Did the author of John’s Gospel break grammar rules and use masculine pronouns in John 14–16 to masculinise and personalise the Holy Spirit?
What did the Samaritan woman mean when she told the folk of Sychar, “Come, see a man who told me ‘everything I ever did'”?
John 15:2a is usually understood as being about unproductive branches being removed, but some propose a new way of interpreting this phrase.
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?
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.
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.
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?
What do the New Testament and other early Christian and Jewish documents say about meekness and gentleness? (cf. 1 Peter 3:4)
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.
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.
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’?
Does the Trinity model distinct roles and separate spheres? Is there hierarchy and subordination in the Divine?
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.
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.
Some Christians seem to enjoy thinking and speaking about God’s Judgement, other Christians avoid the subject altogether. Both positions are a mistake.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Peter tells his audience to abstain from sinful desires (lusts) of the flesh, and he explains how to deal with slander.
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.
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.
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.
In the past, the prophets investigated salvation; in the present, the angels are. 1 Peter 1:10-16 looks especially at holiness.
Peter reminds his audience of their glorious inheritance and that experiencing trials will prove faith which is of greater worth than gold.
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.
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.
Here are some of my personal hopes and aims for our group as we study 1 Peter together.
Apart from Jesus, more is written about the apostle Peter than any other figure in the Gospels. Peter was devoted to Jesus and transformed by God.
Ultimately, there is only one sin that really matters as far as salvation and eternal life is concerned.
Here is some background information about the Roman colony of Philippi, the apostle Paul, and his letter to the Philippian church.
Here is a list of the books that have been used in compiling these study notes on Paul’s letter to the Philippians.
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.
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.
What was Paul like as a person? How do love and knowledge go together? What did Paul mean by “defence and confirmation”?
Rivalry between Christian ministers is not new or rare. How did Paul feel about ministers who were motivated by ambition and envy?
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).
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.
With Jesus’ example in mind, what should be our attitude towards others and our attitude towards ourselves?
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.
This article looks at what “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” means and what it means to “shine as stars.”
In Philippians, we get to meet a few people associated with the church at Philippi, albeit briefly, people such as Timothy and Epaphroditus.
This article looks at the theme of joy in the Bible, in both Old and New Testaments, including Paul’s letter to the Philippians.
Who were the Judaisers? And what does Paul say about circumcision in Philippians 3?
Paul had a prestigious Jewish heritage but he knew that following the traditions of Judaism would not enable him to gain Christ.
What is the righteousness that comes from God? What does it mean to be justified? What does it mean to be reconciled with God?
What is the “upward call of God in Christ” mentioned in Philippians 3:14? Is it heaven or something different?
Paul regarded his goal of spiritual maturity as something all Christians should aim for.
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?
Would you like to support my ministry of encouraging mutuality and equality between men and women in the church and in marriage?
© 2022 Marg Mowczko