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 1276 to 1300 of 1622 results

1276. Jesus Heals a Paralytic

Mark 2:1-12

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... house construction in many ancient Mediterranean areas. Matt. 9:1–8 omits any reference to the paralytic being lowered through the roof. 2:6 Teachers of the law is literally “scribes”; these were people trained in the religious law of Judaism, experts in opinion of proper conduct. They appear several times in Mark as critics of Jesus, often with people called Pharisees (e.g., 2:16; see notes on this verse), during Jesus’ Galilean ministry, and in Jerusalem with the priests of the Jewish temple (e.g ...

1277. Clean and Unclean

Mark 7:1-23

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... phrase could also be understood as dependent on the immediately preceding clause thus: “and then goes on out of the body, cleansing all foods,” meaning that all foods wind up in the same place! The KJV renders the phrase quite literally. If the popular opinion of the meaning of the phrase (as reflected in the NIV translation) is correct, Mark intended by this phrase to make the application of Jesus’ teaching plain to his readers. There are other examples of such editorial comments in Mark (e.g., 3:30 ...

1278. Divorce

Mark 10:1-12

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... any question about whether a man might be free to end his marriage by divorce, the only concern reflected in the ancient rabbinic tradition being that a man give proper official certification of the divorce to his wife. There was a difference of opinion between two major schools of ancient rabbinic thought about what were the legitimate causes for divorcing a woman. One school insisted that the only valid reason was sexual impurity in the wife, and the other argued that the wife could be sent away simply ...

1279. Signs of the End of the Age

Mark 13:1-31

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... will show, what is described here is the very event predicted in 13:1–2 that precipitated the disciples’ questions about the future, namely, the destruction of Jerusalem and its temple, which happened in the Jewish revolt of A.D. 66–70. Scholarly opinion is divided over whether Mark wrote a short time before, or after, the siege of Jerusalem, but in either event Mark’s first readers would have found this discussion intensely interesting. The expression Mark uses in 13:14, the abomination that causes ...

1280. The Lord's Supper

Mark 14:12-26

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... ’s Supper, in the early church (see Matt. 26:26–29; Luke 22:15–20; 1 Cor. 11:23–25). Scholars differ over several matters in their attempt to reconstruct the original form of the sayings over the cup and the bread and also in their opinions about which of the four accounts gives us the earliest version of the event. We cannot discuss all these questions here; instead, our aim will be to understand the Markan account, though we will make some reference to the other accounts in the notes. The Passover ...

1281. The Resurrection

Mark 16:1-20

Understanding Series

Larry W. Hurtado

... a divine vindication of Jesus. (For a discussion of the place of Jesus’ resurrection in the NT and its meaning for today, see G. E. Ladd, I Believe in the Resurrection of Jesus [Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1975]; and for a review of recent scholarly opinion of the subject, see, e.g., G. O’Collins, The Resurrection of Jesus Christ [Valley Forge, Penn.: Judson, 1973]; “The Resurrection in Contemporary Theology,” NIDNTT, vol. 3. pp. 281–309). 16:7 His disciples and Peter: Here the power of this statement ...

1282. The Parable of the Good Samaritan

Luke 10:25-37

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... 10:25 Jesus is put to the test. (This test is not necessarily “trap,” as some versions translate, for there is no indication of hostility in the balance of the episode.) The legal expert is interested in Jesus’ theology. He wants to know what, in Jesus’ opinion, is required to inherit eternal life. In rabbinic style Jesus answers the question with a question of his own: “What is written in the Law?” and, “How do you read it?” The expert then cites Deut. 6:5 and Lev. 19:18 (see note below ...

1283. The Coming of the Kingdom of God

Luke 17:20-37

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... of prey” (Fitzmyer, p. 1168; see note below). Additional Notes 17:20 Fitzmyer (p. 1160) notes that nothing in the passage suggests that the Pharisees’ question is a test or is asked in contempt; rather, the question arises from a genuine interest to know Jesus’ opinion concerning the end time. 17:21 The Lucan statement that the kingdom of God is within you (see note on 4:43 above), not paralleled in the other Gospels, is found in the non-canonical work, the Gospel of Thomas (late first or early second ...

1284. The Authority of Jesus Questioned

Luke 20:1-8

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... to their questions, his reply is much more than a dodge. By asking if John’s baptism was from heaven, or from men, Jesus has forced his opponents either to deny John’s heavenly authority altogether, which would fly in the face of popular opinion (even Pharisees had gone out to John), or to acknowledge John’s authority, which would undermine their challenge to Jesus, since he had himself been baptized by John, who had declared Jesus to be superior (3:16). Of course, had they acknowledged John’s ...

1285. God's Righteous Judgment

Romans 2:1-16

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... will be the same for both. On the idea of knowledge of the law versus obedience to it, the early rabbinic tradition was agreed that the practice of Torah was more important than the study of Torah, and thus in general consensus with Paul. A reversal of rabbinic opinion occurred, however, about A.D. 135 when under Hadrian the death penalty was decreed for the study as well as for the practice of Torah. At the Council of Lydda the rabbis declared that in the face of death a Jew could violate any law (with the ...

1286. Struggling with Sin

Romans 7:7-25

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... in verses 14ff. The contrast between the spirituality of the law and the unspirituality of humanity dominates the thought until the end of the chapter. The style and mood evoke startling pathos We know, confesses Paul, that the law is spiritual. That is not an isolated opinion, but the summary judgment of Judaism: “And these are they that have no share in the world to come: … he that says that the law is not from heaven,” declares the Mishnah (Sanh. 10.1). The law is spiritual because it is given by ...

1287. Future Glory

Romans 8:18-27

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... for glory (2 Cor. 4:16–17). 8:18 The section begins with a pronouncement: I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. Consider (logizesthai) implies not a mere opinion but a statement of gravity, an authoritative judgment. The sufferings of the present seem slight when compared to the glory that will be revealed. Sufferings are not illusory or mere surface scratches, however. Some religions, like Hinduism, maintain that matter, including ...

1288. The Remnant of Israel

Romans 11:1-10

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... 1 Kings 19:18). The Greek original does not exactly say God’s answer. A word occurring only once in all the NT, ho chrēmatismos, and meaning, “a divine statement or answer,” appears here. The choice of expression heightens the contrast between Elijah’s opinion and the divine authority: Elijah may figure he is the only true believer left, but in actuality there were seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal. Seven thousand is not to be understood as 6, 999 + 1; in Hebrew thinking it means ...

1289. Personal Greetings

Romans 16:1-27

Understanding Series

James R. Edwards

... herself to Paul, for he calls her his mother. Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas (v. 14) are all either Latin or Greek slave names. Phlegon was the name of a dog in Xenophon; we would hope the name did not represent his owner’s opinion of him. The groups of names in this and the following verse suggest members of two house churches. Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas (v. 15) are likewise slave names, among which Julia was common in the imperial household. Paul directs the ...

1290. Divisions In the Church

1 Corinthians 1:10-17

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... ), but that they be perfectly united in the same mind and in the same conviction (positive). The word mind, which Paul uses in the last phrase, usually has the sense of disposition or mentality; the word translated here as thought may be rendered “judgment,” “opinion,” “advice,” and “consent” (see 7:25, 40; 2 Cor. 8:10; Phlm. 14). In this christologically focused appeal for unity, Paul is making a plea similar to the well-known one he issued in Philippians 2:5. This call for unity aims at ...

1291. Gifts of Prophecy and Tongues

1 Corinthians 14:1-25

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... Paul’s own idealized first-person statement in 13:11. Here he literally calls for them to “become perfect” or “complete ones,” although the plain sense of the admonition is “Grow up!” Moreover, in an aside that may be an indirect comment concerning his opinion of what all the problems in Corinth amount to, Paul expresses his desire that they be naive in terms of evil. 14:21 Paul refers to “the law” (Gk. nomos), a designation most often applied to the books of Moses, and then quotes Isaiah ...

1292. The Woman and the Dragon

Revelation 12:1--13:1a

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... the inhabitants of the earth as well as the Christians to repentance. The author insists that the Christians in no way have ‘made it’ but that they are still in danger of losing their share in the New Jerusalem” (Revelation, p. 108). In our opinion, her point is keenly felt in this central section of John’s Revelation. 12:1 Because the woman appears as a heavenly sign, Ladd understands the woman as the “ideal church in heaven” (Revelation, p. 167). This, however, makes no sense of the woman ...

1293. The Beast out of the Sea

Revelation 13:1b-10

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... ’s faith in an anti-Christian world, the second couplet (v. 10b) hopes for vindication for saints who “overcome” the beast’s rhetorical and political threats with patient endurance and faithfulness. Additional Notes 13:1b–2 In my opinion, identifying the first beast with a particular “antichrist”—whether a particular Roman ruler (Schüssler Fiorenza, Revelation, p. 117) or some future world ruler (Morris, Revelation, p. 160)—is too restricting. The beast is symbolic of those ruling ...

1294. Jonathan Eats Honey

1 Samuel 14:24-48

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... ’s descendant at the beginning of the chapter (v. 3) prefaces this discussion. 14:24–30 The first incident is Jonathan’s unwitting breaking of an oath instituted by his father. The reference to the distress of the army indicates the writers’ low opinion about the value of this oath, but the words of Jonathan illustrate how foolish it was. Saul again attempts to ensure that God is behind their action, but his understanding of what God requires (and presumably therefore of who God is) is limited. His ...

1295. The Lord Rejects Saul as King

1 Samuel 15:1-35

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... grief forms an inclusio for this section. God’s grief is not that he had allowed a king to be appointed, but that that king had been Saul. The reader is left to meditate on how the God who does not change could nevertheless alter his opinion about Saul. Additional Notes It is impossible to tell how much time elapsed between the events of chs. 13 and 14 and ch. 15. The incidents are not directly related, but there is a continuing interest in obedience and disobedience, with an underlying reflection on why ...

1296. David, Nabal, Abigail

1 Samuel 25:1-44

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... the throne of Israel, and the fact that God is behind him, who fights the LORD’s battles. The details and clarity of her speech indicate that Abigail is not simply protecting the farm staff from being harmed but also expressing her own firmly held opinions. Her final request, that when he is in control he should remember her, parallels Saul’s request in the previous chapter (24:21). David has an opportunity to grant her request sooner than might have been expected. 25:32–44 David recognizes Abigail as ...

1297. The Advice of Hushai and Ahithophel

2 Sam 16:15–17:29

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... 2) was only a slip of the tongue, but in the overall narrative it has added significance. Absalom could not be king until David was dead. Ahithophel’s plan was good and Absalom recognized it as such. However, Absalom wanted to get Hushai’s opinion as well. 17:7–14 Hushai also recognized Ahithophel’s advice as good and therefore cleverly counseled differently. David had a great reputation as a strategist and a warrior that had given the people an almost superstitious respect for his abilities. Hushai ...

1298. Job's Second Test

Job 2:1-10

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... “mislead,” indicating that the Satan is responsible for misleading God to attack Job wrongly. This leaves us with an unnecessarily weak picture of a God who can be deceived into acting inappropriately. Clines (Job 1–20, p. 43) is right, in my opinion, to understand swt in the more positive sense of “urge” or “attempt to persuade.” Otherwise these words undermine the key issue of the book, since Job’s conflict is with God and not the Satan. The Satan poses the question regarding the validity ...

1299. Job’s Reply to Zophar

Job 12:1--14:22

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... be as discriminating in its reception of words as the tongue is as it tastes food. Not all food pleases the tongue, and some things taken into the mouth will be rejected as unfit or unworthy to eat. Similarly, Job implies, not all opinions, no matter how carefully constructed or authoritatively espoused, are worthy of acceptance. That is why, he suggests, discerning wisdom is the province of the aged, who through long life should gain the experience that guides understanding. In the hymn that follows, Job ...

1300. Job's Second Reply to Bildad

Job 19:1-29

Understanding Series

Gerald H. Wilson

... describes his plight as like that of the hunted animal entangled and drawn fast in the hunter’s net. God is the hunter who has captured the hapless prey in his trap. Additional Notes 19:6 The NIV translation wronged is overly interpretive, in my opinion, since the verb means more accurately “pervert, mislead from what is normal.” Job describes what has happened in his experience rather than evaluating it. Among God’s Enemies 19:7 Job shifts his focus now from the friends to the attack of God. His ...

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