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B
I mean yes, if I'm a selfish person that desires fleshly things in the world, I can see how following Torah is a burden. Because following Torah is the oposite of selfishness. But I've been down that path of wanting worldly things, and that just runs life right into the ground. So I'm going to stick with the non-selfish path and observe what God said to observe.
And a lot of people need to re-read Matthew 22:37-40
They also need to read the question that was asked
And read the answer. Let us look at the scripture.
[SUP]34 [/SUP]But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. [SUP]35 [/SUP]Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, [SUP]36 [/SUP]“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”
[SUP]37 [/SUP]Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’[SUP][d][/SUP] [SUP]38 [/SUP]This is the first and great commandment. [SUP]39 [/SUP]And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’[SUP][e][/SUP] [SUP]40 [/SUP]On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
So let's start. The question. He was asked which was the great commandment in the law? (I would assume, that he is also implying that there is more than 1 or 2 commandments)
The answer
“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ [SUP]38 [/SUP]This is the first and great commandment. [SUP]39 [/SUP]And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Both of these are quoted from Torah, Yeshua is not making something new up, He is quoting commandments from the Torah.
Continuation of the answer
"On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Yeshua is stating that these 2 commandments, sum up the rest of the Torah. If you live in loving God, and live in loving your neighbor, you'll be living in Torah.
It's like 1+1=2
It's that simple to read it like that. I don't know why people think there is some huge meaning behind what is stated here. It simply just means that. It's not hard to read. It doesn't take a 20 year scholar to point that out.
There was nothing new added in those verses. It's all quotation of the Torah.
Also with Yeshua stating that, if you're stating He was changing it, well then Yeshua would have been sinning if that's the case.
And a lot of people need to re-read Matthew 22:37-40
They also need to read the question that was asked
And read the answer. Let us look at the scripture.
[SUP]34 [/SUP]But when the Pharisees heard that He had silenced the Sadducees, they gathered together. [SUP]35 [/SUP]Then one of them, a lawyer, asked Him a question, testing Him, and saying, [SUP]36 [/SUP]“Teacher, which is the great commandment in the law?”
[SUP]37 [/SUP]Jesus said to him, “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’[SUP][d][/SUP] [SUP]38 [/SUP]This is the first and great commandment. [SUP]39 [/SUP]And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’[SUP][e][/SUP] [SUP]40 [/SUP]On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
So let's start. The question. He was asked which was the great commandment in the law? (I would assume, that he is also implying that there is more than 1 or 2 commandments)
The answer
“‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ [SUP]38 [/SUP]This is the first and great commandment. [SUP]39 [/SUP]And the second is like it: ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself."
Both of these are quoted from Torah, Yeshua is not making something new up, He is quoting commandments from the Torah.
Continuation of the answer
"On these two commandments hang all the Law and the Prophets.”
Yeshua is stating that these 2 commandments, sum up the rest of the Torah. If you live in loving God, and live in loving your neighbor, you'll be living in Torah.
It's like 1+1=2
It's that simple to read it like that. I don't know why people think there is some huge meaning behind what is stated here. It simply just means that. It's not hard to read. It doesn't take a 20 year scholar to point that out.
There was nothing new added in those verses. It's all quotation of the Torah.
Also with Yeshua stating that, if you're stating He was changing it, well then Yeshua would have been sinning if that's the case.
W
There isn't a difference between when Jesus was alive and after He died as far as God's law goes. Don't you think He would have mentioned something so incredibly huge as, "Hey, I am going to spend my entire life and ministry teaching people how to truly observe the law by the Spirit, but as soon as I die none of what I said will be valid and apply to you any more."?
Yes, the law is fulfilled by those two commands. Our love for the Father and the Son is shown when we obey their commandments.
Now when it comes to the "yoke which was too difficult to bear", this is my understanding:
Acts 15
When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. 5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”
6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
12 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,
16 “‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins,
and I will restore it,
17 that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord,
and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,
says the Lord, who makes these things 18 known from of old.’
19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”
The apostles and other knowledgeable followers of Christ in Jerusalem were trying to come to an agreement on whether or not gentile believers needed to be physically circumcised to become a member of the faith as the law prescribed, to enter into a relationship with Christ, to become a spiritual descendant of Abraham. A physical circumcision would have been a one time ritual, performed on those who first come to Christ and know little to nothing of who God is and His commandments.
Ok, so try to imagine for a moment what this whole scenario would look like. People would be preaching Christ to gentiles and someone is interested in coming to Christ... So what the discussion was about what do they tell the brand new gentile believers turning to God and must they circumcise them, what commandments do they share with the new believers?...
Peter is like, "Hey guys, we can't just throw the torah/God's laws at new gentile believers and expect them to observe it perfectly. That would be ridiculous, we have been hearing it, studying it and working on living it our whole lives. We both, Jew and gentile alike are going to be saved in the same way and that is through faith not perfect obedience."
The jews consider what Peter said for a moment.
Then James says "We are not going to trouble the gentiles in such a way as circumcising them and demanding that they know and follow all the law upon conversion. We will only give them these important commandments to initially observe:
Do not eat meat off of pagan altars (which would also require participation in the pagan ritual/celebration etc), abstain from sexual immorality, clean food which has been strangled (doesn't make much sense to avoid a strangled animal, if it everything were clean it would be clean no matter how it was killed), and from consuming blood.
For Moses is and has been proclaimed and read from in every city so the new converts will be able to learn the rest as they go."
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Well, Acts is my basis for that statement. Need to get the kids ready for bed but I'll get more into it later.
Yes, the law is fulfilled by those two commands. Our love for the Father and the Son is shown when we obey their commandments.
Now when it comes to the "yoke which was too difficult to bear", this is my understanding:
Acts 15
When they came to Jerusalem, they were welcomed by the church and the apostles and the elders, and they declared all that God had done with them. 5 But some believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees rose up and said, “It is necessary to circumcise them and to order them to keep the law of Moses.”
6 The apostles and the elders were gathered together to consider this matter. 7 And after there had been much debate, Peter stood up and said to them, “Brothers, you know that in the early days God made a choice among you, that by my mouth the Gentiles should hear the word of the gospel and believe. 8 And God, who knows the heart, bore witness to them, by giving them the Holy Spirit just as he did to us, 9 and he made no distinction between us and them, having cleansed their hearts by faith. 10 Now, therefore, why are you putting God to the test by placing a yoke on the neck of the disciples that neither our fathers nor we have been able to bear? 11 But we believe that we will be saved through the grace of the Lord Jesus, just as they will.”
12 And all the assembly fell silent, and they listened to Barnabas and Paul as they related what signs and wonders God had done through them among the Gentiles. 13 After they finished speaking, James replied, “Brothers, listen to me. 14 Simeon has related how God first visited the Gentiles, to take from them a people for his name. 15 And with this the words of the prophets agree, just as it is written,
16 “‘After this I will return,
and I will rebuild the tent of David that has fallen;
I will rebuild its ruins,
and I will restore it,
17 that the remnant of mankind may seek the Lord,
and all the Gentiles who are called by my name,
says the Lord, who makes these things 18 known from of old.’
19 Therefore my judgment is that we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, 20 but should write to them to abstain from the things polluted by idols, and from sexual immorality, and from what has been strangled, and from blood. 21 For from ancient generations Moses has had in every city those who proclaim him, for he is read every Sabbath in the synagogues.”
The apostles and other knowledgeable followers of Christ in Jerusalem were trying to come to an agreement on whether or not gentile believers needed to be physically circumcised to become a member of the faith as the law prescribed, to enter into a relationship with Christ, to become a spiritual descendant of Abraham. A physical circumcision would have been a one time ritual, performed on those who first come to Christ and know little to nothing of who God is and His commandments.
Ok, so try to imagine for a moment what this whole scenario would look like. People would be preaching Christ to gentiles and someone is interested in coming to Christ... So what the discussion was about what do they tell the brand new gentile believers turning to God and must they circumcise them, what commandments do they share with the new believers?...
Peter is like, "Hey guys, we can't just throw the torah/God's laws at new gentile believers and expect them to observe it perfectly. That would be ridiculous, we have been hearing it, studying it and working on living it our whole lives. We both, Jew and gentile alike are going to be saved in the same way and that is through faith not perfect obedience."
The jews consider what Peter said for a moment.
Then James says "We are not going to trouble the gentiles in such a way as circumcising them and demanding that they know and follow all the law upon conversion. We will only give them these important commandments to initially observe:
Do not eat meat off of pagan altars (which would also require participation in the pagan ritual/celebration etc), abstain from sexual immorality, clean food which has been strangled (doesn't make much sense to avoid a strangled animal, if it everything were clean it would be clean no matter how it was killed), and from consuming blood.
For Moses is and has been proclaimed and read from in every city so the new converts will be able to learn the rest as they go."
--------------------------------------------------------------
Well, Acts is my basis for that statement. Need to get the kids ready for bed but I'll get more into it later.
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W
Melchizedek was a High Priest of God in Jerusalem. A High Priest would have to know God's laws... He even knew of Christ I bet because when Abraham met Melchizedek (after defeating the troublemaking kings), Melchizedek brought out bread and wine and blessed Abraham, that may not mean much to some people but is pretty symbolic to me (especially when you consider that Christ was from the order of Melchizedek and Melchizedek knew about Abraham and what God was doing with him). Pretty sure he knew what animals were clean and which were unclean, even Noah did and that was before God allowed animals to be consumed. (I can only imagine that people were eating them rebelliously before the flood, they were doing all kinds of horrible things to warrant complete destruction).
God had Noah take 7 of each clean animal and only 2 of each unclean. When the get off the ark and God says, "You can eat animals now", do you think Noah ate from one of the unclean pairs of animals? (ending that species of animal by ending it's ability to reproduce). Even back in the time of Cain and Abel, they were performing animal sacrifices to please God (First fruits) and Cain did not obey God's instructions in some way which is why God was displeased with Cain who then killed Abel.
The book of Job is before Moses and he also was performing sacrifices for sins committed by his children. Take a look, he used clean animals.
In the early days of humanity the Lord and His angels met with mankind. He obviously must have given them some instruction.
I do not believe that God's laws have changed, only the promises associated with the different covenants. The physical prosperity of the nation of Israel vs everlasting life with Christ as Israel. and that the old covenant teachings focused on external obedience where the new covenant teachings focus on internal obedience.
God had Noah take 7 of each clean animal and only 2 of each unclean. When the get off the ark and God says, "You can eat animals now", do you think Noah ate from one of the unclean pairs of animals? (ending that species of animal by ending it's ability to reproduce). Even back in the time of Cain and Abel, they were performing animal sacrifices to please God (First fruits) and Cain did not obey God's instructions in some way which is why God was displeased with Cain who then killed Abel.
The book of Job is before Moses and he also was performing sacrifices for sins committed by his children. Take a look, he used clean animals.
In the early days of humanity the Lord and His angels met with mankind. He obviously must have given them some instruction.
I do not believe that God's laws have changed, only the promises associated with the different covenants. The physical prosperity of the nation of Israel vs everlasting life with Christ as Israel. and that the old covenant teachings focused on external obedience where the new covenant teachings focus on internal obedience.
Please quote the verse that says the Jerusalem Council in Acts 15 was only "initially" for the Gentiles. After that, you can kindly quote the verse that says they have to learn the law of Moses later on. Just because Moses was proclaimed in the synagogue doesn't mean that they had to know or obey that law.
In fact, what was decided was that the new converts did not have to follow the Torah at all.
"For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: [SUP]29 [/SUP]that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.” Acts 15:28-29
Absolutely no mention of teaching them the law of Moses, instead the new believers needed to learn about Jesus Christ. That is why Paul was teaching and preaching and writing letters, along with Peter, John and Jude to the new congregations. To tell them about Jesus and the Holy Spirit. NOT to teach them the Torah!
In fact, what was decided was that the new converts did not have to follow the Torah at all.
"For it has seemed good to the Holy Spirit and to us to lay on you no greater burden than these requirements: [SUP]29 [/SUP]that you abstain from what has been sacrificed to idols, and from blood, and from what has been strangled, and from sexual immorality. If you keep yourselves from these, you will do well. Farewell.” Acts 15:28-29
Absolutely no mention of teaching them the law of Moses, instead the new believers needed to learn about Jesus Christ. That is why Paul was teaching and preaching and writing letters, along with Peter, John and Jude to the new congregations. To tell them about Jesus and the Holy Spirit. NOT to teach them the Torah!
K
Wow, thank you so much for sharing that. It's beautiful, what happens in the life of one who realizes the Master who created us also knows what is best for us. I can't remember a time I did not believe in Almighty Father and His Son who is the Lamb who takes away the sins of the world. However, it was only in 2013 when i read the verse "..call on His Name.." and thought, hey I would like to..what is it? That was the beginning of something so wonderful I have no words..it was about 2 weeks later I knew about Sabbath, and the rest is unfolding continually, just a peace filled walk with my Maker.
Praise and all glory to Him, for He called to me it was not my doing.
May He bless you continually and give you grace to always walk that narrow path.~k
Praise and all glory to Him, for He called to me it was not my doing.May He bless you continually and give you grace to always walk that narrow path.
~k
W
Those things were from the Torah and again, these are commandments which have to deal with how to keep clean food from becoming unclean when killing and preparing it... What would be the point of these commandments if everything were clean? These laws speak against talking part in pagan celebrations and sacrifices, sexual immorality (which is defined in the Torah) and how to properly prepare food. Where does it say in the Bible that God's laws have changed?
Acts 15 just deals with bringing gentiles into the faith... That is when circumcision would be required, in the beginning of their walk. James says "we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, which also implies those who are new to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob...Christ and the Father
Tell me where Christ says that the things He taught are irrelevant. The whole key to this is understanding that we are not saved by perfect obedience but by faith, however obedience is a natural result of loving God as we learn and grow in the faith. Those who learn something new as the grow in Christ, such as do not entertain lustful thoughts yet choose to disregard God and continue to dwell and act on such thoughts are in rebellion
Acts 15 just deals with bringing gentiles into the faith... That is when circumcision would be required, in the beginning of their walk. James says "we should not trouble those of the Gentiles who turn to God, which also implies those who are new to the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob...Christ and the Father
Tell me where Christ says that the things He taught are irrelevant. The whole key to this is understanding that we are not saved by perfect obedience but by faith, however obedience is a natural result of loving God as we learn and grow in the faith. Those who learn something new as the grow in Christ, such as do not entertain lustful thoughts yet choose to disregard God and continue to dwell and act on such thoughts are in rebellion
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W
Just wanted to share one more thing before I go to bed to think about.
Hebrews 8
3 Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer. 4 If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law. 5 They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”[a] 6 But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.
7 For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. 8 But God found fault with the people and said:
“The days are coming, declares the Lord,
when I will make a new covenant
with the people of Israel
and with the people of Judah.
9 It will not be like the covenant
I made with their ancestors
when I took them by the hand
to lead them out of Egypt,
because they did not remain faithful to my covenant,
and I turned away from them,
declares the Lord.
10 This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel
after that time, declares the Lord.
I will put my laws in their minds
and write them on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
11 No longer will they teach their neighbor,
or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest.
12 For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more.”[c]
13 By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.
Paul tells us that the old covenant was imperfect. Not because God's commandments were imperfect, but because the promises associated with them were imperfect and peoples ability to observe them was flawed. Neither the levitical priesthood or the other laws were capable of bringing about the forgiveness of sins, love, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, adoption as children by the Father etc.
The Law does not make man perfect
Romans 7
7 What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. 9 I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. 10 The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. 11 For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. 12 So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.
13 Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin.
Hebrews 8
3 Every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices, and so it was necessary for this one also to have something to offer. 4 If he were on earth, he would not be a priest, for there are already priests who offer the gifts prescribed by the law. 5 They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven. This is why Moses was warned when he was about to build the tabernacle: “See to it that you make everything according to the pattern shown you on the mountain.”[a] 6 But in fact the ministry Jesus has received is as superior to theirs as the covenant of which he is mediator is superior to the old one, since the new covenant is established on better promises.
7 For if there had been nothing wrong with that first covenant, no place would have been sought for another. 8 But God found fault with the people and said:
“The days are coming, declares the Lord,
when I will make a new covenant
with the people of Israel
and with the people of Judah.
9 It will not be like the covenant
I made with their ancestors
when I took them by the hand
to lead them out of Egypt,
because they did not remain faithful to my covenant,
and I turned away from them,
declares the Lord.
10 This is the covenant I will establish with the people of Israel
after that time, declares the Lord.
I will put my laws in their minds
and write them on their hearts.
I will be their God,
and they will be my people.
11 No longer will they teach their neighbor,
or say to one another, ‘Know the Lord,’
because they will all know me,
from the least of them to the greatest.
12 For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more.”[c]
13 By calling this covenant “new,” he has made the first one obsolete; and what is obsolete and outdated will soon disappear.
Paul tells us that the old covenant was imperfect. Not because God's commandments were imperfect, but because the promises associated with them were imperfect and peoples ability to observe them was flawed. Neither the levitical priesthood or the other laws were capable of bringing about the forgiveness of sins, love, the indwelling of the Holy Spirit, adoption as children by the Father etc.
The Law does not make man perfect
- Heb. 7:19 – “law made nothing perfect“
- Heb. 9:9 – “sacrifices cannot make worshiper perfect”
- Heb. 10:1 – “the law can never make perfect”
Romans 7
7 What then shall we say? That the law is sin? By no means! Yet if it had not been for the law, I would not have known sin. For I would not have known what it is to covet if the law had not said, “You shall not covet.” 8 But sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, produced in me all kinds of covetousness. For apart from the law, sin lies dead. 9 I was once alive apart from the law, but when the commandment came, sin came alive and I died. 10 The very commandment that promised life proved to be death to me. 11 For sin, seizing an opportunity through the commandment, deceived me and through it killed me. 12 So the law is holy, and the commandment is holy and righteous and good.
13 Did that which is good, then, bring death to me? By no means! It was sin, producing death in me through what is good, in order that sin might be shown to be sin, and through the commandment might become sinful beyond measure. 14 For we know that the law is spiritual, but I am of the flesh, sold under sin.
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I think the yoke is keeping the law of Moses... I don't think it's circumcision, because Peter says he and his fathers couldn't bear it... but they were very likely circumcised as babies... very easy to bear...
James writes, "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things"... now, those things James wants them to do, are they for salvation? I don't think so... so, I think they must relate to life after salvation...
so, I think the 'no greater burden' would refer to trying to keep more than those four 'necessary things.'
James writes, "For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay no greater burden on you than these necessary things"... now, those things James wants them to do, are they for salvation? I don't think so... so, I think they must relate to life after salvation...
so, I think the 'no greater burden' would refer to trying to keep more than those four 'necessary things.'
J
I would say legalism is anything a person does to try and establish their own righteousness, any attempts to impress God, or to distinguish themselves above others, going through the motions, as opposed to being righteous solely because it's right, because it's the minimal service of we who will always fall far short of the glory of God in our own rights, no matter what we do, we who have absolutely nothing to boast about, righteousness solely because it is like Jesus, of the Lord God we are to love with all our hearts. Not about me, but Thee. If it's about me, if it's hooked to any vanity, it's legalism and false religion.
S
I don't think we have to speculate too much on the motive behind James' request to Paul. The motive is recorded:
Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. -- Acts 21:24b (NIV)
I don't see anything here about fitting in or about wanting Jewish believers to see Paul as a law keeper when he actually wasn't. Are we to believe that James and Paul were co-conspirators in a very serious public deception?
And what are the reports in which James says there is no truth?
They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. -- Acts 21:21 (NIV)
I'm interested to see the other side of the argument here so that I can broaden my understanding of these verses.
Then everyone will know there is no truth in these reports about you, but that you yourself are living in obedience to the law. -- Acts 21:24b (NIV)
I don't see anything here about fitting in or about wanting Jewish believers to see Paul as a law keeper when he actually wasn't. Are we to believe that James and Paul were co-conspirators in a very serious public deception?
And what are the reports in which James says there is no truth?
They have been informed that you teach all the Jews who live among the Gentiles to turn away from Moses, telling them not to circumcise their children or live according to our customs. -- Acts 21:21 (NIV)
I'm interested to see the other side of the argument here so that I can broaden my understanding of these verses.