For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman

Galatians 4:22
For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman.

We need to sacrifice the natural to gain spiritual. It is not because God designed it this way so that the natural has to be sacrificed to gain the spiritual. The natural itself is created by God. However, when sin entered the world, it has taken hold of the natural. Without sacrificing the natural sinful nature, we will continue to have a divided life. The natural life will continue to resist the life led by the Holy Spirit. The result of this is internal turmoil. So unless we discipline and sacrifice our life of sin, it will ruin our entire personal life with God.

Have not withheld your son, your only son - blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply

Genesis 22:16-17
By Myself I have sworn, says the Lord, because you have done this thing, and have not withheld your son, your only son— 17 blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply your descendants as the stars of the heaven and as the sand which is on the seashore; and your descendants shall possess the gate of their enemies.

Incredible blessings has been bestowed upon Abraham when Abraham acted out his faith in allowing his only son, and through all God's promises would come, to be sacrificed. The extend of his faith is even more incredible when lokking at various circumstances. Firstly, the God he was serving, had never before asked for human sacrifice. Secondly, he knew somehow God would resurrect his son, even though that also had not been done before. Thirdly, all of God promises was based on Isaac and not any other son. So Abraham was a man shown to be totally trusting of his God. The promises of God came to pass for Abraham because he was obedient to God.

Take now your son

Genesis 22:2
He said "Take now your son ..."

This is a great example of faith by Abraham of his God. For God asked him to sacrifice his only son (from his wife). What's more than just fatherly relationship is the fact that God has promised Abraham great blessings coming through this particular son. That would mean Abraham believed God that He can still fulfill His promise. It was written that God would be able to resurrect his son, even though such things was not recorded before. In essence, Abraham believed God greatly and did not question God or try to apply human logic.

Lord, I will follow you, but

Luke 9:61
Lord, I will follow you, but...

The Lord requires us to follow Him wholeheartedly. This must not be based on any conditions of our own. Neither can we always use our own understanding to try and judge God's motives before following Him. Perhaps this is what is so amazing about Abraham's faith that we all remember; Abraham left his own country to journey with God to an unknown destination, much later on he was willing to sacrifice his only son even though his promised generation is supposed to come from that son.

If you take the left, then I will go to the right

Genesis 13:9
 Is not the whole land before you? Please separate from me. If you take the left, then I will go to the right; or, if you go to the right, then I will go to the left.”

The context of this is that Lot and Abraham were about to split up their camps because it got too crowded and difficult to share the limited resources. Abraham, being the uncle and elder and leader, had the right to choose the land for Himself first. However, Abraham chose to forgo his right and gave his nephew Lot the first choice of land. This rather unnatural decision is perhaps an indication of God's work in Abraham as Abraham began to built his faith and trusted that God is the ultimate provider. He recognised that wise decision means using more than his own intellect, but rather trusting God to provide the best for him.

Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest

Genesis 22:2
And he said, Take now thy son, thine only son Isaac, whom thou lovest, and get thee into the land of Moriah; and offer him there for a burnt offering upon one of the mountains which I will tell thee of. (KJV)

This is the most famous passage in Scriptures used to illustrate faith. It is also easy to look at the surface of this story only and get the lesson on faith-the story about a father willingly. However when we read about Abraham's life up until that point, then we see that all the promises of God rests on this son. Abraham is giving up much more than just his own son.

Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing...?

Genesis 18:17
And the Lord said, “Shall I hide from Abraham what I am doing...?" 

In more than one passage, God has revealed His plans to those people whom He calls friends, that is those people who are close to Him. These include Abraham, Moses, David and Jesus' disciples and many more. None of these are perfect people. Which means we all can come to the point that we can hear from God and that He will reveal His plans to us. Now the reason to come to know God well is not just to learn about the future or His plans - He knows our intentions. The only focus we should have is keep walking closely with Him and listen.

And he went out, not knowing where he was going

Hebrews 11:8 
By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going.

Abraham went out of his country away from his extended family, as he obeyed God. The context at that time is that God had not told Abraham the final destination. He knew God and obviously had a relationship with God already. But looking at the wrongs he did during various parts of his life after that initial call, we know that Abraham was far from perfected yet, when he first obeyed God to leave his country.

What this means is that it is possible to have a close relationship with God, while even though we know we are far from sinlessness nor perfection. We can have a deep relationship with God and hear what he says to us. Then our response is to obey and follow in faith. Living this way is the natural way to become what God wants us to be, as we will be transformed daily to be like him.

A deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him

Genesis 15:12
Now when the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell upon Abram; and behold, horror and great darkness fell upon him.

This event was during the time when God sealed the covenant with Abraham. Various promises had already been given to Abraham at various times. During this event, God sealed the covenant in a ceremonial fashion. God himself passed through the between the sacrificial animals while Abraham was not physically involved. Perhaps this also highlights Yshua's work at the cross, and our faith is believing in His promises. In this specific event, God reiterated the promise of land.

And he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar

Genesis 22
9 Then they came to the place of which God had told him. And Abraham built an altar there and placed the wood in order; and he bound Isaac his son and laid him on the altar, upon the wood.

This is the famous account of Abraham going through with sacrificing his son Isaac on God's commands. Often this account has been used to teach the strong faith towards God, in particular the strong faith of Abraham that we can use as an example. It almost holds Abraham at the pinnacle of faith to which we must aspire to.

Looking deeper into the story and thinking about the reality of the events may reveal even more startling lessons. A few points worth considering:
- The context which is often not revealed in detail is that Isaac is the promised one whom the blessings and promises of God would go to. Abraham knew this. Abraham must reasoned that whatever God asked him to do to Isaac, yet Isaac would still be able to fulfill that promise. The believe in God's promises to come true is the core of Abraham's faith.
- Sarah would not have agreed if she knew about it - which is most likely why Sarah was not told. Abraham would have believed even if he sacrificed Isaac, somehow Isaac would be able to come home with him.
- Abraham was not a perfect man, and his faith was certainly not perfect. But this part of Abraham's life showed clearly his obedience and trust in God's promises to him, even though sacrificing Isaac would destroy the promise immediately.
- Abraham had no trouble believing God can do the impossible.

There he built an altar to the Lord

Genesis 12:8
And he moved from there to the mountain east of Bethel, and he pitched his tent with Bethel on the west and Ai on the east; there he built an altar to the Lord and called on the name of the Lord. 


The verse above occurred in Abraham's journey when he had arrived in Canaan. God had promised Abraham that the land of Canaan would belong to his descendants. This could be Abrahams's first arrival in the land of Canaan. Before this, God had called him out the city of Ur. The promises that God made to Abraham from the very beginning included:

Genesis 12
2 I will make you a great nation;
I will bless you
And make your name great;
And you shall be a blessing.
3 I will bless those who bless you,
And I will curse him who curses you;
And in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.”


Just as Abraham followed God out of Ur, when God showed him the promised land and continued to lead him on, Abraham did not stay or procrastinate to go further. He was faithfully listening to God's direction. He did however built the altar before leaving Canaan, then built another altar near the mountain between Bethel and Canaan.

It does not give detailed motives for the altars but they could mean various things to Abraham. He could build it to mark God's promises to him to remind himself, he could have build in faith and declaring the land to be his in the future or he could be humbled by the favour of God and decided to mark the place where he prayed to God. In any case, he left physical symbols about his relationship with God.

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And he went out, not knowing where he was going

Hebrews 11
8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

"And he went out, not knowing where he was going." - An incredible statement of trust in God displayed by Abraham. This is the result of surrendering of one's will to God. Going deeper, it also means that the fear of the unknown, has been overcome at least in part, by the greater fear of needing to follow our Creator and Lord. The other human nature, in fact sin, is pride of trusting ourselves and our ways, rather than God's way.

Not knowing where to go in itself is undesirable and foolishness. But not knowing where to go, being the result of following God's lead, is totally wise. God is after all the Creator and He has shown to have our best interests in mind. We only need to let go and stop doing our own way, and with a willing heart and ears, step out into the still, soft voice of God's calling.

You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only

This chapter first warns against partiality or treating some better than others, especially if we think we can take advantage of certain relationship like being nice with rich people. The Scripture here clearly calls this a sin and is no lesser than the sin of adultery or murder. So we are to love our brethren no matter what their social statur is, and to show mercy to others.

The second part of this Scripture is the well known topic about "faith without works" is dead. The example that still applies today is that telling someone, who is starving for food, about the gospel is not much use. Jesus shows the example that whereever he preaches, he cares for the people by healing, casting out evil or feeding them. Justification by works has been hotly debated. Perhaps the definition of works need to be clarified - this works is physical works but it does not mean working for salvation. Rather works comes from the exercise of faith such as the example of Abraham and Rahab. So it is true to say that justification is by faith and works, and that leads to salvation.

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James 2
Beware of Personal Favoritism

1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, “You sit here in a good place,” and say to the poor man, “You stand there,” or, “Sit here at my footstool,” 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts?

5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? 7 Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called?

8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,”[a] you do well; 9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. 10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For He who said, “Do not commit adultery,”[b] also said, “Do not murder.”[c] Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Faith Without Works Is Dead

14 What does it profit, my brethren, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is naked and destitute of daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Depart in peace, be warmed and filled,” but you do not give them the things which are needed for the body, what does it profit? 17 Thus also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.

18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without your[d] works, and I will show you my faith by my[e] works. 19 You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble! 20 But do you want to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is dead?[f] 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered Isaac his son on the altar? 22 Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect? 23 And the Scripture was fulfilled which says, “Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”[g] And he was called the friend of God. 24 You see then that a man is justified by works, and not by faith only.

25 Likewise, was not Rahab the harlot also justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out another way?

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them

This chapter starts with a great definition of faith being the substance of things hoped for but evidence of things not seen. The main content of this chapter uses key people in the Old Testament and shows their faith led life. Starting from the very beginning was the faith of Abel that pleased God. Then the details of the faith were given of Enoch, Noah, Abraham, Sarah, Moses, Rahab. Then the judges and prophets were also mentioned: Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel.

All these well-known Old Testament figures exercised faith and pleased God. It was not the things they did or the sacrifices they made. Their faith kept them looking to the future that was promised by God. A lot more of others not mentioned, suffered greatly for their faith, often resulting in physical harm. They looked forward to the promise with such great faith, so we who live in the time after the Promised Messiah had come, should be in an even better position to exercise faith.




Hebrews 11
By Faith We Understand

1 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. 2 For by it the elders obtained a good testimony.

3 By faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that the things which are seen were not made of things which are visible.

Faith at the Dawn of History

4 By faith Abel offered to God a more excellent sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained witness that he was righteous, God testifying of his gifts; and through it he being dead still speaks.

5 By faith Enoch was taken away so that he did not see death, “and was not found, because God had taken him”; [a] for before he was taken he had this testimony, that he pleased God. 6 But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.

7 By faith Noah, being divinely warned of things not yet seen, moved with godly fear, prepared an ark for the saving of his household, by which he condemned the world and became heir of the righteousness which is according to faith.

Faithful Abraham

8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to go out to the place which he would receive as an inheritance. And he went out, not knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he dwelt in the land of promise as in a foreign country, dwelling in tents with Isaac and Jacob, the heirs with him of the same promise; 10 for he waited for the city which has foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

11 By faith Sarah herself also received strength to conceive seed, and she bore a child[b] when she was past the age, because she judged Him faithful who had promised. 12 Therefore from one man, and him as good as dead, were born as many as the stars of the sky in multitude—innumerable as the sand which is by the seashore.

The Heavenly Hope

13 These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off were assured of them,[c] embraced them and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. 14 For those who say such things declare plainly that they seek a homeland. 15 And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. 16 But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.

The Faith of the Patriarchs

17 By faith Abraham, when he was tested, offered up Isaac, and he who had received the promises offered up his only begotten son, 18 of whom it was said, “In Isaac your seed shall be called,”[d] 19 concluding that God was able to raise him up, even from the dead, from which he also received him in a figurative sense.

20 By faith Isaac blessed Jacob and Esau concerning things to come.

21 By faith Jacob, when he was dying, blessed each of the sons of Joseph, and worshiped, leaning on the top of his staff.

22 By faith Joseph, when he was dying, made mention of the departure of the children of Israel, and gave instructions concerning his bones.

The Faith of Moses

23 By faith Moses, when he was born, was hidden three months by his parents, because they saw he was a beautiful child; and they were not afraid of the king’s command.

24 By faith Moses, when he became of age, refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter, 25 choosing rather to suffer affliction with the people of God than to enjoy the passing pleasures of sin, 26 esteeming the reproach of Christ greater riches than the treasures in[e] Egypt; for he looked to the reward.

27 By faith he forsook Egypt, not fearing the wrath of the king; for he endured as seeing Him who is invisible. 28 By faith he kept the Passover and the sprinkling of blood, lest he who destroyed the firstborn should touch them.

29 By faith they passed through the Red Sea as by dry land, whereas the Egyptians, attempting to do so, were drowned.

By Faith They Overcame

30 By faith the walls of Jericho fell down after they were encircled for seven days. 31 By faith the harlot Rahab did not perish with those who did not believe, when she had received the spies with peace.

32 And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: 33 who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, 34 quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. 35 Women received their dead raised to life again.

Others were tortured, not accepting deliverance, that they might obtain a better resurrection. 36 Still others had trial of mockings and scourgings, yes, and of chains and imprisonment. 37 They were stoned, they were sawn in two, were tempted,[f] were slain with the sword. They wandered about in sheepskins and goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, tormented— 38 of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in deserts and mountains, in dens and caves of the earth.

39 And all these, having obtained a good testimony through faith, did not receive the promise, 40 God having provided something better for us, that they should not be made perfect apart from us.

In the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life

The order of Melchizedek is referred to here in more detail. Melchizedek was first documented as the priest-king who blessed Abraham and received tithes from Abraham. Melchizedek is compared to Jesus, even though Melchizedek was a mortal. The basis of the comparison comes from the emphasis that the role of priest, tithes and service to God, predates the Law set up after Moses which include the priesthood of Aaron and the Levitical priesthood. Hence there is a priesthood that is older and greater than the Levitical priesthood - which is the priesthood of our Lord Yshua.

One of the main points here is that the priesthood of Jesus, like Melchizedek, is separate from the Law. The Levitical priesthood is not completely effective, especially in guaranteeing salvation, hence the need for another priesthood. The priesthood of Jesus is established by God forever. Also the Levitical priests consist of mortal men who die, whereas Jesus lives forever and is our eternal priest. Finally, unlike human priests, Jesus is completely perfect without sin, and is our perfect priest.





Hebrews 7
The King of Righteousness

1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham gave a tenth part of all, first being translated “king of righteousness,” and then also king of Salem, meaning “king of peace,” 3 without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, remains a priest continually.

4 Now consider how great this man was, to whom even the patriarch Abraham gave a tenth of the spoils. 5 And indeed those who are of the sons of Levi, who receive the priesthood, have a commandment to receive tithes from the people according to the law, that is, from their brethren, though they have come from the loins of Abraham; 6 but he whose genealogy is not derived from them received tithes from Abraham and blessed him who had the promises. 7 Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better. 8 Here mortal men receive tithes, but there he receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives. 9 Even Levi, who receives tithes, paid tithes through Abraham, so to speak, 10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him.

Need for a New Priesthood

11 Therefore, if perfection were through the Levitical priesthood (for under it the people received the law), what further need was there that another priest should rise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be called according to the order of Aaron? 12 For the priesthood being changed, of necessity there is also a change of the law. 13 For He of whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no man has officiated at the altar.

14 For it is evident that our Lord arose from Judah, of which tribe Moses spoke nothing concerning priesthood.[a] 15 And it is yet far more evident if, in the likeness of Melchizedek, there arises another priest 16 who has come, not according to the law of a fleshly commandment, but according to the power of an endless life. 17 For He testifies:[b]

“You are a priest forever
According to the order of Melchizedek.”[c]
18 For on the one hand there is an annulling of the former commandment because of its weakness and unprofitableness, 19 for the law made nothing perfect; on the other hand, there is the bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God.

Greatness of the New Priest

20 And inasmuch as He was not made priest without an oath 21 (for they have become priests without an oath, but He with an oath by Him who said to Him:

“The Lord has sworn
And will not relent,
‘You are a priest forever[d]
According to the order of Melchizedek’”),[e]
22 by so much more Jesus has become a surety of a better covenant.

23 Also there were many priests, because they were prevented by death from continuing. 24 But He, because He continues forever, has an unchangeable priesthood. 25 Therefore He is also able to save to the uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them.

26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, who is holy, harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, and has become higher than the heavens; 27 who does not need daily, as those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the people’s, for this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. 28 For the law appoints as high priests men who have weakness, but the word of the oath, which came after the law, appoints the Son who has been perfected forever.

God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of love which you have shown toward His name

The foundations of the gospel of Christ include repentance, faith towards God, baptism, laying hands, resurrection of the dead, eternal judgment. All these are considered to be the basics of doctrines. As the Christian matures, they should have these principles but also to expand beyond this. There is a warning that people who have experienced these foundational doctrines, then turned away, it would not be possible for them to come back. Perhaps it indicates that after knowing the truth and yet fall away, they must not have truly believed in the first place.

God recognizes our work for Him, even though it is not counted for salvation. The author urges believers to keep the hope and faith and patience to the end, to inherit the promises. Abraham is mentioned as the example whose faith led him to hope in God's promises to the end. The fact that God could not lie also strengthens our hope. Jesus also has led us by example of entering into the presence of God, and be a High Priest for us, again mentioning of the order of Melchizedek.




Hebrews 6
The Peril of Not Progressing

1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, 2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment. 3 And this we will[a] do if God permits.

4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened, and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 if they fall away,[b] to renew them again to repentance, since they crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open shame.

7 For the earth which drinks in the rain that often comes upon it, and bears herbs useful for those by whom it is cultivated, receives blessing from God; 8 but if it bears thorns and briers, it is rejected and near to being cursed, whose end is to be burned.

A Better Estimate

9 But, beloved, we are confident of better things concerning you, yes, things that accompany salvation, though we speak in this manner. 10 For God is not unjust to forget your work and labor of[c] love which you have shown toward His name, in that you have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.

God’s Infallible Purpose in Christ

13 For when God made a promise to Abraham, because He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, “Surely blessing I will bless you, and multiplying I will multiply you.”[d] 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise. 16 For men indeed swear by the greater, and an oath for confirmation is for them an end of all dispute. 17 Thus God, determining to show more abundantly to the heirs of promise the immutability of His counsel, confirmed it by an oath, 18 that by two immutable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we might[e] have strong consolation, who have fled for refuge to lay hold of the hope set before us.

19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and steadfast, and which enters the Presence behind the veil, 20 where the forerunner has entered for us, even Jesus, having become High Priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek.

For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted

Speaking to Hebrew audience, this chapter starts from the common believe that God has used angels to send messages to men and that the messages were reliable. Then it reveals that the Lord Himself spoke about salvation and was confirmed by other witnesses of His Word and also the miraculous signs and Holy Spirit. So it must be fully certain that the promise of salvation is real.

A reference is made to Scriptures on man being made a little lower than angels but were crowned by God with honour and glory. Then it mentions that Jesus too was made a little lower than the angels, meaning that Jesus was made a man. This was done in order that He would suffer and die for everyone which was God's ultimate plan for salvation of humankind.

Going into more detail on the death that is required of Messiah, this enables God's children to take part of His flesh and blood. Death had to occur for Messiah, so that He could conquer it by being raised. This breaks the stronghold the Enemy had on man and free people from bondage. It is interesting that it stated the Messiah did not help the angels but helped the (spiritual and physical) children of Abraham. So the divine Lord is made a man, to serve as a merciful and faithful High Priest, to suffer and be tempted by the same evil, thus able to help His fellow man.




Hebrews 2
Do Not Neglect Salvation

2 Therefore we must give the more earnest heed to the things we have heard, lest we drift away. 2 For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, 3 how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him, 4 God also bearing witness both with signs and wonders, with various miracles, and gifts of the Holy Spirit, according to His own will?

The Son Made Lower than Angels

5 For He has not put the world to come, of which we speak, in subjection to angels. 6 But one testified in a certain place, saying:

“What is man that You are mindful of him,
Or the son of man that You take care of him?
7 You have made him a little lower than the angels;
You have crowned him with glory and honor,[a]
And set him over the works of Your hands.
8 You have put all things in subjection under his feet.”[b]
For in that He put all in subjection under him, He left nothing that is not put under him. But now we do not yet see all things put under him. 9 But we see Jesus, who was made a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death for everyone.

Bringing Many Sons to Glory

10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation perfect through sufferings. 11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are being sanctified are all of one, for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying:

“I will declare Your name to My brethren;
In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.”[c]
13 And again:

“I will put My trust in Him.”[d]
And again:

“Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.”[e]
14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He Himself likewise shared in the same, that through death He might destroy him who had the power of death, that is, the devil, 15 and release those who through fear of death were all their lifetime subject to bondage. 16 For indeed He does not give aid to angels, but He does give aid to the seed of Abraham. 17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are tempted.

Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ

Paul makes a very interesting summary of the position of His chosen people the Israelites - although they have the inheritance and blessings, they were like slaves - possibly meaning slaves to sin. Their appointed guardians may be the prophets and the judges. Then in God's fullness of time, His Son Yeshua came, who also receive the Gentiles as adopted sons. Only through Christ who gave us the Holy Spirit, we can become the true sons of God.

The Galatians had started out right in faith but they had somehow gone back to some traditions or some other forms of bondage which Paul is vehemently rebuking. Paul commended their previous attitude that they would have given them their eyes if Paul needed it. Paul then uses the history to teach the Galatians the difference between the covenants made to Isaac and Ishmael. His audience may even feel jolted or insulted as he compared the current Israelites as those of Ishmael. The promise and blessings to Ishmael was a covenant related to the bondwoman, that is associated with slavery. This is being likened to the Law of Mount Sinai - who made the Israelites into slaves of the Law. The covenant with Isaac is that of a free woman and to be under this free covenant is to be under the New Covenant of Jesus Christ.




Galatians 4

4 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born[a] of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of[b] God through Christ.


Fears for the Church

8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.

12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. 13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. 14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. 15 What[c] then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?

17 They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them. 18 But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you. 19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, 20 I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.



Two Covenants

21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, 24 which things are symbolic. For these are the[d] two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— 25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children— 26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27 For it is written:

“Rejoice, O barren,
You who do not bear!
Break forth and shout,
You who are not in labor!
For the desolate has many more children
Than she who has a husband.”[e]

28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 29 But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.”[f] 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.

And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise

Paul's rebuke of the Galatians become more direct and harsher, since they were starting to believe in salvation by works rather than faith. Paul brings Abraham as an example whose faith God credited as righteousness. Also he said that the true sons of Abraham are those with faith. He mentions that it was God's plan to justify the Gentiles by faith later, and God showed this to Abraham in advance by example.

To live under the Law is to be curse because the Scripture clearly lays down the curses for violation of every aspect of the Law and everyone has violated at least some parts of the Law. God knows that people cannot be justified by Law, only by faith can they be justified, hence Jesus became the curse under the Law for our sins, in order to redeem us.

God explains that the covenant promise God made to Abraham including the promised seed which is the Messiah, is not under the Law. If it is under the Law, then it is not a promise. Paul explains that the Law is not against the promise by faith. Instead the Law has a role to teach people about that we really need to be justified by faith, and so it is really pointing to Christ. Paul encourages us that we are sons of God only by faith in Jesus and we are thus Abraham's seed and heirs to the promise God made to Abraham.





Galatians 3
Justification by Faith


3 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth,[a] before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you[b] as crucified? 2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?

5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.”[c] 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.”[d] 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

The Law Brings a Curse

10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.”[e] 11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.”[f] 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”[g]

13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”[h]), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

The Changeless Promise

15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. 16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,”[i] who is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ,[j] that it should make the promise of no effect. 18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

Purpose of the Law

19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.

21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. 22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

Sons and Heirs

26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either

After giving a stern assessment on the Israelites, Paul assures that God does not forget His covenant people. However, there will only be a remnant elected by grace. God let the Israelites fall so they will be provoked when the Gentiles get chosen by God.

Paul then switches to address the Gentiles. Basically Paul warns the gentiles not to be boastful because they are chosen over God's people the Israelites. God has not permanently rejected His people, only giving them a chance to come back. He uses the analogy of a gentiles being a foreign branch grafted onto a tree with holy root. He reminds the gentiles "Do not be haughty, but fear." God's people, the natural branches were cut off, but they can be grafted back in again. Also the gentiles who were grafted in can be cut-off too, if God can cut out even the natural branches.

Romans 11
Israel’s Rejection Not Total

1 I say then, has God cast away His people? Certainly not! For I also am an Israelite, of the seed of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God has not cast away His people whom He foreknew. Or do you not know what the Scripture says of Elijah, how he pleads with God against Israel, saying, 3 “Lord, they have killed Your prophets and torn down Your altars, and I alone am left, and they seek my life”?[a] 4 But what does the divine response say to him? “I have reserved for Myself seven thousand men who have not bowed the knee to Baal.”[b] 5 Even so then, at this present time there is a remnant according to the election of grace. 6 And if by grace, then it is no longer of works; otherwise grace is no longer grace.[c] But if it is of works, it is no longer grace; otherwise work is no longer work.

7 What then? Israel has not obtained what it seeks; but the elect have obtained it, and the rest were blinded. 8 Just as it is written:

“God has given them a spirit of stupor,
Eyes that they should not see
And ears that they should not hear,
To this very day.”[d]
9 And David says:

“Let their table become a snare and a trap,
A stumbling block and a recompense to them.
10 Let their eyes be darkened, so that they do not see,
And bow down their back always.”[e]


Israel’s Rejection Not Final

11 I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy, salvation has come to the Gentiles. 12 Now if their fall is riches for the world, and their failure riches for the Gentiles, how much more their fullness!

13 For I speak to you Gentiles; inasmuch as I am an apostle to the Gentiles, I magnify my ministry, 14 if by any means I may provoke to jealousy those who are my flesh and save some of them. 15 For if their being cast away is the reconciling of the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead?

16 For if the firstfruit is holy, the lump is also holy; and if the root is holy, so are the branches. 17 And if some of the branches were broken off, and you, being a wild olive tree, were grafted in among them, and with them became a partaker of the root and fatness of the olive tree, 18 do not boast against the branches. But if you do boast, remember that you do not support the root, but the root supports you.

19 You will say then, “Branches were broken off that I might be grafted in.” 20 Well said. Because of unbelief they were broken off, and you stand by faith. Do not be haughty, but fear. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, He may not spare you either. 22 Therefore consider the goodness and severity of God: on those who fell, severity; but toward you, goodness,[f] if you continue in His goodness. Otherwise you also will be cut off. 23 And they also, if they do not continue in unbelief, will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 For if you were cut out of the olive tree which is wild by nature, and were grafted contrary to nature into a cultivated olive tree, how much more will these, who are natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree?

25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be wise in your own opinion, that blindness in part has happened to Israel until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. 26 And so all Israel will be saved,[g] as it is written:

“The Deliverer will come out of Zion,
And He will turn away ungodliness from Jacob;
27 For this is My covenant with them,
When I take away their sins.”[h]
28 Concerning the gospel they are enemies for your sake, but concerning the election they are beloved for the sake of the fathers. 29 For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable. 30 For as you were once disobedient to God, yet have now obtained mercy through their disobedience, 31 even so these also have now been disobedient, that through the mercy shown you they also may obtain mercy. 32 For God has committed them all to disobedience, that He might have mercy on all.

33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!

34 “For who has known the mind of the Lord?
Or who has become His counselor?”[i]
35 “Or who has first given to Him
And it shall be repaid to him?”[j]
36 For of Him and through Him and to Him are all things, to whom be glory forever. Amen.