John Calvin (1509-64) French Theologian and Swiss Reformer. The Gospel Simplicity and Calvin Complexity.
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Michael Paul Clough Comment by: Bill Taylor Calvinism is the simple idea that human choice has NOTHING to do with salvation: God decides who will go to Heaven and who will go to Hell no matter what they do. Calvinism makes Jesus Christ a liar:
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Luke 13:34
Jesus lied in mourning that they wouldn’t choose to follow Him because they could not – God had already chosen some of them for Hell and they couldn’t choose to accept His offer of salvation. The Lord God also lied: Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? Ezekiel 33:1 The Lord God lied in urging them to turn from their wicked ways because He had chosen some for Hell and they couldn’t turn. John the Baptist and the Old Testament prophets also lied in urging repentance.
The word “predestination” is in the Bible, but this paper shows how the Calvinistic idea of double predestination is against the Word of God:https://successful-marriage.blogspot.com/…/hear-voice…
Here’s a refutation of TULIP, the 5 points of Calvinism:https://successful-marriage.blogspot.com/…/an…
THE ERROR OF DOUBLE PREDESTINATION
Rev. 13:8 speaks of “the Lamb slain from the foundation of the world.” Before He spoke the world into existence, Jesus knew Adam would sin and that He would have to die to take the punishment for your sins, my sins, and for everyone who ever lived. In spite of knowing that, He loved us enough to create us anyway.
“Double predestination” asserts that God predestined some people to be saved and go to Heaven and others to be damned to eternity in Hell no matter what they do or however young they die. Calvinists refer to God’s “irresistible grace” in that when God predestinates someone for Heaven, that person will receive enough of God’s grace to go to Heaven no matter what. Let’s start with reality:
For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the LORD. 9For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts. Isaiah 55:8-9
The Bible teaches predestination, election, foreknowledge, and free will. It’s as hard to reconcile them as reconciling Jesus being both fully God and fully man, but that’s what God expects us to believe.
Jesus taught free will to Nicodemus:
He that believeth on him is not condemned: but he that believeth not is condemned already, because he hath not believed
in the name of the only begotten Son of God. John 3:18
Condemnation comes from not believing “in the name of the only begotten Son of God,” not from God predestinating a living soul to Hell. You don’t have to do anything to go to Hell, but you must choose to believe in Jesus Christ in order to go to Heaven when you die.
Augustine taught unconditional election by irresistible grace in the early fifth century. He taught that all non-elect babies went to Hell even if they died “before the child shall know to refuse the evil, and choose the good (Is. 7:16).” David contradicted this: “I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me. (2 Sam. 12:23).”
Some say David’s son went to Heaven because his father was saved. That can’t be true because sin nature is passed down through the father (Gen. 5:3[468]) and because God judges people as individuals (De. 24:16[469]).
David’s confidence that he would see his child again suggests that every birth is written in the Lamb’s book of life to be blotted out once it’s no longer possible for the person to find God (Is. 55:6[470]). “I will not blot out his name out of the book of life (Rev. 3:5[471])” matches Asian custom. When a Jew converts to Christianity, orthodox families conduct a funeral and erase the name from the family register as though the renegade had never been born. When a sinner fails to hear God’s final call to repentance, the name is blotted out.
EVERYONE GOES TO HEAVEN IF GOD DOES IT ALL
If salvation or damnation is totally up to God, if people aren’t free to choose or refuse to accept Christ’s offer of salvation, everyone will go to Heaven and there was no need for Jesus to die.
Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways
; for why will ye die
, O house of Israel? Ezekiel 33:11
It pleases God when people turn and live. Everybody will turn, live, and go to Heaven when they die if Heaven or Hell is up to God alone. This idea is known as “universalism.” Some people will go to Hell (Rev. 20:14-15[472], Rev. 21:8[473]), however, so double predestination as Calvinism defines it is false.
Chapters 2 and 3 of Ezekiel show that saying people cannot choose is against the Word of God. John 3:16 shows that God wants everyone, not just a few. Double-pre says that God draws only the elect few with “irresistible grace” to salvation whether they like it or not; the Bible says Jesus draws everyone:
And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me
. John 12:32
DID THE PROPHETS LIE?
Calvinism declares that everyone suffers from “total depravity” which makes lost people unable to repent. The only way anyone can get to Heaven is for God to elect to draw them with irresistible grace. Their beliefs and actions have nothing to do with it. This means that Moses, Joshua, the OT prophets, and John the Baptist lied when they urged people to repent and that Jesus lied when He wept over Jerusalem:
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not
! Matthew 23:37
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not
! Luke 13:34
Double predestination argues that people who are predestinated to Hell could not accept Him, so Jesus lied when He said “ye would not” instead of saying “ye could not.” He also lied in saying that Tyre and Sidon would have repented after believing His “mighty works” because they couldn’t repent either:
Woe unto thee, Chorazin! woe unto thee, Bethsaida! for if the mighty works, which were done in you, had been done in Tyre and Sidon, they would have repented long ago
in sackcloth and ashes. Matthew 11:21
GOD PERMITS FREE WILL
Jesus wanted the Jews to accept Him as Messiah. They chose not to accept His offer of saving grace and He did not force them. God takes our actions into account:
The LORD rewarded me according to my righteousness
; according to the cleanness of my hands hath he recompensed me. Psalm 18:20
God has given all of us free will such that God’s supernatural grace is not irresistible; we are free to reject God’s offer of grace and His other commands, but we bear the consequences of our choices.
O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever
! Deuteronomy 5:29
And he gave them their request
; but sent leanness into their soul. Psalm 106:15
2 Kings 17:10-15 speaks of the Lord sending prophets and seers urging His people to turn away from idols, but the people refused. Did the Holy Spirit lie in inspiring this account? Why send the prophets if the people were unable to choose to turn?
Is Ezekiel’s warning a lie? How can a just God (Gen. 18:25[474]) hold anyone accountable for not warning the lost if the wicked person is predestinated to go to Hell regardless of what we or they do?
When I say unto the wicked, O wicked man, thou shalt surely die; if thou dost not speak to warn the wicked from his way, that wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand. 9Nevertheless, if thou warn the wicked of his way to turn from it; if he do not turn from his way, he shall die in his iniquity; but thou hast delivered thy soul. Ezekiel 33:8-9
Double pre says that the Holy Spirit lied in inspiring the prophet Ezekiel to urge, “Turn ye, and live,” – they were predestinated to go to Hell and could not choose to turn and live:
Have I any pleasure at all that the wicked should die? saith the Lord GOD: and not that he should return from his ways, and live
? Ezekiel 18:23
For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord GOD: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye
. Ezekiel 18:32
SINGLE PREDESTINATION
Scripture teaches that “the elect” must hear the Gospel to know what to believe:
And when the Gentiles heard this [I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles], they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed
. Acts 13:48
For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. Romans 10:13
But we are bound to give thanks alway to God for you, brethren beloved of the Lord, because God hath from the beginning chosen you to salvation
through sanctification of the Spirit and belief of the truth: II Thessalonians 2:13
This is consistent with Rom. 8:28-30[475] which explains how God’s people are called: Foreknowledge, predestination, calling, justification, and glorification. That sounds like salvation is totally up to God, but Rom. 10:13-17[476] speaks of people calling on the name of the Lord to be saved and points out that the unsaved must hear, which requires a preacher, and that preachers must be sent.
These passages show “single predestination” in that some are ordained for Heaven but the word must be preached to them so that they can choose to believe. Being of “the elect” doesn’t guarantee salvation:
Therefore I endure all things for the elect’s sakes, that they may
also obtain the salvation
which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. II Timothy 2:10
We’re given examples of God Himself explaining what He wanted when He called people to His service.
Isaiah Chapter 6 tells how God called Isaiah. When Isaiah protested that he was unworthy, an angel touched a coal to his mouth and pronounced his sins taken away (6:6-7). When the Lord asked whom He could send, Isaiah said, “Here am I, send me (6:8).” God doesn’t call the qualified; He qualifies the called as Jesus called Saul on the road to Damascus and then instructed him in Arabia (Gal. 1:17[477]).
Jeremiah chapter 1 tells how the LORD called Jeremiah who said, “I cannot speak: for I am a child (1:6).” God touched his mouth and said, “Behold, I have put my words in thy mouth (1:9).” God doesn’t call the qualified, He qualifies the called, but they have to be willing to choose to hear and obey.
For if there be first a willing mind
, it is accepted according to that a man hath, and not according to that he hath not. II Corinthians 8:12
How many refused when God called them to be prophets? We know men who were called to be pastors but left God’s path as difficulties arose. How many refused God’s command to “take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms (Hos. 1:2)” knowing the pain wifely betrayal would bring?
“Abraham believed God (Rom. 4:3[478], Gal. 3:6[479], Jas. 2:23[480]).” How many men refused God’s call to father His chosen people before Abraham accepted the call? Mary said, “Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word (Lk. 1:38[481]).” How many women refused for fear of being stoned for becoming pregnant out of wedlock (De. 22:21-22[482])?
Double pre offers the ultimate copout.
Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6
If a child goes astray, a parent can shrug, think “Predestinated to go to Hell” and feel no responsibility.
LIMITS TO FREE WILL
Men aren’t given complete free will – God is active in human history:
By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. 16By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth. Proverbs 8:15-16
The king’s heart is in the hand of the LORD
, as the rivers of water: he turneth it whithersoever he will. Proverbs 21:1
This matter [Nebuchadrezzar eating grass outdoors for 7 years] is by the decree of the watchers, and the demand by the word of the holy ones: to the intent that the living may know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will, and setteth up over it the basest of men
. Daniel 4:17
These verses say that He puts some in positions of authority. The Bible does not lie; God gave us the ability to choose what to believe and what to do. Our Lord draws every man sufficiently and enlightens every man as much as necessary for that individual to make an honest decision for or against obedience and salvation of his own free will. If Saul, Isaiah, or Jeremiah had refused God’s call, He would have called someone else as He called Aaron to help Moses lead the Exodus (Ex. 4:14[483]) when Moses refused His call.
DID GOD HARDEN PHARAOH’S HEART?
God told Moses that Pharaoh would not let His people go because of hardness of heart. Did God force Pharaoh to harden his heart and go to Hell by making it impossible for him to obey God? Ex. 9:34 says that Pharaoh “sinned yet more, and hardened his heart, he and his servants.” James 1:13-14 tells us that God does not tempt people to sin; people are drawn into sin by their own lusts. Pharaoh chose to sin and hardened his own heart as God told Moses he would. God is outside of time. He knows the future but gives us free will.
And he gave them their request
; but sent leanness into their soul. Psalm 106:15
Ex. 10:20[484] tells us that the Lord hardened Pharaoh’s heart after the plague of locusts. That is consistent with Is. 55:6 “Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near:” Pharaoh hardened his own heart at a time when he could have found the LORD but chose not to. After that, the LORD withdrew from him so that Pharaoh could no longer call on him and blotted his name out of the book of life.
THE JEWS REJECTED GOD’S OFFER OF A PERSONAL RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM
God had one-on-one fellowship with Adam and Eve in the garden. Once Adam fouled himself through sin, God could no longer relate to him in the same way, but God still desired to relate to His creation. Abraham was a friend of God. God wants you to be His friend, but you have to want to be His friend.
Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend
for ever? II Chronicles 20:7
And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God
. James 2:23
And the LORD spake unto Moses face to face, as a man speaketh unto his friend
. Exodus 33:11a
God wanted to relate to the Children of Israel as individuals:
Ye have seen what I did unto the Egyptians, and how I bare you on eagles’ wings, and brought you unto myself. 5Now therefore, if ye will obey my voice indeed, and keep my covenant, then ye shall be a peculiar treasure unto me above all people: for all the earth is mine: 6And ye shall be unto me a kingdom of priests
, and an holy nation
. These are the words which thou shalt speak unto the children of Israel. Exodus 19:4-6
God’s people chose neither to draw nigh to Him nor rely on Him. God’s people chose not to talk to God. Moses reviewed what had happened:
And ye said, Behold, the LORD our God hath shewed us his glory and his greatness, and we have heard his voice out of the midst of the fire: we have seen this day that God doth talk with man, and he liveth. 25Now therefore why should we die? for this great fire will consume us: if we hear the voice of the LORD our God any more, then we shall die. 26For who is there of all flesh, that hath heard the voice of the living God speaking out of the midst of the fire, as we have, and lived? 27Go thou near, and hear all that the LORD our God shall say: and speak thou unto us all that the LORD our God shall speak unto thee; and we will hear it, and do it. Deuteronomy 5:24-27
How sad! How very, very sad! They had heard the voice of God and lived. They chose not to relate to God as He desired so He gave them the law. Hear the sorrow in God’s voice:
And the LORD heard the voice of your words, when ye spake unto me; and the LORD said unto me
, I have heard the voice of the words of this people, which they have spoken unto thee: they have well said all that they have spoken. 29O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever! Deuteronomy 5:28-29
Individual Christians are urged to ask God to forgive their sins. That gives us the power to be Sons of God, which is a family relationship.
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name: John 1:12
Beloved, now are we the sons of God, and it doth not yet appear what we shall be: but we know that, when he shall appear, we shall be like him; for we shall see him as he is. I John 3:2
WHO BLINDED THE JEWS?
Paul gave us another pro-choice, free will verse:
That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:9
What about this? Elect Jews found salvation, but God blinded the rest so that they couldn’t find it?
What then? Israel hath not obtained that which he seeketh for; but the election hath obtained it
, and the rest were blinded
. 8(According as it is written, God hath given them the spirit of slumber
, eyes that they should not see, and ears that they should not hear;) unto this day. Romans 11:7-8
For the LORD hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes
: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. Isaiah 29:10
For I would not, brethren, that ye should be ignorant of this mystery, lest ye should be wise in your own conceits; that blindness in part is happened to Israel, until the fulness of the Gentiles be come in
. Romans 11:25
All the Jews “shall look upon me whom they have pierced, and they shall mourn for him (Zec. 12:10).” Did God apply double predestination only to Jews and block some from salvation until the fulness of Gentiles? No, there is a limit to the opportunity God gives each of us to repent and turn to Him:Seek ye the LORD while he may be found
, call ye upon him while he is near
: 7Let the wicked forsake his way, and the unrighteous man his thoughts: and let him return unto the LORD, and he will have mercy upon him; and to our God, for he will abundantly pardon. Isaiah 55:6-7
But I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway
. I Corinthians 9:27
God’s people hardened their own necks for so long that they could no longer find God and were cast away:
Notwithstanding they would not hear, but hardened their necks
, like to the neck of their fathers, that did not believe in the LORD their God. II Kings 17:14
But they and our fathers dealt proudly, and hardened their necks
, and hearkened not to thy commandments, 17And refused to obey
, neither were mindful of thy wonders that thou didst among them; but hardened their necks, and in their rebellion
appointed a captain to return to their bondage: but thou art a God ready to pardon, gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and forsookest them not. Nehemiah 9:16-17Harden not your heart
, as in the provocation, and as in the day of temptation in the wilderness: Psalm 95:8
Yet they hearkened not unto me, nor inclined their ear, but hardened their neck
: they did worse than their fathers. Jeremiah 7:26Harden not your hearts
, as in the provocation, in the day of temptation in the wilderness: Hebrews 3:8
Paul certainly didn’t think lost Jews were unconditionally predestinated to Hell:
For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles, I magnify mine office: 14If by any means I may provoke to emulation them which are my flesh, and might save some of them
. Romans 11:13-14
Acts 28:17ff tells us that when Paul arrived in Rome, he called the Jews together, and persuaded them “from morning til evening (Ac. 28:23[485]).” He couldn’t have done that if they’d been predestinated.
Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade
men; II Corinthians 5:11a
And some believed
the things which were spoken, and some believed not
. Acts 28:24
Isaiah predicted that some non-Jews would hear and consider Christ’s teaching:
So shall he sprinkle many nations; the kings shall shut their mouths at him: for that which had not been told them shall they see; and that which they had not heard shall they consider
. Isaiah 52:15
The Jews were told to attract “the nations” by showing how choosing to obey statutes God had given Israel benefitted them. Scripture speaks of “the nations” being astounded at God punishing Israel when they chose not to obey (1 Sa. 3:11[486], 2 Ki. 21:12[487], 2 Chr. 29:8[488], Jer. 18:16[489], 19:3, 8[490], 25:18[491], Mich. 6:16[492]).
Keep therefore and do them; for this is your wisdom and your understanding in the sight of the nations, which shall hear all these statutes, and say, Surely this great nation is a wise and understanding people. 7For what nation is there so great, who hath God so nigh unto them, as the LORD our God is in all things that we call upon him for? 8And what nation is there so great, that hath statutes and judgments so righteous as all this law, which I set before you this day? Deuteronomy 4:6-8
Modern Christians are as conspicuously visible to the lost as Jews were to “the nations.” We accomplish the goal of showing the blessings of belonging to God by choosing to obey this command:
By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another. John 13:35
DOUBLE PRE DEEMPHASIZES SPREADING THE GOSPEL
Belief in double predestination de-emphasizes Jesus’ command to us to spread His Gospel. When my aunt was a teenager, a visiting missionary said that Chinese maps were inaccurate. As he traveled from one village to his next appointed meeting, he’d pass villages he hadn’t known because they weren’t on the map. He said that people there would go to Hell unless more missionaries were sent.
When my aunt asked my grandfather about it, he told her that God had chosen who would go to Heaven and who would go to Hell so it didn’t matter whether missionaries were sent.
The verses about election and predestination speak of saved people. This supports the idea of single predestination. There are no verses showing people being predestined for Hell. God draws everyone to the point of making an honest choice. How else could everyone acknowledge God’s justice (Gen. 18:25[493], Rev. 15:3[494])? Rom. 1:20 says they have “no excuse.” God grades on the curve:
And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required: and to whom men have committed much, of him they will ask the more. Luke 12:47-48
Those who learn the mind of God by studying His works are held accountable for what they learn. Those who hear the word from one of His servants are accountable for that.
MIGHT AS WELL BE AN ATHEIST
Calvinism teaches that God chose some for Heaven and others for Hell no matter what the do. If that is true, what people do in this life makes no difference – their fate is already sealed no matter what. Someone who believes that is effectively the same an atheist. If there is no God, people can do whatever they want to do without worrying about what God wants. What they do makes no difference. If everyone is predestinated for Heaven or Hell no matter what they do, they might as well do whatever they want to do without worrying about what God wants – what they do makes no difference.
WITHOUT FAITH IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO PLEASE GOD
We can’t understand how to reconcile God’s sovereignty and His gift of free will any more than we can understand Jesus being fully God and fully man. Election, ordination, single predestination, and free will are all taught in the Bible. We are to believe them as we believe in Jesus, the God-man who was made in the flesh, whether we understand or not.
A verse-by-verse analysis of Calvinist’s claim that God predestinating some for Hell and their denial of free will is found at
Chapter 11 – Marriage Going Out Of Style
The Chapter Six on page 53 describes the mixture of logic and emotion by which my marriage came about. The emotional, illogical part came immediately. I saw a woman in the pew in front of me and pursued her after the service. We had our first date in April, were engaged by the end of May, and married in August.
Settling factual and logical parts of marriage took two months: we had to make sure that we could make marriage work. I showed that I could afford to take care of her, that I could handle the responsibilities of adulthood, and that I would lead her gently. She showed that she had been taught the skills to guide a house.
The idea of romantic love, that is, emotional attachment between husband and wife, is less than 200 years old. People used to marry for purely factual reasons; feelings didn’t matter. When God condemned Adam to eat by the sweat of his face (Gen. 3:19[495]), God said nothing about how Eve would eat. Women aren’t strong enough to hunt or farm without modern machinery. Until the 1960s, a woman had to persuade a man to feed her and her children or she’d starve. Hanging around a man without birth control meant that there would be babies every 2 or 3 years. That made relationships very important to a woman – if she didn’t please the man who fed her (1 Cor. 7:34[496]), she and her children could starve.
Parents arranged marriages – the bride and groom often met for the first time at their wedding. The only thing that mattered to a girl’s parents was whether the man was strong enough to farm and heathy enough to last 20 years so her children could grow up and be on their own. The boy’s parents wanted to be sure she was a hard worker who could turn grain he grew into edible food and keep a house where he could live. Emotional matters like love, tenderness, respect, and appreciation weren’t considered.
Powerful people used daughters as trading cards in political power games. Pharaoh gave one of his daughters to Solomon when Solomon was a world-famous king (1 Ki. 3:1[497], 9:16[498]). During WW I, Czar Nicholas of Russia and Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany were cousins through Queen Victoria. Many marriages were arranged to build alliances (Gen. 41:45[499], 1 Ki. 11:19[500]). Women’s feelings mattered not at all.
Rebecca agreed to marry Isaac when all she knew was 1) he was a relative and 2) he was rich enough to feed her. The emotional part of marriage fell into place when he loved her (Gen. 24:67[501]).
Customs and laws making divorce difficult bound men and women together so children had a better chance of being fed. The Industrial Revolution made societies wealthy enough that parents could take emotion into account in marrying children off. I visited Japanese friends in 1973 and saw them working through a pile of resumes to find a husband for their youngest daughter. The marriage broker had interviewed her and made sure the photos were of her and that the resume was truthful – none of the self-serving lies which are so common on Western dating sites. Based on her knowledge and experience, the broker sent resumes of possible husbands to the family and the family sent back their top 5 candidates.
The broker sent back a list of 3 men who’d put the daughter in their top 5 meaning she could marry any one of them. When they dated, both parties knew a lot about each other including the fact that they were serious about getting married – paying the broker’s fee ensured that. Having logic taken care of meant they were free to let their emotions decide. My friend’s daughter fell in love on her first date and has had a happy marriage. The logic was taken care of by her parents and by the broker so she could safely give her heart.
MISSING MARRIAGES
In the West, marriage isn’t nearly as common as in the past. American customs have great influence on other nations over time. It may help you to be warned about some of the ways American culture has damaged marriage. Let’s look at reasons why marriage is falling out of style in America.
Burning oil and coal reduced the amount of physical labor to get food enough that my Japanese friends could consider their daughter’s feelings. So many men could afford to feed her that she could choose one of them on the basis of emotion. At that time, it wasn’t yet practical for a woman to get a job and pay her own way. Later, wealth increased to the point that women can get jobs and feed themselves without depending on husbands at all. Customs which used to maintain marriages weakened. There is less need to marry. So many Americans, Japanese, Koreans, and Chinese choose not to that populations are dropping.
God knew this would happen.
I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. I Timothy 5:14
At the time that was inspired, women had no alternative. This command was put in place for a time 2,000 years later when women could choose whether to marry and whether to have children after marrying.
WEAKER FAMILY TIES
People used to marry and live near where they’d grown up. A couple had nearby relatives who could help them with children, illness, and other problems. People now move far away from families so there isn’t as much help available. This makes the stresses of marriage and children greater – young people must figure marriage and parenthood out for themselves instead of being able to ask grandma or grandpa for help.
Many American mothers work and put their children in day care. We now know that skin-to-skin contact between a woman and a baby helps the child’s brain grow.[502] Hormones on the mother’s skin get into the baby’s blood and have a calming effect when a mother holds or nurses her child.[503] This builds relationships between mother and child and helps babies learn to control their emotions.
Day care workers don’t have time to hold each child enough to do this. They come and go so often that children can’t develop trusting relationships with adults. Children who grow up in day care have no close relationships with older people who can give advice. They look for help from people their own age who know little more than they do. Women tell each other how hard husbands and children are without giving useful information or encouragement. This makes having families seem like bad burdens.
HOOKUP CULTURE
Many Americans think nothing of having sex with lots of people, sometimes on the first or second date. Women used to say, “Not unless we’re married, and I won’t marry you unless you grow up and get a job.”
If a woman says she wants to marry but lets a man have her without marrying her, he feels that she’s a liar. Marriage means nothing to her or she would insist on it instead of just giving herself. If she gives herself to him without marriage, how can he trust her not to give herself to someone else?
Intimacy without commitment is like icing without the cake. It can be sweet, but it’s going to end up making you sick. A woman sets her price by what she does (Pr. 31:10[504]). If her price is a few dinners or movies, she isn’t worth much. If her price is that he dedicate his life to taking care of her before getting her, she can be a priceless treasure. What she does shouts so loudly that nobody can hear what she says.
If he has her without marriage, what would marrying her give him that he doesn’t already have? Men know little about women; how does a man know whom he should marry? If he can have her without marriage, she isn’t worth marrying. If he can’t, he will marry her if he wants her badly enough.
WORKING MOTHERS
Many American mothers go to work instead of staying home to care for their children. You can’t keep a job without pleasing the boss. We often see a woman pleasing a man boss or a man pleasing a woman boss just a little too much. They fall into sexual sin and wreck 2 families.
Proverbs 31:1 introduces “The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.” The rest of the chapter is Mrs. Lemuel’s advice to her son how to nourish and cherish his future wife.
It takes a lot of time and emotional energy for a mother to teach her son how to appreciate and honor his wife, and she can’t teach him much unless her husband first teaches her son to honor and appreciate her. Working mothers have neither the time nor the emotional energy to civilize their sons. Women have a hard time finding a man who’s been taught how to be a worthwhile husband and give up in despair.
Working mothers don’t have time or energy to teach their daughters about men either (Titus 2:3-5[505]).
NOT ENOUGH APPRECIATION
Jesus taught that men marry; women are given in marriage:
They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Luke 17:27
A wife is a gift from God to her husband, given by God as a favor, an undeserved blessing:
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. Proverbs 18:22
The Song of Solomon and Proverbs 31 teach that women need appreciation.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Proverbs 31:28-29
A man must teach his children to honor, respect, and appreciate their mother. The best way to teach this is to tell her and them how wonderful she is, many times per day. Scripture warns that anyone who fails to appreciate gifts God gives loses the blessing God intended in giving the gift:
Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things
; 48Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee. Deuteronomy 28:47-48
70% of American divorces are started by unappreciated women. Working wives get some appreciation, if only through the paycheck, but they’re often too tired to take care of husbands, children, or homes.
GREAT SOCIETY WELFARE SUBSTITUTES MONEY FOR FATHERS
European and American welfare systems pay a woman’s expenses if she doesn’t get married. Before welfare, a woman who wanted a home and children had to get a husband. Now, all she has to get is pregnant which is a lot easier. The women are OK with more babies because their welfare payments to up for each child.
America ran a 60-year experiment in supporting fatherless children. We now know how it turns out – fatherlessness goes with crime and poverty. Fatherless mobs burned down the city of Detroit and are starting on other cities. God condemns fatherlessness – it’s mentioned 43 times in Scripture:
2 Thess. 3:10 says, “If any would not work, neither should he eat.” It does not say “can not.” Ecc. 10:18[506] and Eze. 16:49[507] condemn idleness; welfare pays for idleness and for fatherlessness.
FEMINISM – WOMENS’ LIBERATION
When the birth control pill arrived, feminists rejoiced that women could have sex for pleasure without worrying about pregnancy as men always had. This is false. The book “Unprotected” by Psychiatrist Miriam Grossman explains biological reasons why sex outside marriage is so damaging. Having treated more than 2,000 students for depression and other problems at a prestigious American university, she saw that a woman can become very depressed when she realizes her boyfriend had no interest in her beyond sex.
If a man loves a woman’s soul, one woman is all he needs. If all he sees is her face and figure, all the women in the world won’t satisfy him. Making men talk instead of having sex during courtship makes it more likely that he’ll treasure her soul, but if she’s just a sex toy, he’ll discard her when a new toy comes along.
Being dumped a few times makes it hard for a woman to trust a man enough to want to marry.
NO-FAULT DIVORCE
The word “divorce” means ending a marriage bond by some person of authority. When Jesus said “let not man put asunder (Mt. 19:6[508], Mk. 10:9[509]),” He meant that no man has authority to end Holy Matrimony. Once married in the eyes of God, a person cannot have sex with anyone else without being in adultery.
As marriages fell apart and casual sex became normal, American churches seemed to be 20 to 25 years behind society in abandoning Holy Matrimony. In 1950, mainstream American churches declared that the purpose of marriage was to benefit the two people in it.
This changed marriage from duty to delight. If marriage is duty, divorce is impossible: duty cannot end until death. If the purpose is delight, divorce should be easy: if you aren’t delighted you can try again. California passed the first no-fault divorce law in 1970, 20 years after the church redefined marriage!
In all 50 American states, anyone can walk out of a marriage for any reason or for no reason. 70% of American divorces are started by women. From a man’s point of view, if they’re living together, she can stop taking pills and make him pay child support which ends when the child is 18. If they’re married and she walks out, she can take a lot of his assets and he’ll have to pay alimony the rest of her life.
Why should a man marry at all if he can have her without marrying? If marriage is the only way he can have her, he’ll marry if he wants her badly enough. The emotions are still there – men want women and women want to get together with men – but the logic of American society has changed – the facts of American culture no longer support marriage. Marriage has become so difficult that few couples attempt it. Who’s going to raise the children? God made marriage so His people would raise children to serve Him (Mal. 2:15[510]), but will there even be any children? We don’t know.
Chapter 12 – The Lesson of Leah – Having a Man’s Baby Won’t Make Him Marry You
Scripture shows what drives men to marry. Jacob loved Rachel the moment he saw her (Gen. 29:18[511]) and worked for Laban for 7 years to earn the right to take her to wife:
And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her
. Genesis 29:21
Why was he willing to do that? He wanted her that badly. Women can never understand a man’s physical drive any more than a man can understand how a mother feels about children, but she needs to know this about men. This verse tells how God intended that marriage should work:
And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death. Genesis 24:67
· Isaac supplied the tent. If a man’s offer to a woman doesn’t include food, clothing, and shelter, it’s not Biblical, and a woman shouldn’t consider it. Without that level of commitment it probably won’t last, even if the family and culture force marriage.
· Taking Rebekah made her his wife because he had committed himself to nourish and cherish her when Abraham’s servant set out to find her long before he took her to wife. Taking her without marriage would have turned her into an object or an interchangeable sex toy.
· Isaac loved her and then she was able to comfort him. God created women to be great comfort to their husbands, but a man must first be publically committed to her and then convince his wife that he loves her more than life itself. Then she can comfort him. Pr. 31:28-29[512] and the Song of Solomon teach men how to do that by looking for ways to praise and appreciate her both privately and in public (Pr. 31:31[513]). Nowhere in the Bible does a man criticize his wife, not once.
If a man belongs to his wife as taught in the Song of Solomon (Song 2:16[514], 6:3[515]), she will delight in belonging to him (Song 7:10[516]) as her mother advises (Song 8:2-3[517]). This will convince both of them that she belongs to him. If she’s his, her happiness belongs to him in that he will find that making her happy makes him happier than anything he can do for himself.
The book of Ecclesiastes is Solomon’s lament that everything he did was vanity and chasing after wind. This was because he did it everything for himself:
I made me
great works; I builded me
houses; I planted me
vineyards: Ecclesiastes 2:4
If a woman belongs to her husband, he can pour his life into nourishing and cherishing her and their children. That’s not vanity because it’s for others. Nothing straightens a man like having a woman lean on him. Caring for a woman gives meaning to a man’s life; having her pay “her share” of the rent doesn’t.
Surveys of unmarried couples show that the women believe they’ll marry “in a year or two,” but the men don’t think they’ll marry. A woman may get tired of waiting and have a baby to get him to marry her.
Having a man’s baby doesn’t make a man love her enough to marry her. When Laban tricked Jacob into marrying Leah instead of Rachel, the Bible tells us that Leah was hated (Gen. 29:31) and Rachel was loved. Leah thought that giving Jacob a son would make him love her:
And he went in also unto Rachel, and he loved also Rachel more than Leah, and served with him yet seven other years. And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren
. And Leah conceived, and bare a son, and she called his name Reuben: for she said, Surely the LORD hath looked upon my affliction; now therefore my husband will love me
. And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Because the LORD hath heard I was hated, he hath therefore given me this son also: and she called his name Simeon. And she conceived again, and bare a son; and said, Now this time will my husband be joined unto me, because I have born him three sons: therefore was his name called Levi. And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD
: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing. Genesis 29:30-35
By the time her 4th son was born, Leah realized that having Jacob’s sons wouldn’t make him love her. Abraham, father of Jews and Arabs and honored by both, didn’t marry all the women who had his babies:
But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away
from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country. Genesis 25:6
Abraham, the Friend of God (2 Chr. 20:7[518], Isa. 41:8[519]), got at least two women pregnant besides his wives. Did he marry them? No, he sent them away (Gen. 24:73[520]).
If a woman wants marriage, the only sensible way to get a man to help raise her children, she must marry before letting him have her. If a woman says she wants to marry but gives herself without marrying, he feels she’s a liar. Marriage means nothing or she’d insist on it instead of giving herself. If she gives herself to him without marriage, how can he trust her not to give herself to someone else if he marries?
If he can have her without marriage, what would marrying her give him that he doesn’t already have? Why should he take on the heavy responsibility of her and children if he doesn’t have to? Men know little about women, how does a man know whom to marry? If he can have her without marriage, she isn’t worth marrying. If he can’t, he’ll marry her if he wants her badly enough.
Intimacy without commitment is like icing without cake. It can be sweet, but ends up making you sick. The rewards of Pr. 31 are for a virtuous woman, not for one who’s given away her virtue.
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Proverbs 31:10
A woman sets her price by what she does. If her price is a few dinners or movies, she worth little. If her price is that he dedicate his life to taking care of her before having her, she can be a priceless treasure.
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing
, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. Proverbs 18:22
What a woman does shouts so loudly that a man can’t hear what she says.
A man will marry if he wants her badly enough and marriage is the only way he can have her.
UNMARRIED COUPLES
Couples live together without marrying because of parents’ failure to teach them how to create strong marriages which are safe places for children to grow up. Husbands to love wives as Christ loves His people:
Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church
, and gave himself for it; Ephesians 5:25
A father’s love nourishes wives, teaches sons how to treat wives and other women, and teaches daughters what to require of men (1 Tim. 5:2[521]). Women who expect honor, respect, and value wouldn’t live with a man without marriage, but many find themselves in this position.
How does a woman who wants to marry persuade her boyfriend? If he has her without marriage, why take responsibility? Society may accept this, but both partners are disobeying God who forbids fornication:
Flee fornication. Every sin that a man doeth is without the body; but he that committeth fornication sinneth against his own body. II Corinthians 6:18
In most such cases, the woman wishes to marry while the man is reluctant. Such reluctance is often well-founded; many couples who live together for years break up soon after they wed.
Why would a stable couple break up after a wedding? An unhappy woman may cling to her “happily ever after” dream. She thinks that marriage will make him value her more. Once they’re married and he doesn’t treat her better, she knows her dream couldn’t happen because he never valued her beyond a toy.
Few realize that the way a man treats a woman determines whether she likes belonging to him. When a man honors and respects a woman, she’s free give herself to him as a love gift. It’s not something she owes him or that he demands. Giving herself by demand instead of by love makes her feel like his whore. She needs to be able to choose to be glad to give herself instead of being taken.
There’s another problem in that many men expect a woman to act and think as he would whatever situation arises. He expects her to be an intellectual and emotional clone of him, without admitting that when God created them “male and female,” He made them very different[522].
On top of that, “Opposites attract.” A woman who’s very neat in her housekeeping may marry a man who creates messes everywhere, and vice versa. A shy man may attract an outgoing woman and vice versa. Such differences often make it impossible for a wife to operate like her man, and his trying to make her do that frustrates them both. He has to back off and let her be as God made her. He must choose to value the gifts and abilities God chose to give her. She can’t expect him to act as she would either.
Men are possessive. A man expects his wife to open herself to him whenever he wants her. He dreams of 5 times before breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bed. God seldom gives him that much strength, but that’s often his plan. Not all men have this much drive, but having a wife encourage him and tell him that they could do it more often if he exercised to get into better shape is a major encouragement.
If she isn’t his, if he can’t have her when he’s able to, he feels cheated, particularly if she was his before the wedding. Women are possessive – she wants him to open his heart to her when she wants to talk. She may need hours of two-way conversation per day, at least 5 times before breakfast, lunch, dinner, and bed.
Men fear that if they give the security of marriage, the woman will trade her favors to get her way instead of giving herself willingly. Bartering favors is whoredom, but many women do it when they feel it’s the only way to express their wants or their basic artistic, musical, decorating, or other desires such as children. A man who doesn’t trust his woman to be his doesn’t want her to feel secure enough to bargain.
All women are sensitive to criticism from men, but wives are more sensitive than roommates. When he criticizes his wife with the same words and tones as before, her hurt is greater. Remarks that wouldn’t bother her before marriage hurt so much that they can drive her away. A man must be gentler with his wife than with his roommate, it’s hard to change habits from living with her before marriage.
This can happen with any couple when the wife decides to obey God and be submissive. It’s a long-term uphill struggle for a woman to give up leadership and independence in each area of her life and rely on her husband. This is especially difficult if he’s inclined to oppress or micromanage her.
It can be hard on a wife who wants to help her husband but he won’t use her help. Even if he’s willing to be helped, he may not explain his plans clearly enough for her to follow effectively. Some men pay vendors whom they trust to do things their way instead of explaining to their wives.
Women may think submitting means they can no longer be persons with their own thoughts and feelings, but will become a servant or clone. Some believe this through experience and some have seen men treat women in this un-Biblical manner. That shouldn’t be so—a wife is meant to be a vital part of her husband’s life who uses her intelligence, skills, gifts, talents, and abilities to build her home, build up her husband, encourage his leadership, help him in his work, and serve the Lord’s work under his guidance.
This is learned behavior. He must learn her strengths so he can rely on her initiative; she must learn to help him and to follow him. It may help if she says, “My husband, I realize that God wants me to belong to you and that I haven’t been yours. I promise to try my best before God and before you to be fully yours. I have developed bad habits over the years that came before I realized how God wanted me to behave. Please be patient with me as I struggle to be the wife God wants me to be.”
Submitting makes a woman more sensitive by taking away her independence, so a wife becomes more sensitive to criticism the more she submits. A man should never criticize a woman, especially when she’s struggling to belong to him. Nowhere in the Bible does a man criticize his wife.
Few women are taught just how physically-driven men are. Women are often attracted to strong men because they’re likely to live long enough to help get children ready for independent lives. Women think in terms of times per month or perhaps week, a man usually wants more than she. If his wife frustrates him enough, he may let his body get out of shape or gain weight so that he can’t do it as often and won’t be as frustrated. God seldom gives him the strength to do it as often as he’d like, but that’s his plan:
And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her
. Genesis 29:21
Many women who submit once a month feel that they’re absolutely submissive; there’s no way a man could possibly want more. When we were discussing a couple’s retreat we’d attended, a woman told my wife, “My husband isn’t driven like that” while watching her husband indicating vehement disagreement without saying anything. The next time we saw them, it was obvious he’d convinced her – she acted differently because belonging to a man calms a woman. Anyone who knows her can see the change.
A husband must learn new speech patterns as his wife learns to be his. A woman can’t change overnight, nor does the change proceed steadily. Learning to lean on her husband is frightening, particularly if she’s spent years of independent married life. Some days she’s his, other days she’s back to her old self. Giving her loving support through the change and assuming leadership only as she gives it up teaches her husband why love is called ‘longsuffering’ in I Corinthians 13:1-8, but in the end, he has a wife who delights in belonging to him, a gift which all husbands should have but which few receive.
A woman wants to share her husband’s life by helping him in his work or in anything he wants to do, but she also wants him to share in what she does. Having him sit in the kitchen and talk with her, or better yet, do some chopping as she prepares meals lightens her burden of guiding the house.
She has to be intelligent about accepting his help. The chance of his doing it the way she would is close to zero. If she complains, he’ll stop trying to help. Remember Proverbs 31:26 “She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.”
INSISTING ON MARRIAGE
The woman usually wants marriage so it’s up to her to get it. A man marries if he wants a woman badly and marriage is the only way to have her; few men buy what they can rent, few rent what’s available free.
God expects a man to honor a woman enough to set her apart from all other women by marrying her before having her. If a man doesn’t value her enough to do that, it’s going to be hard to persuade him to value her that much after having her for nothing while she paid “her share” of the rent.
That is going to make it very hard for him to be willing to accept responsibility by marrying. A woman who decides to push for marriage must realize that she could lose him entirely.
Lovingly but firmly, she must say, “Unmarried sex is wrong before God and before man. You know that as well as I. I love you and want to give my life to you, but I will no longer give you my body outside marriage. Marry me, and I solemnly promise that I will belong to you. I will live on your income and follow your leadership. As my husband, you may have me whenever you want me even when I don’t want you, but without marriage, you may no longer have me at all.” Say that and separate from him sexually!
This is difficult unless she walks out the door. Walking out is hard, particularly if she has no place to go. Her body likes attention and cutting off sex is difficult, especially if she loves him. Most women don’t particularly want touching until after they’ve been touched, then they want it badly from time to time.
If touching comes after marriage, a woman can give herself in confidence that he’s committed to her. If touching comes without marriage, she fears he’ll abandon her and has trouble controlling her desire for his touch even if it has become rottenness to her bones. It’s better to stay chaste until marriage – giving herself even once makes it hard not to give herself again.
He won’t believe her unless she stops. He’ll think she’s tricking him into marriage. Having had her, he knows the tricks to make her fall and tries to get her again. If she surrenders, she’s lost.
Women who give sex without marriage know they’re not respected. Obeying Christ’s command with respect to sex or trying to get out of a relationship which isn’t working isn’t manipulation. Adopting a path of virtue is the best way to get him to value and respect her enough to marry her in sincerity and truth.
He’ll marry her if he wants her badly enough and marriage is the only way he can have her.
If he doesn’t marry her, she’ll want to marry someone else. She knows the pain of giving herself and her heart without marriage. That should give her strength to tell another man, “No, that mistake hurts, and never again. No sex until we’re married and I won’t marry you unless you grow up and get a job.”
HOLY MATRIMONY IS A SACRED COVENANT SEALED WITH BLOOD
A woman who’s trying to repent of sexual sin will be encouraged by God’s provision for such situations.
God planned that the marriage covenant be sealed with blood. Mal.2:14 refers to “the wife of thy covenant.” “Thy covenant” refers to the husband. A man offers his marriage covenant to the woman. If she accepts his covenant, they’re married when he takes her to wife after a public declaration to God before witnesses. What matters is the desire of their hearts. If they intend to marry from their hearts, if they mean to sanctify each other before God and others, joining is holy and pure, otherwise it’s polluted.
Blood is very important to God. We Christians are sanctified through the blood of Jesus Christ:
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ
once for all. Hebrews 10:10
Wherefore Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood
, suffered without the gate. Hebrews 13:21
Blood was very important to God from the time He chose Abraham to be the first of His people:
Whereupon neither the first testament was dedicated without blood. For when Moses had spoken every precept to all the people according to the law, he took the blood of calves and of goats, with water, and scarlet wool, and hyssop, and sprinkled both the book, and all the people, saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you
. Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry. And almost all things
are by the law purged with blood
; and without shedding of blood is no remission. Hebrews 9:18-22
Moses sprinkled the book of the law, that is, the Bible, and sprinkled the people as a sign that they would obey the Word of God. All of the equipment of the temple was sanctified to God by being sprinkled with blood. The Bible then says, “And almost all things are by the law purged with blood…” (Hebrews 9:22).
God created all things from a plan, He did nothing by accident. A woman sheds blood on three different occasions. The first time a man takes a woman, her blood is shed. This blood, which the Bible calls “tokens of her virginity,” sanctifies her marriage covenant if he takes her in marriage, otherwise shedding her blood profanes God’s sacred marriage covenant. They aren’t married until he takes her to wife (Gen. 24:67[523]); his marriage covenant takes effect when sealed with her blood.
Abraham, the weaker party, gave up animals to provide blood to seal God’s covenant with him (Gen. 15). The woman, the weaker party, gives up her innocence to provide blood to seal her husband’s marriage covenant with her (Deu. 22:20-21[524]). She loses her innocence and learns about men, but she does not lose her purity. Hebrews 13:4 says, “Marriage is honorable in all and the bed undefiled.” If he takes her to wife, she keeps her purity, otherwise she gives her purity away and they’re both defiled.
Know ye not that your bodies are the members of Christ? shall I then take the members of Christ, and make them the members of an harlot? God forbid. 16What? know ye not that he which is joined to an harlot is one body? for two, saith he, shall be one flesh. I Corinthians 6:15-16
There’s more sanctification in marriage than just the marriage covenant alone:
For the unbelieving husband is sanctified by the wife, and the unbelieving wife is sanctified by the husband: else were your children unclean; but now are they holy. I Corinthians 7:14
A woman sheds blood to sanctify her marriage covenant and sheds blood to sanctify her children, that is, to set them apart and make them holy, by shedding blood when giving birth. There’s no need to baptize babies, they’ve been sanctified to God by their mother’s shed blood. Childbearing sanctifies the mother:
Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety
. I Timothy 2:15
Every month she’s not pregnant or nursing, a woman’s womb cleans itself with blood at the end of her cycle. Her blood purifies her womb to prepare a place where God can mold and make a sanctified child. Every month, a woman who’s fallen into sin has a chance to start over again in purity if she repents from fornication and stops doing it. That is far easier said than done, but she has a way forward:
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind
, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14I press toward the mark
for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14
The blood a woman sheds is important to God, but how many Christians respect it? How many Christian men honor and sanctify by marrying her first and treating her as a gift (1 Thess. 4:3-6[525])? How many Christian couples pollute God’s sacred marriage covenant with the “lust of concupiscence?”
The physical side of marriage is holy and pure (Heb. 13:4[526]). There’s no reason to be shy; there is no reason not to teach it; we should respect and honor it. God not only made marriage honorable, He gave women a path to recover from polluting His marriage covenant and press toward His mark in purity.
Chapter 13 – Marriage Handout
The foundation of joyful Holy Matrimony is both parties being convinced in their bones that God is good.
Oh that men would praise the LORD for his goodness, and for his wonderful works to the children of men! Psalm 107:8, 15, 21, 31
The man knows that everything about his wife that irritates him is from God to bless him. His wife knows that everything about him that drives her crazy is from God to bless her. It may take years of asking God for wisdom to figure out how they’re blessed, but the way God made men and women blesses both.
Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. Proverbs 18:22
And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me. Matthew 25:40
BEING MARRIED
And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death. Genesis 24:67
1. Isaac supplied the tent. A man’s proposal to a woman that doesn’t include food, clothing, and shelter isn’t biblical. If a man can’t pay for her, all he can do is play with her. That never ends well.
2. She became his wife, not his girlfriend – they both made public marriage vows before he took her.
3. Isaac loved Rebekah and then he was comforted. God gave every wife the ability to comfort her husband, but comforting a man is emotionally exhausting. Being convinced that he loves her renews her emotional energy so she can keep comforting him. This requires a lot of daily detailed praise and appreciation by both husband and wife as taught in the Song of Solomon (Song 1:2[527]).
ATTITUDE OF GRATITUDE
Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness
, and with gladness of heart
, for the abundance of all things
; 48Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things
: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee
. Deuteronomy 28:47-48
A man limits his wife’s ability to make him happy if he limits his appreciation of everything about her.
GETTING MARRIED
And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her
. Genesis 29:21
Then said she, Sit still, my daughter
, until thou know how the matter will fall: for the man will not be in rest, until he have finished the thing this day. Ruth 3:18 The best advice on getting married there is.
Boaz wasn’t thinking of marriage, but when Ruth suggested it, it was such a good idea he ran out the very next morning and married her. Why? Because he wanted her. If a woman gives a man rest outside marriage, her value falls (Pr. 31:10[528]). What would marriage give that he doesn’t have? Why take on responsibility?
DWELLING ACCORDING TO KNOWLEDGE
Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel
, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. I Peter 3:7
This means knowing her needs, preferences, thoughts, and feelings and think about her when making decisions. If a woman prefers vanilla and her husband always brings home chocolate, does he love her? Will she feel loved? The only way a man can get this knowledge is though hours and days of open-hearted conversation. There’s a reward – the better your wife knows you, the more easily she can please you.
STAYING MARRIED
I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother’s house, who would instruct me
: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate. 3His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me. Song of Solomon 8:2-3
Her mother tells her to welcome him into her body whenever he wants her. Giving herself when she’d rather not is what submission means. She has more sexual capacity than he; she can drain off all of his energy to keep him focused. If she sends him off to work loaded, he may be tempted by other women (Pr. 6:28[529]).
HUSBAND LEADS BY SERVING
And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. Mark 9:35
But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Mark 10:42-45
HUSBAND LEADS IN APPRECIATION
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her
. [saying] 29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Proverbs 31:28-29
Mrs. Lemuel taught her son to praise his wife and teach his children to follow his example of praising and appreciating her. This teaches the “attitude of gratitude” which blesses them all their lives. Praise is partly to encourage his wife and partly to teach her children to respect her. If her daughters respect her, she can teach them how to be treasures for their future husbands instead of being toys. If her sons respect her, she can teach them how to be blessed by their future wives as Mrs. Lemuel taught her son in Pr. 31.
Nowhere in the Bible does a man criticize his wife. Not once. Really? What about this?
Then said his wife unto him, Dost thou still retain thine integrity? curse God, and die. But he said unto her, Thou speakest as one of the foolish women speaketh. Job 2:9
Job’s wife lost seven sons who were her hope of being fed after her husband died – no pensions. Her husband lost his money and spoke of dying. He said she spoke “like a foolish woman.” That implied she wasn’t usually foolish, it was halfway a compliment. He criticized what she did; he didn’t criticize her.
A merry heart doeth good like a medicine: but a broken spirit drieth the bones
. Proverbs 17:22
A husband’s criticism dries his wife’s bones and can shorten her life. Praise helps her live longer.
GOD SPEAKS TO WOMEN
When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. Matthew 27:19
Pilate’s wife expected him to value her dream. He should have let the help meet God gave help him.
WIFE RESPECTS HER HUSBAND AND GUIDES HIS HOUSE
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 33Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself
; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. Ephesians 5:22, 33
Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands
, as it is fit in the Lord. Colossians 3:18
I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. I Timothy 5:14
Women are driven to talk about caring for husbands, children, and homes. That’s a good thing.
Chapter 14 – Handling Disputes and Anger at Home, at Church, at Work, and in the World
God expects His church to come together in fellowship without offense or anger:
That there should be no schism in the body
; but that the members should have the same care one for another. I Corinthians 12:25
God also told us how to resolve any disagreement, trespass, or offense. God’s plan for finding peace requires that we have a humble, practical willingness to deal with whatever robs the soul and spirit of peace and joy. Healing disagreement is important in any group, family, or church because we need each other:
And whether one member suffer, all the members suffer with it; I Corinthians 12:26a
We can’t accomplish God’s purpose in our local church if the Body of Believers is divided or in anger.
Every kingdom divided against itself is brought to desolation; and a house divided against a house falleth
. Luke 11:17b
Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven. Matthew 18:4
Be ye angry, and sin not: let not the sun go down upon your wrath: Ephesians 4:26
We must heal hurts fast because memories fade. These are God’s commands for restoring peace:
Moreover if thy brother shall trespass
against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone
: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. 16But if he will not hear thee, then take with thee one or two more, that in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established
. 17And if he shall neglect to hear them, tell it unto the church: but if he neglect to hear the church, let him be unto thee as an heathen man and a publican. Matthew 18:15-17
The Scofield Reference Bible put the heading “CHURCH DISCIPLINE” before Mt. 18:15. This suggests that God’s process is only for matters that could throw someone out of church. That’s wrong – God’s plan works for anything that upsets you enough that you can’t ignore it.
- Trespass means to sin, intrude, infringe, or encroach. This includes offenses.
- Offense includes insult, attack, or anything that bothers or offends you.
WHAT IF YOU DON’T HEAL HURTS AS THEY HAPPEN?
Anger and frustration build when hurts aren’t healed. We remember that we’re offended but may forget why we’re angry if we don’t settle offenses as fast as God requires. This is deadly in marriage, in churches, and at work. When anger spreads to an entire group, we must heal many people at once. Paul set the goal:
Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind
, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, 14I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14
The goal is to put the anger behind and get the group working together to press toward the mark.
SETTLING A GROUP OFFENSE GOD’S WAY
I was a new hire, and for some reason, the boss left me in charge of the office when he was away for a week. On Monday morning, my new colleagues came to me about longstanding anger. I had no idea what the problem was and couldn’t get a straight story. That happened in Ephesus:
Some therefore cried one thing, and some another: for the assembly was confused: and the more part knew not wherefore they were come together. Acts 19:32 see also Acts 21:34[530]
The fact that I wasn’t yet part of the group made it easier for them to let me lead the search for an answer.
“I don’t care about facts.” I said. “It’s been building for years and nobody remembers why. We won’t bring up what happened; we’ll deal with feelings. We’ll say how we feel, one at a time. There are 4 rules.
1) Everybody has to be in this together, is there anyone else who should be here?
2) Only one thought, hurt, feeling, or idea per turn.
3) Don’t blame anyone. Everybody was involved. Don’t give names. If you say, ‘I was upset when he said…,’ that’s out of bounds. Say, ‘I was upset when I heard…’ or ‘when this happened.’
4) Only the person holding this Bible may speak; wait until it gets passed to you.
Everybody got that?” They nodded.
As we went around the group, someone interrupted, “That’s not what I meant. I was trying to…”
“Wait your turn,” I said. “We need apologies. We need forgiveness. Without forgiveness, we can’t work together. When it’s your turn, if you’re sorry, we will forgive you, won’t we?” They agreed that they would.
After another round or two with apologies, I heard, “It’s OK now, we get it. We can work together.”
I went around the group, one at a time. “Is it over? Really over?” All but two said “Yes.” I asked, “Are you two upset with each other?” When they said “Yes,” that made it a simple 1 on 1 trespass.
Matthew 18 tells how to fix that. “Go get some coffee and work it out,” I told them. “Come back when you’ve made up. If you can’t, I’ll be happy to help. If the three of us can’t fix it, we’ll bring everybody in and fix it together. If we all together can’t fix it, one of you will have to leave. Got that?” They said they got it.
They came back in a half-hour, full of teary smiles. It really was all over. God told us about this:
Where no wood is, there the fire goeth out: so where there is no talebearer, the strife ceaseth. Proverbs 26:20
Nobody would talk about how it happened – I think they were embarrassed – but it seemed that the two holdouts had gotten upset at each other years earlier and had been knifing each other to their colleagues.
This group-oriented process of healing problems is taught in the Bible. Paul’s letters speak of the Corinthian church sinning through carnal “strife and division (1 Cor. 3:3[531]).” He urged the Corinthians to be unified, and explained that he would establish “every word” of what he had heard when he came:
This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established
. II Corinthians 13:1 He planned to establish every word, not every truth.
GIVING OFFENSE OFFENDS GOD
Eight verses before giving us His reconciliation process, Jesus said that giving offense is a serious sin:
But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea. 7Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh! Matthew 18:6-7
Christians should be spiritual enough not to take offense when no offence is meant, and sometimes even when it is. People can become annoyed at you even if you don’t intend offense. Your intent doesn’t matter:
Beware of false prophets, which come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ravening wolves. 16Ye shall know them by their fruits
. Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Matthew 7:15-16
Your actions can bring destructive fruit even if you didn’t want to be a ravening wolf. There are no excuses. Your intent doesn’t matter. Haven’t you ever told a child, “You didn’t break the window on purpose, but we want you to on purpose not break things.”
If someone is offended by what you did, God expects you to humble yourself and apologize even if you can’t see why they’re offended. Nobody expects you to be perfect; they expect you to be honest. I’ve never lost points by apologizing, not even to my children. It’s a good way to deal with offenses as God commands.
If you don’t understand why you offended someone, you’re likely to do it again. If someone won’t accept your apology, that’s on them, not on you.
Conflict at work costs businesses so much money that it’s been studied a lot. One way to keep discussions calm is to pause 10 seconds before answering when things are getting hot. Your goal isn’t to “win” the discussion; it’s to build the relationship, to edify. You can’t do that when you’re angry or if the other person is too upset to hear what you say. Pausing to think for 10 seconds helps improve your relationships.
WE CANNOT LIVE WITHOUT LAW
All groups need some way to settle disputes. Drug dealers and street gangs throw bullets at each other because it’s cheaper and faster than going to court. American Indian tribes passed the “whisper pipe” around the circle. Only the person holding the pipe could talk, and pass it to the next.
My colleagues weren’t saved but they saw the need for apologies and forgiveness. We’re commanded:
Take heed to yourselves: If thy brother trespass against thee, rebuke him; and if he repent, forgive him. 4And if he trespass against thee seven times in a day, and seven times in a day turn again to thee, saying, I repent; thou shalt forgive him
. Luke 17:3-4
God is serious about commanding us to forgive without limit; we’re forgiven only as we forgive others:
And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors
. Matthew 6:12
And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you
. Ephesians 4:32
THE PROBLEM OF HUMAN CARNALITY
In 1 Cor. 3:1-7, Paul showed the difference between spiritual Christians and carnal Christians. Being carnal is another way to describe walking in the flesh. We all have our flesh-driven moments, even Paul (Ro. 7:14):
For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. 7Because the carnal mind is enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of God, neither indeed can be. Romans 8:6-7
Japanese are about 1.5% Christian. Few Japanese have the Holy Spirit, but healing offenses was a matter of life and death. Annoying a sword-bearing samurai could get your head chopped off. If you offended too many people, you might be forced to commit suicide. They needed ways to restore harmony.
A few days after my brother entered 1st grade, an elegant gentleman knocked on the door. His card said “Head of the Block.” He told Mom that her son was not brushing his teeth after lunch because he had no toothbrush. The teacher sent a note home. Had she seen it? Mom found the note; it had a cartoon of a child brushing teeth. “I’m sorry,” she explained, “I thought I had to make sure he brushed his teeth before he went to school.” Huge smile. “We thought it was something like that,” he said, and bowed himself out.
This man was known as wise man who solved quarrels. My brother’s teacher asked the PTA to find peace with a foreigner. The PTA elevated the problem to the Head of the Block. The apostle Paul desired that there be no quarrels in Christ’s church; the Head of the Block desired that there be no quarrels in his community.
Japanese know that gossip can be deadly, but they also know that approaching someone who’d angered you could cause more offense. Talking to the Head of the Block was OK by definition. He or his wife could often explain enough to stop it there. If not, they’d work tactfully behind the scenes to bring harmony.
The Japanese agree with Pr. 20:29b, “the beauty of old men is the grey head.” Serving the community by bringing peace was honored. They didn’t have our psychology terminology, but they understood people.
Confirmation bias: People value information that supports their beliefs and tend to ignore information that conflicts with their beliefs. Atheists aren’t interested when I show them how scientific discoveries support the Bible. The more a wise man learns, the better he understands his ignorance.
Stereotypes: People tend to judge others by first impressions. It’s difficult and time-consuming to learn enough about another person to judge righteous judgment; it’s a lot easier to put them in a compartment based on a few obvious characteristics and move on.
Pride: Most people hate to admit that they’re wrong. As Elon Musk put it, “It’s a lot easier to fool people than to convince them that they’ve been fooled.” Apologizing can be very humbling.
Let us not therefore judge one another any more: but judge this rather, that no man put a stumblingblock or an occasion to fall in his brother’s way. Romans 14:13
American law states that government can’t override your “strongly-held convictions” without a very good reason. Baptists call this “individual soul liberty” in saying that each person has the right to their own convictions. It can be difficult to get along with Christians with different convictions.
Going ‘round the table hearing all the feelings, hurts, and anger cuts through bias, stereotypes, and misunderstanding. It can be humbling, but shows the power of love and relationships.
Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! James 3:5
There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise is health. Proverbs 12:18
Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9
He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. Proverbs 25:28
HOW TO MODERATE
It’s important to agree on the rules when settling a longstanding problem. This is a good start:
I don’t care about facts. Anger has been building for years. We won’t bring up what happened; we’ll deal with feelings. We’ll say how we feel, one at a time. There are 4 rules.
1) Everybody has to be in this together, is there anyone else who should be here? If not, go get them.
2) Only one thought, hurt, feeling, or idea per turn.
3) Don’t blame anyone. For it to get this bad, everybody was involved. Don’t give names. If you say, ‘I was upset when he said…,’ that’s against the rules. Say, ‘I was upset when I heard…’ or when this happened.
4) Only the person who has the floor may speak; wait for your turn.
Everybody got that? Let’s begin.
[1] Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. Romans 7:4
[2] Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. II Corinthians 5:20
[3]Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God: 7But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men: 8And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross. Philippians 2:6-8
[4] And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Genesis 3:15
[5] My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring? Psalm 22:1
[6] And about the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani? that is to say, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Matthew 27:46
[7] And at the ninth hour Jesus cried with a loud voice, saying, Eloi, Eloi, lama sabachthani? which is, being interpreted, My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? Mark 15:34
[8] And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin. Genesis 35:18
[9] And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard it. I Samuel 4:20
[10] And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. Genesis 30:1
[11] Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men. Luke 1:25
[12] Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation 4:11
[13] This is the book of the generations of Adam. In the day that God created man, in the likeness of God made he him; 2Male and female created he them; and blessed them, and called their name Adam, in the day when they were created. Genesis 5:1-2
[14] There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. Romans 3:11
[15] Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. Galatians 5:4
[16] And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, to bring Jacob again to him, Though Israel be not gathered, yet shall I be glorious in the eyes of the LORD, and my God shall be my strength. Isaiah 49:5
[17] Marvel not that I said unto thee, Ye must be born again. John 3:7
[18] And the times of this ignorance God winked at; but now commandeth all men every where to repent: Acts 17:30
[19] Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Acts 20:21
[20] O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Matthew 23:37
[21] O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Luke 13:34
[22] And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. Matthew 11:23
[23] And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. Luke 10:15
[24] He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. 4Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: yet we did esteem him stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted. Isaiah 53:3-4
[25] For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: II Corinthians 5:14
[26] I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase. I Corinthians 3:6
[27] Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ: Philippians 1:6
[28] Unwin, J. D. (1927). “Monogamy as a Condition of Social Energy,” The Hibbert Journal, Vol. XXV, p. 662
1 Sexual Relations and Cultural Behavior, by J. D. Unwin (Frank M. Darrow 1969)
[30] The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Titus 2:3-5
[31] Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. Song of Solomon 1:2
[32] Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Proverbs 31:10
[33] And Isaac was forty years old when he took Rebekah to wife Genesis 25:20a
[34] For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: Ephesians 5:29
[35] If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. Mark 9:35b
[36] But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. Mark 10:42-44
[37] And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Genesis 2:18
[38] Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. Ephesians 5:33
[39] Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Proverbs 31:10
[40] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9
[41] She said, No man, Lord. And Jesus said unto her, Neither do I condemn thee: go, and sin no more. John 8:11
[42] Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. I Peter 3:7
[43] And he gave them their request; but sent leanness into their soul. Psalm 106:15
[44] That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, Titus 2:4
[45] His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me. Song of Solomon 8:3
[46] Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. II Corinthians 9:7
[47] I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. I Timothy 5:14
[48] Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? Proverbs 6:28
[49] Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. I Peter 3:7
[50] The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. Proverbs 31:11
[51] Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. Ephesians 5:33
[52] Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. I Peter 3:6
[53] Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. Malachi 2:14
[54] A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; I Timothy 3:2
[55] And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, II Timothy 2:24
[56] 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 1:27
[57] For the man is not of the woman: but the woman of the man. 9Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. I Corinthians 11:8-9
[58] There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. I Corinthians 7:34
[59] And it came to pass, when she pressed him daily with her words, and urged him, so that his soul was vexed unto death; Judges 16:16
[60] For in very deed, as the LORD God of Israel liveth, which hath kept me back from hurting thee, except thou hadst hasted and come to meet me, surely there had not been left unto Nabal by the morning light any that pisseth against the wall. I Samuel 25:34
[61] And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. 20And Adam gave names to all cattle, and to the fowl of the air, and to every beast of the field; but for Adam there was not found an help meet for him. Genesis 2:18, 20
[62] Wherefore comfort yourselves together, and edify one another, even as also ye do. I Thessalonians 5:11
[63] And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Hebrews 10:24
[64] Not because I desire a gift: but I desire fruit that may abound to your account. Philippians 4:17
[65] All these men of war, that could keep rank, came with a perfect heart to Hebron, to make David king over all Israel: and all the rest also of Israel were of one heart to make David king. I Chronicles 12:38
[66] Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling savour. Ephesians 5:1-2
[67] Now when they had passed through Amphipolis and Apollonia, they came to Thessalonica, where was a synagogue of the Jews: 2And Paul, as his manner was, went in unto them, and three sabbath days reasoned with them out of the scriptures, 3Opening and alleging, that Christ must needs have suffered, and risen again from the dead; and that this Jesus, whom I preach unto you, is Christ. 4And some of them believed, and consorted with Paul and Silas; and of the devout Greeks a great multitude, and of the chief women not a few. 5But the Jews which believed not, moved with envy, took unto them certain lewd fellows of the baser sort, and gathered a company, and set all the city on an uproar, and assaulted the house of Jason, and sought to bring them out to the people. 6And when they found them not, they drew Jason and certain brethren unto the rulers of the city, crying, These that have turned the world upside down are come hither also; Acts 17:1-6
[68] And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her. Genesis 29:21
[69] He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Mark 7:6
[70] Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Isaiah 29:13
[71] https://successful-marriage.blogspot.com/2021/06/dont-step-in-holes.html#samsonTemptation
[72] Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. II Timothy 3:7
[73] For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Proverbs 23:7a
[74] And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Genesis 2:18
[75] Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. Proverbs 18:22
[76] Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17
[77] Yet ye say, Wherefore? Because the LORD hath been witness between thee and the wife of thy youth, against whom thou hast dealt treacherously: yet is she thy companion, and the wife of thy covenant. Malachi 2:14
[78] And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress it and to keep it. 16And the LORD God commanded the man, saying, Of every tree of the garden thou mayest freely eat: 17But of the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, thou shalt not eat of it: for in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely die. 18And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help[78] meet for him. Genesis 2:15-18
[79] 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
[80] And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. I Timothy 2:14
[81] For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so by the obedience of one shall many be made righteous. Romans 5:19
[82] And the LORD said unto Moses, Go unto the people, and sanctify them to day and to morrow, and let them wash their clothes, 11And be ready against the third day: for the third day the LORD will come down in the sight of all the people upon mount Sinai. 15And he said unto the people, Be ready against the third day: come not at your wives. Exodus 19:10-11, 15
[83] Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. Hebrews 13:4
[84] And the man said, The woman whom thou gavest to be with me, she gave me of the tree, and I did eat. 13And the LORD God said unto the woman, What is this that thou hast done? And the woman said, The serpent beguiled me, and I did eat. Genesis 3:12-13
[85] https://successful-marriage.blogspot.com/2021/06/wedding-wisdom-simplicity-of-marriage.html#fallFault
[86] There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. I Corinthians 7:34
[87] And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. Malachi 2:15
[88] But there went up a mist from the earth, and watered the whole face of the ground. Genesis 2:6
[89] And they were both naked, the man and his wife, and were not ashamed. Genesis 2:25
[90] And the woman said unto the serpent, We may eat of the fruit of the trees of the garden: Genesis 3:2
[91] There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. I Corinthians 7:34
[92] Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. Song of Solomon 1:2
[93] I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother’s house, who would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate. 3His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me. Song 8:2-3
[94] I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me. Song 7:10
[95] And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh. She shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Genesis 2:23
[96] 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
[97] I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother’s house, who would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate. 3His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me. Song 8:2-3
[98] Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. Ecclesiastes 9:9
[99] And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. Mark 10:8
[100] Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. Proverbs 31:31
[101]And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Matthew 19:5-6
[102] Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. I Peter 3:7
[103] My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies. Song of Solomon 2:16
[104] I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies. Song of Solomon 6:3
[105] Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. I Corinthians 11:9
[106] In Gen. 3:14, God cursed Satan “above all cattle, and above every beast of the field.” In 3:17 God said, “cursed is the ground for thy sake” before telling Adam that he would eat by the sweat of his face. Although Satan, cattle, beasts, and the ground were cursed, Adam and Eve were not cursed. By placing Adam’s struggle to find or grow food at the mercy of weather and much else which man can’t control, God reminds us that all lives depend on God – “Moreover the profit of the earth is for all: the king himself is served by the field. (Ecc. 5:9).” Before men had machines to pump water out of the ground, farmers needed rain to fill reservoirs or water their crops. Farmers know they depend on God.
[107] The grave; and the barren womb; the earth that is not filled with water; and the fire that saith not, It is enough. Proverbs 30:16
[108]And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4
[109] Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. Proverbs 31:31
[110] Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men: Isaiah 29:13
[111] He answered and said unto them, Well hath Esaias prophesied of you hypocrites, as it is written, This people honoureth me with their lips, but their heart is far from me. Mark 7:6
[112] Every man according as he purposeth in his heart, so let him give; not grudgingly, or of necessity: for God loveth a cheerful giver. II Corinthians 9:7
[113] I will therefore that the younger women marry, bear children, guide the house, give none occasion to the adversary to speak reproachfully. I Timothy 5:14
[114] And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted unto heaven, shalt be brought down to hell: for if the mighty works, which have been done in thee, had been done in Sodom, it would have remained until this day. Matthew 11:23
[115] O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Matthew 23:37
[116] And thou, Capernaum, which art exalted to heaven, shalt be thrust down to hell. Luke 10:15
[117] O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Luke 13:34
[118] And Peter remembered the word of Jesus, which said unto him, Before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice. And he went out, and wept bitterly. Matthew 26:75
[119] And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. Mark 9:35
[120] But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Mark 10:42-45
[121] And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Genesis 2:18
[122] the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. Proverbs 19:13b
[123] It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house. Proverbs 21:9
[124] It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman. Proverbs 21:19
[125] It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house. Proverbs 25:24
[126] A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. Proverbs 27:15
[127] https://successful-marriage.blogspot.com/2021/06/dont-step-in-holes.html#greekHard
[128] O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Matthew 23:37
[129] https://successful-marriage.blogspot.com/2018/12/what-drove-jesus-11-nobodies-to-turn.html#ruthsRules
[130] https://successful-marriage.blogspot.com/2021/06/wedding-wisdom-simplicity-of-marriage.html#marriageArch
[131] a prudent wife is from the LORD. Proverbs 19:14b
[132] And he said to the woman, Thy faith hath saved thee; go in peace. Luke 7:50
[133] Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee. Song of Solomon 4:7
[134] For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Romans 3:23
[135] Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned: Romans 5:12
[136] For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Romans 6:23
[137] As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12
[138] And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. I Corinthians 6:11
[139] Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; 26That he might sanctify and cleanse it with the washing of water by the word, 27That he might present it to himself a glorious church, not having spot, or wrinkle, or any such thing; but that it should be holy and without blemish. Ephesians 5:25-27
[140] There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1
[141] Let your heart therefore be perfect with the LORD our God, to walk in his statutes, and to keep his commandments, as at this day. I Kings 8:61
[142] But the high places were not removed: nevertheless Asa’s heart was perfect with the LORD all his days. I Kings 15:14
[143] I beseech thee, O LORD, remember now how I have walked before thee in truth and with a perfect heart, and have done that which is good in thy sight. And Hezekiah wept sore. II Kings 20:3
[144] Serve the LORD with gladness: come before his presence with singing. Psalm 100:2
[145] Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, Romans 1:1
[146] Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness; Titus 1:1
[147] My Father, which gave them me, is greater than all; and no man is able to pluck them out of my Father’s hand. John 10:29
[148] What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? I Corinthians 6:19
[149] For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: 15And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again. II Corinthians 5:14-15
[150] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
[151] Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another; Romans 12:10
[152] For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Ephesians 4:12
[153] Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God. Ephesians 5:21
[154] Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. I Peter 5:5
[155] And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. Mark 9:35
[156] But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Mark 10:42-45
[157] Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger, and clamour, and evil speaking, be put away from you, with all malice: 32And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you. Ephesians 4:31-32
[158] He hath not dealt with us after our sins; nor rewarded us according to our iniquities. 11For as the heaven is high above the earth, so great is his mercy toward them that fear him. 12As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:10-12
[159] I, even I, am he that blotteth out thy transgressions for mine own sake, and will not remember thy sins. Isaiah 43:25
[160] And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more. Hebrews 10:17
[161] How much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself without spot to God, purge your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? Hebrews 9:14
[162] Having therefore, brethren, boldness to enter into the holiest by the blood of Jesus, 20By a new and living way, which he hath consecrated for us, through the veil, that is to say, his flesh; 21And having an high priest over the house of God; 22Let us draw near with a true heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled from an evil conscience, and our bodies washed with pure water. Hebrews 10:19-22
[163] There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1
[164] Now the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, that ye may abound in hope, through the power of the Holy Ghost. Romans 15:13
[165] God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land. Psalm 68:6
[166] Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17
[167] For no man ever yet hated his own flesh; but nourisheth and cherisheth it, even as the Lord the church: Ephesians 5:29
[168] Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee. Song of Solomon 4:7
[169] My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her. Song of Solomon 6:9
[170] Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as unto the Lord. 33Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. Ephesians 5:22, 33
[171] Wives, submit yourselves unto your own husbands, as it is fit in the Lord. Colossians 3:18
[172] I made a covenant with mine eyes; why then should I think upon a maid? Job 31:1
[173] The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Ruth 1:9
[174] Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Matthew 11:28
[175] Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content. Philippians 4:11
[176] But godliness with contentment is great gain. I Timothy 6:6
[177] Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee. Hebrews 13:5
[178] But if from thence thou shalt seek the LORD thy God, thou shalt find him, if thou seek him with all thy heart and with all thy soul. Deuteronomy 4:29
[179] work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. Philippians 2:12b
[180] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9
[181] Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16
[182] Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; II Corinthians 5:11a
[183] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
[184] What is man, that thou art mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? Psalm 8:4
[185] But one in a certain place testified, saying, What is man, that thou art mindful of him? or the son of man that thou visitest him? Hebrews 2:6
[186] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
[187] And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; whether the gods which your fathers served that were on the other side of the flood, or the gods of the Amorites, in whose land ye dwell: but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD. Joshua 24:15
[188] And Elijah came unto all the people, and said, How long halt ye between two opinions? if the LORD be God, follow him: but if Baal, then follow him. And the people answered him not a word. I Kings 18:21
[189] And I sought for a man among them, that should make up the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: but I found none. Ezekiel 22:30
[190] And it came to pass, as her soul was in departing, (for she died) that she called his name Benoni: but his father called him Benjamin. Genesis 35:18
[191] And about the time of her death the women that stood by her said unto her, Fear not; for thou hast born a son. But she answered not, neither did she regard it. I Samuel 4:20
[192] And when Rachel saw that she bare Jacob no children, Rachel envied her sister; and said unto Jacob, Give me children, or else I die. Genesis 30:1
[193] Thus hath the Lord dealt with me in the days wherein he looked on me, to take away my reproach among men. Luke 1:25
[194] Thou art worthy, O Lord, to receive glory and honour and power: for thou hast created all things, and for thy pleasure they are and were created. Revelation 4:11
[195] He is despised and rejected of men; a man of sorrows, and acquainted with grief: and we hid as it were our faces from him; he was despised, and we esteemed him not. Isaiah 53:3
[196] O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Matthew 23:37
[197] O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not! Luke 13:34
[198] I am come that they might have life, and that they might have it more abundantly. John 10:10b
[199] And these shall go away into everlasting punishment: but the righteous into life eternal. Matthew 25:46
[200] And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together. John 4:36
[201] He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal. John 12:25
[202] And this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent. John 17:3
[203] Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Proverbs 31:28-29
[204] Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you. John 15:3
[205] Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us. 22And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission. Hebrews 9:12, 22
[206] But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Isaiah 64:6
[207] As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one: Romans 3:10
[208] For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: 9Not of works, lest any man should boast. Ephesians 2:8-9
[209] Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? Ezekiel 33:11
[210] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
[211] There is none that understandeth, there is none that seeketh after God. Romans 3:11
[212] Christ is become of no effect unto you, whosoever of you are justified by the law; ye are fallen from grace. Galatians 5:4
[213] And now, saith the LORD that formed me from the womb to be his servant, Isaiah 49:5a
[214] For I am the LORD, I change not; therefore ye sons of Jacob are not consumed. Malachi 3:6
[215] And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death. Genesis 24:67
[216] But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. Romans 5:8
[217] For the love of Christ constraineth us; II Corinthians 5:14a
[218] O that there were such an heart in them, that they would fear me, and keep all my commandments always, that it might be well with them, and with their children for ever! Deuteronomy 5:29
[219] And the LORD thy God will make thee plenteous in every work of thine hand, in the fruit of thy body, and in the fruit of thy cattle, and in the fruit of thy land, for good: for the LORD will again rejoice over thee for good, as he rejoiced over thy fathers: 10If thou shalt hearken unto the voice of the LORD thy God, to keep his commandments and his statutes which are written in this book of the law, and if thou turn unto the LORD thy God with all thine heart, and with all thy soul. Deuteronomy 30:9-10
[220] https://successful-marriage.blogspot.com/2018/12/what-drove-jesus-11-nobodies-to-turn.html#thinkDifferent
[221] Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. I Peter 3:7
[222] Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. Proverbs 18:22
[223] Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun. Ecclesiastes 9:9
[224] Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. I Corinthians 11:9
[225] And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Genesis 2:18
[226] Pray without ceasing. 18In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus I Thessalonians 5:17-18a
[227] Except the LORD build the house, they labour in vain that build it: except the LORD keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. Psalm 127:1
[228] If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5
[229] And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death. Genesis 24:67
[230] Thy wife shall be as a fruitful vine by the sides of thine house: thy children like olive plants round about thy table. Psalm 128:3
[231] Chasten thy son while there is hope, and let not thy soul spare for his crying. Proverbs 19:18
[232] Withhold not correction from the child: for if thou beatest him with the rod, he shall not die. Proverbs 23:13
[233] Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. Galatians 4:1-2
[234] And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4
[235] If ye endure chastening, God dealeth with you as with sons; for what son is he whom the father chasteneth not? Hebrews 12:7
[236] Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. Song of Solomon 1:2
[237] I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother’s house, who would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate. 3His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me. Song 8:2-3
[238] And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me? Judges 16:15a
[239] The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. Proverbs 31:11-12
[240] Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. I Corinthians 7:3
[241] Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. Proverbs 18:22
[242] Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Proverbs 31:28-29
[243] Now I say, That the heir, as long as he is a child, differeth nothing from a servant, though he be lord of all; 2But is under tutors and governors until the time appointed of the father. Galatians 4:1-2
[244] And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4
[245] When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him. Matthew 27:19
[246] There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. I Corinthians 7:34
[247] Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. I Peter 3:7
[248] a prudent wife is from the LORD. Proverbs 19:14b
[249] My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her. Song 6:9a
[250] Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. Proverbs 18:22
[251] Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17
[252] There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. I Corinthians 7:34
[253] One man esteemeth one day above another: another esteemeth every day alike. Let every man be fully persuaded in his own mind. Romans 14:5
[254] And he that doubteth is damned if he eat, because he eateth not of faith: for whatsoever is not of faith is sin. Romans 14:23
[255] Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; II Corinthians 5:11a
[256] And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more Philippians 1:9
[257] But I would have you know, that the head of every man is Christ; and the head of the woman is the man; and the head of Christ is God. 9Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. I Corinthians 11:3, 9
[258] Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Matthew 19:6
[259] And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death. Genesis 24:67
[260] So God created man in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them. Genesis 1:27
[261] And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? Matthew 19:4-5
[262] But from the beginning of the creation God made them male and female. Mark 10:6
[263] The tender and delicate woman among you, which would not adventure to set the sole of her foot upon the ground for delicateness and tenderness, Deuteronomy 28:56a
[264] The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Ruth 1:9a
[265] Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth. II Timothy 2:15
[266] Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Proverbs 31:10
[267] A talebearer revealeth secrets: but he that is of a faithful spirit concealeth the matter. Proverbs 11:13
[268] He that goeth about as a talebearer revealeth secrets: therefore meddle not with him that flattereth with his lips. Proverbs 20:19
[269] Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee. Song of Solomon 4:7
[270] Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17
[271] I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me. Song of Solomon 7:10
[272] Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. Song of Solomon 1:2
[273] I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother’s house, who would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate. 3His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me. Song 8:2-3
[274] Let thy fountain be blessed: and rejoice with the wife of thy youth. 19Let her be as the loving hind and pleasant roe; let her breasts satisfy thee at all times; and be thou ravished always with her love. Proverbs 5:18-19
[275] My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies. Song of Solomon 2:16
[276] I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies. Song of Solomon 6:3
[277] And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her. Genesis 29:21
[278] A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; I Timothy 3:2
[279] And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, II Timothy 2:24
[280] Thou art all fair, my love; there is no spot in thee. Song of Solomon 4:7
[281] And he had seven hundred wives, princesses, and three hundred concubines: and his wives turned away his heart. I Kings 11:3
[282] And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her. Genesis 29:21
[283] But if they cannot contain, let them marry: I Corinthians 7:9a
[284] Likewise, ye younger, submit yourselves unto the elder. Yea, all of you be subject one to another, and be clothed with humility: for God resisteth the proud, and giveth grace to the humble. I Peter 5:5
[285] And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, and after his image; and called his name Seth: Genesis 5:3
[286] My dove, my undefiled is but one; she is the only one of her mother, she is the choice one of her that bare her. The daughters saw her, and blessed her; yea, the queens and the concubines, and they praised her. Song of Solomon 6:9
[287] https://successful-marriage.blogspot.com/2018/12/what-drove-jesus-11-nobodies-to-turn.html#ToldMeBefore
[288] Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. Matthew 18:15
[289] For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. I Thessalonians 4:3-6
[290] If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins, and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness. I John 1:9
[291] Even as Sara obeyed Abraham, calling him lord: whose daughters ye are, as long as ye do well, and are not afraid with any amazement. I Peter 3:6
[292] Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. Ephesians 5:33
[293] Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16
[294] the contentions of a wife are a continual dropping. Proverbs 19:13b
[295] It is better to dwell in a corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman in a wide house. Proverbs 21:9
[296] It is better to dwell in the wilderness, than with a contentious and an angry woman. Proverbs 21:19
[297] It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop, than with a brawling woman and in a wide house. Proverbs 25:24
[298] A continual dropping in a very rainy day and a contentious woman are alike. Proverbs 27:15
[299] Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. Proverbs 18:22
[300] If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Matthew 7:11
[301] Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17
[302] a prudent wife is from the LORD. Proverbs 19:14b
[303] And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. Mark 9:35
[304] But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Mark 10:42-45
[305] Wherefore, my brethren, ye also are become dead to the law by the body of Christ; that ye should be married to another, even to him who is raised from the dead, that we should bring forth fruit unto God. Romans 7:4
[306]And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Matthew 19:5-6
[307] And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. Mark 10:8
[308] As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. I Peter 4:10
[309] For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: II Corinthians 5:14
[310] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1
[311] I will worship toward thy holy temple, and praise thy name for thy lovingkindness and for thy truth: for thou hast magnified thy word above all thy name. Psalm 138:2
[312] Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Philippians 2:4
[313] https://successful-marriage.blogspot.com/2013/10/why-johnny-lingo-paid-eight-cows-for.html
[314] That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:9
[315] Now concerning the things whereof ye wrote unto me: It is good for a man not to touch a woman. 2Nevertheless, to avoid fornication, let every man have his own wife, and let every woman have her own husband. I Corinthians 7:1-2
[316] And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death. Genesis 24:67
[317] So Boaz took Ruth, and she was his wife: Ruth 4:13a
[318] He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. Proverbs 25:28
[319] 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
[320] Let the husband render unto the wife due benevolence: and likewise also the wife unto the husband. 4The wife hath not power of her own body, but the husband: and likewise also the husband hath not power of his own body, but the wife. I Corinthians 7:3-4
[321] Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. I Peter 3:7
[322] And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her. Genesis 29:21
[323] Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. I Peter 3:7
[324] And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. Mark 10:8
[325] As far as the east is from the west, so far hath he removed our transgressions from us. Psalm 103:12
[326] And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. I Corinthians 6:11
[327] The region of the air; the sky or heavens; the great arch or expanse over our heads, in which are placed the atmosphere and the clouds
[328] But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: I Peter 3:15
[329] For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: II Corinthians 5:14
[330] For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus unto good works, which God hath before ordained that we should walk in them. Ephesians 2:10
[331] Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others. Philippians 2:4
[332] For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. 17For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world; but that the world through him might be saved. John 3:16-17
[333] And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death. Genesis 24:67
[334]And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Matthew 19:5-6
[335] And they twain shall be one flesh: so then they are no more twain, but one flesh. Mark 10:8
[336] Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God. II Corinthians 5:20
[337] What? know ye not that your body is the temple of the Holy Ghost which is in you, which ye have of God, and ye are not your own? I Corinthians 6:19
[338] They did eat, they drank, they married wives, they were given in marriage, until the day that Noe entered into the ark, and the flood came, and destroyed them all. Luke 17:27
[339] Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave himself for it; Ephesians 5:25
[340] Rejoice in the Lord alway: and again I say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4
[341] For the love of Christ constraineth us; because we thus judge, that if one died for all, then were all dead: II Corinthians 5:14
[342] https://successful-marriage.blogspot.com/2021/06/dont-step-in-holes.html#greekHard
[343] Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband. Ephesians 5:33
[344] And such were some of you: but ye are washed, but ye are sanctified, but ye are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and by the Spirit of our God. I Corinthians 6:11
[345] Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour. Ephesians 5:1-2
[346] Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. Matthew 5:16
[347] Unto the woman he said, I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee. Genesis 3:16
[348] The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Ruth 1:9a
[349] But Jesus called them to him, and saith unto them, Ye know that they which are accounted to rule over the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and their great ones exercise authority upon them. 43But so shall it not be among you: but whosoever will be great among you, shall be your minister: 44And whosoever of you will be the chiefest, shall be servant of all. 45For even the Son of man came not to be ministered unto, but to minister, and to give his life a ransom for many. Mark 10:42-45
[350] And he sat down, and called the twelve, and saith unto them, If any man desire to be first, the same shall be last of all, and servant of all. Mark 9:35
[351] And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. John 10:28
[352] Know ye not, brethren, (for I speak to them that know the law,) how that the law hath dominion over a man as long as he liveth? 2For the woman which hath an husband is bound by the law to her husband so long as he liveth; but if the husband be dead, she is loosed from the law of her husband. 3So then if, while her husband liveth, she be married to another man, she shall be called an adulteress: but if her husband be dead, she is free from that law; so that she is no adulteress, though she be married to another man. Romans 7:1-3
[353] Ever learning, and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. II Timothy 3:7
[354] For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he: Proverbs 23:7a
[355] This is the purpose that is purposed upon the whole earth: and this is the hand that is stretched out upon all the nations. 27For the LORD of hosts hath purposed, and who shall disannul it? and his hand is stretched out, and who shall turn it back? Isaiah 14:26-27
[356] The LORD of hosts hath purposed it, to stain the pride of all glory, and to bring into contempt all the honourable of the earth. Isaiah 23:9
[357] Declaring the end from the beginning, and from ancient times the things that are not yet done, saying, My counsel shall stand, and I will do all my pleasure: 11Calling a ravenous bird from the east, the man that executeth my counsel from a far country: yea, I have spoken it, I will also bring it to pass; I have purposed it, I will also do it. Isaiah 46:10-11
[358] For this shall the earth mourn, and the heavens above be black; because I have spoken it, I have purposed it, and will not repent, neither will I turn back from it. Jeremiah 4:28
[359] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28
[360] The business of a farmer, comprehending agriculture or tillage of the ground, the raising, managing and fattening of cattle and other domestic animals, the management of the dairy and whatever the land produces.
[361] The heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked: who can know it? 10I the LORD search the heart, I try the reins, even to give every man according to his ways, and according to the fruit of his doings. Jeremiah 17:9-10
[362] In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. John 1:1
[363] And the LORD God said, It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him. Genesis 2:18
[364] Neither was the man created for the woman; but the woman for the man. I Corinthians 11:9
[365] And he said, Who art thou? And she answered, I am Ruth thine handmaid: spread therefore thy skirt over thine handmaid; for thou art a near kinsman. 10And he said, Blessed be thou of the LORD, my daughter: for thou hast shewed more kindness in the latter end than at the beginning, inasmuch as thou followedst not young men, whether poor or rich. Ruth 3:9-10
[366] And she said, I pray you, let me glean and gather after the reapers among the sheaves: so she came, and hath continued even from the morning until now, that she tarried a little in the house. Ruth 2:7
[367] And Boaz answered and said unto her, It hath fully been shewed me, all that thou hast done unto thy mother in law since the death of thine husband: and how thou hast left thy father and thy mother, and the land of thy nativity, and art come unto a people which thou knewest not heretofore. 12The LORD recompense thy work, and a full reward be given thee of the LORD God of Israel, under whose wings thou art come to trust. Ruth 2:11-12
[368] The LORD grant you that ye may find rest, each of you in the house of her husband. Ruth 1:9a
[369] Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. Matthew 18:15
[370] The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Titus 2:3-5
[371] But if they cannot contain, let them marry: for it is better to marry than to burn. I Corinthians 7:9
[372] Whoso findeth a wife findeth a good thing, and obtaineth favour of the LORD. Proverbs 18:22
[373] If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Matthew 7:11
[374] Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning. James 1:17
[375] Unwin, J. D. (1927). “Monogamy as a Condition of Social Energy,” The Hibbert Journal, Vol. XXV, p. 662
[376] https://www.khanacademy.org/test-prep/lsat/lsat-lessons/logical-reasoning/a/logical-reasoning–article–getting-started
[377] https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/10EfwNuJ5CQ1ostJk7TVqQoy1HIqZBb5Y?usp=sharing
[378] Moreover if thy brother shall trespass against thee, go and tell him his fault between thee and him alone: if he shall hear thee, thou hast gained thy brother. Matthew 18:15
[379] Chiang, M. Tides from the West, New Haven, 1947 p 4
[380] Behold, his soul which is lifted up is not upright in him: but the just shall live by his faith. Habbakuk 2:4
[381] For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. Romans 1:17
[382] But that no man is justified by the law in the sight of God, it is evident: for, The just shall live by faith. Galatians 3:11
[383] Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;) 24And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works: Hebrews 10:23-24
[384] Now the just shall live by faith: but if any man draw back, my soul shall have no pleasure in him. Hebrews 10:38
[385] But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. Hebrews 11:6
[386] And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4
[387] Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Proverbs 31:28-29
[388] a prudent wife is from the LORD. Proverbs 19:14b
[389] Every wise woman buildeth her house: but the foolish plucketh it down with her hands. Proverbs 14:1
[390] He that hath no rule over his own spirit is like a city that is broken down, and without walls. Proverbs 25:28
[391] Likewise, ye husbands, dwell with them according to knowledge, giving honour unto the wife, as unto the weaker vessel, and as being heirs together of the grace of life; that your prayers be not hindered. I Peter 3:7
[392] https://successful-marriage.blogspot.com/2018/12/what-drove-jesus-11-nobodies-to-turn.html#lightlyLien
[393] https://successful-marriage.blogspot.com/2018/12/what-drove-jesus-11-nobodies-to-turn.html#physicalTemptation
[394] https://successful-marriage.blogspot.com/2018/12/what-drove-jesus-11-nobodies-to-turn.html#isaacSupplied
[395] https://successful-marriage.blogspot.com/2018/12/what-drove-jesus-11-nobodies-to-turn.html#sureHeOpensHisHeart
[396] https://successful-marriage.blogspot.com/2018/12/what-drove-jesus-11-nobodies-to-turn.html#seedAndSpeech
[397] https://successful-marriage.blogspot.com/2018/12/what-drove-jesus-11-nobodies-to-turn.html#sureHeGivesHerRest
[398] And, ye fathers, provoke not your children to wrath: but bring them up in the nurture and admonition of the Lord. Ephesians 6:4
[399] God setteth the solitary in families: he bringeth out those which are bound with chains: but the rebellious dwell in a dry land. Psalm 68:6
[400] And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. Malachi 2:15
[401] And David said on that day, Whosoever getteth up to the gutter, and smiteth the Jebusites, and the lame and the blind that are hated of David’s soul, he shall be chief and captain. Wherefore they said, The blind and the lame shall not come into the house. II Samuel 5:8
[402] And unto David were sons born in Hebron: and his firstborn was Amnon, of Ahinoam the Jezreelitess; II Samuel 3:2
[403] And these be the names of those that were born unto him in Jerusalem; Shammuah, and Shobab, and Nathan, and Solomon, II Samuel 5:14
[404] For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope. Romans 15:4
[405] If a man find a damsel that is a virgin, which is not betrothed, and lay hold on her, and lie with her, and they be found; 29Then the man that lay with her shall give unto the damsel’s father fifty shekels of silver, and she shall be his wife; because he hath humbled her, he may not put her away all his days. Deuteronomy 22:28-29
[406] And they said, Should he deal with our sister as with an harlot? Genesis 34:31
[407] And they took Lot, Abram’s brother’s son, who dwelt in Sodom, and his goods, and departed. Genesis 14:12
[408] And they said, Hath the LORD indeed spoken only by Moses? hath he not spoken also by us? And the LORD heard it. Numbers 12:2
[409] And the cloud departed from off the tabernacle; and, behold, Miriam became leprous, white as snow: and Aaron looked upon Miriam, and, behold, she was leprous. Numbers 12:10
[410] Better is it that thou shouldest not vow, than that thou shouldest vow and not pay. Ecclesiastes 5:5
[411] And Rachel died, and was buried in the way to Ephrath, which is Bethlehem. Genesis 35:19
[412] There they buried Abraham and Sarah his wife; there they buried Isaac and Rebekah his wife; and there I buried Leah. Genesis 49:31
[413] And Jacob vowed a vow, saying, If God will be with me, and will keep me in this way that I go, and will give me bread to eat, and raiment to put on, 21So that I come again to my father’s house in peace; then shall the LORD be my God: 22And this stone, which I have set for a pillar, shall be God’s house: and of all that thou shalt give me I will surely give the tenth unto thee. Genesis 28:20-22
[414] And said unto him, Behold, thou art old, and thy sons walk not in thy ways: now make us a king to judge us like all the nations. I Samuel 8:5
[415] And Saul said, Thus shall ye say to David, The king desireth not any dowry, but an hundred foreskins of the Philistines, to be avenged of the king’s enemies. But Saul thought to make David fall by the hand of the Philistines. I Samuel 18:25
[416] And when his servants told David these words, it pleased David well to be the king’s son in law: and the days were not expired. I Samuel 18:26
[417] And Michal Saul’s daughter loved David: and they told Saul, and the thing pleased him. I Samuel 18:20
[418] But Saul had given Michal his daughter, David’s wife, to Phalti the son of Laish, which was of Gallim. I Samuel 25:44
[419] And her husband went with her along weeping behind her to Bahurim. Then said Abner unto him, Go, return. And he returned. II Samuel 3:16
[420] And he said, Well; I will make a league with thee: but one thing I require of thee, that is, Thou shalt not see my face, except thou first bring Michal Saul’s daughter, when thou comest to see my face. II Samuel 3:13
[421]But the king took the two sons of Rizpah the daughter of Aiah, whom she bare unto Saul, Armoni and Mephibosheth; and the five sons of Michal the daughter of Saul, whom she brought up for Adriel the son of Barzillai the Meholathite: II Samuel 21:8
[422] And it came to pass, as the ark of the covenant of the LORD came to the city of David, that Michal, the daughter of Saul looking out at a window saw king David dancing and playing: and she despised him in her heart. I Chronicles 15:29
[423] Therefore Michal the daughter of Saul had no child unto the day of her death. II Samuel 6:23
[424] And the damsel was very fair, and cherished the king, and ministered to him: but the king knew her not. I Kings 1:4
[425] And he will take your daughters to be confectionaries, and to be cooks, and to be bakers. I Samuel 8:13
[426] If brethren dwell together, and one of them die, and have no child, the wife of the dead shall not marry without unto a stranger: her husband’s brother shall go in unto her, and take her to him to wife, and perform the duty of an husband’s brother unto her. Deuteronomy 25:5
[427] Now the name of the man was Nabal; and the name of his wife Abigail: and she was a woman of good understanding, and of a beautiful countenance: but the man was churlish and evil in his doings; and he was of the house of Caleb. I Samuel 25:3
[428] And she said unto him, How canst thou say, I love thee, when thine heart is not with me? Judges 16:15a
[429] And Caleb said, He that smiteth Kirjathsepher, and taketh it, to him will I give Achsah my daughter to wife. 13And Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother, took it: and he gave him Achsah his daughter to wife. Judges 1:12-13
[430] And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt. Genesis 41:45
[431] And the men of Israel said, Have ye seen this man that is come up? surely to defy Israel is he come up: and it shall be, that the man who killeth him, the king will enrich him with great riches, and will give him his daughter, and make his father’s house free in Israel. I Samuel 17:25
[432] And Hadad found great favour in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him to wife the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen. I Kings 11:19
[433] And Solomon brought up the daughter of Pharaoh out of the city of David unto the house that he had built for her: for he said, My wife shall not dwell in the house of David king of Israel, because the places are holy, whereunto the ark of the LORD hath come. II Chronicles 8:11
[434] And when the children of Israel cried unto the LORD, the LORD raised up a deliverer to the children of Israel, who delivered them, even Othniel the son of Kenaz, Caleb’s younger brother. Judges 3:9
[435] And Jacob said unto Laban, Give me my wife, for my days are fulfilled, that I may go in unto her. Genesis 29:21
[436] And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Genesis 2:23
[437] For I would that all men were even as I myself. But every man hath his proper gift of God, one after this manner, and another after that. I Corinthians 7:7
[438] Who answered, Give me a blessing; for thou hast given me a south land; give me also springs of water. And he gave her the upper springs, and the nether springs. Joshua 15:19
[439] And that servant, which knew his lord’s will, and prepared not himself, neither did according to his will, shall be beaten with many stripes. 48But he that knew not, and did commit things worthy of stripes, shall be beaten with few stripes. Luke 12:47-48a
[440] Come now, and let us reason together, saith the LORD: though your sins be as scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they be red like crimson, they shall be as wool. Isaiah 1:18
[441] But we believe that through the grace of the LORD Jesus Christ we shall be saved, even as they [non-Jews]. Acts 15:11
[442] Wherefore the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25But after that faith is come, we are no longer under a schoolmaster. Galatians 3:24-25
[443] Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen. Matthew 28:19-20
[444] Benjamin B. Warfield, The Plan Of Salvation, Wm. B. Erdsman, (Grand Rapids 1942) p 16
[445] Benjamin B. Warfield, The Plan Of Salvation, Wm. B. Erdsman, (Grand Rapids 1942) p 21
[446] Benjamin B. Warfield, The Plan Of Salvation, Wm. B. Erdsman, (Grand Rapids 1942) p 33
[447] The Lord is not slack concerning his promise, as some men count slackness; but is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. II Peter 3:9
[448] Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die, O house of Israel? Ezekiel 18:31
[449] Say unto them, As I live, saith the Lord GOD, I have no pleasure in the death of the wicked; but that the wicked turn from his way and live: turn ye, turn ye from your evil ways; for why will ye die, O house of Israel? Ezekiel 33:11
[450] Benjamin B. Warfield, The Plan Of Salvation, Wm. B. Erdsman, (Grand Rapids 1942) p 85
[451] Sachs, Rabbi Johnathan, “The Great Partnership – Science, Religion and the Search for Meaning”, Shocken Books, p 240
[452] Sachs, Rabbi Johnathan, “The Great Partnership – Science, Religion and the Search for Meaning”, Shocken Books, p 10
[453] For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building. I Corinthians 3:9
[454] And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure. 8For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me. 9And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. II Corinthians 12:7-9
[455] And when he had considered the thing, he came to the house of Mary the mother of John, whose surname was Mark; where many were gathered together praying. Acts 12:12
[456] If ye then, being evil, know how to give good gifts unto your children, how much more shall your Father which is in heaven give good things to them that ask him? Matthew 7:11
[457] But I say unto you, Swear not at all; neither by heaven; for it is God’s throne: Matthew 5:34
[458] And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. Revelation 12:7-8
[459] But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:19
[460] Because thou servedst not the LORD thy God with joyfulness, and with gladness of heart, for the abundance of all things; 48Therefore shalt thou serve thine enemies which the LORD shall send against thee, in hunger, and in thirst, and in nakedness, and in want of all things: and he shall put a yoke of iron upon thy neck, until he have destroyed thee. Deuteronomy 28:47-48
[461] As every man hath received the gift, even so minister the same one to another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God. I Peter 4:10
[462] But if ye forgive not men their trespasses, neither will your Father forgive your trespasses. Matthew 6:15
[463] God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
[464] And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. 17And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. 18And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. Matthew 16:16-18
[465] The field is the world; the good seed are the children of the kingdom; but the tares are the children of the wicked one; 40As therefore the tares are gathered and burned in the fire; so shall it be in the end of this world. Matthew 13:38, 40
[466] And when the Gentiles heard this [I have set thee to be a light of the Gentiles], they were glad, and glorified the word of the Lord: and as many as were ordained to eternal life believed. Acts 13:48
[467] The secret things belong unto the LORD our God: but those things which are revealed belong unto us and to our children for ever, that we may do all the words of this law. Deuteronomy 29:29
[468] And Adam lived an hundred and thirty years, and begat a son in his own likeness, and after his image; and called his name Seth: Genesis 5:3
[469] The fathers shall not be put to death for the children, neither shall the children be put to death for the fathers: every man shall be put to death for his own sin. Deuteronomy 24:16
[470] Seek ye the LORD while he may be found, call ye upon him while he is near: Isaiah 55:6
[471] He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels. Revelation 3:5
[472] And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. 15And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire. Revelation 20:14-15
[473] But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Revelation 21:8
[474] That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? Genesis 18:25
[475] And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose. 29For whom he did foreknow, he also did predestinate to be conformed to the image of his Son, that he might be the firstborn among many brethren. 30Moreover whom he did predestinate, them he also called: and whom he called, them he also justified: and whom he justified, them he also glorified. Romans 8:28-30
[476] For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. 14How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? 15And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! 16But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? 17So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:13-17
[477] Neither went I up to Jerusalem to them which were apostles before me; but I went into Arabia, and returned again unto Damascus. Galatians 1:17
[478] For what saith the scripture? Abraham believed God, and it was counted unto him for righteousness. Romans 4:3
[479] Even as Abraham believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness. Galatians 3:6
[480] And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God. James 2:23
[481]And Mary said, Behold the handmaid of the Lord; be it unto me according to thy word. And the angel departed from her. Luke 1:38
[482] Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father’s house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her father’s house: so shalt thou put evil away from among you. 22If a man be found lying with a woman married to an husband, then they shall both of them die, both the man that lay with the woman, and the woman: so shalt thou put away evil from Israel. Deuteronomy 22:21-22
[483] And the anger of the LORD was kindled against Moses, and he said, Is not Aaron the Levite thy brother? I know that he can speak well. And also, behold, he cometh forth to meet thee: and when he seeth thee, he will be glad in his heart. Exodus 4:14
[484] But the LORD hardened Pharaoh’s heart, so that he would not let the children of Israel go. Exodus 10:20
[485]And when they had appointed him a day, there came many to him into his lodging; to whom he expounded and testified the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus, both out of the law of Moses, and out of the prophets, from morning till evening. Acts 28:23
[486] And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. I Samuel 3:11
[487] Therefore thus saith the LORD God of Israel, Behold, I am bringing such evil upon Jerusalem and Judah, that whosoever heareth of it, both his ears shall tingle. II Kings 21:12
[488] Wherefore the wrath of the LORD was upon Judah and Jerusalem, and he hath delivered them to trouble, to astonishment, and to hissing, as ye see with your eyes. II Chronicles 29:8
[489] To make their land desolate, and a perpetual hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished, and wag his head. Jeremiah 18:16
[490] And say, Hear ye the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem; Thus saith the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, the which whosoever heareth, his ears shall tingle. 8And I will make this city desolate, and an hissing; every one that passeth thereby shall be astonished and hiss because of all the plagues thereof. Jeremiah 19:3, 8
[491] To wit, Jerusalem, and the cities of Judah, and the kings thereof, and the princes thereof, to make them a desolation, an astonishment, an hissing, and a curse; as it is this day; Jeremiah 25:18
[492] For the statutes of Omri are kept, and all the works of the house of Ahab, and ye walk in their counsels; that I should make thee a desolation, and the inhabitants thereof an hissing: therefore ye shall bear the reproach of my people. Micah 6:16
[493] That be far from thee to do after this manner, to slay the righteous with the wicked: and that the righteous should be as the wicked, that be far from thee: Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right? Genesis 18:25
[494] And they sing the song of Moses the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying, Great and marvellous are thy works, Lord God Almighty; just and true are thy ways, thou King of saints. Revelation 15:3
[495] In the sweat of thy face shalt thou eat bread, till thou return unto the ground; for out of it wast thou taken: for dust thou art, and unto dust shalt thou return. Genesis 3:19
[496] There is difference also between a wife and a virgin. The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit: but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. I Corinthians 7:34
[497] And Solomon made affinity with Pharaoh king of Egypt, and took Pharaoh’s daughter, and brought her into the city of David, until he had made an end of building his own house, and the house of the LORD, and the wall of Jerusalem round about. I Kings 3:1
[498] For Pharaoh king of Egypt had gone up, and taken Gezer, and burnt it with fire, and slain the Canaanites that dwelt in the city, and given it for a present unto his daughter, Solomon’s wife. I Kings 9:16
[499] And Pharaoh called Joseph’s name Zaphnathpaaneah; and he gave him to wife Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On. And Joseph went out over all the land of Egypt. Genesis 41:45
[500] And Hadad found great favour in the sight of Pharaoh, so that he gave him to wife the sister of his own wife, the sister of Tahpenes the queen. I Kings 11:19
[501] And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death. Genesis 24:67
[502] https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-politicization-of-motherhood-1509144044
[503] Komisar, Erica, “Being There: Why Prioritizing Motherhood in the First Three Years Matters” TarcherPeriree Books, 2017
[504] Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Proverbs 31:10
[505] The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things; 4That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children, 5To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed. Titus 2:3-5
[506] By much slothfulness the building decayeth; and through idleness of the hands the house droppeth through. Ecclesiastes 10:18
[507] Behold, this was the iniquity of thy sister Sodom, pride, fulness of bread, and abundance of idleness was in her and in her daughters, neither did she strengthen the hand of the poor and needy. Ezekiel 16:49
[508] Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Matthew 19:6
[509] What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder. Mark 10:9
[510] And did not he make one? Yet had he the residue of the spirit. And wherefore one? That he might seek a godly seed. Therefore take heed to your spirit, and let none deal treacherously against the wife of his youth. Malachi 2:15
[511] And Jacob loved Rachel; and said, I will serve thee seven years for Rachel thy younger daughter. Genesis 29:18
[512] Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Proverbs 31:28-29
[513] Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. Proverbs 31:31
[514] My beloved is mine, and I am his: he feedeth among the lilies. Song of Solomon 2:16
[515] I am my beloved’s, and my beloved is mine: he feedeth among the lilies. Song of Solomon 6:3
[516] I am my beloved’s, and his desire is toward me. Song of Solomon 7:10
[517] I would lead thee, and bring thee into my mother’s house, who would instruct me: I would cause thee to drink of spiced wine of the juice of my pomegranate. 3His left hand should be under my head, and his right hand should embrace me. Song 8:2-3
[518] Art not thou our God, who didst drive out the inhabitants of this land before thy people Israel, and gavest it to the seed of Abraham thy friend for ever? II Chronicles 20:7
[519] But thou, Israel, art my servant, Jacob whom I have chosen, the seed of Abraham my friend. Isaiah 41:8
[520] But unto the sons of the concubines, which Abraham had, Abraham gave gifts, and sent them away from Isaac his son, while he yet lived, eastward, unto the east country. Genesis 24:73
[521] The elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, with all purity. I Timothy 5:2
[522] https://successful-marriage.blogspot.com/2018/12/what-drove-jesus-11-nobodies-to-turn.html#thinkDifferent
[523] And Isaac brought her into his mother Sarah’s tent, and took Rebekah, and she became his wife; and he loved her: and Isaac was comforted after his mother’s death. Genesis 24:67
[524] But if this thing be true, and the tokens of virginity be not found for the damsel: 21Then they shall bring out the damsel to the door of her father’s house, and the men of her city shall stone her with stones that she die: because she hath wrought folly in Israel, to play the whore in her father’s house: so shalt thou put evil away from among you. Deuteronomy 22:20-21
[525] For this is the will of God, even your sanctification, that ye should abstain from fornication: 4That every one of you should know how to possess his vessel in sanctification and honour; 5Not in the lust of concupiscence, even as the Gentiles which know not God: 6That no man go beyond and defraud his brother in any matter: because that the Lord is the avenger of all such, as we also have forewarned you and testified. I Thessalonians 4:3-6
[526] Marriage is honourable in all, and the bed undefiled: but whoremongers and adulterers God will judge. Hebrews 13:4
[527] Let him kiss me with the kisses of his mouth: for thy love is better than wine. Song of Solomon 1:2
[528] Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. Proverbs 31:10
[529] Can one go upon hot coals, and his feet not be burned? Proverbs 6:28
[530] And some cried one thing, some another, among the multitude: and when he could not know the certainty for the tumult, he commanded him to be carried into the castle. Acts 21:34
[531] For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men? I Corinthians 3:3
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