For the one grace exists saving through faith and this is not of yourselves, it is a gift of God.*
This verse is usually translated as "for by grace are you saved through faith" but the Greek for through and by are the same word, so it is better translated as "for the one grace exists saving through faith." Later Paul writes, there is only one faith and one Lord.* And one grace, "yea, each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ."* And we have access through Christ "through whom we have also obtained access, the one faith, to the extent of the one this grace in which we stand."* Through Jesus we obtained access to grace and faith. This fits with other scripture, Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith.* And as Jesus said, "this exists the work of God, so that believing to the extent of whom he sent."* Faith comes in believing in Jesus, therefore, faith is a gift given, and it is according to grace as we can't do any work to obtain faith. Faith is given and perfected by Jesus, thus we can't produce faith in any act we do. Faith is given as a small measure and it comes through and is increased through the Word of God, who is Jesus.
If anyone has ears to hear, give ear! Also he said to them, behold what you hear and in allotted measure, measured to you and added to you. For whoever possesses, given to him, and those not possessing also that having is taken away from him. *
Who can have faith? anyone that has ears to hear or anyone that can understand.. So if you have ears "behold what you hear and in allotted measure." This word for behold means to see, look at; to watch out, pay attention. This is as Jesus said those who behold or consider the Son, and believe will have or possess eternal life.* This word for consider means to see, look at, watch closely; perceive, experience. Faith is given and believing is the work of God but we must take hold and possess it. Faith is given in an allotted measure, or as a tiny mustard seed.
The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed on the ground who then goes to bed to gets up the next day to find the seed has sprouted and grown, and how this happens he does not know. We do not know how this happens, how faith is given and how it grows, however, we do know faith exists as assurance, conviction, and hope of things unseen. Also we know if we have a measure of faith, more will be added. We know how to have and grow faith, "first, the one faith comes from hearing, yea too, hearing through the words of Christ."* The author of faith gives us faith.
For through the one grace given to me... as God distributes to each one a measure of faith.*
To whom does God distribute a measure of faith? We read that when Jesus was lifted up, he draws all men to himself so are all given a measure of faith? What does it mean, for many exist called but few chosen?* Is faith distributed to all men? Would this explain what Jesus meant when he said "For whoever possesses, given to him, and those not possessing also that having is taken away from him" * Certainly, if it is given we must possess it or what was given will be taken away. Jesus is the author and perfecter of faith thus faith must be given but also faith must be possessed, thus to the one who hid it and did not invest it, it was taken away from him.
The allotted measure is given but we must buy in and invest in that which we have then more is given to us. To help us understand this, the scriptures give us the concept of "buying in" which means to acquire possession.* In considering the words of Jesus, in hearing and beholding, we see the concept of acquiring possession. Jesus compares acquiring possession to laboring for heavenly bread, not like laboring for earthly food that perishes but for food that endures unto everlasting life. Jesus said he is the Living Bread and we must labor for it. His words we must consider and buy into. Faith has the root meaning "be persuaded."
Give and it will be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, poured into your lap for what measure measuring, measured in return to you.*
This word give also means to supply, to reveal, to teach, to grant, to yield, bear fruit thus it can have many different specific meanings and referents depending on the context. In context Jesus is not talking about giving money, but of mercy, forgiveness, and also of the giving, teaching, increasing of faith. The parable of the sower gives us insight into how faith is increased, so if you have ears, hear, "some also fell on the good soil and produced fruit, some hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty, the one having ears let him hear!*
This verse is usually translated as "for by grace are you saved through faith" but the Greek for through and by are the same word, so it is better translated as "for the one grace exists saving through faith." Later Paul writes, there is only one faith and one Lord.* And one grace, "yea, each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ."* And we have access through Christ "through whom we have also obtained access, the one faith, to the extent of the one this grace in which we stand."* Through Jesus we obtained access to grace and faith. This fits with other scripture, Jesus is the author and perfecter of our faith.* And as Jesus said, "this exists the work of God, so that believing to the extent of whom he sent."* Faith comes in believing in Jesus, therefore, faith is a gift given, and it is according to grace as we can't do any work to obtain faith. Faith is given and perfected by Jesus, thus we can't produce faith in any act we do. Faith is given as a small measure and it comes through and is increased through the Word of God, who is Jesus.
If anyone has ears to hear, give ear! Also he said to them, behold what you hear and in allotted measure, measured to you and added to you. For whoever possesses, given to him, and those not possessing also that having is taken away from him. *
Who can have faith? anyone that has ears to hear or anyone that can understand.. So if you have ears "behold what you hear and in allotted measure." This word for behold means to see, look at; to watch out, pay attention. This is as Jesus said those who behold or consider the Son, and believe will have or possess eternal life.* This word for consider means to see, look at, watch closely; perceive, experience. Faith is given and believing is the work of God but we must take hold and possess it. Faith is given in an allotted measure, or as a tiny mustard seed.
The kingdom of God is like a man who scatters seed on the ground who then goes to bed to gets up the next day to find the seed has sprouted and grown, and how this happens he does not know. We do not know how this happens, how faith is given and how it grows, however, we do know faith exists as assurance, conviction, and hope of things unseen. Also we know if we have a measure of faith, more will be added. We know how to have and grow faith, "first, the one faith comes from hearing, yea too, hearing through the words of Christ."* The author of faith gives us faith.
For through the one grace given to me... as God distributes to each one a measure of faith.*
To whom does God distribute a measure of faith? We read that when Jesus was lifted up, he draws all men to himself so are all given a measure of faith? What does it mean, for many exist called but few chosen?* Is faith distributed to all men? Would this explain what Jesus meant when he said "For whoever possesses, given to him, and those not possessing also that having is taken away from him" * Certainly, if it is given we must possess it or what was given will be taken away. Jesus is the author and perfecter of faith thus faith must be given but also faith must be possessed, thus to the one who hid it and did not invest it, it was taken away from him.
The allotted measure is given but we must buy in and invest in that which we have then more is given to us. To help us understand this, the scriptures give us the concept of "buying in" which means to acquire possession.* In considering the words of Jesus, in hearing and beholding, we see the concept of acquiring possession. Jesus compares acquiring possession to laboring for heavenly bread, not like laboring for earthly food that perishes but for food that endures unto everlasting life. Jesus said he is the Living Bread and we must labor for it. His words we must consider and buy into. Faith has the root meaning "be persuaded."
Give and it will be given unto you, good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over, poured into your lap for what measure measuring, measured in return to you.*
This word give also means to supply, to reveal, to teach, to grant, to yield, bear fruit thus it can have many different specific meanings and referents depending on the context. In context Jesus is not talking about giving money, but of mercy, forgiveness, and also of the giving, teaching, increasing of faith. The parable of the sower gives us insight into how faith is increased, so if you have ears, hear, "some also fell on the good soil and produced fruit, some hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty, the one having ears let him hear!*
now, the one sown on good soil, this exists the one hearing the words and understanding, who now bears fruit producing some hundredfold, some sixty, and some thirty.*
Hearing and receiving the word means to take, take up, take in the hand. Receiving is possessing, taking hold of the faith that is given. How does one receive? it is the concept of "buying in" or having perception and understanding. The one who hears but doesn't have understanding, the evil one comes and snatches away that which was sown in his heart.* Do we see how faith can be given to all and taken away? it was given to one along the path but it was snatched away by the devil. We see the key to taking hold, is in understanding, and our understanding is increased through persistently knocking, give me this truth, give me this living bread! In our weakness comes the proving of our faith, as God uses this weakness for our maturity. Our laboring is for food that endures unto everlasting life, in which we see the increasing of our faith.
"For whoever possesses, given to him..."* This is how you possess, take hold of faith, you seek, ask, and knock. If one possesses faith it is given to him. To whom asks (demands, desires) it will be given. To those who do not have they have not asked or they asked for the wrong reason, for the wrong desires.* To the one who seeks he will find (acquire, discover, meet; obtain) To the one who asks it will be given and to the one who seeks he will possess faith. To the one who knocks it will be opened. Do you condemn yourself for not having faith? if so for what purpose? does it increase your faith to be under condemnation? Have you prayed and asked but still you do not have victory? Listen, hear, God might be saying to you, his grace is sufficient as his power is being perfected in you.
Again in context Jesus is not talking about giving and tithing money, but about the increasing of faith. Faith can be taught to others, though the blind in faith can not lead but "every one fully prepared exists like his teacher."* The preparation is found in the good soil, one who is has heard in an honest and good heart and has taken hold, secure possession, holds firmly, possesses the word, this one also bears fruit through enduring in truth.* In this we see the concept of the proving of our faith, our maturity, enduring in truth persevering not being a forgetful hearer only but a doer of truth.
Not giving that holy to dogs not even throwing your pearls to pigs, lest the pigs trample them under your feet and the dogs turn and tear you to pieces."*
We can spend much energy trying to increase faith in people who do not take hold, so give to those who value such things. Value your time wisely, spend it with those who want to seek the truth and you will see the bearing of fruit. I am in this place in my life, I want to serve those who seek the truth, and I have learned there are those who seek Jesus for the wrong reasons. So I take as a grain of salt traditions and doctrines of men, commentaries, and what so and so said. I want to seek the truth and have revelation of truth in Christ and be around others who value the same.
Why do you speak to them in parables? He answered them, saying because to you is given to know the mysteries of the kingdom of heaven, now to them it has not been given, for the one whosoever has, given, and abundantly, now the one whoever does not have, even what he has, taken away.*
Prophecy is fulfilled in some, they hear but never understand, they see but never perceive, so blessed are those who see and hear.* Some wither away because they do not have deep roots, and some are choked out by weeds, but those with good soil endure and produce fruit. The one who increases faith, the good soil, is the one who hears, receives, and understands, which also means to realize, to perceive. Such perceiving and enlightenment was granted or given to the apostles who had been chosen and given to Jesus by the Father, they learned from the Father.
Now, the one sown on rocky places, this one exists the one who hears the word and receives it with joy but having no root in himself only lasts a short time, so when suffering or persecution comes through the word, this one falls away.*
Hearing and receiving the word means to take, take up, take in the hand. Receiving is possessing, taking hold of the faith that is given. How does one receive? it is the concept of "buying in" or having perception and understanding. The one who hears but doesn't have understanding, the evil one comes and snatches away that which was sown in his heart.* Do we see how faith can be given to all and taken away? it was given to one along the path but it was snatched away by the devil. We see the key to taking hold, is in understanding, and our understanding is increased through persistently knocking, give me this truth, give me this living bread! In our weakness comes the proving of our faith, as God uses this weakness for our maturity. Our laboring is for food that endures unto everlasting life, in which we see the increasing of our faith.
Ask and you will be given, seek and you will find, knock and it will be opened to you.*
Oh, child of God, do not turn back, but add to your faith, be strengthened in faith until you are fully grown. If faith is given and you do not possess it, in the area of your weakness, then what is the issue? If you do not possess it then it has not been given to you? it is not a matter of your lack of faith, it is a matter of it being added to you. Do you possess faith? then you just need a little adding to, increasing in faith. Add to your faith by asking, seeking, and knocking, not by turning back in unbelief but by being strengthened in faith until it is fully grown.