Thematic Bible: Soul-winners'
Thematic Bible
Joy » Soul-winners' » Thrills the church
as you hold out [i.e., offer to people] the message of [never ending] life. Then I will have something to boast about on the day of Christ's [return, See 1:6], that I had not run the race for nothing nor had worked for nothing.
Verse Concepts
So, they were sent on their way with the backing of the [Antioch] church and traveled through both Phoenicia and Samaria, telling them about the conversion of the Gentiles. This brought great rejoicing to all the brothers [who heard about it].
Verse Concepts
Joy » Soul-winners' » Souls won are a crown of rejoicing
For what is [the basis of] our hope, or joy, or crown of honor in the presence of the Lord Jesus when He comes back? [Note: By "crown" Paul alludes to the laurel wreath awarded to the victor in an athletic contest]. Will it not be you people? For you people are [indeed] our [occasion for] honor and joy.
Joy » Soul-winners' » Essential to success in Christian work
Joy » Soul-winners' » It sustained Christ in his suffering upon the cross
We should fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and completer of the [or, "our"] faith. [Note: Jesus is here pictured as the one who completely fulfills the life of faith, or who provides us with the ability to live such a life]. [And] because He could look forward to joy, He endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right side of God's throne.
Verse Concepts
Joy » Soul-winners' » Comes from bringing in the sheaves
Joy » Soul-winners' » From finding the lost sheep
And when he gets home, he calls his friends and neighbors together and says to them, 'Rejoice with me, for I found my sheep that was lost.' I tell you that, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinful person who repents [i.e., changes his heart and life], than over ninety-nine persons who do not need to repent.
Joy » Soul-winners' » The sower and the reaper rejoice together
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 Concepts