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All (254) Mike Winger (254)
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

Galatians 3:23-25 -- The Law as paidagogos (guardian/tutor) leading to Christ; distinct from kinsman-redeemer language

Mike evaluates whether Galatians 3:23-25 connects to the Ruth kinsman-redeemer passage.

Galatians 3:23-25 typology justification by faith paidagogos
Mike Winger idea 2021-01-29

Visiting moments in Scripture: creation of Adam and Eve (OT); Road to Emmaus Christological exposition (NT)

Hypothetical question from Bree Herb about which biblical moment Mike would most want to witness.

Luke 24:13-35 creation Adam and Eve Luke 24:13-35
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

Verifiability: Simmons's claims are provably false by checking the Greek text; the apostolic claims are historically robust.

Third distinction: the content of the claims can be tested.

Romans 1 Brian Simmons William Lane Craig Gary Habermas
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-05

John 20:23 — the authority to forgive or retain sins: the disciples are declaring what heaven has already determined, not independently granting forgiveness.

Question from Thomas Brownlee about interpreting John 20:23.

John 20:23 Apostolic authority John 20:23 Forgiveness of sins
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-12

Drinking alcohol is not inherently sinful; drunkenness is sinful — attempts to argue 1 Tim 5:23 wine is non-alcoholic are dismissed

Mike closes the wine/vow question by addressing broader debates about alcohol in Christianity.

1 Timothy 5:23 Christian liberty drunkenness 1 Timothy 5:23
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-19

Question: What is the difference between Hades and Hell — do people go directly to hell at death?

Viewer Henry Avery's Gravery asks Mike to elaborate on his view that people do not go directly to hell when they die.

Revelation Luke 16 millennium eschatology Revelation
Mike Winger idea 2020-12-04

The Passion Translation is not a real translation — scholars hired by Winger unanimously agree it contains fabrications and mistakes, not genuine Hebrew/Greek insights.

Responding to a Twitter question from Jeff Gaitzens about a pastor using the Passion Translation.

Brian Simmons Passion Translation Tremper Longman
Mike Winger idea 2021-02-26

Lady Wisdom in Proverbs 8 — typological connection to Christ, not the Holy Spirit

Steven Rivers asks whether Lady Wisdom in Proverbs 8 could be the Holy Spirit and whether Hebrew/Greek pronouns clarify the gender.

Proverbs 8 1 Corinthians 1 typology Holy Spirit Christology
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-26

2 Corinthians 5:21 — Jesus became sin through imputation, not by sinning; understood through a Protestant doctrine of justification.

Question from "Stranger in Moscow": how can Jesus become sin if he knew no sin?

2 Corinthians 5:21 atonement imputed righteousness justification
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-26

Jerome's Latin Vulgate mistranslated "mystery" (mysterion) as "sacrament" in Ephesians 5:32, contributing to the Roman Catholic doctrine of marriage as a sacrament.

Mark H asks about doctrinal changes Jerome introduced in the Vulgate around 400 AD.

Ephesians 5:32 Reformation Jerome Latin Vulgate
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-26

Ephesians 5:5 — "impure" (akathartos) refers to moral impurity; the passage warns that a lifestyle of immorality, impurity, or covetousness calls salvation into question.

Nero Manser asks what Paul means by "impure" in Ephesians 5:5.

1 Corinthians Ephesians 5:5 BDAG lexicon 1 Corinthians assurance of salvation
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-09

Will sins be publicly exposed at the Bema Seat judgment?

Question from The Potter's Daughter about 1 Cor 5:10 and Luke 12:2-3 and whether sins are publicly disclosed before being forgiven.

Luke 12:2-3 1 Corinthians 5:10 Bema seat bema Luke 12:2-3
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-23

Hebrews 12:6 uses "scourges" (from the Septuagint of Proverbs 3:12) to describe God's fatherly discipline; the intensified language is contextually appropriate fatherly correction, not brutal punishment.

Q6 from Stephanie: Hebrews 12:5-6 quotes Proverbs 3:11-12 but ends with "scourge" — why does it imply God brutally whips every believer?

Hebrews 12:5-6 Proverbs 3:11-12 Septuagint (LXX) Hebrews 12:5-6 Proverbs 3:11-12
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-12

Plato's influence on Christianity: limited and often overstated due to caricatures of ancient thought

Q2 from Tony Oshikonlu: What does Plato have to do with Christianity? Was Plato as influential on Christianity as the Bible?

John 1 Plato Philo of Alexandria John 1
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-12

Does God have a sense of humor? Yes — Scripture confirms it, and pleasure/humor are good gifts not inherently sinful

Q4 from Silas Abrahamson: Does God have a sense of humor?

Psalm Matthew 7 God's character asceticism humor
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-12

Mary did not remain a perpetual virgin — Scripture clearly indicates she had other children with Joseph after Jesus

Q11 from Lovisa Bengtsen: Did Mary remain a virgin? Were the brothers of Jesus actually cousins? If she had other sons, why did John need to care for her?

James (brother of Jesus) John the Apostle John 19:26-27 James (brother of Jesus) John the Apostle brothers of Jesus
Mike Winger idea 2021-03-12

1 John 3:4-10 does not teach sinless perfectionism — the Greek present tense indicates habitual lifestyle of sin, not single acts

Q14 from Shauna Whitting: Does 1 John 3:4-10 mean you are not a real Christian if you still struggle with sin?

1 John 2:1 1 John 3:4-10 habitual sin limited atonement propitiation
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-30

Jesus calling Judas friend at the betrayal (Matthew 26:50) is likely both literal and ironic simultaneously.

Question 7 from A.D. Chan about the Greek word hetairos in Matthew 26:50.

Matthew 26:50 Mark 14 Jesus betrayal of Jesus Judas
Mike Winger idea 2021-04-30

The gospel presentation should be adapted to the individual; the content stays constant but the approach changes.

Question 13 from Steph T about how to summarize the gospel with strangers or those from different religions.

Acts 17 Paul Acts 17 evangelism
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-04

Q: What does "born of water" mean in John 3:5? Two interpretations: (1) physical birth (water/amniotic fluid) vs. spiritual birth — two births, not three; (2) "water and spirit" as one birth in Greek, referring to the spiritual reality baptism represents, not literal water baptism. Cornelius (Acts 10) proves baptism isn't required for salvation.

Q&A — born of water (John 3:5)

John 3:5 Acts 10 Cornelius John 3:5 born of water baptism and salvation
Mike Winger idea 2020-03-11

Refuting Dean Odel's claim that Revelation 20:9 ("breadth/plane of the earth") proves flat earth via Greek word "platos." Problems: (1) platos means "wide/broad," not "flat" — Strongs says "broad"; (2) the passage describes a specific military march, probably across the valley of Megiddo; (3) earth doesn't mean planet here, just land.

Revelation 20:9 Greek word — breadth, not flat

Revelation 20:9 flat earth Dean Odel Revelation 20:9
Mike Winger idea 2020-04-08

What to do to be saved (Romans 10:9): (1) "Believe in your heart" = intellectual belief PLUS reliance/trust (Greek pisteuo = entrust). Know the resurrection is true AND rely on Christ for salvation. (2) "Confess Jesus is Lord" = honest commitment to his authority, not just saying words. Lordship means he's your boss, king, authority. Repentance = turning from rebellion to yielding to God.

How to respond — belief and confession

Romans 10:9 repentance repentance Romans 10:9
Mike Winger idea 2020-06-03

Can a Christian be demon-possessed? Mike distinguishes possession from influence/oppression. Christians have the Holy Spirit indwelling them — demon possession (ownership/control) seems incompatible with the Spirit's presence. But Christians can be oppressed, influenced, and harassed by demons. The demoniac in Mark 5 was fully controlled; Christians may experience lesser forms of spiritual attack but not total possession.

Demon possession vs oppression in Christians

1 Corinthians 6:19 James 4:7 spiritual warfare spiritual warfare 1 Corinthians 6:19
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-07

1 John 3:9 ("whoever is born of God does not sin") doesn't mean Christians never sin. 1 John 1:8-10 in the SAME letter says "if we say we have no sin, we deceive ourselves" and "if we confess our sins, he is faithful to forgive." The Greek tense in 3:9 indicates ongoing habitual practice, not individual acts. A Christian won't be characterized by a lifestyle of sin, but will still fail and need forgiveness.

1 John 3:9 — sinless perfection refuted

1 John 3:9 1 John 1:8-10 sinless perfection 1 John 3:9 1 John 1:8-10
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-12

Argument 1 — Jesus's death predictions are very early: (a) Matthew 16:17-23 contains Semiticisms ("son of Jonah," "flesh and blood," "Hades") pointing to Aramaic origins, not later Greek tradition. (b) Mark 9:31 has a paronomasia (pun) in Aramaic: "son of man handed into the hands of men." (c) 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 (Last Supper) is written before the Gospels. (d) Paul distinguishes Jesus's commands from his own (1 Cor 7) — proving he doesn't invent words of Jesus.

Argument 1 — earliness of predictions

Matthew 16:17-23 Mark 9:31 1 Corinthians 11:24-25 Semiticisms Matthew 16:17-23 Mark 9:31
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-21

Mike affirms the rapture doctrine from 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 as plain biblical teaching. The Greek harpazo ("caught up") → Latin rapturus → English "rapture." He's unsettled on pre/mid/post-trib timing but firmly believes in the event itself. Holds a futurist view of Revelation — future events not yet fulfilled.

Rapture — affirmed, timing unsettled

1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 rapture rapture 1 Thessalonians 4:13-17
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-21

Feeling the presence of a dead loved one: concerning because it may lead to attempting to contact the dead, which the OT consistently condemns. If you're contacting any spirit, it's not the deceased — you're opening yourself to whatever spirit wants to respond. Encourage the person to cherish memories but not pursue spiritual contact. The practice of praying to the dead entered church history through the Eastern church's interaction with pagan culture.

Contacting the dead — biblically condemned

necromancy necromancy contacting the dead
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-31

The phrase "the Lord" (ha kurios) in Mark 11:3 deliberately fuses God's identity with Jesus — Mark's subtle but profound Christology of Christ's deity.

Greek analysis of "the Lord has need of it" in Mark 11:3

Mark 11:3 deity of Christ kurios Mark 11:3
Mike Winger idea 2020-08-31

Psalm 118 is the key text the crowd quotes — it prophesies the rejected cornerstone (Messiah rejected by Israel's leaders) whom God establishes anyway. Jesus quotes it about himself in Mark 12.

Detailed exposition of Psalm 118 and its messianic significance

Acts 7 Psalm 118 Psalm 118:22 typology typology Acts 7
Mike Winger idea 2020-10-26

Du Toit redefines sin itself (hamartia) through the etymological fallacy — deriving fake "root meanings" to avoid the actual meaning. Sin becomes "living out of context with your blueprint" instead of moral rebellion against God.

The etymological fallacy and the Mirror Bible's abuse of Greek

Romans 3:22-23 etymological fallacy Mirror Bible Mirror Bible
Mike Winger idea 2021-05-14

The Gospel of Thomas is a mid-2nd century Gnostic forgery, not a legitimate alternate gospel. It's a sayings collection borrowing from Matthew/Luke with added Greek philosophical content inconsistent with a 1st-century Jewish teacher.

Q1: Thoughts on the Gospel of Thomas?

Matthew Philo salvation Thomas
Mike Winger idea 2021-05-14

1 John 3:4 ("sin is lawlessness") doesn't mean Christians must keep the Mosaic Law — "lawlessness" means rebellion against God's moral authority, not specifically violating Torah commands. The New Testament redefines how we relate to God's moral standards.

Q19: Does 1 John 3:4 mean the Law of Moses still applies?

1 John 3:4 1 John 3 Moses 1 John 3:4 1 John 3
Mike Winger idea 2021-06-18

About John 15 – Bearing Fruit: What do you think of the view that states that in John 15, Jesus actually said in Greek that those who don't bear fruit are lifted up instead of cut off? Is this us practicing bad Greek?

Q&A question: About John 15 – Bearing Fruit

John 15 Jesus John 15
Mike Winger idea 2021-06-25

About the Greek in Bible Translations: Pastors often say, "what the Greek REALLY says is…" Why don't translators use the Greek that pastors cite in sermons then? (Like how Peter is akin to pebble but is translated as rock.)

Q&A question: About the Greek in Bible Translations

Peter pastoral ministry
Mike Winger idea 2021-07-23

About Gematria & Numerology: In light of today’s first question, how do you account for more subtle/compelling examples of Gematria such as JESUS (IESOUS in Greek) calculating to "888"? Contrast with "666.” 8=new life, etc.

Q&A question: About Gematria & Numerology

Jesus
Mike Winger idea 2021-07-23

About the phrase “Son of Perdition”: What is the Greek meaning of “Son of Perdition”? Is it a specific person, or a general statement?

Q&A question: About the phrase “Son of Perdition”
Mike Winger idea 2021-07-30

About “Rhema” (Sword of the Spirit): Can you explain the Greek word Rhema in Ephesians 6 when it talks about the “sword of the Spirit is the Word of God?” Is it Scripture, or like a word of wisdom, knowledge, or prophecy?

Q&A question: About “Rhema” (Sword of the Spirit)

Ephesians 6 prophecy Ephesians 6
Mike Winger idea 2021-08-27

Are Souls Eternal?: Is the soul as an eternal entity more of a Greek philosophical idea, or confirmed in Scripture? Do you have any biblical references for an eternal soul?

Q&A question: Are Souls Eternal?

Philo
Mike Winger idea 2021-09-10

About Becoming a Disciple: How do you become a disciple in light of Matthew 28: 19? Can you be unsaved yet still a disciple? I haven’t found the Greek word (μαθητευω) elsewhere. Seems to normally be μαθητης (ex. Acts 11: 29; 19: 30; 21:4, 16).

Q&A question: About Becoming a Disciple

Matthew Matthew 28 Acts 11 Matthew Matthew 28 Acts 11
Mike Winger idea 2021-09-24

About “Unknown”/ Tongues in 1 Cor.: What do you make of the added word “unknown” in 1 Corinthians 14:2-3, which is not in the original Greek? Could it mean that it is not a different sort of tongues, rather, that no one understands them?

Q&A question: About “Unknown”/ Tongues in 1 Cor.

1 Corinthians 14 1 Corinthians 14 tongues
Mike Winger idea 2022-03-18

Why Isn’t the Greek OT More Authoritative?: Why isn’t the Greek Old Testament more authoritative? Its manuscripts are older and are referenced in the New Testament. E.g., Jesus mentions Greek version of Isaiah 61 with “blind” in Luke 4: 18.

Q&A question: Why Isn’t the Greek OT More Authoritative?

Isaiah Isaiah Jesus
Mike Winger idea 2022-04-08

Does Scripture Teach Familial Marriage?: 1 Corinthians 7: 36-38 seems like Paul is saying someone can marry their own daughter. The translations usually say fiancée but when I looked at the Greek the word used means virgin daughter.

Q&A question: Does Scripture Teach Familial Marriage?

1 Corinthians 7 1 Corinthians 7 marriage
Mike Winger idea 2022-09-30

How Were Jesus’ Words Translated?: Did the synoptic writers translate Jesus’ words from Aramaic to Greek? Does that partially explain why they don’t match each other exactly, because they translated to best explain His teaching?

Q&A question: How Were Jesus’ Words Translated?

Jesus
Mike Winger idea 2023-02-17

About the Septuagint & Masoretic Text: Is the Greek LXX (Septuagint) considered a flawed copy? The genealogy of Shem adds hundreds of years which is quite significant. Is the Masoretic Text inerrant, or am I misunderstanding inerrancy?

Q&A question: About the Septuagint & Masoretic Text

biblical inerrancy
Mike Winger idea 2023-05-12

Has Christianity Changed Over Time?: How do you know the Christianity you believe is the same they were practicing in the early Church if history says Constantine and the Greeks changed things?

Q&A question: Has Christianity Changed Over Time?

Constantine
Mike Winger idea 2023-05-26

John 15 – Will I be “Taken Away”?: What are your thoughts on John 15:2 and the Greek word for "takes away"? I've heard that it would be more accurately translated as "raise up." This word seems to change the meaning of the verse.

Q&A question: John 15 – Will I be “Taken Away”?

John 15 John 15
Mike Winger idea 2023-06-23

The Book of James vs. Jacob: I was looking at the Greek in James' epistle (1:1) and his name in the Greek is Iakobos. Why do we call it "the Book of James" if the Greek more closely resembles Jacob (Iakobos)?

Q&A question: The Book of James vs. Jacob

James James Jacob
Mike Winger idea 2023-11-17

Why Didn’t Greek Spread?: Why didn't Greek spread through the Christian world like Arabic did through the Muslim one? Both revere holy books, yet Greek didn't become widespread. Surely it would have made understanding easier.

Q&A question: Why Didn’t Greek Spread?

Islam
Mike Winger idea 2024-06-28

Winger says a wife co-teaching an adult Sunday school Bible study IS an elder-type role and would be wrong under his complementarian view. However, co-teaching a topical class (like parenting) is NOT eldership and he'd be fine with it. He warns against creating Pharisaic rules but draws the line at verse-by-verse Bible teaching.

Bonus Q after viewer watched WIM series: Is a woman helping her husband teach a co-ed adult Sunday school class an elder-type role?

1 Timothy 2:12 women in ministry complementarianism egalitarianism
Mike Winger idea 2024-11-15

“The River” = Heaven?: Is there a biblical basis for songs about “crossing the river” into Heaven, or is that just Greek mythology? Is the Jordan River a legitimate biblical metaphor for dying and going to the Promised Land/Heaven?

Q&A question: “The River” = Heaven?

heaven
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