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“As Moses lifted up the serpent [the serpent made of bronze described in Numbers 21:8–9] in the wilderness, even so must the Son of Man be lifted up, so that whosoever believes in Him will have eternal life, for God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten [uniquely born] Son, that whosoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.”
“…for by grace you are saved through faith and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not as a result of works, lest any man should boast.”
Above is the content of John 3:14–16 and the content of Ephesians 2:8–9, respectively. Itʼs worthwhile to refrain from receiving the mark referenced in Revelation 13:11–18 and to instead receive eternal life for free by believing that Jesus is the Savior. Before doing any Bible studying and before praying to God the Father, it is useful for a person who has believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior to try to think of any sins that one might have committed since one last confessed oneʼs known post-salvation sins to God the Father, and if one has indeed committed any, to then silently confess those sins to God the Father—confessing only one time for each sin—in accordance with what is mentioned in 1 John 1:9:
“If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.”
This webpage could be periodically updated. If there is a mass disappearance of people professing to be Christians, and if the original author of this webpage is amongst those people disappearing en masse, then it is possible that this webpage will no longer be updated. Also, if there is a mass disappearance of people professing to be Christians, it is worthwhile to consider the possibility that those people have exited from the earth on the occasion known as the Rapture instead of assuming that that mass disappearance involves extraterrestrials abducting those people or involves the annihilation of those people or involves anything else other than the Rapture.
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Also, it is possible that it is worthwhile to print this content in case of time periods involving lack of Internet connectivity.
When studying the Word of God, it is beneficial to keep in mind the content of Hebrews 4:12:
“Indeed, the Word of God is alive and powerful, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of the soul and the spirit and of the joints and the marrow and is a critic of thoughts and intents of the heart.”
Note: The heart refers to the mind.
It is also beneficial to keep in mind the content of 2 Timothy 3:16–17 when studying the Word of God:
“All Scripture is God breathed and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, that the man of God might be mature, having been thoroughly furnished unto all good work.”
It is the responsibility of a pastor-teacher to endeavor to correctly understand the Word of God and then to accurately teach the Word of God, as per the content of 2 Timothy 2:15:
“Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the Word of Truth.”
A pastor-teacher is a communicator rather than a crutch on which to be leaned. In that regard, a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ should refrain from putting oneʼs trust in and thereby serving as a devoted follower of and thus worshiping a pastor-teacher. Likewise, a believer should refrain from putting oneʼs trust in and thereby serving as a devoted follower of and thus worshiping anyone other than the Trinity [God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit], as per Joshua 24:15, the content of which references Joshua speaking to the Israelites:
If it is disagreeable/bad/evil/wrong/wretchedness/displeasing in your sight to serve/worship Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One, choose for yourselves today whom you serve/worship: whether the gods ['elohiym / false gods] which your fathers have served/worshiped which were beyond the river or the gods ['elohiym / false gods] of the Amorites in whose land you are living. As for me and my house, we serve/worship Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One.
Note: Joshua, the leader of the Israelites after Joshua had been serving as the assistant of Moses while Moses was the leader of the Israelites, set the example for the Israelites. Joshua chose to put his trust in and thereby serve as a devoted follower of and thus worship God the Father rather than Joshua choosing to put his trust in and thereby serve as a devoted follower of and thus worship the lesser of multiple evils amongst multiple choices of 'elohiym [el-oh-HEEM]. The word 'elohiym with a lowercase e can refer to false gods, to angels, or to human rulers or judges. The word 'Elohiym with a capital E refers to the Trinity. The word 'elohiym can also be used to refer to might as in mightiness. In that regard, the use of the word 'elohiym in reference to false gods, to angels, or to human rulers or judges involves the connotation of mightiness in comparison to an average human. When a person puts oneʼs trust in and thereby serves as a devoted follower of and thus worships an angel or human, that angel or human is that personʼs false god. Regarding the foregoing, the content of Joshua 24:15 involves Joshua calling attention to the choices that the Israelites had, and that content involves Joshua permitting the Israelites to make their choices while Joshua led by example with his choice.
The gift of pastor-teacher is for the purpose of each pastor-teacher functioning as a messenger who communicates the Word of God rather than functioning as a priest between the Trinity and mankind. In that regard, the time period that can be referred to as the Church Age started fifty days after the Lord Jesus Christ was resurrected, and all Church Age believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are priests. The Lord Jesus Christ is the High Priest of Church Age believers, and believers should be willing to acknowledge/confess/profess to people the believersʼ faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, as per Hebrews 4:14–15:
Therefore, since we have a great High Priest Who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast the acknowledgment/confession/profession. Indeed, we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One Who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin.
Also, the Lord Jesus Christ is the High Priest according to the order of Melchizedek [mel-KIZ-uh-dek], who was the ruler of Salem when Abraham was still named Abram. Melchizedek was both a king and a priest, as per Genesis 14:18, which references Melchizedek greeting Abram:
Then Melchizedek king of Salem has brought out bread and wine, and he is a priest of 'El [AYL] 'Elyown [el-YOHN] / God [focusing on God the Fatherʼs power] Most High.
The Lord Jesus Christ is also both a king and a priest because the Lord is the Priest according to the order of Melchizedek, as per Hebrews 7:14–17:
Indeed, it is evident that our Lord has arisen from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. Also, it is still much more evident: that according to the similarity of Melchizedek, Another of a different type of priest arises, Who has become such not on the basis of a law of fleshly command / physical requirement but according to the power of an indestructible life. Indeed, it is attested: “YOU ARE A PRIEST FOREVER, ACCORDING TO THE ORDER OF MELCHIZEDEK.”
Note: The Lord Jesus Christ is from the tribe of Judah. Also, the Lord Jesus Christ is qualified to be a priest because He was resurrected and therefore has an indestructible body. The above content in all capital letters is a reference to Psalm 110:4.
Because a king is royalty, a king who is a priest is a royal priest. In that regard, Church Age believers are royalty because they are members of the Lord Jesus Christʼs family. Therefore, all Church Age believers are royal priests, as per 1 Peter 2:9–10:
However, you are A CHOSEN PEOPLE, A royal PRIESTHOOD, A HOLY NATION, A PEOPLE FOR ACQUISITION/PRESERVATION, so that you may proclaim the excellencies of Him Who has called you out of darkness into His marvelous light, for you once were NOT A PEOPLE, but now you are GODʼS PEOPLE. You had NOT RECEIVED MERCY, but now you have RECEIVED MERCY.
Note: Before the Church Age, Gentiles were not Godʼs people. In the Church Age, both Jewish and Gentile believers are Godʼs people. The content of 1 Peter 2:10 references Hosea 2:23. In that regard, Peter uses references involving Israel in the Old Testament to refer to Church Age believers.
Itʼs the message rather than the messenger that should be the focus of the believer in the Lord Jesus Christ. Put succinctly: itʼs the message rather than the messenger. In that regard, it is beneficial to keep in mind the content of Revelation 22:8–9, which was written by the apostle John, who, in addition to writing The Revelation to John, wrote The Gospel According to John, The First Epistle of John, The Second Epistle of John, and The Third Epistle of John:
I, John, am the one who heard and saw these things, and when I heard and saw, I fell down to worship at the feet of the angel who showed me these things, but he says* to me, “Do not do that. I am a fellow servant of yours and of your brethren the prophets and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God.”
*Note: The word says is in the Greek historical present tense. By means of the Greek historical present tense, past action or future action can be described from the perspective of someone seeing the action as it occurs.
Regarding messages, believers should use the Word of God to examine what is being communicated. That is what the Bereans who are mentioned in Acts 17:10–12 did:
The brethren immediately sent Paul and Silas away by night to Berea, who, when they arrived, went into the synagogue of the Jews. Now these were more noble-minded than those in Thessalonica, who received the word with all eagerness / readiness of mind, examining the Scriptures daily to see whether these things were so. Therefore, many of them believed, and not a few prominent Greek women and men.
Note: The phrase not a few means “quite a few.”
Today, the return of the Lord Jesus Christ to meet believers in the Lord Jesus Christ in the clouds on the occasion of the Rapture is one day closer than it was yesterday. The Rapture involves both deceased and living believers in the Lord Jesus Christ meeting the Lord in the clouds in the atmosphere of the earth, receiving glorified immortal resurrection bodies similar to the Lord Jesus Christʼs glorified resurrection body, and going to Heaven with those resurrection bodies. Before the Rapture occurs, deceased believers in the Lord Jesus Christ are in Heaven without glorified bodies. While it is possible that the Rapture will occur on the day of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah [yahm tuh-ROO-uh or yohm tuh-ROO-uh]—which is what some people call Rosh Hashanah and which some people celebrate for two days—the next occurrence of which will possibly be during August, September, or October of 2026, it is worthwhile for believers in the Lord Jesus Christ to get into the habit of being prepared every day for the return of the Lord, just in case the Rapture will occur on a day other than the day of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah. Furthermore, it is worthwhile to be in the habit of being prepared for the Rapture so that if it does occur on the day of the Feast of Trumpets / Yom Teruah, one can be prepared for that day because of already being in the habit of being prepared. Examples of being prepared for the Rapture include applying the content of 1 John 1:9 whenever one sins, being unselfish, and whenever circumstances are such that an opportunity arises, sharing the gospel—the good news that believing that the Lord Jesus Christ is the Savior Who was judged on the cross for the sins of humanity is the means by which a person is able to have eternal life. Regarding sharing the gospel, one could also have a written or printed message containing the gospel with that written or printed message located somewhere where it could be easily noticed so that if a person or people were to read or hear that written or printed message either before or after the Rapture occurs, that person or people would thereby read or hear the gospel by means of that written or printed message.
Regarding information about the Rapture, it is beneficial to keep in mind the content of 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 and 1 Corinthians 15:51–52:
1 Thessalonians 4:13–18
Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope, for if we believe that Jesus died and rose again—and we do indeed believe that Jesus died and rose again—so also God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. Indeed, this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive who remain until the coming of the Lord will not precede those who have fallen asleep, for the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout of command, with a voice of an archangel and with a trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive who remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air, and so we shall always be with the Lord. Therefore, comfort one another with these words.
1 Corinthians 15:51–52
Behold, I tell you a mystery: we will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in a twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet, for a trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.
After the Rapture will be the seven-year Tribulation. The believers who will be alive on the earth when the Rapture occurs will escape the Tribulation. 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11 covers that topic. In that regard, in the book 1 Thessalonians, the content of 1 Thessalonians 4:13–18 is immediately followed by the content of 1 Thessalonians 5:1–11.
1 Thessalonians 5:1–11
Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you, for you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord is coming just like a thief in the night. While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then sudden destruction comes upon them like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. However, you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief, for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness; therefore, let us not sleep as others, but let us be alert and sober. Indeed, those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. However, since we are of day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and benevolence/goodwill, and as a helmet, the hope / absolute confidence of deliverance, for God has not destined us for wrath but for obtaining deliverance through our Lord Jesus Christ, Who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. Therefore, comfort one another and edify one another, just as you also are doing.
Note: In this context, the day of the Lord is the time period that consists of the Rapture, the seven years of the Tribulation, and the Second Advent. In that regard, deliverance from the Tribulation is the deliverance in this context. Also, unspecified is who will be saying “Peace and safety!” In this context, sleeping refers to a lack of alertness. The alertness in this context involves being ready for the Rapture. In order to be ready for the Rapture, a believer needs to be filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and to pay attention for historical trends such as people saying “Peace and safety!” and for historical trends that match the pattern of the world being on the brink of tremendous calamities like those that will occur during the Tribulation. Regarding being filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit, once a believer commits a sin after salvation, that believer is no longer filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and is out of fellowship with the Trinity. After that believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, fellowship with the Trinity and the filling with the power of the Holy Spirit are restored. The procedure for confessing/acknowledging to God the Father all of oneʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins is mentioned in 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Fellowship with God the Father and God the Son is mentioned in 1 John 1. Being out of fellowship with God the Holy Spirit is referenced in Ephesians 4:30. In that regard, when a believer sins, that believer grieves the Holy Spirit. Losing the filling of the power of God the Holy Spirit is referenced in 1 Thessalonians 5:19. In that regard, when a believer sins, the power of God the Holy Spirit is quenched in that believer. After a believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, that believer is then filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit again and in fellowship with the Trinity again.
The verses of the day for May 19th are James 3:17–18. The book James is also known as “The Epistle of James” and “The Letter of James.” James is a half-brother of the Lord Jesus Christ and a brother of Jude, who is another half-brother of the Lord Jesus Christ. The Epistle of James was addressed to Israelites who were believers in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior. Those Israelite believers were dispersed abroad. Because it is useful to study verses that share the same context, below is content related to James 3.
James 3:1
Let not many become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a greater judgment.
Note: In this verse, the word brethren refers to believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. In that regard, this epistle is addressed to believers. The pronoun we in this verse refers to Bible teachers.
The Koine [KOI-nay] Greek noun that is translated as “teachers” in this verse is διδάσκαλοι [pronounced dee-DAH-skah-loi and transliterated as didaskaloi]. That noun is an inflected form of the root word διδάσκαλος [pronounced dee-DAH-skah-lahs and transliterated as didaskalos]. The inflected form didaskaloi is a plural form of didaskalos.
Some people wish to become Bible teachers for wrong reasons. In that regard, James warned about the intensified discipline experienced by those believers in the Lord Jesus Christ who sin while trying to teach the Word of God. In that regard, the Koine Greek noun that is translated as “judgment” in this verse is κρίμα [pronounced KREE-mah and transliterated as krima]. That noun is an inflected form of the root word κρίμα [pronounced KREE-mah and transliterated as krima]. The Koine Greek adjective that is translated as “greater” in this verse is μεῖζον [pronounced MAY-dzahn and transliterated as meizon]. That adjective is an inflected form of the root word μέγας [pronounced MEH-gahs and transliterated as megas]. The word meizon is a comparative form of megas. The comparative form of an adjective involves the comparison of two things. In this verse, the comparison is between believers who try to be Bible teachers and believers who do not try to be Bible teachers.
Regarding the matter of teaching the Word of God, it is important to remember the principle mentioned in 1 Timothy 2:12. In that regard, the gift of evangelism and the gift of pastor-teacher are only given to male believers. The content of 1 Timothy 2:11–14 covers that topic. In that regard, below is content related to 1 Timothy 2:11–14. The apostle Paul wrote the content of 1 Timothy.
1 Timothy 2:11
A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness,
Note: The context of 1 Timothy 2:11 involves the teaching of the Word of God. One should refrain from applying that verse to contexts other than the teaching of the Word of God.
1 Timothy 2:12
but I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet,
Note: As with the content of verse 11, the context of 1 Timothy 2:12 involves the teaching of the Word of God. One should refrain from applying that verse to contexts other than the teaching of the Word of God.
1 Timothy 2:13
for it was Adam who was first formed, then Eve,
1 Timothy 2:14
and it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman, being deceived, has come into transgression.
Regarding the gifts of apostle, evangelism, and pastor-teacher being given to males only, absent from the Bible is anything indicating that a believer who has a gift that attracts attention will receive more blessings than a believer who lacks a gift that attracts attention. In that regard, God the Fatherʼs plan involves the blessing of humble, non-attention-getting, helping-others, servant-minded believers in the Lord Jesus Christ. Such believers, while frequently unnoticed by much of the other people in the world, can be noticed by the angels, and such believers are certainly noticed by the Trinity. Worth noticing about such believers is their contrast with the characteristics of Satan, who is arrogant, seeks approbation, cares nothing about others, and is self-serving. It is possible that the blessing that unselfish believers will experience will occur only after they go to Heaven rather than before they go to Heaven.
The content of James 3:1 is repeated below for reference.
James 3:1
Let not many become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a greater judgment.
James 3:2
Indeed, we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a mature man, able to bridle the whole body as well.
Note: In this verse, the topic broadens from the subject of seeking to be a teacher to the subject of sinning while communicating. In that regard, the pronoun we in this verse refers to believers in the Lord Jesus Christ, and the phrase all stumble indicates that all believers commit sins. The Koine Greek verb that is translated as “stumble” in the phrase we all stumble is πταίομεν [pronounced PTIGH-ah-mehn and transliterated as ptaiomen]. That verb is an inflected form of the root word πταίω [pronounced PTIGH-oh and transliterated as ptaiō]. As used in this verse, the word stumble metaphorically refers to sinning.
Regarding sinning, sins can be categorized in various ways. There are three broad categories of sins: mental-attitude sins, verbal sins, and overt sins. Verbal sins can also be referred to as sins of the tongue. They can also be referred to as communicative sins because that category also encompasses non-verbal communication that involves sinning. Communicative sins can also involve physical means of communication such as facial expressions, other forms of body language, tone of voice, and demeanor.
In this verse, the Koine Greek noun that is translated as “word” is λόγῳ [pronounced LAH-goh and transliterated as logō]. That noun is an inflected form of the root word λόγος [pronounced LAH-gahs and transliterated as logos]. The usage of logō in this verse refers to communicating.
In Koine Greek, there are four classes of conditions. In the translation of this verse, the type of if is called a first-class condition. The form of the first-class condition in this verse involves assuming something for the sake of making a point. The first-class condition in this verse involves the Koine Greek conjunction εἴ [pronounced AY and transliterated as ei] followed by a Koine Greek verb in the indicative mood. The conjunction εἴ is an inflected form of the root word εἰ [pronounced AY and transliterated as ei]. The verb in the indicative mood is πταίει [pronounced PTIGH-ay and transliterated as ptaiei]. That verb is an inflected form of the root word πταίω [pronounced PTIGH-oh and transliterated as ptaiō]. Regarding the assuming something for the sake of making a point, rather than James assuming that there is a believer who never commits communicative sins, James describes a hypothetical scenario involving a believer who does not commits communicative sins. A way of expressing such a though in English could involve the phrase Assuming that there is a believer who does not commit communicative sins. Whether there is such a believer at any given time is not the point of this verse. Rather, the point of this verse is what such a believer is like.
Regarding what a believer who refrains from committing communicative sins is like, such a believer is mature. James describes a mature person using a metaphor involving a bridle, which is the headgear used to control/restrain/guide a horse. That metaphor involves a mature believer controlling himself or herself like a bridle is used to control a horse. In that regard, the metaphor involved in the phrase able to bridle the whole body as well is a reference to self-discipline.
James 3:3
Now if we put the bits into the horsesʼ mouths so that they will obey us, we direct their entire body as well.
Note: As with the previous verse, the type of if in the translation of this verse is a first-class condition, and the form of the first-class condition in this verse involves assuming something for the sake of making a point. The first-class condition in this verse involves the Koine Greek conjunction εἰ [pronounced AY and transliterated as ei] followed by a Koine Greek verb in the indicative mood. The conjunction εἰ is an inflected form of the root word εἰ [pronounced AY and transliterated as ei]. The verb in the indicative mood is βάλλομεν [pronounced BAHL-lah-mehn and transliterated as ballomen]. That verb is an inflected form of the root word βάλλω [pronounced BAHL-loh and transliterated as ballō]. Regarding the assuming something for the sake of making a point, James describes a hypothetical scenario involving putting bits into the mouths of horses in order to control the horses.
James 3:4
Look at the ships also: though they are so great in size and are driven by strong winds, they are still directed by a very small rudder wherever the inclination of the pilot desires.
Note: In this verse, the Koine Greek adjective that is translated as “so great in size” is τηλικαῦτα [pronounced tay-lee-KAU-tah and transliterated as tēlikauta]. That adjective is an inflected form of the root word τηλικοῦτος [pronounced tay-lee-KOO-tahs and transliterated as tēlikoutos]. A synonymous term for the phrase so great in size is the word so vast. In that regard, the content of this verse involves a reference to waterborne vehicles that are large, and the content of this verse calls attention to the fact that such a large vehicle can be controlled by a small rudder. Regarding the foregoing, the content of this verse emphasizes the fact that a vehicle that is large can be controlled by something that is small.
James 3:5
So also the tongue is a small part of the body, yet it boasts of great things. See how large a forest is set aflame by such a small fire!
Note: This verse involves metonymy [meh-TAHN-uh-mee], which is a figure of speech in which a word or phrase is substituted for another word or phrase with which the substituting word or phrase is closely associated. In that regard, the phrase it boasts in this verse refers to a person who boasts. The Koine Greek adjective that is translated as “of great things” in this verse is μεγάλα [pronounced meh-GAH-lah and transliterated as megala]. That adjective is an inflected form of the root word μέγας [pronounced MEH-gahs and transliterated as megas].
James 3:6
Also, the tongue is a fire, the world of iniquity. The tongue is set among our members as that which defiles the entire body and sets on fire the course of life and is set on fire by Gehenna.
Note: In James 3:6, the noun Gehenna [guh-HEN-uh or gih-HEN-uh] refers to the Lake of Fire. The Koine [KOI-nay] Greek noun that is translated as “Gehenna” in this verse is Γεέννης [pronounced geh-EHN-nayss and transliterated as Geennēs or Geénnēs]. That noun is an inflected form of the root word Γέεννα [pronounced GEH-ehn-nah and transliterated as Geenna or Géenna]. The noun Gehenna is a transliteration of the Koine Greek noun Γέεννα. The Koine Greek noun Γέεννα is derived from the Hebrew name for the valley of Hinnom [hin-NOHM].
The Lake of Fire is the place of judgment for the fallen angels and those who have had the mental capacity to make a decision about whether or not to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior but never believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior. For each person who at some time in that personʼs life has the mental capacity to make a decision about whether or not to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior, the age of that person when that person first had the mental capacity to make a decision about whether or not to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ as the Savior can be referred to as the age of accountability of that person. The age of accountability varies for each individual person.
Content in 2 Samuel 12:23 indicates that a person who dies before that person has reached the age of accountability receives eternal life. The content of that verse references King David recognizing that when David died, he would be with his son who had died as a baby. Below is content related to 2 Samuel 12:22–23.
Note: In the below content of 2 Samuel 12:22, the pronoun he refers to David.
2 Samuel 12:22
Then he says, “While the child was still alive, I have fasted, and I weep, for I have said, ‘Who knows? Jehovah / Yahweh / I am I am / the existing One has been gracious to me, and the child has lived.’
Note: The uses of a present tense in the verb says and the verb weep reference what has occurred in the past. Such uses of a present tense have a rhetorical effect. In that regard, using a verb in a present tense to refer to the past can help a reader or hearer of the Word of God imagine past events as though the reader or hearer is watching those events as they occur.
2 Samuel 12:23
“However, now he has died; why should I fast? Am I able to bring him back again? I am going to him, but he does not return to me.”
Note: David indicated that he recognized that he would later be with his son who had died as a baby. In that regard, David indicated that he recognized that the means by which David would be with that deceased son involved David going to be with that deceased son when David would die rather than that deceased son coming back to be with David before David died. David is eternally saved; therefore, the content of this verse indicates that Davidʼs son who had died as a baby is also eternally saved.
The Lake of Fire is different from Hades [HAY-deez]. Hades is somewhere under the surface of the earth in a location that is inaccessible to those humans who have not yet experienced physical death. Before the Lord Jesus Christʼs resurrection and ascension to Heaven, deceased believers in the Lord Jesus Christ resided in a pleasant compartment of Hades called Paradise and also called Abrahamʼs Bosom. Deceased unbelievers resided and still reside in a compartment of Hades called Torments. The word Hades comes from Greek. A synonym for Hades is Sheol [SHEE-ohl]. The word Sheol comes from Hebrew.
Regarding terminology, when people use the word hell, they might be referring to Hades/Sheol, and they might be referring to the Lake of Fire. Also, it is possible that some people are unaware that Hades and the Lake of Fire are different locations. There are zero indications in the Bible that Satan has a headquarters located in Hades or in the Lake of Fire.
The Lake of Fire is mentioned in Revelation 19:20; Revelation 20:10; Revelation 20:14; and Revelation 20:15. The content of Revelation 19:20 indicates that the man who is the king of the West during the Tribulation and the man who is the false prophet during the Tribulation will be cast into the Lake of Fire. The king of the West is also known as the Antichrist with a capital A, the beast, and the first beast. The false prophet is also known as the second beast. The false prophet will be supporting the Antichrist. Content related to the king of the West being referred to as the first beast is in Revelation 13:1–12. The content of Revelation 13:11–18 references the false prophet. The content of Revelation 20:10 indicates that Satan will be cast into the Lake of Fire after he leads the Gog and Magog Rebellion / Gog and Magog Revolution at he end of the Millennium. In that regard, the content of Revelation 20:1–7 references the Millennium, and the content of Revelation 20:8–9 references the Gog and Magog Rebellion / Gog and Magog Revolution. The content of Revelation 20:10 also references the king of the West and the false prophet being in the Lake of Fire when Satan is cast into there. The content of Revelation 20:14 references death and Hades being cast into the Lake of Fire, which refers to the death that involves being in Hades being replaced by the death that involves being in the Lake of Fire. The content of Revelation 20:15 references unbelievers being cast into the Lake of Fire.
Regarding James 3:6, the phrase set on fire by Gehenna is a metaphor calling attention to the fact that sins that a person commits when communicating are indeed sins. Gehenna is associated with sinfulness. In that regard, the association of the communicative sins with Gehenna emphasizes the fact that communicative sins are indeed sins.
James 3:7
Indeed, every kind of beasts and birds, of reptiles and creatures of the sea, is curbed/restrained/tamed and has been curbed/restrained/tamed by the human race.
Note: The content of this verse references different categories of animals. it is possible that that reference involves broad categories of animals rather than every single type of animal. In the context of the content of this verse, the verb curb means “restrain in order to keep in check.” People have, at times in history, kept populations of animals in check. Also, people have tamed animals.
James 3:8
Nevertheless, no one has the power to curb/restrain/tame the tongue—a restless evil full of deadly poison.
Note: While humans are helpless of their own power to control their tongues, once a person becomes a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ, that person is filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit, and God the Holy Spirit provides the power for taming the tongue. Once a believer commits a sin after salvation, that believer is no longer filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and is out of fellowship with the Trinity. After that believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, fellowship with the Trinity and the filling with the power of the Holy Spirit are restored. The procedure for confessing/acknowledging to God the Father all of oneʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins is mentioned in 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Fellowship with God the Father and God the Son is mentioned in 1 John 1. Being out of fellowship with God the Holy Spirit is referenced in Ephesians 4:30. In that regard, when a believer sins, that believer grieves the Holy Spirit. Losing the filling of the power of God the Holy Spirit is referenced in 1 Thessalonians 5:19. In that regard, when a believer sins, the power of God the Holy Spirit is quenched in that believer. After a believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, that believer is then filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit again and in fellowship with the Trinity again.
James 3:9
With it, we bless the Lord and Father, and with it, we curse men, who have been made in the likeness of God.
Note: In this verse, God the Father is Whom the phrase Lord and Father references. In that regard, the phrase Lord and Father is a hendiadys [hen-DIGH-uh-diss], which is a figure of speech in which two words joined by the word and are used to express a single thought when one of those words could be used to describe the other word.
James 3:10
From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be this way.
Note: In this verse, James indicates that it is inappropriate to commit communicative sins even if the person committing communicative sins also does communicating that involves blessing.
James 3:11
Does a fountain send out from the same opening sweet and bitter?
Note: In this verse, James uses an analogy involving a fountain sending out either sweet water or bitter water but not both of those types of water. James uses that analogy to illustrate what he indicated in the previous verse.
James 3:12
Can a fig tree, my brethren, produce olives, or a vine produce figs? Neither does salt water produce sweet.
Note: In this verse, James uses an analogy involving vegetation and another analogy involving water to illustrate what he indicated in verse 10.
James 3:13
Who among you is wise and understanding? Let him show by his good behavior his deeds in the gentleness of wisdom.
James 3:14
Nevertheless, if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your heart, do not boast nor lie against the truth.
Note: The heart refers to the mind. The type of if in the translation of this verse is a first-class condition. Jamesʼs use of a first-class condition could either involve James indicating that some of the recipients of his epistle had bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in their thinking or involve James assuming something for the sake of making a point. Regarding the possibility that James is indicating that some of the recipients of his epistle had bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in their thinking, it is possible that James could have been aware of people exhibiting behavior that is a manifestation of mental attitudes involving bitter jealousy and selfish ambition. Regarding the possibility of James assuming something for the sake of making a point, it is possible that James is describing a hypothetical scenario involving people having bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in their thinking.
The first-class condition in this verse involves the Koine Greek conjunction εἰ [pronounced AY and transliterated as ei] followed by a Koine Greek verb in the indicative mood. The conjunction εἰ is an inflected form of the root word εἰ [pronounced AY and transliterated as ei]. The verb in the indicative mood is ἔχετε [pronounced EH-kheh-teh and transliterated as echete]. That verb is an inflected form of the root word ἔχω [pronounced EH-khoh and transliterated as echō].
The Koine Greek noun that is translated as “selfish ambition” in this verse is ἐριθείαν [pronounced eh-ree-THAY-ahn and transliterated as eritheian]. That noun is an inflected form of the root word ἐριθεία [pronounced eh-ree-THAY-ah and transliterated as eritheia]. In the context of this verse, the noun ἐριθείαν can be translated into English as “selfish ambition.”
Selfish ambitions can take a variety of forms. A selfishly ambitious person either deliberately or subconsciously tries to base his or her happiness on the unhappiness of others. In that regard, a person who deliberately does things with the goal of furthering his or her selfish ambitions engages in intrigue.
A selfishly ambitious person is also contentious. In that regard, selfish ambitions can contribute to strife and to the forming of factions in a dispute. In such a situation, the selfishly ambitious person tries to organize a faction that takes his or her side in the dispute.
Some of the people who wish to be Bible teachers have selfish ambition. Such people have bitter jealousy towards others. Also, such people boast about themselves. In addition, such people lie against the truth. Regarding lying against the truth, such people communicate untrue information. In that regard, such people communicate false notions that contradict the Word of God.
James 3:15
This wisdom is not that which comes down from above but is earthly, natural/soulish/unspiritual, demonic.
Note: The so-called wisdom referenced in this verse is something other than true wisdom. Instead, it is a cheap, phoney substitute for true wisdom. Such so-called wisdom can be referred to as human viewpoint. The term human viewpoint refers to any viewpoint that deviates from the Word of God. Also, Satan and the other fallen angels have viewpoints that deviate from the Word of God. Because fallen angels can be referred to as demons, the viewpoints of the fallen angels can be referred to as demonic. Because the various forms of human viewpoint reflect the viewpoints of demons, human viewpoint can also be referred to as demonic. In contrast to human viewpoint, the term divine viewpoint refers to the viewpoint of the Trinity. All three Members of the Trinity have the same viewpoint. Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ can learn divine viewpoint by learning the Word of God. Therefore, the term divine viewpoint refers to the viewpoint that comes from a proper understanding of the Word of God. With human-viewpoint thinking, a person has unrealistic expectations regarding life. Such a person is divorced from reality.
Note: Inside the square brackets below, the letters i.e. are used to represent the phrase that is. The two letters are an abbreviation for the Latin words id est, which mean “that is.” When one reads those two letters, one can either say, “eye ee” or “that is.” If one is reading out loud, and if any hearers of that reading are unaware of what the letters i.e. represent, it is best to say “that is.” Also, the letters i.e. need to be followed by a comma.
James 3:16
Indeed, where jealousy and selfish ambition exist, there [i.e., in that place] is instability/disorder/confusion and every evil practice.
Note: Jealous and selfishly ambitious people cause there to be instability/disorder/confusion and evil in the environment around them.
James 3:17
Nevertheless, the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, accommodating, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy.
Note: This verse refers to divine viewpoint. As mentioned in the notes for verse 15, the term divine viewpoint refers to the viewpoint of the Trinity. All three Members of the Trinity have the same viewpoint. Believers in the Lord Jesus Christ can learn divine viewpoint by learning the Word of God. Therefore, the term divine viewpoint refers to the viewpoint that comes from a proper understanding of the Word of God.
James 3:18
Moreover, fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.
Note: The context of this verse involves the teaching of the Word of God. In that regard, the proper motivation for teaching the Word of God involves a peaceful attitude instead of a jealous and selfishly ambitious attitude. A properly motivated Bible teacher metaphorically sows seeds of Bible doctrines so that metaphorical fruit of righteousness can result in other believers and so that those other believers can thereby have peaceful attitudes.
Regarding the metaphorical fruit of righteousness, that metaphor refers to experiential sanctification. The term experiential sanctification refers to a believer in the Lord Jesus Christ being unselfish as frequently as possible. In order to be unselfish, a believer must obey the Word of God. In order to obey the Word of God, a believer must learn the Word of God while in fellowship with the Trinity and thereby filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and then apply the Word of God while in fellowship with the Trinity and thereby filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit. In that regard, once a believer commits a sin after salvation, that believer is no longer filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit and is out of fellowship with the Trinity. After that believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, fellowship with the Trinity and the filling with the power of the Holy Spirit are restored. The procedure for confessing/acknowledging to God the Father all of oneʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins is mentioned in 1 John 1:9: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.” Fellowship with God the Father and God the Son is mentioned in 1 John 1. Being out of fellowship with God the Holy Spirit is referenced in Ephesians 4:30. In that regard, when a believer sins, that believer grieves the Holy Spirit. Losing the filling of the power of God the Holy Spirit is referenced in 1 Thessalonians 5:19. In that regard, when a believer sins, the power of God the Holy Spirit is quenched in that believer. After a believer has confessed/acknowledged to God the Father all of that believerʼs known unconfessed post-salvation sins, that believer is then filled with the power of God the Holy Spirit again, in fellowship with the Trinity again, and ready to learn and obey the Word of God again.
Regarding the metaphorical sowing of seeds of Bible doctrines, it is important to note that the authority of a pastor is within the scope of teaching rather than within the scope of trying to force people to make certain decisions. Trying to force people to make certain decisions is spiritual bullying. Rather than being a spiritual bully, a pastor needs to be grace-oriented. With an attitude of grace orientation, a pastor must communicate the Word of God so that people can be well-informed when they use their volition (free will) to make the decisions that they make. In that regard, a pastor must respect the free will of others to make their own decisions without any coercion whatsoever. Making clear the truth and permitting others to make their own decisions about whether or not to make use of the truth is a manifestation of a grace-oriented ministry.
Sincerely,
John