The Imperatives in Scripture

[marks]

The Imperative Mood refers to the intent of a verb of command. Simply put, these are imperative that you do them.

1 Peter 1:13-16 KJV
13) Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14) As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15) But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16) Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

As brother @Johann has been putting before my eyes recently, the New Testament is replete with Imperatives, commands that are to be kept.

In this passage alone,

• gird up the loins of your mind,
• be sober,
• hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you . . .
• be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
• Be ye holy; for I am holy.

The Gospel itself is a command, an Imperative.

Mark 1:14-15 KJV
14) Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
15) And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

The consequence of failure to obey is clear, you shall perish in your sins.

To the son or daughter of God, what is the consequence of failing to keep all of the imperatives? Are all these 1000+ imperatives given to become a new kind of Law that will condemn us if we fail to keep it?

I think when we read these, it's easy to mentally add to what we are reading, "or else!" That there must be a consequence of failing to keep them. And we know the condemnation of failing to keep the Law, condemnation! But in Christ we are not condemned. In Christ we are delivered from the wrath to come.

Does there have to be an "or else"? Are we under threat to obey? Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, what is our proper fear? Condemnation and loss of eternal life? Falling short of the spiritual maturity we could otherwise be realizing? Meaning that we are failing to reach the potential God has in mind for us?

Or missing the deep joy and peace we would otherwise know in a walk of enduring fruitfulness? A life filled with and characterized by Christian love?

Jesus saved us to liberty and commands us how to live that liberty. This is not a reconfigured New Testament Law that will condemn you if you do not keep it. This is how God speaks to the runner of the race, with Imperative, Run the race to win!

Much love!

 

[Michiah-Imla]

God killed people for not obeying.

Was all that just for fun?

Or, so that we wise up and not make foolish proclamations of never perishing no matter how we behave?

Here’s the answer:

“And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:15)

 

[Johann]

The Imperative Mood refers to the intent of a verb of command. Simply put, these are imperative that you do them.

1 Peter 1:13-16 KJV
13) Wherefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;
14) As obedient children, not fashioning yourselves according to the former lusts in your ignorance:
15) But as he which hath called you is holy, so be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
16) Because it is written, Be ye holy; for I am holy.

As brother @Johann has been putting before my eyes recently, the New Testament is replete with Imperatives, commands that are to be kept.

In this passage alone,

• gird up the loins of your mind,
• be sober,
• hope to the end for the grace that is to be brought unto you . . .
• be ye holy in all manner of conversation;
• Be ye holy; for I am holy.

The Gospel itself is a command, an Imperative.

Mark 1:14-15 KJV
14) Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God,
15) And saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.

The consequence of failure to obey is clear, you shall perish in your sins.

To the son or daughter of God, what is the consequence of failing to keep all of the imperatives? Are all these 1000+ imperatives given to become a new kind of Law that will condemn us if we fail to keep it?

I think when we read these, it's easy to mentally add to what we are reading, "or else!" That there must be a consequence of failing to keep them. And we know the condemnation of failing to keep the Law, condemnation! But in Christ we are not condemned. In Christ we are delivered from the wrath to come.

Does there have to be an "or else"? Are we under threat to obey? Work out your salvation with fear and trembling, what is our proper fear? Condemnation and loss of eternal life? Falling short of the spiritual maturity we could otherwise be realizing? Meaning that we are failing to reach the potential God has in mind for us?

Or missing the deep joy and peace we would otherwise know in a walk of enduring fruitfulness? A life filled with and characterized by Christian love?

Jesus saved us to liberty and commands us how to live that liberty. This is not a reconfigured New Testament Law that will condemn you if you do not keep it. This is how God speaks to the runner of the race, with Imperative, Run the race to win!

Much love!

Praise the Lord Christ Jesus!

 

[MatthewG]

They’re not Commandments for us to obey, for they were never written to us. However, they can be incorporated by the spirit of Course.

Because I don’t believe we can do it better by our own on strength it’s always the strength of christ.

Just as he was tempted by thoughts of lust, or possibly thoughts of greed, considering he was tempted in every way by human flesh, he had his own thought, and his own will.

Therefore, the Temptations may seem sinful; it’s the actual at carried out that may have consequences.

But he always said not my will be done, but you will be done father.

Just something to consider in my opinion marks.

 

[Johann]

They’re not Commandments for us to obey, for they were never written to us. However, they can be incorporated by the spirit of Course.

Completely disagree with you brother-and in the Pauline epistles definitely written TO us-or most parts, in context, TO US!

Imperative mood
EDIT
Verbs which express a command or request are said to be in the imperative mood.

They exist only in 2nd and 3rd person since one does not (normally) give a command to oneself.
English doesn't really have a 3rd person imperative. In translating from Greek, this is usually rendered as something like "let him do!"

They exist in both present and aorist tenses. There is no time significance, only aspect:
The present connotes an imperfective action (difficult to translate over): don't be doing this, don't continue to do this.
The aorist connotes a perfective action: don't do this!

All the Present Imperatives in the New Testament - 880x in 705 verse in NT (in Bibleworks Greek NT Morphology) -

Rom 3:4; 6:11ff; 11:18, 20; 12:2, 14, 16, 20f; 13:1, 3f, 8, 14; 14:1, 3, 5, 15f, 20, 22; 15:2, 7, 11; 16:17; 1 Cor 1:26, 31; 3:10, 18, 21; 4:1, 5, 16; 6:9, 18; 7:2f, 5, 11ff, 15, 17f, 20f, 23f, 27, 36; 8:9; 9:24; 10:7, 10, 12, 14, 18, 24f, 27f, 31f; 11:1, 6, 24f, 28, 33f; 12:31; 14:1, 12f, 20, 26ff, 34f, 37, 39f; 15:33f, 58; 16:2, 10, 13f, 18, 22; 2 Cor 6:14, 17; 10:7, 11, 17; 11:1; 12:16; 13:5, 11; Gal 1:8f; 3:7; 4:12, 21; 5:1, 13, 15f; 6:1f, 4, 6f, 17; Eph 2:11; 4:25ff, 32; 5:1ff, 6ff, 11, 14f, 17f, 25, 33; 6:1f, 4f, 9f; Phil 1:27; 2:5, 12, 14f, 18, 29; 3:1f, 17; 4:1, 3f, 6, 8f; Col 2:6, 8, 16, 18; 3:1f, 9, 15f, 18ff; 4:1f, 5, 17f; 1Thess 2:9; 4:18; 5:11, 13ff, 25; 2 Th 2:15; 3:1, 10, 14f; 1 Tim 2:11; 3:10, 12; 4:7, 11ff; 5:1, 3f, 7, 9, 11, 16f, 19f, 22f; 6:1f, 11f, 17; 2 Tim 1:13; 2:1, 7f, 14, 16, 22f; 3:1, 5, 14; 4:5, 11, 13, 15; Titus 1:13; 2:1, 6, 15; 3:1, 9f, 14; Philemon 1:18, 22; Heb 1:13; 3:12f; 7:4; 8:5; 10:32; 12:5, 7, 13f, 25; 13:1ff, 7, 9, 16ff, 22f; Jas 1:4ff, 9, 13, 16, 19, 22; 2:1, 3, 12, 16; 3:1, 14; 4:11, 13; 5:1, 9, 12f, 16, 20; 1 Pet 1:6, 8; 2:5, 17; 3:3; 4:12f, 15f, 19; 2 Pet 3:8, 15, 17f; 1 John 2:15, 24, 27ff; 3:7, 13; 4:1f; 2 John 1:8, 10; 3 John 1:11, 15; Jude 1:22f; Rev 1:17; 2:5, 10; 3:2f, 11, 19; 5:5; 6:1, 3, 5, 7; 10:8; 11:1; 12:12; 16:1; 18:20; 19:5, 10; 22:9, 17, 20

All the Aorist Imperatives in the New Testament - 762x in 616 verses in NT (in Bibleworks Greek NT Morphology) -

Rom 6:13, 19; 11:9f, 22; 12:19; 13:7, 14; 14:13; 15:10f; 16:3, 5ff; 1 Cor 3:18; 5:7, 13; 6:20; 7:9, 11, 21; 10:15; 11:6, 13; 15:34; 16:1, 11, 20; 2 Cor 5:20; 6:13, 17; 7:2; 8:11; 11:16; 12:13; 13:12; Gal 4:27, 30; 6:11; Eph 4:31; 5:14; 6:11, 13f, 17; Phil 2:2; 4:5, 21; Col 3:5, 8, 12; 4:10, 15ff; 1 Thess 5:26; 1 Tim 6:12, 20; 2 Tim 1:8, 14; 2:2f, 15, 19; 4:2, 5, 9, 19, 21; Titus 3:12f, 15; Philemon 1:17, 20; Heb 1:6; 3:1; 8:11; 12:3, 12; 13:24; Jas 1:2, 21; 2:3, 5, 18; 3:13; 4:7ff; 5:1, 7f, 10, 14; 1 Pet 1:13, 15, 17, 22; 2:2, 13, 17; 3:10f, 15; 4:1, 7; 5:2, 5f, 8f, 12, 14; 2 Pet 1:5, 10; 3:14; 1 John 3:1; 5:21; Jude 1:17, 21; Rev 1:11, 19; 2:1, 5, 7f, 11f, 16ff, 25, 29; 3:1ff, 6f, 13f, 19, 22; 4:1; 6:16; 9:14; 10:4, 8f; 11:1f, 12; 13:9, 18; 14:7, 13, 15, 18; 18:4, 6f; 19:9f, 17; 21:5; 22:9, 11, 17

Greek Quick Reference Guide | Precept Austin

www.preceptaustin.org

IF you are interested, and GOD forbid this thread should be derailed!
Johann

 

[Johann]

Because I don’t believe we can do it better by our own on strength it’s always the strength of christ.

This is an excuse to do nothing.
PRESENT
IMPERATIVE

Continually, habitually follow this command! The Present Imperative is often a call to a long-term commitment and calls for the attitude or action to be one's continual way of life (lifestyle). (See all NT occurrences of the present imperative - makes for an interesting study)

1Pe 2:17-note Honor (5657) all people, love (2PPAM) (5720) the brotherhood, fear (2PPPM) (5737) God, honor (2PPAM) (5720) the king
2PPAM: 2nd Person, Plural, Present Tense, Active Voice, Imperative Mood

These actions are not "suggestions" but commands to make each attitude/action our habitual practice.

Remember that whatever God commands of us, He always provides the grace and empowerment in Christ Jesus and His Spirit so that we might be enabled to carry out the command.

PRESENT
IMPERATIVE
w/ NEGATIVE

PRESENT IMPERATIVE
WITH A NEGATIVE

‘’STOP an action which is already going on’’. CEASE an act in progress.

Keep on refusing to do this and/or, stop doing this if it has already started!

1Pe 4:12-note Beloved, do not be surprised (2PPPM) (5744) at the fiery ordeal among you, which comes upon you for your testing, as though some strange thing were happening to you;
2PPPM: 2nd person, Plural, Present Tense, Passive voice, Imperative Mood

The implication is that they were being surprised by the fiery ordeals (but aren't we all frequently caught off guard by God's "pop tests"?) so Peter says stop doing this!'.

AORIST
IMPERATIVE

AORIST
IMPERATIVE

Calls for a SPECIFIC, DEFINITE, DECISIVE choice. "DO THIS NOW, AT ONCE, ONCE FOR ALL and in one quick action (in contrast to present imperative which commands a habitual action). Often expresses a note of URGENCY. (See all the NT occurrences of the aorist imperative)

Check it off, get it done! Focus on the first opportunity to complete it!

1Pe 1:17-note If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one's work, conduct (2PAPM) (5649) yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth;
2PAPM: 2nd person, Plural, Aorist Tense, Imperative Mood

A full list of all Imperatives-IF you are interested.

Greek Quick Reference Guide | Precept Austin

www.preceptaustin.org

 

[MatthewG]

You can disagree but logic would differ @Johann.

The Bible is a great material book for the individual to grow in knowledge of God, and spiritual principles.

It is up to the individual to decide what they will do - and it's not demanded or commanded on anyone to do otherwise.

1 Peter was written to a bunch of Jewish people there were dispersed.

Just read the first verse here:

1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ,
To God’s elect, exiles scattered throughout the provinces of Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit, to be obedient to Jesus Christ and sprinkled with his blood:Grace and peace be yours in abundance.

and I am not saying that learning, and growing, or implementing spiritual principles in ones life is WRONG.

 

[Johann]

You can disagree but logic would differ @Johann.

The Bible is a great material book for the individual to grow in knowledge of God, and spiritual principles.

It is up to the individual to decide what they will do - and it's not demanded or commanded on anyone to do otherwise.

1 Peter was written to a bunch of Jewish people there were dispersed.

Just read the first verse here:







and I am not saying that learning, and growing, or implementing spiritual principles in ones life is WRONG.

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness;
17 so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work

3:15 In Jewish tradition, boys received instruction in Torah beginning at age five.
Schools in Ancient Israel EAI:ADS

Jewish Education in Old Testament Times ZEB D—G
Education: Jewish and Greco-Roman DNTB
Jewish Education EDCE

The Greek phrase used here, hiera grammata, refers to the OT.
Scripture NBD
Holy Scripture as Canon SD:HS
The Old Testament Become a New Book CS
Canon of the Old Testament MNT:OCTC
The Formation of the Old Testament

An expression meaning “to instruct you.” In this context, salvation is the subject of instruction. Scripture makes a person wise, but the instruction of false teachers leads to folly (2 Tim 3:9; 1 Tim 1:6–7; compare Prov 16:22).

Throughout the Pastoral Letters, Paul relates knowledge of the truth with salvation (see 1 Tim 2:4 and note). In this verse, Paul returns to “faith in Christ Jesus” as the means of salvation.


3:16 The Greek phrase used here, pasa graphē, may refer to the totality of Scripture or to every passage of Scripture.

Paul uses the Greek term theopneustos here (meaning “God-breathed”) to assure Timothy that Scripture is, in fact, from God.

Although God used people to produce the Scriptures (2 Pet 1:20–21), their ultimate origin is God.

By contrast, the false teaching that Timothy opposed comes from evil forces who spread their doctrine through errant teachers (1 Tim 1:3–7; 4:1).
Scripture is valuable because it corrects false teaching while building up believers to live godly lives.
Theopneustos: Interpreting “God-Breathed”

Timothy’s primary task in Ephesus (1 Tim 4:6, 13).

To rebuke false teachers and admonish those who believe their teaching (e.g., 1 Tim 6:3–10).
To help believers grow in godly behavior.
Describes training in doing what is right or what is in accordance with godliness.

3:17 Scripture is profitable because of this purpose (2 Tim 3:16). Paul reminds Timothy that Scripture helps believers fulfill the work of the ministry (4:1–5).

It is therefore a gift to His people.

God has not left Timothy or the believers in Ephesus to do good works on their own; He has provided them with Scripture and each other, all for doing good works in Christ Jesus (Eph 2:10; 2 Tim 2:21; Titus 3:1).
4:1–8 Paul offers additional encouragement to Timothy. He urges him to be prepared to teach sound doctrine at all times, since false teaching continues to deceive people in Ephesus.

John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), 2 Ti 3:15–4:8.

Theopneustos: Interpreting “God-Breathed”
The word theopneustos only occurs in the nt in 2 Tim 3:16; its precise nuance is uncertain. It may be a compound word: theo (“God”) and pneustos (“breath” or “Spirit”), meaning “God-breathed.”

Based on other compound words in the nt, such as theodidaktos, which may be rendered “taught by God” (1 Thess 4:9), the word may be translated as “inspired by God”—meaning that the breath or Spirit of God is the source of Scripture.

Paul was likely referring to the OT, but he may have also been referencing books and letters, circulating among churches, which would eventually become canonical nt books.


Further Reading
The Formation of the New Testament
God-Inspired Scripture WBBWV1:RI
The God-Breathed Character of Holy Scripture

I know you don't hold to the inerrancy of Scriptures brother, not being facetious with you.
Johann

 

[Johann]

1 Peter was written to a bunch of Jewish people there were dispersed.

Not applicable for us?

Introduction to 1 Peter

First Peter is about maintaining hope in the midst of suffering. Because Jesus Himself suffered, and because God can be trusted to put all things right, Peter counsels believers to maintain their faith in Jesus. Believers should do so even when they are being persecuted, mocked, and misunderstood; they should also imitate Jesus by enduring unjust suffering with grace. Hardships are bound to come in this life, but they do not have the last word.

Background
The author of 1 Peter identifies himself as the Apostle Peter and a witness of the sufferings and resurrection of Christ (1 Pet 1:1; 5:1). The early church widely accepted this view.

However, there is some modern discussion about whether the letter’s content reflects a later period; this would indicate that one of Peter’s associates compiled the letter based on his teachings.


The recipients of 1 Peter are identified as God’s people scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia (1:1)—all regions of Asia Minor (modern-day Turkey). The letter seems to have been written to encourage Christians in these regions as they faced localized ostracism and persecution in reaction to their distinctively Christian perspective on social relationships and ethics.

The letter probably was written from Rome. First Peter 5:13 conveys a greeting from Babylon—a metaphorical reference to the capital city of the Roman Empire (see Rev 17:5, 9). If Peter was the author, the letter must have been written sometime before the mid-60s ad. According to tradition, Peter was martyred in Rome around that time, during the persecution of Christians under the emperor Nero.
Structure

Like other ancient letters, 1 Peter includes a formal greeting (1 Pet 1:1–2) and closing (5:12–14) that frame the main message. Immediately after the greeting, Peter thanks God for the salvation and hope that He has provided (1:3–12). Peter then urges readers to be holy in everything they do (1:13–2:10).

The next section gives practical advice about living as Christians, particularly when it comes to navigating authority (2:11–3:12). Peter also addresses the hardships of his readers, saying that they are to follow Christ’s example in endurance of suffering (3:13–4:19). The main part of the letter concludes by encouraging believers’ conduct to model humble obedience to Christ (5:1–11). This is followed by some closing remarks.

Outline
• Salutation and thanksgiving (1:1–12)
• Exhortation to holiness (1:13–2:10)
• Living as Christians in the world (2:11–3:12)
• Living with persecution (3:13–4:19)
• Appeal to elders and final greetings (5:1–14)

John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016).

So I can't "apply" what Peter wrote-Perfect Tense-is that what you are saying?

 

[MatthewG]

If it read

"To you who are in America", or "To you who live in South Africa", it would be a different story, @Johann. I dont need all the extra stuff.

Yes it is helpful letter.

Have I said otherwise?

You must disagree though and that is fine, but do you see my point or no, cause it seems you missed it and I wanna make sure you are understanding or if your not understanding.

Thank you.

 

[Cassandra]

I must be missing a bunch here.

As of doing things through the strength of Christ--yes. It is Christ in us both to will and to do His good pleasure. Once you begin to walk with Jesus , He changes you. There are some things you cant do on your own--then Christ helps you.
Or some sins you cant overcome of yourself (for example, for me it was smoking--I did everything, kept failing. God and I worked out a plan -I've been smoke free for years.This does not mean that if any of you guys smoke, I think you are sinning. I do not. Smoking was a sin for me. If the Spirit starts bothering you about something , then you can take it to the Lord.)

These actions are not "suggestions" but commands to make each attitude/action our habitual practice.

Remember that whatever God commands of us, He always provides the grace and empowerment in Christ Jesus and His Spirit so that we might be enabled to carry out the command.

Yes!! this! Our Christian walk does not stop with justification. There should be a change. And the Holy Spirit convicts us of sin. The Bible brings us closer to the Lord. Through it and the promptings of the Spirit, we continue to change.

And as for such and such letter written by such and such apostle to such and such a group, does that mean it doesn't apply to you?
Remember, the Jews had to learn too. They are being taught, just as you should be taught. Continue to study the Word, and God will tell you what you need to work on. The Gospel is very simple. Jesus Christ's righteousness covers us, and the Holy Spirit is given so we can grow. If we are faithful in what He has shown us, and continue the walk with Him, and read His word, we will be fine. He is not beating us over the head--He is teaching us.

 

[MatthewG]

And as for such and such letter written by such and such apostle to such and such a group, does that mean it doesn't apply to you?

In certain aspects no.

There are examples to the notion but I digress and agree with most of your sentiments.

I find the bible is a great gift, but sometimes people can make demands on other people in what they should do - not allowing the spirit to work in and through the Letters, but also there is a historical narrative too, that sometimes may not pertain to us specifically in my opinion from what I have learned over the course of a few years in studying of the Apostolic record.

Cause most certainly it is the washing of the word - or reading and renewing of the mind that helps as well as the spirit of Christ with-in us.

I agree with @Johann to on the notions but he may think i am fighting against him which I am not really. Just making a point that not everything may pertain to us specifically, considering -> the audience.

 

[Johann]

If it read

"To you who are in America", or "To you who live in South Africa", it would be a different story, @Johann. I dont need all the extra stuff.

Yes it is helpful letter.

Have I said otherwise?

You must disagree though and that is fine, but do you see my point or no, cause it seems you missed it and I wanna make sure you are understanding or if your not understanding.

Thank you.

Daily I am exited coming to the Forum-hoping to learn and be corrected, and hopefully sharing things that would be spiritually beneficial for others.
You have a blessed day @MatthewG
Johann.

 

[ChristisGod]

They’re not Commandments for us to obey, for they were never written to us. However, they can be incorporated by the spirit of Course.

Because I don’t believe we can do it better by our own on strength it’s always the strength of christ.

Commands of Jesus and the Apostles are to obey. Those who do not God will disciple. See Hebrews 12.

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, 2 fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 Consider him who endured such opposition from sinners, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

God Disciplines His Children​

4 In your struggle against sin, you have not yet resisted to the point of shedding your blood. 5 And have you completely forgotten this word of encouragement that addresses you as a father addresses his son? It says,

“My son, do not make light of the Lord’s discipline,
and do not lose heart when he rebukes you,
6 because the Lord disciplines the one he loves,
and he chastens everyone he accepts as his son.”

7 Endure hardship as discipline; God is treating you as his children. For what children are not disciplined by their father? 8 If you are not disciplined—and everyone undergoes discipline—then you are not legitimate, not true sons and daughters at all. 9 Moreover, we have all had human fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live! 10 They disciplined us for a little while as they thought best; but God disciplines us for our good, in order that we may share in his holiness. 11 No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

12 Therefore, strengthen your feeble arms and weak knees. 13 “Make level paths for your feet,”[b] so that the lame may not be disabled, but rather healed.

Warning and Encouragement​

14 Make every effort to live in peace with everyone and to be holy; without holiness no one will see the Lord. 15 See to it that no one falls short of the grace of God and that no bitter root grows up to cause trouble and defile many. 16 See that no one is sexually immoral, or is godless like Esau, who for a single meal sold his inheritance rights as the oldest son. 17 Afterward, as you know, when he wanted to inherit this blessing, he was rejected. Even though he sought the blessing with tears, he could not change what he had done.

The Mountain of Fear and the Mountain of Joy​

18 You have not come to a mountain that can be touched and that is burning with fire; to darkness, gloom and storm; 19 to a trumpet blast or to such a voice speaking words that those who heard it begged that no further word be spoken to them, 20 because they could not bear what was commanded: “If even an animal touches the mountain, it must be stoned to death.”[c] 21 The sight was so terrifying that Moses said, “I am trembling with fear.”[d]

22 But you have come to Mount Zion, to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem. You have come to thousands upon thousands of angels in joyful assembly, 23 to the church of the firstborn, whose names are written in heaven. You have come to God, the Judge of all, to the spirits of the righteous made perfect, 24 to Jesus the mediator of a new covenant, and to the sprinkled blood that speaks a better word than the blood of Abel.

25 See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks. If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven? 26 At that time his voice shook the earth, but now he has promised, “Once more I will shake not only the earth but also the heavens.”[e] 27 The words “once more” indicate the removing of what can be shaken—that is, created things—so that what cannot be shaken may remain.

28 Therefore, since we are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, let us be thankful, and so worship God acceptably with reverence and awe, 29 for our “God is a consuming fire.”[f]

 

[Cassandra]

A historical narrative is good, because it gives an actual background and shows that this stuff wasn't grabbed out of the air by someone.

As long as you are studying the word, and applying what the Spirit is pressing on you, you should be fine. But it is imperative that we study.

"Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life and they are they which testify of Me" John 5:39

 

[MatthewG]

A historical narrative is good, because it gives an actual background and shows that this stuff wasn't grabbed out of the air by someone.

As long as you are studying the word, and applying what the Spirit is pressing on you, you should be fine. But it is imperative that we study.

"Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life and they are they which testify of Me" John 5:39

That is right Cassandra.


God bless you @Christophany always good see you alive and breathing!

 

[Johann]

A historical narrative is good, because it gives an actual background and shows that this stuff wasn't grabbed out of the air by someone.

As long as you are studying the word, and applying what the Spirit is pressing on you, you should be fine. But it is imperative that we study.

"Search the Scriptures, for in them ye think ye have eternal life and they are they which testify of Me" John 5:39

An interesting note on this verse @Cassandra

5:39 Studying sacred texts was a central part of ancient Judaism. Jewish scribes meticulously copied the biblical text and developed detailed interpretations.
The study of Scripture or Torah was the highest ideal in rabbinic Judaism.

The Mishnah records the late first century bc rabbi Shammai saying, “Make your study of Torah a fixed habit” (Mishnah, Pirqei Avot 1:15).

Also, the first century ad rabbi Yohanan ben Zakkai said, “If you have studied much Torah, don’t think too much of yourself because you were created for that purpose” (Mishnah Pirqei Avot 2:8). Jesus asserts that their extensive learning is of no value since they have misunderstood how the Scriptures testify to Him.

John D. Barry et al., Faithlife Study Bible (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2012, 2016), Jn 5:39.


And here-

39. ἐραυνᾶτε τ. γρ. It will never be settled beyond dispute whether the verb here is imperative or indicative.

As far as the Greek shews, it may be either, ‘search,’ or ‘ye search,’ and both make sense. Comp. Joh_12:19, Joh_16:31. The question is, which makes the best sense, and this the context must decide.

The context seems to be strongly in favour of the indicative, ye search the Scriptures. All the verbs on either side are in the indicative; and more especially the one with which it is so closely connected, οὐ θέλετε.

Ye search the Scriptures, and (instead of their leading you to Me) ye are not willing to come to Me. The tragic tone once more: see on Joh_1:5. The reproach lies not in their searching, but in their searching to so little purpose. Jewish study of the Scriptures was too often learned trifling and worse; obscuring the text by frivolous interpretations, ‘making it of none effect’ by unholy traditions. Ὑμιε͂ς is emphatic: because ye are the people who think.

Not that they were wrong in thinking that eternal life was contained in the Scriptures: their error was in thinking that by their dissection of them, letter by letter, they had found it. They had scrutinised with the utmost minuteness the written word (γραφαί), and missed the living word (λόγος) which spoke of the Messiah; ἐκεῖναι (Joh_1:8; Joh_1:18), precisely they, the very books ye study so diligently.

May our Lord help us to remain humble and rightly divide the Scriptures and not "miss" our Messiah.
Shalom
Johann.

 

[Johann]

Indicative and Imperative

A more valuable approach, and perhaps one that has stood the test of time, is the connection made between the “indicative and imperative” in the New Testament (with special emphasis on the letters of Paul)—referring to what texts state as “true,” and how that truth leads to action (see Bultmann, Theology of the New Testament, 1.203–10).

Whether one is referring to Christians as the light of the world in the Gospels, as the body of Christ in Paul, or as priests in 1 Peter, there appears to be a consistent movement from identity to moral orientation and trajectory.

While this perspective has much to commend it and newer approaches have built upon it, one should not presume that there is a simple formula in the New Testament where an indicative statement is made, which is then followed by an imperative.

Sometimes only one appears and the other must be inferred.

Additionally, while it was once believed that the New Testament letters focus moral imperatives only on the latter part of the text, this does not appear to be entirely accurate.

While it is true that paraenetic letter sections generally come at the close of ancient letters, moral imperatives can be found consistently throughout many of the New Testament letters.

A good example can be found in 1 Cor 5:1–8 where the identity of the Corinthians being “unleavened” has a moral bearing on their communal life.

Recent Perspectives

Dynamic Ethic of Discernment

Following the indicative-imperative model leads to the conclusion that the New Testament does not enumerate a list of ethical rules to follow per se, but proposes a set of central ideas and images that energize the behavioral dimensions of Christian obedience (see Furnish).


The focal point is an ethic of discernment, under the authority of God the Father (Col 1:10), with the freeing power and example of the Lord Jesus (Phil 2:5–11; 1 John 3:16), by the guidance of the Holy Spirit (Rom 15:16).
Such an ethic of discernment seems to be supported by the book of James where the Christian in times of adversity should seek out the wisdom of God (1:2–5).

Nijay K. Gupta, “Ethics, Christian,” ed. John D. Barry et al., The Lexham Bible Dictionary (Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press, 2016).

So there is a study on the Indicatives as well @marks and I don't fully concur with Furnish here-see red-these are not "rules" to follow but Imperatives to be obeyed, in the sphere of the Holy Spirit, being enabled by the Spirit

Please put a tight reign on me and curb my zeal and pathos, and correct errors brother.
Johann.

 

[GRACE ambassador]

As long as you are studying the word, and applying what the Spirit is pressing on you, you should be fine. But it is imperative that we study.

Kinda like this?:

"Study to shew thyself Approved Unto God, a workman that needeth not
to be ashamed, Rightly Dividing The Word Of Truth." (2 Timothy 2:15):

Bible Contrasts

 

[Johann]

Kinda like this?:

"Study to shew thyself Approved Unto God, a workman that needeth not
to be ashamed, Rightly Dividing The Word Of Truth." (2 Timothy 2:15):

Bible Contrasts

Exactly-Σπούδασον-spoudason-Aorist Imperative Active - 2nd Person Singular