King of Righteousness, King of Peace

Hebrews 6:19-7:2 - We have this as a sure and steadfast anchor of the soul, a hope that enters into the inner place behind the curtain, where Jesus has gone as a forerunner on our behalf, having become a high priest forever after the order of Melchizedek. For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, met Abraham returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, and to him Abraham apportioned a tenth part of everything. He is first, by translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then he is also king of Salem, that is, king of peace.


Leviticus 16:2 - The Lord spoke to Moses after the death of the two sons of Aaron, when they drew near before the Lord and died, and the Lord said to Moses, “Tell Aaron your brother not to come at any time into the Holy Place inside the veil, before the mercy seat that is on the ark, so that he may not die. For I will appear in the cloud over the mercy seat.

Isaiah 9:6-7 - For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

Jeremiah 23:5-6 - “Behold, the days are coming, declares the Lord, when I will raise up for David a righteous Branch, and he shall reign as king and deal wisely, and shall execute justice and righteousness in the land. In his days Judah will be saved, and Israel will dwell securely. And this is the name by which he will be called: ‘The Lord is our righteousness.’

Application:

· The word for atonement cover, which is the ark of the covenant’s cover with the mercy seat upon it, is the same word used for Christ.
· He is the Wonderful Counselor, Might God, Everlasting Father and Prince of Peace
· Christ will rule in righteousness forever. God will not abandon His people
· My King does what is just and right
· God rescues His people from danger—including the danger to which their own sin has subjected them

All Scripture verses taken from ESV

Their Peace

Micah 5:5 - And he will be their peace. When the Assyrian invades our land and marches through our fortresses, we will raise against him seven shepherds, even eight leaders of men.

Isaiah 9:6 - For to us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders. And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.

Luke 2:14 - "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."

Colossians 1:19-20 - For God was pleased to have all his fullness dwell in him, and through him to reconcile to himself all things, whether things on earth or things in heaven, by making peace through his blood, shed on the cross.

Conclusions:

• Christ is our peace
• He is WONDERFUL, MIGHTY, and EVERLASTING
• He is GLORIOUS
• We have peace with our God because of Christ's death on the cross
• All things dwell in Him and are reconciled to Him

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Grace

1 Timothy 1:2 - To Timothy my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Romans 1:7 - To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Jonah 4:2 - He prayed to the LORD, "O LORD, is this not what I said when I was still at home? That is why I was so quick to flee to Tarshish. I knew that you are a gracious and compassionate God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.

John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Conclusions:

• The basic idea of the Greek for saints is holiness
• All Christians are saints in that they are positionally set apart to God and are experientially being made increasingly holy by the Holy Spirit
• Jonah uses a fixed, confessional formula
• God is slow to anger. In contrast, Jonah became angry quickly
• “Peace…my peace” is a common Hebrew greeting, which Jesus uses in John 14:27 in an unusual way
• Peace speaks, in effect, of the salvation that Christ’s redemptive work will achieve for His disciples—total well-being and inner rest of spirit, in fellowship with God
• All true peace is Christ’s gift, which the repetition emphasizes
• In its greetings of peace the world can only express a longing or gift
• But Jesus peace is real and present.

Application:

• Are you a saint?
• Do you see God as gracious, compassionate, slow to anger and abounding in love?
• Is your heart troubled? Are you afraid?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Peace Of God

Philippians 4:6-7 - Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.

John 14:27 - Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

Romans 5:1-2 - Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

1 Peter 1:3-5 - Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, and into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade—kept in heaven for you, who through faith are shielded by God's power until the coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time.

Conclusions:

• Being anxious is self-centered, counterproductive worry, not legitimate cares for the spread of the gospel
• Anxiety and prayer are two great opposing forces in Christian experience
• Thanksgiving is the antidote to worry (along with prayer and petition)
• The peace of God is not merely a psychological state of mind, but an inner tranquility based on peace with God—the peaceful state of those whose sins are forgiven
• The opposite of anxiety, the peace of God is the tranquility that comes when the believer commits all his cares to God in prayer and worries about them no more
• The full dimensions of God’s love and care are beyond human comprehension
• Guard your hearts and your minds is a military concept depicting a sentry standing guard
• God’s protective custody of those who are in Christ Jesus extends to the core of their beings and to their deepest intentions
• Peace is a common Hebrew greeting, which Jesus uses in John 14:27 in an unusual way
• Peace speaks, in effect, of the salvation that Christ’s redemptive work will achieve for His disciples—total well-being and inner rest of spirit, in fellowship with God
• All true peace is His gift, which the repetition emphasizes
• In its greetings of peace the world can only express a longing or wish
• But Jesus peace is real and present
• Peace with God is not merely a subjective feeling but primarily an objective status, a new relationship with God: Once we were His enemies, but now we are His friends
• There are two sides to the perseverance of the Christian
• The Christian is shielded (1) by God’s power and (2) by his own faith
• The Bible speaks of salvation as (1) past—when a person first believes, (2) present—the continuing process of salvation, or sanctification, and (3) future—when Christ returns and salvation, or sanctification, is completed through glorification

Application:

• Are you anxious?
• Have you committed all your cares to God in prayer?
• Is your heart troubled?
• Are you His friend?
• Are you shielded by God's power and your faith?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

I Thank My God

Philippians 1:2-3 - Grace and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God every time I remember you.

Romans 1:7 - To all in Rome who are loved by God and called to be saints: Grace and peace to you from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Colossians 1:3-6 - We always thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, because we have heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and of the love you have for all the saints—the faith and love that spring from the hope that is stored up for you in heaven and that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you. All over the world this gospel is bearing fruit and growing, just as it has been doing among you since the day you heard it and understood God's grace in all its truth.

2 Thessalonians 1:3 - We ought always to thank God for you, brothers, and rightly so, because your faith is growing more and more, and the love every one of you has for each other is increasing.

Conclusions:

• The basic idea of the Greek word saints is holiness
• All Christians are saints in that they are positionally set apart to God and are experientially being made increasingly holy by the Holy Spirit
• “We” in Colossians 1:3 is Paul and Timothy
• Every one of Paul’s letter, except Galatians, begins with thanks or praise
• In Colossians, thanks is an important theme
• The Bible never thanks man for his faith and love, but rather God, who is the source of these virtues
• Paul is obliged to give thanks where it is due
• Faith and love are two virtues that Paul had been pleased to acknowledge in the Thessalonian church, but that were also somewhat lacking
• “Is increasing” is the same verb Paul had used in his prayer that their love might grow
• Paul is recording an exact answer to prayer

Application:

• Are you positionally set apart to God?
• Do you thank God when you pray for people?
• Is your faith growing? Is your love increasing?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Impartial

James 3:16-17 - For where you have envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.

Hebrews 12:11 - No discipline seems pleasant at the time, but painful. Later on, however, it produces a harvest of righteousness and peace for those who have been trained by it.

Romans 12:9 - Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good.

James 2:1,8,10,12-13 - My brothers, as believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ, don't show favoritism…If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, "Love your neighbor as yourself," you are doing right…For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it…Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment!

Conclusions:

• When received submissively, discipline is wholesome and beneficial
• Love is the Christian’s love for fellow Christians and perhaps also for his fellowman
• Sincere love is true love, not pretend love
• The love Paul speaks of in Romans 12:9 is not mere emotion but is active love
• God does not show favoritism—nor should believers
• The law of love is called royal because it is the supreme law that is the source of all other laws governing human relationships
• The royal law is the summation of all other laws
• The law is the expression of the character and will of God; therefore to violate one part of the law is to violate God’s will and thus His whole law
• The judgment is not for determining eternal destiny, for James is speaking to believers, whose destiny is already determined
• This judgment is for giving rewards to believers

Application:

• How do you receive discipline?
• Is your love sincere?
• Do you show favoritism?
• Do you keep the royal law?
• Do you stumble at any point with the law?
• Do you speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

God of Peace

1 Thessalonians 5:22-23 - Avoid every kind of evil. May God himself, the God of peace, sanctify you through and through. May your whole spirit, soul and body be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1 Thessalonians 5:13-15 - Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other. And we urge you, brothers, warn those who are idle, encourage the timid, help the weak, be patient with everyone. Make sure that nobody pays back wrong for wrong, but always try to be kind to each other and to everyone else.

Conclusions:

• Hold elders in the highest regard in love, not merely because of personal attachment or respect for their high position, but in appreciation for their work
• Living in peace applies to Christian relationships in general, but in 1 Thessalonians 5:13, it probably refers especially to right relations between leaders and those under them
• Those who are idle are loafers
• It seems that some Thessalonians were so sure that the second coming was close that they had given up their jobs to prepare for it, but Paul says they should work
• The timid and the weak are to be helped, not rejected, by the strong
• Retaliation is never a Christian option
• Christians are called to forgive

Application:

• Do you have right relations with your leaders?
• Do you help the timid and the weak?
• Do you forgive instead of retaliate?

All Scripture verses from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Over You In The Lord

1 Thessalonians 5:12-13 - Now we ask you, brothers, to respect those who work hard among you, who are over you in the Lord and who admonish you. Hold them in the highest regard in love because of their work. Live in peace with each other.

1 Timothy 5:17 - The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching.

Hebrews 13:17 - Obey your leaders and submit to their authority. They keep watch over you as men who must give an account. Obey them so that their work will be a joy, not a burden, for that would be of no advantage to you.

Mark 9:50 - "Salt is good, but if it loses its saltiness, how can you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with each other."

Conclusions:

• All elders were to exercise leadership and to teach and preach, and all were to receive honor
• Those who excelled in leadership were to be counted worthy of double honor
• Double honor was especially true of those who labored at teaching and preaching
• Double honor should include financial support
• Dictatorial leadership is not condoned by the command to submit to authority, but respect for authority, orderliness and discipline in the church are taught throughout the New Testament
• Hold elders in the highest regard in love, not merely because of personal attachment or respect for their high position, but in appreciation for their work
• Living in peace applies to Christian relationships in general, but in 1 Thessalonians 5:13 they probably refer especially to right relations between leaders and those under them
• The distinctive mark of discipleship typified by salt is allegiance to Jesus and the gospel
• Strife is resolved and peace restored when we recognize in one another a common commitment to Jesus and the gospel

Application:

• Do you honor your elders?
• Do you obey your leaders and submit to their authority?
• Do you hold your elders in the highest regard and live at peace with them?
• Do you have a commitment to Jesus and the gospel?

All Scripture verses taken from NIV

Conclusions derived from NIV Study Bible

Goal of Christians

1 Thessalonians 3:11 - Now may our God and Father himself and our Lord Jesus clear the way for us to come to you.

Ephesians 1:18-23 - I pray also that the eyes of your heart may be enlightened in order that you may know the hope to which he has called you, the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, and his incomparably great power for us who believe. That power is like the working of his mighty strength, which he exerted in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realms, far above all rule and authority, power and dominion, and every title that can be given, not only in the present age but also in the one to come. And God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church, which is his body, the fullness of him who fills everything in every way.

Philippians 1:9-11 - And this is my prayer: that your love may abound more and more in knowledge and depth of insight, so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus Christ—to the glory and praise of God.

Colossians 1:9-12 - For this reason, since the day we heard about you, we have not stopped praying for you and asking God to fill you with the knowledge of his will through all spiritual wisdom and understanding. And we pray this in order that you may live a life worthy of the Lord and may please him in every way: bearing fruit in every good work, growing in the knowledge of God, being strengthened with all power according to his glorious might so that you may have great endurance and patience, and joyfully giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified you to share in the inheritance of the saints in the kingdom of light.

1 Thessalonians 1:1 - Paul, Silas and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace and peace to you.

Conclusions:

• The extraordinary divine force by which Jesus Christ was raised is the same power at work in and through believers
• Christ is not only Head of the Church, but also Head of everything
• Christian love is not mere sentiment; it is rooted in knowledge and understanding
• Christians are to approve what is morally and ethically superior
• The goal of Christians in this life is to be without any mixture of evil and not open to censure because of moral or spiritual failure
• On the day of Christ, the goal will be perfectly realized, and the Christians must give an account
• Knowledge and wisdom in the Bible are practical, having to do with godly living
• Knowledge, wisdom and understanding result in a life worthy of the Lord
• Light symbolizes holiness, truth, love, glory and life
• God and the Christian are characterized by light
• Christians have a vital union and living relationship with the Father and the Son
• The close connection between the Father and the Son points to the Trinitarian relationship

Application:

• Is the power that raised Jesus Christ at work in and through you?
• Is your love rooted in knowledge and understanding?
• Do you approve what is morally and ethically superior?
• Is your goal to be without any mixture of evil?
• Are you ready to give an account?
• Are you characterized by light?
• Do you have a vital union with both the Father and the Son?
• Do you live a godly life?

All scripture verses taken from the NIV.

Conclusions may derived from NIV study Bible comments