Greetings to everyone in Yeshua’s name! Apologies again for any typos even though I do proofread. Our dear brother John, my “Tertios” Rom. 16:22, edits these before kindly uploading them on the website.
Quick note: my apologies for assuming everyone knew what a couple of the abbreviations meant
KG refers to Koine Greek; it is very different than what’s called Attic Greek, the Greek of the classics and philosophers. The KG of the RCS is replete with Hebrew & Jewish thought and expression. No surprise since the writers are all Jews or in Luke’s case if not, he’s recording primarily Jewish speakers and using Jewish sources.
RCS refers to Renewed Covenant Scriptures; an infinitely more accurate name than “New Testament”, as we explain in our Glossary. Please see The Deeper Hebrew & Jewish Basis of the Bible from A-Z window under G, on the Teaching Page of the website.
Very quickly for here: I use “Renewed” because Luke’s KG rendering of the Last Passover Seder, Lk 22:19-20, uses a form of “kainos“. Kainos is defined as “renewed/new in quality”. (Think of the “new moon” we get each month).
Great Gentiles of the RCS – And Two “Keys” That Make Them Great
We cannot reiterate enough that we see that the great Gentiles of the RCS all share two commonalities – reverence for Israel’s God and learning, helping or supporting, the Jewish People or Jewish Brothers in some way.
There’s actually a third thing these Gentiles share in common: they are rewarded, blessed, or receive merit for doing so!
No Gentile – no Gentile – in the Bible who turns on or turns away from the Jewish People or Jewish Brothers, or is “numb” – ultimately receives blessing, reward, or merit for doing so! If you are aware of one that is, kindly please email me. Let us now be encouraged by what we learn from the lessons of the great Gentiles of the RCS!
The Centurion Lk. 7:2-10
In context Luke’s point is to demonstrate the steadfast trustworthiness in Yeshua this individual Gentile had; cf. Lk. 7:10. What we also learn is that though this centurion had heard of Yeshua, he did not try to seek him out himself to heal his sick servant. Rather, the centurion sends Jewish elders – those of Yeshua’s People – to Yeshua.
Incidentally “elders” in Hebrew is literally “gray beards”; and as almost virtually everything else is first found in the Torah!
The Roman Centurion does not threaten or lean on the Jewish elders to go to Yeshua. The Romans had conquered Israel and were generally hated; so why did they go to Yeshua? Lk. 7:5 tells us. In v.4 we see that they did not reluctantly speak to Yeshua, nor tell him they didn’t want to do this. So again, why did they; and why do so, “earnestly”?
Not only earnestly but also that the centurion was worthy. In their Semitic original this may have been a form of “grace”, which also can include the idea of being worthy. The end of Lk. 7:4 in the good doctor’s KG rendering indicates great emotion was expressed by the Jewish elders. As we’ve learned before the Middle East is most especially very emotional. So, what roused the emotions of the Jewish elders?
In Lk. 7:5, we have our answer; the centurion did not love the Jewish People in theory. He acted with love towards those who had been his enemy. Lk. 7:5 begins for emphasis with “love to the Nation of us”… the key is: connected to this love of the Jewish People is concrete action. The Jewish elders tell Yeshua “…and very specifically the synagogue he built us”.
In Hebrew Luke’s very specific “the” synagogue would more deeply mean ” the positive bearer of existence actuality”. Luke renders the building of the synagogue indicating who it is for. The last word in Lk. 7:5, for emphasis, is “us/our”.
In v.6 we see – obviously after hearing this- Yeshua goes with the Jewish elders. Luke’s KG “with” is “suv” (“sun” ” soon”), which has the deeper idea of ” gathered together in fellowship with”.
At the end Yeshua highly commends the centurion’s steadfastness in him Lk. 7:9. However, the Jewish elders did not say to Yeshua the centurion that the centurion had steadfastness in Yeshua. What the elders told Yeshua was the centurion was worthy – because the centurion loved the Jewish Nation – and concretely demonstrated it by building the synagogue!
1 Yochanon 3:18 says as a prohibition not to love by means of word and tongue …”but in strong contrast by means of work and in connection (“and”) truth”. “Truth ” in KG is more conceptual; in Hebrew it also means “reliable”.
The Ethiopian Official Acts 8:26-40
Praise God there is an hour teaching on this under A in The Deeper Hebrew & Jewish Basis of the Bible from A -Z Window on the website Teaching page.
Overview & Key Questions
An angel of the LORD speaks to Philip, one of the 12 Jewish Sent Ones of Yeshua, sending Philip to meet this Ethiopian official who was on his way back from worshiping in Jerusalem. The Text tells us the Ethiopian is clearly a man of means Acts 8:27-28. Would the angel had sent Philip to the Ethiopian, if the Ethiopian had an attitude of “exceptionalism”?
In short, we see just the opposite! When Philip arrives, he hears the man reading from Yeshayahu (“the Lord He saves/delivers” “Isaiah”) 53 Acts 8:30. Philip asks him and Luke’s KG Greek indicates Philip expects a negative answer, in asking the Ethiopian if he knows what he’s reading.
“Know” in KG is the more conceptual, intellectual “know”. In Hebrew it means ” by experience, intimacy, personal relationship”. Phillip the Jew would “know” what Yeshayahu 53 says, by intimacy and experience with the Text in Hebrew.
The Ethiopian does not react to Phillip the Jew with an attitude of exceptionalism; but rather with exactly the opposite, with humility. Humility means in part a holding back of power. Unlike Cornelius in Acts 10 the angel does not speak to the Ethiopian. The Ethiopian could have told Philip he didn’t need his help. The Ethiopian ” holds back” his power to do so.
There is an extremely extremely valuable lesson here we learn from the Ethiopians answer to Philip. In Acts 8:31 the Ethiopian answers in a rare KG form. It indicates a direct answer and an uncertainty. In effect the official says, “of course I do not for how can I, not unless not until someone in fact guides me”. The official’s KG indicates that in fact in the future he will need someone to guide him in order to understand what he’s read.
Guide in Hebrew means” to get off the path one is on in order to help another”. This is what Philip is sent by the Ruach (“Spirit ” from the Hebrew verb ” to force open space”) to do.
Then the official does a remarkable thing. He encourages Phillip to come up into his chariot ” gather together in fellowship with” him. It’s actually more of an exhortation. It is a form of “para” ” alongside” and “kaleo” “call”. In KG the word that literally means come alongside (and) call/invite”, is used for ” encourage”.
A form of this is used by Paul regarding what he says about the “Rapture” 1 Thess. 4:18. Rather than ” split and divide over your positions on the Rapture”, Paul wanted the polar opposite. “Come along side and call back and forth to each other” i.e., “encourage one another back and forth by means of these words”. (“These” is last in KG for emphasis).
The official’s humility allows for the physical ascending upward into the chariot by Phillip “gather together in fellowship with” the official, that leads to the official’s spiritually ascending upward. The official has what frankly dear ones your Jewish Brothers would give their right arms for today – a completely teachable spirit!
Luke ends Acts 8:31 for emphasis with ” gathered together in fellowship with” him. Imagine imagine imagine the tremendous positive potential possibilities If Christians today did what the Ethiopian did…..
What is the result, what is the blessing the Ethiopian receives? Philip the Jew explains that what you had been reading in Yeshayahu 53 was about Yeshua. The Ethiopian accepts this and allows himself to be immersed. He symbolically dies to his old life and arises to a new life in union with his Jewish Mashiach – and his new Jewish Brother Phillip.
He does not walk away from Philip because he didn’t want to hear Philips explanation of the Word. Acts 8:39’s KG emphasizes at the end and is descriptive of that the Ethiopian went “for very specifically the way (of him is) a real, concrete, present tense continuous process of joy”.
What if the Ethiopian told Philip he didn’t need him – “or anyone else”- to explain Yeshayahu 53 to him?
Instead, the ultimate blessing for allowing Philip the Jew to explain the Text to him? In Yeshua, lead to him by a Jew sent to him by an Angel, his way is now a continuous process of joy!
Why Cornelius & His Household Are the First Gentiles to Receive the Ruach Hakodesh Acts 10
In the opening of Acts 10 we learn of Cornelius’ godly character traits. He is godly and feared God …. “gathered together in fellowship with the house of him (i.e., his house)” Acts 10:2. The verse opens with this for emphasis. “Feared” is a form of “phobos” hence “phobia.
In the middle of the verse, we see another “key” as to why Cornelius and his household are the first Gentiles to receive the Ruach. …”poion elenmosunas pollas Tw (“To”) lao” …”continuously does much lovingkindness mercy; mercy translated into action to the (Jewish) People” … Cornelius exercises the godly attribute of loving kindness mercy, as we explained more deeply previously, to the Jewish People.
This is typically translated “alms” or “charity”, which unfortunately loses the deeper underlying Hebrew; that of the godly attribute of mercy translated into action towards others. “Elenmosunas” is related to “eleeos” “mercy” which is the closest KG has for this very key Torah based Hebrew attribute.
When the LORD reveals to Moshe the attributes He exercises towards Man, “abounding overflowing royal loving kindness acts of mercy; mercy translated into action”, this is the one that’s repeated cf. Ex. 34:6-7.
As a quick note: the LORD does not give a “definition” of Himself nor reveal His nature. Knowing these would not help us to “be and do” our lives with godliness. He reveals to Moshe what He chooses to reveal; the attributes He exercises towards Man. We should note: the LORD reveals to Moshe the attributes the godly can and are expected to acquire and exercise towards others.
Mercy translated into action is just that; it is not a concept. It is done concretely to help someone through the elevating of something material to a holy and spiritual purpose.
Thus, Cornelius does the two key things the Gentile greats of the Bible do: reverence for the God of Israel and help to the People of Israel.
Cornelius though also demonstrates the “key” traits of humility and a teachable spirit! After the angel tells him to send for Peter and Peter arrives, does Cornelius, a Roman centurion, have an attitude of exceptionalism that a “Jew” shows up?
Just the opposite! Cornelius says in Acts 10:33 …”all of us (i.e., his household) in the presence of God be here (to) hear all specifically commanded you by the LORD”. This is last in the verse for emphasis. There is no “tell us what we want to hear – but don’t tell us anything else”.
What if Cornelius had an attitude of exceptionalism when Peter arrived? Would Cornelius I& his household be the first Gentiles to receive the Ruach Hakodesh? Doubtful! Did Cornelius display pagan like histrionics to try to receive something from God? Absolutely not!
It wasn’t just Cornelius’ prayer that was the reason he was chosen to be the first Gentile to receive the Ruach. It was also his exercise of a godly attribute, exercised through material means towards the Jewish People! He also displayed humility and openness to hear; his reward?
The first Gentiles to receive the Ruach Hakodesh! What if today’s Pentecostals were simply to be like Cornelius and his household? What might the tremendous positive possibilities be for our Pentecostal oriented brethren!
The Philippians and Lydia Acts 16
Paul has a dream that a man from Macedonia comes to ask him for help. As we see in Acts 16, the Philippians turn out to be very sincere. Some ask for spiritual help – but then make excuses or get distracted when that help arrives. Not the Philippians and not Lydia!
In Acts 16:14, Luke’s KG indicates as a fact that the LORD opened Lydia’s heart to hear “give weight to and agree with and act upon what is heard”, of Paul’s words. Paul is last in the verse for emphasis. Clearly Lydia was not “closed”. We infer that she had a willing spirit to begin with. The KG very specifically refers to the heart. We should note please the following: it is Lydia’s heart – not “nous” “mind” that is opened. A KG concordance shows far more uses of heart than mind in the RCS – 156 to 29. In the Good News? Exactly one use of mind – compared to 56 uses of heart!
Even Paul uses “heart” far more often than he does “mind”. With Gentile leadership rejecting Jerusalem and the emphasis on heart, and embracing Athens and the Greek philosophers, the mind, rather than the heart became the focus. Thus “theology” and ” intellectual comprehension of theological positions”, replace an emphasis on godly actions driven by a godly heart. People become objectified based on their “theology; rather than the heart seeing brethren as fellow subjects in the Kingdom.
The heart is the emphasis in the Hebrew Bible. There is no word specifically for “mind”. “Love your neighbor like, as a divine model yourself” Lev. 19:18, is at the heart of Yeshua’s teaching. Cf. Mk. 12:28 – 34 vss. 28-30 etc.
Lev. 19:18 – not anything to do with the Festivals or Judaica – is the most cited Torah verse in the RCS.
Lydia says if she has been judged by Paul and the others “to be” steadfast in the LORD, to come into her house and abide. In KG “einai” “to be” is placed in the verse in such a way as to emphasize it.
Lydia Acts 16:11-15 is rewarded by having millions for the last 2,000 years see the Word speak well of her. Women name daughters after her.
The Philippians
We learned a bit together about them previously. Let us, for the convenience of email space just quickly reiterate some key things we learned together about them:
One quick note: Phpns. 4:3 – Paul speaks of those Gentile men and women who helped him whose names are written in (the) Book of Life! The KG is actually, according to a KG grammar that they are “in association with” Paul. They are not actually “co-workers” as typically translated. They are in KG “together in fellowship workers in association with me” i.e., Paul. The idea of a Book with names in it goes back to what Moshe says to the LORD Ex. 32:32.
As one brother put it very well several years ago ” it’s a partnership in which the Jew is the senior partner”. The virus of exceptionalism today unfortunately makes it very very difficult for many Christians – especially in leadership – to allow the Jewish Brother to be the senior partner. Look at what Paul says; just imagine the possibilities and the reward!
In short as we learned the Philippians had a heart for Paul and helped him materially Phpns. 4:10, v.15. Their reward?
In Phpns. 4:17 Paul encourages the Philippians – who were not well off materially but obviously were spiritually(!) – that they collectively (the KG “your” is plural) are receiving in effect “compounding interest” in their spiritual account! The form of the KG “increase” very specifically refers to the action of the continuous increase “… into the account (literally (“word”; “word” was also used in Hebrew to indicate a thing or a matter) of you (plural)”. Paul puts this at the end of the verse for emphasis! Paul’s use of a physical metaphor to illuminate a great spiritual truth is totally Hebrew based.
One technical commentary says “their earthly investment accrues Heavenly dividends. Other than unfortunately Phpns. 4:17-19 have been taking a million times out of context by otherwise well intended missionaries, what else need to be said that Gentiles could do – and be well rewarded for!
Romans 16
Paul closes Romans by greeting and encouraging those who had helped and work together with him, beginning with Phoebe. I am extremely grateful to our wonderful God for my own “Tertios” cf. Rom16:22 John from Centerville.
Philemon
Paul Appeals to Philemon on Behalf of Onesimus
Paul appeals on behalf of Onesimus a runaway slave, to his owner Philemon. Of course, Onesimus’ real owner is the LORD! In short Paul appeals, not on the basis that slavery is wrong, but rather because Onesimus was such a help to Paul. V.16 says Onesimus was not only a “doulos” “bond servant”, but also a loved brother and one who was a help to Philemon not only literally fleshly i.e., materially but also spiritually. This is last in the verse for emphasis.
Thus, we see that the Ruach Hakodesh inspires Paul to write a Letter on behalf of Onesimus, who is seen as well spoken of – and a Letter that becomes part of the Word of God!
Onesiphorus 2 Tim. 1:15-18
In closing in Paul’s last Letter, we see how Paul says that all deserted him in Asia. 2 Tim. 1:15 begins with an emphasis that Timothy has full knowledge (“oida”) and special relationship to that knowledge, that all had deserted Paul in Asia.
In short Paul speaks well of Onesiphorus because he made a real effort to come to Rome when Paul was in chains. Paul wishes that the LORD grants Onesiphorus’ household ” abounding overflowing Royal loving kindness acts of mercy; Mercy translated into action”.
Paul puts this at the beginning of 2 Tim. 1:16 for emphasis and also for emphasis repeats his wish for loving kindness mercy for Onesiphorus’ household in v.18.
Though it is sobering we would be remiss if we did not quickly point out 2 Tim. 4:14. Paul specifically mentioned someone who did him great harm. Paul does not wish to repay evil for evil but points out a principle we see in the Torah. It is known in Hebrew as “measure like before (a) measure” i.e., “measure for measure”. Paul says the LORD will repay this man according to his work.
That said let us finish with what I hope we’ve learned together and that all of you will be very encouraged; that there is tremendous tremendous potential reward for my dear Christian brethren in following in the footsteps of their Gentile spiritual predecessors.
Not only reward but the chance to honor God and Yeshua even more fully in the process!
May the LORD encourage you, empower you, and bless you for walking together in love, in the footsteps of the great Gentiles of the Bible, in Yeshua’s name,
Have a wonderful blessed weekend!