A note on “everything I ever did” (John 4:29)
What did the Samaritan woman mean when she told the folk of Sychar, “Come, see a man who told me ‘everything I ever did'”?
September 7, 2022
11 Comments
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Category: Bible Study Notes
Are the branches lifted up or taken away in John 15:2a?
John 15:2a is usually understood as being about unproductive branches being removed, but some propose a new way of interpreting this phrase.
September 1, 2022
23 Comments
Is the Beloved Disciple in John’s Gospel a Woman?
In this somewhat technical post, I quote the 5 verses in John’s Gospel that mention “the disciple whom Jesus loved.” Is the beloved disciple a woman?
June 3, 2022
14 Comments
Mutual Submission in Ephesians 5:21 and in 1 Peter 5:5
Eph. 5:21 is one New Testament verse that encourages mutual submission. 1 Peter 5:5 is another. This post looks at the Greek grammar and vocabulary of 1 Peter 5:5.
May 3, 2020
10 Comments
Who is “she” who is in Babylon? (1 Peter 5:13)
In this article, I explain why “the co-elect” woman in 1 Peter 5:13 (AKA “she who is in Babylon”) may be a woman and not a church.
March 10, 2020
22 Comments
What were Euodia and Syntyche thinking?!
Here’s a look at a common Greek phrase used in Phil. 4:2 concerning Euodia and Syntyche. What did Paul want them to think? Were the women quarrelling?
July 11, 2018
20 Comments
A Gentle and Quiet Spirit is not just a Feminine Virtue
What do the New Testament and other early Christian and Jewish documents say about meekness and gentleness? (cf. 1 Peter 3:4)
October 8, 2017
10 Comments
The Samaritan Woman of Sychar (John 4)
Eve, Delilah, Bathsheba, Mary Magdalene, and the Samaritan woman have often been thought of as immoral. What’s with that? This article looks at the Samaritan woman without negative prejudices.
June 10, 2016
43 Comments
What does “weaker vessel” mean in 1 Peter 3:7?
What did Peter mean when he said a wife is a “weaker vessel”? This article considers how “weak” is used of women in ancient documents.
August 12, 2015
16 Comments
Lydia and the ‘Place of Prayer’ at Philippi
What was the ‘place of prayer’ in Philippi where some women, including Lydia of Thyatira, had assembled (Acts 16:13-15)? Was it a Jewish ‘prayer-house’?
April 14, 2015
7 Comments
Separate Spheres & Distinct Roles in the Trinity & in Marriage? (John 5:18-30)
Does the Trinity model distinct roles and separate spheres? Is there hierarchy and subordination in the Divine?
July 10, 2014
18 Comments
No Surprise – 1 Peter 4:12-19
In 1 Peter 4:12-19, Peter touches on subjects already mentioned in his letter: trials and tests, rejoicing though suffering, being blessed, doing good, and judgement.
October 3, 2013
2 Comments
The Priority & the Protection of Love – 1 Peter 4:7-11
Peter ends the second section of his letter with the statement: “The end of all things is near.” The knowledge that the end, consummation, completion of everything is near is a great motivator. It should affect our values, ethics, and behaviour.
February 25, 2013
2 Comments
Dead, and Done with Sin – 1 Peter 4:1-6
Some Christians seem to enjoy thinking and speaking about God’s Judgement, other Christians avoid the subject altogether. Both positions are a mistake.
January 23, 2013
No Comments
The Righteous for the Unrighteous – 1 Peter 3:17-22
This passage is all about Jesus: Jesus, the triumphant victor. He has won the victory over sin and death through his death, the Righteous for the unrighteous, once and for all.
October 12, 2012
5 Comments
Pursue Peace – 1 Peter 3:8-16
Peter reassures the persecuted Christians in Asia Minor that God is with them and watching over them, and he urges them to seek peace and be ready to give an answer about their faith to anyone who asks.
July 27, 2012
No Comments
Submission and Respect from Husbands – 1 Peter 3:7-8
Many Christians believe that submission in marriage is the duty only of wives. In 1 Peter 3:7 Peter comes very close to saying that husbands are to be submissive to their wives too.
April 26, 2012
10 Comments
Submission and Respect from Wives – 1 Peter 3:1-6
In 1 Peter 3:1-6, Peter resumes the theme of submission. This time he addresses wives and uses the example of Sarah’s submission.
April 24, 2012
24 Comments
The Suffering Servants 1 Peter 2:18-25
The Christian servants in Asia Minor were suffering unjustly. Peter encourages and inspires them with the example of Jesus Christ, the Suffering Servant of Isaiah 53.
April 19, 2012
No Comments
Silencing Slander – 1 Peter 2:11-17
Peter tells his audience to abstain from sinful desires (lusts) of the flesh, and he explains how to deal with slander.
January 31, 2012
2 Comments
Marvellous Descriptions of God’s People – 1 Peter 2:4-10
Peter encouraged his audience by telling them that, like Jesus, they were rejected, selected, precious and living stones. And he describes them with other wonderful descriptions.
December 14, 2011
3 Comments
Love, Obedience, and Sanctification – 1 Peter 1:22-2:3
Jesus said that if we love him we will obey his commands. Peter says that love for others is the result of obedience. As Christians, our obedience and our love are connected.
November 4, 2011
No Comments
Precious Redemption – 1 Peter 1:17-21
1 Peter 1:17-21 is one long sentence in the Greek text. In this single sentence, Peter tells his readers that their works will be judged. He also tells them about the precious cost of their redemption.
September 23, 2011
No Comments
Hope and Holiness – 1 Peter 1:10-16
In the past, the prophets investigated salvation; in the present, the angels are. 1 Peter 1:10-16 looks especially at holiness.
August 30, 2011
No Comments
Glory, Joy, and Suffering – 1 Peter 1:4-9
Peter reminds his audience of their glorious inheritance and that experiencing trials will prove faith which is of greater worth than gold.
May 14, 2011
No Comments
Peter’s Greeting – 1 Peter 1:1-3
In these few verses, Peter makes some remarkable statements and reveals that each member of the Trinity has a role in salvation. We have a role too.
May 11, 2011
No Comments
An Introduction to Peter’s First Letter
An introduction to 1 Peter looking at who the letter was written by, who it was written to, where it was written from, as well as its major themes.
April 12, 2011
No Comments
1 Peter: Aims of our Bible Study
Here are some of my personal hopes and aims for our group as we study 1 Peter together.
March 23, 2011
No Comments
The Apostle Peter
Apart from Jesus, more is written about the apostle Peter than any other figure in the New Testament. Peter was devoted to Jesus and transformed by God.
January 20, 2011
8 Comments
Unbelief: The Ultimate Sin
Ultimately, there is only one sin that really matters as far as salvation and eternal life is concerned.
October 1, 2010
3 Comments
An Introduction to Paul’s Letter to the Philippians
Here is some background information about the Roman colony of Philippi, the apostle Paul, and his letter to the Philippian church.
May 1, 2010
9 Comments
Philippians – Bibliography
Here is a list of the books that have been used in compiling these study notes on Paul’s letter to the Philippians.
May 1, 2010
No Comments
Paul’s Greeting – Philippians 1:1-2
Paul’s greeting to the Philippians is similar to those in many of his other letters, except that he greets the church’s leaders, the overseers and deacons.
May 1, 2010
5 Comments
Paul’s Thanks – Philippians 1:3-6
Does God expect us to be perfect? This week we look at what “fellowship” (koinonia) means, at what “perfection” means, and at Paul’s views on giving.
May 1, 2010
No Comments
Paul’s Affection – Philippians 1:7-11
What was Paul like as a person? How do love and knowledge go together? What did Paul mean by “defence and confirmation”?
May 1, 2010
No Comments
Motives in Ministry – Philippians 1:12-18
Rivalry between Christian ministers is not new or rare. How did Paul feel about ministers who were motivated by ambition and envy?
May 1, 2010
No Comments
Paul’s Courage – Philippians 1:19-27
This week we look at Paul’s courage and his statement, “For me to live is Christ, to die is gain” (Philippians 1:19-27).
May 1, 2010
1 Comment
Suffering and Standing – Philippians 1:27-30
In Philippians 1:27-30, Paul writes about the influence of church leaders, the goal of unity, standing firm in the face of opposition, and suffering.
May 1, 2010
No Comments
Harmony and Humility – Philippians 2:1-5
With Jesus’ example in mind, what should be our attitude towards others and our attitude towards ourselves?
May 1, 2010
No Comments
The Creed (Hymn) of Philippians 2:6-11
The creed Paul quotes in Philippians 2:6-11 expresses the depths of humiliation Jesus Christ endured as well as his ultimate exaltation which results in glorious cosmic and universal worship.
May 1, 2010
6 Comments
Living as Lights in the World – Philippians 2:12-18
This article looks at what “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” means and what it means to “shine as stars.”
May 1, 2010
6 Comments
Timothy and Epaphroditus – Philippians 2:19-30
In Philippians, we get to meet a few people associated with the church at Philippi, albeit briefly, people such as Timothy and Epaphroditus.
May 1, 2010
2 Comments
Joy in Philippians and in the Bible
This article looks at the theme of joy in the Bible, in both Old and New Testaments, including Paul’s letter to the Philippians.
May 1, 2010
No Comments
The Judaisers and Circumcision – Philippians 3:1-3
Who were the Judaisers? And what does Paul say about circumcision in Philippians 3?
May 1, 2010
5 Comments
Paul’s Hebrew Heritage – Philippians 3:4-8
Paul had a prestigious Jewish heritage but he knew that following the traditions of Judaism would not enable him to gain Christ.
May 1, 2010
No Comments
Righteousness and Justification – Philippians 3:9
What is the righteousness that comes from God? What does it mean to be justified? What does it mean to be reconciled with God?
May 1, 2010
2 Comments
The Onward, Upward Call – Philippians 3:10-14
What is the “upward call of God in Christ” mentioned in Philippians 3:14? Is it heaven or something different?
May 1, 2010
6 Comments
Maturity and Perfection – Philippians 3:15-19
Paul regarded his goal of spiritual maturity as something all Christians should aim for.
May 1, 2010
2 Comments
The Day of Christ – Philippians 3:20-4:1
Paul refers to the Day of Christ three times in his letter to the Philippians. What is the Day of Christ? Are you looking forward to this Day?
May 1, 2010
No Comments
Ministers at Philippi: Women and Men – Philippians 4:2-5
Women and men ministered together in the Philippian church. Who were these ministers?
May 1, 2010
2 Comments
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