Thematic Bible


Thematic Bible



For in [our relationship with] Christ neither the practice of circumcision nor refraining from its practice matters in any way; but [all that really matters is having a genuine] faith [in Christ] that causes us to work [for Him] out of a genuine love [for Him and others]. Verse ConceptsGentiles, In NtFaith, Nature OfCircumcision, spiritualLove, Nature OfRitualSpiritual VitalityUncircumcisionLoving OthersLove To OthersLove For GodSalvation Not By WorksAgape LoveNecessity Of CircumcisionTrust In RelationshipsHope And LovePatience In RelationshipsStruggles In Relationshipimportance

For it does not matter whether a person practices circumcision or refrains from practicing it; what really matters is [whether or not he is] a new creature [in the eyes of God]. Verse ConceptsGod, The CreatorNewnessRitualUncircumcisionNew Birth, Described AsSalvation Not By WorksNew LifeNecessity Of Circumcision





And this is the message we heard from Him, and [now want to] announce to you: God is light [i.e. righteousness] and in His [very nature] there is no trace of darkness [i.e., evil]. If we claim to share a relationship with God and yet live in darkness [i.e., in a sinful way], we are lying and are not living a truthful life. But, if we live in the light [of righteousness] just like God [constantly] lives in the light [of righteousness], we can truly share a relationship with one another and [can know that] the blood of Jesus, God's Son, continues to cleanse [our spirits] from all of our sins. read more.
If we claim to have no sinful practices [in our lives], we are self-deceived and are not being truthful about the matter. [But] if we confess our sins [to God], He is faithful [to His promise] and righteous [in His judgment], and will forgive us of those sins and cleanse us from all of our wrongdoing.










Then Jesus returned to Galilee with power from the Holy Spirit; and a report about Him spread through all the surrounding region. And He was honored by everyone [as] He taught in their [Jewish] synagogues. Jesus then went to Nazareth where He had been brought up. He entered the synagogue on the Sabbath day, according to His custom, and stood up to read [the Scriptures]. read more.
The book [i.e., actually a scroll] of the prophet Isaiah was handed to Him. He opened the book and found the passage where it was written [Isa. 61:1f], "The Holy Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because He anointed me [i.e., specially chose me] to preach good news to poor people. He has sent me to proclaim freedom to those who are captives [i.e., to sin]; recovery of sight to the [spiritually as well as physically] blind; to set free those who are oppressed [i.e., by Satan] and


And when the Pharisees saw this they said to His disciples, "Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and worldly people?" When Jesus heard this, He said, "People who are healthy do not need a doctor; but [only] sick people do. Go and learn what this means: 'I desire mercy and not [only] sacrifice.' For I did not come to call righteous people [to be my followers] but sinners."

And when the experts in the law of Moses, being Pharisees [i.e., a strict sect of the Jewish religion], saw that He was eating with tax collectors and worldly people, they said to His disciples, "Why does Jesus eat and drink with tax collectors and worldly people?" When Jesus heard [about] this, He said to them, "People who are healthy do not need a doctor, but [only] sick people do. I did not come to call those who do right, but sinners [instead]."

Now the Pharisees and their experts in the law of Moses complained to Jesus' disciples, saying, "Why do you men eat and drink with tax collectors and worldly people?" And Jesus answered them, "People who are healthy do not need a doctor, but [only] sick people do. I did not come to call those who are doing right to repent [i.e., to change their hearts and lives], but [only those who are] sinners."

Is anyone among you sick? [Then] he should call for the elders of the church and they should pray for him, after pouring [olive] oil on him in the name [i.e., by the authority] of the Lord. And if their prayer is [offered] by faith, [God] will heal the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up [from his sickbed]. And if he had sinned, he will be forgiven for them [Note: This may imply that the man's sickness was the result of some sin. In any event, his forgiveness would follow his repentance]. So, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another to be healed [from sin sickness]. The special request of a righteous person is empowered with [great] effectiveness.




At the same time, pray for us also, that God will open up a door [of opportunity] for [proclaiming] the message, so we can tell about the [previously] hidden secret of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned. Verse Conceptsevangelism, motivation forDoorsChainsMissionaries, Support ForMysteryThe Mystery Of ChristPray For UsPrayer, And God's WillOpportunityPraying TogetherPraying Behind Closed DoorsPraying For OthersEvangelismBoldnessSpreading The GospelPrayingMinistrypreachingvocation

Pray for us [continually]. We are convinced that we [i.e., the writer of Hebrews] have a clear conscience [i.e., regarding our relationship to you] and we want to behave properly in every way. Verse ConceptsConsciences, Before OthersdesiresMinistry, In The ChurchSelf RespectPray For UsconscienceClear Consciences

But I tell you people who are listening [to me], love your enemies and do good things to those who hate you. [Ask God's] blessing on those who curse you; pray for those who treat you spitefully.


"You have heard what was said [Lev. 19:18], 'You must love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

Is anyone among you sick? [Then] he should call for the elders of the church and they should pray for him, after pouring [olive] oil on him in the name [i.e., by the authority] of the Lord. And if their prayer is [offered] by faith, [God] will heal the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up [from his sickbed]. And if he had sinned, he will be forgiven for them [Note: This may imply that the man's sickness was the result of some sin. In any event, his forgiveness would follow his repentance]. So, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another to be healed [from sin sickness]. The special request of a righteous person is empowered with [great] effectiveness.

If anyone [of you] observes his brother [or sister] sinning [in a way that would not lead] to [spiritual] death, he should ask [God, in prayer, to help that person], and God will give him [spiritual] life, [that is], to such ones, provided their sin is not leading to [spiritual] death. There is such a sin that leads to [spiritual] death. [See Heb. 6:4-6; I Tim. 5:6; Heb. 10:26-27; II Pet. 2:20-22]. I am not suggesting that you should ask [God, in prayer] about such a situation. Verse ConceptsOffences Against The Holy SpiritPrayer, For OthersUnforgivenessThe Holy Spirit, Being AgainstOfferings, Old Testamnent Kinds OfReprobatesThe Unpardonable SinLiving The LifePraying For SinnersDeath Of A Family MemberPraying For OthersForgiving YourselfDeath Of Loved OneSin Producing AfflictionsLoss Of A Loved One

First of all, then, I urge you to offer [special] requests, prayers, intercessions [Note: "Intercessions" probably refers to praying on behalf of others], and thanksgivings for all people. [Offer them] for kings and for all people in prominent [governmental] positions, so that we can live a peaceful and quiet life in all reverence [toward God] and respectability [toward people]. This is good and acceptable [behavior] in the sight of God our Savior,












If anyone [of you] observes his brother [or sister] sinning [in a way that would not lead] to [spiritual] death, he should ask [God, in prayer, to help that person], and God will give him [spiritual] life, [that is], to such ones, provided their sin is not leading to [spiritual] death. There is such a sin that leads to [spiritual] death. [See Heb. 6:4-6; I Tim. 5:6; Heb. 10:26-27; II Pet. 2:20-22]. I am not suggesting that you should ask [God, in prayer] about such a situation. Verse ConceptsOffences Against The Holy SpiritPrayer, For OthersUnforgivenessThe Holy Spirit, Being AgainstOfferings, Old Testamnent Kinds OfReprobatesThe Unpardonable SinLiving The LifePraying For SinnersDeath Of A Family MemberPraying For OthersForgiving YourselfDeath Of Loved OneSin Producing AfflictionsLoss Of A Loved One




So, will God not grant justice to His elect [i.e., His people] who call out to Him [i.e., in prayer] day and night? Will He be slow in helping them? Verse ConceptsChosen OnesJustification, Necessity OfNightGod Is JustJusticeGod Not DelayingGod Does Right For PeopleGod VindicatesRevengeExercisePersistencevindication