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 3326 to 3350 of 4340 results

3326. Jehoahaz King of Judah

2 Chronicles 36:2-4

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... Zedekiah did not humble himself before Jeremiah the prophet seems strange. The normal accusation is that the king or people did not humble themselves before Yahweh. Hermann-Josef Stipp (“Zedekiah in the Book of Jeremiah: On the Formation of a Biblical Character,” CBQ 58 [1996], pp. 627–48) shows, however, that the same Zedekiah does not get similar harsh treatment in the book of Jeremiah: “The verdict pronounced by the writers of Chronicles typifies an advanced state of a concept that took shape ...

3327. The Holy Spirit Comes at Pentecost

Acts 2:1-13

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

The history of the early church was far more complex than Luke would have us believe. But we may still accept that it began with “a determinative Jerusalem Pentecost” that gave the church its impetus and character. The essential historicity of this event has been firmly established (see Dunn, Jesus, pp. 135–56). To an outside observer, it might have appeared as an outburst of enthusiasm within the sect of the Nazarenes. To the believers, it was an episode of critical importance in the history of ...

3328. Cornelius Calls for Peter

Acts 10:1-8

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... than Jews in Caesarea, though the Jews were a substantial minority. Friction between them and the Gentiles was endemic (see Josephus, Antiquities 20.173–184; War 2.266–270; 284f. and the disc. on 8:40; 9:30; 24:27). Among the Jews generally, because of the character of the city and because it was also the center of the Roman administration of the province, Caesarea was hated. They called it “the daughter of Edom” and would often speak of it as though it were no part of Judea (see disc. on 21:10). As ...

3329. The Council at Jerusalem

Acts 15:1-21

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... , as it was at the council, but the dietary laws. And if the situation described in Galatians suggests that Peter did not draw from the council’s decision the implications he should have, we can only assume that this was an instance—by no means out of character—in which he simply acted without thinking. Barnabas did the same (Gal. 2:13), and it only goes to show how strong a hold the old ways still had on these people and how hard it was for them to adopt a new way of life. Another argument ...

3330. In Thessalonica (Acts 17:1–9)

Acts 17:1-9

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... Jews would not leave them in peace (cf. 13:45). They determined to be rid of Paul and Silas and formulated a plan to bring them before the assembly on a charge of sedition. And to give some grounds for this charge, they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace and organized them into staging a riot (cf. 14:4f., 19; 1 Thess. 2:14–16). No charge was better calculated than that of treason to start a riot in the city, and with the stage thus set for the successful prosecution of the missionaries ...

3331. In Berea

Acts 17:10-15

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... least they had a respite from their persecutors, during which they were able to follow Paul’s “usual habit” of proclaiming the Good News in the synagogue in this city also. 17:11–12 Luke describes the Berean Jews as of more noble character than the Thessalonians. This might mean “more generous” in their support of the missionaries, but NIV is probably right to refer the expression to their attitude to Paul’s preaching. They readily accepted the possibility that what he said was true (Luke’s ...

3332. In Athens

Acts 17:16-34

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... in keeping with Paul’s having made such a speech, whereas if it were Luke’s own invention (as some people allege) we might have expected two things that are lacking: a more explicitly Christian content (but see W. Barclay, AHG, p. 166, for its implicitly Christian character) and a far better result from it. It does come to us now in Lukan accents, but we may accept it as essentially Paul’s. 17:16 Paul’s journey to Athens took him from Macedonia into the province of Achaia. After the defeat of the ...

3333. In Corinth

Acts 18:1-17

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... propaganda had something to do with the name Corinth had for licentiousness: the fruits of commerce are often envied by those dedicated to culture. Nevertheless, Corinth was undeniably a rip-roaring town where “none but the tough could survive” (Horace, Epistles 1.17.36), and this character is amply reflected in Paul’s letters (e.g., 1 Cor. 5:1–13; 6:9–20; 7:2, 5, 9; 10:8; 15:33f.). No wonder he also wrote: “I came to you in weakness and fear, and with much trembling” (1 Cor. 2:3). And ...

3334. Paul in Ephesus

Acts 19:1-22

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... miracles, through the power of the Spirit” (Rom. 15:19; cf. Acts 13:11; 14:3, 10; 16:18; 2 Cor. 12:12; Heb. 2:4), only here the miracles may have been unusually frequent (note the imperfect, “was doing”) and appear to have been extraordinary in character (v. 11). It was God, of course, who was doing them; Paul was simply the agent (lit., “through the hands of Paul,” v. 11; see note on 5:12). But the ordinary people were not concerned with these theological niceties. As far as they were concerned ...

3335. Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesian Elders

Acts 20:13-38

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... God” (Eph. 2:12). We may take his reference to tears literally; Paul was no Stoic for whom impassivity was a virtue (see note on 17:18). He had served “with all humility” in a world in which humility was deemed to be a fault, not a virtue—the character befitting only a slave (both “all” and “humility” are typical of Paul; cf. Eph. 4:2; Phil. 2:3; Col. 2:18, 23; 3:12). But Paul saw himself as “the slave of the Lord” (NIV’s served the Lord misses the force of his language; for the verb ...

3336. Paul's Hardships

2 Corinthians 6:3-13

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... (with weapons of righteousness in the right hand and in the left; glory and dishonor; bad report and good report). Finally, the third part of the list gives a series of contrasting pairs that begin with as and show Paul’s positive character in the face of negative circumstances (genuine, yet regarded as imposters; known, yet regarded as unknown; dying, and yet we live on; beaten, and yet not killed; sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; poor, yet making many rich; having nothing, and yet possessing everything ...

3337. Sons of God

Galatians 3:26--4:7

Understanding Series

L. Ann Jervis

... Christ becomes a feature of Christian hymns in the first century: for instance, in the Odes of Solomon, “In form he was considered like me, that I might put him on” (7:4; trans. Charlesworth). Thus, being clothed with Christ is putting on Christ’s character, which is that of righteousness. Paul reinforces his claim that the Galatians have no need to search for righteousness in any place other than their present life in Christ. In a situation in which believers are being asked to take on the law, Paul ...

3338. Paul's Concern for the Galatians

Galatians 4:8-20

Understanding Series

L. Ann Jervis

... subtly encourages the Galatians to recognize that through his letter he too is making much of them for a good purpose. Paul encourages the Galatians to turn their attention to cultivating his favor instead of that of the troublemakers. 4:19 Paul describes the character and quality of his commitment to the Galatians. He portrays his concern and his role with them, using the powerful image of giving birth. This is the first time that Paul has spoken of the Galatians as his dear children, and it introduces a ...

3339. Not Circumcision but a New Creation

Galatians 6:11-18

Understanding Series

L. Ann Jervis

... that his position will win the day. And, in terms of the outcome of the struggle between the rival evangelists and himself, he was right. 6:18 Paul ends with a grace benediction and an Amen. The final word closes the letter on a strong note. Given its character as a word of response, it is also Paul’s final invitation for his readers fully to accept his message. Additional Notes 6:12 It is not unknown for Paul to end his letters with a warning (see Rom. 16:17–20), although more typically he ends with ...

3340. One in Christ

Ephesians 2:11-22

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... in this chapter: W. Barclay, “The One, New Man,” in Unity and Diversity in New Testament Theology, ed. R. A. Guelich (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1978), pp. 73–81. Barclay’s main point is that “new” (kainos) means something new in quality and character; E. K. Lee, “Unity in Israel and Unity in Christ,” in Studies in Ephesians, ed. F. L. Cross, pp. 36–50; Martin, “Reconciliation and Unity in Ephesians,” in his Reconciliation, pp. 157–98. Martin offers a detailed literary and theological ...

3341. Freedom From Human Regulations Through Life With Christ

Colossians 2:6-23

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... that Paul mentions throughout the epistle. If so, they would be worshiped for their power as well as for their control over human beings. The Greek word used for humility is tapeinophrosynē, which, on other occasions, is a positive and commendable disposition of character (3:12; Eph. 4:2; Phil. 2:3; 1 Pet. 5:5). Here the context shows that the heretics were guilty of a false humility in connection with their worship of angels. The RSV translates it as “self-abasement,” indicating the inward and ...

3342. Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians' Faith

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... to welcome,” see disc. on 2:13). The NT takes it for granted that Christians will suffer. Indeed, Paul later states that we are destined (by God) for suffering (see disc. on 3:3). Why this should be, we do not know. But we do know that suffering builds character (cf. Rom. 5:3–5; James 1:12; 1 Pet. 1:6f.) and there may be a hint of this in the juxtaposition of suffering and joy. Joy is a distinguishing mark of the Christian, for it has its basis in our relationship with God (and therefore derives from ...

3343. Paul's Ministry in Thessalonica

1 Thessalonians 2:1-16

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... , but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45). As self-sacrifice lay at the heart of his ministry, so it does with all Christian ministry, whether it be preaching or any other. 2:9 This was certainly the character of the service of Paul, Silas, and Timothy in Thessalonica, as Paul reminds his readers—or perhaps, he simply observes that they remembered (taking the verb, with NIV, to be indicative rather than imperative). But notice, he again calls them brothers (see disc. on 1:4 ...

3344. Paul’s Longing to See the Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians 2:17--3:5

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... ’s purpose for us. Why, we do not know, but acceptance of the proposition that “we were destined for them” does put meaning into life when difficult and dark days overtake us (see disc. on 1:6 for the positive outcome of suffering in building character). 3:4 Paul had warned the Thessalonians along these lines before. When we were with you (for pros with the accusative in the sense of “with,” cf. Mark 6:3; John 1:1) we kept telling you (impf.), he reminds them (prolegō means “to tell beforehand ...

3345. Living to Please God

1 Thessalonians 4:1-12

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

The first three chapters of this letter are largely personal and historical in character, the last two practical and doctrinal. They are joined in the Greek by the conjunction oun, which sometimes expresses a logical connection, as in Romans 12:1 where the exhortation arises out of the doctrinal exposition (cf. also Eph. 4:1; Col. 3:5). But not here. The oun is ...

3346. The Coming of the Lord

1 Thessalonians 4:13--5:11

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... of him and have been touched by the first light of the day. They already know something of the blessings of the kingdom. In modern theological terms, Paul is teaching both realized and future eschatology—he intimates of the “now” and the “not yet” character of the kingdom. And to reinforce his point, what he said positively in the first half of the verse, he repeats in a negative form in the second, changing the pronoun from “you” to “we” to highlight that this holds true for all believers ...

3347. Paul's Charge to Timothy

1 Timothy 6:11-21

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... of God, and who henceforth ‘serves’ God.” It would in this sense also be applicable to Timothy, “the prototype of a ‘man of God’ since he is the leader of the congregation” (p. 88). But again this seems to miss the genuinely ad hoc character of this Epistle. It is common to argue (e.g., Gealy, Hanson) that Paul could never say, “strive for righteousness or faith,” since in Paul those are “God’s gifts, not man’s achievements” (Gealy, p. 452). But such an argument confines Paul’s ...

3348. Personal Remarks

2 Timothy 4:9-18

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... tells Timothy whom (v. 11b) and what (v. 13) to bring along when he comes. At an earlier stage Mark had bailed out during some rough going (Acts 13:13) and had become a point of contention between Paul and Barnabas (Acts 15:36–41). But Paul’s largeness of character can be seen in the fact that at a later stage Mark had once more become a co-worker (Col. 4:10; Philem. 24). Now he urges Timothy to get Mark (implying that he is not in Ephesus) and bring him with you. And the reason? Because he is helpful ...

3349. An Exhortation Inspired by the Exodus

Hebrews 3:7-19

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... to apostasy, causing one to turn away from the living God. What is in view in this strong language (tō apostēnai, “to apostatize”) is a deliberate rebellion against the truth and therefore against God. The adjective living adds to the perception of the dynamic character of God, who will in no way overlook such action on the part of his children. 3:13 The readers must be careful lest they too, like the wilderness wanderers, be hardened (which is purposely the word that is used in the quotation, v. 8 ...

3350. The Remaining Promise of Rest

Hebrews 4:1-13

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... . It is instead what God speaks, and the idea was probably suggested to the author from the repeated reference to “hearing God’s voice” in the preceding verses (3:7, 15, 16; 4:2, 7). God’s voice, the word of God, by its very character demands authentic response. Before his penetrating word there can be no feigning of loyalty. Therefore the author’s exhortation is to be taken with the utmost seriousness. What God speaks is living and active. By his word he brought creation into existence, and his ...

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