The verse 2 Corinthians 3:5 states “Not that we are sufficient in ourselves to claim anything as coming from us, but our sufficiency is from God.” This verse points to the important biblical truth that any good thing we accomplish ultimately comes from God working through us, not from our own natural abilities or merits. Let’s explore the meaning and implications of this verse more fully. The Context of 2 Corinthians 3:5 To properly understand this verse, we first need to look at the context of the passage it appears in. In 2 Corinthians 3, Paul is defending his ministry…
Author: Emma Price
The account of Paul’s voyage to Rome is recorded in Acts 27-28. After Paul had appealed to Caesar and Festus had determined that Paul should be sent to Rome, arrangements were made for Paul to sail there under guard. The voyage did not go smoothly, however, and Paul faced several trials along the way. Paul and some other prisoners were put under the charge of a Roman centurion named Julius. They boarded a ship from Adramyttium that was going to make stops at ports along the coast of Asia Minor. One of Paul’s traveling companions was Aristarchus, a believer from…
In John 4:22, Jesus was speaking to the Samaritan woman at the well and said to her, “You worship what you do not know; we worship what we know, for salvation is from the Jews.” This statement has been interpreted in different ways, but in context Jesus seems to be making a few key points: 1. Jesus is identifying Himself as a Jew in contrast to the Samaritan faith The Samaritan religion had developed separately from Judaism over the centuries since the Assyrian exile, and the two groups had theological differences and animosity. When Jesus identifies the Jews as having…
The verse Philippians 2:3 says “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” This verse teaches us an important principle about how we should view and treat others – we should esteem them as more important than ourselves. Let’s explore what this means and why it’s so important for Christians. It’s the Opposite of Pride and Selfish Ambition To “esteem others better than yourself” is the exact opposite of having pride or selfish ambition. Our natural tendency as sinful human beings is to look out for ourselves first and foremost. We want…
The drying up of the Euphrates River has captured the attention of many Christians who wonder if it could be a fulfillment of biblical prophecy and a sign of the end times. The Euphrates River is the longest and one of the most important rivers in the Middle East, flowing through Turkey, Syria and Iraq. However, in recent years, parts of the river have dried up or experienced reduced water levels due to drought, upstream dam construction and increased water consumption. What does the Bible say about the Euphrates River in connection with the end times? And should the river’s…
The title “Mighty God” given to Jesus in Isaiah 9:6 is an incredibly powerful and significant description of who Jesus is. This verse says “For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Let’s break down the meaning and significance of Jesus being called “Mighty God”: 1. It affirms the deity and divine nature of Jesus To call Jesus “Mighty God” is to directly equate him with Almighty God. This title undeniably claims…
Does the Bible teach that God is love? The Bible has a lot to say about God’s love. Throughout its pages, we see a God who loves deeply and perfectly. Let’s take a closer look at some of the key passages in Scripture that teach about God’s loving nature: 1. 1 John 4:8 – “God is love” This straightforward statement that “God is love” is found in 1 John 4:8. The verse goes on to say that “whoever does not love does not know God, because God is love.” This teaches us two important things about God’s nature – first,…
The statement that no one has ascended into heaven except Jesus Christ is found in John 3:13: “No one has ascended into heaven except he who descended from heaven, the Son of Man.” This verse comes in the midst of Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, where He was explaining heavenly things to the Pharisee. So what did Jesus mean when He said this, and what are the implications? The Context of John 3:13 It’s important to understand the context surrounding this verse. Jesus had been explaining to Nicodemus about being “born again” or “born from above” (John 3:3). Nicodemus misunderstood and…
The phrase “time of restoration of all things” comes from Acts 3:21, which says “Heaven must receive Christ until the time of restoration of all things, about which God spoke through His holy prophets from ancient time.” This verse points to a future time when God will restore and redeem all of creation through Jesus Christ. Let’s explore what the Bible teaches about this important time. 1. It refers to the future restoration of creation The “restoration of all things” refers to God’s plan to redeem and renew the whole creation that was affected by sin and the Fall. All…
The story of the man who was healed by Peter and John and began “walking and leaping and praising God” (Acts 3:8) contains important lessons for all believers. Though the actual miracle was unique, the principles and spiritual truths revealed in this account remain relevant today. By exploring the context, characters, and content of Acts 3:1-10, we can gain insight into faith, healing, evangelism, and worship. Context of the Healing To properly understand this healing, we must first consider the context. Acts 3 opens by locating the events at the temple in Jerusalem (v.1). Peter and John were going there…