Thematic Bible


Thematic Bible



For certain men have secretly infiltrated [your ranks]; they are men who had been written about long ago that they should be judged [and condemned] for perverting the unearned favor of our God into [a license for] living unrestrained, indecent lives, and who deny [the identity and work of] our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Verse ConceptsLewdnessAbuse, Of Spiritual ThingsLicentiousnessWarnings Against ApostasyPredestination, Of PersonsChrist Is LordThe Grace Of GodThey Committed ImmoralityFalse TeachersExamples Of Ungodly MenProblem PeopleSexual Immorality Brings PunishmentRelationships And DatingcondemnationvulnerabilityUnbelief Toward Christ

But just as there were false prophets among the people before, there will also be false teachers among you [Christians]. They will privately teach harmful doctrines that destroy people [spiritually], by even denying [that Jesus is] the Master, [and thereby] destroying themselves quickly. Verse ConceptsCounterfeitsSpiritual MalnutritionForeknowledgeFalse TeachingsFalse Teachers, Characteristics OfAtonementenemies, of believersFalse Doctrine, Dangers OfDestructiondenial of Jesus ChristDenying ChristBuying and sellingLove FeastMarketsOpinionsRansomSecrecySeductionToleranceHeresySatan, Power OfDestroying OneselfMisteachingFalse PeopleFalse Religious SystemProphecyDenying God And His PowerUnbelief Toward Christ

For certain men have secretly infiltrated [your ranks]; they are men who had been written about long ago that they should be judged [and condemned] for perverting the unearned favor of our God into [a license for] living unrestrained, indecent lives, and who deny [the identity and work of] our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Verse ConceptsLewdnessAbuse, Of Spiritual ThingsLicentiousnessWarnings Against ApostasyPredestination, Of PersonsChrist Is LordThe Grace Of GodThey Committed ImmoralityFalse TeachersExamples Of Ungodly MenProblem PeopleSexual Immorality Brings PunishmentRelationships And DatingcondemnationvulnerabilityUnbelief Toward Christ

For there are many rebellious people, especially among the circumcision [i.e., the Jews], whose talk is useless and who deceive people. They must be silenced [because] they are upsetting entire families by teaching things they should not be for the shameful purpose of making money. Even one of their own prophets said, "The people of Crete are always liars, vicious beasts and lazy gluttons." read more.
[And] this testimony is true. [So], for this reason you should rebuke them severely, so that they will be sound in the faith, instead of paying attention to Jewish myths and commandments of men who reject the truth. Everything is pure [i.e., ceremonially acceptable] to the person who is pure [i.e., who has been cleansed by the blood of Christ], but to those who are [spiritually] corrupt, and do not believe [in Christ], nothing is pure, but both their minds and consciences are corrupted. [Note: This statement was intended to remove the physical restrictions imposed by the law of Moses]. These people claim to know God [as Savior], but they deny Him by their actions, so they are detestable and disobedient and unfit for doing anything good.

But just as there were false prophets among the people before, there will also be false teachers among you [Christians]. They will privately teach harmful doctrines that destroy people [spiritually], by even denying [that Jesus is] the Master, [and thereby] destroying themselves quickly. Verse ConceptsCounterfeitsSpiritual MalnutritionForeknowledgeFalse TeachingsFalse Teachers, Characteristics OfAtonementenemies, of believersFalse Doctrine, Dangers OfDestructiondenial of Jesus ChristDenying ChristBuying and sellingLove FeastMarketsOpinionsRansomSecrecySeductionToleranceHeresySatan, Power OfDestroying OneselfMisteachingFalse PeopleFalse Religious SystemProphecyDenying God And His PowerUnbelief Toward Christ

For certain men have secretly infiltrated [your ranks]; they are men who had been written about long ago that they should be judged [and condemned] for perverting the unearned favor of our God into [a license for] living unrestrained, indecent lives, and who deny [the identity and work of] our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Verse ConceptsLewdnessAbuse, Of Spiritual ThingsLicentiousnessWarnings Against ApostasyPredestination, Of PersonsChrist Is LordThe Grace Of GodThey Committed ImmoralityFalse TeachersExamples Of Ungodly MenProblem PeopleSexual Immorality Brings PunishmentRelationships And DatingcondemnationvulnerabilityUnbelief Toward Christ

to bring judgment upon all [such people], and to convict every person of their ungodly behavior, which they have wickedly committed, and of all the evil things that [such] ungodly sinners have spoken against God."

But just as there were false prophets among the people before, there will also be false teachers among you [Christians]. They will privately teach harmful doctrines that destroy people [spiritually], by even denying [that Jesus is] the Master, [and thereby] destroying themselves quickly. Verse ConceptsCounterfeitsSpiritual MalnutritionForeknowledgeFalse TeachingsFalse Teachers, Characteristics OfAtonementenemies, of believersFalse Doctrine, Dangers OfDestructiondenial of Jesus ChristDenying ChristBuying and sellingLove FeastMarketsOpinionsRansomSecrecySeductionToleranceHeresySatan, Power OfDestroying OneselfMisteachingFalse PeopleFalse Religious SystemProphecyDenying God And His PowerUnbelief Toward Christ

For certain men have secretly infiltrated [your ranks]; they are men who had been written about long ago that they should be judged [and condemned] for perverting the unearned favor of our God into [a license for] living unrestrained, indecent lives, and who deny [the identity and work of] our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Verse ConceptsLewdnessAbuse, Of Spiritual ThingsLicentiousnessWarnings Against ApostasyPredestination, Of PersonsChrist Is LordThe Grace Of GodThey Committed ImmoralityFalse TeachersExamples Of Ungodly MenProblem PeopleSexual Immorality Brings PunishmentRelationships And DatingcondemnationvulnerabilityUnbelief Toward Christ

In the same way, these people have dreams of committing physically corruptive practices; they reject authority over them [i.e., by both God and men], and speak against glorious [i.e., heavenly] beings. Verse ConceptsDefilement, Objects OfCivic DutiesHonouring RulersAnarchyMisleading DreamsRespecting Authority

For certain men have secretly infiltrated [your ranks]; they are men who had been written about long ago that they should be judged [and condemned] for perverting the unearned favor of our God into [a license for] living unrestrained, indecent lives, and who deny [the identity and work of] our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Verse ConceptsLewdnessAbuse, Of Spiritual ThingsLicentiousnessWarnings Against ApostasyPredestination, Of PersonsChrist Is LordThe Grace Of GodThey Committed ImmoralityFalse TeachersExamples Of Ungodly MenProblem PeopleSexual Immorality Brings PunishmentRelationships And DatingcondemnationvulnerabilityUnbelief Toward Christ

For certain men have secretly infiltrated [your ranks]; they are men who had been written about long ago that they should be judged [and condemned] for perverting the unearned favor of our God into [a license for] living unrestrained, indecent lives, and who deny [the identity and work of] our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Verse ConceptsLewdnessAbuse, Of Spiritual ThingsLicentiousnessWarnings Against ApostasyPredestination, Of PersonsChrist Is LordThe Grace Of GodThey Committed ImmoralityFalse TeachersExamples Of Ungodly MenProblem PeopleSexual Immorality Brings PunishmentRelationships And DatingcondemnationvulnerabilityUnbelief Toward Christ

I know about your deeds, your hard work and your perseverance. [I know] that you cannot tolerate wicked men and that you have tested those who call themselves apostles, but really are not, and found them to be liars. Verse ConceptsClaimsLiesToleranceChurch DisciplineFalse Teachers, Examples OfChrist's Knowledge Of BelieversBad CompanyEvil AssociationsChrist Knowing About PeopleFalse WaysFalse ApostlesThe Fact Of ToilOne's DeedsFalse Apostles, Prophets And TeachersEnduranceHard Work And Perseverance

We have heard that certain [men] who left here have been upsetting you people and [even] undermining [some people's] spiritual lives by what they have been teaching. This was done without our authorization [or approval]. Verse ConceptsHeresyMen's OrdersTroubling Groups Of People

although it is really not a different one, but rather some people are causing you trouble by trying to pervert the [true] Gospel of Christ. Verse ConceptsChaosThe Purity Of The GospelHurt And Betrayalproblems

For if someone comes [to you] proclaiming another "Jesus," whom we [apostles] had not preached, or if you people receive a different "spirit" from the one you have [already] received, or a different "gospel" from the one you have [already] accepted, you put up with him quite well. Verse ConceptsSpiritual Warfare, Enemies InHeresyAcceptance, Of The GospelSpirit BeingsThe Purity Of The GospelDifferent TeachingsFalse ChristsFake FriendsBeing DifferentBeing Unique

For [certain] false brothers, who were secretly brought in to observe us practicing our liberty in Christ Jesus [i.e., by not having Titus circumcised], attempted to place us [back] under the bondage [of Mosaic law keeping]. Verse Concepts4th of julySpiesToleranceSpyingFalse PeopleSubject To EvilChristian LibertyReligious FreedomFreedom

Dearly loved ones, as I was very eagerly planning to write to you about the salvation we share in common, I felt it necessary [instead] to write urging you to contend earnestly for the faith [i.e., the teaching of Christ] which was once and for all delivered [by the apostles, See verse 17] to the saints [i.e., God's holy people]. For certain men have secretly infiltrated [your ranks]; they are men who had been written about long ago that they should be judged [and condemned] for perverting the unearned favor of our God into [a license for] living unrestrained, indecent lives, and who deny [the identity and work of] our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. But, I want to remind you, [even] though you already know the stories about how the Lord delivered His people from Egyptian [bondage], and then [later] destroyed those who did not believe [in Him]. read more.
And angels, who did not remain within [the bounds of] their proper authority, but left their own realm, God has kept in perpetual bondage, under [thick] darkness, awaiting judgment on the Great Day [when they will be punished]. So also, in a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah, and their surrounding towns, which had abandoned themselves to sexual immorality and [sexually] perverted behavior, serve as an example [of people] who [will] suffer the punishment of never ending fire. In the same way, these people have dreams of committing physically corruptive practices; they reject authority over them [i.e., by both God and men], and speak against glorious [i.e., heavenly] beings. But, when the ruling angel Michael disputed with the devil over [the final disposal of] the body of Moses, [even] he did not dare to bring derogatory charges against him [i.e., the devil], but said, "May the Lord rebuke you." [Note: Some suggest that this account appeared in an apocryphal book, possibly "The Assumption of Moses"]. But these people [i.e., the "certain men" of verse 4] speak against whatever they do not understand, and what they do understand naturally, the way animals do, proves to be their ruination. It is too bad for these people, for they have followed the example of Cain [the murderer]; for the sake of money they have rushed into the [same] error as Balaam committed [See Num. 25:1-5; 31:16]; they [will] perish [spiritually] for having rebelled [against God] like Korah did. [See Num. 16:1-3, 31-35]. These people are like rotten spots [contaminating the food] at your love feasts, while they gorge themselves without fear [i.e., unashamed of their selfish indulgence]. [Note: This passage may mean "like selfish shepherds, looking out only for themselves, they eat the grain set out for the animals"]. They are like clouds that blow over without producing rain; [they are like] trees in the fall that do not produce any fruit and have been uprooted, [thus] being dead twice [i.e., fruitless and rootless]. [They are like] raging ocean waves, whose shameful actions bubble up like foam. [They are like] shooting stars [whose light quickly goes out], for whom total darkness has been reserved forever. And it was also prophesied about [these] people by Enoch, the seventh [descendant] of Adam [Gen. 5:18-24], who said, "Look, the Lord came with thousands upon thousands [Note: The Greek uses the plural form of "myriad," which means 10,000] of His holy ones [i.e., angels], to bring judgment upon all [such people], and to convict every person of their ungodly behavior, which they have wickedly committed, and of all the evil things that [such] ungodly sinners have spoken against God." These people are gripers and complainers, living according to their own [evil] desires, whose mouths speak boastfully, and who show partiality [toward certain people] to gain some advantage.

For certain men have secretly infiltrated [your ranks]; they are men who had been written about long ago that they should be judged [and condemned] for perverting the unearned favor of our God into [a license for] living unrestrained, indecent lives, and who deny [the identity and work of] our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Verse ConceptsLewdnessAbuse, Of Spiritual ThingsLicentiousnessWarnings Against ApostasyPredestination, Of PersonsChrist Is LordThe Grace Of GodThey Committed ImmoralityFalse TeachersExamples Of Ungodly MenProblem PeopleSexual Immorality Brings PunishmentRelationships And DatingcondemnationvulnerabilityUnbelief Toward Christ


For certain men have secretly infiltrated [your ranks]; they are men who had been written about long ago that they should be judged [and condemned] for perverting the unearned favor of our God into [a license for] living unrestrained, indecent lives, and who deny [the identity and work of] our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. But, I want to remind you, [even] though you already know the stories about how the Lord delivered His people from Egyptian [bondage], and then [later] destroyed those who did not believe [in Him].

For certain men have secretly infiltrated [your ranks]; they are men who had been written about long ago that they should be judged [and condemned] for perverting the unearned favor of our God into [a license for] living unrestrained, indecent lives, and who deny [the identity and work of] our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. Verse ConceptsLewdnessAbuse, Of Spiritual ThingsLicentiousnessWarnings Against ApostasyPredestination, Of PersonsChrist Is LordThe Grace Of GodThey Committed ImmoralityFalse TeachersExamples Of Ungodly MenProblem PeopleSexual Immorality Brings PunishmentRelationships And DatingcondemnationvulnerabilityUnbelief Toward Christ

"And write [this] to the angel of the church at Sardis: These are the words of Him who has the seven Spirits of God [i.e., Jesus, who has the Holy Spirit] and the seven stars [i.e., the seven angels of the seven churches. See 1:20]: I know about your deeds, that you have a reputation for being [spiritually] alive, but you are [really] dead. Wake up, and strengthen what remains [i.e., those few in the church who were trying to stay faithful], who are about to die. For I have not found [any] of your deeds to be complete before my God. So, remember how you have received and heard the message [i.e., they had eagerly accepted the Gospel]; [now] obey it and repent. For if you do not become [spiritually] alert, I will come as a thief [i.e. unexpectedly] and you will not know the [exact] time that I will come upon you [in judgment. See 2:16, 25].



He said to the crowds of people that went out [to the desert] to be immersed by him, "You children of snakes, who warned you to run away from the coming wrath [of God]? Demonstrate by your lives that you have [really] repented, and quit saying to yourselves, 'We claim Abraham as our forefather,' because I tell you, God is able to make Abraham's children out of these stones. And even now the axe is also ready to chop down the trees at their roots [i.e., you Jews]. Every tree [i.e., person] that does not produce wholesome fruit [i.e., a godly life] will be cut down and thrown into the fire [i.e., the punishment of hell]."


Now these events happened to those people as examples [to us], and they were written as warnings to us, to whom the fulfillment of the ages has come. [Note: This refers to past ages concluding with the coming of Christ in that day]. Verse ConceptsExamples, Purpose OfDoubt, Dealing WithForeshadowingBible, Given ForEnd Of The AgesScripture TeachingOther Scriptures FulfilledInformation AgeEverything Happening For A Reasonteammates





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For certain men have secretly infiltrated [your ranks]; they are men who had been written about long ago that they should be judged [and condemned] for perverting the unearned favor of our God into [a license for] living unrestrained, indecent lives, and who deny [the identity and work of] our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ. But, I want to remind you, [even] though you already know the stories about how the Lord delivered His people from Egyptian [bondage], and then [later] destroyed those who did not believe [in Him]. And angels, who did not remain within [the bounds of] their proper authority, but left their own realm, God has kept in perpetual bondage, under [thick] darkness, awaiting judgment on the Great Day [when they will be punished]. read more.
So also, in a similar way, Sodom and Gomorrah, and their surrounding towns, which had abandoned themselves to sexual immorality and [sexually] perverted behavior, serve as an example [of people] who [will] suffer the punishment of never ending fire.

But since you are lukewarm, and neither hot nor cold, I am about to vomit you out of my mouth. For you are saying, 'I am wealthy; I have made plenty of money and do not need anything.' But you do not know that you are [spiritually] wretched and miserable and poor and blind and naked. [Because of that], I advise you to buy from me gold, refined by fire, so that you will become rich; and white clothing to wear, so that you can cover yourself and not be seen as shamefully naked; and eye drops for your eyes, so that you can see. [Note: The foregoing all refer to taking measures for becoming more spiritual]. read more.
"I rebuke and discipline those I love, so be earnest and repent.