Thematic Bible


Thematic Bible



Therefore, the Lord says [Isa. 52:11], "You people should leave their company [i.e., unbelievers, verse 14] and separate yourselves from them, and do not touch anything unclean [i.e., their evil practices], and I will welcome you." Verse ConceptsParticipation, In SinSeparationTouchWorldlinessSeparation From Evil PeopleComing Out From EvilWelcomed By GodPeople Being UncleanPollution ForbiddenBeing Differentwelcome



Dearly loved ones, we are God's children now, but it has not yet been revealed [to us] what we will be [in the future life, Luke 20:34-36]. But, we do know this, however, that when Jesus is revealed [i.e., at His second coming], we will be like Him [I Cor. 15:49], for we will see what He really looks like! And every person who has set his hope on this [i.e., of being like Jesus], will live [as] purely [as possible], just as He [i.e., Jesus Himself] is pure.

For [all] creation [Note: "Creation" here refers to the material heavens and earth, and is personified through verse 23] is eagerly waiting for the children of God to be revealed [i.e., in their glorious state]. Verse ConceptseagernessVeilsSpiritual AdoptionPeople Made KnownWaiting For The Second ComingCreationChild Of Godexpectations

And not just the world, but even we [Christians] ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Holy Spirit [i.e., the first installment of our inheritance from God] also groan within us, eagerly waiting to be adopted as [God's] children, and receive back our bodies [i.e., in the resurrection]. Verse ConceptsAdoption, nature ofeagernessPaul, Teaching OfPresent, TheRest, EternalSpirit, Fallen And RedeemedSpirit, Nature OfWaiting On GodProvision For The BodyAdoptionMetaphorical FirstfruitsWaiting For The Second ComingGlorificationFirst fruitssonship


who will change our lowly [physical] bodies and make them like His glorious body. [He will do this] according to the power that enables Him even to bring everything into submission to Himself. Verse ConceptsAbility, Of ChristFreedom, Through Jesus ChristBodyHeaven,  Redeemed CommunityResurrection, Of BelieversResurrectionGloryThe Human BodyGlorified SaintsPeople TransformedConformingSubject To ChristThe BodySelf Imageenergy




who will change our lowly [physical] bodies and make them like His glorious body. [He will do this] according to the power that enables Him even to bring everything into submission to Himself. Verse ConceptsAbility, Of ChristFreedom, Through Jesus ChristBodyHeaven,  Redeemed CommunityResurrection, Of BelieversResurrectionGloryThe Human BodyGlorified SaintsPeople TransformedConformingSubject To ChristThe BodySelf Imageenergy










But love your enemies and do good things to them; and lend to them without expecting it to be returned, and your reward [i.e., from God] will be great and you will be [considered] sons of the Highest [i.e., God]. For He is kind to unthankful and evil people [as well]. Verse ConceptsCoolActs of Kindnessevil, believers' responses toGood WorksInterestKindnessGod Shows Loving KindnessCourtesyCharacter Of WickedNames And Titles For The ChristianSons Of GodSpiritual AdoptionBelievers As Sons Of GodDo Good!Love Your Neighbour!Loving Your EnemiesReward For WorksTurning The Other CheekEnemiesGood ChildrenRewardGiving Without Expecting Returnexpectations

But who [do you think] you are, [you mere] man, to [attempt a] reply to God? Will the object formed [i.e., a clay pot] say to the one who molded it "Why did you make me this way?" Or, does not the potter have the right to make what he wants to out of the clay? Can he not make both a beautiful vase and a common pot out of the same lump [of clay]? What if God [did] patiently put up with people who deserved His wrath and [who were] ready for destruction, even though He was willing to demonstrate His wrath and power? read more.
[What if He did this] in order to demonstrate His wealth of glory toward people who deserved His mercy, whom He had previously determined should receive [such special] honor? We were these people, whom He called, not only from the Jews but also from the Gentiles. God said this also, in Hosea [2:23], "I [i.e., God] will call those people mine who were not [previously] my people. And [I will call] her 'dearly loved' who was not [previously] loved." [Hosea 1:10 says], "And it will happen that in the very place where people were told, 'You people do not belong to me [i.e., God],' they will be called children of the living God."

For as I traveled along [your streets] and observed what you are worshiping, I saw an altar with the inscription: [DEDICATED] TO AN UNKNOWN GOD. So, what you are worshiping ignorantly is what I am telling you about. The God who made the world and everything in it, who is Lord of heaven and earth, does not live in hand-made temples. Neither is He waited on by men's hands as though He needed anything, since it is He who gives to all people their life and breath and everything [they need]. read more.
He made every race of people living throughout the earth from one [family] and determined when [they would rise in history] and where they would live. He wanted these people to search for God in hope that, by groping for Him, they might [eventually] find Him, even though He is not [really] very far from [any of] us. For in [the strength of] God we [all] live, move around and have our [personal] identity, just as a certain one of your [Athenian] poets [once] said, 'For we too are His children.' Since therefore we are God's children, we should not think that the Deity is like gold, silver or stone, to be carved [into an idol] by the design and skill of men.

For all of those who are led by the Spirit of God are the children of God. For you did not receive the Holy Spirit, to enslave you again to fear, [Note: Some translators take "Holy Spirit" here to be "spirit," making the verse say "you did not receive the spirit of slavery"], but you received the Holy Spirit [who produces] sonship, so we can call out, "Abba", [which means] "Father." The Holy Spirit Himself bears testimony [along] with our [human] spirit that we are the children of God. read more.
And if we are [His] children, then we have an inheritance from God [i.e., blessings here and hereafter] and are fellow-sharers with Christ [of such blessings], providing we [are willing to] suffer with Him, so we can also be honored with Him [i.e., in the future life. See verses 18-25].

Do not team up with unbelievers [i.e., in close relationships, such as marriage, etc.]. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or, what fellowship can light have with darkness? And what harmony can Christ have with Belial? [Note: "Belial" means "worthlessness" and was used for referring to the devil]. Or, what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? And what agreement is there between a temple of God and idols? For we are a temple of the living God, just as God said [Lev. 26:12], "I will live in them and walk among them [i.e., among His people]; and I will be their God and they will be my people." read more.
Therefore, the Lord says [Isa. 52:11], "You people should leave their company [i.e., unbelievers, verse 14] and separate yourselves from them, and do not touch anything unclean [i.e., their evil practices], and I will welcome you." The Lord Almighty [also] said [Hos. 1:10], "I will be a Father to you, and you will be sons and daughters to me."

Do everything without complaining and arguing, so that you will be without just blame and innocent [of wrongdoing], children of God without fault in the middle of a crooked and perverted generation of people. You must shine among them like stars lighting up the sky,

Look at how much love the Father has shown to us [Christians], that we should be called His children! But, that is what we [really] are! The reason the people of the world do not know who we are is because they do not know who God [really] is. Dearly loved ones, we are God's children now, but it has not yet been revealed [to us] what we will be [in the future life, Luke 20:34-36]. But, we do know this, however, that when Jesus is revealed [i.e., at His second coming], we will be like Him [I Cor. 15:49], for we will see what He really looks like!

who will change our lowly [physical] bodies and make them like His glorious body. [He will do this] according to the power that enables Him even to bring everything into submission to Himself. Verse ConceptsAbility, Of ChristFreedom, Through Jesus ChristBodyHeaven,  Redeemed CommunityResurrection, Of BelieversResurrectionGloryThe Human BodyGlorified SaintsPeople TransformedConformingSubject To ChristThe BodySelf Imageenergy



And just as we [now] appear [in both a physical and spiritual body] like the man who came from dust [i.e., Adam]; we will also [someday] appear [in both a physical(?) and spiritual body] like the man who came from heaven [i.e., Christ]. Verse ConceptsHeart, DivineHeaven,  Redeemed CommunityParticipation, In ChristResurrection, Of BelieversCreatures From DustLike People By NatureValidly Like GodChrist And HeavenParticipation In Christ NaturedustimageReflecting God's Heart







Now concerning the return of our Lord Jesus Christ, and our being gathered to Him, brothers, we request that you people do not become shaken up in your mind, nor alarmed, either by a spirit [i.e., by some prophetic prediction], or by a report, or by a letter supposedly from us, that the day of the Lord [i.e., when Jesus returns] has already come. Do not allow anyone to deceive you in any way, for it will not occur until the rebellion comes first and the man of lawlessness becomes evident. [Note: This "rebellion" refers to a significant falling away from the teaching and practice of true Christianity (See I Tim. 4:1), characterized by the rise of an authoritarian religious leader]. This man is doomed to be destroyed







For now [i.e., during the church's infant state] we see in a mirror [Note: God's word is elsewhere likened to a mirror. See James 1:22-25] indistinctly [i.e., because of having only partial knowledge and prophecy], but then [i.e., when the church matures and has the completed Scriptures], we will see face to face [i.e., clearly]. Now I have [only] partial knowledge, but then I will have full knowledge, just as [God has] full knowledge of me. Verse ConceptsFulnessFulness Of KnowledgeFace Of GodMirrorsRevelation, Responses ToRiddlesSeeing GodUnderstandingVisionClarityCleaningWithheld KnowledgeIncompletenessBeing Face To Face With GodLooking Through WindowsDefective VisionAcquiring KnowledgeDrawbacks To KnowledgeNothing MissingGod Knowing His PeopleBlissful Vision In HeavenadhdSelf Image








Look at how much love the Father has shown to us [Christians], that we should be called His children! But, that is what we [really] are! The reason the people of the world do not know who we are is because they do not know who God [really] is. Dearly loved ones, we are God's children now, but it has not yet been revealed [to us] what we will be [in the future life, Luke 20:34-36]. But, we do know this, however, that when Jesus is revealed [i.e., at His second coming], we will be like Him [I Cor. 15:49], for we will see what He really looks like! And every person who has set his hope on this [i.e., of being like Jesus], will live [as] purely [as possible], just as He [i.e., Jesus Himself] is pure.

For I am suffering these things [See verse 8] for this reason [i.e., because of being a Gospel preacher]. Yet I am not ashamed because I know whom I have believed in [i.e., Jesus], and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him [i.e., Paul's spiritual well-being] until that day [i.e., the day of judgment]. Verse ConceptsCommitmentConvincingDay of the LORDAssuranceThe Final Days Of TimeAbrahamAssurance, By Faith In ChristConfidence, Based OnCertaintyBetrayalGuardiansOptimismPersecution, Attitudes ToPersuasionSecurityTrust, Importance OfTrustworthinessWatchfulness, DivineTrustworthyAbility, God's PowerBetrayal, God Never WillTrusting In GodThose Who Believed In ChristSufferingFaith And TrustGrandmothers




And God lives in the heart of the person who [continually] obeys His commands, and he lives in [fellowship with] God. And here is [another] way we know that God lives in our hearts: It is by [means of] the Holy Spirit, whom God gave to us. [See Rom. 8:9, 11; James 4:5; I Cor. 6:19]. Verse ConceptsAbiding In ChristFellowship, With GodCommunicationGod, Present EverywhereGrace, And Holy SpiritUnion With Christ, Significance OfGift Of The Holy SpiritIndwelling Of ChristFellowship With ChristThe Witness Of The Holy SpiritObeying JesusUs In God




And many more people believed [in Jesus] because of His [own] words, and they said to the woman, "Now we believe, not just because of what you said, but because we have heard [it] for ourselves and know that this is truly the Savior of the world."


Look at how much love the Father has shown to us [Christians], that we should be called His children! But, that is what we [really] are! The reason the people of the world do not know who we are is because they do not know who God [really] is. Dearly loved ones, we are God's children now, but it has not yet been revealed [to us] what we will be [in the future life, Luke 20:34-36]. But, we do know this, however, that when Jesus is revealed [i.e., at His second coming], we will be like Him [I Cor. 15:49], for we will see what He really looks like! And every person who has set his hope on this [i.e., of being like Jesus], will live [as] purely [as possible], just as He [i.e., Jesus Himself] is pure. read more.
Every person who practices a life of sin is also breaking [God's] law, for sin is law-breaking. But, you [should] know that Christ appeared [on earth] to take away [our] sins, and that there is no sin in His life [See II Cor. 5:21]. No person who lives in [fellowship with] Christ will continue living a sinful life; the one who keeps on sinning [however], has not seen Him or known Him [as his personal Savior].





Look at how much love the Father has shown to us [Christians], that we should be called His children! But, that is what we [really] are! The reason the people of the world do not know who we are is because they do not know who God [really] is. Dearly loved ones, we are God's children now, but it has not yet been revealed [to us] what we will be [in the future life, Luke 20:34-36]. But, we do know this, however, that when Jesus is revealed [i.e., at His second coming], we will be like Him [I Cor. 15:49], for we will see what He really looks like! And every person who has set his hope on this [i.e., of being like Jesus], will live [as] purely [as possible], just as He [i.e., Jesus Himself] is pure.

You [should] know that you were bought back [from Satan], from your useless way of life, inherited from your forefathers, not with such perishable things as silver and gold, but with [the] precious blood of Christ, who represents an unblemished lamb, without defect. For Christ was previously known [by God, even] before the world was created, yet was not fully revealed for your benefit until [these] final times. read more.
[It is] through Christ, whom God raised from the dead and honored, that you people have become believers in God, so that your faith and hope could rest in God. [Since] you have purified your souls by [your] obedience to the truth [i.e., the Gospel message], which produces a genuine love for your brothers, [now] you should have this kind of fervent, heartfelt love for one another. You have experienced new birth, not from seed that can decay, but from seed that cannot decay, through the living and enduring word of God.

who will change our lowly [physical] bodies and make them like His glorious body. [He will do this] according to the power that enables Him even to bring everything into submission to Himself. Verse ConceptsAbility, Of ChristFreedom, Through Jesus ChristBodyHeaven,  Redeemed CommunityResurrection, Of BelieversResurrectionGloryThe Human BodyGlorified SaintsPeople TransformedConformingSubject To ChristThe BodySelf Imageenergy




who will change our lowly [physical] bodies and make them like His glorious body. [He will do this] according to the power that enables Him even to bring everything into submission to Himself. Verse ConceptsAbility, Of ChristFreedom, Through Jesus ChristBodyHeaven,  Redeemed CommunityResurrection, Of BelieversResurrectionGloryThe Human BodyGlorified SaintsPeople TransformedConformingSubject To ChristThe BodySelf Imageenergy




Look at how much love the Father has shown to us [Christians], that we should be called His children! But, that is what we [really] are! The reason the people of the world do not know who we are is because they do not know who God [really] is. Dearly loved ones, we are God's children now, but it has not yet been revealed [to us] what we will be [in the future life, Luke 20:34-36]. But, we do know this, however, that when Jesus is revealed [i.e., at His second coming], we will be like Him [I Cor. 15:49], for we will see what He really looks like!

And there will no longer be any curse [in the city], and the throne of God and of the Lamb will be there. And God's servants will serve Him, and they will see His face, and His name will be [written] on their foreheads.


Dear [friend], do not imitate what is evil, but [only] what is good. The person who does what is good is [a child] of God; the one who does evil has not seen God [spiritually]. Verse ConceptsImitating OthersOther People Of GodPeople Possibly Doing EvilImitatingBeing PositiveEthicsMoralityGod Turning Bad Things Into Goodbehaviorfollowing

Look at how much love the Father has shown to us [Christians], that we should be called His children! But, that is what we [really] are! The reason the people of the world do not know who we are is because they do not know who God [really] is. Dearly loved ones, we are God's children now, but it has not yet been revealed [to us] what we will be [in the future life, Luke 20:34-36]. But, we do know this, however, that when Jesus is revealed [i.e., at His second coming], we will be like Him [I Cor. 15:49], for we will see what He really looks like! And every person who has set his hope on this [i.e., of being like Jesus], will live [as] purely [as possible], just as He [i.e., Jesus Himself] is pure. read more.
Every person who practices a life of sin is also breaking [God's] law, for sin is law-breaking. But, you [should] know that Christ appeared [on earth] to take away [our] sins, and that there is no sin in His life [See II Cor. 5:21]. No person who lives in [fellowship with] Christ will continue living a sinful life; the one who keeps on sinning [however], has not seen Him or known Him [as his personal Savior].

We know that every person who has been [spiritually] conceived [by God and eventually born] does not continue in [a life of] sin, but God's one and only conceived [Son] keeps him [from continuing to sin], and the evil one [i.e., Satan] does not continue to touch him [i.e., continue to control his life]. Verse ConceptsRegenerationSafetySatan, As DeceiverSatan, Resistance ToSin, Avoidance OfNew Birth, Results OfContinuing In SinEthics

Look at how much love the Father has shown to us [Christians], that we should be called His children! But, that is what we [really] are! The reason the people of the world do not know who we are is because they do not know who God [really] is. Dearly loved ones, we are God's children now, but it has not yet been revealed [to us] what we will be [in the future life, Luke 20:34-36]. But, we do know this, however, that when Jesus is revealed [i.e., at His second coming], we will be like Him [I Cor. 15:49], for we will see what He really looks like! And every person who has set his hope on this [i.e., of being like Jesus], will live [as] purely [as possible], just as He [i.e., Jesus Himself] is pure. read more.
Every person who practices a life of sin is also breaking [God's] law, for sin is law-breaking. But, you [should] know that Christ appeared [on earth] to take away [our] sins, and that there is no sin in His life [See II Cor. 5:21]. No person who lives in [fellowship with] Christ will continue living a sinful life; the one who keeps on sinning [however], has not seen Him or known Him [as his personal Savior].




Look at how much love the Father has shown to us [Christians], that we should be called His children! But, that is what we [really] are! The reason the people of the world do not know who we are is because they do not know who God [really] is. Dearly loved ones, we are God's children now, but it has not yet been revealed [to us] what we will be [in the future life, Luke 20:34-36]. But, we do know this, however, that when Jesus is revealed [i.e., at His second coming], we will be like Him [I Cor. 15:49], for we will see what He really looks like!







For now [i.e., during the church's infant state] we see in a mirror [Note: God's word is elsewhere likened to a mirror. See James 1:22-25] indistinctly [i.e., because of having only partial knowledge and prophecy], but then [i.e., when the church matures and has the completed Scriptures], we will see face to face [i.e., clearly]. Now I have [only] partial knowledge, but then I will have full knowledge, just as [God has] full knowledge of me. Verse ConceptsFulnessFulness Of KnowledgeFace Of GodMirrorsRevelation, Responses ToRiddlesSeeing GodUnderstandingVisionClarityCleaningWithheld KnowledgeIncompletenessBeing Face To Face With GodLooking Through WindowsDefective VisionAcquiring KnowledgeDrawbacks To KnowledgeNothing MissingGod Knowing His PeopleBlissful Vision In HeavenadhdSelf Image