Thematic Bible




Thematic Bible



Jehovah appeared to Abram and said: I will give this land to your offspring (seed). He built an altar there to Jehovah, who had appeared to him. From there he went on toward the hills east of Bethel and pitched his tent. Bethel was on the west and Ai on the east. He built an altar to Jehovah and called on the name of Jehovah.

This was where he had first built an altar. There Abram called on the name of Jehovah.

Abram moved his tents and went to live near the great trees of Mamre at Hebron. He built an altar to Jehovah there.


Give the man's wife back to him now. He is a prophet. He will pray for you, and you will live. But if you do not give her back, you and all who belong to you are doomed to die.

Abraham planted a tamarisk tree at Beer-sheba. There he called on the name of Jehovah, the Everlasting God.

Early the next morning Abraham saddled his donkey. He took two of his servants and his son Isaac with him. He had cut the wood for the burnt offering. Then he set out for the place that God had told him about. Two days later Abraham saw the place in the distance. He said to the servants: Stay here with the donkey. The boy and I will go over there and worship. Then we will come back to you. read more.
Abraham made Isaac carry the wood for the sacrifice. Abraham carried a knife and live coals for starting the fire. As they walked along together, Isaac spoke up: Father! He answered: Yes, my son? Isaac asked: I see that you have the coals and the wood, but where is the lamb for the sacrifice? Abraham answered: God will provide one. And the two of them walked on together. They came to the place God had told him about. Abraham built an altar and arranged the wood on it. He tied up his son and placed him on the altar, on top of the wood. Then he picked up the knife to kill him. Jehovah's angel shouted from heaven: Abraham! Abraham! Here I am! he answered. Do not hurt the boy or harm him in any way! The angel said. Now I know that you truly obey God, because you were willing to offer him your only son. Abraham looked up and saw a ram caught by its horns in the bushes. So he took the ram and sacrificed it in place of his son.

This is because Abraham did everything I told him to do.

You are Jehovah, the true God, who took Abram and made him yours, guiding him from Ur of the Chaldees, and gave him the name of Abraham; You saw that his heart was true to you, and made an agreement with him to give the land of the Canaanite, the Hittite, the Amorite and the Perizzite and the Jebusite and the Girgashite, even to give it to his seed, and you have done what you said; for righteousness is yours.

For this reason it is by faith that it may be according to grace (divine influence) (loving-kindness). The promise may be sure to all descendants! This is not only to that which is of the law, but to that also which is by the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all. It is written: I have made you a father of many nations. [This was] in the presence of God, the one in whom he believed. He gives life to the dead, and calls into being that which does not exist. In hope against hope Abraham believed that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken: So your descendants will be.

You are our God. When your people Israel moved into this land, you drove out the people who were living here and gave the land to the descendants of Abraham, your friend, to be theirs from generation to generation.

However you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham, my friend,




What shall we say about Abraham, our forefather according to the flesh? If Abraham was declared righteous by works, he could boast, but not to God. For what does the scriptures say? Abraham believed Jehovah, and it was counted to him as righteousness. (Genesis 15:6) read more.
The pay is counted to the man who works. It is not as grace but as a debt. He who does not work but believes in him who justifies (absolves) the ungodly, his faith is counted for righteousness. David also pronounces blessing on the man, to whom God counts righteousness apart from works, saying: Blessed are those whose iniquities are forgiven, and whose sins are covered. Blessed is the man to whom, Jehovah will not impute sin. (Psalm 32:2) 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. The father of circumcision to those who not only are circumcised, but who also walk in the steps of faith of our father Abraham that he had when he was not circumcised. The promise to Abraham or to his seed that he should be heir of the world was not through the law but through righteousness by faith. If those who are of the law are heirs, faith is made void, and the promise is made of no effect. The law produces wrath (violent passion) (indignation). But where there is no law there is no sin. For this reason it is by faith that it may be according to grace (divine influence) (loving-kindness). The promise may be sure to all descendants! This is not only to that which is of the law, but to that also which is by the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all. It is written: I have made you a father of many nations. [This was] in the presence of God, the one in whom he believed. He gives life to the dead, and calls into being that which does not exist. In hope against hope Abraham believed that he might become a father of many nations, according to that which had been spoken: So your descendants will be. Not being weak in faith he considered his own body now as good as dead (he being about a hundred years old), and the deadness of Sarah's womb. Yet, he looked to the promise of God. He did not waver through unbelief, but grew strong through faith. He gave the glory to God! He was fully assured that what he had promised, he was able to perform. It was counted to him as righteousness.

Abraham believed God and Jehovah considered his faith as his righteousness. (Genesis 15:6) You know that those who have faith are sons of Abraham. The Scripture revealed ahead of time, that God justified the people of the nations by faith. He preached the good news beforehand to Abraham. He said: In you will all the nations be blessed. read more.
So then those who have faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham.

By faith, when Abraham was called, he obeyed. He went to a place that he was to receive for an inheritance. He went even though he did not know where he was going. By faith he became an alien in the Promised Land. It was not his land. He lived in tents with Isaac and Jacob. They were heirs with him of the same promise. He looked for the city having real foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

By faith Abraham, being tested, offered up Isaac. He that had gladly received the promises was offering up his only-begotten son! It was said: In Isaac your descendants will be called. Abraham reasoned that God is able to raise him from the dead. So he figured he would receive him back.

Was Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith acted with his works, and works made faith perfect (complete). The scripture was fulfilled which says: Abraham believed Jehovah and it was reckoned (imputed) (considered) (credited) to him for righteousness. He was called Jehovah's friend (Genesis 15:6) ( Isaiah 41:8). read more.
You see that a man is justified (declared and pronounced righteous) by works, and not by faith alone.


You are our God. When your people Israel moved into this land, you drove out the people who were living here and gave the land to the descendants of Abraham, your friend, to be theirs from generation to generation.

However you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham, my friend,



Was Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith acted with his works, and works made faith perfect (complete). The scripture was fulfilled which says: Abraham believed Jehovah and it was reckoned (imputed) (considered) (credited) to him for righteousness. He was called Jehovah's friend (Genesis 15:6) ( Isaiah 41:8). read more.
You see that a man is justified (declared and pronounced righteous) by works, and not by faith alone. Rahab the harlot was justified by her works. When she received the messengers she sent them out another way.


Even so, faith without works is dead. It is alone and by itself! A man will say: You have faith and I have works. Show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well: the demons also believe, and shudder. read more.
Are you willing to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is useless (barren) (lifeless)? Was Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith acted with his works, and works made faith perfect (complete). The scripture was fulfilled which says: Abraham believed Jehovah and it was reckoned (imputed) (considered) (credited) to him for righteousness. He was called Jehovah's friend (Genesis 15:6) ( Isaiah 41:8). You see that a man is justified (declared and pronounced righteous) by works, and not by faith alone. Rahab the harlot was justified by her works. When she received the messengers she sent them out another way. Just as the body without the spirit is dead; even so faith without works is dead.


You are our God. When your people Israel moved into this land, you drove out the people who were living here and gave the land to the descendants of Abraham, your friend, to be theirs from generation to generation.


Jehovah would speak with Moses in person (intimately) (face to face) just as someone speaks with a friend. Moses would then return to the camp. But the young man who was his helper, Joshua son of Nun, stayed in the Tent.


Since that time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom Jehovah knew face to face (intimately),



I am the true vine, and my Father is the cultivator. He takes away the branches in me that do not bear fruit. He cleans every branch that bears fruit. That way it may bear more fruit. You are clean because of the word that I have spoken to you. read more.
Remain with me, and I with you. The branch cannot bear fruit by itself. It must remain on the vine. Neither can you bear fruit unless you remain with me. I am the vine and you are the branches. He that remains with me, and I with him, the same bears much fruit. You can do nothing apart from me. If a man does not remain with me, he is removed as a branch, and withers. They gather them and throw them into the fire where they are burned (destroyed) (consumed). If you remain with me, and my words remain with you, ask whatever you will, and it will be done for you. My Father is glorified when you bear much fruit. You will be my disciples. I love you just as the Father has loved me. Remain in my love. If you obey my commandments you will remain in my love. I have obeyed my Father's commandments and remain in his love. I spoke these things in order that my joy may continue with you and your joy may be made full. This is my commandment, that you love one another, even as I have loved you. No man has greater love then this that a man lay down his life for his friends. You are my friends if you do the things that I command you. I no longer call you servants for the servant does not know what the lord does. I have called you friends; for all things that I heard from my Father, I have made known to you. You did not choose me. I chose you and appointed you. You should go and bear fruit and your fruit should remain. Whatever you ask the Father in my name, he may give it to you.

However you, O Israel, my servant, Jacob, whom I have chosen, you descendants of Abraham, my friend, I took you from the ends of the earth. I called you from its farthest corners. I said: 'You are my servant. I have chosen you and have not rejected you. Do not fear for I am with you! Do not be dismayed for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you. I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.'


You are our God. When your people Israel moved into this land, you drove out the people who were living here and gave the land to the descendants of Abraham, your friend, to be theirs from generation to generation.


Jehovah would speak with Moses in person (intimately) (face to face) just as someone speaks with a friend. Moses would then return to the camp. But the young man who was his helper, Joshua son of Nun, stayed in the Tent.


Since that time no prophet has risen in Israel like Moses, whom Jehovah knew face to face (intimately),




God has fulfilled this promise to their children by resurrecting Jesus. Just as it is written in the second psalm: You are my Son, today I have become your father. (Psalms 2:7) He raised him up from the dead, never to decay. It is stated in these words: I will give you the sure blessings promised David. (Isaiah 55:3) He said in another psalm: You will not allow your Holy One to see decay. (Ps 16:10) read more.
After David served his own generation by doing the will of God he died and was buried with his fathers. His body decayed. But he (Jesus), whom God raised again, saw no decay. You should know, men and brothers that it is through this man Jesus the forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you. Through him all who believe are justified from all things. You could not be justified through the Law of Moses.

Those who are of the works of the Law are under a curse. For it is written, Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the Law, by obeying them. The fact that the Law justifies no man before God is evident. The righteous will live by faith.

Are you willing to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is useless (barren) (lifeless)? Was Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith acted with his works, and works made faith perfect (complete). read more.
The scripture was fulfilled which says: Abraham believed Jehovah and it was reckoned (imputed) (considered) (credited) to him for righteousness. He was called Jehovah's friend (Genesis 15:6) ( Isaiah 41:8). You see that a man is justified (declared and pronounced righteous) by works, and not by faith alone.


I tell you there will be an account in the Judgment Day for every careless word that men say. For by your words you will be justified, and by your words you will be condemned.

Abraham believed God and Jehovah considered his faith as his righteousness. (Genesis 15:6) You know that those who have faith are sons of Abraham. The Scripture revealed ahead of time, that God justified the people of the nations by faith. He preached the good news beforehand to Abraham. He said: In you will all the nations be blessed. read more.
So then those who have faith are blessed with the faithful Abraham. Those who are of the works of the Law are under a curse. For it is written, Cursed is everyone who does not abide by all things written in the book of the Law, by obeying them. The fact that the Law justifies no man before God is evident. The righteous will live by faith. The Law is not based on faith. He that does them will live by them. Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us. It is written; Cursed is everyone who is hung on a stake. This way the blessing of Abraham might come upon the nations through Christ Jesus and we might receive the promise of the Spirit through 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.

Are you willing to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is useless (barren) (lifeless)? Was Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith acted with his works, and works made faith perfect (complete). read more.
The scripture was fulfilled which says: Abraham believed Jehovah and it was reckoned (imputed) (considered) (credited) to him for righteousness. He was called Jehovah's friend (Genesis 15:6) ( Isaiah 41:8). You see that a man is justified (declared and pronounced righteous) by works, and not by faith alone. Rahab the harlot was justified by her works. When she received the messengers she sent them out another way.


You are our God. When your people Israel moved into this land, you drove out the people who were living here and gave the land to the descendants of Abraham, your friend, to be theirs from generation to generation.



Peter opened his mouth, and said, I truly perceive that God shows no partiality. In every nation he accepts every person who respects him and does what is right.


You, beloved, build yourself up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit. Stay in the love of God! Look (wait) for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ for everlasting life.

Yes, for this very reason you do your part with all diligence. Supply virtue to your faith. Add knowledge to your virtue. Include self-control with your knowledge. Supply patience to your self-control. Your patience should be helped by godliness. Add brotherly kindness to your godliness. And to your brotherly kindness add love. read more.
For if these things are yours and abound in you they will keep you from being inactive or unfruitful regarding the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. For he who lacks these qualities is blind, seeing only what is near, having forgotten the cleansing from his old sins.

Teacher what is the greatest commandment in the law? Jesus told him: You shall love Jehovah your God with all your heart (Greek: kardia: feelings, emotions), and with all your being, and with your entire mind (Greek: dianoia: understanding). (Deuteronomy 6:5) This is the greatest and first commandment. read more.
The second like it is this: 'You shall love your neighbor as yourself.' The law and the prophets are based on these two commandments.

Those who live through (in union with) (because of) Jesus Christ have no condemnation. [They do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit.] The law of the Spirit gives us life through (with) (because of) Christ Jesus. It has set me free from the law of sin and death. God did what the Law could not do, because human nature was weak. He sent his own son in the likeness of sinful man to be a sin offering and do away with sin. So he condemned sin in sinful human nature. read more.
God did this so that the righteous requirements of the Law might be fully satisfied in us who live according to the Spirit, and not according to human nature. They who live according to flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh. They who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. The mind of sinful flesh (fleshly thought) means death; but the mind influenced by the Spirit gives life and peace. This is because the mind of the flesh is hostile toward God. It is not subject to the law of God for it cannot be. Those influenced by the sinful flesh cannot please God. But you are not in flesh but in Spirit, if indeed God's Spirit dwells in you. If any one does not have the Spirit of Christ he does not belong to him. If Christ is with you, the body is dead on account of sin, but the Spirit is life on account of righteousness. If the Spirit of him that raised up Jesus from among the dead dwells with you, he who raised Christ from among the dead shall also make your mortal bodies alive. This is on account of his Spirit that dwells with you. So then, brothers we are under obligation, not to the flesh, to live according to flesh (human nature), for if you live according to flesh, you are about to die. If by the Spirit, you put to death the deeds of the body, you will live. All who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you have not received a spirit of bondage again causing fear, but you have received a spirit of adoption, whereby we cry, Father, Father! (Chaldee: Abba, meaning father). The Spirit itself (Greek:autos ho pneuma) (itself the Spirit) bears witness with our spirit (mind and heart), that we are children of God. If children, then heirs of God, and joint heirs with Christ. If indeed we suffer with him we may also be glorified with him. I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that will be revealed in us.

Brothers, my hearts desire and my prayer to God for Israel is for their salvation. I testify that they have zeal for God, but not according to [precise and correct] knowledge. They are ignorant of God's righteousness. They seek to establish their own righteousness and have not submitted to the righteousness of God. read more.
Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who exerts active faith. Moses writes down the righteousness that is of the law. The man who has practiced those things shall live by them. But the righteousness of faith speaks this way: Do not say in your heart: 'who will ascend to heaven? That is, to bring Christ down; or 'who will descend into the abyss? That is, to bring up Christ from among the dead.' But what does it say? The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart. It is the word of faith, which we preach. (Deuteronomy 30:8-20) If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and have active faith in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes for righteousness. And with the mouth one declares for salvation. The scripture says: No one believing on him shall be disappointed. (Isaiah 28:16) 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)

The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faith, meekness (mildness), self-control; against such there is no law. Those who belong to Christ Jesus have impaled the flesh with its passions and lusts. read more.
If we live by the Spirit, let us also walk by the Spirit.

See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone. But follow that which is good, both among you, and to all men. Rejoice always. Pray without ceasing. read more.
In everything give thanks for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you. Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophesying. Prove all things; hold fast to what is good. Abstain from all appearance of evil. May the very God of peace completely sanctify you (make you holy). I pray to God that your entire spiritual being, your mind and body, is preserved blameless until the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

When you fulfill the royal law according to the scripture: You shall love your neighbor as yourself, you do well. But when you show partiality you commit sin. The law then convicts you as transgressors. Whoever obeys the whole law and yet stumbles in one point is guilty of breaking all of it. read more.
For he who said: Do not commit adultery, also said: Do not murder (Greek: phoneuo: kill, slay, murder). Now if you do not commit adultery, but you commit murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. You should speak and act as men who are to be judged by a law of liberty. For judgment is without mercy to him who shows no mercy. And mercy triumphs over judgment. What good is it, my brothers, if a man says he has faith but he does not have works? Can that faith save him? If a brother or sister is without clothes and in lack of daily food, and one of you says to them: Go in peace, be warmed and filled; and yet you do not give them food and clothing, what good is it? Even so, faith without works is dead. It is alone and by itself! A man will say: You have faith and I have works. Show me your faith without the works, and I will show you my faith by my works. You believe that there is one God. You do well: the demons also believe, and shudder. Are you willing to know, O foolish man, that faith without works is useless (barren) (lifeless)? Was Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up Isaac his son on the altar? You see that faith acted with his works, and works made faith perfect (complete). The scripture was fulfilled which says: Abraham believed Jehovah and it was reckoned (imputed) (considered) (credited) to him for righteousness. He was called Jehovah's friend (Genesis 15:6) ( Isaiah 41:8). You see that a man is justified (declared and pronounced righteous) by works, and not by faith alone. Rahab the harlot was justified by her works. When she received the messengers she sent them out another way. Just as the body without the spirit is dead; even so faith without works is dead.


You are our God. When your people Israel moved into this land, you drove out the people who were living here and gave the land to the descendants of Abraham, your friend, to be theirs from generation to generation.