Thematic Bible


Thematic Bible



One of Jesus' disciples, [the one] He loved [Note: Probably this was the apostle John] was reclining at the dinner table close to Jesus. Verse ConceptsLove Of Jesus, Examples OfDivine FriendshipThe Beloved DiscipleReclining To EatChrist's LoveOther References To The Disciplesbreastsheartbeat

The person who claims to be living in [harmony with] the light [i.e., by obeying God's truth], and [yet] hates his brother is still [living] in the darkness [of sin]. [However], the person who loves his brother continues to live in [harmony with] the light [of God's truth], and such a person is not the cause of others stumbling [over his example].

[For] we [can] know that we have passed out of [the realm of spiritual] death and into [spiritual] life, because we [show] love for the brothers [and sisters]. The person who does not love [them] continues to be [spiritually] dead. Every person who hates his brother is a murderer [in God's sight]; and you [surely] know that no murderer has [the hope of] never ending life remaining in his heart. Here is how we can know what genuine love really is: It was [demonstrated by] Jesus laying down His life [on the cross] for us. And [because of that] we [too] should [be willing to] lay down our lives for [the sake of helping] our brothers [and sisters]. read more.
Now whoever has [a sufficient amount of] life's possessions and [then] observes one of his [Christian] brothers who does not have enough to get by on, but does not feel sorry for him [i.e., enough to help him out], surely a love for God does not continue to live in that person's heart. Little children [i.e., dear ones], we should not [merely] claim to love [people], or [even just] talk about it, but [we should love] by what we do [for them] in a genuine way.

Loved ones, we should have love for one another, because love comes from [the very nature of] God, and every person who [continually] loves [others] has been [spiritually] conceived by God [See 2:29; 3:9], and knows [he is in fellowship with] God. The person who does not love [others] does not know God [as Savior], for [the very nature of] God is love. Here is the way God's love for us was demonstrated; He sent His one and only Son into the world so that we could have [spiritual] life through Him. read more.
Here is [the essence of] love: [It is] not that we loved God [first], but that He loved us [See Rom. 5:6-8] and sent His Son to be a "covering over" [i.e., atonement, 2:2] for our sins. Loved ones, if God loved us that much, we should also love one another.





[We have ministered] with purity, knowledge, patience and kindness. [We have done this] by [the power of] the Holy Spirit; out of genuine love; Verse ConceptsKindnessThe Divinity Of The Holy SpiritThe Holy Spirit, And SanctificationPatient PeoplePeople With KnowledgePure PeoplePurityBeing Patient


I am not saying this [to you] as a command, but by telling you how eager others are [to help], to find out how genuine your love is also. Verse ConceptsGenuinenessLove, Nature OfSincerity, In Christian LivingComparisonsSincereityLove Exists Between PeopleMen's OrdersTests





And why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and [yet] not obey what I tell you to do? Verse ConceptsDeception, Forbidden By GodProfessingChrist Is LordCalling




And He answered them, "Isaiah prophesied about you hypocrites very well when he wrote [Isa. 29:13], 'These people honor me with their lips [i.e., by what they say], but their heart is far from [honoring] me. Verse ConceptsHoliness, Purpose OfLegalismLipsPretenceProfessingLack Of MeaningGod And The HeartMere TalkNamed Prophets Of The LordProphecies concerningHypocritesHypocrisy



So, we should observe the Festival [i.e., live the Christian life], but not with the old yeast [i.e., old sinful ways], such as the leavening [effect] of evil and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Verse ConceptsDeceit, Practice OfDeception, Christians Must Not PracticeHonestySpiteSincereityLeavenedGod's Truthnot celebrating christmasthe anniversary FeastsSexual Puritycelebrating










So, we should observe the Festival [i.e., live the Christian life], but not with the old yeast [i.e., old sinful ways], such as the leavening [effect] of evil and wickedness, but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth. Verse ConceptsDeceit, Practice OfDeception, Christians Must Not PracticeHonestySpiteSincereityLeavenedGod's Truthnot celebrating christmasthe anniversary FeastsSexual Puritycelebrating





So, Jesus answered them, "What I am teaching is not mine, but [it belongs] to Him who sent me [i.e., to God]. If anyone [really] desires to do what God wants, he will know whether my teaching comes from God or whether I am speaking on my own authority [only]. The person who speaks on his own authority is [just] trying to gain honor for himself. But the One who tries to gain honor from God, who sent Him, is [committed to] truth, and there is nothing false in His heart.

Now whoever has [a sufficient amount of] life's possessions and [then] observes one of his [Christian] brothers who does not have enough to get by on, but does not feel sorry for him [i.e., enough to help him out], surely a love for God does not continue to live in that person's heart. Little children [i.e., dear ones], we should not [merely] claim to love [people], or [even just] talk about it, but [we should love] by what we do [for them] in a genuine way. And this is how we will know that we are following [God's] truth, and will have assurance [of it] in our hearts and before God [as well]. read more.
But, if our hearts condemn us [for not demonstrating God's love for others], surely God, who is greater than our hearts [will also condemn us], because He knows all things. Loved ones, if our hearts do not condemn us [i.e., because we are showing love by helping the needy], we can have boldness before God [in prayer for our own needs];

Loved ones, do not believe [the message of] every spirit [i.e., every person claiming to be a teacher], but test the spirits [i.e., require proof that they and their message are genuine] to see whether they represent God [or not], because many false prophets have begun circulating throughout the world. Here is how to know [who is speaking from] the Holy Spirit of God: Every spirit [i.e., person] who proclaims that Jesus Christ has come [to earth] in a physical body is [speaking] from God. [See I Cor. 12:3].





And why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and [yet] not obey what I tell you to do? Verse ConceptsDeception, Forbidden By GodProfessingChrist Is LordCalling




And He answered them, "Isaiah prophesied about you hypocrites very well when he wrote [Isa. 29:13], 'These people honor me with their lips [i.e., by what they say], but their heart is far from [honoring] me. Verse ConceptsHoliness, Purpose OfLegalismLipsPretenceProfessingLack Of MeaningGod And The HeartMere TalkNamed Prophets Of The LordProphecies concerningHypocritesHypocrisy





And why do you call me 'Lord, Lord,' and [yet] not obey what I tell you to do? Verse ConceptsDeception, Forbidden By GodProfessingChrist Is LordCalling




And He answered them, "Isaiah prophesied about you hypocrites very well when he wrote [Isa. 29:13], 'These people honor me with their lips [i.e., by what they say], but their heart is far from [honoring] me. Verse ConceptsHoliness, Purpose OfLegalismLipsPretenceProfessingLack Of MeaningGod And The HeartMere TalkNamed Prophets Of The LordProphecies concerningHypocritesHypocrisy