Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Man » Insignificance of
When I view and consider Your heavens, the work of Your fingers, the moon and the stars, which You have ordained and established, What is man that You are mindful of him, and the son of [earthborn] man that You care for him?
“Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth?
Tell Me, if you know and have understanding.
“What is man, that he should be pure and clean,
Or he who is born of a woman, that he should be righteous and just?
Even in His [heavenly] servants He puts no trust or confidence, and His angels He charges with folly and error -- " How much more those who dwell in houses (bodies) of clay, whose foundations are in the dust, who are crushed like the moth.
Can a man be profitable to God? Surely he that is wise is profitable to himself. Is it any pleasure or advantage to the Almighty that you are righteous (upright and in right standing with Him)? Or is it gain to Him that you make your ways perfect? Is it for your [reverential] fear of Him that He [thus] reproves you, that He enters with you into judgment? read more.
Is not your wickedness great? There is no end to your iniquities.
Is not your wickedness great? There is no end to your iniquities.
How then can man be justified and righteous before God? Or how can he who is born of a woman be pure and clean? Behold, even the moon has no brightness [compared to God's glory] and the stars are not pure in His sight -- " How much less man, who is a maggot! And a son of man, who is a worm!
Do you think this is your right, or are you saying, My righteousness is more than God's, That you ask, What advantage have you? How am I profited more than if I had sinned? I will answer you and your companions with you. read more.
Look to the heavens and see; and behold the skies which are higher than you. If you have sinned, how does that affect God? And if your transgressions are multiplied, what have you done to Him? If you are righteous, what do you [by that] give God? Or what does He receive from your hand? Your wickedness touches and affects a man such as you are, and your righteousness is for yourself, one of the human race [but it cannot touch God, Who is above such influence].
Look to the heavens and see; and behold the skies which are higher than you. If you have sinned, how does that affect God? And if your transgressions are multiplied, what have you done to Him? If you are righteous, what do you [by that] give God? Or what does He receive from your hand? Your wickedness touches and affects a man such as you are, and your righteousness is for yourself, one of the human race [but it cannot touch God, Who is above such influence].
Have you commanded the morning since your days began and caused the dawn to know its place, So that [light] may get hold of the corners of the earth and shake the wickedness [of night] out of it?
Lord, what is man that You take notice of him? Or [the] son of man that You take account of him? Man is like vanity and a breath; his days are as a shadow that passes away.
Profit » What is profitable
For physical training is of some value, but godliness (spiritual training) is of value in everything and in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.
In all labor there is profit,
But mere talk leads only to poverty.
“Your wickedness affects only a man such as you,
And your righteousness affects only
Wisdom along with an inheritance is good
And an [excellent] advantage for those who see the sun.
Remind people to be submissive to [their] magistrates and authorities, to be obedient, to be prepared and willing to do any upright and honorable work, To slander or abuse or speak evil of no one, to avoid being contentious, to be forbearing (yielding, gentle, and conciliatory), and to show unqualified courtesy toward everybody. For we also were once thoughtless and senseless, obstinate and disobedient, deluded and misled; [we too were once] slaves to all sorts of cravings and pleasures, wasting our days in malice and jealousy and envy, hateful (hated, detestable) and hating one another. read more.
But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Savior to man [as man] appeared, He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity and mercy, by [the] cleansing [bath] of the new birth (regeneration) and renewing of the Holy Spirit, Which He poured out [so] richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. [And He did it in order] that we might be justified by His grace (by His favor, wholly undeserved), [that we might be acknowledged and counted as conformed to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action], and that we might become heirs of eternal life according to [our] hope. This message is most trustworthy, and concerning these things I want you to insist steadfastly, so that those who have believed in (trusted in, relied on) God may be careful to apply themselves to honorable occupations and to doing good, for such things are [not only] excellent and right [in themselves], but [they are] good and profitable for the people.
But when the goodness and loving-kindness of God our Savior to man [as man] appeared, He saved us, not because of any works of righteousness that we had done, but because of His own pity and mercy, by [the] cleansing [bath] of the new birth (regeneration) and renewing of the Holy Spirit, Which He poured out [so] richly upon us through Jesus Christ our Savior. [And He did it in order] that we might be justified by His grace (by His favor, wholly undeserved), [that we might be acknowledged and counted as conformed to the divine will in purpose, thought, and action], and that we might become heirs of eternal life according to [our] hope. This message is most trustworthy, and concerning these things I want you to insist steadfastly, so that those who have believed in (trusted in, relied on) God may be careful to apply themselves to honorable occupations and to doing good, for such things are [not only] excellent and right [in themselves], but [they are] good and profitable for the people.
The fruit of righteousness » What righteousness does
Riches will not provide security in the day of wrath and judgment,
But righteousness rescues from death.
Treasures of wickedness and ill-gotten gains do not profit,
But righteousness and moral integrity in daily life rescues from death.
Righteousness [moral and spiritual integrity and virtuous character] exalts a nation,
But sin is a disgrace to any people.
“Your wickedness affects only a man such as you,
And your righteousness affects only
Righteousness (being in right standing with God) guards the one whose way is blameless,
But wickedness undermines and overthrows the sinner.
Wickedness » What wickedness does
“Your own wickedness will discipline you,
And your desertion of the faith will punish you.
Know therefore that it is an evil and bitter thing
For you to abandon (reject) the Lord your God,
And for you to be indifferent to Me and dismiss the [reverent] fear of Me,” says the Lord God of hosts.
For wickedness burns like a fire;
It consumes briars and thorns,
It even sets the forest thickets ablaze;
And it swirls upward in a column of smoke.
“Your wickedness affects only a man such as you,
And your righteousness affects only
Righteousness (being in right standing with God) guards the one whose way is blameless,
But wickedness undermines and overthrows the sinner.