1 Timothy 5:17-21

B4 Support the ministry

C1 Elders and honorarium

D1 Unless agreed upon, there should be some honorarium given for the time served.

D2 Especially for those laboring in word (Scriptures) and teaching.

D3 It takes time to prepare and time to present.

D4 Scripture supports this:

E1 Deuteronomy 25:4 NRSV You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.

E2 Luke 10:7 NRSV Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house.

D5 An honorarium is not to make the elders rich.

D6 That there is a honorarium needs to be known to the congregation.

C2 Elder misdeeds/sins

D1 This deals with the leaders, not individual Christians as Matthew 18.

D2 The accusation needs to be 2 or more witnesses. See also: 2 Corinthians 13:1-2 NLT This is the third time I am coming to visit you (and as the Scriptures say, "The facts of every case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses"). 2 I have already warned those who had been sinning when I was there on my second visit. Now I again warn them and all others, just as I did before, that next time I will not spare them.

D3 The word elder would include pastors, deacons, and deaconesses.

E1 Spiritual respect carries responsible for Biblical morality. There is honor and influence, hence the higher standard expected of them. Honor:

F1 Romans 16:2 NLT Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God's people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me.

F2 1 Thessalonians 5:12 NLT Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord's work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.

E2 Pastoral abuse is rampant.

F1 These fake pastors love money. Beware of pastors who are at frequent conferences. Just saying.

F2 And often love power. 1Pe 5:3 ESV not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

F3 When people start questioning what they are doing, they abuse to shut them up.

F4 They have a certain respect, so they love to cover up their evil. John 3:19-21 “This is [the reason for] the judgment, because light is come into the world and people loved darkness rather than light, because their actions were evil. 20 “Everyone who does evil hates the light and doesn’t come to the light, so that his actions may be discovered and reproved [discovered and reproved is one word in Greek]. 21 “But the one who does the truth comes to the light, so that his actions may be plainly seen that they are done for God.”

F5 Imagine an abused person or even a child coming to meet their sexual molester, rapist, or abuser in private (Matthew 18). This would be a very great evil, and it MUST not be allowed.

D4 The rebuke needs to be public, not private. Public means to everyone in the congregation and outside it.

D5 Rebuke is needed.

D6 Fake pastors will not be ashamed or in godly fear. They will not repent or confess their sins usually.

D7 Some articles:

E1 Our pastor has sinned. The elders will not take action. What should we do? (I know nothing about this site).

E2 Lesson 18: Church Leadership: Keeping It Godly (1 Timothy 5:19-25)

E3 Nine Ways Church Elders are to be Held Accountable (I’m not familiar with this site).

C3 Both of these activities must be without prejudice or favoritism.

C4 God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels are watching and will testify against us if we do otherwise.

C5 Questions:

D1 How can church leaders take advantage of the brothers and sisters?

D2 Why is exposure of the evil actions of church leaders necessary?

D3 Why do a number of pastors work to cover up evil and start a campaign to silence those who reveal their evil?

D4 Does this rebuke rarely happen today?

Devotional Notes Romans 7

B1 What does this mean?

C1 We Are Not Under the Law But Are Under Jesus

D1 Law refers to Mosaic Law. Jesus has a new law for us to follow. D2 Brothers in verse 1 refer to fellow Jews.

D3 Verses 1-3 give an illustration from the Law. A married woman is bound by Mosaic Law to remain married. If she divorces and marries another man, she is an adulteress. But, the Law clearly notes that if her husband dies, then she is free to marry and is not an adulteress.

D4 Verses 4-6

E1 Show when those married (bound) to Mosaic law have died with Jesus Christ, now they are free from that law to serve Jesus’s laws.

E2 Consider some of the fruit from verse 4: Galatians 5:22-26 WEL But, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. 24 Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also conform to the Spirit. 26 Let us not be longing for empty praise, irritating one another, and envying one another.

E3 Consider some of the fruit of death: Galatians 5:19-21 WEL Now the works of the flesh are obvious. They are adultery, sexual sins, moral corruption, unrestrained lust, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strife, provoking jealousy, hot anger, pushing to be first, selfish scheming, dissensions, heresy, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, wild partying, and so on, about which I have told you before, and as I have also told you in the past that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

C2 Teaching About Our Spiritual Nature and our Fleshly Nature

D1 Mosaic Law brought death because the penalty for breaking the law was death. So, the Apostle asks if the Law is sinful because of the outcome.

D2 The importance of the Law was that it exposed people’s sin, so that I could repent and ask God for forgiveness.

D3 Came to life, that is, revealed. I knew I was a sinner.

D4 Because the Law exposed, revealed, uncovered, made me aware of sin, I could repent and believe, calling on the name of the Lord.

D5 Note, slave to sin.

E1 We are addicted and cannot free ourselves. Even if we do not want to sin, the principle is there and is usually stronger than reason. Consider how people would not murder, but some will if the reward is great enough.

F1 The heart is the core of our being. It has our emotions, our will, our motives, etc.

F2 It is incurable: Jeremiah 17:9 NLT The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?

F3 Our sin nature is inherited: Psalm 51:5 NLT For I was born a sinner—yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.

E2 Sold to sin

F1 The Greek word for sold is πιπράσκω pipráskō. It means to sell including being sold as a slave. We are a slave to sin.

F2 John 8:34 NLT Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.

F3 Galatians 4:3 NLT And that's the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world.

D6 Nothing good living in me, so I am completely corrupt and guilty. The will is as corrupt as the flesh. Will and flesh refer to desires.

D7 Paul is a believer, but his flesh is still bound to sin. The regenerated heart is not bound to sin. So there is the struggle.

E1 Romans 7:18 NIV For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

F1 The desire a Christian to do right originates from the new heart which seeks God and His kingdom.

F2 The flesh still exerts its desires.

E2 Galatians 5:17 NLT The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

E3 The Holy Spirit giving grace gives us strength and the way to avoid sin.

F1 1 Corinthians 10:13 EMTV No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not permit you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation, He will also make the way out, so as for you to be able to bear it.

F2 Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

F3 Hebrews 4:16 NIV Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

F4 2 Corinthians 12:9 NET But he said to me, "My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me.

D8 Verses 24-25

E1 Paul wonders who is the one who can help him?

E2 Then Paul answers his own question.

E3 Psalm 100:4-5 NIV Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

C3 Questions:

D1 What is the principle of sin in our lives?

D2 How are we enslaved to sin?

D3 How can a Christian struggle between the flesh’s desire to sin and our new spirit’s desire to do God’s will?

1 Timothy 5:3-16

B3 Widows

C1 Most widows can be and must be assisted by family. A family who will not help is judged to be more evil than a nonbeliever. It is understood that the family of God (believers) do need to be aware of other’s needs—any type of needs. If we are able, we must help.

C2 Some widows have no family or that family will not help because the widow is a Christian. This is the true widow, the widow indeed, etc. They have no human to help, but they do trust in God to help them.

C3 Qualifications for the congregation to help.

D1 60 or greater is age.

D2 One-woman wife. This is only one husband at a time.

D3 Has and is doing good works. For example, raised children, hospitable to strangers, washed the feet of God's people, helped the afflicted, and diligence in doing so. These examples are for family first, Christians second, and non-Christian last. That is the order of priorities.

C4 Younger widows must be rejected, in most cases, because they might give a pledge, a promise, of serving others full time. If and when they want to get married, they forsake their promise.

C5 Be careful. A widow who is accepted in the registry, might, for whatever reason, turn against God and follow satan.

D1 Consider Paul’s assistant: 2 Timothy 4:10 PickNT for Demas, loving this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica—Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

D2 Clarke adds: Some of these young widows, for he appears to be still treating of them, are turned aside to idolatry, to follow Satan instead of Christ. Slight deviations, in the first instance, from a right line, may lead at last to an infinite distance from Christ.

D3 A slight deviation for sure. A deviation over time usually develops further and further from the standard.

C6 Some concerns about widows

D1 Needing assistance from house repairs, family issues, financial, etc.

D2 Helping protect from abuse, being taken advantage of

D3 Needing assistance to help with loneliness

C7 Some verses about widows

D1 God cares for widows and those suffering: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

D2 He is judge Psalm 68:5, Deuteronomy 10:18

D3 Raised the dead widow's son Luke 7:11-15

D4 God curses those who thwart justice for widows, non-Jews (in Israel), and orphans Deuteronomy 27:19 (an example in Isaiah 10:1-4)

D5 Against God's law to cause trouble or take advantage of widows Exodus 22:22-24

D6 Corrupt prophets (today we would understand these as church leaders) who taken financial advantage of widows Ezekiel 22:25 and Mark 12:38-40

D6 God required a special tithe in Israel for Levites, non-citizens, and widows Deuteronomy 14:28-29

D7 Example of caring for non-Jewish widows in the book of Ruth

D8 Taking care of the widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon and Elijah (1 Kings 17:13-14)

D9 Office of deacon started in part due to need for helping widows (Acts 6:1)

D10 Example of helpful widow named Tabitha (Dorcas) Acts 9:36-41

D11 God observes how we treat orphans and widows/widowers: James 1:27 NIV Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

C8 Some suggestions

D1 Start a support group. This should be organized, headed, and maintained by widows and widowers.

D2 Listen. Do not give advice unless asked.

D3 Respect their opinions and decisions. They don’t need you to run their life.

D4 Understand that there are spiritual needs, emotional needs, physical needs (including sex). There should be means of discussing these and understanding Scriptural principles for these needs. There might even be a need for professional counseling. Grief has no timeline. There is always grief of some degree for life.

D5 Review Stephen Ministries resources. (Recommended).

C8 Articles

D1 Caring For Widows

D2 Widows in Ministry, Widows in Misery (This is a Bible study by Melanie Newton on Bible.org).

D3 Widows in Jewish Tradition

D4 10 things I wish someone had told me about becoming a widow (non-Christian article)

D5 Distinct Financial Concerns of Widows. See here (pdf).

D6 Financial Advice for Your First Year as a Widow (Secular)

C9 Questions

D1 Why does God care about widows?

D2 What does God’s care show about His kingdom, attributes, worldview?

D3 What doesn’t God help directly as making them rich or something? (Consider that God delegates, so maybe God opened the eyes of one who could help but refused. We shouldn’t blame God when it was some human who could have helped but refused).

Devotional Notes Romans 6

B1 What does this mean?

C1 What We Were—Dead In Sin, Now Alive in Jesus

D1 The Apostle asks if we should continue a life of sin, because the more we sin, the more God gives grace, and the greater the glory to God for His forgiveness.

D2 He answers, “How can we sin, if we are dead to sin?” Dead people’s flesh is compost, so it cannot sin. Adam Clarke [scroll down to verse] comments: The phraseology of this verse is common among Hebrews, Greeks, and Latins. To Die to a thing or person, is to have nothing to do with it or him; to be totally separated from them: and to live to a thing or person is to be wholly given up to them; to have the most intimate connection with them.

D3 We are new. We are resurrected with Christ (the idea that we are in Christ as in

E1 Ephesians 5:30 NIV for we are members of his body.

E2 Romans 12:5 NIV so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others.

D4 Note the contrast between life and death and righteousness and sin. ISBE has this comment: In his anthropology Paul uses four groups of descriptive adjectives in contrasted pairs: (1) the old man and the new man (Romans 6:6; Ephesians 4:22; Colossians 3:9; Ephesians 2:15; 4:24; Colossians 3:10); (2) the outward man and the inward man (2 Corinthians 4:16; Romans 7:22; Ephesians 3:16); (3) the carnal man and the spiritual man (Romans 8:1-14; 1 Corinthians 3:1, 3, 4); (4) the natural man and the spiritual man (2 Corinthians 2:14; 3:3-4, Ephesians 2:3; 1 Corinthians 2:15; 3:1; 14:37; 15:46; Galatians 6:1). A study of these passages will show that the adjectives "old," "outward," "carnal," and "natural" describe man, from different points of view, prior to his conversion; while the adjectives "new," "inward" and "spiritual" describe him, from different points of view, after his conversion. To elucidate the meaning, the expositor must respect these antitheses and let the contrasted words throw light and meaning upon each other.

D5 Verse 6, because our old sinful nature is killed, we now are to live according to our new nature. We are a new creation to live by God’s grace according to the rules of God’s kingdom. What was impossible before we believed in Christ, is now possible.

D6 We were addicted to sin with no hope. Now, because of the ministries of God, we are a new creation. We are no longer slaves to sin but servants of God.

D7 Verse 12: there are still sinful desires, but by the grace of God, we do not have to obey those desires. In the Biblical Illustrator we have this thought: Meanwhile we must not let it [sin] reign.

(1) If it reigned over us it would be our god. It would prove us to be under death, and not alive unto God.

(2) It would cause us unbounded pain and injury if it ruled only for a moment.

D8 God’s grace and new creation brings many joys.

D9 There is a Christian life we must live.

D10 I briefly wrote about this before.

C2 Are We Slaves To Sin or To God’s Righteousness?

D1 Verse 16, we are already Christians. Now, do we live a life of sin or a life of righteousness? Let us choose wisely.

D2 Sin always leads to death. A person can be a Christian and still sin, but if we continue to live a life of sin, we have no blessings, no spiritual growth, no future awards.

D3 1 Corinthians 3:11-15 NLT For no one can lay any foundation other than the one we already have—Jesus Christ. 12 Anyone who builds on that foundation may use a variety of materials—gold, silver, jewels, wood, hay, or straw. 13 But on the judgment day, fire will reveal what kind of work each builder has done. The fire will show if a person's work has any value. 14 If the work survives, that builder will receive a reward. 15 But if the work is burned up, the builder will suffer great loss. The builder will be saved, but like someone barely escaping through a wall of flames.

C3 Questions:

D1 What does dead to sin mean?

D2 When and how do people have a new point of view (as described by ISBE quote above)?

D3 Are we required to live a Christian life? If so, what is a Christian life?

How do I apply this to my life? Help us, O Lord to live our lives for you in the way you want

1 Timothy 5:1-2

B1 This chapter gives instructions to church leaders for various classes of people and situations in the congregation.

B2 Respect the brethren

C1 The word rebuke is the Greek word ἐπιπλήσσω epiplēssō. It is used 1X in the New Testament. It has the idea of getting in someone’s face and yelling at them for being so stupid. God does NOT want us doing it.

D1 We are to speak respectfully to all. We want to win them over, not start a fight.

D2 Take some time out and cool off.

D3 The word rebuke in verse 20 in some translations is a different word meaning to rebuke mildly with the idea of exposure and bringing conviction.

D4 We need to be careful that we are not hypocrites in what we rebuke in others. What the Lord wants is to bring conviction and repentance. This is what we do NOT want to imitate: Matthew 23:25 NLT What sorrow awaits you teachers of religious law and you Pharisees. Hypocrites! For you are so careful to clean the outside of the cup and the dish, but inside you are filthy—full of greed and self-indulgence!

D5 Most understand words the elder not to refer to a church leader but an older man.

D6 Some verses on speech

E1 Proverbs 15:2 NLT The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness.

E2 Proverbs 16:27 CSB A worthless person digs up evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire.

E3 Proverbs 16:21 ESV The wise of heart is called discerning, and sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness.

E4 Proverbs 25:11-12 NLT Timely advice is lovely, like golden apples in a silver basket. 12 To one who listens, valid criticism is like a gold earring or other gold jewelry.

E5 James 1:19 NLT Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.

E6 1 Peter 2:22 NIV He committed no sin, and no deceit was found in his mouth.

C2 We are to plead. The Greek word for plead is παρακαλέω parakaleō (G3870). It is used many times in the New Testament. It has the idea of a gentle, calm approach.

C3 This is what we are to do for brothers and sisters in the congregation.

C4 Abusive speech should NEVER be used.

C5 Proverbs 25:15 WEB By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.

C6 Barclay gives some sage advice:

We may reprimand a person in such a way that there is clearly nothing but anger in our voice and nothing but bitterness in our minds and hearts. A rebuke given solely in anger may produce fear; and may cause pain; but it will almost inevitably arouse resentment; and its ultimate effect may well be to confirm the mistaken person in the error of his ways. The rebuke of anger and the reprimand of contemptuous dislike are seldom effective, and far more likely to do harm than good.

It was said of Florence Allshorn, the great missionary teacher, that, when she was Principal of a women's college, she always rebuked her students, when need arose, as it were with her arm around them. The rebuke which clearly comes from love is the only effective one. If we ever have cause to reprimand anyone, we must do so in such a way as to make it clear that we do this, not because we find a cruel pleasure in it, not because we wish to do it, but because we are under the compulsion of love and seek to help, not to hurt.

C7 Questions:

D1 What is the best Scriptural method of rebuking fellow believers?

D2 Name some voice qualities and heart attitudes to have when rebuking.

D3 Why is it necessary to speak to someone about their need to repent?

D4 Why is it necessary for Paul to tell Timothy to rebuke the sisters in all purity?

A Few Thoughts About the Mystery of Iniquity

A mystery is

B1 an obscure matter that arouses curiosity and eludes understanding, often a religious or spiritual truth. (Source)

B2 any affair, thing, or person that presents features or qualities so obscure as to arouse curiosity or speculation. (Source)

KJV: 2 Thessalonians 2:7 For the mystery of iniquity doth already work: only he who now letteth will let, until he be taken out of the way.

Other translations:

B1 2 Thessalonians 2:7 Anderson For the mystery of iniquity is already at work; only he that now restrains will restrain, till he be taken out of the way.

B2 2 Thessalonians 2:7 Pick NT For the mystery of the lawlessness is already at work; only He who now restrains will do so until He removes Himself.

B3 2 Thessalonians 2:7 NIV For the secret power of lawlessness is already at work; but the one who now holds it back will continue to do so till he is taken out of the way.

It seems inappropriate to me to translate μυστήριον mystḗrion as secret. There is a difference in my mind between a secret and mystery. A secret is an unknown. A mystery is something known but not understood. The Apostles often quoted from the Old Testament of the suffering Messiah, His rejection, His resurrection, etc. They often quoted that Gentiles would be saved, too. It was known but not understood by the Jews.

B1 mystery applies to what cannot be fully understood by reason or less strictly to whatever resists or defies explanation. (Source)

B2 secret implies concealment on any grounds for any motive. (Source)

B3 Two different words: Romans 16:25 RSV Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which was kept secret for long ages

The Greek word for “way” is μέσος mésos. It means middle. It is an adjective. The text has no noun for it to modify. I guess it would have the idea of standing between someone’s desire and ability to achieve it. This thing in the middle prevents one from reaching the other. Once this is taken out of the way, an action can take place. The Holy Spirit is the one hindering. It seems reasonable to understand this as lawlessness (the devil’s program of life) desires to have no hindrance to his (devil’s) plan. The Holy Spirit now prevents him. Once the Holy Spirit is out of the way, then the devil can carry out his plans to completion. Part of the devil’s plan is promotion and revealing of the man of sin which is written about in the context of 2 Thessalonians 2:7.

The anti-Christ is

B1 The man of lawlessness.

B2 He is both a pretend messiah and one against the true Messiah, Jesus.

B3 He is lawless, which refers to his breaking God’s laws.

B4 He is the ultimate human deceiver.

B5 He is empowered by satan. 2 Thessalonians 2:9 WEL This [Lawless] one is coming according to the energy of Satan with all lying miracles, signs, and wonders.

B6 He opposes everyone. The Greek word for oppose is ἀντίκειμαι antíkeimai. It has the idea of to oppose, be adverse to, withstand (Thayer). Compare: Galatians 5:17 NIV For the flesh desires what is contrary to the Spirit, and the Spirit what is contrary to the flesh. They are in conflict with each other, so that you are not to do whatever you want.

B7 Exalts himself above every living thing—God, spirits, humans, etc.

C1 The Greek word for exalt is ὑπεραίρομαι hyperaíromai.

C2 Note that he exalts himself. Warning: Matthew 23:12 NLT But those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

C3 Compare the real Messiah, Yeshua: Philippians 2:9-11 NIV Therefore God exalted him to the highest place and gave him the name that is above every name, 10 that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, 11 and every tongue acknowledge that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

B8 He does miracles, signs, and wonders. The ability comes from satan. Compare: Exodus 7:11, Exodus 7:22, and Exodus 8:7.

B9 Unrighteous power, that is, power not to do good but to do evil, especially deception. The devil gives the anti-Christ assistance. The people were deceived because they hated the truth, which is the reality about God, God’s opinion of them, God’s worldview, God’s lifestyle, God’s rules, etc.

The mystery of iniquity/lawlessness is

B1 That a being (the devil) has a plan and a goal to deceive and have all recognize him as god (or at least through his chosen one—the anti-Christ). It is his plan. It is his method of enacting it. It is concealing his real goal and plan (it is under cover of darkness). It is his plan and method of deceiving all people to believe him (have faith in his chosen—the anti-Christ). He wants all people to be in rebellion against God and His ways. It will be exposed by God.

B2 Self-will. Instead of the will of God, there will be the will of myself. Isaiah 14:13-14 NLT For you said to yourself, 'I will ascend to heaven and set my throne above God's stars. I will preside on the mountain of the gods far away in the north. 14 I will climb to the highest heavens and be like the Most High.' (for more of this see resource B2 below).

B3 Self-rule. Instead of living by God’s rules, people will live by their own. Jeremiah 7:13, 23-24 NLT While you were doing these wicked things, says the LORD, I spoke to you about it repeatedly, but you would not listen. I called out to you, but you refused to answer. ... 23 This is what I told them: 'Obey me, and I will be your God, and you will be my people. Do everything as I say, and all will be well!' 24 "But my people would not listen to me. They kept doing whatever they wanted, following the stubborn desires of their evil hearts. They went backward instead of forward.

Good and Evil

B1 God knows about good and evil:

C1 Genesis 3:22 NLT Then the LORD God said, "Look, the human beings have become like us, knowing both good and evil. What if they reach out, take fruit from the tree of life, and eat it? Then they will live forever!"

D1 The word knowing is not knowing by experience but that God was not surprised by evil, rebellion, law breaking etc.

D2 Also referring to the idea that humans now know evil (experienced in doing evil). Clarke adds:

A very learned man has ventured the following paraphrase, which should not be lightly regarded: "And the Lord God said, The man who was like one of us in purity and wisdom, is now fallen and robbed of his excellence; he has added לדעת ladaath, to the knowledge of the good, by his transgression the knowledge of the evil; and now, lest he put forth his hand, and take also of the tree of life, and eat and live for ever in this miserable state, I will remove him, and guard the place lest he should re-enter. Therefore the Lord God sent him forth from the garden of Eden, " etc.

D3 Genesis 3:22 CEV The LORD said, "These people now know the difference between right and wrong, just as we do. But they must not be allowed to eat fruit from the tree that lets them live forever."

D4 Genesis 3:22 New Century Version Then the LORD God said, "The man has become like one of us; he knows good and evil. We must keep him from eating some of the fruit from the tree of life, or he will live forever."

C2 Adam knew that doing this was evil because he had God’s law. Afterwards, Adam knows the experience of doing evil. Genesis 2:16-17 NLT But the LORD God warned him, "You may freely eat the fruit of every tree in the garden—17 except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you eat its fruit, you are sure to die."

B2 The source of our evil in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds is our heart, our innermost person: Matthew 15:18-19 NLT But the words you speak come from the heart—that's what defiles you. 19 For from the heart come evil thoughts, murder, adultery, all sexual immorality, theft, lying, and slander.

B3 It was prophesied that God would destroy evil: Genesis 3:15 NLT And I will cause hostility between you and the woman, and between your offspring and her offspring. He will strike your head, and you will strike his heel.

B4 One of the purposes of Jesus coming as Messiah was to destroy evil: 1 John 3:8 NLT But when people keep on sinning, it shows that they belong to the devil, who has been sinning since the beginning. But the Son of God came to destroy the works of the devil.

B5 The devil was the first to rebel. He chose to do so. God sovereignly decreed a measure of libertarian free will: John 8:44 NLT For you are the children of your father the devil, and you love to do the evil things he does. He was a murderer from the beginning. He has always hated the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, it is consistent with his character; for he is a liar and the father of lies.

B6 Jesus’s death and resurrection proved that the devil is defeated. Later the devil will be thrown into the Lake of Fire.

C1 Hebrews 2:14 NLT Because God's children are human beings—made of flesh and blood—the Son also became flesh and blood. For only as a human being could he die, and only by dying could he break the power of the devil, who had the power of death.

C2 Revelation 20:10 NLT Then the devil, who had deceived them, was thrown into the fiery lake of burning sulfur, joining the beast and the false prophet. There they will be tormented day and night forever and ever.

C3 2 Thessalonians 2:8 New Century Version Then that Man of Evil will appear, and the Lord Jesus will kill him with the breath that comes from his mouth and will destroy him with the glory of his coming.

This mystery will be fully revealed during the 7 year Tribulation. This will be destroyed by the Second Coming of Jesus Christ. Jesus will reign until all enemies will be under his authority. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. After the literal thousand year reign of Jesus in Jerusalem is completed, all nonbelievers are judged and sentenced, and death destroyed, then the New Heavens and New Earth will be created.

Resources:

B1 Mystery of Iniquity by David Wilkerson.

B2 What IS the 'lawlessness' of the Last Days?

Devotional Notes Romans 5

B1 What does this mean?

C1 The Means of Justification and Peace With God

D1 Peace with God

E1 Our part is faith, that is, believing God.

E2 God’s part is justification because of the ministry of Jesus.

E3 Peace with God means not fearing His wrath in this life and the next.

F1 Peace is the first blessing of faith.

F2 It is the beginning of a new life. It often brings peace between others and us.

F3 What Peace Does God Provide to the Believer? By Don Stewart.

E4 Faith in Jesus is the condition for God’s mercy to be experienced.

D2 Distress in life (from any cause) leads to endurance which leads to proven character which leads to hope. We are in God’s school to grow in faith. Praise God.

D3 When breaking the Law, someone must be punished. It is the lawbreaker, unless someone is a substitute. Jesus was willing to be that substitute. Note the importance of the blood. The blood signifies substitute and death. A willing and legal substitute has died for the punishment of a sinner. Thank you, Lord Jesus.

D4 If, when we were enemies of God, Jesus died, what blessings will be ours now that we are justified by faith in Jesus.

D5 We will rejoice in God.

C2 All Are Spiritually Dead Through Adam and Spiritually Through Jesus

D1 Adam’s sin affected all people, since all are descendants (except Jesus who is God’s Son). The proof of this is our sin, which all humans do (except Jesus).

D2 Written law or no written law, the law existed. Proof of this is punishment for breaking the law.

D3 Verse 15, quoting Clarke: "It is evident that the apostle, in this and the two following verses, is running a parallel, or making a comparison between the offence of Adam and its consequence; and the opposite gift of God and its consequences.

D4 One sin brought death to all humans. One obedience brought forgiveness after many sins.

D5 The importance of the resurrection (verse 17).

D6 Verse 19 shows the contrast between no faith (disobedience) bringing death and faith (obedience to the Gospel) bringing life. 19 Just as through one man’s disobedience many became sinners, so through the obedience of one many will become righteous.

D7 Verse 20, the importance of the Law showing, proving, convicting all of sin.

D8 Sin is strong, so strong in fact, that all humans die because of their sin. Christ’s righteousness is stronger, so much stronger in fact, that those who believe will live even though they sinned. Christ paid the penalty. Those who believe reap the benefit of righteousness, Christ’s righteous, eternal life and all those joys of God’s gifts.

C3 Questions

D1 What is peace with God?

D2 Why is it necessary?

D3 How do we receive peace with God?

D4 What is the purpose of the Law?

D5 What is the importance of Jesus’s resurrection?

How do I apply this to my life? Believe and rejoice in Jesus Christ alone for salvation. Acts 4:12 ESV And there is salvation in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.