Paul the
apostle wrote to Timothy his “dearly beloved son” about
“Hymenaeus and Philetus” who were promoting “profane
and vain babblings” which Paul said “concerning the truth
have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already; and
overthrow the faith of some”. Though the faith of some was
“overthrown”, in chapter two and verse nineteen of this final
letter to Timothy, Paul declared “the foundation of God stands
sure” where we read:
Nevertheless
the foundation of God stands sure, having this seal, The Lord knows
them that are his. And, Let every one that names the name of Christ
depart from iniquity.
The
verse begins, “Nevertheless the foundation of God stands sure,”
Paul began with the word, “Nevertheless” which means
“but, yet and howbeit” and may best be understood,
“Never-the-less”, “the foundation” or “beginnings
and first principles of an institution or system of truth” “of
God” which refers to “the Godhead which is God the Father,
God the Son and God the Holy Spirit and the one and only true God”
“stands” or “is put in place, kept intact, firm, fixed
and established” “sure” which means “immovable, solid
and steadfast”. Though others were attempting to alter the
foundation of God, nothing was going to move the strong principles of
the faith.
The
verse goes on to say, “having this seal, The Lord knows them
that are his.” Paul continued with, “having this seal”
which refers to “having the name of God and Christ stamped upon
their foreheads which confirmed, proved and authenticated them”
because “The Lord” who is “Jesus Christ the anointed one
and Messiah of God” “knows” or “understands, perceives
and has knowledge of” “them that are” referring to “the
ones who are being and become” “his” or “belonging to Him”.
Those who belong to Jesus Christ have His “seal” upon them
which shows ownership, relationship, possession and control by the
one and only true God of the Universe.
The verse continues,
“And, Let every one that names the
name of Christ depart from iniquity.” As
though being “sealed” with God's seal of ownership isn't enough,
Paul declares, “And”
which is a continuation conjunction meaning more is to be added,
“Let”
which is the Greek word “aphistēmi”
and
means “to make stand off or aloof, cause to withdraw, remove,
excite and revolt” “every
one”
or “each, every, any, all, the whole and everyone” “that
names”
or “utters, mentions, is given and bears the name” “of
Christ”
who is “Jesus, the anointed one of God and the Messiah” “depart”
which
again is “to make stand off or aloof, cause to withdraw, remove,
excite and revolt” “from
iniquity”
which means “separation and fleeing injustice,
unrighteousness of heart and life and any deed violating law, justice
or acts of unrighteousness”. In other words, Paul is exhorting
those who bear the “name of Christ”
to flee “iniquity”
and live their lives in a manner that is pleasing to God.
When we
meditate upon Paul's words, it may help us to understand a
description of the word “seal”. In the days of Paul, it
was very common for a Lord, master or owner of property to have a
“signet ring” which was engraved with his own personal carvings.
If a box, package or letter was to be delivered or shipped, in order
to identify the package as belonging to that master, it was often
“sealed” with a melted drop of wax wherein the “signet ring”
would be pressed, and therefore left a mark that showed ownership.
Paul stated, “the Lord knows them that are His”, and by
having His “seal” upon us, we are claimed by Him as “His
own”. Because “the foundation of God stands sure” and
we bear “the name of Christ”, we must live in a manner
that is pleasing to Him. We are His, and all those who trust in, rely
upon and cling to Him belong to Him as well. May the Lord Jesus help
us to understand the great advantage to His “sure foundation”
and “seal”, and when we do, may He help us live according
to value of bearing His name.
Next
time Paul gives examples of “vessels” in a house, so read
ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
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