Be Strong in the Lord

 And He has said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for power [dunamis – divine ability] is perfected in weakness." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me. Therefore, I am well content with weaknesses, with insults, with distresses, with persecutions, with difficulties, for Christ's sake; for when I am weak, then I am strong [able].                       2 Corinthians 12:9-10

In the previous chapter of this letter to Corinth, Paul gives an account of some of the major trials he experienced as the Apostle to the Gentiles, including imprisonments, beatings, shipwrecks, and many other dangers. He found out that God did not spare him from any suffering because of his calling, but the Lord used them to keep Paul from exalting himself. Paul discovered through many challenges that God’s strength and power were available to him when he acknowledged that his natural strength and ability were actually weaknesses. Paul found contentment when he placed his confidence in God’s ability alone.

Spiritual Power

Finally, be strong [present active imperative of [dunamis – divine ability] in the Lord and in the strength [kratos – strength that overcomes resistance] of His might [ischus – inherent strength].  Ephesians 6:10

that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith.   Ephesians 3:16-17

Paul explains in the above verses that the believer’s strength (power) is actually God’s ability and has nothing to do with man’s ability. It is God’s strength manifested by the Holy Spirit through the human spirit, the inner man. The believer’s strength depends entirely on his faith in God's power, strength, and ability. According to Ephesians 2:6, it happens when the believer recognizes and places his confidence in his position in Christ: and [The Father] raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus. Believers are positioned spiritually in heaven, where Christ is. They are no longer mere earthlings, but now citizens of heaven. Jesus is the exalted Son of God, and believers are exalted sons and daughters of God. As the believer accepts this perfect position as his own, his new position is where the new strength and power lies. His physical life has no spiritual ability.

No Provision for the Flesh

But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh [sarx – that which is not spiritual] in regard to its lusts [epithumia – strong desires].                      Romans 13:14

For we are the true circumcision, who worship in the Spirit of God and glory in Christ Jesus and put no confidence in the flesh [sarx].                           Philippians 3:3

Identify yourself with the Spirit of Christ and invest time in Him to reproduce His life in your outward walk and conduct. This is only possible after total surrender to the leading of the Holy Spirit (Galatians 5:18). Take no thought for the flesh, to supply a stimulus to its natural desires. The flesh still wishes to maintain its authority and will try to diminish the Spirit’s directions, so it must be disengaged. Paul recognized the true circumcision, the real believer versus the false one, as those who worship God as led by the Holy Spirit, give Christ Jesus all the glory for their perfect position, and do not depend on the abilities of man apart from God. Jesus told the Samaritan woman at the well, “God is spirit, and those who worship Him must worship in spirit and truth" (John 4:24). The believer’s relationship with God is reflected in his worship of God in the Spirit of God and according to the truth of God, His Word.

Too many Christians listen to and study the Word of God in the hope of finding an answer to their situation that does not require them to be fully committed to following Jesus. They are looking for an anecdote or shortcut or some other solution that allows them to preserve a portion of their own independence. But, as Jesus told His disciples in Luke 9:23, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross daily and follow Me.” To receive the full strength and ability of God, the believer must be willing to deny himself (don’t do what he wants to do) and take up his cross daily (do what he doesn’t want to do). Paul addressed these matters in his own relationship with God in Romans 7:14-17. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24).

Epignosis 

For this reason I too, having heard of the faith in the Lord Jesus which exists among you and your love for all the saints, do not cease giving thanks for you, while making mention of you in my prayers; that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give to you a spirit of wisdom [sophia – skill, expertise, wisdom] and of revelation [apokalupsis – unveiling, disclosure] in the knowledge [epignosis - expresses a more thorough participation in the acquiring of knowledge on the part of the learner than gnosis] of Him. I pray that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened, so that you will know [eido - man's knowledge as a result of and only in view of his relationship with God the Father through Jesus Christ]  what is the hope of His calling, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in the saints, and what is the surpassing [huperballo – exceeding] greatness of His power [ischus – inherent strength] toward us who believe.                            Ephesians 1:15-19

The Apostle Paul wrote his letters to the churches at Ephesus, Colossae, and Philippi from a Roman prison near the end of his life, to commend and encourage those churches he had planted, either directly or indirectly. In each letter, he addresses the subject of epignosis, experiential knowledge that expresses a more thorough participation by the learner in acquiring that knowledge. According to Kittels, it “denotes in ordinary Greek the intelligent comprehension of an object or matter, whether this comes for the first time, or comes afresh, into the consideration of the one who grasps it or whether it is already present.” “It takes place in man’s dealings with his world, in experience. It denotes close acquaintance with something.”

Paul begins his letter (verses 3-14) to the Ephesians with a list of realities associated with the believer’s perfect position “in Christ” or “in Him” which is Paul’s terminology for the new covenant. These include having been chosen, accepted, redeemed, forgiven, etc. He then explains the process of living in the realities of “in Christ.” The emphasis is in what the Father gives to the believer: a spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge [epignosis] of Him. When the believer is fully engaged in the process, his eyes will be enlightened in his relationship with the Father through the Son. He will also come to know the hope of His calling, the riches of his inheritance, and the surpassing greatness of God’s power and strength toward each believer.

Strengthened with all Power

And he also informed us of your love [agape] in the Spirit. For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge [epignosis] of His will in all spiritual wisdom [sophia] and understanding [sunesis – comprehend concepts and understand relationships], so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him in all respects, bearing fruit in every good work and increasing in the knowledge [epignosis] of God; strengthened [dunamis] with all power [dunamis – divine ability], according to His glorious might [kratos – inherent strength], for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light.        Colossians 1:8-12

In addressing the Colossians, Paul recognizes their expression of agape love from the Holy Spirit. He writes: for this reason, to encourage them in that love for all the saints. With that foundation, Paul is praying for their filling with the epignosis of the will of God, which occurs in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, so that each will have a walk that is pleasing to the Lord, fruitful in every good work, and increasing in the epignosis of God. Paul again emphasizes that this ability does not originate with any believer but is the divine ability, according to His glorious might. This type of knowledge, experiential and full, brings the believer into real joy, thanking the Father for the inheritance promised to all saints.

Abounding Love

For I am confident of this very thing, that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus. For it is only right for me to feel this way about you all, because I have you in my heart, since both in my imprisonment and in the defense and confirmation of the gospel, you all are partakers of grace with me. For God is my witness, how I long for you all with the affection of Christ Jesus. And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in real knowledge [epignosis] and all discernment [aesthesis – perceive with senses], so that you may approve [dokimazo – tested to distinguish] the things that are excellent, in order to be sincere [eilikrines – pure, unsullied] and blameless until the day of Christ; having been filled with the fruit of righteousness which comes through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.                      Philippians 1:6-11

It was Paul's prayer that the Philippians’ love for other believers would abound, not sentimental love, but an experiential knowledge and discernment. Having genuine spiritual knowledge of God, supported by the senses and a depth of insight into His ways, enables Christians to love God and others with God’s love. Paul then concludes that they may distinguish excellent things and be pure and blameless until the day of Christ. The idea of testing is clearly in view of approval. The word was used in testing metals and coins to determine whether they met the specified standards.

Epignosis refers to the act of knowing rather than to knowledge as such. This act embraces every organ and mode of knowledge: seeing, hearing, investigation, or experience. This type of knowledge implies verification by the eye; hence, the dominant concept is that of knowledge by objective observation. It relates to the Hellenistic view of reality. Paul saw it as the doorway to the fullness of God and the righteousness found in Christ, for the glory of God.

Partakers of the Divine Nature

Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power [dunamis] has granted to us everything pertaining to life [zoe – life of God] and godliness [eusebeia – devotion], through the true knowledge [epignosis] of Him who called us by His own glory [doxa – divine perfection] and excellence [arete – superiority]. For by these [His divine perfection and excellence], He has granted to us His precious [timios – prized] and magnificent [megistos – preeminent] promises, so that by them [His prized and magnificent promises] you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust.                    2 Peter 1:2-4

As Peter states in verse 14, his second letter was written with an anticipation of his death: knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has made clear to me. Peter recognizes the significant role that epignosis plays in introducing a partnership with the divine nature. The Father’s divine ability has provided everything believers need for spiritual vitality (life) and godly living manifested by devotion. This life is attainable through a personal, experiential knowledge of Christ. That full knowledge is the source of spiritual power and growth. Christ called us to this life of godliness by His own divine perfection and preeminent promises. Christ attracts people who are enslaved in sin by His own perfection and the total impact of His glorious Person.

Sabbath Rest

So there remains a Sabbath rest [sabbatismos – eternal rest] for the people of God. For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His.         Hebrews 4:9-10

The one who has become strong in the Lord has learned how to rest. Of the Ten Commandments, Jesus acknowledged nine of them as still an important part of God’s plan for His church. In Matthew 12:1-8, Jesus directly challenged the Pharisees and their man-made laws concerning the Sabbath and their definition of "work." He culminates this conversation by stating, "For the Son of Man is Lord of the Sabbath." In Christ, each believer has found his rest when he stops working to earn anything spiritual from God. “Cease striving [rapah – desist, leave alone] and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10). Adam was created on the sixth day, so his first full day of existence was the Sabbath. Before Adam could work, he needed to rest.

Shmita

The Lord then spoke to Moses at Mount Sinai, saying, “Speak to the sons of Israel and say to them, ‘When you come into the land which I shall give you, then the land shall have a sabbath to the Lord. ‘Six years you shall sow your field, and six years you shall prune your vineyard and gather in its crop, but during the seventh year the land shall have a sabbath rest, a sabbath to the Lord; you shall not sow your field nor prune your vineyard. ‘Your harvest’s aftergrowth you shall not reap, and your grapes of untrimmed vines you shall not gather; the land shall have a sabbatical year.                 Leviticus 25:1-5

Not only did the Torah introduce the Sabbath as a day of rest, but it also commanded the Hebrew people to observe Shmita, a year of rest for the land, when they entered their promised land. God enforced this law upon the Jewish nation after the Jews went 490 years without honoring the Shmita. In 2 Chronicles 36:20-21, Those who had escaped from the sword he carried away to Babylon; and they were servants to him and to his sons until the rule of the kingdom of Persia, to fulfill the word of the Lord by the mouth of Jeremiah, until the land had enjoyed its sabbaths. All the days of its desolation it kept sabbath until seventy years were complete. The Lord wants each believer to learn how to rest from his works.

The Epistle of Barnabas

The Epistle of Barnabas is an early Christian Greek epistle written between 70 and 135 AD. The complete text is preserved in the 4th-century Codex Sinaiticus, where it is positioned at the end of the New Testament, following the Book of Revelation and preceding the Shepherd of Hermas. For several centuries, the epistle was categorized among the disputed writings. While some early Christians regarded it as sacred Scripture, others excluded it. The great church historian Eusebius of Caesarea classified it with excluded texts. Although we do not accept it with the canon of Scripture, it was recognized by early church fathers as an important reference with many valuable insights. Chapter 15 provides insights into the meaning of the Sabbath that are beneficial to every believer:

1. Moreover concerning the Sabbath likewise it is written in the Ten Words, in which He spake to Moses face to face on Mount Sinai; And ye shall hallow the Sabbath of the Lord with pure hands and with a pure heart. 2. And in another place He saith; If my sons observe the Sabbath then I will bestow My mercy upon them. 3. Of the Sabbath He speaketh in the beginning of the creation; And God made the works of His hands in six days, and He ended on the seventh day, and rested on it, and He hallowed it. 4. Give heed, children, what this meaneth; He ended in six days. He meaneth this, that in six thousand years the Lord shall bring all things to an end; for the day with Him signifyeth a thousand years; and this He himself beareth me witness, saying, Behold, the day of the Lord shall be as a thousand years. Therefore, children, in six days, that is, in six thousand years, everything shall come to an end. 5. And He rested on the seventh day. This He meaneth; when His Son shall come, and shall abolish the time of the Lawless One, and shall judge the ungodly, and shall change the sun and the moon and the stars, then shall he truly rest on the seventh day. 6. Yea, and furthermore He saith; Thou shalt hallow it with pure hands and with a pure heart. If, therefore, a man is able now to hallow the day which God hallowed, though he be pure in heart, we have gone utterly astray. 7. But if after all, then and not till then shall we truly rest and hallow it, when we shall ourselves be able to do so after being justified and receiving the promise, when iniquity is no more and all things have been made new by the Lord, we shall be able to hallow it then, because we ourselves shall have been hallowed first. 8. Finally, He saith to them; Your new moons and your Sabbaths I cannot away with. Ye see what is His meaning; it is not your present Sabbaths that are acceptable [unto Me], but the Sabbath which I have made, in the which, when I have set all things at rest, I will make the beginning of the eighth day which is the beginning of another world. 9. Wherefore also we keep the eighth day for rejoicing, in the which also Jesus rose from the dead, and having been manifested ascended into the heavens. 

                                      The Epistle of Barnabas, Chapter 15

“If because of the sabbath, you turn your foot from doing your own pleasure on My holy day, and call the sabbath a delight, the holy day of the Lord honorable, and honor it, desisting from your own ways, from seeking your own pleasure and speaking your own word, Then you will take delight in the Lord, and I will make you ride on the heights of the earth; and I will feed you with the heritage of Jacob your father, for the mouth of the Lord has spoken.”                            Isaiah 58:13-14