Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
[I eagerly expect and hope that…] that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body,
Summary: Paul continues to set an example for us with his life and words.
Paul certainly has a way with words!
If you were going to exalt someone or something, how would you do that? For example, if you are a Muslim and you want to exalt Allah, you prostrate yourself in the direction of Mecca during prayer. This demonstrates respect with your body.
Continue reading “Philippians 1:20c – Doing What’s Right”
[I eagerly expect and hope that I…] will have sufficient courage…
Summary: The word “courage” is an interesting choice for a translation of the Greek word Paul used. As we examine the Greek, we discover that there is more to this passage than a desire to be brave.
Do you have “sufficient courage?” Do you know anybody who does?
Whatever the word “courage” means to you, it probably does not capture the essence of what Paul was trying to say.
Continue reading “Philippians 1:20b – Bold Assurance”
And because of this I rejoice.
Summary: In the face of adversity Paul defies the temptation to despair and instead finds reason to rejoice in the knowledge that Jesus Christ is alive and well.
Why is Paul rejoicing?
He has just listed a litany of reasons to be glum. First and foremost, he is in prison: literally in chains. Then, while he is chained, all his rivals are free to do their dastardly deeds unfettered by Paul’s presence to restrain them.
Continue reading “Philippians 1:18c – Rejoice!”
The former preach Christ out of selfish ambition…
Summary: This passage provides us with an opportunity to explore the nature of sin and its impact on sharing the Gospel with others.
How should we understand Paul’s words in this passage? I know that they sound straightforward, but are they? Let’s examine them more closely.
He writes, “The former (those who preach Christ out of envy and rivalry) preach Christ out of selfish ambition…”
Continue reading “Philippians 1:17a – Pineapple on Pizza”…rather than on Christ.
Summary: As we come to the end of this verse, Paul points us, once again, to the only one who can save us: Jesus.
Wait a minute! How did we get here again?
Let’s review:
“See to it that no one takes you captive through hollow and deceptive philosophy, which depends on human tradition and the elemental spiritual forces of this world rather than on Christ.” (Colossians 2:8)
In this one sentence, Paul has outlined a major threat to those of us who believe in Jesus. A “hollow and deceptive philosophy” is a persuasive argument that looks substantial on the outside but inside is empty, void of any real value.
Continue reading “Colossians 2:8d – The Path to Unity”Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything;
Summary: As Paul wraps up his letter to the Galatians, he summarizes his arguments about circumcision rather neatly.
Continue reading “Galatians 6:15a – The Meaning of No Meaning”You who are trying to be justified by the law have been alienated from Christ;
Summary: Paul’s insistence on this point is leading us to deeper levels of understanding God’s power of salvation through Jesus Christ.
Continue reading “Galatians 5:4a – Christ or Antichrist?”If you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.
Summary: How do you run a race? Are you a natural athlete or do you prefer being a couch potato?
Continue reading “Galatians 3:29 – Clouds of Dust”The promises were spoken to Abraham and to his seed. Scripture does not say “and to seeds,” meaning many people, but “and to your seed,” meaning one person, who is Christ.
Summary: Understanding God’s ways is the key to understanding Scripture. Both depend on our study of God’s Word. In today’s passage, Paul explains the meaning of the missing “s.”
Continue reading “Galatians 3:16 – The Missing “S””… so that by faith we might receive the promise of the Spirit.
Summary: How we look at faith may determine how God looks at us.
Continue reading “Galatians 3:14b – The Wind Blows”