25 – 27 August 2025
Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother that walks disorderly, and not after the tradition which he received of us.
The word above, in 2 Thessalonians 3:6, rendered “tradition,” is paradosis, meaning “transmission, i.e. (concretely) a precept; specially, the Jewish traditionary law:–ordinance, tradition.” It’s from the words para, meaning near or beside, and the twice-used word dosis, meaning “a giving; by implication, (concretely) a gift:–gift, giving.”
Philippians 4
5 Now you Philippians know also, that in the beginning [arche] of the gospel, when I departed from Macedonia [from the houses of dead flesh], no church communicated [koinoneo – to share] with me as concerning giving [dosis – this gift] and receiving [it as the word of God, as it is], but you only. [See Galatians 6:6 below]
16 For even in Thessalonica you sent once and again unto my necessity.
17 Not because I desire a gift [doma]: but I desire fruit [your repeating this word as received] that may abound to your account.
18 But I have [apecho – received in full] all, and abound: I am full [pleroo], having received [dechomai] of Epaphroditus the things which were sent [the previous three words don’t appear in the original text] from you, an odor of a sweet smell, a sacrifice acceptable, well-pleasing to God.
19 But my God shall supply [pleroo] all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
20 Now unto God and our Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.
The subject above is – communicating the word of God, receiving it as given from Him, and giving it as received, by Jesus Christ, the LORD alive in our previously dead flesh.
The word “receiving,” in verse 5 above, is said to be the once-used word lempsis, derived from lambano, meaning “to receive.” It is written in the original text as lepseos, which is actually from the once-used word lepis, (dubiously) meaning a flake.
The meaning of lepseos is made clear in the one use of lepis in Acts 9:18, when Paul received the Holy Ghost (the LORD alive with him, in him speaking and working, leading him into all truth), through the work of Ananias (meaning “whom Jehovah has graciously given”). When this occurred, he received his sight, and the “scales” (lepis) fell from His eyes.
Friends, all the famous and not-so-famous teachers and preachers, who do so in the LORD’s name, are without His Spirit and therefore preach disjointed pieces (elements) of information (confusion), by which they show themselves (all) as the blind and ignorant.
The word “abound,” in verse 18 above, is perisseuo, meaning “to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also (transitively) to cause to superabound or excel.” It is meant to (now at this every moment) direct us to the LORD speaking to us from Ephesians 1, where the word is used in verse 8 describing what has abounded here to those of us who’ve received it as Him speaking and working to open our eyes.
Ephesians 1
3 Blessed be the God and Father of our LORD Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly places in Christ:
4 According as he has chosen us in him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before him in love:
5 Having predestinated us unto the adoption of children by Jesus Christ to himself, according to the good pleasure of his will,
6 To the praise of the glory of his grace, wherein he has made us accepted in the beloved.
7 In whom we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of his grace;
8 Wherein he has abounded [perisseuo] toward us in all wisdom and prudence;
9 Having made known unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he has purposed in himself:
10 That in the dispensation [oikonomia – meaning “administration (of a household or estate); specially, a (religious) “economy,” the way His word moves, flows, to and through His people] of the fulness of times he might gather together in one all things [the separated elements of understanding] in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him:
11 In whom also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestinated according to the purpose of him who worketh all things after the counsel of his own will:
12 That we should be to the praise of his glory, who first trusted in Christ.
Galatians 6
1 Brethren, if a man be overtaken in a fault, you which are spiritual, restore such a one in the spirit of meekness; considering yourself, lest you also be tempted [ignorant of the LORD’s presence with us, in us the One speaking and working].
2 Bear you one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Christ [the LORD alive with us, is our flesh].
3 For if a man think himself to be something, when he is nothing, he deceives himself.
4 But let every man prove his own work, and then shall he have rejoicing in himself alone [monos], and not in another.
5 For every man shall bear his own burden.
6 Let him that is taught in the word communicate [koinoneo] unto him that teaches in all good things.
7 Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man sows, that shall he also reap.
8 For he that sows to his flesh shall of the flesh reap corruption; but he that sows to the Spirit shall of the Spirit reap life everlasting.
The word oikonomia is from oikonomos, which is from the words oikos (house) nomos (law). In these words, in the context of this discussion, the LORD refers us to Ezekiel 43, which speaks of the LORD’s appears again (when the scales fall from men’s eyes), and His Glory is seen in His house (the temple, the minds of His people), a process of which He then tells the son of man is the “law of the house.”
Ezekiel 43
1 Afterward he brought me to the gate, even the gate that looks toward the east:
2 And, behold, the glory of the God of Israel came from the way of the east: and his voice was like a noise of many waters: and the earth shined with his glory.
3 And it was according to the appearance of the vision which I saw, even according to the vision that I saw when I came to destroy the city: and the visions were like the vision that I saw [in the wheels, which were understood as events within events, times within a time, now rightly divided in our time] by the river Chebar [far off {now} – in the vision of the unfolding presence of the LORD, as four faces with which He revealed Himself]; and I fell upon my face [paniym – I fell at His presence realized].
4 And the glory of the LORD came into the house [to His family] by the way [derek – this way] of the gate whose prospect [paniym – entering the LORD’s presence] is toward [derek – is the way] the east [toward where this light is first seen].
5 So the spirit [as a doorkeeper] took me up, and brought me into the inner court [chatser]; and, behold, the glory of the LORD filled the house [filled His family].
6 And I heard him speaking unto me out of the house [From His people, His family]; and the man [the first face of the LORD’s unfolding presence, seen in the wheel within a wheel, this understanding sent forward in time, to, in the fullness of time, give understanding to those who receive it as Him speaking {koinoneo – communicating} and working] stood by me. [1 Timothy 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was {is} manifest in the flesh {the first face}, justified in the Spirit {justified while unknown speaking: roaring as lion, the second face; working in the earth, as an ox, the third face}, seen of angels {realized present by those who become His messengers with this same message}, preached unto the Gentiles {declared into those who haven’t know Him}, believed on in the world, received up into glory {His voice exalted above all others, rising into heaven like an eagle, the fourth, final, face seen in the wheel within the wheel}].
7 And he said unto me, Son of man, the place of my throne, and the place of the soles of my feet, where I will dwell in the midst of the children of Israel [here on the earth] forever, and my holy name [identity], shall the house of Israel no more defile, neither they, nor their kings, by their whoredom, nor by the carcasses of their kings in their high places.
8 In their setting of their threshold [entry ways] by [against] my thresholds [My entry ways], and their [door] post by [against] my [door] posts, and the wall [of their corruption] between me and them, they have even defiled my holy name [identity] by their abominations that they have committed [and put in My place, and called by My name]: wherefore I have consumed them in my anger.
9 Now let them put away their whoredom, and the carcasses [dead flesh without My Spirit] of their kings [leading them], far from me, and I will dwell in the midst of them forever [in the flesh of the kings and priests of My choosing].
10 You son of man, show the house to the house of Israel, that they may be ashamed [kalam] of their iniquities: and let them measure the pattern [assess and understand this wheel within a wheel].
11 And if they be ashamed [kalam] of all that they have done, show them the form of the house [from My people], and the fashion thereof, and the goings out thereof, and the comings in [the entryway] thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and all the forms thereof, and all the laws thereof: and write it in their sight [as I have], that they may keep the whole form thereof, and all the ordinances thereof, and do them.
12 This is the law of the house; Upon the top of the mountain [My government] the whole limit [end] thereof round about shall be most holy. Behold, this is the law of the house.
The words rendered “the whole limit” are kol gbuwl, respectively meaning “the whole; hence, all, any or every (in the singular only, but often in a plural sense),” and “a cord (as twisted), i.e. (by implication) a boundary; by extension, the territory enclosed.”
“The whole limit” is described when these two words appear together in Deuteronomy 11:24, in a passage wherein the LORD plainly speaks of “the law of the house.”
Deuteronomy 11
1 Therefore you shall love the LORD your God, and keep his charge, and his statutes, and his judgments, and his commandments, always [kol – in all your ways].
2 And know you this day: for I speak not with your children which have not known, and which have not seen the chastisement of the LORD your God, his greatness, his mighty hand, and his stretched out arm,
3 And his miracles, and his acts, which he did in the midst of Egypt unto Pharaoh [upon the powers that hold you in this double strait, the oppression of corrupt church and state institutions] the king[s] of Egypt, and unto all [kol] his land [‘erets – the earth under these men’s control];
4 And what he did unto the army of Egypt, unto their horses, and to their chariots [power they use to rule]; how he made the water of the Red sea to overflow them as they pursued after [‘achar – as in ‘achariyth, now in this after life come] you, and how the LORD has destroyed them unto this day;
5 And what he did unto you in the wilderness, until you came into this place [here and now; the final verse of the last chapter saying it is “now {when} the LORD your God has made you as the stars of heaven for multitude.”];
6 And what he did unto Dathan and Abiram, the sons of Eliab, the son of Reuben [the pattern of the sons of perdition who put themselves in the LORD’s place]: how the earth [‘erets] opened her mouth, and swallowed them up, and their households, and their tents, and all [kol] the substance that was in their possession, in the midst of all [kol] Israel:
7 But your eyes have seen all [kol] the great acts of the LORD which he did.
8 Therefore shall you keep all [kol] the commandments which I command you this day, that you may be strong, and go in and possess the land [‘erets – this new earth I Am creating], whither you go to possess it;
9 And that you may prolong your days in the land [‘adamah – this new generation, the first of My new creation], which the LORD swore unto your fathers to give unto them and to their seed, a land [‘erets – the new earth] that flows with milk and honey [whereby My people learn to refuse evil and choose good].
10 For the land [‘erets – the new earth], whither you go in to possess it, is not as the land [‘erets – the old and corrupt earth] of Egypt, from whence you came out, where you sowed your [own corrupt] seed, and watered it [and mired, corrupted, its clarity] with your foot, as a garden of herbs [overgrow by thorns and briers, misleaders and deceivers]:
11 But the land [‘erets – this new earth], whither you go to possess it, is a land [‘erets] of hills and valleys [new leaders rising from among the lowly], and drinks water of the rain of heaven [these reassemble elements of understanding, sent from His throne in the cloud]:
12 A land [‘erets – a new earth] which the LORD your God cares for: the eyes [‘ayin – this fountain of living waters] of the LORD your God are always upon it, from the beginning [‘re’shiyth – the beginning of his creation, as in the Genesis 1:1, the first words, “In the beginning”] of the year [shaneh – a revolution of time] even unto the end [‘achariyth – the last days of darkness, the end of His creation in perfection] of the year [shaneh].
13 And it shall come to pass, if you shall hearken diligently [shama’ – and obey] unto my commandments which I command you this day [in this time when light again covers the earth], to love the LORD your God, and to serve him with all [kol] your heart [mind] and with all [kol] your soul [this is the “law of His house”],
14 That I will give you the rain of your land [‘erets] in his due season, the first rain [this written word] and the latter rain [again giving understanding to it, which brings a good harvest], that you mayest gather in your corn, and your wine, and your oil.
15 And I will send grass in your fields for your cattle, that you mayest eat and be full.
16 Take heed to yourselves, that your heart be not deceived, and you turn aside, and serve other gods [men who put themselves in the LORD’s place], and worship them;
17 And then the LORD’s wrath be kindled against you, and he shut up the heaven [and understanding will again thereby leave the earth], that there be no rain, and that the land yield not her fruit; and lest you perish quickly from off the good land [‘erets – earth] which the LORD gives you.
18 Therefore shall you lay up these my words in your heart [minds] and in your soul, and bind them for a sign upon your hand [in your works], that they may be as frontlets between your eyes [always in the forefront of your minds, so you see as the LORD sees].
19 And you shall teach them your children, speaking of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, when you lay down, and when you rise up.
20 And you shall write them upon the door posts of your house, and upon your gates:
21 That your days may be multiplied, and the days of your children, in the land [‘adamah – this new generation, the first of My new creation] which the LORD swore unto your fathers to give them, as the days of [this time of light returned, separating this word of God from the words of man, in this exposition, the firmament I call] heaven upon the earth.
22 For if you shall diligently keep all [kol] these commandments which I command you, to do them, to love the LORD your God, to walk in all his ways, and to cleave [dabaq – meaning “to impinge, i.e. cling or adhere; figuratively, to catch by pursuit,” as in the Greek word kollao, meaning glue] unto him;
23 Then will the LORD drive out all [kol] these nations [who refuse to know, and choose to remain in darkness and death, because their deeds are evil] from before you [paniym – by manifesting My presence with you, in you], and you shall possess greater nations and mightier than yourselves.
24 Every [kol] place whereon the soles of your feet shall tread shall be yours: from the wilderness and Lebanon, from the river, the river Euphrates, even unto the uttermost [‘acharown – the after come] sea [the last generation that becomes the first] shall your coast [gbuwl] be.
25 There shall no man be able to stand before [paniym – against My presence manifested with you, in] you: for the LORD your God shall lay the fear of you and the dread of you upon all [kol] the land [‘erets – the new earth] that you shall tread upon, as he has said unto you.
26 Behold, I set before [paniym – manifesting My presence to] you this day a blessing and a curse;
27 A blessing, if you obey [shama’ – hearing my voice in] the commandments of the LORD your God, which I command you this day:
28 And a curse, if you will not obey [shama’ – refuse to hear My voice in] the commandments of the LORD your God, but turn aside out of the way which I command you this day, to go after other gods, which you have not known.
29 And it shall come to pass, when the LORD your God has brought you in unto the land [‘erets – this new earth] whither you go to possess it, that you shall put the blessing upon mount [the government of] Gerizim [from garaz, a once used word referring us to Psalms 31:22], and the curse upon mount [the government of] Ebal [‘iy bal – failed and in ruin].
30 Are they not on the other side Jordan [before the LORD ended the darkness caused by words of men, which carried all the earth into death and hell], by the way where the sun goes down [removing understanding from the church institution], in the land [‘erets – the old earth] of the Canaanites [those who made the souls of men their merchandise], which dwell in the champaign over against Gilgal [the war in the ever swirly waters, words that are always agitated into a storm], beside the plains of Moreh [man’s corrupt teaching now plainly understood to be evil]?
31 For you shall pass over [‘abar] Jordan [be quickened from death into life by overcoming the words that have carried all into the dead sea: the death of all humanity] to go in to possess the land [‘erets – this new earth] which the LORD your God gives you, and you shall possess it, and dwell therein.
32 And you shall observe to do all the statutes and judgments which I set before [paniym – by manifesting My presence to] you this day [this time when light has returned to the earth].
The word “disorderly,” in the title verse (2 Thessalonians 3:6), is from the word ataktos, from the word tasso reversed by the prefix “a.” Again, we know the word tasso from its use in hupotasso, meaning to subordinate. The word (tasso) means, “to arrange in an orderly manner, i.e. assign or dispose (to a certain position or lot):–addict, appoint, determine, ordain, set.”
The word (ataktos) appears later again in verse 11, where it also describes these (insubordinate) men as “busybodies,” from the once used Greek word periergazomai, from peri, here meaning in place of, or instead of, and ergazomai, meaning “to toil (as a task, occupation, etc.), (by implication) effect, be engaged in or with, etc.:–commit, do, labor for, minister about, trade (by), work.”
Before we proceed, this word (periergazomai) refers to the insipid, false doctrine that claims there is no need to work to achieve salvation, because it is a free gift. I tell you the truth, the means of salvation is freely given to all, but it must be separated from men’s words, by faith believing the LORD leads us as we diligently search for Him. His word purifies us of blinding corruption, into purity of thought, into the knowledge of Him manifested with us, effectually working in us, speaking and working our salvation.
In this context, the other use of the word dosis come in James 1:17.
James 1
12 Blessed is the man that endures temptation [tempted to deny the LORD is with us, in us]: for when he is tried [in fires caused by those who refuse to do this work], he shall receive the crown of life, which the LORD has promised to them that love [agapao – give His word as received from] him.
13 Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil [misleading], neither tempts he any man:
14 But every man is tempted [to deny Him], when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15 Then when lust has conceived, it bringeth forth sin [hamartia – missing the mark, therefore without a share in prize, by mistake, by erring from God’s truth]: and sin [hamartia], when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
16 Do not err [planao – as in planet, to roam, wander in the darkness, deceivers who cannot be relied upon to navigate in the darkness], my beloved brethren.
17 Every good gift [dosis] and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights [understanding and life], with [para – as in paradosis, traditions received from Him] whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
18 Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures [new creations].
19 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:
20 For the wrath of man works not the righteousness of God.
21 Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be you doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.
23 For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:
24 For he beholds himself, and goes his way, and straightway forgets what manner of man he was.
25 But whoso looks into the perfect law of liberty, and continues therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridles not his tongue, but deceives his own heart [mind], this man’s religion is vain.
27 Pure religion and undefiled before [para – is with] God and the Father [by which we see Him] is this, To visit [episkeptomai – as the Chief Overseer] the fatherless and widows [those who don’t have a man to protect and defend them] in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted [aspilos – unblemished] from the world.
James 3
1 My brethren, be not many masters [didaskalos – teachers], knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.
2 For in many things we offend [ptaio – meaning “to trip, i.e. (figuratively) to err, sin, fail (of salvation)”] all. If any man offend [patio] not in word, the same is a perfect [teleios – complete] man, and able also to bridle [chalinagogeo – curb, lead the leaders] the whole body [to lead the dead body of Christ, to navigate the way out of darkness into life].
3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor lists [wills].
5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasts great things [proud words]. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindles!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defiles [corrupts] the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and has been tamed of mankind:
8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
This last verse speaks of those Paul, in 2 Thessalonians 3:2, says are atopos (“unreasonable”), meaning “out of place,” meaning they are those who refuse to move away from their “out of place” positions. He says they are the wicked he described in the previous chapter, who refuse to let this word of God have free course and be glorified as His, as it is.
2 Thessalonians 2
8 And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the LORD shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness [light] of his coming:
9 Whose coming is [the LORD’s, unknown in the darkness] after [the effect of] the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,
10 And with all deceivableness of unrighteousness in them that perish; because they received not the love [agape – this word given as received] of the truth, that they might [by this word made flesh among us] be saved.
11 And for this cause [to destroy the works of Satan through those possessed by him] God shall send them strong delusion, that they should believe a lie:
12 That they all might be damned who believed not the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
13 But we are bound to give thanks always to God for you, brethren beloved of the LORD, because God has from the beginning [of His new creation] chosen you to salvation through sanctification [separating you from corrupt into purity] of the Spirit and belief of the truth:
14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our LORD Jesus Christ.
15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions [paradosis] which you have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.
Philippians 3
8 Yea doubtless, and I count all things [to which I was in bondage and separated from the LORD’s truth] but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my LORD: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ,
9 And be found in him, not having my own righteousness, which is of the law, but that which is through the faith of Christ [the LORD alive in our flesh, through His word effectually working to bring us to this promised end], the righteousness which is of God by faith [in His presence with us, in us]:
10 That I may know him, and the power of his resurrection, and the fellowship of his sufferings, being made conformable unto his death [for speaking this word of the LORD, in His name, His identity];
11 If by any means I might attain unto the resurrection of the dead.
12 Not as though I had already attained [not that He is already known, resurrected, alive, in me], either were already perfect[ed in His revelation of Himself]: but I follow after [His leading], if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus.
13 Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,
14 I press toward the mark for the prize of the high [ano – filled and lifted by] calling of God in Christ Jesus [Jehovah’s Salvation realized, manifested, in the flesh of those perfected].
15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing you be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
16 Nevertheless, whereto [this understanding] we have already attained [where we now stand], let us walk [stiecheo – meaning “to march in (military) rank (keep step), i.e. (figuratively) to conform to virtue and piety:–walk (orderly),” and not according to the corrupt element, rudiments, stoicheion, of the world, which melt away in the fire they cause] by the same rule [kanon – canon], let us mind [phroneo – exercise our mind, working out corrupt, to reach] the same thing [the mind of Christ, our perfection in the LORD, and He in us].
17 Brethren, be followers together of me, and [understanding this good fruit] mark them which walk so as you have us for an ensample.
18 (For many walk [in the way of the corrupt elements of the world, misleading the many who follow them], of whom I have told you often, and now tell you even weeping, that they are the enemies of the cross of Christ [in us, long suffering to speak this truth in the Father’s name]:
19 Whose end is destruction, whose God is their belly [the hell into which they swallow and hold all their followers], and whose glory is in their shame, who mind earthly things.)
20 For our conversation [in the LORD’s presence] is in heaven; from whence [in this conversation at His mercy seat] also we look for the Savior, the LORD Jesus Christ:
21 Who shall change our vile body, that it may be fashioned like unto his glorious body, according to the [effectual] working [of His word in us] whereby he is able even to subdue [hupotasso – meaning “to subordinate; reflexively, to obey”] all things unto himself.
2 Thessalonians 3
1 Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the [this] word of the LORD may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you [received as the word of God, as told before, in 1 Thessalonians 2:13]:
2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable [atopos, who refuse to change their positions] and wicked men: for all men have not faith.
3 But the LORD is faithful, who shall establish you, and keep you from evil.
4 And we have confidence in the LORD touching you, that you both do and will do the things which we command you.
5 And the LORD direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.
6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our LORD Jesus Christ, that you withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh disorderly [ataktos], and not after the tradition [paradosis] which he received of us.
7 For yourselves know how you ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
8 Neither did we eat any man’s bread for naught; but wrought [ergazomai] with labor and travail night and day [diligently seeking], that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an example unto you to follow us.
10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work [ergazomai – diligently seeking the LORD, building upon what He’s given us], neither should he eat [the LORD’s word – warned not to read or teach the word if you aren’t going to do the work needed to gain the understanding held in its deep: going below the surface, which is the necessary baptism].
11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly [ataktos], working [ergazomai] not at all, but are busybodies [periergazomai – with fallacious opinion, rejecting works, trespassing into things they shouldn’t].
12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our LORD Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work [ergazomai – diligently seek], and eat their own bread [rightly dividing, discerning, the will of God].
13 But you, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
14 And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.
The word rendered “apprehend[ed],” in Philippians 3:12 & 13 above, is katalambano, which the Thayer’s Greek Lexicon says means “in a good sense, of Christ by his holy power and influence laying hold of the human mind and will, in order to prompt and govern it.”
John 1
5 And the light shined in darkness; and the darkness comprehended [katalambano] it not.
We see that, in order to be apprehended by the LORD, we must first comprehend Him (His word, which is light and life). This is the change. The word “change” in Philippians 3:21 above is the fives times used word metaschematizo, meaning “to transfigure or disguise; figuratively, to apply (by accommodation):–transfer, transform (self).” It speaks of assuming the identity of the one who has apprehended us, laid hold of our minds, and thereby possesses us.
The word is from meta, to which metron has an affinity as a part (measure, portion) of the whole process (meta, “denoting accompaniment; “amid” (local or causal); modified variously according to the case (genitive association, or accusative succession) with which it is joined; occupying an intermediate position between” what or where something was and where or what it will be), and schema, meaning “a figure (as a mode or circumstance), i.e. (by implication) external condition:–fashion.” (The Cambridge Dictionary definition of a schematic, is: showing the main form and features of something, usually in the form of a drawing, in a way that helps people to understand it: a schematic drawing/outline.)
In this fuller context, the word mataschematizo first appears in 1 Corinthians 4:6, and its other three uses come in 2 Corinthians 11:13, 14, & 15. These two places speak of the processes of changing men’s minds, respectively defining the schemes of good and evil to possess the minds of men.
1 Corinthians 3
1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto you were not able to bear it, neither yet now are you able.
3 For you are yet carnal [believing in word, but not in truth that the LORD is present, veiled in the flesh of those He chooses]: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are you not carnal, and walk as men?
4 For while one says, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are you not carnal?
5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom you believed [the LORD is present with us, in us], even as the LORD gave to every man [to believe]?
6 I have planted [laid the foundation], Apollos watered [built upon it]; but God gave the increase [enlarging His Own BODY].
7 So then neither is he that plants any thing, neither he that wateres; but God that gives the increase.
8 Now he that plants and he that waters are [Christ’s] one [BODY]: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labor [diligently seeking the LORD, which is the work He’s given every man].
9 For we are laborers together with God: you are God’s husbandry, you are God’s building [educated by Him in this process].
10 According to the grace [this gift] of God which is given unto me, as a wise master-builder, I have laid the foundation, and another builds thereon. But let every man take heed how he builds thereupon.
11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ [Jehovah’s Salvation manifested in the flesh of His ONE BODY].
12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble;
13 Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day [this time of light] shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire [this word from the mouth of the LORD]; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
14 If any man’s work abide [remains] which he has built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
15 If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
16 Know you not that you are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwells [is living] in you?
17 If any man [by adding corrupt] defiles the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy [without corruption], which temple you are.
18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seems to be wise in this [corrupted] world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise.
19 For the wisdom of this [corrupt] world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness [in their own creations, corruption they added].
20 And again, The LORD knows the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain [worthless].
21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
23 And you are Christ’s [ONE BODY]; and Christ is God’s [temple].
1 Corinthians 4
1 Let a man so account of us [that we are possessed by God], as of the ministers of Christ, and stewards of the mysteries of God.
2 Moreover, it is required in stewards, that a man be found faithful [long-suffering “until” the process is complete].
3 But with me it is a very small thing that I should be judged of you, or of man’s judgment [as if I am speaking my own words and not the LORD’s alive in me]: yea, I judge not my own self.
4 For I know nothing by myself; yet am I not hereby justified [when He is realized alive in me speaking and working]: but he that judges me [worthy] is the LORD [commending me].
5 Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the LORD comes, who both will bring to light [giving understanding to] the hidden things of darkness [held in men’s ignornance], and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts [revealing wisdom is far from the wise of this world]: and then shall every man [comprehending this] have praise [epainos – be commended] of God.
6 And these things, brethren, I have in a figure transferred [metaschematizo – revealing this process, God’s scheme to save the world] to myself and to Apollos for your sakes; that you might learn in us not to think of men above that which is written, that no one of you be puffed up [thinking more highly of yourself than you should] for one against another [forgetting it is the LORD with us, in us speaking His word and doing His work].
7 For who makes you to differ from another [are we not all ONE BODY]? and what have you that you did not receive [from the LORD, not from man]? now if you did receive it [from Him], why do you glory [in men and act carnally], as if you hadst not received it [as a gift from the LORD]?
8 Now you are full, now you are rich, you have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God you did reign, that we also might reign with you.
9 For I think that God has set forth us the apostles last, as it were appointed to death: for we are made a spectacle unto the world, and to angels, and to men.
10 We are fools for Christ’s sake, but you are wise in Christ; we are weak, but you are strong; you are honorable, but we are despised.
11 Even unto this present hour we both hunger, and thirst, and are naked, and are buffeted, and have no certain dwelling-place;
12 And labor, working with our own hands: being reviled, we bless; being persecuted, we [long] suffer it:
13 Being defamed, we entreat: we are made as the filth of the [now totally corrupt] world, and are the offscouring of all things unto this day.
14 I write not these things to shame you, but as my beloved sons [children the LORD has given me, as a father], I warn you.
15 For though you have ten thousand instructors in Christ, yet have you not many fathers: for in Christ Jesus I have begotten you through the gospel.
16 Wherefore I beseech you, be you followers of me.
17 For this cause have I sent unto you Timothy, who is my beloved son, and faithful in the LORD, who shall bring you into remembrance of my ways which be in Christ, as I teach every where in every church.
18 Now some are puffed up [with pride in the things they think they know], as though I would not come to you.
19 But I will come to you shortly, if the LORD will, and will know, not the speech of them which are puffed up, but the power [of the LORD alive in me].
20 For the kingdom of God is not in word, but in power.
21 What will you? shall I come unto you with a rod, or in love, and in the spirit of meekness?
2 Corinthians 11
12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion [to deceive]; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we [men possessed by a spirit in them speaking and working; the LORD in us and Satan in them].
13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming [mataschematizo] themselves into the apostles of Christ.
14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed [mataschematizo] into an angel of light [a messenger giving falsely so-called understanding, who left his first estate; now speaking his own words and not the words of God as received from Him].
15 Therefore, it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed [mataschematizo] as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.
Psalms 27
1 The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? the LORD is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?
2 When the wicked, even My enemies and my foes, came upon me to eat up my flesh, they stumbled and fell.
3 Though a host should encamp against me, my heart shall not fear: though war should rise against me, in this will I be confident.
4 One thing have I desired of the LORD, that will I seek after; that I may dwell [remain in my first estate] in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in his temple.
5 For in the time of trouble he shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of his tabernacle shall he hide me; he shall set me up upon a rock.
6 And now shall my head be lifted up above My enemies round about me: therefore will I offer in his tabernacle sacrifices of joy; I will sing, yea, I will sing praises unto the LORD.
7 Hear, O LORD, when I cry with my voice: have mercy also upon me, and answer me.
8 When you said, Seek you my face [paniym – presence]; my heart said unto you, Your face [paniym – presence], LORD, will I seek.
9 Hide not your face [paniym – Your presence] far from me; put not your servant away in anger: you have been my help; leave me not, neither forsake me, O God of my salvation.
10 When my father and my mother forsake me, then the LORD will take me up [‘acaph – gather me into His family].
11 Teach me your way, O LORD, and lead me in a plain path, because of my enemies.
12 Deliver me not over unto the will of my enemies: for false witnesses are risen up against me, and such as breathe out cruelty.
13 I had fainted, unless I had believed to see the goodness of the LORD in the land of the living.
14 Wait on the LORD: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart: wait, I say, on the LORD.
