Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Corruption » Physical decomposition » After death
“By the sweat of your face
You will eat bread
Until you return to the ground,
For from it you were taken;
For you are dust,
And to dust you shall return.”
then the dust [out of which God made man’s body] will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.
If I call out to the pit (grave), ‘You are my father’;
And to the worm [that feeds on decay], ‘You are my mother and my sister [because I will soon be closest to you],’
For You will not abandon me to Sheol (the nether world, the place of the dead),
Nor will You allow Your Holy One to undergo decay.
‘For You will not forsake me and abandon my soul to Hades (the realm of the dead),
Nor let Your Holy One undergo decay [after death].
So that he should live on eternally,
That he should never see the pit (grave) and undergo decay.
You hide Your face, they are dismayed;
You take away their breath, they die
And return to their dust.
“I descended to the [very] roots of the mountains.
The earth with its bars closed behind me [bolting me in] forever,
Yet You have brought up my life from the pit (death), O Lord my God.
he foresaw and spoke [prophetically] of the resurrection of the Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed), that He was not abandoned [in death] to Hades (the realm of the dead), nor did His body undergo decay.
And as to His having raised Him from among the dead, now no more to return to [undergo] putrefaction and dissolution [of the grave], He spoke in this way, I will fulfill and give to you the holy and sure mercy and blessings [that were promised and assured] to David. For this reason He says also in another psalm, You will not allow Your Holy One to see corruption [to undergo putrefaction and dissolution of the grave]. For David, after he had served God's will and purpose and counsel in his own generation, fell asleep [ in death] and was buried among his forefathers, and he did see corruption and undergo putrefaction and dissolution [of the grave]. read more.
But He Whom God raised up [to life] saw no corruption [did not experience putrefaction and dissolution of the grave].
But He Whom God raised up [to life] saw no corruption [did not experience putrefaction and dissolution of the grave].
So it is with the resurrection of the dead. The [human] body that is sown is perishable and mortal, it is raised imperishable and immortal.
Now I say this, believers, that flesh and blood cannot inherit nor be part of the kingdom of God; nor does the perishable (mortal) inherit the imperishable (immortal).
Dust » Man made from
then the Lord God formed [that is, created the body of] man from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being [an individual complete in body and spirit].
“By the sweat of your face
You will eat bread
Until you return to the ground,
For from it you were taken;
For you are dust,
And to dust you shall return.”
then the dust [out of which God made man’s body] will return to the earth as it was, and the spirit will return to God who gave it.
For He knows our [mortal] frame;
He remembers that we are [merely] dust.
Abraham answered, “Now behold, I who am but dust [in origin] and ashes have decided to speak to the Lord.
‘Remember now, that You have made me as clay;
So will You turn me into dust again?
Favoritism » The lord not respecting persons (not showing favoritism)
You masters, do the same [showing goodwill] toward them, and give up threatening and abusive words, knowing that [He who is] both their true Master and yours is in heaven, and that there is no partiality with Him [regardless of one’s earthly status].
They sent their disciples to Him, along with the Herodians, saying, “Teacher, we know that You are sincere and that You teach the way of God truthfully, without concerning Yourself about [what] anyone [thinks or says of Your teachings]; for You are impartial and do not seek anyone’s favor [and You treat all people alike, regardless of status].
For the Lord your God is the God of gods and the Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, the awesome God who does not show partiality nor take a bribe.
Truly God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice. Who put [God] in charge over the earth? Or who laid on Him the whole world? If [God] should set His heart upon him [man] and withdraw His [life-giving] spirit and His breath [from man] to Himself, read more.
All flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust. If now you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words. Is it possible that an enemy of right should govern? And will you condemn Him Who is just and mighty? [God] Who says to a king, You are worthless and vile, or to princes and nobles, You are ungodly and evil? [God] is not partial to princes, nor does He regard the rich more than the poor, for they all are the work of His hands. In a moment they die; even at midnight the people are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are taken away by no [human] hand.
All flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust. If now you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words. Is it possible that an enemy of right should govern? And will you condemn Him Who is just and mighty? [God] Who says to a king, You are worthless and vile, or to princes and nobles, You are ungodly and evil? [God] is not partial to princes, nor does He regard the rich more than the poor, for they all are the work of His hands. In a moment they die; even at midnight the people are shaken and pass away, and the mighty are taken away by no [human] hand.
They came and said to Him, “Teacher, we know that You are truthful and have no personal bias toward anyone; for You are not influenced by outward appearances or social status, but in truth You teach the way of God. Is it lawful [according to Jewish law and tradition] to pay the poll-tax to [Tiberius] Caesar, or not?
They asked Him, “Teacher, we know that You speak and teach correctly, and that You show no partiality to anyone, but teach the way of God truthfully.
Opening his mouth, Peter said:
“Most certainly I understand now that God is not one to show partiality [to people as though Gentiles were excluded from God’s blessing],
“Most certainly I understand now that God is not one to show partiality [to people as though Gentiles were excluded from God’s blessing],
For God shows no partiality [no arbitrary favoritism; with Him one person is not more important than another].
Knowing [with all certainty] that it is from the Lord [and not from men] that you will receive the inheritance which is your [real] reward. [The One Whom] you are actually serving [is] the Lord Christ (the Messiah). For he who deals wrongfully will [reap the fruit of his folly and] be punished for his wrongdoing. And [with God] there is no partiality [no matter what a person's position may be, whether he is the slave or the master].
But as the One Who called you is holy, you yourselves also be holy in all your conduct and manner of living. For it is written, You shall be holy, for I am holy. And if you call upon Him as [your] Father Who judges each one impartially according to what he does, [then] you should conduct yourselves with true reverence throughout the time of your temporary residence [on the earth, whether long or short].
Flesh » The flesh
My flesh and my heart may fail,
But God is the rock and strength of my heart and my portion forever.
For,“All flesh is like grass,
And all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers
And the flower falls off,
And all its glory like the flower of grass.
The grass withers
And the flower falls off,
A voice says, Cry [prophesy]! And I said, What shall I cry? [The voice answered, Proclaim:] All flesh is as frail as grass, and all that makes it attractive [its kindness, its goodwill, its mercy from God, its glory and comeliness, however good] is transitory, like the flower of the field. The grass withers, the flower fades, when the breath of the Lord blows upon it; surely [all] the people are like grass. The grass withers, the flower fades, but the word of our God will stand forever.
Thanks be to God [for my deliverance] through Jesus Christ our Lord! So then, on the one hand I myself with my mind serve the law of God, but on the other, with my flesh [my human nature, my worldliness, my sinful capacity—I serve] the law of sin.
But I say, walk and live [habitually] in the [Holy] Spirit [responsive to and controlled and guided by the Spirit]; then you will certainly not gratify the cravings and desires of the flesh (of human nature without God). For the desires of the flesh are opposed to the [Holy] Spirit, and the [desires of the] Spirit are opposed to the flesh (godless human nature); for these are antagonistic to each other [continually withstanding and in conflict with each other], so that you are not free but are prevented from doing what you desire to do. But if you are guided (led) by the [Holy] Spirit, you are not subject to the Law. read more.
Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency, Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies), Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Now the doings (practices) of the flesh are clear (obvious): they are immorality, impurity, indecency, Idolatry, sorcery, enmity, strife, jealousy, anger (ill temper), selfishness, divisions (dissensions), party spirit (factions, sects with peculiar opinions, heresies), Envy, drunkenness, carousing, and the like. I warn you beforehand, just as I did previously, that those who do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.
Poverty » The lord being the maker of the poor
The rich and poor have a common bond;
The Lord is the Maker of them all.
Then Job arose and rent his robe and shaved his head and fell down upon the ground and worshiped And said, Naked (without possessions) came I [into this world] from my mother's womb, and naked (without possessions) shall I depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed (praised and magnified in worship) be the name of the Lord!
“The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
He brings low and He lifts up.
Truly God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice. Who put [God] in charge over the earth? Or who laid on Him the whole world? If [God] should set His heart upon him [man] and withdraw His [life-giving] spirit and His breath [from man] to Himself, read more.
All flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust. If now you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words. Is it possible that an enemy of right should govern? And will you condemn Him Who is just and mighty? [God] Who says to a king, You are worthless and vile, or to princes and nobles, You are ungodly and evil? [God] is not partial to princes, nor does He regard the rich more than the poor, for they all are the work of His hands.
All flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust. If now you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words. Is it possible that an enemy of right should govern? And will you condemn Him Who is just and mighty? [God] Who says to a king, You are worthless and vile, or to princes and nobles, You are ungodly and evil? [God] is not partial to princes, nor does He regard the rich more than the poor, for they all are the work of His hands.
Wealth » The lord being the maker of the wealthy
The rich and poor have a common bond;
The Lord is the Maker of them all.
Then Job arose and rent his robe and shaved his head and fell down upon the ground and worshiped And said, Naked (without possessions) came I [into this world] from my mother's womb, and naked (without possessions) shall I depart. The Lord gave and the Lord has taken away; blessed (praised and magnified in worship) be the name of the Lord!
Yours, O Lord, is the greatness and the power and the glory and the victory and the majesty, for all that is in the heavens and the earth is Yours; Yours is the kingdom, O Lord, and Yours it is to be exalted as Head over all. Both riches and honor come from You, and You reign over all. In Your hands are power and might; in Your hands it is to make great and to give strength to all.
“The Lord makes poor and makes rich;
He brings low and He lifts up.
Truly God will not do wickedly, neither will the Almighty pervert justice. Who put [God] in charge over the earth? Or who laid on Him the whole world? If [God] should set His heart upon him [man] and withdraw His [life-giving] spirit and His breath [from man] to Himself, read more.
All flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust. If now you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words. Is it possible that an enemy of right should govern? And will you condemn Him Who is just and mighty? [God] Who says to a king, You are worthless and vile, or to princes and nobles, You are ungodly and evil? [God] is not partial to princes, nor does He regard the rich more than the poor, for they all are the work of His hands.
All flesh would perish together, and man would turn again to dust. If now you have understanding, hear this; listen to my words. Is it possible that an enemy of right should govern? And will you condemn Him Who is just and mighty? [God] Who says to a king, You are worthless and vile, or to princes and nobles, You are ungodly and evil? [God] is not partial to princes, nor does He regard the rich more than the poor, for they all are the work of His hands.
And beware lest you say in your [mind and] heart, My power and the might of my hand have gotten me this wealth. But you shall [earnestly] remember the Lord your God, for it is He Who gives you power to get wealth, that He may establish His covenant which He swore to your fathers, as it is this day.