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Antonyms: keep, claim, continue, stick by, self-control, power through, achieve, defend, bear, hope, acquire, quick visit, adopt, continue along, adhere, remain, pursue, support, take up, keep up, reuse, advocate, stay, persevere, cherish, keep going, carry on

Showing 376 to 400 of 606 results

376. Life by the Spirit

Galatians 5:16-26

Understanding Series

L. Ann Jervis

... it was a trap from which it was necessary to be freed. Desire means one makes one’s happiness or peace hostage to achieving or receiving what one desires, whether it be money, position, or another person. Epictetus said: “For freedom is not acquired by satisfying yourself with what you desire, but by destroying your desire” (Arrian’s Discourses 4.1.175 [Oldfather, LCL]). Xenophon has Socrates say: Some are ruled by gluttony, some by fornication, some by drunkenness, and some by foolish and expensive ...

377. Spiritual Blessings in Christ

Ephesians 1:1-14

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... our possession.” Thus, believers are redeemed, but await a future time when they will take full possession of their redemption. This view has led to the ambiguous and inadequate translation in the RSV, “which is the guarantee of our inheritance until we acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” Most commentators—and as a result most English translations, like the NIV—think the verse is stressing that God is the agent of redemption and that believers are God’s possession (NIV, NASB ...

378. God Disciplines His Sons

Hebrews 12:1-13, Hebrews 12:14-29

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... . The word cloud (nephos) is used commonly in Greek literature to indicate a “host” or “company.” This is the only occurrence of the noun “witness” (martys) in Hebrews, except for the quotation of Deut. 17:6 in 10:28. The Greek word had not yet acquired the meaning of “martyr” as one who gives his life for what he believes, which it came to have by the second or third century. See H. Strathmann, TDNT, vol. 4, pp. 504–12. The word for “impediment” (onkos) occurs only here in the Greek ...

379. Warning Against Refusing God

Hebrews 12:14-29, Hebrews 12:1-13

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

380. Praying for Endurance and Healing

James 4:13-17, James 5:1-6, James 5:7-12, James 5:13-20

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

... . Since they are harvesters, there is no excuse that there was no money; there are heaps of grain to be sold. The hungry worker has cried out to the only resource he has—God. By saying the Lord Almighty, James reminds the reader of Isaiah 5:9, where those acquiring large estates are condemned. All Jews knew what happened to those whom Isaiah condemned, and they knew that God’s ears are open to the poor (Pss. 17:1–6; 18:6; 31:2), so James’ statement implies a threat of judgment. 5:5 The rich live in ...

381. False Teachers and Their Destruction

2 Peter 2:1-22

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... 14:6; 16:13) set the God-given standard, which ruled out mere human opinion of truth. Now people must accept or reject God’s truth as proclaimed by Jesus, the one sent down from heaven (John 1:9). In Christian writings the term hairesis henceforth acquired a negative sense: an opinion contrary to orthodox Christian doctrine. To follow a heresy results in schism (1 Cor. 11:18–19). Those who teach heresy are to be strictly warned, and then disowned (Titus 3:10). See TDNT, vol. 1, pp. 180–84; NIDNTT, vol ...

382. The Day of the Lord

2 Peter 3:1-18

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... the example of Jesus (1 Pet. 2:21). Spotless (aspilos): Metaphorically “free from censure, irreproachable” (as in 1 Tim. 6:14; James 1:27); and blameless, (amōmētos), without fault; the word is used of sacrificial animals (Num. 28:3 LXX). Neither characteristic can be acquired by self-effort. Both come only through reliance on the finished work of Christ (1 Pet. 1:19, where both adjectives are used of Jesus; cf. Jude 24; Rev. 14:5). On aspilos, see Turner, p. 483. At peace with him: cf. Ps. 85:10 ...

383. The Sin and Doom of Godless Men

Jude 1:1-16

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... five times, in verses 1, 6 (twice), 13, and 21. Greeting 2 Jude’s opening greeting is another example of his fondness for a trio of expressions. He prays that his readers may know mercy, peace and love. These are virtues which cannot be acquired by self-effort. Neither can they be expected as just deserts. They are gifts of divine grace, and Jude prays that his readers may receive them in abundance (plēthyntheiē, filled to capacity). The faith of Jude’s readers is threatened by dangerous infiltrators ...

384. Ruth Meets Boaz

Ruth 2:1-23

Understanding Series

Michael S. Moore

... ’el (“redeemer”) as “the one who asks for the inheritance” (tb’ yrtwt’) in Ruth, preferring to put more emphasis on the product than the agent of redemption. In the Bible, there are at least five basic functions of the go’el-redeemer: he acquires the alienated property of a kinsman (Lev. 25:25); he purchases property in danger of being lost to a stranger (Jer. 32:6–15); he redeems relatives who have been reduced to slavery (Lev. 25:47–55); he avenges relatives’ wrongful deaths (Num. 35 ...

385. David Numbers the Fighting Men

1 Chronicles 21:1-22:1

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... without any blemish. After the Uzzah incident (1 Chron. 13), as well as after the census and the consequential punishment, David knows well that right conduct and reverence are necessary when Yahweh’s presence is at stake. The transaction entailed in acquiring the threshing floor that would become a cultic site had to reflect David’s piety and reverence. In this way the Chronicler’s contemporary audience received confirmation of the legitimacy of their own cultic site, which was the same site that ...

386. Ezra Reads the Law

Neh 7:73b–8:18

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

... saw in the discussion of Ezra 9, above, that Nehemiah 7:73b–8:18 originally belonged to Ezra’s memoirs. The seventh month fits historically between the fifth month of Ezra 7:9 and the ninth month of Ezra 10:9. In its new position here, the material acquires its own literary logic as the story progresses from Elul, the sixth month, in 6:15 to a seventh month in 7:73b (although it is now a different year). As in Ezra 10, the first-person references of Ezra’s memoirs have been editorially changed to the ...

387. The Greatness of Mordecai

Esther 10:1-3

Understanding Series

Timothy S. Laniak

... , the crisis begins with the character whose identity is more typical in the community. The “savior” is a marginal person—a woman in both stories—a Moabite in Ruth’s case, an orphan in Esther’s case. Neither woman has any acquired status by birth. Once the threat to the family is resolved, the focus shifts back to the original persons most immediately threatened. It is the threatened figures (Mordecai, Naomi) whose experience represents the plight of the whole community. The whole community ...

388. Wisdom's Call

Proverbs 8:1-36

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... of the reciprocity formula are found in C. Kayatz, Studien zu Proverbien 1–9 (WMANT 22; Neukirchen-Vluyn: Neukirchener, 1966), pp. 101–102. 8:22 There is some variation in the rendering of the root qnh (NIV “brought forth”): (1) possess or acquire (perhaps implying that the Lord got wisdom from some unknown source?); (2) create (the ancient Gk., although the Latin Vulgate has possedit; see also the verbs in the following verses which indicate creation or begetting); and (3) beget (cf. Gen. 4:1). 8 ...

389. Proverbs of Solomon

Proverbs 14:1-35

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... and the crafty (cf. 12:2, but also 1:4), but the contrast breaks down with the verbs: acts foolishly/is hated. See Additional Notes. 14:18 Antithetic. The NIV translates the MT literally. However, folly is not something that is inherited; rather it is acquired (so the RSV) by the simple unless they better themselves by the pursuit of wisdom. See the Additional Notes. 14:19 Synonymous. This reflects the typical wisdom view of the way things should turn out. 14:20–24 These sayings can be grouped under the ...

390. Sayings of Agur

Proverbs 30:1-33

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... the marginal reading of the NIV). See Additional Note. 30:2 Synonymous with two juxtaposed nominal sentences. This admission of subhuman ignorance is either exaggerated or ironic (in view of the questions in v. 4). The avowal can be likened to Qoheleth’s failure to acquire wisdom. It is a relative statement, relative to the knowledge of God (v. 3). 30:3 Synonymous and chiastic. The Holy One is God, as in 9:10, where the plural form (normally indicating members of the heavenly court; cf. Job 5:1) appears ...

391. Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

Proverbs 31:10-31

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... 13 opens up as a description of her varied and expert activity for her household and others (the poor, v. 20). She spins wool to provide clothes (v. 13; cf. vv. 21–22). The comparison to merchant ships (v. 14) indicates that she is active in acquiring things beyond her immediate home circle. She is untiring and up early to provide for the family and servants (v. 15; cf. 27:27). Verse 16 indicates unusual responsibility, buying a field and planting a vineyard from the profits she makes. Verse 17 gives a ...

392. I Have Come Into My Garden

Song of Songs 5:1-16

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Huwiler

... , a word that is conditional in other circumstances (Hb. ?im) is used with negative force (as in 2:7; 3:5). Instead of the conditional, occasionally the oath formula uses a word that normally is the interrogative “what” (Hb. mâ). The interrogative acquires strong prohibitive force in this specific context (as in 8:4). Most interpreters and translations assume that although the verse begins with the language of taking an oath and uses both of these Hb. particles, there is a break after the opening line ...

393. Habakkuk’s Second Complaint

Habakkuk 2:2-20, Habakkuk 1:12--2:1

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

... . 22:13–19), will recognize the wrong to which they have been harnessed and will cry out against the bloodshed—the cost at which they were built—like the blood crying out from the ground on which it had been shed (Gen. 4:10). The superpower has acquired gains to the ultimate detriment of its own house. It has tried to set itself so high that it can never be pulled down, but ironically this very effort will be its downfall. 2:12–14 The third “Oh!” warning speaks similarly about the one who builds ...

394. A Call to Build the House of the Lord

Haggai 1:1-15

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

... forms of building (cf. Neh. 2:8), there were no trees that would provide the kind of timber that this project will require. Thus the narrative in Ezra 3:7 presupposes the need to import such timber from Lebanon, and, indeed, the narrative reports how the people acquired it. Perhaps it was there and available in 520 (unless this was what people had used to panel or roof their houses, in keeping with the usual pattern). Further, the people are already in the mountains, so it is odd to tell them to go up there ...

395. A Man With a Measuring Line

Zechariah 2:1-13

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

... During periods of intense building activity men with measuring lines must have been a relatively common sight around Jerusalem. They stretched out the line to mark the location of the structure and to measure its dimensions so that building materials could be acquired and prepared. Ezekiel’s temple vision also includes a young man with a measuring instrument (Ezek. 40:3). The measuring line laid the foundation for hope before any stones were set in place. Zechariah enters the vision by speaking to the man ...

396. A Squirrel Crossing a Busy Street

Romans 5:1-5

Sermon

King Duncan

... they talked, the subject of wisdom kept popping up in their conversation. So Swindoll asked this businessman, “How does a person get wisdom? I realize we are to be [people] of wisdom,” commented Swindoll, “but few people ever talk about how it is acquired.” The businessman’s answer, Swindoll writes, was quick and to the point. “Pain.” He said. He said only that one word. Pain. Swindoll paused and looked deeply into this man’s eyes. Without knowing the specifics, he knew his one?word answer ...

397. Jesus' First Disciples

John 1:35-42, John 1:43-51

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... the early fruit on the fig tree.” The point is perhaps that Jesus finds the new Israel in the same way that God his Father found the old. Jesus spoke elsewhere of the delight of uncovering an unexpected treasure in a field or of selling everything to acquire a magnificent pearl (Matt. 13:44–46), or of finding a lost coin or a lost sheep (Luke 15:1–10). Hosea’s image of discovering fruit in a barren land was well suited to make a similar point. Jesus’ disciples are indeed a precious find, a gift ...

398. No Confidence in the Flesh

Philippians 3:1-11

Understanding Series

F. F. Bruce

... or less than is due); also Pirqe Abot 2.1, where Rabbi Judah the Prince (ca. A.D. 200) is credited with the precept: “Reckon the loss incurred by the fulfillment of a commandment against the reward secured by its observance, and the gain acquired by a transgression against the loss it involves.” 3:8 What is more: Gk. alla menounge kai (“Yes indeed; I even …”). Gk. alla kai is reinforced by the compound particle (men, oun, and ge), which emphasizes its progressive sense (cf. M. E. Thrall, Greek ...

399. The Beginning

Genesis 1:1-2:3

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

... , coinciding with the plural form of ’elohim in Hb. However, this name of God is used throughout the account as a singular. (f) This “we” reflects the Trinity. The church fathers (e.g., Barn. and Justin Martyr) held this view. While the plural pronoun does acquire fuller meaning in light of the coming of Christ, it did not convey to ancient Israel any idea of God’s being triune. The following two proposals find the most support in Scripture: (g) God took counsel with his Spirit (so D. Clines, “The ...

400. Jacob’s Children

Genesis 29:31--30:24

Understanding Series

John E. Hartley

... in exchange for Jacob’s sleeping with her that night. That evening when Jacob came in from the fields, Leah met him and informed him that she had hired his favor for the night with her son’s mandrakes. Jacob obliged her. Although Rachel had acquired an aphrodisiac from her sister, it was Leah who became pregnant. Refusing to be manipulated, God opened Leah’s womb, not Rachel’s. She named her fifth child Issachar, “hired.” In her view God had rewarded her. Afterward she bore another son and named ...

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