Thematic Bible


Thematic Bible



And so, since we have such deep affection for you, we were very pleased to share with you, not only the Gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. Verse ConceptsMentoringCommitment, to God's peopleLove, For One AnotherUnity, Of God's PeopleValuesMinisters, Should BeMinisters, Way They Should TeachAffection For God's PeopleThe Gospel PreachedLove Exists Between PeopleSharing




for we have heard about [the evidence of] your faith in [the service of] Christ Jesus, and about the love you have [shown] for all the saints. Verse ConceptsCharacter Of SaintsLove to Others, Examples OfAgape LoveStrong Faith In ChristLove Exists Between PeopleFaith Hope And LoveHope And Loveperformance

This is [one] way we know that we love God's [spiritually reborn] children: [It is] when we love God and obey what He commands us to do. Verse ConceptsCommitment, to God's peopleRegenerationDistinguishingResults Of Keeping The CommandmentsLove For ChildrenThose Loving GodChild Of GodObeying GodLoving Childrencommandments

For this reason also, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of the saints [i.e., God's holy people], Verse ConceptsFaith, Nature OfLove, For One AnotherSpiritual VitalityAgape LoveStrong Faith In ChristLove Exists Between PeopleFaithHope And FaithHaving FaithUnconditional LoveHope And LoveFaith In God


And now I ask you, lady [See verse 1], not as though writing a new commandment to you, but [I wanted to remind you of] one that we had [heard] from the beginning [of Christ's ministry]: [It is] that we should love one another. Verse ConceptsBrotherly LoveChrist's OrdersLove Fellow Christians!Loving One Another


In the same way, these people have dreams of committing physically corruptive practices; they reject authority over them [i.e., by both God and men], and speak against glorious [i.e., heavenly] beings. Verse ConceptsDefilement, Objects OfCivic DutiesHonouring RulersAnarchyMisleading DreamsRespecting Authority





Paul said, "Brothers, I did not know that he was the head priest, for it is written [Ex. 22:28], 'You shall not speak evil about a leader of your people.' " Verse ConceptsApologizingethics, socialCivic DutiesHonouring RulersResistanceSelf DefenceMagistratesIs It Really?Attitudes Towards Kings






In everything [you do], you should show that you are a [proper] example of doing good deeds. In your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that the person who opposes [us] will have to be ashamed for not having anything bad to say about us.



And you became imitators of us and of the Lord. [And even though] you suffered much affliction, you welcomed the message with joy [given to you] by the Holy Spirit, and so became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. [Note: These two provinces make up present-day Greece]. For the Lord's message sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but your faith toward God [also] spread everywhere [else], so that we do not have to say anything [about you].

Brothers, take the [Old Testament] prophets, who spoke in the name [i.e., by the authority] of the Lord, as your examples of suffering and patience. Notice that we consider those who endured [suffering with patience] to be blessed [by God]. You people have heard of Job's patience and have seen what the Lord finally did [for him]. The Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

My dearly loved ones, I urge you, as a people who are foreigners and strangers [in this world], do not give in to sinful desires, which wage war against the soul. You should live such good lives before [unconverted] Gentiles, so that even though they accuse you of being evildoers, by seeing your good deeds, they will [be led to] honor God [for you] on the day He visits us again [i.e., to bring judgment]. Submit yourselves to every authority set up by people for the Lord's sake. [Submit to] a king as the [highest] authority, read more.
or to governors who are appointed by him to punish wrongdoers, and to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that, by doing good, you should put to silence the ignorant [talk and actions] of foolish people. As servants of God, you should live as free people, but do not use this freedom to cover up your wrongdoing. Show [proper] respect for everyone. Love your [Christian] brothers [and sisters]. Have an awe-inspiring respect for God. Show honor to the king. Slaves, submit yourselves to your masters and show them respect, not just the ones who are good [to you] and treat you well, but also to those who are harsh toward you. For those of you who put up with such suffering unjustly, because of your close relationship to God, are to be commended. But it is no credit to you if you put up with a beating you deserve. But if you patiently tolerate suffering for doing good, this is pleasing to God. [After all], this is what you were called to do, because Christ also suffered for you, leaving you an example, so that you would follow in His steps. [For] He neither sinned nor used deceitful words. When He was spoken to with harsh insults, He did not reply in the same way. When He was made to suffer, He did not threaten [His tormentors], but instead entrusted Himself to God, [whom He knew] would make a righteous judgment [in the matter]. Jesus took upon Himself our sins [when] His body was placed upon the cross so that we, [through] dying to [i.e., giving up] the sinful life, would live for righteousness. You were healed [from your sins] by His being brutally treated. For you people were wandering away like sheep, but have now returned to the Shepherd and Overseer of your souls.

For this is the way holy women in ancient times decorated themselves. Their hope was in God and they were known for being in subjection to their own husbands. Sarah obeyed her husband Abraham, even referring to him [in respectful terms such] as "sir." You [wives] are her [spiritual] descendants if you also do what is right and are not fearful [that things in life will turn out badly].






Every person must be submissive to the ruling authorities, for all authorities come from God. And the existence of authorities has been established by God. Therefore, the person who resists [these] authorities is opposing what God has ordained. And those who oppose [these authorities] will bring judgment on themselves. For [our] rulers are not a threat to [the person doing] a good deed, but to [the person doing] an evil one. So, do you want to avoid having to be afraid of the authorities? Then do what is good and you will be commended by them [generally]. read more.
For they are servants of God for your good. But you should be afraid if you do what is evil, because they do not carry the sword [i.e., for executing criminals] for nothing. For they are servants of God who take revenge [on wrongdoing] by punishing the person who does evil. Therefore, you must submit [to the authorities], not only because of [the threat of] punishment, but also for the sake of [your] conscience. This is the reason why you should pay taxes also. For the authorities are God's servants who continually tend to this matter [i.e., of collecting taxes]. [So], pay everyone what you owe them; pay taxes to the tax collector; pay revenue to the revenue collector; show respect to the one deserving it; give honor to the one deserving it.

So, tell us what you think. Is it lawful to pay taxes to Caesar, or not?" But Jesus perceived their wicked intention and said, "Why are you putting me to a test, you hypocrites? Show me the coin used for paying taxes." And they brought to Him a coin [Note: This coin was equivalent to one day of a farm laborer's pay, or about $60-$84 in 1994]. read more.
He said to them, "Whose image and inscription are on this coin?" They answered Him, "Caesar's." Then He replied, "Pay to Caesar whatever belongs to Caesar and pay to God whatever belongs to God."


Submit yourselves to every authority set up by people for the Lord's sake. [Submit to] a king as the [highest] authority, or to governors who are appointed by him to punish wrongdoers, and to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that, by doing good, you should put to silence the ignorant [talk and actions] of foolish people. read more.
As servants of God, you should live as free people, but do not use this freedom to cover up your wrongdoing. Show [proper] respect for everyone. Love your [Christian] brothers [and sisters]. Have an awe-inspiring respect for God. Show honor to the king.





[Ex. 20:12 says], "Show honor to your father and mother," (which is the first commandment that carries the promise), "that things may go well with you and that you will live a long time on earth."






[So], pay everyone what you owe them; pay taxes to the tax collector; pay revenue to the revenue collector; show respect to the one deserving it; give honor to the one deserving it. Verse ConceptsBeing In DebtAuthority, of human institutionsHuman Authority, Christian ResponseTaxationTributesCitizenshipHonour The HonourableTax To Be PaidRespectRespecting ParentsRespecting Authoritytaxes

And so, since we have such deep affection for you, we were very pleased to share with you, not only the Gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. Verse ConceptsMentoringCommitment, to God's peopleLove, For One AnotherUnity, Of God's PeopleValuesMinisters, Should BeMinisters, Way They Should TeachAffection For God's PeopleThe Gospel PreachedLove Exists Between PeopleSharing




for we have heard about [the evidence of] your faith in [the service of] Christ Jesus, and about the love you have [shown] for all the saints. Verse ConceptsCharacter Of SaintsLove to Others, Examples OfAgape LoveStrong Faith In ChristLove Exists Between PeopleFaith Hope And LoveHope And Loveperformance

This is [one] way we know that we love God's [spiritually reborn] children: [It is] when we love God and obey what He commands us to do. Verse ConceptsCommitment, to God's peopleRegenerationDistinguishingResults Of Keeping The CommandmentsLove For ChildrenThose Loving GodChild Of GodObeying GodLoving Childrencommandments

For this reason also, since I heard about your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all of the saints [i.e., God's holy people], Verse ConceptsFaith, Nature OfLove, For One AnotherSpiritual VitalityAgape LoveStrong Faith In ChristLove Exists Between PeopleFaithHope And FaithHaving FaithUnconditional LoveHope And LoveFaith In God


And now I ask you, lady [See verse 1], not as though writing a new commandment to you, but [I wanted to remind you of] one that we had [heard] from the beginning [of Christ's ministry]: [It is] that we should love one another. Verse ConceptsBrotherly LoveChrist's OrdersLove Fellow Christians!Loving One Another


Every person who believes that Jesus is the Christ [i.e., God's specially chosen one] has been [spiritually] conceived [and eventually born] by God. And everyone who [continually] loves God, who did the conceiving, also [must continually] love the person whom God has [spiritually] conceived. Verse ConceptsBorn Again, Produced ByAssurance, nature ofGospel, Responses ToOrigins Of Spiritual LifeOrthodoxy, In NtRegenerationUnity, Of God's PeopleLove Towards God, Results InNew Birth, Evidenced BySaving FaithBenefits Of Faith In ChristSaid To Be The ChristBelieving In ChristJesus BirthLoving EveryoneFathers LoveFamily ConflictChild Of GodLoving Childrenbridgesparenthood


In the same way, these people have dreams of committing physically corruptive practices; they reject authority over them [i.e., by both God and men], and speak against glorious [i.e., heavenly] beings. Verse ConceptsDefilement, Objects OfCivic DutiesHonouring RulersAnarchyMisleading DreamsRespecting Authority





Paul said, "Brothers, I did not know that he was the head priest, for it is written [Ex. 22:28], 'You shall not speak evil about a leader of your people.' " Verse ConceptsApologizingethics, socialCivic DutiesHonouring RulersResistanceSelf DefenceMagistratesIs It Really?Attitudes Towards Kings





In the same way, these people have dreams of committing physically corruptive practices; they reject authority over them [i.e., by both God and men], and speak against glorious [i.e., heavenly] beings. Verse ConceptsDefilement, Objects OfCivic DutiesHonouring RulersAnarchyMisleading DreamsRespecting Authority





Paul said, "Brothers, I did not know that he was the head priest, for it is written [Ex. 22:28], 'You shall not speak evil about a leader of your people.' " Verse ConceptsApologizingethics, socialCivic DutiesHonouring RulersResistanceSelf DefenceMagistratesIs It Really?Attitudes Towards Kings









In the same way, these people have dreams of committing physically corruptive practices; they reject authority over them [i.e., by both God and men], and speak against glorious [i.e., heavenly] beings. Verse ConceptsDefilement, Objects OfCivic DutiesHonouring RulersAnarchyMisleading DreamsRespecting Authority





Paul said, "Brothers, I did not know that he was the head priest, for it is written [Ex. 22:28], 'You shall not speak evil about a leader of your people.' " Verse ConceptsApologizingethics, socialCivic DutiesHonouring RulersResistanceSelf DefenceMagistratesIs It Really?Attitudes Towards Kings


In the same way, these people have dreams of committing physically corruptive practices; they reject authority over them [i.e., by both God and men], and speak against glorious [i.e., heavenly] beings. Verse ConceptsDefilement, Objects OfCivic DutiesHonouring RulersAnarchyMisleading DreamsRespecting Authority





Paul said, "Brothers, I did not know that he was the head priest, for it is written [Ex. 22:28], 'You shall not speak evil about a leader of your people.' " Verse ConceptsApologizingethics, socialCivic DutiesHonouring RulersResistanceSelf DefenceMagistratesIs It Really?Attitudes Towards Kings


In the same way, these people have dreams of committing physically corruptive practices; they reject authority over them [i.e., by both God and men], and speak against glorious [i.e., heavenly] beings. Verse ConceptsDefilement, Objects OfCivic DutiesHonouring RulersAnarchyMisleading DreamsRespecting Authority





Paul said, "Brothers, I did not know that he was the head priest, for it is written [Ex. 22:28], 'You shall not speak evil about a leader of your people.' " Verse ConceptsApologizingethics, socialCivic DutiesHonouring RulersResistanceSelf DefenceMagistratesIs It Really?Attitudes Towards Kings