Thematic Bible


Thematic Bible






We know that our old self [our human nature without the Holy Spirit] was nailed to the cross with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin. Verse ConceptsFruit, SpiritualAbolitionThe Sin NatureThe New Man In ChristPutting Off The Old ManSelfishnessUnselfishnessThe Human BodyDying With ChristCrucifying Our FleshOld NatureDestruction Of Satan's WorksDead To SinContinuing In SinOur CrucifixionSubject To EvilIdentityIdentity In Christrebirth



But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts]. Verse ConceptsWalking In The TruthFaultsAvoiding Sinethics, and graceBehaviourDependenceWalking In The SpiritReceptivenessSelf DenialSelf IndulgenceDrugs, Illegal NarcoticsLiving Not For The MaterialEvil DesiresConditions Of Fruit-bearingWalking In LoveHuman Nature, Overcoming

If your right eye makes you stumble and leads you to sin, tear it out and throw it away [that is, remove yourself from the source of temptation]; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. Verse ConceptsBodily LimbsBlindness, SymbolicHell, Punishment OfSelf DenialSelf DisciplinePriorityEyes, GuardedProfitable ThingsPlucking OutCausing Others To StumbleEyes HarmedOther Right PartsThe Entrance Of SinUseful ThingsAbusive RelationshipsHellEyesInfidelityLust Of The Eyes

“If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble and sin, cut it off and throw it away from you [that is, remove yourself from the source of temptation]; it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into everlasting fire. Verse ConceptsCripplesEternal DeathFeetInjury To FeetEternal JudgementThrowing PeopleCausing Others To StumbleEntering LifeFire Of HellCutting Off Hands And FeetTwo Of Body PartsAvoid Being HinderedHellLake Of Fire





In Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, but by the [spiritual] circumcision of Christ in the stripping off of the body of the flesh [the sinful carnal nature], Verse ConceptsBeing Born AgainParticipation, In ChristRitualTypesNew Birth, Described AsForsaking SinGod Stripping PeopleLiving Not For The MaterialTrue CircumcisionRemoving People From Your Lifeefficiency



Let the wicked leave (behind) his way
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
And let him return to the Lord,
And He will have compassion (mercy) on him,
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.
Verse ConceptsAbundance, SpiritualGenerosity, God'sGrace, In OtMind, Of GodRepentance, Importance OfRepentance, Nature OfSin, Accepting Forgiveness OfSin, Deliverance From GodThoughtForsaking SinReturning To GodThinking ArightEvil WaysA Forgiving God


If sin is in your hand, put it far away [from you],
And do not let wrongdoing dwell in your tents;
Verse ConceptsTentsForsaking SinSteadfastnessInjustice

Remember your leaders [for it was they] who brought you the word of God; and consider the result of their conduct [the outcome of their godly lives], and imitate their faith [their conviction that God exists and is the Creator and Ruler of all things, the Provider of eternal salvation through Christ, and imitate their reliance on God with absolute trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness]. Verse ConceptsImitating OthersMentoringConsistencyFaith, Growth InAttending Churchelders, in the churchGospel, Transmission OfMinistry, In The ChurchRespect, For God's CharacterBishops, QualificationsLeadershipBeing a ModelBishops, DutiesImitating Good PeopleMaintaining FaithRemembering PeopleTeaching In The ChurchChristian ConductGiving Money To The ChurchLeadersMartyrdomExamples of Leadershipfaith in hard timesSelf WorthFaith KjvKeeping FaithThe Word Of GodHaving FaithServant LeadershipFaith In GodConfidence And Self Esteemheroesfootstepsbehaviorfootprintsfollowing


not lording it over those assigned to your care [do not be arrogant or overbearing], but be examples [of Christian living] to the flock [set a pattern of integrity for your congregation]. Verse ConceptsMinistry, In The ChurchShepherds, As Church LeaderLeadershipPastorsMinisters, Should BeMinisters, Should Not BeNames And Titles For The ChurchHeritageLording ItExamples of LeadershipExercise

And show your own self in all respects to be a pattern and a model of good deeds and works, teaching what is unadulterated, showing gravity [having the strictest regard for truth and purity of motive], with dignity and seriousness. And let your instruction be sound and fit and wise and wholesome, vigorous and irrefutable and above censure, so that the opponent may be put to shame, finding nothing discrediting or evil to say about us.

I said to them, We, according to our ability, have bought back our Jewish brethren who were sold to the nations; but will you even sell your brethren, that they may be sold to us? Then they were silent and found not a word to say. Also I said, What you are doing is not good. Should you not walk in the fear of our God to prevent the taunts and reproach of the nations, our enemies? I, my brethren, and my servants are lending them money and grain. Let us stop this forbidden interest! read more.
Return this very day to them their fields, vineyards, olive groves, and houses, and also a hundredth of all the money, grain, new wine, and oil that you have exacted from them. Then they said, We will restore these and require nothing from them. We will do as you say. Then I called the priests and took an oath of the lenders that they would do according to this promise. I shook out my lap and said, So may God shake out every man from his house and from [the exercise and fruits of] his labor who does not keep this promise! So may he be shaken out and emptied. And all the assembly said, Amen, and praised the Lord. And the people did according to this promise. Also, in the twelve years after I was appointed to be their governor in Judah, from the twentieth to the thirty-second year of King Artaxerxes, neither I nor my kin ate the food allowed to [me] the governor. But the former governors lived at the expense of the people and took from them food and wine, besides forty shekels of silver [a large monthly official salary]; yes, even their servants assumed authority over the people. But I did not so because of my [reverent] fear of God. I also held fast to the work on this wall; and we bought no land. And all my servants were gathered there for the work. And there were at my table 150 Jews and officials, besides those who came to us from the nations about us. Now these were prepared for each day: one ox and six choice sheep; also fowls were prepared for me, and once in ten days a store of all sorts of wine. Yet for all this, I did not demand [my rights] the food allowed me as governor, for the [tribute] bondage was heavy upon this people. O my God, [earnestly] remember me for good for all I have done for this people.


I will behave wisely and follow the way of integrity.
When will You come to me?
I will walk in my house in integrity and with a blameless heart.
Verse ConceptsLifestylesLearning The Right WayThe Timing Of His Comingbehavior

And you [set yourselves to] become imitators of us and [through us] of the Lord Himself, for you welcomed our message in [spite of] much persecution, with joy [inspired] by the Holy Spirit; So that you [thus] became a pattern to all the believers (those who adhere to, trust in, and rely on Christ Jesus) in Macedonia and Achaia (most of Greece). For not only has the Word concerning and from the Lord resounded forth from you unmistakably in Macedonia and Achaia, but everywhere the report has gone forth of your faith in God [of your leaning of your whole personality on Him in complete trust and confidence in His power, wisdom, and goodness]. So we [find that we] never need to tell people anything [further about it].

[As] an example of suffering and ill-treatment together with patience, brethren, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord [as His messengers]. You know how we call those blessed (happy) who were steadfast [who endured]. You have heard of the endurance of Job, and you have seen the Lord's [purpose and how He richly blessed him in the] end, inasmuch as the Lord is full of pity and compassion and tenderness and mercy.

Beloved, I implore you as aliens and strangers and exiles [in this world] to abstain from the sensual urges (the evil desires, the passions of the flesh, your lower nature) that wage war against the soul. Conduct yourselves properly (honorably, righteously) among the Gentiles, so that, although they may slander you as evildoers, [yet] they may by witnessing your good deeds [come to] glorify God in the day of inspection [ when God shall look upon you wanderers as a pastor or shepherd looks over his flock]. Be submissive to every human institution and authority for the sake of the Lord, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, read more.
Or to governors as sent by him to bring vengeance (punishment, justice) to those who do wrong and to encourage those who do good service. For it is God's will and intention that by doing right [your good and honest lives] should silence (muzzle, gag) the ignorant charges and ill-informed criticisms of foolish persons. [Live] as free people, [yet] without employing your freedom as a pretext for wickedness; but [live at all times] as servants of God. Show respect for all men [treat them honorably]. Love the brotherhood (the Christian fraternity of which Christ is the Head). Reverence God. Honor the emperor. [You who are] household servants, be submissive to your masters with all [proper] respect, not only to those who are kind and considerate and reasonable, but also to those who are surly (overbearing, unjust, and crooked). For one is regarded favorably (is approved, acceptable, and thankworthy) if, as in the sight of God, he endures the pain of unjust suffering. [After all] what kind of glory [is there in it] if, when you do wrong and are punished for it, you take it patiently? But if you bear patiently with suffering [which results] when you do right and that is undeserved, it is acceptable and pleasing to God. For even to this were you called [it is inseparable from your vocation]. For Christ also suffered for you, leaving you [His personal] example, so that you should follow in His footsteps. He was guilty of no sin, neither was deceit (guile) ever found on His lips. When He was reviled and insulted, He did not revile or offer insult in return; [when] He was abused and suffered, He made no threats [of vengeance]; but he trusted [Himself and everything] to Him Who judges fairly. He personally bore our sins in His [own] body on the tree [as on an altar and offered Himself on it], that we might die (cease to exist) to sin and live to righteousness. By His wounds you have been healed. For you were going astray like [so many] sheep, but now you have come back to the Shepherd and Guardian ( the Bishop) of your souls.

For it was thus that the pious women of old who hoped in God were [accustomed] to beautify themselves and were submissive to their husbands [adapting themselves to them as themselves secondary and dependent upon them]. It was thus that Sarah obeyed Abraham [following his guidance and acknowledging his headship over her by] calling him lord (master, leader, authority). And you are now her true daughters if you do right and let nothing terrify you [not giving way to hysterical fears or letting anxieties unnerve you].








We know that our old self [our human nature without the Holy Spirit] was nailed to the cross with Him, in order that our body of sin might be done away with, so that we would no longer be slaves to sin. Verse ConceptsFruit, SpiritualAbolitionThe Sin NatureThe New Man In ChristPutting Off The Old ManSelfishnessUnselfishnessThe Human BodyDying With ChristCrucifying Our FleshOld NatureDestruction Of Satan's WorksDead To SinContinuing In SinOur CrucifixionSubject To EvilIdentityIdentity In Christrebirth



But I say, walk habitually in the [Holy] Spirit [seek Him and be responsive to His guidance], and then you will certainly not carry out the desire of the sinful nature [which responds impulsively without regard for God and His precepts]. Verse ConceptsWalking In The TruthFaultsAvoiding Sinethics, and graceBehaviourDependenceWalking In The SpiritReceptivenessSelf DenialSelf IndulgenceDrugs, Illegal NarcoticsLiving Not For The MaterialEvil DesiresConditions Of Fruit-bearingWalking In LoveHuman Nature, Overcoming

If your right eye makes you stumble and leads you to sin, tear it out and throw it away [that is, remove yourself from the source of temptation]; for it is better for you to lose one of the parts of your body, than for your whole body to be thrown into hell. Verse ConceptsBodily LimbsBlindness, SymbolicHell, Punishment OfSelf DenialSelf DisciplinePriorityEyes, GuardedProfitable ThingsPlucking OutCausing Others To StumbleEyes HarmedOther Right PartsThe Entrance Of SinUseful ThingsAbusive RelationshipsHellEyesInfidelityLust Of The Eyes

“If your hand or your foot causes you to stumble and sin, cut it off and throw it away from you [that is, remove yourself from the source of temptation]; it is better for you to enter life crippled or lame, than to have two hands or two feet and be thrown into everlasting fire. Verse ConceptsCripplesEternal DeathFeetInjury To FeetEternal JudgementThrowing PeopleCausing Others To StumbleEntering LifeFire Of HellCutting Off Hands And FeetTwo Of Body PartsAvoid Being HinderedHellLake Of Fire




I also established My covenant with them, to give them the land of Canaan, the land in which they lived as strangers (temporary residents, foreigners). Verse ConceptsLand, As A Divine GiftSojourningGod's Covenant With The PatriarchsAlienscovenant

All these died in faith [guided and sustained by it], without receiving the [tangible fulfillment of God’s] promises, only having seen (anticipated) them and having welcomed them from a distance, and having acknowledged that they were strangers and exiles on the earth. Verse ConceptsExamples Of FaithForeignersBeing A PilgrimBelieversAdventureGod's PromisesWaitingYear Of JubileeFaith, Object OfPilgrimsSaints, As PilgrimsPilgrims, Examples OfSeeing At A DistanceExploits Of FaithReckoned As ForeignersPromises concerningKeeping FaithPromisesHaving FaithAliensdistanceheroesconfessingperformance


“Hear my prayer, O Lord, and listen to my cry;
Do not be silent at my tears;
For I am Your temporary guest,
A sojourner like all my fathers.
Verse ConceptsBeing A PilgrimSilenceWeepingPilgrimsPilgrims, Examples OfSpiritual DeafnessTearsCryingReckoned As ForeignersHear Prayer!Pay Attention O God!Feelings Of Alienation

Jacob said to Pharaoh, “The years of my pilgrimage are a hundred and thirty. Few and unpleasant have been the years of my life, and they have not reached the years that my fathers lived during the days of their pilgrimage.” Verse ConceptsAge, Span Of LifePhysical LifePilgrimagePilgrims, Examples OfFamily Problems

For we are sojourners before You, and tenants, as all our fathers were; our days on the earth are like a shadow, and there is no hope [of remaining]. Verse ConceptsForeignersBeing A PilgrimHope, Results Of Its AbsenceLife, HumanPhysical LifePessimismPassing ThroughShadowsYear Of JubileeLife, Brevity OfPilgrimsPilgrims, Examples OfImmigrantsAliens


I am a stranger on the earth;
Do not hide Your commandments from me.
Verse ConceptsPilgrimsReckoned As ForeignersGod's Things Concealed


But those who [are not financially ethical and] crave to get rich [with a compulsive, greedy longing for wealth] fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction [leading to personal misery]. Verse ConceptsFolly, Effects OfdrowningDestructionInterestMoney, Stewardship OfTrapGamblingWealthCovetousness, Results InEnticementPerditionThe Misery Of GreedWorldly SnaresDestruction Of The WickedEvil TrappingEvil DesiresBeing TemptedDrawbacks To RichesTemptation








These people all died controlled and sustained by their faith, but not having received the tangible fulfillment of [God's] promises, only having seen it and greeted it from a great distance by faith, and all the while acknowledging and confessing that they were strangers and temporary residents and exiles upon the earth. Now those people who talk as they did show plainly that they are in search of a fatherland (their own country). If they had been thinking with [homesick] remembrance of that country from which they were emigrants, they would have found constant opportunity to return to it.





In Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, but by the [spiritual] circumcision of Christ in the stripping off of the body of the flesh [the sinful carnal nature], Verse ConceptsBeing Born AgainParticipation, In ChristRitualTypesNew Birth, Described AsForsaking SinGod Stripping PeopleLiving Not For The MaterialTrue CircumcisionRemoving People From Your Lifeefficiency



Let the wicked leave (behind) his way
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
And let him return to the Lord,
And He will have compassion (mercy) on him,
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.
Verse ConceptsAbundance, SpiritualGenerosity, God'sGrace, In OtMind, Of GodRepentance, Importance OfRepentance, Nature OfSin, Accepting Forgiveness OfSin, Deliverance From GodThoughtForsaking SinReturning To GodThinking ArightEvil WaysA Forgiving God


If sin is in your hand, put it far away [from you],
And do not let wrongdoing dwell in your tents;
Verse ConceptsTentsForsaking SinSteadfastnessInjustice





In Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision not made with hands, but by the [spiritual] circumcision of Christ in the stripping off of the body of the flesh [the sinful carnal nature], Verse ConceptsBeing Born AgainParticipation, In ChristRitualTypesNew Birth, Described AsForsaking SinGod Stripping PeopleLiving Not For The MaterialTrue CircumcisionRemoving People From Your Lifeefficiency



Let the wicked leave (behind) his way
And the unrighteous man his thoughts;
And let him return to the Lord,
And He will have compassion (mercy) on him,
And to our God,
For He will abundantly pardon.
Verse ConceptsAbundance, SpiritualGenerosity, God'sGrace, In OtMind, Of GodRepentance, Importance OfRepentance, Nature OfSin, Accepting Forgiveness OfSin, Deliverance From GodThoughtForsaking SinReturning To GodThinking ArightEvil WaysA Forgiving God


If sin is in your hand, put it far away [from you],
And do not let wrongdoing dwell in your tents;
Verse ConceptsTentsForsaking SinSteadfastnessInjustice

Because of the surpassing greatness and extraordinary nature of the revelations [which I received from God], for this reason, to keep me from thinking of myself as important, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, to torment and harass me—to keep me from exalting myself! Verse Conceptsevil, origins ofEnjoyment, Lack OfBodyGod, Purpose OfMinistry, Qualifications ForPainSatan, Kingdom OfThornsWeakness, PhysicalBeneficial Afflictions For HumilityAfflictions, Benefits OfSatan, Work OfAfflictions Of MinistersDamage To The BodySigns Of Possible Demon PossessionSatanharassment

but I see a different law and rule of action in the members of my body [in its appetites and desires], waging war against the law of my mind and subduing me and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is within my members. Verse ConceptsBodily LimbsSpiritual Warfare, As ConflictLiving Not For The MaterialEvil PrinciplesPrinciples Of WarMind BattlesGoing Through the MotionsstruggleWarLife StrugglesThe MindConflictStrugglesBeing DifferentBeing Uniquelawworkingmindset


For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do. Verse ConceptsFaultsThe Attitude Towards The FleshFlesh As The Sinful NatureSpiritual Warfare, As ConflictSpiritual Warfare, Enemies InDepravity Of ManThe Holy Spirit, And SanctificationResisting Holy SpiritGod OpposingEvil DesiresGod's DesiresOne's DeedsMind BattlesHuman Nature, OvercomingstruggleLife StrugglesSpiritual WarfareConflictStrugglesactingWorld Opposed To God

Now every athlete who goes into training conducts himself temperately and restricts himself in all things. They do it to win a wreath that will soon wither, but we [do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness] that cannot wither. Therefore I do not run uncertainly (without definite aim). I do not box like one beating the air and striking without an adversary. But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit].


But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God). For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do. But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law.

Because of the surpassing greatness and extraordinary nature of the revelations [which I received from God], for this reason, to keep me from thinking of myself as important, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan, to torment and harass me—to keep me from exalting myself! Verse Conceptsevil, origins ofEnjoyment, Lack OfBodyGod, Purpose OfMinistry, Qualifications ForPainSatan, Kingdom OfThornsWeakness, PhysicalBeneficial Afflictions For HumilityAfflictions, Benefits OfSatan, Work OfAfflictions Of MinistersDamage To The BodySigns Of Possible Demon PossessionSatanharassment

but I see a different law and rule of action in the members of my body [in its appetites and desires], waging war against the law of my mind and subduing me and making me a prisoner of the law of sin which is within my members. Verse ConceptsBodily LimbsSpiritual Warfare, As ConflictLiving Not For The MaterialEvil PrinciplesPrinciples Of WarMind BattlesGoing Through the MotionsstruggleWarLife StrugglesThe MindConflictStrugglesBeing DifferentBeing Uniquelawworkingmindset


For the sinful nature has its desire which is opposed to the Spirit, and the [desire of the] Spirit opposes the sinful nature; for these [two, the sinful nature and the Spirit] are in direct opposition to each other [continually in conflict], so that you [as believers] do not [always] do whatever [good things] you want to do. Verse ConceptsFaultsThe Attitude Towards The FleshFlesh As The Sinful NatureSpiritual Warfare, As ConflictSpiritual Warfare, Enemies InDepravity Of ManThe Holy Spirit, And SanctificationResisting Holy SpiritGod OpposingEvil DesiresGod's DesiresOne's DeedsMind BattlesHuman Nature, OvercomingstruggleLife StrugglesSpiritual WarfareConflictStrugglesactingWorld Opposed To God

Now every athlete who goes into training conducts himself temperately and restricts himself in all things. They do it to win a wreath that will soon wither, but we [do it to receive a crown of eternal blessedness] that cannot wither. Therefore I do not run uncertainly (without definite aim). I do not box like one beating the air and striking without an adversary. But [like a boxer] I buffet my body [handle it roughly, discipline it by hardships] and subdue it, for fear that after proclaiming to others the Gospel and things pertaining to it, I myself should become unfit [not stand the test, be unapproved and rejected as a counterfeit].