Exploring the invitation to Follow Jesus - to ‘Live out kingdom values’ by upholding God’s moral laws / being ethical / being moral
General Introduction
In this series we are building what we will refer to as the ‘One Page New Testament’ - #onepagenewtestament. Our approach is building a pictorial summary of the main messages for disciples of Jesus in a systematically derived, structured form. We aim to keep the descriptive text to a minimum and share with you the different Themes that are being created. We will consider the scriptures on their own merit, Theme by Theme, without introducing much in the way of theology. Within each Theme, we will let the scriptures speak for themselves - hopefully in a way that demonstrates the validity of the analysis.
Introduction to this Faith Article
This article is the sixteenth in a series that is unpacking some of the analysis work currently being undertaken to draw out the main teachings from the New Testament from a personal discipleship perspective. The previous articles can be found in the reference at Note [1] and they focus upon the New Testament’s teaching that corresponds to the challenges of what we have so far called ‘Kingdom Fundamental 1 [KF1]’ - ‘Love God’, and ‘Kingdom Fundamental 2 [KF2]’ - ‘Follow Jesus’.
We have previously introduced that we consider there are four Kingdom Practices under the invitation to Follow Jesus [KF2]:
Submit to Jesus’ Lordship - [KP3] (explored previously in Systematic Discipleship Parts 3 to 9)
Pursue Holiness - [KP4]
Live out kingdom values - [KP5]
Exercise discernment - [KP6].
In the last article (Systematic Discipleship - Part 15) we were exploring the final part of the components within the Kingdom Practice to ‘Pursue Holiness’ - [KP4], all of which had been covered from Part 10 onwards.
Here we start to unpack what it means to ‘Live out kingdom values’ [KP5] where we have derived two lower level Kingdom Actions (Themes):
Uphold God’s moral laws / be ethical / be moral - [KA20]
Control our actions / behaviours - [KA21].
In this article will begin to explore KP5 and focus upon KA20.
They are shown in light blue (encouragements) and pink (warnings) in Figure 1.
If readers take away nothing else from these articles than the sense, logic, and directive actions in the Figures - for disciples to put into practice in the strength God gives - we will hopefully have achieved our initial objective.
Figure 1 - Investigating the Kingdom Practice to ‘Live out kingdom values’ - [KP5]
Kingdom Practice 5 - Live out kingdom values
As we have already looked at the challenges for each of us to try and pursue holiness, we now have to consider how this translates into our daily living and what that might mean for the things that we do or should refrain from.
Kingdom Action 20 - Uphold God’s moral laws / be ethical / be moral
Jesus makes reference to obeying the Commandments and in many senses this Action centres upon this teaching. In particular Commandments 6 to 10, originally set out in Exodus 20:12-17 and Deuteronomy 5:16-21.
Examples of these being repeated in the New Testament by Jesus include Matthew 19:18-19, Mark 10:19, Luke 18:20 and they are also referenced in part by Paul in Romans 13:9.
We have developed six sub-Themes based upon a wider consideration of Greek words and idioms in the New Testament under KA20 as follows:
Honour our parents [KA20.1]
Be sexually moral / commit to sexual purity - [KA20.2]
Do not murder - [KA20.3]
Do not steal / thrive / swindle / defraud - [KA20.4]
Do not bear false witness / testimony / be a perjury nor take oaths [KA20.5]
Do not covet / nor be greedy - [KA20.6].
These are discussed in the sections and subsections below.
Kingdom Action 20.1 - Honour our parents
There are three Greek words [2] and [3] which we have reviewed in this area. Example verses [4] include:
Matthew 15:4 - For God said, ‘Honor (Strong’s 5091) your father and mother’ and ‘Anyone who curses their father or mother is to be put to death.’
Matthew 10:21 - Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; children will rebel against their parents (1118) and have them put to death.
Ephesians 6:2 - “Honor (5091) your father and mother"—which is the first commandment with a promise.
Colossians 3:20 - Children, obey your parents (1118) in everything, for this pleases the Lord.
Hebrews 12:9 - Moreover, we have all had human (4561) fathers who disciplined us and we respected them for it. How much more should we submit to the Father of spirits and live!
We have identified 14 verses that apply to this Theme.
Kingdom Action 20.2 - Be sexually moral / commit to sexual purity
There are four sub-Themes that we have created to group Greek words and idioms under this heading:
Honour marriage [KA20.2.1]
Do not commit adultery [KA20.2.2]
Divorce only under limited circumstances [KA20.2.3]
Abstain from sexual intimacy outside of marriage / remain celibate / chaste if single [KA20.2.4].
Let’s look briefly at each of these in turn below.
Kingdom Action 20.2.1 - Honour marriage
Our analysis has identified 13 Greek words and idioms that can be considered relevant in this context. Some of the verses where they appear are set out below.
Matthew 19:6 - So they are no longer two, but one flesh (4561). Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate.
Matthew 19:10 - The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry (1060).”
1 Corinthians 7:33 - But a married (1060) man is concerned about the affairs of this world--how he can please his wife.
Ephesians 5:33 - However, each one of you also must love (25) his wife as he loves himself, and the wife must respect her husband.
Hebrews 13:4 - Marriage should be honored (5093) by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.
Titus 2:4 - Then they can urge the younger women to love their husbands (5362) and children.
In total we have identified 36 applicable verse references for this Theme.
Kingdom Action 20.2.2 - Do not commit adultery
There are 7 Greek words and idioms that we have found that relate to the issue of adultery. Some of these are set out below:
Matthew 5:28 - But I tell you that anyone who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery (3431) with her in his heart.
Matthew 19:9 - “I tell you that anyone who divorces his wife, except for sexual immorality (4202), and marries (1060) another woman commits adultery (3429).”
Luke 18:20 - You know the commandments: ‘You shall not commit adultery (3431), you shall not murder, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony, honor your father and mother.’
1 Corinthians 6:16 - Do you not know that he who unites himself with a prostitute is one with her in body? For it is said, “The two will become one flesh (4561).”
Hebrews 13:4 - Marriage should be honored (5093) by all, and the marriage bed (2845) kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer (3432) and all the sexually immoral.
We have identified 24 verse instances where the words we have considered have a link with this sub-Theme.
Kingdom Action 20.2.3 - Divorce only under limited circumstances
There are 6 Greek words we have considered in the context of divorce. Some verses were these appear include:
Matthew 5:31 - It has been said, ‘Anyone who divorces (630) his wife must give her a certificate of divorce (647).’
Matthew 19:6-10 - So they are no longer two, but one flesh (4561). Therefore what God has joined together (4801), let no one separate (5563).” “Why then,” they asked, “did Moses command that a man give his wife a certificate (975) of divorce (647) and send her away (630)?” Jesus replied, “Moses permitted you to divorce (630) your wives because your hearts were hard. But it was not this way from the beginning. I tell you that anyone who divorces (630) his wife, except for sexual immorality (4202), and marries another woman commits adultery (3429).” The disciples said to him, “If this is the situation (156) between a husband and wife, it is better not to marry.”
Mark 10:4 - They said, “Moses permitted a man to write a certificate (975) of divorce (647) and send her away.”
1 Corinthians 7:11-13 - But if she does, she must remain unmarried or else be reconciled to her husband. And a husband must not divorce (863) his wife. To the rest I say this (I, not the Lord): If any brother has a wife who is not a believer and she is willing to live with him, he must not divorce (863) her. And if a woman has a husband who is not a believer and he is willing to live with her, she must not divorce (863) him.
There are 28 verse instances where the words we have considered appear which link to this topic.
Kingdom Action 20.2.4 - Abstain from sexual intimacy outside of marriage / remain celibate / chaste if single
In our review of Greek words and idioms from [2] and [3] we have identified 39 that have a bearing upon sexual relations outside of marriage (including those challenged by same sex attraction). Some verses where these appear are outlined below:
Matthew 15:19 - For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality (4202), theft, false testimony, slander.
Matthew 19:12 - “For there are eunuchs (2135) who were born that way, and there are eunuchs (2135) who have been made eunuchs (2134) by others—and there are those who choose to live like eunuchs (2134) for the sake of the kingdom of heaven. The one who can accept this should accept it.”
1 Corinthians 5:9-10 - I wrote to you in my letter not to associate with sexually immoral (4205) people; I did not at all mean with the sexually immoral (4205) people of this world, or with the greedy and swindlers, or with idolaters, for then you would have to leave the world (NASB).
Romans 13:13-14 - Let us behave decently, as in the daytime, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual immorality (2845) and debauchery (766), not in dissension and jealousy. Rather, clothe yourselves with the Lord Jesus Christ, and do not think about how to gratify the desires (1939) of the flesh (4561).
1 Corinthians 6:18 - Flee (5343) from sexual immorality. All other sins (265) a person commits are outside the body, but whoever sins sexually (4203), sins (264) against their own body.
1 Corinthians 7:1 - Now for the matters you wrote about: "It is good for a man not to have sexual relations with (Idiom - to touch a woman - 1135 & 680) a woman."
1 Corinthians 7:8-9 - Now to the unmarried (22) and the widows I say: It is good (2570) for them to stay unmarried, as I do. But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion (4448).
Colossians 3:5 - Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality (4202), impurity (167), lust (1939), evil desires (3806) and greed, which is idolatry.
Jude 1:7 - as Sodom and Gomorrah, and the cities around them in a similar manner to these, having given themselves over to sexual immorality (1608) and gone after strange flesh (Idiom - go after strange flesh - 4561 & 2087), are set forth as an example, suffering the vengeance of eternal fire (NKJV).
There are around 136 verse references where this group of words and idioms appear that fit with this subject matter.
Kingdom Action 20.3 - Do not murder
There are around 15 Greek words and idioms we have considered in the context of not killing others. Some example are included in the following verses:
Matthew 19:18 - “Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “’You shall not murder (5407), you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony.”
Matthew 26:4 - and they schemed to arrest Jesus secretly and kill him (615).
Mark 13:12 - “Brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child. Children will rebel against their parents and have them put to death (2289).
Acts 9:23-24 - After many days had gone by, there was a conspiracy among the Jews to kill him (337), but Saul learned of their plan. Day and night they kept close watch on the city gates in order to kill him (337).
1 Timothy 1:9 - We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers (3964) or mothers (3389), for murderers.
1 Peter 4:15 - If you suffer, it should not be as a murderer (5406) or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a meddler.
We have identified over 80 verse references where these Greek words appear.
Kingdom Action 20.4 - Do not steal / thieve / swindle / defraud
We have found 10 Greek words that relate to us not stealing from others. Here are a few verses where some of these appear.
Matthew 19:18 - “Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “’You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal (2813), you shall not give false testimony.”
Matthew 23:14 - Woe to you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! For you devour (2719) widows’ houses, and for a pretense make long prayers. Therefore you will receive greater condemnation (NKJV).
Mark 7:21 - For it is from within, out of a person’s heart, that evil thoughts come—sexual immorality (4202), theft (2829), murder.
Romans 2:22 - You who say that people should not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples (2416)?
1 Corinthians 6:10 - nor thieves (2812) nor the greedy nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers (727) will inherit the kingdom of God.
Titus 2:10 - and not to steal (3557) from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive.
We have identified 33 applicable verse references for this Theme.
Kingdom Action 20.5 - Do not bear false witness / testimony / be a perjurer / nor take oaths
There are 7 relevant Greek words for this sub-Theme. Some verses where they a found include
Matthew 15:19 - For out of the heart come evil thoughts—murder, adultery, sexual immorality (4202), theft (2829), false testimony (5577), slander.
Matthew 19:18 - “Which ones?” he inquired. Jesus replied, “’You shall not murder, you shall not commit adultery, you shall not steal, you shall not give false testimony (5576).”
Matthew 26:60 - But they did not find any, though many false witnesses (5575) came forward. Finally two came forward.
Acts 6:13 - They produced false witnesses (3144), who testified, “This fellow never stops speaking against this holy place and against the law.”
Revelation 22:15 - Outside are the dogs, the sorcerers, the sexually immoral persons, the murderers, the idolaters, and everyone who loves and practices lying (5579) (NASB).
There are 16 verse references where we consider these identified Greek words reinforce this subject.
Kingdom Action 20.6 - Do not covet / nor be greedy
We have identified 9 Greek words of relevance that fits under this heading and some scripture examples are provided here:
Mark 7:22 - thefts, covetousness (4124), wickedness, deceit, lewdness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride, foolishness (NKJV).
Romans 13:9 - The commandments, “You shall not commit adultery (3431),” “You shall not murder,” “You shall not steal (2813),” “You shall not covet (1937),” and whatever other command there may be, are summed up in this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”
1 Corinthians 6:10 - nor thieves nor the greedy (4123) nor drunkards nor slanderers nor swindlers (727) will inherit the kingdom of God.
1 Corinthians 10:6 - Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave (1938) evil things as they indeed craved (1937) them (NASB).
Colossians 3:5 - Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality (4202), impurity (167), lust (3806), evil desires (1939) and greed (4124), which is idolatry.
There are 27 verse references where we consider the identified Greek words reinforce this subject.
Summary
In this sixteenth Faith Article, we have explored some of the Greek words and idioms (presented in Louw and Nida’s [2] and Mounce’s [3] reference materials), that we grouped under the heading of “Live out kingdom values” - [KP5]. In particular, we have set out verses that relate to the need to “Uphold God’s moral laws / be moral / be ethical” - [KA20].
Next time we will look at the encouragements and warnings in KA21 that focus on our need to “Control our actions and behaviours”.
Just as with many English words, Greek words can have more than one meaning and consequently when translated into Biblical texts can be used to convey several different sentiments. Which is used is dependent upon the context.
Ultimately, this analysis and these groupings are subjective, as will be the inclusion (or exclusion) of many verses within each Theme and sub-Theme. We should note that some verses have a much stronger relevance to the derived Themes than others.
During this analysis, the aim has been to restrict the number of Themes that can be associated with any specific Greek word to eight or less - as any more implies poor analysis technique and the wrong heading choice / naming process.
In the next Faith Article, we shall look at the rest of KP5 (Live out kingdom values), by considering KP21 (Control our actions / behaviours). As ever, the aim will be to try and make it informative, but manageable, in terms of the time and effort needed to look at and understand each area.
Any thoughts on this Article, the process being undertaken, and related constructive feedback are welcome.
Notes:
[1] - All previous Faith Articles focusing on the One Page New Testament can be found at this page: www.teachthemtoobey.co.uk/blog/
[2] - “Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, based upon Semantic Domains” Volumes 1 and 2 - Louw and Nida - Published by and © United Bible Societies - 1988
[3] - “Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words” - © William D Mounce, 2006 - Published by Zondervan
[4] - Unless otherwise stated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.TM used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.TM.
The Bible references presented are illustrative rather than aiming to be ‘proof texts’. They are examples only as there are, generally, many more we could look at. Please note that when looking at any Bible verse references, you should ideally consider more than one translation / respected version to get a more rounded view, and look at the wider context for each verse too. When Greek words are translated, Bible scholars do not always use the same English word every time it appears in the Greek. This is why it is useful to look at more than one Bible version.
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