And in the same way the Spirit also helps our weakness, for we do not know how to pray as we should, but the Spirit Himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. Romans 8:26 NASB Intercedes – Paul’s word for intercedes is a very special word that he made up just to…
And Yeshua seeing their faith said to the paralytic, “My son, your sins are forgiven.” Mark 2:5 (Tim Hegg translation) Seeing – “The very fact that Yeshua is described as ‘seeing their faith’ is indicative of how the Apostles defined faith. Faith simply could not exist as a hidden thought in the heart. Believing and…
For just as through the disobedience of the one man the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man the many will be made righteous. Romans 5:19 NIV The one man – Paul was a rabbinic scholar. Each time we read his letters, we must keep this in mind. If…
1. We are generally (perhaps deliberately) unaware of the giant chasm created by the smallest of sins and the demands of God because the Church has taught us that we are under grace and therefore the tiny sins don’t really matter. They are simply errors in judgment. If my greatest sins can be easily forgiven…
You leave the commandment of God and hold to the tradition of men Mark 7:8 ESV Tradition – When are we unwittingly following the traditions of men rather than the commandments of God? The answer to this question is not so obvious since traditions are usually considered necessary and authoritative. In fact, more often than…
“Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom there is no deceit” John 1:47 NASB Deceit – The Greek word is dolos. We are probably most familiar with the translation “guile,” but neither guile nor deceit really captures the flavor of this word. The word is used in classic Greek to describe bait for fishing and also…
During my last trip to South Africa, I had a chance to talk with Irene at her home in the White squatter camp. The interview that I filmed will be ready to see later, but I discovered something that we can all do quickly. Irene’s 15th birthday is 22 December. I would like us…
“Blessed is anyone who does not stumble on account of me.” Matthew 11:6 ESV Stumble – David Flusser points out that the Hebrew verb behind this Greek gospel expression is a word that means “to be led into sin, to go astray from the right understanding of the will of God.”[1] In other words, the…
The word of the Lord came to Jonah the son of Amittai saying Jonah 1:1 NASB Jonah – This is an easy one. The Hebrew word is yonah, which of course, is our English word “Jonah.” But this Hebrew word also means “dove.” It is the same word used of the bird that Noah released…
“But I say to you, do not resist him who is evil; but whoever slaps you on your right cheek, turn to him the other also.” Matthew 5:39 ESV Resist – What a mess we have made of this verse! Because of this translation, believers often think that they should be complete pacifists when it…
