May I have a WORD with you?

John
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Helping ordinary people read the Bible for the sake of life application and a godly transformation. In other words, for the sake of becoming more like Jesus.

  1. 4d ago

    Ep 142 (S8E10) Galatians: Pt 8

    References: Quick ReviewGal 4:1-20Being on guard against the elemental principles that reduce us to children of the universe rather than living in the power of the Spirit as children of God.The true powerlessness and poverty that leads us to humbly receive the truthThe travail of childbirth that brings forth new children of promiseWhat’s next?Galatians 4:21-31Vss 21-23Genesis 15 through 18Ch 15 - Abram says a slave will become his heir. God says no, and promises a son. Vs 6 “Abram believed the Lord, and the Lord counted him as righteous because of his faith.”Ch 16 - The promised child isn’t coming, so Sarai concocts a plan B and Abram submits to the scheme. Hagar becomes pregnant and gives Abram a son, Ishmael.Ch 17 - circumcision, the sign of the covenant. Renaming.Ch 18 - the promise is renewed. A son will be given through Sarah. She and Abraham laugh. Ch 19 & 20 - other stuffCh 21 - the birth of Isaac (laughter), the promise. Abe is 100 yrs old. Vs 22-26: the allegory - two women, two covenants“These two women serve as an illustration of God’s two covenants.”ἀλληγορέω (al-lay-gor-eh'-o) hapax legomenona story, poem, or piece of art where characters and events act as symbols. It is essentially an extended metaphor designed to reveal a hidden or broader meaning, such as a moral, religious, or political lesson. - Miriam-Webster onlineThe two levels of allegoryThe literal - what’s really happeningThe symbolic - the hidden meaning, abstract idea, or real-world concept those events and actions represent.Plato’s allegory of the caveGeorge Orwell’s “Animal Farm”Hagar - Mt Sinai, Law, Jerusalem in bondageSarah - heavenly Jerusalem, freedomVs 27 - OT Prophetic reflective interludeRelating Sarah to the childless woman who now has many childrenFoot note - Isaiah 54:1Note that this comes abruptly after the suffering servant of Is 53Vss 28-31 - casting off the bondage of the lawChildren of the “promise” - ἐπαγγελία (ep-ang-el-ee'-ah)See Acts 1:4 - the “promise” of the FatherThe Holy SpiritBeing persecuted - διώκω (dee-o'-ko)Used by Jesus 4X in Mt 5 Sermon on the MountPaul used it of himself in Gal 1Gen 21:9 - “But Sarah saw Ishmael making fun of her son, Isaac.”Vs 30 - get rid of the slave and her sonGen 21:10-21A great nation from IshmaelVs 31 - we are not children of the slave woman but of the free womanLearn the lesson of allegorythe limits of allegoryWe don’t want to miss the human lessons of the actual, or literal, story of GenesisThe allegorical reading does not negate the bad behavior of Abraham and SarahHagar in Gen 16 - called God El-roi, the God who sees me.On to Freedom in Christ!

    32 min

  2. Jun 26

    Ep 141 (S8E9) Galatians: Pt 7

    References: Quick ReviewGal 3:15-29Seed vs seedsAbraham vs Moses (heir vs slave)Jesus our mediator & the law our tutorPromise vs keeping the lawWhat’s next?Galatians 4:1-20Vss 1-7Heir, child, slave, guardian, managerRemember the vineyard and tenants (Mt 21; Mk 12; Lk 20)Consider 1 Cor 13:11 - gives new meaningδοῦλος - servant, slave - very common in NTGuardian = stewardBasic spiritual principles - στοιχεῖον (stoy-khi'-on)The foundational elements of life apart from life in the SpiritABCs - Col 2:8, 20A revival - Desiderata (Max Ehrmann’s “child of the universe” philosophy)Vss 8-16Consider the weak, worthless word πτωχός (pto-khos')Compare fleshly spirituality with HS SpiritualityMt 5:3 “poor” in spirit; Mt 11:5 “poor” have the gospel preached to themGalatians are choosing the poverty of homelessnessVss 12-16 - Paul’s povertyHow he came to themTheir overlooking of his temptation (KJV) πειρασμός (pi-ras-mos') trialLead us not into πειρασμόςJas 1:2 - consider it pure joy when πειρασμός comeWould have given him their own eyes?Vss 17-20See vs 17 in MSGThe pain of childbirth - ὠδίνω (o-dee'-no)see ὠδίν - Mt 24:8; Mk 13:8 - the beginnings of the labor painscompare συνωδίνω - Rom 8:22Since he is writing rather than talking face to face Paul isperplexed - ἀπορέω (ap-or-eh'-o)John 13:22 - one of you will betray me2 Cor 4:8 - “We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.”He will keep trying to get through to them, though, soStay tuned!

    35 min

  3. Jun 19

    Ep 140 (S8E8) Galatians: Pt 6

    References: Quick ReviewGal 3:1-14Vss 1c-4 - the picture of the Gospel and question - προγράφω (prog-raf'-o) - recall Rd to EmmausVss 5-9 - faith before works, (promise before law)Vss 10-14 - the curse and the removal of the curseWhat’s next? The basis of Paul’s argument.Galatians 3:15-29Vss 15-18 -  an example of a “last will and testament”Vs 16 - σπέρμασιν vs σπέρματίPlural vs singular - Rabbinic style of argumentIn Gen 12:7 - זֶרַע - singularBut in Gen 1:11 also singular ??Abraham vs MosesVss 19-20  μεσίτης (mes-ee'-tace) mediator (6x in NT)1 Timothy 2:5 - recall the context hereHeb 8:6; 9:15; 12:24vs 21Vss 22-23 συγκλείω (soong-kli'-o) - prisoners(?) (4x in NT)σύν - with  &  κλείω to shut upof a shoal of fishes in a net - Luke 5:1-10 (vs 6 ESV)consigned - Rom 11:28-33 (vs 32 ESV, see MSG)Vss 24-25 παιδαγωγός (pahee-dag-o-gos') (3x in NT)tutor, instructor - Gal 3:24 & 25BLB - “Among the Greeks and the Romans the name was applied to trustworthy slaves who were charged with the duty of supervising the life and morals of boys belonging to the better class. The boys were not allowed so much as to step out of the house without them before arriving at the age of manhood.”Gives us the word pedagogy (the method and practice of teaching)1 Cor 4:1-16 (vs 15) teachers, guidesVss 26-29 ἐνδύω (en-doo'-o) to sink into (clothing), put on, clothe one's selfconsider in relation to baptism (see Rom 6)σπέρμα (noun, singular)Recall Paul’s rabbinic style argumentOne with Christ, in Christ, The promise not the law

    35 min

  4. Jun 12

    Ep 139 (S8E7) Galatians: Pt 5

    References: Quick ReviewGal 2:11-21ConfrontationClarifying and righting the GospelSpiritual battle for the Body of Christ (including Peter and Barnabas)Justification by faithMnemonic - justified = “just as if I’d” never sinned.By grace through trusting God’s Word of promiseGoing forward - hang onGal 3:1-14Vs 1a&b - “You crazy Galatians! Did someone put a spell on you?” MSGἀνόητος (an-o'-ay-tos) 6x in NT - foolish, unwiseLuke 24:25 - the guys on the road to EmmausPaul’s admonition to Timmothy 1 Tim 6:2b-10βασκαίνω (bas-kah'-ee-no) - a hapax legomenonto speak ill of one, to slander - Demosthenesto bring evil on one by feigned praise or an evil eye, to charm, bewitch one - Aristotle, TheocritusConsider Acts 17:18-34 (esp. v 28)In him we live and move and have our being - Epimenides of CreteFor we are indeed his offspring - Aratus in PhainomenaVs 1c-4 - the picture of God’s gracious Gospel and questionπρογράφω (prog-raf'-o) - προ: before & γράφω: writen - a way of saying that everything they had come to know about Jesus was coming from God’s WordGen 12:3, 15:6, 18:18, 22:18Lev 18:5; Deut 21:23, 27:26Hab 2:4The question of orderUpon trusting the picture painted by the WordThe Spirit is givenVss 5-9 - faith before worksVss 10-14 - the curse and the removal of the curseTrying to become right with God by works - curseThe way of faith is differentJesus becomes our curseBlessed like Abraham, through faith

    34 min

  5. Jun 5

    Ep 138 (S8E6) Galatians: Pt 4

    References: Quick ReviewGal 2:1-10The question?The ill-intentioned skeptics who want others to miss the goal (see Phil 3:14)The right hand of fellowshipRecalling Acts 10Gal 2:11-21 - the core and foundation of the Gospel2:11-15 - Paul fights for Peter. (?)Opposing him to his face - ἀνθίστημι (anth-is'-tay-mee)This was the fourth of the five smooth stones series. (Ep 055 (S3E11) Five Smooth Stones - Pt 4 Our Fighting Stance)I am planning to reprise this series this fallMat 5:39 - don’t resist an evil person, but offer the right cheek as wellMt 16:23 - Jesus opposing PeterActs 11:2 - criticised - διακρίνω (dee-ak-ree'-no)Even Baranabas was led astray2:16 - justified - made right with Godδικαιόω (dik-ah-yo'-o) verb - to declare, pronounce, one to be just, righteous, or such as he ought to beThe faith of Jesus Christ (?) - His faithfulness or our faith in Him and His faithfulness2:17-21This begins to show us why I call this a “thick” book, a weighty book, a challenging bookThink baptism - Romans 6:3-11 ESV

    32 min

  6. May 29

    Ep 137 (S8E5) Galatians: Pt 3

    References: Quick ReviewFormer Saul - Gal 1:13-14See Acts 7:57-8:1See Acts 26:9-11Redeemed and restored Paul - vss 15-16aSee Eph 1:3-14Compare 1:Pet 1:18-20The Christians in Judea praised God because of Paul (1:22-24)Paul receives acceptance and recognition 2:1-10Pre-2:1-10 backgroundSaul’s conversion (Acts 9:1-25)Saul sent to Tarsus (9:26-31)Barnabas and Saul team up (Acts 11:19-30)2:1-3 - Fourteen YearsIn Syria and CiliciaCircumcision vs Titus (THE question)In vain - κενός (ken-os')empty, vain, devoid of truthof words/ideas which contain nothing (Eph 5:6; Col 2:8; 1 Cor 15:14)of men (recall the parable of the vineyard)empty handedwithout a giftmetaph. destitute of spiritual wealth, of endeavours, labours, acts, which result in nothing, vain, fruitless, without effectJas 2:201 Cor 15:582:4-5 - ill intentioned skepticsTo spy - κατασκοπέω (kat-as-kop-eh'-o) only here in the NTfrom κατά - against, and σκοπός - mark or goalSee Phil 3:14 and compare to these intentionally contrary skeptics who want others to miss the mark2:6-8 - nothing to addJames, the brother of JesusCephas (Peter)John the elder (1, 2, 3 John)2:9-10 - an important handshakeThe right handOf fellowship (koinonia)

    35 min

  7. May 22

    Ep 136 (S8E4) Galatians: Pt 2

    References: Quick ReviewThe churches of Galatia to whom Paul was writing are the subject of Luke’s telling of Acts 13 & 14Antioch of Pisidia - near modern day Yalvaç, TurkeyIconium & Lystra - near Konya, TurkeyDerbe - near Karaman, TurkeyPaul starts the letter with both barrels blazingI’m shocked! You are abandoning the true Gospelfor a twisted one, a false GospelCurses! Anathema!1:11-24 - The Gospel is God’s, not ours to adapt to our likingThe Gospel’s source and Paul’s testimony - vss 11-16aNot human - οὐκ ἔστιν      κατὰ                  ἄνθρωπον                     not | is | according to, after, by |  manRevelation - ἀποκάλυψις (ap-ok-al'-oop-sis)laying bare, making nakeda disclosure of truth, instructionconcerning things before unknownused of events by which things or states or persons hitherto withdrawn from view are made visible to allmanifestation, appearanceFormer Saul - vss 13-14See Acts 7:57-8:1See Acts 26:9-11Redeemed and restored Paul - vss 15-16aSee Eph 1:3-14Compare 1:Pet 1:18-20Paul’s early years before his 1st missionary journeyHe was in no hurry for affirmation from others - vss 16b-17Arabia? What scholars do with silence.Did Paul travel as far as the Sinai PenninsulaMt Sinai? (see 4:25)Moses, Elijah and now maybe Paul?Damascus? - remember Acts 9:19b-30Jerusalem and beyond - vss 18-24

    35 min

  8. May 15

    Ep 135 (S8E3) Galatians Pt 1

    References: Geographical and Ethno-Historical ContextWho were the Galatians?The cities of GalatiaAntioch of Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, etc.Modern day TurkeyThe people of GalatiaStereotyped as brave, impulsive and superstitiousFoolish - ἀνόητος (an-o'-ay-tos) 3:1Acts 13-15 - a new world for God’s Chosen people.13: Consider Saul’s (Paul’s, vs 9) command of the ScripturesActs 13:10 - Gen 3:15Pay attention to the footnotes. Paul references or quotes from Torah, Nevi’im and Ketuvim TaNaK14: Consider the works of power through the SpiritVs 3 - God proved their message by the signs and wondersVss 8-12 - Paul heals a man crippled from birth and the people think he and Barnabas are Greek gods!15: I side with Galatians written before CouncilBefore Acts 15 (Early Date, c. AD 48-49)The Council’s decision aligned with Paul’s argument in GalatiansGalatians 1:1-10 - Greetings and the GospelVss 1-5Vs 1 - Paul’s credentialsVs 2 - the community who careVss 3-5 - Blessing, truth and praiseVss 6-10Vss 6-7 - Paul’s dismay at the actions of the GalatiansTurning away - μετατίθημι (met-at-ith'-ay-mee)Gospel - εὐαγγέλιον (yoo-ang-ghel'-ee-on)Twist - μεταστρέφω (met-as-tref'-o)Vss 8-9 - ἀνάθεμα (an-ath'-em-ah)Vs 10 - Paul is not pulling punches

    37 min
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Helping ordinary people read the Bible for the sake of life application and a godly transformation. In other words, for the sake of becoming more like Jesus.

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  • Creator
    John
  • Years Active
    2023 - 2026
  • Episodes
    142
  • Rating
    Clean
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    © 2026 May I have a WORD with you?
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