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 4151 to 4175 of 4770 results

4151. Thanksgiving

1 Corinthians 1:1-9

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... subject as “keep strong,” although it is the same verb that was translated “confirm” in verse 6. The passive form of the verb in verse 6 assumed God for a subject, thus God was the one who did the confirming, but Paul could have shifted his point of view so that now in verse 8 he has “the Lord Jesus Christ” in mind as the one who sustains the Corinthians. Even if this is the case, he would still understand that God was the one who was acting in and through Christ in relation to the Corinthians ...

4152. Apostles of Christ

1 Corinthians 4:1-21

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... on their servanthood as that of stewardship (those entrusted) rather than in terms of their work as field hands (3:5–9). The plural forms of the words indicate that Paul has not only his own service but also that of others in mind. This point of view characterizes 4:1–2, but one should note that in 4:3–5 Paul shifts to the singular form and seems to be discussing only his own ministry. The word “servant” in Greek refers to an assistant, indicating one responsible to manage the concerns of another ...

4153. Final Greetings

1 Corinthians 16:19-24

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

Paul passes closing greetings in verses 19–20. Then, the last lines open with Paul’s autograph before issuing a quick series of energetic final declarations. These verses could be viewed as six or more separate but related statements, since Paul does not string the statements together with a series of conjunctions. Such a serial closing is not in strict keeping with the normal conventions of ancient letter writing, although Paul’s letters generally demonstrate a penchant for ending with a ...

4154. Greetings and Doxology

Revelation 1:4-8

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... the Lord in worship. Thus, John has not diluted the communal and covenantal aspects of the Exodus typology found in the prophetic writings. No doubt he is keen to emphasize this more corporate aspect of God’s love to counter early gnostic teaching, which viewed the effects of God’s salvation in individualistic and interior ways. God is referred to here, and throughout Revelation, as the God and Father of Jesus (2:27; 3:4, 21; 14:1), indicating the special relationship between the sovereign God and God ...

4155. The Seventh Seal and the Golden Censer

Revelation 8:1-5

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... of total destruction (Rissi), or the quiet environs of worship when prayers are offered to God (Beasley-Murray). While leaning toward a combination of the first and last explanations, we do not favor any interpretation which presumes a chronology of events. In our view, the silence that John notes does not indicate the final episode in a series of eschatological events; rather, it cues the reader to the resumption of John’s larger vision of the exaltation of the slain Lamb. Thus, the seer may be noting ...

4156. The Seventh Trumpet

Revelation 11:15-19

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... than to what follows. Most translations, including the NIV, are clear on this point. Furthermore, the opening formula of chapter 12, “A great and wondrous sign appeared in heaven,” indicates the beginning of a new vision, distinct from previous visions. In our view, the temple imagery adds a final element to the meaning of the seventh trumpet that concludes John’s visionary narrative of the Lamb’s exaltation and marks the transition into the visions of the current age. Where else but in a heavenly ...

4157. The Beast out of the Sea

Revelation 13:1b-10

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... his own vision of beasts, four terrifying beasts come up out of the sea to boast of their greatness (Dan. 7:1–14). The “real” identity of the first beast for John remains a matter of speculation (cf. Caird, Revelation, pp. 162–63). In my view, it is best to recognize it as a universal symbol for secular power and cultural idols, with historical counterparts in every age. Because 13:2 alludes to Daniel’s vision of four beasts/world empires (Dan. 7:4–7), the specific nature of authority envisaged ...

4158. The Fellowship Offering

Leviticus 3:1-17

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... skin and surrounding the intestines could be peeled off. The kidneys, situated in the fattest part of an animal, the fat beside them on the sinew, and the lobe of the liver would be removed together. The hard fatty tissue was inedible but nevertheless was viewed as the best part of the animal. On the other hand, the kidneys and liver were delicacies. They were vital organs associated with inner feelings. These inner organs, especially the lobe of the liver, were used in the ancient Near East in divination ...

4159. The Death of Nadab and Abihu

Leviticus 10:1-20

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... . The tearing of garments is a common practice for grieving. 10:9 Wine or other fermented drink is also forbidden to the Nazirites. The other fermented drink is variously translated as “strong drink,” “beer,” or “ale.” The explanation that the fermentation confuses the Priestly categories seems more likely than the views that the deaths of Nadab and Abihu were somehow related to drunkenness, or that strong drink was used to comfort mourners (Hartley, Leviticus, p. 135).

4160. Discharges Causing Uncleanness

Leviticus 15:1-33

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... wondrous and mysterious, so precaution is in order to prevent the semen as a life-producing agent from coming into contact with inappropriate items. It is possible that the emission discussed here is premature, but most commentators do not take that view. We have already noted that verse 18 provides the middle point of the chapter’s structure, thus giving sexual intercourse a significant place, reflecting the mutual interdependence and fulfillment of male and female as part of God’s creation of humanity ...

4161. A Blasphemer Stoned

Leviticus 24:10-23

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... set in the ancient Near Eastern context. Assyrian law was harsher than Hebrew law, as was Babylonian law—though less so. In those traditions, a life could have been required for injury. Here the principle is equal compensation, eye for eye. The Hebrew view is more “humanitarian,” reflective of a respect for human life based on the theological perspective that God is the creator and determiner of human life. The law of retaliation here seeks order and justice in the community, harmony between act and ...

4162. The Sabbath Year

Leviticus 25:1-7

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... like land, property, and slaves. The theological perspective operates out of a creation context, with ancient Israelites functioning as stewards of property and wealth, rather than as owners. God the creator holds that role. The chapter argues that viewing possessions as divine gifts to a community provides a better starting point than promoting the individual right to succeed. The text instructs the reader on the Sabbath and Jubilee years, supplements that instruction, and concludes with attention to ...

4163. The Purity of the Camp

Numbers 5:1-4

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... sense of the phrase is uncertain (Davies, Numbers, pp. 54–56). That the woman’s fertility is at stake is clear in v. 28. 5:31 My exposition of vv. 11–31 operates on the assumption that one can read the section as a coherent whole. Not everyone shares that view (Davies, Numbers, pp. 48–51). The text is rather awkward to read and may have developed over time. Still, a coherent reading is quite plausible in its context in Numbers.

4164. The Nazirite

Numbers 6:1-21

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... be a permanent one, the Nazirite vow apparently developed into one men or women could take for a period of time. The Nazirites were a living parable of the camp’s dedication to God and so a special symbol of the people’s holiness. They provide a positive view of holiness in the camp after the instructions in chapter 5 for removing any impurity from the camp. The NT alludes to the Nazirite vow in Luke 1:15 and Acts 18:18; 21:17–26 and commends the kind of discipline of faith the vow represents. Numbers ...

4165. Miriam and Aaron Oppose Moses

Numbers 12:1-16

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... has married a woman of color—hence the conflict here involves racial prejudice. Later in the narrative when Miriam’s diseased skin turns white, the punishment would fit the crime. That proposal seems more like a contemporary description. See Renita Weems for the view that family jealousy is the issue (Just a Sister Away: A Womanist Vision of Women’s Relationships in the Bible [San Diego: LuraMedia, 1988], pp. 72–74). 12:3 ’Anaw can indicate the poor or afflicted, but it can also refer to humility ...

4166. Supplementary Offerings

Numbers 15:1-21

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... 11–14 on the one hand and to chapter 16 on the other. Also, in contrast to a number of other commentators, he understands chapter 15 to exhibit an internal coherence (Numbers, pp. 90–101). What follows will in general support Olson’s view. The chapter is clearly from the hands of the Priestly tradents. It provides a temporary halt to the intensifying sequence of narratives of rebellion and brings attention back to God’s instruction of the people. The chapter contains several sections connected by ...

4167. Arad Destroyed

Numbers 21:1-3

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... nobles, and scepters and staffs could recall the supervision of the digging or the official opening of the well. The movement of the camp continues until the Israelites reach Pisgah. The people are now well into Moabite territory; Pisgah is a high point providing a view of Canaan and the desert area around the Dead Sea. 21:21–35 The people next encounter the Amorites. They send a diplomatic message to the king Sihon, asking for permission to pass through the country. The message is similar to that sent to ...

4168. Balaam’s First Oracle

Numbers 23:1-12

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... meets privately. At the end of chapter 24, God is the Lord of all human history. Balaam, who in the beginning is unable to see what his donkey sees, comes to see God’s blessing for Israel, defeat for Moab, and God’s future, all as he views the people Israel. The imagery Balaam uses for Israel also grows with the blessing of fruitfulness and the victories of a lion. Israel will enter the promised land and become a victorious power over the region. This narrative shows how the nations have begun to fear ...

4169. Moab Seduces Israel

Numbers 25:1-18

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... are “expose,” “impale,” “hang,” “dismember,” “throw off a cliff.” In broad daylight is literally “in the sun,” indicating some sort of punishment. 25:8 Into the woman’s body is literally “through her belly.” Budd follows the view that the tent is a shrine, some sort of cultic room (Numbers, p. 280). This interpretation would suggest intermarriage or sexual relationship with a Midianite woman leading to apostasy, but the more common rendering, tent, seems preferable here ...

4170. Zelophehad's Daughters

Numbers 27:1-11

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... Zelophehad had no such brother, or his wife was dead, and so Levirate marriage was not an option. The customs of Jubilee and redemption (Lev. 25) also are intended to bring property back to its original tribe and family. Behind all these practices is the view that the land finally belongs to God. A further question about the case of the daughters arises in the last chapter of Numbers: If the daughters marry outside the tribe, does the property go to the new tribe? There, as here, the decision affirms the ...

4171. Vengeance on the Midianites

Numbers 31:1-24

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... removed from the human realm to the divine realm by destruction and in this way is given to God. It is not for human use. These brief comments have not resolved the difficult issues of “holy war”; but we can still learn much from these texts. Simplistic views that use these texts to call upon people to kill, or that dismiss the texts, are to be resisted. Much more fruitful is a genuine struggle with God’s word and the difficult questions it raises. Additional Notes 31:2 The root word for the name of ...

4172. Stages in Israel's Journey

Numbers 33:1-56

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... from Egypt. Moses kept an account of the journey; verse 2 contains one of the few mentions of any writing by Moses. After the Passover, Israel departs from Rameses, one of the cities they built as slaves for Pharaoh (Exod. 1:11). They depart in full view of all the Egyptians, who were burying all their firstborn who died in the final plague. God’s victory over the great Egyptian empire and their gods should encourage the new generation as they face the Canaanites and their gods. 33:5–15 These verses ...

4173. Inheritance of Zelophehad's Daughters

Numbers 36:1-13

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... culminated with apostasy at Shittim (Num. 25). The last chapters of the book witness the transition to a new generation, which holds fast to the tradition of the faith but looks to the future creatively, adapting to unanticipated needs. The new generation views the past through the lens of the present and future, with God as guide. The danger of the immediate encounter with holiness seems distanced by the Levites and priests and also by the dire experiences of the past generation. Israelites look forward ...

4174. The Lord Calls Samuel

1 Samuel 3:1–4:1

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

Samuel’s Calling: The calling of Samuel follows the revoking of the calling of Eli’s family. This reinforces the impression that whatever other successors there may be (Zadok, Jesus Christ), the writers intend Samuel to be viewed as in some sense a replacement for Eli’s sons. Eli is pictured in this chapter and earlier (2:18–21) as graciously mentoring the gifted young Samuel, grooming him for a task that he must have wished could have been carried on by his own family. It seems probable ...

4175. The Philistines Capture the Ark

1 Samuel 4:2-11

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... It is likely that the writers make use of a source detailing the history of the ark (cf. p. 4 above). 4:1b–11 Attention so far has been focused on a fairly small group of people. Now the picture widens to give a view of the situation in the nation. The constant tension between the Israelites and the Philistines, seen in Judges, continues. A battle is described, and not unusually, the Israelites are defeated. The theological understanding is the Israelites’ conviction about the power of God. Their defeat ...

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