We have all come across people who believe themselves to be the pillar of truth and knowledge. These narcissistic people attempt to convince everyone else that they are the only humans with the answers of truth and knowledge, to which they then freely spread their opinions with almost a hateful edge towards anyone who disagrees. While some people may climb the mountain to hear what they have to say, others do not. One would think if there were an individual who knew everything, that the whole world would listen. The reality is that none of us knows everything, but those within the Body of Christ hold the secrets to the important knowledge, the knowledge which determines our future and it must be offered in love. The Body of Christ has in it’s possession knowledge and perception that can save the souls of humans so that they may enter into eternal life rather than eternal death. Truly, death on this earth does not have to be feared if we know these secrets. While the called out may not know all things, the called out can come to a full knowledge of God. The key to sharing this knowledge is in the fruit that others see in us. If we simply want people to listen to us to stroke our own ego, then we are no better than the non-believer who “thinks” they know everything. If instead we have the love of Christ in our hearts, our knowledge and perception of Him will grow. Love is the pillar and it abounds in us by our decision to make it grow. Then it should be obvious by our fruit that we have an inside understanding to eternal life.
In Philippians Paul prays for us; for our love to grow and abound, specifically in above knowledge and divine perception. He prays that we will do an internal proving of our own selves so that we can be pure on the day that we stand before Christ, and that we would be filled with fruit which is a glory to God. While this seems simple and is a nice thing for Paul to pray for the Philippians, it does give us a guide for our own advantage on earth.
Philippians 1:9-11 (KJV) And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
10 That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
The King James here leaves us a little flat. The word judgment is an unfortunate translation. This “judgement” is perception or good sense, it is the word aisthēsis, not krima or krino, which is condemnation or damnation. Having good sense connects better with love than damnation. But having this love in knowledge and perception helps us to approve what is excellent. Let’s read this in the Amplified.
Philippians 1:9-11 (AMP) And this I pray: that your love may abound yet more and more and extend to its fullest development in knowledge and all keen insight [that your love may display itself in greater depth of acquaintance and more comprehensive discernment],
10 So that you may surely learn to sense what is vital, and approve and prize what is excellent and of real value [recognizing the highest and the best, and distinguishing the moral differences], and that you may be untainted and pure and unerring and blameless [so that with hearts sincere and certain and unsullied, you may approach] the day of Christ [not stumbling nor causing others to stumble].
11 May you abound in and be filled with the fruits of righteousness (of right standing with God and right doing) which come through Jesus Christ (the Anointed One), to the honor and praise of God [that His glory may be both manifested and recognized].
This is such a great prayer. Paul advocates knowledge and perception that have developed out of our abounding love. This tells us that love is the pillar from which knowledge and perception flow. Let’s read the definitions of these words.
Philippians 1:9G2532And G3778this G4336I pray, G2443that G3588the G26love G1473of yours G2089still G3123more G2532and G3123more G4052should abound G1722in G1922full knowledge, G2532and G3956in all G144perception,
26LSJ Gloss: ἀγάπη love
Dodson: ἀγάπη love love, benevolence, good will, esteem; plur: love-feasts.
Strong's: ἀγάπη love, i.e. affection or benevolence; specially (plural) a love-feast Derivation: from G25; KJV Usage: (feast of) charity(-ably), dear, love.
Thayer:
1) brotherly love, affection, good will, love, benevolence
2) love feasts
2) love feasts
ἀγάπη agapē ag-ah'-pay From G25; love, that is, affection or benevolence; specifically (plural) a love feast KJV Usage: (feast of) charity ([-ably]), dear, love.
This word agape is simply “benevolence”. PLUR is an acronym meaning peace, love, unity, and respect; which is really what we all would love to see in our world today. The Body of Christ should promote PLUR whenever possible.
Agape is also used in the first century “pot luck” called love feasts.
This love feast was a time that people were to bring food to the church or meeting hall and all eat together. The trouble which Paul corrects in his letter to the Corinthians was the separating out of the rich and the poor. While the rich started to eat together, the poor were left hungry. It was meant to be a meal where everyone could eat and mingle with all segments of the population. But the rich started eating among themselves, and drinking to the point of drunkenness. This is what Paul was correcting regarding the love feast.
3123Dodson: μᾶλλον more, rather.
Strong's: μᾶλλον (adverbially) more (in a greater degree)) or rather Derivation: neuter of the comparative of the same as G3122;
KJV Usage: + better, X far, (the) more (and more), (so) much (the more), rather.
Thayer:
1) more, to a greater degree, rather
1a) much, by far
1b) rather, sooner
1c) more willingly, more readily, sooner
1a) much, by far
1b) rather, sooner
1c) more willingly, more readily, sooner
μᾱλλον mallon mal'-lon Neuter of the comparative of the same as G3122; (adverb) more (in a greater degree) or rather KJV Usage: + better, X far, (the) more (and more), (so) much (the more), rather.
4052LSJ Gloss: περισσεύω to be over and above
Dodson: περισσεύω I exceed, am left over
(a) intrans: I exceed the ordinary (the necessary), abound, overflow; am left over, (b) trans: I cause to abound.
Strong's: περισσεύω to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also (transitively) to cause to superabound or excel Derivation: from G4053; KJV Usage: (make, more) abound, (have, have more) abundance (be more) abundant, be the better, enough and to spare, exceed, excel, increase, be left, redound, remain (over and above).
Thayer:
1) to exceed a fixed number of measure, to be left over and above a certain number or measure
1a) to be over, to remain
1b) to exist or be at hand in abundance
1b1) to be great (abundant)
1b2) a thing which comes in abundance, or overflows unto one, something falls to the lot of one in large measure
1b3) to redound unto, turn out abundantly for, a thing
1c) to abound, overflow
1c1) to be abundantly furnished with, to have in abundance, abound in (a thing), to be in affluence
1c2) to be pre-eminent, to excel
1c3) to excel more than, exceed
2) to make to abound
2a) to furnish one richly so that he has abundance
2b) to make abundant or excellent"Abounding" is used of a flower going from a bud to full bloom.
1a) to be over, to remain
1b) to exist or be at hand in abundance
1b1) to be great (abundant)
1b2) a thing which comes in abundance, or overflows unto one, something falls to the lot of one in large measure
1b3) to redound unto, turn out abundantly for, a thing
1c) to abound, overflow
1c1) to be abundantly furnished with, to have in abundance, abound in (a thing), to be in affluence
1c2) to be pre-eminent, to excel
1c3) to excel more than, exceed
2) to make to abound
2a) to furnish one richly so that he has abundance
2b) to make abundant or excellent"Abounding" is used of a flower going from a bud to full bloom.
περισσεύω perisseuō per-is-syoo'-o From G4053; to superabound (in quantity or quality), be in excess, be superfluous; also (transitively) to cause to superabound or excel
KJV Usage: (make, more) abound, (have, have more) abundance, (be more) abundant, be the better, enough and to spare, exceed, excel, increase, be left, redound, remain (over and above).
Benevolence should increase to a greater degree and should superabound. That is something that we do. It is an action that we intentionally take. We learn to love others, we learn to be loving to others, we intentionally look at all people with the eyes of Christ. As we excel in love we can super-abound in knowledge and perception. The thing that helps us gain knowledge and perception is love. As we walk in love we acquire full knowledge or above knowledge and divine discernment.
1922LSJ Gloss: ἐπίγνωσις full knowledge
Dodson: ἐπίγνωσις knowledge, discernment, recognition knowledge of a particular point (directed towards a particular object); perception, discernment, recognition, intuition.
Strong's: ἐπίγνωσις recognition, i.e. (by implication) full discernment, acknowledgement Derivation: from G1921; KJV Usage: (ac-)knowledge(-ing, - ment).
Thayer:
1) precise and correct knowledge
1a) used in the NT of the knowledge of things ethical and divine
1a) used in the NT of the knowledge of things ethical and divine
ἐπίγνωσις epignōsis ip-ig'-no-sis From G1921; recognition, that is, (by implication) full discernment, acknowledgement
KJV Usage: (ac-) knowledge (-ing, -ment).
144LSJ Gloss: αἴσθησις perception by the senses
Dodson: αἴσθησις perception perception, understanding, discernment.
Strong's: αἴσθησις perception, i.e. (figuratively) discernment Derivation: from G143; KJV Usage: judgment.
Thayer:
1) perception, not only by the senses but by the intellect
2) cognition, discernment
2a) of moral discernment in ethical matters
2) cognition, discernment
2a) of moral discernment in ethical matters
KJV Usage: judgment.
As we see epignosis and aisthesis are closely related. Epi is “over or above” and gnosis is “knowledge”. Over-knowledge is a knowledge that comes from above, and it is a discerning knowledge as far as spiritual matters are concerned. Divine knowledge that comes from above is another way to note this word. Aisthesis is an “inside understanding”, as if one was given special knowledge of a situation. It would be like knowing a spoiler in a move; you know what is going to happen before others do. It is special understanding or cognition.
Solomon tells us of perception and knowledge. He says that we should call upon Wisdom. The Spirit of Wisdom will help us if we seek after divine perception. We will learn the fear of the Lord and the full above knowledge of God. The Lord gives wisdom, knowledge, and understanding.
Proverbs 2:3G1437For if G1063 G3588 G4678[wisdom G1941you should call upon], G2532and G3588 G4907[for understanding G1325should give G5456your voice]; G1473
4G3588 G1161and G144[perception G2212you should seek G3173great] G3588with your G5456voice; G2532and G1437if G2212you should seek G1473her G5613as G694silver, G2532and G5613[as for G2344treasures G1830should search her out]; G1473
5G5119then G4920you shall perceive G5401the fear G2962of the lord, G2532andG1922[full knowledge G2316of God G2147you will find].
6G3754For G2962the lord G1325gives G4678wisdom; G2532and G575from G4383his presence G1473 G1108knowledge G2532and G4907understanding.
The only way we can attain the knowledge and perception that others need is via Wisdom and the fear of the Lord. Paul’s prayer is that our love will grow and abound in full knowledge and perception. Clearly ,when we lose a heart of love and we don’t fear the Lord, we lose knowledge and perception. This leads into a downward spiral, as we see from Hosea.
Hosea 4:1 Hear the word of the Lord, ye children of Israel: for the Lord has a controversy with the inhabitants of the land, because there is no truth, nor mercy, nor knowledge of God in the land. 2 Cursing, and lying, and murder, and theft, and adultery abound in the land, and they mingle blood with blood. 3 Therefore shall the land mourn, and shall be diminished with all that dwell in it, with the wild beasts of the field, and the reptiles of the earth, and with the birds of the sky, and the fish of the sea shall fail: 4 that neither any one may plead, nor any one reprove another; but my people are as a priest spoken against. 5 Therefore they shall fall by day, and the prophet with thee shall fall: I have compared thy mother unto night.
6 My people are like as if they had no knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt not minister as priest to me: and as thou has forgotten the law of thy God, I also will forget thy children. Sept Marsh.
Yikes, these are intense consequences for rejecting above knowledge. Hosea lived around 784 BCE to 723 BCE. He was a prophet of the Northern Kingdom during the time of Jeroboam II. While the Northern kingdom was enjoying their prosperity, they forgot about the full knowledge of Yahweh. Remember that the temple was in the southern kingdom. The northerners lost their ability of divine perception. They did not fear the Lord and they did not seek the Spirit of Wisdom. There is always an obvious divide between those who seek after Wisdom and the full knowledge and perception of God, as compared to those who don’t. But before we start to condemn the northern kingdom look what else Hosea says.
Hosea 6:5 What shall I do unto thee, Ephraim? What shall I do to thee, Juda? whereas your mercy is as a morning cloud, and as the early dew that goes away. 6 Therefore have I mown down your prophets; I have slain them with the word of my mouth: and my judgment shall go forth as the light. 7 For I will have mercy rather than sacrifice, and the knowledge of God rather than whole-burnt-offerings. Sept Marsh.
Hosea is pointing a finger at Ephraim and Judah as well. It seems that the false prophets were leading Judah and Ephraim astray, they had no mercy towards their northern brothers. Mercy is bestowed upon people who intentionally sin or who know full well that they are doing the wrong thing. Grace is bestowed upon people who unintentionally do the wrong thing. Favor is a gift bestowed upon people who don’t yet know that they need the gift, but find out later that the gift was indeed needed. So with the northern kingdom’s intentional sin, Judah should have bestowed mercy. This would be an act of love, to show mercy upon the sinner, but instead their mercy dried up and disappeared. Judah’s false prophets probably pointed out the northern kingdom’s sins while they were in the midst of their 300 years of sins in the temple; such as male and female prostitution in the temple; worshipping idols, stars, cherubim; and passing their children through the fire. Their lack of mercy probably showed up when the good people from the north wanted to relocate to the southern kingdom. Their lack of love towards their brothers constituted Yahweh’s reproof.
Yahweh prefers mercy rather than sacrifice. In other words, rather than the priests making sacrifices they should show mercy. Likewise, Yahweh prefers that the priests seek after the knowledge of God instead of whole burnt offerings. Isn’t it funny that it always seems that the priests preferred the sacrifices and the burnt offerings above all else. It seems it was easier to make sacrifices instead of being merciful to others. Usually this type of behavior takes place in those who are steeped in their own sin. They condemn others because they feel the weight of guilt of their own evil behaviors. Yet Yahweh would clearly rather see mercy and people seeking after the full knowledge. Is it possible they forgot Solomon’s words?
Proverbs 1:1-7 (AMP)
1 THE PROVERBS (truths obscurely expressed, maxims, and parables) of Solomon son of David, king of Israel:
2 That people may know skillful and godly Wisdom and instruction, discern and comprehend the words of understanding and insight,
3 Receive instruction in wise dealing and the discipline of wise thoughtfulness, righteousness, justice, and integrity,
4 That prudence may be given to the simple, and knowledge, discretion, and discernment to the youth—
5 The wise also will hear and increase in learning, and the person of understanding will acquire skill and attain to sound counsel [so that he may be able to steer his course rightly]—
6 That people may understand a proverb and a figure of speech or an enigma with its interpretation, and the words of the wise and their dark sayings or riddles.
7 The reverent and worshipful fear of the Lord is the beginning and the principal and choice part of knowledge [its starting point and its essence]; but fools despise skillful and godly Wisdom, instruction, and discipline.
It is possible that the northern kingdom was not well versed in Solomon’s wise sayings, but the southern kingdom should have been. If one fears the Lord, it will be the start of above knowledge. Why? Because if one concerns ones self with the obvious understanding that humans cannot control what happens at the time of death, then humans must look to the one who holds this control. In fear of eternal death or damnation, one then looks for the way to eternal life. When non-believers in Jesus come to the end of their lives on earth, they become fearful of the unknown. They then attempt to seek out the Messiah in hopes of going to heaven rather than hell.
As Paul prayed that our benevolence would grow and super-abound, we see that love is a decision we make, just as seeking after godly wisdom. We choose. So by this time in history, during the life of the prophet Hosea, the leaders, priests, and the people were not choosing wisely.
Paul guides Timothy about instructing servants of the Lord. This is great advice for us as social media has made many people contentious and quarrelsome instead of calm. It seems that many people do not control their emotions well, nor do they think clearly. A flood of contentious self seeking emotions always clouds the mind and keeps people from walking in love.
2 Tim 2:24G1401And a bondman G1161 G2962of the Lord G3756must not G1163 G3164quarrel; G235but G2261be calm G1510.1 G4314to G3956all, G1317qualified for teaching, G420enduring evil,
25G1722in G4236gentleness G3811correcting G3588the ones G475being in opposition; G3379lest at any time G1325[should give G14733to them G3588 G2316God] G3341a change of heart G1519to G1922full knowledge G225of truth;
26G2532and G366they should recover G1537from out of G3588the G3588[of the G1228devil G3803snare], G2221having been taken alive G5259byG1473him G1519for G3588 G1565that ones’s G2307will.
Coming back to Philippians we see in Paul’s prayer that we are to test things by tossing them around, or in other words examine by testing.
Philippians1:10G1519for G3588 G1381you to approve G1473 G3588the things G1308differing, G2443that G1510.3you might be G1506honest G2532and G677without cause to stumble G1519in G2250the day G5547of Christ,
1381LSJ Gloss: δοκιμάζω to assay
Dodson: δοκιμάζω I put to the test, prove, examine I put to the test, prove, examine; I distinguish by testing, approve after testing; I am fit.
Strong's: δοκιμάζω to test (literally or figuratively); by implication, to approve Derivation: from G1384; KJV Usage: allow, discern, examine, X like, (ap-)prove, try.
Thayer:
1) to test, examine, prove, scrutinise (to see whether a thing is genuine or not), as metals
2) to recognise as genuine after examination, to approve, deem worthy
2) to recognise as genuine after examination, to approve, deem worthy
δοκιμάζω dokimazō dok-im-ad'-zo From G1384; to test (literally or figuratively); by implication to approve KJV Usage: allow, discern, examine, X like, (ap-) prove, try.
1308LSJ Gloss: διαφέρω to carry over
Dodson: διαφέρω I carry through, differ, surpass, excel (a) trans: I carry through, hither and thither, (b) intrans: I am different, differ, and sometimes: I surpass, excel.
Strong's: διαφέρω to bear through, i.e. (literally) transport; usually to bear apart, i.e. (objectively) to toss about (figuratively, report); subjectively, to "differ", or (by implication) surpass Derivation: from G1223 and G5342;
KJV Usage: be better, carry, differ from, drive up and down, be (more) excellent, make matter, publish, be of more value.
Thayer:
1) to bear or carry through any place
2) to carry different ways
2a) to carry in different directions, to different places
2a1) of people who are carried hither and thither in a ship, driven to and fro
2b) to differ, to test, prove, the good things that differ,
2b1) to distinguish between good and evil, lawful and unlawful, to approve of things that excel, to differ from one
2b2) to excel, surpass one
2c) impersonally, it makes a difference, it matters, is of importance
2) to carry different ways
2a) to carry in different directions, to different places
2a1) of people who are carried hither and thither in a ship, driven to and fro
2b) to differ, to test, prove, the good things that differ,
2b1) to distinguish between good and evil, lawful and unlawful, to approve of things that excel, to differ from one
2b2) to excel, surpass one
2c) impersonally, it makes a difference, it matters, is of importance
διαφέρω diapherō dee-af-er'-o From G1223 and G5342; to bear through, that is, (literally) transport; usually to bear apart, that is, (objectively) to toss about (figuratively report); subjectively to “differ” , or (by implication) surpass KJV Usage: be better, carry, differ from, drive up and down, be (more) excellent, make matter, publish, be of more value.
What are we to prove? We are to examine ourselves for honesty or purity. We want to be uncontaminated and inoffensive.
1506LSJ Gloss: εἰλικρινής unmixed, without alloy, pure
Dodson: εἰλικρινής pure, uncontaminated, sincere
(originally: unmixed), pure, uncontaminated, sincere.
Strong's: εἰλικρινής judged by sunlight, i.e. tested as genuine (figuratively)
Derivation: from εἵλη (the sun's ray) and G2919; KJV Usage: pure, sincere.
Derivation: from εἵλη (the sun's ray) and G2919; KJV Usage: pure, sincere.
Thayer:
1) pure, sincere, unsullied
2) found pure when unfolded and examined by the sun's light
For Synonyms see entry G5840
2) found pure when unfolded and examined by the sun's light
For Synonyms see entry G5840
εἰλικρινής eilikrinēs i-lik-ree-nace' From εἵλη heilē (the sun’s ray) and G2919; judged by sunlight, that is, tested as genuine(figuratively)
KJV Usage: pure, sincere.
677LSJ Gloss: ἀπρόσκοπος not stumbling, void of offence
Dodson: ἀπρόσκοπος not offending, not causing offence, blameless
(free from hurt or harm, hence) not offending, not causing offence, blameless.
Strong's: ἀπρόσκοπος actively, inoffensive, i.e. not leading into sin; passively, faultless, i.e. not led into sin
Derivation: from G1 (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of G4350; KJV Usage: none (void of, without) offence.
Derivation: from G1 (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of G4350; KJV Usage: none (void of, without) offence.
Thayer:
1) having nothing to strike against, not causing to stumble
1a) of a smooth road
1b) metaph. of not leading others to sin by one's mode of life
2) not striking against or stumbling
2a) metaph. not led into sin, blameless
3) without offense, not troubled by a consciousness of sin
1a) of a smooth road
1b) metaph. of not leading others to sin by one's mode of life
2) not striking against or stumbling
2a) metaph. not led into sin, blameless
3) without offense, not troubled by a consciousness of sin
ἀπρόσκοπος aproskopos ap-ros'-kop-os From G1 (as a negative particle) and a presumed derivative of G4350; actively inoffensive, that is, not leading into sin; passively faultless, that is, not led into sin
KJV Usage: none (void of, without) offence.
Paul prays that people will examine and prove our own selves to be pure and faultless on the day of the Messiah. The day we stand before Him we want to be uncontaminated. That requires repentance, which is why we have to toss around and scrutinize our own selves. For us to be a pillar of love, which gains us full knowledge and perception, we have to do our own introspection to clean out and clean up our own heart. Then we will be filled with the fruits of righteousness.
Philippians1:11G4137being filled G2590with fruits G1343of righteousness, G3588of the ones G1223by G*Jesus G5547Christ, G1519to G1391glory G2532and G1868praise G2316of God
4137LSJ Gloss: πληρόω to make full
Dodson: πληρόω I fill, fulfill, complete.
Strong's: πληρόω to make replete, i.e. (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc. Derivation: from G4134; KJV Usage: accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.
Thayer:
1) to make full, to fill up, i.e. to fill to the full
1a) to cause to abound, to furnish or supply liberally
1a1) I abound, I am liberally supplied
2) to render full, i.e. to complete
2a) to fill to the top: so that nothing shall be wanting to full measure, fill to the brim
2b) to consummate: a number
2b1) to make complete in every particular, to render perfect
2b2) to carry through to the end, to accomplish, carry out, (some undertaking)
2c) to carry into effect, bring to realisation, realise
2c1) of matters of duty: to perform, execute
2c2) of sayings, promises, prophecies, to bring to pass, ratify, accomplish
2c3) to fulfil, i.e. to cause God's will (as made known in the law) to be obeyed as it should be, and God's promises (given through the prophets) to receive fulfilment
1a) to cause to abound, to furnish or supply liberally
1a1) I abound, I am liberally supplied
2) to render full, i.e. to complete
2a) to fill to the top: so that nothing shall be wanting to full measure, fill to the brim
2b) to consummate: a number
2b1) to make complete in every particular, to render perfect
2b2) to carry through to the end, to accomplish, carry out, (some undertaking)
2c) to carry into effect, bring to realisation, realise
2c1) of matters of duty: to perform, execute
2c2) of sayings, promises, prophecies, to bring to pass, ratify, accomplish
2c3) to fulfil, i.e. to cause God's will (as made known in the law) to be obeyed as it should be, and God's promises (given through the prophets) to receive fulfilment
πληρόω plēroō play-ro'-o From G4134; to make replete, that is, (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc. KJV Usage: accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.
2509LSJ Gloss: καρπός fruit the wrist
Dodson: καρπός fruit, result, gain (a) fruit, generally vegetable, sometimes animal, (b) met: fruit, deed, action, result, (c) profit, gain.
Strong's: καρπός fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively
Derivation: probably from the base of G726; KJV Usage: fruit.
Derivation: probably from the base of G726; KJV Usage: fruit.
Thayer:
1) fruit
1a) the fruit of the trees, vines, of the fields
1b) the fruit of one's loins, i.e. his progeny, his posterity
2) that which originates or comes from something, an effect, result
2a) work, act, deed
2b) advantage, profit, utility
2c) praises, which are presented to God as a thank offering
2d) to gather fruit (i.e. a reaped harvest) into life eternal (as into a granary), is used in fig. discourse of those who by their labours have fitted souls to obtain eternal life
1a) the fruit of the trees, vines, of the fields
1b) the fruit of one's loins, i.e. his progeny, his posterity
2) that which originates or comes from something, an effect, result
2a) work, act, deed
2b) advantage, profit, utility
2c) praises, which are presented to God as a thank offering
2d) to gather fruit (i.e. a reaped harvest) into life eternal (as into a granary), is used in fig. discourse of those who by their labours have fitted souls to obtain eternal life
καρπός karpos kar-pos' Probably from the base of G726; fruit (as plucked), literally or figuratively KJV Usage: fruit.
1343LSJ Gloss: δικαιοσύνη righteousness, justice
Dodson: δικαιοσύνη justice, justness, righteousness (usually if not always in a Jewish atmosphere), justice, justness, righteousness, righteousness of which God is the source or author, but practically: a divine righteousness.
Strong's: δικαιοσύνη equity (of character or act); specially (Christian) justification Derivation: from G1342; KJV Usage: righteousness.
Thayer:
1) in a broad sense: state of him who is as he ought to be, righteousness, the condition acceptable to God
1a) the doctrine concerning the way in which man may attain a state approved of God
1b) integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting
2) in a narrower sense, justice or the virtue which gives each his due
1a) the doctrine concerning the way in which man may attain a state approved of God
1b) integrity, virtue, purity of life, rightness, correctness of thinking feeling, and acting
2) in a narrower sense, justice or the virtue which gives each his due
δικαιοσύνη dikaiosunē dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay From G1342; equity (of character or act); specifically (Christian) justification KJV Usage: righteousness.
We want to be complete with the fruits of divine virtue. Our character is a glory to God. Isn’t that what people see when they look at us. If we have the knowledge of life, death, eternal life, or eternal death, people will only look to us if they see the fruits of righteousness. Paul explains this.
2 Corinthians 9:9-12 (AMP) As it is written, He [the benevolent person] scatters abroad; He gives to the poor; His deeds of justice and goodness and kindness and benevolence will go on and endure forever!
10 And [God] Who provides seed for the sower and bread for eating will also provide and multiply your [resources for] sowing and increase the fruits of your righteousness [which manifests itself in active goodness, kindness, and charity].
11 Thus you will be enriched in all things and in every way, so that you can be generous, and [your generosity as it is] administered by us will bring forth thanksgiving to God.
12 For the service that the ministering of this fund renders does not only fully supply what is lacking to the saints (God's people), but it also overflows in many [cries of] thanksgiving to God.
God provides the seeds we need to sow, and the bread for people to eat. Then when we sow or feed others, God multiplies our seeds and bread, and then increases our fruit. Doing good works is not for salvation; instead our good works render fruit and rewards in our future life.
Humans are not the pillars of knowledge. Humans are not the pillars of perception. Humans connected to Yahweh and the Holy Spirit can have above knowledge of God and divine perception if their love grows and abounds. We make the decision to grow our love. In order to have our love grow and abound, ever increasing, we have to toss around and prove our own honesty so that we can be inoffensive on the day we meet the Messiah. Then our fruit can grow from our righteousness and be noticed by others. If we sow seeds and bread, people may “climb the mountain” to ask about the secrets of eternal life or eternal death. Love is the pillar and the only way to full knowledge. Love is the only way to divine perception. Love and benevolence is what others see in us. Agape is PLUR; peace, love, unity, and respect. This deep prayer has given us treasures to learn from, that we increase and super abound as pillars of love that behold above knowledge and divine perceptions.
