To Suppose (νομίζω)
“To suppose (νομίζω)” expresses following a practice that is customary or common in use, leading to the concept of forming an idea or making a tentative supposition concerning something in a traditional manner.
During the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus tells the Jews not to form a common opinion that He is seeking to release the Law or the Prophets for He came to fulfill, not loose, them, Matthew 5:17. As Jesus sends out twelve disciples, He instructs them to not go to the Gentiles or the Samaritans. Instead, they are only to go to the household of Israel preaching the Kingdom of the Heavens. They are to be wise as serpents, yet as harmless as a dove, for many will deliver them to councils and scourge them in their synagogues. However, they are not to fear them because those who verbally agree that Jesus is the Messiah, He will confess them before the Father in heaven. They are not to suppose that He came to bring peace to the earth, which was the customary way of thinking concerning the Messiah’s coming; instead, He brings a sword, for brother will be against brother, and a son against his father concerning the message of the Kingdom of the Heavens, Matthew 10:34.
Speaking concerning the Kingdom of the Heavens, Jesus uses a parable in which He speaks of a landowner who hired laborers to work in his vineyard for the day. He did this three times throughout the day, gathering more laborers each time. At the end of the day, when the laborers came to receive payment for their work, those who started work in the morning supposed they should get more money than they agreed upon because the two other groups were also being paid the same amount, but did not work as long, Matthew 20:10.
Following a day’s journey from Jerusalem after the feast of Passover, Jesus’ parents supposed that He was in the company of travelers with them, which was customary since they did this every year; however, after seeking for Him among their relatives and acquaintances they did not find Him. Three days later they found Him in the Temple in Jerusalem among the teachers listening and asking questions of them, Luke 2:44.
Although Moses grew up in Pharaoh’s house, he was aware that his roots were from the Jews. At the age of forty, it came into his heart to visit his people. During this time, he comes upon an Israelite who was suffering wrong by an Egyptians; therefore, Moses defended his brethren and struck down his oppressor. Moses supposed concerning this matter that his brethren would understand God would deliver them by his hand; however, they did not put it together, Acts 7:25.
Those who teach contrary to the healthy words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teachings of godliness are puffed up and mentally grasping nothing but are morbidly sick with disputing and arguing with words, out from which comes envy, strife, blasphemy, malignantly evil suspicions, constant arguments from men of spoiled minds and destitute of the truth, supposing that gain is godliness, 1 Timothy 6:5.
Not Striking against (ἀπρόσκοπος)
While Paul was defending himself before Felix against accusations from the Jews, he spoke of his conscience. He strives to have a conscience that does not strike at, hence, cause offense, God or men, Acts 24:16.
Although we understand that food does not defile a person, if someone lacks this knowledge, we are not to use our freedom to cause offense to ( a strike against) their conscience. Instead, whatever we eat or drink it is to be in a way that expresses a proper opinion of God, not striking against the conscience of the Jews, Greeks, or Church of God, 1 Corinthians 10:32.
As we grow in love our full experiential knowledge and perception abound more and more so that we are able to approve the things that differ. In doing this, we will live out the life we have in Christ in a sincere manner and without offense to another until the day of Christ as we are filled up with the fruit of righteousness that is through Jesus Christ, Philippians 1:10.
‘Not striking against’ (ἀπρόσκοπος) is a concept often translated in English as ‘not offending’. However, ‘offense’ is also used for different words, such as ‘scandalizing’ (Matthew 18:7), and ‘trespass’ (Romans 4:25). Therefore. it is important to discern what Paul is referring to when he states we are not to give offense to any of the races. ‘Not strike against’ is a negation of the word ‘to strike’, which is used of dashing a foot against stone, Matthew 4:6, or stumbling while walking at night, John 11:10. ‘Aproskopos’ is predominately use concerning the conscience. Paul strived to have a good conscience before God and men, that did not strike against them; therefore, does not cause offenses to others while still maintaining a proper conscience before God. He never violated his conscience to please men; instead, he gave up his freedom for the sake of another’s conscience to ensure he did not cause their conscience to be scandalized or strike against it.
Self-Control (ἐγκράτεια)
Self-control (ἐγκράτεια) means to have strength over one’s appetites through regulating emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in the face of impulses or temptations.
Self-control is an aspect of the fruit of the Spirit, Galatians 5:23. Since it is a part of the fruit belonging to the Spirit, we cannot obtain it through law or self-effort. Those who seek to be righteous through their works, although having a word of wisdom through self-imposed religion, humility, and the neglecting of the body, do not through these enjoy freedom over the indulgences of the flesh, Colossians 2:23. Self-control is a product of walking by the Spirit; therefore, self-control is an ingredient of the characteristics of Christians who are Spiritual, Acts 24:25.
As we work out our faith, we gain knowledge. To this knowledge, we are to add self-control, through which we can apply godliness to our lives, 2 Peter 1:6. As we continue to mature, we add to godliness a fondness for the brethren that gives place to seeking the best for the ones loved, so the we abound and are not unfruitful or barren in the full experiential knowledge of Jesus Christ our Lord.
Therefore, self-control is a natural result of seeking out and governing our lives by the desires from the Holy Spirit, so that in freedom we maintain strength over our appetites, emotions, thoughts, and behavior in a worthy manner that glorifies God as the Holy Spirit produces the character of Christ through us.
The Church Age
An age (αἰών) is a period in which God shows something about Himself to intelligent beings. Ages are not limited to time, which was created when God made the sun and moon for the purpose of distinguishing days, months, and seasons, Genesis 1:14. There are ten revealed ages; however, the actual number of ages that God has planed are not known, only that there will be ages of ages beyond those currently disclosed, Ephesians 2:7. The known ages are: The Age of the Creation of the Universe, Job 38:7, The Age of the Kingdom of Lucifer, Ezekiel 28:14, The Chaotic Age, Genesis 1:2, The Age of the Creation of Humans, Genesis 1:26, The Age of God’s Faithfulness, Genesis 4:1, The Age of God’s Kindness, Genesis 9:1, The Age of God’s Sovereignty, Exodus 12:41, The Legal Age, Exodus 20:1, The Malignantly Evil Age, Galatians 1:4, The Kingdom Age, Matthew 13:41.
A dispensation (οἰκονομία) is a period in time in which God shows something to humans about themselves. These occurrences are restricted to time and directly relate to humans, not spirit beings. The word “Dispensation” is derived from combining “house” with “law”. This “household law” governs the activities of the people within the house and is administered by a steward. In modern language, we use the term administration, especially when describing government. Since the concept of a dispensation is well defined in Scripture by use, we are able to factually discern there are seven dispensations: Innocence, Genesis 2:25, Conscience, Genesis 4:7, Government, Genesis 9:5, Promise, Genesis 12:2, Law, Exodus 19:8, Grace, Ephesians 3:2, Fullness of Times, Ephesians 1:10.
Since ages and dispensation run consecutively, the dispensation and age we are currently in are the dispensation of grace and the malignantly evil age. The dispensation of grace specifically relates to the Church, not all humans. The malignantly evil age is how Satan is managing the world of unbelievers, and is showing God’s character in contrast to the devil’s.
The “age of the Church” is a theological term applied to the time period of the Church; however, it is inaccurate in representing the purpose of an age. It is not based upon Scripture; rather, it was derived from modifying the notion of a dispensation and causes confusion between the concept and purpose of an age from a dispensation.
Tempt (πειράζω)
Tempt (πειράζω) expresses a trial through examination or a solicitation to do something that is wrong.
When Jesus was led away into the wilderness by the Spirit, the devil solicited Him to go against the desirous will of the Father, Matthew 4:1. Satan knows that God is One, James 2:19, and that Jesus is the second Person of the Godhead, Mark 3:11. By tempting the second Person of the Godhead, Who was now in human form, Satan sought to divide Them so that Their Word concerning his coming judgment would not hold truth.
In one of the trials by the Pharisees and Sadducees, they again sought a sign from Jesus. However, their intent was not to see a sign so they would believe; instead, they sought something by which they could accuse Him of doing wrong. In response, Jesus rebukes them for being hypocrites and a malignantly evil and [spiritually] adulterous generation. They claim to know what is coming by the appearance of the sky but cannot discern the signs of the times, Matthew 16:1-4.
Attempting again to gain an advantage over Jesus so they could accuse Him, the Pharisees solicited Him to do wrong with a question, “Is it lawful for man to divorce his wife for any reason”, Matthew 19:3. Through Moses, divorce was permitted. Therefore, rather than going against Moses, which is what the Pharisees sought, Jesus explains to them why divorce was permitted through Moses. It was the hardness of their heart. However, Scripture states that the two will become one flesh and, therefore, if a man divorces his wife for anything other than fornication and marries another, he commits adultery under the Mosaic Law, Matthew 19:3-9.
Desires that solicit us to do wrong are not from God; instead, they come from a person’s own desires. One of the three spiritual enemies of the Christian uses these wants to draw him out and bait him into doing wrong, James 1:13-14. For a Christian, sin is anything that is done that is not out from faith, Romans 14:23. Faith is taking God at His Word and is always based upon a promise, Hebrews 11:1. Therefore, when a Christian knows to do good, but choose to follow the desires to go against what God expects of Him, he is sinning, James 4:17. Failure or lack of knowledge concerning a proper defense against each of the Christian’s enemies results in doing lawlessness, and therefore, sin, 1 John 3:4.
When it comes to our faith, we are to put ourselves on trial and examine that we are in the faith by putting our faith to the test to determine what is good (δοκιμάζω). This is especially concerning how a person is saved, for there are many who are led astray by false gospels that preach another Jesus, 2 Corinthians 11:4. 1 Corinthians 15:1-4 states that good news by which we are saved. Christ died on behalf of our sins, was buried, and rose again on the third day, all according to the Scriptures. Faith in Christ through these facts brings salvation, not remorse of sin, asking for forgiveness of sin, accepting Jesus into your heart, making Jesus the Lord of our life, or becoming friends with Jesus. When these gospels are put to the test, they are shown to be false; therefore, any faith based upon these false gospels and not the facts of 1 Corinthians 15:3-4, when put on trial will fail.
To Ruin (φθείρω)
Ruin (φθείρω) expresses corruption by causing physical harm or financial destruction.
When it comes to our conduct during our time on earth, we need to pay attention to our works. Are they based upon who we are in Christ or seeking the fulfillment of the flesh? We are the Holy of Holies of God. One of the aspects of our salvation is the Trinity indwells us. Therefore, if someone brings to ruin the Holy of Holies of God, which is our bodies, He will bring them to ruin, 1 Corinthians 3:17. Our works matter. We reap what we sow. We are not to be so foolish as to think that we can live like the devil’s children while enjoying the things of eternal life. If your life is in ruin, look at the works you are producing.
What agreement does the Holy of Holies of God have with false gods and idols? What part do unbelievers have with believers? God said, He will walk among us, and we will be His people, 2 Corinthians 6:16. I will be a Father to you, and you will be My sons and daughters, 2 Corinthians 6:18. Therefore, having these promises, let us cleanse ourselves from the filthiness of the flesh and spirit that the unsaved run after while we bring holiness to maturity in our lives. Ensuring that our works are causing no one to come to ruin, physically or financially, or fraudulently taking advantage, 2 Corinthians 7:2.
Those who we associate with are important to vet. Bad company brings to ruin useful habits, 1 Corinthians 15:33. We are to awake to righteousness and stop sinning. Those who continue in a sinful lifestyle are ignorant of God, to their shame.
Through the preaching of another Jesus, the receiving of a different spirit, and proclaiming a different gospel, Satan seeks to thoroughly deceive the saints to bring them to ruin from the simplicity that is in Christ, 2 Corinthians 11:3-4. We are part of one body, and Christ is our head, Ephesians 1:22-23. Separation of clergy, such as elder boards that rule over the assembly, and the merchandising of the saints (tithing) are brought into the local assemblies by false teachers for the purpose of bringing them to ruin concerning proper doctrine, so they are easily put in bondage.
False teachers creep into the assemblies, speaking blasphemy of things they do not intuitively know while acting like brute animals, only seeking to fulfill their desires, by which they bring themselves to ruin, Jude 10. There are many large assemblies built by false teachers who bring ruin upon themselves when their works are discovered. They follow after the way of Cain and run greedy in the error of Balaam. Cain followed Satan and sought to get others to participate in his attempt to please God through works. Balaam instructed Balak on how to cause the Israelites to bring judgment upon themselves for prestige and money. False teachers bring in law and seek financial gain from those who follow them.
False religions bring ruin. However, there is one coming that will ruin the entire world through her religious practices. Through her, the man of lawlessness will rise, and many who believe in God will be killed. In one day God will destroy her for her works, Revelation 19:2.
Now that we have died with Christ, and are raised to walk in newness of life, our task is to put off the things of the old man that brought ruin into our lives by following after the deceitful strong desire of the flesh, Ephesians 4:22. Instead, let us put on the new man, who we are in the Christ, the one made in true righteousness and piety as we seek to fulfill the desires from the Holy Spirit, Ephesians 4:24.