Man

Doctrine of Man – Anthropology

1. Introduction
   • So far we have studied God, His existence, His nature, His tri-unity.
   • We then covered the doctrine of Angels, briefly looking at the creation, fall and subsequent division into fallen and unfallen angels.
   • Next we will look at the other major creation of God, Man. This will fall under the following general outline.
     • The direct immediate creation of mankind.
       • A few comments upon the pseudo-scientific and pseudo-Biblical view.
       • Man – body, soul and spirit were created by God directly, immediately, and instantaneously.
       • Man consists of material and immaterial: body, soul, and spirit.
       • Man was made God’s regent over earth creation.
     • The fall of man.
       • Those historically involved (of man).
       • The issue involved total acceptance or rejection of God’s authority and will.
       • False issues to be rejected.
       • Satan was the originator.
       • Adam and Eve were created with volition and responsibility.
       • Exegesis of Genesis 2:16-17.
       • Exegesis of Genesis 3:1-8.
       • Brief summary of the fall.
     • Results of the fall.
       • In relationship to God.
       • Within man.
       • In relationship to Satan.
       • Relative to earth and creation.
       • The Theocratic Kingdom and Angelic Conflict.
     • The Solution to the problem of the fall of man.
       • The prophecy of the solution.
       • The solution illustrated historically.
       • The work of Christ on the cross solved the problem.
     • Upon the completion of this we will have all the created persons, Angels and Man, and God the Creator. This sets up the overall relationship of the three, the problems, and the solutions.
     • Therefore, we will move into the Theocratic Kingdom for the scheme of history. God is accomplishing His purpose through the execution of a definite plan.
2. The direct immediate creation of mankind.
   • Pseudo Biblical and pseudo scientific views and attitudes. A few commends upon the pseudo-scientific and pseudo-Biblical view. Cp. Evolution and the Christian Faith, by Bolton Davidheiser; Baker Book House, Grand Rapids, 1969.
     • Some of the so-called men; Piltdown man, Neanderthal man, Nebraska man.
     • Eohippus
     • Carbon dating, fluorine dating, argon gas dating, etc.
     • Textbooks today.
     • Theistic evolution, threshold evolution, progressive creationism.
   • Man (body, soul, and spirit), was directly and immediately created by God. Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 3:19; Genesis 2:7; Genesis 2:18-25; Colossians 1:16; John 1:1-3; Matthew 19:4.
     • The creation of the physical body was formed out of earth elements. Genesis 2:7 with Genesis 3:19; Genesis 2:18-25.
     • Genesis 2:7 “The Lord God formed man of dust from the earth.”
       • Yahweh Elohim is the subject. The Lord God.
       • The verb translated “formed” means to form something as a potter forms or fashions a bowl out of clay. It is Qal prêt impf definite past action. The subject of the verb is the Lord God.
       • By this we see the Lord taking elements and putting them together, delicately fashioning man according to His design.
       • The man refers to the first man, the definite one, Adam.
       • The word “dust” is accus. Of material. This indicates the material out of which God made man. It refers to the dust, elements of the ground, the dirt. From this we have the physical body of man.
       • Notice, the Lord God is the direct creator. Dust to man, not dust to lower creation that works up to man.
     • Genesis 3:19, The physical body originated from dust. When it does it shall return to dust. Though God has created the physical body, it is not in itself (original) immortal. It is the temporary house for the real man.
     • Genesis 2:18-25, The making of the woman from the rib of man.
       • Genesis 2:18; The woman is to remedy the state of separation and to bring order into the life of man. All he had previously was the animal creation.
         • “I will make” is the Qal cohr los of the verb XXXX. This is the common Hebrew word for make, produce. It is eohortative of resolve = “I will make.”
         • For him refers to Adam. God is going to remedy the problem.
         • “A helper suitable for him.”  Literally a help according to what is in front of him. Translated properly this means “a help corresponding to him” (equal and adequate to him, compatible to him).
           • Obviously the woman is no second class citizen. She corresponds to the man. She is equal and adequate for him. She is his helper. Therefore we see she has a definite purpose, to help the man, to complete him. She is equal to him, but is made for him and placed at his side for help, not to surpass him. She is of value and should be treated as such. The authority part comes by command of God, not because man is smarter, better, or more capable.
       • Genesis 2:19-21, brief comments.
       • Genesis 2:22 “And the Lord God built the rib which he took from man into a woman and brought her to the man.”
         • Again the subject is the Lord God.
         • The verb to build is  in the Qal prêt impf, 3ms, definite past action. It means to build like build a house.
         • The rib – God takes the rib and from it constructs a woman. Uses the same tissue. She is from man. He gets rib back. When you mistreat the woman, you are mistreating yourself.
         • “into a woman” ‘issah
         • We see the definite forming of the physical body of the woman, Eve.
       • John 1:1-3 and Colossians 1:16-17 indicate Christ is the immediate creator.
       • Therefore, the physical body of man and woman, Adam and Eve, were the direct creation by God. No evolution was involved, atheistic or theistic. There was no creation of lower level man or animal which developed into a higher form. Man, as he began, came from God.
   • The immaterial part of man, the soul and human spirit, was created by God as a definite, direct and instantaneous act. They were placed within the physical body. Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:7.
     • Genesis 1:26-27
       • “And God said, Let us make man…” We have a number of items of note. First, notice the singular and plural.
       • God is plural, elohim, “Said is singular indicating the unity, oneness.
       • “Make” is Qal cohortative, indicating resolve by the subject. It is 1st common plural. Notice the definite change singular to plural. This is indicating the persons in the Godhead. Hebrew word asah, to make referring to the act of producing.
       • “Man” is the word adam, Adam, or man.
       • “In our image, according to our likeness.” First notice the plural suffix on both words. It is not necessary to put the plural if it does not have some meaning. Again, an indication in an early stage of the doctrine of the trinity.
       • “Image” is tselem and means resemblance, likeness.
       • “Likeness” demuth means similarity, likeness in appearance. The two words are used to refer to a common replication, resemblance, likeness. They refer to the person hood. We think of this under intellect, sensibility, and will.
       • Now move to verse 27: “So God created.” This is the word bara in the Qal prêt impf. 3ms (not singular again). The subject is Elohim. The word bara means to create or shape. In the Cal it always refers to Divine creative activity. It has various objects: heaven and earth, man, host of heavens, north and south, wind, Israel as a nation, Jacob, righteousness, salvation, new heaven and earth, clean heart. Bara’ (Qal for divine creation) does not necessarily denote creation from nothing, but does limit the activity to divine production. God is always the subject. The result is something new or something made perfect. It always produces good results.
       • In this verse God is bringing into existence the immaterial part of man. These two verses deal with the whole man in summary, but specifically refer to the immaterial part of man, the important part.
       • Cp John 4:24, God is spirit, i.e. not material, therefore in our image and likeness is the same. Luke 24:39 Spirit does not have flesh and bones.
     • Genesis 2:7 – The mechanics of placing the immaterial man, within the physical body.
       • “And He Breathed” is the Qal prêt impf 3ms of the verb naphach, to breathe, to blow. The subject is the Lord God. It refers to God placing something that originates within himself in the physical body. Definite past.
       • “In his nostrils” is the word aph, a dual referring to both nostrils, which man has by creation. The dual is the normal Semitic usage for a pair. Plus the prep .
       • “The breath of life.” Breath is neshamh, here a singular word in the construct (related to a following gen). “Of life” is chayyim. The n. m. pl. abstract emphatic word meaning life. CP BDB 313. Word used 19 times in Genesis) refers to life and even used of animals. CP Genesis 7:28 ruah hayyim; Genesis 7:22 nismat-ruah hayyim. The concept of the soul and spirit are here, but not necessarily only because of the plural. Genesis 3:24, “tree of life” et hayayyim Genesis 6:17 “All flesh, which in it spirit of life.”
       • “Became a living soul.” nephesh. Here nepes has more the meaning of living being, instead of the technical meaning of soul. Cp Genesis 2:19 where living creature is nepes hayyah. Genesis 1:20 where living creature is nepes hayyah. Also Genesis 1:24, 30
       • This verse tells us that God by divine activity creates the immaterial part of man and places it within the physical body, making man a living being.
   • Resultant man is material and immaterial or body, soul and human spirit. Genesis 1:26-27; Genesis 2:7; 1 Thessalonians 5:23.
     • Material (physical) is the house for the immaterial (spiritual). After the fall it dies. Physical has requirements, and is under control or should be of the immaterial.
     • Immaterial in the image of God. Man is different from animals. Animals eat, sleep, fight, and reproduce. Man thinks (imagination), relates, responds, and decides. He has values, God conscious. “What chiefly distinguishes the human kingdom from the animal kingdom is the power of imagination peculiar to the former realm.” Russel Kirk. NF 31 December 1980, page 1576.
     • Biblically recognized dimensions of the immaterial = soul, human spirit, heart, and mind.
     • The physical body was created directly by God. This is the visible, the limbs, organs, systems. Genesis 2:7, 21-23.
     • From the Word we have the terms soul and spirit. At times there are distinctive meanings given to each and at other times when no distinction is in view they may be used interchangeably. They were created directly, immediately, instantaneously by God.
     • The human spirit was created directly by God. The human spirit is that division of the immaterial man, the inner man which has the capacity for, is more oriented to God or to substitutes for God. Ephesians 4:24; John 4:23-24; Romans 8:16; Numbers 16:22; 27:?; Romans 1:9.
     • The soul was created directly by God. The soul is that division of the immaterial man, the inner man which has the capacity for, is more oriented to human life. 1 Corinthians 2:14; 1 Corinthians 15:44; 1 Thessalonians 2:8.
     • At regeneration both take on a new capacity with respect to purpose, orientation, ability, usefulness. 1 Thessalonians 5:24; Ephesians 4:24; 1 Thessalonians 2:8; Romans 1:9; Ephesians 1:17.
     • The basic structure of the inner man is a unity, yet appears to consist of two areas of life, the soul and human spirit. They seem to parallel each other in basic structure, and function.
     • The mind is the faculty of thinking life; perception, intelligence, decision making, Nous. Romans 12:2-3; Ephesians 4:20-24; Colossians 1:9-10.
     • The heart is another term widely used in scripture. It is related to soul, spirit, mind kardia. 2 Corinthians 9:7; 2 Corinthians 3:2. It is the dominant area of the inner man. **May have question of no human spirit in unbeliever. Various passages indicated unbeliever has human spirit. 1 Corinthians 2; Jude 19 reference to human spirit. In the Old Testament ruah is used some 400 times. Passages would indicate this much as Numbers 16.22; Numbers 27:16; Deuteronomy 2:30 where Sihon the Amorite has a spirit. Pharaoh has a spirit XXXX. In Numbers God is called God of spirits of all flesh. Also Job 32:8; Ecclesiastes 10:4; Haggai 1:14; Malachi 2:16; Hebrews 12:9; James 2:26. Cp Chafer, II, page 184. Tentative conclusion.
     • We will describe the composition of the inner man as follows:
       • Man with is components can be diagramed as follows: (See drawing)
       • The soul with passages relating to the various functions:
         • Self-consciousness: Psalm 34:2; Luke 12:19
         • Mentality: Proverbs 2:10; Proverbs 15:32
         • Conscience: Habakkuk 2:10; 2 Peter 2:8
         • Volition: Deuteronomy 4:29; Deuteronomy 14:26; Psalm 42:2; Proverbs 13:4; Acts 3:23
         • Emotion: Deuteronomy 6:5; 2 Kings 4:27; Proverbs 29:17; John 12:27
         • Old Sin Nature: Leviticus 5:15; Proverbs 21:10
       • The human spirit with passages relating to the various functions:
         • Self-consciousness: Psalm 77:3
         • Mentality: Ephesians 1:17-18; Genesis 41:8; Psalm 77:6; Mark 2:8; Romans 8:16; Ephesians 4:23
         • Conscience: I have not expressly noted passages that particularly says conscience with the spirit YET, but in view of the pattern it would seem to apply, as Titus 1:15; 1 Timothy 4:2; 1 Corinthians 4:4; 2 Corinthians 1:8-12.
         • Volition: Deuteronomy 2:30; Psalm 51:17; Isaiah 26:9; Matthew 26:41; Acts 18:25.
         • Emotion: 1 Samuel 1:15; Genesis 41:8
         • Old Sin Nature: Proverbs 16:18
       • The heart with passages relating to the various functions:
         • Self-consciousness: Isaiah 6:10; 1 Corinthians 2:9
         • Mentality: Ephesians 1:17-18; Psalm 77:6; Genesis 6:5; Proverbs 2:10; Matthew 4; Mark 28; Isaiah 6:10
         • Conscience: 1 John 3:20-22
         • Volition: Deuteronomy 4:29; Deuteronomy 6:5; Deuteronomy 2:30; Psalm 51:17
         • Emotion: Proverbs 15:13
         • Old Sin Nature: Genesis 6:5; Mark 7:21
     • Therefore from the use of soul, spirit, mind, and heart we make the following conclusion. The immaterial part of man, the inner man, the real you is a unity consisting of the soul and the human spirit. As an aid to learning we will categorize the functions by S/C, M, C, V, E, OSN. The soul is the division oriented to human life. The human spirit is the division oriented to God or substitutes for God. The mind is the part of the I.M soul. And spirit, being the faculty of thinking life. The heart is the central dominant area of the inner man, being vitally related to and dominant over soul and spirit.
   • Man was made God’s regent over earth creation.
     • At the time God created man he also placed man in authority over the earth and all other creation. Genesis 1:26-30; Genesis 2:19-20. This was reiterated after the flood, Genesis 9:1-7.
     • Man was the personal representative of God. He was to maintain order on earth as the focal point for God’s Theocratic program. Those accepting man’s authority have accepted God’s authority. They acknowledge God has the right to rule. Psalm 8.
     • Man was given authority over animals, birds, fish, creeping things. Vegetation was given for the benefit of man. Genesis 1:26-30; Genesis 2:19-20.
     • Man’s authority in the human realm over the woman is intimated prior to the fall in Genesis 2:18-25; 1 Timothy 2:9-13; 1 Corinthians 14:3-16; 1 Peter 3:1-7.
     • After the fall man is specifically placed as the authority over the woman. Genesis 3:16; 1 Peter 3:1-7; Ephesians 5:22; 1 Timothy 2:9-15; 1 Corinthians 14:3-16.
     • As a part of this authority and in view of the importance and value of man before God, capital punishment is delegated to man. Genesis 9:5-7; Numbers 35:30-31; Romans 13:1-5.
3. The fall of man.
   • Those historically involved in the fall of man were Adam and Eve, the only human beings in existence. Genesis 2:17; 3:1-19; (Genesis 3:6); Romans 5:12; 2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 2:13-14.
   • False issues which are to be rejected in explaining the fall.
     • The environment of the first man and woman was perfect, having been created by God for them, therefore this was not a factor in the fall of man. Genesis 1:31; Genesis 2:8-9, 15; Romans 5:12.
       • This environment had the requirements of a good life, everything needed was provided.
       • There was no sin or result of sin in the garden, therefore the environment was not tainted.
     • The issue was not social. Adam had fellowship with God, with his right woman, plus the animal life for service and companionship. There was no lack of friends or living companions. Genesis 1:27; Genesis 2:18-25; Genesis 3:8.
     • The issue was not a lack of purpose, meaning, usefulness or responsibility. Adam was not bored. Genesis 1:26-28; Genesis 2:15, 19-20, 24. He is to multiply, fill, subdue, cultivate, guard, carry on a marriage relationship.
     • The issue was not the possession of a sin nature which would war against Adam. God is not a party to sin; Adam and Eve were the direct creation of God; Adam and Eve were good. They were innocent, untested. Genesis 1:31; James 1:13; 2 Corinthians 11:3; Psalm 5:4; Romans 5:12. (The point here at this time is not what is sin and death in Romans 5:12, but the entering of sin in any form into the world.)
   • The true issue was the faith acceptance or rejection of God’s authority and will or the rejection of God’s authority and will (which would be unbelief expressed by negative volition. Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:1-6, 11-13, 17. Also Genesis 1:26-28. Exegesis of Genesis 2:16-17 revealing the true issue.
     • “And the Lord God commanded the man saying”
       • Note the subject, the Lord God. This refers to Christ. (cp Lord God walking in the garden in Genesis 3:8 apparently is Christ.) God is the one laying down the ground rules.
       • The verb “command” is a word meaning just that. Tsavah in the piel prêt impf, 3ms. God is now giving orders. He as the highest authority is to be obeyed.
       • Adam is the recipient. He had no excuse. He had received special revelation and could not say “I did not know or understand,” or “is that what you meant.”
     • “From every tree of the garden you may freely eat.” (You may really eat.)
       • Every tree but one. They have no lack. This is no arbitrary system of rules to prevent happiness or to make someone squirm.
       • “Eat” is the verb Akal. It is used two times here and is translated “you may freely eat.” Qal infin absolute plus the Qal impf (permissive impf). This intensifies the meaning – really eat or freely eat.
       • God gave Adam and Eve all they needed and more.
     • “But from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil you shall not eat from it.”
       • God gives only one prohibition, one exception. This is not the work of a tyrant. This is not unreasonable. God is the ruler; man is God’s representative ruler upon the earth.
       • The tree of the knowledge of good and evil means a tree that has the quality to cause the eater to have an understanding of the realities of good and evil. Prior to this time Adam and Eve were not familiar with sin. They had no knowledge of it as far as its reality in experience goes.
       • By eating from the tree they move into the area of understanding the realities of good and evil. They are a part of the system. They must then continually choose between the two.
       • “You shall not eat” is Qal impf plus the neg Akal. This sets up a prohibition.
       • This is the issue: Obedience to the will, the directive of God or disobedience. Accepting God’s authority or rejecting God’s authority and right to rule.
     • “In the day you eat from it you shall surely die.”
       • This is the penalty. They may choose against God, but if they do they must take the consequences and take responsibility for their choice.
       • Death is the result of negative volition. Muth is the Hebrew word. Here we have the verb used twice. First it is the Qal infin. Absolute then the Qal impf 2ms. The use of the infin absol preceding the impf emphasizes the certainty of the verb. It strengthens the mood.
       • The verb indicates that which will happen in the future – specific future.
       • Death has the concept of both spiritual and physical death. This is the meaning when it says you shall really die. Spiritual death is the separation in relationship from God. The physical death is a corollary to spiritual death.
       • Definition of spiritual death: Man is totally and eternally separated from God. Man is devoid of any bona fide spiritual life/relationship with God. Genesis 2:17; Genesis 3:1-7; John 3; Romans 5:8-21; Ephesians 2:1-3; Colossians 2:13.
       • Definition of physical death: The gradual deterioration of the physical body until final separation of the soul and human spirit from the physical body. 1 Corinthians 15:12-19, 34-44, 50-54; 2 Corinthians 4:16; 2 Corinthians 5:1-9; Genesis 2:10-17; Genesis 3:19, 22-24.
       • Doctrine of Spiritual Death
     • The issue has now been made clear. It is volitional. Adam and Eve must choose between God and Satan. The issue involved the total acceptance of God’s authority and will (by faith) or the rejection of God’s authority and will (unbelief expressed by negative volition).
     • The result of negative volition would be spiritual and physical death.
   • Adam and Eve were created with volition, the ability to make decisions. Along with volition, they were also made responsible for their decisions. They could continually decide to accept God’s authority and will or make one decision to reject the same. Genesis 1:26-28; Genesis 2:15; Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:6, 11-12, 17. (From these we see various facets of God’s will. God apparently by the stress on the tree localized the test area and restricted Satan. This in effect protects man from a varied attack, yet allows for a test.)
   • Satan was the originator of the suggestion to reject God’s authority and therefore is the tempter of Adam and Eve. Genesis 3:1-5; Genesis 3:13-15; 2 Corinthians 11:3; 1 Timothy 2:13-14.
   • Exegesis of Genesis 3:1-8: The historical account of the fall. Also cp 1 Timothy 2:13-14; Romans 5
     • Genesis 3:1 – The description of Satan coming to Eve presenting the beginning of the temptation.
       • He was beautiful; disguised himself as a serpent.
       • “More crafty” means he was shrewd, able to present his viewpoint in such a way as to make it seem correct and/or acceptable.
       • He begins the temptation by trying to throw doubt upon the statement made by God. Aph ki = indeed…that. This = Has God really?”
         • She knows that God said it. Satan knows, but trying to throw doubt and therefore causes her to rationalize.
     • 2.      Genesis 3:2-3 – The woman’s positive answer, “Yes, God has said that.”
       • In Genesis 3:2 we have the positive. Eve knows that she has the use of all the trees of the garden that she would ever need. God is not holding back on their happiness.
       • In Genesis 3:3 she explains her understanding. God said. “Yes, Satan, God said it.”
       • “You shall not eat and you shall not touch.” This indicates that she has been taught. Here the verb changes from 2ms to 2mp. (Genesis 2:17 had the singular.) She understands she and Adam are to keep hands off. There is no question at this point.
         • Here is where she should have dropped it and walked away. Here is where the believer should drop temptation and walk away, instead of thinking about the sin, trying to figure some way that it may be okay or that you can get away with it. Drop it with the clear teaching of the Word and walk away.
       • “Least you all die” Qal impf 2mp. She refers to the penalty of death being inflicted by God. = “in order to avert death do not eat of it.” Referring to spiritual and physical death.
     • Genesis 3:4-5 Satan becomes more bold and direct in his attack.
       • Genesis 3:4 Satan denies the authority of God. He denies the certainty of death. “You shall not really die” is the same as in Genesis 2:17 and Genesis 3:3 with the addition of the strong negative,to deny the statement.
       • Genesis 3:5 Satan tries to distort God and His Word. “Your eyes will be opened, be as God.”
       • Satan now says God is unfair. God is holding out on you. He doesn’t want competition. Satan is saying that God wants robots. BUT this is disproved by virtue of the fact that the tree is there in the first place with the prohibition. By the fact that Satan is even allowed to tempt them. Adam and Eve are given the ability to choose.
       • “Knowing good and evil” means they understand the realities of good and evil. Right now evil is foreign to them. They are protected from it. It is an area that they do not have to face.
     • Genesis 3:6, the fall of man by rejection of the command and therefore the authority and right of God to rule.
       • “Good for foot” indicates that the fruit was not poison. They do not die because the fruit was poison. “Delight to the eyes” means beautiful to look at, enticing. “Wisdom” = desirable for causing insight, understanding. It would give them insight into the areas of good and evil.
       • The tree appealed to her. She had to make a choice.
       • She and Adam ate. This is the act of negative volition.
       • At this point the judgment of God is carried out. They knew it was coming. No excuse. They were responsible. They died spiritually and began dying physically.
     • Genesis 3:7, the results of eating (disobedience).
       • “The eyes of both were opened” nigh prêt impf, defin past. 3fp. The niphal is passive. At this point a change occurred within them. They had sinned causing an inner change. This change is indicated by the passive. The eyes being opened to the realities of good and evil. They are no longer willing to take God’s word for the fact of sin and instruction in it. Now they have experienced it and understand the realities of it.
         • God knows good and evil, but from His perfection, not from contact with or subscribing to sin. Man now understands good and evil in his limited way, but from experientially subscribing to it and partaking of the results of it.
         • Man has no more neutral innocence. He must now live with the disrupted system of Satan.
         • The expression eyes opened > This nature became sinful ? “The eyes of both were opened” indicates the acquisition of the Old Sin Nature. It was produced, acquired (passive) by the act of rejection of the command of God, rejection of His authority and right to rule.
       • The expression of their eyes being opened is “they knew they were naked.” Knew naked > recognition of change to sinful state. They recognize a change has taken place. They have guilt.
       • “Fig leaves” expression in themselves of fall to sinfulness. The fig leaves are the attempt to correct, hide the fact of the change. It also indicates the new position in which they find themselves.
     • Genesis 3:8 expresses the separation of sinful man and woman from God. “Hid themselves” expression toward God of fall to sinfulness. They hid themselves Chaba hithp prêt impf. They knew a change had occurred. Had committed sin, had an Old Sin Nature, had guilt.
   • Brief summary of the fall.
     • Adam and Eve were placed on earth in perfect environment, in an innocent neutral state as God’s representative rulers.
     • They engaged in fellowship with God under His authority.
     • The issue was made clear and understood by both. The acceptance or rejection of God’s authority and will.
     • In order to provide a test and to limit the test one tree was designated off limits.
     • This tree was a test of the volition of Adam and Eve. Accepting this prohibition constituted the acceptance of the authority and rulership of God. It constituted living by faith. (If God said you did not need to eat the fruit or have an understanding of the realities of good and evil take His Word for it.)
     • God allowed the test to go on. Satan presented the temptation to sin. This temptation originated with Satan not with God.
     • First Eve, then Adam chose against God. They acted independently of the directive will of God and at that moment the fall of man occurred.
     • The result was immediate spiritual death and the beginning of physical death.
     • The fall of man was demonstrated.
       • Their eyes were opened – their nature became sinful. Therefore they knew good and evil.
       • They knew they were naked – recognition of the change to sinful state.
       • Garments of fig leaves – the expression in themselves of the fall to sinfulness.
       • They hid themselves – the expression toward God of the fall to sinfulness.
4. Results of the Fall of Man.
   1. Results in the relationship between God and man.
      1. The relationship of fellowship sustained in the garden between God and man was severed. Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:8-10, 23-24.
         1. Prior to the fall Adam and Eve sustained a personal relationship with God.
         2. Prior to the fall they had not sinned, therefore were not guilty before God.
         3. Prior to the fall there was no need of hiding from God.
      2. The severing of the relationship is called spiritual death. Spiritual death is the total and eternal separation from God. Man is devoid of any bona fide spiritual life/relationship with God. Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:1-8; Colossians 2:13; Ephesians 2:1-3.
      3. Since man is spiritually dead he is condemned by God to eternal judgment. Romans 5:16; John 3:16-18; Revelation 20:15.
      4. Man is now the enemy of God. Romans 5:10
      5. Man is no longer a part of the Theocratic Kingdom. John 8:41-47; Matthew 13.
   2. Results of the fall within man.
      • Man is now in the state of spiritual death. Genesis 2:16-17; Ephesians 2:1-3.
      • Man was so changed that his natural condition, the condition of his soul and spirit which comprise the inner man became sinful. This was acquired in Adam and Eve, but is inherited in all subsequent members of humanity. It is called the sin nature. Genesis 3:7-11; Romans 7:17, 20, 25; Ephesians 2:3; Romans 6:12; James 1:14-15
        • The sin nature belongs to the inner man, soul and spirit.
        • It is in total opposition to God.
        • The character of the sin nature is contrary to God’s perfect character.
        • To say that man’s condition became sinful includes, but is more than, man possessing a sin nature. It means that man’s nature – his soul and spirit, total inner man became sinful.
      • Spiritual death and the sin nature do not mean that the various facets of the soul and spirit are rendered extinct. The various facets remain, but they are corrupt, having the characteristic nature of sin. Man still has self-consciousness; he still thinks; he still has a conscience; he still has volition; he still has emotion. Psalm 51:5; 1 Timothy 4:2; 2 Peter 3:5; John 5:40
        • The presence of the sin nature then predicts the orientation and direction which man takes – body, soul, and spirit – toward God, man, revelation, angels, other creation. Romans 1:18-32; Romans 3:10-18; Galatians 5:17-21; James 1:14-15; Titus 3:5
      • Man now seeks substitutes for God and Revelation. Romans 1:18-25; 2 Timothy 3:8; 2 Timothy 4:3-4; Exodus 32:1-7
      • The physical body of man now comes under physical death. Physical death is the gradual deterioration of the physical body until final separation of the soul and the human spirit from the physical body. Genesis 2:16-17; Genesis 3:19, 22, 24; 1 Corinthians 15:21-22; 53-54; 2 Corinthians 5:1-7
      • Man is incapable of pleasing God or doing anything to gain God’s approbation. Romans 3:9-18; Psalm 14:1-3; Psalm 53:1-3; Romans 8:8; Titus 3:5
      • Man left to himself does not seek to know God in a true relationship. Romans 3:11, 18; Psalm 14:1-3; Psalm 53:1-3.
      • Man must now work hard for his physical survival. This will be life long, painful and difficult. Genesis 3:17-19.
      • The woman will undergo painful childbirth. Genesis 3:16
      • Man is placed in definite rule over the woman. Genesis 3:16
      • Man and woman are excluded from the garden. Genesis 3:22-24
      • The woman shall have a longing, strong desire for her man. Genesis 3:16
   3. Results of the fall in relationship to Satan.
      • Satan has the curse of total defeat pronounced upon him by God. Genesis 3:15
        • There will be a continual conflict between regenerate humanity (including Jesus Christ) and Satan’s seed composed of demons and unbelievers. John 17:14-16; John 8:44; John 13:2; Ephesians 6:12
        • Satan will gain temporary minor victories in the battle.
        • Satan will be totally defeated by the ultimate seed of the woman Jesus Christ. John 12:31; John 16:11; 1 John 3:8
        • His eternal judgment is executed at the end of the Millennium. Revelation 20:10
      • Satan becomes the temporary ruler of this world system by virtue of man choosing the authority of Satan over the authority of God. 2 Corinthians 4:4; John 12:31; John 14:30; 16:11; 17:14-16; 1 John 5:19; Colossians 1:13; Juke 4:5-7
        • Satan is the ruler by man’s choice and by God’s temporary permission.
        • Faith in Christ removes the believer from residency and subordination to this system.
      • Satan and his demons are engaged in active battle against those renouncing his authority and accepting God’s authority. Ephesians 5:12; John 17:14-16; Exodus 7:10-12; Job.
   4. The results of the fall in relation to the earth and creation.
      • The ground is cursed. This means it will be the source of pain, hard work, and suffering. It includes weeds and harmful vegetation. Mill will have to struggle for productivity. Genesis 3:17-18.
      • Creation is subjected to futility as a result of the fall. This means a constant struggle for survival. It includes animal life, probably plant life, and inanimate creation. Romans 8:18-22; Joel 1:18-20.
      • Man must continually work for sustenance from the ground. This is life long, painful, and difficult. Genesis 3:17-19.
      • The serpent was condemned to crawl on its belly. Genesis 3:14
   5. Results of the fall in relation to the Theocratic Kingdom and the Angelic Conflict.
      • Satan and his angels had rebelled against God at an unknown time in the past. Satan has thereby rejected God’s authority and right to rule. God will still demonstrate His authority and right to rule over Satan and his demons.
      • The earth was later placed under man’s rulership. Man was to serve God and have a relationship with God in submission to His authority thereby glorifying God.
      • Man also rebelled against God thereby giving rulership to Satan as opposed to God.
      • God continued the purpose of the Theocratic Kingdom by instituting His redemptive program. This is the means by which His universal authority will be reestablished.
      • At the conclusion of the Theocratic Kingdom it merges with the Eternal Kingdom.
      • The active participants are: God and His representatives, angels and believers; Satan and his representatives, demons and unbelievers; The rest of creation temporarily suffers due to the curse at the fall of man.
        • God’s Kingdom: non-fallen angels (Ephesians 3:10; Hebrews 1:6-7, 13-14) and believers (Colossians 1:12-13).
        • Satan’s Kingdom: fallen angels and man. Ezekiel 28:12-19; Genesis 3:15; Colossians 1:13; John 12:31; John 14:30; Matthew 12:22-29
        • Redemptive Program is the means to establish the Theocratic Kingdom.
        • Satan’s four strategic goals in the Angelic Conflict.
          • Satan -> God (Ezekiel 28:12-19; Matthew 4:4-11)
          • Satan -> Angels (Jude 9; Revelation 12:7; Daniel 10:10-21)
          • Satan -> Believers (Ephesians 6:10-13)
          • Satan -> Israel (Revelation 12:12)
5. The Solution to the Problem of the Fall of Man.
   • The Prophecy of the Solution.
     • Genesis 3:15
       • “I will set.” God is the speaker and the executor of this verb. He now places into operation a general law that carries throughout history. Qal impf 1cs of Shith.
       • “Enmity” is the accusative direct object. It means personal hostility, antagonism. There is going to be a conflict. We have two opposite groups set up. They form the opposition in the outworking of the Angelic Conflict and the program of the Theocratic Kingdom. Ebah
       • “Between you” refers to Satan manifested in the Serpent; but the total verse indicates it refers to more than the serpent as the reptile crawling on the ground. It refers to the power behind the serpent and manifested through the Serpent. = Satan.
       • “And between the woman.” This woman specifically refers to Eve.
         • This refers to the conflict between the Serpent and the female as part of the results of the fall.
         • But it goes beyond this to the conflict between Satan and the woman. Eve is eventually born again and through her will come the future redeemer. She is the mother of the line of Christ. This enmity is real.
       • “And between your descendents” Zera.
         • This refers first to the whole group of reptiles and the antagonism there, but the real meaning goes beyond.
         • It refers to those considered as the descendants of Satan. John 8:44
           • Demons
           • Unbelievers
       • “And between her descendents”
         • This refers to the line of faith through Eve to Seth, Noah, Shem, Abraham, Isaac, David, and Christ.
         • There is a conflict throughout the ages between Satan’s descendants and believers. It is real. Cp John 17
         • Note the struggle between Satan and mankind, not between God and Satan. God doesn’t need to fight or defeat Satan. God is always supreme. The struggle is between creation.
       • “And he (seed singular) shall crush you (sing, not your seen)” Shuph
         • This refers to the climatic victory over Satan by the culmination of the seed of the woman – Christ.
         • Jesus Christ the last Adam totally defeated the force behind the serpent, Satan.
         • The word crush is Shuph, to bruise, to crush, and pierce. Qal impf 3ms + 2ms. It is a specific future indicating a sure thing in the future. (Latin contero – grind, bruise, pound, wear out)
       • “With respect to the head.” This refers to the fatal blow. (insidice – ambush, trap) It refers to the cross where Satan was defeated and judged. The head is the control area, the vital center for life. John 12:31; John 16:11; 1 John 3:8
       • “But you shall crush him with reference to the heel.” 2ms personal pronoun
         • The subject is Satan. It pictures him in conflict with Christ, the seed of the woman.
         • The heel wound is an irritating thing. It is not a fatal wound.
       • In this verse we have the first recorded prophecy of the victory of the seed of the woman over the one responsible for the fall.
       • The struggle is between Satan and mankind, not God and Satan.
     • Genesis 12:3, the blessing for man in the Abrahamic Covenant.
       • In Genesis 12:1, Abraham is to move out to the real estate prepared for him.
       • In Genesis 12:2, we see the greatness and blessing.
       • In Genesis 12:3, the protection and blessing.
         • “They all shall be blessed.” The verb is in the niphal pf + vav consec, 3cp. The niphal is passive. 3cp refers to all.
         • “All the tribes of the earth.” This is the subject of the line. They receive the blessing. The ultimate blessing comes in the line of Abraham. Christ was born to save man.
     • Isaiah 7:14, the prophecy of the virgin birth of Christ in the line of Abraham-Judah.
       • Doctrine of the Virgin.
     • 2 Samuel 7:12-16. The Davidic Covenant.
       • Isaiah 9:6-7. The blessing upon Israel and the Gentiles through God’s appointed ruler, Jesus Christ. He will bring creation back under the rightful ruler.
       • Isaiah 53. The Messiah is the Servant of the Lord. He is of the line from Eve to Noah to Shem to Abram to Jacob to Judah to David. He provides the solution to the fall.
     • Matthew 1:21-25. The birth of Christ.
     • John 1:29; John 3:16-18; 1 Timothy 1:15; Christ came into the world to save sinners.
   • The solution illustrated historically.
     • Genesis 3:21
       • “And the Lord God made for Adam and for his wife”
         • God is the subject. He does the providing, the giving. This is grace.
         • Notice he provided for both.
         • “Made” means he did the work. Asah.
       • “Tunics of skin”
         • The Lord now gave them clothes to cover their nakedness and to get them ready for life. God made them. He gathered the materials and put them together.
         • “Skins” is the word Or. This infers:
           • That animals were killed. We have the death of one for another. The undeserving died for the deserving death.
         • “And He clothed them”
           •  Labash is the word to clothe, to put on, to wear. It is here in the hiphal prêt impf, 3ms. The subject is God. He did the work. Besides killing the animals, he made the tunic and also dressed Adam and Eve = grace.
           • God does it all.
           • The suffix is them, 3mp accus of object. It refers to Adam and Eve, the recipients of the grace provision of God.
     • In view of the context, the problem, the recognition of nakedness tied to guilt, the fact of God providing all when Adam himself tried to make fig leaf clothes (which were unacceptable) this verse refers to more than mere dress alone.
     • This verse is an indication that Adam and Eve came under the substitutional work of another which God provided. They believed God and were regenerated.
       • Hebrews 10:1-12 for a New Testament passage.
   • The work of Christ on the cross solved the problem.
     • 1 Corinthians 15:1-4
     • 2 Corinthians 5:21
     • Ephesians 2:1-19 (Go over a brief exegesis of this passage.)