1) Being in the form of God. Philippians 2:6
Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, (Philipians 2:6)
The following translation is based on keeping as closely as possible to the Greek text and is made with reference to the Greek texts.
Who in the form of God existing, did not think to seize-by-force to become like unto God, but emptied himself, having taken on a form of a bondman, having been formed in the likeness of men, and in condition being found as a man: humbled himself, having become obedient unto death, even the death of a stake (stauros, cross). Therefore his God also has highly exalted and given to him the name (Minority Text has 'the') which is above every name: (Philippians 2:6-9)
Firstly we should note the context, or why Paul is asking us to consider Jesus Christ's (Anointed Y'shua's) humility.
Do not let each man look upon his own things, but each man also on the things of others. For let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, (Philippians 2:4-5)
In other words, we have to think exactly like Christ did. In what way were we to think?
This is where we need to know the Torah like Paul and the Philippians did. Who was made in the form of God who did grasp at being like God? Come on you know. It was Eve (and Adam)!
It is said specifically that Adam was made in the form, shape or likeness of God.
And God said, Let Us make man in Our image, after Our likeness (Heb: d'muth model, shape, form). And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the heavens, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over all the creepers creeping on the earth.(Genesis 1:26)
But what did the serpent say?
“for God knows that in the day you eat of it, then your eyes shall be opened, and you shall be as God, knowing good and evil.”
And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasing to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make wise, she took of its fruit, and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. (Genesis 3:5-6)
Eve grasped at, seized, and stole from that tree, the one that was forbidden to her, as she wanted to be like God and know good and evil. And so both Eve and Adam sinned. Paul's thinking is clarified in his previous letter to the Romans,
Nevertheless death reigned from Adam to Moses, even over them that had not sinned after the similitude of Adam's transgression, who is the figure of him that was to come. (Romans 5:14)
In other words when Paul says Y'shua did not grasp at being 'as God', he is saying he was not like Adam, and he did not sin.
The challenge for us is that Paul asks us to be like this, and likewise humble ourselves and be mere servants to God, always accepting what he says and doing what he desires of us.
Paul said we need to understand, just as Christ did, that we are mere dying humans, and that obedience is required to God's commands. Because, by this obedience, Christ was exalted. Our hope is that in the future we will be found to be like him (I John 3:2).
See here for more on the Son of God
Therefore judge nothing before the time, until the Lord come, who both will bring to light the hidden things of darkness, and will make manifest the counsels of the hearts: and then shall every man have praise of God. (1 Corinthians 4:5)
This may be one of the most misunderstood passages of the Bible. Paul is notorious for long sentences of connected thoughts, and this is part of a complex wide ranging thought which lasts 2 chapters, and includes what seems opposite advice:
But now I have written unto you not to keep company, if any man that is called a brother be a fornicator, or covetous, or an idolater, or a railer, or a drunkard, or an extortioner; with such an one no not to eat. For what have I to do to judge them also that are without? do not ye judge them that are within? But them that are without God judgeth. Therefore put away from among yourselves that wicked person. (1 Cor. 5:11-13)
As I was thinking to write this article, having just read Psalm 46 as I do each year on that day, on January 25th a Bible was found untouched after a tornado hit Hattiesburg, Mississippi.
We have been given many time periods to prophetic events in the Bible. Many people think it too hard, and do not make an effort to understand them. However, if they were not to be understood, why were they given? And the Bible says the wise shall understand (Daniel 12:10).
In the light of the findings of science, how literally do we take what the scriptures say about the power of the God of the Bible, Yahweh Elohim (literally He who will become Mighty Ones)? Science at its best is a measurement of observable and repeatable phenomenon wrapped up in explanations which abound in analogy. There is no doubt in the benefit of investigating phenomena of the natural world. The surprising thing is that the more we investigate natural phenomena, the more it fits the explanations recorded over 2000 years ago.
The God of Israel is approachable and reasonable. He often speaks directly to his people. The following will seek to understand a passage where he speaks via the prophet Amos which has a few variant translations.
