Bible verses about "vulnerability" | JMNT

²¹ Then, approaching, Peter said to Him, "Master (or: Lord), how many times shall my brother be habitually wronging me (or: failing to do or perform unto me as he rightfully should; committing a sin [which penetrates] into me [like being hit with an arrow]), and I shall continue to let it pass away for him (or: forgive him)? Until seven times?" ²² Jesus is then saying to him, "I don't normally say 'Till seven times,' but rather, 'Until seventy times seven!'

³³ Stop being led astray (or: Do not continue being deceived and caused to wander)! “Worthless associations, conversations or interminglings in a crowd (or: Companionships of corrupt quality [note: this can refer to sexual encounters]; Bad company or communication) habitually and progressively corrupt, decay, spoil and ruin useful habits, kind customs and profitable characters.” [note: a quote from a play by the poet Menander]

⁷ Now we presently and continuously hold (have and possess) this treasure within containers (jars; pots; vessels; equipment) made of baked clay [e.g., pottery; bone ware] so that the transcendence of the power may habitually originate its existence in God – and not from out of us (or: the over-cast of ability can be that which is God – and not of us; or: the overwhelming which comes from the Power would exist with the character and quality of God – and not from what characterizes us)!

⁵ You see, this way of thinking (this attitude and disposition) is continuously within and among you folks (or, as an imperative: So let this minding be habitually within you folks) – which [is] also within Christ Jesus, ⁶ Who, starting and continuing as inherently existing (or: beginning under; subsisting) within God's form (or: in an outward mold which is God), He does not consider the [situation] to be equals in and by God a plunder (or: a pillaging; a robbery; a snatching; or: a thing or situation seized and held), (or: Who, [although] constantly humbly and supportively ruling in union with an external shape and an outward appearance from God, did not give consideration to a seizure: the [situation] to continuously exist being the same things with God, even on the same levels in God, or equal [things; aspects] to God,) ⁷ but to the contrary, He empties Himself (or: removed the contents of Himself; made Himself empty), receiving (or: taking; accepting) a slave's form (external shape; outward mold), coming to be (or: birthing Himself) within an effect of humanity's (mankind's; people's) likeness. ⁸ And so, being found in an outward fashion, mode of circumstance, condition, form-appearance (or: character, role, phase, configuration, manner) as a human (a person; a man), He lowers Himself (or: humbled Himself; made Himself low; degrades Himself; levels Himself off), coming to be (or: birthing Himself) a submissive, obedient One (one who gives the ear and listens) as far as (or: to the point of; until) death – but death of a cross (torture stake)! ⁹ For this reason, God also lifts Him up above (or: highly exalted Him; elevates Him over) and by grace gives to Him (or: joyously favors on Him) the Name – the one over and above every name! – ¹⁰ to the end that within The Name: Jesus! (or: in union with the name of Jesus; in the midst of the Name belonging to [Yahweh-the-Savior]), every knee (= person) – of the folks upon the heaven (of those belonging to the super-heaven, or [situated] upon the atmosphere) and of the people existing upon the earth and of the folks dwelling down under the ground (or: on the level of or pertaining to subterranean ones; [comment: note the ancient science of the day – a three-tiered universe]) – may bend (or: would bow) in worship, prayer or allegiance,

² You folks be habitually lifting up and carrying one another's heavy burdens and oppressive matters (grievous weights of and from one another), and thus, you will continuously fulfill [or, with other MSS: In this way, at once fill up and fulfill] Christ's Law (or: the law which is Christ; the law of the Anointing; [other MSS: and in this manner, at once fill up the law of the Christ {the law whose character and source is Christ}]).

³⁴ "I am giving to you men a new implanted goal (an inward purposed directive different from that which had been formerly; an impartation of a finished product and destiny that is new in kind and character): that you folks are to be continuously and progressively loving (or: should constantly love and accept) one another, just as(correspondingly as; to the same level as; in the sphere as) I love you folks so that you also may constantly (or: would habitually) love and accept one another. ³⁵ "Within this, all people will come to know by personal experience that you are (or: continue being) My disciples (students; learners) – if you should constantly hold love within one another (or: have acceptance which overcomes separation and drives toward union among yourselves)."

²⁷ "But rather, I am now saying to you folks – the people continuing to listen, and constantly hearing – Be habitually loving your enemies (the folks that are hostile in regard to you); be repeatedly doing ideally to (constantly performing beautifully for; habitually making or creating finely among) the folks habitually hating you and repeatedly treating you with ill-will. ²⁸ "Repeatedly speak words of goodness, ease, well-being and blessing to the people constantly cursing (or: making negative prayers about) you folks; be constantly thinking goodness and speaking well-being about (or: praying concerning) the folks [that] repeatedly threaten, insult, mistreat or abuse you. ²⁹ "To the person repeatedly striking and beating you upon the cheek or jaw, repeatedly offer (or: present; hold to the side) the other one, as well. "Also, you should not prevent or hinder the one presently picking up and taking your cloak (outer garment) from also [taking your] tunic (undergarment). ³⁰ "Be habitually giving to everyone constantly making requests from you (or: begging from, or demanding [something] of, you), and do not make it a habit (or: cease your custom) to demand it back (or: repeatedly ask for it back) from the person presently or repeatedly taking what is yours. ³¹ "And so, correspondingly and exactly as you folks are normally wanting and intending that humanity (people; mankind) should habitually do to and for you, you, yourselves also, be constantly doing likewise to and for them. ³² "Further, if you folks habitually love and unambiguously accept the people normally loving you, what sort of grace or favor is it by you (or: for you; to you; among you)? You see, the outcasts (folks who by lifestyle or trade are habitually ceremonially unclean or repeatedly break the Law; people who constantly fail to hit the target, fall short of the goal, or make mistakes; sinners) are also normally loving and accepting the folks who are habitually loving them. ³³ "You see, if you folks should continue doing good [to; for; among] the people constantly doing good [to; for; among] you, what sort of grace or favor is it by you (or: for you; to you; among you)? The outcasts (sinners; etc.) are habitually doing the very same thing! ³⁴ "And if you folks should lend [without interest] at the side, to people from which you normally expect to receive [back], what sort of grace or favor is it by you (or: for you; to you; among you)? For you see, outcasts (sinners; etc.) also are habitually lending to outcasts, with an expected result that they should (or: can) get back the equivalent. ³⁵ "In any case, be continuously loving your enemies (the ones hostile to you), and be constantly doing good, and also be habitually lending while expecting [to get] nothing back. Then your wage and reward will proceed being much, and you folks will continue be sons (= have the character and qualities) of the Most High. "You see, He Himself continuously exists being benevolent, usefully kind and profitable upon the ungracious, unthankful and ungrateful, as well as the useless, unprofitable, pernicious and wicked folks. ³⁶ "Continue becoming compassionate people, just as your Father continuously exists being compassionate!

¹⁶ Consequently, make it a habit to fully speak in accordance with and admit (or: openly speaking out similarly about) your failures (errors; misses of the target; sins) among another folks (or: to one another), and then be habitually speaking toward having well-being over [those failures] of other folks (or: continue praying and thinking goodness on behalf of one another), in such a manner that you folks would be cured (or, as an indicative: as you are instantly healed). A binding need (or: a petition and an entreaty out of need) of a person within the Way pointed out (of a fair and equitable person; of one in right relationship; of a rightwised and rightly aligned man; of a just one) – which progressively works inwardly and itself continuously creates energy from union – constantly exerts much strength.

¹¹ Our mouth has been opened up and continues open toward you, O Corinthians: our heart has been broadened and is now enlarged. ¹² You folks are not being constantly restricted into some limited place within us (= in our hearts), but you are being repeatedly squeezed into restrictions in your own inner sensitivities and deep feelings (within your interior organs). ¹³ Now I am speaking as to children: [let's have] the same fair exchange of recompense. You folks also be broadened and enlarged!

¹⁰ Wherefore I habitually delight and take pleasure within weaknesses (or: in union with lack of strength or infirmity); in the midst of outrageous insults and ignominious situations of mistreatment; in union with pressured necessities; in the midst of pursuits for persecution and cramped situations over and on behalf of Christ, for whenever I continue being (or: may periodically be) weak, then I am powerful (or: I then exist being capable)!

⁹ and yet He has said to me – and His declaration stands, "My grace is continuously sufficient in you (or: My joyous favor is constantly adequate to ward [it] off for you), for you see, ability (or: the [other MSS read: My] power) is habitually brought to its goal (or: finished; perfected; matured) within the midst of weakness (or: in union with lack of strength and infirmity)." Most gladly, therefore, I will rather continue boasting within the midst of and in union with weakness, to the end that the ability of the Christ (or: the Anointed One's power) can pitch its tent (or: should tabernacle) upon me (or: = set up residence upon me during this transient life and journey; perhaps: = fulfill the type of the Feast of Tabernacles with me; or: = be my house from heaven; [cf: ch. 5:1])!

¹ Jacob (or: James) a slave belonging to God and to [the] Lord, Jesus Christ (or: a slave pertaining to God, even in fact, really, to [the] Lord and Owner [or, perhaps: = Yahweh], Jesus Christ), to the twelve tribes (or: sprouts and branches which sprang forth) who are to be constantly rejoicing within the scattering (or: which are within the midst of the dispersion [= the planting], "To constant joy and gladness!"). ² My brothers (= fellow Israelites, or, fellow believers; = My family), lead every rejoicing (or: lead the path of all joy) whenever you may fall into – so as to be encompassed by – various trials (or: multi-faceted ordeals; [a tapestry of] tests and provings; or: experiments and attempts of varying hues), ³ habitually knowing by intimate experience and insight that the thing by means of which your faith, trust and confidence is proved (tested and accepted) is continually producing (or: is progressively working down-in the results of) persistent patient endurance (a steadfast remaining and dwelling under some ordeal or situation; or: a holding up under sustained attacks; or: a relentless giving of sustaining support). ⁴ But patient endurance (remaining under and/or sustained support) must habitually be having a work brought to completion (a complete action; a perfect work; a mature production which reaches its goal) to the intent that you may be (or: can exist as) perfect ones (complete, matured and finished folks who have attained the goal), even ones having an entire allotment (or: whole folks having every part), being left behind in nothing (or: lacking not one thing). ⁵ So, if any one of you is continually left behind (or: lacking) in regard to wisdom, he must keep on asking (requesting) from the side (= immediate presence) of the God [Who is] continuously giving to everyone singly (one at a time; or: simply; or: = generously) and is not constantly reproaching or demeaning, and it will proceed being given to him. ⁶ Yet he must keep on asking in faith and conviction (or: continue making [his] request in union with trust), making not one hesitation from habitually distinguishing and constantly evaluating differences (undecidedly separating throughout; discerning between uncertain points; judging dividedly to produce doubt) within himself, for the person repeatedly making undecided distinctions (making a separation and judging dividedly unto doubt) within himself is like a surge of the sea, being constantly raised and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For that man must not habitually suppose (or: normally assume) that he will continue receiving (or: taking in hand; seizing; getting) anything from beside (= from being in the presence of) the Lord [= Yahweh, or, Christ]. ⁸ A two-souled (or: = divided-willed; or: = emotionally split) adult male [is] unstable (unfixed; inconstant; turbulent) in all his ways. ⁹ Now let the low (humble; not rising far from the ground) brother (or: fellow member/believer) continually boast (or: be habitually loud-mouthed) in his height (or: exaltation), ¹⁰ but the rich, in his lowness (or: humiliation; depression), because he will be progressively passing by as a flower of grass (or: = a wildflower). ¹¹ For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the grass, and its flower falls off, and the beauty of its face (= loveliness of its appearance) loses itself (finds destruction in itself). Thus also, the rich one will proceed in being extinguished (faded; withered) in his goings (journeys; business; ventures; way of life). ¹² Happy and blessed is the adult male [A and other MSS: person] who is continuously remaining under a proving (a putting to the proof; or: a trial; an ordeal), because upon being birthed approved (or: growing and becoming proved and accepted) he will continue laying hold of the circle of the life (or: life's crown; life's encirclement; the encirclement from this living existence; or: the wreath which is the Life) which He [some MSS: the Lord (= Yahweh or Christ)] Himself promised to those continuously loving Him. ¹³ Let no one, while being continuously probed and put to the proof, be saying "I am constantly being probed and put to the proof (tested; tried) in an ordeal from God, " for God is One Who is not put through an ordeal, not probed, put to the proof or tried, and is [thus] without experience from not having made an attempt, in regard to things of bad quality (or: you see, God exists un-testable and, lacks experience, from worthless situations or evil things or mean people), and so He Himself is repeatedly probing no one, nor constantly putting even one person in a test, to the proof or through an ordeal. ¹⁴ Yet each person is repeatedly probed and put to the proof (tested and tried in an ordeal), being continuously dragged (or: drawn) out and entrapped under his own over-covering passion (by his own longing, craving or lust; by what he sets his desires upon). ¹⁵ Thereafter, with the over-covering passion conceiving (seizing together so as to become pregnant), it continuously gives birth to failure (or: repeatedly brings forth an offspring of missing the target; progressively bears sin). Now the failure (error; sin; missing of the target), being brought to full term (being finished off; being fully formed with all its parts; being brought to its goal) continues producing (keeps generating; from pregnancy progressively bears forth) death. ¹⁶ Do not be repeatedly caused to wander (or: Be not continuously deceived), my beloved brothers (= family members; = fellow believers)! ¹⁷ Every good leaving of a legacy, profitable contributing or excellent dosing, as well as all virtuous giving, and (or: All giving [is] beneficial, and yet), every perfect gift (finished, complete or mature result of giving) is from above, descending from the Father of the lights, beside Whom there is no otherness at [His] side (or: in the presence of Whom is no parallel otherness; [other MSS: along with Whom {is} not one interchange, variation, shifting or mutation]), nor a shadow cast by turning [other MSS: an effect caused by the passing of shadows]. ¹⁸ Being purposed (intended; willed), from pregnancy He brought us forth by a Word (collected thought; message) of Truth and Reality – [placed] into us – to be (or: to continuously exist being) a specific firstfruit of His created beings (or: of the effects of His act of creating; or: from the results of the creation which is Himself). ¹⁹ You folks have seen and are aware, so understand, perceive and know [this], my beloved brothers. So every person must continuously be quick (swift) into the [position or place] to listen and hear, slow into the [readiness] to make vocal utterance, [and] slow into intrinsic fervor (internal swelling of passion; teeming desire; or: agitation; anger; or: a particular mental bent). ²⁰ For you see, an adult male's intrinsic fervor (or: mental bent; temperament; disposition; or: swelling desire and passionate longing; or: anger and indignation) is not working out (producing; bringing into effect) God's fair and equitable dealing (or: rightwised situation which accords to the Way pointed out, in right relationship; the quality of the thing which is right and just; also: = the covenant life from God). ²¹ For this reason, putting away from yourselves all filthiness and encompassing superabundance of bad quality (ugliness; baseness; malice; evil; qualities that ought not to be), you folks must receive (take with your hands) in gentleness (meekness) the implanted (ingenerated) Word (collected thought; idea; message), the One being continuously able (or: the one which is constantly powerful) to deliver (rescue; keep safe; heal and make whole) your souls (your inner self and being). ²² Now you must continuously come to be (or: be progressively birthed) performers of [the] Word (or: makers of collected thought; framers of an idea; authors of a message; producers of reason; [the] Word's doers), and not only hearing ones (listeners; those hearing in an auditorium), continuously deceiving (reckoning aside; miscalculating) yourselves. (another combination of these options yields: So you folks must be progressively birthed to be authors of a message, and not only those in an auditorium, continuously miscalculating yourselves.) ²³ Because if someone is a hearer of [the] Word (a listener to a thought, idea or message) and not a doer (performer; producer), this one is like (resembles) an adult male contemplating (considering; attentively pondering) in a mirror the face of his birth (genesis; origin; existence; generation; lineage; or: = the face with which he was born): ²⁴ for he contemplated himself and has departed, and immediately forgot of what sort (quality; manner) he was. ²⁵ But the one stooping down beside in order to attentively view into (giving a penetrating look into) the perfect (finished and realized; matured; completed; full-grown and fully developed; purposed and destined) law – the one which is freedom (or: the one whose source is, and which has the qualities of, freedom and liberty) – and then remaining (abiding; dwelling) beside [it] – not being birthed (or: coming to be) a hearer of forgetfulness (or: a forgetful listener), but rather a performer of work (a producer of action) – this person will continue being happy and blessed within his performing and in union with his producing. ²⁶ Now if someone habitually supposes [himself] (or: thinks [himself]; presumes; or: constantly appears or seems) to be religious (occupied with rituals and ceremonies), while not habitually guiding his tongue with a bridle, but rather is repeatedly deceiving his heart, the religion (ritual; observance of a religious system) of this person is useless (futile; empty). ²⁷ Pure (clean) and unstained (undefiled) religion, by the side of (= in the presence of) God, even the Father, is this: to habitually visit so as to continuously look upon with the eyes in order to help (or: oversee) orphans and widows within the midst of their pressure (squeezing; distress; ordeal; tribulation); to habitually keep oneself unspotted from the controlling ordered System (or: the world of secular culture, religion, economy and government).