The verse in question, 1 Timothy 4:8, states “for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.” This verse speaks to the balance between caring for our physical bodies and pursuing godliness and spiritual growth. On the surface, it may seem like the verse is dismissing physical exercise as unimportant compared to godliness. However, a closer look at the context shows that is not the case. The passage is addressing false teachers who were promoting extreme ascetic practices like…
Author: Kerry Baysinger
An epistle is a letter written to a specific recipient or group of recipients. In the Bible, there are 21 epistles or letters written by Apostles to churches or individuals. These make up a significant portion of the New Testament. The word “epistle” comes from the Greek word “epistolē” which means a written letter sent to someone. The epistles in the Bible provide teaching, encouragement, correction and guidance for Christians in various circumstances. They cover important theological topics and practical Christian living. Types of Epistles in the Bible There are two main types of epistles we find in Scripture: Pauline…
The command from Jesus to “love one another as I have loved you” is found in John 15:12. This verse comes in the midst of Jesus’ famous discourse on the vine and the branches. In John 15, Jesus uses the imagery of a vineyard to illustrate the relationship between Himself as the vine, God the Father as the vine-dresser, and believers as the branches. In verse 9, Jesus says, “As the Father has loved me, so have I loved you. Abide in my love.” He then goes on to explain that by abiding in Him and keeping His commandments, His…
Exhortation is the act of strongly encouraging or urging someone to do something. In the Bible, exhortation refers to encouraging fellow believers in their faith and urging them towards righteousness, godliness and spiritual maturity. The Nature of Biblical Exhortation Biblical exhortation is centered on God’s truth and His will as revealed in Scripture. It involves reminding Christians of the implications of the gospel for daily life and motivating them to pursue holiness and obedience to Christ (Titus 2:11-15). Exhortation may include elements of teaching, warning, encouragement and correction – all with the aim of building up believers in the faith…
Joel was a minor prophet in the Old Testament of the Bible. He is the author of the Book of Joel, which bears his name. Not much is known about Joel’s personal life or background. Here is an overview of key information about Joel and his prophetic book: Identity of Joel The Book of Joel mentions Joel’s father as Pethuel (Joel 1:1), but nothing else is said about his family or lineage. Joel likely lived in Judah since his prophecies focus on Jerusalem. His frequent mentions of priests, the temple, and offerings indicate he had a priestly background or affiliation.…
The Bible has a lot to say about earthly treasures and material possessions. Jesus specifically warns about storing up treasures on earth in Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.” (Matthew 6:19-21 ESV) So what did Jesus mean by “earthly treasures”? Based on the context of this passage and other…
The verse in question, Romans 13:4, states: “For the one in authority is God’s servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for rulers do not bear the sword for no reason. They are God’s servants, agents of wrath to bring punishment on the wrongdoer.” This verse has significant implications for how Christians should understand the role and purpose of governing authorities. At nearly 9,000 words, this article will provide an in-depth examination of the meaning of this verse and its relevance for Christians today. The Context of Romans 13:1-7 To properly understand any verse, it is…
The prohibition against eating meat with blood in it is first mentioned in Genesis 9:4, where God tells Noah, “But you shall not eat flesh with its life, that is, its blood.” This command came after the Flood, when God allowed man to start eating meat for the first time (Genesis 9:3). But there was an important stipulation – the blood had to be drained from the meat before eating it. There are a few key reasons why God instituted this command: 1. The sanctity of life In the Bible, blood represents life. As Leviticus 17:11 states, “For the life…
Jesus’ statement to the Jews that “You are of your father the devil” in John 8:44 carries profound significance and meaning. To properly understand this passage, we must first look at the context. In John 8, Jesus was teaching in the temple courts in Jerusalem during the Feast of Booths. A crowd had gathered, including many Pharisees who were already opposed to Jesus. A woman caught in adultery was brought before Jesus, and the Pharisees wanted to stone her according to the Law of Moses. But Jesus famously said, “Let him who is without sin among you be the first…
Genesis 3:16 states that one of the consequences of the fall into sin was that God told Eve “I will surely multiply your pain in childbearing; in pain you shall bring forth children.” This verse has led many to ask why God would punish women in this way. Here is an overview of some key biblical explanations for the pain of childbirth: 1. It was part of the curse for disobeying God’s command Genesis 3 records that after Adam and Eve ate the forbidden fruit in disobedience to God’s command, God pronounced curses on the serpent, the man, and the…
