This verse comes in the midst of Paul’s opening thanksgiving and prayer for the Colossians. Paul wrote this letter to address a number of issues raised by the numerous false teachers in Colosse. Although false teachers surrounded his readers, […]

  This verse is the climax of Paul’s discussion of reconciliation in the first half of Romans 5. The consequence of justification by faith is that we have peace with God (5:1) and are no longer enemies (5:10). Although salvation […]

  Psalm 71 is an old man’s lament (see verses 9 and 18) in the midst of persecution from his enemies. While he is presently being persecuted, he is confident in God’s faithfulness in the present on the basis of […]

  After concluding chapter 9 of 1 Corinthians with the image of the Christian life as a race, most of chapter 10 consists of examples from the Old Testament to encourage believers in running that race. This verse is Paul’s […]

  The early Christians were frequently persecuted for their beliefs, and therefore gathering for worship could literally be dangerous (see 10:32-34). As a result, it would have been especially tempting for them to avoid gathering publically with other Christians in […]

  As Paul traveled from Thessalonica to Athens he stopped in lesser-known Berea (about 50 miles southwest of Thessalonica). They may have been lesser-known, but as is common in the biblical narratives they were more “noble” than their better-known neighbors. […]