To those who reside as aliens, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia, and Bithynia, who are chosen 1 Peter 1:1 NASB Aliens – Are you one of the parepídēmois? Translated as “aliens,” we might be tempted to read this as Grundmann explains it: “Christians are only temporary residents on earth and must not let their lives be shaped by its interests. They…
And the man and his wife were both naked and were not ashamed. Genesis 2:25 NASB Not ashamed – When you read this verse, what mental picture comes to mind? Something like this: (Rubens and Brueghel)?[1] We grew up with the 17th century version of Eden, complete with Nordic men and women. Naked, of course,…
“No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and wealth.” Matthew 6:24 NASB Devoted – Yeshua spoke more about the practical realities of living than anything else. We try to turn his…
Thus says the Lord, “Do justice and righteousness, and deliver the one who has been robbed from the power of his oppressor. Also do not mistreat or do violence to the stranger, the orphan, or the widow; and do not shed innocent blood in this place. Jeremiah 22:3 NASB Innocent Blood – We live in a world much like the one that…
I say then, God has not rejected His people, has He? May it never be! For I too am an Israelite, a descendant of Abraham, of the tribe of Benjamin. Romans 11:1 NASB May it never be! – “me genoito” writes Paul. “Impossible!” “Don’t even think like that!” “No way!” Has God rejected Israel and put the Gentiles…
Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ. Galatians 6:2 NASB Bear – Can you really bear the burden of another? Ah, you’ll probably answer, “Yes, of course.” But what if the burden is something uncomfortable? What if it’s not the usual financial, medical, social kind of needs that we so often…
Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48 NASB Perfect – Yesterday we considered some of the behavioral implications of the translation of teleios as “perfect.” Today we need to look at the deeper theological implications. It all begins with Parmenides. Parmenides, a 5th Century BCE Greek philosopher and…
Therefore you are to be perfect, as your heavenly Father is perfect. Matthew 5:48 NASB Perfect – If I tell you that Yeshua drew this statement from Leviticus 19:2, you would discover rather quickly that the verse in the Tanakh does not require us to be perfect. It says, “You shall be holy, for I…
Be gracious to me, O God, for man has trampled upon me; fighting all day long he oppresses me. Psalm 56:1 NASB He oppresses me – Are you oppressed? Before you say, “Not at all,” consider the Hebrew word lahats. It is a picture of being squeezed into a space too small to fit. Balaam’s…
