There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 Condemnation – So, now you know that the Greek word katakrima is about a judicial pronouncement of guilt. In Greek, Paul tells us that we are not one bit guilty. We are not judged worthy of death. But what would…
There is therefore now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus. Romans 8:1 Therefore – With this most important use of the Greek gar (therefore) in the whole letter to the Romans, Paul summarizes the entire argument of the first seven chapters. This little connector brings to conclusion everything that he has been…
Moses made a copper serpent and mounted it on a standard; and when anyone was bitten by a serpent, he would look at the copper serpent and recover. Numbers 21:9 Copper Serpent – Many people believe that the common symbol of medicine, two serpents on a cross, originated with this event. But a careful reading…
“Woman, what do I have to do with you?” John 2:4 Woman – Have you noticed how much time women spend trying to keep the peace between people? Perhaps it is the built-in result of being mothers. Maybe it’s just genetic. But it seems that when conflict arises, women do their best to soothe the…
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; Philippians 2:3 Humility – Aristotle established the spirit of our age with his declaration that whatever prevents the development of virtue makes a person tapeinos (humble). Just read that once more. …
Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind let each of you regard one another as more important than himself; Philippians 2:3 Selfishness – Take just a moment and describe selfishness. What does it mean to you? Is it about an attitude that pursues only your own desires? Is it cold-heartedness…
“The LORD is my shepherd, I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1 Not Want – This is the place to start. The words are “not want” (lo’ ekaw-sere). Isn’t that what we all hope for? To live in this world without want. No matter what else we believe, this seems to be the universal plea of…
Then stand firm in the freedom with which Christ made us free, and do not again be held with a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 Freedom – Heinrich Schlier wrote an incredibly insightful article on the Greek word eleutheros. His comments are so good that they are worth contemplating: The NT . . . realizes…
Then stand firm in the freedom with which Christ made us free, and do not again be held with a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1 Freedom – Are you free? Don’t be too quick to answer. It depends on your concept of freedom. In order to understand what Paul says about freedom in Christ, we…
All the ends of the earth shall remember and turn to the Lord; and all the families of the nations shall worship before You. Psalm 22:28 Turn – If there is one verb in Hebrew that summarizes God’s message to human beings, it is shuv. Used more than 1000 times in Hebrew Scripture, shuv has…
