“Answers For A Study in the Book of Proverbs and Ephesians” is a weekly post in addition to the regular “apologetics” posts on the weekend where the original questions can be found at the bottom of the study, and then answers appear here mid-week. This gives you time to do your own research, and then check your answers. Keep in mind these will be basic answers with a little depth, but you can go much deeper for discussion if you’d like.
Note: The answers will focus on what the text of the Bible says, and commentaries and speculative answers will be noted as such. There are many scholarly commentaries out there but it will be important, as students of the Bible, to keep the text of the Bible as our first source. Commentaries can be used, keeping in mind that they are human thoughts about God’s Word. Scripture references here are taken from the NASB, unless otherwise noted.
The Goal for the notes, questions and answers: Share and reuse to lead your own Bible study!
Bible Study
Always remember to pray before you study and ask the Holy Spirit to teach you and lead you into the truth found in God’s Word – pray for protection from the evil one who will try to discourage, distract and deceive us when we commit to growing closer to the LORD.
NOTE: Questions are taken directly from the chapters, and answers should be found and cited from the Scripture text in order to be Biblically accurate (unless asked to summarize in your own words). Study Bibles, commentaries and your own thoughts can be used for “Discussion” or “Going Deeper” questions. Cite your sources to share with your group.
Daily Devotional:
Read one chapter a day from the book of Proverbs for five days and take two days off. This week do Proverbs chapters 16-20, note any questions you may have, or anything that stands out to you as a life application.
1. From your daily devotional reading in the book of Proverbs 16-20, discuss the following:
a. The words pride, strife and discipline come up quite often in the proverbs, so let’s do a word study:
(Biblical references are from biblestudytools.com)
- Pride: (used 63 time in the NIV, 53 in the NASB; alternate terms include vanity and haughtiness)
Secular dictionary: A high or inordinate opinion of one’s own dignity, importance, merit, or superiority, whether as cherished in the mind or as displayed in bearing, conduct, etc.; pleasure or satisfaction taken in something done by or belonging to oneself or believed to reflect credit upon oneself.
Biblical reference: While pride is sometimes used in the Old Testament in a positive sense (i.e., the “pride” of the land of Israel [ Psalm 47:4 ; Ezek 24:21 ] or, God’s “pride/majesty/excellency” [ Exod 15:7 ; Job 37:4 ; Isa 2:10 ]), its negative sense predominates, occurring in sixty-one texts. “Pride” is found mainly in the prophets and the books of poetry. The main Hebrew root is gh [h’aG]; the most common term is gaon [/a”G], which occurs a total of twenty-three times. Included are the ideas of arrogance, cynical insensitivity to the needs of others, and presumption. Pride is both a disposition/attitude and a type of conduct.
- Strife: (used 13 times in the NIV, 36 in the NASB; alternate terms include conflict, contention and dissention)
Secular dictionary: Vigorous or bitter conflict, discord, or antagonism. A quarrel, struggle, or clash. A competition or rivalry.
Biblical reference: A wrathful man stirreth up strife A man of a wrathful disposition, of a furious spirit, of an angry temper; that is under the power and dominion of such a passion, and indulges it, and takes all opportunities to gratify it; he stirs up strife and contention where there was none, or where it was laid; as a man stirs up coals of fire and raises a flame; see ( Proverbs 26:21 ) . He stirs up strife in families, sets one relation against another, and the house in an uproar; he stirs up contentions in neighbourhoods, and sets one friend and neighbour against another, whence proceed quarrels and lawsuits: he stirs up strife in churches, breaks brotherly love, and causes animosities and divisions; he stirs up strife in kingdoms and states, whence come wars and fightings, confusion, and every evil work; but [he that is] slow to anger appeaseth strife: a man of a quiet and peaceable disposition, possessed of the true grace of charity; who is not easily provoked, longsuffering, bears and endures all things; he allays the heat of anger; he quenches the coals of contention; he calms the storm and makes it quiet, as the word signifies; he `mitigates strifes raised,’ as the Vulgate Latin version renders it; he composes differences, reconciles the parties at variance, and makes all hush and still; and so prevents the ill consequences of contention and strife.
- Discipline: (used 48 times in the NIV, 49 in the NASB; alternate terms include correction, chastise, training and in reference to self-control)
Secular dictionary: Noun Training to act in accordance with rules; an activity, exercise, or regimen that develops or improves a skill; a branch of instruction or learning; punishment inflicted by way of correction and training. Verb (used with object), dis·ci·plined, dis·ci·plin·ing. To train by instruction and exercise; to bring to a state of order and obedience by training and control.
Biblical reference: God’s Word tells us that all discipline is necessary for training toward righteousness. No one likes to be disciplined or to give discipline but when it is Godly discipline, it comes from a place of love. Love is what drives parents to teach their kids a right way of living. Throughout Scripture, God the Father, teaches and leads us, His children, away from sin and toward holiness through discipline.
b. How does the wise person handle these three things?
c. How does the fool handle these three things?
Answers for both b. and c. in contrast:
Example from Proverbs:
Pride: Proverbs 16:18 – “Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling.”
- The wise are humble, and always discern and think from God’s ways before they speak or act; versus the fool who falls quickly because of their arrogance and over-confidence in themselves – they do not consider the ways of the LORD.
Strife: Proverbs 20:3 – “Keeping away from strife is an honor for a man, but any fool will quarrel.”
- The wise avoid conflict and useless arguing and gossiping; versus the fool who is quick to anger and quarreling, and who loves to start a fight or stir up controversy.
- Other Proverbs that speak to strife in this study include: 16:28, 17:1, 17:14, 17:19, 18:6 and 18:18
Discipline: Proverbs 16:22 – “Understanding is a fountain of life to one who has it, But the discipline of fools is folly.”
- The wise are eager to accept correction and gain knowledge from God’s Word; versus the fool who does not listen to anyone, and continues on in their evil ways, even when consequences become apparent.
- Other Proverbs that speak to discipline in this study include: 19:18, 19:20 and 19:27.
d. Share any other teachings you learned from your study of Proverbs this week, or discuss any questions that you might have?
Answers may vary…
These Proverbs contain a wealth of life application directed not only to those Solomon (and others) had written to in that day, but are timeless principles for us to follow still today. Human nature does not change, and wisdom is the first thing we should seek from God’s Word; it is found in abundance in this book of Proverbs.
Bible study
Read Ephesians chapter 3, then to the best of your ability, answer these questions:
2. Re-read Ephesians chapter 3:1-21 with your table group. This chapter focuses on Paul’s call to ministry, specifically to the Gentiles.
a. In verses 1 and 13, why does Paul speak of being a prisoner and in tribulation, (what do we know about where Paul was when he wrote this, and some of his other letters)?
“For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles” 3:1
“Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.” 3:13
- Paul wrote this letter, and others, from his imprisonment in Rome.
- The Ephesian people would have known of Paul’s struggle and imprisonment, and he wanted them to know that it was all for the glory of God and part of the fulfillment of God’s plan for the Gentiles’ salvation.
- This letter, and several others, are referred to as “Paul’s prison Epistles.”
From gotquestions.org:
- The prison epistles—Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon—are so named because they were written by the apostle Paul during one of his incarcerations. It is generally accepted that Paul wrote the prison epistles during his first Roman imprisonment. The exact dates he wrote each of the prison epistles is unknown, but the two-year period he spent under house arrest in Rome has been narrowed down to the years AD 60–62. Paul’s imprisonment in Rome is verified by the book of Acts, where we find references to his being guarded by soldiers (Acts 28:16), being permitted to receive visitors (Acts 28:30), and having opportunities to share the gospel (Acts 28:31). These details, along with Paul’s mention of being with “those who belong to Caesar’s household” (Philippians 4:22), support the view that Paul wrote the prison epistles from Rome. Paul’s Roman incarceration produced three great letters to the churches of Ephesus, Colossae, and Philippi, as well as a personal letter to his friend Philemon.
- Three of the prison letters, also called the imprisonment or captivity letters, were bound for three of the churches he founded on his second missionary journey (Acts 20:1-3). Always concerned for the souls of those he continually prayed for in these churches, his letters reflect his pastor’s heart and his love and concern for those he thought of as his spiritual children. Colossians was written explicitly to defeat the heresy that had arisen in Colossae that endangered the existence of the church. In his letter, Paul dealt with key areas of theology, including the deity of Christ (Colossians 1:15–20; 2:2–10), the error of adding circumcision and other Jewish rituals to salvation by faith (Colossians 2:11–23), and the conduct of God’s people (chapter 3). The letter to the church at Ephesus also reflects Paul’s concerns for the beloved, especially that they would understand the great doctrines of the faith (chapters 1–3) and the practical outworkings of that doctrine in Christian behavior (chapters 4-6). The epistle to the Philippians is Paul’s most joyful letter, and references to his joy abound within its pages (Philippians 1:4, 18, 25–26; 2:2, 28; 3:1; 4:1, 4, 10). He encourages the Philippian believers to rejoice in spite of suffering and anxiety, rejoice in service, and continue to look to Christ as the object of their faith and hope.
- The fourth prison letter was written to Paul’s “friend and fellow laborer,” Philemon (Philemon 1:1) as a plea for forgiveness. Philemon’s slave, Onesimus, had run away from Philemon’s service to Rome, where he met the aging apostle and became a convert to Christ through him. Paul asks Philemon to receive Onesimus back as a brother in Christ who is now “profitable” to both of them (Philemon 1:11). The theme of the book of Philemon is forgiveness and the power of the gospel of Christ to undermine the evils of slavery by changing the hearts of both masters and slaves so that spiritual equality is achieved.
- While the prison epistles reflect Paul’s earthly position as a prisoner of Rome, he makes it clear that his captivity was first and foremost to Christ (Philemon 1:9; Ephesians 3:1; Colossians 4:18; Philippians 1:12–14). Paul’s time in prison was for the purpose of spreading the gospel in the Gentile capital of Rome. The Lord Himself told Paul to “take courage! As you have testified about me in Jerusalem, so you must also testify in Rome” (Acts 23:11). Paul’s time in captivity was no less profitable to us today than it was to the first-century churches he loved so well.
b. What is “the stewardship of God’s grace” that Paul had been given?
“For this reason I, Paul, the prisoner of Christ Jesus for the sake of you Gentiles— if indeed you have heard of the stewardship of God’s grace which was given to me for you; that by revelation there was made known to me the mystery, as I wrote before in brief. By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places.” Ephesians 3:1-10
- Paul was given stewardship (by Jesus directly) to preach to the Gentiles the Gospel of salvation through Jesus Christ.
- He was given the responsibility to bring to light the mystery, that was previously unknown or hidden, to the Gentiles, and through the church to the rulers and authorities in the heavenly places (this would be the spiritual world that would specifically include Satan and his minions/demons).
c. What is the “mystery” Paul is referring to? (Hint: it is not a magical or mystical secret as some cults have tried to turn it into by taking the word, or verse, out of context).
“By referring to this, when you read you can understand my insight into the mystery of Christ, which in other generations was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed to His holy apostles and prophets in the Spirit; to be specific, that the Gentiles are fellow heirs and fellow members of the body, and fellow partakers of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel, of which I was made a minister, according to the gift of God’s grace which was given to me according to the working of His power. To me, the very least of all saints, this grace was given, to preach to the Gentiles the unfathomable riches of Christ, and to bring to light what is the administration of the mystery which for ages has been hidden in God who created all things; so that the manifold wisdom of God might now be made known through the church to the rulers and the authorities in the heavenly places. This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory.” Ephesians 3:4-13
- The mystery is the fact that God has made the Gentiles, along with the Jews, heirs to the promise (the New Covenant which is the fulfillment of the Old Covenant) through Christ Jesus.
- Previous to Jesus’ death and resurrection, the Covenant was followed in the form of the “Mosaic Law” and one had to be a Jew, or of the Jewish faith; but now, because of Jesus’ fulfillment of that Law, God’s salvation is a free gift, open to all who would come to believe in Jesus Christ as the “way, the truth and the life,” no longer would one have to be under the condemnation of the Law because of what Jesus did in its fulfillment, once and for all.
d. Application: What parts of Paul’s prayer for the Ephesians in verses 3:16-21 can we use in our own prayer life? Cross-reference by also reading Philippians 4:4-7.
“This was in accordance with the eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord, in whom we have boldness and confident access through faith in Him. Therefore I ask you not to lose heart at my tribulations on your behalf, for they are your glory. For this reason I bow my knees before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power through His Spirit in the inner man, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith; and that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the breadth and length and height and depth, and to know the love of Christ which surpasses knowledge, that you may be filled up to all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do far more abundantly beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works within us, to Him be the glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations forever and ever. Amen.” Ephesians 3:11-21
“Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:4-7
- We can pray for our loved ones and brothers and sisters in Christ, by asking for the Holy Spirit to strengthen them in their faith; for Christ to dwell in their hearts; for them to be rooted and grounded in God’s love; to comprehend the love of Christ which surpasses all knowledge; and to be filled up with all the fullness of God.
- In the Philippians passage, we find a similar prayer that includes not being anxious; always in prayer for everything; being thankful; letting God know all our requests; and most importantly that the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, to guard our hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
3. Going Deeper: Paul was an Apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. What is the difference between an apostle and a disciple?
- It is important to note that there is a difference between a common definition of these two words that may be used today in various ways, and a Biblical “New Testament” definition of these terms:
Common definition:
From Wikipedia:
- An apostle(/əˈpɒsəl/), in its literal sense, is an emissary, from Ancient Greek ἀπόστολος (apóstolos), literally “one who is sent off”, from the verb ἀποστέλλειν (apostéllein), “to send off”. The purpose of such sending off is usually to convey a message, and thus “messenger” is a common alternative translation; other common translations include “ambassador” and “envoy“. The term in Ancient Greek also has other related meanings.
- A disciple is a follower and student of a mentor, teacher, or other figure.
Biblical description:
From gotquestions.org:
- Every apostle was a disciple, but not every disciple was an apostle. Every person who believes in Jesus is called His disciple. Matthew 28:19–20 records Jesus saying, “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
- The Greek word for “disciple” simply refers to a learner and is used throughout the New Testament to refer to people who believed in Jesus (Luke 14:26–33). For example, Acts 6:1 says, “In those days when the number of disciples was increasing.” The word disciples simply means “believers” or “Christians” in this context.
- The Greek word for “apostle” literally means “one who is sent” and can refer to an emissary or anyone sent on a mission. An apostle is given the authority of the one who sent him. All of the apostles were disciples—they were among the many believers in Jesus—but only a select group of disciples were chosen as the Twelve Apostles (Matthew 10:1–4; Mark 3:14; Acts 26:14–18). This included the original twelve disciples (although Judas Iscariot eventually reversed his loyalties and rejected Christ) and either Paul or Matthias. That there is a select group of twelve apostles is seen in the foundations of the walls of the New Jerusalem: twelve foundations, each inscribed with a name of an apostle (Revelation 21:14).
- Other men who are named “apostles” in the New Testament—although not members of the Twelve—include Matthias (Acts 1:26), Barnabas (Acts 14:14), Apollos (1 Corinthians 4:6–9), Timothy and Silas (1 Thessalonians 1:1, 2:6), Epaphroditus (Philippians 2:25), and two unnamed apostles (2 Corinthians 8:23, possibly already included in the previous list). These men were “sent ones” in that they were chosen for specific work on behalf of the church, but they were not part of the Twelve who were hand-picked by Jesus. Jesus is also called an “apostle” in Hebrews 3:1, indicating that He was sent by and had the authority of His Father.
- Ephesians 4:11–16 speaks of apostles along with other church leaders whose role was to equip the believers for works of service. The main distinction of apostles appears to have been regarding their authority. The apostles’ teaching forms the foundation for the truths of our faith (Acts 2:42; Ephesians 2:20). The qualifications for being an apostle included having been with Christ during His ministry, having personally witnessed Jesus after His resurrection, and having been empowered by the Holy Spirit to perform miracles or signs (Acts 1:21–22; 10:41; 2 Corinthians 12:12). Paul was an exception to part of the qualifications. Although he did not accompany Jesus on His earthly journeys, Jesus made a special appearance to him on the road to Damascus and set him apart as an apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 26:14–18). This is why Paul compared his place among the other apostles as “one born at the wrong time” (1 Corinthians 15:8, NET).
- There are no apostles, in the special sense of the word, alive in this world today. There were only twelve, and they had a special task in the founding of the church. The word apostle, however, is still used by some Christian groups in reference to a missionary or entrepreneurial leader in a general sense. But these people do not meet the same qualifications as the twelve apostles in the Bible.
- In summary, every person who believes in Jesus as his or her Savior is a disciple of Jesus. However, only a select group of early believers were chosen as apostles and given authority to perform signs and share the revelations found in the New Testament.
Quick Note Summary:
The key to the Biblical idea of an Apostle of Jesus would have to include, having been with Christ during His ministry, having personally witnessed Jesus after His resurrection, and having been empowered by the Holy Spirit to perform miracles or signs (Acts 1:21–22; 10:41; 2 Corinthians 12:12).
Paul was an exception to part of the qualifications. Although he did not accompany Jesus on His earthly journeys, Jesus made a special appearance to him on the road to Damascus and set him apart as an apostle to the Gentiles (Acts 26:14–18). Paul also spent time with the risen Jesus in Arabia (Galatians 1). This is why Paul compared his place among the other apostles as “one born at the wrong time” (1 Corinthians 15:8, NET).
4. Memory Verses: Recite with your table group 1 Peter 3:15; Ephesians 2:8-9; and Philippians 4:6-7
But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect 1 Peter 3:15 (NIV)
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God— not by works, so that no one can boast. Ephesians 2:8-9 (NIV)
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:4-7 (NIV)
Please join us as we continue to read and study Proverbs and Ephesians as part of our Christian Apologetics’ class each week!
Note: Class presentation, videos, reflections and Bible study questions are posted on the weekend – Bible study answers (like these) are posted mid-week.
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Teri Dugan
TeriDugan@truthfaithandreason.com
1 Peter 3:15
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