Love does no evil to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Truth to Learn Unselfish love is what God wants from us. Behind the Words “Love” is translated from agape, which refers to “good will” or “benevolence.” In other words, it refers to acts of...
Romans 12:21 – Good Versus Evil
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Truth to Learn The proper way for a Christian to combat evil is with good. Behind the Words The word translated “overcome” is nikaō, a verb form of the noun nikē, which refers to “a conquest or victory.”...
Romans 12:17 – Reactive or Proactive?
Repay no one evil for evil, giving thought to do what is good in the sight of all men. Truth to Learn We should be benevolently proactive, not selfishly reactive. Behind the Words The word translated “repay” is apodidomi, which is a compound word made up of apo, meaning...
Romans 12:9 – Sacrificial Evidence
Let love be sincere. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Truth to Learn Here is the evidence of a living sacrifice. Behind the Words The word translated “sincere” is the Greek word anupokritos, which is a compound word made up of a, meaning “without” and a...
Romans 7:21 – The “Badness” Law
I find then a law, when I desire to do what is right, that evil is present with me. Truth to Learn There is a “law of sin” that can control our actions. Behind the Words The word translated “a law” is the Greek word nomos, which means “something...
Romans 7:19 – Surrender to Him
For the good that I determine to do, I do not do; but the evil I determine to not do, that I practice. Truth to Learn Overcoming our enemy, our sin nature, is not ours to do. Behind the Words Back in verse sixteen we looked at the word...
Romans 2:9 – Payment for Worthless Deeds
tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who accomplishes evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; Truth to Learn Tribulation and anguish are coming to those who reject God. Behind the Words The words “tribulation and anguish” are interesting in that, for three of the...
1 Peter 3:11 – In Pursuit of Peace
Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. Truth to Learn Peter commands us to turn completely away from evil, doing good instead. He also admonishes us to pursue peace with a vengeance. Behind the Words The words “turn away” are...
1 Peter 3:9 – Blessings for Insults
not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but on the contrary blessing, because you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. Truth to Learn The proper response when someone insults you is to bless them. Behind the Words The word translated “returning” is the...
1 Peter 2:16 – Free to Submit
as free, yet not having freedom as a cloak of evil, but as bondservants of God. Truth to Learn We are free from the penalty of sin, but we are God’s servants. Behind the Words The word translated “free” is eleutheros, meaning “unrestrained” or “able to move about freely.”...
1 Thessalonians 5:22 – Avoid All Evil
Abstain from every form of evil. Truth to Learn Live life in God’s presence and in obedience to Him. Behind the Words “Abstain” is translated from the Greek verb apechomai, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and a form of echō, meaning “to have”...
1 Thessalonians 5:15 – Do Good, Not Evil
See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for one another and for all. Truth to Learn Don’t retaliate when you experience evil. Do good instead. Behind the Words The word translated “renders” is apodidōmi, which is composed of apo,...
Ephesians 6:12 – Spiritual Wrestling Match
For our wrestling is not against flesh and blood, but against authorities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world system, against spiritual powers of evil in the heavenly places. Truth to Learn We are in a spiritual battle against powerful wickedness (but we are on the...
Ephesians 5:16 – Time and Eternity
redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Truth to Learn You only have one life. Live it with eternity in view. Behind the Words The word “redeeming” is translated from the Greek word exagoradzō, which is made up of ex, meaning “out of” and agoradzō meaning “to buy”...
James 4:16 – Stealing Credit from God
But now you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil. Truth to Learn Claiming credit for your own success is vicious thievery. Behind the Words The words “boast” and “boasting” are both translated from forms of kauchaomai, which means “to glory” or “to celebrate.” It implies making great,...
James 3:8 – Poisonous Tongue
But no man is able to tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Truth to Learn Although men have managed to tame every kind of wild animal, no man can tame the tongue. Behind the Words “No man” is translated from oudeis anthrōpōn, which literally...
James 2:4 – No Discrimination
have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil reasonings? Truth to Learn Judging a person by how they dress and how wealthy they are is selfish and evil. We need to learn to not judge people by their outward appearance. Behind the Words The phrase, “have...
James 1:13 – Not From God
Let no one being tempted say, "I am tempted from God"; for God is not tempted by evil, and He Himself tempts no one. Truth to Learn God is not the source of our temptation. When it does come, He wants us to grow in faith. And, even when we...
1 Thessalonians 5:22 – Avoid All Evil
Abstain from every form of evil. Truth to Learn Live life in God’s presence and in obedience to Him. Behind the Words “Abstain” is translated from the Greek verb apechomai, which is made up of apo, meaning “from” or “away from” and a form of echō, meaning “to have” or...
1 Thessalonians 5:15 – Do Good, Not Evil
See that no one renders evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good both for yourselves and for all. Truth to Learn Don’t retaliate when you experience evil. Do good instead. Behind the Words The word translated “renders” is apodidōmi, which is composed of apo, meaning “from”...
Ephesians 5:16 – Time and Eternity
redeeming the time, because the days are evil. Truth to Learn You only have one life. Live it with eternity in view. Behind the Words The word “redeeming” is translated from the Greek word exagoradzō, which is made up of ex, meaning “out of” and agoradzō meaning “to buy” (the...
Romans 14:20 – Construction, Not Demolition
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 evil for the man who eats with offense. Truth to Learn We are supposed to build-up the church, not tear it down. Behind the...
Romans 12:21 – Good Versus Evil
Romans 12:21 - Good Versus Evil Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Truth to Learn The proper way for a Christian to combat evil is with good. Behind the Words The word translated “overcome” is nikaō, a verb form of the noun nikē, which refers...
Romans 12:17 – Reactive or Proactive?
Romans 12:17 - Reactive or Proactive? Repay no one evil for evil. Have regard for good things in the sight of all men. Truth to Learn We should be benevolently proactive, not selfishly reactive. Behind the Words The word translated “repay” is apodidomi, which is a compound word made up...
Romans 12:9 – Sacrificial Evidence
Romans 12:9 - Sacrificial Evidence Let love be without hypocrisy. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Truth to Learn Here is the evidence of a living sacrifice. Behind the Words The word translated “without hypocrisy” is the Greek word anupokritos, which is a compound word made up...
Romans 7:21 – The “Badness” Law
Romans 7:21 I find then a law, that evil is present with me, the one who wills to do good. Truth to Learn There is a “law of sin” that can control our actions. Behind the Words The word translated “a law” is the Greek word nomos, which means “something...
Romans 7:19 – Surrender to Him
Romans 7:19 For the good that I will to do, I do not do; but the evil I will not to do, that I practice. Truth to Learn Overcoming our enemy, our sin nature, is not ours to do. Behind the Words Back in verse sixteen we looked at the...
Romans 3:8 – Misrepresented Truth
Romans 3:8 And why not say, "Let us do evil that good may come"?—as we are slanderously reported and as some affirm that we say. Their condemnation is just. Truth to Learn All sin will be judged, no matter what our excuse may be. Behind the Words The phrase “Let...
Romans 2:9 – Payment for Worthless Deeds
Romans 2:9 tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; Truth to Learn Tribulation and anguish are coming to those who reject God. Behind the Words The words “tribulation and anguish” are interesting in that, for three of...