“but the fruit of the tree which is in the middle of the garden, God has said, ‘You shall not eat from it or touch it, or you will die.’” Genesis 3:3 NASB Die – We need to ask some questions. They’re not easy questions to ask – and they are even harder to answer. …
Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:4 (almost NASB) Friend of the world – Who is a philos tou kosmou (friend of the world)? This is a vitally important question, perhaps equal to the scribe’s inquiry, “Who is my neighbor?” If we have the…
Therefore, whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:4 (almost NASB) Wishes to be – What do you long to be? What desire do you hold in your heart? James’ comment is not about active expression and outward progression. James uses the Greek verb boulomai, a…
The woman said to the serpent, “Of the fruit of any tree of the garden we may eat.” Genesis 3:2 Stone Tanakh Woman said – When we read this verse, most of us concentrate on the fact that Havvah does not reiterate the command given to Adam exactly as it was given. She adds a…
You foolish Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified? Galatians 3:1 NASB Bewitched – Have we been fooled? Would Paul say the same thing to us if he showed up at our doorsteps? “You undisciplined Christians, who has cast an evil eye upon you?” Perhaps that…
I heard another voice from heaven, saying, “Come out of her, my people, so that you will not participate in her sins and receive her plagues; for her sins have piled up as high as heaven, and God has remembered her iniquities.” Revelation 18:4-5 NASB Participate – Leave Babylon behind. For that matter, leave Sodom…
and walk in love, just as Christ also loved you, and gave Himself up for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God as a fragrant aroma. Ephesians 5:2 NASB Offering/ Sacrifice – Paul does tend to be verbose at times. His Greek is complicated and filled with allusions (typical of a rabbinic midrash). But…
When a person presents an offering of meal to the LORD, his offering shall be of choice flour; . . . Leviticus 2:1 JPS When – God never commanded sacrifices. Let’s say that again. God never commanded sacrifices. Even when Abraham was asked to take Isaac to the altar, it was not a command. The…
Thus the LORD saved Israel that day from the hands of the Egyptians . . . Exodus 14:30 NASB Saved – If you’ve never asked yourself why God chose Hebrew as the language of His personal revelation, this verse should raise the question. Oh, it seems so straightforward on the surface, but that’s because we…
It is a trustworthy statement; if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. 1 Timothy 3:1 NASB Overseer – If any man? But what about Carol or Ann or Linda or Jan? What if they desire to be “overseers”? Ah, if only Paul weren’t so…
