The verse in question, James 4:4, states: “You adulterous people! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Therefore whoever wishes to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God.” This is a profoundly important verse that cuts to the heart of what it means to follow Christ. In this article, we will explore the meaning of this verse in depth. 1. Defining “Friendship with the World” First, we must understand what is meant by “friendship with the world.” The “world” in Scripture refers to the fallen, sinful system of values,…
Author: Matt Primack
The topic of world peace is complex for Christians. On one hand, the Bible clearly calls Christians to be peacemakers and to seek peace. Jesus said “Blessed are the peacemakers” (Matthew 5:9). The apostle Paul wrote, “If possible, so far as it depends on you, live peaceably with all” (Romans 12:18). God desires unity, not conflict, among people. However, the Bible also recognizes that true lasting peace will not come through human efforts alone. Jeremiah wrote, “They have healed the wound of my people lightly, saying, ‘Peace, peace,’ when there is no peace” (Jeremiah 6:14). Only through Christ’s second coming…
In Luke 22:31, Jesus tells Peter “Simon, Simon, behold, Satan demanded to have you, that he might sift you like wheat”. This is a crucial passage that gives insight into spiritual warfare and how Satan seeks to attack believers. By examining the biblical context and background, we can better understand the meaning and significance of Satan’s desire to “sift” Peter like wheat. The Context of Luke 22:31 This statement occurs during the Last Supper, on the night before Jesus’ crucifixion. Jesus has just instituted the Lord’s Supper as a remembrance of His sacrifice on the cross (Luke 22:14-23). He then…
The Bible verse Ephesians 5:15 says “Look carefully then how you walk, not as unwise but as wise.” The word “circumspectly” means to walk carefully, thoughtfully, and with wisdom. Let’s explore what it means to “walk circumspectly” according to this verse: 1. Walking circumspectly means being intentional about how we live To walk circumspectly means we are purposeful and deliberate about the choices we make each day. It is the opposite of coasting through life without thought or intention. Circumspect living requires us to be alert, self-controlled, and actively engaged in choosing to honor God (1 Peter 5:8). Rather than…
The river of life is a concept that appears several times throughout the Bible, both in the Old and New Testaments. It is often used as a metaphor to represent the life-giving presence and power of God. Let’s explore some of the key passages about the river of life and what they teach us. The river in Eden In Genesis 2:10 we read about a river that flowed out of the Garden of Eden to water it. This river then divided into four headwaters – the Pishon, Gihon, Tigris and Euphrates rivers. While not directly called the “river of life,”…
Tearing one’s clothes in the Bible was an external manifestation of deep grief, anguish, or repentance. It is mentioned over 40 times in the Old Testament, and a few times in the New Testament as well. Here is an overview of the significance, meaning and context behind this practice in the Bible. Old Testament Examples and Meaning In the Old Testament, tearing one’s clothes was a spontaneous act done to express profound sorrow for the dead (Genesis 37:29, 34), as an act of repentance and mourning over sin (Joshua 7:6, 1 Kings 21:27), or as a sign of righteous indignation…
The Jewish Targum refers to ancient Aramaic translations and paraphrases of the Hebrew Bible. The term “targum” means “translation” or “interpretation” in Aramaic. Though the origins of the Targum are unclear, they likely began to appear sometime after the Babylonian exile in the 6th century BCE, when Aramaic became the common language of the Jews in Babylon. As most Jews no longer understood Hebrew, the Targum were created to provide translations and explanations of the Hebrew texts in a language they could understand. The Targum were originally transmitted orally, with translators and interpreters providing spontaneous rendering and commentary on the…
Christian tentmaking refers to Christians supporting themselves financially by working secular jobs while also engaging in evangelism, church planting, and other missionary activities. The term comes from the apostle Paul’s occupation as a “tentmaker” mentioned in Acts 18:3, where he worked making tents while also preaching the gospel. Here is a detailed overview of Christian tentmaking: Origin of the Term “Tentmaking” The term “tentmaking” comes from the apostle Paul’s profession of making tents, mentioned in Acts 18:3: “And because he was of the same craft, he stayed with them and worked, for they were tentmakers by trade.” Paul was trained…
The betrayal of Jesus by Judas Iscariot is one of the most well-known and pivotal events in the Bible. Judas was one of the twelve disciples of Jesus, yet he betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver, leading to Jesus’ arrest and crucifixion. The Bible provides some insights into possible motivations for Judas’ betrayal, though the full reasons remain a source of speculation and debate. Here are some key points the Bible reveals about Judas and his betrayal of Jesus: Judas was the treasurer for Jesus and the disciples, in charge of the money bag (John 12:6). He used to…
What is Love? The Bible has a lot to say about love. At its core, love is selfless, sacrificial, unconditional, and voluntary. True love seeks the good of others above self. The ultimate example of love is God Himself, who loved the world so much that He gave His only Son to die for our sins (John 3:16). The Bible describes four main types of love: 1. Eros – Romantic/Sexual Love Eros is passionate, romantic love between spouses in marriage. The Song of Solomon depicts eros as intimate and exclusive shared desire between a husband and wife. While society often…