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Tag: truth

  • 2 John – the Doctrine of Christ

    2 John – the Doctrine of Christ

    The Shortest Book in the Bible

    Today we are going to READ the New Testament’s shortest letter. It is written by the beloved Apostle John near the end of the first century A.D.

    Once you have read it, we will then take a look at WHY the Elder wrote it and how to heed John’s warnings to those joined to Christ’s Church.

    2 John

    The ELDER,

    unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth; and not I only, but also all they that have known the truth; for the truth’s sake, which dwelleth in us, and shall be with us for ever.

    Grace be with you, mercy, and peace, from God the Father, and from the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Father, in truth and love.

    I rejoiced greatly that I found of thy children walking in truth, as we have received a commandment from the Father. And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote a new commandment unto thee, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is love, that we walk after his commandments.

    This is the commandment That, as ye have heard from the beginning, ye should walk in it. For many deceivers are entered into the world, who confess not that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh.

    This is a deceiver and an antichrist.

    Look to yourselves, that we lose not those things which we have wrought, but that we receive a full reward. Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God.

    He that abideth in the doctrine of Christ, he hath both the Father and the Son.

    If there come any unto you, and bring not this doctrine, receive him not into your house, neither bid him God speed: for he that biddeth him God speed is partaker of his evil deeds.

    Having many things to write unto you, I would not write with paper and ink: but I trust to come unto you, and speak face to face, that our joy may be full.

    The children of thy elect sister greet thee. Amen.

    2 John

    Authorized King James Version

    The DOCTRINE of CHRIST – a line in the sand

    John writes a brief note of less than 300 words in the common Greek of the first century Roman Empire on a single piece of papyrus sometime near the year of our Lord ninety-five (A.D. 90-95) in lieu of a personal visit the aging Apostle intends.

    It appears that the great purpose of II John was to warn the believers not to give indiscriminate hospitality to strangers or traveling evangelist-teachers. Those who did not meet the sure test of sound doctrine were to be refused hastily.

    King James Bible commentary 2-3 John p.1763

    Do you REALLY believe THAT? PREACH THE WORD APOSTOLIC DOCTRINE Church

    He who abides in the doctrine of Christ has both the Father and the Son.

    – 2 John v.9

    The URGENT WARNING of this last living Apostle of Jesus Christ is both clear and relevant to leaders of the Church up to this day.

    The Second Epistle of John cautions against hospitality or the receiving of heretics.

    As the Apostle emphasized in his earlier letter to the Church, the mystical approach of some antichrists, namely Gnostics, opposed the truth of Scripture and the incarnation of God in the Person of JESUS Christ, His suffering and crucifixion and especially the Lord’s resurrection IN THE BODY and ascension into heaven until Jesus’ return at the last day.

    The Elder’s purpose in writing is to urge the faithful to REJECT false gospels, false philosophies cloaked in christian garments and especially to send away FALSE teachers.

    3 Letters from the Apostle John

    The Elect Lady

    Theologians may debate a small point of who ‘the elect lady’ is.

    The “elect lady and her children,” addressed in verse 1, are taken by most interpreters to mean a church and her members.

    There is.. deep concern for truth (vv. 4-6) and the warning against false doctrine (7-11) are there as in all John’s writings.

    Authorized King James Version intro 2 JOHN

    Lady (Gr kyria) is the same word as “Lord” in the New Testament, except that it is feminine here (and in vs. 5) and refers not to a literal “lady” but to the “congregation” or “church’ in a figurative sense.

    King James Bible Commentary into 2 JOHN

    “The children of thy elect sister greet thee” ( 2Jo 1:13 ).

    the word “Church” comes from a Greek word (kyriake) cognate to the Greek for “lady” (kyria; “belonging to the Lord,” kyrios)

    Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
    Introduction to 2 John

    John, an elder or bishop of churches would in person certainly apply his warning to the body of believers as a whole and especially to any pastor, host or hostess of a home church.

    House Churches

    Some theologians would point out that many early churches were ‘house churches’ and that the “lady” and “her children” may well have been an actual unnamed woman (such as John will name an addressee of his third and final epistle to “Gaius.”

    Since inns in the first century were notoriously flea-infested and rapacious, where would a Christian stay while traveling? The answer was in the home of another Christian.

    KJ Bible Commentary ibid.

    I had to look up this definition and it is culturally worth noting for Christians of the first century or 21st. Some synonyms for Rapacious - greedy, insatiable, gluttonous, materialistic selfish, devouring, savage, preying... Get the idea?

    So some theologians believe that John wrote to warn a woman hosting a house church against welcoming such heretical predators, let alone let any teaching of such men or women be heard by the saints she welcomes into her home for worship.

    Think of these as evangelists of the antichrist. John also calls them antichrists. The danger of false teaching became so prevalent that by the second century AD other Elders (Bishops) wrote about them.

    Elder Successors to John

    Without digging into early writings of the early church, note one well-documented warning from the 2nd century AD.

    Irenaeus of Lyons, born in Asia Minor ~AD 125 and ‘mentioned as a hearer of Polycarp, the bishop of Smyrna, who in turn was traditionally associated with the Apostle John’ writes a major theological book:

    “Against Heresies” (Adversus Haereses), composed around AD 180.

    He systematically refuted Gnostic teachings, which challenged the reliability of Scripture and the nature of Christ’s Incarnation. By reinforcing the unity of God as Creator, as well as the integral unity of Scripture, Irenaeus defended fundamental Christian doctrines, including the bodily resurrection of Jesus.

    Source: BibleHub.com

    A Caution against Hospitality

    Christians (especially women) can be ‘too nice’ — we’ve all witnessed that. But the Elder John and others caution against it (until the true character of one is tested).

    CLEMENT OF ALEXANDRIA (A.D. 192) [Miscellanies, 2.66].. says, “John’s Second Epistle which was written to the virgins (Greek, “parthenous”; perhaps Parthos is what was meant) is the simplest; but it was written to a certain Babylonian named the Elect lady.”

    Source: BlueLetterBible.org – Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
    Introduction to 2 John

    John MacArthur also suggests that John writes to an individual lady and that the whole purpose of the Elder’s brief epistle is focused on truth.

    Truth

    John writes of her and her children (whether specific individuals or all those of a house church he plans to visit):

    “whom I love in the truth” — agapaō en alētheia —

    .. but also all they that have known the truth; 

    Pretty inclusive of true believers already established as part of her household of saints separated to Christ.

    for the truth’s sake… — again, alētheia

    AND then John adds to his greeting:

    which abides in us [NKJV] or

    which lives in us [NIV and others]

    because of the truth that remains in us and will be with us forever. [CSB]

    2 John 1:2

    Is the Apostle reminding here of the Holy Spirit whom we may consult in our discernment of truth — ἀλήθεια – alētheia? 

    A reminder from John's introduction in his Gospel:

    For the Law was given through Moses; grace and truth came through Jesus Christ.

    John 1:17 LSB

    MacArthur’s commentary outlines this brief second epistle of John as follows:

    1. The Basis of Christian Hospitality
      • vs 1-3, with truth mentioned 4X
    2. The Behavior of Christian Hospitality
      • vs 4-6, with truth mentioned in v.4
    3. The Bounds of Christian Hospitality
      • vs 7-11, with a test of truth in v. 9
    4. The Blessings of Christian Hospitality
      • vs. 12-13, the Elder will come to her in person

    Recognizing that all the readers of his letter faced and always would face a world of lies and deceit, he wrote to call them to live in God’s truth… John reveals four features of living in the truth: the truth unites, indwells, blesses and controls believers.

    MACARTHUR COMMENTARY 1-3 JOHN, p. 215

    Overcoming the World

    In his first Epistle which we studied earlier, John writes:

    Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has been born of God, and everyone who loves the Father loves whoever has been born of him.

    1 John 5:1 ESV

    MacArthur applies the Apostle’s test specifically to John’s second letter.

    John’s statement encapsulates the main theme of this brief epistle, that truth must always govern the exercise of love. Christians’ deep, mutual affection flows out of their shared commitment to the truth.

    ibid. p.217

    John emphasized Christ’s identity as God’s Son because the false teachers were denying that truth.

    ibid. p. 220

    MANY deceivers have gone out into the world.

    WATCH YOURSELVES!

    2 John v.7a,8a

    Do you, beloved lady of this 21st century of the common era, imagine that anything in the life of a Christian has changed one iota?

    Next: 3 John

    Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel

  • 2 Timothy 3 Standing Strong against Apostasy

    2 Timothy 3 Standing Strong against Apostasy

    Apostasy

    to fall away – The abandonment of one’s religion.

    The word apostasy is rarely found in the Eng. Bible.. But the reality expressed by the word is found frequently. Israel’s history was one of continual apostasy as the people deliberately turned away form the God who had redeemed them out of Egypt, and followed false gods and sinful ways… In the NT apostasy occurs when men turn aside from following Jesus and deny Him after having previously confessed Him as Lord.

    The Zondervan Pictorial Encyclopedia of the Bible, p.216

    Why is the Apostle Paul so concerned for some small misleading by men within the church?

    How do some teachers oppose the true worship of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ?

    Who are they?

    The Apostasy - 1 Timothy 4:11 false teaching from demons

    But Mark This:

    But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.


    2 Timothy 3:1 NIV

    χαλεπός – chalepos –

    • perhaps from G5465 through the idea of reducing the strength; difficult, i.e. dangerous, or (by implication) furious:—fierce, perilous.

    The Apostle Paul continues in his second epistle to pastors, beginning a central section we label, 2 TIMOTHY 3, with a reminder of danger announced in the NIV, “But mark this: ..”

    Paul’s WARNING from his previous epistle

    But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will [aphistēmi] fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, by the hypocrisy of liars, who have been seared in their own conscience, ..

    1 Timothy 4:1-2 LSB

    The great enemy of God is not Nation or Ruler who turns upon God’s people from without, but the strong-speaking leader weakening the Lord’s elect from within.

    Roger@TalkofJesus.com

    2 Timothy 3:

    The Apostle has already cautioned in his second epistle to beware of men like Jannes and Jambres who betrayed Moses. Now Paul reminds Timothy and others of his personal example to them from the time he first witnessed to them.

    You, however, know all about my teaching,

    my way of life,

    my purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, sufferings—

    Second pastoral Epistle of Paul to Timothy 3:10-11a NIV

    And Paul then outlines some life-threatening events many of them witnessed which proved his faith through several persecutions and many injuries suffered:

    —what kinds of things happened to me in Antioch, Iconium and Lystra, the persecutions I endured.

    Yet the Lord rescued me from all of them.

    2 Timothy 3:11b NIV

    Iconium – A Pattern of Persecution
    Who would endure such suffering for Jesus Christ if not a witness to Truth?

    And it will not ONLY be Apostles, cautions Paul:

    Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

    But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.

    2 Timothy 3:12-13 

    HOW do faithful believers discern the difference between true Christ-followers and those misrepresenting JESUS for their own worldly gain?

    The DANGER WITHIN threatens the CHURCH often unnoticed during DIFFICULT TIMES, because its leaders overlook Scripture.

    Last Days and Difficult Times

    2 Timothy 3 Danger Within during Difficult Times
    The last days — eschatos hēmera, difficult times — chalepos kairos...

    kai toutous apotrepō – from such turn away.

    Avoid such people!

    YES, they may be prominent members, even Elders, leaders, priests or pastors in Christ’s church where you worship.

    They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these.

    2 Timothy 3:5 New English Translation

    Knowing What You Know

    The Apostle compares his own life to a different life promised by false teachers.

    (For these are only the beginning of the last days before Christ’s return).

    But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have become convinced of, because you know those from whom you learned it, and how from infancy you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

    2 Timothy 3:14-15 NIV 

    So how does a pastor like Timothy, or Elder, or simply a humble saint know who to believe?

    Questions for a Common Era christian church


    Have any priestly men of your parrish repented of the calf replaced by idols of a woman worshiped?
     
    Did episkopois above bishops elevate hagios long passed as ancient intercessors worshiped? 

    Do spotlights illuminate your idols on stage for a multitude little different than what Moses witnessed on descent from Sinai?

    Does your vaulting cathedral show wooden pillars of pastoral vision as the calf gathering those led by Jannes and Jambres into the worship of a new King? 

    Has worldly refreshment replaced Scripture in the house of the Lord?

    Is the Christ of true Scripture rejected in place of some other calf-like JESUS proclaimed king without taking up a Cross?
    a second epistle of the Apostle Paul from Rome: to Timothy

    But they won’t get away with this for long.

    Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres.

    2 Timothy 3:9 NLT

    Recognizing Apostasy from Scripture

    As mentioned earlier we will not find the word “apostasy” frequently in the Bible, but Scripture reveals apostate acts of turning against God and Christ throughout.

    Follow the meaning and connection of some of these related root words from both the Greek and Hebrew of the Bible:

    Let no one in any way deceive you, for it has not come unless the [apostasia] apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the sanctuary of God, exhibiting himself as being God.

    Second Epistle of Paul to the Thessalonians 2:2-3 LSB – regarding letters from false teachers 

    ἀποστασία apostasía, ap-os-tas-ee'-ah; feminine of the same as G647; defection from truth

    And they said, “Moses permitted a man TO WRITE A CERTIFICATE OF DIVORCE G647 [apostasion] AND [apolyō] SEND her AWAY.”

    But Jesus said to them, “Because of your hardness of heart he wrote for you this commandment. But from the beginning of creation, God MADE THEM MALE AND FEMALE…”

    Gospel of Mark 10:4-6 LSB 

    ἀποστάσιον apostásion, ap-os-tas'-ee-on; neuter of a (presumed) adjective from a derivative of G868; properly, something separative, i.e. (specially) divorce:—(writing of) divorcement.

    “And those on the rock are those who, when they hear, receive the word with joy,
    and these have no root;
    they believe for a while,
    and in time of temptation 
    fall G868 away G868.

    Gospel of Luke 8:13 LSB — Strong’s G868 – aphistēmi – to remove, i.e. (actively) instigate to revolt; usually (reflexively) to desist, desert, etc.:—depart, draw (fall) away, refrain, withdraw self.

    LXX – Septuagint – O.T. translations from the Greek

    Tanakh Hebrew Bible books of the Old Testament
    Old Testament 
    The Septuagint, often abbreviated as LXX, is the ancient Greek translation of the Hebrew Scriptures, traditionally said to have been translated by seventy or seventy-two Jewish scholars in the 3rd century BC.

    The translation of the Hebrew Scriptures into Greek was necessitated by the dispersion of the Jewish people throughout the Hellenistic world, particularly in Egypt, where many Jews had lost their Hebrew language skills.

    The Septuagint holds particular significance in early Christianity, as it was the version of the Old Testament most frequently quoted by the New Testament authors.

    The use of the Septuagint by the early Church Fathers further solidified its role in Christian theology and exegesis.

    source: BibleHub.com

    Strong’s G868 – aphistēmi – LXX

    • to make stand off, cause to withdraw, to remove
      • to excite to revolt
    • to stand off, to stand aloof

    Strong’s Number G868 matches the Greek ἀφίστημι (aphistēmi),
    which occurs 150 times in 138 verses in the LXX Greek.

    Keep thee far from a false matter; and the innocent and righteous slay thou not: for I will not justify the wicked.

    Exodus 23:7 KJV

    For they will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the LORD be kindled against you, and destroy thee suddenly.

    Deuteronomy 7:4 KJV

    And he did that which was evil in the sight of the LORD: he departed not from the sins of Jeroboam the son of Nebat, who made Israel to sin.

    2 Kings 15: (4X)

    Depart from me, all ye workers of iniquity; for the LORD hath heard the voice of my weeping.

    Psalm 6;8


     Hear, ye that are far off, what I have done; 
    and, ye that are near, acknowledge my might. 
     The sinners in Zion are afraid; 
    fearfulness hath surprised the hypocrites. 
     Who among us shall dwell with the devouring fire? 
    who among us shall dwell with everlasting burnings? 

    - Isaiah 33:14-15 KJV

    more Apostasy from the Hebrew Bible [O.T.]

    Various Hebrew words could be translated into English as ‘apostasy.’

    If you read more books of the Prophets, such as Isaiah {above}, you will see their turning against God repeatedly.

    Your evil will chastise you,
    and your apostasy will reprove you.
    Know and see that it is evil and bitter
    for you to forsake the LORD your God;
    the fear of me is not in you,
    declares the Lord GOD of hosts.

    Jeremiah 2:19 ESV 

    Strong's H4878 - mᵊšûḇâ
    turning away, turning back, apostasy, backsliding

    Hosea

    The entire book of Hosea essentially outlines the faithlessness of God’s ‘chosen people.’

    Historical Context [8th century B.C.]:
    Hosea’s prophetic career spanned the reigns of several kings of Israel, including Jeroboam II, and possibly extended into the early years of the Assyrian conquest. This period was marked by political instability, social injustice, and rampant idolatry. The Northern Kingdom was prosperous but spiritually bankrupt, having turned away from Yahweh to worship Baal and other Canaanite deities.

    source: BibleHub.com

    .. And the LORD said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the LORD.

    Hosea 1:2a KJV

    Though thou, Israel, play the harlot, yet let not Judah offend; and come not ye unto Gilgal, neither go ye up to Bethaven, nor swear, The LORD liveth.

    Hosea 4:15

    For they have sown the wind, and they shall reap the whirlwind:

    it hath no stalk: the bud shall yield no meal: if so be it yield, the strangers shall swallow it up.

    Israel is swallowed up: now shall they be among the Gentiles as a vessel wherein is no pleasure.

    Hosea 8:7-8

    When Israel was a child, then I loved him, and called my son out of Egypt…

    And my people are bent to backsliding [mᵊšûḇâ – מְשׁוּבָה ] from me:

    though they called them to the most High, none at all would exalt him.

    Hosea 11:1,7 KJV

    Return, O Israel, to the LORD your God,
    for you have stumbled because of your iniquity.

    I will heal their apostasy [mᵊšûḇâ];
    I will love them freely,
    for my anger has turned from them.

    Hosea 14:1,4 KJV

    live a godly life in Christ Jesus

    But evil people and impostors will flourish. They will deceive others and will themselves be deceived.

    But you must remain faithful to the things you have been taught. You know they are true, for you know you can trust those who taught you.

    2 Timothy 3:13-14 NLT

    NEXT: All Scripture

    Talk of JESUS . com

    Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel

  • 2 Timothy 3 Danger Within during Difficult Times

    2 Timothy 3 Danger Within during Difficult Times

    χαλεπός – chalepos –

    • perhaps from G5465 through the idea of reducing the strength; difficult, i.e. dangerous, or (by implication) furious:—fierce, perilous.

    But Mark This:

    The Apostle Paul continues in his second epistle to pastors, beginning a central section we label, 2 TIMOTHY 3, with a reminder of danger announced in the NIV, “But mark this: ..”

    But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.


    2 Timothy 3:1 NIV

    You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times.

    2 Tim 3:1 NLT

    This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

    2 Tim 3:1 KJV

    But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of stress.

    2 Tim 3:1 RSV

    The great enemy of God is not Nation or Ruler who turns upon God’s people from without, but the strong-speaking leader weakening the Lord’s elect from within.

    Roger@TalkofJesus.com

    Last Days and Difficult Times

    The last days — eschatos hēmera, difficult times — chalepos kairos...

    We will not speculate (as do so many) when these last days were, are or will be. The emphasis of Paul’s added reminder is NOT the last days, but his long list of evidences found in the unfaithful, whether in the first century, the time of Moses or in the 21st century of this Common Era.

    Further HEADINGS of this from various Bibles:

    • A warning of what to expect – J.B. Phillips New Testament
    • Godlessness in the Last Days – ESV
    • The Tasks of a Man of God – New Catholic Bible
      • Repulse the Onslaughts of False Teachers – [sub-heading] NCB

    AND in verse 2, Paul immediately gets to his long list of characteristics (or perhaps I should say, lack of character) against which the Apostle warns.

    3:2 ἔσονται γὰρ οἱ ἄνθρωποι

    For men [anthrōpos – lit. human beings, whether male or female] shall be…

    2 Timothy 3:2 gar anthrōpos esomai – For men shall be

    Familiar (yet Infrequent) Warnings to the Church

    first, from their Greek words and the King James English translation,

    1. philautos – lovers of their own selves
    2. philargyros – covetous
    3. alazōn – boasters
    4. hyperēphanos – proud
    5. blasphēmos – blasphemers
    6. apeithēs goneus – disobedient to parents
    7. acharistos – unthankful
    8. anosios – unholy
    9. astorgos – Without natural affection
    10. aspondos – trucebreakers
    11. diabolos – false accusers
    12. akratēs – incontinent
    13. anēmeros – fierce
    14. aphilagathos – despisers of those that are good
    15. prodotēs – traitors
    16. propetēs – heady
    17. typhoō – highminded
    18. philēdonos mallon – lovers of pleasures more
    19. ē philotheos – than lovers of God;

    echō morphōsis eusebeia – Having a form of godliness,

    de arneomai ho dynamis autos – but denying the power thereof:

    2 Timothy 3:2-4,5a Transliterated – KJV – source BLB.org 

    Paul urges Timothy not to accept soft faith threating the church like a ship in a storm.

    kai toutous apotrepō – from such turn away.

    2 Timothy 3:1-5

    A warning of what to expect

    secondly, J.B. Phillips taking these oft-forgotten concepts directed into our more familiar English.

    But you must realise that in the last days the times will be full of danger. Men will become

    utterly self-centred, greedy for money, full of big words.

    They will be proud and contemptuous,

    without any regard for what their parents taught them.

    They will be utterly lacking in gratitude, purity and normal human affections.

    They will be men of unscrupulous speech and have no control of themselves.

    They will be passionate and unprincipled, treacherous, self-willed and conceited, loving all the time what gives them pleasure instead of loving God.

    They will maintain a facade of “religion”, but their conduct will deny its validity.

    You must keep clear of people like this.

    J.B. Phillips New Testament

    Some English Synonyms and Scriptural Reminders

    Considering a few descriptive adjectives:

    Honestly, who doesn’t have some love of himself [philautos].. or love of money [philargyros] to pay our creditors?

    But do you love me, Jesus asks a disciple?

    Now the Pharisees, who were lovers G5366 of G5366 money G5366, were listening to all these things and were scoffing at Him [Jesus}.

    Gospel of Luke 16;14 

    You likely know the Old Testament command using this same word, covetous:

    Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.

    Exodus 20:17 KJV 

    [hyperēphanos alazōn] Proud boasters WE know, not only in politics and business but in our own church.

    God resisteth the proud, G5244 but giveth grace unto the humble.

    Epistle of James 4:6

    Blasphemers

    Blasphemy is an even more serious offense, much neglected in this Common Era.

    • scurrilous
      • once commonly descriptive of those known for vulgar, coarse, or abusive language, especially of a malicious or slanderous nature
    • or (specially) impious (against God)

    But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:

    Gospel of Mark 3:29 KJV – a warning of Jesus

    Disobedient to Parents

    Doesn't seem so serious, does it?

    5:16 כַּבֵּד אֶת־אָבִיךָ וְאֶת־אִמֶּךָ

    Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee

    Deuteronomy 5:16a,b – Masoretic text, KJV

    Commandment of the LORD and the Law of Israel.

    If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: .. lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city,.. And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice.. And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

    Deuteronomy 21:18-21 excerpt KJV

    Unthankful, Unholy, ‘Unaffectionate’.. unChristian?

    Every believer associates with christians who do NOT imitate Christ.

    • Are YOU one of them at times?
    • Do you lack affection or appear unholy to others?

    Other hints of false teachers:

    We cannot cover the entire list.

    Incontinent.

    • powerless, i.e. without self-control:—incontinent.
    • Lacking sexual restraint; unchaste. 
    Such sins (though known, even obvious to church leaders) remain veiled to the saints, until sudden revelation unveils that their witness for Christ always fell short of the Way and the Truth of JESUS.

    Trucebreakers and Traitors.

    These christians want to do ‘their own thing’ without public vow, or covenant.

    AND they will not be convinced to refrain from such worldly things that malign Christ.

    Judas wanted to follow Jesus his own way as long as the Lord led him as a conquering King of Israel.

    • We can use that money for better things.
    • Why should You sacrifice your Life for sinners?
    Do these descriptions point to some Judas influencing ideas behind a world-like vision of your church?

    διάβολος – diabolos

    When you hear, ‘FALSE ACCUSERS’ on Paul’s list, you may not consider the weight of the Apostle’s adjective.

    Recognize the ‘accuser of the brethren’ — diabolos.

    [Simon Peter responds] And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

    Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? G1228

    Gospel of John 6:69-70 KJV

    Avoid such people!

    YES, they may be prominent members, even Elders, leaders, priests or pastors in Christ’s church where you worship.

    They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these.

    2 Timothy 3:5 New English Translation

    a Warning to single moms!

    No, you won't find that HEADING for 2 Timothy 3:6-7 in your Bible because the very concept is false teaching of a social gospel.

    This danger to a first century Ephesian or Corinthian saint we might label: ‘a Warning to our Widows.’

    For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,

    always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

    2 Timothy 3:6-7 NKJV 

    Those first century saints were vulnerable socially and economically moreso than 21st c. women who lead their husbands, initiate divorce amd refuse to be bound by vows of marriage.

    Paul’s point: whether the man or woman claiming Christ, the danger is lusts.

    Enemies to the Truth

    The Apostle points back to Moses who also faced such opposition, as did Timothy.

    John MacArthur in his commentary points out that although Exodus shows no record of Jannes and Jambres, that Paul may know of them from other Jewish writings and traditions.

    Because Jannes perhaps means “he who seduces” and Jambres “he who makes rebellion,” those may have been symbolic names given to these men at a later time. Jewish tradition holds that they pretended to convert to Judaism in order to subvert Moses’ divine assignment to liberate Israel from Egypt, that they led in making and worshiping the golden calf while Moses was on Mt. Sinai receiving the Law from God, and that they were slaughtered by the Levites along with the other idolaters (see Ex. 32).

    New Testament Commentary 2 Timothy, John MacArthur, p.120

    The Apostle then assures the Church and Timothy:

    But they won’t get away with this for long.

    Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres.

    2 Timothy 3:9 NLT

    NEXT: Standing Strong against Apostasy

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