2 Corinthians Chapter 4: Commentary

 

       1: Therefore seeing we have this ministry as we have received mercy we faint not 2: But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty not walking in craftiness nor handling the word of God deceitfully but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every one's conscience in the sight of God 3: But if our gospel be hid it is hid to them that are lost 4: In whom the god of this eon [1] has blinded the minds of them which believe not lest the light of the glorious gospel of Christ who is the image of God should shine unto them 5: For we preach not ourselves but Christ Jesus the Lord [2] and ourselves your slaves for Jesus' sake 6: That the God who commanded the light to shine out of darkness has shined in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ 7: But we ^{[the Body of Christ]} have this treasure in earthen vessels that the transcendence of the power may be of God and not of us 8: We are troubled on every side yet not distressed we are perplexed but not in despair 9: Persecuted but not forsaken cast down but not destroyed 10: Always bearing about in The Body the dying of the Lord Jesus that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in The Body ^{[Body of Christ] [3]} 11: For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus' sake that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh 12: So then death works in us but life in you 13: We having the same spirit of faith according as it is written I believed and therefore have I spoken we also believe and therefore speak 14: Knowing that he which raised up the Lord Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus and shall present us with you 15: For all things are for your sakes that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving of many redound to the glory of God 16: For which cause we faint not but if the outward of us perish yet the inward is renewed day by day 17: For our light affliction which is but for a moment works for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory 18: While we look not at the things which are seen but at the things which are not seen [4] for the things which are seen are temporary but the things which are not seen are eternal.

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[1] 2 Corinthians 4:4 is a perfect example of English-translation-theology. The text does not say “god of this world.” The text says “god of this eon.” The word eon speaks to the times and seasons of God’s plan for humanity.

Scripture4All Interlinear: 2Corinthians 4

[2] One Lord One faith One baptism….Jesus is God, the LORD [YHWH].

[3] …for this reason many are weak and sickly among you, not discerning the Body of Christ.

[4] We trust in the Lord with all of our hearts and lean not to our own understanding (that which we can see).

Commentaries on this blog are always ongoing. We welcome your insights into 1 Corinthians chapter 4. Please leave them in the comment section. 

2 Thessalonians 3 commentary

    1: Finally brethren pray for us that the Word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified even as it is with you 2: And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men for all have not faith[1] 3: But the Lord is faithful who shall establish you and keep you from evil[2] 4: And we have confidence in the Lord touching you that you both do and will do the things declared [to] you[3] 5: And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the patient waiting for Christ[4] 6: Now we charge you brethren in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ withdraw yourselves from every brother ^{adelphos: fellow-believer whether female or male} [who] walks disorderly and not after the precepts which [were] received of us 7: For yourselves know how you ought to imitate us for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you[5] 8: Neither did we eat the bread [of] any for nothing ^{without paying} but worked with labor and travail[6] night and day that we might not be burdensome to any of you 9: Not because we have not authority but to make ourselves examples for you to imitate us 10: For even when we were with you this we declared [to] you that if any would not work neither [should they] eat 11: For we hear that there are some who walk among you disorderly working not at all but are busybodies 12: Now them that are such we declare and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ that with quietness they work and eat their own food 13: But you adelphos be not weary in well doing 14: And if any heed[7] not our word by this letter note them and have no company with them that they may be ashamed[8] 15: Yet count [them] not as enemies but admonish as adelphos 16: Now the Lord of Peace himself give you peace always by all means The Lord be with you all 17: The salutation of Paul with my own hand which is the evidence [of authenticity] in every letter[9] so I write 18: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all Amen

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[1] When we are born again, everyone is given a measure of faith. It is then up to each individual to nurture that faith by reading, hearing, and doing the Word of God. Faith comes by hearing and hearing by the Word of God. Faith works by love, and the love of God is shed abroad by the Holy Ghost. Nothing is said in the Bible about those who do not belong to Christ having any faith at all. 

[2] King David, a man after God’s own heart, questioned the problem of evil, when he penned the question, “Why do the wicked prosper?” The Bible has much to say about evil, and we are given insights into many aspects of evil, but to understand it fully, is beyond the capacity of any human. During a time of unspeakable suffering, when Job’s friends questioned his integrity, and Job questioned why he had even been born, God’s answer to all the multi-faceted reasoning and questioning going on was, “Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth?” Declare it if you have understanding!” The Lord conceals a matter, and it is the glory of kings to search it out, but until Jesus comes, and makes all things complete, there are some things we can never fully understand.

[3] The hierarchical flavor of 2 Thessalonians 3:4, [using the word “command”] in virtually all Bible versions, is completely out of step with the message and tone of the New Testament as a whole. The Greek word, paraggellō, must be translated according to context, and the context in this verse, does not permit the word to be translated as, “command.” The New Testament Church is not a hierarchical organization but rather a living organism. Members are bound by faith and love, first to God and then to one another—but not by law (excepting the Law of Love). The Old Covenant Priesthood was doomed under the reign of the Messiah, and that is why the religious ruling hierarchy plotted to have Jesus put to death. In a manner of speaking, organized religion hi-jacked Christianity early on. Organizing into a religious hierarchy was the only way for men to wrest control of the early Church away from the Holy Spirit, for where the Spirit of the Lord is there is liberty. Most Christian fellowships, today, understand this and **would not dare “command” their members. Paul understood this as well. In this verse (and others), The Greek word, paraggellō, in reference to Christian instruction,should be never be translated as command.

**They often employ more subtle [psychological] methods, employing guilt and fear as methods of control.

[4] Christians of the early Church were taught to wait for Christ. This is in stark contrast to contemporary church teaching that focuses primarily on life in this world. These days, the hope of Heaven is often marginalized in favor of temporal success and prosperity. Regardless of our circumstances, whether they be very good or very bad, the eyes and hearts of believers should always be on God and the promises in his Word, which include many material and physical blessings, and also include promises about the resurrection, the harpazo, his Second Coming, and his Kingdom. 

[5] 2 Thessalonians 3:4-7, are examples of erroneous hierarchical filters through which even modern translators view scripture texts. As we will show, it suits them to do so. This commentary replaces hierarchical language with alternatives more in line with the context. The hierarchical approach to New Testament Greek translation is deceptive and detrimental in a number of ways: 1.) It demands the creation of organized religion and disregards the voluntary nature of the love relationship that exists uniquely between Christ and every individual believer, all of whom, together, compose His Church—which is not an organization but rather a living organism. Does this mean Christians should not form church fellowships? Of course not. But it does mean that extreme care must be taken to not to violate the voluntary, and very personal nature of the, relationship between believers and their Savior. Christian leaders are called to be examples and shepherds—never commanders  2.) Hierarchy benefits organized religion by giving clergy undue control over laity. Depending on where one lives, this can take [and has taken] the form of governmental control, where the law of the land cannot be separated from the law of the church. This has happened under both Roman and Greek Orthodox Catholicism and Protestant reformers. Even without governmental controls to enforce “Christianity,” hierarchical organized religion, wields undo emotional influence over believers, which often translates [through guilt and fear] into physical influence. Jesus, our ultimate example of non-organized, non-hierarchical, religion, had serious words to say about the concept of clergy over laity being put into practice within His Church. He said he hated it ^{Revelation 2:6}. 3.) Early on, organized religion [which of necessity must be hierarchical], marginalized the ministries and contributions of emancipated New Covenant women. Joel chapter two foretold the emancipation of God’s daughters, and Peter announced the fulfillment of this prophecy in Acts chapter two. Hierarchical organized religion was an absolute necessity in order to bring emancipated Christian women back under the complete control of men. This latter goal, that of male headship, is still so strong today, that within mainstream Christianity, even the Eternal Godhead has been turned into a hierarchical triad, with the express goal of putting [and keeping] women in eternal subjection to men.  Hierarchical language, used in reference to relationships between the members of the Body of Christ, must be rejected. Compulsion and autonomy are mutually exclusive, and attempts the blend the two—in any manner—are oxymoronic.

[6] They labored in the gospel and travailed in prayer—They worked and prayed!

[7] The Greek word, hypakouō, should not have been translated as “obey” in this verse, but in virtually every English Bible translation, it is. Contextually, the more accurate translation is heed.  It is understandable that during the time of the reformation when Christians were fresh out from under the strong hand of the Vatican and were still under the rule of monarchies that wielded great power, the Greek word, paraggellō, would be translated as “command,” but what reason do modern translators have to translate the word as “command” four times in 2 Thessalonians 3, (and many places elsewhere in scripture), other than that of maintaining hierarchy where there should only be love, example, encouragement, and loving admonition. The spiritual and ministry gifts of God are not intended for ruling and commanding his people, though they are sorely misused as such. The Apostle Paul put away his hierarchical—"I’m in command”—notions when he fell off his donkey on the road o Damascus and began a new life of love and service to the Messiah and His people. He spent the rest of his life making converts, teaching, instructing, exhorting, warning, and watching over the flocks God entrusted to his care. English-translation-theology has certainly given the Apostle Paul a bad rap. He most certainly  did not write a string of letters commanding the Christians under his care, to do this that or another. Can the reader imagine the response from church members today, if they were to receive letters from denominational home offices containing lists of commands?  

[8] This may seem harsh but, if done in love, ultimately works for good in the errant believer’s life and faith. This admonishment and temporary withdrawal of fellowship must be done in unfeigned humility and love, else no one is helped and all parties become guilty of sin.

[9] Paul generally dictated his letters to someone else who did the actual writing, so unfamiliar handwriting [in a letter from the apostle] would have been the norm rather than the exception. This explains how easily it would have been for someone to forge a letter from Paul and it be accepted as authentic by the churches. His personal salutation, in his own handwriting, in each letter was his precaution against this. It was a necessary identification. ..

1 Thessalonians 5 Commentary

    1: But of the times and the seasons[1] brethren you have no need that I write to you 2: For yourselves know perfectly that the Day of the Lord so comes as a thief in the night 3: For when they shall say Peace and Safety*[2] then sudden destruction comes upon them as travail upon a woman with child and they shall not escape[3] 4: But you brethren are not in darkness that that day should overtake you as a thief 5: You are all the children of light and the children of the day We are not of the night nor of darkness[4] 6: Therefore let us not sleep as do others but let us watch and be sober 7: For they that sleep sleep in the night and they that be drunken are drunken in the night 8: But let us who are of the day be sober putting on the breastplate of faith and love and for an helmet the hope of deliverance  9: For God has not appointed us to wrath but to obtain deliverance by our Lord Jesus Christ[5] 10: Who died for us that whether we wake or sleep ^{1 Thessalonians 4:16-18} we should live together with him 11: Wherefore comfort yourselves together and edify one another even as also you do 12: And we beseech you brethren to know them who labor among you and care for you[6] in the Lord and encourage you[7] 13: And to esteem them very highly in love for their work's sake And be at peace among yourselves 14: Now we exhort you brethren warn them that are unruly comfort the faint-hearted support the weak be patient toward all 15: See that none render evil for evil to any but ever follow that which is good both among yourselves and to all 16: Rejoice evermore 17: Pray without ceasing 18: In every thing give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you 19: Quench not the Spirit 20: Despise not prophesyings[8] 21: Test all things[9] hold fast that which is good 22: Abstain from all appearance of evil[10] 23: Now the God of peace sanctify you wholly and your whole spirit and soul and body preserved blameless[11] unto the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ 24: Faithful is he that calls you who also will do it 25: Brethren pray for us 26: Greet all the brethren with an holy kiss 27: I charge you by the Lord that this epistle be read to all the holy brethren 28: The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you Amen

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[1] The times and the seasons of God’s plan of redemption [of our souls, bodies, and the earth], are “set” times. They have already been appointed and are not influenced by what happens or does not happen on earth, but rather, the pre-determined “set” times and seasons of God’s plan are the cause of what happens or does not happen on earth ^{Acts 1:7, Ezekiel 12:27, Daniel 2:21, 8:19 (17-19)}. 

[2] *Point of interest: 2017 was the international year of Peace and Security (Safety) for the United Nations.

[3] In Luke 17:26-28, Jesus commanded the Jews to pray that they would “escape” the terrible things coming to the inhabitants of the earth. In 1 Thessalonians 5:3, Paul comforted believers by writing to them that only unbelievers would not “escape” the coming wrath of God. This is exactly in line with what Jesus said, and many scholars agree that both Jesus and Paul were speaking of the last days Great Tribulation, also known as the Time of Jacob’s Trouble.

[4] Again, Paul references the teaching of Jesus [John the Baptist and Joel]. Paul wrote that believers are not children of the “night.” Jesus said, “Night is coming when no one can work.” In speaking of the “night,” both Paul and Jesus were speaking of the same thing, the Day of Darkness written of by the prophet Joel [Paul also used the word “dark”]. Paul was referencing the terrible “night” of the Great Tribulation. Both Joel and Jesus warned people to be “very afraid” of the horrendous things coming to the inhabitants of the earth. This is contrary to the usual admonitions to God’s people to “fear nothing.” The reason for these frightful admonitions is because no one has to go through the Great Tribulation. Jesus commanded people to pray that they would be found worthy to escape the coming horrors. John asked the Pharisees and Sadducee's who warned them to flee from the “wrath to come.” Paul promised believers that they were not appointed to “wrath.” Jesus promised that believers [prior to the resurrection/rapture] that they would be “kept from” the hour of trial that would come upon all the world to test them that dwell upon the earth. All, Joel, John the Baptist, Jesus, and Paul were speaking of the terrible [last days] time of Jacob’s Trouble, the Great Tribulation ^{Jeremiah 30:7, Joel 2:1-whole chapter, Matthew 3:7, 24:21-22, 1 Thessalonians 5, Revelation 3:10}.  

[5] The Christians at Thessalonica were afraid they had missed the resurrection. Someone had been writing [or telling them] that they were currently in the fearful Time of Jacob’s Trouble, spoken of by the prophets Jeremiah and Joel. Paul assured them that indeed that was not the case, that they were not appointed to wrath but rather to deliverance (resurrection and harpazo). Paul had also written of this to the believers at Corinth ^{1 Thessalonians 4:16-18, 1 Corinthians 15:51-52}.

[6] Throughout the New Testament, the Greek word “proistemi,” is often translated as “rule” or “over,” when it also means to “care for” or “maintain,” depending upon context. In this case, context demands the word be translated as “care for.” Jesus said so. In Mark 10:42-44, we read, “But Jesus called them to him and said to them You know that they who are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them and their great ones exercise authority upon them But so shall it not be among you but whoever will be great among you shall be your diakonos (servant) And whoever of you will be the chiefest shall be slave of all.”

[7] The Greek word, noutheteo (G3560), does not always mean “warn” or “admonish.” It is used in Colossians 3:16, where the context shows, it should have been translated as “encourage.”  

[8] It is unfortunate that that the phrase, “Quench not the Spirit Despise not prophesyings,” [προφητεία prophēteía, prof-ay-ti'-ah; from G4396 ("prophecy"); prediction (scriptural or other):—prophecy, prophesying.] is divided by verse numbers.,They should have been one single verse, as Paul is not giving instruction regarding two separate things. He is admonishing believers not to quench the unction of the Holy Spirit by despising prophesyings. He is not referring to simple straight-forward preaching in this case, but rather to the verbal gifts of the Holy Spirit called prophecy, the word of wisdom, and the word of knowledge. These gifts are spontaneous. They manifest at the pleasure of the Holy Spirit, and when obeyed, often interrupt the planned flow of things in Christian meetings. Paul understood the natural tendency to resent interruptions to carefully planned presentations during church services, and reminded Christians that God can and does interrupt human plans [with his own words] during these gatherings. And when that happens, Christians are instructed to welcome the words of God [spoken through the inspired speaker who may or may not be the scheduled speaker]. And the one who is prompted by the Holy Spirit, is instructed not to quench the words of God by refusing to speak them. 

[9] The Bible is a book of faith. Without faith it is impossible to please God. But even faith is testable. Hebrews 11:1, says faith is the substance (faith has a substance) of things hoped for (if we have hope we have faith) it is the evidence (evidence is proof) of things not [yet] seen. The Bible is the only holy book that [in more than one passage—both Old and New Testaments] commands its readers to test it.  

[10] It does matter what people think. Christians are ambassadors for Christ, and [whenever possible] should take care not to allow wrong impressions to be inferred by observers. Our behavior and choices should accurately reflect Jesus and the choices he would make given the same situations. The sayings, “What would Jesus do?” and “You are the only Bible someone may ever read,” should much more than the clichés they have become. 

[11] One of the ways audawm ^{See Special Features} is made in the image of God, is that each individual (believer or unbeliever) is a triune being composed of spirit, soul, and body, yet these three [completely separate and individual] components compose only one person. It is at the Resurrection of the Just, that the bodies of believers will be reunited with their souls and spirits—preserved whole forever. There is a Resurrection of the Damned, where at the final judgement (the Great White Throne Judgement) the bodies, souls, and spirits of the condemned will not be preserved whole.