When I started this study, I aimed to prove that God' love remains complete and that His believers reside in His love. I wanted to demonstrate that when believers are imperfect, God perfectly loves them. This understanding is true. God loved us first, so much so that He sent His Son as our sacrifice. In this sacrificial love, God tells us that we... Read More
John identifies that God is love. In verses 9 – 10, he depicts God's love manifesting in Jesus as our sin offering. In verse 15, John climatically tells the believers that those who confess that Jesus is the Son of God will abide in God. John's plea addresses those who wavered in their understanding of Jesus. These individuals thought of Jesus... Read More
In 1 John 4:7 – 21, John encourages the believers to possess confidence, assurance and certainty that God is love. To understand John's encouragement, it is necessary to examine the historical context of 1 John. The epistle of 1 John resides in the Johannian literature. The apostle John composed the Johannian literature. These writings include... Read More
In 2 Thess 3: 7 – 9, Paul contrasts idle behavior to his modeled work ethics. Paul continuously worked night and day in Thessalonica to not be a burden to the church as well as to be a model. The participle form of ἐργάζομαι indicates Paul's continuous action with the emphasis placed on the action. The action of work means, "to work,... Read More
In 2 Thess 3, Paul concludes his letter to the Thessalonians, by once again providing instruction for behavior within the church. Before instructing the Thessalonians' behavior, Paul requests prayer for the spreading of the gospel and deliverance from wicked people. Scholars suggest that Paul's introduction follows a captatio benevolentiae, an... Read More
2 Thess 1:1 – 12 identifies the Thessalonians receiving acknowledgment for their faith and love. In addition to their faith and love, they endure affliction. Verse 6 emphasizes God's vengeance upon those who afflict persecution. On the other hand, verse 7 places emphasis on the afflicted receiving relief from their persecutors. In both cases,... Read More
2 Thess continues Paul's discourse to the Thessalonians. Scholars have not determined the time span between the first and second letter. The structure of the second letter is similar to the first. Both letters contain an opening greeting, prayer-report, instruction on the Lord's coming, instruction for life in the church, and closing greeting. The... Read More
In 1 Thess 5:12 – 5:28, Paul continues to expound upon Christ's atoning sacrifice in his final declaration to the Thessalonians. His closing statement indicates his desire for the Lord’s grace to be upon them. His desire for the Lord’s favor indicates an understanding of Christ’s atoning sacrifice in the lives of the Thessalonians. Through... Read More
1 Thess 5:12 – 28 narrates Paul's closing requests for life in the church and final greetings to the Thessalonians. This portion of the letter has been referred to closing remarks between friends. Verses 25 – 28 demonstrate evidence of friendship, by indicating communal prayer, greeting with a holy kiss, and encouraging all to read the letter.... Read More
In 1 Thess 4:13 – 5:11, Paul responds to the Thessalonians' inquiry about the Lord's coming. Paul reveals a distinct contrast between those who believe and those who do not. For those who belong to Christ, Paul declares that they possess salvation through Christ. He identifies salvation as involving faith in the death and resurrection of Christ.... Read More
- God is Love: Nuts & Bolts Pt II
I wanted to know and allow others to know that there is no fear in God’s love and judgment. His love is perfect and complete. However, in His perfect love, God prompts us to respond to make it complete.
- God is Love: Nuts & Bolts Pt I
Background In 1 John, John calls the believers back to a fundamental understanding that God is love. He reveals that God is love later in the book. The first issue that he addresses deals with a split or division between strongly opposed sections or parties, caused by differences in opinion or belief. The opposing ideology known as Gnosticism split the believers into two. In 1 John 2:18 – 23, John reveals that antichrist who denied Christ lived among them. These individuals eventually left the church community, but their false teachings continued to infiltrate the church. 1 John 4:1 – 3 …
- God is Love Pt III
When I started this study, I aimed to prove that God’ love remains complete and that His believers reside in His love. I wanted to demonstrate that when believers are imperfect, God perfectly loves them. This understanding is true. God loved us first, so much so that He sent His Son as our sacrifice. In this sacrificial love, God tells us that we do not need to fear the Day of Judgement. Fearing Judgment Day means that we have not embraced the salvation that He has provided. At this point, I wanted the study to be complete. I wanted to …
