Should such a man as I flee?

Nehemias was rebuilding the wall of Jerusalem, strengthened by God, doing the Will of God, yet others were afraid, thinking perhaps their enemies were stronger than God?

The wall was finished and when finished was a symbol of God to Nehemias’ enemies that God was with Nehemias. Moral of the story up to this point being perseverance is the key to success. Living life from the inside-out, guided by God, moving in the right direction will undoubtedly have trials and tribulations, challenges as big as mountains, but perseverance will enable one to finish the race coming home to God, that which is called a lifetime, no matter how long, or how short.

Israel had returned home—all 42,360 of the remaining children of God. And in the silence of the multitude, Esdras reread the Book of the Law of Moses—The Ten Commandments, for in the Old Testament all they could perceive was the law for the love, compassion, and mercy of Jesus had yet to come.

What to do with the sinners who broke the law, who in truth was everybody in spirit, pride, and silly ego?

But in a personal perspective free of self they remembered the trials and tribulations of their forefathers all the way back to Abraham and the original covenant made with God. They saw the cycle of addiction to sin demonstrated by their ancestors. The misperception; the sin; the pain and suffering until the truth emerges yet again; the return of hope and a way to continue in relationship with God.

They extracted the inspiration of God through their forefathers and renewed the original covenant with God with gratitude that they have found their way back home to the Promised Land.

Most importantly, they vowed to never to betray or forsake their covenant with God.

Here, in the selected words of the Chapters 6 thru 10 of the Second Book of Esdras (Nehemias), and in the Bible itself, continue on or find your pathway to God:   

…and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had built the wall, and that there was no breach left in it…

Come and let us make a league together… But they thought to do me mischief…

I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down, lest it be neglected whilst I come and go down to you…

…that thou and the Jews think to rebel, and therefore thou buildest the wall, and hast a mind to set thyself king over them…

There is no such thing done as thou sayest: but thou feignest these things out of thy own heart. For all these men thought to frighten us, thinking that our hands would cease from the work, and that we would leave off. Wherefore I strengthened my hands the more.

…for they will come to kill thee, and in the night they will come to slay thee…

Should such a man as I flee?

But the wall was finished… in two and fifty days…

And it came to pass when all our enemies heard of it, that all nations which were round about us, were afraid, and were cast down within themselves, for they perceived that this work was the work of God.

But God had put in my heart…

These are the children of the province, who came up from the captivity of them that had been carried away, whom Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon had carried away, and who returned into Judea, every one into his own city.

All the multitude as it were one man, forty-two thousand three hundred sixty… and all Israel dwell in their cities.

And all the people were gathered together as one man… and they spoke to Esdras the scribe, to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel…

And Esdras opened the book before all the people: and when he had opened it, all the people stood. And Esdras blessed the Lord the great God: and all the people answered, Amen, amen: lifting up their hands: and they bowed down, and adored God with their faces to the ground… made silence among the people to hear the law: and the people stood in their place. And they read in the book of the law of God distinctly and plainly to be understood: and they understood when it was read.

This is a holy day to the Lord our God: do not mourn, nor weep: for all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law… and be not sad; for the joy of the Lord is our strength… Hold your peace, for the day is holy, and be not sorrowful… make great mirth: because they understood the words that he had taught them.

And all the assembly of them that were returned from the captivity made tabernacles, and dwelt in tabernacles… and there was exceeding great joy… and they kept the solemnity seven days…

…the children of Israel came together with fasting and with sackcloth, and earth upon them. And the seed of the children of Israel separated themselves from every stranger: and they stood, and confessed their sins, and the inequities of their fathers. And they rose up to stand: and they read in the book of the law of the Lord their God, four times in the day, and four times they confessed, and adored the Lord their God.

And there stood up upon the step… and they cried with a loud voice to the Lord their God:

Arise, bless the Lord your God from eternity to eternity: and blessed be the high name of thy glory with all blessing and praise.

Thou thyself, O Lord alone, thou hast made heaven, and the heaven of heavens, and all the host thereof: the earth and all things that are in it…

Thou, O lord God, art he who chosest Abram… and gavest him the name of Abraham. And thou didst find his heart faithful before thee: and thou madest a covenant with him, to give him the land of… to give it to his seed: and thou hast fulfilled thy words, because thou art just.

And thou sawest the affliction of our fathers in Egypt: and thou didst hear their cry by the Red sea… And thou didst divide the sea before them, and they passed through the midst of the sea on dry land… And in a pillar of a cloud thou wast their leader by day, and in a pillar of fire by night…

Thou camest down also to mount Sinai, and didst speak with them from heaven, and thou gavest them right judgments, and the law of truth, ceremonies, and good precepts.

Thou madest known to them thy holy Sabbath, and didst prescribe to them commandments, and ceremonies, and the law, by the hand of Moses thy servant.

And thou gavest them bread from heaven in their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock in their thirst…

But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments… And they hardened their necks, and gave the head to return to their bondage, as it were by contention.

But thou, a forgiving God, gracious, and merciful, longsuffering, and full of compassion, didst not forsake them… and had committed great blasphemies, yet thou, in ty many mercies, didst not leave them in the desert… And thou gavest them thy good Spirit to teach them… Forty years didst thou feed them in the dessert, and nothing was wanting to them…

And thou gavest them kingdoms, and nations… And thou didst multiply their children as the stars of heaven, and broughtest them to the land… And they took strong cities and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all goods: cisterns made by others… and abounded with delight in thy great goodness.

But they provoked thee to wrath, and departed from thee, and threw thy law behind their backs: and they killed thy prophets, who admonished them earnestly to return to thee: and they were guilty of great blasphemies…

And thou heardest from heaven, and according to the multitude of thy tender mercies thou gavest them saviors, to save them from the hands of their enemies. But after they had rest, they returned to do evil in thy sight: and thou leftist them in the hand of their enemies, and they had dominion over them. Then they returned, and cried to thee: and thou heardest from heaven and deliveredst them many times in thy mercies. And thou didst admonish them to return to thy law. But they dealt proudly, and hearkened not to thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments…

And thou didst forbear with them for many years, and didst testify against them by thy spirit… Yet in thy very many mercies thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them: because thou art a merciful and gracious God.

Now therefore our God, great, strong, and terrible, who keepest covenant and mercy, turn not away from thy face all the labor which has come upon us…

And thou are just in all things that have come upon us; because thou hast done truth, but we have done wickedly…

Behold we ourselves this day are bondmen: and the land, which thou gavest our fathers, to eat bread thereof, and the good things thereof, and we ourselves are servants to it. And the fruits that thereof grow up for the kings, whom thou hast set over us for our sins, and they have dominion over our bodies, and over our beasts, according to their will, and we are in great tribulation.

And because of all this we ourselves make a covenant, and write it, and our princes, our Levites, and our priests sign it.

And the subscribers were Nehemias… And the rest of the people… all that had separated themselves from the people of the lands to the law of God… All that could understand promising for their brethren… they came to promise, and swear that they would walk in the law of God, which he gave in the hand of Moses the servant of God, that they would do and keep all the commandments of the Lord our God, and his judgments and his ceremonies… and we will not forsake the house of our God.

Day 163: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; Should Such a Man as I Flee???

Read and inspired by the Old Testament, The Second Book of Esdras (Nehemias), Chapters 6-10

Bible Notes:

The book is a history of the Jewish restoration under Nehemias, whose name is also given to the book. A servant of the Persian king, Nehemias became governor of Juda after the exile and took charge of the work of reconstruction. He not only helped rebuild Jerusalem but also fostered a spiritual revival.

2 Esdras (Nehemias) Chapter 6: Enemies seek to terrify Nehemias; Delaia attempts to delude Nehemias; The wall is finished; Some Jews correspond with Tobias.

…and the rest of our enemies, heard that I had built the wall, and that there was no breach left in it…

Come and let us make a league together… But they thought to do me mischief…

I am doing a great work, and I cannot come down, lest it be neglected whilst I come and go down to you…

…that thou and the Jews think to rebel, and therefore thou buildest the wall, and hast a mind to set thyself king over them…

There is no such thing done as thou sayest: but thou feignest these things out of thy own heart. For all these men thought to frighten us, thinking that our hands would cease from the work, and that we would leave off. Wherefore I strengthened my hands the more.

…for they will come to kill thee, and in the night they will come to slay thee…

Should such a man as I flee?

And I understood that God had not sent him, but that he had spoken to me as if he had been prophesying… For he had taken money, that I being afraid should do this thing, and sin, and they might have some evil to upbraid me withal.

…and the rest of the prophet that would have put me in fear.

But the wall was finished… in two and fifty days…

And it came to pass when all our enemies heard of it, that all nations which were round about us, were afraid, and were cast down within themselves, for they perceived that this work was the work of God.

And Tobias sent letters to put me in fear.

2 Esdras (Nehemias) Chapter 7: Watchmen for the gates; People who came from Babylon with Zorobabel; Men of Israel; Priests; Levites; Nathinites; Servants of Solomon; Those of unknown ancestry; Summary; Offerings of the returning exiles.

Now after the wall was built… Let not the gates of Jerusalem be opened till the sun be hot.

But God had put in my heart…

These are the children of the province, who came up from the captivity of them that had been carried away, whom Nabuchodonosor the king of Babylon had carried away, and who returned into Judea, every one into his own city.

The number of the men of the people of Israel… The children of… The men of… The priests… The Levites… The Nathinites… The children of the servants of Solomon… And these are they that came up… and could not show the house of their fathers, nor their seed, whether they were of Israel… These sought their writing in the record, and found it not…

All the multitude as it were one man, forty-two thousand three hundred sixty…

Hitherto is related what was written in the record. From this place forward goeth on the history of Nehemias.

And some of the heads of the families gave unto the work… And some of the heads of the families gave to the treasure of the work… And that which the rest of the people gave… and all Israel dwell in their cities.

2 Esdras (Nehemias) Chapter 8: Esdras reads the Law to the people; The people make merry; The Feast of Tabernacles.

And all the people were gathered together as one man… and they spoke to Esdras the scribe, to bring the book of the law of Moses, which the Lord had commanded to Israel…

And he read it plainly in the street… and the ears of all the people were attentive to the book…

And Esdras opened the book before all the people: and when he had opened it, all the people stood. And Esdras blessed the Lord the great God: and all the people answered, Amen, amen: lifting up their hands: and they bowed down, and adored God with their faces to the ground… made silence among the people to hear the law: and the people stood in their place. And they read in the book of the law of God distinctly and plainly to be understood: and they understood when it was read.

Esdras the priest and scribe

This is a holy day to the Lord our God: do not mourn, nor weep: for all the people wept, when they heard the words of the law… and be not sad; for the joy of the Lord is our strength… Hold your peace, for the day is holy, and be not sorrowful… make great mirth: because they understood the words that he had taught them.

…were gathered together in Esdras the scribe, that he should interpret to them the words of the law. And they found written in the law that the Lord had commanded by the hand of Moses, that the children of Israel should dwell in tabernacles, on the feast…

Go forth to the mount, and fetch branches… to make tabernacles, as it is written…

And they made themselves tabernacles every man on the top of his house, and in their courts, and in the courts of the house of God, and in the street…

And all the assembly of them that were returned from the captivity made tabernacles, and dwelt in tabernacles… and there was exceeding great joy… and they kept the solemnity seven days…

2 Esdras (Nehemias) Chapter 9: Public fasting and repentance; The prayer of the Levites; Introduction; God’s choice of Abraham; God’s rescue of the Jews from Egypt; From Mount Sinai to the Promised Land; God’s help in conquering Chanaan; Ingratitude of the people; May God’s benefits continue; Renewal of the covenant.

…the children of Israel came together with fasting and with sackcloth, and earth upon them. And the seed of the children of Israel separated themselves from every stranger: and they stood, and confessed their sins, and the inequities of their fathers. And they rose up to stand: and they read in the book of the law of the Lord their God, four times in the day, and four times they confessed, and adored the Lord their God.

And there stood up upon the step… and they cried with a loud voice to the Lord their God:

Arise, bless the Lord your God from eternity to eternity: and blessed be the high name of thy glory with all blessing and praise.

Thou thyself, O Lord alone, thou hast made heaven, and the heaven of heavens, and all the host thereof: the earth and all things that are in it…

Thou, O lord God, art he who chosest Abram… and gavest him the name of Abraham. And thou didst find his heart faithful before thee: and thou madest a covenant with him, to give him the land of… to give it to his seed: and thou hast fulfilled thy words, because thou art just.

And thou sawest the affliction of our fathers in Egypt: and thou didst hear their cry by the Red sea… And thou didst divide the sea before them, and they passed through the midst of the sea on dry land… And in a pillar of a cloud thou wast their leader by day, and in a pillar of fire by night…

Thou camest down also to mount Sinai, and didst speak with them from heaven, and thou gavest them right judgments, and the law of truth, ceremonies, and good precepts.

Thou madest known to them thy holy Sabbath, and didst prescribe to them commandments, and ceremonies, and the law, by the hand of Moses thy servant.

And thou gavest them bread from heaven in their hunger, and broughtest forth water for them out of the rock in their thirst…

But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks, and hearkened not to thy commandments… And they hardened their necks, and gave the head to return to their bondage, as it were by contention.

Contention—a struggling together in opposition; strife; a striving in rivalry; competition; contest; strife in debate; dispute; controversy.

But thou, a forgiving God, gracious, and merciful, longsuffering, and full of compassion, didst not forsake them… and had committed great blasphemies, yet thou, in ty many mercies, didst not leave them in the desert… And thou gavest them thy good Spirit to teach them… Forty years didst thou feed them in the dessert, and nothing was wanting to them…

And thou gavest them kingdoms, and nations… And thou didst multiply their children as the stars of heaven, and broughtest them to the land… And they took strong cities and a fat land, and possessed houses full of all goods: cisterns made by others… and abounded with delight in thy great goodness.

But they provoked thee to wrath, and departed from thee, and threw thy law behind their backs: and they killed thy prophets, who admonished them earnestly to return to thee: and they were guilty of great blasphemies…

And thou heardest from heaven, and according to the multitude of thy tender mercies thou gavest them saviors, to save them from the hands of their enemies. But after they had rest, they returned to do evil in thy sight: and thou leftist them in the hand of their enemies, and they had dominion over them. Then they returned, and cried to thee: and thou heardest from heaven and deliveredst them many times in thy mercies. And thou didst admonish them to return to thy law. But they dealt proudly, and hearkened not to thy commandments, but sinned against thy judgments…

And thou didst forbear with them for many years, and didst testify against them by thy spirit… Yet in thy very many mercies thou didst not utterly consume them, nor forsake them: because thou art a merciful and gracious God.

Now therefore our God, great, strong, and terrible, who keepest covenant and mercy, turn not away from thy face all the labor which has come upon us…

And thou are just in all things that have come upon us; because thou hast done truth, but we have done wickedly…

Behold we ourselves this day are bondmen: and the land, which thou gavest our fathers, to eat bread thereof, and the good things thereof, and we ourselves are servants to it. And the fruits that thereof grow up for the kings, whom thou hast set over us for our sins, and they have dominion over our bodies, and over our beasts, according to their will, and we are in great tribulation.

And because of all this we ourselves make a covenant, and write it, and our princes, our Levites, and our priests sign it.

2 Esdras (Nehemias) Chapter 10: Signers of the covenant; Conditions of the covenant; Offerings promised in the covenant.

And the subscribers were Nehemias… And the rest of the people… all that had separated themselves from the people of the lands to the law of God… All that could understand promising for their brethren… they came to promise, and swear that they would walk in the law of God, which he gave in the hand of Moses the servant of God, that they would do and keep all the commandments of the Lord our God, and his judgments and his ceremonies.

And we made ordinances for ourselves, to give the third part of a sicle every year for the work of the house of our God. For the loaves of proposition, and for the continual sacrifice, and for a continual holocaust on the Sabbaths, on the new moons, on the set feasts, and for the holy things, and for the sin offering: that atonement might be made for Israel, and for every use of the house of our God.

…as it is written in the law of Moses, and that we would bring the firstfruits of our land… the firstfruits of all fruit of every tree… firstborn of our sons… the firstlings of our oxen, and of our sheep, to be offered in the house of our God.

…the firstfruits… to the storehouse of our God, and the tithes of our ground to the Levites… and the Levites shall offer the tithe of their tithes in the house of our God, to the storeroom into the treasure house… and we will not forsake the house of our God.

 

 

The Second Epistle of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians is of a pure content in terms of a source of spiritual insight, understanding, and wisdom!

As such, it is presented verbatim in its entirety below with the day’s title, highlighted words and phrases that touch my heart, my soul and/or raised questions in my consciousness.

With gratitude that the Spirit of the Living God is in our hearts!

Saint Paul at the beginning of this letter defends himself against the charges of inconstancy in the apostolate, of pride, and of selfish motives in his work. After a short appeal for a collection to help the poor in Jerusalem, he again refutes his enemies and vindicates his apostolic authority.

2 Corinthians Chapter 7:  

Avoid all defilement:

Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of the flesh and of the spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Paul’s love for the Corinthians:

Make room for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. I am not saying this to condemn you; for I have already said that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. Great is my confidence in you, great my boasting about you. I am filled with comfort, I overflow with joy in all our troubles.

Good news brought by Titus:

For indeed when we came to Macedonia, our flesh had no rest; we had troubles on every side, conflicts without and anxieties within. But God, who comforts the humble, comforted us by the arrival of Titus. And not by his arrival only, but also by the comfort which he himself experienced in you. He told us of your longing, of your sorrow, of your real zeal for me, so that I rejoiced yet more.

Paul’s letter brought repentance:

Wherefore, although I made you sorry by my letter, I do not regret it. And even if I did regret it, seeing that the letter did for a while make you sorry, now I am glad; not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance.

For you were made sorry according to God, that you might suffer no loss at our hands. For the sorrow that is according to God produces repentance that surely tends to salvation, whereas the sorrow that is according to the world produces death.

For behold this very fact that you were made sorry according to God, what earnestness it has wrought in you, nay, what explanations, what indignation, what fear, what yearning, what zeal, what readiness to avenge! In everything you have showed yourselves to be innocent in the matter.

Titus pleased with the Corinthians:

If then I did write to you, it was not for the sake of him who did the wrong, nor for the sake of him who suffered the wrong; but to make clear the zeal we have for you, before God.

This is why we have been comforted. But besides our own comfort, we more especially rejoiced at the joy of Titus, because his mind had been set at rest by you all.

And if I did boast to him at all about you, I have not been put to shame; but just as we have spoken all things in truth to you, so also has the boasting we made to Titus been found to be true.

And his affection for you is all the more abundant, as he recalls how obedient you all were and how you received him with fear and trembling.

I rejoice that in all things I can have confidence in you.

 

2 Corinthians Chapter 8:  

Generosity of the Macedonians to the poor:

Now we make known to you, brethren, the grace of God that has been bestowed upon the churches of Macedonia; where, amid much testing of tribulation, their overflowing joy and their very deep poverty have resulted in rich generosity.

For according to their means—I bear them witness—yes, beyond their means, they gave, earnestly begging of us the favor of sharing in the ministry that is in behalf of the saints.

And beyond our expectations they gave themselves, first to the Lord, and then by the will of God to us.

This led us to exhort Titus to complete among you also this same gracious work, of which he had made a beginning before.

May the Corinthians show like generosity:

Now, as you abound in everything—in faith, in utterance, in knowledge, in all zeal, and in your love for us—may you excel in this gracious work also. I do not speak as commanding, but as testing the sincerity of your own charity by means of the zeal of others. For you know the graciousness of our Lord Jesus Christ—how, being rich, he became poor for your sakes, that by his poverty you might become rich.

Their good will:

In this matter, I am giving advice. It is to your interest, since a year ago you not only began to do, but also to have the will. Now therefore complete the doing also; so that your readiness to begin it may be equaled by your desire to carry it through, according to your ability. For if there is willingness, it is welcome according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.

Some day their needs will be supplied:

For I do not mean that the relief of others should become your burden, but that there should be equality; that at the present time your abundance may supply their want, and that their abundance may, in its turn, make up what you lack, thus establishing an equality, as it is written, “He who had much had nothing over, and he who had little had not less.”

The mission of Titus:

Now thanks be to God, who has inspired Titus with this same zeal for you. For not only has he accepted our exhortation, but being very zealous himself, he has gone to you of his own choice.

And we have sent along with him the brother whose services to the gospel are praised in all the churches; and what is more, who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in this work of grace which is being done by us, to the glory of the Lord and to show our own readiness.

We are on our guard, lest anyone should slander us in the matter of our administration of this generous amount. For we take forethought for what is honorable, not only before God, but also in the sight of men.

And we have sent with them also our brother, whom we have proved to be zealous often and in many things, but who now is more in earnest than ever, because of his great confidence in you, whether as regards Titus, who is my companion and fellow-worker among you, or as regards our brethren, the messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.

Give them therefore, in the sight of the churches, a proof of your charity and of our boasting on your behalf.

 

2 Corinthians Chapter 9:  

The collection to be made promptly:

For it is indeed superfluous for me to write to you with reference to this charitable service to the saints. For I know your eagerness, whereof I boast about you to the Macedonians—that Achaia has been ready since last year—and your zeal has stimulated very many.

Still, I have sent the brethren, lest our boasting concerning you should be found empty in this instance; that, as I was saying, you may be ready, lest, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say ourselves—should be put to shame for having been so sure.

I have therefore though it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you in advance and to get ready this promised contribution, so that it may be as a matter of bounty, and not of extortion.

God will reward their generosity:

Mark this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

Let each one give according as he has determined in his heart, not grudgingly or from compulsion, for “God loves a cheerful giver.”

And God is able to make all grace abound in you, so that always having ample means, you may abound in every good work, as it is written, “He has scattered abroad and has given to the poor, his justice remains forever.”

Those helped will glorify God:

Now he who provides the sower with seed will both give you bread to eat and will multiply your seed, and will increase the growth of the fruits of your justice; that, being enriched in all things, you may contribute with simplicity of purpose, and thus through us evoke thanksgiving to God; for the administration of this service not only supplies the want of the saints, but overflows also in much gratitude to the Lord.

The evidence furnished by this service makes them glorify God for your obedient profession of Christ’s gospel and for the sincere generosity of your contributions to them and to all; while they themselves, in their prayers for you, yearn for you, because of the excellent grace God has given you.

Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!

 

2 Corinthians Chapter 10:

Paul does not wish to be severe:

Now I myself, Paul, appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who to your face indeed am diffident when among you, but when absent am fearless towards you!

Yes, I beseech you that I may not when I come have to be bold, with what assurance wherewith I am thought to be bold, against those who regard us as walking according to the flesh, we do not make war according to the flesh: for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but powerful before God to the demolishing of strongholds, the destroying of reasoning—yes, of every lofty thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every mind into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being prepared to take vengeance on all disobedience when once your own submission is complete.

But he can take severe measures:

Look at what is before you. If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him reflect within himself that even as he is Christ’s, so too are we.

For even if I boast somewhat more about our authority (which the Lord has given for your upbuilding, and not for your destruction), I shall not be put to shame.

But that I may not seem to terrify you, as it were, by letters (“for his letters,” they say, “are weighty and telling, but his bodily appearance is weak and his speech of no account”), let such people understand that what we are in word by letters when absent, such are we also in deed when bodily present.

God has given him authority:

Of course we have not the boldness to class ourselves or to compare ourselves with certain ones who command themselves.

We, on the contrary, measure ourselves by ourselves and compare ourselves with ourselves; and so we do not boast beyond our limits, but within the limits of the commission which God has given us—limits which include you also. For we are not going beyond our commission, as if it did not embrace you, since we reached even as far as you with the gospel of Christ.

He glorifies only in the Lord:

We do not boast beyond our limits, in the labors of other men; but we hope, as your faith increases, greatly to enlarge through you the province allotted to us, so as even to preach the gospel in places that lie beyond you, instead of boasting in another man’s sphere about work already done. “But he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.”

For he is not approved who commends himself, but he whom the Lord comments.

Day 164: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; Cleansed from All Defilement of the Flesh & the Spirit!

Read and inspired by the New Testament, The Second Epistle of Saint Paul to the Corinthians, Chapters 7-10.

Bible Notes:

Saint Paul at the beginning of this letter defends himself against the charges of inconstancy in the apostolate, of pride, and of selfish motives in his work. After a short appeal for a collection to help the poor in Jerusalem, he again refutes his enemies and vindicates his apostolic authority.

2 Corinthians Chapter 7:  Avoid all defilement; Paul’s love for the Corinthians; Good news brought by Titus; Paul’s letter brought repentance; Titus pleased with the Corinthians.

Avoid all defilement:

Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of the flesh and of the spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.

Paul’s love for the Corinthians:

Make room for us. We have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have taken advantage of no one. I am not saying this to condemn you; for I have already said that you are in our hearts, to die together and to live together. Great is my confidence in you, great my boasting about you. I am filled with comfort, I overflow with joy in all our troubles.

Good news brought by Titus:

For indeed when we came to Macedonia, our flesh had no rest; we had troubles on every side, conflicts without and anxieties within. But God, who comforts the humble, comforted us by the arrival of Titus. And not by his arrival only, but also by the comfort which he himself experienced in you. He told us of your longing, of your sorrow, of your real zeal for me, so that I rejoiced yet more.

Paul’s letter brought repentance:

Wherefore, although I made you sorry by my letter, I do not regret it. And even if I did regret it, seeing that the letter did for a while make you sorry, now I am glad; not because you were made sorry, but because your sorrow led you to repentance.

For you were made sorry according to God, that you might suffer no loss at our hands. For the sorrow that is according to God produces repentance that surely tends to salvation, whereas the sorrow that is according to the world produces death.

For behold this very fact that you were made sorry according to God, what earnestness it has wrought in you, nay, what explanations, what indignation, what fear, what yearning, what zeal, what readiness to avenge! In everything you have showed yourselves to be innocent in the matter.

Titus pleased with the Corinthians:

If then I did write to you, it was not for the sake of him who did the wrong, nor for the sake of him who suffered the wrong; but to make clear the zeal we have for you, before God.

This is why we have been comforted. But besides our own comfort, we more especially rejoiced at the joy of Titus, because his mind had been set at rest by you all.

And if I did boast to him at all about you, I have not been put to shame; but just as we have spoken all things in truth to you, so also has the boasting we made to Titus been found to be true.

And his affection for you is all the more abundant, as he recalls how obedient you all were and how you received him with fear and trembling.

I rejoice that in all things I can have confidence in you.

2 Corinthians Chapter 8:  Generosity of the Macedonians to the poor; May the Corinthians show like generosity; Their good will; Some day their needs will be supplied; The mission of Titus.

Generosity of the Macedonians to the poor:

Now we make known to you, brethren, the grace of God that has been bestowed upon the churches of Macedonia; where, amid much testing of tribulation, their overflowing joy and their very deep poverty have resulted in rich generosity.

For according to their means—I bear them witness—yes, beyond their means, they gave, earnestly begging of us the favor of sharing in the ministry that is in behalf of the saints.

And beyond our expectations they gave themselves, first to the Lord, and then by the will of God to us.

This led us to exhort Titus to complete among you also this same gracious work, of which he had made a beginning before.

May the Corinthians show like generosity:

Now, as you abound in everything—in faith, in utterance, in knowledge, in all zeal, and in your love for us—may you excel in this gracious work also. I do not speak as commanding, but as testing the sincerity of your own charity by means of the zeal of others. For you know the graciousness of our Lord Jesus Christ—how, being rich, he became poor for your sakes, that by his poverty you might become rich.

Their good will:

In this matter, I am giving advice. It is to your interest, since a year ago you not only began to do, but also to have the will. Now therefore complete the doing also; so that your readiness to begin it may be equaled by your desire to carry it through, according to your ability. For if there is willingness, it is welcome according to what one has, not according to what one does not have.

Some day their needs will be supplied:

For I do not mean that the relief of others should become your burden, but that there should be equality; that at the present time your abundance may supply their want, and that their abundance may, in its turn, make up what you lack, thus establishing an equality, as it is written, “He who had much had nothing over, and he who had little had not less.”

The mission of Titus:

Now thanks be to God, who has inspired Titus with this same zeal for you. For not only has he accepted our exhortation, but being very zealous himself, he has gone to you of his own choice.

And we have sent along with him the brother whose services to the gospel are praised in all the churches; and what is more, who was also appointed by the churches to travel with us in this work of grace which is being done by us, to the glory of the Lord and to show our own readiness.

We are on our guard, lest anyone should slander us in the matter of our administration of this generous amount. For we take forethought for what is honorable, not only before God, but also in the sight of men.

And we have sent with them also our brother, whom we have proved to be zealous often and in many things, but who now is more in earnest than ever, because of his great confidence in you, whether as regards Titus, who is my companion and fellow-worker among you, or as regards our brethren, the messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.

Give them therefore, in the sight of the churches, a proof of your charity and of our boasting on your behalf.

2 Corinthians Chapter 9:  The collection to be made promptly; God will reward their generosity; Those helped will glorify God.

The collection to be made promptly:

For it is indeed superfluous for me to write to you with reference to this charitable service to the saints. For I know your eagerness, whereof I boast about you to the Macedonians—that Achaia has been ready since last year—and your zeal has stimulated very many.

Still, I have sent the brethren, lest our boasting concerning you should be found empty in this instance; that, as I was saying, you may be ready, lest, if any Macedonians come with me and find you unprepared, we—not to say ourselves—should be put to shame for having been so sure.

I have therefore though it necessary to exhort the brethren to go to you in advance and to get ready this promised contribution, so that it may be as a matter of bounty, and not of extortion.

God will reward their generosity:

Mark this: he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.

Let each one give according as he has determined in his heart, not grudgingly or from compulsion, for “God loves a cheerful giver.”

And God is able to make all grace abound in you, so that always having ample means, you may abound in every good work, as it is written, “He has scattered abroad and has given to the poor, his justice remains forever.”

Those helped will glorify God:

Now he who provides the sower with seed will both give you bread to eat and will multiply your seed, and will increase the growth of the fruits of your justice; that, being enriched in all things, you may contribute with simplicity of purpose, and thus through us evoke thanksgiving to God; for the administration of this service not only supplies the want of the saints, but overflows also in much gratitude to the Lord.

The evidence furnished by this service makes them glorify God for your obedient profession of Christ’s gospel and for the sincere generosity of your contributions to them and to all; while they themselves, in their prayers for you, yearn for you, because of the excellent grace God has given you.

Thanks be to God for his unspeakable gift!

2 Corinthians Chapter 10:  Paul does not wish to be severe; But he can take severe measures; God has given him authority; He glorifies only in the Lord.

Paul does not wish to be severe:

Now I myself, Paul, appeal to you by the meekness and gentleness of Christ—I who to your face indeed am diffident when among you, but when absent am fearless towards you!

Yes, I beseech you that I may not when I come have to be bold, with what assurance wherewith I am thought to be bold, against those who regard us as walking according to the flesh, we do not make war according to the flesh: for the weapons of our warfare are not carnal, but powerful before God to the demolishing of strongholds, the destroying of reasoning—yes, of every lofty thing that exalts itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every mind into captivity to the obedience of Christ, and being prepared to take vengeance on all disobedience when once your own submission is complete.

But he can take severe measures:

Look at what is before you. If anyone is confident that he is Christ’s, let him reflect within himself that even as he is Christ’s, so too are we.

For even if I boast somewhat more about our authority (which the Lord has given for your upbuilding, and not for your destruction), I shall not be put to shame.

But that I may not seem to terrify you, as it were, by letters (“for his letters,” they say, “are weighty and telling, but his bodily appearance is weak and his speech of no account”), let such people understand that what we are in word by letters when absent, such are we also in deed when bodily present.

God has given him authority:

Of course we have not the boldness to class ourselves or to compare ourselves with certain ones who command themselves.

We, on the contrary, measure ourselves by ourselves and compare ourselves with ourselves; and so we do not boast beyond our limits, but within the limits of the commission which God has given us—limits which include you also. For we are not going beyond our commission, as if it did not embrace you, since we reached even as far as you with the gospel of Christ.

He glorifies only in the Lord:

We do not boast beyond our limits, in the labors of other men; but we hope, as your faith increases, greatly to enlarge through you the province allotted to us, so as even to preach the gospel in places that lie beyond you, instead of boasting in another man’s sphere about work already done. “But he who boasts, let him boast in the Lord.”

For he is not approved who commends himself, but he whom the Lord comments.

 

Yet we see the limitations of a law-only approach in the Old Testament. Strangers and separation in the church of God came to pass. Yet in the New Testament of Jesus’ love, understanding and mercy we see unity of differences, familiarity of strangers so that one child of God spiritually is no different than any other child of God. Dancing since the time of David—The Joy of Jerusalem! Amen Alleluia!

Only the lucky, one-out-of-ten Israelites, were able to live in the city of Jerusalem…

And the princes of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: but the rest of the people cast lots, to take one part in ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts in other cities… And every one dwelt in his possession, in their cities…

Every man in his possession…

And the rest of Israel, the priests and the Levites were in all the cities of Juda, every man in his possession… were the singing men in the ministry of the house of God. For the king’s commandment was concerning them, and an order among the singing men day by day… was at the hand of the king, in all matters concerning the people, and in the houses through all their countries… and in the villages thereof… and in the villages thereof… and in the villages thereof…

And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, and to keep the dedication, and to rejoice with thanksgiving, and with singing, and with cymbals, and psalteries and harps… And the priests and the Levites were purified, and they purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.

PPP: Powerful Personal Purification…

And I (Esdras) made the princes of Juda go up upon the wall, and I appointed two great choirs to give praise… with the musical instruments of David the man of God… And they sacrificed on that day great sacrifices, and the rejoiced: for God had made them joyful with great joy: their wives also and their children rejoiced, and the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off.

The Joy of Jerusalem…

They appointed also in that day men over the storehouses of the treasure, for the libations, and for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, that the rulers of the city might bring them in by them in honor of thanksgiving… And they kept the watch of God, and their observance of expiation… according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son… from the beginning there were chief singers appointed, to praise with canticles, and give thanks to God.

And on that day they read in the book of Moses in the hearing of the people: and therein was found written, that the Ammonites and the Moabites should not come in to the church of God for ever, because they met not the children of Israel with bread and water: and they hired Balaam, to curse them, and our God turned the curse into blessing. And it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated every stranger from Israel.

And over this thing was Eliasib the priest, who was set over the treasury of the house of our God, and was near akin to Tobias… But in all this time I was not in Jerusalem… I went to the king, and after certain days I asked the king: And I came to Jerusalem, and I understood the evil that Eliasib had done for Tobias, to make him a storehouse in the courts of the house of God. And it seemed exceedingly evil. And I cast forth the vessels of the house of Tobias out of the storehouse. And I commanded and they cleansed the storehouses: and I brought thither again the vessels of the house of God, the sacrifice, and frankincense.

And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them…

Why have we forsaken the house of God?

…for they were approved as faithful, and to them were committed the portions of their brethren.

Remember me, O my God, for this thing, and wipe not out my kindnesses, which I have done relating to the house of my God and his ceremonies.

In those days I saw in Juda some treading the presses on the Sabbath… and all manner of burdens, and bringing them into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. And I charged them that they should sell on a day on which it was lawful to sell.

And I rebuked the chief men of Juda in Jerusalem. And I rebuked the chief men of Juda and said to them: What is this evil thing that you are doing, profaning the Sabbath day? Did not our fathers do these things, and our God brought all this evil upon us, and upon this city? And you bring more wrath upon Israel by violating the Sabbath.

Why stay you before the wall? If you do so another time, I will lay hands on you. And from that time they came no more on the Sabbath.

…for this also remember me, O my God, and spare me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.

In these days also I saw Jews that married wives, women of Azotus, and of Ammon, and of Moab… and could not speak the Jews’ language, but they spoke according to the language of this and that people. And I chid them, and laid my curse upon them. And I beat some of them, and shaved off their hair, and made them swear by God that they would not give their daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters for their sons, not for themselves, saying: Did not Solomon king of Israel sin in this kind of thing? And surely among many nations, there was not a king like him, and he was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: and yet women of other countries brought him to sin.

And shall we also be disobedient and do all this great evil to transgress against our God, and marry strange women?

Edras: Remember me, O my God, unto good. Amen

Strangers and separation in the church of God came to pass. Oh, ‘lay hands on you” also has a violence dimension, not just a prayerful blessing! Marrying outside the religion… Old Testament thinking… Old Testament Law… Love of Jesus is the thinking and Law of the New Testament.

May it come to pass soon that all human beings unite as their Splendid Spiritual Self… the Law of the Third Testament of The Holy Spirit…

Remember me God I tried my best!

Day 165: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; Purification, Dwelt in the Villages & the Joy of Jerusalem.

Read and inspired by the Old Testament, The Second Book of Esdras (Nehemias), Chapters 11-13 (END).

Bible Notes:

The book is a history of the Jewish restoration under Nehemias, whose name is also given to the book. A servant of the Persian king, Nehemias became governor of Juda after the exile and took charge of the work of reconstruction. He not only helped rebuild Jerusalem but also fostered a spiritual revival.

2 Esdras (Nehemias) Chapter 11: Princes and people in Jerusalem; Dwellers in Jerusalem; Priests dwelling in Jerusalem; Levites and porters in Jerusalem; Those outside Jerusalem.

And the princes of the people dwelt at Jerusalem: but the rest of the people cast lots, to take one part in ten to dwell in Jerusalem the holy city, and nine parts in other cities… And every one dwelt in his possession, in their cities: Israel, the priests, the Levites, the Nathinites, and the children of the servants of Solomon.

And in Jerusalem there dwelt some of the children of Benjamin… All these the sons of Phares, who dwelt in Jerusalem, were four hundred sixty-eight valiant men… and Judas, the son of Senua was second over the city.

And of the priests… and their brethren that do the works of the temple… and his brethren the chiefs of the fathers… and their brethren who were very mighty, a hundred twenty-eight: and their ruler Zabdiel son of the mighty.

And of the Levites… who were over all the outward business of the house of God… was the principal man to praise, and to give glory in prayer… All the Levites in the holy city were two hundred eighty-four… And the porters… who kept the doors: a hundred seventy-two.

And the rest of Israel, the priests and the Levites were in all the cities of Juda, every man in his possession… were the singing men in the ministry of the house of God. For the king’s commandment was concerning them, and an order among the singing men day by day… was at the hand of the king, in all matters concerning the people, and in the houses through all their countries… and in the villages thereof… and in the villages thereof… and in the villages thereof…

2 Esdras (Nehemias) Chapter 12: Priests who returned with Zorobebel; Levites who returned with Zorobabel; Priests who returned after Zorobabel; Levites who returned after Zorobabel; Levites gather to dedicate the wall; Two choirs upon the walls; Restoration of Temple worship.

Now these are the priests and the Levites, that went up with Zorobabel… These were the chief of the priests, and of their brethren in the days of Josue.

And the Levites… they and their brethren were over the Hymns… and their brethren every one in his office… And Josue begot Joacim… begot… begot… begot… begot…

And in the days of Joacim the priests and heads of the families were…

The Levites the chiefs of the families in the days of Eliasib… heads of families were written in the book of Chronicles, even unto the days of… and their brethren by their courses, to praise and to give thanks according to the commandment of David the man of God, and to wait equally in order… were keepers of the gates and of the entrances before the gates… These were in the days of… Esdras the priest and scribe.

And at the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem they sought the Levites out of all their places, to bring them to Jerusalem, and to keep the dedication, and to rejoice with thanksgiving, and with singing, and with cymbals, and psalteries and harps… And the priests and the Levites were purified, and they purified the people, and the gates, and the wall.

And I (Esdras) made the princes of Juda go up upon the wall, and I appointed two great choirs to give praise… with the musical instruments of David the man of God: and Esdras the scribe before them at the fountain gate… And they sacrificed on that day great sacrifices, and the rejoiced: for God had made them joyful with great joy: their wives also and their children rejoiced, and the joy of Jerusalem was heard afar off.

They appointed also in that day men over the storehouses of the treasure, for the libations, and for the firstfruits, and for the tithes, that the rulers of the city might bring them in by them in honor of thanksgiving… And they kept the watch of God, and their observance of expiation… according to the commandment of David, and of Solomon his son… from the beginning there were chief singers appointed, to praise with canticles, and give thanks to God.

2 Esdras (Nehemias) Chapter 13: Contact with strangers forbidden; Temple storehouses restored to proper use; Tithes for the Levites restored; Restoration of Sabbath observance; Marriages with foreigners forbidden.

And on that day they read in the book of Moses in the hearing of the people: and therein was found written, that the Ammonites and the Moabites should not come in to the church of God for ever, because they met not the children of Israel with bread and water: and they hired Balaam, to curse them, and our God turned the curse into blessing. And it came to pass, when they had heard the law, that they separated every stranger from Israel.

And over this thing was Eliasib the priest, who was set over the treasury of the house of our God, and was near akin to Tobias… But in all this time I was not in Jerusalem… I went to the king, and after certain days I asked the king: And I came to Jerusalem, and I understood the evil that Eliasib had done for Tobias, to make him a storehouse in the courts of the house of God. And it seemed exceedingly evil. And I cast forth the vessels of the house of Tobias out of the storehouse. And I commanded and they cleansed the storehouses: and I brought thither again the vessels of the house of God, the sacrifice, and frankincense.

And I perceived that the portions of the Levites had not been given them…

Why have we forsaken the house of God?

…for they were approved as faithful, and to them were committed the portions of their brethren.

Remember me, O my God, for this thing, and wipe not out my kindnesses, which I have done relating to the house of my God and his ceremonies.

In those days I saw in Juda some treading the presses on the Sabbath… and all manner of burdens, and bringing them into Jerusalem on the Sabbath day. And I charged them that they should sell on a day on which it was lawful to sell.

And I rebuked the chief men of Juda in Jerusalem. And I rebuked the chief men of Juda and said to them: What is this evil thing that you are doing, profaning the Sabbath day? Did not our fathers do these things, and our God brought all this evil upon us, and upon this city? And you bring more wrath upon Israel by violating the Sabbath.

Why stay you before the wall? If you do so another time, I will lay hands on you. And from that time they came no more on the Sabbath.

…for this also remember me, O my God, and spare me according to the multitude of thy tender mercies.

In these days also I saw Jews that married wives, women of Azotus, and of Ammon, and of Moab… and could not speak the Jews’ language, but they spoke according to the language of this and that people. And I chid them, and laid my curse upon them. And I beat some of them, and shaved off their hair, and made them swear by God that they would not give their daughters to their sons, nor take their daughters for their sons, not for themselves, saying: Did not Solomon king of Israel sin in this kind of thing? And surely among many nations, there was not a king like him, and he was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: and yet women of other countries brought him to sin.

And shall we also be disobedient and do all this great evil to transgress against our God, and marry strange women?

Remember them, O Lord my God, that defile the priesthood, and the law of priests and Levites. So I separated from them all strangers, and I appointed the courses of priests and the Levites, every man in his ministry, and for the offering of wood at times appointed, and for firstfruits.

Remember me, O my God, unto good. Amen

Saint Paul at the beginning of this letter defends himself against the charges of inconstancy in the apostolate, of pride, and of selfish motives in his work. After a short appeal for a collection to help the poor in Jerusalem, he again refutes his enemies and vindicates his apostolic authority.

The Second Epistle of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians is of a pure content in terms of a source of spiritual insight, understanding, and wisdom!

As such, it is presented verbatim in its entirety below with the day’s title, highlighted words and phrases that touch my heart, my soul and/or raised questions in my consciousness.

With gratitude that the Truth of Christ is within each of us!

Paul not inferior to other preachers:

Would to God that you could bear with a little of my foolishness! Nay, do bear with me! For I am jealous for you with a divine jealousy. For I betrothed you to one spouse, that I might present you a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear lest, as the serpent deduced Eve by his guile, so your minds may be corrupted and fall from a single devotion to Christ.

For if he comes to preach another Christ whom we did not preach, or if you receive another Spirit whom you have not received, or another gospel which you did not accept, you might well bear with him.

For I regard myself as nowise inferior to the great apostles. Even though I be rude in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge; but in every way we have made ourselves clear to you.

He preached gratuitously:

Or did I do wrong when I humbled myself that you might be exalted, preaching to you the gospel of God free of charge? I stripped other churches, taking pay for them so as to minister to you.

And when I was with you and in want, I was a burden to no one; for the brethren from Macedonia supplied my needs. Thus in all things I have kept myself from being a burden to you, and so I intend to keep myself.

By the truth of Christ which is in me, this boast shall not be taken from me in the districts of Achaia. Why so? Because I do not love you? God knows I do. But what I do I will go on doing, that I may deprive them of the occasion who are seeking an occasion to boast that they are doing the same as we do.

For they are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself disguises himself as an angel of light. It is no great thing, then, if his ministers disguise themselves as ministers of justice. But their end will be according to their works.

His ministry of labor and suffering:

I repeat, let no one think me foolish. But if so, then regard me as such, that I also may boast a little.

What I am saying in this confidence of boasting, I am not speaking according to the Lord, but as it were in foolishness.

Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast. For you gladly put up with fools, because you are wise yourselves!

For you suffer it if a man enslaves you, if a man devours you, if a man takes from you, if a man is arrogant, if a man slaps your face!

I speak to my own shame, as though we had been weak. But wherein any man is bold—I am speaking foolishly—I also am bold.

Are they Hebrews? So am I! Are they Israelites? So am I! Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I? Are they ministers of Christ?

I—to speak as a fool—am more: in many more labors, in prisons frequently, in lashes above measure, often exposed to death. From the Jews five times I received forty lashes less one. Thrice I was scourged, once I was stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I was adrift on the sea; in journeyings often, in perils from floods, in perils from robbers, in perils from my own nation, in perils from the Gentiles; in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils from false brethren; in labor and hardships, in many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

Besides these outer things, there is my daily pressing anxiety, the care of all the churches!

Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I am not inflamed?

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that concern my weaknesses.

The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is blessed forevermore, knows that I do not lie.

In Damascus the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me, but I was lowered in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped his hands.

His revelations:

If I must boast—it is not indeed expedient to do so—but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up in the third heaven.

And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—that he was caught up into paradise and heard secret words that man may not repeat.

Of such a man I will not boast; but of myself I will glory in nothing save in my infirmities.

For if I do wish to boast, I shall not be foolish; for I shall be speaking the truth. But I forbear, lest any man should reckon me beyond what he sees in me or hears from me.

His infirmities:

And lest the greatness of the revelations should puff me up, there was given me a thorn for the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to buffet me.

Concerning this I thrice besought the Lord that it might leave me. And he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for thee, for strength is made perfect in weakness.”

Gladly therefore I will glory in my infirmities, that the strength of Christ may dwell in me. Wherefore I am satisfied, for Christ’s sake, with infirmities, with insults, with hardships, with persecutions, with distresses. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

He has been forced to boast:

I have become foolish! You have forced me. For I ought to have been commended by you, since in no way have I fallen short of the most eminent apostles, even though I am nothing.

Indeed, the signs of the apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in miracles and wonders and deeds of power. For in what have you been less favored that the other churches—unless in this, that I was no burden to you? Pardon me this wrong!

On his third visit he will be no burden:

Behold, this is the third time that I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children should not save up for the parents, but the parents for the children. But I will most gladly spend and be spent myself for your souls, even though, loving you more, I be loved less.

His disciples acted like Paul:

But be it so: I was no burden to you, but, being crafty, I caught you by guile. Did I take advantage of you through any of these whom I sent to you? I urged Titus to go, and I sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Have we not walked in the same spirit, have we not walked in the same steps?

Paul is not defending himself:

Are you thinking all this time that we are defending ourselves before you?

We speak before God in Christ; but in all things, beloved, for your own edification. For I fear lest perhaps when I come I may not find you as I should wish, and lest I may be found by you not as you would wish—lest perhaps there be found among you contentions, envyings, animosities, dissensions, detractions, gossiping, arrogance, disorders—lest when I come again God should humiliate me before you, and I should mourn over many who sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness and immorality and licentiousness that they practised.

He warns them of his severe judgment:

Behold, this is the third time that I am coming to you: ‘On the word of two or three witnesses every word shall be confirmed.”

I have already warned, when present, and now in my absence I warn again those who sinned before, and all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare.

Do you seek a proof of Christ who speaks in me, who is not weak in your regard, nay, is powerful in you?

For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he lives through the power of God.

Yes, we also are weak in him, yet we shall live with him through the power of God in your regard.

He asks them to prove themselves:

Put your own selves to test, whether you are in faith; prove yourselves. Do you not know yourselves that Christ Jesus is in you? Unless perhaps you are reprobate! But I hope that you will come to know that we are not reprobate.

Reprobate—a depraved, unprincipled, or wicked person; a person rejected by God and beyond hope of salvation.

But we pray that God that you may do no evil at all, not wishing ourselves to appear approved, but that you may do what is good, and we ourselves pass as reprobate.

For we can do nothing against the truth. And so we rejoice when we are weak but you are strong. This we also pray for, your perfecting.

Then he will not have to act:

Wherefore I write these things while absent, that when present I may not act more severely, according to the power that the Lord has given me for upbuilding, and not for destruction.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, brethren, rejoice, be perfected, be comforted, be of the same mind, be at peace; and the God of peace and love will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints send you greetings.

Blessing:

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the charity of God, and the fellowship on the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

 

 

Day 166: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; By the Truth of Christ which is in Me!

Read and inspired by the New Testament, The Second Epistle of Saint Paul to the Corinthians, Chapters 11-13 (END).

Bible Notes:

Saint Paul at the beginning of this letter defends himself against the charges of inconstancy in the apostolate, of pride, and of selfish motives in his work. After a short appeal for a collection to help the poor in Jerusalem, he again refutes his enemies and vindicates his apostolic authority.

2 Corinthians Chapter 11:  Paul not inferior to other preachers; He preached gratuitously; His ministry of labor and suffering.

Paul not inferior to other preachers:

Would to God that you could bear with a little of my foolishness! Nay, do bear with me! For I am jealous for you with a divine jealousy. For I betrothed you to one spouse, that I might present you a chaste virgin to Christ. But I fear lest, as the serpent deduced Eve by his guile, so your minds may be corrupted and fall from a single devotion to Christ.

For if he comes to preach another Christ whom we did not preach, or if you receive another Spirit whom you have not received, or another gospel which you did not accept, you might well bear with him.

For I regard myself as nowise inferior to the great apostles. Even though I be rude in speech, yet I am not so in knowledge; but in every way we have made ourselves clear to you.

He preached gratuitously:

Or did I do wrong when I humbled myself that you might be exalted, preaching to you the gospel of God free of charge? I stripped other churches, taking pay for them so as to minister to you.

And when I was with you and in want, I was a burden to no one; for the brethren from Macedonia supplied my needs. Thus in all things I have kept myself from being a burden to you, and so I intend to keep myself.

By the truth of Christ which is in me, this boast shall not be taken from me in the districts of Achaia. Why so? Because I do not love you? God knows I do. But what I do I will go on doing, that I may deprive them of the occasion who are seeking an occasion to boast that they are doing the same as we do.

For they are false apostles, deceitful workers, disguising themselves as apostles of Christ. And no wonder, for Satan himself disguises himself as an angel of light. It is no great thing, then, if his ministers disguise themselves as ministers of justice. But their end will be according to their works.

His ministry of labor and suffering:

I repeat, let no one think me foolish. But if so, then regard me as such, that I also may boast a little.

What I am saying in this confidence of boasting, I am not speaking according to the Lord, but as it were in foolishness.

Since many boast according to the flesh, I too will boast. For you gladly put up with fools, because you are wise yourselves!

For you suffer it if a man enslaves you, if a man devours you, if a man takes from you, if a man is arrogant, if a man slaps your face!

I speak to my own shame, as though we had been weak. But wherein any man is bold—I am speaking foolishly—I also am bold.

Are they Hebrews? So am I! Are they Israelites? So am I! Are they offspring of Abraham? So am I? Are they ministers of Christ?

I—to speak as a fool—am more: in many more labors, in prisons frequently, in lashes above measure, often exposed to death. From the Jews five times I received forty lashes less one. Thrice I was scourged, once I was stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I was adrift on the sea; in journeyings often, in perils from floods, in perils from robbers, in perils from my own nation, in perils from the Gentiles; in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils from false brethren; in labor and hardships, in many sleepless nights, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness.

Besides these outer things, there is my daily pressing anxiety, the care of all the churches!

Who is weak, and I am not weak? Who is made to stumble, and I am not inflamed?

If I must boast, I will boast of the things that concern my weaknesses.

The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, who is blessed forevermore, knows that I do not lie.

In Damascus the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city of the Damascenes in order to arrest me, but I was lowered in a basket through a window in the wall, and escaped his hands.

2 Corinthians Chapter 12:  His revelations; His infirmities; He has been forced to boast; On his third visit he will be no burden; His disciples acted like Paul; Paul is not defending himself.

His revelations:

If I must boast—it is not indeed expedient to do so—but I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago—whether in the body I do not know, or out of the body I do not know, God knows—such a one was caught up in the third heaven.

And I know such a man—whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows—that he was caught up into paradise and heard secret words that man may not repeat.

Of such a man I will not boast; but of myself I will glory in nothing save in my infirmities.

For if I do wish to boast, I shall not be foolish; for I shall be speaking the truth. But I forbear, lest any man should reckon me beyond what he sees in me or hears from me.

His infirmities:

And lest the greatness of the revelations should puff me up, there was given me a thorn for the flesh, a messenger of Satan, to buffet me.

Concerning this I thrice besought the Lord that it might leave me. And he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for thee, for strength is made perfect in weakness.”

Gladly therefore I will glory in my infirmities, that the strength of Christ may dwell in me. Wherefore I am satisfied, for Christ’s sake, with infirmities, with insults, with hardships, with persecutions, with distresses. For when I am weak, then I am strong.

He has been forced to boast:

I have become foolish! You have forced me. For I ought to have been commended by you, since in no way have I fallen short of the most eminent apostles, even though I am nothing.

Indeed, the signs of the apostle were wrought among you in all patience, in miracles and wonders and deeds of power. For in what have you been less favored that the other churches—unless in this, that I was no burden to you? Pardon me this wrong!

On his third visit he will be no burden:

Behold, this is the third time that I am ready to come to you. And I will not be a burden to you; for I do not seek yours, but you. For the children should not save up for the parents, but the parents for the children. But I will most gladly spend and be spent myself for your souls, even though, loving you more, I be loved less.

His disciples acted like Paul:

But be it so: I was no burden to you, but, being crafty, I caught you by guile. Did I take advantage of you through any of these whom I sent to you? I urged Titus to go, and I sent our brother with him. Did Titus take advantage of you? Have we not walked in the same spirit, have we not walked in the same steps?

Paul is not defending himself:

Are you thinking all this time that we are defending ourselves before you?

We speak before God in Christ; but in all things, beloved, for your own edification. For I fear lest perhaps when I come I may not find you as I should wish, and lest I may be found by you not as you would wish—lest perhaps there be found among you contentions, envyings, animosities, dissensions, detractions, gossiping, arrogance, disorders—lest when I come again God should humiliate me before you, and I should mourn over many who sinned before and have not repented of the uncleanness and immorality and licentiousness that they practiced.

2 Corinthians Chapter 13:  He warns them of his severe judgment; He asks them to prove themselves; Then he will not have to act; Conclusion; Blessing.

He warns them of his severe judgment:

Behold, this is the third time that I am coming to you: ‘On the word of two or three witnesses every word shall be confirmed.”

I have already warned, when present, and now in my absence I warn again those who sinned before, and all the rest, that, if I come again, I will not spare.

Do you seek a proof of Christ who speaks in me, who is not weak in your regard, nay, is powerful in you?

For though he was crucified through weakness, yet he lives through the power of God.

Yes, we also are weak in him, yet we shall live with him through the power of God in your regard.

He asks them to prove themselves:

Put your own selves to test, whether you are in faith; prove yourselves. Do you not know yourselves that Christ Jesus is in you? Unless perhaps you are reprobate! But I hope that you will come to know that we are not reprobate.

Reprobate—a depraved, unprincipled, or wicked person; a person rejected by God and beyond hope of salvation.

But we pray that God that you may do no evil at all, not wishing ourselves to appear approved, but that you may do what is good, and we ourselves pass as reprobate.

For we can do nothing against the truth. And so we rejoice when we are weak but you are strong. This we also pray for, your perfecting.

Then he will not have to act:

Wherefore I write these things while absent, that when present I may not act more severely, according to the power that the Lord has given me for upbuilding, and not for destruction.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, brethren, rejoice, be perfected, be comforted, be of the same mind, be at peace; and the God of peace and love will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints send you greetings.

Blessing:

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the charity of God, and the fellowship on the Holy Spirit be with you all. Amen.

Special Section in Bible: First Corinthians; Chapter 13:

Note: Here “Charity” is the love of God above—all things and love of neighbor for God.

If I should speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but do not have charity, I have become as sounding brass or a tinkling cymbal.

And if I have prophecy and know all the mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, yet do not have charity, I am nothing.

And if I distribute all my goods to feed the poor, and if I deliver my body to be burned, yet do not have—charity, it profits me nothing.

Charity is patient; is kind; charity does not envy, is not pretentious, is not puffed up, is not ambitious, is not self-seeking, is not provoked; thinks no evil, Does not rejoice over wickedness, but rejoices with the truth; Bears with all things, believes with all things, hopes all things, endures all things.

Charity never fails, whereas prophecies will disappear, and tongues will cease, and knowledge will be destroyed.

For we know in part and we prophesy in part; But when that which is perfect has come, that which is imperfect will be done away with.

When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child. Now that I have—become a man, I have put away the things of a child.

We see now through a mirror in an obscure manner. But then face-to-face—.

Now I know in part, but then I shall know even as I have been known.

So there abide—faith, hope, and charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.

Note: Here “Charity” is the love of God above—all things and love of neighbor for God.

 

 

This book tells of the elder Tobias, a pious Jew, who was blinded while helping his fellow exiles. Yet he patiently bore his affliction and resultant poverty. The Angel Raphael was sent to help him and his son, the younger Tobias. The book closes with the saintly deaths of both the elder and the younger Tobias.

Here is my interpretation of this part of The Old Testament. I start with transcribing and copying down key parts of each chapter. These notes, listed by chapter, are found at the very end at the bottom below. Words and phrases are highlighted (bold but not italicized) that touch my heart, my soul and/or raised questions in my spiritual consciousness.

Then I select key notes and weave them into a narrative to tell the story of how the Scriptures impacted me and/or expanded my biblical knowledge and spirit. These interpreted sections immediately are highlighted and italicized.

With gratitude that the Spirit of the Living God is in our hearts and impacting our world!

As in these times as in biblical times how we choose to act or react in times of great challenges and times of distress tell a lot about who we are spiritually. There is so much spiritual wisdom found here that most all of the Scriptures is included:

…when he (Tobias) was made captive… even in his captivity, forsook not the way of truth, but every day gave all he could get to his brethren… And when he was younger… yet did he no childish thing in his work… he along fled the company of all, and went to Jerusalem to the temple of the Lord, and there adored the Lord God of Israel, offering faithfully all his firstfruits, and his tithes… These and such like things did he observe when but a boy according to the law of God.

But when he was a man, he took to wife Anna of his own tribe, and had a son by her, whom he called after his own name, and from his infancy he taught him to fear God, and to abstain from all sin.

And when by the captivity… he kept his soul and never was defiled with their (Gentiles) meats. And because he was mindful of the Lord with all his heart, God gave him favor in the sight of Salmanasar the king. And gave him leave to go whithersoever he would, with liberty to do whatever he had a mind. He therefore went to all that were in captivity, and gave them wholesome admonitions.

…and had ten talents of silver of that with which he had been honored by the king… he saw Gabelus in want, who was one of his tribe, taking a note of his hand he gave him the aforesaid sum of money.

Tobias went daily among all his kindred, and comforted them, and distributed to every one as he was able, out of his goods. He fed the hungry, and gave clothes to the naked, and was careful to bury the dead, and they that were slain.

But Tobias fearing God more than the king…

But Tobias fearing God more than the king, carried off the bodies of them that were slain, and hid them in his house, and at midnight buried them.

…and as he was sleeping, hot dung fell out of a swallow’s nest fell upon his eyes, and he was made blind.

Now this trial the Lord therefore permitted to happen to him, that an example might be given to posterity of his patience, as also of holy Job.

Maybe this is why bad things happen to good righteous people sometimes in life…

For whereas he had always feared God from his infancy, and kept his commandments, he repined not against God because the evil of blindness had befallen him, but continued immovable in the fear of God, giving thanks to God all the days of his life.

TROML Baby (an exclamation of Joy)! (TROML is an acronym for ‘The Rest of My Life—T—R—O—M—L.’ As in all the days of my life!

…so his relations and kinsman mocked at his life, saying: Where is thy hope, for which thou gavest alms, and buriedst the dead?

But Tobias rebuked them, saying: Speak not so, for we are the children of saints, and look for that life which God will give to those that never change their faith from him.

…whereby it came to pass, that she received a young kid, and brought it home… he said: Take heed, lest perhaps it be stolen: restore ye it to its owners, for it is not lawful for us either to eat or to touch any thing that cometh by theft.. his wife being angry answered: It is evident thy hope is come to nothing, and thy alms now appear. And with these, and other such like words she upbraided him.

Prayers answered…

Tobias praying to the Lord:   Thou art just, O Lord, and all thy judgments are just, and all thy ways mercy, and truth, and judgment. And now, O Lord, think of me, and take not revenge of my sins, neither remember my offences, not those of my parents. For we have not obeyed thy commandments, therefore are we delivered to spoil, and to captivity, and death, and are made a fable, and a reproach to all nations, amongst which thou hast scattered us. And now O Lord, great are thy judgments, because we have not done according to thy precepts, and have not walked sincerely before thee. And now O Lord, do with me according to thy will, and command my spirit to be received in peace; for it is better for me to die, than to live.

Sara praying and blessing the Lord: Blessed is thy name, O God of our fathers; who when thou hast been angry, will show mercy, and in the time of tribulation forgives the sins of them that call upon thee. To thee, O Lord, I turn my face, to thee I direct my eyes. I beg, O Lord, that thou loose me from the bond of this reproach, or else take me away from the earth. Thou knowest, O Lord, that I never coveted a husband, and have kept my soul clean from all lust. Never have I joined myself with them that play: neither have I made myself partaker with them that walk in lightness. But a husband I consented to take, with thy fear, not with my lust. And either I was unworthy of them, or they perhaps were not worthy of me: because perhaps thou hast kept me for another man. For thy counsel is not in man’s power. But this every one is sure of that worshipeth thee, that his life, if it be under trial, shall be crowned; and if it be under tribulation, it shall be delivered: and if it be under correction, it shall be allowed to come to thy mercy. For thou art not delighted in our being lost: because after a storm thou makest a calm, and after tears and weeping thou purest in joyfulness. Be thy name, O God of Israel, blessed for ever.

At that time the prayers of them both were heard in the sight of the glory of the most high God, and the holy angel of the Lord, Raphael, was sent to heal them both, whose prayers at one time were rehearsed in the sight of the Lord.

Here is a true Father-to-Son talk…

Tobias:   Hear, my son, the words of my mouth, and lay them as a foundation in thy heart. When God shall take my soul, thou shalt bury my body: and thou shalt honor thy mother all the days of her life, for thou must be mindful what and how great perils she suffered for thee in her womb. And when she also shall have ended the time of her life, bury her next to me. And all the days of thy life have God in thy mind: and take heed thou never consent to sin, not transgress the commandments of the Lord our God.

Give alms out of thy substance, and turn not away thy face from any poor person: for so it shall come to pass that the face of the Lord shall not be turned from thee. According to thy ability be merciful. If thou have much give abundantly; if thou have little, take care even so to bestow willingly a little. For thus thou storest up to thyself a good reward for the day of necessity. For alms deliver from all sin, and from death, and will not suffer the soul to go into darkness. Alms shall be a great confidence before the most high God, to all them that give it.

Take heed to keep thyself, my son, from all fornication, and beside thy wife never endure to know a crime. Never suffer pride to reign in thy mind, or in thy words: for from it all perdition took its beginning. If any man hath done any work for thee, immediately pay him his hire, and let not the wages of thy hired servant stay with thee at all.

See thou never do to another what thou wouldst hate to have done to thee by another. Eat thy bread with the hungry and the needy, and with thy garments cover the naked. Lay out thy bread and thy wine upon the burial of a just man, and do not eat and drink thereof with the wicked. Seek counsel always of a wise man. Bless God at all times and desire of him to direct thy ways, and that all thy counsels may abide in him.

I tell thee also, my son, that I lent ten talents of silver, while thou wast yet a child, to Gabelus… and I have a note of his hand with me… Fear not, my son: we lead indeed a poor life, but we shall have many good things if we fear God, and depart from all sin, and do that which is good.

Younger Tobias answered his father: I will do all things, Father, which thou hast commanded me. But how I shall get this money, I cannot tell…

But go now, and seek thee out some faithful man, to go with thee for his hire; that thou mayst receive it, while I yet live.

Then Tobias going forth, found a beautiful young man… And not knowing that he was an angel of God, he saluted him, and said: From whence art thou, good young man? But he answered: Of the children of Israel… Stay for me, I beseech thee, till I tell these same things to my father.

Raphael to older Tobias: Joy be to thee always.

Older Tobias: What manner of joy shall be to me, who sit in darkness, and see not the light of heaven?

Raphael: Be of good courage, thy cure from God is at hand… I will lead thy son safe, and bring him to thee again safe.

Older Tobias to God’s Angel Raphael: May you have a good journey, and God be with you in your way, and his angel accompany you… (said to God’s angel).

Young Tobias’ Mother: Thou hast taken the staff of our old age, and sent him away from us. I wish the money for which thou hast sent him, had never been. For our poverty was sufficient for us, that we might account it as riches, that we saw our son.

Older Tobias to his wife: Weep not, our son will arrive thither safe, and will return safe to us, and thy eyes shall see him. For I believe that the good angel of God doth accompany him, and doth order all things well that are done about him, so that he shall return to us with joy.

At these words his mother ceased weeping, and held her peace.

…by the river of Tigris. And he went out to wash his feet, and behold a monstrous fish came up to devour him… Take him by the gill, and draw him to thee… Take out the entrails of this fish… for, these are necessary for useful medicines… the rest they salted as much as might serve them…

…brother Azarias (Angel Raphael), tell me what remedies are these things good for… If thou put a little piece of its heart upon coals, the smoke thereof driveth away all kind of devils, either from man or woman, so that they come no more to them. And the gall is good for anointing the eyes, in which there is a white speck, and they shall be cured.

Angel Raphael to young Tobias: Raguel… he hath a daughter named Sara… All his substance is due to thee, and thou must take her to wife. Ask her therefore of her father, and he will give her thee to wife.

Young Tobias: I hear that she hath been given to seven husbands, and they all died: moreover I have heard that a devil killed them.  Now I am afraid, lest the same thing should happen to me also; and whereas I am the only child of my parents, I should bring down their old age with sorrow to hell.

Angel Raphael to young Tobias: Hear me, and I will show thee who they are, over whom the devil can prevail. For they who in such manner receive matrimony, as to shut out God from themselves, and from their mind, and to give themselves to their lust, as the horse and mule, which have not understanding, over them the devil hath power.

But thou when thou shalt take her, go into the chamber, and for three days keep thyself continent from her, and give thyself to nothing else but to prayers with her. And on that night lay the liver of the fish on the fire, and the devil shall be driven away… And when the third night is past, thou shalt take the virgin with the fear of the Lord, moved rather for love of children than for lust, that in the seed of Abraham thou mayest obtain a blessing in children.

And they went in to Raguel, and Raguel received them with joy… Do you know Tobias my brother?… Tobias concerning whom thou inquires is this young man’s father. And Raguel went to him, and kissed him with tears, and weeping upon his neck, said: A blessing be upon thee, my son, because thou art the son of a good and most virtuous man.

Tobias to Raguel, Sara’s father: I will not eat nor drink here this day, unless thou first grant me my petition, and promise to give me Sara thy daughter… and as he (Raguel) was in suspense, and gave no answer to his petition…

Angel Raphael to Raguel: Be not afraid to give her to this man, for to him who feareth God is thy daughter due to be his wife: therefore another could not have her…

And taking the right hand of Tobias, saying: The God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob be with you, and may he join you together, and fulfil his blessing in you. And taking paper they made a writing of the marriage. And afterwards they made merry, blessing God.

And Tobias remembering the angel’s word, took out of his bag part of the liver, and laid it upon the burning coals. Then the angel Raphael took the devil, and bound him in the desert of Upper Egypt.

Tobias: Sara, arise, and let us pray to God to day, and to morrow, and the next day: because for these three nights we are joined to God: and when the third night is over, we will be in our own wedlock. For we are the children of saints, and we must not be joined together like heathens that know not God… Thou madest Adam of the slime of the earth, and gavest him Eve for a helper. And now, Lord, thou knowest, that not for fleshly lust do I take my sister to wife, but only for the love of posterity, in which thy name may be blessed for ever and ever.

Sara: Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, and let us grow old both together in health.

Raguel ordered his servants to be called for, and they went with him together to dig a grave… and found them safe and sound, sleeping both together.

Raguel and his wife Anna: We bless thee, O Lord God of Israel, because it hath not happened as we suspected. For thou hast shown mercy to us, and hast shut out from us the enemy that persecuted us. And thou hast taken pity upon two only children. Make them, O Lord, bless thee more fully: and to offer up to thee a sacrifice of thy praise, and of their health, that all nations may know that thou alone art God in all the earth.

And Raguel adjured Tobias, to abide with him two weeks. And of all things which Raguel possessed, he gave one half to Tobias, and made a writing, that the half that remained should after their decease come also to Tobias.

Day 167: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; Prayers Galore with Truth & Good Triumphing over the Devil!

Read and inspired by the Old Testament, The Book of Tobias, Chapters 1-8

Bible Notes:

This book tells of the elder Tobias, a pious Jew, who was blinded while helping his fellow exiles. Yet he patiently bore his affliction and resultant poverty. The Angel Raphael was sent to help him and his son, the younger Tobias. The book closes with the saintly deaths of both the elder and the younger Tobias.

Tobias Chapter 1:   Tobias’ early piety; Tobias’ marriage; Exile of Tobias in Ninive under Salmanasar; Tobias lends money to Gabelus; Tobias flees the wrath of Sennacherib; Tobias returns home.

…when he was made captive… even in his captivity, forsook not the way of truth, but every day gave all he could get to his brethren… And when he was younger… yet did he no childish thing in his work… he along fled the company of all, and went to Jerusalem to the temple of the Lord, and there adored the Lord God of Israel, offering faithfully all his firstfruits, and his tithes… These and such like things did he observe when but a boy according to the law of God.

But when he was a man, he took to wife Anna of his own tribe, and had a son by her, whom he called after his own name, and from his infancy he taught him to fear God, and to abstain from all sin.

And when by the captivity… he kept his soul and never was defiled with their (Gentiles) meats. And because he was mindful of the Lord with all his heart, God gave him favor in the sight of Salmamasar the king. And gave him leave to go whithersoever he would, with liberty to do whatever he had a mind. He therefore went to all that were in captivity, and gave them wholesome admonitions.

…and had ten talents of silver of that with which he had been honored by the king… he saw Gabelus in want, who was one of his tribe, taking a note of his hand he gave him the aforesaid sum of money.

But after a  long time, Salmanasar the king being dead, when Sennacherib his son, who reigned in his place, had a hatred for the children of Israel, Tobias went daily among all his kindred, and comforted them, and distributed to every one as he was able, out of his goods. He fed the hungry, and gave clothes to the naked, and was careful to bury the dead, and they that were slain.

And when king Sennacherib was come back… being angry slew many of the children of Israel, Tobias buried their bodies. But when it was told the king, he commanded him to be slain, and took away all his substance. But Tobias fleeing naked away with his son and with his wife, lay concealed, for many loved him.

But after forty-five days, the king was killed by his own sons. And Tobias returned to his house, and all his substance was restored to him.

Tobias Chapter 2:   Tobias leaves a feast to bury the dead; Tobias loses his sight; Tobias upbraided by his wife.

…one of the children of Israel lay slain in the street. And he forthwith leaped up from hos place at the table, and left his dinner, and came fasting to the body, and taking it up carried it privately to his house, that after sun was down, he might bury him cautiously.

And when he had hid the body, he ate bread with mourning and fear, remembering the word which the Lord spoke by Amos the prophet: Your festival days shall be turned into lamentation and mourning…

But Tobias fearing God more than the king, carried off the bodies of them that were slain, and hid them in his house, and at midnight buried them.

…and as he was sleeping, hot dung fell out of a swallow’s nest fell upon his eyes, and he was made blind.

Now this trial the Lord therefore permitted to happen to him, that ab example might be given to posterity of his patience, as also of holy Job.

For whereas he had always feared God from his infancy, and kept his commandments, he repined not against God because the evil of blindness had befallen him, but continued immovable in the fear of God, giving thanks to God all the days of his life.

…so his relations and kinsman mocked at his life, saying: Where is thy hope, for which thou gavest alms, and buriedst the dead?

But Tobias rebuked them, saying: Speak not so, for we are the children of saints, and look for that life which God will give to those that never change their faith from him.

…whereby it came to pass, that she received a young kid, and brought it home… he said: Take heed, lest perhaps it be stolen: restore ye it to its owners, for it is not lawful for us either to eat or to touch any thing that cometh by theft.. his wife being angry answered: It is evident thy hope is come to nothing, and thy alms now appear. And with these, and other such like words she upbraided him.

Repined—to be fretfully discontented; fret; complain.

Upbraided—to find fault with or reproach severely; censure.

Tobias Chapter 3:   Tobias prays for death; Sara patiently bears reproaches; The prayer of Sara; God sends Raphael to Tobias and Sara.

Tobias praying to the Lord:   Thou art just, O Lord, and all thy judgments are just, and all thy ways mercy, and truth, and judgment. And now, O Lord, think of me, and take not revenge of my sins, neither remember my offences, not those of my parents. For we have not obeyed thy commandments, therefore are we delivered to spoil, and to captivity, and death, and are made a fable, and a reproach to all nations, amongst which thou hast scattered us. And now O Lord, great are thy judgments, because we have not done according to thy precepts, and have not walked sincerely before thee. And now O Lord, do with me according to thy will, and command my spirit to be received in peace; for it is better for me to die, than to live.

Now it happened on the same day, that Sara, daughter of Raguel… received a reproach from one of her father’s servant maids, because she had been given to seven husbands, and a devil named Asmodeus had killed them, at their first going in unto her… May we never see son, or daughter of thee upon the earth, thou murderer of thy husbands… but continuing in prayer with tears besought God, that he would deliver her from this reproach.

Reproach—to find fault with (a person, group, etc.); blame; censure; to upbraid; to be a cause of blame or discredit to.

Sara praying and blessing the Lord: Blessed is thy name, O God of our fathers; who when thou hast been angry, will show mercy, and in the time of tribulation forgives the sins of them that call upon thee. To thee, O Lord, I turn my face, to thee I direct my eyes. I beg, O Lord, that thou loose me from the bond of this reproach, or else take me away from the earth. Thou knowest, O Lord, that I never coveted a husband, and have kept my soul clean from all lust. Never have I joined myself with them that play: neither have I made myself partaker with them that walk in lightness. But a husband I consented to take, with thy fear, not with my lust. And either I was unworthy of them, or they perhaps were not worthy of me: because perhaps thou hast kept me for another man. For thy counsel is not in man’s power. But this every one is sure of that worshipeth thee, that his life, if it be under trial, shall be crowned; and if it be under tribulation, it shall be delivered: and if it be under correction, it shall be allowed to come to thy mercy. For thou art not delighted in our being lost: because after a storm thou makest a calm, and after tears and weeping thou purest in joyfulness. Be thy name, O God of Israel, blessed for ever.

At that time the prayers of them both were heard in the sight of the glory of the most high God, and the holy angel of the Lord, Raphael, was sent to heal them both, whose prayers at one time were rehearsed in the sight of the Lord.

Tobias Chapter 4:   Tobias counsels his son; Almsgiving; Purity, humility, honesty; Charity; Tobias tells of the loan to Gabelus.

Tobias:   Hear, my son, the words of my mouth, and lay them as a foundation in thy heart. When God shall take my soul, thou shalt bury my body: and thou shalt honor thy mother all the days of her life, for thou must be mindful what and how great perils she suffered for thee in her womb. And when she also shall have ended the time of her life, bury her next to me. And all the days of thy life have God in thy mind: and take heed thou never consent to sin, not transgress the commandments of the Lord our God.

Give alms out of thy substance, and turn not away thy face from any poor person: for so it shall come to pass that the face of the Lord shall not be turned from thee. According to thy ability be merciful. If thou have much give abundantly; if thou have little, take care even so to bestow willingly a little. For thus thou storest up to thyself a good reward for the day of necessity. For alms deliver from all sin, and from death, and will not suffer the soul to go into darkness. Alms shall be a great confidence before the most high God, to all them that give it.

Take heed to keep thyself, my son, from all fornication, and beside thy wife never endure to know a crime. Never suffer pride to reign in thy mind, or in thy words: for from it all perdition took its beginning. If any man hath done any work for thee, immediately pay him his hire, and let not the wages of thy hired servant stay with thee at all.

Perdition—a state of final spiritual ruin; loss of the soul; damnation; the future state of the wicked; hell.

See thou never do to another what thou wouldst hate to have done to thee by another. Eat thy bread with the hungry and the needy, and with thy garments cover the naked. Lay out thy bread and thy wine upon the burial of a just man, and do not eat and drink thereof with the wicked. Seek counsel always of a wise man. Bless God at all times and desire of him to direct thy ways, and that all thy counsels may abide in him.

I tell thee also, my son, that I lent ten talents of silver, while thou wast yet a child, to Gabelus… and I have a note of his hand with me… Fear not, my son: we lead indeed a poor life, but we shall have many good things if we fear God, and depart from all sin, and do that which is good.

Tobias Chapter 5:   Young Tobias asks his father’s advice; Young Tobias meets Raphael; Raphael offers to guide young Tobias; Young Tobias’ mother mourns his departure.

Younger Tobias answered his father: I will do all things, Father, which thou hast commanded me. But how I shall get this money, I cannot tell…

But go now, and seek thee out some faithful man, to go with thee for his hire; that thou mayst receive it, while I yet live.

Then Tobias going forth, found a beautiful young man… And not knowing that he was an angel of God, he saluted him, and said: From whence art thou, good young man? But he answered: Of the children of Israel… Stay for me, I beseech thee, till I tell these same things to my father.

Raphael to older Tobias: Joy be to thee always.

Older Tobias: What manner of joy shall be to me, who sit in darkness, and see not the light of heaven?

Raphael: Be of good courage, thy cure from God is at hand… I will lead thy son safe, and bring him to thee again safe.

Older Tobias to God’s Angel Raphael: May you have a good journey, and God be with you in your way, and his angel accompany you… (said to God’s angel).

Young Tobias’ Mother: Thou hast taken the staff of our old age, and sent him away from us. I wish the money for which thou hast sent him, had never been. For our poverty was sufficient for us, that we might account it as riches, that we saw our son.

Older Tobias to his wife: Weep not, our son will arrive thither safe, and will return safe to us, and thy eyes shall see him. For I believe that the good angel of God doth accompany him, and doth order all things well that are done about him, so that he shall return to us with joy.

At these words his mother ceased weeping, and held her peace.

Tobias Chapter 6:   Young Tobias catches a fish; Healing power of the fish; Raphael tells young Tobias to marry Sara; The fear of young Tobias; Raphael’s directions for marriage to Sara.

…by the river of Tigris. And he went out to wash his feet, and behold a monstrous fish came up to devour him… Take him by the gill, and draw him to thee… Take out the entrails of this fish… for, these are necessary for useful medicines… the rest they salted as much as might serve them…

…brother Azarias (Angel Raphael), tell me what remedies are these things good for… If thou put a little piece of its heart upon coals, the smoke thereof driveth away all kind of devils, either from man or woman, so that they come no more to them. And the gall is good for anointing the eyes, in which there is a white speck, and they shall be cured.

Angel Raphael to young Tobias: Raguel… he hath a daughter named Sara… All his substance is due to thee, and thou must take her to wife. Ask her therefore of her father, and he will give her thee to wife.

Young Tobias: I hear that she hath been given to seven husbands, and they all died: moreover I have heard that a devil killed them.  Now I am afraid, lest the same thing should happen to me also; and whereas I am the only child of my parents, I should bring down their old age with sorrow to hell.

Angel Raphael to young Tobias: Hear me, and I will show thee who they are, over whom the devil can prevail. For they who in such manner receive matrimony, as to shut out God from themselves, and from their mind, and to give themselves to their lust, as the horse and mule, which have not understanding, over them the devil hath power.

But thou when thou shalt take her, go into the chamber, and for three days keep thyself continent from her, and give thyself to nothing else but to prayers with her. And on that night lay the liver of the fish on the fire, and the devil shall be driven away… And when the third night is past, thou shalt take the virgin with the fear of the Lord, moved rather for love of children than for lust, that in the seed of Abraham thou mayest obtain a blessing in children.

Tobias Chapter 7:   Raguel receives Tobias and the Angel; Tobias and Sara become engaged.

And they went in to Raguel, and Raguel received them with joy… Do you know Tobias my brother?… Tobias concerning whom thou inquires is this young man’s father. And Raguel went to him, and kissed him with tears, and weeping upon his neck, said: A blessing be upon thee, my son, because thou art the son of a good and most virtuous man.

Tobias to Raguel, Sara’s father: I will not eat nor drink here this day, unless thou first grant me my petition, and promise to give me Sara thy daughter… and as he (Raguel) was in suspense, and gave no answer to his petition…

Angel Raphael to Raguel: Be not afraid to give her to this man, for to him who feareth God is thy daughter due to be his wife: therefore another could not have her…

And taking the right hand of Tobias, saying: The God of Abraham, and the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob be with you, and may he join you together, and fulfil his blessing in you. And taking paper they made a writing of the marriage. And afterwards they made merry, blessing God.

Tobias Chapter 8:   Raphael binds the devil; Prayer of Tobias and Sara; Raguel gives thanks to God; The wedding feast.

And Tobias remembering the angel’s word, took out of his bag part of the liver, and laid it upon the burning coals. Then the angel Raphael took the devil, and bound him in the desert of Upper Egypt.

Tobias: Sara, arise, and let us pray to God to day, and to morrow, and the next day: because for these three nights we are joined to God: and when the third night is over, we will be in our own wedlock. For we are the children of saints, and we must not be joined together like heathens that know not God… Thou madest Adam of the slime of the earth, and gavest him Eve for a helper. And now, Lord, thou knowest, that not for fleshly lust do I take my sister to wife, but only for the love of posterity, in which thy name may be blessed for ever and ever.

Sara: Have mercy on us, O Lord, have mercy on us, and let us grow old both together in health.

Raguel ordered his servants to be called for, and they went with him together to dig a grave… and found them safe and sound, sleeping both together.

Raguel and his wife Anna: We bless thee, O Lord God of Israel, because it hath not happened as we suspected. For thou hast shown mercy to us, and hast shut out from us the enemy that persecuted us. And thou hast taken pity upon two only children. Make them, O Lord, bless thee more fully: and to offer up to thee a sacrifice of thy praise, and of their health, that all nations may know that thou alone art God in all the earth.

And Raguel adjured Tobias, to abide with him two weeks. And of all things which Raguel possessed, he gave one half to Tobias, and made a writing, that the half that remained should after their decease come also to Tobias.

 

The Epistle of Saint Paul to the Galatians.

Saint Paul in this letter warns against those who would repudiate his authority and introduce in the Christian community Jewish practices like circumcision. He proves that his doctrine is of divine origin and then points out that the observances of the Jewish Law are useless to the Christian. The Epistle closes with a series of practical admonitions based on the doctrine he has just explained.

The Second Epistle of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Corinthians written by Saint Paul is of a pure content in terms of a source of spiritual insight, understanding, and wisdom!

As such, it is presented verbatim in its entirety below with the day’s title, highlighted words and phrases that touch my heart, my soul and/or raised questions in my consciousness.

Here is my interpretation of this part of The New Testament. I start with transcribing and copying down key parts of each chapter. As noted above when it comes to the writings of Saint Paul the notes are verbatim. These notes, listed by chapter, are found at the very end at the bottom below. Words and phrases are highlighted (bold but not italicized) that touch my heart, my soul and/or raised questions in my spiritual consciousness.

Then I select key notes and weave them into a narrative to tell the story of how the Scriptures impacted me and/or expanded my biblical knowledge and spirit. These interpreted sections immediately are highlighted and italicized.

With gratitude that the Spirit of the Living God is in our hearts and impacting our world!

As in these times as in biblical times how we choose to act or react in times of great challenges and times of distress tell a lot about who we are spiritually. There is so much spiritual wisdom found here that most all of the Scriptures is included:

With gratitude that the Truth of Christ is within each of us!

The Promise of God; Understanding the Law & Our Faith!

Extracting Scriptures to tell the story as interpreted:

But we know that man is not justified by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ.

Hence we also believe in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by works of the Law; because by works of the Law no man will be justified.

But if, while we are seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore the minister of sin? By no means. For if I reconstruct the things that I destroyed, I make myself a sinner (I don’t understand this as I infer it to mean that making amends is not the right thing to do?)

For I through the Law have died to the Law that I may live to God.

With Christ I am nailed to the cross. It is now no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me. And the life that I now live in the flesh, I live in the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me. I do not cast away the grace of God. For if justice is by the Law, then Christ died in vain.

Did you receive the Spirit in virtue of the works of the Law, or in virtue of hearing and believing?

Are you so foolish that after beginning in the Spirit, you now make a finish in the flesh?

Have you suffered so much in vain?

If indeed it be in vain. He therefore gives the Spirit to you, and works miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the Law, or by the message of faith?

But before the faith came we were kept imprisoned under the Law, shut up for the faith that was to be revealed.

Therefore the Law has been our tutor unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But now that the faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

For you are all the children of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

Upon our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus… that the truth of the gospel might continue with you…

Greeting to the Galatians:

Paul, an apostle, sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead, and all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia.

Grace and peace be to you from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from the wickedness of this present world according to the will of our God and Father; to whom is glory forever and ever. Amen.

Surprise at their conduct:

I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you to the grace of Christ, changing to another gospel; which is not another gospel, except in this respect that there are some who trouble you, and wish to pervert the gospel of Christ.

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel to you other than that which we have preached to you, let him be anathema! As we have said before, so not I say again: If anyone preach a gospel to you other than that which you have received, let him be anathema!

For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I seeking to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I should not be a servant of Christ.

Paul’s doctrine not of human origin:

For I give you to understand, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not of man. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it; but I received it by a revelation of Jesus Christ.

For you have heard of my former manner of life in Jerusalem; how beyond all measure I persecuted the Church of God, and ravaged it. And I advanced in Judaism above many of my contemporaries in my nation, showing much more zeal for the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased him who from my mother’s womb set me apart and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, immediately, without taking counsel with flesh and blood, and without going up to Jerusalem to those who were appointed apostles before me, I retired into Arabia, and again returned to Damascus.

Short contact with the other Apostles:

Then after three years I went to Jerusalem to see Peter, and I remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles, except James, the brother of the Lord.

Now in what I am writing to you, behold, before God, I do not lie.

Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. But they had heard only that he who formerly persecuted us, now preaches the faith which once he ravaged. And they glorified God in me.

Later the apostles approved his doctrine:

Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking also Titus along with me. And I went up in consequence of a revelation, and I conferred with them on the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but separately with the men of authority; lest perhaps I should be running, or had run in vain.

But not even Titus, who was with me, Gentile though he was, was compelled to be circumcised, although it was urged on account of false brethren who were brought in secretly, who slipped in to spy upon our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into slavery.

Now to these we did not yield in submission, no, not for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

But from the men of authority (what they once were matters not to me; God accepts not the person of man)—the men of authority laid no further burden on me. On the contrary, when they saw that to me was committed the gospel for the uncircumcised, as to Peter that for the circumcised (for he who worked in Peter for the apostleship of the circumcised worked also in me among the Gentiles)—and when they recognized the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were considered the pillars, gave to me and to Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised; provided only that we should be mindful of the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

Paul reproves Peter:

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was deserving of blame.

For before certain persons came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and to separate himself, fearing the circumcised. And the rest of the Jews dissembled along with him, so that Barnabas also was led away by them into that dissimulation.

But when I saw that they were not walking uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all: If thou, though a Jew, livest like the Gentiles, and not like the Jews, how is it that thou dost compel the Gentiles to live like the Jews?

Works of the law do not justify:

We are Jews by birth, and not sinners from among the Gentiles.

But we know that man is not justified by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ.

Hence we also believe in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by works of the Law; because by works of the Law no man will be justified.

But if, while we are seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore the minister of sin? By no means. For if I reconstruct the things that I destroyed, I make myself a sinner.

For I through the Law have died to the Law that I may live to God.

With Christ I am nailed to the cross. It is now no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me. And the life that I now live in the flesh, I live in the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me. I do not cast away the grace of God. For if justice is by the Law, then Christ died in vain.

Galatians justified by hearing and believing:

O FOOLISH Galatians! Who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been depicted crucified?

This only I would learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit in virtue of the works of the Law, or in virtue of hearing and believing?

Are you so foolish that after beginning in the Spirit, you now make a finish in the flesh?

Have you suffered so much in vain?

If indeed it be in vain. He therefore gives the Spirit to you, and works miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the Law, or by the message of faith?

Even thus “Abraham believed God, and it was credited in him as justice.”

The example of Abraham:

Know therefore that the men of faith are the real sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, announced to Abraham beforehand, “In thee shall all the nations be blessed.” Therefore the men of faith shall be blessed with faithful Abraham.

The nature of the Law:

For those who rely on the works of the Law are under a curse. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not hold to all things that are written in the book of the Law, to perform them.”

But that by the Law no man is justified before God is evident, because “he who is just lives by faith.”

But the Law does not rest on faith; but, “he who does these things, shall live by them.”

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, becoming a curse for us; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a gibbet”; that the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, that through faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

The promise of God:

Brethren (I speak after the manner of men); yet even a man’s will, once it has been ratified, no one annuls or alters.

The promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. He does not say, “And to his offsprings,” as of many; but as of one, “And to thy offspring,” who is Christ.

Now I mean this: The Law which was made four hundred and thirty years after does not annul the covenant which was ratified by God, so as to make the promise void.

For if the right to inherit be from the Law, it is no longer from a promise. But God gave it to Abraham by promise.

The temporary nature of the Law:

What then was the Law?

It was enacted on account of transgressions, being delivered by angels through a mediator, until the offspring should come to whom the promise was made.

Now there is no intermediary where there is only one; but God is one.

Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? By no means. For if a law had been given that could give life, justice would truly be from the Law. But the Scripture shut up all things under sin, that by the faith of Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe.

The Law led us to Christ:

But before the faith came we were kept imprisoned under the Law, shut up for the faith that was to be revealed.

Therefore the Law has been our tutor unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But now that the faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

For you are all the children of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

For all of you have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor freeman; there is neither male nor female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.

And if you are Christ’s, then you are the offspring of Abraham, heirs according to promise.

Day 168: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; The Promise of God; Understanding the Law & Our Faith!

Read and inspired by the New Testament, The Epistle of Saint Paul to the Galatians, Chapters 1-3.

Bible Notes:

Saint Paul in this letter warns against those who would repudiate his authority and introduce in the Christian community Jewish practices like circumcision. He proves that his doctrine is of divine origin and then points out that the observances of the Jewish Law are useless to the Christian. The Epistle closes with a series of practical admonitions based on the doctrine he has just explained.

Galatians Chapter 1:  Greeting to the Galatians; Surprise at their conduct; Paul’s doctrine not of human origin; Short contact with the other Apostles.

Greeting to the Galatians:

Paul, an apostle, sent not from men nor by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead, and all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia.

Grace and peace be to you from God the Father, and from our Lord Jesus Christ, who gave himself for our sins, that he might deliver us from the wickedness of this present world according to the will of our God and Father; to whom is glory forever and ever. Amen.

Surprise at their conduct:

I marvel that you are so quickly deserting him who called you to the grace of Christ, changing to another gospel; which is not another gospel, except in this respect that there are some who trouble you, and wish to pervert the gospel of Christ.

But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel to you other than that which we have preached to you, let him be anathema! As we have said before, so not I say again: If anyone preach a gospel to you other than that which you have received, let him be anathema!

For am I now seeking the favor of men, or of God? Or am I seeking to please men? If I were still trying to please men, I should not be a servant of Christ.

Anathema—a person or thing detested or loathed; a person or thing accursed or consigned to damnation or destruction; a formal ecclesiastical curse involving excommunication.

Paul’s doctrine not of human origin:

For I give you to understand, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not of man. For I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it; but I received it by a revelation of Jesus Christ.

For you have heard of my former manner of life in Jerusalem; how beyond all measure I persecuted the Church of God, and ravaged it. And I advanced in Judaism above many of my contemporaries in my nation, showing much more zeal for the traditions of my fathers. But when it pleased him who from my mother’s womb set me apart and called me by his grace, to reveal his Son in me, that I might preach him among the Gentiles, immediately, without taking counsel with flesh and blood, and without going up to Jerusalem to those who were appointed apostles before me, I retired into Arabia, and again returned to Damascus.

Short contact with the other Apostles:

Then after three years I went to Jerusalem to see Peter, and I remained with him fifteen days. But I saw none of the other apostles, except James, the brother of the Lord.

Now in what I am writing to you, behold, before God, I do not lie.

Then I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. And I was unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. But they had heard only that he who formerly persecuted us, now preaches the faith which once he ravaged. And they glorified God in me.

Galatians Chapter 2:   Later the apostles approved his doctrine; Paul reproves Peter; Works of the law do not justify.   

Later the apostles approved his doctrine:

Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking also Titus along with me. And I went up in consequence of a revelation, and I conferred with them on the gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but separately with the men of authority; lest perhaps I should be running, or had run in vain.

But not even Titus, who was with me, Gentile though he was, was compelled to be circumcised, although it was urged on account of false brethren who were brought in secretly, who slipped in to spy upon our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into slavery.

Now to these we did not yield in submission, no, not for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

But from the men of authority (what they once were matters not to me; God accepts not the person of man)—the men of authority laid no further burden on me. On the contrary, when they saw that to me was committed the gospel for the uncircumcised, as to Peter that for the circumcised (for he who worked in Peter for the apostleship of the circumcised worked also in me among the Gentiles)—and when they recognized the grace that was given to me, James and Cephas and John, who were considered the pillars, gave to me and to Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised; provided only that we should be mindful of the poor, the very thing I was eager to do.

Paul reproves Peter:

But when Cephas came to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was deserving of blame.

For before certain persons came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and to separate himself, fearing the circumcised. And the rest of the Jews dissembled along with him, so that Barnabas also was led away by them into that dissimulation.

But when I saw that they were not walking uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas before them all: If thou, though a Jew, livest like the Gentiles, and not like the Jews, how is it that thou dost compel the Gentiles to live like the Jews?

Reprove—to criticize or correct, especially gently; to disapprove of strongly; censure.

Works of the law do not justify:

We are Jews by birth, and not sinners from among the Gentiles.

But we know that man is not justified by the works of the Law, but by the faith of Jesus Christ.

Hence we also believe in Christ Jesus, that we may be justified by the faith of Christ, and not by works of the Law; because by works of the Law no man will be justified.

But if, while we are seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore the minister of sin? By no means. For if I reconstruct the things that I destroyed, I make myself a sinner.

For I through the Law have died to the Law that I may live to God.

With Christ I am nailed to the cross. It is now no longer I that live, but Christ lives in me. And the life that I now live in the flesh, I live in the faith of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself up for me. I do not cast away the grace of God. For if justice is by the Law, then Christ died in vain.

Galatians Chapter 3:  Galatians justified by hearing and believing; The example of Abraham; The nature of the Law; The promise of God; The temporary nature of the Law; The Law led us to Christ.

Galatians justified by hearing and believing:

O FOOLISH Galatians! Who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ has been depicted crucified?

This only I would learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit in virtue of the works of the Law, or in virtue of hearing and believing?

Are you so foolish that after beginning in the Spirit, you now make a finish in the flesh?

Have you suffered so much in vain?

If indeed it be in vain. He therefore gives the Spirit to you, and works miracles among you, does he do it by the works of the Law, or by the message of faith?

Even thus “Abraham believed God, and it was credited in him as justice.”

The example of Abraham:

Know therefore that the men of faith are the real sons of Abraham. And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, announced to Abraham beforehand, “In thee shall all the nations be blessed.” Therefore the men of faith shall be blessed with faithful Abraham.

The nature of the Law:

For those who rely on the works of the Law are under a curse. For it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not hold to all things that are written in the book of the Law, to perform them.”

But that by the Law no man is justified before God is evident, because “he who is just lives by faith.”

But the Law does not rest on faith; but, “he who does these things, shall live by them.”

Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law, becoming a curse for us; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a gibbet”; that the blessing of Abraham might come to the Gentiles through Christ Jesus, that through faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.

Gibbet—a gallows with a projecting arm at the top, from which the bodies of criminals were formerly hung in chains and left suspended after execution.

The promise of God:

Brethren (I speak after the manner of men); yet even a man’s will, once it has been ratified, no one annuls or alters.

The promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. He does not say, “And to his offsprings,” as of many; but as of one, “And to thy offspring,” who is Christ.

Now I mean this: The Law which was made four hundred and thirty years after does not annul the covenant which was ratified by God, so as to make the promise void.

For if the right to inherit be from the Law, it is no longer from a promise. But God gave it to Abraham by promise.

The temporary nature of the Law:

What then was the Law?

It was enacted on account of transgressions, being delivered by angels through a mediator, until the offspring should come to whom the promise was made.

Now there is no intermediary where there is only one; but God is one.

Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? By no means. For if a law had been given that could give life, justice would truly be from the Law. But the Scripture shut up all things under sin, that by the faith of Jesus Christ the promise might be given to those who believe.

The Law led us to Christ:

But before the faith came we were kept imprisoned under the Law, shut up for the faith that was to be revealed.

Therefore the Law has been our tutor unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. But now that the faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

For you are all the children of God through faith in Jesus Christ.

For all of you have been baptized into Christ, have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek; there is neither slave nor freeman; there is neither male nor female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.

And if you are Christ’s, then you are the offspring of Abraham, heirs according to promise.

This book tells of the elder Tobias, a pious Jew, who was blinded while helping his fellow exiles. Yet he patiently bore his affliction and resultant poverty. The Angel Raphael was sent to help him and his son, the younger Tobias. The book closes with the saintly deaths of both the elder and the younger Tobias.

Please see Day 167 OT for meaning of highlighted and italicized nomenclature.

This is the story of a son, guided by an Angel, that goes out on a journey to recover a debt owed to his blind, righteous father. In so doing he finds a wife and the magic portion to cure his father’s blindness. Both the blindness and the miracle cure are a testimony to having faith, perseverance, and trust in God.

This may well be part of the answer of why bad things happen to good people. In this case it brought Glory to God and had a happy ending. So many times in life the ending is not so happy, at least the ending we perceive and see.

In faith and in serving the law as inspired, we all have access to the ultimate miracle of life: eternal life through our faith in Jesus Christ, The Holy Spirit, and God! Al-le-lu-ia!

The story as extracted from Scriptures:

Gabelus blesses Tobias: The God of Israel bless thee, because thou art the son of a very good and just man, and that feareth God, and doth almsdeeds. And may a blessing come upon thy wife and upon your parents. And may you see your children, and your children’s children, unto the third and fourth generation: and may your seed be blessed by the God of Israel, who reigneth for ever and ever. And when all had said, Amen, they went to the feast: but the marriage feast they celebrated also with the fear of the Lord.

Sara’s father Raguel: The holy angel of the Lord be with you in your journey, and bring you through safe, and that you may find all things well about your parents, and my eyes may see your children before I die.

And the parents taking their daughter kissed her, and let her go, admonishing her to honor her father and mother in law, to love her husband, to take care of the family, to govern the house, and to behave herself irreprehensibly.

And when they adored God, and given him thanks, they sat down together. Then Tobias taking of the gall of the fish, anointed his father’s eyes. And he stayed about half an hour: and a white skin began to come out of his eyes, like the skin of an egg. And Tobias took hold of it, and drew it from his eyes, and immediately he recovered his sight. And they glorified God, both he and his wife and all that knew him. And Tobias said: I bless thee, O Lord God of Israel, because thou hast chastised me, and thou hast saved me; and behold I see Tobias my son.

Then Raphael said to them secretly: Bless ye the God of heaven, give glory to him in the sight of all that live, because he hath shown his mercy to you. For it is good to hide the secret of a king: but honorable to reveal and confess the works of God. Prayer is good with fasting and alms: more than to lay up treasures of gold; for alms delivereth from death, and the same is that which purgeth away sins, and maketh to find mercy and life everlasting. But they that commit sin and iniquity, are enemies in their own soul. I discover then the truth unto you, and I will not hide the secret from you. When thou didst pray with tears, and didst bury the dead, and didst leave thy dinner, and hide the dead by day in thy house, and bury them at night, I offered my prayer to the Lord. And because thou wast acceptable to God, it was necessary that temptations should prove thee. And now the Lord hath sent me to heal thee, and to deliver Sara thy son’s wife from the devil. For I am the angel Raphael, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord.

Peace be to you, fear not. For when I was with you, I was there by the will of God; bless ye him, and sing praises to him. I seemed indeed to eat and to drink with you: but I use an invisible meat and drink, which cannot be seen by men. It is time therefore that I return to him that sent me: but bless ye God, and publish all his wonderful works. And when he had said these things, he was taken from their sight, and they could see him no more.

My soul, bless thou the Lord, because the Lord our God hath delivered Jerusalem his city from all her troubles. Happy shall I be if there shall remain of my seed, to see the glory of Jerusalem. The gates of Jerusalem shall be built of sapphire, and of emerald, and all the walls thereof round about of precious stones. All its streets shall be paved with white and clean stones: and Alleluia shall be sung in its streets.

And it came to pass that after the death of his mother… returned to his father and mother in law… And he found them in health in a good old age: and he took care of them, and he closed their eyes: and all the inheritance of Raguel’s house came to him: and he saw his children’s children to the fifth generation. And after he had lived ninety-nine years in the fear of the Lord, with joy they buried him. And all his kindred, and all his generation continued in good life, and in holy conversation, so that they were acceptable both to God, and to men, and to all that dwelt in the land.

Day 169: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; Faith, Perseverance, & Trust in God Will Set Us Free!

Read and inspired by the Old Testament, The Book of Tobias, Chapters 9-14 (END)

Bible Notes:

This book tells of the elder Tobias, a pious Jew, who was blinded while helping his fellow exiles. Yet he patiently bore his affliction and resultant poverty. The Angel Raphael was sent to help him and his son, the younger Tobias. The book closes with the saintly deaths of both the elder and the younger Tobias.

Tobias Chapter 9: Tobias sends Raphael to Gabelus; Raphael collects the loan from Gabelus; Gabelus blesses Tobias.

Then Tobias called the angel to him, whom he took to be a man, and said to him: Brother Azarias… go to Gabelus… restore to him his note of hand, and receive of him the money, and desire him to come to my wedding. For thou knowest that my father numbereth the days; and if I stay one day more, his soul will be afflicted.

…finding Gabelus, gave him his note of hand, and received of him all the money… and made him come with him to the wedding.

Gabelus blesses Tobias: The God of Israel bless thee, because thou art the son of a very good and just man, and that feareth God, and doth almsdeeds. And may a blessing come upon thy wife and upon your parents. And may you see your children, and your children’s children, unto the third and fourth generation: and may your seed be blessed by the God of Israel, who reigneth for ever and ever. And when all had said, Amen, they went to the feast: but the marriage feast they celebrated also with the fear of the Lord.

Tobias Chapter 10: Absence of Tobias mourned by his parents; Tobias starts home with Sara.

…why did we send thee to go to a strange country, the light of our eyes, the staff of our old age, the comfort of our life, the hope of our posterity… Tobias to wife Anna: Hold thy peace, and be not troubled, our son is safe: that man with whom we sent him is very trusty.

I know that my father and mother now count the days, and their spirit is grievously afflicted within them…

Sara’s father Raguel: The holy angel of the Lord be with you in your journey, and bring you through safe, and that you may find all things well about your parents, and my eyes may see your children before I die.

And the parents taking their daughter kissed her, and let her go, admonishing her to honor her father and mother in law, to love her husband, to take care of the family, to govern the house, and to behave herself irreprehensibly.

Tobias Chapter 11: Anna sees her son returning; Young Tobias restores his father’s sight; Sara arrives at her father-in-law’s home.

Raphael to Tobias: Take with thee of the gall of the fish, for it will be necessary…

Sara to Elder Tobias: Behold thy son cometh.

And when they adored God, and given him thanks, they sat down together. Then Tobias taking of the gall of the fish, anointed his father’s eyes. And he stayed about half an hour: and a white skin began to come out of his eyes, like the skin of an egg. And Tobias took hold of it, and drew it from his eyes, and immediately he recovered his sight. And they glorified God, both he and his wife and all that knew him. And Tobias said: I bless thee, O Lord God of Israel, because thou hast chastised me, and thou hast saved me; and behold I see Tobias my son.

And after seven days Sara his son’s wife, and all the family arrived safe… And he told his parents all the benefits of God, which he had done to him by the man that conducted him… And for seven days they feasted and rejoiced all with great joy.

Tobias Chapter 12: Tobias offers gifts to Raphael; Raphael reveals his identity; Raphael returns to God.

What can we give to this holy man, that is come with thee?

…he caused me to have my wife, and he chased from her the evil spirit… myself he delivered from being devoured by the fish, thee also he hath made to see the light of heaven, and we are filled with all good things through him… began to desire him that he would vouchsafe to accept of half of all things that they had brought.

Then Raphael said to them secretly: Bless ye the God of heaven, give glory to him in the sight of all that live, because he hath shown his mercy to you. For it is good to hide the secret of a king: but honorable to reveal and confess the works of God. Prayer is good with fasting and alms: more than to lay up treasures of gold; for alms delivereth from death, and the same is that which purgeth away sins, and maketh to find mercy and life everlasting. But they that commit sin and iniquity, are enemies in their own soul. I discover then the truth unto you, and I will not hide the secret from you. When thou didst pray with tears, and didst bury the dead, and didst leave thy dinner, and hide the dead by day in thy house, and bury them at night, I offered my prayer to the Lord. And because thou wast acceptable to God, it was necessary that temptations should prove thee. And now the Lord hath sent me to heal thee, and to deliver Sara thy son’s wife from the devil. For I am the angel Raphael, one of the seven, who stand before the Lord.

Peace be to you, fear not. For when I was with you, I was there by the will of God; bless ye him, and sing praises to him. I seemed indeed to eat and to drink with you: but I use an invisible meat and drink, which cannot be seen by men. It is time therefore that I return to him that sent me: but bless ye God, and publish all his wonderful works. And when he had said these things, he was taken from their sight, and they could see him no more.

Tobias Chapter 13: Canticle of the elder Tobias; Thanksgiving to God; Prophecy of Jerusalem’s future glory.

And Tobias the elder opening his mouth, blessed the Lord, and said:

Thou art great, O Lord, for ever, and thy kingdom is unto all ages. For thou scourgest, and thou savest: thou leadest down to hell, and bringest up again: and there is none that can escape thy hand.

Give glory to the Lord, ye children of Israel, and praise him in the sight of the Gentiles. Because he hath therefore scattered you among the Gentiles, who know not him, that you may declare his wonderful works, and nake them know that there is no other almighty God besides him. He hath chastised us for our iniquities; and he will save us for his own mercy. See then what he hath done with us, and with fear and trembling give ye glory to him: and extol the eternal King of worlds in your works.

As for me, I will praise him in the land of my captivity: because he hath shown his majesty toward a sinful nation. Be converted therefore, ye sinners, and do justice before God, believing that he will show his mercy to you. And I and my soul will rejoice in him. Bless ye the Lord, all his elect, keep days of joy, and give glory to him.

Prophecy of Jerusalem’s future glory:

Jerusalem, city of God, the Lord hath chastised thee for the works of thy hands. Give glory to the Lord for thy good things, and bless the God eternal, that he may rebuild his tabernacle in thee, and may call back all the captives to thee, and thou mayest rejoice for ever and ever.

Thou shall shine with a glorious light: and all the ends of the earth shall worship thee. Nations from afar shall come to thee: and shall bring gifts, and shall adore the Lord in thee, and shall esteem thy land as holy. For they shall call upon the great name in thee.

They shall be cursed that shall despise thee; and they shall be condemned that shall blaspheme thee: and blessed shall they be that shall build thee up. But thou shalt rejoice in thy children, because they shall all be blessed, and shall be gathered together to the Lord. Blessed are all they that love thee, and that rejoice in thy peace.

My soul, bless thou the Lord, because the Lord our God hath delivered Jerusalem his city from all her troubles. Happy shall I be if there shall remain of my seed, to see the glory of Jerusalem. The gates of Jerusalem shall be built of sapphire, and of emerald, and all the walls thereof round about of precious stones. All its streets shall be paved with white and clean stones: and Alleluia shall be sung in its streets.

Blessed be the Lord, who hath exalted it, and may he reign over it for ever and ever, Amen.

Tobias Chapter 14: Death of the elder Tobias; The last words of the elder Tobias; Later life and death of young Tobias.

And after Tobias was restored to his sight, he lived two and forty years, and saw the children of his grandchildren… For he was six and fifty years old when he lost the sight of his eyes, and sixty when he recovered it again. And the rest of his life was in joy, and with great increase of the fear of God he departed in peace.

And at the hour of his death… the elder Tobias said: The destruction of Ninive is at hand: for the word of the Lord must be fulfilled: and our brethren, that are scattered abroad from the land of Israel, shall return to it. And all the land thereof that is desert shall be filled with people, and the house of God which is burnt in it, shall again be rebuilt: and all that fear God shall return thither. And the Gentiles shall leave their idols, and shall come into Jerusalem, and shall dwell in it. And all the kings of the earth shall rejoice in it, adoring the King of Israel. Hearken therefore, my children, to your father: serve the Lord in truth, and seek to do the things that please him, and command your children that they do justice and almsdeeds, and that they be mindful of God, and bless him at all times in truth, and with all their power. And now, children, hear me, and do not stay here: but as soon as you shall bury your mother by me in one sepulcher, without delay direct your steps to depart hence, for I see that its iniquity will bring it to destruction.

And it came to pass that after the death of his mother… returned to his father and mother in law… And he found them in health in a good old age: and he took care of them, and he closed their eyes: and all the inheritance of Raguel’s house came to him: and he saw his children’s children to the fifth generation. And after he had lived ninety-nine years in the fear of the Lord, with joy they buried him. And all his kindred, and all his generation continued in good life, and in holy conversation, so that they were acceptable both to God, and to men, and to all that dwelt in the land.

 

Saint Paul in this letter warns against those who would repudiate his authority and introduce in the Christian community Jewish practices like circumcision. He proves that his doctrine is of divine origin and then points out that the observances of the Jewish Law are useless to the Christian. The Epistle closes with a series of practical admonitions based on the doctrine he has just explained.

Please see Day 168 OT for meaning of highlighted and italicized nomenclature.

The Spirit of his Son; For we in the Spirit; Led by the Spirit; If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk; But the fruit of the Spirit is: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, modesty, continency. Against such things there is no law.

I make a case indeed that one should transition in life to their Splendid Spiritual Self. Be human. Feel human. Live Spiritually as urged by the Holy Scriptures!

Here the extracted ‘Spirited’ verses; below the end of Galatians with a final Scripture from Galatians 3:3: “Are you so foolish that after beginning in the Spirit, you now make a finish in the flesh?

And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father.” So that he is no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, an heir also through God.

You who would be justified in the Law are estranged from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

For we in the Spirit wait for the hope of justice in virtue of faith.

For in Christ Jesus… faith which works through charity.

For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh, for those are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you would.

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are immorality, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, witchcrafts, enmities, contentious, jealousies, anger, quarrels, fractions, parties, envies, murders, drunkenness, carousings, and suchlike.

And concerning these I warn you, as I have warned you, that they who do such things will not attain the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, modesty, continency. Against such things there is no law.

And they who belong to Christ have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk.

Bear one another’s burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, whereas he is nothing, he deceives himself.

But let everyone test his own work, and so he will have glory in himself only, and not in comparison with another.

For what a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows in the flesh, from the flesh also will corruption. But he who sows in the spirit, from the spirit will reap life everlasting.

And in doing good let us not grow tired; for in due time we shall reap if we do not relax.

Therefore, while we have time, let us do good to all men, but especially to those who are of the household of faith.

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your Spirit, brethren. Amen

 

Slavery and freedom:

Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is master of all; but he is under guardians and stewards until the time set by his father.

So we too, when we were children, were enslaved under the elements of the world.

But when the fullness of time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, that he might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father.” So that he is no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, an heir also through God.

No return to slavery:

But then indeed, not knowing God, you served those who really are not gods.

But now that you have come to know God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, which you desire to serve again?

You are observing days and months and seasons and years. I fear for you, lest perhaps I have labored among you in vain.

Following Paul’s example:

Become like me, because I also have become like you, brethren, I beseech you!

You have done me no wrong. And you know that on account of a physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you formerly; and though I was a trial to you in my flesh, you did not reject or despise me; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

Where then is your self-congratulation?

For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your very eyes and given them to me.

Have I then become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

They court you from no good motive; but they would estrange you, that you may court them. But court the good from a good motive always, and not only when I am present with you, my dear children, with whom I am in labor again, until Christ is formed in you!

But I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I do not know what to make of you.

Ismael and Isaac:

Tell me, you who deserve to be under the Law, have you not read the Law?

For it is written that Abraham had two sons, the one by a slave-girl and the other by a free woman. And the son of the slave-girl was born according to the flesh, but the son of the free woman in virtue of the promise.

This is said by way of allegory.

For those are the two covenants: one indeed from Mount Sanai, bringing forth children unto bondage, which is Agar. For Sinai is a mountain in Arabia, which corresponds to the present Jerusalem, and is in slavery with her children.

But the Jerusalem which is above is free, which is our mother. For it is written, “Rejoice though barren, thou that dost not travail; for many are the children of the desolate, more than her that has a husband.”

Travail—painfully difficult or burdensome work; toil; pain, anguish or suffering resulting from mental or physical hardship; the pain of childbirth.

Now we, brethren, are the children of the promise, as Isaac was. But as then he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the spirit, so also it is now.

But what does Scripture say?

“Cast out the slave-girl and her son, for the son of the slave-girl shall not be heir with the son of the free woman.”

Therefore, brethren, we are not children of a slave-girl, but of the free woman—in virtue of the freedom wherewith Christ has made us free.

Circumcision now voidance of Christ:

STAND fast, and do not be caught again under the yoke of slavery.

Behold, I, Paul, tell you that if you be circumcised, Christ will be of no advantage to you.

And I testify again to every man who has himself circumcised, that he is bound to observe the whole Law.

You who would be justified in the Law are estranged from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

For we in the Spirit wait for the hope of justice in virtue of faith.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision is of an avail, nor uncircumcision, but faith which works through charity.

Judgment on seducers:

You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?

This persuasion is not from him who calls you. A little leaven ferments the whole mass.

I have confidence in you in the Lord, that you will not think otherwise; but he who disturbs you will bear the penalty, whoever he may be.

But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted?

Then is the stumbling-block of the cross removed! Would that those who are unsettling you would mutilate themselves.

Paul tells his readers how Christians should live:

For you have been called to liberty, brethren; only do not use liberty as an occasion for sensuality, but by charity serve one another.

For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

But if you bite and devour one another, take heed or you will be consumed by one another.

Works of the flesh; fruits of the Spirit:

But I say: Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

For the flesh lusts against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh, for those are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you would.

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are immorality, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, witchcrafts, enmities, contentious, jealousies, anger, quarrels, fractions, parties, envies, murders, drunkenness, carousings, and suchlike.

And concerning these I warn you, as I have warned you, that they who do such things will not attain the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, modesty, continency. Against such things there is no law.

And they who belong to Christ have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk.

Let us not become desirous of vainglory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Fraternal correction:

BRETHREN, even if a person is caught doing something wrong, you who are spiritual instruct such a one in a spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Bear one another’s burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, whereas he is nothing, he deceives himself.

But let everyone test his own work, and so he will have glory in himself only, and not in comparison with another.

For each one will bear his own burden.

Good works:

And let him who is instructed in the word share all good things with his teacher.

Be not deceived, God is not mocked.

For what a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows in the flesh, from the flesh also will corruption. But he who sows in the spirit, from the spirit will reap life everlasting.

And in doing good let us not grow tired; for in due time we shall reap if we do not relax.

Therefore, while we have time, let us do good to all men, but especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Summary:

See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand!

As many as wish to please in the flesh compel you to be circumcised simply that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

For not even they who are circumcised keep the Law; but they desire you to be circumcised, that they may make a boast of your flesh.

But as for me, God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision but a new creation is of any account.

And whoever follow this rule, peace and mercy upon them, even upon the Israel of God.

Henceforth let no man give me trouble, for I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus in my body.

The blessing:

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen

Day 170: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; Live & Walk in the Spirit; Not the Flesh!

Read and inspired by the New Testament, The Epistle of Saint Paul to the Galatians, Chapters 4-6 (END).

Bible Notes:

Saint Paul in this letter warns against those who would repudiate his authority and introduce in the Christian community Jewish practices like circumcision. He proves that his doctrine is of divine origin and then points out that the observances of the Jewish Law are useless to the Christian. The Epistle closes with a series of practical admonitions based on the doctrine he has just explained.

Galatians Chapter 4:  Slavery and freedom; No return to slavery; Following Paul’s example; Ismael and Isaac.

Slavery and freedom:

Now I say, as long as the heir is a child, he differs in no way from a slave, though he is master of all; but he is under guardians and stewards until the time set by his father.

So we too, when we were children, were enslaved under the elements of the world.

But when the fullness of time came, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the Law, that he might redeem those who were under the Law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father.” So that he is no longer a slave, but a son; and if a son, an heir also through God.

No return to slavery:

But then indeed, not knowing God, you served those who really are not gods.

But now that you have come to know God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, which you desire to serve again?

You are observing days and months and seasons and years. I fear for you, lest perhaps I have labored among you in vain.

Following Paul’s example:

Become like me, because I also have become like you, brethren, I beseech you!

You have done me no wrong. And you know that on account of a physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you formerly; and though I was a trial to you in my flesh, you did not reject or despise me; but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus.

Where then is your self-congratulation?

For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your very eyes and given them to me.

Have I then become your enemy, because I tell you the truth?

They court you from no good motive; but they would estrange you, that you may court them. But court the good from a good motive always, and not only when I am present with you, my dear children, with whom I am in labor again, until Christ is formed in you!

But I wish I could be with you now and change my tone, because I do not know what to make of you.

Ismael and Isaac:

Tell me, you who deserve to be under the Law, have you not read the Law?

For it is written that Abraham had two sons, the one by a slave-girl and the other by a free woman. And the son of the slave-girl was born according to the flesh, but the son of the free woman in virtue of the promise.

This is said by way of allegory.

Allegory—a representation of an abstract or spiritual meaning through concrete or material forms; figurative treatment of one subject under the guise of another; a symbolical narrative.

For those are the two covenants: one indeed from Mount Sanai, bringing forth children unto bondage, which is Agar. For Sinai is a mountain in Arabia, which corresponds to the present Jerusalem, and is in slavery with her children.

But the Jerusalem which is above is free, which is our mother. For it is written, “Rejoice though barren, thou that dost not travail; for many are the children of the desolate, more than her that has a husband.”

Travail—painfully difficult or burdensome work; toil; pain, anguish or suffering resulting from mental or physical hardship; the pain of childbirth.

Now we, brethren, are the children of the promise, as Isaac was. But as then he who was born according to the flesh persecuted him who was born according to the spirit, so also it is now.

But what does Scripture say?

“Cast out the slave-girl and her son, for the son of the slave-girl shall not be heir with the son of the free woman.”

Therefore, brethren, we are not children of a slave-girl, but of the free woman—in virtue of the freedom wherewith Christ has made us free.

Galatians Chapter 5:  Circumcision now voidance of Christ; Judgment on seducers; Paul tells his readers how Christians should live; Works of the flesh; fruits of the Spirit.

Circumcision now voidance of Christ:

STAND fast, and do not be caught again under the yoke of slavery.

Behold, I, Paul, tell you that if you be circumcised, Christ will be of no advantage to you.

And I testify again to every man who has himself circumcised, that he is bound to observe the whole Law.

You who would be justified in the Law are estranged from Christ; you have fallen away from grace.

For we in the Spirit wait for the hope of justice in virtue of faith.

For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision is of an avail, nor uncircumcision, but faith which works through charity.

Judgment on seducers:

You were running well; who hindered you from obeying the truth?

This persuasion is not from him who calls you. A little leaven ferments the whole mass.

I have confidence in you in the Lord, that you will not think otherwise; but he who disturbs you will bear the penalty, whoever he may be.

But I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted?

Then is the stumbling-block of the cross removed! Would that those who are unsettling you would mutilate themselves.

Paul tells his readers how Christians should live:

For you have been called to liberty, brethren; only do not use liberty as an occasion for sensuality, but by charity serve one another.

For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word; Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.

But if you bite and devour one another, take heed or you will be consumed by one another.

Works of the flesh; fruits of the Spirit:

But I say: Walk in the Spirit, and you will not fulfill the lusts of the flesh.

For the flesh lusts against the spirit, and the spirit against the flesh, for those are opposed to each other, so that you do not do what you would.

But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law.

Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are immorality, uncleanness, licentiousness, idolatry, witchcrafts, enmities, contentious, jealousies, anger, quarrels, fractions, parties, envies, murders, drunkenness, carousings, and suchlike.

And concerning these I warn you, as I have warned you, that they who do such things will not attain the kingdom of God.

But the fruit of the Spirit is: charity, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, modesty, continency. Against such things there is no law.

And they who belong to Christ have crucified their flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, by the Spirit let us also walk.

Let us not become desirous of vainglory, provoking one another, envying one another.

Galatians Chapter 6:  Fraternal correction; Good works; Summary; The blessing.

Fraternal correction:

BRETHREN, even if a person is caught doing something wrong, you who are spiritual instruct such a one in a spirit of meekness, considering thyself, lest thou also be tempted.

Bear one another’s burdens, and so you will fulfill the law of Christ. For if anyone thinks himself to be something, whereas he is nothing, he deceives himself.

But let everyone test his own work, and so he will have glory in himself only, and not in comparison with another.

For each one will bear his own burden.

Good works:

And let him who is instructed in the word share all good things with his teacher.

Be not deceived, God is not mocked.

For what a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows in the flesh, from the flesh also will corruption. But he who sows in the spirit, from the spirit will reap life everlasting.

And in doing good let us not grow tired; for in due time we shall reap if we do not relax.

Therefore, while we have time, let us do good to all men, but especially to those who are of the household of faith.

Summary:

See with what large letters I am writing to you with my own hand!

As many as wish to please in the flesh compel you to be circumcised simply that they may not suffer persecution for the cross of Christ.

For not even they who are circumcised keep the Law; but they desire you to be circumcised, that they may make a boast of your flesh.

But as for me, God forbid that I should glory save in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom the world is crucified to me, and I to the world. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision but a new creation is of any account.

And whoever follow this rule, peace and mercy upon them, even upon the Israel of God.

Henceforth let no man give me trouble, for I bear the marks of the Lord Jesus in my body.

The blessing:

The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brethren. Amen

This book tells how the pious widow Judith saved her City, Bethulia, from the cruel general Holofernes. After an account of his campaign and his siege of Bethulia, the book tells how the beautiful Judith tricked Holofernes, killed him with his own sword, and liberated her City from the Assyrians. 

Please see Day 167 OT for meaning of highlighted and italicized nomenclature.

We grow up learning how to control things but it isn’t until we are grown up that we realize that we cannot control everything. We are not perfect. We are not in control. We are not God. God is God along with His Son Jesus Christ and The Holy Spirit.

Is there such a thing as “power of power,” pure and simple or is it always corrupted by ego and sin? To be a humble leader, one of service, not abuse of power is a righteous endeavor… Glory to God always and always first!

Now Arphaxad king of Medes had brought many nations under his dominions… And he glorified as a mighty one in the force of his army and in the glory of his chariots… Nabuchodonosor king of the Assyrians… fought against Arphaxad and overcame him… Then was the kingdom of Nabuchodonosor exalted, and his heart was elevated… and to all that were in Samaria, and beyond the river Jordan even to Jerusalem, and all the land of Jesse till you come to the borders of Ethiopia… sent messengers… But they all with one mind refused, and sent them back empty, and rejected them without honor. Then king Nabuchodonosor being angry against all that land, swore by his throne and kingdom that he would revenge himself of all those countries.

His heart was elevated yet they rejected him without honor? Perhaps something was lost in the translation over 2,000 years and it was his ego that was elevated?

…his thoughts were to bring all the earth under his empire… Holofernes the general of his armies… Thy eye shall not spare any kingdom, and all the strong cities thou shalt bring under my yoke… a hundred twenty thousand fighting men on foot, and twelve thousand archers, horsemen… who covered the face of the earth like locusts… and the fear of them fell upon all the inhabitants of the land.

…they could not for all that mitigate the fierceness of his heart, for he both destroyed their cities, and cut down their groves. For Nabuchodonosor the king had commanded him to destroy all the gods of the earth, that he only might be called god by those nations which could be brought under him by the power of Holofernes.

Fierceness of his heart or wickedness of his ego? Oh what a day of freedom it is that we surrender to the fact that we are not God nor should be want to be! God is God and we are his servants. We do God’s Will through us together seeking the love of Jesus and The Holy Spirit…

Eliachim to the children of Israel:   Know ye that the Lord will hear your prayers, if you continue with perseverance in fastings and prayers in the sight of the Lord.

Remember Moses the servant of the Lord, who overcame Amalec that trusted in his own strength, and in his power, and in his army, and in his shields, and in his chariots, and in his horsemen, not by fighting with the sword, but by holy prayers; so shall all the enemies of Israel be, if you persevere in this work which you have begun.

And they all begged of God with all their heart, that he would visit his people Israel.

…Holofernes being in a violent passion… That the nation of Israel is defended by their God, to show thee that there is no God, but Nabuchodonosor, when we shall slay them all as one man… and thou shalt find that Nabuchodonosor is lord of the whole earth…

Then Holofernes commanded his servants to take Achior, and to lead him to Bethulia, and to deliver him into the hands of the children of Israel… asked him what was the matter, that the Assyrians had left him bound… Achior himself to be put to death by diverse torments, for having said; The God of heaven is their defender.

Children of Israel praying to God: O Lord God of heaven and earth, behold their pride, and look on our low condition, and have regard to the face of thy saints, and show that thou forsakes not them that trust on thee, and that thou humblest them that presume of themselves, and glory in their own strength.

Remembering Moses. Praying and begging that the Lord will see their humbleness and protect them against them that presume of themselves and glory in their own strength…

And when the Lord our God shall give this liberty to his servants…

…praying with one accord, that the God of Israel would show his mercy upon his people…

…and he commanded their aqueduct to be cut off… to refresh themselves a little rather than to drink their fill… and he placed a hundred men at every spring.

Have thou mercy on us, because thou art good, or punish our iniquities, by chastising us thyself, and deliver not them that trust in thee to a people that knoweth not thee, that they may not say among their Gentiles: Where is their God?

Be of good courage, my brethren, and let us wait these five days for mercy from the Lord. For perhaps he will put a stop to his indignation, and will give glory to his own name.

But by holy prayers…

Uncertainty abounds and prayer and trust in the Lord dispels the darkness… we hope…

Day 171: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; Where is our God? Not of Our Own Strength or Power….

Read and inspired by the Old Testament, The Book of Judith, Chapters 1-7

Bible Notes:

This book tells how the pious widow Judith saved her City, Bethulia, from the cruel general Holofernes. After an account of his campaign and his siege of Bethulia, the book tells how the beautiful Judith tricked Holofernes, killed him with his own sword, and liberated her City from the Assyrians. 

Judith Chapter 1:   The power of Arphaxad; Nabuchodonosor defeats Arphaxad; Nations refuse tribute to Nabuchodonosor.

Now Arphaxad king of Medes had brought many nations under his dominions… And he glorified as a mighty one in the force of his army and in the glory of his chariots… Nabuchodonosor king of the Assyrians… fought against Arphaxad and overcame him… Then was the kingdom of Nabuchodonosor exalted, and his heart was elevated… and to all that were in Samaria, and beyond the river Jordan even to Jerusalem, and all the land of Jesse till you come to the borders of Ethiopia… sent messengers… But they all with one mind refused, and sent them back empty, and rejected them without honor. Then king Nabuchodonosor being angry against all that land, swore by his throne and kingdom that he would revenge himself of all those countries.

Judith Chapter 2:   Holofernes ordered to invade the west; Formation of the army; Victories of Holofernes.

…his thoughts were to bring all the earth under his empire… Holofernes the general of his armies… Thy eye shall not spare any kingdom, and all the strong cities thou shalt bring under my yoke… a hundred twenty thousand fighting men on foot, and twelve thousand archers, horsemen… who covered the face of the earth like locusts… and the fear of them fell upon all the inhabitants of the land.

Judith Chapter 3:   Many submit to Holofernes; The fierceness of Holofernes.

Let thy indignation towards us cease; for it is better for us to live and serve Nabuchodonosor the great king, and be subject to thee, than to die and to perish, or suffer the miseries of slavery… Let all we have be subject to thy law. Both we and our children are thy servants. Come to us a peaceable lord, and use our service as it shall please thee.

…they could not for all that mitigate the fierceness of his heart, for he both destroyed their cities, and cut down their groves. For Nabuchodonosor the king had commanded him to destroy all the gods of the earth, that he only might be called god by those nations which could be brought under him by the power of Holofernes.

Judith Chapter 4:   Israelites prepare to resist Holofernes; Prayer for help; Eliachim encourages the Israelites.

Then the children of Israel, who dwelt in the land of Juda, hearing these things, were exceedingly afraid of him. Dread and horror seized upon their minds, lest he should do the same to Jerusalem and to the temple of the Lord, that he had done to other cities and their temples… And the children of Israel did as the priest of the Lord Eliachim had appointed them.

And all the people cried to the Lord with great earnestness, and they humbled their souls in fastings, and prayers, both they and their wives… and that they might not be made a reproach to the Gentiles.

Eliachim to the children of Israel:   Know ye that the Lord will hear your prayers, if you continue with perseverance in fastings and prayers in the sight of the Lord. Remember Moses the servant of the Lord, who overcame Amalec that trusted in his own strength, and in his power, and in his army, and in his shields, and in his chariots, and in his horsemen, not by fighting with the sword, but by holy prayers; so shall all the enemies of Israel be, if you persevere in this work which you have begun.

And they all begged of God with all their heart, that he would visit his people Israel.

Judith Chapter 5:   Anger of Holofernes; Achior tells Holofernes Israel’s history; Achior warns Holofernes of God’s power; Anger of Holofernes’ supporters.

This people… they worshiped one God of heaven… And when there was a famine over all the land, they went down to Egypt, and there four hundred years were so multiplied, that the army of them could not be numbered… the God of heaven opened the sea to them in their flight… And after they came out of the Red sea, they abode in the deserts of mount Sina… and for forty years they received food from heaven… their God fought for them and overcame… and very many of them were led away captive into a strange land… they are come together and are gone up into all these mountains, and possess Jerusalem again, where their holies are… but if there be no offence of this people in the sight of their God, we cannot resist them, because their God will defend them; and we shall be a reproach to the whole earth.

Judith Chapter 6:   The great rage of Holofernes; Achior exiled to Israel; Achior reveals Holofernes plan to Israel; The prayer of Israel; Ozias entertains Achior.

…Holofernes being in a violent passion… That the nation of Israel is defended by their God, to show thee that there is no God, but Nabuchodonosor, when we shall slay them all as one man… and thou shalt find that Nabuchodonosor is lord of the whole earth…

Then Holofernes commanded his servants to take Achior, and to lead him to Bethulia, and to deliver him into the hands of the children of Israel… asked him what was the matter, that the Assyrians had left him bound… Achior himself to be put to death by diverse torments, for having said; The God of heaven is their defender.

Children of Israel praying to God: O Lord God of heaven and earth, behold their pride, and look on our low condition, and have regard to the face of thy saints, and show that thou forsakes not them that trust on thee, and that thou humblest them that presume of themselves, and glory in their own strength.

And when the Lord our God shall give this liberty to his servants…

Judith Chapter 7: Holofernes besieges Bethulia; Holofernes deprives Bethulia of water; The people wish to surrender; Ozias asks for five days of patience.

…praying with one accord, that the God of Israel would show his mercy upon his people…

…and he commanded their aqueduct to be cut off… to refresh themselves a little rather than to drink their fill… and he placed a hundred men at every spring.

Have thou mercy on us, because thou art good, or punish our iniquities, by chastising us thyself, and deliver not them that trust in thee to a people that knoweth not thee, that they may not say among their Gentiles: Where is their God?

Be of good courage, my brethren, and let us wait these five days for mercy from the Lord. For perhaps he will put a stop to his indignation, and will give glory to his own name.

Saint Paul, a prisoner at Rome, wrote this letter to his Christian converts at Ephesus. After thanking God for their faith and praying that they may persevere, he exhorted them to lead a Christian life, enumerating the duties of husbands and wives, of children and their parents, of slaves and their masters.

The Epistle of Saint Paul the Apostle to the Ephesians is pure as a source of spiritual insight, understanding, and wisdom! As such, it is presented verbatim in its entirety below. Words and phrases that are highlighted touched my heart, my soul and/or raised questions in my consciousness.

My interpretation of this part of The New Testament starts with transcribing and copying down key parts of each chapter of the Scriptures. These notes, listed by chapter, are found at the very end at the bottom of this post.

Word and phases that are highlighted and in bold (like this) are the narrative I have woven to tell the story of how the Scriptures impacted me and/or expanded my biblical knowledge and spirit.

With gratitude that the Spirit of the Living God is in our hearts and impacting our world, here is my interpretation for Ephesians, Chapters 1-3:

God’s Will Fulfilled through The Holy Spirit Alive Within Us!

I believe God, Jesus and The Holy Spirit are alive within each one of us! In order to manifest God’s Will we need to make our personal relationship with them as pure as possible. In this way God’s Will for each one of us becomes apparent and the God’s Power to carry out His Will is made naturally available to each one of us.

Fulfilling God’s Will is an “Us” thing. We can’t do it alone just as God through Jesus Christ did not do it alone. The Apostles, Disciples, and human beings like you and me helped down through the ages.

Most importantly The Holy Spirit is alive and thriving in each one of us. If our minds are open, if our hearts are open, and if we seek God and God’s Will for our lives, every season in our lives, it will be made known to us.

Then life becomes easy as our Splendid Spiritual Selves no matter the trials or tribulations we encounter. Amen! Al-le-lu-ia!

 

Ephesians Chapter 1:  Greeting; The Eternal Plan of the Father; Realized in the Son; Fulfilled through The Holy Spirit; Thanksgiving and Prayer; God has made Christ Head of the Church.

Greeting:

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to all the saints who are at Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus; grace be to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Eternal Plan of the Father:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing on high in Christ. Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish in his sight in love. He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ as his sons, according to the purpose of his will, unto the praise of the glory of his grace, with which he has favored us in his beloved Son.

Realized in the Son:

In him we have redemption through his blood, the remission of sins, according to the riches of his grace. This grace has abounded beyond measure in us in all wisdom and prudence, so that he may make known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure. And this his good pleasure be purposed in him to be dispensed in the fullness of the times: to re-establish all things in Christ, both those in the heavens and those on the earth.

Fulfilled through The Holy Spirit:

In him, I say, in whom we also have been called by a special choice, having been predestined in the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, to contribute to the praise of his glory—we who before hoped in Christ. And in him you too, when you had heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation, and believed in it, were sealed with the Holy Spirit of the promise, who is the pledge of our inheritance, for a redemption of possession, for the praise of his glory.

 

 

Thanksgiving and Prayer:

Wherefore I on my part, hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and of your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in deep knowledge of him: the eyes of your mind being enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what the exceeding greatness of his power towards us who believe.

God has made Christ Head of the Church:

Its measure is the working of his mighty power, which he had wrought in Christ in raising him from the dead, and setting him at his right hand in heaven above every Principality and Power and Virtue and Dominion—in short, above every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come And all things he made subject under his feet, and him he gave as head over all the Church, which indeed is his body, the completion of him who fills all with all.

Ephesians Chapter 2:  All brought into Christ’s Life; Gentile and Jew United.

All brought into Christ’s Life:

You also, when you were dead by reason of your offenses and sins, wherein once you walked according to the fashion of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air about us, the Prince of The Spirit which now works on the unbelievers—indeed, in the company of these even we, all of us, once led our lives in the desires of our flesh, doing the promptings of our flesh and of our thoughts, and were by nature children of wrath even as the rest.

But God who is rich in mercy, by reason of his very great love wherewith he has loved us even when we were dead by reason of our sins, brought us to life together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and seated us together in heaven in Christ Jesus, that he might show in the ages to come the overflowing riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not from yourselves, for it is the gift of God; not as the outcome of works, lest anyone may boast. For his workmanship we are, created in Christ Jesus in good works, which God has made ready beforehand that we may walk in them.

Gentile and Jew United:

Wherefore, bear in mind that once you, the Gentiles in flesh, who are called “uncircumcision” by the so-called “circumcision” in flesh made by human hands—bear in mind that you were at the time without Christ, excluded as aliens from the community of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.

But now in Christ Jesus you, who were once afar off, have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, he it is who has made both one, and has broken down the intervening wall of the enclosure, the enmity, in his flesh.

The Law of the commandments expressed in decrees he has made void, that of the two he might create in himself one new man, and make peace and reconcile both in one body to God by the cross, having slain the enmity in himself. And coming, he announced the good tidings of peace to you who were afar off, and of peace to those who were near; because through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Therefore, you are now no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are citizens with the saints and members of God’s household; you are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the chief corner stone. In him the whole structure is closely fitted together and grows into a temple holy in the Lord; in him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in the Spirit.

Ephesians Chapter 3:  Vocation of the Gentiles revealed to Paul; Paul assigned to preach to the Gentiles; A prayer for his readers; A doxology.

Vocation of the Gentiles revealed to Paul:

For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you, the Gentiles—for I suppose you have heard of the dispensation of the Grace of God that was given to me in your regard; how that by revelation was made known to me the mystery, as I have written above in brief; and so by reading you can perceive how well versed I am in the mystery of Christ, that mystery which in other ages was not known to the sons of men, as now it has been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit: namely, that the Gentiles are joint heirs, and fellow-members of the same body, and joint partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Paul assigned to preach to the Gentiles:

Of that gospel, I was made a minister by the gift of God’s Grace, which was given to me in accordance with the working of his power. Yes, to me, the very least of all saints, there was given grace, to announce among the Gentiles the good tidings of the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to enlighten all men as to what is the dispensation of the mystery which has been hidden from eternity in God, who created all things; in order that through the Church there be made known to the Principalities and the Powers in the heavens the manifold wisdom of God according to the eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him we have assurance and confident access though faith in him. Therefore I pray you not to be disheartened at my tribulations for you, for they are your glory.

A Prayer for his readers:

For this reason I bend my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom all fatherhood in heaven and on earth receives its name; that he may grant you from his glorious riches to be strengthened with power through his Spirit unto the progress of the inner man; and to have Christ dwelling through faith in your hearts; so that, being rooted and grounded in love, you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know Christ’s love which surpasses knowledge, in order that you may be filled unto all the fullness of God.

A Doxology:

Now, to him who is able to accomplish all things in a measure far beyond what we ask or conceive, in keeping with the power that is at work in us—to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus down through all the ages of time without end. Amen.

Day 172: Reading The Bible with a TROML Perspective; God’s Will Fulfilled through The Holy Spirit Within Us!

Read and inspired by the New Testament, The Epistle of Saint Paul to the Ephesians, Chapters 1-3.

Bible Notes:

Saint Paul, a prisoner at Rome, wrote this letter to his Christian converts at Ephesus. After thanking God for their faith and praying that they may persevere, he exhorted them to lead a Christian life, enumerating the duties of husbands and wives, of children and their parents, of slaves and their masters.

Ephesians Chapter 1:  Greeting; The Eternal Plan of the Father; Realized in the Son; Fulfilled through The Holy Spirit; Thanksgiving and Prayer; God has made Christ Head of the Church.

Greeting:

Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, to all the saints who are at Ephesus, the faithful in Christ Jesus; grace be to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Eternal Plan of the Father:

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing on high in Christ. Even as he chose us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish in his sight in love. He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ as his sons, according to the purpose of his will, unto the praise of the glory of his grace, with which he has favored us in his beloved Son.

Realized in the Son:

In him we have redemption through his blood, the remission of sins, according to the riches of his grace. This grace has abounded beyond measure in us in all wisdom and prudence, so that he may make known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure. And this his good pleasure be purposed in him to be dispensed in the fullness of the times: to re-establish all things in Christ, both those in the heavens and those on the earth.

Fulfilled through The Holy Spirit:

In him, I say, in whom we also have been called by a special choice, having been predestined in the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, to contribute to the praise of his glory—we who before hoped in Christ. And in him you too, when you had heard the word of truth, the good news of your salvation, and believed in it, were sealed with the Holy Spirit of the promise, who is the pledge of our inheritance, for a redemption of possession, for the praise of his glory.

Thanksgiving and Prayer:

Wherefore I on my part, hearing of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and of your love for all the saints, do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers, that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may grant you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in deep knowledge of him: the eyes of your mind being enlightened, so that you may know what is the hope of his calling, what the riches of the glory of his inheritance in the saints, and what the exceeding greatness of his power towards us who believe.

God has made Christ Head of the Church:

Its measure is the working of his mighty power, which he had wrought in Christ in raising him from the dead, and setting him at his right hand in heaven above every Principality and Power and Virtue and Dominion—in short, above every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come And all things he made subject under his feet, and him he gave as head over all the Church, which indeed is his body, the completion of him who fills all with all.

Ephesians Chapter 2:  All brought into Christ’s Life; Gentile and Jew United.

All brought into Christ’s Life:

You also, when you were dead by reason of your offenses and sins, wherein once you walked according to the fashion of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air about us, the Prince of The Spirit which now works on the unbelievers—indeed, in the company of these even we, all of us, once led our lives in the desires of our flesh, doing the promptings of our flesh and of our thoughts, and were by nature children of wrath even as the rest.

But God who is rich in mercy, by reason of his very great love wherewith he has loved us even when we were dead by reason of our sins, brought us to life together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and seated us together in heaven in Christ Jesus, that he might show in the ages to come the overflowing riches of his grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus.

For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not from yourselves, for it is the gift of God; not as the outcome of works, lest anyone may boast. For his workmanship we are, created in Christ Jesus in good works, which God has made ready beforehand that we may walk in them.

Gentile and Jew United:

Wherefore, bear in mind that once you, the Gentiles in flesh, who are called “uncircumcision” by the so-called “circumcision” in flesh made by human hands—bear in mind that you were at the time without Christ, excluded as aliens from the community of Israel, and strangers to the covenants of the promise, having no hope, and without God in the world.

But now in Christ Jesus you, who were once afar off, have been brought near through the blood of Christ. For he himself is our peace, he it is who has made both one, and has broken down the intervening wall of the enclosure, the enmity, in his flesh.

The Law of the commandments expressed in decrees he has made void, that of the two he might create in himself one new man, and make peace and reconcile both in one body to God by the cross, having slain the enmity in himself. And coming, he announced the good tidings of peace to you who were afar off, and of peace to those who were near; because through him we both have access in one Spirit to the Father.

Therefore, you are now no longer strangers and foreigners, but you are citizens with the saints and members of God’s household; you are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ Jesus himself as the chief corner stone. In him the whole structure is closely fitted together and grows into a temple holy in the Lord; in him you too are being built together into a dwelling place for God in the Spirit.

Ephesians Chapter 3:  Vocation of the Gentiles revealed to Paul; Paul assigned to preach to the Gentiles; A prayer for his readers; A doxology.

Vocation of the Gentiles revealed to Paul:

For this reason, I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you, the Gentiles—for I suppose you have heard of the dispensation of the Grace of God that was given to me in your regard; how that by revelation was made known to me the mystery, as I have written above in brief; and so by reading you can perceive how well versed I am in the mystery of Christ, that mystery which in other ages was not known to the sons of men, as now it has been revealed to his holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit: namely, that the Gentiles are joint heirs, and fellow-members of the same body, and joint partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel.

Paul assigned to preach to the Gentiles:

Of that gospel, I was made a minister by the gift of God’s Grace, which was given to me in accordance with the working of his power. Yes, to me, the very least of all saints, there was given grace, to announce among the Gentiles the good tidings of the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to enlighten all men as to what is the dispensation of the mystery which has been hidden from eternity in God, who created all things; in order that through the Church there be made known to the Principalities and the Powers in the heavens the manifold wisdom of God according to the eternal purpose which he accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord. In him we have assurance and confident access though faith in him. Therefore I pray you not to be disheartened at my tribulations for you, for they are your glory.

A Prayer for his readers:

For this reason I bend my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, from whom all fatherhood in heaven and on earth receives its name; that he may grant you from his glorious riches to be strengthened with power through his Spirit unto the progress of the inner man; and to have Christ dwelling through faith in your hearts; so that, being rooted and grounded in love, you may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know Christ’s love which surpasses knowledge, in order that you may be filled unto all the fullness of God.

A Doxology:

Now, to him who is able to accomplish all things in a measure far beyond what we ask or conceive, in keeping with the power that is at work in us—to him be glory in the Church and in Christ Jesus down through all the ages of time without end. Amen.