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Monday, November 30, 2015
Chronological New Testament Study Day 55
Galatians 1; Galatians
2; Galatians 3
1 Paul, an apostle--sent not from men nor by man, but by
Jesus Christ and God the Father, who raised him from the dead-- 2 and
all the brothers with me, To the churches in Galatia: 3 Grace
and peace to you from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who
gave himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age, according to
the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory for ever
and ever. Amen. 6 I am astonished that you are so quickly
deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a
different gospel-- 7 which is really no gospel at all.
Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert
the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we or an angel from heaven
should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be
eternally condemned! 9 As we have already said, so now I say
again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted,
let him be eternally condemned! 10 Am I now trying to win the
approval of men, or of God? Or am I trying to please men? If I were still
trying to please men, I would not be a servant of Christ. 11 I
want you to know, brothers, that the gospel I preached is not something that
man made up. 12 I did not receive it from any man, nor was I
taught it; rather, I received it by revelation from Jesus Christ. 13 For
you have heard of my previous way of life in Judaism, how intensely I
persecuted the church of God and tried to destroy it. 14 I was
advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous
for the traditions of my fathers. 15 But when God, who set me
apart from birth and called me by his grace, was pleased 16 to
reveal his Son in me so that I might preach him among the Gentiles, I did not
consult any man, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those
who were apostles before I was, but I went immediately into Arabia and later
returned to Damascus. 18 Then after three years, I went up to
Jerusalem to get acquainted with Peter and stayed with him fifteen days. 19 I
saw none of the other apostles--only James, the Lord's brother. 20 I
assure you before God that what I am writing you is no lie. 21 Later
I went to Syria and Cilicia. 22 I was personally unknown to
the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 23 They only heard
the report: "The man who formerly persecuted us is now preaching the faith
he once tried to destroy." 24 And they praised God
because of me.
1 Fourteen years later I went up again to Jerusalem, this
time with Barnabas. I took Titus along also.2 I went in response to
a revelation and set before them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles.
But I did this privately to those who seemed to be leaders, for fear that I was
running or had run my race in vain. 3 Yet not even Titus, who
was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, even though he was a Greek. 4 [This
matter arose] because some false brothers had infiltrated our ranks to spy on
the freedom we have in Christ Jesus and to make us slaves. 5 We
did not give in to them for a moment, so that the truth of the gospel might
remain with you. 6 As for those who seemed to be
important--whatever they were makes no difference to me; God does not judge by
external appearance--those men added nothing to my message. 7 On
the contrary, they saw that I had been entrusted with the task of preaching the
gospel to the Gentiles, just as Peter had been to the Jews. 8 For
God, who was at work in the ministry of Peter as an apostle to the Jews, was
also at work in my ministry as an apostle to the Gentiles. 9 James,
Peter and John, those reputed to be pillars, gave me and Barnabas the right
hand of fellowship when they recognized the grace given to me. They agreed that
we should go to the Gentiles, and they to the Jews. 10 All
they asked was that we should continue to remember the poor, the very thing I
was eager to do. 11 When Peter came to Antioch, I opposed him
to his face, because he was clearly in the wrong. 12 Before
certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they
arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because
he was afraid of those who belonged to the circumcision group. 13 The
other Jews joined him in his hypocrisy, so that by their hypocrisy even
Barnabas was led astray. 14 When I saw that they were not
acting in line with the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter in front of them
all, "You are a Jew, yet you live like a Gentile and not like a Jew. How
is it, then, that you force Gentiles to follow Jewish customs? 15"We
who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' 16 know that a
man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we,
too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in
Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will
be justified. 17 "If, while we seek to be justified in
Christ, it becomes evident that we ourselves are sinners, does that mean that
Christ promotes sin? Absolutely not! 18 If I rebuild what I
destroyed, I prove that I am a lawbreaker. 19 For through the
law I died to the law so that I might live for God. 20 I have
been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The
life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and
gave himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God,
for if righteousness could be gained through the law, Christ died for
nothing!"
1 You foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? Before your
very eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified. 2 I
would like to learn just one thing from you: Did you receive the Spirit by
observing the law, or by believing what you heard? 3 Are you
so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now trying to attain your
goal by human effort? 4 Have you suffered so much for
nothing--if it really was for nothing? 5 Does God give you his
Spirit and work miracles among you because you observe the law, or because you
believe what you heard? 6 Consider Abraham: "He believed
God, and it was credited to him as righteousness." 7 Understand,
then, that those who believe are children of Abraham. 8 The
Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, and announced
the gospel in advance to Abraham: "All nations will be blessed through
you." 9 So those who have faith are blessed along with
Abraham, the man of faith. 10 All who rely on observing the
law are under a curse, for it is written: "Cursed is everyone who does not
continue to do everything written in the Book of the Law." 11 Clearly
no one is justified before God by the law, because, "The righteous will
live by faith."12 The law is not based on faith; on the
contrary, "The man who does these things will live by them."13 Christ
redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us, for it is
written: "Cursed is everyone who is hung on a tree." 14 He
redeemed us in order that the blessing given to Abraham might come to the
Gentiles through Christ Jesus, so that by faith we might receive the promise of
the Spirit. 15 Brothers, let me take an example from everyday
life. Just as no one can set aside or add to a human covenant that has been
duly established, so it is in this case. 16 The promises were
spoken to Abraham and to his seed. The Scripture does not say "and to
seeds," meaning many people, but "and to your seed," meaning one
person, who is Christ. 17 What I mean is this: The law,
introduced 430 years later, does not set aside the covenant previously
established by God and thus do away with the promise. 18 For
if the inheritance depends on the law, then it no longer depends on a promise;
but God in his grace gave it to Abraham through a promise. 19 What,
then, was the purpose of the law? It was added because of transgressions until
the Seed to whom the promise referred had come. The law was put into effect
through angels by a mediator. 20 A mediator, however, does not
represent just one party; but God is one. 21 Is the law,
therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had
been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come
by the law. 22But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a
prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus
Christ, might be given to those who believe. 23 Before this
faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be
revealed. 24 So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ
that we might be justified by faith. 25 Now that faith has
come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law. 26 You
are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus, 27for all of you
who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ. 28 There
is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one
in Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are
Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Romans 15
Romans 15 (New International Version, ©2010)
Romans 15
1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."[a] 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews[b] on behalf of God's truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name."[c]
10 Again, it says, "Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people."[d]
11 And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him."[e]
12 And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope."[f]
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Paul the Minister to the Gentiles
14 I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another. 15 Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
17 Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. 18 I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done— 19 by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. 20 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation. 21 Rather, as it is written: "Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand."[g]
22 This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.
Paul's Plan to Visit Rome
23 But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you, 24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord's people there. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord's people in Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. 28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.
30 I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31 Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord's people there, 32 so that I may come to you with joy, by God's will, and in your company be refreshed. 33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Romans 15
1 We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. 2 Each of us should please our neighbors for their good, to build them up. 3 For even Christ did not please himself but, as it is written: "The insults of those who insult you have fallen on me."[a] 4 For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.
5 May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you the same attitude of mind toward each other that Christ Jesus had, 6 so that with one mind and one voice you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ.
7 Accept one another, then, just as Christ accepted you, in order to bring praise to God. 8 For I tell you that Christ has become a servant of the Jews[b] on behalf of God's truth, so that the promises made to the patriarchs might be confirmed 9 and, moreover, that the Gentiles might glorify God for his mercy. As it is written: "Therefore I will praise you among the Gentiles; I will sing the praises of your name."[c]
10 Again, it says, "Rejoice, you Gentiles, with his people."[d]
11 And again, "Praise the Lord, all you Gentiles; let all the peoples extol him."[e]
12 And again, Isaiah says, "The Root of Jesse will spring up, one who will arise to rule over the nations; in him the Gentiles will hope."[f]
13 May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.
Paul the Minister to the Gentiles
14 I myself am convinced, my brothers and sisters, that you yourselves are full of goodness, filled with knowledge and competent to instruct one another. 15 Yet I have written you quite boldly on some points to remind you of them again, because of the grace God gave me 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles. He gave me the priestly duty of proclaiming the gospel of God, so that the Gentiles might become an offering acceptable to God, sanctified by the Holy Spirit.
17 Therefore I glory in Christ Jesus in my service to God. 18 I will not venture to speak of anything except what Christ has accomplished through me in leading the Gentiles to obey God by what I have said and done— 19 by the power of signs and wonders, through the power of the Spirit of God. So from Jerusalem all the way around to Illyricum, I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ. 20 It has always been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on someone else's foundation. 21 Rather, as it is written: "Those who were not told about him will see, and those who have not heard will understand."[g]
22 This is why I have often been hindered from coming to you.
Paul's Plan to Visit Rome
23 But now that there is no more place for me to work in these regions, and since I have been longing for many years to visit you, 24 I plan to do so when I go to Spain. I hope to see you while passing through and to have you assist me on my journey there, after I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 Now, however, I am on my way to Jerusalem in the service of the Lord's people there. 26 For Macedonia and Achaia were pleased to make a contribution for the poor among the Lord's people in Jerusalem. 27 They were pleased to do it, and indeed they owe it to them. For if the Gentiles have shared in the Jews' spiritual blessings, they owe it to the Jews to share with them their material blessings. 28 So after I have completed this task and have made sure that they have received this contribution, I will go to Spain and visit you on the way. 29 I know that when I come to you, I will come in the full measure of the blessing of Christ.
30 I urge you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ and by the love of the Spirit, to join me in my struggle by praying to God for me. 31 Pray that I may be kept safe from the unbelievers in Judea and that the contribution I take to Jerusalem may be favorably received by the Lord's people there, 32 so that I may come to you with joy, by God's will, and in your company be refreshed. 33 The God of peace be with you all. Amen.
Revelation 17
Revelation 17 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 17
Babylon, the Prostitute on the Beast
1 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. 2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries."
3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. 5 The name written on her forehead was a mystery: BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God's holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. 7 Then the angel said to me: "Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns. 8 The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come.
9 "This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. 10 They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while. 11 The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.
12 "The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. 13 They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."
15 Then the angel said to me, "The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. 16 The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority, until God's words are fulfilled. 18 The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth."
Revelation 17
Babylon, the Prostitute on the Beast
1 One of the seven angels who had the seven bowls came and said to me, "Come, I will show you the punishment of the great prostitute, who sits by many waters. 2 With her the kings of the earth committed adultery, and the inhabitants of the earth were intoxicated with the wine of her adulteries."
3 Then the angel carried me away in the Spirit into a wilderness. There I saw a woman sitting on a scarlet beast that was covered with blasphemous names and had seven heads and ten horns. 4 The woman was dressed in purple and scarlet, and was glittering with gold, precious stones and pearls. She held a golden cup in her hand, filled with abominable things and the filth of her adulteries. 5 The name written on her forehead was a mystery: BABYLON THE GREAT THE MOTHER OF PROSTITUTES AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.
6 I saw that the woman was drunk with the blood of God's holy people, the blood of those who bore testimony to Jesus. When I saw her, I was greatly astonished. 7 Then the angel said to me: "Why are you astonished? I will explain to you the mystery of the woman and of the beast she rides, which has the seven heads and ten horns. 8 The beast, which you saw, once was, now is not, and yet will come up out of the Abyss and go to its destruction. The inhabitants of the earth whose names have not been written in the book of life from the creation of the world will be astonished when they see the beast, because it once was, now is not, and yet will come.
9 "This calls for a mind with wisdom. The seven heads are seven hills on which the woman sits. 10 They are also seven kings. Five have fallen, one is, the other has not yet come; but when he does come, he must remain for only a little while. 11 The beast who once was, and now is not, is an eighth king. He belongs to the seven and is going to his destruction.
12 "The ten horns you saw are ten kings who have not yet received a kingdom, but who for one hour will receive authority as kings along with the beast. 13 They have one purpose and will give their power and authority to the beast. 14 They will wage war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will triumph over them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers."
15 Then the angel said to me, "The waters you saw, where the prostitute sits, are peoples, multitudes, nations and languages. 16 The beast and the ten horns you saw will hate the prostitute. They will bring her to ruin and leave her naked; they will eat her flesh and burn her with fire. 17 For God has put it into their hearts to accomplish his purpose by agreeing to hand over to the beast their royal authority, until God's words are fulfilled. 18 The woman you saw is the great city that rules over the kings of the earth."
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