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Showing 4401 to 4425 of 4963 results

4401. Final Instructions

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... ’s advice to remedy this situation is found in verses 12 and 13 (on the form of this parenesis, see disc. on 4:1–12 but note that it does not conform fully to the pattern set out there, in that it has no prepositional phrase). The remaining verses of the section present us with a triple series of brief instructions. The first instruction consists of five pastoral exhortations, the last occurring in both a negative and a positive form (vv. 14f., again see disc. on 4:1–12 for the parenetic structure of ...

4402. Request for Prayer

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... of this verse and the next to be the Father (see note on 1 Thess. 1:1). The things we command includes earlier teaching whether by word or by letter (cf. 1 Thess. 4:1 and see disc. on 1 Thess. 4:11 for parangellō, “to command”). This teaching remains valid (note the present tense). Some of it as touching community life is found in the verses that follow. 3:5 The verb 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 ...

4403. Warnings Against Idleness

2 Thessalonians 3:6-15

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... cf. 1 Thess. 4:1 and 1 Cor. 5:4f. for the use of this phrase in connection with church discipline; for the titles Lord and Christ see note on 1 Thess. 1:1). But, for all the authority with which he speaks, Paul’s affection for his readers remains. He calls them brothers (see disc. on 1 Thess. 1:4), including those who are in error. The church, he says, is to keep away (stellomai, used of furling sails but here of withdrawing into oneself; cf. 2 Cor. 8:20), from every brother who is idle, literally “who ...

4404. The Lord's Grace to Paul

1 Timothy 1:12-20

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... . 1 Cor. 14:16) and often concludes the NT doxologies as well (e.g., Gal. 1:5; Rom. 16:27). With this doxology, Paul brings the digression to a sudden conclusion. He has indeed come a considerable distance from the opening charge to Timothy to remain in Ephesus to oppose the false teachers (vv. 3–4). But as we have seen, none of this is without purpose. Lingering just behind every word are the erring elders and their “diseased” teaching (1:11), with its emphasis on Law and speculations, which stands ...

4405. Instructions to Timothy

1 Timothy 4:1-16

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... understandings are seldom relevant at a later stage in a word’s use and are certainly irrelevant here. 4:7–8 For a similar use of “old-wives’ fables” in a polemical context, see Lucian, Lover of Lies 9: “Your stories still remain old wives’ fables.” There has been a significant tradition of interpretation that sees physical training to be a metaphor in these sentences to refer to a degree of allowable asceticism (e.g., Bernard, Calvin, Easton): “the discipline of the body … to be ...

4406. A Workman Approved by God

2 Timothy 2:14-26

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... come to know the true God” (HS 2, p. 357). Irenaeus (Against Heresies 1.23.5) refers to a Gnostic sect who believed that disciples of their founder (Simon) would “obtain the resurrection by being baptized into him, and can die no more, but remain in the possession of immortal youth” (ANF, vol. 1, p. 348). A Supporting Analogy from Household Vessels The main point of verses 14–19 was to reassert the need for Timothy—and God’s people—to “avoid [the] godless chatter” of the false teachers ...

4407. Final Greetings

2 Timothy 4:19-22

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... and Aquila is something of a surprise—not that Paul would greet them, but that they are back in Ephesus. Paul first met them in Corinth, where they had gone from Rome after the edict of Claudius (Acts 18:1–3). They then accompanied Paul to Ephesus, where they remained for some time (Acts 18:18–26; in 1 Cor. 16:19 a church meets in their house). A little later they are apparently in Rome, where again they have a house-church (Rom. 16:3–4); and now we find them again in Ephesus. Aquila himself was a ...

4408. Thanksgiving and Prayer

Philemon 1:1-7

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... task are outlined in Paul’s Letter to Philemon, which, according to Knox, is the “letter from Laodicea” (Col. 4:16). There are too many difficulties, however, with this theory, and the identity of Archippus, beyond what is said in Colossians and Philemon, remains highly speculative. 3 The closing of Paul’s salutation is similar to Colossians 1:2 and the way in which Paul addresses other congregations as well. Grace … and peace are two of the greatest gifts of the Christian life. Additional Notes 2 ...

4409. Doing What is Good

Titus 3:1-11

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... in showing public spirit,” p. 172; cf. Kelly, Guthrie, Hendriksen). More likely this is a generalizing imperative that prepares the way for the rest of the list. It could include civic duty, but need not be so limiting. Actually, this and the remaining items stand in sharp contrast to the false teachers. The latter are “unqualified for any good work” (1:16); believers are to be ready to do “any good work.” The false teachers are involved in “arguments” and “quarrels” (3:9); God’s ...

4410. Personal Instructions and Greetings

Titus 3:12-15

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... as for the purpose of providing for daily necessities (lit., “necessary needs”). Consequently, this final word lifts the concern above those attitudinal and behavioral “deeds” that stand basically in contrast to the arguments and quarrels of the false teachers. It remains uncertain whether to provide for daily necessities reflects their need to work so as to supply their own everyday needs (so NIV, NEB, JB, NAB) or to help with the “urgent needs” (Kelly) of others (RSV, GNB, et al.). The ...

4411. Jesus Greater Than Moses

Hebrews 3:1-6

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... builder and the house he builds. Jesus has been found worthy of greater honor (lit., “glory”) than Moses in the same way that a builder necessarily has greater honor than the house itself. The author in effect associates Jesus with the builder whereas Moses remains associated with the house. Jesus, as we have seen, has an all-important role in the very possibility that any house, in the sense just described, could come into being. The church depends upon the work of Jesus the apostle and high priest for ...

4412. The High Priesthood of Jesus

Hebrews 4:14-5:10

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... high priest. First the author reviews the role and calling of high priests (5:1–4), and then he turns to the qualifications of Jesus as high priest (5:5–10). 4:14 The fact that Jesus is a great high priest will enable the readers to remain true; the exhortation implies their tendency to waver. Great here suggests the uniqueness of this particular possessor of that exalted office. This indeed is no ordinary high priest. He is the man Jesus, but also the unique Son of God, the one who has gone through the ...

4413. The High Priest of a New Covenant

Hebrews 8:1-13

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... and have been carried off into exile, all this by way of judgment upon the people for their disobedience. The root problem, and the reason why the new covenant will be unlike the old (for the old, see Exod. 19:5), is because they did not remain faithful to (lit., “continue in”) my covenant. The old covenant was unable to produce obedience, and hence judgment came upon the nation (and I turned away from them). The new covenant, however, will accomplish what the old could not do: it will produce true ...

4414. The Christian and the World

James 4:1-12

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

... :19–20) and those that introduce waiting (Luke 11:5–13; 18:1–8) or conditions (Matt. 17:20; 1 John 5:14, 16). Some of the problems can be solved by better exegesis, (e.g., Matt. 18:19–20 has a specific context that is often ignored), but difficulties remain. M. Dibelius, James, p. 219, sees the conditional verses as a response to the dashed hopes of an earlier period; but the situation is hardly so simple, for both types are found in the same literature (e.g., James has 1:5–8; 4:3; and 5:14–16 ...

4415. The Living Stone and a Chosen People

1 Peter 2:4-12

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... the land is mine; for you are strangers and sojourners with me” (Lev. 25:23, RSV). The Israelites are depicted in Leviticus as no longer wandering in the wilderness but as having reached the promised land. Yet even so, their status is to remain that of sojourners and pilgrims. In relation to the society in which they are living, Christian believers are aliens. They are pilgrims in a world that is either apathetic or hostile. Their true home is in heaven with their Lord. Nevertheless, Christians presently ...

4416. Living for God

1 Peter 4:1-11

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... : sexual misconduct (debauchery, lust), intemperance (drunkenness, orgies, carousing), and misdirected worship (detestable idolatry). The last would often have involved all the other malpractices. The Christians’ unconverted lives have in that respect been utterly wasted. Less of their earthly life now remains for the Lord’s work to be carried out, so the fulfilling of God’s will is all the more urgent. 4:4 The lives of the Christians have been so turned around by their conversion to Jesus Christ that ...

4417. Making One's Calling and Election Sure

2 Peter 1:1-11

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... . 3, pp. 925–27. Knowledge (gnōsis): see Turner, pp. 247–49; TDNT, vol. 1, pp. 689–714; NIDNTT, vol. 2, pp. 392–408. 1:6 Self-control (enkrateia): see TDNT, vol. 2, pp. 339–42; NIDNTT, vol. 1, pp. 494–96. Perseverance (hypomonē, lit. a remaining under): see Turner, pp. 318–19; TDNT, vol. 4, pp. 581–88; NIDNTT, vol. 2, pp. 772–76. Godliness (eusebeia): see Turner, pp. 111–12; TDNT, vol. 7, pp. 175–85; NIDNTT, vol. 2, pp. 91–95. 1:7 Brotherly kindness (philadelphia): see TDNT, vol. 1 ...

4418. The Sin and Doom of Godless Men

Jude 1:1-16

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... towns … serve as an example of those who suffer the punishment of eternal fire. What happened to Sodom and Gomorrah may have taken place a long time ago as far as Jude’s readers were concerned. But the event remains as a permanent warning for all generations. The godless intruders among Jude’s Christian friends betray a decadence that pervades their whole lives, which these OT examples illustrate. Physically, these men have become immoral. Intellectually, they have grown arrogant. Spiritually ...

4419. The Israelites Oppressed

Exodus 1:1-22

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... ongoing narrative of God’s work, creating a people who will bring blessings to all the nations. As in Genesis, God’s work with the family of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob continued in Exodus. We are reminded that they “went to Egypt” and remained as “sojourners,” though they lived there for many generations. The names Israel and Jacob, both mentioned in these verses, referred to the same person. Why use both names? The emerging nation would be commonly referred to as the “sons of Israel” (lit ...

4420. Bricks Without Straw

Exodus 5:1-21

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... and six inches deep. The stalks or decaying straw provided humic acid, which increased its effectiveness as a binder. The labor was intensified when the people scattered all over Egypt to gather stubble to use for straw. “Stubble” generally refers to the dried-out 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 ...

4421. The Plague on Livestock

Exodus 9:1-7

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... they were introduced to Egypt under Persian rule in the 6th century B.C. 9:6 “All the livestock of the Egyptians died.” The phrase “all the cattle of the Egyptians” (v. 6, kol miqneh) has been problematic for understanding what animals remained to suffer the plagues of boils on “the animals” (v. 10, behemah), and the death of the “livestock” and “animals” by hail (v. 19, miqneh and behemah). The common solution is to call it an intentional exaggeration (like the expression “all the ...

4422. The Plague of Locusts

Exodus 10:21-29

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... to Moses’ God. He has finally been humbled by a superior power. He says nothing about letting the people go but is simply a supplicant. Not capable of giving mercy, still he seeks it. God gives him the mercy he sought (removal of the locusts), but Pharaoh remains locked in his pattern of self-serving. His confession of humility is primarily for the benefit of the reader of the text. It was too late for the pharaoh in any case. The narrative begins and ends with the Lord hardening his heart (vv. 1, 20 ...

4423. The Plague on the Firstborn

Exodus 11:1-10

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... . The Creator, who gave life, would remove the gift of living. Even the slave girl, who is at her hand mill (at midnight, probably because it was the only time she had to grind meal for herself) would lose her son. Even the firstborn of the cattle that remained would die. The loud wailing (tseʿaqah) would be worse than there has ever been, even worse than the cries (zaʿaq) of the Hebrew slaves to God (2:23). The unanswered cry contrasts with the answered cry in the words of the psalmist (Ps. 22:1–5 ...

4424. The Exodus

Exodus 12:31-42

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... mind until they had begun their exit (14:4). The third bulletin describes the people’s hurry with their bread because the Egyptian people urged them to hurry and leave the country. With someone dead in each house, they were afraid more would die if the Israelites remained. In the midst of the havoc, the detail about the care of the bread may seem odd and out of place. Yet, it was the primary symbol of their deliverance (like the bread and chalice in the Lord’s Supper). Even in this dark hour of haste ...

4425. Crossing the Sea

Exodus 13:17--14:31

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... proliferation of ancient pyramid tombs. This would not be the last time that their situation was “too much to bear.” They would speak of preferring to serve and die in Egypt twice again in Exodus (16:3; 17:3). Whom they would serve/worship remained the issue in the midst of the crisis. Their experience of bondage had taught them to avoid these kinds of encounters with the Egyptians. Systematized bondage functions best by means of effective fear, not by mass murder of the labor force. The Hebrews were ...

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