Did Jesus Himself Claim to be God?

Posted on October 25, 2025 by Jerry

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

See Mark 14:61-64.

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

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

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

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

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

My newest Logos book that I referred to is:

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

 

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

Posted on October 18, 2025 by Jerry

 

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Now to the key text:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

WHAT THE SUFFICIENCY OF SCRIPTURE APPLIES TO:

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

The Bible is sufficient to teach us about doctrinal truth;

The Bible is sufficient to teach us about church organization;

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #955, Proverbs 11:27

Posted on October 11, 2025 by Jerry

 

The Nugget:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My Comment:

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

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

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

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

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

from the original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge:

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

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

from the Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #954, Proverbs 4:7

Posted on October 9, 2025 by Jerry

 

The Nugget:

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

Cross References for Proverbs 4:7

from the original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge:

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

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

get understanding: Psa 119:104

from the Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

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

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

get wisdom. Psa 90:12.

get understanding. +*Psa 119:104.

My Comment:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

 

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Daily Bible Nugget #953, Proverbs 22:8

Posted on September 30, 2025 by Jerry

 

The Nugget:

Proverbs 22:8  He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail. (KJV)

My Comment:

This Bible proverb states a general truth. The truth of this proverb can be observed almost daily in the news reports of our time.

Proverbs 22:8 provides the basis for what I find to be a fascinating Bible study.

Just today I found it helpful to read this verse in other English translations of the Bible:

Pro 22:8 Whoever sows injustice will reap calamity, and the rod of his fury will fail. (ESV, English Standard Version)

Pro 22:8 He that soweth iniquity, shall reap evils, and with the rod of his anger he shall be consumed. (DRB, Douay-Rheims Bible)

Pro 22:8  He that sows wickedness shall reap troubles; and shall fully receive the punishment of his deeds. God loves a cheerful and liberal man; but a man shall fully prove the folly of his works. (LXX, Brenton translation)

Pro 22:8  Those who plant injustice will harvest disaster, and their reign of terror will come to an end. (NLT, New Living Translation)

Reading Proverbs 22:8 from modern English translations alerted me to the presence of cause/effect relationships in this verse:

Pro 22:8  Those who spread trouble will harvest trouble. In the end, they will be destroyed for the trouble they caused. (ERV, Easy-to-Read Version)

“Those who spread trouble” = the cause

“will harvest trouble” = the effect

“they will be destroyed” = the effect

“for the trouble they caused” = the cause

I have listed many cause/effect relationship verses at Psalm 9:10 in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge as well as in Nelson’s Cross Reference Guide to the Bible and in the Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury. I missed listing Proverbs 22:8 because the cause/effect relationship was not evident when I was working from the KJV. I conclude that many more such relationships may be found when studying the Bible using modern English translations.

I also discovered that the notes for Proverbs 22:8 in the NET Bible are excellent for this verse and shed light on even more instances of figures of speech in this verse:

Pro 22:8  The one who sows iniquity will reap trouble, and the rod of his fury will end. (NET Bible)

NET Bible Notes for Proverbs 22:8,

Proverbs 22:8
N21 sn The verse is making an implied comparison (a figure of speech known as hypocatastasis) between sowing and sinning. One who sins is like one who sows, for there will be a “harvest” or a return on the sin – trouble.
Proverbs 22:8
N22 tc There is a variant reading in the LXX; instead of “the rod of his wrath” it reads “the punishment of his deeds.” C. H. Toy wishes to emend שֵׁבֶט (shevet) to שֶׁבֶר (shever), “the produce of his work” (Proverbs [ICC], 416). But the Hebrew text is not obscure, and שֶׁבֶר does not exactly mean “produce.” The expression “rod of his wrath” may not follow the imagery of Pro 22:8 very closely, but it is nonetheless understandable. The “rod” is a symbol of power; “wrath” is a metonymy of cause indicating what wrath will do, and an objective genitive. The expression signifies that in reaping trouble for his sins this person will no longer be able to unleash his fury on others. The LXX adds: “A man who is cheerful and a giver God blesses” (e.g., 2Co 9:7).

To dig deeper into the whole of Scripture read the cross references from the Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury for Proverbs 22:8 as shared below:

Proverbs 22:8
that soweth iniquity. Heb. aval, trickery. Gen 27:6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17; Gen 27:41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46, +*Job 4:8, Pro 6:14; %Pro 11:18, Hos 8:7; *Hos 10:12; *Hos 10:13, *Gal 6:7; *Gal 6:8.

reap vanity. +**Gen 6:13, Jdg 15:6, *Job 15:31, Psa 9:15, Pro 1:31; Pro 21:6; Pro 30:8, +**1Co 6:9; +**1Co 6:10.

the rod of his anger shall fail. or, with the rod of his anger he shall be consumed. *Pro 14:3; +Pro 21:30, Num 24:10, 1Ki 11:14; 1Ki 11:23; 1Ki 11:31; 1Ki 11:40, 2Ki 1:9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 2Ch 32:21, Est 5:11, 12, 13; Est 7:10, Psa 125:3, Isa 9:4; Isa 10:5; Isa 14:29; Isa 30:31.

I trust that those who choose to read and study this article will learn more about how to do Real Bible Study! I have not posted as many articles this month because I have been taking time to carefully study the subject of what I hope will be a new post in the series “Everyone is wrong about something–including me!” In preparation, I have already read several whole books by other Bible scholars on the subject.

 

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

Posted on September 6, 2025 by Jerry

 

Some individuals, some faith groups are characterized by proselytizing individuals already in the fellowship of genuinely Christian groups rather than winning unevangelized lost souls to faith in Christ, just like the Judaizers both Jesus and Paul roundly condemn (Galatians 5:12; Matthew 23:13, 15; John 10:10; Acts 20:30).

I bring up this characteristic of mistaken faith groups out of the order of discussion I originally planned because this very issue was reflected in a comment I recently read and responded to:

 

“Think about it:

//Many are anti-Catholic, who want to convert Catholics to Protestantism, and that is something the Popes or the Bishops through the centuries fought against.//

Is it not the case, even today, that many Catholics are anti-Protestant, who want to convert Protestants to Catholics?”

 

I have noticed that faith groups that are characterized by a focus upon proselytizing individuals already in the fellowship of genuinely Christian groups are sometimes  characterized as High Control Groups—yet another feature of some mistaken faith groups.

I consider such proselytizing activity “sheep stealing.”

Carefully consider the Scripture texts cited:

Gal 5:12  I would they were even cut off, who trouble you. (DRB, Douay-Rheims Bible)

Gal 5:12  I would rather they should lose their own manhood, these authors of your unrest. (Ronald Knox translation)

Gal 5:12  I would they were even cut off which trouble you. (KJV)

I have included the following comment on Galatians 5:12 in my Bible study resources, The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge (1992, 2024) and the Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury (2016),

cut off. literally, cut themselves off. i.e. mutilate or castrate themselves. D. A. Hayes remarks on this passage, “There is something of ’grim ferocity’ about this language. There is nothing delicate in it. It is offensive to white-fingered and white-cheeked and white-livered people who sit in their easy-chairs and read these burning words today. They blush when they read them (Gal 1:8, 9), and they blush more when they read that passage farther on in the Epistle to the Galatians in which Paul says: ’I wish that those who unsettled you on the subject of circumcision would go off and castrate themselves! Possibly in that way they would lose all further interest in the subject.’ They think that such language ought not to be used in the presence of ladies. Paul was not thinking about the ladies when he dictated those words. He was hot with anger against the Judaizers who were making trouble for him through all the Gentile field. He had to say something which would stop it; and he did. His righteous anger brought about a righteous result” (Paul and His Epistles, p. 51). Gal 5:10, Gal 1:8, 9; Gal 4:17, *+Gen 17:14, *Exo 12:15; Exo 30:33, +Lev 22:3 note. +*Deut 23:1, Jos 7:12; Jos 7:25, Mrk 9:43; Mrk 9:45, Jhn 9:34; Jhn 18:10; Jhn 18:26, Act 5:5; Act 5:9; Act 27:32 g. *1Co 5:2; *1Co 5:13, Php 3:2 g. Tit 3:10, 1Jn 2:19.

trouble. Gr. anastatoō (S# G387, Act 17:6). **Gal 1:7; Gal 6:17, Mat 26:10, **Act 15:1; **Act 15:2; **Act 15:19; **Act 15:24; +Act 17:6 g. Act 21:38 g.

In Paul’s letter to the Galatians he warns very plainly that to respond to or follow the Judaizers’ false message would lead to the loss of salvation for any of the Galatians who had responded in faith to the Gospel message brought to them by the Apostle Paul (Galatians 5:4).

Mat 23:13  But woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye shut up the kingdom of heaven against men: for ye neither go in yourselves, neither suffer ye them that are entering to go in.
Mat 23:15  Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye compass sea and land to make one proselyte, and when he is made, ye make him twofold more the child of hell than yourselves.

From what Jesus taught, some proselyting activity has the potential to be very harmful to those who are convinced to respond positively to the pressure to convert to a mistaken faith group.

Joh 10:10  The thief cometh not, but for to steal, and to kill, and to destroy: I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly.

The context of John 10:10 is very instructive:

Joh 10:1  Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that entereth not by the door into the sheepfold, but climbeth up some other way, the same is a thief and a robber.

Joh 10:2  But he that entereth in by the door is the shepherd of the sheep.

Joh 10:3  To him the porter openeth; and the sheep hear his voice: and he calleth his own sheep by name, and leadeth them out.

Joh 10:4  And when he putteth forth his own sheep, he goeth before them, and the sheep follow him: for they know his voice.

Joh 10:5  And a stranger will they not follow, but will flee from him: for they know not the voice of strangers.

Jesus gave further explanation about how this parable is meant to be understood when he said:

Joh 10:6  This parable spake Jesus unto them: but they understood not what things they were which he spake unto them.

Joh 10:7  Then said Jesus unto them again, Verily, verily, I say unto you, I am the door of the sheep.

Joh 10:8  All that ever came before me are thieves and robbers: but the sheep did not hear them.

Joh 10:9  I am the door: by me if any man enter in, he shall be saved, and shall go in and out, and find pasture.

Therefore, the true sheep who follow Christ are those who know His voice. They do not respond to other false voices of those Jesus called “thieves and robbers.”

Paul, in his final message to the Ephesian elders, warned them:

Act 20:30  Also of your own selves shall men arise, speaking perverse things, to draw away disciples after them.

Again, the context is instructive:

Act 20:25  And now, behold, I know that ye all, among whom I have gone preaching the kingdom of God, shall see my face no more.

Act 20:26  Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.

Act 20:27  For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

Act 20:28  Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.

Act 20:29  For I know this, that after my departing shall grievous wolves enter in among you, not sparing the flock.

Act 20:31  Therefore watch, and remember, that by the space of three years I ceased not to warn every one night and day with tears.

Act 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.

Departures from the true faith began very early in the history of the New Testament Church. The supposed “age” of a doctrine is no sure proof of its truthfulness unless it conforms to what is taught in the 27 primary source First Century historical documents we know as our New Testament today.

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Daily Bible Nugget #952, Luke 10:7

Posted on September 1, 2025 by Jerry

 

The Nugget:

Luke 10:7  And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

My Comment:

If our nation had properly followed the teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ it is likely we would not be in the mess we are in today.

When Jesus said, “for the labourer is worthy of his hire,” I believe Jesus includes the concept that the laborer is worthy of being paid a living wage.

Some very mistaken choices were made during the last century that violated this principle. I remember when it happened. I was involved in debating this subject while I was in college.

My psychology course professor, Dr. Chu, was involved in the process, perhaps unwittingly, that has resulted in moving our industrial base offshore to take advantage of cheaper labor costs in other countries, especially China. Dr. Chu was a very amiable man. He had a good sense of humor. At the time I had him as my professor he was studying the subject of “teacher prestige.” Bottom line: teachers in the USA were not accorded the prestige they actually deserved. Dr. Chu invited a small group of his students to accompany him to do research at the University of South Carolina. There, we had access to English translations of Chinese documents and news. My assignment was to take notes on the subject of Chinese Education during “The Great Leap Forward.” I kept a handwritten copy of the notes I had taken and, years later, wrote an article based on them for my reading selection file for a unit on reading motivation. Dr. Chu was selected by President Nixon to be his representative to China. The ultimate outcome was that China was admitted to the World Trade Organization. The rest is history, and we are all suffering greatly even today as the result of that outcome.

My late brother Mark showed me internal documents from major local industry that demonstrated that the economic claims made by industrial leaders that they were suffering greatly because of high American labor costs was a very false claim. In short, they simply wanted to squeeze every possible penny out of the employees to make the company “bottom line” more attractive to the investors.

The industries were in favor of so-called “free trade” agreements. The theory was that free trade would allow each country to contribute to world trade what it did best, resulting in worldwide improvement in product quality and lower prices for everyone.

There are many factors involved which demonstrate why this would not work, and experience now shows us that it did not work.

Those who do not remember history might well be condemned to repeat it. But you must be very careful about history. Often, history is written by the conquerors who do not always, if ever, tell the truth about the conquered.

My brother was a careful and thorough student of the writings of  Karl Marx. He had a large multi-volume set of the writings of Marx and others, and studied them avidly. My brother was influenced to develop such an interest by one of his professors at Wayne State University in Detroit. His professor was a Methodist, in terms of his own faith background, my brother told me.

Karl Marx wrote some significant material about economics and the rise and impact of the Industrial Revolution in the United States of America in the nineteenth century. It turns out that Marx employed careful, even meticulous, scholarship, citing sources in English about the economic factors that took place during those years. In my own personal library I have many books by an author who made the effort to find those now rare books Marx had cited. That author’s name is Michael Hudson. Together with Marc Van De Mieroop, he is editor of a volume I have titled Debt and Economic Renewal in the Ancient Near East: International Scholars Conference on Ancient Near Eastern Economies Volume 3 (2002, 356 pages). The conference was held at Columbia University, November 1998. The first article in the book, “Reconstructing the Origins of Interest-Bearing Debt and the Logic of Clean Slates,” is authored by Michael Hudson. The principle is found in Leviticus in the “Jubilee Year.”

I have placed notes in The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge about the Jubilee Year: (1) definition, Lev 25:11 note. (2) institutional purpose, typical meaning, prophetic significance, Lev 25:52 note.

This subject even has a bearing upon a correct understanding of the Lord’s Prayer (“forgive us our debts as we forgive our debtors”).

I do not for even a moment believe in Marxism. I agree with Mark Levin’s position on Marxism as reflected on his radio program and in his many books.

Dig deeper into Luke 10:7 and its themes as taught in the Bible by reading the cross references provided in:

(1) The original Treasury of Scripture Knowledge:

Luke 10:7  And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.

Luke 10:7
in: Luk 9:4; Mat 10:11; Mrk 6:10; Act 16:15, Act 16:34, Act 16:40

for: Deut 12:12, Deut 12:18, 19; Mat 10:10; 1Co 9:4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 13, 15; Gal 6:6; Php 4:17, 18; 1Ti 5:17, 18; 2Ti 2:6; 3Jn 1:5, 6, 7, 8

Go: 1Ti 5:13

(2) The Ultimate Cross Reference Treasury:

Luke 10:7
in the same house remain. Luk 9:4, Mat 10:11, *Mrk 6:10, *Act 16:15; *Act 16:34; *Act 16:40.

eating and drinking. Luk 12:29, Num 18:31, Deut 18:8.

such things as they give. 2Ch 2:10, Ezk 48:13, 1Co 9:14; 1Co 10:27.

for the labourer. +*Gen 29:15, +Lev 7:7, Deut 12:12; Deut 12:18, 19; +*Deut 24:14, Psa 90:17; **Psa 104:23 note. *Psa 128:2, Pro 14:23; Pro 22:29, Ecc 2:24, *Mat 10:10, *1Co 9:4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, *Gal 6:6, *Php 4:17; *Php 4:18, 1Th 5:12, *>1Ti 5:17; *>1Ti 5:18, 2Ti 2:6, 3Jn 1:5, 6, 7, 8.

his hire. Gr. misthos (S# G3408, 1Ti 5:18). +*Lev 19:13, Num 18:31, +*Deut 24:15, +*Jer 22:13, +**Mal 3:5, Mat 20:8, *1Co 9:4; *1Co 9:7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14.

Go not. *Mat 10:11, *1Ti 5:13.

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Everyone is wrong about something–including me! Part 5

Posted on August 24, 2025 by Jerry

 

Some individuals, some groups, seem to have fallen into the error of claiming for themselves superior experience or superior knowledge.

I encountered possible instances of what I call “experience centered Christianity” among some of the students who attended the Bible Discussion Club I was asked by the school administration to sponsor. These students came from charismatic churches or congregations as well as non-trinitarian Apostolic churches, as I recall. A little later, students from the “Jesus People” movement seemed to me to fit this category.

Instances of individuals and groups, churches and denominations, which seem to fit the second category, claim to possess superior knowledge. They claim to possess exclusive knowledge of the truth which no other group or church or denomination has. Students who attended the Bible Discussion Club included those from the Christian Bible Student’s Association, the forerunners or precursors of the Watchtower Society of Jehovah’s Witnesses.

I never made the attempt to “convert” any of the students in the Bible Discussion Club to a different church or denomination. One of my eleventh grade Early American Literature (English 6) students attended the Bible Discussion Club for a short while. One day she stopped me in the hall to explain why she stopped attending. She said she was disappointed that I never had an “altar call” at the conclusion of a meeting to invite students to come forward to receive Christ. I explained that I was aware of many students who did accept Christ as a result of the Bible discussions. They told me later in private conversations with me.

I did answer their Bible questions and we had many delightful discussions. Students invited me to visit their church or group and I accepted their invitations.

When preparing my book, The New Treasury of Scripture Knowledge, I was impressed by what is stated in Isaiah 65:5,

Isa 65:5  Which say, Stand by thyself, come not near to me; for I am holier than thou. These are a smoke in my nose, a fire that burneth all the day. (KJV)

Isa 65:5  And then they say to others, ‘Keep away from us; we are too holy for you to touch!’ I cannot stand people like that—my anger against them is like a fire that never goes out. (GNB, Good News Bible)

I placed the following note for the key words “I am holier than thou”:

I am holier than thou. Those caught up in false doctrine and false cults often possess a superiority complex because of their supposed superior experience or knowledge. The fundamental error of the first is that of being “experience centered” instead of “Bible centered” or “Christ centered,” and leads to instability, with repeated spiritual “ups and downs.” The fundamental error of the latter is that of Gnosticism—the claim to exclusive or superior spiritual knowledge or authority (+Pro 4:18 note. *Mat 23:13; *Mat 23:15; +Mat 24:45, +*Luk 11:52; +Luk 12:42; 1Co 8:2, Gal 6:3, Eph 4:14, Php 3:15; 1Ti 6:3, 4, *2Ti 3:6; *2Ti 3:7, Tit 1:11, 2Pe 2:14). Such distortions are the mark of the false, not the true, and can have no place in the genuine believer (Psa 138:6, Pro 8:13, *Mrk 12:34, *Php 2:3, *3Jn 1:9, 10, 11). The remedy for the “experienced centered” error is to become Bible and Christ centered (+*Jhn 5:39); the remedy for Gnosticism is to adopt the Bible as the exclusive spiritual authority (+*Isa 8:20 note), and separate entirely from the literature, fellowship and influence of false teachers (+**Psa 119:63; +**Pro 19:27, +**Mrk 4:24; 2Jn 1:9, 10, 11; +*Jud 1:3). Deut 9:4, Job 9:20; Job 35:2, Pro 12:15; Pro 20:6; Pro 30:12, Ezk 16:56, Mat 6:5, Luk 6:22; Luk 6:37; Luk 15:29; Luk 18:9; Luk 18:11, +*Jhn 7:49; Jhn 9:34; Jhn 16:2, Act 10:28; Act 11:2, 3, Rom 3:9; +*Rom 12:3, 2Co 10:12, Gal 2:12, +*Php 2:3, Jas 1:27; Jas 2:3.

 

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Why Everyone is Wrong about Something—Including Me Part 4

Posted on August 3, 2025 by Jerry

 

The first of my promised “fireworks” did not at first bring the response I anticipated! Perhaps eventually it did.

(1) Mistaken religious faiths appeal to the wrong basis of authority.

I asserted that the Bible itself states that it is the ultimate and final authority, and I gave as my answer to the question, “Where in the Bible does it teach we must go by the Bible alone?” the reference to Isaiah 8:20.

Isa 8:20  To the law and to the testimony: if they speak not according to this word, it is because there is no light in them. (KJV, King James Version)

There are some individuals, some churches, some religious organizations which disagree with this Bible truth. I believe they are seriously mistaken.

(2) My second example of where mistaken religions are in error is that they make exclusive claim to the truth.

I suspect that every group is wrong about something. If we are honest seekers after truth the better approach may be to learn from each other. We all can benefit from the insights others have (Proverbs 4:18).  We gain when we are challenged by others who may be more informed than we are through discussion and debate regarding specific issues where we differ in our understanding of the Christian faith (Proverbs 18:17).

Pro 4:18  But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day. (KJV)

Pro 18:17  He that is first in his own cause seemeth just; but his neighbour cometh and searcheth him. (KJV)

 

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Atonement as Provision and Benefit

Posted on July 24, 2025 by Jerry

In a discussion today I wrote a response but it would not post there. Perhaps my comment was too long. I saved my work so my efforts would not be lost. If you read what I wrote you may learn some things from the Bible that you did not know before.

My Comment:

I wrote my comment in response to the following very good comment that another participant made:

“The fact is, there are two distinct dimensions of Jesus Christ’s Redemption.

First, Jesus Christ, in his life, death, resurrection, and ascension died for ALL mankind for all times (1 John 2:2; 2 Cor 5:15; 1 Tim 2:6;) WITHOUT EXCEPTION. God died for Christians, Muslims, Baha’i, Ananda Marga Prackaracka Samgha, Wiccans, Blavatsky, Richard Dawkins, transgenders, snowflakes—ALL.”

My Response:

I agree with your statement.

In the Bible, this represents God’s PROVISION of Salvation: it is available for all.

You have cited some of the most applicable Scripture passages which assert this truth:

1Jn 2:2  And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world. (KJV)

1Jn 2:2 And he is the propitiation for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for those of the whole world. (DRB, Douay-Rheims Bible)

1Jn 2:2  and he himself is the atoning sacrifice for our sins, and not only for our sins but also for the whole world. (NET Bible)

1Jn 2:2 He, in his own person, is the atonement made for our sins, and only not for ours, but for the sins of the whole world. (Ronald Knox translation)

1Jn 2:2 And He, Himself, is Atonement concerning our sins; but not concerning ours only, but also concerning the world as a whole. (Lavender’s New Testament)

The Atonement of Christ is not a propitiation, so the last three translations I have cited are preferred as being correct.

For the PROVISION to be received as a BENEFIT, the individual must actively continue to participate in believing and receiving it. Therefore, synergism, not monergism, is the process involved. This is proved by the use of the middle voice in Greek grammar, where the subject takes part in the action of the verb, as at Acts 2:21 and Romans 10:13, as the condition of receiving the benefit stated in the subjunctive mood, as at John 6:44,

Joh 6:44  No man can come to me, except the Father which hath sent me draw him: and I will raise him up at the last day. (KJV)

Joh 6:44 no one is able to come unto me, if the Father who sent me may not draw him, and I will raise him up in the last day; (YLT, Young’s Literal Translation)

Joh 6:44 No one is able to come to Me unless the Father–the One having sent Me–may draw him; and I will raise him up at the last day. (Lavender’s NT)

Very few English translations properly render the subjunctive mood, “may draw,” a very major error in translation on their part. Note the subjunctive mood in the probable third class condition (as also in John 6:65), “may.” “May” expresses contingency; the “third class condition” expresses probability, but not certainty, because of the contingency. The terms of the contingency are expressed in the near context at John 6:37 and John 6:40 and include continuing belief.

 

 

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