Posts Tagged ‘terminology’
What does “vain thoughts” mean in Psalms 119:113?
Question: I recently came across a section of the Psalms that concerned me. Psalms 119:113 says in the KJV, “I hate vain thoughts, but thy law do I love.” Doing a Google search for the phrase “vain thoughts,” I came across a few articles, mostly from British writers of the eighteenth century, that asserted that…
Read MoreWhat are the definitions of “foolish talk” and “coarse jesting?”
Question: Ephesians 5:4 says that “neither … foolish talking nor jesting” ought to be found among the saints. However, I have had difficulty coming to the precise meanings of these words, or maybe I am afraid to. I see on your web site that you, and most others, define “foolish talking” as sinful or tasteless talk, for…
Read MoreWho are the principalities and powers in heavenly places?
Question: Who are the principalities and powers in heavenly places that the church can make known certain things? Answer: “To me, who am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles the unsearchable riches of Christ, and to make all see what is the…
Read MoreWhat does it mean to be partakers of the divine nature?
Question: What does it mean to be partakers of the divine nature in II Peter 1:4-11? Answer: “Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord, as His divine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him…
Read MoreWhat does it mean that John was “in the spirit?”
Question: In Revelation 1:10, John said that he was in the “Spirit” what did he mean? “I was in the Spirit on the Lord’s day, and heard behind me a great voice, as of a trumpet,” Answer: It means that while he was physically on Patmos, his spirit was elsewhere. A similar thing happened to…
Read MoreWhat is meant by “speaking the truth in love?”
Question: “That we [henceforth] be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, [and] cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, [even] Christ:”…
Read MoreDoes the word “lord” mean “baal?”
Question: It is my understanding that the word “lord” means “baal.” Can you shed some light on this? Answer: The word baal is a root word in Hebrew and other Semitic languages which can mean lord, owner, master, possessor, or husband depending on the context in which it is used. Owner “If an ox gores a man…
Read MoreWhat is the difference between “happy” and “joy”?
Question: I can’t find a defined difference between happy or happiness and joy or joyfulness in the Bible. I was wondering about the difference. I remember learning about it one time, but I can’t find what I learned anywhere and my dictionaries are not that in-depth. Answer: “Joy” is the translation of the Greek word chara.…
Read MoreCould you explain “foreknew” and “predestined” to me?
Question: I have struggled for years with the “foreknew” and “predestined” parts. I believe the Bible 100% and actually understand what is being said; however, there is something I can’t quite get. Maybe I can ask my question this way: I am blessed with two grandsons. God knew from the beginning everything about these children.…
Read MoreWhat does it mean to contend for the faith?
Question: I am reading the book of Jude and he said in verse 3, “Beloved, when I gave all diligence to write unto you of the common salvation, it was needful for me to write unto you, and exhort [you] that ye should earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints.” What…
Read MoreWas Mark Peter’s son?
Question: In I Peter 5:13 Peter said, “The church that is at Babylon, elected together with you, saluteth you; and so doth Marcus, my son.” Since Peter was married, could Marcus be his son? Answer: It wasn’t unusual for preachers who worked closely with younger men, who would eventually succeed them, to refer to them…
Read MoreOnly in the Lord
by Bob Buchanon Would you please explain the phrase “in the Lord” found in I Corinthians 7:39? Does this mean that if the widow chooses to remarry, she would only be allowed to marry one who is a Christian or “in the Lord”? The phrase “in the Lord” is prepositional and must modify either a…
Read MoreCan the passage about homosexuality in Romans 1 and the one about the Jews and Gentiles in Romans 11 be compared since they both talk about what is natural or contrary to nature?
Question: I have a question about homosexuality. I have been thinking about something, analyzing it, and wondering if you could make an argument out of something I noticed. In Romans 1:26-27: For this reason God gave them up to dishonorable passions. For their women exchanged natural relations for those that are contrary to nature; and…
Read MoreWhat would be considered “works?”
Question: I am writing to ask a question, but first I want to say I really like the new look of your web site. Very nice and appealing too. My question may seem elementary, but I am finding that maybe it isn’t for me. I am questioning this: What would be considered ‘works’? In the…
Read MoreWhat was Paul referring to when he talked about endless genealogies?
Question: In reading Albert Barnes’ Notes on I Timothy, he talks about genealogies which are referring to the verse I Timothy 1:4 “nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.” Albert Barnes states that the Hebrews kept careful genealogical records because…
Read MoreWhat are the seven mansions?
Question: In my Father’s house are many mansions. What are the seven mansions? Thank you! Answer: So how did you leap from “many mansions” to “seven mansions?” “In My Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I…
Read MoreWhat is meant by “nations” in Revelation?
Question: What does Revelation 21:26 and Revelation 22:2 mean? What do the references to the nations mean? “And they shall bring the glory and honor of the nations into it.” “In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits,…
Read MoreWhat does it mean when people say “God’s will be done” or “Lord willing?”
Question: What does it mean when people say “God’s will be done” or “Lord willing?” For example, some may say a prayer to God about getting a particular job or being accepted into a university, but then they also say something similar to “if it’s God’s will.” What do they mean by “God’s will?” With…
Read MoreWhat does it mean that God’s word is a two-edged sword?
Question: What does the Scripture mean in Hebrews 4:12 relating to a two-edged sword? Answer: “For the word of God is living and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the…
Read MoreWhat does “end of the age” refer to?
Question: I am curious to know what you say the “end of the age” refers to? Does it refer to the end of the world or to a specific age? I ask this in relation to what you said about it in Matthew 28. I think some people (Full Preterists/Hyper Preterists) believe the “end of…
Read MoreWhat is meant by “the measure of a man, that is, of an angel?”
Question: In Revelation 21:17, what is meant by the phrase, “measure of a man, that is, of an angel”? Answer: “Then he measured its wall: one hundred and forty-four cubits, according to the measure of a man, that is, of an angel” (Revelation 21:17). John is trying to give us the impression of the immense…
Read MoreWhy should YHWH be pronounced correctly and not Yeshua?
Question: I have just read your web page: Understanding the Tetragrammaton: Pronouncing YHWH. If your conclusion is accurate, then we should not be using the name Jesus, correct? To apply your conclusion or principle to YHWH, consistency, and accuracy being paramount with me, means that the use of Jesus it wrong too. We should be using…
Read MoreWhat was Jesus’ point about being lifted up for men to see?
Question: In John 3:14, Jesus is talking to Nicodemus and speaks of Moses lifting up the serpent. Is this the bronze serpent Moses made? And how does this relate to Jesus and what is Jesus trying to tell Nicodemus? I understand the part about believing and eternal life, but I still think I am missing…
Read MoreWhat is meant by a new heaven and a new earth?
Question: What is meant by a new heaven and a new earth? And what is meant by a war in heaven? Answer: “Now I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and the first earth had passed away. Also there was no more sea” (Revelation 21:1). The first heaven and…
Read MoreWhy does Hebrews 9:27 state what it does and yet Elijah and Enoch did not experience physical death?
Question: Why does Hebrews 9:27 state what it does and yet Elijah and Enoch did not experience physical death? Answer: “And as it is appointed for men to die once, but after this the judgment” (Hebrews 9:27). The writer of Hebrews is stating a general principle. Because of Adam’s sin, man is appointed to die. “In the…
Read MoreWhat does “put my tears in your bottle” mean in Psalms 56:8?
Question: Can you help me with the meaning of Psalms 56:8, especially the part “tears into thy bottle?” Answer: “You number my wanderings; put my tears into Your bottle; are they not in Your book?” (Psalm 56:8). Each phrase is a reference to God remembering or recording what has happened to David. This particular Psalm,…
Read MoreWhat does “the unsearchable riches of God” mean?
Question: There is a phrase used that I’ve heard which I am not sure I understand. The unsearchable riches of God. Why do people say, “unsearchable riches?” By reading and study of the Bible, we can learn what God wants and learn what Jesus did, said, and taught. But “unsearchable riches” must mean more than…
Read MoreDoes the Bible say the spiritual world is more real than the physical world?
Question: I remember reading in the Bible that “the spiritual world is more real than the physical world.” I have tried to find it again and cannot. Do you know what the reference for this is? Answer: I recall reading a short book by C.S. Lewis that had this idea as its theme. I also…
Read MoreWhat does “the day of visitation” mean?
Question: In Luke 19:44, what do you think is the “day of visitation”? What do you think the other references in the Bible mean in regards to this phrase? We are doing a chronological study and up to this time frame. I have asked you one other question and you are about in the same…
Read MoreSeveral questions from I Samuel
Question: We are continuing our study of I Samuel in our ladies’ class. We had a couple of questions. If you have time, we would appreciate your input. In I Samuel 21:5 do you think that the term “vessels” refers to the bodies of David’s men? Does this indicate that they were “clean” as far…
Read MoreWhy does Mark have “Eloi” and Matthew have “Eli” for the same statement?
Question: I believe that Matthew’s account lists Jesus’s cry from the ancient texts when he wrote “Eli, Eli lama sabachthani”. This is not a quote from Psalm 22. The Hebrew in Psalm 22 is ‘azab, not sabachthani. I’ve seen some stretches that try to link sabachthani with ‘azab, but I believe it is a bit of…
Read MoreCan you explain all these similar phrases about dying with Christ and dying to sin?
Question: What do these phrases mean? I have been crucified with Christ I am dead in Christ I have died to Christ I am dead to sin I am dead in sin I am resurrected with Christ Answer: Let’s examine each phrase in the statement in which it was given: I have been crucified with…
Read MoreWho was sent out as the first missionary?
Question: Who was sent out as the first missionary? Answer: The answer depends on how tightly you want to define the word “missionary.” It isn’t a word used in the Scriptures, so we can’t apply a Greek or Hebrew definition to the word. Technically, “missionary” means someone sent on a mission and there are numerous…
Read MoreIs the church the building or its members?
Question: is the church the building or is the church made up of its members? Answer: In English, the word “church” can refer to either the building or the people worshiping God in a local. For example, one set of definitions is: one of the groups of Christians who have their own beliefs and forms of…
Read MoreWhat is a “love feast?”
Question: What is an Agape Love Feast? Is it where food was served? Answer: The phrase “love feast” only appears once in the Scriptures. “Woe to them! For they have gone in the way of Cain, have run greedily in the error of Balaam for profit, and perished in the rebellion of Korah. These are spots…
Read MoreWhat does it mean to “inherit the kingdom of God?”
Question: What is your position on Galatians 5:2? Is “inherit the Kingdom of God” compared to salvation or is it dealing with rewards? Answer: The Christian’s relationship to God is described by several metaphors in the Bible. One is seeing a Christian as a child of God. “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit…
Read MoreWhat is the Law of Christ?
Question: Read an article on your page concerning Paul and his motives. If what is stated in the New Testament is true, I agree with you about him. Could you tell me what the “Law of Christ” is? My teaching, and correct me if I am wrong, is that “the Torah” better translates from the Hebrew into English…
Read MoreWhat is meant by “one will be left and the other taken”?
Question: Where it says one will be left the other taken away, (always mentioned by people with the rapture and stuff). I was wondering what was your take on that verse. Answer: The same illustration is used in two different contexts, though the overall meaning of the illustration is the same: “But of that day…
Read MoreAre the new heavens and new earth been already made or will it be created in the future?
Question: Are the new heavens and new earth been already made or will it be created in the future? Answer: This is a question that leaves me wondering whether an answer one way or another will make any difference in how you and I must live our lives on this earth. In the Old Testament,…
Read MoreIs there a distinction between forgiveness and redemption?
Question: First, I must say that your web site is fantastic! There is much cool stuff here that I wish I had more time to read. At Bible class last night, the issue of forgiveness vs. redemption and taking away sin came up. The issue, and my question, is whether forgiveness and redemption are the…
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