Romans, Part 53

So, how can I view—Do not lag in zeal, be enthusiastic in spirit, serve the Lord[1]—as a definition of love (ἀγάπη) rather than as rules?  Again, I’ve constructed the following table to help. The Fruit of the Spirit Galatians 5:22, 23 (NET) love (ἀγάπη) Therefore,...

Romans, Part 23

Not only [do we rejoice in the hope of God’s glory],1 but we also rejoice in sufferings (θλίψεσιν, a form of θλίψις),2 Paul continued.  I’ve already written about the feedback loop that fosters this apparent masochism in believers and won’t do so again.  The word...

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...