Understand [this], my beloved brethren.
Let every man be quick to hear [a ready listener],
slow to speak, slow to take offense and to get angry.
For man’s anger does not promote the righteousness God [wishes and requires].
So get rid of all uncleanness and the rampant outgrowth of wickedness,
and in a humble (gentle, modest) spirit receive
and welcome the Word which implanted and rooted [in your hearts]
contains the power to save your souls.
But be doers of the Word [obey the message],
and not merely listeners to it,
betraying yourselves [into deception by reasoning contrary to the Truth].
For if anyone only listens to the Word without obeying it and being a doer of it,
he is like a man who looks carefully at his [own] natural face in a mirror;
For he thoughtfully observes himself,
and then goes off and promptly forgets what he was like.
But he who looks carefully into the faultless law,
the [law] of liberty, and is faithful to it and perseveres in looking into it,
being not a heedless listener who forgets but an active doer [who obeys],
he shall be blessed in his doing (his life of obedience).
If anyone thinks himself to be religious
(piously observant of the external duties of his faith)
and does not bridle his tongue but deludes his own heart,
this person’s religious service is worthless (futile, barren).
External religious worship [religion as it is expressed in outward acts]
that is pure and unblemished in the sight of God the Father is this:
to visit and help and care for the orphans and widows in their affliction and need,
and to keep oneself unspotted and uncontaminated from the world.
27 Juni, 2013
Trials and temptations
Consider it wholly joyful, my brethren,
whenever you are enveloped in
or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.
Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith
bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.
But let endurance and steadfastness and patience
have full play and do a thorough work,
so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects],
lacking in nothing.
If any of you is deficient in wisdom,
let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly,
without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him.
Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting).
For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea
that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind.
For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord,
[For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute),
[he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides].
Let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his elevation
[as a Christian, called to the true riches and to be an heir of God],
And the rich [person ought to glory] in being humbled
[by being shown his human frailty], because like the flower of the grass he will pass away.
For the sun comes up with a scorching heat and parches the grass;
its flower falls off and its beauty fades away.
Even so will the rich man wither and die in the midst of his pursuits.
Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial
and stands up under temptation,
for when he has stood the test and been approved,
he will receive [the victor’s] crown of life which God has promised
to those who love Him.
Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted from God;
for God is incapable of being tempted by [what is] evil
and He Himself tempts no one.
But every person is tempted when he is drawn away,
enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions).
Then the evil desire, when it has conceived,
gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured,
brings forth death.
Do not be misled, my beloved brethren.
Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above;
it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light,
in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting]
or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse].
And it was of His own [free] will that He gave us birth
[as sons] by [His] Word of Truth,
so that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures
[a sample of what He created to be consecrated to Himself].
whenever you are enveloped in
or encounter trials of any sort or fall into various temptations.
Be assured and understand that the trial and proving of your faith
bring out endurance and steadfastness and patience.
But let endurance and steadfastness and patience
have full play and do a thorough work,
so that you may be [people] perfectly and fully developed [with no defects],
lacking in nothing.
If any of you is deficient in wisdom,
let him ask of the giving God [Who gives] to everyone liberally and ungrudgingly,
without reproaching or faultfinding, and it will be given him.
Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting).
For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea
that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind.
For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord,
[For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute),
[he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides].
Let the brother in humble circumstances glory in his elevation
[as a Christian, called to the true riches and to be an heir of God],
And the rich [person ought to glory] in being humbled
[by being shown his human frailty], because like the flower of the grass he will pass away.
For the sun comes up with a scorching heat and parches the grass;
its flower falls off and its beauty fades away.
Even so will the rich man wither and die in the midst of his pursuits.
Blessed (happy, to be envied) is the man who is patient under trial
and stands up under temptation,
for when he has stood the test and been approved,
he will receive [the victor’s] crown of life which God has promised
to those who love Him.
Let no one say when he is tempted, I am tempted from God;
for God is incapable of being tempted by [what is] evil
and He Himself tempts no one.
But every person is tempted when he is drawn away,
enticed and baited by his own evil desire (lust, passions).
Then the evil desire, when it has conceived,
gives birth to sin, and sin, when it is fully matured,
brings forth death.
Do not be misled, my beloved brethren.
Every good gift and every perfect (free, large, full) gift is from above;
it comes down from the Father of all [that gives] light,
in [the shining of] Whom there can be no variation [rising or setting]
or shadow cast by His turning [as in an eclipse].
And it was of His own [free] will that He gave us birth
[as sons] by [His] Word of Truth,
so that we should be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures
[a sample of what He created to be consecrated to Himself].
26 Juni, 2013
Jual Oxone Master Stand Mixer OX-855
Hub: 0899.691.5677
BB: 27649C00
Keadaan Baru
Garansi Oxone 2tahun
Jual Produk-Produk Oxone Lainnya
*belum termasuk ongkos kirim
25 Juni, 2013
Jual Oxone Fire Torch OX-107
Hub: 0899.691.5677
BB: 27649C00
Keadaan Baru
Jual Produk-ProdukOxone
24 Juni, 2013
Correcting an abuse of the Lord's Supper
But in what I instruct [you] next I do not commend [you],
because when you meet together, it is not for the better but for the worse.
For in the first place, when you assemble as a congregation,
I hear that there are cliques (divisions and factions) among you;
and I in part believe it,
For doubtless there have to be factions or parties among you
in order that they who are genuine and of approved fitness
may become evident and plainly recognized among you.
So when you gather for your meetings,
it is not the supper instituted by the Lord that you eat,
For in eating each one [hurries] to get his own supper first
[not waiting for the poor], and one goes hungry while another gets drunk.
What! Do you have no houses in which to eat and drink?
Or do you despise the church of God and mean to show contempt for it,
while you humiliate those who are poor (have no homes and have brought no food)?
What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this?
No, [most certainly] I will not!
For I received from the Lord Himself that which I passed on to you
[it was given to me personally],
that the Lord Jesus on the night when He was treacherously delivered up
and while His betrayal was in progress took bread,
And when He had given thanks, He broke [it] and said,
Take, eat. This is My body, which is broken for you.
Do this to call Me [affectionately] to remembrance.
Similarly when supper was ended, He took the cup also, saying,
This cup is the new covenant [ratified and established] in My blood.
Do this, as often as you drink [it], to call Me [affectionately] to remembrance.
For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup,
you are representing and signifying and proclaiming
the fact of the Lord’s death until He comes [again].
So then whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord
in a way that is unworthy [of Him] will be guilty of
[profaning and sinning against] the body and blood of the Lord.
Let a man [thoroughly] examine himself,
and [only when he has done]
so should he eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
For anyone who eats and drinks without discriminating and recognizing
with due appreciation that [it is Christ’s] body,
eats and drinks a sentence (a verdict of judgment) upon himself.
That [careless and unworthy participation] is the reason many of you are weak
and sickly, and quite enough of you have fallen into the sleep of death.
For if we searchingly examined ourselves
[detecting our shortcomings and recognizing our own condition],
we should not be judged and penalty decreed [by the divine judgment].
But when we [fall short and] are judged by the Lord,
we are disciplined and chastened,
so that we may not [finally] be condemned
[to eternal punishment along] with the world.
So then, my brothers, when you gather together to eat [the Lord’s Supper],
wait for one another.
If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home,
lest you come together to bring judgment [on yourselves].
About the other matters, I will give you directions [personally] when I come.
because when you meet together, it is not for the better but for the worse.
For in the first place, when you assemble as a congregation,
I hear that there are cliques (divisions and factions) among you;
and I in part believe it,
For doubtless there have to be factions or parties among you
in order that they who are genuine and of approved fitness
may become evident and plainly recognized among you.
So when you gather for your meetings,
it is not the supper instituted by the Lord that you eat,
For in eating each one [hurries] to get his own supper first
[not waiting for the poor], and one goes hungry while another gets drunk.
What! Do you have no houses in which to eat and drink?
Or do you despise the church of God and mean to show contempt for it,
while you humiliate those who are poor (have no homes and have brought no food)?
What shall I say to you? Shall I commend you in this?
No, [most certainly] I will not!
For I received from the Lord Himself that which I passed on to you
[it was given to me personally],
that the Lord Jesus on the night when He was treacherously delivered up
and while His betrayal was in progress took bread,
And when He had given thanks, He broke [it] and said,
Take, eat. This is My body, which is broken for you.
Do this to call Me [affectionately] to remembrance.
Similarly when supper was ended, He took the cup also, saying,
This cup is the new covenant [ratified and established] in My blood.
Do this, as often as you drink [it], to call Me [affectionately] to remembrance.
For every time you eat this bread and drink this cup,
you are representing and signifying and proclaiming
the fact of the Lord’s death until He comes [again].
So then whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Lord
in a way that is unworthy [of Him] will be guilty of
[profaning and sinning against] the body and blood of the Lord.
Let a man [thoroughly] examine himself,
and [only when he has done]
so should he eat of the bread and drink of the cup.
For anyone who eats and drinks without discriminating and recognizing
with due appreciation that [it is Christ’s] body,
eats and drinks a sentence (a verdict of judgment) upon himself.
That [careless and unworthy participation] is the reason many of you are weak
and sickly, and quite enough of you have fallen into the sleep of death.
For if we searchingly examined ourselves
[detecting our shortcomings and recognizing our own condition],
we should not be judged and penalty decreed [by the divine judgment].
But when we [fall short and] are judged by the Lord,
we are disciplined and chastened,
so that we may not [finally] be condemned
[to eternal punishment along] with the world.
So then, my brothers, when you gather together to eat [the Lord’s Supper],
wait for one another.
If anyone is hungry, let him eat at home,
lest you come together to bring judgment [on yourselves].
About the other matters, I will give you directions [personally] when I come.
On covering the head in worship
I appreciate and commend you because you always remember me
in everything and keep firm possession of the traditions
(the substance of my instructions),
just as I have [verbally] passed them on to you.
But I want you to know and realize that Christ is the Head of every man,
the head of a woman is her husband, and the Head of Christ is God.
Any man who prays or prophesies
(teaches, refutes, reproves, admonishes, and comforts)
with his head covered dishonors his Head (Christ).
And any woman who [publicly] prays or prophesies
(teaches, refutes, reproves, admonishes, or comforts)
when she is bareheaded dishonors her head (her husband);
it is the same as [if her head were] shaved.
For if a woman will not wear [a head] covering,
then she should cut off her hair too;
but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her head shorn or shaven,
let her cover [her head].
For a man ought not to wear anything on his head [in church],
for he is the image and [reflected] glory of God
[his function of government reflects the majesty of the divine Rule];
but woman is [the expression of] man’s glory (majesty, preeminence).
For man was not [created] from woman, but woman from man;
Neither was man created on account of or for the benefit of woman,
but woman on account of and for the benefit of man.
Therefore she should [be subject to his authority and should]
have a covering on her head
[as a token, a symbol, of her submission to authority,
that she may show reverence as do] the angels [and not displease them].
Nevertheless, in [the plan of] the Lord
and from His point of view woman is not apart from and independent of man,
nor is man aloof from and independent of woman;
For as woman was made from man,
even so man is also born of woman;
and all [whether male or female go forth] from God [as their Author].
Consider for yourselves; is it proper and decent
[according to your customs] for a woman to offer prayer to God [publicly]
with her head uncovered?
Does not the native sense of propriety
(experience, common sense, reason) itself teach you
that for a man to wear long hair is a dishonor [humiliating and degrading] to him,
But if a woman has long hair, it is her ornament and glory?
For her hair is given to her for a covering.
Now if anyone is disposed to be argumentative and contentious about this,
we hold to and recognize no other custom [in worship] than this,
nor do the churches of God generally.
in everything and keep firm possession of the traditions
(the substance of my instructions),
just as I have [verbally] passed them on to you.
But I want you to know and realize that Christ is the Head of every man,
the head of a woman is her husband, and the Head of Christ is God.
Any man who prays or prophesies
(teaches, refutes, reproves, admonishes, and comforts)
with his head covered dishonors his Head (Christ).
And any woman who [publicly] prays or prophesies
(teaches, refutes, reproves, admonishes, or comforts)
when she is bareheaded dishonors her head (her husband);
it is the same as [if her head were] shaved.
For if a woman will not wear [a head] covering,
then she should cut off her hair too;
but if it is disgraceful for a woman to have her head shorn or shaven,
let her cover [her head].
For a man ought not to wear anything on his head [in church],
for he is the image and [reflected] glory of God
[his function of government reflects the majesty of the divine Rule];
but woman is [the expression of] man’s glory (majesty, preeminence).
For man was not [created] from woman, but woman from man;
Neither was man created on account of or for the benefit of woman,
but woman on account of and for the benefit of man.
Therefore she should [be subject to his authority and should]
have a covering on her head
[as a token, a symbol, of her submission to authority,
that she may show reverence as do] the angels [and not displease them].
Nevertheless, in [the plan of] the Lord
and from His point of view woman is not apart from and independent of man,
nor is man aloof from and independent of woman;
For as woman was made from man,
even so man is also born of woman;
and all [whether male or female go forth] from God [as their Author].
Consider for yourselves; is it proper and decent
[according to your customs] for a woman to offer prayer to God [publicly]
with her head uncovered?
Does not the native sense of propriety
(experience, common sense, reason) itself teach you
that for a man to wear long hair is a dishonor [humiliating and degrading] to him,
But if a woman has long hair, it is her ornament and glory?
For her hair is given to her for a covering.
Now if anyone is disposed to be argumentative and contentious about this,
we hold to and recognize no other custom [in worship] than this,
nor do the churches of God generally.
23 Juni, 2013
Jual Butter Curler Victorinox (7.6043)
Hub: 0899.691.5677
BB: 27649C00
Keadaan Baru
Jual Produk-Produk Victorinox
Terima Pesanan untuk semua Produk Victorinox
Jual Air Fryer Philips HD 9220 - Viva Collection
Hub: 0899.691.5677
BB: 27649C00
Garansi 2tahun
Semua Keadaan Baru
Ready Stock
Distribusi Produk-Produk Philips
11 Juni, 2013
The believer's freedom
All things are legitimate [permissible—and we are free to do anything we please],
but not all things are helpful (expedient, profitable, and wholesome).
All things are legitimate, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life].
Let no one then seek his own good and advantage and profit,
but [rather] each one of the other [let him seek the welfare of his neighbor].
[As to meat offered to idols] eat anything that is sold in the meat market
without raising any question or investigating on the grounds of conscientious scruples,
For the [whole] earth is the Lord’s and everything that is in it.
In case one of the unbelievers invites you to a meal and you want to go,
eat whatever is served to you without examining into its source because of conscientious scruples.
But if someone tells you, This has been offered in sacrifice to an idol, do not eat it,
out of consideration for the person who informed you, and for conscience’s sake—
I mean for the sake of his conscience, not yours, [do not eat it].
For why should another man’s scruples apply to me and my liberty of action be determined by his conscience?
If I partake [of my food] with thankfulness, why am I accused and spoken evil of because of that for which I give thanks?
So then, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you may do,
do all for the honor and glory of God.
Do not let yourselves be [hindrances by giving] an offense
to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God
[do not lead others into sin by your mode of life];
Just as I myself strive to please [to accommodate myself to the opinions, desires, and interests of others, adapting myself to] all men in everything I do, not aiming at or considering my own profit and advantage, but that of the many in order that they may be saved.
Pattern yourselves after me [follow my example],
as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah).
but not all things are helpful (expedient, profitable, and wholesome).
All things are legitimate, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life].
Let no one then seek his own good and advantage and profit,
but [rather] each one of the other [let him seek the welfare of his neighbor].
[As to meat offered to idols] eat anything that is sold in the meat market
without raising any question or investigating on the grounds of conscientious scruples,
For the [whole] earth is the Lord’s and everything that is in it.
In case one of the unbelievers invites you to a meal and you want to go,
eat whatever is served to you without examining into its source because of conscientious scruples.
But if someone tells you, This has been offered in sacrifice to an idol, do not eat it,
out of consideration for the person who informed you, and for conscience’s sake—
I mean for the sake of his conscience, not yours, [do not eat it].
For why should another man’s scruples apply to me and my liberty of action be determined by his conscience?
If I partake [of my food] with thankfulness, why am I accused and spoken evil of because of that for which I give thanks?
So then, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you may do,
do all for the honor and glory of God.
Do not let yourselves be [hindrances by giving] an offense
to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God
[do not lead others into sin by your mode of life];
Just as I myself strive to please [to accommodate myself to the opinions, desires, and interests of others, adapting myself to] all men in everything I do, not aiming at or considering my own profit and advantage, but that of the many in order that they may be saved.
Pattern yourselves after me [follow my example],
as I imitate and follow Christ (the Messiah).
10 Juni, 2013
Paul called by God
For I want you to know, brethren, that the Gospel which was proclaimed
and made known by me is not man’s gospel [a human invention, according
to or patterned after any human standard].
For indeed I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but [it came to me] through a [direct] revelation [given] by Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
You have heard of my earlier career and former manner of life in the Jewish religion (Judaism), how I persecuted and abused the church of God furiously and extensively, and [with fanatical zeal did my best] to make havoc of it and destroy it.
And [you have heard how] I outstripped many of the men of my own generation among the people of my race in [my advancement in study and observance of the laws of] Judaism, so extremely enthusiastic and zealous I was for the traditions of my ancestors.
But when He, Who had chosen and set me apart [even] before I was born and had called me by His grace (His undeserved favor and blessing), saw fit and was pleased
To reveal (unveil, disclose) His Son within me so that I might proclaim Him among the Gentiles (the non-Jewish world) as the glad tidings (Gospel), immediately I did not confer with flesh and blood [did not consult or counsel with any frail human being or communicate with anyone].
Nor did I [even] go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles (special messengers of Christ) before I was, but I went away and retired into Arabia, and afterward I came back again to Damascus.
Then three years later, I did go up to Jerusalem to become [personally] acquainted with Cephas (Peter), and remained with him for fifteen days.
But I did not see any of the other apostles (the special messengers of Christ) except James the brother of our Lord.
Now [note carefully what I am telling you, for it is the truth], I write this as if I were standing before the bar of God; I do not lie.
Then I went into the districts (countries, regions) of Syria and Cilicia.
And so far I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Christ in Judea (the country surrounding Jerusalem).
They were only hearing it said, He who used to persecute us is now proclaiming the very faith he once reviled and which he set out to ruin and tried with all his might to destroy.
And they glorified God [as the Author and Source of what had taken place] in me.
For indeed I did not receive it from man, nor was I taught it, but [it came to me] through a [direct] revelation [given] by Jesus Christ (the Messiah).
You have heard of my earlier career and former manner of life in the Jewish religion (Judaism), how I persecuted and abused the church of God furiously and extensively, and [with fanatical zeal did my best] to make havoc of it and destroy it.
And [you have heard how] I outstripped many of the men of my own generation among the people of my race in [my advancement in study and observance of the laws of] Judaism, so extremely enthusiastic and zealous I was for the traditions of my ancestors.
But when He, Who had chosen and set me apart [even] before I was born and had called me by His grace (His undeserved favor and blessing), saw fit and was pleased
To reveal (unveil, disclose) His Son within me so that I might proclaim Him among the Gentiles (the non-Jewish world) as the glad tidings (Gospel), immediately I did not confer with flesh and blood [did not consult or counsel with any frail human being or communicate with anyone].
Nor did I [even] go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles (special messengers of Christ) before I was, but I went away and retired into Arabia, and afterward I came back again to Damascus.
Then three years later, I did go up to Jerusalem to become [personally] acquainted with Cephas (Peter), and remained with him for fifteen days.
But I did not see any of the other apostles (the special messengers of Christ) except James the brother of our Lord.
Now [note carefully what I am telling you, for it is the truth], I write this as if I were standing before the bar of God; I do not lie.
Then I went into the districts (countries, regions) of Syria and Cilicia.
And so far I was still unknown by sight to the churches of Christ in Judea (the country surrounding Jerusalem).
They were only hearing it said, He who used to persecute us is now proclaiming the very faith he once reviled and which he set out to ruin and tried with all his might to destroy.
And they glorified God [as the Author and Source of what had taken place] in me.
No other gospel
I am surprised and astonished that you are so quickly turning renegade
and deserting Him Who invited and called you by the grace (unmerited
favor) of Christ (the Messiah) [and that you are transferring your
allegiance] to a different [even an opposition] gospel.
Not that there is [or could be] any other [genuine Gospel], but there are [obviously] some who are troubling and disturbing and bewildering you [with a different kind of teaching which they offer as a gospel] and want to pervert and distort the Gospel of Christ (the Messiah) [into something which it absolutely is not].
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to and different from that which we preached to you, let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment)!
As we said before, so I now say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel different from or contrary to that which you received [from us], let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment)!
Now am I trying to win the favor of men, or of God? Do I seek to please men? If I were still seeking popularity with men, I should not be a bond servant of Christ (the Messiah).
Not that there is [or could be] any other [genuine Gospel], but there are [obviously] some who are troubling and disturbing and bewildering you [with a different kind of teaching which they offer as a gospel] and want to pervert and distort the Gospel of Christ (the Messiah) [into something which it absolutely is not].
But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel contrary to and different from that which we preached to you, let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment)!
As we said before, so I now say again: If anyone is preaching to you a gospel different from or contrary to that which you received [from us], let him be accursed (anathema, devoted to destruction, doomed to eternal punishment)!
Now am I trying to win the favor of men, or of God? Do I seek to please men? If I were still seeking popularity with men, I should not be a bond servant of Christ (the Messiah).
Galatians
Paul, an apostle—[special messenger appointed and commissioned and sent
out] not from [any body of] men nor by or through any man, but by and
through Jesus Christ (the Messiah) and God the Father, Who raised Him
from among the dead
And all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia:
Grace and spiritual blessing be to you and [soul] peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah),
Who gave (yielded) Himself up [to atone] for our sins [and to save and sanctify us], in order to rescue and deliver us from this present wicked age and world order, in accordance with the will and purpose and plan of our God and Father—
To Him [be ascribed all] the glory through all the ages of the ages and the eternities of the eternities! Amen (so be it).
And all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia:
Grace and spiritual blessing be to you and [soul] peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ (the Messiah),
Who gave (yielded) Himself up [to atone] for our sins [and to save and sanctify us], in order to rescue and deliver us from this present wicked age and world order, in accordance with the will and purpose and plan of our God and Father—
To Him [be ascribed all] the glory through all the ages of the ages and the eternities of the eternities! Amen (so be it).
Idol feasts and Lord's Supper
Therefore, my dearly beloved, shun (keep clear away from, avoid by flight if need be)
any sort of idolatry (of loving or venerating anything more than God).
I am speaking as to intelligent (sensible) men.
Think over and make up your minds [for yourselves] about what I say.
[I appeal to your reason and your discernment in these matters.]
The cup of blessing [of wine at the Lord’s Supper] upon which we ask [God’s] blessing,
does it not mean [that in drinking it] we participate in and share a fellowship (a communion) in the blood of Christ (the Messiah)?
The bread which we break, does it not mean [that in eating it] we participate in and share a fellowship (a communion) in the body of Christ?
For we [no matter how] numerous we are, are one body, because we all partake of the one Bread [the One Whom the communion bread represents].
Consider those [physically] people of Israel.
Are not those who eat the sacrifices partners of the altar
[united in their worship of the same God]?
What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is
[intrinsically changed by the fact and amounts to] anything
or that an idol itself is a [living] thing?
No, I am suggesting that what the pagans sacrifice they offer [in effect] to demons (to evil spiritual powers) and not to God [at all].
I do not want you to fellowship and be partners with diabolical spirits [by eating at their feasts].
You cannot drink the Lord’s cup and the demons’ cup.
You cannot partake of the Lord’s table and the demons’ table.
Shall we thus provoke the Lord to jealousy and anger and indignation?
Are we stronger than He [that we should defy Him]?
All things are legitimate [permissible—and we are free to do anything we please],
but not all things are helpful (expedient, profitable, and wholesome).
All things are legitimate, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life].
Let no one then seek his own good and advantage and profit,
but [rather] each one of the other [let him seek the welfare of his neighbor].
[As to meat offered to idols] eat anything that is sold in the meat market
without raising any question or investigating on the grounds of conscientious scruples,
For the [whole] earth is the Lord’s and everything that is in it.
In case one of the unbelievers invites you to a meal and you want to go,
eat whatever is served to you without examining into its source
because of conscientious scruples.
But if someone tells you, This has been offered in sacrifice to an idol,
do not eat it, out of consideration for the person who informed you,
and for conscience’s sake
I mean for the sake of his conscience, not yours, [do not eat it].
For why should another man’s scruples apply to me and my liberty of action be determined by his conscience?
If I partake [of my food] with thankfulness,
why am I accused and spoken evil of because of that for which I give thanks?
So then, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you may do,
do all for the honor and glory of God.
Do not let yourselves be [hindrances by giving] an offense to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God [do not lead others into sin by your mode of life];
Just as I myself strive to please [to accommodate myself to the opinions, desires, and interests of others, adapting myself to] all men in everything I do, not aiming at or considering my own profit and advantage, but that of the many in order that they may be saved.
any sort of idolatry (of loving or venerating anything more than God).
I am speaking as to intelligent (sensible) men.
Think over and make up your minds [for yourselves] about what I say.
[I appeal to your reason and your discernment in these matters.]
The cup of blessing [of wine at the Lord’s Supper] upon which we ask [God’s] blessing,
does it not mean [that in drinking it] we participate in and share a fellowship (a communion) in the blood of Christ (the Messiah)?
The bread which we break, does it not mean [that in eating it] we participate in and share a fellowship (a communion) in the body of Christ?
For we [no matter how] numerous we are, are one body, because we all partake of the one Bread [the One Whom the communion bread represents].
Consider those [physically] people of Israel.
Are not those who eat the sacrifices partners of the altar
[united in their worship of the same God]?
What do I imply then? That food offered to idols is
[intrinsically changed by the fact and amounts to] anything
or that an idol itself is a [living] thing?
No, I am suggesting that what the pagans sacrifice they offer [in effect] to demons (to evil spiritual powers) and not to God [at all].
I do not want you to fellowship and be partners with diabolical spirits [by eating at their feasts].
You cannot drink the Lord’s cup and the demons’ cup.
You cannot partake of the Lord’s table and the demons’ table.
Shall we thus provoke the Lord to jealousy and anger and indignation?
Are we stronger than He [that we should defy Him]?
All things are legitimate [permissible—and we are free to do anything we please],
but not all things are helpful (expedient, profitable, and wholesome).
All things are legitimate, but not all things are constructive [to character] and edifying [to spiritual life].
Let no one then seek his own good and advantage and profit,
but [rather] each one of the other [let him seek the welfare of his neighbor].
[As to meat offered to idols] eat anything that is sold in the meat market
without raising any question or investigating on the grounds of conscientious scruples,
For the [whole] earth is the Lord’s and everything that is in it.
In case one of the unbelievers invites you to a meal and you want to go,
eat whatever is served to you without examining into its source
because of conscientious scruples.
But if someone tells you, This has been offered in sacrifice to an idol,
do not eat it, out of consideration for the person who informed you,
and for conscience’s sake
I mean for the sake of his conscience, not yours, [do not eat it].
For why should another man’s scruples apply to me and my liberty of action be determined by his conscience?
If I partake [of my food] with thankfulness,
why am I accused and spoken evil of because of that for which I give thanks?
So then, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you may do,
do all for the honor and glory of God.
Do not let yourselves be [hindrances by giving] an offense to the Jews or to the Greeks or to the church of God [do not lead others into sin by your mode of life];
Just as I myself strive to please [to accommodate myself to the opinions, desires, and interests of others, adapting myself to] all men in everything I do, not aiming at or considering my own profit and advantage, but that of the many in order that they may be saved.
The need for self-discipline
Do you not know that in a race all the runners compete,
but [only] one receives the prize?
So run [your race] that you may lay hold [of the prize] and make it yours.
Now every athlete who goes into training
conducts himself temperately and restricts himself in all things.
They do it to win a wreath that will soon wither,
but we [do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness] that cannot wither.
Therefore I do not run uncertainly (without definite aim).
I do not box like one beating the air and striking without an adversary.
But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships]
and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel
and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit
[not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit].
but [only] one receives the prize?
So run [your race] that you may lay hold [of the prize] and make it yours.
Now every athlete who goes into training
conducts himself temperately and restricts himself in all things.
They do it to win a wreath that will soon wither,
but we [do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness] that cannot wither.
Therefore I do not run uncertainly (without definite aim).
I do not box like one beating the air and striking without an adversary.
But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships]
and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel
and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit
[not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit].
Paul's use of his freedom
For although I am free in every way from anyone’s control,
I have made myself a bond servant to everyone,
so that I might gain the more [for Christ].
To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews;
to men under the Law, [I became] as one under the Law,
though not myself being under the Law, that I might win those under the Law.
To those without (outside) law I became as one without law,
not that I am without the law of God and lawless toward Him,
but that I am [especially keeping] within and committed to the law of Christ,
that I might win those who are without law.
To the weak (wanting in discernment) I have become weak (wanting in discernment)
that I might win the weak and overscrupulous.
I have [in short] become all things to all men,
that I might by all means (at all costs and in any and every way) save some
[by winning them to faith in Jesus Christ].
And I do this for the sake of the good news (the Gospel),
in order that I may become a participator in it
and share in its [blessings along with you].
I have made myself a bond servant to everyone,
so that I might gain the more [for Christ].
To the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews;
to men under the Law, [I became] as one under the Law,
though not myself being under the Law, that I might win those under the Law.
To those without (outside) law I became as one without law,
not that I am without the law of God and lawless toward Him,
but that I am [especially keeping] within and committed to the law of Christ,
that I might win those who are without law.
To the weak (wanting in discernment) I have become weak (wanting in discernment)
that I might win the weak and overscrupulous.
I have [in short] become all things to all men,
that I might by all means (at all costs and in any and every way) save some
[by winning them to faith in Jesus Christ].
And I do this for the sake of the good news (the Gospel),
in order that I may become a participator in it
and share in its [blessings along with you].
04 Juni, 2013
Warnings from Israel's history
For I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, that our forefathers were all under and protected by the cloud [in which God’s Presence went before them], and every one of them passed safely through the [Red] Sea,
And each one of them [allowed himself also] to be baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea [they were thus brought under obligation to the Law, to Moses, and to the covenant, consecrated and set apart to the service of God];
And all [of them] ate the same spiritual (supernaturally given) food,
And they all drank the same spiritual (supernaturally given) drink. For they drank from a spiritual Rock which followed them [produced by the sole power of God Himself without natural instrumentality], and the Rock was Christ.
Nevertheless, God was not pleased with the great majority of them, for they were overthrown and strewn down along [the ground] in the wilderness.
Now these things are examples (warnings and admonitions) for us not to desire or crave or covet or lust after evil and carnal things as they did.
Do not be worshipers of false gods as some of them were, as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink [the sacrifices offered to the golden calf at Horeb] and rose to sport (to dance and give way to jesting and hilarity).
We must not gratify evil desire and indulge in immorality as some of them did—and twenty-three thousand [suddenly] fell dead in a single day!
We should not tempt the Lord [try His patience, become a trial to Him, critically appraise Him, and exploit His goodness] as some of them did—and were killed by poisonous serpents;
Nor discontentedly complain as some of them did—and were put out of the way entirely by the destroyer (death).
Now these things befell them by way of a figure [as an example and warning to us]; they were written to admonish and fit us for right action by good instruction, we in whose days the ages have reached their climax (their consummation and concluding period).
Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands [who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm], take heed lest he fall [into sin].
For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently.
And each one of them [allowed himself also] to be baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea [they were thus brought under obligation to the Law, to Moses, and to the covenant, consecrated and set apart to the service of God];
And all [of them] ate the same spiritual (supernaturally given) food,
And they all drank the same spiritual (supernaturally given) drink. For they drank from a spiritual Rock which followed them [produced by the sole power of God Himself without natural instrumentality], and the Rock was Christ.
Nevertheless, God was not pleased with the great majority of them, for they were overthrown and strewn down along [the ground] in the wilderness.
Now these things are examples (warnings and admonitions) for us not to desire or crave or covet or lust after evil and carnal things as they did.
Do not be worshipers of false gods as some of them were, as it is written, The people sat down to eat and drink [the sacrifices offered to the golden calf at Horeb] and rose to sport (to dance and give way to jesting and hilarity).
We must not gratify evil desire and indulge in immorality as some of them did—and twenty-three thousand [suddenly] fell dead in a single day!
We should not tempt the Lord [try His patience, become a trial to Him, critically appraise Him, and exploit His goodness] as some of them did—and were killed by poisonous serpents;
Nor discontentedly complain as some of them did—and were put out of the way entirely by the destroyer (death).
Now these things befell them by way of a figure [as an example and warning to us]; they were written to admonish and fit us for right action by good instruction, we in whose days the ages have reached their climax (their consummation and concluding period).
Therefore let anyone who thinks he stands [who feels sure that he has a steadfast mind and is standing firm], take heed lest he fall [into sin].
For no temptation (no trial regarded as enticing to sin), [no matter how it comes or where it leads] has overtaken you and laid hold on you that is not common to man [that is, no temptation or trial has come to you that is beyond human resistance and that is not adjusted and adapted and belonging to human experience, and such as man can bear]. But God is faithful [to His Word and to His compassionate nature], and He [can be trusted] not to let you be tempted and tried and assayed beyond your ability and strength of resistance and power to endure, but with the temptation He will [always] also provide the way out (the means of escape to a landing place), that you may be capable and strong and powerful to bear up under it patiently.
02 Juni, 2013
Cain and Abel
And Adam knew Eve as his wife, and she became pregnant and bore Cain;
and she said, I have gotten and gained a man with the help of the Lord.
And [next] she gave birth to his brother Abel.
Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
And in the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground.
And Abel brought of the firstborn of his flock and of the fat portions.
And the Lord had respect and regard for Abel and for his offering,
But for Cain and his offering He had no respect or regard.
So Cain was exceedingly angry and indignant, and he looked sad and depressed.
And the Lord said to Cain, Why are you angry?
And why do you look sad and depressed and dejected?
If you do well, will you not be accepted?
And if you do not do well, sin crouches at your door;
its desire is for you, but you must master it.
And Cain said to his brother, Let us go out to the field.
And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.
And the Lord said to Cain, Where is Abel your brother?
And he said, I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?
And [the Lord] said, What have you done?
The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground.
And now you are cursed by reason of the earth,
which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s [shed] blood from your hand.
When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength;
you shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth
[in perpetual exile, a degraded outcast].
Then Cain said to the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear.
Behold, You have driven me out this day from the face of the land,
and from Your face I will be hidden;
and I will be a fugitive and a vagabond and a wanderer on the earth,
and whoever finds me will kill me.
And the Lord said to him, Therefore, if anyone kills Cain,
vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.
And the Lord set a mark or sign upon Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him.
So Cain went away from the presence of the Lord
and dwelt in the land of Nod [wandering], east of Eden.
And Cain’s wife [one of Adam’s offspring] became pregnant and bore Enoch;
and Cain built a city and named it after his son Enoch.
To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad was the father of Mehujael,
and Mehujael the father of Methusael, and Methusael the father of Lamech.
And Lamech took two wives; the name of the one was Adah
and of the other was Zillah.
Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents
and have cattle and purchase possessions.
His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe.
Zillah bore Tubal-cain; he was the forger of all [cutting] instruments of bronze and iron.
The sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.
Lamech said to his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice;
you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say;
for I have slain a man [merely] for wounding me,
and a young man [only] for striking and bruising me.
If Cain is avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech [will be avenged] seventy-sevenfold.
And Adam’s wife again became pregnant,
and she bore a son and called his name Seth.
For God, she said, has appointed for me another child instead of Abel, for Cain slew him.
And to Seth also a son was born, whom he named Enosh. At that time men began to call [upon God] by the name of the Lord.
and she said, I have gotten and gained a man with the help of the Lord.
And [next] she gave birth to his brother Abel.
Now Abel was a keeper of sheep, but Cain was a tiller of the ground.
And in the course of time Cain brought to the Lord an offering of the fruit of the ground.
And Abel brought of the firstborn of his flock and of the fat portions.
And the Lord had respect and regard for Abel and for his offering,
But for Cain and his offering He had no respect or regard.
So Cain was exceedingly angry and indignant, and he looked sad and depressed.
And the Lord said to Cain, Why are you angry?
And why do you look sad and depressed and dejected?
If you do well, will you not be accepted?
And if you do not do well, sin crouches at your door;
its desire is for you, but you must master it.
And Cain said to his brother, Let us go out to the field.
And when they were in the field, Cain rose up against Abel his brother and killed him.
And the Lord said to Cain, Where is Abel your brother?
And he said, I do not know. Am I my brother’s keeper?
And [the Lord] said, What have you done?
The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground.
And now you are cursed by reason of the earth,
which has opened its mouth to receive your brother’s [shed] blood from your hand.
When you till the ground, it shall no longer yield to you its strength;
you shall be a fugitive and a vagabond on the earth
[in perpetual exile, a degraded outcast].
Then Cain said to the Lord, My punishment is greater than I can bear.
Behold, You have driven me out this day from the face of the land,
and from Your face I will be hidden;
and I will be a fugitive and a vagabond and a wanderer on the earth,
and whoever finds me will kill me.
And the Lord said to him, Therefore, if anyone kills Cain,
vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold.
And the Lord set a mark or sign upon Cain, lest anyone finding him should kill him.
So Cain went away from the presence of the Lord
and dwelt in the land of Nod [wandering], east of Eden.
And Cain’s wife [one of Adam’s offspring] became pregnant and bore Enoch;
and Cain built a city and named it after his son Enoch.
To Enoch was born Irad, and Irad was the father of Mehujael,
and Mehujael the father of Methusael, and Methusael the father of Lamech.
And Lamech took two wives; the name of the one was Adah
and of the other was Zillah.
Adah bore Jabal; he was the father of those who dwell in tents
and have cattle and purchase possessions.
His brother’s name was Jubal; he was the father of all those who play the lyre and pipe.
Zillah bore Tubal-cain; he was the forger of all [cutting] instruments of bronze and iron.
The sister of Tubal-cain was Naamah.
Lamech said to his wives, Adah and Zillah, Hear my voice;
you wives of Lamech, listen to what I say;
for I have slain a man [merely] for wounding me,
and a young man [only] for striking and bruising me.
If Cain is avenged sevenfold, truly Lamech [will be avenged] seventy-sevenfold.
And Adam’s wife again became pregnant,
and she bore a son and called his name Seth.
For God, she said, has appointed for me another child instead of Abel, for Cain slew him.
And to Seth also a son was born, whom he named Enosh. At that time men began to call [upon God] by the name of the Lord.
The LORD appears to Solomon
Thus Solomon finished the Lord’s house and the king’s house;
all that [he] had planned to do in the Lord’s house and his own house
he accomplished successfully.
And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night and said to him:
I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice.
If I shut up heaven so no rain falls, or if I command locusts to devour the land,
or if I send pestilence among My people,
If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves,
pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways,
then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer offered in this place.
For I have chosen and sanctified (set apart for holy use) this house,
that My Name may be here forever, and My eyes and My heart will be here perpetually.
As for you [Solomon], if you will walk before me as David your father walked,
and do all I have commanded you, and observe My statutes and My ordinances,
Then I will establish the throne of your kingdom,
as I covenanted with David your father, saying,
There shall not fail you a man to be ruler in Israel.
But if you [people] turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments
which I have set before you and go and serve other gods and worship them,
Then will I pluck [Israel] up by the roots out of My land
which I have given [them]; and this house which I have hallowed for My Name
will I cast out of My sight, and will make it to be a proverb
and a byword among all nations.
And this house, which was so high, shall be an astonishment to everyone passing it,
and they will say, Why has the Lord done thus to this land and to this house?
Then men will say, Because they forsook the Lord, the God of their fathers,
Who brought them out of Egypt, and they laid hold of other gods
and worshiped and served them; therefore has He brought all this evil upon them.
all that [he] had planned to do in the Lord’s house and his own house
he accomplished successfully.
And the Lord appeared to Solomon by night and said to him:
I have heard your prayer and have chosen this place for Myself as a house of sacrifice.
If I shut up heaven so no rain falls, or if I command locusts to devour the land,
or if I send pestilence among My people,
If My people, who are called by My name, shall humble themselves,
pray, seek, crave, and require of necessity My face and turn from their wicked ways,
then will I hear from heaven, forgive their sin, and heal their land.
Now My eyes will be open and My ears attentive to prayer offered in this place.
For I have chosen and sanctified (set apart for holy use) this house,
that My Name may be here forever, and My eyes and My heart will be here perpetually.
As for you [Solomon], if you will walk before me as David your father walked,
and do all I have commanded you, and observe My statutes and My ordinances,
Then I will establish the throne of your kingdom,
as I covenanted with David your father, saying,
There shall not fail you a man to be ruler in Israel.
But if you [people] turn away and forsake My statutes and My commandments
which I have set before you and go and serve other gods and worship them,
Then will I pluck [Israel] up by the roots out of My land
which I have given [them]; and this house which I have hallowed for My Name
will I cast out of My sight, and will make it to be a proverb
and a byword among all nations.
And this house, which was so high, shall be an astonishment to everyone passing it,
and they will say, Why has the Lord done thus to this land and to this house?
Then men will say, Because they forsook the Lord, the God of their fathers,
Who brought them out of Egypt, and they laid hold of other gods
and worshiped and served them; therefore has He brought all this evil upon them.
Paul's rights as an apostle
Am I not an apostle (a special messenger)?
Am I not free (unrestrained and exempt from any obligation)?
Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?
Are you [yourselves] not [the product and proof of] my workmanship in the Lord?
Even if I am not considered an apostle (a special messenger) by others,
at least I am one to you; for you are the seal (the certificate, the living evidence)
of my apostleship in the Lord [confirming and authenticating it].
This is my [real ground of] defense (my vindication of myself)
to those who would put me on trial and cross-examine me.
Have we not the right to our food and drink [at the expense of the churches]?
Have we not the right also to take along with us a Christian sister as wife,
as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas (Peter)?
Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from doing manual labor
for a livelihood [in order to go about the work of the ministry]?
[Consider this:] What soldier at any time serves at his own expense?
Who plants a vineyard and does not eat any of the fruit of it?
Who tends a flock and does not partake of the milk of the flock?
Do I say this only on human authority and as a man reasons?
Does not the Law endorse the same principle?
For in the Law of Moses it is written,
You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the corn.
Is it [only] for oxen that God cares?
Or does He speak certainly and entirely for our sakes?
[Assuredly] it is written for our sakes, because the plowman ought to plow in hope,
and the thresher ought to thresh in expectation of partaking of the harvest.
If we have sown [the seed of] spiritual good among you,
[is it too] much if we reap from your material benefits?
If others share in this rightful claim upon you,
do not we [have a still better and greater claim]?
However, we have never exercised this right,
but we endure everything rather than put a hindrance in the way [of the spread]
of the good news (the Gospel) of Christ.
Do you not know that those men who are employed in the services of the temple
get their food from the temple?
And that those who tend the altar share with the altar [in the offerings brought]?
[On the same principle] the Lord directed that those who publish the good news
(the Gospel) should live (get their maintenance) by the Gospel.
that any such provision be made for me [now].
For it would be better for me to die than to have anyone make void
and deprive me of my [ground for] glorifying [in this matter].
For if I [merely] preach the Gospel, that gives me no reason to boast,
for I feel compelled of necessity to do it.
Woe is me if I do not preach the glad tidings (the Gospel)!
For if I do this work of my own free will, then I have my pay (my reward);
but if it is not of my own will, but is done reluctantly and under compulsion,
I am [still] entrusted with a [sacred] trusteeship and commission.
What then is the [actual] reward that I get?
Just this: that in my preaching the good news (the Gospel),
I may offer it [absolutely] free of expense [to anybody],
not taking advantage of my rights and privileges [as a preacher] of the Gospel.
Am I not free (unrestrained and exempt from any obligation)?
Have I not seen Jesus our Lord?
Are you [yourselves] not [the product and proof of] my workmanship in the Lord?
Even if I am not considered an apostle (a special messenger) by others,
at least I am one to you; for you are the seal (the certificate, the living evidence)
of my apostleship in the Lord [confirming and authenticating it].
This is my [real ground of] defense (my vindication of myself)
to those who would put me on trial and cross-examine me.
Have we not the right to our food and drink [at the expense of the churches]?
Have we not the right also to take along with us a Christian sister as wife,
as do the other apostles and the Lord’s brothers and Cephas (Peter)?
Or is it only Barnabas and I who have no right to refrain from doing manual labor
for a livelihood [in order to go about the work of the ministry]?
[Consider this:] What soldier at any time serves at his own expense?
Who plants a vineyard and does not eat any of the fruit of it?
Who tends a flock and does not partake of the milk of the flock?
Do I say this only on human authority and as a man reasons?
Does not the Law endorse the same principle?
For in the Law of Moses it is written,
You shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the corn.
Is it [only] for oxen that God cares?
Or does He speak certainly and entirely for our sakes?
[Assuredly] it is written for our sakes, because the plowman ought to plow in hope,
and the thresher ought to thresh in expectation of partaking of the harvest.
If we have sown [the seed of] spiritual good among you,
[is it too] much if we reap from your material benefits?
If others share in this rightful claim upon you,
do not we [have a still better and greater claim]?
However, we have never exercised this right,
but we endure everything rather than put a hindrance in the way [of the spread]
of the good news (the Gospel) of Christ.
Do you not know that those men who are employed in the services of the temple
get their food from the temple?
And that those who tend the altar share with the altar [in the offerings brought]?
[On the same principle] the Lord directed that those who publish the good news
(the Gospel) should live (get their maintenance) by the Gospel.
that any such provision be made for me [now].
For it would be better for me to die than to have anyone make void
and deprive me of my [ground for] glorifying [in this matter].
For if I [merely] preach the Gospel, that gives me no reason to boast,
for I feel compelled of necessity to do it.
Woe is me if I do not preach the glad tidings (the Gospel)!
For if I do this work of my own free will, then I have my pay (my reward);
but if it is not of my own will, but is done reluctantly and under compulsion,
I am [still] entrusted with a [sacred] trusteeship and commission.
What then is the [actual] reward that I get?
Just this: that in my preaching the good news (the Gospel),
I may offer it [absolutely] free of expense [to anybody],
not taking advantage of my rights and privileges [as a preacher] of the Gospel.
01 Juni, 2013
Concerning food sacrificed to idols
Now about food offered to idols:
of course we know that all of us possess knowledge
[concerning these matters. Yet mere] knowledge causes people
to be puffed up (to bear themselves loftily and be proud),
but love (affection and goodwill and benevolence) edifies
and builds up and encourages one to grow [to his full stature].
If anyone imagines that he has come to know and understand much
[of divine things, without love], he does not yet perceive and recognize
and understand as strongly and clearly, nor has he become as intimately
acquainted with anything as he ought or as is necessary.
But if one loves God truly [with affectionate reverence, prompt obedience,
and grateful recognition of His blessing], he is known by God
[recognized as worthy of His intimacy and love, and he is owned by Him].
In this matter, then, of eating food offered to idols,
we know that an idol is nothing (has no real existence)
and that there is no God but one.
For although there may be so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth,
as indeed there are many of them, both of gods and of lords and masters,
Yet for us there is [only] one God, the Father,
Who is the Source of all things and for Whom we [have life],
and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through and by Whom are all things
and through and by Whom we [ourselves exist].
Nevertheless, not all [believers] possess this knowledge.
But some, through being all their lives until now accustomed to [thinking of] idols
[as real and living], still consider the food [offered to an idol]
as that sacrificed to an [actual] god; and their weak consciences become defiled
and injured if they eat [it].
Now food [itself] will not cause our acceptance by God nor commend us to Him.
Eating [food offered to idols] gives us no advantage;
neither do we come short or become any worse if we do not eat [it].
Only be careful that this power of choice
(this permission and liberty to do as you please) which is yours,
does not [somehow] become a hindrance (cause of stumbling)
to the weak or overscrupulous [giving them an impulse to sin].
For suppose someone sees you,
a man having knowledge [of God, with an intelligent view of this subject and]
reclining at table in an idol’s temple, might he not be encouraged
and emboldened [to violate his own conscientious scruples]
if he is weak and uncertain, and eat what [to him] is for the purpose of idol worship?
And so by your enlightenment (your knowledge of spiritual things),
this weak man is ruined (is lost and perishes)
the brother for whom Christ (the Messiah) died!
And when you sin against your brethren in this way,
wounding and damaging their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
Therefore, if [my eating a] food is a cause of my brother’s falling
or of hindering [his spiritual advancement], I will not eat [such] flesh forever,
lest I cause my brother to be tripped up and fall and to be offended.
of course we know that all of us possess knowledge
[concerning these matters. Yet mere] knowledge causes people
to be puffed up (to bear themselves loftily and be proud),
but love (affection and goodwill and benevolence) edifies
and builds up and encourages one to grow [to his full stature].
If anyone imagines that he has come to know and understand much
[of divine things, without love], he does not yet perceive and recognize
and understand as strongly and clearly, nor has he become as intimately
acquainted with anything as he ought or as is necessary.
But if one loves God truly [with affectionate reverence, prompt obedience,
and grateful recognition of His blessing], he is known by God
[recognized as worthy of His intimacy and love, and he is owned by Him].
In this matter, then, of eating food offered to idols,
we know that an idol is nothing (has no real existence)
and that there is no God but one.
For although there may be so-called gods, whether in heaven or on earth,
as indeed there are many of them, both of gods and of lords and masters,
Yet for us there is [only] one God, the Father,
Who is the Source of all things and for Whom we [have life],
and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through and by Whom are all things
and through and by Whom we [ourselves exist].
Nevertheless, not all [believers] possess this knowledge.
But some, through being all their lives until now accustomed to [thinking of] idols
[as real and living], still consider the food [offered to an idol]
as that sacrificed to an [actual] god; and their weak consciences become defiled
and injured if they eat [it].
Now food [itself] will not cause our acceptance by God nor commend us to Him.
Eating [food offered to idols] gives us no advantage;
neither do we come short or become any worse if we do not eat [it].
Only be careful that this power of choice
(this permission and liberty to do as you please) which is yours,
does not [somehow] become a hindrance (cause of stumbling)
to the weak or overscrupulous [giving them an impulse to sin].
For suppose someone sees you,
a man having knowledge [of God, with an intelligent view of this subject and]
reclining at table in an idol’s temple, might he not be encouraged
and emboldened [to violate his own conscientious scruples]
if he is weak and uncertain, and eat what [to him] is for the purpose of idol worship?
And so by your enlightenment (your knowledge of spiritual things),
this weak man is ruined (is lost and perishes)
the brother for whom Christ (the Messiah) died!
And when you sin against your brethren in this way,
wounding and damaging their weak conscience, you sin against Christ.
Therefore, if [my eating a] food is a cause of my brother’s falling
or of hindering [his spiritual advancement], I will not eat [such] flesh forever,
lest I cause my brother to be tripped up and fall and to be offended.
Concerning the unmarried
Now concerning the virgins (the marriageable maidens)
I have no command of the Lord,
but I give my opinion and advice as one who by the Lord’s mercy
is rendered trustworthy and faithful.
I think then, because of the impending distress [that is even now setting in],
it is well (expedient, profitable, and wholesome) for a person to remain as he or she is.
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free.
Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
But if you do marry, you do not sin [in doing so],
and if a virgin marries, she does not sin [in doing so].
Yet those who marry will have physical and earthly troubles,
and I would like to spare you that.
I mean, brethren, the appointed time has been winding down
and it has grown very short.
From now on, let even those who have wives be as if they had none,
And those who weep and mourn as though they were not weeping and mourning,
and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing,
and those who buy as though they did not possess anything,
And those who deal with this world [overusing the enjoyments of this life]
as though they were not absorbed by it and as if they had no dealings with it.
For the outward form of this world (the present world order) is passing away.
My desire is to have you free from all anxiety and distressing care.
The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord
how he may please the Lord;
But the married man is anxious about worldly matters
how he may please his wife
And he is drawn in diverging directions
[his interests are divided and he is distracted from his devotion to God].
And the unmarried woman or girl is concerned and anxious about the matters of the Lord,
how to be wholly separated and set apart in body and spirit;
but the married woman has her cares [centered] in earthly affairs
how she may please her husband.
Now I say this for your own welfare and profit,
not to put [a halter of] restraint upon you,
but to promote what is seemly and in good order
and to secure your undistracted and undivided devotion to the Lord.
But if any man thinks that he is not acting properly toward
and in regard to his virgin [that he is preparing disgrace for her or incurring reproach],
in case she is passing the bloom of her youth and if there is need for it,
let him do what to him seems right; he does not sin; let them marry.
But whoever is firmly established in his heart [strong in mind and purpose],
not being forced by necessity but having control over his own will and desire,
and has resolved this in his heart to keep his own virginity, he is doing well.
So also then, he [the father] who gives his virgin (his daughter) in marriage does well,
and he [the father] who does not give [her] in marriage does better.
A wife is bound to her husband by law as long as he lives.
If the husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she will,
only [provided that he too is] in the Lord.
But in my opinion [a widow] is happier (more blessed and to be envied)
if she does not remarry. And also I think I have the Spirit of God.
I have no command of the Lord,
but I give my opinion and advice as one who by the Lord’s mercy
is rendered trustworthy and faithful.
I think then, because of the impending distress [that is even now setting in],
it is well (expedient, profitable, and wholesome) for a person to remain as he or she is.
Are you bound to a wife? Do not seek to be free.
Are you free from a wife? Do not seek a wife.
But if you do marry, you do not sin [in doing so],
and if a virgin marries, she does not sin [in doing so].
Yet those who marry will have physical and earthly troubles,
and I would like to spare you that.
I mean, brethren, the appointed time has been winding down
and it has grown very short.
From now on, let even those who have wives be as if they had none,
And those who weep and mourn as though they were not weeping and mourning,
and those who rejoice as though they were not rejoicing,
and those who buy as though they did not possess anything,
And those who deal with this world [overusing the enjoyments of this life]
as though they were not absorbed by it and as if they had no dealings with it.
For the outward form of this world (the present world order) is passing away.
My desire is to have you free from all anxiety and distressing care.
The unmarried man is anxious about the things of the Lord
how he may please the Lord;
But the married man is anxious about worldly matters
how he may please his wife
And he is drawn in diverging directions
[his interests are divided and he is distracted from his devotion to God].
And the unmarried woman or girl is concerned and anxious about the matters of the Lord,
how to be wholly separated and set apart in body and spirit;
but the married woman has her cares [centered] in earthly affairs
how she may please her husband.
Now I say this for your own welfare and profit,
not to put [a halter of] restraint upon you,
but to promote what is seemly and in good order
and to secure your undistracted and undivided devotion to the Lord.
But if any man thinks that he is not acting properly toward
and in regard to his virgin [that he is preparing disgrace for her or incurring reproach],
in case she is passing the bloom of her youth and if there is need for it,
let him do what to him seems right; he does not sin; let them marry.
But whoever is firmly established in his heart [strong in mind and purpose],
not being forced by necessity but having control over his own will and desire,
and has resolved this in his heart to keep his own virginity, he is doing well.
So also then, he [the father] who gives his virgin (his daughter) in marriage does well,
and he [the father] who does not give [her] in marriage does better.
A wife is bound to her husband by law as long as he lives.
If the husband dies, she is free to be married to whom she will,
only [provided that he too is] in the Lord.
But in my opinion [a widow] is happier (more blessed and to be envied)
if she does not remarry. And also I think I have the Spirit of God.
Langganan:
Postingan (Atom)