Advanced Commentary
Texts -- Philippians 2:1-19 (NET)
Pericope
NET
- Phi 2:1-11 -- Christian Unity and Christ's Humility
- Phi 2:12-18 -- Lights in the World
- Phi 2:19-30 -- Models for Ministry
Bible Dictionary
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Humility
[ebd] a prominent Christian grace (Rom. 12:3; 15:17, 18; 1 Cor. 3:5-7; 2 Cor. 3:5; Phil. 4:11-13). It is a state of mind well pleasing to God (1 Pet. 3:4); it preserves the soul in tranquillity (Ps. 69:32, 33), and makes us patien...
[isbe] HUMILITY - hu-mil'-i-ti (~[`anawah]; tapeinophrosune): (1) The noun occurs in the Old Testament only in Prov 15:33; 18:12; 22:4, but the adjective "humble" appears frequently as the translation of `ani, `anaw, shaphal, meani...
[nave] HUMILITY. Deut. 9:7 vs. 4-29.; Deut. 15:15; Job 5:11; Job 22:29; Job 25:5, 6; Psa. 9:12; Psa. 10:17; Psa. 22:6, 26; Psa. 25:9; Psa. 37:11; Psa. 69:32; Psa. 86:1; Psa. 131:1, 2; Psa. 138:6; Psa. 147:6; Psa. 149:4; Prov. 3:34...
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PHILIPPIANS, THE EPISTLE TO THE
[isbe] PHILIPPIANS, THE EPISTLE TO THE - fi-lip'-i-anz I. PAUL AND THE CHURCH AT PHILIPPI II. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE CHURCH AT PHILIPPI III. CHARACTERISTICS OF THE EPISTLE 1. A Letter 2. A Letter of Love 3. A Letter of Joy 4. Impor...
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Commandments
[nave] COMMANDMENTS. Ex. 13:8-10; Ex. 20:3; Ex. 20:4-6; Ex. 20:7; Ex. 20:8-11; Ex. 20:12; Ex. 20:13; Ex. 20:14; Ex. 20:15; Ex. 20:16; Ex. 20:17 Deut. 5:6-21. Deut. 4:5, 9, 10; Deut. 6:4-9; Deut. 11:18-21; Deut. 32:46, 47; Josh. 8:...
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ESCHATOLOGY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, I-V
[isbe] ESCHATOLOGY OF THE NEW TESTAMENT, I-V - es-ka-tol'-o-ji: I. DOCTRINAL AND RELIGIOUS SIGNIFICANCE II. GENERAL STRUCTURE III. COURSE OF DEVELOPMENT IV. GENERAL AND INDIVIDUAL ESCHATOLOGY V. THE PAROUSIA 1. Definition 2. Signs ...
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CHRIST, THE EXALTATION OF
[isbe] CHRIST, THE EXALTATION OF - egz-ol-ta'-shun: I. THE RESURRECTION 1. Its Glorification of Christ 2. Resurrection Body--Identity, Change, Present Locality 3. The Agent of the Resurrection II. ASCENSION OF OUR LORD 1. Its Actua...
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AUTHORITY IN RELIGION
[isbe] AUTHORITY IN RELIGION - o-thor'-i-ti rabhah; toqeph; exousia; exousiazo; katexousiazo; epitage; huperoche; authenteo; dunastes I. GENERAL IDEA 1. Of Two Kinds (1) External (2) Internal 2. Universal Need of Authority 3. Neces...
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GREAT; GREATNESS
[isbe] GREAT; GREATNESS - grat, grat'-nes: "Great" occurs very often in Scripture. The chief words so translated are gadhol, rabh; megas, polus. (1) In the Old Testament many other terms are employed: (a) gadhol is used to express ...
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VIRGIN BIRTH
[isbe] VIRGIN BIRTH - || I. DEFINITION II. THE TEXTUAL QUESTION III. THE HISTORICAL QUESTION 1. Statement Not Dogmatic but Vital as History 2. Its Importance to Leaders of the Early Church 3. Hypothesis of Invention Discredits the ...
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Jesus, The Christ
[nave] JESUS, THE CHRIST. Index of Sub-topics History of; Miscellaneous Facts Concerning; Unclassified Scriptures Relating to; Ascension of; Atonement by; Attributes of; Compassion of; Confessing; Creator; Death of; Design of His...
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APOCRYPHAL ACTS, THE SEPARATE ACTS
[isbe] APOCRYPHAL ACTS, THE SEPARATE ACTS - B. THE SEPARATE ACTS The Apocryphal Acts dealt with in this article are the Leucian Acts mentioned by Photius in his Bibliotheca. As we now have them they have undergone revision in the i...
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EXALT
[isbe] EXALT - eg-zolt' (rum, gabhah (mappiq he), nasa'; hupsoo): The Hebrew word most often translated "exalt," "exalted," is rum; "to lift up," "to be or become high." It is used with reference to both God and man, e.g. Ex 15:2, ...
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Philippians, Epistle to
[ebd] was written by Paul during the two years when he was "in bonds" in Rome (Phil. 1:7-13), probably early in the year A.D. 62 or in the end of 61. The Philippians had sent Epaphroditus, their messenger, with contributions to me...
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Covenant
[ebd] a contract or agreement between two parties. In the Old Testament the Hebrew word berith is always thus translated. Berith is derived from a root which means "to cut," and hence a covenant is a "cutting," with reference to t...
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PAULINE THEOLOGY
[isbe] PAULINE THEOLOGY - pol'-in: I. THE PREPARATION 1. The Pharisee 2. Saul and Sin 3. Primitive Christianity II. THE CONVERSION 1. Christ 2. The Spirit 3. The Unio Mystica 4. Salvation 5. Justification III. FURTHER DEVELOPMENTS ...
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Servanthood
[nave] SERVANTHOOD Disinterested Benevolence. Matt. 20:26, 27 [Matt. 23:11.] Matt. 20:28 Mark 10:43-45; Luke 22:26, 27. Mark 9:35; John 13:12-15 vs. 4-17.; Acts 20:33-35; Rom. 15:1-3; 1 Cor. 9:18-22; 1 Cor. 10:24, 31-33; 2 Cor. 4:5...
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PAUL, THE APOSTLE, 6
[isbe] PAUL, THE APOSTLE, 6 - VI. Gospel. I had purposed to save adequate space for the discussion of Paul's theology, but that is not now possible. A bare sketch must suffice. Something was said (see above on his epistles and equi...
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ASCENSION
[isbe] ASCENSION - a-sen'-shun: Most modern Lives of Christ commence at Bethlehem and end with the Ascension, but Christ's life began earlier and continued later. The Ascension is not only a great fact of the New Testament, but a g...
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Kingly office of Christ
[ebd] one of the three special relations in which Christ stands to his people. Christ's office as mediator comprehends three different functions, viz., those of a prophet, priest, and king. These are not three distinct offices, bu...
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Self-denial
[nave] SELF-DENIAL. Gen. 22:12 with vs. 1-12.2 Sam. 24:24; Psa. 132:3-5; Prov. 16:32; Prov. 23:2; Dan. 10:3; Matt. 5:29, 30 Mark 9:43. Matt. 8:19, 20 [Luke 9:57, 58.] Matt. 8:21, 22 Luke 9:59, 60. Matt. 10:37-39; Matt. 13:44-46; M...
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PERSON OF CHRIST, 1-3
[isbe] PERSON OF CHRIST, 1-3 - || Method of the Article I. THE TEACHING OF PAUL 1. Philippians 2:5-9 (1) General Drift of Passage (2) our Lord's Intrinsic Deity (3) No Examination (4) our Lord's Humanity 2. Other Pauline Passages I...
Arts
Hymns
(Note: In "active" or "on" condition, the hymns music will be played automatically when mouse hover on a hymns title)
- Agungkan Kuasa NamaNya [KJ.222a]
- Agungkan Kuasa NamaNya [KJ.222b]
- Alangkah Indahnya [KJ.448] ( Blest Be the Tie That Binds )
- Berbahagia Tiap Rumah Tangga [KJ.318]
- Berkereta Awan Putih [KJ.225]
- Dalam Kota Raja Daud [KJ.113]
- Dari Terbitnya Surya T'rang [KJ.137]
- Di Salib Yesus di Kalvari [KJ.34] ( Down at the Cross / Glory to His Name )
- Di Seluruh Dunia [KJ.255]
- Dia Nobatkanlah [KJ.226] ( Crown Him with Many Crowns )
- Dunia Dalam Rawa Paya [KJ.343]
- Gita Sorga Bergema [KJ.99] ( Hark! The Herald Angels Sing )
- Golgota, Tempat Tuhanku Disalib [KJ.177]
- Hai Mari Berhimpun [KJ.109] ( Adeste fideles / O Come, All Ye Faithful )
- Hari Ini Tuhan Berkati [KJ.317]
- Insan, Tangisi Dosamu [KJ.157]
- Jauh dari Sorga Datangku' [KJ.98] ( From Heaven Above to Earth I Come / Vom Himmel hock da komm ich her )
- Jurus'lamat, Datanglah [KJ.82]
- Kau Sukacita [KJ.443]
- Kau, Yesus, Raja Mahakaya [KJ.297]
- Ketika Tuhanku Disalib [KJ.435]
- Kita, Anak Adam [KJ.156]
- Kristus Bangkit! Soraklah' [KJ.188]
- Kusongsong Bagaimana [KJ.85]
- Lahir Putera Mulia [KJ.132] ( Puer nobis nascitur / Unto Us a Boy Is Born )
- Mahkota Duri yang Kejam [KJ.219] ( The Head That Once Was Crowned )
- Mari, Lihatlah Semua [KJ.114]
- Marilah, Marilah, Hai Saudara [KJ.338]
- Masyhurkan RajaMu [KJ.224] ( Rejoice, the Lord Is King )
- Mungkinkah Aku pun Serta [KJ.31a]
- Mungkinkah Aku pun Serta [KJ.31b]
- Pataka Raja MajuLah [KJ.171]
- Pencipta Bintang Semesta [KJ.86]
- Pengikut Kristus, Nyanyilah [KJ.284]
- Sebelum Semua Jadi [KJ.136]
- Segala Benua dan Langit Penuh [KJ.281]
- Seluruh Umat Tuhan olehNya Dikenal [KJ.282]
- Takhta Mulia di Tempat Baka [KJ.108] ( Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne )
- Terbitlah dalam Kegelapan [KJ.107]
- Tolong Aku, Tuhan [KJ.462]
- Tuhanku Bangkit! Nyanyilah [KJ.211]
- UmatMu Bersembah Sujud [KJ.227]
- Ya Allah Yang Mahatinggi [KJ.246]
- Yang Dipuji Kaum Gembala [KJ.116]
- Yesus Berpesan [KJ.422]
- Yesus Kristus Memerintah [KJ.220]
- Yesus Menginginkan Daku [KJ.424]
- Yesus T'lah Datang [KJ.138]
- Yesus, Tuhan, Engkaulah Mesias [KJ.141]
- [Phi 2:1] Jesus, United By Thy Grace
- [Phi 2:5] Be Thou Supreme
- [Phi 2:5] From Highest Heaven
- [Phi 2:5] Let Your Mindset Be The Same
- [Phi 2:5] May The Mind Of Christ, My Savior
- [Phi 2:5] Now Praise We Christ, The Holy One
- [Phi 2:5] O Mind Of God
- [Phi 2:5] Ye Who The Name Of Jesus Bear
- [Phi 2:6] Advent Of Our God, The
- [Phi 2:6] Jesu Hail! O God Most Holy
- [Phi 2:6] Thou Didst Leave Thy Throne
- [Phi 2:6] When Jesus Left His Father’s Throne
- [Phi 2:7] All Wise, All Good, Almighty Lord
- [Phi 2:7] Behold The Great Creator Makes
- [Phi 2:7] Down From His Glory
- [Phi 2:7] Down From The Worlds Of Radiant Light
- [Phi 2:7] He Became Incarnate
- [Phi 2:7] Holy Son Of God Most High, The
- [Phi 2:7] I Cannot Tell Why
- [Phi 2:7] I Know Not How That Bethlehem’s Babe
- [Phi 2:7] Immortal Babe, Who This Dear Day
- [Phi 2:7] Incarnation Hymn
- [Phi 2:7] Let Earth And Heaven Combine
- [Phi 2:7] O Christmas Night!
- [Phi 2:7] O Mercy Divine, O Couldst Thou Incline
- [Phi 2:7] Savior, When Night Involves The Skies
- [Phi 2:8] Behold A Little Child
- [Phi 2:8] Christ, Who Left His Home In Glory
- [Phi 2:8] Throne For Calvary, A
- [Phi 2:9] All Hail The Power Of Jesus’ Name
- [Phi 2:9] Dearest Of All The Names Above
- [Phi 2:9] Jesus! Jesus! Jesus!
- [Phi 2:9] Jesus! The Name High Over All
- [Phi 2:9] Join All The Glorious Names
- [Phi 2:9] O God, We Praise Thee, And Confess
- [Phi 2:9] Of All In Earth Or Heaven
- [Phi 2:9] Precious Name
- [Phi 2:9] Speak To Me Only Of Jesus
- [Phi 2:9] There Is No Name So Sweet On Earth
- [Phi 2:9] There’s No Other Name Like Jesus
- [Phi 2:10] Again The Morn Of Gladness
- [Phi 2:10] At The Name Of Jesus
- [Phi 2:11] Glory To God The Father
- [Phi 2:15] O Thou Who Makest Souls To Shine
- [Phi 2:15] Shining For Jesus
- [Phi 2:15] Wonderful Words Of Life
Questions
- Here are the passages in the New Testament where the Greek word (noun) for pastor is found: Matt. 9:36; 25:32; 26:31; Mk. 6:34; 14:27; Lk. 2:8, 15, 18, 20; Jn. 10:2, 11f, 14, 16; Eph. 4:11; Heb. 13:20; 1 Pet. 2:25 Here ...
- Thanks for your question. The trouble with servanthood (something all Christians are called to practice -- Galatians 5:13; Philippians 2:5-8) is that people begin to treat you like a servant. Every spiritual gift has its...
- Of all the mysteries of the Bible, surely the doctrine of the Trinity is right at the top of the list. How can Father, Son, and Holy Spirit be three distinct persons, yet one God? The first thing I would say is that since God...
- There is no contradiction in the passage Phil. 2:12,19. It is very true that we must work out our own salvation; and it is equally true that it is God who worketh in us. A certain part is ours to do, which God cannot do for u...
- Grace is inactive without our will, hence the order as to "work." "Fear and trembling"(Phil. 2:12) simply mean the holy reverence which accompanies obedience (see Eph. 6:5; I Cor. 2:3; II Cor. 7:15); not slavish fear, like th...
- "What symbols are used for both Christ and his people?" is a frequent question. There are six symbols used for both Christ and his people.1. A BRANCH. For Christ, in Isa. 11:1-4, "A branch out of his roots shall bear fruit," ...
- The well-known passage "That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven and things in earth and things under the earth" (Phil. 2:10), has been construed by some to imply that there may be repentance after...
- In his divinity, no; but in his humanity he could be all of these. Scripture tells us that in his human aspect he was "in all things as we are." What we have in the Gospels is the report by his hearers of what he said. As Joh...
- The answer of the Bible is an unqualified "Yes!" The Bible teaches that God the Father, God the Son, and God the Spirit are one, and yet they are three. Note these statements from Scripture: Isaiah 7:14 /Matthew 1:23 = M...
- This is a serious question, and I will answer it as best I understand the Scriptures. The first thing we must say is that the Bible does not directly address this question. The Bible is clear on sexual fidelity (e.g. Hebrews ...
- There is a true and biblical doctrine of kenosis, but the Greek used by Paul in Philippians 2:7 has been wrenched out of its New Testament context to make it mean what it does not. It does not mean that Christ divested Himsel...
- The music issue is a difficult one. My own preference in this matter is not to have two services one traditional and the other contemporary - simply because it tends to divide the church between young and old, and it does no...
Sermon Illustrations
Tips for Sharing Your Faith With Your Family;
Fellowship = Fun Times?;
Philippians 1:22;
Motivation;
Character of Christ;
Sheep and Goats;
Who Is Jesus Christ?;
A Servants Heart;
1 Corinthians 10:23ff;
Place in the World;
Characteristics of Scripture;
Allusions to Sacrifices;
Romans 14;
3 John 9;
Trinity Explained;
Salvation in Three Tenses;
Well Pleased;
What is a Christian?
Resources/Books
Expository Notes on the Bible (Constable)
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This piece of furniture was probably similar in size to the table of showbread (v. 39). It stood opposite that table in the holy place against the south (left) wall. It weighed about 75 pounds. The tabernacle craftsmen fashio...
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"Chapter 15 is another collection of texts designed to prepare the people for their life in the land. Hence this chapter is one of promise. Though a great deal has happened, and the results are overwhelming for the adult popu...
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The context of this section is significant as usual. Verses 1-8 deal with people who ministered to Yahweh in various ways for the people, and verses 15-22 concern the delivery of God's revelations to His people. Verses 9-14 c...
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We should probably not interpret the reference to God changing Saul's heart (v. 9) to mean that at this time Saul experienced personal salvation. This always takes place when a person believes God's promise, and there is no i...
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We have already seen that Jonathan was a man of faith and courage (14:1-15). Jonathan found a soul brother in David, a man who committed himself to trusting and obeying God as he did. This common purpose on the deepest level ...
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Mordecai's mourning may have been the only thing that disturbed Esther. She may have known nothing about the decree. On the other hand she may have known of both and concluded that since the king did not know that she was a J...
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1:1 A trilogy of expressions describes the person who is blessed or right with God.19Each of these is more intense than the former one. They proceed from being casually influenced by the ungodly to cooperating with them in th...
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47:5-6 The writer viewed God as mounting His cosmic throne to rule over all the earth. Trumpets announced His ascent with a fanfare. The psalmist called all people to sing praises to God because He is the sovereign Lord.47:7-...
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96:7-9 "Families"is literally "tribes."The Israelites invited all the Gentile groups to honor the true God. They invited them to bring offerings of worship to Him at the temple. Contrast this attitude toward the Gentiles with...
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Psalms 113-118 constitute the Egyptian Hallel(lit. praise, cf. Hallelujah). Hallelis the imperative singular and is a command to praise. The Hallelwas a collection of psalms the Jews sang at the three yearly feasts that all t...
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The reader would expect that Isaiah would inveigh against Assyria since it was the most threatening enemy in his day and since he referred to it many times in earlier chapters. However, he did not mention Assyria in this sect...
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Isaiah moved from a hymn of praise to a prayer that has two parts: present waiting for God (vv. 7-10) and future expectation from God (vv. 11-19).26:7 Presently the path of the righteous is smooth in that the trip from justif...
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This section develops the ideas that preceded by unfolding the characteristics of Yahweh that His people needed to appreciate in view of the shocking news that their new Moses would be Cyrus. It opens with an emphasis on God ...
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"The first [biographical Servant] Song was a word from the Lord to the world about his Servant: Your plight is known, my Servant will deal with it' [42:1-4]; but the second [autobiographical] Song is the Servant's testimony h...
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52:13 "Behold, My Servant"marks a new section in the development of Isaiah's argument, but it also calls the reader to fix his or her attention carefully on the Servant (cf. 42:1). The Servant would prosper in the sense of fu...
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Isaiah continued the sheep metaphor but applied it to the Servant to contrast sinful people and their innocent substitute. Here it is not the sheep's tendency to get lost but its nondefensive nature that is the characteristic...
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This final stanza gives the explanation for the Servant's submissive suffering for sinners and so completes the song.53:10 The apparent miscarriage of justice just described (v. 9) would not be what it would appear to be. It ...
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2:46-47 Clearly Daniel had done what everyone considered humanly impossible. He had told the king the dream that Nebuchadnezzar alone knew, and had perhaps even forgotten, and he had given an interpretation of the dream that ...
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7:13 Daniel again saw something happening in heaven. One like a son of man was brought before the Ancient of Days. The angelic attendants in heaven's court probably ushered Him forward. This description glorifies the Ancient ...
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This section introduces another ruler of Israel who, in contrast to Zedekiah, his foil, would effectively lead God's people."This royal oracle is obviously intended to be the central peak of the range of oracles in chs. 4 and...
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This section is an individual lament similar to many of the psalms (cf. 1:8-16).7:1 Micah bewailed his own disappointment with Israel's situation. He compared himself to Israel's fruit pickers and grape gatherers who felt gre...
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7:14 Micah prayed that the Lord would again take an active role as the shepherd of His people Israel. Shepherding with His rod (Heb. shebet) implies kingly leadership. This is a request for the promised descendant of David to...
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14:16 The remaining former enemies of Israel who would not die would bow to the sovereignty of Yahweh (cf. 8:20-23; Isa. 2:2-4; 45:21-24; 60:4-14; Ezek. 40-48; Phil. 2:10). They would be expected to make annual pilgrimages to...
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Jesus' genealogy and virgin birth prove His legal human qualification as Israel's King. His baptism was the occasion of His divine approval. His temptation demonstrated His moral fitness to reign. The natural question a thoug...
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Jesus proceeded to clarify His disciples' calling and ministry in the world to encourage them to endure persecution and to fulfill God's purpose for them."Some might think that verses 11-12 constitute the concluding Beatitude...
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"The contrast between the glory of the Transfiguration and Jesus' disciples' tawdry unbelief (see v. 17) is part of the mounting tension that magnifies Jesus' uniqueness as he moves closer to his passion and resurrection."679...
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23:1 As we have seen, there were three groups of people present in the temple courtyard. These were the disciples of Jesus, His critics, namely the various groups of Israel's leaders, and the crowds of ordinary Israelites. Je...
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This lamentation should help us realize that the judgment Jesus just announced in such strong language was not something that delighted Him. It broke His heart. This is also clear from His personalizing the people in Jerusale...
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This parable stresses the importance of the signs signifying Jesus' return.24:32-33 The lesson (Gr. parabole, lit. parable) of the fig tree is quite simple. As the appearance of tender twigs and leaves on a fig tree indicate ...
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Jesus concluded the Olivet Discourse with further revelation about the judgment that will take place at the end of the present age when He returns. He had referred to it often in the discourse, but now He made it a special su...
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Whereas the chief priests used bribe money to commission the soldiers to spread lies, the resurrected Jesus used the promise of His power and presence to commission His disciples to spread the gospel.1091This is the final add...
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Matthew presents Jesus in the purple and gold of royalty. Mark portrays Him in the brown and green of a servant who has come to do His Father's will.The message of the book is similar to Matthew's message. A concise statement...
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Jesus began this discourse with exhortation (vv. 4-13), and He ended it the same way (vv. 28-37).13:28-29 The parable of the fig tree appears in all the synoptic versions of the Olivet Discourse. Jesus had previously used a f...
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1:5 Herod the Great ruled over Judea, the large Roman province that included all of Israel, from 37 B.C. to 4 A.D.Luke pointed out that both of John's parents had a priestly heritage. The priests in Israel had the great privi...
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Jesus' obedience to His heavenly Father included obedience to His earthly parents (Exod. 20:12; cf. Col. 3:20). Luke balanced the former revelation of Jesus' deity with this indication of His humanity. His second reference to...
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Luke organized his narrative so Jesus' praying in the garden follows immediately His instructions to the disciples about their preparing for the crisis to come. The present pericope shows Jesus' proper approach to it and the ...
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John began his Gospel by locating Jesus before the beginning of His ministry, before His virgin birth, and even before Creation. He identified Jesus as co-existent with God the Father and the Father's agent in providing creat...
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John's return to the Word in verse 14 from verse 1 introduces new revelation about Him. Though still part of the prologue, the present section focuses on the Incarnation of the Word.1:14 The Word, who existed equal with God b...
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The preceding controversy resulted in Jesus clarifying His relationship to His Father further. Jesus proceeded to reply to His enemies' charge that He was not equal with God the Father. This is the most thoroughgoing statemen...
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"John 7 has three time divisions: before the feast (vv. 1-10), in the midst of the feast (vv. 11-36), and on the last day of the feast (vv. 37-52). The responses during each of those periods can be characterized by three word...
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Having announced His departure Jesus proceeded to offer the Holy Spirit for those who believed on Him (cf. chs. 14-16).7:37 The feast of Tabernacles lasted seven days (cf. Deut. 16:13). However the day following the feast was...
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"In the Synoptic account of the events of this evening we read of a dispute among the disciples as to which of them would be the greatest. John does not record this, but he tells of an action of Jesus that rebuked their lack ...
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13:12 Jesus now returned to His role as the disciples' teacher, which His change of clothing and physical position indicated. He began to explain the significance of what He had done, though full comprehension would come to t...
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Jesus realized that the Eleven did not fully understand what He had just revealed. He therefore encouraged them with a promise that they would understand His words later.14:25-26 Jesus had made these revelations to His discip...
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17:1 "These things Jesus spoke"(NASB, Gr. tauta elalesen Iesous) clearly connects what follows with what Jesus had just been saying (cf. 14:25; 16:1, 4, 25, 33). Lifting up the eyes to heaven indicated prayer, as did Jesus' w...
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17:24 Here Jesus' request clearly included the Eleven with all the elect. He wanted them all to observe (Gr. theorosin) the glory that the Father would restore to the Son following His ascension (v. 5; cf. 1 John 3:2). This a...
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In this part of his speech Peter cited three proofs that Jesus was the Messiah: His miracles (v. 22), His resurrection (vv. 23-32), and His ascension (vv. 33-35). Verse 36 is a summary conclusion.2:22 Peter argued that God ha...
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"Paul's farewell address to the Ephesian elders is the nearest approximation to the Pauline letters in Acts. Its general content recalls how in his letters Paul encouraged, warned, and exhorted his converts. Moreover, its the...
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As in all his epistles, Paul used his Roman rather than his Jewish name, Saul, since he was the apostle to the Gentiles. Even though he had not yet visited Rome his readers knew Paul's reputation well. He just needed to give ...
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8:1 "Therefore"introduces a conclusion based on everything that Paul wrote from chapter 3 on, not just chapter 7. He reaffirmed justification as the indispensable basis for sanctification.241A Christian must believe that he o...
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8:5 Here Paul began to elaborate the difference between "flesh"and "Spirit."This distinction is difficult to grasp because both terms have more than one meaning. To "walkaccording to the flesh"(v. 4) means to carry out in con...
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10:8 Paul quoted Moses again (Deut. 30:14) to reaffirm the fact that the great lawgiver taught that salvation came by faith. The "word of faith"means the message that righteousness comes by faith. Faith is easy compared to a ...
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In contrasting chapters 1-11 with chapters 12-16 of Romans, perhaps the most important distinction is that the first part deals primarily with God's actions for humanity, and the last part deals with people's actions in respo...
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The apostle dealt first with the importance of not judging one another. This was a particular temptation to those Christians who believed that they should refrain from some practices that they believed were displeasing to God...
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Paul followed his salutation with an expression of gratitude for his original readers, as he usually did in his epistles. In this case the focus of his thanksgiving was on God's grace in giving the Corinthians such great spir...
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The surface manifestation of this serious problem was the party spirit that had developed. Members of the church were appreciating their favorite leaders too much and not appreciating the others enough. This was really a mani...
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Paul's reference to the Holy Spirit's power (vv. 4-5) led him to elaborate on the Spirit's ministry in enlightening the minds of believers and unbelievers alike. The Corinthians needed to view ministry differently. The key to...
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"The first paragraph (vv. 1-5) leads the way by making an application of the servant model and showing how that relates to their treatment of him [Paul]. He changes images from farm to household and insists that he is God'sse...
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"With rhetoric full of sarcasm and irony he [Paul] goes for the jugular. His own apostleship, which he portrays in bold relief, contrasting his own shame' with their perceived high station,' is alone consonant with a theology...
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As with the issue of marriage, however, Paul granted that there are some matters connected with idolatry that are not wrong. He next gave his readers some help in making the tough choices needed in view of the amoral nature o...
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Practical application now follows theological explanation.11:33 Rather than disregarding the members of the congregation who had little or no food to bring to the love feasts, those who had plenty should share what they had. ...
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The apostle next pointed out the qualities of love that make it so important. He described these in relationship to a person's character that love rules. We see them most clearly in God and in Christ but also in the life of a...
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Paul turned next to show that the resurrection of Christ makes the resurrection of believers both necessary and inevitable. The consequences of this fact are as glorious as the effects of His not being raised are dismal. Thos...
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In this first sub-section, which is transitional, Paul's intention was to convince the Corinthians that his recent actions arose from sincere motives.1:12 He first claimed generally that his actions did not arise from the mot...
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Paul cited the example of Jesus Christ's gift of Himself for needy humanity to motivate his readers further to finish their work of assembling the collection.8:8 Paul wanted his readers to understand that he did not want them...
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In these opening words Paul rebuked his readers for turning away from the gospel that he had preached to them and for turning toward a different "gospel."He accused them of being religious turncoats. He did so to impress them...
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5:16 Walking by the Spirit means living moment by moment submissively trusting in the Holy Spirit rather than in self."Walk by the Spirit' means let your conduct be directed by the Spirit.'"183"To walk by the Spirit' means to...
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6:2 In view of the context probably the burden Paul had in mind was an excessive burden of particular temptation and struggle with the flesh (cf. Rom. 15:1). This could be a burden caused by social, economic, spiritual, or ot...
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The spiritual blessings that have come to us are the work of all three members of the Trinity. God Himself is the basis of these blessings.1:4 The first blessing is election. God has sovereignly chosen some people for salvati...
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1:17 Paul returned to his concept of God as the Father of the Lord Jesus Christ (v. 3; cf. Matt. 6:9). He combined with this fact the idea that all glory belongs to the Father (vv. 6, 12, 14; cf. Acts 7:2; 1 Cor. 2:8).Paul as...
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The wrath of God on the unbeliever (v. 3) contrasts with the grace of God on the believer (vv. 5, 7, 8). God's grace toward some unbelievers gives them life (vv. 4-5), raises them up (v. 6), and seats them in heavenly realms ...
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"The doxology is plainly the climax of the first half of Ephesians; it may be regarded as the climax of the whole letter, which rises to a spiritual peak at this point and then concentrates on practical outworkings."96The bas...
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5:25 In the Greco-Roman world in which Paul lived, people recognized that wives had responsibilities to their husbands but not vice versa.137Paul summarized the wife's duty as submission and the husband's duty as love. The wo...
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The name of the city of Philippi was originally Krinides (lit. springs). It stood about 10 miles inland from the Aegean Sea in the Roman province of Macedonia. In 356 B.C. Philip II, king of Macedonia and father of Alexander ...
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The Philippian Christians were special favorites of the apostle Paul. Their response to the gospel and their subsequent progress in the faith were exemplary. However the connections between Paul and Philippi that the New Test...
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I. Salutation 1:1-2II. Prologue 1:3-26A. Thanksgiving 1:3-8B. Prayer 1:9-11C. Progress report 1:12-261. Paul's present imprisonment 1:12-182. Paul's anticipated deliverance 1:19-26III. Partnership in the gospel 1:27-4:9A. A w...
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Paul began this epistle by identifying himself and his companion and by wishing God's richest blessings on his readers."Almost all letters from the Greco-Roman period began with a threefold salutation: The Writer, to the Addr...
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The apostle proceeded to express his sincere gratitude to God for his friends in Philippi. He did this to assure them of God's continuing working for them and his satisfaction with their partnership in the work of the gospel....
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The first sub-section (1:27-30) begins with a topic sentence that expresses Paul's desire for the Philippians. Then he proceeded to explain and to illustrate what constitutes a worthy walk (2:1-4:9)."With this section we come...
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Paul advocated humility, namely concern for the needs of others, not just one's own needs, as the basis for unity in the church (cf. 1:22-26; 2:21).". . . someone well said: Love begins when someone else's needs are more impo...
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This paragraph is the most important one in the epistle and the most difficult to interpret."By anyone's reckoning, 2:6-11 constitutes the single most significant block of material in Philippians."582:5 Paul introduced an ill...
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"The detailed attention just given to the Christ-hymn must not obscure the fact that vv 12-18 are part of a larger parenetic section--1:27-2:18. Exhortation is resumed again through the frequent use of the imperative mood, or...
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2:17 The prospect that Paul might receive a death sentence soon arose again in his thinking. He described his present life as the pouring out of a drink offering in Israel's worship (cf. 2 Tim. 4:6; Num. 15:1-10; Num. 28:4-7)...
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The apostle's reference to his present sufferings (vv. 17-18) led him to tell the Philippians about his plans. He wanted to send Timothy and Epaphroditus to Philippi. He said things about those two faithful fellow workers tha...
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Another messenger would arrive in Philippi before either Paul or Timothy. Epaphroditus would carry this epistle to its destination. Paul wrote this pericope to prepare for a proper reception of its courier and to draw attenti...
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Paul now turned to the second major quality that he introduced in 1:27-30, namely steadfastness in the face of opposition to the gospel (cf. 1:7, 28). He had introduced the idea of joy in the face of opposition earlier (1:19,...
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Having created joy in his readers by referring to the sterling examples of Timothy and Epaphroditus, Paul warned them about certain other people who professed to be servants of God.He introduced this section of his epistle wi...
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3:4b For the sake of the argument Paul adopted the Judaizers' attitude of confidence in the flesh. He did this to show that his rejection of Jewish advantages was not because he lacked them.1083:5 Circumcision of the flesh wa...
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Paul formerly regarded all these things that he possessed and others as contributing to God's acceptance of him. Yet he had come to learn on the Damascus road and since then that such fleshly "advantages"did not improve his p...
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3:8 Paul had regarded his advantages over other people as what put him in a specially good position with God. However, he had come to realize that absolutely nothing apart from Jesus Christ's work on the cross was of any valu...
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3:15 In conclusion, Paul urged those who were mature among his readers to recognize that what he had said was true. He also promised that God would enlighten those who think differently about minor matters if their attitude w...
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The key word "Therefore"(Gr. hoste) and the repetition of "stand firm"(cf. 1:27) point to a conclusion of the main subject. This verse begins the rather protracted conclusion of the letter. The apostle did not want his reader...
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This last section (4:2-9) of the body of the epistle (1:27-4:9) deals with the same two subjects as the preceding two sections, unity and steadfastness, but in more detail. Paul gave his readers specific instructions about wh...
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4:2 Euodia ("Success") and Syntyche ("Lucky") were evidently two women in the Philippian congregation.145"For the Pauline letters, this is a remarkable moment indeed, since Paul does here what he seldom does elsewhere in conf...
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Paul gave his readers five other brief positive exhortations all of which are vitally important for individual and corporate Christian living. They all result in the maintenance of peace in the body so the saints can work tog...
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The apostle began this epistle by sharing some personal information about his situation in Rome (1:12-26). He now returned from his concerns for the Philippians (1:27-4:9) to his own circumstances (4:10-20). Notice the somewh...
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First, Paul thanked his brethren for their recent gift that Epaphroditus had delivered to him (vv. 10-14).4:10 The "But"(Gr. de) that opens this section in the NASB is a bit misleading. It does not imply a contrast with what ...
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Paul seems to have intended the references in these verses to previous gifts that the Philippians had sent him to dispel any doubts they may have had about the genuineness of his gratitude.4:15 The Philippians had been very t...
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Alford, Henry. The Greek Testament. 4 vols. Cambridge: Deighton, Bell, and Co., 1884.Barclay, William. The Letters to the Philippians, Colossians and Thessalonians.Daily Study Bible series, 2nd ed. and reprint ed. Edinburgh: ...
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"First-born"(Gr. prototokos) may denote either priority in time or supremacy in rank (cf. v. 18; Exod. 4:22; Ps. 89:27; Rom. 8:29; Heb. 1:6; Rev. 1:15). It may also denote both of these qualities. Both seem to be in view here...
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This prayer illustrates Paul's genuine concern for the Thessalonians, and it bridges the narrative material in chapters 1-3 and the parenetic material in chapters 4-5.633:11 Paul summarized the content of his prayer in the fo...
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Timothy apparently became a Christian as a result of Paul's missionary work in Lystra (Acts 14:6-23). He joined Paul on the second missionary journey when the apostle's evangelistic team passed through that area where Timothy...
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"In this paragraph Paul continues his instructions on prayers' begun in verse 1. But now the concern is for proper demeanor on the part of the pray-ers.' But whythese concerns, and why in this way? And why the inordinate amou...
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Paul revealed that he was about to die to impress on Timothy further the importance of remaining faithful to the Lord.4:6 Paul believed that he would die very soon. He used two euphemistic expressions to describe his death. F...
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As is true of so many of the shorter Bible books, this one too is an illustration (cf. Ruth and Esther). Philemon in particular illustrates the outworking in life of the great doctrines taught in the other Pauline writings, e...
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The writer began his epistle with an affirmation of Jesus Christ's greatness to introduce his readers to his subject. This section is one sentence in the Greek text. It contrasts God's old revelation with the new, specificall...
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The writer proceeded to explain the exaltation of Jesus Christ to help his readers appreciate the fact that He fulfilled Old Testament prophecy concerning the Son of David. He did this so they would appreciate Him properly an...
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Having explored the concept of Jesus as a faithfulhigh priest (3:1-4:14), the writer proceeded next to develop the idea that Jesus is a mercifulhigh priest in the service of God (cf. 2:17). A high priest must be faithful to G...
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Having dealt with the source of interpersonal and inner personal conflicts that believers in particular and all people generally experience, James dealt next with a different aspect of the same problem. He did so to motivate ...
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4:13 James confronted his audience as the Old Testament prophets did. He began, "Come now"(cf. Isa. 1:18; et al.). The person in James' illustration was probably a travelling Jewish merchant, ". . . the materialist core of th...
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Peter explained what Christian conduct should be negatively (v. 11) and positively (v. 12). Then he expounded more specifically what it should be positively in 2:13-4:11.2:11 "Beloved, I [or we] urge you"frequently marks off ...
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Peter continued to give directions concerning how the Christian should conduct himself or herself when dealing with the state since his readers faced suffering from this source.2:13-14 The Christian's relationship to the stat...
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Peter concluded this section of instructions concerning respect for others with a discussion of the importance of loving our enemies.3:8 "To sum up"concludes the section on respect for others (2:13-3:12). This verse deals wit...
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Peter drew application for his readers and focused their attention on how they should live presently in view of the future.3:11 Peter believed that an understanding of the future should motivate the believer to live a holy li...
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"This writing begins without any of the formal features characteristic of a letter, such as we found in 2 John and 3 John. Since the conclusion also lacks any typical features of a letter, we must conclude that the writing is...
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Third John and 2 John deal with two sides of the same issue, namely the relationship of the truth and Christian love. In 2 John the writer stressed the importance of the truth. In 3 John he stressed the importance of love. Se...
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The "hidden manna"seems to be a reference to the manna that sustained the lives of the Israelites in the wilderness that lay "hidden"in the holy of holies. The Christians in Pergamum did not need the food of pagan festivals s...
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Jesus Christ gave no rebuke to this church, as was true of the church in Smyrna. He gave the Christians five promises instead.1. Their Jewish antagonists would eventually have to acknowledge that the Christians were the true ...
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5:2 The identity of the strong angel is probably unknowable. His loud voice indicated his authority and the importance of what he said. One with sufficient authority was necessary to open (Gr. anoixai) the scroll and by break...
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5:6 As with our dreams, John's vision contained some unusual features. John saw the Messiah as a Lamb.229The Lamb is a symbol of Jesus Christ at His first advent, meek and submissive to a sacrificial death as our substitute (...
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What happened next evidently took place in heaven.6:9 The altar John saw was evidently in heaven (cf. 8:3, 5; 14:18). Earlier John had seen a throneroom in heaven (chs. 4-5), but now he saw a temple. Probably the concepts of ...
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14:1 "And I looked"(Gr. kai eidon) introduces three scenes in chapter 14 (vv. 1, 6, 14), as this phrase did twice in chapter 13 (vv. 1, 11). "Behold"(Gr. idou, cf. v. 14) calls special attention to the greatness of the sight ...
Expositions Of Holy Scripture (Maclaren)
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If there Is therefore any comfort in Christ, if any consolation of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any tender mercies and compassions, 2. Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be of the same mind, having the same love, being of...
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The original has no verb in front of nothing' in Phil. 2:3, and it seems better to supply the one which has been so frequently used in the preceding exhortation than doing,' which carries us too abruptly into the outer region...
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Have this mind in you which was also in Christ Jesus: 6. Who, being in the form of God. counted it not a prize to be on an equality with God, 7. But emptied Himself, taking the form of a servant, being made in the likeness of...
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The whole strange conception of birth as being the voluntary act of the Person born, and as being the most stupendous instance of condescension in the world's history, necessarily reposes on the clear conviction that He had a...
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Wherefore also God highly exalted Him and gave unto Him the name which is above every name; 10. That in the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things on earth, and things under the earth; 11. And th...
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Work out your own salvation with fear and trembling, 13. For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of His good pleasure.'--Phil. 2:12-13.WHAT God hath joined together, let no man put asunder!' Here are, joined...
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Do all things without murmurings and disputings; 15. That ye may be blameless and harmless, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom ye are seen as lights in the world, 16....
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That I may have whereof to glory in the day of Christ, that I did not run in vain neither labour in vain. 17. Yea, and if I am offered upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I joy, and rejoice with you all. 18. And in ...
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But I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy shortly unto you, that I also may be of good comfort, when I know your state. 20. For I have no man likeminded, who will care truly for your state. 21. For they all seek their own,...
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The same precise distinction between fashion' and .form.' which we have had occasion to notice in Phil. 2., recurs here. The fashion' of the body of our humiliation is external and transient; the' form' of the body of His glo...