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Showing 801 to 825 of 1185 results

801. In Lystra and Derbe

Acts 14:8-20

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... Barnabas restrain the people from sacrificing to them (v. 18). 14:19–20 Their work in Lystra resulted in a little band of believers being gathered. But the missionaries were not left to go about their business in peace. The antagonism of the Jews of Antioch and Iconium pursued them even to this remote spot (for some, a journey of over a hundred miles), where they again stirred up trouble (see 13:50; 14:2, 5; also 17:13). It may have been easy to win the crowd to their side because the apostles had spurned ...

802. The Return to Antioch in Syria

Acts 14:21-28

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... to Jerusalem as a delegate of his church (20:4). Derbe is the only town of those we know they visited in Galatia in which they met with no persecution (cf. 2 Tim. 3:11). Perhaps winter was coming on, making conditions too difficult for the Jews to pursue them. From here it would have been possible for Paul and Barnabas to have continued eastward and to have reached Syrian Antioch by way of the Cilician Gates, though if it were late in the year the prospect of the Gates would have been daunting. But in any ...

803. Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesian Elders

Acts 20:13-38

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... needs and the needs of my companions (v. 34), and one can see him holding up his hands as he said this (the words are placed in an emphatic position in the Greek) in demonstration of something that they knew very well. It seems likely from this that he had pursued his trade again with Aquila and Priscilla (cf. 18:3; see also Rom. 12:13; Eph. 4:28; Titus 3:14). But though he had accepted nothing from the Ephesians, he may have received an occasional gift from another church (cf. Phil. 2:25; 4:16). 20:35 To ...

804. Accusations

2 Corinthians 10:1-18

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... identified with Achaia (cf. 1:1; 9:2; 11:9–10), the idea of beyond in verse 16a is most naturally taken geographically as indicating lands to the west of Achaia, perhaps including Spain (cf. Rom. 15:24, 28). In the westward course he is pursuing, Paul seems confident that there are lands beyond the Corinthians where he can preach without encroaching on another’s jurisdiction and that, at the same time, are legitimately part of the jurisdiction divinely allotted to him. 10:17–18 Paul sums up his point ...

805. Paul's Labor for the Church

Colossians 1:24--2:5

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... by showing that he is the supreme and complete revelation of God (1:15–20). It is not surprising, therefore, that Christ embodies all God’s wisdom and knowledge as well. There is no need for the Colossians to look beyond Christ; there is no purpose in pursuing other systems of thought; there is no value in secret initiations. Christ is all and in him are all things! 2:4 Up to this point it has been suggested that most of Paul’s language and thoughts need to be interpreted within the context of the ...

806. Rules for Holy Living

Colossians 3:1-17

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... vices. Lust (pathos), in this context, probably implies some kind of sexual passion, that is, passion or lust that leads to sexual sin. Its counterpart, evil desires (epithymian kakēn), is used for the desire of something that is forbidden but is pursued in order to satisfy one’s desires. Galatians 5:16, for example, says “Live by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires [epithymia] of the sinful nature.” The last vice to be mentioned is greed (pleonexia), or covetousness (RSV), literally ...

807. Final Instructions

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... retaliate is a contradiction in terms. In the second half of the verse Paul reverts to the plural, making the complementary point to the singular noted above, that we are all expected to act in this way. The command is general to all Christians, literally “pursue the good” (to agathon diōkete), that is, make the best interest of others our aim and work constantly at achieving it (the force of the present imperative and of the adverb, pantote, “always”). The “try to be kind” of NIV is too feeble ...

808. Thanksgiving and Prayer

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... disc. on 1 Thess. 1:6) means “pressures” and can refer to any of the pressures to which we as human beings are subject in this “present evil age” (Gal. 1:4). “Persecutions” is more specific. The noun derives from a verb meaning “to put to flight,” “to pursue,” and refers in particular to trials that come to us as Christians (cf. Matt. 13:21; Mark 4:17; 10:30; Acts 8:1; 13:50; Rom. 8:35; 2 Cor. 12:10; 2 Tim. 3:11). 1:5 From thanksgiving, Paul turns to encouragement. In introducing this ...

809. Request for Prayer

2 Thessalonians 3:1-5

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... then the sense that we have here. This passage is the only place in the NT where it is used of people. Elsewhere it describes things (Luke 23:41; Acts 25:5; 28:6). The second adjective, ponēros, describes those who not simply acquiesce in evil, but actively pursue it. If the reference is to the Jews, it is not, of course, to the Jews per se, but to them as those who oppose the gospel, hindering it in running its course into all the world. This thought leads to the general observation that not everyone has ...

810. Overseers and Deacons

1 Timothy 3:1-16

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... semnous; cf. 2:2, “holiness,” and 3:4, “with proper respect”). This is followed by three prohibitions: “not double-tongued” (NIV, sincere), that is, fully trustworthy in what one says; not indulging in much wine, like the overseers (v. 3); and not pursuing dishonest gain, also like the overseers (v. 3), that is, loving money to the point of questionable integrity. From these characteristics Paul turns to a positive: They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. As ...

811. The Son Superior to Angels

Hebrews 1:1-14

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... . Additional Notes The major concern with angels in the opening chapters of Hebrews has helped some scholars to reach conclusions about the addressees of the epistle. T. W. Manson saw a correlation between the argument of the author of Hebrews and that pursued by Paul against the Jewish-gnostic, Colossian heresy in which, among other things, the worship of angels is mentioned as a specific problem (Col. 2:18, cf. 2:15). He concluded that Apollos (as he argues) wrote Hebrews to the church at Colossae ...

812. Christ's Sacrifice Once for All

Hebrews 10:1-18

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... ’s christological exegesis of the OT. As he likes so much to do (cf. 2:6–9; 3:7–4:10), he first cites the OT text and then presents a midrash, or running commentary, on the passage, by which he supports the argument he is pursuing. In this instance that argument involves the transitory character of the levitical sacrifices and the permanent character of what Christ has done. The author has found an ideal text for his purposes. With Christ as his hermeneutical key, he expounds the deeper meaning of the ...

813. To Elders and Young Men

1 Peter 5:1-11

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... in the days of the exodus as sheep escaping from the wolves of Egypt (1 Enoch 89:10), and goes on in similar terms to describe the wanderings in the wilderness: “The sheep escaped from that water [the Red Sea that overwhelmed the wolves of Egypt pursuing Israel], and went forth into the wilderness, where there was no water and no grass … and I saw the Lord of the sheep pasturing them and giving them water and grass … His appearance was great and terrible and majestic” (1 Enoch 89:28–30). You will ...

814. The Plague of Locusts

Exodus 10:21-29

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... (11:10). Additionally, before the plague of the locusts (v. 1), God claims to have hardened Pharaoh’s heart immediately after the narrator twice states that Pharaoh and his officials hardened their own hearts. Later in the narrative, after Pharaoh had begun preparations to pursue the people to the sea (14:8), the text states that the Lord again hardened his heart. The Lord promised to harden Pharaoh’s or the Egyptians’ hearts in the future (“I will harden,” 4:21; 7:3; 14:4, 17). The balance of ...

815. The Song of Moses and Miriam

Exodus 15:1-21

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... waters stood firm like a wall; the deep waters congealed in the heart of the sea. The descriptive narrative (vv. 9–10) tells how the enemy boasted in six ways (a triad of parallels). We hear the Egyptian’s pride as they boasted of pursuing, overtaking, dividing, gorging, and drawing their swords and destroying. The boast, I will draw (riq) my sword, literally means, “I will clear the field of battle with my sword” by killing everyone. The narrative closes with the enemy sinking—not like a stone ...

816. At Mount Sinai

Exodus 19:1-25

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... the “priests” here as all firstborn sons). The ones who wanted to be “closest to the Lord” were a special problem in God’s eyes. Whether for status or genuine piety, they were willing to put themselves and their families at risk in order to pursue their own personal holiness. (vv. 22, 24; see also Matt. 11:12) The chapter concludes with the Lord’s insistence that Moses go down immediately to warn the people and priests again to observe the limitations that had been set. Perhaps in concession to ...

817. The Ten Commandments

Exodus 20:1-21

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... 34:17; Lev. 19:4; 26:1; Deut. 4:9–12, 16, 23, 25; 27:15 and Miller, “Decalogue,” p. 235. In developed civilizations, the manipulation of created things to produce life-changing technologies, prosperous economies, and the freedom to pursue individual self-realization continues to entice and enslave the people of God. Luther broadened and internalized this command by summarizing its meaning: “We are to fear, love, and trust God above anything else” (Smaller Catechism). The command against idols has ...

818. Ai Destroyed

Joshua 8:1-29

Understanding Series

J. Gordon Harris

... of the thirty thousand men hid in ambush between Bethel and Ai on the west side of Ai. In this encounter, unlike the first one, the enemy underestimated the tribal forces. As the frontal force attacked, the forces of Ai hurried to meet the attack and pursue the soldiers they easily had beaten earlier. 8:18–29 Once the enemy left their protection and chased the troops a sufficient distance, Joshua signaled the ambush to begin as God directed him: Hold out toward Ai the javelin that is in your hand, for ...

819. Northern Kings Defeated

Joshua 11:1-23

Understanding Series

J. Gordon Harris

... warfare in giving the people the land. The battle has three facets. One is that Joshua surprises the forces of Hazor at the Waters of Merom, an ideal place to corner an army and to make chariots ineffective. Joshua then pursues the forces until no remnant is left. Finally, the Israelite forces cripple the horses and burn the chariots. Again, decisive leadership, effective pursuit, and faithfulness to herem instructions allow the people to triumph. Joshua next attacks the fortresses themselves. The narrator ...

820. Wives for the Benjamites

Judges 21:1-25

Understanding Series

Cheryl A. Brown

... to the ends of the earth (Isa. 43:10; 45:22; 49:6). Of course, human nature being what it is, good resolve was not always realized. There continued to be ups and downs along the way. But even so, the Lord’s covenant love compelled him to continue to pursue his beloved, to “speak to her heart” and to offer his shalom to those, both far and near (Isa. 57:19), who would receive it.

821. Ezra's Prayer about Intermarriage

Ezra 9:1-15

Understanding Series

Leslie C. Allen

... no place in the new Israel, as the narratives of 4:1–4 and 6:21 had made clear, using similar language. The latter verse mentioned proselytes who had renounced such tainted practices. Here, however, conversion was not envisioned as an option, and racial purity was pursued on religious grounds. If one seeks to harmonize 6:21 and chapters 9–10, the reference in 6:21 could only be to nonexiled Judeans who renounced pagan assimilation, so that the crossing of racial lines was not a factor. It is clear from ...

822. Wisdom's Call

Proverbs 8:1-36

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... Instead of the sage speaking, Wisdom continues, employing the exhortatory style used by the sage (cf. 4:1; 5:7; 7:24). A threefold insistence upon listening (and that means obeying) culminates in the beatitude of verse 35 where the suitor of Woman Wisdom is portrayed as ardently pursuing her. The suitor is at her very doors. The doors of the strange woman in 5:8 and the door of Woman Folly in 9:14 make an interesting contrast. Verse 35 sums up the message of Wisdom: life comes as a favor from the LORD (or ...

823. Proverbs of Solomon

Proverbs 13:1-25

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... :14 As in verse 13, the torah or teaching of the sage is meant. Fountain of life is fresh, flowing water (cf. 10:11). The snares of death are wrongdoing, but the imagery is taken from the mythological concept of the Ugaritic god Mot (Death), who pursues every living thing, entrapping them. The parallelism is synthetic, in that verse 14b continues the thought of verse 14a, without duplicating it. 13:15 Verse 15a is clear, but as the NIV marginal note would indicate, the parallel line in verse 15b is suspect ...

824. Proverbs of Solomon

Proverbs 19:1-29

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... for p in the Hebrew word špṭym, in order to specify the punishment, namely, “rods” instead of penalties. Additional Notes 19:7 This is a three-line saying, in contrast to the usual two lines. The final line does not make any sense: “the one who pursues words, not they” (or, if one follows the Qere: “his they are”). This has so far resisted all attempts at translation. The LXX has another line inserted ahead of it, and has added “will not be saved” at the end of the verse. The line is best ...

825. More Proverbs of Solomon

Proverbs 27:1-27

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... ) seeing himself more truly, or of two persons (more probable?), one of whom sees him- or herself more truly in the reflection of another. 27:20 Adopt the marginal reading of the NIV. Sheol/ Death is personified in the OT as a dynamic power that pursues human beings insatiably (cf. 30:15–16). There is an implicit comparison with human eyes that here represent the manifold human desires (cf. Eccl. 4:8). 27:21 See 17:3, where the Lord does the testing. Here one’s praise does the testing (hapax legomenon ...

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