Posts

It is God who has given us the Holy Spirit as a guarantee.

  It is God who has given us the Holy Spirit as a guarantee.   2 Corinthians 5:5 – 8: "Now the One who has prepared us for this very thing is God, who gave us the Holy Spirit as a guarantee (*arrab ō na*). Therefore, we are always confident (*tharrountes*); we know that while we are at home in the body (*s ō mati*), we are away from the Lord — for we walk by faith (*dia piste ō s*), not by sight. We are confident (*tharroumen*), and we would prefer (*eudokoumen*) rather to be away from the body (*s ō matos*) and at home with the Lord." *Arrab ō na* ( ἀ ρραβ ῶ να ) refers to a down payment or guarantee. Salvation consists of being clothed with the spiritual body from heaven over the body of sin, and God ’ s method of guaranteeing this is by giving the Holy Spirit. For those who have received the baptism of the Holy Spirit, the body of sin is covered by the garment of Christ. *Tharrountes* ( Θαρρο ῦ ντε ς ) expresses courage — specifically, the courage to approach God. ...
Post a Comment
Read more

We Know We Have an Eternal Home in Heaven

  We Know We Have an Eternal Home in Heaven   2 Corinthians 5:1 – 4: "For we know that if the earthly tent (*sk ē nos*) we live in is destroyed, we have a building from God, an eternal house in heaven, not built by human hands. Meanwhile, we groan, longing to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, because when we are clothed, we will not be found naked. For while we are in this tent (*sk ē nai*), we groan and are burdened, because we do not wish to be unclothed but to be clothed instead with our heavenly dwelling, so that what is mortal may be swallowed up by life." This means that the eternal home in heaven is not located somewhere up in the sky, but rather exists within the believer; it refers to the Kingdom of Heaven within the spirit. Ephesians 2:5 similarly speaks of being seated with Christ in the heavenly realms. The word *sk ē nos* refers to the physical body, specifically as a dwelling place where sin resides. In Romans, this is described as the ...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Outer Self and the Inner Self

  The Outer Self and the Inner Self   2 Corinthians 4:16 – 18: "Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." The "outer self" refers to the old self that follows the flesh, while the "inner self" refers to the new self that follows the law of the Holy Spirit. The wasting away of the outer self signifies death. The Bible refers to the Kingdom of God perceived within the spirit as *he basileia ton ouranon*; the Revised Korean Version translates this as "Heaven" (the Kingdom of Heaven or the Heavens). This is because the Kingdom of Heaven is, in fact, Jesus Christ. Matthew 3:2 states: "Repent, for the Kingdom of Heaven (*he basileia ton ou...
Post a Comment
Read more

He has shone the light of the knowledge of God’s glory into our hearts.

  He has shone the light of the knowledge of God ’ s glory into our hearts.   2 Corinthians 4:6 – 7: "For God, who said, 'Let light shine out of darkness,' made His light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of God ’ s glory in the face of Jesus Christ. But we have this treasure (*thesauros*) in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power (*dynamis*) is from God and not from us." Light is the image of God and is eternal life (resurrection). Those who lack this resurrection life cannot know the glory of God; only those who possess resurrection life can comprehend God ’ s will. God ’ s will is that people recognize Jesus Christ as the Son of God who came into the world to save all humanity. *Thesauros* refers to a treasure, which signifies Jesus Christ, while the "jar of clay" represents the physical body. Although the jar of clay is insignificant, the great power of God emanates from the treasure contained within it. *Dynamis*...
Post a Comment
Read more

Christ is the Image of God

  Christ is the Image of God   2 Corinthians 4:1-2: "Therefore, having received this ministry (diakonian), we do not lose heart (enkacumen) in the face of mercy. We have renounced the hidden shameful works (aiskenes), and do not walk (periparentus) in deceit (panurgia) or distort (doluntes) the word of God, but in displaying the truth (tanerosei tes aletheias), we commend ourselves to the conscience (syneisin) of every man before God."   This speaks of the criteria for selecting those entrusted with God's work.   Diakonian means ministry. The ministry given by God is given according to His mercy. Enkacumen means not good, "not bad." In other words, it refers to those who live according to God's word.   Aiskenes ( α ἰ σχ ύ νη ς ) is the act of hypocrisy. It refers to one who pretends to be holy on the outside while committing shameful acts. Paul tells us to abandon such a life. Panurgia means cunning. Perifaluntes means "to walk." It...
Post a Comment
Read more