Sermon and Worship Resources

Synonyms: thirstiness, dryness, parched, craving, strong desire, longing, yearning, avidity, hunger, voracity, keenness, eagerness, lust, appetite, passion, love, crave, want, covet, desire, hunger for/after, lust for/after, hanker for/after, have one's heart set on

Antonyms: aversion, distaste, apathy, dislike, hatred, antipathy, disgust, disregard, abhorrence, acrimony, wet, animosity, animus, antagonism, bad feeling, bitterness, be averse to, detestation

Showing 1801 to 1825 of 2415 results

1801. Doing What is Good

Titus 3:1-11

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... God” is implied; cf. 1:16), deceived (or “misguided” [Kelly]; it is Pauline theology that people living in sin are “duped” by Satan: cf. 1 Tim. 4:1–2; 2 Cor. 4:4). Because they are being led astray they become enslaved by all kinds of passions (cf. Gal. 4:8, 9; Rom. 6:6) and pleasures (interestingly, the only occurrence of this common Greek word in Paul). Furthermore, human fallenness involves us in malevolent behavior of all kinds: Like others, we lived in malice (cf. Rom. 1:29; Col. 3:8) and ...

1802. The High Priesthood of Jesus

Hebrews 4:14-5:10

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... that the prayers were centered on the avoidance of death. But how then can the author continue by saying that he was heard? God always hears the prayers of those who suffer (see Ps. 22:24, a psalm that the early church understood as foreshadowing the passion of Jesus). Yet, it is clear that he does not always answer in the way that might be expected or desired. In this instance—although it is difficult to believe that this was Jesus’ request—the answer came not in the avoidance of death, but in ...

1803. By Faith

Hebrews 11:1-40

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... powerfully in the Jewish tradition in the document known as 4 Maccabees (from probably the first century A.D., which describes the persecution under Antiochus). The mocking and scourging here is reminiscent of the language describing the treatment of Jesus according to the passion narratives (cognate verbs occur: e.g., empaizō, “mock”—Matt. 27:29ff.; Mark 15:20ff.; Luke 23:11, 36; mastigoō, “flog”—John 19:1; cf. Matt. 20:19; Mark 10:34; Luke 18:32). This may be in the author’s mind when he ...

1804. The Christian and the World

James 4:1-12

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

... . Judaism believed that the evil impulse lived in the 248 members of the body (the later tradition is in Aboth de R. Nathan 16, but there is earlier evidence in 1 QS 4). Thus desire must be combated within the person. In 1 Pet. 2:11 the passions war against the soul, whereas in the Testament of Dan 5 they war against God. Here the soul seems undecided, and the war is between the evil impulse and wisdom (i.e., the Spirit, in Pauline or Johannine terminology). 4:2 The original text lacked punctuation, so ...

1805. Submission to Rulers and Masters

1 Peter 2:13-25

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... prophet’s message that it has molded his own thinking. Furthermore, since he can use Isaiah’s language without seeing any need to offer his readers an explanation, it also suggests that the early Christians in general habitually applied Isaiah 53 to the passion of Jesus. Although Peter began this section by addressing Christian slaves (2:18), his words have a far wider and more general application. Hence he can here refer to Christ bearing our sins, that is, whatever our social status in life happens to ...

1806. Moses Flees to Midian

Exodus 2:11-25

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... (see v. 14). In the exodus from Egypt God, and only God, had the right to give or take life. Moses showed in this encounter that he had the courage and desire to deliver the oppressed. He was filled with the passion necessary for leadership. He was not yet tempered enough, however, to lead his people from a culture of violence—as the repetition of words in verses 11–15 emphasizes (“beating,” “killed,” “fighting,” “hitting,” “killing,” “killed”). His own killing of the Egyptian ...

1807. Wives for the Benjamites

Judges 21:1-25

Understanding Series

Cheryl A. Brown

... to be much more destructive, in terms of scope, than Jephthah’s vow. With a little distance from the frenzied heat of battle, the Israelites began to question the wisdom of their oath not to give any of their daughters in marriage to a Benjamite. Passion had given way to compassion; they realized that if they honored their vow, Benjamin would die out with the death of the six hundred survivors. In their consternation, they cried out to the Lord (vv. 2–4). Although it is not stated explicitly, the text ...

1808. The King's Edict in Behalf of the Jews

Esther 8:1-17

Understanding Series

Timothy S. Laniak

... by making another one that no one can change. Skillfully, she avoids using the term law (dat), preferring “letters” (NIV “dispatches”) “devised” by Haman. She shifts the focus from their objective permanence to their subjective illegitimacy. Esther concludes with a passionate statement of identification with the Jewish people, signaling her solidarity with them in parallelism: “For how can I bear to see disaster fall on my people? How can I bear to see the destruction of my family?” (v. 6 ...

1809. Proverbs of Solomon

Proverbs 14:1-35

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... the ideal. In the teaching of Amenemope there is frequent warning about the “heated man” (e.g., chs. 2–4; AEL, vol. 2, p. 150). 14:30 Antithetic. This psychosomatic observation is not unlike verse 29. Envy is too narrow a meaning; rather “passion” or “jealousy.” 14:31 Antithetic and chiastic. See also 17:5 and 19:7. The juxtapositional style is worth noting: “Whosoever oppresses the poor—condemns their Maker; one who honors God—one kind to the needy.” Verse 21 is explicitly related to ...

1810. More Proverbs of Solomon

Proverbs 25:1-28

Understanding Series

Roland E. Murphy

... ”; see Additional Notes. The NIV is a simple condemnation of vainglory. 25:28 Two juxtaposed sayings form an implicit comparison. An open, unprotected city is prey to attack from outsiders. Anyone who lacks self-control is likewise prey, but to personal moods, passions, etc. See 16:32b. Additional Notes 25:3 The NIV almost always makes the comparisons in chs. 25–27 explicit by inserting “like,” or “as,” thus making similes out of the sayings that are only implicit comparisons. 25:4 The MT reads ...

1811. All Night Long

Song of Songs 3:1-11

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Huwiler

... you whom I love”). 3:3 The watchmen: Although the presence of the guards is benign in this passage, Keel appropriately notes that they represent the interests and laws of society. These are in tension with the interests and laws of love’s passion which sent the woman out on her search (Song, p. 124). “Have you seen”: The woman quotes herself without introducing the quotation with an expression such as “I asked them.” As Bloch and Bloch note, the abbreviated narrative style combines with unusual ...

1812. If Only You Were To Me A Bother

Song of Songs 8:1-14

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Huwiler

... a cord around the neck (“over your heart”) or a ring seal (“over your arm”). Its jealousy unyielding as the grave: “Its” is not in the Hb. This is the only indication of jealousy in the entire Song, which leads some commentators and translators to substitute “passion.” The Hb. word translated “grave” is š e?ôl (Sheol), the abode of the dead. Like a mighty flame: The word here is a normal word for fire but with the suffix yâ, a shortened form of Yahweh, God’s proper name in Hb. The ...

1813. Drought, Famine, Sword

Jeremiah 14:1--15:21

Understanding Series

Tremper Longman III

... and Divine Response (15:15-21): 15:15–21 Jeremiah then appeals to God for protection and also for vengeance against those who tried to undermine and harm him. He reminds God of the suffering he has endured in his ministry. He reminds him of his passionate reception of God’s words to him (v. 16). The metaphor of eating words (when your words came, I ate them) refers to the internalization of the message. He had distanced himself from evil people (cf. Ps. 1). But why does he, a righteous person, find ...

1814. Flight to Egypt

Jeremiah 41:16--43:13

Understanding Series

Tremper Longman III

... if they repented. We are not to think that God came to believe he made a mistake in the judgment of the exile. But we are to recognize that God loves his people so much that it hurt him to have to judge them and he is looking passionately for an opportunity to restore them. As we will see, though, the people will once again miss their opportunity to experience God’s compassion. But before hearing the response of the people to the divine instruction to stay in Palestine, Jeremiah made clear to them the ...

1815. I am the Man Who Has Seen Affliction

Lamentations 3:1-66

One Volume

Tremper Longman III

... in his treatment of his people with the hope that his anger will subside. Thus, though he earlier asserted that God “does not willingly bring affliction or grief to the children of men” (3:33), he now pictures him as pursuing his wrathful task with a passionate zeal. God has pursued them and slain without pity. Not only that, but he has recused himself from their prayers (v. 44). He acts as though he does not hear their prayers of confession. The cloud is often associated with God in the Old Testament ...

1816. Israel Unrepentant

Hosea 6:1--7:16

Understanding Series

Elizabeth Achtemeier

... that Hosea has the whole bloody history of the monarchy in mind. In the most vivid of images, Hosea compares the plotters of royal intrigue and overthrow to the fire of an oven that first smolders and then bursts into flame. So hot are the murderous passions of the plotters that they burn like a fire that needs no stirring, verse 4. Ovens in Israel were made of fired clay, cylindrical in shape, with stone or earthen floors and sides that sloped upward toward an orifice at the top. Dough was kneaded with ...

1817. The Lord’s Anger Against Nineveh

Nahum 1:1-15

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

... a foreign city is unique, as is the second description of it as a book. On the terms the verse uses, see further the introduction to Nahum above. 1:2–3a Nahum begins by declaring the good news that Yahweh is a jealous God. Being jealous or passionate or zealous (qannoʾ) is one of the marks of being a real person. As God, Yahweh is not an abstract principle or a being remote from emotions, but one with the whole gamut of strong feelings that characterize a person. So when people despise Yahweh or treat ...

1818. Warnings and Exhortations for Jerusalem and Judah

Zephaniah 1:1-3, Zephaniah 1:4-13, Zephaniah 1:14--2:3

Understanding Series

John Goldingay

... the point more gorily and messily. The additional terms in verse 18 underscore the devastation further. It is the day of the LORD’s wrath, characterized by the fire of his jealousy (see the comment on Nah. 1:2), a fire that gives expression to Yahweh’s passion and burns up the land. In this subsection, the reason for the coming of Yahweh’s day is put very briefly: it is because they have sinned against the LORD (v. 17a). They have failed to live up to Yahweh’s expectations of them; indeed, they have ...

1819. The Man Among Myrtle Trees

Zechariah 1:7-17

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

... brief saying in verses 14–15 summarizes the postexilic understanding of that judgment, and the reasoning that enabled God’s people to have hope for their future relationship. “I am very jealous for Jerusalem and Zion.” The Lord now expresses passionate attachment to Israel in the form of jealousy for the defeated, demolished, and diminished city and temple. Compassion for beloved Zion had turned God’s wrath against the nations that had conquered her and continued to oppress her people. This is ...

1820. The Lord Promises to Bless Jerusalem

Zechariah 8:1-23

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

Five Oracles of Salvation for Jerusalem (8:1-8): 8:1–2 God had not abandoned desolate Judah (7:12–14). Verse 2 here echoes 1:14, “I am very jealous for Zion.” The Lord’s passionate attachment to Zion overcomes the wrath that the people’s sin provoked (7:12). The nations that had been brought against Jerusalem for judgment had gone too far. “I was only a little angry, but they [the nations] added to the calamity” (1:15). God’s wrath will turn against ...

1821. Judgment on Israel's Enemies

Zechariah 9:1-8

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

... establishment of the Lord’s reign and also a fuller description of what conditions will be like in the intervening time. These chapters were a rich source for the NT authors for understanding and portraying Jesus’ triumphal entry and passion. Even following Jesus’ death and resurrection, the church continues to live in an age of fulfillment but not consummation. Like the earlier audiences of the book of Zechariah, Christians wait in hope. The superscription is printed separately—“An Oracle ...

1822. The Lord Will Care for Judah

Zechariah 10:1--11:3

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

... for him.” This compassion is the Lord’s reason for rescuing, returning, and resettling the scattered people of the house of Joseph—and, no doubt, the people of the house of Judah who remain in Diaspora as well. This compassion is mother-love, the passionate caring of a woman for the child she nurtured in her womb (rekhem), as articulated in Jeremiah 31:20, “I still remember him. Therefore my heart yearns [lit., my internal organs writhe] for him.” (see also Jer. 31:9c). Such maternal mercy is the ...

1823. Two Shepherds

Zechariah 11:4-17

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

... action to the experiences of the community. The account seems to include details that might refer to subsequent historical events, but it has been impossible to identify them. The NT connects one part of the account with a significant detail of Jesus’ passion, but the story as a whole does not correspond with Jesus’ ministry. 11:4–6 God commissions a sign-act (vv. 4–5) and gives its interpretation, introduced by “for” (ki, v. 6). God gives Zechariah ambiguous instructions—Pasture the flock ...

1824. Mourning for the One They Pierced

Zechariah 12:10-14

Understanding Series

Pamela J. Scalise

... crucifixion “saw what took place” and then “they beat their breasts and went away.” This reaction does not approach the intensity of mourning that verses 10–14 portray, however. There is an ancient tradition among Christians of expressing grief over Jesus’ passion and remorse for the human sin that sent him to the cross. The familiar hymn by Bernard of Clairvaux articulates this piety, “Mine, mine was the transgression / But thine, the deadly pain.” Additional Notes 12:10 Me, the one they ...

1825. Jesus Teaches Nicodemus

John 3:1-21

Understanding Series

J. Ramsey Michaels

... whole human race expresses itself in the giving of his only Son to die on the cross (v. 16). This “giving” is more specific than “sending” (v. 17). God “sent” his Son into the world (the Incarnation), but he gave his Son in death (the Passion) so that the world might be saved and not condemned (v. 17). The universality is qualified, however, by the phrases everyone who believes in verse 15 and whoever believes in verse 16. To gain eternal life, a person must believe, just as the Israelites had ...

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