the word "even" means "also and with other parties, both, " in greek, showing distinction.
So, it means "also"
I could speak to you as a Christian, even as a believer.
I could speak to you as a Christian, also as a believer.
Either way I am still speaking to you. Not a different person or somebody next to to you.
to be carnal is to be sold under sin and at enmity against God
Romans 7:14
For we know that the law is spiritual: but I am carnal, sold under sin."
Romans 8:7
Because the carnal mind is enmity against God:..."
there is no such thing as a carnal christian (at least that's how I see it so far). But babes in Christ is different. They may fall and stumble and need top repent often and be in danger more so than a mature believer. But they are still not the same as carnal.
You realize Paul said this of himself in Romans 7:14?
This whole chapter is about a saved person trying his best to please God by keeping the law.
But the law makes us focus on sin and ourselves.
Chapter 8 is the victory chapter where Paul learned the secret to victory.
Yes, if we continue doing our best to keep the law, we will die. Physically die before we should. Not spiritually die.
Paul said to the Corinthians
"6 Howbeit we speak wisdom among them that are perfect: yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the princes of this world, that come to nought:...12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God. 13 Which things also we speak, not in the words which man's wisdom teacheth, but which the Holy Ghost teacheth; comparing spiritual things with spiritual.14 But the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him: neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned"(1Cor 2:6,12-14 KJV)
Those who are perfect are those who are trusting Christ. Hebrews 10:10, 14
By the which will we are sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all.
For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
If you are trying to understand Scripture with your own mind, it will be foolishness to you
Those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh. They do not walk in it and live fleshly. They have the mind of Christ not a carnal mind. That is as they abide in Christ and bring EVERY though to the captivity of Christ
Galatians 5:24 And they that are Christ's have crucified the flesh with the affections and lusts.
5:25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit.
It is not a guarantee that those who live in the Spirit will walk in the Spirit. But they should.
Note that some who believe will come into condemnation in the future (
Matthew 24:48-51).
For that interpretation to be correct that means there is a contradiction in the Scripture.
Are you willing to say Jesus lied about the fact that someone would not come into condemnation just so you can hold onto your interpretation?
Note that there are many verses that teach that salvation can be lost (e.g.
Hebrews 10:26-29).
Not one verse you have shown says that. And not this one either.
Hebrews 10:26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
10:27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
10:28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
10:29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
This person didn't receive the Truth, only the knowledge of it.
They could see how to be saved, but they chose to sin. They rejected Jesus Christ, and resisted the Holy Spirit.
Note that Jesus did give conditions in order to not perish (e.g.
Luke 13:3).
Yes, that is the one condition. Repent and believe the Gospel. Mark 1:15
That is the only condition. Notice the order, repent, then believe.
Note that a believer jumping out of God's hand, and thereby "falling away", is scriptural (e.g.
Hebrews 6:4-8).
If you look at the last verse in that passage you will see that this is talking about someone who was never saved.
6:8 But that which beareth thorns and briers
is rejected, and
isnigh unto cursing; whose end
is to be burned.
Jesus said a good tree cannot bear bad fruit.
Matthew 7:17 Even so every good tree bringeth forth good fruit; but a corrupttree bringeth forth evil fruit.
Matthew 7:18 A good tree cannot bring forth evil fruit, neither can a corrupttree bring forth good fruit.
Matthew 7:19 Every tree that bringeth not forth good fruit is hewn down, and cast into the fire.
John 10:28 means any person other than ourselves. For Christians are not kept as prisoners, but retain their free will, by which they wrongly
can depart from God (
1 Timothy 4:1).
Where does it say in that verse "other than ourselves"?
1 Timothy 4:16 means that if we continue in Jesus' doctrine, we will stay saved.
Now we can save others too?
We have the power to make somebody born-again? Wow!
Note that believing in Christ is not the only condition for being saved ultimately (e.g.
Matthew 7:21).
How does this verse say what you are saying it does?
Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.
What is the will of the Father?
John 6:40 And this is the will of him that sent me, that every one which seeth the Son, and believeth on him, may have everlasting life: and I will raise him up at the last day.
Note that Christians have been given power to effect their ultimate salvation (
2 Peter 1:10-11).
1:10 Wherefore the rather, brethren, give diligence to make your calling and election sure: for if ye do these things, ye shall never fall:
1:11 For so an entrance shall be ministered unto you abundantly into the everlasting kingdom of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ..
If you would have read the previous verses you would know that Peter was saying that someone who didn't do those things has forgotten that he was forgiven.
So then he tells them to make sure you know what you have in Christ.
We cannot affect our own salvation.
John 1:12 But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God,
even to them that believe on his name:
1:13 Which were born, not of blood, nor of the will of the flesh, nor of the will of man, but of God.
We believe in Jesus, then the Holy Spirit does His work in us. Once we accept Him, it is out of our control.
Note that
John 3:36 says that if we believe not, we shall not be saved ultimately.
The verse says if we don't believe, we will not only not be saved, but the wrath of God abides on us.
He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.
Note the wrath of God abides, it does not come back.
A person is under God's wrath until they believe. And never under His wrath after that. Romans 5:8-9