Understanding Paul (Number Five) 1 Corinthians 7 is important to understand because of the false interpretation of verse 15. This text reads: “But if the unbelieving depart, let him depart. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.” It is assumed that the word… Read More
Understanding Paul (Number Six) 2 Corinthians 3:3-11, has been cited to “prove” that the Ten Commandments have been done away. The motive behind the argument is the attempt to annul the weekly Sabbath – the seventh day of the week. While most professing Christians believe in the moral law (enumerated by the Ten Commandments), they… Read More
Understanding Paul (Number Seven) Galatians 3 needs to be addressed because many quote it to “prove” the Apostle Paul taught that the Law of God no longer applies to Christians. When evaluating this chapter, as well as those discussed in the book of Romans, a few facts should be kept in mind. The sacrificial system… Read More
Understanding Paul (Number Eight) From a technical viewpoint Ephesians 5:11-13 is not difficult to understand. The problem is that it is translated into the English of the early seventeenth century, and for that reason it is easily misunderstood. It reads: “And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather reprove them. For… Read More
Gideon was a mighty man of valor (Judges 6:12). Because of their national sins, Israel was being oppressed by the Midianites. God raised up a champion to deliver Israel from their hand. That champion was Gideon. Thirty-two thousand Israelites volunteered to fight with Gideon, but God said that was too many (Judges 7:2-3). The number… Read More
As we continue in the examination of problem texts, we find that Numbers 21:8-9 certainly falls into this category. Let’s begin with verse four: “And they journeyed from mount Hor by the way of the Red sea, to compass the land of Edom: and the soul of the people was much discouraged because of the… Read More
Many Old Testament texts are somewhat obscure and Bible commentators vary widely in their interpretations. This series will attempt to find the most logical meaning of some of these verses with the hope that it will add interest and a better understanding of the Sacred Word. This is not to say that the exact meaning… Read More
True Thankfulness Requires Insight The United States of America is a country that has been blessed like no other country upon the face of the earth. Known as “the breadbasket of the world,” the United States consistently helps and gives aid to countries in need. Whether it is responding to a tsunami, earthquake, hurricane, or… Read More
Thomas Jefferson called this psalm the picture of a true gentleman. Not only that, it is the picture of true righteousness and describes what is required for one to enter the Kingdom of God. Righteousness, according to the Bible, is the keeping of God’s Commandments (Ps. 119:172). The question that is asked by David is… Read More
Psalm Seventy Three is the first of the next ten psalms written by Asaph. From the comments made in the first paragraph of Psalm Fifty, we will recall his rank and influence as David’s chief musician Psalm Seventy Three begins with the observation that God is always good to those whose hearts are pure, those… Read More
Psalm 51, written by David, is a very moving hymn of repentance. This was because of his adultery with Bathsheba and the murder of her husband. We can only imagine the stark reality David felt when he came to grasp the depth of his sin and its consequences. Chapters 11 and 12, of 2 Samuel… Read More
Psalm 37 is one of the best-loved of David’s Psalms. Its purpose is to teach the righteous how to live in a world filled with wickedness, and how to live among those who hate God. The Psalm contains seven admonitions on how to achieve tranquility and peace of mind under these conditions. The first admonition… Read More
Psalm 69, written by David, is a Psalm of affliction. It most likely was written at the time David was fleeing from Saul. What is striking about it is that it contains eight passages that apply to Christ-passages that were fulfilled during His ministry. How could anyone know these passages applied to Christ unless inspired… Read More
This Psalm was written by Asaph, (2 Chron. 29:30), a Levite and prominent musician, who had been appointed by David to preside over the choral services. It is the first of twelve that are attributed to him, but some of these should be credited to “the sons of Asaph.” Psalm 50 begins with a prophecy…. Read More
Psalm 19 is a Psalm that illustrates the glory of God’s Creation and the perfection of His Law. Both describe the perfection of God- manifested jointly in His physical law and spiritual law. The juxtaposition of the two cannot be appreciated enough. The first part of this Psalm pictures God’s Creation and the witness it… Read More
If there was ever a Psalm written to illustrate the gullibility of man, it is this Psalm. The first sentence is so important that it is necessary to dwell on it. It reads: “The fool hath said in his heart, There is no God . . . ” (Ps. 14:1). What is there about human… Read More
The General Epistles were written by James, Peter, John, and Jude. This series will draw from these epistles. Since the Epistle of James is the first in the order of these works, his epistle will be the first to be considered. The Apostle James was the physical brother of Christ. James was not one of… Read More
The book of Romans addresses the conduct of those who, at an early date, turned from God and His Way of Life. The first chapter shows the way of life that is the opposite of Christian living. Beginning in verse 18 Paul writes: God’s anger is revealed from heaven against all the sin and evil… Read More
The idea that the Apostle Paul’s teaching freed Christians from the “Jewish yoke” and from the need to keep the law is absurd. It is patently disproven by what Paul taught about Christian living. To many, the “Jewish yoke” is interpreted to mean the Ten Commandments. Such a view fails to realize that the Sermon… Read More
In Romans 14 Paul instructs the Christians not to judge one another. He cites the example of one who is weak in the faith and is a vegetarian. Such an one not only does not eat meat but sets days aside on which to fast. This is made clear in verses 5–6. To judge a… Read More
Christian living requires Christians not to condemn others. Many who accuse others are guilty of the same fault or sin themselves. Jesus warned of a certain type of judging that should not be done when He said: “Judge not, that ye be not judged. For with what judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and… Read More
Christian living means being aware of biblical history. Here is why: “Now all these things happened unto them [Israel] for ensamples: and they are written for our admonition, upon whom the ends of the world are come” (1 Cor. 10:11). These lessons of history are emphasized in the 1 Corinthians 10. It has been stated… Read More
One chapter that should make any honest person aware how short he falls compared to the perfect love of God is 1 Corinthians 13. In this chapter the Authorized Version uses the word “charity” for the word “love,” and thus the impact of what Paul wrote is not clearly grasped by modern readers. Paul describes… Read More
A Christian should experience happiness. The fruits that come from disobedience to the Law of God should be foreign to those who keep God’s Commandments. This does not mean there will not be times of trial and tribulation for Christians. Jesus said: “These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have… Read More
The book of Colossians introduces another issue that Christians must face—that of not allowing philosophical ideas and thoughts of men to influence one’s commitment to Christ and the righteous behavior required of those who follow Him. This is why Paul emphasizes the necessity to be holy, unblameable, and unreproveable in God’s sight (Col. 1:22). But… Read More