21 – 23 August 2023
Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shines.
The new commandment is to give this light to your brother as God has freely given it to us. This act is the Father’s love shined on those He wills to perfect (revealing His presence with them in us, and rising in them: those who receive His word as His presence manifested).
As we know, this is the “love” of God, from the Greek word agape, also rendered “charity;” it and its other forms meaning, “love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast:–(feast of) charity(-ably), dear, love.” It’s what those who study here, who “keep” (tereo – guard and protect from corrupt, new and old) and hear it as His word, have experienced, thereby knowing (or not) they are in the presence of the LORD Jesus Christ at His coming. And those who do realize Him, after His long-suffering to deliver this feast of charity, are my crown and my joy in the Father’s glory to them revealed.
2 Corinthians 3
12 Seeing then that we have such hope, we use great plainness of speech [telling you exactly what you are experiencing]:
13 And not as Moses, which put a veil over his face [covering the presence of the LORD in him], that the children of Israel could not steadfastly look to the end [the perfection, seeing the Father] of that which is abolished [the word covered, not understood, because the word of God wasn’t received as His word, as it is in truth]:
14 But their minds were blinded [by the corruption added by the gods of this world who put themselves in the LORD’s place]: for until this day remains the same vail [of ignorance] untaken away in the reading of the old testament [but was in the New]; which vail is done away in Christ [who revealed Himself openly to and then in those who wrote of Him, an understand that quickly died after the death of Christ and these men, and the written word was quickly corrupted again into darkness, from where He now again rises].
15 But even unto this day, when Moses is read, the vail is upon their heart [the minds of those without Christ’s leading, when He has now come as the Promised Comforter to lead us into all truth].
16 Nevertheless when it shall turn to the LORD [here and now as the Holy Spirit, unknown while he speaks and works], the vail shall be taken away [and we see him in the flesh of those He’s called and chosen].
17 Now the LORD is that Spirit: and where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is liberty [eleutheria – the freedom from corruption, by which, purity, we see Him].
18 But we all, with open face [His presence revealed] beholding [seeing] as in a glass the glory of the LORD [in us], are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the LORD [now knowing the identity, name, of the One who was before unknown to us and to the world].
2 Corinthians 4
1 Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
2 But have renounced the hidden things of dishonesty, not walking in craftiness, nor handling the word of God deceitfully; but by manifestation of the truth commending ourselves to every man’s conscience in the sight of God.
3 But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them that are lost:
4 In whom the god[s] of this world has blinded the minds of them which believe not, lest the light [understanding] of the glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image of God, should shine [His understanding] unto them.
5 For we preach not ourselves, but Christ Jesus the LORD; and ourselves your servants for Jesus’ sake.
6 For God, who commanded the light [understanding] to shine [be given] out of darkness [the ignorance of Him that covers the world], has shined in our hearts [been sent and written into our minds], to give the light [understanding] of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face [presence and identity] of Jesus Christ.
7 But we have this treasure in earthen vessels [these heavenly gifts in our flesh bodies], that the excellency of the power [the word that affects, touches, the mind and effects, changes, it] may be of God, and not of us.
8 We are troubled on every side, yet not distressed; we are perplexed, but not in despair;
9 Persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed;
10 Always bearing about in the body the dying of the LORD Jesus, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our body.
11 For we which live are always delivered unto death for Jesus’ sake, that the life also of Jesus might be made manifest in our mortal flesh.
12 So then death worketh in us, but life in you.
13 We having the same spirit of faith, according as it is written, I believed, and therefore have I spoken; we also believe, and therefore speak;
14 Knowing that he which raised up the LORD Jesus shall raise up us also by Jesus, and shall present us with you. [Hebrews 11:39 And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: 40 God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.]
15 For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace [this feast of charity] might through the thanksgiving [to the LORD for saving, perfecting, us in this way] of many redound to the glory of God [revealed before the eyes of all the world].
16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish [our flesh presence decreases], yet the inward man is renewed [Christ in us is increased] day by day.
17 For our light affliction [long-suffering to deliver His word as commanded], which is but for a moment, work for us a far more exceeding and eternal weight of glory;
18 While we look not at the things which are seen, but at the things which are not seen: for the things which are seen are temporal; but the things which are not seen are eternal.
Hebrews 11 begin by telling us faith is the “substance” of unseen things, of which Paul speaks above in verse 18, also saying it’s the evidence God with us, as Christ in us. The word (rendered “substance”) is the five times used Greek word hupostasis, meaning “a setting under (support), i.e. (figuratively) concretely, essence, or abstractly, assurance (objectively or subjectively):–confidence, confident, person, substance.”
It more accurately (literally) means to under standing, and thereby speaks of faith as a product of under standing what isn’t seen, or standing under the One unseen by flesh eyes.
It (hupostasis) appears two other times in Hebrews; in Hebrews 1:3, rendered “person,” and in 3:14 as “confidence.”
Hebrews 1
1 God, who at sundry times [polumeros – only appearing here, meaning “in many portions, i.e. variously as to time and agency (piecemeal)”] and in divers manners [polutropos – also only here, meaning, “in many ways, i.e. variously as to method or form.”] spoke in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
2 Has in these last days spoken [the LORD speaking here and now] unto us by his Son, whom he has appointed heir of all things [spoken by the many prophets, meant to be perfected as the better thing the Father has prepared for us], by whom also he made the worlds [the old, upon whose ruin he created the current age now ending in total corruption, and is in like manner making the New];
3 Who being the brightness [the understanding of His glory: His manifested presence], and the express image [charakter – the exact copy, “character”] of his person [hupstasis], and upholding all things by the word [carrying the full load of the light] of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high [until now when He again stands with us, in us]:
4 Being made so much better than the angels, as he has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name [identity] than they.
5 For unto which of the angels [those to whom He has given His messages in parts] said he at any time “You are my Son, this day have I begotten you?” And again, “I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?” [From Psalms 2:7 speaking of the one sent to rule the heather raging in the earth, who think they can break, end, the law of nature and nature’s God without Him appearing as the Chief Overseer of the earth to restore order and punish the wicked]
6 And again, when he [again] brings in the first-begotten [prototokos] into the world, he says, “And let all the angels of God worship him” [let all their partial messages witness to His glory and presence, as we stand]. [From the Septuagint’s rendering of Deuteronomy 32:43; The King James continuing saying “for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful unto his land, and to his people.”]
7 And of the angels he says, Who makes his angels [messengers] spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire.
8 But unto the Son he says [in Psalms 2:9], Your throne, O God, is forever and ever [the son, from where He sends His iron laws]: a scepter [rhabdos – these laws] of righteousness is the scepter [rhabdos – {as a pen writing these laws} is the power] of your kingdom.
9 You have loved righteousness, and hated iniquity [tyranny from the wicked in power, leading the heathen raging]; therefore God, even your God, has anointed you with the oil [given this understanding] of gladness above your fellows [Psalms 45:6 & 7, which is preceded saying “3 Gird your sword upon your thigh, O most mighty, with your glory and your majesty. 4 And in your majesty ride prosperously because of truth and meekness and righteousness; and your right hand shall teach you terrible things. 5 Your arrows are sharp in the heart of the king’s enemies; whereby the people fall under you.].
10 And, You, LORD, in the beginning, have laid the foundation [to restore order] of the earth [by these just laws]; and the heavens [this full understanding] are the works of your hands:
11 They [the wicked in power] shall perish [by their own words and ways]; but you remain; and they all shall wax old as does a garment [become worthless, abandoned, and forgotten];
12 And as a vesture shall you fold them up [put them away, when they declare you King of kings and LORD of Lords], and they shall be changed [allasso – used five times, speaking of when men changed, corrupted, this understanding of God, and when it is changed back, by the LORD leading us again into understanding our immortality, as it is used in 1 Corinthians 15, where He reveals the meaning of the mystery of when we are all changed {allasso}, verse 54 saying it’s “when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory.”]: but you are the same, and your years shall not fail.
13 But to which of the angels [messengers] said he at any time [as in Psalms 110:1], Sit on my right hand [from where I will show My power in you], until I make your enemies your footstool?
14 Are they [all the messengers of God] not all ministering spirits, sent forth [in flaming fire, as in verse 7] to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?
Hebrews 12
25 See that you refuse not him that speaks. For if they escaped not who refused him that spoke on earth, much more shall not we escape, if we turn away from him that speaks from heaven [the place of full understanding]:
26 Whose voice then shook the earth: but now he has promised, saying, Yet once more I shake not the earth only, but also heaven.
27 And this word, Yet once more, signifies the removing of those things that are shaken, as of things that are made, that those things which cannot be shaken may remain.
28 Wherefore we receiving a kingdom which cannot be moved, let us have grace, whereby we may serve God acceptably with reverence and godly fear:
29 For our God is a consuming fire.
1 Corinthians 15
20 But now is Christ risen from the dead, and become the firstfruits of them that slept.
21 For since by man came death, by man came also the resurrection of the dead.
22 For as in Adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive.
23 But every man in his own order: Christ the firstfruits; afterward they that are Christ’s at his coming.
24 Then comes the end, when he shall have delivered up the kingdom to God, even the Father; when he shall have put down all rule and all authority and power.
25 For he must reign, till he has put all enemies under his feet.
26 The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.
27 For he has put all things under his feet. But when he says all things are put under [hupotasso – are subject to] him, it is manifest that he is excepted [ektos – the Father is realized “outside” of him, by those who become subject to the son], which did put all things under [hupotasso] him.
28 And when all things shall be subdued [hupotasso] unto him, then shall the Son also himself be subject [hupotasso] unto him that put all things under [hupotasso] him, that God may be all in all.
33 Be not deceived [planao – be not led astray]: evil communications [homilia, – only here, meaning acquiescing to evil consensus] corrupt good manners [evil words are the corruption of better ethos].
34 Awake to righteousness, and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame [not knowing the LORD because of the corrupt of evil communication].
35 But some man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with what body do they come?
38 But God gives it [man] a body as it has pleased him, and to every seed his own [new human flesh] body.
42 So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption [dead flesh animated in the earth]; it is raised in incorruption [by His Spirit raising us with His rising in us]:
43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power:
44 It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.
45 And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit [bringing the dead to life].
Hebrews 3
6 But Christ as a son over his own house; whose house are we, if we hold fast the confidence [parrhesia – freely speaking, “all out-spokenness”] and the rejoicing [kauchema] of the hope firm unto the end.
7 Wherefore (as the Holy Ghost says, Today if you will hear his voice,
8 Harden not your hearts, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness:
9 When your fathers tempted me, proved me, and saw my works forty years.
10 Wherefore I was grieved with that generation, and said, They do always err in their heart; and they have not known my ways.
11 So I sware in my wrath, They shall not enter into my rest.)
12 Take heed, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of unbelief, in departing from the living God.
13 But exhort one another daily, while it is called Today; lest any of you be hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
14 For we are made partakers of Christ, if we hold the beginning of our confidence [hupostasis – person and substance] steadfast unto the end;
15 While it is said, Today if you will hear his voice, harden not your hearts, as in the provocation.
16 For some, when they had heard, did provoke: howbeit not all that came out of Egypt by Moses.
17 But with whom was he grieved forty years? was it not with them that had sinned, whose carcasses fell in the wilderness?
18 And to whom swore he that they should not enter into his rest, but to them that believed not?
19 So we see that they could not enter in because of unbelief [a lack of faith in what they heard, thereby not allowing the word to touch and change them, and they, therefore, without understanding, remaining corrupted, wouldn’t obey].
Hebrews 11
1 Now faith is the substance [hupostasis – the confidence] of things hoped for, the evidence of things [the person] not seen.
2 For by it the elders obtained a good report.
3 Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
4 By faith Abel offered unto God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, by which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts: and by it he being dead yet speaks.
5 By faith Enoch was translated that he should not see death; and was not found, because God had translated him: for before his translation he had this testimony, that he pleased God.
6 But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that comes to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him.
7 By faith Noah, being warned of God of things not seen as yet, moved with fear, prepared an ark to the saving of his house; by the which he condemned the world, and became heir of the righteousness which is by faith.
8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.
9 By faith he sojourned in the land of promise, as in a strange country, dwelling in tabernacles with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise:
10 For he looked for a city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.
1 Thessalonians 2
1 For yourselves, brethren, know our entrance [esodos] in unto you, that it was not in vain:
2 But even after that we had suffered before, and were shamefully entreated, as you know, at Philippi, we were bold [confident] in our God [the person in us] to speak unto you the gospel of God with much contention.
3 For our exhortation was not of deceit, nor of uncleanness, nor in guile:
4 But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which tries our hearts.
5 For neither at any time used we flattering words, as you know, nor a cloak of covetousness; God is witness:
6 Nor of men sought we glory, neither of you, nor yet of others, when we might have been burdensome, as the apostles of Christ.
7 But we were gentle among you, even as a nurse cherishes her children:
8 So being affectionately desirous of [to have this gospel touch and change] you, we were willing to have imparted unto you, not the gospel of God only, but also our own souls [the inner unseen person], because you were dear unto us.
9 For you remember, brethren, our labor and travail: for laboring night and day, because we would not be chargeable unto any of you, we preached unto you the gospel of God.
10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holily and justly and unblameably we behaved ourselves among you that believe:
11 As you know how we exhorted and comforted and charged every one of you, as a father does his children,
12 That you would walk worthy of God, who has called you unto [to enter] his kingdom and glory.
13 For this cause also thank we God without ceasing, because, when you received the word of God which you heard of us, you received it not as the word of men, but as it is in truth, the word of God, which effectually works also in you that believe.
14 For you, brethren, became followers of the churches of God which in Judaea are in Christ Jesus: for you also have suffered like things of your own countrymen, even as they have of the Jews:
15 Who both killed the LORD Jesus, and their own prophets, and have persecuted us; and they please not God, and are contrary to all men:
16 Forbidding us to speak to the Gentiles that they might be saved, to fill up their sins always: for the wrath is come upon them to the uttermost.
17 But we, brethren, being taken from you for a short time in presence, not in heart, endeavored the more abundantly to see your face with great desire.
18 Wherefore we would have come unto you, even I Paul, once and again; but Satan [working through these wicked men] hindered us.
19 For what is our hope, or joy, or crown of rejoicing? Are not even you in the presence of our LORD Jesus Christ at his coming?
20 For you are our glory and joy.
The other two uses of hupostasis come, in 2 Corinthians 9:4 & 11:17, as Paul is speaking of “confident boasting,” the latter word from kauchesis, the same word he uses above in verse 19, speaking of the crown of “rejoicing.” These words speak of the basis of good and evil works; good if “glorying” (“boasting” and “rejoicing”) in the LORD (His works to and through us), and evil if in self.
James 4
1 From whence come wars and fighting among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members [each wanting their words and ways to be exalted and followed above all others]?
2 You lust, and have not: you kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: you fight and war, yet you have not, because you ask not [with the right, a righteous, basis].
3 You ask, and receive not, because you ask amiss, that you may consume it upon your lusts [to get what you want]. [Philippians 2:21 For all seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ’s.]
4 You adulterers and adulteresses, know you not that the friendship [philia] of the world [where these evil ways are exalted, as are the men boasting in them] is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
5 Do you think that the scripture says in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusts to envy [wanting to be exalted]?
6 But he gives more grace [this gift of God, exalting Him above all other voices]. Wherefore he says, God resists the proud, but gives grace unto the humble.
7 Submit yourselves [become obedient] therefore to God. Resist the devil [who possesses these men], and he will flee from you.
8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands [of worthless works], you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double minded [and you will see God].
9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the LORD, and he shall lift you up.
11 Speak not evil one of another [exalting yourself: your words and ways in which you boast], brethren. He that speaks evil of his brother [to exalt himself], and judges his brother [to exalt himself], speaks evil of the law, and judges the law: but if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law, but a judge.
12 There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who are you that judges another [by your evil perversions of the law, to exalt yourself and your evil ways]?
13 Go to now, you that say, Today or tomorrow we will go into such a city [going your own ways], and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:
14 Whereas you know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapor, that appears for a little time, and then vanishes away.
15 For that you ought to say, If the LORD will, we shall live, and do this, or that [and go the way He commands].
16 But now you rejoice [kauchaomai] in your boastings [alazoneia – self-confidence]: all such rejoicing [kauchesis] is evil.
17 Therefore to him that knows to do good, and does it not, to him it is sin.
Hosea 4
1 Hear the word of the LORD, you children of Israel: for the LORD has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land.
2 By swearing, and lying, and killing, and stealing, and committing adultery, they break out, and blood touches blood.
3 Therefore shall the land mourn, and every one that dwells therein shall languish, with [men will become like] the beasts of the field, and with the fowls of heaven; yea, the fishes of the sea also [all without My spirit] shall be taken away.
4 Yet let no man strive, nor reprove another: for your people are as they that strive with the priest [those who preach their perverted judgment].
5 Therefore shall you fall in the day, and the prophet also shall fall with you in the night [this time of ignorance], and I will destroy your mother [those who taught you these evil ways].
6 My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because you has rejected knowledge [taught here], I will also reject you, that you shall be no priest to me: seeing you have forgotten the law of your God, I will also forget your children [who’ve learned your evil ways].
7 As they were increased, so they sinned against me: therefore, will I change their glory into shame.
8 They eat up the sin of my people, and they set their heart on their iniquity.
9 And there shall be, like people, like priest: and I will punish [paqad – come as the Chief Overseer against] them for their ways, and reward them their doings.
10 For they shall eat, and not have enough: they shall commit whoredom, and shall not increase: because they have left off to take heed to [obey] the LORD.
2 Timothy 3
1 This know also, that in the last days [now present] perilous times shall [have] come.
2 For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy,
3 Without natural affection, trucebreakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good,
4 Traitors, heady, high-minded, lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God;
5 Having a form of godliness [outwardly appearing as light bringers: false preachers and teachers], but denying the power [denying the word of God that affects change] thereof: from such turn away.
6 For of this sort are they which creep into houses, and lead captive silly women laden with sins, led away with divers lusts,
7 Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.
8 Now as Jannes and Jambres [the evil priests of Egypt, who sought to keep God’s people under the control of tyrants] withstood Moses, so do these also resist the truth [because it’s an existential threat to their lies]: men of corrupt minds, reprobate [without proof] concerning the faith.
9 But they shall proceed no further: for their folly shall be manifest unto all men, as theirs also was.
Hebrews 10
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the LORD, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
19 Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus,
20 By a new and living way, which he has consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh [Him seen alive from the dead, as in mine]; [Hebrews 6:20 Whither the forerunner is for us entered, even Jesus, made an high priest for ever after the order of Melchisedec.]
21 And having a high priest over the house of God;
22 Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water.
23 Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)
24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
25 Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together [episunagoge – a complete collection, only used elsewhere in 2 Thessalonians 2:1, speaking of “the coming of our LORD Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together {episunagoge} unto him”], as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as you see the day approaching [that has now come].
26 For if we sin willfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remains no more sacrifice for sins,
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
28 He that despised Moses’ law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose you, shall he be thought worthy, who has trodden under foot the Son of God, and has counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified [declared holy by the Father], an unholy thing, and has done despite unto the Spirit of grace [the LORD’s gift here given]?
30 For we know him that has said [in Deuteronomy 32:35 & 36], Vengeance belongs unto me, I will recompense, says the LORD. And again, The LORD shall judge his people.
31 It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the living God.
Deuteronomy 32
28 For they are a nation void of counsel, neither is there any understanding in them.
29 O that they were wise, that they understood this, that they would consider their latter end [‘achariyth – these last day]!
30 How should one chase a thousand, and two put ten thousand to flight, except their Rock had sold them, and the LORD had shut them up?
31 For their rock is not as our Rock, even our enemies [the false rocks, priests and teachers, in which men trust] themselves being judges.
32 For their vine is of the vine of Sodom, and of the fields of Gomorrah: their grapes are grapes of gall, their clusters are bitter:
33 Their wine is the poison of dragons [tanniym – men as whales and serpents, devouring men with wide open mouths and swallowing them into the belly of hell], and the cruel venom of asps.
34 Is not this laid up in store with me, and sealed up among my treasures [to be unsealed, as the LORD in me says, “Here I Am”]?
35 To me belong vengeance and recompence; their foot shall slide in due time: for the day of their calamity is at hand, and the things that shall come upon them make haste.
36 For the LORD shall judge his people, and repent himself for his servants, when he sees that their power is gone, and there is none shut up, or left. [The end, ‘achariyth, is that which Daniel is told of in Daniel 12:7, saying it is “when he {the enemies mixed among the flock} shall have accomplished {kalah} to scatter the power of the holy people, all these things shall be finished {kalah}.” He is also told it when he, the judgment of God, will stand again, when this book is opened.]
2 Corinthians 9
1 For as touching the ministering to the saints [in the original text this says – Touching {peri} truly for the ministering to the saints], it is superfluous [perissos – touching the living] for me to write to you:
2 For I know the forwardness of your mind [prothumia – the readiness of your mind], for which I boast [kauchaomai] of [the LORD’s work in] you to them of Macedonia [the houses of dead flesh, those led there by false preachers and teachers], that Achaia was [those who realized they are in the tribulation, were] ready [paraskeuazo – fully furnished for good works] a year ago; and your zeal [zelos – heat, the fire kindled in you by the LORD’s work] has provoked [erethizo – stimulated, awakened to contend for the faith] very many.
3 Yet have I sent the brethren [those still sleeping among us], lest our boasting [kauchema – of the LORD’s work] of you should be in vain in this behalf; that, as I said, you may be ready [paraskeuazo]:
4 Lest haply if they of Macedonia [of the houses of dead flesh, who remain asleep] come with me, and find you unprepared [aparasheuastos – unready for this work of God awakening them through you], we (that we say not, you) should be ashamed [not reaching the end promised] in this same confident [hupostasis – faith in the inner person, the substance of things hoped for] boasting [kauchesis – rejoicing in the LORD].
5 Therefore I thought it necessary to exhort [parakaleo – call along side, as the Comforter in me, the LORD yet unknown working and speaking to] the brethren, that they would go before [proerchomai – before through utterance] unto you, and make up beforehand [prokatartizo – only appearing here, meaning to be prepared in advance] your bounty [eulogia – by the LORD’s good words], whereof you had notice before [prokataggello – by which He is announced in advance], that the same might be ready, as a matter of bounty [eulogia – the LORD’s good words], and not as of covetousness [pleonexia – not of “feigned words {to} make merchandise of you.”].
6 But this I say, He which sows [this word of God] sparingly shall reap also sparingly; and he which soweth bountifully shall reap also bountifully.
7 Every man according as he purpose in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver.
8 And God is able to make all grace [all the benefits of blessing other with His gift] abound toward you; that you, always having all sufficiency in all things, may abound to every good work:
9 (As it is written, He has dispersed abroad; he has given to the poor: his righteousness remains forever. [Quoted from Psalms 112:9, which speaks of this as how the desire of the wicked shall perish.]
10 Now he that ministers seed to the sower both minister bread for your food, and multiply your seed sown, and increase the fruits of your righteousness;)
11 Being enriched in every [good] thing to all bountifulness, which causes through us thanksgiving to God.
12 For the administration of this service not only supplies the want of the saints, but is abundant also by many thanksgivings unto God;
13 Whiles by the experiment [dokime – the proof in the experience] of this ministration they glorify God for your professed [homologia – His same good words] subjection [hupotage – your subjection, obedience] unto [delivering] the gospel of Christ, and for your liberal distribution [of the gift He has freely given us, to be given as received] unto them, and unto all men;
14 And by their prayer for you, which long after you for the exceeding grace [this gift] of God in you.
15 Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift.
Hebrews 13
1 Let brotherly love [philadelphia] continue.
2 Be not forgetful to entertain strangers: for thereby some have entertained angels [the messengers of God] unawares.
3 Remember them that are in bonds [as I Am the prisoner of the LORD], as bound with them; and them which suffer adversity, as being yourselves also in the [ONE] body [joined with the LORD, who is Christ in you].
4 Marriage [joining into ONE BODY] is honorable in all, and the bed undefiled [uncorrupted]: but whoremongers [who make merchandise of men] and adulterers [who’ve left God and follow other men as idols] God will judge.
5 Let your conversation be without covetousness [not meant to deceive men into following you, your ways, and your ideas]; and be content with such things as you have: for he has said, I will never leave you, nor forsake you.
6 So that we may boldly say, The LORD is my helper, and I will not fear what man shall do unto me.
7 Remember them which have the rule over you, who have spoken unto you the word of God: whose faith follow, considering the end of their conversation.
8 Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever.
9 Be not carried about with divers and strange doctrines. For it is a good thing that the heart be established with grace; not with meats [the works of dead flesh], which have not profited them that have been occupied therein.
10 We have an altar, whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle.
11 For the bodies of those beasts, whose blood is brought into the sanctuary by the high priest for sin, are burned without the camp.
12 Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered without the gate.
13 Let us go forth therefore unto him without the camp, bearing his reproach.
2 Corinthians 11
1 Would to God you could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me.
2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ.
3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtilty, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ.
4 For if he that comes preaches another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if you receive another spirit, which you have not received, or another gospel, which you have not accepted, you might well bear with him.
5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefs apostles.
6 But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been thoroughly [in the experience] made manifest among you in all things.
7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that you might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely?
8 I robbed [uncovered] other churches, taking wages [taking a soldier’s plunder] of them, to do you service.
9 And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia [the places of dead flesh] supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself.
10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting [kauchesis – boasting of the LORD’s work] in the regions of Achaia [to those in tribulation].
11 Wherefore? because I love you not? God knows.
12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we [as men in and through who a spirit is working, the LORD in us and Satan in them].
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light.
15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
16 I say again, let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little.
17 That which I speak, I speak it not after the LORD, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence [hupostasis] of boasting [kauchesis].
18 Seeing that many glory after the flesh [demonstrating it is foolishness to glory in self], I will glory also.
19 For you suffer fools gladly, seeing you yourselves are wise.
20 For you suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face [as do those you follow].
21 I speak as concerning reproach [the reproach Christ suffers outside the camp of those who tell him to stay away because they are holier that He], as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also [by Christ in me and they by Satan in them].
1 John 2
1 My little children, these things write I unto you, that you sin not. And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous:
2 And he is the propitiation [the one by which we avert the consequence] for our sins: and not for ours only, but also for the sins of the whole world.
3 And hereby we do know that we know him, if we keep [obey] his commandments.
4 He that says, I know him, and keeps [obeys] not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him.
5 But whoso keeps [obeys] his word, in him truly is the love [agape – charity, giving this gift as He has commanded] of God perfected: hereby know we that we are in him.
6 He that says he abides in him ought himself also so to walk, even as he walked.
7 Brethren, I write no new commandment unto you, but an old commandment which you had from the beginning. The old commandment is the word which you have heard from the beginning.
8 Again, a new commandment I write unto you, which thing is true in him and in you: because the darkness is past, and the true light now shines.
9 He that says he is in the light, and hates his brother [refuses to give him this word as received], is in darkness even until now.
10 He that loves his brother abides in the light [understanding it the life of the world], and there is none occasion of stumbling in him.
11 But he that hates his brother is in darkness, and walketh in darkness, and knows not whither he goes, because that darkness [ignorance] has blinded his eyes.
12 I write unto you, little children, because your sins are forgiven you for his name’s sake.
13 I write unto you, fathers, because you have known him that is from the beginning. I write unto you, young men, because you have overcome the wicked one. I write unto you, little children, because you have known the Father.
14 I have written unto you, fathers, because you have known him that is from the beginning. I have written unto you, young men, because you are strong, and the word of God abides in you, and you have overcome the wicked one.
15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
17 And the world passes away, and the lust thereof: but he that does the will of God abides forever.
18 Little children, it is the last time: and as you have heard that antichrist shall come, even now are there many antichrists; whereby we know that it is the last time.
19 They went out from us [leaving God to follow men who put themselves in his place, and now opposing him they are antichrists], but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would no doubt have continued with us: but they went out, that they might be made manifest that they were not all of us.
20 But you have an unction from the Holy One, and you know all things.
21 I have not written unto you because you know not the truth, but because you know it, and that no lie is of the truth.
22 Who is a liar but he that denies that Jesus is the Christ? He is antichrist, that denies the Father and the Son.
23 Whosoever denies the Son, the same has not the Father: he that acknowledges the Son has the Father also.
24 Let that therefore abide in you, which you have heard from the beginning. If that which you have heard from the beginning shall remain in you, you also shall continue in the Son, and in the Father.
25 And this is the promise that he has promised us, even eternal life.
26 These things have I written unto you concerning them that seduce you.
27 But the anointing which you have received of him abides in you, and you need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teaches you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it has taught you, you shall abide in him.
28 And now, little children, abide in him; that, when he shall appear, we may have confidence [parrhesia – freely speak of Him, with all outspokenness, “i.e. frankness, bluntness, publicity; by implication, assurance”], and not be ashamed before him at his coming.
29 If you know that he is righteous, you know that every one that does righteousness is born of him.
Psalms 112
1 Praise you the LORD. Blessed is the man that fears the LORD, that delights greatly in [obeying] his commandments.
2 His seed shall be mighty upon earth: the generation of the upright shall be blessed.
3 Wealth and riches shall be in his house: and his righteousness endures forever.
4 Unto the upright there arises light [understanding] in the darkness [this time of ignorance]: he is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.
5 A good man shows favor, and lends [gives this word of God, that remains His, but can be used as long as we keep it from corruption]: he will guide his affairs with discretion.
6 Surely, he [who has His light] shall not be moved forever: the righteous shall be in everlasting remembrance.
7 He shall not be afraid of evil tidings: his heart is fixed, trusting in the LORD.
8 His heart is established, he shall not be afraid, until he see his desire upon his enemies.
9 He has dispersed, he has given to the poor; his righteousness endures forever; his horn shall be exalted with honor.
10 The wicked shall see it, and be grieved; he shall gnash with his teeth, and melt away: the desire of the wicked shall perish.
Psalms 2
1 Why do the heathen rage, and the people imagine a vain thing?
2 The kings of the earth set themselves, and the rulers take counsel together, against the LORD, and against his anointed, saying,
3 Let us break their bands [His law] asunder, and cast away their cords [that bind us] from us.
4 He that sit in the heavens shall laugh: the LORD shall have them in derision [as it is this day, they have no idea what they are in or how to get out].
5 Then shall he speak unto them in his wrath, and vex them in his sore displeasure.
6 Yet have I set my king upon my holy hill of Zion.
7 I will declare the decree: the LORD has said unto me, You are my Son; this day have I begotten you.
8 Ask of me, and I shall give you the heathen for your inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for your possession.
9 You shall break them with a rod of iron; you shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.
10 Be wise now therefore, O you kings: be instructed, you judges of the earth.
11 Serve the LORD with fear, and rejoice with trembling.
12 Kiss the Son, lest he be angry, and you perish from the way, when his wrath is kindled but a little. Blessed are all they that put their trust in him.
