Posts from 2020 (Page 5)
Ephesians 5: The Worthy Walk
After introducing the worthy walk in chapter 4, Paul elaborates on the same in chapter 5. The Worthy Walker Walks in LOVE. The walk of love bears some notable characteristics: The first thing Paul identifies with the walk of love is personal sacrifice: “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God” (v 2). The walk of love is a walk of purity. It is a walk…
Ephesians 4: Attitudes that Bring Unity
Ephesians 4 is the great unity chapter. This marvelous text opens with what have been called the dispositions of unity: lowliness, gentleness, longsuffering, forbearance, and love (v 2). In verses 4-6 we find what are sometimes referred to as the positions of unity, that is, the basic doctrines which unify all genuine believers. These are one body, one Spirit, one hope, one Lord, one faith, one baptism, and one Father. Among our people, there has been considerable interest in the…
Ephesians 3: The Mystery Revealed
Paul first introduces the concept of “the mystery” in Ephesians 1:9. He returns to this imagery three times in chapter 3. However, in each text, Paul clarifies that the mystery of God’s will and the “mystery of Christ” (3:4) has been revealed. Additionally, it has not been made known to a select few, but rather to all men. Consider the following: Ephesians 1:9 – “having made known to us the mystery of His will” Ephesians 3:3-4 – “how that by…
Ephesians 2: Saved by Grace
The key to understanding any text, be it the Bible or any other document, is to consider the context. One thing that must be determined is how the original recipients would have understood a particular text. Ephesians 2 represents a perfect case for this method of interpretation, especially verses 8-9: “For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God, not of works, lest any man should boast.” Tragically, many…
Ephesians 1: In Christ
The phrase “in Christ” is one of the most important, yet most overlooked in all the New Testament. Understanding the meaning of being “in Christ” is paramount to understanding Ephesians 1 and fending off many of the religious errors of the day. Ephesians 1:1-14 contains at least seven references to being in Christ (including related phrases: (“in Him,” in the Beloved”). As one must be “in Christ” to be a new creation, one must also be “in Christ” to be:…
Galatians 6: Bearing Burdens, Bearing Fruit, Bearing Marks
Paul begins chapter 6 with yet another exhortation that refutes the error of “once saved, always saved:” “Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering yourself lest you also be tempted.” First, note the exhortation is given to the brethren. Second, the one overtaken in a trespass is also a brother. Third, the erring brother is to be restored, that is, put back in his…
Galatians 5: You have fallen from grace
In his “Outlines on the New Testament,” Warren Wiersbe makes the following comment on today’s title, taken from Galatians 5:4: “’Fallen from grace’ (v 4) does not mean ‘fallen from salvation’ because such a thing is not possible.” Of course there was not a single biblical text provided to support his point because such cannot be found anywhere in the sacred text. Wiersbe is begging the question, that is, making an argument based on an unfounded conclusion. He further digs…
Galatians 4: The Galatian Allegory
An allegory is a story, almost always fictional, wherein abstract or spiritual ideas and principles are symbolized using people and events. It differs slightly from a parable in that parables teach religious lessons and don’t necessarily center on characters as much as the objects and events. Allegories also differ slightly from fables insofar as fables employ the personification of animals, plants, inanimate objects, and forces of nature (e.g., the sun or the wind) as characters. There is an interesting opening…
Galatians 3: The End of the Law
Galatians 3 begins a 3-chapter series of rebukes and illustrations designed to show the inferiority and invalidity of the Law of Moses. It confirms and continues Paul’s teaching about the danger of the Judaizing teachers who wanted to “pervert the gospel of Christ” (1:7), his refusal to give in to the Judaizers (2:3-5), and his public rebuke of Peter’s hypocrisy concerning the Gentiles (2:11-16). In a marvelous use of rhetoric, Paul exposes the Galatians’ lack of discernment (vv 2-5). In…
Galatians 2: False Brethren and a Faulty Pope
In Acts 16, Paul takes on young Timothy as he continues his journey with Silas. Because Timothy’s father was well known to be a Gentile, Paul circumcised Timothy (16:3). We can only speculate that this was done so the preaching of the gospel among the Jews would not be hindered. But in today’s reading, we find Paul taking the opposite stance on circumcision regarding Titus. While Timothy had a Jewish mother, Titus was a Gentile. Also, Paul was keenly aware…