Thematic Bible: Encouraged


Thematic Bible








for you who, through faith, are being guarded by the power of God, awaiting a Salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last days. At the thought of this you are full of exultation, though (if it has been necessary) you have suffered for the moment somewhat from various trials;
















And masters, treat your slaves in the same spirit. Give up threatening them; for you know that he who is both their Master and yours is in Heaven, and that before him there is no distinction of rank. Verse ConceptsequalityBeing FairAbuse Of Authority, Warnings AgainstGod, Justice OfGod, Impartiality OfMastersPrejudiceServants, Working Conditions OfSlavery, In NtThreatsMasters Duties Towards ServantsEmployersChrist And HeavenChrist Is My LordslaveryRespectTreating OthersNever Giving Up















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. Verse Conceptsevil, believers' responses toAttackingGrudgesKindnessOpposition, To Sin And EvilRevenge, And RetaliationSpiteCourtesyDo Good!Repaying Evil For EvilTurning The Other Cheek





And indeed you do act in this spirit towards all the Brethren throughout Macedonia. Yet, Brothers, we urge you to still further efforts. Verse Conceptsencouragement, examples ofGrowthSpiritual GrowthGrowth In Grace

Now on this subject I have much to say, but it is difficult to explain it to you, because you have shown yourselves so slow to learn. For whereas, considering the time that has elapsed, you ought to be teaching others, you still need some one to teach you the very alphabet of the Divine Revelation, and need again to be fed with 'milk' instead of with 'solid food.' For every one who still has to take 'milk' knows nothing of the Teaching of Righteousness; he is a mere infant. read more.
But 'solid food' is for Christians of mature faith--those whose faculties have been trained by practice to distinguish right from wrong.

Therefore, let us leave behind the elementary teaching about the Christ and press on to perfection, not always laying over again a foundation of repentance for a lifeless formality, of faith in God-- teaching concerning baptisms and the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead and a final judgment. Yes and, with God's help, we will. read more.
For if those who were once for all brought into the Light, and learned to appreciate the gift from Heaven, and came to share in the Holy Spirit, and learned to appreciate the beauty of the Divine Message, and the new powers of the Coming Age-- if those, I say, fell away, it would be impossible to bring them again to repentance; they would be crucifying the Son of God over again for themselves, and exposing him to open contempt. Ground that drinks in the showers that from time to time fall upon it, and produces vegetation useful to those for whom it is tilled, receives a blessing from God; but, if it 'bears thorns and thistles,' it is regarded as worthless, it is in danger of being 'cursed,' and its end will be the fire. But about you, dear friends, even though we speak in this way, we are confident of better things--of things that point to your Salvation. For God is not unjust; he will not forget the work that you did, and the love that you showed for his Name, in sending help to your fellow Christians--as you are still doing. But our great desire is that every one of you should be equally earnest to attain to a full conviction that our hope will be fulfilled, and that you should keep that hope to the end. Then you will not show yourselves slow to learn, but you will copy those who, through faith and patience, are now entering upon the enjoyment of God's promises. When God gave his promise to Abraham, since there was no one greater by whom he could swear, he swore by himself. His words were-- 'I will assuredly bless thee and increase thy numbers.' And so, after patiently waiting, Abraham obtained the fulfillment of God's promise. Men, of course, swear by what is greater than themselves, and with them an oath is accepted as putting a matter beyond all dispute.




Yes, and for this very reason do your best to supplement your faith by goodness, goodness by knowledge, knowledge by self-control, self-control by endurance, endurance by piety,



Therefore, let us leave behind the elementary teaching about the Christ and press on to perfection, not always laying over again a foundation of repentance for a lifeless formality, of faith in God-- Verse ConceptsBecoming An AdultRestored In Jesus ChristPerfection, HumanProgressCharismatic IssuesMan's Conduct Towards GodSpiritual GrowthBeginning To TeachBelief In GodRepentance And ForgivenessWorks Of The LawDoctrines of the The GospelMoving OnSchoolMaturitymanhooddoctrineGod As The Object Of Faith








No, when you are invited, go and take the lowest place, so that, when he who has invited you comes, he may say to you 'Friend, come higher up'; and then you will be honored in the eyes of all your fellow-guests. Verse ConceptsPresumptionSeatsMoving UpwardsReclining To EatBe Humble!Guest RoomsBeing HumbleMoving OnMoving To A New PlaceWaiting Till Marriageovereating

In fulfillment of the charge with which I have been entrusted, I bid every one of you not to think more highly of himself than he ought to think, but to think till he learns to think soberly--in accordance with the measure of faith that God has allotted to each. Verse ConceptsFaith, Origins OfIndividualismHumilityModestyAttention SeekersPresumptionPride, Evil OfSelf ConfidenceSelf DisciplineSelf RespectThoughtOverestimationMaintaining FaithDo Not Be ProudThe Grace Given To MenElectSelf WorthSelf EsteemBelieving In YourselfConfidence And Self EsteemSelf ImageefficiencymeasurementGod As The Source Of Faith

True; it was because of their want of faith that they were broken off, and it is because of your faith that you are standing. Do not think too highly of yourself, but beware. Verse ConceptsStandingUnbelief, Nature And Effects OfArrogance, Rejection OfSaved By FaithDo Not Be ProudDoubting GodBelieving In YourselfUnbelief Toward God


But with you it must not be so. No, let the greatest among you become like the youngest, and him who leads like him who serves. Verse ConceptsBeing A LeaderAmbition, Warnings RegardingServant, BondPresumptionUnselfishnessPriorityServants Of PeopleGreatness Of DisciplesLike ChildrenDifferent TeachingsServant Leadership













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. Verse ConceptsBeing In DebtAuthority, of human institutionsHuman Authority, Christian ResponseTaxationTributesCitizenshipHonour The HonourableTax To Be PaidRespectRespecting ParentsRespecting Authoritytaxes






for you who, through faith, are being guarded by the power of God, awaiting a Salvation that is ready to be revealed in the last days. At the thought of this you are full of exultation, though (if it has been necessary) you have suffered for the moment somewhat from various trials;


What I tell you in the dark, say again in the light; and what is whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. Verse ConceptsRooftopBeelzebubHousetopsGo And PreachFaintnessFrom Darkness To LightOvertaken By DarknessSpreading StoriesDisclosuresUnder One's BreathDarknessAnxiety And Stress



But Jesus said: "Leave the dead to bury their dead; but go yourself and carry far and wide the news of the Kingdom of God." Verse ConceptsMinisters, Should Not BeGo And PreachSpiritually Deadgoodbyes


"Go," he said, "and stand in the Temple Courts, and tell the people the whole Message of this new Life." Verse ConceptsNewnessMinisters, Way They Should TeachGo And PreachLife By God's WordDisciples In The TempleSpeaking As From God









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. Verse Conceptsevil, believers' responses toAttackingGrudgesKindnessOpposition, To Sin And EvilRevenge, And RetaliationSpiteCourtesyDo Good!Repaying Evil For EvilTurning The Other Cheek
















Rather--'If your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him to drink. By doing this you will heap coals of fire upon his head.' Never be conquered by evil, but conquer evil with good.


What I tell you in the dark, say again in the light; and what is whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. Verse ConceptsRooftopBeelzebubHousetopsGo And PreachFaintnessFrom Darkness To LightOvertaken By DarknessSpreading StoriesDisclosuresUnder One's BreathDarknessAnxiety And Stress



But Jesus said: "Leave the dead to bury their dead; but go yourself and carry far and wide the news of the Kingdom of God." Verse ConceptsMinisters, Should Not BeGo And PreachSpiritually Deadgoodbyes


"Go," he said, "and stand in the Temple Courts, and tell the people the whole Message of this new Life." Verse ConceptsNewnessMinisters, Way They Should TeachGo And PreachLife By God's WordDisciples In The TempleSpeaking As From God











Then suddenly there appeared with the angel a multitude of the heavenly Host, praising God, and singing-- "Glory to God on high, And on earth peace among men in whom he finds pleasure."


They are singing what seems to be a new song, before the throne, and before the four Creatures and the Councillors; and no one was able to learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who had been redeemed from earth. Verse ConceptsCreatureselders, in the churchMarketsSongsThroneAbundance, SpiritualHeaven, Worshiping GodBeastsFour CreaturesOne Hundred Thousand And MoreCosmic CreaturesA New SongFruitless LearningElders In Heaven144,000elders

saying-- 'We thank thee, O Lord, our God, the Almighty, who art and who wast, that thou hast assumed thy great power and reigned. Verse ConceptsGod, Power OfGod, The EternalThanksgivingThanksgiving, OfferedThe AlmightyThe Existence Of GodGod Showed His PowerWe Thank GodThank YouBeing Grateful

These four Creatures have each of them six wings, and all round, and within, they are full of eyes; and day and night they never cease to say-- 'Holy, holy, holy is the Lord, our God, the Almighty, who was, and who is, and who shall be.' Verse ConceptsGod, Holiness OfdoxologyNightSeraphimWingsWorship, Reasons ForGod, TrinityPraise, Should Be Offered ByThe AlmightyUnceasing PraiseThe Existence Of GodFour CreaturesSix ThingsUnceasingAlways PraisingInside And OutEyes In ProphecyFeet Of CreaturesThe Fact Of His ComingEyesCherubimPurgatoryrejuvenationAngelic Beings Praising God

Then, in my vision, I heard the voices of many angels round the throne, and of the Creatures, and of the Councillors. In number they were 'ten thousand times ten thousand and thousands of thousands,' and they cried in a loud voice--'Worthy is the Lamb that was sacrificed to receive all power, and wealth, and wisdom, and might, and honour, and praise, and blessing.'

And all the angels were standing round the throne and the Councillors and the four Creatures, and they prostrated themselves on their faces in front of the throne and worshiped God, saying-- 'Amen. Blessing and praise, and wisdom, and thanksgiving, and honour, and power, and might be ascribed to our God for ever and ever. Amen.'

and from the throne there came a voice which said-- 'Praise our God all you who serve him, You who reverence him, both high and low.' Verse ConceptsBabylonPraise, Reasons ForSmallnessReverence To GodGod's VoiceGreat And SmallPraise The Lord!Slaves Of GodGay Marriage


















If, then, a man has escaped from the pollution of such errors as I have mentioned, he will be like a thing kept for better use, set apart, serviceable to its owner, ready for any good purpose. Verse ConceptsFutilityGood WorksReadinessSelf DenialChristians, Names OfHoly VesselsPurgingPeople Have HonourUseful PeoplePreparationSanctificationChanging Yourselfcleansinginstrumentsmasterpiece




Get rid entirely of the old leaven, so that you may be like new dough-free from leaven, as in truth you are. For our Passover Lamb is already sacrificed-Christ himself; Verse ConceptsAtonement, in NTAtonement, Types OfLambsMalicePassoverPassover lambSacramentsSin, God's Remedy ForTypesChrist, Types OfShowbreadPurgingAnimal Sacrifices, As A Type Of ChristOld NatureFreshIdentity






All such people we urge, and entreat, in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, to attend quietly to their business, and earn their own living. Verse ConceptsMoney, Stewardship OfQuietnessPhysical LabourDoing One's WorkMen's OrdersMen Working


What I tell you in the dark, say again in the light; and what is whispered in your ear, proclaim upon the housetops. Verse ConceptsRooftopBeelzebubHousetopsGo And PreachFaintnessFrom Darkness To LightOvertaken By DarknessSpreading StoriesDisclosuresUnder One's BreathDarknessAnxiety And Stress



But Jesus said: "Leave the dead to bury their dead; but go yourself and carry far and wide the news of the Kingdom of God." Verse ConceptsMinisters, Should Not BeGo And PreachSpiritually Deadgoodbyes


"Go," he said, "and stand in the Temple Courts, and tell the people the whole Message of this new Life." Verse ConceptsNewnessMinisters, Way They Should TeachGo And PreachLife By God's WordDisciples In The TempleSpeaking As From God








But, while Paul was speaking at length about righteousness, self-control, and the coming judgment, Felix became terrified, and interrupted him--"Go for the present, but, when I find an opportunity, I will send for you again." Verse ConceptsConviction, Not Leading To RepentanceGiving, Of TimeBribery, Examples OfIndecisionSelf ControlEternal JudgmentConviction Of SinJudgement To ComeThe Final JudgementGod Doing RightDoing RightNowRight Time For PeopleThose Frightened Of GodOpportunityJudgement DayEthics



Awake to a righteous life, and cease to sin. There are some who have no true knowledge of God. I speak in this way to shame you. Verse ConceptsConversion, God's demands forSin, Avoidance OfWakefulnessRighteousnessIgnorance of GodMoving OnKnowing Godignoranceawakeningshunning










Put yourselves to the proof, to see whether you are holding to the Faith. Test yourselves. Surely you recognize this fact about yourselves--that Jesus Christ is in you! Unless indeed you cannot stand the test! Verse ConceptsAcademicsFellowship With ChristComplacencyProving, Through TestingTestingUnion With Christ, Significance OfCharacter Of WickedSelf ExaminationExamining YourselfJudging OurselvesThe FaithBelieving In YourselfTestsexams














And indeed you do act in this spirit towards all the Brethren throughout Macedonia. Yet, Brothers, we urge you to still further efforts. Verse Conceptsencouragement, examples ofGrowthSpiritual GrowthGrowth In Grace




Yes, and for this very reason do your best to supplement your faith by goodness, goodness by knowledge, knowledge by self-control, self-control by endurance, endurance by piety,



Therefore, let us leave behind the elementary teaching about the Christ and press on to perfection, not always laying over again a foundation of repentance for a lifeless formality, of faith in God-- Verse ConceptsBecoming An AdultRestored In Jesus ChristPerfection, HumanProgressCharismatic IssuesMan's Conduct Towards GodSpiritual GrowthBeginning To TeachBelief In GodRepentance And ForgivenessWorks Of The LawDoctrines of the The GospelMoving OnSchoolMaturitymanhooddoctrineGod As The Object Of Faith




















"Go," he said, "and stand in the Temple Courts, and tell the people the whole Message of this new Life." When they heard this, they went at daybreak into the Temple Courts, and began to teach. The High Priest and his party, on their arrival, summoned the High Council, including all the leading men among the Israelites, and sent to the jail to fetch the Apostles.

One night the Lord said to Paul, in a vision: "Have no fear, but continue to speak, and refuse to be silenced; For I am with you, and no one shall do you harm, for I have many People in this city."

Then he said 'The God of our ancestors has appointed you to learn his will, and to see the Righteous One, and to hear words from his lips; For you shall be a witness for him to all the world of what you have just seen and heard.

For it is by God's loving-kindness that you have been saved, through your faith. It is not due to yourselves; the gift is God's. It is not due to obedience to Law, lest any one should boast.


And why? Because they looked to obedience, and not to faith, to secure it. They stumbled over 'the Stumbling-block.' Verse ConceptsProphecies Concerning ChristTrusting In WorksSaved By FaithWorks Of The LawConversion Of Israel


On 'That Day' many will say to me 'Master, Master, was not it in your name that we taught, and in your name that we drove out demons, and in your name that we did many miracles?' And then I shall say to them plainly 'I never knew you. Go from my presence, you who live in sin.'



But, when the kindness of God our Savior and his love for man were revealed, he saved us, not as the result of any righteous actions that we had done, but in fulfillment of his merciful purposes. He saved us by that Washing which was a New Birth to us, and by the renewing power of the Holy Spirit,

I know your life, your toil and endurance, and I know that you cannot tolerate evil-doers. I know, too, how you tested those who declare that they are Apostles, though they are not, and how you proved them false. Verse ConceptsClaimsLiesToleranceChurch DisciplineFalse Teachers, Examples OfChrist's Knowledge Of BelieversBad CompanyEvil AssociationsChrist Knowing About PeopleFalse WaysFalse ApostlesThe Fact Of ToilOne's DeedsFalse Apostles, Prophets And TeachersEnduranceHard Work And Perseverance

At Jaffa there lived a disciple whose name was Tabitha, which is in Greek 'Dorcas'--a Gazelle. Her life was spent in doing kind and charitable actions. Verse ConceptsActs of KindnessExploitationsAttitudes, to other peopleGood WorksPoverty, Attitudes TowardsPoverty, Remedies ForAlmsgivingAltruismCharityMeaningDeer Etc.Helping OthersHelping The PoorDeerHelping Others In Needmakeup

For, when I was hungry, you gave me food; when I was thirsty, you gave me drink; when I was a stranger, you took me to your homes; When I was naked, you clothed me; when I fell ill, you visited me; and when I was in prison, you came to me.'



a woman came up to him with an alabaster jar of very costly perfume, and poured the perfume upon his head as he was at table. The disciples were indignant at seeing this. "What is this waste for?" they exclaimed.

"Why are you troubling the woman?" Jesus said, when he noticed it. "For this is a beautiful deed that she has done to me. Verse ConceptsCommendationChrist Knowing About PeopleDo Not HinderWomen's Beauty


How true that saying is! And it is on these subjects that I desire you to lay especial stress, so that those who have learned to trust in God may be careful to devote themselves to doing good. Such subjects are excellent in themselves, and of real use to mankind. Verse ConceptseagernessProfitsWork, And RedemptionProfitable ThingsFaithful SayingsBelief In GodDo Good!Useful ThingsWorks Of FaithAnxiety And StressWork Ethic





In just the same way faith, if not followed by actions, is, by itself, a lifeless thing. Some one, indeed, may say--"You are a man of faith, and I am a man of action." "Then show me your faith," I reply, "apart from any actions, and I will show you my faith by my actions."



It is always honorable to have your favor sought in an honorable cause, and not only when I am with you, my dear children-- Verse ConceptsEnthusiasmFervourZealIn Men's PresenceDoing The Right Thing






But I think it my duty, as long as I live in this 'tent,' to rouse you by awakening memories of the past; Verse ConceptsFervourZealMemoriesReminders Of The Gospelremembrance