Ephesians 6:11 says, "Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil" The devils total weaponry has been taken away from him, [see Totally Defeated] but he still has means to inflict damage against the kingdom of God. WILES - This word is only used twice in the NT (Eph.4:14; 6:11) and the root word, from which it is derived, is used only once in scripture. (2 Sam. 19:27). [The Greek word is where the English word "method" is derive

Ephesians 6:13 says, "... take unto you the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand."   STAND - The word "stand", is used in some form, four different times in this passage.( 6:11,13[2x],14 ) The word refers to holding a person's position, and specifically, that position on the military line, with your shield linked together with other soldiers.[ see Take Your Place] It implies, to stand victorious in your position,

Genesis 15:6 says, " And he believed in the Lord; and He counted it to him for righteousness." This is a very famous verse in the Bible for a number of reasons, one of which, is that there are three words used here, [referring to Abraham], for the very first time in the Hebrew scriptures, translated in the English as believed; counted; righteousness. BELIEVED - This word, in the Hebrew, carries two significant thoughts with it: 1) ACCEPTING what someone [God] says as true .2)

Isaiah 28:11-12 says, "...for with stammering lips and another tongue will He speak to this people. To whom He said, 'This is the rest by which you may cause the weary to rest, and this is the refreshing'..."   What is key to this passage, is that it is quoted in the NT, in 1 Corinthians 14:21, referring to speaking in other tongues. [languages]   STAMMERING - The meaning of this word is to mock or deride someone, specifically, someone of another language. The thought is that

John 8:7 says, '' He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."   This portion of scripture, in John 8:1-11,  is one of those revelations of the compassion of Jesus that demonstrates, as did all His actions, the will of the Father, for everyone.   John 8:2 - The setting of the story is the temple, where the people came to Him, and He sat down and taught them. It was early in the morning, or more accurately, from the Greek, the dawning of the day, when

Philippians 3:12 says, "Not as though I had already attained, either were already perfect; but I follow after, if that I may apprehend that for which also I am apprehended of Christ Jesus."   The imagery presented in this verse, is that of a race, where every effort and exertion is required to successfully achieve the goal of wining. There are no passive words used here concerning the runner, and the only thing that matters is to win. Second place is not an option, nor is "a

Genesis 15:6 says, "Abraham believed in the LORD; and He counted it to him for righteousness." (KJV)   (NOTE: Though this verse has previously been discussed, emphasizing "righteousness" [see, "What you believe and what you do about it"], the text is so pregnant with meaning, that it begged to be revisited to further expound on the wonderful insights contained in the Father's precious word. Enjoy.)   Words are vehicles of vision that create strong visual concepts that help to

Hebrews 10:38 says, "Now the just shall live by faith; but if (any man) draw back, my soul  shall have no pleasure in him."   This passage is quoted from Habakkuk 2:4, in the LXX (Septuagint) translation of the OT.                                                                                                                                                                                         [Not just the book of Hebrews, but over 95% of all OT quotations, in the NT, are

Hebrews 10:38 says, "Now the just shall live by faith; but if (any man) draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him."   Over 95% of all quotations from the OT, in the NT, are taken from the LXX (Septuagint) and not the Hebrew text, but the Hebrew text of the OT gives color and understanding to the use of the Greek words, in both the OT and NT.   PLEASURE- All Believers want God to find "pleasure" with them, or to be pleased with them, as any child would desire their pare

2 Corinthians 5:20 says, "Now, then, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech (you) by us; we beg (you) in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God."   This verse contains so much that a single word study will doubtless fall short of delivering the total impact presented in its content.   AMBASSADORS- This word expresses the historical understanding of one who was the representative of the emperor, in both word and deed, conveying the wishes and sentiments of t

Proverbs 22:29 says, "Do you see someone diligent in their business? They will stand before kings; they will not stand before mean (men)."   The two main words of this study, are the words "diligent", and "mean".   DILIGENT - The Hebrew word that is translated into the English word "diligent", is only used four times in the OT. (Ezra 7:6; Ps. 45:1; Prov. 22:29; Is.16:5).   The basic root meaning of the word is that of  "speed" and "quickness" at something. Derived from this f

Proverbs 22:29 says, "Seest thou a man diligent in his business? He shall stand before kings; he shall not stand before mean (men)".   This study emphasizes two words in this text.    STAND - This word is a single word in the Hebrew, but in the Greek text [LXX], the two words "stand before" are frequently used in the scriptures as one term.    This is a technical term established in the OT, and brought over into the NT, to convey the Oriental custom of those privileged indivi

Proverbs 28:25 says, "He that is of a proud heart stirs up strife, but he that puts his trust in the Lord shall be made fat."   This is one of three scriptures in Proverbs that talk about what "stirs up strife", (15:18; 28:25; 29:22), but before dealing with the origins of strife, it's important to understand, according to the scriptures, what strife is.   STRIFE - This is an interesting Hebrew word, that has very vivid imagery, that conveys an accurate picture  of  what God

Proverbs 28:25 says, "He that is of a proud heart stirs up strife, but he that puts his trust in the Lord shall be made fat."   STIR UP - This word means to excite to anger, or more specifically, to wage or make war with anyone.   The word is only used 14 times in the OT, with 4 of those references being in Deuteronomy chapter 2 (2:5,9,19,24), and 3 of them being in Daniel chapter 11 (11:10[2x's],25). The other references are in Jeremiah 50:24; 2 Kings 14:10; 2 Chronicles 25:

FRIEND 2 Chronicles 20:7 refers  to , "... the seed of Abraham, Thy friend forever.", and again,   Isaiah 41:8 says, "But thou, Israel, (art) My servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham, My friend..."    The concept of friendship has an endearing quality that conjures up an array of usually very positive; pleasant and fun-filled memories, but there are deeper associations with the word, especially when it relates to being a "friend" of God.   These scripture ref

2 Chronicles 20:7 says, " (Are) not You our God, (who) did drive out the inhabitants of this land before Your people, Israel, and gave it to the seed of Abraham, Your friend, forever? "   This concept of "friend", though expressing intimacy, especially in relation to Abraham, (see He Breathes After You), has a specific context within the confines of a covenant relationship.   Jehoshaphat had just been rebuked by the prophet for his alliance [covenant] with Ahab (2 Chr. 19:2),

Exodus 33:11 says, "... the Lord spoke to Moses face to face, as a man speaks to his friend..."   SHEPHERDING This Hebrew word for "friend", is derived from a root word meaning  "shepherding", or "watching over" sheep. The meaning is then expanded to  "watching over" or "shepherding" people; and therefore the imagery of a "ruler"  or king emerges.   WATCHING OVER A secondary meaning, that is derived from this primary definition, is that of "watching over" an individual. We wo

Matthew 13:4 says, "... and when he sowed, some (of the seeds) fell by the wayside, and the fowls came and devoured them."   THE PARABLE OF THE SOWER This portion of scripture, known as the parable of the Sower, or more aptly, the parable of the different kinds of soil, is repeated 3 times in scripture (Matthew 13; Mark 4; and Luke 8). There seems to be a principle in scripture, that when something is repeated more than once, it is because it is very significant to God (Gen.

Matthew 13:19 says, "When anyone hears the word of the kingdom, and understands (it) not, then comes the wicked (one), and catches away that which was sown in his heart."   [This verse parallels Mark 4:15, and Luke 8:12, where a different Greek word is used to translate the English phrase "takes away".] CATCHES AWAY This verb is used 13 times in the NT with the underlying sense of "to take by force".   It is, in fact, the word that is used in several references, to convey the

SPIRITUAL CHANGE There definitely needs to be a shift; a change; a renewing of the mind, to the spiritual and scriptural concept of the (ekklesia). [see Fulfilling Purpose]. The defensive, drawn back from the world, understanding of, and function of the overwhelming majority of "churches", has left the impression that the term is specifically those who are "called out" from society; separate and apart; or, mistakenly protected or reserved for something exclusive, but differen