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Showing 2501 to 2525 of 4972 results

2501. Paul Transferred to Caesarea

Acts 23:23-35

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... in the time for well-trained foot soldiers (see R. Jewett, p. 139), but it is possible (contrary to the impression given by Luke) that the foot soldiers did not go that far, but only as far as was necessary to see the party out of the immediate danger, leaving the others to go on to Antipatris and the next day to Caesarea. But of course the possibility still remains that the whole party was mounted (see disc. on v. 23). 23:33–35 The second leg of the journey, from Antipatris to Caesarea, was a distance of ...

2502. Ashore on Malta

Acts 28:1-10

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... unanswered the questions that arise for modern readers: “Did Paul preach the gospel as he exercised a ministry of prayer and healing? Were any Maltese won for Christ? Did the apostolic party leave behind a Christian community? The record is silent; but we may surely believe that here was an evangelistic opportunity too good to be missed” (Martin, pp. 136f.). Additional Notes 28:1 The island was called Malta: The view is sometimes expressed that they had come, not to Malta (Sicula Melita), ...

2503. Rules for Holy Living

Colossians 3:1-17

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... New Life in Colossians,” RevExp 70 (1973), pp. 481–93. 3:2 If Colossians addresses a Gnostic view of the universe, then “heaven” or “the things above” would be understood in a literal or topographical way. In the ascent of the soul the Gnostics hoped to leave behind all earthly or material things in order to return to an existence in heaven (see Schweizer, p. 175). The Vices of the Old Life 3:5 The imperative tone that characterized 3:1–2 (“set,” “keep”) is picked up again in 3:5, but ...

2504. Paul's Ministry in Thessalonica

1 Thessalonians 2:1-16

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... cheek and standing up for what is right; cf. Luke 6:29; Acts 23:3). 2:3 The “strong opposition,” a calling into question Paul’s motives, had been directed chiefly at Paul and had continued even in his absence, after the Jews forced him to leave Thessalonica. Hence his need to defend his motives. The missionaries’ appeal (using the noun, paraklēsis, in the same sense as the verb parakaleō in 2 Cor. 5:20; see disc. on 1 Thess. 3:2) did not spring from error (planē, which can mean either “deceit ...

2505. Advice About Widows, Elders and Slaves

1 Timothy 5:1-6:2

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... to the greater urgency—the impartial reproof of those who are sinning (vv. 20–21). Replacements for the sinning elders are to be selected with great care (v. 22), because some people’s sins, unfortunately, are not always immediately evident (v. 24). But never one to leave a matter on such a negative note, Paul adds that the same is often true of good deeds as well. Verse 23, the great puzzler, is a slight digression, prompted by what is said in verse 22 but expressed in light of both the asceticism of ...

2506. Encouragement to Be Faithful

2 Timothy 1:1-2:13

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... of all three letters. Paul, however, is not so much concerned about “apostolic succession” (a true anachronism), as he is with the gospel itself, in light of the reality that Timothy is being urged by this letter to leave Ephesus and join Paul in Rome (in his suffering; cf. 4:9, 21). Because Timothy must leave, he is to entrust the things he has heard Paul say to others. Those to whom he entrusts those teachings are to be reliable or trustworthy people (cf. 1 Tim. 1:12). The same adjective in the PE ...

2507. Final Greetings

2 Timothy 4:19-22

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... . 3:14–15)? If so, is it possible that word about Trophimus had not reached Timothy? Or is that the wrong question, and should we look from Paul’s perspective alone, who was making sure Timothy knew about Trophimus in the nearby city? In any case, he had to leave him sick in Miletus—one of those rare personal touches we get quite in passing as to the tenuousness of this early ministry. How little we really know of the day-in, day-out affairs of these people’s lives (cf. 2 Cor. 11:23–27)! 4:21 The ...

2508. Trials and Temptations

James 1:1-18, James 1:19-27

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

... speech and anger demonstrate. Meekness is itself a fruit of the Spirit (Gal. 5:23; James 3:13) and a mark of those who will receive the Kingdom (Matt. 5:5). In this context it is a call to humble oneself before God and accept God’s way of leaving vengeance to him, to not reject the gospel teaching and take vengeance into one’s own hands. This humble acceptance of the teaching of Jesus has a saving effect. 1:22 The topic of accepting or obeying the word shifts James from the idea of speech to that of ...

2509. The Living Stone and a Chosen People

1 Peter 2:4-12

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... and collectively. While the declaration of such praises would include the proclaiming of God’s glory in preaching, the primary sense is of adoring worship by believers. Peter reminds his readers that God has called them out of darkness, that is, they are called to leave the darkness due to their earlier ignorance of God (1:14), which had kept them not only from a knowledge of his character, but also from realizing the immense love he had for them and the great blessings he had in store for their eternal ...

2510. Moses and the Burning Bush

Exodus 3:1-22

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... :12–13, 29). It was a case of God’s striking in response to the Egyptians’ striking the people. After that, God says of Pharaoh, “he will let you go.” God’s instructions for the elders concluded with a promise that they would not leave Egypt impoverished or “empty-handed” (Gen. 15:14; Deut. 15:13; the Sinaitic law states that Israel must not release debt slaves empty-handed). The people had been oppressed as slaves. Their material goods were very limited. The text uses a word root repletion ...

2511. God Promises Deliverance

Exodus 5:22--6:12

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... the hierarchy of service went as follows: Pharaoh → other gods → Egyptians → other peoples including the Hebrews. The book of Exodus has another perspective: Yahweh → Moses, Aaron, and the Hebrews → Pharaoh. The conflict between these two political models will not be resolved until 12:31–33, when Pharaoh says, “Leave . . . Go, worship the LORD.” Here in Exodus 5, however, the pharaoh wins the first round. Moses is in the midst of the fray when God renews his call in Exodus 6. God does not ...

2512. The Plague of Frogs

Exodus 7:25--8:15

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... of the frogs. It would increase everyone’s knowledge of the Lord. The text mentions Pharaoh’s knowledge of the Lord for the first time (8:10, 22; 9:14, 29). Moses also demonstrates his increased confidence in the ways of the Lord when he says, “I leave to you the honor of setting the time.” Literally, the Hebraism is, “Glorify yourself over me.” The truth of the matter was that Pharaoh’s setting a specific time and keeping it would be a sure sign that Moses and the Lord were glorified. Another ...

2513. The Plague of Locusts

Exodus 10:21-29

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... to think that now the conversation is over, but it is not. Moses, who knew he would not speak to Pharaoh again, still had to deliver the warning of the last plague, the death of the firstborn. He did this immediately following (11:4–8), leaving the pharaoh “hot with anger.” Additional Notes 10:1 For further discussion of the issues attendant to the hardening of the pharaoh’s heart see the following: Childs, Exodus, pp. 170–75; Fretheim, Exodus, pp. 96–103; Wilson, “The Hardening of Pharaoh’s ...

2514. The Exodus

Exodus 12:31-42

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... is not a command, but a request: “And also bless me.” This time Pharaoh did not change his mind until they had begun their exit (14:4). The third bulletin describes the people’s hurry with their bread because the Egyptian people urged them to hurry and leave the country. With someone dead in each house, they were afraid more would die if the Israelites remained. In the midst of the havoc, the detail about the care of the bread may seem odd and out of place. Yet, it was the primary symbol of their ...

2515. The Covenant Confirmed

Exodus 24:1-18

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... complete. They would doubt and rebel again, to their peril. They would also celebrate again. The Lord’s forgiveness and further self-revelation after the crisis of the calf would draw them into the exuberant building of the tabernacle (36:3, 6–7). Moses did not leave the mountain for forty days and forty nights. Waiting this length of time became an issue for the people. Six weeks was a long time to wait, and they would fear that Moses had died (32:1). Meanwhile, God dedicated the time on the mountain ...

2516. The New Stone Tablets

Exodus 34:1-28

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... sin is that God will forgive every kind of sin. Being forgiven by God does not mean that a person did not commit sin. It means that God’s grace, love, and faithfulness restore the person to relationship. Yet he does not leave the guilty unpunished. This difficult phrase is better translated, “He certainly will not clear away (the impact/negative effects).” The words “guilty” and “unpunished” are not present in the Hebrew and the verb “clear” has only an implied object. Rather than focusing ...

2517. The Lord Commands Joshua

Joshua 1:1-18

Understanding Series

J. Gordon Harris

... period in the life of the people. An operations order like the one given by Joshua states the army’s mission, lists tasks it must do, and gives a time period in which it must complete the assignments. Joshua gives the tribes three days to prepare to leave the camp. The reported mission is to cross the Jordan River and to take possession of the land God is giving the people (lit. you; 1:11). Joshua repeats the order directly in the second person reminding the people that the Lord is your God, the divine ...

2518. Ruth and Boaz on the Threshing Floor

Ruth 3:1-18

Understanding Series

Michael S. Moore

... Ruth’s decision not to run after the younger men, whether rich or poor. Boaz is pleased by the fact that Ruth has decided to put the needs of Elimelech’s family ahead of her own. 3:11 Recognizing that it takes a strong faith not only to leave one’s homeland but also to approach a strange man in a public place, Boaz immediately assures her, Don’t be afraid. As E. W. Conrad points out, biblical characters often hear this assurance formula under times of stress. (See Fear Not, Warrior: A Study of ’al ...

2519. God's Promise to David

1 Chronicles 17:1-15

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... the reader to realize that a permanent location for the ark (17:1) is closely related to building “a house to dwell in” for Yahweh. The ark as a symbol of Yahweh’s presence is thus affirmed. Although Yahweh’s words to David in 17:5–6 leave the impression that he has never before required a house of cedar and that a temple will be unnecessary, the issue of building the temple still remains part of the promise to David’s son Solomon. McKenzie also does not see a total repudiation in these words ...

2520. The People's Confession of Sin

Ezra 10:1-17

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

... the now illicit unions. An empathetic reading of the story leads us to the challenge Jesus posed to his followers in Mark 10:29–30 (also Matt. 19:29–30; Luke 18:29–30) as a biblical parallel, to the call that sometimes comes to believers to leave children and other family members for the sake of Jesus and the gospel. Additional Notes 10:1 For discussion of the widely held view that this chapter was an adaptation of the Ezra memoirs, see Williamson, Ezra, Nehemiah, pp. 145–48. It is not obvious why ...

2521. All Night Long

Song of Songs 3:1-11

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Huwiler

... stay until daybreak or warned him not to go away until nightfall, it makes sense that she is surprised and disappointed to find him absent in the night. If, on the other hand, one takes verse 17 as a request for the man to stay until evening or to leave only until morning, she should not have expected to find him with her at night. In this case, her distress may signal a change of mind. This passage (like the corresponding section in 5:2–7) is most likely the description of a dream, or perhaps of a half ...

2522. Israel Forsakes God

Jeremiah 2:1-3:5

Understanding Series

Tremper Longman III

... Israel. The oracle ends with a reference to coming exile. God, who stands behind the great nations and movements of history, will not allow the people of God to survive. They will soon assume the position of captives being led off to a foreign land; they will leave that place (the promised land) with hands on your head. Additional Notes 2:29 The verb bring charges (rib) is a well-known legal term in biblical Hebrew. It is the language of the courtroom. The law is embedded in the covenant and is followed by ...

2523. Lying Prophets

Jeremiah 23:9-32, Jeremiah 23:33-40

Understanding Series

Tremper Longman III

... relations, but also metaphorically of those who depart from their exclusive relationship with Yahweh to pursue other gods (see also 3:1–5; 9:2). The NIV clarifies what the Hebrew text leaves unidentified until verse 11 by supplying prophets in verse 10. But whoever specifically are the adulterers the results include a drought that leaves the land parched and withered. The objects of judgment are the religious leaders of Judah, the prophet and priest, though for most of the chapter it is the former who is ...

2524. Jeremiah in Prison

Jeremiah 37:1-21

Understanding Series

Tremper Longman III

... Jerusalem, especially this involvement of Egypt. To think otherwise would be for the leaders of Judah to deceive themselves. 37:11–15 During the time of the Babylonian withdrawal, however, Jeremiah was arrested and thrown into a prison. He was arrested as he was leaving the city to go get his share of the property among the people in Benjamin. We can safely assume that this refers to the property that he eventually bought from his cousin Hanamel in his ancestral homeland of Anathoth. The account of that ...

2525. How the Gold Has Lost Its Luster

Lamentations 4:1-22

One Volume

Tremper Longman III

... much as walk in the streets of Jerusalem. Previously it has been said that the people struggled in the streets; now they are even denied peace in the streets. They were doomed. Verse 19 then envisions the people trying to escape their pursuing enemy by leaving the city and going over mountains and desert. But their flight is in vain because their enemies pursue them in these areas and catch them. 4:20 Resh. The pursuers even entrapped the LORD’s anointed, that is, the consecrated king. The importance of ...

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