Daily Bible Nugget #897, 1 Corinthians 15:33

 

The Nugget:

1Co 15:33  Be not deceived: evil communications corrupt good manners. (KJV)

1Co 15:33  Do not be fooled. “Bad companions ruin good character.” (GNB, Good News Bible)

1Co 15:33  Don’t let anyone deceive you. Associating with bad people will ruin decent people. (GW, God’s Word translation)

1Co 15:33 Don’t fool yourselves. Bad friends will destroy you. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

1Co 15:33  Don’t be fooled: “Bad friends will ruin good habits.” (ERV, Easy to Read Version)

1Co 15:33 Be not deceived; “Evil stories corrupt well-disposed minds.” (Murdock NT)

1Co 15:33 Do not be tricked by false words: evil company does damage to good behaviour. (BBE, Bible in Basic English)

1Co 15:33 Don’t be fooled by those who say such things, for “bad company corrupts good character.” (NLT, New Living Translation)

My Comment:

Compare 1 Corinthians 15:33 with Proverbs 13:20–

Proverbs 13:20
20  He that walketh with wise men shall be wise: but a companion of fools shall be destroyed.
King James Version

When I was a high school student, my Sunday school teachers, Mr. John Boyko and Mr. Dean Sawdon, recommended to us that we read one chapter of the book of Proverbs each day corresponding to that day’s date. Since Proverbs has 31 chapters, that works out well.

I was early impressed with a most important piece of advice found in Proverbs 1:10, “My son, if sinners entice thee, consent thou not.” Follow that advice and you will stay out of trouble!

I made some notes on the back of an envelope in the 1960s about Hindrances to Guidance which incorporate some of these verses and much more, as follows:

  1. Wrong relationships with other people. 2 Corinthians 6:14.
  2. Ignorance of the Word of God. Colossians 1:10. Mark 12:24.
  3. Prayerlessness. James 4:2.
  4. Failing to trust in the Lord. Proverbs 3:5, 6. Psalm 9:10.
  5. Seeking counsel from wrong sources. 1 Chronicles 10:13. 1 Kings 12:8. Job 21:16. Job 22:18. Psalm 1:1. Psalm 33:10, 11. Psalm 73:24. Proverbs 12:15. Proverbs 21:30. Isaiah 8:19, 20.  Isaiah 30:1.
  6. Unconfessed sin. Psalm 66:18. 1 John 1:9.
  7. Willful practice of known sin. Psalm 66:18.
  8. Failing to walk in the light that we have. John 3:19. Psalm 119:105. Psalm 119:130.
  9. Failure to have a firm goal in our life. James 1:5, 6, 7, 8.
  10. All the factors that lead to unanswered prayer relate also to hindrances to divine guidance. Psalm 66:18.
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Daily Bible Nugget #896, 1 Peter 4:10

 

The Nugget:

1Pe 4:10  As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. (KJV)

1Pe 4:10  God has shown you his grace in many different ways. So be good servants and use whatever gift he has given you in a way that will best serve each other. (ERV, Easy to Read Version)

My Comment:

In my limited experience, I found that serving the Lord in a small church became an overwhelming task, though I enjoyed it at the time. I first was invited to sing in the church choir. It is a good thing that my little voice was drowned out by the better singers!

Then I was encouraged to teach a summer class in the church basement (where it was much cooler) to help students read better. That was a successful assignment.

Then during Vacation Bible School I was given the task of helping drive children back to their homes in my little Volkswagen Beetle.

At about that point, I began to realize that I was being drafted into doing many tasks that took up considerable time where I was asked to do things others were very likely better equipped to do.

I wrote on the back of an envelope in the early 1960s a principle I determined to follow whenever possible:

“Involve yourself in those areas of service which exercise your spiritual and natural gifts. Do not become encumbered doing things others could do, and leaving undone things you can do but they can not.”

That is how, by God’s grace, I found time to do the necessary research to produce The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, a Bible study resource everyone who reads the Bible needs to more fully understand what the Bible teaches by learning how the Bible explains itself.

Dig deeper into 1 Peter 4:10 by reading the cross references provided in:

(1) The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge:

1 Peter 4:10
every: Mat 25:14, 15; Luk 19:13; Rom 12:6, 7, 8; 1Co 4:7, 1Co 12:4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11

minister: Mat 20:28, Mat 25:44; Mar 10:45; Luk 8:3; Rom 15:25, Rom 15:27; 2Co 9:1; 2Ti 1:18; Heb 6:10

good: Mat 24:45, Mat 24:14, Mat 24:21; Luk 12:42, Luk 16:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8; 1Co 4:1, 2; Tit 1:7

the manifold: 1Co 3:10, 1Co 12:4, 1Co 15:10; 2Co 6:1; Eph 3:8, Eph 4:11

(2) The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge:

1 Peter 4:10

every. Mat 25:14; +Mat 25:15; Luk 19:13; ✓Rom 12:3; Rom 12:6, 7, 8; *1Co 4:7; 1Co 7:7; *1Co 12:4, 5, 6, 7, 8,9, 10, 11; Eph 4:7

minister. 1Pe 4:11; Job 29:15; Job 29:16; Eze 16:49; *Dan 11:33 n. Mat 20:28; Mat 25:44; Mar 10:45; Luk 8:3; Rom 15:25; Rom 15:27; Rom 16:3, 4, 5; *1Co 14:26; 1Co 16:15; 2Co 9:1; Gal 5:13; *Gal 6:10; *Eph 5:19, 20, 21; +*1Ti 6:17, 18. 2Ti 1:18; +*Heb 6:10

one to another. 1Pe 4:9; +Rom 12:5

good stewards. +✓Mat 24:45; *Mat 25:14; Mat 25:21; +*Luk 12:42; Luk 16:1-8; *1Co 4:1; 1Co 4:2; +1Co 9:17; Tit 1:7

the manifold. 1Co 3:10; 1Co 12:4; 1Co 15:10; 2Co 6:1; Eph 3:8; Eph 4:11

(3) The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

1 Peter 4:10
every man. +Mat 25:14; +Mat 25:15, Luk 19:13, *Joh 3:27, Act 11:29, **Rom 12:3; **Rom 12:6, 7, 8, 1Co 3:5; *1Co 4:7; 1Co 7:7; 1Co 7:17; *1Co 12:4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 2Co 10:13, Eph 4:7, Php 1:11.

the gift. or, a gift of grace. Gr. charisma (S# G5486, 1Co 7:7). Rom 12:6, 1Co 1:7; *1Co 7:7; 1Co 12:4; 1Co 12:9; 1Co 12:28; 1Co 12:30, 31; +**1Co 15:10, Eph 4:7; Eph 4:11, 12, 1Ti 4:14, 2Ti 1:6.

minister. Gr. diakoneō (S# G1247, Mat 4:11). 1Pe 4:11, 1Pe 1:12, 2Ki 4:10, Job 29:15, 16, Eze 16:49, *Dan 11:33 note. Mat 8:15; Mat 20:28; Mat 25:35; Mat 25:44, Mar 1:31; Mar 10:45, Luk 4:39; Luk 8:3; Luk 10:40; Luk 12:37; Luk 12:42; Luk 17:8; Luk 22:26, 27, Joh 12:2; Joh 12:26, Act 3:6; Act 6:1, 2; Act 6:4; Act 19:22, +*Rom 12:8 note. Rom 15:25; Rom 15:27; Rom 16:3, 4, 5, 1Co 12:5; *1Co 14:26; 1Co 16:15, 2Co 3:3; 2Co 8:12; 2Co 8:18, 19, 20; 2Co 9:1, Gal 5:13; *Gal 6:10, *Eph 5:19, 20, 21, 1Th 4:11, 1Ti 3:10; 1Ti 3:13; +*1Ti 6:17; +*1Ti 6:18, 2Ti 1:18, Phm 1:13, +*Heb 6:10, 3Jn 1:5.

one to another. 1Pe 4:9, +Rom 12:5.

good stewards. Gr. oikonomos (S# G3623, Luk 12:42). Gen 47:14, Deut 26:10, 1Ch 29:2, Mat 20:8; +**Mat 24:45; *Mat 25:14; Mat 25:17; Mat 25:21, +*Luk 12:42; Luk 16:1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8; Luk 19:13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, *1Co 4:1; 1Co 4:2; +1Co 9:17, 2Co 8:19, Gal 4:2, 1Ti 4:6, Tit 1:7.

the manifold. 1Pe 1:6, 1Co 3:10; 1Co 12:4; 1Co 15:10, 2Co 6:1, Eph 3:8; Eph 4:11, Jas 1:2.

grace of God. Rom 15:15, +**1Co 15:10, 2Co 8:6; *2Co 9:8, Gal 2:9.

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #895, 1 Corinthians 11:31

 

The Nugget:

1Co 11:31  For if we would judge ourselves, we should not be judged.

My Comment:

Many years ago I attended the New Years Eve “Watch Night” service at Military Avenue United Presbyterian Church. It was an encouraging service. Prayer requests were shared. We all participated in congregational singing of hymns sequentially through the hymn book until midnight.

The end of one year and the start of the next is often the time many make New Year’s Resolutions.

In a similar way it is a good time to do some reflecting on our spiritual life and growth, looking back on last year and considering how to advance in the coming year.

Many years ago I made a list of questions to consider, questions that might prompt our thinking about spiritual growth:

  1. Are you satisfied with your present state of spiritual growth?
  2. Are you satisfied with your present level of commitment?
  3. Is Christ satisfied with the quality of your Christian life?
  4. Do you want more of the things of God in your life?
  5. Are you satisfied with a mediocre level of Christian living, experience, growth?
  6. What are you willing to do or sacrifice to make or secure greater spiritual growth and deeper commitment to the Lord?
  7. What are the hindrances to spiritual growth and commitment in your life right now?
  8. Which hindrance is the greatest obstacle to your spiritual progress as you see it now?
  9. What steps can you suggest which would overcome the greatest obstacle?

On the same piece of paper, “SUBJECT: DUTY ASSIGNMENT; FROM: Ferd Hall, Assistant Principal; TO: J Smith; DATE: blank; Please be advised that you have been assigned the following duty for the current semester: 6th hour study hall 417.” I have no memory at all of Ferd Hall. I do recall that such a duty was very unpleasant and virtually impossible to fulfill well.

But on this same paper I wrote what may have been my goal for the Cass Technical High School Bible Discussion Club:

Objective: To learn more about the Bible, its history, content, literary form, and relevance.

Activities planned: Open discussion of the Bible’s content in the light of its history and literary form.

As it turned out in actual experience, I emphasized open discussion by using a question and answer format. Students brought their Bible questions, and the students shared the answers with each other or asked my input and help to learn the answers to the questions raised.

I have since learned that this is how Paul conducted his Bible teaching, as reflected in Acts 17:2-3 and Acts 20:7.

Act 17:2  And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, (KJV)

Act 17:2  Paul went into the synagogue to see the Jews as he always did. The next three weeks, on each Sabbath day, he discussed the Scriptures with them. (ERV, Easy to Read Version)

My note given in The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

reasoned. Gr. dialegomai (S# G1256, Heb 12:5). The imperfect tense points to frequent and renewed discussion (Walker). T452, +*Act 17:17 g. Act 18:4; Act 18:19; Act 19:8, 9; Act 20:7 g, Act 20:9; Act 20:11; *Act 24:12; *Act 24:25; *Act 28:23, *1Sa 12:7, Neh 8:8, **Isa 1:18, +Mat 28:19 (T458). Mar 9:34, 1Co 2:4, 5, 2Co 3:12; 2Co 4:1, 2, +Eph 4:11 (T447). +1Ti 5:20 (T461). Hebrews 7—10, Jud 1:9.

Act 17:3  Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ.  (KJV)

Act 17:3  He explained the Scriptures to show them that the Messiah had to die and then rise from death. He said, “This Jesus that I am telling you about is the Messiah.” (ERV, Easy to Read Version)

Act 17:3 explaining them and proving that the Christ had to suffer and rise from the dead, and said, “This very Jesus whom I proclaim to you is the Christ.” (Williams NT).

My note given in The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Opening. Gr. dianoigō, *S# G1272. To open thoroughly; to expound (Strong).

alleging. Literally “setting forth (arguments)”; i.e. bringing forward passages of Scripture to prove his points (Thomas Walker). Gr. paratithēmi [(*S# G3908), to place alongside, that is, present (food, truth); by implication to deposit (as a trust or for protection) [Strong]:

Act 20:7  And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight. (KJV)

Act 20:7  On Sunday we met to break bread. Paul was discussing Scripture with the people. Since he intended to leave the next day, he kept talking until midnight. (GW, God’s Word translation)

My note given in The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

preached. or, discoursed. Gr. dialegomai (S# G1256, Heb 12:5), +Act 17:17, Often translated reason. [Strong: Middle voice; to say thoroughly, that is, discuss (in argument or disputation)]. Act 20:2, Act 17:2; Act 17:17; Act 18:4; Act 18:19; Act 19:8, 9.

These passages convince me that Paul employed the discussion, question and answer, procedure which I as a young teacher learned to use at the Cass Technical High School Bible Discussion Club I was asked to sponsor. Notice that the very Greek word, dialegomai, bears some similarity in form and likely in meaning to our English word dialog.

Back to the Daily Bible Nugget, 1 Corinthians 11:31, to dig deeper into this interesting and important subject of judging ourselves, study the cross references as I have collected them in The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

1 Corinthians 11:31
if we. FS184B1, +Luk 7:39, 1Co 11:28, **Psa 32:3, 4, 5, Jer 31:18, 19, 20, Luk 15:18, 19, 20, **+1Jn 1:9, Rev 2:5; Rev 3:2, 3.

would. or, were to.

judge. or, discern. FS135, +Psa 68:28, 1Co 11:29 mg. Lev 16:29; Lev 23:32, Job 10:2, +*Psa 119:59, Lam 3:40, +Hag 1:7; Hag 2:15, Mar 14:19, 2Co 13:5 note. Gal 6:4, 1Pe 4:6.

we should not. +**Joh 5:24.

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Daily Bible Nugget #894, Acts 5:42

 

The Nugget:

Acts 5:42  And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ. (KJV)

Act 5:42  The apostles did not stop teaching the people. They continued to tell the Good News—that Jesus is the Messiah. They did this every day in the Temple area and in people’s homes. (ERV, Easy to Read Version)

Act 5:42  Every day in the temple courtyard and from house to house, they refused to stop teaching and telling the Good News that Jesus is the Messiah. (GW, God’s Word translation)

Act 5:42 and not for a single day did they stop teaching in the temple square and in private houses the good news of Jesus the Christ. (Williams NT)

My Comment:

The Apostles directly disobeyed the authorities who had commanded them:

Act 5:38  And now I say unto you, Refrain from these men, and let them alone: for if this counsel or this work be of men, it will come to nought:
Act 5:39  But if it be of God, ye cannot overthrow it; lest haply ye be found even to fight against God.
Act 5:40  And to him they agreed: and when they had called the apostles, and beaten them, they commanded that they should not speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go.
Act 5:41  And they departed from the presence of the council, rejoicing that they were counted worthy to suffer shame for his name.

I came upon a clipping from an unknown source from a mailing I received in the 1960s that is still worth sharing today:

EVANGELISM IN ACTS 5:42

and daily = Everyday Evangelism

in the temple = Church Evangelism

and in every house = House to House Evangelism

they = Every Believer Evangelism

ceased not = Hot-hearted Evangelism

to teach = Instructional Evangelism

and to preach = Preaching Evangelism

Jesus Christ = Christ-centered Evangelism

Dig deeper into God’s Word on each of these themes by reading the cross references I have collected for Acts 5:42 in The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Acts 5:42
daily. +Act 5:20; +Act 5:21, Act 2:46; Act 3:1, 2, etc. Luk 21:37; Luk 22:53, *2Ti 4:2.

in. Act 2:46; *Act 20:20.

the temple. Act 5:20, Jer 7:2; Jer 26:2, Luk 24:53.

and in every house. Gr. kai oikon, at home. Act 2:46.

they ceased not. *Act 4:20; *Act 4:29, 2Sa 6:22, Isa 40:9, **Dan 6:10,
Rom 1:15, 16, Gal 6:14, Eph 6:20, 2Ti 2:9.

teach. Act 8:30, 31. 15:35; Act 17:2, 3. 18:26. Act 20:20, 21, 27. Act 28:31, Mat 28:20. Luk 20:1. Eph 4:11. 2 Tim 2:2.

preach. Act 8:4, 5; Act 8:12; Act 8:25; Act 8:35; Act 8:40; Act 9:20; Act 10:36; Act 11:20; Act 13:32; Act 14:7; Act 14:15; Act 14:21; Act 15:35; Act 16:10; Act 17:3; Act 17:18, *1Co 2:2, Gal 1:16, Eph 4:20, 21, Php 1:15, *Col 1:28.

Jesus Christ. The name of Act 5:41 (CB). +Act 18:5.

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #893, Colossians 1:14

The Nugget:

Col 1:14  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins: (KJV)

Col 1:14 in whom we have the redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of the sins, (YLT, Young’s Literal Translation)

Col 1:14 in Whom we have the redemption by means of His blood, the removal of the sins. (Lavender NT)

My Comment:

God the Father (Colossians 1:12) has delivered us from the powers of darkness (Colossians 1:13). This deliverance extends even further than most realize to not just the forgiveness of sins, but to their removal, by the power of the blood Atonement accomplished by our Lord Jesus Christ on the cross. This is an extensive subject for study. Notice that in the notes I have placed in The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury for Colossians 1:14 shared below, that the note for the keyword redemption by Walter Kelly Firminger demonstrates that Dr. Malcolm Lavender is not the first to correctly understand redemption. I believe Dr. Lavender as gone further in the study of the Atonement of Christ than any previous scholar who has written on the subject. That is why I share his notes on the subject throughout The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury, making it possible for more readers to come to a more accurate understanding of the subject. I am thankful to Dr. Malcolm Lavender and his son Dr. Russ Lavender for their gracious permission granted to me to share their work in this manner.

I trust the following notes and cross references will be an encouragement to all who find it possible to read and study them.

Col 1:14  In whom we have redemption through his blood, even the forgiveness of sins:

Colossians 1:14
In whom. Isa 53:12, *Mat 20:28; +*Mat 26:28, +*Act 20:28, *Rom 3:24; *Rom 3:25, +*Gal 3:13, **+Eph 1:7; Eph 5:2, **1Ti 2:6, **Tit 2:14, *Heb 9:12; *Heb 9:22; Heb 10:12, 13, 14, *1Pe 1:19; *1Pe 1:20; **1Pe 3:18, **1Jn 2:2, +*Rev 1:5; *Rev 5:9; Rev 14:4.

redemption. Gr. apolutrōsis (S# G629, Rom 3:24). This word in NT usage means primarily deliverance and does not apart from context convey the idea of a ransom or payment. Ignoring this fact, and taking the word as meaning essentially a payment in order to secure a deliverance, many have raised the question “to whom was the ransom paid?” (Walter Kelly Firminger [WKF], Commentary on Colossians and Philemon, p. 102). This misconception has led to much false doctrine. Lev 4:35, Rom 3:24, 1Co 1:30, *Eph 1:7, *Tit 2:14.

through his blood. FS117, +Gen 19:8. Exo 12:13, Lev 17:11, Mat 26:28, +*Rom 3:25; Rom 5:8, Eph 2:13, Heb 9:12.

the forgiveness. or, the removal (LNT). Removal translates aphesin, to remove, save from not in (Mat 1:21); so a deliverance (Luk 4:18); not a cancelation of guilt, while sin remains in the believer. Sin and guilt are inseparable, both are removed or both remain. Sins are not passed over under grace (Rom 3:25; cf. note at Rom 2:13); under grace sins are not removed from the mind of God, except as from the life of the believer! Where there is removal, as under grace, sin offerings have ceased because removed, aphesis (Heb 10:18; cf. Eph 1:7). Note also that Atonement and redemption are not the same thing; one is past completed action, the other is subjunctive, potential, futuristic (cf. Eph 5:25, 26; Tit 2:14; Heb 13:12; 1Pe 3:18) [LNT, fn g]. Col 2:13; Col 3:13, **Psa 32:1; **Psa 32:2; Psa 130:4, Luk 5:20; Luk 7:47, 48, 49, 50, +*Act 2:38; *Act 5:31; +*Act 10:43; +*Act 13:38; Act 13:39; +*Act 26:18, **Rom 4:6, 7, 8, Eph 1:7; **Eph 4:32, **1Jn 1:9; *1Jn 2:12.

of sins. +=Lev 5:6, Heb 8:12.

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #892, Colossians 1:13

 

The Nugget:

Col 1:13  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: (KJV)

Col 1:13 Who has made us free from the power of evil and given us a place in the kingdom of the Son of his love; (BBE, Bible in Basic English)

Col 1:13  God made us free from the power of darkness. And he brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son. (ERV, Easy to Read Version)

Col 1:13 For God has rescued us from the tyranny of Darkness, and has removed us into the Kingdom of his Son, who is the embodiment of his love, (TCNT, Twentieth Century New Testament)

Col 1:13 who did rescue us out of the authority of the darkness, and did translate us into the reign of the Son of His love, (YLT, Young’s Literal Translation)

Col 1:13  God has rescued us from the power of darkness and has brought us into the kingdom of his Son, whom he loves.  (GW, God’s Word translation)

Col 1:13 It is God who has delivered us out of the dominion of darkness and has transferred us into the kingdom of His dearly loved Son, (Williams NT)

Col 1:13 God rescued us from the dark power of Satan and brought us into the kingdom of his dear Son, (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

My Comment:

I have shared above the text of Colossians 1:13 from eight different English translations. Reading more than one English translation can help each reader get a fuller understanding of what the text says and means.

I decided to devote this post to Colossians 1:13 because I shared Colossians 1:12 just recently in Daily Bible Nugget #890.

Here are both verses together:

Col 1:12  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
Col 1:13  Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: (KJV)

Col 1:12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.
Col 1:13 He has delivered us from the domain of darkness and transferred us to the kingdom of his beloved Son, (ESV, English Standard Version)

Colossians 1:13 involves our present condition involving spiritual warfare with the promise of our future inheritance in the Kingdom of God’s dear Son.

One important aspect of defeating Satan in our life is to follow the promise and directions found in the book of James, where we are told “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double-minded” (James 4:7, 8).

There is much more instruction in the Bible about these important matters. One way to begin to learn more from the Bible about these subjects is to carefully consult the cross references (the links to other verses throughout the Bible on these subjects) for Colossians 1:13 which I share below from The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Colossians 1:13
hath delivered. or, rescued. Gr. rhuomai (S# G4506, Mat 6:13). Isa 49:9, Zec 9:11, Mat 6:13, Mar 5:15, Luk 4:18, Rom 7:24, +*2Ti 2:26.

us from. +*Psa 71:20; Psa 86:13, Isa 49:24, 25; *Isa 53:12, Mat 12:29, 30, Luk 8:27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, +*Act 26:18, *Gal 4:5, +*1Th 1:10, *Heb 2:14; *Heb 2:15.

the power. Col 2:15, Mat 12:26, *Luk 22:53, *+Joh 12:31; *+Joh 12:32; Joh 14:30, **2Co 4:4, Eph 4:18; *Eph 5:8; *Eph 6:12, *1Pe 2:9, 1Jn 2:8, 9; **1Jn 3:8, %Rev 12:10.

of darkness. or, of the darkness. *Job 10:21; *Job 10:22, Psa 88:18; Psa 143:3, Ecc 6:4, Mic 7:8, +*Luk 22:53, Joh 12:27, 1Th 5:4.

and hath. FS96C6, +Mat 2:4. Here, future blessings are spoken of as present (as glorification, Rom 8:30), for this kingdom is declared by Paul to be future, **2Ti 4:1. The reference to the “inheritance” in the immediate context (Col 1:12) verifies the reference to be future. As the inheritance is certainly future, so the kingdom with which it is associated must be future. +*Luk 13:24, **Joh 5:24, Rom 6:17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, +**1Co 6:9, 10, 11, 2Co 6:17, 18, *Eph 2:3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 1Th 2:12, Tit 3:3, 4, 5, 6, +**2Pe 1:11, 1Jn 3:14.

translated. Gr. methistēmi (S# G3179, Act 13:22). Eph 2:13.

into the kingdom. *Psa 2:6; *Psa 2:7; Psa 97:1, +*Isa 9:6; +*Isa 9:7, +**Dan 7:13; +**Dan 7:14, *Zec 9:9, Mat 3:2; +**Mat 6:10; +**Mat 6:33; Mat 12:26; Mat 12:28; +*Mat 25:34, Luk 22:18, **Joh 18:36, Act 1:3, *+Rom 14:17, 1Co 15:23, 24, 25, Eph 1:22, **2Pe 1:11, Rev 3:21.

his dear Son. Gr. the Son of his love. FS24B, +Gen 9:5. Col 1:15, Psa 2:7; Psa 2:12, Pro 8:30; Pro 30:4, **Isa 42:1, **+Mat 3:17; Mat 12:18; **Mat 17:5, Mar 1:11, Luk 3:22, *Joh 3:16; *Joh 3:35; *Joh 17:24, Rom 1:3, Eph 1:6, 1Jn 1:3.

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Daily Bible Nugget #891, Colossians 1:3

 

The Nugget:

Col 1:3  We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, (KJV)

Col 1:3  We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, in our prayers for you. (GW, God’s Word translation)

Col 1:3 Each time we pray for you, we thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. (CEV, Contemporary English Version)

My Comment:

Colossians 1:3 is actually the first of the several mentions of thanksgiving in the book of Colossians. Paul mentions giving thanks in all four chapters of Colossians.

Studying each of the cross references given for Colossians 1:3 will lead to an abundance of further instruction and encouragement to give thanks and to pray.

For example, I have given the reference to 2 Corinthians 1:11 where I share the other references to the Greek word underlying the key words giving thanks found in Colossians 1:3, where it is translated thanks may be given:

2Co 1:11  Ye also helping together by prayer for us, that for the gift bestowed upon us by the means of many persons thanks may be given by many on our behalf.

2 Corinthians 1:11
ye also. 1Co 12:22.

helping together. or, cooperating. 2Co 9:14, *Exo 17:12; Exo 36:29, Est 9:20, Isa 37:4; Isa 62:6, 7, Act 12:5, *Rom 15:30, 31, 32, Eph 6:18, 19, *Php 1:19, Col 4:3; Col 4:12, 1Th 5:25, 2Th 3:1, *Phm 1:22, Heb 13:18, *Jas 5:16, 17, 18.

by prayer. Gr. deēsis (S# G1162, +1Ti 2:1). A petition for a special object, having regard to our necessity rather than to God’s sufficiency to supply it: giving prominence to personal need (CB, Appendix 134,II.3, p. 164). Psa 6:9, *Rom 15:30.

that. 2Co 4:15; 2Co 9:11, 12, Act 12:5, Eph 6:18.

thanks may be given. Gr. eucharisteō (S# G2168). **2Co 2:14, Mat 15:36 g. Mat 26:27 g. Mar 8:6 g. Mar 14:23 g. Luk 17:16 g. Luk 18:11 g. Luk 22:17 g, Luk 22:19 g. Joh 6:11 g, Joh 6:23 g. Joh 11:41 g. Act 27:35 g. Act 28:15 g. Rom 1:8 g, Rom 1:21 g. Rom 7:25 g. Rom 14:6 g. Rom 16:4 g. 1Co 1:4 g, 1Co 1:14 g. 1Co 10:30 g. 1Co 11:24 g. 1Co 14:17 g, 1Co 14:18 g. 1Co 15:57, Eph 1:16 g. Eph 5:4; Eph 5:20 g. Php 4:6, Col 1:12 g. **Col 3:17 g. 1Th 1:2 g. +*1Th 2:13 g. 1Th 5:18 g. 2Th 1:3 g. 2Th 2:13 g. Phm 1:4 g. Rev 11:17 g.

I believe, based on a study of the above cross references, that prayer for others is very beneficial, even when we ourselves may not be in a position to witness the outcome of our prayers. Paul asked others to pray for him, just as Paul shared that he prayed for them.

Here are the cross references for Colossians 1:3 as I have collected them in The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Col 1:3  We give thanks to God and the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you,

Colossians 1:3
give thanks. Gr. eucharisteō (S# G2168, 2Co 1:11). Col 1:12, Act 27:35, Rom 1:8, 9; Rom 6:17; Rom 16:19, 1Co 1:4, Gal 1:24, Eph 1:15, 16, *Php 1:3, 4, 5; *Php 4:6, 1Th 1:2.

to God. Psa 72:17, +Rom 15:6.

and the Father. Joh 1:14.

Lord Jesus Christ. +*Act 10:36, 2Co 11:31.

praying. Col 1:9; Col 1:13, *Eph 3:14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19; Eph 6:18, *Php 1:9, 10, 11, 1Th 3:10, 11, 12, 13, *2Th 2:16; *2Th 2:17, 2Ti 1:3, Phm 1:4.

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #890, Colossians 1:12


The Nugget:

Col 1:12  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light: (KJV)

Col 1:12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light. (ESV)

Col 1:12 I pray that you will be grateful to God for letting you have part in what he has promised his people in the kingdom of light. (CEV)

My Comment:

As I write this post it is December 7, 2024. It is the anniversary of Pearl Harbor. This attack upon our navy may well be the event that drew us in to full participation in World War II. I remember World War II quite vividly. I believe the fear present during that war was greater then than the fear we may now properly sense about the possibility of World War III. During World War II, I remember rationing. I remember air raid drills, both in school and at home. In school, we were escorted by our teachers to the school basement. Some drills had us line up quietly in the halls. Some drills required us to hide under our school desks. At home, night time drills were marked by wailing air raid sirens. We were to turn off all lights and close all curtains or drapes and await the all-clear signal when the sirens stopped sounding. We can be thankful that during World War II the war was fought elsewhere. My father served in World War II. I remember writing letters to him while he was overseas.

Paul mentions thankfulness in every chapter of the book of Colossians. In my last post I shared the cross references for Colossians 2:7. In this post I share the cross references for Colossians 1:12 as I have compiled them in The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury.

To dig deeper, read the cross references for Colossians 1:12

Colossians 1:12
Giving thanks. Col 1:3, +*Col 2:7; *Col 3:15; *+Col 3:17, 1Ch 29:20, Psa 79:13; Psa 107:21, 22; Psa 116:7, Dan 2:23, +Eph 5:4; +Eph 5:20, Heb 13:15.

the Father. Col 2:2, **Joh 4:23; **Joh 14:6; *Joh 20:17, +Act 1:4, +*1Co 8:6, Eph 4:6; Eph 5:20, Jas 3:9, 1Jn 1:3.

made us meet. 1Ki 6:7, Pro 16:1, Zep 1:7, Mat 25:10, Luk 1:17; *Luk 22:38 g. Joh 1:12; Joh 3:7, +*Rom 8:29; +*Rom 8:30; *Rom 9:23, *2Co 2:16 g. 2Co 3:6 g. *2Co 5:5, 2Th 1:5; 2Th 1:11, **Tit 2:14, Rev 22:14.

partakers. Rom 11:17; Rom 15:27, 1Co 9:23, Eph 3:6, +*Heb 3:1; +*Heb 3:14, *1Pe 5:1, **1Jn 3:1, 2, 3.

inheritance. or, lot. Gr. klēros (S# G2819, Mat 27:35). Gen 31:14, Num 26:55, +Jos 14:2; Jos 18:10, 1Ch 16:18, Psa 16:5; +*Psa 119:111, +*Dan 12:13, +*Mat 25:34, +*Joh 14:2, +Act 20:32; *+Act 26:18, **Rom 8:17, Gal 4:6, 7, +*Eph 1:11 note, Eph 1:14; Eph 1:18, **1Pe 1:2, 3, 4, 5.

the saints. +2Co 1:1.

in light. Exo 10:23, Psa 36:9; *Psa 97:11, +*Pro 4:18, Isa 49:9; *Isa 60:19; *Isa 60:20, Zec 14:6, *2Co 4:6, *1Th 5:5, *Heb 12:23, *Rev 21:23; *Rev 22:5.

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Daily Bible Nugget 889, Colossians 2:7

The Nugget:

Col 2:6  As ye have therefore received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk ye in him:
Col 2:7  Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.  (KJV)

Col 2:6  Since you have accepted Christ Jesus as Lord, live in union with him.
Col 2:7  Keep your roots deep in him, build your lives on him, and become stronger in your faith, as you were taught. And be filled with thanksgiving.  (GNB, Good News Bible)

My Comment:

Today is the day we celebrate Thanksgiving in the USA. We have very much to be thankful for.

I noticed in my recent reading and study that the Apostle Paul mentions thanksgiving and often his own thankfulness and gratitude. This is true in the very short book of Colossians. Paul serves as a good example for us, for if I am not mistaken, the book of Colossians is one of his prison epistles, or letters from prison.

To dig deeper, enjoy the cross references given for Colossians 2:7 which I have collected and presented in The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Colossians 2:7
Rooted. Literally, rooted once for all. *Col 1:23, +*Psa 1:3; Psa 37:35 mg. +*Psa 80:9; Psa 92:13, Pro 12:3, *Isa 61:3, Jer 1:10; *Jer 17:8, Eze 17:23, 24, Hos 14:8, %+*Mat 13:6, *Mar 4:6, %+**Luk 8:13, Rom 11:17, 18, *Eph 2:21; *Eph 2:22; *Eph 3:17 g. Jud 1:12.

built up. Literally, being built up. Gr. epoikodomeō (S# G2026, Act 20:32). Col 1:23, 1Ki 6:1, *Job 22:23, Jer 1:10, *Mat 7:24; *Mat 7:25, +*Luk 6:48, **Act 20:32, +Rom 14:19, *1Co 3:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, *+Eph 2:20, 21, 22, *1Pe 2:4, 5, 6, **Jud 1:20.

stablished. Gr. bebaioō (S# G950, Mar 16:20), made valid or guaranteed. *Col 1:23, Psa 96:10, Pro 24:3, Act 16:5, Rom 11:20; Rom 16:25, +1Co 1:8 g. **1Co 15:58, *2Co 1:21; *2Co 5:7, +*Eph 4:14, 2Th 2:17, *Heb 13:9, *1Pe 5:10, 2Pe 1:12; +*2Pe 3:17; +*2Pe 3:18, *Jud 1:24.

in the faith. or, by your faith. Instrumental Dative. or, through the faith. Thus, made secure through the faith. 2Co 13:5.

as ye have been taught. Eph 4:21, **1Ti 1:3, +*Jud 1:3 note.

abounding. +*2Pe 1:8.

thanksgiving. Ingratitude to God has been the secret of the ruin of a whole civilization. Thankfulness for all they had learned and experienced should make the Colossians slow to adopt doctrinal alterations (WKF, p. 155). *Col 1:12; *Col 1:13; *+Col 3:15; *+Col 3:17; Col 4:2, **Rom 1:21, *+Eph 5:20, +*1Th 5:18, *Heb 13:15, Rev 7:12.

Notice that Paul mentions thanksgiving in this short letter to the Colossians several times, at least once in each chapter:

Colossians 1:12
12  Giving thanks unto the Father, which hath made us meet to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in light:
King James Version

Colossians 2:7
7  Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving.
King James Version

Colossians 3:15
15  And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful.
King James Version

Colossians 3:17
17  And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.
King James Version

Colossians 4:2
2  Continue in prayer, and watch in the same with thanksgiving;
King James Version

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #888, Matthew 16:28

 

The Nugget:

Mat 16:28  Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. (KJV)

Mat 16:28 Verily I say to you, there are certain of those standing here who shall not taste of death till they may see the Son of Man coming in his reign.’ (YLT, Young’s Literal Translation)

Mat 16:28 Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom. (ESV, English Standard Version)

My Comment:

This is a much misunderstood verse!

I was reading the Bible and once again came upon this statement of Jesus.

This time I took the time to study Matthew 16:28 by reading the cross references given for this verse.

It was then that I saw that this verse and its parallels in Mark 9:1 and Luke 9:27 have been carefully explained by Peter in 2 Peter 1:16, 17, 18.

The Question

Mar 9:1  And he said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power. (KJV)

What coming is referred to in this statement by Jesus?

The Answer

2Pe 1:16  For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty.
2Pe 1:17  For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
2Pe 1:18  And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

Peter explains that the coming that our Lord Jesus Christ referred to took place when He took Peter, James, and John to a high mountain where they witnessed the Transfiguration.

Therefore, this “coming” is not a prophetic reference to the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD as claimed by the preterists. This “coming” has no reference to the Second Coming of Christ which is yet future. This “coming” provided Peter, James, and John a preview of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ as He was transfigured before them. This is further proven by the placement of the Transfiguration account in all three synoptic Gospels, Matthew, Mark, and Luke immediately after claim Jesus made that there were some standing there who would not experience death before they had seen the Son of man coming in his kingdom (Matthew 16:28). His promise was fulfilled six days later as recorded in Matthew 17:1-8,

Mat 17:1  And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
Mat 17:2  And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
Mat 17:3  And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
Mat 17:4  Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
Mat 17:5  While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
Mat 17:6  And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.
Mat 17:7  And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid.
Mat 17:8  And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only.

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