Jun 26 2015

Do Not Grow Weary of Doing Good – 2 Thess 3

In the final chapter of his letter to the brethren at Thessalonica, Paul again admonishes them against idleness. In fact, he tells them that those among them who will not work, should not eat. It is the will of God that everyone who is able to work should contribute to their own welfare, and not be a burden to others. They are not to treat such people as enemies, but should not have anything to do with them, so as to shame them. Of this he says:

For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies. Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.

/Bob’s boy

Bible Reading Schedule for this month
Click links below to read or listen to audio of one of this week’s chapters in Colossians and Luke

1 Thess 4, 1 Thess 5, 2 Thess 1, 2 Thess 2, 2 Thess 3

___________________

some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please visit this site’s menu item “The Author’s Books” for info on the author’s books, website, and Facebook page.

All of my comments in this blog are solely my responsibility. When reading any commentary, you should always refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word.

Jun 23 2015

Be Not Deceived – 2 Thess 1-2

Paul opens the second letter to the Thessalonians with a greeting from Silvanus (Silas) and Timothy as well, expressing their great pride for the brethren there because of their faith and strength, despite all of the persecution that they have suffered. He further praises and encourages them, telling them that God’s righteous judgment will see to it that they are rewarded, just as those who have afflicted them will be punished.

In chapter two, he warns them not to be deceived by those who would tell them that the the day of the Lord has already come (suggesting they had been forgotten). We do not know what sort of false teaching and other deception they had already been subjected to, but this suggests that Paul knows more is to come.

/Bob’s boy

Bible Reading Schedule for this month
Click links below to read or listen to audio of one of this week’s chapters in Colossians and Luke

1 Thess 4, 1 Thess 5, 2 Thess 1, 2 Thess 2, 2 Thess 3

___________________

some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please visit this site’s menu item “The Author’s Books” for info on the author’s books, website, and Facebook page.

All of my comments in this blog are solely my responsibility. When reading any commentary, you should always refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word.

Jun 21 2015

The Day of the Lord – 1 Thess 4-5

Theatre of the Macedonian Studies Foundation (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Paul begins chapter four, encouraging them to keep themselves holy, and to abstain from the sexual immorality with which he knew they were surrounded. In the midst of their persecution, he encouraged them to keep busy working with their hands and “to live quietly, and to mind your own affairs.” This admonishment was no doubt to keep them from drawing further persecution to themselves. The next few verses suggest that the Thessalonians were distressed about those who of their number who had died (possibly because of false teaching about the dead). He reassured them that those who were “asleep” had not perished, but would rise first when the Lord returns.

He closes this first letter by telling them that although they will have no sign of the Lord’s coming (He will come like a thief in the night), that they will not be in darkness because they are children of the light. They are to keep themselves holy and be vigilant, sober, loving, and faithful. He tells them to encourage those who work, to admonish the idle, and to do good to everyone.

/Bob’s boy

Bible Reading Schedule for this month
Click links below to read or listen to audio of one of this week’s chapters in Colossians and Luke

1 Thess 4, 1 Thess 5, 2 Thess 1, 2 Thess 2, 2 Thess 3

___________________

some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please visit this site’s menu item “The Author’s Books” for info on the author’s books, website, and Facebook page.

All of my comments in this blog are solely my responsibility. When reading any commentary, you should always refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word.

Jun 19 2015

Paul Encourages the Thessalonians – 1 Thess 2-3

In chapter 2, Paul expresses his love for the brethren at Thessalonica and tells them that they have been wanting to go there to them, but that Satan has hindered them. He reminds them how they had been careful not to be a burden to them while they had been there before. He also thanks them for their zeal, and how they had accepted the gospel as it was given to them – not as by men, but coming from God.

Exterior view of Aghia Sophia in Thessaloniki. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

He continues in chapter three, telling them that the reason he had sent Timothy to them had been for fear of their faith. Just as he and his travelers had been subjected to affliction, he knew they had been as well, and he feared that the testing of their faith may have resulted in some falling away. But Timothy had returned and reported that they had held strong. So he praised and encouraged them further for that strength.

/Bob’s boy

Bible Reading Schedule for this month
Click links below to read or listen to audio of one of this week’s chapters in Colossians and Luke

Romans 15, Romans 16, 1 Thess 1, 1 Thess 2, 1 Thess 3

___________________

some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please visit this site’s menu item “The Author’s Books” for info on the author’s books, website, and Facebook page.

All of my comments in this blog are solely my responsibility. When reading any commentary, you should always refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word.

Jun 16 2015

Paul’s First Letter to Thessalonica – 1 Thessalonians 1

Thessonica today is called Salonica. It is the second largest city in Greece, and is a large commercial port. In the 4th century BC, it was founded by Cassander of Macedonia beginning from the city of Therma (or Therme), named for hot springs in the area. His wife was named Thessalonica, and was a sister of Alexander the Great.

English: Coin_of_Cassander (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

Silvanus, in Paul’s opening greeting to the Christians at Thessalonica refers to Silas. The church there was founded in Acts 17:1-9 on Paul’s second missionary journey. In this portion of the epistle, Paul praises and encourages them for their faith and the example that they have been for Christians elsewhere, as word of their conversion and faith in the Lord Jesus has spread throughout the region by reason of the comings and going of people doing trade there, and possibly evangelistic efforts on their part. They had moved from pagan idol worship to deep faith in the resurrected Lord, while at the same time facing tremendous persecution for doing so (Acts 17:5-8).

/Bob’s boy

Bible Reading Schedule for this month
Click links below to read or listen to audio of one of this week’s chapters in Colossians and Luke

Romans 15, Romans 16, 1 Thess 1, 1 Thess 2, 1 Thess 3

___________________

some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please visit this site’s menu item “The Author’s Books” for info on the author’s books, website, and Facebook page.

All of my comments in this blog are solely my responsibility. When reading any commentary, you should always refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word.

Jun 14 2015

Paul’s Close to the Roman Epistle – Romans 15-16

Having already spoken to the Jews and Gentiles about their division over keeping feast days, eating certain meat, and other differences, Paul admonishes them further, as he did the brethren at Corinth in 1 Corinthians 10, that they must think about their brethren and their souls as well as their consciences and help each other bear their own weaknesses.

English: It contains fragments of the “Epistle to the Romans” 8:1-13 (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

As for the Old Testament Law, he says in verse 4 that “…whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” This was to say that we have much that is profitable to learn from the old Law. But while all should be sensitive to the consciences of others, this does not give those others license for imposing those matters on their brethren, but rather they should all live in harmony, and “welcome one another as Christ has welcomed you.” He finishes this section of the chapter in verses 8-13 by reminding them that “Christ became a servant” for the sake of Jews and Gentiles alike, according to God’s plan.

It is important to Paul, and it is important to the Gentiles themselves, as well as to their unity with Jewish brethren everywhere, as many will see it as symbolic of the entrance of the Gentiles into the kingdom (verse 17-18). Of that mission, Paul says in verse 19 that he had traveled preaching the gospel from Jerusalem to the Roman province of Illyricum (later called Dalmatia). Paul finishes this chapter in verses 22-33 by telling the brethren in Rome that he plans to finally come to visit them on his way to Spain after he goes to Jerusalem.

Paul finishes this letter to the Romans in chapter 16 by greeting many of them personally by name, as well as sending greetings from other brethren. he closes with a doxology: “to bring about the obedience of faith—to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.”

/Bob’s boy

Bible Reading Schedule for this month
Click links below to read or listen to audio of one of this week’s chapters in Colossians and Luke

Romans 15, Romans 16, 1 Thess 1, 1 Thess 2, 1 Thess 3

___________________

some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please visit this site’s menu item “The Author’s Books” for info on the author’s books, website, and Facebook page.

All of my comments in this blog are solely my responsibility. When reading any commentary, you should always refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word.

Jun 12 2015

How We Treat Our Brethren – Romans 13-14

Paul begins in chapter 13 by telling them that they should submit to the authority of the rulers. This tends to bring up a discussion of dealing with tyranny that is really beyond the scope of our discussion of the chapter. It can be noted, however, that Paul does say that “rulers are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad.” So clearly he is speaking, there at least, about just rulers rather than those who are unjust. Christians also are to pay their taxes — and more. In verse 7, he says:

Pay to all what is owed to them: taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

English: Fragments of the Epistle to the Romans (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

In chapter 14, he speaks of how Christians are to deal with one another. We are not to pass judgment on one another, but respect the differences that we may have without quarreling or hurting someone else’s pride. Above all, we are not to cause others to stumble. The example of not eating meat if it offends one’s brother may not seem relevant to us. But it means that we should not do or say things in the presence of our brothers that may make them believe that we are willfully doing wrong, as that would be a stumbling block to them.

If someone can show us that our behavior is wrong by way of the Bible, we should, of course, change that behavior. But if it is merely a matter of their passionate stance on a matter, we should still altar our behavior in their presence, so as not to offend or cause them to stumble. Being a Christian means realizing that it really isn’t “all about me.”

/Bob’s boy

Bible Reading Schedule for this month
Click links below to read or listen to audio of one of this week’s chapters in Colossians and Luke

Romans 10, Romans 11, Romans 12, Romans 13, Romans 14

___________________

some images © V. Gilbert & Arlisle F. Beers

Please visit this site’s menu item “The Author’s Books” for info on the author’s books, website, and Facebook page.

All of my comments in this blog are solely my responsibility. When reading any commentary, you should always refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word.

Jun 9 2015

Grafted – Romans 11-12

Paul follows up in chapter 11 with an assurance to the Jews that just because the Gentiles are welcomed into the kingdom, that does not mean that God has rejected them. He said that the Jews failed to obtain what they were seeking, but that trespass has meant salvation for the Gentiles.

He compares the inclusion of the Gentiles to a branch being grafted to the tree. The foreign body now becomes a part of the whole; and all of the branches share in the nourishment of the root. But he tells them that they should not be arrogant toward the other branches because it is not they who support the root, but rather the root supports them. He says in verse 25 that “a partial hardening has come upon Israel, until the fullness of the Gentiles has come in. And in this way all Israel will be saved…” He then quotes Isaiah 59:20:

The Deliverer will come from Zion, he will banish ungodliness from Jacob; and this will be my covenant with them when I take away their sins.

In chapter 12, he tells them all to present their bodies as “a living sacrifice” — to be transformed from the world by the renewing of their minds. he also lists some of the qualities that they, as Christians, need to exhibit. Among the many he speaks of are these:

Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good. Love one another with brotherly affection. Outdo one another in showing honor. Do not be slothful in zeal, be fervent in spirit, serve the Lord. Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Contribute to the needs of the saints and seek to show hospitality.

/Bob’s boy

Bible Reading Schedule for this month
Click links below to read or listen to audio of one of this week’s chapters in Colossians and Luke

Romans 10, Romans 11, Romans 12, Romans 13, Romans 14

___________________

Please visit this site’s menu item “The Author’s Books” for info on the author’s books, website, and Facebook page.

All of my comments in this blog are solely my responsibility. When reading any commentary, you should always refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word.

Jun 7 2015

No Distinction – Romans 10

Paul continues his letter to the Romans in chapter 10 still addressing the fact that the church there is struggling with its mixture of Jews and Gentiles. It is a laborious task that he undertakes because the Jews especially have had a vested interest in being the children of the promise for thousands of years. Now Paul tells them that the children of Abraham’s flesh are not the only children of the promise.

English: Romans 10 (1) of The Holy Bible, King James version, 1772. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

He says in verses 12-13, he says that all who “call upon the name” of the Lord will be saved. He says that there is no distinction between Jew and Greek. And then he quotes a couple of scriptures to show the Jews that none of this should be a surprise.

From Deuteronomy 32:21: I will make you jealous of those who are not a nation; with a foolish nation I will make you angry.

And from Isaiah 65:1: I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who did not ask for me.

/Bob’s boy

Bible Reading Schedule for this month
Click links below to read or listen to audio of one of this week’s chapters in Colossians and Luke

Romans 10, Romans 11, Romans 12, Romans 13, Romans 14

___________________

Please visit this site’s menu item “The Author’s Books” for info on the author’s books, website, and Facebook page.

All of my comments in this blog are solely my responsibility. When reading any commentary, you should always refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word.

Jun 5 2015

Children of the Promise – Romans 9

In Romans 10, Paul tells them that not all who are children of Abraham actually descended from Abraham, as did the Jews. In verse 8, he says that it is not children of the flesh (Abrahams’s flesh) that are children of God, but rather children of the promise that are counted as offspring. And in verse 25, he reminds them of Hosea’s words:

Those who were not my people I will call ‘my people,’and her who was not beloved I will call ‘beloved.’
And in the very place where it was said to them, ‘You are not my people,’ there they will be called m‘sons of the living God.’

English: Romans 10 (1) of The Holy Bible, King James version, 1772. (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

So how does Paul say that Gentiles, who previously did not seek righteousness now attained it? And why Israel “who pursued a law that would lead to righteousness did not succeed in reaching that law?” His answer in verses 32-33 is that it is:

Because they did not pursue it by faith, but as if it were based on works. They have stumbled over the stumbling stone, as it is written, “Behold, I am laying in Zion a stone of stumbling, and a rock of offense; and whoever believes in him will not be put to shame.”

/Bob’s boy

Bible Reading Schedule for this month
Click links below to read or listen to audio of one of this week’s chapters in Colossians and Luke

Romans 5, Romans 6, Romans 7, Romans 8, Romans 9

___________________

Please visit this site’s menu item “The Author’s Books” for info on the author’s books, website, and Facebook page.

All of my comments in this blog are solely my responsibility. When reading any commentary, you should always refer first to the scripture, which is God’s unchanging and unfailing word.