Thematic Bible: Is called the


Thematic Bible




and so we [i.e., I] sent Timothy, our brother and God's fellow-worker in [the ministry of] the Gospel, to strengthen and encourage you in your faith, Verse Conceptsencouragement, examples ofEdification, Examples OfServants Of The LordEncouraging DoubtersSpecific Cases Of StrengtheningThose Who Had FaithFellow WorkersEncouragementSpreading The Gospel


Now when I came to Troas [See Acts 16:8], in order to preach the good news about Christ, and when a door [of opportunity] was opened to me in [the service of] the Lord [there], Verse Conceptsevangelists, identity ofevangelism, motivation forDoorsOpen DoorsThe Gospel PreachedOpportunity

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 the time has [now] come for the house of God [the church, See I Tim. 3:15] to begin receiving judgment [i.e., by undergoing persecution], and if it starts with us [Christians], what will be the [ultimate] end of people who do not obey the Gospel of God? Verse ConceptsGod, As JudgeFamily, Showing God's RelationshipFaith, Testing OfPeople EndedJudgmentsFamiliesChurch Of Goda new beginningFamily FirstGoing To ChurchJudgement DayJudgementServing The Churchrevivalfateprocesspeter


It was God's purpose to bring us into being [spiritually] by the message of truth, so that we could become a kind of "firstfruits" of those He created. [Note: "Firstfruits" here suggests either that Christians are the best of all of God's creatures (Num. 18:12), or that they were the first to be converted, with many more to come]. Verse ConceptsBorn Again, Produced Byelection, to salvationBeing Born AgainAssurance, nature ofBirth, SpiritualGospel, Promises OfOrigins Of Spiritual LifeRegenerationSalvation, Nature OfNew Birth, The Means OfPredestination, Spiritual EventsBible, Names OfBible, Given ForReceiving God's WordMetaphorical FirstfruitsWhat God's Will IsExerciserebirth

Paul and Barnabas remained there a long time and spoke [the message] boldly for [or, in the power of] the Lord who gave His approval to the message of unearned favor by allowing [miraculous] signs and wonders to be performed by them. Verse ConceptsBoldness, Proclaiming GospelImportunity, Towards PeopleMiracles, Nature OfBoldness Examples OfThe Witness Of GodBeing StrongOther MiraclesSigns And Wonders Of The GospelStaying A Long Timeholy Boldness

"Now I commit you [elders] to God and to the message of His unearned favor which can build you up [spiritually] and provide you with the inheritance [of never ending life], along with others who are [specially] set apart [for God]. Verse ConceptsBuild, FigurativelyEdification, Means OfGrace, And Christian LifeHeaven, Inheritance OfInheritance, SpiritualParticipation, In ChristRiches, SpiritualStrength, SpiritualBible, Given ForTypes Of ChristSanctified OnesBuilding Up The ChurchEntrustingReceiving God's WordThe Grace Of GodGod's GraceSanctificationgoodbyes

And because of this we also thank God continually that, when you people received the message of God, which you heard from us, you did not accept it as a message from [mere] human beings, but as it truly is, the message from God, which is at work in you believers. Verse ConceptsHearingPreaching, Effects OfResponseThe Authority Of ScriptureSpeech, DivineThanksgiving, OfferedReceiving God's WordThose Who Had FaithMan's TeachingWe Thank GodGod's Work In UsAcceptanceThe Word Of GodBelieving In Yourself

That is, God was in Christ restoring the world to fellowship with Himself, not counting people's sins against them. And He entrusted to us the message of restoring people to fellowship [with Him]. Verse ConceptsAtonementCommitmentAmbassadorsImputationPropitiationSin, Deliverance From GodSociety, Positive Aspects OfGod Has ForgivenPeace Made Through ChristRighteousness imputedReconciliation with GodReconciliation


will not the ministry of the Holy Spirit [i.e., the New Agreement] have [greater] splendor? Verse ConceptsCovenant, the newGod, Unity Of



And [also pray] for me to be given boldness of speech in opening my mouth to make known the secret plan of the Gospel, Verse ConceptsMinistry, In The ChurchMysteryGod Revealing Mysteriesholy BoldnessBoldnessfearlesssupplicationpetition




[Note: Paul here digresses from his prayer, begun in 1:15-16, to explain the circumstances of his being a prisoner on behalf of these Gentiles]. [I assume] you have heard about my commission [to minister] to you, which was given to me by God's unearned favor. Verse ConceptsGifts Of GodOther Gifts Of GodThe Grace Given To MenDispensationsGod's Grace

If anyone teaches a different doctrine [i.e., from what has been urged above], and does not agree to [proclaim the] sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to teaching that is godly [i.e., in harmony with godliness], Verse ConceptsTeachersTeachingSound DoctrineMisteachingDifferent TeachingsFalse TeachersDoctrines of the The GospelGodly Mandoctrine


Now may there be glory for ever, through Jesus Christ, to the only wise God, who is able to make you stand firm [in the faith], according to the good news and proclamation of Jesus Christ. This message is the secret which was [eventually] revealed, after having been kept quiet about for long ages. Verse ConceptsConcealment, Of GodMysteryStabilityAbility, God's PowerThe AlmightyThe Mystery Of ChristGod Establishes UsStrengthened Through Christ

But what does the Scripture say [about being made right with God]? [Deut. 30:14 says], "The message of God is near you [i.e., it is not difficult to comprehend]. It is on your lips and in your heart." This is the message of faith [in Christ] which we [apostles] preach. Verse ConceptsScripture, Purpose OfThe Gospel PreachedGod's Blessings Are NearOther References To The HeartRighteous By FaithSpeaking With The Mouthpreaching


"You brothers, descendants of Abraham's family and those of you who respect God very much, this message of salvation was intended for us. Verse ConceptsAbraham, Family And DescendantsReverence, And ObedienceChildren Of AbrahamThe Gospel Of SalvationRace