Today’s Reflection:
From pages 28-29 of The Spirit and Art of Conflict Transformation: Creating a Culture of JustPeace by Thomas Porter. Copyright © 2010 by Thomas W. Porter Jr. All rights reserved. Used by permission of Upper Room Books. http://bookstore.upperroom.org/ Learn more about or purchase this book.
Today’s Question: Are your engaged in reconciliation ministry? If so, describe it.
Today’s Scripture: Those who trust in the LORD are like Mount Zion, which cannot be moved, but abides forever. (Psalm 125:1, NRSV)
This Week: pray for the leaders of nations.
Did You Know?
In need of prayer? The Upper Room Living Prayer Center is a 7-day-a-week intercessory prayer ministry staffed by trained volunteers. Call 1-800-251-2468 or visit The Living Prayer Center website.
This week we remember: Mother Teresa of Calcutta(September 5).
Mother Teresa of Calcutta
September 05
Born in 1910, Mother Teresa knew early on that she was called to help the poor. She became a nun and taught at a girls' college in Calcutta until 1946, when she left her convent to help the poorest of the poor while living among them. In her Home for Dying Destitutes, she provided a shelter where the poor could die in dignity.As founder and leader of the Missionaries of Charity, Mother Teresa's attitude toward money was that God would provide whatever she needed. "Money, I never think of it," she once said. "It always comes. The Lord sends it. We do his work; he provides the means. If he does not give us the means, that shows he does not want the work. So why worry?" A favorite motto she lived and preached was "Do small things with great love." She was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1979.
If Mother Teresa had taken the Spiritual Types Test, she probably would have been a Prophet. Mother Teresa is remembered on September 5.
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Proverbs 22:1-2, 8-9, 22-23
Psalm 125
James 2:1-10, (11-13), 14-17
Mark 7:24-37
Proverbs 22:1 Rather than wealth, choose a good reputation,
esteem over silver and gold.
2 Rich and poor have this in common — Adonai made them both., 8-9, 22-2322 8
He who sows injustice reaps trouble,
and the rod of his angry outburst will fail.
9 He who is generous is blessed,
because he shares his food with the poor. 22. Don’t exploit the helpless, because they are helpless,
and don’t crush the poor in court,
23 for Adonai will plead their case for them
and withhold life from those who defraud them.,
Psalm 125:1 (0) A song of ascents:
(1) Those who trust in Adonai
are like Mount Tziyon,
which cannot be moved
but remains forever.
2 Yerushalayim!
Mountains all around it
Thus Adonai is around his people
henceforth and forever.
3 For the scepter of wickedness
will not rule the inheritance of the righteous,
so that the righteous will not themselves
turn their hands to evil.
4 Do good, Adonai, to the good,
to those upright in their hearts.
5 But as for those who turn aside
to their own crooked ways,
may Adonai turn them away,
along with those who do evil.
Shalom on Isra’el!
James 2:1 My brothers, practice the faith of our Lord Yeshua, the glorious Messiah, without showing favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your synagogue wearing gold rings and fancy clothes, and also a poor man comes in dressed in rags. 3 If you show more respect to the man wearing the fancy clothes and say to him, “Have this good seat here,” while to the poor man you say, “You, stand over there,” or, “Sit down on the floor by my feet,” 4 then aren’t you creating distinctions among yourselves, and haven’t you made yourselves into judges with evil motives?
5 Listen, my dear brothers, hasn’t God chosen the poor of the world to be rich in faith and to receive the Kingdom which he promised to those who love him? 6 But you despise the poor! Aren’t the rich the ones who oppress you and drag you into court? 7 Aren’t they the ones who insult the good name of Him to whom you belong? 8 If you truly attain the goal of Kingdom Torah, in conformity with the passage that says, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”[James 2:8 Leviticus 19:18] you are doing well. 9 But if you show favoritism, your actions constitute sin, since you are convicted under the Torah as transgressors.
10 For a person who keeps the whole Torah, yet stumbles at one point, has become guilty of breaking them all. 11 For the One who said, “Don’t commit adultery,”[James 2:11 Exodus 20:13(14); Deuteronomy 5:17(18)] also said, “Don’t murder.”[James 2:11 Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17] Now, if you don’t commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the Torah.
12 Keep speaking and acting like people who will be judged by a Torah which gives freedom. 13 For judgment will be without mercy toward one who doesn’t show mercy; but mercy wins out over judgment.
14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith but has no actions to prove it? Is such “faith” able to save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food, 16 and someone says to him, “Shalom! Keep warm and eat hearty!” without giving him what he needs, what good does it do? 17 Thus, faith by itself, unaccompanied by actions, is dead.
Mark 7: 24 Next, Yeshua left that district and went off to the vicinity of Tzor and Tzidon. There he found a house to stay in and wanted to remain unrecognized, but keeping hidden proved impossible. 25 Instead, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit in her came to him and fell down at his feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, by birth a Syro-phoenician, and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter. 27 He said, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children’s food and toss it to their pet dogs.” 28 She answered him, “That is true, sir; but even the dogs under the table eat the children’s leftovers.” 29 Then he said to her, “For such an answer you may go on home; the demon has left your daughter.” 30 She went back home and found the child lying on the couch, the demon gone.
31 Then he left the district of Tzor and went through Tzidon to Lake Kinneret and on to the region of the Ten Towns. 32 They brought him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment and asked Yeshua to lay his hand on him. 33 Taking him off alone, away from the crowd, Yeshua put his fingers into the man’s ears, spat, and touched his tongue; 34 then, looking up to heaven, he gave a deep groan and said to him, “Hippatach!” (that is, “Be opened!”). 35 His ears were opened, his tongue was freed, and he began speaking clearly. 36 Yeshua ordered the people to tell no one; but the more he insisted, the more zealously they spread the news. 37 People were overcome with amazement. “Everything he does, he does well!” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak!” (Complete Jewish Bible).
Proverbs 22:
Verse 1
[1] A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
Favour — A good report among men, especially good men, and that hearty kindness which attends it.
Verse 2
[2] The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.
Meet — They live together, and need one another.
The maker — Not only as they are men, but as they are poor or rich, which difference comes from God's providence. They have one common creator, and Lord, and judge, and the one cannot despise nor grudge at the other without reflecting upon God. ,
Verse 8
[8] He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.
The rod — That power which he used with fury shall be taken from him.
Verse 9
[9] He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
He — Who looks upon the wants and miseries of others with compassion.
esteem over silver and gold.
2 Rich and poor have this in common — Adonai made them both., 8-9, 22-2322 8
He who sows injustice reaps trouble,
and the rod of his angry outburst will fail.
9 He who is generous is blessed,
because he shares his food with the poor. 22. Don’t exploit the helpless, because they are helpless,
and don’t crush the poor in court,
23 for Adonai will plead their case for them
and withhold life from those who defraud them.,
Psalm 125:1 (0) A song of ascents:
(1) Those who trust in Adonai
are like Mount Tziyon,
which cannot be moved
but remains forever.
2 Yerushalayim!
Mountains all around it
Thus Adonai is around his people
henceforth and forever.
3 For the scepter of wickedness
will not rule the inheritance of the righteous,
so that the righteous will not themselves
turn their hands to evil.
4 Do good, Adonai, to the good,
to those upright in their hearts.
5 But as for those who turn aside
to their own crooked ways,
may Adonai turn them away,
along with those who do evil.
Shalom on Isra’el!
James 2:1 My brothers, practice the faith of our Lord Yeshua, the glorious Messiah, without showing favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your synagogue wearing gold rings and fancy clothes, and also a poor man comes in dressed in rags. 3 If you show more respect to the man wearing the fancy clothes and say to him, “Have this good seat here,” while to the poor man you say, “You, stand over there,” or, “Sit down on the floor by my feet,” 4 then aren’t you creating distinctions among yourselves, and haven’t you made yourselves into judges with evil motives?
5 Listen, my dear brothers, hasn’t God chosen the poor of the world to be rich in faith and to receive the Kingdom which he promised to those who love him? 6 But you despise the poor! Aren’t the rich the ones who oppress you and drag you into court? 7 Aren’t they the ones who insult the good name of Him to whom you belong? 8 If you truly attain the goal of Kingdom Torah, in conformity with the passage that says, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”[James 2:8 Leviticus 19:18] you are doing well. 9 But if you show favoritism, your actions constitute sin, since you are convicted under the Torah as transgressors.
10 For a person who keeps the whole Torah, yet stumbles at one point, has become guilty of breaking them all. 11 For the One who said, “Don’t commit adultery,”[James 2:11 Exodus 20:13(14); Deuteronomy 5:17(18)] also said, “Don’t murder.”[James 2:11 Exodus 20:13; Deuteronomy 5:17] Now, if you don’t commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the Torah.
12 Keep speaking and acting like people who will be judged by a Torah which gives freedom. 13 For judgment will be without mercy toward one who doesn’t show mercy; but mercy wins out over judgment.
14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone claims to have faith but has no actions to prove it? Is such “faith” able to save him? 15 Suppose a brother or sister is without clothes and daily food, 16 and someone says to him, “Shalom! Keep warm and eat hearty!” without giving him what he needs, what good does it do? 17 Thus, faith by itself, unaccompanied by actions, is dead.
Mark 7: 24 Next, Yeshua left that district and went off to the vicinity of Tzor and Tzidon. There he found a house to stay in and wanted to remain unrecognized, but keeping hidden proved impossible. 25 Instead, a woman whose little daughter had an unclean spirit in her came to him and fell down at his feet. 26 The woman was a Greek, by birth a Syro-phoenician, and she begged him to drive the demon out of her daughter. 27 He said, “Let the children be fed first, for it is not right to take the children’s food and toss it to their pet dogs.” 28 She answered him, “That is true, sir; but even the dogs under the table eat the children’s leftovers.” 29 Then he said to her, “For such an answer you may go on home; the demon has left your daughter.” 30 She went back home and found the child lying on the couch, the demon gone.
31 Then he left the district of Tzor and went through Tzidon to Lake Kinneret and on to the region of the Ten Towns. 32 They brought him a man who was deaf and had a speech impediment and asked Yeshua to lay his hand on him. 33 Taking him off alone, away from the crowd, Yeshua put his fingers into the man’s ears, spat, and touched his tongue; 34 then, looking up to heaven, he gave a deep groan and said to him, “Hippatach!” (that is, “Be opened!”). 35 His ears were opened, his tongue was freed, and he began speaking clearly. 36 Yeshua ordered the people to tell no one; but the more he insisted, the more zealously they spread the news. 37 People were overcome with amazement. “Everything he does, he does well!” they said. “He even makes the deaf hear and the dumb speak!” (Complete Jewish Bible).
Proverbs 22:
Verse 1
[1] A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.
Favour — A good report among men, especially good men, and that hearty kindness which attends it.
Verse 2
[2] The rich and poor meet together: the LORD is the maker of them all.
Meet — They live together, and need one another.
The maker — Not only as they are men, but as they are poor or rich, which difference comes from God's providence. They have one common creator, and Lord, and judge, and the one cannot despise nor grudge at the other without reflecting upon God. ,
Verse 8
[8] He that soweth iniquity shall reap vanity: and the rod of his anger shall fail.
The rod — That power which he used with fury shall be taken from him.
Verse 9
[9] He that hath a bountiful eye shall be blessed; for he giveth of his bread to the poor.
He — Who looks upon the wants and miseries of others with compassion.
Verse 22
[22] Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:
In the gate — Under pretence of justice.
Verse 23
[23] For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
Spoil the soul — Take away not only their goods but their lives too.
Psalm 125
Verse 3
[3] For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.
The rod — Their power and authority.
Not rest — Not continue long.
The lot — Upon the habitations and persons of good men.
Lest — Lest they should be driven to indirect courses to relieve themselves.
Verse 5
[5] As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.
Lead them — Unto sinful courses.
Israel — Upon the true Israel of God.
James 2:1-10, (11-13), 14-17
Verse 1
[1] My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
My brethren — The equality of Christians, intimated by this name, is the ground of the admonition. Hold not the faith of our common Lord, the Lord of glory - Of which glory all who believe in him partake.
With respect of persons — That is, honour none merely for being rich; despise none merely for being poor.
Verse 2
[2] For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
With gold rings — Which were not then so common as now.
Verse 3
[3] And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
Ye look upon him — With respect.
Verse 4
[4] Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
Ye distinguish not — To which the most respect is due, to the poor or to the rich.
But are become evil-reasoning judges — You reason ill, and so judge wrong: for fine apparel is no proof of worth in him that wears it.
Verse 5
[5] Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
Hearken — As if he had said, Stay, consider, ye that judge thus. Does not the presumption lie rather in favour of the poor man? Hath not God chosen the poor - That is, are not they whom God hath chosen, generally speaking, poor in this world? who yet are rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom - Consequently, the most honourable of men: and those whom God so highly honours, ought not ye to honour likewise?
Verse 6
[6] But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
Do not the rich often oppress you — By open violence; often drag you - Under colour of law.
Verse 7
[7] Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
Do not they blaspheme that worthy name — Of God and of Christ. The apostle speaks chiefly of rich heathens: but are Christians, so called, a whit behind them?
Verse 8
[8] If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
If ye fulfil the royal law — The supreme law of the great King which is love; and that to every man, poor as well as rich, ye do well. Leviticus 19:18.
Verse 9
[9] But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
Being convicted — By that very law. Exodus 23:3.
Verse 10
[10] For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
Whosoever keepeth the whole law, except in one point, he is guilty of all - Is as liable to condemnation as if he had offended in every point.
Verse 11
[11] For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
For it is the same authority which establishes every commandment.
Verse 12
[12] So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
So speak and act — In all things.
As they that shall be judged — Without respect of persons.
By the law of liberty — The gospel; the law of universal love, which alone is perfect freedom. For their transgressions of this, both in word and deed, the wicked shall be condemned; and according to their works, done in obedience to this, the righteous will be rewarded.
Verse 13
[13] For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
Judgment without mercy shall be to him — In that day.
Who hath showed no mercy — To his poor brethren. But the mercy of God to believers, answering to that which they have shown, will then glory over judgment.
Verse 14
[14] What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
From James 1:22, the apostle has been enforcing Christian practice. He now applies to those who neglect this, under the pretence of faith. St. Paul had taught that "a man is justified by faith without the works of the law." This some began already to wrest to their own destruction. Wherefore St. James, purposely repeating (James 2:21,23,25) the same phrases, testimonies, and examples, which St. Paul had used, Romans 4:3, Hebrews 11:17,31, refutes not the doctrine of St. Paul, but the error of those who abused it. There is, therefore, no contradiction between the apostles: they both delivered the truth of God, but in a different manner, as having to do with different kinds of men. On another occasion St. James himself pleaded the cause of faith, Acts 15:13-21; and St. Paul himself strenuously pleads for works, particularly in his latter epistles. This verse is a summary of what follows. What profiteth it? is enlarged on, James 2:15-17; though a man say, James 2:18,19 can that faith save him? James 2:20. It is not, though he have faith; but, though he say he have faith. Here, therefore, true, living faith is meant: but in other parts of the argument the apostle speaks of a dead, imaginary faith. He does not, therefore, teach that true faith can, but that it cannot, subsist without works: nor does he oppose faith to works; but that empty name of faith, to real faith working by love. Can that faith "which is without works" save him? No more than it can profit his neighbour.
Verse 17
[17] Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
So likewise that faith which hath not works is a mere dead, empty notion; of no more profit to him that hath it, than the bidding the naked be clothed is to him.
Mark 7:24-37
Verse 24
[24] And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid.
Matthew 15:21.
Verse 26
[26] The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.
The woman was a Greek (that is, a Gentile, not a Jew) a Syrophenician or Canaanite. Canaan was also called Syrophenicia, as lying between Syria, properly so called, and Phenicia.
Verse 31
[31] And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.
Matthew 15:29.
Verse 33
[33] And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;
He put his fingers into his ears — Perhaps intending to teach us, that we are not to prescribe to him (as they who brought this man attempted to do) but to expect his blessing by whatsoever means he pleases: even though there should be no proportion or resemblance between the means used, and the benefit to be conveyed thereby.
Verse 34
[34] And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.
Ephphatha — This was a word of SOVEREIGN AUTHORITY, not an address to God for power to heal: such an address was needless; for Christ had a perpetual fund of power residing in himself, to work all miracles whenever he pleased, even to the raising the dead, John 5:21,26.
Verse 36
[36] And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it;Them — The blind man and those that brought him. (John Wesley's Explanatory Notes).
[22] Rob not the poor, because he is poor: neither oppress the afflicted in the gate:
In the gate — Under pretence of justice.
Verse 23
[23] For the LORD will plead their cause, and spoil the soul of those that spoiled them.
Spoil the soul — Take away not only their goods but their lives too.
Psalm 125
Verse 3
[3] For the rod of the wicked shall not rest upon the lot of the righteous; lest the righteous put forth their hands unto iniquity.
The rod — Their power and authority.
Not rest — Not continue long.
The lot — Upon the habitations and persons of good men.
Lest — Lest they should be driven to indirect courses to relieve themselves.
Verse 5
[5] As for such as turn aside unto their crooked ways, the LORD shall lead them forth with the workers of iniquity: but peace shall be upon Israel.
Lead them — Unto sinful courses.
Israel — Upon the true Israel of God.
James 2:1-10, (11-13), 14-17
Verse 1
[1] My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.
My brethren — The equality of Christians, intimated by this name, is the ground of the admonition. Hold not the faith of our common Lord, the Lord of glory - Of which glory all who believe in him partake.
With respect of persons — That is, honour none merely for being rich; despise none merely for being poor.
Verse 2
[2] For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;
With gold rings — Which were not then so common as now.
Verse 3
[3] And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:
Ye look upon him — With respect.
Verse 4
[4] Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?
Ye distinguish not — To which the most respect is due, to the poor or to the rich.
But are become evil-reasoning judges — You reason ill, and so judge wrong: for fine apparel is no proof of worth in him that wears it.
Verse 5
[5] Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?
Hearken — As if he had said, Stay, consider, ye that judge thus. Does not the presumption lie rather in favour of the poor man? Hath not God chosen the poor - That is, are not they whom God hath chosen, generally speaking, poor in this world? who yet are rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom - Consequently, the most honourable of men: and those whom God so highly honours, ought not ye to honour likewise?
Verse 6
[6] But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?
Do not the rich often oppress you — By open violence; often drag you - Under colour of law.
Verse 7
[7] Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?
Do not they blaspheme that worthy name — Of God and of Christ. The apostle speaks chiefly of rich heathens: but are Christians, so called, a whit behind them?
Verse 8
[8] If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:
If ye fulfil the royal law — The supreme law of the great King which is love; and that to every man, poor as well as rich, ye do well. Leviticus 19:18.
Verse 9
[9] But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.
Being convicted — By that very law. Exodus 23:3.
Verse 10
[10] For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.
Whosoever keepeth the whole law, except in one point, he is guilty of all - Is as liable to condemnation as if he had offended in every point.
Verse 11
[11] For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.
For it is the same authority which establishes every commandment.
Verse 12
[12] So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.
So speak and act — In all things.
As they that shall be judged — Without respect of persons.
By the law of liberty — The gospel; the law of universal love, which alone is perfect freedom. For their transgressions of this, both in word and deed, the wicked shall be condemned; and according to their works, done in obedience to this, the righteous will be rewarded.
Verse 13
[13] For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.
Judgment without mercy shall be to him — In that day.
Who hath showed no mercy — To his poor brethren. But the mercy of God to believers, answering to that which they have shown, will then glory over judgment.
Verse 14
[14] What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?
From James 1:22, the apostle has been enforcing Christian practice. He now applies to those who neglect this, under the pretence of faith. St. Paul had taught that "a man is justified by faith without the works of the law." This some began already to wrest to their own destruction. Wherefore St. James, purposely repeating (James 2:21,23,25) the same phrases, testimonies, and examples, which St. Paul had used, Romans 4:3, Hebrews 11:17,31, refutes not the doctrine of St. Paul, but the error of those who abused it. There is, therefore, no contradiction between the apostles: they both delivered the truth of God, but in a different manner, as having to do with different kinds of men. On another occasion St. James himself pleaded the cause of faith, Acts 15:13-21; and St. Paul himself strenuously pleads for works, particularly in his latter epistles. This verse is a summary of what follows. What profiteth it? is enlarged on, James 2:15-17; though a man say, James 2:18,19 can that faith save him? James 2:20. It is not, though he have faith; but, though he say he have faith. Here, therefore, true, living faith is meant: but in other parts of the argument the apostle speaks of a dead, imaginary faith. He does not, therefore, teach that true faith can, but that it cannot, subsist without works: nor does he oppose faith to works; but that empty name of faith, to real faith working by love. Can that faith "which is without works" save him? No more than it can profit his neighbour.
Verse 17
[17] Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.
So likewise that faith which hath not works is a mere dead, empty notion; of no more profit to him that hath it, than the bidding the naked be clothed is to him.
Mark 7:24-37
Verse 24
[24] And from thence he arose, and went into the borders of Tyre and Sidon, and entered into an house, and would have no man know it: but he could not be hid.
Matthew 15:21.
Verse 26
[26] The woman was a Greek, a Syrophenician by nation; and she besought him that he would cast forth the devil out of her daughter.
The woman was a Greek (that is, a Gentile, not a Jew) a Syrophenician or Canaanite. Canaan was also called Syrophenicia, as lying between Syria, properly so called, and Phenicia.
Verse 31
[31] And again, departing from the coasts of Tyre and Sidon, he came unto the sea of Galilee, through the midst of the coasts of Decapolis.
Matthew 15:29.
Verse 33
[33] And he took him aside from the multitude, and put his fingers into his ears, and he spit, and touched his tongue;
He put his fingers into his ears — Perhaps intending to teach us, that we are not to prescribe to him (as they who brought this man attempted to do) but to expect his blessing by whatsoever means he pleases: even though there should be no proportion or resemblance between the means used, and the benefit to be conveyed thereby.
Verse 34
[34] And looking up to heaven, he sighed, and saith unto him, Ephphatha, that is, Be opened.
Ephphatha — This was a word of SOVEREIGN AUTHORITY, not an address to God for power to heal: such an address was needless; for Christ had a perpetual fund of power residing in himself, to work all miracles whenever he pleased, even to the raising the dead, John 5:21,26.
Verse 36
[36] And he charged them that they should tell no man: but the more he charged them, so much the more a great deal they published it;Them — The blind man and those that brought him. (John Wesley's Explanatory Notes).
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