Romans, Part 48

I want to continue with the next item in Paul’s list of the different gifts (χαρίσματα, a form of χάρισμα) we have according to the grace given to us.[2]  If [the gift] is leadership (προϊστάμενος, a form of προΐστημι), he must do so with diligence (σπουδῇ)…[4] I want...

The Righteousness of God

A Pharisee named Simon invited Jesus to dinner.  A woman of that town, who was a sinner, learned that Jesus was dining at the Pharisee’s house, and she brought an alabaster jar of perfumed oil.[1]  The men reclined on cushions on the floor at a low table.  As she...

Fear – Exodus, Part 8

Yahweh told Moses (Exodus 34:10 NET): See, I am going to make a covenant before all your people.  I will do wonders such as have not been done in all the earth, nor in any nation.  All the people among whom you live will see the work of the Lord, for it is a fearful...

The Two Covenants

After the incident with the golden calf, after Yahweh relented over the evil that he had said he would do to his people[1] honoring the covenant they violated, after He spoke his long name to Moses, He revealed a revised covenant.  It was similar to the original...

Throwing Their Weight Around

While studying the gift of contributing I came across something in 1 Thessalonians that troubled me.  I had to look into it further.  The translation—although we could have imposed our weight as apostles of Christ; instead we became little children among you[1]—seemed...

Romans, Part 47

If [the gift] is contributing (μεταδιδοὺς, a form of μεταδίδωμι),[1] Paul continued to list the different gifts (χαρίσματα, a form of χάρισμα) we have according to the grace given to us,[2] he must do so with sincerity (ἁπλότητι, a form of ἁπλότης).[3]  In the...

Fear – Exodus, Part 7

When he approached the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moses became extremely angry.  He threw the tablets [of the law] from his hands and broke them to pieces at the bottom of the mountain.1  Moses saw that the people were running wild, for Aaron had let them...

Saving Demons, Part 2

While studying the different gifts of the Spirit I came across the following (2 Corinthians 3:7-9 NET): But if the ministry (διακονία) that produced death – carved in letters on stone tablets – came with glory, so that the Israelites could not keep their eyes fixed on...