Lawrence DeMetrius

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Letter of Apostle Paul – II Corinthians
An Intimate Review
Pt 5
By Lawrence DeMetrius

Cleanse Yourself

In [II Cor 7:1; Rm 12:1] Apostle Paul notes that born-again believers are in a lifelong process of spiritual perfection. As the Elect of GOD, they are expected to CLEANSE themselves from FILTHINESS of FLESH and SPIRIT. [Jam 1:13-15, 21-25; 4:7-10; Heb 12:1; I Jn 1:8-10; 5:16-18]

*cleanse Gk #2511 katharizo (kath-ar-id-zo) it means to cleanse, make clean, purge and purify

*filthiness Gk #3436 molusmos (mol-oos-mos) it is a stain or immorality

• stain is a…
o discoloration produced by foreign matter having penetrated into or chemically reacted with a material
o spot that is not easily removed
o stigma, blemish or cause of reproach

• immorality is…
o violation of moral principles
o not conforming to patterns of conduct that is usually accepted or established as consistent with principles of personal and social ethics
o licentiousness and lasciviousness…

*flesh Gk #4561 sarx (sarx) it refers to…
• flesh as stripped of the skin and strictly the meat of an animal for food
• the body as opposed to the soul or spirit
• the symbol of what is external
• the means of kindred
• human nature with its physical and moral frailties and passions and humans as such

*spirit Gk #4151 pneuma (pnyoo-mah) it is a…
• current of air, breath, blast or breeze
• human rational soul, vital principle or mental disposition
• an angelic being, Yahweh, Christ or the Holy Ghost

In this discourse FLESH/SPIRIT refers to the CARNAL MIND or NATURE. [Rm 8:5-7] The Elect of GOD are charged to maintain and keep their MIND free from lies crafted by satanic forces to pacify their CARNAL NATURE. Only through faith filled obedience to divine principles can they keep themselves CLEAN from FILTHINESS. [Mt 26:41; I Cor 9:24-27; Rm 6; 7:25; 8:9; 12:1, 2; II Cor 12:9] In [II Cor 7:2] in addition to CLEANESING themselves from FILTHINESS of the FLESH and SPIRIT, the Elect are admonished to be PERFECTING HOLINESS in FEAR of GOD.

*perfecting Gk #2005 epiteleo (ep-ee-tel-eh-o) it is to…
• fulfill further and completely
• execute, terminate and undergo

*holiness Gk #42 hagiosune (hag-ee-o-soo-nay) it is sacredness and the quality thereof
• sacred is being…
o devoted or dedicated to a deity or some religious purpose
o consecrated and holy
o entitled to veneration or religious respect by association with DIVINITY and divine things
o pertaining to or connected with religion, as opposed to the secular or profane
o reverently dedicated to a person, purpose or object
o regarded with reverence
o secured against violation and infringement, as by reverence or sense of right
o properly immune from violence and interference

To the Elect of GOD, this refers to THE LORD and all that pertain to HIM. [Exo 20:3; Eccl 12:13; Jn 4:23, 24; I Cor 8:6]

*fear Gk #5401 phobos (fob-os) it is alarm, fright or reverence

Apostle Paul uses the word PHOBOS, which means REVERENCE in some respects but more so actual ALARM and FRIGHT of Yahweh. This should be the case for those who live in rebellion against THE LORD, considering the consequence of their rebellion. [Isa 1:18-20; St Jn 3:19, 36] Christ warns all that it is better to FEAR Yahweh and what HE can do to the SOUL and BODY in hell fire, then those who can only kill the physical body. [Mt 10:26, 28, 31] Christ is returning for a collective of born-again believers who have NO spiritual SPOTS, BLEMISHES or WRINKLES. [II Pet 2:13; Eph 5:27; Jude vs 12]

*spot Gk #4696 spilos (spee-los) it is a stain, blemish, defect and disgrace

*blemish Gk #3470 momos (mo-mos) it is a flaw, blot and a disgraceful person

*wrinkle Gk #4512 rhutis (hroo-tece) it is a fold as drawing together

In [II Cor 7:2-16] Apostle Paul references the first letter he sent to the Corinthian Church. While it was a corrective letter that caused much sorrow to some, it was one of love, honor and respect for the Christian household. It is an excellent display of how true Christian leaders express their concern for the students divinely appointed to them for discipleship. Godly correction that is administered in genuine love, produces godly sorrow, which in invokes beneficial change in born-again believers. [II Cor 7:10; I Pet 5:1-4]

Giving As a Weapon of Spiritual Warfare

In [II Cor 8:1, 2] Apostle Paul encourages the Corinthian Assembly to partake in GIVING and refers to the exemplary GIVING of Macedonian Christians. He writes,

Moreover, brethren, we do you to wit the GRACE of GOD bestowed on the churches of Macedonia; How that in a great TRIAL of AFFLICTION the ABUNDANCE of their JOY and their DEEP POVERTY ABOUNDED unto the RICHES of their LIBERALITY.
[II Cor 8:1, 2]

*grace Gk #5485 charis (khar-ece) it is…
• gratitude and graciousness as gratifying of manner or act
• divine influence upon the heart and its reflection in the life
*trial Gk #1382 dokime (dok-ee-may) it is a…
• test and trustiness
• experience, experiment and proof [Mt 6:34; Rm 5:3-5; Jam 1:2-4]

*affliction Gk #2347 thlipsis (thlip-sis) it is…
• pressure, anguish and burden
• persecution, tribulation and trouble

*abundance Gk #4050 perisseia (per-is-si-ah) it is surplusage, superabundance and superfluity which is…
• the state of being superfluous which is…
o being extravagant and more than is sufficient or required
o excessive, unnecessary or needless
o possessing or spending more than enough or necessary
• a superabundant or excessive amount
• something superfluous, as a luxury

*joy Gk #5479 chara (khar-ah) it is cheerfulness and calm delight

*deep Gk #899 bathos (bath-os) it is…
• profundity or quality of being profound, which is…
o penetrating or entering deeply into subjects of thought or knowledge
o having deep insight, understanding and meaning
o originating in or penetrating to the depths of one's being
o profound grief
o being or going far beneath what is superficial, external or obvious
o of great and broadly inclusive significance
o being pervasive or intense
o thorough and complete
o extending, situated or originating far down and beneath the surface
o a profoundly deep place, depth or abyss

• extent which is…
o the space or degree to which a thing extends
o length, area, volume or scope


• mystery which is…
o anything that is kept secret or remains unexplained or unknown
o any affair, thing or person that presents features or qualities so obscure that it arouses curiosity and speculation
o any truth that is unknowable except by divine revelation

*poverty Gk #4432 ptocheia (pto-khi-ah) [Mt 5:3; Zep 3:12; Pro 28:8]
• beggary, which is…
o a state or condition of utter poverty
o beggars collectively or a place lived in and frequented by beggars
• indigence, which is any truth that is unknowable except by divine revelation [Mt 5:3]

*abounded Gk #4052 perisseuo (per-is-syoo-o) it means to…
• super abound in quantity and quality
• be in excess and superfluous
• a cause to super abound and excel

*riches Gk #4149 ploutos (ploo-tos) it is…
• valuable bestowment and wealth as fullness
• money, possessions, abundance and richness

*liberality Gk #572 haplotes (hap-lot-ace) it is…
• copious bestowal, singleness and generosity
• sincerity without dissimulation or self-seeking

Per these definitions, the GRACE spoken of in this passage refers to the miraculous provision imparted to needy Christians, enabling them to give to other Christians who are also in dire need. Such giving expresses Yahweh’s ability to provide for HIS worshipers, even when satanic forces strive to stop or hinder such GIVING. In his work, ‘Eusebius’s Ecclesiastical History’, Eusebius of Caesarea Marittima details the terrible physical, mental and emotional AFFLICTIONS suffered by many Christians in First Century Rome. One type of AFFLICTION was the confiscation of assets and wealth. This forced some Christians into poverty. However, as expressed in the experience of the Macedonian Christians, Yahweh bestows GRACES upon born-again believers who desire to contribute to the needs of others, when they themselves are under siege and impoverished.
[Mt 5:11, 12, 16; Rm 8:9; See Eusebius’s Ecclesiastical History] In [II Cor 8:3-5] Apostle Paul notes the character in which the Macedonian Christians GAVE during a trial of great AFFLICTION. Their GIVING became much more than a mere act of benevolence. So much so, that it was memorialized as a weapon of spiritual warfare. By their GIVING, they expressed their devotion to Christ, the care of His Church and continued administration of His Gospel. [Jn 13:1-17, 34, 35; I Cor 13:1, 2, 13; Jam 1:27; 2:14-26; I Jn 3:14-24; 4:7-21; 5:1-3] Apostle Paul writes of the Macedonian Christians.

For to their POWER, I bear record, yea, and beyond their POWER they were willing of themselves; Praying us with much entreaty that we would RECEIVE the GIFT, and take upon us THE FELLOWSHIP of the MINISTERING to the SAINTS. And this they did, not as we hoped, but FIRST gave their own selves to THE LORD, and unto us by the will of GOD.
[II Cor 8:3-5]

The GIVING of the Macedonia Churches displayed TWO exemplary characteristics which proved their allegiance and relationship to Yahweh and Jesus Christ. [I Cor 8:6]

1. They were exclusively given to Yahweh Worship, which is the chief duty of every human being. [Exo 20:3; Eccl 12:13] No one or nothing was more valuable to them than THE LORD. [I Cor 8:6; I Jn 2:15-17] One can GIVE even their body to be burned. But if they do so without genuine love for THE LORD and HIS children, their sacrifice has no value in HIS perspective. [I Cor 13:3b]

2. They were GIVEN to service that expressed their love for their Christian brethren, even in their time of need and were determined to express it by whatever means necessary. [Jam 2:14-26; I Jn 3:14-24; 5:1-3]

In [II Cor 8:7-15, 24; 9] Apostle Paul teaches that GIVING should be performed with cheer, willingness and as an expression of personal devotion to THE LORD and HIS Elect, especially in their time of need. Apostle Paul admonishes Christians to perfect the practice of GIVING as they do all other spiritual gifts.

Effective GIVING is well accepted of Yahweh and invokes GRACE whereby one can continue to abundantly provide both for themselves and others, especially in the time of need. Such GIVING is the divine law of sowing and reaping. [II Cor 9; Gal 6:7-9] It is also a means by which glory is generated to Yahweh and HIS Christ. [II Cor 9:14, 15; Mt 5:14-16] The Elect should know that Lucifer does have the ability to cause manifestations of temporal wealth, status and position during one’s mortal lifetime. In his kingdom, this is the practice of DAIO, which is the distribution of temporal fortunes and status in exchange for satanic worship. Lucifer even attempted it with Jesus Christ. [Mt 4:1-11; Mt 16:24-26; 25:41; Jude vs 6] Unfortunately, there are many who knowingly engage in DAIO. Whether on the Light or Dark side, this revelation knowledge gives credence to the idea of the power of effective GIVING and its use in spiritual warfare.

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