Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Greek word for worry, merimano
worry, merimano, G3309
read more
Blog
Latest Blog Posts from Wednesday in the Word, the podcast about what the Bible means and how we know.
Do I choose God or does God choose me?
Do I choose God or does God choose me? Once a believer, always a believer? You may never have thought these questions through. Or you may be inconsistent in living like they are true (or false). Either way, how you answer some basic theological questions makes a world of difference in daily life.
36 Matthew 6:19-24 Treasures in Heaven
Why is the kingdom of heaven so incredibly valuable? In this passage, Jesus gives one of many important reasons: We cannot keep the treasures of this earth, and we cannot lose the treasures in heaven.
judge, krino, G2919
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Greek verb to judge, krino.
December 2021 Reflections
We have some really interesting passages left in the Sermon on on the Mount: store up treasures in heaven; do not be anxious about your life; don’t throw pearls to the pigs; seek and you will find; the golden rule and not everyone who says “Lord Lord” will enter the kingdom of heaven. We’ll cover those in January-February and then I’m taking a break before starting the next series.
peace, eiréné, G1515
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Greek word for peace, eiréné
35 Matthew 6:13 The Lord’s Prayer: Temptation
This last request is not to avoid the choice posed by temptation. This request is to be preserved through the choice. Father, do not let me fall into temptation to my doom.
trespass, paraptoma, G3900
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Greek word for trespass or transgression, paraptoma
34 Matthew 6:12-15 The Lord’s Prayer: Forgiveness
It’s not surprising that we find forgiveness in the Lord’s prayer. For believers neither sin nor mercy are hypothetical concepts. We should be staggered by the power and beauty of mercy as proclaimed to us on the cross because we have been forgiven so great a debt.
debts, opheilema, G3783
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Biblical Greek noun for debts, opheilema G3783.
November 2021 Reflections
I hope you've been enjoying our study of the Lord's prayer. It's something most of us routinely say but don't often study. I plan to finish the Lord's Prayer in December, finish the Sermon on the Mount in January, and then start a new series after a break. We'll come...
33 Matthew 6:11 The Lord’s Prayer: Daily Bread
In Matthew 6:11 we don’t know with certainty what the word translated “daily” means. This leads to much debate and two good interpretations: one literal and one metaphorical. Both understandings have merit. Both use good methodology. Both teach something that is taught elsewhere in Scripture, and in that sense, both of them are true. In this life, we may never be certain which one Jesus meant, but we can affirm the truths both of them teach.
trial, periasmos, G3986
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Greek noun for trial or temptation: peirasmos
32 Matthew 6:7-10 The Lord’s Prayer: Thy Kingdom Come
In giving us the Lord’s prayer, Jesus is not giving us a ritual to perform or a spiritual discipline to ensure our prayers are answered. Jesus is challenging us to consider what is our hearts are set on.
What do expiation and propitiation mean?
When studying the atonement, you’re likely to run across two technical words: expiation and propitiation. These terms tend to appear in a text without explanation. But since they are not in the Bible and they don’t often come up in daily conversation, it can be difficult to remember what they mean.
31 Matthew 6:1-6; 6:16-18 Giving, Praying & Fasting
Being religious is no guarantee that you are genuinely following God. Whatever you define as obedience to God (being in full-time ministry, church attendance, praying, fasting, giving to the poor, adopting social justice causes), Jesus says: stop and ask yourself who are you doing it for?
sin, hamartia, G266
ools and resources you need to do a word study on the Greek word for sin, hamartia.
Where to find biblical background, history and cultural information
Background, historical and cultural information to help you study the bible.
October 2021 Reflections
17 podcasts to cover Matthew 5. A new record! In November we’ll begin Matthew 6 which includes the Lord’s prayer. You say it. Do you know what it means?
30 Matthew 5:43-48 Love your enemies
Jesus commands us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us. In one sense, loving your neighbor is a simple, practical guide to good conduct. But it is also a truth we have to embrace and choose to follow. In that sense, it is a test of faith.
Isaiah: Outline & Highlights
Isaiah was a prophet to the Southern Kingdom (Judah) His ministry spans 50-60 years from approximately 740 – 680 BC during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz and Hezekiah (kings of Judah).
Introduction to …
Introductions to background, history, chronology and books of the Bible.
29 Matthew 5:28-42 An Eye for an Eye
Jesus rebukes the Pharisees for applying instructions for the judges of Israel to their personal behavior. They claim they can be proportionally vindictive in the name of seeking retribution and still consider themselves blameless. Jesus says the guiding principle is not “an eye for an eye” but rather “turn the other cheek.”
How do we know the Bible is the Word of God?
How do we know the Bible is the Word of God? First, we can examine what the Bible claims about itself.
28 Matthew 5:33-37 Vows & the 3rd commandment
Since we rarely make oaths today, there doesn’t seem to be much to learn from Matthew 5:33-37. However, Jesus is speaking to a deeper issue than telling the truth or meaning what we say. He’s dealing with violating the 3rd commandment, taking the Lord’s name in vain.
Introduction to the Trinity
How can God be one being and yet 3 persons? While not explained explicitly in any passage, the concept of the Trinity is progressively revealed in Scripture. The early church struggled for centuries to understand the doctrine of the Trinity before landing on 3 statements.
27 Matthew 5:31-32 Divorce
Both Moses and Jesus recognize that we sinners are going to fail in our marriages and so they allowed divorce with some regulations. Moses did not mean divorce was a righteous option. Divorce results from the fact that the parties involved are sinners. God intended marriage to be forever but divorce is a necessary evil because of our sin.
daily, epiousios, G1967
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Biblical Greek verb for daily, epiousios, G1967.
Bible Maps, Charts & Tools
Without the proper tools, your ability to do great Bible study is limited. On this one page, you’ll find links to websites, maps, charts, overviews, outlines, timelines encyclopedias, concordances and tips on how to use them.
September 2021 Reflections
We can have all the knowledge in the universe, but if we don’t fear the Lord, the Bible calls us fools. The fear of the Lord is the necessary ingredient that turns knowledge into wisdom. In that way, our righteousness must surpass that of the scribes and the Pharisees.
26 Matthew 5:27-30 Adultery & Lust
The Pharisees consider themselves blameless before the law if they have refrained from physically committing adultery. But Jesus says righteousness requires more. It requires inward submission to the will of God and accepting the boundaries He has placed on your life, including your sexuality.
10 rules for interpreting the Bible + an example
Wayne Grudem’s 10 rules for how to interpret the Bible. The first 3 rules are the most important.
6 Basic Tools for Bible Study
If you’re building a bible study library, here are the basic tools you need to get started.
25 Matthew 5:21-26 Anger & Murder
The Pharisees believed they were righteous because no court could convict them of murder. But Jesus countered that if courts were in charge of judging righteousness, then responding to others with unloving anger would get you arrested; and calling people insulting names would get you thrown into the fires of judgment.
Understanding Apocalyptic Literature
Apocalyptic literature is a sub-category of prophecy. The name comes from the Greek word apocalypsis which means uncovering or unveiling.
sanctify, hagiazo, G37
Tools and resources you need to do a word study on the Greek verb for to sanctify or to make holy.