Tag: Corinthians

Love and Spiritual Gifts (1 Corinthians 13)

1.0 Love & Spiritual Gifts

The Church of Jesus Christ needs both the “Fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23) and the “Gifts of the Holy Spirit” (1Corinthians 12:8-10). It is not either or, but both. Arguably, the Church at Corinth was the most Anointed Church in the New Testament – the Church flowed in God’s Power – with “Spiritual-Gifts” (1Corinthians chapters 12 to 14); but the Church was also “loaded” with issues – Carnality (1Corinthians 3:1-4); Exalting one Person above the others (1Corinthians 1:12); etc., Apostle Paul advocated that “Spiritual Gifts” (1Corinthians chapters 12 & 14) should be balanced by God’s Love (1Corinthians chapter 13) – 1Corinthians 12:8-10 lists the “Spiritual Gifts;” 1Corinthians 13 teaches on God’s Love (16 Characteristics); 1Corinthians 14 teaches on the Operation of the “Spiritual Gifts.” – The understanding of the relationship is summed up in 1Corinthians 13:2“And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith, so that I could remove the mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.”  Operating “Spiritual Gifts” without God’s Love opens it to misuse and abuse – it will not edify or have their full effect. God’s Love gives “Spiritual Gifts” the proper “foundation” to minister God’s Grace to others. To avoid misuse and abuse of “Spiritual Gifts,” the Person/Church must learn to submit to God’s Written Word (Logos) and operates out of God’s Love.

On the Day of Pentecost (Acts 2), the Covenantal Relationship of the Members of the Body of Christ was established in the Apostolic Teaching (Acts 2:42-47). The “bed-rock” of God’s Habitation is Covenantal Relationship in “the Bond of Love” (Psalm 133); without which Revival will not last.

The Church has been seeking Revival but lost the “spirit of repentance;” and without repentance, the Individual/Church will not be able to grow into Christlikeness (2Corinthians 3:18). 1Corinthians 12:7 states that the Operation of “Spiritual Gifts” is for the common good – 1Corinthians 12:7 (NKJV) “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all (“common-good” – NIV).” – God gives “Spiritual Gifts” to an Individual/Church as “tools” to manifest forth His Love (1Corinthians 13) – the Individual/Church flows in God’s Nature and Character, strengthening Christ’s Body, the Local Church.

The Local Church is always in God’s Plan – “I will build My Church” (Matthew 16:18); and every Member of the Body of Christ is to be connected (Ephesians 4:16); for God’s Plan and Purpose to be effective in the Local Church, there need to be the Operation of “Spiritual Gifts” – 1Corinthians 12:7, 11 (NKJV) “But the manifestation of the Spirit is given to each one for the profit of all……But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually as He wills.”

However, the Individual/Church needs to be “soaked” in God’s Love (1Corinthians 13), to receive God’s Presence and Power in the Operation of the “Spiritual-Gifts” (1Corinthians chapter 12 & 14); – and using “Spiritual Gifts” with God’s Love (1Corinthians 13) to minister God’s Power to the World – revealing the Father’s Heart!  God’s Love (1Corinthians 13) gives true value to “Spiritual Gifts” (1Corinthians Chapters 12 & 14). In any discussion on “Spiritual Gifts,” due consideration should be given to the teaching of God’s Love of 1Corinthians 13.

1.1 The Placing

The “Teaching on Love” in 1Corinthians 13 is sandwiched between the most extensive teaching on “Spiritual Gifts” (1Corinthians Chapter 12) and the Operation of “Spiritual Gifts” (1Corinthians Chapter 14). The “Love-Chapter” of 1Corinthians 13 is frequently spoken at Wedding, which is acceptable, but is not the intention of Apostle Paul – In the original text, there was no “chapters-separation,” but a continuous flow of thoughts and teaching of Paul on “Spiritual-Gifts” and their Operations. 1Corinthians 13:4-8 gives one of the best definitions of Love in God’s Word, involving16 Characteristics:

  • Love suffers long (endures long, is patient).
  • Love is kind.
  • Love does not envy (is not jealous).
  • Love does not parade itself (does not brag; does not boast).
  • Love is not puffed up (not proud, vainglorious, arrogant, prideful)
  • Love does not behave rudely (not rude, unbecomingly, indecently, unmannerly).
  • Love does not seek its own (is not selfish, or self-seeking; foes not insist on one’s own right and way).
  • Love is not provoked (not touchy, angry, fretful, and resentful).
  • Love thinks no evil (harbors and plan no evil thought; takes no account of a wrong done it).
  • Love does not rejoice in iniquity (lawlessness, wrong, sin, evil, injustice),
  • Love rejoices in the truth (justice and righteousness).
  • Love bears all things (Love protects).
  • Love believes in all things (exercises faith in everything; is ready to believe the best in everyone).
  • Love hopes for all things (keep up hope in everything under all circumstances).
  • Love endures all things (without weakening; it gives power to endure).
  • Love never fails.

1.2 Love

In 1Corinthians 13:1-3, Paul teaches that the “Spiritual Gifts” (Tongues, Prophecy and Knowledge) and character traits (Faith to move mountains, the sacrificial spirit that would prompt the Person to give his goods to the poor, the courage that enables the Person to be a Martyr to endure the flames) are not insignificant or commonplace; yet, Apostle Paul does not say once but three times that it is love that gives value to “Spiritual Gifts (Tongues, Prophecy, and Knowledge), spirit of sacrifice (Faith, Zeal and Courage). If not, all are nothing and we have accomplished nothing – 1Corinthians 13:1-3 (NIV) “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a resounding gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have faith that can move mountains, but have no love, I am nothing. If I give all I possess to the poor and surrender my body to the flame, but have not love, I am nothing.”

1.3 Relationship

1Corinthians 13:4-8, each description of God’s Love is in the Arena of interpersonal relationship. We would have expected from the larger context that Paul would want to instruct us on how to Prophesy in Love; how to Exercise Faith in Love; and how to give sacrificially in Love; how to lay down our life in Love; but he does not do that. Instead, he teaches about exercising Patience and being Kind to one another; he teaches about Love, elimination of envy, boasting, rudeness and selfishness; he teaches that Love is not easily angered and keeps no record of wrongs; Paul has thus passed from the teaching of “Spiritual Gifts” (1Corinthians 12) to the Arena of Relationship.

1.4 Love Lived Out

What is Paul teaching us through this subtle change from “Spiritual Gifts” (1Corinthians 12) to God’s Love in 1Corinthians 13? Just this: “Love must permeate and govern every aspect of our lives.” Love is not to be exercised only in the use of “Spiritual Gifts,” but God’s Love gives value to “Spiritual Gifts:”

  • Love enables us to share together our life in Jesus Christ (1Corinthians 13).
  • Love is the cement that binds us, the “Living Stones,” together that is being built into God’s Spiritual House (1Peter 2:5).
  • Love is the ligament that binds the Members into one Body (Ephesians 4:16).
  • Love gives Unity to the Body and makes the functioning of “Spiritual Gifts” effective (Ephesians 4:16).

1.5 The Balance

The “Fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23) is Eternal (“abides” – 1Corinthians 13:13); whereas the “Gifts of the Spirit” (1Corinthians 12 & 14) is temporal (“vanished away” – 1Corinthians 13:8). “Spiritual Gifts” is Ministry-Oriented, whereas “Fruit of the Spirit” is God-Oriented. Also, the “Fruit of the Spirit” accompanies all the four passages on “Spiritual-Gifts:” 

  • 1Corinthians 13- “The Love Chapter” – is sandwiched between the “Gifts of the Spirit” in 1Corinthians 12:8-10 and the Operations of the “Gifts of the Spirit” in 1Corinthians chapter 14.
  • The “Gifts of the Spirit” in Romans 12:6-8 is followed by the exhortation on Love – “Let love be without hypocrisy” and “be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love” (Romans 12:9-10). The passage on “Fruit of Love” continues for another 11 verses (Romans 12:11-21).
  • The teaching of the “Gifts of Christ” in Ephesians 4:11-16 is followed by the “Fruit of Love” Ephesians 4:17 and continued to Ephesians 5:2 “And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.”
  • The “Fruit of Love” in 1Peter 4:8 precedes the “Spiritual Gifts” of 1Peter 4:10-11 – “Above all things have fervent love for one another, for ‘love will cover a multitude of sins’”

The Church at Corinth, although is, “a messy-Church,” but yet has an ideal Spiritual Gift-Mix – “You come short in no gift” (1Corinthians 1:7) and the “Nine-Gifts of the Spirit” (1Corinthians 12:8-10), with the Operation of the “Gifts of the Spirit” (1Corinthians chapter 14); sandwiched is the teaching of “God’s Love” (1Corinthians chapter 13) –  Thus, the “Fruit of the Spirit” is the Indispensable Foundation for the effective use of the “Gifts of the Spirit” in any Church, even the messy ones! Therefore, any teaching of “Gifts of the Spirit” (Romans 12:3-8; 1Corinthians 12 to 14; 1Peter 4:10-11) and the “Gifts of Christ” (Ephesians 4:7-16), must include the teaching of God’s Love of 1Corinthians chapter 13. Most people agreed on the need of balance between “Spiritual Gifts” (1Corinthians chapters 12 & 14) and “God’s Love” (1Corinthians chapter 13); however, few practice it. Most of the Discipleship Training, whether in the Local Churches or Para-Organizations, emphasizes on ministry skills without much consideration of the development of “Fruit of the Spirit” (God’s Love – our Character).

1.6 Love and Discernment

1Corinthians 14:1 (NIV) “Follow the way of love and eagerly desire Spiritual Gifts, especially the Gift of Prophecy” – I believe that the Prophetic Person effectiveness in discernment and accuracy in the Prophetic Word (“Rhema”) is directly proportion to the way he “follows the Way of Love” (1Corinthians 14:1; 1Corinthians 13:4-8a) – the Prophetic Person may be able to see some effectiveness in his discernment and Prophetic Word (“Rhema”); but ultimately he is limited in the Anointing, if he does not “Follow the way of Agape-Love” (1Corinthians 14:1; 1Corinthians 13:4-8a) and grows into it – he will level off and missed God’s Heart-beats.   

1.7 Book of Galatians

God’s Love (Agape) is also taught in the Book of Galatians in the form of “the Fruit of the Spirit” (Galatians 5:22-23), of which most teaches on Character Traits, which is not wrong but incomplete. The passage starts with Galatians 5:22, “But the fruit of the Spirit is Love…….;” it is “the Fruit” (singular) as affirmed in the original text; Love is “the Fruit” of the Spirit; the “Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness and Self-control,” are the description and expansion of the “the Fruit” (singular) of the Spirit, which is Love; in other words, “Joy, Peace, Patience, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and Self-control” are the outworking of the “God’s (Agape) Love” of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23), in the Life-of-the-Believer.

1.8 Lifestyle

“God’s Love (Agape)” is not a weak notion of feeling; God’s Love (Agape) is the choice God made on our behalf (John 3:16); Believer is to Walk in the Life-style of Love:    

  • 1Thessalonians 5:8 (NKJV) “But let us who are of the day be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet the hope of salvation.”
  • 1Timothy 6:11 (NKJV) “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness.”
  • 2Timothy 2:22 (NKJV) “Flee also youthful lusts; but pursue righteousness, faith, love, peace with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.”

The demonstration of God’s Love (Agape) is expected of us; not as a single act, but as a life-style; it is seen in our words, attitudes, and actions as shown in the following Scripture:

  • 2John 1:6b (NIV) “As you have heard from the beginning, His command is that you walk in love.”
  • Ephesians 5:2 (NIV) “Live a life of love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.” 
  • Jude 21b (NIV) “Keep yourselves in God’s love.”
  • 1Corinthians 16:14 (NKJV) “Let all that you do be done with love.”

As in 1Corinthians 13:6b, “Love keeps no record of wrongs” because “love covers over a multitude of sins” (1Peter 4:8b, NIV); we are called to love each other deeply (1Peter 4:8a, NIV). Confrontation, in the “midst-of-wrongs,” must be “spoken in love” (Ephesians 4:15a); Truth, must not be spoken as validation, but out of the Heart of Love – Ephesians 4:15a “Speaking the truth in love.” God’s Love (Agape), in Scripture, is put in the chief place above all other Virtues – Colossians 3:12, 14 “Therefore, as the Elect of God, holy and beloved, put on tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering;…….But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection.” (NKJV). God’s Love (Agape) is of the utmost importance; it is sandwiched between the “Gifts of the Spirit” (1Corinthians chapter 12) and the Operation of the “Gifts of the Spirit” (1Corinthians chapter 14). Love is “the glue” that holds the balance of the “Spiritual-Gifts” and the Operation of the “Spiritual Gifts.” We already have “a measure of God’s Love (Agape)” sheds in our heart by God’s Spirit (Romans 5:5); and as we continue this exercise of God’s Love (Agape),” for God and for others and for ourselves (Matthew 22:37-40), we will progressively grow into it, how?

1.9 Greater than Fear & Death

– Love is greater than fear and death – Song of Solomon 8:6 states that “Love is as strong as death” and 1John 4:18 states: “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment; but he who fears has not been made perfect in love.” (NKJV). God’s Love (Agape) is literally “the Force” in the spiritual realm and it is as strong as death and perfect love casts out fear.

1.10 Love & Faith

does not function effectively without love – “Faith works through love” (Galatians 5:6b, NKJV); further, God’s Love is greater than Faith – 1Corinthians 13:13 (NIV) “And now these three remain: Faith, Hope and Love. But the greatest of these is Love;” an amazing statement. Love has a greater Power (Force), in the spiritual realm, than Faith; but most Christians pursue Faith to an ultimate end. I believe, that as the release of the Prophetic Understanding and Anointing increases; there is a corresponding release of the Revelation and the Experience of “God’s Love (Agape)” in the Church of Jesus Christ of 1Corinthians 13. Ephesians 3:17b-19 (NIV) “And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Saints, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge – that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.”  Only the Individual/Church, being firmly rooted in “God’s Love (Agape),” be able to be filled with all “the Fullness of God;” Ephesians 3, affirms: “The love of Christ…….surpasses knowledge” – “being filled with the fullness of God” is to receive the “Fullness of the Lord Jesus Christ” because “God was pleased to have all His Fullness dwell in Him (Jesus)” (Colossians 1:19, NIV). 

The Benediction (2 Corinthians 13:14) (Part 2)

1.3 The Grace of Christ

The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ is the demonstration of God’s Love for our Salvation. The word “Grace” and “Graciousness” have the same root in the Greek. “Grace” is God’s free and unmerited favour towards the undeserving and ill-deserving. The word “Grace” is frequently used in the Bible. It is mentioned more than 50 times in Paul’s letters to the Romans, Corinthians, and Ephesians. Three important facts about “Christ’s Grace:”

Christ’s Grace is intimately related to God the Father’s Love. The Law is derived from God’s Holiness, Righteousness and Goodness:

  • Christ’s Grace is from God’s Love, a manifestation of His Love, God’s Love is prepared for our hearts, but Christ’s Grace is for our Need.
  • The Purpose of Christ’s Grace is to show God’s Love. Because God Loves us, He works for us and sends His Son {Jesus} to us to accomplish the Work of Redemption so that we may receive Christ’s Grace for the Forgiveness of Sin – Ephesians 1:7 “In Him (Christ) we have Redemption through His (Christ’s) Blood, the Forgiveness of Sins, according to the riches of His (Christ’s) Grace.”
  • Everything that God does is Christ’s Grace. It is His Expression of His (Father’s) Love for us (John 3:16; Ephesians 1:5, 2:4-5, Titus 3:4).

Christ Grace is manifested in Faith. Since it is Grace, it need not be worked for; no self-work is required of us except to have Faith; in fact this Faith is also God’s impartation – Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by Grace are ye saved through Faith; and that not of yourselves, it is a Gift of God – not of works, lest any man should boast.” This is the basis and manifestation of Christ’s Grace (Romans 4:4-5; 11:6).

How is Christ’s Grace obtained? The Law was given through Moses, but Grace and Truth come through the Lord Jesus Christ – John 1:17 “For the Law was given through Moses, but Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ.”

  • The Law came to us through Angels and Moses, but Grace came through God Himself via Jesus (2Timothy 1:9-10; Ephesians 1:6; Titus 3:4; John 1:17).
  • The Law is an addendum (addition) outside Christ, but Grace is the Design in Christ.
  • Whether Christ’s Grace has been given to us in Time or Eternity, God’s Grace is received in Christ.
  • Christ’s Grace comes with Joy. The root word in Greek for Grace (Charis) and Joy (Chairo) is the same showing a close connection between Christ’s Grace and Joy; not “happiness,” as “happiness,” comes from “circumstance, situation, happenstance.”  

Believers in Christ do not only receive God’s Forgiveness of our Sin, but also other Blessings like being set free from Sin, being Protected, being Healed, and being lifted in Hope – this is “the joy of the LORD is our strength” (Nehemiah 8:10b).

1.4 The Love of God

In English, one word is used to express “love.” But in Greek, there are different words:

  • Erhós, refers to sexual, base, and immoral love. This word is never used in the Bible though commonly found in classical Greek.
  • Phileó, refers to human and emotional love like the love of friends, sibling, and parents – the reply of Peter to Jesus question (John 21:15-17).
  • Agapaó, refers to the noble and pure of God’s Love. The greatest expression of Love is to “give.” John 3:16 says “For God so loved (agapaó) the world that He gave His only begotten Son….” God expresses His Love for humanity by “giving” His Son to be the propitiation for our sins.

God the Father’s Love (Agapaó) is describes in 1Corinthians chapter 13:4-8a “Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. Love never fails.” God’s Love “cast out fear” (1John 4:18); and nothing can separate us from the Father’s Love (Romans 8:35, 37-39). God’s Love is immeasurable (Ephesians 3:18-19). God’s Love acts as “His Shield” upon us (Psalm 5:11-12). His Love cannot fail (Psalm 36:5-7). The Fruit (single) of the Spirit: “Love, Joy, Peace, Longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control” – Foundational is LOVE.  

1.5 The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit

The word in the Benediction “Fellowship” means “having Communion.” It signifies the kind of relationship like that of the Partnership in business, with the single purpose, to achieve the common aim. Thus “Fellowship” (koinonia) means:

  • Having Communication: The Holy Spirit by His Presence gathers all Christians together to Fellowship. He offers Spiritual Gifts to each Believer so that we might share and minister to each other, and to the World (1Peter 4:10,11; 1Corinthians 12; Romans 12:3-8; Ephesians 4:11-16).
  • Taking Part: The Holy Spirit enables us, in 2Corinthians 8:1-5, Paul mentions that the Church of Macedonia was willingly taking part in the Work of the Saints by contributing their giving. “Taking part” is translated from the same word as “Fellowship” and “Communion.”
  • Being in Partnership: The Holy Spirit enables us, having the same aim and determination. Philippians 1:5 puts it as “Partnership in the Gospel.” This is the encouragement that all Churches should take.

1.6 Amen

“Amen” is used at the end of a Prayer. It means “let it be so” is incomplete. The term “Amen” essentially means “it is faithful” or “that is true” – Revelation 3:14b (KJV) “These things saith the Amen (Jesus), the Faithful and true Witness.” The word “Amen” appears 175 times in the Bible, 25 times in the Old Testament and 150 times in the New Testament. The word “Amen (Verily, Verily)” is used 25 times in the Gospel of John and Jesus used the word “Amen (Verily, Verily)” 101 times. The word “Amen” was used by the Children of Israel in the time of Moses. It does not only signify the end of Prayer, but also the urgent wish of the Person who Prays. A few clarifications from the Bible help us to understand the usage of the term “Amen:”

Faithful – “Amen” means “Faithful” or “Truthful” as in one of the many Sacred Names of God and our Lord Jesus Christ – Revelation 3:14 “And unto the Angel of the Church of the Laodiceans writes: These things saith the Amen, the Faithful and true Witness, the beginning of the Creation of God.” It shows that God is Faithful and Trustworthy. Deuteronomy 7:9 and Isaiah 65:16 tell us that God is the Faithful and Truthful God.

Steadfast – Since God is Faithful, His Covenant is also Steadfast. “Steadfast” in the Old Testament is one of the meanings of “Amen”

  • Isaiah 55:3 “I will make you an Everlasting Covenant, my Steadfast (Amen) sure love of David.”
  • 2 Corinthians 1:20 “For all the Promises of God in Him are yea, and in Him Amen, unto the Glory of God by us.”

Obedient – Obedience signifies a vow, willingness. In the Old Testament, it indicates that “Amen” is also used during vow-taking. For example, in the latter part of chapter 27 of Deuteronomy, several times the word “Amen” is used as a response to indicate the willingness of the People to accept blessing/punishment. The same use of “Amen” is found in the responses by the woman and the people in Numbers chapters 5 and Nehemiah 5:12-13

Unity – The Church is the Body of Christ. Believers can express their Unity through the declaration of “Amen.” During the Service a brother/sister may lead in Prayer, but the Prayer represents the Prayer of all Members of the Body and we express our Unity by saying “Amen.”

Deep Expression – In the four Gospels, our Lord Jesus often uses “verily, verily” as an adverb to emphasize what He says. In the original “Amen” is used (Matthew 5:18, 26; Mark 3:28; 8:12; Luke 4:24; 12:37, etc)

Strong Confident – Revelation 22:20 “Amen, Come, Lord Jesus.” The “Amen” is like the Signatory on the Document – Unalterable and Unchangeable. In the same way, the Second Coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is sure, reliable, and unalterable.

1.7 Exhortation

In conclusion, the Benediction (2 Corinthians 13:14) is given at the end of each Worship Service by the Senior Pastor/Pastor to bless the Congregation, trusting that they would depart to share this blessing with their families and others. Therefore, it is beneficial for the Congregation to stay behind to receive this “Benediction-Blessing.”

The Benediction (2 Corinthians 13:14) (Part 1)

1.0 The Statement

The New Testament’s Benediction is found in 2Corinthians 13:14 – “The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Love of God (the Father), and the Communion (Fellowship) of the Holy Spirit be with you All. Amen.”  The Greek word for “benediction” is “eulogia,” and is formed by “eu” which means “good” and “logia” which means “word.” Therefore “eulogia” means “to express good words.” The common translations of eulogia is: “Eulogy, Praise, Greetings and Benediction.” The Benediction in the Old Testament is recorded in Numbers 6:24-26. This Benediction is given when the Priest leave the Temple after Prayer. He (Priest) would stand outside, raise his hands, and blesses the People who had gathered there. His Blessing would be:

  • “The LORD blesses thee and keeps thee.” (Number 6:24).
  • “The LORD makes His face to shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee.” (Number 6:25).
  • “The LORD lifts up His countenance upon thee and gives thee peace.” (Number 6:26).

1.1 The Old Testament

The Priestly Benediction as recorded in Numbers 6:24-26, is important to Israel and the Church:  

  • “The LORD blesses thee and keeps thee,” is the declaration of the blessing of God the Father. – The First “LORD” (Numbers 6:24) who “blesses and keeps us” corresponds with God the Father. Ephesians 1:3 says, “The God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with all spiritual blessing in heavenly places in Christ.”
  • “The LORD makes His face to shine upon thee and be gracious unto thee” is the declaration of the blessing of God the Son, our Lord Jesus Christ. – The Second “LORD” (Numbers 6:25) who “makes His face to shine upon us and is gracious to us” corresponds with Christ, who is “the Image of God” (2Corinthians 4:4; Colossians 1:15). No human has looked into God the Father’s Face, but our Lord Jesus Christ, “He who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9). No one was ever so gracious as Jesus, for “Grace and Truth came through Jesus Christ” (John 1:17). 
  • “The LORD lifts up His Countenance upon thee, and “gives thee Peace” is the declaration of the blessing God the Holy Spirit. – The Third “LORD” (Numbers 6:26) who “lifts up His Countenance upon us and gives us Peace” corresponds with the Holy Spirit. He is sent to lift up Jesus. Speaking of the Holy Spirit’s Ministry, Jesus teaches “He (Spirit) will glorify Me (Jesus), for He will take of what is Mine and declare it to you” (John 16:14). The “Fruit” of the Holy Spirit is “Love, Joy Peace….(Galatians 5:22-23). The Kingdom of God is “righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:7). The Holy Spirit lives in us and keeps us in perfect peace!

The use of “The LORD,” 3 times in Numbers 6:24-26, corresponds with God the Father, God the Son {Jesus}, and God the Holy Spirit. Thus, in the Old Testament, the three Persons in the Godhead (Father, Son {Jesus} and the Holy Spirit) is revealed in the Benediction in Numbers 6:24-26. The Benediction is asking God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit to bless, to be gracious and to give peace to His People. The Benediction in the Old Testament lets the People know that the God who is blessing them is the Highest and all Transcending God.

1.2 New Testament

2 Corinthians 13:14 (KJV) “The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, and the Love of God, and the Communion of the Holy Spirit be with you All. Amen.” The Benediction in the New Testament draws Believers closer to God and establishes a more intimate relationship by means of:

  1. The Grace of our Lord Jesus Christ.
  2. The Love of God the Father.
  3. The Fellowship of the Holy Spirit.

There is no Reconciliation and Relationship without the Redemption of the Lord Jesus Christ.   Why is “the Grace of the Lord Jesus Christ” put before “the Love of God” in 2Corinthians 13:14? From a theological view point the order should be reversed, but as Benediction, the order is correct:

  • It is through Jesus Christ that the Believers come into their Relationship with God the Father – John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
  • It is through Christ we receive God’s Love – Isaiah 54:10 “For the mountain shall depart and the hills be removed, but My Love shall not depart from you, nor My Covenant of Peace be removed,’ says the LORD, who has Mercy on you.”
  • It is through Christ that a Believer enters a life of Fellowship (Communion) with the Holy Spirit (John 14:16, 17, 26; John 15:26; John 16:13-15; 1John 2:20, 27).

Thus, Christ’s Grace than is the door through which we enter God the Father’s Love and the Fellowship (Communion) with the Holy Spirit. – Ephesians 2:8-9 “For by GRACE you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast.”

To be continued….. Stay Tuned…..