For even Christ did not please Himself; but as it is written, "The reproaches of those who reproached you fell on Me." Truth to Learn Christ is our supreme example of humility for the sake of others. Behind the Words The Greek word translated “reproaches” is oneidismos, which is...
Matthew 2:11 – God Meets Our Needs
And having come into the house, they saw the young child with His mother Mary, and falling down, they worshiped Him. And opening their treasures, they presented gifts to Him: gold and frankincense and myrrh. Truth to Learn Read your Bible carefully and watch God provide for you. Behind...
Matthew 2:10 – Strong Faith?
Having seen the star, they rejoiced with exceedingly great joy. Truth to Learn Faith in anything other than Jesus Christ is futile. Behind the Words “Having seen” is translated from the verb horaō, which means “to see” or “to stare at.” It is expressed here as an aorist participle,...
Matthew 2:9 – Diligently Seek Him
And having heard the king, they departed; and behold, the star which they saw in the East went before them, until it came and stood over where the child was. Truth to Learn Let the hearts of those who seek the LORD rejoice. (1Chronicles 16:10) Behind the Words The...
Matthew 2:2 – Worship The True King
saying, "Where is He who was born King of the Jews? For we saw His star in the East and came to worship Him." Truth to Learn On this Christmas Day, let’s truly worship the true King. Behind the Words “Was born” is translated from the verb tiktō, meaning...
Matthew 2:1 – Learn the Truth
And Jesus having been born in Bethlehem of Judea in the days of Herod the king, behold, wise men from the East came to Jerusalem, Truth to Learn We need to believe what the Bible says, not what tradition has taught us, no matter how interesting they might make the...
Romans 15:2 – Build-up, Not Tear-down
Let each of us please his neighbor for his good, to build him up. Truth to Learn We are to focus on the good of others and on ways to build them up, not on ways to tear them down. Behind the Words The word translated “please” is a...
Romans 15:1 – Strong or Weak
But we who are strong ought to bear with the weaknesses of the weak, and not simply please ourselves. Truth to Learn The strong in faith are obligated to help the weaker Christian. Behind the Words The word translated “strong” is dunatos, meaning “powerful or capable.” It refers to...
Romans 14:23 – Walking By Faith
But whoever doubts is condemned if he eats, because he does not eat from faith; for whatever is not from faith is sin. Truth to Learn Listening to the Holy Spirit means walking by faith. Behind the Words “Doubts” is translated from the verb diakrinō, made up of dia,...
Romans 14:22 – In His Presence
The faith that you have, have it to yourself before God. Blessed is the person who does not condemn himself in what he approves. Truth to Learn Living in God’s presence affects our decisions and choices. Behind the Words The word translated “faith” is pistis, which means “that about...
Romans 14:21 – Good For Whom?
It is good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor do anything by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak. Truth to Learn Consider the good of others more important than your own. Behind the Words The word translated “good” is a form of...
Romans 14:20 – Construction, Not Demolition
Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All things indeed are pure, but it is wrong for a man to eat anything that causes another to stumble. Truth to Learn We are supposed to build-up the church, not tear it down. Behind the Words...
Romans 14:19 – Self Denial
Therefore we should pursue the things of peace and the things by which we build up one another. Truth to Learn We must deny ourselves in order to serve God and others. Behind the Words Just as in verse twelve, Paul starts off this verse with ara oun, which...
Romans 14:18 – Becoming God Pleasers
For he who is serving Christ in these things is well pleasing to God and approved by men. Truth to Learn Serving Christ pleases God and gains the respect of others. Behind the Words The expression “in these things” is from the Greek en toutois, most likely referring to...
Romans 14:17 – Calm Delight
for the kingdom of God is not eating and drinking, but righteousness and peace and joy in the Holy Spirit. Truth to Learn Building up the body of Christ creates a sense of calm delight. Behind the Words “Eating” is from the Greek noun brōsis, which is derived from...
Romans 14:16 – The Right Thing?
Therefore do not let your good be spoken of as evil; Truth to Learn Sometimes doing “the right thing” can cause harm to others. Behind the Words “Good” is translated from agathos, meaning “benevolent, profitable, or useful.” There is another Greek word translated “good.” It is kalos, which refers...