A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold is as pictures of silver.(Prov.25:11) It is so important to speak the right words to people at the right time to produce the right results. When you think of apples of gold in pictures of silver, then you are thinking of wealth and excellence. When we speak wisdom into the lives of others we are making them wealthy. Therefore we must seek God for He is the source of all wisdom and He will give us just the right words needed at the right time.
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#Am I therefore become your enemy, because I tell you the truth? Galatians 4:16
The Greek word for truth is Aletheuo; meaning to speak the truth. From Alethes; to be true (in doctrine and profession) speak the truth. Ephesians 4:15,16 But speaking the truth in love may grow up into Him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love. Jesus said if ye abide in my word and keep my commandments ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall set you free. It has been said every pastor should put this verse in his study to remind him that not all people love to hear the truth and that you will make some enemies by preaching the gospel. What is the gospel? The good news is that Jesus died on the cross for our sins, was buried in baptism, and was raised by the power of the Holy Spirit. This is the whole duty of mankind, to glorify God and keep His commandments. Jesus said if you love Me, you will keep my commandments. They are not burdensome. So you are responsible for the truth, when you hear it, and the whole body is edified when we speak the truth in love.
#Where is then the blessedness ye spake of? For I bear you record, that if it had been possible, ye would have plucked out your own eyes and have given them to me. Galatians 4:15
The Greek word for blessedness; is Makarismos; meaning a declaration of blessedness. From Makarizo; beatification, i.e. Attribution of good fortune. Romans 4:9 Cometh this blessedness then upon the circumcision only, or upon the uncircumcision also? For we say that faith was reckoned to Abraham for righteousness. Paul is telling the Galatians of the faith, as was the blessedness of Abraham for righteousness, and their love for him was such that they would have plucked out their own eyes and given them to me. This gives us a hint of what the thorn in the flesh was to Paul, perhaps some eye affliction he received on the road to Damascus when the Lord Jesus Christ saved him. I thank God for the love I have received from others with the IV antibiotics I am receiving. It is a blessing to be loved and cared for, as Paul has been. The scripture tells us to do good to all men, especially those of the household of faith. For we will reap a blessing if we faint not.
#And my temptation which was in my flesh ye despised not, nor rejected but received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. Galatians 4:14
The Greek word for temptation is Peirasmos; meaning an experiment or a trial. From Peirazo; a putting to proof (by experiment (of good) experience (of evil) solicitation, discipline or provocation)1 Peter 4:12 Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but rejoice, inasmuch as ye are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that when His glory shall be revealed, ye may be glad also with exceeding joy. Peter is telling us that our trials come with exceeding joy when Jesus Christ shall be revealed from heaven. Do not waste your sufferings. As Paul learned to depend upon the grace of God. James said count it all joy when diverse trials come into our lives, knowing that the trying our faith produces patience. The Galatians were patient with Paul and his thorn in the flesh, and we too must be patient when God gives us a thorn in the flesh to humble us to keep us from being exalted above measure with self-esteem.
#Ye know how through infirmity of the flesh I preached the gospel unto you at the first. Galatians 4:13
The Greek word for infirmity is Astheneia; meaning weakness and frailty. From Asthenes; feebleness (of mind or body) by implication, malady, sickness 1 Corinthians 15:43 It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power. Paul is commending the Galatians for extending the right hand of fellowship in accepting his thorn in the flesh and looks forward to the gloried body it is sown in weakness, and it is raised in power. We will be just like Jesus for we will see Him as He is. Paul prayed to the Lord to take away his thorn in the flesh three times, but Jesus answered him My grace is sufficient, my strength is made visible in weakness. Paul then said much more will I glory in my weakness so that the power of Christ will be upon me.
#Brethren, I beseech you, be as I am; for I am as ye are: ye have not injured me at all. Galatians 4:12
The Greek word for injured is Adikeo; meaning to do wrong or act wickedly. From Adikos; to be unjust, i.e. (actively) do wrong (morally, socially, or physically) hurt as an offender. Revelation 22:11 He that is unjust, let him be unjust still and he which is filthy, let him be filthy still and he that is righteous, let him be righteous still and he that is holy, let him be holy still. Paul is saying to the Galatians that they have not harmed him, as they did not despise his thorn in the flesh. The Apostle John is saying let him that is unjust be unjust still and let him that is filthy still let him remain and him that is holy still remain for God will bring every work into judgment whether they be good or bad. So Paul begs the Galatians to remain faithful in the Spirit
#I am afraid of you, lest I have bestowed on you labor in vain. Galatians 4:11
#Ye observe days, and months, and times, and years. Galatians 4:10
The Greek word for days is Hemera, akin to the base of Hedraios meaning tame, i.e. Gentle; the day is between dawn, and dark. The Greek word for months is Men; a month. When the new moon appeared, it was a festival among the Hebrews. The Greek word for times is Kairos an appointed time; an occasion. i.e. Set or proper time, opportunity, season 1 Timothy 4:1-3 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils; speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their conscience seared with a hot iron, forbidding to marry and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. This is what Paul warned the Galatians about as the Judieazers were telling them to keep those days, months, times, and years in keeping with their religion. James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this: to visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction and to keep himself unspotted from the world. When we do these things we show that we have not denied the faith and are walking in harmony with the law of liberty in Christ Jesus our Lord.
#But now, after that, ye have known God, or rather are known of God, how turn ye again to the weak and beggarly elements, whereunto ye desire again to be in bondage? Galatians 4:9
The Greek word for beggarly; Ptochos; (of one who crouches and covers, hence) poor from Ptosso: (to crouch); akin to Ptoeo and the alternative of Pipto) a beggar, i.e. Pauper (strictly denoting absolute or public mendicancy, although used in a qualified or relative sense; whereas Penes properly means only straitened circumstances in private) Matthew 5:3 Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Luke 6:20 And He lifted up His eyes on His disciples and said Blessed be ye poor: for your is the kingdom of God. Paul uses this metaphor to challenge the Galatians about poverty and the blessings of it, and why they would want to turn again to the law, after being saved by grace. Jesus lectures the disciples on being poor in spirit for of such is the kingdom of heaven. Those who are rich fall into temptation and a snare that drowns men's hearts in perdition and destruction. Let us who are known of God return to Him, as the keeper of our souls. Jesus died on the cross to save us from bondage, and we need not return there too.
#Howbeit then, when ye knew not God, ye did service unto them which by nature are no gods. Galatians 4:8
The Greek word for Howbeit is Alla; meaning otherwise, on the other hand, but, except. Neuter plural of Allos; properly other things, i.e. (adverbially) contrariwise (in many relations) notwithstanding, save, therefore, yea, yet. Hence properly other things namely, than those just mentioned. Romans 10:16 But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith Lord, who hath believed our report? This is what the Howbeit, is saying, that they have not believed the report of Jesus as the Christ, the anointed One for our sins on the cross, and have been serving other gods. Our God is jealous, and thou must not have any gods before Me. Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thine house. This is the report that Isaiah is talking about. We believe gossip, which is not true, so let us believe the truth, and the truth shall set you free. I pray that those of you reading this Blog will go to church and fellowship with other believers so that you can grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.
#Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ, Galatians 4:7
The Greek word for servant is Doulos; a slave from Deo; a slave (literal or figurative, involuntary or voluntary; frequently, therefore in a qualified sense of subjection or subserviency) bond. Acts 2:18 And on my servants and my handmaidens I will pour out in those days of my Spirit and they shall prophesy: And I will show wonders in heaven above and signs in the earth beneath, blood, fire, and vapor of smoke. Paul is telling the Galatians that no longer are they slaves but sons, and heirs of God through the Lord Jesus Christ. There will be signs in the last days of this heirship, the sea and the waves roaring, blood, fire, and vapor of smoke. Thank the Lord Hurricane Milton is passing and the people have time to recover from the storm. It is a fearful thing to fall into the hands of the Lord. May all these storms tell us that the Lord is coming soon and we need to get our house ready to meet the Lord.