Exploration, Part 11

Paul had asked foolish Galatians to consider: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?1 He continued describing the fruit (result) of the Spirit...

Exploration, Part 6

Paul continued to describe the freedom for which Christ has set us free1 (Galatians 5:18-21 ESV). But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law. Now the works of the flesh are evident: sexual immorality (πορνεία), impurity, sensuality, idolatry, sorcery,...

Nothing True, Part 3

Eliphaz, the king of the Thaimanites1 responded to Job’s lament: Masoretic Text Septuagint Job 4:1, 2 (Tanakh/KJV) Job 4:1, 2 (NET) Job 4:1, 2 (NETS) Job 4:1, 2 (English Elpenor) Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered and said, Then Eliphaz the Temanite answered:...

Romans, Part 21

Against hope (ἐλπίδα, a form of ἐλπίς) Abraham believed (ἐπίστευσεν, a form of πιστεύω) in hope (ἐλπίδι, another form of ἐλπίς),1 Paul continued.  At ninety-nine-years old Abraham had plenty of empirical proof that his wife Sarah could not have a child.  He had no...

Romans, Part 18

What then shall we say that Abraham, our ancestor1 according to the flesh, has discovered regarding this matter? Paul continued.  For if Abraham was declared righteous (ἐδικαιώθη,  a form of δικαιόω) by the works (ἔργων, a form of ἔργον) of the law,2 he has something...