Thursday, August 27, 2015
Chronological New Testament Study Day 81
1 Peter 1; 1 Peter 2;
1 Peter 3; 1 Peter 4; 1 Peter 5
1 Peter, an apostle of Jesus Christ, To God's elect,
strangers in the world, scattered throughout Pontus, Galatia, Cappadocia, Asia
and Bithynia, 2 who have been chosen according to the
foreknowledge of God the Father, through the sanctifying work of the Spirit,
for obedience to Jesus Christ and sprinkling by his blood: Grace and peace be
yours in abundance. 3 Praise be to the God and Father of our
Lord Jesus Christ! In his great mercy he has given us new birth into a living
hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, 4 and
into an inheritance that can never perish, spoil or fade--kept in heaven for
you, 5 who through faith are shielded by God's power until the
coming of the salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last time. 6 In
this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to
suffer grief in all kinds of trials. 7 These have come so that
your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by
fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when
Jesus Christ is revealed. 8 Though you have not seen him, you
love him; and even though you do not see him now, you believe in him and are
filled with an inexpressible and glorious joy, 9 for you are
receiving the goal of your faith, the salvation of your souls.10 Concerning
this salvation, the prophets, who spoke of the grace that was to come to you,
searched intently and with the greatest care, 11 trying to
find out the time and circumstances to which the Spirit of Christ in them was
pointing when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the glories that would
follow. 12 It was revealed to them that they were not serving
themselves but you, when they spoke of the things that have now been told you
by those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from
heaven. Even angels long to look into these things. 13 Therefore,
prepare your minds for action; be self-controlled; set your hope fully on the
grace to be given you when Jesus Christ is revealed. 14 As
obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in
ignorance. 15 But just as he who called you is holy, so be
holy in all you do; 16 for it is written: "Be holy,
because I am holy." 17 Since you call on a Father who
judges each man's work impartially, live your lives as strangers here in
reverent fear. 18 For you know that it was not with perishable
things such as silver or gold that you were redeemed from the empty way of life
handed down to you from your forefathers, 19 but with the
precious blood of Christ, a lamb without blemish or defect. 20 He
was chosen before the creation of the world, but was revealed in these last
times for your sake. 21Through him you believe in God, who raised
him from the dead and glorified him, and so your faith and hope are in
God. 22 Now that you have purified yourselves by obeying the
truth so that you have sincere love for your brothers, love one another deeply,
from the heart. 23 For you have been born again, not of
perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of
God. 24 For, "All men are like grass, and all their glory
is like the flowers of the field; the grass withers and the flowers fall, 25 but
the word of the Lord stands forever." And this is the word that was
preached to you.
1 Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit,
hypocrisy, envy, and slander of every kind. 2Like newborn babies,
crave pure spiritual milk, so that by it you may grow up in your
salvation, 3 now that you have tasted that the Lord is
good. 4 As you come to him, the living Stone--rejected by men
but chosen by God and precious to him-- 5 you also, like
living stones, are being built into a spiritual house to be a holy priesthood,
offering spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ. 6 For
in Scripture it says: "See, I lay a stone in Zion, a chosen and precious
cornerstone, and the one who trusts in him will never be put to
shame." 7 Now to you who believe, this stone is precious.
But to those who do not believe, "The stone the builders rejected has
become the capstone, " 8 and, "A stone that causes
men to stumble and a rock that makes them fall." They stumble because they
disobey the message--which is also what they were destined for. 9 But
you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people belonging
to God, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness
into his wonderful light. 10 Once you were not a people, but
now you are the people of God; once you had not received mercy, but now you
have received mercy. 11 Dear friends, I urge you, as aliens
and strangers in the world, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against
your soul. 12 Live such good lives among the pagans that,
though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify
God on the day he visits us. 13 Submit yourselves for the
Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as
the supreme authority, 14 or to governors, who are sent by him
to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. 15 For
it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of
foolish men. 16 Live as free men, but do not use your freedom
as a cover-up for evil; live as servants of God. 17 Show
proper respect to everyone: Love the brotherhood of believers, fear God, honor
the king. 18 Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters with
all respect, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those
who are harsh. 19 For it is commendable if a man bears up
under the pain of unjust suffering because he is conscious of God. 20 But
how is it to your credit if you receive a beating for doing wrong and endure
it? But if you suffer for doing good and you endure it, this is commendable
before God. 21 To this you were called, because Christ
suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his
steps. 22 "He committed no sin, and no deceit was found
in his mouth." 23 When they hurled their insults at him,
he did not retaliate; when he suffered, he made no threats. Instead, he
entrusted himself to him who judges justly. 24 He himself bore
our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for
righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed. 25 For you
were like sheep going astray, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and
Overseer of your souls.
1 Wives, in the same way be submissive to your husbands so
that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without
words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the
purity and reverence of your lives. 3 Your beauty should not
come from outward adornment, such as braided hair and the wearing of gold
jewelry and fine clothes. 4 Instead, it should be that of your
inner self, the unfading beauty of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is of great
worth in God's sight. 5 For this is the way the holy women of
the past who put their hope in God used to make themselves beautiful. They were
submissive to their own husbands, 6 like Sarah, who obeyed
Abraham and called him her master. You are her daughters if you do what is
right and do not give way to fear. 7 Husbands, in the same way
be considerate as you live with your wives, and treat them with respect as the
weaker partner and as heirs with you of the gracious gift of life, so that
nothing will hinder your prayers. 8 Finally, all of you, live
in harmony with one another; be sympathetic, love as brothers, be compassionate
and humble. 9 Do not repay evil with evil or insult with
insult, but with blessing, because to this you were called so that you may
inherit a blessing. 10 For, "Whoever would love life and
see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful
speech. 11 He must turn from evil and do good; he must seek
peace and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the
righteous and his ears are attentive to their prayer, but the face of the Lord
is against those who do evil." 13 Who is going to harm
you if you are eager to do good? 14 But even if you should
suffer for what is right, you are blessed. "Do not fear what they fear; do
not be frightened." 15 But in your hearts set apart
Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you
to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and
respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so that those who
speak maliciously against your good behavior in Christ may be ashamed of their
slander. 17 It is better, if it is God's will, to suffer for
doing good than for doing evil. 18 For Christ died for sins
once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was
put to death in the body but made alive by the Spirit, 19through
whom also he went and preached to the spirits in prison 20 who
disobeyed long ago when God waited patiently in the days of Noah while the ark
was being built. In it only a few people, eight in all, were saved through
water, 21 and this water symbolizes baptism that now saves you
also--not the removal of dirt from the body but the pledge of a good conscience
toward God. It saves you by the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who
has gone into heaven and is at God's right hand--with angels, authorities and
powers in submission to him.
1 Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm
yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body
is done with sin. 2 As a result, he does not live the rest of
his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. 3 For
you have spent enough time in the past doing what pagans choose to do--living
in debauchery, lust, drunkenness, orgies, carousing and detestable
idolatry. 4 They think it strange that you do not plunge with
them into the same flood of dissipation, and they heap abuse on you. 5 But
they will have to give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the
dead. 6 For this is the reason the gospel was preached even to
those who are now dead, so that they might be judged according to men in regard
to the body, but live according to God in regard to the spirit. 7 The
end of all things is near. Therefore be clear minded and self-controlled so
that you can pray. 8 Above all, love each other deeply,
because love covers over a multitude of sins. 9 Offer
hospitality to one another without grumbling. 10 Each one
should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully
administering God's grace in its various forms.11 If anyone speaks,
he should do it as one speaking the very words of God. If anyone serves, he
should do it with the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be
praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power for ever and
ever. Amen. 12 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the
painful trial you are suffering, as though something strange were happening to
you. 13But rejoice that you participate in the sufferings of
Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed. 14 If
you are insulted because of the name of Christ, you are blessed, for the Spirit
of glory and of God rests on you. 15 If you suffer, it should
not be as a murderer or thief or any other kind of criminal, or even as a
meddler. 16 However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be
ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name. 17 For it is
time for judgment to begin with the family of God; and if it begins with us,
what will the outcome be for those who do not obey the gospel of God? 18 And,
"If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will become of the
ungodly and the sinner?" 19 So then, those who suffer
according to God's will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and
continue to do good.
1 To the elders among you, I appeal as a fellow elder, a
witness of Christ's sufferings and one who also will share in the glory to be
revealed: 2 Be shepherds of God's flock that is under your
care, serving as overseers--not because you must, but because you are willing,
as God wants you to be; not greedy for money, but eager to serve; 3 not
lording it over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock. 4 And
when the Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the crown of glory that will
never fade away. 5 Young men, in the same way be submissive to
those who are older. All of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one
another, because, "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the
humble." 6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God's
mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.7 Cast all your
anxiety on him because he cares for you. 8 Be self-controlled
and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for
someone to devour. 9 Resist him, standing firm in the faith,
because you know that your brothers throughout the world are undergoing the
same kind of sufferings. 10 And the God of all grace, who
called you to his eternal glory in Christ, after you have suffered a little
while, will himself restore you and make you strong, firm and steadfast. 11 To
him be the power for ever and ever. Amen. 12 With the help of
Silas, whom I regard as a faithful brother, I have written to you briefly,
encouraging you and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand fast
in it. 13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you,
sends you her greetings, and so does my son Mark. 14 Greet one
another with a kiss of love. Peace to all of you who are in Christ.
Romans 12
Romans 12 (New International Version, ©2010)
Romans 12
A Living Sacrifice
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Humble Service in the Body of Christ
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Love in Action
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[d] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."[e]
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Romans 12
A Living Sacrifice
1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is—his good, pleasing and perfect will.
Humble Service in the Body of Christ
3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the faith God has distributed to each of you. 4 For just as each of us has one body with many members, and these members do not all have the same function, 5 so in Christ we, though many, form one body, and each member belongs to all the others. 6 We have different gifts, according to the grace given to each of us. If your gift is prophesying, then prophesy in accordance with your[a] faith; 7 if it is serving, then serve; if it is teaching, then teach; 8 if it is to encourage, then give encouragement; if it is giving, then give generously; if it is to lead,[b] do it diligently; if it is to show mercy, do it cheerfully.
Love in Action
9 Love must be sincere. Hate what is evil; cling to what is good. 10 Be devoted to one another in love. Honor one another above yourselves. 11 Never be lacking in zeal, but keep your spiritual fervor, serving the Lord. 12 Be joyful in hope, patient in affliction, faithful in prayer. 13 Share with the Lord's people who are in need. Practice hospitality.
14 Bless those who persecute you; bless and do not curse. 15 Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. 16 Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud, but be willing to associate with people of low position.[c] Do not be conceited.
17 Do not repay anyone evil for evil. Be careful to do what is right in the eyes of everyone. 18 If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone. 19 Do not take revenge, my dear friends, but leave room for God's wrath, for it is written: "It is mine to avenge; I will repay,"[d] says the Lord. 20 On the contrary: "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink.
In doing this, you will heap burning coals on his head."[e]
21 Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
Revelation 12
Revelation 12 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 12
The Woman and the Dragon
1 A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. 2 She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. 3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads. 4 Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born. 5 She gave birth to a son, a male child, who "will rule all the nations with an iron scepter."[a] And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne. 6 The woman fled into the wilderness to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.
7 Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah.
For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.
11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you!
He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short."
13 When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 14 The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent's reach. 15 Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. 16 But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God's commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.
Revelation 12
The Woman and the Dragon
1 A great sign appeared in heaven: a woman clothed with the sun, with the moon under her feet and a crown of twelve stars on her head. 2 She was pregnant and cried out in pain as she was about to give birth. 3 Then another sign appeared in heaven: an enormous red dragon with seven heads and ten horns and seven crowns on its heads. 4 Its tail swept a third of the stars out of the sky and flung them to the earth. The dragon stood in front of the woman who was about to give birth, so that it might devour her child the moment he was born. 5 She gave birth to a son, a male child, who "will rule all the nations with an iron scepter."[a] And her child was snatched up to God and to his throne. 6 The woman fled into the wilderness to a place prepared for her by God, where she might be taken care of for 1,260 days.
7 Then war broke out in heaven. Michael and his angels fought against the dragon, and the dragon and his angels fought back. 8 But he was not strong enough, and they lost their place in heaven. 9 The great dragon was hurled down—that ancient serpent called the devil, or Satan, who leads the whole world astray. He was hurled to the earth, and his angels with him.
10 Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: "Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Messiah.
For the accuser of our brothers and sisters, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down.
11 They triumphed over him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony;
they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.
12 Therefore rejoice, you heavens and you who dwell in them!
But woe to the earth and the sea, because the devil has gone down to you!
He is filled with fury, because he knows that his time is short."
13 When the dragon saw that he had been hurled to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child. 14 The woman was given the two wings of a great eagle, so that she might fly to the place prepared for her in the wilderness, where she would be taken care of for a time, times and half a time, out of the serpent's reach. 15 Then from his mouth the serpent spewed water like a river, to overtake the woman and sweep her away with the torrent. 16 But the earth helped the woman by opening its mouth and swallowing the river that the dragon had spewed out of his mouth. 17 Then the dragon was enraged at the woman and went off to wage war against the rest of her offspring—those who keep God's commands and hold fast their testimony about Jesus.
Wednesday, August 26, 2015
Chronological New Testament Study Day 80
Titus 1; Titus 2;
Titus 3
1 Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ for
the faith of God's elect and the knowledge of the truth that leads to
godliness-- 2 a faith and knowledge resting on the hope of
eternal life, which God, who does not lie, promised before the beginning of
time, 3 and at his appointed season he brought his word to
light through the preaching entrusted to me by the command of God our
Savior, 4To Titus, my true son in our common faith: Grace and peace
from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Savior. 5 The reason
I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished
and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. 6 An
elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children
believe and are not open to the charge of being wild and disobedient. 7Since
an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless--not
overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not
pursuing dishonest gain. 8 Rather he must be hospitable, one
who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and
disciplined. 9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message
as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and
refute those who oppose it. 10 For there are many rebellious
people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision
group. 11 They must be silenced, because they are ruining
whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach--and that for the
sake of dishonest gain. 12 Even one of their own prophets has
said, "Cretans are always liars, evil brutes, lazy gluttons."13 This
testimony is true. Therefore, rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound
in the faith 14and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the
commands of those who reject the truth. 15 To the pure, all
things are pure, but to those who are corrupted and do not believe, nothing is
pure. In fact, both their minds and consciences are corrupted. 16 They
claim to know God, but by their actions they deny him. They are detestable, disobedient
and unfit for doing anything good.
1 You must teach what is in accord with sound
doctrine. 2 Teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of
respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. 3 Likewise,
teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers
or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. 4 Then
they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, 5to
be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject
to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. 6 Similarly,
encourage the young men to be self-controlled. 7In everything set
them an example by doing what is good. In your teaching show integrity,
seriousness8 and soundness of speech that cannot be condemned, so
that those who oppose you may be ashamed because they have nothing bad to say
about us. 9 Teach slaves to be subject to their masters in
everything, to try to please them, not to talk back to them, 10 and
not to steal from them, but to show that they can be fully trusted, so that in
every way they will make the teaching about God our Savior attractive. 11 For
the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men. 12 It
teaches us to say "No" to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to
live self-controlled, upright and godly lives in this present age, 13 while
we wait for the blessed hope--the glorious appearing of our great God and
Savior, Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us
from all wickedness and to purify for himself a people that are his very own,
eager to do what is good. 15 These, then, are the things you should
teach. Encourage and rebuke with all authority. Do not let anyone despise you.
1 Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities,
to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good, 2 to
slander no one, to be peaceable and considerate, and to show true humility
toward all men. 3 At one time we too were foolish,
disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We
lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating one another. 4 But
when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, 5 he
saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his
mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy
Spirit, 6 whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus
Christ our Savior, 7 so that, having been justified by his
grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. 8 This
is a trustworthy saying. And I want you to stress these things, so that those
who have trusted in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing what is
good. These things are excellent and profitable for everyone. 9 But
avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about
the law, because these are unprofitable and useless. 10 Warn a
divisive person once, and then warn him a second time. After that, have nothing
to do with him. 11 You may be sure that such a man is warped
and sinful; he is self-condemned. 12 As soon as I send Artemas
or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, because I have
decided to winter there. 13 Do everything you can to help
Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way and see that they have everything they
need. 14 Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing
what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live
unproductive lives. 15 Everyone with me sends you greetings.
Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all.
Romans 11
Romans 11 (New International Version, ©2010)
Romans 11
The Remnant of Israel
1 I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don't you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: 3 "Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me"[a]? 4 And what was God's answer to him? "I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal."[b] 5 So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. 6 And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
7 What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain. The elect among them did, but the others were hardened, 8 as it is written: "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see and ears that could not hear,
to this very day."[c]
9 And David says: "May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them.
10 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever."[d]
Ingrafted Branches
11 Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. 12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!
13 I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry 14 in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.
17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in." 20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.
22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. 23 And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!
All Israel Will Be Saved
25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, 26 and in this way[e] all Israel will be saved. As it is written:
"The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
27 And this is[f] my covenant with them when I take away their sins."[g]
28 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, 29 for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable. 30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now[h] receive mercy as a result of God's mercy to you. 32 For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
Doxology
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and[i] knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
34 "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"[j]
35 "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?"[k]
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Romans 11
The Remnant of Israel
1 I ask then: Did God reject his people? By no means! I am an Israelite myself, a descendant of Abraham, from the tribe of Benjamin. 2 God did not reject his people, whom he foreknew. Don't you know what Scripture says in the passage about Elijah—how he appealed to God against Israel: 3 "Lord, they have killed your prophets and torn down your altars; I am the only one left, and they are trying to kill me"[a]? 4 And what was God's answer to him? "I have reserved for myself seven thousand who have not bowed the knee to Baal."[b] 5 So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. 6 And if by grace, then it cannot be based on works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace.
7 What then? What the people of Israel sought so earnestly they did not obtain. The elect among them did, but the others were hardened, 8 as it is written: "God gave them a spirit of stupor, eyes that could not see and ears that could not hear,
to this very day."[c]
9 And David says: "May their table become a snare and a trap, a stumbling block and a retribution for them.
10 May their eyes be darkened so they cannot see, and their backs be bent forever."[d]
Ingrafted Branches
11 Again I ask: Did they stumble so as to fall beyond recovery? Not at all! Rather, because of their transgression, salvation has come to the Gentiles to make Israel envious. 12 But if their transgression means riches for the world, and their loss means riches for the Gentiles, how much greater riches will their full inclusion bring!
13 I am talking to you Gentiles. Inasmuch as I am the apostle to the Gentiles, I take pride in my ministry 14 in the hope that I may somehow arouse my own people to envy and save some of them. 15 For if their rejection brought reconciliation to the world, what will their acceptance be but life from the dead? 16 If the part of the dough offered as firstfruits is holy, then the whole batch is holy; if the root is holy, so are the branches.
17 If some of the branches have been broken off, and you, though a wild olive shoot, have been grafted in among the others and now share in the nourishing sap from the olive root, 18 do not consider yourself to be superior to those other branches. If you do, consider this: You do not support the root, but the root supports you. 19 You will say then, "Branches were broken off so that I could be grafted in." 20 Granted. But they were broken off because of unbelief, and you stand by faith. Do not be arrogant, but tremble. 21 For if God did not spare the natural branches, he will not spare you either.
22 Consider therefore the kindness and sternness of God: sternness to those who fell, but kindness to you, provided that you continue in his kindness. Otherwise, you also will be cut off. 23 And if they do not persist in unbelief, they will be grafted in, for God is able to graft them in again. 24 After all, if you were cut out of an olive tree that is wild by nature, and contrary to nature were grafted into a cultivated olive tree, how much more readily will these, the natural branches, be grafted into their own olive tree!
All Israel Will Be Saved
25 I do not want you to be ignorant of this mystery, brothers and sisters, so that you may not be conceited: Israel has experienced a hardening in part until the full number of the Gentiles has come in, 26 and in this way[e] all Israel will be saved. As it is written:
"The deliverer will come from Zion; he will turn godlessness away from Jacob.
27 And this is[f] my covenant with them when I take away their sins."[g]
28 As far as the gospel is concerned, they are enemies for your sake; but as far as election is concerned, they are loved on account of the patriarchs, 29 for God's gifts and his call are irrevocable. 30 Just as you who were at one time disobedient to God have now received mercy as a result of their disobedience, 31 so they too have now become disobedient in order that they too may now[h] receive mercy as a result of God's mercy to you. 32 For God has bound everyone over to disobedience so that he may have mercy on them all.
Doxology
33 Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and[i] knowledge of God! How unsearchable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out!
34 "Who has known the mind of the Lord? Or who has been his counselor?"[j]
35 "Who has ever given to God, that God should repay them?"[k]
36 For from him and through him and for him are all things. To him be the glory forever! Amen.
Revelation 11
Revelation 11 (New International Version, ©2010)
Revelation 11
The Two Witnesses
1 I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, "Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers. 2 But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. 3 And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth." 4 They are "the two olive trees" and the two lampstands, and "they stand before the Lord of the earth."[a] 5 If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. 6 They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.
7 Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. 8 Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city—which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where also their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. 10 The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.
11 But after the three and a half days the breath[b] of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.
13 At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon.
The Seventh Trumpet
15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:
"The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever."
16 And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying: "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was,
because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.
18 The nations were angry, and your wrath has come.
The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets
and your people who revere your name, both great and small—
and for destroying those who destroy the earth."
19 Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm.
Revelation 11
The Two Witnesses
1 I was given a reed like a measuring rod and was told, "Go and measure the temple of God and the altar, with its worshipers. 2 But exclude the outer court; do not measure it, because it has been given to the Gentiles. They will trample on the holy city for 42 months. 3 And I will appoint my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth." 4 They are "the two olive trees" and the two lampstands, and "they stand before the Lord of the earth."[a] 5 If anyone tries to harm them, fire comes from their mouths and devours their enemies. This is how anyone who wants to harm them must die. 6 They have power to shut up the heavens so that it will not rain during the time they are prophesying; and they have power to turn the waters into blood and to strike the earth with every kind of plague as often as they want.
7 Now when they have finished their testimony, the beast that comes up from the Abyss will attack them, and overpower and kill them. 8 Their bodies will lie in the public square of the great city—which is figuratively called Sodom and Egypt—where also their Lord was crucified. 9 For three and a half days some from every people, tribe, language and nation will gaze on their bodies and refuse them burial. 10 The inhabitants of the earth will gloat over them and will celebrate by sending each other gifts, because these two prophets had tormented those who live on the earth.
11 But after the three and a half days the breath[b] of life from God entered them, and they stood on their feet, and terror struck those who saw them. 12 Then they heard a loud voice from heaven saying to them, "Come up here." And they went up to heaven in a cloud, while their enemies looked on.
13 At that very hour there was a severe earthquake and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the survivors were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
14 The second woe has passed; the third woe is coming soon.
The Seventh Trumpet
15 The seventh angel sounded his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven, which said:
"The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever."
16 And the twenty-four elders, who were seated on their thrones before God, fell on their faces and worshiped God, 17 saying: "We give thanks to you, Lord God Almighty, the One who is and who was,
because you have taken your great power and have begun to reign.
18 The nations were angry, and your wrath has come.
The time has come for judging the dead, and for rewarding your servants the prophets
and your people who revere your name, both great and small—
and for destroying those who destroy the earth."
19 Then God's temple in heaven was opened, and within his temple was seen the ark of his covenant. And there came flashes of lightning, rumblings, peals of thunder, an earthquake and a severe hailstorm.
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Chronological New Testament Study Day 79
1 Timothy 1; 1 Timothy
2; 1 Timothy 3; 1 Timothy 4;
1 Timothy 5; 1 Timothy
6
1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our
Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, 2To Timothy my true son in the
faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our
Lord. 3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there
in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any
longer 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless
genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God's work--which is by
faith. 5 The goal of this command is love, which comes from a
pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Some
have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. 7 They
want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking
about or what they so confidently affirm. 8 We know that the
law is good if one uses it properly. 9 We also know that law
is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and
sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or
mothers, for murderers, 10 for adulterers and perverts, for
slave traders and liars and perjurers--and for whatever else is contrary to the
sound doctrine 11 that conforms to the glorious gospel of the
blessed God, which he entrusted to me. 12 I thank Christ Jesus
our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing
me to his service. 13 Even though I was once a blasphemer and
a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance
and unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord was poured out on me
abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 15 Here
is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into
the world to save sinners--of whom I am the worst. 16 But for
that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ
Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would
believe on him and receive eternal life. 17 Now to the King
eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever.
Amen. 18 Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in
keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you
may fight the good fight, 19 holding on to faith and a good
conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. 20 Among
them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught
not to blaspheme.
1 I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers,
intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone--2 for kings and
all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all
godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our
Savior, 4 who wants all men to be saved and to come to a
knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one
mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave
himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time. 7And
for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle--I am telling the
truth, I am not lying--and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles. 8 I
want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or
disputing. 9 I also want women to dress modestly, with decency
and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive
clothes, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who
profess to worship God. 11 A woman should learn in quietness
and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to
have authority over a man; she must be silent. 13 For Adam was
formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not the one deceived;
it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15 But
women will be saved through childbearing--if they continue in faith, love and
holiness with propriety.
1 Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on
being an overseer, he desires a noble task.2 Now the overseer must
be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled,
respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to
drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of
money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his
children obey him with proper respect. 5 (If anyone does not
know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?) 6 He
must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the
same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good
reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the
devil's trap. 8 Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of
respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest
gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith
with a clear conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and
then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. 11 In
the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious
talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. 12 A
deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his
household well. 13 Those who have served well gain an
excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus. 14Although
I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, 15 if
I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God's
household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of
the truth. 16 Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is
great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels,
was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in
glory.
1 The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will
abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by
demons. 2 Such teachings come through hypocritical liars,
whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron. 3 They
forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God
created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the
truth. 4 For everything God created is good, and nothing is to
be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 because it
is consecrated by the word of God and prayer. 6 If you point
these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus,
brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have
followed. 7 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old
wives' tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For
physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things,
holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This
is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance 10 (and
for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who
is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe. 11Command
and teach these things. 12 Don't let anyone look down on you
because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life,
in love, in faith and in purity. 13 Until I come, devote
yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to
teaching. 14 Do not neglect your gift, which was given you
through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on
you. 15Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them,
so that everyone may see your progress. 16Watch your life and
doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself
and your hearers.
1 Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if
he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, 2 older
women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. 3 Give
proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. 4 But
if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to
put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying
their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. 5 The
widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and
continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. 6 But
the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7 Give
the people these instructions, too, so that no one may be open to blame. 8 If
anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate
family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. 9 No
widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been
faithful to her husband, 10 and is well known for her good
deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of
the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good
deeds. 11 As for younger widows, do not put them on such a
list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they
want to marry. 12 Thus they bring judgment on themselves,
because they have broken their first pledge. 13 Besides, they
get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not
only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they
ought not to. 14 So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have
children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for
slander. 15 Some have in fact already turned away to follow
Satan. 16 If any woman who is a believer has widows in her
family, she should help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so
that the church can help those widows who are really in need. 17 The
elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor,
especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. 18 For
the Scripture says, "Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the
grain," and "The worker deserves his wages." 19 Do
not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or
three witnesses. 20 Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly,
so that the others may take warning. 21 I charge you, in the
sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions
without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism. 22 Do
not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others.
Keep yourself pure. 23 Stop drinking only water, and use a
little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses. 24 The
sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the
sins of others trail behind them. 25 In the same way, good
deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden.
1 All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider
their masters worthy of full respect, so that God's name and our teaching may
not be slandered. 2 Those who have believing masters are not
to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to
serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are
believers, and dear to them. These are the things you are to teach and urge on
them. 3 If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree
to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 he
is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in
controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious
talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between men of
corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is
a means to financial gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is
great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we
can take nothing out of it.8 But if we have food and clothing, we
will be content with that. 9 People who want to get rich fall
into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that
plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money
is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered
from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs. 11 But
you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness,
faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight
of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you
made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 In
the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while
testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you 14to
keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus
Christ, 15 which God will bring about in his own time--God,
the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who
alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen
or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen. 17 Command
those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their
hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly
provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Command them
to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to
share. 19 In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves
as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life
that is truly life. 20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted
to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is
falsely called knowledge, 21 which some have professed and in
so doing have wandered from the faith. Grace be with you.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)