Chuck Gianotti | Bible-Equip

6 … for he who comes to God must believe that … He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. Can God really be good and at the same time sovereign? This verse implies that He is good for He rewards us when we seek Him. But many people have found that following God in faith...

The Goodness of God – Hebrews 11:6c

6 … for he who comes to God must believe that … He is a rewarder of those who seek Him. A reward carries within itself that which is good. If it were not good, then it could hardly be called a reward. Certainly that would be no motivation for achievement of any kind....

The Existence of God – Hebrews 11:6b

6 … for he who comes to God must believe that He is … Faith that pleases God involves two truths. The first is simply a belief in the existence of God. This seems like a no-brainer. One must first believe He exists before one can come to Him. I think of the many...

Pleasing God – Hebrews 11:6a

6 And without faith it is impossible to please Him … What is seen in Enoch, we now discover is absolutely essential for a relationship with God, namely, pleasing Him. The phrase “it is impossible” is identical to what we found in Hebrews 6:4, which spoke of the...

A Pleasing Example – Hebrews 11:5

5 By faith Enoch was taken up so that he would not see death; and he was not found because God took him up; for he obtained the witness that before his being taken up he was pleasing to God. Upon Abel’s death, the line of faith takes a long break. Unfortunately. The...

First of Many – Hebrews 11:4

4 By faith Abel offered to God a better sacrifice than Cain, through which he obtained the testimony that he was righteous, God testifying about his gifts, and through faith, though he is dead, he still speaks. First on the list of God’s Hall of Faith is none other...

Origins (part 2) – Hebrews 11:3

3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. “Ex nihilo” is the phrase theologians use for the creation of the universe. “Out of nothing.” God created all that can...

Origins – Hebrews 11:3

3 By faith we understand that the worlds were prepared by the word of God, so that what is seen was not made out of things which are visible. Faith is a prerequisite for every human being when it comes to the origins of the universe, where everything came from. One...

Approved Faithfulness – Hebrews 11:2

2 For by it the men of old gained approval. Beginning the long, illustrious list of faithful men, we have a general statement about faithful men. One thing they have in common, though their particular circumstances and the content of their faith may vary, they all...

Faith Defined – Hebrews 11:1

1 Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. Definitions of a theological nature are curious things. We like to package what we believe in neat, tidy statements with words that are concise and understandable. For such statements...

No Going Back! – Hebrews 10:39

39 But we are not of those who shrink back to destruction, but of those who have faith to the preserving of the soul. Vacillating between the personal pronouns, “we”, “us” and “you”, Paul writes to a somewhat mixed audience. His readers include genuine Christians, but...

Live by Faith (cont.) – Hebrews 10:38

38 But My righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him. Two ways to translate this verse show the expanse of application that scholars point out. The first, as rendered by most modern versions, is that a person who would be...

Live by Faith – Hebrews 10:38

38 But My righteous one shall live by faith; and if he shrinks back, My soul has no pleasure in him. One of the most important verses in Scripture is this one, which is a quote from Habakkuk 2:4 and is also quoted in Romans 1:17 and Galatians 3:11. It was made famous...

The Lord’s “Little While” – Hebrews 10:37

37 For yet in a very little while, He who is coming will come, and will not delay. Anticipation of Christ’s return has been a hallmark of Christianity since the ascension of our Savior and Lord into heaven (Acts 1:10). Even the opening of this letter to the Hebrews...

Of Promises and Rewards – Hebrews 10:36

36 For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God, you may receive what was promised. The concept of eternal reward (which we saw in the previous verse 35) was somewhat foreign to the Greek philosophers. Plato, for example, believed that...

No Throw-Away Confidence – Hebrews 10:35

35 Therefore, do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. Four times in this book of Hebrews are we told about being confident (3:6, 4:16, 10:19 and here). The underlying word can be translated as boldness, openness, publicly. We have the confidence...

Supernatural Joy – Hebrews 10:34

34 For you showed sympathy to the prisoners and accepted joyfully the seizure of your property, knowing that you have for yourselves a better possession and a lasting one. Previewing the walk of faith that is amply illustrated in chapter 11 of this letter to the...

Shared Memories – Hebrews 10:32-33 (cont.)

32 But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, 33 partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. Christians have...

Memories of Suffering – Hebrews 10:32-33

32 But remember the former days, when, after being enlightened, you endured a great conflict of sufferings, 33 partly by being made a public spectacle through reproaches and tribulations, and partly by becoming sharers with those who were so treated. Memory is a good...

Avoiding the Terrible – Hebrews 10:31

31 It is a terrifying thing to fall into the hands of the living God. After warning “pseudo-believers” who understood the message of Christ and associated with the believing community, the writer expands on God’s severity. There are huge consequences for making little...

Vengeance is His – Hebrews 10:30

30 For we know Him who said, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay.” And again, “The Lord will judge His people.” Vengeance” is an extremely negative word and it seems incongruous with so many other characteristics of God. After all, He is loving, kind, forbearing and...

Don’t Trample Underfoot! – Hebrews 10:28-29 (cont.)

28 Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by...

Stark Warning – Hebrews 10:28-29

28 Anyone who has set aside the Law of Moses dies without mercy on the testimony of two or three witnesses. 29 How much severer punishment do you think he will deserve who has trampled under foot the Son of God, and has regarded as unclean the blood of the covenant by...

Not Make Believe – Hebrews 10:27

… 27 but a terrifying expectation of judgment and the fury of a fire which will consume the adversaries. Just like those who in the Old Testament times refused the Law of Moses fell under the judgment of God, so also those who continue sinning by rejecting the message...

Security Not Threatened – Hebrews 10:26

26 For if we go on sinning willfully after receiving the knowledge of the truth, there no longer remains a sacrifice for sins … The doctrine of eternal security, in some people’s minds, carries within it a significant tension. Why would a Christian be motivated to...

Take Away Three (cont.) – Hebrews 10:25

… 25 not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. Simply put, we cannot provoke one another to love and good deeds (vs. 24) unless we spend time together as...

Take Away Three – Hebrews 10:24

… 24 and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds … Stimulation is what fellowship is all about—that is, in the sense of provoking or motivating another person. Christians should make a difference, particularly with each other. I am not...

Take Away Two – Hebrews 10:23

23 Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful … Holding fast” is a common exhortation in the book of Hebrews (see 3:6, 3:14, 4:14) as well as the topic of hope (6:11, 6:18-19, 7:19). But, contrary to some...

Take Away One – Hebrews 10:22

… 22 let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. Drawing near to God is what the book of Hebrews is all about, where we find the rest of God. We were...

Review Number – 2 Hebrews 10:21

21 and since we have a great priest over the house of God … A second “given” that leads to the “so what” of this chapter, is that “we have a great priest over the house of God.” We again await the logical conclusion of these two great summaries which come in the next...

Review Number 1 – Hebrews 10:19b-20

19… by the blood of Jesus 20 by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh … We have two reasons for confidence in entering the holy place (10:19a) which before was only open to the high priest, and that only once a year. The...

Confident Reticence – Hebrews 10:19

19 Therefore, brethren, since we have confidence to enter the holy place by the blood of Jesus … What was taught previously as a ground breaking concept (Heb 4:16) is now taken as a given. This is the “so what” aspect of Bible reading, and it is signaled by the two...

Already Forgiven – Hebrews 10:18

18 Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer any offering for sin. Forgiveness—one of the great benefits of being right with God. It is a necessary condition for becoming right with God. It is also a benefit, for it is a result of being...

Intentional Amnesia – Hebrews 10:16b-17

16 … He then says, 17 “And their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” How can God not remember something? This is the second time (see 8:12) that God’s memory is called into view by quoting from Jeremiah 31:34. God is said to have “remembered Noah”...

Like He Says I Am – Hebrews 10:15-16a

15 And the Holy Spirit also testifies to us; for after saying, 16 “This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws upon their heart, and on their mind I will write them… If our perfection is a completed, once for all...

Ongoing Perfection – Hebrews 10:14

14 For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified. “Beautiful” is the word that comes to mind when reading this verse. Worthy of memorization, as all Scripture is, but in particular as an excellent summary of eternal truth. Melodic,...

An Appropriate Footstool – Hebrews 10:12b-13

… 12 but He … sat down at the right hand of God, 13 waiting from that time onward until His enemies be made a footstool for His feet. Seated on the throne, in the position of sovereignty—that’s where the Lord Jesus Christ is now. Turning to Psalm 100, which...

Sitting Not Standing – Hebrews 10:11-12

11 Every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; 12 but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, sat down at the right hand of God… The recurring theme throughout the letter to...

Our Willing God – Hebrews 10:10

10 By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Jesus Christ once for all. Will of God—this has invoked much study, discussion, yes, even heated debate among Christians. How can you know God’s will for your life? How do you distinguish...

Repeat and Complete – Hebrews 10:8-9

8 After saying above, “Sacrifices and offerings and whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You have not desired, nor have You taken pleasure in them” (which are offered according to the Law), 9 then He said, “Behold, I have come to do Your will.” He takes away...

The Will of the Father – Hebrews 10:7

7 “Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come (in the scroll of the book it is written of Me) to do Your will, O God.’ ” Humanity has been endowed with self-determining will. At the earliest stage, though, our seminal parents, Adam and Eve made a choice, under the influence of...

The Sacrifice That Pleases – Hebrews 10:6

6 “In whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin You have taken no pleasure.” Why would God say this? After all, didn’t He command His people Israel to make “whole burnt offerings and sacrifices for sin”? So why does it now say that He has “taken no pleasure” in...

A Life Prepared – Hebrews 10:5

5 Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says, “Sacrifice and offering You have not desired, but a body You have prepared for Me…” Jesus Christ provided, He was, the better sacrifice. The argument of the book of Hebrews is leading up to this conclusion, and our...

Carrot Theology – Hebrews 10:4

4 For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. Impossibility emphasized. First, the Law could make no one perfect (10:1); the sacrificial system could not take sins away. The high priest could not effect forgiveness. Other things in the...

Memory Is a Beautiful Thing – Hebrews 10:3

3 But in those sacrifices there is a reminder of sins year by year. Memories are the things songs are made of … and things our lives are filled with. They are the historical record etched in the mind, the play back recording of life up to this point. Alzheimer’s...

Shadowy Imperfection – Hebrews 10:1-2

1 For the Law, since it has only a shadow of the good things to come and not the very form of things, can never, by the same sacrifices which they offer continually year by year, make perfect those who draw near. 2 Otherwise, would they not have ceased to be offered,...

Anticipation – Hebrews 9:28 (cont.)

… 28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him. Layers of perspective are required to appreciate this hologram of what is pictured. Christ, in...

Once Now, Appearing Later – Hebrews 9:28

… 28 so Christ also, having been offered once to bear the sins of many, will appear a second time for salvation without reference to sin, to those who eagerly await Him. Singularity is a key theme of this letter to the Hebrews and is contrasted with the multiplicity,...

Appointment with God – Hebrews 9:27

27 And inasmuch as it is appointed for men to die once and after this comes judgment … Gospel preaching often includes this verse to emphasize the utter weight of the salvation message. Two weighty truths assert the gravity and urgency of receiving the message of...

Once Only – Hebrews 9:25-26

25 nor was it that He would offer Himself often, as the high priest enters the holy place year by year with blood that is not his own. 26 Otherwise, He would have needed to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now once at the consummation of the ages He...

The Real Deal – Hebrews 9:24

24 For Christ did not enter a holy place made with hands, a mere copy of the true one, but into heaven itself, now to appear in the presence of God for us … Finally, the picture comes into focus. The artist gives His interpretation. Modern artistic convention differs...

Sacrifice from Eternity – Hebrews 9:23 (cont.)

23 Therefore it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. Heaven had no sin and therefore did not require cleansing in the same sense that the earthly...

Clean Copy, Heavenly Reality – Hebrews 9:23

23 Therefore it was necessary for the copies of the things in the heavens to be cleansed with these, but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices than these. Ritualistic cleansing is in view here. Protestant Christianity squirms at the notion of ritual, a...

Central Principle – Hebrews 9:22

22 And according to the Law, one may almost say, all things are cleansed with blood, and without shedding of blood there is no forgiveness. Succinct and beautiful in its brevity. Yet, breathtaking in its expansiveness, for it covers a lot of ground. In fact, the whole...

Trail of Blood – Hebrews 9:21

21 And in the same way he sprinkled both the tabernacle and all the vessels of the ministry with the blood. Any way you look at it, this ritual of sprinkling with blood was a messy thing, quite odd from our 21st century, western perspective. The blood, according to...

Enacting the New – Hebrews 9:18-20

18 Therefore even the first covenant was not inaugurated without blood. 19 For when every commandment had been spoken by Moses to all the people according to the Law, he took the blood of the calves and the goats, with water and scarlet wool and hyssop, and sprinkled...

Enacting the New – Hebrews 9:16-17

16 For where a covenant is, there must of necessity be the death of the one who made it. 17 For a covenant is valid only when men are dead, for it is never in force while the one who made it lives. The Greek word behind “covenant” can mean an agreement between two...

Inheritance by Blood – Hebrews 9:15

15 For this reason He is the mediator of a new covenant, so that, since a death has taken place for the redemption of the transgressions that were committed under the first covenant, those who have been called may receive the promise of the eternal inheritance. In...

Blood Type “S” – Hebrews 9:14

… 14 how much more will the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without blemish to God, cleanse your conscience from dead works to serve the living God? While we don’t know what physical blood type Jesus had, we know it was spiritually...

Blood of Animals – Hebrews 9:13

13 For if the blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkling those who have been defiled sanctify for the cleansing of the flesh … The study of typology ascends to its zenith when comparing the sacrificial system of the Jews to the person of Christ. We...

Once-For-All Deal – Hebrews 9:11-12 (cont.)

11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; 12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood,...

“Typical” Jesus – Hebrews 9:11-12

11 But when Christ appeared as a high priest of the good things to come, He entered through the greater and more perfect tabernacle, not made with hands, that is to say, not of this creation; 12 and not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood,...

Well or Not So Well? – Hebrews 9:9b-10

9 … Accordingly both gifts and sacrifices are offered which cannot make the worshiper perfect in conscience, 10 since they relate only to food and drink and various washings, regulations for the body imposed until a time of reformation. Penchant for performing acts of...

Full Disclosure – Hebrews 9:8-9a

8 The Holy Spirit is signifying this, that the way into the holy place has not yet been disclosed while the outer tabernacle is still standing, 9 which is a symbol for the present time … Limitations abound in the old economy of God and His people. The commands and the...

Law’s Limitation – Hebrews 9:7

7… but into the second, only the high priest enters once a year, not without taking blood, which he offers for himself and for the sins of the people committed in ignorance. Repetition brings emphasis. The idea of the Day of Atonement is frequently referred to in...

No Form Necessary – Hebrews 9:6

6 Now when these things have been so prepared, the priests are continually entering the outer tabernacle performing the divine worship … Worship symbolism abounds, particularly where the Jewish tabernacle is concerned. The layout and placement all had their meanings,...

Tabernacle 105 – Hebrews 9:5

… 5 and above it were the cherubim of glory overshadowing the mercy seat; but of these things we cannot now speak in detail. Concluding this summary of the tabernacle’s makeup, we turn from the contents of the ark to that which was placed on top of it. The top of the...

Tabernacle 104 – Hebrews 9:4 (cont.)

… 4 having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod which budded, and the tables of the covenant … Absolute center of Jewish worship during the early days was the...

Tabernacle 103 – Hebrews 9:4

… 4 having a golden altar of incense and the ark of the covenant covered on all sides with gold, in which was a golden jar holding the manna, and Aaron’s rod which budded, and the tables of the covenant … About now many readers of the book of Hebrews begin to...

Tabernacle 102 – Hebrews 9:3

… 3 Behind the second veil there was a tabernacle which is called the Holy of Holies … The tabernacle was so structured to be a progression toward the holy. A person would enter the outer courtyard, and then proceed through the first veil, or curtain, into the...

Tabernacle 101 – Hebrews 9:2

2 For there was a tabernacle prepared, the outer one, in which were the lampstand and the table and the sacred bread; this is called the holy place. The place of worship for the Jews was the tabernacle, which was actually a tent within a larger tent. Specially...

It’s All About Worship – Hebrews 9:1

1 Now even the first covenant had regulations of divine worship and the earthly sanctuary. God must think it important for us to understand that Christ replaces the old covenant with the new, for He gives much space to this theme in the book of Hebrews. In the next...

Replacement Therapy – Hebrews 8:13

13 When He said, “A new covenant,” He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to disappear. Replacement is the new restoration. Just like the present heavens and earth will someday become obsolete (Heb 1:11), so too, the...

A Conscious Amnesia – Hebrews 8:12

12 “For I will be merciful to their iniquities, and I will remember their sins no more.” Wonderful, refreshing words. As in the days of Jeremiah (31:34 from which our verse for today comes), so also in our day. The idea of God being merciful and compassionate toward...

To Know Him – Hebrews 8:11

11 “And they shall not teach everyone his fellow citizen, and everyone his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ for all will know Me, from the least to the greatest of them … ’” Restoration to the original condition, only better. It was God’s plan all along that His...

The New Covenant – Hebrews 8:10

10 “For this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My laws into their minds, and I will write them on their hearts. And I will be their God, and they shall be My people.” Relying heavily on quotations...

Unlikely Covenant – Hebrews 8:9

9 “Not like the covenant which I made with their fathers on the day when I took them by the hand to lead them out of the land of Egypt; for they did not continue in My covenant, and I did not care for them, says the Lord.” Covenant replacement came because Israel...

The Faulty Replaced – Hebrews 8:8

8 For finding fault with them, He says, “Behold, days are coming, says the Lord, When I will effect a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah …” Fault lies with the people, the “them” of this passage. This clarifies the previous verse that...

Par Excellence – Hebrews 8:6-7

6 But now He has obtained a more excellent ministry, by as much as He is also the mediator of a better covenant, which has been enacted on better promises. 7 For if that first covenant had been faultless, there would have been no occasion sought for a second. There is...

Tented Among Us – Hebrews 8:5

… 5 who serve a copy and shadow of the heavenly things, just as Moses was warned by God when he was about to erect the tabernacle; for, “See,” He says, “that you make all things according to the pattern which was shown you on the mountain.” The tabernacle of the...

Disqualified but Better! – Hebrews 8:4

4 Now if He were on earth, He would not be a priest at all, since there are those who offer the gifts according to the Law … Disqualified! Jesus Christ was ineligible, banned from being a priest in the earthly, Levitical sense. We saw back in 7:14 that the Levitical...

Sacrifice of Necessity – Hebrews 8:3

3 For every high priest is appointed to offer both gifts and sacrifices; so it is necessary that this high priest also have something to offer. These things, the priesthood and tabernacle, were not just precursors to what was coming; they were not only symbolic. But...

Of Priests and Sanctuaries – Hebrews 8:2

… 2 a minister in the sanctuary and in the true tabernacle, which the Lord pitched, not man. Religious terminology abounds in Christendom—and by that we mean the whole of the religious world that traces its roots back, whether accurately or inaccurately, to New...

Perfect Forever and Ever – Hebrews 8:1

1 Now the main point in what has been said is this: we have such a high priest, who has taken His seat at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens … Main points are great, especially when the author explicitly tells the reader—and here is one of...

Perfect Forever – Hebrews 7:28

28 For the Law appoints men as high priests who are weak, but the word of the oath, which came after the Law, appoints a Son, made perfect forever. No end to superlatives describing the Son, our passage continues exalting the superiority of Christ over the Levitical...

Once for All – Hebrews 7:27

…27 who does not need daily, like those high priests, to offer up sacrifices, first for His own sins and then for the sins of the people, because this He did once for all when He offered up Himself. When perfection comes, what need is there of imperfection? A fairly...

The Holy Intercessor – Hebrews 7:26

26 For it was fitting for us to have such a high priest, holy, innocent, undefiled, separated from sinners and exalted above the heavens … Certain things commend themselves simply as just being right. They are appropriately fitting. One of those things was the baptism...

The Forever Intercessor – Hebrews 7:25

25 Therefore He is able also to save forever those who draw near to God through Him, since He always lives to make intercession for them. The need for intercession cannot be overstated; thus the emphasis on Jesus’ priesthood through this section of the book of...

Permanently Priestly – Hebrews 7:24

… 24 but Jesus, on the other hand, because He continues forever, holds His priesthood permanently. Eternity is a strange concept—to us mere humans. We are so time dependent that any perception of existence apart from the sequence of before and after stretches the...

One Is the Number of Quality – Hebrews 7:23

23 The former priests, on the one hand, existed in greater numbers because they were prevented by death from continuing, So much space is given to the comparison between Jesus and the Levitical priesthood because of the background of the original intended audience....

My All in All – Hebrews 7:22

22 … so much the more also Jesus has become the guarantee of a better covenant. Guarantees are something we all like, but few are worthwhile. Sports figures guarantee wins, stock advisors guarantee huge returns and manufacturers guarantee products. One lumber product...

Priest by Oath – Hebrews 7:20-21

20 And inasmuch as it was not without an oath 21 (for they indeed became priests without an oath, but He with an oath through the One who said to Him, “The Lord has sworn And will not change His mind, ‘You are a priest forever’ ”) … Some people are surprised when...

Spiritual Gravity – Hebrews 7:19b

19 … and on the other hand there is a bringing in of a better hope, through which we draw near to God. Spiritual gravity is a good way to describe the pull on our spirits to return to our Creator, whose image we bear. Augustine in the 4th century put it this way, “You...

Useless Perfection? – Hebrews 7:18-19a

18 For, on the one hand, there is a setting aside of a former commandment because of its weakness and uselessness 19(for the Law made nothing perfect) …. What has been hinted at, even suggested before, is now unambiguously laid out in plain sight. The Law is...

Eternal Intercession – Hebrews 7:15-17

15 And this is clearer still, if another priest arises according to the likeness of Melchizedek, 16 who has become such not on the basis of a law of physical requirement, but according to the power of an indestructible life. 17 For it is attested of Him, “You are a...

Emphatic Underlining – Hebrews 7:13-14

13 For the one concerning whom these things are spoken belongs to another tribe, from which no one has officiated at the altar. 14 For it is evident that our Lord was descended from Judah, a tribe with reference to which Moses spoke nothing concerning priests. Like a...

In Search of Perfection – Hebrews 7:11-12

11 Now if perfection was through the Levitical priesthood (for on the basis of it the people received the Law), what further need was there for another priest to arise according to the order of Melchizedek, and not be designated according to the order of Aaron? 12 For...

In the Loins of Abraham – Hebrews 7:9-10

9 And, so to speak, through Abraham even Levi, who received tithes, paid tithes, 10 for he was still in the loins of his father when Melchizedek met him. Seminal—that’s how theologians describe what this passage is talking about, that ultimately the Levitical...

The Eternal Man – Hebrews 7:8

8 In this case mortal men receive tithes, but in that case one receives them, of whom it is witnessed that he lives on. When the Old Testament consists of 39 books and over 31,000 verses, why make such a big deal out of Melchizedek who is mentioned in only four...

The Blessing Tells It All – Hebrews 7:6-7

6 But the one whose genealogy is not traced from them collected a tenth from Abraham and blessed the one who had the promises. 7 But without any dispute the lesser is blessed by the greater. Point: Melchizedek was not a descendant of Levi, and yet he received a...

The Greatness of the Man – Hebrews 7:4-5

4 Now observe how great this man was to whom Abraham, the patriarch, gave a tenth of the choicest spoils. 5 And those indeed of the sons of Levi who receive the priest’s office have commandment in the Law to collect a tenth from the people, that is, from their...

Eternal Dimensions – Hebrews 7:3

3 Without father, without mother, without genealogy, having neither beginning of days nor end of life, but made like the Son of God, he remains a priest perpetually. Melchizedek was certainly an enigmatic individual. Otherwise obscure in the biblical record, the book...

Mystery Unfolding – Hebrews 7:2b

2 …[Melchizedek] was first of all, by the translation of his name, king of righteousness, and then also king of Salem, which is king of peace. The mystery begins to unfold as our author peels back the obscurity of this hugely significant individual, Melchizedek. He is...

Back to Melchizedek – Hebrews 7:1-2a

1 For this Melchizedek, king of Salem, priest of the Most High God, who met Abraham as he was returning from the slaughter of the kings and blessed him, 2 to whom also Abraham apportioned a tenth part of all the spoils … Let the dullness of hearing (Hebrews 5:11)...

A Timeless Hope – Hebrews 6:19-20

19This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one which enters within the veil, 20 where Jesus has entered as a forerunner for us, having become a high priest forever according to the order of Melchizedek. Hope is central to...

An Anchor Steadfast and Sure – Hebrews 6:18-19

… 18 so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have taken refuge would have strong encouragement to take hold of the hope set before us. 19 This hope we have as an anchor of the soul, a hope both sure and steadfast and one...

The God Singularity – Hebrews 6:17-18a

17 In the same way God, desiring even more to show to the heirs of the promise the unchangeableness of His purpose, interposed with an oath, 18 so that by two unchangeable things in which it is impossible for God to lie… Oaths are not something God needs to...

When God Swears – Hebrews 6:16

16 For men swear by one greater than themselves, and with them an oath given as confirmation is an end of every dispute. Analogy is a primary communication technique of Scripture writers in talking about God. He is so completely “other,” so transcendent, that the best...

Of Promises and Patience – Hebrews 6:15

15 And so, having patiently waited, he obtained the promise. Faith involves patience—that is made clear through the book of Hebrews in many ways. Abraham proves an excellent example of believing God for something, then waiting a long time, in his case 25 years (see...

The Promise – Hebrews 6:13-14

13 For when God made the promise to Abraham, since He could swear by no one greater, He swore by Himself, 14 saying, “I will surely bless you and I will surely multiply you.” Many don’t realize that everything we have in Christ today is linked back to a promise God...

Inheritance and Assurances – Hebrews 6:11-12

11 And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope until the end, 12 so that you will not be sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. Promises ‘R’ God, to mimic the...

God Remembers – Hebrews 6:10

10 For God is not unjust so as to forget your work and the love which you have shown toward His name, in having ministered and in still ministering to the saints. Moving on, we are encouraged to focus on the work we were created to do. Of course, this work does not...

A Better Deal – Hebrews 6:9

9 But, beloved, we are convinced of better things concerning you, and things that accompany salvation, though we are speaking in this way. “Beloved” identifies that our writer is here talking specifically to genuine believers. Is this subtle evidence of Pauline...

Analogy of the Ground – Hebrews 6:7-8

7 For ground that drinks the rain which often falls on it and brings forth vegetation useful to those for whose sake it is also tilled, receives a blessing from God; 8 but if it yields thorns and thistles, it is worthless and close to being cursed, and it ends up...

Absolutely Sufficient – Hebrews 6:4-6 (cont.)

4 For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, it is impossible to...

A Poignant Rebuttal – Hebrews 6:4-6 (cont.)

4 For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, 6 and then have fallen away, it is impossible to...

An Impossible Conjecture – Hebrews 6:6

… 6 and then have fallen away, it is impossible to renew them again to repentance, since they again crucify to themselves the Son of God and put Him to open shame. “Crux of the matter” is the best way to describe this verse. First, if this refers to those who...

Amazing Blessing – Hebrews 6:4-5

4 For in the case of those who have once been enlightened and have tasted of the heavenly gift and have been made partakers of the Holy Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to come, So begins a very difficult passage, on a number of...

Moving Beyond – Hebrews 6:2-3

… 2 of instruction about washings and laying on of hands, and the resurrection of the dead and eternal judgment. 3 And this we will do, if God permits. Sanfilippo syndrome is a disease resulting in severe intellectual decline in children. Learned abilities in the...

Pressing On – Hebrews 6:1

1 Therefore leaving the elementary teaching about the Christ, let us press on to maturity, not laying again a foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God, Maturity means moving beyond the basics. The foundation is important, to be sure. How could...

Culinary Spirituality – Hebrews 5:14

14 But solid food is for the mature, who because of practice have their senses trained to discern good and evil. Maturity is depicted as the ability to handle solid food, not just milk. Keep in mind that in the ancient world milk was not considered a normal adult...

Avoiding Milky Christianity – Hebrews 5:13

13 For everyone who partakes only of milk is not accustomed to the word of righteousness, for he is an infant. Basic principles of Christian growth depicted by analogy of human growth from infancy to maturity—this captures succinctly the truth that readers of this...

Mature in Faith? – Hebrews 5:12

12 For though by this time you ought to be teachers, you need someone to teach you again the basic principles of the oracles of God. You need milk, not solid food… We have come to expect daily devotionals to always be encouraging and uplifting, to warm our souls...

Dullness of Spirit – Hebrews 5:11

11 Concerning him we have much to say, and it is hard to explain, since you have become dull of hearing. Maturity is not an attribute the writer would ascribe to his readers. This rebuke fits in line with one of the purposes of Scripture (2 Tim 3:16). Sometimes as...

A Different Order – Hebrews 5:10

… 10 being designated by God as a high priest according to the order of Melchizedek. Melchizedek is one of the most enigmatic individuals in Scripture, surrounded by a cloud of mystery and intrigue. He appears for a brief moment in Genesis 14:17-20, also appears...

The Perfect One – Hebrews 5:9

9 And having been made perfect, He became to all those who obey Him the source of eternal salvation … Perfection and God are two words that go together. Uniquely, unequivocally and exclusively. We have already encountered this idea of the Son being made perfect in...

Suffering through Obedience – Hebrews 5:8

8 Although He was a Son, He learned obedience from the things which He suffered. Biblical theology is all about putting the pieces together into a sensible, consistent whole. When we read verses like Hebrews 5:8, we immediately ask how this squares with verses like...

Empathy Qualified – Hebrews 5:7

7 In the days of His flesh, He offered up both prayers and supplications with loud crying and tears to the One able to save Him from death, and He was heard because of His piety Jesus is the divine Son who became human (“in the days of His flesh”). This echoes what...

He Alone Is Worthy – Hebrews 5:5-6

5 So also Christ did not glorify Himself so as to become a high priest, but He who said to Him, “You are My Son, Today I have begotten You”; 6 just as He says also in another passage, “You are a priest forever According to the order of Melchizedek.” If there was one...

Gentle Priesthood – Hebrews 5:2-3

2 … he [the high priest] can deal gently with the ignorant and misguided, since he himself also is beset with weakness; 3 and because of it he is obligated to offer sacrifices for sins, as for the people, so also for himself. Being a human being himself, the high...

Honor by Calling – Hebrews 5:4

4 And no one takes the honor to himself, but receives it when he is called by God, even as Aaron was. High priesthood is an honor, a privilege. After all, the one occupying that position is the sole individual, out of millions of people in Israel, selected as the...

Highest Among Us – Hebrews 5:1

1 For every high priest taken from among men is appointed on behalf of men in things pertaining to God, in order to offer both gifts and sacrifices for sins … Christ is a high priest vastly superior to the Levitical priesthood. That is the theme of this section...

Confidence before God – Hebrews 4:16

16 Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Summarizing the implications of Christ’s superiority, we discover tremendous benefits in coming to the “rest” of God. At its...

Sympathizer Maxiumus – Hebrews 4:15

15 For we do not have a high priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but One who has been tempted in all things as we are, yet without sin. As the musical tension builds, and the climax arrives with its release and exaltation in the chorus, so the writer...

He’s the Greatest – Hebrews 4:14

14 Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. Therefore” is one of the most critical words in the Bible. It connects thoughts in a cause and effect relationship, or a purpose...

Exposed and Naked – Hebrews 4:13

13 And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are open and laid bare to the eyes of Him with whom we have to do. Temptation to go back to living by the law is a temptation toward vainness. What an absolute irony! Think about it for a minute. The...

Incisive & Penetrating – Hebrews 4:12

12 For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart. Memorization of Scripture usually includes...

Resting Completely – Hebrews 4:10-11

10 For the one who has entered His rest has himself also rested from his works, as God did from His. 11 Therefore let us be diligent to enter that rest, so that no one will fall, through following the same example of disobedience. Possibility thinking—that’s what this...

A Sabbath Kickback – Hebrews 4:9

9 So there remains a Sabbath rest for the people of God. Laborious this is not. The writer of Hebrews is not ready to rest his case about the “rest” of God. He toils over his selection of words and OT passages to convey that the story which began with the...

Like a River to My Soul – Hebrews 4:8

8 For if Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken of another day after that. Straightforward as this verse seems to be, to the Greek reader the contrast is much more stark. The name Joshua is a Hebrew name and corresponds to the Greek name Jesus. Much like...

Daily Fix – Hebrews 4:7

7 He again fixes a certain day, “Today,” saying through David after so long a time just as has been said before, “Today if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts.” Time is a fascinating idea! The word “today” occurs eight times in Hebrews. Three times we are...

Ubiquitous Warnings – Hebrews 4:6

6 Therefore, since it remains for some to enter it, and those who formerly had good news preached to them failed to enter because of disobedience … When God repeats Himself, we should doubly listen! This verse is a virtual repeat of verse two earlier in the chapter,...

Enjoy Your Rest – Hebrews 4:3b-5

3 … although His works were finished from the foundation of the world. 4 For He has said somewhere concerning the seventh day: “And God rested on the seventh day from all His works”; 5 and again in this passage, “They shall not enter My rest.” Summary of God’s...

Faith Mix – Hebrews 4:2-3a

2 For indeed we have had good news preached to us, just as they also; but the word they heard did not profit them, because it was not united by faith in those who heard. 3 For we who have believed enter that rest, just as He has said, “As I swore in My wrath, They...

Short of Rest – Hebrews 4:1

1 Therefore, let us fear if, while a promise remains of entering His rest, any one of you may seem to have come short of it. Some things in life are worthy of fear. And one of those is to come short of the rest of God. So much is at stake. To miss this is nothing...

Failure of Unbelief – Hebrews 3:19

19 So we see that they were not able to enter because of unbelief. Unbelief is the worst. The refusal to take God at His Word. Israel’s disobedience, was rooted in unbelief. That is the issue the author brought up a few verses earlier. “Take care, brethren, that there...

When God Swears! – Hebrews 3:18

18 And to whom did He swear that they would not enter His rest, but to those who were disobedient? Continuing on the subject of Israel’s disobedience being an example to avoid, we find great truths about God and His ways in our passage today. God swears! Well, not in...

Sinners in God’s Hands – Hebrews 3:17

17 And with whom was He angry for forty years? Was it not with those who sinned, whose bodies fell in the wilderness? Angry God? Yes! God can be very angry. And He was with the Israelites. They rebelled and He killed them. There is no nice way of packaging that up to...

Of Provocation and Warning – Hebrews 3:16

16 For who provoked Him when they had heard? Indeed, did not all those who came out of Egypt led by Moses? It is one of the ironies of the Christian life that we strive to hold on to that which we are laid hold of: “Not that I have already obtained it or have already...

Partakers with Assurance – Hebrews 3:14-15

14 For we have become partakers of Christ, if we hold fast the beginning of our assurance firm until the end, 15 while it is said, “Today if you hear His voice, Do not harden your hearts, as when they provoked Me.” Superiority of Christ over the angels is the first...

Sin Doesn’t Procrastinate – Hebrews 3:12-13

12 Take care, brethren, that there not be in any one of you an evil, unbelieving heart that falls away from the living God. 13 But encourage one another day after day, as long as it is still called “Today,” so that none of you will be hardened by the deceitfulness of...

The Rest of God – Hebrews 3:11

11 “As I swore in My wrath, ‘They shall not enter My rest.’ ” Rest is a major theme of the book of Hebrews. Without understanding this concept, the book remains overly mysterious and obtuse. Christians need to understand this “rest” of God. There different ways to...

Anger Management – Hebrews 3:10

10 “Therefore I was angry with this generation, And said, ‘They always go astray in their heart, And they did not know My ways’” Anger of God is the thing we fear the most. Many reject the notion of God because of a caricaturization, casting Him in the image of a...

Extra, Extra! – Hebrews 3:7

7 Therefore, just as the Holy Spirit says, “Today if you hear His voice …” Urgent news requires urgent communication. In the early days of newspaper publishing, not only did the publishers print the regular news, but would also publish an additional issue. The extra...

Hardening of Spiritual Arteries – Hebrews 3:8-9

… 8 do not harden your hearts as when they provoked Me, as in the day of trial in the wilderness, 9 where your fathers tried Me by testing Me, And saw My works for forty years. Hardening of the spiritual arteries, that’s what it is. With every disobedience comes a...

Eternal Life-time Membership – Hebrews 3:6

… 6 but Christ was faithful as a Son over His house—whose house we are, if we hold fast our confidence and the boast of our hope firm until the end. Incomparable comparison, that’s what this is, as we’ve written before. As great as the patriarch, Jesus Christ is...

A Prime Commodity – Hebrews 3:5

5 Now Moses was faithful in all His house as a servant, for a testimony of those things which were to be spoken later … Faithfulness is the prime commodity, which is in short supply. It is certainly important to God, as suggested in the words of Jesus’ story of...

An Incomparable Comparison – Hebrews 3:3-4

3 For He has been counted worthy of more glory than Moses, by just so much as the builder of the house has more honor than the house. 4 For every house is built by someone, but the builder of all things is God. Comparison with Moses continues. Though Christ is really...

Model of Faithfulness – Hebrews 3:2

2 He was faithful to Him who appointed Him, as Moses also was in all His house. Faithfulness – that’s the model of Moses and it is ultimately exhibited in the Son of God. Moses, as great as he was, is a shadow, a picture of what Christ was going to be. First Moses....

The Great Messenger – Hebrews 3:1

1 Therefore, holy brethren, partakers of a heavenly calling, consider Jesus, the Apostle and High Priest of our confession … Who is the audience to whom the author of Hebrews writes? This has some bearing on the difficult passages, such as 6:1-8. He often refers...

Relatable Humanity – Hebrews 2:18

18 For since He Himself was tempted in that which He has suffered, He is able to come to the aid of those who are tempted. Temptation is common to all humanity and when God became human this was true of Him as well. One of the great mysteries of the incarnation, but...

Praise God, He is Propitiated! – Hebrews 2:17

17 Therefore, He had to be made like His brethren in all things, so that He might become a merciful and faithful high priest in things pertaining to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. Fifth in the list of reasons Christ became incarnate (and died)...

Our Need Unlike Angels – Hebrews 2:16

16 For assuredly He does not give help to angels, but He gives help to the descendant of Abraham. Taking hold of, with a focus on healing help, that is literally what this passage is about. The KJV renders this “He took not on him the nature of angels, but he took on...

No More Slavery to Fear – Hebrews 2:15

15 … and might free those who through fear of death were subject to slavery all their lives. The fourth purpose of Christ’s incarnation and death in this section of Hebrews is to bring freedom from the fear of death. Death is something we all will encounter, there are...

Death’s Advantage Neutralized – Hebrews 2:14

14 Therefore, since the children share in flesh and blood, He Himself likewise also partook of the same, that through death He might render powerless him who had the power of death, that is, the devil …” Many purposes are invested in the death of Christ. We saw that...

A Privileged Brotherhood – Hebrews 2:12-13

12 … saying, “I will proclaim Your name to My brethren, in the midst of the congregation I will sing Your praise.” 13 And again, “I will put My trust in Him.” And again, “Behold, I and the children whom God has given Me.” Not ashamed, we just heard in the previous...

A Special Brotherhood – Hebrews 2:11

11 For both He who sanctifies and those who are sanctified are all from one Father; for which reason He is not ashamed to call them brethren, Family is what God is all about. Calling Him “Father” is one of the most well-used metaphors for our relationship with God...

A Glorious Perfection – Hebrews 2:10

10 For it was fitting for Him, for whom are all things, and through whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to perfect the author of their salvation through sufferings. God’s purpose and plan was “fitting.” To the spiritual eye we see it as proper,...

Amazing Summary – Hebrews 2:9

9 But we do see Him who was made for a little while lower than the angels, namely, Jesus, because of the suffering of death crowned with glory and honor, so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone. Jesus—He is finally named! Not that His identify...

Eternal “While” Higher – Hebrews 2:7b-8

7 “… You have crowned Him with glory and honor, and have appointed Him over the works of Your hands; 8 You have put all things in subjection under His feet.” For in subjecting all things to Him, He left nothing that is not subject to Him. But now we do not yet see all...

Little “While” Lower – Hebrews 2:7a

7 “You have made him for a little while lower than the angels… Astounding that any religion would teach that the Originator of the universe from which all else derives, the Author of all creation in whom all stories are seeded, the Absolute truth out of which all true...

Mindful of Us – Hebrews 2:6

6 But one has testified somewhere, saying, “What is man, that You remember him? Or the son of man, that You are concerned about him?” God is concerned about each one of us. And one day we will no longer be subject to the fallen world, but we shall reign. That is...

Who’s In Control? – Hebrews 2:5

5 For He did not subject to angels the world to come, concerning which we are speaking. One of the greatest struggles of faith for the Christian is why does God not fix the world? Bad things happen to what seems like good people, and good things happen to what seems...

Affirming Miracles – Hebrews 2:3b-4

3 … After it was at the first spoken through the Lord, it was confirmed to us by those who heard, 4 God also testifying with them, both by signs and wonders and by various miracles and by gifts of the Holy Spirit according to His own will. Apart of Christendom claims...

Seriously, Really – Hebrews 2:2-3a

2 For if the word spoken through angels proved unalterable, and every transgression and disobedience received a just penalty, 3 how will we escape if we neglect so great a salvation? After it was at the first spoken through the Lord… The argument is simple: if...

Pay Attention – Hebrews 2:1

For this reason we must pay much closer attention to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away from it. In woodworking, most injuries in the workshop are the result of not paying attention. Accidents on the highways often come from being distracted, taking our...

Sitting at the Right Hand – Hebrews 1:13-14

13 But to which of the angels has He ever said, “SIT AT MY RIGHT HAND, UNTIL I MAKE YOUR ENEMIES A FOOTSTOOL FOR YOUR FEET”? 14 Are they not all minis-tering spirits, sent out to render service for the sake of those who will inherit salvation? As great as angels are,...

Greater Than Creation – Hebrews 1:10-12

10 And, “You, Lord, in the beginning laid the foundation of the earth, and the heavens are the works of Your hands; 11 they will perish, but You remain; and they all will become old like a garment, 12 and like a mantle You will roll them up; like a garment they will...

Deity of Christ – Hebrews 1:8-9

8 But of the Son He says, “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever, and the righteous scepter is the scepter of His kingdom. 9 You have loved righteousness and hated lawlessness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of gladness above Your...

Angels Worship the Son – Hebrews 1:5-7

5 For to which of the angels did He ever say, “YOU ARE MY SON, TODAY I HAVE BEGOTTEN YOU”? And again, “I WILL BE A FATHER TO HIM AND HE SHALL BE A SON TO ME”? 6 And when He again brings the firstborn into the world, He says, “AND LET ALL THE ANGELS OF GOD WORSHIP...

What a Name! – Hebrews 1:4b

… as He has inherited a more excellent name than they … The Name – probably one of the most written about subjects in all of Christian literature. The names of God, the names of Christ. Names are descriptions, they invoke emotion and insight. Parents often name their...

Better Than Angels – Hebrews 1:4a

… having become as much better than the angels … Angels – fantasy to many, subjects of stained-glass windows and iconography, objects of children’s stories—but something most people really don’t often think about. Yet these spiritual beings are key players in...

Deity of Christ – Hebrews 1:3b

… When He had made purification of sins, He sat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high … Sin in the Old Testament is seen as something which makes a person “unclean” and the solution, then, is for the person to be purified or cleansed from that uncleanness. The...

Deity of Christ – Hebrews 1:3a

And He is the radiance of His glory and the exact representation of His nature, and upholds all things by the word of His power … One of the grandest, most exalting texts of Scripture, this passage presents the deity of Christ in all its glory. God in the flesh,...

God Speaks Now – Hebrews 1:2

… in these last days has spoken to us in His Son, whom He appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the world. God still speaks now. He is not relegated to dusty parchments of the past, nor the black and white photography of the old days of our parents....

God Spoke – Hebrews 1:1

God, after He spoke long ago to the fathers in the prophets in many portions and in many ways … We believe in a God who speaks. From the very beginning we read, “And God said …” (Gen 1:3). The Lord spoke creation into existence with a mere spoken phrase, “Let there be...

Introduction Part 2 – The Book of Hebrews

The title to the book of Hebrews (although the title is not inspired and was added much later by those who collected the authorized letters into one “New Testament,”) gives us a clue to the intended original audience. They were Jewish followers of the Lord Jesus...

Introduction Part 1 – The Book of Hebrews

When theologians think of “Introduction” to the study of a book, they refer to questions of authorship, time of writing, the original intended audience and unique contribution to our understanding of God and His ways. Today we accept the book of Hebrews as part of the...

Discipleship of C.S. Lewis

C.S. Lews enjoyed popularity for his writings on Christian themes, as well as being a highly regard literary scholar. Despite the allure of even greater honor and recognition, he choose to live out his Christian life at the expense of his professional career. Gali and...

One Sinner To Another

Pray for the man in the pulpit this Sunday. He is like one beggar telling other beggars where to find bread. He is one sinner telling other sinners where to find forgiveness. He is one struggling believer reminding other struggling believers of God’s grace. He...

He Saw the Blood.

During a recent terrorist siege on a mall in Kenya (September 2013) where 67 victims were tortured, maimed or mutilated, one survivor told of finding a teenager who had been shot and died, with his blood still flowing. She smeared some of his blood on herself,...

Authenticity of the Heart

And as for you, if you will walk before me, as David your father walked, with integrity of heart … (1 Ki 9:4a) Integrity is a matter of the heart, an inward character. It is who you are in your thought life and self-reflection. This is the real you. Being a...

Staying By the Stuff

For who will hearken unto you in this matter? But as his part is that goeth down to the battle, so shall his part be that tarrieth by the stuff: they shall part alike. (1 Sam 30:24) I like the old King James version of this verse. Are you one who “tarrieth by...

What is your life?

“Baseball is my life.” Overheard in a TV interview of a major league ball player. “I eat, live and sleep baseball.” For others it is their job or their family. For some young people, “My life is Justin Bieber.” Then there are those...

Success Guaranteed!

The title sounds like a cheap infomercial on late night TV. But, don’t we all desire success in whatever we do? In my morning quiet time, I read the following: This book of the law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate on it day and night, so...

Off-Limits?

USA Today, quoting from Newser posted this feed today (May 29, 2013): “… a Vatican spokesman stresses that the church believes all salvation ‘comes from Christ, the Head, through the Church which is his body,’ meaning those with awareness of...

Stare It Down!

Fear!!! grips the heart, prevents dreams, paralyzes actions, imprisons the soul. When God’s people fear anything, they embrace a downward spiral of death. Death of life–for living in fear is no life at all. The Hebrews were on a roll. Their tormenters, the...

An Ugly Face

How broadly does your love function in real life? I don’t mean the pseudo-spiritual, feelings-based, words-only, churchy kind of love. What about Christ-like love toward those kind of people who do not commended themselves easily to being love? Sometimes we can...

Women In Combat?

Should women be allowed and encouraged to serve on the front lines of combat in the military? Does equality and freedom come with a high price tag for women? Will young women now be subject to the draft, will they now be assigned against their desires to serve in...

Love and Lack of Gratitude

In Fyodor Dostoyevski’s book “The Brothers Karamazov,” the author pictures a woman contemplating the idea of giving her self to a life of loving others as a nun: “And do you know, I came with horror to the conclusion that, if anything could...

Hope In the Midst of Politics

But this I call to mind, and therefore I have hope: The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness. “The Lord is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in him....

Wrap-up: Galatians – Colossians

The apostle Paul was a prolific writer, having penned thirteen letters (or fourteen depending on whether he was the author of Hebrews). The four we have studied in this devotional series, the letters to the Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians and Colossians, are shorter...

Final Greetings: Colossians 4:15

15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea and also Nympha and the church that is in her house. 16 When this letter is read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and you, for your part read my letter that is coming from Laodicea. 17 Say to...

Demas and the Doctor: Colossians 4:13-14

For I testify for him that he has a deep concern for you and for those who are in Laodicea and Hierapolis. Luke, the beloved physician, sends you his greetings, and also Demas. (Col 4:13–14) Epaphras, unsung outside the area of Colossae, was well known there because...

Servants of Excellence: Colossians 4:11-12

… 11 and also Jesus who is called Justus; these are the only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are from the circumcision, and they have proved to be an encouragement to me. 12 Epaphras, who is one of your number, a bondslave of Jesus Christ, sends you his...

Faithful Companions: Colossians 4:9-10

… 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of your number. They will inform you about the whole situation here. 10 Aristarchus, my fellow prisoner, sends you his greetings; and also Barnabas’s cousin Mark (about whom you received...

Faithful Servant: Colossians 4:7-8

7 As to all my affairs, Tychicus, our beloved brother and faithful servant and fellow bond-servant in the Lord, will bring you information. 8 For I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know about our circumstances and that he may encourage your...

Wisdom and Grace: Colossians 4:5-6

5 Conduct yourselves with wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of the opportunity. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person. Finally, before turning to his personal greetings...

Pointed Prayer: Colossians 4:1-4

1 Masters, grant to your slaves justice and fairness, knowing that you too have a Master in heaven. 2 Devote yourselves to prayer, keeping alert in it with an attitude of thanksgiving; 3 praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for...

Transformative Service: Colossians 3:23-25

23 Whatever you do, do your work heartily, as for the Lord rather than for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance. It is the Lord Christ whom you serve. 25 For he who does wrong will receive the consequences of the wrong...

Condoning Slavery? (pt. 2): Colossians 3:22

22 Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. No, Scripture does not condone slavery. Period! But, living the Christ-like life is possible...

Condoning Slavery? Colossians 3:22

22 Slaves, in all things obey those who are your masters on earth, not with external service, as those who merely please men, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. Hot topic this is, for those of us in the western world, with our history of brutal slavery....

All In The Family: Colossians 3:18-21

18 Wives, be subject to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. 19 Husbands, love your wives and do not be embittered against them. 20 Children, be obedient to your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing to the Lord. 21 Fathers, do not exasperate your...

Strategic Domicile: Colossians 3:16-17

16 Let the word of Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness in your hearts to God. 17 Whatever you do in word or deed, do all in the name of the Lord...

What Are You Wearing? Colossians 3:14-15

14 Beyond all these things put on love, which is the perfect bond of unity. 15 Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, to which indeed you were called in one body; and be thankful. The new Christian apparel takes on many hues. Romans 13:14 tells us to put on...

Spiffing Up the New Look: Colossians 3:12b-13

… 12 put on a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience; 13 bearing with one another, and forgiving each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; just as the Lord forgave you, so also should you. What does putting on the new self actually...

Constant Upgrading: Colossians 3:10-12a

… 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him— 11 a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman,...

Living the Life: Colossians 3:9b-10

9 … since you laid aside the old self with its evil practices, 10 and have put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him … Warning gives way to rationale. Christians should avoid immoral behaviors not...

Somber Warning: Colossians 3:6-9a

6 For it is because of these things that the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, 7 and in them you also once walked, when you were living in them. 8 But now you also, put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech from your...

Dead Members: Colossians 3:5

5 Therefore consider the members of your earthly body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which amounts to idolatry. “Consider”—that’s the core activity of the Christian mind. We need to consider, to think, to interpret, to change...

The Hidden Reveal: Colossians 3:3-4

3 For you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. 4 When Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with Him in glory. Three truths are found in our passage for today. We have died with Christ, our life is hidden with Christ,...

View From the Top: Colossians 3:1-2

1 Therefore if you have been raised up with Christ, keep seeking the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God. 2 Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth. Sanctification grows out of the constant pursuit of Christ....

Fruitless Legalism: Colossians 2:20-23

20 If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, 21 “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” 22 (which all refer to things destined to perish with...

Prize Fighting: Colossians 2:18-19

18 Let no one keep defrauding you of your prize by delighting in self-abasement and the worship of the angels, taking his stand on visions he has seen, inflated without cause by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to the head, from whom the entire body, being...

Giving Way to Substance: Colossians 2:17

… 17 things which are a mere shadow of what is to come; but the substance belongs to Christ. Shadow, that is how Paul describes the Law of the Old Testament. And a shadow begs the question, “What casts the shadow?” The answer is very simply, “Christ!” The image is a...

Praise God, Free At Last: Colossians 2:16

16 Therefore no one is to act as your judge in regard to food or drink or in respect to a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day … The term “judging” is the Christian boogeyman, and rightly so. Jesus said, “Do not judge so that you will not be judged. For in the way...

Made Alive: Colossians 2:13-15

13 When you were dead in your transgressions and the uncircumcision of your flesh, He made you alive together with Him, having forgiven us all our transgressions, 14 having canceled out the certificate of debt consisting of decrees against us, which was hostile to us;...

“In Him”: Colossians 2:10-12

10 and in Him you have been made complete, and He is the head over all rule and authority; 11 and in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision made without hands, in the removal of the body of the flesh by the circumcision of Christ; 12 having been buried with...

The Ultimate Integration: Colossians 2:9

9 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form … Big things come in small packages. This short verse conveys huge truth. God became a man! Fully God, fully man. The Nicene Creed captured this well when it referred to Jesus Christ as “true God from...

Beware the Deceivers: Colossians 2:8

8 See to it that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception, according to the tradition of men, according to the elementary principles of the world, rather than according to Christ. Where there are truth tellers, there are the truth perverters. In...

Rooting For the Foundation: Colossians 2:7

… 7 having been firmly rooted and now being built up in Him and established in your faith, just as you were instructed, and overflowing with gratitude. Paul had just exhorted the Colossian Christians to continue walking in Christ in the same way they received Him....

The New Walk Again: Colossians 2:6

6 Therefore as you have received Christ Jesus the Lord, so walk in Him … First instructions often set the tone for what follows. After Paul’s introduction and lengthy prayer which turns into a rejoicing and rehearsing great truths of God, all in chapter one, and...

Spiritual Presence: Colossians 2:5

5 For even though I am absent in body, nevertheless I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good discipline and the stability of your faith in Christ. “I am with you” is a common phrase in many cultures. Most notably in the ancient Hebrew context, during...

Preventing Perverse Persuasion: Colossians 2:4

4 I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. Persuasion takes a person where his will may initially be reluctant. It can be a force for good or for not-so-good. Jesus was a master persuader in that many people were compelled by His teaching...

Christian Enlightenment: Colossians 2:3

… 3 in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Jesus Christ is the “in whom.” To initial onlookers, He appeared to be just a Jew, maybe ahead of His time in terms of moral teachings and peaceful, non-violent resistance in the face of class struggle....

Preventing Perverse Persuasion: Colossians 2:4

4 I say this so that no one will delude you with persuasive argument. Persuasion takes a person where his will may initially be reluctant. It can be a force for good or for not-so-good. Jesus was a master persuader in that many people were compelled by His teaching...

Gaining Wealth: Colossians 2:2

… 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, having been knit together in love, and attaining to all the wealth that comes from the full assurance of understanding, resulting in a true knowledge of God’s mystery, that is, Christ Himself … Needed among Christians, at...

Sacrifice of Ministry: Colossians 2:1

1 For I want you to know how great a struggle I have on your behalf and for those who are at Laodicea, and for all those who have not personally seen my face … Sacrifice integrates seamlessly with serving the Lord. It is not just a by-product of the desire to...

The Mighty Partnership: Colossians 1:29

29 For this purpose also I labor, striving according to His power, which mightily works within me. Unabashed and confident was the apostle Paul in his purpose for living. His life was his ministry and he had no other focus than Christ and proclaiming Him to everyone...

The Divine Commentary: Colossians 1:28

28 We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ. Jesus Christ is the prime focus of the Christian message. This would seem obvious today, but that is because we have had centuries of...

A Servant of the Truth – Part 2: Colossians 1:25-27

25 Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, 26 that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has...

A Servant of the Truth – Part 1: Colossians 1:25-27

25 Of this church I was made a minister according to the stewardship from God bestowed on me for your benefit, so that I might fully carry out the preaching of the word of God, 26 that is, the mystery which has been hidden from the past ages and generations, but has...

Worth Suffering For: Colossians 1:24

24 Now I rejoice in my sufferings for your sake, and in my flesh I do my share on behalf of His body, which is the church, in filling up what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions. The Church occupies a high place in the affections of God and in the view of the apostle...

Reconciled Forever: Colossians 1:21-23

21 And although you were formerly alienated and hostile in mind, engaged in evil deeds, 22 yet He has now reconciled you in His fleshly body through death, in order to present you before Him holy and blameless and beyond reproach— 23 if indeed you continue in the...

Joyful Incarnation: Colossians 1:19-20

19 For it was the Father’s good pleasure for all the fullness to dwell in Him, 20 and through Him to reconcile all things to Himself, having made peace through the blood of His cross; through Him, I say, whether things on earth or things in heaven. Incarnation brought...

The Pre-Eminent One: Colossians 1:16-18

16 For by Him all things were created, both in the heavens and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—all things have been created through Him and for Him. 17 He is before all things, and in Him all things hold together....

Priority One: Colossians 1:15b

15 He is … the firstborn of all creation. The Lord Jesus Christ was not a created being—although some erroneously claim our verse today asserts that very thing. We want to unpack this very carefully, because of the enormity of this truth. Genuine Christianity is...

The Image of God: Colossians 1:15a

15 He is the image of the invisible God … Christ is exalted in all of Scripture, either through prophecy, symbolism, story, teaching or direct exclamation and praise. For Paul, exaltation of Christ overlaps the boundaries between all of these. His prayer now...

The Great Rescue: Colossians 1:13-14

13 For He rescued us from the domain of darkness, and transferred us to the kingdom of His beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins. Good news is described in Scripture in many different ways. Christians are saved, redeemed, regenerated,...

The Great Qualifier: Colossians 1:11-12

11 … strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for the attaining of all steadfastness and patience; joyously 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified us to share in the inheritance of the saints in Light. Continuing his prayer for the...

To Know You More: Colossians 1:9-10

9 For this reason also, since the day we heard of it, we have not ceased to pray for you and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding, 10 so that you will walk in a manner worthy of the Lord, to please Him...

Pray For More Workers: Colossians 1:6-8

6 … [the gospel] has come to you, just as in all the world also it is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even as it has been doing in you also since the day you heard of it and understood the grace of God in truth; 7 just as you learned it from Epaphras, our...

A Great Three: Colossians 1:3-5

3 We give thanks to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, praying always for you, 4 since we heard of your faith in Christ Jesus and the love which you have for all the saints; 5 because of the hope laid up for you in heaven, of which you previously heard in the...

Greetings to the Faithful: Colossians 1:1-2

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, 2 To the saints and faithful brethren in Christ who are at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. The letter to the Colossian Christians is part of the so-called “prison...

Grace Greetings: Philippians 4:21-23

21 Greet every saint in Christ Jesus. The brethren who are with me greet you. 22 All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household. 23 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Personal notes accompany most of Paul’s writings, although...

An Amazing Promise: Philippians 4:19-20

19 And my God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. 20Now to our God and Father be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Well-quoted verse this is, a great and precious promise. Whatever our need, God stands ready to meet it. We must...

Mmmmm, Smells Good: Philippians 4:17-18

17 Not that I seek the gift itself, but I seek for the profit which increases to your account. 18 But I have received everything in full and have an abundance; I am amply supplied, having received from Epaphroditus what you have sent, a fragrant aroma, an acceptable...

Non-Solicited Funding: Philippians 4:14-16

14 Nevertheless, you have done well to share with me in my affliction. 15 You yourselves also know, Philippians, that at the first preaching of the gospel, after I left Macedonia, no church shared with me in the matter of giving and receiving but you alone; 16 for...

Confident, Expectant Strength: Philippians 4:13

13 I can do all things through Him who strengthens me. Well quoted verse as this may be, the Lord’s strengthening defies simple caricature. The Samson story immediately surfaces, he who in his final moments cried out, “O Lord God, please remember me and please...

Contentment – part 2: Philippians 4:11-12

11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going...

Contentment – part 1: Philippians 4:11-12

11 Not that I speak from want, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. 12 I know how to get along with humble means, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going...

No Fund Raising Here: Philippians 4:10

10 But I rejoiced in the Lord greatly, that now at last you have revived your concern for me; indeed, you were concerned before, but you lacked opportunity. Overjoyed with the Philippians’ renewed financial support for him in his ministry, the apostle effuses with...

An Imitation Based Growth : Philippians 4:9

9 The things you have learned and received and heard and seen in me, practice these things, and the God of peace will be with you. Imitation has long been a primary form of learning. It begins with an infant who copies his parents, from waving “bye, bye” or taking his...

From the Inside Out: Philippians 4:8

8 Finally, brethren, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is of good repute, if there is any excellence and if anything worthy of praise, dwell on these things. Many admonitions Paul gave to the...

Peace Or Anxiety: Philippians 4:6-7

6 Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God. 7 And the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Peace or anxiety, polar...

An Unrelenting Requirement: Philippians 4:5

5 Let your gentle spirit be known to all men. The Lord is near. Gentleness is incumbent upon all Christians. This instruction carries all the more significance after Paul’s chastising of Euodia and Syntyche in verse 2-3 for their disharmony. It is difficult to be...

Joy Twice Over: Philippians 4:4

4 Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, rejoice! Joy is the theme of this book, as many have pointed out. Rejoicing is a word used to describe the act of expressing joy. This should characterize all Christians, so Paul repeats himself on this. We can never be...

The Urge of Fellowship: Philippians 4:2-3

2 I urge Euodia and I urge Syntyche to live in harmony in the Lord. 3 Indeed, true companion, I ask you also to help these women who have shared my struggle in the cause of the gospel, together with Clement also and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in...

Joy of Fellowship: Philippians 4:1