Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Afflictions made beneficial » In furthering the gospel
But Saul kept trying to destroy the church. Going into one house after another, he began dragging off men and women and throwing them in prison.
Now the people who were scattered by the persecution that started because of Stephen went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But among them were some men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began proclaiming the Lord Jesus even to the Hellenistic Jews. The hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually caused the gospel to advance.
Because of it I am experiencing trouble, even to the point of being chained like a criminal. However, God's word is not chained.
At my first trial no one came to my defense. Everyone abandoned me. May it not be held against them! However, the Lord stood by me and gave me strength so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the gentiles could hear it. I was rescued out of a lion's mouth.
Persecution » Of the righteous » Diffuses the gospel
Now the people who were scattered by the persecution that started because of Stephen went as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch, speaking the word to no one except Jews. But among them were some men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who came to Antioch and began proclaiming the Lord Jesus even to the Hellenistic Jews. The hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number of people believed and turned to the Lord.
Now Saul heartily approved of putting Stephen to death. That day a severe persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and everyone except for the apostles was scattered throughout the countryside of Judea and Samaria.
Now those who were scattered went from place to place preaching the word.
Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually caused the gospel to advance. As a result, it has become clear to the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that I am in prison for preaching about the Messiah. Moreover, because of my imprisonment the Lord has caused most of the brothers to become confident to speak God's word more boldly and courageously than ever before.
The Providence of God » Is exercised in » Overruling wicked designs for good
As far as you're concerned, you were planning evil against me, but God intended it for good, planning to bring about the present result so that many people would be preserved alive.
Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually caused the gospel to advance.
"I'm your brother Joseph, whom you sold into slavery in Egypt!" he told them. "But don't be distressed or angry at yourselves because you sold me here, because God sent me ahead of you all in order to deliver us. That's because this famine has been going on for two years now in this region, and there are still five years left, during which there won't be any plowing or harvesting. God sent me ahead of you to keep you alive on the earth, and to save you all in a magnificent way.
Rome » Christians in
Do your best to come to me before winter. Eubulus sends you greetings, as do Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers.
Greet also the church in their house. Greet my dear friend Epaenetus, who was the first convert to the Messiah in Asia. Greet Mary, who has worked very hard for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my fellow Jews who are in prison with me and are prominent among the apostles. They belonged to the Messiah before I did. read more.
Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in the Messiah, and my dear friend Stachys. Greet Apelles, who has been approved by the Messiah. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet those in the family of Narcissus, who belong to the Lord. Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who have worked hard for the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, who has toiled diligently for the Lord. Greet Rufus, the one chosen by the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of the Messiah greet you. Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and sinful enticements that oppose the teaching you have learned. Stay away from them,
Greet Ampliatus, my dear friend in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our co-worker in the Messiah, and my dear friend Stachys. Greet Apelles, who has been approved by the Messiah. Greet those who belong to the family of Aristobulus. Greet Herodion, my fellow Jew. Greet those in the family of Narcissus, who belong to the Lord. Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who have worked hard for the Lord. Greet my dear friend Persis, who has toiled diligently for the Lord. Greet Rufus, the one chosen by the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me, too. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas and all the saints who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of the Messiah greet you. Now I urge you, brothers, to watch out for those who create divisions and sinful enticements that oppose the teaching you have learned. Stay away from them,
Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually caused the gospel to advance. As a result, it has become clear to the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that I am in prison for preaching about the Messiah. Moreover, because of my imprisonment the Lord has caused most of the brothers to become confident to speak God's word more boldly and courageously than ever before. read more.
Some are preaching the Messiah because of jealousy and dissension, while others do so because of their good will. The latter are motivated by love, because they know that I have been appointed to defend the gospel. The former proclaim the Messiah because they are selfishly ambitious and insincere, thinking that they will stir up trouble for me during my imprisonment. But so what? Just this that in every way, whether by false or true motives, the Messiah is being proclaimed. Because of this, I rejoice and will continue to rejoice.
Some are preaching the Messiah because of jealousy and dissension, while others do so because of their good will. The latter are motivated by love, because they know that I have been appointed to defend the gospel. The former proclaim the Messiah because they are selfishly ambitious and insincere, thinking that they will stir up trouble for me during my imprisonment. But so what? Just this that in every way, whether by false or true motives, the Messiah is being proclaimed. Because of this, I rejoice and will continue to rejoice.
Tact » Paul » In turning the preaching of his adversaries to advantage
so that you may be able to choose what is best and be pure and blameless until the day when the Messiah returns, having been filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Jesus the Messiah so that God will be glorified and praised. Now I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has actually caused the gospel to advance. read more.
As a result, it has become clear to the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that I am in prison for preaching about the Messiah. Moreover, because of my imprisonment the Lord has caused most of the brothers to become confident to speak God's word more boldly and courageously than ever before. Some are preaching the Messiah because of jealousy and dissension, while others do so because of their good will. The latter are motivated by love, because they know that I have been appointed to defend the gospel. The former proclaim the Messiah because they are selfishly ambitious and insincere, thinking that they will stir up trouble for me during my imprisonment. But so what? Just this that in every way, whether by false or true motives, the Messiah is being proclaimed. Because of this, I rejoice and will continue to rejoice. I know that this will result in my deliverance through your prayers and the help that comes from the Spirit of Jesus the Messiah. I rejoice because I eagerly expect and hope that I will have nothing to be ashamed of, because through my boldness the Messiah will be exalted through me, now as always, whether I live or die. For to me, to go on living is the Messiah, and to die is gain. Now if I continue living, fruitful labor is the result, so I do not know which I would prefer.
As a result, it has become clear to the whole imperial guard and to everyone else that I am in prison for preaching about the Messiah. Moreover, because of my imprisonment the Lord has caused most of the brothers to become confident to speak God's word more boldly and courageously than ever before. Some are preaching the Messiah because of jealousy and dissension, while others do so because of their good will. The latter are motivated by love, because they know that I have been appointed to defend the gospel. The former proclaim the Messiah because they are selfishly ambitious and insincere, thinking that they will stir up trouble for me during my imprisonment. But so what? Just this that in every way, whether by false or true motives, the Messiah is being proclaimed. Because of this, I rejoice and will continue to rejoice. I know that this will result in my deliverance through your prayers and the help that comes from the Spirit of Jesus the Messiah. I rejoice because I eagerly expect and hope that I will have nothing to be ashamed of, because through my boldness the Messiah will be exalted through me, now as always, whether I live or die. For to me, to go on living is the Messiah, and to die is gain. Now if I continue living, fruitful labor is the result, so I do not know which I would prefer.