Thematic Bible


Thematic Bible











Loved ones, do not be surprised that you people are undergoing extremely difficult trials, as though something strange were happening to you, for it is [only] a test [of your faith]. Verse ConceptsPersecution, Attitudes ToPromises To The AfflictedRefining Influences Of AfflictionFire Of JudgementPatience In Hard TimesTestsartiststrailsfreemasonrysurprises

Jesus said to him, "Have you believed [that I am alive] because you have seen me? Those who have not seen me and yet believe are [even more] blessed." Verse ConceptsFaith, Nature OfReceptivenessBelievingSeeing The Risen ChristNot Seeing ChristReasons For Faith In ChristBlessed In Servicelegacybelief

But these will only test your faith, which is more valuable than gold which, though refined by fire, eventually perishes. Your faith, [however], will [endure and eventually] prove to be praiseworthy and honorable when Jesus returns. Although you have not seen Jesus, you [still] love Him and believe in Him, and this causes you to have an indescribable, glorious joy. Your faith will [finally] bring about the salvation of your souls.




[Note: The following traits should be understood in the context of love for people]. Love is patient [with people], and is kind [to them]; love does not envy [what people are or have]; love does not boast [of being superior to others], it is not arrogant [in dealing with people]. Verse ConceptsLoveEnvyAttitudes, to other peopleKindnessLove, Abuse OfPride, Evil OfArrogance, Rejection OfAvoiding JealousyThe Need For MercyReasons To Wait For MarriageSelf CenterednessPrideSelf LoveForgiving Others Who Hurt YouTrue LoveBeing PatientBoastingAttitudes Of LoveWaiting Till Marriagearrogancepatientlovingassertiveness


Through God's power you are protected by [your] faith, so that you can expect to be saved in the end. Because of this you can be very joyous, even though it is necessary for you to have suffered many trials for a little while.

So, after they had eaten, Jesus said to Simon Peter, "Simon, son of John, do you really love me more than these [other disciples do]?" Peter answered Him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." [Note: Since two different Greek words for "love" are used in this conversation, some scholars see a distinction in their meaning. See Butler, Vol. II, pp. 453-457 for a discussion of these views]. Jesus replied to him, "[Then] feed my lambs." Verse ConceptsCommitment, to GodLambsLove, Nature OfShepherds, As Church LeaderNames And Titles For The ChristianBreakfastFeeding AnimalsChrist Knowing About PeopleThe Need To Love Christvulnerability

But these will only test your faith, which is more valuable than gold which, though refined by fire, eventually perishes. Your faith, [however], will [endure and eventually] prove to be praiseworthy and honorable when Jesus returns. Although you have not seen Jesus, you [still] love Him and believe in Him, and this causes you to have an indescribable, glorious joy.




When anyone hears the message of the kingdom but does not understand it, the evil one [i.e., the devil] comes to him and grabs away what had been sown in his heart. This is the person who was scattered to the side of the road. And the person who was sown on rocky ground is the one who hears the message and immediately welcomes it joyfully, but since he has such a shallow root, he lasts for [only] a short while. Then when trouble or persecution comes because of the message, immediately he falls away [from God]. read more.
And the person who was sown among the thorns is the one who hears the message, but the anxieties of the world [i.e., of life] and the deceptiveness of [material] riches choke the message and he becomes unproductive.




There will be great trouble [during these times], such as had never been from the beginning of time up to the present, or ever will be [in the days to come]. And if those days had not been as short as they were no one would have been saved [i.e., from the devastating destruction]. But for the sake of the elect [i.e., God's people], those days will be short. Then if anyone says to you, 'Look, here is Christ,' or 'There [he is],' do not believe him. read more.
For false Christs and false prophets will appear and they will perform great [miraculous] signs and [supernatural] wonders in order to lead astray even the elect [i.e., God's people], if possible. You see, I have told you [all this] ahead of time.

And those people [represented by the seed falling] on rocky ground are those who, upon hearing the word [of God], accept it gladly, but since they have no root [system], they believe it for [only] awhile, and [then] in times of trial fall away [from God]. And those people [represented by the seed] that fell among thorns are the ones who have heard [the word], and as they go about their business, they become choked by worry, by money and by worldly pleasures, and produce no mature crop.

We ought to thank God for you always, brothers, since it is proper, because your faith is growing so much and the love that every one of you has for each other is increasing more and more. Therefore, we ourselves speak proudly about you among the churches of God because of your steadfastness and faith amid all the persecutions and afflictions that you are enduring. The way you are faithfully enduring [such] suffering for the kingdom of God is clear evidence that God's judgment is right in [eventually] counting you worthy of it [i.e., of entering the eternal phase of the kingdom].

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For when God made a promise to Abraham, since He could not make a vow by anyone greater, He vowed by Himself, saying [Gen. 22:16-17], "I will certainly bless you and will multiply [your descendants]." And so, after waiting patiently, Abraham received what [God] had promised.

By [having] faith, when Abraham was called [by God] to leave [his homeland] and go to a place he would later receive as an inheritance [i.e., Palestine], he obeyed God and went out, not knowing where he was going. Verse ConceptsAbrahamFaith, Nature OfExamples Of FaithCommitment, to GodReceiving An InheritanceHistoryAbraham, New Testament ReferencesAbraham, Calling And LifeCalling, Of IndividualsDestinationsExploits Of FaithNot Knowing Where

By [having] faith, when Abraham was tested [by God], he offered Isaac [as a sacrifice]. [Even though] he had received the promises [of having many descendants], he was ready to offer his only conceived [and eventually born] son, Verse ConceptsAbrahamFaith, Nature OfChild sacrificeAtonement, Types OfBeneficial Afflictions For FaithAfflictions, Benefits OfThe Only ChildExploits Of FaithOnly Child Of PeopleGod's Promise To AbrahamFaith KjvStaying Strong And Not Giving UpSacrificeNever Giving UpFaith In Godriskexamstrying



And when He had entered the house [i.e., probably a friend's house there in Capernaum. See 8:20], the blind men came in [after Him]. Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do what you are asking?" They replied, "Yes, Lord." Verse ConceptsAbility, Of ChristDrawing Near To ChristEntering HousesAssentingBlindness

So, He said to her, "Children should be the first ones to eat until they are full, for it is not proper to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." Verse ConceptsBeing FirstPeople Providing FoodSalvation For IsraelGood ChildrenFamily FirstKidsPetsFeeding The Poor

And [still] others experienced mockings and floggings, and were even chained up and put in prison. Verse ConceptsFloggingChainsPrisonersPunishment, Legal Aspects OfRidicule, Objects OfIron ChainsBeating Believerstrails

Because of this you can be very joyous, even though it is necessary for you to have suffered many trials for a little while. But these will only test your faith, which is more valuable than gold which, though refined by fire, eventually perishes. Your faith, [however], will [endure and eventually] prove to be praiseworthy and honorable when Jesus returns.

Consider it [an occasion for] much joy, my brothers, when you experience various trials, because you [should] know that when your faith is tested, it produces perseverance.

Because of this you can be very joyous, even though it is necessary for you to have suffered many trials for a little while. But these will only test your faith, which is more valuable than gold which, though refined by fire, eventually perishes. Your faith, [however], will [endure and eventually] prove to be praiseworthy and honorable when Jesus returns. Although you have not seen Jesus, you [still] love Him and believe in Him, and this causes you to have an indescribable, glorious joy. read more.
Your faith will [finally] bring about the salvation of your souls.



[the quality of] each person's work will become evident [i.e., for what is it made of]. For the [judgment] day will expose his workmanship. And it will be revealed by the fire [of judgment], which will test the quality of a person's workmanship [i.e., the faithfulness of his converts]. Verse ConceptsAbility, Of The ChristianFireCharacterVeilsThe Day Of JudgementFire Of JudgementGod Testing PeopleThings RevealedOne's DeedsJudgement DayTestsPurgatoryworkingexamsstructuremotiveswilltrying




[Because of that], I advise you to buy from me gold, refined by fire, so that you will become rich; and white clothing to wear, so that you can cover yourself and not be seen as shamefully naked; and eye drops for your eyes, so that you can see. [Note: The foregoing all refer to taking measures for becoming more spiritual]. Verse ConceptsCoveringadvisersAdvice, From GodBuying and sellingGoldHeaven, Inheritance OfMedicineMetalsMoney, Attitudes ToNakednessWise CouncelRefiningRiches, SpiritualHoly Spirit, Types OfSpiritual InvestmentClarityRich ApparelSpiritual TreasuresAlchemyWhite And Bright ClothesWhite ClothsAlternatives To MoneyBuying God's GiftGold TransferredThe Faculty Of Sight






By [having] faith, when Abraham was called [by God] to leave [his homeland] and go to a place he would later receive as an inheritance [i.e., Palestine], he obeyed God and went out, not knowing where he was going. Verse ConceptsAbrahamFaith, Nature OfExamples Of FaithCommitment, to GodReceiving An InheritanceHistoryAbraham, New Testament ReferencesAbraham, Calling And LifeCalling, Of IndividualsDestinationsExploits Of FaithNot Knowing Where

By [having] faith, when Abraham was tested [by God], he offered Isaac [as a sacrifice]. [Even though] he had received the promises [of having many descendants], he was ready to offer his only conceived [and eventually born] son, Verse ConceptsAbrahamFaith, Nature OfChild sacrificeAtonement, Types OfBeneficial Afflictions For FaithAfflictions, Benefits OfThe Only ChildExploits Of FaithOnly Child Of PeopleGod's Promise To AbrahamFaith KjvStaying Strong And Not Giving UpSacrificeNever Giving UpFaith In Godriskexamstrying



And when He had entered the house [i.e., probably a friend's house there in Capernaum. See 8:20], the blind men came in [after Him]. Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do what you are asking?" They replied, "Yes, Lord." Verse ConceptsAbility, Of ChristDrawing Near To ChristEntering HousesAssentingBlindness

So, He said to her, "Children should be the first ones to eat until they are full, for it is not proper to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." Verse ConceptsBeing FirstPeople Providing FoodSalvation For IsraelGood ChildrenFamily FirstKidsPetsFeeding The Poor

And [still] others experienced mockings and floggings, and were even chained up and put in prison. Verse ConceptsFloggingChainsPrisonersPunishment, Legal Aspects OfRidicule, Objects OfIron ChainsBeating Believerstrails




[Note: The following traits should be understood in the context of love for people]. Love is patient [with people], and is kind [to them]; love does not envy [what people are or have]; love does not boast [of being superior to others], it is not arrogant [in dealing with people]. Verse ConceptsLoveEnvyAttitudes, to other peopleKindnessLove, Abuse OfPride, Evil OfArrogance, Rejection OfAvoiding JealousyThe Need For MercyReasons To Wait For MarriageSelf CenterednessPrideSelf LoveForgiving Others Who Hurt YouTrue LoveBeing PatientBoastingAttitudes Of LoveWaiting Till Marriagearrogancepatientlovingassertiveness


Through God's power you are protected by [your] faith, so that you can expect to be saved in the end. Because of this you can be very joyous, even though it is necessary for you to have suffered many trials for a little while.









Loved ones, do not be surprised that you people are undergoing extremely difficult trials, as though something strange were happening to you, for it is [only] a test [of your faith]. Verse ConceptsPersecution, Attitudes ToPromises To The AfflictedRefining Influences Of AfflictionFire Of JudgementPatience In Hard TimesTestsartiststrailsfreemasonrysurprises



Jesus said to him, "Have you believed [that I am alive] because you have seen me? Those who have not seen me and yet believe are [even more] blessed." Verse ConceptsFaith, Nature OfReceptivenessBelievingSeeing The Risen ChristNot Seeing ChristReasons For Faith In ChristBlessed In Servicelegacybelief

But these will only test your faith, which is more valuable than gold which, though refined by fire, eventually perishes. Your faith, [however], will [endure and eventually] prove to be praiseworthy and honorable when Jesus returns. Although you have not seen Jesus, you [still] love Him and believe in Him, and this causes you to have an indescribable, glorious joy. Your faith will [finally] bring about the salvation of your souls.




[Note: The following traits should be understood in the context of love for people]. Love is patient [with people], and is kind [to them]; love does not envy [what people are or have]; love does not boast [of being superior to others], it is not arrogant [in dealing with people]. Verse ConceptsLoveEnvyAttitudes, to other peopleKindnessLove, Abuse OfPride, Evil OfArrogance, Rejection OfAvoiding JealousyThe Need For MercyReasons To Wait For MarriageSelf CenterednessPrideSelf LoveForgiving Others Who Hurt YouTrue LoveBeing PatientBoastingAttitudes Of LoveWaiting Till Marriagearrogancepatientlovingassertiveness


Through God's power you are protected by [your] faith, so that you can expect to be saved in the end. Because of this you can be very joyous, even though it is necessary for you to have suffered many trials for a little while.









Loved ones, do not be surprised that you people are undergoing extremely difficult trials, as though something strange were happening to you, for it is [only] a test [of your faith]. Verse ConceptsPersecution, Attitudes ToPromises To The AfflictedRefining Influences Of AfflictionFire Of JudgementPatience In Hard TimesTestsartiststrailsfreemasonrysurprises

By [having] faith, when Abraham was tested [by God], he offered Isaac [as a sacrifice]. [Even though] he had received the promises [of having many descendants], he was ready to offer his only conceived [and eventually born] son, Verse ConceptsAbrahamFaith, Nature OfChild sacrificeAtonement, Types OfBeneficial Afflictions For FaithAfflictions, Benefits OfThe Only ChildExploits Of FaithOnly Child Of PeopleGod's Promise To AbrahamFaith KjvStaying Strong And Not Giving UpSacrificeNever Giving UpFaith In Godriskexamstrying








Because of this you can be very joyous, even though it is necessary for you to have suffered many trials for a little while. But these will only test your faith, which is more valuable than gold which, though refined by fire, eventually perishes. Your faith, [however], will [endure and eventually] prove to be praiseworthy and honorable when Jesus returns.

Consider it [an occasion for] much joy, my brothers, when you experience various trials, because you [should] know that when your faith is tested, it produces perseverance.


Consider it [an occasion for] much joy, my brothers, when you experience various trials, because you [should] know that when your faith is tested, it produces perseverance.

By [having] faith, when Abraham was called [by God] to leave [his homeland] and go to a place he would later receive as an inheritance [i.e., Palestine], he obeyed God and went out, not knowing where he was going. Verse ConceptsAbrahamFaith, Nature OfExamples Of FaithCommitment, to GodReceiving An InheritanceHistoryAbraham, New Testament ReferencesAbraham, Calling And LifeCalling, Of IndividualsDestinationsExploits Of FaithNot Knowing Where

By [having] faith, when Abraham was tested [by God], he offered Isaac [as a sacrifice]. [Even though] he had received the promises [of having many descendants], he was ready to offer his only conceived [and eventually born] son, Verse ConceptsAbrahamFaith, Nature OfChild sacrificeAtonement, Types OfBeneficial Afflictions For FaithAfflictions, Benefits OfThe Only ChildExploits Of FaithOnly Child Of PeopleGod's Promise To AbrahamFaith KjvStaying Strong And Not Giving UpSacrificeNever Giving UpFaith In Godriskexamstrying



And when He had entered the house [i.e., probably a friend's house there in Capernaum. See 8:20], the blind men came in [after Him]. Jesus said to them, "Do you believe that I am able to do what you are asking?" They replied, "Yes, Lord." Verse ConceptsAbility, Of ChristDrawing Near To ChristEntering HousesAssentingBlindness

So, He said to her, "Children should be the first ones to eat until they are full, for it is not proper to take the children's food and throw it to the dogs." Verse ConceptsBeing FirstPeople Providing FoodSalvation For IsraelGood ChildrenFamily FirstKidsPetsFeeding The Poor

And [still] others experienced mockings and floggings, and were even chained up and put in prison. Verse ConceptsFloggingChainsPrisonersPunishment, Legal Aspects OfRidicule, Objects OfIron ChainsBeating Believerstrails

Consider it [an occasion for] much joy, my brothers, when you experience various trials, because you [should] know that when your faith is tested, it produces perseverance.

Because of this you can be very joyous, even though it is necessary for you to have suffered many trials for a little while. But these will only test your faith, which is more valuable than gold which, though refined by fire, eventually perishes. Your faith, [however], will [endure and eventually] prove to be praiseworthy and honorable when Jesus returns. Although you have not seen Jesus, you [still] love Him and believe in Him, and this causes you to have an indescribable, glorious joy. read more.
Your faith will [finally] bring about the salvation of your souls.









Loved ones, do not be surprised that you people are undergoing extremely difficult trials, as though something strange were happening to you, for it is [only] a test [of your faith]. Verse ConceptsPersecution, Attitudes ToPromises To The AfflictedRefining Influences Of AfflictionFire Of JudgementPatience In Hard TimesTestsartiststrailsfreemasonrysurprises