romans-15:4-5

Self Control (1466) (egkrateia/enkrateia from en = in + kratos = power to rule <> the stem krat- speaks of power or lordship) means literally holding oneself in or the ability to take a grip of oneself. This meaning is essentially that of a modern expression "Get a grip" as the word does speak of th... Read More

Transgression (3900) (paraptoma from para = aside + pipto = fall) is literally a falling aside or beside to stumble on something (so as to loose footing) and in its figurative ethical usage (all uses in the NT) it describes a "false step", a violation of moral standards or a deviation from living ac... Read More

Unity (1775) (henotes from heís = one + henós = of one) speaks of unanimity. It describes a state of oneness or of being in harmony and accord (cf similar Greek word Homothumadon which is a "key word" describing the first church in the Acts of the Spirit - see notes below discussing this great word)... Read More

"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms!" Deuteronomy 33:27 "For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope." Romans 15:4 Scripture promises are for all ages. W... Read More

David said, "Princes also did sit and speak against me; but Thy servant did meditate in Thy statutes. Thy testimonies are also my delight and my counsellors." (Psalm 119:23, 24) What a picture! Evil men are plotting against him, digging a pit for him, gnashing on him with their teeth, but he sits qu... Read More

In our previous chapter we have touched several times upon the matter of service for the Lord. As we come now to look at the provision that God has made to meet the problem created by the soul-life of man, it will be helpful if we approach that problem by considering first the principles that regula... Read More

God has given us five fingers on each hand. With these, we can hold on to things firmly. You could hold a glass with two fingers, but the grip won't be as firm as when you hold it with all five fingers. In the same way, God has given us five gifts through which we can have firm grip on the Christian... Read More

John the Baptist was the greatest prophet under the old covenant. But Jesus said that the least one in the new covenant would be able to rise to greater heights than John (Matthew 11:11). This is an amazing calling indeed - to be greater than John the Baptist. Ministry under the new covenant is a va... Read More

"But what things were gain to me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea doubtless, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord: for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ, and be found in him, not ... Read More

Jesus, as our Forerunner (One Who has run the same race ahead of us), has opened a way for us to enter the Father's presence and dwell there all the time. This way is called "the new and living way" (Heb.10:20). Paul speaks of it as "always carrying about in the body the dying of Jesus" (2 Cor.4:10)... Read More