Brothers in Romans 10:1

Dr. Couch, who are the “brothers” in Romans 10:1? Are these Jewish brethren or Gentile believers?

ANSWER: These would possibly be both Jewish and Gentile believers because Paul speaks of the Jews in the third person. They are the “them” in the passage who Paul is concerning about. He wants them to be saved (v. 1).

Good question and thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch (7/12)

Audience of the Gospels

Dr. Couch, to whom were the gospels written?

ANSWER: By the language and the internal content we have come up with a pretty good idea who the audience was for each book. Most scholars seem to agree on this. Having translated all the gospels from the Greek text, I concur that we have it down pretty well.

Matthew was written to the Jews to prove that Christ was the Son of David and of course a descendent of Adam.

Mark was written to the Romans because it is a letter short and to the point and meant to explain to them the efficiency of the Lord as a Leader. This would appeal to the Roman mind.

Luke was written in almost classical Greek by physician Luke. Check out my Luke commentary that I wrote in my commentary series. It was written mainly for the Greeks and shows that Christ was the Son of Man, or of Mankind.

John was written to the Gentiles in a wide and broad way. He explains many words and ideas that would help the Gentile under Jewish issues and geographical locations. The book is easy reading and perfect for explaining to the Gentile world the nature of the Savior.

Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch (7/12)

Tribulation for Ten Days?

Dr. Couch, what does it mean in Revelation 2:10 where the church of Smyrna is to have tribulation for ten days?

There are two interpretations: (1) the ten days represent something that we don't know about. So the meaning is “real” it's just that we don't know the context. (2) the great NT scholar William Ramsay says that it is a period which can be measured and that it will come to an end. The persecuted church “will live through it and survive, and has therefore no reason to be afraid of it.” Ramsay adds that it must be taken in a figurative or symbolic sense.

I take the first interpretation and meaning. We just don't know what the ten days are about but the period is real. When numbers, names, or figures of speech are given this usually means that they represent something that is actual and was known by the recipients. Actual numbers, names, or figures, when given, had to do with something that was known.

This ten days would be terrible for John goes on and says: “be faithful until death,” implying that some may die during this time. But John then adds that Christ says: “I will give you the crown of life.” This crown could be the same mentioned in 3:11: there is an hour of testing that would come upon the whole world (v. 10), “to test those who dwell upon the earth.” “But no one can take your crown” (v. 11). That is, you will not lose your eternal life.

What is said to one church is applicable to all churches and the believers who are the congregation and assembly. If this is salvation, all believers will be blessed with this fact of an unending life of blessing.

Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch (7/12)

The Capital of Israel

Dr. Couch, is Jerusalem today the capital of Israel?

ANSWER: Yes, God has not changed its status one bit since the time of the OT. Note these verses:

The City of David was part of Jerusalem (1 Chron. 15:1). God determined that the ark would have a place—Jerusalem. “David, you will bring up the ark of the Lord God of Israel, to the place that I have prepared for it” (v. 12). All citizens of the land would go up to Jerusalem, David captured the stronghold Zion (that is, the city of David) (11:4-5).

In the future the Lord's King (the Messiah) would be installed upon Zion, the Lord's holy mountain (Psa. 2:6). Jerusalem is the city of our God, His holy mountain, Mount Zion, the city of the great King (48:1-3).

Thanks for asking.
Dr. Mal Couch (7/12)