This is a collection of bible-related facebook posts I have made over the past 2 months or so, descending from most recent to most ancient.
biblos.com, the strongs concordance section, begins the definition of בֵּן
(ben) like this: From banah; a son (as a builder of the family name)
And...WE are sons of GOD.
Builder of the family name.
Let that soak in a while.
Comments: Romans 7:1-6 is about the LAW losing a grip over you when you die with Christ, not sin. I automatically thought 'dying to sin', but had a double-take today.
Romans 7:7-25. Sin is attempting to be independent from God and devise your own right/wrong system. This is why the law gives sin so much power, because the law gives sin the guidlines that it needs to violate.
btw, note logical structure of preceding sentence is Premise Conclusion Premise with 'therefore' connecting words. It just struck me that this would be a particularly difficult sentence to translate into a future language, much like the bulk of Romans which is all syllogism but in wierd orders and high complexity (branches, probably)
Those of you who are like me and stubbornly stick to literal translations of the bible - take a look at softer translations in addition to greek sometimes when you run across a problem. Eg Romans 4:15 NLT "For the law always brings punishment on those who try to obey it. (The only way to avoid breaking the law is to have no law to break!)" Essentially summarized in a few words what a paragraph of commentary said.
NIV says "because law brings wrath. And where there is no law there is no transgression." - which is rather obvious and redundant and seems impertinent to the subject.
Romans 10:10 "For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you profess your faith and are saved."
"Those who know your name will trust in you, for you, LORD, have never forsaken those who seek you." - Psalm 9:10. Seek the LORD, church, bride of Christ!
1 Timothy 6:15-16 "God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen."
Romans 16:20 "The God of peace will soon crush Satan under your feet." - Both encouraging and a little ironic. :)
The NIV translations of Romans 2:1-5 (judging others when you yourself are wicked) tends to point towards individuals with use of added 'you's and larger phrases. However, the greek has almost none of that. Instead, Romans 2 flows with the preceding section (on God's wrath against ALL mankind), and simply states that none of us should judge because, as humanity, we're all sinful. This also accords with the thoughts of the gospel tracts we hand out, which begin with "All men have sinned..."
Ah! I just can't stop. Romans 1:8 "...your faith is being reported all over the world." Look at that for a moment. Even in ancient days when communication is hard, a church's faith is being reported across Christendom. We need more of this! Not just Christian publication like The Voice of the Martyrs, but to maybe take 5 minutes out of each service to just talk about other cool churches. Why not? We need community!
Oh yes, and note that the beginning of MANY letters includes something regarding other churches learning of another's faith, service, or other good quality.
Romans 1:5 "Through him and for his name's sake we recieved grace and apostleship TO CALL PEOPLE from among all the gnetiles to the obedience that comes from faith."
Unfortunately this only applies to Paul, the people associated with him, and other people called to apostleship. However, the word 'call' just struck me as I thought of the call of election (Romans 8:30). What a strong job we have!
Romans 14:1 "Accept him whose faith is weak, without passing judgment on disputalbe matters." Katie Esperanza Abuelita Tomek, you would like this one in regards to not getting caught up in debate, along with the Acts 17:21 verse on the Athenians.
The LORD, who stretches out the heavens, who lays the foundation of the earth, and who forms the human spirit within a person - Zecharaiah 12:1
"The God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were." - Romans 4:17b
This is what the LORD says:
“Let not the wise boast of their wisdom
or the strong boast of their strength
or the rich boast of their riches,
but let the one who boasts boast about this:
... that they have the understanding to know me,
that I am the LORD, who exercises kindness,
justice and righteousness on earth,
for in these I delight,”
declares the LORD.
Jeremiah 9:24
Jeremiah 23:6 "In his days Judah shall be saved and Israel shall dwell safely and this is his name whereby he shall be called the LORD our righteousness." This is the section called "Righteous Branch" obviously referring to Jesus. And guess what the 'LORD' Jesus's name is in Hebrew? Yahweh/Jehovah, the one true living God, the I AM of Exodus 3:14. Woot woot! Can you get any stronger proof that Jesus is God?
Just a reminder that your will has control over your emotions/heart/desires if you let it. You do not have to be left with conflicting brain, heart, and will.
