Leviticus 27

Special vow to the LORD: personverses 1-8

And the LORD spoke to Moses

saying

Speak to the children of Israel

and say to them

When a man shall make a singular vow

the persons shall be for the LORD by your estimation

And your estimation shall be of the male from twenty years old

even to sixty years old

even your estimation shall be fifty shekels of silver

after the shekel of the sanctuary

And if it be a female

then your estimation shall be thirty shekels

And if it be from five years old even to twenty years old

then your estimation shall be of the male twenty shekels

and for the female ten shekels

And if it be from a month old even to five years old

then your estimation shall be of the male five shekels of silver

and for the female your estimation shall be

three shekels of silver

And if it be from sixty years old and above – if it be a male

then your estimation shall be fifteen shekels

and for the female ten shekels

But if he be poorer than your estimation

THEN he shall present himself before the priest

and the priest shall value him

according to his ability that vowed

shall the priest value him

Special vow to the LORD: animalverses 9-13

And if it be a BEAST – whereof men bring an offering to the LORD

all that any man gives of such to the LORD shall be HOLY

He shall not altar it – nor change it – a good for a bad – or a bad for a good

and if he shall at all change beast for beast

then it and the exchange thereof shall be HOLY

And if it be any unclean beast

of which they do not offer a sacrifice to the LORD

then he shall present the beast before the priest

and the priest shall value it – whether it be good or bad

as you value it – who art the priest – so shall it be

BUT if he will at all REDEEM it

then he shall add a fifth part thereof to your estimation

Special dedication to the LORD: houseverses 14-15

And when a man shall sanctify his house to be HOLY to the LORD

then the priest shall estimate it – whether it be good or bad

as the priest shall estimate it – so shall it stand

And if he that sanctified it will REDEEM his house

then he shall add the fifth part of the money of your

estimation to it – and it shall be his

Special dedication to the LORD: personal propertyverses 16-21

And IF a man shall sanctify to the LORD some part of a

field of his possession

THEN your estimation shall be according to the seed thereof

an homer of barley seed shall be valued

at fifty shekels of silver

IF he sanctify his field from the year of jubilee

according to thy estimation it shall stand

BUT IF he sanctify his field after the jubilee

THEN the priest shall reckon unto him the money

according to the years that remain

even to the year of jubilee

and it shall be abated from your estimation

IF he that sanctified the field will in any wise

REDEEM it

THEN he shall add the fifth part of the money of your estimation

to it – and it shall be assured to him

IF he will not REDEEM the field

or if he have sold the field to another man

it shall not be REDEEMED any more

BUT the field – when it goes out in the jubilee

shall be HOLY to the LORD – as a field devoted

the possession thereof shall be the priest’s

Special dedication to the LORD: purchased fieldverses 22-25

IF a man sanctify to the LORD a field which he has bought

which is not of the fields of his possession

THEN the priest shall reckon to him the worth of your estimation

even to the year of jubilee

and he shall give your estimation in that day

as a HOLY thing to the LORD

In the year of the jubilee the field shall return to him of whom

it was bought – even to him to whom the possession of the

land did belong

AND all your estimations shall be according to the shekel of the sanctuary

twenty gerahs shall be the shekel

Unredeemable donationsverses 26-34

Only the firstling of the beasts – which should be the LORD’S firstling

no man shall SANCTIFY it

whether it be ox or sheep – it is the LORD’S

AND IF it be of an unclean beast

THEN he shall REDEEM it according to your estimation

and shall add a fifth part of it thereto

OR IF it be not REDEEMED

THEN it shall be sold according

to your estimation

Notwithstanding – no devoted thing

that a man shall devote to the LORD of all that he has

both of man and beast and of the field of his possession

shall be sold or REDEEMED

every devoted thing is MOST HOLY

to the LORD

None devoted – which shall be devoted of man

shall be REDEEMED – but shall surely be put to death

And all the TITHE of the land – whether of the seed of the land

or of the fruit of the tree – is the LORD’S

it is HOLY to the LORD

AND IF a man will at all REDEEM ought of his TITHES

he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof

And concerning the TITHE of the herd – or the flock

even of whatsoever passes under the rod

the tenth shall be HOLY to the LORD

He shall not search whether it be good or bad

neither shall he change it – and if he change it at all

then both it and the change thereof shall be HOLY

it shall not be REDEEMED

These are the commandments – which the LORD commanded Moses

for the children of Israel in Mount Sinai

COMMENTARY:

DAILY SPIRITUAL BREAKFAST: Young Believers

: 8 But if he be poorer than your estimation, then he shall present himself before the priest, and the priest shall value him: according to his ability that vowed shall the priest value him. (6187 “estimation” [‘erek] means set in order, price, value, provision, assessed price, suitable number of pieces, proper value, or the act of estimating and the result)

DEVOTION: The LORD made provide for individuals who were poor to be able to redeem something they promised the LORD in haste. Many times we get into a tight spot and we promise God that if HE gets us out of this spot we will give HIM ____. It could be anything but if it is something, we really valve we will want to get it back again but we can’t break our word to the LORD.

Once we make a statement to the LORD we have to keep it. The LORD understands some of the promises we make are going to be hard to keep. Here we have promises of possessions to the LORD. These are possessions that have value. The priests decided what the value was of the item promised and the individual had to pay the price plus twenty percent to get the item back.

God doesn’t take HIS word lightly and HE doesn’t want us to take our word lightly so HE expects us to keep our word.

Most of us know what happens when we promise children something and then don’t do it. We can give every excuse in the book but it still doesn’t please a child. They expect an adult to keep their word no matter what. They don’t understand any excuse.

So whether rich or poor there has to be an accounting when we say we are going to do something and then we think more about it and don’t want to do it.

CHALLENGE: We answer to the LORD for every promise we make to HIM or others. Think before you speak.

DAILY SPIRITUAL LUNCH: Transitional Believers

: 16 And if a man shall sanctify to the LORD some part of the field of his possession, then your estimation shall be according to the seed thereof: an homer of barley seed shall be valued at fifty shekels of silver. (6942 “sanctify” [qadash] means to be holy, removed from common use, subject to special treatment, to render holy or set apart by means of religious rites, or consecrated)

The LORD allowed almost everything promised to be redeemed for a price that the priest set for worth. Some people promised the LORD different things that they either didn’t want or were not thinking at the time about what they were promising the LORD.

Here we have something that God required of all of the people. It was the firstborn of the animals. Each firstborn was to go to the LORD no matter what. If it was a clean animal the LORD was the owner of it. There was no question about this gift coming to the LORD.

If the animal was unclean it could be redeemed for a price that was set by the priest. All clean animals belonged to the LORD.

Now the firstborn child could be redeemed for a price. In the case of Samuel when his mother promised him to the LORD the husband could have not honored her promise. Once he honored her promise they could still redeem Samuel from serving Eli. They chose not to redeem him.

It was a good choice because the sons of Eli were wicked. Samuel was one that honored the LORD. His mother visited him yearly and looked to see how he was doing. He was a firstborn that could have been redeemed.

Now we have Jesus Christ as the firstborn of Mary. HE became our redeemer. We are redeemed by the firstborn child of the King. HE died for our sins, so that, we could be redeemed by HIS blood alone.

All of the Old Testament was given for our example and learning. It is our prayer that we are learning more each time we read the Word with meditation.

CHALLENGE: The Holy Spirit wants to teach us things from even this book of Leviticus for today.

: 28 Notwithstanding no devoted thing, that a man shall devote to the LORD of all that he has, both of man and beast, and of the field of his possession, shall be sold or redeemed: every devoted thing is most holy to the LORD. (2764 “devoted” [cherim} means devotion, thing dedicated, accursed thing, thing perforated, or net)

DEVOTION: Here we find people wanting to make a special vow to the LORD. This was over and above the tithe that was already the LORD’S.

People would offer the LORD special gifts. They could offer people, animals, homes, personal possessions, and fields. Some of these items could be redeemed with money. Others could not be redeemed.

The items covered in this verse were under a ban. They were given to the LORD alone. Once they were dedicated to the LORD, they were most holy. They could NOT be sold or redeemed. There are some things that can be sold but the dedicated things can’t be sold.

Individuals could not dedicate their firstborn or their tithe to the LORD because they were already HIS. The children of Israel were expected to give about twenty-three percent of their income each year to the LORD for the upkeep of the Tabernacle.

Once we have given our heart to the LORD, we are to not to try to take it back from HIM. We have dedicated our life to the LORD. We have given HIM full reign in our life.

When we promise God something, we need to keep our promises to HIM. We have presented our bodies to HIM as a living sacrifice. Let’s remember that presentation. We can give HIM our sacrifice of praise. We can give HIM our gifts and our talents for HIS service.

CHALLENGE: We should never be rash in vowing something to God in a hard period in our life and when circumstances change take back our vow. Don’t ever say to God “If you get me out of this situation, I will….” and then not keep it.

DAILY SPIRITUAL SUPPER: Mature Believers

:30 And all the tithe of the land, whether of the seed of the land, or of the fruit of the tree, is the Lord’s: it is holy to the Lord. (4643 “tithe” [maʿaser] means 1 tithe, tenth part. 1a tenth part. 1b tithe, payment of a tenth part. [Strong, J. (1995). Enhanced Strong’s Lexicon. Woodside Bible Fellowship])

DEVOTION: In this chapter we are reminded that the tithe is holy to the Lord. This is a reminder that God has an economy, and that He expects us to be a part of it. People are more and more reluctant to let God have His own way when it comes to our finances, and people are not paying attention to God’s instruction to give hilariously in 2 Corinthians 9:6-7.

Our giving is to demonstrate our gratitude to God for all that He has entrusted us with. While the tithe is a starting point, our giving should show how much we really trust God, and how much we are willing to give back to Him. God has blessed America in part because of the generosity of its people toward sharing the Gospel with other nations around the world. God has given us the privilege of cooperating with Him in this mission. In addition, we should all be strengthening and helping our local church grow, starting with our giving. Our giving times on Sundays should be one of great celebration before God. If more people saw us acting this way when the offering was being collected, they would wonder what it is that we know, and would want to participate in this as well.

Thus, giving is part of what it means to be a holy people in God’s sight. He states that the tithe is holy to Him. We can choose to worship the LORD through our giving in obedience to Him, or we can choose not to reflect His holiness in this area of our lives.

CHALLENGE: What is that God wants you to give up for His kingdom? Be generous in giving to His work! (MW)

: 31 And if a man will at all redeem ought of his tithes, he shall add thereto the fifth part thereof. (1350 “redeem” [ga’al] means kinsman, ransom, buy back, or deliver)

DEVOTION: Here is the problem. Someone has made a vow to give something to the LORD but then he wants to figure out a way to get out of his promise. Well the LORD knew this was going to happen and HE had a plan. HE gave his plan to Moses who gave it to the priests.

If an individual made a vow to give something to the LORD and he wanted to buy it back there was a set price for everything that could be vowed to the LORD.

This chapter covered everything that could be given to the LORD and redeemed. It also covered all the things that could NOT be redeemed. Once a person made a commitment they had to keep their word to the LORD.

There was a twenty percent charge for all that was going to be redeemed. The priest set the price of worth on the object or person or place and the individual had to pay the price plus twenty percent.

Food was given as part of the tithe. Animals were given as part of the tithe. If someone wanted the food or animal or anything that was part of the tithe, they had to add twenty percent to the price.

The tithe is the first ten percent of the harvest, animals, or firstborn child. Each could be redeemed for a price. There are things listed that could not be redeemed and that was final in the eyes of the LORD.

CHALLENGE: Watch what you promise the LORD over and above your tithe. HE expects you to keep your word.

DISCIPLINES OF THE FAITH:

BODY

Chastity (Purity in living)

Fasting (Time alone with LORD without eating or drinking)

Sacrifice (Giving up something we want to serve the LORD)

Submission (Willing to listen to others and LORD)

Solitude (Going to a quiet place without anyone)

SOUL

Fellowship (Gathering together around the Word of God)

Frugality (wise use of resources)

Journalizing (Writing down what you have learned from the LORD)

Study and Meditation (Thinking through your study in the Word)

Secrecy (Doing your good deeds without others knowing but God)

SPIRIT

Celebration (Gathering around a special occasion to worship LORD)

Confession (Tell the LORD we are sorry for our sins on a daily basis)

Prayer (Conversation with God on a personal level)

Silence (Letting the LORD deal with some problems and needs)

Worship (Time to praise the LORD alone or in a group)

Shekels of the Sanctuaryverses 3, 25

Titheverses 30, 32

DOCTRINES OF THE FAITH:

Scripture (66 inerrant books of the Bible)

Commandmentsverse 34

God the Father (First person of the Godhead)

LORD (Jehovah)verses 1, 2, 9, 11, 14, 16, 21-23, 26, 28, 30, 32, 34

Holy unto the LORDverses 21, 28, 30, 32

God the Son (Second person of the Godhead – God/man, Messiah)

God the Holy Spirit (Third person of the Godhead – our comforter)

Trinity (Three persons of the Godhead who are co-equal = ONE God)

Angels (Created before the foundation of the world – Good and Evil)

Man (Created on the sixth twenty-four hour period of creation)

Mount Sinaiverse 34

Sin (Missing the mark set by God on man and angels)

Unclean beast offered to LORDverses 11, 27

Salvation (Provided by Christ’s death on the cross for our sins)

Vows to the LORDverses 2, 8

Redeemverses 13, 15, 19, 20, 27-29, 31, 33

Sanctifyverses 14-19, 22, 26

Devotedverse 29

Israel (Old Testament people of God)

Mosesverses 1, 34

Children of Israelverse 2

Vows to the LORDverses 3-8

20-60 yr. old male = 50 shekels

20-60 yr. old female = 30 shekels

5- 20 yr. old male = 20 shekels

5- 20 yr. old female = 10 shekels

Month – 5 yrs old male = 5 shekels

Month – 5 yrs old female = 3 shekels

60 yrs and above male = 15 shekels

60 yrs and above female = 10 shekels

Poor = according to ability

Priest gives value for poorverses 8-13

Sacrifices are holyverse 9

Sanctify houseverse 14

Year of Jubileeverses 17, 18, 21, 23

Sanctify fieldverses 18, 19, 22

Firstling of beastsverse 26

Unclean beastsverse 27

Devoted thingverses 28, 29

Titheverses 30, 31

Church (New Testament people of God)

Last Things (Future Events)

DONATIONS:

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QUOTES regarding passage

It appears that the Jews paid three tithes: a tithe to the Levites, who in turn tithed it to the priests (Num. 18:21–32); a tithe that was brought to the sanctuary and eaten “before the Lord” (Deut. 14:22–27); and a tithe every three years for the poor (vv. 28–29). No farmer could keep the Lord’s tithe and redeem it with money. It had to be given as the Lord directed.

The major lesson of this chapter is that God expects us to keep our commitments to Him and be honest in all our dealings with Him. We must not try to negotiate “a better deal” or to escape responsibilities. It’s good to give money to the Lord, but giving money isn’t always an acceptable way to express our devotion to God. That money might be a substitute for the service we ought to be rendering to the Lord. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). Be Holy (p. 145). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

28–34 See the discussion on devoted things at the introduction to this chapter. The word for “devoted thing” (ḥērem v.28) has a curious double usage. It refers to the totally holy and the totally evil. It is used especially of the holy war of conquest of Canaan that put the spoils of war “under the ban,” as it is sometimes translated. The spoils of Jericho, for instance, that were perishable were devoted to the flames (Josh 6:17, 21, 24). The spoils that could stand the fire belonged absolutely to the Lord. This principle in the Conquest kept the Israelites from fighting for the sake of the spoils, as was so often done in ancient warfare. The individual got no personal reward for his fighting.

The tithe belonged to the Lord (v.30). It also could not be dedicated by a vow, though that point is not raised here. The tithe of grain and fruit was sufficiently uniform to be redeemed by adding 20 percent (v.31). Perhaps also this provision was used because some fruits were too perishable to transport to the tabernacle.

Some animals are strong and healthy; other are scrawny and poor. An unscrupulous herdsman could easily have given to the Lord the worst, as the priests did later (cf. Mal 1:8). Or an overzealous herdsman could injure his own flock by always giving the best breeders to the tabernacle. The Lord gave a wise provision that every tenth animal regardless of its condition should belong to the Lord (vv.32–33).

Allis (p. 161) remarks that v.34 is less full than 26:46 and probably applies only to chapter 27. This last chapter adds a footnote, as it were, to the main body of laws concluded in chapter 26. There were yet a few more laws to be given at Mount Sinai that were included in the early chapters of Numbers, but this section at least is concluded by the formula that had been used with variation before (7:38; 25:1; 26:46). The opening verses of Numbers, which immediately follow, begin the directions preparing for the march from Sinai to the Promised Land. (Harris, R. L. (1990). Leviticus. In F. E. Gaebelein (Ed.), The Expositor’s Bible Commentary: Genesis, Exodus, Leviticus, Numbers (Vol. 2, p. 653). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan Publishing House.)

Lev. 27:32. With regard to all the tithes of the flock and herd, of all that passed under the rod of the herdsman, the tenth (animal) was to be holy to the Lord. No discrimination was to be made in this case between good and bad, and no exchange to be made: if, however, this did take place, the tenth animal was to be holy as well as the one for which it was exchanged, and could not be redeemed. The words “whatsoever passeth under the rod” may be explained from the custom of numbering the flocks by driving the animals one by one past the shepherd, who counted them with a rod stretched out over them (cf. Jer. 33:13, Ezek. 20:37). They mean everything that is submitted to the process of numbering, and are correctly explained by the Rabbins as referring to the fact that every year the additions to the flock and herd were tithed, and not the whole of the cattle. In these directions the tithe is referred to as something well known. In the laws published hitherto, it is true that no mention has been made of it; but, like the burnt-offerings, meat-offerings, and peace-offerings, it formed from time immemorial an essential part of the worship of God; so that not only did Jacob vow that he would tithe for the Lord all that He should give him in a foreign land (Gen. 28:22), but Abraham gave a tenth of his booty to Melchizedek the priest (Gen. 14:20). Under these circumstances, it was really unnecessary to enjoin upon the Israelites for the first time the offering of tithe to Jehovah. All that was required was to incorporate this in the covenant legislation, and bring it into harmony with the spirit of the law. This is done here in connection with the holy consecrations; and in Num. 18:20–32 instructions are given in the proper place concerning their appropriation, and further directions are added in Deut. 12:6, 11; 14:22ff. respecting a second tithe.—The laws contained in this chapter are brought to a close in v. 34 with a new concluding formula (see Lev. 26:46), by which they are attached to the law given at Sinai. (Keil, C. F., & Delitzsch, F. (1996). Commentary on the Old Testament (Vol. 1, pp. 645–647). Peabody, MA: Hendrickson.)

The tithes of the produce (vv. 30–33) had already been set apart for the Lord and couldn’t be used any other way. It appears that the Jews paid three tithes: a tithe to the Levites, who in turn tithed it to the priests (Num. 18:21–32); a tithe that was brought to the sanctuary and eaten “before the Lord” (Deut. 14:22–27); and a tithe every three years for the poor (vv. 28–29). No farmer could keep the Lord’s tithe and redeem it with money. It had to be given as the Lord directed.

What Samuel said to King Saul needs to be heard today: “Behold, to obey is better than sacrifice, and to hearken than the fat of rams” (1 Sam. 15:22).

Finally, we need to remember that Jesus Christ paid with His own life the redemption price for sinners, and we weren’t worth it. He redeemed us not with silver and gold but with His own precious blood (1 Peter 1:18–19). Any sacrifice we make for Him is nothing compared to the sacrifice He made for us. (Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). Be Holy (p. 146). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.)

27:30–32 tithe. This general tithe was given to the Levites. Cf. Nu 18:21–32. This is the only mention of tithe or 10 percent in Leviticus. However, along with this offering, there were two other OT tithes which totaled about 23 percent annually (cf. the second tithe—Dt 14:22; and the third tithe every 3 years—Dt 14:28, 29; 26:12). (MacArthur, J. F., Jr. (2006). The MacArthur study Bible: New American Standard Bible. (Le 27:30–32). Nashville, TN: Thomas Nelson Publishers.)

Ver. 32. And concerning the tithe of the herd, or of the flock, &c.] Of oxen and sheep, as the Targums of Jonathan and Jerusalem; for this law only concerns such, as Maimonides observes, for none but clean beasts were tithed, though the firstlings of unclean beasts were to be redeemed: even of whatsoever passeth under the rod, the tenth shall be holy unto the Lord: which being slain, the blood and fat were to be offered on the altar, and the flesh eaten by the owners, as Jarchi observes; who adds, this is not reckoned with the rest of the gifts of the priesthood; and we don’t find it was given to the priests: the rod, under which these are said to pass, is either the shepherd’s rod, as Aben Ezra under, which they passed morning and evening, when led out or brought in, as in Jer. 33:13 or the rod of the tither: the manner of tithing, as described by Maimonides, was this; “he gathers all the lambs and all the calves into a field, and makes a little door to it, so that two can’t go out at once; and he places their dams without, and they bleat, so that the lambs hear their voice, and go out of the fold to meet them, as it is said, whatsoever passeth under the rod; for it must pass of itself, and not be brought out by his hand; and when they go out of the fold, one after another, he begins and counts them with the rod, one, two, three, four, five, six, seven, eight, nine, and the tenth that goes out, whether male or female, whether perfect or blemished, he marks it with a red mark, and says, this is the tithe:” the time of tithing the cattle was on the first of Elul or August; for so it is said^z, “the first of Elul is the beginning of the year for the tithing of beasts;” when they tithed all that were yeaned the preceding year: but we are elsewhere told, there were three times for tithing beasts; 15 days before the passover, (which was the last of Adar or February,) and 15 days before the Pentecost, and 15 days before the feast of tabernacles, which was the last of Elul or August; and these tithings were made for the sake of those that went up to these feasts, that it might be certain the cattle sold and eaten were tithed. (Gill, J. (1810). An Exposition of the Old Testament (Vol. 1, pp. 705–706). London: Mathews and Leigh.)

FROM MY READING:

(Remember the only author that I totally agree with is the HOLY SPIRIT in the inerrant WORD OF GOD called THE BIBLE! All other I try to gleam what I can to help me grow in the LORD!!)

THE POST- CHURCH CHRISTIAN by J. Paul Nyquist and Carson Nyquist

Carson writes:

Amid the social environment found in pubs, we see opportunities to express the hop of Christ to those who enjoy a pint as they talk about life. This is new to the evangelical church and an opportunity to engage culture and unbelievers. (p. 53)

The church has avoided grey issues for years, seemingly to remain safe from harm. We want to enter into those areas to connect with unbelievers and enjoy life. (p. 53)

Since that day I have felt an unbelievable sense of peace – a comfort and rest, freeing me from the anxiety of living up to others’ standards. (p. 55)

He wanted followers who held deep trust as their foundation, not social or political conformity. (p. 56)

While alcohol is usually the most visible topic, this conversation extends to issues like tattoos, smoking, piercing, and other areas of Christian freedom. (p. 57)

Our generation is choosing to practice Christian freedom differently. There is less fear surrounding alcohol and tattoos. (p. 60)

While legalism is rarely blatant (at least in most churches), we should not think it has disappeared. Christian freedom leave no room for prejudice based on personal preference. Just like the Pharisees, additional rules are often instilled in churches and used to create layers of acceptance and authority in the church. (p. 61)

The church was not founded to establish extrabiblical morals for believers. (p. 61)

Parenting adults with rules only leads to legalistic control or outright rebellion. (p. 62)

The church at times tends to value legalism over freedom. We want to help curb that tradition and bring back a healthier response. (p. 63)

(I do not agree with this part of the book!!)

THE LOVE OF THE WORLD

Love not the world. 1 John 2:15
What is “the world” is this case? Now I think it is important that we should agree that he is not referring here to creation as such; he is not thinking of the mountains and the valleys and rivers, the streams and the sun and the moon and the stars. He does not mean the physical world. There are people who have even thought that to “love not the world, neither the things that are in the world” means to shut one’s eyes to the glory and beauty of nature.
But it does not mean that; neither does it mean the life of the world in general. It does not mean family relationships, though there are people who have misinterpreted it like that; they have often regarded marriage as sinful. Not once but very often in my ministerial life have I had to deal with nice, sincere Christian people who have solemnly believed, through misinterpreting a text like this, that Christian people should not marry. Their reason is that marriage involves certain relationships that they regard as sinful; they would regard the very gift of sex as being sinful in and of itself.
So “the world” does not mean creation; it does not mean family relationships; it is not the state; it does not mean engaging in business or a profession or all these things that are essential to life; it does not mean governments and authorities and powers, for all these have been ordained by God Himself. There is nothing so grievous as to misinterpret “the world” in some such terms as that.
What, then, does it mean? Clearly the very text and the whole teaching of the Bible shows that it must mean the organization and the mind and the outlook of mankind as it ignores God and does not recognize Him and as it lives a life independent of Him, a life that is based upon this world and this life only. It is the whole outlook upon life that is exclusive of God.
A Thought to Ponder
“The world” ignores God and lives a life independent of Him, a life that is based upon this world and this life only.
(From Walking with God, pp. 84-85, Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones)

1 Corinthians 8
Take care that your actions do not wound another Christian.
INSIGHT

There is an inseparable link between Christ and the church. In Acts 9:4 Jesus appears to Saul on the road to Damascus and asks, “Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?” Yet Saul had not persecuted Jesus; he had never even seen Jesus. However, because he was persecuting the church, Jesus rebuked Saul for persecuting Him. Again in 1 Corinthians 8 Paul teaches that if we sin against our brothers in Christ-wounding their consciences when they are weak-we sin against Christ. We must be cautious with our words and actions.

(Quiet Walk)

Filled with the Knowledge of His Will
“For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to desire that ye might be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding.” (Colossians 1:9)
Paul has chosen a particular word, pleroo, to describe an action that “fills to the top” so that the knowledge about which he prays has no more space to fill. While speaking to his friends in Rome, Paul said that he was “persuaded of you, my brethren, that ye also are full of goodness, filled with all knowledge, able also to admonish one another” (Romans15:14).
This includes the kind of knowledge (Greek epignosis) of God’s will that stresses precise and complete understanding of that will for our lives. “According as his divine power hath given unto us all things that pertain unto life and godliness…. that by these ye might be partakers of the divine nature.” These “things” (the knowledge, the precious promises) enable us to escape “the corruption that is in the world through lust” (2 Peter 1:3-4).
This magnificent and complete knowledge of His will includes the wisdom (Greek sophia) to use the knowledge acquired by experience. And even that grace God made to abound “toward us in all wisdom and prudence” (Ephesians 1:8), which, since it comes from God, is “first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy” (James 3:17).
The wonderful knowledge and wisdom that God has provided for us includes a spiritual understanding (Greek pneumatikos sunesis), an ability to put complicated matters together with the “mind of Christ” (1 Corinthians 2:16). Indeed, “he that is spiritual judgeth all things, yet he himself is judged of no man” (1 Corinthians 2:15). “Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things” (2 Timothy 2:7).

(HMM III, The Institute for Creation Research)

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