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Showing 3301 to 3325 of 4943 results

3301. Apocalyptic Discourse

Luke 21:5-38

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... will not face the terrible judgment of God. By following the path of obedience, they will receive a favorable verdict from God and stand before the Son of Man with joy. The verses on Jesus’s ministry in Jerusalem (21:37–38) are not part of the apocalyptic discourse. Jesus continues his teaching ministry up until the end, and his popularity with the people ...

3302. Jesus Prays for His Disciples

John 17:6-19

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... who bears this name has come from God and must be believed. Jesus now prays exclusively for his followers (17:9–19) even though they have been on his mind all along (17:6–7). In one sense this prayer is a continuation of that prayer for glory in 17:1–5. Christ’s glory is continually manifested through the lives of his people (17:10). But this will happen only if they, like him, are holy (17:19). Three petitions of Jesus for his people will achieve this end. (1) Unity (17:11–12). Christ prays that ...

3303. Peter Heals the Crippled Beggar

Acts 3:1-10

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... lame from birth” (3:2) reminds Luke’s readers of Jesus’s healing of a “paralyzed man” (Luke 5:17–26) at the beginning of his Galilean ministry. This points to the exemplary nature of the period of the church as it demonstrates the continuity between the ministries of Jesus and that of the apostles. Nevertheless, Luke makes it clear that Jesus is superior to the apostles because they are performing this miracle “in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth” (3:6). On the one hand, the fact that ...

3304. The Stoning of Stephen

Acts 7:54--8:1a

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... reference to Jesus sitting at the right hand of God (cf. Acts 2:34; see also Ps. 110:1) points to the completion of God’s salvific work in the death and resurrection of Jesus. “Jesus standing at the right hand of God” points, however, to the continuation of aspects of God’s work through the risen Lord. In this context, not only does the risen Lord receive Stephen and vindicate his work, but he is also “standing,” which may indicate the beginning of yet another stage in the work of God in history ...

3305. Saul and the Persecution of the Church

Acts 8:1b-3

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... to be witnesses in “all Judea and Samaria.” The apostles remained in Jerusalem probably because they felt the need to hold firm to the work that the Holy Spirit had established there. This also allows others to continue their work beyond the confines of the city of Jerusalem while they continue to minister to the Jews (cf. Gal. 2:9). Luke again locates Saul among those who are persecuting the church (8:3). His failure to “destroy” the church again testifies to God’s faithfulness to his own chosen ...

3306. Peter’s Vision

Acts 10:9-23a, Acts 10:23b-48

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... as equal to Jewish believers (10:46). In response to the manifestation of divine approval, Peter also has them baptized “in the name of Jesus Christ” (10:48). Although this is undoubtedly a new era in God’s salvific plan, Luke also emphasizes its continuity with the past. First, this salvation to the Gentiles originated with the gospel that “God sent to the people of Israel” (10:36). The priority of Israel even in this eschatological era is repeatedly affirmed in this narrative (cf. 13:5, 46; 14:1 ...

3307. Paul in Ephesus

Acts 19:1-22

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... sons of the Jewish high priest Sceva, who have been trying to use the name of Jesus but have failed to produce any results (19:13–14). More important, the evil spirit admits that he only knows Jesus and Paul (19:15). While Luke has emphasized the continuity between the Jewish prophetic traditions and the mission of Jesus and his apostles, this episode draws a line between the Jews and the apostles. Even the sons of a Jewish high priest cannot compete with the apostles, who preach in the name of Jesus. The ...

3308. The Riot in Ephesus

Acts 19:23-41

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... opposed the worship of idols, the Jews feel the need to make a distinction between themselves and the Christians. The Romans, however, consider this too fine a distinction to make. Therefore, when they realize that Alexander is a Jew, they all ignore him and continue to shout praises to their goddess (19:34). The response of the city clerk reflects his confidence in the strength of the Artemis cult (19:25–41). The statement that Artemis “fell from heaven” (19:35) is meant as a response to Paul’s ...

3309. On Divisions in the Church

1 Corinthians 3:1-23

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... as God’s building (3:10–15). In this case, the metaphor further defines the Christian community that is growing in wisdom as one that has learned not only to value its teachers equally but also to see clearly that there is a need for continuity between the foundational proclamation of the gospel (laid, in this case, by Paul as an “expert builder”) and the subsequent teaching of others (who seek now to build on Paul’s initial preaching; 3:10). There can be no attempt to lay a new foundation ...

3310. Questions about Food, Idolatry, and Freedom

1 Corinthians 8:1-13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... second, on which the first is founded, is that there is no God but one, who is the source of all creation, service to whom gives life meaning, and who is the Father of the one Lord Jesus Christ, his agent in the beginning of life and in its continuation and renewal. (Similar ideas expressed in Eph. 4:5–6 and Col. 1:15–16 are probably a fragment from an early Christian confession.) Next, Paul reminds his readers that some among them do not yet trust the substance of this truth enough to know its power in ...

3311. Sowing Generously

2 Corinthians 9:6-15

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... step forward and contribute to every good work (9:8). For, in accordance with the Scripture (Ps. 112:9), the person who does so will acquire an enduring sense of having done what is right. Such a person may also rest assured that God will continually and generously resupply the resources that have been expended “so that [he or she] can be generous on every occasion,” enabling both righteousness and thanksgiving to increase (9:10–11). Thus the service of giving may be seen not only as an offering to ...

3312. Second Meeting with Jerusalem Leadership

Galatians 2:1-10

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... He was not “summoned.”) Paul also indicates that he had his own purpose for attending the conference (2:2). It was imperative for the leader of the Gentile mission to have the trust and support of the Jerusalem church or to face the threat of continual schismatic strife. Though the early church seemed to be learning that the same Holy Spirit was given to all individuals upon their acceptance of Christ (see Acts 10:34–38; 11:18), the animosity characterizing Jewish-Gentile relations was not going to be ...

3313. Living as Children of Light

Ephesians 4:17--5:21

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... in dark places (5:11–12), which has the effect of transforming darkness into light. The light of Christ shining out from his light-filled followers exposes hidden dark deeds for what they are (5:13–14a). Finally, living as light means continuously receiving the light. Quoting perhaps from an early Christian baptismal hymn, Paul states that the dispersing of darkness is an ongoing process even for the believer, analogous to the resurrection from the dead (5:14b). Death to one’s former, sinful self ...

3314. Imitating Christ’s Humility

Philippians 2:1-11

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... before his incarnation. Yet the term “very nature” denotes more than a mere physical appearance. When Paul says that Christ was God in his very nature, he is talking about both the appearance of God (glory, power, majesty) and the true essence of God. Paul continues by saying that Christ, who was God in appearance and truth, did not consider his rights as needing to be asserted. This statement is both a truth about Christ and also a directive to the Philippians in how they are to have the attitude of ...

3315. Follow the Example of Paul As He Follows the Example of Christ

Philippians 3:12-4:1

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... stress the purpose toward which his whole life is oriented. One of the most striking aspects of this account of Paul’s life is that Paul sees “knowing Christ Jesus” (3:8) not only as something in which he already participates but also as a goal he continues to pursue. This double sense of purpose, Christ as both motivation and goal, is explained in these verses: Christ has grasped Paul, so Paul presses on to grasp Christ, the goal of his life. Paul is fully aware that he has not yet reached this goal ...

3316. Appreciation of the Philippians’ Gift

Philippians 4:10-20

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... them much, he says that the Philippians have paid him back—or possibly overpaid him. He uses the terminology of “credit” and “account” not to imply that the Philippians gave for selfish reasons but to show that their gift to him is like an investment that continues to accrue interest even as it furthers the mission of the gospel. The fact that their gift is leading to the progress of the gospel’s mission far outweighs any monetary sum. Paul also sees this gift as a sacrifice on the part of the ...

3317. Thanksgiving and Prayer

Colossians 1:1-14

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... God’s kingdom (see 1:12–13; 3:11). Moreover, Paul calls the Colossians “faithful,” a term rarely used by Paul to describe humans (though he identifies Timothy as such in 1 Cor. 4:17). His letter will continue to build on this identity by encouraging the Colossians to “continue in [their] faith” and hold fast to the “hope held out in the gospel” (1:23). 1:3–12 · Thanksgiving In these nine verses, Paul begins and ends with thanksgiving for the Colossians’ being in Christ. The descriptions ...

3318. Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians’ Faith

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... :10). 1:2–3 · Faith, love, and hope: The apostles’ thanksgivings to God for the church (1:2) are frequent (“always”) and inclusive (“for all of you”). The context of these thank offerings was likely their corporate prayer times (“mention you in our prayers”). They also pray for the Thessalonians “continually” (see 5:17, where the same adverb appears). Paul commonly uses this adverb to describe the life of prayer (1 Thess. 5:17; Rom. 1:9; 2 Tim. 1:3) or thanksgiving (1 Thess. 2:13 ...

3319. Paul’s Longing to See the Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians 2:17--3:5

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... ’s attempts to return to the city (2:18). The purpose of the “tempter” was not simply to provoke the Thessalonians to sin but also to get them to embrace the sin—apostasy (Luke 8:12; 1 Pet. 5:8). Hence Paul’s concern for their stability and continuance in the faith (1 Thess. 3:2–3, 6, 8). Had his labors in establishing a church in the city been rendered futile, considering the persecution and satanic opposition these new believers faced? What would Timothy find when he arrived in Thessalonica?

3320. Timothy’s Encouraging Report

1 Thessalonians 3:6-13

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... you in return for all the joy we have in the presence of our God because of you?” (3:9). This is the third thanksgiving in the letter (see 1 Thess. 1:2; 2:13). The thanksgiving implies that, though Timothy did his job (3:2) and the Thessalonians continued in faith, love, and hope (3:6, 8), God was the one who produced the believers’ stability in the face of adversity. The way Paul poses the question recalls Psalm 116:12. Here, as in the psalm, thanksgiving to God is regarded as a debt to be paid, yet ...

3321. The Disorderly

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... problems in the community, in contrast to those who were socially disruptive. Paul wants the believers to earn their own bread as he showed them in his example (3:7–8). This means of support causes no social scandal. On the other hand, the church should continue to do good and support those in genuine need, never flagging in this responsibility. A third exhortation is thus offered: “And as for you, brothers and sisters, never tire of doing what is good” (3:13; cf. Gal. 6:9–10; 1 Thess. 4:9–10 ...

3322. Jesus Like Melchizedek

Hebrews 7:11-28

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... of humankind. That point is now repeated in a striking statement of the ineffectuality of that ritual. The author heaps scorn on it precisely for its failure to bring the sinner near to God (7:18–19). Though at the time of writing the temple ritual continued, the author seems to have gathered that it was near to its demise, perhaps from the fact that the burgeoning Gentile church was doing without it altogether (Heb. 8:13; 9:10). But it is crucial to recognize that the Levitical cultus is being attacked ...

3323. Trials and Temptation

James 1:1-18

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... the inevitable result (1:15). After issuing a warning not to be deceived (1:16), James provides a positive counterpart to verses 13–15: far from being responsible for temptation, or anything evil, God gives good gifts to his children. And that God will continue to do so can be depended on, for he is unchangeable. Unlike the sun, moon, stars, and planets (“the heavenly lights”; cf. Ps. 136:7–9), which regularly move and change their appearance, God never changes (1:17). As an outstanding example of ...

3324. The Hidden Spiritual House

1 Peter 2:4-12, 1 Peter 2:13-25

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... was rejected by humankind (2:4), who did not see the estimation God placed on him. In their present rejection, therefore, Peter’s readers are sharing the fate of Jesus himself. He was like the stone the builders rejected (2:7). Through this paragraph, Peter continues his focus on Scripture by quoting three “stone” passages that were applied to Jesus from a very early date (the tradition seems, in fact, to originate with Jesus himself; Matt. 21:42): Psalm 118:22–23; Isaiah 8:14; 28:16 (cf. Rom. 9:33 ...

3325. Love One Another

1 John 3:11-24

One Volume

Gary M. Burge

... of Domitian with a raised, clenched fist, and the altar of his temple bore carvings of subjugated peoples being humbled at the hand of the Romans. Two decades later, Pliny, the governor of nearby Bithynia, wrote to the emperor Trajan asking if he should continue to kill Christians who refused to deny Christ or to worship Trajan’s image. Pliny had just put to death two young Christian women, who, despite being warned three times, had refused to do either. In reply, the emperor advises him not to seek ...

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