Q. 444. (1). In what 'manner did Hymenaeus and Alexander blaspheme? (2). Can any one be guilty of blasphemy against the Holy Ghost? If so, are these the ones spoken of in 2 Tim. 3:22For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, (2 Timothy 3:2)? E. L.
A. (1) We do not know. (2) We should think so. Not specifically.
A. See B. S. for November: Q. 443, p. 372•
A. Destruction both here and hereafter.
Q. 447. How is the expression "the chariot of Israel and the horsemen thereof" (2 Kings 2:52) to be understood? M. P. L.
A. To signify that Elisha did actually see the manner of Elijah's rapture: hence his blessing.
A. As to which of two should die.
A. Probably the former, here; seeing " the heaven of heavens " is named.
Q. 450. How could Samson's taking a wife from the Philistines be " of the Lord"? Was he not directly uniting himself to God's enemies? z.
A. When it says it was " of the Lord," it simply means that God overruled it for the deliverance of Israel; not that the marriage was sanctioned by HimQ. 451. Is there any allusion in scripture to the prophecy of Enoch, other than Jude 1414And Enoch also, the seventh from Adam, prophesied of these, saying, Behold, the Lord cometh with ten thousands of his saints, (Jude 14)? F. J.
A. No.
A. To the former.
Q. 453. Eph. 5:1818And be not drunk with wine, wherein is excess; but be filled with the Spirit; (Ephesians 5:18).-Is literal wine meant here, or is the expression typical, as in other passages, of earthly joys? E. C.
A. Literal wine no doubt is included, though the passage may well be applied spiritually.
Q. 454. What is the principal teaching of Eph. 2?-that Jew and Gentile are united together, or that all believers are united to Christ? E. C.
A. Rather the former.
Q. 455. We sometimes read of the death of Christ, and sometimes of the cross of Christ. Is there any distinction? E. C.
A. Yes. The former is used in connection with the atoning side of His work; the latter with its separating power.
Q. 456. What was the condition of Nicodemus before he came to the Lord? Was he a quickened soul or not? R. D.
A. We should think that conscience had begun to work by the Spirit in his soul.
Q. 457. Which is the principal object in discipline?-to restore the one who has sinned, or to clear the Lord's name? R. D.
A. The second is the principal object; the first is secondary, though not to be lost sight of. Moreover, in point of time, the second necessarily has the precedence.
A. We know no proof that Onesiphorus was dead at the time.
Q. 459. (2 Tim. 4:1414Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works: (2 Timothy 4:14)). Do you think the apostle refers to some injury to himself personally, or to some hindrance thrown in his way as the servant of the Lord? S. L.
A. From Ver. 15 we should say most probably the latter.
A. Yes. See Phil. 1