Forum 09.10 March 5, 2009.
Scriptures for this study: 1 Thes.2:2-13
1. What is manipulation mean?2. Why are we angry when we are being manipulated?3. Does manipulation has to be bad?4. What is out witted mean?5. What is wise as snake and harmless as dove mean?
1Thes 2:2 We had previously suffered and been insulted in Philippi,
as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in spite of strong opposition. 1. How were they suffered and insulted in Philippi? See Acts chapter 16.2. May my brothers in Christ take this to heart!With the help of our God we dared to tell you His gospel in spite of strongopposition!
(Not from government authority, but is from religious leaders!)
1 Thes.2:3-->For the exhortation of us not of error 4106 nor of uncleanness 167 nor in guile1388.
(This is from Greerk, English, Chinese word for word translation Bible.)
(The Arabic numbers are for Greek and English dictionary so you can search for yourself.)
(Opposite of these is a detailing of manipulation with evil intent!) Error -->4106 sounds good but is wrong!
Uncleanness -->167 contain impure motives. Guile -->1388 crafty, deceit.
Examples from the Bible on how the "guile" was translated in different version of the Bible.
Mt 26:4 They took counsel together that they might take Jesus by subtlety, and kill him.
Mk 14:1 Now the Passover and the Feast of Unleavened Bread were only two days away,
and the chief priests and the teachers of the law were looking for some sly way to arrest Jesus
and kill him. (NIV)
Mk 14:1 Now after two days was (the feast of) the passover and the unleavened bread:
and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him with subtlety,
and kill him: (ASV)
Mk 14:1 After two days was the feast of the passover, and of unleavened bread:
and the chief priests and the scribes sought how they might take him by craft, and put him to death. (KJV)
Jn 1:47 When Jesus saw Nathanael approaching, he said of him,
"Here is a true Israelite, in whom there is nothing false." Jn 1:47
Jesus saw Nathanael coming to him, and saith of him, Behold, an Israelite indeed,
in whom is no guile! (ASV)
1Thes 2:4 On the contrary, we speak as men
(1)approved by God to be
(2)entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please men but
(3)God, who tests our hearts.
1Thes 2:5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—
(4)God is our witness.
How we conducted ourselves among you?
1. We were gentle among you, like a mother caring for her little children.
We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God
but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us. (1 Thes.2:7-8)
2. You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless
we were among you who believed. 1 Thes.2:13.
We dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children,
encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God,
who calls you into his kingdom and glory. 1 Thes.2:11-12.
Right relation between those who preach and those who believe!
We thank God continually because, when you received the word of God,
which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men,
but as it actually is, the word of God, which is at work in you who believe. 1 Thes.2:13
May God bless you forever! March 6, 2009.