Thematic Bible: Religious Work


Thematic Bible












For you have been saved by God's unearned favor, through [your] faith, and that [salvation] was not the result of your own doing; it was the gift from God. It was not the result of your own [good] deeds [See Titus 3:5], so that no one could boast [about it].


Why? Because they did not [attempt to do it] by faith [in Him], but by trying to fulfill all the requirements [of the law]. So, they stumbled over "the stumbling stone," [i.e., the Jews refused to become obedient to Christ. See I Pet. 2:6-8]. Verse ConceptsProphecies Concerning ChristTrusting In WorksSaved By FaithWorks Of The LawConversion Of Israel

still we know that a person is not justified [i.e., made right with God] by [perfect obedience to] the law of Moses, but rather through faith in [the person and work of] Christ. [Knowing this] we have trusted in Christ Jesus [to save us], so that we might be made right with God by trusting in Him and not by [our compliance with] the requirements of the law of Moses. Because by such law-compliance no one can be made right with God. Verse ConceptsAccepting ChristdecisionsLaw, Purpose OfLegalismSalvation, Necessity And Basis OfSelf Righteousness, And The GospelSin, Deliverance From GodUnion With Christ, Nature OfJustification Under The GospelJustification By FaithSalvation Not By WorksBenefits Of Faith In ChristJustified By WorksRighteous By FaithWorks Of The LawFree WillKeeping FaithBeing SavedJustificationBeing PositiveMoralityNot Being AlonelaweffortJustification Is Not By The LawJustification Is Not By Works

Many persons will say to me on the [judgment] day, 'Lord, Lord, did we not prophesy by [the authority of] your name, and drive out evil spirits and perform many powerful [supernatural] deeds by your name?' And then I will declare to them, 'I never acknowledged you [as my people]; go away from me, you people who have done sinful things.'

This is because no human being can be considered right with God by [obeying] the requirements of a law. [Note: It is difficult to determine the exact sense in which "law" is used in these verses. It may be law generally, or the law of Moses specifically. See Bruce, pages 52-58]. For the knowledge of what sin is comes from the law of Moses. Verse ConceptsAccepting ChristAvoiding Sinevil, warnings againsteternal life, gift ofBehaviourJustification, Necessity OfKnowledge, Of SinLaw, And GospelLegalismSelf Righteousness, And The GospelSalvation Not By WorksSelf KnowledgeJustified By WorksWorks Of The LawJustificationlawdeedsJustification Is Not By The LawJustification Is Not By Works

And if [they were selected] by God's unearned favor, [then] the choice is not based on the good that people may do. Otherwise, God's favor would not be [really] unearned. Verse ConceptsJustification Under The GospelSalvation Not By WorksSaving GraceSalvation, Boasting ImpossibleJustified By GraceWorks Of The LawGrace Verse LawGod's GraceDebt

But when the kindness and love of God our Savior toward mankind appeared, He saved us, not because of any good deeds we ourselves had done, but because of His mercy. [He saved us] through the washing of new birth [Note: This refers to our immersion in water] and the renewing [work] of the Holy Spirit,

And so, since we have such deep affection for you, we were very pleased to share with you, not only the Gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. Verse ConceptsMentoringCommitment, to God's peopleLove, For One AnotherUnity, Of God's PeopleValuesMinisters, Should BeMinisters, Way They Should TeachAffection For God's PeopleThe Gospel PreachedLove Exists Between PeopleSharing




For I testify that they gave [financial help] to the full limit of their ability, yes and even beyond it. [And they did this] entirely on their own, Verse ConceptsGenerosity, HumanSacrificial GivingChoosing ThingsGiving To The PoorFree Will






But the person who looks closely into the perfect law that brings freedom, and continues to do so, is not a listener who forgets [what he hears], but someone who does the work [it requires]. This person will be blessed for doing so. Verse ConceptsBeing A BlessingBeing Blesseddiscipleship, benefits ofPerfection, DivineReward, DivineSanctification, Means And ResultsScripture, Sufficiency OfHearing God's WordForgetting ThingsGod Will BlessThe Law Of ChristOne's DeedsChristian LibertyFreedom


If the work of anyone lasts [i.e., if his converts are judged faithful], he will receive a reward [i.e., his converts will constitute part of his reward]. Verse ConceptsWagesReward For Worksassertiveness

But [He will bring] glory, honor and peace upon every person who does what is good; upon the Jews first, then also upon the Greeks, Verse ConceptsFavouritismTo The Jew FirstDoing GoodGod Bestowing GloryThe Gospel To Jew And Gentile




When he got there and saw how God was favoring the people [with salvation] he was very happy and [stayed on and] encouraged everyone to remain close to the Lord with a heartfelt purpose. Verse ConceptsHappinessHeart, And Holy SpiritGladnessSteadfastnessWhole HeartednessThe Grace Of GodPeople Encouraging OthersRejoicing In God's WorksWitnessing



Already the person who is harvesting [the crop] is being paid for his work, and is gathering a crop for never ending life, so that the one planting and the one harvesting [the crop] may rejoice together. Verse ConceptsCropsServants, Working Conditions OfThe Soul Winners JoyEntering LifeReaperseternity





After drinking some of the sour wine, Jesus said, "It is completed," [i.e., His work of dying for the sins of mankind] and gave up His spirit [i.e., to God. See Luke 23:46]. Verse ConceptsThe Completion Of RedemptionCompletionGospel, Essence OfGospel, Historical Foundation OfSpirit, Nature OfWork, And RedemptionVictoryThe Fact Of Christ's DeathIntermediate StateThe CrossJesus DeathFinishing Strongghostsfinishing







For who is most important, the person who reclines at the dinner table or the person who serves [him]? Is it not the person who reclines at the dinner table? But I am among you as the person who serves. Verse ConceptsTablesJesus Christ, Meekness OfChrist, Character OfHumility Of ChristReclining To EatServing PeopleServing

So, He got up from the dinner table, laid aside His [outer] clothing and took a towel and wrapped it around Himself. Then He poured water into a basin and began washing His disciples feet and drying them with the towel around His waist.

Instead, He gave up what He had and took on the form [i.e., the nature] of a slave, becoming like a man, [and even] His appearance was found to be like a man's. Verse ConceptsemptinessReputationServants, Working Conditions OfChrist, Humanity OfJesus Christ, Meekness OfHumility Of ChristChrist Like PeopleChrist Humbled HimselfA Mans ReputationDivineDivinityGodheadSelf Imageservanthoodcredibility

But the one who did not know [i.e., what his master wanted], yet did things deserving of punishment, will be whipped with few lashes. And to the person who has been given much [responsibility], there will be much required [of him]. And to whom people entrust much [responsibility], they will ask [much] more from him. Verse ConceptsGiving, Of TalentsResponsibility, To GodSin, Nature OfStewardshipTrustworthinessWork, Divine And HumanIgnorance Of EvilGod's NeedsFaithful In MuchThose To Whom God GivesAccountabilityResponsibility

She has done what she could. She has applied this aromatic oil to my body in anticipation of my burial. Verse ConceptsAnointing With Oilequipping, physicalOintmentPerfumeBeforePreparation For BurialBurying places

If someone's gift is speaking, he should [be sure to] say only what God wants him to. If a person's gift is serving, he should do so by the strength provided by God [who supplies all such gifts]. This is so that, in using all gifts, God may be honored through Jesus Christ, to whom belongs honor and power forever and ever. May it be so. Verse ConceptsGlorifying GodGiving, Of TalentsAmenChannels Of TruthMotives, Importance OfWork, Divine And HumanAbility, God's PowerMinisters, Way They Should TeachBible, Names OfChrist GlorifiedEternal PraiseGod Giving StrengthServing PeopleGod Gives StrengthSpeaking As From Godthe Gifts of GodGlory of the The churchHelping OthersStrength, God Is OurspeakingPetsMinistryGuidance And StrengthHelping Others In NeedThe Power Of WordsenergyprovidingpeterdominionCall To Action

And the one who was given two talents came and reported, 'Master, you entrusted me with two talents. Look, I have earned two more with them.' His master said to him, 'Well done, you are a good and trustworthy servant. You have been trustworthy over a [relatively] few things, [so] I will place you over many things. Come and share in your master's joy.'


This saying is trustworthy and I want you [in your teaching] to affirm these things with confidence, so that those people who have trusted God will be careful to devote themselves to doing good deeds. These things [i.e., just mentioned] are good and profitable for people [to do]. Verse ConceptseagernessProfitsWork, And RedemptionProfitable ThingsFaithful SayingsBelief In GodDo Good!Useful ThingsWorks Of FaithAnxiety And StressWork Ethic





Take on yourselves the [spiritual] burdens of one another, for in doing so you will be fulfilling Christ's law [of love, John 13:35]. Verse ConceptsCommitment, to God's peopleHelpfulnessAfflicted, Duty To ThemLove To Others Shown InBurdensCaringCaring For OthersSpirit Of ChristSharing BurdensThe Law Of ChristUnthankfulempathyteammates


In the same way, if [your] faith does not have [good] deeds [to accompany it], it is dead, [because it stands] alone. But someone may say, "You have faith and I have [good] deeds." [I reply], show me your faith without your [good] deeds, and I will show you my faith by my [good] deeds.


So then, my dear ones, just as you people were always obedient [to my teaching] when I was there with you, so now, in my absence [also], be [obedient] all the more. [Continue to] complete your own salvation [i.e., by living faithfully to the end. See Rom. 13:11] with fear and trembling [i.e., with a reverent and submissive spirit], Verse ConceptsWhat Christian Should Do AlwaysCommitment, to Jesus Christethics, and graceGrowthFearProgressTremblingObedience To GodGone AwayObeying The GospelSaving OneselfWorks Of FaithIn Men's PresenceFear God!ObedienceAbsenceExerciseWorrying About The FutureHard Work And Perseveranceobeyingreverence







Everything the Father has belongs to me. Therefore, I said that the Holy Spirit will receive what belongs to me and will declare it to you. Verse ConceptsCommunicationDivinity Of ChristGod PossessingThe Holy Spirit, And PreachingMaking Christ KnownFather And Son AlikeSharing In ChristThe FatherTrinity


Yet I am telling you the truth: It will be helpful to you for me to go away. For unless I go, the Helper [i.e., the Holy Spirit] will not come to you. But if I go, I will send Him to you. And when He does come, He will bring conviction to the world regarding sin [i.e., exposing it and producing guilt], regarding what is right [i.e., upholding godly standards], and regarding judgment [i.e., showing that sin condemns].

And in the same way, the Holy Spirit helps [us in] our weakness; for we do not know what we ought to pray for [Note: Some translators understand this as "how to pray"]. But the Holy Spirit goes to God on our behalf with groanings [in our hearts] that are not expressed [in words]. Verse ConceptsPraying QuietlyBaptism Of The Holy SpiritAttitudes Of PrayerfulnessSuffering, Encouragements InWeakness, SpiritualHoly Spirit, Personhood OfHoly Spirit, Activities OfAnswered PromisesInfirmitiesThe Holy Spirit As CounsellorWithout SpeechEating DisordersPrayer LanguageGod's InterventionWeaknessPrayinghelpFinding Comfort In The Spirit

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He will honor me, for He will receive what belongs to me and will declare it to you. Verse ConceptsHoly SpiritThe Holy Spirit As CounsellorThe Holy Spirit In The ChurchMaking Christ Known



But what do you think [about this]? A man had two sons; He went to the first one and said, 'Son, go to work in my vineyard today.' Verse ConceptsMetaphorical VineyardsThinking ArightTwo SonsMen Working


[Now] which of these three men do you think acted like a neighbor to the man attacked by the robbers?" And the teacher of the law of Moses said, "The person who showed pity on him." Then Jesus replied, "You go and do the same thing."

But it is not [to be] this way among you, for whoever would like to become important among you will be your servant. And whoever would like to be first [in prominence] among you, will be your slave.


It is like a man who left his house on a trip to another country. [Before leaving] he put his servants in charge of his affairs, giving each one a [particular] job to do, then he ordered the gatekeeper to stay alert [i.e., while he was gone]. Verse ConceptsDoorkeepersHuman Authority, Nature OfMan Appointing

Jesus asked him a second time, "Simon, son of John, do you [really] love me?" Peter answered Him, "Yes, Lord, you know that I love you." Jesus replied to him, "[Then] take care of my sheep." Verse ConceptsSecurityShepherds, As Church LeaderWatchfulness, Of LeadersChrist Knowing About PeopleSpeaking AgainThe Need To Love ChristConfidence And Self Esteem

So if I, then, being your Lord and Teacher have washed your feet, you should wash one another's feet also. Verse ConceptsFoot washingExamples, Purpose OfClean FeetFeet In ActionCare Of FeetChrist Is LordDutyhealthcare