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Expanded Comments |
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| 1 Would to God ye could bear with me a little in my folly: and indeed bear with me. |
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| 2 For I am jealous over you with godly jealousy: for I have espoused you to one husband, that I may present you as a chaste virgin to Christ. |
I am jealous – Not a mean jealousy, but an earnest, anxious solicitude and vigilant watchfulness--a godly jealousy. R4789:4
Over you – It is evident that the entire faithful Church is meant. R1386:1; CR214:3
The Church's present work is to make herself ready. (Rev. 19:7) F608
With godly jealousy – Paul was jealous for the things that were right and that the Church should be in accord with them. R4789:4
A jealousy we all should feel in the Church--be very sure, however, it is not jealousy of another, but jealousy for another. R4789:5
I have espoused you – The consecrated Church. HG409:2
In the Jewish custom the espousal is the real marriage, accompanied by a definite contract which became absolutely binding forthwith. F74; SM122:T
In the present time the Lord's people are spoken of as the betrothed or espoused, never as the married wife or joint-heir. NS291:6
The Redeemer has appeared in the presence of God for us, the Church, and thus, as our Advocate has made it possible for us to become his Bride. R4997:1
The promise to Jesus' faithful followers is that they shall be counted with him as his "Bride." R2859:6
We have entered into a special contract with our Heavenly Father to become the Bride of his Son. CR214:4
The beautiful imagery of Psa. 45:10, 11 relates to the elect C ultimately wife of the great King Immanuel. SM251:2
It is the Church of the future, after the resurrection, that is designated the Bride, the married wife. NS291:2
As the consecration of the Lord's people and their begetting of the holy Spirit constitute the betrothal to Christ, so the glorification of the first resurrection will constitute their marriage to him. NS295:1
The Revelator's picture of the Spirit and the Bride saying "Come" to whosoever will is future, for now there is no Bride. R3496:5
Abraham typified the rich heavenly Father; Isaac typified the Lord Jesus, heir of all; Abraham's servant was sent to find Isaac a wife, typifying the Church, which the Apostle here addresses. R3867:6
Abraham's servant represents the divine message, the Spirit of the Word of truth, sent forth of God, to gather during the Gospel age a people, who shall constitute the Bride. R2861:4
During Moses' absence (from Pharaoh's domain), he married a Gentile wife. In the interval between Christ's first and second advents, he selects a wife from among the Gentiles--the Gospel Church, the Bride. R1652:1
To one husband – This saintly class is already vitally united with Jesus. OV126:2
To the Jewish house Jesus presented himself in three characters--as Bridegroom, Reaper, and King. To the Christian house he presents himself in the same three characters. B238
A chaste virgin – The true Church is a virgin. R2047:1
All who as "wise virgins" continue faithful to the espousal vows. R1386:1
One who will recognize no other Lord than Jesus and call herself by no other name than his. NS294:5
The Church of Christ in its present condition; not the Bride of Christ until the Bridegroom's presence when the marriage of the Lamb shall take place and the marriage supper shall follow. (Rev. 19:9) Q838:2
The Bride of Christ is everywhere spoken of as a "chaste virgin," and never as impure or in unholy alliance with the world (a harlot). R399:4
The contrast is those nominally betrothed to Christ but really associated with the world, figuratively called harlots. NS294:5
The true Church of Christ, the "chaste virgin," the "Bride, the Lamb's wife" (Rev. 21:9), contrasted to the false c1-5; Rev. 21:9-11) Q842:5
The Spirit is choosing a Bride for Christ during the Gospel age; at the end, the marriage is consummated; during the Millennial age, the Spirit and the Bride (the Church) say, Come. R137:3
This is the same class sometimes referred to as the Church, the Bride of Christ who says "Come and partake of the waters of life freely," (Rev. 22:17) also symbolized as a beau Q789:2
Typified by Rebecca. F170, F363; R3867:6, 1386:2
The typical circumstances of Abraham calling a bride for his son is an illustration for the calling of the Gospel Church as a chaste virgin to be the help-meet and joint-heir with the true Isaac--Jesus. R609:5
Unity by returning to the Catholic church is not the solution. The "one church, one faith, one baptism" (Eph. 4:5) must be built upon the fouh the Lord. R4755:6
To Christ – No virgin is a member of the body of her espoused husband until united to him in marriage. R493:4*
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| 3 But I fear, lest by any means, as the serpent beguiled Eve through his subtlety, so your minds should be corrupted from the simplicity that is in Christ. |
But I fear – "Let us fear lest, a promise being left us of entering into his rest, any of you should seem to come short of it." (Heb. 4:1) R3331:3
We stand in constant fear for those who have failed to perform the symbol after having realized the true significance of baptism. R396:5
Serpent beguiled Eve – Contrary to the teachings of many modern theologians. A61
This is one of many instances in which Paul wrote of his belief in the fall of man from a state of perfection, a doctrine contrary to the teachings of Evolution. R1799:4
By Satan's first great lie: "Ye shall not surely die"--God has deceived you, nobody dies. (Gen. 3:4, 5) R5909:6
Eve was deceived. Adam sinned knowingly. R866:1
Into thinking of the Almighty as ignoble and selfish, conspiring against the interests of his creatures and threatening them with death which the old serpent had assured her God was unable to inflict. NS549:5
The temptation put before Eve was an easy acquirement of knowledge. R728:2
Satan's general procedure is to put darkness for light--to deceive, to mislead. R3925:6
Whoever helps to blind others concerning "Christ in you"--that this is the only basis for your "hope of glory"--is beguiling them of the prize; for if any loses sight of it, he will cease to strive for it. R4535:5
The Apostle has forewarned the Church of an effort of the Adversary to beguile the second Eve, the prospective Bride of the second Adam. R1024:6
Lion-like, he springs upon us unawares. Serpent-like, he assumes a pleasing aspect and endeavors to beguile us. Our vigilant Adversary could gain an advantage over us which we may not be able to resist. R1053:6
Through is subtilty – The English word "through" is translated from the Greek word en. In scriptures, en may mean "in," "by," "with" or "under." We judge which English word best translates the Greek original by its context. R826:3
Cunning. R2180:3
With crafty sophistry. R910:3
One of the Adversary's seductions is curiosity. It was Eve's curiosity and her fearlessness to disobey the Lord's command that got her into difficulty. R2389:2
So your minds – The Corinthian Church had been beset by false teachers and their faith in Paul's teaching was shaken. R551:5
So now the Church, the second Eve, is tempted to forsake all the truths of God's Word, and to seek other wisdom. R1257:1
Should be corrupted – Those who are not ignorant of Satan's ways expect, and find, more subtle snares than ever before laid to entrap them. R1335:6
Through the same denial of God's sentence against sinners. R911:1
From the simplicity – Purity. R2180:3
Simple truth. R867:1
In Christ – Christ's doctrine. R1442:4, 1024:6*
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| 4 For if he that cometh preacheth another Jesus, whom we have not preached, or if ye receive another spirit, which ye have not received, or another gospel, which ye have not accepted, ye might well bear with him. |
Preacheth another Jesus – The apostles continually sought to put believers on their guard against false teachers. R910:1
This does not signify they will deny our Lord as a person, nor deny his Lordship or authority over the Church. R910:2
Another gospel – Built upon a different foundation--not on the ransom. R3820:5
Theosophy, Evolution, New Theology. R5137:2
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| 5 For I suppose I was not a whit behind the very chiefest apostles. |
For I suppose – Paul felt a duty toward the truth which led him to state in no uncertain terms his apostleship. R5941:6
Paul labored hard with the Church at Corinth. To have them fail to make progress in the truth because they thought him incompetent seemed to him to be a pity. R5942:1
Not a whit behind – In understanding of the divine program. R5941:6
God brought forth Paul to succeed Judas. R5830:3
Jesus chose Paul and ordained him to be an apostle (Rom. 1:5); and since all the apostle caused to see him. R162:5
"He is a chosen vessel unto me." (Acts 9:15) F209
Sometimes Paul pointed to the Lord's blessing in connection with his revelations and ministries. F216
At the time the early Church attempted communism, Paul (who would become the twelfth apostle, replacing Judas) had not yet had his eyes open to the truth of the gospel. R5850:1
Chiefest apostles – Having had special visions and revelations which the other apostles did not have. F215; A27; R5941:5, 552:1
False brethren had charged that Paul had falsely assumed to be one of the ambassadors of Christ (2 Cor. 12:1). R4517:6, 5941:6
The apostles alone are authorized as mouthpieces of the Lord Jesus Christ and his Church to the world. R5588:1
God never recognized any but twelve apostles. It was never designed that there should be any more (Rev. 21:14). The names of the twelve tions. R162:5
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| 6 But though I be rude in speech, yet not in knowledge; but we have been thoroughly made manifest among you in all things. |
Rude in speech – Paul was inferior to Apollos and some others in oratory. R365:2
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| 7 Have I committed an offence in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I have preached to you the gospel of God freely? |
Committed an offence – You doubtless, thought I sacrificed the dignity of the office of an apostle by the things which I suffered for your sake. R552:1
Freely – Lest they should get the impression the gospel was being preached from mercenary motives. R5927:1, 2211:6
The traveling "elders" all seem to have strenuously avoided asking or receiving anything from those whom they were seeking to win to Christ. R1822:4
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| 8 I robbed other churches, taking wages of them, to do you service. |
I robbed other churches – Paul was explaining to the Corinthians that others had been more careful to look after his necessities than they. R2514:4
Taking wages – He used some of the Philippians' gifts to him to help out. R619:5*
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| 9 And when I was present with you, and wanted, I was chargeable to no man: for that which was lacking to me the brethren which came from Macedonia supplied: and in all things I have kept myself from being burdensome unto you, and so will I keep myself. |
And wanted – Being physically weak (1 Cor. 2:3), possibly ailing to such a R3143:5
Chargeable to no man – He never so much as asked assistance while with them. R2514:3, 2211:6
Macedonia supplied – Voluntarily. F288
The Philippians--no other Church is mentioned as having aided Paul. R5846:2, 3127:2
Internally, false brethren made various charges against St. Paul. They reproached him for having worked at his trade and received gifts from Macedonia, saying he should have urged his needs upon the Corinthians. R4518:1
He would not have refused assistance from the Corinthian brethren if it had been tendered. R2514:3
Paul explained that others had been more careful of his welfare than they and had a corresponding blessing. R2514:4
From being burdensome – Paul made no request for personal assistance, however much he may have been in need. R5810:3, 2227:6, 2211:6
He was willing to present the Word of God without charge so that his ministry would be more impressive, exhibiting the fact that he sought not their money but their highest welfare. R2514:3
The Apostle did not desire a gift, but realized that whoever receives the truth must be generous and do his share in forwarding it, or he will go backward and lose blessings and light already received. R2514:4
Traveling elders like Paul were sometimes supported by contributions of those previously served but seem to have strenuously avoided asking or receiving from those whom they were seeking to win to Christ. R1822:4
And so will I keep myself – Paul had confidence the Lord would supply his necessities in the best way. R2514:3
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| 10 As the truth of Christ is in me, no man shall stop me of this boasting in the regions of Achaia. |
The truth of Christ is in me – We look to Paul as our example, who, when misrepresented and opposed by brethren who had deserted the cross, explained that all his actions had been for the Lord's glory. R1235:6
Boasting – Paul boasted not of himself but of things others would think to be for his shame--his sufferings for Christ. R5942:1
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| 11 Wherefore? because I love you not? God knoweth. |
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| 12 But what I do, that I will do, that I may cut off occasion from them which desire occasion; that wherein they glory, they may be found even as we. |
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| 13 For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into the apostles of Christ. |
False apostles – "Wandering stars." (Jude 3; Rev. 2:2) D594
There were never more than twelve; any others were false. F209
We are not to recognize bishops whom Satan has deluded into thinking that they have apostolic power (apostolic succession). Jesus declares that they are false apostles and do lie (Rev. 2:2). R5347:2
The only annoyance ever manifested by the apostle Paul was upon his misrepresentation of false brethren. R3820:5
Their teachings served as siftings to draw off those who were not Israelites indeed. R2206:2
As in olden times there were false prophets among God's people, so there will be also false teachers among us. (2 Pet. 2:1) R1663:6*
Whether knowingly or ignorantly, they are serving Satan and error. R910:3
The apostles continually sought to put believers on their guard against false teachers. R910:1
Use and experience will teach you how to measure any new view presented. If its foundation is out of square, stop there. You have proved it to be false. To handle it further is to run a great risk. R867:2
Deceitful workers – Pretending to bring in "new light." R5800:5, 1643:1; SM133:2
By cunning sophistries, wrapped in fragments of truth, to deceive, if it were possible, the very elect. R882:6
Transforming themselves – Imitating. R5848:6*
Apostles of Christ – Some of the ministers of Satan are thought to be ministers of God. R5259:1
Those whom the Adversary has used to advance errors, have always been loud in their professions of faith in the Lord. R910:2
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| 14 And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. |
For Satan himself – Whose very existence is now being denied by many. See 2 Cor. 2:11; 4:4. F609
Who makes himself to appear a leader amongst the children of light. R5981:5
The Apostle was a firm believer in a personal devil. R3165:6
We have a cunning, "wily" foe in Satan, and must keep close to our Shepherd if we would be delivered out of temptation and from the power of the Evil One. F610
False doctrine shall always be sugar-coated. R2852:5
In the present time there are two great opposing forces in conflict, Christ and Satan. All mankind are serving one of them. Many, on both sides, serve ignorantly. R1948:1
The main attack is on the ransom. R1335:3
As each new ray of light shines out, Satan counterfeits it with rays of false light. R910:4
Is transformed – In order to fight the truth and destroy its influence.
Makes himself to appear a leader amongst the children of light. R5981:4
The Adversary appeared, not as an enemy, but as a friend to the Master. R4970:3
The Adversary's method is to simulate, or counterfeit, the voice of the Shepherd. R3163:3
For the accomplishment of his purposes there is no measure of hypocrisy which he would spurn. R1687:4
He becomes a teacher along what might be termed good lines--he is aware that nothing wholly false could succeed. SM323:1
As Rome transformed itself from heathenism and claimed to be Christian. A259
An angel – So as to exercise greater influence over humanity and thereby inculcate more successfully false doctrines. R4979:6
Feigning works of mercy and goodness to bolster his tottering kingdom. R3275:1
One of the delights of demons is to personate the pure, the good. R4070:1
When the Master was weakened, through fasting, at the end of the forty days, the Adversary appeared--not as an enemy and a fiend of darkness, but as a friend, professing interest in the Savior's welfare and work. R4970:3
Particularly within the past fifty years. F623
That he may preach false gospels and perform "many wonderful works," healing, etc.--Christian Science, Spiritism, Theosophy. R1736:4; B157
Matt. 24:23-26 describes happenings during Jesus' ght, and if we look for Jesus to come in the flesh, it would be an easy matter to be deceived. R171:1*
Of light – Messenger of truth. R551:5, 370:6
Minister of righteousness. Q623:T
Seldom or never does our Adversary commence with open error or direct infidelity--he seeks to clothe himself with a mixture of truth. R494:3
Satan knows that error and sin will repel the children of light. R5184:1
Evidently he has had much to do with formulating the creeds of Christendom. R5184:3
He associates eternal torture with moral platitudes and church work. R2852:5
Older sects are well defined, plainly presenting their errors; we understand them. Newer forms of doctrine feign reverence, humility, allegiance to the Lord--as messengers of truth--then deny him. R3185:3
In the guise of Spiritism. B157
Some have come into a "new light" which declares that the Holy One, Jehovah, is the author and instigator of "all sin, wickedness and crime." R1800:2
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| 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works. |
No great thing – Not to be wondered at. R5848:6
His ministers – The most insidious and dangerous "enemies of the cross of Christ" (Phil. 3:18) are those who, professing inside by denying it. R1719:4
The servants of the arch enemy may be willful or ignorant. R1335:3
Satan sends his ministers preaching "another gospel" and "perverting the gospel of Christ." (Gal. 1:6, 7) R760:1
Also be transformed – Error always presents itself as truth. R753:3
Romanism wears a garment of light--where necessary. R994:1
Ministers of righteousness – Who represent themselves as messengers of truth. R1025:1*, 882:6
The apostles of Satan are not saloon-keepers and white slave traffickers, but for the most part "ordained" ministers. R5848:5*
Paul warns against those teachers, to put the brethren on guard lest they be injured by false teachings. R3820:6
Authority is given not in his own name, but in the name of God, at the hands of the apostate church. R1094:6
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| 16 I say again, Let no man think me a fool; if otherwise, yet as a fool receive me, that I may boast myself a little. |
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| 17 That which I speak, I speak it not after the Lord, but as it were foolishly, in this confidence of boasting. |
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| 18 Seeing that many glory after the flesh, I will glory also. |
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| 19 For ye suffer fools gladly, seeing ye yourselves are wise. |
Ye suffer fools gladly – The louder a man boasts of himself and the more domineering he becomes the more will he be reverenced. R3286:2
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| 20 For ye suffer, if a man bring you into bondage, if a man devour you, if a man take of you, if a man exalt himself, if a man smite you on the face. |
For ye suffer – The more a religious teacher brow-beats you and the more he exacts from you of money and reverence, the more you esteem him. R3286:2
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| 21 I speak as concerning reproach, as though we had been weak. Howbeit whereinsoever any is bold, (I speak foolishly,) I am bold also. |
I speak foolishly – Foolish boasting--Paul did not approve of boasting. He boasted not of himself but of things others would think to be for his shame. R5942:1
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| 22 Are they Hebrews? so am I. Are they Israelites? so am I. Are they the seed of Abraham? so am I. |
So am I – False brethren had charged that Paul was unpatriotic and had fallen away from the faith. R4517:6
They even asked if it were certain Paul was a Hebrew at all--of pure blood--if he were not a Gentile in whole or in part. R4518:1
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| 23 Are they ministers of Christ? (I speak as a fool) I am more; in labours more abundant, in stripes above measure, in prisons more frequent, in deaths oft. |
I speak as a fool – The Apostle was narrating his experiences for our benefit, not as a matter of boasting. Q613:4
See verse 21. I am more – False brethren had charged that Paul was not Christ's servant. (2 Cor. 10:7) R4517:6
The leading servants in the early Church did not act like lords but served and were persecuted. R1523:6
Paul now lists his Christian experience, not just feelings of ecstasy, nor sitting quietly and letting the Spirit of God work in his heart, but "wisdom gained from practice," as a doer of the Word. R1022:4*
In labours more abundant – Than the other apostles. R552:2
In stripes above measure – Paul's zeal for the Lord and the brethren, and his willingness in laying down his life for them--in spending time and energy for them--testify to his worthiness to rank as an equal of any Apostle. F216
Through all these tribulations the Apostle pressed toward the mark for the prize of the high calling. R1885:1, 5851:1
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| 24 Of the Jews five times received I forty stripes save one.
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| 25 Thrice was I beaten with rods, once was I stoned, thrice I suffered shipwreck, a night and a day I have been in the deep; |
Thrice – One of the times was at Philippi, after Paul cast a demon out of a slave girl. R3123:1
Beaten with rods – The apostles were not treated like lords of God's heritage. F231
I suffered shipwreck – The Apostle had advised that it would be unsafe to sail on. This may have been the result of inspiration, but was possibly the result of his own judgment or experience or his contact with sailors. R3204:3
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| 26 In journeyings often, in perils of waters, in perils of robbers, in perils by mine own countrymen, in perils by the heathen, in perils in the city, in perils in the wilderness, in perils in the sea, in perils among false brethren; |
In perils – To Paul these things were the marks of divine love and favor. R5942:1
Among false brethren – Paul had his severest trials from "false brethren." R3820:4
More than the sarcastic, bitter threats of the scribes and Pharisees, or Satan's temptations, or open enemies, it was most sorrowful when Jesus' bosom disciples forsook him and one of them betrayed him. R3820:4
It is possible for human mouths to do us more harm than the mouths of brute beasts. R2502:5
False brethren will become the Church's greatest peril in these last times. R1319:3
Brethren of the closest imaginable relationship--fellow-members of the Body of Christ. SM219:T
The professed Church of Christ. (Isa. 66:5; Matt. 7:21-23) SM222:1
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| 27 In weariness and painfulness, in watchings often, in hunger and thirst, in fastings often, in cold and nakedness. |
In weariness and painfulness – Paul furnishes a noble example for our imitation. R1041:4
In fastings often – Some may have been enforced fastings, because of Paul's service of the truth. R2022:5
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| 28 Beside those things that are without, that which cometh upon me daily, the care of all the churches. |
The care of all the churches – Particularly those which he had been the means of establishing, or who accepted his ministry, either in person or by letter. R3172:1
Upon Paul devolved the care of all the churches of the Gentiles, and great were the responsibilities of his office. R1744:3
Paul left Timothy as a sort of successor in this capacity. R4526:3
Sometimes Scripture counts a part of a thing as though it were the whole. Thus, any number of the living Church assembled together in any place may properly be called the Church of that place. R1893:5
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| 29 Who is weak, and I am not weak? who is offended, and I burn not? |
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| 30 If I must needs glory, I will glory of the things which concern mine infirmities. |
Of the things – Paul mentions not one word about praying for the removal of these by divine power. R2009:3
Concern mine infirmities – See 2 Cor. 12:10.
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| 31 The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, which is blessed for evermore, knoweth that I lie not. |
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| 32 In Damascus the governor under Aretas the king kept the city of the Damascenes with a garrison, desirous to apprehend me: |
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| 33 And through a window in a basket was I let down by the wall, and escaped his hands. |
Escaped his hands – We may use all lawful and legal means in our self-defense, and may even wisely run away from dangers and persecutors (Matt. 10:23), but we are not authorize R3738:3
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