Proverbs 3:32

NASB – for the devious are an abomination to the Lord but he is intimate with the upright.

Key words and phrases: devious, abomination, the Lord, intimate, upright

—devious/froward: H3868 – to go wrong, crooked, perverse, to turn aside, guile, to depart

—abomination: H8441 – something disgusting, an abhorrence, detestable, loathsome, unclean, wicked

—intimate/secret: H5475 – counsel, company, fellowship

—upright/righteous: H3477 – correct, straight, pleasing, proper

What does it say: IMOW – in my own words: the perverse are disgusting to God. Yet He has fellowship with those of proper behavior – obedience.

What does it mean:

Application: All scripture has an application: obedience is crucial to spiritual growth and blessing. Keep short accounts with the Lord. Meaning we all sin so confess often. See John 14:23, Psalm 25:14. Also abominations are mentioned frequently in this book. See Proverbs 6:16-19

The world and even churches are very fond of words like hurt, habit, hang-up, addiction, etc. Unfortunately, the implication is that it’s not your fault and someone else is to blame. SIN is the missing word. For you theology nerds: see hamartiology!

Godly Living

1 Peter 3: always an interesting read.

  1. Key words and phrases – wives, be submissive to your own husbands, disobedient to the word, won without a word, chaste and respectful behavior, adornment, hidden person of the heart, imperishable quality of a gentle and quiet spirit, precious in God’s sight. Husbands be understanding, show her honor, prayers will not be hindered. All of you be harmonious, sympathetic, brotherly, kindhearted and humble in spirit, not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, give a blessing. Keep the tongue from evil, lips from deceit, do good vice evil, seek peace, suffering for doing good is a good thing. Be gentle and reverent, keep a good conscience if you are slandered. Obviously there is a lot here. And then there is verse 21 where it says: baptism now saves you – resulting in tons of argument and controversy.
  2. What does it say is pretty self explantory
  3. So is the meaning for much of it – at least for the scope of this brief post.
  4. How does this apply and what will I do about it? This always where the rubber meets the road. Here’s an example: problems with others, especially your spouse, can hinder your prayers. Here’s another: why is respect such a huge deal to men?

Have a blessed day!

Post 2 on biblical manhood

1 Peter 3:7 – You husbands in the same way, live with your wives in an understanding way, as with someone weaker, since she is a woman; and show her honor as a fellow heir of the grace of life, so that your prayers will not be hindered.

Key Words:

  • husbands G3668 – gentlemen, men, sir, betrothed, used in the King James Concordance 212 times.
  • in the same way G3668 – equally, so, in like manner
  • live with, dwell, live together G4924 – to reside together
  • your wives
  • understanding, G1108 – knowledge, moral wisdom, right living, understanding way
  • someone weaker G772 – helpless, without strength, more feeble, weak, infirm
  • since she is a woman G1134 – female, wife
  • show G632 – bestow, give, assign, portion out
  • honor G5092 – deference, reverence, value, esteem, precious
  • fellow heir G4789 – participant in common, joint heir, co-inheritor
  • grace G5485 – kindness, blessing, gratitude, benefit, favor
  • life G2222 – vitality, fulness of life, alive, living
  • prayers G4335

What does this passage say? The passage in my own words: Gentlemen, in like manner, reside together with them using moral wisdom, as with one with less strength since she is a woman; and bestow value/esteem as a joint heir of the blessings of life, so that your prayers will not be impeded.

What does it mean? What is God telling me? How am I encouraged and strengthened?  “According to knowledge” is certain a key phrase in this passage. How does a man, who loves his wife dearly, learn to express love in a way that she understands and relates to and appreciates. The answer: slowly, gently, using godly wisdom and understanding – it is something that is unique to her and has to be learned. No worries, she will tell you. Put God first and your wife second. Remember the context – 1 Peter 3:1-7. God is telling the husband to be cautious and a reminder of the consequences of failure – hindered prayer. Yes, our prayers can be hindered or impeded.

  • men, type your personal questions here. Like, she is a mystery, Lord, how do I do this?

How does this apply to me? What will I do about it? When will I do it?

  • Men need to be considerate, and treat his wife with honor. Study your Bible, pray, learn about her, find out what causes her stress. God is first and she is second. The consequences of dysfunction are serious. See the passage in Ephesians 5:25. We are to love our wives as Christ loved the church – a tall order.
  • Resources: See the words of Shaunti Feldhahn – For men only and for women only, Emerson Eggerichs – Love and Respect. Bill and Pam Farrel – Men are like waffles and women are like spaghetti, Mark Gungor – Laugh your way to a better marriage. George Kenworthy – Marriage Makeover.
  • Dig in men, there are plenty of resources available. Don’t forget to talk to her. And listen to what she’s saying.

Questions and ideas for further study and review:

Godly men – are they extinct?

***The Bible has much to say about manhood. So let’s take a look at various verses and see what God says and where we need to improve. I use the inductive method of study (intothyword.org) and E-sword software (e-sword.net). The intent it to extract the meaning of the verse (exegesis) and leave eisegesis out of the equation. Application is crucial as with any doctrine. These outlines can also be developed/easily used for a men’s Bible study/small group study – feel free to use it. Blessings!

1 Corinthians 16:13-14 Be on the alert, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. Let all that you do be done in love.

Key Words:

-alert, watch, guard G1127: to be awake, be vigilant, pay strict attention to, be cautious, avoid remission and indolence.

-stand firm, stand fast G4739: persevere, persist, keep one’s standing, be stationary.

-faith G4102: moral conviction, reliance upon Christ, assurance, belief, fidelity.

–act like men G407: be brave, act manly, behave like a man, be men of courage.

–be strong G2901: strengthen, increase in strength, be vigorous, to empower, to grow strong.

-let all G3956: whatever, everything, any, every, the whole, all things, whatsoever.

–done G1096: accomplished, be performed, finished

-love, charity G26: agape, brotherly love, good will, affection, benevolence.

What does this passage say? The passage in my own words: Pay strict attention, persevere in your beliefs, behave like men, be strong and empowered. Do everything with affection and brotherly love.

What does it mean? What is God telling me? How am I encouraged and strengthened? This appears to be a men only verse? Five final commands, instructions, or exhortations from Paul: be alert, firm, mature, strong, loving. I’m reminded of USMC General Orders. Four stern reminders of Christian duty tempered with the command to love.

—we’re always on watch – the world is a dangerous place.

—Be steadfast in the faith – sound doctrine.

—andrizomai is translated differently. Greek word 407 which is from 435. Men only?

—be strong

How does this apply to me? What will I do about it? When will I do it?

There are some who say that 1 Corinthians only applies to the church in Corinth. Yet 1 Cor 1:2 would seem to say otherwise.

—stay awake, be alert, pay attention. Lethargy won’t cut it.

—stand firm = sound doctrine. 2 Tim 2:15 be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a worker who does not need to be ashamed, accurately handling the word of truth.

—manly attributes: develop a list from scripture of what men are to do and how we’re to behave. Here are a few examples: kind, gentlemanly behavior, servant leadership, flee from sin, pursue spiritual growth, etc)

—be strong: deals with spiritual growth. Come up with a plan!

—love: agape. 1 Cor 13 and it also appears 116 times in the KJV. This is a big deal.

Questions and ideas for further study and review:

A new blog site. Please be patient while I figure this out.

A friend told me to come here years ago. I opted for another blog site that appeared much easier but certainly not this versatile. So here I am.

Christians disagree on a lot of things. Nothing new. They had disagreements in the Bible also. So I’m here in my little corner to share my thoughts on various topics about life, faith and the Bible, church life, etc.