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Sunday, July 25, 2021

So Simple; Judging in Righteousness; Separated to Seek Yahweh; Understanding Faith


It is so simple that it is hard to believe. In fact, we usually can’t believe it unless we attach qualifications to it. But Yahweh doesn’t put in qualifiers, he keeps it simple. What does Yahweh keep simple? Being judged righteous. Faith is the easiest thing that Yahweh could have used for his people to be counted righteous, but we seem to do our best to make people stress and strain over it. As we studied from “out of faith into faith”, or from out of credence into fidelity, the righteous live by faith. One way to look at faith is to understand that faith is credence and credence is “acceptance”. Faith is also fidelity, and fidelity is “loyalty”. The righteous live by their convictions or by their acceptance and loyalty; faith. Faith is trust. It does not matter what all the chicken littles say. It does not matter what the big bad wolf threatens. It does not matter what the plans of Drakōn and Satanas are for the future. What matters is something as simple as faith, trust, conviction. Faith makes us righteous and righteousness saves us from out of death. The righteous, Noah, Daniel, and Job, were mentioned by Yahweh as an example for being rescued. Yahweh tells Ezekiel that if those men were living during the time leading up to the third wave of captivity into Babylon that they would be rescued because of their own righteousness. We are not burdened with the sins of others, we are only burdened with our own faith. Paul explains that the law increased sin, but Yahweh’s favor superabounds. Paul also says that the world is scheduled for a day of judgment in righteousness, which will be judged by Jesus Christ. 


Abram is our first example of faith. All Abram had to do was to trust that what Yahweh said was true, and then he was righteous. In the context, Abram is speaking with Yahweh regarding an heir, and Yahweh tells him that one would come forth from Abram. Yahweh leads Abram outside to look at the stars and tells him that that will be his seed, innumerable. 


Genesis 15:6 G2532 And G4100 Abram trusted G*   G3588   G2316 in God, G2532 and G3049 it was imputed G1473 to him G1519 for G1343 righteousness. 


1343 LSJ 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.

TBESG:δικαιοσύνη righteousness

G:N-F

δικαιοσύνη, -ης, ἡ

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


δικαιοσύνη 

dikaiosunē dik-ah-yos-oo'-nay From G1342; equity (of character or act); specifically (Christian) justification KJV Usage: righteousness.


Because Abram had pisteuō, faith, trust, belief, in the Elohim, the Elohim counted or esteemed Abram dikaiosunē righteous or just. Faith equals righteousness. If one has faith, that one is counted righteous. This is simple. Abram did not have scrolls of the law, Moses wasn’t even born. Abram had the knowledge that he gained from Noah and Shem, and he had knowledge of Enoch’s writings as Noah and Shem possessed them. That was it. Yet he believed the Elohim Master Yahweh. Then Yahweh reveals to Abram that he, Yahweh, is the “I Am”, the Elohim. Yahweh also mentions that Abrams’ seed will be sojourners and enslaved in another land for four hundred years, but that the fourth generation will return to this land. As we see, at this time Yahweh considers a generation to be one hundred years. All Abram did was to believe what Yahweh said. Then, being righteous, he was told of the future. Let’s fast forward to Solomon. 


Proverbs 10:2 G3756 [2shall not G5623 3benefit G2344 1Treasures] G459 the lawless; G1343 but righteousness G1161   G4506 shall rescue G1537 from out of G2288 death. 


There is a comparison between the lawless and the righteous. Righteousness rescues from out of death. What makes one righteous? Faith in the Elohim. Righteousness saves us from eternal death. Notice what Ezekiel tells us. 


Jezekiel 14:12 (EC Marsh) And the word of the Lord came to me, saying, 13 Son of man, if a land shall sin against me by committing a trespass, then will I stretch out my hand upon it, and will break its staff of bread, and will send forth famine upon it, and cut off from it man and beast. 14 And though these three men should be in the midst of it, Noe, and Daniel, and Job, they alone should be delivered by their righteousness, saith the Lord. 


Ezekiel was among the second wave of captives from Judah. He sees what caused Yahweh to disperse the nation into Babylon. He is giving prophecies for the people to understand the gravity of the situation. Then Yahweh says that if a land sins against Yahweh he will stretch his hand against them. Pay close attention to what Yahweh says. Not every famine is from Yahweh. But if Yahweh was sending a famine then Noah, Daniel, and Job would be delivered from the famine. Why? Because of their own righteousness. How did they become righteous? They believed what Yahweh said. 


Jezekiel 14:15 If again I bring evil beasts upon the land, and take vengeance upon it, and it be ruined, and there be no one to pass through for fear of the wild beasts: 16 and if these three men should be in the midst of it, as I live, saith the Lord, neither sons nor daughters shall be saved, but these only shall be saved, and the land shall be destroyed. 17 Or again if I bring a sword upon that land, and say, Let the sword go through the land; and I cut off from them man and beast: 18 though these three men were in the midst of it, as I live, saith the Lord, they shall not deliver sons or daughters, but they only shall be saved themselves. 19 Or if again I send pestilence upon that land, and pour out my wrath upon it in blood, to destroy from off it man and beast: 20 and should Noe, and Daniel, and Job, be in the midst of it, as I live, saith the Lord, there shall be left them neither sons nor daughters; only they by their righteousness shall deliver their souls. 


If Yahweh brings evil beasts to take vengeance on Judah, only Noah, Daniel, and Job would be saved, not their sons or daughters, not their wives or their parents. The land would be destroyed, but the righteous Noah, Daniel, and Job would be saved. If Yahweh sends his wrath to destroy everything, then the righteousness of Noah, Daniel, and Job will save their souls. Yahweh explains righteousness. 


Jezekiel 18:4 For all souls are mine; as the soul of the father, so also the soul of the son, they are mine: the soul that sins, it shall die. 

5 But the man who shall be just, who executes judgment and righteousness,…9 and has walked in my commandments and kept mine ordinances, to do them; he is righteous, he shall surely live, saith the Lord.


All souls are Yahweh’s, yet that does not mean that all souls go to heaven. Clearly the soul that sins will die. The person who is just or righteous does what is right and just in judgment. That person walks in the commands of Yahweh and does Yahweh’s ordinances and then lives. Yahweh continues. 


Jezekiel 18:19 But ye will say, Why has not the son borne the iniquity of the father? Because the son has wrought judgment and mercy, has kept all my statues, and done them, he shall surely live. 20 But the soul that sins shall die: and the son shall not bear the iniquity of the father, nor shall the father bear the iniquity of the son: the righteousness of the righteous shall be upon him, and the iniquity of the transgressor shall be upon him. 


The children are not responsible for the sins of their own Father if the children are righteous. Likewise, the parents are not responsible for the sins of their children. Whoever is righteous is righteous, whoever sins is responsible for his own sin. Think of the time period. The priests were defiling the temple with male and female prostitution, burning incense to idols, worshipping the constellations and stars, passing their children through the fires of Moloch, and the like. The priests were responsible for those behaviors. If their children never entered the priesthood and had no knowledge to what is going on then they were not responsible for the sins of their fathers, the idolatrous priests. Those children would go into captivity if they were righteous, just as the rest of the people who were not slain who were marked because they mourned for the temple. Yes that is correct. The people who mourned and were righteous were marked by angels and then went into captivity. In seventy years their heirs would repopulate Judah again.   


Jezekiel 18:21 And if the transgressor turn away from all his iniquities which he has committed, and keep all my commandments, and do justice and mercy, he shall surely live, and shall by no means die. 22 None of his trespasses which he has committed shall be remembers: in his righteousness which he has done he shall live. 23 Shall I at all desire death of the sinner, saith the Lord, as I desire that he should turn from his evil way, and live? 


Yahweh would rather people turn away from their sin than die in their sin. If one dies in his/her sin that one is separated from Yahweh. Yahweh says that there is hope that the sinner will repent and turn away from sin. Yahweh extended this provision of repentance so that people can become righteous, walking in His commands and keeping His ordinances. But what if the righteous man turns away from Yahweh?


Jezekiel 18:24 But when the righteous man turns away from his righteousness, and commits iniquity, according to all the transgressions which the transgressor has wrought, none of his righteousness which he has wrought shall be at all remembered: in his trespass wherein he has trespassed, and in his sins wherein he has sinned, in them shall he die. 


This is all quite simple. If you walk with Yahweh, keep walking with him up to death. How many people turn away from Yahweh? Enough so that he points out that if one wishes to chase after sin, then whatever righteousness that one had is not remembered. We cannot count on what we did when we were seven years old to make us righteous. The point is, keep on being righteous by continuing to have faith in Yahweh and in what Yahweh says. Go from accepting Yahweh and his word, to loyalty in Yahweh and his word, and live in that loyalty. 


Jezekiel 18:25 Yet ye have said, The way of the Lord is not straight. Hear now, all the house of Israel; will not my way be straight? Is your way straight? 26 When the righteous turns away from his righteousness and commits a trespass, and dies in the trespass he has committed, he shall even die in it. 27 And when the wicked man turns away from his wickedness that he has committed, and shall do judgment and justice, he has kept his soul, 28 and has turned away from all his ungodliness which he has committed: he shall surely live, he shall not die. 


We can see that the people of Judah thought that all of Yahweh’s ways were mixed up. Who would have caused that confusion? Later during the time of Jesus the Pharisees made such a mess of the laws and commands that in order to fulfill their version of the law they actually stole the homes of widowed women, leaving them homeless. Yahweh’s ways are straight. Yahweh is keeping it simple here. We will live if we are righteous, we will die if we are not. We will be rescued due to our righteousness which comes by our faith or we will perish due to our sin. 


Paul gives us a comparison along these same lines but builds on the idea by explaining that through faith in Jesus Christ we receive righteousness as a gift. 


Romans 5:17 G1487 For if G1063   G3588 in the G3588 [2of the G1520 3one G3900 1transgression] G3588   G2288 death G936 reigned G1223 through G3588 the G1520 one, G4183 how much G3123 more G3588 the ones G3588 [2the G4050 3abundance G3588   G5484 4of favor G2532 5and G3588 6the G1431 7gift G3588   G1343 8of righteousness G2983 1receiving] G1722 [2in G2222 3life G936 1shall reign] G1223 through G3588 the G1520 one man G* Jesus G5547 Christ. 

  18 G686 It is so G3767 then G5613 as G1223 through G1520 one G3900 transgression G1519 it was unto G3956 all G444 men G1519 for G2631 condemnation; G3779 so G2532 also G1223 through G1520 one G1345 right action G1519 it was unto G3956 all G444 men G1519 for G1347 justification G2222 of life. 

  19 G5618 For as G1063   G1223 by G3588 the G3876 disobedience G3588 of the G1520 one G444 man G268 [3 as sinners G2525 2were established G3588   G4183 1many]; G3779 so G2532 also G1223 by G3588 the G5218 obedience G3588 of the G1520 one man G1342 [3 as righteous G2525 2shall be established G3588   G4183 1many]. 


1342 LSJ Gloss:δίκαιος observant of custom and social rule, well-ordered, civilised

Dodson:δίκαιος just, righteous, impartial just; especially, just in the eyes of God; righteous; the elect (a Jewish idea).

TBESG:δίκαιος just

G:A

δίκαιος, -α, -ον

Thayer:

1) righteous, observing divine laws 

1a) in a wide sense, upright, righteous, virtuous, keeping the commands of God 

1a1) of those who seem to themselves to be righteous, who pride themselves to be righteous, who pride themselves in their virtues, whether real or imagined 

1a2) innocent, faultless, guiltless 

1a3) used of him whose way of thinking, feeling, and acting is wholly conformed to the will of God, and who therefore needs no rectification in the heart or life 

1a3a) only Christ truly 

1a4) approved of or acceptable of God 

1b) in a narrower sense, rendering to each his due and that in a judicial sense, passing just judgment on others, whether expressed in words or shown by the manner of dealing with them


δίκαιος 

dikaios dik'-ah-yos From G1349; equitable (in character or act); by implication innocent, holy (absolutely or relatively) KJV Usage: just, meet, right (-eous).


Through the adam we all became sinners because the adam brought sin into the world through his disobedience. The adam was to be the ruler of the earth or the prince of the earth, but Satanas now has that position. Yet through Jesus Christ who was sinless, many people can now be made righteous. Paul tells us that the law makes more sin. 


Romans 5:20 G3551 But law G1161   G3922 entered privately, G2443 that G4121 [2should be superabundant G3588   G3900 1transgression]. G3739 But where G1161   G4121 [2was superabundant G3588   G266 1sin], G5248 [2superabounded G3588   G5484 1favor]; 


The law came in alongside in order that transgressions would increase. Where sin increased favor abounded exceedingly. What favor? Favor for what? Forgiveness and redemption. The law increased transgressions. As soon as we say ‘do not do this’, people do it. The law exposed sin. By way of the law we could clearly see how many people revered Yahweh and how many people did not. However Yahweh had a remedy for sin which is favor. Favor is spiritual, it is divine influence or merciful kindness. Yahweh’s gracious and merciful kindness superabounded because of the abundance of sin. 


Romans 5:21 G2443 that G5618 as G936 [2reigned G3588   G266 1sin] G1722 in G3588   G2288 death, G3779 so G2532 also G3588 the G5484 favor G936 should reign G1223 through G1343 righteousness G1519 to G2222 life G166 eternal G1223 through G* Jesus G5547 Christ G3588   G2962 our Lord. G1473   


Sin ruled in death, yet favor ruled by means of righteousness into eternal life by means of Jesus Christ our Yahweh. Favor rules by way of righteousness. Righteousness comes by faith. The natural progressive order is faith in Jesus Christ our Lord which makes one righteous, which means favor rules over sin, giving us eternal life. While the law exposed sin, and sin then abounded, there were many people who did not wallow in sin. However there were more people who did sin than lived by the law.


Review the story of Oolla and Ooliba, in Ezekiel chapter 23, it is the story of Israel, both the northern kingdom and the southern kingdom. 


https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2019/01/sporting-with-devil-not-victims-but.html


Faith is so simple. It is belief in understanding expectations. Whatever we expect or hope for, faith is understanding those things which haven’t come to pass yet. We hope for things that we currently don’t see such as paradise, heaven, eternal life. 


Hebrews 11:1 G1510.2.3 [3is G1161 1And G4102 2belief G1679 5of hoping G5287 4 the reality] G4229 of things, G1650 the proof G3756 not G991 being seen. 


5287 LSJ Gloss:ὑπόστασις that which settles at the bottom, sediment

Dodson:ὑπόστασις assurance, substance, reality (lit: an underlying), (a) confidence, assurance, (b) a giving substance (or reality) to, or a guaranteeing, (c) substance, reality.

Thayer:

1) a setting or placing under 

1a) thing put under, substructure, foundation 

2) that which has foundation, is firm 

2a) that which has actual existence 

2a1) a substance, real being 

2b) the substantial quality, nature, of a person or thing 

2c) the steadfastness of mind, firmness, courage, resolution 

2c1) confidence, firm trust, assurance


ὑπόστασις 

hupostasis hoop-os'-tas-is From a compound of G5259 and G2476; a setting under (support), that is, (figuratively) concretely essence, or abstractly assurance (objectively or subjectively) KJV Usage: confidence, confident, person, substance.


 5259

ὑπό 

hupo hoop-o' A primary preposition; under, that is, (with the genitive) of place (beneath), or with verbs (the agency or means, through); (with the accusative) of place (whither [underneath ] or where [below ]) or time (when [at ])  KJV Usage: among, by, from, in, of, under, with. In compounds it retains the same genitive applications, especially of inferior position or condition, and specifically covertly or moderately .


2476

ἵστημι 

histēmi his'-tay-mee A prolonged form of a primary word στάω staō (of the same meaning, and used for it in certain tenses); to stand (transitively or intransitively), used in various applications (literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: abide, appoint, bring, continue, covenant, establish, hold up, lay, present, set (up), stanch, stand (by, forth, still, up). 


“But persuasion is understanding expectation, deeds proof not seen.”


Faith or pistis is not a “substance” or an “assurance”. Those things are not solid. How many times have we been assured that things will be fine when they are not? Substance sounds like something mysterious, something we don’t know how to attain. This leaves us with a problem in how to attain faith. Is it like a smiling nurse who doesn’t want to give us the bad news? Or is it a thing that we have to search for but we may not know if we have found it? The unusual translation has caused us problems. It is hupostasis, “under standing”. It is hupo meaning “under”, and histēmi meaning “to stand”. Understanding is “comprehension, grasping, mastery, or perception”. Therefore faith is understanding. 


To break down these words, persuasion (noun) is pistis, meaning “faith or moral conviction”. An example of faith is that we all believe air is safe to breathe, and that the ground is firm to stand on. It is something that is concrete in our perception. We were born with this reality and we don’t question it. It is something that we are persuaded in. We don’t wear weighted space suits and breathe oxygen from a tank all day long. Understanding (noun) is hupostasis meaning “perceiving reality”, it is the foundation that one stands on. We comprehend that air is safe to breathe and that the ground is safe to walk on. We believe it, we grasp it. We are not afraid to get out of bed and put our feet on the ground. We are not afraid to inhale. We don’t spend undue time thinking about it, we simply do it. Expectation (verb) elpizō means “to hope for, look for, or expecting”. We expect that when we breathe, the oxygen will be safe for us. We expect that when we stand up, the earth will not cave in underneath us. We expect that the sun will rise whether we see it or not. We expect that storms will come whether we are in them or we watch them from far off. Expectation is a supposition or a calculation that something will happen. We know it will happen, but we do not always know when.


Persuasion is a thing, understanding is a thing, and expectation is an action. 


We could say that our moral conviction is the understanding of what we expect will happen, the proof of deeds not yet seen. The two verbs in both  statements are “expecting” and “seen”. We are taking action in expectation of what is not seen. Faith is understanding expectation. We are expecting to see the proof of deeds not yet seen. Our moral conviction is a perceived reality for us. We have calculated that the proofs of the workings of Yahweh in the people who have come before us are indeed truth. We calculate that if Yahweh can work in those people and they trusted Him, then Yahweh can work in us and we can trust Him. 


This is what we are to be outspoken about. This is what we need cheerful endurance for. We are well pleasing when we don’t hold back, but instead tell others about Jesus the Messiah, our complete sacrifice.  Our persuasion is that Jesus died and rose up on the third day. Our understanding is that Jesus died and rose up on the third day. Our expectation is that just as Jesus rose up, Jesus will call for us from the clouds. The harpazo hasn’t happened yet, we haven’t seen it. But the reality is that Jesus was crucified and that people saw Him after he died. Just as Jesus was seen by thousands of people, Jesus will call from the clouds, and later He will return back to earth. 


https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2020/12/understanding-expectation-our.html


https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2020/12/will-he-find-faith-out-of-persuasion.html

https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2019/05/no-wrath-without-faith-becoming-well.html

https://musingsofawinsomeheart.blogspot.com/2013/02/sanctified-and-not-judged-yet-nations.html


We see that persuasion is understanding expectation, deeds proof not seen. Let’s take this a step further. Fidelity is understanding expectation. Remember that we studied from credence to fidelity, Romans 1:17. “Righteousness for Elohim uncovered in us, from out of persuasion into persuasion, just as written ‘but the just live from out of persuasion’”. We grow from credence to fidelity, or acceptance to loyalty. The righteous live from out of fidelity. Fidelity is understanding expectation or understanding what we hope for, and what we hope for is the deeds that prove the unseen. We are uncovered as righteous from out of acceptance into loyalty, and the righteous live from out of loyalty. Loyalty to Jesus Christ is understanding our expectation of His actions that prove what is unseen. We are righteous because we accept that Jesus is Lord. We are loyal to Jesus as our Lord. We understand what to expect from Jesus our Lord. We await Jesus’ actions which will be proof that we believed, trusted, and were persuaded in Him. 


Paul, Timothy, and Silas, were in Berea when the Jews from Thessalonica came to Berea to stir up the people against Paul. The brethren quickly sent Paul to Athens by sea, while Timothy and Silas were left in Berea. This was a fast move by the brethren as they didn’t have time to collect Timothy and Silas. As Paul waited for Timothy and Silas in Athens he debated in the synagogue and wandered around the city. The Epicureans (disciples of Epicurus, an Athenian philosopher) and Stoicks (disciples of Zeno of Citium of Athens, a Hellenistic philosopher) took Paul to the Areopagus or Mars Hill where Paul gave a speech which we might wish to repeat to the unsaved. There was a statue on Mars Hill to the Unknown God. Paul is identifying the Unknown God to them. Remember that Paul was a Hellenist Jew and he knew how to debate and speak to philosophers. 


Acts 17:24 G3588 The G2316 God, G3588 the one G4160 making G3588 the G2889 world G2532 and G3956 all G3588 the things G1722 in G1473 it, G3778 this one G3772 [3of heaven G2532 4and G1093 5earth G2962 2Lord G5224 1being], G3756 does not G1722 [2in G5499 3handmade G3485 4temples G2730 1dwell], 

  25 G3761 nor G5259 by G5495 the hands G444 of men G2323 attending G4326 is there any feeling any want, G5100   G1473 himself G1325 giving G3956 to all G2222 life G2532 and G4157 breath, G2532 and G3588   G3956 all things


Paul establishes the Unknown God as the Elohim who created the world. Paul says the that Elohim doesn’t need anything from us but instead gave life and breath to all things. 


Acts 17:26 G4160 and he made G5037   G1537 of G1520 one G129 blood G3956 every G1484 nation G444 of men, G2730 to dwell G1909 upon G3956 all G3588 the G4383 face G3588 of the G1093 earth, G3724 having confirmed G4367 beforehand G2540 times G2532 and G3588 the G3734 boundaries G3588 of their dwelling -- G2733  27 G2212 to seek G3588 the G2962 Lord… 


Paul explains that we are all of one blood. As Paul told the Galatians, there are no Jews or Greeks, bond or free, male or female, but all are one in Christ Jesus. Now Paul says that all who dwell on the earth are separated and assigned for a proper time and the set territory of their dwelling to seek Yahweh. Remember that after the flood Yahweh told Noah’s descendants to spread out over the earth, but they were afraid that in smaller tribes they would be overcome by other related tribes. It was Yahweh’s plan for manfaced to inhabit all the earth. 


Acts 17:27 G2212 to seek G3588 the G2962 Lord, G1487 if G686 then perhaps G1065   G5584 they might grope after G1473 him, G2532 and G2147 might find him, G2544 though indeed G3756 [2not G3112 3far G575 4from G1520 6one G1538 5each G1473 7of us G5224 1being]. 


All people are made from out of one blood, all ethnos, all ethnic groups of manfaced. It is sad how we let the schemes of Satanas and Drakōn divide us by race, color, gender, and beliefs. All manfaced are from out of one blood, all the nations of earth, and are separated and assigned for a proper time, and the set territory of the nations’ dwelling, in order to seek and in order to find Yahweh. Paul then says that at least they might feel Him and find Him although he is not far from each one of us. This is great news. No matter where we live, no matter what language we speak, no matter what color we are, we are able to feel Yahweh and find him. And no matter where we are, or who we are, he is not distant from any of us. There are many people who do not know how close Yahweh is to us. There are many people who feel alone and abandoned. Yet even though we are of one blood we have been divided into different nations to give us a chance to find Yahweh. If we were under one world wide leader, we could easily be turned away from Yahweh, just as Nimrod did, and just as the anti-christ will do in the future. We are all of one blood, the adam’s blood, but manfaced is separated, but not to our detriment. Yet the satan uses our ethnos to divide us, turning us against one another. 


Acts 17:28 G1722 [2in G1473 3him G1063 1For] G2198 we live, G2532 and G2795 move, G2532 and G1510.2.4 are; G5613 as G2532 also G5100 some G3588 of the G2596 [2among you G1473   G4163 1poets] G2046 have said, G3588 For of him G1063   G2532 [2also G1085 3a family G1510.2.4 1we are]. 


Paul is quoting some Athenian poets or performers in this phrase, which tells us that he did his homework on their culture. Fascinating. Paul did not condemn their culture. He found something in their culture to share with them. “For in Him we live and move and we are, for we are namely genos, family”.  The poets and performers of Athens believed they were all of one genos, or genetic  kin. Paul expounded on this by explaining that not only were the Athenians genetically related but all the nations are genetically related. Paul continues to expound on their own cultural understanding.   


Acts 17:29 G1085 [2a family G3767 3then G5224 1Being] G3588   G2316 of God, G3756 ought we G3784   G3543 to think G5557 gold, G2228 or G696 silver, G2228 or G3037 stone, G5480 an imprint G5078 of a craft, G2532 and G1761 thinking G444 of man G3588 [3the G2304 4divine G1510.1 1to be G3664 2like]? 


Paul says that possessing therefore the genos of the Elohim, owe no regard to gold, or silver, or stones, engraved art, and inward thoughts and reflections  of manfaced, to be similar to divinity. In other words, throw away all the statues, idols, jewelry, and artwork, and stop thinking so much; none of those things are divine. Paul tells the Athenians that the Elohim overlooked this nonsense and wants all men to repent for our benefit. 


Acts 17:30 G3588 [3the G3303 1Indeed G3767 2then] G5550 times G3588   G52 of ignorance G5237 [2having overlooked G3588   G2316 1God], G3569 at present G3853 exhorts G3588   G444 all men G3956   G3837 everywhere G3340 to repent; 

  31 G1360 because G2476 he set G2250 a day G1722 in G3739 which G3195 he is about G2919 to judge G3588 the G3611 world G1722 in G1343 righteousness, G1722 by G435 a man G3739 in whom G3724 he confirmed, G4102 [2belief G3930 1having furnished] G3956 to all, G450 having raised G1473 him G1537 from G3498 the dead. 


Paul says, indeed therefore the times of ignorance or willful blindness the Elohim overlooked, yet now commands every manfaced everywhere to repent and change their mind. All manfaced in all nations repent now because the Elohim established a day in which he intends to judge the occupied world in righteousness, in a human man which he declared, provided pistis, faith to all, raised Him up from out of the dead. Let’s take this apart. First the Elohim is no longer overlooking idolatry. These Athenians were smart, but today we are smarter. There is a day when the inhabitants of the world will be judged in righteousness. That day is the harpazō. The day that the world is judged as to whether people are righteous is an important day. The people who are righteous are the ones who believe on Jesus Christ as their Yahweh and who believe he rose up on the third day. The day manfaced is judged by a human man is the day of redemption. The rest of the world who are not righteous, who do not believe that Jesus is Yahweh, are left for judgment, which is seven years of tribulation, known as the wrath of the Lamb and the wrath of the Father.  


We should understand that the first judgment on the world is when the world is judged in righteousness by a human man who people have faith in. The word anthrōpos translates as “manfaced”, anēr translates as a “male human being”. There is a reason that Paul used these two different words. When speaking of manfaced it is a differentiation between the people of the genos of the adam, and other sons of God with different genos. Angels have a different genos from the heirs of the adam and other sons of God; as do cherubim, seraphim, and ophanim. Each type is a different genos with the exception of the heirs of the Nephilim, which were a mixed genos, human and angel genetics. Jesus Christ was a human male, and Paul uses anēr to explain that he was a male. Remember, the Greeks had a list of gods and demi-gods that they worshipped (which technically were the Nephilim and their heirs). Paul expresses that they should believe Jesus was human, in a human body. He was not manfaced but he was male. 


This human male comes to judge the righteous. How do we become righteous? We believe Jesus is the Messiah and that he rose up on the third day. Faith makes us righteous. We grow from accepting Jesus as Messiah to having loyalty to Jesus as our Messiah. From out of credence into fidelity, the righteous live by faith. This is how we can be judged righteous on the day that Jesus calls his saints from the clouds. This is very simple. There is no work to do, just believe. There is no goal to achieve, just believe. Grow faith from accepting Jesus as Yahweh to having loyalty to Jesus as Yahweh, then being righteous, live by conviction. The simplicity of faith erases the law and the need for works to achieve righteousness. By faith we are saved. Simple. 


Sunday, July 11, 2021

Little Faith; Law of Faith; From Credence to Fidelity; As You Believe Let It Be

When we recognize who judgment is for, as we studied last week, we then come to the realization that something causes people not to trust that the Lord will do what is prophesied. Do we believe that there was an earthly flood and that Noah and his family were spared? Do we believe angels came to rescue Lot before the fire and brimstone fell in Sodom? If Yahweh can deliver the righteous in a boat or by angelic intervention, then Yahweh can deliver us too. Our problem is that we can believe deliverance occurred in the past, but we cannot trust the prophecies of the present or future. Jesus points out that people who were not Israelites had more faith than the Israelites did. This is odd because Jesus was sent to deliver the sheep from the house of Jacob who were dying. After Jesus’ ascension a new law brought righteousness and justification. The law of faith. We see Paul take great lengths to explain this to the Roman Christians. Paul explains that people are only justified by faith, not by works and not through the law. Let’s explore. 

In Capernaum, a Roman centurion came to Jesus saying that his young servant was thrown into paralysis and was horribly tortured. First we must understand that the servant was a pais a young boy or girl. This person was a slave to this centurion. Whatever caused this young child to be paralyzed and tormented it was a concern to the centurion. The young slave needed healing, but the centurion didn’t feel worthy for Jesus to visit his house. The centurion told Jesus just to say the word and that his young slave would be healed. The centurion understood what it is to command. This tells us that the centurion recognized that Jesus had “command” over sickness, disease, and evil spirits. Jesus did have exousia, authority, jurisdiction, and rulership. Jesus thaumazō, or marveled, or admired the centurion. 


Matthew 8:10 G191 And hearing, G1161   G3588   G* Jesus G2296 marveled, G2532 and G2036 he said G3588 to the ones G190 following, G281 Amen G3004 I say G1473 to you, G3761 not even G1722 in G3588   G* Israel G5118 [2such great G4102 3belief G2147 1did I find]. 

 

4102 LSJ Gloss:πίστις trust

Dodson:πίστις faith, belief, trust faith, belief, trust, confidence; fidelity, faithfulness.

Thayer:

1) conviction of the truth of anything, belief; in the NT of a conviction or belief respecting man's relationship to God and divine things, generally with the included idea of trust and holy fervour born of faith and joined with it 

1a) relating to God 

1a1) the conviction that God exists and is the creator and ruler of all things, the provider and bestower of eternal salvation through Christ 

1b) relating to Christ 

1b1) a strong and welcome conviction or belief that Jesus is the Messiah, through whom we obtain eternal salvation in the kingdom of God 

1c) the religious beliefs of Christians 

1d) belief with the predominate idea of trust (or confidence) whether in God or in Christ, springing from faith in the same 

2) fidelity, faithfulness 

2a) the character of one who can be relied on


πίστις 

pistis pis'-tis From G3982; persuasion, that is, credence; moral conviction (of religious truth, or the truthfulness of God or a religious teacher), especially reliance upon Christ for salvation; abstractly constancy in such profession; by extension the system of religious (Gospel) truth itself KJV Usage: assurance, belief, believe, faith, fidelity.


Jesus said that not even in Israel did he find such tosoutos, vast, as in quantity, of pistis, faith or trust. Jesus is comparing the Roman soldier to the Israelites. Jesus ministered among the Jews, but the Roman centurion trusted Jesus more than the Jews did. Jesus goes on. 


Matthew 8:11 G3004 And I say G1161   G1473 to you, G3754 that G4183 many G575 from G395 east G2532 and G1424 west G2240 shall come, G2532 and G347 shall be lain down G3326 with G* Abraham G2532 and G* Isaac G2532 and G* Jacob G1722 in G3588 the G932 kingdom G3588 of the G3772 heavens. 

  12 G3588 But the G1161   G5207 sons G3588 of the G932 kingdom G1544 shall be cast out G1519 into G3588 the G4655 [2darkness G3588   G1857 1outer]; G1563 there, G1510.8.3 there shall be G3588   G2805 weeping G2532 and G3588 the G1030 gnashing G3588   G3599 of teeth. 

  13 G2532 And G2036 Jesus said G3588   G*   G3588 to the G1543 centurion, G5217 Go! G2532 and G5613 as G4100 you trusted G1096 let it be G1473 to you! G2532 And G2390 [2was healed G3588   G3816 1his servant] G1473   G1722 in G3588   G5610 that hour. G1565   


People from the east and west, or those outside of Israel will recline at a table with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, in the kingdom of heaven, but the Israelites will not. Instead, the Israelites will be thrown into the outer darkness where there will be crying and grating of teeth. Jesus said that other people will recline at a table, relaxing and eating with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The Israelites however will not be in the kingdom of heaven, they will be out in darkness crying in anguish and despair. What is going to cause the Israelites to be outside the place where their forefathers will be? They do not have faith or trust in Jesus. 


The centurion believed that Jesus was the Messiah. He believed that Jesus had authority on the earth. He believed that Jesus could heal his young slave by his word. Therefore Jesus says that as the centurion believed, let his belief come into existence and the miracle be finished. And the young slave was healed at that time. As the centurion believed or trusted, pisteuō, the young slave was healed. Isn’t this what is required of us? As we believe, miracles take place. 


Jesus came for the lost sheep of the house of Israel, yet the house of Israel, the sons of the kingdom, will be outside without the king. In other words, we have a misconception that Israel is special because of their believing forefathers. But their believing forefathers believed, whereas the heirs of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, did not believe. The Roman centurion had a large quantity of faith that the Israelites did not. The Israelites still do not have faith or trust in Jesus. There will be an alternate place for the sons of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob who do not believe that Jesus is Lord, and it will be outside of the kingdom; it will be dark, and everyone there will be in agony. 


After this, Jesus heals Peter’s mother in law and then he heals many demon possessed people whose illnesses were all cured. This caused a lot of people to gather around Jesus and some wanted to follow him. Jesus explained the reality of the situation which was that they would need to give up their lives. Then Jesus and the disciples got onto a boat.  


Matthew 8:23 G2532 And G1684 in his stepping G1473   G1519 into G3588 the G4143 boat, G190 [2followed G1473 3him G3588   G3101 1his disciples]. G1473   

  24 G2532 And G2400 behold, G4578 [2quaking G3173 1a great] G1096 took place G1722 on G3588 the G2281 sea, G5620 so as to G3588   G4143 [2 the boat G2572 1cover] G5259 under G3588 the G2949 waves; G1473 but he G1161   G2518 was sleeping. 


After ministering to so many people Jesus went to sleep on the boat. There was a mega earthquake, seismos, under the water causing the water to wash over the boat. We understand that a tsunami is caused by an earthquake. The disciples who were mostly competent fishermen were shocked by this occurrence. This was not a storm or a gust of wind, this was an earthquake under the water. This is why they panicked and woke Jesus. 


Matthew 8:25 G2532 And G4334 [2coming forward G3588   G3101 1his disciples] G1473   G1453 roused G1473 him, G3004 saying, G2962 O Lord, G4982 save G1473 us! G622 we perish. 


Because this was an unusual occurrence the disciples thought that they would die. Yet Jesus didn’t seem too concerned. 


Matthew 8:26 G2532 And G3004 he says G1473 to them, G5100 Why G1169 are you timid, G1510.2.5   G3640 O ones of little belief? G5119 Then G1453 having arisen, G2008 he reproached G3588 the G417 winds G2532 and G3588 the G2281 sea; G2532 and G1096 there became G1055 [2calm G3173 1a great]. 


The word used for timid here is deilos meaning “fearful”, but also “faithless”. The word used for little faith is oligopistos meaning “incredulous” or “puny pistis”. Jesus says “Why faithless, puny faith”. This tells us that even with an unusual experience like an earthquake under the water, there was no reason to be faithless and to have puny faith. It does not matter how much the big bad wolf huffs and puffs, it does not matter how many Stasi knock on the door, it does not matter what the newest latest and greatest threats are, do not be faithless, incredulous, or have puny faith. 


The contrast here is the Roman centurion who just asked for Jesus to speak his authority for his young slave, and the disciples who had seen Jesus day after day healing people, who now were faithless. The thought of being faithless is strange for these disciples, as they just heard that the Israelites were going to end up in the outer darkness, outside of the kingdom.


Jesus got up, which he did for their benefit, and epitimaō “rebuked” or “censured” the wind and water. Then there was a great tranquillity. That was a surprise to the disciples, but it was also a point of learning for them. They did not need to fear something that could cause death. 


Matthew 8:27 G3588 And the G1161   G444 men G2296 marveled, G3004 saying, G4217 What kind G1510.2.3 is G3778 this one, G3754 that G2532 even G3588 the G417 winds G2532 and G3588 the G2281 sea G5219 obey G1473 him? 


Why were they following Jesus? Because they saw him heal people. They saw him cast demons out of people. But now they realized that the elements obeyed him too. The disciples had puny faith. We are to learn from their faithlessness. 


We see Jesus talk to a Canaanite woman regarding the healing of her demon possessed daughter. Jesus says that he did not come to those people who are not of the house of Israel. This tells us that the centurions young slave was probably Hebrew. Yet the woman needs help and persists. 


Matthew 15:21 G2532 And G1831 [2having gone forth G1564 3from there G3588   G* 1Jesus] G402 withdrew G1519 into G3588 the G3313 parts G* of Tyre G2532 and G* Sidon. 


Tyre and Sidon were former strongholds of the Canaanites, who were descendants of the Nephilim. Tyre and Sidon were north of Megiddo, in the region of Phoenicia. Jesus and the disciples took a boat to Tyre and then headed east to the sea of Galilee. 


Matthew 15:22 G2532 And G2400 behold, G1135 a Canaanite woman G*   G575 from G3588   G3725 those borders G1565   G1831 coming forth G2905 cried out G1473 to him, G3004 saying, G1653 Show mercy G1473 on me, G2962 O Lord, G5207 O son G* of David; G3588   G2364 my daughter G1473   G2560 is badly G1139 demon-possessed! 

  23 G3588 And he G1161   G3756 did not G611 answer G1473 her G3056 a word. G2532 And G4334 [3having come G3588   G3101 2disciples G1473 1his] G2065 asked G1473 him, G3004 saying, G630 Dismiss G1473 her! G3754 for G2896 she cries out G3693 behind G1473 us. 

  24 G3588 And G1161   G611 responding G2036 he said, G3756 I was not G649 sent G1508 except G1519 unto G3588 the G4263 [2sheep G3588   G622 1lost] G3624 of the house G* of Israel. 

  25 G3588 And she G1161   G2064 having come G4352 did obeisance G1473 to him, G3004 saying, G2962 O Lord, G997 help G1473 me! 


The woman yells out that her daughter is daimonizomai’d. The entire community probably knew that her daughter was demon controlled. Jesus says that he came for the lost sheep of Israel. The word lost is apollumi which means “destruction" or “perishing”. Jesus was sent to the perishing sheep of Israel. The people were being destroyed and didn’t even know it. But they were rejecting Jesus, the one who could save them. The Canaanite woman worshipped Jesus. She heard of him, and she had faith that he could help her. Then Jesus tells her she is a “little dog”. 


Matthew 15:26 G3588 And he G1161   G611 answering G2036 said, G3756 It is not G1510.2.3   G2570 good G2983 to take G3588 the G740 bread G3588 of the G5043 children, G2532 and G906 to throw G3588 it to the G2952 little dogs. 


The word kunarion means “puppy”. Jesus just compared the Israelites as children and the Canaanites as puppies or little dogs. At one time the Israelites thought of the Canaanites as giants, and themselves as grasshoppers. The Canaanite woman was not offended. 


Matthew 15:27 G3588 And she G1161   G2036 said, G3483 Yes G2962 O Lord, G2532 for even G1063   G3588 the G2952 little dogs G2068 eat G575 from G3588 the G5589 crumbs G3588   G4098 falling G575 from G3588 the G5132 table G3588   G2962 of their masters. G1473   


The Canaanite woman was a smart lady. She points out that the puppies eat the crumbs of their Lords. This woman recognized Jesus as Yahweh. Yet knowing her position, she was welcoming crumbs from Yahweh. She wasn’t asking for an entire word like the centurion, but maybe just one letter of a commanding word. 


Matthew 15:28 G5119 Then G611 responding G3588   G* Jesus G2036 said G1473 to her, G5599 O G1135 woman, G3173 great G1473 is [3of you G3588 1the G4102 2belief]; G1096 let it be G1473 to you G5613 as G2309 you want! G2532 And G2390 [2was healed G3588   G2364 1her daughter] G1473   G575 from G3588   G5610 that hour. G156


Jesus says mega is her faith. He then says something similar to what he said to the centurion, “let come into being as you desire”. Her daughter was healed immediately. She had faith bigger than the dying sheep of Jacob. She may have been a Canaanite but she called Jesus, Lord. 


Paul explains that the good news is the power of God for deliverance for everyone trusting, pisteuō


Romans 1:16 G3756 For not G1063   G1870 am I ashamed of G3588 the G2098 good news G3588 of the G5547 Christ; G1411 [3power G1063 1for G2316 4of God G1510.2.3 2it is] G1519 for G4991 deliverance G3956 to every one G3588   G4100 trusting; G* both to the Jew G5037   G4412 first, G2532 and G* to the Greek. 


Jesus said he came for the dying sheep of Israel, therefore the good news was for them formerly, and now it is to everyone else. Even though there were many people who were not Israelites who believed that Jesus was Lord when Jesus was on the earth, it was revealed in the mystery that all nations were of one body. There is no special place for one nation over another during this administration, all people, nations, and tribes, can be in Christ and made righteous. The gospel is the miraculous power of salvation. 


Romans 1:17 G1343 For righteousness G1063   G2316 of God G1722 [2by G1473 3it G601 1is revealed] G1537 from G4102 belief G1519 unto G4102 belief; G2531 as G1125 has been written, G3588 But the G1161   G1342 just G1537 [2of G4102 3belief G2198 1shall live]. 


“Righteousness for Elohim uncovered (apokaluptō) in us, from out of faith into faith just as written ‘but the just live from out of faith’”.


“Righteousness for Elohim uncovered in us, from out of persuasion into persuasion, just as written ‘but the just live from out of persuasion’”.


The gospel is the miraculous power of salvation for all, and righteousness for the Elohim is revealed in us from out of persuasion into moral conviction. From out of confidence into reliance. From out of confidence into trust. From out of belief into fidelity. Faith is not just a thing that one has regarding Jesus, it grows deeper from believing that Jesus is Lord to fully knowing that Jesus is Lord. What is revealed in us? What is the apocalypse in us? Righteousness. Why? It is credence to fidelity. Faith is not just accepting that something is true but devotion and continued loyalty to said truth. From out of faith into faith. Both the centurion and the Canaanite woman went from out of faith, talking to Jesus asking for a miracle, into faith when the miracle of healing took place. Do you think that they both were devoted to Jesus after that day? Yes. Unlike the Israelites who saw miracles and still rejected Jesus, we are to deepen our faith so that we are not dying sheep.  


Paul quotes Habakkuk here. The just live from out of faith. The just live from out of persuasion. No matter how evil the Chaldean/Babylonian invaders are, who come with Yahweh’s judgment against Judah, the just, the righteous, will live. As the captivity of Judah was for 70 years, the just lived through that time from out of their trust in Yahweh. The key here is trust or faith in Yahweh. 


Our righteousness is uncovered in us from out of faith into fidelity, and the righteous live from out of fidelity. No one is rescued from out of trials if they are not righteous, which means they must have faith. Or one must have faith to be righteous. What if someone does not have faith?


Romans 3:3 G5100 For what G1063   G1487 if G569 some disbelieved? G5100   G3361 Does G3588   G570 their unbelief G1473   G3588 [2the G4102 3belief G3588   G2316 4of God G2673 1cease to work]? 


569 LSJ Gloss:ἀπιστέω to be

Dodson:ἀπιστέω I am unfaithful, I disbelieve I am unfaithful, disbelieve, refuse belief, prove false.

Thayer:

1) to betray a trust, be unfaithful 

2) to have no belief, disbelieve


ἀπιστέω 

apisteō ap-is-teh'-o From G571; to be unbelieving, that is, (transitively) disbelieve, or (by implication) disobey KJV Usage: believe not.


Paul is asking, what is so great about being a Jew? His answer is that there is no benefit to circumcision, however the Jews did receive the oracles of God. Paul says that if they disbelieve the prophecies, then it does not render useless, sever, or abolish, the faith of God. Just because someone does not believe in God it doesn’t erase God from the universe. Just because the Jews want to practice circumcision does not make them special, and if they don’t believe in Jesus they still can’t stop what he is doing in us. 


The Jews received the oracles but they didn’t believe them. Paul now explains that the writings are a witness. 


Romans 3:21 G3568 But now G1161   G5565 [4separate G3551 5of the law G1343 1 the righteousness G2316 2of God G5319 3has been made apparent], G3140 being witnessed G5259 by G3588 the G3551 law G2532 and G3588 the G4396 prophets; 


So the law and the prophets, the oracles, are a witness to the righteousness of God being made manifest separately or apart from the law.  


Romans 3:22 G1343 even righteousness G1161   G2316 of God G1223 through G4102 belief G* of Jesus G5547 Christ, G1519 unto G3956 all G2532 and G1909 for G3956 all G3588 the ones G4100 trusting; G3756 [3not G1063 1for G1510.2.3 2there is] G1293 a difference; 

  23 G3956 for all G1063   G264 sinned G2532 and G5302 lack G3588 the G1391 glory G3588   G2316 of God;


But the righteousness of God through faith of Jesus Christ into all and on all those trusting, for there is no distinction, for all sin and fall short of the glory of the Elohim. The righteousness of God is through faith in Jesus Christ. It is into all and on all those trusting. There is no distinction between Jews and the nations. All people have sinned and fall short, yet we are being justified without charge.  

 

Romans 3:24 G1344 being justified G1431 without charge G3588 by G1473 his G5484 favor, G1223 through G3588 the G629 release by ransom, G3588 of the one G1722 by G5547 Christ G* Jesus; 

 25 G3739 whom G4388 God set forth G3588   G2316   G2435 as an atonement G1223 through G3588 the G4102 belief, G1722 in G3588 the one G1473 of his G129 blood, G1519 for G1732 a demonstration G3588   G1343 of his righteousness G1473   G1223 through G3588 the G3929 letting pass G3588 of the G4266 preceding G265 sins, 

  26 G1722 in G3588 the G463 forbearance G3588   G2316 of God, G4314 for G1732 a demonstration G3588   G1343 of his righteousness G1473   G1722 in G3588 the G3568 present G2540 time; G1519 for G3588   G1510.1 his being G1473   G1342 just G2532 and G1344 justifying G3588 the one G1537 of G4102 belief G* of Jesus. 


We are not charged for our sins, instead we are released by ransom in Christ Jesus because the Father set him forth as an atonement if we believe in Jesus and his blood. If the Jews don’t believe in Jesus and his blood atonement, it does not negate Jesus or his blood atonement. This is what Paul is explaining in a very wordy run on sentence type of way. Jesus shedding his own blood was a demonstration of his righteousness by means of the remission of our previous sins in the tolerance of the Elohim. It is a demonstration of the Father’s righteousness now in the proper time into his being just and justifying from out of the faith of Jesus. 


Paul now comes back around to his original point, that there really is no reason to boast. Boasting as a Jew is shut out. It doesn’t matter how many works a Jew does there is only one law. 


 Romans 3:27 G4226 Where G3767 then G3588 is the G2746 boasting? G1576 It was excluded. G1223 Through G4169 what kind G3551 of law? G3588 Of the law of G2041 works? G3780 No, G235 but G1223 through G3551 a law G4102 of belief. 


“Really where the reason to boast excluded on account of what sort law, the work, by no means, but on account of law faith.” 


Paul says that there is no reason to boast, the law of Moses brings the full knowledge of sin (vs.20) and no one can be justified by works. However there is a new law in this new age, the law of faith. 


Romans 3:28 G3049 We consider G3767 then G4102 [3by belief G1344 2to be justified G444 1a man], G5565 separate from G2041 works G3551 of law. 


Paul says that he reckons manfaced is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. This is a big statement for his day. People were pressured by the Pharisees in works, but not in faith. The new law for the new administration is faith. 


Romans 3:29 G2228 Or G* [3of Jews G3588   G2316 1 is God G3440 2only]? G3780 But is he not G1161   G2532 also G1484 of nations? G3483 Yes, G2532 also G1484 of nations. 


No the Elohim is not only of the Jews, but he is also of the nations. 


Romans 3:30 G1897 Since indeed there is G1520 one G3588   G2316 God G3739 who G1344 shall justify G4061 the circumcision G1537 of G4102 belief G2532 and G203 uncircumcision G1223 through G3588 the G4102 belief. 


Paul says that there is one God who will justify people who are circumcised from out of faith and uncircumcision through faith. Either way, the Elohim will justify those who have faith. Circumcision is irrelevant, faith is relevant. 


Romans 3:31 G3551 Law G3767 then G2673 do we render useless G1223 through G3588 the G4102 belief? G3361 May it not be, G1096   G235 But G3551 [2law G2476 1we establish]. 

Romans 4:1 G5100 What G3767 then G2046 shall we say G* Abraham G3588   G3962 our father G1473   G2147 has found G2596 according to G4561 the flesh? 

  2 G1487 For if G1063   G* Abraham G1537 [2of G2041 3works G1344 1was justified], G2192 he has G2745 boasting, G235 but G3756 not G4314 towards G3588   G2316 God. 


Paul says that the law is made useless by faith, but without faith the law stands. What did Abraham find out? Abraham was not justified by works, otherwise he could boast. He could say that he was rich, that he had multiplied his herds, and that he had many children as well. Abraham could say that he had a lot of servants and that he was a king. All of Abrahams boasting would be about himself, not God. However Abraham was not justified by his own works. 


Romans 4:3 G5100 For what G1063   G3588 does the G1124 scripture G3004 say? G4100 [3trusted G1161 1But G* 2Abraham] G3588   G2316 in God, G2532 and G3049 it was imputed G1473 to him G1519 for G1343 righteousness. 


The scripture says that Abraham trusted, pisteuō, the Elohim and the Elohim counted him into righteousness. Abraham was righteous because he believed or trusted in the Elohim. Paul is making this case for the Jews who were rejecting Jesus and afraid to believe in him. Paul goes on to explain the promise made to Abraham and his seed. 


Romans 4:13 G3756 For not G1063   G1223 through G3551 law G3588 was the G1860 promise G3588 to G* Abraham G2228 or G3588 to G4690 his seed, G1473   G3588   G2818 [3heir G1473 1for him G1510.1 2to be] G3588 of the G2889 world, G235 but G1223 through G1343 righteousness G4102 of belief. 


The promise was not made through the law or works for Abraham to become ancestor of the world, but the promise was made through righteousness of faith. In other words, if the law had been written, Abraham would not have been justified or made righteous by the law or the works of the law. Abraham was born in Nimrod’s kingdom, but was under threat of murder from the night that he was born. Abraham was sent to live with Noah and Shem until he was in his late 30’s. At that time Abraham and some of his family left Babylon/Chaldea. Abraham believed in Yahweh without oracles or written scriptures. Abraham believed in Yahweh without the law. There were no works of the law for him to do. Abraham lived day by day from out of faith into faith, in a personal relationship with Yahweh. 


Romans 4:14 G1487 For if G1063   G3588 the ones G1537 from G3551 the law G2818 be heirs, G2758 [3is empty G3588 1the G4102 2belief], G2532 and G2673 [3ceases to work G3588 1the G1860 2promise]. 


Now if Abraham had faith and was faithful, his heirs were not brought forth by the law but by Abraham’s faith in the promise. Is it the law or faith? If it is the law then faith is deprived of content, or made void. Who then cares what one believes, as long as that one fulfills the tenets of the law. That one can love or hate Yahweh. One can do works and be a murderer. One can do works and be a rapist. One can do works and be a wife beater. Is that one still justified? If he does the works of the law is he righteous? No, not without faith. 


Romans 4:15 G3588 For the G1063   G3551 law G3709 [2wrath G2716 1manufactures]; G3739 for where G1063   G3756 there is no G1510.2.3   G3551 law, G3761 not even G3847 is there a violation. 


The law produces anger. If there is no law then there is no transgression or violation of the law. That’s simple.  


Romans 4:16 G1223 On account of G3778 this G1537 it is of G4102 belief, G2443 that G2596 according to G5484 favor, G1519 for G3588 the G1510.1 [2to be G949 3firm G3588   G1860 1promise] G3956 to all G3588 the G4690 seed, G3756 not G3588 to the one G1537 of G3588 the G3551 law G3440 only, G235 but G2532 also G3588 to the one G1537 of G4102 belief G* of Abraham, G3739 who G1510.2.3 is G3962 father G3956 of all G1473 of us, 


“On account of this from out of faith in order that downwards through favor into the promise to be enduring all the offspring not from out of the law alone but and from out of faith Abraham who is ancestor us all.”  


From out of faith favor came downward from heaven into the promise that would endure for all Abraham’s offspring. It came out of faith not the law. 


Romans 4:17 G2531 (as G1125 it has been written, G3754 that, G3962 [3father G4183 4of many G1484 5nations G5087 1I have established G1473 2you],) G2713 in front of G3739 which G4100 he trusted G2316 God, G3588 of the one G2227 restoring [3to life G3588 1the G3498 2dead], G2532 and G2564 calling G3588 the ones G3361 not G1510.6 being, G5613 as G1510.6 being; 


Abraham is a father of many nations. Abraham’s sons are Ishmael, Isaac, Zimran, Jokshan, Medan, Midian, Ishbak, and Shuah. During Abraham’s time that is eight nations. Abraham trusted or had faith in the Elohim because he trusted the one who could raise the dead. Abraham called what was not being, like as being, meaning he spoke and said that he would be a father of many nations even though he did not have any children. He spoke about the promise. He had faith that the promise would come to pass. Abraham went from out of faith into faith. Paul goes on to further explain his original point.


Romans 9:30 G5100 What G3767 then G2046 shall we say? G3754 That G1484 nations, G3588 the ones G3361 not G1377 pursuing G1343 righteousness, G2638 overtook G1343 righteousness; G1343 but righteousness, G1161   G3588 the one G1537 of G4102 belief. 

  31 G* But Israel, G1161   G1377 pursuing G3551 a law G1343 of righteousness, G1519 [2unto G3551 3 the law G1343 4of righteousness G3756 1attained not]. G5348   


Paul is asking if they think that the nations who did not follow after righteousness, seized righteousness? No, because righteousness is from “out of” faith. Again there is no righteousness without faith. No matter how many works one does, faith brings righteousness. No matter how many stairs one climbs on his/her knees, kissing each stair, righteousness comes by faith, not works. 


Now look at Israel. They were following after the law of righteousness but they did not come into the law of righteousness. Why? Because the scriptures and oracles were given to them, but they did not believe what they said. The scriptures and oracles said that there would be a Messiah who would come and very specifically would open blind eyes. Jesus did that, but they did not believe. Jesus also said that they would be outside the kingdom in the outer darkness, crying and grating their teeth, while the nations would be reclining, eating, and enjoying company with Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. 


Romans 9:32 G1302 Why? G3754 Because G3756 it was not G1537 of G4102 belief, G235 but G5613 as G1537 of G2041 works G3551 of law. G4350 For they stumbled against G1063   G3588 the G3037 stone G3588   G4348 of stumbling; 

  33 G2531 as G1125 it has been written, G2400 Behold, G5087 I put G1722 in G* Zion G3037 a stone G4348 of stumbling, G2532 and G4073 a rock G4625 of offence; G2532 and G3956 every one G3588   G4100 trusting G1909 upon G1473 him G3756 shall not G2617 be disgraced. 


Righteousness comes by faith in Jesus Christ, and the Jews did not believe Jesus and the miracles that he did, they tripped over Jesus Christ, as the scriptures and oracles by Isaiah say (Isaiah 28:16). Anyone who has faith or trusts in Him will not be put to downward shame, meaning they will not be shamed from heaven to earth. They instead were shamed from humans to humans, meaning others shamed those who believed on Jesus, but the Elohim didn’t shame those with faith.  


The Jews who were given the scriptures and oracles rejected the Messiah which those scriptures and oracles prophesied of. The nations will enter the kingdom of heaven and the Jews who reject Jesus will not. There is only one way to become righteous, that is to have faith in Jesus Christ as Lord and believe that he rose up on the third day. If one has faith, that one is righteous and justified, regardless of the works that they do. If the Lord can deliver the righteous out of trials, then it would be to our benefit to become righteous. We become righteous by our faith. From out of credence and into fidelity. From out of belief into loyalty. If one does not believe the scriptures, that one is like the Jews. It will not stop the Elohim from doing what is prophesied. Therefore it is more important for individuals to account for what they themselves believe. Do yo believe Noah was saved? Do you believe Lot was saved? Do you believe Abraham was made a promise? Do you believe that Abraham was faithful to that promise? Do you believe you are justified by His blood and are saved from the wrath to come? (Romans 5:9) Do you believe you are delivered from the wrath to come? (1 Thessalonians 1:10) Do you believe that you are not appointed to wrath but to obtain salvation? (1 Thessalonians 5:9) Righteousness comes by faith. From out of credence into fidelity, the just live from out of faith. May our faith come into existence and the miracles be finished, let it be so.