It is quite amusing when people who do not make Jesus Lord or believe he rose up on the third day, attempt to tell Christians who have made Jesus Lord and do believe he rose up on the third day how they should live as Christians. Just because someone read the red letters in the Bible doesn’t not make them knowledgeable regarding the Christian life. Christianity is a members only club of dual citizens who have Jesus living in their heart and who are also filled with the Holy Spirit. Anyone looking in from the outside cannot understand it no matter how many times they read the red letter words. Anyone wishing to join the members only Body of Christ can do so if they choose, otherwise non members and outsiders can’t speak into this dual citizenship, members only club, of the Body of Christ. As dual citizens of the kingdom of heaven and the fallen kingdom of earth we are challenged in our walk between two kingdoms. Our body is bound to the kingdom of the earth under the evil rulership of the god of this world and our spirit and soul long for the heavenly kingdom where we will live an eternal imperishable life. We want heaven to come to earth and our evil tyrannical ruler thrown out but we know that this will not take place until Jesus reigns from Jerusalem. We long for the process to be fulfilled so that we can reign as kings and priests on the earth. We are reminded regularly that we are oppressed and tyrannized by the ungodly followers of the prince of this world. David gave us an imprecatory Psalm for just such a time as this. We also find a few other interesting letters for us to ponder for our members only club.
Writers prior to Jesus’ time had not been given the revelation of the mystery, the one body of Christ, and the time when the saints would rule and reign on the earth for one thousand years with Jesus Messiah. In order for that to take place we are made incorruptible and immortal. What the angels and prophets wanted to see was the time period in which we live. The time when the saints are gathered before the wrath of the Father and the wrath of the Lamb on the earth. They understood that the saints are not subjected to wrath but that the evil ungodly would be. They did not see exactly how the millennial reign would shape up with the saints, but they did understand the great white throne judgment at the end of the age. This is where they focused their warnings to the ungodly.
Php 3:18 (ISV) For I have often told you, and now tell you even with tears, that many live as enemies of the cross of the Messiah.
Php 3:19 Their destiny is destruction, their god is their belly, and their glory is in their shame. Their minds are set on worldly things.
Php 3:20 Our citizenship, however, is in heaven, and it is from there that we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus, the Messiah.
Php 3:21 He will change our unassuming bodies and make them like his glorious body through the power that enables him to bring everything under his authority.
Once our bodies are changed to incorruption and immortality the process will start in bringing all of the heavens and earth under the authority of Jesus Messiah. We know the process, as we have been told very plainly. The harpazo will take place, the tribulation and wrath on the earth, then Jesus coming with his saints. Jesus judges who stays and who goes, while the saints are cleaning the earth. Then Jesus reigns for one thousand years. After that, there will be another judgment before the new heaven and new earth.
With this in mind let’s look at somethings written by three authors in three different time periods, Enoch, David, and a student. In the Slavonic Book of Enoch we see Enoch giving instructions to his children and to future generations. Keep in mind that this book was written before the flood. Enoch understood that Yahweh would come back to earth with myriads of saints to bring judgment on the ungodly and the wicked.
Slavonic Second Book of Enoch Chapter
52:1 Blessed is the man who opens his lips in praise of God of Sabaoth (Host / army) and praises the Lord with his heart.
2 Cursed is every man who opens his lips for the purpose of bringing contempt and slander to (of) his neighbor, because he brings God into contempt.
3 Blessed is he who opens his lips blessing and praising God.
4 Cursed before the Lord all the days of his life, is he who opens his lips to curse and abuse.
5 Blessed is he who blesses all the Lord’s works.
6 Cursed is he who brings the Lord’s creation into contempt.
7 Blessed is he who looks down and raises the fallen.
8 Cursed is he who looks to and is eager for the destruction of what is not his.
9 Blessed is he who keeps the foundations of his fathers that were made firm from the beginning.
10 Cursed is he who corrupts the doctrine of his forefathers.
11 Blessed is he who imparts peace and love.
12 Cursed is he who disturbs those that love their neighbors.
13 Blessed is he who speaks with humble tongue and heart to all.
14 Cursed is he who speaks peace with his tongue, while in his heart there is no peace but a sword.
15 For all these things will be laid bare in the scales of balance and in the books, on the day of the great judgment.
Lumpkin, Joseph. Lost Books of the Bible: The Great Rejected Texts (p. 208). Fifth Estate. Kindle Edition.
This summation is a standard as to judgment at the white throne. These people in the day of Enoch had to live a holy life and believe that the Messiah would come in order to not be bound in hades at their death. The special secret members only club at this time was more like a holiness club, it was by their own works. However we know that not many pursued holiness, and eight humans sailed, or floated, into the next administration.
One thing we can say for sure is that not much has changed from the time of David when it comes to evil people and their oppression of the laity. It always seems to us as if Yahweh is far off and not preventing the evil. He is not far away, but he also does not stop evil people. If he did there wouldn’t be any evil people around. But this is not the age that we live in. In Davids time the club of Yahweh was more loosely knit, consisting of the heirs of Jacob living in Israel. After Jesus Messiah came to earth, the club of the Body of Christ is more focused and solidified by the indwelling of the Holy Spirit and Christ himself. We are also targeted by ungodly tyrants who live for themselves under their fallen ruler. We will look at both the AP and the LXX-WH
Psalm 10:1 G2444 Why, G2962 O lord, G868 have you abstained G3113 far off? G5246.2 neglected G1722 at G2120 opportune times G1722 in G2347 afflictions?
Psalm 10:1 G2443 CONJ [9:22] ινα G5100 I-ASN τι G2962 N-VSM κυριε V-RAI-2S αφεστηκας G3113 ADV μακροθεν V-PAI-2S υπερορας G1722 PREP εν G2120 N-DPF ευκαιριαις G1722 PREP εν G2347 N-DSF θλιψε
“In order that anyone Yahweh you left from far for time in convenient time in persecution."
Yahweh did leave the world in persecution, not because he is persecuting us but because Satanas is the god of this world. Yet Yahweh made a way through, the way of the righteous. This time period is the members only club of righteousness. The people in this club were godly and at their death they would be delivered into Abraham’s Bay, awaiting their transfer to paradise.
Psalm 10:2 G1722 In G3588 the G5242.1 being prideful G3588 by the G765 impious one, G1716.1 [3is burnt G3588 1the G4434 2poor one]; G4815 they are seized G1722 by G1228.3 the deliberations G3739 which G1260 they argue.
Psalm 10:2 G1722 PREP [9:23] εν G3588 T-DSN τω V-PMN υπερηφανευεσθαι G3588 T-ASM τον G765 A-ASM ασεβη V-PMI-3S εμπυριζεται G3588 T-NSM ο G4434 N-NSM πτωχος G4815 V-PMI-3P συλλαμβανονται G1722 PREP εν N-DPN διαβουλιοις G3739 R-DPM οις G1260 V-PMI-3P διαλογιζονται
“In the prideful the ungodly ignites the poor apprehend in consultations that debate .”
The ungodly pridefully set ablaze the poor destitute people. They apprehend people and in endless litigations and debates, or we could say that they take everyone to court. Not much has changed.
Psalm 10:3 G3754 For G1867 [3applauds G3588 1the G268 2sinner] G1722 in G3588 the G1939 desires G3588 G5590 of his soul; G1473 G2532 and G3588 the G91 one doing wrong G2127 blesses himself .
Psalm 10:3 G3754 CONJ [9:24] οτι V-PMI-3S επαινειται G3588 T-NSM ο G268 A-NSM αμαρτωλος G1722 PREP εν G3588 T-DPF ταις G1939 N-DPF επιθυμιαις G3588 T-GSF της G5590 N-GSF ψυχης G846 D-GSM αυτου G2532 CONJ και G3588 T-NSM ο G91 V-PAPNS αδικων G1757 V-PMI-3S ενευλογειται
“That is praised the sinful in the longing the soul life he and the unjust confer benefits.”
The ungodly sinners long for praises in their own life and the unjust pay themselves with benefits. Have you heard about people using tax dollars for their own vacations. What better benefit is there than to use the tax base that the people fund as a personal piggy bank for the politicians. The poor dare not say a word either. The evil people act like tyrants against the poor. The ungodly and unjust are celebrated for their tyrannical ways while making themselves richer. The poor are not supposed to notice.
Psalm 10:4 G3947 [3provoked G3588 4the G2962 5 lord G3588 1The G268 2sinner] G2596 according to G3588 the G4128 magnitude G3588 G3709 of his anger; G1473 G3756 he shall not G1567 seek after God; G3756 [2is not G1510.2.3 G3588 G2316 1God] G1799 before G1473 him;
Psalm 10:4 G3947 V-AAI-3S [9:25] παρωξυνεν G3588 T-ASM τον G2962 N-ASM κυριον G3588 T-NSM ο G268 A-NSM αμαρτωλος G2596 PREP κατα G3588 T-ASN το G4128 N-ASN πληθος G3588 T-GSF της G3709 N-GSF οργης G846 D-GSM αυτου G3364 ADV ουκ G1567 V-FAI-3S εκζητησει G3364 ADV ουκ G1510 V-PAI-3S εστιν G3588 T-NSM ο G2316 N-NSM θεος G1799 PREP ενωπιον G846 D-GSM αυτου
“Irritate the Yahweh the sinful downward the multitude the his anger no not seek out is the Elohim before the face of him.”
There is a multitude of evil people who provoke and anger Yahweh. They do not seek the face of the Elohim. They are certainly shortsighted. They are allowed to behave this way under Satanas’ rulership.
Psalm 10:5 G953 [2are profane G3588 G3598 1his ways] G1473 G1722 at G3956 all G2540 time; G465.3 [2are taken away G3588 G2917 1your judgments] G1473 G575 from G4383 in front G1473 of him; G3956 [2all G3588 G2190 3his enemies G1473 G2634 1he shall dominate].
Psalm 10:5 G953 V-PMI-3P [9:26] βεβηλουνται G3588 T-NPF αι G3598 N-NPF οδοι G846 D-GSM αυτου G1722 PREP εν G3956 A-DSM παντι G2540 N-DSM καιρω V-PMI-3S ανταναιρειται G3588 T-APN τα G2917 N-APN κριματα G4771 P-GS σου G575 PREP απο G4383 N-GSN προσωπου G846 D-GSM αυτου G3956 A-GPM παντων G3588 T-GPM των G2190 N-GPM εχθρων G846 D-GSM αυτου G2634 V-FAI-3S κατακυριευσει
“Profane the his ways in all occasions contradicted the your verdict away from his face all the his hateful downward rule.”
The evil people profane the ways of Yahweh in everything. They contradict His verdicts of eternal life or the lake of fire. All the people who hate Yahweh are downward rulers. They oppress Yahweh’s people. Why? Because Satanas is the god of this world. We could say that they are in the eternal death club of Satanas.
Psalm 10:6 G2036 For he said G1063 G1722 in G2588 his heart, G1473 G3766.2 In no way G4531 should I be shaken G575 from G1074 generation G1519 to G1074 generation; G427 I shall exist without G2556 bad happening;
Psalm 10:6 V-AAI-3S [9:27] ειπεν G1063 PRT γαρ G1722 PREP εν G2588 N-DSF καρδια G846 D-GSM αυτου G3364 ADV ου G3165 ADV μη G4531 V-APS-1S σαλευθω G575 PREP απο G1074 N-GSF γενεας G1519 PREP εις G1074 N-ASF γενεαν G427 PREP ανευ G2556 A-GSM κακου
“Said for in his heart no not me shaken away from generation into generation without evil.”
The evil people think they will live forever without evil afflicting them. This is partly true. The evil people will live on the earth without evil attacking them, but when they die they will suffer the fires of hades or gehenna. Since the ancients were not very clear on the millennial reign, they saw “the end” as the white throne judgment at the end of the seven thousandth year. However any evil person on the earth today will have to stay in hades or gehenna until that white throne judgment at the end of the millennial kingdom. This is minimally one thousand years of torture.
Psalm 10:7 G3739 whose G685 curse G3588 G4750 his mouth G1473 G1073 is full of, G2532 and G4088 bitterness, G2532 and G1388 treachery; G5259 under G3588 G1100 his tongue G1473 G2873 is toil G2532 and G4192 misery;
Psalm 10:7 G3739 R-GSM [9:28] ου G685 N-GSF αρας G3588 T-ASN το G4750 N-ASN στομα G846 D-GSM αυτου G1073 V-PAI-3S γεμει G2532 CONJ και G4088 N-GSF πικριας G2532 CONJ και G1388 N-GSM δολου G5259 PREP υπο G3588 T-ASF την G1100 N-ASF γλωσσαν G846 D-GSM αυτου G2873 N-NSM κοπος G2532 CONJ και G4192 N-NSM πονος
“This imprecation the his mouth swell out and bitterness and deceit from under the his tongue toil and anguish.”
Evil people curse everyone who is righteous. Their mouths swell out bitterness and deceit and their tongue speaks toil and anguish. We see that the evil and ungodly didn’t read the Slavonic Enoch.
Psalm 10:8 G1455.1 he lies in wait G1747 to ambush G3326 with G4145 the rich G1722 in G614 concealment, G3588 G615 to kill G121 the innocent; G3588 G3788 his eyes G1473 G1519 [2against G3588 3the G3993 4needy G578 1look].
Psalm 10:8 V-PMI-3S [9:29] εγκαθηται G1747 N-DSF ενεδρα G3326 PREP μετα G4145 A-GPM πλουσιων G1722 PREP εν G614 A-DPN αποκρυφοις G615 V-AAN αποκτειναι G121 A-ASM αθωον G3588 T-NPM οι G3788 N-NPM οφθαλμοι G846 D-GSM αυτου G1519 PREP εις G3588 T-ASM τον G3993 N-ASM πενητα G578 V-PAI-3P αποβλεπουσιν
“Installed lying in wait in the midst of wealthy in hidden to slay guiltless the his eye into the poor look away from/turn attention to.”
They hunt out the poor by hiding among the wealthy so that they can slay the guiltless. Evil people set their eyes on the poor and look away from them or turn their attention to them. Either way, once the evil people set their eye on the poor the poor are hunted.
Psalm 10:9 G1748 He lies in wait G1722 in G614 concealment G5613 as G3023 a lion G1722 in G3588 G3128.1 his lair; G1473 G1748 he lies in wait G3588 G726 to snatch away G4434 the poor; G726 to snatch away G4434 the poor G1722 when G3588 G1670 he draws G1473 him. G1722 In G3588 G3803 his snare G1473 G5013 he humbles G1473 him.
Psalm 10:9 G1748 V-PAI-3S [9:30] ενεδρευει G1722 PREP εν G614 A-DSN αποκρυφω G3739 CONJ ως G3023 N-NSM λεων G1722 PREP εν G3588 T-DSF τη N-DSF μανδρα G846 D-GSM αυτου G1748 V-PAI-3S ενεδρευει G3588 T-GSN του G726 V-AAN αρπασαι G4434 N-ASM πτωχον G726 V-AAN αρπασαι G4434 N-ASM πτωχον G1722 PREP εν G3588 T-DSN τω V-AAN ελκυσαι G846 D-ASM αυτον
“Entrap in hidden this lion in the his pen this the seize (harpazo) poor seize poor in the his attracted.”
Just as a lion hides in his den and then seizes his prey, the evil people do that as well. None of this surprises us, we see it happen all the time all around us.
Psalm 10:10 G2955 He shall bow G2532 and G4098 fall G1722 in G3588 G1473 his G2634 dominating G3588 the G3993 needy.
Psalm 10:10 G1722 PREP [9:31] εν G3588 T-DSF τη G3803 N-DSF παγιδι G846 D-GSM αυτου G5014 N-DSF ταπεινωσει G846 D-ASM αυτον G2955 V-FAI-3S κυψει G2532 CONJ και G4098 V-FMI-3S πεσειται G1722 PREP εν G3588 T-DSN τω G846 D-ASM αυτον G2634 V-AAN κατακυριευσαι G3588 T-GPM των G3993 N-GPM πενητων
“In the his trap his humiliation bend forward and fall down in the his exercise authority over the poor.”
The prey finds himself in the lions trap and bends forward and falls down while the evil person/lion exercises authority over the poor prey. We see a lot of people caught in snares bending and bowing because they are being coerced and manipulated. So the “caught” fall in line and exercise authority over the poor too.
Psalm 10:11 G2036 For he said G1063 G1722 in G3588 G2588 his heart, G1473 G1950 God has been forgotten, G3588 G2316 G654 he turned G3588 G4383 his face G1473 G3588 G3361 to not G991 see G1519 into G5056 the end.
Psalm 10:11 V-AAI-3S [9:32] ειπεν G1063 PRT γαρ G1722 PREP εν G2588 N-DSF καρδια G846 D-GSM αυτου V-RMI-1S επιλελησται G3588 T-NSM ο G2316 N-NSM θεος G654 V-AAI-3S απεστρεψεν G3588 T-ASN το G4383 N-ASN προσωπον G846 D-GSM αυτου G3588 T-GSN του G3165 ADV μη G991 V-PAN βλεπειν G1519 PREP εις G5056 N-ASN τελος
“Said for in his heart selected the Elohim turn away the his face the me to see into the fulfilment/end time.”
The evil person keeps doing these things because he thinks in his heart that the Elohim has turned away and doesn’t see what he is doing. The evil person thinks he can get away with his evil ways into the end of the age. They can’t.
Psalm 10:12 G450 Rise up, G2962 O lord G3588 G2316 my God! G1473 G5312 Raise up high G3588 G5495 your hand G1473 G3361 to not G1950 forget G3588 G3993 your needy G1473 G1519 unto G5056 the end!
Psalm 10:12 G450 V-AAD-2S [9:33] αναστηθι G2962 N-VSM κυριε G3588 T-NSM ο G2316 N-NSM θεος G5312 V-APD-3S υψωθητω G3588 T-NSF η G5495 N-NSF χειρ G4771 P-GS σου G3165 ADV μη V-AAS-3S επιλαθη G3588 T-GPM των G3993 N-GPM πενητων
“Rise up Yahweh the Elohim lift high the your hand me crushed the poor.”
Rise up Yahweh Elohim and lift up your hand for me who is crushed and poor. We cry out for justice and ask for our oppressors to be crushed.
Psalm 10:13 G1752 For G5100 what reason G3949 did [3provoke 5to anger G3588 1the G765 2impious G3588 G2316 4God]? G2036 For he said G1063 G1722 in G2588 his heart, G1473 G3756 He shall not G1567 require an account .
Psalm 10:13 PREP [9:34] ενεκεν G5100 I-GSN τινος G3947 V-AAI-3S παρωξυνεν G3588 T-NSM ο G765 A-NSM ασεβης G3588 T-ASM τον G2316 N-ASM θεον V-AAI-3S ειπεν G1063 PRT γαρ G1722 PREP εν G2588 N-DSF καρδια G846 D-GSM αυτου G3364 ADV ουκ G1567 V-FAI-3S εκζητησει
“Responsible someone provoke the ungodly the Elohim said for in his heart no not seek out.”
These ungodly evil people are responsible for provoking the Elohim. They say in their heart that they will not ever seek the Elohim. Why would they? They can get away with all the evil they do without anyone stopping them. Sure they will come to a fiery end but they don’t care.
Psalm 10:14 G991 For you see. G3754 G1473 You G4192 [2misery G2532 3and G2372 4rage G2657 1contemplate] G3588 G3860 to deliver G1473 him G1519 into G5495 your hands. G1473 G1473 [3have been abandoned to you G1459 G3588 1The G4434 2poor], G3737 to the orphan G1473 you G1510.7.2 were G998 a helper.
Psalm 10:14 G991 V-PAI-2S [9:35] βλεπεις G3754 CONJ οτι G4771 P-NS συ G4192 N-ASM πονον G2532 CONJ και G2372 N-ASM θυμον G2657 V-PAI-2S κατανοεις G3588 T-GSN του G3860 V-AAN παραδουναι G846 D-APM αυτους G1519 PREP εις G5495 N-APF χειρας G4771 P-GS σου G4771 P-DS σοι G3767 PRT ουν G1459 V-RMI-3S εγκαταλελειπται G3588 T-NSM ο G4434 N-NSM πτωχος G3737 A-DSM ορφανω G4771 P-NS συ G1510 V-IAI-2S ησθα G998 N-GPM βοηθων
“See you that toil and wrath understand the his surrender into your hand you therefore leave behind the poor orphan you are helper.”
We understand toil and rage and want them surrendered to our hands. They will surrender to us eventually. We are the helpers of the poor and orphans because the evil ungodly left them behind.
Psalm 10:15 G4937 Break G3588 the G1023 arm G3588 of the G268 sinner G2532 and G4190 wicked one! G2212 [2shall be sought for G3588 G266 1His sin], G1473 G2532 and G3766.2 in no way G2147 shall he be found.
Psalm 10:15 G4937 V-AAD-2S [9:36] συντριψον G3588 T-ASM τον G1023 N-ASM βραχιονα G3588 T-GSM του G268 A-GSM αμαρτωλου G2532 CONJ και G4190 A-GSM πονηρου G2212 V-FPI-3S ζητηθησεται G3588 T-NSF η G266 N-NSF αμαρτια G846 D-GSM αυτου G2532 CONJ και G3364 ADV ου G3165 ADV μη G2147 V-APS-3S ευρεθη G1223 PREP δι G846 D-ASF αυτην
“Break by crushing the arm the sinful and evil search the his sin and no not me find through him.
The imprecatory prayer is to break the arms of the ungodly evil people. Then search out their sins without them finding a way out. The prayer is asking for them to be accountable for all their own sins with no excuses. All their sins will be laid bare. They should have taken Enoch’s advice.
Psalm 10:16 G2962 The lord G935 is king G1519 into G3588 the G165 eon, G2532 and G1519 into G3588 the G165 eon G3588 of the G165 eon. G622 You shall be destroyed, G1484 O nations, G1537 from out of G3588 G1093 his land. G1473
Psalm 10:16 G936 V-FAI-3S [9:37] βασιλευσει G2962 N-NSM κυριος G1519 PREP εις G3588 T-ASM τον G165 N-ASM αιωνα G2532 CONJ και G1519 PREP εις G3588 T-ASM τον G165 N-ASM αιωνα G3588 T-GSM του G165 N-GSM αιωνος V-FMI-2P απολεισθε G1484 N-VPN εθνη G1537 PREP εκ G3588 T-GSF της G1065 N-GSF γης G846 D-GSM αυτου
“Reign Yahweh into the ages and into the age the age omitted ethnos from out of his age.
Yahweh will reign into the ages. The ungodly nations will be omitted out of his age. Knowing this, would joining the eternal death club of Satanas be worth it? If people knew the choice they were making would they change their mind and join the members only Body of Christ? Maybe not.
Psalm 10:17 G3588 [2the G1939 3desire G3588 4of the G3993 5needy G1522 1You heard], G2962 O lord, G3588 [3the G2091 4preparation G3588 G2588 5of their heart G1473 G4337 2took heed to G3588 G3775 1your ear], G1473
Psalm 10:17 G3588 T-ASF [9:38] την G1939 N-ASF επιθυμιαν G3588 T-GPM των G3993 N-GPM πενητων G1522 V-AAI-3S εισηκουσεν G2962 N-NSM κυριος G3588 T-ASF την G2091 N-ASF ετοιμασιαν G3588 T-GSF της G2588 N-GSF καρδιας G846 D-GPM αυτων G4337 V-AAI-3S προσεσχεν G3588 T-ASN το G3775 N-ASN ους G4771 P-GS σου
“The longing the poor listen to Yahweh the foundation the his heart devote to the your ear.
If we are poor and longing for Yahweh he hears us. We are not abandoned. We can put our trust in Him, our heart is the foundation and he hears us. This is what the other clubs do not have, a heart connection to Yahweh Elohim.
Psalm 10:18 G2919 to judge G3737 orphans, G2532 and G5011 the humble; G2443 that G3361 [2should not G4369 3proceed G2089 4still G3588 G3166 5to brag G444 1man] G1909 upon G3588 the G1093 earth.
Psalm 10:18 G2919 V-AAN [9:39] κριναι G3737 A-DSM ορφανω G2532 CONJ και G5011 A-DSM ταπεινω G2443 CONJ ινα G3165 ADV μη G4369 V-AAS-3S προσθη G2089 ADV ετι G3588 T-GSN του G3166 V-PAN μεγαλαυχειν G444 N-NSM ανθρωπος G1909 PREP επι G3588 T-GSF της G1065 N-GSF γης
“Judge orphan and lowly in order that me put to even now the boast manfaced on the indeed.”
Yahweh will judge the orphan and lowly in righteousness. Our boast is in Yahweh Elohim not in our own ability to live godly. Yet Yahweh boasts in His righteous and in His just. He sees us, he knows us, and he is glad we chose Him.
There is nothing new under the sun as we know, and in the first or second century A.D. someone who was a student of the apostles wrote a letter to someone named Diognetus. He explains Christianity as someone on the inside of the club to someone on the outside. We do not know the authors name, Mathetes, means “student”. This letter is a very practical look at Christian life from their time period. We will notice this writer has a bit of a humor and sarcasm. He is explaining the religion of the Jews first to Diognetus; we however will pick up his thoughts at the end of that dialogue as he is now ready to discuss Christians.
EPISTLE OF MATHETES TO DIOGNETUS
4:6 That the Christians are therefore right in holding aloof from the common silliness and error of the Jews and from their excessive fussiness and pride, I consider that you have been sufficiently instructed; but as regards the mystery of their own religion, do not expect that you can be instructed by man.
5:1 For Christians are not distinguished from the rest of mankind either in locality, or in speech, or in customs.
2 For they do not dwell somewhere in cities of their own, neither do they use some different language, nor practice an extraordinary kind of life.
3 Nor again do they possess any invention discovered by any intelligence or study of ingenious men, nor are they masters of any human dogma as some are.
4 But while they dwell in cities of Greeks and barbarians as the lot of each is cast, and follow the native customs in dress, and food, and the other arrangements of life, yet the constitution of their own citizenship, which they set forth, is marvelous, and confessedly contradicts expectation.
5 They dwell in their own countries, but only as sojourners; they bear their share in all things as citizens, and they endure all hardships as strangers. Every foreign country is a fatherland to them, and every fatherland is foreign.
6 They marry like all other men and they beget children; but they do not cast away their offspring.
7 They have their meals in common, but not their wives.
8 They find themselves in the flesh, and yet they do not live after the flesh.
9 Their existence is on earth, but their citizenship is in Heaven.
10 They obey the established laws, and they surpass the laws in their own lives.
11 They love all men, and they are persecuted by all.
12 They are ignored, and yet they are condemned. They are put to death, and yet they are endued with life.
13 They are in destitution, and yet they make many rich. They are in want of all things, and yet they abound in all things.
14 They are dishonored, and yet they are glorified in their dishonor. They are evil spoken of, and yet they are vindicated.
15 They are reviled, and they bless; they are insulted, and they respect.
16 Doing good, they are punished as evildoers; being punished they rejoice, as if they were thereby restored by life.
17 War is waged against them as aliens by the Jews, and persecution is carried on against them by the Greeks, and yet those that hate them cannot tell the reason of their hostility.
6:1 In a word, what the soul is in a body, this the Christians are in the world.
2 The soul is spread through all the members of the body, and Christians through the various cities of the world.
3 The soul has its abode in the body, and yet it is not of the body. So Christians have their abode in the world, and yet they are not of the world.
4 The soul which is invisible is guarded in the body which is visible; so Christians are recognized as being in the world, and yet their religion remains invisible.
5 The flesh hates the soul and wages war with it, though it receives no wrong, because it is forbidden to indulge in pleasures; so the world hates Christians, though it receives no wrong from them, because they set themselves against its pleasures.
6 The soul loves the flesh which hates it, and the members; so Christians love those that hate them.
7 The soul is enclosed in the body, and yet itself holds the body together; so Christians are kept in the world as in a prison-house, and yet they themselves hold the world together.
8 The soul, though itself immortal, dwells in a mortal dwelling place; so Christians sojourn amidst perishable things, while they look for the imperishability which is in the heavens.
9 The soul, when ill-treated in the matter of meats and drinks, is improved; and so Christians, when punished, increase more and more daily.
10 So great is the office for which God has appointed them, and which it is not lawful for them to decline.
Press, Covenant; Coalition, Covenant Christian. The Complete 54-Book Apocrypha: 2022 Edition With the Deuterocanon, 1-3 Enoch, Giants, Jasher, Jubilees, Pseudepigrapha, & the Apostolic Fathers (p. 2678). Covenant Press. Kindle Edition.
We see this student’s wise words. Yes the Jews have common silliness and error as well as fussiness and pride. The Jews were not simply indifferent to the members only club of the Body of Christ, but physically hostile in the first and second century. This is why to the Greek man Diognetus Christianity is hard to explain. The Jewish Messiah, accepted by some Jews and also many other ethnic groups, formed on Pentecost with the religious leaders looking on as spectators because they rejected Jesus and could not join the club. Christians became instantly hated while they, the religious leaders who were Jews, stood on the outside of the new members only club. Imagine what life looked like one hundred years after Jesus Messiah. The Jewish Messiah, who fulfilled all the requirements and prophesies is now rejected by the Jews and received by all the other nations. For the Greek person looking at this society it must have seemed strange for the Jews to reject their own Messiah. Is it possible that they simply said they were Jews but were not?
In chapter five the student explains the life of the Christian. He uses opposites to build the picture of the Christian life. Christians are indistinguishable from other people, they live all over, even in their own fatherland, but they are sojourners. They live on earth but their citizenship is in heaven. As the student goes on he explains the Christian is like the soul. One could probably deduce the student is a Greek, intellectual, Christian, who lived and studied among the apostles at the end of their lives. The student sums up Christianity as a complex club of people. They are like the way the soul holds the body together yet is not of the body. In the same way Christians hold the world together, but are not of the world. Once the Christians are taken off the earth, the earth will start to decay rapidly, through seal judgments, trumpet judgments, and bowl judgments. The tribulation process is the time of preparation for turning the world and its rulership over to Jesus Messiah and his kings and priests.
With three time periods to look at we see the ungodly people have been around a long time. Enoch warns his sons to live well using comparisons of blessings and curses. David says that the people who oppress the poor are intentional about their behavior, and they enjoy their tyranny. They know that they are not punished by Yahweh Elohim in this age and they don’t care about their fate in the next age. We then see the student who is trying to explain the two major religions to a Greek man Diognetus, and focusing on Christianity he explains how the outward life of Christians is not distinguishable from others but that they are as eminently important in the world as the soul is to the body. The common theme here is the distinction between the godly and ungodly. The ungodly can never know what we have, because they can’t have what we have if they reject Jesus Christ as Lord. And in like manner, they cannot begin to tell us what our life is supposed to be like simply because they read the red letters. This is a members only club, and the benefits of being part of this members only club are worth losing our lives to receive eternal life.
