To the establishing of you according to the preaching of Jesus Christ and Him crucified and resurrected, to our being conjoined to Him in death, burial, resurrection and our soon coming ascension or departure, which is our promised salvation.
The secret now made known to all the nations, no longer to Israel only but to all nations. What a change in direction God has taken because Israel rejected their Messiah and His offer of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth, with the tribulation period that was to follow all most on its heals. (See also the study of Isaiah 42:6; 49:6; and Isaiah 52:15 in relationship to Romans 16:25 else where posted in our other study blog.)
Now we are to learn of the secret that was hidden in God about His Christ that was in the scriptures of the Psalms and Prophets of Israel. What most do not understand or see is that this is from Moses writings which include Genesis forward to the 11th chapter of Acts. For us to know the hidden things of God we must of necessity know Genesis the book of beginnings in which the principles of Gods modus operandi are shown or revealed. Again one has to be spiritually alive before these truths are made known to him as Paul teaches but sad to say most shun or just stay away from them all together because they follow the leadership of their particular denomination.
Now for the unveiling of the secret things of God.
Rom 16:25-27
Now to Him* who is able to strengthen (establish) you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages past** but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith--- to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.
* Study: In Him, In Whom, and In Christ
** The long ages past takes us back before time began in Genesis 1:1 for this was in the heart of God prior to creation. There are basically two areas of mans blindness they are ignorance of God and His word and spiritual ignorance, though man is ignorant in many many areas because of his dependency on his intellectualism. See the note at the end of the God’s Plan study.
2Corinthians 5:18-21 All this is from God, who through (the means of) Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
1Timothy 3:16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
Hebrews 1:1-8 God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spoke in time past to the fathers (Israel) by the prophets, has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom he has appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds; who being the brightness of his glory, and the express image of his person, and upholding all things by the word of his power, when he had by himself purged our sins, sat down on the right hand of the Majesty on high; being made so much better than the angels, as he has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they. For to which of the angels said he at any time, “You are my Son, this day have I begotten you?” And again, “I will be to him a Father, and he shall be to me a Son?” And again, when he brings in the first begotten into the world, He said, “and let all the angels of God worship him.” And of the angels he said, “Who makes his angels spirits, and his ministers a flame of fire. But to the Son He said, “Thy throne, O God, is for ever and ever: a scepter of righteousness is the scepter of thy kingdom.”
Secret Revealed
Romans 16:25-27
Is able to strengthen
The word here used strengthen, the KJV is power to establish and in the ASV is able to establish.
To settle or fix what is wavering, doubtful or weak; to confirm or to establish. To set and fix firmly or unalterably; to settle permanently (as to fix by concrete in bedrock).
Jude 24-25: Now to him that is able to guard (keep) you from stumbling, and to set you before the presence of His glory without blemish in exceeding joy, to the only God our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion and power, before all time, and now, and for evermore. The Amen.
Ephesians 3:20-21: Now to Him that is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations for ever and ever. Amen.
1 Thessalonians 3:11-13: Now may our God and Father Himself and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you: and the Lord make you to increase and abound in love one toward another, and toward all men, even as we also do toward you; to the end that He may establish your hearts unblameable in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.
Luke 12:49-50: I came to cast fire upon the earth; and what do I desire, if it is already kindled? I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished! (Note: this is not into water as some miss interpret it, put the affliction.)
Matthew 17:1-3: After six days Jesus took with him Peter, and James, and John his brother, and bringing them up into a high mountain apart: He was transfigured before them; and His face did shine as the sun, and His garments became white as the light. Behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah talking with him.
John 11:25-26: Jesus said to her, “I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believes on me, though he die, yet shall he live; and whosoever lives and believeth on me shall never die. Do you believe this?”
Romans 1:4: Who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead; Jesus Christ our Lord.
My Gospel
This is a distinctive gospel that was given to Paul, or revealed to him only by the risen Lord from glory for our learning and understanding in the wisdom of God and to make known His will for us, that we become stewards of His Gospel of Grace which is based on better promises and the new covenant.
Daniel 2:20-23 Daniel answered and said: "Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, to whom belong wisdom and might. He changes times and seasons; he removes kings and sets up kings; he gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding; he reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what is in the darkness, and the light dwells with him. To you, O God of my fathers, I give thanks and praise, for you have given me wisdom and might, and have now made known to me what we asked of you, for you have made known to us the king's matter."
Amos 3:6-15 Is a trumpet blown in a city, and the people are not afraid? Does disaster come to a city, unless the LORD has done it? "For the Lord GOD does nothing without revealing his secret to his servants the prophets. The lion has roared; who will not fear? The Lord GOD has spoken; who can but prophesy?" Proclaim to the strongholds in Ashdod and to the strongholds in the land of Egypt, and say, "Assemble yourselves on the mountains of Samaria, and see the great tumults within her, and the oppressed in her midst." "They do not know how to do right," declares the LORD, "those who store up violence and robbery in their strongholds." Therefore thus says the Lord GOD: "An adversary shall surround the land and bring down your defenses from you, and your strongholds shall be plundered." Thus says the LORD: "As the shepherd rescues from the mouth of the lion two legs, or a piece of an ear, so shall the people of Israel who dwell in Samaria be rescued, with the corner of a couch and part of a bed. Hear, and testify against the house of Jacob," declares the Lord GOD, the God of hosts, "that on the day I punish Israel for his transgressions, I will punish the altars of Bethel, and the horns of the altar shall be cut off and fall to the ground. I will strike the winter house along with the summer house, and the houses of ivory shall perish, and the great houses shall come to an end," declares the LORD.
John 15:8-23 Jesus said: “By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples. As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love. If you keep my commandments, you will abide in my love, just as I have kept my Father's commandments and abide in his love. These things I have spoken to you, that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full. This is my commandment, that you love one another as I have loved you.’ Greater love has no one than this that someone lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do what I command you. No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you. (Romans 16:25-26) You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit and that your fruit should abide, so that whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you. These things I command you, so that you will love one another. ‘If the world hates you, know that it has hated me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.’ Remember the word that I said to you: 'A servant is not greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours.’ But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me. If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have been guilty of sin, but now they have no excuse for their sin. ‘Whoever hates me hates my Father also.’”
Mark 10:29-31 Jesus said, “Verily I say to you, there is no man that has left house, or brethren, or sisters, or mother, or father, or children, or lands, for my sake, and for the gospel's sake, but he shall receive a hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, ‘with persecutions;’ and in the world to come eternal life. But many that are first shall be last; and the last first.” (Remember when you have a “but” at the start of a verse to check back to find out what that “but” is there for. It is usually found back two or four verses.)
John 12:23-28: Jesus answered them, saying, “The hour is come, that the Son of man should be glorified. Verily, verily, I say to you, ‘except a grain of wheat fall into the earth and die, it abides by itself alone; but if it dies, it bears much fruit.’ He that loves his life loses it; and he that hates his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. ‘If any man serves me, let him follow me;’ and ‘where I am, there shall also my servant be’: ‘if any man serves me, him will the Father honor.’” Now is my soul troubled; and what shall I say? Father save me from this hour. But for this cause came I to this hour. Father, glorify thy name. There came therefore a voice out of heaven, saying, “I have both glorified it, and will glorify it again.”
Romans 14: 7-9: For none of us lives to himself, and none dies to himself. For whether we live, we live to (in) the Lord; or whether we die, we die to (in) the Lord: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lord's. For to this end Christ died and lives again, that He might be Lord of both the dead (the nature of natural man, spiritually separated form God.) and the living (in Him and He in them per John 17 and 6:31-66).
Romans 6:1-11 What shall we say then? Shall we continue in sin, that grace may abound? God forbid. How shall we, that are dead to sin, live any longer therein? Know you not, that so many of us as were baptized into Jesus Christ were baptized into his death? Therefore we are buried with him by baptism into death: that like as Christ was raised up from the dead by the glory (power) of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness (Different state or qualities introduced by change or regeneration.) of life. For if we have been planted together in the likeness (Of joint origin, connate, congenital, innate, implanted by birth or nature, grown together, united with or as we may say today to be conjoined.*) of his death, we shall be also in the likeness (*see above definition) of his resurrection: knowing this, that our old man is crucified with him, that the body of sin might be destroyed, that henceforth we should not serve sin. For he that is dead is freed from sin. Now if we be dead with Christ, we believe that we shall also live with him: knowing that Christ being raised from the dead dies no more; death has no more dominion over him. For in that he died, he died to sin once: (He can’t die again and those that are IN Him can’t die again either, for we are conjoined to Him.) but in that he lives, he lives to God. (Christ died one time for all of humanity from Adam to the last man, as He is the A through Z, the first and the last.) Likewise reckon you also yourselves to be dead indeed to sin, but alive to God through (IN) Jesus Christ our Lord.
Romans 2:16: In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men, (those not in the family union of God) according to my gospel, by (a primary preposition denoting the channel of an act: in the place of, therefore, within) Jesus Christ.
1Corinthians 15.1-4, 42 -49: Now I make known to you, the gospel which I preached to you, which also you received, wherein also you stand, by which also you are saved, if you hold fast the word which I preached to you, except you believe in vain. For I delivered to you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that He was buried; and that He has been raised on the third day according to the scriptures; ….. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: it is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: it is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. If there is a natural body, there is also a spiritual body. So also it is written, the first man Adam became a living soul. (Earthy, carnal that is of the flesh, fallen into the nature of the bestial) The last Adam became a life-giving spirit. (Spiritual, mans first normal state returned to.) Howbeit that is not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; then that which is spiritual. The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is of heaven. As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. (spiritual) As we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly.
Romans 10.6-11: The righteousness which is of faith says thus; say not in thy heart, who shall ascend into heaven? (That is, to bring Christ down :) or, who shall descend into the abyss? (That is, to bring Christ up from the dead.) What says it? The word is nigh you, in your mouth, and in your heart: that is, the word of faith, which we preach: because if you shall confess with your mouth Jesus is Lord, and shall believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you shall be saved: for with the heart man believes to righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made to salvation. For the scripture says, whosoever believes on (into) Him shall not be put to shame.
1Thessalonians 4.14: For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also that have fallen
asleep in Jesus will God bring with him.
That was kept secret
1Corinthians 2:6-7 Among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"-- these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God.
Ephesians 1:3-23 (9), 3:1-7 (3): Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ: even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before Him in love: having foreordained us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved: in whom we have our redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Him to a dispensation of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things upon the earth; in Him, I say, in whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of His will; to the end that we should be to the praise of His glory, we who had before hoped in Christ: in whom you also, having heard the word of the truth, the gospel of your salvation, - in whom, having also believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is an earnest of our inheritance, to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory.…. Ephesians 3:1-7 (3): For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles, - if so be that you have heard of the dispensation of that grace of God which was given me to you-ward; how that by revelation was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words, whereby, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ; which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, (Israel) as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to wit, that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of His power.
Colossians 1:21-29 You, being in time past alienated and enemies in your mind in your evil works, yet now has He reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy and without blemish and unreproveable before Him: if so be that you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you’ve heard, which was preached in all creation under heaven; whereof I Paul was made a minister.
Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and fill up on my part that which is lacking of the afflictions of Christ in my flesh for His body's sake, which is the church; (Hebrews 10:5-7 Wherefore when He comes into the world, He said, Sacrifice and offering you would not, but a body didst you prepare [ordained] for me; In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You had no pleasure: Then said I, Lo, I am come (In the roll of the book it is written of me: To do Your will, O God.) whereof I was made a minister, according to the dispensation of God which was given me to you-ward, to fulfill the word of God, the mystery which has been hid for ages and generations: but now has it been manifested to His saints, to whom God was pleased to make known what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory: whom we proclaim, admonishing every man and teaching every man in all wisdom, that we may present every man perfect in Christ; whereto I labor also, striving according to His working, which works in me mightily.
Ephesians 1:7-14 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of his grace, which he lavished upon us, in all wisdom and insight making known to us the mystery of his will, according to his purpose, which he set forth in Christ as a plan for the fullness of time, to unite all things in him, things in heaven and things on earth. In him we have obtained an inheritance, having been predestined according to the purpose of him who works all things according to the counsel of his will, so that we who were the first to hope in Christ might be to the praise of his glory. In him you also, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and believed in him, were sealed with the promised Holy Spirit, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.
1 Corinthians 12:27-29: Now we are the body of Christ, and severally members thereof. God has set some in the assembly, first apostles, secondly prophets, thirdly teachers, and then miracles, then gifts of healings, helps, governments, and different kinds of tongues (languages). Are all apostles? Are all prophets? Are all teachers? Are all workers of miracles? Have all gifts of healings? Do all speak with tongues? Do all interpret? Desire earnestly the greater gifts. And moreover a most excellent way show I to you.
For Long Ages Past
Psalms 16:11, 21:4, 40:6, 49:4, 78:2: Psalms 16:11 Thou will show me the path of life: In your presence is fullness of joy; in your right hand there are pleasures for evermore. … 21:4 He asked life of you, you gave it him, even length of days for ever and ever..... 40:6 Sacrifice and offering you have no delight in; Mine ears have you opened: Burnt-offering and sin-offering have you not required……
49:4 I will incline mine ear to a parable: I will open my dark saying upon the harp……. 78:2 I will open my mouth in a parable; I will utter dark sayings of old.
Matthew 13:34-35: All these things spoke Jesus in parables to the multitudes; and without a parable spoke he nothing to them: that it might be fulfilled which was spoken through the prophet, saying, I will open my mouth in parables; I will utter things hidden from the foundation of the world.
1 Peter 1:13-21 Wherefore girding up the loins of your mind, be sober and set your hope perfectly on the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ; as children of obedience, not fashioning yourselves according to your former lusts in the time of your ignorance: but like as He who called you is holy, be yourselves also holy in all manner of living; because it is written, you shall be holy; for I am holy. If you call on Him as Father, who without respect of persons judges according to each man's work, pass the time of your sojourning in fear: knowing that you were redeemed, not with corruptible things, with silver or gold, from your vain manner of life handed down from your fathers; but with precious blood, as of a lamb without spot, the blood of Christ: who was foreknown indeed before the foundation of the world, but was manifested at the end of times for your sake, who through Him are believers in God, that raised Him from the dead, and gave Him glory; so that your faith and hope might be in God.
1 Corinthians 2:4-10 My speech and my preaching were not in persuasive words of wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power: that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. We speak wisdom, among them that are full grown: yet wisdom not of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, who are coming to naught: but we speak God's wisdom in a mystery, the wisdom that had been hidden, which God foreordained before the worlds to our glory: which none of the rulers of this world had known: for had they known it, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory: but as it is written, “Things which eye saw not, and ear heard not, and which entered not into the heart of man, whatsoever things God prepared for them that love him”. But to us God revealed them through the Spirit: for the Spirit searches all things, yes, and the deep things of God.
Ephesians 1:1-14, 3:1-7, 8-12 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, to the saints the faithful in Christ Jesus: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heaven lies in Christ: even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blemish before Him in love: having foreordained us to adoption as sons through Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, to the praise of the glory of His grace, which He freely bestowed on us in the Beloved: in whom we have our redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace, which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, making known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Him to a dispensation of the fullness of the times, to sum up all things in Christ, the things in the heavens, and the things upon the earth; in Him, in whom also we were made a heritage, having been foreordained according to the purpose of Him who works all things after the counsel of His will; to the end that we should be to the praise of His glory, we who had before hoped in Christ: in whom we also, having heard the word of the truth, the Gospel of Your Salvation, - in whom, having also believed, we were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, which is an earnest of our inheritance, to the redemption of God's own possession, to the praise of His glory…….3:1-12(5):For this cause I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles, - if so be that you have heard of the dispensation of that Grace of God which was given me to you-ward; how that by revelation was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words, whereby, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ; which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body (Hebrews 10:5), and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel, whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of His power. To me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach unto the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages has been hid in God who created all things; to the intent that now to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church (the hidden Body of Christ, family) the manifold wisdom of God, according to the eternal purpose which He purposed in Christ Jesus our Lord: in whom we have boldness and access in confidence through our faith in Him.
2 Timothy 1:1, 7-13 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus, …… God gave us not a spirit of fearfulness; but of power and love and discipline. Be not ashamed therefore of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me His prisoner: but suffer hardship with the gospel according to the power of God; who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal, but has now been manifested by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel (this gospel) whereto I was appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher.
For which cause I suffer also these things: yet I am not ashamed; for I know Him whom I have believed, and I am persuaded that He is able to guard that which I have committed unto Him against that day. Hold the pattern of sound words which you have heard from me, in faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Titus 1:1-4 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God's elect, and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised before times eternal; but in His own seasons manifested His word in the message, wherewith I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior; to Titus, my true child after a common faith: Grace and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
Hebrews 4:13 There is no creature that is not manifest in His sight: but all things are naked and laid open before the eyes of Him with whom we have to do.
Mystery now disclosed
Acts 9:5, 18:24-26, 1-4, 27-28: [see note below] Paul Who said: Who are you, Lord? I am Jesus whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goad.
(1Timothy 1:12-14 I thank Him that enabled me, Christ Jesus our Lord, for that He counted me faithful, appointing me to His service; though I was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: howbeit I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief; and the grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.)
Here we’re going to do a little word study, the first word is kick: (heelwise); to recalcitrate and recalcitrant means: stubbornly resistant to guidance, or refractory (obstinate, unmanageable, difficult to melt or work, not responsive); and the next word is goad: (to prick); a point (“center”), that is, a sting (figuratively poison) or goad, prick, sting. This is a proverb which is spoken of those who through their stubbornness hurt themselves.
Thayer's Definition:
1) to kick, strike with the heel
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from adverb lax (heel wise)
Thayer's Definition:
1) a sting, as that of bees, scorpions, locusts. Since animals wound by their sting and even cause death, Paul attributes death, personified as a sting, i.e. a deadly weapon
2) an iron goad, for urging on oxen, horses and other beasts of burden
2a) hence the proverb, “to kick against the goad”, i.e. to offer vain and perilous or ruinous resistance
Part of Speech: noun neuter
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from kenteo (to prick)
Acts 18:24-26 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. Being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. (He had not received the teaching of Paul as it had not reached him.) He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and explained to him the way of God more accurately.
Acts 18:1-4 After this Paul left Athens and went to Corinth. He found a Jew named Aquila, a native of Pontus, recently come from Italy with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to leave Rome. He (Paul) went to see them, and because he was of the same trade he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade. He reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and tried to persuade Jews and Greeks. (The Letter of Hebrews is this persuasion.)
Acts 18:26-28 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him and explained to him the way of God more accurately. (As seen in verses 1-4, they had spent considerable time with Paul in their trade working together and as is the norm for Paul he shared his Gospel of Gods Grace with them.) When he wished to cross to Achaia, the brothers encouraged him and wrote to the disciples to welcome him. When he arrived, he greatly helped those who through grace had believed, for he powerfully refuted the Jews in public, showing by the Scriptures that the Christ was Jesus.
Romans 12:2 Be not fashioned according to this world: but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, and you may prove what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God.
(Here Paul is telling us to pay the price to learn the mysteries in order to gain the knowledge that God requires us to have by studying to show ourselves approved onto God a good workman that will not be put to shame because of our faith in this gospel.)
Hebrews 9:27-28 Inasmuch as it is appointed to men once to die, and after this comes judgment; so Christ also, having been once offered to bear the sins of many, shall appear a second time, apart from sin, to them that wait for Him, to salvation. [John 14:3; Col. 1:5; Acts 17:31; Php. 4:7; 1Thes. 4:14-16; 2 Thes. 1:5-7, 2:1] (Do you know the mystery now disclosed for our understanding? If not, why not?)
Through the Prophetic writings
Psalms. 68:33, 110:1 To him that rides upon the heaven of heavens, which are of old; Lo, he utters his voice, a mighty voice. {John 12:28}……. Yehovah said to my Lord, “Sit at my right hand, until I make your enemies your footstool.” (Isaiah 42:6, 49:6 and related verses)
1 Kings 8:27 Will God in very deed dwell on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens
cannot contain Him; how much less this house that I have built!
2 Chronicles 6:18 Will God in very deed dwell with men on the earth? Behold, heaven and the heaven of heavens cannot contain Him; how much less this house which I have built!
(There are over three hundred passages of Old Testament scripture of Christ’s arrival, death, burial, resurrection and ascension. In the Psalms alone there are fourteen or sixteen about Him.)
Acts 8:29-35, 13:37-41, 26:22-23: The Spirit said to Philip, “Go near, and join thyself to this chariot.” Philip ran to him, and heard him reading Isaiah the prophet, and said, “do you understand what you are reading?” He said, “how can I, except some one shall guide me?” He besought Philip to come up and sit with him.
Now the passage of the Scripture which he was reading was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and as a lamb before his shearer is dumb, so he opened not his mouth: in his humiliation his judgment was taken away: His generation who shall declare? For his life is taken from the earth.
The eunuch answered Philip, and said, “I pray you, of whom speaks the prophet this? Of himself, or of some other?” Philip opened his mouth, and beginning from this Scripture, preached to him Jesus.
Galatians 3:6-9 Even as Abram believed God, and it was reckoned to him for righteousness. Know therefore that they that are of faith, the same are sons of Abraham. The scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, “In you shall all the nations be blessed.” So then they that are of faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham.
Ephesians 2:20-22 So then you are no more strangers and sojourners, but are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of God, being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the chief corner stone; in whom each several building, fitly framed together, grows into a holy temple in the Lord; in whom you also are built together for a habitation of God in the Spirit.
Made known to all the nations according to the command of the eternal God
John 8:31-32, 14:5-6 Jesus therefore said to those Jews that had believed him, “if you abide in my word, then are you truly my disciples; and you shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free”…… Thomas said to him, “Lord, we know not whither you go; how know we the way?” Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one comes to the Father, but by (IN) me.”
(Remember our primary preposition above:” by” here means of time, of place, or of means and the ground of the reason an act is or is not done: “in” or through.) Based on that Jesus is saying that He is the only way to the Father or we have to be “IN Him” to get to the Father!!! The mystery is that we were in Him on the cross in His body on that tree, we were buried, and resurrected in Him and even now are seated within Him at the right hand of God the Father in heaven. (1 Peter 2:24; Gal. 2:20)
Acts 13: 2, 46-48, 26:15-18 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, “Separate (sever) to me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereto I have called them.” …. Paul and Barnabas spoke out boldly, and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should first be spoken to you.” Seeing you thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so has the Lord commanded us, saying, “I have set you for a light of the Gentiles that you should be for salvation to the uttermost part of the earth.” As the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of God: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.… Paul speaking; “I said, who are You, Lord? The Lord said I am Jesus whom you persecute. Arise, and stand upon your feet: for to this end have I appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness both of the things wherein you have seen me, and of the things wherein I will appear to you; delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom I send you, to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in Me.”
(Here He says “IN ME” but in John 14:6 He said “by me” He is saying the same thing in both scriptures.)
The Obedience of Faith
Many of today miss this point because they don’t divide rightly the word of truth, they preach what has been called a “blender gospel” for they make a slurry of the Old and the New and because we are all lazy, ignorant and do not know the WORD of God we swallow it all without question. Shame, no Great Shame and reproach on us because we like our parents and grandparents have allowed this thing upon ourselves. Time for an awakening to happen, judgment has started in the household of God for today is the day of your salvation.
Matthew 20:22-23 Jesus answered and said “you know not what you ask. Are you able to drink the cup that I am about to drink?” They say to him, “we are able.” He said to them, “my cup indeed you shall drink: but to sit on my right hand, and on my left hand, is not mine to give; but it is for them for whom it has been prepared of my Father.” (Mark10:38-40)
Luke 12:49-50 “I came to cast fire upon the earth; and what do I desire, if it is already kindled? I have a baptism to be baptized with; and how am I straitened till it be accomplished!”
1 Corinthians 15:3-4, 11:23-25, 12:12-14 I delivered to you first of all that which also I received: that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; and that he was buried; and that he has been raised on the third day according to the scriptures. ..…. For I received of the Lord that which also I delivered to you, that the Lord Jesus in the night in which He was betrayed took bread; and when He had given thanks, He broke it, and said, “This is my body, which is for you: this do in remembrance of me.” In like manner also the cup, after supper, saying, “this cup is the new covenant in my blood: this do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of me”……. For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of the body, being many, are one body; so also is Christ. In one Spirit were we all baptized into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether bond or free; and were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many.
Ephesians 3:1-7 I Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus in behalf of you Gentiles, - if so be that you have heard of the dispensation of that grace of God which was given me to you-ward; how that by revelation was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in few words, whereby, when you read, you can perceive my understanding in the mystery of Christ; which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; that the Gentiles are fellow-heirs, and fellow-members of the body, and fellow-partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the Gospel, whereof I was made a minister, according to the gift of that grace of God which was given me according to the working of His power.
Ephesians 3:8-10 To me, who am less than the least of all saints, was this grace given, to preach to the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ; and to make all men see what is the dispensation of the mystery which for ages has been hid in God who created all things; to the intent that now to the principalities and the powers in the heavenly places might be made known through the church the manifold wisdom of God,
Ephesians 4:4-7 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all. To each one of us was the grace given according to the measure of the gift of Christ.
Romans 5:19 Through the one man's disobedience the many were made sinners, even so through the
obedience of the one shall the many be made righteous (Matt. 7:13).
Romans 6:16-18 Know you not, that to whom you present yourselves as servants to obedience, his servants you are whom you obey; whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? But thanks be to God, that, whereas you were servants of sin, you became obedient from the heart to that form of teaching whereto you were delivered; and being made free from sin, you became servants of righteousness.
(You become the spirit that you serve and obey.)
Glory through Jesus Christ
Romans 1:1-7, 20-21, 15:18-21 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated to the Gospel of God, which He promised afore through His prophets in the Holy Scriptures, concerning His Son, who was born of the seed of David according to the flesh (humiliation), who was declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead; Jesus Christ our Lord, through whom we received grace and apostleship, to obedience of faith among all the nations, for His name's sake; among whom are you also called to be Jesus Christ's: to all that are in Rome [the nations], beloved of God, called saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. …… For the invisible things of Him since the creation of the world are clearly seen, being perceived through the things that are made, even His everlasting power and divinity; that they may be without excuse: because that, knowing God, they glorified Him not as God, neither gave thanks; but became vain in their reasoning, and their senseless heart was darkened. ……. I will not dare to speak of any things save those which Christ wrought through me, for the obedience of the Gentiles, by word and deed, in the power of signs and wonders, in the power of the Holy Spirit; so that from Jerusalem, and round about even to Illyricum, I have fully preached the Gospel of Christ; yes, making it my aim so to preach the gospel, not where Christ was already named, that I might not build upon another man's foundation; but, as it is written, they shall see, to whom no tidings of Him came, and they who have not heard shall understand.
Romans 16:19 Your obedience is come abroad to all men. I rejoice therefore over you: but I would have you wise to that which is good, and simple to that which is evil.
2 Corinthians 6:14-7:1 Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers: for what fellowship have righteousness and iniquity? Or what communion hath light with darkness? What concord has Christ with Belial? Or what portion has a believer with an unbeliever? What agreement has a temple of God with idols? For we are a temple of the living God; even as God said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people. Wherefore, “come out from among them, and be separate,” says the Lord, “touch no unclean thing; and I will receive you, and will be to you a Father, and you shall be to me sons and daughters,” says the Lord Almighty. Having therefore these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all defilement of flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God. (Remember in the Old Testament where the Lord told Israel to “be you Holy for ‘I am’ Holy”, Lev. 11:44, He would not have told them to do this thing if it were impossible for them to do it! But they didn't listen to Him, as to do so required something other than works of self effort or of the flesh, it required trust in Him and His name as then known.)
1 John 5:19-21 We know that we are of God, and the whole world lies in the evil one. We know that the Son of God is come, and has given us an understanding, that we know Him that is true, and we are in Him that is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and eternal life. My little children guard yourselves from idols. (Your Bible even your life can be an idol, just as any other thing.)
1 Timothy 6:12-16 Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on the life eternal, whereto you were called, and did confess the good confession in the sight of many witnesses. I charge you in the sight of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed the good confession; that you keep the commandment, without spot, without reproach, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ: which in its own times He shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords; who only has immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man has seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power eternal. Amen.
4. Note to: Titus 1:1-4 vs. 2; Deu. 32:39; I Sam. 2:6; Ps. 68:19-21, 102:27; Hos. 6:2
5. Note to: Acts 18:24-26, 1-4, 27-28; 2 Tim. 1:1, 8-11 vs. 9 (Acts 9:15-16, 20:24, 22:14-15, 26:15-18, 13:2; Gal. 1:15-16)
Again the account of Apollos meeting with Aquila and Pricilla
Acts 18:24-26 Now a certain Jew named Apollos, an Alexandrian by race, an eloquent man, came to Ephesus; and he was mighty in the scriptures. This man had been instructed in the way of the Lord (no knowledge of the gospel that had been revealed to Paul); and being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, knowing only the baptism of John (the Jewish gospel as thought by Jesus and the twelve, repentance of sins, water baptism and the believing that Jesus of Nazareth was the promised Messiah of Israel and King, the Gospel of the Kingdom of Heaven): and he began to speak boldly in the synagogue. But when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him unto them, and expounded unto him the way of God more accurately. For they had spent considerable time with Paul and while they were working together, Paul shared with them his gospel as revealed to him by the risen Lord, as they labored. The Gospel of the Grace of God, that was not for the Jews only but for the gentiles as well.
Acts 18:1-4 After these things Paul departed from Athens, and came to Corinth. He found a certain Jew named Aquila, a man of Pontus by race, lately come from Italy, with his wife Priscilla, because Claudius had commanded all the Jews to depart from Rome: and Paul came unto them; and because he was of the same trade, he abode with them (it is during this time that Paul teaches them on the revelation of the Gospel of the Grace of God), and they worked together, for by their trade they were tentmakers. Paul reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded Jews and Greeks.
Acts 18:27-28 And when he (Apollos) was minded to pass over into Achaia, the brethren encouraged him, and wrote to the disciples to receive him: and when he was come, he helped them much that had believed through grace; for he powerfully confuted the Jews, publicly, showing by the scriptures that Jesus was the Christ. Later we see this man in 1 Corinthians chapters 1, 2 and 3 with his magnetism and charisma has many followers as we have in churches today. Many are more loyal to the man or their denomination instead of the Word of God and the Christ whom they profess to worship.
2Timothy 1:1, 8-11 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus through the will of God, according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus………Be not ashamed therefore of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but suffer hardship with the gospel according to the power of God; who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal, but has now been manifested by the appearing of our Saviour Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, where to I was appointed a preacher, and an apostle, and a teacher.
Acts 9:10-12, 15-16 Now there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and the Lord said unto him in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. The Lord said to him, arise, and go to the street which is called Straight, and inquire in the house of Judas for one named Saul, a man of Tarsus: for behold, he prays; and he has seen a man named Ananias coming in, and laying his hands on him, that he might receive his sight……15-16 But the Lord said unto him, go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel to(for) me, to bear my name before the Gentiles and kings, and the children of Israel: for I will show him how many things he must suffer for my name's sake.
Acts 20:24 I hold not my life of any account as dear to myself, so that I may accomplish my course, and the ministry which I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify the Gospel of the Grace of God. [Eph. 2:4-10; Luke 9:23-25, 59-62]
Acts 22:14-15 He said, the God of our fathers has appointed you to know His will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear a voice from His mouth. For you shall be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard.
Acts 26:14-18 When we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice saying unto me in the Hebrew language, Saul, Saul, why persecute me? it is hard for you to kick against the goad. I said, who are you, Lord? The Lord said, I am Jesus whom you persecute. Arise, and stand upon your feet: for to this end have I appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a witness both of the things wherein you have seen of me, and of the things wherein I will appear to you; delivering you from the people, and from the Gentiles, to whom I send you, to open their eyes, that they may turn from darkness to light and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive remission of sins and an inheritance among them that are sanctified by faith in me.
Acts 13:2 As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Spirit said, separate (severe to) me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereto I have called them.
Galatians 1:15-17 But when it was the good pleasure of God, who separated me, even from my mother's womb, and called me through His grace, to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles; straightway I conferred not with flesh and blood: neither went I up to Jerusalem to them that were apostles before me: but I went away into Arabia (where Paul receives the start of the revelations of the
mysteries the finished work of the cross); and again I returned to Damascus [Mat. 16:17; 1Cor. 2:9-13; 2Cor. 4:6; Eph. 1:17-18, 3:5-10; Gal. 1:11-12]
Christ Jesus is the ancient of days the long white haired man God depicted in the pictures painted on the walls of old churches. He is the foundation of this world upon whom the earth is built. He is Almighty God and all God; He is the third person of the Godhead and the Head of God’s family the church of the living God. He is the ever revealing one and always being revealed to the hearts of seeking mankind the world over. He is all LIGHT and all TRUTH and the LIVING WAY to the living God. For He is the God of all LIVING and not the dead, those separated from Him by sin and death, for IN HIM there is NO death and NO wrath to come.
From here then we’ll move on to the spiritual day of battle that we learn the full truth and nothing but the truth that sets us free from the chains of slavery and darkness to sin and death. There is more power released in our coming into redemption then in the day that we are conceived. This is the day when the enemy of man suffers another bruised head and he and his forces of evil are made an open display of as defeated foes. In this day we have a total change of mind and the veil is removed which allows the scriptures to take on the life of the Spirit of truth. We become children of God working on learning the things of our Father to a mature person in Christ with the Spirit of Christ and holiness in us again as at the first.
All scripture is from the KJV, Weymouth New Testament, American Standard and English Standard Versions of the Bible and other sources as mentioned elsewhere.
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