Thematic Bible
Thematic Bible
Character » Instability of
Come close to God [with a contrite heart] and He will come close to you. Wash your hands, you sinners; and purify your [unfaithful] hearts, you double-minded [people].
They have eyes full of adultery, constantly looking for sin, enticing and luring away unstable souls. Having hearts trained in greed, [they are] children of a curse.
A sower went out to sow seed; and as he sowed, some fell along the traveled path and was trodden underfoot, and the birds of the air ate it up. And some [seed] fell on the rock, and as soon as it sprouted, it withered away because it had no moisture. And other [seed] fell in the midst of the thorns, and the thorns grew up with it and choked it [off]. read more.
And some seed fell into good soil, and grew up and yielded a crop a hundred times [as great]. As He said these things, He called out, He who has ears to hear, let him be listening and let him consider and understand by hearing! And when His disciples asked Him the meaning of this parable, He said to them, To you it has been given to [come progressively to] know (to recognize and understand more strongly and clearly) the mysteries and secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that, [though] looking, they may not see; and hearing, they may not comprehend. Now the meaning of the parable is this: The seed is the Word of God. Those along the traveled road are the people who have heard; then the devil comes and carries away the message out of their hearts, that they may not believe ( acknowledge Me as their Savior and devote themselves to Me) and be saved [here and hereafter]. And those upon the rock [are the people] who, when they hear [the Word], receive and welcome it with joy; but these have no root. They believe for a while, and in time of trial and temptation fall away (withdraw and stand aloof). And as for what fell among the thorns, these are [the people] who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked and suffocated with the anxieties and cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not ripen (come to maturity and perfection). But as for that [seed] in the good soil, these are [the people] who, hearing the Word, hold it fast in a just ( noble, virtuous) and worthy heart, and steadily bring forth fruit with patience.
And some seed fell into good soil, and grew up and yielded a crop a hundred times [as great]. As He said these things, He called out, He who has ears to hear, let him be listening and let him consider and understand by hearing! And when His disciples asked Him the meaning of this parable, He said to them, To you it has been given to [come progressively to] know (to recognize and understand more strongly and clearly) the mysteries and secrets of the kingdom of God, but for others they are in parables, so that, [though] looking, they may not see; and hearing, they may not comprehend. Now the meaning of the parable is this: The seed is the Word of God. Those along the traveled road are the people who have heard; then the devil comes and carries away the message out of their hearts, that they may not believe ( acknowledge Me as their Savior and devote themselves to Me) and be saved [here and hereafter]. And those upon the rock [are the people] who, when they hear [the Word], receive and welcome it with joy; but these have no root. They believe for a while, and in time of trial and temptation fall away (withdraw and stand aloof). And as for what fell among the thorns, these are [the people] who hear, but as they go on their way they are choked and suffocated with the anxieties and cares and riches and pleasures of life, and their fruit does not ripen (come to maturity and perfection). But as for that [seed] in the good soil, these are [the people] who, hearing the Word, hold it fast in a just ( noble, virtuous) and worthy heart, and steadily bring forth fruit with patience.
“Why do you go around and wander so much
Changing your way?
Also, you will be shamed by Egypt
As you were shamed by Assyria.
O Ephraim, what shall I do with you?
O Judah, what shall I do with you?
For your [wavering] loyalty and kindness are [transient] like the morning cloud
And like the dew that goes away early.
Like a bird that wanders from her nest [with its comfort and safety],
So is a man who wanders from his home.
My son, [reverently] fear the Lord and the king, and do not associate with those who are given to change [of allegiance, and are revolutionary], For their calamity shall rise suddenly, and who knows the punishment and ruin which both [the Lord and the king] will bring upon [the rebellious]?
Ephraim mixes himself with the [Gentile] nations [seeking favor with one country, then another];
Ephraim is a cake not turned [worthless; ready to be thrown away].
Their heart is divided (faithless);
Now they must bear their guilt and punishment.
The Lord will break down [the horns of] their altars;
He will destroy their idolatrous pillars.
And a scribe came up and said to Him, Master, I will accompany You wherever You go. And Jesus replied to him, Foxes have holes and the birds of the air have lodging places, but the Son of Man has nowhere to lay His head. Another of the disciples said to Him, Lord, let me first go and bury [ care for till death] my father. read more.
But Jesus said to him, Follow Me, and leave the dead [ in sin] to bury their own dead.
But Jesus said to him, Follow Me, and leave the dead [ in sin] to bury their own dead.
While anyone is hearing the Word of the kingdom and does not grasp and comprehend it, the evil one comes and snatches away what was sown in his heart. This is what was sown along the roadside. As for what was sown on thin (rocky) soil, this is he who hears the Word and at once welcomes and accepts it with joy; Yet it has no real root in him, but is temporary (inconstant, lasts but a little while); and when affliction or trouble or persecution comes on account of the Word, at once he is caused to stumble [he is repelled and begins to distrust and desert Him Whom he ought to trust and obey] and he falls away. read more.
As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the Word, but the cares of the world and the pleasure and delight and glamour and deceitfulness of riches choke and suffocate the Word, and it yields no fruit.
As for what was sown among thorns, this is he who hears the Word, but the cares of the world and the pleasure and delight and glamour and deceitfulness of riches choke and suffocate the Word, and it yields no fruit.
The ones along the path are those who have the Word sown [in their hearts], but when they hear, Satan comes at once and [by force] takes away the message which is sown in them. And in the same way the ones sown upon stony ground are those who, when they hear the Word, at once receive and accept and welcome it with joy; And they have no real root in themselves, and so they endure for a little while; then when trouble or persecution arises on account of the Word, they immediately are offended (become displeased, indignant, resentful) and they stumble and fall away. read more.
And the ones sown among the thorns are others who hear the Word; Then the cares and anxieties of the world and distractions of the age, and the pleasure and delight and false glamour and deceitfulness of riches, and the craving and passionate desire for other things creep in and choke and suffocate the Word, and it becomes fruitless.
And the ones sown among the thorns are others who hear the Word; Then the cares and anxieties of the world and distractions of the age, and the pleasure and delight and false glamour and deceitfulness of riches, and the craving and passionate desire for other things creep in and choke and suffocate the Word, and it becomes fruitless.
And He said to another, Become My disciple, side with My party, and accompany Me! But he replied, Lord, permit me first to go and bury ( await the death of) my father. But Jesus said to him, Allow the dead to bury their own dead; but as for you, go and publish abroad throughout all regions the kingdom of God. Another also said, I will follow You, Lord, and become Your disciple and side with Your party; but let me first say good-bye to those at my home. read more.
Jesus said to him, No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back [to the things behind] is fit for the kingdom of God.
Jesus said to him, No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back [to the things behind] is fit for the kingdom of God.
So that we are no longer children [spiritually immature], tossed back and forth [like ships on a stormy sea] and carried about by every wind of [shifting] doctrine, by the cunning and trickery of [unscrupulous] men, by the deceitful scheming of people ready to do anything [for personal profit].
Verse Concepts
CraftinessAdulthoodFalse TeachingsFalse Teachers, Characteristics OfFalse Doctrines, Christian Attitude OfEdification, Goal Ofdoubt, results ofDoubt, Dealing WithFalse Doctrine, Dangers OfChildishnessChildhoodCharmChaosBabies, Figurative UseHeresiesInstabilityMaturity, SpiritualDeception Through False TeachersSeafaringShrewdnessStabilityTrap
Only it must be in faith that he asks with no wavering (no hesitating, no doubting). For the one who wavers (hesitates, doubts) is like the billowing surge out at sea that is blown hither and thither and tossed by the wind. For truly, let not such a person imagine that he will receive anything [he asks for] from the Lord, [For being as he is] a man of two minds (hesitating, dubious, irresolute), [he is] unstable and unreliable and uncertain about everything [he thinks, feels, decides].
Children » Should » Fear God
My son, fear the Lord and the king;
And do not associate with those who are given to change [of allegiance, and are revolutionary],
duties of Citizens » General references to
Whoever does not observe and practice the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be executed upon him strictly and promptly, whether it be for death or banishment or confiscation of property or imprisonment.”
My son, fear the Lord and the king;
And do not associate with those who are given to change [of allegiance, and are revolutionary],
I counsel you to keep the command of the king because of the oath before God [by which you swore loyalty to him].
They said, “[The Emperor Tiberius] Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God [granted by His permission and sanction], and those which exist have been put in place by God.
Verse Concepts
ethics, socialethics, basis ofCivil authoritiesDeath penaltyHuman Authority, Nature OfAttitudes, to other peopleAuthority, of human institutionsHuman Authority, Christian ResponseGovernmentCivic DutiesHonouring RulersLeaders, PoliticalLoyaltyPower, HumanOrderliness In SocietySubmissionTaxationGod's Providential Control
Remind people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready and willing to do good,
Be submissive to every human institution and authority for the sake of the Lord, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, Or to governors as sent by him to bring vengeance (punishment, justice) to those who do wrong and to encourage those who do good service.
Civic duties » General references to
Whoever does not observe and practice the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be executed upon him strictly and promptly, whether it be for death or banishment or confiscation of property or imprisonment.”
My son, fear the Lord and the king;
And do not associate with those who are given to change [of allegiance, and are revolutionary],
I counsel you to keep the command of the king because of the oath before God [by which you swore loyalty to him].
They said, “[The Emperor Tiberius] Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God [granted by His permission and sanction], and those which exist have been put in place by God.
Verse Concepts
ethics, socialethics, basis ofCivil authoritiesDeath penaltyHuman Authority, Nature OfAttitudes, to other peopleAuthority, of human institutionsHuman Authority, Christian ResponseGovernmentCivic DutiesHonouring RulersLeaders, PoliticalLoyaltyPower, HumanOrderliness In SocietySubmissionTaxationGod's Providential Control
Remind people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready and willing to do good,
Be submissive to every human institution and authority for the sake of the Lord, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, Or to governors as sent by him to bring vengeance (punishment, justice) to those who do wrong and to encourage those who do good service.
Duties » Of citizens » General references to
Whoever does not observe and practice the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be executed upon him strictly and promptly, whether it be for death or banishment or confiscation of property or imprisonment.”
My son, fear the Lord and the king;
And do not associate with those who are given to change [of allegiance, and are revolutionary],
I counsel you to keep the command of the king because of the oath before God [by which you swore loyalty to him].
They said, “[The Emperor Tiberius] Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God [granted by His permission and sanction], and those which exist have been put in place by God.
Verse Concepts
ethics, socialethics, basis ofCivil authoritiesDeath penaltyHuman Authority, Nature OfAttitudes, to other peopleAuthority, of human institutionsHuman Authority, Christian ResponseGovernmentCivic DutiesHonouring RulersLeaders, PoliticalLoyaltyPower, HumanOrderliness In SocietySubmissionTaxationGod's Providential Control
Remind people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready and willing to do good,
Be submissive to every human institution and authority for the sake of the Lord, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, Or to governors as sent by him to bring vengeance (punishment, justice) to those who do wrong and to encourage those who do good service.
Government » Fearing the king
My son, [reverently] fear the Lord and the king, and do not associate with those who are given to change [of allegiance, and are revolutionary], For their calamity shall rise suddenly, and who knows the punishment and ruin which both [the Lord and the king] will bring upon [the rebellious]?
Instability » Warnings against
“Why do you go around and wander so much
Changing your way?
Also, you will be shamed by Egypt
As you were shamed by Assyria.
O Ephraim, what shall I do with you?
O Judah, what shall I do with you?
For your [wavering] loyalty and kindness are [transient] like the morning cloud
And like the dew that goes away early.
So that we are no longer children [spiritually immature], tossed back and forth [like ships on a stormy sea] and carried about by every wind of [shifting] doctrine, by the cunning and trickery of [unscrupulous] men, by the deceitful scheming of people ready to do anything [for personal profit].
Verse Concepts
CraftinessAdulthoodFalse TeachingsFalse Teachers, Characteristics OfFalse Doctrines, Christian Attitude OfEdification, Goal Ofdoubt, results ofDoubt, Dealing WithFalse Doctrine, Dangers OfChildishnessChildhoodCharmChaosBabies, Figurative UseHeresiesInstabilityMaturity, SpiritualDeception Through False TeachersSeafaringShrewdnessStabilityTrap
Do not be carried away by diverse and strange teachings; for it is good for the heart to be established and strengthened by grace and not by foods [rules of diet and ritualistic meals], which bring no benefit or spiritual growth to those who observe them.
My son, fear the Lord and the king;
And do not associate with those who are given to change [of allegiance, and are revolutionary],
But he must ask [for wisdom] in faith, without doubting [God’s willingness to help], for the one who doubts is like a billowing surge of the sea that is blown about and tossed by the wind.
Kings » Should be » Feared
My son, fear the Lord and the king;
And do not associate with those who are given to change [of allegiance, and are revolutionary],
Loyalty » Encouraged
If the temper of the ruler rises against you, do not leave your post [showing resistance], because composure and calmness prevent great offenses.
Whoever does not observe and practice the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be executed upon him strictly and promptly, whether it be for death or banishment or confiscation of property or imprisonment.”
My son, fear the Lord and the king;
And do not associate with those who are given to change [of allegiance, and are revolutionary],
“God who says to a king, ‘You are worthless and vile,’
Or to princes and nobles, ‘You are wicked and evil’?
I counsel you to keep the command of the king because of the oath before God [by which you swore loyalty to him].
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God [granted by His permission and sanction], and those which exist have been put in place by God.
Verse Concepts
ethics, socialethics, basis ofCivil authoritiesDeath penaltyHuman Authority, Nature OfAttitudes, to other peopleAuthority, of human institutionsHuman Authority, Christian ResponseGovernmentCivic DutiesHonouring RulersLeaders, PoliticalLoyaltyPower, HumanOrderliness In SocietySubmissionTaxationGod's Providential Control
Remind people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready and willing to do good,
“You shall not curse God, nor curse the ruler of your people [since he administers God’s law].
so that they may offer pleasing (sweet-smelling) sacrifices to the God of heaven and pray for the life of the king and his sons.
You shall put some of your authority and honor on him, so that all the congregation of the Israelites will obey him.
Nation » Duty to
Whoever does not observe and practice the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be executed upon him strictly and promptly, whether it be for death or banishment or confiscation of property or imprisonment.”
My son, fear the Lord and the king;
And do not associate with those who are given to change [of allegiance, and are revolutionary],
I counsel you to keep the command of the king because of the oath before God [by which you swore loyalty to him].
They said, “[The Emperor Tiberius] Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God [granted by His permission and sanction], and those which exist have been put in place by God.
Verse Concepts
ethics, socialethics, basis ofCivil authoritiesDeath penaltyHuman Authority, Nature OfAttitudes, to other peopleAuthority, of human institutionsHuman Authority, Christian ResponseGovernmentCivic DutiesHonouring RulersLeaders, PoliticalLoyaltyPower, HumanOrderliness In SocietySubmissionTaxationGod's Providential Control
Remind people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready and willing to do good,
Be submissive to every human institution and authority for the sake of the Lord, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, Or to governors as sent by him to bring vengeance (punishment, justice) to those who do wrong and to encourage those who do good service.
The Nation » Ps 137; ro 13 miscellaneous topics relating to, government, kings, rulers, etc » Civic duties
Whoever does not observe and practice the law of your God and the law of the king, let judgment be executed upon him strictly and promptly, whether it be for death or banishment or confiscation of property or imprisonment.”
My son, fear the Lord and the king;
And do not associate with those who are given to change [of allegiance, and are revolutionary],
I counsel you to keep the command of the king because of the oath before God [by which you swore loyalty to him].
They said, “[The Emperor Tiberius] Caesar’s.” Then He said to them, “Then pay to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s; and to God the things that are God’s.”
Let every person be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God [granted by His permission and sanction], and those which exist have been put in place by God.
Verse Concepts
ethics, socialethics, basis ofCivil authoritiesDeath penaltyHuman Authority, Nature OfAttitudes, to other peopleAuthority, of human institutionsHuman Authority, Christian ResponseGovernmentCivic DutiesHonouring RulersLeaders, PoliticalLoyaltyPower, HumanOrderliness In SocietySubmissionTaxationGod's Providential Control
Remind people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready and willing to do good,
Be submissive to every human institution and authority for the sake of the Lord, whether it be to the emperor as supreme, Or to governors as sent by him to bring vengeance (punishment, justice) to those who do wrong and to encourage those who do good service.