Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
Such things promote controversial speculations rather than advancing God’s work—
Summary: Understanding Paul’s intent in this passage provides us with a valuable opportunity to reflect on what God wants us to do with our lives.
If we are correct in our analysis so far, Paul has instructed Timothy to command “certain people” who claim to be followers of Christ* to stop promoting “controversial speculations.”
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:4b – God’s Work”I want you to know how hard I am contending for you and for those at Laodicea, and for all who have not met me personally.
Summary: Paul’s use of the word “contend” challenges us to think hard about what he means.
Every once in a while, Paul uses a word that is so difficult to translate that nobody seems to agree on what he is saying.
In this case, the NIV translation uses the word “contending” to translate the Greek “agōn.” Other translations use words like:
• Struggle (ESV)*
• Conflict (BRG)
• Combat (Darby)
• “trying very hard” (ERV)
• “doing a difficult work” (EASY)
• Agonized (NLT)
• Strive (RSV)So what was Paul trying to say?
Continue reading “Colossians 2:1 – Giving His All”