A Few Thoughts on the Epistle of James—James 1:13-15

D4 Believers Should Know That Temptation Is Not From God James 1:13-15

James 1:13-15 WEL Let no man say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither does he tempt anyone. 14 Everyone is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then, when lust has conceived, it produces sin, and when sin is matured, it brings forth death.

Tempted=

• This is the word πειράζω peirázō. We discussed the noun in James 1:2. The verb is similar and means a test to determine quality and an attempt to do something (Acts (9:26). Another meaning is to get someone to do something illegal, as our passage here and in Matthew 22:18, for instance.

• The context tells us.

◦ There is temptation that comes from our evil desires and lusts, as here.

◦ There is temptation that comes from testing how a person will respond to God’s teaching, as Abraham, for instance. Hebrews 11:17 NLT It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God's promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac.

• God does not tempt us, that is, seduce, to sin, that is, break His laws.

Everyone=

• The Lord Jesus was tempted to sin, but He never had the desire or lust to sin (Hebrews 4:15).

• We are tempted to break God’s laws, too, but it is from our inward desire. Two example:

◦ It is not wrong to eat, yet gluttony is sin (Philippians 3:19-20, Proverbs 23:2).

◦ Sex is not wrong, yet sex outside of marriage is wrong.

▪ Hebrews 13:4 NRSV Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers.

▪ 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NLT Don't you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people--none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.

Drawn away=

• The Greek word is ἐξέλκω exélkō. It means to lure as a hunter does game.

• Manser notes the process of seduction:

◦ A thought planted Genesis 3:2-3

◦ An advantage promised Genesis 3:4-5

◦ Attraction Genesis 3:6

◦ Persistence on the part of the seducer Matthew 4:8-9 See also Genesis 19:9

◦ Yielding Genesis 3:6  

• Sin brings death

◦ Physical (sometimes immediately (Genesis 38:2-10) yet most of the time eventually (Romans 6:23, Hebrews 9:27)

◦ Spiritual (Ephesians 2:1, 1 Timothy 5:6)

◦ Eternal (Matthew 25:46, Revelation 21:8)

Summary= God does not seduce us to sin. The pattern of seduction is our fleshly desires inflame, grow, act out, and receive punishment. With the grace of God, we can resist temptation.

Questions

• Does God tempt us to sin? Defend your answer.

• Why do we sin?

• What is the process from temptation to death?

• Why does sin bring death?

A Few Thoughts on the Epistle of James—James 1:13-15

D4 Believers Should Know That Temptation Is Not From God James 1:13-15

James 1:13-15 WEL Let no man say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither does he tempt anyone. 14 Everyone is tempted, when he is drawn away by his own lust, and enticed. 15 Then, when lust has conceived, it produces sin, and when sin is matured, it brings forth death.

Tempted=

• This is the word πειράζω peirázō. We discussed the noun in James 1:2. The verb is similar and means a test to determine quality and an attempt to do something (Acts (9:26). Another meaning is to get someone to do something illegal, as our passage here and in Matthew 22:18, for instance.
• The context tells us.
  • There is temptation that comes from our evil desires and lusts, as here.
  • There is temptation that comes from testing how a person will respond to God’s teaching, as Abraham, for instance. Hebrews 11:17 NLT It was by faith that Abraham offered Isaac as a sacrifice when God was testing him. Abraham, who had received God's promises, was ready to sacrifice his only son, Isaac.
• God does not tempt us, that is, seduce, to sin, that is, break His laws.

Everyone=

• The Lord Jesus was tempted to sin, but He never had the desire or lust to sin (Hebrews 4:15).
• We are tempted to break God’s laws, too, but it is from our inward desire. Two example:
  • It is not wrong to eat, yet gluttony is sin (Philippians 3:19-20, Proverbs 23:2).
  • Sex is not wrong, yet sex outside of marriage is wrong.
    • Hebrews 13:4 NRSV Let marriage be held in honor by all, and let the marriage bed be kept undefiled; for God will judge fornicators and adulterers.
    • 1 Corinthians 6:9-10 NLT Don't you realize that those who do wrong will not inherit the Kingdom of God? Don't fool yourselves. Those who indulge in sexual sin, or who worship idols, or commit adultery, or are male prostitutes, or practice homosexuality, or are thieves, or greedy people, or drunkards, or are abusive, or cheat people--none of these will inherit the Kingdom of God.

Drawn away=

• The Greek word is ἐξέλκω exélkō. It means to lure as a hunter does game.
• Manser notes the process of seduction:
  • A thought planted Genesis 3:2-3
  • An advantage promised Genesis 3:4-5
  • Attraction Genesis 3:6
  • Persistence on the part of the seducer Matthew 4:8-9 See also Genesis 19:9
  • Yielding Genesis 3:6
• Sin brings death
  • Physical (sometimes immediately (Genesis 38:2-10) yet most of the time eventually (Romans 6:23, Hebrews 9:27)
  • Spiritual (Ephesians 2:1, 1 Timothy 5:6)
  • Eternal (Matthew 25:46, Revelation 21:8)

Questions

• Does God tempt us to sin? Defend your answer.
• Why do we sin?
• What is the process from temptation to death?
• Why does sin bring death?

A Few Thoughts on the Epistle of James—James 1:12

D3 Believers Should Remain Steadfast in Faith While in Trials James 1:12

James 1:12 WEL Blessed [is] the man who patiently endures temptation, for when he has passed the test, he will receive the crown of life, which the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Blessed= Happiness is the Greek word μακάριος makários. We looked at that word in James 1:2.

Patiently endures=

• This is the Greek word ὑπομένω hypoménō.
• It means
  • To remain, stay behind (Acts 17:14)
  • To persevere, stay in faith, etc. (James 5:12)
  • To calmly endure a trying situation (1 Peter 2:20, Hebrews 12:2)
• Note, it is to patiently endure. God gives us grace for this. Grace is the strength and ability to do God’s will.

Temptation=

• This is the Greek word πειρασμός peirasmós that we discussed in James 1:2
• The Lord Jesus understands for He was tempted, too, yet without sin. (Luke 22:28).
• God is full of mercy to endure and provide a way out of the temptation (1 Corinthians 10:13).
• Those who have a desire to be rich often fall into this temptation (1 Timothy 6:9).
• We can rejoice that our God, knows how to deliver us from temptation. He can provide a way out through His grace (2 Peter 2:9).

Crown of life=

• Crowns
  • Crown of glory: 1 Peter 5:4
  • Crown of righteousness: 2 Timothy 4:8
  • Crown of life: James 1:12, Revelation 2:10
  • Crown of rejoicing (soul winner's crown): 1 Thessalonians 2:19
  • Often another crown is mentioned, but to me all the crowns listed above are eternal and imperishable: 1 Corinthians 9:24-25
• God gives these rewards because
  • He is kind.
  • He says He will.
  • He recognizes our level of love and priority for God and His ways. Are we loyal? John 15:8-10
  • Those who receive crowns do so because they believed God and did His ways (with the help of His grace). Hebrews 11:6
  • We are in a race, so will we run to the goal or give up? Hebrews 12:1-2
  • God rewards faithfulness: Hebrews 3:14
  • The start is important, but so is the ending: Luke 9:62

Promised= His word is good. It will happen. He does not say when, but it will happen.

Love Him=

• Love= This is the Greek word ἀγαπάω agapáō. It is the love of choice, not necessarily emotion.
• We show we love God:
  • By obeying His commandments in the New Testament (John 15:10, 1 John 5:2-3)
  • Remaining steadfast and true to Him and His kingdom (Colossians 1:23, Hebrews 3:14). For Christians, this is knowing and believing the Gospel, knowing His teachings (doctrine) and why, and knowing His lifestyle that He lived and wants us to live and why.

Questions

• What is the importance of testing?
• Why does God give crowns?
• How do we love God today?

A Few Thoughts About the Worshp Service

1 Timothy 4:13 NRSV Until I arrive, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhorting, to teaching.

Reading

B1 This is reading the Scriptures publicly.

B2 Importance

C1 Psalm 119:130 NLT The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.

C2 People need the Scriptures, because the natural person cannot understand it: Psalm 119:130 NLT The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.

C3 We need God’s help to understand: John 16:8 NLT And when he comes, he will convict the world of its sin, and of God's righteousness, and of the coming judgment.

C4 Psalm 119:130 NLT The teaching of your word gives light, so even the simple can understand.

C5 Psalm 19:7 NLT The instructions of the LORD are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the LORD are trustworthy, making wise the simple.

C6 2 Timothy 3:15-16 NLT You have been taught the holy Scriptures from childhood, and they have given you the wisdom to receive the salvation that comes by trusting in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful to teach us what is true and to make us realize what is wrong in our lives. It corrects us when we are wrong and teaches us to do what is right.

B3 Suggestions

C1 Church lectionary (Example: daily, Sundays, Sundays 2, daily 2 (found under heading of “daily lectionary” a pdf file)

C2 The passage being preached/taught that Sunday.

C3 Daily reading plan for whole church to read at home. (Example here, here)

C4 The plan I use which reads a chapter from the Old Testament taking 3 years and one chapter from the New Testament, which takes 1 year. I ask 2 questions:

D1 What does this chapter mean?

D2 How do I apply it to my life?

D3 Example:

MORNING

Ezra 9

What does this mean?

How do I apply this to my life?

EVENING

2 Corinthians 1

What does this mean?

How do I apply this to my life?

C5 Hearing the Bible reading, whether online or through an app.

D1 Online suggestions: you can search YouTube or other online video source. You might like Daily One Year Bible where you can choose what version (This also has commentary/devotion, but I can’t vouch for that).

D2 App suggestions: Bible Gateway, Blue Letter Bible (the icon in the lower left corner of the app), YouVersion, and many others.

Exhorting

B1 This is encouraging and motivating ourselves and others to think and live as Christians.

B2 The Greek word is παράκλησις paráklēsis. It means appeal, encouragement, comfort. It is the answer for a cry of help. The encouragement in this passage, I believe, deals with an encouragement for motivation to learn, live, think, act in society publicly and private according to God’s way. It is not bullying, controlling, or having arrogance.

B3 A few examples

C1 2 Chronicles 33:16 NLT Then he restored the altar of the LORD and sacrificed peace offerings and thanksgiving offerings on it. He also encouraged the people of Judah to worship the LORD, the God of Israel.

C2 Ezra 6:14 NLT So the Jewish elders continued their work, and they were greatly encouraged by the preaching of the prophets Haggai and Zechariah son of Iddo. The Temple was finally finished, as had been commanded by the God of Israel and decreed by Cyrus, Darius, and Artaxerxes, the kings of Persia.

C3 Acts 20:2 NLT While there, he encouraged the believers in all the towns he passed through. Then he traveled down to Greece,

C4 Acts 23:11 NLT That night the Lord appeared to Paul and said, "Be encouraged, Paul. Just as you have been a witness to me here in Jerusalem, you must preach the Good News in Rome as well."

Teaching

B1 This is teaching the meaning and application of Scripture, doctrine, and apologetics.

B2 An example of teaching comes from our Lord Jesus in what is named the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5-7).

The brothers and sisters share their gifts

B1 Ephesians 4:11 NLT Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers.

B2 1 Corinthians 12:4-11 NLT There are different kinds of spiritual gifts, but the same Spirit is the source of them all. There are different kinds of service, but we serve the same Lord. God works in different ways, but it is the same God who does the work in all of us. A spiritual gift is given to each of us so we can help each other. To one person the Spirit gives the ability to give wise advice; to another the same Spirit gives a message of special knowledge. The same Spirit gives great faith to another, and to someone else the one Spirit gives the gift of healing. He gives one person the power to perform miracles, and another the ability to prophesy. He gives someone else the ability to discern whether a message is from the Spirit of God or from another spirit. Still another person is given the ability to speak in unknown languages, while another is given the ability to interpret what is being said. It is the one and only Spirit who distributes all these gifts. He alone decides which gift each person should have.

B3 1 Corinthians 12:28 NLT Here are some of the parts God has appointed for the church: first are apostles, second are prophets, third are teachers, then those who do miracles, those who have the gift of healing, those who can help others, those who have the gift of leadership, those who speak in unknown languages.

All Christians have a spiritual gift (1 Peter 4:10).

Since we have a gift, the Holy Spirit expects us to use it. (1 Timothy 4:14 and Luke 19:11-26).

All gifts are to build up the church (the people). (Ephesians 4:15-16)

Ephesians 5:18-20 NRSV Do not get drunk with wine, for that is debauchery; but be filled with the Spirit,  19  as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts,  20  giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 3:16-17 NRSV Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God.  17  And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.

• We are to teach each other through music.
• We are to worship together through music.
• We are to learn Scripture through music (Psalms).
• We are to learn about the Scriptures through music.
• We are to learn doctrine through music.
• We are to honor God through music.
• We are to admonish and encourage the faith, the faithful, and to be faithful through music.
• We are to give thanks through music.
• We are to do this in the name of the Lord Jesus through music. This is giving honor, recognition, and His approval of what we are singing and how we are singing.

A Few Thoughts on James—James 1:9-11

D2 Believers Should Be Content in Life’s Status James 1:9-11

James 1:9-11 WEL Let the brother of humble circumstances rejoice in that he is exalted, 10 but the rich in that he is made low, because like the flower of the grass, he will perish. 11 For the sun is no sooner risen with its burning heat, and it withers the grass, its flower falls, and its beauty perishes, so also will the rich man fade away.

Humble circumstances=

• The Greek word is ταπεινός tapeinós. It means low. It is applied in a number of different ways as in grief (Luke 1:52), humbleness (James 4:6), an ordinary person as opposed to a person of status and financial means (Romans 12:16), depressed (2 Corinthians 7:6), poor (James 1:9).
• Even if we are poor, depressed, in grief, or ordinary, we are to rejoice. We have a hope that is guaranteed by God Himself (Hebrews 6:18). We have our hope in Christ (2 Thessalonians 2:16, 1 Timothy 1:1), His resurrection (1 Peter 1:3), through the Gospel (Colossians 1:23), reserved in heaven (Colossians 1:5), promised deliverance (1 Thessalonians 5:8, Titus 2:13), eternal life, instead of eternal death (Titus 1:2). We are to tell others about our hope (1 Peter 3:15). We are to be steadfast in our hope (Colossians 1:23).

Rich= materially rich. God has no bias or shows favor to them. God owns everything anyway.

Flower, etc.= an example that being beautiful, rich, high socioeconomic class, privileged, etc. has no bearing on God’s blessings or punishment.

Questions

• How do you feel about your status in society regarding financially, power, chance for advancement, etc.?
• How would you encourage another believer who is facing discouragement?
• Why should we be thankful every day?

A Few Thoughts on the Epistle of James—James 1:2-8

James 1:2-8 WEL My brothers, consider it all joy when you find yourself surrounded by various trials. 3 Know this that the testing of your faith brings about endurance. 4 Let endurance have its full, complete work, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lack wisdom, then ask the God, who gives to all profusely and doesn’t rebuke, and it will be given to him. 6 But one must ask in faith, without any doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. 7 Do not let that person think that he will receive anything from the Lord. 8 A double minded person [is] unstable in every way.

Brothers=

• Can be a flesh brother (Matthew 4:18)
• Can be a flesh sister (feminine case) (Mark 6:3)
• Can be those of the same nationality (Romans 9:3)
• Can be a fellow believer (John 21:23, Hebrews 2:11, Romans 8:29)
• Brothers in our passage are all those who believe and placed their trust into Jesus Christ.

Joy=

• There is a difference between joy and happiness
• Happiness is the Greek word μακάριος makários.
  • It is usually translated blessed, yet sometimes happy. Compare Matthew 5:3 and 1 Corinthians 7:40.
  • Yet, in English, there is a difference between happiness and blessed: As adjectives the difference between blessed and happy is that blessed is having divine aid, or protection, or other blessing while happy is experiencing the effect of favorable fortune; having the feeling arising from the consciousness of well-being or of enjoyment; enjoying good of any kind, as peace, tranquility, comfort; contented; joyous. (Source)
• Joy is the Greek word χαρά chará.
  • It is translated as joy and gladness.
  • Joy is defined as
  • The difference between joy and happiness. A good article is Difference Between Joy and Happiness, which is the source of the quotes below.
    • Both joy and happiness are positive and desirable emotions where a person has a feeling of being satisfied.
    • Joy comes from the inner-self of a person, and is connecting with the source of life within you.
    • Happiness is an emotion experienced when in a state of well-being.
    • Joy is from the inside of a person, while happiness is from an external source.
    • Christian joy is a fruit, not a work, of the Holy Spirit. (Galatians 5:22-23).
    • What God does is perfect and without error. His joy is much deeper and peaceful than any other.

Trials=

• It is the Greek word πειρασμός peirasmós.
• In various senses
  • A seducing to sin (1 Corinthians 10:13, Luke 4:13)
  • A test of sinners of God’s mercy and patience. (Hebrews 3:18)
  • Trials, troubles, afflictions (Luke 22:28, Acts 20:19)
  • Here it is the troubles of living and being a Christian.
• God has a purpose. God overrides the actions of certain unbelievers. (Romans 5:3-4, 2 Corinthians 1:9)

Testing=

• This word is different than the word trials above. It is the Greek word δοκίμιον dokímion.
• It means to test. Did we learn what we were taught? (This passage and 1 Peter 1:7)

The results of testing=

• God is the perfect teacher
• We learn to a greater and greater understanding of knowing God, His beliefs, and His lifestyle in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.
• Faith is our commitment and response to what we have been taught.
• Testing of our faith leads to endurance to be steadfast in our faith.
• Endurance leads to maturity and completeness of our faith. Even the Lord Jesus learned obedience through the things He suffered. (Hebrews 5:8)

Wisdom=

• Is it lacking? Do we not understand or know how to respond?
• We are invited to ask Him, who is the perfection of wisdom, for wisdom. In love and wisdom, He is our helper.
• God does not become angry or rebuke us for seeking His wisdom. Even if we ask many times each day, He will not become angry. He loves us.

Faith=

• Believing God.
• Expecting an answer because He has proclaimed it.
• The warning is given us not to doubt to the extend we abandon the faith.
• God is pleased when we believe Him. He believes us when we ask, so let us believe Him that He will answer. He doesn’t say when, but He says that He will answer.

Questions=

• Why does God allow troubles?
• Why do many people not like Christians?
• What is our response to troubles and testing?
• How does God give us help?
• When does His help (grace) come?

Some Thoughts on the Epistle of James--James 1:1

James 1:1 WEL James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes, which are scattered abroad, greeting.

James= there are 4 men named James in the Bible

• James (Matthew 4:21)
  • Son of Zebedee
  • One of the 12 Apostles of Jesus Christ
  • He is sometimes known as James the Great.
• James (Matthew 10:3)
  • Son of Alphaeus
  • One of the 12 Apostles of Jesus Christ
  • He is sometimes known as James the Less.
• James (Mark 6:3)
  • Half-brother to Jesus
  • Jude was his brother.
• James (Luke 6:16)
  • Father of Judas
  • Sometimes called Thaddeus
  • He is not the betrayer, Judas Iscariot). (Luke 6:16)

Author

• Probably the half-brother of Jesus Christ, whose full brother was Jude, the writter of that epistle.
• Still alive when Galatians was written (Galatians 1:19)
• Leader in the Jerusalem church (Acts 12:17, Acts 15:13-21, Acts 15:22-29, and Acts 21:18-25)
• Saw Jesus after His Resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7)
• Was married (1 Corinthians 9:5)

Servant of God and the Lord Jesus Christ

• God is his boss (John 13:13 NIV You call me 'Teacher' and 'Lord,' and rightly so, for that is what I am).
• He is NOT the master of his own fate
  • We ALL are slaves to sin. We are addicted to sin. People are deceived that they are free. John 8:34 NIV Jesus replied, Very truly I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.
  • After believing and placing trust into Jesus, we are now free and voluntary slaves to God.
    • John 8:36 NIV So if the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed.
    • Matthew 6:24 NLT No one can serve two masters. For you will hate one and love the other; you will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.
    • Matthew 11:29-30 NRSV Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.  30  For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
• God’s will done is more important than our own.
• God= God the Father
• Lord Jesus Christ= Lord as THE boss, Jesus as human, Christ as THE Messiah
• God and Lord Jesus Christ= a reflection pointing to the Trinity. One God in three persons. God in one essence. As the Athanasian Creed states: Now this is the true Christian faith: We worship one God in three persons and three persons in one God, without mixing the persons or dividing the divine being. For each person—the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit—is distinct, but the deity of Father, Son, and Holy Spirit is one, equal in glory and coeternal in majesty. What the Father is, so is the Son, and so is the Holy Spirit.

Twelve tribes= Jewish Christians who had been scattered from Israel due to persecution.

• Acts 8:1 NLT Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria.
• Acts 8:1 NLT Saul was one of the witnesses, and he agreed completely with the killing of Stephen. A great wave of persecution began that day, sweeping over the church in Jerusalem; and all the believers except the apostles were scattered through the regions of Judea and Samaria.
• Acts 11:19 NLT Meanwhile, the believers who had been scattered during the persecution after Stephen's death traveled as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch of Syria. They preached the word of God, but only to Jews.
• All Christians can consider ourselves such, since we are not in our homeland yet. Philippians 3:20 NIV But our citizenship is in heaven. And we eagerly await a Savior from there, the Lord Jesus Christ.

Questions

• Why does Peter call himself a servant/slave of God?
• Why is it important that we are servants/slaves of God?
• Why would Christians want to consider themselves as servants/slaves?
• Are you a servant/slave of Jesus Christ? Why or why not?

Brief Thoughts on 1 Corinthians 10:9-10

1 Corinthians 10:9-10 NKJV  Nor let us tempt Christ, as some of them also tempted, and were destroyed by serpents;  10  nor complain, as some of them also complained, and were destroyed by the destroyer.

The word tempt

B1 The Greek word is ἐκπειράζω ekpeirázō. It means “to prove and test.”

B2 The idea here especially regarding the Old Testament is Israel did not believe God. They did not put trust in Him, but they could give no reasons for it, so they wanted to do something to make God react in such a way so to have an excuse to hate God and feel justified in their unbelief.

God has given enough proof with all that He had done to Egypt and Israel’s enemies.

God is displeased at a certain type of whining, complaining, murmuring.

B1 Romans 1:21 NKJV Because, although they knew God, they did not glorify Him as God, nor were thankful, but became futile in their thoughts, and their foolish hearts were darkened.

B2 Two things these unbelievers did not do.

C1 They did not give God credit for what He has done. In this case, it would be deliverance from slavery in Egypt.

C2 They were not thankful for what He had done.

God now punished these who refused to believe. They were destroyed.

B1 The Greek word is ἀπόλλυμι apóllymi. It means lost as money that is lost and cannot be found. It also means destroy as in life that is lost and cannot be found, so we would understand this as they died. The reference is to Numbers 21:4-9. They complained; God punished; they were bitten by poisonous snakes; died, unless, they looked at the bronze snake as God invited them to do.

B2 Bible

C1 Romans 6:23 NLT For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

C2 Isaiah 3:11 NLT But the wicked are doomed, for they will get exactly what they deserve.

C3 Galatians 6:7 NLT Don't be misled—you cannot mock the justice of God. You will always harvest what you plant.

The whining and muttering they did was not an open complaint, but only speaking to one another. God heard them anyway. Certain types of actions show what we believe or don’t believe. They did not believe. God was sick and tired of these creepy rebels and sent the destroyer.

They were destroyed by the destroyer.

B1 The word destroyed is the same as in verse 9. It means they were punished with death.

B2 The word destroyer is different. It is the Greek word ὀλοθρευτής olothreutḗs. It means something that ruin, in this case, a venomous snake.

We learn

B1 Belief is the key. Do we believe God. Most do not believe God today. Most so-called Christians don’t either. They interpret the Bible (if they read it at all) symbolically, allegorically, or according to their feelings or theology. Let us believe God. He is omniscient, knowing all things, and omnisapient, perfectly wise, so He knows how to communicate perfectly.

B2 Actions show what we really believe. Thus the epistle of James speaks of: James 2:22 NKJV Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?

C1 Works do not save us from sin. It is not required for salvation. Faith is required and only faith in Jesus Christ alone.

C2 Works, what we think, desire, say, and do, show what we really believe.

B3 Sin is punished.

Exodus 15:2 GNB The LORD is my strong defender; he is the one who has saved me. He is my God, and I will praise him, my father's God, and I will sing about his greatness.

A Few Thoughts About Morals Are Only Personal Opinions

Often we hear objections to Christianity as, “Moral Truths Are a Matter of Personal Opinion.”

Answer: This is the narcissistic view of truth and life. The relativistic view of truth is similar, but it doesn’t have the personality disorders. Both lead to chaos.

B1 Some resources on the narcissistic and/or relativistic view:

C1 Nine Truths Narcissists Will Never Tell You

C2 What is ethical relativism?

C3 Or even Relativism from the Stanford Encyclopedia of Philosophy

B2 Christian view

C1 What are Relativism and Postmodernism?

C2 What is the Difference Between Absolute and Relative Truth?

C3 You might consider the Book by Nancy Pearcey on Total Truth

D1 The book Total Truth

D2 An interview with Sean McDowell.

Difficulties:

B1 Everyone would then have their own moral standard.

B2 What is right for one, is wrong for another.

B3 Stealing from you, is it right or wrong? Someone/s steal your identity, take all your money and reputation. Is this wrong? You may think it is, but the criminal/s do not. So there cannot be any punishment if every is OK.

B4 This is chaos.

B5 The Bible addresses this:

C1 Judges 17:6 NLT In those days Israel had no king; all the people did whatever seemed right in their own eyes.

D1 Each person or person group had their own standards of right and wrong.

D2 So there is nothing lawful and nothing unlawful.

C2 It is selfishness. It is the narcissist view of truth.

C3 Psalm 12:4 NLT They say, "We will lie to our hearts' content. Our lips are our own--who can stop us?"

C4 The last days are characterized as such: 2 Timothy 3:1-5 NLT You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times. For people will love only themselves and their money. They will be boastful and proud, scoffing at God, disobedient to their parents, and ungrateful. They will consider nothing sacred. They will be unloving and unforgiving; they will slander others and have no self-control. They will be cruel and hate what is good. They will betray their friends, be reckless, be puffed up with pride, and love pleasure rather than God. They will act religious, but they will reject the power that could make them godly. Stay away from people like that!

C5 Proverbs 14:12 NLT There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death.

C6 It results in a society of lawlessness: 1 John 3:4 NRSV Everyone who commits sin is guilty of lawlessness; sin is lawlessness.

B6 The solution

C1 1 Corinthians 14:33 NLT For God is not a God of disorder but of peace, as in all the meetings of God's holy people.

C2 We should be living in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds that are right in God’s eyes: Deuteronomy 13:18 NIV because you obey the LORD your God by keeping all his commands that I am giving you today and doing what is right in his eyes.

C3 Matthew 6:33 NLT Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

C4 Matthew 7:24 NLT Anyone who listens to my teaching and follows it is wise, like a person who builds a house on solid rock.

C5 Christianity has a gospel (humanity’s problem, forgiveness of sin, reconciliation with God), a way of thinking (theology), and a way of life (worldview). The New Testament is our source.

John 14:6 NLT Jesus told him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one can come to the Father except through me.