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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 1926 to 1950 of 2404 results

1926. The Resurrection Body

1 Corinthians 15:35-58

Understanding Series

Marion L. Soards

... is far from certain, though it is not a major theological problem; nevertheless, the future form of the verb fits Paul’s normal pattern of reference to the resurrection of the dead, and “the likeness of the heavenly one is hardly to be achieved by exhortation“—see Orr and Walther (I Corinthians, p. 344), who cite the fifth-century Christian writer Theodoret, who wrote, “He [Paul] has said ‘we shall bear’ in a predictive, not a paraenetic, sense.” If Paul uses the future tense here, he once ...

1927. To the Church in Ephesus

Revelation 2:1-7

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... of privilege within the church, that even their conduct is scrutinized by the Risen Lord who keeps all congregations equally under his constant care. 2:2–3 The catchphrase, I know your deeds, begins Christ’s commendation of spiritual achievement. Revelation underscores the importance of good works as the substance of the church’s witness to its fidelity to Christ. In Christian preaching, faith and faithfulness always belong together, even though their exact relationship is understood differently by NT ...

1928. The Scroll and the Lamb

Revelation 5:1-14

Understanding Series

Robert W. Wall

... in the exaltation of the crucified Lamb (5:5–7), inaugurates the new age of salvation’s history when God fulfills the promises made about the restoration of Israel (5:9–10). The glorification of Jesus as Lord and Christ (5:12–13; cf. 11:15) achieves the penult in Israel’s history as God’s covenant people and begins the “last days” that will conclude human history and usher in the eternal age. Christ’s exaltation also marks the beginning of divine judgment (6:1–11:14): on the cross and in ...

1929. Regulations about Infectious Skin Diseases

Leviticus 13:1-46

Understanding Series

W. H. Bellinger, Jr.

... verdict. The person is to wash the clothes as a rite to complete restoration to purity. Washing can be effective for a rash (v. 6), or an itch of the scalp or chin area, but not for an infectious skin disease. Even after purity is achieved, the condition may return. If the sore has spread, the disease is taken to be infectious, and impurity is the priestly verdict. The importance of distinguishing the various kinds of skin diseases is clear. The patchy, scaly skin conditions which the text covers could be ...

1930. Vengeance on the Midianites

Numbers 31:1-24

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

... , iron, tin, lead or other metal items of loot are to be purified by fire and by the water of cleansing produced from ashes (Num. 19). Flammable booty they must also purify with the water. After the seven days with washing of clothes and bathing, purity will be achieved. Then you may come into the camp. 31:25–47 Now the text comes to the question of dividing the spoils of war broadly in the community. Moses, Eleazar, and the family heads are to inventory what has been taken. Half is to go to the soldiers ...

1931. David Spares Saul's Life

1 Samuel 24:1-22

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... that as a threat and persuaded that it was an act of mercy. For the first time Saul acknowledges openly that he is well aware that David will be king and that the kingdom of Israel will be established. David will be able to achieve what Saul recognized was now beyond him, a stable and secure nation. Having acknowledged the inevitable, Saul repeats Jonathan’s request that his family be protected rather than destroyed. With David’s ready agreement to this—he has already given the same guarantee to ...

1932. David Hears of Saul's Death

2 Samuel 1:1-16

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... close to the Israelite army, he was likely to have known something of David’s belief in the inviolability of Saul’s position as God’s anointed. In this section the writers show their ongoing interest in the question of how power was achieved and exercised. David could have had several motives in passing the death sentence on the Amalekite. Because he came to David directly from the battlefield, it could have been seen as a prearranged rendezvous. Given the suspicion of David by Saul and presumably ...

1933. David Becomes King Over Israel

2 Samuel 5:1-5

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... uses the same source but adds that David had the idols, abandoned by the Philistines, destroyed by fire. 1 Chron. 14:17 also stresses the way in which these battles brought fame to David. The defeat of the Philistines was one of David’s greatest achievements, and the writers here choose to emphasize God’s help for David rather than David’s increase in fame. The Chronicler presents the Davidic monarchy in as good a light as possible. The writers of Samuel share a profound interest in David and his ...

1934. David's Victories

2 Samuel 8:1-14

Understanding Series

Mary J. Evans

... north, probably even farther north than Damascus and possibly part of a regular alliance of Aramean tribes. The defeats of the Aramean kingdoms were not as comprehensive as that of the Philistines; they returned to fight another day. But for the moment peace was achieved. 8:4 Damaging the hamstrings of the vast majority of the captured chariot horses removed them as a threat. It may be that David did not want the problem of transporting these horses back to Israel, where they could not be used in the rough ...

1935. Entering the Lord’s House

Psalm 5:1-12

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... . in your righteousness and make straight your way before me, are not general petitions for guidance but are requests for direct admittance into Yahweh’s holy court. As Psalms 24:5 and 65:1–5 (see the commentary) make clear, entry into the temple is achieved not by claims of moral rectitude but “by your great mercy.” As righteousness is a blessing bestowed on Yahweh’s seekers who enter the temple in 24:5, so here “your righteousness” is not a threat to the speaker’s entry into the temple, as ...

1936. My God, My God, Why Have You Forsaken Me?

Psalm 22:1-31

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... by an imprisonment in turn caused by false accusations) but the evidence does not allow one to be conclusive. 22:1–2 My God, my God, why have you forsaken me? are familiar words that both haunt us and remind us of the costly salvation Christ achieved through the cross. Unlike most prayer psalms this one contains and opens with a lament pointed at God himself. These opening verses introduce the two chief problems faced in the psalm, both having to do with God. First, there is his remoteness, Why are you so ...

1937. A Victory Procession and Instruction for Temple Entry

Psalm 24:1-10

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... . Only for those on the conqueror’s side is it a victory celebration. These verses thus spell out those who are truly aligned with Yahweh. They answer the question, “Who may participate in this victory procession?” Yahweh’s temple or royal palace symbolized the achievement of world order (see the Introduction). Thus, only those who conform to Yahweh’s right order may enter his royal palace. We can also see verses 3–6 linked to the rest by the motif of entry into the temple area. Yahweh is about ...

1938. Betrayed by God in Battle?

Psalm 44:1-26

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... minor role in the psalm and are not even mentioned in the petition section. But the lament is more than a mirror image of the pre-battle confession, which emphasized the divine warrior’s warring against the foe (“you drove out the nations,” v. 2) and achieving victory for Israel (vv. 5–7). The lament emphasizes that Yahweh deserted Israel and handed them over to their enemies (you no longer go out with our armies, you gave us up, you sold your people). It is not so much that Yahweh has worked for ...

1939. The Faith of the Centurion

Matthew 8:5-13

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... decision to go to his house, saying that it was unnecessary for him to actually be there. If Jesus would simply give the order, the sickness would leave. As one who understood the role of authority, he acknowledged that the command alone would achieve the desired result. The kai in verse 9 should be translated “even” rather than “also” (ASV) or myself (NIV). The officer is arguing that even he, a subordinate authority, can accomplish his desire with an order. How much more can Jesus, the ultimate ...

1940. Rest for the Weary

Matthew 11:25-30

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... in heart (v. 29). This is the lesson that leads to rest of spirit and soul. Although the requirements of the kingdom are great (5:17–20), they appear in a different light when seen as expressions of loving obedience rather than demands for religious achievement. The Greek word in verse 30 for easy is chrēstos, which can mean “well fitting.” Thus Norlie translates, “For My yoke fits so easily that My burden is light.” The yoke of Christ fits comfortably on those who place themselves under it. The ...

1941. Intercession for the King to Bring Prosperity to the Land and Justice to the Needy

Psalm 72:1-20

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... of his just society and prosperous land (on the latter cf. Ps. 67). Only of his enemies (i.e., those who actively oppose him and his exercise of justice) is it said that they will lick the dust. According to the theology of this psalm, power is to be achieved not by grasping for the most but by caring for the least. Verse 17b echoes the Abrahamic or patriarchal promise of blessing to the nations (Gen. 12:3, etc.), but Psalm 72 here departs from the rest of the OT and ties it directly to the monarchy. The ...

1942. The Yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees

Matthew 16:5-12

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... religiosity that demands guarantees, when it is God’s desire to break in unexpectedly through the fixed notions of their system” (pp. 333–34). The Sadducees were guilty of identifying the kingdom of God with material possessions and pinned their hopes on achieving it by political action (Barclay, vol. 2, p. 132). Rigid legalism and political opportunism are twin evils that permeate society and can never be used in the pursuit of righteousness. Additional Notes 16:6 Yeast: see commentary on 13:33.

1943. The Maker of Heaven and Earth Praised and Invoked to Bless Israel

Psalm 115:1-18

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... particularly striking if we are correct in assigning the psalm to the postexilic period. In the eyes of the nations, there was no evidence of Yahweh’s effectiveness. Israel had been subjugated and deported by Babylon and then restored to their homeland by the achievements of Persia. But this psalm does not give in to the assumption that a nation’s political and military might are proof of God’s power and blessing. Yahweh in heaven, on the one hand, transcends all human ties, but on the other, his ...

1944. The Divine King and His Universal Kingdom

Psalm 145:1-21

Understanding Series

Craig C. Broyles

... s central section (vv. 10–13a), which celebrates Yahweh’s kingdom (vv. 10–13a). His royal role is also plain from the references to his glorious splendor (vv. 5, 12). Both of these roles are closely related in other psalms where divine kingship is achieved by establishing creation order (see e.g. Pss. 24; 29; 74; 93; 104). But noticeably absent in this postexilic psalm is any reference to conflict with chaotic powers. 145:1–3 In the opening verses, the speaker announces his intention to exalt Yahweh ...

1945. Whose Son Is the Christ?

Matthew 22:41-46

Understanding Series

Robert H. Mounce

... did David, divinely inspired, call him Lord? If “David calls Christ his Master; how can he be also his son?” (Knox). No one was able to answer; nor did they dare to question him further. Opposition is forced underground, to appear in chapter 26 and achieve its purpose (Fenton, p. 360). The Pharisees expected the Messiah to come as the Son of David to carry out a military mission related to Israel as a nation. Passages such as Isaiah 9:2–7 and 11:1ff. were understood as portraying national restoration ...

1946. Daniel’s Training in Babylon

Daniel 1:1-21

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... combination of either a consonant plus a vowel (an open syllable, such as “ba”) or a consonant plus a vowel plus a consonant (a closed syllable, such as “bat”). Since there are hundreds of such possible combinations, literacy was a very difficult thing to achieve. Because these were special students destined to enter the king’s service (1:5), they were treated to royal fare. The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. The author of Daniel may have been thinking ...

1947. The Kings of the South and the North

Daniel 11:2-35

Understanding Series

William Nelson

... (11:23). A lot of wealth went through the hands of Antiochus IV. When the richest provinces felt secure, he would invade them and take their possessions. He would then distribute plunder, loot and wealth among his followers (11:24). In this regard he was able to achieve much more than his fathers or his forefathers (11:24). At a point when his treasury was empty he determined to go to Persia to collect more taxes: “He feared that he might not have such funds as he had before for his expenses and for the ...

1948. Not Peace but Division

Luke 12:49-53

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... will bring about a crisis. In v. 50 Jesus refers to his baptism, undoubtedly a reference to his impending death. It is ironic to recall that Jesus’ ministry commenced with baptism. In vv. 51–53 Jesus clarifies the nature of this crisis that will be achieved through the “baptism” of his death. His coming to the world will result in division, not peace. This should not be understood as a contradiction to the idea of peace that Jesus does in fact represent and bring (see 2:14; 7:50; 10:5), but ...

1949. The Rich Ruler

Luke 18:18-30

Understanding Series

Craig A. Evans

... been favored and blessed of God. If rich people do not qualify for entry into the kingdom, then what hope is there for the rest of us? Jesus’ answer in v. 27 (his second pronouncement) makes it clear that whereas salvation is impossible for humans to achieve, it is possible with God. All people, whether rich or poor, are saved by God who is merciful, and not by themselves. Salvation is ultimately a matter of a gracious God who receives repentant sinners (see 18:9–14). The third pronouncement of Jesus on ...

1950. Dividing the Spoils

Numbers 31:25-54

Understanding Series

W.H. Bellinger, Jr.

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