… so that we may present everyone fully mature in Christ.
Summary: In this passage, Paul introduces a perspective on Christ that we don’t always see spelled out so clearly.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:28c – The Goal”Colossians 1:1b – The Right Path
… an apostle of Christ Jesus …
Summary: Paul begins by telling us who he is and, more importantly, who he represents.
Continue reading “Colossians 1:1b – The Right Path”Galatians 6:8b – Seed Time
… whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life.
Summary: What pleases God? The answer, in short, is love. In practical terms, love leads us to a host of things that honor God and benefit those around us.
Continue reading “Galatians 6:8b – Seed Time”Galatians 4:30a – Checking In With God
But what does Scripture say?
Summary: Paul’s statement about Scripture points us to an important truth. God arranged for us to have Scripture for a reason.
Continue reading “Galatians 4:30a – Checking In With God”Galatians 4:14b – What Changed?
Instead, you welcomed me as if I were an angel of God, as if I were Christ Jesus himself.
Summary: Paul uses a turn of phrase that prompts us to think about how we would react if Jesus appeared at our doorstep.
Continue reading “Galatians 4:14b – What Changed?”Galatians 4:12 – Spiritual Chameleon
I plead with you, brothers and sisters, become like me, for I became like you. You did me no wrong.
Summary: Paul strives to be “all things to all people” to serve the Lord by winning people over to him.
Continue reading “Galatians 4:12 – Spiritual Chameleon”Galatians 4:3 – Slaves to Ignorance
So also, when we were underage, we were in slavery under the elemental spiritual forces of the world.
Summary: This passage is a bit obscure in its meaning. This leaves us with a mystery on our hands. What did Paul mean?
Continue reading “Galatians 4:3 – Slaves to Ignorance”Galatians 3:23 – The Big Gamble
Before the coming of this faith, we were held in custody under the law, locked up until the faith that was to come would be revealed.
Summary: Paul returns to his discussion about the law with an interesting metaphor. The law, like the Sheriff in an old Western, can lock people up. What does this mean?
Continue reading “Galatians 3:23 – The Big Gamble”Galatians 3:21 – Promises, Promises
Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.
Summary: Paul continues his debate with himself by asking another question and answering it.
Continue reading “Galatians 3:21 – Promises, Promises”Galatians 3:16 – The Missing “S”
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””