Romans, Part 39

Paul wrote that the Lord richly blesses all who call (ἐπικαλουμένους, a form of ἐπικαλέω) on him.1  When he was sent by the Lord to Paul (then called Saul) Ananias said, Lord, I have heard from many people about this man, how much harm he has done to your saints in...

Fear – Genesis, Part 7

The grain Joseph’s brothers brought back from Egypt didn’t outlast the famine.  “Return, buy us a little more food,” their father said.  But Judah said to him, “The man solemnly warned us, ‘You will not see my face unless your brother is with you.’  If you send our...

Son of God – John, Part 1

The first time the phrase Son of God (υἱὸς τοῦ θεοῦ) occurs in John’s Gospel account is in the story when Nathaniel first met Jesus (John 1:47-49 NET). Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward him and exclaimed, “Look, a true Israelite in whom there is no deceit!”  Nathanael...

You Must Be Gentle, Part 3

I watched an interview with Ingmar Bergman on the DVD version of “Persona” called “A Poem in Images.”  He spoke in English, not his native language, but I left the quote below verbatim because I liked the ideas expressed as they were. “I was ill and they had to make...

Romans, Part 38

For Moses writes about the righteousness that is by the law, Paul continued.  “The one who does these things will live by them [Table]” [Table].  But the righteousness that is by faith says: “Do not say in your heart [Table], ‘Who will ascend into heaven? [Table]’”...

Fear – Genesis, Part 6

After Jacob and his family spent some time in Bethel they moved on to Ephrath (Bethlehem).  On the way Rachel went into labor – and her labor was hard.  When her labor was at its hardest, the midwife said to her, “Don’t be afraid (yārē’ , תִּירְאִי), for you are...