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Antonyms: keep, claim, continue, stick by, self-control, power through, achieve, defend, bear, hope, acquire, quick visit, adopt, continue along, adhere, remain, pursue, support, take up, keep up, reuse, advocate, stay, persevere, cherish, keep going, carry on

Showing 1701 to 1725 of 2404 results

1701. Israel Rebels Against Rehoboam

2 Chronicles 10:1--11:4

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... my father’s waist is difficult to interpret, because the word for “finger” is absent from the Hebrew phrase (literally “my little thing”). If “finger” is correct as many think, the line would brag that what Solomon had to go to war to achieve (i.e., to “gird [his] loins”), Rehoboam could get done simply by moving his “little finger.” Another possibility, however, is that “my little thing” is a euphemism for the penis. If so, the words “would add rash vulgarity to the charge of ...

1702. Hezekiah Purifies the Temple

2 Chronicles 29:1-36

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... 14 in connection with the exile), all other occurrences of this verb are in the narratives on David, Solomon, Hezekiah, and Josiah. The Chronicler develops a special relationship between these four kings (see commentary on 34:1–36:1). This is achieved by means of, among other things, the use of certain programmatic terminology such as “consecrate.” The consecration of the temple is further described in the phrase remove all defilement from the sanctuary (“sanctuary” is haqqodesh, a word related to ...

1703. Manasseh King of Judah

2 Chronicles 33:1-20

Understanding Series

Louis C. Jonker

... , which emphasizes the writer’s courage in reinterpreting the older traditions (see Additional Note on 33:11–13 and 33:18–19). 33:14–17 This section (absent from the Deuteronomistic source text) is a typical addition by the Chronicler that shows the achievements and successes of King Manasseh after his return to Jerusalem. Apart from new building projects in the City of David, he also instituted some cultic reforms in which he got rid of the idol objects and restored the altar of the LORD and ...

1704. Philip and the Ethiopian

Acts 8:26-40

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... to the Christian demonstration of the necessity of Christ’s death. But did Luke himself see that necessity? Because the verses quoted here speak only of the Servant’s humiliation, not of his death, it has been said that Luke lacked interest in what was achieved by Christ’s suffering (the atonement). But his writing is not without reference to Christ’s suffering for others (e.g., 20:28; Luke 22:19f.), and the mention of the lamb even in these verses would surely have connoted sacrifice to anyone of ...

1705. Saul’s Conversion

Acts 9:1-19a

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... end of the trade route across the Taurus Mountains, through the Cilician Gates, to Cappadocia, Lycaonia, and inner Asia Minor generally. The city passed into Roman hands from the crumbling Seleucid Empire before 100 B.C., though effective rule was not achieved until after 66 B.C. Under the later Seleucids, it had become one of the three great university cities of the Mediterranean world. Strabo speaks of the Tarsian university as even surpassing, in some respects, those of Athens and Alexandria (Geography ...

1706. On Cyprus

Acts 13:4-12

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

The end result of the “first missionary journey” was a giant step forward for the church, though in terms of the actual distance covered it was a more modest achievement. It took Barnabas and Paul to Cyprus and then through parts of Asia Minor. Luke has sometimes been accused of inventing the itinerary set out in this narrative, but this seems highly unlikely. First, it is hard to believe that he would have included the story of Mark’s defection ...

1707. The Council at Jerusalem

Acts 15:1-21

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... 2:7). Second, the Masoretes (Jewish scribes) read the unvocalized Hebrew word ‘-d-m as “Edom” and made it the object of the sentence; the translators of the LXX read the same word as “man” and made it the subject (either result can be achieved by a different vocalization of the same Hebrew consonants). As a consequence, in the LXX Israel does not possess the lands, but the nations are converted. Broadly speaking, however, the result in both the Hebrew and the Greek texts is the same, namely, the ...

1708. Priscilla, Aquila, and Apollos

Acts 18:18-28

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... new age, marking (among other things) the believer’s entry into the gift of the Spirit (see notes on 2:2ff. and disc. on 2:38; 19:4). Apollos may have accepted that Jesus was the Messiah without knowing the full extent of his messianic achievement. One wonders whether he even knew of the resurrection of Jesus. 18:26 Whatever his deficiencies, Apollos at least had the courage of his convictions. He first came to Aquila and Priscilla’s notice when he spoke boldly (about Jesus) in the synagogue at Ephesus ...

1709. Paul in Ephesus

Acts 19:1-22

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... deals with the situation himself. These verses include also a brief description of his ministry in Ephesus, aspects of which are illustrated in the following section. But again we must turn to Paul’s letters to fill out our knowledge of these years. They show that his achievement in Ephesus was at the cost of much suffering (1 Cor. 15:32; 2 Cor. 1:8; 4:9ff.; 6:4ff.), including, perhaps, an imprisonment (cf. 2 Cor. 11:23) and a “flying visit” to Corinth in an attempt to bring order into that church’s ...

1710. The Storm

Acts 27:13-26

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

27:13 With a light wind blowing from the south, they had high hopes of reaching the more desirable anchorage of Phoenix some forty miles to the west. At first all went well, though Luke gives the impression that rounding Cape Matala was achieved only after some anxious moments. The emphatic way in which he introduces the statement that they sailed “closer” (than was desirable) along the coast of Crete implies that their ability to weather the point was for a time in doubt. 27:14–15 But then, as they ...

1711. The God of All Comfort

2 Corinthians 1:1-11

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... . The Corinthians’ prayers function not only as entreaty on behalf of the apostle for deliverance from death but also as a sign of solidarity with him in the face of opposition (see also Rom. 15:30–31; Phil. 1:19). Prayer is just one way to achieve unity (cf. also 1 Thess. 5:25; Phlm. 22). In verse 11b the ultimate purpose (hina, lit., “in order that”) of the Corinthians’ prayers on behalf of the apostle is doxological, that is, praise to God for Paul’s ministry. By intervening and saving Paul ...

1712. Body

2 Corinthians 5:1-10

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... in his hand.” Seen in light of this passage, Paul does want to be found “naked” in the sense of being physically buried without receiving a reward for his apostolic suffering and labor. As he stated in 4:17, “our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.” If Paul were to die without attaining to the resurrection and receiving what he expects at the final judgment (cf. 5:10), his whole apostolic ministry will have been in vain, a striving after ...

1713. Body / Ambassador

2 Corinthians 5:11--6:2

Understanding Series

James M. Scott

... :6, through the discussion of the transformation of Paul’s mortal body in 4:7–5:10, through to the present passage—many commentators misunderstand the reference to “face” in 5:12 as figurative, i.e., the opponents’ boasting in their own outward achievements (cf. 11:22–23). The opponents’ criterion for boasting (i.e., the face) is juxtaposed to Paul’s own, that is, the heart. In 2 Corinthians, the apostle repeatedly emphasizes the condition of his heart in relation to the Corinthians (cf. 2 ...

1714. Identification and a Wish for Grace and Peace

Galatians 1:1-10

Understanding Series

L. Ann Jervis

... beings were caught in a struggle with what was commonly called their passions. Pagans turned to religion and philosophy in search of freedom from the passions. The challenge was to find a way to be freed from bondage to the passions and so to achieve god-like peace. Such a goal was understood as important for individuals and for society. Plutarch wrote: a city without holy places and gods, without any observance of prayers, oaths, oracles … might rather be formed without the ground it stands on than a ...

1715. Paul's Concern for the Galatians

Galatians 4:8-20

Understanding Series

L. Ann Jervis

... persecution from other Jews; the agenda of the troublemakers was in part to protect Jewish members of the church, particularly those in Judea who were known to have connection to Gentiles throughout the Mediterranean world. If the troublemakers could achieve the circumcision of Gentiles who had contact with Jews they would protect Judean Jewish Christians and gain “public recognition for their loyalty to Torah” (“The Agitators and the Galatian Congregation,” NTS 17 [1971], pp. 198–212, esp. p. 206 ...

1716. Freedom In Christ

Galatians 5:1-15, Galatians 5:16-26

Understanding Series

L. Ann Jervis

... . Philosophical and religious thinkers in the ancient world understood that desire was intrinsic to human nature and that it was a trap from which it was necessary to be freed. Desire means one makes one’s happiness or peace hostage to achieving or receiving what one desires, whether it be money, position, or another person. Epictetus said: “For freedom is not acquired by satisfying yourself with what you desire, but by destroying your desire” (Arrian’s Discourses 4.1.175 [Oldfather, LCL]). Xenophon ...

1717. Life by the Spirit

Galatians 5:16-26

Understanding Series

L. Ann Jervis

1718. One in Christ

Ephesians 2:11-22

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... 19), and he does become involved with a segment of society that could be considered “far away” (cf. Mitton, pp. 109–10). But regardless of what view one may take, the important point is that in the Christ event (life-death-resurrection-exaltation), peace was achieved and access to God was made possible. Thus the author reminds his readers that it is through Christ that Jews and Gentiles “both have access to the Father by one Spirit” (2:18). 2:18 Perhaps there is an allusion here to the curtain in ...

1719. Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians' Faith

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... to the danger in which sinners stand. They need to be “saved” in the sense of “rescued,” and that is precisely what Jesus does. He rescues us from the coming wrath of the eschatological judgment. The preposition, ek, from, underlines the thoroughness of his achievement. The reality of the wrath “revealed from heaven (i.e., God) against all the godlessness and wickedness of men” (Rom. 1:18; cf. 1 Thess. 2:16; 5:9) is insisted upon in Scripture, and we must not shut our eyes to its grim certainty ...

1720. Final Instructions

1 Thessalonians 5:12-28

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... 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. Paul throws down a tremendous challenge to Christians to be Christlike (for that is what the injunction amounts to) both within ...

1721. Paul's Charge to Timothy

2 Timothy 3:10--4:8

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... The former is not as unlike Paul as is sometimes perceived. After all, it is a genitive phrase, not a clearly spelled out clause (cf. GNB), and means nothing more than the crown that the righteous will receive, but not necessarily as an award for their achievement. That would be to press the metaphor from verse 7 beyond recognizable Pauline bounds. Nonetheless, other uses of this kind of phrase in the NT (James 1:12; 1 Pet. 5:4) favor the second interpretation. This, too, has been objected to as un-Pauline ...

1722. Personal Instructions and Greetings

Titus 3:12-15

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... comes to relieve him in Crete further indicates what has been observed throughout the letter—it simply lacks the urgency of the situation in Ephesus (1 Timothy). A pseudepigrapher who created these various settings, and consistently carried them through, pulled off a remarkable achievement indeed, and all the more so if trying to speak to a singular situation in his own day. 3:12 Paul begins to bring the letter to a close with these personal words. Despite the directions to Titus in this letter, Paul ...

1723. The High Priest of a New Covenant

Hebrews 8:1-13

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... of Acts 15:16; quoting the LXX of Amos 9:11). The possibility of an internalizing of the law (cf. the notion of “circumcision of the heart,” Deut. 10:16; Jer. 4:4), although intimated in the OT (cf. Deut. 30:11–14), was never achieved. The affirmation I will be their God, and they will be my people is common OT language describing the basic aspect of covenant relationship, which though repeatedly promised had not become a full reality until the new covenant became effective (cf. Exod 6:7; Lev. 26 ...

1724. By Faith

Hebrews 11:1-40

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... the Christ (13:13), whose coming is already an event of the past. Any abuse they may suffer is not significant when compared to what God has prepared for them. The argument is the same as that of 2 Cor. 4:17: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (cf. Matt. 5:11f.). The word for reward (misthapodosia) occurs only in Hebrews. The same root is found in v. 6 where God is described as a “rewarder.” See note on 10:35. 11:27–28 The major ...

1725. God Disciplines His Sons

Hebrews 12:1-13, Hebrews 12:14-29

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... NASB). Righteousness, then, is the portion of those who accept the discipline of suffering from their Father’s hand. The point of this verse is the same as that of 2 Corinthians 4:17, where Paul writes: “For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all” (cf. the closely related emphasis of 1 Pet. 1:6f.; 4:12–14). Additional Notes 12:4 “Resistance to the point of death” is a common motif in Jewish literature, describing absolute commitment and ...

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