Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Afflictions made beneficial » In furthering the gospel
But Saul was attempting to destroy the church. Entering {house after house}, he dragged off both men and women [and] delivered [them] to prison.
Now those who had been scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, proclaiming the message to no one except Jews alone. But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, [when they] came to Antioch, began to speak to the Hellenists also, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.
Now I want you to know, brothers, that {my circumstances} have happened instead for the progress of the gospel,
in connection with which I suffer misfortune to the point of {imprisonment} as a criminal, but the word of God is not bound.
At my first defense, no one came to my [aid], but [they] all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. But the Lord helped me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fulfilled and all the Gentiles might hear, and he rescued [me] from the lion's mouth.
Persecution » Of the righteous » Diffuses the gospel
Now those who had been scattered because of the persecution that took place over Stephen traveled as far as Phoenicia and Cyprus and Antioch, proclaiming the message to no one except Jews alone. But some of them were men from Cyprus and Cyrene, who, [when they] came to Antioch, began to speak to the Hellenists also, proclaiming the good news about the Lord Jesus. And the hand of the Lord was with them, and a large number who believed turned to the Lord.
And Saul was agreeing with his murder. Now there happened on that day a great persecution against the church in Jerusalem, and they were all scattered throughout the regions of Judea and Samaria, except the apostles.
Now those who had been scattered went about proclaiming the good news [of] the word.
Now I want you to know, brothers, that {my circumstances} have happened instead for the progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in Christ has become known in the whole praetorium and to all the rest, and most of the brothers, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, dare [even] more to speak the word without fear.
The Providence of God » Is exercised in » Overruling wicked designs for good
As for you, you planned evil against me, [but] God planned it for good, in order to do this--to keep many people alive--as [it is] today.
Now I want you to know, brothers, that {my circumstances} have happened instead for the progress of the gospel,
So now, do not be distressed and do not be angry {with yourselves} that you sold me here, for God sent me as deliverance before you. For these two years the famine [has been] in the midst of the land, but [there will be] five more years where there is no plowing or harvest. And God sent me before you [all] to preserve for you a remnant in the land and to keep alive among you many survivors.
Rome » Christians in
Make haste to come before winter. Eubulus and Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers greet you.
also [greet] the church in their house. Greet Epenetus my dear [friend], who is {the first convert} of Asia for Christ. Greet Mary, who {has worked hard} for you. Greet Andronicus and Junia, my compatriots and my fellow prisoners, who are well known to the apostles, who were also in Christ before me. read more.
Greet Ampliatus, my dear [friend] in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my dear [friend] Stachys. Greet Apelles, who [is] approved in Christ. Greet those of the [household] of Aristobulus. Greet Herodion my compatriot. Greet those of the [household] of Narcissus who are in the Lord. Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, the laborers in the Lord. Greet Persis, the dear [friend] who {has worked hard} in the Lord. Greet Rufus, the chosen one in the Lord, and his mother and mine. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers 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 Christ greet you. Now I exhort you, brothers, to look out for those who cause dissensions and temptations contrary to the teaching which you learned, and stay away from them.
Greet Ampliatus, my dear [friend] in the Lord. Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and my dear [friend] Stachys. Greet Apelles, who [is] approved in Christ. Greet those of the [household] of Aristobulus. Greet Herodion my compatriot. Greet those of the [household] of Narcissus who are in the Lord. Greet Tryphena and Tryphosa, the laborers in the Lord. Greet Persis, the dear [friend] who {has worked hard} in the Lord. Greet Rufus, the chosen one in the Lord, and his mother and mine. Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers 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 Christ greet you. Now I exhort you, brothers, to look out for those who cause dissensions and temptations contrary to the teaching which you learned, and stay away from them.
Now I want you to know, brothers, that {my circumstances} have happened instead for the progress of the gospel, so that my imprisonment in Christ has become known in the whole praetorium and to all the rest, and most of the brothers, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, dare [even] more to speak the word without fear. read more.
Some even because of envy and strife preach Christ, but some also because of good will. The latter [do so] from love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking to raise up affliction in my imprisonment. {What is the result?} Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. But also I will rejoice,
Some even because of envy and strife preach Christ, but some also because of good will. The latter [do so] from love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking to raise up affliction in my imprisonment. {What is the result?} Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. But also I will rejoice,
Tact » Paul » In turning the preaching of his adversaries to advantage
so that you may approve what is superior, in order that you may be sincere and blameless in the day of Christ, having been filled [with the] fruit of righteousness which [comes] through Jesus Christ to the glory and praise of God. Now I want you to know, brothers, that {my circumstances} have happened instead for the progress of the gospel, read more.
so that my imprisonment in Christ has become known in the whole praetorium and to all the rest, and most of the brothers, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, dare [even] more to speak the word without fear. Some even because of envy and strife preach Christ, but some also because of good will. The latter [do so] from love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking to raise up affliction in my imprisonment. {What is the result?} Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. But also I will rejoice, for I know that this will turn out to me for deliverance through your prayer and the support of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my eager expectation and hope, that I will be put to shame in nothing, but with all boldness, even now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether through life or through death. For to me to live [is] Christ and to die [is] gain. But if [it is] to live in the flesh, this [is] fruitful work for me, and which I will prefer [I do] not know.
so that my imprisonment in Christ has become known in the whole praetorium and to all the rest, and most of the brothers, trusting in the Lord because of my imprisonment, dare [even] more to speak the word without fear. Some even because of envy and strife preach Christ, but some also because of good will. The latter [do so] from love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. The former proclaim Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, thinking to raise up affliction in my imprisonment. {What is the result?} Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in this I rejoice. But also I will rejoice, for I know that this will turn out to me for deliverance through your prayer and the support of the Spirit of Jesus Christ, according to my eager expectation and hope, that I will be put to shame in nothing, but with all boldness, even now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether through life or through death. For to me to live [is] Christ and to die [is] gain. But if [it is] to live in the flesh, this [is] fruitful work for me, and which I will prefer [I do] not know.