Colossians 1:9-18

9 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; 11 strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins. 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist. 18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence. 


Vs 9-10 For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; 10 that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God;

The Apostle Paul after encouraging the believers in Colosse by reminding them of our mutual inheritance in heaven (vs. 5), and the fruitfulness of the Gospel, which also bears fruit in our lives and in all the world (vs. 6), is now returning to his thankfulness for them. Which began when he first heard of their faith and love in Colosse from Epaphras (the man who first brought the gospel to them, vs. 7), and not only of their love for Paul and Timothy, but also for all the saints (that is all of God's people everywhere). Therefore Paul in seeking to encourage and strengthen them in their faith and love, says since the day he heard of their faith in Jesus Christ and love for all the saints, has not ceased to pray for them, praying that they may all be filled with the knowledge of Christ's will, in all wisdom and spiritual understanding (vs. 9). For it is in knowing and obeying the Lord's will that both the believer individually, and church collectively, grows strong and matures, and thus bears much wholesome fruit. And so in contrast to the false apostles, prophets and teachers who had crept into Colosse and were trying to entice the believers away from the Lord by expounding to them all kinds of so called secret "spiritual knowledge". The Apostle Paul here emphasizes that both true knowledge of God and Jesus Christ's will for us is found in and through His Word. For it is only through the Word of God that the whole person in spirit, soul and body is, and will be sanctified by God (see John 17:17, 19; Eph 5:26; 1 Thess 5:23).

And so the Apostles prayer is that they be filled with the knowledge of Jesus Christ's will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding (vs. 9). For that is absolutely critical, not only in our own faith journeys as the Lord Jesus directs our lives individually as He wills, but also as He as Head of the Body directs us all collectively. And so we must individually and collectively in all wisdom and spiritual understanding always be striving to discern His Will for us. By listening prayfully to Him, while seeking out His will for us in His Word, so that we may know and do His will in our own lives, and in our churches. For when we know and do His will, this will not only bless us personally (for truly no Christian will feel satisfied in this life unless they are living in Jesus Christ's will for them), but also in obeying the Lord Jesus Christ we will become His blessing in the earth towards all. For truly by listening to His voice, the good fruits of His Spirit (Gal 5:22-23) will spill over out of our lives and assemblies and into our families and communities, as we trust and obey Him. And so Spiritual knowledge and understanding is always to be translating itself positively in us and through us, as we live/work out our faith down here. For as the Apostle Paul says, our acquiring spiritual knowledge of God and discerning His Will is so that we may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in knowledge of God (vs. 10). Thus there will be in our lives a reciprocal cycle of acquiring knowledge and understanding of Jesus' Person and Will for us, then of our living that truth out in our lives, both in the church and the world, and so we will acquire more knowledge and understanding of God as we do. For Bible study is not simply to study the Bible. Rather Bible study is to connect us personally and intimately with the heart and mind of God. And so when we let the Living Word take hold in our own hearts, minds, and lives. Then the Living Word will transform not only our own persons and lives, but it will have a positive impact on all those around us.

Therefore let us all who believe always be increasing in our knowledge of God (vs. 10). For it is by knowledge of God that one grows in their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and learns to walk worthy of Him, by living out and experiencing God's unchanging Scriptural truth in their life (consider John 8:31-22; Rom 12:2; 2 Tim 2:16-17; Heb 13:8; 1 Peter 1:25). For in doing so you will not only grow in your faith as you journey homeward, you will escape the ever rising flood of ungodliness of this world that Satan, the god of this age is propagating through all whom he has deceived and taken captive to do his will. For as it says in the Book of Hebrews: "...solid food belongs to those who are of full age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to discern both good and evil." Heb 5:14

 Vs. 11 "strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy;"

And so since we are commanded by our Lord and Savior to be doing good with our lives down here we are also by Jesus Christ's glorious power daily being "strengthened with all might for all patience, longsuffering and joy." Three things the Apostle Paul lists here and two of them have to do with our endurance in the faith, and one our joy. First the word translated patience, it basically means to have "the capacity to continue to bear up under difficult circumstances." Louw Nida  In the NKJ in the N.T. it is variously rendered patience (Luke 21:19; Rom 15:4; Rev 2:2, 19); endurance (Heb 12:1) or perseverance (Rom 8:25; 2 Tim 3:10). All which is a prerequisite too our bearing fruit through the Word of God (consider Luke 8:15). And so we are too pursue this (1 Tim 6:11; 2 Peter 1:6) just as
God also works this attribute in our lives through the various trials, tribulations, and disconcerting things that we must pass through in this life (consider Rom 5:3; James 1:3; 5:11). For it is by patient continuance in doing good (often in the face of provocation) that one continues to demonstrate their faith in the Lord Jesus Christ (consider Rom 2:7; 2 Cor 6:4). Therefore we are not only being empowered by Jesus Christ to live as His disciples, we are also by His resurrection power being sustained by Him, in all longsuffering and joy even though there are many spiritual forces of wickedness that war against our being so. Now the word translated longsuffering is a fruit of Spirit (see Gal 5:22) and it means
to have "a state of emotional calm in the face of provocation or misfortune and without complaint or irritation—‘patience.’' Louw Nida It is the ability to bear up or endure in patience the stresses of living a Godly life which always brings with it it's own opposition (consider 2 Tim 3:12). And so we are Divinely empowered by God through His Spirit for that very purpose. For again though there are many forces at work in this world which seek to undermine and overthrow a believers faith and confidence In Christ we have a default state given us by God to help maintain our composure so that we need not fret or despair when the difficulties arise and our troublers come (consider Psalm 37).
Now we can forsake that default state and return to our old natures ways, and thus grieve the Holy Spirit when we do (consider Eph 4:29-31). Or we can allow ourselves to be transformed by the various trials and tribulations that God permits in our lives, so that we might more and more bear the true nature of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ in our own persons and lives, which is patience and longsuffering in joy (consider Heb 6:12). For again Christian growth and fruitfulness never comes through ease of life, but by patience and endurance and joy through our trials of life. For we all have our own unique areas that we will need to be tested and refined in. For having been saved from our sins and judgment to come by the grace of God through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. We more than likely will still have need for both maturity and endurance. And again these often only come through the various trials and tribulations that God permits to come our way, so that He might grow us up in our faith (consider Rom 5:1-5; James 1:2-4; 12), and as He does He will make us more fruitful along the way (John 15:2). And so rather than fighting against them, (as if they are the "enemy") we should look to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ (who loves us even while were in them) to empower us in all joy through them.  

Vs. 12 "giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light."

If you study the Apostle Paul's life from the time of Christ's calling him to the end, you will see one thing that clearly marks it, and that is thanksgiving. In good times and bad, in prison, persecutions, perils, poverty, and everything else. The Apostle Paul never went to bed Spiritually hungry, because he always ate a continual feast of thanksgiving towards God (consider Prov 15:5). And so we also, as we journey homeward should likewise be giving thanks to God the Father in all things, for He has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. And so we also have a continual cause to be thankful to God our Father, because we also have an everlasting inheritance with Christ. Therefore in all things let us all be giving thanks and praise to God the Father in Jesus Christ's Name as the Scripture says (see Ps 69:30; Eph 5:20; Col 1:12; 3:17; Heb 13:15). For we who believe in Jesus also share in His life; both His joys, sufferings, and His sorrows (consider 2 Cor 1:5; Phil 3:10-11; 2 Tim 1:8; Heb 11:24-26; 1 Peter 4:13 etc.). For our lives and destinies are in separately wrapped up in Jesus Christ's. And so we who believe in Jesus Christ are continually by God's Spirit being moved in a forward direction, because it is always the future glory that lies ahead of us that keeps us pressing on towards the goal (consider Phil 3:12-14).

Now the Apostle Paul's use of light here is a metaphor for the Kingdom of heaven, which is not only a reality in our lives (Luke 17:21; Eph 5:8; 1 Thess 5:5), but light in the Scriptures always stands juxtaposed to the realm of darkness (consider Matt 4:16; Acts 26:18; 2 Cor 4:6; 2 Cor 6:14; 1 Peter 2:9). And so we are to always be giving thanks to God the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. For though we were all once disqualified from the Kingdom of heaven, because we were all once dead in our own sins and transgressions (Eph 2:1). Yet God has made us all who believe in the Lord Jesus Christ qualified, because God through His Son Jesus first atoned our all sins, by Jesus death on a cross and shed blood at Calvary for them. Then God by His Holy Spirit made us alive together with Jesus Christ, who Himself is the firstborn from the dead having risen three days after His crucifixion death and burial. Then forty days later Jesus ascended back to heaven to be seated at the right hand of the Throne of God where we also are Spiritually seated with Him the moment we believe in Him (Acts 1:3; Eph 1:13-14; 2:4-9). Finally God has qualified us for the Kingdom of heaven by imputing Jesus' own righteousness to us all who believe in Him (consider 2 Cor 5:21; Col 2:13). And so no matter what, nothing, not even Satan himself can take us away from our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, and thus our inheritance with Him and all His saints (consider John 6:39; 10:27-30; 2 Cor 4:16-18). And so again we have a good cause for continually giving our praise and thanksgiving to Him because God the Father through His only begotten Son, has qualified us all to be to be "partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light."

Vs. 13-14 13 He has delivered us from the power of darkness and conveyed us into the kingdom of the Son of His love, 14 in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.

Having qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance in the saints in light. God has also delivered us from the power of darkness; that is from the power of sin, Satan and death and conveyed us (or transferred us, NKJ margin reading) into the Kingdom of the Son of His love (vs. 13). And so here the preeminence of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ through whom God accomplishes all these things for us takes precedence. For it is only through Jesus Christ's shed blood on our behalf that we have redemption from sin and death and forgiveness of all our sins (vs. 14, also see Eph 1:7). Now in case there was any misunderstanding about the Divine Preeminence of Jesus Christ, who is both the Son of Man and the Son of God, the Apostle Paul lays it all too rest here. And so he goes on to say of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ that "He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation." vs 15
Therefore in Jesus Christ we see the expressed image of the invisible God, who came in the form of a Man, to take the feudal headship of the first person God created, Adam, whom He appointed over His creation, yet who fell by transgression, and thus through Adam sin and death entered into all of God's created sphere, and so sin and death spread to all mankind, indeed all of creation. And that is why Jesus, God's Son became a Man so that He could both redeem believing mankind by His own Substitutionary human death on the cross for all our sins and transgressions (see Isaiah 53). But also Jesus became a Man so as to fulfill God's Scriptural promise of having a King and High Priest (i.e. Messiah or Christ) that will sit on and rule from the throne of David forever. Therefore in Jesus Christ God fulfills both. And so In Christ God took on flesh, the flesh of mortal man, so that He might not only redeem us from  sin and death, but also (and this is critical to our understanding God's love for us) He did so, so that He could interact with us on a level that we could also perceive and interact with Him (consider 1 John 1:1-3). For consider if you will O.T. Job's frustration at not being able to do just that (Job 9:11; 23:8-9).

Vs. 15-16 15 He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 

Now the Apostle Paul's declaring that Jesus is the firstborn over all of creation is not to be understood as if Jesus was a created person. It means in the context of Jewish thought that Jesus is the chosen heir; the One whom God the Father choose and appointed from everlasting to be the Heir and Ruler over all His creation. And so whatever God has created in all of creation, whether in heaven or on earth, all is subject to Jesus, and will be required to give an accounting of itself to Jesus, God's Son, the Heir and Judge of all created things (Psalm 96:13; Isaiah 2:4; 11:1-4; Matt 3:11-12; 19:28; 25:31-46; John 5:22; Acts 10:42; 17:31; Rom 2:16; Rom 14:10; 2 Cor 5:10-11; 2 Tim 4:1; Rev 11:18 etc.). For Jesus Christ is God from Everlasting (Isaiah 9:6). Now not only is Jesus the Heir of all of God's creation, whether things in heaven or on earth. It was for Jesus' sake that God created all things, so that Jesus Christ His Son would rule over them (Heb 2:8). "For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him."

Vs. 17-18 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.18 And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.

Jesus Christ then is not only the Heir of all things, He is also before all things, whether things in heaven or on earth. Jesus Christ is greater in significance, importance and power than all things. Whether thrones, principalities, or powers, or anything and everything else in all of God's created sphere, Jesus Christ exceedingly exceeds all. For God the Father has exalted His Son Jesus Christ from everlasting to the highest place of Preeminence. And so all are to honor Him just as they honor the Father, He who does not honor the Son does not honor the Father who sent Him (John 5:22-23). Now not only is Jesus Christ the One who is before all things, but He is the One through whom all things consist. Now the word translated consist here means "to bring together or hold together something in its proper or appropriate place or relationship—‘to hold together.’" Louw Nida 63.6 And so it is by Jesus Christ that not only all of creation is held together (see Heb 1:3), but we who believe in Him are  being brought into, held onto, and preserved in a right relationship with God, as His Body of believers. For Jesus Christ is the Head of the Body, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the Preeminence (vs. 18). Now the word translated head here has a duel meaning in this context; first is source and origin, then as ruler (also see 1 Cor 11:3). And so Jesus Christ is not only the Head of the Body, the church, the living organism held together by the Living Lord. But He was also the firstborn from dead. For Jesus Christ suffered death on the cross, once and for all for us all, so all that all who believe in Him will never die an everlasting death, but instead will rise to everlasting life on the last day (John 11:25). Therefore Jesus Christ having died once and for all, for all, was the first to rise from the dead (again to never die again) so that He could have the Preeminence in all things.
Therefore no-one or nothing is to ever be placed before Him, or as a means to Him, since Jesus Christ alone is our Lord (Acts 4:33; 20:21); Savior (Phil 3:20; 1 John 4:14); Redeemer (Gal 1:4; Titus 2:14); Teacher (Matt 23:7-10); High Priest (Heb 4:14-16; 5:4); Judge (Matt 25:31-46; Acts 10:42; 17:31); Ruler (Matt 2:6; Rev 1:5); and Keeper and Heir of all things (Heb 1:2). Who as the Apostle Paul says here in verse eighteen is the firstborn from the dead so that He may have the preeminence, amongst all who believe in Him, who will likewise rise from dead to everlasting life. For just as Jesus willingly laid down His life for us, so He also took it up again (John 10:18). And so just as our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ has risen from the dead to the glory of the Father, so shall we all who put our trust in Him also rise from the dead to everlasting life with Him on the last day (John 5:24-30; 6:39-40).  I do not know where you are at today, but I hope in some way that this has helped too enlighten you to the immense Glory, Honor, and Majesty that is our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. For to know Him by faith in His Person (to the exclusion of all others) is to be brought to Spiritual life and have remission of ones and have everlasting life (John 3:3-5; 16). 

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982

 Additional Resources Consulted
Louw, Johannes P., and Eugene Albert Nida. Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament: Based on Semantic Domains. New York: United Bible Societies, 1996.

Louw Nida article num. 25.174
Louw Nida article num. 25.167
Louw Nida article num. 13.64
Louw Nida article num. 63.6


  

 

 

 
 

 

 

Colossians 1:1-8

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are in Colosse: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 We give thanks to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of your love for all the saints; 5 because of the hope which is laid up for you in heaven, of which you heard before in the word of the truth of the gospel, 6 which has come to you, as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew the grace of God in truth; 7 as you also learned from Epaphras, our dear fellow servant, who is a faithful minister of Christ on your behalf, 8 who also declared to us your love in the Spirit.

Commentary
Vs. 1-2 The Apostle Paul begins his epistle by cordially introducing himself to the Colossians by his Christian name Paul, immediately linking this with his Christ given calling and purpose. Something that he frequently does in his epistles, i.e. letters to the churches (see Romans; 1-2 Corinthians; Galatians; Ephesians; 1-2 Timothy; Titus). And so in one sentence the Apostle Paul will introduce himself (as well as Timothy) to the Colossians, but he will do so in the apostolic authority that God has bestowed upon him. It is both tactful on his part; having not yet met the believers there. Yet it is needful. For Paul's writing to them is not merely to introduce himself to them, rather it is to refute and correct some dangerous and erroneous teachings that had entered into the church fellowship there, some of which were seeking to undermine both the Supremacy of Jesus Christ, as well as the Sufficiency of Jesus Christ, for all who believe in Him.

And so the Apostle Paul having introduced himself (and Timothy) to them now greets them as they are in the sight of God; calling them both saints and faithful brethren in Christ (vs. 2). That the Apostle Paul calls them faithful brethren in Christ is indicating that their current misunderstandings about the Gospel are not from an apostate stance. Rather the brethren there had unwittingly been led astray by certain false teachers who having crept in and taken root amongst them (consider 2 Cor 11:12-15) had brought with them all kinds of various and strange doctrines (consider Heb 13:9). Some of which were spinoffs of ancient Greek thought and "spirituality", and some of which were legalisms carried over from ceremonial Judaism. And so the Apostle Paul knowing this, that they were sincere and genuine brethren in Colosse, extends his greetings to all the faithful brethren in Christ, saying: "Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ." Now God's grace and peace comes not only to them, but to us all who believe in and hold fast to the Lord Jesus Christ as the only means of our salvation.

Vs 3-8 The Apostle Paul now moves from greetings to thanksgiving. Thanking God the Father of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ for them all, saying he prays always for them (vs 3). And so even though Paul did not know them all personally, still he had a great love and care for them all, and so Paul says he prayed always for them (see vs. 9). Which is not unique to them, since Paul did this regularly in his ministering the gospel to all the churches (consider 2 Cor 13:7, 9; Phil. 1:9; 2 Thess 1:11). And so though Paul could not be there with them, to get to know them personally, still he could be there with them in spirit. And so Paul having declared his love for them, acknowledges both their own faith in Christ Jesus, as well as their own love for all the saints; that is all of God's people everywhere (vs 4). Now the Apostle Paul says in verse four that he prays always for them because of their faith in Christ Jesus and their love for all the saints (i.e. brethren). Thus the connection between receiving the love of God by faith in Jesus Christ and having God's love for all of His people is unmistakable. For if you believe in the Lord Jesus Christ then you will love all those begotten by Him (1 John 5:1).

And so starting in verse five the Apostle Paul (again linking his prayers for them to this) touches on the hope which is laid up for them (and us all who believe in Jesus) in heaven. A hope which is inseparably linked to the Word of truth in the Gospel; for it is only by the Word of truth in the Gospel that we come into a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. And so our hope is in, and found only through, the Living Word of God, the Lord Jesus Christ of the Gospel. Now this hope which we have received will only be fully realized by us all when we receive our eternal inheritances in heaven with Christ. And so though we are now children of God, born again by the Spirit of God, and thus we have the Spirit of God as the guarantee of our inheritance with Christ (John 1:12; 2 Cor 1:22; 5:5; Eph 1:13-14) we do not yet have our heavenly bodies, nor do we have our eternal inheritances with Christ. And so not until we are finally home with Jesus Christ will we fully realize the hope that is laid up in heaven for us all who believe (consider 1 Peter 1:3-5). As the Scripture says:

"Eye has not seen, nor ear heard,

Nor have entered into the heart of man

The things which God has prepared for those who love Him." 1 Cor 2:9

And so we have continual hope in this life, for though our outward man is perishing, yet our inward man is being renewed day by day (see 2 Cor 4:16-18). For truly death has no more sting over us who now live and believe in the Lord Jesus Christ. For death is just a means of our passing from this earthly and corrupted sphere into God's heavenly and eternal sphere, where God's Perfect Person, Love and Peace will be enjoyed by us all who believe in Jesus forever (consider Isaiah 32:18; John 14:1-3; Rev 21:4).  And so Paul makes mention of the hope that we all who believe in Jesus have through the Gospel, which he says has come to you (and me), as it has also in all the world, and is bringing forth fruit, amongst the believers in Colosse from the day they heard and knew the grace of God in truth. For truly wherever the Gospel of grace and truth through Jesus Christ (John 1:14) is preached and believed it brings forth much fruit to everlasting life. And that is why the declaring of Gospel to all people, everywhere, at any opportune time, is absolutely critical (consider John 4:34-38). Now in regards to this the Apostle Paul mentions just one man by name Epaphras, whom Paul calls his dear fellow servant, and faithful minister of Christ on their behalf. And so Epaphras was the man who taking courage first preached the Gospel to the people at Colosse. And so through one mans faithfulness to the Gospel the Lord Jesus brought forth a whole church! And so it is down through the ages as faithful men and women likewise believing the promises of God stepped out in faith and saw God work mightily through them. And so it was Epaphras having a church established through him, now returns to tell the Apostle Paul of their love in the Spirit. Now Epaphras was not an apostle; nor was he a "supercharged" Spirit filled man of God. Epaphras was just like you and me, and every other believer, who again stepped out in faith and saw God work mightily through him. And that is what qualifies you and I for Jesus Christ's witness and service, a believing and willing heart to serve Him.

I don't know where you are at today, but if you have already received the love of the truth I hope and pray that you will be looking for your own opportunities to bear witness to the Lord Jesus Christ and or serve His purposes hear on earth. Now if you have not yet received the Lord Jesus Christ please do so, by a simple prayer of faith, of believing in the Lord Jesus Christ as testified too in the Gospel you can have remission of all your sins and everlasting life! Therefore if you believe simply pray something like this: Dear Lord Jesus Christ I believe You were crucified unto death for all my sins and that You rose again from the dead on the third day, fulfilling the Scripture and vanquishing death forever for us all who believe in You (John 11:25). I also believe Lord Jesus that after You rose from the dead, You ascended back to God the Father in heaven, so that You might give new and everlasting life by Your Holy Spirit to everyone who believes in You, the moment they believe in You, calling upon Your name. So here I am a sinner with nothing to offer You except a believing heart and willing life asking that this great and precious gift of Your Person and Life also come into me by God's grace, that I might know God as my Father and have You as my Lord and Savior, that I might have remission of all my sins and everlasting life with You. I pray this in Your Name Lord Jesus Christ, amen.

Scripture Quotations

The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982

 

Romans 14:1-23

1 Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand. 5 One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind. 6 He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks. 7 For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living. 10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” 12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way. 14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it isunclean. 15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. 22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

Commentary

Vs. 1 "Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things."

The Apostle begins this chapter with an exhortation to receive, that is welcome as brethren, those who are weak in the faith. The idea here is that those who are stronger in the faith should not do so simply to dispute with them over doubtful things, rather as Jesus Christ welcomes all who seek Him and call on His Name, so should we all. Thus love and acceptance of other believers is not to be governed by their agreeing with us, or practicing with us, what amounts to basically insignificant things on non-essential matters. Indeed in receiving one who is weak in the faith in time they may by our hospitality towards them become liberated from whatever legalistic ideals they themselves are currently living by and under. Though that is not even the goal (to altar anothers opinion or practices) the goal is brotherly love. Thus receiving them has not only their well-being in mine, but also ours, by our pursuing the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace with all who believe (see Eph 4:1-3).

Vs. 2-4 2 For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. 3 Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. 4 Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.

Having giving an exhortation for those who are stronger in their faith to receive those who are not. The Apostle Paul now addresses what the point of contention was. And that is the eating of only certain foods. Now there were two camps in this. The first were those who knew that being In Christ means we are liberated to eat all foods (see vs. 14, 20, 1 Cor 6:12-13; 1 Tim 4:4 etc.). And thus neither Jewish dietary restrictions in the Old Covenant, nor anything else is incumbent upon the dietary behavior of anyone who has come to believe in the Lord Jesus Christ; the exception being restrictions on eating meat with blood; or animals that were strangled to death; or were sacrificed to idols (see Acts 15:22-29; 1 Cor 10:23-33). Though the restriction on eating the meat of animals sacrificed to idols had more to do with the weak consciences of others, rather than anything inherently evil in doing so, as the Apostle Paul reasons with the Corinthians when citing the Scripture which says: “the earth is the Lord’s, and all its fullness.” Ps 24:1
And so our liberty In Christ allows us all to eat whatever foods we like, and not eat whatever foods we dislike. For we are to ascribe absolutely nothing of the intrinsic qualities of food (or how they were processed) as having anything to do with our sanctification before God the Father (consider Col 2:20-22). And so there was one group of believers in Rome who were living the Christian life in all its liberty and freedom, as this pertains to foods. However there was another smaller group, whom the Apostle Paul calls "weak in the faith" who were living the Christian life under some pretty strict self-imposed dietary restrictions; living as though they should only eat vegetables. Now we are not told why they felt they should only eat vegetables. All we are told is that they were restricting themselves to eating just vegetables, and because of it they had become "disenfranchised" from their brethren at Rome. Therefore to correct this the Apostle Paul commands that first and foremost they be welcomed and received as brethren (vs 1). For ones choices regarding food (or anything else that is non-moral in nature) is not a just grounds for shutting out brethren from fellowship and brotherly love. That done the Apostle Paul then addresses both groups by saying: "Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him." vs. 3
And so those who were eating heartily and enjoying all that God's table allows them (and us) to eat, must not despise their brethren who were holding to their own ideals about only eating vegetables. Similarly those who were weaker in their faith, and were only eating vegetables, must not to judge their brethren who eat meat or whatever kinds of foods they like to eat. "For God has received him." Therefore since God has received us all by our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ we must not be judged as being obedient Christians or not by whatever foods we eat. For again Christian sanctification and discipleship does not come through, nor is it to be marked by the food that we eat, or don't eat. Rather it is to be marked by, and to be made known through our love for each other (consider John 13:34-35). And so the Apostle Paul though wishing all brethren would fully embrace all of their liberties is adamant in defending each believers freedom of conscience (again regarding all non-moral things) and thus their standing before God the Father simply by their faith in Jesus Christ and nothing else.
For when people start making their own ideals into what makes our being right in the sight of God, then they are not obeying the gospel of God, rather they are playing "god" (consider Rom 10:3-4). Therefore he says to us all: "Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand." And so the judging of brethren because of what they do, or don't do, again regarding any non-moral thing is utterly discordant with living by faith and obeying the Gospel of peace. Therefore the Apostle Paul leaves no room for the judging of brethren according to the ideals of man. For again we who believe are all Jesus Christ's servants and to our own Master we will stand or fall. Indeed we will be made to stand, for God is able to make us all stand. That is stand firm in our faith and stand justified in His sight with our own convictions on whatever non-moral or non-essential faith doctrinal things that could be used to either to try to divide us, or separate us from God. For what is at stake is here is not sin, rather Christian unity, liberty, and our responsibilities towards each other in the light of such things. Thus where the N.T. is silent, and there is nothing sinful about it, your and my personal preferences on just about anything is not to be a cause for our being despised or judged by another believer.

Vs. 5-6 Having addressed foods, the Apostle Paul expands his reasoning to the area of religious days, which again became a point of contention amongst certain brethren. Now under the Old Covenant observance of religious days (i.e. Sabbath's and holy festivals) was critical, for it was by these that the Jews thought to remain faithful in their covenant with God (consider Lev 19:30; 23:3; Deut 16:16-17 etc.). However in the New Covenant there is no such requirement laid on us, for God the Father laid on His Son Jesus Christ all the responsibility for fulfilling all that was required for our salvation. And so Jesus Christ having suffered Crucifixion death for us all who believe in Him has nailed to the cross the handwriting of requirements that was contrary to us, (which means all the righteous requirements of the Law has been fulfilled by Him), and thus Jesus having taken the hand writing of requirements that was contrary to us, out of the way, has disarmed all principalities and powers. Thus the accuser of the brethren, Satan, has no more legal grounds by which he may seek to condemn us (see Col 2:11-17).
Even the partaking of the Lord's Supper (which Jesus commands of us) is not to be done as means of seeking to remain in a covenantal relationship with God our Father by our observing it. Rather as Jesus said do this in remembrance of Me (Matt 26:26-29; Luke 22:19-20; 1 Cor 11:23-26). Thus it is to be done to remember how Jesus Christ Himself suffered and died to bring us all into a covenantal relationship with God. Therefore the Lord's Sabbath is simply this: that we rest in the finished work of the Lord Jesus Christ for our salvation. That is the Sabbath or rest that God now commands of everyone, to cease from their own works, and simply rest (i.e. trust) in Jesus Christ's finished work on the cross for their salvation (see Heb 4). And so the Apostle Paul begins here not with a commandment telling us to observe certain days or weeks as being holy and incumbent upon us. Rather he begins with a grace based exhortation on our liberties In Christ to observe each and every day according to each person's own conscience. As he says in verse five: "One person esteems one day above another; another esteems every day alike. Let each be fully convinced in his own mind."
Notice then that it is neither wrong to hold certain days above others (as did the Jews), nor is it wrong to esteem each day alike (as did most Gentiles). Rather let each person be fully convinced in their own minds. For it's not the observing the day (or not) that sanctifies us, it is the Lord who sanctifies us all by our faith in His Person (Heb 2:11). And so as the Apostle Paul commands let each person be fully convinced in their own minds. For the observing of days or not in the New Covenant does not commend us to God, only our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ does. That is the simplicity of the Gospel which is always under attack by those who wish to add their own requirements to it. (In this consider the Apostle Paul's warning in Gal. 4:9-11 regarding observing days, weeks or months etc. as a means to being made right in the sight of God). For the substance of our faith is always Christ, not the observance or non-observance of certain days. Now this includes Sunday. Which for some is to be a day of worship and nothing else. While for others it is a day for worship and family, vacations and  visiting friends and relatives, playing sports, celebrating birthdays, and or doing whatever else one wants too or needs too do. Sunday then, at least for me, should not be an encumbrance upon peoples lives and relationships, rather it should serve to enhance them. Whatever view one holds of Sunday, or any other day, the principal is the same "let each be fully convinced in their own mind". For as the Apostle Paul says: "He who observes the day, observes it to the Lord; and he who does not observe the day, to the Lord he does not observe it. He who eats, eats to the Lord, for he gives God thanks; and he who does not eat, to the Lord he does not eat, and gives God thanks." vs 6-8 

Notice again that the priority is neither food, nor the day, rather it is the Lord who is our priority. Thus if one in good conscience observes the day, or does not observe the day, it is to the Lord that these things are to be done. Same with food, if one eats and gives God thanks for it, it is then unto the Lord that he eats. Or if one does not eat and gives God thanks, it is then unto the Lord that he does not eat. For truly it is only the Lord Jesus Christ who is our Lord and Savior, not any day, nor any food is to govern us, only the Lord Jesus Christ, whom we seek to honor and obey governs us. Thus we trust only in the Lord Jesus Christ crucified, risen from the dead and ascended back to God the Father, and so we live each day dependent upon Him. As it says it the psalms: "This is the day the Lord has made; We will rejoice and be glad in it." Ps. 118:24 For truly the psalmist is singing about the day of salvation which Jesus Christ has accomplished for us all who believe in Him. And so we should all seek to live each and every in all thanksgiving towards God for having already done everything that is necessary for our salvation, so that we might all live freely to Him.

Vs. 7-9 "For none of us lives to himself, and no one dies to himself. 8 For if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord. Therefore, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s. 9 For to this end Christ died and rose and lived again, that He might be Lord of both the dead and the living."

Thus our lives are not being lived as independent entities. For as the Apostle Paul says: "...if we live, we live to the Lord; and if we die, we die to the Lord." Therefore since we are being sanctified by the Lord we need no man-made sanctification to justify us before God (consider 1 Cor 1:30). For we are the Lord's, whether we live in this body, or we die and depart from this body, and go to be with the Lord, we are still the Lord's. Which is why the Apostle Paul says: "for Christ died and rose again to be Lord of both the living and the dead." Thus Jesus Christ is Lord of our persons, both in life and in death. Therefore why should we make much of those temporal and transient things that do not, and cannot commend us (or anyone else) to the Lord, for Christ Jesus is our Lord not they. For truly they are of no value against the sinful indulgences of the flesh (Col 2:20-23). Indeed placing oneself under all kinds of self imposed restrictions in all likelihood will only produce all manner of temptations  within those who try to live by them (consider 1 Cor 15:56). Thus rather than living a life of faith one may find themselves only living a life of hypocrisy! Nonetheless Jesus Christ is Lord of all. Just as He said when rebuking the Pharisees for their criticizing the disciples for not keeping the Sabbath according to their interpretations of it: "The Son of Man is also Lord of the Sabbath" (see Mark 6:1-4). And thus whether we observe the day, or don't observe the day, we are the Lord's. Kept in perpetual fellowship with Him by His Holy Spirit and His Person within us. And that is why we don't need to keep any ceremonial ordinances to be kept in a right standing with God. For we who believe in Jesus Christ are the Temple of God, being kept by the Lord, and sealed for the day of redemption by God's Holy Spirit (1 Cor 3:16; Eph 1:13-14; 4:30), just as we are being sanctified by Christ's indwelling presence, sanctifying us. Thus observance of days or not, or abstaining from foods or not, all those things have no effect on our standing or sanctification with God. For we who believe in Jesus Christ are being kept by the power of God through faith (1 Peter 1:5). And thus we are only sanctified by faith in Christ (Acts 26:18). Not sanctified by the works of man.

Vs. 10-13 "But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ. 11 For it is written: “As I live, says the Lord, Every knee shall bow to Me, And every tongue shall confess to God.” 12 So then each of us shall give account of himself to God. 13 Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way."
 
The Apostle Paul now asks us all a very poignant question. And that is why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? Now that answer can only, and will only, be given by each one of us when we stand before the judgment seat of Christ. For as the Apostle Paul says (quoting from Isaiah 45:23) we shall all stand before the judgment seat of Christ, where each one of us will give an account of ourselves to God (vs. 10-12). Therefore in light of such things the Apostle Paul says let us not judge one another anymore. For when we make much of these non-essential, non-moral things, judging our brethren by them, we make little of Jesus Christ's Crucifixion death and shed blood done for us all. "Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way." vs 13
And so rather than doing something that brings an offense to one of our brethren, or causes another believer to be made weak in their faith (1 Cor 8:9), let us use our liberty in Christ to build up each other in love. For as the Apostle Paul says elsewhere "Let no one seek his own, but each one the other’s well-being." 1 Cor 10:24 (also see Phil 2:4).

Vs. 14-23 14 I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it isunclean. 15 Yet if your brother is grieved because of your food, you are no longer walking in love. Do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. 16 Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; 17 for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. 18 For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men. 19 Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another. 20 Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. 22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.

Here the Apostle Paul addresses the "legality" of eating various types of foods. Saying: "I know and am convinced by the Lord Jesus that there is nothing unclean of itself; but to him who considers anything to be unclean, to him it is unclean." vs. 14  Thus in Paul's statement we have both the sanctification of all foods for our consumption, as well as a principal that must be applied to them; which is in order to partake of anything one must consider it to be clean, for to consider it to be unclean is to make it unclean for oneself to partake of. That is the principal of faith which is to govern our new lives in Christ (see vs. 23). Thus whether you were once a Jew living under the dietary laws of the Old Testament, or you were a Gentile who had no knowledge of such things. In order to partake of anything you must now consider it clean. And so if you consider all foods clean, then all foods are clean to you. However if you consider something to be unclean then it is unclean to you, and only you. Now if you consider all foods clean (as I do) yet you take this right God has given you and you partake of it in such a way as to grieve your Christian brother or sister who does not, then as the Apostle Paul says in verse fifteen you are no longer walking in love. Therefore do not destroy with your food the one for whom Christ died. Instead if need be while in their presence deny yourself that right if it will keep your brother or sister strong in their faith. For a little self denial can go a long way in building up the church in love. That said the Apostle Paul in verse sixteen does not allow ones right to eat all foods such as one desires to be spoken of as evil as maybe the case with someone whose conscience is weak, and thus they might be apt to do such things. For as the Apostle Paul says: "... the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit." vs. 17 For that is the essence of the kingdom of God not partaking of food and drink, nor observing self imposed restrictions regarding these things, but rather pursuing righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. "For he who serves Christ in these things is acceptable to God and approved by men." vs. 18 Therefore that needs to be our focus and priority pursuing righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit, not disparaging brethren over their views on non-essential and morally neutral things. For we are commanded by Jesus Christ to love and encourage each other, not judge each other (vs 4-13).  "Therefore let us pursue the things which make for peace and the things by which one may edify another." vs. 19
That said and commanded the Apostle Paul makes it clear that though we all live by faith, we must not miss use our liberties in Christ, for each and every believer is not only child of God, but is a work of God! And thus is to be treated and regarded as such. For we who believe are all being transformed day by day from one glory to another. And so just as God is at work in each of our lives, we should be careful not to destroy the good work that He is doing there. Therefore the Apostle says: "Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is evil for the man who eats with offense. 21 It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak." vs 20-21
And thus the principal is given that if it makes my brother or sister stumble in their faith; or they are offended by it; then I won't partake of it in their presence. Now this does not mean that my life will be dictated by those brethren with weak consciences. It means that in regards to their persons and consciences I will not knowingly partake of some particular food, or do anything, in their presence that may offend them or make them stumble. An example of this is taking wine with a meal. Now for some believers this is no different than drinking some other non-alcoholic beverage, however for others this is always too be off limits. Therefore if drinking wine at a meal offends your brethren, or causes one, or may cause one to stumble (i.e. maybe someone was formerly an alcoholic) then it seems a very small sacrifice to refrain from doing so, if it promotes peace amongst and or the well being of ones brethren. Now this principal can be "plugged into" many different aspects of a Christians life. Therefore I hope that you will find ways when necessary to apply its wisdom to your own life and in your own spheres of influence. That all said the Apostle Paul will conclude his exhortation with a principal that I mentioned earlier, and that is the principal of faith (see bellow).
22 Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God. Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.
Notice first that Paul says in verse twenty two "Do you have faith? Have it to yourself before God." In other words do not impose your own ideals on others. For in having faith in Jesus Christ we are to direct our faith and lives (and thus live out our own ideals regarding these things) before God, not others. For neither you, nor I, can impose our own ideals regarding these things on others. For to do so would only be to violate the principal of each one living by (or according to) their own faith before God. Therefore let each one of us live out our own faith before God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, according to our faith. For it is to God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ alone that these things must be done, for it is He to whom we all must give an account. Therefore as each one has a measure of faith so let them live and walk by it. For as the Apostle Paul says: Happy is he who does not condemn himself in what he approves. 23 But he who doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin.
 

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982,

 

 

Psalm 33:1-3

Rejoice in the Lord, O you righteous!
For praise from the upright is beautiful.
2 Praise the Lord with the harp;
Make melody to Him with an instrument of ten strings.
3 Sing to Him a new song;
Play skillfully with a shout of joy.

 

Devotional
There is to be nothing subdued or monotone in worshiping the Lord. Instead as the Scripture states worship should be heartfelt and magnificent! For we have been freed from darkness so that we might declare the praises of Him who has done this for us (1 Peter 2:9). Therefore since we have been freed from sin, Satan, and death we are likewise free and liberated to both develop, and employ all of our talents (and or the talents of others) in our individual and collective worship of the Lord! Therefore we should never hesitate to employ the most renowned of musicians, and or use the best of instruments and technologies that are available to us; so as to manifest and declare God's glory with all those who are like minded. Nothing less than our best should go into praising the Lord. Now this does not mean that those of us, who are neither trained musicians, nor singers, should not pour out our entire being into praising the Lord. For worship is not a vocation, it is a state of being! Therefore it is something everyone can and should do; for God observes the heart, long before the talent; because it is from the heart where all true worship arises.

Scripture Quotations
The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982,

1 Chronicles 21:1–30

¹ Now Satan stood up against Israel, and moved David to number Israel. ² So David said to Joab and to the leaders of the people, “Go, number Israel from Beersheba to Dan, and bring the number of them to me that I may know it.” ³ And Joab answered, “May the Lord make His people a hundred times more than they are. But, my lord the king, are they not all my lord’s servants? Why then does my lord require this thing? Why should he be a cause of guilt in Israel?” ⁴ Nevertheless the king’s word prevailed against Joab. Therefore Joab departed and went throughout all Israel and came to Jerusalem. ⁵ Then Joab gave the sum of the number of the people to David. All Israel had one million one hundred thousand men who drew the sword, and Judah had four hundred and seventy thousand men who drew the sword. ⁶ But he did not count Levi and Benjamin among them, for the king’s word was abominable to Joab. ⁷ And God was displeased with this thing; therefore He struck Israel. ⁸ So David said to God, “I have sinned greatly, because I have done this thing; but now, I pray, take away the iniquity of Your servant, for I have done very foolishly.” ⁹ Then the Lord spoke to Gad, David’s seer, saying, ¹⁰ “Go and tell David, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord: “I offer you three things; choose one of them for yourself, that I may do it to you.” ’ ” ¹¹ So Gad came to David and said to him, “Thus says the Lord: ‘Choose for yourself, ¹² either three years of famine, or three months to be defeated by your foes with the sword of your enemies overtaking you, or else for three days the sword of the Lord—the plague in the land, with the angel of the Lord destroying throughout all the territory of Israel.’ Now consider what answer I should take back to Him who sent me.” ¹³ And David said to Gad, “I am in great distress. Please let me fall into the hand of the Lord, for His mercies are very great; but do not let me fall into the hand of man.” ¹⁴ So the Lord sent a plague upon Israel, and seventy thousand men of Israel fell. ¹⁵ And God sent an angel to Jerusalem to destroy it. As he was destroying, the Lord looked and relented of the disaster, and said to the angel who was destroying, “It is enough; now restrain your hand.” And the angel of the Lord stood by the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. ¹⁶ Then David lifted his eyes and saw the angel of the Lord standing between earth and heaven, having in his hand a drawn sword stretched out over Jerusalem. So David and the elders, clothed in sackcloth, fell on their faces. ¹⁷ And David said to God, “Was it not I who commanded the people to be numbered? I am the one who has sinned and done evil indeed; but these sheep, what have they done? Let Your hand, I pray, O Lord my God, be against me and my father’s house, but not against Your people that they should be plagued.” ¹⁸ Therefore, the angel of the Lord commanded Gad to say to David that David should go and erect an altar to the Lord on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite. ¹⁹ So David went up at the word of Gad, which he had spoken in the name of the Lord. ²⁰ Now Ornan turned and saw the angel; and his four sons who were with him hid themselves, but Ornan continued threshing wheat. ²¹ So David came to Ornan, and Ornan looked and saw David. And he went out from the threshing floor, and bowed before David with his face to the ground. ²² Then David said to Ornan, “Grant me the place of this threshing floor, that I may build an altar on it to the Lord. You shall grant it to me at the full price, that the plague may be withdrawn from the people.” ²³ But Ornan said to David, “Take it to yourself, and let my lord the king do what is good in his eyes. Look, I also give you the oxen for burnt offerings, the threshing implements for wood, and the wheat for the grain offering; I give it all.” ²⁴ Then King David said to Ornan, “No, but I will surely buy it for the full price, for I will not take what is yours for the Lord, nor offer burnt offerings with that which costs me nothing.” ²⁵ So David gave Ornan six hundred shekels of gold by weight for the place. ²⁶ And David built there an altar to the Lord, and offered burnt offerings and peace offerings, and called on the Lord; and He answered him from heaven by fire on the altar of burnt offering. ²⁷ So the Lord commanded the angel, and he returned his sword to its sheath. ²⁸ At that time, when David saw that the Lord had answered him on the threshing floor of Ornan the Jebusite, he sacrificed there. ²⁹ For the tabernacle of the Lord and the altar of the burnt offering, which Moses had made in the wilderness, were at that time at the high place in Gibeon. ³⁰ But David could not go before it to inquire of God, for he was afraid of the sword of the angel of the Lord.

Devotional
Here we see that God being angry with Israel (see 2 Samuel 24:1) moved David; that is allowed Satan who stood up against Israel to move David to do this thing. And so David being moved (i.e. enticed) by Satan, orders Joab the commander of the army and all the leaders to go and number the people of Israel from Beersheba to Dan, (i.e. from the south to the north) so he might know it. Not that God had commanded David to do this, rather David wanted the census taken that he might know it. That is David wanted to know the number of men in Israel fit for war seemingly so that he might glory in the potentially massive army that he was commander and chief of. For David already had a set military force that served the kingdoms military interests being made up of 12 divisions, with each division made up of 24,000 select men, taken from the heads and leaders of fathers houses in Israel, with each division serving a one month term throughout the year (see 1 Chr. 27:1-15). And so their was no legitimate grounds for this census, other than David as ruling king in Israel wanting to personally know the number of men he had under his command. In fact the only time a census was ever commanded by God of Israel was during their Wilderness Wanderings. And there it was for specific purposes, with specific regulations attached to it (see Ex 30:11-16; Num 1:1-46; 3:14-39; 26:1-65 etc.). Again there was no impending battle. And even if there was David never counted his men before he went into battle. From the time of God delivering Goliath the giant into David's hand, when Goliath defied the army's of Israel and reproached the living God. To David's escaping his own sons rebellions against him; David never looked to his own might, military forces, or those with him (unlike Saul his predecessor, consider 1 Sam 13:15) as the source of his deliverance, but always the Lord (consider 1 Samuel 17:45-47; 2 Sam 22:33-35; Psalm 31:15). And thus David's commanding this census be taken, when he was already well established in his throne, and the Nation was essentially at rest, seems and act of pure vainglory. For from the days that the Lord God brought Israel out of Egypt until this day, God alone was to be their exalted Commander and Chief, who will lead them in the Strength and the Power of His Might and subdue their enemies before them, as they obey Him (consider Ex 23:23; Joshua 5:13-15; Psalm 60:10-12). His leaders then were to be shepherds of His people, who look with all dependence to Him, to lead and guide them, and not look to their own might (Num. 27:15-17; 2 Chr 20:12). There is then a serious lesson here for us all to learn, that God who is Sovereign, and who gives us all that we have and are, who raises up one and puts down another, according to His own will (consider 1 Samuel 2:7; Psalm 75:6-7; 86:9; 113:4; Isaiah 40:17-18; Jeremiah 27:5; Daniel 4:35), does not look lightly upon those whom he has chosen and exalted, exalting themselves! Whether this be individuals or nations (consider Isaiah 2:10-12).

Therefore God being angry with Israel (2 Samuel 24:1) moved David; that is allowed Satan who stood up against Israel; to move David to do this thing. And so Satan likely having observed something in Israel that he could accuse them of, takes a stands against Israel before the Lord. And so the Lord being justly angry with Israel, allows Satan to move (i.e. entice or incite) David the leader of the people of Israel to demand that this census be taken. Now we are not told what they did that provoked the wrath of God as in 2 Sam 21:1. And for all intense purposes that is mostly irrelevant. For it is that they had done something so severe, as too so anger God, as to bring about this perilous state of affairs for themselves (consider Psalm 76:7; Ezra 9:15). And so though we as God's people are in a covenant relationship with Him; both individually and collectively. We must never think ourselves, because of the overwhelming abundance of grace that God has given us in Christ, above God chastening us when we sin, or correcting us when we need correction (Heb 12:3-11). And in this, God can deliver us over to Satan to do just that. Yet as we will see, David's audacity in ordering Joab the commander of the army, and the leaders in Israel to go and number the people of war, so that David might know their number. Will only be surpassed by the greatness of David's contrition and humility, when David sees the far reaching consequences of his sin.

Therefore God in doing so, in allowing Satan to move David to do this, will bring about His desired will in the end, and that is David's and the leadership in Israel's repentance, while purging the nation of those within who were guilty before God. And so with their repentance, God will not only preserve the nation, and specifically the capital Jerusalem where David and the nations leaders dwelt. But He will reveal the location of where the Temple of the Lord was to be built. And so once again David will exemplify a heart of contrition and dependence and reverence before the Lord. And so here we see through David before his repentance a potential pitfall for all those in leadership in the church. Who when they too become "established" can become as David was here "independent in their spirit"; heeding neither the warnings of God in His Word, nor the counsels of man according to it. For though there was no grounds for David taking this census, yet he could not be dissuaded from doing so, even by his own general Joab; who perceiving that something was inherently wrong with David requesting him to do so, yet not wanting to arose the kings wrath, tried to humbly persuade David not to pursue such a vain and reckless thing, by which David would be the cause of guilt upon God's people. Yet as the Scripture says David's word prevailed against Joabs (Vs. 3-4). And so the lesson for us is that we too must be careful that when we become established in whatever roles and duties God assigns us, that we also do not become "independent in our spirits", and set out on all kinds of misadventures that would clearly put us in conflict with the Lord and His Will for us, through His Word. For as David reveals here, we too can fall under Satan's influence if we think that we can live as Christians by our own dictates and desires. Similarly we can become disqualified for God's service, and or be removed from His service in a certain capacity, if we pursue and do our own will and desires, while clearly ignoring God's revealed will to us and for us, while in it. As was the case with Davids predecessor King Saul who did not heed God's command to destroy Amalek and the Amalekites and all that was theirs, and instead spared the best of everything that they had for themselves (see 1 Sam 15:1-35). Therefore dependence on, and obedience towards God is critical if we hope to live fruitful lives for Him. For if we begin to live complacently, independently, taking for granted our God given Spirit gifts, abilities, and or calling that Jesus has placed on our lives, we too can unwittingly end up under all kinds of evil influences, and in all kinds of precarious situations and circumstances.

Scripture Quotations

The New King James Version. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1982,