1 Sam. 3:1. “The word of the Lord was precious in those days.” Had this been so, there would not have been such sad departure. God saw fit to rarely utter His word to them. Thus, “The word of the Lord was rare in those days.”
1 Sam. 3:19. “Did let none of his words fall to the ground.” “The Lord . . . did let none of his [Samuel’s] words fall to the ground.” “All that he [Samuel] saith cometh surely to pass” (ch. 9:6). “What Samuel had said happened” (ch. 4:1 JND).
Dan. 12:22And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to shame and everlasting contempt. (Daniel 12:2). “Shall awake, some to everlasting life.” This is not resurrection but the restoration of some to kingdom blessings (Psa. 71:2020Thou, which hast showed me great and sore troubles, shalt quicken me again, and shalt bring me up again from the depths of the earth. (Psalm 71:20) JND; Isa. 26:1919Thy dead men shall live, together with my dead body shall they arise. Awake and sing, ye that dwell in dust: for thy dew is as the dew of herbs, and the earth shall cast out the dead. (Isaiah 26:19); Ezek. 37; Hos. 6:22After two days will he revive us: in the third day he will raise us up, and we shall live in his sight. (Hosea 6:2); Rom. 11:1515For if the casting away of them be the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? (Romans 11:15)). “Everlasting life” here and “life forevermore” (Psa. 133:33As the dew of Hermon, and as the dew that descended upon the mountains of Zion: for there the Lord commanded the blessing, even life for evermore. (Psalm 133:3)) are millennial and alluded to in Matthew 19:16,29; 25:4616And, behold, one came and said unto him, Good Master, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? (Matthew 19:16)
29And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name's sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life. (Matthew 19:29)
46And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. (Matthew 25:46); Mark 10:17,3017And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life? (Mark 10:17)
30But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life. (Mark 10:30); Luke 10:25; 18:1825And, behold, a certain lawyer stood up, and tempted him, saying, Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? (Luke 10:25)
18And a certain ruler asked him, saying, Good Master, what shall I do to inherit eternal life? (Luke 18:18). Now in Christianity, commencing with John 3:1515That whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have eternal life. (John 3:15), “eternal life” has a special character as being life enjoyed in communion with God and by the Holy Spirit given from Christ glorified, consequent upon His having completed the work of redemption.
Matt. 3:1111I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: (Matthew 3:11); Luke 3:1616John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: (Luke 3:16). “Baptize with . . . fire.” This refers to future judgment on Christ’s enemies (Matt. 3:7,10,127But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees come to his baptism, he said unto them, O generation of vipers, who hath warned you to flee from the wrath to come? (Matthew 3:7)
10And now also the axe is laid unto the root of the trees: therefore every tree which bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire. (Matthew 3:10)
12Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire. (Matthew 3:12); 2 Thess. 1:8). It is not mentioned in Mark 1:88I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. (Mark 1:8); John 1:3333And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. (John 1:33); Acts 1:5; 11:165For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. (Acts 1:5)
16Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. (Acts 11:16); 1 Corinthians 12:13, nor does it refer to Acts 2:33And there appeared unto them cloven tongues like as of fire, and it sat upon each of them. (Acts 2:3), “cloven tongues like as of fire.”
Matt. 3:1111I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: (Matthew 3:11). “Baptize . . . with the Holy Ghost” is used seven times: Matthew 3:1111I indeed baptize you with water unto repentance: but he that cometh after me is mightier than I, whose shoes I am not worthy to bear: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost, and with fire: (Matthew 3:11); Mark 1:88I indeed have baptized you with water: but he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost. (Mark 1:8); Luke 3:1616John answered, saying unto them all, I indeed baptize you with water; but one mightier than I cometh, the latchet of whose shoes I am not worthy to unloose: he shall baptize you with the Holy Ghost and with fire: (Luke 3:16); John 1:3333And I knew him not: but he that sent me to baptize with water, the same said unto me, Upon whom thou shalt see the Spirit descending, and remaining on him, the same is he which baptizeth with the Holy Ghost. (John 1:33); Acts 1:55For John truly baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost not many days hence. (Acts 1:5); Acts 11:1616Then remembered I the word of the Lord, how that he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized with the Holy Ghost. (Acts 11:16); 1 Corinthians 12:13. The church was thus formed on the day of Pentecost, once for all fulfilling the above scriptures. After this, individuals that believe the gospel are “sealed” (Eph. 1:1313In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise, (Ephesians 1:13)). They are not newly “baptized with the Holy Ghost,” although they are now included in that “one body” which once was. An apt illustration is that of men becoming incorporated into a business firm: Others might afterwards become members of that corporation.
Matt. 7:11Judge not, that ye be not judged. (Matthew 7:1). “Judge not, that ye be not judged.” Voluntarily blaming others is here condemned. “He that is spiritual judgeth all things” (1 Cor. 2:15) is commendable because it is spiritually discerning according to the Word. Judging is required in 1 Corinthians 5:12.
Matt. 8:1717That it might be fulfilled which was spoken by Esaias the prophet, saying, Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses. (Matthew 8:17). “Himself took our infirmities, and bare our sicknesses.” These words are hastily misused to teach that the Lord Jesus bore our sicknesses in His own body on the tree. Alas! how gullible many have been to this lie of the devil. The truth is that we are here in Matthew 8 (and not in Matthew 27), in Capernaum (verse 5) and not in Jerusalem, about three years before He bore our sins on the tree. It is while He was going about in northern Galilee that He “fulfilled” this (Isa. 53:44Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. (Isaiah 53:4)). His heart of compassion and word of power healed all that were sick. “Bare” here, in the Greek, is bastazo, as it is also in Galatians 6:22Bear ye one another's burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ. (Galatians 6:2), “bear ye one another’s burdens”; “bare” in 1 Peter 2:24 is anaphero, as it is in Hebrews 9:2828So Christ was once offered to bear the sins of many; and unto them that look for him shall he appear the second time without sin unto salvation. (Hebrews 9:28), “bear the sins.” “Neither His flesh did see corruption” (Acts 2:3131He seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. (Acts 2:31)) utterly refutes this abominable invention.
Matt. 10:22; 24:1322And ye shall be hated of all men for my name's sake: but he that endureth to the end shall be saved. (Matthew 10:22)
13But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved. (Matthew 24:13). “He that endureth to the end shall be saved.” The next verse in each case shows that this had to do, not with the Christian nor with the soul nor with this present age, but with the godly Jewish remnant in the coming tribulation of unparalleled trials.
Matt. 13:4444Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto treasure hid in a field; the which when a man hath found, he hideth, and for joy thereof goeth and selleth all that he hath, and buyeth that field. (Matthew 13:44). “Treasure hid in a field” is not Israel, on whom He has turned His back after they had rejected Him. He is now engaged with another treasure from among the Gentiles (Acts 15:1414Simeon hath declared how God at the first did visit the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. (Acts 15:14); Titus 2:1414Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works. (Titus 2:14); 1 Peter 2:9). Matthew 13 is occupied with the present phase of the kingdom of heaven and then the outcome, without reference to the future prophetic things concerning Israel.
Matt. 24:4040Then shall two be in the field; the one shall be taken, and the other left. (Matthew 24:40). “One shall be taken, and the other left.” Here it is not the same as in 1 Thessalonians 4:17 — the saints “caught up” — but at the commencement of Christ’s kingdom when He comes in judgment “as a thief.”
Mark 13:3232But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father. (Mark 13:32). “Of that day and that hour knoweth no man . . . neither the Son.” Jesus, as the subject servant in Mark’s Gospel, had nothing in the whole Old Testament Scriptures nor yet any special word from the Father specifying the date of His second coming. This is ever purposely withheld from us in the Word.
Luke 16:22And he called him, and said unto him, How is it that I hear this of thee? give an account of thy stewardship; for thou mayest be no longer steward. (Luke 16:2). “Give an account of thy stewardship.” Here we have accountability according to the faithful use we make of all we possess since all is, in reality, Another’s. To lay up possessions on earth is hoarding, instead of using for Christ and for blessing to souls.
Luke 18:1212I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess. (Luke 18:12). “I give tithes.” The tithe was for the old Jewish order and has no place in the Christian order. Rather, “as God hath prospered,” “not as got out of you,” “not grudgingly . . . for God loveth a cheerful giver,” “free-hearted liberality” and “faithful in that which is Another’s” are for our day.
Luke 19:44And he ran before, and climbed up into a sycomore tree to see him: for he was to pass that way. (Luke 19:4). “A sycamore tree.” All authorities agree that this is a fig tree with leaves resembling the sycamore. This is the only time that the Saviour found fruit in a fig tree. It was precious to His taste.
John 1:2929The next day John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. (John 1:29). “Taketh away the sin of the world.” The verse is not about the work of the Lamb in bearing our sins, but His work as the basis for a world without sin wherein dwells everlasting righteousness (John 5:22,2722For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: (John 5:22)
27And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. (John 5:27); Rev. 5; 1 Cor. 15:25,28; Rev. 21:1,31And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. (Revelation 21:1)
3And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. (Revelation 21:3)).
John 5:19,3019Then answered Jesus and said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do: for what things soever he doeth, these also doeth the Son likewise. (John 5:19)
30I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me. (John 5:30). “The Son can do nothing of Himself.” Here in manhood and perfect, humbled obedience, He, as ever, could do nothing in independence of the Father. Each in the Godhead does everything in full accord with the others.
John 10:2222And it was at Jerusalem the feast of the dedication, and it was winter. (John 10:22). “The feast of the dedication.” After Antiochus Epiphanes captured Jerusalem in 170 B.C., he slew 80,000 Jews and defiled the temple by offering up swine (Dan. 11:31; 8:91431And arms shall stand on his part, and they shall pollute the sanctuary of strength, and shall take away the daily sacrifice, and they shall place the abomination that maketh desolate. (Daniel 11:31)). Judas Maccabeus (165 B.C.) conquered him and restored temple worship on the twenty-fifth of the month Chisleu (answering to December), “and it was winter.” The Jews voluntarily instituted this traditional feast at the same time of the pagan feast of Saturnalia. Christendom likewise arbitrarily adopted the date, calling it the birthday of Christ.
John 14:1212Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. (John 14:12). “Greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto My Father.” “Therefore . . . having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, He hath shed forth this.” “He shall testify of Me.” “Then they that . . . received His word were . . . about three thousand souls.”
John 15:2,62Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit. (John 15:2)
6If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned. (John 15:6). “Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away.” Although privileged, mere profession never bears fruit, but every real Christian bears fruit (Gal. 5:2222But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, (Galatians 5:22)).
Acts 4:1313Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus. (Acts 4:13). “Took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.” That is, they recognized them as former companions of Christ (Luke 22:56,5956But a certain maid beheld him as he sat by the fire, and earnestly looked upon him, and said, This man was also with him. (Luke 22:56)
59And about the space of one hour after another confidently affirmed, saying, Of a truth this fellow also was with him: for he is a Galilean. (Luke 22:59)).
Acts 12:44And when he had apprehended him, he put him in prison, and delivered him to four quaternions of soldiers to keep him; intending after Easter to bring him forth to the people. (Acts 12:4). “Intending after Easter to bring him.” The Greek pashcha is “passover” and not Easter. The latter is from Astarte and Ashtoreth, the Phoenician name of the Greek goddess Aphrodite, the worship of which was corruption deified. Religious flesh loves to celebrate man-made traditions.
Acts 17:3131Because he hath appointed a day, in the which he will judge the world in righteousness by that man whom he hath ordained; whereof he hath given assurance unto all men, in that he hath raised him from the dead. (Acts 17:31). “A day, in the which He will judge the world.” Instead of referring to the great white throne, it refers to the Lord judging the habitable world at His coming as well as throughout the thousand years of His kingdom (Psa. 9:8; 72:2; 96:13; 98:98And he shall judge the world in righteousness, he shall minister judgment to the people in uprightness. (Psalm 9:8)
2He shall judge thy people with righteousness, and thy poor with judgment. (Psalm 72:2)
13Before the Lord: for he cometh, for he cometh to judge the earth: he shall judge the world with righteousness, and the people with his truth. (Psalm 96:13)
9Before the Lord; for he cometh to judge the earth: with righteousness shall he judge the world, and the people with equity. (Psalm 98:9); Isa. 11:35; 32:11Behold, a king shall reign in righteousness, and princes shall rule in judgment. (Isaiah 32:1)).
Rom. 6:66Knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. (Romans 6:6). “Our old man is crucified.” This truth points back to Christ having been made sin for us and cut off in death once forever. All that I was as a sinful child of Adam’s race has been forever put out of God’s sight (Eph. 4:2222That ye put off concerning the former conversation the old man, which is corrupt according to the deceitful lusts; (Ephesians 4:22) JND; Col. 2:11; 3:911In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ: (Colossians 2:11)
9Lie not one to another, seeing that ye have put off the old man with his deeds; (Colossians 3:9); Gal. 5:2424And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts. (Galatians 5:24)). Galatians 2:2020I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. (Galatians 2:20) declares the Apostle’s stand in contrast to the Galatians returning to law-keeping. Nevertheless, our old fleshly nature remains (John 3:66That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is spirit. (John 3:6); Rom. 7:2525I thank God through Jesus Christ our Lord. So then with the mind I myself serve the law of God; but with the flesh the law of sin. (Romans 7:25); Gal. 5:1616This I say then, Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. (Galatians 5:16); 1 Peter 2:11).
Rom. 7:2424O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me from the body of this death? (Romans 7:24). “O wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me?” Verses 1424, strictly speaking, do not describe one who is a Christian but rather a merely quickened soul struggling in its own strength to keep the law until it gives up in utter despair.
Rom. 12:1111Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord; (Romans 12:11). “Not slothful in business” is a misleading translation, as it really does not refer to man’s business. Rather, it pertains in general to all of our Christian opportunities for serving the Lord. See the J. N. Darby (JND) translation of this verse.
1 Cor. 9:27. “Lest . . . I myself should be a castaway.” That is, “reprobate” — worthless refuse, as Jeremiah 6:3030Reprobate silver shall men call them, because the Lord hath rejected them. (Jeremiah 6:30); 2 Corinthians 13:57; 2 Timothy 3:8; Titus 1:1616They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate. (Titus 1:16). Not merely one’s service rejected and thus one set aside, but unconverted preachers like Judas will, in the end, be exposed, to their everlasting shame. Many baptized never reached Canaan in the following twelve verses. Counterfeits never were genuine.
1 Cor. 11:2829. “Let a man examine himself.” “Eateth and drinketh unworthily.” This does not refer to newcomers intruding themselves but to those already breaking bread whose manner of life might be lacking in self-judgment consistent with the death of Christ.
1 Cor. 14. “Unknown tongue” conveys the wrong thought, as those of another tongue could understand their own language.
1 Cor. 15:29. “Baptized for the dead” is filling in the Christian ranks by new recruits being baptized who took the place of those who had died.
1 Cor. 15:31. “I die daily” is not an inward application of death to oneself. The Apostle outwardly risked his life. “In deaths oft” (2 Cor. 11:23). “Killed all the day long” (Rom. 8:3636As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. (Romans 8:36)).
2 Cor. 5:10. “The judgment seat of Christ.” The term is inclusive of all judgment, as the next verse indicates. To Christ is committed all “judgment” (John 5:22,2722For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: (John 5:22)
27And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man. (John 5:27)). “Samuel . . . went from year to year in circuit . . . and judged Israel in all those places” (1 Sam. 7:1516). Christians in their glorified bodies will witness a review of all their past (1 Cor. 3:815; 4:5; 2 Tim. 4:8).
2 Cor. 12:14. “The children ought not to lay up for the parents, but the parents for the children.” This verse is often misused by insurance salesmen’s worldly point of view. This well-known principle the Apostle here shows to be his own parental (1 Cor. 4:15) loving care for them, gladly spending his all for their spiritual good.
Gal. 5:44Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. (Galatians 5:4). “Ye are fallen from grace.” “Whosoever of you are justified by the law.” These saints had become bewitched by Judaizing teachers who taught that grace alone was not sufficient; “you must do your part to keep saved” (ch. 1:6; 2:16; 3:3; 5:1; Acts 15:1,11,241And certain men which came down from Judea taught the brethren, and said, Except ye be circumcised after the manner of Moses, ye cannot be saved. (Acts 15:1)
11But we believe that through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they. (Acts 15:11)
24Forasmuch as we have heard, that certain which went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls, saying, Ye must be circumcised, and keep the law: to whom we gave no such commandment: (Acts 15:24); Rom. 6:1415; 11:66And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. (Romans 11:6); Eph. 2:89).
Eph. 3:1818May be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth, and length, and depth, and height; (Ephesians 3:18). “What is the breadth and length, and depth and height.” This cannot refer to that which immediately follows and is distinctly additional —“and to know the love of Christ.” They therefore must combine in “the fullness of God.” The Holy Spirit alone can enable us to breathe in this atmosphere of heaven — “the vast universe of bliss,” God’s presence, light, love and glory, in all its infinitude. In richness, can anything in God’s Word be found to equal this?
Eph. 4:1313Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (Ephesians 4:13). “Till we all come in the unity of the faith.” Instead of pointing to some specific time, the context shows that it refers to the purpose of ministry—until every one of us may grow up in His love and truth, realizing that we are fellow-members of His body — “members one of another” (vs. 25). See Colossians 1:28; 2:228Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus: (Colossians 1:28)
2That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and unto all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgement of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ; (Colossians 2:2).
Phil. 2:1212Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. (Philippians 2:12). “Work out your own salvation.” This has nothing to do with saving a sinner but what was needful for “saints in Christ Jesus” (ch. 1:1,6) who were undergoing difficulties en route to the heavenly goal.
Phil. 3:89. “That I may win Christ, and be found in Him . . . having . . . the righteousness which is of God.” The Apostle, already “justified by faith,” who became “God’s righteousness in Him,” is here pressing on to what was yet future — obtaining Christ where He is in resurrection glory. For one already righteous, “the hope of righteousness” is to be found in the final state of righteousness in Christ in glory.
Col. 1:1515Who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of every creature: (Colossians 1:15). “The firstborn of every creature.” Literally, “Firstborn of all creation.” Unhallowed false teachers would here reduce the Creator to being a creature. Instead of referring to mere order of birth, “firstborn” in Scripture emphasizes title, preeminence and first place, and it ever points on to Christ (John 1:13; 8:58; 18:613Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God. (John 1:13)
58Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Before Abraham was, I am. (John 8:58)
6As soon then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. (John 18:6); Rom. 8:2929For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. (Romans 8:29); Col. 1:1617; Heb. 1:2,6,8; 12Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; (Hebrews 1:2)
6And again, when he bringeth in the firstbegotten into the world, he saith, And let all the angels of God worship him. (Hebrews 1:6)
8But unto the Son he saith, Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a sceptre of righteousness is the sceptre of thy kingdom. (Hebrews 1:8) John 1:2; 5:202The same was in the beginning with God. (John 1:2)
20For the Father loveth the Son, and showeth him all things that himself doeth: and he will show him greater works than these, that ye may marvel. (John 5:20); Rev. 1:88I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty. (Revelation 1:8)).
2 Tim. 2:2021. “Some to honor, and some to dishonor.” This is not the coming out from among unbelievers as in 2 Corinthians 6:17, but the departing from iniquity — from vessels that dishonor the Lord.
Titus 3:55Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost; (Titus 3:5). “Regeneration.” Verses 37 show what we were until God in mercy saved us by bringing us out of our old status into the eternally new (Eph. 2:810; 2 Tim. 1:9; 2 Cor. 5:1718; Col. 1:13; 2:1213; 3:1,313Who hath delivered us from the power of darkness, and hath translated us into the kingdom of his dear Son: (Colossians 1:13)
1If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. (Colossians 3:1)
3For ye are dead, and your life is hid with Christ in God. (Colossians 3:3)). Then, in addition to this, the Holy Spirit renews us day by day.
Heb. 2:11Therefore we ought to give the more earnest heed to the things which we have heard, lest at any time we should let them slip. (Hebrews 2:1). “Lest at any time we should let them slip” (KJV) is not the thought. “Lest in any way we should slip away” (JND). There was real danger of some of the Hebrew professed Christians apostatizing (ch. 10:3839).
Heb. 5:88Though he were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; (Hebrews 5:8). “Learned He obedience.” The eternal Son, Creator and Commander became also the lowly, suffering, obedient Man, an experience new to Him.
Heb. 10:2929Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace? (Hebrews 10:29). “Hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing.” In verse 14 the one offering of Christ, in contrast to the oft-repeated Jewish sacrifices, perfected forever the sanctified. However, in this epistle sanctification is positional. Only those who have faith enter into the eternal glory. All others, although once in this privileged position, not having a renewed heart, apostatize — “sin willfully” — despise the Spirit of grace.
James 2:2020But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead? (James 2:20). “Faith without works is dead.” This is the pretention to having faith. “Though a man say he hath faith” (vs. 14), “if it hath not works, is dead” (vs. 17). The evidences of having faith are totally lacking, even though “dead works” may be making a fair show. Works are never the means of salvation (Rom. 3:28; 4:45; 11:628Therefore we conclude that a man is justified by faith without the deeds of the law. (Romans 3:28)
6And if by grace, then is it no more of works: otherwise grace is no more grace. But if it be of works, then is it no more grace: otherwise work is no more work. (Romans 11:6); Gal. 2:1616Knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Jesus Christ, that we might be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by the works of the law: for by the works of the law shall no flesh be justified. (Galatians 2:16); Eph. 2:89; 2 Tim. 1:9; Isa. 64:66But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. (Isaiah 64:6); Titus 3:88This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. (Titus 3:8)).
1 Peter 3:19. “He went and preached unto the spirits in prison.” When? “When once the long-suffering of God waited in the days of Noah while the ark was a preparing.” The Holy Spirit used Noah as “a preacher of righteousness” (2 Peter 2:5) to these now-disembodied spirits who had been “disobedient” and whose bodies perished in the flood.
2 Peter 2:22. “The sow that was washed” was never a sheep.
1 John 2:22And both Jesus was called, and his disciples, to the marriage. (John 2:2). “Also for the sins of the whole world.” The translators added the three words “the sins of” without warrant. The Scriptures are always guarded against saying that the sins of unbelievers have had settlement made. Faith alone can appropriate such special truth. God has been propitiated, vindicated, yea glorified in spite of all sin. Leviticus 16:1516 gives this in type, while verses 2022 present substitution for sins of His people (1 Peter 2:24).
1 John 3:44Nicodemus saith unto him, How can a man be born when he is old? can he enter the second time into his mother's womb, and be born? (John 3:4). “Sin is the transgression of the law” should read, “Sin is lawlessness.” Lawlessness existed long before the law was ever given. See Romans 5:1314.
1 John 2:3; 3:22; 5:33And when they wanted wine, the mother of Jesus saith unto him, They have no wine. (John 2:3)
22After these things came Jesus and his disciples into the land of Judea; and there he tarried with them, and baptized. (John 3:22)
3In these lay a great multitude of impotent folk, of blind, halt, withered, waiting for the moving of the water. (John 5:3); John 14:15; 15:1015If ye love me, keep my commandments. (John 14:15)
10If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love. (John 15:10). “Keep His commandments.” Christ’s commandments are for guiding the new life of the Christian and are in contrast to the ten commandments that condemned sinful man.
Rev. 5:910. “Redeemed us to God,” “made us” and “we shall reign” should read, “Redeemed to God,” “made them” and “they shall reign.” The glorified saints are here singing praises to the Lamb who had been slain and who had bought the suffering remnant that will be slain and eventually reign with the heavenly saints over the earth (ch. 20:45 JND).