Thematic Bible


Thematic Bible






Above all, set an example of doing good. Show sincerity in your teaching, and a serious spirit; let the instruction that you give be sound and above reproach, so that the enemy may be ashamed when he fails to find anything bad to say about us.



And you yourselves began to follow, not only our example, but the Master's also; and, in spite of much suffering, you welcomed the Message with a joy inspired by the Holy Spirit, And so became a pattern to all who believed in Christ throughout Macedonia and Greece. For it was from you that the Lord's Message resounded throughout Macedonia and Greece; and, more than that, your faith in God has become known far and wide; so that there is no need for us to say another word.

Brothers, as an example of the patient endurance of suffering, take the Prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. We count those who displayed such endurance blessed! You have heard, too, of Job's endurance, and have seen what the Lord's purpose was, for 'the Lord is full of pity and compassion.'

Dear friends, I urge you, as pilgrims and strangers upon earth, to refrain from indulging the cravings of your earthly nature, for they make war upon the soul. Let your daily life among the Gentiles be so upright, that, whenever they malign you as evil-doers, they may learn, as they watch, from the uprightness of your conduct, to praise God 'at the time when he shall visit them.' Submit to all human institutions for the Lord's sake, alike to the emperor as the supreme authority, read more.
and to governors as the men sent by him to punish evil-doers and to commend those who do right. For God's will is this--that you should silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing what is right. Act as free men, yet not using your freedom as those do who make it a cloak for wickedness, but as Servants of God. Show honour to every one, Love the Brotherhood, 'revere God, honour the emperor.' Those of you who are domestic servants should always be submissive and respectful to their masters, not only to those who are good and considerate, but also to those who are arbitrary. For this wins God's approval when, because conscious of God's presence, a man who is suffering unjustly bears his troubles patiently. What credit can you claim when, after doing wrong, you take your punishment for it patiently? But, on the other hand, if, after doing right, you take your sufferings patiently, that does win the approval of God. For it was to this that you were called! For Christ, too, suffered--on your behalf--and left you an example, that you should follow in his steps. He 'never sinned, nor was anything deceitful ever heard from his lips.' He was abused, but he did not answer with abuse; he suffered, but he did not threaten; he entrusted himself to him whose judgments are just. And he 'himself carried our sins' in his own body to the cross, so that we might die to our sins, and live for righteousness. 'His bruising was your healing.' Once you were straying like sheep, but now you have returned to the Shepherd and Guardian of your souls.

It was by this that the holy women of old, who rested their hopes on God, adorned themselves; submitting to their husbands, as Sarah did, who obeyed Abraham, and called him master. And you are her true children, as long as you live good lives, and let nothing terrify you.


Let every one obey the supreme Authorities. For no Authority exists except by the will of God, and the existing Authorities have been appointed by God. Therefore he who sets himself against the authorities is resisting God's appointment, and those who resist will bring a judgment upon themselves. A good action has nothing to fear from Rulers; a bad action has. Do you want to have no reason to fear the Authorities? Then do what is good, and you will win their praise. read more.
For they are God's servants appointed for your good. But, if you do what is wrong, you may well be afraid; for the sword they carry is not without meaning! They are God's servants to inflict his punishments on those who do wrong. You are bound, therefore, to obey, not only through fear of God's punishments, but also as a matter of conscience. This, too, is the reason for your paying taxes; for the officials are God's officers, devoting themselves to this special work. In all cases pay what is due from you--tribute where tribute is due, taxes where taxes are due, respect where respect is due, and honor where honor is due.

Tell us, then, what you think. Are we right in paying taxes to the Emperor, or not?" Perceiving their malice, Jesus answered: "Why are you testing me, you hypocrites? Show me the coin with which the tax is paid." And, when they had brought him a florin, read more.
He asked: "Whose head and title are these?" "The Emperor's," they answered: on which he said to them: "Then pay to the Emperor what belongs to the Emperor, and to God what belongs to God."


Submit to all human institutions for the Lord's sake, alike to the emperor as the supreme authority, and to governors as the men sent by him to punish evil-doers and to commend those who do right. For God's will is this--that you should silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing what is right. read more.
Act as free men, yet not using your freedom as those do who make it a cloak for wickedness, but as Servants of God. Show honour to every one, Love the Brotherhood, 'revere God, honour the emperor.'

let the instruction that you give be sound and above reproach, so that the enemy may be ashamed when he fails to find anything bad to say about us. Verse ConceptsSpeechcriticism





When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they collected together. Verse ConceptsSilenceJewish SectsPharisees Concerned About Christhumorpharisees

But, when they looked at the man who had been healed, standing there with them, they had nothing to say. Verse Conceptsevangelism, kinds ofSilenceLiving WitnessesSeeing People


let the instruction that you give be sound and above reproach, so that the enemy may be ashamed when he fails to find anything bad to say about us. Verse ConceptsSpeechcriticism





When the Pharisees heard that Jesus had silenced the Sadducees, they collected together. Verse ConceptsSilenceJewish SectsPharisees Concerned About Christhumorpharisees

But, when they looked at the man who had been healed, standing there with them, they had nothing to say. Verse Conceptsevangelism, kinds ofSilenceLiving WitnessesSeeing People






And submit to one another from reverence for him. Wives should submit to their husbands as submitting to the Lord.

Submit to all human institutions for the Lord's sake, alike to the emperor as the supreme authority, and to governors as the men sent by him to punish evil-doers and to commend those who do right. For God's will is this--that you should silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing what is right.


"I am the Life-giving Bread," Jesus said to them; "he that comes to me shall never be hungry, and he that believes in me shall never thirst again. But, as I have said already, you have seen me, and yet you do not believe in me. All those whom the Father gives me will come to me; and no one who comes to me will I ever turn away. read more.
For I have come down from Heaven, to do, not my own will, but the will of him who sent me; And his will is this--that I should not lose one of all those whom he has given me, but should raise them up at the Last Day. For it is the will of my Father that every one who sees the Son, and believes in him, should have Immortal Life; and I myself will raise him up at the Last Day."

Submit to all human institutions for the Lord's sake, alike to the emperor as the supreme authority, and to governors as the men sent by him to punish evil-doers and to commend those who do right. For God's will is this--that you should silence the ignorance of foolish people by doing what is right.

For you have not forgotten the directions that we gave you on the authority of our Lord Jesus. For this is God's purpose--that you should be pure; abstaining from all immorality; Each of you recognizing the duty of taking one woman for his wife, purely and honorably, read more.
And not for the mere gratification of his passions, like the Gentiles who know nothing of God; None of you over-reaching or taking advantage of his Brother in such matters. 'The Lord takes vengeance' upon all who do such things, as we have already warned you and solemnly declared. For God's Call to us does not permit of an impure life, but demands purity.

We entreat you also, Brothers--warn the disorderly, comfort the faint-hearted, give a helping hand to the weak, and be patient with every one. Take care that none of you ever pays back wrong for wrong, but always follow the kindest course with one another and with every one. Always be joyful; read more.
Never cease to pray; Under all circumstances give thanks to God. For this is his will for you as made known in Christ Jesus.