Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: touch, feel, sense of touch, tactile sense, tactility, contact, using one's hands, sensation, sense, suspicion, sneaking suspicion, notion, inkling, hunch, fancy, apprehension, presentiment, premonition, foreboding, love, care, affection, fondness, tenderness, warmth, warmness, emotion, sentiment, emotional state, compassion, sympathy, empathy, fellow feeling, understanding, concern, solicitude, solicitousness, tender-heartedness, brotherly love, sensibilities, sensitivities, self-esteem, ego, pride, opinion, belief, view, impression, intuition, instinct, estimation, guess, theory, hypothesis, thought, way of thinking, point of view, atmosphere, ambience, aura, air, mood, climate, character, overtone, undertone, tenor, spirit, quality, flavour, colour, aptitude, knack, flair, bent, talent, gift, skill, art, trick, faculty, ability, propensity, inclination, sensitive, warm, warm-hearted, tender, tender-hearted, caring, soft-hearted, sympathetic, compassionate, empathetic, responsive, receptive, intuitive, thoughtful

Antonyms: bad feeling, acrimony, animosity, animus, antagonism, antipathy, aversion, bitterness, detestation, disgust, dislike, disrelish, enmity, friction, grievances, grudges, hatred, hostility, loathing, malevolence, malice

Showing 2501 to 2525 of 3128 results

2501. Identification and a Wish for Grace and Peace

Galatians 1:1-10

Understanding Series

L. Ann Jervis

... at their actions (1:6–7), denounced his rivals (1:8–9), and taken umbrage at unfair criticisms of himself. Before we modern readers even know exactly what Paul is upset about, we know beyond a shadow of a doubt that the apostle’s emotions are raw as he writes to his Galatian churches. Additional Notes 1:6 The Greek word for I am astonished (thaumazō) is probably carefully chosen, as it was a standard expression used by Greek letter writers of the time to indicate “incredulity and dissatisfaction ...

2502. Thanksgiving and Prayer

Ephesians 1:15-23

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... Pet. 2:9; 1 John 1:7; 2:8ff.). This illumination takes place—literally—in the eyes of your heart. In biblical language, the “heart” is a comprehensive term used for the entire inward self or personality of an individual, including intellect, will, and emotions (Matt. 5:8; Rom. 10:8–10). Being enlightened by the light of God’s truth affects one’s entire inward being. One of the problems in the interpretation of this verse is the meaning of “enlightenment.” In the Greek, pephōtismenous is a ...

2503. A Prayer for the Ephesians

Ephesians 3:14-21

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... short paragraph is one of the gems of the NT” (p. 129). The section opens with the same phrase (for this reason) as 3:1, where it appears that the author initially wanted to offer this prayer but was momentarily diverted. To kneel is an expression of deep emotion and humility—prostration in the spirit of submission (Rom. 11:4; 14:11; Phil. 2:10). Another posture of prayer was to stand with one’s face and hands lifted up to God (Matt. 6:5; Mark 11:25). Either way, it is the motive and inner attitude ...

2504. Rules for Holy Living

Colossians 3:1-17

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... put on a number of virtues: Compassion is a translation of two Greek words, splanchna and oiktirmos, literally translated as “bowels of mercy” (KJV) because the bowels, or inner viscera, of a person were regarded as the seat of emotions. As such, the term denoted compassion that comes authentically from the heart and that is translated into corresponding action toward another person. Kindness (chrēstotēs), with such corresponding concepts as goodness, generosity, or courtesy, describes an individual ...

2505. Final Greetings

Colossians 4:7-18

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... is a personal agent of the Holy Spirit to this congregation (John 14:16, 26; 16:7). 4:9 Onesimus, who is another faithful and dear brother, accompanies Tychicus to Colossae for the same reason. For Onesimus, the return to his hometown must have included some mixed emotions, for he is the slave who ran away from his owner, Philemon. The details of this case, however, are dealt with in Paul’s personal letter to Philemon. 4:10–11 Aristarchus (Acts 19:29; 20:4; 27:2), Mark (Mark 14:51; Acts 12:12, 25 ...

2506. Paul's Ministry in Thessalonica

1 Thessalonians 2:1-16

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... , in effect, an invocation to God to witness to the purity of their motives (cf. 2 Cor. 4:2). The “heart” (kardia, cf. 2:17; 3:13; 2 Thess. 2:17; 3:5) is a comprehensive term for the inner self, “the seat of the rational as well as the emotional and volitional elements in human life” (Abbott-Smith). God is commonly described in Scripture as the searcher and tester of hearts (1 Chron. 28:9; 29:17; Ps. 7:9; 139:23; Prov. 17:3; Jer. 11:20; 12:3; 17:10; Acts 1:24; 15:8; Rev. 2:23 ...

2507. Paul's Charge to Timothy

1 Timothy 6:11-21

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... to the recipient and friends (cf. 2 Tim. 4:19–21; Titus 3:15). To the very end this letter is characteristically “all business,” and except for some new language, this final charge merely summarizes that business. 6:20 With a final vocative, O Timothy (the emotional interjection “O,” untranslated in the NIV, occurs often in Paul [6:11; Rom. 2:1, 3; 9:20; Gal. 3:1]), Paul appeals to his younger colleague: Guard what has been entrusted to your care. This is the third such charge in the letter (cf. 1 ...

2508. Paul’s Request for Onesimus

Philemon 1:8-25

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... is used in nonbiblical material as “ambassador” or “envoy” and could, therefore, carry that meaning here. The choice of words is important in understanding the spirit of Paul’s request. If the proper word is old man, then Paul’s appeal has an emotional overtone, that is, he appeals to Philemon as an old man and a prisoner of Christ Jesus. “Ambassador,” on the other hand, continues to ring of the authority that he has alluded to in the previous verse. Here, the force of his statement ...

2509. Submission to Rulers and Masters

1 Peter 2:13-25

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... meted out when some good action is misconstrued, either by accident or by design. It is in such a situation that believers are to reveal their Christ-centered life. The faithful are to endure it, accepting the undeserved pain, physical, mental, or emotional, as an inevitable consequence of living a God-honoring life in an environment that is not only godless but is, for that very reason, antagonistic to anything which exposes its own lower standards. Such acceptance of unjust suffering is commendable before ...

2510. To Elders and Young Men

1 Peter 5:1-11

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... of a character-sketch of a worthy Christian office-bearer. At least some church leaders were supported financially from the early days (Matt. 10:10; 1 Cor. 9:12; 1 Tim. 5:17–18). Eager to serve translates one Greek word prothymōs, zealously. Emotion is implied because in ministering to God’s people they are in truth serving God himself. 5:3 Lording it: The Greek verb katakyrieunein includes a derivative of kyrios, lord, plus the prefix kata, down upon, the two together implying an overbearing and ...

2511. Final Greetings

1 Peter 5:12-14

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... to the less demonstrative handshake in the West, which is brought out by some modern translators who are also perhaps seeking to avoid romantic overtones: “Give each other a handshake all round as a sign of love” (Phillips). This scarcely conveys the emotion intended. A warm charismatic hug is nearer the mark! Whether by kiss, handshake, or hug, one implication of the action is the same for Christians: those involved are relating to one another on equal terms before God. Peter’s last word, peace ...

2512. The Birth of Moses

Exodus 2:1-10

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... . The women of this text play all the decisive roles. Jochebed (“the baby’s mother”), Miriam (“his sister,” see Num. 26:59), the daughter of Pharaoh, and her maidens surrounded the baby Moses. The suspenseful and poignant story is full of literary tensions and human emotions. In ten short verses the human risk is set up and resolved again and again. By the end of the story, the pharaoh (who never shows up in this narrative) is thwarted by the women, even as he was by the midwives in Exodus 1. The ...

2513. The Song of Moses and Miriam

Exodus 15:1-21

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... . 22:3). This third stanza also concludes with praise directly addressed to the Lord (vv. 16b–17). It begins, however, with two interruptive prepositional phrases in 16b: until your people pass by, O LORD, until the people you bought pass by. These emotional outbursts form the poetic bridge that begins the praise of the Lord. As they complete verse 16, they communicate the awe and worship of this praise for God. The richest Hebrew word in this culminating praise is translated in the phrase, “the people ...

2514. Naomi and Ruth

Ruth 1:1-22

Understanding Series

Michael S. Moore

... tempered” employs the same word Naomi uses here for “bitter” (mare nepesh, lit. bitter-souled), so a comparison of the two does not seem unwarranted. Both Naomi’s and the Danites’ warnings speak of dire consequences. Both come from the lips of persons emotionally upset. The Danites, however, warn Micah about the corrosive power of bitterness on a warrior’s soul; Naomi warns Orpah and Ruth about the power of bitterness on a widow’s soul. Naomi then traces the cause of her bitterness to a single ...

2515. Ruth and Boaz on the Threshing Floor

Ruth 3:1-18

Understanding Series

Michael S. Moore

... floor who might want to spread their skirt over this unescorted young woman. That Boaz makes the observation if he wants to redeem, good; let him redeem at this point in their encounter seems proof that this is no infatuated youngster easily swept away by emotion. Boaz seems willing to let Israel’s social security system run its course apart from any personal involvement on his part. Perhaps this is not the first time he has had to deal with a situation like this. The Talmud is full of sticky cases ...

2516. Opposition to the Rebuilding

Ezra 4:1-5

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

... delay that lasts until the new, successful attempt narrated in chapters 5–6. The opponents are vaguely called the “people of the land” (NRSV) in verse 4, another term for the “peoples of the lands” (NJPS) in 3:3. Verse 1 replaces this general label with the emotive enemies of Judah and Benjamin, which prepares readers for the sequel in verses 4–5. It warns them not to take the offer of help at face value, but to judge fair words in light of foul acts that hindered the work of God. These enemies ...

2517. Nehemiah’s Prayer

Nehemiah 1:1-11

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

... the king for readers of Ezra 7–Nehemiah 13 because the story continued on from Ezra’s mission set in Artaxerxes’ reign (Ezra 7:1), specifically in his seventh year (Ezra 7:7–8). The event that triggered the new mission, by making a strong emotional impact on Nehemiah, was his hearing bad news about Jerusalem, brought or at least mediated by his brother Hanani, who will reappear in the story in 7:2. The sorry plight of the Judeans is explained in terms of damage inflicted on the wall and gates ...

2518. Artaxerxes Sends Nehemiah to Jerusalem

Nehemiah 2:1-10

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

... the city. However, Nehemiah had to tread very warily and choose his words with care. He was diplomatic in making no political reference to Jerusalem at this stage. Rather, he confined his response to a personal concern related to its destruction—the emotive issue of family graves in its vicinity. 2:4–8 The king’s concern for his high-ranking courtier extended to a desire to relieve his unhappiness. Nehemiah realized that the interview had reached a crucial stage. So he mentally offered a quick ...

2519. Nehemiah Inspects Jerusalem's Walls

Nehemiah 2:11-20

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

... 17–18 from the outset. As verses 12 and 16 clearly state at key points, he chose instead to make a private inspection of the wall under the awkward cover of darkness, mounted and escorted by a few of his staff walking with him. An emotional factor cannot be discounted: this was a matter that had weighed obsessively on his mind for months, and he needed to come to terms right away, and relatively undisturbed, with the reality. A suspicion verified in 6:17–19 also evidently colored his action—that ...

2520. Nehemiah's Final Reforms

Nehemiah 13:1-31

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

... connection, although Nehemiah’s report concentrates on cases of intermarriage with women from the province of Ashdod. He heard, rather than saw, evidence of the problem in the children’s speech learned at their mothers’ knee. Language is an emotive indicator of cultural identity. Welsh, Catalan, and Canadian French are modern instances. Hebrew had religious importance because it was the language of Torah and prayer. Nehemiah accosted the children’s fathers and physically attacked them in his anger ...

2521. Esther's Request to the King

Esther 5:1-8

Understanding Series

Timothy S. Laniak

... king had honored him. Haman had every form of honor a Persian man could want (wealth, children, and public recognition). However, one person, a subordinate, withheld his formal respect and yet remained in the king’s service. Haman’s experience with Mordecai and his emotional reaction mirror those of the king with Vashti in chapter 1. Haman reports that all this gives me no satisfaction as long as I see that Jew Mordecai sitting at the king’s gate (v. 13). The verb for giving satisfaction (shvh) means ...

2522. More Proverbs of Solomon

Proverbs 27:1-27

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... Difficulties are posed in verses 3a and 4a and the greater difficulty in verses 3b and 4b. Thus, physical burdens (stone and sand) are not as great as the provocation a fool can cause. Similarly in verse 4, but it is not clear if these emotions are subjective or are the reactions of others. In 14:30 jealousy (termed “envy” there) is subjective. 27:5–6 A “better” saying and an antithetic statement are united by the Hebrew root ’hb (love, friend) and the paradoxical qualities of these. In verse 5 ...

2523. More Proverbs of Solomon

Proverbs 29:1-27

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... wise to bring about calm. 29:9 Synthetic. Verse 9a is not a conditional, but a statement of fact, and is followed by “and anger and laughter and no rest.” In verse 9b, the NIV inserts the fool in order to resolve the ambiguity of the emotional outburst, since the wise are calm by definition. However, the result is a lack of peace; hence the wise should avoid such a dispute. 29:10 The NIV considers this as synonymous parallelism, but the rendering of verse 10b is doubtful. If there is a contrast between ...

2524. Wisdom is Meaningless

Ecclesiastes 1:12-18; 2:1-26

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Huwiler

... , wealth, and extravagance to their extremes. This section records an experiment: a project that involves engaging in particular behaviors, recording the results, and analyzing them. Results include both the physical outcomes (for example, ownership of possessions) and emotional responses (such as joy and hatred). The analysis consists of reflection on the meaning, value, and permanence of those results. The project, then, has a philosophical purpose, although it involves physical as well as mental endeavor ...

2525. A Time for Everything

Ecclesiastes 3:1-22

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Huwiler

... of the word pairs the precision of the opposition is questionable. God is not mentioned in this section, but is implicit as the One who appoints the proper times. The elements the poem describes are all normal human activities and emotions. There is little emphasis on the specific vocabulary and concerns of wisdom or on the particular concerns of the book of Qohelet. Although the opposites have positive and negative connotations (beginnings and endings, pleasures and sorrows), they should not be assigned ...

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