Ephesians 1:16 - Giving Thanks do not cease to give thanks for you, making mention of you in my prayers: Truth to Learn Thanksgiving is an important part of the Christian life. Behind the Words “Cease” is from the Greek word pauō, meaning “to stop” or “to pause.” It is...
Ephesians 1:15 – Noteworthy Faith
Ephesians 1:15 - Noteworthy Faith Therefore I also, after I heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love for all the saints, Truth to Learn Some people show their faith in everything they do. Behind the Words The words “after I heard” are translated from the verb...
Ephesians 1:14 – Our Eternal Guarantee
Ephesians 1:14 - Our Eternal Guarantee who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory. Truth to Learn If you are saved, you are permanently saved. Behind the Words “Guarantee” is translated from the Greek word arrabōn, which is...
Ephesians 1:13 – Seal of Approval
Ephesians 1:13 - Seal of Approval In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, Truth to Learn God has branded us as His property and His children....
Ephesians 1:12 – Hopeful Expectation
Ephesians 1:12 - Hopeful Expectation that we who first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory. Truth to Learn The hope of all Christians is Jesus the Christ, the Messiah. Behind the Words “Christ” is transliterated from the Greek word christos, which is based on the...
Ephesians 1:11 – His Free Will
Ephesians 1:11 - His Free Will In Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to the purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, Truth to Learn All of the aspects of our salvation have come about because God determined them...
Ephesians 1:10 – His Eternal Plan
Ephesians 1:10 - His Eternal Plan that in the dispensation of the fullness of the times He might gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. Truth to Learn God has a plan for time and eternity. Behind the...
Ephesians 1:9 – Lord Over All
Ephesians 1:9 - Lord Over All having made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure which He purposed in Himself, Truth to Learn God is completely sovereign. He does according to His own will. Behind the Words The words “having made known” are from...
Ephesians 1:8 – Abundant Grace
Ephesians 1:8 - Abundant Grace which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and prudence, Truth to Learn God gives us an abundant supply of His grace. Behind the Words “Made to abound” is translated from perisseuō, which is built upon the preposition peri, meaning “over” or “above.”...
Ephesians 1:7 – Far, Far Away
Ephesians 1:7 - Far, Far Away In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to the riches of His grace Truth to Learn Our sin penalty is paid and our sins are thrown-away. Behind the Words The word “redemption” is from apolutrōsis. This compound word...
Ephesians 1:6 – Amazing Grace
Ephesians 1:6 - Amazing Grace to the praise of the glory of His grace, by which He made us accepted in the Beloved. Truth to Learn God loves us with the same love He has for Jesus Christ. Behind the Words The word “praise” is translated from epainos, composed of...
Ephesians 1:5 – Holy Adoption
Ephesians 1:5 - Holy Adoption having predestined us to adoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, according to the good pleasure of His will, Truth to Learn Not only has God chosen us, He also has adopted us. Behind the Words “Having predestined” is the translation of the verb...
Ephesians 1:4 – God’s Choice
Ephesians 1:4 - God's Choice just as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love, Truth to Learn God chose those who would accept Christ as Savior. Behind the Words “Chose” is translated from the...
Ephesians 1:3 – Spiritual Blessings
Ephesians 1:3 - Spiritual Blessings Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, Truth to Learn God has blessed us with spiritual blessings. Behind the Words There are two Greek words translated “blessed”...
Ephesians 1:2 – Grace and Peace
Ephesians 1:2 - Grace and Peace Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Truth to Learn Paul prays for God to show His grace to us and grant us peace. Behind the Words The word translated “Grace” is charis, which is derived from...
Ephesians 1:1 – Paul’s Letter to You
Ephesians 1:1 - Paul's Letter to You Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, To the saints who are in Ephesus, and faithful in Christ Jesus: Truth to Learn If you are a Christian, this letter was written to you! Behind the Words “Apostle” is transliterated...
Ephesians – Introduction
Ephesians - Introduction The City of Ephesus The city of Ephesus was located on the eastern coast of Asia Minor (present day Turkey). It was nearly 200 miles due east from Athens across the Aegean Sea. This very large metropolis, located on the Cayster river, was the capital of the...
Romans 16:27 – To God Be The Glory!
Romans 16:27 - To God Be The Glory! to God, alone wise, be glory through Jesus Christ forever. Amen. Truth to Learn God deserves all the glory and all of our praise. Behind the Words “God” is from the Greek noun theos. This is probably derived from the Greek theteres...
Romans 16:26 – Gospel Proclamation
Romans 16:26 - Gospel Proclamation but now made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for obedience to the faith— Truth to Learn We all need to be preaching the gospel message. Behind the Words The words “made...
Romans 16:25 – Stabilizing Power
Romans 16:25 - Stabilizing Power Now to Him who is able to establish you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery kept secret since the world began Truth to Learn The power of God is revealed in the gospel message....
Romans 16:24 – Precious, Sacred, and True
Romans 16:24- Precious, Sacred, and True The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen. Truth to Learn We have the genuine Word of God. Behind the Words “Grace” is translated from charis. This is the noun form of the verb chairō, meaning “to be full of...
Romans 16:23 – Give Your All
Romans 16:23 - Give Your All Gaius, my host and the host of the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, and Quartus, a brother. Truth to Learn God wants us all to give liberally. Behind the Words “Host” is from the Greek word xenos,...
Romans 16:22 – Service or Excuses?
Romans 16:22 - Service or Excuses? I, Tertius, who wrote this epistle, greet you in the Lord. Truth to Learn God wants people to serve without excuses. Behind the Words The name Tertius is a Latin name meaning “third.” It was common among the Roman aristocracy to name children Primus...
Romans 16:21 – Faithful Helpers
Romans 16:21 - Faithful Helpers Timothy, my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my countrymen, greet you. Truth to Learn Every ministry needs faithful helpers. Behind the Words “Fellow worker” is from sunergon, which we have seen a couple of times in this chapter. It refers to someone who...
Romans 16:20 – Crushing Blow
Romans 16:20 - Crushing Blow And the God of peace will crush Satan under your feet shortly. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen. Truth to Learn Through Christ we will have victory over false teachers. Behind the Words The word “crush” is translated from suntribō,...
Romans 16:19 – Obedient and Wise
Romans 16:19 - Obedient and Wise For your obedience has become known to all. Therefore I am glad on your behalf; but I want you to be wise in what is good, and simple concerning evil. Truth to Learn It is important for all Christians to be growing in our...
Romans 16:18 – Servants, Not Crusaders
Romans 16:18 - Servants, Not Crusaders For those who are such do not serve our Lord Jesus Christ, but their own belly, and by smooth words and flattering speech deceive the hearts of the simple. Truth to Learn Lack of submissiveness can cause harm to the body of Christ. Behind...
Romans 16:17 – Who to Avoid
Romans 16:17 - Who to Avoid Now I urge you, brethren, note those who cause divisions and offenses, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and avoid them. Truth to Learn Avoid those who teach false doctrine. Behind the Words “Urge” is translated from the Greek verb parakalō, which literally...
Romans 16:16 – A Holy Kiss?
Romans 16:16 - A Holy Kiss? Greet one another with a holy kiss. The churches of Christ greet you. Truth to Learn The early church employed a kiss as a customary greeting. Behind the Words “Greet” is from aspadzomai, meaning “to enfold in the arms” or as we would say,...
Romans 16:15 – Family of Saints
Romans 16:15 - Family of Saints Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them. Truth to Learn All Christians are saints and are God’s children. Behind the Words The name “Philologus” means “one who loves to learn.” “Nereus,” by some...
Romans 16:14 – Church Building Idolatry?
Romans 16:14 - Church Building Idolatry? Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermas, Patrobas, Hermes, and the brethren who are with them. Truth to Learn God wants a relationship, not brick and mortar. Behind the Words “Asyncritus” is the name of a slave who was made a freeman by Caesar Augustus. The name...