Forum 09.11. March 13, 2009.
Subject: Original meaning in today English Expression.
Scriptures for this study: Ro.16:17-18, Titus 3:10-11
A. Ro.16:17-18 NIV
I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who cause divisions
and put obstacles in your way that are contrary to the teaching
you have learned. Keep away from them. 16:17
For such people are not serving our Lord Christ, but their own
appetites. By smooth talk and flattery they deceive the minds of
naive people. 16:18
B. Ro.16:17-18 ASV
Now I beseech you, brethren, mark them that are causing the
divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine
which ye learned and turn away from them. 16:17
For they that are such serve not our Lord Christ, but their own
belly; and by their smooth and fair speech they beguile the hearts
of the innocent. 16:18
1. “Cause divisions and put obstacles” what does it mean?
In today English expression this should translate as “one who
organize a denomination” and put obstacles! I know you know
what put obstacles mean!
2. “Contrary to the teaching you have learned” what it?
Contrary to John 17:20-23, Jesus prayed for unity of all his
believers in all the world!
Contrary to Eph.4:4-6, there is one God, one Lord, one Spirit,
one faith teaching, one baptism, one body, the church, one hope.
As I preached two weeks ago, this one God loved this one church.
God demands this one church is to be a pure virgin church! This
means this one church can only accept teachings recorded in the
Bible!
3. Why NIV use “watch out for those” and the ASV use “mark them”?
Actually both translations are needed to be more complete!
4. What are the smooth talk and flattery words?
What do you think preachers are required to have theological
school training…! Our local Government think so too!
Theological seminaries are places where preachers learn smooth
talk and flattery words!
C. Titus 3:10-11 NIV
Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time.
After that, have nothing to do with him.
You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-
condemned. 3:11
D. Titus 3:10-11 ASV
A factious man after a first and second admonition refuse; 3:10
knowing that such a one is perverted, and sinned, being self-
condemned. 3:11
1. NIV explains the word “refuse” in ASV:
“Refuse” means “have nothing to do with him”.
And we know “him” is one who organizes a denomination church!
2. What is a divisive person or a factious man mean?
In our today English expression this should translate as one
who organize a denomination church!
3. What is warped, sinful and self-condemned mean?
Warped means departed from the teaching recorded in the Bible.
As Ro.16:17 says organize a denomination church put obstacles!
When we should make it easier for people to come to the Lord
for salvation, we make it harder for them! When we should all
be in one church, but denomination trap people in a “church”…
E. Study and compare!
One who study and compare these two places of scriptures will find
out their resemblance!
Essentially their idea is the same but in different words of
expression and address to different people in a different time!
1. Romans 1:7--> To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: …
This tells us Ro.16:17-18 was written to the church in Rome!
2. Titus 1:4--> to Titus, my true child after a common faith: Grace
and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior.
This tells us Titus 3:10-11 was written to Titus!
Conclusion:
1. It is clear and simple. As a church together they should take
unified action to those who organize a denomination church and the
action is to mark them and have nothing to do with them!
The reason for this is because after two warnings he had refused
to rescind his warped, sinful and self-condemned action!
If we put it bluntly, this is it, let him go to hell!
Other wise, please tell me what is this to all people who are
loved by God and to those who preach the truth, to “have nothing
to do with him” mean!
2. To Titus, as a preacher he must practice and preach the message!
It is imperative, it is very important!
3. Tragically, as we know it, preachers in the past did not take this
teaching seriously, and see what we have before us!
Denominationalism has cast so much obstacles for all people!
4. To believers in the world it is like what people do in the world!
God created this world for all His creations. But people draw
boarders and set up different nations, build defense to defend
their boarders, compete to build the most advanced weaponry …
5. It is the same in belief, people set up denominations…
When it should be free for all to go where they chose! But now how
much trouble to go from one place to another place! There is this
thing called custom! They search your belongings like you are a
fearful criminal! ….
May the Lord bless you and keep you forever! March 13, 2009.