Thematic Bible


Thematic Bible



For I tell you that Christ was [appointed] to be a servant of the circumcised ones [i.e., the Jews], in order to uphold the truth of God. This was so He could confirm [as valid] the promises made to our forefathers, and so that the Gentiles [also] may honor God for His mercy, as it is written [Psa. 18:49], "Therefore, I will praise you among the Gentiles and sing to your name." [Note: Paul here accommodates the words of King David by applying them to Jews participating with Gentiles in praising God as part of the one body].

Pay attention so that no one takes you [spiritually] captive through his philosophy and empty deception based on human tradition, according to the principles of the world and not according to Christ. For all of the fullness of Deity lives in His body, and you people have been made full [i.e., spiritually complete] in [fellowship with] Him, who is the [spiritual] head over all who rule and have authority. read more.
In [fellowship with] Him you people were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human beings, but performed by Christ, consisting of the removal of the body of [sinful] flesh. [This happened when you were] buried with Christ in [the act of] immersion, from which you were also raised up with Him through [your] faith in the accomplishment of God, who raised Him up from the dead. And when you were [spiritually] dead because of your sins and your lack of being physically circumcised [Note: This refers to their having been unconverted Gentiles and therefore outside of a relationship with God], God made you alive [again] together with Christ, having forgiven us for all of our sins. He canceled the document written in ordinances [Note: This obviously refers to the Mosaic law] that was against us and was opposed to us, and has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross. [In doing this] Christ disarmed the rulers and authorities [i.e., evil forces] and made a public display of them, triumphing over them through the cross. [Note: This could possibly be rendered "God triumphed over them through Christ"].

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through [the action of] one man [i.e., Adam] and [physical] death through that sin, so [physical] death has spread to all people, because all people have sinned. [Note: This difficult passage (verses 12-21) seems to be saying that the entire human race must experience physical death because of Adam's sin (I Cor. 5:22), which is somehow considered to be everyone's sin. See Murray, pp. 180-187, for a thorough discussion]. Verse ConceptsThe DeadDeath, Description OfAdam, DescendantsCondemnation, Causes OfExcusesevil, origins ofBeing Born In SinHistoryLast ThingsLife, HumanUniversality Of DeathMortalityParticipation, In SinPunishment, Nature OfResponsibility, To GodSin, Causes OfSin, Universality OfSinnersSuffering, Nature OfFall Of ManHereditySin, Consequences OfThe Sin NatureAdam, Results Of SinMiscegenation (racial Intermarriage)The Reality Of SinSin Producing DeathAll PeopleOnly One PersonSin Produces DeathThe Entrance Of SinDeathAdam and eveAdam and eve disobey godDeath ofnatural DeathRaceLoss Of A Loved One


And whoever goes on living and believing in me, will never die [spiritually]. Do you believe this?" Verse ConceptsImmortality, In NtHeaven,  Redeemed CommunityNeverLife Through FaithNot DyingBenefits Of Faith In ChristDyingLife After Deathbeliefwill



For Christ's love for us motivates us, because we have concluded that, [since] one person [i.e., Christ] died for all people, so then all people have died. [Note: This may mean simply that Christ died for all people, who were dead in their sins]. Verse ConceptsControlAssurance in the life of faithMissionaries, Call OfSubstitutionUnselfishnessLove Of Jesus, To The SaintsLove Towards ChristBeing Dead In SinJesus Christ, Love OfDead To SinChrist's LoveWalking In LoveBeing Devoted to GodGod's Love For UsDeath Of Loved OneGod Being In ControlGods Loveboyfriends

The person who has the Son [in his heart] possesses this "life;" the one who does not have the Son of God does not possess this "life." Verse ConceptsSpiritual DeathGospel, Promises OfOrigins Of Spiritual LifeUniquenessFellowship With ChristLife Is In ChristOccupants Of HellUniversalismEternal lifeSpiritual lifeeternity

So, Jesus answered them, "Truly, truly, I tell you, unless you eat the physical body of the Son of man and drink His blood, you do not have [spiritual] life in yourselves [Note: The references to "body" and "blood" throughout this section allude to taking Jesus' life and teaching into one's heart. See verse 56]. Verse ConceptsFellowship With ChristBeverages, FigurativeJesus As Son Of ManBeing Dead In SinPeople Consuming BloodNot Maintaining LifeChrist Telling The TruthTruly TrulyJesus As FoodThe Blood Of Jesuscommunionmuscles



Show 9 more verses
"Truly, truly, I tell you, the person who listens to my message and believes [in] the One who sent me [i.e., God] has never ending life [i.e., as a hope. See Titus 1:2; 3:7]. He will not be judged [and condemned], but has [already] passed from being [spiritually] dead to being [spiritually] alive. Truly, truly, I tell you, the time is coming, and is now [actually] here, when those who are [spiritually] dead will hear the voice of the Son of God; and those who hear [i.e., and heed His message] will have [spiritual] life. For [just] as the Father is Himself [the source of] life, in the same way He gave to His Son also [the power] to be [the source of] life.

[But] this is the bread that has come down from heaven [i.e., Jesus is referring to Himself], so that a person who eats of it [i.e., believes in Jesus] will not die [spiritually]. I am the living bread who came down from heaven; if anyone eats this bread, he will live forever. Yes, and the bread that I will give [him] is my physical body, [so] that the world can have [never ending] life."

But the free gift [of salvation through Christ] is not [exactly] like the sin [of Adam]. For if many people died [physically] because of the sin of the one man [i.e., Adam], how much more did God's favor abound by [providing] His gracious gift [of salvation] to many people because of the one man, Jesus Christ. Verse ConceptsAdam and Jesus ChristGod's attitude towards peopleParticipation, In ChristAbounding, Good ThingsGrace, Description OfSalvation, As A GiftSaving GraceGrowth In GraceMany Seeking SalvationSin Producing DeathNot Like ThingsOnly One PersonSin Produces DeathThe Grace Of ChristThe Grace Of GodGod's Grace

For by means of God's commandment [against sinning], sin found an opportunity to deceive me and [even] kill me [spiritually]. Verse ConceptsSin Producing DeathDeceiving OneselfRight Time For The DevilEffect Of The LawSin Produces DeathDeception

For those people who are [controlled] by the flesh think about [i.e., desire] what the flesh wants; but those who are [controlled] by the Holy Spirit [desire] what the Holy Spirit wants. For the one whose mind is [controlled] by the flesh will suffer [spiritual] death; but the one whose mind is [controlled] by the Holy Spirit will enjoy [never ending] life and peace.

So then, brothers, we are under obligation, but not to live under [the control of] the flesh, for if you people live under [the control of] the flesh, you must die [spiritually]; but if you put to death [i.e., stop practicing] the [sinful] habits of the body by [the power of] the Holy Spirit, you will live [spiritually].

restored [spiritual] life to us with Christ, even though we were [spiritually] dead because of our sins --- it is by God's unearned favor that you have been saved. God raised us up with Christ [See Col. 2:12] and seated us with Him in the heavenly realms [i.e., in the church. See 1:3] in [fellowship with] Christ Jesus.

So, it says, "You who are asleep, wake up and rise from the dead, and Christ will shine on you [i.e., illuminate you]." [Note: The foregoing words may have been an early saying, used at someone's immersion, which included the ideas of "rising up" (See Col. 2:12) and "illumination" (See Heb. 6:4)]. Verse ConceptsBeing AwakeLight, SpiritualSleep, SpiritualRising LateBeing Dead In SinSleep, Warnings AgainstWakefulnessActive LifestylesAnestheticGod Giving LightOur ResurrectionWake Up!RisingawakeningpotentialLight As A Symbol Of Salvation

And when you were [spiritually] dead because of your sins and your lack of being physically circumcised [Note: This refers to their having been unconverted Gentiles and therefore outside of a relationship with God], God made you alive [again] together with Christ, having forgiven us for all of our sins. Verse ConceptsAbility, Of God To SaveSpiritual DeathFaultsFall Of Man, Consequences Ofeternal life, experience ofBeing Born AgainOrigins Of Spiritual LifePaul, Teaching OfRegenerationResurrection, SpiritualSalvation, Nature OfSin, Effects OfUncircumcisionSpiritual Life, Nature OfSpiritual Life, Described ByBeing Dead In SinLife With ChristSpiritually DeadGod Has ForgivenOur ResurrectionFeeling Lost


And when you were [spiritually] dead because of your sins and your lack of being physically circumcised [Note: This refers to their having been unconverted Gentiles and therefore outside of a relationship with God], God made you alive [again] together with Christ, having forgiven us for all of our sins. Verse ConceptsAbility, Of God To SaveSpiritual DeathFaultsFall Of Man, Consequences Ofeternal life, experience ofBeing Born AgainOrigins Of Spiritual LifePaul, Teaching OfRegenerationResurrection, SpiritualSalvation, Nature OfSin, Effects OfUncircumcisionSpiritual Life, Nature OfSpiritual Life, Described ByBeing Dead In SinLife With ChristSpiritually DeadGod Has ForgivenOur ResurrectionFeeling Lost


And when you were [spiritually] dead because of your sins and your lack of being physically circumcised [Note: This refers to their having been unconverted Gentiles and therefore outside of a relationship with God], God made you alive [again] together with Christ, having forgiven us for all of our sins. Verse ConceptsAbility, Of God To SaveSpiritual DeathFaultsFall Of Man, Consequences Ofeternal life, experience ofBeing Born AgainOrigins Of Spiritual LifePaul, Teaching OfRegenerationResurrection, SpiritualSalvation, Nature OfSin, Effects OfUncircumcisionSpiritual Life, Nature OfSpiritual Life, Described ByBeing Dead In SinLife With ChristSpiritually DeadGod Has ForgivenOur ResurrectionFeeling Lost





And when you were [spiritually] dead because of your sins and your lack of being physically circumcised [Note: This refers to their having been unconverted Gentiles and therefore outside of a relationship with God], God made you alive [again] together with Christ, having forgiven us for all of our sins. Verse ConceptsAbility, Of God To SaveSpiritual DeathFaultsFall Of Man, Consequences Ofeternal life, experience ofBeing Born AgainOrigins Of Spiritual LifePaul, Teaching OfRegenerationResurrection, SpiritualSalvation, Nature OfSin, Effects OfUncircumcisionSpiritual Life, Nature OfSpiritual Life, Described ByBeing Dead In SinLife With ChristSpiritually DeadGod Has ForgivenOur ResurrectionFeeling Lost










Pay attention so that no one takes you [spiritually] captive through his philosophy and empty deception based on human tradition, according to the principles of the world and not according to Christ. For all of the fullness of Deity lives in His body, and you people have been made full [i.e., spiritually complete] in [fellowship with] Him, who is the [spiritual] head over all who rule and have authority. read more.
In [fellowship with] Him you people were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human beings, but performed by Christ, consisting of the removal of the body of [sinful] flesh. [This happened when you were] buried with Christ in [the act of] immersion, from which you were also raised up with Him through [your] faith in the accomplishment of God, who raised Him up from the dead. And when you were [spiritually] dead because of your sins and your lack of being physically circumcised [Note: This refers to their having been unconverted Gentiles and therefore outside of a relationship with God], God made you alive [again] together with Christ, having forgiven us for all of our sins.

Show 1 more verse
So, as God's elect [i.e., His people], holy and dearly loved [by Him], clothe yourselves with a heart of compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Tolerate one another's [weaknesses] and forgive each other if anyone [of you] has a complaint against someone else. You should forgive people just as the Lord forgave you.

Pay attention so that no one takes you [spiritually] captive through his philosophy and empty deception based on human tradition, according to the principles of the world and not according to Christ. For all of the fullness of Deity lives in His body, and you people have been made full [i.e., spiritually complete] in [fellowship with] Him, who is the [spiritual] head over all who rule and have authority. read more.
In [fellowship with] Him you people were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human beings, but performed by Christ, consisting of the removal of the body of [sinful] flesh. [This happened when you were] buried with Christ in [the act of] immersion, from which you were also raised up with Him through [your] faith in the accomplishment of God, who raised Him up from the dead. And when you were [spiritually] dead because of your sins and your lack of being physically circumcised [Note: This refers to their having been unconverted Gentiles and therefore outside of a relationship with God], God made you alive [again] together with Christ, having forgiven us for all of our sins. He canceled the document written in ordinances [Note: This obviously refers to the Mosaic law] that was against us and was opposed to us, and has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross. [In doing this] Christ disarmed the rulers and authorities [i.e., evil forces] and made a public display of them, triumphing over them through the cross. [Note: This could possibly be rendered "God triumphed over them through Christ"].

So, I endure everything for the elect's sake [i.e., God's people], so that they can obtain the salvation which comes through Christ Jesus, with [its] never ending splendor. Verse Conceptseternal life, nature ofEndurance, Results Ofelection, to salvationChristiansGlorySalvation, Described AsEternal BlessingEnduringThe Gospel Of SalvationTemporary Affliction Of SaintsSelflessness


nor [things] above, nor [things] below, nor any [other] created thing will be able to separate us from God's love [for us], revealed through Christ Jesus our Lord [Note: The idea of this passage is "Regardless of what happens to us, God still loves us"]. Verse ConceptsdepthLove, Nature OfChrist, Names ForAgape LoveSpiritual DepthsNothing MissingGod's Love For UsGod's Creation

And when you were [spiritually] dead because of your sins and your lack of being physically circumcised [Note: This refers to their having been unconverted Gentiles and therefore outside of a relationship with God], God made you alive [again] together with Christ, having forgiven us for all of our sins. Verse ConceptsAbility, Of God To SaveSpiritual DeathFaultsFall Of Man, Consequences Ofeternal life, experience ofBeing Born AgainOrigins Of Spiritual LifePaul, Teaching OfRegenerationResurrection, SpiritualSalvation, Nature OfSin, Effects OfUncircumcisionSpiritual Life, Nature OfSpiritual Life, Described ByBeing Dead In SinLife With ChristSpiritually DeadGod Has ForgivenOur ResurrectionFeeling Lost



And when you were [spiritually] dead because of your sins and your lack of being physically circumcised [Note: This refers to their having been unconverted Gentiles and therefore outside of a relationship with God], God made you alive [again] together with Christ, having forgiven us for all of our sins. Verse ConceptsAbility, Of God To SaveSpiritual DeathFaultsFall Of Man, Consequences Ofeternal life, experience ofBeing Born AgainOrigins Of Spiritual LifePaul, Teaching OfRegenerationResurrection, SpiritualSalvation, Nature OfSin, Effects OfUncircumcisionSpiritual Life, Nature OfSpiritual Life, Described ByBeing Dead In SinLife With ChristSpiritually DeadGod Has ForgivenOur ResurrectionFeeling Lost


But if the Spirit of God, who raised up Jesus from the dead, lives in your hearts, [then] that One [i.e., God] who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead, will restore life to your mortal bodies also, through [the power of] God's Spirit who lives in your hearts. Verse ConceptsBodyGospel, Confirmation OfOrigins Of Spiritual LifeMortalityPaul, Teaching OfSpiritualityWaitingIndwelling Of The Holy SpiritPower Of Holy Spirit, Shown InActive LifestylesProvision For The BodyGod Raising ChristChrist Would RiseOur ResurrectionUniversalismThe power of ChristRosesrevival

For if their rejection [by God] meant that [the rest of] the world could be restored to favor [with God], what would [God's] receiving the Jews back into fellowship be, except like dead people coming back to life? Verse ConceptsReconciliation, Of The World To GodAcceptance, Of The GospelPeace Made Through ChristReconciliation with GodAcceptanceLosing A FriendReconciliationRejection

For my son here was dead [spiritually], but is [now] alive again. He was lost [from me], but [now] is found.' And they began to celebrate. Verse ConceptsSpiritually DeadFinding PeopleLost PeopleRejoicing In ReliefMissing SomeoneCelebrationBeing Lost

If then you people have been raised up together with Christ [i.e., from your burial in immersion, See 2:12-13 with Rom. 6:4], pay attention to the things that are above [i.e., heavenly things], where Christ is seated at the right side of God. Verse ConceptsAffection, Kinds OfConformityBehaviourGospel, Historical Foundation OfHand Of GodRight Hand Of GodHeart, Affections OfSpirituality, Principles OfNew Birth, Described AsRight SidesOur ResurrectionSocial dutiesPositive ThinkingEthicsseekingreality


And when you were [spiritually] dead because of your sins and your lack of being physically circumcised [Note: This refers to their having been unconverted Gentiles and therefore outside of a relationship with God], God made you alive [again] together with Christ, having forgiven us for all of our sins. Verse ConceptsAbility, Of God To SaveSpiritual DeathFaultsFall Of Man, Consequences Ofeternal life, experience ofBeing Born AgainOrigins Of Spiritual LifePaul, Teaching OfRegenerationResurrection, SpiritualSalvation, Nature OfSin, Effects OfUncircumcisionSpiritual Life, Nature OfSpiritual Life, Described ByBeing Dead In SinLife With ChristSpiritually DeadGod Has ForgivenOur ResurrectionFeeling Lost

I am writing to you, little children [i.e., dear ones], because you have been forgiven of your sins for [the sake of] Christ's name. Verse ConceptsWriting LettersChildren And The KingdomChildren In The FaithGod Has ForgivenLove And ForgivenessForgiveness Kjv


And when you were [spiritually] dead because of your sins and your lack of being physically circumcised [Note: This refers to their having been unconverted Gentiles and therefore outside of a relationship with God], God made you alive [again] together with Christ, having forgiven us for all of our sins. Verse ConceptsAbility, Of God To SaveSpiritual DeathFaultsFall Of Man, Consequences Ofeternal life, experience ofBeing Born AgainOrigins Of Spiritual LifePaul, Teaching OfRegenerationResurrection, SpiritualSalvation, Nature OfSin, Effects OfUncircumcisionSpiritual Life, Nature OfSpiritual Life, Described ByBeing Dead In SinLife With ChristSpiritually DeadGod Has ForgivenOur ResurrectionFeeling Lost





And when you were [spiritually] dead because of your sins and your lack of being physically circumcised [Note: This refers to their having been unconverted Gentiles and therefore outside of a relationship with God], God made you alive [again] together with Christ, having forgiven us for all of our sins. Verse ConceptsAbility, Of God To SaveSpiritual DeathFaultsFall Of Man, Consequences Ofeternal life, experience ofBeing Born AgainOrigins Of Spiritual LifePaul, Teaching OfRegenerationResurrection, SpiritualSalvation, Nature OfSin, Effects OfUncircumcisionSpiritual Life, Nature OfSpiritual Life, Described ByBeing Dead In SinLife With ChristSpiritually DeadGod Has ForgivenOur ResurrectionFeeling Lost


But if the Spirit of God, who raised up Jesus from the dead, lives in your hearts, [then] that One [i.e., God] who raised up Christ Jesus from the dead, will restore life to your mortal bodies also, through [the power of] God's Spirit who lives in your hearts. Verse ConceptsBodyGospel, Confirmation OfOrigins Of Spiritual LifeMortalityPaul, Teaching OfSpiritualityWaitingIndwelling Of The Holy SpiritPower Of Holy Spirit, Shown InActive LifestylesProvision For The BodyGod Raising ChristChrist Would RiseOur ResurrectionUniversalismThe power of ChristRosesrevival

For if their rejection [by God] meant that [the rest of] the world could be restored to favor [with God], what would [God's] receiving the Jews back into fellowship be, except like dead people coming back to life? Verse ConceptsReconciliation, Of The World To GodAcceptance, Of The GospelPeace Made Through ChristReconciliation with GodAcceptanceLosing A FriendReconciliationRejection

For my son here was dead [spiritually], but is [now] alive again. He was lost [from me], but [now] is found.' And they began to celebrate. Verse ConceptsSpiritually DeadFinding PeopleLost PeopleRejoicing In ReliefMissing SomeoneCelebrationBeing Lost

If then you people have been raised up together with Christ [i.e., from your burial in immersion, See 2:12-13 with Rom. 6:4], pay attention to the things that are above [i.e., heavenly things], where Christ is seated at the right side of God. Verse ConceptsAffection, Kinds OfConformityBehaviourGospel, Historical Foundation OfHand Of GodRight Hand Of GodHeart, Affections OfSpirituality, Principles OfNew Birth, Described AsRight SidesOur ResurrectionSocial dutiesPositive ThinkingEthicsseekingreality



And when you were [spiritually] dead because of your sins and your lack of being physically circumcised [Note: This refers to their having been unconverted Gentiles and therefore outside of a relationship with God], God made you alive [again] together with Christ, having forgiven us for all of our sins. Verse ConceptsAbility, Of God To SaveSpiritual DeathFaultsFall Of Man, Consequences Ofeternal life, experience ofBeing Born AgainOrigins Of Spiritual LifePaul, Teaching OfRegenerationResurrection, SpiritualSalvation, Nature OfSin, Effects OfUncircumcisionSpiritual Life, Nature OfSpiritual Life, Described ByBeing Dead In SinLife With ChristSpiritually DeadGod Has ForgivenOur ResurrectionFeeling Lost




Then one of the [twenty-four] elders said to me, "Do not cry; look, the Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of King David, has gained the victory, so He can break the seven seals on the book and open it." Verse ConceptsdefeatLions, Figurative Use OfLionsRootsSealsNames And Titles For ChristJesus As Son Of DavidPromised VictorySeven ThingsThe Act Of OpeningOpening DocumentsChrist OvercomingDo Not MournPeople Of JudahLion Of The Tribe Of Judah

"Write [this] to the angel of the church at Laodicia: These are the words of the Amen, the faithful and true Witness, the source [or, ruler] of God's creation [See John 1:3; Heb. 1:1-2]: I know about your deeds, that you are neither [spiritually] cold nor hot. I wish you were [either] cold or hot. But since you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am about to vomit you out of my mouth. read more.
For you are saying, 'I am wealthy; I have made plenty of money and do not need anything.' But you do not know that you are [spiritually] wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. [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]. "I rebuke and discipline those I love, so be earnest and repent. Look, I am standing at [your] door and knocking; if anyone hears my voice [i.e., the sound of my knocking], and opens the door, I will [surely] come in to him and eat with him and he [will eat] with me. The person who has victory [in the Christian life], I will grant him [the privilege of] sitting down with me on my throne, as I also had victory and sat down with my Father on His throne.

Pay attention so that no one takes you [spiritually] captive through his philosophy and empty deception based on human tradition, according to the principles of the world and not according to Christ. For all of the fullness of Deity lives in His body, and you people have been made full [i.e., spiritually complete] in [fellowship with] Him, who is the [spiritual] head over all who rule and have authority. read more.
In [fellowship with] Him you people were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human beings, but performed by Christ, consisting of the removal of the body of [sinful] flesh. [This happened when you were] buried with Christ in [the act of] immersion, from which you were also raised up with Him through [your] faith in the accomplishment of God, who raised Him up from the dead. And when you were [spiritually] dead because of your sins and your lack of being physically circumcised [Note: This refers to their having been unconverted Gentiles and therefore outside of a relationship with God], God made you alive [again] together with Christ, having forgiven us for all of our sins. He canceled the document written in ordinances [Note: This obviously refers to the Mosaic law] that was against us and was opposed to us, and has taken it out of the way, nailing it to the cross. [In doing this] Christ disarmed the rulers and authorities [i.e., evil forces] and made a public display of them, triumphing over them through the cross. [Note: This could possibly be rendered "God triumphed over them through Christ"].



Jesus replied to them, "Do you believe [in me] now? Look, the time is coming --- yes, it is already here --- when each of you will be scattered to his own home, and will leave me [all] alone. And yet I am not alone, because the Father is with me. I have said these things to you so that you can have peace in [fellowship with] me. You will have trouble in the world, but cheer up, for I have conquered the world."


"And the ten horns you saw are ten kings, who have not received a kingdom yet, but for one hour they will receive authority as kings, along with the beast. These kings have one purpose, and they give their power and authority to the beast. These kings and the beast will wage war against the Lamb, and the Lamb will conquer them, for He is the Lord of lords and the King of kings. And those who are called and chosen [by God], and who are faithful [to Him will share the victory] with the Lamb."