Romans 8:37 says, “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” This verse comes in the context of Paul describing the assurance believers have in Christ despite present sufferings. Though we face trials and persecution in this world, we can be confident that God works all things for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28) and nothing can separate us from His love (Romans 8:38-39). So what does it mean that we are “more than conquerors”? Here are some key truths this verse teaches: We Are Completely Victorious Through Christ To…
Author: Kerry Baysinger
James 5:8 says, “You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand.” This verse encourages believers to be patient and establish their hearts as they await the return of Jesus Christ. But what exactly does it mean to “establish your hearts”? The Greek Meaning The Greek word translated “establish” is sterizo, which means to make stable, to make firm, to strengthen, to set fast. It evokes the image of providing a solid foundation or anchoring something securely. When applied to the heart, it means to confirm, to fix one’s affections. So establishing our…
The phrase “the Lord is the God of recompense” comes from Jeremiah 51:56, which says: “For the destroyer is come upon her, even upon Babylon, and her mighty men are taken, every one of their bows is broken: for the Lord God of recompences shall surely requite.” This verse refers to God bringing judgment on the nation of Babylon for its sin and idolatry. The key phrase is “the Lord God of recompences.” The word “recompense” means to repay, reward, or make restitution. So when the Bible calls God the “God of recompense,” it is saying that He will repay…
A proverb is a short, concise statement that conveys moral truth or practical wisdom. Proverbs in the Bible are simple yet profound sayings that convey deeper meanings and life lessons. Here are some key things to know about proverbs in the Bible: Definition of a Biblical Proverb The Hebrew word translated as “proverb” is mashal, which means “a wise saying” or “a parable.” Proverbs in the Bible contain practical advice and words of wisdom that teach us how to live a godly life. As Proverbs 1:2-6 (ESV) states, the purpose of proverbs is to teach wisdom, discipline, understanding, prudence, knowledge,…
The Eliakim Typological Argument refers to a biblical interpretation method that views the Old Testament high priest Eliakim as a type, or foreshadowing, of Jesus Christ and His role as the ultimate High Priest. This typological connection is primarily based on Isaiah 22:20-22: “In that day I will call my servant Eliakim the son of Hilkiah, and I will clothe him with your robe, and will bind your sash on him, and will commit your authority to his hand. And he shall be a father to the inhabitants of Jerusalem and to the house of Judah. And I will place…
Tenebrae is a Christian service held during Holy Week, the week leading up to Easter. The word “tenebrae” comes from the Latin meaning “darkness.” The Tenebrae service focuses on the gradual extinguishing of candles to represent the events leading up to Jesus’ death and burial. The origins of Tenebrae services are unclear, but they seem to date back at least to the 8th century. In the Middle Ages, monasteries and cathedrals often held Tenebrae services. These consisted of prayer, singing and Bible readings telling the story of Jesus’ Passion. As each part of the story was told, a candle was…
John the Baptist fulfilled Isaiah’s prophecy “to prepare the way of the Lord; make His paths straight” (Matthew 3:3) in several important ways: John’s Ministry Prepared People for Jesus’ Coming Isaiah 40:3 prophesied that there would be one who would “prepare the way of the LORD.” When the angel Gabriel announced John’s birth, he said John would “go before the Lord to prepare his ways” (Luke 1:76). John’s ministry preached repentance and baptized people in preparation for the coming of the Messiah (Mark 1:4, Luke 3:3). In this way, John spiritually prepared the people for Jesus’ ministry. John boldly called…
What is the Critical Text? The Critical Text refers to the Greek New Testament that seeks to reconstruct the original wording of the New Testament books. It is based on ancient Greek manuscripts and attempts to remove errors and variants that were introduced over the centuries of copying. History of the Critical Text In the early centuries of Christianity, the New Testament was copied by hand and circulated among churches. This manual copying process inevitably led to some errors and variations being introduced into the text. As the number of copies increased, so did the number of textual variants. In…
Burnout is a state of emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It often leads to diminished interest, cynicism, and feelings of ineffectiveness related to one’s work or career. Though not a medical diagnosis, burnout can have serious consequences for a person’s health, relationships, and overall well-being if not addressed. The Bible does not directly address burnout per se, as the modern concept of a career and the stresses of the workplace are somewhat foreign to the ancient cultures depicted in Scripture. However, the Bible has much to say about issues related to burnout, including rest,…
The question of whether there will be a worldwide revival before the end times is an important one for Christians to consider. The Bible provides some clues but does not give a definitive answer. There are differing views among Bible scholars and experts on eschatology (study of end times) regarding if and when such a revival might occur. Those who believe a worldwide revival is coming before the end times often point to passages which speak of mass conversions and a great harvest of souls in the last days. For example, Revelation 7:9 describes people from every nation standing before…
