Keen Bible readers will observe a footnote at the start of Ephesians 1. It tells us that the words Ephesians or Ephesus are not present in the earliest manuscripts. This means we cannot say for certain that the letter was specifically intended for that church. The consensus is that this letter was originally intended as… Continue reading How much does it matter if Ephesians was not written to Ephesus?
Tag: New Testament Studies
Tales of the Kingdom
I mentioned in a recent post that one of the aims of Faithroots is to make preaching and teaching resources readily available for free. Another little publication available here is Tales of the Kingdom which provides an overview of Mark’s Gospel
Romans 6:15-19
This next section repeats the “what then…by no means” pattern. Again, Paul asks if it is okay to sin, this time because we are under grace. Does this different constitution give us freedom to do what we want. The answer is an emphatic “no”. (v15). Why? Because our obedience confirms our ownership. We tend to… Continue reading Romans 6:15-19
Good constitutions and bad rulers
Most countries have some form of a constitution. The UK is unusual in that unlike most countries its constitution is unwritten, however, it still has one. Many countries have constitutions intended to encourage liberal democracy and the rule of law. However, that doesn’t always work out. Sometimes the people find themselves governed by brutal dictators… Continue reading Good constitutions and bad rulers
Romans 6:12-14
Because we have left our old life behind, we should not “let sin reign” or have control over our mortal bodies. The word for mortal is θνητός meaning liable to death. Our bodies therefore are still subject to death even though death does not rule and have power over the whole of our lives (v12). … Continue reading Romans 6:12-14
Freedom
One of the types of resources available from Faithroots is Bible teaching guides. My aim here was to provide preaching and teaching resources recognising third things, first that the cost of commentaries will beyond many preachers, secondly that for many, technical commentaries will be inaccessible. thirdly often there is a gulf between the technical information… Continue reading Freedom
Romans 6:1-4
Paul’s interim conclusion has been that the Law has increased sin, increased the trespass or transgression. He has also said that this is good because where sin increases, so does grace. Does this mean that we have an excuse, a justification even for continuing to sin? Does what we do matter if we are forgiven… Continue reading Romans 6:1-4
What is Paul’s main argument in Romans 1-5?
We tend to preach through books of the Bible like Romans taking short passages at a time. That’s understandable and necessary because there is much deep and rich material to cover. However, it is also helpful from time to time to take a step back and look at the whole big picture to see the… Continue reading What is Paul’s main argument in Romans 1-5?
Romans 5:18-21
Paul now reinforces his point and the comparison between Adam’s act and Christ’s act. Through the one sinful act, condemnation comes to all men, through the one righteous act. All are justified. Note that we already have been given a qualification of “all” in verse 17, those who benefit from Jesus are those who receive… Continue reading Romans 5:18-21
Romans 5:15-17
The gift (charisma) is not like the wrong-doing or transgression. Although we will see that there is a comparison to be made, sin through one man’s action, life through one man’s action, the two men and acts are incomparable. We have another “how much more”, the gift is better than the transgression. The one man,… Continue reading Romans 5:15-17
