(This is from the Bible study The Sound Of His Coming.)
2 Corinthians 6:14-15 – Paul exhorts the church in Corinth, and us, to be careful who we walk in agreement with. Harmony in the Body of Christ can only occur when we walk together, in agreement, in an orderly manner where all parts are simultaneously working together for the common good. This can only happen, bringing glory to God rather than us, when we walk together in/with the Holy Spirit.
It is the orderly, harmonious relationships in the Body that Paul refers to as “the proper working of each individual part” (Ephesians 4:16) that causes a pleasing sound before the Lord, and the world. The church in America has become a clanging symbol of confusion that has produced, in most instances, an indistinguishable sound that has driven away the unbelievers rather than attract them. This is the evidence that we have been deceived, having blindly joined together with the powers of darkness in an unholy alliance. This confusing sound in the church is what is keeping God’s people from being dressed in readiness, guarding and preparing their hearts for His return, and the unbeliever from turning from his wicked ways (1 Cor. 14:24-25).
14 Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness?
15 What harmony [4857] is there between Christ and Belial [955]? What does a believer have in common [3310] with an unbeliever?
NIV
NT:4857 sumphonesis (soom-fo'-nay-sis)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from NT:4856 [“to sound together, to agree together, be in accord”]; accordance:
KJV - concord.
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
concord (“unity, harmony, agreement, friendship, peace”), agreement (2 Cor. 6:15)
sumphonesis [NT:4857] - lit., "a sounding together" (sun, "with," phone, "a sound"; Eng., "symphony" [see def. below]), is found in 2 Corinthians 6:15, in the rhetorical question "what concord hath Christ with Belial?"
(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
Symphony – “an elaborate musical composition for full orchestra, typically in four movements [see Matthew 24:31], at least one of which is traditionally in sonata form.” (Oxford Languages)
Harmony – “1. the combination of simultaneously sounded musical notes to produce chords and chord progressions having a pleasing effect. (“Four-part harmony in the barbershop style.”); the quality of forming a pleasing and consistent whole. 2. an arrangement of the four Gospels, or of any parallel narratives, which presents a single continuous narrative texts.” (Oxford Languages)
A consistent, orderly, or pleasing arrangement of parts; congruity. [See the Bible studies Order In The House, and Well Pleased.]
Ezekiel 14:21 – God declares that He will send “four severe judgments against Jerusalem.”
Ezekiel 1 – Ezekiel’s vision of four living beings, each having four faces with four wings.
NT:955 Beliar (bel-ee'-ar) or Belial (bel-ee'-al)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
of Hebrew origin [OT:1100]; worthlessness; Belial, as an epithet of Satan:
KJV - Belial (Beliar).
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
Belial, a name of Satan (2 Corinthians 6:15)
BELIAL [NT:955] – a word frequently used in the Old Testament, with various meanings, especially in the books of Samuel, where it is found nine times. See also Deut. 13:13; Judges 19:22; 20:13; 1 Kings 21:10,13; 2 Chron. 13:7. Its original meaning was either "worthlessness" or "hopeless ruin" (see the RV, margin). It also had the meanings of "extreme wickedness and destruction," the latter indicating the destiny of the former. In the period between the OT and the NT it came to be a proper name for Satan. There may be an indication of this in Nahum 1:15, where the word translated "the wicked one" is Belial.
The oldest form of the word is "Beliar," possibly from a phrase signifying "Lord of the forest," or perhaps simply a corruption of the form "Belial," due to harsh Syriac pronunciation. In the NT, in 2 Cor 6:15, it is set in contrast to Christ and represents a personification of the system of impure worship connected especially with the cult of Aphrodite.
(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
NT:3310 meris (mer-ece')
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
feminine of NT:3313; a portion, i.e. province, share or (abstractly) participation:
KJV - part (X -akers).
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
a part, equivalent to:’
1. a part as distinct from the whole (Acts 16:12)
2. an assigned part, a portion, share (Luke 10:42)
Romans 15:4-6 – Paul says that when God grants us to be of the same mind we will glorify Him with “one voice,” with one language (Phil.2:12). This is another picture of true harmony in the Body of Christ. Currently, throughout our numerous divisions/denominations we speak differing dialects of “Christianeze.” It is only as we speak under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, being led by Him rather than man that we are able to speak as one, in true unity. This is the power of true prophecy; it is the living word of God rather than the lifeless opinion of man.
4 For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.
5 Now may the God who gives perseverance and encouragement grant you to be of the same mind with one another according to Christ Jesus,
6 so that with one accord [3661- “with one mind, unanimously”] you may with one voice [4750- “the mouth; by implication, language”] glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
NASU
1 Peter 3:8
8 Finally, all of you, live in harmony [3675] with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate and humble.
NIV
NT:3675 homophron (hom-of'-rone)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from the base of NT:3674 and NT:5424; like-minded, i.e. harmonious:
KJV - of one mind.
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
of one mind (1 Peter 3:8)
(This passage is from the Bible study The Sleeping Bride.)
In Colossians, chapter one, Paul speaks of the reasons for Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross for us;
“He has now reconciled [“bring back to a former state of harmony”] you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach, if indeed you continue in the faith… We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete [“perfect”] in Christ.”
(Colossians 1:22-23, 28/NASU)
Paul emphasizes that the promise of being reconciled to Christ and our being presented complete in Him is conditional. Our perfection in Christ does not come without a warning of the need to “continue in the faith.” Through acceptance of the doctrines of demons as truth, many Christians cannot see or understand what we just read. It is completely hidden from them. Instead, they cry out, “Heresy!” It‘s a true statement that the farther people wander from the truth the more they hate those who proclaim it.
Notice that to be “reconciled” to Christ is, by definition, to “bring back to a former state of harmony.”
(This passage is in the Bible study Honduras; Washing And Mending The Nets.)
Luke 5:36 – See the note below (also see Matthew 9:16, Mark 2:21). In Luke 5:6 the nets breaking uses a different Greek word [1284]. The other passage where nets and the disciples are mentioned together is John 21:11 which, like the verse below, also uses [4977] (see the Network 153 Partnership Vision).
36 And He was also telling them a parable: "No one tears a piece of cloth from a new garment and puts it on an old garment; otherwise he will both tear [4977] the new, and the piece from the new will not match [4856] the old. [See the Bible study A Strange Nature.]
NASU
Luke 5:36
36 And he spake also a parable unto them; No man putteth a piece of a new garment upon an old; if otherwise, then both the new maketh a rent [4977], and the piece that was taken out of the new agreeth [4856] not with the old.
KJV
NT:4977 schizo (skhid'-zo)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
apparently a primary verb; to split or sever (literally or figuratively):
KJV - break, divide, open, rend, make a rent.
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
to cleave, cleave asunder, rend: ti (Luke 5:36)
to be split into factions, be divided (Acts 14:4, 23:7)
NT:4856 sumphoneo (soom-fo-neh'-o)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from NT:4859 [“sounding together (alike), harmonious, agreeing”]; to be harmonious, i.e. (figuratively) to accord (be suitable, concur) or stipulate (by compact):
KJV - agree (together, with).
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
to sound together, be in accord
a. to agree together (Matthew 18:19)
b. to agree with one in making a bargain, to make an agreement, to bargain
sumphoneo [NT:4856] - literally, "to sound together" (sun, "together," phone, "a sound"), i. e., "to be in accord, primarily of musical instruments," is used in the NT of the "agreement" (a) of persons concerning a matter (Matthew 18:19; 20:2,13; Acts 5:9); (b) of the writers of Scripture (Acts 15:15); (c) of things that are said to be congruous in their nature (Luke 5:36).
(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
Holes in the net represent the many divisions/factions within the body of Christ (John 21:11). We cannot work together with each other because we are not working together with the Holy Spirit (2 Cor. 6:1). Our unity is to be in Him, not our denominational camps.
In his first letter to the church of God in Corinth, Paul immediately dealt with their main issue which was the division among them. He said;
“My brothers, some from Chloe's household have informed me that there are quarrels among you. What I mean is this: One of you says, ‘I follow Paul’; another, ‘I follow Apollos’; another, ‘I follow Cephas’; still another, ‘I follow Christ.’ Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Were you baptized into the name of Paul?”
(1 Corinthians 1:11-13/NIV)
Unfortunately the body of Christ in many places has been divided.
Tears (i.e. divisions) would occur in the fishermen’s nets when, as we looked at above, they were not properly cleansed of all foreign objects (see the Bible study A Strange Nature). Currently there are numerous foreign objects within the gospel net in the church in America that have not been removed, resulting in gaping holes and the loss of many fish/souls. They come in and then go out, without conviction and, therefore, unchanged.
The Greek for “match” is sumphoneo (soom-fo-neh'-o). It’s defined as “to be harmonious, to sound together, to agree together.”
The material it was made from would be weakened/compromised from neglect. Because of the leavened state of the church in America, the Lord is doing a new thing outside of that which is corrupt. He has been cleansing and mending His nets (i.e. network) for a while so that we will be prepared for the great catch in the final harvest of souls on earth. Because of rebellion against what the Spirit is saying to the church, many Christians will not have a part in this cleansed net.
Playing Skillfully
The following verses have the Hebrew word interpreted into English as “well” [3190] in them. Part of the definition for it is, “play well, skillfully.” I was led first to Ruth 3:1 with this Hebrew word. (Also see the Bible study Well Pleased.)
Ruth 3:1 - Naomi’s name means “pleasant.” It’s taken from a word that means “agreeableness, kindness, beauty, favor, i.e. splendor or grace.” She is a picture of God’s grace. Ruth is a picture of those who are obedient to the Spirit’s leading in their life and are thereby walking in God’s favor and loving-kindness, His grace. It is His grace that leads us to a secure resting place in Christ, a place that is well-pleasing to the Lord. Ruth represents the devoted Bride of Christ who willingly joins herself to Him. Her words of devotion to Naomi are the vow of the Bride (Ruth 1:15-18). Her/their words are in harmony with the Lord and one another. (See 1 Samuel 16:17, Isaiah 23:16, Ezekiel 33:32, and Psalm 33:3.)
1 Then Naomi [5281] her mother-in-law said to her, "My daughter, shall I not seek security [4494 - “quiet, a settled spot, a resting place, a state or condition of rest”] for you, that it may be well [3190 – “to be good, to be pleasing, to go well with, to be glad and joyful”] with you? [For more on the “resting place” see Genesis 8:9 and Deuteronomy 28:65-66. Also, regarding “well” see the Bible study Well Pleased.]
1 Corinthians 14:6-9 – In this passage, Paul is making a distinction between tongues and prophecy (see the Bible study Tongues). He had said in verse 4 that the person who speaks in a tongue edifies himself, but the one who prophecies edifies the church. He then speaks of the need for clarity in speech, or sound, in order to understand what is being spoken. Paul also refers to the necessity of clarity of sound to prepare oneself for battle (see Numbers 10:9 and Joel 2:1).
6 But now, brethren, if I come to you speaking in tongues, what will I profit you unless I speak to you either by way of revelation or of knowledge or of prophecy or of teaching?
7 Yet even lifeless things, either flute or harp, in producing a sound [5456], if they do not produce a distinction [1293] in the tones [5353- “utterance, to utter a voice, a musical sound”], how will it be known what is played on the flute or on the harp [see Rev. 14:1-3 above]?
8 For if the bugle produces an indistinct [82] sound [5456], who will prepare [3903- “to prepare, make ready”] himself for battle? [See Numbers 10:9 and Joel 2:1.]
9 So also you, unless you utter by the tongue speech that is clear [2154- “well indicated, well marked, clear and definite, distinct”], how will it be known what is spoken? For you will be speaking into the air.
NASU
NT:5456 phone (fo-nay')
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
probably akin to NT:5316 through the idea of disclosure; a tone (articulate, bestial or artificial); by implication, an address (for any purpose), saying or language:
KJV - noise, sound, voice.
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
1. a sound, tone: of inanimate things, as of musical instruments (Matthew 24:31)
2. a voice, i. e. the sound of uttered words (Revelation 10:3)
3. speech, i. e. a language, tongue (1 Corinthians 14:10)
NT:1293 diastole (dee-as-tol-ay')
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from NT:1291; a variation:
KJV - difference, distinction.
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
a distinction, difference (Romans 3:22; 10:12)
diastole [NT:1293] - signifies "a setting asunder" (dia, "asunder," stello, "to set, place, arrange"), hence, "a distinction"; in Romans 3:22 and 10:12, KJV, "difference"; RV, "distinction"; in 1 Corinthians 14:7 it is used of the "distinction" in musical sounds.
(from Vine's Expository Dictionary of Biblical Words, Copyright © 1985, Thomas Nelson Publishers.)
NT:82 adelos (ad'-ay-los)
(Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance)
from NT:1 (as a negative particle) and NT:1212; hidden, figuratively, indistinct:
KJV - appear not, uncertain.
(Thayer’s Greek Lexicon)
not manifest (Luke 11:44); indistinct, uncertain, obscure
