Greet Andronicus and Junias, my kinsman, and my fellow-prisoners, who are outstanding among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me. Romans 16:7 Junias – The role of women in the church is perhaps one of the more incendiary issues among conservative denominations. Marshalling verses from Paul’s letters, especially from remarks in Corinthians, many…
For I will not presume to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me resulting in the obedience of the Gentiles by word and deed. Romans 15:18 Resulting In – When you read this statement from Paul, do you find it a bit perplexing? Given the popular Christian view of evangelism, doesn’t this…
and that we may be delivered from perverse and evil men, for faith is not in all. 2 Thessalonians 3:2 Perverse and Evil Men – Christians tend to think the best of people. They are often more forgiving, more tolerant and more embracing than non-believers. That’s usually because the character of God’s goodness modifies their…
And for this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they might believe what is false 2 Thessalonians 2:11 Deluding Influence – The refusal to believe has some very serious side effects. These side effects are immediate, not a delayed reaction of eternal punishment. But here’s the really scary part. Those…
but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. Genesis 4:5 Very Angry – Since Hebrew is a phenomenological language, it expresses most human emotions in picturesque descriptions of physical phenomena. Cain’s reaction is a perfect example. The Hebrew text is yi- khar me-od,…
Uphold me that I may be safe, that I may have regard for Your statutes continually. Psalm 119:117 Regard – How do you look upon God’s instructions? Oh, I know that you will probably say you treat them with respect and honor. Of course, if you don’t follow them then your honor is nothing more…
“Turn Your gaze away from me, that I may smile again before I depart and am no more.” Psalm 39:13 Turn Your Gaze Away – Once more we encounter the Hebrew verb sha’ah. Now it’s translated “turn away.” Of course, we know that this is a nuance of the basic meaning of looking upon. But…
“They looked, but there was none to save; even to the LORD, but He did not answer them.” 2 Samuel 22:42 Looked – A few weeks ago I climbed Pacaya, an active volcano in Guatemala. The prospects sounded enticing when the trip began, but as we approached the crater, we discovered that clouds covered the…
but for Cain and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his countenance fell. Genesis 4:5 Regard – Everything important about life is found in the first three chapters of Genesis. Well, almost everything. We might have to include this story about Cain and Abel since it describes the…
And he said, “I love you, O LORD, my strength.” Psalm 18:2 (Hebrew text) I Love You – English is a troubled language when it comes to personal relationships. It has plenty of words for the nuances of relationships with things, but it is significantly lacking in words which convey the nuances of deep relationships…
