Sermon and Worship Resources

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Acts 23:23-35

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... a strict adherence to the truth might have suggested and a rather contemptuous reference to Jewish “questions about their law” (v. 29). However, we probably do not have the letter verbatim. Luke introduces it with the comment that it went “something like this.” The original would have been in Latin. 23:26 The letter began in the usual way, with the writer named first, then the person to whom it was addressed, and thirdly a word of greeting (cf. 15:23). Here, for the first time the prefect is named ...

2777. Paul Before Agrippa

Acts 25:23--26:32

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... court. But would Paul have been a member of that august body to have actually “voted against” Christians who had been brought before it? It is doubtful, not only on account of his probable age at the time, but also because of his apparently obscure origins. The Sanhedrin was an assembly of aristocrats, composed of men of mature years and influence. It is just possible, of course, that he had won a place in their ranks on sheer ability, but it is safer to assume that “voted against” means simply that ...

2778. Arrival at Rome

Acts 28:11-16

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... to live privately, though with a soldier guarding him. The Western text, however, adds the interesting detail that the centurion handed the prisoners over as a group to “the commander” (Gk. stratopedarch). Even if this addition was no part of Luke’s original narrative, it may well reflect a genuine tradition. It is not unlikely that Julius would at first have reported to the Castra Praetoria, the camp of the Praetorians. In that case, the commander in question may have been Afranius Burrus, who died ...

2779. Paul's Concern for the Corinthians

2 Corinthians 12:11-21

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... Paul, relationships are more important than resources, and he wants to restore his relationship with the Corinthians. To this end, he reminds his readers that he and they are bound to each other by a parent-child relationship. He is their father, since he originally evangelized them (see on 6:13; 1 Cor. 4:15). The point that Paul draws from this parent-child relationship for his upcoming visit to Corinth seems plausible if he is referring metaphorically to minors: “For the children ought not to store up ...

2780. The Credibility of the Gospel Paul Proclaims

Galatians 1:11-24

Understanding Series

L. Ann Jervis

... evidence that at the beginning of the faith Jesus was understood to be God’s Son. For a discussion of the meaning of “Son of God” in the OT, Greek, Hellenistic, and Hellenistic Jewish literature, see M. Hengel, The Son of God: The Origin of Christology in the History of Jewish-Hellenistic Religion (trans. J. Bowden; Philadelphia: Fortress, 1976), pp. 21–56. See also the excellent overview by J. Fossum on “Son of God” in ABD 6:128–37. Some scholars have suggested that the phrase translated ...

2781. Paul’s Second Visit to the Jerusalem Church

Galatians 2:1-10

Understanding Series

L. Ann Jervis

... himself to the Galatians as one who has the courage of his convictions. Paul’s convictions and actions stem from nothing other than a revelation. The Greek word used for “revelation” (apokalypsin) has the sense of “to uncover.” It was originally used of uncovering important or vulnerable parts of the body, such as the head or chest. When the word is used metaphorically in Jewish and Christian religious contexts it suggests the uncovering of something previously hidden. Often such uncovering is ...

2782. Hagar and Sally

Galatians 4:21-31

Understanding Series

L. Ann Jervis

... has several variant readings in the manuscripts, among the most important being those which leave out the name “Hagar” and read simply, “For Sinai is a mountain in Arabia.” The NIV’s reading is the more difficult one and so more likely original. Some scholars have attempted to explain Paul’s meaning by pointing out that the Hebrew word for Hagar has similarities to an Arabic word meaning rock and so have suggested that here Paul is saying “Hagar means mountain in Arabia.” Paul has, however ...

2783. Freedom In Christ

Galatians 5:1-15, Galatians 5:16-26

Understanding Series

L. Ann Jervis

... he uses it in ethical contexts (1 Cor. 6:9–10; Rom. 14:17) but also in other settings (1 Cor. 4:20; 15:24, 50; 1 Thess. 2:12). This is the only use of the phrase in Galatians. Perhaps Paul is reminding his readers of his original preaching or responding to the “confusers” by using a term they had introduced into the Galatian churches. The Fruit of the Spirit 5:22 Paul now turns to the fruit of the Spirit. The designation of the manifestations of the Spirit as “fruit” speaks volumes about Paul’s ...

2784. Life by the Spirit

Galatians 5:16-26

Understanding Series

L. Ann Jervis

... it in ethical contexts (1 Cor. 6:9–10; Rom. 14:17) but also in other settings (1 Cor. 4:20; 15:24, 50; 1 Thess. 2:12). This is the only use of the phrase in Galatians. Perhaps Paul is reminding his readers of his original preaching or responding to the “confusers” by using a term they had introduced into the Galatian churches. 5:23 The statement against such things there is no law has a parallel in Aristotle. In Politics he writes of those who are exceptionally virtuous that “against such people ...

2785. Thanksgiving and Prayer

Ephesians 1:15-23

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... Notes 1:15 The NIV does not indicate that some Greek manuscripts omit the word love. The result of this is the unusual and unprecedented expression that faith is toward (eis) God’s people. The best explanation is that love belonged in the original text but was unintentionally omitted in the process of copying the manuscripts (see B. Metzger, A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament [New York: United Bible Society, 1971], p. 602; also, the explanation in Moule, Ephesians, p. 56). For comments on ...

2786. Made Alive in Christ

Ephesians 2:1-10

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... “all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Rom. 3:23): All of us also lived among them. To live as the Gentiles is to live according to the cravings of our sinful nature. This does not appear to be a reference to the doctrine of original sin as taught elsewhere in Scripture (Rom. 1–3; 5:12–14). The phrase is more suggestive of a pattern of life that emerges when one is left to follow one’s natural desires. In such a condition, people do whatever suits the desires and thoughts of their ...

2787. One in Christ

Ephesians 2:11-22

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... church, see L. Goppelt, Apostolic and Post-Apostolic History (New York: Harper Torchbooks, 1970), esp. chap. 3, pp. 61–107. 2:17 A thorough discussion of the expressions near and far is given by D. C. Smith, “The Ephesian Heresy and the Origin of the Epistle to the Ephesians,” Ohio Journal of Religious Studies 5 (1977), pp. 78–103. Smith’s investigation leads him to conclude that it is not that Gentile Christianity was threatening to lose its connection with Jewish Christianity, but “rather the ...

2788. Living as Children of Light

Ephesians 4:17--5:21

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... could be seen as the act by which a person awakens from sleep, rises from the dead, and responds to the light of Christ. Thus: “Wake up, O sleeper, rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you.” There has been considerable speculation about the origin of this saying. Some scholars see it as a rather free synopsis from ideas in such OT passages as Isaiah 26:19 and 60:1, 2; others speculate that it may come from an apocryphal text or from some Hellenistic literature with a Gnostic or mystery religion ...

2789. Paul's Labor for the Church

Colossians 1:24--2:5

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... before the reproduction of Christ’s sufferings in Paul’s person is complete. Paul rejoices because in all that he is suffering on behalf of the Colossians he is reducing his unpaid balance, he is making the reproduction a little more like the perfect original” (pp. 87–88). Paul’s Proclamation of the Mystery 1:25 In this verse Paul continues to affirm his personal role in the events that he is describing: first, “I” became a servant of the gospel (1:23); then “I” am happy about my suffering ...

2790. Final Greetings

Colossians 4:7-18

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... whom they must have been acquainted. Paul reminds the Colossians of previous instructions to receive Mark if he comes their way. Nothing beyond this reference is known about a previous contact with the church on Mark’s behalf. Paul may have given the original instruction himself or he may now be simply endorsing an earlier recommendation by someone else. 4:12–13 Epaphras, another servant of Christ Jesus, has been identified with the Colossian church from the beginning (1:7), and so the inclusion of his ...

2791. Timothy’s Encouraging Report

1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... did, says Paul, in the Lord (en kyriō, cf. 4:1 and see note on 1:1). There may be no difference of meaning between this phrase and the more common “in Christ” or “in Christ Jesus” (cf. 2:14), although C. F. D. Moule, The Origin of Christology (Cambridge; Cambridge University Press, 1977), pp. 58–62, does discern a tendency for the latter to be “associated with the fait accompli of God’s saving work,” and the former “with its implementation and its working out in human conduct.” If that ...

2792. Living to Please God

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... to be ambitious”). The injunction to work with your own hands must be read against a background in which manual labor was little esteemed by the Greeks, but its dignity was affirmed by the Jews. In this matter, Paul held true to his Jewish origins. Free-loaders had no place in Paul’s concept of Christian community, which called for shared work (Gal. 6:2) in a context of personal responsibility (Gal. 6:5). Had he not himself, many times, with “these hands” worked to support himself and his friends ...

2793. Final Instructions

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... 4:9 (cf. also Heb. 13:20 and Rom. 14:17 for peace as a characteristic of God’s kingdom). Peace, as we have seen (1:1), signifies well-being in the widest sense, but Paul has in mind spiritual well-being, peace with God. That peace originates with God himself, not the person concerned. God takes the initiative in salvation (see disc. on 1:4; 5:9). The point is reinforced by the conjunction de, “but” (not shown in NIV), which sets this prayer over against the injunctions of the preceding verses. They ...

2794. Thanksgiving and Prayer

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... 5:28, and for the titles Lord and Christ, the note on 1 Thess. 1:1). Additional Notes 1:4 God’s churches: This phrase in 1 Thessalonians 2:14 concerned the churches of Judea that sprang up after the scattering of the members of the original church in Jerusalem. Primarily, the Jerusalem church is meant by “the church of God” in Paul’s references to his persecution of the church in 1 Corinthians 15:9; Galatians 1:13; cf. Philippians 3:6. But now other “churches of God” existed, especially, from ...

2795. Warning Against False Teachers of the Law

1 Timothy 1:1-11

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... angels leading up to God.”) But the terms translated myths (mythoi) and genealogies (genealogiai) are never used in descriptions of these Gnostic systems. They do, however, regularly appear in Hellenism and Hellenistic Judaism to refer to traditions about peoples’ origins. The term mythoi in this literature is almost always used in a pejorative sense (as throughout the PE), to contrast the mythical character of many of these stories to historical truth. Therefore, given the lack of any real concern in ...

2796. Advice About Widows, Elders and Slaves

1 Timothy 5:1-6:2

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... that some early copyists altered the text (thinking they were correcting it) to read “any believing man or believing woman.” It is this kind of surprise that reminds one of how immediate the historical situation and the substance of the letter would have been for its original recipient(s) and how far we are removed from it, which leads to so many of our uncertainties (as is true in so many places in the NT Epistles). Possibly this feminine subject tells us that the problem behind verses 4 and 8 was a ...

2797. Love of Money

1 Timothy 6:3-10

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... a written Gospel and thus means the words spoken by Christ. But that misses Paul’s emphasis, namely, that the false teachers have abandoned the truth of the gospel, which comes from our Lord Jesus Christ himself, who is the ultimate origin of the faith or “godliness” Paul proclaimed. Their abandonment of Christ (i.e., his gospel) is their grave error. Verses 4–5 describe the results of the false teachers’ having turned away from wholesome teaching. Paul begins by characterizing the false teacher ...

2798. A Workman Approved by God

2 Timothy 2:14-26

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... Prov. 6:3 and 11:5, LXX), is a metaphor that literally means “to cut straight.” There has been considerable speculation regarding the metaphor itself, as to what kind of “cutting” (wood, stones, furrows) may have been in mind. Most likely the original sense of the metaphor has been lost, and the emphasis simply lies in doing something correctly. Hence the NIV is perfectly adequate. Barrett correctly notes that a similar intent, based on a completely different metaphor, is found in 2 Corinthians 2:17 ...

2799. The Unchangeable Character of God’s Purpose

Hebrews 6:13-20

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... in both singular and plural forms, is found in Hebrews more than in any other NT book (thirteen times). See E. Hoffmann, NIDNTT, vol. 3, pp. 68–74. 6:16 In men swear by someone greater than themselves NIV inappropriately uses male-oriented language for the original (anthrōpoi, “people”). Oaths were taken by the name of an especially holy object (cf. Matt. 23:16, 18) or more commonly, by the name of the Lord. To violate such an oath was to take the Lord’s name in vain. Oath-taking nevertheless ...

2800. The Old Testament Ritual Described

Hebrews 9:1-10

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... The new era, the time of reformation and fulfillment, has arrived. Additional Notes 9:1 The past tenses of this and the following four verses do not imply that the situation here described no longer exists. They are due instead to the fact that the historical origin of the tabernacle, and its successor the temple, is being set forth. Confirmation of this is found in the use of the present tenses in vv. 6–10 (see especially v. 9). The regulations (dikaiōmata), which become the center of attention in vv. 6 ...

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