Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Cloak » Figurative
If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin. But now they do not have a valid excuse for their sin.
{For never} did we come with a word of flattery, just as you know, nor with a pretext of greediness (God [is] witness),
[Live] as free [persons], and not using your freedom as a covering for evil, but as slaves of God.
Dress » Clothing » Figurative
If I had not come and spoken to them, they would not have sin. But now they do not have a valid excuse for their sin.
{For never} did we come with a word of flattery, just as you know, nor with a pretext of greediness (God [is] witness),
[Live] as free [persons], and not using your freedom as a covering for evil, but as slaves of God.
Example » Good
Remember your leaders, who spoke the word of God to you; {considering the outcome of their way of life}, imitate their faith.
Verse Concepts
Imitating OthersMentoringConsistencyFaith, Growth InAttending Churchelders, in the churchGospel, Transmission OfMinistry, In The ChurchRespect, For God's CharacterBishops, QualificationsLeadershipBeing a ModelBishops, DutiesImitating Good PeopleMaintaining FaithRemembering PeopleTeaching In The ChurchChristian Conduct
Let no one look down on your youth, but be an example for the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.
Verse Concepts
Back to schoolAdultsAdventureFaith, Nature OfFaith, Growth InBecoming An AdultExamplesBelieversHoliness Of MinistersInexperienceInferiorityShynessYouthDuties Of Christian ServantsYoung MenLoving OthersMinisters, Should BeLove To OthersNames And Titles For The ChristianAgape LoveAge DiscriminationExample Of Believers
and not as lording it over {those under your care}, but being examples for the flock.
concerning everything showing yourself [to be] an example of good deeds, in your teaching [demonstrating] soundness, dignity, sound message beyond reproach, in order that {an opponent} may be put to shame, [because he] has nothing bad to say concerning us.
and I said to them: "We ourselves have bought back our brothers the Jews who were sold to the nations as we were able. But now you yourselves have sold your brothers so they may be sold to us!" They were silent and could not find a word [to say]. So I said, "The thing that you are doing is not good. Should you not walk in the fear of our God [to prevent] the disgrace from the nations, our enemies? Also, I and my brothers and my servants are lending them money and grain. Please stop [taking] this interest. read more.
Please restore to them this day their fields, their vineyards, their olive groves, their houses, and the interest on the money, the grain, the grape juice, and the olive oil that you have been taking from them." So they said, "We will restore it and will not request [anything more]. So we will do as you say." Then I called the priests and made them take an oath to do this promise. I also shook out my garment and said, "This is how God will shake out everyone from his house who will not keep this promise. So this is how his possessions will be shaken out and emptied." And all the assembly said, "Amen!" And they praised Yahweh, and the people kept this promise. Moreover, from the appointed day I was made their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year until the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes--twelve years. My brothers and I did not eat the food [allowance] of the governor. The former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people, and they took food and wine from them, besides forty shekels. Also, their servants controlled the people, but I did not do so because of the fear of God. I also devoted myself to the work of this wall, and we did not buy land. All of my servants were gathered for the work. One hundred and fifty men, prefects and Jews, and those who came to us from the nations around us, [were] at my table. Now what was prepared each day for me was one ox, six choice sheep, and birds. And every ten days all [kinds of] wine were made. But for this I did not demand the food [allowance] of the governor because the slavery was too heavy on this people. Remember me for good, my God, all that I have done for this people.
Please restore to them this day their fields, their vineyards, their olive groves, their houses, and the interest on the money, the grain, the grape juice, and the olive oil that you have been taking from them." So they said, "We will restore it and will not request [anything more]. So we will do as you say." Then I called the priests and made them take an oath to do this promise. I also shook out my garment and said, "This is how God will shake out everyone from his house who will not keep this promise. So this is how his possessions will be shaken out and emptied." And all the assembly said, "Amen!" And they praised Yahweh, and the people kept this promise. Moreover, from the appointed day I was made their governor in the land of Judah, from the twentieth year until the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes--twelve years. My brothers and I did not eat the food [allowance] of the governor. The former governors who were before me laid burdens on the people, and they took food and wine from them, besides forty shekels. Also, their servants controlled the people, but I did not do so because of the fear of God. I also devoted myself to the work of this wall, and we did not buy land. All of my servants were gathered for the work. One hundred and fifty men, prefects and Jews, and those who came to us from the nations around us, [were] at my table. Now what was prepared each day for me was one ox, six choice sheep, and birds. And every ten days all [kinds of] wine were made. But for this I did not demand the food [allowance] of the governor because the slavery was too heavy on this people. Remember me for good, my God, all that I have done for this people.
I will give attention to [the] way of integrity. When will you come to me? I will walk in the integrity of my heart in the midst of my house.
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, receiving the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit, so that you became an example to all those who believe in Macedonia and in Achaia, for from you the word of the Lord has sounded forth, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith toward God has gone out, so that we have no need to say anything.
Brothers, take [as an] example of perseverance and endurance the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider blessed those who have endured. You have heard about the patient endurance of Job, and you saw the outcome from the Lord, that the Lord is compassionate and merciful.
Dear friends, I urge [you] as foreigners and temporary residents to abstain from fleshly desires which wage war against your soul, maintaining your good conduct among the Gentiles, so that in [the things] in which they slander you as evildoers, by seeing your good deeds they may glorify God on the day of visitation. Subject yourselves to every human authority for the sake of the Lord, whether to a king as having supreme authority, read more.
or to governors as those sent out by him for the punishment of those who do evil and the praise of those who do good. For the will of God is as follows: [by] doing good to silence the ignorance of foolish people. [Live] as free [persons], and not using your freedom as a covering for evil, but as slaves of God. Honor all [people], love the community of believers, fear God, honor the king. Domestic slaves, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to those [who are] good and gentle, but also to those [who are] unjust. For this [finds] favor, if because of consciousness of God someone endures sorrows [while] suffering unjustly. For what credit [is it] if, [when you] sin and are beaten [for it], you endure? But if you endure [when you] do good and suffer [for it], this [finds] favor with God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his footsteps, who did not commit sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth, who [when he] was reviled, did not revile in return; [when] suffering, he did not threaten, but entrusted [himself] to the one who judges justly, who himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that [we] may die to sins [and] live to righteousness, by whose wounds you were healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but you have turned back now to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
or to governors as those sent out by him for the punishment of those who do evil and the praise of those who do good. For the will of God is as follows: [by] doing good to silence the ignorance of foolish people. [Live] as free [persons], and not using your freedom as a covering for evil, but as slaves of God. Honor all [people], love the community of believers, fear God, honor the king. Domestic slaves, be subject to your masters with all respect, not only to those [who are] good and gentle, but also to those [who are] unjust. For this [finds] favor, if because of consciousness of God someone endures sorrows [while] suffering unjustly. For what credit [is it] if, [when you] sin and are beaten [for it], you endure? But if you endure [when you] do good and suffer [for it], this [finds] favor with God. For to this you were called, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you should follow in his footsteps, who did not commit sin, nor was deceit found in his mouth, who [when he] was reviled, did not revile in return; [when] suffering, he did not threaten, but entrusted [himself] to the one who judges justly, who himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that [we] may die to sins [and] live to righteousness, by whose wounds you were healed. For you were going astray like sheep, but you have turned back now to the shepherd and guardian of your souls.
For in the [same] way formerly the holy women also, who hoped in God, used to adorn themselves [by] being subject to their own husbands, like Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose children you have become [when you] do good and are not frightened with respect to any terror.
Freedom/liberty » What not to use liberty for
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not let your freedom [become] an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Verse Concepts
Freedom, Abuse Of ChristianAdventureCommitment, to God's peopleLove, For One AnotherLove, Nature OfMinistry, In The ChurchSelf IndulgenceService To GodSlavery, SpiritualUnselfishnessCarnalityAbuse, Of Christian FreedomLove To Others Shown InCalling, Of ChristiansCalling, The Goals Of4th of julyBrotherly LoveAnarchyAgape LoveLiving For The Material
[Live] as free [persons], and not using your freedom as a covering for evil, but as slaves of God.
God » Remember » Servants of
For this night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve came to me,
But Aaron and his sons made offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense for all the work of the most holy place, and to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.
James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the dispersion. Greetings!
For God, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, is my witness, how constantly I make mention of you,
[Live] as free [persons], and not using your freedom as a covering for evil, but as slaves of God.
And this is the answer they returned to us: 'We are servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are building the house that was built formerly many years ago, [which] a great king of Israel had built and finished.
It happened at the offering of the [evening] oblation, Elijah the prophet went near, and he said, "O Yahweh, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel; let it be known today that you [are] God in Israel and [that] I [am] your servant and [that] I have done all of these things by your words.
Then Nebuchadnezzar approached the door of the furnace of blazing fire, [and] he called out, saying, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, {servants} of the Most High God, come out and come here!"
And {when he came near} to the pit, he cried out to Daniel with distressed voice, [and] the king {spoke} and said to Daniel, "O Daniel, servant of the living God, your God whom you serve faithfully, was he able to rescue you from the lions?"
{I am thankful} to God, whom I have served with a clear conscience {as my ancestors did}, when {I remember you constantly} in my prayers night and day,
Government » Duty of citizens to
Remind them to be subject to the rulers [and] to the authorities, to obey, to be prepared for every good work,
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities, for [there] is no authority except by God, and those that exist are put in place by God. So then, the one who resists authority resists the ordinance [which is] from God, and those who resist will receive condemnation on themselves. For rulers are not a [cause of] terror for a good deed, but for bad [conduct]. So do you want not to be afraid of authority? Do what [is] good, and you will have praise from it, read more.
for it is God's servant to you for what [is] good. But if you do what [is] bad, be afraid, because it does not bear the sword to no purpose. For it is God's servant, the one who avenges for punishment on the one who does [what is] bad. Therefore [it is] necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath but also because of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for [the authorities] are servants of God, busily engaged in this very [thing]. Pay to everyone [what is] owed: [pay] taxes to whom taxes [are due]; [pay] customs duties to whom customs duties [are due]; [pay] respect to whom respect [is due]; [pay] honor to whom honor [is due].
for it is God's servant to you for what [is] good. But if you do what [is] bad, be afraid, because it does not bear the sword to no purpose. For it is God's servant, the one who avenges for punishment on the one who does [what is] bad. Therefore [it is] necessary to be in subjection, not only because of wrath but also because of conscience. For because of this you also pay taxes, for [the authorities] are servants of God, busily engaged in this very [thing]. Pay to everyone [what is] owed: [pay] taxes to whom taxes [are due]; [pay] customs duties to whom customs duties [are due]; [pay] respect to whom respect [is due]; [pay] honor to whom honor [is due].
Therefore tell us what you think. Is it permitted to pay taxes to Caesar or not?" But [because he] knew their maliciousness, Jesus said, "Hypocrites! Why are you testing me? Show me the coin for the tax!" So they brought him a denarius. read more.
And he said to them, "Whose image and inscription [is] this?" They said to him, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Therefore give to Caesar the things of Caesar, and to God the things of God!"
And he said to them, "Whose image and inscription [is] this?" They said to him, "Caesar's." Then he said to them, "Therefore give to Caesar the things of Caesar, and to God the things of God!"
So he said to them, "Well then, give to Caesar the things of Caesar, and to God the things of God!"
Subject yourselves to every human authority for the sake of the Lord, whether to a king as having supreme authority, or to governors as those sent out by him for the punishment of those who do evil and the praise of those who do good. For the will of God is as follows: [by] doing good to silence the ignorance of foolish people. read more.
[Live] as free [persons], and not using your freedom as a covering for evil, but as slaves of God. Honor all [people], love the community of believers, fear God, honor the king.
[Live] as free [persons], and not using your freedom as a covering for evil, but as slaves of God. Honor all [people], love the community of believers, fear God, honor the king.
Liberty » The abuse of, warnings against
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not let your freedom [become] an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Verse Concepts
Freedom, Abuse Of ChristianAdventureCommitment, to God's peopleLove, For One AnotherLove, Nature OfMinistry, In The ChurchSelf IndulgenceService To GodSlavery, SpiritualUnselfishnessCarnalityAbuse, Of Christian FreedomLove To Others Shown InCalling, Of ChristiansCalling, The Goals Of4th of julyBrotherly LoveAnarchyAgape LoveLiving For The Material
[Live] as free [persons], and not using your freedom as a covering for evil, but as slaves of God.
But watch out lest somehow this right of yours becomes a cause for stumbling to the weak.
Christian Liberty » Saints should » Not abuse
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not let your freedom [become] an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Verse Concepts
Freedom, Abuse Of ChristianAdventureCommitment, to God's peopleLove, For One AnotherLove, Nature OfMinistry, In The ChurchSelf IndulgenceService To GodSlavery, SpiritualUnselfishnessCarnalityAbuse, Of Christian FreedomLove To Others Shown InCalling, Of ChristiansCalling, The Goals Of4th of julyBrotherly LoveAnarchyAgape LoveLiving For The Material
[Live] as free [persons], and not using your freedom as a covering for evil, but as slaves of God.
Malice » Christian liberty not to be a cloak for
[Live] as free [persons], and not using your freedom as a covering for evil, but as slaves of God.
Servant » Figurative
saying, "Do not damage the earth or the sea or the trees until we have sealed the slaves of our God on their foreheads."
promising them freedom [although they] themselves are slaves of depravity. For to whatever someone succumbs, by this he is also enslaved.
For you were called to freedom, brothers. Only do not let your freedom [become] an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.
Verse Concepts
Freedom, Abuse Of ChristianAdventureCommitment, to God's peopleLove, For One AnotherLove, Nature OfMinistry, In The ChurchSelf IndulgenceService To GodSlavery, SpiritualUnselfishnessCarnalityAbuse, Of Christian FreedomLove To Others Shown InCalling, Of ChristiansCalling, The Goals Of4th of julyBrotherly LoveAnarchyAgape LoveLiving For The Material
Thus let a person consider us as servants of Christ and stewards of God's mysteries.
[Live] as free [persons], and not using your freedom as a covering for evil, but as slaves of God.
"Who then is the faithful and wise slave whom the master has put in charge of his household slaves to give them their food at the right time? Blessed [is] that slave whom his master will find so doing [when he] comes back. Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. read more.
But if that evil slave should say {to himself}, 'My master is staying away for a long time,' and he begins to beat his fellow slaves and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in two and assign his place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth!
But if that evil slave should say {to himself}, 'My master is staying away for a long time,' and he begins to beat his fellow slaves and eats and drinks with drunkards, the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in two and assign his place with the hypocrites. In that place there will be weeping and gnashing of teeth!
Because they [are] my servants whom I brought out from the land of Egypt, they shall not be sold {as a slave}.
Indeed, the {Israelites} [are] servants for me; they [are] my servants whom I brought out from the land of Egypt. I [am] Yahweh your God.'"
Ah, Yahweh, I [am] indeed your servant; I am your servant, the child of your maidservant. You have loosed my bonds.
"{You must be prepared for action} and [your] lamps burning. And you, [be] like people who are waiting for their master when he returns from the wedding feast, so that [when he] comes back and knocks, they can open [the door] for him immediately. Blessed [are] those slaves whom the master will find on the alert [when he] returns! Truly I say to you that he will dress himself for service and have them recline at the table and will come by [and] serve them. read more.
Even if he should come back in the second or in the third watch of the night and find [them] like this, blessed are they! But understand this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not think [he will come]." And Peter said, "Lord, are you telling this parable for us, or also for everyone?" And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful wise manager whom the master will put in charge over his servants to give [them] [their] food allowance at the right time? Blessed [is] that slave whom his master will find so doing [when he] comes back. Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But if that slave should say {to himself}, 'My master is taking a long time to return,' and he begins to beat the male slaves and the female slaves and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in two and assign his place with the unbelievers. And that slave who knew the will of his master and did not prepare or do according to his will {will be given a severe beating}. But the one who did not know and did [things] deserving blows {will be given a light beating}. And from everyone to whom much has been given, much will be demanded, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will ask him [for] even more.
Even if he should come back in the second or in the third watch of the night and find [them] like this, blessed are they! But understand this, that if the master of the house had known what hour the thief was coming, he would not have left his house to be broken into. You also must be ready, because the Son of Man is coming at an hour that you do not think [he will come]." And Peter said, "Lord, are you telling this parable for us, or also for everyone?" And the Lord said, "Who then is the faithful wise manager whom the master will put in charge over his servants to give [them] [their] food allowance at the right time? Blessed [is] that slave whom his master will find so doing [when he] comes back. Truly I say to you that he will put him in charge of all his possessions. But if that slave should say {to himself}, 'My master is taking a long time to return,' and he begins to beat the male slaves and the female slaves and to eat and drink and get drunk, the master of that slave will come on a day that he does not expect and at an hour that he does not know, and will cut him in two and assign his place with the unbelievers. And that slave who knew the will of his master and did not prepare or do according to his will {will be given a severe beating}. But the one who did not know and did [things] deserving blows {will be given a light beating}. And from everyone to whom much has been given, much will be demanded, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will ask him [for] even more.
"And which of you who has a slave plowing or shepherding [sheep] who comes in from the field will say to him, 'Come here at once [and] recline at the table'? Will he not rather say to him, 'Prepare something that I may eat, and dress yourself to serve me while I eat and drink, and after these [things] you will eat and drink.' He will not {be grateful} to the slave because he did what was ordered, [will he]?
and you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free." They replied to him, "We are descendants of Abraham and have not been enslaved to anyone at any time. How do you say, 'You will become free'?" Jesus replied to them, "Truly, truly I say to you, that everyone who commits sin is a slave of sin. read more.
And the slave does not remain in the household {forever}; the son remains {forever}.
And the slave does not remain in the household {forever}; the son remains {forever}.
Do you not know that to whomever you present yourselves [as] slaves for obedience, you are slaves to whomever you obey, whether sin, [leading] to death, or obedience, [leading] to righteousness? But thanks [be] to God that you were slaves of sin, but you have obeyed from the heart the pattern of teaching to which you were entrusted, and having been set free from sin, you became enslaved to righteousness. read more.
(I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh.) For just as you presented your members [as] slaves to immorality and lawlessness, [leading] to lawlessness, so now present your members [as] slaves to righteousness, [leading] to sanctification. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free with respect to righteousness. Therefore what sort of fruit did you have then, about which you are now ashamed? For the end of those [things] [is] death. But now, having been set free from sin and having been enslaved to God, you have your fruit [leading] to sanctification, and its end [is] eternal life.
(I am speaking in human terms because of the weakness of your flesh.) For just as you presented your members [as] slaves to immorality and lawlessness, [leading] to lawlessness, so now present your members [as] slaves to righteousness, [leading] to sanctification. For when you were slaves of sin, you were free with respect to righteousness. Therefore what sort of fruit did you have then, about which you are now ashamed? For the end of those [things] [is] death. But now, having been set free from sin and having been enslaved to God, you have your fruit [leading] to sanctification, and its end [is] eternal life.
Were you called [while] a slave? Do not let it be a concern to you. But if indeed you are able to become free, rather make use of [it]. For the one who is called in the Lord [while] a slave is the Lord's freedperson. Likewise the one who is called [while] free is a slave of Christ. You were bought at a price; do not become slaves of men.
Servants » God's
For this night an angel of the God whose I am and whom I serve came to me,
But Aaron and his sons made offerings on the altar of burnt offering and on the altar of incense for all the work of the most holy place, and to make atonement for Israel, according to all that Moses the servant of God had commanded.
James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes in the dispersion. Greetings!
For God, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, is my witness, how constantly I make mention of you,
[Live] as free [persons], and not using your freedom as a covering for evil, but as slaves of God.
And this is the answer they returned to us: 'We are servants of the God of heaven and earth, and we are building the house that was built formerly many years ago, [which] a great king of Israel had built and finished.
It happened at the offering of the [evening] oblation, Elijah the prophet went near, and he said, "O Yahweh, God of Abraham, Isaac, and Israel; let it be known today that you [are] God in Israel and [that] I [am] your servant and [that] I have done all of these things by your words.
Then Nebuchadnezzar approached the door of the furnace of blazing fire, [and] he called out, saying, "Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, {servants} of the Most High God, come out and come here!"
And {when he came near} to the pit, he cried out to Daniel with distressed voice, [and] the king {spoke} and said to Daniel, "O Daniel, servant of the living God, your God whom you serve faithfully, was he able to rescue you from the lions?"
{I am thankful} to God, whom I have served with a clear conscience {as my ancestors did}, when {I remember you constantly} in my prayers night and day,
Sin » Fruits of » Garment of
Therefore pride is their necklace; an outfit of violence covers them.
[Live] as free [persons], and not using your freedom as a covering for evil, but as slaves of God.
and save others [by] snatching [them] from the fire, and have mercy on others with fear, hating even the tunic stained by the flesh.
Because he wore a curse as his robe, let it enter {his body} like water, and into his bones like oil.