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Expanded Comments |
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| 1 And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ. |
As unto spiritual – We are strictly unsectarian, and consequently recognize no sectarian name. R344:1
Babes in Christ – Undeveloped Christians--Tribulation saints. SM437:2; D17
The majority of Christians lack a sufficiency of knowledge. R2136:6
We should not be satisfied to remain such, but desire individually to grow into Christ in all things. R2205:4
The vast majority of Christians never experience the fulness of joy, peace and blessing that they might possess. Too many are content with simply diluted first principles of the doctrine of Christ. R5938:2
Some "babes" in Christ are always "catching" something in the way of false doctrine--usually because under-nourished in the truth. R4129:3,5
One that has not made proper progress in spiritual development. R1593:6, 2134:5
A babe in knowledge and a babe in the development of grace. R4628:5, 5938:2, 229:6
New creatures who have only started in the new way of full consecration. R5445:2, 2810:4
Let us not remain such, but while always retaining the childlike, trusting, spirit, let us grow in the favor and knowledge of our Lord. R1043:6*
Just as we care for a babe, specially handle it, specially feed it, specially deal with it, and not treat it as an adult, so the Lord purposes that he will deal with all those who are babes in Christ. R4628:5, 2810:4
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| 2 I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able. |
Fed you with milk – Presented in a manner to avoid choking the babes in Christ. R806:2
Neglect not to feed the babes with the sincere milk of the word; but not the strong meat until they are able to bear it. Neither offer to them milk which is not pure. R679:2*
Not with meat – Not used to strong meat, and likely to be choked by it. R2137:1
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| 3 For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? |
Carnal – Fleshly-mindedness, indicating an immature development along spiritual lines. R4252:1, 2134:5
Worldly, human. NS374:6
Not gross worldly sin, murder, theft, blasphemy, etc., but the more refined evidences of a wrong condition of heart--a lack of the spirit of love; murder in the heart. R2386:2
There is among you – Gradually the apostle leads his readers onward and points out to them their low spiritual condition. R2386:2
And divisions – Sectarianism. R1571:2, 5941:3, 4252:1, 1309:2, 81:2*; F81; NS292:1
A party spirit, dividing themselves under human leadership rather than uniting themselves under Christ, the true and only head. R2386:2, 4252:1
Having peculiar, unscriptural designations. F207
Since the 1260 years ended, misguided by the thought that the Church should be one of outward organization, each reformer gathered his followers to him and started a new sect, which claimed to be the true Church. R5742:4
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| 4 For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal? |
I am of Paul – They were dividing into Paulites, Apollosites, and Peterites, while a few rightly clung to the name Christian. R1571:2, 5941:3; F81
Idol of sectarianism. R5298:5, 3152:3
Sectarianism is wholly out of accord with the teachings of the Scriptures. OV121:4; R5941:3
The believer does not belong to any man; each is a free man in Christ, belonging to the Lord only, though pleased to recognize any whom God may seem to use as his ministers of truth and grace. NS374:6
I am of Apollos – That the Corinthian brethren were greatly pleased with the masterful ability of Apollos as a teacher of the truth is implied by the fact that some of them were disposed to say that they were followers of him. R3152:3
As some today are disposed to say, I am of Luther," or "I am of Calvin," or "I am of Wesley." F81; R5298:5, 2134:5, 918:6, 81:2*; NS292:1
Carnal – Is not this reverencing of men a form of idolatry? R5298:5
An evidence of lack of spiritual perception that there is but one Bridegroom; calling ourselves by any other name would be to that extent renouncing our betrothal. NS292:1
Fleshly; misunderstanding the divine arrangement as worldly people might be expected to do. NS292:1
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| 5 Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man? |
As the Lord gave – The true church of Christ is composed only of saints, and they gather to the Lord, irrespective of denominational lines of any kind. R5742:4
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| 6 I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. |
God gave the increase – Not attributing success in convincing the people to their own eloquence or power, but to the favor and blessing of God. R1425:4
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| 7 So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase. |
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| 8 Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour. |
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| 9 For we are labourers together with God: ye are God's husbandry, ye are God's building.
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Labourers together – God is working with us, and we are working with him; finding the saintly, the true, and guiding them, fitting them for the spiritual kingdom. R5302:5
God's husbandry – The great husbandman waits for the gradual development of the fruit. R3020:5
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| 10 According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon. |
Foundation – The individual Christian faith is a building, and must have both foundation and superstructure. God would have us grow in grace and knowledge and love, following examples of building which he has furnished. R428:1
Every man – Not the heathen world, but those who at least nominally accepted Christ as the foundation of their hopes. SM290:T
Thereupon – Faith--Christ the foundation of hope. SM290:T; R1576:5
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| 11 For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. |
Other foundation – The Redeemer is the foundation. OV174:7; R1484:1
The foundations of any system are easily discovered, and there is only one true foundation--Christ, the ransom. R1900:1, 3823:1, 1213:5*, 564:2
Of the New Jerusalem, "The city which hath foundations," (Heb. 11:10) the Kingdom of God. A295
"Upon this Rock I will build my Church." (Matt. 16:18) F220; R1760:3
Laid in the heaven, not on earth; all other living stones on this foundation are drawn and cemented to it by heavenly attractions. R1982:1; CR360:3
The unwise believer fails to appreciate the necessity for having a proper foundation for his faith and works. R5029:6
He that trusteth Christ Jesus, and he alone, shall not fail. R2814:1
The great master craftsman of our high order of free and accepted masonry, Christ, laid the foundation. CR359:5
No man – We understand these words to refer only to those professing full consecration to the Lord, the Church of Christ. R5696:3
Jesus Christ – Jehovah's Anointed--the Rock of Ages. R813:4*
The Rock, the true foundation. R3748:6, 5696:3; HG736:6; SM463:2
The success of Ezra and Nehemiah and their co-workers should be regarded as an encouraging prediction of the final completeness and glory of the church built upon the one true and only foundation. R1484:5
The central theme of the Apostle's preaching on every occasion. It would be a poor text for Higher Critics, for Evolutionists, for Theosophists, for Christian Scientists, and for most other of the new gospels. R3144:6
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| 12 Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; |
If any man build – Build character--development of true character. A321
Faith upon the only recognized foundation. A320; R5823:5, 266:6
Upon this foundation – Christ Jesus' finished work of redemption. A320; R3748:6
The overthrow of all systems which reject the only foundation is well illustrated by Jesus simile of building in the sand alongside the rock. (Luke 6:48) R564:2, 428:6, 5029:5
Gold, silver, precious stones – Divine truth and corresponding character. A321; R5822:1, 5753:5, 5442:5, 5407:6, 4208:3, 3411:2, 2987:1, 564:2, 275:5, 36:2; CR121:4; SM554:T, 290:1; NS506:1
Proper building to true doctrines. R3318:6
Truth & whole-hearted loyalty to the Lord R5916:3, 5696:3
Divine promises. R5715:3, 5823:5, 5517:2, 5371:3, 3748:6, 505:6; HG627:2
Faith and character. R2054:4, 428:3
Faith, hope and love will abide the fiery trial. R3760:6, 5517:2
Developing their faith and character in harmony with the divine requirements. R5407:6
Each member of the Church being a "living stone." R2054:2
Their building will stand the fire of this great day. R5696:3, 5407:6, 3748:6
A little flock, a royal priesthood who will sit in the throne; the priestly class will be the antitypical temple of God. R5408:1
The gold that is needed is the wisdom that cometh from above; the white raiment, the righteousness of Christ; the eyesalve, the Spirit's help in the understanding of the Word. R505:6*
All of the gold class will be purified, the Little Flock; all of the silver class will be purified, the Great Company. R3684:5, 428:4; NS506:1
Wood, hay and stubble – Traditional errors and corresponding unstable characters. A321
Human traditions, theories and creeds. R5823:5, 5753:5, 3684:5, 3411:2, 428:3, 275:6, 266:6, 207:5; SM553:3; HG627:2; 398:5
Error, sin and hyprocrisy. R2987:1, 5097:5, 3748:6, 1548:1, 564:2, 36:2; HG717:2; NS506:1
False doctrine. R3318:6; OV163:T
Stubble of human tradition and Churchianity. R5517:2, 5407:6, 5753:5, 2814:1, 428:2; SM290:1
Without proper materials. R5408:1
Having only the traditions of men, they lack protection against error, and the strength necessary to overcome the world which is obtainable only from the truth. R428:3; HG403:2
The shifting sands of human theory--Evolution, etc. R3823:1
Formulated laws of the leaders of the various societies. R358:4*
Combustible materials, which will shortly be destroyed in this day when the fire of divine judgment shall test every doctrine and every error; Their superstructure will be burned. R3748:6, 5696:3, 781:5
The Great Company, before the throne; the antitype of the Levites. R5408:1, 4079:1
Have no place in the true Church. R2054:4
In Solomon's Temple, we find that the wood was merely used as a filler, that the symbol was the gold which covered the wood. R2054:4
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| 13 Every man's work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man's work of what sort it is. |
Every man's work – Every man who has built upon Christ. R36:2
Not of the world, but of the church. R4568:6; HG627:2
For the day – Now present. R571:2, 428:3
We have been in this day of trial for over twenty years. (1901) R2751:5
The close of the Gospel age, the same day as Mal. 3:2; 2 Pet. 3:10; Zeph. 3:8, et R5916:1, 5517:1, 1944:3; A320
Corresponding with the shaking of the heavens and the earth in Heb. 12:18-27 and Haggai 2:7. R5517:1
Shall declare it – Demonstrate the faith that will stand, and the faith that will be consumed. SM290:1; R5097:5, 571:2
Is even now begun. R221:4*, 403:5
Revealed – Greek: apokalupsis, uncovered, unveiled. R2979:2
By fire – Trials. R187:6, 801:5*
Those who are able to patiently endure the fiery ordeals will stand in this evil day. R5651:6, 2792:4
In the time of trouble. A321
Anarchy; great tribulation, which is to consume every vestige of present civilization. R5715:3, 5916:4, 5232:5
It would be idle for any of the Lord's consecrated people to hope to be made meet for the glorious inheritance of the saints without the refining processes of fiery trial. R1944:3
The burning, or destruction, allows a much better preparation for the erection of a better faith-structure. R5823:5
Selfish doctrines, errors and all improper faith will be destroyed. SM290:1
And the fire – Symbolical. R5753:5
In the end of this Age. R2496:5, 5442:5, 5407:6, 2814:2, 916:1; HG627:3
Of his jealousy. R505:5
This reference evidently is to the testings of the Lord's people during the period of his presence in the end of the Age. R2979:3, 4628:1, 4568:6
The siftings of this day will manifest it--the Lord will separate the deficient ones. R3760:6, 5696:3, 5651:6, 5517:2, 3405:5
Shall try – Every man's faith and character structure. A321; R862:3, 2496:5, 1809:6, 207:5
The living members of the Royal Priesthood will be subjected to fiery trials. R3684:5, 801:5*, 266:6
Every man's work – Prove what foundation his disciples have built upon. R5442:5
All iniquity and injustice will be exposed, reprobated and destroyed. R4628:4
Amongst professed believers. NS43:5
Every one in the Church is to be tried, however, in great measure it will be a trying time for all the world as well. R4628:1
What sort it is – All who are truly the Lord's people will be granted an opening of the eyes of their understanding to appreciate where we are. R5753:5
"Judgment must begin with the house of God." (1 Peter 4:17) R3405:3, 4583:3, 4628:1; B239
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| 14 If any man's work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward. |
If any man's work – Those whose faith structure contains little of wood, hay and stubble, will suffer least. R4583:3, 571:2
Abide – Remain, his faith will not be destroyed. R266:6
Our Lord would have us carefully note the times and seasons and all the directions of the divine plan if we would be in cooperation with him. Such work only will abide. R1784:1
He hath built – They will have a superstructure of truth and loyalty to the Lord. R5696:3
Thereupon – Upon Christ. A321
Receive a reward – In proportion to his faithfulness in building, making use of the truth in the development of true character. A321
The Little Flock, faithful to the Word and upheld by it and protected. R3748:6
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| 15 If any man's work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire. |
Any man's – In the Church. R2453:2
Shall be burned – Others who build with wood will find their faith structure will be consumed. R5407:6, 5029:6
Many serve very actively whose works are to be burned in the fiery trials to which they shall be subjected in this day of the Lord. R1797:1
How many are finding their faith burned out! SM290:1
Those who have more of these combustibles will suffer the more. R4583:3
And probably including also social institutions and business. R588:4*
Shall suffer loss – Loss of the reward because of unfaithfulness. A321; R140:4
Loss of the kingdom; take a lower place, not rulers, but honorable servants of the ruling class. R5916:3, 2481:1, 1783:4*
Those who do not properly set their affections on heavenly things, but allow their affections to center chiefly in earthly things--the Great Company. R2481:1
He himself – Sometimes termed a tribulation class. R5407:6
Shall be saved – Because truly consecrated, and whose hopes, though false, were built upon Christ and his redeeming work. R5517:2, 5823:5, 5407:6, 1008:6
Rescued from the catastrophe. R3941:6; SM568:T
Brought to perfection. R1008:6
Many of God's dear people in the great nominal systems in the time of trouble. SM126:3; R3941:5
Some cling so closely to the world, its forms and institutions, etc., that they must be put through a severe ordeal; and every true grain shall be saved by some process. R576:2
The Great Company class will get a reward to which they were never called. R5060:2
"To deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord." (1 Cor. 5:5) R5056:5
Yet so as by fire – Singed, scorched and alarmed. A321
Severe discipline destroying what such do not sacrifice. R1008:5, 5056:4
Fitly describes the deliverance of the Great Company, who will "come up through great tribulation," (Rev. 7:14); the "foolish virgins." R3748:6, 3865:3, 1952:4, 428:4
Typified by Lot and his daughters. R2857:6
Not sufficiently diligent and careful respecting the divine promises. R3748:6, 428:4, 275:6; Q309:5
The Lord's people will be tested along the lines of their separation from the spirit of the world. R2858:1
"These are they that have come up out of great tribulation." (Rev. 7:14) T69; R5407:6, 5029:6, 3237:1, 2858:1, 133:1
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| 16 Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you? |
The temple of God – The Church as a whole is the antitypical temple of God; each individual Christian is a member in particular. R2367:4, 5831:5, 5713:2, 5504:1, 1484:1, 398:1; CR456:3; PD45/55
Each Christian is a living stone in preparation for the great Temple of the future, now being chiseled, polished, made ready for his place in the Temple above. R5831:5, 5504:2, 2512:5, 2367:4; CR360:1; PD87/100; NS517:5
Construction has been in progress throughout the Gospel age--ever since Christ became the world's Redeemer and the chief cornerstone. R5822:2, 5152:2
Each congregation might be considered the temple of God. R5831:5
The church as a whole when gathered to the heavenly condition will be God's temple, in that God will dwell in them, by his holy spirit. R5831:5, 5504:2, 3053:5; NS517:6
The Church in glory will not be the Temple of God until the heavenly Father himself shall have recognized it. CR457:1; 361:1
The Church is to be "filled with the glory of God," or glorified, before the plagues are fulfilled; and not until then can any more enter the Temple. HG83:3
The "Man of Sin,"--Papacy--did take his seat in God's church (temple), and used in a blasphemous manner the titles and honors of the "King of Kings." R55:1, 306:1
The Temple of Solomon was a type of God's holy people, the Church. R5713:2, 5504:1, 1981:2, 1484:1
The building of the antitypical temple will be done at the close of this Gospel Age. CR456:6; 360:4
The consecrated or temple class in the nominal church stands related to the nominal church as a whole, as the literal Temple stood related to the holy city Jerusalem, as a whole. The Temple class must now be cleansed. B239
"Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God." (Rev. 3:12) B209, B239
"How amiable are thy tabernacles" (Psa. 84:1) in the eyes of all who hav R1401:6
There has been no other temple since, and there never will be another, for this one is an everlasting habitation. R305:6, 55:1
That the Spirit – In the spirit of our minds we are risen with Christ. R172:1
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| 17 If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are. |
If any man – After he has been made a partaker of the holy Spirit and has tasted the good word of God and the powers of the coming age. R1981:5
Restricted to the Church. NS516:3
Defile – Destroy, by turning again to the spirit of the world. R1981:5
It is our duty not only to keep our bodies as pure and undefiled as possible, in thought and word and act, outwardly and inwardly; but it is part of our duty also to take reasonable care of our physical systems. R2367:2
Every vile thought or act, every pandering to appetite, is sure to bring depravity on body or mind or both; and depravity is the death process at work. NS517:2
This "Man of Sin" system arises in the Church, and professes to be in and of the true Church--the Church of the living God and not of the world. Paul declares this to be an apostasy. R980:2
The temple of God – His spiritual life, which was holy, and consecrated to God. R1981:5
Shall God destroy – The Lord has "no pleasure" in any who "draw back." "If ye live after the flesh, ye shall die." (Heb. 10:38, Rom. 8:13) R1981:5
In the second death. NS517:3
Contrary to the Universalist theory. R3083:3
Temple of God – Christ became the world's Redeemer and the chief corner-stone of this Temple. R5822:1, 1982:1
The foundations of our Temple were laid at Pentecost, under apparently very unfavorable conditions from the world's standpoint--a dead leader, and a handful of a few hundred disciples scattered and considerably discouraged. R3649:5
Is holy – Every faithful consecrated child of God in whom God, by his holy spirit, dwells, is a Temple, a royal residence of the King of kings, a holy sanctuary; "an habitation of God through the Spirit." (Eph. 2:22) R1981:3; NS815:2
It is to those who appreciate the sanctity of the Temple that all the blessings of divine grace belong; God's glory shall be manifested in them and to them. R1981:6
Wherever God may dwell is necessarily holy; any wilful sin would be an offence against God. NS517:6
God, who declared he would have no fellowship with sinners, has provided a way by which these sinners can come back into harmony with him, through the temple arrangement. CR359:5
No unconsecrated stones are wanted in this Temple; there is not place for worldly workers in this great work of God; the worldly mind has no real knowledge concerning it. R4894:5, 2512:5
Which temple ye are – The Church. R2795:2, 5822:1, 5504:1, 2512:5
Both individually and collectively. R638:3*, 1982:1
Wherever God's Spirit is there is a Temple. CR457:4
Paul here referred to the Church in its present condition, on probation, as though it were a finished Temple, because by faith may be realized the Lord's presence and protecting care in their temporary organization as the Church. R4296:4
Typified by Solomon's Temple. (2 Chron. 2:7; I Kings 6:8) CR359:1, 6; 456:3; R172:1
The apostles taught that the real work of the Church of Christ is not to build costly edifices beyond their means; but to build themselves up in the most holy faith. PD87/100
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| 18 Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this age, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. |
To be wise – We cannot expect sympathy from them. R2616:3
Become a fool – In the eyes of the world, by faithfully preaching the Gospel at every opportunity. A347
From the world's standpoint the Lord's consecrated people who seek to make their calling and election sure are counted fools, because to attain that they are willing to sacrifice present temporal interests. R3585:4, 2616:3, 2074:6
In their day our Lord and his prophets and apostles were all accounted "fools" and "cranks," and the same worldly estimate will continue to the end of this age. R1873:1
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| 19 For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness. |
For the wisdom – Worldly wisdom wilfully closes its eyes to the broadest principles of righteousness and truth whose effects reach on into eternity. R1776:6
"Woe unto them that are wise in their own eyes." (Isa. 5:21) R1896:5
Which delights in envying, strife, and every evil work; selfishness. R1518:3
Worldly wisdom got its hold in the Dark Ages and greatly perverted the Gospel. HG615:5
Men have been searching for centuries to prove that man is susceptible of a moral training which would bring him into harmony with God; or that God's love will override his justice. R391:5
The wisdom from above, from the Word of God, is what we need, not worldly wisdom which is becoming more and more foolish to all thinking people. CR498:5
Of this world – The world lives for the present, thinks for the present, strives for the present. CR424:1
"Earthly, sensual, devilish." (James 3:15) R1520:1, 1518:3
The more we see of the foolishness of men, the more we should rely on the wisdom and Word of God. R4826:2; SM438:2
The Lord does not honor the world nor the worldly-wise, with a knowledge of his secret purposes. R1617:6
God chooses "babes" who will babble forth the truth unceremoniously to confound the wise and the great. R942:2
Foolishness with God – Even as the wisdom of God is foolishness with the children of this world. HG615:5; NS265:1
Taketh – Entrapped. R2882:3
Their own craftiness – "The meek will he guide in judgment; and the meek will he teach his way." (Psa. 25:9) R2882:3
The divine plan is hidden from the great majority of the learned, the doctors of divinity, etc., because it has pleased the Father to reveal his purposes to those of an humble mind. R2624:6
They are too wise to learn, too great to be "taught of God" through his Word. R2882:4
They have rejected the Bible and do not trust it as a revelation. Their boasted wisdom ensnares them and blinds them. R6013:6
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| 20 And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain. |
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| 21 Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours; |
All things – Sacrificing things of the earthly nature, to become joint-heirs with him in glory, honor and immortality. R4998:6, 3161:6
Are yours – New Creatures; believers--nothing belongs to the world as yet. R5088:3, 4998:6
The meek ones of the Lord's followers even now in a measure receive the fulfillment of the promise "Blessed are the meek, for they shall inherit the earth." R3734:6
In a figurative sense, by faith. R2586:3
The Lord's saints can enjoy the rich works of art displayed in the shop windows without any desire to have them under their special care. R3734:6
A general reference to the fact that every member of the anointed body is to preach the Gospel. R2157:2
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| 22 Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours; |
Cephas – Peter. R4252:1, 2157:2*
Things to come – God's promises are sure. R1217:4*
All are yours – The church is soon to have the entire inheritance; the land, the power, the dominion, the glory and the honor. R1164:2, 3161:6; CR149:2
Not only the possession of all power but all riches, not for selfish uses, but that they may lavish divine favors upon mankind during the Millennial age. SM275:T; NS466:6
What this means is described in Psalm 23. R5654:1
Things present and things to come. R4784:1
Let us enter into the blessings of the Lord more, and allow his leadings past and present to give us courage and fortitude for the future. R4064:1; NS105:3
Whoever does not appreciate the spiritual joys can hardly be expected to endure the present training with patience and thankfulness. R5147:6, 1656:1
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| 23 And ye are Christ's; and Christ is God's. |
Ye are Christ's – Not any sect or party or denomination, but individuals who, regardless of sectarian lines, have entered into a heart covenant with the Lord. These are the ones addressed in the Bible as the saints of God. R5692:2
If Jesus is our Purchaser, all men belong to him and are under his control; he has a right to do for them what he pleases. R387:4
We are vitally united with the illustrious Son of the great King of the Uni verse. R4784:1
Christ is God's – Whom he has made his sole associate in the glory and dominion of the universe. R4784:1
Jehovah is the great original fountain of life and blessing, the author of the great plan of salvation, executed by our Lord Jesus--the Grand Father and Over-Lord of all. E142; NS609:6
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