strive – Three Minute Bible

June 25, 2025June 25, 2025

Philippians 1:28b – Things to Come

A picture of a simple road sign. I wooden post with a pointed wood board pointing right, marked "HEAVEN" and another wooden sign board pointing left marked "DESTRUCTION." A heavenly light shines from the heaven side of the picture and the glow of a raging fire radiates from the destruction side of the picture. (Grok)

This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.

Summary: The Bible often mentions signs and wonders meaning miraculous events. The kind of “sign” Paul refers to in this passage is a bit different. Paul considers it a proof of things to come.

Generally speaking, Paul’s words about the Gospel are instructional. Yet, now and then, he makes an undeniably clear statement about good and bad, right and wrong.

In this passage, Paul makes such a statement.

November 26, 2024November 27, 2024

Colossians 2:1 – Giving His All

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?