2 Timothy 3

B1 The last days, a time that is

C1 Perilous: that is, a time of sorrows, persecution, hate, suffering

D1 Know that God does not leave His people. See Hebrews 13:5-6.

D2 The Greek word for perilous is χαλεπός chalepós.

E1 It means hard to bear, troublesome, dangerous [Strong].

E2 It is used one other time in the NT. And when He came to the other side, to the region of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs; exceedingly violent, so that no one was able to pass by that way. Matthew 8:28 EMTV

E3 Other translations translate this word as

C2 For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, unloving, unforgiving, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, not loving what is good, traitors, headstrong, having been puffed up, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having a form of godliness but denying its power. And from these people turn away! 2 Timothy 3:2-5 EMTV

D1 People lovers of themselves, that is, “I'm number 1. I care about myself first.” This is selfish narcissism.

D2 Lovers of money, that is, they would sell their soul to the devil for money. They would hurt anyone, anywhere just for money. They would lie, cheat, steal, kill, whatever it takes for money.

D3 Boasters, that is, bragging about themselves. Another “me first” attitude.

D4 Proud, that is, think of themselves as being the greatest. This is often an unreasonable thought. Others think of them as immature.

D5 Blasphemers, that is, taking God's name in vain, not using it reverently. Also, it includes not believing God (as in interpreting the Bible), smearing His character, etc.

D6 Disobedient to parents. There is no respect, no helping them, etc.

D7 Unthankful, that is, for anything, ever, not to God or anyone else; their attitude is, “It's all about me.” “I can solve my own problems.”

D8 Unholy, that is, not doing what God wants them to, but what they want to do. There are no absolutes, no standard of right and wrong, and no accountability.

D9 Unloving, that is, only care about themselves. They want others to love them, but they will not show love to others. They use people instead of showing compassion.

D10 Unforgiving, that is, never forgive anyone anything. They will always remind someone of their fault, error, or mistake.

D11 Slanders, that is, they will lie about someone's character, in order to manipulate and control others.

D12 Without self-control

D13 Brutal, that is, mean, verbal, physical, financial abuse.

D14 Despisers of good, that is, they will hate good people, truth, God, anything good. They will want to ban good people, re-educate them, lock them down, etc.

D15 Traitors, that is, to anything, for anything. Their loyalty is to themselves.

D16 Headstrong, that is, stubborn. They are unable to be reasonable. There is no talking to them about facts. They will mock and revile.

D17 Haughty, that is, a way of carrying yourself will your chin high, thinking that everyone worships that ground you walk on.

D18 Lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, that is, whatever feels good, they will do it. It makes no difference if it hurts someone or breaks laws.

D19 A form of godliness, this is, churchianity, not Christianity. They are often spiritual but do not show the fruit of the Spirit. What they appear to be in public is not what they are in private.

D20 Deny its power, that is, will not believe that being a true, Biblical Christian is to any advantage.

D21 Compare God’s Word translation: You must understand this: In the last days there will be violent periods of time. People will be selfish and love money. They will brag, be arrogant, and use abusive language. They will curse their parents, show no gratitude, have no respect for what is holy, and lack normal affection for their families. They will refuse to make peace with anyone. They will be slanderous, lack self-control, be brutal, and have no love for what is good. They will be traitors. They will be reckless and conceited. They will love pleasure rather than God. They will appear to have a godly life, but they will not let its power change them. Stay away from such people. 2 Timothy 3:1-5 GW

B2 In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 2 Timothy 3:12 NIV

B3 All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching the truth, rebuking error, correcting faults, and giving instruction for right living, so that the person who serves God may be fully qualified and equipped to do every kind of good deed. 2 Timothy 3:16-17 GNB

2 Timothy Chapter 2

Chapter 2

B1 2 Timothy 2:2 NKJV And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

C1 Church leaders to be chosen

D1 Faithful men—these are those who adhere to the plain, normal interpretation of the Scriptures, the teachings found therein, the lifestyle, and worldview.

D2 Able to teach

B2 2 Timothy 2:8 NKJV Remember that Jesus Christ, of the seed of David, was raised from the dead according to my gospel.

C1 The importance of the resurrection. See The Significance of the Resurrection.

B3 2 Timothy 2:15 NKJV Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

C1 Study:

D1 This doesn't refer to study as in read, memorize, and practice.

D2 It does mean

E1 To be diligent, not to waste any time, to practice, live, the Christian life (Ephesians 5:15-16).

E2 To be faithful and steadfast until death (1 Corinthians 15:58).

B4 2 Timothy 2:17-18 And their message will spread like cancer. Hymenaeus and Philetus are of this sort, 18 who have strayed concerning the truth, saying that the resurrection is already past; and they overthrow the faith of some.

C1 This resurrection has not yet happened. The resurrection of the Lord Jesus and some saints happened, but there are other resurrections; 1) to eternal life and 2) to eternal death—lake of fire

C2 Believer’s Bible Commentary writes: Greek philosophers typically viewed the soul as immortal and the body as its temporal prison. The idea of the physical resurrection of the body, both Christ’s and the Christians, as therefore foreign and difficult for them to grasp. Hence there was a natural tendency toward heresies which rejected bodily resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:1-58; Acts 17:32). The heresy of Philetus and Hymenaeus probably involved the idea that resurrection was a purely spiritual affair which occurred at conversion or baptism. But bodily resurrection is the keystone of Christian doctrine, as Paul showed (1 Corinthians 15:1-58). Without it, the entire edifice of the gospel collapses. Little wonder then that Paul said that these two false teachers destroy the faith of some (cf. 1 Timothy 1:19).

B5 2 Timothy 2:22 Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

C1 We are to follow, that is, to have thoughts, desires, words, and deeds that are

D1 Righteousness—what God says is right. It is not we who decide what is right or wrong; it is God.

D2 Faith—believing God. What He says in THE BIBLE is true.

D3 Love—a love of choice. It includes gentleness, care, compassion, standing up for the truth, boldness, etc.

D4 Peace—the peace of God. The peace that God has and gives. There is no other peace.

2 Timothy Chapter 1

2 Timothy

Chapter 1

B1 ...serve from my forefathers with pure conscience...v3

C1 This is by man's standards—what his peers would decide looking at his life. The Old Testament is God’s standard for the nation Israel, though much can be applied to all humanity, for example the 10 Commandments. The Jews of Jesus’s day had corrupted the law by making their interpretation of higher authority than Scripture. Mark 7:6-13. Paul, by the standards of the Pharisees was pure.

C2 By God's standards, Paul considered himself to be the greatest sinner: 1 Timothy 1:15 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the chief.

C3 What about our conscience? Is it pure in man's sight only or in God's, too? Read the 10 Commandments and decide.

B2 ...unfeigned faith...v5

C1 Unfeigned = sincere, not fake, not an outward show. It is a faith lived even when no one is around.

C2 Faith = believing God—what He says, what He does, what He wants, etc. Interpreting the Bible in its plain, normal sense is another way.

B3 2 Timothy 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.

C1 What He has NOT given.

D1 Spirit of fear: timidity

E1 Webster: want of courage or boldness to face danger; timorousness; habitual cowardice. Timidity in one person may be a good trait of character, while in another it is a deep reproach.

E2 Bravery is NOT an absence of fear; it IS, in the face of fear, doing what is right and needful.

D2 Paul was urging Timothy to not necessarily rekindle but to keep on stirring up his faith. There was a slow drift towards letting fear cloud Timothy’s witness. Don’t most of us do so? Some others that had natural timidity: Moses (Exodus 3:11-14), Gideon (Judges 6:14-15), Saul (1 Samuel 9:21), and Jeremiah (Jeremiah 1:6). Note Paul’s use of the word us; He too had times of timidity.

C2 What He is doing

D1 Power = ability to do His will, to overcome temptation, to survive troubles, to live through persecution

D2 Love = the love of choice, to love what God loves.

D3 Sound mind = a disciplined, self-controlled mind, thoughts, actions.

C3 The Holy Spirit does this, not we, ourselves. John 15:5 GNB I am the vine, and you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will bear much fruit; for you can do nothing without me.

B4 2 Timothy 1:9 Who hath saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given to us in Christ Jesus before the world began.

C1 Saved: He did the saving; we did the believing. God initiates salvation because we cannot and do not seek God (Romans 3:9-20). When initiating salvation, God opens our minds and hearts to the truth. He also has freed the will to resist or not resist.

C2 Called: He invited us and called us not according to our efforts. We cannot and do not seek God. He has a purpose and gives us the grace to believe. To Jesus Christ be all the glory for salvation. We are called for holiness, not selfishness. It is not me first but God first. It wasn't what we have done, but we believed. This was His purpose and grace.

B5 2 Timothy 1:10 But is now made manifest by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who hath abolished death, and hath brought life and immortality to light through the gospel.

C1 The Gospel was not completely, purely understood until the Lord Jesus came. He is

D1 Savior—the only one who can us from God’s wrath that we fully deserve.

D2 Who abolished death—this death is spiritual, eternal death

D3 Who brought life—this life is eternal life that starts in the new heart at the time of belief. It is a new creation accomplished by God (2 Corinthians 5:17).

D4 Who brought immortality—this immortality is life doesn't end at physical death.

B6 2 Timothy 1:13 Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.

C1 Doctrine is important. Doctrine is our beliefs, our rules of living, our lifestyle, and our worldview.

C2 We are to believe and teach the same doctrine—no change.

B7 2 Timothy 1:15 This you know, that all those in Asia have turned away from me, among whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

C1 Turned away = apostatizes

C2 We are told to “hold fast”, then Paul mentions these: Phygellus and Hermogenes, who did not “hold fast”.

A Few Thoughts about James 3:13-18

James 3:13-18 NRSV Who is wise and understanding among you? Show by your good life that your works are done with gentleness born of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not be boastful and false to the truth. 15 Such wisdom does not come down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual, devilish. 16 For where there is envy and selfish ambition, there will also be disorder and wickedness of every kind. 17 But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without a trace of partiality or hypocrisy. 18 And a harvest of righteousness is sown in peace for those who make peace.

A problem arises. A solution is needed. A question is raised. An answer is needed.

To solve these, one needs knowledge and wisdom.

Knowledge is knowing the facts about the problem and what caused it, then wisdom is needed to apply experience of previous and similar problems, ideas to what caused it and how to solve it, studies to confirm a solution, and apply them to the problem.

We have problems in life.

Wisdom is needed to solve these problems.

According to the Bible, there are two sources of wisdom—God and other.

Often the solution comes from wisdom that has these factors—envy, selfish ambition, ignoring the truth (conceal it, keep a lid on it, etc.), which leads to greater problems. This wisdom is described at earthly, unspiritual, and devilish. Envy combined with selfish ambition leads to disorder and every kind of wickedness.

The solution that is needed must come from above, which is the opposite of the earthly. This wisdom is described as pure, peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy, full of good fruits (the effects of good wisdom), no partiality, and no hypocrisy.

Earthly wisdom has another facet: 1 Corinthians 1:20-21 NLT So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. 21 Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe.

Earthly wisdom has a warning: Proverbs 28:26 NLT Those who trust their own insight are foolish, but anyone who walks in wisdom is safe.

Godly wisdom has this component which no other wisdom has—God knows the future.

B1 Isaiah 42:9 NLT Everything I prophesied has come true, and now I will prophesy again. I will tell you the future before it happens.

B2 Colossians 2:2-3 NIV My goal is that they may be encouraged in heart and united in love, so that they may have the full riches of complete understanding, in order that they may know the mystery of God, namely, Christ, 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.

B3 Psalm 147:5 NIV Great is our Lord and mighty in power; his understanding has no limit.

Worldly wisdom is

B1 Earthly—this is worldly. It cares about worldly values and goals. It tends to be selfish and self-promoting.

C1 Worldly and godly are opposites with opposite motives and effects. Titus 2:12 NIV It teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age.

C2 Christians are instructed—Galatians 5:24 NRSV And those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.

D1 This doesn’t mean that it is evil to sleep, work, eat, have sex with your spouse, etc.

D2 This does mean that this goal and lifestyle of desire is the me first attitude.

C3 Compare Galatians 5:19-21, Ephesians 2:3, and Romans 8:5-9.

B2 Sensual is finding pleasure in selfish things instead of godly things.

C1 We are to first seek the kingdom of God.

C2 Compare

D1 Ecclesiastes 2:8 AFV I also gathered silver and gold to myself, and the treasure of kings and of the provinces. I got men singers and women singers for myself, even the sensual delights of the sons of men, and many women.

D2 Isaiah 47:8 GNB Listen to this, you lover of pleasure, you that think you are safe and secure. You claim you are as great as God—that there is no one else like you. You thought that you would never be a widow or suffer the loss of your children.

B3 Devilish, that is, demoniacally.

C1 This is the wisdom that the devil has and uses. He hates God or pretends to be God with God’s wisdom to deceive or presenting wisdom that is the opposite of God’s character and wisdom.

C2 Genesis 3:4 NRSV But the serpent said to the woman, "You will not die.

C3 See his wisdom(?) in Job 1:6-12.

C4 Scheming to achieve. James 4:1-2 NLT What is causing the quarrels and fights among you? Don’t they come from the evil desires at war within you? 2 You want what you don’t have, so you scheme and kill to get it. You are jealous of what others have, but you can’t get it, so you fight and wage war to take it away from them. Yet you don’t have what you want because you don’t ask God for it.

Wisdom from above, that is, godly

B1 Pure

C1 Without taint of sin in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds. It is perfect.

C2 1 John 3:3 GNB Everyone who has this hope in Christ keeps himself pure, just as Christ is pure.

B2 Peaceable

C1 Bringing rest and contentment.

C2 Hebrews 12:11 GNB When we are punished, it seems to us at the time something to make us sad, not glad. Later, however, those who have been disciplined by such punishment reap the peaceful reward of a righteous life.

B3 Gentle

C1 Kind, treating people well without abuse.

C2 Titus 3:2 NIV to slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and always to be gentle toward everyone.

B4 Willing to yield

C1 rather, persuaded; the reverse of obstinacy, the pride of a false consistency, or a set persistence in one’s own way. [Whedon]

C2 It is used one time. Compare Romans 9:20 and Acts 15:39.

B5 Full of mercy

C1 Willing to examine the circumstances, willing to confess evil, humbling oneself, cooperation, etc. the sentence of the law should not be carried out to its fullest.

C2 This is a good passage to also show the contrast between grace and mercy (Ephesians 2:2-9) Ephesians 2:3-5 NIV All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 But because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions--it is by grace you have been saved.

B6 Full of good fruits (the effects of good wisdom)

C1 Fruits is usually associated with results.

C2 Galatians 5:22-23 MEV But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 meekness, and self-control; against such there is no law.

B7 Without partiality

C1 Apply attitudes, treatment, rules, etc. the same for all people whether people of faith or not, enemies or friends, etc.

C2 Leviticus 19:15 NLT Do not twist justice in legal matters by favoring the poor or being partial to the rich and powerful. Always judge people fairly.

C3 1 Timothy 5:21 Common New Testament I charge you, in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, doing nothing out of favoritism.

B8 Without hypocrisy

C1 We act the same in public and private in what we say, what we do, how we treat people, etc. Our yes is yes, and our no is no.

C2 Romans 12:9 NRSV Let love be genuine; hate what is evil, hold fast to what is good.

C3 Isaiah 29:13 NRSV The Lord said: Because these people draw near with their mouths and honor me with their lips, while their hearts are far from me, and their worship of me is a human commandment learned by rote.

How to obtain God’s wisdom

B1 Ask. James 1:5 NLT If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. An example would be Daniel in Daniel 2:23.

B2 Having others pray with and for us. Paul is our example. Ephesians 1:16-17 NLT I have not stopped thanking God for you. I pray for you constantly, 17 asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God.

B3 Psalms 25:4-5 NIV Show me your ways, LORD, teach me your paths. 5 Guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.

C1 God gives wisdom by showing us. These are human examples of success and failure in the Bible.

C2 God gives wisdom by teaching us. This is discipline.

D1 Discipline is not punishment. Discipline is teaching us. Punishment is administered for breaking rules.

D2 God teaches us verbally, illustrations, examples, etc. (Jesus’s ministry on earth).

D3 When we err, we learn a lesson. God will remind us if we try again. If we do not respond, He can punish.

D4 He teaches us through others teaching, experience, counsel. (These things must be done in God’s way).

D5 He teaches us with truth, not lies, errors, or deceptions.

C3 God gives wisdom by guidance. This can come from reminding us of something (it must agree with Scripture and not contrary), others, thinking on Scripture, etc.

C4 God’s ways is His lifestyle. God’s “paths” is His way of life and worldview. God’s guidance is in truth.

C5 God gives us hope, that is, an expectation that He will give us wisdom. We do not know when.

Our prayer: Psalms 86:11 NLT Teach me your ways, O LORD, that I may live according to your truth! Grant me purity of heart, so that I may honor you.

A Few Thoughts about Ephesians 4:22

Ephesians 4:22-24 EMTV that you put off, concerning your former way of life, the old man which is being corrupted according to the deceitful lusts, 23 and that you be renewed in the spirit of your mind, 24 and that you put on the new man which was created in the likeness of God, in true righteousness and holiness.

A change is the soul/spirit necessitates a change in lifestyle, worldview, rules, regulations, attitudes, doctrine, etc.

Put off is the idea of

B1 There is a difference between the material and immaterial—the flesh and the soul/spirit.

C1 The flesh is called various things

D1 A tent, as a house for the soul. 2 Peter 1:13-14 EMTV But I consider it right, as long as I am in this tent, to stir you up by a reminder, 14 knowing that the putting off of my tent is soon, just as our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me.

D2 James 2:26 EMTV For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

C2 Our real personality, etc. is our soul/spirit, which is also called the heart.

D1 The soul is more than just breath, as some teach. The soul is the source of evil and good.

E1 Breath doesn’t think and plan and is not a source of defilement. Matthew 15:18-20 NIV But the things that come out of a person's mouth come from the heart, and these defile them. 19 For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality, theft, false testimony, slander. 20 These are what defile a person; but eating with unwashed hands does not defile them.

E2 Our breath doesn’t think and know. 1 Corinthians 2:11 NIV For who knows a person's thoughts except their own spirit within them? In the same way no one knows the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.

D2 The Lord Jesus plainly states: Then he said to them, "My soul is overwhelmed with sorrow to the point of death. Stay here and keep watch with me. Matthew 26:38 NIV

D3 The body can be destroyed but the soul cannot. The soul isn’t sent to hell. Matthew 10:28 NIV Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.

B2 We are instructed to not act upon our fleshly desires. We are to lay aside these things. Fleshly desires are the way we desired, thought, and lived before placing our faith into Jesus Christ. Fleshly desires are described in Galatians 5:19-21.

B3 The “old man” is this worldview and lifestyle of without Christ. See Romans 6:6, Colossians 3:9, and “old man.”

Renewed

B1 This renewal is the new birth. Compare the change

C1 Romans 12:1-2 NIV Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.

C2 2 Corinthians 4:16 NRSV So we do not lose heart. Even though our outer nature is wasting away, our inner nature is being renewed day by day.

C3 The evil world is the kingdom of satan, his worldview, lifestyle, rules, and regulations. 1 John 5:4-5 NLT For every child of God defeats this evil world, and we achieve this victory through our faith. 5 And who can win this battle against the world? Only those who believe that Jesus is the Son of God.

B2 Spirit of our mind

C1 Definitely something different than the flesh.

C2 The spirit is a new creation. John 3:6 NIV Flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit.

C3 All has changed. 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 NRSV So if anyone is in Christ, there is a new creation: everything old has passed away; see, everything has become new! 18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ, and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.

Created in likeness of God

B1 The image of God restored. When Adam and Eve were created, they had the same worldview, lifestyle, desires, etc. as God. All of this changed when people rebelled against God’s will.

B2 We will see Him as He presently is so signifying having a new body to house of soul. This body will be holy, regenerated just as God has regenerated our soul when we believed into Jesus. 1 John 3:2 NLT Dear friends, we are already God’s children, but he has not yet shown us what we will be like when Christ appears. But we do know that we will be like him, for we will see him as he really is.

B3 1 Corinthians 15:49 NIV And just as we have borne the image of the earthly man, so shall we bear the image of the heavenly man.

B4 Romans 8:15 NIV The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, "Abba, Father.

True righteousness and holiness

B1 Righteousness and holiness is according to God’s standard.

C1 1 Peter 1:15-16 EMTV but as He who called you is holy, you also be holy in all manner of life, 16 because it is written, "Be holy, for I am holy.

C2 Ephesians 4:13 NLT This will continue until we all come to such unity in our faith and knowledge of God’s Son that we will be mature in the Lord, measuring up to the full and complete standard of Christ.

B2 For believers in Christ, we already have a new spirit. Since the spirit is new, let us live according to this newness.

B3 It is a standard and a test if we are true. 1 John 3:7 EMTV Little children, let no one deceive you. The one who practices righteousness is righteous, just as He is righteous.

B4 We cannot be sinless but are to be blameless. Philippians 2:15 EMTV in order that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverted generation, among whom you shine as light bearers in the world.

B5 God is able to keep us. He has many ways of training (discipline) and leading us. Jude 1:24-25 EMTV Now to Him who is able to keep them from stumbling, and to make you stand before His glory, blameless with exultation, 25 To the only wise God our Savior, be glory and majesty, dominion and power, both now and forever. Amen.

Psalms 40:3 NIV He put a new song in my mouth, a hymn of praise to our God. Many will see and fear the LORD and put their trust in him.

Psalms 68:19 NIV Praise be to the Lord, to God our Savior, who daily bears our burdens.

Psalms 86:12 NLT With all my heart I will praise you, O Lord my God. I will give glory to your name forever.

A Few Thoughts about God’s Repentance

1 Samuel 15:35 KJV And Samuel came no more to see Saul until the day of his death: nevertheless Samuel mourned for Saul: and the LORD repented that he had made Saul king over Israel.

Does God repent?

The word repent

B1 The Hebrew word translated mourn is אָבַל ʼâbal. It means to be languid, to walk with the head cast down (Source is Gesenius’s Hebrew and Chaldee Lexicon). It has the idea of mourning, wailing in sorrow, and lamenting. It was not a happy day for Samuel. This isn’t a one-time short emotion; it is much longer period of grieving. See 1 Samuel 16:1 and note below.

B2 The Hebrew word translated repent is נָחַם nâcham. It means to breathe deeply, thus any strong emotion bringing this physical response, so pity, comfort, grieve, be sorry for, repent. When used about humans it signifies repent as in turning from sinning to not sinning and from sin to God. When used about God it signifies repent as in turning from happiness and joy to sorrow. God wants to communicate His feelings so humans can understand Him better.

C1 Genesis 5:29 NIV He named him Noah and said, "He will comfort us in the labor and painful toil of our hands caused by the ground the LORD has cursed. See also Genesis 37:35

C2 God does not change His mind on His unconditional promises, His worldview, His lifestyle, or laws. Numbers 23:19 NIV God is not human, that he should lie, not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill?

C3 Psalm 90:13 KJV Return, O Lord, how long? and let it repent thee concerning thy servants. The word repent in this passage refers to pity or have compassion (still the idea of breathing deeply). See other translations here.

I understand 1 Samuel 15:35 as follows. You study it for yourself.

B1 Israel wanted a king (as the nations around them had). Thus, rejecting God as their king. 1 Samuel 8:5 NRSV and said to him, "You are old and your sons do not follow in your ways; appoint for us, then, a king to govern us, like other nations. It would be helpful if you read the context (1 Samuel 8:3-9).

B2 Granting them a king is punishment on one hand, yet a fulfillment of prophesies about the coming Messiah. A king was allowed.

B3 A king was chosen from the nation of Israel. God choose Saul son of Kish. This shows

C1 God is still sovereign over Israel and does the choosing, not the people.

C2 God choose Saul.

C3 God’s promises to Saul were conditional. 1 Samuel 12:14-15 NLT “Now if you fear and worship the LORD and listen to his voice, and if you do not rebel against the LORD’s commands, then both you and your king will show that you recognize the LORD as your God. 15 But if you rebel against the LORD’s commands and refuse to listen to him, then his hand will be as heavy upon you as it was upon your ancestors.

B4 God knew Saul’s future choices and actions. God knew that eventually Saul would disobey, and Saul would be unchosen. God was not surprised about Saul’s disobedience and disbelief.

B5 God’s repentance would be understood as God having emotions of being sad that His chosen would rebel and sin. God is not sad that He choose Saul. Saul had a choice to believe and obey or not believe and disobey. Choices have consequences. Saul had made feigned repentance several times, but God is not deceived by such action.

B6 1 Samuel 29 and verse 35 are not contradictory.

C1 Believer’s Bible Commentary notes:

Verses 29 and 35 seem to be contradictory. The first says that God does not change His mind or relent, while the second says that He regretted making Saul king. Verse 29 describes God in His essential character. He is unchanging and unchangeable, the immutable One. Verse 35 means that a change in Saul's conduct required a corresponding change in God's plans and purposes for him. To be consistent with His attributes, God must bless obedience and punish disobedience.

C2 College Press commentary notes:

We understand that it repented God that He had made Saul king when we look upon the act as man would look upon it. This is what we call an anthropomorphism—putting things in the form that man can understand. Most certainly we do not look upon the occurrence as a mistake on God’s part. God was grieved on account of Saul’s failure. Inasmuch as grief is a part of our repentance, God’s attitude resembles this part of repentance.

B7 Note 1 Samuel 16:1 LEB Then Yahweh said to Samuel, “How long will you mourn about Saul? I have rejected him from being king over Israel! Fill up your horn with oil and go. I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have chosen a king for myself among his sons. There is a difference between the mourning (אָבַל ʼâbal) of Samuel and God’s change of mind (נָחַם nâcham). Samuel still mourns, but of God, there is no mention of mourning.

B8 Note Jesus’s attitude of grief. Matthew 23:37 EMTV O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to her! How often would I have gathered your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, but you were not willing! Compare Matthew 26:37.

B9 The Holy Spirit grieves. Ephesians 4:30 EMTV And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, by whom you were sealed for the day of redemption.

C1 Grieve here has the idea of distress, sorrowful, and vex. (Mounce)

C2 The fact that He can be grieved shows that the Holy Spirit is a Person, not a mere influence. It also means He loves us, because only a person who loves can be grieved. The favorite ministry of God's Spirit is to glorify Christ and to change the believer into His likeness (2Co_3:18). When a Christian sins, He has to turn from this ministry to one of restoration. It grieves Him to see the believer's spiritual progress interrupted by sin. He must then lead the Christian to the place of repentance and confession of sin. (Believer’s Bible Commentary)

C3 See Spurgeon’s devotion.

Jonah 3:10

B1 Translations

C1 Jonah 3:10 KJV And God saw their works, that they turned from their evil way; and God repented of the evil, that he had said that he would do unto them; and he did it not.

C2 Jonah 3:10 NRSV When God saw what they did, how they turned from their evil ways, God changed his mind about the calamity that he had said he would bring upon them; and he did not do it.

B2 God said He would destroy Nineveh but had an unstated condition that if they would repent (they did), He would not destroy the city. Jonah 3:4-5 NRSV Jonah began to go into the city, going a day's walk. And he cried out, "Forty days more, and Nineveh shall be overthrown!" 5 And the people of Nineveh believed God; they proclaimed a fast, and everyone, great and small, put on sackcloth.

God grieves when we disbelieve, disobey, and bear the fruit of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21). God is pleased when we believe, obey, and bear the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23).

Articles

B1 Does God repent?

B2 Does God repent?

B3 Repentance of God

A Few Thoughts about Baptism

Positions

B1 Immersion which signifies identification with the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. Romans 6:4-5 NIV We were therefore buried with him through baptism into death in order that, just as Christ was raised from the dead through the glory of the Father, we too may live a new life. 5 For if we have been united with him in a death like his, we will certainly also be united with him in a resurrection like his.

B2 Pouring which signifies the gift of the Holy Spirit in believers. All believers have the Holy Spirit in the tabernacle of the recreated heart.

C1 Acts 2:33 NIV Exalted to the right hand of God, he has received from the Father the promised Holy Spirit and has poured out what you now see and hear.

C2 Acts 10:45 NIV The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles.

C3 Romans 5:5 NIV And hope does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.

C4 John 1:33 NIV And I myself did not know him, but the one who sent me to baptize with water told me, 'The man on whom you see the Spirit come down and remain is the one who will baptize with the Holy Spirit.'

C5 See also Romans 8:9, Romans 5:5, 1 Corinthians 1:22, Galatians 4:6, etc.

B3 Sprinkling which signifies the purifying the conscience.

C1 Hebrews 9:13-14 NIV The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

C2 Hebrews 12:22-24 NKJV But you have come to Mount Zion and to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, to an innumerable company of angels, 23 to the general assembly and church of the firstborn who are registered in heaven, to God the Judge of all, to the spirits of just men made perfect, 24 to Jesus the Mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling that speaks better things than that of Abel.

Questions at baptism

B1 Have you sinned by breaking the 10 Commandments?

B2 Do you agree that God is angry and will punish sin?

B3 Have you confessed you are a sinner and have repented.

B4 Have you asked God to forgive your sins?

B5 Have you placed faith into Jesus Christ alone for salvation?

B5 Do you renounce the works of the devil?

B6 Do you agree to study the Bible, pray, and plan to live the Christian life with God’s help?

Baptism

B1 A testimony of being under the leadership of Jesus Christ.

C1 Israel by going under the sea (going on dry land in Exodus 14:21-22) acknowledged Moses as God’s anointed leader. Israel going through the Red Sea are signifying they are leaving the worldview, lifestyle, religion, etc. of Egypt. 1 Corinthians 10:2 NIV They were all baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea.

C2 Christians (those who have become believers by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone) now acknowledge Jesus as leader of the church. We have died to the world’s lifestyle, worldview, and the authority of the devil (1 John 3:10 and John 8:44). Romans 6:3 NRSV Do you not know that all of us who have been baptized into Christ Jesus were baptized into his death?

B2 A testimony of have a cleared conscience coming from being regenerated.

C1 1 Peter 3:21 NLT And that water is a picture of baptism, which now saves you, not by removing dirt from your body, but as a response to God from a clean conscience. It is effective because of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

C2 Hebrews 9:13-14 NIV The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. 14 How much more, then, will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!

We are in Christian. Think of it as a set; Christ is the set. We are a member of that set, that is, in Christ. We become a member of Christ by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone. See Luke 18:9-14.

Articles

B1 What Questions Should be asked and answered at one’s baptism?

B2 Three Questions (Wesleyan)

B3 Is baptism required for salvation?