Author: Semper Reformanda

John 4:24 / worship… in spirit and in truth

“God is a Spirit: and they that worship him must worship him in spirit and in truth.” – John 4:24 (KJV)

Upon bothered with trifling mandates of the carnally informed mind on worshiping God, came this response, wherein Jesus says, “God is a Spirit”. The discourse beforehand with the Samaritan woman, was not of spiritual matters, but what one assumed, what pleases God.1 Herein lies the essence of Jesus’ seemingly odd reply: He is not pleased with your carnal means of adoration, that idolizes self – the affect of one’s cerebral speculations, made sensed with tradition and culture. Therefore, by saying God is a Spirit, He is saying, what pleases God is not the carnally informed mandates of worshiping God, but the submission of the inner-man – the soul, the spirit of a being.

The scripture then further tells us that Jesus Christ, puts these words into action when He searches the depth of the woman’s heart, way passed the facade of her religious ardor, and convicts her of her sins. This conviction opens up her eyes to the reality of Christ; she is made new, and she departs with joy, evangelizing her testimony. We can very well imagine, and infer, that perhaps, from that day onwards, that Samaritan woman might have no longer bothered about place or time to worship her God. Rather, her worship would have been simultaneous to her breathing – a way of life.

In these words, for anyone who inquires the true nature of worship, lies its finitude. How blessed we are of the Samaritan woman to have meddled with the notion of worship, but more so, how blessed we are that Christ went out on a limb, to deliver this message.

We shall now here begin by dwelling briefly on what not is worship

John Calvin aptly answers: everything of the flesh. And I quote: “Since men are flesh, we ought not to wonder, if they take delight in those things which correspond to their own disposition. Hence it arises, that they contrive many things in the worship of God which are full of display, but have no solidity. But they ought first of all to consider that they have to do with God, who can no more agree with the flesh than fire with water“i.

We see instances of carnally informed notions of worship being responded with great disapproval; or even with a punishment in the Bible. We see such instances in the account of Cain, Nadab and Abihu, and Ananias and Sapphira. Because, as Calvin further writes, “God is so far from being like us, that those things which please us most are the objects of his loathing and abhorrence“ii. In other words, the scriptures are very strict on how one ought to worship God; and delivers quite a stern warning to not meddle with it. James B. Coffman dwelling on this writes, “God has revealed the manner in which he should be worshiped, and those who hope to have their worship accepted should heed the restrictions. The verse (John 4:24) before us is a powerful prohibition. Also, Jesus said, ‘In vain do they worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men’ (Mark 7:7). An apostle declared that ‘God … dwelleth not in temples made with hands; neither is worshiped with men’s hands, as though he needed anything’ (Acts 17:24,25). The author of this gospel wrote, ‘Testify unto every man that heareth the prophecy of this book, if any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book’ (Revelation 22:18). And also, ‘Whosoever transgresseth, and abideth not in the doctrine of Christ, hath not God’ (2 John 1:1:9). Jesus said of the Pharisees, ‘Ye have made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition’ (Matthew 15:6). Paul warned the Corinthians, ‘Now these things, brethren, I have in a figure, transferred to myself and Apollos for your sakes; that in us ye might learn not to go beyond the things which are written’ (1 Corinthians 4:6). From these specific prohibitions, as well as from the spirit and tenor of the entire Bible, it is clearly impossible for man to approach his Creator in worship, except as God has directed. This was true in the days of Cain and Abel, of Nadab and Abihu, of David and Uzzah, and of the Lord Jesus Christ and ever afterward. It is true now and always.”iii

So what not is worship? It is not the act of displaying imitations of what divinity might be. It is not the act of gathering in a scheduled church service once a week. It is not about where you meet. It is not about singing in unison, or even melodiously. It is not about how you bow down, to the east or west. Everything that is of the flesh is not worship. Everything that is carnally informed, is not worship. For the things of the carnal world has no unity with the spiritual world.

The only acceptable form of worship: Worship Him in Spirit and in Truth

True worship has to be foremost in the spirit, or more appropriately, true worship is initiated by the Spirit of God, in the regenerated hearts of men. A person who is still dead in sin, a person who is dead spiritually, a person who is yet to receive salvation cannot give an acceptable form of worship. Because, he has no spirit in him that would long to worship the Spirit of God. He does not know God, he is not known to God as His own. Note how the Samaritan woman was bothered about carnal means of worshiping, for she was spiritually dead, and knew nothing about what pleases God.

Secondly, once the correct channel of worshiping is formed, comes the subject of worship, i.e. Truth. What is the Truth? Or more appropriate to the scriptures, who is the Truth? Jesus Christ answers this directly when He says, “I am the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). One might here, further inquire, how one might worship in Truth? What does it mean on practical terms? The answer to which lies in how Jesus Christ has been referred in the scriptures: i.e. the WORD.

The Apostle John writes, “In the beginning was the word, and the word was with God, and the word was God (John 1:1)… The word became flesh and made his dwelling among us (John 1:14). And also, in Revelation, he writes, “He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the word of God (Revelation 19:13).” So, the answer to the question, how should we worship God in Truth lies in studying the Word of God. For Hebrews (4:12) says, “For the word of God is alive and active. Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart“. Also, the Apostle Paul writes to Timothy, “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work (2 Timothy 3:16-17).” In other words, the once regenerated heart that longs to adore and submit to the one who regenerated it, needs to be informed, the truth of the subject of its adoration and submission. Hence, the only reasonable follow-up to worshiping God in Spirit, eventually is worshiping God in Truth. We should also not forget, that there are many instances, when one might on a sentimental whim cry out the name of the Lord, and believe in himself that he worships the one true living God. But to keep safe, one needs to be confronted by the Word to rectify one’s erroneous believes. Also, for the regenerated souls, the rationale of worshiping in Truth lies in keeping such saints to persevere through the work of redemption. Truly, Christ says, “Blessed rather are those who hear the word of God and obey it” (Luke 11:28).

A Conclusive description of Worship

Finally, as a way of concluding let us measure these words, one last time against the scriptures. And what more appropriate on the subject of worship than the account of God revealing His majestic Holiness to Isaiah (in Isaiah 6:1-9). These nine verses, when analyzed, gives us the true nature of worship. Coffman puts it in the following four points:

  1. an awareness of the presence of God, (Isaiah 6:1-4)
  2. a consciousness of sin and unworthiness on the part of the worshipper, (Isaiah 6:5)
  3. a sense of cleansing and forgiveness, (Isaiah 6:6-7) and
  4. a response of the soul with reference to doing God’s will: “Here am I, send me!”. (Isaiah 6:8-9)

Consider the similarities with the account of the Samaritan woman. Jesus makes Himself known to her (John 4:14), she is convicted of her sins (John 4:18), and made known, the hope of redemption (4:25). She then finally departs to speak of Him (John 4:28-29). This my fellow brethren, and dear readers, is what conclusively means, to worship God in Spirit and Truth. It is not the songs we sing. It is also not the Church services we attend. Although, both of these be part of it. But in all honest measures, worshiping God is a never ceasing phenomenon, for it is a way of life. It is the humble submission of the inner-man, the soul, the spirit, to the Sovereign Will and authority of the one who saved us, and gave us this heart of worship. It is a response, an involuntary response2 of the spirit upon the anointing of the Holy Spirit, when one receives the Salvation of one’s soul that God freely gives in His Grace. It is the imitation on one’s part to persevere in the Truth, in the Word of God, to continue in reverence of His divinity, (upon the reception of the Holy Spirit). This is what it means to worship God in Spirit and in Truth. But unfortunately, this also means, one who is not yet regenerated, one who is yet to be saved, one who is yet to receive salvation, knows nothing of this. For that person is still dead in his sins. A non-regenerated soul will only think of the carnal means to worship Him; for only carnal things appeal to him, for he knows not of the spirit to know what the spirit desires. And since, so is the case, there is no union between such personhood and Christ, and all means of such worship only remains a meaningless clamor, an object of loathing to God, completely unacceptable.

But dear reader, if you so find yourself, roughen-up by these words, do not despair. For although, our God is just, He is also merciful. And if your soul is roughen-up enough to thirst for Him, don’t be frail, for He makes it accessible His throne of Grace (Hebrews 4:16) to all His chosen ones, to come and ask Him (Matthew 7:7) of the Spirit, the heart of repentance, the salvation of your soul, and your body.

1 The Samaritan woman, in greater part of her conversation with Christ was more concerned in the legality of the religion of her time. Her concerns were not spiritual, but worldly, more driven by social maxims and traditions of her time. She was more occupied with what mere mortal men speculated about what pleases God.

2 The phrase “involuntary response” implies, the nature of the regenerated heart that seeks godliness. The word spirit (with lowercase “s”) implies the regenerated individual, that now seeks the supplication of the Holy Spirit.

i https://www.studylight.org/commentary/john/4-24.html#cal

ii Ibid.

iii Ibid.

Creation Account of Womenhood

YHWH it seems, created woman as the crowning glory for the created world. The splendor of such implied intentions, revealed in the scriptures, has such mangnanimous offering that John MacArthur spoke of Eve as “a glorious refinement of humanity itself“1. For he reasoned, “Eve wasn’t made out of dust like Adam, but carefully designed from living flesh and bone“2. And so, if Adam was a refined dust, Eve was a refinement of Adam. It makes one wonder if that means, YHWH held women superior in His creation? Now, although that sounds appealing to the modern sensibilia, it wasn’t so. Neither was woman made inferior to man. The relationship woman was created to have in response to man, was designed to reflect, the Church’s relationship to Christ. In saying so, what it means is that, it is not about superiority nor inferiority, but about what is just; or justified in the eyes of God.

Christ and the Church:

“For the husband is the head of the wife, even as Christ is the head of the Church” (Ephesians 5:23, KJV). The word head here, i.e. kephal (in Greek), means the head, in the physical sense, and authority, in the metaphorical sense.3 And so, in literature, whenever the word has been used for a person, it has always been used as an authoritative figure in the position of governance.4 The Church on the other hand, is treated in the feminine sense, in the scriptures. It is called as the Bride of Christ (Revelations 19:7-9, 21:2).5 The Church, or Ekklesia (in Greek) means ‘called out’; or in other words, an assembly of those called out by God.6 To paint this picture more accurately, let us consider Jesus’ own words here. “All that the Father giveth me shall come to me… (John 6:37, KJV) that all of which he hath given me I should lose nothing (John 6:39, KJV)”. In other words, the Church is a woman that YHWH has chosen out of humanity to give it to His Son Jesus Christ, as His bride. And it is for this bride, that Christ gave His life, to protect her, and save her, until she is given to Him in full glory (Ephesians 1:14) at the end of days. In the epistles, we also see, Adam being spoken as the first in the line of flesh; and Christ, as the first born of Spirit (1 Corinthians 15:45), through whom we are all adopted into the divine family (Galatians 4:5, Ephesians 1:5). The purpose for revisiting these imagery, is to renew our minds towards the scriptural fact that, man was created in the image of God. “So God created in his own image, in the image of God created he him; male and female created he them” (Genesis 1:27, KJV). Therefore, the relationship between male and female, is bound to be reflective of the relationship the creation has with the creator.

Comparision of Adam and Jesus Christ, and Eve and the Church (Complimentarian roles):

  • Authority: Adam, soon after his creation, was given dominion over all the creation (Genesis 1:28). Jesus Christ, likewise, we see given the same authority over all that exists, the Church included (Ephesians 1:22). Man therefore, is given the position of authority, as an imitation of His divine governance (1 Corinthians 11:3).
  • Submission: Woman was created as a suitable help for Adam (Gensis 2:20). And her subordination to Adam, was reflective in the act, wherein, YHWH made Adam name her, as he did all the other animals (Gensis 2:23). Similarly, we see, the Church being subordinate to Christ (1 Corinthians 11:3). Woman, conclusively, as a continuation of such divine ordinance, is given the position of subordination.
  • Love: By having authority, it does not mean, a man may execute it to the pursuit and fulfillment of his own will and desires. No! Because, even Jesus Christ came to fulfill YHWH’s will (John 6:38). And if, man is in any way, brought in the likeness of Christ, over having the position of governance over the woman, as Christ has over the Church, he ought to do the Will of God. How does one do the will of God? By studying the Word of God (2 Timothy 3:16-17). And how does one execute the Will of God (in respect to his relationship with the woman)? One does so in love: “Husbands, love your wives, even as Christ also loved the church, and gave herself for it” (Ephesians 5:25). What does loving like Christ means? 1 John 3:16 says, “By this we know love, that he laid down his life for us“. The man is further tasked with the position of being a protector (Ephesians 5:22), and a priest (Ephesians 5:26) to her. By protecting, it means, he elucidates the scriptures to her, as Christ did revealed the will of the father to us (John 17:25-26). It means, the man is tasked to protect her from the deceptive work of the devil, the way Adam was supposed to protect Eve. By priest, it means, he is tasked for her intercession, both in spirit, and in all pious persuits of hers, towards Christlikness.
  • Submission: There are two characteristics, uniquely, the female has, in greater proportion (if not, at all) in comparision to man. And that is, care and nurture. The reason is that, it is in the domain of the woman to see, the execution of God’s will to its fruitful end. A minor note here, one shouldn’t misunderstand this with the work of the Holy Spirit in the matter of the work of salvation. To make this point clear, let us take the analogy of a physical household. The father seeds the offspring. The father protects and provides. The mother on the other hand, births the offspring, and nurtures them until they reach the age of reason. Similarly, it is the woman’s position to help nourish the faith of the elect, be it in the household, or in the Church. Therefore, she is called to submission, just as the Church submits to Christ. Because, similarly, the Church is tasked to evangelize (Acts 2, 1 Peter 2:9), and to nourish the elect (Hebrews 10:25).

Feminism, a bane to biblical womanhood: Eve’s Curse

If women are called to a life of submission, juxtaposition to the governance of the man, what does that look like? It means:

  • Woman ought to be quite learners (1 Timothy 2:11, 1 Corinthians 14:34)
  • Woman cannot teach in corporate gatherings (1 Timothy 2:12)7
  • Woman cannot be leaders (1 Timothy 2:13)8
  • Woman ought to cover their heads (1 Corinthians 11:3)
  • Woman ought to dress modestly (1 Peter 3:1-6).

To the modern sensibilia, these teachings have an offensive appeal. For the feminine ego is hurt, when it is told to submit to the authority of man. Yes! Men are not better than women, that they ought to submit to them; neither is women worst than men. Indeed, there are women far more superior, both intellectually and morally than most men. But these teachings, that has come down to us through the Word of God aren’t about who is better and who is worst. Note that the scripture calls everyone equally, and disgustingly unworthy, to be attributed with any kind of goodness. Psalm 143:2 says, “for no one is righteous before you” (NIV). Note, only God is good (Mark 10:18).

But feminists, and liberals, pursue to champion the counterfeit egalitarian views borrowed from humanitarianism in the Church. Perhaps, these are ancient heresies in modern packages. I say ancient, because, such opinions were already prevalent in the times of The Apostles, so much so, that The Apostle Paul had to write about it to Timothy. The problem is simply this – libertarians perceive a breach of equality in such scriptures. And they opine, woman to have the equal position that the scriptures bestows upon man, as a way of forwarding feminine might. MacArthur notes, the inner antithetical view of such propositions. He wrote, “… feminist movement of our generation… has devalued and defamed femininity… women are… encouraged to act and talk like men… disparaging the role of motherhood, the one calling that is most uniquely and exclusively feminine. The whole message of feminist egalitarianism is that there is really nothing extraordinary about women“9.

But the scriptural views of gender aren’t anti-egalitarian. For the scriptures call for mutual submission. How can a man love without submitting to the wife? Love implies submission. It is mutual submission, that the scriptures imply here. Matthew Henry writes, “The greatest honor of any man or woman lies in a humble and faithful deportment of themselves in the relation or condition in which Providence has placed them“10. Because, again, to quote Henry, “And this is fit in the Lord, it is becoming the relation, and what they are bound in duty to do, as an instance of obedience to the authority and law of Christ“11.

The scripture is not about egalitarianism, yet, it speaks of mutual submission, invoking equal footing for both genders. It is not about equality, but is about what is ‘fit’ in the eyes of God (Colossians 3:8). To quote, John Gill’s famous words, “the woman was made out of the man, out of one of his ribs; and so, though not to be trampled under his feet, but to be by his side, and an help meet to him, yet not to be head, or to rule over him.” In the similar vein, Henry wrote, “the woman was made… out of his side to be equal with him, under his arm to be protected, and near his heart to be loved“12.

Man and woman were both made in the image of God (Genesis 1:27). They are both equal in the eyes of God. And yet, they were made differently, for different purposes. It is crucial to note that, Adam was made first, and Eve, second. The scriptures make a very clear distinction about this point (1 Timothy 2:13-14). This implies, inequality, in the egalitarian perspective. In other words, the creation account of man and woman does not imply egalitarian equality. The scripture also says, out of man, woman was created (Genesis 2:21-23), as through Christ, the Church is won (Ephesians 5:27). And so, just as the Church is joined to Christ as His body (Ephesians 5:30), man and woman are designed to be of one flesh (Ephesians 5:31, Genesis 2:24). This further implies, the nature of gender to be strictly, binary; there is only male and female; for it is only the union of male and female imitates, the glorious union of the Church and Christ. Therefore, the feminist propaganda, to equate women to men, or to grand them an air of superiority over men, violates God’s design of the sexes. Feminism, in simpler words, is an outright act of disobedience against the divine will of God, on the matter of the sexes.

Although, it is true, history attests women to have suffered a great deal of injustice. It is unfortunate. But then again, what has been just since the fall of man? Absolutely nothing. And so, yes, we ought to resolve such unfortunate fate that women has suffered. But how do we do that? The same way we treat all offshoot of our sinful nature – by submitting to the authority of the Word of God. It, then so means, feminism is not the answer, neither is liberalism. We cannot interpret the scriptures liberally, out of context, as a way of sensitizing the feminist agenda. We have to read and submit to the scriptures, as it has been presented to us doctrinally, in the context of the grand biblical narrative.

The two maxims of feminism, if one ought to put them in bullet points, we would have: a) boldness, and, b) insubordination. We often find, feminism to encourage women to be bold, to be outspoken. As the opinion goes, women shouldn’t be shush out quietly, women should speak out, to acquire a position in the spectrum of masculinity. If one looks at the scriptures, this first maxim draws an uncanny resemblance with the harlot of the Book of Proverbs. It says, “she is loud and stubborn” (Proverbs 7:11, KJV). Secondly, feminism encourages, insubordination to the biblical views, as being misogynistic. In other words, it encourages woman to betray sound doctrine. When we look at Proverbs again, we see a similar sense of unfaithfulness demonstrated by the harlot. It says, “Come, let us take our fill of love until the morning: let us solace ourselves with loves. For the goodman is not at home” (Proverbs 7:18-19, KJV). Finally, when we club these two maxims of feminism, we get its generalized view; i.e. to manipulate men into granting women, an equal power position. The scripture’s response to this, comes as the final nail to the coffin. When Eve was cursed, God cursed her with the desire to rule over the man. The scripture says, “and you will desire to control over your husband” (Genesis 3:16, NLT). Picture the resemblance. Feminism is the modern manifestation of an ancient curse, laid down by God himself. Feminism is the woman’s counterpart of the original sin. But thankfully, God didn’t end His verdict there. Sin cannot reign supreme, under the sovereign governance of God. The sexes had to be returned to their intended position, although that will now come with a struggle. And so, God continued, and spoke “yet you will be subject to him” (Genesis 3:16, GNT).

Delicately Created:

Eve was God’s gift to Adam. She was a divine bestowal of grace-filled providence of God. Adam knew nothing about this. He didn’t asked for her, neither did God consulted him. He was given Eve, solely in accordance to the will and pleasure of God. And by the very nature of gifts, we know that it will be one of value. For no one gives their loved ones, gifts of meager worth. More so, Eve was a gift given by God – the giver of good gifts (James 1:17). How precious she must have been? We also learned that, Eve was made out of Adam, a refinement of humanity itself. Henry also wrote similarly, “all the grace and glory which the church has are from Christ, as Eve was taken out of the man“13. In other words, if Adam was the glorious creation of God, Eve was double of such glory. To further elucidate, it would mean, Eve was the glory of man. She was his priced possession, a treasure of the most valuable worth. Henry further elucidates this point much clearer. He wrote, “man being made last of the creatures, as the best and most excellent of all, Eve’s being made after Adam, and out of him, puts an honour upon that sex, as the glory of the man. If man is the head, she is the crown, a crown to her husband, the crown of the visible creation. The man was dust refined, but the woman was dust double-refined, one remove further from the earth“14. The scripture further attests this view, “but the woman is the glory of the man” (1 Corinthians 11:7, KJV).

Can anyone imagine how beautiful Eve must have been? MacArthur wrote, “Eve was the flawless archetype of feminine excellence… Since no other woman has ever come unfallen into a curse-free world, no other woman could possibly surpass Eve’s grace, charm, virtue, ingenuity, intelligence, wit, and pure innocence. Physically, too, she must have personified all the best traits of both strength and beauty15“.

But interestingly, MacArthur wrote, “Scripture, however, gives us no physical description of Eve. Her beauty – splendid as it must have been – is never mentioned or even alluded to“16. This perhaps, revisits the teachings in the First Epistle to Peter, chapter three. And so, MacArthur further wrote, “the chief distinguishing traits of true feminine excellence are nothing superficial. Women who are obsessed with image, cosmetics, body shapes, and other external matters have a distorted view of femininity“17. But more so, the reasons for the absence of physical description is to not dwarf the purpose with what, both genders were created. Similarly, MacArthur wrote, “The focus of the biblical account is on Eve’s duty to her Creator and her role alongside her husband“18; which he further elucidates, “Adam created first; then Eve was made to fill a void in his existence. Adam was the head; Eve was his helper. Adam was designed to be a father, provider, protector, and leader. Eve was designed to be a mother, comforter, nurturer, and helper“19.

One must note here, such assignment of complimentary roles does not nullifies equality. Man is equal to woman, and vice-versa, but not just in the feminist egalitarian perspective. To understand the biblical view of equality between man and woman, we need to understand the kind of equality shared between the Trinity. According to the Doctrine of Trinity, God the Father reigns supreme over the Son, and the Son, over the Holy Spirit; and yet, all are equal, as they are essentially one (Colossionas 2:9, Philippians 2:6, John 10:30, John 1:1-2, John 5:30, John 8:29). Similarly, although the man is called to be the head of the woman, and woman called to submit, and yet woman still, continues to be spiritually, and intellectually equal to man.

Feminist, although resent this kind of submission, as if the scripture calls woman to submit to a tyrant. Absolutely not. What one must note is that, the kind of submission woman is called to have with respect to man, the same kind of submission the man is called to have to Christ. Hence, as understood from the nature of trinity, it is a matter of mutual submission to the authority of Christ. Note Ephesians 1:22, it says, “… hath put all things under his feet, and gave him to be the head over all things to the church” (KJV). MacArthur explains, “It doesn’t say here He’s the head of the church. It says He’s head over all things, and as head over all things was given to the church. It’s a powerful phrase in the original. He gave the One who was already head of the universe to the church to be her head“20. Henry therefore wrote, “… neither is the man without the woman, nor the woman without the man in the Lord. They were made for one another. It is not good for him to be alone (Genesis 2:18), and therefore was a woman made, and made for the man; and the man was intended to be a comfort, and help, and defense, to the woman… They were made to be a mutual comfort and blessing, not one a slave and the other a tyrant. Both were to be one flesh (Genesis 2:24)”21 Let us not take God lightly, thinking He calls us to a life of submission without any forethought. God knows everything (Isaiah 46:9-10). And everything happens according to His plan (Ephesians 1:11).

We see, God’s such decisive nature, not just in the delicate creation of Eve, but also in the way Adam was prepared for Eve. God prepared the man, to whom the woman was to submit herself. Adam first learned of God (Genesis 2:7), then of the Garden (Genesis 1:29-30, 2:8), and its governance (Genesis 1:28). He was then tasked to name the species (Genesis 2:20). In other words, he was given a master class on relationship and leadership. Only then, Eve was presented to him as a gift, as his priced possession, as his glory, his crown (Genesis 2:18).

The creation account of Eve, according to MacArthur, gives us certain crucial truths.22 To paraphrase the points, these are: a) sound view of equality of the sexes, b) the reflection of divine marriage between Christ and Church, in the union of man and woman, and lastly, most importantly, c) the sound biblical account of the divinely-designated role of women.

The value according to which, the scriptures hold womenhood with much esteem, is not easily susceptible, unless viewed contextually from the account of creation. The modern age, on the hand, has the notorious characteristics of isolating its subject of study. Due to which, womenhood is often pin against its male counterpart in its study. Ironically, the contention they have of inequality, is often their initial point of investigation. But the scriptures treats, man and woman equally, and the union of both, with respect to Christ, under whom both remains subordinated. And under such authority, both man and woman are given, different, divinely-designated duties. Therefore, the creation account of womenhood, according to the scriptures, is not about, whether the women are superior or inferior to men. But it is about, what is just or justified in the eyes of God.

1John MacArthur, “Eve: Mother of all Living” in Twelve Extraordinary Women: How God Shaped Women of the Bible, and What He Wants to Do with You, (India, Grace to India, 2006), page 23

2Ibid.

3https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/81-13/christ-the-head-of-the-church

4Ibid.

5https://www.gotquestions.org/bride-of-Christ.html

6https://www.ligonier.org/blog/ekklesia-called-out-ones/

7https://www.gty.org/library/questions/QA127/can-women-serve-as-pastors-and-elders-in-the-church

8Ibid.

9John MacArthur, “Introduction” in Twelve Extraordinary Women: How God Shaped Women of the Bible, and What He Wants to Do with You, (India, Grace to India, 2006), page 21

10https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/1-peter/3.html

11https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/colossians/3.html

12https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/genesis/2.html

13https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/ephesians/5.html

14https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/genesis/2.html

15John MacArthur, “Eve: Mother of all Living” in Twelve Extraordinary Women: How God Shaped Women of the Bible, and What He Wants to Do with You, (India, Grace to India, 2006), page 24

16Ibid.

17Ibid.

18Ibid.

19Ibid, page 28

20https://www.gty.org/library/sermons-library/81-13/christ-the-head-of-the-church

21https://www.biblestudytools.com/commentaries/matthew-henry-complete/1-corinthians/11.html

22John MacArthur, “Eve: Mother of all Living” in Twelve Extraordinary Women: How God Shaped Women of the Bible, and What He Wants to Do with You, (India, Grace to India, 2006), page 27

Ephesians 5:16 / Redeeming the time

“Redeeming the time, because the days are evil.” – Ephesians 5:16 (KJV)

“… the devil appears to have obtained tyrannical sway;” wrote John Calvin, “so that ‘time’ cannot be dedicated to God without it being in some way redeemed“.1 The word redeeming or redeemed can be further understood from how it has been used in Galatians 3:13, and I quote “Christ hath redeemed us from the curse of the law” (KJV). Accordingly, Albert Barnes explains, “ The word rendered here as “redeeming,” means “to purchase; to buy up” from the possession or power of anyone; and then to redeem, to set free – as from service or bondage“.2 The second part of the verse says, because the days are evil. How does this part, relate to the first? And what is the scripture really intend to teach? We shall learn this, when we learn what redeemed time means.

The devil appears to have obtained tyrannical sway:

The Apostle Paul explains, “When Adam sinned, sin entered the world” (Romans 5:12, NLT). Sin not only reigns in natural man, but in the natural world, where the natural man inhabits. We further find the reason for this in Genesis 3:17, where YHWH spoke, “cursed is the ground for thy sake” (KJV). Therefore, the time that governs such cursed-fallen world, is evil. And so, in the Apostle Peter’s exhortation, we find these words: “Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour” (1 Peter 5:8, KJV). The devil therefore, reigns his tyrannical sway over the natural world, and the natural man, by enticing him to pursue, one desire after the other. And through such tyrannical sway, the natural man is kept in a constant loop of pain and suffering, ad infinitum. Because the natural man only cares for carnal desires, that only leads to death (James 1:14-15).

Similar to Peter’s exhortation, the Apostle Paul’s own exhortation follows; and I quote: “Walk in wisdom… redeeming the time” (Colossians 4:5, KJV). Or in other words, as Paul wrote to the Ephesians, “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise” (Ephesians 5:15, ESV). Note that this instruction comes just before the verse on “redeeming the time“. To paraphrase Paul, for a better understanding, this would mean – redeem your time from the unwise and their ways. Why? Because the unwise live under the tyrannical sway of evil days.

Time cannot be dedicated to God without being in some way redeemed:

The unwise, in complete disobedience, ignore the nature of evil days. They live under the impression of being free – and free to choose what is right or wrong. They live in complete insubordination of God’s sovereignty. The reason is because, these evil days are under the tyrannical sway of the devil. These evil days are filled with effortless allurements and temptations to revel from one desire to another, until finally, it leads to death. Therefore Paul wrote, “For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh … For to be carnally minded is death” (Romans 8:5-6, KJV). And so, this is the dire condition from which Jesus redeemed us. The scripture says, we were dead in sin (Ephesians 2:1). Further, Paul in his epistle to the Colossians wrote: “And, having made peace through the blood of his cross, by him, I say, whether they be things in earth, or things in heaven. And you, that were sometime alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now hath he reconciled, in the body of his flesh through death, to present you holy and unblamebale and unreproveable in his sight” (Colosians 1:20-22, KJV).

In simpler words, what this means is that, you are redeemed from the tyrannical sway of the devil. Jesus has brought you to life, from the death. He has redeemed you. You have been bought. And so, the remainder of the time you were meant to spent in these evil days, has been redeemed as well. You are no longer slaved to the tyrannical sway of fleshly desires that leads to eternal condemnation. You have been saved, so that the remainder of your time here on earth could be spent on your sanctification. Hence, the redeemed time, by definition is this: your time on earth that was destined to be spent on the cycle of death destined desires, has now been redeemed for your sanctification.

The reason why we went through a great deal to understand the concept of redeemed time is because, nobody can please God in the flesh. Romans 8:8 clearly states, “So then they that are in the flesh cannot please God” (KJV).

In order to please God, one needs to be born of the spirit; and that is something that happens only by the spirit. John 3:6 states, “That which is born of the flesh is flesh; and that which is born of the Spirit is Spirit” (KJV). Because, God does not listen to sinners (John 9:31), because it is only the prayer of the righteous that He hears (Proverbs 15:29). Righteous, on the otherhand, is one who has been reconciled by Jesus Christ, to whom, the righteousness of Christ is imputed in exchange of his sins (Philippians 1:11). Being that the reason, one cannot redeemed time for pious reasons, until and unless, it has been redeemed for him. Because YHWH is sovereign. He owns time, along with everything on earth or in heaven. Remember, there is even an account of God stopping time (Joshua 10:13). Therefore, a person who is dead in sin, and under the tyrannical sway of the devil, cannot thought to be in a position to redeem time for godly purposes. Simply because, he is dead. There is no time to be redeemed.

Therefore, this verse, i.e. Ephesians 5:16, cannot be taken as a literal commandment to the unsaved. This verse is a reminder, to the brethren, stating, see – your time has been redeemed, and saved from the evil days. So focus, reorient yourselves, least you forget, to use your redeemed time for godly purposes. Because He owns it. And He redeemed it according to the pleasure of His will, and for the glory of His name. This is an exhortation, to remind oneself, the death we have been saved from. So that we may not live like the unwise who know not their slavery to sin. And so, we see in the following verse, Paul says, “Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is” (v.17, KJV); to live as the children of light (v.8), by being filled with the Spirit (v.18), encouraging one another in the Word of God (v.19), being grateful for the work of salvation (v.20), and finally, submitting to the fear of God (v.21).

Christlikeness in redeeming time:

When the disciples raised a concern for persecution upon the idea of returning to Judea, Christ replied “Are there not twelve hours in a day?” (John 11:9, KJV). Jesus in such reponse showed an immaculate display of God’s soverignty over time. He knew when His time was (to be cruficied), and that day wasn’t it. Jesus made every hour of His earthly sojourn accountable to the doing of the Will of the Father. Note, at this time, Lazarus whom He loved was also reported sick and on the verge of dying. And even that didn’t sway Jesus from the Will of the Father.

Therefore, lastly, when we use our time knowing that it has been redeemed, we redeem it from our sinful impulses, into doing the Will of the Father. And in doing so, we mirror at best, the likeness of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Barnes, hence, beautifully wrote, “He that has a soul to be saved from eternal death, need not have one idle moment. He that has a heaven to win, has enough to do to occupy all his time. Man has just enough given him to accomplish all the purposes which God designs, and God has not given him more than enough.“3 Such is the mind, one born of the Spirit has; for they that are born of the Spirit, has in mind, the things of the Spirit (Romans 8:5).

Redeemed time, is a sacred gift, given freely only to the chosen few, to seek Him, and to serve Him; to be more like Him, so that, when the time comes, one may inherit the Kingdom of God, both as His child, and co-heir. We ought to understand, our time has been redeemed, and given to us, freely as a sacred gift. It is not because of who we are, but because, He chose to have compassion on us. We ought to understand, this time is holy, and every hour, minute, and second of it will be held accounted for. This is His time, given to us, for His glory alone. Such understanding should wisen us, seeking deeper into His divine Will, for the employment of such holy time. Such understanding should fill us with a holy fear, knowing, the remainder of our time on earth is not ours but of a God who is thrice Holy. And finally, such understanding should fill us with gratitude (and humility), that as undeserving as we are, a vile sinner, we’ve been given the opportunity to please Him.

1https://www.studylight.org/commentary/ephesians/5-16.html

2Ibid.

3Ibid.

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