II Timothy 1:4. Why had Timothy shed tears? Though we do not know for sure, it could well have been, say the commentators, the fact that at their parting, Timothy sensed he might not see the great Apostle again. Paul was mentor and father to...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
I Timothy 3:16. What does “justified” in the Spirit mean? Did Jesus need to be justified? The word can have several meanings. This verse is not about being made right with God. It has to do with vindication. Jesus claimed to be the...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
I Timothy 1:4. Which genealogies does Paul speak of here? He could well be speaking of the genealogies of our Bibles, as in Genesis and Matthew and Luke. He is in no way suggesting these lists are inaccurate or uninspired. Rather, it seems, he...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
I Thessalonians 2:16. “So as to fill up the measure of their sins.” What does this mean? There seems to be a certain amount of grace God gives to every man and nation. A measure, if you will. The Jews were now reaching their limit....[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Colossians 1:6. The Gospel was in “all the world”? It was customary for the Jew to think of a limited scope for the call and purposes of God. Israel was the focus of all of God’s activities up until now. But their Master had...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Philippians 1:13. How far was Paul’s influence spreading at this writing? The word is “praitorio” and though it is officially a place noun, some see it as possibly a group of people also. The place would be the Palace. It...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Ephesians 1:10. Paraphrase this verse. I found this passage to be very difficult, personally. Let me share some translations of Scripture to shed some light on it. NIV: … to be put into effect when the times reach their fulfillment...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Galatians 4:3. When were we “children”? He is using an example here. Though a child might be the heir of all things in the household, he might as well be a slave until the appointed day has come for him to inherit. On that day,...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
Galatians 1:17. What did Paul do in Arabia? The boundary of “Arabia” in Paul’s day was definitely not the same as today. Some include Damascus itself to be within those boundaries, meaning that Paul could easily have traveled...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
II Corinthians 10:3. What does “walk in the flesh” mean here? Here he is simply speaking of our human existence, whereas before he meant being totally controlled by carnal thinking. The flesh is with us here always, and although it...[ abbreviated | read entire ]
