Answer: In the flesh was our old state. Not in the flesh, but in the Spirit, is our new state, because we have life in the power of the Spirit. He dwells in us otherwise the character of Christ, the Spirit of Christ, could not be seen in us.
“Now if any man have not the Spirit of Christ, he is not of Him” (See N.T.). That is, if the Spirit of God does not dwell in a person, the Spirit of Christ cannot be seen in his ways.
Answer: When our Lord died upon the cross, his spirit went to the Father to whom He had committed it, and the thief was with Him there that day in paradise, and that is where all the departed spirits of believers are: “with Christ, which is far better” (Phil. 1:2323For I am in a strait betwixt two, having a desire to depart, and to be with Christ; which is far better: (Philippians 1:23)). “Absent from the body, present with the Lord” (2 Cor. 5:88We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord. (2 Corinthians 5:8)).
Hell in these verses is not the place of lost souls, but the state of the dead, meaning the unseen, the soul apart from the body.
Ephesians 4:88Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Ephesians 4:8) is the ascended Christ giving gifts to men (see verse 11). Christ did not ascend to heaven till forty days after His resurrection. Ascension means the whole man going to heaven. David is not yet ascended, his body is still in the grave (Acts 2:2929Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. (Acts 2:29) to 34), but his spirit is with Christ (Heb. 12:2323To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, (Hebrews 12:23)), and so are all who died in faith (Heb. 11:1313These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. (Hebrews 11:13)). Ephesians 4:9, 109(Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? 10He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) (Ephesians 4:9‑10) tells us Christ descended into the lower parts of the earth, that is, the grave, and is now ascended far above all heavens. There is no preaching to those who are dead. They were preached to before they died, and they are in prison awaiting the judgment for their sins, and on account of their disobedience (Eph. 5:66Let no man deceive you with vain words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of God upon the children of disobedience. (Ephesians 5:6); Col. 3:55Mortify therefore your members which are upon the earth; fornication, uncleanness, inordinate affection, evil concupiscence, and covetousness, which is idolatry: (Colossians 3:5); 1 Peter 3:2020Which sometime were disobedient, when once the longsuffering of God waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was a preparing, wherein few, that is, eight souls were saved by water. (1 Peter 3:20) and 4:6).
Answer: Yes, the Second Epistle to Timothy predicts and describes the state into which the church or assembly, the House of God, would fall, and has now fallen. In each chapter we find its failure mentioned. We also find our resource in what God has given, that man’s failure cannot destroy or take from the one who walks with God. We do not have the body of Christ mentioned in it. It is the house of God aspect, and though now outwardly ruined, it is for faithful souls, the dwelling place of God still. “The habitation of God through the Spirit” (Eph. 2:2222In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:22)), and will continue to be the Spirit’s dwelling place till the church, Christ’s body and bride, is called home.
In chapter 1:15, the turning away had begun, division had begun. In chapter 2:18 they have erred from the truth, evil doctrine is spreading. In chapter 3:8 they resist the truth. In chapter 4:4 they turn from the truth to fables.
The Lord offsets these in chapter 1 by the promise of life in Christ Jesus and salvation according to His eternal purpose (verse 1, 9). In chapter 2:19 the foundation of God stands sure, His work cannot be destroyed. In chap. 3:14-17 we have the apostle’s example, and the Scriptures which cannot pass away. In chap. 4:8, 18 we have the sure reward to encourage the faithful soul.
Chapter 2 marks out the path for the man of God through the confusion. Like a soldier, he must endure hardness, and have a single eye for his Master (verses 3, 4). Like the athlete, he must be obedient (verse 5)
Like the husbandman he must labor and wait for the harvest before partaking of the fruits (verse 6) He also shares the rejection, and suffers with Christ before partaking of His glory (verses 7-13). He carefully divides the word of truth (verse 15). We have the path of separation from evil, and the ground on which the company of fellowship is formed (verses 19-22).
Verse 19. The foundation of God cannot change or be shaken; its seal is: “The Lord knoweth them that are His.” We do not need to pronounce on people, but we are to depart from iniquity; we can know and associate with those who do so.
Verse 20 describes the mixed condition by the simile of a great house.
Verse 21 tells us to purge ourselves from the mixture, so we shall be a vessel unto honor, set apart and meet for the Master’s use, and prepared unto every good work.
Verse 22 “Flee also youthful lusts,” bids us cleanse our personal ways, and to follow righteousness, practically; faith, that is, obedience to the Word of God; charity, better translated love, the activity of the divine nature; and peace, characteristically; with them that call on the Lord out of a pure heart. Others are found following (not men) but these traits or the character of the divine nature, and we also end other instructions given to the whole church that apply to this little remnant who seek to walk in holy separation to the Lord. (See for example Eph. 4:2, 32With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; 3Endeavoring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. (Ephesians 4:2‑3)).
Verses 23 to 26 give instructions how to seek the good of others who are not clear on the truth; or have fallen into error in any way.