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• Question: Is Boule and Thelema different?
  • Dear Bob,
  • I read in Luke 7:30 that the "Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God for themselves." My question is: how could anyone reject God's counsel? If this is a specific counsel (the counsel specifically for the Pharisees and lawyers), then what was it? That they be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Tim 2:4)? If so, then wouldn't "Boule" and "thelema" be semantically equal?
  • Also, in Acts 13:22, we read "After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do." "Thelema" appears in this passage, but in Acts 13:36, it reads "For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed." Here, "thelema" has been changed to "boule (purpose)."
  • It seems to me that boule and thelema are juxtaposed here in order that it might be shown that they are semantically equal.
  • I'd appreciate your help with these verses.
  • God bless,
  • Ryan
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Dear Ryan,
  2. The best way to determine the use of a word when God uses it or it is used about God, is to check all the passages of the word. Therefore, here is a word study that I have done on these words.
  3. Will, Counsel - Nouns and Verbs NKJV
  4. Will - qevlhma
  5. Mat 6:10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
  6. Mat 7:21 Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven.
  7. Mat 12:50 For whoever does the will of My Father in heaven is My brother and sister and mother.
  8. Mat 18:14 Even so it is not the will of your Father who is in heaven that one of these little ones should perish.
  9. Mat 21:31 Which of the two did the will of his father? They said to Him, The first. Jesus said to them, Assuredly, I say to you that tax collectors and harlots enter the kingdom of God before you.
  10. Mat 26:42 Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.
  11. Mk 3:35 For whoever does the will of God is My brother and My sister and mother.
  12. Lk 11:2 So He said to them, When you pray, say: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done On earth as it is in heaven.
  13. Lk 12:47 And that servant who knew his master's will, and did not prepare himself or do according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes .
  14. Lk 22:42 saying, Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.
  15. Lk 23:25 And he released to them the one they requested, who for rebellion and murder had been thrown into prison; but he delivered Jesus to their will.
  16. John 1:13 who were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
  17. John 4:34 Jesus said to them, My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and to finish His work.
  18. John 5:30 I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous, because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.
  19. John 6:38-40 For I have come down from heaven, not to do My own will, but the will of Him who sent Me. 39 This is the will of the Father who sent Me, that of all He has given Me I should lose nothing, but should raise it up at the last day. 40 And this is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.
  20. John 7:17 If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority .
  21. John 9:31 Now we know that God does not hear sinners; but if anyone is a worshiper of God and does His will, He hears him.
  22. Acts 13:22 And when He had removed him, He raised up for them David as king, to whom also He gave testimony and said, 'I have found David the son of Jesse, a man after My own heart, who will do all My will.'
  23. Acts 21:14 So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, The will of the Lord be done.
  24. Acts 22:14 Then he said, 'The God of our fathers has chosen you that you should know His will, and see the Just One, and hear the voice of His mouth.
  25. Rom 1:10 making request if, by some means, now at last I may find a way in the will of God to come to you.
  26. Rom 2:18 and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law,
  27. Rom 12:2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
  28. Rom 15:32 that I may come to you with joy by the will of God, and may be refreshed together with you.
  29. 1 Co 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and Sosthenes our brother,
  30. 1 Co 7:37 Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his virgin, does well.
  31. 1 Co 16:12 Now concerning our brother Apollos, I strongly urged him to come to you with the brethren, but he was quite unwilling to come at this time; however, he will come when he has a convenient time.
  32. 2 Co 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints who are in all Achaia:
  33. 2 Co 8:5 they first gave themselves to the Lord, and then to us by the will of God.
  34. Gal 1:4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father,
  35. Eph 1:1,5,9,11 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: 5 having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, 9 having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, 11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,
  36. Eph 2:3 among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.
  37. Eph 5:17 Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is .
  38. Eph 6:6 as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart,
  39. Col 1:1,9 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, Col 1:9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding;
  40. Col 4:12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.
  41. 1 Th 4:3 For this is the will of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality;
  42. 1 Th 5:18 in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.
  43. 2 Ti 1:1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, according to the promise of life
  44. 2 Ti 2:26 come to their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken captive by him to do his will.
  45. Heb 10:7,9,10,36 Behold, I have come-In the volume of the book it is written of Me-To do Your will, O God. 9 then He said, Behold, I have come to do Your will, O God. He takes away the first that He may establish the second. 10 By that will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. 36 For you have need of endurance, so that after you have done the will of God, you may receive the promise:
  46. Heb 13:21 make you complete in every good work to do His will, working in you what is well pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.
  47. 1 Pe 2:15 For this is the will of God, that by doing good you may put to silence the ignorance of foolish men-
  48. 1 Pe 3:17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
  49. 1 Pe 4:2,3 that he no longer should live the rest of his time in the flesh for the lusts of men, but for the will of God. 3 For we have spent enough of our past lifetime in doing the will of the Gentiles-when we walked in lewdness, lusts, drunkenness, revelries, drinking parties, and abominable idolatries.
  50. 1 Pe 4:19 Therefore let those who suffer according to the will of God commit their souls to Him in doing good, as to a faithful Creator.
  51. 2 Pe 1:21 for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.
  52. 1 Jo 2:17 And the world is passing away, and the lust of it; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
  53. 1 Jo 5:14 Now this is the confidence that we have in Him, that if we ask anything according to His will, He hears us.
  54. Rev 4:11 You are worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created.
  55. I Will, I Want - qevlw
  56. Mat 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man , and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.
  57. Mat 2:18 A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted, because they are no more.
  58. Mat 5:40,42 If anyone wants to sue you and take away your tunic, let him have your cloak also. 42 Give to him who asks you, and from him who wants to borrow from you do not turn away.
  59. Mat 7:12 Therefore, whatever you want men to do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.
  60. Mat 8:2,3 And behold, a leper came and worshiped Him, saying, Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean. 3 Then Jesus put out His hand and touched him, saying, I am willing; be cleansed. Immediately his leprosy was cleansed.
  61. Mat 9:13 But go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice.' For I did not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance.
  62. Mat 11:14 And if you are willing to receive it , he is Elijah who is to come.
  63. Mat 12:7,38 But if you had known what this means, 'I desire mercy and not sacrifice,' you would not have condemned the guiltless. 38 Then some of the scribes and Pharisees answered, saying, Teacher, we want to see a sign from You.
  64. Mat 13:28 He said to them, 'An enemy has done this.' The servants said to him, 'Do you want us then to go and gather them up?'
  65. Mat 14:5 And although he wanted to put him to death, he feared the multitude, because they counted him as a prophet.
  66. Mat 15:28,32 Then Jesus answered and said to her, O woman, great is your faith! Let it be to you as you desire. And her daughter was healed from that very hour. 32 Now Jesus called His disciples to Himself and said, I have compassion on the multitude, because they have now continued with Me three days and have nothing to eat. And I do not want to send them away hungry, lest they faint on the way.
  67. Mat 16:24,25 Then Jesus said to His disciples, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.
  68. Mat 17:4,12 Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. 12 But I say to you that Elijah has come already, and they did not know him but did to him whatever they wished. Likewise the Son of Man is also about to suffer at their hands.
  69. Mat 18:23,30 Therefore the kingdom of heaven is like a certain king who wanted to settle accounts with his servants. 30 And he would not, but went and threw him into prison till he should pay the debt.
  70. Mat 19:17,21 So He said to him, Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is , God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments. 21 Jesus said to him, If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.
  71. Mat 20:14,15,21,26,27,32 'Take what is yours and go your way. I wish to give to this last man the same as to you. 15 'Is it not lawful for me to do what I wish with my own things? Or is your eye evil because I am good?' 21 And He said to her, What do you wish? She said to Him, Grant that these two sons of mine may sit, one on Your right hand and the other on the left, in Your kingdom. 26 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you, let him be your servant. 27 And whoever desires to be first among you, let him be your slave-32 So Jesus stood still and called them, and said, What do you want Me to do for you?
  72. Mat 21:29 He answered and said, 'I will not,' but afterward he regretted it and went.
  73. Mat 22:3 sent out his servants to call those who were invited to the wedding; and they were not willing to come.
  74. Mat 23:4,37 For they bind heavy burdens, hard to bear, and lay them on men's shoulders; but they themselves will not move them with one of their fingers. 37 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing!
  75. Mat 26:15,17,39 and said, What are you willing to give me if I deliver Him to you? And they counted out to him thirty pieces of silver. 17 Now on the first day of the Feast of the Unleavened Bread the disciples came to Jesus, saying to Him, Where do You want us to prepare for You to eat the Passover? 39 He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will .
  76. Mat 27:15,17,21,34,43 Now at the feast the governor was accustomed to releasing to the multitude one prisoner whom they wished. 17 Therefore, when they had gathered together, Pilate said to them, Whom do you want me to release to you? Barabbas, or Jesus who is called Christ? 21 The governor answered and said to them, Which of the two do you want me to release to you? They said, Barabbas! 34 they gave Him sour wine mingled with gall to drink. But when He had tasted it , He would not drink. 43 He trusted in God; let Him deliver Him now if He will have Him; for He said, 'I am the Son of God.'
  77. Mk 1:40,41 Now a leper came to Him, imploring Him, kneeling down to Him and saying to Him, If You are willing, You can make me clean. 41 Then Jesus, moved with compassion, stretched out His hand and touched him, and said to him, I am willing; be cleansed.
  78. Mk 3:13 And He went up on the mountain and called to Him those He Himself wanted. And they came to Him.
  79. Mk 6:19,22,25,26,48 Therefore Herodias held it against him and wanted to kill him, but she could not; 22 And when Herodias' daughter herself came in and danced, and pleased Herod and those who sat with him, the king said to the girl, Ask me whatever you want, and I will give it to you. 25 Immediately she came in with haste to the king and asked, saying, I want you to give me at once the head of John the Baptist on a platter. 26 And the king was exceedingly sorry; yet , because of the oaths and because of those who sat with him, he did not want to refuse her. 48 Then He saw them straining at rowing, for the wind was against them. Now about the fourth watch of the night He came to them, walking on the sea, and would have passed them by.
  80. Mk 7:24 From there He arose and went to the region of Tyre and Sidon. And He entered a house and wanted no one to know it , but He could not be hidden.
  81. Mk 8:34,35 When He had called the people to Himself , with His disciples also, He said to them, Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.
  82. Mk 9:13,30.35 But I say to you that Elijah has also come, and they did to him whatever they wished, as it is written of him. 30 Then they departed from there and passed through Galilee, and He did not want anyone to know it. 35 And He sat down, called the twelve, and said to them, If anyone desires to be first, he shall be last of all and servant of all.
  83. Mk 10:35,36,43,44,51 Then James and John, the sons of Zebedee, came to Him, saying, Teacher, we want You to do for us whatever we ask. 36 And He said to them, What do you want Me to do for you? 43 Yet it shall not be so among you; but whoever desires to become great among you shall be your servant. 44 And whoever of you desires to be first shall be slave of all. 51 So Jesus answered and said to him, What do you want Me to do for you? The blind man said to Him, Rabboni, that I may receive my sight.
  84. Mk 12:38 Then He said to them in His teaching, Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the Mk etplaces,
  85. Mk 14:7,12,36 For you have the poor with you always, and whenever you wish you may do them good; but Me you do not have always. 12 Now on the first day of Unleavened Bread, when they killed the Passover lamb , His disciples said to Him, Where do You want us to go and prepare, that You may eat the Passover? 36 And He said, Abba, Father, all things are possible for You. Take this cup away from Me; nevertheless, not what I will, but what You will .
  86. Mk 15:9,12 But Pilate answered them, saying, Do you want me to release to you the King of the Jews? 12 Pilate answered and said to them again, What then do you want me to do with Him whom you call the King of the Jews?
  87. Lk 1:62 So they made signs to his father-what he would have him called.
  88. Lk 4:6 And the devil said to Him, All this authority I will give You, and their glory; for this has been delivered to me, and I give it to whomever I wish.
  89. Lk 5:12,13,39 And it happened when He was in a certain city, that behold, a man who was full of leprosy saw Jesus; and he fell on his face and implored Him, saying, Lord, if You are willing, You can make me clean. 13 Then He put out His hand and touched him, saying, I am willing; be cleansed. Immediately the leprosy left him. 39 And no one, having drunk old wine , immediately desires new; for he says, 'The old is better.'
  90. Lk 6:31 And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.
  91. Lk 8:20 And it was told Him by some , who said, Your mother and Your brothers are standing outside, desiring to see You.
  92. Lk 9:23,24,54 Then He said to them all, If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. 24 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. 54 And when His disciples James and John saw this , they said, Lord, do You want us to command fire to come down from heaven and consume them, just as Elijah did?
  93. Lk 10:24,29 for I tell you that many prophets and kings have desired to see what you see, and have not seen it , and to hear what you hear, and have not heard it. 29 But he, wanting to justify himself, said to Jesus, And who is my neighbor?
  94. Lk 12:49 I came to send fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already kindled!
  95. Lk 13:31,34 On that very day some Pharisees came, saying to Him, Get out and depart from here, for Herod wants to kill You. 34 O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the one who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often I wanted to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, but you were not willing!
  96. Lk 14:28 For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it-
  97. Lk 15:28 But he was angry and would not go in. Therefore his father came out and pleaded with him.
  98. Lk 16:26 'And besides all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed, so that those who want to pass from here to you cannot, nor can those from there pass to us.'
  99. Lk 18:4,13,41 And he would not for a while; but afterward he said within himself, 'Though I do not fear God nor regard man, 13 And the tax collector, standing afar off, would not so much as raise his eyes to heaven, but beat his breast, saying, 'God, be merciful to me a sinner!' 41 saying, What do you want Me to do for you? He said, Lord, that I may receive my sight.
  100. Lk 19:14,27 But his citizens hated him, and sent a delegation after him, saying, 'We will not have this man to reign over us.' 27 'But bring here those enemies of mine, who did not want me to reign over them, and slay them before me.'
  101. Lk 20:46 Beware of the scribes, who desire to go around in long robes, love greetings in the marketplaces, the best seats in the synagogues, and the best places at feasts,
  102. Lk 22:9 So they said to Him, Where do You want us to prepare?
  103. Lk 23:8,20 Now when Herod saw Jesus, he was exceedingly glad; for he had desired for a long time to see Him, because he had heard many things about Him, and he hoped to see some miracle done by Him. 20 Pilate, therefore, wishing to release Jesus, again called out to them.
  104. John 1:43 The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, Follow Me.
  105. John 3:8 The wind blows where it wishes, and you hear the sound of it, but cannot tell where it comes from and where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.
  106. John 5:6,21,35,40 When Jesus saw him lying there, and knew that he already had been in that condition a long time, He said to him, Do you want to be made well? 21 For as the Father raises the dead and gives life to them , even so the Son gives life to whom He will. 35 He was the burning and shining lamp, and you were willing for a time to rejoice in his light. 40 But you are not willing to come to Me that you may have life.
  107. John 6:11,21,67 And Jesus took the loaves, and when He had given thanks He distributed them to the disciples, and the disciples to those sitting down; and likewise of the fish, as much as they wanted. 21 Then they willingly received Him into the boat, and immediately the boat was at the land where they were going. 67 Then Jesus said to the twelve, Do you also want to go away?
  108. John 7:1,17,44 After these things Jesus walked in Galilee; for He did not want to walk in Judea, because the Jews sought to kill Him. 17 If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine, whether it is from God or whether I speak on My own authority. 44 Now some of them wanted to take Him, but no one laid hands on Him.
  109. John 8:44 You are of your father the devil, and the desires of your father you want to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaks a lie, he speaks from his own resources , for he is a liar and the father of it.
  110. John 9:27 He answered them, I told you already, and you did not listen. Why do you want to hear it again? Do you also want to become His disciples?
  111. John 12:21 Then they came to Philip, who was from Bethsaida of Galilee, and asked him, saying, Sir, we wish to see Jesus.
  112. John 15:7 If you abide in Me, and My words abide in you, you will ask what you desire, and it shall be done for you.
  113. John 16:19 Now Jesus knew that they desired to ask Him, and He said to them, Are you inquiring among yourselves about what I said, 'A little while, and you will not see Me; and again a little while, and you will see Me'?
  114. John 17:24 Father, I desire that they also whom You gave Me may be with Me where I am, that they may behold My glory which You have given Me; for You loved Me before the foundation of the world.
  115. John 21:18 Most assuredly, I say to you, when you were younger, you girded yourself and walked where you wished; but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will gird you and carry you where you do not wish.
  116. John 21:22,23 Jesus said to him, If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you? You follow Me. 23 Then this saying went out among the brethren that this disciple would not die. Yet Jesus did not say to him that he would not die, but, If I will that he remain till I come, what is that to you?
  117. Acts 2:12 So they were all amazed and perplexed, saying to one another, Whatever could this mean?
  118. Acts 7:28,39 'Do you want to kill me as you did the Egyptian yesterday?' 39 whom our fathers would not obey, but rejected. And in their hearts they turned back to Egypt,
  119. Acts 9:6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, Lord, what do You want me to do? Then the Lord said to him, Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.
  120. Acts 10:10 Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance
  121. Acts 14:13 Then the priest of Zeus, whose temple was in front of their city, brought oxen and garlands to the gates, intending to sacrifice with the multitudes.
  122. Acts 16:3 Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew that his father was Greek.
  123. Acts 17:18,20 Then certain Epicurean and Stoic philosophers encountered him. And some said, What does this babbler want to say? Others said, He seems to be a proclaimer of foreign gods, because he preached to them Jesus and the resurrection. 20 For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what these things mean.
  124. Acts 18:21 but took leave of them, saying, I must by all means keep this coming feast in Jerusalem; but I will return again to you, God willing. And he sailed from Ephesus.
  125. Acts 19:33 And they drew Alexander out of the multitude, the Jews putting him forward. And Alexander motioned with his hand, and wanted to make his defense to the people.
  126. Acts 24:6,27 He even tried to profane the temple, and we seized him, and wanted to judge him according to our law. 27 But after two years Porcius Festus succeeded Felix; and Felix, wanting to do the Jews a favor, left Paul bound.
  127. Acts 25:9 But Festus, wanting to do the Jews a favor, answered Paul and said, Are you willing to go up to Jerusalem and there be judged before me concerning these things?
  128. Acts 26:5 They knew me from the first, if they were willing to testify, that according to the strictest sect of our religion I lived a Pharisee.
  129. Rom 1:13 Now I do not want you to be unaware, brethren, that I often planned to come to you (but was hindered until now), that I might have some fruit among you also, just as among the other Gentiles.
  130. Rom 7:15,16,18,19,20,21 For what I am doing, I do not understand. For what I will to do, that I do not practice; but what I hate, that I do. 16 If, then, I do what I will not to do, I agree with the law that it is good. 18 For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find. 19 For the good that I will to do , I do not do; but the evil I will not to do , that I practice. 20 Now if I do what I will not to do , it is no longer I who do it, but sin that dwells in me. 21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good.
  131. Rom 9:16,18,22 So then it is not of him who wills, nor of him who runs, but of God who shows mercy. 18 Therefore He has mercy on whom He wills, and whom He wills He hardens. 22 What if God, wanting to show His wrath and to make His power known, endured with much longsuffering the vessels of wrath prepared for destruction,
  132. Rom 11:25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
  133. Rom 13:3 For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to evil. Do you want to be unafraid of the authority? Do what is good, and you will have praise from the same.
  134. Rom 16:19 For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil.
  135. 1 Co 4:19,21 But I will come to you shortly, if the Lord wills, and I will know, not the word of those who are puffed up, but the power. 21 What do you want? Shall I come to you with a rod, or in love and a spirit of gentleness?
  136. 1 Co 7:7,32,36,39 For I wish that all men were even as I myself. But each one has his own gift from God, one in this manner and another in that. 32 But I want you to be without care. He who is unmarried cares for the things of the Lord-how he may please the Lord. 36 But if any man thinks he is behaving improperly toward his virgin, if she is past the flower of youth, and thus it must be, let him do what he wishes. He does not sin; let them marry. 39 A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives; but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.
  137. 1 Co 10:1,20,27 Moreover, brethren, I do not want you to be unaware that all our fathers were under the cloud, all passed through the sea, 20 Rather, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice they sacrifice to demons and not to God, and I do not want you to have fellowship with demons. 27 If any of those who do not believe invites you to dinner , and you desire to go, eat whatever is set before you, asking no question for conscience' sake.
  138. 1 Co 11:3 But I want you to know that the head of every man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and the head of Christ is God.
  139. 1 Co 12:1,18 Now concerning spiritual gifts , brethren, I do not want you to be ignorant: 18 But now God has set the members, each one of them, in the body just as He pleased.
  140. 1 Co 14:5,19,35,38 I wish you all spoke with tongues, but even more that you prophesied; for he who prophesies is greater than he who speaks with tongues, unless indeed he interprets, that the church may receive edification. 19 yet in the church I would rather speak five words with my understanding, that I may teach others also, than ten thousand words in a tongue. 35 And if they want to learn something, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is shameful for women to speak in church. 38 But God gives it a body as He pleases, and to each seed its own body.
  141. 1 Co 16:7 For I do not wish to see you now on the way; but I hope to stay a while with you, if the Lord permits.
  142. 2 Co 1:8 For we do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, of our trouble which came to us in Asia: that we were burdened beyond measure, above strength, so that we despaired even of life.
  143. 2 Co 5:4 For we who are in this tent groan, being burdened, not because we want to be unclothed, but further clothed, that mortality may be swallowed up by life.
  144. 2 Co 8:10,11 And in this I give advice: It is to your advantage not only to be doing what you began and were desiring to do a year ago; 11 but now you also must complete the doing of it ; that as there was a readiness to desire it , so there also may be a completion out of what you have.
  145. 2 Co 11:12,32 But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. 32 In Damascus the governor, under Aretas the king, was guarding the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desiring to arrest me;
  146. 2 Co 12:6,20 For though I might desire to boast, I will not be a fool; for I will speak the truth. But I refrain, lest anyone should think of me above what he sees me to be or hears from me. 20 For I fear lest, when I come, I shall not find you such as I wish, and that I shall be found by you such as you do not wish; lest there be contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, backbitings, whisperings, conceits, tumults;
  147. Gal 1:7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ.
  148. Gal 3:2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?
  149. Gal 4:9,17,20,21 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 17 They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them. 20 I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you. 21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law?
  150. Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish.
  151. Gal 6:12,13 As many as desire to make a good showing in the flesh, these would compel you to be circumcised, only that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ. 13 For not even those who are circumcised keep the law, but they desire to have you circumcised that they may boast in your flesh.
  152. Phi 2:13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
  153. Col 1:27 To them God willed to make known what are the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
  154. Col 2:1,18 For I want you to know what a great conflict I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind,
  155. 1 Th 2:18 Therefore we wanted to come to you-even I, Paul, time and again-but Satan hindered us.
  156. 1 Th 4:13 But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
  157. 2 Th 3:10 when we were with you, we commanded you this: If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat.
  158. 1 Ti 1:7 desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.
  159. 1 Ti 2:4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
  160. 1 Ti 5:11 the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry,
  161. 2 Ti 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
  162. Phle 1:14 But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.
  163. Heb 10:5,8 Therefore, when He came into the world, He said: Sacrifice and offering You did not desire, But a body You have prepared for Me. 8 Previously saying, Sacrifice and offering, burnt offerings, and offerings for sin You did not desire, nor had pleasure in them (which are offered according to the law),
  164. Heb 12:17 For you know that afterward, when he wanted to inherit the blessing, he was rejected, for he found no place for repentance, though he sought it diligently with tears.
  165. Heb 13:18 Pray for us; for we are confident that we have a good conscience, in all things desiring to live honorably.
  166. Jam 2:20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?
  167. Jam 4:15 Instead you ought to say, If the Lord wills, we shall live and do this or that.
  168. 1 Pe 3:10,17 For He who would love life and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. 17 For it is better, if it is the will of God, to suffer for doing good than for doing evil.
  169. 2 Pe 3:5 For this they willfully forget: that by the word of God the heavens were of old, and the earth standing out of water and in the water,
  170. 3 Jo 1:13 I had many things to write, but I do not wish to write to you with pen and ink;
  171. Rev 11:5,6 And if anyone wants to harm them, fire proceeds from their mouth and devours their enemies. And if anyone wants to harm them, he must be killed in this manner. 6 These have power to shut heaven, so that no rain falls in the days of their prophecy; and they have power over waters to turn them to blood, and to strike the earth with all plagues, as often as they desire.
  172. Rev 22:17 And the Spirit and the bride say, Come! And let him who hears say, Come! And let him who thirsts come. Whoever desires, let him take the water of life freely.
  173. Counsel - boulhv
  174. Lk 7:30 the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.
  175. Lk 23:51 He had not consented to their decision and deed. He was from Arimathea, a city of the Jews, who himself was also waiting for the kingdom of God.
  176. Acts 2:23 Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death;
  177. Acts 4:28 to do whatever Your hand and Your purpose determined before to be done.
  178. Acts 5:38 And now I say to you, keep away from these men and let them alone; for if this plan or this work is of men, it will come to nothing;
  179. Acts 13:36 For David, after he had served his own generation by the will of God, fell asleep, was buried with his fathers, and saw corruption;
  180. Acts 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God.
  181. Acts 27:12,42 And because the harbor was not suitable to winter in, the majority advised to set sail from there also, if by any means they could reach Phoenix, a harbor of Crete opening toward the southwest and northwest, and winter there. 42 And the soldiers' plan was to kill the prisoners, lest any of them should swim away and escape.
  182. 1 Co 4:5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord comes, who will both bring to light the hidden things of darkness and reveal the counsels of the hearts. Then each one's praise will come from God.
  183. Eph 1:11 In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will,
  184. Heb 6:17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath,
  185. Counsel - bouvlhma
  186. Acts 27:43 But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land,
  187. Rom 9:19 You will say to me then, Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will?
  188. I Counsel - bouvlomai
  189. Mat 1:19 Then Joseph her husband, being a just man , and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly.
  190. Mat 11:27 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father. Nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.
  191. Mk 15:15 So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him , to be crucified.
  192. Lk 10:22 All things have been delivered to Me by My Father, and no one knows who the Son is except the Father, and who the Father is except the Son, and the one to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.
  193. Lk 22:42 saying, Father, if it is Your will, take this cup away from Me; nevertheless not My will, but Yours, be done.
  194. John 18:39 But you have a custom that I should release someone to you at the Passover. Do you therefore want me to release to you the King of the Jews?
  195. Acts 5:28 saying, Did we not strictly command you not to teach in this name? And look, you have filled Jerusalem with your doctrine, and intend to bring this Man's blood on us!
  196. Acts 12:4 So when he had arrested him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four squads of soldiers to keep him, intending to bring him before the people after Passover.
  197. Acts 17:20 For you are bringing some strange things to our ears. Therefore we want to know what these things mean.
  198. Acts 18:15,27 But if it is a question of words and names and your own law, look to it yourselves; for I do not want to be a judge of such matters. 27 And when he desired to cross to Achaia, the brethren wrote, exhorting the disciples to receive him; and when he arrived, he greatly helped those who had believed through grace;
  199. Acts 19:30 And when Paul wanted to go in to the people, the disciples would not allow him.
  200. Acts 22:30 The next day, because he wanted to know for certain why he was accused by the Jews, he released him from his bonds, and commanded the chief priests and all their council to appear, and brought Paul down and set him before them.
  201. Acts 23:28 And when I wanted to know the reason they accused him, I brought him before their council.
  202. Acts 25:20,22 And because I was uncertain of such questions, I asked whether he was willing to go to Jerusalem and there be judged concerning these matters. 22 Then Agrippa said to Festus, I also would like to hear the man myself. Tomorrow, he said, you shall hear him.
  203. Acts 27:43 But the centurion, wanting to save Paul, kept them from their purpose, and commanded that those who could swim should jump overboard first and get to land,
  204. Acts 28:18 who, when they had examined me, wanted to let me go, because there was no cause for putting me to death.
  205. 1 Co 12:11 But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.
  206. 2 Co 1:15 And in this confidence I intended to come to you before, that you might have a second benefit-
  207. Phil 1:12 But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel,
  208. 1 Ti 2:8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting;
  209. 1 Ti 5:14 Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully.
  210. 1 Ti 6:9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.
  211. Tit 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men.
  212. Phl 1:13 whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains.
  213. Heb 6:17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath,
  214. Jam 1:18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
  215. Jam 3:4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires.
  216. Jam 4:4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.
  217. 2 Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.
  218. 2 Jo 1:12 Having many things to write to you, I did not wish to do so with paper and ink; but I hope to come to you and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.
  219. 3 Jo 1:10 Therefore, if I come, I will call to mind his deeds which he does, prating against us with malicious words. And not content with that, he himself does not receive the brethren, and forbids those who wish to, putting them out of the church.
  220. Jude 1:5 But I want to remind you, though you once knew this, that the Lord, having saved the people out of the land of Egypt, afterward destroyed those who did not believe.
  221. The will (qelhma) of God consists of the things that God wants and the things that would please Him. He does not make all of His desires (qelhma) come true. There are things that He decides to do. Those things are His counsels (boulhv, bouvlhma). He will make all of those things come true.
  222. In 1 Ti 2:4 it says God "desires [qelei wills] all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." God wills it, but man is in fact in slavery to his nature. Left to ourselves, no one would trust Christ as his Savior. But we are not left to ourselves. In 2 Pe 3:9 it says, "The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not counseling any to perish but all to have room for repentance."
  223. The Greek for come [I translated, "have room"] is cwrhsai. The basic meaning of this word is "have room, accommodate." All the definitions in BGD are nuances of this basic meaning. Matthew 19:11-12 is a good example. "But He said to them, 'All cannot accept (cwrew) this saying, but only those to whom it has been given: 12 For there are eunuchs who were born thus from their mother's womb, and there are eunuchs who were made eunuchs by men, and there are eunuchs who have made themselves eunuchs for the kingdom of heaven's sake. He who is able to accept (cwrew) it, let him accept (cwrew) it.'" cwrew, occurs 10 times in the following references: Mat 15:17; Mat 19:11,12; Mk 2:2; John 2:6; John 8:37; John 21:25; 2 Co 7:2; 2 Pe 3:9. In the KJV it is translated receive 3, contain 2, come 1 [our verse], go 1, have place 1, receive 1, be room to receive 1. In the NKJV it is translated accept 3, goes 1, room to receive 1, containing 1, has place 1, could contain 1, and open 1. It is defined 1) to leave space (which may be filled or occupied by another), to make room, give place, yield 1a) to retire 1b) metaphorically, to betake one's self, turn one's self 2) to go forward, advance, proceed, succeed 3) to have space or room for receiving or holding something.
  224. The word "willing" in 2 Pe 3:9 is boulomeno", "not counseling any to perish but all to have room for repentance." No one can prevent His counsel, boulhv, from happening. He is going to bring His counsel, boulhvv, to pass. The participle, boulomeno", counseling, which correlates to the word counsel, boulhvv, is found in this passage. I want to give you my translation of 2 Pe 3:9 The Lord is not slow concerning His promise, as some count slowness but is long-suffering toward us, not counseling, boulomeno", any to perish but [counseling] all to have room for repentance.
  225. No one has resisted, thwarted His counsel [The answer to the following question is, no one! Rom 9:19 You will say to me then, "Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will (boulhv)?"]. He has determined that everyone will have room for repentance, and they do. But they can resist His counsel for themselves. Your passage, Luke 7:30 shows us that.
  226. In addition to that, we see this truth stated in a different way in John 1:9 "That was the true Light which enlightens every man coming into the world." We may not have been able to believe on our own, but God enlightened everyone coming into the world and counseled (boulomeno") that everyone would have room for faith in their being.
  227. Of course, He went further. He made sure that everyone in the world heard the word. Col 1:5,6 "because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth." That concept was reiterated in Col 1:23, "if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, which was preached to every creature under heaven, of which I, Paul, became a minister."
  228. Next, this Word of God generates faith in those who hear "as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit" from it: Rom 10:17,18 "So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. 18 But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed: 'Their sound has gone out to all the earth, and their words to the ends of the world.'"
  229. Finally, John 12:32 has the Lord Jesus Christ say, "And I, if I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all to Myself." He has done that, but not all have responded.
  230. One of the greatest corollaries to free will, as defined above, would be man's ability to hinder God's will. Man can do that because God created man with the ability to make choices contrary to His will as shown by the general response to 1 Ti 2:4. God "desires [wills, qelei] all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth." Yet all men are not saved. Even Christians reject the will (qelhma) of God. Everyone of us have. 1 Th 4:3-7 For this is the will (qelhma) of God, your sanctification: that you should abstain from sexual immorality; 4 that each of you should know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5 not in passion of lust, like the Gentiles who do not know God; 6 that no one should take advantage of and defraud his brother in this matter, because the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also forewarned you and testified. 7 For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.
  231. Lk 7:30 "But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will [counsel, boulhvv] of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him." And untold millions have rejected His counsel for them since that time. Though man does reject God's counsel for himself and does resist His will, no one can resist His counsel as it pertains to His purpose. Rom 9:19 You will say to me then, "Why does He still find fault? For who has resisted His will [counsel, boulhvvmati]?" The answer is, no one.
  232. Finally, when you asked,
  233. "Also, in Acts 13:22, we read "After removing Saul, he made David their king. He testified concerning him: 'I have found David son of Jesse a man after my own heart; he will do everything I want him to do.'" "Thelema" appears in this passage, but in Acts 13:36, it reads "For when David had served God's purpose in his own generation, he fell asleep; he was buried with his fathers and his body decayed." Here, "thelema" has been changed to "boule (purpose)." It seems to me that boule and thelema are juxtaposed here in order that it might be shown that they are semantically equal."
  234. The phrase in Acts 13:22 "he will do everything I want him to do" is ta qelhmata mou, the desires of me.
  235. The phrase in Acts 13:36 "when David had served God's purpose" is th tou qeou boulh.
  236. I believe we can see a distinct difference between purpose and "he will do my desires". David fulfilled God's purpose for him. The kingdom was promised.
  237. God had desires for David as well. David wasn't perfect by a long shot, but in general he did what God desired.
  238. In Christ,
  239. Bob
• Question: Eph 2:17 Who are those who are far off?
  • In Ephesians 2:17, are those who are far off, those of the circumcision or just Jews who are now part of the Body having been saved after the present dispensation of grace began? Having read your article and having read that Jesus preached to those who are afar off, I would conclude that these are Jews who are part of the Body of Christ who were saved after Israel was concluded in unbelief, thus, beginning God's purpose of reconciling the world to Himself. Would you agree with this?
  • Jeremy
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Dear Jeremy,
  2. When we look at the context of Eph 2:17, we can see that those who were afar off were Gentiles who got saved (Eph 2:11-13 you, once Gentiles in the flesh -- who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands -- 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ.). here’s the extended context: Eph 2:11-18 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh -- who are called Uncircumcision by what is called the Circumcision made in the flesh by hands -- 12 that at that time you were without Christ, being aliens from the commonwealth of Israel and strangers from the covenants of promise, having no hope and without God in the world. 13 But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. 14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.
  3. In the body of Christ, we who were afar off have now become near to God the Father by the blood of Christ. Now the both, Jews & Gentiles, who have believed are one new man. There is peace in the body of Christ because Christ has destroyed the enmity.
  4. In Christ,
  5. Bob
• Question: Boule and thelema
  • Bob,
  • After reviewing the occurences of Boule and Thelema in the bible, it seems you actually propose that there are 3 wills of God: His thelema, His boule that cannot be thwarted by man, and His Boule that can be thwarted by man (Luke 7:30). Why can His counsel be thwarted sometimes and not others?
  • Also, what are the occurrences of "Boule" and "thelema" in the Septuagint, and do they support the definitions derived from the NT contexts?
  • God bless,
  • Ryan
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Dear Ryan,
  2. In this stituation I do not believe there are 3 wills of God. God has counselled that all have room for repentance. According to Luke 7:30, the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the counsel of God for them, but they could not do anything to thwart the counsel of God. Luke 7:30 But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.
  3. I have not completely evaluated the use of boule and thelema in the Septuagint. I have in Isa 46, and it is consistent with the NT usage.
  4. In Christ,
  5. Bob Hill
• Question: The Grace Movement--Why now?
  • Hi Bob,
  • I [Jim Reis] enjoyed meeting you at the GGF conference in Keystone.
  • I'm the one married to Ruth [Haegg] (previously from Riverside Grace Bible Church) and it was through her that I found fellowship with Christ. We living in Fresno, California, now.
  • I've studied in some earnest dispensational theology for several years now (e.g., I've read all of Stam's collected works) and while pondering the Grace Message, several questions occurred to me:
  • Why is the Grace Movement such a recent innovation?
  • Why now, and not hundreds/thousands of years ago?
  • Was it just (re)discovered, or has this understanding simply been lacking since Paul's time?
  • Here's my point of inquiry: if the Grace Message is so obviously correct, why has it taken until the turn of this century to "rediscover" it? Why is it still not widely held as the best consistent interpretation of a rightly divided Word?
  • I know that you are a very busy person, but if you find a few moments in the coming months to reply or to reference some literature on this topic, I would appreciate it greatly .
  • Yours in Christ,
  • Jim
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Dear Jim,
  2. That is a good question.
  3. Let me start with the Reformation. That began with Luther in 1517. Why did it take so long? There are many answers given when you read different history books, but during that whole time when Rome was in control, the turning from Paul by those in Asia, modern day Turkey, had already begun. Christianity had a horrible dark age which lasted about 1,400 years. Why? Read any good history book that specializes in the religious events. There are many.
  4. With the rediscovery of justification by faith alone, the church began an awakening. Slowly, different doctrines were revived. It wasn't until the middle to late 19th century that dispensational truth was revived to a great extent. E.W. Bullinger, who was Mid-Acts at that time had a booklet that was available from a compilation of articles he had written in earlier issues of Things to Come. This was in my earliest copy of Things to Come, V. 2, 1895. It was called, The Names and Order of the Books of the Old Testament. In my copy of The Church Epistles, which was the 3rd edition, published in 1928, Bullinger definitely was a Mid-Acts theologian.
  5. After this, there was a ground swell of biblical study on the subject. The Mid-Acts position has been the most theologically consistent form of dispensational truth. That's because it answers all the "difficult passages" in the Bible in a very consistent manner.
  6. Why do many believers who are theologians actually call us heretics? I don't know. I've held to this position for almost 50 years, now, and I see all the problems of Covenant Theologians and Act-Two Dispensationalists answered by our consistent position.
  7. Actually, I do know "Why is it still not widely held as the best consistent interpretation of a rightly divided Word". People do not want to change. Theological studies are time consuming.
  8. Thanks for your questions. I hope this helps a bit.
  9. In Christ,
  10. Bob
• Question: What is God's will for our lives?
  • I have a few questions on one subject.
  • What is God's will for our lives?
  • ...and...
  • My husband is seeking other employment by the leading of the Holy Spirit we believe, and yet a friend of mine, who knows the whole story, keeps repeating 'just make sure it is God's will'. To us it appears obvious that God has lead us to this point. How else can we make sure it is God's will besides trusting Him?
  • Is there a difference between God's will for our lives and knowing if something is His will?
  • Confused?
  • Shellie Merchant
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Dear Shellie,
  2. You’re confused because this is a confusing subject. Many Christians have been sure that God was leading them to do a specific thing.
  3. When I was living in California, I had an excellent job as a pharmaceutical salesman. I had a wonderful wife and 6 children ages 15 to 2. I was the youth director of our church (unpaid), and I never thought I would be a pastor.
  4. I felt deep within my heart a strong calling from God to become a pastor – but that wasn’t all. I felt that God wanted me to be the pastor of Derby Bible Church in Commerce City. I wrote to the church. I went as a candidate to be their pastor. They didn’t really like me. But, no one else wanted to become their pastor. So, they called me to be their pastor for a salary of $750/month. I accepted on faith. It has been 30 years now. I believe it was God’s will.
  5. About 15 years ago, I felt strongly a call from God to become the pastor of a different church, in Pennsylvania. I wrote them and they called me on the phone. To make a long story short, they did not call me as their pastor. Why not? I don’t know.
  6. What’s my point? My point: it is difficult to know just what God wants us to do for sure. Therefore, I believe we have to look at God’s word to see what happened there.
  7. When that fanatical persecutor of the early church was on his way to Damascus in a fuming rage, he was intercepted by the resurrected Lord, Jesus Christ.
  8. Saul asked two questions in that encounter. In Acts 9:5-6, He said, “Who are You, Lord?” Then the Lord said, “I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads.” 6 So he, trembling and astonished, said, “Lord, what do You want me to do?” Then the Lord said to him, “Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”
  9. Those are two of the three most important questions a person can ask: “Who are You, Lord?” “Lord, what do You want me to do?”
  10. Who are you Lord? That’s vital. What are His credentials? Who is your Lord? And, does He actually own you?
  11. Here are His credentials. John 1:1-3 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was in the beginning with God. 3 All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was made that was made. 10 He was in the world, and the world was made through Him, and the world did not know Him.
  12. Rom 11:34-36 “For who has known the mind of the LORD? Or who has become His counselor?” 35 “Or who has first given to Him And it shall be repaid to him?” 36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.
  13. Rev 4:11 “You are worthy, O Lord, To receive glory and honor and power; For You created all things, And by Your will they exist and were created.” Here is my translation: All things exist and were created for (That’s based on this Greek phrase in English characters - dia to thelema sou esan kai ektisthesan) His will.
  14. Further, we were bought with a price.
  15. 1 Co 6:19-20 Or do you not know that your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and you are not your own? 20 For you were bought at a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s.
  16. I know that you want to do God’s will, but what is really God’s part in our lives?
  17. 1 Tim 2:4 who desires (wills) all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
  18. 2 Pet 3:9 The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness, but is longsuffering toward us, not counseling any to perish but that all would have room for repentance.
  19. Next, I had to study the Bible to see if we really have the ability to choose. Or does God have an absolute plan all locked in, as many say?
  20. In answer to that question, I just want to read one portion of scripture. Isa 5:1-4 Now let me sing to my Well-beloved A song of my Beloved regarding His vineyard: My Well-beloved has a vineyard On a very fruitful hill. 2 He dug it up and cleared out its stones, And planted it with the choicest vine. He built a tower in its midst, And also made a winepress in it; So He expected it to bring forth good grapes, But it brought forth wild grapes. 3 “And now, O inhabitants of Jerusalem and men of Judah, Judge, please, between Me and My vineyard. 4 What more could have been done to My vineyard that I have not done in it? Why then, when I expected it to bring forth good grapes, did it bring forth wild grapes?
  21. God may have a plan for you, but He doesn’t force it on you. We may do things that mess up His plan for us, or others may not be receptive to God’s desire – as Israel wasn’t in Isa 5:1-4.
  22. Well, then, how do we live in the will of God? I think the most important passage in the Bible that gives us understanding is Rom 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose. [Here is a translation that translates the Greek word sunergw better: We know that he works with those who love God, all things, for good, with those who are called according to His purpose.]
  23. Here’s where Saul’s second question comes in.
  24. “Lord, what do You want me to do?” That should be our attitude. It seems to be yours. But many times it is not. In Gal 1:15 Paul gives us further information about himself. What did he do? Gal 1:15-17 “But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.”
  25. He spent time with God in the desert. When we spend time with God, I have found, that’s when I find real fellowship, real enjoyment, and true service.
  26. When I first became a pastor and had to have a garden to make it, I wanted my wife, Joan, to be right there. I really love her company because I really love her. That’s the first thing God wants us to do, be in His presence and love Him.
  27. Then, Paul tells us exactly how to be in His presence. Rom 12:1,2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
  28. We can renew our minds by meditating on Him and His word. Meditate? By that I mean read His word carefully for its meaning and application to your life. Then dwell on it.
  29. Then ask the Father, through the Holy Spirit to do it. That’s what Paul wrote in Phil 2:12,13 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
  30. Be in His word. Ps 119:11 Your word I have hidden in my heart, that I might not sin against You.
  31. Looking back over 69 years on this earth, I’ve seen one thing clearer and clearer. Knowing my Lord and my father and doing His revealed will as shown in the Bible is the only thing that counts. And, further, living in the will of God often means doing what we love to do. Psa 37:4 Delight yourself also in the LORD, And He shall give you the desires of your heart. Rom 8:32 He who did not spare His own Son, but delivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things?
  32. In my mind, that’s how you will experience God’s will in your life. Focus on God and allow His love to fill your heart, then do what you think He wants you to do.
  33. In Christ,
  34. Bob Hill
• Question: Can a christian suffer from Depression?
  • Can a christian suffer from depression?
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Yes, I believe a Christian can get depressed. I believe even Paul got depressed at times when things weren’t going well. I think the most important verse is 2 Co 7:5-7, “For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside were conflicts, inside were fears. 6 Nevertheless God, who comforts the downcast, [I think downcast is a synonym of depressed.] comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you, when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so that I rejoiced even more.”
  2. Rom 9:1-3 I tell the truth in Christ, I am not lying, my conscience also bearing me witness in the Holy Spirit, 2 that I have great sorrow and continual grief in my heart. [This could be interpreted as depression.] 3 For I could wish that I myself were accursed from Christ for my brethren, my countrymen according to the flesh
  3. Phil 2:27 For indeed he was sick almost unto death; but God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. [I think this could also be interpreted as depression.]
  4. When Paul was in Corinth, he had sent Silas and Timothy to check on the Thessalonians to see if they were doing all right. I think he was depressed because he thought they may have succumbed to the persecution that drove him out of the city. While he was in Corinth, “he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks”, but after they came with the good news from Thessalonica, the Holy Spirit acted on him. It looks like he got over his depression since it says, “Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.”
  5. Acts 18:3-5 So, because he was of the same trade, he stayed with them and worked; for by occupation they were tentmakers. 4 And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks. 5 When Silas and Timothy had come from Macedonia, Paul was compelled by the Spirit, and testified to the Jews that Jesus is the Christ.
  6. 1 Th 3:1-8 Therefore, when we could no longer endure it, we thought it good to be left in Athens alone, 2 and sent Timothy, our brother and minister of God, and our fellow laborer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you and encourage you concerning your faith, 3 that no one should be shaken by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we are appointed to this. 4 For, in fact, we told you before when we were with you that we would suffer tribulation, just as it happened, and you know. 5 For this reason, when I could no longer endure it, I sent to know your faith, lest by some means the tempter had tempted you, and our labor might be in vain. 6 But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always have good remembrance of us, greatly desiring to see us, as we also to see you -- 7 therefore, brethren, in all our affliction and distress we were comforted concerning you by your faith. 8 For now we live, if you stand fast in the Lord.
  7. In Christ,
  8. Bob Hill
• Question: What's your explanation of 1 Cor 7:26-33?
  • Dear Bob,
  • What's your explanation of 1 Cor 7:26-33, how does this work with 1 Cor 7: 2 and 9. And a question on verse 7 what kind of gift is Paul talking about here. For God has given one a gift in this manner and in that, this seems to be the gift of a spouse.
  • Pursuing love,
  • Joe
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Dear Joe, This is what I think Paul meant. Paul was seeing turbulent times ahead for Christians. If a person was married during those times, it would be rougher since the husband would be concerned about his wife and children. The wife would be concerned about her husband and children. If they were not married, they would have to worry only about themselves.
  2. However, if their passion felt uncontrollable, it seems that Paul was inspired by God to give the practical application of marrying. "For it is better to marry than to burn with passion." That is, burn with sexual desire.
  3. Keep pursuing God,
  4. Bob
• Question: What seperates Christians from each other more than anything else?
  • Dear Friends;
  • Besides Satan, what factor seperates Christians from each other more than the modern church?
  • God Bless
  • John and Cindy Lorenowicz
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Dear John and Cindy,
  2. I believe Satan is a minor factor in separating Christians from each other compared to the flesh. In my life as a pastor, I’ve talked to many defeated Christians.
  3. The problems always seem to be the flesh. They’ve told me, “I’m saved, but I struggle with lust, greed, pride, vanity, cursing, etc.”
  4. What are these fleshly hindrances that separate Christians and are a hindrance to living a holy life? What are the problems that we allow?
  5. We don’t consistently deal with the bad thoughts which come into my mind.
  6. We are still too easily drawn to the temptations of the world.
  7. We care too much about the approval of others.
  8. Too often, we lack the desire to be holy at the moment we make a decision.
  9. Sometimes we get more pleasure in being angry or stubborn.
  10. Some have even thought they committed such a horrible sin God couldn’t possibly forgive them.
  11. Rom 6:17-18 tells us what the problem is: But God be thanked that though you were slaves of sin, yet you obeyed from the heart that form of doctrine to which you were delivered. 18 And having been set free from sin, you became slaves of righteousness.
  12. From this, we can see that the sin problem has been handled, but, now the problem: Rom 6:19 I speak in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh.
  13. What is this thing called flesh? God said it is the thing in us always telling us to do what is contrary to God.
  14. Rom 8:7 Because the carnal mind [the mind of the flesh] is enmity against God; for it is not subject to the law of God, nor indeed can be.
  15. Then, how do we overcome this problem, the weakness of the flesh, that separates the brethren and causes all kinds of problems in our lives?
  16. I think there are a number of ways.
  17. We need to disciple others. Paul labored to have Christ formed in the Galatians. Gal 4:19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you. They were already saved, but they needed to grow in Christ.
  18. We must teach others who will teach others, just as Paul wrote to Timothy to do this. 2 Tim 2:2 And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.
  19. The most important thing is, we must learn to meditate on God’s word, and we must train others to meditate on God’s word. Paul exhorted us to meditate in Phi 4:8,9 Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy -- meditate on these things. 9 The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.
  20. 1 Ti 4:15,16 “Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.” We will save ourselves from the divisions that happen because of the flesh.
  21. We also need real fellowship with a body of believers who want to grow spiritually. There’s a lot of time spent having fun, a lot of time visiting, and that’s certainly all right, but there’s little time spent nurturing and edifying one another spiritually.
  22. I believe this can be done best in a small group. That’s where you will feel comfortable enough to open up to give and get help from others.
  23. God commanded that this be done in Col 3:16 “Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.” and Eph 5:18 “And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.”
  24. But, we’re in a real struggle because of the flesh. The goal of these small groups must be what is found in Eph 3:16-19 that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might through His Spirit in the inner man, 17 that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, 18 may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the width and length and depth and height -- 19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.
  25. Then we are able, by the power of the Holy Spirit, in the inner man to decide to live for God. God said in Gal 5:17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do [may] not do the things that you wish.
  26. So, it’s our job to present ourselves to God for holiness. Rom 6:19b For just as you presented your members as slaves of uncleanness, and of lawlessness leading to more lawlessness, so now present your members as slaves of righteousness for holiness.
  27. 2 Co 10:3-6 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh. 4 For the weapons of our warfare are not carnal but mighty in God for pulling down strongholds [The arguments and reasonings by which a disputant endeavours to fortify his opinion and defend it against his opponent. This separates believers.], 5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into captivity to the obedience of Christ, 6 and being ready to punish all disobedience when your obedience is fulfilled.
  28. Rom 12:1,2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that you present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable to God, which is your reasonable service. 2 And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
  29. Then, we must do this spiritual discipline. 1 Co 9:27 But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.
  30. Col 3:5 Therefore put to death your members which are on the earth: fornication, uncleanness, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry.
  31. 2 Ti 2:20-25 But in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor. 21 Therefore if anyone cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. 23 But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. 24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know the truth.
  32. Then, when we have to cope with conflict, we must understand how to deal with it.
  33. 1. Don’t avoid conflict with the withdrawal or silent treatment.
  34. 2. Don’t save emotional trading stamps that you cash in latter.
  35. 3. When you have conflict, try to control the setting so you both deal with the conflict in the best way. This may mean time as well as place.
  36. 4. Attack the problem not each other.
  37. A. Back up any accusations with honest facts.
  38. B. Remember to forget.
  39. C. No cracks about in-laws.
  40. D. Don’t talk about your anyone’s appearance.
  41. E. Don’t be overly dramatic.
  42. 5. Don’t throw your feelings like stones.
  43. 6. Be very careful to stay on the subject. Don’t bring up irrelevant issues.
  44. 7. Be very careful to think of solutions. Attempt to resolve the problem. Be careful to keep your criticisms objective.
  45. 8. Never say, “you always” or “you never.”
  46. 9. Don’t manipulate your others with, “It’s all my fault” or other similar statements when you don’t mean them.
  47. 10. Be humble, even you could be wrong.
  48. As we meditate on God’s word, He works in us, then it is up to us to live peaceably with every Christian. Phi 2:12,13 Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling; 13 for it is God who works in you both to will and to do for His good pleasure.
  49. This Christian life indeed is a struggle, but this is the victory: 1 John 5:4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world. And this is the victory that has overcome the world—our faith.
  50. And this victory is through Jesus Christ!
  51. 1 Co 15:56,57 The sting of death is sin, and the strength of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
  52. In Christ,
  53. Bob Hill
• Question: Is it unreasonable to expect the Church to discuss discipline measures used on our children while they were at the church?
  • Dear Sir
  • What I have read from your answers to other questions you seem to direct your answers straight from Scripture. For a number of years my wife and I have prayed over and sought an understanding to the beast of Revelations. Our experiences with man's church, Baptist, Catholic..., is that they continuously violate Scripture not so much in word or design, though some do distort the word, but in their application of the guidance offered Christians in Scriptures. For example; in my small world it is hard to find a Pastor who even comes close to meeting the qualification guidance given in Timothy. Most recently I was told by a Senior Associate Pastor that my wife and I are wrong to trust our children and that we were being unreasonable to expect the Church to discuss discipline measures used on our children while they were at the church.
  • Inspired from the statue in Chritis Gardens of Satan being a well dressed attractive man more than able to win our trust with just his looks. Is it possible that the modern church, not the members mind you, is the beast that separates us from one another and gives us a false direction to God?
  • God Bless
  • John Lorenowicz
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Dear John,
  2. I understand better the direction of the question you sent me previous to this one. There certainly are apostate churches in the world today, but in my mind, they are not the apostate churches of the tribulation as listed in the book of Revelation.
  3. To get right to the point, I believe we should believe and, in this case, trust our children just as we should believe everyone, in love. Any church should be totally open to explaining and discussing any discipline measures used on your children while they are at the church. You must guard your children so they will not get a bad picture of what Christianity is. We are to be governed by love at all times. This is the most important thing when we are dealing with children, let alone, adults .
  4. It is true that in 2 Co 11:12-15, God inspired Paul to tell us about Satan’s deceitful workers who transform themselves into apostles of Christ, but there are many evangelical churches out there whose leaders desire to live the way God wants them to live. 2 Co 11:12-15 But what I do, I will also continue to do, that I may cut off the opportunity from those who desire an opportunity to be regarded just as we are in the things of which they boast. 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.
  5. I think you should shop around until you find a church that preaches the word of God and is willing to explain their goals and operational beliefs. I would be delighted to do that with anyone who comes to my church.
  6. I do believe Satan is at work in churches, but I do not believe the beast is a church.
  7. In Christ,
  8. Bob Hill
• Question: What should be used in the Lord's Supper fermented or unfermented wine?
  • What should be used. Fermented or unfermented wine? Grape juice or alcoholic? Chapters and verses please.
  • Thank you.
  • I have several other questions but will send them one at a time.
  • In Christ,
  • Rodney
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Dear Rodney,
  2. The Bible does not say outright that it was fermented or not. However, the reason I believe it was not fermented is the nature of the Passover Feast. The bread and wine (The Greek word oinos can be grape juice or fermented grape juice.) used in the feast was to have no leaven in it. Foster, in his 3 vol work, Studies in the Life of Christ, wrote, “The fact that all leaven had to be removed from the house two days before the Passover began, is positive proof that the wine which they used was unfermented. The bread was unleavened; for precisely the same reason the fruit of the vine was unleavened. The Greek word oinos is used in classical literature of both fermented and unfermented grape juice. The Gospel writers are very careful, however, and do not even use the word ‘wine’ in telling of the Lord’s Supper. They always use the phrase ‘the fruit of the vine.’”
  3. Mat 26:27-29 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and gave it to them, saying, “Drink from it, all of you. 28 For this is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many for the remission of sins. 29 But I say to you, I will not drink of this fruit of the vine from now on until that day when I drink it new with you in My Father’s kingdom.”
  4. Mark 14:23-25 Then He took the cup, and when He had given thanks He gave it to them, and they all drank from it. 24 And He said to them, “This is My blood of the new covenant, which is shed for many. 25 Assuredly, I say to you, I will no longer drink of the fruit of the vine until that day when I drink it new in the kingdom of God.”
  5. Luke 22:17-22 Then He took the cup, and gave thanks, and said, “Take this and divide it among yourselves; 18 for I say to you, I will not drink of the fruit of the vine until the kingdom of God comes.” 19 And He took bread, gave thanks and broke it, and gave it to them, saying, “This is My body which is given for you; do this in remembrance of Me.” 20 Likewise He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood, which is shed for you. 21 But behold, the hand of My betrayer is with Me on the table. 22 And truly the Son of Man goes as it has been determined, but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!”
  6. In Christ,
  7. Bob Hill
• Question: women shall be saved if?
  • 1 timothy 2:14,15 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression.
  • 15. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
  • I can't figure this one out..
  • saved from what?
  • Thanks Bob,
  • Danny
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 15 Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing [diaV th'" teknogoniva" – through the child bearing ] if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.
  2. This is an extremely difficult verse to understand. However, with other commentators, I think it means the following. She will be saved [through the child bearing] refers to Eve as the representative of all women. “Through the child bearing” refers to the future – from Eve’s viewpoint – child bearing of Messiah by Mary. The singular, “She will be saved”, then is distributed to all women – maybe the whole human race – by the plural, “if they continue in faith”. Since the time from Eve to the time that Paul wrote this covered many dispensations and different methods of receiving salvation, the generic phrase, “if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control”, is used without really messing up the unique teaching of the dispensation of grace.
  3. Woman’s inferior position in verses 10-13 is remedied by this passage which shows her great contribution. 10-13 “but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. For Adam was formed first, then Eve”. She may not be allowed to teach or be in authority over a man, but she will have great influence in begetting the Messiah specifically and in raising the children in general.
  4. My friend Tim McMahon has an additional view along with the one I present here. Here is the main thrust of his additional idea.
  5. One problem remains. What about the condition which forms the second part of the verse? “…if they continue in faith and love and holiness with soundness of mind.” The first difficulty is the switch from singular to plural: “she will be saved… if they continue…” It may be that Paul uses the singular at first as he is transitioning from talking about Eve to talking about women in general. But who are “they”? Women in general? People in general? The woman and her husband? It appears that Paul is making salvation conditional upon continuance, which is foreign to his teachings elsewhere on the complete absence of works from the salvation process (Romans 11:6; Ephesians 2:8-9; Romans 4:45; Titus 3:5-6, etc.). Some have attempted to circumvent this problem by referring to being “saved” here as being physically delivered from dying in childbirth, but many godly women over the centuries have died giving birth to children, so that doesn’t work. An idea I’ve recently been working with is that what is being “saved” or “preserved” here is the woman’s mental health. While I find no unambiguous example in Scripture of sozo referring specifically to mental health, it is reasonable, In light of the many references where the soz root is used of health (e.g., Matthew 8:25), life (Acts 27:20) or deliverance (Phi 1:19), that the focus may in some cases be primarily on mental rather than physical wellness. In fact, TDNT (7:968), in referring to classical usage, reads: “A special nuance is when sozo and soteria refer not to the outer condition but to the inner being… in philosophical and religious trains of thought esp. sozo and soteria often ref. to the inner ‘health’ of man…” In Luke 8 we read of the healing of the man possessed by a legion of demons. After Jesus casts the demons into the swine, Luke (v.35) pictures the healed man “sitting… clothed and mentally healthy [sophronounta]at the feet of Jesus.” The next verse recaps the scene as “how the demoniac was healed [esothe].” In fact, the word sophrosune, ‘soundness of mind’ or ‘mental health’ (see Acts 26:25), occurs in 1 Timothy 2:15. Its sense here, though, is lost in the standard punctuation which places “mental health” in the condition rather than in the promise. I choose to read the syntax with a slight but significant difference:
  6. “But she will be saved through childbearing with soundness of mind, if they continue in faith and love and holiness.”
  7. On this basis, my proposal for the second meaning of this verse is this. The effect of the curse is that women suffer both physical pain and mental anguish in pregnancy and childbirth. In Christ, God has redeemed us from the curse, although we still suffer much of its temporal effect. Yet, even within that realm, God enables a devout woman to maintain her mental health if she, and especially if both she and her husband, maintain a holy walk throughout the ordeal. If childbirth falls into the context of a godly marriage, the emotional damage incurred in the process will not be permanent.
  8. In Christ,
  9. Bob Hill
• Question: Were men's lives reduced to 120 years in Gen 6:3?
  • Hi Bob
  • In Gen 6 God says a mans years shall be 120 . . .yet we see that just a few pages latter we read in Gen 11 men are living well over this age . . is this just a general statment about the destructive nature of sin . . and that eventually the years of a man will be reduced and reduced because of sin or does it have to do directly with a time frame of when God is going to whipe man of the face of the earth, in that context in gen 6?
  • what gives? :)
  • Danny
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Dear Danny,
  2. That is a very tough question. E.W. Bullinger, in his Companion Bible believes this is directed at Adam 120 years before he died. In his theory, this takes place in B.C. 3194. He wrote: "My spirit shall not always strive with (i.e. remain in, or abide in) Adam, for that he also is flesh." (see Note in the Text)
  3. That is, Adam, become "corrupt" like "the rest", is given a Day of Grace of yet 120 years.
  4. As no hint to the contrary is to be found in Scripture, the inference is that the First Adam, the Federal Head of the old Creation, perished in his sins at the age of 930 years.
  5. Enoch was translated only 57 years after Adam's death. They were therefore contemporaries for 308 years. Adam, therefore, must have been well acquainted with Enoch's prophecies regarding the Coming of the Lord to execute Judgment. (Jude 14,15)
  6. Adam's Day of Grace began when he was 810.
  7. Another idea is that this prophecy was made by either Methuselah or Noah 120 years before the flood.
  8. There are other ideas but, in my mind, they are not as valid as these two. Take your pick, or study a bunch of commentaries on Genesis.
  9. In Christ,
  10. Bob
• Question: Where did Cain's wife come from?
  • Bob,
  • I just started studying the bible. Adam and Eve conceived Cain and Abel, so where did Cain's wife come from? Unless Adam and Eve had other children, i.e. a daughter and Cain married his sister or an offspring of Abel and their sister I don't know where his wife could have originated.
  • -Ed
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Dear Ed,
  2. Cain married one of his sisters or nieces. I say this because Adam and Eve had many children after Cain and Abel. Genesis 5 tells us. 1 This is the book of the genealogy of Adam. In the day that God created man, He made him in the likeness of God. 2 He created them male and female, and blessed them and called them Man in the day they were created. 3 And Adam lived one hundred and thirty years, and begot a son in his own likeness, after his image, and named him Seth. 4 After he begot Seth, the days of Adam were eight hundred years; and he had sons and daughters. 5 So all the days that Adam lived were nine hundred and thirty years; and he died.
  3. In Christ,
  4. Bob Hill
• Question: Did the 11 Apostles eventually became part of the body of Christ as we know it today?
  • I have another question which was brought to my attention two weeks ago and quite frankly I can't seem to find support for what I think I believe so here is the question. C.R.Stam teaches that the apostles eventually became part of the Body of Christ as we know it today. One body made up of Jews and Gentiles over which Jesus Christ is the risen head. Did they infact become part of the body of Christ? If yes, where and how, if no, where and how? Please be explicit this is a very important question for the person who asked me. I did tell him that I could not answer but would try to find out. He will get the e-mail just as you send it to me. Thank you for your site. I am enjoying the questions and answers you get on water baptism.
  • In Christ,
  • Rodney
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Dear Rodney,
  2. I’m not sure of this, but I have heard that C.R. Stam has gone to a twelve out of the body belief. Mr. Stam is still alive and in a nursing home in the western suburbs of Chicago.
  3. I strongly believe that the twelve or 11, did not become members of the body. There are many reasons why I believe this. The covenant people, the ministry of the 12, the message they preached, the epistles they wrote, and their hope.
  4. Stephen, not one of the 12, but a godly believer of the circumcision, mentioned a covenant of circumcision in his bold discourse before the Sanhedrin (Acts 7:8). What does “covenant of circumcision” mean? Is it a covenant to the circumcision? Is it a covenant belonging to the circumcision? Or is it about circumcision, sealed by circumcision, or pertaining to circumcision? We can quickly rule out that it was to someone who was circumcised since Abraham was circumcised only as a result of the covenant (Gen 17:9-27). Therefore, we see that the covenant contains news about circumcision. In fact, circumcision was made a necessary condition for sharing in the covenant blessings. We may then conclude that the circumcision covenant was about blessings to Abraham and his descendants and the conditions his circumcised descendants would have to keep to be included in the blessings. If this is true, the circumcision gospel would be good news about the circumcision people and would be contrasted with the good news of those who were not circumcised.
  5. Who were those “of the circumcision”? How should we view them? In Acts 10:45, they were the believing Jews who came with Peter. But in Acts 11:2 they were the ones who contended with Peter because he “went in to uncircumcised men and ate with them.” These were silenced only after Peter told them that the Holy Spirit had fallen on the Gentiles. From both of these accounts we can see that the circumcision were Jews who held separatist beliefs because of the covenant of circumcision.
  6. Paul declared Abraham a father in Romans 4. He was the father of the uncircumcised because he was justified by faith when he was uncircumcised. Then, after he was circumcised, he became the father of all who were not only circumcised but walked in the same kind of faith that Abraham had when he was uncircumcised. We can definitely say that he would not have been the father of circumcision if he himself had not been circumcised. But further, after he was circumcised, James used him as the prime example of the faith-works method required by God under the circumcision covenant for justification. James cited the incident of Genesis 22, which was after Abraham’s circumcision. James wrote this epistle long after the body of Christ had started. James 2:20-22,24-26 “But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? James 2:24-26 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only. 25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.” And in the middle of this, he related back to the previous dispensation when Abram was not circumcised, and in his uncircumcised condition, he was justified by faith alone: James 2:23 “And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, ‘Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.’ And he was called the friend of God.”
  7. Jesus Christ himself was a minister of the circumcision on behalf of the truth of God, in order that He might confirm the promises of the fathers (Rom 15:8). He preached the gospel of the kingdom according to Matthew 4:17. Since He was a minister of the circumcision, the content of the gospel of the kingdom would concern the promises made to the fathers of Israel. The nouns “promise”, ejpaggeliva, and gospel, eujaggevlion, are derived from the same root. The confirmation of the ancient promises certainly was good news, eujaggevlion, to the Jews. Therefore He was ministering the good, eu, news, aggelia, of circumcision. This “gospel of the circumcision” was an extension of the original promises and conditions of the “covenant of circumcision” for the age to come. Among other things, it contained the conditions the circumcision covenant people had to perform as mentioned by John in Mat 3:1-11. It also promised a new covenant relationship with God and eschatological blessings for Israel. In the later commissioning of the Twelve (Mat 10:22) and the Olivet discourse, we find the conditional statement, “But he who endures to the end shall be saved” (Mat 10:22; 24:13). When James the Lord’s brother wrote his epistle, he addressed in James 1:1 “James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes who are scattered abroad: Greetings.” James wrote about the endurance principle that was part of the circumcision gospel to these twelve tribes who were dispersed. James 1:12 “Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been proved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him.” Also, as baptism was essential for salvation under the Baptist’s and Christ’s ministries (Lk 3:3; Jo 3:5; Mk 16:15,16), so also was it under the ministry of the twelve (Act 2:38). Even after the body of Christ began with the salvation of Paul, we see that water baptism still saves the covenant people. 1 Peter 3:20,21 “who formerly were disobedient, when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 21 There is also an antitype which now saves us – baptism (not the removal of the filth of the flesh, but the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ”.
  8. Although Peter was the apostle to whom the gospel of circumcision was given (Gal 2:7), he was afraid of the circumcision believers. They were still separatists. Peter had been eating with “unclean” Gentiles. When they came to Antioch, “he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision” (Gal 2:12). Why did he fear them? They taught circumcision and all its ramifications were necessary for salvation (Acts 15:24; 21:20,21) along with faith in Jesus as the Messiah. They truly taught a gospel of circumcision, a gospel including the requirements of circumcision and law keeping, just as those of the circumcision did in Acts 15:1.
  9. According to Colossians 4:10,11, Mark and Jesus who is called Justus were the only ones of the circumcision at that time who were fellow workers with Paul. In contrast to most who were of the circumcision, these believers of the circumcision were a comfort to Paul. Titus 1:10,11 shows us Paul’s evaluation of this group as a whole, “For there are many insubordinate, both idle talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain.” There may have been a few who comforted, but most outside of Jerusalem were subversive, against the uncircumcision gospel.
  10. Therefore, we see that those “of the circumcision” can do good or evil. It depended on what they taught, whom they taught, and where they taught. If they taught their circumcision gospel in Antioch or Galatia (Acts 15:1; Gal 1:6-9; 3:1-5; 5:1-12; 6:12,13) they would be accursed. If they taught it to Jews in Jerusalem it was all right. When they were with Paul they had to conform to his gospel.
  11. Galatians was written to turn them from the gospel associated with “law works” of the “flesh” (3:2-5) back to Paul’s gospel. This gospel was written to them explicitly in Gal 2:16 “knowing that a man is not justified out of the works of the law but by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ, even we believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by the faithfulness of Christ and not out of the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.” [My translation.]
  12. Justification by faith is the central theme of the entire Galatians epistle. It showed that the “different gospel which is not another of the same rank” as Paul’s, was a message of circumcision and law keeping. Galatians 5:2-5 shows how seriously Paul viewed this circumcision and law gospel which they had received (1:8,9). He wondered aloud, “If I am still proclaiming circumcision why am I still being persecuted?” (5:11).
  13. Now let me ask you this: if he did proclaim circumcision as a requirement of salvation, would that be called the gospel of the circumcision? We would be hard pressed if we called it anything else. As all the grammarians have written, the genitive qualifies the other noun in an adjectival manner. So we would have to call such a gospel Paul would be proclaiming, the circumcision gospel, or the gospel of the circumcision. Finally, approaching the conclusion of the epistle, he reiterates once more that circumcision and uncircumcision are of no value in Christ Jesus. What matters is the uniqueness of the new creation in Christ. In Christ there is no distinction or prejudice. Paul explained this fundamental part of the mystery thoroughly in Ephesians 2 and 3.
  14. Now we must consider the Jerusalem council. In Galatians 2, we see that Paul had taken uncircumcised Titus with him. He went to Jerusalem “by revelation.” We may infer that the purpose was to present to them the gospel which he proclaimed among the Gentiles. If his gospel was the same as the gospel they proclaimed, why did he feel compelled to present it to them? Why was he compelled to tell them what gospel he preached among the Gentiles “privately” so his ministry would not turn out to be empty? He wanted to be sure the truth of the gospel Christ gave him would remain with the Galatians (2:5).
  15. First Paul told in private, then in the council session, that he was able to add to “those who seemed to be something” (Gal 2:6,7) while the Holy Spirit “revealed” (Eph 3:5) that it was true. What was set before them? What was added to (their knowledge)? They saw that Christ had committed to Paul a different gospel, not the same message that He had given Peter (Gal 2:7). Paul had an uncircumcision gospel; Peter had a circumcision gospel. What is meant by the uncircumcision gospel? According to Romans 4, a gospel was preached to Abraham while he was uncircumcised. All he had to do was believe, and his faith was imputed to him for righteousness (Gen 12:3; 15:6; Rom 4:1-12). Galatians 3:8 shows us that this gospel was preached to Abraham with Gentile salvation in mind. There are areas where the circumcision gospel differs from Paul’s uncircumcision gospel.
  16. The gospel of the circumcision had its basis in the covenant of circumcision. The apostles of the circumcision were acutely aware of its requirements (Gen 17:10-14). They would not go against God’s covenant (Act 10:28). Their ministry before the body of Christ began seems to have been to their brothers (Isa 66:18-23; Mat 10:5-15; 28:18-20 with Act 10:28 in view). They certainly had the Davidic kingdom in mind (Act 1:6). The gospel of the kingdom for them seems to be the good news that the long promised Davidic kingdom would be established. The time of their trouble was near. Their marching orders had been given: “Go therefore” (Mat 28:19); and, “This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in all the world as a witness to all nations, and then the end will come” (Mat 24:14). As baptism was essential for salvation under the Baptist’s and Christ’s ministries (Lk 3:3; Jo 3:5; Mk 16:15,16), so also was it under the ministry of the twelve (Act 2:38). Even after the body of Christ began with the salvation of Paul, we see that water baptism still saves the covenant people (1 Pe 3:20,21). Of course, we have no record of a circumcision apostle evangelizing after Cornelius was saved. The only activity we read about in the Bible concerning the circumcision apostles is their written ministry. This was extremely important because it was preparing the covenant people for their prophesied time of trouble.
  17. What eschatological promises are made by Christ under the dispensation of circumcision? To begin with, the Twelve were promised thrones and the right to judge Israel. Others will receive “a hundredfold, and inherit everlasting life” (Mat 19:28,29). But even these promises are conditional. The Twelve must first follow Christ (19:28). The others will have to leave “houses or brothers or sister or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My sake.” Their hope is the resurrection and second coming with its deliverance after the tribulation when the kingdom is restored to Israel (Acts 1:6). So, Christ spoke to the Twelve, in 28-30, “you are those who have continued with Me in My trials. 29 And I bestow upon you a kingdom, just as My Father bestowed one upon Me, 30 that you may eat and drink at My table in My kingdom, and sit on thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel.” The twelve are apostles of the circumcision with the earthly hope of the kingdom which was promised to David. Our hope is heavenly. How could they be in the body of Christ when they have an earthly hope and we have a heavenly one?
  18. Therefore, we can see that Israel and her tribes will have a new city. It will come down from heaven for them. Christ’s under shepherds, the Twelve Apostles, will have their names on the foundations of the city and will sit on twelve thrones judging Israel. Revelation 21:12-14 shows us this wonderful sight. “Also she had a great and high wall with twelve gates, and twelve angels at the gates, and names written on them, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: 13 three gates on the east, three gates on the north, three gates on the south, and three gates on the west. 14 Now the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and on them were the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb.” Therefore, I think we must conclude that they will inherit the kingdom promised to David. They will receive their long awaited kingdom. They will not be in the body of Christ. They will be in the everlasting kingdom.
  19. In Christ,
  20. Bob
• Question: Who are these apostles and prophets of Eph 2:20?
  • According to Eph. 2:20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
  • These apostles and prophets could not have been the hand picked apostles of Jesus Christ because they could not have laid the foundation of something they knew nothing of. While they fulfilled their ministry to the circumcision there was a mystery hid in God. SO, who are these apostles and prophets? What message did they preach that laid the foundation for the church of the one body? Did they receive revelations apart from or in addition to those Paul received? Where do we find their ministries in the mystery program?
  • In Christ,
  • Rodney
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Dear Rodney,
  2. Col 1:18-20 and Eph 2:14-22 are talking about the body of Christ. I believe God is showing through Paul that the all of Eph 1:11 & 23 and the both of Col 1:18-20 are the same thing, the body of Christ. We, the new man, are built into the holy of holies for a habitation of God. Therefore, I believe the only foundation that can be laid is one of three things.
  3. 1. It is Jesus Christ. 1 Co 3:11 “For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.”
  4. 2. It is the foundation that is laid by all the apostles, whether Circumcision or Uncircumcision.
  5. 3. It is the foundation that is laid by Paul and his companions who were also called apostles. Acts 14:14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this. 1 Co 12:28 And God has appointed these in the church: first apostles, second prophets, third teachers. Eph 4:11-16 And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, 13 till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ; 14 that we should no longer be children, tossed to and fro and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, in the cunning craftiness of deceitful plotting, 15 but, speaking the truth in love, may grow up in all things into Him who is the head -- Christ -- 16 from whom the whole body, joined and knit together by what every joint supplies, according to the effective working by which every part does its share, causes growth of the body for the edifying of itself in love.
  6. We see in the context that it is the building up of the body of Christ into the holies. Eph 2:18-20 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. 19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints [of the holies] and members of the household of God, 20 having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being the chief cornerstone. We are being joined together to form the holy of holies, the temple of God. Eph 2:21,22a “in whom the whole building, being joined together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord, 22 in whom you also are being built together.” This means we will be the dwelling place of God: Eph 2:22b “for a dwelling place of God in [or by] the Spirit.
  7. I think this word, dwelling place, katoikhthvrion, refers to the place in the naov", the holy of holies. Except, this will be in heaven, forever. This is similar to what is found in 2 Co 5:2, “For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed with our habitation [oijkhthvrion] which is from heaven.”
  8. It’s interesting to notice that Jude 6 says, “the angels who did not keep their proper domain, but left their own abode [oijkhthvrion], He has reserved in everlasting chains under darkness for the judgment of the great day.” With this astounding information, Paul begins to burst forth again in prayer in Ephesian 3:1, but is diverted by some more needed explanations. But in 3:14, he continues his prayer. This time Paul prays for our practical needs based on our blessings.
  9. In Christ,
  10. Bob Hill
• Question: What does “If we suffer with him we shall also reign with Him” mean?
  • What does the Bible mean when it says if we suffer with him we shall also reign with Him?
  • In Christ,
  • Rodney
• Answer: (click here to see the answer)
  1. Since the Holy Spirit seals us until the day of redemption (Eph 4:30), what else would that give us, but assurance? Another passage that shows we will be saved even if all our works are burned up is 1 Co 3:9-15: “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, you are God’s building. 10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it. 11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 12 Now if anyone builds on this foundation with gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, straw, 13 each one’s work will become clear; for the Day will declare it, because it will be revealed by fire; and the fire will test each one’s work, of what sort it is. 14 If anyone’s work which he has built on it endures, he will receive a reward. 15 If anyone’s work is burned, he will suffer loss; but he himself will be saved, yet so as through fire.” That’s why the Holy Spirit assures us in Rom 8:16,17 that we are children of God. Rom 8:16,17 “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God. 17 and if children, then heirs--heirs of God” That’s absolute. Then a conditional element seems to be added to the last statement of Rom 8:17. “and joint heirs with Christ, if indeed [This “if indeed” is one word in Greek, ei[per since] we suffer with [Him], that we may also be glorified together”, (by reigning with Him.) (Note) A.T. Robertson wrote this about ei[per in his Word Pictures, “It means ‘if on the whole.’ ‘By a species of rhetorical politeness it is used of that about which there is no doubt’” Complete concordance of eijper Rom 3:30; Rom 8:9,17; 1 Co 8:5; 1 Co 15:15; 2 Th 1:6
  2. Now let’s consider that question, which you want answered. The rewards are different. I think we have a pretty definitive statement in 2 Timothy about what the reward will be and whether we will be close to getting it. I will post the Scripture first, then I will give my comments on each passage. I want to look at the context first. Then I want to deal with each portion in its order. 2 Ti 2:8,9 “Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel, 9 for which I suffer trouble as an evildoer, even to the point of chains; but the word of God is not chained.”
  3. Paul starts out by showing why he is suffering. Then he tells us the reason he is willing to suffer, even to being in chains, as he is when he is writing 2 Timothy. 2 Ti 2:10,12,13 “Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 12 If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us [the reigning with Him, the reward.]. 13 If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.” If we are faithless, we can only lose our reward, not our salvation—remember our sealing!
  4. Now, let’s look at each verse. 2 Ti 2:10 “Therefore I endure all things for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” Paul was willing to endure all these things so the elect, who were already saved, could obtain the [A specific salvation because of the definite article in the Greek.] salvation that is accompanied by the reward of eternal glory. With this in mind, we go to the next passage which is about dying, living, enduring and reigning. 2 Ti 2:11 “This is a faithful saying: For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him.” In this passage we also have what we call in Greek syntax, first class conditions. There are a number of them in this section of 2 Timothy. In a first class condition, if we fulfill the statement in the if part of the conditional sentence, called the protasis, we get the result in the then part of the sentence, called the apodosis. We did die with Him according to Rom 6:3-11. So we know that we are going to live with Him.
  5. We also shall live because we are identified with Him in that spiritual baptism. 2 Ti 2:12 “If we endure, we shall also reign with Him. If we deny Him, He also will deny us.” Also, how much endurance is necessary? It doesn’t say. So that’s the big question. God is merciful. But, He’s also fair. So when it says “If we deny Him, He also will deny us”, I think that means He will deny us reigning with Him if we deny Him by our life or His word. Our reigning with Him is contingent, but our salvation is already absolutely sure. 2 Ti 2:13 “If we are faithless, He remains faithful; He cannot deny Himself.” Our salvation is not on the line. Even if we become faithless. (This word, faithless, has a number of meanings. According