Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: thirstiness, dryness, parched, craving, strong desire, longing, yearning, avidity, hunger, voracity, keenness, eagerness, lust, appetite, passion, love, crave, want, covet, desire, hunger for/after, lust for/after, hanker for/after, have one's heart set on

Antonyms: aversion, distaste, apathy, dislike, hatred, antipathy, disgust, disregard, abhorrence, acrimony, wet, animosity, animus, antagonism, bad feeling, bitterness, be averse to, detestation

Showing 4026 to 4050 of 4959 results

4026. Sons of God

Galatians 3:26--4:7

Understanding Series

L. Ann Jervis

... element for receiving the promise of inheritance is whether or not one is “in Christ,” or, as Paul puts it here, “belongs to Christ.” Those who are in Christ are the heirs. Paul’s use of the simple present tense, you are, highlights his desire to convince the Galatians to acknowledge and embrace the wondrous new life they have. 4:1 Paul now draws a tighter circle around the opponents of his gospel. Using the first person singular, which was more characteristic of the earlier part of the letter, he ...

4027. Hagar and Sally

Galatians 4:21-31

Understanding Series

L. Ann Jervis

... back to an argument from Scripture (cf. 3:6–9) and to teaching what he and the Galatian believers already have in Christ. Paul begins with a direct address, Tell me, you who want to be under the law. The wording of the question critiques their desire, for Paul presents the law as something under which people are held. The passage beginning in this verse and extending to 5:1 works with several themes that have already been introduced: giving birth (3:19), slavery (3:8), freedom (3:25), Abraham (3:6–8 ...

4028. Thanksgiving and Prayer

Ephesians 1:15-23

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... in political, financial, juridical, and ecclesiastical offices. C. L. Mitton carries this even further and wonders about substituting for principalities and powers the “evil powers in our contemporary world [such] as racism, nationalism, hate, fear, uncurbed sexual desire, drug addiction, alcoholism, etc. As with ‘principalities and powers,’ before these the individual feels helpless even though he recognizes their power to destroy the best things in human life” (p. 72). 1:23 From the ideal of ...

4029. Slaves and Masters

Ephesians 6:5-9

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... governs one’s service to Christ. 6:6 The previous idea is carried over into this verse, where sincerity is defined as enthusiastic behavior (from your heart) without any attempt to attract human attention (not only … when their eye is on you) or any desire for human favor. By serving in this way they do the will of God. This, to be sure, is a revolutionary transformation of the work ethic and has many implications for labor relations today. For a Christian, there is no distinction between the secular ...

4030. Thanksgiving and Prayer

Colossians 1:1-14

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... (“this hope … that you have already heard about in the word of truth, the gospel that has come to you”). Hope is the basis of their love and faith and thus assures them of the adequacy of the gospel they have received. This should preclude any desire to supplement the gospel with additional speculation from the false teachers. 1:6 Here the emphasis continues to be on the truthfulness of the gospel. In 1:5 it was linked with hope; here the association is with the grace of God. From this, one could ...

4031. Paul’s Longing to See the Thessalonians

1 Thessalonians 2:17--3:5

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... the comparative perissoterōs, “more abundantly,” underlining their eagerness, the more so as we recognize that the comparative in the NT had practically replaced the superlative, “most abundantly.” And then, as if that were not enough, he adds, “with great desire” (en pollē epithymia). Epithymia speaks of passion, often in the sense of lust, but here of their passionate longing for their friends. 2:18 We wanted to come to you, Paul explains. The conjunction for (dioti) links this verse to the ...

4032. Thanksgiving and Prayer

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... : literally, “the love of each one of you all” (stronger, e.g., than “each one of you,” 1 Thess. 2:11). Clearly from this, love in particular stood out as a characteristic of this church, even though some of its members’ conduct left something to be desired (see disc. on 3:11f.). Both verbs in this verse are in the present tense, indicating that their faith and love were still growing. 1:4 As a result (hōste) of their growth, Paul and the others could boast about the Thessalonians among God’s ...

4033. The Man of Lawlessness

2 Thessalonians 2:1-12

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... its meaning. That key now being lost, his later readers must approach the passage with caution. Augustine’s comment in The City of God is apposite: Since Paul said that they knew, he was unwilling to say this openly. And thus we, who do not know what they knew, desire and yet are unable even with effort to get at what the apostle meant, especially as the things which he adds makes his meaning obscure … I frankly confess I do not know what he means (20.19). As in 1:5–10, we see that the author owes a ...

4034. Request for Prayer

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... kateuthynō was used in an earlier prayer (also in the aorist optative) in the sense, “to make straight” (see disc. on 1 Thess. 3:11). Here it carries the sense, “to direct.” But in each case the thought is of the removal of obstacles which hinder the desired end. This prayer is that the Lord would direct their hearts into God’s love and Christ’s perseverance. The heart is a comprehensive term for the inner self (see disc. on 1 Thess. 2:4; for Christ see note on 1 Thess. 1:1). Paul is praying ...

4035. Final Greetings

2 Timothy 4:19-22

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... there is an obvious concern for the Ephesian church as well; and since he sends greetings to others besides Timothy, he therefore includes them all in the final grace. It is altogether fitting that the very last words from Paul should be a benediction, a desire for God’s grace to be with all his people. Additional Notes For examples of these kinds of greetings from the Hellenistic letters, see F. X. J. Exler (The Form of the Ancient Greek Letter), pp. 69–77 and 111–13. The Pauline closings have been ...

4036. Thanksgiving and Prayer

Philemon 1:1-7

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... (v. 5) forms the basis of his request in verse 9; Paul affirms his fellowship with Philemon (v. 6) and, on that basis, requests Philemon to act kindly toward Onesimus (v. 17); as Philemon has cheered the hearts of all God’s people (v. 7), Paul desires that his own heart be cheered through Philemon’s love (v. 20). Here, too, remembrance becomes an occasion for thanksgiving and prayer: I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers. Paul is grateful because of the positive things that he has heard ...

4037. Paul’s Request for Onesimus

Philemon 1:8-25

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... language of father and child on other occasions when he has been responsible for people having become Christians (cf. 1 Cor. 4:15, 17; Gal. 4:19). By taking the Greek preposition peri as “I am asking for him,” it is possible to believe that Paul desired to retain Onesimus for his own personal use in prison. But although Paul admits the temptation of such a possibility, one can see from verse 15 that his intention all along has been to return Onesimus. His appeal is “for the sake of,” or “on behalf ...

4038. What Must Be Taught to Various Groups

Titus 2:1-15

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... of the Spirit,” Gal. 5:16–26; “putting off/putting on” like a garment, Col. 3:8–14). Regularly, as here, what one must say “No” to (better, “renounce,” NEB) are worldly passions (Rom. 6:12; Gal. 5:24; Eph. 4:22), that is, desires that reflect the values of the present age with its antigodly mind-set. The positive side in this passage picks up language regularly used in these letters, which is also that of Hellenistic moralism. Many in fact see the three words self-controlled, upright, and ...

4039. Personal Instructions and Greetings

Titus 3:12-15

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... side of the Ambracian Gulf near the Adriatic Sea. It might he noted that several details in this verse put considerable strain on the hypothesis of pseudepigraphy: Paul’s “indecision” as to whom to send; the use of an otherwise unknown person (Artemas); the desire for Titus, to whose care the church has been “entrusted,” to leave Crete; the choice of Nicopolis as the place of rendezvous. It is hard to believe that a later author, who allegedly used Acts as his point of departure, would have done ...

4040. The High Priesthood of Jesus

Hebrews 4:14-5:10

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... ? God always hears the prayers of those who suffer (see Ps. 22:24, a psalm that the early church understood as foreshadowing the passion of Jesus). Yet, it is clear that he does not always answer in the way that might be expected or desired. In this instance—although it is difficult to believe that this was Jesus’ request—the answer came not in the avoidance of death, but in deliverance from (lit., “out of”) death through the resurrection. Jesus was heard, according to our author, because of his ...

4041. Warning Against Falling Away

Hebrews 5:11-6:12

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... NIV omits the opening logical connective “for.” His people is literally “the saints,” a technical expression for Christians used in this sense elsewhere in the epistle only in 13:24. 6:11–12 The author now expresses his exhortation in terms of his own desire: we want. In show this same diligence the present tense of the verb could also be translated “keep on showing diligence.” The readers are challenged to continue in the good path they are upon. In order to make your hope sure is a stronger ...

4042. Christ's Sacrifice Once for All

Hebrews 10:1-18

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... the psalm passage in its own historical context seems clear. A pious Israelite, perhaps David or a Davidic king, stresses that what concerned God is not sacrifices but obedience. God has given ears to hear and to obey. Thus the psalmist goes on to say, “I desire to do your will, O my God; your law is within my heart” (cf. Jer. 31:33). From his christocentric perspective the author understands Christ to be the speaker of these words. In addition to the actual content of the present passage, he may have ...

4043. A Call to Persevere

Hebrews 10:19-39

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... can occur, of course, only in the context of Christian fellowship. But some, perhaps even in this community, had been neglecting to come together. The avoidance of public meetings on the part of Jewish Christians may have been caused by the understandable desire to escape persecution, whether from the Romans or from the non-Christian Jewish community. Perhaps in the light of past experiences (see vv. 32–34) as well as threats concerning the imminent future (12:4), it was deemed wise to avoid attracting ...

4044. Submission to Rulers and Masters

1 Peter 2:13-25

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... possess inner resources beyond the natural. This positive attitude may indeed cause annoyance to an uncomprehending pagan master who expects a very different response. That in itself witnesses to the special grace believers are given and could be the means of prompting a desire in the master to share the believers’ secret. 2:19 Not to be sullen or rebellious, as would be the normal reaction of an unbelieving slave in painful or unjust circumstances, is commendable, a fine thing in God’s sight, for such ...

4045. Bricks Without Straw

Exodus 5:1-21

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... remains in the fields after the harvest, less suitable for bricks because it was dry (and thus contained no humic acid). The doubled task proved to be impossible, as the pharaoh knew it would be. The purpose of the law was to quell the desire for a religious holiday by driving out the “lie” of Yahweh’s request. Concomitant with this objective, the Israelite foremen . . . were beaten and taunted. 5:15–18 The foremen’s dilemma serves to focus the primary theme, “Who will serve whom?” When the ...

4046. Consecration of the Firstborn

Exodus 13:1-16

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... to pass it on as it was received. In this context it could be paraphrased, “Give the firstborn back to the Lord” because they belong to the LORD. The last details concern redeeming the firstborn rather than sacrificing them. The Lord did not desire their death, as from the outset God provided for their redemption. As with the first Passover, a lamb was the agent of redemption. Redeem with a lamb means “ransom” (padah) or “buy back” the firstborn from death. The text mentions donkeys specifically ...

4047. Hebrew Servants

Exodus 21:2-11

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... context. Other ancient Near Eastern cultures had laws that were similar in form and content, but none were integrated into an account of deliverance. Israel’s law is unique in that it is embedded in the story of the Lord’s salvation and desire to ensure the well-being of the people. In Exodus, narrative sections both precede and follow the Ten Commandments and the book of the covenant. Later, the biblical text interweaves the story of God’s people with distinctive priestly law in Leviticus–Numbers ...

4048. Offerings for the Tabernacle

Exodus 25:1-9

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... because God wanted a tabernacle that was beautiful in a specific way, marked with gold almonds (not silver) and curtains made with three colors (blue, purple, and crimson). God came down to dwell in a place designed according to what God personally desired. The text claims to teach about God’s preferences, not simply to record how to construct, reconstruct, or imagine Israel’s portable worship space. If we interpret Exodus 25–31 and 35–40 solely by means of sociological-religious categories, we will ...

4049. The Tabernacle

Exodus 26:1-37

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name” (Gen. 2:19b). In detailing the tabernacle design, God revealed that the original intention for the human creation had not changed. God desired to enter into a joint creative enterprise that would influence the future of the world. Additional Notes 26:1 The “tabernacle” described here is the tent of meeting. Exodus also uses “the tabernacle” in two ways. Sometimes “tabernacle” refers to everything ...

4050. The Golden Calf

Exodus 32:1-33:6

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... , the Lord asked that they make no false gods but trust the Lord alone. In both cases the narrative reports the sin in a painfully casual way. In Genesis 3, “the woman saw that the fruit of the tree was good for food and pleasing to the eye, and also desirable for gaining wisdom, she took some and ate it. She also gave some to her husband, who was with her, and he ate it” (Gen. 3:6). At Sinai, the tone of the people’s remarks is similarly cavalier: “Come, make us gods who will go before us. As for ...

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