Category Archives: Bible Study

Our Wonderful Counselor

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The Son will be called Wonderful Counselor (Isaiah 9:6).

I am writing this between Easter and Pentecost, this period of time for Jews is known as Counting the Omer, and the Catholic Church is in an “Easter season” on their calendar. Either thought still is the fifty days from Passover to Pentecost. Historically, it is the time from leaving Egypt until the Children reached Mt. Sinai. Some things are recorded that Jesus did in this season, but I believe we were not told half of them. I think this time was the Master’s mini-lesson for His leaders. Yes, He left (ascended) after forty days.

Hebrew Mentions of the Counselor

The Complete Jewish Bible, the Orthodox Jewish Bible, and the concordances I use all seem to have a slightly different take on how to spell things. (God bless translators!) That can take a little getting used to but the message is the same and very clear. The idea of counselor really hit this home.  

H3289 is yaats or yoetz and ish etzah H 6098 are terms I ran across in this study. Besides Isaiah 9:6, I spent some time with 40:13. 40:13 is quoted by Paul in Romans 11:34. All of this highlights the importance of wisdom and advice in the Jewish culture.

The Tree of Life Biblical | Tree of Life in Bible – Hebrewversity  One takeaway from this article was tree or etz is very much like the word etzah or advice, H6098.

The Hebrews who wrote the New Testament had the same values; they were just writing them in Greek. In Romans 11:34 Paul used the word symboulos G4825 for counselor or advisor. Yes, it looks like our word symbiote, so it implies a long-term relationship.

Parakletos or Paraclete

Pentecost is the fulfillment of Jesus’ promise to send the Holy Spirit. It is also the birthday of the Church or the beginning of gathering the Bride of Christ. The Apostle John uses Paraclete five times in his writing: John 14:16, 26, 15:26, 16:7, and 1 John 2:1. Strong’s Greek: 3875. παράκλητος (paraklétos) — called to one’s aid (biblehub.com) This article mentions three Gospel references of when Jesus states that the Spirit will do what John declared on Thursday of Holy Week: Matthew 10:19 + 20, Mark 13:11, Luke 12:11 + 12. These tell when Jesus said that arrests were coming, but the Holy Spirit would speak through them. In other words, He would be their lawyer, counselor, or helper. Back to John. 

John 13 is the beginning of Jesus’ last meal on Thursday. Chapters 14, 15, and 16 are in the Upper Room or in the Garden outside of Jerusalem. They contain important teachings about the Holy Spirit. It is better to read the verses in context so as to get the full effect.

  • c+17 Jesus will ask for the Spirit of Truth to be sent to believers.
  • John 14:26 + 27 This Counselor will instruct us and give us peace. The Father will send Him in the name or power of Jesus.
  • John 15:26 He will testify the truth about Jesus.
  • John 16:7 If Jesus does not leave (dies on the cross, resurrects, and ascends) the Paraclete will not come. Verses 7 -16 explain what the Spirit will do. Verse 15 has a word in it that John uses thirty-two times in his Gospel, emos. It is translated “mine” and is associated with Jesus giving things to us.
  • 1 John 2:1 This verse is about Jesus advocating for us before the Father.

The Holy Spirit is here on earth helping us to do the work here. Jesus is in Heaven helping us there.

Our Wonderful Counselor is for us, is here to help us, and has a good plan for us. The thing I have found about counselors, they can only help if you let them and follow their advice. This implies that you have to let Our Wonderful Counselor in so He can get close, and you get to know Him.

Ephesians 1:21

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Ephesians 1:21

Comparing both references on this verse is a good idea as the translators use different words for the text.

Far above all principality, and power, and might, and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this world, but also in that which is to come: (KJV)

  • Infinitely superior or above, hyperano G5231. This word is used here and in 4:10 and Hebrews 9:5.
  • Every, pas G3956. This “well-used” word is important here and in the next several verses.
  • Principality, arches G746. Reference 3:10 and 6:12.
  • Authority, exousia G1849. See 2:2, 3:10, and 6:12.
  • Power, dynamis G1411. See 1:19, 3:7, 16, and 20.
  • Dominion, kyriotes G2963. It is used only four times. Here it may be speaking of angelic powers.
  • Name, onoma G3686. This and G3687 is a good study. Matthew 6:9 is a good verse to start at.
  • Only, monon G3440.
  • Age, aion G165.
  • To come, mello G3195.

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)

“Let Us”

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With “Let Us” I am adding another leaf to the post, Salad Bowl Christianity. I have been using different Greek Interlinears and text analysis websites during my studies. So, when I read Hebrews 10:22-25 I had to learn more about the “Let Us” that is part of the text. God bless translators.

Proserchomai is in verse 22 and provides the let us with the continue to draw near. Hebrews has this word seven times in it. προσέρχομαι | Free Online Greek Dictionary | billmounce.com During this study I found that Matthew used it in forty-nine verses, sometimes more than once.

In verse 23 the let us is in katecho, it appears three times in Hebrews. κατέχω | Free Online Greek Dictionary | billmounce.com

Katanoeo gives us the third let us while taking thought. It is used two times. κατανοέω | Free Online Greek Dictionary | billmounce.com

Hebrews 10:22 Greek Text Analysis (biblehub.com)  Use the blue arrows to look at 23 and 24. This site renders these words “we should”.

Studies like this one help you root yourself in the Word. I like to see the first and last times a word is used in the New Testament, and which Book uses it the most. Try substituting different definitions/translations of the word from the concordance and get a taste of what it is like to be a translator, by comparing how the text sounds.

Ephesians 1:19

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Ephesians 1:19 And what is the exceeding greatness of his power to us-ward who believe, according to the working of his mighty power, (KJV)

  • Incomparable, hyperballo G5235. Surpassing. It is used in 2:7, 3:19.
  • Greatness, megethos G3174. This word is used only in this verse in the New Testament.
  • Power, dynamis G1411. It is used in 1:21, 3:7, 16, and 20.
  • Believe, pisteuo G4100.
  • According, kata G2596.
  • Exercise, energeis G1753. Working. It is used in 3:7 and 4:16. It is used only eight times in the NT.
  • Mighty, kratos G2904. It is used in 6:10.
  • Strength, ischus G2479. It is used in 6:10 and only ten times in the NT.

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)

Born Again, Born Anew, Born from Above

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This post, Born Again, Born Anew, Born from Above was an “Easter Present” from Father God. The phrase “born again” in Greek is gennao anothen and may be better translated born from above.

John 3:3 is the conversation Jesus had with Nicodemus where Jesus said, “No can see the kingdom of God unless you are born again” (NIV). Anothen, G 509, is the word that has been translated as “again”. In the other places, John uses this word in 3:31, 19:11, and 23, it is rendered “from above or from the top”.

  • 3:31 – one who comes from above
  • 19:11 – Jesus tells Pilate he would have no authority unless it came from above
  • 19:23 – Jesus’s robe was woven from the top down

 ἄνωθεν | Free Online Greek Dictionary | billmounce.com

John uses the word palin in the places where we expect to see the “again”. (Strong’s G3825)

My non-Greek scholarly observation of the different translations of again comes from Nicodemus’ answer. He ignores Jesus’ “from above” and focuses on going into the womb for a SECOND TIME or again. It would not surprise me if Jesus had pointed upward when He said it.

Born Again, Born Anew, or Born from Above reflects John 1:13 where when we believe and become children of God, we are born of God. It may be time to change terminology.

John 3:3 Greek Text Analysis (biblehub.com)  born from above

Gennao is the Greek word for born. It is Strong’s G1080.

The OJB has a reference note in John 3:3 where the born-again phrase is viewed as a circumcised heart. I think that is a good thought.