Being devout means being dedicated and committed to God. It involves having an intimate relationship with Him through prayer, Bible study, and obedience to His Word. A devout person seeks to know God more deeply and live in a way that honors Him. Here is a more in-depth look at what it means to be devout: Pursuing God A devout Christian actively pursues knowing God more. They don’t just believe in His existence, but long to deepen their relationship with Him. As Psalm 63:1 says, “O God, you are my God; earnestly I seek you; my soul thirsts for you;…
Author: Matt Primack
Brooke Foss Westcott (1825-1901) and Fenton John Anthony Hort (1828-1892) were two Anglican scholars and theologians who are most well known for their work on producing a critical text of the New Testament. In the late 19th century, Westcott and Hort edited and published a landmark edition of the Greek New Testament which laid the foundation for nearly all subsequent New Testament textual criticism. Westcott and Hort were colleagues at Cambridge University and collaborated together for 28 years on studying and comparing biblical manuscripts to determine the earliest attainable text of the New Testament. They believed that by thoroughly evaluating…
Teaching is an important theme in the Bible. There are many verses that discuss the importance of teaching God’s word, the qualities of an effective teacher, and the responsibility of believers to teach others. Here is an overview of some of the key Bible verses about teaching: The Importance of Teaching God’s Word The Bible emphasizes the importance of teaching God’s word accurately and faithfully. Some key verses include: “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness” (2 Timothy 3:16). The Bible is inspired by God and is…
What did Jesus mean when He said it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich man to get into heaven? This metaphor that Jesus uses about camels and needles is one of His most well-known sayings, and also one that causes a lot of confusion. On the surface, it sounds impossible and hyperbolic. Camels are very large animals and the eye of a needle is tiny – there’s no way a literal camel could ever fit through a literal needle. So what did Jesus mean by this? To start, we…
The Bible reveals that there are seven things that are detestable to God. These seven abominations provide insight into God’s character and what He expects from His people. Though not an exhaustive list, these seven things give us a sobering reminder of God’s hatred for sin. 1. Haughty Eyes The first thing mentioned that God hates are “haughty eyes” (Proverbs 6:16-17). This refers to arrogance, pride and looking down on others. A haughty look reveals a heart that is puffed up with an inflated view of oneself and a low view of others. It places self above God and others.…
The Deuteronomistic History is a theological history of Israel found in the Old Testament that covers the period from the conquest of Canaan under Joshua to the fall of the southern kingdom of Judah and the destruction of Jerusalem by the Babylonians in 587/586 BCE. It comprises the biblical books of Deuteronomy, Joshua, Judges, 1-2 Samuel, and 1-2 Kings. The Deuteronomistic History gets its name from the book of Deuteronomy, which outlines the deuteronomic code – the law codes and covenant that set the tone for the rest of the historical narrative. The key themes emphasized in these books are…
Biblical manhood refers to the role, responsibilities, and duties of men as described in the Bible. At its core, biblical manhood is about living a life that honors and glorifies God through one’s words, actions, relationships, and service to others. Some key aspects of biblical manhood include: Leading and Loving One’s Family The Bible instructs husbands and fathers to be spiritual leaders of their households (Ephesians 5:23; 6:4). This involves taking initiative to nurture the spiritual growth of one’s wife and children through teaching biblical truths, modeling godly character, praying for them, and cultivating a climate of love and respect…
The statement “Jesus is enough” is a profound and powerful truth found throughout Scripture. It speaks to the complete sufficiency of Christ in meeting our every need. Jesus alone is all we need for salvation, life, and godliness. When we have Jesus, we have everything. Let’s explore the biblical basis for this remarkable statement. Jesus is enough for our salvation Ephesians 2:8-9 says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, not a result of works, so that no one may boast.” Our salvation is entirely…
The Bible teaches that Jesus Christ, the Son of God, took our place by dying on the cross for our sins. This act is known as “substitutionary atonement” and is a core doctrine of Christianity. Here is an explanation of what it means and why it matters: Jesus as the perfect sacrifice According to the Bible, the penalty for sin is death (Romans 6:23). God is perfectly holy and cannot tolerate sin. But all human beings are sinners (Romans 3:23) and fall short of God’s perfect standard. So how can sinful humans be reconciled to a holy God? A sacrifice…
Sexual purity is vitally important according to the Bible. God designed sex to be enjoyed within the confines of marriage between a man and woman. Sex outside of marriage can have detrimental spiritual, emotional, and physical consequences. The Bible provides clear guidance on maintaining purity and avoiding sexual immorality. Sex was created by God for marriage. Genesis 2:24 states that “a man shall leave his father and his mother and hold fast to his wife, and they shall become one flesh.” The one flesh union refers to the sexual relationship between husband and wife. Hebrews 13:4 declares “Let marriage be…