“Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope.” Romans 5:3-4 “Glory” is the same Greek word that is translated “rejoice” in the previous verse. “Sufferings” refers to physical hardship and distress. Believers can glory (or rejoice) not only in their future…
“Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God.” Romans 15:7 “Then” is a transition to introduce the conclusion of the discussion begun in 14:1, where Paul deals with quarrels over opinions and here resolves them. Paul began chapter 14 with the command to receive the weak believer….
“May the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.” 2 Corinthians 13:14 Paul articulates the reality of the blessed Trinity in this benediction to his letter. The gifts associated with the three divine persons who make one God (thus the…
“Be glad, people of Zion, rejoice in the Lord your God, for he has given you the autumn rains because he is faithful. He sends you abundant showers, both autumn and spring rains, as before.” Joel 2:23 In this verse, by sending badly needed rainfall instead of a locust invasion, the Lord powerfully vindicates those…
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.” Ephesians 4:29 Standards of speech for Christians are extremely high since “no unwholesome talk” is permitted. Similar themed verses in the Gospel of Matthew…
“Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others.” Philippians 2:3-4 With God as our foundation, we relinquish concern for ourselves in order to care for others. Here Paul attempts to correct…
“Follow God’s example, therefore, as dearly loved children…” Ephesians 5:1 Believers are to follow the example of God’s actions. He loved us when we were still His enemies. As imitators of God, believers should demonstrate that type of self-sacrificial love. Therefore, the chief way to imitate God is to forgive and to love others in…
“Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.” James 3:13 “Wise and understanding” is a reference to the teachers mentioned earlier in verse 1, who claimed to be faithful but were acting otherwise. “Humility that comes from wisdom”…
“And so we know and rely on the love God has for us. God is love. Whoever lives in love lives in God, and God in them.” 1 John 4:16 “Know and rely on the love” means the Christian lives within the sphere of God’s love; means that love is both experienced and expressed through…
“Therefore, if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind.” Philippians 2:1-2 The Philippians’ biggest battle…