I Thessalonians 4:9–4:12 Though sexual impurity is a danger to be avoided (verses 3-8), loving other
Christians is a practice to be cultivated (verses 9-12). Christians quickly learn
that they have a special kinship with other believers that they do not have with
those outside of God’s family. You will especially notice this if you live in a family
where they ... Read more
I Thessalonians 4:1–4:8 In this chapter Paul deals with morals and conduct toward
each other. Sexual standards were very low in the Roman
Empire and in many parts of our society today they are
not any higher. These Thessalonians lived in a pagan
environment where sexual looseness was not only
practiced openly but was encouraged. Prostitution and ... Read more
I Thessalonians 3:6–3:13 Timothy met Paul in Corinth (Acts 18:5) and gave him the
good news that things were going well at Thessaloniki and
that the Christians were standing firm in spite of
persecution. He also reported that the Thessalonians had
good memories of them and desired greatly to see them
(v. 6). This brought great joy to ... Read more
I Thessalonians 3:1–3:5 The ‘wherefore†(v. 1) that opens this chapter refers back
to where Paul expressed his great love and concern for the
believers (I Thess. 2:17-20). These new believers had to
be taught and established in the faith. A key word in this
chapter is “establish†(v. 2). Paul was not only an
evangelist but he also had a pastor’s heart and so ... Read more
I Thessalonians 2:13–2:20 We must never treat the Bible as we would some other
book (v. 13). This verse communicates the idea that the
Word of God is to be taken by us. It means to welcome
eagerly. When we receive the Bible, we’re saying that we
acknowledge its authority. When we accept it, we are
allowing it into our hearts so that we can be changed ... Read more
I Thessalonians 2:9–2:12 This passage gives us a beautiful example of New
Testament follow-up. Paul shows us how to raise baby
Christians. He considered himself a “spiritual father†to the
believers at Thessaloniki. Paul, Silas and Timothy not only
told the Christians at Thessaloniki how to live, they showed
them how to live. Paul points out three of ... Read more
I Thessalonians 2:1–2:8 In today’s passage, Paul lays out what his conduct in
Thessaloniki was by contrasting it against what it was not:
Not in Vain (v. 1): Acts 17 records how Paul and Silas were
able to plant a church in Thessaloniki despite ... Read more
I Thessalonians 1:6–1:10 Despite severe suffering the Thessalonians had welcomed their
message with great joy and became imitators of Paul and Silas
(v. 6). Often a new Christian first looks to other believers as
his example, but then as he matures he realizes that Jesus
Christ is his best model (I Peter 2:21). That’s why we need to
be ... Read more
I Thessalonians 1:1–1:5 In Paul’s day letters usually started out with the person writing
the letter using their own name first and then the name of the
person or church to whom he was writing (v. 1). Paul
addresses his fellow Christians as brothers and prays that God
will be kind to them and bless them … Read more
Galatians 6:11–6:18 In closing out his letter to the Galatians Paul does not pats
them on the head and tell them he knows they meant well,
but instead he restates the issues and gives them strong
reproof. In this passage Paul presents three “marked men;
“the legalist (vv. 12-13), the Lord Jesus Christ (vv. 14-16),
and the Apostle Paul himself ... Read more
Galatians 6:6–6:10 This portion of scripture is often referred to as “the law of the
harvestâ€, “the law of cause and effect†or “the sowing and
reaping principle.†If certain things are done, other things will
occur. Paul starts off by saying that just as the teacher shares
spiritual treasures, those who are taught need to share
material treasures (v. 6). Paul ... Read more
Galatians 6:1–6:5 Paul uses a hypothetical case of a believer who falls into sin.
Instead of trying to restore this person the Legalists will
condemn him and try to make himself look good by making
this person look bad. He seems to rejoice when this brother
falls and often gives the matter wide publicity. The Legalists
has an attitude of pride ... Read more
Galatians 5:22–5:26 The fruit of the Spirit in this passage has to do with character
(vv. 22-23). It is important that we distinguish the gift of the
Spirit which is salvation (Acts 2:38) and the gifts of the Spirit
which have to do with service (I Corinthians 12). In some
Christian circles there is a tendency to neglect the fruits of the
Spirit and ... Read more
Galatians 5:16–5:21 Paul describes the two conflicting forces that operates within
every believer (vv. 16-17). The believer still has within him
the old nature which is not eradicated, but is to be made
subject to the new nature. The mistake made by so many
misinformed Christians is trying to gain the victory by their
own efforts, by the works of the law ... Read more
Recent commentaries
How Are You Showing Love to Others?
I Thessalonians 4:9–4:12
Though sexual impurity is a danger to be avoided (verses 3-8), loving other Christians is a practice to be cultivated (verses 9-12). Christians quickly learn that they have a special kinship with other believers that they do not have with those outside of God’s family. You will especially notice this if you live in a family where they ... Read more
A Plea For Purity
I Thessalonians 4:1–4:8
In this chapter Paul deals with morals and conduct toward each other. Sexual standards were very low in the Roman Empire and in many parts of our society today they are not any higher. These Thessalonians lived in a pagan environment where sexual looseness was not only practiced openly but was encouraged. Prostitution and ... Read more
Remember Where You Came From
I Thessalonians 3:6–3:13
Timothy met Paul in Corinth (Acts 18:5) and gave him the good news that things were going well at Thessaloniki and that the Christians were standing firm in spite of persecution. He also reported that the Thessalonians had good memories of them and desired greatly to see them (v. 6). This brought great joy to ... Read more
Paul’s Concern For The Believers
I Thessalonians 3:1–3:5
The ‘wherefore†(v. 1) that opens this chapter refers back to where Paul expressed his great love and concern for the believers (I Thess. 2:17-20). These new believers had to be taught and established in the faith. A key word in this chapter is “establish†(v. 2). Paul was not only an evangelist but he also had a pastor’s heart and so ... Read more
Persecution is Bound to Come
I Thessalonians 2:13–2:20
We must never treat the Bible as we would some other book (v. 13). This verse communicates the idea that the Word of God is to be taken by us. It means to welcome eagerly. When we receive the Bible, we’re saying that we acknowledge its authority. When we accept it, we are allowing it into our hearts so that we can be changed ... Read more
The Concerned Father
I Thessalonians 2:9–2:12
This passage gives us a beautiful example of New Testament follow-up. Paul shows us how to raise baby Christians. He considered himself a “spiritual father†to the believers at Thessaloniki. Paul, Silas and Timothy not only told the Christians at Thessaloniki how to live, they showed them how to live. Paul points out three of ... Read more
Paul’s Conduct
I Thessalonians 2:1–2:8
In today’s passage, Paul lays out what his conduct in Thessaloniki was by contrasting it against what it was not: Not in Vain (v. 1): Acts 17 records how Paul and Silas were able to plant a church in Thessaloniki despite ... Read more
An Exemplary People
I Thessalonians 1:6–1:10
Despite severe suffering the Thessalonians had welcomed their message with great joy and became imitators of Paul and Silas (v. 6). Often a new Christian first looks to other believers as his example, but then as he matures he realizes that Jesus Christ is his best model (I Peter 2:21). That’s why we need to be ... Read more
Ingredients For Growing a Christian
I Thessalonians 1:1–1:5
In Paul’s day letters usually started out with the person writing the letter using their own name first and then the name of the person or church to whom he was writing (v. 1). Paul addresses his fellow Christians as brothers and prays that God will be kind to them and bless them … Read more
Paul Glories in The Cross
Galatians 6:11–6:18
In closing out his letter to the Galatians Paul does not pats them on the head and tell them he knows they meant well, but instead he restates the issues and gives them strong reproof. In this passage Paul presents three “marked men; “the legalist (vv. 12-13), the Lord Jesus Christ (vv. 14-16), and the Apostle Paul himself ... Read more
Be Generous And do Good
Galatians 6:6–6:10
This portion of scripture is often referred to as “the law of the harvestâ€, “the law of cause and effect†or “the sowing and reaping principle.†If certain things are done, other things will occur. Paul starts off by saying that just as the teacher shares spiritual treasures, those who are taught need to share material treasures (v. 6). Paul ... Read more
Bearing And Sharing The Burdens
Galatians 6:1–6:5
Paul uses a hypothetical case of a believer who falls into sin. Instead of trying to restore this person the Legalists will condemn him and try to make himself look good by making this person look bad. He seems to rejoice when this brother falls and often gives the matter wide publicity. The Legalists has an attitude of pride ... Read more
The Provison For Victory Over Sin
Galatians 5:22–5:26
The fruit of the Spirit in this passage has to do with character (vv. 22-23). It is important that we distinguish the gift of the Spirit which is salvation (Acts 2:38) and the gifts of the Spirit which have to do with service (I Corinthians 12). In some Christian circles there is a tendency to neglect the fruits of the Spirit and ... Read more
The Promise of Victory Over Sin
Galatians 5:16–5:21
Paul describes the two conflicting forces that operates within every believer (vv. 16-17). The believer still has within him the old nature which is not eradicated, but is to be made subject to the new nature. The mistake made by so many misinformed Christians is trying to gain the victory by their own efforts, by the works of the law ... Read more