Saviour of the World – Matthew 5:20 – 1 John 2:2 – 1 John 4:14 – John 12:32 – Tithes – Apostle Paul’s Epistles – St. Irenaeous of Lyons Explains
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Let’s begin with the simple Topic of Tithing.
St. Irenaeous explains ‘why’ God has Replaced ‘the tithing Old Testament Law’ with a ‘Greater one under the Law of Liberty’ (and “not” of any necessity, “nor” compulsion) in the following excerpt next.
This means that for New Testament Times, we do NOT need to “pay tithes” but rather practice the “Law of Liberty” in regards to this as ‘each one is willing’ as Irenaeous himself describes in his own words as follows:
“… and instead of the law enjoining the giving of tithes, [He told us] to share all our possessions with the poor; and not to love our neighbours only, but even our enemies; and not merely to be liberal givers and bestowers, but even that we should present a gratuitous gift to those who take away our goods. For “to him that taketh away thy coat,” He says, “give to him thy cloak also; and from him that taketh away thy goods, ask them not again; and as ye would that men should do unto you, do ye unto them: ” so that we may not grieve as those who are unwilling to be defrauded, but may rejoice as those who have given willingly, and as rather conferring a favour upon our neighbours than yielding to necessity…” (St. Irenaeous of Lyons, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 4, Chapter XIII, Point 3)
Translation Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book4.html
I repeat for emphasis:
“… and INSTEAD of the LAW enjoining the GIVING of TITHES, [He told us] to SHARE ALL our POSSESSIONS with the POOR; and NOT to LOVE our NEIGHBOURS ONLY, but EVEN OUR ENEMIES; and not merely to be liberal givers and bestowers, but even that we should present a gratuitous gift to those who take away our goods. For “to him that taketh away thy coat,” He says, “give to him thy cloak also; and from him that taketh away thy goods, ask them not again; and as ye would that men should do unto you, do ye unto them: ” so that we may not grieve as those who are unwilling to be defrauded, but may rejoice as those who have given willingly, and as rather conferring a favour upon our neighbours than yielding to necessity…” (St. Irenaeous of Lyons, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 4, Chapter XIII, Point 3)
For example,
Irenaeous is clearly revealing that:
1) Tithes Law is NOT applicable to Gentile Believers
His Phrase: “INSTEAD of the LAW enjoining the GIVING of TITHES”
2) Instead of Law of Tithes, Gentile Believers are required to do these things which is considered as the FAR GREATER BIBLICAL REPLACEMENT to ‘any tithe giving’:
His Phrases:
(i) “SHARE ALL our POSSESSIONS with the POOR”
Comment: We usually don’t share “all” our possessions (except for some few exceptional ones) —-> and so, according to “how much we share”, that’s “how much of this part of Greater Law’ we fulfill in regards to this (as the Lord Alone Judges our hearts, ‘case by case’).
(ii) “NOT to LOVE our NEIGHBOURS ONLY, but EVEN OUR ENEMIES”
Etc.
Can you see it?
So, to the point each Christian Fulfills each of these NEW TESTAMENT Commands, they are FULFILLING a Law far greater than the Previous Old Testament Tithing Law.
The more one obeys each of these New Testament Verses, the more fulfilment each does accordingly (Matthew 5:19).
Conclusion
The ‘Law of Liberty’ example as Irenaeous explains above in regards to ‘tithes’ as well as other Laws (“Torah”) in the Context of Matthew 5:20 in his writing in that same chapter above (can be seen in the link and in “P/S” below) ——> points to Two Important Facts:
- a) Fact 1: Some Old Testament Laws are Replaced by Greater Ones with the “former” having NO need to be practiced at all under the New Testament for Gentile Believers (e. g. ‘the Tithing Law’ example illustrated above) —–> because the ‘latter CAN be practiced without the former’ (e. g. ‘you CAN practice giving as you purposed in your heart without practising the 10% tithing rule’).
- b) Fact 2: Some Old Testament Laws are ENJOINED together with Stronger Ones with the “former” having a need to be practiced TOGETHER —-> with these NEW New Testament LAWS for Gentile Believers as {illustrated below} —> ‘because you CANNOT practice the latter without practicing the former’ (e. g. ‘you CANNOT practice don’t hate others by not practicing don’t murder first’).
Example: The “Thou shall not Murder/Commit Adultery” Old Testament Law must be kept together with the NEW Testament’s Stronger Command to “NOT be in hate/lustful thoughts either even” as Irenaeous explains in his own words below too:
“And for this reason did the Lord, instead of that [commandment], “Thou shalt not commit adultery,” forbid even concupiscence; and instead of that which runs thus, “Thou shalt not kill,” He prohibited anger;…” (St. Irenaeous of Lyons, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 4, Chapter XIII, Point 3)
Why?
“For the LAW, since it was laid down for those in BONDAGE, used to instruct the soul by means of those CORPOREAL OBJECTS which were of an EXTERNAL NATURE, drawing it, as by a BOND, to OBEY ITS COMMANDMENTS, that man might learn to serve God.
But the WORD set FREE the soul, and taught that through it the body should be WILLINGLY PURIFIED. Which having been accomplished, it followed as of course, that the BONDS of SLAVERY should be REMOVED, to which man had now become accustomed, and that he should FOLLOW GOD WITHOUT FETTERS: moreover, that the LAWS OF LIBERTY should be EXTENDED, and subjection to the king increased, so that no one who is convened should appear unworthy to Him who set him free, but that the piety and obedience due to the Master of the household should be equally rendered both by servants and children; while the children possess greater confidence [than the servants], inasmuch as the WORKING of LIBERTY is GREATER and MORE GLORIOUS THAN that OBEDIENCE which is RENDERED in [a state of] SLAVERY.” (St. Irenaeous of Lyons, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 4, Chapter XIII, Point 2)
Emphasis, please note from the above:
“BONDS of SLAVERY should be REMOVED” —> [from Obeying some Old Testament Law], —-> which are CORPOREAL OBJECTS of an EXTERNAL NATURE —-> “to which man had now become accustomed”
“and that he should FOLLOW GOD WITHOUT FETTERS” —–> [No tithing rule for example] —–> “moreover, that the LAWS OF LIBERTY should be EXTENDED,” —–> [Greater or Deeper New Testament Laws which give a ‘range of obedience according to what the Commands of the Blessed Lord are toward Gentile Believers as it is Written’] —-> I add, example: “any of apostle Paul’s Inspired Commands of the Lord in his epistles which applies to any Gentile Believer” (1 Corinthians 14:37).
P/S: Matthew 5:20
In discussing the above, Irenaeous did discuss it in the Context of Matthew 5:20 too as follows:
“He does Himself declare: “Unless your righteousness shall exceed that of the scribes and Pharisees, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven.”
For what meant the excess referred to? In the first place, [we must] believe not only in the Father, but also in His Son now revealed; for He it is who leads man into fellowship and unity with God.
In the next place, [we must] not only say, but we must do; for they said, but did not.
And [we must] not only abstain from evil deeds, but even from the desires after them. Now He did not teach us these things as being opposed to the law, but as fulfilling the law, and implanting in us the varied righteousness of the law.
That would have been contrary to the law, if He had commanded His disciples to do anything which the law had prohibited.
But this which He did command-namely, not only to abstain from things forbidden by the law, but even from longing after them-is not contrary to [the law], as I have remarked, neither is it the utterance of one destroying the law, but of one fulfilling, extending, and affording greater scope to it.” (St. Irenaeous of Lyons, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 4, Chapter XIII, Point 1)
Comment: What does Irenaeous mean by the phrase “neither is it the utterance of one destroying the law, but of one fulfilling, extending, and affording greater scope to it” in the last line above?
Examples:
(i) Tithes
{and INSTEAD of the LAW enjoining the GIVING of TITHES – Old Testament, Compulsion}
—-> is Replaced by the FULLER COMPLETION, EXTENSION or the GREATER:
{[He told us] to SHARE ALL our POSSESSIONS with the POOR; and NOT to LOVE our NEIGHBOURS ONLY, but EVEN OUR ENEMIES… – Law of Liberty, New Testament, Willingly}
Logic: When SHARE ALL is Commanded, it includes ‘giving beyond the 10%’ but not necessarily vice versa.
(ii) Adultery
{instead of that [commandment], “Thou shalt not commit adultery,- Old Testament, Compulsion}
—-> is Replaced by the FULLER COMPLETION, EXTENSION or the GREATER:
{” forbid even concupiscence; – Law of Liberty, New Testament, Willingly}
Logic: When concupiscence is Prohibited, it includes ‘no adultery’ but not necessarily vice versa.
(iii) Murder
{and instead of that which runs thus, “Thou shalt not kill,” – Old Testament, Compulsion}
—-> is Replaced by the FULLER COMPLETION, EXTENSION or the GREATER:
{He prohibited anger – Law of Liberty, New Testament, Willingly}
Logic: When anger is Prohibited, it includes ‘no killing’ but not necessarily vice versa.
Can we SEE it?
P/S 2: Apostle Paul’s Epistles
How do we know that the “Gentile Obedience to the Law is not based on All the Old Testament Torah” but based on apostle Paul’s New Testament Writings “only”?
Reply
Again, Irenaeous in his own words describing this in that same book (Context) in a closely related Chapter as follows, please consider:
“… Wherefore also PAUL, since he was the APOSTLE of the GENTILES, says, “I laboured more than they all.” For the instruction of the former, [viz., the JEWS, ] was an easy task, because they could ALLEGE PROOFS from the SCRIPTURES…
also, that they who believe in Him shall be incorruptible and not subject to suffering, and shall receive the kingdom of heaven. These things, too, were preached to the GENTILES by word, WITHOUT [the aid of] the SCRIPTURES: wherefore, also, they who preached among the Gentiles underwent greater labour.
But, on the other hand, the faith of the GENTILES is proved to be of a MORE NOBLE description, since they FOLLOWED the WORD of GOD WITHOUT the INSTRUCTION [derived] from the [sacred] WRITINGS (sine instructione literarum).” (St. Irenaeous of Lyons, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 4, Chapter XXIV, Point 1, Point 2)
Please note the two points ‘carefully’ based on the above:
- c) All Old Testament Scripture applies to Jewish Believers
Instruction of the former, [viz., the JEWS, ] —-> ALLEGE PROOFS from the [Old Testament] SCRIPTURES.
- d) Only Some Old Testament Scripture or Sacred Writing applies to Gentile Believers
PAUL, since he was the APOSTLE of the GENTILES —-> preached to the GENTILES by word, WITHOUT [the aid of] the SCRIPTURES —-> faith of the GENTILES is proved to be of a more noble description —–> since they followed the WORD of GOD WITHOUT the INSTRUCTION —–> [derived] from the [sacred Old Testament] WRITINGS (sine instructione literarum).
This means that “All Gentiles” are instructed via “apostle Paul, the apostle of the Gentile’s letters” even WITHOUT any OLD TESTAMENT Scripture or Torah being needed, can you see it?
Please note carefully also that Irenaeous ONLY mentions apostle Paul as the apostle of the Gentile Believers where his PREACHING WITHOUT the SACRED WRITINGS or OLD TESTAMENT Scripture is to be ACCEPTED by “any Gentile Believer” ——> and that if ‘any Gentile Believer’ believes apostle Paul’s PREACHING as he WRITES even without any Old Testament Scripture —–> it considered a MORE NOBLE FAITH —–> or in Irenaeous’ words, “faith of the GENTILES is proved to be of a MORE NOBLE description, since they FOLLOWED the WORD of GOD WITHOUT the INSTRUCTION [derived] from the [sacred, Old Testament – Torah] WRITINGS (sine instructione literarum)”.
P/S 3: An Edifying Theological Remark
“Firstly, we know from apostle Paul’s Writings that the challenge Christ issued in that —> ‘unless your righteousness shall abound above that of the scribes and Pharisees, you shall never enter into the kingdom of the heaven’ (in Matthew 5:20 above) —> was NEVER attained by any human being as it is Written —–> “because by the works of the Law no
flesh will be justified in His sight…” (Romans 3:20, NASB) and this aspect of Salvation regarding the Faith of Jesus Christ unto Salvation (for us to obtain the ‘Righteousness of God through Him only’ – Romans 3:21 – 22 toward ALL and ‘those who believe’ too).”
The excerpt above is from Page 68 from the Book Lost Orthodoxy in link below:
So God wants to see our Willingness To keep His Law (Matthew 5:20) but in the End Despite our Failures, He still saves us by His Mercy only (Titus 3:5) —-> and for “our personal faith & works” based on our “thoughts, words and actions” —-> we partially determine ‘our level of reward (Matthew 5:19) —–> after being Saved Freely by the Faith of Jesus Christ Alone’ (Romans 3:22).
P/S 4: 1 John 2:2
How did Irenaeous understand the phrase ‘Lamb of God … Who Takes Away the Sin of the World’? (1 John 2:2, John 1:29)
To quote:
“… Jesus Christ our Lord, the Son of the Most High God, who promised by the law and the prophets that He would make HIS SALVATION visible to ALL FLESH; so that He would become the Son of man for this purpose, that man also might become the son of God? …
For ALL THINGS had entered upon a NEW PHASE, the WORD arranging after a NEW MANNER the ADVENT in the FLESH, that HE might WIN BACK to GOD that HUMAN NATURE (hominem) which had DEPARTED from God;…
For this is the KNOWLEDGE of SALVATION which was wanting to them, that of the Son of God, which John made known, saying, “Behold the LAMB of GOD, who TAKETH AWAY the SIN of the WORLD. This is He of whom I said, After me cometh a man who was made before me; because He was prior to me: and of His fulness have all we received.” This, therefore, was the KNOWLEDGE of SALVATION…
But SALVATION, as BEING FLESH: for “the Word was made flesh, and dwelt among us.” This KNOWLEDGE of SALVATION, therefore, John did IMPART to THOSE REPENTING, and BELIEVING in the Lamb of God, who TAKETH AWAY the SIN of the WORLD.
… Him who is the Creator of the highest, that is, of super-celestial things, and the Founder of everything on earth: who has sent to His OWN HANDIWORK, that is, to MEN, the BLESSING of His SALVATION from heaven…
… “The Lord said to my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, UNTIL I make Thy foes Thy footstool.”…” (St. Irenaeous of Lyons, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 3, Chapter X, Point 2, Point 3, Point 5)
Translation Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book3.html
It is clear from Irenaeous that ‘believing in the Lamb of God, who taketh away the sin of the world’ INCLUDES BELIEVING in the following KNOWLEDGE of SALVATION, i.e. ‘in his own words’, please consider:
- i) Does His Salvation apply to ‘believers only’?
No, to ALL MEN in their RESURRECTED FLESH eventually —> Irenaeous’ phrase:
‘HIS SALVATION visible to ALL FLESH’
- ii) Does His Salvation affect believing or Christian things only?
No, ALL THINGS too (Colossians 1:20), which refers to “ALL [Created] THINGS” too eventually (Definition: Colossians 1:16) —-> Irenaeous’ phrase:
‘ALL [Created] THINGS had entered upon a NEW PHASE’
iii) Does it include ALL MEN or Christians only?
ALL MEN eventually as Irenaeous phrase below implies this ‘Generally’ (‘Collectively toward ALL MEN’ or ‘MEN’ as ‘His Salvation’ is toward WINNING BACK the ‘HUMAN NATURE’ part which has DEPARTED from God – yes, God does NOT Fail in Fulfilling His Will):
‘HE might WIN BACK to GOD that HUMAN NATURE (hominem) which had DEPARTED from God’
- iv) What is Salvation?
Irenaeous phrase here: ‘SALVATION, as BEING FLESH’
Meaning?
‘SALVATION’ = [the “soul”] as BEING [Resurrected in a sinless] FLESH’
Yes, Salvation is ‘the SOUL’ being Raised ANEW in a SINLESS RESURRECTED BODY eventually (Please see pages 62, 86, 389, yes especially page 86 in the Book ‘Lost Orthodoxy’ in link provided prior to ‘understand’ this).
Does this HOPE of being Raised ANEW extend to ALL MEN or believers only? (Please view Pages 44, 79 – 80, 137 – 138 too to ‘understand’ what ‘Irenaeous meant in his own words’).
- v) Does it include His enemies?
Yes, in Irenaeous own words:
‘The Lord said to my Lord, Sit Thou on My right hand, UNTIL I make Thy FOES [enemies] Thy footstool’.
Yes, His enemies will be subdued in Judgment too but will also be made SUBJECT to HIM as 1 Corinthians 15:24 – 28 Prophesies Majestically toward the Final End of God being ALL in ALL [Creation] eventually.
- vi) Does it include ALL MEN?
Yes, in Irenaeous own words:
‘His OWN HANDIWORK, that is, to MEN, the BLESSING of His SALVATION from heaven’ —-> where MEN = ‘All Men’ Collectively Spoken are to obtain this FREE ‘BLESSING of SALVATION from Heaven’ eventually. Can you see it?
vii) Christians = Those who believe in Faith = ‘those repenting’
Christians or ‘those repenting’ are said by Irenaeous to be IMPARTED —–> KNOWLEDGE of SALVATION —> [which we saw to include ALL FLESH in the Context to Restore Fallen/Sinful HUMAN NATURE toward His OWN HANDIWORK = MEN (or ALL MEN, collectively meant)] —-> i.e. to ‘understand’ that Truly —> Lord Jesus Christ is the ‘Lamb of God, who TAKETH AWAY the SIN of the WORLD’!
Irenaeous’ phrase:
‘KNOWLEDGE of SALVATION, therefore, John did IMPART to THOSE REPENTING, and BELIEVING in the Lamb of God, who TAKETH AWAY the SIN of the WORLD’.
P/S: 1 John 4:14
How did Irenaeous understand the phrase ‘Saviour of the World (1 John 4:14)’?
To quote:
“… for we ourselves have heard [Him], and know that this man is truly the SAVIOUR of the WORLD.” And PAUL likewise declares, “And so ALL ISRAEL SHALL be SAVED; ” but he has also said, that the law was our pedagogue [to bring us] to Christ Jesus. Let them NOT therefore ascribe to the law the UNBELIEF of certain [among them]. For the law never hindered them from believing in the Son of God; nay, but it even exhorted them so to do, saying that MEN can be SAVED in no other way from the old wound of the serpent than by believing in Him who, in the likeness of sinful flesh, is LIFTED UP from the earth upon the tree of martyrdom, and DRAWS ALL THINGS to Himself, and VIVIFIES the DEAD.” (St. Irenaeous of Lyons, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 4, Chapter II, Point 7)
Translation Source:
http://www.earlychristianwritings.com/text/irenaeus-book4.html
It’s obvious that Irenaeous understands the phrase ‘Saviour of the World’ (1 John 4:14) to mean that ‘ALL Israel will be SAVED’ (Romans 3:3 – 4) including those in ‘UNBELIEF too’ eventually (Romans 11:25 – 26) —-> “by believing in Him who” which includes the BELIEVING AFTER SEEING HOPE too (John 6:40) —> as the John 3:14 – 15 Mystery is set forth in Scripture after Christ is LIFTED UP (John 12:32) —-> in the Context of DRAWING ALL MEN back to Him eventually (John 12:32 again) —> and NOT just ‘all men’ but ‘ALL [Created] THINGS’ too eventually (Colossians 1:16, 20) —> where in the context of ‘men’, it means by VIVIFYING the Dead (Resurrecting the dead in a sinless body eventually).
Which is IRREFUTABLY seen in Irenaeous’ words (re-quoted below), please ‘read carefully’ to ‘realize this SAME Biblical Truth’ set Forth in Holy New Testament Scripture:
“… SAVIOUR of the WORLD.” And [apostle] PAUL likewise declares, “And so ALL ISRAEL SHALL be SAVED; ” … NOT therefore ascribe to the law the UNBELIEF of certain [among them]. … that MEN can be SAVED … by believing in Him who, … is LIFTED UP from the earth … and DRAWS ALL [Created] THINGS to Himself, and VIVIFIES the DEAD.” (St. Irenaeous of Lyons, ‘Against Heresies’, Book 4, Chapter II, Point 7)
Shalom
