BIBLE IN TEN

Matthew 10:39

Sunday, 15 June 2025
 
He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it. Matthew 10:39
 
“The ‘having found his soul,’ he will lose it, and the ‘having lost his soul’ because of Me, he will find it” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus noted that he who did not take his cross and follow after Him was not worthy of Him. Now, to build upon that, He says, “The ‘having found his soul,’ he will lose it.”
 
The words at first seem paradoxical. However, Jesus is using the thought of the psuché, the soul, in two ways at the same time. The word itself was introduced in Matthew 2:20. It is derived from psucho, breath. The meaning is based on the context, and it can mean the breath of one’s life, the seat of affection, the self, a human person, or an individual. The word corresponds to the Hebrew word nephesh.
 
In the case of Jesus’ words, He indicates that a person who has found his soul, meaning his earthly self, will wind up losing his soul, meaning his eternal self. Finding one’s earthly self involves looking after oneself, getting the best out of life, advancing in one’s career, or whatever motivates a person to ingratiate his existence apart from God’s guiding hand.
 
The problem with this type of life is two-fold. The first and main consideration is that it leaves God, the Creator, out of the picture. It ignores man’s responsibilities to Him and sets one’s course for self-directed aims. The second problem with this is obvious to all and yet it is ignored most of the time. Man is destined to die.
 
As this is so, all self-directed advances and aims have an end because the self has an end. Jesus says elsewhere –
 
“For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” Matthew 16:26
 
This is Jesus’ intent. The person finds his soul, the epitome of self-satisfaction and aggrandizement, maybe even living to the point of hedonism, but because he has left God out of the equation, he winds up losing his soul. On the other hand, Jesus next says, “and the ‘having lost his soul’ because of Me, he will find it.”
 
The “because of Me” is the key point of His words. Many scholars and philosophers have stated words similar in thought to Jesus’ words –
 
Plato said, “O my friend! I want you to see that the noble and the good may possibly be something different from saving and being saved, and that he who is truly a man ought not to care about living a certain time: he knows, as women say, that we must all die, and therefore he is not fond of life; he leaves all that with God, and considers in what way he can best spend his appointed term” (“Gorgias,” 512). (via Vincent’s Word Studies).
 
Euripides said, “Who knows if life be not death, and death life.” (via Vincent’s Word Studies).
 
The Pulpit Commentary notes, “In Talm. Bab., ‘Tamid,’ 32a, Alexander the Great asks ‘the elders of the south’ ten questions, among them, ‘What shall a man do that he may live?’ They answer, ‘Let him put himself to death.’ ‘What shall a man do that he may die?’ ‘Let him make himself alive.’”
 
Such sayings are found in cultures around the world, and many live lifestyles that bear this concept, such as those living as monks or in asceticism, stoicism, etc. The problem with such lives is that such people are still set to die. Without the “because of Me” of Jesus’ words, their end is the same as the others. The main difference between them and those in the first half of Jesus’ words is that those in the first category probably had a lot more fun in the process.
 
Jesus is telling His disciples that the pursuit of God in Christ is the key to finding one’s soul, meaning his eternal existence in the presence of God.
 
Life application: It is common for Christians to use Jesus’ words here and in similar passages to give up various earthly delights, to reject wealth, to live in hovels when they could live in a mansion, etc.
 
Some, such as the Judaizers and Hebrew Roots Movement adherents, live for self while claiming they are living for God. They do this by living by precepts of the Law of Moses instead of living in Christ. Their religion is self-directed because it has rejected the fulfillment of the law by Jesus.
 
Many such paths of existence in Christianity are unbiblical. For example, concerning wealth, Paul says –
 
“Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.” 1 Timothy 6:17-19
 
Paul did not say that rich people need to give up their wealth. He instructs them how to use it in a godly manner. People who are attempting to “find life” since the completed work of Jesus need to simply believe in the full, final, finished, and forever work of Christ. That is how one finds his life. Trust. Believing the gospel and trusting God that it is true by faith is how one finds life.
 
Jesus’ words in this verse in Matthew have a context. Our instructions for finding life now, because of His completed work, have a new context. Don’t stop part of the way in the redemption story. When you get to the cross and resurrection, you have come to the point where God has brought you for life. Find life by finding the risen Savior and trusting in Him.
 
Heavenly Father, our lives are short, and we often focus way too much on making the best of our days without considering You in the process. Forgive us for this. Help us to include You in our every thought and action. Whether we are rich or poor, healthy or sick, single or married, or in any other way, may our priority be to include You in our lives and interactions! Amen.
 

Matthew 10:38

Saturday, 14 June 2025
 
And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. Matthew 10:38
 
“And who not, he receives his cross and he follows after Me, not he is worthy of Me” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus noted that those who love son or daughter more than Him are not worthy of Him. He now elevates the thought further, saying, “And who not, he receives his cross.”
 
In His words, the stauros, cross, is introduced. The word is derived from the base of the verb histémi, to stand, set, establish, place, etc. Of the word, Strongs says, “a stake or post (as set upright), i.e. (specially), a pole or cross (as an instrument of capital punishment); figuratively, exposure to death, i.e. Self-denial.” A lengthier explanation is provided by HELPS Word Studies –
 
...the crosspiece of a Roman cross; the cross-beam (Latin, patibulum) placed at the top of the vertical member to form a capital "T." "This transverse beam was the one carried by the criminal" (Souter).
Christ was crucified on a literal Roman cross ... ("cross") is also used figuratively for the cross (sacrifice) each believer bears to be a true follower-of-Christ (Mt 10:38, 16:24, etc.). The cross represents unspeakable pain, humiliation and suffering – and ironically is also the symbol of infinite love! At the cross, Jesus won our salvation – which is free but certainly not cheap! For more discussion on the untold suffering of Christ on the cross see ... /stauróō ("to crucify on a cross").
[The "cross" (Mk 8:34) is not a symbol for suffering in general. Rather it refers to withstanding persecution (difficult times), by the Lord's power, as He directs the circumstances of life. As Christ's disciples, believers are to hold true – even when attacked by the ungodly.]
 
As this is the first mention of the cross, something Jesus knew He would eventually have to suffer the torture of, His thoughts probably went forward to that moment and contemplated what He would endure for those gathered around Him. Of this, however, Vincent’s Word Studies probably takes that point too far, saying –
 
“This was no Jewish proverb, crucifixion not being a Jewish punishment; so that Jesus uses the phrase anticipatively, in view of the death which he himself was to die.”
 
Though not a traditional Jewish punishment, it was a common one within the empire. As Israel was ruled by the Romans, everyone would know full well the meaning of the saying. In essence, it had by default become a Jewish saying as much as a Roman saying.
 
As noted in the explanation by HELPS Word Studies, those with Him would have understood this as a metaphor for withstanding persecution. Saying “his cross” makes the situation personal. Each person hearing the gospel could expect to face his own personal cross when accepting the message. Understanding this, He continues with, “and he follows after Me, not he is worthy of Me.”
 
Jesus was essentially bearing a cross, a state of persecution. The apostles would have seen this with each city they visited as He received blowback from the Pharisees, Sadducees, and others who constantly came against Him and His teaching. His words are telling them that they, too, would face this type of persecution as they went out.
 
This is the point of the instruction He is giving to them. They are being commissioned to go to the lost sheep of the House of Israel. When they speak, they will be persecuted for it. And more, those who hear and accept should expect this as well. There will be a cost to accepting the message that Jesus is the Messiah. He is telling them this in advance.
 
Life application: There are various views on what Jesus’ cross was like. Some say it was an upright pole with a beam on top like a capital T. Some have it as an upright pole with a cross beam somewhere in the midst of the pole, like a small t.
 
The Jehovah’s Witnesses call it a “torture stake” and say that it was a single upright pole with one’s arms affixed above the head and the body hanging down below that. The Hallelujah Scriptures say Jesus was impaled on a stake. There are other forms of crucifixion, but these are the ones generally provided. Is there a way to tell which is correct? The answer is, “Yes. There is a way to tell. Check Scripture.”
 
Jesus was not impaled. Twice, the notion of Him being nailed to the cross is stated –
 
“Now Thomas, called the Twin, one of the twelve, was not with them when Jesus came. 25 The other disciples therefore said to him, ‘We have seen the Lord.’So he said to them, ‘Unless I see in His hands the print of the nails, and put my finger into the print of the nails, and put my hand into His side, I will not believe.’” John 20:24, 25
 
“And you, being dead in your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He has made alive together with Him, having forgiven you all trespasses, 14 having wiped out the handwriting of requirements that was against us, which was contrary to us. And He has taken it out of the way, having nailed it to the cross. 15 Having disarmed principalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.” Colossians 2:13-15
 
Did Jesus die on a “torture stake?” No. He did not. It says in Matthew –
 
“And they put up over His head the accusation written against Him:THIS IS JESUS THE KING OF THE JEWS.” Matthew 27:37
 
If Jesus was crucified on a stake, Matthew would have said “over His hands,” not “over His head.” That leaves the big T and the little t. Which is it? The answer is a little t. If Jesus were crucified on a big T, the sign could not be over His head. Therefore, the standard little t is what Jesus died on after being nailed to it.
 
In Israel, there are Christian baptismal fonts (Jewish mikvehs) that have been found in the shape of this cross. The standard cross has been accepted since the earliest days as the one on which Jesus died. The main question is whether He carried only the lintel or the entire cross to His death. That can be argued over, but the shape of the cross, once erected, is clearly identifiable from Scripture.
 
But this should be no surprise. The shape of the cross is actually seen in Old Testament types and pictures as well. Though too long to include such a study here, it was clearly identified long before.
 
The question that should arise in our minds is, “Why do people try to change what has always been accepted as Jesus’ type of crucifixion into something else?” The reason seems obvious when considering the source. People like the Jehovah’s Witnesses and the Hebrew Root Movement adherents are heretics.
 
In order to draw people away from traditional Christianity and set orthodoxy, they introduce destructive heresies to confuse those who do not check things out, pulling them away from sound doctrine while drawing them to their own perverse instruction.
 
“But God forbid that I should boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.” Galatians 6:14
 
Lord God, thank You for the cross of Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
 

Matthew 10:37

Friday, 13 June 2025
 
He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. Matthew 10:37
 
“The ‘affectionating father or mother’ above Me, not he is worthy of Me. And the ‘loving son or daughter’ above Me, not he is worthy of Me” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus said that a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household. Having said that, He next builds upon that thought, saying, “The ‘affectionating father or mother’ above Me, not he is worthy of Me.”
 
The words are based on what He said in verse 35. He noted that He had come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, etc. He would become the main Subject of the individual’s life. The allegiance to Him would be greater than to even such a close relationship.
 
If it were not so, it would mean that the person had set a member of the family over Him. But, as will be seen in verse 40, receiving Him means something else is involved that disallows such a notion. To further enforce this thought, He continues with, “And the ‘loving son or daughter’ above Me, not he is worthy of Me.”
 
The natural affections for one’s child are normally exceedingly strong. They are an extension of who we are, and our children are a product of all the time and effort we have put into them. Parents generally would put their children above their own lives. And yet, Jesus tells them that someone who would do this is not worthy of Him.
 
Again, the reason for this is based on who He is in reality. There are people who might make such statements but who are just cult leaders leading the blind to destruction.  However, if Jesus is who He claims to be, and if He is coming on behalf of God, then such an allegiance to Him must be the highest priority in one’s life.
 
Life application: The thought presented in this verse can be summed up in the question, “Who do you say Jesus is?” If Jesus were like the leader of North Korea, He would have demanded submission from those under Him and ruled them with an authoritarian hand, caring little about their lives.
 
If He is like Jim Jones or David Koresh, leaders of religious cults, He would have looked to benefit from their allegiance, taking their possessions and money and even their wives as His own. In the end, He would have led them to destruction and separation from God.
 
However, despite noting that those who follow Him must make Him the highest priority in their lives, He doesn’t threaten them, benefit personally from their labors, or order them into submissive lives. Jesus gave (and gives) free will to those who come to Him. Peter was allowed to stray, but Jesus did not permanently reject him.
 
And for those who have died in the cause of Jesus Christ and His gospel, there is still the sure hope of the resurrection and glory to come. None of those who come to Him will be lost. These are guarantees that other leaders cannot give.
 
Think of all of the waste of human life of those who have followed false religions and false teachers. They have exerted their efforts in life, been led down a false path, and will die apart from God, eternally separated from Him because of the sin in their lives.
 
Only Jesus can restore man to God because only Jesus has dealt with the issue of sin. Without that, the existence of humanity is ultimately pointless. We strive for the wind during our lives, we die, and we will be forever removed from God’s glory. Only in Jesus is this corrected because only Jesus is God incarnate.
 
Be sure to get Jesus right. In doing so, your allegiances will be rightly directed.
 
“I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.” John 14:6
 
Lord God, help us never to waver in our convictions. May our devotion to You through Jesus be steady and uncompromising. May we never presume to put anyone or anything above You in our lives. You are the Creator. We owe all of who we are to You. Through Jesus, this becomes a joy that will restore us to You forever. Thank You for Jesus. Amen.
 

Matthew 10:36

Thursday, 12 June 2025
 
and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ Matthew 10:36
 
“and the man’s enemies – his household” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus explained the way He did not come to bring peace, as mentioned in the verse before that, telling the apostles that He came to sunder a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a bride against her mother-in-law. Now, He completes that thought, as cited from Micah 7:6, saying, “and the man’s enemies – his household.”
 
The words are close to the original Hebrew. A literal translation of the clause from Micah would be “hatings man – men his house.” The verb oyev signifies hating or an adversary. Thus, it refers to an enemy. Jesus acknowledges that this will be the case with those who separate a family over His gospel message.
 
One can see that the way He expressed the thought, just as in the Hebrew, is direct. The man’s enemies equate directly to his household.
 
Life application: When a Jew comes to Christ, there is a great chance his family will cut him right out of their lives. A Christian Jew named Stan Telchin wrote a book about this experience entitled Betrayed. His daughter told him that she believed Jesus was the Messiah. He kind of went ballistic and was determined to prove her wrong.
 
However, in his attempt to do so, he found that Jesus is, in fact, the fulfillment of the messianic prophecies found in Scripture. Until his death, he was belittled and shunned by many in the Jewish community. But for anyone who is willing to honestly evaluate Scripture, putting aside biases and presuppositions, they will come to the realization that Jesus is the Messiah.
 
Jewish families are ripped apart over this fact, but so are Muslim households. Leaving Islam can be a life-threatening experience, but many have made the bold move to accept Jesus and be saved by His shed blood.
 
Likewise, faith in Jesus brings about condemnation from adherents of Hinduism, Buddhism, and a plethora of other isms, including atheism. Jesus’ message is one that divides, but a family division over Jesus is worth every bit of rejection and hatred that a person can be subject to.
 
Only through Him can eternal life be found. Once the conversion is made, there is always the possibility that others will be honest in their thinking and willing to check. If they are, they too will come to the realization that life eternal is found in Him.
 
Pray for those going through such family difficulties. There are many out there, and their finding reconciliation with others through the blood of Christ is the sweetest reunion of all. The enmity can end. It did for Stan Telchin and his daughter. So keep such people in prayer.
 
Lord God, receiving Jesus may have worldly repercussions that seem overwhelming, but the fact is that this world, and our lives in this world, are temporary and will pass away. But reconciliation with You through Jesus Christ is eternal. So, Lord, give us wisdom, perseverance, and a positive attitude about our walk with You. Amen.

Matthew 10:35

Wednesday, 11 June 2025
 
For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; Matthew 10:35
 
“For I came to sunder man against his father, and daughter against her mother, and bride against her mother-in-law” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus noted that He did not come to bring peace on earth, but a sword. In explanation of that, He next cites Micah 7:6, turning it from a proclamation concerning the conduct of the people of Israel to a statement concerning the sword He referred to. He does this beginning with, “For I came to sunder man against his father.”
 
In Micah, this clause reads, “For son dishonors father.” In Jesus’ statement is a word found only once in the New Testament, dichazó, The word is derived from dis, twice. Thus, it is a cutting apart. Hence, to sunder. Figuratively, it means to set at variance. It is akin to our modern prefix dis, such as in discord, disharmony, or the commonly used idiom to dis someone.
 
Jesus is probably saying that those who dishonor their father are the type to reject Christ. Such a person has ignored the Fifth Commandment, placing himself as one who rejects the structure of the home as ordained by God. As such, there will be a sword between the unrepentant son and the repentant father when the gospel is presented. Next, Jesus says, “and daughter against her mother.”
 
Micah 7:6 says, “Daughter rises against her mother.” This is like the first clause in that the daughter is set at variance with her mother, similar to that of the son dishonoring the father. There will be strife between the two because of His gospel. He next says, “and bride against her mother-in-law.”
 
Another new word is introduced here, numphé, a bride or a daughter-in-law. It is derived from nupto, to veil, as in a veiled bride. This is cognate to the Latin nupto, to marry. The word extends to a betrothed girl.
 
Micah 7:6 says, “Daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.” Again, we see a discord being explained by Jesus as cited by Micah. In the Hebrew of Micah, the word kalah, completer is used to describe the daughter-in-law. It signifies a bride because the daughter-in-law is what completes a family unit.
 
In other words, having a son allows a man to continue his name and family, but without a daughter-in-law, a completer, the family remains incomplete. As such, she is to be a treasured member of the family.
 
But that should go both ways. She should honor those of the family she is uniting with. However, with the gospel introduced, this special bond between the mother and the household completer is divided.
 
Life application: Despite the fact that Jesus is speaking to Israel while under the law, the truths explained by Him do not end there because these are truths that extend beyond to law. The family unit was established prior to the law. When something interrupts that unit, discord leading to dishonor will naturally result.
 
Paul even refers to the necessity of maintaining the soundness of the Fifth Commandment in Ephesians 6:1-3 –
 
“Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. 2 ‘Honor your father and mother,’ which is the first commandment with promise: 3 ‘that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth.’”
 
This is not a matter of salvation in the church, but it is a precept that bears the weight of the family unit established by God at the very beginning. Son is born to father. Because of this, there should be honor given to him. This is not explicitly stated prior to the law, but it is a precept clearly understood in the Genesis and Exodus narrative prior to the giving of the law.
 
This follows through with respect by the females within the house as well. Honoring the mother is considered an essential part of the makeup of the nuclear family. As such, one can see why those on the left throughout the world are doing their utmost to destroy the nuclear family. In doing so, the supposed shackles of God’s unjust plan are cast off, and the chaos of perversion becomes the welcomed standard.
 
Be sure to understand the spiritual battle that is taking place each time a government is influenced by those on the left. Their stand is ultimately a stand against God’s structure and order for the family, something quite clearly upheld by the gospel because Jesus is God.
 
Lord God, help us to think clearly and reasonably about what Your word is telling us regarding biblical principles. There are things we are to do to retain a godly balance and propriety in our lives. Without knowing what Scripture says, we cannot do this. So, help us in this daily pursuit of Your precious word. Amen.

Matthew 10:34

Tuesday, 10 June 2025
 
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. Matthew 10:34
 
“Not you should deem that I came to cast peace upon the earth. Not I came to cast peace, but a sword” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus finished the thought about confessing Him or denying Him. Now, the results of such a decision are noted by Him, beginning with, “Not you should deem that I came to cast peace upon the earth.”
 
Here, Jesus introduces the word eiréné, peace, to the New Testament. It is believed to be from the primary verb eiro, to join. As such, it would signify peace through enjoinment, such as when God and man are reconciled. It leads to a state of wholeness where parts are joined together.
 
The idea of using the word “cast” is that people might suppose that the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6) would come and simply toss out peace upon the earth like casting a net over it. Jesus says this is not why He came.
 
Rather, by the very nature of claiming to be the Messiah, people would take a side for Him or against Him. A decision has to be made. In such a decision, peace between those who decide contrary to one another is not possible.
 
The peace that Jesus provides is a result of the decision of the individual, bringing a state of peace between himself and God, a state which currently is one of enmity –
 
“For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation, 15 having abolished in His flesh the enmity, that is, the law of commandments contained in ordinances, so as to create in Himself one new man from the two, thus making peace, 16 and that He might reconcile them both to God in one body through the cross, thereby putting to death the enmity. 17 And He came and preached peace to you who were afar off and to those who were near. 18 For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father.” Ephesians 2:14-18
 
Rather than casting peace upon the earth, Jesus says, “Not I came to cast peace, but a sword.” The decision for peace between oneself and God will, by the very nature of the decision for Jesus, result in a sword, figuratively or actually, for those who reject His offer.
 
For example, if someone says, “I believe Jesus is the Messiah,” after hearing His words to the disciples about Him being the only way to reconciliation with God, someone else might say, “That is not true! All paths lead to God.”
 
Or they may say, “Jesus is a false Messiah! His disciples say that Gentiles are accepted through Him. No way, Jose!” In fact, this is just the reaction that the Jews of Jerusalem exhibited when Paul said that he was sent to the Gentiles.
 
In such instances, enmity between adherents and those who reject will arise. Throughout the ages, since the time of Jesus’ ministry until this day, this has been the case. Many swords have been drawn and much blood has been spilled because of the proclamation that Jesus is the Christ.
 
Life application: If you want trouble in this world, believe in and proclaim Jesus. Trouble of some measure is likely to follow. If you want more trouble, learn and apply proper doctrine concerning Jesus to your walk. Even believers will stand at enmity with you when they disagree with your position, even if it is the correct one.
 
The peace Jesus brings is, is as described in Luke 2 –
 
“Glory to God in the highest,And on earth peace, goodwill toward men!” Luke 2:14
 
God is glorified through Christ, and His peace will rest upon those who accept what He has done. A state of eternal harmony between the Creator and His creatures is realized. This is the peace that Christ offers. Until those who oppose this message are removed, the world will remain in a state of strife, and the sword will remain.
 
“Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” John 14:27
 
Lord God, how good You are to us to have sent Jesus Christ our Lord to reconcile us to You. We are the enemies of Your goodness. We have failed You. And yet, You, out of love for Your creatures, have sent Jesus. He is our Peace, and He is our Lord. Thank You for Jesus. Amen.

Matthew 10:33

Monday, 9 June 2025
 
But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10:33
 
“And if, whoever, he should deny Me before men, I will deny – I also – him before My Father, the ‘in heavens’” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus noted that whoever will assent in Him before men, He will assent that person before His Father in heaven. Now, taking the opposite angle, He says, “And if, whoever, he should deny Me before men.”
 
Jesus introduces the word arneomai, to contradict. As such, it signifies to disavow, reject, refuse, etc. As an example, it says this in Acts 3 –
 
“The God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, the God of our fathers, glorified His Servant Jesus, whom you delivered up and denied [arneomai] in the presence of Pilate, when he was determined to let Him go. 14 But you denied [arneomai] the Holy One and the Just, and asked for a murderer to be granted to you, 15 and killed the Prince of life, whom God raised from the dead, of which we are witnesses.” Acts 13-15
 
Jesus is saying to the apostles that when they go forth spreading their message, those they encounter will have to decide. If they assent in Him, He will speak likewise before the Father. However, those who deny Him, “I will deny – I also – him before My Father, the ‘in heavens.’”
 
The words bear a strong emphasis, just as in the previous verse. Jesus adamantly avows that those who deny Him, He too will deny. As with the previous verse, the words here speak of free will. There is nothing forced, and God leaves the decision up to the contemplation of the individual.
 
Jesus is speaking to those of Israel whom the apostles will encounter. The apostles are not directed to go to anyone outside of the cities of Israel, and Jesus’ ministry is – by His own words – directed to the lost sheep of the House of Israel (Matthew 10:6 & Matthew 15:24).
 
Further, Jesus’ words precede the completion of His ministry and fulfillment of the law. He is speaking about matters in that context.
 
Life application: How many times have you heard someone cite the words of Matthew 10:33 to indicate that a person can lose his salvation? As noted, the context is not speaking of those in the church. It is speaking of those of Israel, even before the completion of Jesus’ ministry.
 
Further, notice the use of the same word, translated as denied, in Acts 3 cited above. Who was Peter speaking to in those verses? He was speaking to the people of Israel who had denied their Messiah. Peter was appealing to them to change their minds and believe. Therefore, there is a chance for someone who had denied Jesus to “undeny” Him and believe.
 
Paul uses the same word in 2 Timothy 2 –
 
“This is a faithful saying:For if we died with Him,We shall also live with Him.12 If we endure,We shall also reign with Him.If we deny [arneomai] Him,He also will deny [arneomai] us.13 If we are faithless,He remains faithful;He cannot deny Himself.” 2 Timothy 2:11-13
 
But though often interpreted as such, those verses do not speak of a loss of salvation. Refer to the Superior Word commentary to understand what Paul is saying.
 
Since the completion of Christ’s ministry, He has fulfilled the Mosaic Covenant and established the New Covenant. Gentiles are accepted into this New Covenant through faith, just as Jews are. Believing the gospel leads to salvation. Salvation is guaranteed by the sealing of the Holy Spirit –
 
“In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Ephesians 1:13, 14
 
Jesus didn’t speak of these things because His work was not yet complete. The message of salvation by faith through grace as a guarantee through the sealing of the Holy Spirit only came about after His atoning death for the sins of the world.
 
When someone believes, he has no longer denied Jesus. He moves from death to life, eternal life. Be sure to read the commentary on 2 Timothy 2:12, 13 to understand what Paul is referring to. And the next time you hear someone cite Matthew 10:33 as proof that one can lose his salvation, be sure to correct his thinking.
 
Lord God, despite not knowing everything about what You have done for us, we know that You have saved us, fully and forever, through belief in Your gospel. We know that nothing can ever separate us from Your love because of Jesus. We are saved – forever and ever. Amen.
 

Matthew 10:32

Sunday, 8 June 2025
 
“Therefore whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 10:32
 
“All, therefore, whoever he will assent in Me before men, I will assent – I also – in him before My Father, the ‘in the heavens.’” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus reassured His apostles that they were of more value than many sparrows. He next turns to words which have to be considered in their intended context.
 
Jesus is still speaking to His apostles (disciples as recorded in Luke 10). He is doing so while they go out into the cities of Israel to proclaim the good news of the kingdom. He has not yet been crucified for the sins of the world. Thus, His words speak solely of the relationship between Israel and Jesus.
 
Understanding this, He begins the first of two verses which must be considered with those points in mind, saying, “All, therefore, whoever he will assent in Me before men.”
 
The first thing to understand is that not every “every” means “every” and not every “all” means “all.”
 
Mark 1:5 says, “Then all the land of Judea, and those from Jerusalem, went out to him and were all baptized by him in the Jordan River, confessing their sins.” However, Luke 7:30 says, “But the Pharisees and lawyers rejected the will of God for themselves, not having been baptized by him.”
 
This is not a contradiction. Rather, the word “all” as used by Mark, as is often the case, is given as a general statement concerning who went to be baptized.
 
Jesus is making a broad statement concerning those who are going forth and those who will hear and attend to their message. Those who hear the message and assent in Him, acknowledging the word, will be in one category. That category is defined by His next words, “I will assent – I also – in him before My Father, the ‘in the heavens.’”
 
Jesus emphatically declares that He will then confess such a person before His Father. The proposition depends on the free will assertion of the individual hearing the good news. In response to that free will assertion, Jesus Himself will likewise assent concerning that person.
 
The expression en emoi, in Me, demonstrates a uniting of the confession with the individual. Despite this, these words are spoken prior to the giving of the Spirit, which first occurs in Acts 2 and which is spoken of in the epistles as a guarantee of eternal salvation, such as in Ephesians 1:13, 14.
 
Therefore, that process of salvation cannot be what Jesus is referring to here. Rather, He is speaking of a general confession of Him and not necessarily the uniting of an individual with the Spirit. That will become clear through analyzing the next verse.
 
Life application: The words of this verse and the next are constantly quoted by Christians concerning other Christians who then make claims of salvation or condemnation based on what Jesus is saying here. As an example –
 
“It means to acknowledge the Lord Jesus Christ, and our dependence on him for salvation, and our attachment to him, in every proper manner. This profession may be made in uniting with a church, at the communion, in conversation, and in conduct. The Scriptures mean, by a profession of religion, an exhibition of it in every circumstance of the life and before all people. It is not merely in one act that we must do it, but in every act. We must be ashamed neither of the person, the character, the doctrines, nor the requirements of Christ. If we are; if we deny him in these things before people; if we are unwilling to express our attachment to him in every way possible, then it is right that he should ‘disown all connection with us,’ or deny us before God, and he will do it.” Albert Barnes
 
That is not the gospel. In fact, what Barnes says is in complete contrast to the gospel, which says one is saved by grace through faith and that when one believes, he is sealed with the Holy Spirit for the day of redemption.
 
If what Barnes (et al) says is true, then it means that salvation is not of Christ but of our own efforts. Mixing the words of Jesus in the dispensation of the law with the words of Paul in the dispensation of grace will inevitably lead to confusion of thought and a contradiction in one’s theology.
 
Lord God, help us to walk with You all our days, living in a manner that is pleasing to You and in the joy of the salvation which You have given to us. When we fail in this, we know that You will still be with us, but it is we who will suffer the lack of fellowship as we do things our own way. May it not be so! Help us to hold fast to You always. Amen.

Matthew 10:31

Saturday, 7 June 2025
 
Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows. Matthew 10:31
 
“Therefore, not you should fear, many sparrows you excel – you!” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus noted that the very hairs of one’s head are numbered. Next, He says to the apostles, “Therefore, not you should fear.” These words take the reader back to verse 28, where Jesus said, “And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul.”
 
If God so minutely knows the number of hairs on one’s head, and if a person is proclaiming the words of Christ, then that person, who is known in such minute detail, is being carefully considered as he proclaims his message. There will be caring for and tending for that person. Jesus explains this next, saying, “many sparrows you excel – you!”
 
One can see the emphatic nature of His words. God is aware of the falling of a single sparrow. God is aware of the number of hairs on the head of man. Therefore, God is aware of the threats against those who proclaim His word. If one of them falls to the ground because of the proclamation of His words, it will not have been in vain. God will remember him and raise him according to His promises.
 
The emphatic nature of the word “you” is telling His apostles that because of their trust in Jesus and their continued proclamation of the gospel, the matter is so. This cannot mean that it is a universal statement applying to all men.
 
The very people who would oppose them have already been seen to have a fate worse than Sodom and Gomorrah (verse 10:15). Therefore, the words now are not inclusive of those who stand opposed to the gospel, but they would logically include those who received them and accepted their words.
 
In other words, the state of man is one that is at enmity with God. It is the acceptance of the gospel that changes that state. God would have all come to a saving knowledge of the gospel, changing their default position and bringing them back to Himself. But those who reject the gospel remain separated from Him.
 
Worse, however, is the fact that they voluntarily did so. When one rejects the higher revelation, their condemnation must therefore be greater.
 
Understanding this, we see that the words of this verse can only apply to those who belong to God because of the gospel, not humanity in general.
 
Life application: One of the great problems found in churches with a social gospel is that the focus is on the “love” side of God, without any consideration for His just and righteous character. Without leading someone to Christ, all the feeding ministries on the planet are worthless.
 
It is pointless to feed someone into hell. It is ridiculous to tend to a marginalized community, taking care of their needs and being close friends with them, if you are not going to share with them the only news that can restore them to God.
 
However, this is what social gospel ministries do. Those conducting them think they are gaining God’s favor for doing good stuff for others, even if they don’t have a heart for the Lord. Those they minister to will die apart from God without the gospel. In the end, everyone connected to such a “giving” ministry will wind up in hell unless Jesus is in the equation.
 
It is better to be a person on the side of the street handing out tracts with the saving message of Jesus than it is to be catering to sinners in a feeding ministry without telling them of the consequences of their sin and their need for Jesus to cleanse them.
 
Keep things in the proper perspective. Any deed done in faith will receive its reward, no matter how small. Any deed not done in faith will receive no reward, no matter how great and expansive it is.
 
Lord God, may our faith in You and love for You stir in us the desire to share the good news with others. Help us in this, O God. People need Jesus. Without Him, there is no hope. But with Him, there is eternal surety and security. Thank You for Jesus! Amen.

Matthew 10:30

Friday, 6 June 2025
 
But the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Matthew 10:30
 
“And you! Even the hairs of the head, they are all having been enumerated” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus noted that despite the fact that sparrows are almost of no monetary value to man, not one of them falls to the ground apart from the will of the Father. Now, in emphatic contrast to that, He begins with, “And you!”
 
In other words, there are the lowly sparrows that the Father is completely aware of in their existence, and then there are the people of the earth who are God’s highest creation. Of them, Jesus next says, “Even the hairs of the head, they are all having been enumerated.”
 
A new word, arithmeó, to enumerate, number, count, etc., is introduced. One can see the clear etymological ancestor of our modern word arithmetic, that dreaded or beloved discipline of our school days, depending on how our brains are put together in regard to numbers.
 
Jesus, after His emphatic declaration, thus separating the sparrow from man, notes that the Father is aware of every hair on our head. However, the use of the perfect participle (having been enumerated) is striking. It is not just that He knows at this time, but He knew and continues to know. As such, it is like saying, “When you lose a hair on your head, God is aware of it.”
 
Something so seemingly trivial is not unknown to God. Jesus’ words tell us that God is minutely knowledgeable about what we might think is unnecessary or impossible to discern.
 
Life application: Of this, Charles Ellicott steps over the border of propriety and says, “The apparent hyperbole of the figure is but the natural expression of the thought that even the incidents of life that seem most trivial are in very deed working together for good to those that love God.”
 
It is incorrect that Jesus’ words are hyperbole as if God really isn’t aware of such things. There is nothing in the universe, even the number of atoms or quarks in a red giant star, that God is unaware of. It may seem trivial or hyperbolic to think God would actually count the number of hairs on one’s head, but that is not the point of Jesus’ words.
 
God doesn’t need to count them. He simply knows the number, yesterday, today, and tomorrow. He also knows the definition of a hair, so that when someone is balding, what once was a hair no longer is. Jesus’ words, therefore, speak of the intimacy in which God knows everything about us, but they also convey the surety that everything is completely known to God at all times.
 
As it says in Isaiah –
 
“Who has measured the waters in the hollow of His hand,Measured heaven with a spanAnd calculated the dust of the earth in a measure?Weighed the mountains in scalesAnd the hills in a balance?” Isaiah 40:12
 
Concerning the complete understanding and knowledge of man, David says –
 
“Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;It is high, I cannot attain it.” Psalm 139:6
 
The words of Scripture, therefore, give us a double-edge to consider. On one side, there is God’s absolute knowledge of us as we fellowship with Him. He knows the moment we first believed, and He sees and records every act of faith we have ever demonstrated. Nothing that is to be rewarded will be left out.
 
On the other hand, God is intimately aware of our every fault. The things we think, do, or fail to do are all known to Him. Therefore, we should strive to be pleasing to Him at all times. In Christ, we are forgiven – past, present, and future. However, forgiven is not the same thing as losing rewards.
 
For those not in Christ, the imperfection of their lives sets up the need for eternal judgment by the infinite God. When the world complains against God’s judgment, it is due to a lack of understanding concerning the nature of God. He is not vindictive. Instead, He is perfectly holy, just, and righteous.
 
Man must be judged. This is the wonder of what God in Christ has done. For those who come to Him, man’s judgment was taken out on Him. Understanding what God has done ensures us, absolutely and entirely, of the doctrine of eternal salvation.
 
If it were not so, the cross would have been a pointless gesture on the part of God. All would be lost in their continued imperfection. But because of Christ, His righteousness is now imparted to us. Thank God for Jesus Christ, who has made this reconciliation possible for man. Take time to read Psalm 139 and think about the marvel of our Creator!
 
Lord God, thank You for the glory of Jesus’ cross. We stand in awe of what You have done. Thank You! Thank You for all eternity, Amen, and amen.
 

Matthew 10:29

Thursday, 5 June 2025
 
Are not two sparrows sold for a copper coin? And not one of them falls to the ground apart from your Father’s will. Matthew 10:29
 
“Not are sold two sparrows – assarion? And one from them, not it will fall upon the earth without your Father” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus instructed the apostles not to fear those who can kill the body but not the soul. Instead, they were told to fear Him who is able to destroy both in Gehenna. Now, as words of encouragement to them, He says, “Not are sold two sparrows – assarion?”
 
The strouthion, sparrow, is first mentioned here. The word is a diminutive that signifies a little bird, but especially the sparrow. Alfred Edersheim supposes that what Jesus is referring to may be the birds used in purification noted in Leviticus 14 –
 
“Then he shall kill one of the birds in an earthen vessel over running water; 51 and he shall take the cedar wood, the hyssop, the scarlet, and the living bird, and dip them in the blood of the slain bird and in the running water, and sprinkle the house seven times. 52 And he shall cleanse the house with the blood of the bird and the running water and the living bird, with the cedar wood, the hyssop, and the scarlet. 53 Then he shall let the living bird loose outside the city in the open field, and make atonement for the house, and it shall be clean.” Leviticus 14:50-53
 
As for the price, the assarion was a small Roman coin of little value, like our penny today. It was equal to a tenth of a drachma. The point, then, is that two little birds were sold for almost nothing in the markets of Israel. Despite this, Jesus continues, “And one from them, not it will fall upon the earth without your Father.”
 
Jesus uses the word aneu. It is related to the negative particle a and carries the sense of “without,” as in apart from or without the knowledge of. Little birds of little value in the markets are still known intimately by the Father. Jesus will continue His words so that we understand why He has said this right after the words He just said in the previous verse.
 
Life application: How often the God of the Bible is considered a hateful ogre by people of the world. They hear words of judgment and condemnation, and they immediately place themselves in opposition to Him, as if He has no right to judge that which offends His perfection.
 
People accuse God of not caring when a friend, brother, child, or even a dog dies. And yet, it is understood by all that everything dies. Why is God to blame if one person dies before another? Isn’t there a set time for all things?
 
But when something personally offends our sensibilities or harms our relationships, God is suddenly to blame, and He is castigated as an unfair, unloving, and uncaring Creator. Because of this, people claim that they don’t believe in the God that they have come to hate. How unclear in thought is that!
 
But the Bible teaches that God created. If He did, it was for a reason. A simple look around at the majesty and beauty of the creation tells us that God cares about what He has done. Every need has a fulfillment, even if it is unattainable at times. Things work logically and harmoniously.
 
And for the things that are broken, like man lost in sin, the Bible tells us that God is working through a plan to correct these things. God is not incompetent, as many claim. The common question is, “If God is good, why is there evil in the world?” It is as if God must remove evil right now in order to be good. Thank goodness that is not the case! If it was, we would be removed ... right now.
 
Rather, God is using the evil in our world to accomplish a good purpose. As this is true, then the answer to the question is, “God will remove the evil. He just has not done it yet.” This is what the Bible proclaims will come to pass.
 
As this is so, those who don’t come to God in the manner He has laid out will remain in a state of evil. Now, whose fault is it when they are eternally removed from Him? God has sent His Son into the world to make all things new. In rejecting the Son, the “new things” are, by default, rejected.
 
Be sure to help people to think clearly. If the world has evil, we are a part of that evil. If evil is to be removed, it must be removed from us, or we must be removed from God. He has given us the choice. Let us think wisely and soberly about our situation before God.
 
Lord God, how grateful we are to You for having sent Jesus to redeem us from this world of sin and death. We know that these things will continue and that we will suffer heartache and loss until the day You come for us. Help us to work through these trying times, trusting in You and holding fast to Your promises in the meantime. Amen.
 

Matthew 10:28

Wednesday, 4 June 2025
 
And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. But rather fear Him who is able to destroy both soul and body in hell. Matthew 10:28
 
“And you fear not from those killing the body, and the soul not being able to kill. But more you fear the ‘being able also soul and body to destroy in Gehenna’” (CG).
 
In the previous verse, Jesus told His apostles, “What I tell you in the darkness, you speak in the light, and what to the ear you hear, proclaim upon the roofs!” He now continues with this line of instruction, beginning with, “And you fear not from those killing the body, and the soul not being able to kill.”
 
Jesus introduces a new word, apokteinó, to kill outright. Figuratively, it means to destroy or put to death. It is derived from apo, from, and kteinó, to kill. Thus, it is more forceful than the word kill. Despite that, English translations generally say kill, not making a distinction between the words.
 
The words of Jesus, even without being finished, provide the hope of life beyond this earthly life. Otherwise, if the body died, the soul would die too. As Jesus is the promised One of God, His words then refute the doctrine of the Sadducees, who claimed there is no resurrection (Matthew 22:23, Acts 23:8).
 
Either this would be the case, or the soul that lived after the body would be forever separated from the body, something the Bible doesn’t teach. As such, their doctrine was completely unscriptural.
 
Jesus told the apostles to boldly herald His instruction using the idea of proclaiming it from the housetops to make the point poignant. However, His words now are intended for them to understand that there may be consequences for this. Those who hear may be upset to the point that they would come after them and kill them for their words.
 
Despite this, and even if this were the case, the soul would remain alive, even with the body in a state of death. Understanding this, He next says, “But more you fear the ‘being able also soul and body to destroy in Gehenna.’”
 
Throughout the church age, these words have been fretted over by mushy scholars who cannot fathom that God would send someone to destruction, failing to realize that the God of the New Testament is the same God of the Old Testament. The coming of Jesus changes nothing in His nature.
 
Rather, Jesus was sent to save men, but not all men will be saved. The words clearly point to this fact. What would be the point of the apostles going forth to obtain converts if nobody were to face Gehenna? It would mean that those who received their message would be on the same footing as those who rejected it and killed them.
 
To get around this, these misdirected souls say that the words are speaking not of God but of the devil, as if the devil has the power to destroy those who are not saved by God. This would only move God back one step from the destruction process as He is ultimately in control of all things.
 
Or it would mean that God is actually not in control of all things and unable to save the souls He sent Jesus into the world to save. It would mean that God’s plan for redeeming humanity was only partially effective.
 
In Job, Satan was prohibited from taking Job’s life, demonstrating that God is even in control of that part of the equation. In the New Testament, we are implored to stand against the wiles of the devil (Ephesians 6:11), be sober and vigilant when considering the devil (1 Peter 5:8), and resist the devil (James 4:7).
 
Hebrews 2:14 says that the devil holds the power of death. This is true. Man fell because of the work of the devil. In that act, sin entered the world and death through sin (Romans 5:12). Life terminating in death is the default state of man. But the devil has no power beyond that.
 
Rather, the word says in James 4:12 that there is one Lawgiver who is able to save and to destroy. In Revelation 20:10, the devil is cast into the Lake of Fire. Only after that does it say that Death and Hades were cast into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:14) and that anyone not found written in the Book of Life will be cast into the Lake of Fire (Revelation 20:15).
 
Clearly, Jesus’ words here are referring to God in judgment against unrepentant man (see Revelation 21:8). The devil does not possess this power. Rather, he only holds the power of death over those who are not redeemed. Jesus, having prevailed over death, has secured eternal life and freedom from death for those who are saved through Him.
 
As such, we are not to fear those who can kill our bodies but not our souls. We are to fear God, who alone has the ability to destroy body and soul. Additionally, the words here, when rightly considered, confirm the doctrine of free will. There are those who will accept the word and those who will reject it. Otherwise, what would be the point of the apostles sharing the word in the first place?
 
Life application: Although this verse in Matthew doesn’t specifically explain if there is eternal punishment or not, the Bible makes it clear that God doesn’t just throw people into the Lake of Fire where they are incinerated and terminated (the doctrine of annihilationism).
 
Rather, the Bible explains elsewhere that hell is eternal. This is not intended to “scare people into heaven.” Rather, it is a truth that the Bible proclaims. Focusing too much on hell causes one to miss the wonder of God’s grace found in the giving of His Son for us.
 
We are not saved to go to heaven, we are saved from our default position, which is condemnation (John 3:18, etc.). Heaven is a result of being saved by God through the precious blood of Jesus Christ. Tell people today about the grace of God that has redirected human souls to the glorious path of life and restoration! Tell people about Jesus!
 
Lord God, how grateful we are to You for Your wonderful plan of salvation through the giving of Christ Jesus to redeem us to Yourself. We stand in awe of what You have done. Forever and ever we will praise You for the marvel and majesty of Jesus Christ our Lord. Halleluiah and Amen.