It has been quite a while
since I have posted my weekly Scripture studies – there have been a lot of
changes in my life, and I took time to “go to the mountaintop” for meditation
rest, and renewal … as Yeshua did many times.
But, it is time now to pick up
the slack, and get back on track 😉
I hope you will enjoy this
post as much as I enjoyed reading it, and posting it – time spent with God’s
Word is always a joy, and time well spent 😊
Saul (aka Paul): The great Apostle to
the Gentiles, Saul was born at Tarsus of Cilicia into a proud and strict
Pharisee family, and given the Hebrew Name Saul. He was as equally proud of
being born a Roman Citizen. A highly educated Jew, Saul studied in Jerusalem
under Rabbi Gamaliel, and religiously observed the requirements of The Law.
Saul, however, had misgivings about his ability to keep every part of The Law,
and believed that legalism could not bring about the right relationship with
Elohim. Although Saul had never met Yeshua during His earthly mission, he had
encountered the earliest Believers, and he recognized the threat that belief in
Yeshua posed to Judaism: Saul quickly became the most ardent prosecutor of the
Early Church – and he was an approving onlooker at Stephen’s martyrdom, and was
carrying lists of suspected Christian believers in Damascus, when he
experienced a radical life change. His conversion on the Damascus Road changed
the course of Christian faith … and civilization … itself. Temporarily blinded,
Saul – the prosecutor who had been confronted by Elohim hayyim (the Living
Lord) Yeshua (Jesus), was led to Ananias’ house/was baptized “Paul”,
then smuggled out of town to escape reprisals.
After a brief sojourn in Arabia, Paul visited Jerusalem
and stayed briefly with Peter and James; Yeshua’s brothers (born of his
earthly Mother, Mary). After this visit, Paul apparently lived quietly for
several years in Cilicia, preaching the Gospel and supporting himself by
weaving the black goat hair material for tents that was a famous product for
the area near Tarsus. He was called by Barnabas, his acquaintance from
Jerusalem, to help the dynamic Christian Church in Antioch. Shortly afterwards,
the Antioch Christians sent Paul and Barnabas on a preaching mission through Cyprus
and Asia Minor. On this, and subsequent journey’s, Paul stirred up heated
opposition by his preaching. His presentation of the Gospel was resented in
Jewish circles because it usually split local synagogues – on the other hand,
his efforts were quickly opposed by members of the Christian community, who insisted
that it was necessary to keep the requirements of the Jewish Law before one
could become a Christian Believer. The infant Church was torn with controversy
over Paul’s preaching.
Paul insisted that man is saved by what Elohei
has done through Yeshua Ha’Mashiach – not by what man does in keeping The Law.
The controversy was partially resolved by a Church Council in Jerusalem, when
the leaders agreed that Paul’s point was valid, and that he could continue to
welcome Gentiles to the Faith without compelling them to be circumcised.
Paul’s subsequent ministry was packed with
high adventure, heavy responsibilities, and deep suffering. As the greatest
Christian missionary, he organized and encouraged young Churches throughout
Asia Minor: and even crossed over to Europe. Much of the New Covenant (New
Testament) was written by Paul in the form of letters dashed off to his “problem”
churches, or to his friend’s needing advice.
Against the advice of his associates, he insisted
on going in person to Jerusalem with a special offering collected for the poor.
Extremists among the Jewish authorities arranged for his arrest and imprisonment.
After languishing two years under arrest without trial, Paul insisted on a hearing
before the emperor. He had a harrowing trip to Rome, was apparently acquitted,
then re-arrested. All traditions agree that Paul was beheaded before another
lengthy imprisonment, probably during Nero’s bloody persecution period. Acts
13:38; Romans; 1 & 2 Corinthians; Galatians; Ephesians; Philippians; Colossians;
1 & 2 Thessalonians; 1 & 2 Timothy; Titus; Philemon; and 2 Peter 3:15.
**********
2 CORINTHIANS ~ Chapter 7; Saul’s (Paul’s) Appeal for a Renewal of Fellowship within
the Body of Believers.
“With promises like these, beloved, let us
make ourselves clean from everything that defiles body and soul, and strive
toward perfect holiness in the fear of *Elohim. Receive us
into your hearts. We have not wronged anyone. We have not corrupted anyone. We
have not made profit out of any man. I am not saying this to condemn you, for I
have already told you that you are dear to us, both to die together and to live
together. I trust you; I am proud of you; I am much encouraged by you; I
rejoice in spite of our troubles. (vv.1-4)
Comfort Brought by Titus’ Report
Already when we come to Macedonia we had
troubles – we could not rest our bodies. We were oppressed on every side; we
had fighting’s and fears within. But Elohim, Who lifts up the downcast,
comforted us by the coming of Titus. And not only did his coming comfort us,
but also the comfort that you had given him was a help. For he told us how you
longed to see us, how sorry and zealous you were in my behalf, all of which
made me rejoice the more. (vv. 5-7)
Frank Letter and It’s Results
Even though I grieved you with my letter, I do
not regret having sent it; although I did regret it at the time, when I heard
that it had caused you sorrow. Now I am happy about it, not because you were unhappy,
but because your grief brought you to **repentance. Your grief
was then as Elohim would have it to be, so that you suffered no harm from us in
any way. For the grief that Elohim approves of results in a repentance that
leads to salvation, and leaves no regrets. A worldly grief, on the other hand,
results in death.
Take note how this Godly sorrow has worked in
you; what earnestness it worked in you, what eagerness to defend yourselves,
what indignation, what fear, what longing, what zeal, what willingness to
discipline! In every way you have cleared yourself in this matter. (vv. 8-11)
Paul’s Confidence in the Corinthians
I wrote to you, but really not so much on
account of the man who was doing wrong nor for the sake of the one who was
suffering wrong, but rather to let you see yourselves, as before Elohim, how
devoted (dedicated, loyal, dutiful, faithful, committed, resolute, unwavering,
purposeful, persevering) to us you really are. All this has given us comfort.
And, in addition to our own comfort from you, we have been still more overjoyed
at Titus’ joy, because he was refreshed in spirit by all of you. You see, if I
had boasted of you to him, I have not been put to shame. For just as all I said
to you was true, so what I said about you to Titus, in a boasting (possessing,
enjoying, lay claim to) way, proved to be true. His heart goes out to you
more than ever now, as he recalls the way all of you obeyed (submitted,
followed, observed, yielded to) him and how you received (acknowledged, heard,
grasped, welcomed) him with respect (consideration, accept) and
reverence (hold to the highest regard). It gives me joy to say that you
have justified (proved, upheld) my good opinion of you in every way. (vv.
12-16)
*Elohim (from the Hebrew
word, el-o-heem) = the Supreme God. Exceedingly great and mighty.
**Repentance (from the Greek word, metanoia: met-an’-oy-ah)
= compunction (for guilt, includ. Reformation); by implied reversal of
previous decision: to think differently or afterwards (i.e., to reconsider).
**2 CORINTHIANS 6: https://jeastofeden.blogspot.com/2020/02/2-corinthians-chapter-6.html
