Category: Mining the Scriptures

The birth and circumcision of John the Baptist are here described. (Earlier in the chapter we see the significance of John’s conception, re: Zacharias and Elizabeth, 5-23).

The Lord’s blessing upon Elizabeth was a cause for great joy to her neighbors and relatives, who rejoiced with her (58).

It was required of the Jews by law to circumcise male children on the eighth day following birth.  At this time they named him John. John was not a family name, so it had to be confirmed by both Elizabeth and Zacharias his name would be John, as directed by the Lord in a vision to Zacharias in 1:13.

At this time, the Lord also loosed the mouth of Zacharias (he had been mute since the vision of 1:5-23. However, though God had indicated to Zacharias the nature of the boy, it was not yet known to the friends and relatives, who rejoiced at the miracle of the return of Zacharias’ voice, and asked in wonder, “What kind of child will this be?” One who would be a great servant of God!

Here we see a pattern of Jesus during his adult life, seeking solitude to pray to His Father in heaven. It shows us the importance of such conversations with God, which help to  sustain us and provides comfort and strength to handle whatever comes our way.

As the pattern begins here, near the beginning of his Galilean ministry, it took the followers by surprise. Their teacher had disappeared! We are told that when they finally found the Lord, they said, “Everyone is looking for You.”

Instead of apologizing (He was not sorry for His prayerful preparations, Jesus told them it was time to go to the next towns to continue his ministry. Verse 39 tells us that he went throughout all Galilee, preaching and casting out demons.

Understand the significance of his words, “for this purpose I have come forth” (38). This is the central truth of the entire New Testament, Him coming to establish His covenant for sinful man.

After Matthew records the departure of the young Jesus to Egypt (a fulfillment of Hosea 11:1), the massacre of the infants in Bethlehem, and finally the death of Herod; an angel appeared to Joseph to return with the child and His mother back to Israel.

However, Joseph was afraid to return to Judea because the son of Herod,  Archelaus was reigning the place of his father.  Apparently Joseph’s fear was legitimate as God warned him in a dream about the danger there, and Joseph instead turned to Galilee.

The city of Nazareth was where Joseph settled, and where Jesus was raised. In fact, he was often referred to and known as Jesus of Nazareth in the New Testament.  Nathanael, in John 1:46 asked about Jesus, “Can anything good come out of Nazareth?” Indicating the city did not have a good reputation in Israel at the time.

This was also a fulfillment of a prophecy concerning the Christ. “He shall be called a Nazarene”, which was written hundreds of years previously, in Judges 13:5.

The text refers to John’s reaction seeing Jesus, “I fell to his feet as dead” (17). It must have been an awesome and overwhelming vision.

But, Jesus quickly assured Him, identifying Himself in this first vision, not as a foe, but as God the Son. The eternal being who had directed this, and subsequent visions, for John to record through the written word. The visions had reference to the past, present and future and were designed to give Christians faith and confidence despite their present trials.

Christ also began to explain what it was that John was seeing.  The seven stars were the seven angels (or messengers) for the seven churches of Asia, to which Christ wrote letters in the next two chapters.  The context makes it difficult to know whether these angels were divine or men associated with those churches.  The seven lampstands were the churches themselves, the number seven indicating a full representation of such congregations.

A Christian is not to have affection for anything characterized as worldly. It constitutes a conflict of interest. Worldliness and a love for God are antithetical. Hence John’s statement, “If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him” (15).

The threefold manner in which the Devil entices is through the lust of the flesh (an illicit desire to satisfy physical appetites), the lust of the eye (an illicit desire that reacts to beauty, sensuality, or anything that is alluring to the sight or imagination), and pride (of position, money, influence, race, etc. Whatever  pertains to self-glorification).

The question that must be answered is are you interested in the passing pleasures of sin? Or the greater joy of eternity? It seems a simple question to answer, but too many get it wrong. What this life has to offer, no matter how enticing, is but for a moment and then passes away. However, this life should be understood by every child of God as a life lived in preparation for eternity!

Peter continues his description of the character and actions of the false teachers troubling the church by noting their actions as being like Balaam.

Balaam was a  prophet during the days of Moses as the children of Israel were in the wilderness of Judea.  Balaam’s greed and desire for glory led him to initially disobey God, as the King of Moab  wanted him to curse God’s people (Numbers 22).  On the way, a dumb donkey kept him from such an evil task (cf. 22:22-34).

The false teachers addressed by Peter have the same motivation, leaving truth for personal gain.  In verse 3, “By covetousness they will exploit you with deceptive words…” Such actions can rightly be described as “madness” – they go against God!

Just as a well or storm clouds promise water, but disappoint us when they are dry or pass by without rain, these false teacher’s disappoint.  Their words are useless and corrupt.

They are condemned and will be punished by God in eternity.

Peter affirms here that God’s plan for redeeming man was formulated before the creation. This was not an effort to mitigate any mistake, God knew that free will would bring about disobedience. As such, a means of reconciliation between Him and man was necessary. The same sentiment is expressed in Ephesians 1:3-14.

This scheme of redeeming man came to a climax in the first century, the latter days, when Jesus was manifest to man.  He came to earth as a man, lived a sinless life, taught His will, died on the cross, was resurrected from the dead, and ascended back into heaven.  This was done, as Peter wrote, “to you who through Him believe in God.”

Jesus, who humbled Himself even to the point of death (cf. Philippians 2:8), was given glory by His Father, as He raised Jesus to sit at His right hand on heaven’s throne.  In this it can truly be said that in Jesus, (and in Him alone, cf. John 14:6), reside our faith and hope for an eternity as the redeemed in heaven!

Here we have a general command of James, which is produced by the characteristic of love. If indeed we want to heed Christ’s imperative: “Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets” (Matthew 7:12), James’ admonition must be obeyed. “…Do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality.”

Although the context gives the example of material wealth (not preferring the rich man over the poor), there is nothing in the admonition which would limit it to this case.  An understanding of Galatians 3:28, which affirms the value of every soul, shows that any partiality shown, whether it be wealth, gender, race or culture is in fact becoming “judges with evil thoughts.”

The gospel of Christ is for every man.  All have the same value to Him, and so should have the same value to us. Those who are vulnerable, disenfranchised, poor, desolate — whatever their state — as we consider their souls, should be cherished by us.

In the Hebrew writer’s general efforts to show the superiority of the new to the old, he here makes a central and strong argument. This would be especially stirring to the Jewish Christians, as our Lord is compared to perhaps the most significant individual in the establishment of their nation and old law — Moses.

First, Jesus was fully faithful to his Father in heaven, as Moses was faithful. But, as was written, “For this one has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses”! Why? Because of the fundamental difference between Moses and Jesus.

Moses was a man. A servant. Jesus is God the Son. Moses is described as “a house”, where Jesus is described as the Builder of the house, thus worthy of more honor.

When we contrast the Old to the New, it is not merely a consideration of the relative merits. They’re both from God, they are both Holy. But it was God’s plan to supplant, in these last days, a limited law with His supreme gift to mankind. His Son!

After Paul’s admonition to “obey”, he noted his own previous “foolish” state as a sinner. It is interesting to note his description, starting with the word “foolish” – unintelligent or unwise.

His foolishness led to disobedience – he had not complied to the will of God. He was contumacious – stubborn willful against authority. He was deceived – led away from the truth. He served his own desires and pleasures. In effect, he did what pleased himself, not what pleased God.  He lived in malice – malignity, ill-will, a desire to injure; and envy – ill will, jealousy, spite. He was hateful – detestable or odious; and was actively involved in hating others.

Verses 4-7 indicate a change.  This is conversion.  But, prior to it Paul was like everyone else.  By not serving God he was serving himself. He caused injury to the cause of Christ.  “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting” (Acts 9:5). Paul was honest in assessing himself, this led him to call others to righteousness!

Paul noted here that the gospel of Christ caused him to suffer, as the world considered Paul an “evildoer” because of his teacher. Regardless, Paul was willing to suffer, knowing that the word of God could not be stopped by the efforts of men: “but the word of God is not chained” (9).

So for the sake of those who would respond in faith to his preaching, “the elect”, Paul endured his suffering. He wrote to the Romans, “So, as much as is in me, I am ready to preach the gospel to you who are in Roman also” (Romans 1:15). As a result, Paul was responsible for the salvation of many.

Verses 11-13 contain what Paul referred to as a faithful saying. This is not a quotation from scripture, it may have been lyrics from an early hymn.  Whatever the origin, as Paul states, the words are true. Essentially, God can only be Himself. He cannot lie. Therefore, all of the promises He has made to man regarding faithfulness and reward are true promises and will be accomplished!

After admitting that he was chief among sinners (15), Paul then writes that despite his low state he received mercy from God.  This truth can be seen both in his conversion in Acts 9, and in his many personal explanations of  that conversion to Christ.

Here he states why that mercy was shown to him. So that in him Jesus Christ’s longsuffering could be demonstrated. If God was willing to save the most violent and zealous enemy of the faith, and then use him as a preeminent apologist for that same faith, it is obvious that anyone who accepts Christ can be forgiven. This is a truth that gives hope to all.

It is for this reason in verse 17 Paul praises God so graciously in this spontaneous expression of praise. He is eternal and immortal — without beginning or end. He is invisible—indicating His spiritual and divine nature. And He is wise to an extent that defies comparison.

For these reasons He is worthy of the praise of our lips and pens.

Our text begins here, and the thought ends in verse.  It is an admonition against walking in a disorderly fashion.  The word disorderly means, “irregularly (morally), : — disorderly (Strong). It seems in the context that such a disorderly walk came about through idleness.  As Proverbs 18:9 says, “He who is slothful in his work is a brother to him who is a great destroyer.”

Paul offers himself up as an example to follow, an example of one who was industrious! He did not impose upon the generosity of others. Instead, he worked.  His purpose in working was to assure his ability to independently preach the gospel, without fearing resentment and false claims of manipulation.

Finally, this in no way indicated that Paul did not have a right to be supported.  His right is clearly stated by him in 1 Corinthians 9. However, “to make ourselves an example of how you should follow us” (9), he supported himself as a tentmaker (Acts 18:1-4).

Paul was industrious, we should be the same! After all, Idleness is the Devil’s workshop!

As we previously pointed our in verses1-7, Paul had a great love for the Thessalonians which led to his ministry to them.  The though continues in these verses, as he declares his affection, and his willingness even to die in his efforts to share with them the “gospel of God.”

The Thessalonians were well aware of Paul’s efforts, as he had labored diligently among them.  Further, his secular worked was a testament to his love, so that he would not be a financial burden to the brethren there. (Though note, such support was certainly scripturally defensible, cf. 1 Timothy 5:18).

But Paul, in every way wanted only to benefit his brethren. Thus he always acted in a way to protect his reputation, that his work of ministry would not be hindered.  He acted, “devoutly and justly and blamelessly” among them.

Paul’s concern was not for himself — only for them! His hope for them was a worthy walk, and an eternal reward.

In the first three verses here, Paul expressed his concern and diligence in encouraging his brethren.  Specifically those in Laodicea and Colosse. He did this in his ministry by sharing his understanding of God’s will, in which are “hidden all treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (3).

In verses 4-10 he contrasts the Divine wisdom with the foolish philosophies of men. What he refers to as “persuasive words.” They have persuasive power to the uninformed, but are false. We are to walk in God’s word, not “philosophy and empty deceit, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ” (8).

This is an important warning that Christians need to hear today. We are complete in Christ.  He is the preeminent One, the “head of all principality and power” (10). To place our trust and faith in any man rather than the Lord Jesus Christ is foolish and Paul wrote that it “cheat”-’s us out of our standing with God!