Studying Scripture by Application of Right Division (2Cor 5:16)

Studying Scripture by Application of Right Division (2Cor 5:16)

When a person takes time to study the Bible, that study will ultimately result in the need to rightly divide, (2Tim 2:15). This cannot be avoided! As one cross-references scripture, it will lead one into both the prophetic and mystery programs, according to the intent and design of God’s written Word. Right division is the only way to accurately interpret scripture by keeping these two programs separate and distinct. Let’s apply this instruction on the key verse below to understand its true context.

2Cor 5:16  Wherefore henceforth know we no man after the flesh: yea, though we have known Christ after the flesh, yet now henceforth know we him no more. 17  Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

Have you ever heard verse 16 taught in church? I would venture to say, “No!” Did you note what it’s saying? Let me paraphrase it. “Though we have known Christ in His earthly ministry, yet now, we know Him no more in this capacity.” What?! In my 45-years as a believer, the majority of what I was taught, was about Jesus in the gospels. I know His parables. I know His teachings. I know His miracles. I know the steps of His life from birth to death, and the resurrection. I used to apply the, “What would Jesus do?” phrase to my life to help me make decisions and stay on the righteous track. Now Paul comes and says that we must no longer know Christ according to the flesh!

What do you do with a verse like this? How do you accept it? How do you explain it to people? There is only one way to understand this verse, and that is to rightly divide it, according to Paul’s advice.

So, what then is Paul really saying? Well, let’s study it rightly divided, and see what the scriptures say. Have a look at the following verses.

To the Jews only

Mat 10:5-6  These twelve Jesus sent forth, and commanded them, saying, Go not into the way of the Gentiles, and into any city of the Samaritans enter ye not:  (6)  But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Mat 15:24  But he answered and said, I am not sent but unto the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

Joh 1:10-11  He was in the world, and the world was made by him, and the world knew him not.  (11)  He came unto his own, and his own received him not.
(See Deut.7:6; Gal.4:4-5 for context)

Rom 15:8  Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcision for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made unto the fathers:

Gal 4:4 But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, 5 To redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons.

Jesus was born a Jew, operated under the law, and came to redeem His people, the nation of Israel. Barring two or three instances, Jesus did not minister to Gentiles, and He did not send His disciples out to preach the Kingdom gospel to Gentiles. Jesus earthly ministry was to prepare and save Israel for the Millennial Kingdom. The reason for focusing on Israel was that, according to prophecy (eg: Isa.60:1-2), redeemed Israel was to be the light and salvation to the Gentiles, by God’s predetermined will. So, if Jesus ministered to Gentiles, He would be stepping outside the bounds of His purpose.

With this in mind, we can clearly see a divide here. The Kingdom program (or dispensation) in which Jesus lived, is different from the Grace program that we live in today. This grace program started in Acts with the fall of Israel, due to unbelief, and the sending of Paul to the Gentiles. It is for this very reason that Paul tells us that even though we have known Christ according to His earthly ministry, yet now, in this grace dispensation, we must know Him no more. Why? Because Jesus came for the Jews and ministered according to law in the Kingdom program. This program is NOT for us! It was for the redemption of Israel.

Consider also why Paul writes in the very next verse that if any man is in Christ (saved in the grace program), he is a new creation. The old way of life (under the Mosaic law, concerning traditions, ordinances, holy days, and feasts) is passed and all things have become new under grace. We are not bound by those practices. We are liberated and have been transferred from Adam into the ministration of Christ, into a relationship which is by faith and in spirit.

A spiritual calling

Gal 2:20 I am crucified with Christ: nevertheless I live; yet not I, but Christ liveth in me: and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by the faith of the Son of God, who loved me, and gave himself for me. 

Rom 8:5-6 For they that are after the flesh do mind the things of the flesh; but they that are after the Spirit the things of the Spirit.  (6)  For to be carnally minded is death; but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.

Rom 8:13 For if ye live after the flesh, ye shall die: but if ye through the Spirit do mortify the deeds of the body, ye shall live. 

Our key verse does not only emphasize that Jesus came only for Israel, but when it says we know not Christ after the flesh, it can also infer that we are to die to the flesh and live after the spirit. The Kingdom program is all about inheriting the earth, but our grace program teaches us that we are called to a heavenly position. We inherit the spiritual realm and nothing in our program is to focus on earthly things. Paul teaches that to live after the flesh brings death to our purpose and function in the spirit. We are to mind the things of the spirit; we are to renew our mind to the spiritual vocation we have been assigned. We are to live after the spirit, by being saturated by the written Word of God, so that it influences our lives to such an extent that it mortifies the deeds of the flesh.

Can you see a difference in Paul’s doctrine, compared to what Jesus taught the Jews in His earthly ministry. Jesus’ teachings and the Kingdom doctrine were all about getting ready to inherit an earthly kingdom. Getting ready to receive a King. Getting ready to enter into positions of authority to reign over the Gentile nations of the world. Paul’s doctrine has nothing to do with this world. It is exactly the opposite. We are to be transformed in mind so that we can execute the will and reign of Christ in the heavens. How can we therefore follow after Jesus in His earthly ministry? In this regard, we are not to know Christ in the flesh. We are to know Christ in the spirit.

Let me end with this last bit of evidence to wrap up on rightly dividing our key verse. Throughout the gospels, Jesus calls upon Israel to pick up their cross and follow Him. However, since we are not to follow, or imitate Jesus according to the flesh, you will now understand why Paul calls on us as grace believers to follow after his example, as he follows Christ. Paul was given the doctrine of grace. Paul, by the power of Christ within him, presents to us a pattern that we are to follow, a pattern that is suited for our spiritual destination. Notice what Paul writes in his epistles,

1Cor 4:16  Wherefore I beseech you, be ye followers of me.

1Co 11:1  Be ye followers of me, even as I also am of Christ.

Php 3:17  Brethren, be followers together of me, and mark them which walk so as ye have us for an ensample.

1Tim 1:16  Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.

Dear reader, we need to understand the critical importance of rightly dividing the scriptures. We need to understand that God is using two programs to affect His redemption on creation. Israel is His people to inherit the earth. The Body of Christ is His people to inherit the heavens. Using both these people groups, God will fill the whole of creation, heaven and earth, with the glory of Christ, and bring all things under subjection to His reign and power, Eph 1:10; Col 1;20. We need to keep the two programs separate and distinct. They cannot be blended or merged as what is being taught in the majority of the church denominations today. Rightly divide the scriptures and you will find the true and accurate context of scripture as approved of God. Look out for similar posts under the same title where I will apply right division of other key scriptures and provide the contextually accurate interpretation of them.

God bless.