **Is 55:11. Je 5:14. 23:29. **Jn 15:3. *Jn 17:17, 19. Ac 19:20. +*Ac 20:32. +*Ro 1:16. *Ro 6:17, 18. **2 Cor 3:18. Ep 3:7. 4:16. %*Phil 2:13n. *Col 1:6. 2 Th 1:11. 3:1. +**2 Tim 3:15, 16. **+He 4:12. +*James 1:18. *+James 5:16. +*1 P 1:23. *1 P 2:2. *2 P 3:18. **1 J 2:27. *1 J 3:3. *1 J 5:4, 5. 3 J 1:2. also. Marking those who upon hearing believed, in contrast to those who merely heard. Ac 16:14. in you that believe. 1 Th 1:7. He 4:12. James 1:21. 1 P 1:23.

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Nine Major Types of Bible Study Tools–But where’s the Tenth?

Posted on March 19, 2014 by Jerry

On the Faithlife Blog in a March 6, 2014 article by Chuck McKnight, a very helpful listing of nine types of Bible study tools is given, as follows:

(1) Bible dictionary

Smith’s Bible Dictionary
The Tyndale Bible Dictionary
Vine’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words

(2) Bible encyclopedia

Baker Encyclopedia of the Bible
International Standard Bible Encyclopedia
Zondervan Encyclopedia of the Bible

(3) Commentary

The Bible Knowledge Commentary
The Expositor’s Bible Commentary
Tyndale Commentaries

(4) Study Bible

Believer’s Study Bible
ESV Study Bible
The MacArthur Study Bible

(5) Concordance

Everyday Access: Your Bible Concordance
The New Thematic Concordance
The Thematic Bible

(6) Harmony

Harmony of the Gospels
Jesus Christ the Greatest Life
A Simplified Harmony of the Gospels

(7) Lectionary

Lectionary Reflections
Revised Common Lectionary
Twelve Months of Sundays: Reflections on Bible Readings, Year A, B, C

(8) Devotional

Connect the Testaments: A Daily Devotional (included free with the Faithlife Study Bible)
Renewed Day by Day, Volume One, Volume Two
Streams in the Desert

(9) Bible atlas

Holman Bible Atlas: A Complete Guide to the Expansive Geography of Biblical History
New Bible Atlas
Zondervan Atlas of the Bible

MY COMMENT:

One category of Bible study tool is surely missing, as it almost always is on lists like this. So I’ll add it here:

(10) Cross References

The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge
Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible

Since 1955 I have been using The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. I developed The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge after 26 years of research and by the grace of God it was published in 1992. Then at the publisher’s request, I developed Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible which was published in 2007.

I believe that for the ordinary reader of the Bible, cross references are of the greatest help to understanding the Bible of all the Bible study tools mentioned. Since cross references are available for every verse, you can get help by using them for any verse you want to study. Furthermore, cross references as compiled in these resources are unbiased, so you get the Bible’s own light on what any verse says because the cross references lead to the other passages in the Bible that explain the verse you are consulting.

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Daily Bible Nugget #201, Psalm 119:111

Posted on March 19, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Psalm 119:111 Thy testimonies have I taken as an heritage for ever: for they are the rejoicing of my heart.

My Comment:

The Scriptures are designed for rejoicing the heart. The term “Thy testimonies” is another of the titles the Psalmist gives to the Bible in the 119th Psalm. Notice he declares that the Scriptures are the rejoicing of his heart. The more you read the Bible for yourself, the more you will grow to love the Scriptures, and the greater the joy they will bring to your life. Your Bible will become your most prized possession, an inheritance you will continue to enjoy forever.

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 632 for Psalm 119:111.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 676 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Psalm 119:111.

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

Psalm 119:111. Thy testimonies. ver. +*Ps 119:14, 95, 119, 127, 162, 167. *Ps 16:5, 6. **Ps 19:7. 93:5. Dt 4:45. *Dt 33:4. 1 K 2:3. 2 Ch 34:31. *Is 54:17. *Ac 26:18. Col 1:12. *He 9:15. *1 P 1:4. have I taken. ver. +*Ps 119:30, 117, 173. Ps 17:15. Dt 30:19. Jsh 24:15. Pr 2:2, 10. 22:18. Is 56:4. +*Lk 10:42. heritage. ver. Ps 119:57, 72. Ps 61:5. Pr 3:14. 24:14. *Is 54:17. Lk 18:30. for ever. Heb. olam, +*Ex 12:24. 1 P 1:25. for they. ver. Ps 119:14, 77, 92, 162, 174. +*Ps 19:8. 40:16. 104:34. 118:15. 122:1. 2 Ch 15:15. Ne 9:12. **Je 15:16. Ac 8:28, 39. Ro 7:22. *1 P 1:8.

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Daily Bible Nugget #200, Psalm 19:8

Posted on March 18, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Psalm 19:8 The statutes of the LORD are right, rejoicing the heart: the commandment of the LORD is pure, enlightening the eyes.

My Comment:

The Scriptures are designed for rejoicing the heart. You will be much happier if you read the Bible regularly for yourself, and even take time to study it. Following what God teaches in His Word, the Bible, will keep you on a much more productive path in life. You won’t end up going down wrong, even disastrous, roads or bypaths. Some people are looking for happiness and pleasure in all the wrong places. Reading the Bible will prove to be a most enlightening experience. You will come to understand much more about what is going on, and where things and people will end up. If you are grounded in God’s Word, you will have fewer anxieties in life. There will come times of difficulty, but you will know that no matter what befalls you, God cares and is in control. One book in the Bible in particular is devoted to the subject of joy and rejoicing. That book is the book of Philippians. It is a short book of four chapters. Paul wrote it while he was in prison. Roman prisons were not very pleasant places to be, chained to two soldiers, who guarded you in four-hour shifts. Paul used that as an opportunity to give out the Gospel to a wide range of individuals, who were used of God to reach still others. Whenever you think you have it bad, just turn in your Bible to 2 Corinthians 11:23-27. No matter your circumstances, no matter who or where you are, you have not gone through what Paul did. I do not read anywhere in Paul’s writings that he ever complained about what God allowed him to go through. In the midst of misery, he was able to write the book of Philippians, a book brimming with joy and gratitude. For more verses to encourage you, check out the cross references I have shared below for this verse, Psalm 19:8.

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 544 for Psalm 19:8.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 596 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Psalm 19:8.

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

Psalm 19:8. statutes. Ps 105:45. *Ps 119:12, 16, 80, 171. Ge 26:5. Ex 18:16. Le 20:22. 23:14. +*Dt 4:1n, 5, 6. 2 S 22:23. 2 K 17:37. Ne 1:7. Ezk 20:19. 36:27. right. Ps 33:4. +*Ps 119:128. Jb 33:27. Ne 9:13. +*Pr 8:9. Is 45:19. *Ho 14:9. *Ep 6:1. rejoicing the heart. T#1052. *Ps 1:2. *Ps 40:8. 56:4. +*Ps 119:14, 24, 47, 54, 92, *Ps 119:111, 121, 143. Dt 12:11, 12. 16:11, 14. *Ne 8:12. +*Jb 23:12. Is 64:5. **Je 15:16. Ro 7:22. the commandment. +*Ps 119:96. Ne 1:7. is pure. *Ps 12:6. 18:20, 24, 26, 30. +*Ps 119:140. *Pr 30:5. *Da 10:21. Ro 7:12-14. **Phil 4:8. enlightening. Ps 13:3. 34:5. **Ps 119:98-100, 105, 130. Ezr 9:8. Pr 2:6. *Pr 6:23. *Pr 8:9. **+Is 8:20. 60:19. Ro 2:17-20. *Ro 3:20. 7:7. 2 Cor 3:7. Ga 2:19. *Ga 3:10-13, 21.

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Daily Bible Nugget #199, Romans 15:4

Posted on March 17, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Romans 15:4 For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope.

My Comment:

The Scriptures are designed for comfort. Jesus told us not to be anxious about anything because God cares for us. Paul, too, teaches us to be careful or anxious for nothing. Peter tells us we are to cast all our cares upon God because he cares for us. Those are some of the comforting things to be read in the Bible for our comfort and encouragement. When I was teaching public high school I had a couple of students who informed me, or their parents informed me, that they were under the care of a psychiatrist. The parents, and even the students, informed me that what I taught them in English class, and my encouragement to them to read great literature, including the Bible, so changed their lives they no longer needed the services of their psychiatrist. Dr. Lehman Strauss, my pastor at Highland Park Baptist Church, then of Highland Park, a suburb inside of Detroit but now of Southfield Michigan, in a series of messages he presented on the book of Philippians, told us that if we read, understood, and applied that Bible book to our lives we would never be anxious or have the need to have a psychiatrist. In any case, there is much help, encouragement, direction, and comfort to be found in the Bible. Check out the cross references I have shared below for Romans 15:4 for a good sample of such helpful passages.

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 1298 for Romans 15:4.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1318 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Romans 15:4.

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

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. Ju 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, **52, +**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. 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.

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Daily Bible Nugget #198, Psalm 119:82

Posted on March 16, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Psalm 119:82 Mine eyes fail for thy word, saying, When wilt thou comfort me?

My Comment:

The Scriptures are designed for comfort. If you have read the Bible even a little you will have experienced the comfort of the Scripture. One chapter that has provided comfort for many readers is John chapter 14. Some have read this chapter just before bedtime each night. It is surely a good practice. Many other chapters and even verses will serve to provide sought for comfort. A study of God’s promises will also lead to some verses of great comfort. Of course, using the cross references furnished for this verse will lead to other related passages that can provide comfort.

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 119:82.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 675 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Psalm 119:82.

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

Ps 119:82. Mine eyes. T#1084. ver. *Ps 119:123. +*Ps 69:3. 123:2. *Dt 28:32. Jb 31:16. Pr 13:12. *Is 38:14. La 4:17. fail. FS155A, +Ge 31:35. Ps 73:26. La 2:11. Ro 8:26. for thy word. ver. Ps 119:41, 97, 123. When wilt. Ps 13:1. +*Ps 37:7. +*Ps 40:17. 51:8. 69:3. *Ps 86:17. +*Ps 89:46. 90:13-15. 94:3. 101:2. Is 8:17. Hab 1:2. Jn 11:6, 21. James 5:7. 2 P 3:9. comfort. T#1454. ver. +*Ps 119:50, 76. Ps 27:5. 30:5. +*Ps 34:4. 42:5. 71:21. *Ps 86:17. 103:13. 138:7. Jb 5:19. 11:16. Is 12:1. 46:4. 51:3. 61:3. 63:9. +*Mt 5:4. *Jn 14:1. Ro 8:28. +*Ro 15:4. +*2 Cor 1:3. 1 Th 3:7. 4:13-18. 2 Th 2:16, 17.

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Daily Bible Nugget #197, 1 Corinthians 10:11

Posted on March 15, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

1 Corinthians 10:11 Now all these things happened unto them for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come.

My Comment:

The Scriptures are designed for admonishing. Paul tells us that what happened in the Old Testament was written for our admonition or instruction. The lessons taught in the Old Testament are still valid for our own day. Those lessons are to be found in every nook and cranny of the Old Testament. When anyone feels discouraged, check out Ruth 1:13. To understand the lesson of Ruth 1:13, read the whole book of Ruth. It is very short, with only four chapters. To study Ruth 1:13 in even more detail, look up the cross references for this verse:

Ruth 1:13 Would ye tarry for them till they were grown? would ye stay for them from having husbands? nay, my daughters; for it grieveth me much for your sakes that the hand of the LORD is gone out against me.

Ruth 1:13. tarry. Heb. hope. Ge 38:8, *Ge 38:11. till they were grown. or, till that they grow up (Young). Ge 38:11. Dt 25:5. it grieveth me much. Heb. I have much bitterness. ver. Ru 1:20. Ge 26:35mg. *Jb 3:20. 1 S 30:6mg. 2 K 4:27mg. Zc 12:10. +2 Cor 7:6. +*He 12:15. for your sakes. ver. Ru 1:8. 1 J 4:7. the hand. Ex 7:5. +Dt 2:15. Jg 2:15. 1 S 5:6, 11. +*Jb 2:10. 19:21. *Jb 30:20, 21. Ps 32:4. %+**Ps 37:24. 38:2. 39:9, 10. +*Ps 77:3. %**Is 29:24. +*Ezk 18:25. +*Mt 5:45. +*Lk 6:35. Ac 13:11. +*James 1:13, 17. against me. Ge 42:36. +*2 K 6:33. +**Pr 19:3. %+**Je 29:11. La 3:3.

In the cross references given above I have used the keyboard character “%” to mean “contrast.” Reading those verses, and if possible their cross references, will lead you to the Bible answer to the frustration and discouragement Naomi faced. It will lead you to many very encouraging Bible studies.

Helpful admonition and instruction abounds throughout the Old Testament. It is found in every chapter in the book of Proverbs. It is found in the book of Psalms. Psalm 34 is a very encouraging chapter. So is Psalm 23. And Psalm 37. And Psalm 40. Study and meditate on Psalm 40:17 and study the cross references given there. It is found in such passages as 2 Chronicles 7:14 and 2 Chronicles 19:2.

Don’t miss the instruction, admonition, and blessing that comes from reading and studying your whole Bible!

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 1316 for 1 Corinthians 10:11.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1336 or in Logos 5 Bible software for 1 Corinthians 10:11.

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

1 Corinthians 10:11. these things. FS92C, +Mt 2:15. ver. 1 Cor 10:6. Ac 5:11. happened unto them. Gr. sumbainō (S#4819g, 1 P 4:12). Ge 19:35. Le 10:2. Nu 14:35. Dt 24:9. *Jsh 22:17. 1 K 11:8. Jb 8:8. Ps 78:21. Zp 3:6. Jn 15:16. Ac 5:11. ensamples. or, types. ver. 1 Cor 10:6mg. Nu 16:38. Dt 28:46. Ezk 14:8. Mk 1:44. Ga 4:24. 2 P 2:6. written for. T#1050. 1 Cor 9:10. Ps 19:11. 102:18. Je 30:2. +*Jn 20:30. +Ro 4:23. +*Ro 15:4. admonition. or, warning. Gr. nouthesia (S#3559g). +*Ps 19:11. Pr 24:32. Ezk 5:15. Ep 6:4g. Titus 3:10g. upon. 1 Cor 7:29. +Ro 13:11. Phil 4:5. He 10:25, 37. *1 J 2:18. the ends. Ezk 31:14. +*Mt 13:39. Ep 1:10. He 9:26. James 5:9. *1 P 4:7. world. Gr. aion, +Mt 6:13. are come. Gr. katantaō (S#2658g, +Ac 16:1g).

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Was Jesus Made Sin, 2 Corinthians 5:21

Posted on March 15, 2014 by Jerry

I noticed a very interesting question on the Logos Forums today [http://community.logos.com/forums/t/82234.aspx].

A poster raised the question, “If Jesus became sin for the unbeliever did he have to be forgiven to enter heaven?” The poster indicates, “The person asking this was from the Islamic faith.”

The sub-question for the forum was “What is the best way to search Logos [software, resources] to answer this?”

Another poster in answer to the theological question gave a link to an excellent article by author Ron Rhodes. [http://www.equip.org/articles/how-was-jesus-made-sin/]

The short answer is…

Using the resources and processes suggested will never lead you to the correct answer.

The reason this is so…

None of the currently available resources I have encountered are able to address this question apart from a mistaken commitment to the wrong doctrine of the Atonement. You just cannot possibly arrive at the right answer from a wrong starting point.

Doing extensive Real Bible Study can bring the right answer…

The procedures described in Ron Rhodes’ article are exactly the right procedures to use to get to the right answer. I cannot blame Ron Rhodes for not having access to the resources I do. He is an excellent author, and I find no fault in him or his work. But even he failed at the critical point involving Greek grammar and syntax. He does make reference to contemporary grammatical resources, but those resources are biased by Calvinism and a mistaken adherence to the Penal Satisfaction Theory of the Atonement. The correct Biblical view of the Atonement is the Priestly-Sacrificial Atonement, and this is no theory. It is absolutely asserted and proven by 1 John 2:1, 2. The Penal Satisfaction Theory was developed by Anselm, among others, long ago. His theory has been adopted, far as I understand, by Roman Catholicism. The Protestant Reformers in turn adopted or retained that theory too. Because of that, the salvation terminology we are used to, as it shows up in all our English translations and Bible reference works, is a vocabulary borrowed wholesale from Roman Catholicism, not the New Testament.

2 Corinthians 5:21

2Co 5:21 For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him. (KJV)

2Co 5:21 for him who did not know sin, in our behalf He did make sin, that we may become the righteousness of God in him. (YLT, Young’s Literal Translation)

2Co 5:21 He made Him who personally knew nothing of sin to be a sin-offering for us, so that through union with Him we might come into right standing with God. (Williams New Testament)

2Co 5:21 God made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we would become the righteousness of God. (NET Bible)

2Co 5:21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. (ESV)

2Co 5:21 Him, who knew no sin, he hath made sin for us: that we might be made the justice of God in him. Sin for us… That is, to be a sin offering, a victim for sin. (Douay-Rheims Bible, Roman Catholic)

2Co 5:21 For the One not having experienced sin, He took sin in our behalf, in order that we might be made righteous by God in Him. (LNT, Lavender New Testament)

Which translation is correct?

Only the last translation is correct.

Dr. Malcolm Lavender has made a most thorough study of the underlying Greek grammar, syntax, and word usage.

By carefully examining every word related to the doctrine of the Atonement in the New Testament he has discovered the Biblical doctrine of the Atonement, and I believe he has thoroughly proved the accuracy of his translation.

The underlying linguistic principle which other Greek grammarians have failed to follow is to (1) examine usage not only in context (2) but in relation to subject matter. This works out to demonstrate that Greek prepositions are used in a special way in Atonement contexts. Some Greek prepositions can have a meaning in non-Atonement passages that they do not have in Atonement passages. The proof that they do not have such meanings in Atonement passages is that, consulting parallel statements that state the same thing using different prepositions, it has been found that certain prepositions are used which cannot have, for example, a substitutionary sense. Therefore, when in a parallel passage which uses a preposition which can have such a meaning, its meaning is restricted by the parallel passage which uses a preposition which cannot have that meaning.

In terms of applying this result to our more accurate understanding of Bible doctrine, particularly the all-important doctrine of the Atonement, this means the New Testament does not teach that our Lord Jesus Christ is our substitute.

Further study demonstrates that neither the term nor the concept of propitiation has any proper place in the Bible. Such a term is a flagrant mistranslation. This can be readily verified by consulting the Louw/Nida Greek Lexicon Based on Semantic Domains.

The Correct Answer to the Opening Question is…

Christ was not made sin for us. That idea is based upon a demonstrably wrong translation from the Greek text, a mistaken translation which has unfortunately been with us from the very earliest Christian centuries until now. The correct translation supplies the correct answer to the question, and shows that Christ took our sins.

In terms of Old Testament typology Christ could not be made sin, for nothing unholy with spot or blemish was permitted in the typical Levitical offerings.

Nowhere does the Bible, properly translated so it can be rightly understood, teach Christ was punished or that He paid a penalty.

This subject at first seems very complex, and impinges upon many Bible issues. When Dr. Malcolm Lavender’s translation becomes available you will surely want to get one. His translation at last provides a resource which fully answers the issues involved. The Lavender Translation is faithful to the Greek text and the nuances of Greek grammar virtually suppressed in all other translations, though Young’s Literal Translation surpasses others currently available. The Lavender translation includes full explanatory notes and documentation to standard Greek grammars and lexicons, sometimes with corrections to them. Reading the Lavender Translation will enable you to see the Atonement in clear light.

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 1335 for 2 Corinthians 5:21.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1357 or in Logos 5 Bible software for 2 Corinthians 5:21.

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

2 Corinthians 5:21. The usual translations of this verse create insuperable difficulties doctrinally, for surely Jesus Christ can never be made sin, for He is God, and is perfectly holy. The order of the Greek, made clear in Bagster’s The Englishman’s Greek Testament by its interlinear translation, reads: “For him who knew not sin for us sin he made, that we might become righteousness of God in him.” But this translation is incorrect. Dr. Malcolm Lavender properly translates: “Now the One not having experienced sin, He took sin in our behalf, in order that we might be made righteous by God, in Him.” Dr. Lavender notes that the emphatic idea comes first: “Now the One not having experienced sin….” This phrase emphatically proclaims the impeccability of Christ: He not only did not sin, but he could not sin (He +*4:15n). Dr. Lavender rightly asserts, “Emphatically then, we do not have here a Christ made sin in any sense whatsoever—real, imputed, or mystical!” The rendering “made sin” translates εποιησεν, a form of poieō (S#4160g, Jn 5:29n). Dr. Lavender notes, “The verb poieō should be translated ‘took’ in this context, i.e., ‘He (Christ) took sin….’ This translation preserves the Oneness of God, the Deity of Christ, His Immutability and innate Holiness, together with the utter necessity of a perfect and blameless Sacrifice in order to access Deity! Note further on poieō: Mark uses lambanō in the sense of to take a wife (Mk 12:19). In the NT, the Majority Text, poieō is used in [other] parallel passages in the Synoptic Gospels, in which it has the same meaning as lambanō, the regular word for ‘take.’ In Mk 3:6, they ‘were…taking (poieō) counsel…against’ Jesus. In Mt 12:14, they ‘took (lambanō) counsel against Him,’ [thus lambanō is] a basic word for take. In Lk 6:11, they sought ‘what they might do (poieō) to Jesus.'” Note further that Peter expressly states that Jesus “bare our sins in his own body on the tree,” 1 P 2:24. Thus Jesus took our sins, and bore our sins (He 9:28), but He was never made sin for us. Compare Is 53:4, 6. he hath made him. *Is 53:4-6, 9-12. +*Da 9:26. *Zc 13:7. Mt 26:38. Lk 22:37. +Ro 4:25. *Ro 8:3. +*Ga 3:13. *Ep 5:2. *1 P 3:18. **1 J 2:1, 2. sin. **FS121L5, +Ge 4:7. 2 Cor 11:7g. Ex 29:14. 30:10. Le 1:4. 3:12, 13. 4:3, 21, 34. 5:11. 6:25. 8:14, 22. 9:2, 3, 15. 12:6. 14:19. *Le 15:14. 22:19. +Le 23:19. Nu 7:45. 8:8. 19:9. 28:15. Dt 21:23. 2 Ch 29:21. Jb 21:19. Ps 40:6. Ezk 40:39. 43:19. 45:22. for us. Ge 3:21. Ex 12:13. 28:38. 29:10. Le 3:2, 8. 4:35. 10:17. **Le 16:10, 21. +=Le 23:19. *Nu 21:9. 28:30. 1 S 18:4. Pr 17:15. *Is 53:10. 57:19. +*Mt 1:21. Mk 10:45. 15:24. Jn 6:51. 11:51, 52. Ro 4:25. 5:10. 6:10. 8:32. **1 Cor 15:3. *1 Th 5:10. +*1 Tim 2:6. +*He 2:9. **1 P 2:24. *1 P 3:18. who knew no sin. FS145, +Jg 11:40. Ex 39:30. 40:10. Ps 69:4. *Is 53:9. Mt 27:24. +*Lk 1:35. **Jn 8:46. %Jn 9:24. **Jn 14:30. 16:10. 19:4. Ac 22:14. +*He 4:15n. *He 7:26. 9:14. 1 P 1:19. *+1 P 2:22-24. 1 J 2:29. *1 J 3:5. that we. ver. *2 Cor 5:17. 2 Cor 3:9. Ps 4:1. 22:31. 24:5. 85:11. 89:16. *Ps 98:2. Is 1:27. *Is 45:24, 25. **Is 53:5, 11. 54:17. +*Je 23:6. *Je 33:16. +*Da 9:24. Zc 3:4. Mt 6:33. Jn 1:29. 13:10. +*Ro 1:17. *Ro 3:21-26. 4:6. **Ro 5:19. *Ro 8:1-4, 10. **Ro 10:3, 4. 14:17. *+1 Cor 1:30. *Phil 3:9. 2 P 1:1. in him. 2 Cor 12:2. Jn 17:23. Ro 16:7. Ep 1:3, 6. 2:13. 1 J 2:5.

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Daily Bible Nugget #196, Psalm 19:11

Posted on March 14, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Psalm 19:11 Moreover by them is thy servant warned: and in keeping of them there is great reward.

My Comment:

The Scriptures are designed for admonition. If we read and study the Bible correctly, it will correct us when we are wrong. If how we live is not pleasing to God, we will come upon Scripture that will correct us if we are listening to what God says in His written Word in the Bible. The Bible will correct us morally, spiritually, and doctrinally. But for the Bible to do that, we must read it for ourselves. For us to be corrected doctrinally, we must be open to correction. We must be open to new insights that we receive as we read and study the Bible. By personal experience I know that the Bible is a self-correcting Book. I have had to change my mind about things I thought were true after I studied more about it in the Bible. For example, today I was studying John 1:18. There the Bible tells us that no man hath seen God at any time. Yet I knew that Jacob said he had directly seen God in Genesis 32:30. I did more study on Genesis 32:30 this morning and its immediate context, adding more cross references as I found them for that passage. I believe I may have found the resolution to what seems on the surface to be a direct contradiction. There are instances in the Old Testament where God appeared to men but not in His full glory. There are other instances where God allowed just a brief glimpse of His glory. I once thought that whenever God was said to have been seen in the Old Testament that this was an instance of a pre-incarnate appearance of our Lord Jesus Christ. And some of the OT accounts can be proven to be just that. But other instances might well be different. They are likely an appearance of God the Father. In any case, the subject makes for an interesting study, and I have now placed much fuller cross references at Genesis 32:30 that lead to all the evidence I found. Now, if we should happen to be seriously mistaken about a Bible doctrine, further reading in the Bible will bring us to statements in the Bible which do not and cannot fit our mistaken view. If we are true to the Bible, we will heed its correction. If our church or denominational tradition or understanding of the Bible is more important to us than the truth expressed in God’s Word, we may be tempted to ignore the admonition or correction we found in our study, and instead go on without changing a thing. That is not a good thing to do! See the warnings in Proverbs 29:1 and Isaiah 8:20 about that.

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 544 for Psalm 19:11.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 597 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Psalm 19:11.

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

Psalm 19:11. Moreover. **Ps 119:11. 2 Ch 19:10. Pr 6:22, 23. Ezk 3:17-21. 33:3-9. Mt 3:7. Ac 20:31. 1 Cor 4:14. *1 Cor 10:11. 1 Th 5:14. He 11:7. by them. or, in them. Heb. bahem, as in verse Ps 19:4, going about the Scriptures, moving and dwelling in the written Word, as the sun does in the heavens (CB). 1 Tim 4:15. **2 Tim 3:14. thy servant. ver. Ps 19:13. Ps 18, title. warned. or, enlightened; hence, taught or admonished (CB). +*Ps 119:24. Ec 2:14. Ezk 3:21. **2 Tim 3:16, 17. keeping. or, observing, or watching; as observers watch the heavenly bodies (CB). Ps 130:6. Dt 15:5. 17:20. *Pr 3:16-18. *Pr 11:18. 19:8. *Pr 29:18. Is 3:10, 11. 21:11. Mt 6:4, 6, 18. +*Lk 11:28. +*Jn 13:17. He 11:6, 26. *James 1:25. 2 J 1:8. Re 14:13. 22:7. great reward. T#302. Ps 25:10. 103:17, 18. +*Ex 20:6. 39:43. Le 18:5. Dt 5:29. 6:18. 11:27. 32:46, 47. Ru 2:12. 2 S 22:21. *2 Ch 15:7. Ne 9:29. Pr 3:1, 2. 13:13. 24:14. Is 1:19, 20. Ezk 18:5-9, 22. 20:13. +Mt 5:12. *Mt 7:21, 24, 25. 19:17. Lk 10:27, 28. Jn 12:26. 14:23, 24. Ro 10:5. +*1 Cor 15:58. +*1 Tim 4:8. +*He 10:35. Re 3:8, 10, 12. 22:7, *Re 22:14.

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Daily Bible Nugget #195, Acts 20:32

Posted on March 13, 2014 by Jerry

The Nugget:

Acts 20:32 And now, brethren, I commend you to God, and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up, and to give you an inheritance among all them which are sanctified.

My Comment:

The Scriptures are designed for building up in the faith. There are a great many people who would surely benefit by being built up in the faith. It is the word of God’s grace which is able to do that. Things were bad enough 28 years ago when I was teaching in inner city Detroit at Southeastern High School. Today, March 13, 2014, is the anniversary of my being shot in the back of my head at point-blank range by an unknown assailant wielding a nine millimeter handgun. I was knocked flat on my face into the mud of the school parking lot right in front of the window to the ROTC room. The shop and electronics teacher saw it happen (he was just then walking to school from the bus stop), and the drafting teacher drove into the parking lot at that moment, and he and the electronics teacher got the license plate of the vehicle and followed it. I was knocked unconscious. The force of the fall broke my glasses. They were retrieved by the gym department head later that morning, who returned immediately with them to the hospital. He was the person who called EMS and I was taken to the nearest major medical facility. He called my wife, and she called her mother who brought her and our two young children to the hospital. My close teacher friend, Mrs. Vida Malik, with whom I taught at Cass Technical High School, heard the news on the radio or television about a teacher being shot at Southeastern High School. They did not give my name. But she said she just knew that I was the teacher who was shot so she came directly to the hospital. She was like a grandmother to my two young sons.

At Southeastern High School, the physics teacher, an attorney, helped the gym department head get me to the ambulance when it came. The physics teacher later told me that the students were laughing about me being shot. He was most upset about the attitude the students displayed, and quit his teaching job two weeks later. The young lady at the Schools Center Building who processed his resignation turned out to be one of my students from Cass Technical High School. The physics teacher managed to retrieve all of my personal belongings, including many teaching materials, over the objections of my department head. I’m glad he did that for me. Not all the students at Southeastern were bad. One of my students had warned me three weeks before that I should immediately take a job at another school because I was going to be shot. I took his warning with a grain of salt at the time, but for whatever reason, his warning proved correct.

My son just now called to remind me of the event. He remembers it vividly, though he was only three years old when it happened. It is hard to know just why the Lord let this happen back then. But during the time I was off from teaching I was able to type up my 26 years of research in the form of what now is The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. The greatly expanded cross references I placed in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge were not generated by a computer, but represent what was learned during very difficult and trying times. During that very trying time Psalm 34:4 was of much encouragement to my wife and me. The Scripture is surely able to build us up even under trying circumstances. Don’t miss the benefit–read and study your Bible. It will encourage you in both good times and bad. It will strengthen your faith.

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 1258 for Acts 20:32.

(2) Consult the cross references given in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge on page 1279 or in Logos 5 Bible software for Acts 20:32.

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

Acts 20:32. And now. Ac 4:29. I commend. Ac 14:23, 26. 15:40. 17:3. Ge 50:24. Je 49:11. Ep 6:23. *1 P 4:19. *Jude 1:24, 25. to God. Ro 16:25. to the word of his grace. ver. +Ac 20:24. Ac 14:3. 1 Tim 4:13. +**2 Tim 3:14-17. He 13:9. to build. Mark the need and profitableness of studying God’s holy word (Walker). T#1049. +Ac 9:31. Jn 15:3. 17:17. 1 Cor 3:9, 10. *Ep 2:20-22. 4:12, 16. +**Col 1:10. *+Col 2:7. *Col 3:16. **1 Th 2:13. +*1 Tim 4:16. **1 P 2:2. **2 P 3:18. **Jude 1:20. to give you an inheritance. *Ac 26:18. +*Dt 33:2-4. Je 3:19. +*Mt 5:5. *+Mt 25:34. +*Ro 8:17. *Ep 1:11, 14, 18. 5:5. *Col 1:12. *Col 3:24. *He 9:15. +*1 P 1:4, 5. which are sanctified. *Ac 26:18. **+Jn 17:6, 17, 19. Ro 15:16. 1 Cor 1:2. **1 Cor 6:11. Ep 5:26. Col 1:12. *1 Th 4:3, 4. **1 Th 5:23. 2 Th 2:13. He 2:11. 10:14. +**He 12:14. 1 P 1:2. Jude 1:1. *Re 21:27.

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