for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak. Truth to Learn We need to boldly proclaim the Gospel message. Behind the Words Presbeuō is the Greek word translated “ambassador.” It literally means “to be an old man,” but...
Ephesians 6:19 – Pray for Paul?
and for me, that utterance may be given to me, that I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel, Truth to Learn All of us need prayers, especially regarding our ministries. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “utterance” is logos, which is derived...
Luke 2:8-10; Matthew 28:5-7 – He Is Risen!
8Now there were in the same country shepherds living out in the fields, keeping watch over their flock by night. 9And behold, an angel of the Lord stood over them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them, and they were greatly afraid. 10Then the angel said to them,...
Matthew 27:39, 41; Luke 23:39, 40, 42, 43 – The Father’s Will
39And those who passed by blasphemed Him, wagging their heads 41Likewise the chief priests also, mocking with the scribes and elders ... 39Then one of the criminals who were hanged blasphemed Him, saying, "If You are the Christ, save Yourself and us." 40But the other, answering, rebuked him, saying, "Do you...
Luke 23:13, 14; 20-22; John 19:4 – Spotless Lamb of God
13Pilate called together the chief priests, the rulers and the people, 14and said to them, "You brought me this man as one who was inciting the people to rebellion. I have examined him in your presence and have found no basis for your charges against him. … 20Wanting to release Jesus,...
Mark 14:55, 56, 61b-64 – Christ the Messiah
55Now the chief priests and all the council sought testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, but found none. 56For many bore false witness against Him, but their testimonies did not agree. ... 61bAgain the high priest asked Him, saying to Him, "Are You the Christ, the Son of...
Mark 14:44, 45; John 18:4-6 – Deception vs. Righteousness
44Now His betrayer had given them a signal, saying, "Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him and lead Him away safely." 45As soon as he had come, immediately he went up to Him and said to Him, "Rabbi, Rabbi!" and kissed Him … 4Jesus therefore, knowing all things...
Mark 14:32-34 – Man of Sorrows
32Then they came to a place which was named Gethsemane; and He said to His disciples, "Sit here while I pray." 33And He took Peter, James, and John with Him, and He began to be troubled and deeply distressed. 34Then He said to them, "My soul is exceedingly sorrowful,...
Ephesians 6:18 – Perpetual Persistent Prayer
praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints— Truth to Learn Prayer is important in spiritual battles and at every other time. Behind the Words “Praying” is from the Greek verb proseuchomai, which is...
Ephesians 6:17 – The Sword, The Word
And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; Truth to Learn Christians have a sword to use in our spiritual battle. Behind the Words “Take” is translated from the Greek verb dechomai, meaning “to deliberately and readily accept what is...
Ephesians 6:16 – Keep the Faith!
above all, taking the shield of faith with which you will be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked one. Truth to Learn We need faith to protect us from some of Satan’s attacks. Behind the Words The words “above all” are translated from the Greek words...
Ephesians 6:15 – Stand Firm!
and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; Truth to Learn We have a firm standing in our salvation. Behind the Words “Having shod” is translated from the verb hupodeō, which is a compound word made up of hupo, meaning “under” and deō, meaning “to...
Ephesians 6:14 – Truth and Righteousness
Stand therefore, having girded your waist with truth, having put on the breastplate of righteousness, Truth to Learn Truth and righteousness are two of the key pieces of our armor. Behind the Words “Stand” is translated from the Greek word histēmi, meaning “to stand.” It is expressed here in the...
Ephesians 6:13 – Prepare for Battle
Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand. Truth to Learn We need to be prepared for spiritual battle at all times. Behind the Words Analambanō is the Greek word translated “take up.”...
Ephesians 6:12 – Spiritual Wrestling Match
For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places. Truth to Learn We are in a spiritual battle and we are on the winning side. Behind the...
Ephesians 6:11 – Protective Armor
Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil. Truth to Learn We Christians need protective armor for our spiritual battles. Behind the Words “Put on” is translated from the verb enduō, which is made up of en, meaning...
Ephesians 6:10 – Be Made Strong!
Finally, my brethren, be strong in the Lord and in the power of His might. Truth to Learn Christians need to prepare for spiritual warfare. Behind the Words The word “finally” is translated from loipos, meaning “that which remains.” There is some variation in Greek manuscripts as to whether this...
Ephesians 6:9 – God-Honoring Bosses
And you, masters, do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him. Truth to Learn Bosses are to do their job in a God-honoring way. Behind the Words The words “giving up” are from...
Ephesians 6:8 – Rewards, Temporal or Eternal?
knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free. Truth to Learn Living for God will produce eternal rewards from God. Behind the Words “Knowing” is from the Greek verb eidō, which means “to have seen with perception.”...
Ephesians 6:7 – Give Your Best!
with goodwill doing service, as to the Lord, and not to men, Truth to Learn God gave us His best, so we should give Him our best. Behind the Words The word “with” is from the Greek preposition meta, which indicates accompaniment. It is different than the Greek preposition sun,...
Ephesians 6:6 – Jesus, Our Boss
not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart, Truth to Learn We are to work at our jobs as if our boss was Jesus himself. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “eyeservice” is ophthalmodouleia, which is composed of ophthalmos,...
Ephesians 6:5 – Obedient to Masters
Bondservants, be obedient to those who are your masters according to the flesh, with fear and trembling, in sincerity of heart, as to Christ; Truth to Learn Christians are to be respectful and obedient to their bosses. Behind the Words “Bondservants” is from the Greek word doulos, which refers to...
Ephesians 6:4 – Godly Parenting
And you, fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord. Truth to Learn Parents should be an example of God’s love in the way they raise their children. Behind the Words The words “provoke … to wrath” are...
Ephesians 6:3 – Faithful Obedience from Love
That it may be well with you, and you may live long on the earth. Truth to Learn We should be obedient to God because we love Him, not because we want or expect something from Him. Behind the Words The verbal phrase “it may be” is translated from the...
Ephesians 6:2 – Honor Your Parents
"Honor your father and mother;" which is the first commandment with promise: Truth to Learn We should all give our parents honor and respect. Behind the Words Timaō is the Greek verb translated as “honor.” Timaō literally means “to place a high value on something.” It can refer to giving...
Ephesians 6:1 – Obedience is Right
Children, obey your parents in the Lord: for this is right. Truth to Learn Obeying our parents is what God expects from us. Behind the Words “Children” is translated from the Greek noun teknon, which is based on the verb tiktō, meaning “to bring forth, or bear children.” Therefore, teknon...
Ephesians 5:33 – Back to the Point
Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband. Truth to Learn The responsibilities of husband and wife are not optional. Behind the Words “Nevertheless” is a translation of the Greek adverb plēn, which...
Ephesians 5:32 – Are You Faithfully Married?
This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. Truth to Learn The relationship between Christ and Christians is precisely like a marriage relationship. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “mystery” is musterion, which is derived from the verb muō, meaning “to shut the mouth.”...
Ephesians 5:31 – Glued Together as One
"For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh." Truth to Learn God has a specific design for the marriage relationship. Behind the Words The words “For this reason” are translated from the Greek words...
Ephesians 5:30 – God’s Body Love
For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. Truth to Learn Christians are part of God’s body which He loves. Behind the Words “For” is translated from hoti, a Greek conjunction which can be used to demonstrate something further (translated as “that”) or to...
Ephesians 5:29 – Nourishment and Comfort
For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church. Truth to Learn Men are responsible for providing for the nourishment and comfort of their wives. Behind the Words The word translated “hated” is misesō, which means “to hate, to...