Author Archives: Mark

Ephesians 1: 17

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This verse is one of many that shows God the Father, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Spirit (the Spirit of Wisdom and Revelation).

That the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give unto you the spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of him (KJV)

  • God, theos G2316.
  • Lord, kyrios G2962.
  • Jesus, iesous G2424.
  • Christ, christos G5547.
  • Father, pater G3962.
  • Glory, doxa G 1391.
  • May give, didomi G1325.
  • Spirit, pneuma G4151.
  • Wisdom, sophia G4678.
  • Revelation, apokalypsis G 602. Luke first uses this word in 2:32, it is for us Gentiles. It is also used in 3:3 in connection with the mystery made known to Paul.
  • Coming to know, epignosis G 1922. Paul and Peter use this word in their Epistles. It is also used in 4:13 with our faith and knowledge of the Son of God.

Use the links below to explore all of the words in the passage in Ephesians.

Ephesians 1 MOUNCE – Paul, an apostle of Christ  Jesus by the – Bible Gateway

Ephesians 1 Interlinear Bible (biblehub.com)

Ephesians 1: 16

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Ephesians 1: 16

Cease not to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers (KJV)

  • Cease, pauo G 3973.
  • Giving thanks, Eucharisteo G2168. Paul uses this word again in 5:20.
  • Making, Poieo G 4160.
  • Mention, Mentin G 3417. Paul is the only New Testament writer to use this word.
  • In, epi G 1900 or 1909, this word is used frequently.
  • My, ego G 1473.
  • Prayers, proseuche G 4335. It is used in 6:18.

Use the links below to explore all of the words in the passage in Ephesians.

Ephesians 1 MOUNCE – Paul, an apostle of Christ  Jesus by the – Bible Gateway

Ephesians 1 Interlinear Bible (biblehub.com)

2 Corinthians Bible 911

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2 Corinthians 9:11 is part of a teaching on generosity and sowing (6 – 14). I have understood verses 10 and 11 as a prayer (it starts in #8) that Paul prayed over the Churches. I personalized it, so below is my rewrite of those verses.

God you supply seed to the sower and bread for food, supply and increase my store of seed and enlarge the harvest of my righteousness. I will be made rich in every way so that I can be generous on every occasion, and my generosity will result in thanksgiving to God. (2 Corinthians 9: 10 + 11, my paraphrase.)

Unless your Bible is well equipped with footnotes and references you may not appreciate how much of the Old Testament is incorporated into the New. Below are some references that I have found while reading and have written them next to our verse for today (In my Bible.). All of these references are in KJV. 

Isaiah 55:10 For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater:

Isaiah 30:23 Then shall he give the rain of thy seed, that thou shalt sow the ground withal; and bread of the increase of the earth, and it shall be fat and plenteous: in that day shall thy cattle feed in large pastures.

Psalm 111:5 He hath given meat unto them that fear him: he will ever be mindful of his covenant.

Psalm 126:6 He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.

Psalm 112:9 He hath dispersed, he hath given to the poor; his righteousness endureth for ever; his horn shall be exalted with honour.

3 John 2 Beloved, I wish above all things that thou mayest prosper and be in health, even as thy soul prospereth.

Philippians 1:11 Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

Hosea 10:12,13 Sow to yourselves in righteousness, reap in mercy; break up your fallow ground: for it is time to seek the Lord, till he come and rain righteousness upon you. 13 Ye have plowed wickedness, ye have reaped iniquity; ye have eaten the fruit of lies: because thou didst trust in thy way, in the multitude of thy mighty men.

Proverbs 11:18 The wicked worketh a deceitful work: but to him that soweth righteousness shall be a sure reward.

Ecclesiastes 11:6 In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether they both shall be alike good.

Just because there is a lot said about sowing and reaping, I will chime in lightly, but a study of some of the words in verses 6-11 was worth the time. Oral Roberts credits a farmer he talked to with planting the idea of seeds, sowing, and reaping in modern Christian thought. Jesus used agricultural metaphors, often, in His parables. So, Paul builds on those parables and thoughts from the Old Testament in writing this portion of his letter.

  • Sparingly – pheidomenos G5340. This word is used twice in the New Testament, both are in this verse (9:6). I used Mounce as a reference.
  • Generously – epi eulogia is a phrase that means a blessing, blessed object, or Holy Eucharist. Eulogia – Wikipedia A reference verse is Ephesians 1:3.
  • Decided – proaireo G 4255 is used only in this verse (9:7). “Choose” is a good definition.
  • You need – autarkia G 841. It is used here (9:8) and in 1 Tim. 6:6. Having what is necessary for life and contentedness are the ideas associated with this Greek word.

There are three ideas in Paul’s teaching and prayer: 1. God wants you to give just as He has given. 2. We are to receive what He wants to give us. 3. In all of this He is to be praised and given glory.

May this happen to you as you study His word. In another reading I was directed to Philippians 4:10-20, this passage mirrors our focus passage. I suggest you read it.

In 2 Corinthians Paul uses autarkia, in Philippians two related words are translated as “need”. Use the links to study those words.

ὑστερέω | Free Online Greek Dictionary | billmounce.com

ὑστέρησις | Free Online Greek Dictionary | billmounce.com

Take a Muse Moment for “need”.

Ephesians 1:15

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Wherefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus, and love unto all the saints,

  • Having heard, akouo G191.
  • Faith, pistis G4102.
  • Lord, kyri G 2962. Remember that capital letters and punctuation were not in the original Greek.
  • Love, agape G 26.
  • Saints, hagious G 40.

Verse 15 starts a prayer that goes to the end of the chapter.

We need to remember that it has been several years since Paul was in Ephesus. I see and hear the heart of a father rejoicing that his spiritual children are doing well in their faith.

Use the links below to explore all of the words in the passage in Ephesians.

Ephesians 1 MOUNCE – Paul, an apostle of Christ  Jesus by the – Bible Gateway

Ephesians 1 Interlinear Bible (biblehub.com)

Abraham – Genesis 15

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Genesis 15 represents “two days” in the life of Abram (who became Abraham). I believe, the journey for “the father of the faithful” should be viewed in context. This story sits between a great moment in Abram’s life and one that may have seemed good but had many sorrows come from it. Abram was blessed by Melchizedek, got a promise and a covenant with God, and then had Sarah help God out. Genesis 15 holds much prophetic material in it, but today, I want to focus on the firepot and torch.    

Making a Covenant

Genesis 15:9 – 21 describes the “cutting” of the covenant, it lists the animals and who walked between them and the conditions that were to be observed. In the devotional book Destined to Reign, Joseph Prince has the thought on 1/10 and 2/24 that the covenant was between the Father and the Son with Abram and his descendants benefiting from this covenant. In the passage, Abram does not walk through the pieces of the animals, but a smoking firepot and a burning torch (vs 17) make the trip. It is these two things that represent the Father and the Son.

Smoking Firepot and a Burning Torch

I do see the Trinity in this scene and not just the Father and the Son. If I may, the Holy Spirit is carrying the firepot and the torch; just like the Poles of the Ark allowed the Mercy Seat and the Chest/Ark to be carried among men.

The cloud/smoke-producing fire or cooking pot represents the Father. Why I link these two together comes from the New Testament and the times that the Father spoke to or about Jesus from a cloud: Matthew 17 (the Transfiguration), and at Jesus’ baptism.

Jesus is the burning torch that is the Light of the World, even in our darkest night. “The Glory” is used in some passages instead of a flame or fire. Another thing is lightening; at this point some of these associations are thin. Ah, such is the life of metaphors, at times we may be forcing things to meet our paradigms.

The cloud and light metaphor is seen again when Israel passes through the Red Sea. Take a few moments and compare the similarities of Genesis 15 and Exodus 14. Most of the references to clouds and fire relate to the pillar that led Israel for forty years as they passed through the wilderness. They also appear when God is on Mount Sinai giving Moses and Israel the Law or terms of the first covenant.

Genesis 15:17 Hebrew Text Analysis (biblehub.com)

Here are some verses.

  • Exodus 13:21, 14:20, 19:9 and 16-18, 20:18, 40:38
  • Numbers 9:15
  • Deuteronomy 1:33, 4:11, 5:22
  • Psalm 78:14, 105:39, 18:8/2 Samuel 22:9
  • Psalm 91:1 I feel is special because Moses is commending those who choose to dwell under the Cloud.
  • 1 Kings 8:11 The dedication of the Temple.
  • Isaiah 4:5, 30:27
  • Joel 2:30 and Acts 2:19 This resembles the conditions on Mount Sinai.
  • Matthew 17:5 – a bright cloud

Why Two Days?

Please note that in Genesis 1 a day was identified as the evening and the morning. Hebrews started the 24 hours as the sunset. Several ideas come from this: we start from rest and things start in the dark and go to light.

Genesis 15:5 has Abram outside counting stars. He gathered, cut three large animals, and arranged them for the ceremony. Verse 17 has the sun setting and darkness covering the land as the smoking pot and burning torch appear.