This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
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Colossians 4:18
18 The salutation [aspasmos] by the hand [cheir] of me [emos] Paul. [Paulos] Remember [mnemoneuo] my [mou] bonds. [desmon] Grace [charis] be with [meta] you. [humon] Amen. [amen] [Written [grapho] from [apo] Rome [Rhome] to [pros] Colossians [Kolossaeus] by [dia] Tychicus [Tuchikos] and [kai] Onesimus. [Onesimos] KJV-Interlinear
18 I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. Remember my imprisonment. Grace be with you. NASB
This close was written by Paul himself. The body of the letter was most likely dictated by him and written by someone else, even perhaps Timothy. But that person is not known for sure.
Remembering Pauls imprisonment teaches us all to remember that even in the direst of situations, God is able to work miracles which benefit all.
Of the twenty-seven books in the New Testament, Paul wrote thirteen of them. Many while he was in prison. And despite his handicap, his letters have withstood the test of time and survived through a history in which most writings have vanished from history.
His letters were never published, in the beginning, by giant publishing houses, never held in trust by large historical organizations, as they simply did not exist back then.
Pauls letters were hand written and hand delivered to people who held Bible studies in private homes. Somewhere along the line, his letters were copied and re-copied and remained intact, and accurate with respect to their content. And, they survived the rebellion against Rome, the fall of Rome, the Dark Ages, the rise of Islam, and many more historical events to numerous to mention.
And, it all began with Gods using a man who was a murdering self-righteous legalist, destined to be executed in Rome, over about a thirty year period from approximately 35 A.D. until the late 60’s A.D.
And because of that very narrow window in history, you and I have the opportunity of a lifetime, that we could never have by any other means.
The folks back then had many difficulties to overcome especially because the Savior was crucified. And yet they rose above the barriers that would prevent their spiritual growth.
And now, we have phenomenal opportunities, and a much easier means of growing up in grace. The only question is, who will seize these advantages and advance in their spiritual life to the objective which God intends for us all?
Showing posts with label Colossians 4. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Colossians 4. Show all posts
Thursday, July 16, 2009
Wednesday, July 15, 2009
Colossians 4:17
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
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Colossians 4:17
17 And [kai] say [epo] to Archippus, [Archippos] Take heed [blepo] to the ministry [diakonia] which [hos] thou hast received [paralambano] in [en] the Lord, [kurios] that [hina] thou fulfil [pleroo] it. [autos] KJV-Interlinear
17 And say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it." NASB
Archippus means ruler of horses. He is mentioned only one other time, in Philemon 2, with favorable language, and other than that we know little or nothing about him.
This comment from Paul to Archippus seems to be more of a warning to be alert, ‘Take heed,’ given the times in which they lived. It is a general statement and cannot be linked to any specific church even to the Colossians or to the church in Laodicea, although his name is mentioned in the same context with Laodicea. Nor can it be linked to the comments of John, in Revelation 3:14-22, because John would not have written his words for yet another thirty years.
So, what was on Pauls mind is the present, for Paul. He was in prison, and his trial was approaching with uncertainty. There was a great deal of unrest in Judah, and throughout the region. Even the folks in Crete could not be trusted. Review our study in Titus.
And although there was a great deal of history unfolding before them, Paul wants everyone, even you and me in our present day, to be certain that we demonstrate an alertness to the events unfolding around us, and keep our faith and daily study before us.
In the last few days, I suggested that there is a movement in our current day, with regard to global currency, with regard to global government, and so forth. This observation originated from comments made by folks in the media, politicians, celebrities and so forth, just in the last few days.
And although we can speculate as to what events will unfold before us in the next days, months, and years, our first priority is to stick with our daily Bible study, and let Gods plan run its course. He knows what He is doing, and we for certain can only guess.
In order for the world to jump on board for a world currency, people would have to lose faith in the current currencies, and find something that everyone would accept, such as gold. Perhaps there is going to be a huge gold discovery in the future, such that there would be sufficient quantities available to back a world economy? Better go out and check your back yard!!
In any event, you recall how long it took Europe to accept the Euro. A very long time. So something greater than that won’t happen overnight, if at all.
In any event, our focus needs to be on our spiritual life, even as we might play the mental games with a Chrystal ball.
So, ‘take heed’ applies to us as well. Our priority is not the who’s and when’s of the future, but of our spiritual life now.
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Colossians 4:17
17 And [kai] say [epo] to Archippus, [Archippos] Take heed [blepo] to the ministry [diakonia] which [hos] thou hast received [paralambano] in [en] the Lord, [kurios] that [hina] thou fulfil [pleroo] it. [autos] KJV-Interlinear
17 And say to Archippus, "Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it." NASB
Archippus means ruler of horses. He is mentioned only one other time, in Philemon 2, with favorable language, and other than that we know little or nothing about him.
This comment from Paul to Archippus seems to be more of a warning to be alert, ‘Take heed,’ given the times in which they lived. It is a general statement and cannot be linked to any specific church even to the Colossians or to the church in Laodicea, although his name is mentioned in the same context with Laodicea. Nor can it be linked to the comments of John, in Revelation 3:14-22, because John would not have written his words for yet another thirty years.
So, what was on Pauls mind is the present, for Paul. He was in prison, and his trial was approaching with uncertainty. There was a great deal of unrest in Judah, and throughout the region. Even the folks in Crete could not be trusted. Review our study in Titus.
And although there was a great deal of history unfolding before them, Paul wants everyone, even you and me in our present day, to be certain that we demonstrate an alertness to the events unfolding around us, and keep our faith and daily study before us.
In the last few days, I suggested that there is a movement in our current day, with regard to global currency, with regard to global government, and so forth. This observation originated from comments made by folks in the media, politicians, celebrities and so forth, just in the last few days.
And although we can speculate as to what events will unfold before us in the next days, months, and years, our first priority is to stick with our daily Bible study, and let Gods plan run its course. He knows what He is doing, and we for certain can only guess.
In order for the world to jump on board for a world currency, people would have to lose faith in the current currencies, and find something that everyone would accept, such as gold. Perhaps there is going to be a huge gold discovery in the future, such that there would be sufficient quantities available to back a world economy? Better go out and check your back yard!!
In any event, you recall how long it took Europe to accept the Euro. A very long time. So something greater than that won’t happen overnight, if at all.
In any event, our focus needs to be on our spiritual life, even as we might play the mental games with a Chrystal ball.
So, ‘take heed’ applies to us as well. Our priority is not the who’s and when’s of the future, but of our spiritual life now.
Tuesday, July 14, 2009
Colossians 4:16
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
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Colossians 4:16
16 And [kai] when [hotan] this epistle [epistole] is read [anaginosko] among [para] you, [humin] cause [poieo] that [hina] it be read [anaginosko] also [kai] in [en] the church [ekklesia] of the Laodiceans; [Laodikeus] and [kai] that [hina] ye [humeis] [anaginosko] likewise [kai] read [anaginosko] the epistle from [ek] Laodicea. [Laodikeia] KJV-Interlinear
16 And when this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea. NASB
In order to receive a copy a of a letter, and then be able to read it or hear it being read, back in Pauls day, folks had to wait months and even years. After all, there aren’t that many books in the New Testament, which was not even an organized set of books back then. And yet, these letters were circulated by hand, and folks waited for them with anticipation and enthusiasm.
Today, a person can find volumes and volumes of literature written about the Bible. And while this information is freely and voluminously available almost instantaneously on the internet, and the ease with which folks have the opportunity to grow up in their spiritual lives, and with greater rapidity, is unmatched in history, and yet in our present day, indifference holds most folks hostage.
Folks back then would have loved to have been able to read and study the scriptures using the tools that we have available to us today. However, folks today seem more bent on making the planet green, rather than making their entire essence complete for all of eternity. How would anyone of us acted if we had lived back then? Perhaps with the same indifference or even more so, and never having had the opportunity to grow up in any type of spiritual life.
One blessing that you should be forever grateful for, is that you live in our current day, rather than back then. Because even with indifference, you probably will have more of a spiritual life, now, than you would have had, if you lived in a different era in history.
One of the many things that people overlook in their life, is the time in which God inserted them into history. We all live at the time in history which most benefits us. And although most of us may not be the best of humanity, God does many things for us, that we do not even think about. And our entrance onto the human history scene is one of them.
Not that there weren’t spiritually negative people back then, because there were, but of those who were positive, their wait and their growth had to advance on a very slow track. Something that we in our present day would not have the patience for.
And yet most folks even with our fast paced and information rich era, still grow up slowly only because they do not pursue their spiritual life with vigor. So it still takes many decades to grow up, if at all. And we have a longer expected life span than those folks had back then. We have advantages now that they could not even imagine.
The letter mentioned here is not identified, but it was probably the letter to the Ephesians, since it was written at about the same time as this letter to the Colossians. But the specific letter is not the issue here, as the method of delivery and the time it took, are more indicative of how people learned back then.
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Colossians 4:16
16 And [kai] when [hotan] this epistle [epistole] is read [anaginosko] among [para] you, [humin] cause [poieo] that [hina] it be read [anaginosko] also [kai] in [en] the church [ekklesia] of the Laodiceans; [Laodikeus] and [kai] that [hina] ye [humeis] [anaginosko] likewise [kai] read [anaginosko] the epistle from [ek] Laodicea. [Laodikeia] KJV-Interlinear
16 And when this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea. NASB
In order to receive a copy a of a letter, and then be able to read it or hear it being read, back in Pauls day, folks had to wait months and even years. After all, there aren’t that many books in the New Testament, which was not even an organized set of books back then. And yet, these letters were circulated by hand, and folks waited for them with anticipation and enthusiasm.
Today, a person can find volumes and volumes of literature written about the Bible. And while this information is freely and voluminously available almost instantaneously on the internet, and the ease with which folks have the opportunity to grow up in their spiritual lives, and with greater rapidity, is unmatched in history, and yet in our present day, indifference holds most folks hostage.
Folks back then would have loved to have been able to read and study the scriptures using the tools that we have available to us today. However, folks today seem more bent on making the planet green, rather than making their entire essence complete for all of eternity. How would anyone of us acted if we had lived back then? Perhaps with the same indifference or even more so, and never having had the opportunity to grow up in any type of spiritual life.
One blessing that you should be forever grateful for, is that you live in our current day, rather than back then. Because even with indifference, you probably will have more of a spiritual life, now, than you would have had, if you lived in a different era in history.
One of the many things that people overlook in their life, is the time in which God inserted them into history. We all live at the time in history which most benefits us. And although most of us may not be the best of humanity, God does many things for us, that we do not even think about. And our entrance onto the human history scene is one of them.
Not that there weren’t spiritually negative people back then, because there were, but of those who were positive, their wait and their growth had to advance on a very slow track. Something that we in our present day would not have the patience for.
And yet most folks even with our fast paced and information rich era, still grow up slowly only because they do not pursue their spiritual life with vigor. So it still takes many decades to grow up, if at all. And we have a longer expected life span than those folks had back then. We have advantages now that they could not even imagine.
The letter mentioned here is not identified, but it was probably the letter to the Ephesians, since it was written at about the same time as this letter to the Colossians. But the specific letter is not the issue here, as the method of delivery and the time it took, are more indicative of how people learned back then.
Monday, July 13, 2009
Colossians 4:14-15
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
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Colossians 4:14-15
14 Luke, [Loukas] the beloved [agapetos] physician, [iatros] and [kai] Demas, [Demas] greet [aspazomai] you. [humas]
15 Salute [aspazomai] the brethren [adelphos] which are in [en] Laodicea, [Laodikeia] and [kai] Nymphas, [Numphas] and [kai] the church [ekklesia] which is in [kata] his [autos] house. [oikos] KJV-Interlinear
14 Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas. 15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house. NASB
The mention of these several names throughout the letters of Paul, tie together many of the prominent people, as well as people we know nothing about, from the first century A.D.
Luke, means luminous or white, wrote the third gospel which is named after himself. And having written the gospel of Luke from his own first hand observations, most likely was a source of immeasurable information for Paul.
Demas, means popular, and was an early Christian, who fell out of friendship with Paul years earlier, 2 Tim. 4:10, but now was back with him.
Laodicea is a city in Asia Minor which is now our modern day western Turkey.
Nymphas is the name of an individual in whose home, bible studies were held. Nothing more is mentioned regarding this person, and as the name can be either masculine or feminine modern versions refer to both genders. So we don’t really know much more about him or her.
What is evident is that there were obviously people, other than those mentioned in the Bible, who were involved in the early growth of the Christian church.
And what held together the early church, was not a massive bureaucracy of international organizations, but small groups who assembled together in twos or threes or a dozen or more, and they read and studied together and on their own, the scriptures of the prophets, as well as the letters of Paul and others.
Today we are witnessing the attempted takeover of the world by devising a false belief such as global warming, attempting to institute management of world business through carbon footprints (cap and trade), gaining a massive following through the implementing of social programs, driving toward a one world currency by driving up national debts, and all of this to culminate in a global governing body.
And while all of this takes many years to accomplish, we know from our study of Revelation that this pattern will be virtually in place by the time the Rapture occurs. The Tribulation is not long enough in order for all of this to occur from scratch, so it all has to develop to some extent during our own dispensation.
And if, and I repeat, if, this is all how things are going to be, then we can expect that government will enforce its will, sooner or later, through mandatory economic restrictions on the buying and selling that people in general will be allowed to do. Enforcement means that if you do not comply, then you will be a criminal.
What a contrast to the very beginning of our dispensation, where people met in small groups and changed the world through truth, and now at the end (or perhaps nearing the end) of our dispensation, it takes lies on a massive scale to destroy it.
This last portion of course is just my observations of current events. What is amazing is the speed with which all of these things seem to be coming together now.
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Colossians 4:14-15
14 Luke, [Loukas] the beloved [agapetos] physician, [iatros] and [kai] Demas, [Demas] greet [aspazomai] you. [humas]
15 Salute [aspazomai] the brethren [adelphos] which are in [en] Laodicea, [Laodikeia] and [kai] Nymphas, [Numphas] and [kai] the church [ekklesia] which is in [kata] his [autos] house. [oikos] KJV-Interlinear
14 Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas. 15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house. NASB
The mention of these several names throughout the letters of Paul, tie together many of the prominent people, as well as people we know nothing about, from the first century A.D.
Luke, means luminous or white, wrote the third gospel which is named after himself. And having written the gospel of Luke from his own first hand observations, most likely was a source of immeasurable information for Paul.
Demas, means popular, and was an early Christian, who fell out of friendship with Paul years earlier, 2 Tim. 4:10, but now was back with him.
Laodicea is a city in Asia Minor which is now our modern day western Turkey.
Nymphas is the name of an individual in whose home, bible studies were held. Nothing more is mentioned regarding this person, and as the name can be either masculine or feminine modern versions refer to both genders. So we don’t really know much more about him or her.
What is evident is that there were obviously people, other than those mentioned in the Bible, who were involved in the early growth of the Christian church.
And what held together the early church, was not a massive bureaucracy of international organizations, but small groups who assembled together in twos or threes or a dozen or more, and they read and studied together and on their own, the scriptures of the prophets, as well as the letters of Paul and others.
Today we are witnessing the attempted takeover of the world by devising a false belief such as global warming, attempting to institute management of world business through carbon footprints (cap and trade), gaining a massive following through the implementing of social programs, driving toward a one world currency by driving up national debts, and all of this to culminate in a global governing body.
And while all of this takes many years to accomplish, we know from our study of Revelation that this pattern will be virtually in place by the time the Rapture occurs. The Tribulation is not long enough in order for all of this to occur from scratch, so it all has to develop to some extent during our own dispensation.
And if, and I repeat, if, this is all how things are going to be, then we can expect that government will enforce its will, sooner or later, through mandatory economic restrictions on the buying and selling that people in general will be allowed to do. Enforcement means that if you do not comply, then you will be a criminal.
What a contrast to the very beginning of our dispensation, where people met in small groups and changed the world through truth, and now at the end (or perhaps nearing the end) of our dispensation, it takes lies on a massive scale to destroy it.
This last portion of course is just my observations of current events. What is amazing is the speed with which all of these things seem to be coming together now.
Sunday, July 12, 2009
Colossians 4:12-13
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
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Colossians 4:12-13
12 Epaphras, [Epaphras] who is one of [ek] you, [humon] a servant [doulos] of Christ, [Christos] saluteth [aspazomai] you, [humas] always [pantote] labouring fervently [agonizomai] for [huper] you [humon] in [en] prayers, [proseuche] that [hina] ye may stand [histemi] perfect [teleios] and [kai] complete [pleroo] in [en] all [pas] the will [thelema] of God. [theos]
13 For [gar] I bear [martureo] him [autos] record, [martureo] that [hoti] he hath [echo] a great [polus] zeal [zelos] for [huper] you, [humon] and [kai] them that are in [en] Laodicea, [Laodikeia] and [kai] them in [en] Hierapolis. [Hierapolis] KJV-Interlinear
12 Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis. NASB
Epaphras, meaning foaming or devoted. He was the one who was instrumental in bringing Christianity to the Colossians, Col. 1:7.
Paul mentions Epaphras with high regard, as one who has the spiritual lives of other people foremost in his mind, rather than his own interests.
And as with many of the other names mentioned, the objective of Pauls ministry as well as the mission of these men, was that people would hear the message of the scriptures and ‘stand perfect and complete.’
To stand perfect and complete means to advance to spiritual maturity.
As we look around us these days, we can probably count on just a few fingers, the people we know who have the interests of others at heart, more so than their own.
Society has become a me-first club. People get angry on the road. People look for bargains which serve themselves. People look at advancement and profit opportunities in the suffering of others. People have little or no patience, little or no empathy, little or no interest in the plight of others.
Society in general will take before giving, and if anything is free or relatively inexpensive, they still want more for less.
And here, we have examples of men and women who literally gave up their lives, their own self interests, so that others would have the chance to possess the greatest of opportunities of all. And although surrounded by millions of people living in the same geographic region, very few others participated or shared in their effort.
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Colossians 4:12-13
12 Epaphras, [Epaphras] who is one of [ek] you, [humon] a servant [doulos] of Christ, [Christos] saluteth [aspazomai] you, [humas] always [pantote] labouring fervently [agonizomai] for [huper] you [humon] in [en] prayers, [proseuche] that [hina] ye may stand [histemi] perfect [teleios] and [kai] complete [pleroo] in [en] all [pas] the will [thelema] of God. [theos]
13 For [gar] I bear [martureo] him [autos] record, [martureo] that [hoti] he hath [echo] a great [polus] zeal [zelos] for [huper] you, [humon] and [kai] them that are in [en] Laodicea, [Laodikeia] and [kai] them in [en] Hierapolis. [Hierapolis] KJV-Interlinear
12 Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his greetings, always laboring earnestly for you in his prayers, that you may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis. NASB
Epaphras, meaning foaming or devoted. He was the one who was instrumental in bringing Christianity to the Colossians, Col. 1:7.
Paul mentions Epaphras with high regard, as one who has the spiritual lives of other people foremost in his mind, rather than his own interests.
And as with many of the other names mentioned, the objective of Pauls ministry as well as the mission of these men, was that people would hear the message of the scriptures and ‘stand perfect and complete.’
To stand perfect and complete means to advance to spiritual maturity.
As we look around us these days, we can probably count on just a few fingers, the people we know who have the interests of others at heart, more so than their own.
Society has become a me-first club. People get angry on the road. People look for bargains which serve themselves. People look at advancement and profit opportunities in the suffering of others. People have little or no patience, little or no empathy, little or no interest in the plight of others.
Society in general will take before giving, and if anything is free or relatively inexpensive, they still want more for less.
And here, we have examples of men and women who literally gave up their lives, their own self interests, so that others would have the chance to possess the greatest of opportunities of all. And although surrounded by millions of people living in the same geographic region, very few others participated or shared in their effort.
Saturday, July 11, 2009
Colossians 4:10-11
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
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Colossians 4:10-11
10 Aristarchus [Aristarchos] my [mou] fellowprisoner [sunaichmalotos] saluteth [aspazomai] you, [humas] and [kai] Marcus, [Markos] sister's son [anepsios] to Barnabas, [Barnabas] (touching [peri] whom [hos] ye received [lambano] commandments: [entole] if [ean] he come [erchomai] unto [pros] you, [humas] receive [dechomai] him; [autos])
11 And [kai] Jesus, [Iesous] which [ho] is called [lego] Justus, [Ioustos] who [ho] are [on] of [ek] the circumcision. [peritome] These [houtos] only [monos] are my fellowworkers [sunergos] unto [eis] the kingdom [basileia] of God, [theos] which [hostis] have been [ginomai] a comfort [paregoria] unto me. [moi] KJV-Interlinear
10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas' cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him); 11 and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision; and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. NASB
The next three individuals are Jewish, ‘from the circumcision.’
Aristarchus, meaning ‘best ruler,’ was from Thessalonica, Acts 20:4. He traveled along with Paul and was seized along with Paul at Ephesus, Acts 19:29, and accompanied him to Rome, Acts 27:2. He shares Pauls imprisonment at Rome.
Barnabas means ‘son of prophecy.’ He was a cousin of Mark, or Marcus, or John Mark, as Mark was sometimes called. Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus and had moved to Jerusalem. While in Jerusalem he sold a field and gave the money to the poor there, Acts 4:36.
Barnabas was the individual who acted as intermediary between the original Apostles and Paul, as they did not trust Pauls recent conversion. Barnabas went for Paul in Tarsus and brought him back to Jerusalem as an associate. Later they were accompanied by John Mark and began what is known as Pauls first missionary journey, Acts 13.
At some point in their travel, Paul and Barnabas had a falling out and John Mark was caught in the middle, Acts 15.
Mark was from a wealthy family. His mothers name was Mary, Acts 12:12. He accompanied Barnabas and Saul (Paul), to Antioch. In Acts 13-15, Mark had a falling out with Paul over the question of salvation by faith alone. Mark was not sure on this point and it was Paul who basically stood alone regarding that principle. Paul did not want to take Mark along on the second missionary journey, and that is where Paul and Barnabas split.
It is not for another ten years or so that anything more is heard of Mark, and then we find him in Rome with Paul, the ill feelings and differences having been healed. Mark is now described as one of the faithful.
Justus, ‘the just one,’ is not mentioned anywhere else in the scriptures. He may have been the same man mentioned in Acts 18:7, but that is not clear. He was obviously a close friend and associate of Paul.
Through thick and thin, hardship and prosperity, even arrest, Paul found himself surrounded by people who were both loyal to God and to His ministry. They all had ample opportunity to blame Paul, or to leave him, but did not.
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Colossians 4:10-11
10 Aristarchus [Aristarchos] my [mou] fellowprisoner [sunaichmalotos] saluteth [aspazomai] you, [humas] and [kai] Marcus, [Markos] sister's son [anepsios] to Barnabas, [Barnabas] (touching [peri] whom [hos] ye received [lambano] commandments: [entole] if [ean] he come [erchomai] unto [pros] you, [humas] receive [dechomai] him; [autos])
11 And [kai] Jesus, [Iesous] which [ho] is called [lego] Justus, [Ioustos] who [ho] are [on] of [ek] the circumcision. [peritome] These [houtos] only [monos] are my fellowworkers [sunergos] unto [eis] the kingdom [basileia] of God, [theos] which [hostis] have been [ginomai] a comfort [paregoria] unto me. [moi] KJV-Interlinear
10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas' cousin Mark (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him); 11 and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision; and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. NASB
The next three individuals are Jewish, ‘from the circumcision.’
Aristarchus, meaning ‘best ruler,’ was from Thessalonica, Acts 20:4. He traveled along with Paul and was seized along with Paul at Ephesus, Acts 19:29, and accompanied him to Rome, Acts 27:2. He shares Pauls imprisonment at Rome.
Barnabas means ‘son of prophecy.’ He was a cousin of Mark, or Marcus, or John Mark, as Mark was sometimes called. Barnabas was a Levite from Cyprus and had moved to Jerusalem. While in Jerusalem he sold a field and gave the money to the poor there, Acts 4:36.
Barnabas was the individual who acted as intermediary between the original Apostles and Paul, as they did not trust Pauls recent conversion. Barnabas went for Paul in Tarsus and brought him back to Jerusalem as an associate. Later they were accompanied by John Mark and began what is known as Pauls first missionary journey, Acts 13.
At some point in their travel, Paul and Barnabas had a falling out and John Mark was caught in the middle, Acts 15.
Mark was from a wealthy family. His mothers name was Mary, Acts 12:12. He accompanied Barnabas and Saul (Paul), to Antioch. In Acts 13-15, Mark had a falling out with Paul over the question of salvation by faith alone. Mark was not sure on this point and it was Paul who basically stood alone regarding that principle. Paul did not want to take Mark along on the second missionary journey, and that is where Paul and Barnabas split.
It is not for another ten years or so that anything more is heard of Mark, and then we find him in Rome with Paul, the ill feelings and differences having been healed. Mark is now described as one of the faithful.
Justus, ‘the just one,’ is not mentioned anywhere else in the scriptures. He may have been the same man mentioned in Acts 18:7, but that is not clear. He was obviously a close friend and associate of Paul.
Through thick and thin, hardship and prosperity, even arrest, Paul found himself surrounded by people who were both loyal to God and to His ministry. They all had ample opportunity to blame Paul, or to leave him, but did not.
Friday, July 10, 2009
Colossians 4:8-9
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Colossians 4:8-9
8 Whom [hos] I have sent [pempo] unto [pros] you [humas] for [eis] the same [autos] purpose, [touto] that [hina] he might know [ginosko] your [humon] estate, [peri] and [kai] comfort [parakaleo] your [humon] hearts; [kardia]
9 With [sun] Onesimus, [Onesimos] a faithful [pistos] and [kai] beloved [agapetos] brother, [adelphos] who [hos] is [esti] one of [ek] you. [humon] They shall make known [gnorizo] unto you [humin] all things [pas] which [ho] are done here. [hode] KJV-Interlinear
8 For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here. NASB
Tychicus and Onesimus were given the mission of carrying this letter to the Colossians.
Tychicus was introduced briefly yesterday. He was a native of Asia Minor, Acts 20:4, and may have originated from Ephesus, 2 Tim. 4:12. He was with Paul throughout his ministry and was with him during these last few years immediately prior to Paul’s execution.
Tychicus went also to Crete and Ephesus, Titus 3:12, 2 Tim. 4:12
We learned a great deal about Onesimus, when we studied Philemon. Onesimus was the runaway slave, who heard Paul speak while in Rome. Onesimus repented and agreed to return to his former master Philemon, not as a slave, but as an equal in Christ. From the context of that letter, we presume that there was a good ending and reconciliation, in the relationship between Philemon and Onesimus.
Paul sent this letter in order to make known his situation to those who were obviously wanting and waiting for word about Paul. This information was to be verbal, as Paul did not write anything, at least not within this letter, regarding his imprisonment and trial.
And, Paul sent this letter in order to convey his thoughts and views on the doctrines contained within it. The encouragement, the hope, the confidence that exists for all who pursue Bible doctrine within their lives.
Remember that in those days, especially in the 60’s A.D., there was terrible unrest throughout the region, and had been for some time.
Judah was filled with rebellion, and Rome was getting ready to send an army to crush it. Within a few short years, Judah would be crushed and millions would die before it was all over. And Jerusalem would be burned to the ground.
In any given generation, there exists unrest and uncertainty, especially within each individual life. Our time is not without its uncertainties. With unemployment rising to double digit figures, which have been common in Europe for many years, the stability of the world seems to be getting more serious by the day.
However, remember one important thing. Bible doctrine is available as long as there is interest and support from positive believers. God does not abandon anyone who is positive and growing. And though the outcome of the world is always uncertain, your spiritual growth will never be in doubt, so long as you pursue it.
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Colossians 4:8-9
8 Whom [hos] I have sent [pempo] unto [pros] you [humas] for [eis] the same [autos] purpose, [touto] that [hina] he might know [ginosko] your [humon] estate, [peri] and [kai] comfort [parakaleo] your [humon] hearts; [kardia]
9 With [sun] Onesimus, [Onesimos] a faithful [pistos] and [kai] beloved [agapetos] brother, [adelphos] who [hos] is [esti] one of [ek] you. [humon] They shall make known [gnorizo] unto you [humin] all things [pas] which [ho] are done here. [hode] KJV-Interlinear
8 For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your hearts; 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here. NASB
Tychicus and Onesimus were given the mission of carrying this letter to the Colossians.
Tychicus was introduced briefly yesterday. He was a native of Asia Minor, Acts 20:4, and may have originated from Ephesus, 2 Tim. 4:12. He was with Paul throughout his ministry and was with him during these last few years immediately prior to Paul’s execution.
Tychicus went also to Crete and Ephesus, Titus 3:12, 2 Tim. 4:12
We learned a great deal about Onesimus, when we studied Philemon. Onesimus was the runaway slave, who heard Paul speak while in Rome. Onesimus repented and agreed to return to his former master Philemon, not as a slave, but as an equal in Christ. From the context of that letter, we presume that there was a good ending and reconciliation, in the relationship between Philemon and Onesimus.
Paul sent this letter in order to make known his situation to those who were obviously wanting and waiting for word about Paul. This information was to be verbal, as Paul did not write anything, at least not within this letter, regarding his imprisonment and trial.
And, Paul sent this letter in order to convey his thoughts and views on the doctrines contained within it. The encouragement, the hope, the confidence that exists for all who pursue Bible doctrine within their lives.
Remember that in those days, especially in the 60’s A.D., there was terrible unrest throughout the region, and had been for some time.
Judah was filled with rebellion, and Rome was getting ready to send an army to crush it. Within a few short years, Judah would be crushed and millions would die before it was all over. And Jerusalem would be burned to the ground.
In any given generation, there exists unrest and uncertainty, especially within each individual life. Our time is not without its uncertainties. With unemployment rising to double digit figures, which have been common in Europe for many years, the stability of the world seems to be getting more serious by the day.
However, remember one important thing. Bible doctrine is available as long as there is interest and support from positive believers. God does not abandon anyone who is positive and growing. And though the outcome of the world is always uncertain, your spiritual growth will never be in doubt, so long as you pursue it.
Thursday, July 9, 2009
Colossians 4:7
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Colossians 4:7
7 All [pas] my [eme] state [kata] shall [gnorizo] Tychicus [Tuchikos] declare [gnorizo] unto you, [humin] who is a beloved [agapetos] brother, [adelphos] and [kai] a faithful [pistos] minister [diakonos] and [kai] fellowservant [sundoulos] in [en] the Lord: [kurios] KJV-Interlinear
7 As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. NASB
Throughout his ministry, Paul has just as handful of dedicated friends. Tychicus was one of those friends.
He is mentioned in Acts 20:4, Eph. 6:21, Col. 4:7, 2 Tim. 4:12, and Titus 3:12.
Tychicus was given the mission of delivering the letters to the Ephesians and to the Colossians. He was accompanied by Onesimus the slave, who was to meet with Philemon, the master from whom he ran away.
Tychicus means chance or fortunate, and in that respect, he became the chance friend of whom Paul was fortunate to have during his life, during his ministry, and especially in the end when Paul was eventually executed.
Pauls friends stayed with him all the way from his arrest, through his trials and eventually to his execution. Much unlike Jesus who was abandoned by all when He was arrested.
Most folks have friends who they meet with for social activities, entertainment and such, but very few of us have friends who dedicate their lives to the work that we do. Obviously most of us don’t have careers that are of the nature of Paul, and most folks have to make their own living in order to survive in this world.
But there may come an occasion in your life when God will bring a very good friend into your life, and that is a blessing that is rare. But friends, as important as they can be, are not as important as doctrine in your soul.
The subject of this book is ‘sufficiency.’
Regardless of the circumstances of your life, as with most folks around the world, talents and looks and abilities and health may not be one of your attributes. You may not even have any friends.
But your life doesn’t depend on anything in this world, in order for you to be happy and contented and complete.
Jesus Christ is the one and only real friend that you will even need. He provided you with Bible doctrine, which helps you to grow up spiritually, and to complete your life as nothing else can.
With Bible doctrine, you can become oriented with God, with yourself, with people, with life in general. You learn responsibility and respect and manners and you build within yourself a confidence and self assurance and poise unlike anything or anyone else.
Before you were born into this life, you had no say as to anything about your life. But through doctrine, you have the opportunity, now, to design and drive your eternal future to a phenomenal success and fulfillment, that even the most talented and well established and popular people in this world cannot accomplish.
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Colossians 4:7
7 All [pas] my [eme] state [kata] shall [gnorizo] Tychicus [Tuchikos] declare [gnorizo] unto you, [humin] who is a beloved [agapetos] brother, [adelphos] and [kai] a faithful [pistos] minister [diakonos] and [kai] fellowservant [sundoulos] in [en] the Lord: [kurios] KJV-Interlinear
7 As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. NASB
Throughout his ministry, Paul has just as handful of dedicated friends. Tychicus was one of those friends.
He is mentioned in Acts 20:4, Eph. 6:21, Col. 4:7, 2 Tim. 4:12, and Titus 3:12.
Tychicus was given the mission of delivering the letters to the Ephesians and to the Colossians. He was accompanied by Onesimus the slave, who was to meet with Philemon, the master from whom he ran away.
Tychicus means chance or fortunate, and in that respect, he became the chance friend of whom Paul was fortunate to have during his life, during his ministry, and especially in the end when Paul was eventually executed.
Pauls friends stayed with him all the way from his arrest, through his trials and eventually to his execution. Much unlike Jesus who was abandoned by all when He was arrested.
Most folks have friends who they meet with for social activities, entertainment and such, but very few of us have friends who dedicate their lives to the work that we do. Obviously most of us don’t have careers that are of the nature of Paul, and most folks have to make their own living in order to survive in this world.
But there may come an occasion in your life when God will bring a very good friend into your life, and that is a blessing that is rare. But friends, as important as they can be, are not as important as doctrine in your soul.
The subject of this book is ‘sufficiency.’
Regardless of the circumstances of your life, as with most folks around the world, talents and looks and abilities and health may not be one of your attributes. You may not even have any friends.
But your life doesn’t depend on anything in this world, in order for you to be happy and contented and complete.
Jesus Christ is the one and only real friend that you will even need. He provided you with Bible doctrine, which helps you to grow up spiritually, and to complete your life as nothing else can.
With Bible doctrine, you can become oriented with God, with yourself, with people, with life in general. You learn responsibility and respect and manners and you build within yourself a confidence and self assurance and poise unlike anything or anyone else.
Before you were born into this life, you had no say as to anything about your life. But through doctrine, you have the opportunity, now, to design and drive your eternal future to a phenomenal success and fulfillment, that even the most talented and well established and popular people in this world cannot accomplish.
Wednesday, July 8, 2009
Colossians 4:6
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Colossians 4:6
6 Let your [humon] speech [logos] be alway [pantote] with [en] grace, [charis] seasoned [artuo] with salt, [halas] that ye may know [eido] how [pos] ye [humas] ought [dei] to answer [apokrinomai] every [hekastos] man. [heis] KJV-Interlinear
6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person. NASB
Grace stands for poise. Salt stands for truth or Bible doctrine. Neither of these stand for compromise or the allowance of false principles to be mixed in with truth.
All too often folks want to be politically correct so as not to insult anyone. However, if anyone is insulted, then they are lacking in truth, shallow and arrogant. And their deficiency should never become an excuse for diminishing truth.
Lately there has been a lot of coexistence rhetoric in the media, in entertainment, and even in bumper stickers. The little signs seem harmless enough when they include images from the major religions, however they are as evil as evil can get.
If there is but one God, one faith, one Savior, one truth, then all the rest are lies. How can one include lies in ones life, knowing that they will lead others to eternal destruction? What honor is there in that?
And although we are to stand firm in truth (salt), Gods policy of grace gives us leeway to tolerate the opinions of others (not respect them), while never forcing others to see things our way.
Truth needs no crutch to hold it up. Truth needs no support, no added effort on our part. Truth makes itself known and clear to all who hear it. But truth will never force itself on those who reject it.
Never allow peer pressure make you deviate from truth. Never allow the need or want of social inclusion, make you deviate from truth. Never allow ostracism, make you deviate from truth.
Always hold your spiritual ground within your own soul, while tolerating the views of others, but not succumbing to their false ways.
Allow doctrine (truth) to guide your walk through life. Do not allow life to guide you, without doctrine.
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Colossians 4:6
6 Let your [humon] speech [logos] be alway [pantote] with [en] grace, [charis] seasoned [artuo] with salt, [halas] that ye may know [eido] how [pos] ye [humas] ought [dei] to answer [apokrinomai] every [hekastos] man. [heis] KJV-Interlinear
6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned, as it were, with salt, so that you may know how you should respond to each person. NASB
Grace stands for poise. Salt stands for truth or Bible doctrine. Neither of these stand for compromise or the allowance of false principles to be mixed in with truth.
All too often folks want to be politically correct so as not to insult anyone. However, if anyone is insulted, then they are lacking in truth, shallow and arrogant. And their deficiency should never become an excuse for diminishing truth.
Lately there has been a lot of coexistence rhetoric in the media, in entertainment, and even in bumper stickers. The little signs seem harmless enough when they include images from the major religions, however they are as evil as evil can get.
If there is but one God, one faith, one Savior, one truth, then all the rest are lies. How can one include lies in ones life, knowing that they will lead others to eternal destruction? What honor is there in that?
And although we are to stand firm in truth (salt), Gods policy of grace gives us leeway to tolerate the opinions of others (not respect them), while never forcing others to see things our way.
Truth needs no crutch to hold it up. Truth needs no support, no added effort on our part. Truth makes itself known and clear to all who hear it. But truth will never force itself on those who reject it.
Never allow peer pressure make you deviate from truth. Never allow the need or want of social inclusion, make you deviate from truth. Never allow ostracism, make you deviate from truth.
Always hold your spiritual ground within your own soul, while tolerating the views of others, but not succumbing to their false ways.
Allow doctrine (truth) to guide your walk through life. Do not allow life to guide you, without doctrine.
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Colossians 4:5
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Colossians 4:5
5 Walk [peripateo] in [en] wisdom [sophia] toward [pros] them that are without, [exo] redeeming [exagorazo] the time. [kairos] KJV-Interlinear
5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. NASB
Conducting yourself within the environment of wisdom, Gods wisdom not the worlds wisdom, is mandated here.
Why?
It is not because God depends on you to bring the Gospel to people such that they can be saved.
It is not because God depends on you to help people grow in grace toward their own spiritual maturity.
After all, the world, if left to itself, would not have lasted very long in history, let alone for thousands of years.
God does not need you or anyone, to promote His plan. He does not depend on human means.
However, God does allow you to participate, or to demonstrate your reluctance to participate, in His plan.
Look around the world, nations are in debt up to their eyeballs. Suffering and difficulties exist everywhere, and are growing at an alarming rate.
Two things contribute to these circumstances. First there is Satan, the prince of evil, who knows that his time is drawing shorter and shorter with each passing day, and so he accelerates his evil in order to cause Gods failure.
And second, there are people and their lack of spiritual attributes. Combine these two things and you will find greater and greater suffering and hardship within the world. The second characteristic, the failure of people, is the most volatile characteristic of the two.
God has commanded people to pursue their spiritual lives. God has commanded people to support spiritual instruction. God has commanded people to pray with fervor, for clear and understandable and readily available instruction, and what is the response? Virtually none.
What is the alternative, when people fail? Then God sets a course that is certain to bring the gospel and His name before the world.
A long time ago, God birthed a person into this world, for this precise day in history. You have probably seen the coverage of the Michael Jackson funeral services. But did you think to consider the impact it might be having on the world?
With one single stroke, God took a prominent person and made His name (that of Christ), known all over the world. Perhaps thousands or even millions of people were introduced to Christ on this day, from the indirect event of Jackson’s death. Of all of his success, this single event, could very well have been Michaels greatest success, courtesy of Gods grace.
Our verse states, redeeming or making the most of the opportunity. That is our obligation to humanity. Life has a destiny, and life’s best destiny exists in heaven, not on this earth.
What people fail to do, even though they have many opportunities throughout their life, God can accomplish in a single day.
You do not get credit for that which you do not do. And even though you can never earn nor deserve anything, God gives us all ample opportunities to participate in His plan. However, most simply do not. And that is one of the biggest failures in life that anyone can have.
God provides you with means and opportunity, and you ignore it either through indifference, selfishness, or your own greed, laziness and unresponsiveness.
There are millions even billions of people who need God. You are in the forefront of His plan, right now, and you can do your part, if you choose, to participate in that world event, the greatest event in all of human history, that will affect the eternal future of vast numbers of folks.
The question is, ‘Will you?’
Or will you leave it all up to God and others, thus excluding this opportunity out of your ‘story’ and out of your eternal blessing package?
God has a plan for each of our individual lives. His plan is designed to glorify Christ. You can be proactive in your own plan, or indifferent. In either case, Gods plan will succeed, and you can participate in that success or not. That choice is, and has always been, and always will be, yours.
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Colossians 4:5
5 Walk [peripateo] in [en] wisdom [sophia] toward [pros] them that are without, [exo] redeeming [exagorazo] the time. [kairos] KJV-Interlinear
5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. NASB
Conducting yourself within the environment of wisdom, Gods wisdom not the worlds wisdom, is mandated here.
Why?
It is not because God depends on you to bring the Gospel to people such that they can be saved.
It is not because God depends on you to help people grow in grace toward their own spiritual maturity.
After all, the world, if left to itself, would not have lasted very long in history, let alone for thousands of years.
God does not need you or anyone, to promote His plan. He does not depend on human means.
However, God does allow you to participate, or to demonstrate your reluctance to participate, in His plan.
Look around the world, nations are in debt up to their eyeballs. Suffering and difficulties exist everywhere, and are growing at an alarming rate.
Two things contribute to these circumstances. First there is Satan, the prince of evil, who knows that his time is drawing shorter and shorter with each passing day, and so he accelerates his evil in order to cause Gods failure.
And second, there are people and their lack of spiritual attributes. Combine these two things and you will find greater and greater suffering and hardship within the world. The second characteristic, the failure of people, is the most volatile characteristic of the two.
God has commanded people to pursue their spiritual lives. God has commanded people to support spiritual instruction. God has commanded people to pray with fervor, for clear and understandable and readily available instruction, and what is the response? Virtually none.
What is the alternative, when people fail? Then God sets a course that is certain to bring the gospel and His name before the world.
A long time ago, God birthed a person into this world, for this precise day in history. You have probably seen the coverage of the Michael Jackson funeral services. But did you think to consider the impact it might be having on the world?
With one single stroke, God took a prominent person and made His name (that of Christ), known all over the world. Perhaps thousands or even millions of people were introduced to Christ on this day, from the indirect event of Jackson’s death. Of all of his success, this single event, could very well have been Michaels greatest success, courtesy of Gods grace.
Our verse states, redeeming or making the most of the opportunity. That is our obligation to humanity. Life has a destiny, and life’s best destiny exists in heaven, not on this earth.
What people fail to do, even though they have many opportunities throughout their life, God can accomplish in a single day.
You do not get credit for that which you do not do. And even though you can never earn nor deserve anything, God gives us all ample opportunities to participate in His plan. However, most simply do not. And that is one of the biggest failures in life that anyone can have.
God provides you with means and opportunity, and you ignore it either through indifference, selfishness, or your own greed, laziness and unresponsiveness.
There are millions even billions of people who need God. You are in the forefront of His plan, right now, and you can do your part, if you choose, to participate in that world event, the greatest event in all of human history, that will affect the eternal future of vast numbers of folks.
The question is, ‘Will you?’
Or will you leave it all up to God and others, thus excluding this opportunity out of your ‘story’ and out of your eternal blessing package?
God has a plan for each of our individual lives. His plan is designed to glorify Christ. You can be proactive in your own plan, or indifferent. In either case, Gods plan will succeed, and you can participate in that success or not. That choice is, and has always been, and always will be, yours.
Monday, July 6, 2009
Colossians 4:4
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Colossians 4:4
4 That [hina] I may make [phaneroo] it [autos] manifest, [phaneroo] as [hos] I [me] ought [dei] to speak. [laleo] KJV-Interlinear
4 in order that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. NASB
Prayer is a mandatory result of a successful spiritual life. Prayer helps you formulate spiritual thoughts from within your soul, thus helping in your understanding and growth and application of Gods will, to your life and to the world in general.
Prayer is your feedback to God resulting from your learning by means of hearing His instruction, and the repeated circulation of truth through your soul.
Without prayer, the spiritual life is lacking and Gods response is not there. With prayer, your spiritual growth is accelerated and Gods response is abundant.
Zech. 7:13
13 "And it came about that just as He called and they would not listen, so they called and I would not listen," says the Lord of hosts; NASB
God hears your prayers, only when they comply with His standards. All prayers must be offered from within the fellowship sphere, with but one exception, and that is the prayer for salvation, which is the unbelievers initial faith in Christ. Ones initial faith in Christ is a prayer of sorts, supported by the Holy Spirit, in order to consummate salvation for the unbeliever.
All other prayer comes from believers only and from believers in fellowship only, and are offered to the Father, in the name of Christ.
Prayer demonstrates positive volition of the believer, and advancement in their spiritual life. These prayers God hears and acts upon.
Prayers from unbelievers (except their salvation expression of faith), and prayers from believers out of fellowship, go unheard (rejected), as they do not comply with Gods prayer policy.
As goes the spiritual lives of people of the world, so goes the prosperity or lack thereof, of the world.
As goes your personal spiritual life, so goes your blessings and prosperity or lack thereof.
Likewise, prayers should be offered for instructors, such that they can gain needed help from God, in presenting viable and useful spiritual instruction.
All spiritual information comes from God, and through instruction or instructors of some type. One cannot sit on one’s own porch and simply pray for instant understanding. That will not occur in this life.
Life is not made up of genies and wishful thinking. You’ll note that God placed you into this world to grow up and to work and to become some sort of contribution to society. Therefore, off to school or off to work we go.
We listen, we learn, we become responsible, we experience life’s good things and life’s trials and sorrows. And, we look to God to put it all together for us. That piecing together of life’s puzzle comes through doctrine. But doctrine comes to you courtesy of God, because you ask either through direct prayer, or because you ask through your desire to learn and through your wanting to know.
God can look down through the tunnel of time and know your thoughts and intents better than you. But, He will never force anything on you. You have to want to learn, and then God will never withhold any truth from you. It then is left up to you to sort out your personal beliefs from Gods truth. Doctrine helps in that effort
Doctrine helps you do that, but only if you stick with your studies. The world will try as it may, to get you to doubt, and disagree with doctrine. The world will try as it may to keep doctrine from you, even to the point of removing it altogether.
Only negative volition toward God and truth, will result in the removal of access to Gods word from you. And when that happens, the sorrows and pains of life become unbearable.
Therefore, pray for your daily bread, as the Lords prayer states. But pray also for those who teach, such that their teaching will continue uninterrupted, so that their teaching will be objective and correct, so that their teaching will result in your own spiritual growth and success.
Without doctrine, without instructors, without prayers from people all over the world, our individual lives would be empty and useless.
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Colossians 4:4
4 That [hina] I may make [phaneroo] it [autos] manifest, [phaneroo] as [hos] I [me] ought [dei] to speak. [laleo] KJV-Interlinear
4 in order that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak. NASB
Prayer is a mandatory result of a successful spiritual life. Prayer helps you formulate spiritual thoughts from within your soul, thus helping in your understanding and growth and application of Gods will, to your life and to the world in general.
Prayer is your feedback to God resulting from your learning by means of hearing His instruction, and the repeated circulation of truth through your soul.
Without prayer, the spiritual life is lacking and Gods response is not there. With prayer, your spiritual growth is accelerated and Gods response is abundant.
Zech. 7:13
13 "And it came about that just as He called and they would not listen, so they called and I would not listen," says the Lord of hosts; NASB
God hears your prayers, only when they comply with His standards. All prayers must be offered from within the fellowship sphere, with but one exception, and that is the prayer for salvation, which is the unbelievers initial faith in Christ. Ones initial faith in Christ is a prayer of sorts, supported by the Holy Spirit, in order to consummate salvation for the unbeliever.
All other prayer comes from believers only and from believers in fellowship only, and are offered to the Father, in the name of Christ.
Prayer demonstrates positive volition of the believer, and advancement in their spiritual life. These prayers God hears and acts upon.
Prayers from unbelievers (except their salvation expression of faith), and prayers from believers out of fellowship, go unheard (rejected), as they do not comply with Gods prayer policy.
As goes the spiritual lives of people of the world, so goes the prosperity or lack thereof, of the world.
As goes your personal spiritual life, so goes your blessings and prosperity or lack thereof.
Likewise, prayers should be offered for instructors, such that they can gain needed help from God, in presenting viable and useful spiritual instruction.
All spiritual information comes from God, and through instruction or instructors of some type. One cannot sit on one’s own porch and simply pray for instant understanding. That will not occur in this life.
Life is not made up of genies and wishful thinking. You’ll note that God placed you into this world to grow up and to work and to become some sort of contribution to society. Therefore, off to school or off to work we go.
We listen, we learn, we become responsible, we experience life’s good things and life’s trials and sorrows. And, we look to God to put it all together for us. That piecing together of life’s puzzle comes through doctrine. But doctrine comes to you courtesy of God, because you ask either through direct prayer, or because you ask through your desire to learn and through your wanting to know.
God can look down through the tunnel of time and know your thoughts and intents better than you. But, He will never force anything on you. You have to want to learn, and then God will never withhold any truth from you. It then is left up to you to sort out your personal beliefs from Gods truth. Doctrine helps in that effort
Doctrine helps you do that, but only if you stick with your studies. The world will try as it may, to get you to doubt, and disagree with doctrine. The world will try as it may to keep doctrine from you, even to the point of removing it altogether.
Only negative volition toward God and truth, will result in the removal of access to Gods word from you. And when that happens, the sorrows and pains of life become unbearable.
Therefore, pray for your daily bread, as the Lords prayer states. But pray also for those who teach, such that their teaching will continue uninterrupted, so that their teaching will be objective and correct, so that their teaching will result in your own spiritual growth and success.
Without doctrine, without instructors, without prayers from people all over the world, our individual lives would be empty and useless.
Saturday, July 4, 2009
Colossians 4:2
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Colossians 4:2
2 Continue [proskartereo] in prayer, [proseuche] and watch [gregoreuo] in [en] the same [autos] with [en] thanksgiving; [eucharistia] KJV-Interlinear
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; NASB
The function of your spiritual life exists only from within the fellowship sphere.
Everything you do while in fellowship is either a proactive or a passive form of prayer, or communication with God. Whether studying your scriptures dutifully, or working at your chosen or involuntary career or life path, whether sleeping peacefully or praying earnestly, all legitimate communication to God originates from your fellowship environment.
Without God in your life, whether you are a husband, wife, single person, child, slave or master, you cannot fulfill your life responsibilities or obligations to God.
God is the eternal source of all things. Recall our study of ‘I Am,’ from Exodus.
Without God, there is no promise given. With God, in ones earnest and persevering prayer, all promises are fulfilled with abundance.
The only thing that thwarts a person’s blessings in life is that they pray, but without obedience to Gods mandates.
Husbands do not obey the rules laid out for them by God.
Wives do not obey the rules laid out for them by God.
Children do not obey the rules laid out for them by God.
Slaves do not obey the rules laid out for them by God.
Masters do not obey the rules laid out for them by God.
Each person in their respective category, looks to God, but on their own terms, not on Gods terms. Most reject Gods commands and do as they see fit, and remain defiant or belligerent, argumentative, adversarial, pursuing their own goals in life for advancement or recognition or authority or power, or just plain self willed ego.
Most folks feel that they can do things better, or can achieve their own goals faster, or that they just do not have the time to wait on God.
When husbands are abusive, when wives are disrespectful, when children are indifferent, when slaves are bitter, when masters are arrogant, then what outcome do you expect? Then who deserves the blame, but who gets it?
All persons have an obligation to God, and to seek His wisdom in the only means available to them, which is through their daily Bible study. But more than that, each person has an obligation of prayer to God, and not just an occasional prayer when you need it, but a persistent and daily pattern of prayer, such that His will, will always be in the forefront of your mind.
And remember one thing above all, you are nothing when without God. Doctrine in your soul, and that means functioning doctrine, is the only thing that gives your life meaning, purpose and value.
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Colossians 4:2
2 Continue [proskartereo] in prayer, [proseuche] and watch [gregoreuo] in [en] the same [autos] with [en] thanksgiving; [eucharistia] KJV-Interlinear
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; NASB
The function of your spiritual life exists only from within the fellowship sphere.
Everything you do while in fellowship is either a proactive or a passive form of prayer, or communication with God. Whether studying your scriptures dutifully, or working at your chosen or involuntary career or life path, whether sleeping peacefully or praying earnestly, all legitimate communication to God originates from your fellowship environment.
Without God in your life, whether you are a husband, wife, single person, child, slave or master, you cannot fulfill your life responsibilities or obligations to God.
God is the eternal source of all things. Recall our study of ‘I Am,’ from Exodus.
Without God, there is no promise given. With God, in ones earnest and persevering prayer, all promises are fulfilled with abundance.
The only thing that thwarts a person’s blessings in life is that they pray, but without obedience to Gods mandates.
Husbands do not obey the rules laid out for them by God.
Wives do not obey the rules laid out for them by God.
Children do not obey the rules laid out for them by God.
Slaves do not obey the rules laid out for them by God.
Masters do not obey the rules laid out for them by God.
Each person in their respective category, looks to God, but on their own terms, not on Gods terms. Most reject Gods commands and do as they see fit, and remain defiant or belligerent, argumentative, adversarial, pursuing their own goals in life for advancement or recognition or authority or power, or just plain self willed ego.
Most folks feel that they can do things better, or can achieve their own goals faster, or that they just do not have the time to wait on God.
When husbands are abusive, when wives are disrespectful, when children are indifferent, when slaves are bitter, when masters are arrogant, then what outcome do you expect? Then who deserves the blame, but who gets it?
All persons have an obligation to God, and to seek His wisdom in the only means available to them, which is through their daily Bible study. But more than that, each person has an obligation of prayer to God, and not just an occasional prayer when you need it, but a persistent and daily pattern of prayer, such that His will, will always be in the forefront of your mind.
And remember one thing above all, you are nothing when without God. Doctrine in your soul, and that means functioning doctrine, is the only thing that gives your life meaning, purpose and value.
Friday, July 3, 2009
Colossians 4:1
This study is from an on going online Daily Bible Study at:
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Colossians 4:1
1 Masters, [kurios] give [parecho] unto your servants [doulos] that which is just [dikaios] and [kai] equal; [isotes] knowing [eido] that [hoti] ye [humeis] also [kai] have [echo] a Master [kurios] in [en] heaven. [ouranos] KJV-Interlinear
1 Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven. NASB
To whom God gives much, God expects much. There is not a single person born on this planet, that is superior or inferior (in Gods eyes) to any other person.
And though there are many who have greater intellectual capabilities, greater physical talents, greater gifted abilities, greater wealth, greater insight and so forth, none of these attributes were provided exclusively for that persons sole and exclusive use and advancement.
God foresaw every possible need in the economics of human history, even when greed and self righteousness and abuses have tendencies to lead people toward elite attitudes regarding themselves over others.
Remember one important principle of life. Humanity is dust and nothing more. God took a pile of dust and fashioned beautiful and ugly, rich and poor, smart and dumb, talented and untalented, and put them all together throughout history to prove mans failure, and Gods ability to make every possible combination of human circumstance into a successful life for anyone who pursues His will.
For the wealthy, the rich, the upper classes, the middle classes, for the CEO’s, the employers, the supervisors, the bosses and so forth, remember too, that God is your sovereign. His policy is to become your policy, within the range which He authorizes you to exercise your God given authority. Anything else is a violation of His will.
So, how many rich masters do you know, that use Biblical principles to guide their business practices?
Most probably those who are not in the limelight, and go virtually unheard of, are the only ones who have any sense of their responsibility to God, and obligation to humanity.
And by obligation, I am speaking of pursuing good business practices. Using their talents in business to create jobs, create commerce, and so forth. This has nothing to do with social welfare philosophies. Folks need to work for their living and self esteem, not become intentional burdens on society.
And if you recall our study in Job, regarding reservoirs, God has placed vast reservoirs of resources for the support of humanity. These reservoirs include wealthy people, investors, innovators, those who would take the risks in business for a profit, while simultaneously creating jobs for everyone else.
And by the way, just a quick note here, only businesses that create new services, new products, new resources for used products, and so forth, are capable of generating economic growth. Organizations (government) that create busy work jobs, add nothing to the economy, because they do not generate business, do not generate new income, but instead remove money from the system through taxation, and that takes away from a growing and expanding economy, placing a burden on society, and burdens hinder growth.
It takes new products and services that people want, to make an economy grow and thrive.
And masters who promote such things, are honoring to the Lord through their pursuit of the divine establishment of free enterprise, and those people who pursue Gods will within their spiritual lives, honor God even more so.
DailyBibleStudy.Org | Daily Bible Study Index Page | Daily Bible Study Online E-Book Library
Colossians 4:1
1 Masters, [kurios] give [parecho] unto your servants [doulos] that which is just [dikaios] and [kai] equal; [isotes] knowing [eido] that [hoti] ye [humeis] also [kai] have [echo] a Master [kurios] in [en] heaven. [ouranos] KJV-Interlinear
1 Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven. NASB
To whom God gives much, God expects much. There is not a single person born on this planet, that is superior or inferior (in Gods eyes) to any other person.
And though there are many who have greater intellectual capabilities, greater physical talents, greater gifted abilities, greater wealth, greater insight and so forth, none of these attributes were provided exclusively for that persons sole and exclusive use and advancement.
God foresaw every possible need in the economics of human history, even when greed and self righteousness and abuses have tendencies to lead people toward elite attitudes regarding themselves over others.
Remember one important principle of life. Humanity is dust and nothing more. God took a pile of dust and fashioned beautiful and ugly, rich and poor, smart and dumb, talented and untalented, and put them all together throughout history to prove mans failure, and Gods ability to make every possible combination of human circumstance into a successful life for anyone who pursues His will.
For the wealthy, the rich, the upper classes, the middle classes, for the CEO’s, the employers, the supervisors, the bosses and so forth, remember too, that God is your sovereign. His policy is to become your policy, within the range which He authorizes you to exercise your God given authority. Anything else is a violation of His will.
So, how many rich masters do you know, that use Biblical principles to guide their business practices?
Most probably those who are not in the limelight, and go virtually unheard of, are the only ones who have any sense of their responsibility to God, and obligation to humanity.
And by obligation, I am speaking of pursuing good business practices. Using their talents in business to create jobs, create commerce, and so forth. This has nothing to do with social welfare philosophies. Folks need to work for their living and self esteem, not become intentional burdens on society.
And if you recall our study in Job, regarding reservoirs, God has placed vast reservoirs of resources for the support of humanity. These reservoirs include wealthy people, investors, innovators, those who would take the risks in business for a profit, while simultaneously creating jobs for everyone else.
And by the way, just a quick note here, only businesses that create new services, new products, new resources for used products, and so forth, are capable of generating economic growth. Organizations (government) that create busy work jobs, add nothing to the economy, because they do not generate business, do not generate new income, but instead remove money from the system through taxation, and that takes away from a growing and expanding economy, placing a burden on society, and burdens hinder growth.
It takes new products and services that people want, to make an economy grow and thrive.
And masters who promote such things, are honoring to the Lord through their pursuit of the divine establishment of free enterprise, and those people who pursue Gods will within their spiritual lives, honor God even more so.
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