From fleshly appearance to spiritual appearance
From fleshly appearance to spiritual appearance
1) From fleshly appearance to spiritual appearance:
1 Samuel 16:
It is written: "the Lord said to Samuel, 'Do not look at his appearance or at his physical stature, because I have refused him. For the Lord does not see as man sees; for MAN LOOKS AT THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE, BUT THE LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART.'" (1 Samuel 16:7).
Proverbs 31:
It is written: "CHARM MAY BE DECEITFUL, AND BEAUTY VANITY, BUT A WOMAN WHO FEARS THE LORD, she shall be praised" (Proverbs 31:30).
Isaiah 52:
It is written about a prophecy later applied to JESUS: "For He shall grow up before Him as a tender plant, and as a root out of dry ground. HE HAS NO FORM OR MAJESTY; and WHEN WE SEE HIM, THERE IS NO BEAUTY THAT WE SHOULD DESIRE HIM." (Isaiah 53:2).
Matthew 11:
It is written that "Jesus began to-speak (to) the crowds about JOHN [THE BAPTIST], “What did you go-out into the wilderness to-look (at)? (A) reed being-shaken by (the) wind? But WHAT DID-YOU-GO-OUT TO-SEE? (A) MAN HAVING-BEEN-DRESSED IN SOFT (GARMENTS)? Behold, the (ones) wearing the soft (garments) are in the houses (of) kings! BUT WHAT DID-YOU-GO-OUT TO-SEE? (A) PROPHET? YES, I-say (to) you, and more (than a) prophet." (Matthew 11:7-9).
Matthew 23:
Jesus said: "WOE (to) you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites, because you-are-similar (to) burial-places having-been-whitewashed, which OUTSIDE APPEAR BEAUTIFUL, BUT INSIDE ARE-FULL (OF) BONES (OF) DEAD (ONES) AND ALL IMPURITY! "So also you OUTSIDE APPEAR RIGHTEOUS (TO) PEOPLE, BUT INSIDE YOU-ARE FULL (OF) HYPOCRISY AND LAWLESSNESS!" (Matthew 23:27-28).
Mark 12:
Jesus said: "BEWARE of the scribes, THE (ONES) DELIGHTING TO-WALK-AROUND IN ROBES, and (to receive) greetings in the marketplaces" (Mark 12:38).
John 7:
Jesus said: "DO NOT BE-JUDGING ACCORDING-TO APPEARANCE, BUT BE-JUDGING THE RIGHTEOUS JUDGMENT”." (John 7:24).
2 Corinthians 4:
Paul wrote: "Therefore we-do not lose-heart. But even though OUR OUTER PERSON IS-BEING-DESTROYED, NEVERTHELESS OUR INNER (PERSON) IS-BEING-RENEWED day (in) and day (out)." (2 Corinthians 4:16).
2 Corinthians 5:
Paul wrote: "from now (on), WE-REGARD NO-ONE BASED-ON (THE) FLESH. Even though we-have-known Christ based-on (the) flesh, nevertheless now we no-longer are-knowing (Him thus). So-then if anyone (is) in Christ, (he is a) new creation" (2 Corinthians 5:16-17).
2 Timothy 3:
Paul wrote about people "HOLDING (A) FORM (OF) WELL-WORSHIP BUT HAVING-DENIED THE POWER (OF) IT. Indeed, be-turning-away-from these (ones)." (2 Timothy 3:5).
James 2:
James wrote: "if (a) gold-ringed man in shining clothing enters into your synagogue, and (a) poor (man) in filthy clothing also enters, and YOU-LOOK-UPON THE (ONE) WEARING THE SHINING CLOTHING AND SAY “YOU-BE-SITTING HERE HONORABLY”, and you say (to) the poor (man) “You stand there, or be-sitting under my footstool”, DID YOU NOT MAKE-DISTINCTIONS AMONG YOURSELVES AND BECOME JUDGES (WITH) EVIL THOUGHTS?" (James 2:2-4).
1 Peter 3:
Peter wrote: "LET IT NOT BE THE OUTWARD ADORNMEMT (CONSISTING OF A) BRAIDING (OF) HAIR AND (A) WEARING (OF) GOLD (THINGS) OR PUTTING-ON (OF) GARMENTS, BUT THE HIDDEN PERSON (OF) THE HEART IN THE INCORRUPTIBLE (OF) THE GENTLE AND QUIET SPIRIT, which is very-precious before God. For IN-THIS-MANNER formerly also the holy wives putting-hope into God WERE-ADORNING THEMSELVES" (1 Peter 3:3-5).
2) The fleshly appearance can be acknowledged in a positive way:
In the Bible, there are multiple descriptions of the fleshly/outward appearance of people, even in a positive way, as for example:
Genesis 39:6: "Joseph was BEAUTIFUL IN FORM and BEAUTIFUL OF APPEARANCE."
Esther 2:7: "the young woman was FAIR OF APPEARANCE and GOOD OF FORM."
1 Samuel 25:3: "she was a woman of good understanding and BEAUTIFUL OF APPEARANCE."
Esther 1:11: "[The king commanded] to bring Queen Vashti before the king, wearing her royal crown, in order TO SHOW HER BEAUTY TO THE PEOPLES AND THE PRINCES, FOR SHE WAS BEAUTIFUL OF APPEARANCE."
It can also include clothes explicitly:
Exodus 28:2: "you shall make holy GARMENTS for your brother Aaron, for glory and FOR BEAUTY."
Exodus 28:40: "For Aaron’s sons you shall make TUNICS, and you shall make SASHES for them, and you shall make HATS for them, for glory and FOR BEAUTY."
3) Comparative descriptions of fleshly appearance can be acknowledged:
In the Bible, comparative descriptions of the fleshly/outward appearance of people can be acknowledged, as for example:
Job 42:15: "in all the land there were NOT FOUND WOMEN AS BEAUTIFUL AS JOB'S DAUGHTERS"
Daniel 1:15: "And at the end of ten days he saw THEIR APPEARANCE TO BE BETTER AND FATTER OF FLESH THAN ALL THE BOYS who were eating the king's food."
2 Samuel 14:25: "And NO MAN WAS HANDSOME LIKE ABSALOM IN ALL ISRAEL, to be so greatly praised. From the sole of his foot to his crown there was not a blemish in him."
4) The fleshly appearance is not prioritized over the spiritual appearance:
In the Bible, the fleshly/outward appearance of people is not prioritized over the spiritual/inner appearance and reality of people.
For example: just before David was chosen by God, it was written about DAVID that "he was ruddy, WITH BEAUTIFUL EYES AND GOOD FORM. And the Lord said, Rise up, anoint him, for this is he" (1 Samuel 16:12). Yet several verses earlier the text mentioned specifically that this was not prioritized or even taken into account by God when choosing someone, as the Lord had said before that: "MAN LOOKS AT THE OUTWARD APPEARANCE, BUT THE LORD LOOKS AT THE HEART.'" (1 Samuel 16:7). Indeed, it was written that "The Lord has sought out for Himself A MAN AFTER HIS OWN HEART" (1 Samuel 13:14) and so "He raised up DAVID to be their king, concerning whom He also testified and said, ‘I have found David the son of Jesse, A MAN AFTER MY HEART, WHO WILL DO ALL MY WILL.’" (Acts 13:22).
Another example: It is described about the virtuous woman of Proverbs 31 that "She makes bedcoverings for herself; HER CLOTHING IS FINE LINEN AND PURPLE" (Proverbs 31:22). Yet several verses later it is reminded that the fleshly/outward appearance can be deceitful in contrast to the spiritual/inner appearance, as it is written: "CHARM MAY BE DECEITFUL, AND BEAUTY VANITY, BUT A WOMAN WHO FEARS THE LORD, she shall be praised" (Proverbs 31:30).
5) Clothing for the fleshly appearance is still important:
In the Bible, clothing for the fleshly appearance is important.
The concept of CLOTHING IS NOT A HUMAN INVENTION or a shifting cultural trend, but it was INSTITUTED BY GOD HIMSELF in response to sin, as it is written that after Adam and Eve sinned "THE LORD GOD MADE GARMENTS of skins for the man and his wife AND CLOTHED THEM" (Genesis 3:21).
Clothes can be DESCRIBED AS MANLY OR AS FEMININE, revealing a difference of identification between the two, as it is written: "A woman shall not be clothed with MANLY APPAREL, nor shall a man make use of FEMININE APPAREL. For whoever does these things is abominable with God" (Deuteronomy 22:5).
Clothes can REVEAL SINFUL INTENTS OR SINFUL WAYS OF A PERSON, as it is written: "a woman to meet him, IN THE ATTIRE OF A PROSTITUTE, and watchful of heart; she is loud and stubborn; her feet do not abide in her own house" (Proverbs 7:10-11).
Clothes can be described as being NEEDED FOR SPECIFIC PARTS OF A BODY, as it is written: "the things of the body which we are thinking to be more-without-honor, on these we are putting-on more honor. Indeed OUR PRIVATE PARTS have more presentability, but OUR PRESENTABLE PARTS HAVE NO NEED [OF CLOTHING]" (1 Corinthians 12:23-24). While this passage specifically referred to the collective body of Christ and people being different body parts of this collective body, it is based on the established principle that some body parts in a human body are "PRIVATE" and in need of clothing while others are "PRESENTABLE" and have no need of clothing. The body parts which are PRESENTABLE and HAVE NO NEED OF CLOTHING may have been cited a few verses earlier: "the EAR [...] an EYE [...] the HAND [...] the HEAD [...] the FEET" (1 Corinthians 12:16-21).
The priests of God for example were instructed to COVER THE NAKED FLESH OF THEIR ENTIRE LEGS, as it is written: "YOU SHALL CLOTHE your brother Aaron with them, and his sons with him; and [...] make BLEACHED LINEN breeches for them, TO COVER THE NAKED FLESH, FROM THE LOINS AS FAR AS THE THIGHS" (Exodus 28:41-42). While this specifically applied to the Levitical priests ministering in the Tabernacle, it establishes a clear biblical principle that GOD DESIRES THE BODY TO BE PROPERLY COVERED.
It is written in the New Testament: "(I urge that) women be-adorning themselves in WELL-ORDERED APPAREL WITH MODESTY AND SOUND-MINDEDNESS" (1 Timothy 2:9).
Paul wrote: "All things are lawful, but not all things are BENEFICIAL. All things are lawful, but not all things BUILD-UP. LET NO ONE SEEKING HIS OWN THING, BUT THE THING OF THE OTHER" (1 Corinthians 10:23-24). Even though all things are lawful, we are to seek what is beneficial and what builds up the faith of others in all things. We can apply this principle to clothing. Paul also then mentioned to "LET NO ONE SEEKING HIS OWN THING, BUT THE THING OF THE OTHER" (1 Corinthians 10:23-24), that is, seeking what will be beneficial for others, not necessarily for ourselves. The love of Jesus is sacrificial by nature, and Jesus was made flesh, so we also have to embody that love. As Paul wrote: "For you were called for freedom, brothers, only DO NOT USE THE FREEDOM FOR AN OPPORTUNITY FOR THE FLESH, BUT BE SERVING ONE ANOTHER THROUGH LOVE" (Galatians 5:13).
6) Fleshly appearance can also be to MERELY have the right talk:
Matthew 7:
Jesus said: "Not everyone SAYING (TO) ME, ‘LORD, LORD’, will-enter into the kingdom (of) the heavens, BUT THE (ONE) DOING THE WILL (OF) MY FATHER IN THE HEAVENS." (Matthew 7:21).
Matthew 15:
Jesus said: "This PEOPLE HONORS ME (WITH THEIR) LIPS, BUT THEIR HEART IS FAR DISTANT FROM ME." (Matthew 15:8).
1 John 2:
It is written: "The (one) SAYING THAT “I-HAVE-COME-TO-KNOW HIM” AND NOT KEEPING HIS COMMANDMENTS IS (A) LIAR, and the truth is not in this (one)." (1 John 2:4).
It is written: "The (one) SAYING TO-BE IN THE LIGHT AND HATING HIS BROTHER IS IN THE DARKNESS until now." (1 John 2:9).
1 John 4:
It is written: "If someone SAYS THAT “I-LOVE GOD” AND IS-HATING HIS BROTHER, HE-IS (A) LIAR. For the (one) not loving his brother whom he-has-seen is not able (to) be-loving God Whom he-has not seen." (1 John 4:20).
7) Talking fittingly is still important:
In the Bible, talking in a manner fit for a Christian is important.
Jesus said: "THE MOUTH SPEAKS OUT-OF THE ABUNDANCE (OF) THE HEART, the good person brings-out good (things) from (his) good treasure, and the evil person brings-out evil (things) from (his) evil treasure" (Matthew 12:34-35).
Jesus then added: "And I-say (to) you that EVERY USELESS WORD WHICH PEOPLE WILL-SPEAK, THEY-WILL-GIVE-BACK (AN) ACCOUNT FOR IT ON (THE) DAY (OF) JUDGMENT. For by your words you-will-be-declared-righteous, and by your words you-will-be-condemned" (Matthew 12:36-37).
Paul wrote: "LET EVERY BAD WORD NOT PROCEED OUT-OF YOUR MOUTH, but if (there is) something good for edification (of) the need, (SPEAK) IN ORDER THAT IT-MAY-GIVE GRACE (TO) THE (ONES) HEARING." (Ephesians 4:29).
Paul wrote about "FILTHINESS AND FOOLISH-TALK OR COARSE-JOKING, WHICH ARE NOT FITTING, but rather thanksgiving." (Ephesians 5:4).
Paul wrote: "Be-walking with wisdom toward the (ones) outside, redeeming the time, YOUR SPEECH ALWAYS (BEING) WITH GRACE, HAVING-BEEN-SEASONED (WITH) SALT, (that you may) know how you ought-to answer each one." (Colossians 4:5-6).
James wrote: "If anyone thinks (that he) is religious (while) NOT BRIDLING HIS TONGUE, but DECEIVING HIS HEART, the religion (of) this (one is) futile." (James 1:26).
James wrote: "(a) blessing and (A) CURSE COME-OUT OF THE SAME MOUTH. My brothers, THESE (THINGS) OUGHT NOT TO-BE SO." (James 3:10).
8) Fleshly appearance can also be to MERELY be hearing:
Ezekiel 33:
It is written: "“And as for you, son of man, the sons (and daughters) of your people are the ones speaking concerning you by the walls, and in the porches of the houses, and they talk a person to his brother, saying, ‘Let us come together, and LET US HEAR THE WORDS PROCEEDING FROM THE LORD.’ They come to you as a people comes together, and sit before you, AND HEAR YOUR WORDS, BUT THEY WILL BY NO MEANS DO THEM; for falsehood is in their mouth, and THEIR HEART GOES AFTER THE POLLUTIONS. And you become to them as A SOUND OF A SWEET-SOUNDING, WELL-TUNED PSALTERY, AND THEY WILL HEAR YOUR WORDS, BUT BY NO MEANS WILL THEY DO THEM." (Ezekiel 33:30-32).
Matthew 7:
Jesus said: "everyone HEARING THESE WORDS (OF) MINE AND NOT DOING THEM WILL-BE-LIKE (A) FOOLISH MAN who built his house upon the sand." (Matthew 7:26).
Acts 17:
It is written in Acts that: "Now all Athenians and the strangers residing (there) WERE-FINDING-AN-OPPORTUNITY FOR NOTHING OTHER THAN to-say something or TO-HEAR SOMETHING NEWER." (Acts 17:21), and after Paul preached the good news to them it is written: "Now having-heard (of a) resurrection (from the) dead (ones), some were-scoffing, but others said, “WE-WILL INDEED AGAIN HEAR YOU CONCERNING THIS”." (Acts 17:32). It is then written: "So Paul went-out of their midst." (Acts 17:33), "After these (things), having-departed from Athens, he-went to Corinth." (Acts 18:1).
James 1:
James wrote: "BE DOERS (OF THE) WORD and NOT HEARERS ONLY, DELUDING YOURSELVES." (James 1:22).
9) Fleshly appearance can also be to MERELY be seeing:
Matthew 13:
Jesus said: "For this reason I-am-speaking (to) them in parables, because (WHILE) SEEING, THEY-ARE NOT SEEING; and (while) hearing, they-are not hearing, nor understanding. And the prophecy (of) Isaiah is-being-fulfilled (in) them, the (one) saying: ‘(In) hearing, you-will-hear and by no means understand. And (WHILE) SEEING, YOU-WILL-SEE AND BY NO MEANS PERCEIVE. FOR THE HEART (OF) THIS PEOPLE BECAME-DULL, and they hardly heard (with their) ears, and they-closed their eyes that they-might not ever see (with their) eyes, and hear (with their) ears, and understand (in their) heart and turn-back, and I-shall-heal them’." (Matthew 13:13-15).
John 2:
It is written: "(while) He-was in Jerusalem at the Passover during the Feast, many believed in His name, SEEING HIS SIGNS WHICH HE-WAS-DOING. BUT JESUS HIMSELF WAS NOT ENTRUSTING HIMSELF (TO) THEM, BECAUSE-OF HIS KNOWING ALL (PEOPLE)" (John 2:23-24).
John 6:
Jesus said: "But I said (to) you that indeed YOU-HAVE-SEEN ME, AND YOU-ARE NOT BELIEVING." (John 6:36).
John 12:
It is written about Jesus that "HAVING-DONE SO-MANY SIGNS IN-FRONT-OF THEM, THEY-WERE NOT BELIEVING IN HIM" (John 12:32), "For this reason they-were not able to-believe: because again Isaiah said “HE-HAS-BLINDED THEIR EYES, and He-hardened their heart, IN-ORDER-THAT THEY-MAY NOT SEE (WITH THEIR) EYES, and may (not) comprehend (with their) heart, and may (not) be-turned, and I-will-heal them”." (John 12:39-40).
James 1:
James wrote: "if anyone is (a) hearer (of THE) WORD and not (a) doer, this (one) is-like (a) man CONSIDERING THE FACE (OF) HIS BIRTH IN (A) MIRROR. For HE-CONSIDERED HIMSELF and has-gone-away and IMMEDIATELY FORGOT WHAT-SORT (OF MAN) HE-WAS. But THE (ONE) HAVING-LOOKED INTO (THE) PERFECT LAW (OF) LIBERTY AND HAVING-CONTINUED, not having-become (a) forgetful hearer, but (A) DOER (OF) WORK, this (one) will-be blessed in his doing." (James 1:23-25).
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