exegesis

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.

fox59.com

weather.com/news/ ... More

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). ... More

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. ... More

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. ... More

This is my commandment, That you love one another, as I have loved you. Greater love has no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you. (John 15:12-14) ... More

[22] The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.

This quotation deals with two issues, “the meek” and “inheriting the earth”. The Old Testament gives a lot of detail about the qualities that define “meekness”. The first things that come to mind about a meek person are quietness, gentleness and possibly weakness. But the Old Testament is very explicit about the qualities a meek person should have or develop and these are quite surprising. ... More

Micah 4 begins a prophecy. It deals with two main themes, the 'last days', and, Zion and Jerusalem. ... More

These words that were spoken by Y'shua to his disciples, in their context, contain and sum up prophecies that were found in the writings of the Prophets, Moses and the Psalms. ... More

“Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58) is one of the passages in scripture that is not easily understood. And it ought not to be easily understood because, in linguistic terms, it is awkward at best. So why did Jesus make a statement that was hard to understand? The context explains why.

... More

The scriptures are clear that Yeshua (Jesus) was sinless, being the perfect servant. Yet those in leadership in Israel had him killed precisely because they saw his growing leadership. They counted the number of followers and saw his remarkable doctrine, so superior to their human based doctrine, as a threat to their power. They developed some curious theology to justify their position. On a few occasions they tried to twist his simple statements of fact so they could accuse him of blasphemy. ... More

We have been asked to comment on this passage. As always we explore the context. In this case the passage comes from a prayer containing a plea made by our Lord to his Father. The context and prayer from the perspective of Hebrew thought shows strong connections to the Old Testament. ... More

One of the most moving incidents recorded in Genesis is where Abraham offers his son. Isaac was a special son promised him and given by miracle, yet Abraham willingly offered him. Then, at the moment of offering, a ram is provided. The result is that Abraham makes a curious statement about the place name. ... More

We have been asked to write on the grace of God. Peter's first epistle conveys the simplicity of how we live our life and what salvation by grace really means. ... More

The following words from John's Gospel can be an inspiration for us in times of difficulties and the burdens of life. The apostle Peter was convinced that Y'shua was the Messiah and he showed the way of salvation to those who would believe and hear his words. Peter had faith and believed that there was no other way to life beyond our mortal existence. ... More

There may be pleasure in being given a gift, but there is wisdom in undertsanding why some gifts should be refused. ... More

In the past six months we have witnessed amazing events on this earth in very rapid succession. The northern hemisphere faced severe snow storms and extremely cold temperatures, there were floods and landslides in Brazil, extensive flooding followed by cyclones and bushfires in Australia, and two devastating earthquakes in New Zealand. ... More

Today one of the greatest fears facing the nations is 'climate change' and 'global warming'. There are fears among politicians and many people that some low lying islands and coastal land will be submerged or inundated by the sea as ice melts and the sea level rises. ... More

The beauty of the scriptures, especially regarding this prophecy of the virgin who should conceive, is in the detail. When Matthew in speaking of the birth of Jesus (Yeshua) refers to a prophecy in Isaiah it is to be suspected that many look no further than the one verse. But the context to which Matthew is referring, which faithful Jews of the era would have known well, is a powerful prophecy. ... More

For many the old Testament is challenging. However, the langauge is often simpler than the new Testament. Secular concepts may obscure a simple understanding. The prophecy of Hosea is one of the simplest, as we can see what is happening in Hosea's relationship and can equate that to events in the nation. ... More

When John begins his letter, “In the beginning was the word”, he is speaking as a introduction to his gospel about Jesus. His conclusion “there are also many other things which Jesus did”, makes this clear. ... More

In the Gospel of John, there are four references to the 'comforter' ('helper' or 'advocate' Greek: paraklētos) that would come after Jesus' resurrection. John was a Hebrew so he didn't think in Greek. The concept of a Comforter only occurs in John's work and so should be treated with caution and understood in John's context. ... More

The following verse would have to be one of the most challenging verses in the Bible. It needs to be read in its context before it makes any sense. The serpent had spoken to Eve in the Garden of Eden and deceived her by saying “you shall not surely die” if they ate of the tree which God had forbidden them to eat the fruit of. ... More

There is some thought that if we are good, or favoured by God (and the two are not the same thing), that things will be nice for us and we will live in peace. But the wisdom of the scriptures, that people are often not as familiar with as they are with humanistic thinking, is very sobering. ... More

Peter refers to the flood in 2Peter 3:6 and compares it to the world as perishing or being destroyed. ... More

This quotation from Isaiah must be taken in its context. The use of heavens and earth in the Bible is often figurative and used metaphorically. ... More

Possibly one of the most misunderstood verses in the New Testament speaks of things created by Christ. Many try and make much more of the idea that Yeshua (Jesus) was a creator than the context warrants, but in doing so they miss Paul's immensely powerful point. ... More

Many people seek wisdom. Many more seek knowledge and will study until late at night to pass exams, and keep up a gruelling study regime for years. Some people seek acumen in how to 'get ahead' and self-help books often enjoy huge sales. But what if we are missing the key to it? ... More

In the modern scientific world this verse is perhaps the most contentious of the Bible. The reason it is contentious is that few seek to understand its context and what is meant by 'heaven'. ... More

"Because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved." (Romans 10:9). This verse is often used as a procedure for how people become Christians, but a further examination of the context will show that this is incorrect. ... More

Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God, (Philipians 2:6) ... More

Revelation 13 and Revelation 17 both advise the reader to seek wisdom. The harlot 'woman' and 'the beast' have a connection to the city that sits on seven mountains, which historically has been identified with Rome, the great and powerful city. The beast here is identified by a number, six hundred and sixty six (666). ... More

This is a very well known statement made by Moses. Most recognise its importance. But do you recognise its significance? ... More

Psalm 72:4 He shall judge the poor of the people, he shall save the children of the needy, and shall break in pieces the oppressor.

Psalm 72:5 They shall fear you as long as the sun and moon endure, throughout all generations.

... More

How can we strengthen our belief and faith in the Bible? Many people question the authenticity of the Bible and the existence of the Creator, but is there a way to banish doubts? ... More

How do we know a lying Prophet? Will we be able to make an excuse before Jesus at the Judgement by claiming we were deceived? Are we not asked to recognise false prophets? In any case we have been given an exemplar judgement of the God of Israel regarding our responsibility to recognise a false prophet, in the history of the man of God, the false prophet and the lion. The incident is recorded in 1 Kings 13. ... More

We examine the time periods given in Revelation 11, 17 and Daniel 7 in their context, looking at both what is predicted and the relevant history. ... More

This is first part in a series on the time periods given in the Bible, especially those relating to the end times of the current order of things and the return of the Messiah (Anointed). ... More

There are many misconceptions of what Anti-Christ means due to mis-information, and sensationalism. It is not hard to confirm what the Bible actually says. ... More

There are 2 sides to the coin. Often a picture of a coin is published showing only one side. It has another side, but unless we see the original we can never know what is on the other side. ... More

Revealing what the Bible realy says about paradise ... More

This is the good news, the future. Your future, but only if you want it. ... More

Psalm 133 is one of the shortest Psalms. It is also possibly one of the most misunderstood psalms. This analysis will show that it is far from being a 'nice' platitude about unity, but rather is a serious statement with doctrinal implications. ... More