Bible, NT-24, Galatians – Philemon
Part 1
LESSON 24
GALATIANS – PHILEMON
Part 1
By Rev. G. Evan Newmyer
INTRODUCTION TO LESSON 24
In this lesson we will look at the majority of Paul’s letters following a chain of thinking pertaining to the mixing of our faith with the Truth to obtain both Grace and Mercy. We looked at religious conceit in Romans, the carnal mind in Corinthians, now we will look at some more warnings and corrections for those who have the Spirit. How can this be? If we have the Spirit we have the Guide. These letters are not to scare us, they do wake us up, just as the Corinthians had the Spirit, but were not Spiritual, we will find we can be Spiritual, yet be so zealous we are prone to pick up traditions. The Holy Ghost deals with the masses, but we find the Holy Spirit in us deals with us, as He manifests the witness through us. If it’s the case, how did the Spiritual Galatians not have the clarity to discern the false? This adds to our growth, we ask for the Seed, the Holy Ghost plants it, the New Man as the Spirit that is of God will guide us, but we must hear (I Cor 2:11-12). We know about the attributes of Grace found in the New Man (Rom 12: 6-21), as well as being Spiritual (I Cor 12:7-11), but the Galatians lacked Wisdom, thus we are moving to one more step, Spirit to become Spiritual, to gain the Wisdom of God for clarity. The Galatians were about to enter the most dangerous of all areas for the Christian, going back to something God gave another people, thinking they were going forward.
Did you ever wonder why there was no Letter to the church in Jerusalem? Or why Paul didn’t write a letter to the church in Berea? They didn’t need correction, the only letters we have reflect to correction in one form or another. Our look at Ephesians will bring to light the thought of Spiritual Warfare as it defines the enemy known as the Wiles of the devil. Philippians will explore who we are in Christ, and how it’s Christ in us gives us the ability to do the things of Christ. Colossians is an apologetic work, it looks at heresy, then denounces it, without really addressing the heresy itself, becoming a classic example of Preaching the Truth in Love. First and Second Thessalonians will answer two questions: when the Rapture comes what will happen to our loved ones who are not dead in Christ? Then what happens to us? The two letters to the Thessalonians show there is a Rapture, they also define the three groups in Christ. First and Second Timothy, along with Titus look at pastoral endeavors, giving us signs leaders should be looking at when they appoint Helps and Elders. Finally Philemon (pronounced Phi-le-mon, not Phil-e-mon) looks at the return of the backslider.
The Book of Hebrews was not included in this lesson, not because we don’t think Paul penned it, rather it’s best studied as a lesson on its own.
LESSON 24 – GALATIANS THROUGH PHILEMON
GALATIANS – WRITTEN 58AD
Galatia was a Roman province, with a physical locale including Lycaonia, Isauria, with parts of Pisidia. Paul began the Galatia congregation on his first missionary trip (Acts 13 and 14), proclaiming the “door of faith” was open to him (Acts 14:23-27). He visited them again on his second trip, again on his way to Jerusalem (Acts 16:1-6 & 18:23). There are two theories around this letter, one is called the “North Galatia Theory”, the other the “South Galatia Theory”. Sounds more like a civil war, for some reason it has developed into a war. Both theories stem from what man thinks Paul meant when he said, “Galatian”, some feel he was referring to the Roman Province of Galatia, others think he was addressing believers who were mainly Gallic, but in either case the argument is still much to do about nothing, since the letter was really written for us. If we think the letter was only for Galatia, why even read it? It’s not nice to read other people’s mail; however, if it’s to the “saints”, of which we are, then it is for us to read and know.
The Holy Ghost placed this letter right after Second Corinthians, so there must be some connection. The “sarcasm” of the Corinthians toward Paul was the product of their carnal minds as they followed the spirit of man. Wait, the word “sarcasm” doesn’t appear in the Bible, or does it? The English word doesn’t, but we obtain our English word from the Greek Sarkazein, which is a compound word meaning A jab to the flesh, much like a thorn in the flesh. There it is, a jab to the “sarx“, which always causes pain. Sarcasm is defined as a biting gibe or cutting rebuke, contemptuous in nature, thus it’s not simply a rebuke, but contemptuous, which means arrogant, prideful, or disrespectful, which points to a nature, thus the old nature will use sarcasm, from the New nature it’s a rebuke unto correction. The differences are found in this letter, if one thinks Paul was being sarcastic in some of his remarks they error, exposure at times is based in a sharpness, but only to pierce the stronghold. The real underlying difference is intent, the old intent seeks to look superior, or better than the other person, the New desires to assist another.
The Galatians had the Spirit, they had faith, since Faith is centered on Pleasing God, they also had a zeal to please God, but it was being misdirected by a few, a very few, who attempted to get the Galatians to use their Zeal in an evil manner. The Few took something God gave another people, then attempted to show if we do all the things God gave the other people, surely we can please Him the more. They would soon find it’s not from Whom it came, but to whom it was directed.
The Galatians in their exuberance where right on the edge of falling from Grace, yet they thought they were going deeper into Grace. It’s kind of scary, considering they had the Spirit; Paul makes a point of showing them how they begun in the Spirit, so why go back to the imputed dead flesh? So, are they like the Corinthians? No, the Corinthians had the Spirit, but attacked Paul. The Galatians had the Spirit with a zeal to please God, yet both groups were right on the border of losing what little they did have. This is our third exposure to correction, in this letter we find the Process is evident. Paul shows how he and Peter knew this was a Process, both had to grow, thus along the path of growth we all make mistakes. The Galatians thought by doing something God told another group to do, they would be pleasing God, but only faith pleases God.
Galatia was invaded by Judaizers who claimed Paul learned the Gospel through the Apostles, thus his concept of the Gospel was lacking, then the Judaizers claimed they held first hand knowledge. The Judaizers were centered in self-righteousness, they were attempting to bring in points of the Law, or other non-related efforts of the flesh into the Gospel. One of those areas was circumcision of the flesh, which was well before the Law as the token for entering the Abrahamic Covenant, thus they told the Galatians the Abrahamic Covenant was for them. If it pleased God to give it to Abraham, think of how much more God will be pleased if they become circumcised of the flesh. Wrong, the Judaizers lacked the Spirit, thus they equated Paul as a mere man, rather than a man anointed by God.
The Judaizers considered the Law of Moses the basis for all knowledge, but the knowledge they were using was still carnal and natural, thus they were really rejecting the higher knowledge of the Spiritual for the lower knowledge of the natural. The same is true when anyone mixes the New Covenant into the Old, they end turning the clock back, but in so doing they are saying the New isn’t complete, or good enough for them, thus they are really rejecting the Covenant of Grace.
The Judaizers were flesh minded, assuming acts of the flesh gained man righteousness, they felt the mind of man produced Wisdom, they were about to introduce methods into the Galatia church which would have destroyed Grace, Faith, Hope and Love. “Well, if God changes not, then He changed not, and we’re still suppose to do the Law”. Sounds right, but if God doesn’t change in any degree, how did He do a “new thing” with Korah? How is it Jesus brought a New Covenant? Where did the rain come from? Could it be there are differences regarding the word “change”? Yes, God brings change in the progression to the finish, thus there is the Old Covenant for the flesh, the New Covenant for those who impute the flesh dead, in order to gain the Power of the Resurrection. God being the Alpha and Omega means He can’t change His mind, but it doesn’t mean the Record is a change in mind, rather it’s a plan from the beginning to the end. God isn’t about to say, “oops, let’s change paths here, and go in a different direction”. The Plan has advances in progression, Jesus showed there was a difference, or change from the Day to the Night. Simply saying “God changes not” doesn’t define the concept. After all if God changes not there would be no Noahic, Abrahamic, Moses, or New Covenants. We must Keep things in order, which is Paul’s purpose here.
The exact date of this book is uncertain, but evidence tends to show it was written prior to Romans, but the Holy Ghost wanted it placed after Corinthians, where we pick it up for our study purposes. Since the first visit was before the letter in Acts 15, and from this letter we can see the Galatians were already established, we can also see how the letter in Acts 15 was necessary. This letter is from Paul, the one in Acts 15 from the Jewish leadership in Jerusalem, showing from the mouth of two or more witnesses a fact is affirmed. Whenever anyone attempts to reach back to something nailed to the Cross in order to gain favor from God, they are in fact mocking the Death of Jesus, not real smart.
We also know this would be after Timothy was circumcised, a mistake by Paul, but legal in premise. Timothy’s mother was Jewish, his father was Greek, thus his mother gave him right to be circumcised, but it was not to gain the Abrahamic Covenant, it was to gain entrance into Jewish synagogues. The Gentile had their “court”, an area never used for “teaching”, rather to the Jew it was the “women’s court” where the occupants remained silent. In order to gain entrance into any discussions, one had to prove they had the token of the Abrahamic Covenant. For Timothy the act of circumcision fit the premise of the Law, but for Titus it would have been unlawful regardless of the law. Like Titus, the Galatians couldn’t say their mother was Jewish, but the Judaizers came to them using what Paul did with Timothy as an excuse to circumvent the Acts 15 letter, thereby attempting to introduce circumcision of the flesh with other aspects of the Law of Moses, including the feast days, sabbath. If it wasn’t merely keeping the day, why would one kept it. “Oh it makes me feel good”, that’s fine, but why? “Oh I know God is pleased with me”, wrong. When we keep the Law of Moses we’re a non-person, the Law itself has the power to honor the deed, but it doesn’t mean God does.
Not only was Paul faced with, “It was good enough for Abraham, it’s good enough for me” attitude, but he also had the added, “well, you made Timothy do it”. Not easy arguments to overcome, yet by the Spirit it’s what he will effectively do.
After we get into this letter we will find it centers on the great controversy found in Acts 15:1-21. This was a great controversy, one with all the earmarks and potential to produce a split in the Body before it was really on its feet. Should the Gentile be forced to enter in the same manner as the Jew? If so, then the Gentile must keep the tokens of the Law and the Abrahamic Covenant after the fact, but if they do the Law after the fact, they would be doing something granted to those who have yet to accept the Cross. How can we impute death by the Cross, yet do something nailed to the Cross? The Jew came out of the Law, they felt the Gentile had to come out of the Law as well, but after one receives Liberty, should they go back into bondage to regain the same Liberty? To the Jew the Gentile coming into the Promise without entering the Abrahamic Covenant was unheard of, certainly “not fair”.
Gal 1:1-9
This letter is another Apostolic letter, giving us Commandment. Paul begins by displaying his position, as the Lord Himself granted the position. Even if Paul heard of the Gospel from others, it was the Lord who appointed him the position. He is now being used in the position to write this letter, a far cry from those who came to deceive the Galatians.
Why would Paul tell us in Romans the Spirit raised Jesus from the dead, but here point to the Father? Who was it? It was God, Jesus said He had the ability to raise Himself, Romans shows the declaration was by the Spirit of Holiness, here we find it was the Father, One God all in all. One cannot believe “God raised Jesus from the dead”, if don’t believe in the Trinity, we also see Paul by using the reference to the Father is pointing to Mercy, which will be the method the Holy Ghost will use through Paul to the Galatians.
Paul was not made a Pharisee by God, rather it was by man. Paul didn’t hear of the Law of Moses from God, it was from men. Paul didn’t have a life changing experience by the Law of Moses, rather it was a way of life; however, by the Power of the Holy Ghost planting the Seed he did have a change in natures, positions and goals.
Verse 2 continues the thought, this Apostle is not standing alone, this letter is from “all” the brethren, which would include all those who shared like offices, most of which were eyewitnesses to the earthly ministry of Jesus.
Verse 3 again points to the Trinity, Grace is Spirit motivated, God the Father giving us Mercy, and Jesus granting us His Blood and Grace. Jesus who Gave Himself for our sins, whether Jew or Gentile, something Moses never did. Moses wasn’t able to deliver himself out of the wilderness, but Jesus delivered us from the present evil world. Rather than Moses or the Law getting the glory, give the glory to God “forever and ever”. Meaning all ages, whether in the past, present or future. If it was good, it came from God; however, find what God has assigned to us, we do.
There is a present evil world, the word Present is the Greek Enistemi meaning To be present, or At hand. We are not going to change the world, we cast the Net to provide those in the world a means of escape. The Law will not pass away until the next Season is complete, this is the same context Paul will use when he teaches us about warfare.
After making it clear how God is involved in this, Paul then comments on how marveled he is regarding how soon the Galatians were removed from Him who called them into the Grace of Christ “unto another Gospel” (v. 6). This doesn’t say, “how soon you are almost removed”, or “how soon you have almost slipped”, it says, “removed”. The word Removed is the Greek Metaithemi meaning a change in place or condition, or To transpose, or put in another place. They still had the Spirit, but they were no longer in the confidence of Grace, all because they wanted to please God, but used the wrong method. The Spirit is the ability, but the New Man operates under proper Authority, if we change Authorities, we make the New Man to no effect. The New Man will still be there, but we have separated ourselves from the Spirit by seeking an authority the New Man will not work under.
Another Gospel means it is Altered, or has elements added to, or has removed some elements. It’s not completely in error, but it has error induced into it. In this case they were added elements from the Law of Moses, which adds carnal means to a Spiritual Gospel making it “another Gospel”. Remove the signs and wonders, and you have “another Gospel”, add points from the Law of Moses and you have “another Gospel”. Verse 7 shows this is not “another”, but he just said it was, go figure? In verse 6 the word “another” is the Greek Heteros meaning Qualitatively different, or the other of two. In verse 7 the word another is the Greek Allos meaning Another of the same kind, or another numerically, still a number, but a different number. Here Paul is saying it’s a Gospel, but not the one assigned to the Gentiles. Peter preached the Gospel to the Jews, Paul preached a Gospel to the Gentiles, yet both were Gospels based on faith. To the Jew it was coming out of the Law by faith, yet remaining Jewish to win the Jew. For the Gentile it was coming around the Law through faith. The danger was mixing one into the other, of course in Acts 28 the Holy Ghost changed it, giving us one Gospel. The one Gospel for the Gentiles became the Gospel of Peace for all, thus the Barren Woman has more children than she who was the married wife (Isa 54:1). However at this time the Galatians were faced with the two Gospels.
Really there were three, ahh gee, now what? When Paul wrote this there was the Gospel to the Jew, and the Gospel to the Gentile, both related to Grace, but there was also the Everlasting Gospel designed for the Night. In Revelation 14:6-7 an angel preaches the Everlasting Gospel which reads, “Fear God, and give glory to Him, for the hour of His judgment is come: and worship Him who made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters”. There is no mention of the Cross, Grace, Salvation, Mercy, the Blood of Christ, or the Spirit. The Everlasting Gospel is based in Judgment, not Peace or Grace; therefore, if we preached the Everlasting Gospel in place of the Gospel of Peace we would be preaching “another Gospel”.
Now the warning, If any man, or an angel preach another Gospel, other than the one Paul preached, let them be “accursed”. Wow, what arrogance! Nay, what confidence. Of course the other side may say the same, so what separates one from the other? The Seal of the Holy Spirit, the Spirit operates through us, but only under the proper Authority. If we remove ourselves from the Authority of Christ, we cause the Spirit to cease functioning in our life. The Galatians heard of a means to “persuade” God, not please Him, but is it what we’re suppose to do? We persuade men, not God, we please God by faith.
How the Office, will the other Gospel effect the Office? No, the Office is different, here Paul is speaking to the person. The Office can function fine, but the person in it can be lacking greatly. Like the Corinthians the issue is Authority, not Power.
Gal 1:10-24
Paul is speaking to men, not to please men, but to save them. If anyone speaks to please men, they are not God’s servant. He is not attempting to impress God, or save God, rather he is speaking to a group he knows loves God, yet heard something which didn’t fit “faith cometh by hearing”, it was changed to “deeds based in self-righteousness”. This is an example of why the hearing must be by the Rhema, not the flesh. Unless we add Life and the Spirit to the equation we leave the door open for another Gospel. The Galatians Heard, therefore whatever they did was of faith. Nay, they had to hear by the Rhema, in order to keep Faith in it’s proper order. If we hear by the “flesh”, or by the “old man”, then faith won’t be the product, rather we end in presumption. Rhema is always Spirit and Life centered (Jn 6:63), it doesn’t mean one has the Spirit, rather it means they desire to walk in the Spirit in order to gain Life by the method God established.
The wrong induction of making anyone in the Body think they can be the special of the special, to be more than the rest of the Body, to have a truth no one else knows, to be the only ones who are “The True Church”, are all signs of a prideful mind, lacking Spiritual awareness, or faith.
The word Certify in verse 11 is the Greek Gnorizo meaning To make known, or has been made known, which is the case here. Paul is not talking about something these people were not aware of, rather he will show they were fully aware of the Proof of the Gospel, yet they forgot.
To counter the concept of Paul receiving the Gospel through intellect, he shows he neither received it by man, or was taught it, but received it by Revelation (v. 12). Okay, so we have no need of a teacher, right? Wrong, since Paul is teaching us. What could he mean? The Gospel does not come in word alone, the “knowledge” of the Gospel can be spoken of, even read, but when one speaks of the True and Living Gospel, they must have the Spirit in order to understand it.
Paul was well informed, he was intellectually sound in the Jews’ religion, perhaps more well versed than most of the other religiously minded, so much so he considered himself a Pharisee of the Pharisees, yet he didn’t understand one thing about God. As natural Saul the Pharisee he still followed the spirit of man, which knows the things of man, yet nothing of the Spirit of God. He kept the sabbath day, had the token of the Abrahamic Covenant, yet didn’t understand the things of God until he was Born Again.
Although Paul was well versed, more so than the Judaizers who came among the Galatians, nonetheless he admits how the knowledge he had as Saul was limited, so limited he didn’t understand the things of God. However, on a road to Damascus he found the Revelation of the Son of God, allowing him to impute his flesh dead, bringing him to a newness of Life in Christ. Although God called him from his mother’s womb, he didn’t understand or accept the calling until he had an encounter with Jesus (v. 15-16).
All this is to dispel the thought of natural intellect teaching us the Gospel, we can become aware of it, but we still have to receive the Spirit to gain the Revelation of Jesus. God’s people are destroyed for a lack of knowledge, but knowledge alone won’t save you.
After Paul’s encounter with Jesus, he preached, but does he make it appear as if he had no contact with Christians? No, just no contact with those in Jerusalem, the very pillars of the Body, the very ones the Judaizers said taught Paul the Gospel, it’s the point. Paul was not a man with an opinion based on intellect, he was a man with a goal based on an experience with the Holy Ghost. Before Paul could preach about Jesus, there needed to be Jesus in him (v. 16). This is not belittling natural intellect, but exposing how we tend to trust in it. Because someone has many degrees doesn’t mean they know Jesus, they may know of Him, they may know the various languages, but it doesn’t mean they Know Him. Of course the Spirit without the knowledge is just as dangerous, we know we have the Spirit, we just don’t know why. We need the balance, Spirit and the Knowledge of God coupled with God’s Wisdom.
Gal 2:1-10
We jump to fourteen years later, the time when there was a dissension regarding circumcision (Acts 15:2). Adding the fourteen years to the three we find seventeen years of training for Paul. By his explanation, it’s obvious the Holy Ghost refined his training. Paul didn’t fall down on the road to Damascus, then stand up an Apostle, there was a process of training until he heard the Holy Ghost say, “Separate unto me” (Acts 13:1-3). He had his prior knowledge, but he didn’t have a grasp on the Why. Peter says there is no private interpretation of the Prophecy (Scriptures): natural intellect cannot discern Spiritual matters (I Cor 2:14).
Paul himself said his prior training under the Law was useless; however, he notes his knowledge was clouded by his desire to engage in self-righteousness. Whenever we take pride in our intellectual endeavors we have entered self-righteousness, blinding ourselves from the Righteousness of God. However, the same knowledge enhanced by the Spirit revealed Jesus to him, void of self-righteousness. Do we think Paul cast away his knowledge of the Old Testament Scriptures? Hardly, he still quoted them; however, when he was Saul he was taught what others said the Scriptures said, but as Paul the Spirit began to reveal Jesus to him, then he entered a completely different realm of “study”.
This would have been after Paul and Barnabas were ordained by the Holy Ghost (Acts 13:2), thus Paul is showing he made mistakes, others made mistakes; the Galatians haven’t sold the ship, rather they placed a for sale on it, but they still had time to take it down before the devil produces the down payment.
How many of them were circumcised by this time? Who knows, but if one was, what were they to do? Die? No, all they had to do was repent and regain the Grace of God. Even a mistake leaving a mark, can be repented of. Restoration is something the Pharisee never makes room for, but God does, even the Everlasting Gospel calls for repentance.
Paul took his revelation to the Apostles, he told them the Gospel he preached unto the Gentiles, thus clearly he was not taught this Gospel by the Apostles, rather they heard it from Paul. They approved it, knowing it was Holy Ghost based. Peter preached to Cornelius before Paul was converted, so Peter could have said, “now wait, that’s my job”, but he didn’t. Peter also preached to other Gentiles as well, as Paul will show, but Peter’s goal was not to convert the Gentile, but to inform; his calling centered on calling the Jew.
As we said, Peter preached the Gospel to the Jews, Paul to the Gentiles, the same Gospel, but two different methods of escape to obtain it. The Jew was separated by God many years prior to the Wilderness, yet the Law of Moses came in the wilderness, a place of training. The Gentile was never separated from the world, thus for the Jew, they came come out of the Law, the Gentile came around the Law, both methods of escape, but when they entered the Gospel, they were given the same method to maintain. Confusion comes when we mix the two, assuming we must return to the Law of Moses in order to maintain the Law of the Spirit, yet the Law of Moses was the shadow, not the image.
Paul knows they have been hoodwinked, tricked, or pulled into a thinking not in line with the Gospel to the Gentile. Paul didn’t go about bragging about the Gospel to the Gentiles, he told the Apostles privately. After the first dissension there were certain of the Pharisees which believed, but they also said circumcision and keeping the Law of Moses was needful (Acts 15:5). It was, if one wanted to gain entrance into a synagogue to preach Jesus, but not to preach to the Gentiles.
Verses 4-6 indicates how some “false brethren” came in demanding for Titus to be circumcised, but Titus was not a Jew in any sense of the word. Paul’s entire premise for the Gentile is how a Gentile came around the Law by faith, the one act of having Timothy circumcised brought enough trouble, but if he would have allowed Titus to be circumcised the foundation for the Gentile would have fallen. The term “false brethren” is the Greek Pseudadelphoi, it’s the same term he used in II Corinthians 11:26 when speaking of himself being in danger of “false brethren”. The phrase “who came in privily” is the Greek Pareiselthon meaning they used deceit, they came saying one thing, but their intent was another. When their intent was exposed by the Spirit, then Paul knew they were false. So, why didn’t he know by the manifestation of discerning the spirits prior? Any of us can be fooled for the moment, Paul explains to the Galatians how it’s not a shame to be fooled for the moment, but falling headlong into the snare is a shame.
For Paul to allow Titus to become circumcised would have formed classes in the Body, with the Jew first, with the Gentile as a second class citizen. Also it would have destroyed the Gospel to the Gentiles; Paul made a mistake with Timothy, but wasn’t about to make a bigger one with Titus.
Paul’s teaching on “no male or female, Jew or Greek, bond or free in Christ”, was a giant revelation back then. Today we don’t question whether or not we’re subject to the Promise, but back then it was well know how the Jew was the first preached to, they were subject to the Promise, but the Greek was a second class citizen. Although the Greek knew they were second class, it didn’t stop them from believing. Here we find the two Gospels, Paul preached one, Peter another.
James, Peter (Cephas) and John were the three pillars of the Body, one shouldn’t confuse this James with James the brother of John, who was killed prior to Paul conferring with the apostles on the circumcision dispute (Acts 12:2 & 15:5-6). The context is the acceptance of the manner in which the Gentile enters, coupled with the approval of Paul to preach the same Gospel to the Galatians. This also shows how the Gospel Paul delivered to the Galatians was approved by the “pillars”, but given to him by Jesus.
This complexity shows Paul did do some points of the Law to gain entry into the various synagogues (v 9); however, he was not attempting to gain a benefit from God by doing the Law. Whereas the Galatians were, but even if he was, the fact remains Paul was a Jew, the Galatians were not. If we want to make entry into the Jewish synagogues to preach the Gospel, we must be a Jew to the Jews, but if we are attempting to impress God with deeds of the Law we have fallen from Grace by trusting in the flesh.
The problem facing the Galatians was not new, rather they were being attacked by the same hypocrisy Paul fought time and again. The Galatians started in the Spirit, yet were being pulled back into deeds of the flesh. The phrase “God accepts no man’s person” was pointed directly at acts of the flesh to please God. One can be doing exactly as God knows they will, yet not be in the will of God, Judas proved it. Acts of the flesh to please God are fruitless, we know the concept of the flesh warring against the Spirit, and how the Spirit calls the flesh dead; therefore, using the flesh then claiming the Spirit, is hypocrisy, producing a war within our own members. The error of the children in the wilderness was their unbelief, thus their unbelief produced the Law of Moses. Jesus tore down the barrier separating us from God, but the Galatians were seeking to replace it.
In verse 6 the phrase “in conference added” is the Greek Phosanatithemi meaning to confer, but here Paul shows they conferred nothing to him, or better, they added nothing to what he already had. Therefore when Paul was still Saul he did the Law of Moses to the letter, yet it was Christ who gave him life, awareness and purpose. If life came by the Law, why accept Christ? If anyone had an excuse to hold to the Law above the Spirit, it was Paul, but having done the Law then knowing Christ, he found Christ was much better.
Gal 2:10-21
The only requirement, or condition placed on Paul by the Apostles was, “remember the poor” which he did anyway. The issue of feeding the poor is a matter of Mercy related religion, being between man and man (James 1:27). The Body is based on Mercy, the Blood of Jesus gives us the New Covenant of Grace. It still takes the Spirit of Christ to do the things of Christ, thus the Promise of the Seed produced Christ in us the Hope of Glory. No one can do the things of Grace without the Spirit, to think so is the height of religious conceit.
This area shows how any of us can make mistakes, even if we have the Spirit, even if we’re an appointed and anointed Apostle. We know this correction by Paul had to be well after Pentecost, since Paul didn’t come into the Faith until after Pentecost. In Peter’s eyes he was doing nothing wrong, Jesus came for the Jews, he was a Jew. Peter was also the first to see a Gentile receive the Spirit. However, his actions were effecting others, thus as Peter did, so did many others. Paul didn’t write a book about Peter, nor did he write a letter, he went directly to him, spoke once, Peter received the words and the problem was corrected. What does this prove to the Galatians? Paul had to be an equal to Peter in order to correct him, something the Judaizers couldn’t claim.
When we are walking with the Spirit the perfection from the correction comes quickly. The just live by faith, if they live they don’t do acts pointing to death. We know Paul made mistakes, Paul’s use of Peter shows the Galatians, any of us can make mistakes, but correction puts back on the path of Righteousness. Paul wasn’t writing off the Galatians, he was correcting them.
Justification is a process by the New Man to move us into the Glorification where Salvation is in hand, but if we assume acts of the flesh justify us, we missed the point. We are Justified by God as a result of the Faith of Christ, although without our faith in Christ we go nowhere. The cloud of witnesses had great faith, but it wasn’t great enough to gain the promise (Heb 11:39). The Faith of Jesus is proven, His Faith did gain the promise, thus we join our faith through the New Man as the New Man guides along the path the Faith of Jesus left for us.
We are justified “through Him”, showing a Process. If we are dead, we are dead to the Law and all it contains, if we say we live, yet do the Law, we lie. Sins of ignorance are quickly forgiven, sins after the awareness and knowledge become sins of rebellion.
In verse 18 we find the failure of going back to the shadow once we receive the Promise. Since Paul came out of the Law, could he then go back and reject the Law then come as a Gentile? No, so why do the Gentiles think they can do the Law to reenter as a Jew? The same is true with us, did we ask for and receive the Spirit? If so, why do we attempt to impress God with our efforts of the flesh? Are we attempting to gain Christ? Or are we attempting to be better than Christ? The flesh tells us, “Well, the children did it, God told them to”. It sounds so right, so perfect, yet the means to be justified before God is still by Christ in us.
Jesus taught on this premise when He told us we cannot build our house on a foundation of sand, we must seek the Rock (Christ). The metaphor Sand points to the Sand of the Sea, which involves the Jews religious system, thus the New Covenant is not an extension of the old, rather it’s New. We must go to the Rock of our Salvation, the Cornerstone the builders rejected, then build on Christ. It’s how the Galatians started, why then would they want to remove the Rock to start again on Sand? The house on the Rock will withstand the storms of life, the house on the sand will not.
In verse 18, Paul also uses a word for “transgressor” goes much deeper than one who sins. This word means to counter the Commandment by choice, to the point it makes the Commandment evil, rather than good. Paul shows if we go back to re-build on the Sand we have rejected the Commandments of the New. If we do the Commandments of the Old, yet claim the New, we are really making the Commandments of the New wicked: something to think about.
Galatians 2:20-21 holds the key to walking in the Life of Christ. Before we can live with Jesus; before we can live by Him we must die with Him. Along with the death, we must put away acts of self-righteousness, whether those acts are through the Law of Moses, or by our own conclusions. Unless we impute the old man dead, along with his deeds we won’t be able to Live by Christ in the fullness of the measure of Life. It doesn’t mean we must see the entire aspect of the old man dead, it means the old nature is ineffective in our new life. Therefore, without Life we can’t enter the justification, since it’s Christ in us justifying us. We are crucified With Christ, denoting the method. Wait, I think I see it, without the Life of Christ by the Spirit there is no way to combat the old man. Right, victory doesn’t come with the Cross alone, it comes by having the same Spirit of Holiness who raised Jesus from the dead. The Cross is our point of death, the only means in which we can impute the old man dead, but it doesn’t end there. We move on to the Power of the Resurrection obtaining Life by the Spirit in order to Live in Christ.
Telling Jesus we surrender to His will, then turning right around to attempt to control the methods He uses to perform our Salvation is still using carnal control. The one who directs the method is master, we can’t have two masters in the same house. The removal of the old master is not a one day event, when the Spirit begins His work, we cry, fight, curse the darkness and assume it’s the devil. Why? The old master using our emotions against us: does it mean the old master wins? Not if we’re serious about this. Once we enter Life the old master is made ineffective, yet he may stand on the outside as the voice of a stranger, but he is still powerless. What power did the devil have at the tree? Suggestion, nothing more, nothing less; the old nature is the same, nothing but the lure of suggestions.
Paul makes this a personal statement, he didn’t say “loved you” or “loved the Body”; rather he shows while he was still Saul persecuting the church, the Love of God was still pulling at his heart. Whatever Paul was doing, it didn’t separate him from the Love of God toward Him, in God’s time and timing the Truth came, then Paul accepted it as Truth. It was “Saul” who was fighting, yet “Paul” knew the timing and time of God dictated when he would receive. The procedure is Crucified, Life, Love, Giving back to the Lord, then walking in the newness of Life. How can we be Justified through Christ if we are not crucified By (with) Him? First things first, we must die to live.
These verses explain the concept of Dead in Christ, as it differs from those who Sleep in Jesus. This one area shows we are to be crucified with Christ, yet we also need the Life in order to become among the Dead in Christ. It seems strange, how can we Live in Christ, yet be Dead in Christ? Ahh, the death is the old nature, but In Christ is Life. We can believe in Jesus, yet for one reason or another, not our fault, we failed to be gain the Resurrection power, yet we do the ways of Mercy, we will then sleep in Jesus through the Night. This gives us those in Jesus, and those in Christ. Those in Jesus do the Law of faith by acts of Mercy, thus Matthew 25:31-46 doesn’t mention Grace, the Cross, Resurrection, Holy Ghost, or Spirit, but it does show acts of Mercy to be blessed of the Father.
The procedure for us is to be Crucified, yet know the Life is the Life of Christ. Then he couples Grace with the Righteousness of Christ. Without the New Man there is no way to have the Righteousness of God, any effort to gain our own righteousness after asking for the Spirit is holding the Truth in unrighteousness. For the Romans they had to reach to this area, to the Galatians it was hold tight to what they had.
Now, is this a one time happening? Or daily? Daily, we die daily, each day we deny the self, yet each day we are renewed. Neither Life or Righteousness came by the Law, if they did, then the Cross was a vain effort of God. The Justification comes only when we know it’s by the Faith of the Son of God, not by our works. We submit to the process, we don’t attempt to control it. The Faith of Jesus has obtained, our faith seeks to obtain, what has already been obtained. We do the works of Grace by Grace, we do not frustrate Grace by adding efforts of the flesh.
The event never dictates a thing, it’s our reaction to the event dictating our position and condition in the event. It stands, the Word of faith is still in our mouths, since we have the Spirit, we have a New Heart from which our words are generated. Ahh, Circumcised of Heart, the Word of God is sharper than any two-edged Sword. In Galatians 4:6 we will find God sent the Spirit “into” our hearts, if it’s the case then the New Man is our New Heart. From our Heart we believe, the Mouth still speaks from the Abundance of the Heart.
Gal 3:1-5
Paul brings Abraham into the equation, the controversy was circumcision, so is Paul saying they should be circumcised? No, he is showing it wasn’t the deeds of the man, but the belief of the man making the difference. Here Paul clearly calls the Galatians Fools, or does he? Their fruit was Foolish, the tree is known by its fruit, but he is not saying they are without God, rather they were about to toss away Grace. Although they were victims, the fact remains everyone is lead away by their own lust. The Galatians should have known better, they had the Spirit, all they had to do was Listen. The Word of Faith comes to those who Hear, yet the Judaizers were using words lacking faith, thus the Galatians didn’t hear “faith”, they were enticed. We can do the right thing, yet in the wrong Season, making it wrong. We can do the right thing in the right Season making it right.
There is something interesting in this area, we find the wording Received the Spirit, Begun in the Spirit, then Paul Ministered to them the Spirit. All of these show how Paul didn’t tell them to receive the Law, nor did they begin in the Law, neither did he minister to them by the Law. How then can the Law complete what was begun in the Spirit? A very good question, if we complete the Law by receiving the Cross, how is going back to the Law going to secure the Cross? It can’t, it will negate the Cross, putting us back under the law of sin and death. The simplest way to see this is wanting to be on the other side of the street, once we are there, why go back just to do it again?
Christ was crucified among them, but this doesn’t mean Paul used his body to act out the Cross, it means they heard and received Jesus crucified, because Paul was an example of the premise. If they received the Cross, they completed the Law, if complete it served its purpose. We cannot accept the Cross then do deeds from the Law of Moses, the two are opposed to each other in purpose. Does all this mean we do no work at all? Not hardly, there are works, even religious works one can do through mercy, even efforts of labor in helps, yet there are works through the Spirit of Christ unto Salvation as well. There is a difference between doing works to obtain, and doing works because we have obtained.
Here is a lesson in procedure, the Abrahamic Covenant was between Abraham and God, just as the Law of Moses was a Covenant cut by God and Moses, it was Moses who gave the Law to the people. Here Paul says because the Galatians were about to engage in deeds related to those Covenants they were “bewitched”. The Greek word for Bewitched is Baskaino, it only appears here in Galatians, it means to Slander, or speak ill of someone. Here is the key, when we go back to do some deed from a Law based on the death, we slander the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus. If we need incentive to stay away from acts of self-righteousness, it should be enough.
The word Ministereth could also read Supplied, it’s the Greek word Epichoregeo meaning to Furnish, Give, or To Furnish Upon. Our English word Choreography comes from this word, the English word means To put forth a planned set of events to get the attention of the person viewing or hearing. This shows how they received, Paul is merely asking them, Was it the deeds of the Law getting their attention? Or was it the Spirit? If the Spirit, why go back to the Law? There is no way anyone is going to get the Spirit without following the procedure, they must accept the Cross, then comes the Resurrection Power, no one is going to be Resurrected, unless death is first. If the Spirit was the evidence, surely the Cross was evident; if evident then Jesus was crucified among them, if Crucified, the Law served it’s purpose. Could those who promote the Law say the same? Nay, they spoke, but not of faith, yet it’s faith pleasing God. The Holy Ghost will not promote the Law, thus when the Law and Prophets become the Witnesses for the last two churches, He that now let’s will be gone.
Gal 3:6-29
Rather than speak of the Covenant, Paul goes to the reasoning, the man Abraham continued to believe, something the Galatians missed. Yes God made Covenant with the man, yes an entire nation came from him, but Abraham didn’t die for them, Moses didn’t die for them, none of the other Covenants granted man the Spirit, or the ability to impute the flesh dead. They were stepping stones, or teachers pointing to what God was going to do.
Abraham was not given Righteousness, it was imputed, or accounted to him, thus God called something not to Abraham, as a were to God, so it might be by faith. However, God viewed the man’s continual belief, then imputed the righteousness on the belief, which benefited the man. Could God impute righteousness to Abraham, if the man never believed? No, if it were the case, then all men would be accounted as Righteous. It took something on the part of Abraham, a belief in God’s ability to bring about the impossible. God imputed the righteousness, so the man could enter Covenant. From the Covenant Abraham gained faith, then he was able to reach to the hope set before him.
Verse 7 shows by faith we are children of Abraham, not by circumcision of the flesh, the concept of being children, means like unto, rather than Abraham being our father. We have a better Covenant, anything opposed to us was nailed on the Cross. Basically, why would they want to be circumcised of the flesh? They have more than Abraham even dreamed of.
Before Abraham was circumcised God promised the Gentile (heathen) they could be Justified by faith, rather than circumcision when He said, “In thee shall all nations be blessed” (v. 8). How could it be? If Levi was in the lions of Abraham, so was the entire line leading to Jesus. Abraham believed, God saw the belief as the prerequisite for those who would receive the Cross of Jesus, from the basis righteousness was imputed. Paul shows the Covenant came because of faith, not the deeds of the flesh.
Verse 9 makes it clearer, those of Faith are blessed with Abraham, rather than “by Abraham”, indicating Abraham is an example. Nonetheless those who are circumcised of the flesh have a right to enter the Abrahamic Covenant, but it doesn’t mean they are “like the man”. The token of the Covenant with Abraham was given to the male child when they were eight days old, showing God’s wisdom, there is no way the child “believed” unto the Covenant at eight days old. On the other hand we believed, God imputed Righteousness, so it could be by faith.
Verse 8 said we are Justified by faith, verse 11 says no man who does the Law of Moses is. Why then keep the day? Keep the Rest for our souls, much better. Anything not done in faith is sin, the Law of Moses is not of faith (V. 12). Is if of obedience? Yes, the premise behind the Law was for them to obey. How can this be, didn’t the Law of Moses justify man before God? No, it’s the point, God will not justify the wicked (Ex 23:7), the doer of the Law was justified by the Law only, based on the deed, for the moment, thus the Law was a barrier between man and God, how then could it justify man before God?
The principle of the Faith of Jesus is a strong element, our faith in God couples with the Faith through the New Man, thus our belief is our foundation, but Faith is the element reaching to the finish of the race. The Law not being of faith, has no future, no hope, and no means to justify man before God, it was not designed to.
Verse 13 shows how we are redeemed from the curse of the Law, linking it to verse 10, or we might think we can do the deeds and be blessed. Verse 10 tells us if we do the deeds, we’re cursed, thus if we are redeemed from the Law, we no longer do the deeds of the law. The Law of Moses has a principality, a realm wherein it’s effective, but it loses all effectiveness at the Cross. If we accept the Cross we accept the premise we have completed and fulfilled the purpose of the Law of Moses by our imputed death.
Then Paul says, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree” (v. 13). Does it mean Jesus was cursed? No, we find two different Greek words used here. In the phrase “are under the curse”, the word Curse is the Greek Kathra meaning Judgment without mercy, but in the phrases, “Cursed is every one who hands on a tree”, and “Cursed is every one who continues not in all things which are written” it’s the Greek Epikataratos meaning the Curse is laid on them, meaning they voluntarily allowed it to be place on them to defeat it. Jesus allowed all curses to be placed on Him so He could defeat them for us, He also took on sin for us, but He had no sin.
Not only does the Law end at the Cross, so does the curse, including all curses, as well as any and all things relating to cursing. The Cross is our beginning point, we carry it daily, we die daily, but we also live daily. We need the Cross and the Resurrection through the Spirit to obtain and hold Life. We Bless and curse not, since we are free of curses, we cannot apply them. However, it doesn’t mean we need to be saved daily, it’s remembering what the Cross and Resurrection of Jesus obtained for us.
Now the key, the “blessing of Abraham”, which is not money, or riches, it’s the Seed, the Promised Son, the very thing Abraham made Covenant for. The “nations” were the result of the promised son, but it was the promised son Abraham sought after. The Galatians were seeking the things of the Nation, not the Promise.
How do we get the Promised Son? By being Born Again to gain the Spirit (v. 14). Not by works of the Law, but by faith, it begins by believing in God is able to bring about what God promised us. Paul then shows the Seed is One, narrowing it to Purpose. The Promise was not Isaac, it was projected far ahead of Isaac, to Christ. The same principle as “let us make man in Our Image”. It’s the basis for imputing righteousness on Abraham, thus it’s not saying the man was so holy God couldn’t help it, but the purpose was leading to Christ Who is holy and righteousness, allowing God to look at the result of the promised “Son”, not Isaac, but Jesus. This is the same premise is seeing Grace in Noah, it doesn’t mean Noah had Grace, but the purpose of saving Noah pointed to Jesus, who brought us Grace (Jn 1:14).
Paul then explains if the Promise was secure, then the Law was not necessary, thus the Law didn’t produce the Promise, Abraham had the Promise in hand some 430 years before the Law. Abraham didn’t keep the Law, yet he had the Promise. If the Gift of Grace is by the works of the Law, then it’s not based in Promise, if not of Promise, then it’s not of faith. However, it is of Faith, then it’s not based in the Law of Moses.
Why the Law to begin with? Because of transgressions, until The Seed should come to whom the Promise was really made. Who was it? “unto Abraham saying, In thee shall all nations be blessed” (v. 8). Not “because of thee”, but “in thee”. The Promise was then manifested as Christ in us the Hope of Glory.
Any mediator stands between two people, yet God is One, He needs no mediator. Who did? The Transgressor. What does the Scripture conclude? “all are under sin, so the Promise by faith of Jesus Christ might be given to them who believe” (v. 22). Both areas are covered, the faith of Jesus obtaining the Promise for us, then presenting it to us, so we by faith can obtain. If Jesus obtained it by Faith, then it takes faith to obtain it from Him, thus we move from faith to Faith.
Here again we find the differences between belief and faith, the belief is based on what Jesus did, or said, if we don’t believe the Bible, what basis do we have for belief? None, we will question the Bible, or depend on the words of man, in either case we lack belief. Without belief our faith has no foundation, or knowledge upon which to stand. Paul never questioned the validity of the Scriptures, he never felt God’s integrity was lacking, he quoted the Scriptures of Old with a confidence based in his belief of their truthfulness. Jesus quoted the Scriptures as well, if anyone had any knowledge regarding the validity of the Scriptures it was Jesus.
Verse 26 changes course, in verse 22 it was “the faith of Jesus Christ”, but in verse 26 it’s “faith in Christ Jesus”. The obvious difference in the words, “of” and “in” make a distinction between our measure of faith, and the Faith of Jesus. Verse 22 points to the Faith of Jesus, which Faith is proven, here it’s our faith in Jesus to accomplish the task.
Verse 28 shows the purpose of our baptism into Christ (the Body); if we have accepted the terms of the Covenant granted to the Body, then we have also accepted the premise of the Law being nailed to the Cross, making us a possession of Christ.
Gal 4:1-16
What is the difference between an heir, or the servant of the house? Not much, both have power or authority granted by the Master of the house. The heir is one being trained to handle the family fortune, the one who must know how to maintain what they will surely receive, but until they receive it, they are no different than a servant. Anyone under the Schoolmaster of the Law was being taught until the Father spoke the Proceeding Word, then we advanced to the Promise.
Whether it was under the Law, or under the hand of the world, it was the same, we were in bondage under the “elements” of the world. The word Elements is the Greek Stoicheion meaning the elements from which things come, the principles, or method of operation. However, there came a time when John the Baptist would be the separated one as a barrier between the Old from the New. John was neither the Old or the New, but he was a Nazarite, or one who separates, once John came on the scene the premise saying the people should believe also became effective.
When the time and timing of God meant, Jesus appeared, made of a woman under the Law, to set us free of the Law. Therefore we as Gentiles, or we as Jews under the Law could then be adopted into the Family of God by the Spirit. The time came when anyone who believes could receive the Cross of Jesus, impute themselves dead in order to be Resurrected by the Spirit. God is Spirit, His family are Spiritual in nature.
Verse 6 shows the New Man is Jesus in us, sent into our “hearts” not our souls. We gained a New Heart, one fully capable of saving our souls. Jesus as the Word in us is separating, dividing and saving, all because Jesus loved us, before we loved Him. The Spirit moves us from being a servant of the house, to a son belonging to the House.
Verse 9 shows something very interesting, after we have “known” God, or better known of God. What could it mean? The Law used deeds, the person was a non-entity, but when Jesus enters us by the Spirit our position changes, we then come boldly to the throne of Grace, because it’s where Jesus sits, thus no one comes to the Father except by Jesus, with Jesus in us we can call out ABBA Father, we are sons, we have the same Spirit as the Son of God.
Since the Spirit has made us free as members of the Family, why seek to be under bondage again? Why keep days, or seek Covenants not afforded to those who possess Liberty? Paul was concerned, very concerned, the Galatians were about to fall away, but the strangest part is, they were about to fall away because they were chasing after something God gave another people, in a different realm, but nonetheless something God granted.
They received Paul as an angel, thus defining an angel as a messenger. The “temptation” in Paul’s flesh was not some sickness, he told us what it was, the circumcision of Timothy with the near circumcision of Titus, showing he had a weakness, as do we all. The Galatians had a weakness as well, but knowing the weakness is 80 percent of the battle. When we know our weakness, we won’t attempt to use it, rather where we are weak, Christ is strong. This was the same accusation the Corinthians made, his letters were strong, his was weak (II Cor 10:10).
Gal 4:17-31
The Judaizers entered to trick the Galatians were fancy speakers, they made a good outward appearance. Whereas, Paul had trouble speaking, making a poor outward appearance, yet those who were false had hard hearts coupled to a lying tongue. Paul is not talking about the Galatians being Born Again, Again; rather he is going through the same pains as he did to bring them into the New Birth. The New Man begins and ends the Process, but it’s still a Process. The Galatians needed to Remember what Jesus did for all the members of the Body, as individuals.
Paul now talks about the two sons of Abraham as an allegory showing how the Galatians have turned from being Isaac into being Ishmael. Compare the two, the Law of Moses as compared to the Law of Liberty, determine which to follow, choice with a choice. The Law of Moses watched over us, it was ready to correct us harshly for any mistake. The Law of Liberty watches over us to keep us in liberty, which would they desire?
As Paul presents the allegory we can see how the doubters would retaliate; “Brother Paul there is no mention of Hagar on the mount with Moses”. Paul being a teacher gives us considerations, all of which are given so we can understand better. In this allegory we look at Sara and Hagar (Agar), but what did Hagar have to do with the Law? Much less Jerusalem? Wasn’t Hagar the handmaiden to Sara? She was, but the allegory shows both had sons by the same man, yet one woman was free, the other in bondage, thus their sons followed their mothers position. Ishmael was loved of Abram, but it still didn’t make Ishmael of the Promise. The Promise was based on a son by Abraham and Sarah, based on a promise from God.
None of this means the Law is Hagar, or Ishmael, nor does it mean Hagar did the Law. Hagar was before the Law, yet connected to Abram, as was Ishmael. The point was Hagar was akin to the mount from which the Law came, making the Law akin to Ishmael, making the City of the earth in bondage. Although we have two sons by two different women, with the father as the same, we find it’s the mothers who determine if one is free or bond. Take the premise to the two Laws showing the Law of Moses is based on the Hagar principle, the Law of the Spirit on New Jerusalem, yet the same Father produced both.
Who was Hagar? A handmaiden or servant: her son was not the promised son, but the son of a servant. When the promised son came, the son of the servant mocked him. Is the allegory the same? Yes, those under the Law of Moses are natural, thus they mock the things of the Spirit. Was it the intent of the Law? No, it was a schoolmaster, but the doer of the Law is the problem, not the Law. Paul also confirms John’s vision, Jerusalem of the earth is in bondage; however there is another Jerusalem, one of Liberty, which holds a Covenant based in freedom.
Just as there are two sons and Two Covenants, there are two homes for the Covenants, one of the earth, one heavenly, which would they desire? New Jerusalem is heavenly, the mother of us all, thus we are Birthed to be New Jerusalem. We are like unto Isaac, Born with a purpose based on a Promise, with a new nature to fit the Promise. All based on the result of something Jesus did, rather than deeds of the flesh we do. If we impute the flesh dead, how then can we use deeds of the dead flesh to obtain?
Isaac didn’t make his own birth come to pass, he was the result of the belief and faith of the those the Promise was made to, yet Isaac was the purpose of the promise for Abraham, Jesus is the purpose of the Promise for us.
We must “cast out” the bondwoman and her son, not just Hagar, but the Ishmael as well. We can’t say we’re free of the Law, yet do any deed therein to gain God’s favor. One deed would be holding to Ishmael, yet claming we are free of the Law. Ishmael is a perfect example of the flesh running the life of the person based on self-righteousness, while not knowing God or God’s Righteousness.
Gal 5:1-6
Paul now talks about the hazard of mixing a little of the Law of Moses with our walk in Grace. When we have done all to Stand, Stand therefore in the Law of Liberty, rather than the Law of Moses. The “yoke of bondage” pertains to the Law of Moses or any aspect thereof, the Yoke blocks the Anointing from the Head to the Shoulder to the Body. If they were circumcised before coming to Jesus, there would be need for this letter, but to take the token of the Old Covenant after coming to Jesus was going back into bondage. Well, what if they sought circumcision of the flesh or keeping the sabbath, what could it hurt? It’s changes positions, removing the Cross. If we remove the Cross, we remove the Kingdom, if we remove the Kingdom we have no Hope.
Acts of self-righteousness mock the Cross, yet God will not be mocked. How does this fit, “If one keeps the day, let them keep it unto the Lord”? Easy, Paul isn’t talking to those who are weak in the faith, he is talking to those who have the Faith, two different groups, this group is attempting to impress God by their efforts. If we keep the day unto the Lord it means we don’t expect favors, nor do we make it doctrine.
How can we say we have boldness by the Righteousness of Jesus, if we go about presenting self-righteousness toward God? How can we impute the flesh dead, if we keep doing flesh based deeds? We can’t, the attempt makes us liars, we end holding the Truth in unrighteousness, yet unrighteousness is sin.
The Law of Moses is good, it has a purpose and a realm, or principality; however the purpose is completed by the Cross. It was the problem, attempting to use flesh to obtain was displaying two things, our lust to be the special of the special, which was bad enough, but it also said we didn’t feel the Cross was able, therein lays the real problem. Our faith assures us the Cross is fully able to handle our imputed death, the Resurrection is fully able to grant us Life, the Holy Ghost is fully able to bring us the Seed of God, the Seed of God is fully able to save our souls.
There is a Faith which works by Love, meaning there is one lacking love, the one based in Love pleases God, the one lacking love is based in pleasing the self. Both will move mountains, only one pleases God. Faith without love, is the same as knowledge without love, they end in self-exalting prideful statements. The faith worked, the knowledge brings awareness, but without love the result will be the flesh taking the credit (glory).
Gal 5:7-26
They started out right, but something happened in the race, someone came with information to Hinder them. The word Hinder means something Anti, in this case it was anti the Christ nature. This hindering spirit was taking them from Liberty and faith, becoming antichrist in nature. The word Persuasion means Belief, thus they were believing, but believing in bondage, or believing in something based in unbelief, thus their belief was turning into unbelief.
Verse 8 tells us we can believe in something, but if we lack clarity and discernment we end believing in unbelief. A “little” leaven still leavens the whole lump, the word Little is the Greek Mikros from which we get the English Micro, or very little. It’s not a matter of speaking to believe, it’s a matter of speaking because we do believe. They entered an area where they were believing unbelief. All they needed to do was renew their minds, gain their belief and faith back, then refuse to do deeds from the Law of Moses.
Prior Paul said he feared, now we find his confidence is through the Lord, we will find our Godly confidence through the Lord. Our hope and faith are manifested by the New Man, Jesus in us will accomplish the task.
Paul was facing the smooth talkers, the ones with the words and debates of man to cause even the elect to be fooled, they had the outward appearance of Righteousness, yet they twisted scriptures to their own destruction. They were about to lead the Galatians back under a bondage they were never subject to. The Galatians were Gentiles, they were never under the Law, therein lays the deception, “you have to be under the Law to be of the Promise”, not so, they came around the Law by faith, if around it, they are free of it. Whomever troubles us brings judgment on themselves, even if we reject the trouble they bring; this is also a warning to us, don’t trouble, bring Freedom.
Why would the Jews who are stuck in the Law persecute Paul, if Paul still preached the circumcision? This was the obvious evidence, Paul didn’t preach the circumcision of the flesh, but Grace, the circumcision of the heart not done with hands. Therefore, if he preached circumcision of the flesh, the Jews would applaud him, rather than attempt to kill him.
Verse 12 could read “I would that also they cut themselves off” which is a direct reference to the circumcision found in Psalm 94. This shows if they use the circumcision of the flesh as a sign of their holiness, they have cut themselves off from the Body. We are Sealed by the Holy Spirit, we have the Circumcision not made with hands.
The argument of the Judaizers was, “Paul is also circumcised”, which was true, but Paul didn’t come to the Lord when he was seven days old, thus his circumcision was prior to, not as a result of coming to Jesus. Surely if his circumcision was the cause of Grace, then he would have held Grace as Saul at the ripe old age of eight days. It was the Word of the Lord, not an act of the flesh opening his eyes to the glory of the Lord.
All in Christ are called to Liberty, thus in Liberty the guiding factor is Love, not deed. Liberty is Jubilee, yet we can use our Liberty to inflict bondage on others, thus we can claim to be Free, but hold others to carnal rules and regulations. By Love we serve one another, we use the Faith which works by Love to serve God. Whatever the Law from God, there is one element standing out, Love fulfills all the Law. One can pay their tithes and be blessed in the financial realm, but without Love it means nothing, one can keep every sabbath until Jesus comes, but without Love it means nothing. One can keep everyday the same, walk in Love and have the full benefit of “well done good and faithful servant”, which do we want?
From Love one another, to biting and devouring one another, under Grace we love all, under the Law of Moses we are still natural, meaning we only love those who agree with us. The Law of Moses was a guide line, it allowed mankind to place binders on the flesh, but it did nothing for the heart, or soul. Preservation of the flesh, is a lust of the flesh, the Law of Moses was a method to identify sin, then balance the scale for the moment, it didn’t do away with sin, or the sin nature. The Cross removes the effectiveness of the sin nature, but then comes the cleaning and washing to rid us of the lusts, wiles and deeds of the flesh.
The Law of Moses defined sin, but the flesh was still fully active, the works of the flesh are Manifest, plain and open to those who know the truth. Paul lists 17 items of the flesh, each is a product of some lust activated through the flesh. Since the flesh is incapable of faith, we find these really show us what the result of failing to stay in the faith will bring. Incentive? Oh yes, walk in the Spirit and impute the flesh dead.
Paul relates to the doctrine (teachings) of Jesus, thus the act begins in the mind, then generates itself through the flesh. Merely suppressing the flesh isn’t freedom, we need a mind change. Freedom comes by the saving of the soul, thereby rendering the flesh powerless; there is a big difference in fighting the urge, and not having one.
Like James, Paul shows the wicked enticed something already there. No one pulls us away from God, rather they entice a lust already in us to make us walk from God. If we walk by the Spirit we are also open to exposure to see these things as we allow God to remove them by the washing of the Water by the Word.
Paul shows the acts of the flesh come from the ways of the old nature, if anyone does these things (enjoys them, or uses them to their advantage), they cannot enter the Kingdom of God. They may be in the kingdom of heaven, but they won’t be in the Kingdom of God. Again this is not talking about those times when we “oops”, but someone who loves doing the things of the flesh, or uses them as a part of their nature. They love the feeling of bringing strife, self-importance, vengeance, validation, seeing other people subject to them. There is a vast difference between things being subject to us, and making people subject to us. Each of these show something produced in the physical, but begins by a lust in the soul. The Law of Moses did nothing for the soul of man, it was designed toward controlling the flesh until death.
Adultery is from the Greek Moicheia, meaning one party must be married or espoused, but has formed connections with another causing the first relationship to be placed in danger. It was used to describe how the Jews were not products of the bondwoman, or her son (Gen 38:24 & Hosea 4:1-12); therefore, if one commits adultery in this area it would be claming Grace, but doing bits and pieces of the Law of Moses.
Fornication is the Greek Porneia, it refers to any sexual sin between two people not married, or by one who is married, but disregards the vows and acts as if they are not married. One might accept the Spirit of Christ, but if they use the spirit lusting to envy, they have discarded their vows to Jesus, making them a fornicator.
Uncleanness is the Greek Akatharsia meaning any filth, as in “the garment spotted by the flesh” (Jude 23). Lasciviousness is the Greek Aselgeia meaning insatiable desire for pleasure at the expense of others, relating to envy, or covetousness. Idolatry is the Greek Eidololatreia, which goes further than the idol itself, rather it refers to giving service to the idol. Witchcraft is the Greek Pharmakeia, from the Greek word we get the English word Pharmaceutical, but our English meaning and the Greek meaning are different. In the Greek it means to use objects, whether drugs, dolls or whatever to enter the realm of the occult. It would be the same as someone using natural means in an attempt to reach a Spiritual result, which is also termed Witchcraft. To the Galatians it was being in the Spirit realm, yet reaching to something carnal to discover a Spiritual result, thus they were Bewitched by witches.
Hatred is the Greek Echthra meaning a hostile attitude, or argumentative. Variance is the Greek Eria meaning a lover of strife, or one causing strife. Emulations (jealousies) is the Greek Zelos, which has a good and evil meaning, depending on the context. One can be zealous for God in either a good or evil sense, as Paul pointed out to the Romans (Rom 10:1-3). In this context it means to be hot with bitterness, rather than with Joy, which is the same as being absent of compassion. Wrath is the Greek Thumos meaning to move impetuously, or allowing anger to dictate ones words or actions. The phrase, be angry and sin not, means we don’t allow our anger to act or speak for us. Strife is the Greek Eritheia meaning one who seeks their own through strife, contention, or rivalry, or one who uses the spirit of competition to cause war between parties in other to gain the prize. Whereas, Grace is a battle to maintain the prize, without entering competition with others.
Seditions (divisions) is the Greek Dichostasia meaning to cause division for self-purposes. Heresies is the Greek Hairesis, all heresy is based on the natural opinion of man. Heresy is a subject matter of natural assuming what God should have said, or done. Traditions of men often turn into heresy, although many in the beginning they were not intended to be doctrine. Envyings is the Greek Phathonos meaning the act based on Envy, which means to cause pain in others to satisfy the self, or gain what someone else has, simply because they have it (Matt 27:18). This is the same word James uses in the phrase, “spirit lusting to envy”, thus the envy is incapable of doing any good whatsoever.
Murders is the Greek Phonos meaning to “kill by the sword” it refers to using words to kill by. Drunkenness is the Greek Methe meaning taking Strong Wine, or the Wrong Wine. Revellings is the Greek Komos meaning riotous conduct, it came from the actions of the Greek god Bacchus who was the god of wine, the people would hold wild parties, as sacrifices to him. The phrase “like things” comes from one Greek word (Homoios) meaning of the same, or all joined together from one source, which source we know as the spirit of man. With the addition of Like Things we have 18 areas, yet in the Fruit of the Spirit we find Nine, half as many, yet many times more powerful and greater.
We sit back and say “Man, I got mad last week, I guess I’m not in the Kingdom” or “Oh man, I had a thought, I guess I’m not in the Kingdom”; not so, this list is predicated by a strong desire to use the flesh to get our own way, it’s not merely a mistake here or there, as pointed out prior. Since it involves Pleasure, it also involves awareness, in truth when someone belittles another to gain the advantage over them they know it. The problem is if they love the feeling, thus it’s the constant use of the fall nature.
The Fruit of the Spirit is a product of the Spiritual Nature, this is akin to the evidence of our walk with the Spirit. These elements take residence, as they vacate the works of the flesh. The Fruit is the Way, or Nature of the Spirit, it’s not the same as the Manifestation of the Spirit. We judge the fruit not the acts, prior it was the Manifestation of the flesh, the word Manifestation means the outward exhibition, which shows the activity as a result of the nature, thus the Fruit of the Spirit is the product of the Spirit within. The reason it says “fruit” rather than the plural, is based on the fruit coming from one source. An orange three has more than one orange, but it’s still one orange tree. These are the areas where we find ourselves doing things by “nature”, in many cases we have no idea we did them. Since Grace is a change in nature, we may not notice the change, but we the evidence will be found in the “word of our testimony”, or what others say about us.
The Greek word for Love is Agape, meaning a Love based in a self-less nature, or loving without regard for the return. Joy is the Greek Chara meaning ability to enter Re (again) Joy, or add to Joy, thus without Joy we can’t Rejoice. Peace is the Greek Eirene meaning health, welfare, or prosperity, the opposites would be anguish, distress, anxiety, fear, confusion, strife, the Hebrew equivalent to Eirene is Shalom. Longsuffering is the Greek Makrothumia meaning to hold back before producing an action, or to consider all manner of the action before doing it, or to consider what the action will or will not do before doing it. Kindness or Gentleness is the Greek Chrestotes meaning profitable to others. Goodness is the Greek Agathosune meaning a mellowing character, not only mellow, but producing a mellow atmosphere; the English has many meanings for this word, the Greek has only one. Faith is the Greek Pistis, faith is the means by which we sustain in the face of adversity, it’s also the means by which we please God.
Meekness is the Greek Praotes meaning an inward calmness; humbleness means an avoidance of pride. Self-control or Temperance is the Greek Egkrateia meaning the ability or the power of the self being under control, but it doesn’t mean using the self to control the self, rather this context shows it’s a Fruit of the Spirit, thus the only “control” over the self is by the Spirit. Although we will find other references to the Fruit of the Spirit not listed here (such as Righteousness), the idea is the same. The Law of Moses had a fruit, sin and death, the Born Again believer has the Fruit of the Spirit, which do you desire? Since there is nothing against, or able to accuse the Fruit of the Spirit, it stands, if we walk in the Spirit we are being Justified (made innocent). On the other hand if we do the Law of Moses, we are accused daily.
The entire letter pulls us to the Spirit, it also brings clarity of the premise of the Cross separating us form the world, the Law of Moses, as well as those things against us.
Vain or useless glory is placing pride in the effort, the very act the deeds of the Law produced, yet it was not the purpose of the Law, yet anything done by the flesh produces pride in the effort. The Law of Moses came from a Spiritual source, but it was purposed for the carnal mind; yet the carnal mind wars against the Spirit, thus the Galatians began with the Spirit, but because they were about to do some parts of the Law of the Moses, they were about to fall from Grace, into the carnal realm.
Gal 6:1-18
The purpose for the letter is to recover, not destroy, neither is it to embarrass the Galatians, it was to save them from falling from Grace. Paul is counting on the Spiritual minded members to bring the others back. Unless one is Spiritual they cannot save the carnal.
We pick up our Cross, we imputed the old nature (flesh) dead, we work out our salvation by fear and trembling, why trouble the salvation process of another? Restore, don’t devour. Teach only the Good things of God in faith, hope and love from a foundation of Belief, expose the hindering elements of the flesh, but don’t promote them .
God is not mocked, the Greek word for mocked is Mukterizo meaning To clear away mucus from the nose by blowing, it’s the same context as Spew, which means To expel mucus. What then would mock God? What they were about to do, run back to Law God gave a different people, in a different realm, which would mock the Cross.
Acts of well doing by nature may take time to develop, nonetheless we will reap Good for Good, never render evil for evil. Every opportunity wherein we can do Good, do it, but more important look for those in the household of Faith and do good unto them. Wait, does it mean if it appears good to me, do it? Not at all, only God is good, thus in order for it to be Good it must be by the Spirit. The New Man is the one who dictates the act, if the wild soul runs off doing what he considers to be “good”, it’s still the wrong tree.
The phrase “large letter” doesn’t mean Paul’s eyes were so bad he made “large letters”, the context is singular, not plural, thus the greatness of the revelation in the letter is the context of the phrase, not the size of the letters.
The Galatians were troubled, but now they are prayed for, let Mercy (not Grace) fall on the Israel of God, but unto the Galatians let the Grace of Jesus by the New Man (Spirit) bring them deeper into Grace. The Galatians were mixing seeds, in order to gain the allegory we put a good apple in one hand, then a bad one in the other hand, then slap our hands together, which is which? Mixed seed confuses the issue to the point where good looks bad, and bad looks good. Stick to the Tree of Life, the old tree will fade from view.
The key to all this is found in verse 15 in the wording “a New Creature”. This New Creature is the product of the New Man, thus the process is making us a New Creature in Christ by the Newness of the New Covenant, not by the Old Covenant. The word New is the Greek Kainos, this word means qualitatively new as contrasted with the Greek Neos which means numerically new. Therefore, we find this one word shows a complete newness, not something made new from something old, but something completely new, as in never before. This is the center focus of knowing we have the Spirit, we are Born Again. Not only is this New Man new to us, but when Jesus said the New Covenant was in His Blood, He used the same Greek word, the New Covenant is not an addition to the Old, rather it was never before, just as the New Birth was never before the time Jesus offered Himself a ransom for our sins. Yet, it takes a warfare to maintain, but what kind of warfare? There are all sorts of warfare issues, the letter to the Ephesians will help.
EPHESIANS WRITTEN 64AD
Ephesus was the capital of pro-consular Asia, it also contained the great theater, seating nearly 50,000 people, listed as one of the seven wonders as the temple of Diana (Artemis). Next to Jerusalem and Antioch, Ephesus became a jumping off place for the Way. The letters to the Ephesians and Colossians are very similar, with nearly 78 verses interrelated, thus they both have warfare in mind, but two different areas for two different purposes. Paul used several figures of speech to explain; the Church, the Head of the Church, the Building of the Church from the Rock, the Cornerstone of the Church, the Doma (gift) as it relates to the Head and Body, and many other areas, but they are all in context. Paul left Timothy in Ephesus as the Pastor, thus First Timothy was written one year prior to this letter. If we keep in mind the problems Timothy faced we can understand the type of warfare being conducted and how we engage in the Godly form of warfare.
Eph 1:1-6
As the Book of James is our prayer manual on the testing of our faith, Ephesians becomes the manual on our warfare to maintain the Faith. However, there is warfare and there is warfare. We can conduct warfare from a Spiritual position, or carnal while claiming to be Christian. Just as Romans showed us there are those in Christ (the Body) who mind the flesh, and those who mind the Spirit, we find there are those who war from the carnal, and those who war from the Spiritual. Before we can stand for others, we must stand for ourselves, but we must also learn how one is to stand.
We may find what may appear to be a contradiction of terms, after all Paul tells us we don’t fight flesh and blood, but he also mentions the “them”. We know Paul faced many “flesh and blood” people who warred against him, but did he use the same means? There is a fine line between the person, and the motivation of the person. We must also consider the avoidance of falling into the trap to use the same weapons used against us. Do we use manipulation to combat manipulation? Do we use deceit to combat deceit? Do we use deception to combat deception? If we do, then we are carnal. If we can put a human face on our “enemy” we are yet carnal. All things to consider as we venture into this letter.
For some reason we assume Ephesians 6:10 through 6:16 is some strange book in and of itself. Not so, the verses relate to the entire letter, as the letter relates to them. The warfare Examples are found in this letter, making up our own examples and premises is an act of the flesh, not the Spirit. Simply because something works, doesn’t mean it’s of God. Witches use witchcraft because it works in the natural, yet witchcraft is a product of darkness. We were able to manipulate someone into doing what we wanted, it worked, but it was also demonic.
It becomes clear Paul said we are to engage in warfare, but he also shows warfare is prayer related. Paul begins by showing his authority to write, making it clear this is an Apostolic letter, thus we can be assured we will find Commandments involved. The letter is written to the saints at Ephesus, and “to the faithful in Christ Jesus” (v. 1). The last group fits all those who are Born Again who stand in the Faith.
We know Timothy was the Pastor at Ephesus, we can also read First and Second Timothy revealing how he had troubles and problems, yet in this letter it appears as if “all is well”. We find Paul is talking to the congregation to encourage them, as he gives them the contents of his prayer for them, so they can join with his words to reach the result.
Ephesians 1:1-2 is one sentence, Ephesians 1:3-6 is also one sentence, thus the two sentences set the stage for the letter. Grace and Peace from the Father and the Lord Jesus, but where is “Mercy”? This is a letter of Order, Grace needs to be the subject matter.
Verse 3 is going to define an area for us, as well as the purpose of the area: Blessed by the God and Father of our Lord Jesus who has Blessed us with all Spiritual Blessings in “heavenly places in Christ”. This defines the local of Heavenly Places as a place of Blessing in Christ, later we will see the phrase, “Spiritual wickedness in heavenly places”, do you think they relate?
Verse 4 shows God has “chosen us in Him” before the foundation of the world, which is predestination, the purpose, “we should be holy”. With the addition of the world Should we find the Predestination is the calling, but the Holy part is predicated on our submission to the New Man, indicating a Process. Verse 5 confirms this by saying “unto the adoption” rather than being Adopted. Thus far we have defined purpose, local, what a heavenly place is for, and who its for.
Verse 6 shows who made us accepted and how; God made us accepted, but He did it by Grace, as Grace is the Gift of the Holy Ghost. This letter is written to Spiritual people who want to remain so. The word Accepted is the Greek Charitoo meaning to honor with blessings of Grace, contrasting to by Grace through Faith.
Eph 1:7-23
A little background review of this battlefield is in order; First Timothy was written from Laodicea in 63AD, one year prior to this letter being written. First and Second Timothy are pastoral letters, letters written to the leader himself, they are not general, or open letters; whereas, Ephesians is a general letter informing the members of Ephesus. This letter is one of support and encouragement, while placing order on the proper form of Godly warfare. Paul just told us the local, the people, how God is behind the Process, indicating it is a Process. Position will be next in order, then Paul prays for the Ephesians and those who are the “faithful in Christ Jesus”.
We are the accepted In Him, there we find we have Redemption through (process) His Blood, showing the He is Jesus (v. 7). The forgiveness of sins (plural) according to the Riches of His Grace. Grace is still the central theme, thus Grace is by the Blood of Jesus. The word Redemption is the Greek Apolutrosis a compound word meaning A release from judgment based on a payment (ransom) made, the Ransom is not only the Death of Christ, but we find the Blood is involved, linking it to the Resurrection. Mercy is found at the face of the Cross, Grace in the Resurrection.
Verse 8 shows how much Jesus has given, He has Abounded toward us all Wisdom and Prudence, but we have to receive it by faith. The Word Prudence is the Greek Phronesis meaning an understanding, or knowledge regarding the will and love of God. Verse 9 continues the thought by showing He has made known unto us the Mystery of His Will, according to His Good Pleasure, which He has “purposed” in Himself, as we are in Him. In verse 5 it was “the good pleasure of His Will”, here in verse 9 it’s the “good pleasure”. Both verses use the same Greek word, Eudokia meaning a delight by choice. God gave us free moral choice, then presented the Gospel so we could make a choice, but we also find God made a choice as well. We also see it’s in Himself and In Him, thus the Mystery is in Christ, but one has to be in Christ to know it.
Verse 10 gives us the dispensation of the fullness of times; or The management or oversight of the Filling of Seasons, pointing to the very end of both the Day and Night. Then we find the phrase “might gather together in one” which is the one Greek word Anakephalaioo meaning To gather as one, it’s akin to a chicken gathering up her chicks.
Then we see two more phrases, “in heaven” and “on earth”, giving those under the altar as they are joined by those who caught up, then those on earth on the last day who find their names in the Book of Life.
Predestinated is defined as something purposed by God, which refers to the Plan, or the Declaration. The Plan is secure, it has been since the foundation of the world, the Witness to the Report is being carried out on earth until the day when He “might” gather together in One. This “One” will also be a theme in this letter, we will find the word One means meaning things, depending on which Greek word is used.
The phrase, “who works ALL THINGS after the counsel of His Own Will” (v. 11) points right to the Will of God. If this is the case, why even pray “not my will, but Your Will”? Therefore, we pray, the Will of God has all this in hand, He has chosen us, placed us in His Body with the full expectation of us making it. How about the wicked? The reason for warfare, not to destroy them, rather its to keep us from being one of them, or joining to them. In Jesus we obtained the inheritance, not through any other means, All Things work to the counsel of His Will, whether we like them, or not; whether we understand them, or not. The phrase All Things, means Good or Evil they will fit into the overall plan, but we want to fit into the Good plan, not the plan set forth regarding the Wicked, or the condemned in the world.
Paul then makes the separation by showing we Should be to the praise of God, not the anguish. We first heard, then received, then trusted, then believed what we heard by applying our trust in God, we were Sealed by the Holy Spirit of promise; however, as we will find, one can be Sealed, yet grieve the same Holy Spirit (v. 12- 13).
The word Sealed means a Protection by a mark to give another the authenticity to project some granted authority, it doesn’t mean they have independent authority. Rather it’s like unto the Centurion, who had authority, but knew he was subject to authority. The word Rebellion means to use a lower authority in an attempt to overthrow a higher, or equal authority. Higher authority never overthrows lower authority, it’s already higher, thus it’s a matter of invoking the higher, not a matter of attempting to overthrow the lower (v. 12). We found the Holy Spirit is the New Man, thus the second we obtain the New Man, we are sealed, marked as the chosen, set in the Plan with all the heavenly blessings.
Prior Paul said the Blood of Jesus gives us Redemption, now he places it in order by showing the forgiveness of sins comes first, the goal then comes Redemption (until the redemption – v 14). This is classic showing of the Plan (Report – Declaration), and the Witness, the Report says we are justified and glorified, but it’s the proclamation, the work is being done on earth by the Witness. If we confuse the Report with the Witness, we will assume there is no Process, we can remain nasty, legalistic, carnal, using the wiles of the enemy, when the purpose is for us to agree with the Report by allowing the Witness to work in us bringing us to result, even the salvation of our souls.
Before we leave here we have to look at Ephesians 1:12; the phrase, “should be to the praise of His glory”. Notice this is a “should”, but jump ahead to verse 14 where we find, “unto the praise of His glory”, then verse 17, “the Father of glory”. The progression is there, from should, unto, the Father, here is where we find Mercy. The purpose of warfare is to advance in the twofold process of Mercy and Grace. The only way the devil can touch us is when we grant him opportunity (place), showing we have the power, not the devil. If he has to wait until we grant him place, it must show we can also take it from him by our repentance, faith and trust in God.
Verses 15 and 16 show the motivation for the prayer, their faith in the Lord Jesus, toward the love unto the saints, which defines “Faithfulness”. The wording “give thanks” is the Greek Eucharisteo meaning Good Grace, it’s often referred to as a response from someone who does not deserve Grace. It centers on being thankful for some gift, which we know in this case would be Grace. Paul just told us all the things Jesus granted us in the Inheritance, now he is going to show us how he prayed, becoming the example of his warfare.
Paul’s encouragement in this prayer fits with, “When you have done all to Stand, Stand therefore”. How did he do it? “giving thanks”, showing his appreciation for all Jesus did. Beginning at verse 17, continuing for a number of verses Paul will tell us how he prayed. If we take this to 6:18 we find the method of warfare is “praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, watching thereunto will all perseverance and supplication for all saints”, then he added his prayer request, “as for me, that utterance may be given unto me”, is it faith? Why not say, “utterance must be given”, or “thanks for the utterance is given”? Because he knows the difference between asking and demanding (v. 6:18-19). We are looking at how Paul prayed “in the Spirit”, not tongues, rather this is in conjunction with the Will of the Spirit found in the Mystery.
Verse 17 begins with God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of Glory, “may give”, you the Spirit of Wisdom, revelation, in the knowledge of Him. So how many spirits do we get? This goes right back to “sealed with the Holy Spirit”, from Sealed to Impartation. Putting these together we find clarity, we are Sealed by the Spirit, we then ask in faith for the Wisdom of God, then coupled with His Knowledge, all found in the Holy Spirit.
This also connects with verse 18 by the term “being enlightened” which is the Greek word Photizo meaning To give light, or bring to make to see, which is “exposure”, thus the clarity and wisdom are paramount considering exposure would be next. When the “eyes of our understanding” are enlightened, we are exposed and know it. However, without Wisdom we won’t know how to deal with it; without clarity we won’t know it’s exposure. What could be exposed? Rulers of darkness of this present world, or any wile of the old nature still in residence. If we are in the Hand of God, than the exposure is a product of God. The lust isn’t, the exposure is, then we find what the word Justified really means. Faith reaches for a Hope, but it takes clarity to know what the Hope is we’re reaching for (v.18).
Here we find the “riches of The glory of the inheritance in the saints” (v. 18): this is not “to” but “in”, taking us back to “riches of His Grace” (v.7), and “has chosen us in Him” (v. 4), with Romans 8:18 showing the Glory is in us. This prayer is then for those who are Born Again having the Greater He in residence. This is a very important verse, in the Old Testament the Glory fell, today some want it to fall, but we have the Glory within, the same Glory will enlighten us.
We have all sorts of Greek words here, all are important to help us in our format of warfare. In verse 19 the first Power is the Greek Dunamis, meaning a granted Power capable for the task assigned to it. In the Book of Revelation we find the False Prophet also has Dunamis, but the task assigned to him is to tempt the Woman. Dunamis is only definable by the task at hand, if one needs extra power to push a car, then one more person shows up it’s enough to push the car, then the two become Dunamis. The one was insufficient, the two became able, but if they had to push a train the two would be incapable. They had the Dunamis for the smaller task, but lacked it for the greater. Therein lays the difference between the Power unto Salvation, and the Power the False Prophet has. To tempt someone by deception takes a power based in the darkness, but it’s not the same as the Power granted us. An army with fifty soldiers can overtake a fast food restaurant, but hardly an army of 10,000. However, an army able to put 10,000 to flight can be as simple as a Christian praying in the will of the Spirit.
Jesus is placed far above those elements we war against, because He defeated them by the Cross. All things are under the feet of Jesus, yet we are His Body, so does it mean we can order things around? Or do we know they have no power over us? The premise is we fight to keep in mind only Jesus is the Head of the Body, things are not. Some of our greatest battles are found in “things”, we need the anointing, but it is not God. The office is great, but it’s not greater than Jesus. We need the Power, but it’s not God. God has all those things, He will give them to us, but we must keep things in order.
Paul lists five areas under the feet of Jesus, 1) principalities, 2) power, 3) mighty, 4) dominion, and 5) every name that is named (v. 21). Then he adds, “not only in this world, but also in what is to come”. This shows two worlds, not two earths. This goes right back to “the fullness of times” with the Mystery of His Will, what Mystery? For the Gentiles to be granted acceptance, showing God is no Respecter of persons. A Principality is a place, or area, the Law of Moses is a Principality, it’s not the nation, but in the nation.
Although we find five areas at this point, in Ephesians 6:12 he lists four, so did he forget one? Perhaps he forgot what warfare was. Not hardly, he is bringing warfare into a Spiritual attitude and endeavor.
The list in Ephesians 6:12 reads:
1) principalities
2) powers
3) rulers of the darkness of this world, and
4) Spiritual wickedness in high places.
If we compare the lists perhaps we can find a clue:
Eph 1:21 Eph 6:12 Principality Principalities Power Powers Might Rulers of darkness of this world Dominion Spiritual wickedness in high places Name that is named Well, what does “name above all names” mean? Does it refer to Jehovah? Is it saying the Name of Jesus is greater than the name of the Father? How can the Son be greater than the Father? Wait, the metaphor Name means Authority, thus the Name or authority of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost is granted in the Name of Jesus, whether it’s unto Salvation, or unto Judgment, it’s Jesus who has the Authority. Jehovah is an Old Testament authority, still effective for those under the Law as they hear the Law, but the Father said, “hear ye Him”. We are of the Body of Christ, not the Body of Jehovah, or the Body of El, or the Body of Elohiym; no way does it means we are disrespectful to the title Jehovah, rather it shows if we fall back to titles the Father used for those in darkness, yet claim to be in the Body of Christ we are in fact disrespectful to the Name of Jesus, not real wise considering the Father gave Jesus the Name above all names. It also stands Jesus knew both the Greek and Jew would enter the Body, also means He knows all the various languages used. We are not going to impress Jesus by using a different pronunciation of His name. It’s not the pronunciation, but having the Authority of the Name. Anyone can attest, when we said, “come out in the Name of Jesus”, the demon didn’t say, “you didn’t pronounce it right”. The Authority of Jesus is greater than all authorities, making all other “names” subordinate. Where does one find the Name? In the Body of Christ, the one and only element on this earth given the Authority of the Father, Son and Holy Ghost. The Name of Jesus is greater than our church, denomination, religion, ministry, nation, or any name (authority) having authority.
Well, back to the elements, in Ephesians 1:21 we find the singular usage, but in Ephesians 6:12 they are plural. It’s not out of place, since Ephesians 1:21 also says, “above all”, which would make the singular, plural. The first two compare, then comes Might as it relates to Rulers. The word Might is the Greek Dunamis the word Rulers is the Greek Kosmokrator meaning with a Power of the world, or a Power from the world. This shows these “rulers” have a Dunamis, but it’s limited to the carnal or spirit of man.
Our minds hear “ruler” and we put a face on the term, presuming the ruler is some being, perhaps a devil, or someone we don’t like, or even the Wicked. It’s not a person, but the thing behind them, the element using them, the ruler controlling and deceiving them becomes the element we war against. For the most part the war to remain free of someone’s self-induced tornado, yet Paul will name several rulers. Any emotion governing us to make decisions, or causing to say things, or causes us to do things we should not is a ruler over us. To be angry and sin not, means we don’t allow anger to govern us, guide us, controls us, dominate us, or cause us to make decisions. Pride is another, it rules us when it causes us to make decisions, rather than say “you are right”, we retaliate in some childish manner.
The word Dominion is the Greek Kuriotes meaning A lord who has civil power or authority, it was used in II Peter 2:10, also in Jude 1:8 in reference to how the wicked despising dominion (government in II Pet 2:10). The Wicked are not the Dominion, they despise it, thus this Dominion means a civil authority. If the Government calls us to war, we obey the Government. However, if the “civil” authority does something, we don’t like it, yet we go to “warfare” against them in a personal attack, we have failed at warfare. If the Government allows us a voice, we use it in a Christian manner, not vindictive, since we are still an Ambassador for the Kingdom. The letter to the Colossians tells us Jesus created all these elements, even if we war against them (Col 1:16), thus we have to keep things in Order.
All things have a purpose, whether we understand the purpose or not. Here Paul clearly shows even the world order is subject to Jesus. Does it mean the world order operates in the Name of Jesus? Hardly, we know the dragon gave his power, authority and seat to the world. So what does it mean? In the end Jesus will judge, thus the Judge has the ultimate Authority.
Verses 22 and 23 show how Jesus has put all things under His feet, also He is the Head (Authority, or Name) Over All Things To the Church, showing the purpose is To the Church, the place of Salvation, it’s the Church who becomes the Bride. Between the Feet and Head we find the Body, the Fullness of the Body is not just the Body, but the purpose of the Body. This also shows the Body has members who are the Church, but not all the Body is the Church, yet the purpose for being in the Body is for all to be of the Church. A point of warfare, we battle by the New Man to be Spiritual in nature, becoming usable building material for Jesus to form us into the Church. Nothing is greater in Power and Authority on this earth than the Body of Jesus. However, misuse of the Authority of Power is a terrible mistake.
Eph 2:1-7
Chapter two doesn’t end the prayer, the prayer doesn’t end for some time, thus Paul isn’t talking to the devil, nor is he cursing the darkness, although he will mention the evil nature of natural man, but in so doing he shows how Jesus has delivered us, is delivering us, He will deliver us, if we Believe. The “things” couldn’t stop the Authority of Jesus from drawing us to the Cross, surely the “things” can’t stop us from being formed into the Church.
Verse 2 introduces us to a “prince”, a prince is known by his principality, a principality is either the beginning of something, or a place in a kingdom (Greek Arche). The word Power stands for Authority, the word “course” is the Greek Aion meaning an Age, or Season, it’s the same word used in the phrase “rulers of darkness of this present world (Aion)”. This present Aion is then the “course of this world”, which gives us the dominion of these “rulers”. The devil will be bound in the Night until the Fifth Angel opens the pit, but in this Age we who are Born Again are restraining evil.
The biggest clue here is the Name of Jesus is above all names, yet here we find a name (authority) relating to darkness, thus the Name of Jesus is still above the authority of the prince of authority of the air. It’s not a matter of reminding us, or reminding this prince, it’s a matter of us believing it. There is no way the devil can force us to use any ruler of darkness, we make the choice to use, or resist. Belief is a powerful weapon, just as unbelief is a powerful. Jesus could do no mighty works because of the unbelief of the people, but He did do mighty works when the people did believe. Being Spiritual in nature makes us truly appreciate the Authority, but being in the Body and carnal seems to make us prideful of our position, yet not appreciative.
The principality for the prince of the authority of the air has inhabitants, they are known as the “children of disobedience”, among whom we were; therefore, the realm or principality for this prince is disobedience, the token for disobedience is unbelief. The element keeping them in disobedience is based in the lusts they follow, the same ones we followed when we are trapped in the world (v. 3). However, when God who is Rich in Mercy saved us by His Mercy by placing us in the Body, we found those same things based in disobedience became subordinate to us through the Name of Jesus.
There are other words in verse 2 we must consider as well, the word Worketh, is the Greek Energeo meaning something active and energetic, something strong, it can be used in a good sense, or evil. In the good sense James will use it to show the power of prayer (James 5:16); Paul used it to show the operation of the Spirit (Rom 8:26-27). In both cases we find the word refers to something causing something to happen, thus whether it’s good or evil depends on the source. Here the source is the “prince of the power of the air”, thus it’s something coming from the prince. This connects back to the “spirit lusting to envy”, being incapable of doing good. The world considers many of its endeavors “good”, but they are run by the spirit lusting to envy, every endeavor turns to evil in some way, usually when man takes the glory.
The word “disobedience” is the Greek Apeitheia meaning one who cannot be persuaded, it was used by Paul in Romans 11:30, where it affirms the concept of God’s Mercy saving us from the realm of disobedience, then bringing us to a place of safety in the Body to become Born Again to have the ability to reach the end of our faith even the salvation of our souls; thus warfare in this area would be to continue to believe.
This prince of the power of the air has a voice, centered on tempting us through the flesh to use the “rulers of darkness”. There are several evidences of this voice in the world today. Whatever man fears, will soon come upon him. We hear of diseases few knew about fifty years ago, but now all of sudden people are dying right and left because of them, what happened? Man’s fear first accepts the voice of the prince, then man voices the fear, bringing it to pass, man is still justified or condemned by words.
Paul didn’t leave us out, he again shows we were under the hand of this evil prince, among the “children of disobedience” in times pasts, those lusts did work in us, we were motivated by sin, by fear, by self-promotion, we were by “nature” the children of wrath. However, we are Removed from the principality, the “rulers of darkness” lost their power over us (v. 3-4). We were “dead in sins”, thus we were also “dead in trespasses and sins” (v. 2 & 5). We finished the course by imputing ourselves dead by the sinless Body of Jesus on the Cross, then we received the Spirit of Holiness to gain the power of the Resurrection.
Verse 7 gives us another “age”, the word “ages” in the phrase “ages to come” is the Greek Aion, noted above, thus we find Seasons, in this Present Aion we are faced with things they will not face in the Night. Things go bump in the Night, but other things come in deceptive ways during the Day.
The word Eternity only appears once in the Bible (Isa 57:15), but the word Eternal appears over 40 times, with two of those in the Old Testament, making Eternal a New Testament concept. In nearly all the usages we find the Greek word Aionios which a compound word. The classic Greek used this word to show something without end, or something which cannot cease to exist, or something not subject to time. We find it used for the term “eternal life”, or Aionios Zoe as Zoe often related to the Life of God. Some cult systems think since Aion means an age, Aionios meaning “eternal judgment” is some type of timed element, or a weekender, but we also know an element of knowledge in the Doctrine of Christ is “Eternal Judgment”. We find the proof, in Hebrews 5:9 by the phrase “eternal salvation”, but in Hebrews 6:2 we see “eternal judgment”, the word Eternal in both cases is the Greek Aionios. If the Judgment is timed for a season, then our stay in heaven is also timed, meaning we have no hope. Hell and death are tossed into the Lake of Fire, along with those whose name is not found in the Book of Life. Hell is a place within the earth for the souls to remain until the day of Judgment, then the elements will melt with a fervent heat, so much so the feet of Jesus are metaphorically seen as Brass as if they burned in a fire (Rev 1:15 & II Pet 3:10-12). Although we see what appears as hell being a timed element, it will be tossed into the Lake of Fire, which is the place of the second death, as eternal judgment. There is a resurrection unto damnation into a place of torment, the basic rudiments in the Doctrine of Jesus so state.
Eternal and Immortal are different, Immortal is void of death, and the consequences thereof, Eternal is the removal of time as an indicator, or a day is like a thousand years, a thousand years like a day. Time and age were not factors in the life of Adam until death entered his existence. Once we are removed from the place of time, time will not be a factor to us, it will always be Now in the constant state of Joy and Peace. On the other hand the resurrection unto damnation will also be without time, meaning the pain and darkness of being completely void of any attribute of God will always be a “Now” without end. Incentive has two sides, one is the reaching to something, the other is avoiding something, we have both, yet we center ourselves on reaching toward Jesus.
The phrase “has quickened us together” in verse 5 is one Greek word, Suzoopoieo, which is a compound word meaning To make one alive together. This would be an example of Eternity and Immortal, the second death will no longer be a factor to those who walk with Jesus. John tells us, those who make the First Resurrection are free of the second death (Rev 20:6). It’s still appointed unto all men once to die, then comes the Judgment, but at the Judgment the Second Death becomes a factor for the lost.
We can’t forget where we came from, more important we can’t forget it was God who placed us in the Body according to His good pleasure. No effort on our part was able to free us from disobedience, it was God alone. Now we have been Made in Life Together with Christ, for by Grace we are saved. Hebrews 2:14 tells us by death Jesus destroyed (made ineffective) the devil, who had the power of death. The same is true when we accept the Cross, the devil, the devils, the rulers of darkness, the old nature all became ineffective in our lives. Paul will tell us not to give place (opportunity) to the devil, thus the devil cannot take it, unless we give it.
These verses are still defining our positional Authority, we may be here on earth, but the Authority in the Body has us sitting together in heavenly places “in Christ Jesus”, not “with Christ Jesus”. As long as we are in the Body, then we are where the Body of Christ is. The Body sits at the Right hand side of majesty on high, all this shows things are under the feet of Jesus, we still tread on serpents. However, we must keep in mind the phrase “heavenly places” are not the Throne, it’s a position above the earth, the phrase will be a major factor later.
If we are In Christ Jesus there must be a purpose, in the “ages” (Aion) to come He might show the Exceeding riches of His Grace in His Kindness toward us through Christ Jesus (v. 7). What Exceeding Riches? The ones he just talked about, “what the riches of glory of His inheritance in the saints” (v. 1:18). The positional areas are also important, “of His Grace In His kindness”, “through Christ Jesus”, “in Christ Jesus” (v. 6), these show the Riches are found in the Hope of being partakers in the First Resurrection. The entire premise is based on the Faith of Jesus having proven the Power of Christ, the Cross is a great separating point between disobedience and obedience.
Eph 2:8-10
Now the Gift, and how it works. Just a few verses prior we found we Believed and were sealed by the Holy Spirit, now comes Faith based on the belief. The verse upon which all Evangelical theology stands, “For by Grace you are Saved through faith, not of yourselves, It Is The Gift of God” (v. 8). Grace is the Greek Charis, it’s translated as “gift” in some places, but Grace is the ability of God through the Spirit to form us into the very Image of God’s Son, free of sin, free of stain, empowered to be over principality, power, might, dominion, by a Name above all names. Verse 8 gives us various areas to consider, Grace, Saved, Faith, Not of your own and Gift. It is not “by faith”, but “through faith”, or a process, the word Saved is not Soteria but Sozo. It begins with “By Grace” giving us method, then “are saved” showing a present tense position, which was defined for us back in verse 5; then “through faith”, the word Through is the Greek Dia meaning Of a place, or For this cause, the word Gift is the Greek Doron meaning A gift given as an expression of honor, this is not the “gift of salvation”, this is the Gift of Grace, thus the Gift is the Honor bestowed on those God has chosen according to His good pleasure before the world was framed. This also connects to, “the praise of the glory of His Grace” (v. 1:6), “the riches of His Grace” (v. 1:7). The Gift is defined for us in Ephesians 3:7 as Grace, in 3:7 the word Gift is the Greek Dorea meaning a free gift with emphasis on its gratuitous character.
Grace is the New Birth, the granting of the New Man, who is created after God’s true holiness and righteousness (Eph 4:24). It’s not faith saving us, it’s Grace through faith, thus when James says faith alone won’t save us, he is right, faith must connect to Grace. We can have tons of faith in our ability, or faith in some religious endeavor, or faith in our intellect, but unless we are in Grace Through Faith it won’t mean a thing in the end.
If this is a prayer why does he say “you”? Ahh, this is not him praying to God, but Paul telling these Ephesians what he prayed to God for them. No matter who we are in the Body, we must know the Purpose for being in the Body is to become the Church. There is nothing to prevent it once we’re Born Again, all we need to complete the call. We will find Paul telling us there are certain “things” sent to hinder the process, we better find out what they are, what their purpose is, and how to avoid them.
The phrase “not of works” in verse 8 refers to obtaining, not maintaining, some of us get it confused, we think Grace is matter of doing nothing, but Grace is the ability to do Grace. In essence, the works of Grace are done through Grace, but no man, yea, not even all the supposed good works of all mankind put together can obtain God’s Grace, the Gift is by the efforts of Jesus for us. The Charisma of Charis is the result of the Charis, but why Faith? Why not go back to belief? After all Jesus said if you are baptized and continue to believe the phrase “shall be saved” applies. Faith is a Now confidence based on the evidence of our position and condition, reaching ahead to the purpose of all this, the salvation of our souls. This is the procedure of process, the means is Grace, but the word Faith has to entail more than our measure of faith. It does, in Ephesians 3:12 we learn how we have boldness and access with confidence by “the Faith of Him (Jesus)”. The Faith of Jesus is proven, our faith follows to the faith by Grace. No natural mind can see the footsteps of the Faith of Jesus, it takes the Spirit in us.
Verse 9 has a purpose as well, “lest any man should boast”, if the faith is our measure of faith, surely some would boast. Verse 10 is also Purpose, for we are “created in Christ Jesus”, unto good works, which God has ordained we should walk in them. The word Should makes it permissive on our part, again showing Predestinated doesn’t mean God will force us to do anything. The word Created points to the New Man making us a New Creature (Eph 4:24), thus connecting Grace to the New Birth. The word Created is the Greek Ktizo meaning to form, shape or transform, it comes from the classical Greek relating to one who makes ships, or the proprietor, or ship manufacturer; it shows the forming process by the New Man; explaining our souls are being formed into Spiritual by the Spirit in us.
Eph 2:11-22
Remember from where we came, remember the “weapons” we used then, don’t turn around and use them again. Remember we were once Gentiles in the flesh, fulfilling the lust of the flesh. We as Gentiles were without hope, separated from the Promise by those who are called “the circumcision”. This defines the term for us as well, Circumcision means one has a right to a Covenant presented by God to man. The Jew considered themselves Rich because of it, the Gentile Poor for the lack of it. This will be James point as well, prior to the Cross the Gentile was under the hand of the prince of the power of the air without hope, the Covenant Tokens were not presented to the Gentile. However, by the Cross the Gentile came around the Law to become circumcised of heart, as they were sealed by the Holy Spirit of Promise. The past is a time to remember how we were without Christ, being aliens and strangers from the Covenants of Promise, but Now, we’re in Christ Jesus (v. 12). From Remember, to Now, being the point to the prayer.
Verse 13 speaks of the Blood, taking us back to 1:7, “in Whom we have redemption through His Blood”. The Blood is the power of the Sacrifice, it is the Basis of the New Covenant. Hebrews will go into more detail, but for here we find by His Blood we could receive Grace, which also means prior to no one received God’s Grace. Paul just finished saying we as Gentiles were “without God in the world”, now he shows not even the Circumcision of the flesh allowed the Jew into the presence of God, yet we obtained.
The “Flesh” of Jesus has abolished the enmity, “even the Law of Commandments” (which includes both the Law of Moses and the Ten Commandments) contained in Ordinances: for to Make in Himself of Two, One New Man, so making Peace with God for us. Did He make the Law and the Cross One? No, this is making Jew and Gentile one in opportunity by the New Man. This also shows a “Peace Maker” is someone who shows how mankind can be at Peace with God. If Jesus said there will be wars and rumors of wars, why do we think we can force Peace on the world?
The partition between man and God has been removed, the throne of Grace is open, by the Faith of Jesus we can come boldly to the throne to Obtain Mercy and find Grace. Our faith is vital, it keeps us in the Faith, thus Through the Faith of Jesus we maintain by our faith in Jesus. Our faith is reaching to the Hope set before us, the Faith of Jesus has obtained, giving us faith to Faith.
The word Abolished in verse 15 is the Greek Katargeo meaning To Loose, or To cause to be unemployed, or to set aside. The word Enmity is the Greek Echthra meaning the cause of hatred, or opposed God. Did the Law of Moses oppose God? No, it opposed those who sinned, separating them from God. The Law of Moses as a principality created as a division, it could never bring Unity between man and God, it was not designed to, rather it was designed like the Tabernacle, to set up barriers between man and God. The Middle partition would always have the Cherubim protecting it. The “One Man” is still Jesus, we’re in His Body, thus by the Body we “might” be reconciled unto God (v. 16).
In verse 17 it appears as if Jesus came and preached to the Ephesians, by the Anointing He did. Paul isn’t taking credit for the preaching, he knows the anointing on the Office spoke through him. As a member of the Body he also knows the One Body has many parts, we can see whether the saint of the household who had the Promise, or the Gentile who by nature was a stranger are now near unto God because we are in the Body of Christ. By showing it was the anointing preaching through Paul, he still shows there is nothing to brag in.
Verse 18 will link to another verse shortly, here in verse 18 the “both” refer to Jew and Gentile by the circumcision of the heart they have Access by One Spirit, through the One Body of the One Jesus Christ, yet we are members many. What then would the enemy do to disrupt it? Division and strife through the carnal nature, every division in the Body disrupts the power granted the Body. The use of the Spirit links this back to Grace, as we are Sealed by the Holy Spirit. Theology isn’t going to give us access, the flesh isn’t, minding the flesh isn’t, remaining carnal isn’t, rather it’s by the Spirit or better by the New Man we have granted access. This also gives us Christ in us, or Jesus in us as the Greater He giving us access and Boldness.
The Purpose of the Body is to be “fitly joined together”, but the carnal nature of man always seeks to be the greatest of the great, to have the special prize making them higher and holier than the rest of the Body, thereby causing division and strife by their envious nature. Only those of the Body of Christ (Flesh of Jesus) are privy to the Spirit of Truth, by being in the Body, yet by having the Spirit we have Access to the Father, because Jesus has removed the middle partition. The New Man is forming us into the Image of God’s Son, Who now sits on the Right Hand Side of Majesty on High.
Therefore we as Gentiles are no more strangers, no more children of wrath, no more under the Law of Moses. We are now of the Body, which has the foundation of the Apostles and Prophets, with Jesus Christ Himself being the chief corner stone (vs. 19-20). Being a little arrogant brother Paul? No, not at all, the position of the Apostle was to begin bodies in virgin areas, or bring Commandment: the Prophet gave direction, and delivered Doctrine. Jesus is the corner stone, it all rests on Him, yet He is the Head (Authority) of the Body. The things of Jesus are important, but not more important than Jesus. We build on Him, yet He is the Head, we are His Body, we are in Christ to be of Christ Jesus.
The word Temple in verse 21 is the Greek Naos, it’s not the Greek Hieron meaning the entire Temple, rather the Greek Naos means To Dwell, it was used to describe the Holy of Holies wherein God dwelled. The word Habitation or Dwelling Place is the Greek Katoiketerion meaning To Inhabit, thus Paul draws a line from the Household, to the Holy of Holies, to the Habitation, as an example of the building process we go through to reach goal. This is clearer when he speaks of the breath, length, depth and height, four areas, giving us the four-square construction of the Holy of Holies.
Of course we know the “building” is the Church Jesus is building from the Body, as we are being Framed together in the Process of growth. Again he ends this section by showing it’s “through the Spirit”. This is the same Spirit we are sealed by, thus to be sealed means we are set apart or sanctified but the purpose is for the Process of growth.
Eph 3:1-12
“For this cause”? What cause? The building process, Paul’s purpose and the purpose of any leader is not only to build, but keep the Unity of the Faith by holding the Unity of the Spirit. It’s the purpose of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians, his concept of the “two shall be one” not only pointed to the Jew and Gentile in the Body, but to the members of the church at Ephesus. It’s still the One Spirit, but if we think the Faith is our measure of faith we will never have Unity. This is the Faith of Jesus, one Faith, set, proven, perfect.
Again Paul points to the “dispensation of Grace”, this takes us back to Ephesians 1:10 where we read, “in the dispensation of the fullness of times”, but here it’s Grace. What gives? The word Dispensation is the Greek Oikonima meaning the administration of a house, or the property, connecting again to the “building”. Prior Paul opened the concept of the “house” to the fullness of times, here it’s limited to the time of Grace alone. When is the fullness of these times? The Rapture, then the building of the Church will cease, as the Night begins.
The reveling of the mystery to Paul was simple, “Depart: for I will send you far hence unto the Gentiles” (Acts 22:21). The mystery was the opening of the promise to all mankind, or “all flesh” as the prophecy of Joel stated. The term “all flesh” doesn’t mean the Spirit will fill every person, it means Grace is opened to all people, Jew and Gentile.
The Mystery takes us back to “having made known unto us the Mystery of His will” (v. 1:9). Then we get a division between the prophets of Old and the prophets of the New, showing the “apostles and prophets” doesn’t mean the Prophets of Old. The term, “son of man” in this context points to the prophets of Old. Here Paul shows the Mystery of Christ was not seen in the Old, yet they spoke of it. The revealing is by the Spirit, the same Spirit granting us Access (vs. 4-5). Did the Apostles and Prophets just make up stuff? No, the Holy Ghost gave them Commandment, Direction and Doctrine. For us the Spirit speaks the mystery, which Mystery is found in verse 6. We should be Fellow Heirs of the “same Body”, as Partakers of His Promise (Grace). We imputed the flesh dead on the Cross, the Body we gained is the Body of Christ.
Verse 7 gives us “the gift” noted back in Ephesians 2:8, defined as Grace. No where do we find Salvation is the Gift, it’s the goal, Salvation belongs to the Lord. Grace is God’s, but given to us to reach Salvation. The phrase, “gift of the grace of God” could read, “gift of the gift of God”, since the Greek word for Grace (Charis) is also translated as “gift”. The word Gift is the Greek Dorea meaning a free gift with emphasis on its gratuitous character, by connecting it to Grace we find Grace is the Free Gift of God.
In the same verse we see the phrase, “effectual working of His power”, taking us back to Ephesians 1:19 to the phrase, “working of His mighty power”. In Ephesians 1:19 the word “power” is a different Greek word, but it helps put this together; it’s the Greek Kratos meaning Force, or Holding fast, or Maintaining. In Ephesians 3:7 it’s the Greek Dunamis, which we know means a power sufficient for the challenge. Grace was “given” unto Paul by the Dunamis of God, it was not a work on Paul’s part wherein he could boast, yet after he received the Free Gift of Grace the work began. The same “Power” came from on High, it was the very purpose for the disciples to Tarry on Pentecost. Without it we can have Scripture, but like the Pharisees not know why.
The mystery was not to remain secret, rather when any member of the Body gets something, it’s for the whole Body. There is no “revelation the Body isn’t ready for” (v. 8). What does this connect to? Ephesians 1:18 to the phrase, “and what the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints”. Who are the saints? These Ephesians, you and I, as well as the rest of the Body of Christ. So where is the “glory”? Within, because it is within we were made the Glory of God (Rom 8:18).
Paul then expands his area to “all men”, then adds one word bringing this into a different area. The word is “fellowship”, no one had Fellowship with God through the Law of Moses, yet Grace allows us Fellowship with God, it begins when we treat the people of God as God does, we need Mercy and Grace to accomplish the task. Fellowship depends on like areas, the first is “God is Spirit” connecting to the Spirit making our souls Spiritual in nature. The process of Justification is the changing of natures, our souls were flesh related, after we received the Spirit the change is to become Spiritual in nature.
The mystery is to know the principalities, powers in heavenly places, but don’t we fight these things? They are “things”, not gods. The first step is to put things in order, don’t worship the things of God, worship God.
Back in 2:18 we had Access by the Spirit, but here in 3:12 it changes, or does it? Back in 2:18 it was “through Him”, in 3:12 it has the added feature of the “Faith of Him”. It was the Faith of Jesus reaching beyond the Cross to the Resurrection, then beyond to Right hand side of Majesty on High. The Confidence comes from the Faith of Jesus as a proven element of Christ. When we couple them together we find the Unity of the Spirit, with the Unity of the Faith, those two will bring the Unity of the Body.
Eph 3:13-21
In verse 13 we see how we are not to lose our confidence, but if we have our faith in things, or if we have elevated things or people, if they fail, we fall. Our confidence is in the ability of Jesus, not our own. The same is true with Trust, we can trust people to do as they should, but we never put our trust in them. We put our trust in God, He will never fail, people do. If we trust someone to accomplish a goal, yet they fail, but we fall twice as hard. We don’t put our trust in the anointing, we put our trust in God, who brings the anointing; however, we trust in the anointing to do as God said it would. We also find fainting not in tribulations is part of our glory; the word Faint is the Greek Ekkakeo meaning exhausted, or disappointed.
Verses 14, 15 and 16 is Paul’s motivation for Standing, but his method is in prayer. The purpose is Unity for the “whole family” in heaven and earth is “named”, so God can grant us according “to His riches in glory” to be strengthened with might “by His Spirit” in the Inner man. This takes us back to First Corinthians 1:11-12, the Spirit of God with the Spirit that is of God. The Spirit of God includes the entire Report, for God is Spirit, but the Spirit that is of God is the New Man. The word Named in verse 15 is the Greek Onomazo meaning To bear the Name of a person, in this case it’s the Name (Authority) of Jesus.
Verse 17 is the purpose; Christ “may dwell” in our hearts by faith, we are saved by Grace through Faith, it happens when we are Rooted and Grounded in Love (Agape). Verse 18 continues with the result, then we will be able to comprehend with all saints the entire foursquare realm wherein we know the Love of Christ which passes knowledge. Okay, if we know, yet it passed knowledge, what does it mean? Experience, those times God delivered us from tribulations; a person who has had an experience with God, far out weighs a person with an opinion based in knowledge.
Then we reach the end of the prayer, Unto Him who is Able, putting it with “may dwell” we see the permissive part for us, yet it’s based on the ability of God (v. 19). Then the confidence of the prayer, which was mighty indeed, but even more is the ability of God to do exceeding abundantly above all we ask. The Glory is in the Church by Christ Jesus, as He builds the Church, then he ends with “Amen”, or so be it in the faithfulness of God.
Eph 4:1-7
Paul finished the prayer, now his personal plea to those he prayed for. With all God has granted and done, he asks for us to walk worthy of the vocation, meaning we have a choice, this is not something God forced on us, it’s something God presented to us. The word Vocation is the Greek Klesis meaning To call to a banquet, it’s used in the phrases, The calling of God (Eph 1:18), or the Hope of our calling (Eph 1:18 & 4:4). It’s God’s invitation to man to accept the calling and conditions of Grace. The abilities are Spiritual in nature, lowliness, meekness, negating pride, or the temptation to brag. Then longsuffering and forbearing one another in love (Agape), which must be by the Spirit.
The Unity of the Spirit is not something to be, it’s something that is, thus we enter it, we don’t make it. Now the oneness area, this is the true oneness doctrine. There are several Greek words for the English word One: Eis or Heis which means one preferred over another, without discounting the other, i.e.: one of the prophets, or one of the least of these commandments (Mark 6:15 & Matt 5:19). The Greek Heis Tis means A certain one, Apo Henos means the Only One, Tous Heos means One above the other. The Greek Eis termed the intermediate between Purpose and Heavenly. The Greek Heis as a pronoun means one of them. Next is Allelon which means One another, it’s also a pronoun, it’s never used in the singular, rather it means two being One, or parts making up the One. Then Mia means One or First, it’s used more in the cardinal number equation (1 before 2). Lastly is Heautou means Himself, Themselves or One as in a group
When viewing the word One we have to keep in mind the Greek has various words for the English word One, in these verses we find two words being used, one means One and only one without parts to make the One, the other word means One with parts making the total. One baseball or one automobile would be One, yet it take parts to make the one baseball or auto. Even a tree is one tree, but it has roots, trunk, branches, leaves and buds. In verse 4 the One Body means One with parts, or members, which seems easy enough. However, the One Spirit means One without parts, yet we know the New Man is in each Born Again believer. The “self same Spirit” is the context, the New Man in us is not going to have a different agenda or goal as the New Man in another. The One Hope has parts, showing the end Hope has hopes along the path.
The One Baptism means One with parts, just as the Body is One with parts, thus it fits with the Doctrine of Baptisms (Heb 6:1-2). Verse 5 is perhaps the best illustration, the title Lord means one without parts, the Faith is also one without parts, which seems strange since we know there is our measure of faith, and the Faith of Jesus, but it’s not strange when we find “The Faith” is the proven Faith of Jesus. We’re not to confuse the ability of our measure of faith as if it’s the Faith of Jesus. The only institute on the earth with the God granted Authority to baptize in water is the Body of Christ. Only Jesus can baptize us with the Holy Ghost and fire, yet the premise is acceptance to be formed into the Church, which members come from the Body of Christ. Nonetheless, the concept of One Baptism shows parts, but it also shows if the purpose was not Christ related it was a bath, not a “baptism”.
In verse 6 there is only One God and Father, just as there is only One Lord, not dividing them, but showing the positional areas. Surely if Oneness excludes the Father, then Paul missed it, since he included the Father. The true Oneness Doctrine makes room for both issues regarding the One, one without parts, one with parts.
Paul also said we submit ourselves One to Another, the husband is to love his wife as “every One of you in particular” (vs. 5:21 & 5:33). If we follow the Ones we find our Peace and the Blood are One (vs. 2:14), the New Man joined to our souls is purposed to be One, as the New Man is Forming our souls into the Image of His Son making us One with the Spirit (v. 2:15), the One Body (2:16), then One Spirit (2:18), then the One Faith (3:12), all of which we as Born Again individuals are part of.
A form of the word One is found in verses 1:10, 2:14, 2:15, 2:16, 2:18, 4:4, 4:5, 4:6 & 4:7. The other word for One is found in verses 4:2, 4:4, 4:25, 4:32, 5:21 & 5:33. Another word for One is found in verses 4:4, 4:5 & 5:31. Another one is found in verse 4:32, another one (Oneness – Greek Henotes) is found in verses 4:3, 4:13 (Unity). The only places we find the Greek Henotes (Unity) is in Ephesians 4:3 and 4:13. Therefore it depends on which type of One Paul is making reference to.
Ephesians gives us the opportunity to test the four methods of theological concourse, as well as discovering how high things can come about in the simplest manners to divide us. One method is to form a hypothesis, then make the Bible fit the hypothesis, which is carnal producing division. Another is using the natural intellect of man to test the Bible, a type of critical thinking, which usually ends in unbelief and doubt. Another method is also one of unbelief, with the preexisting notion of, “I don’t believe in this or that” then search to find some basis, or excuse to hold unbelief. This type of theology begins with a high thing (pride to be the special of the special), ending in heresy, or self-based conclusions in a presumptuous method of disproving something, thus making the conclusion a fable. The next method will expose high things coming against the knowledge of God, by allowing the Holy Ghost who is the Interpreter of the Bible, to reveal Jesus in the Scriptures bringing Unity and Life. Here we find the Oneness doctrine has parts when the One is plural, thus we may find some who use the term, “One baptism” to reject either water, or with the Holy Ghost, but clearly in Acts we find water baptism and the baptism with the Holy Ghost (Acts 10:45-48 with 11:15-16 & 19:2-6). The false concept also rejects the Doctrine of Baptisms, yet the Doctrine is within the basic rudiments of the Doctrine of Christ (Heb 6:1-2). Understanding the term One helps us see we are members many, but one Body, as well as noting there are parts to the One Baptism, thus showing the One Baptism is not only parts, but it refers to the one element on the earth grated the authority to baptize.
Verse 7 again points to Grace as the gift of Christ; the word Gift is the Greek Dorea, taking us back to 3:7. The word Measure is the Greek Metron which is the same word used in the phrase, “measure of faith”, it means a vessel for the receiving and determining the quantity of things, as well as something with limit. Grace has a limit, the salvation of our souls, it will not stop, or go past the area until it is complete when we are glorified.
Eph 4:8-16
This area will speak of the Gift of the Offices, giving us a type of division between the apostles during the earthly ministry, and the change on Pentecost. It was the same men (excluding Judas), but with a change in position, condition and ability. They had Power on earth, but lacked Power from on High until they received the Spirit.
Verse 8 begins with “He said”, who said? Jesus? Where is this found? In Psalm 68:18 we read, “thou has ascended on high, you have led captivity captive: thou has received gifts for men; yeah, for the rebellious also, so the Lord God may dwell among them”. However, Paul made some changes, rather than, “thou has”, it’s “When he ascended”. Paul isn’t quoting the verse, he is teaching from it indicating Psalm 68:18 is a prophecy completed in Jesus. Jesus led captivity captive, but if He kept them captive, why take them? Different location, prior they were in Abraham’s Bosom, Jesus entered the realm during the three days and nights, as He preached to the captive (Ps 22:22-24). Jesus then closed Abraham’s Bosom, placing the captivity under the altar of God, where they wait (Rev 6:9). They are the great cloud of witnesses who ascended with Jesus (Acts 1:9 & Heb 12:1). Then Jesus gave “gifts” unto men, the word Gifts is the Greek Doma meaning a present, or a gift lending to the character of the gift, regardless of who is granted the gift. If we pass the parenthetical phrase in verses 9 and 10 we find, “and He gave”, thus the Doma gift is what He gave; the gift of the office makes the person, not the other way around.
Backing up to the parenthetical phrase we find several things, He ascended, what is it He also descended first into the lower parts of the earth, showing where the captivity was, then Jesus ascended far above all heavens, that He might fulfill all things. In the Parable of Abraham’s Bosom we discovered there was a gulf fixed, but those in hell could speak to those in Abraham’s Bosom, indicating they were both in the realm of the earth. The Resurrection of Jesus opened the Street to heaven, thus He took those who were captive to the earth, placing them under the Altar of God until the Rapture when we meet them in the Air. These verses give us the descending, ascending, then ascending far above. The word “ascend” is the Greek Anabaino meaning “to go up”, the wording “He led captivity” is the Greek Aichmaloteuo meaning To capture, yet to keep captive as well.
Verse 9 continues the parenthetical phrase defining the ascension of Jesus, Jesus took captivity captive as a cloud of witnesses seen at His Ascension, but before, and after the captivity, we find Jesus ascended for a seven day period to present the Sacrifice to the Father. Then He gave gifts unto men, beginning with the Apostles whom He taught for a period of forty days regarding the Kingdom of God (Acts 1:3). Prior to this time the apostles were disciples, yet the Power from on High gave the authority to bring Commandment. Prior they knew about the kingdom of heaven, even preached it, but until Jesus was glorified by the Resurrection they lacked foundation to learn of the Kingdom of God, until Pentecost when they received Power from on High they lacked foundation to speak of it. Spiritual things are still foolishness to the natural mind. After the ascension the Holy Ghost give the Gift of the Spirit to the people in the upper Room, the Office of Apostle in the New Covenant was also granted, giving understanding to the power.
In truth the Offices are not Doma, they are the result of Doma. The Greek Doma was used some four times in the New Testament. In Matthew 7:11 Jesus said if those being evil know how to give good Doma unto their children, how much more shall the Father give to them who ask? In Luke 11:13 it’s the same context, but with the added element showing the context refers to the Holy Spirit. In Philippians 4:17 Paul said, “not because I desired a Doma, but I desire fruit may abound to your account”. Here we find Paul didn’t desire a Doma, so far it would seem Paul used the wrong word in Ephesians 4:8, but we know better. The Present is for the children, the Office is not a person, the person fills the office, thus the Offices will continue until we reach the goal. At times we get it backward, or think the congregation is a present for the leader, which is the Corinthian mindset. The Office will function, when the Authority is kept in order.
There are five offices, since we know there was more than one Apostle, and since the Book of Acts shows even more Apostles were ordained by the Holy Ghost after Pentecost, we also know the Office is open, it’s Jesus Who picks and places, not man, the Offices will continue until the Rapture.
If all who are Born Again have the New Man, why would we need teachers? Knowledge, the New Man works with the supply, or what is in our Remembrance. If we never read, never study, we will soon choke the Seed out of us, based on a lack of Godly conversation and interaction.
However, there are two things to consider, Jesus appoints whom He will, we may not like them, we may think they are not doing the work, we may even think they are misusing the position, but they don’t work for us. Often the test is for us, do we attack? Wait to hear what the Holy Ghost desires? Or make up our own mind what we think should be done? The second element is the “Jezebel spirit”, the self-appointed ones (Rev 2:20), those who lack attributes for the office, the calling, or the covering of the office, thus they have no restraints, or guides. Some are “called”, then skip past the training presuming they will make the Office work for them, they suffer from the “Jezebel spirit”. Nonetheless, there are the called, who waited for the training, obeyed, gained the covering, they are doing the work of the “good gift” with the attributes to prove it.
The purpose of the Office is for the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the Body of Christ (v. 12). It is not “for salvation”, it is not for “self-importance”, it is not ones “importance”. Now, what Ministry is he talking about? Ahh, the “ministry of healing”, no, the “ministry of offense”, no neither of those are found in the Bible. Well what Ministry? The Ministry of Reconciliation (II Cor 5:18-19); however, in the ministry we find ministerial duties, such as healing, offense, and all the other aspects of The Ministry (v. 12).
The authority in the Office is limited to those three areas, it doesn’t allow for the leader to dominate, lord over, manipulate, or be natural. The specifics vary, the theme does not, to perfect the saints, not destroy them, or lead them astray; for the work of the ministry, so the two can be One, for the edifying of the Body of Christ until we all come “in the Unity” of the Faith, in of the “knowledge” of the Son of God, unto a Perfect (complete) man, unto the Measure of the Stature of the Fullness of Christ. Right back to “to know the Love of Christ, which passes knowledge, so you might be filled with all the Fullness of God” (v. 3:19). The premise is the Building of the Body, not the Building of the Church. There are local bodies in the Body, yet some go to the local body to be Edified, others go knowing if they Edify, they will be Edified. However, edification is a form of building, there are times when rebuking, correction, and words of sharpness are Edification (II Cor 13:10).
Did Jesus give all to be Apostles? No, where would the teachers be? The giving has nothing to do with the person’s holiness, rather it’s dependent on Jesus filling an office when the Holy Ghost says, “separate unto Me”. Judas held an office, as did Peter when he said, “be it far from You Lord”. The Doma Office is a matter of Governments, the person in the Office is responsible to the Holy Ghost. The Office is not given based on the person’s holiness, education, or any personal attribute, it’s based on the Good Pleasure of Jesus toward the Body, the person will teach us something, even Judas taught what the result of betrayal produces.
Back in verse 12 it was the word “perfecting” which is the Greek Karartismos meaning to make fully ready, it denotes the process, more than the result. In verse 13 the word “perfect” is the Greek Teleios meaning full age, or those who have grown up (Heb 5:14). This indicates the Offices will be around until the Rapture, or the entire Body is United in the Spirit by the Faith. The Babes should have at least the basic rudiments of the Doctrine of Christ, keeping them stable. The winds of doctrine are the fringe areas, the non-important areas regarding the doctrine. The wind is not stable, it comes and goes, one wind today, another tomorrow, but none of them have any stability. The wording to and fro means to be tossed by the waves, in Jude we find the Wicked are carried about of winds (Jude 12), they are raging waves of the sea, basically they are the ones bringing the winds of doctrine as they lie in wait to deceive.
Here is another key to warfare, Paul talks about the “them”, but he also shows it’s the “sleight” of men, not the men. The word Slight is the Greek Kubeia it comes from the Greek Kubos meaning a “cube”, thus Kubeia means playing dice. Go figure? The term connected to those who cheat at dice, it was used to show someone who is deceptive in nature who uses trickery, or fraud. The wording cunning craftiness shows the means they use to bring the deception. The Pharisees asked Jesus questions, yet He answered their intent. If we make the person our enemy, we will fall into a camel swallowing contest. Although at times when we do answer their intent they think we are attempting to read their minds. We discern their words, they are so attached to the wrong nature they can’t tell their words from their nature. We can’t allow it to deter us, we still listen to the Spirit so we can discern, so no one burns (v. 14). The term “lie in wait” also shows how they make plans in their minds to deceive, but deception is a two way street. The more they deceive, the more they become deceived.
The phrase, Cunning Craftiness is the Greek Panourgia meaning Shrewdness, the word means one will use any means necessary to get what they want. It’s not the person, but the means we war against. We never want to get caught using their means to defeat them, it makes us no better, in some cases it makes us worse. How? They are deceived, we know what they were doing, yet we used their means, rather than God’s.
After talking about all this Unity and how Jesus gave gifts, we read about the “them” who lie in wait to deceive. They are out there, few as they may be, but usually vocal; however, we can’t make a career out of chasing them down, as if they were some rat on a highway. We put our minds on the Unity of the Spirit to be of the One Faith, Fitly Joined together by the One Spirit, in the One Hope of our One calling. Each person working in their measure, each providing what God has given them to edify the Body In Love.
The last area defines the purpose of the five-fold ministry, it’s to assist the Body into the area of being able to edify itself. The world can never edify the Body, nor can it defeat the Body, nor can it betray the Body, it takes those within to do any of those things. This doesn’t mean “self-edification”, it means each member being exercised in the Spirit to edify other members of the Body.
Eph 4:17-5:2
Prior we saw how Paul’s prayer asked for the eyes of our understanding to be opened so we can be enlightened. We were once darkness, but we are now Quickened together with Christ (by Grace we are saved), now we see what happens when we enter this, yet continue to honor the old nature. The old man came from the principality of disobedience, we are now of the Body, the old man is under our feet. If we receive it.
This begins by showing a vanity in the mind of the “other Gentiles”, which shows a “them”. If it’s a them, are not the “them” flesh and blood? Wow, the man is a hypocrite, telling us not to war against flesh and blood, then points at the “them”. Not so, look at the clues we have here. First they walk in the vanity of their mind, which shows vanity is a ruler of darkness. They have their understanding “darkened”, they are alienated from the Life of God “through ignorance” which is “in them”, but it’s because of the blindness of their heart (v. 17-18). There is a progression and division between the flesh and what guides them. Paul desired, “Christ may dwell in your hearts”, here the Gentiles retained the old heart, we gained the New, giving us power over the old nature.
The paradox seems open enough, we want our understanding Enlightened, here it’s “darkened”. The “they” are not the world, they are those who lie in wait to deceive. Who are these people? The clue may be found in the words “lie in wait to deceive” (v. 14), which is the same Greek word translated as Wiles in Ephesians 6:11. We don’t war against the devil, but against the “wiles” of the devil. The word Wiles means method, or methodology, or the manner in which the enemy works identifying him as the enemy.
The word “vanity” is the Greek Matalotes meaning Conceited, Useless, or an undue pride in oneself based on an assumed something which is really a nothing. They use the winds of doctrine to appear superior before men, they are more concerned with acquiring validity from man, than giving God the glory. Their pride is a lust driving them, they want to be superior over the Body, they answer to no one, they look down on the rest of the Body. Vanity, it’s all vanity.
Verse 19 defines this further by saying, “past feeling”, they joined the spirit of the world, they have given themselves over to lasciviousness to work all uncleanness with greediness. There is a vast difference between being subject to the spirit of man, and giving ones self to the spirit of the world. A clue to the division is how the “we” have not learned Christ in the manner of some; therefore, this shows the manner in which they learned Christ was not according to the Truth of the Gospel. We preach the truth in love, they use the vanity of the mind to trap others. So, do we fight the person? Or what caused the blindness? Ahh, preach the Truth in Love bringing enlightenment, now we’re getting the picture.
The phrase which contains the words, “past feeling” in the Greek reads, “having cast off all feeling themselves gave up to lust”; they rejected the New so they could retain the lust. This indicates they rejected the Seal of the Holy Spirit, for the spirit lusting to envy. The Greek word used is Apalgeo with a classical meaning of growing insensible, or to be insensible to the degree of rejecting honor. They separate themselves from the New Man by joining to the spirit of the world.
How do we fight this in our lives? “Put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts” (v. 22). The “them” held to the lusts yet called them holy, but our warfare is to put off the old man. What lusts? Pride, wanting to be the special of the special. We have the Authority and Power over the old man, it’s a matter of knowing who we are in Christ. Before we can war regarding the Them, we have to be enlightened ourselves, casting off the old man brings Light.
Next we are to be “renewed” in the Spirit of our mind, this could read “by the Spirit in our mind”. Connecting this to “To be strengthened with Might in His Spirit in the Inner Man” (v. 3:16), with, “Put on the New Man, which after God is created in righteousness and true holiness” (v. 24). We’ve quoted this enough, but let’s take another look. If the New Man is created after God, then the old man must be a result of the spirit of man. Two opposing forces, we can’t have both. The old man uses the flesh as a guide with the fall nature as his reasoning, the New Man does not. The “holiness” and the “righteousness” we long for came with the New Man. The Holiness of God contains the Mercy of God, the Righteousness is the very scepter of the Kingdom. We are the Righteousness of God by being Born Again, we can be as holy as our Father, since the New Man is a product of the Father’s True Holiness.
This renewing, is it New? Or something Re (again) Newed? The word Renewed is the Greek Ananeoo meaning Another, it refers to having Another, rather than putting a patch on the old. This is an exchange of natures, we put off the old man, who was our old mind and nature, then we put on the New Man to gain the Mind of Christ with a New nature. The Mind is a method of thinking and reasoning, thus if we retain the old man, we will think naturally, discern things naturally, while being void of the Spiritual.
Then we are told to put away lying, which is a ruler of darkness, we do so by speaking the Truth. Wait, isn’t a piece of the Armor of God Truth? Yes, Truth is based in the New Man, not the old, thus John calls the New Man the Spirit of Truth (I Jn 4:1-4). It begins to become clear, we war against something of darkness overtaking us, by seeking and holding to something of God. To the Romans it was “mind the Spirit”, this is the same context, with different wording.
Be angry and sin not, neither let the sun go down upon your wrath. When our anger guides us, instructs us, or motivates us, we have sinned, making our anger a “ruler” over us. We can’t presume we won’t get angry, but neither can we allow our anger to speak, or guide us. We must be Quick to forgive, yet forgiveness does not entail walking up to someone all red faced and angry saying, “I forgive, because God has commanded me to”. It’s arrogance, not forgiveness. Forgiveness is done in prayer, but “seen” in our fruit of righteousness towards the person (v. 26).
Verse 27 stands no matter what, but how do we give place to the devil? By using his wiles. Act like the devil, you will draw the devil. Each time we use a ruler of darkness to get our way, we are holding hands with darkness. Use the ways of darkness, join the darkness; use the ways of the Light to become Light. The word “place” is the Greek Topos meaning room, place, or opportunity. When we use a wile of the devil we give him opportunity, perhaps not to attack us, but we give him opportunity to operate from our words. If we curse someone, or pray against them, we are giving the devil place to come against them. It doesn’t mean the devil will have success, but it does mean we have joined forces with the devil causing a war where there isn’t one (James 4:1-4).
Verse 28 is very interesting, it holds two meanings, one fits better than the other, but both show us something. We have talked about the purpose for working is to give, since the nature of Christ is to give, but there is another meaning here as well. Someone is a thief when they receive the Word of Truth, yet hold to the old nature, or continue to use the ways of the old man. This could connect to “holding the truth in unrighteousness”, one worked hard at learning, spent years in study, yet used the old man as their guide and instructor, now they are a legalist, and none the better. We must put off the old man with his wiles, cast out the bondwoman and her son, a must before we can put on the New Man. The first step is imputing them dead, complete the Law of Moses, allow sin to take its toil on the old nature, impute it dead, ineffective, destroyed, useless, then believe what we said.
All this is in context, verse 28 must fit the context, therefore being metaphorical. Corrupt communication is from the old conversation, from the old nature run by the spirit of man; those thoughts, rulers and wiles no longer have authority or power over us. In the case of the children still under the prince of the power of the air they can’t “put off” concerning the old man, just as we couldn’t, but Now we can. It’s senseless to make the attempt to force the world to act in a Godly manner, since they are incapable. We are not called to force the Beast to act Godly, we are sent to cast the net.
A counter to corrupt communication is to speak words of Grace, but if one lacks Grace how can they speak it? They can’t, thus we “put on” the New Man, which is the Armor of God. Within the Armor we find the Sword of the Spirit, which is the Rhema of God. If it’s Grace, Spirit and Rhema, then it’s Life, because we’re Born Again.
This is another step in the Process, it started when the Holy Spirit sealed us after we believed when we heard the word of truth. So far, so good, but here in Ephesians 4:30 we find we can “grieve” the same Holy Spirit we’re sealed by (Isa 63:10-11 with Eph 4:30). The word Grieve is the Greek Lupeo meaning To produce sorrow, the very opposite of Joy. Psalm 95:10 shows the attitude of the children in the wilderness grieved God, they did error in their heart by allowing unbelief to enter. How can we grieve the Holy Spirit? By entering unbelief in the Process, or by using the wiles of the enemy.
Paul defines more rulers of the darkness for us as, bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, and evil speaking. Wait didn’t he just say to be angry? Now he says not to. Ahh, be angry, but never allow the anger to motivate you. Anger as a ruler is usually a shield for some fear, often used to protect the ego from Godly exposure. Pride is always angry when confronted, yet manipulation seems to be the weapon used when anger is exposed. The Greek word used here for Anger is Thumos meaning a violent wind, like a tornado, thus it’s an anger out of control, dictating how the person acts, or speaks.
How do we counter these rulers? Be kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake has forgiven you (v. 32). “Well Jesus cleaned out the temple and He was angry”. Right, but He didn’t sin, rather the anger was a display of how God felt about the workings in the temple robbing His children. Jesus returned to teach in the same temple each time He cleaned it. The lesson is not Jesus being angry, but what He was angry at.
The words Clamor or Tumult come from the Greek Krauge meaning to make public or to cause a controversy in public, thus one can store their anger then wait for the right moment in front of an audience to attack, which is tumult behavior. They won’t say a word at the moment, they lie in wait until the time is right for them to bring the greatest damage to gain a personal advantage. They allowed the anger to rule them until they formed plans, showing they failed to forgive before the sun set.
Evil speaking is the last, we assume this means speaking cuss words, but it’s the Greek word Blasphemia, known to us as Blasphemy, it’s used in Matthew 15:19 in reference to a false witness. It relates to the act of wounding someone’s reputation, or setting out to harm someone intentionally. It’s not the same as correction, since correction is to improve someone, not harm them.
All this would be much easier to understand if we didn’t have so many strongholds regarding the terms. However, doesn’t it prove the point? The clue to all this is found in the word “rulers”, which is the Greek Kosokrator, Ephesians 6:12 is the only place we find this word; it’s a compound word meaning World (Kosmos) and Lay hold of again (Krateo), thus it points to laying hold Again of the things of the spirit of man.
WILES:
Principalities: Wrath, Disobedience, Gentiles in the flesh, Partition, Law of Moses.
Powers: Prince of the power of the air, the world, and other ages.
Rulers of darkness: Anger, Bitterness, Wrath, Clamor, Evil speaking, Fear, Corrupt Communication, Cares of this world, Deceitfulness of riches, Lusts for other things.
Spiritual Wickedness: Laying in wait to deceive, Turning ones self over to lasciviousness, To work All uncleanness with greediness, holding to ways of disobedience, yet claiming to be sealed by the Holy Spirit.
Eph 5:3-16
The word “therefore” points back to what was just said, it all comes down to having the New Man to be a Follower of God. Jesus told us to Follow Him, but He also said we had to deny the self, here we find the same concept. The ability of the self-nature is the old man, the old conversation wherein we used the wiles of the devil. There are many religions in the world, but there is only one granted the Authority of God for this Season. Others use self-righteousness, we have the Righteousness of God, what a blessing to be born in a time where we can be Born Again.
Paul then lists more rulers of the darkness, showing how those things should not be named (authorities, or manner of identification) among us. He adds filthiness, foolish taking, jesting, fornication, uncleanness and covetousness. Is jesting the same as a sense of humor? No, jesting is making fun of others, or using people as the blunt of our jokes to gain the advantage. It’s always a clue to someone who lacks sensitivity for others, falling within the realm of “past feeling” (v. 4:19). Making jokes of the opposite sex, another denomination, our mate, all fall under Jesting, a ruler of darkness.
He begins opening another weapon of our warfare by telling us to “give thanks” (v. 4). For what? For not being like those sinners? No, for All things, which is a battle in and of itself at times. The hardest thing for us to vision is our authority over the old nature, once we entered the kingdom of heaven we gained authority over the darkness, once we were Born Again we gained authority and power over all the things of darkness. There is no reason for any of rulers of darkness to control us, guide us, or motivate us.
Verses 5 and 6 list the things of the world, then we find the Wrath of God will fall on the children of disobedience, so as a ‘they” do we fight them? No, when the train runs over the people, we don’t curse the train, we save the people.
This of course takes us back to Ephesians 2:1-3 where we found we were once children of disobedience headed for the wrath of God, but God gave us Grace to save us from what is to come. Then comes another point of warfare, “be not you therefore partakers with them”, clearly a decision, showing the predestinated Plan gives us choice. This also shows it is a Process, for if we are completely innocent, we couldn’t be partakers, then Paul says “be not you”, which is a Commandment, but like all commandments we have the choice to do, or not to.
The ones who deceive are those who lie in wait, but it’s the “vain words” we war against. This goes right back to Ephesians 4:17 where the other Gentiles walk in the vanity of their mind. Because of those things comes the wrath of God on the children of disobedience, what things? The jesting, laying in wait to deceive, corrupt communication, the cares of this world, the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts for other things. What then do we reprove? The person? No, the vain words, if they are in the Kingdom we warn them by letting them know their intent was exposed by their words. If they are not in the Kingdom we toss the Net, to bring them in.
Verse 9 is another parenthetical phrase showing what the Light consists of, the fruit of the Spirit is the outward sign of the New Man, which is “all” goodness, righteousness and truth. The connection to Ephesians 4:24 is seen in the terms used, showing the New Man is created (or formed) after God’s Righteousness, making a fruit of the New Man God’s Righteousness. God’s holiness produces the fruit of Truth and Goodness, for there is none good but God. The New Man will “prove” we are acceptable unto the Lord, by the Grace granted us. It’s still putting our mind on the Spirit by walking in the Spirit.
If we mind the flesh we will soon find we are having fellowship with the wrong products, the unfruitful “works of darkness” (v. 11). It has nothing to do with the people, it’s the things denoting the source. We are not to fellowship with bitterness, wrath, anger, clamor, evil speaking, fornication, laying in wait to deceive, jesting, uncleanness, covetousness, filthiness, foolish talking, corrupt communication, vanity of the mind, unbelief, blindness of heart, past feelings, lying, all causing us to grieve the Holy Spirit. The word Fellowship is the Greek Sugkoinoneo meaning to share together, indicating the using means we become part of what we use. This has little to do with hanging out the people who do these things, it means we’re to stop doing them. How? By using more self-righteousness? Nay, by the renewing of our mind to enter a change in Nature.
Verse 12 goes back to the phrase “lay in wait to deceive”, the inward heart is the secret place, the place they allowed to be blinded by failing to become circumcised of heart. There are things going on in darkness of the old heart becoming a shame for us to discuss, but why? We would begin to place the evil heart with a face, then we will attack the person.
Verse 13 helps answer verse 11, we reprove the “things”, not the person, once reproved they are open and no longer hidden in the darkness. Okay how? By naming the nastiness? No, by walking in the Spirit as we speak the truth in love. Anyone can write a book on the “great apostasy”, yet never walk in the love of God. The purpose for the exposure is two fold, first to bring the hidden intent to the surface, allowing the person to deal with it, but the more important element is knowing we are not deceived by their deceiving.
The phrase “Redeeming the time” connects to “Watch and Pray”, for the days are evil, but we take one day at time, fighting tomorrows evil isn’t going to get us through today. An aspect of warfare we seldom look at is the concept of “be anxious for nothing”. The word Anxious means concerned to the point we take matters into our own hands. Which is a display of a lack of faith, rather than walking in faith.
Eph 5:17-33
Here we find the Will of the Lord is for us to be filled with the Spirit, the Will of the Father is for us to walk in Mercy for the sake of the Son. This is how we act after we are sealed, it pertains to being Filled to Excess with the Spirit, which is coupling Life to Mercy to bring the Living Waters as the Unity of the Spirit keeps us in the Unity of the Faith.
Paul will list five items, all of which are “to yourselves”, none of which are yelling at the darkness. Speaking in Psalms would be with the understanding, the Psalms are all points of God’s method of victory. New songs always come before a New Move, through the New Man. We sing unto the Lord a New Song, as He does a New Thing. We sing Hymns in our hearts, as well as Spiritual songs in the Spirit’s language. Singing and speaking are joined in the Melody, the Greek word for Melody is Psallo meaning to Twang or play a stringed instrument, connecting to the thought of singing a praise to God in honor of Him. So. How do you play an instrument in your mind? Easy, Paul is telling us whether in the understanding, or in the Spirit, or just the tune, still do it with joy unto the Lord.
The fifth area is the purpose, Giving Thanks Always For All Things going further than thanking God for those things we consider Good, it includes All Things, Good, Bad or Indifferent.
Before he taught on the husband and wife he gave us the prelude, submit one to another in the “fear of God” (v. 21). Submission refrains from debate, argument, or causing strife. Then it’s Wives submit yourselves unto your own husbands; the word Submitting in verse 21 is the same Greek word used in verse 22, thus the submission is something all of us do to one another, but for the wife it’s a powerful weapon from God just for her. In Colossians 3:14 it was defined as “forbearing one another, forgiving one another”, which is really the context. The Greek word is Hupotasso meaning a place of orderly fashion, in reference to Christological it points to Jesus as the head having supreme rule, but for the wife it becomes a point of authority and power. This is not being a slave, since the fall produced, “and your desire shall be to your husband, and he shall rule over you” (Gen 3:16). If Paul was suggesting for the husband to have “rule” over his wife, then none of us are free from the fall. Verse 23 gives us “authority”, thus in the world we were forced to submit, but in the Kingdom it’s a matter of choice. The husband is like the local church, a leader in reference to the duties of the position, no more, no less. What duties? To love his wife, even as Christ as the head of the Church and the savior of the Body (2 areas, showing the Church and Body differ, but are related). How does Christ deal with the Church? By belittling it? No it would be jesting. By demanding servitude? No, it would remove moral choice. By loving us and helping us? Yes. The wife is to be treated “as a weaker vessel”, or a prize so important we make sure nothing can harm her, meaning the husband does nothing to harm her.
The spots and wrinkle show the type of cleaning the Lord is doing, the word Spot means immoral behavior, or something seen, but wrinkle is the Greek Rhutis meaning Bound, referring to mental bondage. This changes the concept considerably, submission in the Kingdom being choice means the one submitting does so because they desire to, thus they are not Bound. If we are talking about the fall nature, then the wife is subject to her husband, but all curses are nailed to the Cross. The premise is to remove us from the wrinkle of the fall nature, not bind us to it. Under the fall nature the husband loves his wife when it benefits him, the wife had no choice her husband ruled over her. If we are under the perfect law of Liberty, then how can a wife be made subordinate? It lacks liberty, the context shows we are free to submit and love in Liberty, a much different venture than under the fall nature.
We also see the two weapons of Love and Submission working together to bring the marriage into it’s perfect Help status. If one was to think submitting is saying nothing, then Sapphira submitted and died for it (Acts 5:7-10). She made herself a party to the fraud, but it may look as if she submitted to her husband. When we submit we are referring from debates, fights, arguments, manipulation, or inflicting punishment, but it doesn’t mean we don’t speak in love and mercy to warn our mate of the consequences of their actions. A husband under Grace will not make jokes about his wife, or the wives of others, just as Jesus doesn’t make jokes about us. The husband reverses the fall nature by allowing the Agape love of Christ to flow to his wife. The wife on the other hand is told by the fall nature her husband will rule over her, but rather than fight the fall nature, she submits willingly breaking the bondage while finding freedom in being delivered from the old nature. They become elements as weapons, setting us free, whether we love one another or our wives, whether we submit to one other or our husband, we do so in Liberty.
In verse 26 we find the method Jesus uses, the “washing of the water by the Word”, the word, Word is the Greek Rhema, pointing to Life and Spirit (Jn 6:63). The Washing is Mercy, adding the Rhema we have Living Water. The purpose is found in verse 27, to present it to Himself, but isn’t it His Body to begin with? Yes, but no man abuses himself, unless he is whacko. He who loves his wife, loves himself (v. 28). This is treating our wives, as we would be treated, it’s all based on give and it shall be given back.
The Love issue continues in verse 29, nourish and cherish, even as the Lord the Church (not the Body). For we are members of His Body, flesh of His flesh, bone of His bone, for this cause a man should leave his mother and father and cleave unto his wife. Then Paul tells us what is really going on, “this is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the Church” (v. 31). There you have it, the allegory is important, but more important is how it points to how we are being built into the Church as the potential Bride of Christ. Learning to submit and love in a daily encounter is the best lesson one could ask for, it brings those elements into our nature as attributes.
Then the Nevertheless, showing all he was saying really related to Christ and the Church, but still the husband can’t say, “wow, almost”, nay, they still Agape their wives, as the wife reverence her husband. How can a wife reverence her husband? By example, the key to these matters are found in how one treats others. The husband is to love as Christ loves, but what example does the wife have? The manner in which her husband shows reverence to the Lord. This is the two shall be one, it cannot and will not work if they look at each other and say, “well when you submit I will love”, or “when you love, I will submit”. They each have to make the decision to do as the Lord commands by walking in the Will of the Lord, then the result will be seen.
Eph 6:1-9
Just as knowing the metaphors for husband and wife solve a mystery, we find the mysteries continue on. We tend to limit these verses to our children, but consider the joining of two elements. We have parents and children, servants and masters, husbands and wives, they all relate to the phrase “of His flesh, and His bones” (v. 5:30). The children are akin to the young ones in the congregation, the parents to those who are Born Again. Later we will find Paul calling himself a father to Timothy, yet we know he isn’t talking about a natural relationship, but one in a Christian order. Paul just finished talking about the Offices and the gift, but he also pointed to Charis (Grace) as the purpose for the gift. The purpose of the Offices are to point us to Grace, so we might grow into the Perfect Man, the Image of God’s Son. These “family” orders point to the congregation as well, yet we are of the family of God.
The reference to servants is only defined when we fine the masters are subject to The Master, thus giving us the same context we found in I Corinthians 11. Jesus was called “Master”, the term refers to a teacher, as we find in James 3:1. Those who are Born Again should never “provoke” the children unto anger; however, if speaking the truth in love brings anger, are we not to speak the truth in love? This means to Provoke, or having the intent to produce anger. If we speak the truth in love to bring correction unto perfection and the person gets angry, it’s not the same as provoking them unto anger.
Do these words only pertain to Christians? Yes, we’re the only ones with the means and ability to do them. We can’t expect the world to be Christian without Christ; it’s like expecting a dog to be a cow.
Eph 6:10-24
The warfare path has been laid out, the weapons explained, to twist them at this point in time leads us into temptation, rather than delivering us from it. First and foremost, this section is not a separate book, this letter answers its own questions. All these elements are already defined in the letter, thereby giving us the knowledge.
The Strength of the Lord is found in Grace, Mercy, and Love. Humbleness negates pride, good vacates evil, love destroys hate, Mercy removes unforgiveness, being tenderhearted rejects debate, Submission removes envy. Paul’s prayer was for us to, “be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man”, then he told us, “put on the New Man, which After God is Created (or formed) in Righteousness and True Holiness” then “grieve not the Holy Spirit of God”, then, “be ye not unwise but understanding what the Will of the Lord is, and be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess, but be Filled with the Spirit”. All of these are weapons of our warfare, they were not to be cast aside because we entered the Kingdom, they are attributes we gained after we entered.
Every aspect of the Armor is some attribute, or fruit of the New Man. Truth, Righteousness, The preparation of the Gospel of Peace, Faith, Salvation, the Rhema of the Spirit, all matters granted only to the Christian. The Armor is not our opinion of what we think is going on, it’s not based in self-righteousness, it is not our helmet of pride and ego, it is not the dagger of corrupt communication. It’s God’s Armor, thus it only fits the New Man. The Purpose of the Armor is to protect us so we can pray in the Will of the Lord. If we use the Armor to destroy, or exalt ourselves, we are not using the Armor of God, we’re using the armor of the self.
We don’t fight Against flesh and blood, we don’t fight With the carnal mind, which leaves only one area: the place of the Spirit from which we obtain Power, Might and Strength. This conflict is something akin to “wrestling”, thus it’s so chose it becomes hand to hand combat; meaning it’s within. However, hand to hand with what? The devil? No, the wiles of the enemy found in the flesh. The devil is ineffective, but sends people to pull us into using his wiles. The word Wiles is the Greek Methodeia meaning method, in the Latin we it’s the Modus Operandi, meaning the Method of Operation. It was what we found in 4:14 as the slight of men as the method of operation. This is our place of battle, not against devils, but the methods identifying the method the devil operates, or the things attracting the devil. Envy, strife, carnal thinking, are footprints left behind telling us who the enemy is.
We also know the term “Spiritual Warfare” is not found in the Bible, thus it can be misunderstood by the concepts and traditions of man. If we keep this letter as a unit, then our warfare is laid out for us. Really if it was casting out devils, it would be easy, even Judas did, thus casting out devils is not Spiritual warfare, rather it’s an effort in the position as a son of man. In order to combat the wiles of the enemy one must be Born Again, as they mind the Spirit.
The deeds or wiles of the enemy are simple to spot in others, very difficult in ourselves, thus the Spirit brings them to the surface. In truth, it’s the role of the husband and wife in their relationship, checks and balances to be One. Not only do the husband and wife have their own areas to battle, they it they work together they can put a thousand wiles to flight. If the husband loves his wife, he is able to minister, if the wife is forbearing and forgiven she is able to minister to her husband. It doesn’t take long in looking at the fall to determine the complete opposite is what happened, the woman was deceived, the man could care less; the man knew what he was doing, and did it anyway. Spiritual warfare conducted from Grace is a restoring, edifying, healing attribute of the Spirit of Truth.
Of course we can retort to carnal means, but carnal weapons tend to be used in a blame and attack mode. The carnal realm is not for us, we are called to use the same weapons as Jesus from the same Position. We can’t discount the Scripture, “the Holy Ghost teaches”, nor, “I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto Spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ”, with, “ye are yet carnal, for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?” (I Cor 2:13, 3:1 & 3:3); therefore, natural man is not Spiritual. We also found even with the Spirit one can be carnal and not Spiritual (I Cor 3:3 & 3:16-17). If we “walk as men”, we are walking with the spirit of man, but if we put on the New Man, we walk and mind the Spirit. No demon is spiritual, they are spirits, but not spiritual, the spirit of disobedience is not spiritual, rather the spirits of man and the world are carnal in nature and purpose (v. 2:2).
What good does it do to fight an unseen force outside, when inside we are yet carnal? This warfare is no different from II Corinthians 10:3-5; the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but Mighty through God, thus the Armor of God is a mighty weapon through God. Whether it’s pulling down strongholds, or discerning the wiles, it still takes the Spiritual things of God to defeat them. Will the battle only last a few seconds? Perhaps, perhaps not, it doesn’t matter, knowing there is a battle is half the battle.
A Principality is a location, Paul defined some of them for us, he also showed how all principalities are under the feet of Jesus, meaning they are not equal to us. We are not to elevate a principality above what God has, we never allow ourselves to slip back into the principality of disobedience. Jesus is the Prince of Peace, thus Peace is a Principality within the Kingdom, but the Principality is not Jesus, it belongs to Him. We can make the Principality of Peace a god, or become paranoid over the principality of disobedience. This letter began by telling us all things are under the feet of Jesus, yet we are the Body of Jesus. It’s still the premise, the carnal mind runs to the winds, makes things bigger than they are, even ends giving worship to the things of God. How often do we think of the ground? It’s there, it’s under our feet, it’s subject to our feet. Often warfare is a matter of order.
Paul listed four areas in II Corinthians, he also listed four here, the context in both areas pertain to warfare, thus they are interrelated. He listed the four areas here as: Principalities, as we known the Greek word for Principalities is Arche, it doesn’t refer to the Rulers, it refers to places (plural). The Word was in the Beginning (Arche, or Principality), does this mean we fight the Word? Hardly, the context is the Beginning not the Word, if we remain at the foot of the Cross, how can we enter the grave? If we don’t enter the grave, how can we be resurrected? The Word moved on, entered the grave, defeated it, became Resurrected, completed every task, is now sitting at the right hand side of Majesty on high.
There are things in principalities, the Law of Moses is a principality, we war against dragging the deeds of the Law into the Kingdom. The Ten Commandments have a Power, as does the Law, but they also have a realm of effectiveness. Any attempt to remove them from their realm, or place them in another realm where they lack authority is a violation of keeping principalities in order.
Next is Powers, the Greek word for Powers is Exousia which we also know as Authority. Wait, Jesus has a Name above all names, which means He has an Authority (Power) above all Powers, so do we fight the Authority of Jesus? No, what could all this mean? Keeping Authorities in their proper realms and order, we don’t use the Authority of the Law of Moses in the Kingdom, wrong authority. We don’t form a wind of doctrine on the pronunciation of the Name, such as making the name Jehovah greater than the name of Jesus. The Father gave Jesus a Name above all names, we are in the Body of Christ, we have the Authority of Jesus. We pray to the Father, but by the Authority Jesus gave us.
Next is the Rulers of the darkness of this present world, the phrase “rulers of the darkness” is one Greek word meaning A physical darkness, such as blindness. Paul prayed for us to be Enlightened, but he also said there are unfruitful works of darkness we stay away from, thus we fight in this area by remaining in the Light, as we put away those things of darkness. The word “world” is the same Greek word translated as “course” back in verse 2:2, thus it refers to the methods of darkness. We are to be no more children tossed about by every wind of doctrine, but we speak the Truth in Love, Truth is part of the Armor found in the New Man.
Lastly is the phrase Spiritual wickedness, the key to this battlefield is the word Wickedness, which is the Greek Poneria meaning Malicious, which refers to using corrupt communication, then calling it holy. This is a failure to be Spiritual, or better in context with this letter it’s a failure to speak the words of Grace, making it an iniquity. Iniquity is being unequal when we have the ability to be equal. Paul told us Jesus gave us what it takes to win, we are Born Again, we have the Spirit, the Blessing and Glory of God, to ignore God’s attributes for the things of darkness is Iniquity, thus it’s a failure to do what we are suppose to, the failure will lead us to do what we are not suppose to (Eph 5:3-6).
Paul now lists the Armor telling us to Stand, but it begins when we Stand in the Spirit relating to the things within our own selves, before we Stand for others in the Body. The days are evil, but here we find the phrase “the evil day”, thus this is speaking about a Season, which is The Day. Yes, there are the Wicked, those who lie in wait, those who toss darts, or stones of theological abuse all in “the name of God”, but we don’t need to be one of them. The “evil day” is only evil if we take our minds off the Precious.
After we have done all to stand, don’t assume the battle is won, stand with Christ for others, as we pray in a like manner as Paul, who gave us the example of his warfare. We counter evil, when we pray for God to fill us with Spirit, Wisdom, Knowledge and Clarity, for our eyes to be enlightened to know the Calling, to experience the working of God’s Mighty Power, which He wrought in Christ, as we remain above all principality, power, might, and dominion as we grow into the Head of the Body, knowing we were once children of disobedience, but by Grace we are saved through faith, we the workmanship of God, created in Christ Jesus unto Good works, remain in the Blood of Jesus, without the middle wall separating us, One Body who has access to the Father by the Spirit through the boldness of the Faith of Jesus, who loves us as we enter the Vocation of our Calling, working in the Measure of Grace given us, unto the Glory of God.
The Armor begins with Truth, then Righteousness, the Preparation of the Gospel of Peace, holding faith by the Faith of Him, then the helmet of salvation, with the Sword of the Spirit (not the dagger of the soul), all of which produce the Word (Rhema) of God. Man does not Live by Bread alone, but by every Word (Rhema) proceeding out of the mouth of God, we are told to speak words of Grace to the hearer, thus Grace is Rhema based. If we walk in the Spirit, we will speak the Rhema. Then Put on the New Man, He is the Armor, Another Comforter, the Armor Bearer (meaning of the word Comforter). Allow the New Man to Sanctify and Cleanse us with the Washing of the Water by the Word (Rhema – Eph 5:26). The wording “might sanctify” is the Greek word Hagiazo meaning the opposite of Defiled, thus the Process takes our souls from defiled into Justification by the holiness and righteousness found in the New Man. However, how can we speak the Rhema, if we refuse to be washed by it? We have the Logos in us, the Rhema is the sum, or subject matter of the Logos. If the Logos in us is Spirit, then the Rhema is Spiritual, thus Jesus as the Logos said the words (Rhema) He spoke were Life and Spirit (Jn 6:63).
These areas of the Armor are all Positive, they tell us to submit to the New Man, respect the Anointing of Christ in us, be obedient to the voice of the Lord, Love the people of God, Love the Lord as we do the will of the Lord. When we are surrounded by the New Man (Armor) we are Protected from the darts of the wicked. The phrase What man hates his own flesh? Doesn’t refer to the our physical flesh, it pertains to the Body of Christ, which Flesh we are. How can we say we love God, yet hate His children?
Paul began by telling us “in whom ye also trusted, after ye heard the Word of Truth, the Gospel of your salvation, in whom you also believed, ye were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise (v 1:13). In verse 1:13 we find six items, Trusted, Heard, Word of Truth, Gospel of salvation, Believed, and Sealed by the Spirit, thus the Word of God must relate to the Seal of the Spirit bringing us into the Promise. If we are Sealed by the Holy Spirit, we speak the Rhema of God, but if we speak corrupt communication, we grieve the Holy Spirit, it’s our choice.
If we Stand we Stand in peace, James said, “the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace, of them who make peace” (James 3:18). The Preparation goes back to remember why God forgave our sins. “Be you therefore followers of God as dear children, and walk in love, as Christ has also loved us, and has given Himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling savor” (Eph 5:1-2).
Prior Paul called it the Gospel of Salvation, here it’s the Gospel of Peace, does it mean Paul gave us another Gospel? No, it’s the same Gospel, if it’s not in Peace, then it can’t lead to Salvation. The Peace is of course Peace with God giving us confidence in our access to Him by the Faith of Jesus through the Spirit.
The wording fiery darts of the wicked means the darts come suddenly, out of nowhere, their intent is to cause us to react to the attack to feed the fire. Why wear the Armor if we are going to suffer from the attack? From what we found about the Wicked we can see they are within the Body, not without. These are the subtle beasts of the field, the ones who lie in wait. They circle us like birds of prey, they hate anyone who is Spiritual in nature, they attack anything through their envy. They send their darts to get us to react to the dart, to respond in some soulish or fleshly manner. Prior Paul called them thorns in the flesh, things said from a people you would not suspect. They say they are Christian, yet their Modus Operandi shows their source. Whether they know it or not, they could say they love God, even say they love God with all their heart, but the footprints of the source are seen in their words.
Since the Dart is something cast at us, how does it fit in this hand to hand combat? Our reaction to the dart is hand to hand, thus our reaction is important. The Armor absorbs the fire of the dart, allowing us to respond in Mercy and Grace. The dart was merely the tool, the battle is still hand to hand, thus our battle is not the flesh and blood who tossed the dart, but what we do with the dart. Do we react? Or respond by the Wisdom of God? Sounds so easy doesn’t it? If it was, we wouldn’t call it “warfare”.
The word Quench in verse 16 means to Extinguish, or make ineffective, yet we find we are not to Quench (grieve, or hinder) the Spirit, thus we Quench the fiery dart by not Quenching the Spirit. Does the “quench” cause the dart to go away? No, it takes the fire out of it, making it ineffective. From there we can learn and discern so we can help others.
The helmet of salvation is the Seal, meaning our minds are protected by the seal of the Holy Spirit. What does the helmet protect us from? “henceforth walk not as other Gentiles walk, in the vanity of their mind” (v. 4:17).
The Sword of the Spirit is the Rhema we speak, words of life and Grace to encourage life, we respond, we don’t react. We rebuke as the Spirit leads, not as our feelings lead. The Sword is not something in our hand, in the hand misses the point completely. The Sword becomes words, as the Rhema from the Logos comes forth as Living Water. We don’t want to confuse our warfare with exposure. If we were using a wile, and God exposed it, it’s different from a dart being tossed at us.
Paul ends the battle plan with, “and for me”, or as for me, then he gives his prayer request, thus this type of warfare is seen in the written example for us. Where? In this letter. We also find another example, when Peter and John were arrested the rest of the Christians went into warfare. Did they curse the darkness? No, did they bind the devil? No, they asked the Lord to “grant unto Your servants, with all boldness they may speak Your Word, by stretching forth Your hand to heal; and signs and wonders may be done by the Name of Your Holy Child Jesus” (Acts 4:29-31). They knew the attack called for a showing of the greatness of Jesus by being full of Mercy, coupled with Grace and Faith.
The first place of Standing is for us, let’s admit it, we can’t stand for others if our nose is buried in the sand. The next area of standing is for others, thus Paul says when you have done all to Stand (for yourself), then Stand (for others). If we are standing for our self, then standing again for our self, we missed the point of warfare. If we are Standing, then our feet are secure in the Gospel of Peace, not in the realm of darkness. We don’t fight to turn off the darkness, we turn on the Light.
Paul’s parting comments show Boldness must come from the Spirit to be effective, just as we saw in Acts. The Holy Ghost gave us the Spirit to bring all this together in the saving of our souls. The Hand of God is the Spirit of God, we need more Spiritual insight, not more yelling at the darkness. The premise of the flesh is to yell at the devil, but our battle is against using the wiles of the devil, the devil is ineffective.
Paul sent Tychicus to bring comfort, then he ends with “Peace” unto you, this Peace comes from the Gospel of Peace. Ephesians laid out the proper warfare, defined the Doctrine of Baptisms, then gave us a warfare prayer outline. Philippians is next, a small body of people who cared for Paul, not based on the return, but based on their love and respect for the man.
PHILIPPIANS WRITTEN 64AD
Historically Philippi was named after Philip of Macedon who seized the city in 358 BC from the Thracians. Philip was the father of Alexander the Great, but in 42 BC Mark Anthony with Octavius (Augustus Caesar) made Philippi a Roman colony. A Door was open to Paul to enter Macedonia (Acts 16:9-10), there he established the first Christian congregation on European soil, an event opening the Gospel to the European citizen, which has effected many since, including all the Western civilizations. It was the Philippians who supplied the need for Paul while he was in Corinth. In Acts 18:3 we find the only verse suggesting Paul was a tentmaker, but we also find some interesting facts. The word “tent” appears some 88 times in the Bible, all of those in the Old Testament. There is no mention of Paul staying in a tent, we do find many houses where the smaller gatherings took place. The word “tentmakers” only appears once in the entire Bible (Acts 18:3), the Greek word for “same craft” is Homologoumenos, the only place it appears is in Acts 18:3, it means in like manner. Whether Paul actually made tents, or “raised up tabernacles” is at question; however, if he did make tents, Corinth is the only place he did. He told the Corinthians he robbed other churches taking “wages” from them while he was teaching the Corinthians (II Cor 11:8). Clearly he received from other churches, the Philippians being one. It’s clearer in the context of this letter, we also know Paul told us to work so we may have to give (Eph 4:28), thus we find even if Paul did work one time as a tentmaker it was based on the carnal Corinthians who took from Paul, but refused to support him, thus Paul worked to supply his people, as others cared for him.
The Holy Ghost placed Philippians after Ephesians for good reason, it gives us the purpose and reason for warfare. Paul will tell us we may not appear Perfect, but we have perfection from God in us as the Spirit. Our warfare is to see the result of the Faith to bring about what is impossible for man, but possible through God. We tend to look at the flesh as our comparison to who we are in Christ, yet we forget we are Born Again, the work is interior to manifest on the exterior. Was there a problem with the Philippians? They were givers, but we also find two men by the names of Euodias and Syntyche were not of the “same mind” (Ph’l 4:2). Paul points to Jesus, the answer to differences.
Ph’l 1:1-6
Paul’s opening lays the ground work for us to know who we are in Christ, as well as maintaining the condition without allowing pride to enter in to hinder something God has purposed to finish. Paul doesn’t write this letter as the Apostle, rather he changes to the servant role writing to saints, bishops and deacons, telling us this is a letter in reference of helps, rather than governments.
Here we see the Gospel is of Peace; therefore, Peace and Salvation are joined, the question is; do we walk in Peace? Or are we always walking in anger? When Jesus appeared after the Resurrection He said, “Peace unto you”; therefore, it was Presented, but have we received it? Even in great warfare there should be Peace in our hearts; Philippians will tell us why we fight as we maintain our Peace in the battle.
Paul says he prayed for them with Joy, remembering them in the Gospel of Peace. Confident means a confidence or knowledge unable to be shaken, his confidence was “He which has begun a good work in you will perform it unto the day of Jesus Christ” (v 6). This above all shows a process, if we can keep this one verse in mind, we will do well. The phrase “unto the Day of Jesus” is a clue to the Rapture, the Day of the Lord begins the Night.
The work of God takes on many forms, exposure is one, when exposure comes we must remember it’s a Good work. We also see this is a work of God, not a work of the flesh. This is just another verse showing Process, if he would have said, “has performed” then one could say the Declaration and Witness are one in the same, but he doesn’t, the wording “will perform”, could also read “will finish”, showing a beginning, yet a process to reach the finish. The good work is not saving us from the world, rather this is the saving of our souls, the work of being justified by God.
Ph’l 1:7-14
At this point in time, Paul is in jail, there were many questions regarding what happened, the Corinthians felt Paul had fallen from Grace, the Philippians on the other hand knew God was doing a work. The Corinthians saw it as “Paul did a bad thing”, the Philippians saw it as “God is doing a good thing”. Paul’s love for the Philippians wasn’t just as members of the Body, but it went further to being partakers of Grace, a deepness only found in those who truly Love the Lord. Paul wanted their love to abound yet more in knowledge with all judgments, thus they were judging the event from God’s perspective, rather than judging Paul. Some people see what appears to be a conflict in verses, their mind sees “error”, others see “opportunity to know a mystery” (v. 9).
The word Sincere in verse 10 means The splendor of the Sun, associating this to Jesus on the Mount of Transfiguration, as His face did Shine as the Sun, and His clothing was Bright as the reflection of the Sun, thus being Sincere means we have the position of Light to be Justified, without offense. The Greek word for Offense means Not stumbling, but we know Jesus offended many, but His purpose and intent was not to offend. Rather it’s the person who rejects what they hear, offending themselves. What was delivered as a means of escape, was taken as an offense, but it doesn’t mean the intent was to offend.
The wording Fruits (plural) of Righteousness means the evidence was clear, the New Man was doing a good work. This letter came as a result of the Philippians applying a principle of giving, thus they sought out the man of God, then gave to show their love; whereas, the Corinthians were being tested to determine if they had any love (v. 11).
Paul now talks about his arrest and imprisonment, regardless of how he got there, the purpose is still for the furtherance of the Gospel. The wording “have fallen out” means to make public, thus some equated it to evil, but Paul sees it as furtherance of the Gospel. How? No matter who we are, we are prone to mistakes, but mistakes lead to restoration. We learn, so we can discern, keeping things in their proper order makes us wiser. Paul saw opportunity, not defeat, he kept preaching no matter where he was.
Ph’l 1:15-30
This connects back to verses 12-14, a few used the bonds of Paul against Paul, others used the bonds of Paul as means to preach the more, giving us two intents regarding preaching, yet both preach. Here it’s not the preaching, but to whom it’s preached, this doesn’t mean preaching from envy and strife is a Godly method, it means if someone is hearing and seeking God, God will find them, even though the one speaking is doing it by envy and strife. Some preach out of envy and strife using the bonds of Paul to exalt their own supposed holiness; others preach from Love knowing Paul is set to defend the Gospel, not abuse it. Preaching against anyone is preaching out of envy and strife, coming against flesh and blood is still carnal; a watchdog is still a dog.
Since envy and strife are signs of a carnal mind, we find the Office will work within the confines of the Office, regardless of the person. The perfect example is here, Paul divided preaching into two grouping, those who preach from love, and those who preach from envy and strife, yet both groups Preach. James will speak about the one who preaches by envy and strife, but here Paul wants us to know, as long as we’re seeking Jesus, the Holy Ghost will take the words spoken to reach us, even if the person preaching to us is filled with envy. Faith comes by hearing, regardless of the person speaking (v. 17-18).
Although some used Paul’s imprisonment as a means to preach against him, he rejoiced, not for himself, but in the preaching. Even if they had to speak against Paul, they still had to mention Jesus in one way or another. When people write their nasty books out of envy and strife against the brethren, Rejoice for Christ is still being preached, yet those with the Sincere love of God will discern the intent. The carnal praise themselves, the Spiritual seek God.
Whether Paul lives or dies, it makes no difference, Christ will be magnified. Even if Paul made a mistake, he learned as Jesus forgave him, he is restored, being used, his love and faith became stronger, thus the event was an event, what Paul did based on the event tells the tale (v. 20). Paul was now in a place where the love and faith of others could be tested, would they reject Paul? Or would they still love and respect the man of God? When a brother or sister are going through it, do we joy in their trouble? Or do we hurt as they hurt?
It would appear Paul was coming to them, yet he just said his bonds were his ministry. This holds two thoughts, one is he felt he would be released, the other pertains to his many prayers and letters, though being absent in the flesh, he was with them in the Spirit, both have a basis. However, we also see he was ready to die, to leave the Body in order to be with the Lord was far better, but if there was yet some undone business the Lord had for him, then to stay is more needful for the saints (v. 23-24).
We hold to the Conversation (confession, or profession) of Christ, here we find Paul did anticipate being released, but he also didn’t claim it as a point of reasoning, but as a point of hope, thus he didn’t hear from the Lord whether he would or would not be released, yet his faith in Jesus said it didn’t make any difference. There are events calling for faith in the realm of “If so, If not”, yet we still believe in Jesus regardless. Not only did Paul see his bonds as a test for others, but as a test of his faith as well, he was prepared to meet both tests with Joy (v. 27).
The Philippians had adversaries, yet Paul’s advice was don’t react to the attack, it only feeds the fire of perdition, consider the attack a means to apply Mercy. If we believe in Christ, we shall suffer for Him, persecution will come, but how we handle it when it comes determines if Joy remains, or self-pity gains. There must be some attitude in the midst of battle to bring us Joy, after all we know in the heat of battle it’s often hard to find Joy (vs. 28-30). Flesh and blood usually perceive the attack as personal in nature, thus they have a tendency to attack on a personal basis; it’s difficult to remain in Mercy when the attack is personal, but Paul found Grace is always sufficient. Before we respond we obtain Mercy, in order to find Grace, far better than taking it personally; therein we can pray for those who persecute you, as we bless and curse not.
Ph’l 2:1-11These Scriptures tell us the attitude Jesus held when He faced the Cross, and why we are told “let this mind be in you”. Therefore, we are being taught how a son of God would react under adverse circumstances while holding a manner of humbleness. These Scriptures also contain our Hope in maintaining a Comfort by Love, Fellowship with the Spirit, Bowels of Mercies and Joy in the heat of battle. This points to the good work being done in us regardless of the event, as the New Man finishes the Justification work.
Being of One Accord, One Mind, and One Love means we must be in Accord with the Spirit, as we hold the Mind of Christ to Maintain the Love of God. Simply, we must hold tight to the New Man, as we open our ears to Jesus. The word Nothing in the phrase “let nothing be done through strife or vainglory” means Nothing, Not One Thing, it’s the strife or vainglory which causes the vessel to be formed into one of dishonor. If it didn’t make a difference for one to preach out of strife, why tell these people let Nothing be done through strife? The word Vainglory is the Greek Kenodoxia, the last part of this word (Doxia) is used to describe the Glory of God, thus vainglory is self-glory, referring to the person taking the glory (credit). It’s when a person used the event to exalt their self, rather than God. Going about saying “I’m a child of God” from a position of pride is hardly the Mind of Christ, it’s vainglory. Saying “I’m a King’s kid” in order to puff out the chest is still vainglory, in either case when we display our pride, we are void of the mind of Christ.
The word Lowliness in the phrase Lowliness of mind shows how we can refrain from vainglory, strife, or envy. The word Lowliness is the Greek Tapeinophrosune meaning Humble, meaning we esteem ourselves small, knowing the Greatness is not of us, but in us. The greatness is not something we deserve, but something God gave us based on His Love, and good pleasure. If we keep our souls in line, the Spirit will complete the work unto the saving of our souls. There are many times where it may not appear so, but it’s still the flesh judging the event. Paul said God will complete the good work, here it appears to those who won’t let God,. By Paul’s arrest a line was draw in the sand, there were those who loved Paul, who were encouraged to preach the more, others used the bonds of Paul as a means to exalt themselves, yet the differences were obvious, at lest to the Spiritually minded.
Does this mean if we slip, we’re not a child of God? Hardly, Paul’s experience proves just the opposite, another point made. Some would point to Paul showing the power of repentance and restoration, others would say Paul was being punished. The latter is out of envy and strife, the former out of love. Some of us tend to exalt Paul above measure, the arrest proved any of us can make a mistake, but we must know it doesn’t mean it’s over, it’s just another step of faith to reach the goal. We learn, to discern, so we won’t burn.
We know the Philippians sent Paul gifts, not only here, but many times prior, he tells them they are on the right path, they have the right mind based on the right purpose. We begin by Looking not on our things, but the things of others, this doesn’t mean to look at them in envy, rather this defines Agape, a love based on bettering another, regardless of any benefit for us. Paul made a like statement to the Corinthians by saying, “Let no man seek his own, but every man another’s wealth” (I Cor 10:24), but to the Corinthians it was a matter of correcting them to do something, in reference to the Philippians it was telling them they did well. We must let the same Mind be in us which was in Jesus, the word “let” means this is permissive, thus we must submit, allowing the mind to be in us by the Spirit.
These next verses tell us who we are by Christ, yet they also show why the soul must submit to the Spirit by refraining from entering pride in the process. There are several Greek words used to describe how Jesus being in the Bosom of the Father came to us in the Flesh when God empted His Love as His Word into the flesh of a woman, then took on flesh to be like us, to die for us, so the Word could raise us from our flesh bondage to a position no man could ever obtain, regardless of the amount of natural faith they held. In this letter, like the one to the Colossians Paul explains Jesus is not created, but came from the Bosom of the Father, like the Father He always was, without beginning or end, thus John by the Holy Ghost was fully aware of this and said, “in the beginning was the Word” (Jn 1:1).
The word Form is the Greek Morphe meaning essence, what one really is, not what one appears to be, this word is different from the Greek Schema meaning Shape or a form of a shape, which is translated as Fashion in verse 8. The Greek Homoioma translated as likeness means the appearance of, thus we have three different aspects of Jesus, all give us God incarnate to represent His creations and bring back lawfully what was taken unlawfully. The Logos (Word) was God, there is no other way to look at it, the Logos is Life, Truth, Light, Grace and Love, but we need the Rhema to project those elements from the Logos. The Old Testament spoke of the Life of God, but it couldn’t project it, nor does reading the Bible alone give us Life. The error of the Pharisees was assuming since they had knowledge regarding Life, they had Life, but Jesus said Life could only be obtained through Him (Jn 5:39). We can have knowledge of a airplane, but it doesn’t make us one, just as we can have knowledge of Grace, but it doesn’t mean we have it.
This Mind Paul speaks of is something we obtain by the New Birth, rather than holding the old mind of the old man (v 5). The word Mind means the manner of thinking, it doesn’t mean our memory is gone, it means the way we think is much different. This goes back to, “For who has known the Mind of the Lord, that he may instruct Him? But we have the Mind of Christ” (I Cor 2:16); referring to how we view things, do we see opportunity? Or failure?
The context of, “made Himself of no reputation” is denying the self, the word Reputation means Emptied of Himself, it comes from the Greek word Kenoo meaning to make empty, or to void oneself of something; here it refers to Jesus emptying Himself of deity at the time of His incarnation. The incarnation gave Him the position of the Son of man, the declaration of the Spirit of Holiness by the Resurrection proved Him to be the Son of God, the Sacrifice in heaven established Him as God the Son. This explains the phrase “having a reputation” doesn’t mean having all our bills paid, or the credit company thinking we’re something special, it means we have emptied ourselves of worldly things. Jesus emptied Himself, to be among the brethren, we empty ourselves of the old man to be joined to the New Man.
The usage in verse 7 shows Jesus took the form (Morphen) of a servant, (Doulou) having become in likeness (Homoiomati) of men (Anthropon), thus Jesus had to be equal to the Father as God in order to be “equal”, but He emptied Himself to take on the form of a servant in order save the servants. Jesus didn’t come as the high priest, rather He came as you and I. We may be insignificant, but God uses the insignificant. We see these “great people of God” doing many things, but who were they prior to Jesus using them? Were they great people? No, the mighty moves of God are always started by insignificant people. God takes them, brakes them, then forms them into vessels of honor.
Who needed Salvation? God didn’t fall or fail, thus God as God couldn’t save man, but God as a man, who emptied Himself of the Godhead could. We were born of the flesh not by our will, rather it was a process from the will of our parents, here Jesus as God in the Bosom of God made Himself of no reputation, taking upon Himself the form and likeness of man. The Cross is a place of death, Jesus gave Himself there. The Word being God, but not all God is shows how Jesus talked of the Father, if Jesus is the Word of the Father, yet He also did the Doctrine of the Father, then if we have seen Jesus, we have seen (perceived) the Father.
The two wonderful weapons of Obedience and Humbleness are displayed here in the mind of Jesus. Both James and Peter tell us to be humble under the hand of God in order to defeat the devil. Some of us think to be bold in the face of the devil is a weapon, but we find Humbleness in the sight of God will defeat pride. Obedience and humbleness connected to submission in order for Jesus to complete the Father’s will as the Son of man, also means the Cross has two sides. Jesus took the Cup in the Garden, but He handed us His Cup, thus at the Name of Jesus every knee Should bow, and every tongue Should confess Jesus Christ is Lord, yet we can’t confess Jesus as Lord but by the Holy Ghost. On the last day every knee Shall bow, and every tongue Shall confess, but here in Philippians, we’re not talking about the last Day, we’re talking about today, thus we Should submit and be humble.
God brings the least amount of pain for the greatest gain. It’s our concept of what God should do bringing confusion in our minds. We want God to complete the work, but we want to master the method. God will put us into situations, or bring people into our life to hone, or disciple us. We may not like them, but if our attitude is Christ centered, we will gain so we can benefit others.
Ph’l 2:12-14
There are two concepts of Belief, one is intellectual, trusting in reasoning, which comes from the natural mind, but it’s not firm in the heart. Our old heart was incapable of believing in God, it was disobedient, meaning is sought ways to enter unbelief. When our heart is circumcised we gain a New Heart, then we have the capability to believe. Clues to the heart are found in the mind, is it belief centered, looking for opportunity to believe more in Jesus? Or does it seek error, in order to excuse it’s unbelief?
Jesus said from the abundance of the heart, not the soul, the mouth will speak, but He also said there is no good thing coming from the heart of man; the prophet said, the heart of man is evil above all things, who can know it. Wow, a no win situation, until we are Born Again as God circumcises our heart, wherein we gain a New Heart (Spirit). Paul said we must believe in our heart, which is the foundation, or the place determining which spirit we follow. Paul’s statement doesn’t mean the heart of man, but the New Born Again Heart, thus God sent His Spirit as our New heart crying “ABBA Father” (Gal 4:6). There is no way any of us can say, “ABBA Father” without the Spirit (Rom 8:15).
The Philippians “have always obeyed”, have always? Does it mean they obeyed God before they knew God? Not hardly, it shows they didn’t simply obey with eye service when Paul was around, it was their nature, thus they obeyed even when the Apostle wasn’t around. Some appear Christian while other Christians are watching, yet they become worldly when the world is watching, thus their Christian attitude is merely a facade, or a mask to impress people. Part of our warfare is to recognize the facade in ourselves, so we can put it off, in order to be renewed by the New Man.
Paul isn’t telling us to stop working with others in their salvation, after all it’s the purpose of his letter, rather it’s the method of both working out our own salvation, which of course points to Process. Clearly if we have Salvation in hand, there is no need to work it out. We have faith and confidence in the Faith of Jesus, we know Greater is He in us, than he in the world, so why Fear and Trembling? The Greek word for Fear is Phobos which has several meanings depending on the context. We don’t fear God in some paranoid fear of Him always punishing us, our Fear of God is based in our knowledge of God’s integrity. Our fear of God knows if we hold to the old man, or continually use unbelief, we will end among the unbelievers. Phobos can mean terror, or reverence; total fear, or respect and honor. The Fear of God is much different from the fear of evil; our fear knows God is doing a work based on our attitude, thus we respect Him. When we hear “I simply don’t want to miss God in this”, it’s a sign of fear and trembling; therefore, fear and trembling is a good sign, it shows we are concerned.
The Greek word for Trembling is Tromos meaning something akin to a Tremor. When coupled with Phobos it means expressing great timidity or profound reverence. If any human understood this concept it was Paul, he knew he was weak, yet in Christ rested power and strength. As long as we have the flesh, we’re in a state of warfare, yet the flesh is weak, the Spirit is willing. Since the flesh is weak, we find the second we mind the flesh, we are joined to it. The flesh cannot stand in the face of the enemy; however, the Spirit not only stands, but knows the Cross defeated him who had the power of death, that is the devil (Heb 2:14).
The Greek word for Murmuring is Goggusmos meaning to Grumble, Mutter or Murmur from discontentment. It caused the destruction of the children in the wilderness as they failed to see God working for their benefit, rather they claimed God brought them into the wilderness to kill them. They viewed the events one way, the wrong way. It’s what Paul is talking about, some saw his event as God punishing him, others as opportunity (v. 14).
Belief is voiced, just as unbelief is. One doesn’t have to be a mind reader to discern words, they are the product of the tree. This also adds to the word Sword, in the Greek we find two words used for Sword. First is Rhomphaia which means a sword of Judgment, or as it’s used in Luke 2:35, anguish of the soul, which describes judgment, but there is the Greek Machaira which is used in reference to the Sword of the Spirit, this word means one has power over death and life, yet the power over death and life is in the tongue; speak words of corruption (death) join to darkness, speak the Rhema (life and Grace) walk in the Light.
The Greek word for Disputing is Dialogismos, which is a compound word showing Division (Dia) and Thoughts with evil intents (Logismos), thus disputing is a means of division coming from a prideful intent. Disputing makes us unjust, yet the just live by faith. “Now wait, Paul disputed with the Jews”. True, but he was Persuading, not Debating, when one Disputes with the intent of debate, they really don’t care if the other person benefits or not, they simply want to conquer a thought process by their thought process. If one is Persuading they are pulling the person to Jesus, rather than attempting to prove their own intellect is superior. A debate is the use of natural reasoning to overpower, or belittle another, to persuade is to convince one of the hope Jesus granted them.
Ph’l 2:15-20
Paul will now divide those who seek the Good from those who seek the Evil, as well as those who preach out of envy and strife, from those who preach out of Love, yet both preach Christ. Preaching from envy and strife still talks about Jesus, but it also adds bondage to others. In Paul’s case they were preaching about Paul’s mistake, as they used it against Paul, but instead of Paul talking evil about them, he simply said, “at least Christ is preached”. Is it a battle? Yes, the first time someone who is full of envy and strife begins to see God move in you, they will attack, the battle is on. Do we use the same methods they do? Or do we use the Mind of Christ?
The purpose of the battle is to bring us closer to the Perfect Man, deeper into The Faith, keeping us blameless and harmless (sincere), to become the true sons of God, without Rebuke. The work in us is not based on our goodness, but on God’s Will and good pleasure (v. 2:13). The day we forget it, is the day we will begin to think we’re so special God had to call us, which is vainglory.
The Nation and the world are different, the word Nation is the Greek Genea meaning a Generation of contemporaries, thus the Nation reflects on the Generation. The word Perverse could also read “having been perverted”, or having reentered perversion, it comes from the Greek Diastrepho meaning to cause a separation, thus the perversion brings envy and strife, which causes ungodly division as a gate of hell (v. 15).
This is much different from one who is teaching along the same lines, but using different words. Two people can teach the same concept, but use different words, it’s not the same as envy and strife, envy is based on wanting what the other person has, but not willing to pay the price to get it. Strife is based in jealousy, it usually brings disruption.
The word Crooked is the Greek Skolios meaning to be bent, or wrapped in dryness, thus it’s caused by a rejection of Mercy. The Word of Life, is the Word of Faith, for Life comes from the Faith of Jesus, as our faith comes from Hearing. Paul wanted all who heard to receive, but he knew some received, some didn’t, thus we can’t work out someone else’s salvation, neither can we make them believe. If they reject the plain evidence, they have set their minds not to accept the Truth. A frustrated Pastor is one who thinks he or she can work out the salvation of others, or make people believe. We deliver, they receive, we can’t receive, believe or hope for another.
Verse 17 is interesting since Paul is saying his offering is connected to their faith, but we also see their faith included their respect for Paul, becoming the context. They made an effort to deliver to him, like the four men who helped their friend, even to the point of ripping the roof off the house. They sacrificed, held to the service of faith, from their concern Paul felt joy. We all do, when someone hears, obeys and grows. Since Paul felt Joy, he also prayed for them from the Joy, enabling them to rejoice together (vs. 17-18).
Paul isn’t personally going to send Timothy, he learned his lesson from the Corinthian experience, this time it’s the Lord who will send Timothy. This also shows Paul was not able to come, although he desired to. Verse 20 isn’t saying Timothy is the only one with Paul, it says Timothy is the only one who holds the Philippians as dear as Paul does. Does it mean all the others hated the Philippians? So much for love. No, it means Timothy and Paul held them a deeper love and respect than the others. In order for the representative to present the same feelings, the representative had to have like feelings. Paul could send anyone, but Timothy loved the Philippians, meaning the visit was a blessing for both Timothy and the Philippians.
Ph’l 2:21-30Paul now talks about those who are not of a like mind, as the seeds of self came to the surface. A test is never for one person, God will use the same test for many people, for many purposes, yet one Goal. Instead of “Look every man not on his own things, but on the things of others”, there were some who were seeking their own, not the things of Jesus. Paul uses the word “All” but it’s restricted to the group being spoken of.
Now Paul says he hopes to send Timothy presently, which would almost appear as if he changed positions, but it’s not the case, as he adds, “but I trust in the Lord, I also myself shall come shortly” (v 24). Paul desired to be free, as any of us would, but he was willing to do as the Lord commanded, stay in bonds, or go, it didn’t matter, what did matter was doing what the Lord desired. The experience is designed to bring us Hope, Paul learned his lessons well, as we must.
Epaphroditus was a fellowsoldier, the word Messenger is the same Greek word translated as Apostle. It was Epaphroditus who ministered or delivered the “wants” to Paul, thus God will deliver us Wants as well as Needs, if our Wants line up with the Mind of Christ. Epaphroditus became sick, if we left it there, we would have a good excuse to remain sick, but God had Mercy (not Grace) on him by healing the man. From the wording it also appears there was some problem in the life of Epaphroditus, since Paul tells them to receive him with gladness, and hold him in reputation (honor).
It’s also clear Epaphroditus worked so hard for Christ he refused to care for himself, rather he was going to get the supply to Paul, thus God gave Mercy to him who gave Mercy, he was healed.
Ph’l 3:1-17
Paul is not afraid to be open before the Philippians, but he was cautious to be open before the carnal minded Corinthians. Paul being open before the Philippians was Safe for him, since they had grown from the Root to the Blade, they had the ability to discern, thus the Jacob – Israel dilemma didn’t exist with the Philippians, but it did with the Corinthians. This is not Paul putting his trust in the Philippians, but a matter or his awareness to their Spiritual position, knowing they would understand, but the carnal minded would use the same words, twist them, then send them back at Paul as darts.
Paul uses the word “circumcision” in verse 2, it would almost seem as if he was holding some unforgiveness, but it’s not the case. This is a warning, the Jewish leaders were motivated by the event, presuming something happened when it did not. They used it to their advantage, thus history shows the Jews killed as many Christians as the Romans. Simply beware of those who are carnal, or natural in thinking, to them Spiritual matters are foolishness. Evan an experience with the Holy Ghost can be twisted by the carnal mind, therefore, we must be cautious with whom we share.
Verse 3 makes the separation, for We are the circumcision of heart, who are able to worship God, since the true worshipers worship in Spirit and Truth, by the Spirit of Truth (I Jn 4:1-4 & Jn 4:23-24). The term “no confidence in the flesh” is exactly what the Jews did have confidence in. They presumed by putting Paul in jail it would bring division to the Gentiles, thus dividing them, causing the Gentiles to turn their backs on Christ. To some it did, but they never felt the letters of Paul would become Scripture, or used to lead millions to the Lord, or secure many more in the Faith.
Verses 4 through 7 is a separation, Paul had liberty, he could have confidence in the flesh, but for what end? Paul had the background, circumcised of the flesh on the eight day, from the Tribe of Benjamin, a Hebrew of the Hebrews, as concerning the Law, a Pharisee, he persecuted the church more than other Jews, which to them was a sign of honor, his self-righteousness according to the Law was blameless, but what things were gain for his fleshly life, he counted loss for Christ.
The word confidence in verse 3 is the Greek Peitho meaning to believe or be confident in. The word confidence in verse 4 is the Greek Pepoithesis meaning something one can base a reliance on. The difference between the two shows the Jews trusted in the deeds of the flesh, Paul shows his background allowed him to do the same, but Paul found someone greater, Christ in whom he could trust in.
This is confirmed in verse 8, the Excellency of the Knowledge of Christ, was far better than the best education the natural thinkers could offer. There is a vast difference between knowing about God, and knowing God. Intellect is fine when it’s Spiritual in nature, a hindrance when it’s earthly. The word Dung means what comes out of the other end of a dog, not vomit, thus Paul shows the performance of the Law, the genealogy, the education, as well as the other natural things would be akin to presenting dog waste to God as an offering; whereas the Righteousness and knowledge of Jesus is presenting to the Father what the Son obtained, much different to say the least.
Which is better? To be found in the Law? Or in Jesus? To be found in Jesus, but in order to be In Jesus one must have the Seed of God in them, thus we are filled as well as covered. The phrase “faith of Christ” in verse 9 reads in the Greek “Faith of Christ” without exception, Paul told us in Galatians he obtained Life by the Faith of Jesus, we have boldness and access by the Faith of Jesus, now we find the Righteousness of God can only be obtained by the Faith of Christ. Our faith is important, but it’s not enough to gain the Promise, it is enough to follow the New Man on the path of Righteousness which the Faith of Jesus left for us. The New Man has two pillars, the Holiness and Righteousness of God, two things no human can have without being Born Again. The Holiness of God is Mercy based, the Righteousness is Grace based. We can have Authority without being Born Again, but we need the Power from on High to operate lawfully in the Authority of the New Covenant.
This Righteousness is far different from what is spoken of in verse 6, the Law was not of faith, but the Righteousness of God is (v. 9). Being Born Again grants us access to have the Knowledge and Wisdom of God, to know and understand the Resurrection of Christ by the Spirit, thus giving us fellowship with His sufferings, making us conformable to His Death, all efforts by Jesus, for us, thus the Faith of Jesus produced the effort, we use our faith to enter in.
Verses 10 and 11 are vital to understanding the First Resurrection, as well as the Last Resurrection. The First Resurrection is of course the Resurrection of Jesus, we are to believe in our hearts Jesus is raised from the dead by the Spirit in order to be a partaker. The Rapture, or Catching Away is not another Resurrection, it’s when the First is completed. The Resurrection on the last day is divided into two parts, both are eternal, one is unto Life, the other unto damnation. This is made clearer when we find there are two different Greek words used for Resurrection in verses 10 and 11, each denotes Paul’s confidence. Jesus talked about the resurrection unto life and unto damnation, but here in reference to Jesus we find another word expanding the concept to Two Resurrections, with the second having two parts for two groups, the First with three parts. In the first we find those who make the Rapture, those who Sleep in Jesus until the last resurrection, then the Wicked who go into the Night, emerging as the Beast of the Earth. The Resurrection of the Just is the First, we are the Just who live by Faith, thus we have Life before the fact, much different from “unto Life”.
The first Greek word used in reference to the Resurrection of Jesus is Anastasis, which is used to describe the First Resurrection (Rev 20:5), which is the Resurrection of Jesus (Matt 22:30), which is different from the resurrection of the dead (Matt 22:31). The next word used for resurrection is Exanastasis, which is compound using Ex or Ek (without or something outside), thus Anastasis means the First Resurrection is caused by a Power within, not without, whereas the last resurrection is a standing up caused by something not in the person, but outside of them. The First is by life, the second is Unto Life, or Unto damnation. The Partaker of the First Resurrection must have the same Righteousness, Life and Spirit in them who raised Jesus from the dead. The Cross is the beginning place, no one gets to the Resurrection without a death, even the last resurrection is predicated on “it’s appointed onto all men once to die, then comes the judgment” (Heb 9:27). The Cross is the place where we imputed death, then the grave to assure it, then the Spirit to gain the power of the Resurrection. Blessed and Holy are those who are partakers of the First Resurrection, since they have the Righteousness of Christ in them by the Spirit.
Paul shows his goal is to be partaker of the First Resurrection, but in any case he knows he has the resurrection unto life in hand. He knew he made a mistake, “even if” the doubters and pouters were right, he also knew by the Righteousness of Christ in him, he would make the Resurrection unto Life. In either case, he was convinced his position with Christ was secure. Let them preach Christ out of strife, he was assured in his heart he would make it, either before the 1,000 years, or wake after as one who sleeps in Jesus.
How could he have such a confidence? Understanding who is Perfect, coupled with one sure principle, Everything produces after its own kind. Perfection is not found in our flesh, or our soul, it’s in the New Man, thus the “two shall be one” holds many promises. We have perfection by association, just as we have Righteousness, Holiness, Glory and Justification by association with the New Man. We know in marriage neither the wife of husband change into one another, rather the goal is for the two to be one. The same is true with the Spirit and soul, the goal is to have the soul saved, purified by the Perfection of the New Man, making the soul Spiritual. Paul is not excusing his behavior or anyone else’s, rather he is giving us hope. If we assume we have not made mistakes, or presume we won’t, we are so religiously conceited and self-deceived we need a Wilderness to break us. On the other hand if we know this is a Process, or by our mistakes we learn to gain in Christ, we are on the right path. Each mistake is an assurance of God’s delivering power, each lesson proclaims the flesh dead, yet we live in Christ.
Perfection doesn’t give us a right to assume once we are saved from the world, we have a free ticket in the First Resurrection, but we know we must cease from our works of self-righteousness by entering the Righteousness of God by the Spirit. The Book of Hebrews tells us there is a promise, a covenant, a resurrection, but there is also a Better Testament, a Better Covenant, a Better Country, A Better Hope, a Better Promise, a Better Resurrection with a Better Life for those who seek Life More Abundantly in Christ (Heb 7:19, 7:22, 8:6, 11:16, 11:35 & 11:40). The word Better is the Greek Kreisson or Kreitton meaning More Benevolent, More Profitable, More Useful, Better in Value, Nobler, More Excellent, or Good, it’s what Paul is saying here. The Law of Moses has benefits, but it could never make one righteous before God, it could never justify us before God, since it was not designed to. Get in a car, start it, then drive to the moon. Can’t? Oh it was not designed to, but drive it to the store, something it was designed to do. The Law of Moses could get no one off the earth, or into heaven. It’s evident in the Judgment, the Jew has to pass the Books (Law), but it’s not enough to get them into heaven, they have to find their names in the Book of Life (Rev 20:11-15).
Simply? The Perfection of Jesus is in the New Man, we are being formed into Perfection. The Perfection is there, we have it, yet if we attempt to look at the flesh as some sign of perfection, we are still flesh minded. We mind the Spirit, knowing we are being Formed into the same Perfection which obtained us. “Well, these dumb Christians always think they are so perfect”. Wrong, these smart Christians know Jesus is perfect, they are not, yet they are being formed into the perfection of Jesus by the New Man.
Paul isn’t fooling himself, he knows he isn’t Resurrected yet, neither is he perfect, but he follows After what is Perfect to Apprehend, since he is already Apprehended by the Perfection in Christ. He understands the work of Christ by the Spirit, accounting all things ordained. There are different Greek words used in these verses, Paul hasn’t “received” the entire result of the Promise, but he knows Jesus has Laid Hold of him, the Process has begun. The first usage of Apprehend is the Greek Lambano, which we saw in Romans, it means To Take Hold Of By A Godly Manner, To Be Accepted, or to simply Actively Take Hold Of, in the context it doesn’t mean Paul is apprehending, rather he knows he has been apprehended. He then uses the same premise in his effort to Apprehend Him who Apprehended him. This shows us why we have the Measure of faith, the Faith of Jesus has obtained, our faith is projected to the result of the process.
Jesus obtained us by the New Birth, giving us Another Comforter, but our position in this is to Apprehend Him Who has Apprehended us. Jesus has us, nothing can remove us from His hand, yet we have the Power, as did Adam to remove ourselves. This is made clearer by the use of the Greek explaining how Paul was Apprehended. This Greek word is Katalambano, which is a compound word with Kata meaning a motion from a higher place to a lower place, and Lambano, thus Paul was apprehended from On High (Report, or Declaration), he is allowing the Witness from his lower position to take him to the Higher. The Spirit is working from SunAntiLambanomai, Jesus from KataLambano, we from Lambano, all in the same manner and method, seeking the same goal, by using the same means. This is the Lawful manner, it’s much different than slandering the people of God, or using deeds of the Law, or standing with wanton theology. Paul was focused on the Lord, yes he knew the enemy was present, yes he knew there were messengers of Satan, yes he knew there were perils, but his focus was on Jesus, the Great Shepherd and Bishop of our souls.
Paul is forgetting the things behind, what things? Circumcised on the eighth day, of the stock of Israel, of the tribe of Benjamin, being a Hebrew among the Hebrews, touching the Law, a Pharisee of Pharisees, zeal, persecuting the Church, self-righteousness which could only come from the Law, these things are the things he tossed away as he reached for those things which are ahead, the Righteousness of Jesus through the Faith of Christ, the Power of His Resurrection, the Fellowship of the Sufferings (to know why Jesus suffered), being conformed unto His Death to obtain Life, thus he is seeking by Lambano, not self-righteousness.
The word Conformable or Conformed is the Greek Sunmorphoo meaning Together With, it points to the Metamorphosis used by the Spirit to bring us to Transfiguration; we are Transformed by the Mercy of God into the kingdom of heaven, to enter the process of Transfiguration unto Perfection, by who is all ready Perfect (Holy Spirit).
The Holiness of God is Mercy, the Righteousness of Jesus is the Scepter to the Kingdom, couple them in the New Man and we have Living Water flowing from within. Knowledge gives us confidence to follow what is Perfect, like Paul’s confidence we know as long as our focus is on Jesus we will make it, if not a Partaker of the First Resurrection, we will be in the resurrection unto life. We also know there is a resurrection of the damned, but like Paul we also know by Lambano Jesus will accept us as a friend, but if we hold to the things of the past, the self-righteousness producing dead works, or any act of self-righteousness we will be judged with the world.
If Paul is Pressing toward the Mark (Goal) by using the same method used by Jesus to Apprehend him, then it’s a Process. Here we find we are perfect in the Spirit, yet it’s by faith we Lambano. If some have already attained, or achieved, they are not to stop or they will lose what they think they have, rather we must walk by the same Rule, by being in Lambano hand in hand with the Spirit who is SunAntiLambanomai to reach Jesus who is KataLambano.
The process of SunAntiLambanomai is the Spirit resisting anything hindering the process of KataLambano, we join with the Spirit by being Lambano. The Goal is the Metamorphosis or Summorphoo, thus Perfection is not something we can see, yet our Faith is a confidence of Lambano in the SunAntiLambanomai reaching to the Hope of perfection laying ahead. If it’s by faith, then the Now has to be “God Is”, yet since it is faith it must reach to a hope not seen, wherein we know God is a Rewarder, making our true Hope based in being a partaker of the First Resurrection. The Witness is working inside by a incorruptible (completely absent of death, guilt, or accusation) Seed given to us by the Holy Ghost, which Seed is based in Love, Holiness, Righteousness, Mercy, Faith and Grace. Did we obtain by our hours of study? No, did we obtain by our discipling? No, did we obtain by our intellect? No, we obtained because God gave us a reason to believe, then by the God granted gift of the measure of faith we reached while at the same time we believed we have received. Our faith was in the asking, then we believed we have received, two elements vital to our stand.
The word Followers in verse 17 is the Greek Summimetes meaning Together as a Joint Follower or one who follows in Like Manner. The word Perfect is the Greek Tekton, it doesn’t mean we are perfect in completeness, rather it lays out the goal of perfectness, as it means The Finished Goal, or has reached its intended end, limit or purpose. It’s also used to describe Full Grown, thus it’s not a partial experience (Ek Merous), but gaining the understanding by experience with Him who had the experience. This is the importance of knowing the Faith of Jesus has obtained, the experience is based in Him who has had the experience of being Resurrected.
The Greek Sum demands cooperation, thus this process is in full cooperation with the Spirit, as we use the same means Jesus used to accomplish the task, which means was based in Faith. What will our faith focus on, if we have no knowledge, or belief? Air? In order to reach the Goal this corruption must put on incorruption, this mortal must have immortally, but the incorruption and immortally are in the Seed of God, as Peter said, “Being Born Again, not of corruptible Seed, but of incorruptible (Immortal), by the Word of God (Jesus), which lives and abides forever” (I Pet 1:23). Did the Bible bring the New Birth? No, thus when we see “Word”, we know it’s talking about Jesus in us, thus we preach the Word. After all, we can preach the Bible, and never mention Jesus.
Then we see the example, thus we are not to make Paul, Peter or any human a standard between us and God, but we do use them as examples (v. 17).
Ph’l 3:18-21
If we walk by Faith it must be by our faith through the New Man to find the Faith of Jesus, there are others who either walk a path void of faith, or a path of self-righteousness, they end as the enemies of the Cross of Christ, yet think they are doing God a service, no wonder Paul said it weeping. The unsaved soul desires to be the special of the special, know more than anyone, they study, yet use natural reasoning to define Spiritual matters, ending religiously conceited. They seldom say “sorry”, they never admit error, they never seek the change in Christ, they are manipulative, deceptive, twisting Scripture to their own destruction, based on using the spirit of the world. Paul told us the spirit of man hasn’t a clue to the things of the Spirit of God, but the spirit of the world is opposed to the Spirit that is of God (New Man), thus the he in the world is opposed or “anti” the things of the Greater He. Those who don’t walk the path of the Faith of Jesus are walking toward perdition (destruction), whose flesh (belly) is their god, whose self-glory is a shame, usually the shame comes because they have Yoked the Authority of Christ from God (I Cor 11:1-7). By their fruits you shall know them, but our conversation is of heaven, for we Look (Lambano) for the Savior who looked at us (SunLambano) as He gave us the Spirit (SunAntiLambanomai) to finish this race unto the Perfection, a race God has seen from the foundation of the world (vs. 17-19).
Verse 21 is our hope, our flesh is vile, but we focus on the Precious. Now we know why, the flesh is ineffective, we imputed it dead, but is still calls out with the voice of the old man. The New Man who is Perfect is saving our souls, usually by experience, or exposure. Our Hope is future tense, this flesh is not going to be made holy, it will not raise with us, ashes to ashes and dust to dust, from the earth it came, to the earth it goes. God has a Much Better body for us, a place where our saved souls with the Spirit become One in Christ.
This is Paul’s “praise report”, but we find some use the opportunity to brag, or praise their own self. Bragging is a means of self-exaltation, it can use what God has done, it’s the opposite of a “praise report”. A praise report is to assist someone to overcome who is either in a situation, or will be in a like position. Paul is encouraging us, he is a in a tight situation, one with hazard written all over it, but his focus is on Jesus.
In verse 21 we find the word Fashioned, adding to this part of the study, the word Fashioned is again the Greek Summorphoo, thus the Fashioning is a Process on the inside as the Seed of God is working with our souls to bring us into the purpose of our faith, even the salvation of our souls. If we judge this process by the flesh, we’re in big trouble, since the flesh remains corrupt (assigned to death), it’s the soul joined to the Spirit becoming Incorruptible (immortal, without any sign of death), thus Perfection is not for the flesh, it’s purposed to save our souls. When we came to Jesus our souls were not perfect, but by the Spirit they are being formed into perfection, which is also termed Immortally with Jesus.
The word Fashioned is the same Greek word translated in verse 10 in the phrase “Made Conformable”, but with a slight change to explain the process. In verse 10 the context is to know each step in the sufferings of Christ so one can gain, in order to give, but here in verse 21 he shows the result of the knowledge, thus in verse 10 he is reaching to know, in verse 21 he shows we will know.
The Greek Summorphoomai is the word used in verse 10 is the only place it’s found in the tense used. In verse 21 the Greek Summorphos is also used in Romans 8:29 in the phrase “to be conformed to the Image of His Son”, in all the uses we find the word Sum. The difference shows verse 21 has the completed process (Morphos), whereas verse 10 shows something in progress (Morphoomai).
The word Change is the Greek Metastrepho meaning a change of place or condition, or to Turn Into Something, it’s a compound word with Meta (a change of place or condition) and Strepho (To Turn), thus this work entails a turning on our part from the flesh to the Spirit. The Turning promotes a condition on the inside as it will be, but not yet on the outside until the result of the Change is complete. This shows the change is based on something inside of us given by God based on what Jesus did for us. Do we increase the Talent, or bury it? Is there a reason to fight the good fight of Faith? Most Assuredly. The cocoon is not the butterfly, or the caterpillar, it’s a covering while the change is taking place. The change inside is so dramatic we find the caterpillar could not fly, the butterfly can, the caterpillar was destructive, the butterfly promotes life. This also connects to the purpose of our various baptisms, we are accepted into the Body, we join to the death and resurrection of Jesus by a Token, then we gain the Spirit to bring our Token to pass. If we are not reaching to be Resurrected, why did we join the Body to begin with?
Ph’l 4:1-23
Paul just explained how he was able to reach for Joy in the midst of an event appearing to lack any foundation for joy. Each member who believed as a result of Paul’s preaching became a jewel in Paul’s Crown of Life, but we assume the crown is Paul’s personal property, when in fact it’s the Crown Of Life given by the Spirit, the Talent is provided to bring in more talents. A Jewel remains and obtains a like Crown, they in turn provides jewels, then those jewels obtain their crowns, and so on. A jewel can be removed in one of two ways, first they remove themselves by unbelief, or they are removed based on their unbelief, in either case it’s unbelief, based on a choice.
It would appear as if Euodias and Syntyche had a parting of the ways, but Paul says they are to have the same mind as he has, thus they lacked Joy, or the knowledge of who they were in Christ (v 2:4-10). Paul just told us about the Mind of Christ, thus having the same Mind means Euodias and Syntyche need to enter the One Mind of Christ, in order to settle their conflict. This one area shows us why this letter is given to us, there are times along this path where things appear upside down, or inside out. We can either look forward to the Purpose holding to our joy, or fall into despair or self-pity. Jesus who looked to the result held His joy through the pain and suffering of the Cross, let this mind be in you, which was also in Christ Jesus.
Not only were the Philippians helping Paul, but Paul asked them to give to the other fellow workers as well, this cheerful giving opened an area for the Philippians. We now find two types of Rejoice, one is Rejoicing in the Lord Always, the other Rejoicing is found in what the Lord does based on the love of the Philippians. In Matthew 5:12 we find the word Rejoice used once in reference to persecution, but here in Philippians we find it used twice, once through the battle, then again as a sign of the battle being over with the victory in hand.
The word Moderation in verse 5 is the Greek Epieikes meaning To be yielding as one who shows clemency. Be Gentle and Forgiving, the Lord is at Hand. Prayer is an open hearted act before God, here Paul says don’t hold back, thus the manner of asking is two fold. We ask for the Supply (supplication), but as we are asking, we give Thanksgiving for having received. Disappointment in the answer is a self-based act displaying we’re not happy with what God gave us, whereas Joy in the answer proves we are thankful unto God, as we are able to accept the answer. This has to be taken with the teaching in James, in no way does this mean we ask through a lust, then give thanksgiving, it’s not the context at all, nor is the context to pray against people. In this case we ask, as we are willing to receive the answer, regardless of the answer. There are religions all over the world who pray for hours, yet never hear the voice of the Lord.
When we ask God, we also ask with the specific intent of trusting in His good judgment. None of us would test the speed of a bullet by looking down the barrel of a gun, yet we tend to pray in like manner from time to time. There are some things seemingly at the time to be a “need”, but granting them would be feeding a “greed”. God meets our Need, He doesn’t feed our Greed. What about a quail hunt? It’s a “bird” of a different color, our fear of God knows when the great quail hunt comes we are being tested, or exposed, but God is still not feeding our greed, He is exposing it. We also know the mask of righteousness is used by some when they want God to perform for them. They want something from God, they pray, then act as if they are worthy of the answer; a mind game, producing a quail hunt.
The Peace of God is found in the Joy of the Lord, it’s a benefit granted according to Mercy, it’s based on asking God to forgive us, as we believe our sins are forgiven. Many know they asked God to forgive them, yet there appears some sin still in the camp, did God really forgive them? Some of us assume if sin is forgiven, it’s gone, yet there remains thoughts, stains, tares or ineffective lusts causing us to jump to the wrong conclusion, negating the Righteousness at work in us. Sin lost it’s power, it is now exposed, the source is known, or being known, the ability to remove the source is found in the Blood, thus the exposure of the source can be confused if we view it naturally, we need the New Man to point out, discern, then bring us into the victory. Sin is an outward product of an inward source, God cannot work with Sin, He forgives us in order to work with the problem causing sin. Jesus said the enemy planted Tares, not sins, thus the Tares go about as tempting lusts, when the lust has conceived, then it becomes sin, the continued result of using the sin is death (James 1:14-15). The Process of Justification is working on the sources of the problem, some of us sin because of a fear of rejection, some based on pride, some based on a fear of failure, some to gain some validation, all areas in us being healed, once healed the “tare” is gone. However, if we keep retaining the source for the sin, we are rejecting the forgiveness; we must believe we have received, regardless of what our flesh says.
Paul lists the Things of God, the same Things he was able to do through Christ. Prior he said “let this mind be in you”, here we find the Ways. The word True is the Greek Alethes meaning one who cannot lie, a lie is based in deception, deception is work of darkness. The word Honest is the Greek Semnos meaning dignity derived from a higher citizenship, Semnos does not repel dishonesty, but invites and attracts what is able to Worship. The word Just is the Greek Dikaios meaning Righteous, it pertains to the concept; the Just shall live by faith. The word Unjust means one who had the ability to be Just, but Undid it by holding unbelief. Herein we find another mystery opened for us, if we are the Just, we are the Righteousness of God, thus Righteousness grants Justification.
The word Pure is the Greek Hagnos meaning Freedom from defilements or impurities, as Innocent, or in a blameless condition, this is the process of the Blood of Jesus cleaning us from all unrighteousness. If God’s Seed has said we’re pure, yet our flesh says No, which do we believe? The declaration is based on the Report, the Witness is bringing it to pass, our faith looks to the goal. Of course pride attempts to tell us it’s all complete in one moment. The word Lovely is the Greek Prosphiles which is a compound word with Pros (to) and Phileo (brotherly love), thus meaning to be Dear to someone, or to deal with people in the Body as a beloved family member.
The wording A Good Report is the Greek Euphemia meaning only a Good Report, never a bad report (condemning report), thus we only say what is Good, as we speak words of Grace, if we can’t say Good things, say nothing. Does it mean we must be acceptable to the world? Hardly a Good Report regarding our stand from the world may not seem “good” to them, but it’s “good” to God. What kind of a report could it be? “They walk with God”.
The word Virtue is the Greek Arete meaning Well pleasing to God, we please God by faith. The phrase Any Praise means we look for the Precious, seek something in the event to praise God for, even if it’s the lesson in the event. These manifestations are found in “let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus”, explaining the comment to Euodias and Syntyche (v 2).
All Things are of God, if it’s not of God, it’s not a Thing, thus we Believe All Things, but we also believe there are various things we don’t participate in. There are things for the kingdom of heaven, Things for the Kingdom of God, and things going on in the world, thus All Things are of God, but not all things are profitable. The Law of Moses is a thing, but do we follow it? Or the Law of the Spirit? Self-righteousness is a thing, but do we do it? Or do we hold to the Righteousness of God? Here Paul lists the Things not seen, as things our faith will evidence. How about a fable, it’s not seen. Fables are not things, they lack support to make them a thing, thus we simply don’t consider them, making them moot. There is a difference between fact and truth, it’s a fact all have sinned and come short of the glory of God, the truth would include being removed from the realm into the Kingdom.
Paul says the Things listed are those Things they have both Learned (discipled in) and Received, or have heard and seen in Paul. Did Paul ever have the opportunity to speak of the bad report? Yes, it would almost appear he did, when he told the Philippians, “and now I tell you even weeping, they are the enemies of the Cross of Christ; whose end is destruction, whose god is their belly”. What? For their belly? Ahh, their own fleshly self-interests, they are in this for what they can get, not what they can give. There doesn’t seem to be much praise here, but in fact there is, since the vessels of dishonor only prove the Mercy of God in the vessels of honor.
If we think on these Things, Peace will reign in our hearts, if we don’t, War reigns. If Peace reigns, then Christ reigns on earth through us. It’s the concept of Reign which at times gets us into trouble, we assume to Reign means to use manipulation, or control people, but it’s hardly reigning as Jesus does. We reign as the Kingdom on earth since the World has no authority over us, death has no authority to take us into the pit, sin has no power or authority over us, all things are under the Feet of Jesus, we are His Body.
There are times when we want to give, yet we find we lack opportunity or the wherewithal. God supplies the Seed, so we ask for the Seed to become a Sower. Yet like the Philippians who lacked the opportunity to give, we too find times when lack opportunity. Yet when the opportunity came, they gave. Paul wasn’t asking for a “gift” (Doma), in fact he never asked for himself. He was Taught or learned by experience in whatsoever state he was in to be Content, by experiences he knew how to abound, and how to be abased, he was Instructed both to be full and to be hungry. Why? So the things wouldn’t dominate his life. The word Abased means Humble, or Low, the word Abound means Abundance. The word Full means satisfied, the wording To be hungry means hungry. The wording Have Learned refers to Experience, thus he found the word Prosperity wasn’t limited to things, it pointed to being content in whatever state he was in.
Paul knew he could do All Things through Christ Which (not who) gave him the strength. Some of us read this as “through Christ Who gave”, but Paul is talking about the Christ nature in us, the Anointing of the Greater He. There are other verses telling us the same: First Corinthians 15:57 reads, “but thanks be to God Which gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ”. Some would read this as, “thanks be to God Who gives”, but it’s not what it says. The subject is gaining victory by our Thanks, if we wait to thank God for the victory, it may never come, but if we thank Him for the victory before it’s in hand, it will be in hand; the same thought as Ephesians 5:19-20. It’s not easy to thank God for being in some event appearing terrible, but Paul tells us to Thank God for all things. James tells us to count it all a joy when we fall into divers temptations. All these people of God who held victory by holding their faith, yet faith demands for us to give thanks to God through Jesus for all things. In this case “all things” means all things, but what about doing all things through Christ, does it mean everything? If so, can we sin through Christ? Not hardly, how about having a party with the devil through Christ? Not on your life. The “things” we do are restricted to the things found in the Mind of Christ. The things we endure are “things” as well, but by the Mind of Christ we endure those things, thus an event is a thing.
When Paul left Macedonia no other church, but this group gave to him, but they also stopped for a period of time. They heard, withdrew, but then regrouped, knowing Paul was still God’s man. They again gave, this second giving became the real issue. They listened to the Christ nature, not the voices of men. It was this sacrifice of giving which produced, “My God shall supply all your need according to His Riches in Glory by Christ Jesus”. It wasn’t “our God”, or “your God”, although it’s the same God. Paul knew the power of giving, but he also knew the power of receiving. Do we think the Philippians give to Paul just to get their need taken care of? Not hardly, they loved Paul and wanted him to know it. They gave based on Love, not the return. Therefore, our knowledge says, “God will meet our need”, but our giving must be “love based”.
In the English the word Need means The required item to complete the specific course, or what is lacking to make the purpose perfect. In the Greek it’s the word Chreia meaning The necessity or what is necessary to conduct the business at hand. It was used in several places, in Romans 12:13 it was translated as “Necessity” in the phrase, “distributing to the necessity of the saints”. Ahh, the Riches of His Glory are the Spiritual saints of God.
In the Greek we find Paul using two different Greek words relating to the English word Greed, which is based on a lust, Need is not. The phrase “not greedy for filthy lucre” is found in First Timothy 3:3 and 3:8, but we find two different Greek words for the word greedy. In First Timothy 3:8 it was the Greek Aischrokerdes meaning to seek a gain based on greed, or doing service based on the material return, which is exactly what Balaam did, showing why Balaam became an example of what not to do. In First Timothy 3:3 it was the Greek Aphilarguros meaning a Love for money, or a love for the material causing one to use any means at the time to get money. This area seems to be the most dangerous, if it’s “legal” in a worldly sense then our lust will condone the act, even if the Bible does not.
This explains the fine line between need and greed, showing why we ask with Thanksgiving. If we are really seeking the Need, we will accept what God provides, but if it’s greed based, we will be disappointed, usually blaming the person who gave is not “listening to God”. Which brings up another point, what is Avarice? Sounds like something we should take a pill for. Avarice means a passion for acquiring or hoarding riches.
The Gift given to Paul by the Philippians was not the first time they gave, nor the second or third, but it was continual based on their nature, although they stopped for a short period of time. Verse 19 is based on a nature, meaning a heart willing to give. We may not have to give, but our nature desires to. They had the foundation laid, their past giving established the premise, they had clarity, held the knowledge, as they were able to discern. The other churches who didn’t give, had problems; perhaps it was the lack of giving producing the problems, or the problems producing the lack of giving, in either case a change of attitude could solve both. Even the man who carried the gift was healed, the giving opened the Door, when the Door was open they could come boldly to the Throne and obtain what was needed.
Paul received the gift as if it was given to God, then he presented his love to them in the same manner. He understood our priestly duty was based in receiving tithes, rather than taking them. The cheerful giver is loved of God, but so is cheerful receiver. God so loved the world He gave. Did He get a return? Yes, did He demand it? No, if no one would have received Jesus, the Father still would have given. It’s the same nature we find in the mind of Christ, as well as the Charisma of Charis (Rom 12:8).
Then there is, “it’s more blessed to give, then receive” (Acts 20:35), which is true, but it doesn’t tell us to “reject the receiving”, it merely says “more blessed”, thus one is more blessed, yet both are blessed. If no one received, who would you give to? Take the premise to “God so loved the world He gave”, wow, God is more blessed, but we are blessed by His giving. I think I got it, in the giving we defeat the greed of the old man, it’s a blessing in and of itself. Paul ends this letter with the Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all, thus their giving was a factor of Grace.
Let’s move on to Colossians.
By Rev. G. E. Newmyer – s.b.i.les24rev7/© 2003
