Thematic Bible: Transgression


Thematic Bible



So, God allowed [or, abandoned] them to have the impure desires of their hearts, and to [practice] degrading behavior with their bodies among themselves. Verse ConceptsCondemned Heartsevil, origins ofdesiresHeart, Fallen And RedeemedSexual Sin, Nature OfSexualitySin, Causes OfImpurityGod Handing OverIdolatryThey Committed ImmoralitysexDishonoring God


Look, your house [i.e., the Jewish Temple] is being abandoned [by me?]. Verse ConceptsEmpty Places






But God turned [away from them] and allowed them to worship heavenly bodies [i.e., stars], just as it was written in the prophet [Amos 5:25ff], 'Did you offer me slain animals as sacrifices for forty years in the wilderness, you Israelites? Verse ConceptsBody40 To 50 YearsIsrael In The WildernessBooks Of ProphecyWorshiping Together



These people had disobeyed [Noah's preaching, See II Pet. 2:5] back when God's patience waited [for them to repent, See Gen. 6:3], during the days of Noah, when the ship was being constructed. It was by that means [i.e., the ship floating them to safety through the Flood waters] that a few persons, eight of them, were saved [from destruction] through water. Verse ConceptsCovenant, God's with NoahBaptism, significance ofBefore The FloodGod's attitude towards peopleGod, Patience OfNoahSeafaringPunishment, DelayedLongsuffering Of GodThe DelugeDivine DelaysEight PeopleGod WaitingFew Peopledisobedienceinvesting





So, he said to the orchard worker, "Look, I have been coming [here] looking for figs for three years now, but have not found any. Cut down the tree, [for] why should it waste the space [i.e., by not producing]?" And the orchard worker answered him, "Leave it alone for [just] this year, sir, until I cultivate it and fertilize it.

And [then] if it begins to produce, fine; but if it does not, [then] you should cut it down." Verse ConceptsDivine DelaysFelling TreesBearing FruitOlive Treescutting

Therefore, just as sin came into the world through [the action of] one man [i.e., Adam] and [physical] death through that sin, so [physical] death has spread to all people, because all people have sinned. [Note: This difficult passage (verses 12-21) seems to be saying that the entire human race must experience physical death because of Adam's sin (I Cor. 5:22), which is somehow considered to be everyone's sin. See Murray, pp. 180-187, for a thorough discussion]. Verse ConceptsThe DeadDeath, Description OfAdam, DescendantsCondemnation, Causes OfExcusesevil, origins ofBeing Born In SinHistoryLast ThingsLife, HumanUniversality Of DeathMortalityParticipation, In SinPunishment, Nature OfResponsibility, To GodSin, Causes OfSin, Universality OfSinnersSuffering, Nature OfFall Of ManHereditySin, Consequences OfThe Sin NatureAdam, Results Of SinMiscegenation (racial Intermarriage)The Reality Of SinSin Producing DeathAll PeopleOnly One PersonSin Produces DeathThe Entrance Of SinDeathAdam and eveAdam and eve disobey godDeath ofnatural DeathRaceLoss Of A Loved One















And this is the reason that God sends them a strong delusion [to influence them]: It is so that they would believe the lie, in order that all those who have not believed the truth, but have taken pleasure in wrongdoing, would be condemned.

And Adam was not [the one] deceived, but [it was] the woman who, when deceived, fell into sin. Verse ConceptsAdam, Sin OfSatan, As DeceiverWomenAdam and eveAdam and eve disobey godDeceptiontransition


But the beast was captured, along with the false prophet [See 16:13], who performed [supernatural] signs in his presence. [He had performed these signs] to deceive those who had received the mark of the beast and those who worshiped his statue. [See 13:15-16]. The beast and the false prophet were both thrown alive into the lake of fire that burns with sulphur. Verse ConceptsArmageddonevil, victory overLake Of FireBrimstoneHell, Punishment OfHell, As An ExperienceMineralsMiracles, Nature OfFalse Prophets, Examples OfSatan, Agents OfSatan, As DeceiverSpiritual Warfare, Enemies InFalse Miracles, Nature OfAntichrist, Described AsLying WondersDisfigurement Of SinDamnationCosmic CreaturesFire Of HellSulphurSigns Of EvilMarks On PeopleIdol WorshipThose Who DeceivedThe False ProphetHellMark Of The BeastSigns Of The TimesThe World RulerExclusion From God's PresenceMiracles Counterfeited



For by means of God's commandment [against sinning], sin found an opportunity to deceive me and [even] kill me [spiritually]. Verse ConceptsSin Producing DeathDeceiving OneselfRight Time For The DevilEffect Of The LawSin Produces DeathDeception





In [fellowship with] Him you people were also circumcised with a circumcision not performed by human beings, but performed by Christ, consisting of the removal of the body of [sinful] flesh. Verse ConceptsBeing Born AgainParticipation, In ChristRitualTypesNew Birth, Described AsForsaking SinGod Stripping PeopleLiving Not For The MaterialTrue CircumcisionRemoving People From Your Lifeefficiency




And He said to them, "You are people who claim to be just in the eyes of [other] people, but God knows [what is in] your hearts. For that which is held up as most important among people [i.e., fame or fortune ?] is disgusting in the eyes of God. Verse ConceptsAbominationsJustification, Necessity OfLegalismMaterialism, As An Aspect Of SinOutward AppearanceRighteousness, As FaithSelf DeceptionSelf Righteousness, Nature OfSin, And God's CharacterVisionAbominations, To GodAbominations, PracticesHow Jesus Knows The HeartBeing Seen By ManMen PleasersMan VindicatesSelf WorthSelf EsteemValueimportance







Every person who does not continue to follow the teaching of Christ, but goes beyond it, does not have God [in his life]. [But], the person who continues to follow in the teaching [of Christ] has both the Father and the Son [in his life]. Verse ConceptsAbiding In ChristFellowship With ChristJesus As Our TeacherSound DoctrineMisteachingThe FatherWithout Goddoctrine










and if He rescued the righteous man Lot, who had become very disturbed by unrestrained wickedness [of the people there in Sodom]. Verse ConceptsPollutionsBad CompanyEvil Associations





For I do not [really] understand what I am doing; I practice what I do not want to and I hate what I do. [Note: This highly controversial section (verses 14b-25) is here viewed as the struggles of the apostle Paul after his conversion, and by extension, of all Christians. See Bruce, pages 150ff; Murray, pages 255ff; Lard, pages 236ff]. Verse ConceptsThe Sin NatureTemptation, Universality OfHating EvilNot Understanding Other ThingsstruggleHateLife StrugglesDoing The Right ThingStrugglespracticemyself








[Although] their talk is big, what they say is worthless, and by [offering people] fleshly desires [i.e., sexual gratification], they lead people astray, who are barely escaping from the error of the world. Verse ConceptsFutilityFaultsemptinessEloquenceCharmdesiresTemptation, Sources OfEnticersBoastersAllurements Of SinWantonnessLiving For The MaterialEnticingUseless WordsEscaping From PeopleEvil DesiresError







Later on Jesus found the man in the Temple, and said to him, "Look, you have been made well; stop sinning or else something worse [i.e., than the handicap you had] will happen to you." Verse ConceptsAfflicted SaintsDeliverance, Response ToSin, Accepting Forgiveness OfWarningFinding PeopleChrist In The TempleHealth AchievedWorse

She replied, "No sir, no one did." Then Jesus said, "[Well], I do not condemn you either. Go on your way and from now on, do not sin anymore."}} Verse ConceptsSin, Accepting Forgiveness OfReceived OutcastsNo CondemnationForgiving Yourselfcondemnation


Come to your senses; do what is right and stop sinning. Some of you do not know God [i.e., in a personal way]. I am saying this to make you ashamed. Verse ConceptsConversion, God's demands forSin, Avoidance OfWakefulnessRighteousnessIgnorance of GodMoving OnKnowing Godignoranceawakeningshunning








[It is also] from Jesus Christ, who is the Faithful Witness [to the truth], the Firstborn from the dead [i.e., the first One raised never to die again], the Ruler of the kings of the world. May there be honor and power forever and ever to Christ, who loved us and released us from our sins by His blood [Note: Some manuscripts say "washed us" since the two words are spelled almost alike]. Verse ConceptsGod, Faithfulness OfFreedom, Through Jesus ChristFreedom, Abuse Of ChristianFirstbornExpiationAtonement, Remission Of Sins ByJesus As King Of KingsRulersSalvation, Nature OfWitnessing, Importance OfJesus Christ, Love OfJesus Christ, ResurrectionLibertyNames And Titles For ChristChrist, Names ForChrist The FirstbornThe Witness Of ChristChrist AtoningChrist Is RisenChrist's LoveWitnesses



And He is the One who provides a "covering over" [or atonement] for our sins [See Heb. 2:17; Dan. 9:24; II Chron. 29:24], and not for ours [who are already Christians] only, but also for the sins of the people of the whole world. Verse ConceptsAtonementExpiationHoliness, Believers' Growth InPropitiationSin, God's Remedy ForPurgingAll PeopleChrist AtoningSacrificesSacrificeReconciliationThe WorldThe Blood Of Jesus

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




"And now brothers, I know that [both] you and your [Jewish] rulers acted in ignorance [of what you were really doing]. Verse ConceptsSin, Nature OfIgnorance Of EvilKnowing FactsIgnorance of Godignorance


And when you were [spiritually] dead because of your sins and your lack of being physically circumcised [Note: This refers to their having been unconverted Gentiles and therefore outside of a relationship with God], God made you alive [again] together with Christ, having forgiven us for all of our sins. Verse ConceptsAbility, Of God To SaveSpiritual DeathFaultsFall Of Man, Consequences Ofeternal life, experience ofBeing Born AgainOrigins Of Spiritual LifePaul, Teaching OfRegenerationResurrection, SpiritualSalvation, Nature OfSin, Effects OfUncircumcisionSpiritual Life, Nature OfSpiritual Life, Described ByBeing Dead In SinLife With ChristSpiritually DeadGod Has ForgivenOur ResurrectionFeeling Lost




"It is too bad for you hypocritical experts in the law of Moses and [you] Pharisees! For you give a tenth of your mint, dill and cumin [i.e., small garden herbs used for seasoning or fragrance], and [yet] neglect the heavier responsibilities required by the law, [such as] justice, mercy and faith. You should have done these ["lighter"] things and not neglected to do the other ["heavier"] things [as well]. Verse ConceptsFaithfulness, In Human Relationshipsethics, incentives towardsHerbs And SpicesJudaismLegalismMercy, HumanMind, Of ChristNeglectPharisees, Beliefs OfNeglecting God's ThingsNeglecting DutiesReligionSin, Nature OfUnforgivenessFormalityFinancial AdviceCumminSins Of OmissionFractions, One TenthTithesThe Need For MercyTithing ProduceHerbsHypocritesHypocrisypharisees

And that slave who knew what his master wanted, but did not make preparations [i.e., for his master's return], or do what his master wanted, will be whipped with many lashes. Verse ConceptsAccording To His WillSin, Nature OfSins Of OmissionKnowing God's WillKnowing FactsStrictnessDoing The Right ThingservanthoodNot Serving God


Then the Lord will answer them, 'Truly I tell you, since you did not do it for one of these least [significant brothers of mine], you did not do it for me.' Verse ConceptsGenerosity, HumanSin, Nature OfSins Of OmissionChrist Telling The TruthChrist's True FamilyOther Unimportant PeopleSurrender

"But it is too bad for you Pharisees! For you give a tenth of your mint, rue and every [other] herb [Note: These were small garden plants used for seasoning or medicine] and [yet] neglect [demonstrating] justice and the love of God [toward others]. But you should have done these things and not neglected to do the other things [as well]. Verse ConceptsGarden, NaturalFaithfulness, In Human Relationshipsethics, incentives towardsHerbs And SpicesHorticultureNeglectOppression, God's Attitude ToPharisees, Beliefs OfNeglecting God's ThingsNeglecting DutiesReligionSin, Nature OfLove For GodSins Of OmissionAgape LoveTithesNo JusticeNot Loving GodTithing ProduceHerbsTithes And Offering









Where do conflicts and fights among you come from? Do they not come from your [desire for] pleasures which produces inner conflict? Verse Conceptsevil, origins ofdesiresHuman NatureSin, Causes OfSpiritual Warfare, Enemies InControlling AngerOrigins Of SinWhy Do Others Do This?struggleWarPassionConflictFamily Conflictrumors





So, whoever you are, you people do not have any excuse for judging people [Note: At this point Paul begins addressing the Jews. See verse 17]. For in a matter where you judge someone else [to be wrong] you [actually] condemn yourselves, because you are practicing the same things [you condemn them for doing]. Verse ConceptsCondemnation, Causes OfExcusesUncharitablenessLike Bad PeopleFound GuiltyJudgingBeing YourselfJudgementJudging Others Actionscondemnationothers

They would not be guilty of sinning if I had not come and spoken to them. But now [that I have], they have no excuse for their sin. Verse ConceptsExcusesethics, basis ofResponsibility, To GodMisused PrivilegesThe Fact Of His Coming



But if you show favoritism toward [certain] persons, you are committing a sin and are convicted by the law [of God] as lawbreakers. Verse ConceptsequalityPrejudiceUniquenessBigotryRacismBreaking God's LawConvictionRespectTreating OthersRespecting Your Bodypeople








But the person who has doubts about eating [a certain food] is self-condemned if he [goes ahead and] eats it, because his action is not based on faith [i.e., if he lacks the conviction that he is doing what is right]. And whatever is not done with such a conviction is a sin. Verse ConceptsConsciences, In Decision MakingFaith, Necessity OfBeing Born In Sindoubt, results ofIndecisionSin, Nature OfSinChristian LibertyConvictionQuestioning GodHaving FaithEating MeatBelieving In Yourselfdiscriminationcondemnationconscience

All wrongdoing is sinful, and [yet] there is a situation where [a person's] sin does not lead [him] to [spiritual] death. Verse ConceptsUnrighteousnessPunishmentsDeath ofTragedy