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“The virtuous body of Christ” – Part 8

April 23, 2016

with Steven Crook

Our study today is focused on the work ethic of the virtuous woman who finds that her work is very useful for her household.

While we do not have the everyday need of spinning and preparing our own thread and clothing due to modern luxuries, there is still much we can recognize in the work that is involved in making sure these items were readily available for the needs of the household.

As with all scripture, there are age hold lessons which apply to us today in how we too can work for and prepare the appropriate items which represent who we are in Jesus Christ.

Working with our hands

Here is the verse we’ll be covering today:

Pro 31:19  She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

The first verse we are covering today took a little research on my part to determine just what was being said. Thankfully, the internet provides a wonderful resource for all of us today to learn about the things we do not already know about J

I watched several videos about the thread making process and also the utilization of that thread being used to make clothing items.

The real take away of Proverbs 31:19 for me is the time involved in creating just the thread that is needed to create a garment or clothing item. The work itself does not seem terribly complicated to spin yarn or thread, especially when you get the mechanics of it down, but the time and skill involved in making the thread and then making an item at of it is quite impressive.

Remember, our virtuous woman is a woman who is married to a king. She would not have the “need” to create her own thread and clothing items. However, being that she is willing and able to get in the mix and be involved in lowly work is quite telling about another one of her admirable personality traits.

I am sure we all know of examples of people in our lives who we look at and admire the work quality and ethics they have, and you are not the only one. The Lord also admonishes us of the importance of working hard and not fearing to put in a “good day’s work”.

Gen 2:15  And the LORD God took the man, and put him into the garden of Eden to dress H5737 it and to keep it.

(MKJV)  And Jehovah God took the man and put him into the garden of Eden to work it and keep it.

The better translation translates the work “dress” the proper way because the majority of the time H5637 means to serve.

H5647

‛âbad
Total KJV Occurrences: 294
serve, 163
Gen_15:13-14 (2), Gen_25:23, Gen_27:29, Gen_27:40, Gen_29:15, Gen_29:18, Gen_29:25, Gen_29:27, Exo_1:13-14 (2), Exo_3:12, Exo_4:23, Exo_7:16, Exo_8:1, Exo_8:20, Exo_9:1, Exo_9:13, Exo_10:3, Exo_10:7-8 (2), Exo_10:11, Exo_10:24, Exo_10:26 (2), Exo_12:31, Exo_14:12 (2), Exo_20:5, Exo_21:2, Exo_21:6, Exo_23:24-25 (2), Exo_23:33, Lev_25:40, Num_4:24, Num_4:26, Num_8:25, Num_18:7, Num_18:21, Deu_4:19, Deu_4:28, Deu_5:9, Deu_6:13, Deu_7:4, Deu_7:16, Deu_8:19, Deu_10:12, Deu_10:20, Deu_11:13, Deu_11:16, Deu_12:30, Deu_13:2, Deu_13:4, Deu_13:6, Deu_13:13, Deu_15:12, Deu_20:11, Deu_28:14, Deu_28:36, Deu_28:48, Deu_28:64, Deu_29:18, Deu_30:17, Deu_31:20, Jos_16:10, Jos_22:5, Jos_23:7, Jos_24:14-16 (6), Jos_24:18-22 (5), Jos_24:24, Jdg_2:19, Jdg_9:28 (3), Jdg_9:38, 1Sa_7:3, 1Sa_10:7, 1Sa_11:1, 1Sa_12:10, 1Sa_12:14, 1Sa_12:20, 1Sa_12:24, 1Sa_17:9, 1Sa_26:19, 2Sa_15:8, 2Sa_16:19 (2), 2Sa_22:44, 1Ki_9:6, 1Ki_12:4, 1Ki_12:7, 2Ki_10:18, 2Ki_17:35, 2Ki_25:24, 1Ch_28:9, 2Ch_7:19, 2Ch_10:4, 2Ch_30:8, 2Ch_33:16, 2Ch_34:33 (2), 2Ch_35:3, Job_21:15, Job_36:11, Job_39:9, Psa_2:11, Psa_18:43, Psa_22:30, Psa_72:11, Psa_97:7, Psa_100:2, Psa_102:22, Isa_14:3, Isa_43:23-24 (3), Isa_60:12, Jer_5:19, Jer_13:10 (2), Jer_16:13, Jer_17:4, Jer_25:6, Jer_25:11, Jer_25:14, Jer_27:6-9 (5), Jer_27:11-14 (4), Jer_27:17, Jer_28:14 (2), Jer_34:8-10 (4), Jer_35:15, Jer_40:9 (2), Jer_44:3, Eze_20:39-40 (2), Eze_48:18-19 (4), Zep_3:9, Mal_3:14

Whatever occupation the Lord has us in, while in this life, is one where we have place there to glorify God in it. God made Adam and told him to serve and keep the garden to show us this example from the very start of man’s creation.

God Himself worked for 6 days and rested from His work on the 7th, so hard work is very important to the Lord. We cannot accomplish anything when we die so we need to do all we do to the glory of God while we are still here and breathing and capable of doing so.

Obviously, physical labor is not the only type of work that can be done so this is more about doing all you do to the glory of the Lord.

1Co 10:31  Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.
Ecc 9:9  Live joyfully with the wife whom thou lovest all the days of the life of thy vanity, which he hath given thee under the sun, all the days of thy vanity: for that is thy portion in this life, and in thy labour which thou takest under the sun.

Ecc 9:10  Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.

Col 3:22  Servants, obey in all things your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as menpleasers; but in singleness of heart, fearing God:
Col 3:23  And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;
Col 3:24  Knowing that of the Lord ye shall receive the reward of the inheritance: for ye serve the Lord Christ.

Coupled with working hard is a warning for those that choose not to work but are able to. We find this stark warning from Paul to the church of Thessalonica.

2Th 3:10  For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
2Th 3:11  For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, WORKING NOT AT ALL, but are busybodies.
2Th 3:12  Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
2Th 3:13  But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
2Th 3:14  And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.

The point Paul is making here is very poignant and gets to the “heart” of the matter concerning the virtuous woman that king Lemuel is to seek according to His mother.

If one is able to work, and does not, then he does not eat. While this has an obvious physical application we are also to consider the spiritual applications.

We are told to command that those we fellowship with WORK and EAT their OWN BREAD. What does that mean?

How do we WORK for BREAD? Well, let’s see what work and bread are scripturally. It won’t take many verses to “work” this spiritual concept out.

There are two Greek words which are translated as “work” or “worketh”, but they are applied slightly differently. One represents “working fully” while another implies “to work”.

G2716:

Strong’s define G2716 as:

G2716
katergazomai
Thayer Definition:
1) to perform, accomplish, achieve
2) to work out, i.e. to do that from which something results
2a) of things: bring about, result in
3) to fashion, i.e. render one fit for a thing
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from G2596 and G2038
Citing in TDNT: 3:634, 421

Thayers define G2716 as:

G2716

katergazomai
Thayer Definition:
1) to perform, accomplish, achieve
2) to work out, i.e. to do that from which something results
2a) of things: bring about, result in
3) to fashion, i.e. render one fit for a thing
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: from G2596 and G2038
Citing in TDNT: 3:634, 421

Here are some examples of G2716:

Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out G2716 your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh G2038 in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

1Pe 4:3  For the time past of our life may suffice us to have wrought G2716 the will of the Gentiles, WHEN WE WALKED in lasciviousness, lusts, excess of wine, revellings, banquetings, and abominable idolatries:

Rom 1:27  And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working G2716 that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet.

Rom 7:13  Was then that which is good made death unto me? God forbid. But sin, that it might appear sin, working G2716 death in me by that which is good; that sin by the commandment might become exceeding sinful.

Rom 7:18  For I know that in me (that is, in my flesh,) dwelleth no good thing: for to will is present with me; but how to perform G2716 that which is good I find not.

The other Greek word that translates as “work” is G2038.

Strong’s defines G2038 as:

G2038
ergazomai
er-gad’-zom-ahee
Middle voice from G2041; to toil (as a task, occupation, etc.), (by implication) effect, be engaged in or with, etc.: – commit, do, labor for, minister about, trade (by), work.
Total KJV occurrences: 39

Thayer’s defines G2038 as:

G2038
ergazomai
Thayer Definition:
1) to work, labour, do work
2) to trade, to make gains by trading, “do business”
3) to do, work out
3a) exercise, perform, commit
3b) to cause to exist, produce
4) to work for, earn by working, to acquire
Part of Speech: verb
A Related Word by Thayer’s/Strong’s Number: middle voice from G2041
Citing in TDNT: 2:635, 251

Here are a few examples:

Php 2:12  Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out G2716 your own salvation with fear and trembling.
Php 2:13  For it is God which worketh G2038 in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure.

Joh 6:27  Labour G2038 not for the meat which perisheth, but for that meat which endureth unto everlasting life, which the Son of man shall give unto you: for him hath God the Father sealed.

Rom 2:10  But glory, honour, and peace, to every man that worketh G2038 good, to the Jew first, and also to the Gentile:

Eph 4:28  Let him that stole steal no more: but rather let him labour, working G2038 with his hands the thing which is good, that he may have to give to him that needeth.

The difference in these two different Greek words which are translated mostly as “work” is that one represents to do “work” that achieves something or a certain result and the other means to actually labor, do or work.

One is to accomplish or achieve something and the other is to do work.

In our Philippians example above, we “work out” our salvation which comes as a result of FEAR and TREMBLING, but it is God who does the LABOR of making the actual FEAR happen.

Another example of the differences from the verses above is that in Romans 7:13 is that death is the RESULT of sin working in us, but Ephesians 4:28 tells us that we actively work with our hands the thing that is good (work) so that we have to give to those in need.

This is exactly why the elect lady gets her hands on the spindle and distaff. She is willing to do the work that is needed but as a result she is able to gain what is needed to provide very valuable clothing for her home. She can also use these items as merchandise which she knows is very valuable.

Which mentioned earlier the connection of work and bread, so what is the bread as it connects to the home of this virtuous woman? This is another example of bread representing several things at once.

Bread is both the body of the Lord and WE are the body. We are the BREAD of LIFE to all those who have their Husbands heart, mind and voice WITHIN THEM.

Mat 4:4  But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by EVERY WORD that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.

Mat 6:11  Give us this day our daily bread.

Mat 26:26  And as they were eating, Jesus took bread, and blessed it, and brake it, and gave it to the disciples, and said, Take, eat; this is my body.

Mar 7:27  But Jesus said unto her, Let the children first be filled: for it is not meet to take the children’s bread, and to cast it unto the dogs.

Joh 6:5  When Jesus then lifted up his eyes, and saw a great company come unto him, he saith unto Philip, Whence shall we buy bread, that these may eat?
Joh 6:6  And this he said to prove him: for he himself knew what he would do G.

Joh 6:31  Our fathers did eat manna in the desert; as it is written, He gave them bread from heaven to eat.
Joh 6:32  Then Jesus said unto them, Verily, verily, I say unto you, Moses gave you not that bread from heaven; but my Father giveth you the TRUE BREAD from heaven.
Joh 6:33  For the bread of God is he which cometh down from heaven, and giveth life unto the world.
Joh 6:34  Then said they unto him, Lord, evermore give us this bread.
Joh 6:35  And Jesus said unto them, I am the bread of life: he that cometh to me shall never hunger; and he that believeth on me shall never thirst.
Joh 6:36  But I said unto you, That ye also have seen me, and believe not.
Joh 6:37  All that the Father giveth me shall come to me; and him that cometh to me I will in no wise cast out.
Joh 6:38  For I came down from heaven, not to do mine own will, but the will of him that sent me.

I have shared this with you all before over the years and in various studies, and it will be considered 1000% blasphemy by orthodox Christianity, but if Jesus Christ says that HE is the BREAD from HEAVEN, and that the BREAD is HIS BODY, then WHO is the BREAD from HEAVEN?

2Co 10:7  Do ye look on things after the outward appearance? If any man trust to himself that he is Christ’s, let him of himself think this again, that, as he is Christ’s, even so are we Christ’s.

1Jn 4:17  Herein is our love made perfect, that WE MAY HAVE BOLDNESS IN THE DAY OF JUDGMENT: because as he is, so are we in this world.

The day of judgment is NOW on the House of God, TODAY. As He is so are we. Jesus said EAT, this BREAD is MY BODY. This BREAD has come DOWN from HEAVEN. Who is the BREAD?

We are the body of Christ, the CHURCH of the LIVING God.

2Th 3:10  For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he EAT.

Eat what I ask you?

2Th 3:11  For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, WORKING NOT AT ALL, but are busybodies.
2Th 3:12  Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they WORK and EAT their own bread.

We are the body of Christ. We work for our Husband and do all that we do to His glory. When we do this we see that those who are CONNECTED with the body are PARTAKERS of the SAME BODY.

1Co 10:15  I speak as to wise men; JUDGE YE WHAT I SAY.
1Co 10:16  The cup of blessing which we bless, is it not the communion of the blood of Christ? The bread which we break, is it not the communion of the body of Christ?
1Co 10:17  For we being many are one bread, and one body: for we are all partakers of that one bread.

What does COMMUNION mean?

G2842
koinōnia
Total KJV Occurrences: 20
fellowship, 12
Act_2:42, 1Co_1:9, 2Co_8:4, Eph_3:9 (2), Phi_1:5, Phi_2:1, Phi_3:10, 1Jo_1:3 (2), 1Jo_1:6-7 (2)
communion, 4
1Co_10:16 (2), 2Co_13:14 (2)
communicate, 1
Heb_13:16
communication, 1
Phm_1:6
contribution, 1
Rom_15:26
distribution, 1
2Co_9:13

What should we do if someone does not want to COMMUNE with the body of Christ?

Here is the sum of what a virtuous woman does when she is willing to work with her hands, to do the will of her husband (God in type), in order that her house might be in proper Godly order:

2Th 3:7  For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;
2Th 3:8  Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:
2Th 3:9  Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.
2Th 3:10  For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that if any would not work, neither should he eat.
2Th 3:11  For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.
2Th 3:12  Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.
2Th 3:13  But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.
2Th 3:14  And if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him, that he may be ashamed.
2Th 3:15  Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

Working entails getting your hands busy with the work of the Lord and the WORK of the LORD is WITH HIS HOUSE.

Rev 3:12  Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out: and I will write upon him the name of my God, and the name of the city of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which cometh down out of heaven from my God: and I will write upon him my new name.

2Co 6:16  And what agreement hath the temple of God with idols? for ye are the temple of the living God; as God hath said, I will dwell in them, and walk in them; and I will be their God, and they shall be my people.

1Co 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?

Mat 21:12  And Jesus went into the temple of God, and cast out all them that sold and bought in the temple, and overthrew the tables of the moneychangers, and the seats of them that sold doves,
Mat 21:13  And said unto them, It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.

Jesus has entered the temple of God, His wife, and He knows her intimately. Do not make YOURSELF an IDOL sitting on the throne of God by considering yourself someone EXCLUDED from the body of Christ. Rather, consider yourself a partaker of her by communing with His wife.

Take a hold of the spindle and distaff and work the fine threads of a wonderful fabric of Life from heaven.