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Render Ineffective

“Render ineffective” (καταργέω) describes how something is not producing what it was intended to yield. It is not working properly and therefore returning nothing of value.

We first see this word in Scripture in a parable concerning a fig tree that is not producing fruit. It is rendering ineffective the ground, which should be producing for the owner. Luke 13:7 … cut it down, in order that why also does it render ineffective the ground? The space this tree is taking up could be used to produce fruit.

In discussing the advantage of the Jews, for the oracles of God were committed to them, Paul brings up a question concerning those who do not believe. Did their unbelief render ineffective the faithfulness of God, Romans 3:3? No, in fact, it does not. As it is written, God is true and every man is a liar because He will be justified in His Words and victorious when He judges, Romans 3:4, for He will save a remnant of Israel. Although faith does not negate the value of the law, the promise is not through law, for if it was, then faith would be rendered ineffective since the law is not out from faith, Romans 3:31; 4:14. However, those who seek to be justified out from law have rendered ineffective the Christ in their lives and have fallen from grace, Galatians 5:4, for through the law the sin nature is fully known, not righteousness. The law does not render ineffective the promise that was given four hundred and thirty years before it, Galatians 3:17. Rather the law was added because of the transgression until the faith in Christ should come.

When it comes to how we govern our lives and […]

Render IneffectiveLuther Walker2023-11-25T07:46:01-08:00

The Tongue

The tongue (γλῶσσα) describes the member of our body that is primarily used in speech and is therefore synonymous with what language we speak. In Scripture, tongue is always used of a known language upon the earth, even if the hearers do not understand it (1 Corinthians 14:11). How we use our tongue is important, for it has great power in influencing our path in life.

In the upper room, on the day of Pentecost when the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples, tongues were divided unto them, Acts 2:3. These tongues were specific dialects of the devout Jews that were in Jerusalem at this time, Acts 2:11. This was a very specific event that was only repeated a few other times for a sign to the Jews. It is not the Spiritual gift of speaking in tongues. They did not continue to speak in tongues after this because the Holy Spirit mentally controlled (πίμπλημι) them to enable this, where today the Holy Spirit fills us where we lack (πληρόω) so that we are able to use our Spiritual gift and produce His fruit (Galatians 5:22-23). We see this sign again when Peter is in the house of Cornelius, a devout Gentile. While Peter is telling them of the death and resurrection of Christ, they begin to speak in tongues, causing the Jews with Peter to wonder, Acts 10:46. What caused them to wonder was not that the Gentiles could speak in another language, but that they were speaking the wonders of God, for God said that He would give the Jews a sign by speaking to them in other tongues, 1 Corinthians 14:21. One of the healings that Jesus did as a sign to the […]

The TongueLuther Walker2023-11-25T07:49:57-08:00

Faith

Scripture defines faith (πίστις) as the substance of that which is hoped for, the conviction of accomplished deeds not seen in Hebrews 11:1. It is therefore not an attitude or belief that is dictated by probability, that is wishful thinking based upon a desire, want, or need; rather, it is a conviction based upon a promise.

Substance is referring to the underlying essence by which something exists. Christ is the exact image of God in the flesh. Through His life the fundamental nature of God was made visible to humans, Hebrews 1:3.

Conviction is the act of presenting evidence to persuade a person’s mind to believe in the truth. This evidence is established upon accomplished deeds that are not seen. We see this demonstrated in the actions of God when He determined to show the heirs of promise the immutability of His determination by giving two immutable facts, it is impossible for God to lie and making an oath based upon His word, Hebrews 6:13-18. The conviction of faith is therefore based upon the facts related to accomplished deeds that God has done.

Therefore, faith is the essence of that which is hoped for, and by the conviction based upon the facts of the promise that hope is based upon, the individual expressing belief will act according to their confidence in the person making the promise.

Many times in Scripture Jesus called out the faith of those around Him, especially of those who would not normally have faith. When a Centurion, a Gentile, asked Jesus to heal his servant, he expressed faith in the fact that Christ is the Messiah promised to the Jews by only asking that Jesus speaks the words, for one who is of authority only […]

FaithLuther Walker2023-12-14T08:12:55-08:00

Edification

Edification (οἰκοδομή) describes the act of building up and is especially focused on improving the mind and understanding. In Scripture, it is used to describe the building of the temple along with the edification of those within the Church; both are illustrating the act of building.

Edification is an important aspect of our relationship among the saints. Christ commanded us to love other saints in the New Commandment, John 13:34. This is a unique relationship that those of the Church are to have for each other and through our love, others will see that we are Christ’s disciples, John 13:35. One aspect of this love is how we edify others. Within the assembly, those who are strong in the faith support the weak ones. When it comes to how we live out our faith in what we eat and the days that we honor, we are to be respectful of each other’s decisions, pursuing peace so that we build each other up, Romans 14:19. One who is strong in the faith will build up those who are weak, not pleasing themselves, but bearing their weaknesses so that we all can through support, encouragement, fellowship, and learning together, be strengthened in our understanding of the faith, Romans 15:1-2.

When it comes to the manifestation of Spiritual gifts within the assembly, edification should be the main point. When the Church was young and did not have its full revelation, those with the gift of prophecy could edify the saints, where those with the gift of tongues would only edify themselves, for the speaking of tongues is a gift given for a sign to the unbeliever and therefore should not be used among the saints, where the gift of prophecy […]

EdificationLuther Walker2023-11-25T07:53:31-08:00

Greek Grammar Rescue

A Collection of Koine Greek Charts, Grammar, and Parts of Speech for the Student of Biblical Greek

Luther Walker

The purpose of this book is to assist students of Koine (Biblical) Greek with studying by combining the first four years of study into one concise and easy to use aid. Within these pages, the student will find every aspect of the Greek language from the forms, to how different parts of the sentences are used. I originally designed this book to provide a way for me to keep the notes and charts of my classes in a compact, concise booklet for studying anywhere at any time. Now that the book is complete, I continue to find it to be an irreplaceable assistant in my continued studies of the Greek language and explaining God’s Word in the Pastorate. My desire is that this book will help other Pastors and saints in their studies as they endeavor to understand and present the Word of God accurately to their congregations, friends, relatives, coworkers, and with all others that God so graciously gives opportunity to share His Word.

© 2017 Luther Walker | All Rights Reserved | ISBN-10: 0-9993211-0-2, ISBN-13: 978-0-9993211-0-2 | This book or any potion thereof may not be reproduced or used in any manner whatsoever without the express written permission of the publisher except for the use of brief quotations in a book review or scholarly journal.

Suffixes And Their Meanings

Greek Grammar RescueLuther Walker2023-11-25T15:07:19-08:00

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