Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Duty toward the Afflicted » To pray for them
So, Peter was kept in jail, but the church continued to pray earnestly to God for him. [See verse 12].
Verse Concepts
For I know that, through your requests [in prayer] for me and the help provided by the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ, this situation will result in my being rescued [i.e., released from imprisonment].
Verse Concepts
Those who do it out of love [for me] know that I am prepared to defend the Gospel [i.e., before government authorities].
Verse Concepts
Ministers » Should preach » With good will and love
Some people, indeed, are proclaiming Christ out of envy and strife [i.e., out of rivalry], while others do it from goodwill. Those who do it out of love [for me] know that I am prepared to defend the Gospel [i.e., before government authorities]. But the others preach Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely, hoping to stir up trouble for me while I am in prison.
Religious zeal » Without knowledge
Certain people are showing quite an interest in you, but it is not for your benefit. Instead, they are trying to separate you [from me], in hope that you will seek them out [for help].
Verse Concepts
For you have heard about the way I lived in the past, when I was in the Jewish religion, [that is], how I mercilessly persecuted the church of God, making havoc of it. I advanced in the Jewish religion beyond many of my contemporaries among my countrymen. I have been extremely more zealous in advocating the traditions [taught] by my forefathers.
For I can testify that they have an enthusiasm for God, but it is without [true] knowledge. For they did not know about God's way of making people right with Himself, so they attempted to establish their own way. In doing this they did not submit to God's way for being made right with Him.
The Jewish authorities will expel you from their synagogues. In fact, the time will come when whoever kills you will think he is doing a service to God.
Verse Concepts
And when they heard [all] this, they gave honor to God, then said to Paul, "Brother, you can see how many thousands of Jewish believers [in Christ] there are [everywhere] and all of them are eager to observe the [requirements of the] law of Moses.
Verse Concepts
[While there] an expert in the law of Moses said to Him, "Teacher, I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus replied to him, "The foxes have dens [in which to live] and the birds of the sky have nests [in which to roost]; but the Son of man does not have anywhere to lay His head."
And as they were going along the road, a certain man [i.e., an expert in the law of Moses. See Matt. 8:19] said to Him, "I will follow you wherever you go." Jesus replied to him, "The foxes have dens [in which to live] and the birds of the sky have nests [in which to roost], but the Son of man does not have anywhere to lay His head."
Some people, indeed, are proclaiming Christ out of envy and strife [i.e., out of rivalry], while others do it from goodwill. Those who do it out of love [for me] know that I am prepared to defend the Gospel [i.e., before government authorities]. But the others preach Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely, hoping to stir up trouble for me while I am in prison. read more.
So, what [should I think about the situation]? Just this: I am happy and will continue to be happy that, in every way, Christ is being preached, [regardless of] whether it is in pretense or with sincerity.
So, what [should I think about the situation]? Just this: I am happy and will continue to be happy that, in every way, Christ is being preached, [regardless of] whether it is in pretense or with sincerity.
Rome » Christians in
All the saints [here with me] send you their greetings, especially those belonging to [Emperor] Caesar's household.
Verse Concepts
Hurry up and come [to me] before winter. Eubulus sends his greetings, along with Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia and all [the rest of] the brothers.
Verse Concepts
I also send greetings to the church that meets in their house. Greetings to my dear friend Epenetus, who was the first convert to Christ in Asia [Note: This was a province in the western part of present-day Turkey]. Greetings to Mary, who worked very hard for you [i.e., she served the church in Rome]. Greetings to Andronicus and Junias, my fellow-Jews [or possibly actual relatives] who were in prison with me. These [men] are considered outstanding by the apostles, and were Christians before I was [converted]. read more.
Greetings to Ampliatus, my dear friend in [the fellowship of] the Lord. Greetings to Urbanus, our fellow-worker in [the service of] Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. Greetings to Apelles, [who was tested and] approved in [the service of] Christ. Greetings to members of the family of Aristobulus. Greetings to Herodion, my fellow-Jew. [See verse 7]. Greetings to those members of the family of Narcissus who are Christians. Greetings to Tryphena and Tryphosa, who are workers in [the service of] the Lord and to Persis, my dear friend who worked hard in [the service of] the Lord. Greetings to Rufus, an outstanding servant in [the service of] the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me also. Greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the [other] brothers who are with them. Greetings to Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all [the others] of God's people who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss [i.e., to signify affection, yet without sensuality]. All of the churches of Christ [i.e., which Paul established or preached in] send you their greetings. Now I urge you, brothers, watch out for those who are causing divisions and occasions for falling [away from God over matters] contrary to the teaching you have learned, and withdraw from them [i.e., stop listening to their false teaching].
Greetings to Ampliatus, my dear friend in [the fellowship of] the Lord. Greetings to Urbanus, our fellow-worker in [the service of] Christ, and my dear friend Stachys. Greetings to Apelles, [who was tested and] approved in [the service of] Christ. Greetings to members of the family of Aristobulus. Greetings to Herodion, my fellow-Jew. [See verse 7]. Greetings to those members of the family of Narcissus who are Christians. Greetings to Tryphena and Tryphosa, who are workers in [the service of] the Lord and to Persis, my dear friend who worked hard in [the service of] the Lord. Greetings to Rufus, an outstanding servant in [the service of] the Lord, and his mother, who has been a mother to me also. Greetings to Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the [other] brothers who are with them. Greetings to Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all [the others] of God's people who are with them. Greet one another with a holy kiss [i.e., to signify affection, yet without sensuality]. All of the churches of Christ [i.e., which Paul established or preached in] send you their greetings. Now I urge you, brothers, watch out for those who are causing divisions and occasions for falling [away from God over matters] contrary to the teaching you have learned, and withdraw from them [i.e., stop listening to their false teaching].
Now I want you to know, brothers, that the things that happened to me have resulted in the advancement [of the influence] of the Gospel rather [than hindering it], so that my imprisonment for Christ became known throughout the entire headquarters of the governor [i.e., among all his personnel], and to everyone else. And most of the brothers in the Lord's [service], through my imprisonment, gained confidence to speak out God's message with greater courage and without fear. read more.
Some people, indeed, are proclaiming Christ out of envy and strife [i.e., out of rivalry], while others do it from goodwill. Those who do it out of love [for me] know that I am prepared to defend the Gospel [i.e., before government authorities]. But the others preach Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely, hoping to stir up trouble for me while I am in prison. So, what [should I think about the situation]? Just this: I am happy and will continue to be happy that, in every way, Christ is being preached, [regardless of] whether it is in pretense or with sincerity.
Some people, indeed, are proclaiming Christ out of envy and strife [i.e., out of rivalry], while others do it from goodwill. Those who do it out of love [for me] know that I am prepared to defend the Gospel [i.e., before government authorities]. But the others preach Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely, hoping to stir up trouble for me while I am in prison. So, what [should I think about the situation]? Just this: I am happy and will continue to be happy that, in every way, Christ is being preached, [regardless of] whether it is in pretense or with sincerity.
Sincerity » The gospel sometimes preached without
Those who do it out of love [for me] know that I am prepared to defend the Gospel [i.e., before government authorities].
Verse Concepts
Strife » Ministers should » Not preach through
Some people, indeed, are proclaiming Christ out of envy and strife [i.e., out of rivalry], while others do it from goodwill. Those who do it out of love [for me] know that I am prepared to defend the Gospel [i.e., before government authorities].
Tact » Paul » In turning the preaching of his adversaries to advantage
Then you will be able to approve of [only] what is best and be sincere and without just blame on the day of Christ's [return], having been full of qualities of righteousness, which come from Jesus Christ and produce honor and praise to God. Now I want you to know, brothers, that the things that happened to me have resulted in the advancement [of the influence] of the Gospel rather [than hindering it], read more.
so that my imprisonment for Christ became known throughout the entire headquarters of the governor [i.e., among all his personnel], and to everyone else. And most of the brothers in the Lord's [service], through my imprisonment, gained confidence to speak out God's message with greater courage and without fear. Some people, indeed, are proclaiming Christ out of envy and strife [i.e., out of rivalry], while others do it from goodwill. Those who do it out of love [for me] know that I am prepared to defend the Gospel [i.e., before government authorities]. But the others preach Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely, hoping to stir up trouble for me while I am in prison. So, what [should I think about the situation]? Just this: I am happy and will continue to be happy that, in every way, Christ is being preached, [regardless of] whether it is in pretense or with sincerity. For I know that, through your requests [in prayer] for me and the help provided by the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ, this situation will result in my being rescued [i.e., released from imprisonment]. It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not have to be ashamed about anything, but that I will have the courage, [both] now and always, [to so live] that Christ will be exalted [i.e., honored] in my body, whether I live or die. For life to me is Christ, and if I die, it would be gain. But if [continuing] to live in my body means accomplishing more work [for Christ], then I do not know which to choose.
so that my imprisonment for Christ became known throughout the entire headquarters of the governor [i.e., among all his personnel], and to everyone else. And most of the brothers in the Lord's [service], through my imprisonment, gained confidence to speak out God's message with greater courage and without fear. Some people, indeed, are proclaiming Christ out of envy and strife [i.e., out of rivalry], while others do it from goodwill. Those who do it out of love [for me] know that I am prepared to defend the Gospel [i.e., before government authorities]. But the others preach Christ out of rivalry, not sincerely, hoping to stir up trouble for me while I am in prison. So, what [should I think about the situation]? Just this: I am happy and will continue to be happy that, in every way, Christ is being preached, [regardless of] whether it is in pretense or with sincerity. For I know that, through your requests [in prayer] for me and the help provided by the Holy Spirit of Jesus Christ, this situation will result in my being rescued [i.e., released from imprisonment]. It is my eager expectation and hope that I will not have to be ashamed about anything, but that I will have the courage, [both] now and always, [to so live] that Christ will be exalted [i.e., honored] in my body, whether I live or die. For life to me is Christ, and if I die, it would be gain. But if [continuing] to live in my body means accomplishing more work [for Christ], then I do not know which to choose.