Why study the Bible? The Bible is the scribed, Elohim breathed words that created the heavens and the earth. The Elohims words are powerful, calling light into being, calling waters to separate, and then forming manfaced and breathing life into the first man, the adam. The word that the Elohim speaks brings life and dissects minutely. If the word of the Elohim is accurate to divide between what we cannot, how is it that we do not take it seriously? Are we putting men’s ideas ahead of the word of the Elohim? What if we follow along with customs and traditions that instead of leading us to Jesus, detract from Jesus. Should we follow religious customs or follow Jesus Messiah? What then do we think of Jesus breaking the sabbath several times? Jesus told us that the sabbath was made for man, not man for the sabbath. The issue of religion and religious customs and traditions is separate from the Holy Spirit inspired word of the Elohim. There are many religions that have customs and traditions that are not written in scripture. If customs and traditions supersede scripture then those customs and traditions are errant.
Acts 6:14 G191 For we have heard G1063 G1473 him G3004 saying, G3754 that G* [2Jesus G3588 3the G* 4Nazarene G3778 1this] G2647 will destroy G3588 G5117 this place, G3778 G2532 and G236 change G3588 the G1485 customs G3739 which G3860 [2delivered up G1473 3to us G* 1Moses].
1485 LSJ Gloss:ἔθος custom, habit
Dodson:ἔθος a custom custom, habit; an institute, rite.
TBESG:ἔθος custom
G:N-N
ἔθος, -εος (-ους), τό
(< ἔθω), [in LXX:
habit, custom;
Thayer:
1) custom
2) usage prescribed by law, institute, prescription, rite
ἔθος
ethos eth'-os From G1486; a usage (prescribed by habit or law) KJV Usage: custom, manner, be wont.
Jesus the Nazarene was going to change the customs that Moses gave them. At least that is what they were accusing Stephen of saying and taking part in. Circumcision is a custom that became a tradition for the Jews, but it does not have to be practiced by followers of Jesus Messiah. Why? Because the customs changed when the Messiah died on the cross and rose up on the third day. The apostles taught us this clearly. The time we live in is different than the time of Moses, especially considering there is no tabernacle or temple.
Luke 1:8 G1096 And it came to pass G1161 G1722 in G3588 G2407 his officiating as priest G1473 G1722 in G3588 the G5010 order G3588 G2183 of his daily rotations G1473 G1725 before G3588 G2316 God,
9 G2596 according to G3588 the G1485 custom G3588 of the G2405 priesthood, G2975 he obtained by lot G3588 G2370 to burn incense G1525 when entering G1519 into G3588 the G3485 temple G3588 of the G2962 Lord
1486 LSJ Gloss:ἔθω to be accustomed
Dodson:εἴωθα I am accustomed, custom, what was customary.
TBESG:ἔθω to have a custom
G:V
ἔθω, pf. with pres. sense εἴωθα,
[in LXX: Num.24:1 (כְּפַעַם־בְּפַעַם),
to be accustomed, wont:
(AS)
Thayer:
1) to be accustomed, used, wont
2) that which is wont
3) usage, custom
ἔθω
ethō eth'-o A primary verb; to be used (by habit or conventionality); neuter perfect participle usage KJV Usage: be custom (manner, wont).
This is speaking of Zechariah, John’s father. Burning incense is a custom that the Jews did in the temple, but today there is no temple. The Catholics as well as others, burn incense as part of their ritual practice. Do we have to burn incense? No.
Luke 4:16 G2532 And G2064 he came G1519 unto G3588 G* Nazareth, G3739 of which G1510.7.3 he was G5142 reared. G2532 And G1525 he entered G2596 (according to G3588 the thing G1486 accustomed G1473 for him G1722 in G3588 the G2250 day G3588 of the G4521 Sabbaths) G1519 into G3588 the G4864 synagogue, G2532 and G450 he rose up G314 to read
It was a custom for an educated teacher to read from the scrolls in the synagogue. Today no educated teacher would randomly stand up and read from the Bible in any religious institution without being asked.
Customs and traditions take a turn for the worst when people add extra observances. Take for example religions that pray to Mary and myriads of saints as mediators and intercessors. The Bible clearly says there is no mediator between the Elohim and man, but for Jesus Messiah. How is it that those customs and traditions are not written in the Bible yet they are practiced routinely? The concerning part about religious observances that are not written in the Bible are the similarities to idolatry. If I bury a statue of a saint in my front yard so that my house will sell, it would seem that I am taking part in an extra Biblical idolatrous practice. If I pray to a patron saint of dentistry when I visit my dentist it would seem I am not praying directly to the Elohim. Whose word are we adhering to, fallible men or sinless Jesus? Some religions go so far as to discount the written logos of the Elohim in favor of tradition. Many Jews still pass their newborn babies over a flame in the hospital as a custom and tradition, but the practice was derived from Molech, even though it was practiced in the temple. This superstitious custom is like carrying around an “evil eye”, an “Italian horn (cornicello)” or “eucalyptus” to ward off evil spirits. People still wear St. Christopher medals. Paul warns us.
Colossians 2:8 G991 Take heed G3361 lest G5100 [2anyone G1473 4you G1510.8.3 1there shall be G3588 G4812 3robbing] G1223 through G3588 the G5385 fondness of intellectual pursuits G2532 and G2756 empty G539 deception, G2596 according to G3588 the G3862 tradition G3588 G444 of men, G2596 according to G3588 the G4747 elements G3588 of the G2889 world, G2532 and G3756 not G2596 according to G5547 Christ!
9 G3754 For G1722 in G1473 him G2730 dwells G3956 all G3588 the G4138 fullness G3588 of the G2320 deity G4985 bodily.
3862 LSJ Gloss: παράδοσις a handing down, transmission
Dodson: παράδοσις an instruction, tradition.
TBESG:παράδοσις tradition
G:N-F
παρά-δοσις, -εως, ἡ
(< παραδίδωμι), [in LXX: Est.7:26 (אֵסוּר), Jer.32:4 (נָתַן ni.), Jer.34:2 * ;]
__1. a handing down or over, transfer, transmission (Arist., Polyb., al., LXX).
__2. tradition of doctrine (Plat., Epict., al.); by meton., of the doctrine itself :
Thayer:
1) giving up, giving over
1a) the act of giving up
1b) the surrender of cities
2) a giving over which is done by word of mouth or in writing, i.e. tradition by instruction, narrative, precept, etc.
2a) objectively, that which is delivered, the substance of a teaching
2b) of the body of precepts, esp. ritual, which in the opinion of the later Jews were orally delivered by Moses and orally transmitted in unbroken succession to subsequent generations, which precepts, both illustrating and expanding the written law, as they did were to be obeyed with equal reverence
παράδοσις
paradosis par-ad'-os-is From G3860; transmission, that is, (concretely) a precept; specifically the Jewish traditionary law KJV Usage: ordinance, tradition.
We can be robbed with intellectual pursuits and empty deception of the traditions of men. Who would want to sow deceptive traditions into our religion? The same one who sowed defilement into the temple for over four hundred years. Sadly we are susceptible to religious leaders who look and play the part of intellectuals when we have the God-breathed word everywhere, in our homes, on our phones, on our tablets, on our computers, everywhere.
The only traditions we should keep are the traditions written to us, those who believe on Jesus Messiah. What is written to us is different than what is written to people who lived before Jesus came to earth and was made known as Messiah. We can learn from the former customs and traditions, those in the old covenant, but they are not given to the new creations in Christ Jesus.
2 Thessalonians 2:13 G1473 But we G1161 G3784 ought G2168 to give thanks G3588 G2316 to God G3842 at all times G4012 concerning G1473 you, G80 brethren G25 beloved G5259 by G2962 the Lord, G3754 that G138 [2took you up G1473 G3588 G2316 1God] G575 from G746 the beginning G1519 for G4991 deliverance G1722 in G38 sanctification G4151 of spirit, G2532 and G4102 belief G225 of truth,
14 G1519 in G3739 which G2564 he called G1473 you G1223 through G3588 G2098 our good news G1473 G1519 in G4047 procurement G1391 of the glory G3588 G2962 of our Lord G1473 G* Jesus G5547 Christ.
15 G686 So G3767 then, G80 brethren, G4739 stand firmly G2532 and G2902 hold G3588 the G3862 traditions G3739 which G1321 you were taught, G1535 whether G1223 by G3056 word, G1535 or whether G1223 by G1992 our letter! G1473
Take Paul’s letters, Jesus’ to the seven churches, Peter’s letters, John’s letters, Jude and James’ letters, as well as the gospels and learn what is written to the people who believe that Jesus is Lord and Messiah, and rose up on the third day.
We can take the customs and traditions of men, turn them into rituals, and practice hollow works. Some people try to practice the customs and rituals of the pre-messianic era. Why? They think it makes them more spiritual. It does not. Some people feel safe repeating customs, traditions, and religious rituals, similar to a security blanket or pacifier. Instead we should look to the God-breathed word for our rule for customs, traditions, and practices.
2 Timothy 3:16 G3956 Every G1124 scripture G2315 is God inspired, G2532 and G5624 beneficial G4314 for G1319 teaching, G4314 for G1650 reproof, G4314 for G1882 correction, G4314 for G3809 instruction-- G3588 the one G1722 in G1343 righteousness;
17 G2443 that G739 [5complete G1510.3 4should be G3588 1the G3588 G2316 3of God G444 2man] G4314 for G3956 [2every G2041 4work G18 3good G1822 1accomplishing].
2315 LSJ Gloss:θεόπνευστος inspired of God
Dodson:θεόπνευστος God-breathed, inspired by God
God-breathed, inspired by God, due to the inspiration of God.
TBESG:θεόπνευστος God-breathed
G:A
θεόπνευστος, -ον
(< θεός, πνέω),
inspired by God: 2Ti.3:16.†
(AS)
Thayer:
1) inspired by God
1a) the contents of the scriptures
θεόπνευστος
theopneustos theh-op'-nyoo-stos From G2316 and a presumed derivative of G4154; divinely breathed in KJV Usage: given by inspiration of God.
“All scripture (graphē) God-breathed and profitable towards instruction towards rebuke towards correction towards education the in righteousness in order that perfect be the Elohim manfaced towards all deeds good.”
The scripture is Theopneustos, Theos “God”, pneō “breathe”. If the scriptures, the letters we have, are breathed by the Elohim, shouldn’t we hold them in higher esteem than the words, customs ,and traditions, of humans? The God-breathed logos is so that manfaced can be perfected or completed in all good deeds. We are not perfected or made complete by worshipping idols, praying to saints, or paying indulgences. We are not perfected by holding seders, circumcising, living in sukkahs, or celebrating the new moon either. We can become perfected by being instructed, rebuked, and corrected, with education in righteousness. Who and where is the standard for righteousness? The who is the Elohim, the where is scripture that is God-breathed. Peter affirms this.
2 Peter 1:20 G3778 This G4412 first G1097 knowing, G3754 that G3956 every G4394 prophecy G1124 of scripture G2398 [3by private G1955 4explanation G3756 1does not G1096 2take place].
21 G3756 For not G1063 G2307 by will G444 of man G5342 was [2borne G4218 3at some time or other G4394 1prophecy], G235 but G5259 by G4151 [2spirit G39 1holy] G5342 being borne G2980 [5spoke G3588 1the G39 2holy G2316 4of God G444 3men].
“This first come to know that all prophecy scripture one’s own interpretation not come not for will manfaced prophecy bring at some time however from under Spirit Holy lead speaking the holy men Elohim.”
No one is to interpret scripture on their own, as in putting their opinion over and above the written words. Whenever we have someone declare “I think”, then we have to take the human element out. It is not about what I think or you think or they think, or what that preacher thinks, or what the Pope thinks.The logos is not for our thinking, it is a state of being. What does it say? Do we have to have secret ways of interpreting scripture? No. We simply read what it says. Is it written to the born again believer? Then whatever it says it says. Here is why. Men did not bring prophecies by their own thoughts. Men should not bring prophecies by their own thoughts. Unfortunately men do call things prophecies from the Elohim that are not from him. Discern. From under the Holy Spirit’s leading, spoke men of the Elohim. Men led by the Holy Spirit spoke the scripture to someone who wrote it down.
1 Corinthians 12:8 G3739 For indeed one G3303 G1063 G1223 through G3588 the G4151 spirit G1325 is given G3056 word G4678 of wisdom; G243 and to another G1161 G3056 word G1108 of knowledge, G2596 according to G3588 the G1473 same G4151 spirit.
It is the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of the Elohim that speaks through people so that manfaced can be made perfect in righteousness. This is why it is important to make a note of who knows scripture and who does not. Many will say that there is no rapture, or that it is not in the Bible, yet they have not ever read that part of the Bible because it is clearly there. Some will say that there is no millennial kingdom. Again they have never read that part of at the Bible. If someone does not know what is written by the Holy Spirit, they cannot lead anyone to perfection in righteousness. They simply cannot. We will encounter people who say entirely different things about the same subject. We then are obligated to search it out rather than take anyone’s word for it.
We can always appreciate the good works that religious organizations do, but good works do not get anyone into the kingdom of heaven. Good works do not produce salvation in manfaced. The word that created the heavens and earth is the word, logos. We need to become complete in righteousness, not customs, traditions, or pseudo prophecies of humans. David explains the power of the word of the Lord.
Psalms 33:4 G3754 For G2112.3 [5 is upright G3588 1the G3056 2word G3588 3of the G2962 4 lord]; G2532 and G3956 all G3588 G2041 his works G1473 G1722 in G4102 trust.
5 G25 [3loves G1654 4charity G2532 5and G2920 6equity G3588 1The G2962 2 lord]; G3588 [4of the G1656 5mercy G2962 6 of the lord G4134 3 is full G3588 1the G1093 2earth].
6 G3588 By the G3056 word G3588 of the G2962 lord G3588 the G3772 heavens G4732 were solidified, G2532 and G3588 by the G4151 breath G3588 G4750 of his mouth G1473 G3956 all G3588 G1411 their force; G1473
7 G4863 bringing together G5616 as G779 in a leather water bag G5204 the waters G2281 of the sea; G5087 putting G1722 in G2344 treasuries G12 of the deeps.
8 G5399 Fear G3588 the G2962 lord G3956 all G3588 the G1093 earth! G575 [2because of G1473 3him G1161 1and] G4531 let [6be shaken G3956 1all G3588 2the G2730 3ones dwelling G3588 4in the G3611 5inhabitable world]!
9 G3754 For G1473 he G2036 spoke, G2532 and G1096 they came to pass; G1473 he G1781 gave charge, G2532 and G2936 they were created
David wanted people to sing about how Yahweh created the heavens and earth by His word. How did Yahweh do this? Because the logos is quick and powerful.
Hebrews 4:12 G2198 [5 is living G1063 1For G3588 2the G3056 3word G3588 G2316 4of God], G2532 and G1756 active, G2532 and G5114 sharper G5228 than G3956 any G3162 [2sword G1366 1double-edged], G2532 and G1338 penetrating G891 as far as G3311 the distribution G5590 of both soul G5037 G2532 and G4151 spirit, G719 also of joints G5037 G2532 and G3452 marrows, G2532 and G2924 is a discerner G1761 of the thinking G2532 and G1771 reflections G2588 of the heart.
13 G2532 And G3756 there is not G1510.2.3 G2937 a creation G852 unapparent G1799 before G1473 him; G3956 but all G1161 G1131 are naked G2532 and G5136 laid bare G3588 to G3788 his eyes, G1473 G4314 to G3739 whom G1473 [3 is to us G3588 1the G3056 2reckoning].
3056 LSJ Gloss:λόγος the word
Dodson:λόγος a word, speech, divine utterance, analogy.
TBESG:λόγος word
G:N-M
λόγος, -ου, ὁ (< λέγω)
[in LXX chiefly for דָּבָר, also for מִלָּה ,אֵמֶר, etc. ;]
__I. Of that by which the inward thought is expressed, Lat. oratio, sermo, vox, verbum.
__1. a word, not in the grammatical sense of a mere name (ἔπος, ὄνομα, ῥῆμα), but a word as embodying a conception or idea:
__2. a saying, statement, declaration: Mat.19:22 (T om.),
with genitive attrib., of the sayings, commands, promises, etc., of teachers, λ. κενοί, Eph.5:6; ἀληθινοί, Rev.19:9; πιστοί, Rev.22:6; esp. of the precepts, decrees and promises of God, ὁ λ. τ. θεοῦ, the word of God:
absol., ὁ λ.,
__3. speech, discourse:
opp. to ἐπιστολή, 2Th.2:15; disting, from σοφία, 1Co.2:1; ἀναστροφή, 1Ti.4:12; δύναμις,
ἔργον, Rom.15:18; οὐδενὸς λ. τίμιον (not worthy of mention),; of the style of speech, of instruction, with genitive of person(s),
__4. subject-matter, hence, teaching, doctrine:
__5. a story, tale, narrative:
Refs
; before περί, Luk.5:15.
__6. That which is spoken of (Plat., al.; V. Kennedy, Sources, 124), matter, affair, thing:
__II. Of the inward thought itself, Lat. ratio.
__1. reason,
__(a) of the mental faculty (Hdt., Plat., al.): κατὰ λόγον, Act.18:14;
__(b) a reason, cause: τίνι λόγῳ, Act.10:29; παρεκτὸς λόγου πορνείας,
__2. account,
__(a) regard: Act.20:24, Rec.;
__(b) reckoning:
__3. proportion, analogy: Php.2:16 (Field, Notes, 193 f.).
__III. ὁ λ., the Divine Word or Logos:
Thayer:
1) of speech
1a) a word, uttered by a living voice, embodies a conception or idea
1b) what someone has said
1b1) a word
1b2) the sayings of God
1b3) decree, mandate or order
1b4) of the moral precepts given by God
1b5) Old Testament prophecy given by the
λόγος
logos log'-os From G3004; something said (including the thought); by implication a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension a computation; specifically (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (that is, Christ) KJV Usage: account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say (-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.
“For alive the logos the Elohim and active/effective and shaper over all swords two-edged and penetrating to the utmost dividing soul/breath life both and spirit joints both and marrow and able to discern inward thoughts and intentions heart. And is not original formation invisible before the face of Him but all stark-naked and lay bare the his eyes for this to us the logos.”
The logos of the Elohim is alive. There are many dead words spoken every day but the Elohim’s words are alive and effective. They are active in our lives. Why would we want men’s customs and traditions if we can have the living and active words of the Elohim? The logos has a surgical precision that can separate soul and spirit. We cannot do that in a laboratory or an operating room today, but the logos of the Elohim can separate what we cannot even see. The logos can discern inward thoughts and intentions of the heart. There is nothing formed that is invisible to Him. Everything is naked and bare in his eyes. For this purpose or this reason the logos is given to us. Who is the logos?
John 1:1 G1722 In G746 the beginning G1510.7.3 was G3588 the G3056 word, G2532 and G3588 the G3056 word G1510.7.3 was G4314 with G3588 G2316 God, G2532 and G2316 [4God G1510.7.3 3was G3588 1the G3056 2word].
2 G3778 This one G1510.7.3 was G1722 in G746 the beginning G4314 with G3588 G2316 God.
3 G3956 All G1223 through G1473 him G1096 existed, G2532 and G5565 apart from G1473 him G1096 existed G3761 not even G1520 one thing G3739 which G1096 exists.
The logos is a “who” and the logos is a “what”. This is why we study the logos. The Bible is not just empty words. It is filled with living and active words that created the heavens and the earth. All of the original formations were created by the logos, with the spoken logos.
John 1:14 G2532 And G3588 the G3056 word G4561 [2flesh G1096 1became], G2532 and G4637 tented G1722 among G1473 us, G2532 and G2300 we saw G3588 G1391 his glory, G1473 G1391 glory G5613 as G3439 an only child G3844 of G3962 the father, G4134 full G5484 of favor G2532 and G225 truth.
The logos became into being, flesh. Whose flesh? Jesus.
1 John 1:1 G3739 Which G1510.7.3 was G575 from G746 the beginning, G3739 which G191 we have heard, G3739 which G3708 we have seen G3588 with G3788 our eyes, G1473 G3739 which G2300 we were spectators of, G2532 and G3588 G5495 our hands G1473 G5584 handled G4012 concerning G3588 the G3056 word G3588 of the G2222 life;
Non-believers in Jesus Messiah wonder why Christians study the Bible. To some it seems better to follow customs, traditions, and rituals prescribed by men rather than the Bible. Yet in the Bible we find the word of life. We find the word that created the heavens and earth, and at the same time we are filled with the effectual working of the living word of the Elohim. It is profitable for education in righteousness. How do we find Jesus’ words? They were recorded by holy men of the Elohim led by the Holy Spirit. The Holy Spirit will help us.
John 14:23 G611 Jesus answered G3588 G* G2532 and G2036 said G1473 to him, G1437 If G5100 anyone G25 loves G1473 me, G3588 G3056 [2my word G1473 G5083 1he will give heed to], G2532 and G3588 G3962 my father G1473 G25 will love G1473 him, G2532 and G4314 to G1473 him G2064 we will come, G2532 and G3438 [2an abode G3844 3with G1473 4him G4160 1we will make].
24 G3588 The one G3361 not G25 loving G1473 me, G3588 G3056 [3my words G1473 G3756 1does not G5083 2give heed to]; G2532 and G3588 the G3056 word G3739 which G191 you hear G3756 is not G1510.2.3 G1699 mine, G235 but G3588 the G3992 [2having sent G1473 3me G3962 1father].
25 G3778 These things G2980 I have spoken G1473 to you, G3844 [2with G1473 3you G3306 1abiding].
26 G3588 But the G1161 G3875 comforter, G3588 the G4151 [2spirit G3588 G39 1holy], G3739 whom G3992 [3will send G3588 1the G3962 2father] G1722 in G3588 G3686 my name, G1473 G1565 that one G1473 will teach you G1321 G3956 all things, G2532 and G5279 will remind G1473 you G3956 all things G3739 which G2036 I said G1473 to you.
Jesus says that if we love him then we are to guard, to protect, or to observe his logos. We are to watch over it. If we do then Jesus promises that the Father will love us and abide with us. Jesus also promises that the comforter, the Holy Spirit, will be sent by the Father to teach us. The Holy Spirit is not teaching extra Biblical doctrines but the ones recorded when the holy men were led by the Holy Spirit. Jesus does not say to pray to departed saints as a mediator or intercessor for the Elohim. Jesus says that the Father will abide in us. If the Father abides in us and the Holy Spirit teaches us, then why add anyone else to the chat, so to speak. Jesus never told us to pray to Mary for her to intercede. In fact Paul tells us that the Holy Spirit makes intercession for us. Who should be our intercessor, Mary or the Holy Spirit?
Notice what happens here with Paul and Barnabas at Antioch in Pisidia. Paul preaches quite a sermon in the synagogue, and the Jews reject it, yet the nations beg Paul to teach them. The Jews became jealous over the nation’s eagerness to receive Jesus.
Acts 13:44 G3588 And on the G5037 G2064 coming G4521 Sabbath, G4975 nearly G3956 all G3588 the G4172 city G4863 gathered G191 to hear G3588 the G3056 word G3588 G2316 of God.
45 G1492 [4beholding G1161 1But G3588 2the G* 3Jews] G3588 the G3793 multitudes, G4130 they were filled G2205 with jealousy, G2532 and G483 spoke against G3588 the things G5259 [2by G3588 G* 3Paul G3004 1being spoken], G483 disputing G2532 and G987 blaspheming.
46 G3955 But speaking openly, G1161 G3588 G* Paul G2532 and G3588 G* Barnabas G2036 said, G1473 To you G1510.7.3 it was G316 important G4412 first G2980 [4to be spoken G3588 1for the G3056 2word G3588 G2316 3of God]; G1894 but since G683 you thrust it away, G1473 G2532 and G3756 do not G514 [3worthy G2919 1judge G1438 2yourselves] G3588 G166 of eternal G2222 life, G2400 behold, G4762 we turn G1519 unto G3588 the G1484 nations.
47 G3779 For thus G1063 G1781 [3has given charge G1473 4to us G3588 1the G2962 2Lord], G5087 saying, I have put G1473 you G1519 for G5457 a light G1484 of nations, G3588 G1510.1 for you to be G1473 G1519 for G4991 deliverance G2193 unto G2078 the end G3588 of the G1093 earth.
48 G191 And hearing, G1161 G3588 the G1484 nations G5463 rejoiced, G2532 and G1392 glorified G3588 the G3056 word G3588 of the G2962 Lord; G2532 and G4100 [7believed G3745 1as many as G1510.7.6 2were G5021 3being arranged G1519 4for G2222 5life G166 6eternal].
The customs and traditions of the Jews held them back from receiving the Messiah. Paul says that they themselves judged themselves unworthy for eternal life. This is where the Jews are today. They reject the logos of the Elohim. The nations received the logos. Later Paul writes to the Thessalonians.
1 Thessalonians 2:13 G1223 On account of G3778 this G2532 also G1473 we G2168 give thanks G3588 to G2316 God G89 continually, G3754 that G3880 taking to yourselves G3056 the word G189 of report G3844 [2by G1473 3us G3588 G2316 1of God], G1209 you received G3756 not G3056 the word G444 of men, G235 but G2531 as G1510.2.3 it is G230 truly, G3056 the word G2316 of God, G3739 which G2532 also G1754 exerts energy G1722 in G1473 you -- G3588 the ones G4100 believing.
The logos of the Elohim energeō, “actively energizes" the ones believing. Mens’ customs and traditions do not do that. Only the logos does that. We only have so many hours in the day, why waste our time on useless things instead of living energized things?
1 Thessalonians 4:15 G3778 For this G1063 G1473 to you G3004 we say G1722 by G3056 word G2962 of the Lord, G3754 that G1473 we, G3588 the ones G2198 living, G3588 the ones G4035 remaining G1519 at G3588 the G3952 arrival G3588 of the G2962 Lord, G3766.2 in no way G5348 should anticipate G3588 the ones G2837 having gone to sleep.
16 G3754 For G1473 [3himself G3588 1the G2962 2Lord] G1722 in G2752 a word of command G1722 by G5456 the voice G743 of an archangel, G2532 and G1722 with G4536 a trumpet G2316 of God, G2597 shall descend G575 from G3772 heaven, G2532 and G3588 the G3498 dead G1722 in G5547 Christ G450 shall rise up G4412 first.
17 G1899 Thereupon G1473 we G3588 the G2198 living, G3588 the ones G4035 remaining, G260 together G4862 with G1473 them G726 shall be seized G1722 in G3507 clouds, G1519 for G529 meeting G3588 the G2962 Lord G1519 in G109 the air, G2532 and G3779 thus G3842 at all times G4862 with G2962 the Lord G1510.8.4 we shall be.
18 G5620 So then G3870 comfort G240 one another G1722 by G3588 G3056 these words! G3778
Paul speaks by the logos of Yahweh. This is the harpazo/rapture that Paul is talking about. Paul then says to comfort one another in this logos. This logos is living and active. What do we do when someone denies the logos of Yahweh? We dismiss their unbelief as ignorance because the logos is, above all else, the living breathing word of the Elohim.
This is our obligation, as Paul told Timothy.
2 Timothy 2:15 G4704 Hurry G4572 [2yourself G1384 3unadulterated G3936 1to present] G3588 G2316 to God! G2040 a worker G422 unashamed, G3718 cutting straight G3588 the G3056 word G3588 G225 of truth.
“Be eager present yourself acceptable the Elohim a workman not ashamed dissecting correctly the logos the truth.”
Why is it important to look at the original language in the new covenant and the Septuagint in the old covenant? We want to get as close to the original as possible so that we can determine, without religious customs and traditions, what is stated in the text. Translators are human and in certain time periods they injected their own ideas into the text. The Septuagint was transcribed in the temple of Nehemiah under the direction of the high priest Eleazar, from Moses’ paleo Hebrew, and then other writers forms of Hebrew, bringing the scrolls into the language of the people of that time period of 250 BC. People spoke Aramaic and some Hebrew, but wrote Greek when they were under Greek and Roman occupation. The original scrolls were stored in the Library of Alexandria. The seventy temple scribes eventually scribed seventy-two books, all together at the same time. The Greeks had no need to change the words or the ideas, they simply wanted history recorded. The Romans canonized the books into Latin in the late 300’s to early 400’s AD, five hundred and fifty years after the Septuagint was scribed. At about 600 to 1000 AD the Masoretes started to rewrite the old covenant from the Septuagint. However, since they emphatically reject Jesus as Messiah, they altered thousands of sections of scripture to erase Jesus Messiah, changing prophecies and references to the Messiah. They even changed the dates, eliminating 243 years. This is a corrupted version of the old covenant that every modern translation uses. The King James translators used the Masoretic text as their base for the old covenant because they assumed the Jews were honest workmen, but they were not. Therefore the old covenant is best studied in the Septuagint. The new covenant was written in Greek. The translators made some alterations as well, maybe to smooth out the sentences. However there are some mistranslations that seem to align with the translators’ own ideas and beliefs.
Studying the Bible from the Greek texts is not a requirement for salvation, yet it does shed light on many interesting things. For example the King James translators use the word “study” as the first word here in 2 Timothy 2:15, but the word is spoudazō which means “use speed, hurry, make hast, be eager, be zealous”. Not everyone will be eager or zealous to show themselves acceptable as a workman dissecting the logos of truth.
Matthew 13:19 G3956 Every one G191 hearing G3588 the G3056 word G3588 of the G932 kingdom, G2532 and G3361 not G4920 perceiving, G2064 there comes G3588 the G4190 evil one, G2532 and G726 seizes by force G3588 the thing G4687 being sown G1722 in G3588 G2588 his heart. G1473 G3778 This G1510.2.3 is G3588 the one G3844 by G3588 the G3598 way G4687 being sown.
20 G3588 And the one G1161 G1909 by G3588 the G4075 rocky places G4687 being sown, G3778 this G1510.2.3 is G3588 the one G3588 [2the G3056 3word G191 1hearing], G2532 and G2117.1 straightway G3326 with G5479 joy G2983 receives G1473 it;
21 G3756 [2he has no G2192 G1161 1but] G4491 root G1722 in G1438 himself, G235 but G4340 is temporary. G1510.2.3 G1096 [3taking place G1161 1And G2347 2affliction] G2228 or G1375 persecution G1223 on account of G3588 the G3056 word, G2117.1 straightway G4624 he is caused to stumble.
22 G3588 And the one G1161 G1519 in G3588 the G173 thorn-bushes G4687 being sown, G3778 this G1510.2.3 is G3588 the one G3588 [2the G3056 3word G191 1hearing], G2532 and G3588 the G3308 anxiety G3588 G165 of this eon, G3778 G2532 and G3588 the G539 deception G3588 G4149 of riches G4846 chokes out G3588 the G3056 word, G2532 and G175 [2unfruitful G1096 1he becomes].
23 G3588 But the one G1161 G1909 [2upon G3588 3the G1093 5earth G3588 G2570 4good G4687 1being sown], G3778 this G1510.2.3 is G3588 the one G3588 [2the G3056 3word G191 1hearing], G2532 and G4920 perceiving; G3739 who G1211 indeed G2592 bears fruit, G2532 and G4160 produces G3739 some G3303 indeed G1540 a hundred, G3588 and some G1161 G1835 sixty, G3739 and some G1161 G5144 thirty
Jesus gives us the example of people who hear the logos, but it only takes root in good earth. The logos produces fruit. This is what we wish to see, disciples. We study to communicate to others so we have to remember what Jesus told us.
Matthew 24:35 G3588 The G3772 heaven G2532 and G3588 the G1093 earth G3928 shall pass away, G3588 G1161 but G3056 my words G1473 G3766.2 in no way G3928 shall pass away.
Jesus’ logos will not pass away. We will live through all the things the God-breathed word tells us, even to a new heaven and new earth, but Jesus Messiah’s word will never pass away.
There is no other logos that can form the heavens and the earth, as well as come to earth as a Savior, and then breath life into the reader. We do not need religious customs and traditions, we need the living active logos of the Elohim, given to us by holy men as they were led by the Holy Spirit. We need to be wise. No denomination or religion can give us eternal life, but the book of words that are God-breathed can. This then is why we study the logos. We are zealous to be workers of the logos of the Elohim. We do not follow the customs and traditions of men or make them preeminent over the God-breathed logos that educates us, instead we are eager to become perfected in righteousness.
