The Apostle Paul was a prisoner in Rome when he wrote the letter to the church at Philippi that would eventually become the book of Philippians. Paul refers to his captivity as being “in my bonds” in Philippians 1:7, and again in Philippians 12-13. [...]
The Apostle Paul uses the illustration of an athlete’s training to illustrate the lifestyle of a faithful Christian. Several Bible commentaries make reference to the Isthmain games, named because they took place in the isthmus where Corinth stood. For example, Ellicott’s Commentary for English [...]
1 Thessalonians consists of a letter from the Apostle Paul to the early Christian church at Thessalonica (1 Thessalonians 1:1). In chapter 1, Paul issues greetings to the church members. Chapters 2 and 3 continue his greetings and also offer an explanation for his [...]
Genesis chapters 1 and 2 outline God’s process of creating the earth, the plants, the animals, and finally human beings. Genesis 2:1-3 state that God finished this creative work, and on the seventh “day,” God rested “from all his work which he had made.” [...]
These verses describe the great rejoicing that will occur in heaven when the marriage of the Lamb takes place. Jesus is referred to as a Lamb because of his previous sacrifice. When he came to be baptized, John the Baptist said, “Behold the Lamb [...]
The phrase born again is found in John 3:3: Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the kingdom of God. A more accurate translation for born again here is "begotten from above.” It does not describe a second birth; rather, it refers to the changed [...]
There has always been one main criteria for those who seek membership in Christ’s church – to love God with all one’s mind and heart and to love one’s neighbor as oneself (Matthew 22:37-40). Those who truly understand this criteria give up the pursuits [...]
In a large sense the whole universe is God’s house, and the different planes and of life are the different “rooms.” My Father’s house: Again, in a large sense the whole universe is God’s house, and God Himself abides in the height of the heavens. [...]
In Old Testament times, the man, or father, was considered the head of the household. He had the responsibility for ensuring all within his care were provided for, including his wife and all of his children. The head of the household was meant to [...]
Humans have one BIG thing in common: we are all sinners. Romans 3:23 NLT: “For everyone has sinned; we all fall short of God’s glorious standard.” Romans 3:10 NASB: “There is none righteous, not even one" which is quoting from Psalm 14:3 and Psalm 51:3.Sin always [...]
Several texts can be cross read to interpret Paul’s meaning here. First, let’s address the “chief cornerstone.” There is only one kind of building that has only one cornerstone: a pyramid. The top stone itself is a perfect pyramid, and all other stones have [...]
Romans 8:6: NASB “For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace.”A true follower of Christ is one that surrenders all the mind, heart and energy to do the will of the heavenly [...]
God created Adam, the first man “in His own image.” Adam was created sinless. God also gave Adam dominion over the earth (Genesis 1:26). Through these two combined thoughts, the Bible demonstrates that Adam, and through him, his descendants, were intended to have an [...]
Jesus knew his time on earth was coming to an end. Beginning in John 13:30 one of the last conversations between Jesus and his disciples is recorded. Jesus was preparing for both his death and his resurrection that would follow. He knew that having [...]
2 Corinthians 2:14-16: But thanks be to God, who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and manifests through us the sweet aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For we are a fragrance of Christ to God among those who are [...]
The “body of Christ” refers to Jesus plus his faithful followers. We want to be integrated into the body, so that what we work on in our own individual growth experiences can positively relate to the other body members. The simple fact is we [...]
Ephesians 4:7: “But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ.”This verse, as with most, is best understood in context. Writing from prison, the Apostle Paul is exhorting his dearly beloved brethren to “walk,” that [...]
Reading 1 Peter 5:1-5 in the New Living Translation might be of help:5 And now, a word to you who are elders in the churches. I, too, am an elder and a witness to the sufferings of Christ. And I, too, will share in [...]
For Christians, an appropriate definition of being “spiritually minded” is devoting, or consecrating, one’s life to developing and possessing a mindset that prioritizes God and His word first in one’s life. Our lives are finite, so devotion to a single pursuit will of necessity come at [...]
Evil spirits are spirit beings that, through disobedience to God, were cast out of God’s favor and light and into darkness. For this reason, they are sometimes referred to as “fallen angels.” The first of these beings to disobey God was Lucifer. The scriptures [...]
