Justice_Study - Gary's Bible Commentary (GBC)

# Justice Bible Study ## Background - Started - 2019.06.02 ## Questions - What does the Bible say about justice? - What are the divine tensions? - How does "justice" relate to being a prophet? Compare with Prophets and the Gift of Prophecy Bible Study - Is Biblical "justice" the same as or different from the "social justice" movement today? - Define the following words as used in this study - justice - judgement - condemn - to judge - If a judge denies a person that which he "deserves" ... is that "justice," "injustice" or something else? ## ToDo - ToDo Study - Study: - Day of Judgement - Research these "words": - High Priority - [[H4941]] - [[H8199]] - Regular Priority - [[G0094]] - [[G1342]] - [[G1343]] - [[G1344]] - [[G1349]] - [[G1556]] - [[G1557]] - [[G2613]] - [[G2632]] - [[G2917]] - [[G2919]] - [[H0616]] - [[H2708]] - [[H3608]] - [[H4941]] - [[H6664]] - [[H6666]] - [[H8199]] - Done - [[G2920]] - ToDo Transfer - Finished reformatting the original study & deleted the old files - https://docs.google.com/document/d/1rkrf9TPSVNoCcSVN7iVVyeLT3oSKRMvdmCwMBe8nens/edit?tab=t.0 - /data/gary/BIBLE_STUDIES/Bible Studies From G-Drive/Justice Bible Study.odt ## TL;DR - --- ## Chapter-by-Chapter Notes ### Deuteronomy 24 #### tl;dr #### 2026.02.04 - I was doing my weekly study with [[Name_Key#^nk-68|M]] this morning and I suggested we each share something we got from God's Word. [[Name_Key#^nk-69|M]] shared some stuff about sexual immorality as discussed in 1 Corinthians 11. Verse 5 seemed to address the question below: - ##### Question: - So, if a judge decides to not force the guilty to be punished, then did the judge deny "justice" to the guilty man? Isn't one of the reasons we punish the guilty is to rehabilitate the lawbreaker and encourage him to stop breaking the law? If a guilty person does not receive what He deserves and continues being a lawbreaker, then was he denied justice by the judge? - ##### Thoughts - Some of Paul's thoughts: - Paul told the Corinthians to: "hand the man over to Satan" - For the purpose of his flesh - So his spirit may be saved - I think is a very explicit answer. Scripture seems clear; the purpose of the punishment was to save his spirit. #### 2026.01.27 ##### Deuteronomy 24.17 and Deuteronomy 25.1-2 - I was adding verses to the H4941 list and came across a couple of passages Deuteronomy 24.17 and Deuteronomy 25.1-2. - Do not deny justice (H4941) to the foreigner or the fatherless, and do not take a widow’s cloak as security. {Deuteronomy 24.17 (BSB)} - Then a question came to me: If a judge prevents a man from receiving that which he "deserves" ... is that "justice," "injustice" or something else? - As I was pondering / meditating the question, I moved on to the next occurrence: - If there is a dispute between men, they are to go to court to be judged, so that the innocent may be acquitted and the guilty condemned. If the guilty man deserves to be beaten, the judge shall have him lie down and be flogged in his presence with the number of lashes his crime warrants. {Deuteronomy 25.1-2} - The verse 2 seems to shed some light on the question, but not address it explicitly. - The first part of the verse establishes that it was judged that a man was guilty and the requisite punishment is to be beaten - The second part of the verse is a command to the judge. He "SHALL" force the guilt to be punished. Not only SHALL the judge force the punishment, but the judge must also witness the punishment - So, if a judge decides to not force the guilty to be punished, then did the judge deny "justice" to the guilty man? Isn't one of the reasons we punish the guilty is to rehabilitate the lawbreaker and encourage him to stop breaking the law? If a guilty person does not receive what He deserves and continues being a lawbreaker, then was he denied justice by the judge? --- ### Deuteronomy 25 ##### {1-2} #### 2026.01.27 - See my note dated today on Deuteronomy 24 --- ### Job 34 ##### {17} --- ### Proverbs 17 #### tl;dr #### Context - Although the BSB section heading is "Better a Dry Morsel in Quietness," I struggle with seeing an organizational outline for most of Proverbs #### 2026.01.23 ##### {23} - The BSB translates verse 23 as: "A wicked man takes a covert bribe ([[H7810]]) to subvert the course of justice ([[H4941]])." - Sadly, we are seeing a lot of judges that are not ruling according to the law. Most of these judges were appointed by Biden. Based on other things we know about the Biden Admin, there is a chance these judges are being / were bribed. --- ### Proverbs 18 #### tl;dr #### Context - Although the BSB section heading is "The Selfishness of the Unfriendly," I struggle with seeing an organizational outline for most of Proverbs #### 2026.01.23 ##### {5} - The BSB translates verse 23 as: "Showing partiality to the wicked ([[H7563]]) is not good, nor is depriving the innocent ([[H6662]]) of justice ([[H4941]])." - Sadly, we are seeing Biden appointed judges doing exactly as this verse describes --- ### Isaiah 42 #### tl;dr #### Context - Isaiah is prophesying about Jesus [1-9] - Matthew quotes / paraphrases verses 1-4 in **Matthew 12.18-21** [1-4] #### 2019.06.03 - This Isaiah version is a little different than the Matthew version. [1-4] - Isaiah says about Jesus: - He will bring justice [[H4941]] to the nations {1b} - He will faithfully bring forth justice {3c} - He will not grow weak or discouraged before He has established justice [[H4941]] on the earth. {4a} - The islands will put their hope in His law [[H8451]]. {4b} - Verses 6-7 say about Jesus: - "I, the LORD, have called you for a righteous purpose [[H6664]] ... to open the eyes of the blind, to bring prisoners [[H0616]] out of the dungeon and those sitting in darkness out from the prison house [[H3608]]. {6a, 7} - I acknowledge that God is God and He can do whatever He wants, but ... - I don't understand letting prisoners out, unless they were falsely imprisoned in the first place - Although not directly related to this study, see my notes on **Isaiah 42** in the [[Holy_Spirit_Study]] dated 2016.02.11. --- ### Matthew 5 #### tl;dr - Anyone who breaks a commandment of Jesus or teaches others to do so will be subject to judgement {19-20} - Jesus really upped the standard for judgement {21, 22} #### Context - This passage is part of the "Sermon on the Mount" - See the [[Matthew_Outline]] to understand how this chapter fits into the rest of the book. #### 2026.01.14 - Jesus said that He did not come to abolish the law ([[G3551]]) or prophets but rather to fulfill them {17} - He went on to say that anyone who breaks one of the least of "these" commandments ([[G1785]]) and teaches others to do likewise will be called least in the kingdom of heaven {19} - It's not clear from the context to which commandments "these" refer - I'm not sure to whom the "commandments" apply. Is it just the Israelites, or do they apply to all 8+ billion of us? - A potential clue to my questions above: - In the very next thought / sentence from Jesus He says, "for I tell you unless your righteousness exceeds ..." According to my theology, absolutely none of us qualify for heaven based on our righteousness! It is ONLY through Jesus' blood that we are righteous - Jesus really upped the standard for judgement ([[G2920]]) in His teachings. He changed the focus from the letter of the law to our hearts, attitudes and minds. Just being angry with someone, even without actual action is sufficient for judgement. {21, 22} - [[777]] - Lord, it always seems like I come away with more questions than answers: - To which commandments set did you refer in this chapter? {19-20} - To whom the "commandments" apply {19} - What is the kingdom of heaven {19-20} --- ### Matthew 10 #### tl;dr - At this point in this study, I am only a small fraction complete. So, all conclusions should be written in "pencil!" That notwithstanding, one such conclusion: - The commandments that Jesus discussed in Matthew 5.19 only apply to the Israelites. {5} - There is a "Day of Judgment" someday in the future #### Context - For the chapter outline, see [[Matthew_10_Outline]] - This is the section talking about when Jesus sent out the 12 and He gave them a "pep-talk" prior to going {5-15} #### 2026.01.15 - In my notes on **Matthew 5**, I asked a question of God, "To whom the "commandments" apply {19}." In this chapter, Matthew recorded the first missionary journey of the 12 Apostles. In verse 5, Jesus commanded them to avoid the road of the Gentiles and any Samaritan town. So, it is possible that this is an answer to my question ... the commandments that Jesus discussed in Matthew 5.19 only apply to the Israelites. {5} - Based on verse 15, there is a "Day ([[G2250]]) of Judgment ([[G2920]])" someday in the future. I added it to the ToDo list to study it. {15} - [[777]] - Lord, please splain > the commandments --- ### Matthew 11 #### tl;dr - I still don't have a good grasp on the Day of Judgement #### Context - The chapter outline: [[Matthew_11_Outline]] #### 2026.01.15 - Verse 24 reads almost the same as Matthew 10.15 especially WRT the "Day ([[G2250]]) of Judgment ([[G2920]])" In both cases Jesus said it would be more ([[G0414]]) bearable for Sodom (and Gomorrah) on the Day of Judgement. I still don't fully understand this"Day of Judgment!" - Much like the Sodom & Gomorrah example, In this chapter, Jesus added an example of Tyre & Sidon with the same consequences: Day ([[G2250]]) of Judgment ([[G2920]])! {22} --- ### Matthew 12 #### tl;dr - There is a day of reckoning coming when each of us must give ([[G0591]]) an account ([[G3056]]) for every stupid thing we have spoken {36} #### Context - The chapter outline: [[Matthew_12_Outline]] #### 2026.01.16 ##### {38-42} - After the scribes and Pharisees told Jesus they wanted to see a sign, He responded with a paragraph about how Jonah is the only sign they will get - Jesus also talked about judgment which is the subject of this note ##### {33-37} - Jesus mentioned the "day of judgement ([[G2920]])" (DoJ) again and that we would have to "give an account" for the words we speak. I still have the same questions about the day of judgement that I have mentioned in other notes in this study {36} - Jesus also used "legal" terms to describe the outcome of the DoJ. Specifically, He said that by our words ([[G3056]]) we will be: {37} - Acquitted ([[G1344]]) - Condemned ([[G2613]]) ##### {41-42} - In this paragraph, Jesus / Matthew didn't mention "day," but rather just "the judgment." Based on the context, I will assume "the judgment" and "the day of judgment" are the same. - The same Greek word ([[G2920]]) is used in both verse 41 & 42 - An interesting observation about those testifying at the judgment: - the men of Nineveh will "stand" {41} - The Queen of the South will "rise" {42} #### 2019.06.03 ##### {18-20} - He will proclaim [[G0518]] justice [[G2920]] to the nations [[G1484]] {18c} - Nations is really the Gentiles - He will lead [[G1544]] justice [[G2920]] to victory {20c} - The meaning of "leads" is really "to expel, to drive, cast or send out". It can also mean, "to bring forth" {20} - Although not directly related to this study, see my notes on **Matthew 12.1** in the [[Holy_Spirit_Study]] dated 2026.01.12. --- ### Matthew 23 #### tl;dr - The debate on the afterlife for the unredeemed notwithstanding, I don't want to test God. So, I trust Jesus to take care of things with Dad. #### Context - The chapter outline: [[Matthew_Outline]] - Verses 13-33 are the "seven woes" against the scribes and Pharisees #### 2026.01.17 ##### {23-24} - In one of the woes, Jesus went after the virtue-signaling done by the scribes and Pharisees. They were focusing on minute legalism by counting seeds in their spice rack. However, Jesus said they missed the forest for the trees. Interestingly, Jesus did not condemn tithing based on the seed count, but rather He said they should also have practiced "the weightier matters of the law: justice [[G2920]], mercy ([[G1656]]), and faithfulness ([[G4102]])." ##### {29-33} - in the last of the seven-woes, Jesus criticizes the scribes and Pharisees for their father's role in killing the OT prophets. - There are several different ways the last sentence has been translated. - How will you escape being condemned to hell? (NIV, CSB, NET) - How will you escape the judgment of hell? (NLT) - how are you to escape being sentenced to hell? (ESV) - How will you escape the sentence of hell? (BSB, NASB, LSB, MSB) - How shall you escape from the sentence of Gehenna? (BLB) - how can ye escape the damnation of hell? (KJB) - how will you escape the judgment of Gehenna? (WEB) - Despite the minor variation, there are a several common elements that are germane to this study. - Escape ([[G5343]]) -- Jesus asks a rhetorical (I assume) question, "How will you escape ... ?" Based on the rest of scripture, there is only one way to escape the inevitable judgement that is trusting Jesus to take care of it. Since the scribes and Pharisees were about to do to Jesus exactly the same thing their fathers did to the prophets of their day, there was no escape for them. - Sentence ([[G2920]]) -- No matter whether the Greek word is translated as "condemned," "judgement," "sentenced" or "damnation" it's not good - Hell ([[G1067]]) -- Based on the immediate context, it's not clear if "hell" in verse 33 is the same as the "lake of fire" mentioned in **Revelation 20.15**. Although the Helps Word Studies for ([[G1067]]) says that based on **Revelation 20.15** the "unredeemed" will receive a body that matches their capacity for torment relating to their (unique) judgment, I don't see that in the usage for that word elsewhere. The debate on the afterlife for the unredeemed notwithstanding, I don't want to test God. So, I trust Jesus to take care of things with His Dad. [[777]] - Thank you Jesus! --- ### Luke 7 #### tl;dr #### Context - [[Luke_Outline]] #### 2026.01.19 ##### {29-30} - In the middle of a teaching by Jesus about John the Baptist, Luke inserted a commentary about tax collectors and Pharisees. Somehow or another those who were baptized ([[G0907]]) by John were the ones with enough courage to acknowledge God's Justice ([[G1344]]). On the other hand, Luke said that the Pharisees and the experts in the law rejected God's purpose for themselves because they had not been baptized ([[G0907]]) by John. - With what I know about baptism, I don't understand how it affected the tax collectors and Pharisees, etc. --- ### Luke 10 #### tl;dr #### Context - [[Luke_Outline]] - Jesus gave a mission briefing to the 72 and included a "wow" to the towns who were not repentant #### 2026.01.20 ##### {10-12} - Although not explicitly a "justice" word, ##### {13-14} - Toward the end of the briefing, Jesus added some stuff about the consequences / judgment for the towns who reject the Apostles. - "But it will be more bearable ([[G0414]]) for Tyre and Sidon at the judgment [[G2920]] than for you." - See also my notes in this study on Matthew 10 & Matthew 11. --- ### Luke 11 #### tl;dr #### Context - [[Luke_Outline]] #### 2026.01.20 ##### {31-32} - These two verses are very similar to **Matthew 12.41-42**. See my comments in this study. - In addition to the "justice" word ([[G2920]]) that is the focus at this point in the study, I noticed another "justice-type" word, "condemn" ([[G2632]]) [[G2920]] {31, 32} Date - You neglect justice [[G2920]] and love for God {42} --- ### Luke 18 #### tl;dr #### Context - [[Luke_Outline]] #### Date ##### {} Date {3-8} - Give me justice ([[G1556]]) against my adversary {3} - I will give her justice ([[G1556]]) {5} - Won't God give justice ([[G1557]]) to His chosen ones {7} - I tell you, He will promptly carry out justice ([[G1557]]) on their behalf {8} --- ### John 3 #### tl;dr #### Chapter Context #### Date ##### {} [[G2920]] {19} --- ### John 5 #### tl;dr #### Chapter Context #### Date ##### {} [[G2920]] {22, 24, 27, 29, 30} --- ### John 7 #### tl;dr #### Chapter Context #### Date ##### {} [[G2920]] {24} --- ### John 8 #### tl;dr #### Chapter Context #### Date ##### {} [[G2920]] {16} --- ### John 12 #### tl;dr #### Chapter Context #### Date ##### {} [[G2920]] {31} --- ### John 16 #### tl;dr #### Chapter Context #### Date ##### {} [[G2920]] {8, 11} --- ### Acts 8 Date {33} - In humiliation, justice ([[G2920]]) was taken from Him ### Acts 28 Date {4} - Justice ([[G1349]]) has not allowed him to live --- ### 1 Corinthians 5 #### 2026.02.04 ##### {5} - See my thoughts on Deuteronomy 24 & 25 in this study --- ### Colossians 4 Date - Masters, supply your slaves with what is right and fair ([[G2471]]), since you know that you also have a Master in heaven. {4} ### 2 Thessalonians 1 ([[G2920]]) {5} ### 1 Timothy 5 ([[G2920]]) {24} ### Hebrews 9 ([[G2920]]) {27} ### Hebrews 10 ([[G2920]]) {27} ### James 2 ([[G2920]]) {13} ### James 5 ([[G2920]]) {12} ### 2 Peter 2 ([[G2920]]) {4, 9, 11} ### 2 Peter 3 ([[G2920]]) {7} ### 1 John 4 ([[G2920]]) {17} ### Jude 1 ([[G2920]]) {6, 9, 15} ### Revelation 14 ([[G2920]]) {7} ### Revelation 16 ([[G2920]]) {7} ### Revelation 18 ([[G2920]]) {10} ### Revelation 19 ([[G2920]]) {2} ## Other Notes - [[Justice_H4941_List]] - PragerU -- Social Justice Isn't Justice, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBX-9eUtwzU&feature=youtu.be](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yBX-9eUtwzU&feature=youtu.be)