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MOR-Bible, which is in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, peace to you and grace, from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. We exhort that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all people and for all that are in authority, that we, the born-again believers, may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty. For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior who will have all people to be saved, and to come to the knowledge of the truth (1 Timothy 2:1-4). In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

In the October 2021 teaching, we reviewed some of the Gospel of John 8. We learned Jesus Christ is the light of the world and the light of life. We learned who Jesus' Father is and where He is. We learned who Jesus Christ is and who sent him. We learned how to know by experience the truth, and that the truth shall make us free. We also learned who were the people that were born of the seed of the devil and the characteristics of the people born of the seed of the devil. We also learned how to confront those born of the seed of the devil.

There are three types of teaching we can do in the Bible - 1. A textual (Word-based) teaching, 2. A topical teaching, and 3. An expository teaching which looks at every verse line-by-line.

In this month's teaching, we will do a Word-based teaching by reviewing the English phrases and words of Philippians 4:6:

Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

• We will review the following English words; "Be careful, "nothing," "prayer," "supplication," "thanksgiving," "requests," "let," and "be made known," and the final English word "God."
• We will also review the corresponding Greek words to open and increase our believing and understanding of God's Word.
  

Philippians is one of the seven Church Epistles (i.e., Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians). It is written to the administration of grace in which we now live. It corrects practical errors for not obeying the doctrine Epistle of Ephesians.

2 Timothy 3:16 tells us:

All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness.

The focus of this month's teaching is on Philippians 4:6:

Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Finis Jennings Dake's Annotated Reference Bible has a wonderful illumination about Philippians 4:6. I want to share it with you. It states, "Do not tolerate anxiety or worry, for it will injure your own souls. God alone can help you and He will do it if you pray about everything that happens and give thanks."

In the Bible, the number four is made up of 3 + 1 wherein three is perfection, and one is unity. Perfection and unity together always indicate the number of man's relationship to the Creator. Therefore, the number four is always the world number because this is the world's relationship to God who created, formed, and made it. See MOR-Bible December 2020 teaching.

Let's expound on Philippians 4:6 by looking at some of the Greek words for our English words. The phrase "Be careful" is translated from the Greek word merimnao which means to be anxious about, to have anxious or distracting cares. There are nineteen usages of this Greek word merimnao. We will read four of the nineteen occurrences used for the phrase "Be careful." I exhort you to read the context of these usages to increase your believing and understanding.

Matthew 6:24-25:

No man can serve two masters: for either he will hate the one and love the other; or else he will hold to the one and despise the other. Ye cannot serve God and mammon.

Therefore, I [Jesus] say unto you, take no thought [the Greek word merimnao] for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?

In the world today, it's easy to get anxious and distracted from God's Word with what is currently going on! You may get anxious about your life, anxious about what you will eat, or what you will drink; anxious about your body, or what you will wear. Or you may be anxious about where you are going to live, anxious about your health, anxious about your job, or anxious about getting sick and dying.

The Bible tells us, the children of God, to be not anxious and distracted by the cares of this world! Why? Because God's Word declares in Philippians 4:19:

But my God shall supply all your need according to his riches in glory by Christ Jesus.

I thank God our Father for supplying all our needs according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus, the now glorified one who was once humbled!

The next usage of the Greek word merimnao is in Matthew 6:34:

Take therefore no thought [merimnao] for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought [merimnao] for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

We are instructed in this verse to focus our thoughts on God's Word here and now. We are to live one day at a time. There is enough evil going on right now! We are not anxious or distracted about the cares of tomorrow as they will take care of themselves.

Luke 10:41:

And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful [merimnao] and troubled about many things.

Sometimes in this world we are anxious or distracted or confused by the disorder, noises and cares in our minds that we do not hear God's Word! We are to calm our minds and not be anxious or distracted.

Philippians 2:20 tells us:

For I have no man likeminded, who will naturally care [merimnao] for your state.

In this verse, Paul was anxious to know if the Philippi believers were still living the Word of God that he had taught them. So, he sent Timothy, a fellow like-minded believer, to care for them. Paul wanted to know that he had not labored in vain teaching them God's Word. Why? The answer is in verse 21 below.

Philippians 2:21: states:

For all [with distinction] seek their own, not the things which are Jesus Christ.

Doesn't this sound like the world we are currently living in today? Most people in this world are concerned about themselves, not the things which are of Jesus Christ, the humbled one now glorified!

The next word we will review is our English word "nothing" which is translated from the Greek word medeis which means "not anyone. Not one thing, none at all, not even one." Let's read four usages of the Greek word medeis used in the Bible translated into our English word "nothing." Again, I exhort you to please read the context of these usages to increase your understanding. I will select four verses using medeis from the seven Church Epistles (i.e., Romans, Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians) that are addressed to us!

2 Corinthians 6:10:

As sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing [the Greek word medeis - not one thing, none at all, not even one], and yet possessing all things.

Philippians 1:28:

And in nothing [medeis] terrified by your adversaries: which is to them an evident token of perdition, but to you of salvation, and that of God.

Philippians 2:3:

Let nothing [medeis] be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.

1 Thessalonians 4:12:

That ye may walk honestly toward them that are without [outside the body of Christ], and that ye may have lack of nothing [medeis].

These verses tell us that we, the believers of God's Word, are always rejoicing; we are not terrified by our adversaries; not even one. We don't do anything through strife or vain glory but act in lowliness of mind and to esteem others better than ourselves (Philippians 2:3). The purpose of these actions is so that we may walk honestly, elegant in the figure, demeanor, and bearing; and graceful toward them that are outside the body of Christ, and that we may have lack of not even one thing (1 Thessalonians 4:12)! We are not to be anxious or distracted by the cares of this world!

The next word we will review is our English word "prayer" which is translated from the Greek word proseuche which means "to speak out to, prayer towards (restricted to prayer to God, and marking the power of Him, whom we invoke)." Now let's read four usages of the Greek word proseuche translated into our English word "prayer." I exhort you to please read the context of these usages to increase your understanding.

Romans 15:30:

Now I beseech you, brethren, for the Lord Jesus Christ's sake, and for the love of the Spirit, that ye strive together with me in your prayers [the Greek word proseuche - to speak out to, prayer towards God] to God for me.

Ephesians 6:18:

Praying always with all prayer [proseuche] and supplication in the Spirit [by speaking in tongues] and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints.

Colossians 4:12:

Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ, saluteth you, always labouring fervently for you in prayers [proseuche], that ye may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God.

1 Thessalonians 1:2:

We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers [proseuche].

We pray to God always for one another that we will stand mature and complete in all His Will which is His Word! We give thanks to God always for one another, by praying in the spirit and with our understanding.

The next word we will review is our English word "supplication" which is translated from the Greek word de-eesis which means "to want, need; then prayer, as the expression of need, supplication." In other words, de-eesis or supplication means a specific want or need in prayer to God our Father, documented in His Word.

Now let's read the four usages of the Greek word de-eesis translated into our English word "supplication." I exhort you to please read the context of these usages for better understanding.

Acts 1:14:

These all continued with one accord in prayer and supplication [the Greek word de-eesis - the expression of want or need in prayer], with the women, and Mary the mother of Jesus, and with his brethren.

Ephesians 6:18:

Praying always with all prayer and supplication [de-eesis] in the Spirit and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication [de-eesis] for all saints.

Philippians 4:6:

Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication [de-eesis] with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

1 Timothy 2:1:

I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications [de-eesis], prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.

These verses remind us that we are to pray in one accord with one another for specific needs as documented in God's Word. We are to give thanks to God our Father for meeting those specific needs (de-eesis) of the body of Christ for all born-again believers!

The next word we will review is our English word "thanksgiving" which is translated from the Greek word ukaristia which means "thankfulness, gratitude, a giving of thanks." Let's read four usages of the Greek word ukaristia translated into our English word "thanksgiving." I exhort you to please read the context of these usages to increase your understanding.

2 Corinthians 4:15:

For all things are for your sakes, that the abundant grace might through the thanksgiving [the Greek word ukaristia - gratitude, a giving of thanks] of many redound to the glory of God.

2 Corinthians 9:12:

For the administration of this service not only supplieth the want of the saints but is abundant also by many thanksgivings [ukaristia] unto God.

Colossians 2:7:

Rooted and built up in him, and stablished in the faith, as ye have been taught, abounding therein with thanksgiving [ukaristia].

Colossians 4:2:

Continue in prayer and watch in the same with thanksgiving [ukaristia].

Ukaristia reminds us that in prayer we are to be always grateful and give abundant thanks to God our Father for His Word, His son, and each other!

The next word we will review is our English word "requests" which is translated from the Greek word aiteema which means "thing asked for, object sought." There are only three usages of the Greek word aiteema translated into our English word "requests." I exhort you to please read the context of these usages to increase your understanding.

Luke 23:24:

And Pilate gave sentence that it should be as they [the chief priests and the rulers and the people,] required [the Greek word aiteema - thing asked for, object sought].

Philippians 4:6:

Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests [aiteema] be made known unto God.

1 John 5:15:

And if we know that he [God] hear us, whatsoever we ask, we know that we have the petitions [aiteema] that we desired of him.

As we pray to God our Father in accordance with His Word, we know He hears us, and we have received the specific thing asked for or object sought that we desired of Him!

The next word/phrase we will review are "let" and "be made known" which are translated from the same Greek word gnorizo which means "to make known, to become known, be recognized, to know, to gain knowledge of, have a thorough knowledge of." We will look at four usages of the Greek word gnorizo translated into our English word "let" and phrase "be made known." I exhort you to please read the context of these usages to increase your understanding.

Acts 2:28:

Thou [God] hast made known [the Greek word gnorizo - to gain knowledge of] to me the ways of life; thou shalt make me full of joy with thy countenance.

Romans 9:23:

And that he [God] might make known [gnorizo] the riches of his glory on the vessels of mercy, which he had afore prepared unto glory.

Ephesians 1:9:

Having made known [gnorizo] unto us the mystery of his will, according to his good pleasure which he hath purposed in himself.

Colossians 1:27:

To whom God would make known [gnorizo] what is the riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.

God our Father by His Word has made known to us the ways of life, the riches of His glory, the mystery of His Will, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory!

The next word we will review is our English word "God" which is translated from the Greek word Theos. This was discussed in the May 2021 teaching and is repeated here.

From the E. W. Bullinger's (1975) Critical Lexicon and Concordance to the English and Greek New Testament:

Theos or God means a name reclaimed from the heathen and used in the New Testament for the true God. However, having lost the meaning of the one God came to mean "a God" only one of the many gods. Hence it became necessary in N.T. gen., to distinguish it by the article "the", the God, the one supreme with whom is the fountain of life and light; and now, to know Him that hath called us out of darkness into His marvelous light, is "life eternal." He is "the fountain of life" and "in his light alone can we see light." In the Septuagint [the Greek version of the Hebrew Bible - Old Testament] Theos, is (with very few exceptions) the translation of the plural (Elohim). It is used frequently for Jehovah (see under "Lord"). The root word means (1) to be strong, powerful; (2) to take precedence, be first. (3) God as the mighty one, the one above all, the first, combining the idea of inspiring awe and adoration.

Now let's read four usages of the Greek word Theos translated from our English word "God." I exhort you to please read the context of these usages to increase your understanding.

Romans 1:16:

For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God [the Greek word Theos] unto salvation [wholeness] to everyone that believeth; to the Jew [Judean] first, and also to the Greek [Gentile].

Ephesians 2:8:

For by grace are ye saved through faith [the faith of Jesus Christ]; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God [Theos].

Ephesians 4:6:

One God [Theos] and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.

1 Thessalonians 2:4:

But as we [Paul, Silas, and Timothy] were allowed [approved] of [from under] God to be put in trust with [the Greek word pistis - believing] the gospel [the good news of the Grace Administration], even so, we speak; not as pleasing men, but God [Theos], which trieth [proves] our hearts.

We, the born-again believers, are not ashamed of the gospel of Christ as it is the power of God to salvation and wholeness to everyone that believes (Romans 1:16). We know by the Word of God, that by grace, we were saved through the believing of Jesus Christ and that it is the gift of God (Ephesians 2:8)! We know there is one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in us all (Ephesians 4:6)! Therefore, we are to speak, not as pleasing men, but God, which proves our hearts (1 Thessalonians 2:4)!

Acts 5:29 says:

We ought to obey God rather than men.

We must always do the Will of God which is His Word! No matter the circumstances we face in this world, we must consistently live and share God's Word! And when we, the believers, do that look at what we receive!

Philippians 4:7:

And the peace of God [Theos], which passeth all understanding, shall [absolutely] keep your hearts and minds [thoughts] through [in] Christ Jesus.

In this month's teaching, we reviewed in Philippians 4:6 the following English words and phrases:

• Be careful - merimnao
• Nothing - medeis
• Prayer - proseuche
• Supplication - de-eesis
• Thanksgiving - ukaristia
• Requests - aiteema
• Let and be made known - gnorizo
• God - Theos
  

By understanding these words and phrases and their corresponding Greek definitions, we can open our understanding of God's Word! In turn, we can increase our believing! We are continually comforted and strengthened by God's Word!

Father, thank you for opening and increasing our understanding of your Word to the end that we can manifest it in our lives daily. Father, thank you for your Word which tells us not to be anxious about anything. Father, we thank you that in everything, by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, we let our specific requests according to your Word be made known to you. Father, thank for your peace which passes all understanding and guards our hearts and thoughts in Christ Jesus, the now glorified one who was once humbled. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen.

Next month's teaching will be "Workers together with the one true God."

May the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all this Thanksgiving.

In the Lord,

Ministry of Reconciliation
Son of God through Jesus Christ
Ambassador for Christ

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