Thematic Bible: Required by God in


Thematic Bible











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]. Verse ConceptsFight Of FaithOnly OnceAll Believers Are SaintsThe Gospel Of Salvationeffort


Brothers, I consider that I, myself, have not yet taken hold [of Christ's ultimate purpose for me]. But there is one thing that I am doing; I am forgetting about my past [See verses 5-7], and reaching forward to what lies ahead. I am pushing onward toward the goal for the prize of the upward call [i.e., to heaven] from God in [fellowship with] Christ.



For God is not [so] unjust as to forget the work you are doing and the love you have shown for Him, as you ministered to the saints [i.e., His holy people] and continue to minister [to them]. And it is our desire that each one of you shows the same eagerness [to live for Christ], so as to be fully assured of your hope [in never ending life] until the end [of your days]. We do not want you people to be [spiritually] slack, but to imitate those who will inherit [God's] promises because of their faith and patience.

having a reputation for doing good deeds, [such as] bringing up children, showing hospitality to strangers, washing the feet of the saints [i.e., God's holy people], assisting people in trouble and devoting herself to doing all [other] kinds of good deeds. Verse ConceptsFoot washingFeet Washingethics, personalProperty, HousesReputationSaintsAfflicted, Duty To ThemHospitalityWives, DressTravellersLoving ForeignersClean FeetCare Of FeetDoing GoodRaising ChildrenHelping Those In NeedPetsGrandmothers

Look carefully [at how you are living] so that no one falls away from God's unearned favor, and that no "poisonous plant sprouts up" to cause trouble and corrupt many people [Note: This is an analogy from Deut. 29:16-18 being used as a warning against the evil influence of wicked people], Verse ConceptsBeing BitterDefilement, Objects OfGrace, And Christian LifeResentment, Against PeopleRootsSanctification, Means And ResultsConflict ResolutionPeople Being PollutedThe Grace Given To MenDefilementCauses of failure inBitternesscancer