Sermon and Worship Resources

Showing 2151 to 2175 of 2962 results

Colossians 3:1-17

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... i.e., heaven, cf. GNB), where Christ is seated at the right hand, should not be understood as some geographic place in the cosmos. The language here, as elsewhere (Matt. 6:20; Eph. 1:3; 2:6; 3:10), is figurative rather than literal; it designates a quality of existence, not a place of being. By above, Paul means that unseen realm of spiritual reality, the eternal world in contrast to a world that is earthly and transitory. Through baptism into Christ, the believer participates in that spiritual and eternal ...

2152. Rules for Christian Households

Colossians 3:18-4:1

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... nothing in this verse to suggest that subordination is based on a hierarchical relationship, sometimes inferred from other Scriptures (cf. 1 Cor. 11:3; Eph. 5:23). Hypotassō, from which the word taxis (“order,” as in taxonomy) is derived, is a common word to designate a relationship of mutual submission. Nothing harsh or demeaning is implied (cf. 1 Cor. 15:28 and disc. on Eph. 5:21ff.). 3:19 Husbands are to love their wives and not be harsh with them. Love (agapē) and harshness stand in stark contrast ...

2153. Thanksgiving for the Thessalonians' Faith

1 Thessalonians 1:1-10

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... , The Apostolic Preaching of the Cross (Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1956); R. V. G. Tasker, “Wrath,” NBD, p. 1341, and H. C. Hahn, “Anger, Wrath,” NIDNTT, vol. 1, pp. 105–13. Additional Notes 1:5 Our gospel (euangelion): In classical literature this word designated the reward given for good news. Its later transference to the good news itself belongs to the NT and early Christian literature. Even in the LXX its only definite occurrence (2 Sam. 4:10) carries the classical meaning. And yet, the NT usage ...

2154. Thanksgiving and Prayer

2 Thessalonians 1:1-12

Understanding Series

David J. Williams

... form occurs only here in the NT. Its effect is to bring home what an important, though essentially passive, role the people of God play in the scheme of things, for they are “God’s workmanship, created in Christ Jesus” (Eph. 2:10). In God’s design, “nobodies” become “somebodies.” What they are will be made known in that day to all, including “the rulers and authorities in the heavenly realms (Eph. 3:10), and what they are will redound in that day to the glory of their creator (cf. Gal. 1 ...

2155. The Lord's Grace to Paul

1 Timothy 1:12-20

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... play on words. Paul was entrusted (v. 11), was considered trustworthy (v. 12), and even though he was among the untrusting (v. 13; NIV, “acted in ignorance”), God’s grace to him came with faith (trust in God, v. 14). D-C argue that “only the designation ‘persecutor’ applies to the specific case of Paul,” and that the man who wrote Phil. 3:4–6 could not have used “blasphemer” to describe his past. But that is to miss too much. From the standpoint of his former life in Judaism, it is true ...

2156. Overseers and Deacons

1 Timothy 3:1-16

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... title “the Seven” (Acts 21:8), which distinguishes them in a way similar to “the Twelve.” Thus we are left with the almost certain reality that episkopoi and diakonoi are distinguishable functions in the church, but without knowing what they were. 3:8–9 To designate these men as deacons as over against overseers does not imply that they were not “leaders” as well. The word diakonos, in fact, is a favorite of Paul’s to describe his own and his fellow workers’ ministries (e.g., 1 Cor. 3:5; 2 ...

2157. Paul's Charge to Timothy

1 Timothy 6:11-21

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... . Lord of lords was used in conjunction with “God of gods” to express God’s absolute sovereignty over all other “deities” (Deut. 10:17; Ps. 136:2–3). The two terms had already been joined in Judaism in 1 Enoch 9:4; they are joined again as designations of Christ in Revelation 17:14 and 19:16. Here they emphasize God’s total sovereignty over all powers, human and divine. He alone is immortal. See the discussion on 1:17, where a different word is used. (This word occurs with blessed in Philo, On ...

2158. A Workman Approved by God

2 Timothy 2:14-26

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... :10; Titus 2:14); they are those who call upon the Lord, that is, worship Yahweh, the God of Israel, and none other. Along with the modifier out of a pure heart (cf. 1 Tim. 1:5; the same root as the verb “cleanse oneself” in v. 21), this designation sets off the true people of God (who pursue righteousness, etc.) from the false teachers, who do not truly know God (cf. Titus 1:16) but are ensnared by Satan. Perhaps, too, as with verse 19, it is a word of encouragement to Timothy by reminding him that not ...

2159. Personal Remarks

2 Timothy 4:9-18

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... (1 Tim. 1:19–20), or the Jew of that name who tried to quell the riot in Ephesus (Acts 19:33–34)—some argue that these refer to the same person—or some other Alexander, otherwise unknown to us, whom Paul makes sure Timothy recognizes by designating him the metalworker. Although it is somewhat speculative, a good case can be made for the first one. After being excommunicated, he had left Ephesus (hence Hymenaeus is joined by Philetus in 2 Tim. 2:17). The mention of having had to leave his coat and ...

2160. Thanksgiving and Prayer

Philemon 1:1-7

Understanding Series

Arthur G. Patzia

... Among the Letters of Paul. For an evaluation of the ideas presented by Knox, see Lohse, pp. 186–87. Two helpful English articles on Philemon are E. W. Koch, “Cameo of Koinonia,” Interp 17 (1963), pp. 183–87; F. F. Church, “Rhetorical Structure and Design in Paul’s Letter to Philemon,” HTR 71 (1978), pp. 17–33. Paul’s Praise for Philemon 4–5 These verses draw attention to the individual Philemon in much the same way that Paul’s thanksgiving and prayer in Colossians focused upon the ...

2161. What Must Be Taught to Various Groups

Titus 2:1-15

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... first advent was the manifestation of God’s “grace” (v. 11) or, as in 1 Timothy 1:11, was the beginning of the manifestation of God’s glory through the gospel. Second, did Paul mean to say our great God and Savior (NIV, GNB, = a twofold designation of one divine Person) or “the great God and our Savior” (GNB margin, KJV, referring to the two divine Persons)? Here the NIV (GNB, RSV) has the better of it, since (a) the single definite article before great God is best understood as controlling both ...

2162. Personal Instructions and Greetings

Titus 3:12-15

Understanding Series

Gordon D. Fee

... a recognized Christian practice (see Acts 15:3; 21:5; Rom. 15:24; 1 Cor. 16:6, 11; 2 Cor. 1:16; 3 John 6, where the same verb, “to help on the way,” occurs in each instance). Nothing further is known of Zenas the lawyer, whose designation probably means that he was a jurist (expert in Roman law) by profession. It is a Pauline touch to identify a professional by his title (cf. “Luke the physician,” Col. 4:14; “Erastus, the city treasurer,” Rom. 16:23). Apollos is assumed to be the well-known ...

2163. Warning to Pay Attention

Hebrews 2:1-4

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

These four verses provide a parenthetical exhortation, the first of a series of such exhortations following the author’s well-designed style and method. He will not discuss theology in the abstract, but constantly calls his readers to its practical significance and to the appropriate response. He writes indeed as an accomplished theologian but also as a preacher with distinct pastoral concerns. 2:1 If the Son is the one of ...

2164. Jesus Greater Than Moses

Hebrews 3:1-6

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... readers is in view and especially the strong temptation that they were apparently experiencing to return to the faith of their fathers. 3:1 The author appeals to his readers, placing himself together with them, in the words holy brothers, a common designation for the community of the faithful, who share in the heavenly calling. The readers, affirmed in their identity, are to fix your thoughts on Jesus, that is, resolutely to focus their thoughts on his true significance. He is the apostle. There are many ...

2165. The High Priesthood of Jesus

Hebrews 4:14-5:10

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... definitive character of the saving work accomplished by Christ. Analogous to this expression are “eternal redemption” in 9:12, “eternal inheritance” in 9:15, and “eternal covenant” in 13:20. For an OT parallel, see Isa. 45:17. For salvation (sōtēria), see note on 2:3. 5:10 Designated (prosagoreuō) occurs only here in the NT and corresponds in significance to “appointed” in 5:1. For further information on Melchizedek, see notes to 7:1–3.

2166. The Old Testament Ritual Described

Hebrews 9:1-10

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... been displaced—indeed, canceled—by the high priest of the order of Melchizedek. Technically the jar with the manna and the rod of Aaron were put alongside the ark rather than in it (cf. 1 Kings 8:9). The tablets of the covenant are appropriately designated, for they were given in the context of the covenant. Faithfulness to the covenant involved keeping the commandments. The only other NT occurrence of the word tablets (plax) is in 2 Cor. 3:3 where, as here, the adjective stone is included (cf. Exod. 32 ...

2167. By Faith

Hebrews 11:1-40

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... . 6, pp. 529–33. The reference to the foundations of the city may well be derived from Ps. 87:1 (cf. RSV). See also Rev. 21:14, 19f. NIV’s architect and builder translates two rare nouns in the NT. The first of these, techniēs (“craftsman,” “designer”), is found elsewhere in the NT only in Acts 17:29; 18:3; and Rev. 18:22; the second, demiourgos (“maker,” “creator”), occurs only here in the NT. Philo uses both words (or their cognates) in describing God (e.g., Who Is the Heir? 133). In ...

2168. God Disciplines His Sons

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

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

... 6. It is difficult to know whether the antecedent of it (autēn) at the end of v. 17 is “repentance” or the blessing (added by NIV), both of which are feminine nouns. The difference, however, is only slight, since the “repentance” was after all designed to repossess the blessing. Futility in one meant futility in the other, and thus either could have been the source of Esau’s anguish. The Glory of the Christian’s Present Status In one of the most remarkable passages in the whole book, the author ...

2169. Warning Against Refusing God

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

Understanding Series

Donald A. Hagner

2170. Praying for Endurance and Healing

James 4:13-17, James 5:1-6, James 5:7-12, James 5:13-20

Understanding Series

Peter H. Davids

... , never a virtue; it is closely related to boasting in all New Testament contexts, as pride and conceit normally are related. John makes it a characteristic of the world (1 John 2:16). In secular Greek the emptiness of the boast becomes clear, for it designates primarily the person who claims an ability or virtue he or she does not have. See further G. Delling, “Alazon,” TDNT, vol. 1, pp. 226–27; and E. Gutting and C. Brown, “Pride” NIDNTT, vol. 3, pp. 28–32. Boasting is rarely virtuous. One may ...

2171. Submission to Rulers and Masters

1 Peter 2:13-25

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... (vv. 21–24). Bearing up stoically under punishment for, say, insubordination or inefficiency, is hardly meritorious, since the penalty is deserved. But on occasions punishment may be meted out when some good action is misconstrued, either by accident or by design. It is in such a situation that believers are to reveal their Christ-centered life. The faithful are to endure it, accepting the undeserved pain, physical, mental, or emotional, as an inevitable consequence of living a God-honoring life in ...

2172. The Sin and Doom of Godless Men

Jude 1:1-16

Understanding Series

Norman Hillyer

... OT makes no reference to Michael disputing with the devil and simply states that God buried his servant Moses “in Moab, in the valley opposite Beth Peor, but to this day no one knows where his grave is” (Deut. 34:6), a secret no doubt designed to prevent the Israelites from turning the spot into an idolatrous sanctuary. The dispute referred to by Jude was recorded in the now lost ending of an apocryphal Jewish work called the Assumption of Moses. But the tradition can be reconstructed from references to ...

2173. Moses Flees to Midian

Exodus 2:11-25

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... 13 best fits Moses’ action and describes the outcome. Anyone who strikes (nakah) a man and kills (mut) him shall surely be put to death. However, if he does not do it intentionally, but God lets it happen, he is to flee to a place I will designate. No moral law allows for the killing of a man who simply beats or strikes another. Our narrative in its context leaves open the possibility that Moses did not intend to kill, but that he was guilty of unintentional manslaughter in his zealousness for justice in ...

2174. Bricks Without Straw

Exodus 5:1-21

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... of the Hebrews” and “God of Israel” is significant in Exodus (vv. 1, 3). God is forming the nation Israel from the ethnic group known as the Hebrews. This group may be related, but it is not identical to a larger social group designation found in ancient Near Eastern texts known as ḫapiru. They were the socially displaced persons of the ancient world. Before and during the exodus, Abraham’s descendents were known as “Hebrews.” During and after the exodus, they were known as “Israel” or the ...

2175. The Passover

Exodus 12:1-30

Understanding Series

James K. Bruckner

... “made a distinction” between the children of Israel and the Egyptians, why did God need to “see” the blood? The people could not protect themselves with the blood that the Lord had provided in this revelation, as though it were magical and designed to avert evil (apotropaic). It was God who protected them. The word “pass over” (pesakh) carries the meaning of “protect” or “shield” (Isa. 31:5). Verses 23 and 27 also explain this nuance. The Lord protected and saved them. The people could ...

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