But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering, without hypocrisy. James 3:17 NASB Gentle – When I arrived at Trinity College, Oxford as a graduate student, I was invited to dinner with the president of the college. I assumed that this was a formal…
But I want you to understand that the head of every man is Christ, the head of a wife is her husband, and the head of Christ is God. 1 Corinthians 11:3 ESV Head – Gilbert Bilezikian’s research into the Hebrew and Greek words translated “head” clearly and convincingly shows that “head” is to be…
But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God John 1:12 NASB Right – Here is the Greek word exousian. This word means “permission” or “authority.” The root behind this word carries the meaning of having the power to do something. But in this verse we need…
“Who is there who speaks and it comes to pass unless the Lord has commanded it?” Lamentations 3:37 NASB Command – This Hebrew word (tsiva) has an important place in our thinking about God. Here it is found in a book that most of us don’t know very well. Lamentations is made up of five…
They are dreaded and feared; their justice and authority originate with themselves. Habakkuk 1:7 With Themselves – The Chaldeans are coming! Habakkuk’s warning is a call to immediate repentance in advance of certain destruction. God’s people are about to be chastised in a most severe way. As if that isn’t bad enough, Habakkuk provides an…
Or do you think that the Scripture speaks to no purpose: “He jealously desires that spirit which He has made to dwell in us”? James 4:5 The Scripture – When you read this verse, do you simply assume that James is quoting some verse in the Old Testament (Tanakh)? Better check your cross references. You…
“No man can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will hold to one and despise the other.” Matthew 6:24 Serve – Yeshua is pretty clear about divided loyalty. No one, man or woman, can serve two masters. The Greek word used here is douleuo, a…
“But not so with you, but let him who is the greatest among you become as the youngest, and the leader as the servant.” Luke 22:26 Not So With You – The leadership fad will run its course. Eventually we will learn that leadership is a verb, not a noun. Then we will realize ubiquitous leadership…
But I want you to understand that Christ is the head of every man, and the man is the head of a woman, and God is the head of Christ. 1 Corinthians 11:3 Head – Oh my, what difficulties this verse can cause! So much confusion, misapplication and down-right persecution can be traced to a…
But I do not allow a woman to teach, nor to exercise authority over a man, but to be in silence. 1 Timothy 2:12 Exercise Authority – You have got to be kidding me! That is probably the immediate contemporary reaction to the face-value interpretation of Paul’s remark. If what Paul says is really the…
