COLOSSIANS 1:13-19 Christ existed prior to all creation. He is “the firstborn of every creature” (Col. 1:15). From the original language of the New Testament, this phrase is literally “firstborn of all creation.” The Greek word translated “firstborn” does not mean that He was the first one born; rather, it...
COLOSSIANS 1:9-12 As Paul prayed for the Colossians and their walk, or way of life, he did not pray that it might be pleasing to man but to God. In his letter to the Galatians, Paul said of himself, “For do I now persuade men, or God? or do I...
COLOSSIANS 1:1-8 Almost everyone talks about faith because almost everyone has faith in something. But faith is only as good as its object. It is important to recognize that we are not saved from condemnation by having faith in faith. Paul commended the Colossians for their “faith in Christ Jesus”...
PHILIPPIANS 4:17-20 Philippians 4:19 cannot be understood apart from the preceding verses. Some Christians have claimed verse 19 but have not met the conditions of the preceding verses; therefore, they are unwarranted in expecting God to keep His promise of verse 19. And when they see that God has not...
PHILIPPIANS 4:10-13; 1 TIMOTHY 6:6-11 Nowhere does the Bible suggest that we should be content with unsatisfactory conditions. But because of our personal relationship with Christ we can be content in them. As different situations arise and we learn our lessons one after another, we will also find it possible...
PHILIPPIANS 4:8-9; 2 PETER 1:1-9 A good exercise is to analyze the kind of thoughts you have been thinking. Some will be spiritual thoughts that make a positive contribution to life, others will be thoughts about things that are not necessarily good or bad, and there will be thoughts that...
PHILIPPIANS 4:6-7; MATTHEW 6:24-34 There are at least three characteristics, or marks, that indicate we have excessive care. The first is being more concerned about things than about God’s will for us. We will never have peace by acquiring things; peace comes only by being in God’s will, with or...
PHILIPPIANS 3:12-14; 1 TIMOTHY 1:12-7 The word “moderation” (Phil. 4:5) emphasizes pliability and agreeableness. It is a special consideration given to other people, and it is to be the additive that causes a believer to patiently forbear under injury without desiring revenge. It is a spirit that is ready to...
PHILIPPIANS 3:17-21 All of us who have believed in Christ, like the patriarchs, are “looking for the city which has foundations, whose architect and builder is God” (Heb. 11: 10, NASB). Believers of old were “seeking a country of their own” (v. 14, NASB), and we, too, are seeking a...
PHILIPPIANS 3:1-11 Paul said about himself, “Concerning zeal, persecuting the church” (Phil. 3:6). This reveals the pride of personal devotion to his religious choices. In a sense, it was Paul’s pride of reputation. He was more devoted than any of his contemporaries. He was not only a Pharisee, but he...