The Power and Benefits of Thanksgiving 

By Luann Doman

“It is good to give thanks to the Lord, and to sing praises to Your name, O Most High.” Psalm 92:1 (NKJV)

Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. If you participate in social media, you’ve probably noticed that it’s become popular for many—including myself—to launch the season with a post-per-day of something we’re thankful for.

I’m not sure when or why I started doing this, but it’s become somewhat of a tradition. I enjoy thinking of and sharing fun or funny things to be thankful for. My hope is that it spreads a positive vibe to my friends and family, challenging them to be grateful as well.

And according to Dr. P. Doraiswamy, head of biologic psychology at Duke University Medical Center, giving thanks is also good for my health. “If [thankfulness] were a drug, it would be the world’s best-selling product with a health maintenance indication for every major organ system,” Dr. Doraiswamy says.

Studies on gratitude have shown measurable effects on everything from neurotransmitters (serotonin, norepinephrine), social bonding hormones (oxytocin), cognitive and pleasure related neurotransmitters (dopamine), to inflammatory and immune systems stress hormones (cortisol), cardiac and EEG rhythms, blood pressure, and blood sugar, according to Doraiswamy. Other medical studies have indicated a thankful attitude reduces stress and boosts immunity. 

When the Psalmist wrote Psalm 92, I’m not sure if he was aware of the specific health benefits that thankfulness produces. However, he surely knew it is good, right, and appropriate to give thanks to the Lord. 

Whatever situation you are in right now, whether it is good or challenging, are you able to give thanks? Can you join the Psalmist in praising the Lord for His lovingkindness in the morning and for His faithfulness in the evening? Can you recount the work God has done in your life? Are you amazed by the depth of the Lord’s thoughts (Psalm 92:2–5)? 

I hope you’ll join me this year in counting blessings, in looking on at all God has done, is doing, and will continue to do in, through, and around you . . . in reflecting and praising Him simply for who He is, for His character, for His nature, for His goodness, and His loving kindness. He is worthy. He is worthy of all our thanks and praise!

“It is a good thing to give thanks unto the LORD, And to sing praises unto thy name, O most High:”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭92‬:‭1‬ ‭KJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.92.1.KJV

The Power of Your Attitude in Thanksgiving: Day Two

By Pastor Jeff Seward

“Oh, give thanks to the Lord, for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.” Psalm 107:1 (NKJV)

Are you a thankful person? 

Often when my car is stopped at a red light, I notice other drivers who want to merge onto the street from a parking lot. I often wave the driver into my lane ahead of me because I am personally grateful when other drivers show me similar kindness. 

Sadly, when people are treated with courtesy, sometimes there is no acknowledgement or appreciation. When Paul wrote his second letter to Timothy, he said one of the characteristics of the last days is that people will be unthankful. How very common that is in our present world!

In Luke 17:11-19, we read how Jesus healed ten lepers. However, only one of the nine returned to show appreciation for His miraculous healing. The miracle revealed the attitude of the thankful leper’s heart, as well as the attitudes of those who didn’t express thanks. When Jesus told the thankful man that he was healed, Jesus may have meant a deeper work in this man’s heart. The other lepers had whole bodies but sick hearts.

The late Matthew Henry, a well-known Bible commentator and minister, was once robbed of his wallet. That night he wrote in his diary that he was thankful he’d never been robbed before this incident. Second, he gave thanks that the robbers had not taken his life. Third, Henry noted that although the robbers took all the money in his wallet, it really wasn’t very much. And finally, the minister wisely recognized that he was thankful to be the one being robbed . . . and not the robber.

As God’s people, we have everything with which to be thankful. It is good to reflect on what you have. Every good gift is from God. God has blessed you with life, access to a personal relationship with Him, daily provision, gifts and talents, work, family, friends, the family of God, and a hope of Heaven with Him for eternity. 

The more we learn about God, the more we should praise and glorify Him. Our gratitude to Him for all of His goodness is one of the most beautiful ways to offer praise and thanksgiving to Him.

So, to ask the question again, are you a thankful person?

“O give thanks unto the LORD, for he is good: For his mercy endureth for ever.”
‭‭Psalm‬ ‭107‬:‭1‬ ‭KJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1/psa.107.1.KJV

The Power of Friendship in Thanksgiving: Day Three

By Danny Saavedra

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy.” Philippians 1 :3-4 (NKJV)

Have you ever written a thank-you note to someone? If you’re married, you likely wrote thank-you cards to your wedding guests for the gift they gave you and your spouse. Maybe you’re the kind of person who sends hand written thank-you notes to people for birthday gifts, or maybe someone did something really thoughtful for you out of the blue and you just had to write out a heartfelt letter expressing your gratitude. Whatever the case may be, it’s always a beautiful thing to do for someone to express thanksgiving for something they did for you, for their friendship and love, and simply for who they are as a person.

Did you know that the New Testament Book of Philippians is, more than anything else, a thank-you note? It wasn’t primarily written to a church that needed correction or instruction, as most of Paul’s other letters were. This was a letter between friends, a note of gratitude from a proud spiritual papa, and you can really sense that in Paul’s introduction. 

Now, here’s an interesting fact: Paul wrote this letter while under house arrest. He was essentially in a dungeon, chained to a guard at all times; his body was torn up and his back was covered in scars. He could have been miserable. But instead of focusing on his chains and allowing his present situation to control his every thought, he gave us an amazing example of what to do in hard seasons. What was that example? Well, instead of turning inward and stewing in self-pity, he turned outward! He put his thoughts not on himself, but on God and others, and was able to recognize God’s love, grace, and mercy at work through the Philippians. 

Sometimes, when something bad happens to us, our lives can become consumed by it. Now, I’m not trying to bash anyone for this. We’ve all done it; in many ways, it seems we can’t help it. It’s our human nature. But Paul shows us a different nature, a new nature that all followers of Jesus have access through the Spirit of God in us. 

Instead of focusing on the negative, Paul went out of his way to thank the Philippians. And even more astonishing, he told them he constantly prayed for them. So, in the middle of a terrible time, Paul prayed and thanked the Lord for their love and faithfulness, for their generosity, for sharing in the gospel with him! He didn’t just sit there and pray for God to help him or take him out of prison, or ask God why He allowed this to happen—both of which are valid prayers. Instead, Paul prayed and thanked God “upon every remembrance” of his friends and fellow brothers and sisters in the faith. In the midst of intense hardship, Paul remembered what was truly important in this world . . . the people God has placed in our lives.  

There’s a great lesson here for us. Paul made it a point to show gratitude for his friends. As we walk through trials, let us not forget those who walk with us. Let us show them appreciation and remember to lift them up in prayer to the Lord. And here’s the best part about this practice: As we focus on thankfulness and the blessings God has placed in our lives, even during hard times, our attitude will change! Our focus will shift from the hardness of our circumstances to the blessings of our brethren and the goodness of our God!

“I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭KJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1/php.1.3-4.KJV

The Power of Perspective in Thanksgiving: Day Four

“But I want you to know, brethren, that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” Philippians 1: 12–14 (NKJV)

As we noted yesterday, it’s entirely natural for us as humans to lose ourselves in difficulty. We tend to lose our joy, our perspective, and even see our faith shaken. We generally become very self-focused and usually develop extreme tunnel vision, unable to see beyond that which is invading and eroding our joy. But friends, I want to exhort you today with this simple truth: It doesn’t have to be this way.

You see, I believe that with spiritual maturity, as we grow more and more in our relationship with Jesus, as we abide deeper and deeper each day in Him and are changed from the inside out. As the Holy Spirit in us conforms us more closely each day into the image of Christ, our perspective on difficult circumstances and trials begins to shift. As one pastoral commentary on Philippians 1 noted, “One of the surest measures of our spiritual maturity is what it takes to rob us of our Spirit-bestowed joy. Paul’s maturity is evident as he makes it clear that difficult, painful, even life-threatening circumstances did not rob him of joy but rather caused it to increase.” 

As we saw yesterday, Paul wasn’t focused on his chains but on his blessings. And what blessings were those? Well, the first is God! And listen . . . the blessing of personally knowing the Father, Son, and Spirit is more than enough to produce joy, satisfaction, and fulfillment. But he doesn’t stop there, because he is also full of thanksgiving for the grace and peace afforded to him through knowing God. And he’s also full of joy and gratitude for the people in his life—in this case the Philippians. And in today’s verse, you actually see Paul, the guy in prison for his faith, reassuring and comforting his friends about his circumstances. Why? Because he understood that all that matters is the gospel. 

Paul knew it was an honor and a blessing to be used by God to point others to Jesus, to be used to bring people to salvation; whether on the mountaintop or in the valley, whether in a palace or a prison cell. Similar to Joseph, who was able to say to his brothers in Genesis 50:20 (NKJV), “But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive,” Paul was able to see his situation for what it was . . . beautiful ministry in the hands of God. 

Like Paul, you and I are also called to be ministers wherever God places us. We are gospel-bearers and gospel-planters. If we can understand this, we can begin to see that God wants to use us, even in the midst of tough situations, to give us the platform to reach the lost. When we begin to recognize that God is always at work and that His plan is always for the good of those who love Him, then our trials are put into perspective and makes it possible for us to walk in thanksgiving, even in the hardest of seasons. This doesn’t mean it won’t still hurt. I had a friend once tell me while his two-year-old daughter was walking through cancer, “You don’t have to be happy to hope; you can be thankful to God, know you are blessed, walk in gratitude, and still hurt.” And maybe, just maybe, as you walk with this perspective, the way you experience your trials can impact the lives of the people around you. Consider that the manner in which Paul endured his chains allowed those around him to see God. Paul’s testimony, the way he lived and treated others, positively impacted the lives of those around him. 

Not only that, but his chains also impacted other believers. Essentially, the way Paul lived and honored God, even in prison, inspired other believers to do the same! His influence on “the brethren” caused them to become bolder in sharing their faith. This was another effect of the way Paul lived. It was also more evidence of God’s purposes for Paul’s suffering!

“But I would ye should understand, brethren, that the things which happened unto me have fallen out rather unto the furtherance of the gospel; so that my bonds in Christ are manifest in all the palace, and in all other places; and many of the brethren in the Lord, waxing confident by my bonds, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭1‬:‭12‬-‭14‬ ‭KJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1/php.1.12-14.KJV

The Power of Joy in Thanksgiving: Day Five

By Danny Saavedra

“Rejoice in the Lord always. Again I will say, rejoice!” Philippians 4:4 (NKJV) 

If you remember, in Philippians 3: I, the apostle Paul said, “Finally, my brethren, rejoice in the Lord. For me to write the same things to you is not tedious, but for you it is safe:’ It’s interesting that one chapter later, he reminds them again-actually twice in this verse-to rejoice. 

The Greek word used here for rejoice is chairete. This word occurs 11 times in the New Testament and six of those instances were from the apostle Paul to three different churches—Thessalonica, Corinth, Philippi. Seven times, suffering surrounded the context of rejoicing. The word is defined as being glad for grace; to experience God’s grace and favor, to be conscious (glad) for His grace. It’s where we get our word for charity. 

Interestingly, chairete was always used in classical Greek greetings and farewells (“Joy be with you!”), much like the Jewish people use “Shalom.” And here, the apostle used this word over and over again, four times in a very brief letter by Paul’s standards—to call attention to its meaning. He wanted the Philippians to immerse themselves in the gladness and gratitude that comes from recognizing the immensity and indescribable nature of God’s grace. He wanted them to be aware of this grace at all times. 

You see, the apostle Paul believed with all his heart that joy was a requirement for the believer. Why? Because once you recognize what God’s grace means for your life and destiny, how could you not rejoice and give thanks in everything? How could you not live with a permanent attitude of gratitude? This, of course, does not mean being happy about every circumstance, nor does it mean that you can’t experience grief, pain, or sorrow (see Philippians 2:27). As I’m sure you already know, happiness is circumstantial, whereas joy is a lifestyle . . . it’s an attitude, a way of approaching the world based on the understanding of who Christ is and who you are in Christ. 

So, Christ-follower, today, tomorrow, and every day until God calls you home or the Lord Jesus returns, rejoice and be glad! For the big and the little things, for the mundane and the monumental, for the challenging and the rewarding, thank the Lord for His unending and unfailing grace. Remember today and forever, you are a child of God, His heir, a coheir with Christ. You have a rich heavenly inheritance, and even on your worst day, when you’ve lost everything, you are still rich and full because He will never leave you or forsake you! How can we not be filled with joy and gratitude if we live with the gospel of God’s grace through Jesus at the forefront of our minds and hearts?

“Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭4‬ ‭KJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1/php.4.4.KJV

The Power of Prayer in Thanksgiving

By Danny Saavedra

“Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 (NKJV) 

In life, there will always be things to worry about, things that cause anxiety. There is no shortage of troubles in this world. And despite the English translation of this verse, Paul did not tell the Philippians that they were prohibited to care about worldly matters, that they couldn’t be concerned with things like providing for their families, preserving their property, or any trial they may be experiencing. Instead, what the Greek word (merimnate) expresses is that we should not be so overly anxious that we fall apart, become utterly consumed by our cares to the point where it becomes sinful. 

How does it become sinful? Because this level of anxiety implies a lack of faith and confidence in the Lord and demonstrates a high degree of self-centeredness and self-absorption. Here, Paul is saying that we can be free from the unbelievably heavy burden of worry and anxiety, that we can experience the kind of confidence in God that frees our minds from the clutches of anxiety and develops in us such a level of dependence on Christ that His peace sweeps over us. The key to experiencing this peace and confidence is prayer and thanksgiving! It’s praying with passion and sincerity and then walking in gratitude and faith that God will provide, instruct, care for, and comfort us.

When we immerse ourselves in prayer instead of our cares, when we genuinely pray for God’s sovereign will instead of ours and have a sincere, thankful heart, then His Spirit can work in us to free us from worry. And as we do this, as we pray “in everything.” He will give us a peace that goes beyond comprehension, a peace we cannot find anywhere else, a peace that allows us to have the perspective we talked about a few days ago, a peace that fills us with joy and gratitude. And that peace will sweep over us, it will comfort our hearts and give us a supernatural confidence and steadiness we never thought possible, because it comes through the Spirit of the One who raised Christ from the dead. 

As a man who had experienced more troubles than most people can ever fathom, Paul’s words carried serious weight and credibility. There’s no doubt he spoke from experience. And yet, despite everything, the apostle was completely at peace. And it’s a peace even he, a highly educated, logical, intelligent man who had studied the Scriptures his whole life couldn’t comprehend. His prayer life and connection to the Spirit gave him a confidence in God that transcended any and all circumstances. He knew beyond any doubt that God’s plan is perfect and good. 

The peace of God through Jesus guarded and guided Paul’s heart. He wasn’t worried because he had the peace of God, which he received through prayer, and we can have the same thing. Today, let’s thank the Lord for this gift of peace!

“Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God. And the peace of God, which passeth all understanding, shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”
‭‭Philippians‬ ‭4‬:‭6‬-‭7‬ ‭KJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1/php.4.6-7.KJV

The Power of Peace in Thanksgiving

By Samantha Rodriguez

“Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful. Let the message of Christ dwell among you richly as you teach and admonish one another with all wisdom through psalms, hymns, and songs from the Spirit, singing to God with gratitude in your hearts. And whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him.” Colossians 3:15-17 (NIV)

Yesterday, we discussed the power of prayer as it pertains to peace! Today’s Scripture also talks about the peace of Christ in our hearts. As I read these three verses over again, though, the Spirit opened my eyes to see a common thread regarding our peace in Christ: gratitude! It’s the love of God which unifies and transforms us to live a lifestyle of holiness in Christ Jesus, yet it’s our continual praise and thanksgiving that will keep our hearts humble and abiding in His love! Let’s take a closer look!

● Colossians 3:15: “And be thankful.” 
In verse 15, Paul writes about the peace of Christ ruling our hearts, since we’ve been called to peace through salvation in Christ (Romans 5:1). As he talks about that peace, though, he directly calls his audience to be thankful! Why? Because he knows that thanksgiving is both a natural result of us experiencing God’s love and a clear command to those of us who have submitted to that love.

● Colossians 3:16: “with gratitude in your hearts.” 
In verse 16, Paul goes on to encourage the Colossian church to put the Word of God at the center of their teaching, worship, and fellowship. Yet again, he doesn’t fail to leave out that their acts of faith must be accompanied by a heart of gratitude for God’s unconditional and undeserved love!

● Colossians 3:17: “giving thanks to God the Father through him.” 
In today’s final verse, Paul closes this section of his letter in a clean summary saying that in all we say and do, we should strive to do so in the name of Jesus and for the glory of God. And once again, Paul purposefully finishes his statement with a command to give thanks to God!

Why is it so important to recognize this theme? Because of what Paul writes in Romans 1:21 (NIV), “For although they knew God, they neither glorified him as God nor gave thanks to him, but their thinking became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened.”

This verse exposes how our evil human nature can turn us away from God—through rejecting His glory and not giving thanks!

However, the gracious love of God made a way for us to not only be reconciled but also transformed from the inside out by His Holy Spirit! In view of this, there’s not a shadow of a doubt that gratitude must fill our hearts and guide our steps alongside the love of Christ because the two inevitably go hand in hand! 

Thank You, Jesus!

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭KJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1/col.3.15-17.KJV

“And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom; teaching and admonishing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord. And whatsoever ye do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God and the Father by him.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3‬:‭15‬-‭17‬ ‭KJV‬‬
https://bible.com/bible/1/col.3.15-17.KJV

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Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.

The Psalmist is asking God to hear his cry. He is crying out to God in his distress because something has happened that has overwhelmed him. He is asking God to lead him to Himself which is the Rock that is higher than himself. He is seeking the refuge of God because he knows that God is his shelter.

Just as the Psalmist knows that God is his shelter, we too can know that God is our shelter in any given situation that we are facing. We can call on Him anytime because He never slumbers nor sleeps. His eyes are always open to see us, and His ears are always open to hear us. Sometimes we forget that. When we get caught up in our problems and the things of this world, we forget about God. We forget that He is always there to protect us from our enemies.

Who else can we call on, and count on except God? Who else can we lean on except God? We often forget that He has the answers to all of our problems, and the power to heal all of our sicknesses and diseases. See, the enemy wants us to forget all about God and all of the things He does for us. He wants us to forget all of God’s promises to us so we can live in despair. But we have the Word of God to remind us of all of the promises God made to us. We have to take time out to read the Word of God. It is the only way we will know what God wants us to do for His kingdom. It is the only way we learn how to live our lives to please God. All of the instructions we need are in God’s Word.

When we get off track, we can always go to Jesus in prayer and talk to Him about everything we are going through. No matter what we face in life, we can always turn to Jesus. When we have thoughts of doubt, we know that those thoughts come from the enemy. We are to never doubt God or His Word. Even when we are going through the worst of times, we must praise the Lord. We must lift His name on high. We must sing to the Lord and give Him praise forever. He is God and God alone may His name be exalted in all of the earth. Let everything that has breath Praise the LORD!

Our circumstances are only for a season but God goes through everything with us. He feels our every pain. He knows how we feel every moment of our lives. He knows what we are going to go through before it even happens. If we want God to really hear us when we pray, we cannot have any iniquity in our hearts. God is a merciful and forgiving God. God sent His only Son into this world to die for our sins. That’s real love. That is the kind of love that never fails. That’s the kind of love that endures forever. I know that sometimes it seems like God doesn’t love us because of the terrible things we face sometimes, but that’s not the case. His love is what brings us through those terrible things that we face. It is His love that comforts us when we feel alone. It is His love that gives us hope for tomorrow.

There’s nothing that we can ever do that will stop God from loving us and helping us. He is our Father and He knows what’s best for us in every circumstance. We are small people who serve a Big God. How amazing is that? When I read the Book of Psalms, I find comfort in them because I can see that they went through some of the same things we go through right now. They had to have faith in God to make it through the things they faced just as we do. We can draw wisdom from what they went through, and how God brought them through their trials and tribulations. See, back then God spoke directly to the people from heaven, and through the angels who He sent to give messages to the people. God speaks to us through His Word, music, other Christians, and with His own voice when it is something He wants to say directly to us.

Always remember that when you feel that no one loves you, Jesus does. With that being said, I pray you are inspired by this message. May God bless you and keep you. May His face shine upon you and give you peace. Stay safe, and as always thank you for joining me on my journey with Food for the Soul.

www.olivetree.com/votd/index.php

Sometimes some practical instruction can go a long way in improving the quality of our relationships. No truer is this than in the closest relationships humans can have, the relationship of marriage. Let’s get some practical instructions from Peter’s exhortation to wives and husbands with some help from the Wiersbe Study Bible (NKJV). Here’s how Warren Wiersbe unpacks and applies Peter’s instructions in this Catalyst note in the Wiersbe Study Bible.

Peter’s Practical Marriage Manual

“Wives, likewise, be submissive to your own husbands, that even if some do not obey the word, they, without a word, may be won by the conduct of their wives, when they observe your chaste conduct accompanied by fear. Do not let your adornment be merely outward—arranging the hair, wearing gold, or putting on fine apparel—rather let it be the hidden person of the heart, with the incorruptible beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is very precious in the sight of God. For in this manner, in former times, the holy women who trusted in God also adorned themselves, being submissive to their own husbands, 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose daughters you are if you do good and are not afraid with any terror.” – 1 Peter 3:1–6

Peter devoted more words for instructing wives in marriage, but he packed a single, pointed verse to husbands with a lifetime’s worth of practical wisdom. In all, verses 1–7 provide the basic outline for a healthy marriage. We can usually trace difficulties in a relationship back to a violation of one or more of these principles by either husband or wife or both.

Peter summarized a wife’s plan of action to two practical points:

Trust God

He made the point that this is a particular challenge when the husband doesn’t seem to “obey the word.”The husband in mind here might be a non-believer or he might simply be an insensitive husband who is not treating his wife in the manner Christ would use. The wife’s key recurring question will be: “Will I decide to manage my husband, or will I decide to let God manage him?”

“De-emphasizing outward appearance does not mean that a wife should neglect herself and not try to be up-to-date in her apparel. It simply means that she should not major on being fashionable just to keep up with the crowd. Any husband is proud of a wife who is attractive, but that beauty must come from the heart and demeanor, not the store. We are not of this world, but we must not look as though we came from out of this world!

Wardrobe and makeup can simply be wisely chosen accessories for an inner beauty that flows from deep trust in God, or they can be expressions of a woman’s decision to try to manipulate and control circumstances around her by charm and physical beauty.”

Accept the authority of your husband

Since two people cannot form a democracy, someone in a marriage must have the responsibility for leadership. This is not intended to be “makes all decisions” kind of leadership but the duty to share decision-making unless a deadlock occurs, at which time God expects the husband to step up and exercise authority. A man is more likely to give his wife’s perspective serious consideration if he knows that the tough choices really are going to be left to him.

God has commanded authority in homes because, in His wisdom, He knows that this is the best arrangement for a happy, fulfilling marriage. Subjection does not mean that the wife is inferior to the husband. In fact, verse 7 clearly states that the husband and wife are “heirs together”. The man and woman are made by the same Creator out of the same basic material. God made them both in His image. God gave dominion to both Adam and Eve (Gen. 1:28), and in Jesus Christ, Christian mates are one (Gal. 3:28).

Peter reminded husbands that practical care for their wives must be practiced in four areas:

“Husbands, likewise, dwell with them with understanding, giving honor to the wife, as to the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life, that your prayers may not be hindered.” – 1 Peter 3:7

Emotional (“giving honor”)

The term means that a husband respects his wife’s feelings, thoughts, and desires. He may not agree with all her ideas, but he respects and honors her right to speak. He desires her input. And he learns that God can guide him through his wife’s sensitivity and natural cautions.

Intellectual (“with understanding”)

Despite the old saw about men not being able to understand women, a husband has the delightful challenge to learn to understand his wife. He must pay attention. A Christian husband must get to know his wife’s moods, feelings, needs, fears, and hopes. He needs to listen with his heart and seek to approach her always in an understanding way.

Physical (“dwell with them”)

This implies much more than sharing the same address. Marriage is fundamentally a physical relationship (“the two shall become one flesh” Eph. 5:31). Of course, Christian mates enjoy a deeper spiritual relationship, but the two go together (see 1 Cor. 7:1–5). A truly spiritual husband will fulfill his marital duties and love his wife.

Spiritual (“being heirs together of the grace of life”)

In the central place of life—access to God in relationship—both husband and wife have equal standing. This is why when both are growing closer to God they inevitably grow closer together. Praying together and living spiritual lives in harmony are the too-often neglected building blocks of a strong marriage.

Peter attached an important personal application by indicating that the effectiveness of a husband’s prayer life will be determined by the way he treats his wife.

“A Christian husband must minister to his wife and help to beautify her in the Lord (Eph. 5:25–30). A Christian wife must encourage her husband and help him grow strong in the Lord. Parents and children must share burdens and blessings. They must seek to maintain an atmosphere of spiritual excitement and growth in the home. If unsaved people are in the home, they will be won to Christ more by what they see in our lives and relationships than by what they hear in our witness.”

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Where are believers to find assurance of their ultimate deliverance and God’s just judgment of their enemies? Two things ultimately assure us of our deliverance and of God’s judgment of our enemies: his infallible word and examples from history. In his second letter, Peter assures his readers of their deliverance and of God’s judgment upon the false teachers. Let’s see how he does so through the infallibility of God’s word and examples from history.

We adapted these notes from the New Beacon Bible Commentary (29 Vols.). The New Beacon Bible Commentary is based on the NIV and written from a Wesleyan perspective. The commentary is an easy-to-read exegetical commentary that contains commentary behind the text, in the text, and from the text. Keep reading to learn more!

The Judgment of the Ungodly and the Deliverance of the Righteous

“For if God did not spare angels when they sinned, but sent them to hell, putting them in chains of darkness to be held for judgment; if he did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people, but protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others; if he condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes, and made them an example of what is going to happen to the ungodly; and if he rescued Lot, a righteous man, who was distressed by the depraved conduct of the lawless (for that righteous man, living among them day after day, was tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard)—

If this is so, then the Lord knows how to rescue the godly from trials and to hold the unrighteous for punishment on the day of judgment. This is especially true of those who follow the corrupt desire of the flesh and despise authority.” -2 Peter 2:4–10a

BEHIND THE TEXT – Judgment and Deliverance

Peter provides three examples of God’s judgment upon the ungodly (vv 4–6). The warning of condemnation and destruction (v 3b) segues perfectly into the three illustrations of God’s judgment (vv 4–6). Verse 3 is truly transitional: it concludes the description of the false teachers in vv 1–3 and it introduces the discussion of their fate (along with the fate of the righteous) in vv 4–10a.

We also find two examples of fallen angels and Sodom and Gomorrah (vv 4–6) are in Jude 5–7. However, Peter uses the example of the flood instead of Jude’s example of the Exodus from Egypt. Also, unlike Jude’s list, Peter places his examples in chronological order.

There are undeniable similarities in the content of 2 Pet 2:4–6 and Jude 5–7. But these similarities may indicate a shared common source rather than literary interdependence. Verses 4–10a seem to have the following organization:

IF:

• v 4: God did not spare angels (negative example)
• v. 5: God did not spare the ancient world (negative example)
• v 5: God protected Noah (positive example)
• v 6: God condemned the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (negative example)
• vv 7–8: God rescued Lot (positive example)

THEN:

• v 9a: God knows how to rescue godly men (positive conclusion)
• vv 9b–10a: God knows how to hold the unrighteous for judgment (negative conclusion)

The lengthy examples in the first part of the sentence (vv 4–8) make the certainty of judgment and deliverance in the second part of the sentence (v 9) all the more forceful and emphatic.

IN THE TEXT – Judgment and Deliverance

1. Three Examples of Judgment and Deliverance (2:4–8)

Peter bases his certainty of divine retribution and divine reward on God’s consistent action in the past. Each example reinforces Peter’s insistence in v 3b that the Judge of sin is neither idle nor asleep.

Verse 4

The first example of God’s retribution on angels when they sinned does not immediately bring to mind any OT occurrence. Most interpreters presume that Peter takes for granted the interpretation of Gen 6:1–4 prevailing in his time. He alludes to the story in which the “sons of God” (= “angels”) lusted after and married human women (Gen 6:1–4). This sin precipitated the flood.

Peter proclaims that God punished the angels and sent them to hell, putting them into gloomy dungeons to be held for judgment. Hell here is Tartarus. In classical mythology Tartarus was “the subterranean abyss in which rebellious gods and other such beings, like the Titans, were punished.” The word was appropriated by Hellenistic Judaism as a synonym for hell (see Job 40:20; 41:24; Prov 30:16).

To translate Tartarus as hell in 2 Peter is misleading. Like 1 Enoch, Peter uses Tartarus to refer to a preliminary place of punishment, where angels are held for judgment. In contrast to the typical perception of hell as a place of final and endless punishment, Peter uses Tartarus to mean a place of temporary punishment and confinement. He expected fallen angels to remain in this place of temporary punishment until their final destruction and punishment at the day of judgment.

Instead of gloomy dungeons, some versions, translating a different manuscript reading, describe God as confining the fallen angels to “chains of darkness” (KJV, NAB, NRSV). They read seirais(“chains”) instead of sirois (“caves or pits”). The parallel in Jude 6 uses “chains.”

Peter’s purpose was to remind his readers that God did not spare the angels when they sinned. If exalted angels were not spared from punishment for disobeying God, then the punishment and condemnation of rebellious humans was all the more certain and inescapable.

Verse 5

The second example is the story of the flood in Noah’s day (see also 1 Pet 3:20; 2 Pet 3:5–6). God did not spare the angels, and he also did not spare the ancient world when he brought the flood on its ungodly people. Peter does not describe their sins. But their designation as ungodly implies their rebellion and opposition to everything associated with God. In contrast to the ungodly who were not spared, God protected Noah, a preacher of righteousness, and seven others.

Noah is depicted as a preacher of righteousness. The OT never mentions Noah preaching. The idea was probably derived from Jewish tradition, which mentions Noah preaching. It could also refer to Noah’s righteous lifestyle as metaphorically condemning sin and proclaimed righteousness to his ungodly contemporaries (Gen 6:9). Calvin embraced both possibilities by explaining that Noah could be called a preacher of righteousness “because he labored to restore a degenerated world to a sound mind, and this not only by his teaching and godly exhortations, but also by his anxious toil in building the ark for the term of a hundred and twenty years”.

Righteousness is used to describe Noah’s preaching in order to heighten the contrast between Noah and the ungodly people among whom he lived. Unlike the ungodly people, who were not spared by the flood, God protected (ephylaxen: watched, guarded, protected; BDAG) Noah.

The numerical reference to Noah and seven othersprobably serves the same function as in 1 Pet 3:20. It underscores the small number of righteous individuals who were protected by God. In this second example, then, Peter alludes to Noah and the flood to reinforce the certainty of God’s judgment of those who live disobedient and ungodly lives while he rescues his righteous followers.

Verse 6

The third example is the condemnation of the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen 19). The examples move from destruction by water to destruction by fire (see 1 Pet 3:6–7; Luke 17:26–29). God condemned Sodom and Gomorrah by burning them to ashes.

Jude also refers to the destruction of Sodom and Gomorrah, but it goes on to specify the sins of the people (v 7). Peter merely notes that the citizens of these cities were ungodly. Another difference between Jude and 2 Peter is the omission in Jude of the positive example of God’s deliverance of Lot (2 Pet 2:7–8). The similarities and differences between Jude and 2 Peter point to a common literary tradition behind the two letters rather than a direct dependence of one writing upon the other.

God destroyed Sodom and Gomorrah by raining down burning sulfur on them (Gen 19:24), by burning them to ashes (tephrosas). The two accounts are not contradictory. Genesis describes the means of their destruction; Peter describes its result. Peter uses the well-known Hellenistic Jewish image of burning ashes to describe the destructive result of God’s condemnation of these two infamous cities.

God made Sodom and Gomorrah an example(hypodeigma) of what is going to happen to the ungodly. A hypodeigma is an “example, model, or even pattern”. “There is an inevitable pattern of events: sin, unconfessed and unforsaken, will lead to judgment and destruction”. What happened to Sodom and Gomorrah is sure to happen to the ungodly false teachers of his time, despite their denial and scorn of coming judgment.

Verses 7–8

Although God destroyed these two wicked cities, he rescued Lot. The verb for rescued (ryomai) originally meant to draw or to drag along the ground. Eventually, the word came to convey the idea of drawing or snatching from danger, so that it was used to mean to rescue or deliver. It was used “more with the meaning of drawing to oneself than merely rescuing from someone or something”. God drew Lot to himself and rescued him.

Lot is described three times in these verses as a righteous man (dikaios). This is surprising. The OT never describes Lot as righteous. Its description of Lot is not very complimentary. “He appears simply as a man of the world (Gen 13:10–14; 19:16) who had strayed a long way from the God of his fathers. Though hospitable (19:1), he was weak (19:6), morally depraved (19:8) and drunken (19:33, 35)”. According to Gen 19:16, Lot was so reluctant to leave sinful Sodom that he had to be dragged out of the city. This may have influenced Peter’s use of ryomai (rescue by dragging from danger) to describe Lot’s deliverance.

Far from perfect, Lot never lost his basic orientation to the Lord. Despite Lot’s shortcomings, Peter described him as distressed by the filthy lives of lawless men (v 7) and tormented in his righteous soul by the lawless deeds he saw and heard (v 8).“Lot’s moral sensitivity made his life among the Sodomites unbearable, just as the life of faithful Christians among the false teachers and those influenced by them will become unbearable”. But God can be trusted to rescue the righteous, just as he rescued Lot.

2. The Conclusion: The Certainty of Deliverance and Judgment (2:9–10a)

Verse 9

Since the OT repeatedly demonstrates that God can be trusted to save the righteous and to punish the wicked, then the Lord knows how to rescue godly men from trials and to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment. The verb rescue (ryesthai) is the same one that described Lot’s deliverance from the destruction of Sodom. Their destruction is the example and pattern of “what is going to happen to the ungodly” (v 6). Likewise, the rescue of Lot is the pattern of what is going to happen to the righteous. God will rescue the righteous from trials(peirasmou:temptations). “The idea here is primarily of those surroundings that try a man’s fidelity and integrity, and not of the inward inducement to sin, arising from the desires”. God knows how to rescue godly people from testing, affliction, and even temptations that arise from daily exposure to unbelievers. Just as God rescued Noah and Lot, he can be trusted to save other righteous people from the trials and constraints caused by their sinful surroundings.

The examples also demonstrate that God knows how to hold the unrighteous for the day of judgment, while continuing their punishment. The participle continuing their punishment (kolazomenous) has been interpreted in two ways. It can refer to preliminary punishment of the wicked before the final judgment (see 2:4). Or it can refer to punishment at the day of judgment. It is more likely that Peter meant the day of judgment. His main point is the impending fate and doom of the false teachers. Their destruction and condemnation are certain, although they were not yet apparent.

Verse 10a

The certainty of punishment and destruction is especially true of those who go after flesh in a passionate longing for defilement and despise authority. In the context of the references to Sodom and Gomorrah (vv 6–8), go after flesh (sarkos) in a passionate longing for defilement might be an allusion to the sin of the men of Sodom (Gen 19:1–11). This phrase most likely refers to depraved sexual sin in general.

They also despise authority (kyriotetos:lordship). Authority may refer to: (1) some kind of angelic hierarchy (Eph 1:21; Col 1:16); (2) the authority of the church; (3) the lordship of Christ, whom the false teachers despise and deny (2:1); or (4) all authority in general. The false teachers denied the Lord by their refusal to follow his moral instructions. This made them parade examples of the rejection of authority.

But Peter referred to the “slander [of] celestial beings”(2:10b) and implied that they mocked the teaching of the apostles (1:16). This seems to indicate that their disdain for authority was more general in nature than simply a rejection of the Lord’s authority. The false teachers’ disdain for authority is probably best understood in a general sense. It refers to their universal disregard and contempt of all authority, except their own self-seeking desire.

FROM THE TEXT – Judgment and Deliverance

A Modern Predicament?

“Peter faced a curiously modern predicament”. There were people in the church who lived sexually immoral lives and tried to justify it. Mocking the teachings of the church and the example and authority of Christ, they rejected the idea that God would judge them for following their passionate desires (v 10). What was worse, the infection of their immoral behavior was spreading. The situation Peter faced could have been taken from the front pages of today’s newspapers.

As in Peter’s time, today’s society flaunts sexual promiscuity, homosexual behavior, and blatantly disregards a virtuous and moral lifestyle. Many people scoff at the idea of personal accountability or a day of judgment for their conduct. Often their hollow excuse is that God (if he exists) would not deny the fulfillment of their pleasure or desires, regardless of how depraved or self-obsessed they might be. Peter reminded believers that people could not do this and get away with it in God’s world. God’s judgment of sin and sinners is certain.

The Promise of Judgment and Deliverance

Peter reminded his readers of God’s retribution on the fallen angels and the wicked people of Noah and Lot’s days. The pattern of God’s destructive judgment on wickedness and sin is firmly established in the pages of Scripture. The certainty of judgment there is like a dark cloud that hovers incessantly (although sometimes imperceptibly) above every human who ever lived. The justice of God may be delayed, but it cannot be avoided.

But alongside this dark pattern of judgment is a bright and promising pattern of divine deliverance of the righteous. The silver lining of that dark cloud is the promise of God’s grace. As with Noah and Lot, God will rescue those who seek and follow him.

The Surprising Example of Lot

The surprising description of Lot as a righteous manis a subtle comfort. The OT does not portray Lot as a sterling example of a righteous man. In fact, Genesis amply documents the shortcomings of Lot. But God rescued Lot! Although he was surrounded by moral decay and depravity, Lot never lost sight of the Lord. Peter presumes that Lot was distressed and tormented by the sinfulness around him. Despite the perverse attraction his sinful culture exerted on him (Gen 19:16), Lot rejected Sodom, and God rescuedhim.

Peter might have used Abraham as his example of God’s deliverance of a righteous man, spared while Sodom and Gomorrah were destroyed (Gen 18). Instead, he uses the example of the weak and often-tempted Lot. Perhaps Peter selected Lot because his readers could identify with him. Believers seldom feel they measure up to the standard of faith and righteousness exemplified by Abraham. It is much easier to identify with Lot—distressed, tormented, and tempted by the sin surrounding him. Lot’s story is a story of God’s indescribable grace. If God could rescue Lot, we can trust him to rescue us as well.

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These were just some of the notes from the 1 Peter volume in the New Beacon Bible Commentary. This is a solid commentary that explains the details of the text while interacting with modern scholarship. Make this your go-to commentary by purchasing this series below!

New Beacon Bible Commentary (29 Vols.)

The New English Translation of the Septuagint (NETS) is a fascinating resource—especially, if you’re interested in textual criticism. And, since it is a well-loved resource by Olive Tree employees, we took extra care in making it work well inside the app.

In this post, we’ll cover what NETS is and how it can be helpful in your study. Lastly, we’ll show how it works in the app.

REALLY, WHAT IS IT?

The New English Translation of the Septuagint (NETS)is exactly what it sounds like: a translation of a translation.

With NETS, you can read a paragraph-form English Bible that translates the Greek understanding of the Hebrew Old Testament works. In the preface, the NETS committee shares their two aims of this translation:

1. To give a faithful translation of the Greek, both in meaning and mode of expression
2. To create an English tool for the synoptic study of Hebrew and Greek texts of the Bible

Before digging further into NETS, let’s discuss where the Septuagint (LXX) comes from and where it is used in history.

HISTORY

CREATION OF THE SEPTUAGINT

Rumor has it, seventy or so Jerusalem elders were ordered to translate Scriptures popular to Egyptian Jews into Greek. This happened sometime between 300 and 200 BC, under the order of King Ptolemy II. Additional rumors state that these translations took place on an island and took seventy-two days to complete.

The Scripture only contained the five books of Moses—the Pentateuch. Then, additional books were translated in the following centuries, in various locations.

Because of the legend, and all the details surrounding “seventy,” the writings were dubbed “the translation of the seventy.” Thus, we now call it the “Septuagint.”

USE OF THE SEPTUAGINT (LXX)

The New Testament writers refer to the LXX in their writings more often than not. Although it would be neat to say that Jesus himself referenced the LXX, we can’t be certain of those claims. At least, Jesus quoted the OT in Aramaic and the NT writers translated it to Greek—which, is still inspired.

PROCESS

When you read the title of NETS, you might assume the translators created an English translation based on a completed Septuagint translation. But remember, these translators are smart. When they know a good way to save time and be accurate, they are going to use it!

So, they based NETS off the New Revised Standard Version (NRSV). If you know anything about the NRSV, you’re probably confused. The NRSV is a literal translation that often represents the Hebrew meaning of words in the Old Testament.

However, the NETS committee chose the NRSV as the base text because the translational approach still works well with the LXX, and it has widespread popularity.

WHEN DOES NETS DIFFER FROM THE NRSV?

When NETS differs from the NRSV, it happens for one of six reasons:

1. The lexical choice of the NRSV to represent the Hebrews is very different from the Greek
2. If a difference in translational approach occurs between NRSV and Greek translation, ex.: the Greek is hyper-literalistic where the NRSV is not
3. Word echoes, paratactic style, or other Greek linguistic features require modifications to the NRSV
4. The Greek translator created a text at variance with the Masoretic Text (MT: authoritative Hebrew and Aramaic text)
5. At times, the NRSV chose gender-inclusive and explicit language and NETS is choosing to abstain
6. The NRSV did not translate the MT in some places, using another reading

WHY WOULD I WANT TO READ IT?

There are a few ways you can use NETS to get a bigger picture of what Scripture is trying to say. Here are three, although there are most likely more! In fact, if you love using NETS, we’d love for you to share how you use this resource in the comments.

NETS AND THE NRSV

Knowing that NETS is based on the NRSV texts opens up a world of possibilities. If you compare NETS and the NRSV side-by-side, you can know that any differences are due to the preferences outlined above.

Specifically, you can look at the NRSV to understand how the Hebrews interpreted the Old Testament. Then, read NETS to understand how the Jews believed it to be best understood in the Greek world.

With both of these translations, you can see the Bible from two, accurate yet different, linguistic angles.

NETS AND THE SEPTUAGINT

No matter where you are at with your Greek, the Bible speaks to our hearts first and foremost in our primary language. So although reading the LXX can be a good practice and push your mind to study the Word in-depth, having a reliable English translation next to it can make a huge difference in application.

By using NETS, instead of a more common translation, you’ll be aided in your understanding of the Greek. And if you feel confident reading the Greek as is, use NETS to check yourself as you go.

NETS AND THE NEW TESTAMENT

Since the NT writers often quote the LXX, using NETSfor OT cross-references can be enlightening. Compare and contrast these references with Hebrew-based translations. What layer of meaning does the Greek add to the text?

WHO PUT NETS TOGETHER?

Albert Pietersma

Pietersma is Professor of Septuagint and Hellenistic Greek at The University of Toronto. He holds three degrees:

• B.A. Classics and Philosophy, Calvin College, Grand Rapids Michigan, 1962
• B.D. Calvin Theological Seminary, Grand Rapids Michigan, 1965
• Ph.D. Hebrew Language and Literature (Septuagint), University of Toronto, 1970. Dissertation: “A Textual-Critical Analysis of Chester Beatty Biblical Papyri IV and V.”

Benjamin G. Wright

Wright is the University Distinguished Professor of Religion Studies, Bible, Early Judaism, Christianity at Lehigh University. He also holds three degrees:

• B.A. Philosophy/Religion, Ursinus College
• M.Div. Biblical Studies, Eastern Baptist Theological Seminary
• Ph.D. Christian Origins, University of Pennsylvania

NETS IN THE OLIVE TREE BIBLE APP

NETS versification is based on the Gottingen Septuaginta. However, we structured NETS to align with the Rahlfs LXX in the Olive Tree Bible App.

More often than not, you will navigate to the verse that you intend to see. However, there a few places with variances. We take you to the Rahlfs LXXreference in NETS to improve your experience in the app. If you choose to do a parallel study with the LXXand NETS, using Rahlfs LXX allows the resources to stay in sync while you scroll.

Lastly, we want to let you know that Rahlfs LXX does append the “Additions to Esther” to the book of Esther. We have done the same.

Get It Today!

Does all this information get you excited to study the Old Testament? Then NETS is definitely a resource for you.

New English Translation of the Septuagint

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