God's Gift of Faith

Dr. Couch, is faith a gift of God as it seems to say in Ephesians 2:8?

ANSWER: The passage reads: "Saved by faith (Feminine), and that (Neuter) not of yourselves, it is the gift (Neuter) of God." The "gift of God" is Neuter and it points back to "that" which is also Neuter and is pointing and modifying the word "gift." Salvation includes the faith and it all is God's gift. He is the One who is activating the entire process of salvation.

Nicoll says the verse can read "God's gift it is. The salvation is not an achievement but a gift, and a gift from none other than God."

He goes on: "That the glory of that salvation belongs wholly to God and in no degree to man, and that it has been so planned and so effected as to take from us all ground for boasting, is enforced on Paul's hearers again and again, ..."

Hendriksen writes: "Salvation is the gift of God followed by a fourth and fifth repetition, namely, not of works, for we are His handiwork."

Several other great verses tell us that faith is a gift of God. Paul writes: "Peace be to the brothers, and LOVE WITH FAITH FROM GOD THE FATHER and FROM the LORD JESUS CHRIST" (Eph. 6:23).

And "by GOD'S DOING you are IN Christ Jesus, who BECAME TO US … righteousness and sanctification, and redemption" (1 Cor. 1:30).

Also, "God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation THROUGH, BY MEANS OF sanctification by the Spirit and (by means of) FAITH IN THE TRUTH" (2 Thess. 2:13).

Thanks for asking.
--Dr. Mal Couch (10/11)

Effect in 1 Corinthians 12:10

Dr. Couch, what does "effect" mean in 1 Corinthians 12:10?



ANSWER: It is the Greek word for "work," dunamis. It can be translated "to produce power or results." It reads in many versions: "to another the effecting ..." These are the gifts of the Holy Spirit listed in this context. He is the one producing works coming through the believer.



Thanks for asking. —Dr. Mal Couch (8/11)

Women Teachers

Dr. Couch, I see that from time to time you receive criticism from younger women about your views on women teaching men, or teaching mixed groups. I know of some very talented women teachers who are teaching men. How do you answer?

ANSWER: It does not matter what they are doing. It does not matter how much talent they have as teachers. It matters what Paul, the inspired apostle, says. 1 Timothy 2:12-15 is as clear as it can get! Women have wonderful abilities and ministries given them by the Holy Spirit but to teach over men, or to have pastoral authority, these roles are not given to women. As a principle, men are more objective than women and less emotional. This is how the Lord has constructed the differences between the sexes. In Paul's argument that women are not to "teach or exercise authority over a men." He adds the reason why. He writes "The woman (Eve) being quite deceived, fell into transgression" (1 Tim. 2:14). "Quite deceived" is one Greek word. She was REALLY deceived by Satan, the Greek text notes! Adam was simply deceived, though he was responsible for the family and the culpability was greater against him because he was the first created.

I find that a lot of younger Christian women get upset about this issue because they have been brainwashed by the culture. "No matter what the Bible says, we want it our way!" And, they do not hold the inspired Scripture with its full authority. They are not willing to do what it says—to obey its principles.

So, often I take a hit but I sleep well at night because I want to obey what God has said!

Verse 15 tells us how the woman is to be elevated by the Lord. She is "saved" or protected through child bearing, that is, by having children that gives her important responsibilities and that keeps her in check. But too, she must continue in strong faith, love, and sanctity, with self-restraint. These last values mentioned here will be greatly honored by the Lord. They are spiritual values that allow the woman even to go before the man in spirituality. We see this in women. They are more spiritual when they follow God's patterns and don't try to be men, in the affairs of the culture and in the affairs of the church. But it's hard for women to see this. And that proves Paul's point. Women are more emotional about this discussion. They do not relate objectively to what Paul is saying. They get upset quickly about what the Lord is teaching the church. This is not Dr. Couch theology. It is Pauline theology!

The great Greek scholar A. T. Robertson notes: "Paul has in mind that child-bearing, not public teaching, is the peculiar function of woman with a glory and dignity all its own." Women today do not see the greatness of pouring themselves into their children. But what a privilege in creating spiritually the next generation!

Thanks for asking.
—Dr. Mal Couch (4/11)

Modern Apostles

Dr. Couch, do you believe we have modern apostles ("ones sent with a message") in the church today?

ANSWER: No, not at all. After Ephesians 4:11, the word is used sixteen times but it is referring to "evil apostles" or a few who are sent with a message in a general sense. The concept of an apostle has to do with the Twelve, those who were had seen Christ (in actuality—they walked with Him), traveled with Him, verified Him, or in a vision had seen Him, such as Paul, and was then called to verify the gospel message. These could bear witness to His reality and they were commissioned to carry forth the gospel.

Paul was appointed to be part of the "witness-ers" along with the twelve. He wrote that "in no respect was I inferior to the most eminent apostles, even though I was a nobody" (2 Cor. 12:1). For "the signs of a true apostle were performed among you [by me] will all perseverance, by signs and wonders and miracles" (v. 12).

See also 1 Corinthians 15:6-11. Paul was the least of all the apostles. He's talking about the twelve who had a special place in witnessing of Christ and the gospel.

Some have questioned one verse about apostleship, and that is Romans 16:7 where Paul speaks about two men who "are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me." "Apostles" in this context has to do with many apostles who were sent with a message but the context is not speaking about the Twelve. These men are never labeled with the twelve as being part of the special apostles. They were simply messengers who were "also in Christ before me" as believers but not as part of the class of the twelve (v. 7). Paul was "called (to be) an apostle of Jesus to the Gentiles (Rom. 11:13, 1 Cor. 1:1). The twelve and Paul were the very "chiefest of the apostles" (2 Cor. 11:5; 12:11).

The apostles the NT is talking about as the chiefest apostles is explained in Ephesians 3:5-8. There Paul speaks of the special twelve "holy apostles" "of which Paul was made a minister (along with them) according to the gift of God's grace which was given to him according to the working of His power, to Paul who was the very least of all saints to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, to bring to light what is the dispensation of the mystery (of the church)."

Paul makes an interesting statement in 1 Corinthians 15:10b. In reference to the twelve apostles, he says that he "labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me." Of the twelve we only have mentioned Peter, James, and John. What were the others doing? They had a key role as witnessing of the actuality of Christ and of His ministry, and of His life, death, resurrection and ascension. Together then, Paul and the twelve "preached" the gospel and the Corinthians and others believed (v. 11). But they were not as vigorous as Paul in traveling about and working and giving the gospel. Not all have the same equal gifts or abilities. Whatever, Paul was not boasting, he was simply giving the facts.

Nicoll writes that Paul had ministered "over a region wider than all the Twelve had traversed up to this date." However, some say Paul is criticizing the apostles (minus Peter, James, and John) because they were more stationary than he. Whichever, the statement is interesting. Mitchell writes in my commentary series that Paul "has not yet recovered" from "the wonder of it all" that he should be elevated to the honor and office of apostleship, 'because I persecuted the church of God.'"

No matter what "the grace of God" was with Paul in placing him alongside the ministry of the Twelve.

Thanks for asking.
—Dr. Mal Couch (4/11)

Unthankful

Dr. Couch, it seems that Americans are too unthankful. Do you agree? ANSWER: Paul reminds Timothy that marriage and food is given to us by God, created by Him, therefore we should gratefully share our bounty, that is, we who are "those who believe and know the truth" (1 Tim. 4:3). "Men," refers to the world and the lost, and here in this verse, are those who forbid marriage. The Greek is stronger. "Forbid" is "kaluo" and means "to prevent, hinder, restrain, deny, clip, lop off." This is happening in America now. Over 50% of people are just living together without marriage. 50% of all children born in this country are from unwed couples. The results of this promiscuity, this sleeping around, is that 50% of young people have some form of venereal diseases. Many of these diseases are incurable. Paul adds that "everything created by God is good and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with gratitude" (v. 4). Nicoll adds: "Paul does not merely desire to vindicate the use of some of God's creatures for them that believe, but the use of all of God's creatures, so far as they are not physically injurious. 'God saw every thing that He made, and behold, it was very good'" (Gen. 1:31). Thanks for asking. Dr. Mal Couch (11/10)

Ephesians 4

Dr. Couch, what is going on in Ephesians 4:7-on? And especially with verse 8 about Christ ascending and giving gifts to the captives? ANSWER: The apostle Paul reaches back to Psalm 68:18 and brings a verse forward that illustrates a victorious general who sets the captives free after a battle and then bestows upon them gifts. Ephesians 4:8 (quoting Psa. 68:18) reads: "When He ascended on high, He led captive a host of captives, and He gave gifts to men." The apostle then writes that Christ came to earth (He descended into the lower parts of the earth) and then returned far above into the heavens, "that He might fill [or be in charge] of all things." A.T. Robertson argues that Christ's Descending refers to His Incarnation when He came down "to the earth." This is a genitive of Apposition: Or, "He came down in reference to the earth." He then bestowed gifts to those in the church. Verse 7 better reads: "To each one of us (in the church) 'was gifted' according to the measure of Christ's gifts." I wrote in my nationally published commentary on Galatians-Ephesians (AMG) that "The apostle Paul is arguing in the strongest manner for the deity, sovereignty, and preeminence of Christ as God the Son. No one can look carefully at these verses and deny this fact." Christ then gave gifts to the spiritual body of believers. He gave four offices to the church, not five as the ignorant Charismatics often argue. To the church He gave (1) apostles, (2) prophets (not telling the future but as teachers), (3) evangelists, (4) and pastors INDEED, THAT IS teachers. The "and" (kai) is making these two positions relating. These gifted individuals are to build up the body of Christ: "Until all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God" (v. 13). Psalm 68:18 is a hymn of victory in which God is praised for victory and deliverance. It is freely adapted by Paul, who regards its substance rather than its letter, and uses it as an expression of the divine triumph as fulfilled in Christ's victory over death and sin.—Vincent We cannot do Bible study without knowledge of the Greek text or without good commentary material to help those who are deficient be able to see what is happening in the text. Thanks for asking. Dr. Mal Couch (10/10)

Will You Come To Poverty by Giving a Gift to a Wealthy Person?

Dr. Couch, I read in Proverbs 22:16 that you will come to poverty if you give a gift to a wealthy person. I have a brother who is wealthy and I intend to give him a birthday gift soon, but here is the larger question. Is a passage like this symbolic or does it have another meaning? As a layman must I ask a "scholar" what it means? How do I get the meaning and how do I know someone else’s interpretation is right? Or, do I simply depend on the Holy Spirit? 

 

    The Holy Spirit does not give us contextual or grammatical answers. We have to dig for that, but He does aid us in comprehending the spiritual meaning of Scripture. The Bible is full of reminders that we have to study the Word of God in order to know the Word of God! The Bereans searched the Word of God for answers (Acts 17:11); Paul told Timothy to study the Scriptures (2 Tim. 2:15), and he added that we need teachers to help us understand the Bible: "The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, these entrust to faithful men, who will be able to teach others also" (2:2). 

    Teachers are guides, and commentaries and theologies are but teachers on paper. While there are no perfect teachers it does not take a rocket scientist to figure out which ones to listen to. (1) Do they hold the Scriptures as inspired? (2) Are they in an Evangelical, dispensational, and premillennial camp? (This means they interpret Scripture consistently from Genesis to Revelation and are not in the mindless allegorical frame of mind.) (3) Are they somewhat well trained? (4) Do they study the Word themselves in order to arm their hearts and minds with the Scriptures? (5) Do they know the biblical languages? (6) Have they attended some of the most Godly institutions for their training? (7) Are they into the "excitement" camp and are yellers and screamers? (This means they are into "delivery" and not into substance!) 

    Avoid those who have nutty and way-out views on the Bible. Listen to those who walk in a solid manner, and who come from that broad main stream of Evangelicalism of the past. My book on Classical Evangelical Hermeneutics is being used in many schools across the country and covers most of the guidelines that will help you understand the Word of God. 

    Thanks for asking.

    Dr. Mal Couch

Is Faith A Gift of God?

Dr. Couch, I understand that the Bible says that faith is a gift of God. Some of my friends do not believe this. What do you say? 

 

    I say what the Bible says. Both "saving" faith and faith "for Christian living" comes from God. 

    Before beginning to answer we must look at the issue of "Who is in charge" of this world, both in macro-management and micro-management? It is God! Whatever He has decreed will come to pass in every detail because He is at work. This world does not run on some kind of self-existence. He controls it and is bringing it to its conclusion. 

    Daniel said "And it is He who changes the times and the epochs; He removes kings and establishes kings …" (Dan. 2:21). 

    After being restored, Nebuchadnezzar said "And all the inhabitants of the earth are as nothing, but He does according to His will in the host of heaven and among the inhabitants of earth; and no one can ward off His hand or say to Him, ‘What have You done?'" (4:35). 

    Now let's look at some passages on the giving of faith for the Christian life: 

    1 Corinthians 12:9. As those who are gifted in the body of Christ, some are given the gift of faith by the Spirit. This is not saving faith but a special dose of trust for some (but not all) for a specific reason: "To each one (individual) is given the manifestation of the Spirit for the common good" (v. 7). This gift of faith is given by God's sovereignty. "But one and the same Spirit works all these things, distributing to each one individually just as He wills" (v. 11), and, "God has placed the members, each one of them in the body [of Christ], just as He desired" (v. 18). So the question is: Who is in charge? 

    Now concerning the giving of faith for salvation: 

    Acts 13:48. "And as many as had been appointed to eternal life BELIEVED." The word appointed is a Perfect Passive Participle of the Greek word tasso. It could be translated: "And for those who have been progressively positioned, determined, classified, inscribed, enrolled in the past [with the action coming up to the present], these believed." Believed is an aorist tense of "pisteuo" and could be translated: "They definitely believed, began then to believe." 

    What caused the belief? It was the "positioning," the "appointment." This work started sometime in the past and came to fruition at some point in the present! 

    Most of the great commentators on Acts 13:48 of the past and the present agree that this passage is saying that salvation faith comes from God's appointment. For example:

• John Polhill: "These Gentiles took an active role in believing, in committing themselves to Christ; but it was in response to God's Spirit moving in them, convicting them, appointing them for life. All salvation is ultimately only by the grace of God."
• Mal Couch: In my Handbook to the Book of Acts I wrote: The verse "implies the sovereign work of God in salvation. The great Greek scholar J. A. Alexander believes it scandalous the ‘violent attempts which have been made to eliminate the doctrine of election and predestination from this verse.'"
• C. K. Barrett: "Those believed who were appointed (the passive implies, by God) to do so."
• F. F. Bruce: "The Gentiles who heard and believed the gospel—all in fact, who had been enrolled for eternal life in the records of heaven then believed (for this appears to be the sense of the words here used)."
• Steven Ger (in my 21st Century Commentary series): "Luke uses the term ‘appointed' to reveal that God elects both Jew and Gentile according to His sovereign purpose. It is difficult to miss the doctrine of God's sovereign election in this verse."

    Philippians 1:29 and Ephesians 2:8 are equally compelling. The Word of God is clear: The full package of salvation, including faith, is from start to finish the work of God! 

   Thanks for asking.

   Dr. Mal Couch