The Strand Study Bible

Written From Ephesus During Paul’s Third Missionary Journey

I CORINTHIANS

1906

Meaning: Jesus is, was, and always will be God; and if God, then able to keep His promise to save us (Rom 10:9-13). According to Romans 1:4 , Jesus’ resurrection proved He is who He said He was –God in flesh (Jn 5:17-18 & 10:30-33 and I Tim 3:16). Whoever the MESSIAH would be, or at what period of history He would arise, one thing was for certain, the MESSIAH , when He arrived, would be God in flesh ( Mic 5:2 and Jn 12:34a ). While it is true that many of the OT saints may not have fully understood the actual resurrection of Jesus (Mk 9:10 and I Pet 1:10a ), it is also true that every OT saint understood that the promised MESSIAH , when He came, would indeed be God in flesh. Which means: They all understood the ‘fact’ behind the point – the Messiah would be God in flesh , the Savior . Thus, all a person has to do to be saved is to understand the ‘facts’ behind the Gospel: Fact #1. There is only one Savior, thus man cannot save himself ( Isa 45:21-22 , Acts 4:12 and Eph 2:8-9) Fact #2. Salvation was paid in full (complete – Isa 37:6 , Jn 19:30 and I Tim 4:10 ) Fact #3. The Savior, when He appeared, would be God in flesh (Jere 23:5-6 and Mic 5:2/Jn 12:34a ) Take Adam and Eve as an example – Adam and Eve may not have fully understood all there was to understand about the actual death, burial, and resurrection of CHRIST , but they understood the ‘facts’ behind the Gospel. Adam and Eve understood: (1) that someone or something other than man would have to provide salvation (death of CHRIST ) ( Gen 3:21 ) Adam and Eve understood that their own “good works” (the fact that they tried to clothe themselves with fig leaves) couldn’t save them. They even passed that information down to Cain and Abel (Gen 4). Although Adam and Eve were not sure whether the promised OT MESSIAH ( Gen 3:15a,b,c,d ) was ‘bringing’ a sacrifice (like the OT priests did) or ‘becoming’ the sacrifice ( Gen 22:8a , Jn 1:29 and Heb 11:17-19), what Adam and Eve did understand is that their own sacrifice (their own attempt to cover their sin – Gen 3:7 ) would never be enough to save them (Rom 4:1-6). While it is true that many of the O.T. saints may not have fully understood the crucifixion (cross), it is also true that every OT saint believed in a coming MESSIAH (like Adam & Eve did – Gen 3:15/Gal 3:16 and Lk 2:7,11 and Gen 3:21/ Rom 5:19 & 10:1-4, II Cor 5:21, Mt 22:11-12, Isa 61:10 and Zech 3:3-5 and Gen 4:1/Isa 7:14, Jere 31:22 and Mic 5:3) who would either ‘bring’ the ultimate sacrifice or ‘be’ the ultimate sacrifice. Which means: They all understood the ‘fact’ behind the point – that someone or something other than man would have to provide salvation ( Gen 49:18 , Exo 14:13,30-31 , Psa 74:12 , Jonah 2:9 , Hab 1:5 , Lk 7:50 , Jn 4:14 & 5:29 & 6:28-29 , Rom 13:11 , Titus 3:5a and Heb 6:1c ). (2) that their salvation was complete (burial of CHRIST ) Because God was clothing them with His righteousness ( Isa 61:10 , Zech 3:3,4 and Mt 22:11 ), Adam and Eve knew their salvation was ‘adequately covered’ ( paid in full – Gen 3:21 /Rom 3:21-26 & 5:19 & 10:1-4 and II Cor 5:21). While it is true that many of the OT saints may not have fully understood the actual burial of CHRIST , it is also true that every OT saint understood the ‘completeness’ of God’s salvation ( Psa 37:28 & 125:1,2 , Jn 10:28-29 , Phil 1:6 , II Tim 1:12 , Eph 1:13-14 & 4:30 , and Heb 7:25 ). Which means: They all understood the ‘fact’ behind the point – that their salvation was paid in full (secured by God; thus eternally secure and complete). (3) that the promised OT MESSIAH would be God in flesh (resurrection of CHRIST ) Adam and Eve understood the promise behind Genesis 3:15; that it would be God Himself ( And I will put ) that would come and provide the answer to sin, and that He Himself would come in flesh to offer it ( her SEED ). In fact, Eve actually thought she gave birth to the promised MESSIAH (Gen 4:1). The way the Hebrew reads in Genesis 4:1 is: “ I have gotten a man (eth) even Jehovah. ” Ever since the day God promised our first parents a solution to the problem of sin, women who have understood that promise have dreamt of being the mother who would give birth to the long-awaited MESSIAH (Isa 7:14 & Jere 31:22 & Mic 5:3). While it is true that many of the OT saints may not have fully understood the actual resurrection of CHRIST ( I Pet 1:10a ), it is also true that every OT saint understood the ‘fact’ that the promised MESSIAH , when He came, would indeed be God in flesh. Which means: They all understood the ‘fact’ behind the point – that the promised Messiah would be God in flesh , the Savior. Take Abraham as an example – Abraham may not have fully understood all there was to understand about the actual crucifixion of CHRIST , but he fully understood the the ‘facts’ behind the Gospel. Abraham understood: (1) that someone or something other than himself would have to be sacrificed in order to secure salvation ( Gen 15:6 ). Abraham knew that his own “good works” couldn’t save him (Rom 4:1-5). He even passed that information down to Isaac (Heb 11:17-20). (2) that the promised OT MESSIAH’S salvation would be complete (Jn 8:56-59) Because Abraham trusted God to save him (Rom 4:3 & Gal 3:6 & Jms 2:23), he knew his salvation was paid in full . (3) that the promised OT MESSIAH would be God in flesh ( Gen 22:8a and Jn 8:56 ) Take Job as an example – Job may not have fully understood all there was to understand about the actual burial and resurrection of CHRIST , but he understood the ‘facts’ behind the Gospel. Job understood: (1) that someone or something other than himself would have to be sacrificed in order to redeem his soul ( Job 19:25a , b ) Job knew that his own ‘good works’ couldn’t save him. He even passed that information down to us. (2) that the promised OT MESSIAH’S salvation would be complete (Job 19:26-27) Because Job trusted God to be his Redeemer, he knew he would see God face to face one day.