The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the King James Version ( KJV ).  Philippians 2:3 reads as follows:

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

The Greek word ( Greek [ 2052 ] ) for the word "strife," in the above-given passage from the Holy Bible, is defined as follows:

"prop. intrigue, i.e. (by impl.) faction."  [  See ABINGDON'S STRONG'S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE, STRONG, JAMES, S.T.D., LL.D., ABINGDON PRESS, NASHVILLE, Copyright, 1890, by JAMES STRONG, MADISON, N.J., ( A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek/New Testament with their Renderings in the King James Version, p. 41. ).  ]

The word "intrigue," in the above-given definition, is defined as follows:

". . . n.   1  The working for an end by secret or underhand means; a plot or scheme. . . ."  [  See NEW ILLUSTRATED WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY Including THESAURUS of SYNONYMS & ANTONYMS, PMC Publishing Company, Inc., 118 EAST 28th STREET, NEW YORK, NY  10016, dictionary portion: pages 1-1150, Copyright 1992, by J.G. Ferguson Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, p. 514.  ]

The word "faction," in the definition of Greek word ( Greek [ 2052 ] ) above, is defined as follows:

". . . n.   1  A number of persons combined for a common purpose.  2  A party within a party; an irregular association of partisans; a cabal.  3  Violent opposition, as to a government; turbulence; dissension.  See synonyms under CABAL. . . ."  [  Ibid., p. 348.  ]

     Moreover, the Greek word ( Greek [ 2754 ] ) for the word "vainglory," in the above-given passage from the Holy Bible, is defined as follows:

"empty glorying, i.e. self-conceit."  [  See ABINGDON'S STRONG'S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE, STRONG, JAMES, S.T.D., LL.D., ABINGDON PRESS, NASHVILLE, Copyright, 1890, by JAMES STRONG, MADISON, N.J., ( A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek/New Testament with their Renderings in the King James Version, p. 54. ).  ]

Additionally, the word "politician" is defined as follows:

". . . n.   1  One engaged in politics, especially professionally.  2  U.S.  One who engages in politics for personal or partisan aims rather than for reasons of principle; also, a political schemer or opportunist.  3  Brit.  One skilled in the science of government or politics; a statesman. . . ."  [  See NEW ILLUSTRATED WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY Including THESAURUS of SYNONYMS & ANTONYMS, PMC Publishing Company, Inc., 118 EAST 28th STREET, NEW YORK, NY  10016, dictionary portion: pages 1-1150, Copyright 1992, by J.G. Ferguson Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, p. 752.  ]

     The apostle Paul ( see Galatians 1:1, 2 and Philippians 4:21, for example ) wrote to "all the saints in Christ Jesus which are at Philippi, with the bishops and deacons" ( see Philippians 1:1 ).  He addressed the need for unity, for example, among the saints ( Christians - see Psalm 50:5, Acts 11:26, and Colossians 3:1-4 ( especially verse 3, for example ), for example ) there.  Each local congregation of the New Testament church ( the church of Christ - see Matthew 16:18, Romans 16:16, and Ephesians 1:15-23 ( especially verses 22 and 23, for example ), for example ) today must likewise strive for unity.

     However, how can there be unity in a local congregation if we, as Christians, encourage a partisan atmosphere?  If our motives are not with "godly sincerity" ( see 2 Corinthians 1:12 ), are we not rather behaving as political schemers or opportunists, as politicians?  Lowliness of mind is a requirement for unity in a local congregation of the New Testament church.  Esteeming oneself to be better than others is a sin ( see 1 John 3:4, for example ).  See also Psalm 119:65-72, Romans 15:1-4 ( especially verse 4, for example ), and 2 Timothy 3:16, 17, for example.  Jesus ( see Matthew 23:1 ) said the following in Matthew 23:11:  "But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant."

Please study the Holy Bible ( which is God's word - see 2 Timothy 2:15, for example ).

If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

<rewillis1_1@juno.com>

<Russell E. Willis>

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the King James Version ( KJV ).  Acts 20:27 reads as follows:  "For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God."  The Greek word ( Greek [ 1012 ] ) for the word "counsel," in the above-given passage from the Holy Bible, is defined as follows:

"volition, i.e. (obj.) advice, or (by impl.) purpose."  [  See ABINGDON'S STRONG'S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE, STRONG, JAMES, S.T.D., LL.D., ABINGDON PRESS, NASHVILLE, Copyright, 1890, by JAMES STRONG, MADISON, N.J., ( A Concise Dictionary of the Words in the Greek/New Testament with their Renderings in the King James Version, p. 23.  ]

     Romans 3:23 reads as follows:  "For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God."  Because we all have sinned, we must all receive counselling from the heavenly Father ( see Matthew 5:9, 16; 6:9, 14, for example ): we need help with our sins ( see Luke 23:26-49 ( especially verse 33, for example ), John 3:16, 17, Romans 6:1-4 ( especially verses 3 and 4, for example ); 6:23, Hebrews, chapter 10 ( especially verse 22, for example ), 1 Peter 1:1, 2, and Revelation 1:5, for example ).  See also Matthew 10:32; 11:15; 16:16, Mark 16:16, Luke 13:3, Romans 10:17, and Revelation 2:10, for example.  Moreover, the law of the LORD's mouth is "better unto me than thousands of gold and silver" ( see Psalm 119:72 - please read verses 65-72 to get the immediate context ).  Thus, God's counsel is the best possible advice that we can receive.

     The heavenly Father counsels us that if we repent and are baptized, by immersion in water, in the name of Jesus Christ, we will have remission of our past sins ( see Acts 2:38; 8:26-40 ( especially verses 36-39, for example ), and Romans 3:25, for example ).  He counsels those of us, who are already Christians ( see Acts 11:26 and Galatians 3:26, 27, for example ), that when we sin we can repent and pray to God for forgiveness of those sins ( see Acts 8:5-25 ( especially verse 22, for example ), for example.  His counselling teaches us what to do in order to "LOVE LIFE, AND SEE GOOD DAYS" ( see 1 Peter 3:10 - please read verses 10-12 to get the immediate context ).

     The heavenly Father counsels us that we must: love our neighbor as ourselves ( see Matthew 22:39, for example ), love our enemies ( see Matthew 5:44, for example ), and "use hospitality one to another without grudging" ( see 1 Peter 4:9 ), for example.  To be sure, we receive counselling from Him every time we study the Holy Bible ( which is His word - see 2 Timothy 2:15; 3:16, 17, for example ).  Jesus ( see John 8:28 ) said the following in John 8:29:  "And he that sent me is with me: the Father hath not left me alone; for I do always those things that please him."  Strive to be like Jesus and always do those things that please the Father.

If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

<rewillis1_1@juno.com>

<Russell E. Willis>

NOTE:  There is no preface ( or other similar introductory remarks ) in the copy of the Holy Bible pictured above, therefore no descriptive quotation was provided in this weblog posting.  Also, this copy of the Holy Bible employs a format whereby capital and small capital letters are used in the New Testament to indicate a quotation from the Old Testament ( see HOLY BIBLE, King James Version, THOMAS NELSON PUBLISHERS, Nashville, Copyright 1989 Thomas Nelson, Inc., p. iii. ).  Hence, the use of all capital letters with regard to the reference to 1 Peter 3:10, above, is explained.

The Holy Bible.

     Pictured to the left is a copy of a version of the Holy Bible, known as the NEW CENTURY VERSON ( NCV ); being entitled: THE revolve DEVOTIONAL BIBLE.  The following quotation is taken from this version of the Holy Bible:

"This Bible is perfect for any girl who wants straightforward answers about God and clear explanations of what life is supposed to look like.  The New Century Version is an accurate, reliable, and readable translation.  You won't get bogged down with confusing sentences and difficult words...this translation flows naturally and clearly."  [  See HOLY BIBLE, NEW CENTURY VERSION: THE revolve DEVOTIONAL BIBLE, Copyright 2006, by Thomas Nelson, Inc., p. v.  ]

Genesis 2:18-25 read as follows:

"Then the LORD God said, 'It is not good for the man to be alone.  I will make a helper who is right for him.'  From the ground God formed every wild animal and every bird in the sky, and he brought them to the man so the man could name them.  Whatever the man called each living thing, that became its name.  The man gave names to all the tame animals, to the birds in the sky, and to all the wild animals.  But Adam did not find a helper that was right for him.  So the LORD God caused the man to sleep very deeply, and while he was asleep, God removed one of the man's ribs.  Then God closed up the man's skin at the place where he took the rib.  The LORD God used the rib from the man to make a woman, and then he brought the woman to the man.  And the man said, 'Now, this is someone whose bones came from my bones, whose body came from my body.  I will call her '"woman,"' because she was taken out of man.'  So a man will leave his father and mother and be united with his wife, and the two will become one body.  The man and his wife were naked, but they were not ashamed."

Moreover, Genesis 3:20 reads as follows:  "The man named his wife Eve, because she was the mother of all the living."

     The word "lady" is defined as follows:

". . . n.  pl.  -dies  1 A refined and well-bred woman; a gentlewoman.  2 A woman of superior position in society; a woman of good family and recognized social standing.  3 Any woman: in the plural, used as a form of address. . . ."  [  See NEW ILLUSTRATED WEBSTER'S DICTIONARY Including THESAURUS of SYNONYMS & ANTONYMS, PMC Publishing Company, Inc., 118 EAST 28th STREET, NEW YORK, NY  10016, dictionary portion: pages 1-1150, Copyright 1992, by J.G. Ferguson Publishing Company, Chicago, Illinois, p. 546.  ]

To you, the reader, it should be clear that Eve was a woman of superior position in society, since she was the "mother of all the living" ( as we read in Genesis 3:20 ): she was the first lady - literally.

If you have any questions about the Holy Bible, you can contact me by e-mail at:

<rewillis1_1@juno.com>

<Russell E. Willis>

NOTE:  Some of the pictures of girls in this version of the Holy Bible portray them as being dressed immodestly ( see Ephesians 6:4 and 1 Timothy 2:9, for example ), for example.  Such sinful ( see 1 John 3:4, for example ) pictures must not appear in any copy of the Holy Bible ( see Psalm 119:18, for example; KJV, for example ).  See also Psalm 22:22, 25; 40:9, 10; 119:13, 65-73 ( KJV, for example ), 142, 151, Matthew 28:18, John 1:1, 14; 3:16, 17; 5:26, 27; 7:16; 8:26; 10:30; 14:6; 17:1, 17; Romans 1:16; 1:20 ( see Romans 1:20 ( KJV, for example; with center-column references, for example ) to get the equivalent translation for the word "Godhead" ), Colossians 2:8, 9, Titus 1:1, 2, 1 John 5:6-8, and Revelation 2:10, for example.