In 1 Thess 5:12 – 5:28, Paul continues to expound upon Christ's atoning sacrifice in his final declaration to the Thessalonians. His closing statement indicates his desire for the Lord’s grace to be upon them. His desire for the Lord’s favor indicates an understanding of Christ’s atoning sacrifice in the lives of the Thessalonians. Through... Read More
1 Thess 5:12 – 28 narrates Paul's closing requests for life in the church and final greetings to the Thessalonians. This portion of the letter has been referred to closing remarks between friends. Verses 25 – 28 demonstrate evidence of friendship, by indicating communal prayer, greeting with a holy kiss, and encouraging all to read the letter.... Read More
In 1 Thess 4:13 – 5:11, Paul responds to the Thessalonians' inquiry about the Lord's coming. Paul reveals a distinct contrast between those who believe and those who do not. For those who belong to Christ, Paul declares that they possess salvation through Christ. He identifies salvation as involving faith in the death and resurrection of Christ.... Read More
1 Thess 4:1-13 – 5:11 resides in the macro-context of the Lord's coming. Paul provides instruction and encouragement about the second coming of Jesus in this macro-context. His instruction and encouragement result from Timothy's report of the Thessalonians. They made an inquiry about what happens to those who die before the Lord's coming. Paul... Read More
Paul embraces his missionary duties by exemplifying fatherly characteristics as described in 1 Thess 3 to exhort the Thessalonians to exhibit appropriate behavior. The Greek lexicon denotes, παρακαλέω in relation to this text as "admonish, exhort". This verb occurs one hundred and five times in the New Testament. The Greek historical... Read More
1 Thess 4:1 – 12 begins Paul's discourse in addressing the Christian behavior that the Thessalonians should exhibit. Prior to this discourse, Paul establishes his apostleship, by expounding upon his missionary behavior in the previous chapter. He argues that his visit with his companions was not in vain. They proclaim and live the gospel, which... Read More
Through Christ, Christians receive mutual correction controlled by patience. In deliverance from our sin (correction), Christ demonstrates patience. This patience is rooted in love. Gal 5:22 depicts this relationship. The passage lists love before patience in the fruit of the Spirit. Love in association with patience forbears with others and... Read More
Jesus called Peter to love and service. In 1 Cor 13, Paul declares that love precedes Christian acts of service. More specifically, in verses 1 – 3, Paul reveals that love is the foundation for Christian acts of service. In this context, Paul formulates the necessity of love. Paul continues to expound upon love in verses 4-7, where he identifies... Read More
The active character of love is visible in the fellowship between the circle of the Father, the Son, and the people of the Son. Jn 21:15 – 17 provides an example of this relationship of love. In the New International Commentary on the New Testament: The Gospel According to John (NICNT), Morris contends that Peter becomes restored to his position... Read More
The infamous John 3:16, "For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish, but have eternal life". This passage of scripture is quoted frequently which includes at national sporting events. Most Christians can repeat this passage without hesitation knowing its validity in their own lives... Read More
- God is Love: Nuts & Bolts Pt II
I wanted to know and allow others to know that there is no fear in God’s love and judgment. His love is perfect and complete. However, in His perfect love, God prompts us to respond to make it complete.
- God is Love: Nuts & Bolts Pt I
Background In 1 John, John calls the believers back to a fundamental understanding that God is love. He reveals that God is love later in the book. The first issue that he addresses deals with a split or division between strongly opposed sections or parties, caused by differences in opinion or belief. The opposing ideology known as Gnosticism split the believers into two. In 1 John 2:18 – 23, John reveals that antichrist who denied Christ lived among them. These individuals eventually left the church community, but their false teachings continued to infiltrate the church. 1 John 4:1 – 3 …
- God is Love Pt III
When I started this study, I aimed to prove that God’ love remains complete and that His believers reside in His love. I wanted to demonstrate that when believers are imperfect, God perfectly loves them. This understanding is true. God loved us first, so much so that He sent His Son as our sacrifice. In this sacrificial love, God tells us that we do not need to fear the Day of Judgement. Fearing Judgment Day means that we have not embraced the salvation that He has provided. At this point, I wanted the study to be complete. I wanted to …
