Thematic Bible


Thematic Bible



And all the believers [in Jesus] were together and shared everything. They sold their belongings and property and divided [the money] among all [the believers] according to each one's need.

And no one lacked anything, for all who owned property or houses sold [some of] them and brought the money and gave it to the apostles, who distributed it to each person who had a need. And Joseph, who was called by the apostles, Barnabas (which means "son of encouragement"), was a descendant of the Jewish tribe of Levi, whose family originated from [the island of] Cyprus. read more.
He owned a field, but [due to the great need] sold it and brought the money and gave it to the apostles [for distribution].

Now during the days when the disciples were multiplying in number [in Jerusalem. See verse 7], some Greek-[speaking] Jews began to complain to the Hebrews that their widows were being neglected in the daily distribution [of food]. So, the twelve apostles called the whole group of disciples together and said to them, "It is not right that we should neglect preaching the word of God in order to serve meals [to people]. Brothers, select from among you seven men with good reputations, who are full of the Holy Spirit and wisdom, whom we can appoint to take care of this matter.

[In response to this prediction], the disciples decided to send as much relief as they could to help the brothers living in Judea. So, they sent [what was donated] to the elders [of the Judean churches] by Barnabas and Saul.

"Now after several years I came [to Jerusalem] to bring relief for the poor people of my nation and to present my offerings. Verse ConceptsGiftsPoverty, Attitudes TowardsPoverty, Remedies ForAlmsgivingAltruismCharityGiving To The Poor

But for now, I am on my way to Jerusalem to minister to [the needs of] God's holy people there. For [the Christians in] Macedonia and Achaia [Note: These were provinces in Greece] thought it was a good idea to take up an offering for the poor saints at Jerusalem. For they thought it was a good idea, and [besides] they were indebted to those Jewish Christians. For if the Gentiles [have] shared in the spiritual blessings of the Jews, [then] they owe it to those Jews to help meet their material needs. read more.
So, when I have completed this task, and have guaranteed [the safe delivery of] this offering to them, I will visit you on my way to Spain.

Now concerning the collection for the [needy] saints [whom you wrote me about]: You people also should do what I directed the churches in Galatia to do. On every first day of the week [i.e., at the regular Sunday assembly] each one of you should set aside and store up [money] in proportion to your income, so that no collections will have to be taken when I come. Then when I arrive, I will send letters with the men you appoint to take the gift to Jerusalem. read more.
And if it seems suitable for me to go also, they can go with me.

Now, brothers, we want you to know about the favor God has given to the churches in Macedonia. [It is] how, in spite of their suffering severe trials, their overflowing joy and extreme poverty produced an overwhelming expression of generosity. For I testify that they gave [financial help] to the full limit of their ability, yes and even beyond it. [And they did this] entirely on their own, read more.
[even] pleading with us and requesting the privilege of taking part in this service to the saints [i.e., God's holy people] in Jerusalem. [See also 9:1-15; I Cor. 16:1-2; Rom. 15:25-28].

Now it is unnecessary for me to write you about this service to God's holy people [in Jerusalem, who were in need]. Verse ConceptsMinistry, Qualifications ForBenevolenceWriting LettersSurplusministering


[Now] we have many things to say about Melchizedek, but because of your slowness to grasp things, they are hard to explain. For certainly enough time has elapsed so that [by now] you ought to be teachers, [but instead] you are in need of having someone teach you again the basic principles of God's message. You have become people who need "milk" and not "solid food." [Note: The fundamental truths of Christianity are here figuratively spoken of as "milk," while the more advanced teaching, such as Christ's priesthood being like Melchizedek's, is called "solid food"]. For everyone who has to drink "milk" is inexperienced in the teaching about righteousness, for he is [still] a [spiritual] baby. read more.
But "solid food" is for mature people, who because of using their [spiritual] senses, have become able to distinguish good from evil.

So, we should leave the basic principles of Christ's teaching and go on to maturity. [We should] not lay again a foundation of repentance [i.e., turning away] from deeds of death [i.e., acts that lead to spiritual death or that spring from a spiritually dead person], and of faith in God; and of teaching about immersions [Note: The use of the plural word here suggests teaching on the distinctions between Jewish washings and John's and Christian immersion, whether in water or the Holy Spirit. See Acts 19:1-7], and about placing hands on people [Note: This act was practiced in the appointment of church leaders, in healing sick people and to impart supernatural gifts], and about people being raised from the dead and about never ending judgment. And we will do so [i.e., go on to more advanced teaching] if God allows us to. For it is impossible to get people who have [completely] fallen away [from God] to repent again, because they [continue to] crucify for themselves God's Son all over again, and hold Him up to contempt. read more.
[These are people] who were once enlightened [by the Gospel message], who had experienced the gift from heaven [i.e., forgiveness, never ending life, etc. See Rom. 6:23], who had partaken of the Holy Spirit [See Acts 2:38], and who had experienced the good teaching of God and the powers of the coming age [i.e., they had already received some of the blessings of the Christian life, perhaps even miraculous signs]. (OMITTED TEXT) For God blesses land that has soaked up the rain which has fallen on it, and it produces a profitable crop for those people for whom the land was farmed. But if the land produces [only] thorns and thistles, it is worthless and in danger of being cursed [by God], and will end up being burned. But, my dearly loved ones, even though we talk this way, we are persuaded that you will do better than that [i.e., you will not fall away from God], and will end up being saved. For God is not [so] unjust as to forget the work you are doing and the love you have shown for Him, as you ministered to the saints [i.e., His holy people] and continue to minister [to them]. And it is our desire that each one of you shows the same eagerness [to live for Christ], so as to be fully assured of your hope [in never ending life] until the end [of your days]. We do not want you people to be [spiritually] slack, but to imitate those who will inherit [God's] promises because of their faith and patience. For when God made a promise to Abraham, since He could not make a vow by anyone greater, He vowed by Himself, saying [Gen. 22:16-17], "I will certainly bless you and will multiply [your descendants]." And so, after waiting patiently, Abraham received what [God] had promised. For people make vows by someone greater [than themselves], and an argument is settled when someone takes an oath [that he is telling the truth].

For God is not [so] unjust as to forget the work you are doing and the love you have shown for Him, as you ministered to the saints [i.e., His holy people] and continue to minister [to them]. And it is our desire that each one of you shows the same eagerness [to live for Christ], so as to be fully assured of your hope [in never ending life] until the end [of your days]. We do not want you people to be [spiritually] slack, but to imitate those who will inherit [God's] promises because of their faith and patience.

For God is not [so] unjust as to forget the work you are doing and the love you have shown for Him, as you ministered to the saints [i.e., His holy people] and continue to minister [to them]. And it is our desire that each one of you shows the same eagerness [to live for Christ], so as to be fully assured of your hope [in never ending life] until the end [of your days]. We do not want you people to be [spiritually] slack, but to imitate those who will inherit [God's] promises because of their faith and patience.




But the person who looks closely into the perfect law that brings freedom, and continues to do so, is not a listener who forgets [what he hears], but someone who does the work [it requires]. This person will be blessed for doing so. Verse ConceptsBeing A BlessingBeing Blesseddiscipleship, benefits ofPerfection, DivineReward, DivineSanctification, Means And ResultsScripture, Sufficiency OfHearing God's WordForgetting ThingsGod Will BlessThe Law Of ChristOne's DeedsChristian LibertyFreedom


If the work of anyone lasts [i.e., if his converts are judged faithful], he will receive a reward [i.e., his converts will constitute part of his reward]. Verse ConceptsWagesReward For Worksassertiveness

But [He will bring] glory, honor and peace upon every person who does what is good; upon the Jews first, then also upon the Greeks, Verse ConceptsFavouritismTo The Jew FirstDoing GoodGod Bestowing GloryThe Gospel To Jew And Gentile











But the person who looks closely into the perfect law that brings freedom, and continues to do so, is not a listener who forgets [what he hears], but someone who does the work [it requires]. This person will be blessed for doing so. Verse ConceptsBeing A BlessingBeing Blesseddiscipleship, benefits ofPerfection, DivineReward, DivineSanctification, Means And ResultsScripture, Sufficiency OfHearing God's WordForgetting ThingsGod Will BlessThe Law Of ChristOne's DeedsChristian LibertyFreedom


If the work of anyone lasts [i.e., if his converts are judged faithful], he will receive a reward [i.e., his converts will constitute part of his reward]. Verse ConceptsWagesReward For Worksassertiveness

But [He will bring] glory, honor and peace upon every person who does what is good; upon the Jews first, then also upon the Greeks, Verse ConceptsFavouritismTo The Jew FirstDoing GoodGod Bestowing GloryThe Gospel To Jew And Gentile

[Now] we have many things to say about Melchizedek, but because of your slowness to grasp things, they are hard to explain. For certainly enough time has elapsed so that [by now] you ought to be teachers, [but instead] you are in need of having someone teach you again the basic principles of God's message. You have become people who need "milk" and not "solid food." [Note: The fundamental truths of Christianity are here figuratively spoken of as "milk," while the more advanced teaching, such as Christ's priesthood being like Melchizedek's, is called "solid food"]. For everyone who has to drink "milk" is inexperienced in the teaching about righteousness, for he is [still] a [spiritual] baby. read more.
But "solid food" is for mature people, who because of using their [spiritual] senses, have become able to distinguish good from evil.

So, we should leave the basic principles of Christ's teaching and go on to maturity. [We should] not lay again a foundation of repentance [i.e., turning away] from deeds of death [i.e., acts that lead to spiritual death or that spring from a spiritually dead person], and of faith in God; and of teaching about immersions [Note: The use of the plural word here suggests teaching on the distinctions between Jewish washings and John's and Christian immersion, whether in water or the Holy Spirit. See Acts 19:1-7], and about placing hands on people [Note: This act was practiced in the appointment of church leaders, in healing sick people and to impart supernatural gifts], and about people being raised from the dead and about never ending judgment. And we will do so [i.e., go on to more advanced teaching] if God allows us to. For it is impossible to get people who have [completely] fallen away [from God] to repent again, because they [continue to] crucify for themselves God's Son all over again, and hold Him up to contempt. read more.
[These are people] who were once enlightened [by the Gospel message], who had experienced the gift from heaven [i.e., forgiveness, never ending life, etc. See Rom. 6:23], who had partaken of the Holy Spirit [See Acts 2:38], and who had experienced the good teaching of God and the powers of the coming age [i.e., they had already received some of the blessings of the Christian life, perhaps even miraculous signs]. (OMITTED TEXT) For God blesses land that has soaked up the rain which has fallen on it, and it produces a profitable crop for those people for whom the land was farmed. But if the land produces [only] thorns and thistles, it is worthless and in danger of being cursed [by God], and will end up being burned. But, my dearly loved ones, even though we talk this way, we are persuaded that you will do better than that [i.e., you will not fall away from God], and will end up being saved. For God is not [so] unjust as to forget the work you are doing and the love you have shown for Him, as you ministered to the saints [i.e., His holy people] and continue to minister [to them]. And it is our desire that each one of you shows the same eagerness [to live for Christ], so as to be fully assured of your hope [in never ending life] until the end [of your days]. We do not want you people to be [spiritually] slack, but to imitate those who will inherit [God's] promises because of their faith and patience. For when God made a promise to Abraham, since He could not make a vow by anyone greater, He vowed by Himself, saying [Gen. 22:16-17], "I will certainly bless you and will multiply [your descendants]." And so, after waiting patiently, Abraham received what [God] had promised. For people make vows by someone greater [than themselves], and an argument is settled when someone takes an oath [that he is telling the truth].











for [when] I was hungry, you fed me; [when] I was thirsty, you gave me [something] to drink; [when] I came [to you as] a stranger, you gave me a place to stay; Verse ConceptsLove, For One AnotherHospitality, A Duty Of God's PeopleProperty, HousesReceptivenessRefugeesLove To Others Shown InAlmsgivingAltruismCharityLoving ForeignersPeople Providing FoodThe poorEthicsFeeding The Poorhungerwelcome





But the person who looks closely into the perfect law that brings freedom, and continues to do so, is not a listener who forgets [what he hears], but someone who does the work [it requires]. This person will be blessed for doing so. Verse ConceptsBeing A BlessingBeing Blesseddiscipleship, benefits ofPerfection, DivineReward, DivineSanctification, Means And ResultsScripture, Sufficiency OfHearing God's WordForgetting ThingsGod Will BlessThe Law Of ChristOne's DeedsChristian LibertyFreedom


If the work of anyone lasts [i.e., if his converts are judged faithful], he will receive a reward [i.e., his converts will constitute part of his reward]. Verse ConceptsWagesReward For Worksassertiveness

But [He will bring] glory, honor and peace upon every person who does what is good; upon the Jews first, then also upon the Greeks, Verse ConceptsFavouritismTo The Jew FirstDoing GoodGod Bestowing GloryThe Gospel To Jew And Gentile

For God is not [so] unjust as to forget the work you are doing and the love you have shown for Him, as you ministered to the saints [i.e., His holy people] and continue to minister [to them]. And it is our desire that each one of you shows the same eagerness [to live for Christ], so as to be fully assured of your hope [in never ending life] until the end [of your days].

But, my dearly loved ones, even though we talk this way, we are persuaded that you will do better than that [i.e., you will not fall away from God], and will end up being saved. For God is not [so] unjust as to forget the work you are doing and the love you have shown for Him, as you ministered to the saints [i.e., His holy people] and continue to minister [to them].








[Now] we have many things to say about Melchizedek, but because of your slowness to grasp things, they are hard to explain. For certainly enough time has elapsed so that [by now] you ought to be teachers, [but instead] you are in need of having someone teach you again the basic principles of God's message. You have become people who need "milk" and not "solid food." [Note: The fundamental truths of Christianity are here figuratively spoken of as "milk," while the more advanced teaching, such as Christ's priesthood being like Melchizedek's, is called "solid food"]. For everyone who has to drink "milk" is inexperienced in the teaching about righteousness, for he is [still] a [spiritual] baby. read more.
But "solid food" is for mature people, who because of using their [spiritual] senses, have become able to distinguish good from evil.

So, we should leave the basic principles of Christ's teaching and go on to maturity. [We should] not lay again a foundation of repentance [i.e., turning away] from deeds of death [i.e., acts that lead to spiritual death or that spring from a spiritually dead person], and of faith in God; and of teaching about immersions [Note: The use of the plural word here suggests teaching on the distinctions between Jewish washings and John's and Christian immersion, whether in water or the Holy Spirit. See Acts 19:1-7], and about placing hands on people [Note: This act was practiced in the appointment of church leaders, in healing sick people and to impart supernatural gifts], and about people being raised from the dead and about never ending judgment. And we will do so [i.e., go on to more advanced teaching] if God allows us to. For it is impossible to get people who have [completely] fallen away [from God] to repent again, because they [continue to] crucify for themselves God's Son all over again, and hold Him up to contempt. read more.
[These are people] who were once enlightened [by the Gospel message], who had experienced the gift from heaven [i.e., forgiveness, never ending life, etc. See Rom. 6:23], who had partaken of the Holy Spirit [See Acts 2:38], and who had experienced the good teaching of God and the powers of the coming age [i.e., they had already received some of the blessings of the Christian life, perhaps even miraculous signs]. (OMITTED TEXT) For God blesses land that has soaked up the rain which has fallen on it, and it produces a profitable crop for those people for whom the land was farmed. But if the land produces [only] thorns and thistles, it is worthless and in danger of being cursed [by God], and will end up being burned. But, my dearly loved ones, even though we talk this way, we are persuaded that you will do better than that [i.e., you will not fall away from God], and will end up being saved. For God is not [so] unjust as to forget the work you are doing and the love you have shown for Him, as you ministered to the saints [i.e., His holy people] and continue to minister [to them]. And it is our desire that each one of you shows the same eagerness [to live for Christ], so as to be fully assured of your hope [in never ending life] until the end [of your days]. We do not want you people to be [spiritually] slack, but to imitate those who will inherit [God's] promises because of their faith and patience. For when God made a promise to Abraham, since He could not make a vow by anyone greater, He vowed by Himself, saying [Gen. 22:16-17], "I will certainly bless you and will multiply [your descendants]." And so, after waiting patiently, Abraham received what [God] had promised. For people make vows by someone greater [than themselves], and an argument is settled when someone takes an oath [that he is telling the truth].




But the person who looks closely into the perfect law that brings freedom, and continues to do so, is not a listener who forgets [what he hears], but someone who does the work [it requires]. This person will be blessed for doing so. Verse ConceptsBeing A BlessingBeing Blesseddiscipleship, benefits ofPerfection, DivineReward, DivineSanctification, Means And ResultsScripture, Sufficiency OfHearing God's WordForgetting ThingsGod Will BlessThe Law Of ChristOne's DeedsChristian LibertyFreedom


If the work of anyone lasts [i.e., if his converts are judged faithful], he will receive a reward [i.e., his converts will constitute part of his reward]. Verse ConceptsWagesReward For Worksassertiveness

But [He will bring] glory, honor and peace upon every person who does what is good; upon the Jews first, then also upon the Greeks, Verse ConceptsFavouritismTo The Jew FirstDoing GoodGod Bestowing GloryThe Gospel To Jew And Gentile


But, my dearly loved ones, even though we talk this way, we are persuaded that you will do better than that [i.e., you will not fall away from God], and will end up being saved. For God is not [so] unjust as to forget the work you are doing and the love you have shown for Him, as you ministered to the saints [i.e., His holy people] and continue to minister [to them].


But, my dearly loved ones, even though we talk this way, we are persuaded that you will do better than that [i.e., you will not fall away from God], and will end up being saved. For God is not [so] unjust as to forget the work you are doing and the love you have shown for Him, as you ministered to the saints [i.e., His holy people] and continue to minister [to them].