Category: Mind of Paul

Paul’s Concept of the Church

Posted on by

The word ekklesia occurs about 60 times. it is both singular and plural.

The body of believers in a given place:

  1. I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchrea; (Romans 16:1)
  2. And when this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter [that is coming] from Laodicea. (Colossians 4:16)
  3. Paul and Silvanus and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. (1 Thessalonians 1:1)
  4. Paul and Silvanus and Timothy to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: (2 Thessalonians 1:1)
  5. Who for my life risked their own necks, to whom not only do I give thanks, but also all the churches of the Gentiles; (Romans 16:4)
  6. And all the brethren who are with me, to the churches of Galatia: (Galatians 1:2)
  7. Now, brethren, we [wish to] make known to you the grace of God which has been given in the churches of Macedonia, (2 Corinthians 8:1)
  8. As for Titus, [he is] my partner and fellow worker among you; as for our brethren, [they are] messengers of the churches, a glory to Christ. (2 Corinthians 8:23)
  9. Therefore openly before the churches show them the proof of your love and of our reason for boasting about you. (2 Corinthians 8:24)
  10. Apart from [such] external things, there is the daily pressure upon me [of] concern for all the churches. (2 Corinthians 11:28)

The concept of a building did not come until about the third century: Early Christians met in houses.

  1. Also [greet] the church that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first convert to Christ from Asia. (Romans 16:5)
  2. The churches of Asia greet you. Aquila and Prisca greet you heartily in the Lord, with the church that is in their house. (1 Corinthians 16:19)
  3. Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house. (Colossians 4:15)

Gathering for worship and instruction:

  1. For, in the first place, when you come together as a church, I hear that divisions exist among you; and in part, I believe it. (1 Corinthians 11:18)
  2. One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but [even] more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying. (1 Corinthians 14:4-5)
  3. So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear, how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air. (1 Corinthians 14:9)
  4. If therefore the whole church should assemble together and all speak in tongues, and ungifted men or unbelievers enter, will they not say that you are mad? (1 Corinthians 14:23)
  5. Let the women keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but let them subject themselves, just as the Law also says. And if they desire to learn anything, let them ask their own husbands at home; for it is improper for a woman to speak in church. (1 Corinthians 14:34-35)
  6. For this reason I have sent to you Timothy, who is my beloved and faithful child in the Lord, and he will remind you of my ways which are in Christ, just as I teach everywhere in every church. (1 Corinthians 4:17)
  7. Only, as the Lord has assigned to each one, as God has called each, in this manner let him walk. And thus I direct in all the churches. (1 Corinthians 7:17)

The company of believers in every place and nation:

  1. As to zeal, a persecutor of the church; as to the righteousness which is in the Law, found blameless. (Philippians 3:6)
  2. In order that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly [places.] (Ephesians 3:10)
  3. To Him [be] the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen. (Ephesians 3:21)
  4. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, (Ephesians 1:22)
  5. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives [ought to be] to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her; (Ephesians 5:24-25)
  6. Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. (Colossians 1:24)

The church is not merely a human institution: of God, of Christ

  1. For I am the least of the apostles, who am not fit to be called an apostle, because I persecuted the church of God. (1 Corinthians 15:9)
  2. For you have heard of my former manner of life in Judaism, how I used to persecute the church of God beyond measure, and tried to destroy it; (Galatians 1:13)
  3. But if one is inclined to be contentious, we have no other practice, nor have the churches of God. (1 Corinthians 11:16)
  4. What! Do you not have houses in which to eat and drink? Or do you despise the church of God, and shame those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? In this I will not praise you. (1 Corinthians 11:22)
  5. For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they [did] from the Jews, (1 Thessalonians 2:14)
  6. Therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. (2 Thessalonians 1:4)
  7. And I was [still] unknown by sight to the churches of Judea which were in Christ; (Galatians 1:22)

The Church of God at Corinth:

  1. To the church of God which is at Corinth, to those who have been sanctified in Christ Jesus, saints by calling, with all who in every place call upon the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, their [Lord] and ours: (1 Corinthians 1:2)
  2. Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy [our] brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth with all the saints who are throughout Achaia: (2 Corinthians 1:1)
  3. Corinthian disunity and factions: “Now I mean this, that each one of you is saying, “I am of Paul,” and “I of Apollos,” and “I of Cephas,” and “I of Christ.” (1 Corinthians 1:12)
  4. Paul’s experience of the Roman Empire – all colonies were little bits of Rome throughout the world.

Ekklesia has a Jewish background:

  1. The Day of Assembly when they received the 10 Commandments
    1. “And the LORD gave me the two tablets of stone written by the finger of God; and on them [were] all the words which the LORD had spoken with you at the mountain from the midst of the fire on the day of the assembly. (Deuteronomy 9:10)
    2. “This is according to all that you asked of the LORD your God in Horeb on the day of the assembly, saying, ‘Let me not hear again the voice of the LORD my God, let me not see this great fire anymore, lest I die.’ (Deuteronomy 18:16)
  2. The assembly of the congregation of Israel
    1. Then Moses spoke in the hearing of all the assembly of Israel the words of this song, until they were complete. (Deuteronomy 31:30)
    2. And the chiefs of all the people, [even] of all the tribes of Israel, took their stand in the assembly of the people of God, 400,000 foot soldiers who drew the sword. (Judges 20:2)
    3. And that all this assembly may know that the LORD does not deliver by sword or by spear; for the battle is the LORD’S and He will give you into our hands.” (1 Samuel 17:47)
    4. Then the king faced about and blessed all the assembly of Israel, while all the assembly of Israel was standing. (1 Kings 8:14)
    5. I will tell of Thy name to my brethren; In the midst of the assembly I will praise Thee. (Psalms 22:22)

Ekklesia has a Greek background:

  1. The ruling body was called ekklesia – consisting of every person who had not lost his right as a citizen.
  2. The Christian would naturally think of ekklesia as becoming citizens of the kingdom of heaven.

The church never was understood as a building.

Titles for members of the church:

  1. Saints – hagios is used almost 40 times, translated as holy, or different, set apart from ordinary purposes, yet not a withdrawal from the world.
    1. To all who are beloved of God in Rome, called [as] saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Romans 1:7)
    2. For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the saints in Jerusalem. (Romans 15:26)
    3. Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy [our] brother, to the church of God which is at Corinth with all the saints who are throughout Achaia. (2 Corinthians 1:1)
  2. Saints In Christ
    1. Paul and Timothy, bond-servants of Christ Jesus, to all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, including the overseers and deacons: (Philippians 1:1)
    2. Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. (Philippians 4:21)
    3. To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ [who are] at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. (Colossians 1:2)
  3. The brethren – in the family of God
    1. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brethren with them. (Romans 16:14)
    2. And thus, by sinning against the brethren and wounding their conscience when it is weak, you sin against Christ. (1 Corinthians 8:12)
    3. All the brethren greet you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. (1 Corinthians 16:20)
    4. And when I was present with you and was in need, I was not a burden to anyone; for when the brethren came from Macedonia, they fully supplied my need, and in everything I kept myself from being a burden to you, and will continue to do so. (2 Corinthians 11:9)
    5. Peace be to the brethren, and love with faith, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Ephesians 6:23)
    6. Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house. (Colossians 4:15)
    7. Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. (1 Thessalonians 5:26)
  4. The believers
    1. And he received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith which he had while uncircumcised, that he might be the father of all who believe without being circumcised, that righteousness might be reckoned to them, (Romans 4:11)
    2. So that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. (1 Thessalonians 1:7)

The church as a body: to stress the unity:

  1. For just as we have many members in one body and all the members do not have the same function, so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another. (Romans 12:4-5)
  2. For even as the body is one and [yet] has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we were all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not [a part] of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less [a part] of the body. And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not [a part] of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less [a part] of the body. If the whole body were an eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? But now God has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired. And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now there are many members, but one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, “I have no need of you”; or again the head to the feet, “I have no need of you.” On the contrary, it is much truer that the members of the body which seem to be weaker are necessary; and those [members] of the body, which we deem less honorable, on these we bestow more abundant honor, and our unseemly [members come to] have more abundant seemliness, whereas our seemly [members] have no need [of it.] But God has [so] composed the body, giving more abundant honor to that [member] which lacked, that there should be no division in the body, but [that] the members should have the same care for one another. And if one member suffers, all the members suffer with it; if [one] member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are Christ’s body, and individually members of it. (1 Corinthians 12:12-27)
  3. [There is] one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling; (Ephesians 4:4)
  4. Which is His body, the fullness of Him who fills all in all. (Ephesians 1:23)
  5. For the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; (Ephesians 4:12)
  6. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything. (Colossians 1:18)
  7. Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. (Colossians 1:24)
  8. Metaphysical body – The church is an extension of the incarnation
  9. A functional body – Jesus’ work must go on and we are the ones to do it

Christ is head of the body:

  1. And He put all things in subjection under His feet, and gave Him as head over all things to the church, (Ephesians 1:22)
  2. But speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all [aspects] into Him, who is the head, [even] Christ, (Ephesians 4:15)
  3. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself [being] the Savior of the body. (Ephesians 5:23)
  4. He is also head of the body, the church; and He is the beginning, the first-born from the dead; so that He Himself might come to have first place in everything. (Colossians 1:18)
  5. And not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being supplied and held together by the joints and ligaments, grows with a growth which is from God. (Colossians 2:19)

The distinction between Christ and the church: the body is the agent of the head, Christ is dependent on the church. A distinction between the work of Christ and the task of Christ. The church is the way the task of Christ is carried out.

  1. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself [being] the Savior of the body. (Ephesians 5:23)
  2. But as the church is subject to Christ, so also the wives [ought to be] to their husbands in everything. (Ephesians 5:24)
  3. Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body (which is the church) in filling up that which is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. (Colossians 1:24)

The bride of Christ:

  1. Wives, [be subject] to your own husbands, as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, as Christ also is the head of the church, He Himself [being] the Savior of the body. (Ephesians 5”22-23)
  2. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself up for her; (Ephesians 5:25)
  3. For I am jealous for you with a godly jealousy; for I betrothed you to one husband, that to Christ I might present you [as] a pure virgin. (2 Corinthians 11:2)

Roots in the OT

  1. “For your husband is your Maker, Whose name is the LORD of hosts; And your Redeemer is the Holy One of Israel, Who is called the God of all the earth. (Isaiah 54:5)
  2. “Surely, as a woman treacherously departs from her lover, So you have dealt treacherously with Me, O house of Israel,” declares the LORD. (Jeremiah 3:20)
  3. Lest you make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land and they play the harlot with their gods, and sacrifice to their gods, and someone invite you to eat of his sacrifice; 16 and you take some of his daughters for your sons, and his daughters play the harlot with their gods, and cause your sons [also] to play the harlot with their gods. (Exodus 34:15-16)
  4. And the LORD said to Moses, “Behold, you are about to lie down with your fathers; and this people will arise and play the harlot with the strange gods of the land, into the midst of which they are going, and will forsake Me and break My covenant which I have made with them. (Deuteronomy 31:16)
  5. For, behold, those who are far from Thee will perish; Thou hast destroyed all those who are unfaithful to Thee. (Psalms 73:27)
  6. Do not rejoice, O Israel, with exultation like the nations! For you have played the harlot, forsaking your God. You have loved [harlots’] earnings on every threshing floor. (Hosea 9:1)

A jealous God

  1. ‘They have made Me jealous with [what] is not God; They have provoked Me to anger with their idols. So I will make them jealous with [those who] are not a people; I will provoke them to anger with a foolish nation, (Deuteronomy 32:21)
  2. “You shall not worship them or serve them; for I, the LORD your God, am a jealous God, visiting the iniquity of the fathers on the children, on the third and the fourth generations of those who hate Me, (Exodus 20:5)

Christians are members of the family of God: “So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God’s household.” (Ephesians 2:19)

The church as a building erected by God:

  1. For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building. (1 Corinthians 3:9)
  2. In whom the whole building, being fitted together is growing into a holy temple in the Lord; (Ephesians 2:21)

To edify and build up the church

  1. But one who prophesies speaks to men for edification and exhortation and consolation. One who speaks in a tongue edifies himself; but one who prophesies edifies the church. Now I wish that you all spoke in tongues, but [even] more that you would prophesy; and greater is one who prophesies than one who speaks in tongues, unless he interprets, so that the church may receive edifying. (1 Corinthians 14:3-5)
  2. So also you, since you are zealous of spiritual [gifts,] seek to abound for the edification of the church. (1 Corinthians 14:12)
  3. All this time you have been thinking that we are defending ourselves to you. [Actually,] it is in the sight of God that we have been speaking in Christ; and all for your upbuilding, beloved. (2 Corinthians 12:19)
  4. For this reason I am writing these things while absent, in order that when present I may not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me, for building up and not for tearing down. (2 Corinthians 13:10)
  5. For even if I should boast somewhat further about our authority, which the Lord gave for building you up and not for destroying you, I shall not be put to shame, (2 Corinthians 10:8)
  6. Therefore encourage one another, and build up one another, just as you also are doing. (1 Thessalonians 5:11)
  7. So then let us pursue the things which make for peace and the building up of one another. (Romans 14:19)
  8. Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to his edification. (Romans 15:2)
  9. For the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Christ; (Ephesians 4:12)
  10. From whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love. (Ephesians 4:16)
  11. Let no unwholesome word proceed from your mouth, but only such [a word] as is good for edification according to the need [of the moment,] that it may give grace to those who hear. (Ephesians 4:29)

Other building metaphors:

  1. Christ is the foundation of the church: “For no man can lay a foundation other than the one which is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11)
  2. Christ is the chief cornerstone of the church: “Having been built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner [stone].” (Ephesians 2:20)

The church as a field: becoming fertile in good things. “For we are God’s fellow workers; you are God’s field, God’s building.” (1 Corinthians 3:9)

This material is from William Barclay, the Mind of St. Paul, 1975.

Paul’s Concept of Parousia

Posted on by

Parousia is a Greek word used 24 times in the New Testament to mean “coming, arrival, personal presence.” It is most often used to indicate the second coming and the arrival of the Son of Man though it can also indicate a visit by a Christian worker, apostle or even the “man of lawlessness.”. In the Greek world of the New Testament it meant among other things A State visit or the presence or appearance of a deity during worship. It has a range of meaning to that of the archaic English word “visitation.”

There are two views to this Christian doctrine: it is either largely disregarded, or it is the main theme in all preaching and teaching.

Paul’s pictures of the second coming are mainly Jewish: The Jews were the great pessimists in history, as well as the greatest optimists in history. They were the chosen people, always dominated by foreigners, longing for the time when God would intervene in history and put His people at the top where they should be. God would do this with a supernatural intervention in human affairs.

The Jews divided all history into two ages:This present age of trouble, wickedness and evil; The age to come – the golden age of God

  1. The age of plenty: abundance
    1. “Behold, days are coming,” declares the LORD, “When the plowman will overtake the reaper And the treader of grapes him who sows seed; When the mountains will drip sweet wine, And all the hills will be dissolved. “Also I will restore the captivity of My people Israel, And they will rebuild the ruined cities and live [in them], They will also plant vineyards and drink their wine, And make gardens and eat their fruit. (Amos 9:13-14)
    2. Until the Spirit is poured out upon us from on high, And the wilderness becomes a fertile field And the fertile field is considered as a forest. (Isaiah 32:15)
    3. Indeed, the LORD will comfort Zion; He will comfort all her waste places. And her wilderness He will make like Eden, And her desert like the garden of the LORD; Joy and gladness will be found in her, Thanksgiving and sound of a melody. (Isaiah 51:3)
  2. The age of friendship: even man and beasts
    1. “In that day I will also make a covenant for them With the beasts of the field, The birds of the sky, And the creeping things of the ground. And I will abolish the bow, the sword, and war from the land, And will make them lie down in safety. (Hosea 2:18)
    2. And the wolf will dwell with the lamb, And the leopard will lie down with the kid, And the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little boy will lead them. Also the cow and the bear will graze; Their young will lie down together; And the lion will eat straw like the ox. And the nursing child will play by the hole of the cobra, And the weaned child will put his hand on the viper’s den. They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD As the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:6-9)
  3. The age of relief: no more pain
    1. “No longer will there be in it an infant [who lives but a few] days, Or an old man who does not live out his days; For the youth will die at the age of one hundred And the one who does not reach the age of one hundred Shall be [thought] accursed. (Isaiah 65:20)
    2. “They shall not build, and another inhabit, They shall not plant, and another eat; For as the lifetime of a tree, [so shall be] the days of My people, And My chosen ones shall wear out the work of their hands. (Isaiah 65:22)
    3. And no resident will say, “I am sick”; The people who dwell there will be forgiven [their] iniquity. (Isaiah 33:24)
    4. He will swallow up death for all time, And the Lord GOD will wipe tears away from all faces, And He will remove the reproach of His people from all the earth; For the LORD has spoken. (Isaiah 25:8)
  4. The age of peace:
    1. And He will judge between the nations, And will render decisions for many peoples; And they will hammer their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks. Nation will not lift up sword against nation, And never again will they learn war. (Isaiah 2:4)
    2. They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD As the waters cover the sea. (Isaiah 11:9)
    3. Then my people will live in a peaceful habitation, And in secure dwellings and in undisturbed resting places; (Isaiah 32:18)
    4. “And all your sons will be taught of the LORD; And the well-being of your sons will be great. (Isaiah 54:13)

The place of God’s people in the universe:

  1. Jerusalem as the center of the world
    1. Now it will come about that In the last days, The mountain of the house of the LORD Will be established as the chief of the mountains, And will be raised above the hills; And all the nations will stream to it. And many peoples will come and say, “Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, To the house of the God of Jacob; That He may teach us concerning His ways, And that we may walk in His paths.” For the law will go forth from Zion, And the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Isaiah 2:2-3)
    2. And it will come about in the last days That the mountain of the house of the LORD Will be established as the chief of the mountains. It will be raised above the hills, And the peoples will stream to it. And many nations will come and say, “Come and let us go up to the mountain of the LORD And to the house of the God of Jacob, That He may teach us about His ways And that we may walk in His paths.” For from Zion will go forth the law, Even the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. (Micah 4:1-2)
  2. Jews having a missionary duty: very few believed this
    1. He says, “It is too small a thing that You should be My Servant To raise up the tribes of Jacob, and to restore the preserved ones of Israel; I will also make You a light of the nations So that My salvation may reach to the end of the earth.” (Isaiah 49:6)
    2. Then the glory of the LORD will be revealed, And all flesh will see [it] together; For the mouth of the LORD has spoken.” (Isaiah 40:5)
  3. The dream of power: most common
    1. “For the nation and the kingdom which will not serve you will perish, And the nations will be utterly ruined. (Isaiah 60:12)
    2. Thus says the LORD, “The products of Egypt and the merchandise of Cush And the Sabeans, men of stature, Will come over to you and will be yours; They will walk behind you, they will come over in chains And will bow down to you; They will make supplication to you: ‘Surely, God is with you, and there is none else, No other God.'” (Isaiah 45:14)
    3. And it will be that whichever of the families of the earth does not go up to Jerusalem to worship the King, the LORD of hosts, there will be no rain on them. And if the family of Egypt does not go up or enter, then no [rain will fall] on them; it will be the plague with which the LORD smites the nations who do not go up to celebrate the Feast of Booths. (Zechariah 14:17-18)

The way in which these changes will come:

  1. Under human leadership
    1. Then a shoot will spring from the stem of Jesse, And a branch from his roots will bear fruit. (Isaiah 11:1)
    2. “For if you men will indeed perform this thing, then kings will enter the gates of this house, sitting in David’s place on his throne, riding in chariots and on horses, [even the king] himself and his servants and his people. (Jeremiah 22:4)
    3. ‘But they shall serve the LORD their God, and David their king, whom I will raise up for them. (Jeremiah 30:9)
    4. “Behold, [the] days are coming,” declares the LORD, “When I shall raise up for David a righteous Branch; And He will reign as king and act wisely And do justice and righteousness in the land. (Jeremiah 23:5)
  2. Direct intervention of God in history
    1. Destruction and terror
      1. Behold, the day of the LORD is coming, Cruel, with fury and burning anger, To make the land a desolation; And He will exterminate its sinners from it. (Isaiah 13:9)
      2. Alas for the day! For the day of the LORD is near, And it will come as destruction from the Almighty. (Joel 1:15)
      3. A day of wrath is that day, A day of trouble and distress, A day of destruction and desolation, A day of darkness and gloom, A day of clouds and thick darkness, (Zephaniah 1:15)
    2. Cosmic upheaval
      1. “And I will display wonders in the sky and on the earth, Blood, fire, and columns of smoke. “The sun will be turned into darkness, And the moon into blood, Before the great and awesome day of the LORD comes. (Joel 2:30-31)
      2. For the stars of heaven and their constellations Will not flash forth their light; The sun will be dark when it rises, And the moon will not shed its light. (Isaiah 13:10)
      3. Therefore I shall make the heavens tremble, And the earth will be shaken from its place At the fury of the LORD of hosts In the day of His burning anger. (Isaiah 13:13)
    3. Judgment: Thus I will punish the world for its evil, And the wicked for their iniquity; I will also put an end to the arrogance of the proud, And abase the haughtiness of the ruthless. (Isaiah 13:11)

Day of the Lord and Second Coming: Christianity was cradled in Judaism, so naturally there would be an identification of the Day of the Lord and the Second Coming of Jesus Christ; both were the great intervention of God in human affairs. This doctrine was an essential part of the church’s teaching. The word, kerugma means “a herald’s announcement.”

  1. Fulfilled prophecies – new age inaugurated at His birth
  2. Born of the seed of David
  3. His death, to deliver us out of this present age
  4. He was buried
  5. He rose on the third day
  6. He is exalted at the right hand of God
  7. He will come again as Judge and Savior of men

Frequency of inclusion: In the book of Acts, only three references, but with Paul it is different. Paul mentions it in every letter except Galatians and possibly Ephesians.

Two special references by Paul:

  1. An essential part of the Gospel: “On the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus.” (Romans 2:16)
  2. A motive for the Christian life: “Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to Him.” (2 Thessalonians 2:1)

Thessalonians: beginning with the earliest letters:

  1. Paul believed He would return in his lifetime: “For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, and remain until the coming of the Lord, shall not precede those who have fallen asleep.” (1 Thessalonians 4:15)
  2. Believers should be presented blameless to the Lord: “Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thessalonians 5:23)

Romans: wake out of sleep. “And this [do,] knowing the time, that it is already the hour for you to awaken from sleep; for now salvation is nearer to us than when we believed.” (Romans 13:11)

First Corinthians: the time is short, concentrate on being ready. “But this I say, brethren, the time has been shortened, so that from now on those who have wives should be as though they had none.” (1 Corinthians 7:29)

Philippians: beginning the latter letters. “Let your forbearing [spirit] be known to all men. The Lord is near.” (Philippians 4:5)

Ephesians: no mention, some say he had outgrown the concept. “And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.” (Ephesians 4:30)

Corinthians: mid-life for Paul.

  1. Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. (1 Corinthians 10:11)
  2. If anyone does not love the Lord, let him be accursed. Maranatha. (1 Corinthians 16:22) – The Aramaic phrase would not be known to any Greeks, yet he ends the letter to the Greeks with maranatha.

Paul speaks of waiting for Jesus Christ:

  1. For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, [that is] Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1:9-10)
  2. And may the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into the steadfastness of Christ. (2 Thessalonians 3:5)
  3. For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? (1 Thessalonians 2:19)
  4. So that you are not lacking in any gift, awaiting eagerly the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ, (1 Corinthians 1:7)
  5. For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; (Philippians 3:20)

Paul often used language of the scholars: (Isaiah 26-27)

  1. The Lord’s coming
    1. For behold, the LORD is about to come out from His place To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; And the earth will reveal her bloodshed, And will no longer cover her slain. (Isaiah 26:21)
    2. Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to Him, (2 Thessalonians 2:1)
  2. The coming judgment
    1. For behold, the LORD is about to come out from His place To punish the inhabitants of the earth for their iniquity; And the earth will reveal her bloodshed, And will no longer cover her slain. (Isaiah 26:21)
    2. And these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, (2 Thessalonians 1:9)
    3. And then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; (2 Thessalonians 2:8)
  3. The resurrection from the dead
    1. Your dead will live; Their corpses will rise. You who lie in the dust, awake and shout for joy, For your dew is as the dew of the dawn, And the earth will give birth to the departed spirits. (Isaiah 26:19)
    2. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of [the] archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. (1 Thessalonians 4:16)
  4. The sound of the trumpet
    1. It will come about also in that day that a great trumpet will be blown; and those who were perishing in the land of Assyria and who were scattered in the land of Egypt will come and worship the LORD in the holy mountain at Jerusalem. (Isaiah 27:13)
    2. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of [the] archangel, and with the trumpet of God; and the dead in Christ shall rise first. (1 Thessalonians 4:16)
  5. Gathering of the elect
    1. And it will come about in that day, that the LORD will start [His] threshing from the flowing stream of the Euphrates to the brook of Egypt; and you will be gathered up one by one, O sons of Israel. (Isaiah 27:12)
    2. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and thus we shall always be with the Lord. (1 Thessalonians 4:17)

The Jewish idea is repeated often:

  1. The Day of the Lord becomes the Day of Christ
    1. That you may not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. (2 Thessalonians 2:2)
    2. Who shall also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:8)
    3. Just as you also partially did understand us, that we are your reason to be proud as you also are ours, in the day of our Lord Jesus. (2 Corinthians 1:14)
    4. Holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I may have cause to glory because I did not run in vain nor toil in vain. (Philippians 2:16)
  2. It will come without warning – and with signs
    1. For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. (1 Thessalonians 5:2)
    2. Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our gathering together to Him, that you may not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. Let no one in any way deceive you, for [it will not come] unless the 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 temple of God, displaying himself as being God. Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he may be revealed. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains [will do so] until he is taken out of the way. And then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; [that is,] the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false wonders, and with all the deception of wickedness for those who perish, because they did not receive the love of the truth so as to be saved. And for this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they might believe what is false, in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. And it was for this He called you through our gospel, that you may gain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word [of mouth] or by letter from us. (2 Thessalonians 2:1-15)
  3. It will be God’s holy wrath on a rebellious world
    1. So that He may establish your hearts unblamable in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. (1 Thessalonians 3:13)
    2. Who shall also confirm you to the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. (1 Corinthians 1:8)
    3. And [to give] relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8 dealing out retribution to those who do not know God and to those who do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus. And these will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power, when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed–for our testimony to you was believed. (2 Thessalonians 1:7-10)
    4. For after all it is [only] just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and [to give] relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus shall be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, (2 Thessalonians 1:6-7)
    5. And to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, [that is] Jesus, who delivers us from the wrath to come. (1 Thessalonians 1:10)
    6. When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. (Colossians 3:4)
  4. God will send judgment
    1. But because of your stubbornness and unrepentant heart you are storing up wrath for yourself in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, (Romans 2:5)
    2. On the day when, according to my gospel, God will judge the secrets of men through Christ Jesus. (Romans 2:16)
    3. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from the wrath [of God] through Him. (Romans 5:9)
    4. Therefore do not go on passing judgment before the time, [but wait] until the Lord comes who will both bring to light the things hidden in the darkness and disclose the motives of [men’s] hearts; and then each man’s praise will come to him from God. (1 Corinthians 4:5)
    5. Knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong which he has done, and that without partiality. (Colossians 3:24-25)
    6. Knowing that whatever good thing each one does, this he will receive back from the Lord, whether slave or free. (Ephesians 6:8)
    7. Each man’s work will become evident; for the day will show it, because it is [to be] revealed with fire; and the fire itself will test the quality of each man’s work. (1 Corinthians 3:13)
    8. If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is what you are. (1 Corinthians 3:17)
    9. But those who are outside, God judges. REMOVE THE WICKED MAN FROM AMONG YOURSELVES. (1 Corinthians 5:13)
    10. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad. (2 Corinthians 5:10)

What has grace to do with judgment?

  1. 1) Judaism is an intensely ethical religion (Matthew 7:20)
  2. 2) Paul was a missionary – preaching to the immoral
  3. 3) The greatest gift called for the greatest responsibility
  4. 4) Justification by faith is the beginning of new life, one must go on to sanctification

This material is from William Barclay, the Mind of St. Paul, 1975.

Paul’s Concept of the Flesh

Posted on by

The key is found in (2 Corinthians 10:3: though we walk in the flesh, we do not war after the flesh: our walk – no man can avoid; the war – every man must avoid.

Flesh as literally the human body:

  1. But you know that it was because of a bodily illness that I preached the gospel to you the first time; (Galatians 4:13)
  2. And because of the surpassing greatness of the revelations, for this reason, to keep me from exalting myself, there was given me a thorn in the flesh, a messenger of Satan to buffet me–to keep me from exalting myself! (2 Corinthians 12:7)
  3. For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. (Colossians 2:5)
  4. For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf, and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face, (Colossians 2:1)
  5. But if [I am] to live [on] in the flesh, this [will mean] fruitful labor for me; and I do not know which to choose. (Philippians 1:22)
  6. Yet to remain on in the flesh is more necessary for your sake. (Philippians 1:24)
  7. Yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach– (Colossians 1:22)
  8. Yes, they were pleased [to do so,] and they are indebted to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in their spiritual things, they are indebted to minister to them also in material things. (Romans 15:27)
  9. But I buffet my body and make it my slave, lest possibly, after I have preached to others, I myself should be disqualified. (1 Corinthians 9:27)

Sins of the flesh are more than sexual sins: trouble in the flesh. “But if you should marry, you have not sinned; and if a virgin should marry, she has not sinned. Yet such will have trouble in this life, and I am trying to spare you.” (1 Corinthians 7:28)

The flesh meaning “humanly speaking:”

  1. Concerning His Son, who was born of a descendant of David according to the flesh, (Romans 1:3)
  2. Because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law [comes] the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:20)
  3. What then shall we say that Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh, has found? (Romans 4:1)
  4. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. (Ephesians 5:6)

The flesh meaning other people or human purposes:

  1. To reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately consult with flesh and blood, (Galatians 1:16)
  2. Therefore, I was not vacillating when I intended to do this, was I? Or that which I purpose, do I purpose according to the flesh, that with me there should be yes, yes and no, no [at the same time]? (2 Corinthians 1:17)
  3. For we are the [true] circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, although I myself might have confidence even in the flesh. If anyone else has a mind to put confidence in the flesh, I far more.(Philippians 3:3-4)
  4. Since many boast according to the flesh, I will boast also. (2 Corinthians 11:18)

The flesh as pre-Christian: “For while we were in the flesh, the sinful passions, which were [aroused] by the Law, were at work in the members of our body to bear fruit for death.” (Romans 7:5)

The flesh as sub-Christian: “For you are still fleshly. For since there is jealousy and strife among you, are you not fleshly, and are you not walking like mere men?” (1 Corinthians 3:3)

The flesh that is totally Pauline: connected with sin, ethics

  1. For we know that the Law is spiritual; but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. (Romans 7:14)
  2. But I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind, and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! Who will set me free from the body of this death? Thanks be to God through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind am serving the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh the law of sin. (Romans 7:23-25)
  3. For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, (Romans 8:6)
  4. Because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able [to do so]; (Romans 8:7)
  5. So then, brethren, we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to the flesh– for if you are living according to the flesh, you must die; but if by the Spirit you are putting to death the deeds of the body, you will live. (Romans 8:12-13)
  6. But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh in regard to [its] lusts. (Romans 13:14)
  7. For you were called to freedom, brethren; only [do] not [turn] your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13)
  8. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. (Galatians 5:17)
  9. Therefore, having these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (2 Corinthians 7:1)
  10. Among them we too all formerly lived in the lusts of our flesh, indulging the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, even as the rest. (Ephesians 2:3)

The flesh is not referring to only the grosser sins: “Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, 20 idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions” (Galatians 5:19-20)

The flesh as the old man:

  1. That, in reference to your former manner of life, you lay aside the old self, which is being corrupted in accordance with the lusts of deceit, (Ephesians 4:22)
  2. Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with [Him,] that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin; (Romans 6:6)
  3. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. (Galatians 5:24)

The flesh in Greek thought: the prison of the soul, basically evil, but Paul had a high view of the body.

  1. Therefore God gave them over in the lusts of their hearts to impurity, that their bodies might be dishonored among them. (Romans 1:24)
  2. Flee immorality. Every [other] sin that a man commits is outside the body, but the immoral man sins against his own body. (1 Corinthians 6:18)
  3. I urge you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable to God, [which is] your spiritual service of worship. (Romans 12:1)
  4. Do you not know that you are a temple of God, and [that] the Spirit of God dwells in you? (1 Corinthians 3:16)
  5. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit who is in you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? (1 Corinthians 6:19)
  6. Or what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For we are the temple of the living God; just as God said, “I WILL DWELL IN THEM AND WALK AMONG THEM; AND I WILL BE THEIR GOD, AND THEY SHALL BE MY PEOPLE. (2 Corinthians 6:16)
  7. The resurrection of the body is dealt with in (1 Corinthians 15:1-58)
  8. But if the Spirit of Him who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, He who raised Christ Jesus from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies through His Spirit who indwells you. (Romans 8:11)
  9. And not only this, but also we ourselves, having the first fruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves groan within ourselves, waiting eagerly for [our] adoption as sons, the redemption of our body. (Romans 8:23)
  10. Who will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of the power that He has even to subject all things to Himself. (Philippians 3:21)

Paul uses the word aphorme: the point which an attack can be launched with the greatest possibility of success.

  1. For you were called to freedom, brethren; only [do] not [turn] your freedom into an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. (Galatians 5:13)
  2. The flesh is weak and will fall to these attacks. Paul often refers to the universal human experience, the idea of helplessness, fallibility and sinfulness of human nature without Christ. The flesh is man apart from God.

This material is from William Barclay, the Mind of St. Paul, 1975.

Paul’s Thinking about Sin

Posted on by

Paul uses the word hamartia, the common word for sin, 62 times in his letters. Of these 62, 48 are in Romans. The other 14 in all the rest of Paul’s letters. The word does not occur in Philippians.

Paul insisted on the universality of sin:

  1. What then? Are we better than they? Not at all; for we have already charged that both Jews and Greeks are all under sin; (Romans 3:9)
  2. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23)
    1. 1) It was a fact of human experience
      2) It was a fact of history – all sinned after Adam
    2. (1) Nationalistic solidarity
      (2) Men still died before Moses and the Law
      (3) The law produced sin
  3. By defining it
    1. Because by the works of the Law no flesh will be justified in His sight; for through the Law [comes] the knowledge of sin. (Romans 3:20)
    2. Now a mediator is not for one [party only]; whereas God is [only] one. (Galatians 3:20)
    3. And the Law came in that the transgression might increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, (Romans 5:20)
  4. By provoking sin
    1. The forbidden becomes wanted
    2. What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be! On the contrary, I would not have come to know sin except through the Law; for I would not have known about coveting if the Law had not said, “YOU SHALL NOT COVET.” But sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, produced in me coveting of every kind; for apart from the Law sin [is] dead. And I was once alive apart from the Law; but when the commandment came, sin became alive, and I died; and this commandment, which was to result in life, proved to result in death for me; for sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, deceived me, and through it killed me. (Romans 7:7-11)

Sin is disobedience:

  1. For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. (Romans 5:19)
  2. 3. Sin is coming short of God’s expectations – failure in life, not hitting the target.
  3. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23)

Sin spreads like a disease, like weeds, like cancer: “And the Law came in that the transgression might increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more.” (Romans 5:20)

Sin gives birth to death – spiritually:

  1. For sin, taking opportunity through the commandment, deceived me, and through it killed me. (Romans 7:11)
  2. And if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. (Romans 8:10)

Sin gives birth to death – physically:

  1. Therefore, just as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin, and so death spread to all men, because all sinned– (Romans 5:12)
  2. That, as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:21)
  3. Do you not know that when you present yourselves to someone [as] slaves for obedience, you are slaves of the one whom you obey, either of sin resulting in death, or of obedience resulting in righteousness? (Romans 6:16)
  4. For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)

Sin is enslaving:

  1. That, as sin reigned in death, even so grace might reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. (Romans 5:21)
  2. Knowing this, that our old self was crucified with [Him,] that our body of sin might be done away with, that we should no longer be slaves to sin; (Romans 6:6)
  3. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free in regard to righteousness. (Romans 6:20)
  4. For sin shall not be master over you, for you are not under law, but under grace. (Romans 6:14)
  5. For we know that the Law is spiritual; but I am of flesh, sold into bondage to sin. (Romans 7:14)

Sin takes up a residence inside of man: not an external force, or demonic power.

  1. But if I am doing the very thing I do not wish, I am no longer the one doing it, but sin which dwells in me. (Romans 7:20)
  2. But I see a different law in the members of my body, waging war against the law of my mind, and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is in my members. (Romans 7:23)

Sin hinders the work of Christ and the spread of the Gospel: “Hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles that they might be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their sins. But wrath has come upon them to the utmost.” (1 Thessalonians 2:16)

Sin is the opposite of faith: “But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because [his eating is] not from faith; and whatever is not from faith is sin.” (Romans 14:23)

Words used for sin:

  1. Hamartia – missing the mark
  2. Adikia – unrighteousness – failing in man’s duty to God
    1. For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who suppress the truth in unrighteousness, (Romans 1:18)
    2. Being filled with all unrighteousness, wickedness, greed, evil; full of envy, murder, strife, deceit, malice; [they are] gossips, (Romans 1:29)
    3. But if our unrighteousness demonstrates the righteousness of God, what shall we say? The God who inflicts wrath is not unrighteous, is He? (I am speaking in human terms.) (Romans 3:5)
    4. And do not go on presenting the members of your body to sin [as] instruments of unrighteousness; but present yourselves to God as those alive from the dead, and your members [as] instruments of righteousness to God. (Romans 6:13)
    5. What shall we say then? There is no injustice with God, is there? May it never be! (Romans 9:14)
    6. Does any one of you, when he has a case against his neighbor, dare to go to law before the unrighteous, and not before the saints? (1 Corinthians 6:1)
    7. Actually, then, it is already a defeat for you, that you have lawsuits with one another. Why not rather be wronged? Why not rather be defrauded? On the contrary, you yourselves wrong and defraud, and that [your] brethren. (1 Corinthians 6:7-8)
  3. Asebeia – godlessness – disregarding Him
  4. Anomia – disobedience to the Law
    1. I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh. For just as you presented your members [as] slaves to impurity and to lawlessness, resulting in [further] lawlessness, so now present your members [as] slaves to righteousness, resulting in sanctification. (Romans 6:19)
    2. For all who have sinned without the Law will also perish without the Law; and all who have sinned under the Law will be judged by the Law; (Romans 2:12)
    3. To those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, that I might win those who are without law. (1 Corinthians 9:21)
    4. Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14)
  5. Parakoe – disobedience, failure to hear
    1. For as through the one man’s disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the obedience of the One the many will be made righteous. (Romans 5:19)
    2. And we are ready to punish all disobedience, whenever your obedience is complete. (2 Corinthians 10:6)
  6. Parabasis – a stepping across – crossing the line
    1. For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, (Romans 3:23)
    2. For the Law brings about wrath, but where there is no law, neither is there violation. (Romans 4:15)
    3. Why the Law then? It was added because of transgressions, having been ordained through angels by the agency of a mediator, until the seed should come to whom the promise had been made. (Galatians 3:19)
  7. Paraptoma – a slip up, a blunder, failure to concentrate
    1. [He] who was delivered up because of our transgressions, and was raised because of our justification. (Romans 4:25)
    2. But the free gift is not like the transgression. For if by the transgression of the one the many died, much more did the grace of God and the gift by the grace of the one Man, Jesus Christ, abound to the many. And the gift is not like [that which came] through the one who sinned; for on the one hand the judgment [arose] from one [transgression] resulting in condemnation, but on the other hand the free gift [arose] from many transgressions resulting in justification. For if by the transgression of the one, death reigned through the one, much more those who receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness will reign in life through the One, Jesus Christ. (Romans 5:15-17)
    3. And the Law came in that the transgression might increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, (Romans 5:20)
    4. In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, (Ephesians 1:7)
    5. And you were dead in your trespasses and sins, (Ephesians 2:1)
    6. Even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), (Ephesians 2:5)
  8. Porosis – process of petrification, remorse is dead
    1. What then? That which Israel is seeking for, it has not obtained, but those who were chosen obtained it, and the rest were hardened; (Romans 11:7)
    2. For I do not want you, brethren, to be uninformed of this mystery, lest you be wise in your own estimation, that a partial hardening has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in; (Romans 11:25)
    3. But their minds were hardened; for until this very day at the reading of the old covenant the same veil remains unlifted, because it is removed in Christ. (2 Corinthians 3:14)
    4. Being darkened in their understanding, excluded from the life of God, because of the ignorance that is in them, because of the hardness of their heart; (Ephesians 4:18)

The antidote for sin: grace, God never ceased to love men:

  1. And the Law came in that the transgression might increase; but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, (Romans 5:20)
  2. But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)

This material is from William Barclay, the Mind of St. Paul, 1975.

Paul’s Thinking about the Spirit

Posted on by

Jesus promised to send the Holy Spirit to His people, so it is therefore one of the most important doctrines of the Christian church. The Holy Spirit is someone to be experienced, not some thing to be talked and argued about.

Paul’s uncompromising monotheism dominates his thinking.

Paul is certain that the Holy Spirit is the gift of God:

  1. Consequently, he who rejects [this] is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you. (1 Thessalonians 4:8)
  2. So faith [comes] from hearing, and hearing by the word of Christ. (Romans 10:17)
  3. This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? (Galatians 3:2)
  4. Does He then, who provides you with the Spirit and works miracles among you, do it by the works of the Law, or by hearing with faith? (Galatians 3:5)
  5. His coming into one’s life is not something a man can win or achieve by his own efforts.

The Spirit as a guarantee of our inheritance: the first installment of the perfect blessedness which God has prepared for those who love Him.

  1. Who also sealed us and gave [us] the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge. (2 Corinthians 1:22)
  2. Now He who prepared us for this very purpose is God, who gave to us the Spirit as a pledge. (2 Corinthians 5:5)
  3. Who is given as a pledge of our inheritance, with a view to the redemption of [God’s own] possession, to the praise of His glory. (Ephesians 1:14)

The juxtaposition of flesh and spirit:

  1. Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh? (Galatians 3:3)
  2. But I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh sets its desire against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; for these are in opposition to one another, so that you may not do the things that you please. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the Law. Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: immorality, impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you just as I have forewarned you that those who practice such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control; against such things there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit. (Galatians 5:16-25)
  3. Now if we have died with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with Him, (Romans 6:8)
  4. For those who are according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who are according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. (Romans 8:5)
  5. However, you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. But if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he does not belong to Him. (Romans 8:9)

The Spirit as sign and seal that a man belongs to God: The seal was the sender’s guarantee that the goods came from him, and he was willing to stand by the contents and the conditions of it.

  1. Who also sealed us and gave [us] the Spirit in our hearts as a pledge. (2 Corinthians 1:22)
  2. In Him, you also, after listening to the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation–having also believed, you were sealed in Him with the Holy Spirit of promise, (Ephesians 1:13)
  3. And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption. (Ephesians 4:30)

The Jews had two basic ideas about the Spirit: The person who brought God’s revealed word to men and the person who enabled men to recognize the truth and understand it when it came. For Paul, the man who shuts his heart to the Holy Spirit could not possibly receive or recognize God’s truth. The Holy Spirit is the agent in revelation.

  1. That by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. And by referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; (Ephesians 3:3-5)
  2. For who among men knows the [thoughts] of a man except the spirit of the man, which is in him? Even so the [thoughts] of God no one knows except the Spirit of God. (1 Corinthians 2:11)
  3. Which things we also speak, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual [thoughts] with spiritual [words.] But a natural man does not accept the things of the Spirit of God; for they are foolishness to him, and he cannot understand them, because they are spiritually appraised. (1 Corinthians 2:13-14)

The Holy Spirit is the Mediator:

  1. And hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. (Romans 5:5)
  2. For all who are being led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God. (Romans 8:14)
  3. For through Him we both have our access in one Spirit to the Father. (Ephesians 2:18)

Two beautiful thoughts concerning the Spirit:

  1. Our certainty that we belong to God
    1. For you have not received a spirit of slavery leading to fear again, but you have received a spirit of adoption as sons by which we cry out, “Abba! Father!” (Romans 8:15)
    2. The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God, (Romans 8:16)
    3. And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba! Father!” (Galatians 4:6)
  2. Our prayers are interpreted to God – “And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for [us] with groanings too deep for words.” (Romans 8:26)

The Holy Spirit is the source of the Christian life:

  1. And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness; for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for [us] with groanings too deep for words; (Romans 8:26)
  2. Now may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that you may abound in hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13)
  3. To be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles, ministering as a priest the gospel of God, that [my] offering of the Gentiles might become acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:16)
  4. But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. (2 Thessalonians 2:13)
  5. In the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Spirit; so that from Jerusalem and round about as far as Illyricum I have fully preached the gospel of Christ. (Romans 15:19)
  6. As unknown yet well-known, as dying yet behold, we live; as punished yet not put to death, 10 as sorrowful yet always rejoicing, as poor yet making many rich, as having nothing yet possessing all things. 11 Our mouth has spoken freely to you, O Corinthians, our heart is opened wide. (2 Corinthians 6:9-11)

The Holy Spirit is the source of Christian gifts for the church:

  1. Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit. And there are varieties of ministries, and the same Lord. And there are varieties of effects, but the same God who works all things in all [persons.] (1 Corinthians 12:4-6)
  2. But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, (Galatians 5:22)
  3. But we all, with unveiled face beholding as in a mirror the glory of the Lord, are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as from the Lord, the Spirit. (2 Corinthians 3:18)
  4. In whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit. (Ephesians 2:22)
  5. That He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man; (Ephesians 3:16)

The Holy Spirit is the source of the great actions and great qualities of the Christian:

  1. For the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. (Romans 14:17)
  2. With all prayer and petition pray at all times in the Spirit, and with this in view, be on the alert with all perseverance and petition for all the saints, (Ephesians 6:18)
  3. And he also informed us of your love in the Spirit. (Colossians 1:8)
  4. For our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. (1 Thessalonians 1:5)
  5. You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, (1 Thessalonians 1:6)
  6. For we are the [true] circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh, (Philippians 3:3)
  7. And if Christ is in you, though the body is dead because of sin, yet the spirit is alive because of righteousness. (Romans 8:10)

The things of the Spirit are the things of Christ: “Now the Lord is the Spirit; and where the Spirit of the Lord is, [there] is liberty.” (2 Corinthians 3:17)

This material is from William Barclay, the Mind of St. Paul, 1975.