Commandments of Gd
The commandments of Gd in the Law are important because:
1) The New Covenant requires the commandments of Gd in the Law to be kept;
2) The commandments of Gd in the Law define what is righteousness and sin;
3) The commandments of the Law are not abolished;
4) All the commandments of the Law are examples of how to love Gd and neighbor;
5) The commandments provide guidance for eating and drinking;
6) The Gentiles and Jews are united together as one body with one Law code;
7) Roman Christianity has apostatized from Gd because they have rejected the Law.
Two Covenants
A covenant is an agreement or contract between two parties. The two main covenants that Gd made with his people are the Old Covenant and the New Covenant.
2Cor. 3:12-14 Having therefore such a hope, we use great boldness of speech, and are not as Moses, who put a veil upon his face, that the children of Israel should not look stedfastly on the end of that which was passing away: but their minds were hardened: for until this very day at the reading of the Old Covenant the same veil remaineth, it not being revealed to them that it is done away in Chrst.
Jer. 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the Lrd, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel, and with the house of Judah:
Luke 22:19-20 And he [Jsus] took bread, and when he had given thanks, he brake it, and gave to them, saying, This is my body which is given for you: this do in remembrance of me. And the cup in like manner after supper, saying, This cup is the New Covenant in my blood, even that which is poured out for you.
Both the Old and New Covenants include terms and conditions which:
1) Define the terms, or technical words and phrases, used in the covenant;
2) Explain the conditions, or requirements and stipulations, of the covenant.
Obtaining Life
The main hope in the Old and New Covenants is to obtain eternal life. The Bible uses multiple different terms to refer to obtaining eternal life:
1) Having eternal life,
2) Obtaining life,
3) Living,
4) Being justified,
5) Justification,
6) Being saved,
7) Salvation,
8) Being righteous,
9) Righteousness,
10) Cleansing hearts.
Lev. 18:5 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and mine ordinances; which if a man do, he shall obtain life by them: I am the Lrd.
Hab. 2:4 Behold, his soul is puffed up, it is not upright in him; but the righteous shall obtain life by his faith.
John 3:16-17 For Gd so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth on him should not perish, but have eternal life. For Gd sent not the Son into the world to judge the world; but that the world should be saved through him.
John 3:36 He that believeth on the Son has eternal life; but he that obeyeth not the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of Gd abideth on him.
Acts 13:46-47 And Paul and Barnabas spake out boldly, and said, It was necessary that the word of Gd should first be spoken to you. Seeing ye thrust it from you, and judge yourselves unworthy of eternal life, lo, we turn to the Gentiles. For so hath the Lrd commanded us, saying, I have set thee for a light of the Gentiles, That thou shouldest be for salvation unto the uttermost part of the earth. And as the Gentiles heard this, they were glad, and glorified the word of Gd: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed.
Acts 15:8-11 And Gd, who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us; and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. Now therefore why make ye trial of Gd, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lrd Jsus, in like manner as they.
Rom. 1:16-17 For I am not ashamed of the gospel: for it is the power of Gd unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. For therein is revealed a righteousness of Gd from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall obtain life by faith.
Rom. 5:17-18 For if, by the trespass of the one, death reigned through the one; much more shall they that receive the abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness reign in life through the one, even Jsus Chrst. So then as through one trespass the judgment came unto all men to condemnation; even so through one act of righteousness the free gift came unto all men to justification of life.
Rom. 10:4-5 For Chrst is the end of the Law for righteousness to every one that believeth. For Moses writes of the righteousness that is of the Law that The man who does them shall obtain life by them.
Gal. 2:14-17 But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Cephas before them all, If thou, being a Jew, obtain life like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how do you compel the Gentiles to become Jews? We being Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Jsus Chrst, even we believed on Chrst Jsus, that we might be justified by faith in Chrst, and not by the works of the Law: because by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified. But if, while we sought to be justified in Chrst, we ourselves also were found sinners, is Chrst a minister of sin? May it never be.
Gal. 3:11-12 Now that no man is justified by the Law before Gd, is evident: for, “The righteous shall obtain life by faith”; and the Law is not of faith; but, “He that doeth them shall obtain life by them”.
Gal. 3:21 Is the Law then against the promises of Gd? May it never be: for if there had been a Law given which could give life, verily righteousness would have been of the Law.
Titus 3:4-7 But when the kindness of Gd our Saviour, and his love toward man, appeared, not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly, through Jsus Chrst our Saviour; that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
The Law
The Bible uses the term “the Law” with several different meanings, including the:
1) First five books of Moses,
2) Old Covenant with its terms and conditions,
3) Commandments of Gd.
First Five Books of Moses
Paul equates the term “the Law” with the first five books of Moses by referring to a passage from the book of Genesis as “the Law.”
Gal. 4:21-22 Tell me, ye that desire to be under the Law, do ye not hear the Law? For it is written, that Abraham had two sons, one by the handmaid, and one by the freewoman.
Gen. 16:2-4 And Sarai said unto Abram, Behold now, the Lrd hath restrained me from bearing; go in, I pray thee, unto my handmaid; it may be that I shall obtain children by her. And Abram hearkened to the voice of Sarai. And Sarai, Abram’s wife, took Hagar the Egyptian, her handmaid, after Abram had dwelt ten years in the land of Canaan, and gave her to Abram her husband to be his wife. And he went in unto Hagar, and she conceived: and when she saw that she had conceived, her mistress was despised in her eyes.
Old Covenant
The Bible says that the Old Covenant is written within the Law.
Deut. 29:21 And the Lrd will set him apart unto evil out of all the tribes of Israel, according to all the curses of the covenant that is written in this book of the Law.
The Bible equates the term “the Law” with the Old Covenant.
Psa. 78:10 They kept not the covenant of Gd, And refused to walk in his Law;
Hos. 8:1 Set the trumpet to thy mouth. As an eagle he cometh against the house of the Lrd, because they have transgressed my covenant, and trespassed against my Law.
Paul equates the term “the Law” with the terms and conditions of the Old Covenant by quoting the terms and conditions of the Old Covenant as “the Law.”
Gal. 3:10-13 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one who continueth not in all things that are written in the book of the Law to do them. Now that no man is justified by the Law before Gd, is evident: for, The righteous shall obtain life by faith; and the Law is not of faith; but, “He that doeth them shall obtain life by them.” Chrst redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree.
Commandments of Gd
The Bible says that the commandments of Gd are written within the Law.
Deut. 30:10 If thou shalt obey the voice of the Lrd thy Gd, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the Law; if thou turn unto the Lrd thy Gd with all thy heart, and with all thy soul.
1Kings 2:3 and keep the charge of the Lrd thy Gd, to walk in his ways, to keep his statutes, and his commandments, and his ordinances, and his testimonies, according to that which is written in the Law of Moses, that thou mayest prosper in all that thou doest, and whithersoever thou turnest thyself;
Jsus equates the term “the Law” with the commandments of Gd.
Matt. 5:17-19 Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets: I came not to abolish, but to perform. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the Law, till all things be accomplished. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Paul equates “the Law” with the commandments of Gd by:
1) Quoting specific commandments of Gd in the Law as “the Law”,
2) Directly equating “the Law” with “the commandment.”
Rom. 7:7-13 What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be. Howbeit, I had not known sin, except through the Law: for I had not known coveting, except the Law had said, Thou shalt not covet: but sin, finding occasion, wrought in me through the commandment all manner of coveting: for apart from the Law sin is dead. And I was alive apart from the Law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died; and the commandment, which was unto life, this I found to be unto death: for sin, finding occasion, through the commandment beguiled me, and through it slew me. So that the Law is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good. Did then that which is good become death unto me? May it never be. But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, by working death to me through that which is good; — that through the commandment sin might become exceeding sinful.
Rom. 13:8-10 Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the Law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: love therefore is the fulfilment of the Law.
Gal. 5:14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
Old Covenant: Obtaining Life by Works of Law
The Old Covenant promises eternal life based upon specific conditions. In order to obtain eternal life under the Old Covenant, someone must keep every single commandment of Gd without breaking even one.
Lev. 18:5 Ye shall therefore keep my statutes, and mine ordinances; which if a man do, he shall obtain life by them: I am the Lrd.
Neh. 9:29 and you testified against them, that thou mightest bring them again unto thy Law. Yet they dealt proudly, and hearkened not unto thy commandments, but sinned against thine ordinances, (which if a man do, he shall obtain life by them,) and withdrew the shoulder, and hardened their neck, and would not hear.
Ezek. 20:11 And I gave them my statutes, and showed them mine ordinances, which if a man do, he shall obtain life by them.
Rom. 10:4-5 For Chrst is the end of the Law for righteousness to every one that believeth. For Moses writes of the righteousness that is of the Law that The man who does them shall obtain life by them.
Gal. 3:12 and the Law is not of faith; but, “He that doeth them shall obtain life by them“.
Gal. 3:10 For as many as are of the works of the Law are under a curse: for it is written, Cursed is every one who does not abide by all things written in the book of the Law to do them.
Deut. 27:26 (Greek) Cursed is every man who does not abide by all the words of this Law to do them. And all the people shall say, Amen.
Gal. 5:2-4 Behold, I Paul say unto you, that, if ye receive circumcision, Chrst will profit you nothing. Yea, I testify again to every man that receiveth circumcision, that he is a debtor to do the whole Law. Ye are severed from Chrst, ye who would be justified by the Law; ye are fallen away from grace.
James 2:10-11 For whosoever shall keep the whole Law, and yet stumble in one point, he is become guilty of all. For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou dost not commit adultery, but killest, thou art become a transgressor of the Law.
No Flesh Justified by Works
The Bible tells us that no person is able to obtain eternal life based upon their works of keeping every single commandment of Gd. Therefore, under the Old Covenant, no person was able to obtain life.
Rom. 3:19-20 Now we know that what things soever the Law saith, it speaketh to them that are under the Law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of Gd: because by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for through the Law cometh the knowledge of sin.
Rom. 9:31-32 but Israel, following after a Law of righteousness, did not arrive at that Law. Wherefore? Because they sought it not by faith, but as it were by works. They stumbled at the stone of stumbling;
Gal. 2:21 I do not make void the grace of Gd: for if righteousness is through the Law, then Chrst died for nought.
Gal. 3:22-23 But the Scripture shut up all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jsus Chrst might be given to them that believe. But before faith came, we were held captive under the Law, shut up unto the faith which should afterwards be revealed.
Acts 15:8-11 And Gd, who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us; and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. Now therefore why make ye trial of Gd, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lrd Jsus, in like manner as they.
New Covenant: Obtaining Life by Faith
The New Covenant promises eternal life based upon specific conditions. In order to obtain eternal life under the New Covenant, someone must:
1) Confess with their mouth Jsus as Lrd,
2) Believe in their heart that Gd raised him from the dead.
Rom. 10:9-10 because if thou shalt confess with thy mouth Jsus as Lrd, and shalt believe in thy heart that Gd raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved: for with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Hab. 2:4 Behold, his soul is puffed up, it is not upright in him; but the righteous shall obtain life by his faith.
Rom. 1:17 For therein is revealed a righteousness of Gd from faith unto faith: as it is written, But the righteous shall obtain life by faith.
Gal. 3:11 Now that no man is justified by the Law before Gd, is evident: for, “The righteous shall obtain life by faith“;
Gal. 3:13 Chrst redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us; for it is written, Cursed is every one that hangeth on a tree:
Gal. 5:5-6 For we through the Spirit by faith wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Chrst Jsus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision; but faith working through love.
Phil. 3:8-9 Yea verily, and I count all things to be loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Chrst Jsus my Lrd: for whom I suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but refuse, that I may gain Chrst, and be found in him, not having a righteousness of mine own, even that which is of the Law, but that which is through faith in Chrst, the righteousness which is from Gd by faith:
Rom. 3:28 We reckon therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the Law.
Acts 15:1-5 And certain men came down from Judaea and taught the brethren, saying, Except ye be circumcised after the custom of Moses, ye cannot be saved. And when Paul and Barnabas had no small dissension and questioning with them, the brethren appointed that Paul and Barnabas, and certain other of them, should go up to Jerusalem unto the apostles and elders about this question. They therefore, being brought on their way by the church, passed through both Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the Gentiles: and they caused great joy unto all the brethren. And when they were come to Jerusalem, they were received of the church and the apostles and the elders, and they rehearsed all things that Gd had done with them. But there rose up certain of the sect of the Pharisees who believed, saying, It is needful to circumcise them, and to charge them to keep the Law of Moses.
Acts 15:6-11 And the apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider of this matter. And when there had been much questioning, Peter rose up, and said unto them, Brethren, ye know that a good while ago Gd made choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel, and believe. And Gd, who knoweth the heart, bare them witness, giving them the Holy Spirit, even as he did unto us; and he made no distinction between us and them, cleansing their hearts by faith. Now therefore why make ye trial of Gd, that ye should put a yoke upon the neck of the disciples which neither our fathers nor we were able to bear? But we believe that we shall be saved through the grace of the Lrd Jsus, in like manner as they.
Acts 15:12-21 And all the multitude kept silence; and they hearkened unto Barnabas and Paul rehearsing what signs and wonders Gd had wrought among the Gentiles through them. And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken unto me: Symeon hath rehearsed how first Gd visited the Gentiles, to take out of them a people for his name. And to this agree the words of the prophets; as it is written, After these things I will return, And I will build again the tabernacle of David, which is fallen; And I will build again the ruins thereof, And I will set it up: That the residue of men may seek after the Lrd, And all the Gentiles, upon whom my name is called, Saith the Lrd, who maketh these things known from of old. Wherefore my judgment is, that we trouble not them that from among the Gentiles turn to Gd; but that we write unto them, that they abstain from the pollutions of idols, and from fornication, and from what is strangled, and from blood. For Moses from generations of old hath in every city them that preach him, being read in the synagogues every sabbath.
Acts 15:22-29 Then it seemed good to the apostles and the elders, with the whole church, to choose men out of their company, and send them to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas called Barsabbas, and Silas, chief men among the brethren: and they wrote thus by them, The apostles and the elders, brethren, unto the brethren who are of the Gentiles in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia, greeting: Forasmuch as we have heard that certain who went out from us have troubled you with words, subverting your souls; to whom we gave no commandment; it seemed good unto us, having come to one accord, to choose out men and send them unto you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul, men that have hazarded their lives for the name of our Lrd Jsus Chrst. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who themselves also shall tell you the same things by word of mouth. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you [the Gentiles] no greater burden than these necessary things: that ye abstain from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication; from which if ye keep yourselves, it shall be well with you. Fare ye well.
James 2:2 For if there come into your synagogue a man with a gold ring, in fine clothing, and there come in also a poor man in vile clothing
Col. 2:13-14 And you, being dead through your trespasses and the uncircumcision of your flesh, you, I say, did he make alive together with him, having forgiven us all our trespasses; having blotted out the record of debt against us written in judgments, which was opposed to us: and he hath taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross;
Is. 59:12-12 For our transgressions are multiplied before thee, and our sins testify against us; for our transgressions are with us, and as for our iniquities, we know them: transgressing and denying the Lrd, and turning away from following our Gd, speaking oppression and revolt, conceiving and uttering from the heart words of falsehood.
Jer. 14:7 Though our iniquities testify against us, work thou for thy name’s sake, O Lrd; for our backslidings are many; we have sinned against thee.
Dan. 7:10 A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousands of thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.
Rev. 20:12 And I saw the dead, the great and the small, standing before the throne; and books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of the things which were written in the books, according to their works.
Gal. 2:11-16 But when Cephas [Peter] came to Antioch, I resisted him to the face, because he stood condemned. For before that certain came from James, he ate with the Gentiles; but when they came, he drew back and separated himself, fearing them that were of the circumcision. And the rest of the Jews dissembled likewise with him; insomuch that even Barnabas was carried away with their dissimulation. But when I saw that they walked not uprightly according to the truth of the gospel, I said unto Cephas before them all, If thou, being a Jew, obtain life like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how do you compel the Gentiles to become Jews [Ioudaizein]? We being Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, yet knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the Law but through faith in Jsus Chrst, even we believed on Chrst Jsus, that we might be justified by faith in Chrst, and not by the works of the Law: because by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified.
Keeping Commandments of Gd
Once someone has obtained eternal life through faith in Jsus, the New Covenant requires that they:
1) Keep their faith in Jsus,
2) Keep the commandments of Gd.
Jer. 31:31-34 Behold, the days come, saith the Lrd, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah: not according to the covenant that I made with their fathers in the day that I took them by the hand to bring them out of the land of Egypt; which my covenant they brake, although I was a husband unto them, saith the Lrd. But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, saith the Lrd: I will put my Law [Torah] in their inward parts, and in their heart will I write it; and I will be their Gd, and they shall be my people. And they shall teach no more every man his neighbor, and every man his brother, saying, Know the Lrd; for they shall all know me, from the least of them unto the greatest of them, saith the Lrd: for I will forgive their iniquity, and their sin will I remember no more.
Rev. 12:17 And the dragon waxed wroth with the woman, and went away to make war with the rest of her seed, those who keep the commandments of Gd and hold the testimony of Jsus:
Rev. 14:12 Here is the patience of the saints, they who keep the commandments of Gd and the faith of Jsus.
Rom. 8:3-4 For what the Law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, Gd, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh in order that the ordinance of the Law might be fulfilled in us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.
James 2:14-26 What doth it profit, my brethren, if a man say he hath faith, but have not works? can that faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked and in lack of daily food, and one of you say unto them, Go in peace, be ye warmed and filled; and yet ye give them not the things needful to the body; what doth it profit? Even so faith, if it have not works, is dead in itself. Yea, a man will say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith apart from thy works, and I by my works will show thee my faith. Thou believest that Gd is one; thou doest well: the demons also believe, and shudder. But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith apart from works is barren? Was not Abraham our father justified by works, in that he offered up Isaac his son upon the altar? Thou seest that faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect; and the scripture was fulfilled which saith, And Abraham believed Gd, and it was reckoned unto him for righteousness; and he was called the friend of Gd. Ye see that by works a man is justified, and not only by faith. And in like manner was not also Rahab the harlot justified by works, in that she received the messengers, and sent them out another way? For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, even so faith apart from works is dead.
James 1:22-26 But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deluding your own selves. For if any one is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a mirror: for he beholdeth himself, and goeth away, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was. But he that looketh into the perfect Law which is of liberty, and so continueth, being not a hearer that forgetteth but a doer that works, this man shall be blessed in his doing.
Matt. 19:16-19 And behold, one came to him and said, Teacher, what good thing shall I do, that I may have eternal life? And he said unto him, Why askest thou me concerning that which is good? One there is who is good: but if thou wouldest enter into life, keep the commandments. He saith unto him, Which? And Jsus said, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not bear false witness, Honor thy father and thy mother; and, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
Rom. 2:12-13 For as many as have sinned without the Law shall also perish without the Law: and as many as have sinned in the Law shall be judged by the Law; for not the hearers of the Law are just before Gd, but the doers of the Law shall be justified:
James 4:11-12 Speak not one against another, brethren. He that speaketh against a brother, or judgeth his brother, speaketh against the Law, and judgeth the Law: but if thou judgest the Law, thou art not a doer of the Law, but a judge. One only is the Lawgiver and judge, even he who is able to save and to destroy: but who art thou that judgest thy neighbor?
Forgiveness
Unlike under the Old Covenant, a person under the New Covenant who breaks the commandments of Gd can obtain forgiveness by Gd and still maintain eternal life.
Matt. 6:12 And forgive us our debts, as we also have forgiven our debtors.
Matt. 6:14 For if ye forgive men their trespasses, your heavenly Father will also forgive you.
1John 1:8-10 If we say that we have no sin, we deceive ourselves, and the truth is not in us. If we confess our sins, he is faithful and righteous to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. If we say that we have not sinned, we make him a liar, and his word is not in us.
Gal. 6:1-2 Brethren, even if a man be overtaken in any trespass, ye who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; looking to thyself, lest thou also be tempted. Bear ye one another’s burdens, and so fulfil the law of Chrst.
James 2:12-13 So speak ye, and so do, as men that are to be judged by a law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to him that hath showed no mercy: mercy glorieth against judgment.
James 5:16 Confess therefore your sins one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The supplication of a righteous man availeth much in its working.
James 5:19-20 My brethren, if any among you err from the truth, and one convert him; let him know, that he who converteth a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall cover a multitude of sins.
1Cor. 5:1-5 It is actually reported that there is fornication among you, and such fornication as is not even among the Gentiles, that one of you hath his father’s wife. And ye are puffed up, and did not rather mourn, that he that had done this deed might be taken away from among you. For I verily, being absent in body but present in spirit, have already as though I were present judged him that hath so wrought this thing, in the name of our Lrd Jsus, ye being gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lrd Jsus, to deliver such a one unto Satan for the destruction of the flesh, that the spirit may be saved in the day of the Lrd Jsus.
2Cor. 2:5-8 But if any hath caused sorrow, he hath caused sorrow, not to me, but in part (that I press not too heavily) to you all. Sufficient to such a one is this punishment which was inflicted by the many; so that contrariwise ye should rather forgive him and comfort him, lest by any means such a one should be swallowed up with his overmuch sorrow. Wherefore I beseech you to confirm your love toward him.
Rev. 2:20-21 But I have this against thee, that thou sufferest the woman Jezebel, who calleth herself a prophetess; and she teaches and seduces my servants to commit fornication and to eat things sacrificed to idols. And I gave her time that she should repent; and she willeth not to repent of her fornication.
Unrepentance
If someone who has eternal life through faith in Jsus does not repent of breaking the commandments of Gd, they can lose their eternal life.
Matt. 6:15 But if ye do not forgive men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses.
1Cor. 6:9-10 Or know ye not that the unrighteous shall not inherit the kingdom of Gd? Be not deceived: neither fornicators, nor idolaters, nor adulterers, nor effeminate, nor abusers of themselves with men, nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of Gd.
Gal. 5:19-21 Now the works of the flesh are manifest, which are these: fornication, uncleanness, lasciviousness, idolatry, sorcery, enmities, strife, jealousies, wraths, factions, divisions, parties, envyings, drunkenness, revellings, and such like; of which I forewarn you, even as I did forewarn you, that they who practise such things shall not inherit the kingdom of Gd.
Rom. 8:12-13 So then, brethren, we are debtors, not to the flesh, to live after the flesh: for if ye live after the flesh, ye are about to die; but if by the Spirit ye put to death the deeds of the body, ye shall live.
Rom. 2:8-9 but unto them that are factious, and obey not the truth, but obey unrighteousness, shall be wrath and indignation, tribulation and anguish, upon every soul of man that worketh evil, of the Jew first, and also of the Greek;
1Cor. 9:27 but I give my body a black eye, and bring it into bondage: lest by any means, after that I have preached to others, I myself should be rejected.
Eph. 5:5-6 For this ye know of a surety, that no fornicator, nor unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, hath any inheritance in the kingdom of Chrst and Gd. Let no man deceive you with empty words: for because of these things cometh the wrath of Gd upon the sons of disobedience.
Rev. 3:5 He that overcometh shall thus be arrayed in white garments; and I will in no wise blot his name out of the book of life, and I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.
Rev. 21:27 and there shall in no wise enter into it [the holy city of Jerusalem] anything unclean, or he that maketh an abomination and a lie: but only they that are written in the Lamb’s book of life.
Rev. 22:15 Outside are the dogs, and the sorcerers, and the fornicators, and the murderers, and the idolaters, and every one that loveth and maketh a lie.
Defining Righteousness and Sin
David says that:
1) The Law is perfect;
2) The commandments of the Law are pure;
3) The ordinances of the Law are true and completely righteous;
4) The Law is truth;
5) The testimonies of Gd are righteous forever;
6) All the commandments of the Law are truth;
7) All the commandment of the Law are righteousness.
Psa. 19:7-9 The Law of the Lrd is perfect, restoring the soul: The testimony of the Lrd is sure, making wise the simple. The precepts of the Lrd are right, rejoicing the heart: The commandment of the Lrd is pure, enlightening the eyes. The fear of the Lrd is clean, enduring for ever: The ordinances of the Lrd are true, and righteous altogether.
Psa. 119:138 Thou hast commanded thy testimonies in righteousness And very faithfulness.
Psa. 119:142 Thy righteousness is an everlasting righteousness, And thy Law is truth.
Psa. 119:144 Thy testimonies are righteous for ever: Give me understanding, and I shall live.
Psa. 119:151 Thou art nigh, O Lrd; And all thy commandments are truth.
Psa. 119:172 Let my tongue sing of thy word; For all thy commandments are righteousness.
Jsus says that someone who rejects the commandments of Gd:
1) Has a heart that is far from Gd;
2) Worships Gd in vain.
Mark 7:6-11 And he said unto them, Well did Isaiah prophesy of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honors me with their lips, But their heart is far from me. But in vain do they worship me, teaching as their doctrines the precepts of men. Ye leave the commandment of Gd, and hold fast the tradition of men. And he said unto them, Full well do ye reject the commandment of Gd, that ye may keep your tradition. For Moses said, Honor thy father and thy mother; and, He that speaketh evil of father or mother, let him die the death: but ye say, If a man shall say to his father or his mother, That wherewith thou mightest have been profited by me is Corban, that is to say, Given to Gd;
Paul says that:
1) The Law brings instruction in things that are excellent;
2) The Law contains the form of knowledge and truth;
3) Transgressing the Law dishonors Gd;
4) The Law defines what is a sin;
5) Sin is dead without the Law;
7) Sin does not exist without the Law;
7) Sin is not counted without the Law;
8) The commandments of the Law are holy, righteous, and good;
9) The Law is spiritual;
10) He agrees with the Law that it is good;
11) He delights in the Law in his inner man;
12) He serves the Law with his mind;
13) Christians should perform the ordinance of the Law;
14) The mind of the flesh is at enmity with Gd because it does not submit to the Law;
15) The mind of the flesh does not submit to the Law, which means the mind of the Spirit does submit to the Law;
16) He is not without the Law of Gd but subject to the Law of Chrst;
17) Every Scripture, which includes the commandments of the Law, can be used to reprove people regarding sin and instruct people to follow righteousness.
Rom. 2:17-21 But if thou bearest the name of a Jew, and rest upon the Law, and gloriest in Gd, and knowest his will, and approvest the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the Law, and art confident that thou thyself art a guide of the blind, a light of them that are in darkness, a corrector of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having in the Law the form of knowledge and of the truth; thou therefore that teachest another, teachest thou not thyself? thou that preachest a man should not steal, dost thou steal?
Rom. 2:23 thou who gloriest in the Law, through thy transgression of the Law you dishonor Gd.
Rom. 3:1-2 What advantage then hath the Jew? or what is the profit of circumcision? Much every way: first of all, that they were intrusted with the oracles of Gd.
Rom. 3:19-20 Now we know that what things soever the Law saith, it speaketh to them that are in the Law; that every mouth may be stopped, and all the world may be brought under the judgment of Gd: because by the works of the Law shall no flesh be justified in his sight; for through the Law cometh the knowledge of sin.
Rom. 4:15 for the Law worketh wrath; but where there is no Law, neither is there transgression.
Rom. 5:12-13 Therefore, as through one man sin entered into the world, and death through sin; and so death passed unto all men, for that all sinned— for until the Law sin was in the world; but sin is not counted when there is no Law.
Rom. 7:7-25 What shall we say then? Is the Law sin? May it never be. Howbeit, I had not known sin, except through the Law: for I had not known coveting, except the Law had said, Thou shalt not covet: but sin, finding occasion, wrought in me through the commandment all manner of coveting: for apart from the Law sin is dead. And I was alive apart from the Law once: but when the commandment came, sin revived, and I died; and the commandment, which was unto life, this I found to be unto death: for sin, finding occasion, through the commandment beguiled me, and through it slew me. So that the Law is holy, and the commandment holy, and righteous, and good. Did then that which is good become death unto me? May it never be. But sin, that it might be shown to be sin, by working death to me through that which is good; — that through the commandment sin might become exceeding sinful. For we know that the Law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin. For that which I do I know not: for not what I would, that do I practise; but what I hate, that I do. But if what I would not, that I do, I consent unto the Law that it is good. So now it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me. For I know that in me, that is, in my flesh, dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me, but to do that which is good is not. For the good which I would I do not: but the evil which I would not, that I practise. But if what I would not, that I do, it is no more I that do it, but sin which dwelleth in me. I find then the law, that, to me who would do good, evil is present. For I delight in the Law of Gd after the inward man: but I see a different law in my members, warring against the law of my mind, and bringing me into captivity under the law of sin which is in my members. Wretched man that I am! who shall deliver me out of the body of this death? I thank Gd through Jsus Chrst our Lrd. So then I of myself with the mind, indeed, serve the Law of Gd; but with the flesh the law of sin.
Rom. 8:3-8 For what the Law could not do, in that it was weak through the flesh, Gd, sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, condemned sin in the flesh in order that the ordinance of the Law might be performed by us, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. For they that are after the flesh mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit. For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace: because the mind of the flesh is enmity against Gd, for it is not subject to the Law of Gd, neither indeed can it be: and they that are in the flesh cannot please Gd.
1Cor. 9:19-22 For though I was free from all men, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more. And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain Jews; to them that are under the Law, as under the Law, not being myself under the Law, that I might gain them that are under the Law; to them that are without Law, as without Law, not being without the Law of Gd, but subject to the Law of Chrst, that I might gain them that are without the Law. To the weak I became weak, that I might gain the weak: I am become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some.
1Cor. 15:56 The sting of death is sin; and the power of sin is the Law:
Gal. 3:19-22 What then is the Law? It was added for the sake of transgressions, till the seed should come to whom the promise hath been made; and it was ordained through angels by the hand of a mediator. Now a mediator is not a mediator of one; but Gd is one. Is the Law then against the promises of Gd? May it never be: for if there had been a Law given which could give life, verily righteousness would have been of the Law. But the Scripture shut up all things under sin, that the promise by faith in Jsus Chrst might be given to them that believe.
1Tim. 1:8-10 But we know that the Law is good, if a man use it lawfully, as knowing this, that Law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and unruly, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, for fornicators, for abusers of themselves with men, for menstealers, for liars, for false swearers, and if there be any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine.
2Tim. 3:16-17 Every Scripture is Gd-breathed and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness: that the man of Gd may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.
John says that sin and breaking the Law are the same exact thing.
1John 3:4 Every one that doeth sin doeth also Lawlessness; and sin is Lawlessness.
James says that it is the Law that convicts someone as a transgressor for committing sin.
James 2:9 but if ye have respect of persons, ye commit sin, being convicted by the Law as transgressors.
Commandments Not Abolished
Matt. 5:17-19 Do not think that I came to abolish the Law or the Prophets: I came not to abolish, but to perform. For verily I say unto you, Till heaven and earth pass away, one jot or one tittle shall in no wise pass away from the Law, till all things be accomplished. Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, shall be called least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, he shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven.
Matt. 28:19-20 Go ye therefore, and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them into the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit: teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I commanded you: and lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world.
Luke 16:17 But it is easier for heaven and earth to pass away, than for one tittle of the Law to fall.
Acts 21:17-26 And when we were come to Jerusalem, the brethren received us gladly. And the day following, Paul went in with us unto James; and all the elders were present. And when he had saluted them, he rehearsed one by one the things which Gd had wrought among the Gentiles through his ministry. And they, when they heard it, glorified Gd; and they said unto him, Thou seest, brother, how many thousands there are among the Jews of them that have believed, and they are all zealous for the Law: and they have been informed concerning thee, that you teach all the Jews who are among the Gentiles apostasy from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children neither to walk after the customs. What is it therefore? they will certainly hear that thou art come. Do therefore this that we say to thee: We have four men that have a vow on them; these take, and consecrate yourself with them, and pay for them, that they may shave their heads: and all shall know that there is no truth in the things whereof they have been informed concerning thee; but that thou thyself also walkest orderly, keeping the Law. But as touching the Gentiles that have believed, we wrote, giving judgment that they should keep themselves from things sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what is strangled, and from fornication. Then Paul took the men, and the next day he consecrated himself with them and went into the temple, declaring the fulfilment of the days of consecration, until the offering was offered for every one of them.
Matt. 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye tithe mint and anise and cummin, and have left undone the weightier matters of the Law, justice, and mercy, and faith: but these ye ought to have done, and not to have left the other undone.
Rom. 3:31 Do we then abolish the Law through faith? May it never be: nay, we establish the law.
Matt. 24:20 And pray ye that your flight be not in the winter, neither on a Sabbath:
1John 2:7 Beloved, no new commandment write I unto you, but an old commandment which ye had from the beginning: the old commandment is the word which ye heard.
Two Greatest Commandments
Matt. 22:35-40 And one of them, a lawyer, asked him a question, trying him: Teacher, which is the great commandment in the Law? And he said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lrd thy Gd with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second like unto it is this, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. On these two commandments the whole Law hangs, and the Prophets.
Loving Gd
John 14:15 If ye love me, ye will keep my commandments.
John 14:21 He that hath my commandments, and keepeth them, he it is that loveth me: and he that loveth me shall be loved of my Father, and I will love him, and will manifest myself unto him.
John 15:10 If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father’s commandments, and abide in his love.
1John 2:3-6 And hereby we know that we know him, if we keep his commandments. He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him; but whoso keepeth his word, in him verily hath the love of Gd been perfected. Hereby we know that we are in him: he that saith he abideth in him ought himself also to walk even as he walked.
1John 5:3 For this is the love of Gd, that we keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous.
1John 3:24 And he that keepeth his commandments abideth in him, and he in him. And hereby we know that he abideth in us, by the Spirit which he gave us.
Loving Neighbor
Love fulfills the Law, it doesn’t abolish it.
Matt. 7:12 All things therefore whatsoever ye would that men should do unto you, even so do ye also unto them: for this is the Law and the Prophets.
Rom. 13:8-10 Owe no man anything, save to love one another: for he that loveth his neighbor hath fulfilled the Law. For this, Thou shalt not commit adultery, Thou shalt not kill, Thou shalt not steal, Thou shalt not covet, and if there be any other commandment, it is summed up in this word, namely, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself. Love worketh no ill to his neighbor: love therefore is the fulfilment of the Law.
Gal. 5:14 For the whole Law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself.
James 2:8 Howbeit if ye fulfil the royal law, according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbor as thyself, ye do well:
2John 5-6 And now I beseech thee, lady, not as though I wrote to thee a new commandment, but that which we had from the beginning, that we love one another. And this is love, that we should walk after his commandments. This is the commandment, even as ye heard from the beginning, that ye should walk in it.
1John 2:8-10 Again, a new commandment write I unto you, which thing is true in him and in you; because the darkness is passing away, and the true light already shineth. He that saith he is in the light and hateth his brother, is in the darkness even until now. He that loveth his brother abideth in the light, and there is no occasion of stumbling in him.
1John 5:2 Hereby we know that we love the children of Gd, when we love Gd and do his commandments.
1John 3:23 And this is his commandment, that we should believe in the name of his Son Jsus Chrst, and love one another, even as he gave us commandment.
Eating and Drinking
Feasting on a Holy Day
Deut. 16:10-11 And thou shalt keep the Feast of Weeks unto the Lrd thy Gd with a tribute of a freewill-offering of thy hand, which thou shalt give, according as the Lrd thy Gd blesseth thee: and thou shalt rejoice before the Lrd thy Gd, thou, and thy son, and thy daughter, and thy man-servant, and thy maid-servant, and the Levite that is within thy gates, and the sojourner, and the fatherless, and the widow, that are in the midst of thee, in the place which the Lrd thy Gd shall choose, to cause his name to dwell there.
1Sam. 20:5 And David said unto Jonathan, Behold, tomorrow is the new moon, and I should not fail to sit with the king to eat: but let me go, that I may hide myself in the field unto the 3rd day at even.
Neh. 8:9-12 And Nehemiah, who was the governor, and Ezra the priest the scribe, and the Levites that taught the people, said unto all the people, This day is holy unto the Lrd your Gd. Do not mourn, nor weep. For all the people wept, when they heard the words of the Law. Then he said unto them, Go your way, eat the fat, and drink the sweet, and send portions unto him for whom nothing is prepared; for this day is holy unto our Lrd: neither be ye grieved; for the joy of the Lrd is your strength. So the Levites stilled all the people, saying, Hold your peace, for the day is holy; neither be ye grieved. And all the people went their way to eat, and to drink, and to send portions, and to make great mirth, because they had understood the words that were declared unto them.
Col. 2:16-23 Therefore, do not let anyone judge you in eating and in drinking, whether in respect of a feast day or a new moon or a Sabbath day: which are a shadow of the things to come; but the body is Chrst’s. Let no man rob you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and worshipping of the angels, dwelling in the things which he hath seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, and not holding fast the Head, from whom all the body, being supplied and knit together through the joints and bands, increaseth with the increase of Gd. If ye died with Chrst from the rudiments of the world, why, as though living in the world, do ye subject yourselves to ordinances: Handle not, nor taste, nor touch (all which things are to perish with the using), after the precepts and doctrines of men? Which things have indeed a show of wisdom in will-worship, and humility, and severity to the body; but are not of any value against the indulgence of the flesh.
Fasting and Food Sacrificed to Idols
Both contain:
1) Brothers who are weak
2) Not causing stumbling
3) To love one for whom Chrst died
4) Knowledge that nothing is defiled from an idol
5) Possibly not eating any flesh again if necessary
1Cor. 6:12-14 All things are lawful for me; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful for me; but I will not be brought under the power of any. Foods for the belly, and the belly for foods: but Gd shall bring to nought both it and them. But the body is not for fornication, but for the Lrd; and the Lrd for the body.
1Cor. 8 Now concerning things sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffeth up, but love edifieth. If any man thinketh that he knoweth anything, he knoweth not yet as he ought to know; but if any man loveth Gd, the same is known by him. Concerning therefore the eating of things sacrificed to idols, we know that no idol is anything in the world, and that there is no Gd but one. For though there be that are called gods, whether in heaven or on earth; as there are gods many, and lords many; yet to us there is one Gd, the Father, of whom are all things, and we unto him; and one Lrd, Jsus Chrst, through whom are all things, and we through him. Howbeit there is not in all men that knowledge: but some, being used until now to the idol, eat as of a thing sacrificed to an idol; and their conscience being weak is defiled. But food will not commend us to Gd: neither, if we eat not, are we the worse; nor, if we eat, are we the better. But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to the weak. For if a man see thee who hast knowledge sitting at meat in an idol’s temple, will not his conscience, if he is weak, be emboldened to eat things sacrificed to idols? For through thy knowledge he that is weak perisheth, the brother for whose sake Chrst died. And thus, sinning against the brethren, and wounding their conscience when it is weak, ye sin against Chrst. Wherefore, if meat causeth my brother to stumble, I will eat no flesh for evermore, that I cause not my brother to stumble.
1Cor. 10:19-32 What say I then? that a thing sacrificed to idols is anything, or that an idol is anything? But I say, that the things which the Gentiles sacrifice, they sacrifice to demons, and not to Gd: and I would not that ye should have communion with demons. Ye cannot drink the cup of the Lrd, and the cup of demons: ye cannot partake of the table of the Lrd, and of the table of demons. Or do we provoke the Lrd to jealousy? are we stronger than he? All things are lawful; but not all things are expedient. All things are lawful; but not all things edify. Let no man seek his own, but each his neighbor’s good. Whatsoever is sold in the meat market, eat, asking no question for conscience’ sake; for the earth is the Lrd’s, and the fulness thereof. If one of them that believe not biddeth you to a feast, and ye are disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience’ sake. But if any man say unto you, This hath been offered in sacrifice, eat not, for his sake that showed it, and for conscience’ sake: conscience, I say, not thine own, but the other’s; for why is my liberty judged by another conscience? If I partake with thankfulness, why am I evil spoken of for that for which I give thanks? Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of Gd. Give no occasion of stumbling, either to Jews, or to Greeks, or to the church of Gd:
Rom. 14 But him that is weak in faith receive ye, yet not for decision of scruples. One man hath faith to eat all things: but he that is weak eats vegetables. Let not him that eateth set at nought him that eateth not; and let not him that eateth not judge him that eateth: for Gd hath received him. Who art thou that judgest the servant of another? to his own lord he standeth or falleth. Yea, he shall be made to stand; for the Lrd hath power to make him stand. One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let each man be fully assured in his own mind. He that regardeth the day, regardeth it unto the Lrd: and he that eateth, eateth unto the Lrd, for he giveth Gd thanks; and he that eateth not, unto the Lrd he eateth not, and giveth Gd thanks. For none of us liveth to himself, and none dieth to himself. For whether we live, we live unto the Lrd; or whether we die, we die unto the Lrd: whether we live therefore, or die, we are the Lrd’s. For to this end Chrst died and lived again, that he might be Lrd of both the dead and the living. But thou, why dost thou judge thy brother? or thou again, why dost thou set at nought thy brother? for we shall all stand before the judgment-seat of Gd. For it is written, As I live, saith the Lrd, to me every knee shall bow, And every tongue shall confess to Gd. So then each one of us shall give account of himself to Gd. Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge ye this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock in his brother’s way, or an occasion of falling. I know, and am persuaded in the Lrd Jsus, that nothing is defiled [koinos] by itself: save that to him who accounteth anything to be defiled [koinos], to him it is defiled [koinos]. For if because of food thy brother is grieved, thou walkest no longer in love. Destroy not with thy food him for whom Chrst died. Let not then your good be evil spoken of: for the kingdom of Gd is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. For he that herein serveth Chrst is well-pleasing to Gd, and approved of men. So then let us follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify one another. Overthrow not for food’s sake the work of Gd. All things indeed are clean; howbeit it is evil for that man who eateth with offence. It is good not to eat flesh, nor to drink wine, nor to do anything whereby thy brother stumbleth. The faith which thou hast, have thou to thyself before Gd. Happy is he that judgeth not himself in that which he approveth. But he that doubteth is condemned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith; and whatsoever is not of faith is sin.
Unclean = Akathartos
The Biblical word in Greek for “unclean” is “akathartos.”
Lev. 11:4 Nevertheless these shall ye not eat of them that chew the cud, or of them that part the hoof: the camel, because he cheweth the cud but parteth not the hoof, he is unclean [akathartos] unto you.
Deut. 14:8 And the pig, because he parteth the hoof but cheweth not the cud, he is unclean [akathartos] unto you: of their flesh ye shall not eat, and their carcasses ye shall not touch.
Defiled or Common = Koinos
The word that Paul uses to describe food sacrificed to idols that some considered “defiled” is “koinos.”
The Greek word “koinos” is never used in the Old Testament to describe any type of “unclean” [akathartos] meat, such as pigs and shrimp.
The word “koinos” only occurs four times in the entire Old Testament, all of which are in Proverbs with the meaning of “common.”
Prov. 1:14 Thou shalt cast thy lot among us; We will all have a common [koinos] purse:
Prov. 15:23 (Greek) The evil person will not heed it; neither will he say anything appropriate or good for the common [koinos] person.
Prov. 21:9 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than with a contentious woman in a common [koinos] house.
Prov. 25:24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, Than with a contentious woman in a common [koinos] house.
A clean animal that died of itself was defiled and could be given to the common people, not the holy people.
Deut. 14:21 Ye shall not eat of anything that dieth of itself: thou mayest give it unto the sojourner that is within thy gates, that he may eat it; or thou mayest sell it unto a foreigner: for thou art a holy people unto the Lrd thy Gd. Thou shalt not boil a kid in its mother’s milk.
Mark uses the word “koinos” to describe the disciples’ unwashed hands. Their hands were not inherently unclean [akathartos], but because they had dirt on them, they were considered “defiled” [koinos]. Likewise, Paul says food sacrificed to idols is inherently clean, but because it was sacrificed to idols some Christians considered it “defiled” [koinos].
Mark 7:1-2 And there are gathered together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, who had come from Jerusalem, and had seen that some of his disciples ate their bread with defiled [koinos], that is, unwashed, hands.
Matt. 15:10-20 And he [Jsus] called to him the multitude, and said unto them, Hear, and understand: Not that which entereth into the mouth defiles the man; but that which proceedeth out of the mouth, this defileth the man. Then came the disciples, and said unto him, Knowest thou that the Pharisees were offended, when they heard this saying? But he answered and said, Every plant which my heavenly Father planted not, shall be rooted up. Let them alone: they are blind guides. And if the blind guide the blind, both shall fall into a pit. And Peter answered and said unto him, Declare unto us the parable. And he said, Are ye also even yet without understanding? Perceive ye not, that whatsoever goeth into the mouth passeth into the belly, and is cast out into the toilet? But the things which proceed out of the mouth come forth out of the heart; and they defile the man. For out of the heart come forth evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, railings: these are the things which defile the man; but to eat with unwashed hands does not defile the man.
Mark 7:18-20 And he saith unto them, Are ye so without understanding also? Perceive ye not, that whatsoever from without goeth into the man, it cannot defile him; because it goeth not into his heart, but into his belly, and goeth out into the toilet, getting rid of all the foods? And he said, That which proceedeth out of the man, that defileth the man.
The Church
Cleansing of Gentiles
Acts 10:9-18 Now on the morrow, as they were on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray, about the 6th hour: and he became hungry, and desired to eat: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance; and he beholdeth the heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet, let down by four corners upon the earth: wherein were all manner of fourfooted beasts and creeping things of the earth and birds of the heaven. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lrd; for I have never eaten anything that is common and unclean. And a voice came unto him again the second time, What Gd hath cleansed, make not thou common. And this was done thrice: and straightway the vessel was received up into heaven. Now while Peter was much perplexed in himself what the vision which he had seen might mean, behold, the men that were sent by Cornelius, having made inquiry for Simon’s house, stood before the gate, and called and asked whether Simon, who was surnamed Peter, were lodging there.
Acts 10:25-29 And when it came to pass that Peter entered, Cornelius met him, and fell down at his feet, and worshipped him. But Peter raised him up, saying, Stand up; I myself also am a man. And as he talked with him, he went in, and findeth many come together: and he said unto them, Ye yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to join himself or come unto one of another nation; and yet unto me hath Gd showed that I should not call any man common or unclean: wherefore also I came without gainsaying, when I was sent for. I ask therefore with what intent ye sent for me.
Acts 11:2-18 And when Peter was come up to Jerusalem, they that were of the circumcision contended with him, saying, Thou wentest in to men uncircumcised, and didst eat with them. But Peter began, and expounded the matter unto them in order, saying, I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision, a certain vessel descending, as it were a great sheet let down from heaven by four corners; and it came even unto me: upon which when I had fastened mine eyes, I considered, and saw the fourfooted beasts of the earth and wild beasts and creeping things and birds of the heaven. And I heard also a voice saying unto me, Rise, Peter; kill and eat. But I said, Not so, Lrd: for nothing common or unclean hath ever entered into my mouth. But a voice answered the second time out of heaven, What Gd hath cleansed, make not thou common. And this was done thrice: and all were drawn up again into heaven. And behold, forthwith three men stood before the house in which we were, having been sent from Caesarea unto me. And the Spirit bade me go with them, making no distinction. And these six brethren also accompanied me; and we entered into the man’s house: and he told us how he had seen the angel standing in his house, and saying, Send to Joppa, and fetch Simon, whose surname is Peter; who shall speak unto thee words, whereby thou shalt be saved, thou and all thy house.And as I began to speak, the Holy Spirit fell on them, even as on us at the beginning. And I remembered the word of the Lrd, how he said, John indeed baptized with water; but ye shall be baptized in the Holy Spirit. If then Gd gave unto them the like gift as he did also unto us, when we believed on the Lrd Jsus Chrst, who was I, that I could withstand Gd? And when they heard these things, they held their peace, and glorified Gd, saying, Then to the Gentiles also hath Gd granted repentance unto life.
True Jews
The New Covenant is only between Gd and the house of Israel and Judah.
Jer. 31:31 Behold, the days come, saith the Lrd, that I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah:
Rom. 2:25-29 For circumcision indeed profiteth, if thou be a doer of the Law: but if thou be a transgressor of the Law, thy circumcision is become uncircumcision. If therefore the uncircumcision keeps the ordinances of the Law, shall not his uncircumcision be reckoned for circumcision? and shall not the uncircumcision which is by nature, if it fulfill the Law, judge thee, who with the letter and circumcision art a transgressor of the Law? For he is not a Jew who is one outwardly; neither is that circumcision which is outward in the flesh: but he is a Jew who is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of Gd.
Phil. 1:1 Paul and Timothy, servants of Chrst Jsus, to all the saints in Chrst Jsus that are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
Phil. 3:1-3 Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lrd. To write the same things to you, to me indeed is not irksome, but for you it is safe. Beware of the dogs, beware of the evil workers, beware of the mutilation: for we are the circumcision, who worship by the Spirit of Gd, and glory in Chrst Jsus, and have no confidence in the flesh:
1Cor. 7:19 Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing; but the keeping of the commandments of Gd.
Rom. 9:6-8 But it is not as though the word of Gd hath come to nought. For they are not all Israel, that are of Israel: neither, because they are Abraham’s seed, are they all children: but, In Isaac shall thy seed be called. That is, it is not the children of the flesh that are children of Gd; but the children of the promise are reckoned for a seed.
Rev. 2:9 I know thy tribulation, and thy poverty (but thou art rich), and the blasphemy of them that say they are Jews, and they are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.
Rev. 3:9 Behold, I give of the synagogue of Satan, of them that say they are Jews, and they are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
John 8:38-44 I [Jsus] speak the things which I have seen with my Father: and ye [Jews] also do the things which ye heard from your father. They answered and said unto him, Our father is Abraham. Jesus saith unto them, If ye were Abraham’s children, ye would do the works of Abraham. But now ye seek to kill me, a man that hath told you the truth, which I heard from Gd: this Abraham did not do. Ye do the works of your father. They said unto him, We were not born of fornication; we have one Father, even Gd. Jesus said unto them, If Gd were your Father, ye would love me: for I came forth and am come from Gd; for neither have I come of myself, but he sent me. Why do ye not understand my speech? Even because ye cannot hear my word. Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father it is your will to do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and standeth not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father thereof.
Rom. 11:28 As touching the gospel, they [the Jews] are enemies for your sake: but as touching the election, they are beloved for the fathers’ sake.
Rom. 10:11-13 For the scripture saith, Whosoever believeth on him shall not be put to shame. For there is no distinction between Jew and Greek: for the same Lrd is Lrd of all, and is rich unto all that call upon him: for, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lrd shall be saved.
Gal. 3:26-29 For ye are all sons of Gd, through faith, in Chrst Jsus. For as many of you as were baptized into Chrst did put on Chrst. There can be neither Jew nor Greek, there can be neither bond nor free, there can be no male and female; for ye all are one in Chrst Jsus. And if ye are Chrst’s, then ye are Abraham’s seed, heirs according to promise.
Rom. 11:11-25 I say then, Did they [the Jews] stumble that they might fall? May it never be: but by their fall salvation is come unto the Gentiles, to provoke them to jealousy. Now if their fall is the riches of the world, and their loss the riches of the Gentiles; how much more their fullness? But I speak to you that are Gentiles. Inasmuch then as I am an apostle of Gentiles, I glorify my ministry; if by any means I may provoke to jealousy them that are my flesh, and may save some of them. For if the casting away of them is the reconciling of the world, what shall the receiving of them be, but life from the dead? And if the firstfruit is holy, so is the lump: and if the root is holy, so are the branches. But if some of the branches were broken off, and you [Gentile], being a wild olive, were grafted in among them, and didst become partaker with them of the root of the fatness of the olive tree; glory not over the branches: but if thou gloriest, it is not thou that bearest the root, but the root thee. Thou wilt say then, Branches were broken off, that I might be grafted in. Well; by their unbelief they were broken off, and thou standest by thy faith. Be not high-minded, but fear: for if Gd spared not the natural branches, neither will he spare thee. Behold then the goodness and severity of Gd: toward them that fell, severity; but toward thee, Gd’s goodness, if thou continue in his goodness: otherwise thou also shalt be cut off. And they also, if they continue not in their unbelief, shall be grafted in: for Gd is able to graft them in again. For if you were cut out of that which is by nature a wild olive tree, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree; how much more shall these, which are the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree? For I would not, brethren, have you ignorant of this mystery, lest ye be wise in your own conceits, that a hardening in part hath befallen Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in;
Eph. 3:6 that the Gentiles are joint-heirs, and of one joint-body, and joint-partakers of the promise in Chrst Jsus through the gospel,
Eph. 4:4-6 There is one body, and one Spirit, even as also ye were called in one hope of your calling; one Lrd, one faith, one baptism, one Gd and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.
Col. 3:10-11 and have put on the new man, that is being renewed unto knowledge after the image of him that created him: where there cannot be Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Chrst is all, and in all.
Eph. 2:11-22 Wherefore remember, that once ye, the Gentiles in the flesh, who are called Uncircumcision by that which is called Circumcision, in the flesh, made by hands; that ye were at that time separate from Chrst, alienated from the citizenship of Israel, and strangers from the covenants of the promise, having no hope and without Gd in the world. But now in Chrst Jsus ye that once were far off are made nigh in the blood of Chrst. For he is our peace, who made both one, and brake down the middle wall of partition, having abolished in his flesh the enmity, even the law of commandments in ordinances; that he might create in himself of the two one new man, so making peace; and might reconcile them both in one body unto Gd through the cross, having slain the enmity thereby: and he came and preached peace to you that were far off, and peace to them that were nigh: for through him we both have our access in one Spirit unto the Father. So then ye are no more strangers and sojourners, but ye are fellow-citizens with the saints, and of the household of Gd, being built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Chrst Jsus himself being the chief corner stone; in whom each several building, fitly framed together, grows into a holy temple in the Lrd; in whom ye also are builded together for a habitation of Gd in the Spirit.
Commandments of Enmity and Partition
Ex. 23:31-33 And I will set thy border from the Red Sea even unto the sea of the Philistines, and from the wilderness unto the River: for I will deliver the inhabitants of the land into your hand: and thou shalt drive them out before thee. Thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor with their gods. They shall not dwell in thy land, lest they make thee sin against me; for if thou serve their gods, it will surely be a snare unto thee.
Ex. 34:11-16 Observe thou that which I command thee this day: behold, I drive out before thee the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Hittite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite. Take heed to thyself, lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land whither thou goest, lest it be for a snare in the midst of thee: but ye shall break down their altars, and dash in pieces their pillars, and ye shall cut down their Asherim; (for thou shalt worship no other god: for the Lrd, whose name is Jealous, is a jealous Gd); lest thou make a covenant with the inhabitants of the land, and they play the harlot after their gods, and sacrifice unto their gods, and one call thee and thou eat of his sacrifice; and thou take of their daughters unto thy sons, and their daughters play the harlot after their gods, and make thy sons play the harlot after their gods.
Lev. 18:24 Do not defile ye yourselves in any of these things: for in all these the nations are defiled which I cast out from before you.
Deut. 7:1-4 When the Lrd thy Gd shall bring thee into the land whither thou goest to possess it, and shall cast out many nations before thee, the Hittite, and the Girgashite, and the Amorite, and the Canaanite, and the Perizzite, and the Hivite, and the Jebusite, seven nations greater and mightier than thou; and when the Lrd thy Gd shall deliver them up before thee, and thou shalt smite them; then thou shalt utterly destroy them: thou shalt make no covenant with them, nor show mercy unto them; neither shalt thou make marriages with them; thy daughter thou shalt not give unto his son, nor his daughter shalt thou take unto thy son. For he will turn away thy son from following me, that they may serve other gods: so will the anger of the Lrd be kindled against you, and he will destroy thee quickly.
Deut. 20:16-18 But of the cities of these peoples, that the Lrd thy Gd giveth thee for an inheritance, thou shalt save alive nothing that breatheth; but thou shalt utterly destroy them: the Hittite, and the Amorite, the Canaanite, and the Perizzite, the Hivite, and the Jebusite; as the Lrd thy Gd hath commanded thee; that they teach you not to do after all their abominations, which they have done unto their gods; so would ye sin against the Lrd your Gd.
Deut. 23:3-6 An Ammonite or a Moabite shall not enter into the assembly of the Lrd; even to the 10th generation shall none belonging to them enter into the assembly of the Lrd for ever: because they met you not with bread and with water in the way, when ye came forth out of Egypt, and because they hired against thee Balaam the son of Beor from Pethor of Mesopotamia, to curse thee. Nevertheless the Lrd thy Gd would not hearken unto Balaam; but the Lrd thy Gd turned the curse into a blessing unto thee, because the Lrd thy Gd loved thee. Thou shalt not seek their peace nor their prosperity all thy days for ever.
Josh. 23:6-7 Therefore be ye very courageous to keep and to do all that is written in the book of the law of Moses, that ye turn not aside therefrom to the right hand or to the left; that ye come not among these nations, these that remain among you; neither make mention of the name of their gods, nor cause to swear by them, neither serve them, nor bow down yourselves unto them.
Josh. 23:12-13 Else if ye do at all go back, and cleave unto the remnant of these nations, even these that remain among you, and make marriages with them, and go in unto them, and they to you; know for a certainty that the Lrd your Gd will no more drive these nations from out of your sight; but they shall be a snare and a trap unto you, and a scourge in your sides, and thorns in your eyes, until ye perish from off this good land which the Lrd your Gd hath given you.
1Kings 11:1-2 Now king Solomon loved many foreign women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Sidonians, and Hittites; of the nations concerning which the Lrd said unto the children of Israel, Ye shall not go among them, neither shall they come among you; for surely they will turn away your heart after their gods: Solomon clave unto these in love.
Ezra 9:10-14 And now, O our Gd, what shall we say after this? for we have forsaken thy commandments, which thou hast commanded by thy servants the prophets, saying, The land, unto which ye go to possess it, is an unclean land through the uncleanness of the peoples of the lands, through their abominations, which have filled it from one end to another with their filthiness: now therefore give not your daughters unto their sons, neither take their daughters unto your sons, nor seek their peace or their prosperity for ever; that ye may be strong, and eat the good of the land, and leave it for an inheritance to your children for ever. And after all that is come upon us for our evil deeds, and for our great guilt, seeing that thou our Gd hast punished us less than our iniquities deserve, and hast given us such a remnant, shall we again break thy commandments, and join in affinity with the peoples that do these abominations? wouldest not thou be angry with us till thou hadst consumed us, so that there should be no remnant, nor any to escape?
Psa. 106:34-39 They did not destroy the peoples, As the Lrd commanded them, But mingled themselves with the nations, And learned their works, And served their idols, Which became a snare unto them. Yea, they sacrificed their sons and their daughters unto demons, And shed innocent blood, Even the blood of their sons and of their daughters, Whom they sacrificed unto the idols of Canaan; And the land was polluted with blood. Thus were they defiled with their works, And played the harlot in their doings.
John 4:9 The Samaritan woman therefore saith unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, who am a Samaritan woman? (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.)
Acts 10:28 And he [Peter] said unto them, Ye yourselves know how it is an unlawful thing for a man that is a Jew to join himself or come unto one of another nation; and yet unto me hath Gd showed that I should not call any man common or unclean:
John 18:28 They [the Jews] lead Jsus therefore from Caiaphas into the Praetorium [the Gentile Governor’s house]: and it was early; and they themselves did not enter into the Praetorium, that they might not be defiled, but might eat the Passover.
The Apostasy
1Tim. 4:1-3 But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall apostatize from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons, through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron; forbidding to marry, to abstain from foods, which Gd created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth.
2Th. 2:1-12 Now we beseech you, brethren, touching the coming of our Lrd Jsus Chrst, and our gathering together unto him; to the end that ye be not quickly shaken from your mind, nor yet be troubled, either by spirit, or by word, or by epistle as from us, as that the day of the Lrd is just at hand; let no man beguile you in any wise: for it will not be, except the apostasy come first, and the man of Lawlessness be revealed, the son of perdition, he that opposeth and exalteth himself against all that is called Gd or that is worshipped; so that he sitteth in the temple of Gd, setting himself forth as Gd. Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things? And now ye know that which restraineth, to the end that he may be revealed in his own season. For the mystery of Lawlessness is already at work: only there is one that restraineth now, until he be taken out of the way. And then shall be revealed the Lawless one, whom the Lrd Jsus shall slay with the breath of his mouth, and bring to nought by the manifestation of his coming; even he, whose coming is according to the operation of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders, and with all deceit of unrighteousness for them that perish; because they received not the love of the truth, that they might be saved. And for this cause Gd sendeth them an operation of error, that they should believe the lie: that they all might be judged who did not believe the truth, but had pleasure in unrighteousness.
2Tim. 4:3-4 For the time will come when they will not endure the sound doctrine; but, having itching ears, will heap to themselves teachers after their own lusts; and will turn away their ears from the truth, and turn aside unto fables.
Acts 20:29-30 I [Paul] know that after my departing grievous wolves shall enter in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves shall men arise, speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them.
But when the sacred college of apostles had suffered death in various forms, and the generation of those that had been deemed worthy to hear the inspired wisdom with their own ears had passed away, then the league of godless error took its rise as a result of the folly of heretical teachers, who, because none of the apostles was still living, attempted henceforth, with a bold face, to proclaim, in opposition to the preaching of the truth, the “knowledge [gnosis] which is falsely so-called.” (Eusebius, Church History, Book 3, Chapter 32, Written 312-324 AD)
Josh. 22:22-23 (Greek) Gd is Lrd Gd, and Gd, Lrd Gd, he himself knows, and Israel itself shall know: If in apostasy we have trespassed against the Lrd, may he not deliver us in this. And if we built an altar for ourselves so as to apostatize from the Lrd our Gd, so as to offer upon it a sacrifice of whole burnt offerings or so as to make upon it a sacrifice of deliverance, the Lrd shall seek it out.
Josh. 22:29 (Greek) May it not be therefore that we turn away from the Lrd in these very days, to apostatize from the Lrd, so as to build an altar for produce offerings and for the sacrifices of peace and for the sacrifice of deliverance, other than the altar of the Lrd that is before his tent.
2Chr. 28:21-23 (Greek) And Achaz took what was in the Lrd’s house and in the house of the king and of the rulers and gave it to the king of Assyria, but it was of no help to him. Rather by his having been afflicted, he even added to apostatize from the Lrd, and the king said, I will seek out the gods of Damascus who are hitting me. And he said, Because the gods of the king of Syria themselves will strengthen them, I will therefore sacrifice to them, and they will support me. And they became a stumbling block to him and to all Israel.
2Chr. 29:6-7 (Greek) because our fathers were apostate and did what was evil before the Lrd and abandoned him and turned their face from the Lrd’s tent and gave their neck and shut the doors of the shrine and put out the lamps. And they did not burn incense and did not offer whole burnt offerings in the holy place to Israel’s Gd.
2Chr. 29:19 (Greek) and all the utensils, which King Achaz defiled during his reign in his apostasy, we have made ready and purified. See, they are in front of the Lrd’s altar.
2Chr. 30:7 (Greek) And do not be like your fathers and your brothers, who became apostate from the Lrd, Gd of their fathers, and he gave them over to desolation, as you yourselves see.
2Chr. 33:18-19 (Greek) And the rest of the histories of Manasses and his prayer to Gd and the words of the seers when they spoke to him in the name of the Lrd, Gd of Israel, behold, they are in the accounts of his prayer, and how he listened to him, and all his sins and his acts of apostasy and the places on which he built the high places and set up there groves and carved items before he repented, behold, they are written in the accounts of the seers.
Jer. 2:19 (Greek) Your apostasy will discipline you, and your wickedness will convict you. Both know and see that it is bitter for you to forsake me, says the Lrd, your Gd, and I took no pleasure in you, says the Lrd, your Gd.
Jer. 3:13-14 (Greek) Only acknowledge your injustice, that you acted impiously against the Lrd your Gd and poured out your ways to foreigners under every woodland tree, but you did not obey my voice, says the Lrd. Return, O apostate sons, says the Lrd, for I will be your Lrd, and I will take you, one from a city and two from a paternal family, and I will bring you into Zion.
Jer. 39:40 (Greek) And I will make an everlasting covenant with them, which I will not turn away from behind them, and I will assign my fear to their heart so that they may not apostatize away from me.
For we have sinned in everything and broken your Law to apostatize from you, and in all matters we have sinned grievously. (Apocryphal Daniel, Chapter 3, Verse 29)
And when I [Tobit] was in my own country, in the land of Israel, while I was a young man, all the tribe of Naphtali my ancestor withdrew from the house of Jerusalem, which had been chosen from all the tribes of Israel for all the tribes to offer sacrifice, and the temple of the habitation of the Most High had been consecrated and established for all the generations of the age. And all the tribes that had joined in apostasy and the house of Naphtali my ancestor offered sacrifice to Baal the heifer. (Book of Tobit, Chapter 1, Verses 4-5)
And out of them arose a sinful root, Antiochus Epiphanes son of Antiochus the king, who had been a hostage in Rome and became king in the 137th year of the kingdom of the Greeks. In those days out of Israel came sons, transgressors of the Law, and persuaded many, saying, Let us go and make a covenant with the nations around us, because from the time we separated ourselves from them many evils have found us. And the proposition seemed good in their eyes; so some of the people took courage and went to the king, and he gave them the authority to follow the ordinances of the nations. And they built a gymnasium in Jerusalem according to the customs of the nations, and they fashioned foreskins for themselves and apostatized from the holy covenant and joined themselves to the nations and sold themselves to do evil. (Book of Maccabees, Chapter 1, Verses 10-15)
And the agents of the king, who were enforcing the apostasy, came to the city of Modein to sacrifice. And many from Israel came to them, and Mattathias and his sons gathered together. And the agents of the king answered and said to Mattathias, saying, You are a ruler, both glorious and great in this city, and supported by sons and brothers. Now you come forward first and execute the ordinance of the king, as have done all the nations and the men of Judah and those remaining in Jerusalem. And you and your sons will be among the Friends of the king, and you and your sons will be glorified with silver and gold and much compensation. And Mattathias answered and said with a loud voice, If all the nations which are in the realm of the king obey him so as to apostatize, each one from the religion of their fathers, and adopt his commandments, both I and my sons and my brothers will walk in the covenant of our fathers. Gd help us if we abandon the Law and the ordinances; we will not obey the words of the king nor deviate from our religion to the right or to the left. (Book of Maccabees, Chapter 2, Verses 15-22)