Thematic Bible




Thematic Bible



For as many of you who were baptized into Christ put on (clothed yourselves with) Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one (united) in Christ Jesus. (John 17:21) (Ephesians 4:4-6)

John said: Master we saw some one casting out demons in your name. So we prevented him from doing this because he does not follow us. Jesus said: Do not forbid him for he that is not against you is for you.

John spoke up: Teacher, we saw someone who does not follow us casting out demons in your name. We tried to stop him because he does not follow us. But Jesus said: Do not stop him, for there is no one who will do a mighty work in my name, and be able quickly to speak evil of me. For whoever is not against us is on our side. read more.
Whoever will give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because you are Christ's, most assuredly I tell you, he will in no way lose his reward.

Since God gave them the same gift as he gave to us who believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, who was I that I could oppose God? When they heard this they objected no more and praised God, saying: God has granted the people of the nations repentance to life.

Some men came down from Judea to teach the brothers. They said: You cannot be saved unless you become circumcised according to the custom of Moses. Paul and Barnabas had an intense (harsh) dispute and debate with them. They concluded that Paul, Barnabas, and others should go up to Jerusalem to the apostles and elders to settle this question. The congregation sent them on their way. They passed through Phoenicia and Samaria, declaring the conversion of the nations. They brought great joy to all the brothers. read more.
Then they went to Jerusalem where the apostles and elders and congregation greeted them. They declared all the things that God had done for them. The believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stated: It is needed to circumcise them and to command them to keep the Law of Moses. The apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. After much discussion Peter got up and said: Men and brothers you know that God made a choice among us, that I would preach the good news to the nations that they may hear and believe. God knows their hearts and showed that he accepted them by giving them Holy Spirit just as he did to us. He made no distinction between them and us and purified their hearts by faith. Why do you test God by placing a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, one that our fathers were not able to bear? We believe we are saved through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, as they also are. The crowd kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul. They declared the miracles and wonders God performed through them among the people of the nations. When they finished talking James said: Brothers listen to me: Simeon declared how God first visited the nations to take out of them a people for his name. The words of the prophets agree to this for it is written: I will return and will build again the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down. I will rebuild its ruins. I will restore it. (Amos 9:11,12) That the rest of mankind might seek after Jehovah, and all the nations, upon whom my name is called, Jehovah said, who is doing these things. (Amos 9:12) Known to God are all his works from the beginning of the world. Therefore it is my decision not to trouble those of the nations who have turned to God. We should write to them that they should abstain from things polluted by idols, from fornication, from things strangled and from blood. Moses has been preached in the synagogues from old times until now every Sabbath day. The apostles and elders along with the whole congregation desired to send chosen men to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers. They wrote letters as follows: The apostles, elders and brothers send greeting to the brothers who are of the nations in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia. Since we have heard, that certain ones who went out from us have troubled you with speeches, subverting you, saying: You must be circumcised, and keep the law. We gave no such commandment! It seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul. These men have endangered their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things in person. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things. You should abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication. If you keep yourselves from these you will do well. Farwell (best wishes). So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch and when they had gathered the crowd together, they delivered the letter. When they read it they rejoiced over the encouragement.

Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, appointed (set apart) for the good news of God, He promised this long ago through his prophets in the Holy Scriptures. This is about his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who came from the seed of David according to the flesh. read more.
He was declared to be the Son of God with power through the Spirit of Holiness, by the resurrection from the dead, Jesus Christ our Lord. Through whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, respecting his name. You are among those called to Jesus Christ. To all who are in Rome, beloved of God and called to be holy ones: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am a debtor both to the Greeks, and to the barbarians, both to the wise, and to the unwise. I am ready to preach the good news to you in Rome also. I am not ashamed of the good news; for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who exerts active faith (believes), to the Jew first, and also to the Greek.

No flesh will be justified before God by works of the law. Knowledge of sin comes from the law. But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets. God makes people righteous through their active faith in Jesus Christ. God does this to all who believe in Christ, because there is no difference at all. read more.
For all have sinned, and fall short of the glory of God being justified freely by his grace (as a gift) through the redemption that is in Christ Jesus. God displayed Christ publicly as propitiation (atonement) by his blood through faith. It demonstrated his righteousness. It was through the forbearance of God that he passed by the sins that had taken place before. It showed his righteousness at this present season that he might himself be righteous, and the justifier of he who has faith in Jesus. Where is the boasting? It is excluded. Is it by law? Is it by works? No, it is by a principle of faith. We reason therefore that a man is justified by faith apart from the works of the law. Or is God the God of the Jews only? Is he not the God of the nations also? Yes, of the nations also. If God is one he will justify the circumcised by faith, and the uncircumcised through faith. Do we nullify the law through faith? No we do not! In fact, we establish (continue) (stand by) (uphold) the law.

We are justified (acquitted) (made righteous) by faith. And we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. We have access to grace (God's favor) by faith through him. This is where we stand. We rejoice in the hope of the glory of God.

For he is our peace, who made both (Jews and Gentiles) one, and broke down the middle barrier of partition. Christ abolished in his flesh the enmity (ill will), which the law of commandments contained in ordinances. That [way] he might create one new man, out of the two, with himself establishing peace. So he reconciled them both in one body to God through the stake. He put to death the enmity (antagonism) (hostility). read more.
He came and preached peace to you who were far off, and peace to those who were near.

There is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all and in all. As God's chosen, holy and beloved, put on a heart of compassion, kindness, lowliness (humility), meekness (mildness), and long-suffering (patience). Tolerate (endure) (suffer) (put up with) one another, and forgive each other. If any man has a complaint against anyone, forgive them, even as God forgave you. read more.
Above all these things, put on love, which is the bond of perfection and unity. Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts. You were called in one body for this purpose. You be thankful.



There is one body, and one Spirit, even as you also were called in one hope of your calling. There is one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. There is one God and Father of all, who is over all, and through all, and in all.







May they all be united (in agreement) as one. Just as you, Father, are with me, and I am with you. Help them be united with us! That way the world may believe that you sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me in order that they may be one even as we are one. I with them, and you with me, that they may accomplish complete unity. That way the world may know that you sent me and that you love them just as you love me.

For we have many members in one body and all members do not have the same function. These many members are one body in Christ, and every one, individually, is a member one of the other.


For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many and are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether we are Jews or people of the nations, whether we are bond or free; we were all made to drink of one Spirit. For the body is not one member, but many. read more.
If the foot should say: Because I am not the hand, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the ear should say: Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; is it therefore not of the body? If the whole body were an eye, where is the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where is the smelling? Has God set the members of the body, every one of them, just as it pleased him? And if they were all one member, where would the body be? But now they are many members, yet they are one body. And the eye cannot say to the hand, I have no need of you: nor again the head to the feet, I have no need of you. Those members of the body, which seem to be weaker, are necessary. And those members of the body that we think to be less honorable, we offer these more honors. Our less acceptable parts have more abundant acceptability. For our acceptable parts have no need. But God has assembled the body together, having given more abundant honor to the part that was lacking. There should be no division in the body. So the members should have the same care for each other. When one member suffers all the members suffer with it. When one member is honored, all the members rejoice with it. Now you are the body of Christ, and members individually.

You are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. For as many of you who were baptized into Christ put on (clothed yourselves with) Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one (united) in Christ Jesus. (John 17:21) (Ephesians 4:4-6)


For he is our peace, who made both (Jews and Gentiles) one, and broke down the middle barrier of partition. Christ abolished in his flesh the enmity (ill will), which the law of commandments contained in ordinances. That [way] he might create one new man, out of the two, with himself establishing peace. So he reconciled them both in one body to God through the stake. He put to death the enmity (antagonism) (hostility). read more.
He came and preached peace to you who were far off, and peace to those who were near. We both have access to the Father by one Spirit through him. So then you are no longer strangers and aliens. You are fellow citizens with the holy ones and of the household of God.

In him each building fits together and grows into a holy Temple for Jehovah. (Zechariah 6:12)


This is for the perfecting (equipping) (preparing) of the holy ones, for the work of ministering, for the building up of the body of Christ: until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a full-grown (mature) man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.








Christ abolished in his flesh the enmity (ill will), which the law of commandments contained in ordinances. That [way] he might create one new man, out of the two, with himself establishing peace.


Those who desire to make a showing in the flesh try to compel you to be circumcised. This is done so they may not be persecuted for the stake of Christ.

The believers who belonged to the party of the Pharisees stated: It is needed to circumcise them and to command them to keep the Law of Moses. The apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. After much discussion Peter got up and said: Men and brothers you know that God made a choice among us, that I would preach the good news to the nations that they may hear and believe. read more.
God knows their hearts and showed that he accepted them by giving them Holy Spirit just as he did to us. He made no distinction between them and us and purified their hearts by faith. Why do you test God by placing a yoke upon the neck of the disciples, one that our fathers were not able to bear? We believe we are saved through the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, as they also are. The crowd kept silent and listened to Barnabas and Paul. They declared the miracles and wonders God performed through them among the people of the nations. When they finished talking James said: Brothers listen to me: Simeon declared how God first visited the nations to take out of them a people for his name. The words of the prophets agree to this for it is written: I will return and will build again the tabernacle of David, which has fallen down. I will rebuild its ruins. I will restore it. (Amos 9:11,12) That the rest of mankind might seek after Jehovah, and all the nations, upon whom my name is called, Jehovah said, who is doing these things. (Amos 9:12) Known to God are all his works from the beginning of the world. Therefore it is my decision not to trouble those of the nations who have turned to God. We should write to them that they should abstain from things polluted by idols, from fornication, from things strangled and from blood. Moses has been preached in the synagogues from old times until now every Sabbath day. The apostles and elders along with the whole congregation desired to send chosen men to Antioch with Paul and Barnabas; namely, Judas surnamed Barsabas, and Silas, leading men among the brothers. They wrote letters as follows: The apostles, elders and brothers send greeting to the brothers who are of the nations in Antioch and Syria and Cilicia. Since we have heard, that certain ones who went out from us have troubled you with speeches, subverting you, saying: You must be circumcised, and keep the law. We gave no such commandment! It seemed good to us, being assembled with one accord, to send chosen men to you with our beloved Barnabas and Paul. These men have endangered their lives for the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. We have sent therefore Judas and Silas, who shall also tell you the same things in person. For it seemed good to the Holy Spirit, and to us, to lay upon you no greater burden than these necessary things. You should abstain from meats offered to idols, and from blood, and from things strangled, and from fornication. If you keep yourselves from these you will do well. Farwell (best wishes).


Is this blessing then pronounced upon the circumcised only, or upon the uncircumcised also? For we say: To Abraham his faith was counted for righteousness. How then was it counted? When he was in circumcision, or in uncircumcision? Not in circumcision, but in uncircumcision: He received the sign of circumcision, a seal of the righteousness of the faith that he had while he was not circumcised. That way he could be the father of all those who believe, though they are not circumcised, that righteousness might be counted to them.

Is any man called being circumcised? He should not become uncircumcised. Is any called who is not circumcised? He should not be circumcised. Circumcision is nothing, and uncircumcision is nothing. Obey the commandments of God.

Titus was with me and he was not persuaded to be circumcised. He is a Greek. This occurred because of the false brothers brought in secretly. They came to spy out our liberty that we have in Christ Jesus. This was so they might bring us into bondage.

Behold, I Paul say to you, that, if you receive circumcision, Christ will be of no benefit to you. Yes, I testify again to every man who receives circumcision. He is under obligation to obey the whole Law. You who seek to be righteous by Law are separated from Christ. You have fallen away from grace. read more.
For we through the Spirit by faith wait for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision means anything, nor uncircumcision, but faith working through love. You were running well! Who hindered you that you should not obey the truth? This persuasion did not come from him who calls you. A little leaven, leavens (ferments) the whole lump. I have confidence in you in the Lord that you will adopt no other view. And he that troubles you will bear his judgment, who ever he is. But I, brothers, if I still preach circumcision, why am I still persecuted? Then has the stumbling block of the stake been done away?

Remember that you were once people of the nations in the flesh. You are called uncircumcision by that which is called circumcision, in the flesh, made by human hands.


Now I say that Jesus Christ was a minister of the circumcised for the truth of God, to confirm the promises made to the fathers.

I will punish Egypt, Judah, Edom, Ammon, and Moab. I will punish all who shave the hair on their foreheads or live in the desert. Even though all these nations are uncircumcised, all Israel has uncircumcised hearts.


You were also circumcised in him with a circumcision not made with hands, in the putting off of the body of the flesh, in the circumcision of Christ.

But Moses replied: I am not a powerful speaker. If the sons of Israel will not listen to me, why should the king of Egypt?

Circumcise your heart, and do not stiffen your neck. (Circumcise: Cut short the foreskin.) (Remove hardness of the heart.)

Jehovah your God will circumcise your hearts and the hearts of your descendants, to LOVE JEHOVAH YOUR GOD WITH ALL YOUR HEART AND WITH ALL YOUR BEING, that you may live.

Be circumcised by Jehovah, and get rid of the foreskins of your hearts (cleanse your hearts), people of Judah and inhabitants of Jerusalem. If you do not, my fury will blaze like a fire. It will burn, and no one will be able to put it out. This is because of the evil you do.

To whom can I speak and give warning that they may hear? Their ears are closed and they cannot listen. Behold, the word of Jehovah has become a reproach to them. They have no delight in it.

He is not a Jew who is one on the outside. Neither is circumcision that which is on the outside in the flesh. But he is a Jew who is so on the inside with circumcision of the heart, in spirit, not in letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God.


For as many of you who were baptized into Christ put on (clothed yourselves with) Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one (united) in Christ Jesus. (John 17:21) (Ephesians 4:4-6) If you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise.

For there is no difference between Jew and Greek. The same Lord (God) of all is abounding in riches for all who call on him. Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved. (Joel 2:32)

But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets. God makes people righteous through their active faith in Jesus Christ. God does this to all who believe in Christ, because there is no difference at all.

The apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. After much discussion Peter got up and said: Men and brothers you know that God made a choice among us, that I would preach the good news to the nations that they may hear and believe. God knows their hearts and showed that he accepted them by giving them Holy Spirit just as he did to us. read more.
He made no distinction between them and us and purified their hearts by faith.

For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many and are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether we are Jews or people of the nations, whether we are bond or free; we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

Now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you got rid of the old self with its evil practices. You put on the new self that is being renewed to a true knowledge (full discernment) according to the image of the one who created him. read more.
There is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all and in all.






For as many of you who were baptized into Christ put on (clothed yourselves with) Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free man, there is neither male nor female, for you are all one (united) in Christ Jesus. (John 17:21) (Ephesians 4:4-6) If you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's seed, heirs according to promise.

For there is no difference between Jew and Greek. The same Lord (God) of all is abounding in riches for all who call on him. Everyone who calls on the name of Jehovah will be saved. (Joel 2:32)

But now apart from the Law the righteousness of God has been revealed, being witnessed by the Law and the Prophets. God makes people righteous through their active faith in Jesus Christ. God does this to all who believe in Christ, because there is no difference at all.

The apostles and elders came together to consider this matter. After much discussion Peter got up and said: Men and brothers you know that God made a choice among us, that I would preach the good news to the nations that they may hear and believe. God knows their hearts and showed that he accepted them by giving them Holy Spirit just as he did to us. read more.
He made no distinction between them and us and purified their hearts by faith.

For as the body is one, and has many members, and all the members of that one body, being many and are one body, so also is Christ. For by one Spirit we are all baptized into one body, whether we are Jews or people of the nations, whether we are bond or free; we were all made to drink of one Spirit.

Now you also put them all away: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech out of your mouth. Do not lie to one another, seeing that you got rid of the old self with its evil practices. You put on the new self that is being renewed to a true knowledge (full discernment) according to the image of the one who created him. read more.
There is no distinction between Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, bondman, freeman; but Christ is all and in all.




To proclaim the favorable Year of Jehovah and the day of vengeance of our God. To comfort all who mourn,






To proclaim the acceptable year of Jehovah. (Isaiah 61:1)

You will know the truth and the truth will make you free! They answered him: We are Abraham's seed, and have never been in bondage to any man. How can you say we will be made free?