Spiritual Gifts: When Did The Accrediting Gifts Go Out Of Existence? (Part 1)
Introduction:
“Charity never faileth: but whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there be] tongues, they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away.” (1 Corinthians 13:8)
In our previous studies we have seen that there are three basic types of Accrediting Gifts which include several gifts under each type. In the above passage, we find each type of Accrediting Gift is represented by one gift from each type …
| Type Of Accrediting Gift | Gifts Included In This Type | Representative Gift Mentioned In
1 Cor 13:8 |
| Supernatural Revelation Of The Truth | The Word Of Wisdom, The Word of Knowledge | Word of Knowledge (or Knowledge) |
| Supernatural Indicators Of The Truth | Faith, Gifts Of Healing, Working Of Miracles, Prophecy, Discerning Of Spirits | Prophecy (or Prophecies) |
| Supernatural Proclamation Of The Truth | Divers Kinds Of Tongues, Interpretation Of Tongues | Diverse Types Of Tongues (or Tongues) |
Please note the above verse (1 Cor 13:8), which includes one representative gift from each group, makes it plain that each type of Accrediting Gift will come to an end at some point in time. We now will turn our attention to the question at what point in time will these gifts go out of existence?
In this study, we will see that this question is answered by the Word of God using several different lines of teaching which all present the same answer for us. This will be the lines of teaching that we will be studying:
I. The Coming Of “That Which Is Perfect”
II. The 70 Year Accreditation Time Span
III. The Death Of The Apostles
IV. The Supernatural Beginning / Natural Perpetuation Of God’s Workings
V. The Prophecies of False Miracles In The “Last Days”
Lesson:
The Coming Of “That Which Is Perfect”
Our text for this lesson is found in 1 Corinthians 13:.
1) Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become [as] sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2) And though I have [the gift of] prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
3) And though I bestow all my goods to feed [the poor], and though I give my body to be burned, and have not charity, it profiteth me nothing.
4) Charity suffereth long, [and] is kind; charity envieth not; charity vaunteth not itself, is not puffed up,
5) Doth not behave itself unseemly, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil;
6) Rejoiceth not in iniquity, but rejoiceth in the truth;
7) Beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things.
8) Charity never faileth: but whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there be] tongues, they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away.
9) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
10) But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
11) When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
12) For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
13) And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these [is] charity.
Here is a short outline of the entire chapter…
1) The Definition and Indicators Of Biblical Love vs 1-7
2) Partial Versus Complete Knowledge vs 8-10
3) Illustrations of Partiality versus Completeness vs 11-12
4) Superiority Of Biblical Love vs 13
For this part of our study, we will be looking at verses 8-13….
8) Charity never faileth: but whether [there be] prophecies, they shall fail; whether [there be] tongues, they shall cease; whether [there be] knowledge, it shall vanish away.
Here, Paul makes it very plain that love is the only gift of the four divine gifts (love, prophecy, tongues, knowledge) that will exist eternally. In our previous studies, we explained that knowledge prophecy and tongues were related to the divine inspiration and accreditation of Scripture (along with the accreditation of the local church).
(Please note it is crucial to understand the meaning of the phrases “shall fail”, “shall cease”, and “shall vanish away”)…
- “shall cease”
- is the Greek word – “pauo” – it means “to stop”, “to be made complete” and “to end”.
- is in the middle voice, meaning the subject of the verb is acting upon itself. In other words, tongues would “stop by themselves” or “would be ended in and of themselves”
- “shall fail” and “shall vanish away”
- Both of these phrases are the same Greek word “katargeo” which means “to be made inoperative, to cease to work, to cease to exercise, to render useless, to vanish”
- Both of these are in the passive voice meaning the subject of the verb receives the action. In other words, our verse is saying that “the perfect thing” (vs 10) will cause both knowledge and prophecy to “no longer be exercised”, or “to vanish away”
9) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
Out of the four previously mentioned gifts from God… knowledge and prophecy are set apart by being described as “in part”. What does “in part” mean? This phrase is referring to the nature of divinely inspired revelation to man. Keep in mind, as God handed down His word to mankind, he did it over many years and many different men. He gave it a part at time, not all at once. (Isa 28:9-13)
The gifts of prophecy and knowledge were “in part” which teaches us that… as each prophecy came from God (as each bit of knowledge came to man) they were “one part” of the whole of divine revelation to man. Until the final revelation from God was received by John on the Isle of Patmos (the book of Revelation), both knowledge and prophecy received by man was only a piece of His Word. At the end of the message given to John on Patmos, the word was finally completed. It was only then that mankind had the prophecy and knowledge God had chosen to give to man was made complete.
Love exists eternally, knowledge, prophesying and the gift of tongues will definitely come to an end, making love a much more valuable gift from God.
10) But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
Paul describes what causes prophecy and knowledge to vanish away. He describes it as “that which is perfect. To help us understand what Paul is referring to, we need to recognize a few important points in our study…
a) Remember, in the previous verse of our study we saw that the gifts that were “in part” were the gifts of prophecy and knowledge.
b) Also, we saw that the ending of these gifts were described by the Greek word “katargeo” which means “to be made inoperative, to cease to work, to cease to exercise, to render useless, to vanish”
c) Thirdly, we learned that based on the Greek passive voice, something must act upon the knowledge and prophecy “to render it useless” or “to cause it to vanish away.”
What has acted on the gift of prophecy and knowledge rendering them worthless and causing them to vanish away?
It is the completed revelation from God… Once God had given to man all of His Word, there was no need for prophecy or knowledge gifts any longer… they were now useless, ineffective and worthless because the Lord was not going to add to the Word He had given to men. In other words, divine inspiration ceased and with it, the gifts linked directly to it…. prophecy and knowledge.
a) Remember, the Lord has made it plain that the Word He has given to us is now complete. We will be receiving no additional inspired truth from Him. (Rev 22:18, Heb 1:1-2)
b) We know it is His Word that is “perfect” based on the Greek word for “perfect”… The word for perfect is “telios” – which means “complete”, “finished”, “brought to completion”. “Telios” refers to the Word of God in James 1:25. Contextually, based on the subject matter of prophecy and knowledge and the inspiration of the Word, it makes sense that the Word is what is being described as “perfect”…
Please note: Not once in Scripture does the word telios refer to sinlessness. Here is every use of the word “telion” in the Bible. Every time it is used it is linked to the completed Word and Spiritual Maturity.
- The Word Of God
- James 1:25 – telion speaks of Bible perfect replacing imperfect.
- Spiritual Maturity Brought About Through The Word
- Eph 4:11-13 – telion speaks of mature man based upon receipt of knowledge resulting in unity
- Hebrews 9:11 – telion is speaking of new tabernacle compared to old. Completed NT revelation revealing Christ as completed Messiah prophecy
- Hebrews 8:13 – when the NT was complete the OT was thrown down and perfect (Word revealing Christ) has replaced imperfect
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17, Hebs 5:12-6:5 – Bible brings men to maturity
- Marks Of Spiritual Maturity
- Love – matt 5:44-48, Luke 6:36
- Dedication to lord – matt 19:21
- Spiritual discernment – 1 cor 2:6,14, hebs 5:14
- Attitudes – 1 cor 14:20
- Truth of gospel salvation, perfect not sinless – phil 3:15
- Unity w lord – col 1:28
- Faithful to lord – col 4:12
- Patience – James 1:4
- The gifts of the Lord – James 1:17
- Faith/works – James 2:22
(Please note that in Matthew 5:44-48 – “telion” does refer to the Lord. However, in the context, it is not speaking of the Lord’s sinlessness, it is speaking of the spiritual maturity that He displays as He shows unconditional love to those who are around Him. No place in Scripture does the word “telios” mean sinlessly perfect.)
For argument’s sake, let’s assume that the term “perfect” does not refer to the completed Word of God. Instead, let’s assume that “perfect” in our text refers to the Lord at His second coming or the eternal sinless state. We have already seen that this “perfect thing” that is coming must act on the gifts of prophecy and knowledge rendering them useless.
If this is so then…
a) We have to say that the Lord is continually revealing His inspired word to man throughout the ages. In other words, His word is not in completed form, but He is continually adding to His revealed Word to man. This revealing of the Word will only stop at His second coming.
b) If this is so, we should be continually adding to the Scriptures. Every new revelation God gives to man should be added to the Scriptures. This principle does away with the warning given throughout God’s Word to not add to the Scriptures (Revelation 22:18-19, Deuteronomy 4:2, Proverbs 30:6).
c) And also the fullness and completeness of God’s Word for us to use is done away with. Therefore, we cannot count on His Word being the complete set of instructions for us to live by. (2 Tim 3:16-17) In this hypothetical scenario, we may face situations that the Word cannot equip us to face. What happens if the part of the Word we need now, will not be revealed to man for another 25 years? Our entire view of the Scriptures must change if this is the case.
However, the Bible clearly tells us otherwise…
a) The Word of God has been given to us resulting in us being given “all things that pertain unto life and godliness” (2 Peter 1:3)
b) We are told that it is through the Word that we can know fully (Ephesians 3:3-5, Romans 16:25-27). These imply we have no need of other revelation than found in His Word.
c) In Jude 1:3 we read that the truth was “once” delivered unto the saints. The term “once” is translated from a Greek word that means “once and for all”. In other words, the truth of God was revealed to us through His Word, and at its completion, no other revelation would be needed or given. This is exactly the point of our 1 Corinthians 13 passage.
d) Also in Ephesians 2:20, we find that the teachings of the Christ, the Apostles, and the Prophets make up the foundation of the Lord’s local churches. This clearly implies the Scriptures would be completed during the founding years of the local assemblies. How can His churches be founded upon something which would not be completed for many years to come? It would be impossible. The very illustration of a foundation teaches us that the Word (just like the foundation) must be completed before the local assembly can be established (like the house that will be framed, roofed and then brought to completion FOLLOWING the completion of its foundation). A foundation is never completed during or after the completion of the house which stands upon it.
The Word of God is clear that it is a completed document that can be relied upon to meet our every need. Again, keeping all of this in mind helps us to understand that the Word is complete and then it follows that the gifts related to the inspiration of His Word are no longer necessary.
11) When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
Paul now uses the example of the maturing of the process of understanding is used to picture the process of God’s revealed Word being brought to completion. Just as Paul’s growth allowed him to come to a more mature and full understanding of life, so too, as God’s Word is brought to completion, it brings to us a fuller understanding of our Lord and our responsibilities as servants.
Based on the Word being brought to completion during the age of the Corinthian church. It was time for them to “grow up” and become mature as well. It would only be at that time that they could use the wonderful blessing of His completed Word to help them to correct the many errors in their assembly.
12) For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
Paul now compares our knowledge of God in our sinful flesh with mankind’s knowledge of God with only a portion of His Word given to them. In both cases, an incomplete view of God is had by man.
- Paul describes a time when God cannot be seen clearly
- Paul describes our life in our sinful flesh as seeing our Lord “through a glass darkly”.
- Paul then compares this to mankind trying to see a full picture of Christ with only a portion of God’s Word given to man. “now I know in part”.
- Paul next describes when we can receive a fuller knowledge of Christ
- When we go home to be with the Lord in heaven, it is seeing Him “face to face”, this will result in seeing Him much more clearly than while in our sinful flesh.
- Paul then compares this to receiving His completed Word which gives us a much more full revelation of the Lord. “ then shall I know even as also I am known” .
In other words, God bringing His Word to completion gives us a much greater knowledge of who He is and what He has done for us. This is being related to man who while in his fallen, fleshly body is greatly limited in knowledge about Him. But when we receive glorified bodies in our eternal state, we will see Him much more clearly.
Also, keep in mind, both of these illustrations are illustrations CONCERNING AMOUNT OF KNOWLEDGE AND KNOWLEDGE INCREASING to a state of completeness. This is another point that cannot be ignored.
To say “that which is perfect” is speaking of spiritual maturity, the second coming of Christ, or the eternal state does not jive with these two illustrations when they are taken together. One illustration could be said to be speaking of spiritual maturity (vs 11) and other one could be said to be about His second coming and the future state (vs 12).
However, the only principle that is being brought out in both illustrations is the principle of incomplete knowledge and understanding being brought to a finished or completed state. Again pointing us back directly to His Word being brought from a state of being “in part” to a finished state of completion.
13) And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these [is] charity.
After telling us about the Word and it’s soon completion, Paul now brings us back to the original thought… love is even greater than our three existing gifts of faith, hope and love.
Why didn’t Paul mention prophecy or knowledge as abiding (to continue on for extended period of time, to endure to limit)? We have already seen they would end within a short period of time from the writing of 1 Corinthians when Word was brought to completion (about 20 years). So he didn’t include these on our list.
But why didn’t he include the gift of tongues… when did they cease to exist? Tongues ceased to exist, around the same time as knowledge and prophecy. Tongues were one of several “sign gifts” that God gave to mankind. The gift of tongues were handed down through the laying on of the Apostles hands. At the death of the last Apostle, the gift of tongues would no longer be able to be passed down and, therefore, died “in and of themselves” (“they shall cease” – vs 8).
Keep in mind, the last Apostle living was the Apostle John. John penned the last book of the Bible (Revelation) in approximately 97 AD and died approximately 100 AD. Following his death tongues could no longer be handed down and went out of existence soon afterward, well within the time frame of this study. We will look at the ending of tongues in great detail in a later portion of this study.
Putting all of this together, it is easy to see why only faith, hope and charity are said to “abide” (to stay in place for an extended period of time). The gifts of prophecy, knowledge and tongues would go out of existence within a few years after Paul’s ministry would be complete.
But not so with faith, hope and love. They would continue on until the second coming of Christ. When Christ comes back we will have no need of faith nor hope…. As we begin, our eternity with Him, we will begin the process of receiving all His promises to us. Faith and hope will no longer be needed, we will be experiencing all He has for us.
At that point, faith and hope will no longer be in existence, but only love will continue on to eternity. Thus making “love” the greatest gift of all that are mentioned in 1 Corinthians 13:.
- Gifts are temporary but love is eternal
- Gifts are elementary but love is mature
- Gifts are partial but love is complete
Based upon our study, we have seen that the gifts involving the Supernatural Revelation Of The Truth (Knowledge) and the Supernatural Indicators Of The Truth (Prophecy) came to an end with the completion of the last book of the Bible, Revelation, in approximately 97 AD. We also saw that the gifts involving the Supernatural Proclamation Of The Truth (Tongues) came to an end within one generation following the death of John in 100 AD.
In our next lesson, we will see that the end of the Accrediting gifts can be understood by examining the 70 year time frame that the Lord uses to accredit His Word and the places of worship He has established.
Additional Information:
The Coming Of “That Which Is Perfect”
Deu 4:2 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.
Pro 30:6 Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar.
Isa 28:9-13 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
(10) For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
(11) For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.
(12) To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith ye may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.
(13) 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.
Mat 5:44-48 But I say unto you, Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you;
(45) That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.
(46) For if ye love them which love you, what reward have ye? do not even the publicans the same?
(47) And if ye salute your brethren only, what do ye more than others? do not even the publicans so?
(48) Be ye therefore perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect.
Mat 19:21 Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.
Luk 6:36 Be ye therefore merciful, as your Father also is merciful.
Rom 16:25-27 Now to him that is of power to stablish you according to my gospel, and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery, which was kept secret since the world began,
(26) But now is made manifest, and by the scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, made known to all nations for the obedience of faith:
(27) To God only wise, be glory through Jesus Christ for ever. Amen. Written to the Romans from Corinthus, and sent by Phebe servant of the church at Cenchrea.
1Co 2:6-14 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:
(7) But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, even the hidden wisdom, which God ordained before the world unto our glory:
(8) Which none of the princes of this world knew: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory.
(9) But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
(10) But God hath revealed them unto us by his Spirit: for the Spirit searcheth all things, yea, the deep things of God.
(11) For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God.
(12) Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.
(13) Which things also we speak, not in the words which man’s wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.
(14) But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.
1Co 13:8-13 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away.
(9) For we know in part, and we prophesy in part.
(10) But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.
(11) When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.
(12) For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.
(13) And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three; but the greatest of these is charity.
1Co 14:20 Brethren, be not children in understanding: howbeit in malice be ye children, but in understanding be men.
Eph 2:19-20 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God;
(20) And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;
Eph 3:3-5 How that by revelation he made known unto me the mystery; (as I wrote afore in few words,
(4) Whereby, when ye read, ye may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ)
(5) Which in other ages was not made known unto the sons of men, as it is now revealed unto his holy apostles and prophets by the Spirit;
Eph 4:11-13 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
(12) For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
(13) Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
Php 3:15 Let us therefore, as many as be perfect, be thus minded: and if in any thing ye be otherwise minded, God shall reveal even this unto you.
Col 1:28 Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus:
2Ti 3:16-17 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
(17) That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
Heb 1:1-2 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
(2) Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
Heb 5:12-6:5 For when for the time ye ought to be teachers, ye have need that one teach you again which be the first principles of the oracles of God; and are become such as have need of milk, and not of strong meat.
(13) For every one that useth milk is unskilful in the word of righteousness: for he is a babe.
(14) But strong meat belongeth to them that are of full age, even those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil.
(1) Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God,
(2) Of the doctrine of baptisms, and of laying on of hands, and of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.
(3) And this will we do, if God permit.
(4) For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted of the heavenly gift, and were made partakers of the Holy Ghost,
(5) And have tasted the good word of God, and the powers of the world to come,
Heb 8:13 In that he saith, A new covenant, he hath made the first old. Now that which decayeth and waxeth old is ready to vanish away.
Heb 9:11 But Christ being come an high priest of good things to come, by a greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this building;
Jas 1:4 But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
Jas 1:17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
Jas 1:25 But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.
Jas 2:22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?
Jud 1:3 Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort you that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.
Rev 22:18-20 For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:
(19) And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.
(20) He which testifieth these things saith, Surely I come quickly. Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus.
Children… Do You Obey? Fathers …. Do You Teach Them The Ways Of The Lord?
Eph 6:1-4 KJV – Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth… And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
For the SIH devotional on this subject:
SIH’s Think On These Things: Ephesians 6:1
Reflections Of His Grace”
“That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”
The Grace Of Authority/Submission (6:1-9)
Eph 6:1-9 KJV
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth.
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Servants, be obedient to them that are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in singleness of your heart, as unto Christ; Not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but as the servants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart; With good will doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men: Knowing that whatsoever good thing any man doeth, the same shall he receive of the Lord, whether he be bond or free.
And, ye masters, do the same things unto them, forbearing threatening: knowing that your Master also is in heaven; neither is there respect of persons with him.
This devotional, continues to look at the second main division of the book of Ephesians. Previously, we have looked at “Reflections Of His Grace Revealed” (chaps 1-3). It that section, Paul revealed to us the gracious works of the Lord in the lives of His chosen people.
In this new section “Reflections Of His Grace Applied” (chaps 4-6) Paul will be explaining to us the practical effects of God’s grace in the lives of His people.
- The Grace Of Unity (4:1-6)
- The Grace Of Maturity (4:7-16)
- The Grace Of Renewal (4:17-32)
- The Grace Of Imitation (5:1-14)
- The Grace Of Wisdom (5:15-21)
- The Grace Of Relationships (5:22-33)
- The Grace Of Authority/Submission (6:1-9)
- The Grace Of Preparedness (6:10-21)
The next effect of God’s grace we will be looking at is the grace of AUTHORITY/SUBMISSION (6:1-9)…
For those who are under the authority of another, there exists a great opportunity to follow the example of Christ, who was under the authority of His Father during His earthly ministry.
For those who hold authority over subordinates, there exists a great opportunity to reveal Christ, who was exalted as Head above all, to those who are around them. Also, keep in mind that those who are given authority over others remain under the authority of the Lord.
Keeping all this in mind, let’s turn our attention to this is a very basic outline of this section of Scripture:
I. The Role Of Children (vs 1-3)
II. The Role Of Fathers (vs 4)
III. The Role Of Servants (vs 5 -8)
IV. The Role Of Masters (vs 9)
EXPOSITION:
This section begins by looking at the role of children in the family relationship…
(Eph 6:1) Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right.
Much like the interdependence of the husband/wife relationship, the relationship between the child and father are interdependent on one another…
Eph 6:1-4 KJV
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Honour thy father and mother; (which is the first commandment with promise;) That it may be well with thee, and thou mayest live long on the earth…
And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
In this case, the child’s obedience to the father is directly related to the father’s need to properly train up the child without provoking them in the process (vs 4). If the father provokes the child to wrath, it becomes extremely difficult for the child to be submissive and give honor to his parents as he should…
Col 3:20-21 KJV – “Children, obey your parents in all things: for this is well pleasing unto the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children to anger, lest they be discouraged.”
But the same holds true of the child’s obeying of his parents. Any attempts by the Father to bring up the child in the nurture and admonition of the Lord, will be greatly hindered if the child does not accept his correction, obey and honor their parents as they should.
Heb 12:5-11 KJV – “And ye have forgotten the exhortation which speaketh unto you as unto children, My son, despise not thou the chastening of the Lord, nor faint when thou art rebuked of him: For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth, and scourgeth every son whom he receiveth.
If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? But if ye be without chastisement, whereof all are partakers, then are ye bastards, and not sons.
Furthermore we have had fathers of our flesh which corrected us, and we gave them reverence: shall we not much rather be in subjection unto the Father of spirits, and live? For they verily for a few days chastened us after their own pleasure; but he for our profit, that we might be partakers of his holiness.
Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby.”
So as we begin this study, let us please keep in mind that a complete picture of this relationship cannot be received until we look in detail at verses 1-4 in their entirety.
In our next devotional, we will begin to look at Ephesians 6:1.
APPLICATION:
May we all recognize the Lord’s grace in our lives as He gives to us our loving children and our loving parents. May we all want to treat both our parents and our children in a way that pleases the Lord and brings honor and glory to Him.
May we all get a clearer picture of our Lord and Savior, and the great grace He has shown to us. Let us be always watchful to keep His great acts of grace on our behalf in the center of our attention… In doing so, may we be motivated to LOVE Him more, APPRECIATE Him more and SERVE Him more!
SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org
SIH Text Blog: https://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/
SIH Video Blog: http://youtube.com/settledinheaven/
SIH Email: settledinheaven@gmail.com
The Two Keys To A Godly, And Successful Marriage…
(Ephesians 5:33) Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
For the SIH devotional on this subject:
SIH’s Think On These Things: Ephesians 5:33
Reflections Of His Grace”
“That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”
The Grace Of Relationships (5:22-33)
Eph 5:22-33 KJV
“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”
This devotional, continues to look at the second main division of the book of Ephesians. Previously, we have looked at “Reflections Of His Grace Revealed” (chaps 1-3). It that section, Paul revealed to us the gracious works of the Lord in the lives of His chosen people.
In this new section “Reflections Of His Grace Applied” (chaps 4-6) Paul will be explaining to us the practical effects of God’s grace in the lives of His people.
- The Grace Of Unity (4:1-6)
- The Grace Of Maturity (4:7-16)
- The Grace Of Renewal (4:17-32)
- The Grace Of Imitation (5:1-14)
- The Grace Of Wisdom (5:15-21)
- The Grace Of Relationships (5:22-33)
- The Grace Of Authority/Submission (6:1-9)
- The Grace Of Preparedness (6:10-21)
The next effect of God’s grace we will be looking at is the grace of RELATIONSHIPS (5:22-33). For those who are called to be married, there is no greater earthly relationship that can be enjoyed. Within a Godly marriage love, harmony, unity of heart and mind, and unconditional support are constants that only enhance our relationship with Christ.
Keeping all this in mind, let’s turn our attention to this is a very basic outline of this section of Scripture:
I. The Marriage Relationship – The Wife’s Responsibility (vs 22-24)
II. The Marriage Relationship – The Husband’s Responsibility (vs 25-29)
III. The Marriage Relationship – An Example Of Christ’s Great Love (vs 30–33)
FOR A MORE COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF EACH PARTY IN THE MARITAL COVENANT PLEASE REFER TO:
EXPOSITION:
Paul now summarizes his teachings on the husband wife relationship…
(Ephesians 5:33) Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
To have a marriage that aligns itself with the Lord’s desires, both the husband and the wife must be faithful to their God-given responsibility…
Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself;
Unconditional, self-sacrificial love is the key element for the husband’s proper care of his wife. It is from a heart of love that a wife is properly cared for within the confines of the marital covenant.
and the wife see that she reverence her husband.
The wife is to place herself willingly under her loving husband’s authority realizing:
1. he loves her and is constantly looking out for her wellbeing.
2. he is being held directly accountable to God for all the members of his family.
These dual responsibilities are presented several times in the New Testament…
1Pe 3:6-7 KJV – “Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.”
Col 3:18-19 KJV – “Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them.”
So based upon the Word of God, we need to understand the importance of BOTH being present in the marital relationship.
Submission on the part of the wife is almost impossible if the husband does not love her nor seek to care for her properly.
Likewise, for a husband to constantly attempt to work on his wife’s behalf and then face opposition from her at every turn can only lead to bitterness and resentment towards her.
APPLICATION:
May we be thankful to the Lord for His great grace in giving us our spouses. Out of hearts of appreciation may we seek to possess Godly marriages, arranged in a way that pleases Him, so that He might be glorified through our testimony in the lives of others.
May we all get a clearer picture of our Lord and Savior, and the great grace He has shown to us. Let us be always watchful to keep His great acts of grace on our behalf in the center of our attention… In doing so, may we be motivated to LOVE Him more, APPRECIATE Him more and SERVE Him more!
SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org
SIH Text Blog: https://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/
SIH Video Blog: http://youtube.com/settledinheaven/
SIH Email: settledinheaven@gmail.com
A Great Mystery…
(Ephesians 5:31-32) For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
For the SIH devotional on this subject:
SIH’s Think On These Things: Ephesians 5:31-32
“Reflections Of His Grace”
“That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”
The Grace Of Relationships (5:22-33)
Eph 5:22-33 KJV
“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”
This devotional, continues to look at the second main division of the book of Ephesians. Previously, we have looked at “Reflections Of His Grace Revealed” (chaps 1-3). It that section, Paul revealed to us the gracious works of the Lord in the lives of His chosen people.
In this new section “Reflections Of His Grace Applied” (chaps 4-6) Paul will be explaining to us the practical effects of God’s grace in the lives of His people.
- The Grace Of Unity (4:1-6)
- The Grace Of Maturity (4:7-16)
- The Grace Of Renewal (4:17-32)
- The Grace Of Imitation (5:1-14)
- The Grace Of Wisdom (5:15-21)
- The Grace Of Relationships (5:22-33)
- The Grace Of Authority/Submission (6:1-9)
- The Grace Of Preparedness (6:10-21)
The next effect of God’s grace we will be looking at is the grace of RELATIONSHIPS (5:22-33). For those who are called to be married, there is no greater earthly relationship that can be enjoyed. Within a Godly marriage love, harmony, unity of heart and mind, and unconditional support are constants that only enhance our relationship with Christ.
Keeping all this in mind, let’s turn our attention to this is a very basic outline of this section of Scripture:
I. The Marriage Relationship – The Wife’s Responsibility (vs 22-24)
II. The Marriage Relationship – The Husband’s Responsibility (vs 25-29)
III. The Marriage Relationship – An Example Of Christ’s Great Love (vs 30–33)
FOR A MORE COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF EACH PARTY IN THE MARITAL COVENANT PLEASE REFER TO:
EXPOSITION:
The love of the husband for the wife (vs 25-29) is one of the greatest motivating forces behind the marital union…
(Ephesians 5:31-32) For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother,
“For this cause”… what cause? Because the husband holds a self-sacrificial, unconditional love for his wife, he is to forsake his former relationship with his parents. Up to this point in time, the husband was under the authority of his parents. He was now to take upon himself the responsibilities of leadership and begin another relationship which would become the closest, most intimate, relationship in his life.
Please note: This “leaving” of the parents is describing a change in relationship, not an abandonment of the parents. The husband was still called upon to “Honor” his parents. In other words, he is to highly value, respect and appreciate his parents (Matthew 5:4, Ephesians 6:2-3). This includes a need to care for their parents in their old age…
“Hearken unto thy father that begat thee, and despise not thy mother when she is old.” (Proverbs 23:22)
“Honour widows that are widows indeed.But if any widow have children or nephews, let them learn first to shew piety at home, and to requite their parents: for that is good and acceptable before God…. But if any provide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.” (1 Timothy 5:3-4,8)
and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.
The husband is to forsake his former relationship with his parents and enter into a new intimate relationship with his wife.
And the LORD God caused a deep sleep to fall upon Adam, and he slept: and he took one of his ribs, and closed up the flesh instead thereof; And the rib, which the LORD God had taken from man, made he a woman, and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh. Genesis 2:21-24
This relationship would be described as a “cleaving” and a “one flesh” relationship. These terms help us to understand:
1. the unity that would exist between the husband and wife in every aspect of their lives.
2. the INTENDED permanence of the marital union. The Lord desires for the marital union to be a permanent one although it is possible for it to be sundered (broken). (Malachi 2:16)
For much more information on the nature of the “one-flesh” and the “cleaving” aspects of the marital union please refer to:
This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
All of these teachings on the marital relationship between the husband and wife also teach us truths about the relationship between Christ and His local assemblies.
The comparative association between the marital relationship and the relationship of Christ and His assemblies is a “great mystery”. What does this mean?
In the Bible, the word mystery always describes that which is unknown by most, but known to the initiated. Because of Paul’s teachings on this subject, we are now a part of “the initiated” and therefore, these truths are no longer a mystery to us. However, to the lost world, and many Christians, these truths continue to be unknown.
APPLICATION:
May we all thank the Lord for His grace in giving us these truths, so that we might come to understand, that which is a mystery to so many. Let us be faithful with these truths by sharing them with others and applying them, in a practical way, to our marriages and as members of the Lord’s local assemblies.
May we all get a clearer picture of our Lord and Savior, and the great grace He has shown to us. Let us be always watchful to keep His great acts of grace on our behalf in the center of our attention… In doing so, may we be motivated to LOVE Him more, APPRECIATE Him more and SERVE Him more!
SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org
SIH Text Blog: https://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/
SIH Video Blog: http://youtube.com/settledinheaven/
SIH Email: settledinheaven@gmail.com
Husbands Do You Care For Your Wife Like You Care For Yourself?
(Eph 5:28-30) So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
For the SIH devotional on this subject:
SIH’s Think On These Things: Ephesians 5:28-30
“Reflections Of His Grace”
“That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”
The Grace Of Relationships (5:22-33)
Eph 5:22-33 KJV
“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”
This devotional, continues to look at the second main division of the book of Ephesians. Previously, we have looked at “Reflections Of His Grace Revealed” (chaps 1-3). It that section, Paul revealed to us the gracious works of the Lord in the lives of His chosen people.
In this new section “Reflections Of His Grace Applied” (chaps 4-6) Paul will be explaining to us the practical effects of God’s grace in the lives of His people.
- The Grace Of Unity (4:1-6)
- The Grace Of Maturity (4:7-16)
- The Grace Of Renewal (4:17-32)
- The Grace Of Imitation (5:1-14)
- The Grace Of Wisdom (5:15-21)
- The Grace Of Relationships (5:22-33)
- The Grace Of Authority/Submission (6:1-9)
- The Grace Of Preparedness (6:10-21)
The next effect of God’s grace we will be looking at is the grace of RELATIONSHIPS (5:22-33). For those who are called to be married, there is no greater earthly relationship that can be enjoyed. Within a Godly marriage love, harmony, unity of heart and mind, and unconditional support are constants that only enhance our relationship with Christ.
Keeping all this in mind, let’s turn our attention to this is a very basic outline of this section of Scripture:
I. The Marriage Relationship – The Wife’s Responsibility (vs 22-24)
II. The Marriage Relationship – The Husband’s Responsibility (vs 25-29)
III. The Marriage Relationship – An Example Of Christ’s Great Love (vs 30–33)
FOR A MORE COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF EACH PARTY IN THE MARITAL COVENANT PLEASE REFER TO:
EXPOSITION:
Paul continues to explain the need for men to love their wives with a self-sacrificial, unconditional love…
(Eph 5:28-30) So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies.
A man’s relationship to his wife should be similar to a man’s relationship to his own body. A man works for the good of his body by eating, exercising, bathing and avoiding dangerous situations when possible.
In this same way, a man should seek to honor his wife, always working for her benefit. He is to recognize that although she is equally blessed and graced by God, she is the weaker vessel deserving of his tender care…
“Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with [them] according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered.” (1 Peter 3:7)
He that loveth his wife loveth himself.
Another motivation for the husband to care for his wife is his recognition that they are partners in a “one flesh” relationship (Gen 2:21-14). The one flesh relationship is one aspect of the marital union and involves…
1. the joining of two individuals into one cohesive unit
2. they are to be united in spiritual beliefs
3. they are to be united emotionally
4. they are to be united in purpose
5. they are to be united in presence
6. they are to be united physically
7. they are to be united in concerns of life
8. they are to be united in goals
9. they are to be united in desires
One of the most important practical aspects of understanding the nature of the marital union is realizing that, when a spouse helps their mate they are, in actuality, helping their own self. By caring for his wife as he should, the husband is caring for the one that will support and accompany him in all aspects of his life as his most intimate and trusted partner.
In this sense, it is very so true that “He that loveth his wife loveth himself.”
For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it,
If a man loves his body, he will care for his body. He will manifest the care of his body by:
1. nourishing his body – to bring up, to feed, to nourish – to supply physical needs for growth and maturity
2. cherishing his body – to brood, to foster, to warm – to supply emotional needs for growth and maturity
A man’s love for his wife should also revolve around both the physical and emotional care of his wife. He is responsible to supply her emotional needs as well as her physical needs securing her growth and wellbeing.
even as the Lord the church:
Paul now reminds us that the union of a man and woman reflect that of Christ and the church. Christ also lovingly cares for His body (the local assembly). Christ supplies all that is needed for the church’s spiritual growth, continuity and perpetuation. He does this through the supply of Godly leaders (Ephesians 4:11-12) and spiritual gifts (1 Corinthians 12:1-31) that are used for the assembly’s growth and strengthening.
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones.
Paul reminds us that, as the Lord cares for His local assembly, He is working for the benefit of each individual member of that assembly. How can that be? It is because each member is a part of that body for which He is caring…
“Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular.” (1 Corinthians 12:27)
Each individual member of the local assembly benefits when the local assembly is strengthened and grows.
APPLICATION:
Marriage, and our membership in a local assembly, come to us only through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ. Both the marital union and our membership in a local assembly give to us many benefits and blessings throughout our lifetimes. May we all seek to praise and honor Christ for these great blessings He has given to us.
May we all get a clearer picture of our Lord and Savior, and the great grace He has shown to us. Let us be always watchful to keep His great acts of grace on our behalf in the center of our attention… In doing so, may we be motivated to LOVE Him more, APPRECIATE Him more and SERVE Him more!
SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org
SIH Text Blog: https://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/
SIH Video Blog: http://youtube.com/settledinheaven/
SIH Email: settledinheaven@gmail.com
Christ’s Word Purifies His Local Assemblies…
(Eph 5:26-27) That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
For the SIH devotional on this subject:
SIH’s Think On These Things: Ephesians 5:26-27
“Reflections Of His Grace”
“That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”
The Grace Of Relatioinships (5:22-33)
Eph 5:22-33 KJV
“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”
This devotional, continues to look at the second main division of the book of Ephesians. Previously, we have looked at “Reflections Of His Grace Revealed” (chaps 1-3). It that section, Paul revealed to us the gracious works of the Lord in the lives of His chosen people.
In this new section “Reflections Of His Grace Applied” (chaps 4-6) Paul will be explaining to us the practical effects of God’s grace in the lives of His people.
- The Grace Of Unity (4:1-6)
- The Grace Of Maturity (4:7-16)
- The Grace Of Renewal (4:17-32)
- The Grace Of Imitation (5:1-14)
- The Grace Of Wisdom (5:15-21)
- The Grace Of Relationships (5:22-33)
- The Grace Of Authority/Submission (6:1-9)
- The Grace Of Preparedness (6:10-21)
The next effect of God’s grace we will be looking at is the grace of RELATIONSHIPS (5:22-33). For those who are called to be married, there is no greater earthly relationship that can be enjoyed. Within a Godly marriage love, harmony, unity of heart and mind, and unconditional support are constants that only enhance our relationship with Christ.
Keeping all this in mind, let’s turn our attention to this is a very basic outline of this section of Scripture:
I. The Marriage Relationship – The Wife’s Responsibility (vs 22-24)
II. The Marriage Relationship – The Husband’s Responsibility (vs 25-29)
III. The Marriage Relationship – An Example Of Christ’s Great Love (vs 30–33)
FOR A MORE COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF EACH PARTY IN THE MARITAL COVENANT PLEASE REFER TO:
EXPOSITION:
Paul now explains to us the benefits received by His assemblies which were gained by Christ’s loving sacrifice of Himself …
(Eph 5:26-27) That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
Why did Christ die for His local assembly?…
That he might sanctify and cleanse it
1. That He might sanctify it – to separate His assembly FROM sin TO His use
2. That He might cleanse it – to purify the assembly from sin
Through His work on the cross Christ can cleanse His churches from their sin and then reserve them for His use.
How does He do this?
with the washing of water by the word,
It is through His use of the Word within the assembly. The Word of God acts as purifying water in the assembly. As the Pastor teaches the truths of the Word and then leads the church to put it into practice in all their ministries, the church finds itself being rid of sin and being used of God for His honor and glory.
“Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.” (John 15:3)
That he might present it to himself a glorious church,
Through the cleansing work of the Word within the local assembly, Christ desires to place on display, in His sight (present to himself) a church that is honorable and noble
What makes a church “a glorious church”?
not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish.
There are five basic marks of a “glorious” church…
1. not having spot – blemish that brings upon it disgrace – nothing that brings upon it public disgrace
2. not having wrinkle – a crease or a ripple (in a pond) – nothing that causes upheaval, distress or disharmony
3. not having any such thing – anything of the same type – nothing that takes away from its beauty
4. holy – separated from sin to God’s use – it must be set apart from sin and reserved for God’s use
5. without blemish – with no flaws – no shortcomings, flawless or nothing that deserves blame
Basically, for a church to be classified as “glorious” there must be a loving, sincere singular dedication to Christ’s service that results in the church carefully guarding her public testimony and her private unity and holiness.
This can only be had through the work of Christ and the cleansing of the Word that is found in her midst.
This is His desires for His local assemblies in the here and now. There is no contextual reason why we must make this text refer to any event in eternity.
APPLICATION:
This text helps us to understand the importance of the local church’s dedication to the service of Christ. It is so important that His churches are holy, He was willing to give His life so that they might be glorious in His sight!
Let’s all thank the Lord for giving us the local assembly as the center of worship and service. And also let’s thank Him for willingly giving His life so that she might be cleansed through His Word.
May we all get a clearer picture of our Lord and Savior, and the great grace He has shown to us. Let us be always watchful to keep His great acts of grace on our behalf in the center of our attention… In doing so, may we be motivated to LOVE Him more, APPRECIATE Him more and SERVE Him more!
SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org
SIH Text Blog: https://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/
SIH Video Blog: http://youtube.com/settledinheaven/
SIH Email: settledinheaven@gmail.com
The Sign Gifts Were Given To The Local Assembly To Fulfill The Great Commission
(Mark 16:14-19)
Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
For The SIH Bible Study On This Subject:
Spiritual Gifts: What Types Of Gifts Are There? Accrediting Gifts (Part 6)
Introduction:
“Now there are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 12:4)
After coming to an understanding of the basic definition of a “spiritual gift”, we now need to examine each of the different types of spiritual gifts that God has given to man.
There are three basic types of spiritual gifts given to the Lord’s local churches:
1. Gifted Men – These are men, used by God to serve the Lord as a part of the ministry of His local assemblies.
2. Accrediting Gifts – These are the gifts whose main purpose is to establish and accredit His Word and place of worship. A secondary purpose of these gifts is to minister to others within the context of local church ministries.
3. Ministering Gifts – These are the gifts whose main purpose is to testify of Christ and His Word through the ministries of His local assemblies.
We will continue our study of the accrediting gifts by looking at begin studying the Accrediting Gifts that involve SUPERNATURAL PROCLAMATION OF THE TRUTH.
Lesson:
Accrediting Gifts (Sign Gifts)
Keep in mind, in our previous studies we have seen that the Accrediting Gifts involving:
1. SUPERNATURAL REVELATION OF TRUTH:
“the word of wisdom” and “the word of knowledge”
2. SUPERNATURAL INDICATORS OF THE TRUTH:
“faith”, “gifts of healing”, “the working of miracles”, “prophecy” and “the discerning of spirits”
3. SUPERNATURAL PROCLAMATION OF THE TRUTH:
“[divers] kinds of tongues” and “the interpretation of tongues:”
Before we begin looking at the Scriptural teaching on the conclusion of the accrediting gifts, there is one more passage that we need to look at concerning the Accrediting Gifts. In this case, in involves a list of these gifts given to the local assembly in the context of the Great Commission…
(Mark 16:14-19)
14) Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
15) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17) And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18) They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19) So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
And to “the seventy” as He equipped them to go before Him and announce His coming from town to town…
1) After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
2) Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly [is] great, but the labourers [are] few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
3) Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
4) Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
5) And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace [be] to this house.
6) And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.
7) And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
8) And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:
9) And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
10) But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,
11) Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
12) But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.
13) Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
14) But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.
15) And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.
16) He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
17) And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
18) And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
19) Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
20) Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
(Luke 10:1-20)
The Accrediting Gifts and the Great Commission
Let’s take a look at this historical account with our attention especially pointed towards truths about the accrediting gifts (within the context of the Great Commission)…
(Mark 16:14-19)
14) Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
This historical event takes place following the Lord’s resurrection from the dead with His ascension to the Father to take place soon after. We need to take notice of two important points in this passage:
1. The Lord is speaking to the eleven Apostles which made up the foundation of the Lord’s local assemblies on earth. He is meeting with them during a time when they are assembled as a group. This once again, supports the truth that the accrediting gifts were given to, and used by, the Lord’s local assembly and not believers in general.
2. The eleven had already trusted in Christ by faith. When He pointed to their “unbelief and hardness of heart”, He was not addressing a lack of saving faith, but a lack of belief in accounts of His resurrection spoken to them by eye witnesses. In other words, although saved, they had lacked faith in His miracle working ability. Especially, they did not believe in His ability to raise Himself from the dead. (John 2:18-21, 10:17-18)
15) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
Please keep in mind the Great Commission involves three different responsibilities that are given to the Lord’s local assemblies:
1. Take the gospel to the lost; 2. Baptize those who believe the gospel; 3. Indoctrinate those who are baptized into the assembly
Matthew 28:16-20. In this passage only the first aspect of the great commission is taught with the second aspect only touched upon lightly.
Christ explains to His first church the need to preach the gospel to the lost in the hopes that a genuine belief in Christ and His work will result. The genuineness of the belief will be shown by a declaration of faith and membership in to the Lord’s assembly through baptism. A lack of genuine belief will result in eternal damnation (punishment).
This context (vs 14-16) to the accrediting gifts (vs 17-19) is further evidence that these gifts were given to the local assembly to be used in the fulfillment of the Great Commission. These gifts were NOT given to believers in general as is commonly taught in error.
17) And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name
Once again we see these gifts are described as “signs”. The Greek word for “signs” carries with it the idea of a “mark”, “indication”, or “token”. In other words, the following list of spiritual gifts would be used by the Lord as evidence proving to others: the validity of the local church as the worship place for both Jew and Gentile; the divine authority of the message of the local assembly.
“them that believe” – These signs would be exhibited by those who were genuinely believing ministers of the Word. Remember the two aspects of “faith” being spoken of in the context…
1. a faith in the Lord’s ability to do all things as Sovereign All-powerful Lord (His resurrection in context) (vs 14)
2. a saving faith (vs 16)
The accrediting signs would be exhibited by those who had exercised a genuine faith in the Lord Jesus Christ as Savior and Sovereign Lord. But the prerequisites for the working of the accrediting miracles did not stop there…
“In my name” refers to the fact that those who would work these miracles would be do so under the specific calling and authority received from the Lord. It would only be those who were “sent authoritatively” as chosen ambassadors they would be able to exercise these gifts. These workings of miracles were limited to Christ Himself, the Apostles, and other members of His local assemblies who were gifted for the benefit of the assemblies as they fulfilled the call of the Great Commission.
Contextually, there is no way to make this section of Scripture teach that all who believe in Him will receive these gifts.
shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18) They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
The Lord now begins to give a list of some of the gifts that would be used in the local assembly’s accreditation by the Lord:
1. shall they cast out devils; – a supernatural INDICATION of the truth
2. they shall speak with new tongues; – a supernatural PROCLAMATION of the truth
3. They shall take up serpents;- a supernatural INDICATION of the truth
4. and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; – a supernatural INDICATION of the truth
5. they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover. – a supernatural INDICATION of the truth
19) So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
Soon after He bestowed upon the assembly the authority to minister for Him (fulfilling the Great Commission) and gave to them the ability to perform works that would accredit their ministry, He ascended to be with the Father. The giving of the Great Commission, and the accrediting miracles, was a very important step to preparing the assembly for the first stages of its ministry on earth in His absence.
The same type of miracle working ability was also given to a group of local church members described as “the seventy”…
(Luke 10:1-20)
1) After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.2) Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly [is] great, but the labourers [are] few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
These were given the responsibility to go ahead of Christ telling others of His soon arrival as He traveled from town to town…. There were many that were lost who needed this ministry to prepare their hearts for the coming Christ.
Note that they were “appointed” this is when they received the calling and authority of the Lord to minister to others and to use the spiritual gifts as a part of their ministry. Implied here, is that they had been disciples of Christ and members of His church.
3) Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
4) Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
This would be a ministry that was based entirely upon faith in the Lord Jesus. They were not to prepare for their journey but they were to be relying upon Him for their daily supplies.
5) And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace [be] to this house.
6) And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.
7) And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
As they traveled from city to city, they were to approach each home in a spirit of openness, love and graciousness, which would be shown by wishing the inhabitants quietness and harmony. If the 70 were treated with the same spirit by the inhabitants of the house the Lord would bless that house with peace. If the household treated the 70 poorly, they would lose out on the blessing of peace that could have been theirs.
They were to remain in the home and enjoy the hospitality that was offered to them. They should not feel guilty about the receipt of this hospitality, because they were simply being repaid for the spiritual blessings that the 70 had brought with them.
8) And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:
9) And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
When a city accepted them, they were to be a blessing to the city by healing the sick. They were then to explain that this miracle was being performed based upon the “kingdom of God”. In other words, this miracle was performed based upon the Lord’s sovereign control over this sickness. They had just seen the hand of the Lord exercising control over this sickness.
It would be this same all-powerful Lord that would soon be coming their way.
10) But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,
11) Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
12) But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.
13) Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
14) But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.
15) And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.
16) He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
To those cities who did not kindly receive the 70, they were to depart from that city and not “force themselves” upon it. They were to not take anything from that city, even the dust of the city they were to leave behind. This is a visible illustration to teach this rebellious city a very important lesson… the 70 did not need them, nor were they associated with this spirit of rebellion in anyway. It was a visible rejection of the city’s spirit of rebellion that would eventually result in their eternal judgment.
Examples to emphasize the horrendous, eternal, judgment of the Lord is given to this rebellious city…
1. Sodom and Gomorrah – the recipients of a temporal judgment of fire… the cities who reject the seventy would face eternal, never ending judgment.
2. Tyre and Sidon – Tyre and Sidon, two Gentile cities would be judged eternally based upon their lost condition, but because they did not have the privilege of hearing the teachings not seeing the miracles of Christ or the seventy, their judgment was limited. However, the judgment falling against those cities that purposely reject the message and miracles given to them would face a far greater judgment.
Since the seventy were sent as the authoritative ambassadors of Christ, anyone who rejected them was, in effect, rejecting Christ as Himself. This is the reason for the severe judgment of God falling upon them.
17) And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
18) And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
19) Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
20) Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
At the completion of their ministry, the seventy were amazed at the great miracles they were able to perform. In their mind, the greatest miracle was that of the casting out of demons.
Christ responds explaining that He had proof that Satan was already defeated in the counsels of God. Satan being cast out of heaven onto the earth was proof that he was defeated in the counsels of God. Of course, Satan’s defeat was accomplished through the death of Christ on the cross. (Hebrews 2:14-15)
Christ gave them the ability to withstand the poison of snakes and scorpions (picturing Satan – Genesis 3:1-14, and the powers of darkness – Revelation 9:3-10). This was visible evidence that they had power over the powers of darkness which they could not see.
They are reminded to keep their attention, joy and appreciation pointed toward the miracle of their salvation not the far less significant ability to perform these accrediting miracles.
In both of these examples, we have seen tremendous similarities:
THE SPIRITUAL GIFTS GIVEN:
1. Healing of the sick
2. Not harmed by poisons
3. Authority over demons
THE PURPOSE FOR THE GIVING OF THE GIFTS:
1. To prepare the lost for Christ’s coming (to visit a city by announcing Him, or His second coming by declaring the gospel)
2. To give evidence their message was true and their authority was divine
THE PEOPLE TO WHOM THE GIFTS WERE GIVEN:
1. Local church members (Apostles, Seventy)
2. Personally chosen to a specific ministry
3. Given authority to be His ambassador and prepare others for His coming.
4. Given authority to exercise gifts to fulfill their ministry
It is very helpful that we keep the mention of the gifts in the Great Commission and the sending of the seventy in the context of our previous studies… the church at Jerusalem during Pentecost, the church in the house of Cornelius, the church at Ephesus, the church at Samaria. These examples help us to understand both the Luke 10: and Mark 16: passages.
In our next lesson, we will answer the question when did these accrediting gifts come to an end.
Additional Information:
Accrediting Gifts (Sign Gifts)
(Mark 16:14-19)
14) Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
15) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17) And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18) They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19) So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
The Accrediting Gifts and the Great Commission
1) Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
2) And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
3) But of the fruit of the tree which [is] in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
4) And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
5) For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
6) And when the woman saw that the tree [was] good for food, and that it [was] pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make [one] wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
7) And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they [were] naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
8) And they heard the voice of the LORD God walking in the garden in the cool of the day: and Adam and his wife hid themselves from the presence of the LORD God amongst the trees of the garden.
9) And the LORD God called unto Adam, and said unto him, Where [art] thou?
10) And he said, I heard thy voice in the garden, and I was afraid, because I [was] naked; and I hid myself.
11) And he said, Who told thee that thou [wast] naked? Hast thou eaten of the tree, whereof I commanded thee that thou shouldest not eat?
12) And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest [to be] with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat.
13) And the LORD God said unto the woman, What [is] this [that] thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat.
14) And the LORD God said unto the serpent, Because thou hast done this, thou [art] cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field; upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life:
(Genesis 3:1-14)
(Mark 16:14-19)
14) Afterward he appeared unto the eleven as they sat at meat, and upbraided them with their unbelief and hardness of heart, because they believed not them which had seen him after he was risen.
15) And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.
16) He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
17) And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18) They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19) So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
1) After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
2) Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly [is] great, but the labourers [are] few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
3) Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
4) Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
5) And into whatsoever house ye enter, first say, Peace [be] to this house.
6) And if the son of peace be there, your peace shall rest upon it: if not, it shall turn to you again.
7) And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire. Go not from house to house.
8) And into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you, eat such things as are set before you:
9) And heal the sick that are therein, and say unto them, The kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
10) But into whatsoever city ye enter, and they receive you not, go your ways out into the streets of the same, and say,
11) Even the very dust of your city, which cleaveth on us, we do wipe off against you: notwithstanding be ye sure of this, that the kingdom of God is come nigh unto you.
12) But I say unto you, that it shall be more tolerable in that day for Sodom, than for that city.
13) Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works had been done in Tyre and Sidon, which have been done in you, they had a great while ago repented, sitting in sackcloth and ashes.
14) But it shall be more tolerable for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment, than for you.
15) And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell.
16) He that heareth you heareth me; and he that despiseth you despiseth me; and he that despiseth me despiseth him that sent me.
17) And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
18) And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
19) Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt you.
20) Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.
(Luke 10:1-20)
18) Then answered the Jews and said unto him, What sign shewest thou unto us, seeing that thou doest these things?
19) Jesus answered and said unto them, Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.
20) Then said the Jews, Forty and six years was this temple in building, and wilt thou rear it up in three days?
21) But he spake of the temple of his body.
(John 2:18-21)
17) Therefore doth my Father love me, because I lay down my life, that I might take it again.
18) No man taketh it from me, but I lay it down of myself. I have power to lay it down, and I have power to take it again. This commandment have I received of my Father.
(John 10:17-18)
14) Forasmuch then as the children are partakers of flesh and blood, he also himself likewise took part of the same; that through death he might destroy him that had the power of death, that is, the devil;
15) And deliver them who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage.
(Hebrews 2:14-15)
1) And the fifth angel sounded, and I saw a star fall from heaven unto the earth: and to him was given the key of the bottomless pit.
2) And he opened the bottomless pit; and there arose a smoke out of the pit, as the smoke of a great furnace; and the sun and the air were darkened by reason of the smoke of the pit.
3) And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.
4) And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.
5) And to them it was given that they should not kill them, but that they should be tormented five months: and their torment [was] as the torment of a scorpion, when he striketh a man.
6) And in those days shall men seek death, and shall not find it; and shall desire to die, and death shall flee from them.
7) And the shapes of the locusts [were] like unto horses prepared unto battle; and on their heads [were] as it were crowns like gold, and their faces [were] as the faces of men.
8) And they had hair as the hair of women, and their teeth were as [the teeth] of lions.
9) And they had breastplates, as it were breastplates of iron; and the sound of their wings [was] as the sound of chariots of many horses running to battle.
10) And they had tails like unto scorpions, and there were stings in their tails: and their power [was] to hurt men five months.
11) And they had a king over them, [which is] the angel of the bottomless pit, whose name in the Hebrew tongue [is] Abaddon, but in the Greek tongue hath [his] name Apollyon.
(Revelation 9:1-11)
Husbands, Love For A Wife Is Shown By Your Willingness To Sacrifice For Her…
(Eph 5:25) Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
For the SIH devotional on this subject:
Our Lord Jesus Christ Is The Only Worthy One…
And they sung a new song, saying, Thou art worthy to take the book, and to open the seals thereof: for thou wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation; And hast made us unto our God kings and priests: and we shall reign on the earth.
And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands;
Saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, [be] unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.
And the four beasts said, Amen. And the four [and] twenty elders fell down and worshipped him that liveth for ever and ever.
(Revelation 5:9-14)
We Can Only Boast In Our Lord…
For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing:…
(Romans 7:18)
SIH’s Think On These Things: Ephesians 5:25
Reflections Of His Grace”
“That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”
The Grace Of Relationships (5:22-33)
Eph 5:22-33 KJV
“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”
This devotional, continues to look at the second main division of the book of Ephesians. Previously, we have looked at “Reflections Of His Grace Revealed” (chaps 1-3). It that section, Paul revealed to us the gracious works of the Lord in the lives of His chosen people.
In this new section “Reflections Of His Grace Applied” (chaps 4-6) Paul will be explaining to us the practical effects of God’s grace in the lives of His people.
- The Grace Of Unity (4:1-6)
- The Grace Of Maturity (4:7-16)
- The Grace Of Renewal (4:17-32)
- The Grace Of Imitation (5:1-14)
- The Grace Of Wisdom (5:15-21)
- The Grace Of Relationships (5:22-33)
- The Grace Of Authority/Submission (6:1-9)
- The Grace Of Preparedness (6:10-21)
The next effect of God’s grace we will be looking at is the grace of RELATIONSHIPS (5:22-33). For those who are called to be married, there is no greater earthly relationship that can be enjoyed. Within a Godly marriage love, harmony, unity of heart and mind, and unconditional support are constants that only enhance our relationship with Christ.
Keeping all this in mind, let’s turn our attention to this is a very basic outline of this section of Scripture:
I. The Marriage Relationship – The Wife’s Responsibility (vs 22-24)
II. The Marriage Relationship – The Husband’s Responsibility (vs 25-29)
III. The Marriage Relationship – An Example Of Christ’s Great Love (vs 30–33)
FOR A MORE COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF EACH PARTY IN THE MARITAL COVENANT PLEASE REFER TO:
https://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/2013/01/20/marriage-divorce-and-remarriage-1-the-marriage-covenant/
EXPOSITION:
The most outstanding of all the characteristics of the husband’s relation to his wife is love. Yet, sad to say, it seems as if in many cases, this is the most lacking characteristic in today’s marriages…
(Eph 5:25) Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Husbands, love your wives,
Because of the great possibility of the husband’s abuse of their authority, they are absolutely required to “love” their wives. In the Greek language there are four main words for “love”, only two of which are used in the New Testament:
1. eros – the physical, intimate, sensual type of love, not used in the Bible
2. storge – the natural affection of family members, not used in the Bible
3. phileo – love of the brethren, it is affection to family, friends, acquaintances or even activities, used in the Bible
4. agape – the deepest, greatest form of love, it is sacrificial and unconditional, used in the Bible
In this text, husbands are told to hold the greatest love towards their wives, “agape” love. Agape love causes the husband to sacrifice himself for the benefit of his wife… It is the type of love that does not ask “How can I profit from you?”; but, instead, asks “How can I be of benefit to you?”
It is a love that says:
“I will choose to endure suffering to secure your wellbeing”;
“I will choose to love you in spite of being wronged by you”;
“I will suffer loss so that you might gain.”
It is this type of love that CANNOT be a cause of abuse, but in actuality will oppose abuse. To abuse or mistreat a wife is to prove that agape love is non-existent.
God loved us with that same type of love. He loved us when we did not love Him and He gave His Son when we did not deserve His Son and His work on our behalf. Because God did all this for us, shouldn’t we display His love to others by loving them in the same way?
“Herein is love, not that we loved God, but that he loved us, and sent his Son [to be] the propitiation for our sins.Beloved, if God so loved us, we ought also to love one another.” (1 John 4:10-11)
Shouldn’t a husband hold this love towards his wife (above all others)?
This is also the type of love that Christ holds for His assemblies as a body and as individual members…
even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it;
Christ loved His local assemblies with the same type of self-sacrificial love. He gave His life, not only for His chosen people but for His local assemblies as well.
Act 20:28 XE “Act 20\:28” KJV – “Take heed therefore unto yourselves, and to all the flock, over the which the Holy Ghost hath made you overseers, to feed the church of God, which he hath purchased with his own blood.”
It was these acts of sacrifice by Christ that displayed His great love for His people and His churches. Think about it…
God the Son “being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.”(Philippians 2:6-8)
What tremendous sacrifices He made on our behalf, even though we did not deserve it, nor could we pay Him back for it! WHAT GREAT LOVE!
“Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.” (John 15:13)
APPLICATION:
Husband’s love your wives, realizing they are a gift of God’s grace, given to you specifically to love and cherish. May we all recognize His great goodness to us! May we seek to care for our wives, motivated by a self-sacrificial love and a desire to display the love of Christ to a lost and dying world.
May we all get a clearer picture of our Lord and Savior, and the great grace He has shown to us. Let us be always watchful to keep His great acts of grace on our behalf in the center of our attention… In doing so, may we be motivated to LOVE Him more, APPRECIATE Him more and SERVE Him more!
SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org
SIH Text Blog: https://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/
SIH Video Blog: http://youtube.com/settledinheaven/
SIH Email: settledinheaven@gmail.com
The Local Church Should Set The Example Of Subjection For Wives
(Eph 5:24) Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
For the SIH devotional on this subject:
SIH’s Think On These Things: Ephesians 5:24
“Reflections Of His Grace”
“That in the ages to come he might shew the exceeding riches of his grace in [his] kindness toward us through Christ Jesus.”
The Grace Of Relationships (5:22-33)
“Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body. Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies. He that loveth his wife loveth himself. For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church:
For we are members of his body, of his flesh, and of his bones. For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh. This is a great mystery: but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.”
This devotional, continues to look at the second main division of the book of Ephesians. Previously, we have looked at “Reflections Of His Grace Revealed” (chaps 1-3). It that section, Paul revealed to us the gracious works of the Lord in the lives of His chosen people.
In this new section “Reflections Of His Grace Applied” (chaps 4-6) Paul will be explaining to us the practical effects of God’s grace in the lives of His people.
- The Grace Of Unity (4:1-6)
- The Grace Of Maturity (4:7-16)
- The Grace Of Renewal (4:17-32)
- The Grace Of Imitation (5:1-14)
- The Grace Of Wisdom (5:15-21)
- The Grace Of Relationships (5:22-33)
- The Grace Of Authority/Submission (6:1-9)
- The Grace Of Preparedness (6:10-21)
The next effect of God’s grace we will be looking at is the grace of RELATIONSHIPS (5:22-33). For those who are called to be married, there is no greater earthly relationship that can be enjoyed. Within a Godly marriage love, harmony, unity of heart and mind, and unconditional support are constants that only enhance our relationship with Christ.
Keeping all this in mind, let’s turn our attention to this is a very basic outline of this section of Scripture:
I. The Marriage Relationship – The Wife’s Responsibility (vs 22-24)
II. The Marriage Relationship – The Husband’s Responsibility (vs 25-29)
III. The Marriage Relationship – An Example Of Christ’s Great Love (vs 30–33)
FOR A MORE COMPREHENSIVE LOOK AT THE RESPONSIBILITIES OF EACH PARTY IN THE MARITAL COVENANT PLEASE REFER TO:
EXPOSITION:
Not only does the role of the husband in the marriage relationship a picture of Christ’s relationship to His local assembly, but now Paul teaches us that the assembly’s subjection to Christ sets the example for the wife in the marital relationship…
(Eph 5:24) Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in every thing.
Therefore as the church is subject unto Christ,
In this text, we are told that the local church’s relationship to her Head, Jesus Christ, should be one of “subjection”.
What does the Bible mean by the term “subject”? In actuality, the Greek word translated “subject” is the word “hupotasso” which is the same word that described the wife’s relationship to her husband in vs. 22. This word was translated “submit” in vs 22.
From our devotional in vs 22, we saw that being “subject to” or “in submission to” simply means to place under in an orderly fashion and emphasizes these two basic ideas:
1. it involves arrangement producing order, harmony and longevity of the family
2. it involves compliance, submission and unity
We can see these ideas presented to us in a practical way in 1 Corinthians 12:. In this text, the Lord shows us that as the church submits to the Lord’s desires in the use of spiritual gifts, it results in unity, harmony, order and an effective ministry for Him. This principle applies to every area of a local church’s ministry…
1Co 12:12-31 KJV – “… For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ. For by one Spirit are we all baptized into one body, whether we be Jews or Gentiles, whether we be bond or free; and have been all made to drink into one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.
If the foot shall say, Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?
But now hath God set the members every one of them in the body, as it hath pleased him. And if they were all one member, where were the body? But now are they many members, yet but one body.
And the eye cannot say unto the hand, I have no need of thee: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Nay, much more those members of the body, which seem to be more feeble, are necessary: And those members of the body, which we think to be less honourable, upon these we bestow more abundant honour; and our uncomely parts have more abundant comeliness.
For our comely parts have no need: but God hath tempered the body together, having given more abundant honour to that part which lacked: That there should be no schism in the body; but that the members should have the same care one for another. And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; or one member be honoured, all the members rejoice with it.
Now ye are the body of Christ, and members in particular. And God hath set some in the church, first apostles, secondarily prophets, thirdly teachers, after that miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, diversities of tongues. Are all apostles? are all prophets? are all teachers? are all workers of miracles? Have all the gifts of healing? do all speak with tongues? do all interpret? But covet earnestly the best gifts: and yet shew I unto you a more excellent way.”
so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.
Just as the church is to be in submission to her Head, so too, a wife should be in submission to her husband.
In vs 22, we looked at the wife’s submission to her husband in great detail and came to the conclusion that to be “in submission” simply means to the wife is to place herself under the husband in an orderly fashion and emphasizes to basic ideas:
1. it involves arrangement producing order, harmony and longevity of the family
2. it involves compliance, submission and unity
3. it does not refer to “blind obedience” because this opens up the possibility of harm and abuse and an eventual destruction of the family unit.
4. it does not refer to a “silence” on the part of the wife. She is to kindly share her thoughts, desires and understanding of God’s will in all the major family decisions. And the husband, out of love and a desire for her well-being, is to seriously consider all she says and allow them to weight very heavily in the joint-decision making process.
APPLICATION:
For those who are married, we need to remember that the relationship between Christ and His local assemblies gives to us an example of the type of relationship that should exist between the husband and wife in a marital union.
The union of Christ/church and the husband/wife are wonderfully reciprocal relationships. The union of Christ/church sets the example for the husband/wife union; while the husband/wife union reveals the relationship of Christ/church to the world around us.
May we thank the Lord for His grace in giving us these unique relationships that aid our marital relationships and our outward testimony of Christ to a lost and dying world.
May we all get a clearer picture of our Lord and Savior, and the great grace He has shown to us. Let us be always watchful to keep His great acts of grace on our behalf in the center of our attention… In doing so, may we be motivated to LOVE Him more, APPRECIATE Him more and SERVE Him more!
SIH Homepage: http://www.settledinheaven.org
SIH Text Blog: https://settledinheaven.wordpress.com/all-about-salvation/
SIH Video Blog: http://youtube.com/settledinheaven/
SIH Email: settledinheaven@gmail.com
With Christ as Her Head and Savior… The Local Church Is Invincible
Eph 5:23b KJV – even as Christ is the head of the church: and he is the saviour of the body.
For the SIH devotional on this subject:
Settled In Heaven Blog 