When The World Seems Enticing
Genesis 3:1 Now the serpent was more subtil than any beast of the field which the LORD God had made. And he said unto the woman, Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?
Genesis 3:1
a[serpent]
The Serpent of Eden
"Serpent" comes from the Hebrew: nachash (HSN-5175), snake. A literal serpent is
involved as a tool of Satan; otherwise, it would be unjust of God to curse it. This same
Hebrew word (nachash) is used of literal snakes throughout Scripture (Genesis 3:1-14;
Genesis 49:17; Exodus 7:15; Numbers 21:9; 2 Kings 18:4; Proverbs 30:19; Eccles.
10:8,11; Amos 5:19; Amos 9:3). It wouldn’t make sense to substitute Satan for serpent in these and other scriptures. Satan has no power to transform himself into a snake. He is an angel and always will be, though now fallen (Ezekiel 28:11-17).
"Subtil" comes from the Hebrew €aruwm (HSN-6175), cunning (usually in a bad
sense), crafty (Job 5:12; Job 15:5). The character of the temptation illustrates craftiness.
Satan and the serpent agreed on the best method to cause the fall of man. Nothing was
said at first to awaken suspicion or shock the moral sense; merely a sly insinuation
calculated to excite natural curiosity. Then there was a direct lie combined with just
enough truth to give it plausibility (Genesis 3:4-5). Note the three steps leading to
transgression in the outline of Genesis 3:1-4 (Genesis 3:6; John 8:44; 2 Cor. 11:3; 1 Tim. 2:14).
The facts of this account are neither allegory, myth, legend, nor fable, but literal and
historical. They are rarely even expressed in figurative language. In fact, there are only
three figurative statements in the third chapter of Genesis:
1."Dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life"—expressing utter humiliation of the
serpent as the lowest of all the beasts of the field (note, §Genesis 3:14)
2."It shall bruise thy head"—expressing complete and crushing defeat of the devil and
all his forces, as a serpent is killed by crushing its head (note, §Genesis 3:14)
3."Thou shalt bruise his heel"—expressing temporary sufferings of the Messiah (note,
§Genesis 3:14).
The "seed of the serpent" refers to natural serpents being natural enemies of man. The
"seed of the woman" refers to the incarnation of God as a man (Genesis 3:15; Isaiah
7:14; Isaiah 9:6-7; Isaiah 11:1; Matthew 1; John 1:14; Romans 1:1-2; Galatians 4:4; 1
Tim. 3:16; Hebrews 2:14-18).
There is no reason to make the historical record of man’s fall figurative in any way. To
make the serpent figurative of Satan rather than a tool of Satan is out of harmony with all facts in Scripture. The serpent is classed with the beasts of the field and cursed above them (Genesis 3:1,14). It is spoken of as being formed by God’s hand (Job 26:13), as being cursed in the Millennium when Satan is bound (Isaiah 65:25), and in the same literal sense as other creatures formed in Adam’s day. True, Satan is symbolized by a great red dragon and is called "that old serpent" (Isaiah 27:1; Job 41:34; Rev. 12:3-17; Rev. 20:2), and he is like the serpent of Eden who deceived Eve (2 Cor. 11:3; 1 Tim. 2:14); but this doesn’t make the serpent of Genesis 3 the personal devil any more than it does Peter in Matthew 16:22-23, or the kings of Babylon and Tyre in Isaiah 14:12-14 and Ezekiel 28:11-17. All were merely tools of Satan (see The Law of Double Reference). The most fundamental principle of interpretation is to take the Bible literally wherever possible. If the language can’t be taken literally, then determine what is the literal truth conveyed by the figurative expressions.
Fifteen Facts about the Serpent of Eden
1.He was a beast of the field (Genesis 3:1).
2.He was more subtle than all others (Genesis 3:1).
3.He was created by God (Genesis 3:1).
4.He was a serpent, not Satan (Genesis 3:1).
5.He had power of speech (Genesis 3:1-6).
6.He had reasoning powers (Genesis 3:1-6).
7.He had deceptive powers (Genesis 3:1-6).
8.He had knowledge of God’s plan (Genesis 3:1-6).
9.He walked upright before the fall (Genesis 3:14).
10.He was head of all animals (Genesis 3:1,14).
11.He was capable of enmity (Genesis 3:15).
12.He was close to man in Eden (Genesis 3:1-15).
13.He carried on conversation (Genesis 3:1-6).
14.He was cursed above all animals (Genesis 3:14).
15.He was a literal snake that was used as a tool of Satan to deceive man (Genesis 3:1-19).
Eightfold Prophecy to the Serpent
1.You are cursed above all cattle (Genesis 3:14).
2.You are cursed above all beasts (Genesis 3:14).
3.Upon your belly you shall go all the days of your life (Genesis 3:14).
4.Dust you shall eat all the days of your life (Genesis 3:14; Isaiah 65:25).
5.I will put enmity between you and the woman (Genesis 3:15).
6.I will put enmity between your seed and her seed (Genesis 3:15)
7.The seed of the woman shall bruise your head (Genesis 3:15; Romans 16:20; Rev.
20:1-10).
8.You shall bruise His heel (Genesis 3:15; Rev. 1:18).
Points 1 through 6 are will continue being fulfilled into eternity. Point 7 was partially
fulfilled when Satan was defeated at the cross (Col. 2:14-17), but the final fulfillment
will be at Armageddon (Rev. 19:11-20:3) and at the end of the Millennium (Rev. 20:7-
11). Point 8 was fulfilled completely when Christ was crucified. He was not crushed by
seeming defeat in being killed, because it was impossible that He should be held in death (John 10:18; Acts 2:23-36). He was merely wounded as a heel is bruised, but Satan is to be completely defeated and his power destroyed as when a serpent’s head is crushed (Genesis 3:15; Col. 2:14-17; Romans 16:20; Rev. 20:7-10).
b[Yea, hath God said, Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden?] Question 1.
Next, §Genesis 3:9.
c[Ye shall not eat of every tree of the garden] Misquoted from Genesis 2:16-17.
Genesis 3:2 And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden:
Genesis 3:3 But of the fruit of the tree which is in the midst of the garden, God hath said, Ye shall not eat of it, neither shall ye touch it, lest ye die.
Genesis 3:3
a [neither shall ye touch it] Addition to Genesis 2:16-17.
b [lest ye die] Misquoted from Genesis 2:17, implying doubt as to whether the penalty would be executed.
Genesis 3:4 And the serpent said unto the woman, Ye shall not surely die:
Genesis 3:4
a [Ye shall not surely die] The first direct lie in Scripture (John 8:44).
Genesis 3:5 For God doth know that in the day ye eat thereof, then your eyes shall be opened, and ye shall be as gods, knowing good and evil.
Genesis 3:5
a[eyes shall be opened] See Acts 26:18; 2 Cor. 4:3-4.
b[ye shall be as gods] One of Satan’s most effective appeals to man—to make a god of himself.
c[gods] Hebrew: Elohiym (HSN-430), plural of Elowah (HSN-433), Gods. See
The Trinity.
d[knowing good and evil] God knows evil only as He has seen it in rebels. He couldn’t
know sin experientially, because there is no higher Law or Being than God.
Genesis 3:6 And when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise, she took of the fruit thereof, and did eat, and gave also unto her husband with her; and he did eat.
Genesis 3:6
a [saw that the tree was good for food, and that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree to be desired to make one wise] Threefold temptation of man:
1. Lust of the flesh (Genesis 3:6; 1 John 2:15-17)
2. Lust of the eyes (Genesis 3:6; 1 John 2:15-17)
3. The pride of life (Genesis 3:6; 1 John 2:15-17)
b [husband with her] Adam was with her and therefore without excuse (cp. 1 Tim. 2:14). He should have spoken up and protected his mate and his dominion. See note on §Genesis 2:15.
Genesis 3:7 And the eyes of them both were opened, and they knew that they were naked; and they sewed fig leaves together, and made themselves aprons.
Genesis 3:7
a[eyes of them both were opened] The opening of their eyes gave a different sight
from what was expected (cp. Genesis 3:5).
b[knew that they were naked] They knew before mentally, but now by experience.
They lost God-consciousness and gained self-consciousness. They lost the power to do good and gained the power to do evil. Instead of becoming like God they became
unlike Him, in that He has power to do only good. It is morally impossible for Him to
sin. Adam lost that glorious sinlessness and innocence.
c[sewed] Compare Eccles. 3:7; Job 16:15; Ezekiel 13:18.
d[aprons] Hebrew: chagorah (HSN-2290), a belt or girdle. Translated gird (Isaiah
32:11) and girdle (1 Samuel 18:4; 2 Samuel 18:11; 2 Samuel 20:8; 1 Kings 2:5; Isaiah
3:24). These man-made aprons of leaves don’t compare to the warmth, protection,
comfort and durability of the skin coats God made (Genesis 3:21).
Eccles. 2:1
I said in mine heart, Go to now, I will prove thee with mirth, therefore enjoy pleasure: and, behold, this also is vanity.
Eccles. 2:1
a[in mine heart] No godly man will say such things in his heart, so this further proves
that the heart of Solomon was not right at this time.
b[mirth] Hebrew: simchah (HSN-8057), glee; joy; mirth; pleasure (Eccles. 2:1-2;
Eccles. 7:4; Eccles. 8:15; Genesis 31:27; Neh. 8:12; Psalm 137:3; Proverbs 14:13). It
refers to any festivity or pleasure that satisfies the lusts and passions of flesh
momentarily.
c[pleasure] Hebrew: towb (HSN-2896). Translated "good" 361 times, but also
"pleasure" (Eccles. 2:1; Job 21:25) and "merry" (Eccles. 9:7; Judges 16:25; 1 Samuel
25:36; 2 Samuel 13:28; 2 Chron. 7:10; Esther 1:10; Proverbs 15:15).
Eccles. 2:2 I said of laughter, It is mad: and of mirth, What doeth it?
Eccles. 2:2
a [It is mad] It is madness (as in Eccles. 1:17).
b [What doeth it?] Question 3. Next, §Eccles. 2:12.
Eccles. 2:3
I sought in mine heart to give myself unto wine, yet acquainting mine heart with wisdom; and to lay hold on folly, till I might see what was that good for the sons of men, which they should do under the heaven all the days of their life.
Eccles. 2:3
a [in mine heart to give myself unto wine] One whose heart is right with God will not abandon himself to wine or seek folly, as Solomon did. No godly man will even do it for an experiment, knowing it is contrary to God’s will. It seems that Solomon wanted to see if his wisdom would remain in his heart while it was given over to sin. It did remain because wisdom and knowledge become a part of the human mentality, whether acquired by study, experience, divine revelation, or impartation by the Holy Spirit (see Eccles. 2:9).
Eccles. 2:4 I made me great works; I builded me houses; I planted me vineyards:
Eccles. 2:4
a [great works] Six great public and private works:
1. Houses (Eccles. 2:4; 1 Kings 6-7)
2. Vineyards (Eccles. 2:4)
3. Gardens (Eccles. 2:5)
4. Orchards (literally, paradises, parks, pleasure grounds)
5. All kinds of fruit trees
6. Many pools of water (Eccles. 2:6)
Eccles. 2:5 I made me gardens and orchards, and I planted trees in them of all kind of fruits:
Eccles. 2:6 I made me pools of water, to water therewith the wood that bringeth forth trees:
Eccles. 2:7 I got me servants and maidens, and had servants born in my house; also I had great possessions of great and small cattle above all that were in Jerusalem before me:
Eccles. 2:7
a [I got me servants and maidens]
Ninefold Evidence of Solomon’s Riches and Glory
1. Many male servants (Eccles. 2:7).
2. Many maid-servants
3. Many children of servants
4. Great possessions of large and small cattle—herds and flocks
5. Silver and gold (Eccles. 2:8)
6. Special treasures of kings and the provinces
7. Many male singers
8. Many female singers
9. Musical instruments of all kinds
Eccles. 2:8 I gathered me also silver and gold, and the peculiar treasure of kings and of the provinces: I gat me men singers and women singers, and the delights of the sons of men, as musical instruments, and that of all sorts.
Eccles. 2:9 So I was great, and increased more than all that were before me in Jerusalem: also my wisdom remained with me.
Eccles. 2:9
a [also my wisdom remained with me] Solomon did not lose his wisdom and knowledge which had been imparted as a gift through the Holy Spirit, because they became a part of his mental facilities as much as any other wisdom and knowledge acquired by learning or experience. See note, §Eccles. 2:3; also see 1 Cor. 13; 1 Cor. 14:3,12,26,32-38.
Eccles. 2:10 And whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy; for my heart rejoiced in all my labour: and this was my portion of all my labour.
Eccles. 2:10
a [whatsoever mine eyes desired I kept not from them, I withheld not my heart from any joy] This is further proof of Solomon’s backsliding. He fulfilled every lust and satisfied every passion of his heart—whatever his eyes desired. Various passages make it clear that his life of abandonment to pleasure involved more than secular work as dealt with here (Eccles. 2:10-11).
Eight Sins of Solomon
1. He gave his heart to know madness and folly (notes, §Eccles. 1:17).
2. He gave his heart to mirth and pleasure (notes, §Eccles. 1:17-2:1).
3. He gave his heart to wine and drunkenness (Eccles. 2:3).
4. He gave his heart to pursue folly (Eccles. 2:3).
5. He set his heart on riches, treasures, singing, music, and all that is connected with such a life (Eccles. 2:8).
6. He gave himself over to unbridled lusts and passions (Eccles. 2:10).
7. He applied his heart to know the wickedness of folly and the foolishness of madness (Eccles. 7:25).
8. He had bitter experiences with women (Eccles. 7:28).
Besides the facts in this book, 1 Kings 11:1-10 shows that he went into idolatry and turned away from Jehovah altogether, leading to many sins.
Eccles. 2:11 Then I looked on all the works that my hands had wrought, and on the labour that I had laboured to do: and, behold, all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun.
Eccles. 2:11
a [all was vanity and vexation of spirit, and there was no profit under the sun] All unbridled lusts proved to be nothing but vanity when they were fulfilled (Eccles. 2:10-11). There was nothing that Solomon desired which he could not have, and there was nothing that he could have that he did not experience or possess; yet nothing satisfied him. Everything left him empty and feeling that all was vain. Thus, it will always be with the man who turns from God after knowing Him and being fully satisfied with His blessing (2 Peter 2:20-22).
2 Cor. 6:14 Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers: for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness?
2 Cor. 6:14
a [Be ye not unequally yoked together with unbelievers] This is a military term—keep your own ranks; do not leave Christians and join with unbelievers. It indicates that some Corinthians were joining with the heathen in idolatrous feasts and other practices that would lead to apostasy (1 Cor. 8:3-13; 1 Cor. 10:16-33).
b [for what fellowship hath righteousness with unrighteousness? and what communion hath light with darkness? And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel? And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols?] Questions 8-12. Next, §2 Cor. 10:7. The answer to these questions is clear. Righteousness cannot mix with lawlessness; light can have no communion with darkness; Christ and Belial cannnot be of one accord; a believer cannot have part with an infidel; and there can be no agreement of the temple of God with idols.
2 Cor. 6:15 And what concord hath Christ with Belial? or what part hath he that believeth with an infidel?
2 Cor. 6:15
a[Belial] A name of Satan. Only here in the New Testament, but is the equivalent of
the Hebrew: beliya€al (HSN-1100), without profit, worthlessness, wickedness
(Deut. 13:13; Judges 19:22; Judges 20:13; 1 Samuel 1:16; 1 Samuel 2:12; 1 Samuel
10:27; 1 Samuel 25:17,25; 1 Samuel 30:22; 2 Samuel 16:7; 2 Samuel 20:1; 2 Samuel
23:6; 1 Kings 21:10,13; 2 Chron. 13:7). In every reference in the Old Testament it is
used of evil people being sons of Belial in the same sense the New Testament speaks of them being children of the wicked one and of the devil (Matthew 13:38; Acts 13:10; 1 John 3:10).
2 Cor. 6:16 And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.
2 Cor. 6:16
a [ye are the temple of the living God] 1 Cor. 3:16-17; 1 Cor. 6:19-20; 2 Cor. 6:16. See note, §Luke 22:3.
b [said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people] The 2nd Old Testament prophecy fulfilled in 2 Corinthians (2 Cor. 6:16; Leviticus 26:12). Next, §2 Cor. 6:17.
2 Cor. 6:17 Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you,
2 Cor. 6:17
a[Wherefore come out from among them, and be ye separate, saith the Lord, and
touch not the unclean thing; and I will receive you] The 3rd Old Testament
prophecy fulfilled in 2 Corinthians (2 Cor. 6:17; Isaiah 52:11). Next, §2 Cor. 9:9.
b[unclean] Greek: akathartos (GSN-169). Translated "unclean" and "foul":
1.Of unclean and foul spirits 24 times out of 30 (note, §Luke 4:33)
2.Of unclean food that God had made clean (Acts 10:14,28; Acts 11:8)
3.Of children (§1 Cor. 7:14, note)
4.Of the homosexual (Ephes. 5:5)
5.Of the unclean thing (2 Cor. 6:17) All demonic, moral, and physical uncleanness
must be cleansed from body and spirit if one wants the fulfillment of the promises of
2 Cor. 6:16-18.
2 Cor. 6:18 And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty.
2 Cor. 6:18
a [And will be a Father unto you, and ye shall be my sons and daughters, saith the Lord Almighty] The same kind of promise as 2 Samuel 7:14. This means that God will assume all responsibility of parental concern and give Himself to the eternal care of His family (Ephes. 3:14; Matthew 7:11). Earthly parents may lack the power and the means to supply all things for their families, but this is not true of God who owns all and rules all.
2 Cor. 7:1 Having therefore these promises, dearly beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2 Cor. 7:1
a [these promises] The promises of 2 Cor. 7:16-18.
b [let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God] Six conditions of the promises (2 Cor. 6:14-7:1):
1. Be not unequally yoked with unbelievers (2 Cor. 6:14-16).
2. Come out from among them (2 Cor. 6:17).
3. Be separate from them (2 Cor. 6:17).
4. Touch not the unclean thing (2 Cor. 6:17).
5. Cleanse self of all filthiness of the flesh and spirit (2 Cor. 7:1; Mark 7:19-21; Romans 1:18-32; 1 Cor. 6:9-11; Galatians 5:19-21; Col. 3:5-10).
6. Perfect holiness in the fear of God (2 Cor. 7:1; Ephes. 1:4; Ephes. 4:24; Galatians 5:24; Romans 6:14-23; Romans 8:1-13; Hebrews 12:12-15).
James 1:26 If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion is vain.
James 1:26
a[religious] Greek: threskos (GSN-2357), a careful follower of his belief. Only
occurs here.
b[bridleth] Greek: chalinagogeo (GSN-5468). Used only here; James3:2.
c[deceiveth] Greek: apatao (GSN-538), to cheat; outwit; to be deceived. Here;
Ephes. 5:6; 1 Tim. 2:14.
d[religion] Greek: threskeia (GSN-2356). Translated religion (James 1:26-27; Acts
26:5) and worshiping (Col. 2:18).
e[vain] Greek: mataios (GSN-3152). Translated vain (James 1:26; 1 Cor. 3:20; 1
Cor. 15:17; Titus 3:9) and vanity (Acts 14:15). Pure and undefiled religion is twofold:
1.To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction (James 1:27)
2.Keep self unspotted from the world. True religion consists of universal benevolence
and purity of heart and life (Matthew 5:16,44; 2 Cor. 9:8; Col. 1:10; 1 Tim. 1:5; Titus
2:7,14; Titus 3:1,8; Hebrews 12:14; James 1:27; James 3:13,17; 1 Peter 2:12; 1 John 3:17)
James 1:27 Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.
James 4:4 Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.
James 4:4
a [Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? ... Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?] Questions 18-19. Next, §James 4:12.
b [the friendship of the world is enmity with God] The Christian must:
1. Be free from the cares of the world (Matthew 13:22; Luke 21:34-36)
2. Not gain the world at the expense of his soul (Matthew 16:26)
3. Not offend others as the world does (Matthew 18:7)
4. Not be of it (John 15:19; John 17:14,16)
5. Not love his life in the world (John 12:25)
6. Be delivered from the world (Galatians 1:4)
7. Be crucified to the world (Galatians 6:14)
8. Shine as a light in the world (Phil. 2:15)
9. Deny its lusts; live godly in it (Titus 2:12)
10. Be unspotted from the world (James 1:27)
11. Not be friends with the world (James 4:4)
12. Escape the pollution and corruption of the world (2 Peter 1:4; 2 Peter 2:20)
13. Not love the world, neither the things that are in the world (1 John 2:15-17)
14. Be like Christ in the world (1 John 4:17)
15. Overcome the world (1 John 5:4-5)
16. Be chosen out of it (John 15:19; John 17:6)
17. Be not conformed to it (Romans 12:2)
18. Be dead to its ways (Col. 2:20)
James 4:5 Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?
James 4:5
a [The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy] There is no exact scripture quoted by James here. He must refer to the basic thought of several passages, as Genesis 6:5; Genesis 8:21; Numbers 11:29; Proverbs 21:10. That the spirit of man is designed to lust to envy, or that the Holy Spirit who dwells in the Christian lusts to envy, is contrary to all teaching of Scripture.
James 4:6 But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.
James 4:6
a [giveth grace unto the humble] Quoted from Proverbs 3:34.
James 4:7 Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.
James 4:7
a [Submit yourselves therefore to God ...]
Ten Commands for Backsliders
1. Submit yourselves to God (James 4:7)
2. Resist the devil (James 4:7)
3. Draw nigh to God (James 4:8)
4. Cleanse your hands, you sinners (James 4:8)
5. Purify your hearts, you doubters (James 4:8)
6. Be afflicted, mourn, and weep (James 4:9)
7. Let your laughter be turned to mourning (James 4:9)
8. Let your joy be turned to heaviness (James 4:9)
9. Humble yourself before God (James 4:10)
10. Speak not evil of one another (James 4:11)
b [he will flee from you] Four promises to backsliders:
1. God gives more grace to the humble
2. The devil will flee from you
3. God will draw nigh to you
4. God shall lift you up
There are no unconditional promises or covenants in Scripture. One must obey the ten commands of the note above to receive the promises.
James 4:8 Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.
James 4:8
a[Cleanse your hands] Cleansing the hands was a symbol of innocence and purity
(Matthew 27:24).
b[purify] Greek: hagnizo (GSN-48), to make pure (James 4:8; John 11:55; Acts
21:24,26; Acts 24:18; 1 Peter 1:22; 1 John 3:3). Here it means to separate from the
world and consecrate to God, renouncing all sin.
c[double minded] Double-mindedness refers to doubting God (James 1:6-8).
James 4:9 Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.
James 4:9
a [Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep] This is true repentance which always brings the mercy of God if done in time—now (1 John 1:7; Hebrews 9:27).
b [laughter] Ten types of sin and pleasure:
1. Wars and fightings (James 4:1-2)
2. Lusts of sin (James 4:1-5; Ephes. 2:1-3)
3. Murders and killings (James 4:2)
4. Desires—covetousness (James 4:2)
5. Adulteries and other sex sins (James 4:4)
6. Friendships with worldy men (James 4:4)
7. Envies and jealousies (James 4:5)
8. Pride and haughtiness (James 4:6-10)
9. Laughter prompted by sin (James 4:9)
10. Joy founded on sin (James 4:9)
James 4:10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.
James 4:10
a [shall lift you up] Mourners and penitents used to lie on the ground and roll themselves in the dust. When forgiven, penitents arose from the earth and clothed themselves in clean and better garments.
1 John 2:15 Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world. If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 John 2:15
a[Love not the world, neither the things that are in the world] Two things not to
love:
1.Greek: kosmos (GSN-2889), the order, behavior, fashion, and government of this
world system (Matthew 4:8; Matthew 13:22; Ephes. 2:1-3; James 4:4; 2 Peter 1:4; 2
Peter 2:20)
2.The things that make up the world system of evil and rebellion against God (see
Three Classes of Things of the World System)
b[If any man love the world, the love of the Father is not in him] This is the reason
men must not love the world system or the things in it. Love of God and love of these
things are not compatible.
1 John 2:16 For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life, is not of the Father, but is of the world.
1 John 2:16
a[For all that is in the world, the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes ...]
Three Classes of Things in the World System
1.The lust of the flesh (1 John 2:15; see Seventeen Works of the Flesh)
2.The lust of the eyes:
(1)Lust for women (Matthew 5:28; Job 31:1)
(2)Eyes full of adultery—even men with men and women with women (2 Peter
2:14; Romans 1:18-28)
(3)Covetousness (Psalm 10:8; Luke 12:15)
(4)All things desired (Eccles. 2:10)
(5)Idolatry (Ezekiel 6:9; Ezekiel 18:6-15)
(6)All kinds of evil (Matthew 6:23; Matthew 7:22)
3.The pride of life:
(1)Self-righteousness (Job 32:1)
(2)Positions (Genesis 3:5; Ezekiel 28:11-17; 1 Tim. 3:6; 3 John 1:9)
(3)Power (Leviticus 26:19)
(4)Riches (Psalm 39:6; Ezekiel 28:5)
(5)Beauty (Ezekiel 28:11,17)
(6)Strength to war (2 Chron. 26:16)
(7)Constant boasting of one’s self; glorying in sexual activity; pleasures; and all the
vanity of life (1 John 2:15; Psalm 24:4; Psalm 36:2; Isaiah 3:16)
b[pride of life] Greek: alazoneia (GSN-212), vain-boastings. Used only here and
James 4:16.
1 John 2:17 And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.
1 John 2:17
a[the world passeth away, and the lust thereof; but he that doeth the will of God
abideth for ever] The 1st New Testament prophecy in 1 John (1 John 2:17,
unfulfilled). Next, §1 John 2:18. Greek: kosmos (GSN-2889), social system. It will
be changed, not annihilated (note, §Ephes. 2:2; note, §2 Peter 3:10).
b[world] The world system passes away, but the man who does not conform to it abides forever.
c[passeth away] Greek: parago (GSN-3855). Translated "pass away" (1 John 2:17; 1
Cor. 7:31); "pass by" (Matthew 20:30; Mark 2:14; Mark 15:21; John 8:59; John 9:1);
"pass" (1 John 2:8); "pass forth" (Matthew 9:9); and "depart" (Matthew 9:27). Not the
same as parerchomai (GSN-3928) (note, §2 Peter 3:10). Neither word means
annihilation, but a change, passing out of operation, or away from man’s realm.
d[doeth the will of God abideth for ever]
Ten Blessings of Doing the Will of God
1.Entrance into the kingdom (Matthew 7:21)
2.Kept from falling (Matthew 7:24-29)
3.Confirmation that one’s deeds are of God (John 3:21)
4.Answers to prayer (John 9:31)
5.Being blessed (James 1:22-25)
6.Never moved (Psalm 15:1-5)
7.To abide forever (1 John 2:17)
8.The new birth (1 John 2:29)
9.Righteousness like Christ (1 John 3:7)
10.Confirmation of sonship (3 John 1:11)
