The second purpose of the Recovery Version with the footnotes—to minister the life supply—receives the least amount of development among the four purposes identified in the message quoted above. Perhaps this is fitting, for it almost goes without saying. We who have used the Recovery Version can surely testify that it not only teaches the divine truth; it also ministers the Spirit of reality to usher us into all the reality of this truth. Many of the footnotes in the Recovery Version were composed in conjunction with Brother Lee’s semiannual trainings to expound the books of the Bible, and he called this exposition of the Bible a Life-study of the Bible. One of the most distinctive features of the Recovery Version among all the study Bibles currently available is that it ministers the life supply and has this ministry as one of its chief aims.

To illustrate this purpose with some concrete examples, consider the footnotes in two chapters of the Bible that many might not consider prime candidates for ministering the life supply—the first chapter of the Gospel of Matthew and the first chapter of the book of Leviticus.

The Gospel of Matthew begins with a lengthy genealogy of forty-two generations. Some might be tempted to skip over all these names, but the footnotes in the Recovery Version turn this genealogy into a rich ministry of the life supply. Drawing on the fact that both Gentile and sinful women are included in the genealogy, one footnote says, “Regardless of who we are and what our background is, as long as we have a heart that seeks God and His people, we are in a position to be accepted into the birthright of Christ” (note 3 on Matt. 1:5). Drawing on the genealogy’s reference to David’s sin, another says, “When David committed murder and adultery, he was rebuked by the prophet Nathan, whom God had sent purposely to condemn him (2 Sam. 12:1-12). When David was condemned, he repented. Psalm 51 is the record of his repentance. He repented and God forgave him (2 Sam. 12:13). Then he begot Solomon (2 Sam. 12:24). Hence, Solomon is the issue of man’s transgression and repentance plus God’s forgiveness” (note 3 on Matt. 1:6). Summing up the whole genealogy, another says, “Luke’s record begins with Jesus and traces back to God. Matthew’s record proceeds from Abraham to Christ. Luke goes back and up to God; Matthew comes forward and down to Christ. All the generations were directed to Christ and brought in Christ. Christ is the goal, the consummation, the conclusion, the completion, and the perfection of all the generations; as such, He fulfills their prophecies, solves their problems, and meets their needs. When Christ comes, light, life, salvation, satisfaction, healing, freedom, rest, comfort, peace, and joy all come with Him. From this point on, the whole New Testament is a full expounding of this wonderful Christ, who is everything to us. Hallelujah, Christ has come!” (note 4 on Matt. 1:17). Praise the Lord for such a Christ! And praise the Lord that we all, no matter who we are or what we have done, can enter into the birthright of Christ to bring forth Christ for the kingdom of God!