Definition (Etymology & Biblical Usage)

The point: Seek to rid your mind of all predisposition towards the meaning of biblical words and turn to the Word of God to see how the Holy Spirit has used them.

Martin quotes Albert Barnes to underscore the importance of disciplined investigation of words and phrases in biblical interpretation, rather than vivid imagination, to arrive at truth.

in the very words in which His mind is revealed. And the Apostle was conscious that the Holy Spirit was superintending his own judgment in the selection of the words by which the great mysteries of God are being revealed. And for someone who is an expositor of the Scriptures, he must always remember the words or the thoughts of Albert Barnes embodied in these words. The Bible should be explained not under the influence of a vivid imagination, but under the influence of a heart and a mind imbued with a love of truth,

7:19 - 8:02 Read in full sermon

The point: Understand that admonition involves instruction with overtones of warning and a call to holy caution by way of negative example.

Paul's use of the wilderness generation's failures (idolatry, fornication, murmuring) serves as a negative example for Christian liberty, illustrating 'admonition' as instruction with warning.

Paul has addressed it in chapter 8. He has qualified in chapter 9 by his own example that a Christian, rather than using his liberties to the full under the pressure of higher concerns, may voluntarily relinquish the exercise of certain liberties, and now in chapter 10, he's going to give some warnings about people who were not careful with respect to their potential for sin. And so he begins by saying, I would not, brethren, have you ignorant. And then he starts speaking about the wilderness generation and all of their privileges.

11:02 - 11:42 Read in full sermon

The point: Be confident in your ability to admonish one another by putting each other in remembrance of gospel realities, encouraging, and reproving, if you are full of moral virtue and sufficient knowledge.

Martin criticizes a 'certain radio teacher' who claims to see 'deeper spiritual meanings' in Scripture, likening it to Gnosticism and contrasting it with patient, painstaking handling of the Word.

Now, doesn't that seem to be the natural significance of the use of the word in this context? Does that carry your judgment that we're not importing some strange notion from a deeper spiritual meaning, as a certain radio teacher is always telling us? No, there is a deeper meaning. You beware of people who see deeper meanings that only their eyes can see.

24:48 - 25:09 Read in full sermon

The point: Recognize that admonition has unique significance in a domestic context and is a proper prerogative of fathers.

Paul's analogy of ministers as instruments (one sows, another waters, God gives the increase) is used to expose the folly of divisions in the Corinthian church, illustrating the content of his 'admonition'.

He says, what are you lining up behind ministers for? What are they? They're instruments. One sews another one waters.

27:35 - 27:43 Read in full sermon

The point: When dealing with a disorderly brother, admonish him by reminding him of his duty, pointing out his sin, and calling him back to an orderly walk through repentance and seeking forgiveness.

A hypothetical scenario of a disorderly man being excluded from social fellowship after prayer meeting illustrates the practical outworking of 'have no company with him' in church discipline.

It could mean nothing else in the context. When you act to withdraw certain dimensions of unrestricted social interaction from him, have no company with him, it's to make him ashamed. A group of guys are getting together in the hallway saying, let's go on out and have a hamburger after prayer meeting. And he comes in and says, can I join you fellas?

44:17 - 44:40 Read in full sermon

The point: Do not respond to social strictures with a proud heart, but with a penitent heart that desires restoration to fellowship.

A hypothetical interaction where a church member gently confronts a disciplined brother, expressing hurt and prayer, illustrates how to 'admonish him as a brother' even after social strictures.

No, no. You go to him, put your hand on your shoulder, and you say, now, what name can I take out of the vows so nobody thinks I'm talking about any Lucretius? All right. We'll call him anything we want to.

45:46 - 45:59 Read in full sermon

The point: Make it plain that in admonition, you are imposing the way of the Lord, not your own value standards or cultural ways, upon your children.

Martin quotes Trench's definition of 'admonition' as 'training by word,' distinguishing it from 'discipline' (training by act) and emphasizing its verbal nature.

And I read the commentaries, but I said, let's see if they came to this conclusion by biblical means. And so after I'd done all my study, I went back and I said, yes, I think it fits. I found that many of the commentators referred to Trench's work on synonyms of the New Testament, and they cited him as the most accurate authority defining admonition. And here's a partial quote of Trench's definition.

51:16 - 51:43 Read in full sermon

The point: Make it plain that in admonition, you are imposing the way of the Lord, not your own value standards or cultural ways, upon your children.

Martin quotes Hodge's definition of 'admonition' as 'the act of, or reminding one of his faults or duties,' reinforcing the idea that it is part of a religious and Christian education.

It is a verbal activity. That's from Jeffrey Wilson's little commentary. And then Hodge writes on Ephesians 6, 4, Admonition is the act of, or reminding one of his faults or duties. Children are not to be allowed to grow up without care or control.

52:27 - 52:47 Read in full sermon