E-Sword is the first bible study software that I ever used and it has three very important factors to recommend it.
Number One: it is 100% grace orientated. The program and most of its resources are provided at no cost.
Number Two: the number of resources available. There are 24 English translations provided on a grace basis, 10 provided at a very low cost, $20 or less, and 43 different modern languages. There are also 7 Greek and 2 Hebrew original language bibles, as well as a number of commentaries and dictionaries.
Number Three: it is truly easy to use, and even though I now primarily use the Logos Bible software I find that I still return to E-Sword to complement my studies.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Verse two of Romans 12
Verse two outlines the sacrifice that we are to offer, and how we are to offer it. Only when we understand our relationship with God can we begin to understand how to see ourselves and others.
Before we begin verse two let me state that we are not studying a list of “do’s and don’ts”, because they have very little to do with this. The overriding concept that we need to understand is an attitude of trust. It is of us allowing God to work in us and make us into what He wants us to be.
Before we begin verse two let me state that we are not studying a list of “do’s and don’ts”, because they have very little to do with this. The overriding concept that we need to understand is an attitude of trust. It is of us allowing God to work in us and make us into what He wants us to be.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Randomness
Recommended reading.
Systematic Theology by Dr. Norman Geisler.
The Footsteps of the Messiah by Dr. Fruchtenbaum.
I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist by Dr. Norman Geisler.
Chosen But Free by Dr. Norman Geisler.
Hebrew and Greek Study Aids
The Complete Word Study Dictionary Old and New Testament.
Bible Software
Logos
E-Sword
Systematic Theology by Dr. Norman Geisler.
The Footsteps of the Messiah by Dr. Fruchtenbaum.
I Don’t Have Enough Faith to be an Atheist by Dr. Norman Geisler.
Chosen But Free by Dr. Norman Geisler.
Hebrew and Greek Study Aids
The Complete Word Study Dictionary Old and New Testament.
Bible Software
Logos
E-Sword
The thought so far
It has been said that the problem with a living sacrifice is that it keeps crawling off the altar, and how true that is. For years I thought that I wanted to serve God, but I almost never prayed, or read my bible let alone study it. I played a mind game with myself then wondered why this God stuff did not work. All the time God patently tried to instruct me and bring me to Him. Finally He had to bring me to a place where I wanted to change. Where I not only wanted to trust Him, but where I had no choice but to trust Him.
In the Old Testament there were different kinds of sacrifices and offerings. Some were burnt, some were waved. The one offering the sacrifice always had to identify himself with the sacrifice. And the sacrifice that was alive always died. In the New Testament the one offering the sacrifice does not identify with it, but instead is the sacrifice. And now the sacrifice is always living. But one thing that stays the same is that the sacrifice has no merit in and of itself. The merit is in the one sacrificed to.
In the Old Testament there were different kinds of sacrifices and offerings. Some were burnt, some were waved. The one offering the sacrifice always had to identify himself with the sacrifice. And the sacrifice that was alive always died. In the New Testament the one offering the sacrifice does not identify with it, but instead is the sacrifice. And now the sacrifice is always living. But one thing that stays the same is that the sacrifice has no merit in and of itself. The merit is in the one sacrificed to.
Spiritual Service of worship
The word for spiritual used here is λογικός (G3050) logikós; fem. logikḗ, neut. logikón, adj. from lógos (G3056), reason, word. Pertaining to reason and therefore reasonable, or pertaining to speech as reasonable expression.[1] It is used only one other time in the New Testament (1Peter 2:2) and there it is translated as word. I think that a more clear translation here would be the word “reasonable”. The thought that Paul is trying to convey here is that considering who God is and what He has done for us it is “reasonable” or perhaps “logical” for us to serve and worship Him.
[1] The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament
[1] The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament
Thursday, May 21, 2009
Acceptable to God
The word translated “acceptable” is the Greek word εὐάρεστος (G2101) euárestos; gen. euaréstou, masc.-fem., neut. euáreston, adj. from eu (G2095), well, and aréskō (G700), to please. Well-pleasing, acceptable.[1] Well pleasing would be a better translation here, though. It is used 9 times in the New Testament and always carries with it the thought of being pleasing to God.
To get a better idea of just what is pleasing to God we need to look at Romans 14:14-23. This passage speaks of how to handle doubtful tings. And by doubtful things I mean things that God has remained silent on one way or the other. In this case it was meat sacrificed to idols. And the concept behind the whole passage is summed up in verse 15 “Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died”. And in verse 19 “pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.” God is in the business of building up believers not tearing them down.
So the idea that we have so far is that we are to live, set apart and pleasing to God by portraying Christ to those who are around us.
[1] The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament
To get a better idea of just what is pleasing to God we need to look at Romans 14:14-23. This passage speaks of how to handle doubtful tings. And by doubtful things I mean things that God has remained silent on one way or the other. In this case it was meat sacrificed to idols. And the concept behind the whole passage is summed up in verse 15 “Do not destroy with your food him for whom Christ died”. And in verse 19 “pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another.” God is in the business of building up believers not tearing them down.
So the idea that we have so far is that we are to live, set apart and pleasing to God by portraying Christ to those who are around us.
[1] The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice
This phrase will take some work. The first word that we need to see is present. It is the Greek word παριστάνω (G 3936) to cause to stand near, to place nearby. In the NT, to place or set before someone, present, exhibit.[1] It occurs 52 times in the New Testament. It is translated with the following words: before (3), beside (3), bystanders (5), come (1), commend (1), disposal (1), help (1), here (1), nearby (2), present (11), presented (4), presenting (1), prove (1), provide (1), put (1), stand (3), standing (4), stands (2), stood (5), took (1). It is most often rendered as a form of present (16) and next as a form of stand (14).
The first verse that we shall look at where παριστανω is translated as present is in Luke 2:22. Here we see Jesus being “presented” to God at the temple. This presentation is a fulfillment of the law to redeem the first born male child (Luke 2:23).
The next time that we read of Christ being “presented” is in Acts 1:3 where “He also presented Himself alive”. In this presentation Christ is showing himself to others as proof of his resurrection.
From these two verses and from others not quoted in this study we see the idea of presentation as that of a showing of someone to someone for a purpose. It is not just “here you go meet Johnny” it is “here you go meet Jonny, now do something with him.” This can be seen clearly in Romans 6:13 where we are told “do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin” but instead “present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead”. We clearly see the presentation as an offering up of ourselves for a function.
Next we come to the word body. The Greek behind it is σωμα, (G 4983) and it is used 142 times in the New Testament. 128 of those occurrences it is translated as body and it is translated 11 more times as bodies. σωμα may be defined as such: Body, an organized whole made up of parts and members. Of a human body different from sárx (G4561), flesh, which word denotes the material body.[2] Depending upon the way it is used in context of a verse it can mean a living person or a corps. It is also used to describe heavenly bodies such as stars, planets, moons, etc.
When we consider what is in view here in the word body we must consider what makes up a person. A person is made up of a body, a soul and a dead human spirit. If a person is a believer in Christ then a living human spirit comes into the mix. 1st Thessalonians 5:23; Matthew 10:28. The body and soul are so intertwined that if the soul departs the body then the body dies. ψυχή (G 5590) is the Greek word for soul and it is used 101 times in the New Testament. It is translated as a form of soul 47 times, and as form of the word life 47 times. So when we read that we are to “present our bodies” it is not just talking about our physical body but the very being of who we are.
For now we will skip over “living and holy” and look at sacrifice because “living and holy” define and expand upon sacrifice. In the Old Testament all of the sacrifices and offerings pointed to an aspect of Christ. There was no merit in them in and of themselves. They were shadows of the coming Christ. Portraying Christ is the “sacrifice” that we as Christians make. In our daily lives others should see aspects of Christ played out in us.
How do we do this?
Daily we intake Devine view point by studying God’s Word, that is getting to know the “mind of Christ”. (1 Cor. 2:14) This allows us to portray Christ to others as we live. It is not us telling others what to do or not to do; it is however, others seeing something different in us. It is our being “Holy”.
Holy is defined as: moral and ethical wholeness or perfection; freedom from moral evil. Holiness is one of the essential elements of God’s nature required of His people. Holiness may also be rendered “sanctification” or “godliness.” The Hebrew word for “holy” denotes that which is “sanctified” or “set apart” for divine service.[3]
The idea of being set apart does not mean that we remove ourselves from the world, but instead that we do not act like the world.
[1] The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament
[2] The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament
[3]Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., Harrison, R. K., & Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1995). Nelson's new illustrated Bible dictionary. Rev. ed. of: Nelson's illustrated Bible dictionary.; Includes index. Nashville: T. Nelson.
The first verse that we shall look at where παριστανω is translated as present is in Luke 2:22. Here we see Jesus being “presented” to God at the temple. This presentation is a fulfillment of the law to redeem the first born male child (Luke 2:23).
The next time that we read of Christ being “presented” is in Acts 1:3 where “He also presented Himself alive”. In this presentation Christ is showing himself to others as proof of his resurrection.
From these two verses and from others not quoted in this study we see the idea of presentation as that of a showing of someone to someone for a purpose. It is not just “here you go meet Johnny” it is “here you go meet Jonny, now do something with him.” This can be seen clearly in Romans 6:13 where we are told “do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin” but instead “present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead”. We clearly see the presentation as an offering up of ourselves for a function.
Next we come to the word body. The Greek behind it is σωμα, (G 4983) and it is used 142 times in the New Testament. 128 of those occurrences it is translated as body and it is translated 11 more times as bodies. σωμα may be defined as such: Body, an organized whole made up of parts and members. Of a human body different from sárx (G4561), flesh, which word denotes the material body.[2] Depending upon the way it is used in context of a verse it can mean a living person or a corps. It is also used to describe heavenly bodies such as stars, planets, moons, etc.
When we consider what is in view here in the word body we must consider what makes up a person. A person is made up of a body, a soul and a dead human spirit. If a person is a believer in Christ then a living human spirit comes into the mix. 1st Thessalonians 5:23; Matthew 10:28. The body and soul are so intertwined that if the soul departs the body then the body dies. ψυχή (G 5590) is the Greek word for soul and it is used 101 times in the New Testament. It is translated as a form of soul 47 times, and as form of the word life 47 times. So when we read that we are to “present our bodies” it is not just talking about our physical body but the very being of who we are.
For now we will skip over “living and holy” and look at sacrifice because “living and holy” define and expand upon sacrifice. In the Old Testament all of the sacrifices and offerings pointed to an aspect of Christ. There was no merit in them in and of themselves. They were shadows of the coming Christ. Portraying Christ is the “sacrifice” that we as Christians make. In our daily lives others should see aspects of Christ played out in us.
How do we do this?
Daily we intake Devine view point by studying God’s Word, that is getting to know the “mind of Christ”. (1 Cor. 2:14) This allows us to portray Christ to others as we live. It is not us telling others what to do or not to do; it is however, others seeing something different in us. It is our being “Holy”.
Holy is defined as: moral and ethical wholeness or perfection; freedom from moral evil. Holiness is one of the essential elements of God’s nature required of His people. Holiness may also be rendered “sanctification” or “godliness.” The Hebrew word for “holy” denotes that which is “sanctified” or “set apart” for divine service.[3]
The idea of being set apart does not mean that we remove ourselves from the world, but instead that we do not act like the world.
[1] The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament
[2] The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament
[3]Youngblood, R. F., Bruce, F. F., Harrison, R. K., & Thomas Nelson Publishers. (1995). Nelson's new illustrated Bible dictionary. Rev. ed. of: Nelson's illustrated Bible dictionary.; Includes index. Nashville: T. Nelson.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
“by the mercies of God”
Mercies is an interesting word in the Greek. It is the word οἰκτιρμός (G3628) oiktirmós; gen. oiktirmoú, masc. noun from oikteírō (G3627), to have compassion on. Pity, compassion, mercy, but referring to a feeling that is not as strong as éleos (G1656), mercy. Oiktirmós is the pity or compassion which one shows for the sufferings of others.[1]
οἰτιρμος is only used four other times in the new testament, and is translated as compassion (2), mercies (2), and mercy (1). These uses can be found in: Romans 12:1; 2 Corinthians 1:3; Philippians 2:1; Colossians 3:12; and Hebrews 10:28.
In 2 Corinthians 1:3 God is described as “the Father of mercies and God of all comfort”. The essence of Paul’s thought can be summarized thus: God comforts us in our troubles so that we in turn can comfort others in their troubles, exactly as God comforted us.[2] That is why God is described as “the Father of mercies”. In Romans 8:35 Paul asked the question, “Who will separate us from the love of Christ?” then in verses 38 and 39 he answers his question in this way:
“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. “
This best explains the mercy that God shows us on a daily basis. No matter what we face, no matter what we are going through God is there for us. So when Paul says “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God” in essence what he is saying is “because of all that God has done and is doing for you…”
[1] The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament
[2]Believer's Study Bible. 1997, c1995. C1991 Criswell Center for Biblical Studies. (electronic ed.) (2 Co 1:3). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
οἰτιρμος is only used four other times in the new testament, and is translated as compassion (2), mercies (2), and mercy (1). These uses can be found in: Romans 12:1; 2 Corinthians 1:3; Philippians 2:1; Colossians 3:12; and Hebrews 10:28.
In 2 Corinthians 1:3 God is described as “the Father of mercies and God of all comfort”. The essence of Paul’s thought can be summarized thus: God comforts us in our troubles so that we in turn can comfort others in their troubles, exactly as God comforted us.[2] That is why God is described as “the Father of mercies”. In Romans 8:35 Paul asked the question, “Who will separate us from the love of Christ?” then in verses 38 and 39 he answers his question in this way:
“For I am convinced that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor things present, nor things to come, nor powers, nor height, nor depth, nor any other created thing, will be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. “
This best explains the mercy that God shows us on a daily basis. No matter what we face, no matter what we are going through God is there for us. So when Paul says “Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God” in essence what he is saying is “because of all that God has done and is doing for you…”
[1] The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament
[2]Believer's Study Bible. 1997, c1995. C1991 Criswell Center for Biblical Studies. (electronic ed.) (2 Co 1:3). Nashville: Thomas Nelson.
Monday, May 18, 2009
“Therefore I urge you, brethren”
The Greek word translated here as “urge” is παρακαλέω (G3870) parakaléō; from pará (G3844), to the side of, and kaléō (G2564), to call. To aid, help, comfort, encourage. Translated: to comfort, exhort, desire, call for, beseech with a stronger force than aitéō (G154).[1]
It can be translated in many ways. παρακαλεω occurs 111 times in the new testament and is translated with these words: appeal (5), appealed (1), appealing (2), beg (1), begging (2), beseeching (1), comfort (5), comforted (11), comforts (2), conciliate (1), encourage (6), encouraged (4), encouraging (3), entreat (1), exhort (8), exhortation (1), exhortations (1), exhorted (2), exhorting (3), exhorts (1), given (1), implore (4), implored (9), imploring (5), invited (2), making (1), plead (1), pleaded (1), pleading (1), preach (1), requested (1), urge (17), urged (5), urging (1).
It carries with it a sense of someone coming along side of a person to offer aid. A vivid picture of this can be seen in Matthew 2:18
“A voice was heard in Ramah,
Weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children;
And she refused to be comforted,
Because they were no more.”
The word here for comforted is our word παρακαλεω. And here it is seen as a shutting out of others in order to embrace despair. In this instance the “coming along side” was rejected.
In Matthew 8:5 we read: “And when Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, imploring Him.” Imploring is the word here translated from παρακαλεω and we get a sense of urgency here and a sense of intimacy, a desire for help.
So we see here in Romans 12:1 that Paul is more than urging them, he is offering to come along side of them and render aid. It is almost as if Paul is putting his arm around their shoulder and saying let me show you.
[1] The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament
It can be translated in many ways. παρακαλεω occurs 111 times in the new testament and is translated with these words: appeal (5), appealed (1), appealing (2), beg (1), begging (2), beseeching (1), comfort (5), comforted (11), comforts (2), conciliate (1), encourage (6), encouraged (4), encouraging (3), entreat (1), exhort (8), exhortation (1), exhortations (1), exhorted (2), exhorting (3), exhorts (1), given (1), implore (4), implored (9), imploring (5), invited (2), making (1), plead (1), pleaded (1), pleading (1), preach (1), requested (1), urge (17), urged (5), urging (1).
It carries with it a sense of someone coming along side of a person to offer aid. A vivid picture of this can be seen in Matthew 2:18
“A voice was heard in Ramah,
Weeping and great mourning,
Rachel weeping for her children;
And she refused to be comforted,
Because they were no more.”
The word here for comforted is our word παρακαλεω. And here it is seen as a shutting out of others in order to embrace despair. In this instance the “coming along side” was rejected.
In Matthew 8:5 we read: “And when Jesus entered Capernaum, a centurion came to Him, imploring Him.” Imploring is the word here translated from παρακαλεω and we get a sense of urgency here and a sense of intimacy, a desire for help.
So we see here in Romans 12:1 that Paul is more than urging them, he is offering to come along side of them and render aid. It is almost as if Paul is putting his arm around their shoulder and saying let me show you.
[1] The Complete Word Study Dictionary New Testament
Sunday, May 17, 2009
Relationship to God
Romans 12:1-2 Therefore I urge you, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. (2) And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may prove what the will of God is, that which is good and acceptable and perfect. You may be wondering what verses one and two have to do with self concept, let alone a Godly self concept. If you miss the point of these two verses, though, you will never grasp a correct Godly self concept.
As believers our concepts of self and of others flow from our attitude toward God. So if we do not get that right then everything else we do will miss the mark.
As we dig into these two verses we will consider each word in turn and each thought as a whole. The first thing that we should see is that it is not about us. It is, however, about Christ. Everything that God does is intended to bring the maxim glory to Jesus Christ, which is Gods purpose, the reason for our being. Not only for our being, but also the reason for the existence of everything. Once we grasp that the universe does not revolve around us we are freed to become what God intends us to be.
As believers our concepts of self and of others flow from our attitude toward God. So if we do not get that right then everything else we do will miss the mark.
As we dig into these two verses we will consider each word in turn and each thought as a whole. The first thing that we should see is that it is not about us. It is, however, about Christ. Everything that God does is intended to bring the maxim glory to Jesus Christ, which is Gods purpose, the reason for our being. Not only for our being, but also the reason for the existence of everything. Once we grasp that the universe does not revolve around us we are freed to become what God intends us to be.
Starting Point
Romans 12 can be outlined as such:
1. Relationship to God Vs. 1-2.
2. Self concept Vs. 3-8.
3. Relationship to others Vs. 9-21.
I recommend reading the entire book of Romans several times. Everything from chapter 1 to chapter 11 provides a foundation for understanding chapter 12. The “therefore” in the first verse is calling to mind everything in the book prior to it. But it is not my intent to do a study of the whole book, only of chapter 12.
This chapter has the believer in mind; we see that from verse one as it calls on “brethren”. Verse one and two are the building blocks for verse 3-8, as they are the building blocks for verses 9-21. Verses three through eight describe how we fit into the church and interact with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Verses nine through twenty one describe how we get along with those outside of the church.
1. Relationship to God Vs. 1-2.
2. Self concept Vs. 3-8.
3. Relationship to others Vs. 9-21.
I recommend reading the entire book of Romans several times. Everything from chapter 1 to chapter 11 provides a foundation for understanding chapter 12. The “therefore” in the first verse is calling to mind everything in the book prior to it. But it is not my intent to do a study of the whole book, only of chapter 12.
This chapter has the believer in mind; we see that from verse one as it calls on “brethren”. Verse one and two are the building blocks for verse 3-8, as they are the building blocks for verses 9-21. Verses three through eight describe how we fit into the church and interact with our brothers and sisters in Christ. Verses nine through twenty one describe how we get along with those outside of the church.
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