The “gates” and “courts” of Psalm 100 are references to the Temple, the location of God’s holy presence for the people of Israel. The people were commanded to enter the Temple with thanksgiving and praise, and for the psalmist […]

  After spending the bulk of his prophecy speaking of the impending conquest of the people of Israel by the Assyrians (Isaiah 7-39), in chapter 40 Isaiah turns to God’s restoration of His people. Chapter 41 opens with the language […]

  This verse concludes a series of exhortations Paul made to the Philippian church. Apparently, there were still conflicts and difficulties in the community there (4:2-3) in spite of the overall spiritual health of the congregation (1:3-8). Paul is convinced […]

  This verse articulates two of Paul’s most central convictions, convictions that shape not only the letter to the Romans but his writings as a whole. First, the Gospel is the expression of God’s power exercised in salvation, a power […]

  This verse constitutes the closing lines of Paul’s introductory prayer and thanksgiving. The rest of the letter consists of a request to Philemon that he receive Onesimus and treat him not as a slave but rather as a “dear […]

  This verse lies in the midst of Isaiah’s invitation that all who are thirsty come to God to be satisfied. This invitation is grounded in the previous passage that recounts the blessings given to all who respond to God’s […]