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Marking Off the Bounds (προορίζω)

Often translated as “predestined”, it is a word that means boundaries or region (Matthew 4:13), with a preposition added to express something that is done beforehand. It does not inherently imply a destination, but a boundary or area; therefore, using “predestine” to define it adds a meaning that does not exist in the original word.

Unfortunately, there is a lot of theological baggage that has been added to this word. It is used to imply that God predetermined who would be saved and therefore who would not. However, when we keep it in context, we find that this is not true. The first thing we need to do is remove the erroneous definition of “predestined” and use the proper definition, “marking off the bounds beforehand”. Then we need to pay attention to context, especially with the difference in singular and plural subjects.

We see a good example of the proper use of this word when Peter was defending himself and John before the leaders of Israel for preaching the resurrected Christ because he uses “marked off beforehand” when discussing what they were permitted to do to the Messiah concerning the plans of the leaders.

… to do as much as your hand and your determinate will marked off beforehand to come to be – Acts 4:28.

They had already set boundaries concerning what they were planning on doing with Christ before they sent the guards to arrest Him on the night in which He was betrayed.

In Romans, God’s plan is laid out for us in how, according to His purpose, He calls because those who He foreknew He marked off their bounds. They are not predestined to salvation, but according to His purpose, those that will be saved will […]

Marking Off the Bounds (προορίζω)2023-11-25T08:04:18-08:00

2 Corinthians The Christ, A New Creation

Astounded, to God, A Saved Frame of Mind to You, 2 Corinthians 5:13

Astounded – To Stand Out From

The Devout Jews in Jerusalem Hearing the Galileans Speak in Their Dialect, Acts 2:7

Simon the Magician astounding the people of Samaria, Acts 8:9

Simon the Magician’s Seeing the Signs and Wonders Phillip Did in Samaria, Acts 8:13

The Jews with Peter at Cornelius’ House, Acts 10:45

Peter Knocking at the Door of Mary’s House, Acts 12:16

Astounded Is Primarily Used in the Gospels and the Book of Acts

Being Astounded is a feeling or showing of great surprise or wonder

Does not mean to be out of one’s mind

The Jews Concerning Jesus Being Insane, John 10:19-21

Paul Speaking Truth to Festus, Acts 26:24-25

Seeing Something That Blows the Mind

Our Astonishment is Towards God

Towards Others, Having a Sound Frame of Mind, 2 Corinthians 5:13

Having a Saved Frame of Mind

Young Men are to Have a Saved Frame of Mind, Titus 2:6-8

The End is Near So We All Should Have A Saved Frame of Mind, 1 Peter 4:7

The Framing of the Mind is What Boundaries We Set on Our Mind

We Are to Frame Our Minds on The Things Above, Colossians 3:1-2

Not Having a High Frame of Mind Concerning Yourself, Romans 12:3

Having the Same Frame of Mind as Christ, Philippians 2:5-8

What Paul is Expressing to Us is Not Astounding, For With the Holy Spirit We Can Understand

Christ Died Once for All,

2 Corinthians The Christ, A New Creation2023-12-14T12:24:09-08:00

Doubting (διακρίνω)

In Romans, when Paul writes concerning what sin is for a Christian, he uses a word that has the meaning of “to thoroughly judge”, which is translated as “doubting” or “making a distinction”

But the one doubting, if perhaps, he should eat is condemned because it is not out from faith. And all which is not out from faith is sin. – Romans 14:23.

Since sin involves doing something that is not out from faith, doubting is questioning what is permissible. Therefore, when we do something that is contrary to what we have determined within our minds is permitted by God for us as Christians, we are not taking God at His Word. This involves a battle with the conscience, for it will either excuse or accuse us based upon our knowledge and actions (Romans 2:15). One who is doubting is thoroughly judging ways to get around their conscience to justify doing something that they know is wrong. Typically, this type of a situation comes about by the influence of others. We are instructed in Romans 14:1 to accept the weaker in the faith brother, but not for the purpose of thoroughly judging their beliefs. And neither is to seek to influence the other with the way they have chosen to separate themselves out to God (Romans 14:10). One may choose to abstain where the other does not. This is not permitting sin in the assembly, but how we each govern our own bodies before God.

James also uses this same word to describe someone who is not asking out from faith. Describing this type of a person as one who is like a wave of the sea that is driven by the wind and tossed (James 1:6). These are […]

Doubting (διακρίνω)2023-11-25T08:05:01-08:00

2 Corinthians Appearing Before the Reward Seat of Christ

Our Fondness of Honor, 2 Corinthians 5:9-10

Our Ambition, 2 Corinthians 5:9

“Ambition” Comes from a Word that Means, “To be Fond of Honor”

Paul Concerning Preaching the Gospel Where Christ Had Not Been Named, Romans 15:20

For Us, to Make it Our Ambition to Lead a Quite Life, Attending Our Own Business, Working with Our Own Hands, 1 Thessalonians 4:9-12

Whether At Home or Away from Home, to Be Pleasing to God

Presenting Our Bodies as a Living Sacrifice, Romans 12:1

Using Our Renewed Mind to Prove (test for approval) the Will of God, Romans 12:2

Giving to Support the Ministry, Philippians 4:18

Children Obeying Parents, Colossians 3:20

Servants Being Submissive to Their Masters, Titus 2:9

It is God Who Equips Us, Hebrews 13:20-21

We Will All Appear Before the Reward Seat of Christ, 2 Corinthians 5:10

This is a Place Where Reward is Distributed, Not Judgment

We are Rewarded for Our Labors in The Lord, 1 Corinthians 3:8

How We Build Upon the Foundation Laid, 1 Corinthians 3:10-11

What we Build – Gold, Silver, Hay, Straw, Will Be Evident in the Day, 1 Corinthians 3:12-13

Our Works Will be Tested for What is Good, 1 Corinthians 3:14

We Are Not Judged, Our Works are Examined, 1 Corinthians 3:15

This Should Put Fear in Us, Not Afraid of Being Judged, but a Fear to be Careful How We Build

As We Grow in the Lord, Sometimes We are Allowed to Tear Down the Things Built of Straw and […]

2 Corinthians Appearing Before the Reward Seat of Christ2023-12-14T08:16:10-08:00

The Importance of Self-Sufficiency in the World System

And make it your ambition (fondness of honor) to lead a tranquil life and to attend to your own things and to work with your hands just as we commanded you in order that you should walk becomingly towards those who are outside and not have need – 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12

Ambition expresses the concept of what we have a fondness for honor in. It was Paul’s ambition to preach Christ where He had not been preached (Romans 15:20). It should be our ambition to lead a tranquil life. A life where we are content and at peace. The world system does not want us to have this type of lifestyle because through it we become self-sufficient while working with our own hands and minding our own business. If someone is not willing to work, then they should not eat from another’s labors (2 Thessalonians 2:10).

One of the aspects of godliness is contentment. Regardless of what we have on earth we are beloved in Christ and should be content with having food, clothing, and a roof over our head (1 Timothy 6:8).  So many issues are brought into our lives because we are not content with what we have (1 Timothy 6:9). This does not mean we cannot be motivated to improve our lives, for we should seek to grow, mature, become better, gain skills, work with our own hands so that we have more than we need and are able to help fellow saints in need. But through all that, we should be content with where God has us.

Contentment makes it difficult for the world system to influence us. It uses the desires from our flesh – newer things, a spouse, higher paying job, etc. […]

The Importance of Self-Sufficiency in the World System2023-12-14T08:16:41-08:00
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