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Volume
3 – June 2000 (44 pages)
STATEMENT
OF PURPOSE:
Nazarene Saints Publishing© is a Bible research group for a better Scriptural
understanding. We are dedicated to the preservation and publishing of Christian
writings which aid Friends of the Nazarene© to "follow the Lamb no
matter where he goes." (John 15:14; 3 John 14; Revelation 14:4) The Friends
of the Nazarene© are a spiritual community of Messianic Christians.
We are apologists dedicated to the defense of the truth that "God is
One" and not three. The Bible is our creed. We view this
"God-breathed" Book as inspired alone, while the thoughts of men about
it are not. We wish to show respect for our multitude of Christian brethren. (1
Peter 3:15)
[Mark
Miller / Senior Editor (California, USA); Ralph Slaney / Senior Spanish editor (Almeria,
Spain); Luis Padilla / Associate Spanish Editor (Brooklyn, USA); Andy Weeks /
Associate Editor [Webmaster] (Chicago, USA); Andrew Foss / Hebrew editor (California, USA)]
·
ANNOUNCEMENTS
·
FAITH PERSPECTIVES
·
BIBLE THOUGHT FOR THE
DAY
·
THE “LOVE BOMB”
·
“JEHOVAH IS OUR
LAWGIVER”
·
“For
freedom Christ has set us free!”
·
MESSIAH’S
PRE-EXISTENCE IN THE HEBREW BIBLE?
·
GOSPEL OF JOHN: We
are happy to announce the completion of the Nazarene Commentary 2000© on
the Gospel of John. It is a fresh new rendering of the Greek language in a
literal form with as little paraphrase as possible. It has been compared against
four interlinears and two dozen other versions. It is 150 pages with over 1,100
footnotes. Every major phrase has a number of alternative renderings from other
translations. Each key Greek word is referenced. There is a brief commentary on
most verses. Cross references have been checked by computer, as well as key
words as they are used throughout the Bible and the Gospel of John. Each chapter
and paragraph has a topical heading. Each paragraph has review questions to make
the whole work a Bible study aid as a teaching tool for individuals and
churches. It will be available in the future on the Friends web page and
in a new CD-ROM Nazarene Commentary 2000©.
·
THE LETTER TO THE
GALATIANS: The work on Galatians
in Nazarene Commentary 2000© has been completed. It features two versions in
the Revised Standard Version and the Weymouth Translation. With 31
pages the work has 163 footnotes. As other works in Nazarene Commentary 2000©
there are many features include topical outline and review questions to make it
a fine tool for personal and church studies. The overall theme – Walk by
the Spirit in Freedom – is important for every Christian who wishes to
understand the relationship of the Law of Moses to the Christian Church.
·
THE LETTER TO THE
PHILIPPIANS: The Nazarene
Commentary 2000© on Philippians has been completed. It is based three
versions:
21st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures
as the footnoted version and the Revised
Standard Version and the Weymouth Translation. With 37 pages it has
215 footnotes of commentary. The overall theme – Keep the Mind of Christ
– is important for every Christian to understand how to behave after the
manner of Christ Jesus.
·
THE LETTER TO THE
COLOSSIANS: The Nazarene
Commentary 2000© on Colossians has been completed. Like Galatians above it
is based on the same two versions in 30 pages with 201 footnotes. The overall
theme – Walking in Wisdom – is important to every Christian who
wishes to understand how to apply godly knowledge in a wise manner. The epistle
to the Colossians warns against Jewish-Gnosticism and Greek philosophy.
·
SECOND CORINTHIANS: The
Nazarene Commentary 2000© on 2 Corinthians has been completed. It is 65
pages with 348 footnotes. It contains two versions: the new version
21st Century Version of the Christian Scriptures as the footnoted version, and for comparison, the Weymouth
Translation. The overall theme – Keep Testing the Faith – is
important for every Christian who wishes to preserve Church unity and how to
identify those who as satanic ministers have infiltrated the Nazarene community
throughout the Gospel Age.
·
PRESENT WORK: The
current work in Nazarene Commentary 2000© is the Book of Acts. Things
are moving along on the Nazarene Commentary 2000© CD-ROM and we hope a
version will be available by this summer. It will include over a half dozen
books, more than 100 Biblical Articles, and most of the commentary on the
Christian Bible. It is estimated to be over two million words on Biblical
studies and we hope to include some colorful and thematic photos.
I LOVE YOUR
PAGE...
I am currently on a search for truth. I no longer believe in the trinity. And I
can't seem to find any denominations that agree with my beliefs. Thank God for a
site that explains the truth. Though I don't claim to agree with all your
doctrines, I promise I will research them, since we agree on the most important.
(OSAS) (resurrection). Please put me on the list for any publications you send
out... THANKS AGAIN, Your brother in Christ,
Tony.
Please send by
email attachment the Gospel of John, 1 Corinthians and Galatians.
I'm really
enjoying the "daily Bible thoughts" and hope you can continue.
Your counsel has
been appreciated. IMHO, you are one of Christ's "gifts in men"--and a
phenomenon to boot! Doug [Canada]
Thank you dear
brother Mark for this up date and all of the hours, hard work, you have spent on
the Commentaries. I feel free to say and speak for the rest of us when I say
that all of it is greatly appreciated by us all. Your sister in Christ, Sheila
I have not had a
chance to read all of your material but I did get to read some. I think it is
very good. You certainly have done your homework. Keep up the good work. I will
write more later. Thank you so much for your kindness and dedication to the
Lord.
Lynnford
Dear Friends in Christ,
I dropped by your website today after receiving my first issue of "The New
Creation" published by the Christian Millennial Fellowship as they had your
site listed in the links page. I just wanted to take a moment to tell you
how much I appreciated your web site. I took the time to read several issues
of your online magazine and then I downloaded all the publications in .rtf
for viewing and sharing with my friends later.
I was originally a Seventh-Day Adventist and then became interested in the
beliefs of the Jehovah's Witnesses. I never joined them but became
interested in the ABS movement. However, I've always had problems with dates
that these various groups have set. But now I've come into contact with the
Free Bible Students (online only) and here I've found someone who holds the
same beliefs as myself without all these conflicting dates. Thank the Lord!
So it's a relief to see that I'm not the only one holding to these doctrinal
beliefs.
I wish to thank you for the great ministry that you are doing and I wanted
to let you know that the message has touched my heart. May Jehovah richly
bless you in his bountiful mercies.
Yours in Christ,
James Edgar McCarthy, Sr. [Maine]
Dear believers in the faith,
I read your article against the trinity with great interest. I have now
taken this doctrine to the highest authority in the SDA church. It is
increasingly agitated among the laity. We are now printing much
material on the subject too especially for the lay "gentiles" etc.
Thought you would be encouraged to hear this. Tony
Dear Brother
Miller,
I hope that I am
not bothering you with my missives. It is not my custom to do so. But I have
been spending the entire day (since around 8:30am now 4:45pm) reading this
manuscript "Messianic Confessions". I wished I were as fast a reader
as yourself. But alas, with my strokes and subsequent brain damage it usually
takes re-reading a line several times before the full gist of it settles in.
This work that you
have written is an absolute masterpiece. Once again I express how I wished that
it could printed in book form. Unfortunately I do not have the monetary means to
back such an endeavour. But I sit here reading and all I can keep saying is,
"WOW!". It is too bad that those of us who would like to see this work
published and distributed couldn't in some way contribute to a fund just for
this very purpose. Many of us wouldn't be able to donate much---but several
dollars here and there spread out over thousands would mount up. Of course, much
prayer would be needed that this would be the Hand of the Lord, and if He so
desire then the work would be carried through.
My main thrust of
this email was to once again say how much I am thoroughly enjoying this
electronic book, that I wish to express my desire again that it could be
published, and that I am anxiously awaiting when I finish this so I can delve
into the other written material that was enclosed in the zipped .exe file found
on your site.
Once again Brother
Miller I apologize for inundating you with so much email and taking up your
time. I also would like to thank you for your kindness and understanding. You
have endured so much more than I shall ever be asked to endure in my lifetime,
and to read of your experiences has been such an uplifting experience to me.
"Praise God from Whom all blessings flow!"
Yours in Christ,
James McCarthy,
Sr.
"jimmymac" [Maine]
I just finished
reading Phillipians
including all the footnotes. Great Work.
God Bless in Christ... George [New York]
A new feature that
regular appears on the Nazarene-Friends one-list [or eGroup] is a Bible thought
for each day. These are largely drawn from notes in Nazarene Commentary 2000©
on Bible books with some added remarks. Here we present some examples for those
who may have missed them on the talk-list or are not subscribed to it. [If you
wish to subscribe you may do so from the Friends of the Nazarene web
page.]
Did Jesus exist
in heaven before his human birth?
JN8:26 There
are many things I have to say and judge about you [Jews]. However, the One who
sent me is real, and what I have heard ‘alongside
Him,’ [Proverbs
8:30 LXX] these things I am speaking to the
world.” [NCMM]
The phrase
“alongside Him” is PAR AUTO in Greek. The phrase also occurs at John 8:38,
40. In John chapter 8 Jesus refers to his pre-existence “alongside” the
Father before he came into the world. What proves to be interesting that PAR
AUTO also occurs at Proverbs 8:30 in the context off a created son who was
begotten before the creation of the earth. Proverbs 8:22, 30 reads from the 3rd
Century BC Jewish Greek Septuagint: “YHWH created me [the] beginning
of His way for His works. … I was alongside Him [PAR AUTOU] arranging
everything. I was His delight, and daily I rejoiced in His presence
continually.” Jesus makes the same reference again in his Passover Prayer
at John 17:5, “And now glorify me, Father,
alongside Yourself [PARA] with the
glory that I had alongside You [PARA SOI]
before the cosmos existed.” [NCMM] The word “before” [PRO]
is also a word which occurs four times in Proverbs 8:23-25. John 1:1 also uses a
word from Proverbs 8:23, EN ARCHE [in a beginning]. There seems reasonable
material in Jesus’ own words that both he and John allude to Proverbs 8:22-30.
How are
“genuine disciples” known?
JN8:31
As a result, the Jesus spoke toward those Jews who had believed in him: “As
long as you remain in my Word you are my genuine disciples.”
[NCMM]
The phrase
“genuine disciples” is also rendered by Goodspeed as “really disciples of
mine.” In his parable of the Sower, Jesus foretold the time when his field
would be sown with both wheat and weeds. [Matthew 13:36-43] The Nazarene’s
words above indicate something about “genuine disciples” and at the same
time suggest there are not so genuine or real disciples. The “genuine
disciples” are identified as those Christians who “remain in [Christ’s]
Word.” At the very least such would first have to know and be familiar with
the teachings of Jesus Christ as found in the Gospels. Then, they would need to
“remain” in his Word. The word “remain” is also rendered: continue,
abide, live in, faithful to, hold fast to, dwell within. Does this not move all
with a desire to become more acquainted with the Lord’s teachings? This can be
done by making those red letters in the Gospels a regular source of personal
Bible reading and study. Though all of the Scriptures are God-breathed [2
Timothy 3:16] we note Hebrews 1:1, 2, “On many occasions, and in a variety
of ways in ancient times, The God spoke to our [Hebrew] forefathers by means of
the Prophets. In these last days He spoke to us [Hebrews] by means of a Son.”
[NCMM] If we find ourselves losing our godly
joy, perhaps it is due in part because we have ceased remaining in his Word?
Nothing heals the inner person more than letting that Christine “living
waters” flood through our heart and mind. No other portion of Scripture is
more filled with God’s Power than the Words of our Lord Christ. [Nazarene
Commentary 2000©]
Psalm 1:2 “[Their] greatest pleasure is in the law of Yehowah, and in His law they study day and night.” [ModVer] The phrase “study” here is also rendered: reads in an undertone, talk with himself, meditate, recites, pouring over it. Since most ancient Hebrew worshippers did not possess a copy of the Scriptures, it was vital they learned to remember and recite portions. The psalmist David encourages the godly person to utter these in recitation, as in prayerful meditations, both during the day and during the night. Such sincere efforts will be a source of blessings, or happiness, to the one who has become so familiar with His Word. This kind of person is characterized by several observable things mentioned in Psalm 1:1, 3 – a] they do not walk in ungodly advice; b] walk the road sinners tread; c] join the company of scoffers; and, d] produce fruitage at the proper time. A little meditation on these characteristics and the sincere worshipper can see these things surrounding us in the modern world. Nothing can protect us more than remaining close to the Word. It should be the goal of every Christian disciple to make familiarity with the Word a life-long pleasure so that as years advance more and more perfect gems from God’s Law will be on our tongue as we meditate day and night. [Nazarene Commentary 2000©]
MT13:41 The
Son of Humankind will send forth his angels and they will cull out of his Realm
everything that causes scandal and those doing lawlessness.”
[NCMM]
When
the Lord Messiah returns in his foretold visible Parousia he sends out “his
angels” [compare “his angels” Revelation 12:7] to cull out – or gather,
collect out – all those unrighteous undesirables within the Church throughout
its history, living and dead. Jesus mentions these angels in both Matthew 24:31
and Matthew 25:31. Those so removed at the time of Christ’s visible
manifestation are described as those who cause “scandal” and are
“lawless.” The Greek word for “scandal” is SCANDALA and is also
rendered: things that offend, causes stumbling, all who are hindrances,
spoiling, those who lead others to do wrong. The history of the Church has been
filled with such “scandal.” Such persons who stand before “the
judgment-seat of Christ” will meet their professed King in shame. [2
Corinthians 5:10; 1 John 2:28]
The
other word used to describe these “sons of the Evil One” is
“lawlessness.” Lawlessness may be defined as the transgression of God’s
commandments. The apostle John describes “lawlessness” in this manner: “Anybody
habitually sinning is a law-breaker. Therefore law-breaking is sin.” [1
John 3:4 NCMM Paraphrase] In John’s context there are two major
“commandments” or laws: “Now this is His commandment: first, we believe
and trust in the name of His Son Jesus Christ; and, second, love one another
just as he commanded.” [1 John 3:23 NCMM Paraphrase] One of the
examples John gives in the same chapter is the failure to come to the aid of a
brother or sister in need: “For example: if any of us has this world’s
resources for maintaining life and is aware than another Christian is in need
and yet slams shut the doors of his tender affections – how is it possible
that God still loves that person?” [1 John 3:17 NCMM Paraphrase] He
actually compares such non-action and disinterest to hatred and murder.
It
is interesting to note that “lawlessness” [the breaking of God’s
commandments of freedom] is also mentioned in Matthew 7:21-23, “Many
will say to me in The Day: ‘Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy in your name? And,
in your name cast out demons? And, in your name did many dynamic works?’ And
then I shall confess to them: ‘I never knew you! Get away from me, those
working unlawfully!’” [NCMM]
Or, those who were doing “lawlessness.” Yes, they pointed to great works
done “in the name of Jesus” but likely these failed the requirement of 1
John 3:23. These “lawless” ones are the “goats” who see the need of even
“one of the most humble of [His] brothers” and yet refuse to come to their
assistance. Such negative, disinterested persons are not fit for the heavenly
Kingdom of God. [Matthew 25:31-46] [Nazarene Commentary 2000©]
JN10:16 “I
have ‘other sheep’
[Isaiah 49:12;
56:8] that do not belong to this sheep-fold. Those
[sheep] I must lead also, and they will listen to my voice, and they will become
one flock, ‘one Shepherd.’ [Ezekiel
34:23] [NCMM]
When Jesus mentions these “other sheep” he may
echo or allude to a combination of Isaiah 49:12 and Isaiah 56:8. These verses
read: “Look! These [sheep] will
come even from far away. … The utterance of the Sovereign Lord Jehovah,
who is collecting together the dispersed ones of Israel, is: "I shall
collect together to him others besides those already collected together of
his." [NWT] Jesus came to call “the lost sheep of the House of
Israel” [Matthew 10:6; 15:24] and with but rare exceptions he does not witness
to non-Jews. Later some Greeks wanted an audience with Jesus but he does not
arrange for such. [Compare John 12:20] It is likely these Greeks were included
in Jesus’ words at John 12:32 that after his ascension to heaven he would draw
people of all kinds. It is these who are the “other sheep” who are not
naturally part of the Jewish sheepfold. Compare these two groups becoming one in
Ephesians 2:11-22. Some arbitrarily, and without any support, apply these
“other sheep” to another class of Christians, the American Indians, and even
homosexuals.
These Jews and non-Jews would become on fold, or
flock under a single Shepherd, just as Paul describes them in Ephesians 2:11-22.
The phrase “one shepherd” is straight out of Ezekiel 33:22-24 where the
Messiah-type David is the parallel: “And
I will save my sheep, and they will no longer become something for plunder [as
Jesus mentioned in John 10:8]; and I will judge between a sheep and a sheep.
And I will raise up over them one shepherd, and he must feed them, even my
servant David. He himself will feed them, and he himself will become their
shepherd. And I myself, Jehovah, will become their God, and my servant David a
chieftain in the midst of them. I myself, Jehovah, have spoken.” [NWT]
[Compare 1 Peter 5:4] [Nazarene Commentary 2000©]
Psalm 2:6, 7 “I have
installed my King on Zion, my holy hill. I will proclaim of Yehowah: He said to
me, ‘You are my Son. Today I have become your Father.’”
When is this prophetic Psalm fulfilled? Some apply
the verses to an invisible return of Christ in 1914 or some other day. Some
think it yet future. How can we know for sure? Happily we do not have to
speculate, for we have two inspired application of the Psalm with a specific
application. Both of these inspired interpretations provide an application of
the Second Psalm to the 1st Century in the year 33 AD. First, for
example, Peter quotes Psalm 2:1, 2 in a prayer with a group of Christians. Note
this in Acts 4:25-28: “
… and who through holy spirit said by the mouth of our forefather David, your
servant, 'Why did nations become tumultuous and peoples meditate upon empty
things? The kings of the earth took their stand and the rulers massed together
as one against Jehovah and against his anointed one.' Even so, both Herod and
Pontius Pilate with [men of] nations and with peoples of Israel were in
actuality gathered together in this city against your holy servant Jesus, whom
you anointed, in order to do what things your hand and counsel had foreordained
to occur.” [NWT] Thus, Peter
believed that the first two verses of Psalm 2 were fulfilled upon the
Nazarene’s execution.
Paul quotes Acts
2:7 in a Jewish synagogue and applies the fulfillment to the resurrection of
Jesus Christ in the year 33 AD. Compare is words at Acts 13:33-37, “ …
that God has entirely fulfilled it to us their children in that he resurrected
Jesus; even as it is written in the second psalm, 'You are my son, I have become
your Father this day.' And that fact that he resurrected him from the dead
destined no more to return to corruption, he has stated in this way, 'I will
give YOU people the loving-kindnesses to David that are faithful.' Hence he also
says in another psalm, 'You will not allow your loyal one to see corruption.'
For David, on the one hand, served the express will of God in his own generation
and fell asleep [in death] and was laid with his forefathers and did see
corruption. On the other hand, he whom God raised up did not see corruption.”
[NWT] Paul makes it clear he believes the Second Psalm was fulfilled with the
resurrection of Jesus. He made again allude to this Psalm at Romans 1:3, 4 when
he says, “He promised by means of His prophets in sacred writings –
concerning His Son … [who was] declared God’s Son (our Lord Jesus Christ) by
a resurrection from the dead through a spirit of holiness.” [NCMM]
Having these
inspired interpretations by the apostles Peter and Paul, we can speak with a
surety that Psalm 2:6, regarding the enthronement of Messiah as King, was
fulfilled upon the resurrection and ascension of Jesus to heaven, just as Daniel
7:13 foretold. [Nazarene Commentary 2000©]
Matthew 18:10
Watch that you never despise one of these ‘little
ones’. For I tell you that their angels in heaven always look upon the face of
my heavenly Father.
[NCMM]
This
verse comes after a context which begins back with Matthew 18:1, “Who is
the greatest in the Realm of the heavens?” As explained elsewhere the
phrase “Realm of the heavens” is generally used by Jesus of his own domain
or territory over which he rules. [Compare notes on Matthew 13:40-43.] So, when
Jesus first answers this question his address is to his disciples, and more
likely to his twelve apostles. They seemed to have an ongoing concern over who
was the greatest. It
amazes us that they would even ask this question. However, though some today may
not ask the question, attitudes and conduct expose a similar bent of mind:
political ambition within the church. This is the first time the subject comes
up among the disciples, but it is not the last. [Compare Matthew 23:11; Luke
9:46; Luke 22:24, 26.] There was a petty struggle among the disciples about
their position in relation to one another, even, unfortunately, as among church
elders and deacons today. It is unlikely the problem will not disappear.
However, all those men who have been appointed to a position of authority need
to heed the warning of the Nazarene that follows: the awesome matter of
stumbling the humblest of the flock.
So,
though the object lesson was a small child, it is possible “one of these least
ones” is the humblest, or most seemingly insignificant, within the Nazarene
community. [Compare Matthew 25:40] Our attitude toward others in the spiritual association bears on our own
everlasting welfare. Thus, when the Nazarene says “their angels in heaven”
he likely has in mind those child-like, humble disciples within the Realm of the
Son. It is at once frightening, and again comforting, to know powerful angelic
creatures are aware of the treatment -- or, even the attitude toward -- on the
part of the politically ambitious toward the humblest member of the Christian
faith. [Compare Psalm 34:7 and Hebrews 1:14.] Note, it is the “little ones”
who have angels in heaven who always behold the Father’s face. It is possible
that the attitude among some of the apostles was in danger of becoming a
stumbling-block to the more humble in their midst. Certainly, many a Christian
has been turned off by the struggle for power among church elders. [Nazarene
Commentary 2000©]
Matthew
13:43 Then the righteous will ‘shine
forth like the sun’ in the Realm of their
Father. Let the one with ears, hear.
[NCMM]
The
“righteous” here are those wheat-Christians raised to the parousia-Judgment.
1 John 2:28 and 4:17 describes this judgment of the Church: “Now,
little children, continue to abide in (Jesus) so when the time comes for him to
be made visible we all might speak openly and freely at his Arrival and not
experience embarrassment while standing before him … in the day of
judgment.” [NCMM Paraphrase;
2 Corinthians 5:10] They are the same as the
sheep-Christians at Matthew 25:37. The “righteous” are contrasted to the
“lawless,” for righteousness is the same as being law-abiding. The key law
is that of love expressed by charity and hospitality as the parable of Matthew
25:31-46 shows. [1 John 3:16-18, 23] Jesus borrows the phrase “shine forth
like the sun” from Daniel 12:3 which describes both the end-time Saints
rescued from the Great Oppression, as well as the “righteous” wheat awakened
from the sleep of death. The “sons of the kingdom” have now become part of
the Father’s Kingdom in heaven. Note this verse in Daniel follows upon the
foretold “oppression” associated with the appearing of Michael. (Daniel
12:1, 2 JBS; compare Matthew 24:30) Surely there is good reason for the Nazarene
to give the closing warning: “Let the one with ears, hear.” [Matthew
13:43; compare Matthew 13:9] [Nazarene Commentary 2000©]
Matthew
13:47 “Again the Realm of Heaven may be compared to
a dragnet thrown into the sea and gathering together every kind of (fish). Matthew
13:48 When the net is filled it is hauled onto the
beach. Then the (fishermen) sit down and collect the good fish into vessels;
but, the rotten (fish) they throw away. [NCMM]
There
is something about the Christian Church [the Realm of Profession] that resembles
a fisherman’s dragnet lowered into the world to “catch men alive.”
[Matthew 4:19; Luke 5:10] Some call this the ‘Gospel Net’. Jesus called his
first disciples and told them they would “become fishers of men.” He
commissioned his apostles to “Go and make disciples of people of all
nations.” (Matthew 28:18, 19) Beginning with Jesus the gospel preaching
“dragnet” -- the greatest evangelical effort of all time -- has been fishing
earth’s waters. This occurs at the Return (or, Parousia; see notes on MATTHEW
24:3) of Christ and the beginning of the parousia-judgment. This is
parallel to the parable of the wheat and weeds in the field of the Lord.
(MATTHEW 13:37) as well as those sheep and goats at Matthew 24:45-25:46. At the
judgment the dragnet will be filled with all those who professed Jesus as Lord
as Christians throughout the Gospel or Church Age (Period). Happily there will
be ‘good fish’. But, sadly there are ‘rotten’ fish even today within the
Church. The Greek sapros is rendered rotten or corrupt and often applied
to the bad fruit of a tree. (Matthew 7:17, 18; Luke 6:43) These ‘rotten’
fish are the same as the “workers of lawlessness” of Matthew 7:21, 22, the
weeds of Matthew 13:38, and the “goats” of Matthew 25:40-46. [Nazarene
Commentary 2000©]
How
does one settle difficulties between Christians?
Matthew
18:15 “However, if your brother should sin go to
him privately and offer reproof. You gain your brother If he listens to you. [NCMM]
When
most people are offended, or in some other way have a complaint against another,
the majority of them go to others and begin to spread rumors with a degree of
exaggeration. Here Jesus offers a principle to avoid stumbling others – the
previous them. In this verse the word “brother” indicates a spiritual or
religious relationship. The subject or theme is still that of stumbling a little
one. Jesus now deals with how to handle such a matter personally. What the
“sin” is we are not told. We do not know whether this is a personal offense,
or another type of sin which has been observed. If the theme and subject above
continue, this may be something scandalous or offensive done to a little one so
as to cause stumbling. Such a person -- in danger of Gehenna -- needs to be
cautioned and corrected so that no further harm come to others. Jesus was well
aware of this personal responsibility under the Law of Moses: "You must
not hate your brother in your heart. You should by all means reprove your
associate, that you may not bear sin along with him.” [Leviticus 19:17;
Proverbs 25:9]
Other
versions render this: “Go and have it out with him in private.” [RIEU]
Or, “Make clear to him his error between you and him in private.”
[BAS] The original question from the disciples was, “Who is greatest?”
[Matthew 18:1] This is a subject that has been discussed among the disciples. Is
it possible this is the kind of thinking which is called a sin here? Is there a
need among the disciples for one of them to go to another and offer reproof
regarding this political ambition?
Jesus
said – not to spread this matter by slanderous gossip – but “reprove”
the erring Christian. The Greek for “reprove” here is ELEGZON. Strong's
Exhaustive Concordance provides the following: “reprove, rebuke, convince,
tell (one's) fault, or refute. Generally there is a suggestion of shaming of the
person convicted 1b) by conviction to bring to the light, to expose 2) to find
fault with, correct 2a) by word 2a1) to reprehend severely, chide, admonish,
reprove 2a2) to call to account, show one his fault, demand an explanation 2b)
by deed 2b1) to chasten, to punish.”
This
is to be done privately, between the witness to the sin and the sinning fellow
Christian. Unfortunately, this Christine method is seldom applied, and some of
those self-righteous prefer to spread damaging gossip that may ruin the
Christian reputation of the sinning brother. How much more loving to always go
first to the erring person and as kindly as possible try to gain such. O, that
more Christians would listen to the Nazarene! [Nazarene Commentary 2000©]
Matthew
18:18 “I tell you (apostles) this truth: Whatever
you (apostles) bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you release
on earth will be released in heaven. [NCMM]
It
is often overlooked in these portions that Jesus is speaking directly to his
apostles. [Matthew 18:1] The “you” is plural and indicates Jesus is speaking
to the apostles. What follows is directed to these disciples and not necessarily
a blanket statement regarding all Christians. For example, the phrase may
involve the sin of the brother under discussion. If two or three (of the
apostles) agree on a certain action against a wrongdoer, then it becomes so. An
example of binding something on earth might be the appointment of Matthias to
take the office of Judas. [Acts 1:23-26] The Greek grammar may allow, “already
bound .. already loosed.” Compare a binding matter in the case of Ananias and
Sapphira. [Acts 5:1ff.]
The
Greek for “release” is LYSETE and may be rendered “loose.” The idea may
infer forgiveness. [Compare notes on Matthew 16:19 IN Nazarene Commentary 2000©.]
There the context deals with the Peter’s keys. If these be viewed as three --
and relate to the Jews, Samaritans, and Gentiles -- then as long as the door to
the Samaritans and Gentiles remains closed and locked, it is so in heaven. Jesus
authorized his apostles to forgive sins. [John 20:23] Later Paul writes that the
Corinthian congregation “forgive” the incestuous sinner. [2 Corinthians 2:7]
Since these words are addressed only to the apostles, it should not be assumed
that any two or three Christians today may release or bind something and that
Heaven must agree with that. [Nazarene Commentary 2000©]
Matthew
18:19 Again, I tell you (apostles) this truth: If two
of you might agree about a matter on earth it will occur just as you request
because of my heavenly Father. [NCMM]
This
verse has been much abused, and one hears the use of “agree” among some
Christians in general, as though Jesus was here talking to all Christians. The
Greek “you” is plural and is directed to the twelve apostles. [Matthew 18:1]
If “two” of these apostles agreed upon a certain matter they could have the
assurance – as the foundation stones of the Holy Temple [Ephesians 2:19-21]
– that such inspired decision would take place. In other words it is if two
apostles agree. [The words “might agree” are from the Greek SYMPHONESOSIN.]
An example of this may be seen in Acts 8:14-17 where the two apostles Peter and
John agreed to pray for the Samaritans to “receive the holy spirit.” The
above does not mean that any two Christians today who “agree about a matter on
earth” can automatically expect the Father to act on their request. [Nazarene
Commentary 2000©]
Matthew
18:20 For where ever two or three of you [apostles]
are gathered together in my name, there I am among them.”
[NCMM]
This
is a verse often cited in application to any two or three Christians who might
meet together. As seen above the plural “you” speaks directly of the
apostles. This is “two or three” of the apostles met in important matters of
the Church. The words “gathered together” are from a word related to
“synagogue.” These may be official synods or congregational meetings.
[Compare 1 Corinthians 5:4; James 2:2.] Note how Peter and John go to Samaria to
request they receive the holy Pneuma. [Acts 8:14, 15] Note it is in the name of
“Jesus” and not thename of his Father “Jehovah” that this promise
occurs. The phrase may also mean something authorized by the person so named.
So, Jesus has in mind “two or three” of the apostles who meet in matters of
Church order and authority. They could count on the invisible spiritual headship
of the Lord in their midst. The above is not a blanket statement that Jesus
would be among any gathering of any two or three disciples. [Nazarene Commentary
2000©]
Matthew
18:21 Then
Peter approached Jesus and asked, “Lord, how many times must my brother sin
against me and I must still forgive him? As many as seven times?” Matthew
18:22 Jesus
answered Peter, “I tell you, not as many as seven
times, but as much as seventy times seven.” [NCMM]
We
may assume the previous discussion has moved Peter to ask this. [Matthew
18:15-17] It is very likely that much of this discussion was prompted by the
original issue of who was the greatest. [Matthew 18:1] This debate no doubt
involved Peter judging, from Matthew 16:18, 19, and possibly there was some
criticism of him. We can only speculate on Judas’ attitude regarding all of
this. The Jewish rabbis taught that it was enough to forgive three times, so
surely Peter thought he was being very generous. Regarding this suggested amount
see Genesis 4:24 where Cain is revenged seven times, but Lamech seventy-seven
times. That is a total of 490 sins! In other words, our Lord taught there is no
end. or limit, to forgiveness of sins against one’s person. [See notes on
Matthew 6:12) Luke 17:4 has Jesus adding, “Even if he sins seven times a
day against you and he comes back to you seven times, saying, 'I repent,' you
must forgive him." There is a need to learn to say, “I am sorry.”
[Nazarene Commentary 2000©]
Matthew
18:35 Just so my heavenly Father will do to you if
ever you do not forgive from your hearts every one of your brothers!”
[NCMM]
Forgiveness
is a most serious matter. Those who refuse to forgive will learn a side to the
Almighty they will not like. It is a mistaken notion that the Nazarene and his
Father were all-forgiving all the time. This matter of forgiveness is one in
which the individual chooses his own destiny. [See notes on Matthew 6:14, 15]
The lesson is simple and straightforward: we have acquired a debt so great it is
impossible to repay; therefore, we ought to reflect our appreciation in
forgiving our fellows. The Knox versions says to forgive “with all his
heart.” Paul echoes the Nazarene in Ephesians 4:23, “Do
not let the sun set while you are still provoked to anger. Do not let the Devil
have a place among you.”
[NCMM Paraphrase] And again in Colossians 3:13, “Bearing
with one another and readily forgiving each other, if any one has a grievance
against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, you also must forgive.” [Weymouth
Translation] Jesus taught at Matthew 7:1, 2, “Do not condemn others, and
you will not be condemned. For the condemnations you give are the condemnations
you will receive. And, the standard you use will be the standard used for
you.” [ModVer] Realizing that we will be judged by the same measuring tape
we judged others, every disciple of Jesus ought to be characterized by a
forgiving character. [Nazarene Commentary 2000©]
Matthew
19:9 I tell you this: that whoever divorces his woman
not for the reason of fornication and marries another, commits adultery.”
[NCMM]
Jesus
gives only one reason for divorce --fornication. The Greek here is porneia
and is worthy of considerable research. The root of porneia is from “to
buy” as in the purchase price of a prostitute, and so “fornication” first
became synonymous with “prostitution.” (Genesis 38:24; Exodus 34:16; Hosea
1:2; Leviticus 19:29) The word occurs about 65 times in the Bible. Most often in
Hosea (17) and secondly in 1 Corinthians (11). In the Christian Bible
fornication is incest (1 Corinthians 5:1), adultery (1 Thessalonians 4:3), and
“unnatural” sex (Jude 7). Paul alludes to Numbers 25:1f and the fornication
of Israelite men with Moabite women, possibly temple harlots as religious
worship is associated.
B.
F. Westcott, Saint Paul's Epistle to the Ephesians
(1906, p. 76) defines porneia: "This is a general term for all
unlawful intercourse, (I) adultery: Hos. ii. 2, 4 (LXX.); Matt. v. 32; xix. 9;
(2) unlawful marriage, I Cor. v. I; (3) fornication, the common sense as here
[Eph 5:3]." Bauer's Greek-English Lexicon of the
New Testament (revised by F. W. Gingrich and F. Danker, 1979, p.
693) defines por·nei'a as "prostitution, unchastity, fornication,
of every kind of unlawful sexual intercourse." “Fornication” is
generally related to adultery, rape, and prostitution. (Genesis 34:1, 2, 6, 7,
31; Genesis 38:24-26; Genesis 39:7-9)
The
question may be raised whether sexual intercourse between two consenting persons
who intend to marry is “fornication.” Some would state that it
is. However, we are unable to find a single case where sex between engaged
persons is considered “fornication.” Virtually every occurrence of
“fornication” is limited to rape, adultery, incest, homosexuality, or
prostitution. Indeed, the word “prostitution” could replace
“fornication” in the Prophet Hosea and most of the cases elsewhere. While
adulterous persons were stoned under the Law, couples (engaged or not) who had
sexual intercourse were not stoned but required to marry, the male giving up
divorce rights and had to pay a fine to the father of the woman. (Exodus 22:16,
17; Deuteronomy 22:28, 29)
If
one divorces and does not remarry adultery is not committed. Compare Mark 10:11, "Whoever divorces his wife and marries another
commits adultery against her.” Luke 16:18,
"Everyone that divorces his wife and marries another commits adultery,
and he that marries a woman divorced from a husband commits adultery.”
[Nazarene Commentary 2000©]
Galatians
1:6 I am astonished that you are
so quickly deserting him who called you in the grace of Christ and turning to a
different gospel – Galatians
1:7 not that there is another
gospel, but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of
Christ.
[Revised Standard Version]
Paul is concerned that so many have been removed,
steadily deserting, quickly tuning away, shifting your ground, or, moving away
from God. Paul will explain how they have deserted God. They have been
“turning to a different Gospel.” Paul had similarly warned at 2 Corinthians
11:4, “If someone arrives and begins to preach another Jesus—other than
the one we preached – or you Corinthians accept an ‘inspiration’ other
than the one you all accepted – or a Gospel other than the one you accepted
– you all tolerate such a person.” [NCMM] These false teachers were
unsettling, upsetting, or harassing the Galatians. These were the Judaizers
mentioned at Acts 15:1, 2, 24. [Note the word “trouble.”] These were pseudo
Christians who wanted to force the Church into a Jewish mold that continued to
observe Jewish festivals and circumcision. This “evil influence” continued
throughout the history of the early Church and has persisted to this day.
[Nazarene Commentary 2000©]
Philippians
4:8 Finally, brothers, continue to consider these
things: everything true, everything serious, everything righteous, everything
chaste, everything affectionate, everything reputable – anything virtuous,
anything praise-worthy. [NCMM]
Paul counsels the Philippians to think on certain
things, to take into account certain qualities, to make their thoughts dwell on
key attributes of character. Paul is to now list eight things worthy of
meditating on. If one examines these in the light of difficulties between the
two Christian women mentioned above -- as well as the two different attitudes in
Philippians 1:15-17 – it can be seen that some of these things are the way we
ought to think of others.
First, “everything true.” Pay no attention
to what is untruthful about another. Ignore slander and gossip, particularly if
you know it is untrue. Second, “everything serious.” Or, honest,
honorable, dignified. Some people make big issues over matters of no
consequence. They make mountains out of molehills, particularly when they wish
to exalt themselves and belittle another. Do not chase after silly matters of no
consequence. Rather, cultivate a high degree of Christian seriousness about
those matters that involve worship and Christian character. Both men and women
are counseled to be “serious.” [1 Timothy 3:8, 11; Titus 2:2] Third,
“everything righteous.” Do not meditate on unrighteous matters
concerning others. Nor, those things that are not fair and just. Learn God’s
righteous standards and walk in these virtues and principles. [Compare
Philippians 1:11.] Fourth, “everything chaste.” Do not listen to
things about others that are impure. When the mind and heart drift to matters
unchaste, learn to mentally say “No!” and change the thinking to godly
matters. [2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 4:12; 5:2; 1 Peter 3:2] Fifth,
“everything affectionate.” Or, lovely, endearing, amiable, lovable. Do
not harbor hateful, unloving thoughts. Such come from pride and jealousy. Learn,
not only to love others, but to “like” them. Search for their better
qualities and ignore those that irritate. [Compare Philippians 1:8. (Romans
12:10)] Sixth, “everything reputable.” Or, of good report, kindly
spoken, gracious, well spoken of. Pay no attention, and give no consideration
to, speech that destroys reputation and character. Say nothing that will taint
your own reputation. When people think of you, or hear your name, they know or
sure that here is a reputable person who would never harm another. Elders
particularly must have a good report from worldly persons. [1 Timothy 3:7] Seventh,
“anything virtuous.” Or, morally excellent. Pay not attention to that
which is not virtuous in thought and action. If it is suspect to public decency,
run for your lives. The Latin word VIRTUS means strength of moral character,
manliness, value. Cultivate those virtues human generally praise. Think no
thought about another that is not virtuous. [Compare notes on 2 Peter 1:5.] Eighth,
“anything praise-worthy.” Or, honorable. If you hear something not
praise-worthy of another suspect the motives. If you easily believe the worst of
people, examine your own heart in prayer, for pride and jealousy may have you in
their grip. Think and behave in a manner that others will praise for your
kindness, good manners, thoughtfulness, forgiving nature, and godly example. [Nazarene
Commentary 2000©]
Matthew
20:16 So, those last will be first and those who were
first, last.”
[NCMM]
This
is the Nazarene’s moral to his parable of the 11th hour workers. No
matter how long, how hard, or under what conditions -- the “workers” in the
harvest receive the same wage: celestial glory. [2 Corinthians 5:1] Mark 9:35
helps us understand what it means to be either first, or last: “So Jesus
sat down and beckoned the twelve to him and then told them: “Any
person who wants to be ‘first’ must be the ‘last’ and the servant to
all.” [NCMM] (Mark 10:31) Some labor under self-righteous
superiority because they have labored longer, and possibly harder, than newer
members within the realm of profession. Some view themselves as ‘first’ or,
foremost, chief, greatest, premier. The Jewish hierarchy were of such a mind.
Some in the modern Church also have this self-perspective. They view others as
‘last’ -- least, insignificant, unnecessary, bothersome, and a waste of
their time. In the judgment many that thought themselves ‘first’ will be the
last to inherit God’s Kingdom. [Matthew 7:21-23] Others viewed as the
‘last’ will be “the greatest in the Kingdom of God.” [Nazarene
Commentary 2000©]
Matthew
20:25 But
Jesus asked the disciples to present themselves, then he told them: “You
are aware that the Gentile rulers lord it over their subjects; and, the
‘greats’ wield authority over others.
Matthew 20:26 Not so among you. Rather, whoever
wishes to be ‘great’ must be your slave. Matthew 20:27 Whoever
wishes to be prominent must be your slave. [NCMM]
Both
the Jewish and the non-Jewish rulers or lords exercised dominion – despotic
powers, high-handed tyranny – over their subjects. Jesus instructed his twelve
apostles it was not to be this way among the Nazarene community. This is a
command from the Lord that authoritarian tyranny will be absent from genuine
disciples of Jesus. We find in Jesus the perfect example of a true leader within
the Christian framework: a humble and loving model who asks nothing of his
fellows that he himself will not do. Not once does the Nazarene take advantage
of his followers by living a life-style better, or easier, than they. This kind
of humble, self-sacrificing servant will actually have the “first place”
from the King’s standpoint. [Philippians 2:5-7] [Nazarene Commentary 2000©]
Colossians
1:22 He
has now reconciled in his body of flesh by his death, in order to present you
holy and blameless and irreproachable before him, Colossians
1:23 provided
that you continue in the faith, stable and steadfast, not shifting from the hope
of the gospel which you heard.
[Revised Standard Version]
It was the literal, fleshly body of Jesus the
Nazarene – not some god-man phantasm – that brings about this
reconciliation. In part this reconciliation includes the hope of being presented
before God’s Throne of Grace in a holy, blameless, and irreproachable manner.
The phrase “before him” is in Greek KAT-ENOPION, or down in front, that is,
in His presence. [Compare notes on 1 John 2:28 and 2 Corinthians 5:10.] There is
a qualification to this, however – “Provided that you continue in the
faith” – that is, reconciliation is condition on conviction and
endurance in The Faith. [Revelation 2:10] That is, not just the conviction
alone, but also “stable and steadfast” in such faith. That is, grounded and
settled, firm and unmovable. Philips Modern English paraphrases this: “This
reconciliation assumes, of course, that you maintain a firm position in the
faith.” [Ephesians 3:17; 1 Corinthians15:58] Never “shifting from the
hope of the gospel.” The Evangel has a particular and unique hope –
spirit existence in the celestial realms. [John 8:23; 1 Corinthians 15:44-51; 2
Corinthians 5:1] [Nazarene Commentary 2000©]
Colossians
3:12 Put
on then, as God's chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassion, kindness,
lowliness, meekness, and patience,
Colossians 3:13 forbearing one another
and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord
has forgiven you, so you also must forgive. [Revised Standard
Version]
That is, “put on the garments.” Like brand new
clothing put on the same old person, the New Person in Christ must be
characterized by completely new attitudes and qualities. Paul lists some of
these in the following phrases. First, compassion. Or, tenderness of
heart, heart of pity, tender affections of compassion, merciful in action. The
New Person is compassionate – humane, gracious, forgiving, sympathetic.
[Philippians 2:1] Second, kindness. The New Person in Christ is known to
be kind toward others and this is manifest in empathy and charity. Kindness is
also marked by good manners and courtesy. This kindness is not limited to just
other Christians, for God is “kind toward the unthankful and wicked.” [Luke 6:35] Third,
lowliness. Or, self-humiliation, humble in mind. One knows they are
meeting a New Person in Christ when humility is manifest – arrogance and
egotism completely lacking. [Romans 12:16] Fourth, meekness. Or,
gentleness, mildness. The adversarial, confrontational, aggressive person has
not become a New Person in Christ. Nor have the opinionated or self-righteous.
The New Person in Christ is known by his willingness to yield on matters of no
great import, to be reasonable in sharing convictions with others. Most of all,
the meek New Person in Christ is willing to learn, and indeed, receive rebuke
and reproof when that is necessary. Fifth, patience. Or, forbearance,
longsuffering, tolerance. The New Person in Christ is known as a patient
Christian who is not easily upset, but is willing to suffer long with the weak
and immature. [See notes on Ephesians 4:2.] This is true even if there is a
legitimate “cause of complaint against another.” Paul provides a specific
example of this patience as it is displayed in a forgiving disposition even when
there is a legitimate “complaint” against another. His words are a virtual
commentary on the Lord’s Prayer at Matthew 6:12 and the Lord’s own
commentary at Matthew 6:14. [Compare notes on Ephesians 4:32.] [Nazarene
Commentary 2000©]
Galatians
5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free; stand fast
therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.
[Revised Standard Version]
By
writing about such freedom, what did Paul mean? Did he mean absolute freedom or
liberty within the Christian Church? That is, did he mean everyone in the Body
of Christ was free to determine what each individual member believed no matter
what that might be? Or was this “freedom” some qualified and with
limitations? The Galatians who had been formerly Jews – having been observers
of the Law of Moses and the many Jewish rituals [Galatians 4:8-10] – had been
in slavery like Hagar. [Galatians 4:25] However, Jesus Christ had
“fulfilled” the Law by perfect love. [Matthew 5:17; Galatians 5:14] By
becoming a “curse” in his death on the Tree [Galatians 3:13] Christ released
the Jews from that kind of slavery. So, the Jewish Christian was “no longer
under the Law” [Galatians 3:25] Indeed, any Jewish Christian who insisted on
circumcision was separated from Christ. [Galatians 5:4, 6] Thus, Jewish
Christians were not free to force others under the burden of the Law. Such were
introducing “another gospel” and were anathema. [Galatians 1:6-9] Also,
Christians were not free to have their own moral standards rather than be led by
God’s holy Pneuma. [Galatians 5:13, 16-21] [Nazarene Commentary 2000©]
Matthew
21:43 Because of this I tell you: the Kingdom of The
God will be removed from you and given to a nation producing (Kingdom) fruitage.
Matthew 21:44 And the person who falls upon this
Stone will be shattered; but whoever (the Stone) falls on will be smashed.”
[NCMM]
Jesus
foretold that fleshly Israel would lose the “kingdom” promised to them based
on their obedience to the Law of Moses: “And now if you [Israelites] will
strictly obey my voice and will indeed keep my covenant, then you will certainly
become my special property out of all [other] peoples, because the whole earth
belongs to me. And you [Israelites] yourselves will become to me a kingdom of
priests and a holy nation.” (Exodus 19:5, 6 NWT) That kingdom would
be given to another nation producing royal fruitage. There is another
“nation” who will receive the “kingdom.” Peter describe this as the
Christian Church: “Also,
you [non-Jews] very ones
are being constructed as living stones into a spiritual house, a holy priesthood
[Exodus 19:6] to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God [Isaiah
56:7] through Jesus Christ. … But,
you, are ‘a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a special treasure
of a people’ [Exodus 19:5, 6] -- having been called out of darkness
into his awesome illumination – ‘that you might declare’ his virtues. [Exodus
19:6] [You non-Jews] who were once ‘not a people’ but now
‘God’s People’ – ‘those not shown mercy,’ but now, ‘those shown
mercy.’ [Hosea 1:6, 8]” [1 Peter
2:4-10 NCMM] Those who made up this new “nation” were
mainly non-Jews. Indeed, only a few Jews throughout the Gospel Age would become
part of such a “nation.” The vast majority of Jews would experience what
Jesus had predicted. “Whoever [the Stone] falls on will be smashed!”
This “smashing” began between the years 66-73 AD during the Roman war
with the Jews. However, the real “nation” – the Israel of God – survived
to this day. [Galatians 6:16] [Nazarene Commentary 2000©]
Matthew
22:11 “Now when the king arrived to view those
reclining at the festival table he saw there a person without a wedding garment.
[NCMM]
In
Matthew 22:1-14 the Nazarene gives a parable dealing with a marriage feast.
Those guests “who had been invited” – that is the Jews in the nation of
Israel – generally begged off and for this reason or that [most for
materialistic reasons]. Because the Jews were “not worthy” the invitation
went out to non-Jews, both wicked and good. After the wedding banquet became
full, the King arrived. Jesus had taught that this was the Arrival of Messiah
followed by the parousia-judgment as foretold in Daniel 7:22. [Compare
related parables at Matthew 24:44-25:46.] When the King returns his entire
Household is to be judged or inspected. [Daniel 12:1, 2; 2 Corinthians 5:10; 1
John 2:28; 1 John 4:17] In the banquet room there were some dressed
inappropriately. Like all weddings the invited guests dress appropriately to the
occasion. This person dresses in such a way to make it obvious he is out of
place at these festivities. Our dress often reveals something about us and our
attitudes. The metaphor of dress is often used of spiritual clothing, such as
certain characteristics – love, forgiveness, mercy, humility, compassion,
kindness, tolerance, gentleness. [Colossians 3:12] When we appear before the
judgement-seat of the Messiah we will appear in the type of clothing we have
chosen. [2 Corinthians 5:10; 1 John 2:28; Matthew 7:21-23] [Nazarene
Commentary 2000©]
Romans
12:9 Show loving concern without hypocrisy.
[NCMM]
Romans
12:9a reads in the King James Version: “Let love (AGAPE) be
without dissimulation.” Literally in Greek this is, “The love
unhypocritical.” Fittingly this type of love is at the top of
Paul’s list in harmony with those teachings of the Nazarene. But, it is a
special kind of AGAPE: it is not hypocritical or two-faced. True, Christian
AGAPE must be lacking any agenda or
motive other than the desire to see the very best take place for our neighbors.
Paul’s words show that AGAPE or “love” can be hypocritical. The word AGAPE
is essentially “interest” or “concern” but with two driving engines: a)
principle; and, b) motive. If the principle be right and the motive wrong it is
hypocritical. If it be rightly motivated but on wrong principle, it is
misplaced. This word “hypocrisy” occurs often in the Christian Bible. It is
the combination of “under” + “judge” and is drawn from those fake faces
actors wore which have become symbols for the theater itself: the one sad, the
other happy. People lacking the Transformed Mind -- and any effort to perfect
the Christian character -- often wear two faces and it becomes difficult to tell
who they really are.
The
Nazarene is described as “guileless” (Hebrews 7:26) and this is the way the
Nazarene disciples ought to be. (Romans 16:18; 1 Corinthians 13:4; 1 Timothy
1:5; James 3:17; 1 Peter 1:22) True and pure AGAPE thinks only of another’s
interest in seeking the highest good of both neighbor and enemy. Paul describes
this love without ever using the word: “Seek not for self, but for others.
... Not looking after your own interests but those of others.” (1
Corinthians 10:24; Philippians 2:4 NCMM) This must lack a selfish motive or
hidden agendas. Ask: Is my love free of hypocrisy? Is my concern for
another attached with hidden agendas? Is there a hidden motive behind my concern
for another, perhaps what I may gain by this display of concern and interest?
Dare I ever become two-faced so that my smile and warm embrace camouflages
secret intent? Remember the kiss of Judas! (Matthew 26:48, 49) [Nazarene
Commentary 2000©]
Romans
12:10c Show
preference by honoring one another. [NCMM]
Romans
12:10c reads in the King James Version: “in honour preferring one
another.” We all enjoy respect from others. This is usually shown by
speech in one form or another. It is also demonstrated in refraining from
treating others disrespectfully. Particularly is this so with those who might be
considered “inferiors.” Instead, your human decency should reflect that
humility reflected in Christ himself. In the Scriptures there are certain
relationships which call for particular respect. (Lamentations 2:6; Matthew
21:37; Ephesians 5:33; Hebrews 12:9; 1 Peter 3:2; 3 John 9, 10) There are some
men, particularly those with authority, who respect no one. (Luke 18:2, 4)
There
is an area of respect often ignored in religious contexts: when defending
one’s faith. Note how Peter encourages a respectful defense of one’s belief:
“Hold the Lord Christ in reverence in your hearts. Be always ready with
your defense whenever you are called to account for the hope that is in you with
modesty and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15 NEB) A lack of respect for others and
honor for people of all kinds is demonstrated on the Internet. This shows up at
those web sites which are either anti-something or x-something, often with
language and manners uncharacteristic of any Christian.
In
daily life this can manifest itself with family members, work mates, school
associates, including, of course, Christian brethren, and those people met
throughout the day. The tenderness in the previous point ought to move us in all
our contacts to be respectful in honoring others. Ask: How do I respect and
honor others? Do good manners characterize my dealings with others? Would anyone
say of me, “Now there goes a well-mannered person”? [Nazarene Commentary
2000©]
Romans
12:11b Burn with spirituality.
[NCMM]
Romans
12:11b reads in the King James Version: “fervent in spirit.”
The literal Greek (KIT) may be “to the spirit boiling” or “in
spirit burning.” (UBS) Essentially this is telling us to be enthusiastic
rather than walk around with a sour or saddened demeanor. Such a person was
Apollos, a man “mighty in Scripture,” as the King James describes
him. Acts 18:24, 25 reports: “Now a certain Jew named Apollos, a native of
Alexandria, an eloquent man, arrived in Ephesus; and he was well versed in the
Scriptures. This man had been orally instructed in the way of the Lord and, as
he was aglow with the spirit, he went speaking and teaching with correctness the
things about Jesus.” (NWT)
Some
persons have an introverted demeanor and others present themselves as overly
serious. Many misinterpret this as arrogance. Some will have to make a concerted
effort to manifest a happy outgoing disposition that seems always “up.” True,
this takes more energy, but your neighbor is worth it. Ask: Am I an “up”
person? Am I out-going and enthusiastic? If not, how can I reflect the
real joy of Christ residing in my heart? Can I smile more? Can I strive to make
uplifting and encouraging remarks? [Nazarene Commentary 2000©]
Romans
12:12a Always
rejoice in the hope. [NCMM]
Romans
12:12a reads in the King James Version: “rejoicing in hope.” The
Greek has the article and thus it is “the hope.” Paul had earlier described
the condition of the human creation as, “The (human) creation groans
together and travails in pain together.” (Romans 8:22 NCMM) He continues to
show that despite this groaning pain there is a sustaining hope: “We groan
eagerly awaiting the adoption (as children), the release by ransom of our Body.
For to this hope we were saved. But, hope seen is no longer hope, for why hope
for what you can see. But if we hope for the unseen we keep waiting by
enduring.” (Romans 8:23-25 NCMM)
This
hope is “one” and unique to the Body of Christ. (Ephesians 4:4) It is The
Hope. It is the hope of
“partaking in the heavenly calling.” (Hebrews 3:1) This “hope” has two
premier elements. The first is described by 1 John 3:2, “Now we are
children of God but when (the Son) is made visible we shall see him as he really
is.”[NCMM] What a joyous part of our hope, seeing our Lord! But, if
possible, there is another feature of the hope even more transcendental and it
is recorded at Revelation 22:3, 4: “His slaves will serve Him reverently
and they will see His face.” [NCMM] The power of this “one hope” -- one
day meeting both the Celestial Christ and his Father, God Almighty -- is beyond
description. Such a hope, renewed daily in prayer and Scriptural meditations,
will be characterized in our joy. When we find ourselves overcome by “the
groaning pain of this human creation” we will prayerfully reflect on that
“one hope” of viewing the Father and the Son within the golden walls of the
Celestial New Jerusalem. (Revelation chapters 19, 22)
The
Bible is a Book of joy and hope. The word groups “joy” and “happy” occur
650 times in one translation. These words appear most often in the Psalms (118
times) and so meditating on these will build the joy of this God-given hope. In
the Christian Bible Luke has been called “the theologian of joy” with over
50 occurrences in the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts. The
Bible is also a book of
“hope” with this word occurring 240 times. By regularly reading God’s Word
and prayerfully meditating on it, hope can be sustained and will manifest itself
in a happy and joyful disposition. As in all matters of life, when things are
particularly difficult, this joy may reside within instead of revealing itself
by the countenance. But, it will be helpful and healthy to keep this hope alive
like a burning coal which keeps the inner self warm while the outside may shiver
in the cold. Ask: When I consider everything else what is my grandest hope? Did
something material come to mind? If I was to make a list of those
things which bring me the greatest joy what would be at the top? [Nazarene
Commentary 2000©]
Ephesians
2:21 … in whom all the building, jointed together,
is growing into a sacred, lordly Divine Habitat,
Ephesians 2:22 in whom you also are being built
up together into a spiritual dwelling place of The God. [NCMM]
The
stones in this spiritual Temple have been “jointed together.” The image is
of finely chiseled stones carefully made to fit into the next. The Saints are
compared to “living stones” by Peter. (Read 1 Peter 2:4-10; compare 1
Corinthians 3:16; 6:19. Note 1 Kings 5:17; 7:9.) The stones in the quarry were
so well chiseled that no improvements needed to be made when ‘jointed
together’ in Solomon’s temple. 1 Kings 6:7 says, “As for the house,
while it was being built, it was of quarry stone already completed that it was
built; and as for hammers and axes or any tools of iron, they were not heard in
the house while it was being built.” The test in the quarry is so perfect
each Christian fits flawlessly into the celestial Temple. [Compare Colossians
2:19.] This hammering and chiseling involves a process of growth personally and
as a Body. [Compare notes at Ephesians 4:13 and Ephesians 4:16.] [Nazarene
Commentary 2000©]
2
Corinthians 11:19 For you, as sensible persons, gladly
tolerate those who are senseless. 2 Corinthians 11:20 You
[Corinthians] tolerate anyone who tries to enslave you, anyone who devours you,
anyone who takes from you, anyone who exalts himself, anyone who strikes you in
the face. [NCMM]
Paul will list five characteristics of the minister
of Satan posing as a church representative, giving all the appearance of an
angel of light or a minister of righteousness. [2 Corinthians 11:14, 15] Firs,
some, even today, enslave their membership by organizational control. The
Christian Judaizers would impose more and more rules and regulations from the
Law of Moses to “enslave” the Corinthians. [Note the same language at
Galatians 2:4; 4:9; 5:1.] Second, these attempt to “devour” the flock. [Or,
plunders, prey upon, spends your money.] One characteristic consistent with most
of these ministers of Satan is – money. [1 Timothy 6:5] Third, these satanic
ministers are takers and not givers. [Or, TCN: gets you into his power; KNX:
vaunt their power over you; PME: if a man takes away your liberty, spends your
money, takes advantage of you.] Any minister who attempts to control the lives
of the flock, and who expects to live in luxury at the expense of the sheep, is
a minister of Satan. Notice his wrist-watch, his car, his home, his clothing,
his life-style – and you may find that lovely “angel of light.” Third, the
satanic minister exalts himself. [Or, TCN: puts on airs of superiority; PME:
puts on airs.] A minister of Satan can be no different than the one who sent him
– filled with arrogance and pride. [Compare 1 Timothy 3:6.] Fifth, the satanic
ministers “do not treat the flock with tenderness.” [Acts 20:29, 30] There
is more than one way to do this: verbal accusations made in public from the
pulpit. Satan’s ministers abuse the flock. [Nazarene Commentary 2000©]
Christ said his
disciples would be known by their love for one another. [John 13:35] One would
think that love is love. But, it isn’t. Love may have both positive and
negative forms. Though Paul describes “the Love” [AGAPE] in 1 Corinthians
chapter 13, he also mentions a form of love characterized y hypocrisy. In Romans
12:9 he exhorts: “Let your love be without hypocrisy.” [Compare also
2 Corinthians 6:6.]
True and genuine
love is marked by interest, concern, and positive action which seeks the highest
good of another. [Philippians 2:1-4] It has no agenda or ill motive. On the
other hand the negative form of AGAPE, that is hypocritical love, is identified
by a wrong motive.
In recent times
some who study what they call “cults” have mentioned the so-called “love
bomb” as an identifying feature of such. However, do all Christian groups, no
matter their designation, experience the “love bomb”? This is understood to
be that initial great interest church members show toward a new person in their
midst.
When a stranger
enters a church or meeting hall, the “love bomb”explodes! Some will go out
of their way to show great interest in welcoming this new person as a
prospective member of their church, sect, or organization. It is, of course,
only natural that all Christians would welcome someone new in their midst.
However, the “love bomb” is exposed by several things in particular.
It does not last!
Paul writes that true divine love endures and never gives up. So if an initial
love does not continue it was not love to begin with. That is, it was love of a
hypocritical variety – it had only one agenda: to gain membership and grow in
numbers.
At first much
interest is shown in this “newly interested person.” Each meeting they
attend others will welcome them and show interest before and after the meetings
or service. Some of the more zealous members of the sect will show some kind of
hospitality, or even charity. As long as this person continues to attend the
church services or meetings this “love bomb” will continue.
However, if for
some reason the person withdraws or takes another course, the “love bomb”
proves to be a dude. For example, the newly interested person may show some
genuine evidence of joining the group. If the person is one in need, charity may
be given to this person – AS LONG AS IT SEEMS HE/SHE WILL JOIN THEIR
FOLLOWING. But, if this person chooses another path, the charity will cease.
They may even now be treated almost as an enemy.
The Nazarene spoke
at length of true, genuine love at Luke 6:31-36 “And
behave to your fellow men just as you would have them behave to you. 32 If you
love those who love you, what credit is it to you? Why, even bad men love those
who love them. 33 And if you are kind to those who are kind to you, what credit
is it to you? Even bad men act thus. 34 And if you lend to those from whom you
hope to receive, what credit is it to you? Even bad men lend to their fellows so
as to receive back an equal amount. 35 Nevertheless love your enemies, be
beneficent; and lend without hoping for any repayment. Then your recompense
shall be great, and you will be sons of the Most High; for He is kind to the
ungrateful and wicked. 36 Be compassionate just as your Father is
compassionate.” [Weymouth Translation]
Jesus defines the
Golden Rule as not just that love shown to those who love us. Jesus suggests
there is no “credit” in that. Rather, perfect love – the Christ-like kind
– is found in love to those who are not part of our membership, not our
friends or family. The Nazarene clarifies that this AGAPE is manifest in two
main things: a] kindness; and, b] giving without expecting anything in return.
This makes it clear that from Christ’s standpoint love based on the
possibility of gaining a new member is no love at all. It is love with an agenda
– love that is hypocritical. The so-called “love bomb” was not love in the
beginning because it did not endure. [1 Corinthians 13:7]
There are real and
sad examples of this kind of “love bomb.” Consider the man who began to
associate with one group of Christians. At first a degree of love and kindness
were shown to him, but as time past, despite the fact he remained in the church
membership, he was later found died in his apartment. He had been dead for two
months -–and not on church member had called to check on him. Their love
stopped when he stopped attending meetings – even if the reason was death.
Another example is
that of the single mother with many children. As long as she attended meetings
there was a degree of love shown to her. But when she was forced to not only
care for her many children, but also support them – an exhausting effort –
she could no longer attend meetings as before. Soon, no one cared any longer.
Indeed, the elders agreed not to help her in any manner. Why? Because, to quote,
“she was no longer attending meetings.”
And, consider the
case of the man who attended meetings with a certain church group. They were
charitable and hospitable during this period. But when for several reasons, he
could not longer meet with them, their charity stopped. Had an agenda been
attached to their former kindness?
Even those who
remain members of the same church, the “love bomb” general collapses in
time, and the new Christian finds his associations his limited to just a few
friends. The pastor has lost interest in them – unless they be large
contributors. The elders and deacons no longer call. And most of the
congregation has forsaken the love they shown in the beginning. These Christians
have become like most other people who do not even attend church – isolated
with just a handful of friends.
True love,
patterned after God and the prime example He sent, Jesus Christ, is demonstrated
to both believers and non-believers. Even if these should be actual enemies –
the goodness, kindness, financial gifts without expecting anything in return
will continue. This is the only way to spiritual perfection, as Jesus himself
taught:
' 44
But I command you all, love your enemies, and pray for your persecutors; 45
that so you may become true sons of your Father in Heaven; for He causes His
sun to rise on the wicked as well as the good, and sends rain upon those who do
right and those who do wrong. 46 For if you love only those who love you,
what reward have you earned? Do not even the tax-gatherers do that? 47 And
if you salute only your near relatives, what praise is due to you? Do not even
the Gentiles do the same? 48 You however are to be complete in goodness,
as your Heavenly Father is complete.
[Matthew 5:44-48 Weymouth Translation]
There was a time
when there was no law. And, then humankind was created and law came into being.
The first commandment ever uttered to humankind by God was: “Become
fruitful and multiply and fill the earth.” [Genesis 1:28] The second law
with a sanction was: “You must not eat from the Tree of the knowing of good
and bad, for in the day you eat from it you will positively die.” [Genesis
2:17] It was first then that it might be said as the prophet Isaiah later
proclaimed: “Yehowah is our Judge. Yehowah is our Lawgiver. Yehowah is our
King.” [Isaiah 33:22 NCMM; James 4:12]
The word “law”
may be defined as a rule of conduct for which there is a punishment if the law
be broken or disobeyed. In Hebrew the word for “law” is generally TORAH
though there are also synonyms, such as commandment, regulation, judicial
decision. The word “law” occurs about 600 times in the Bible. The first
occurrence is at Exodus 12:49 where it occurs in the context of the Passover
meal of the enslaved Israelites in Egypt: “A
single law is to exist for both the [Israelite] and the stranger who resides
among you.” [NCMM]
It
is not created for law-abiding persons, that is, righteous people who
automatically do not violate any law. Law comes into existence because of
law-breakers. So, a 1st Century Jewish rabbi wrote: “Law does
not exist for the righteous person, but rather for the lawless,rebellious,
irreverent, sinners, unholy, profane, mother-killers, father-killers, murderers,
prostitutors, bedders of males,kidnappers, liars, perjurers, and any other thing
opposed to healthy teaching.” [1 Timothy 1:9, 10 NCMM]
Thus, if all persons were righteous there would be no need for any kind of law.
For example, if people – out of kindness and reason – naturally drove at
safe speeds, there would be no need for speed limits enforced by police.
The words
“law” and “commandment[s]” occur most often in what are called the Books
of Moses – 170 times from Exodus to Deuteronomy, and most often in the later,
a Bible book named after the Greek meaning for “Second Law.” After the
Passover mentioned above, about the year 1512 BC, millions of Israelites entered
into the Law Covenant with their God Yehowah at the foot of Mount Sinai. As a
people they agreed to observe ALL of God’s laws and commandments if they would
become a “holy nation of royal priests.” Their agreement is expressed at
Exodus 19:5-8,
“’And
now if you [Israelites] will strictly obey my voice and will indeed keep
my covenant, then you [Israelites] will certainly become my special
property out of all [other] peoples, because the whole earth belongs to me. And
you [Israelites] yourselves will become to me a kingdom of priests and a holy
nation.' These are the words that you are to say to the sons of Israel.’ So
Moses came and called the older men of the people and set before them all
these words that Jehovah had commanded him. After that all the people
answered unanimously and said: ‘All that Jehovah has spoken we are
willing to do.’" [NWT]
Thus,
the Law Covenant was born. It was a law with a prime constitution of Ten
Commandments as well as about 600 other regulations and commandments. They
covered a wide spectrum from morals to rituals, from foods clean and unclean, to
precise outlines for ceremonial worship.
Before
his death the great leader of the Hebrews, Moses, under inspiration, established
the blessings and cursings based on whether the Israelites obeyed ALL of these
laws and commandments. Read these in Deuteronomy chapter 28. Deuteronomy 28:1,
2, 15 itself promised:
"And it must occur that if you [individual Israelites] will without fail listen to the voice of Jehovah your God by being careful to do all his commandments that I am commanding you today, Jehovah your God also will certainly put you high above all other nations of the earth. And all these blessings must come upon you and overtake you, because you keep listening to the voice of Jehovah your God. … And it must occur that if you [individual Israelites] will not listen to the voice of Jehovah your God by taking care to do all his commandments and his statutes that I am commanding you today, all these maledictions must also come upon you and overtake you.” [NWT]
For
over 1,500 years the Israelites – later called the Jews – professed to live
according to these laws. The sad fact is that by far the majority throughout
most of this period failed to observe all of these laws. Thus, it was destined
that “curses” would befall the Jews. Indeed, it reached a point about the 7th
Century BC that one of the Israelites’ greatest prophets said: “We
[Israelites] have for a long time become as those over whom You [Yehowah] do not
rule.” [Isaiah 63:19]
Among
all of these hundreds of laws, there was one particular one that would prove to
be a real curse to a particular generation of Jews, and, indeed, all those Jews
to follow. It was the words of the greatest of all Hebrew lawgivers and
prophets, Moses. Speaking for Yehowah the God of the Israelites, Moses said: “A
prophet I shall raise up for them from the midst of their brothers, like you
[Moses]; and I shall indeed put my words in his mouth, and he will certainly
speak to them all that I shall command him. And it must occur that the
[Israelite] man who will not listen to my words that he will speak in my name, I
shall myself require an account from him.” [Deuteronomy 18:18, 19 NWT]
Thus, a time would come when God would use a new prophet, greater than Moses,
who would speak words other than those commandments in the Law of Moses.
Just
so, at the beginning of the 1st Century AD that prophet greater than
Moses showed up right on time in the person of Jesus the Nazarene. He was, of
course, a Jew whose lineage stretched back through all the great Hebrews as his
forefathers. Paul writes of this: “When
the time was fully come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born subject
to Law.” [Galatians 4:4
Weymouth Translation] As a man born to be “subject to the Law of Moses” we
would expect that he would observe those original laws and commandments given
through Moses. Thus, he kept all of the Ten Commandments and those other
regulars among the 600 that applied to him.
What did Jesus the
Nazarene have to say about this Law into which he was born? In his first public
sermon to his fellow Jews, Jesus told them: "Do
not for a moment suppose that I have come to abrogate the Law or the Prophets: I
have not come to abrogate them but to give them their completion. Solemnly I
tell you that until Heaven and earth pass away, not one iota or smallest detail
will pass away from the Law until all has taken place.” [Matthew 5:17, 18
Weymouth Translation] What did the Nazarene mean?
The word
“until” indicates a time when this Law of Moses will no longer exist. Jesus
says that the purpose of his coming was not to destroy the TORAH, but rather to
fulfill it. How did he do this? First, by keeping the TORAH perfectly, something
no other Jew had ever done. In his mountain sermon the Nazarene rabbi gave
commentaries on several portions of the TORAH. These included Exodus 20:13,
Exodus 20:14, Deuteronomy 24:1, Numbers 30:3, Exodus 21:24, and Leviticus 19:18.
In doing so, he went to the kernel or fundamental principles of these Laws. For
example, on the law on murder, he discussed hate; on the law on adultery, he
discussed passion.
Second, by
fulfilling certain features of the Law of Moses, particularly as a sin-offering
Sacrifice to whom all the Law pointed. [Luke 22:44] Such was foretold by Isaiah
chapter 53 where Messiah is designated as a sin-offering or sacrifice. Jesus
taught that the Law served a particular purpose only until the coming of John
the Baptist. For example, the Nazarene says, "The
TORAH and the Prophets were until John. …Indeed, it is easier for heaven and
earth to pass away than for one particle of a letter of the Law to go
unfulfilled.” [Luke 16:16, 17 NWT] In Jesus all the Law was fulfilled. [Romans
8:4; 13:8, 10]
When
asked which was the greatest of the Laws of Moses, the Nazarene answered, citing
two: “And one of [the Jews], versed in the Law [of Moses], asked, testing
[Jesus]: “’Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?’ He said
to him: ‘You must love Jehovah your God with
your whole heart and with your whole soul and with your whole mind.' This is the
greatest and first commandment. The second, like it, is this, 'You must love
your neighbor as yourself.' On these two commandments the whole Law hangs, and
the Prophets.’" [Matthew 22:35-40 NWT] Later one of the
inspired disciples of the Nazarene was to explain that all the Law of Moses was
“fulfilled” in one commandment: “For
the entire Law has been obeyed
[or, “fulfilled”] when you have kept the single precept, which says,
‘You are to love your fellow man equally with yourself.’” [Weymouth
Translation]
After the Messiah
Jesus “fulfilled” the Law of Moses, how was it to be viewed by his
disciples? It took the inspired Jewish rabbi Paul of Tarsus to discuss this
subject in all its detail. For example, the word “law” occurs scores of
times in just his letter to the Romans. But, first, when Paul speaks of
“law” what does he mean? Though Paul uses the word “law” in several
contexts, when he means the Law of Moses, he includes the Ten Commandments.
[Romans 2:18-22; 7:7; 13:8, 9] So, Paul does not divide the Law of Moses into a
moral and ceremonial law. Like his fellow Jew and Christian, James, he agrees, “For
whoever observes all the Law but stumbles in one point has become guilty of
[breaking] all of them.” [James 2:10 NCMM] Or, as the Weymouth Translation
puts it: “A man who has kept the Law as a whole, but has failed to keep
some one command, has become guilty of violating all.” Thus, a person who
breaks the Sabbath law just once is the same as a murderer or adulterer.
Paul writes that
the Law of Moses is only for those who as Jews are under the Law: “But it
cannot be denied that all that the Law says is addressed to those who are living
under the Law, in order that every mouth may be stopped, and that the whole
world may await sentence from God. For on the ground of obedience to Law no man
living will be declared righteous before Him. Law simply brings a sure knowledge
of sin.” [Romans 3:19, 20 Weymouth Translation] He also here states, as he
does elsewhere, that by observance of the Law of Moses no one can be declared
“not guilty” by God.
Its purpose could
only relate to those who were related to those who had originally vowed to keep
all the Law before Mount Sinai – Jews themselves. And this only up to that
moment before Jesus the Nazarene fulfilled the Law. In Romans 5:20 Paul explains
the Law’s purpose: “Now Law was brought in later on, so that
transgression might increase. But where sin increased, grace has overflowed.”
[Weymouth Translation] He does this again with a different approach at Galatians
3:19, “Why then was the Law given? It was imposed later on [after the
Abrahamic covenant] for the sake of defining sin, until the seed should come to
whom God had made the promise; and its details were laid down by a mediator with
the help of angels.” [Weymouth Translation] The word “until” indicates
a time when the Law would have served its purpose and no longer be binding. Paul
continues in this vein: “Before
this faith came [in the year
29 AD], we Jews were perpetual prisoners under the Law, living under
restraints and limitations in preparation for the faith which was soon to be
revealed. So that the Law has acted the part of a tutor-slave to lead us [Jews]
to Christ, in order that through faith we [Jews] may be declared to be
free from guilt. But now that this faith has come, we [Jews] are no
longer under a tutor-slave.” [Weymouth Translation]
Thus, according to
Paul, the Jews are no longer under the Law of Moses, and have been released from
the curse of the Law. Note this in Galatians 3:13, 14: “Christ has
purchased our freedom from the curse of the Law by becoming accursed for us [Jews]--because
‘Cursed is every one who is hanged upon a tree.’ Our freedom has been thus
purchased in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing belonging to Abraham may
come upon the nations, so that through faith we [Jews] may receive the
promised Spirit.” [Weymouth Translation]
Are they bound to
observe the Law of Moses, including its Ten Commandments? Must they observe
annual festivals such as the Passover, the Day of Atonement, or the Feast of
Booths? Must they keep the Sabbath [Friday 6 PM to Saturday 6 PM]? Must their
sons continue to be circumcised? Paul makes the answer clear in his letter to
the Romans: “For Sin shall not be lord over you [Jews], since you [Jews]
are subjects not of Law, but of grace. Are we [Jews] therefore to sin
because we [Jews] are no longer under the authority of Law, but under
grace? No, indeed!” [Romans 6:14, 15 Weymouth Translation] And again: “Do
you [Jews] not know, brethren -- for I am speaking to those [Jews]
who know the law --that the law is binding on a [Jewish] person only
during his life? … Likewise, my brethren, you [Jews] have died to the
law through the body of Christ, so that you may belong to another, to him who
has been raised from the dead in order that we may bear fruit for God. … But
now we [Jews] are discharged from the law, dead to that which held us
captive, so that we [Jews] serve not under the old written code but in
the new life of the Spirit.” [Romans 7:1, 4, 6 Revised Standard Version]
And still again: “For Christ is the end of the law, that every one who has
faith may be justified.” [Romans 10:4 Revised Standard Version]
Only the Jews were
under the Law of Moses. After Messiah fulfilled the TORAH, Jews were no longer
under the Law. It was no longer binding upon them. They were dead to it. The
Messiah ended, completed, or fulfilled the Law so that it was as binding on a
Jew as that “law of a husband” who had died. [Romans 7:1-4]
Elsewhere Paul writes in a consistent manner. At 1 Corinthians 9:20, he states: “I myself am not under [the] Law [of Moses].” Galatians 2:16, 19: “{You Jews] know that it is not through obedience to Law that a man can be declared free from guilt, but only through faith in Jesus Christ. We [Jews] have therefore believed in Christ Jesus, for the purpose of being declared free from guilt, through faith in Christ and not through obedience to Law. For through obedience to Law no human being shall be declared free from guilt. …For it is by the Law that I [as a Jew] have died t
