Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Abraham » How regarded by his descendants
And do not think that you can say among yourselves 'Abraham is our ancestor,' for I tell you that out of these very stones God is able to raise descendants for Abraham!
Verse Concepts
But this woman, a daughter of Abraham, who has been kept in bondage by Satan for now eighteen years, ought not she to have been released from her bondage on the Sabbath?"
Verse Concepts
There, there will be weeping and grinding of teeth, when you see Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and all the Prophets, in the Kingdom of God, while you yourselves are being driven outside.
Verse Concepts
"Salvation has come to this house to-day," answered Jesus, "for even this man is a son of Abraham.
Verse Concepts
"We are descendants of Abraham," was their answer, "and have never yet been in slavery to any one. What do you mean by saying 'you will be set free'?" "In truth I tell you," replied Jesus, "every one who sins is a slave to sin. And a slave does not remain in the home always; but a son remains always. read more.
If, then, the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed! I know that you are descendants of Abraham; yet you are seeking to put me to death, because my Message finds no place in your hearts. I tell you what I have myself seen in the presence of my Father; and you, in the same way, do what you have learned from your father." "Our father is Abraham," was their answer. "If you are Abraham's children," replied Jesus, "do what Abraham did. But, as it is, you are seeking to put me to death--a man who has told you the Truth as he heard it from God. Abraham did not act in that way.
If, then, the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed! I know that you are descendants of Abraham; yet you are seeking to put me to death, because my Message finds no place in your hearts. I tell you what I have myself seen in the presence of my Father; and you, in the same way, do what you have learned from your father." "Our father is Abraham," was their answer. "If you are Abraham's children," replied Jesus, "do what Abraham did. But, as it is, you are seeking to put me to death--a man who has told you the Truth as he heard it from God. Abraham did not act in that way.
Self-righteousness » Instances of » Pharisees
No one sets light to a lamp, and then puts it in the cellar of under the corn-measure, but he puts it on the lamp-stand, so that any one who comes in may see the light. The lamp of the body is your eye. When your eye is unclouded, your whole body, also, is lit up; but, as soon as your eye is diseased, your body, also, is darkened. Take care, therefore, that the inner Light is not darkness. read more.
If, then, your whole body is lit up, and no corner of it darkened, the whole will be lit up, just as when a lamp gives you light by its brilliance." As Jesus finished speaking, a Pharisee asked him to breakfast with him, and Jesus went in and took his place at table. The Pharisee noticed, to his astonishment, that Jesus omitted the ceremonial washing before breakfast. But the Master said to him: "You Pharisees do, it is true, clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside you yourselves are filled with greed and wickedness. Fools! did not the maker of the outside make the inside too? Only give away what is in them in charity, and at once you have the whole clean. But alas for you Pharisees! You pay tithes on mint, rue, and herbs of all kinds, and pass over justice and love to God. These last you ought to have put into practice without neglecting the first. Alas for you Pharisees! You delight to have the front seat in the Synagogues, and to be greeted in the markets with respect. Alas for you! You are like unsuspected graves, over which men walk unawares." Here one of the Students of the Law interrupted him by saying: "Teacher, when you say this, you are insulting us also." But Jesus went on: "Alas for you, too, you Students of the Law! You load men with loads that are too heavy to carry, but do not, yourselves, touch them with one of your fingers. Alas for you! You build the monuments of the Prophets whom your ancestors killed. You are actually witnesses to your ancestors' acts and show your approval of them, because, while they killed the Prophets, you build tombs for them. That is why the Wisdom of God said--"I will send to them Prophets and Apostles, Some of whom they will persecute and kill, in order that the 'blood' of all the prophets 'that has been spilt' since the creation of the world may be exacted from this generation-- From the blood of Abel down to the blood of Zechariah, who was slain between the altar and the House of God." Yes, I tell you, it will be exacted from this generation. Alas for you Students of the Law! You have taken away the key of the door of Knowledge. You have not gone in yourselves and you have hindered those who try to go in." When Jesus left the house, the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees began to press him hard and question him closely upon many subjects, Laying traps for him, so as to seize upon anything that he might say.
If, then, your whole body is lit up, and no corner of it darkened, the whole will be lit up, just as when a lamp gives you light by its brilliance." As Jesus finished speaking, a Pharisee asked him to breakfast with him, and Jesus went in and took his place at table. The Pharisee noticed, to his astonishment, that Jesus omitted the ceremonial washing before breakfast. But the Master said to him: "You Pharisees do, it is true, clean the outside of the cup and of the plate, but inside you yourselves are filled with greed and wickedness. Fools! did not the maker of the outside make the inside too? Only give away what is in them in charity, and at once you have the whole clean. But alas for you Pharisees! You pay tithes on mint, rue, and herbs of all kinds, and pass over justice and love to God. These last you ought to have put into practice without neglecting the first. Alas for you Pharisees! You delight to have the front seat in the Synagogues, and to be greeted in the markets with respect. Alas for you! You are like unsuspected graves, over which men walk unawares." Here one of the Students of the Law interrupted him by saying: "Teacher, when you say this, you are insulting us also." But Jesus went on: "Alas for you, too, you Students of the Law! You load men with loads that are too heavy to carry, but do not, yourselves, touch them with one of your fingers. Alas for you! You build the monuments of the Prophets whom your ancestors killed. You are actually witnesses to your ancestors' acts and show your approval of them, because, while they killed the Prophets, you build tombs for them. That is why the Wisdom of God said--"I will send to them Prophets and Apostles, Some of whom they will persecute and kill, in order that the 'blood' of all the prophets 'that has been spilt' since the creation of the world may be exacted from this generation-- From the blood of Abel down to the blood of Zechariah, who was slain between the altar and the House of God." Yes, I tell you, it will be exacted from this generation. Alas for you Students of the Law! You have taken away the key of the door of Knowledge. You have not gone in yourselves and you have hindered those who try to go in." When Jesus left the house, the Teachers of the Law and the Pharisees began to press him hard and question him closely upon many subjects, Laying traps for him, so as to seize upon anything that he might say.
"We are descendants of Abraham," was their answer, "and have never yet been in slavery to any one. What do you mean by saying 'you will be set free'?" "In truth I tell you," replied Jesus, "every one who sins is a slave to sin. And a slave does not remain in the home always; but a son remains always. read more.
If, then, the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed! I know that you are descendants of Abraham; yet you are seeking to put me to death, because my Message finds no place in your hearts. I tell you what I have myself seen in the presence of my Father; and you, in the same way, do what you have learned from your father." "Our father is Abraham," was their answer. "If you are Abraham's children," replied Jesus, "do what Abraham did. But, as it is, you are seeking to put me to death--a man who has told you the Truth as he heard it from God. Abraham did not act in that way. You are doing what your own father does." "We are not bastards," they said, "we have one Father--God himself." "If God were your Father," Jesus replied, "you would have loved me, for I came out from God, and now am here; and I have not come of myself, but he sent me as his Messenger. How is it that you do not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to listen to my Message. As for you, you are children of your Father the Devil, and you are determined to do what your father loves to do. He was a murderer from the first, and did not stand by the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he lies, he does what is natural to him; because he is a liar, and the father of lying. But, as for me, it is because I speak the truth to you that you do not believe me. Which of you can convict me of sin? Why then do not you believe me, if I am speaking truth? He who comes from God listens to God's teaching; the reason why you do not listen is because you do not come from God." "Are not we right, after all," replied the Jews, "in saying that you are a Samaritan, and are possessed by a demon?" "I am not possessed by a demon," Jesus answered, "but I am showing reverence for my Father; and yet you have no reverence for me. Not that I am seeking honor for myself; there is one who is seeking my honor, and he decides. In truth I tell you, if any one lays my Message to heart, he will never really die." "Now we are sure that you are possessed by a demon," the Jews replied. "Abraham died, and so did the Prophets; and yet you say 'If any one lays my Message to heart, he will never know death.' Are you greater than our ancestor Abraham, who died? And the Prophets died too. Whom do you make yourself out to be?" "If I do honor to myself," answered Jesus, "such honor counts for nothing. It is my Father who does me honor--and you say that he is your God; And yet you have not learned to know him; but I know him; and, if I were to say that I do not know him, I should be a liar like you; but I do know him, and I lay his Message to heart. Your ancestor Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day; and he did see it, and was glad." "You are not fifty years old yet," the Jews exclaimed, "and have you seen Abraham?" "In truth I tell you," replied Jesus, "before Abraham existed I was." At this they took up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself, and left the Temple Courts.
If, then, the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed! I know that you are descendants of Abraham; yet you are seeking to put me to death, because my Message finds no place in your hearts. I tell you what I have myself seen in the presence of my Father; and you, in the same way, do what you have learned from your father." "Our father is Abraham," was their answer. "If you are Abraham's children," replied Jesus, "do what Abraham did. But, as it is, you are seeking to put me to death--a man who has told you the Truth as he heard it from God. Abraham did not act in that way. You are doing what your own father does." "We are not bastards," they said, "we have one Father--God himself." "If God were your Father," Jesus replied, "you would have loved me, for I came out from God, and now am here; and I have not come of myself, but he sent me as his Messenger. How is it that you do not understand what I say? It is because you cannot bear to listen to my Message. As for you, you are children of your Father the Devil, and you are determined to do what your father loves to do. He was a murderer from the first, and did not stand by the truth, because there is no truth in him. Whenever he lies, he does what is natural to him; because he is a liar, and the father of lying. But, as for me, it is because I speak the truth to you that you do not believe me. Which of you can convict me of sin? Why then do not you believe me, if I am speaking truth? He who comes from God listens to God's teaching; the reason why you do not listen is because you do not come from God." "Are not we right, after all," replied the Jews, "in saying that you are a Samaritan, and are possessed by a demon?" "I am not possessed by a demon," Jesus answered, "but I am showing reverence for my Father; and yet you have no reverence for me. Not that I am seeking honor for myself; there is one who is seeking my honor, and he decides. In truth I tell you, if any one lays my Message to heart, he will never really die." "Now we are sure that you are possessed by a demon," the Jews replied. "Abraham died, and so did the Prophets; and yet you say 'If any one lays my Message to heart, he will never know death.' Are you greater than our ancestor Abraham, who died? And the Prophets died too. Whom do you make yourself out to be?" "If I do honor to myself," answered Jesus, "such honor counts for nothing. It is my Father who does me honor--and you say that he is your God; And yet you have not learned to know him; but I know him; and, if I were to say that I do not know him, I should be a liar like you; but I do know him, and I lay his Message to heart. Your ancestor Abraham rejoiced that he would see my day; and he did see it, and was glad." "You are not fifty years old yet," the Jews exclaimed, "and have you seen Abraham?" "In truth I tell you," replied Jesus, "before Abraham existed I was." At this they took up stones to throw at him; but Jesus hid himself, and left the Temple Courts.
"You are his disciple," they retorted scornfully; "but we are disciples of Moses. We know that God spoke to Moses; but, as for this man, we do not know where he comes from." "Well," the man replied, "this is very strange; you do not know where he comes from, and yet he has given me my sight! read more.
We know that God never listens to bad men, but, when a man is god-fearing and does God's will, God listens to him. Since the world began, such a thing was never heard of as any one's giving sight to a person born blind. If this man had not been from God, he could not have done anything at all." "You," they retorted, "were born totally depraved; and are you trying to teach us?" So they expelled him.
We know that God never listens to bad men, but, when a man is god-fearing and does God's will, God listens to him. Since the world began, such a thing was never heard of as any one's giving sight to a person born blind. If this man had not been from God, he could not have done anything at all." "You," they retorted, "were born totally depraved; and are you trying to teach us?" So they expelled him.
Servant » Figurative
'Do not harm the earth, or the sea, or the trees, until we have sealed the servants of our God upon their foreheads.'
Verse Concepts
They promise them freedom, while they themselves are slaves to corrupt habits; for a man is the slave of anything to which he gives way.
Verse Concepts
Remember, Brothers, to you the Call came to give you freedom. Only do not make your freedom an opportunity for self-indulgence, but serve one another in a loving spirit.
Verse Concepts
Let men look upon us as Christ's servants, and as stewards of the hidden truths of God.
Verse Concepts
Act as free men, yet not using your freedom as those do who make it a cloak for wickedness, but as Servants of God.
Verse Concepts
Who, then is that trustworthy, careful servant, who has been placed by his master over his household, to give them their food at the proper time? Happy will that servant be whom his master, when he comes home, shall find doing this. I tell you that his master will put him in charge of the whole of his property. read more.
But, should he be a bad servant, and say to himself 'My master is a long time in coming,' And begin to beat his fellow-servants, and eat and drink with drunkards, That servant's master will come on a day when he does not expect him, and at an hour of which he is unaware, And will flog him severely, and assign him his place among the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.
But, should he be a bad servant, and say to himself 'My master is a long time in coming,' And begin to beat his fellow-servants, and eat and drink with drunkards, That servant's master will come on a day when he does not expect him, and at an hour of which he is unaware, And will flog him severely, and assign him his place among the hypocrites, where there will be weeping and grinding of teeth.
Make yourselves ready, with your lamps alight; And be like men who are waiting for their Master's return from his wedding, so that, when he comes and knocks, they may open the door for him at once. Happy are those servants whom, on his return, the Master will find watching. I tell you that he will make himself ready, and bid them take their places at table, and will come and wait upon them. read more.
Whether it is late at night, or in the early morning that he comes, if he finds all as it should be, then happy are they. This you do know, that, had the owner of the house known at what time the thief was coming, he would have been on the watch, and would not have let his house be broken into. Do you also prepare, for when you are least expecting him the Son of Man will come." "Master," said Peter, "are you telling this parable with reference to us or to every one?" "Who, then," replied the Master, "is that trustworthy steward, the careful man, who will be placed by his master over his establishment, to give them their rations at the proper time? Happy will that servant be whom his master, when he comes home, shall find doing this. His master, I tell you, will put him in charge of the whole of his property. But should that servant say to himself 'My master is a long time coming,' and begin to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, That servant's master will come on a day when he does not expect him, and at an hour of which he is unaware, and will flog him severely and assign him his place among the untrustworthy. The servant who knows his master's wishes and yet does not prepare and act accordingly will receive many lashes; while one who does not know his master's wishes, but acts so as to deserve a flogging, will receive but few. From every one to whom much has been given much will be expected, and from the man to whom much has been entrusted the more will be demanded.
Whether it is late at night, or in the early morning that he comes, if he finds all as it should be, then happy are they. This you do know, that, had the owner of the house known at what time the thief was coming, he would have been on the watch, and would not have let his house be broken into. Do you also prepare, for when you are least expecting him the Son of Man will come." "Master," said Peter, "are you telling this parable with reference to us or to every one?" "Who, then," replied the Master, "is that trustworthy steward, the careful man, who will be placed by his master over his establishment, to give them their rations at the proper time? Happy will that servant be whom his master, when he comes home, shall find doing this. His master, I tell you, will put him in charge of the whole of his property. But should that servant say to himself 'My master is a long time coming,' and begin to beat the menservants and the maidservants, and to eat and drink and get drunk, That servant's master will come on a day when he does not expect him, and at an hour of which he is unaware, and will flog him severely and assign him his place among the untrustworthy. The servant who knows his master's wishes and yet does not prepare and act accordingly will receive many lashes; while one who does not know his master's wishes, but acts so as to deserve a flogging, will receive but few. From every one to whom much has been given much will be expected, and from the man to whom much has been entrusted the more will be demanded.
Show 4 more verses
Which of you, if he had a servant ploughing, or tending the sheep, would say to him, when he came in from the fields, 'Come at once and take your place at table,' Instead of saying 'Prepare my dinner, and then make yourself ready and wait on me while I am eating and drinking, and after that you shall eat and drink yourself'? Does he feel grateful to his servant for doing what he is told?
And you find out the Truth, and the Truth will set you free." "We are descendants of Abraham," was their answer, "and have never yet been in slavery to any one. What do you mean by saying 'you will be set free'?" "In truth I tell you," replied Jesus, "every one who sins is a slave to sin. read more.
And a slave does not remain in the home always; but a son remains always.
And a slave does not remain in the home always; but a son remains always.
Surely you know that, when you offer yourselves as servants, to obey any one, you are the servants of the person whom you obey, whether the service be that of Sin which leads to Death, or that of Duty which leads to Righteousness. God be thanked that, though you were once servants of Sin, yet you learned to give hearty obedience to that form of doctrine under which you were placed. Set free from the control of Sin, you became servants to Righteousness. read more.
I can but speak as men do because of the weakness of your earthly nature. Once you offered every part of your bodies to the service of impurity, and of wickedness, which leads to further wickedness. Now, in the same way, offer them to the service of Righteousness, which leads to holiness. While you were still servants of Sin, you were free as regards Righteousness. But what were the fruits that you reaped from those things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of such things is Death. But now that you have been set free from the control of Sin, and have become servants to God, the fruit that you reap is an ever-increasing holiness, and the end Immortal Life.
I can but speak as men do because of the weakness of your earthly nature. Once you offered every part of your bodies to the service of impurity, and of wickedness, which leads to further wickedness. Now, in the same way, offer them to the service of Righteousness, which leads to holiness. While you were still servants of Sin, you were free as regards Righteousness. But what were the fruits that you reaped from those things of which you are now ashamed? For the end of such things is Death. But now that you have been set free from the control of Sin, and have become servants to God, the fruit that you reap is an ever-increasing holiness, and the end Immortal Life.
Were you a slave when you were called? Do not let that trouble you. No, even if you are able to gain your freedom, still do your best. For the man who was a slave when he was called to the master's service is the Master's freed-man; so, too, the man who was free when called is Christ's slave. You were bought, and the price was paid. Do not let yourselves become slaves to men.
Servants » Who is the servant of sin
"In truth I tell you," replied Jesus, "every one who sins is a slave to sin. And a slave does not remain in the home always; but a son remains always.
What follows, then? Are we to sin because we are living under the reign of Love and not of Law? Heaven forbid! Surely you know that, when you offer yourselves as servants, to obey any one, you are the servants of the person whom you obey, whether the service be that of Sin which leads to Death, or that of Duty which leads to Righteousness. God be thanked that, though you were once servants of Sin, yet you learned to give hearty obedience to that form of doctrine under which you were placed. read more.
Set free from the control of Sin, you became servants to Righteousness. I can but speak as men do because of the weakness of your earthly nature. Once you offered every part of your bodies to the service of impurity, and of wickedness, which leads to further wickedness. Now, in the same way, offer them to the service of Righteousness, which leads to holiness. While you were still servants of Sin, you were free as regards Righteousness.
Set free from the control of Sin, you became servants to Righteousness. I can but speak as men do because of the weakness of your earthly nature. Once you offered every part of your bodies to the service of impurity, and of wickedness, which leads to further wickedness. Now, in the same way, offer them to the service of Righteousness, which leads to holiness. While you were still servants of Sin, you were free as regards Righteousness.
Sin » Who is the servant of sin
"In truth I tell you," replied Jesus, "every one who sins is a slave to sin. And a slave does not remain in the home always; but a son remains always.
What follows, then? Are we to sin because we are living under the reign of Love and not of Law? Heaven forbid! Surely you know that, when you offer yourselves as servants, to obey any one, you are the servants of the person whom you obey, whether the service be that of Sin which leads to Death, or that of Duty which leads to Righteousness. God be thanked that, though you were once servants of Sin, yet you learned to give hearty obedience to that form of doctrine under which you were placed. read more.
Set free from the control of Sin, you became servants to Righteousness. I can but speak as men do because of the weakness of your earthly nature. Once you offered every part of your bodies to the service of impurity, and of wickedness, which leads to further wickedness. Now, in the same way, offer them to the service of Righteousness, which leads to holiness. While you were still servants of Sin, you were free as regards Righteousness.
Set free from the control of Sin, you became servants to Righteousness. I can but speak as men do because of the weakness of your earthly nature. Once you offered every part of your bodies to the service of impurity, and of wickedness, which leads to further wickedness. Now, in the same way, offer them to the service of Righteousness, which leads to holiness. While you were still servants of Sin, you were free as regards Righteousness.