(Deuteronomy 4:2 [KJV]) Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I
command you.
(Proverbs 30:5, 6 [KJV]) Every word of God is pure: he is a shield unto them that put their trust in him. Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
(Isaiah 28:10 [KJV])
For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
(Isaiah 28:13 [KJV])
But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.
(2 Peter 1:20 [KJV])
Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.
All of the studies, book or topical, found here, are done with research with mainly two things: The KING JAMES BIBLE and a plain old, 1828 Webster's Dictionary. Why? Outside of actually studying secular and Jewish history, archaeology, one needs nothing more. You do not need foreign, dead languages that no one speaks, lexicons, concordances or commentaries, because they differ not only with one another and with the KING JAMES BIBLE, but they create division, confusion, debate, and unbelief. We do not need them. That Word of God written and preserved for us in our own language is supposed to be enough, like the Old Testament was for the Jews, and the New Testament for the early Christians in Greek, Latin, Italian, Spanish, German, etc. There are studies within as tangents on words, subjects found within the two testaments, as to broaden the scope of the study, to learn more, deeper truths. This is not an intellectual site with PhDs, theologians, and no worldly wisdom.. Check everything out, everything. Not just here, but with everything you read and see and hear. Be Bereans:
(Acts 17:11 [KJV])
These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so.
Always research for yourself, use all of the context, and never privately interpret!
CORINTH: RICH GREEK CITY/STATE
(Acts 18:1 [KJV])
After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth;
(Acts 18:8 [KJV])
And Crispus, the chief ruler of the synagogue, believed on the Lord with all his house; and many of the Corinthians hearing believed, and were baptized.
(Acts 19:1,2 [KJV])
And it came to pass, that, while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul having passed through the upper coasts came to Ephesus: and finding certain disciples, He
said unto them, Have ye received the Holy Ghost since ye believed? And they said unto him, We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost.
(2 Corinthians 1:1,2 [KJV])
Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy [our] brother, unto the church of God which is at Corinth, with all the saints which are
in all Achaia: Unto the church of God which is at Corinth, to them that are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called [to be] saints, with all that in every place call
upon the name of Jesus Christ our Lord, both theirs and ours:
(2 Corinthians 1:23 [KJV])
Moreover I call God for a record upon my soul, that to spare you I came not as yet unto Corinth.
(2 Corinthians 6:11 [KJV])
O [ye] Corinthians, our mouth is open unto you, our heart is enlarged.
(2 Timothy 4:20 [KJV])
Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.
Lots of good, fresh water
Lots of good, arable soil
Lots of good clay for ceramics, pottery, etc., hence "Corinthian Pottery"
Shops, fountains, carved stone temples to the Greek gods, porticos, metal workshops abounded
As a part of a major shipping lane, Corinth has four ports, on the Gulf of Corinth, between two seas
A temple to Apollo was there
Another temple was one to Aphrodite, an acropolis known as Acrocorinth, that supplied prostitutes for the seafaring men, which made it a rich city
Perusing the two letters Paul wrote to them, it is obvious that they were apostate and backslidden.
2 CORINTHIANS 5: THE TWO SIDES OF US, SPIRITUAL, PHYSICAL
(2 Corinthians 5:1 [KJV])
For we know that if our earthly house of this tabernacle were dissolved, we have a building of God, an house not made with hands, eternal in the heavens.
THE DEATH RATE IS ONE PER PERSON; NO ONE GETS OUT ALIVE
This body we inhabit is temporal, for a lifetime, dying, not our eternal, glorified body which God has waiting for us, prepared like the mansions Jesus is building for us
God did that for Jesus; accepting Jesus as our LORD and Saviour, He has now done that for us
Our glorified bodies are not something born of a woman, our mothers, created by our mothers and fathers, but God Himself
It will last forever, not subject to sin, death, disease
A tabernacle was a temporary place for God to dwell with us in, not eternal
(Hebrews 10:5 [KJV])
Wherefore when he cometh into the world, he saith, Sacrifice and offering thou wouldest not, but a body hast thou prepared me:
OUR BODIES, OUR EARTHLY TABERNACLES
TAB'ERNACLE, n. [L. tabernaculum, a tent, from taberna, a shop or shed, from tabula, a board; or rather from its root. See Table.]
A tent. Num 24. Mat 17.
A temporary habitation.
Among the Jews, a movable building, so contrived as to be taken to pieces with ease and reconstructed, for the convenience of being carried during the wanderings of the Israelites in the wilderness. It was of a rectangular figure, thirty cubits long, ten broad, and ten high. The interior was divided into two rooms by a vail or curtain, and it was covered with four different spreads or carpets.
It is also applied to the temple. Psa 15.
A place of worship; a sacred place.
Our natural body. 2 Cor 5. 2 Pet 1.
God's gracious presence, or the tokens of it. Rev 21.
An ornamented chest placed on Roman catholic altars as a receptacle of the ciborium and pyxis.
TAB'ERNACLE, v.i. To dwell; to reside for a time; to be housed; as we say, Christ tabernacled in the flesh.
(2 Corinthians 5:2 [KJV])
For in this we groan, earnestly desiring to be clothed upon with our house which is from heaven:
This life is loaded with sufffering in evey way, from emotional, physical, mental anguish, mourning, stress, etc.
Because of this we cry that we want to go home, to be in our new bodies which await us, sin free
(2 Corinthians 5:3 [KJV])
If so be that being clothed we shall not be found naked.
Sin causes shame in nakedness, and our sin nature is laid open for God to see our wicked, sinful nakedness
Our clothing is the righteousness given to us by Christ, in Christ, Who embued us with this by His death and Resurrection
Shall be; this is future, but not now
Nevertheless, when God looks at us now, He sees Christ (if we are in Him), clothed in His Righteousness and not naked, like the first couple after the fall
(2 Corinthians 5:4 [KJV])
For we that are in this tabernacle do groan, being burdened: not for that we would be unclothed, but clothed upon, that mortality might be swallowed up of life.
In our flesh it makes us hate our flesh and what it is, what it represents (death), when we walk in the Spirit,
Sin entangles us, weighs us down, makes us sink low
Sin is visible, like nakedness, today bold, screaming out in every public place
(Hebrews 4:13 [KJV])
Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
(2 Corinthians 5:5 [KJV])
Now he that hath wrought us for the selfsame thing is God, who also hath given unto us the earnest of the Spirit.
God made us the the purpose of being His sons, to receive glorified bodies and be with the Father
God made us not to be naked, but clothed in righteousness. It is our choice to accept Jesus Christ or reject Him
EARNEST, n. ern'est
Seriousness; a reality; a real event; as opposed to jesting or feigned appearance. Take heed that this jest do not one day turn to earnest. And given in earnest what I begg'd in jest.
First fruits; that which is in advance, and gives promise of something to come. Early fruit may be an earnest of fruit to follow. The first success in arms may be an earnest of future success. The christian's peace of mind in this life is an earnest of future peace and happiness. Hence earnest or earnest-money is a first payment or deposit giving promise or assurance of full payment. Hence the practice of giving an earnest to ratify a bargain. This sense of the word is primary, denoting that which goes before, or in advance. Thus the earnest of the spirit is given to saints, as a pledge or assurance of their future enjoyment of God's presence and favor.
(2 Corinthians 5:6-7 [KJV])
Therefore we are always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: (For we walk by faith, not by sight:)
Here, earnest means firstfruits, deposit, guarantee, surety
This leads to us always being confident for the future, being with the LORD
This is by faith, not visibly seeing our new bodies yet, while on earth
(2 Corinthians 5:8 [KJV])
We are confident, I say, and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.
We cannot both be in the flesh and stand before God
We can be in the flesh and in the new, clothed-in-Christs-righteousness bodies only
This will happen when we leave earth, in the Rapture or upon our death, instantly
(2 Corinthians 5:9 [KJV])
Wherefore we labour, that, whether present or absent, we may be accepted of him.
We work because He worked first on our behalf to save us
We work to bring others to Christ, not to be saved
We work, knowing we are promised rewards, not to be judged for sin, just the rewards of our labor
Again, this verse, taken out of context and provately interpreted (see the introduction at top), is used by the enemy to "show and prove a works salvation"
(2 Corinthians 5:10 [KJV])
For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, according to that he hath done, whether it be good or bad.
Our rewards are the good things we have done, trophies we will have forever, unfading, in Heaven with the LORD
The lost are rewarded for the bad things they have done, eternally in a fiery judgment of hell
(2 Corinthians 5:11 [KJV])
Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.
We warn people of eternal hell when we preach the Gospel
(2 Corinthians 5:12 [KJV])
For we commend not ourselves again unto you, but give you occasion to glory on our behalf, that ye may have somewhat to answer them which glory in appearance, and not in heart.
Paul is trying to humbly say that he and the others with him are nothing but mere servants, no one special
Those opposing Paul in Corinth were braggin on themselves, saying how great they were, like today the self-righteous ones who are stuffy, who we have to deal with
One thing nearly universal in outward appearance is boasting, gloried in their outward appearances only, while the inside is dead
(2 Corinthians 5:13 [KJV])
For whether we be beside ourselves, it is to God: or whether we be sober, it is for your cause.
"Beside" oneself here is just crazy, as Paul was accused of being in Acts 26 by Festus
Everything is to the Glory of God, everything
He is saying that they would not be doing ministry to the saints in Corinth if he was mad but, since it was for their cause, obviously he is not mad
(Acts 26:24 [KJV])
And as he thus spake for himself, Festus said with a loud voice, Paul, thou art beside thyself; much learning doth make thee mad.
BESI'DE, prep. [be and side, by the side.]
At the side of a person or thing; near; as, sit down beside me, or beside the stream.
Over and above; distinct from. Beside all this, between us and you, there is a great gulf fixed. Luke 16.
On one side; out of the regular course or order; not according to, but not contrary. It is beside my present business to enlarge upon this speculation.
Out of; in a state deviating from; as, to put one beside his patience.
With the reciprocal pronoun, beside one's self is out of the wits or senses; out of the order of reason, or of rational beings. Paul, thou are beside thyself. Acts 26.
(2 Corinthians 5:14 [KJV])
For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead:
Paul and the disciples ministering to them in Corinth were spiritually alive, walking in bodies fading away
This compeled, forced,
CONSTRAIN,v.t. [L., to strain, to bind. See Strain.] In a general sense, to strain; to press; to urge; to drive; to exert force, physical or moral, either in urging to action or in restraining it. Hence,
To compel or force; to urge with irresistible power, or with a power sufficient to produce the effect. The spirit within me constraineth me. Job 32. I was constrained to appeal to
Caesar. Acts 28. For the love of Christ constraineth us. 2 Cor 5.
To confine by force; to restrain from escape or action; to repress. My sire in caves constrains the winds.
To hold by force; to press; to confine. How the strait stays the slender waist constrain.
To constringe; to bind. When winter frosts constrain the field with cold.
To tie fast; to bind; to chain; to confine. He binds in chains the drowsy prophet, and his limbs constrains.
To necessitate. Did fate or we the adulterous act constrain?
To force; to ravish. [Not used.]
To produce in opposition to nature; as a constrained voice; constrained notes.
(2 Corinthians 5:15 [KJV])
And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.
We were not our own as it was when we were born, since God gave us our lives, our souls, our bodies
Now, that said, unbelievers do not even acknowledge God, the True God, and live to themselves, to their flesh
However, when we are born again, we belong to God the Father spiritually, through Christ and now must live for Christ as a member of His Body, with God the Spirit living through us
(2 Corinthians 5:16 [KJV])
Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more.
According to our fleshly, worldly, carnal knowedge (knowing Christ after the flesh), Jesus was "A nice man, a great teacher, a moral man who walked the earth-but certainly not God!"
From this moment forward, people are not bodies (after the flesh) with souls, but souls with bodies
Paul has no written record in the Word of actually seeing Jesus Christ in the flesh while He was on earth, but He saw Him in glory on the Damascus Road, and certainly every other apostle had seen Jesus and walked with Him.
(2 Corinthians 5:17 [KJV])
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.
We have a new spirit, we have the Holy Spirit living in us, a new outlook, a new set of eternal rewards, a new way of looking at all things, a new set of standards, morals, ethics
We see the world with new, we have spiritual eyes, we are now suddenly awake and not asleep, we are alive and not dead
(2 Corinthians 5:18 [KJV])
And all things are of God, who hath reconciled us to himself by Jesus Christ, and hath given to us the ministry of reconciliation;
We were reconciled in order to preach the Gospel so that others could be reconciled to Christ
Our outlook, goals, aims, desires are now towards God, to do His will and not our own, to bring people to Him, not draw attention to ourselves, but draw attention to Him
(2 Corinthians 5:19 [KJV])
To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation.
"To wit" means to know
Committed to us means it is our responsibility now
God being in Chrst mean that, when Jesus came, it was God coming, sent to us. He represented the Father
The word of reconciliation is the Word of God
(2 Corinthians 5:20 [KJV])
Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.
We can break fellowship as believers because of unrepentant and unconfessed sin, through prayer and confessing our sins, to God and one another
The unbelievers can do that by believing on Jesus Christ and His shed Blood for their sins, making Him LORD over their life now
This reconciles us who were once strangers and pilgrims (1 Peter 2:11) to God through Christ
EMBAS'SADOR,n.
A minister of the highest rank employed by one prince or state, at the court of another, to manage the public concerns of his own prince or state, and representing the power and dignity of his sovereign. Embassadors are ordinary, when they reside permanently at a foreign court; or extraordinary, when they are sent on a special occasion. They are also called ministers. Envoys are ministers employed on special occasions, and are of less dignity.
In ludicrous language, a messenger.
(2 Corinthians 5:21 [KJV])
For he hath made him to be sin for us, who knew no sin; that we might be made the righteousness of God in him.
This is what taking our place for what we deserved means, taking our sin, the sins of all of mankind, on Himself, becoming sin for us
He gave us the right to become children of God, declared us righteous who were not (and are still not, in the flesh, until glory) in our mortal, sinful bodies
The last two words say so much......."in him." It is the only way we get to God, is to go through Him, the LORD Jesus Christ, to be in Him, accepted in the beloved, that is, Him.
Outside of Him, we are religious dead-spirited fleshly, carnal, worldly people
