Poor (πτωχός)

Poor is a word that means to lack something. It can be used of financial means, understanding, knowledge, or doctrine. If we are not careful with context it can be miss applied by implying it is addressing someone who is in financial need, but really is lacking in other areas.

In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus refers to the poor in spirit as being happy ones (Matthew 5:3). He is referring to the Jews during the Tribulation period who will be lacking information concerning what the man of lawlessness is doing in the temple after Israel flees to the wilderness because he has set himself up as God. When Jesus said He came to preach good news to the poor, He was not referring to those who lacked financial means, but the truth. He healed the lame, cleansed the lepers, even raised the dead, while presenting the good news to those who were poor in understanding (Matthew 11:5).

We live in a time where wealth and numbers are more valuable to the assemblies than truth, because they are poor in doctrine (Revelation 3:14-22). Many claim to follow Jesus, but really are just mockers of the truth following after their own ungodly desires (Jude 17-19). They masquerade as messengers of light, just as Satan does, while walking in darkness not knowing where they go and leading others astray with them.

When it comes to the things of the world system and religion, they are described as weak and poor (Galatians 4:9-10). Touch not, taste not, observance of days, months, new moons. These have an appearance of wisdom but are just weak and poor self-made religions serving to indulge the flesh (Colossians 2:21-23).

It is far greater of an issue […]

Poor (πτωχός)Luther Walker2023-11-25T08:03:45-08:00

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)Luther Walker2023-11-25T08:04:18-08:00

Conclusions of the Mind (νόημα)

How a person’s mind works is seen in their actions, which are a result of the conclusions the mind makes. By taking the word for mind and adding a specific ending, the Greek language is expressing the result of the working of the mind, so not just the thoughts, but the conclusions resulting from our thoughts.

As Christians, we are not to be ignorant of the workings of Satan’s mind (2 Corinthians 2:11). In Scripture, the methods that he uses are revealed to us (Ephesians 6:11); therefore, we are to stand firm against him. He also blinds the results of the working of the mind for those who do not believe (2 Corinthians 4:4). When presented with the truth of Scripture, the suppositions of those blinded are incorrect. A good example with this is the Gospel for Salvation, which is clearly stated in 1 Corinthians 15:1-4. Yet how many “gospel” tracks modify the message of the gospel to “repenting of your sins”, “making Jesus the Lord of your life” and so on, which are different gospels that are not good news at all (Galatians 1:6).

Due to Israel’s rejection of God’s covenant of promise and seeking their own righteousness, even today, when they read the Old Testament a veil covers the mind (2 Corinthians 3:14) so they do not understand and draw proper conclusions based upon what it states.

We have a renewed mind in Christ, a mind that can understand the things of the Spirit and produces correct suppositions based upon fact so it is able to discern what is the will of God (Romans 12:2). When we do not use this frame of mind, we can be led astray from the simplicity that is in Christ […]

Conclusions of the Mind (νόημα)Luther Walker2023-11-25T08:05:34-08:00

2 Corinthians Not Being Cowardly

We Are Not Cowardly, 2 Corinthians 4:1-2

The Ministry Paul Has, 2 Corinthians 4:1

The Ministry of the New Covenant, 2 Corinthians 3:6

A Covenant That Surpasses the Glory of the Mosaic Law, 2 Corinthians 3:7-8

Not the New Covenant for Israel, Jeremiah 31:33

We Are Not Cowardly, 2 Corinthians 4:1

Cowardly (Do Not Lose Heart [NASB]; We faint Not [KJV])

Comes from a word meaning, “to behave badly”

Often translated as “grow weary” or “be weary”, but not the same

Weary from sin and heavy-laden, Matthew 11:28

Weary from a Journey, John 4:6

Cowardly and Weary, Galatians 6:9

Not being cowardly because of Paul’s tribulations, Ephesians 3:13

In that which is bad (lacking in character) – one who turns out to be of those who are bad; hence, to behave badly or loose courage or faint

Renouncing the Hidden Things of Shame, 2 Corinthians 4:2

The Walk of Those Who Are Enemies of the Cross, Philippians 3:18-19

Those in the Church Who Have Crept In, Jude 4,13

The Doctrine of the Laodicean Church, Revelation 3:18

In Standing Against the Hidden things of Shame We Are Not Judging Others, 1 Corinthians 4:5

The Hidden Things of Shame are Done in the Darkness

Darkness is a way of life, Romans 2:19

The works of Darkness, Romans 13:12

It is a darkness of the heart, Romans 1:21

Comes from rejecting the truth, 1 John 1:6

We walk in the light, Ephesians 5:8

Not […]

2 Corinthians Not Being CowardlyLuther Walker2023-12-14T08:18:46-08:00

2 Corinthians Ministers of a New Covenant

The Saints In Corinth Are Paul’s Letter Of Commendation, 2 Corinthians 3:1-4

Do We Begin Again To Commend Ourselves To You? 2 Corinthians 3:1

Are We Introducing Or Demonstrating Ourselves To You Again?

Did Paul Need To Prove To Them Who He Is Again

Does He Need A Letter Or Recommendation For Them Or From Them?

They Know Who Paul Is, For They Are His Letter, 2 Corinthians 3:2

They Are Written In His Heart

All Can See This By Experiencing It And Reading It

While All See They Are An Epistle Of Christ, 2 Corinthians 3:3

The Epistle They Are Is Not Written With Ink

It Impacts The Heart, Which Affects Our Actions

Our Heart Is Our Center, Where Our Spirit And Soul Combine And Where Our Person Resides

It Is Always Those Around Another Person Who Show Who That Person Really Is

Paul’s Confidence Is Through Christ Facing God, 2 Corinthians 3:4

God is the One Who Made Us Sufficient Ministers of a New Covenant, 2 Corinthians 3:5-6

God is the One Who Made us Sufficient, 2 Corinthians 3:5

Sufficient – One who is qualified

The Centurion Speaking to Christ Concerning His Servant, Matthew 8:8

Those who are sufficient (qualified) to teach, 2 Timothy 2:2

As with Paul, our sufficiency is through Christ, not ourselves

Our Credentials mean nothing if we are not speaking the truth

The sufficiency we have comes from God And is Shown by Those We Impact Through Living Out Who We Are in Christ

Ministers of a New Covenant,

2 Corinthians Ministers of a New CovenantLuther Walker2023-12-14T08:19:09-08:00

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