But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, 2 Timothy 2:16 NASB Ungodliness – The Greek word asebeia is translated as “ungodliness.” It comes from the root sebomai which means “reverence” or “worship.” It is found most often in the Greek world as eusebeia, a word that refers to general…
Behold I, Paul, say to you that if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. Galatians 5:2 NASB Circumcision – Who am I to tell the former Chief Rabbi of Great Britain that his exegesis of Paul is incorrect? But listen to what Rabbi Jonathan Sacks says: “It was among this…
In Transjordan, in the land of Moab, Moses undertook to expound this law, saying Deuteronomy 1:5 (J. Sacks, translation) Expound – Today we think of the Ten Commandments as ethical prescriptions. They are viewed as the rules for moral living. Christians have modified them (for example, the law concerning the Sabbath), but still hold…
if the anointed priest sins so as to bring guilt on the people, then let him offer to the LORD a bull without defect as a sin offering for the sin he has committed. Leviticus 4:3 NASB Lord – Of course, the Hebrew doesn’t say “to the Lord.” We all recognize the circumlocution in this…
For the mind set on the flesh is death, but the mind set on the Spirit is life and peace, because the mind set on the flesh is hostile toward God; for it does not subject itself to the law of God, for it is not even able to do so, and those who are…
Therefore the Law has become our tutor to lead us to Christ, so that we may be justified by faith. Galatians 3:24 NASB Tutor – My friend Jerry, a devoted Catholic priest, once told me that an addiction was the way we stayed alive while God was engineering our redemption. Anesthetizing the guilt and shame…
He has told you, O man, what is good; And what does the LORD require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? Micah 6:8 NASB Require – Has YHVH gotten your attention? Has His announcement riveted your interest? Do you really, truly want to know what…
For this is the love of God, that we keep his commandments. And his commandments are not burdensome. I John 5:3 NASB Love of God – Whom do you love? Visualize that person sitting in front of you. His or her presence makes your heart feel a bit lighter. You have a smile on your…
For if one comes and preaches another Jesus whom we have not preached, or you receive a different spirit which you have not received, or a different gospel which you have not accepted, you bear this beautifully. 2 Corinthians 11:4 NASB Another Jesus – Paul is afraid. He’s afraid that the Corinthians will be deceived…
For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. Romans 10:4 NASB End of the law – “But this I admit to you, that according to the Way which they call a sect I do serve the God of our fathers, believing everything that is in accordance with the Law…
