I Peter 2:18-25 I had mentioned a few days ago that Peter often discusses persecution in this epistle. And true to form, in today’s reading the word “suffer” is mentioned four times, twice with respect to Christians suffering and twice recalling Jesus’ sufferings. But that’s a nice connection for Peter to make. Many (most?) scholars …
Monthly Archives: October 2020
October 21 / I Peter 2:11-17
I Peter 2:11-17 Peter makes a number of comments in today’s reading about Christian behavior. Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation. (v. 12) Here’s a second, related verse: …by doing good …
October 20 / I Peter 2:1-10
I Peter 2:1-10 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk… (v. 2a) Carol and I are fortunate to have a “newborn infant” living just across the driveway from our house. We see Rachel and Audra together quite often. It is absolutely clear to Rachel (and to us) when that newborn infant is longing …
October 19 / I Peter 1:17-25
I Peter 1:17-25 …knowing that you were ransomed from the futile ways inherited from your forefathers… (v. 18a, ESV, NASB) Scholars have argued back and forth as to whom this letter from Peter was addressed – specifically as to whether the recipients were primarily Gentile Christians or Jewish Christians. The NKJV was the translation that …
October 18 / I Peter 1:10-16
I Peter 1:10-16 At some point in my reading today I began to realize that Peter was getting really personal with his readers. Then I counted how many times “you” and its derivatives were used in these seven verses: Twelve times! Plus eleven times in yesterday’s nine verses and eleven more times in tomorrow’s nine …
October 17 / I Peter 1:1-9
I Peter 1:1-9 So today we leave Paul’s letters and move on to Peter. We are still working chronologically, according to The Chronological Study Bible authors. You may be imagining (as did I) that we covered Acts, then began with Paul’s letters. In fact, however, we had both Galatians and James interspersed with Acts back …
October 16 / II Timothy 4:16-22
II Timothy 4:16-22 So today we end Paul’s letters (according to The Chronological Study Bible). I found myself with a solemn spirit as I read those last written words. I’ve already been “mourning” Paul’s time in prison – alone, dark, damp, cold. And yet still full of faith, as he reports to Timothy: At my …
October 15 / II Timothy 4:9-15
II Timothy 4:9-15 For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. (v. 10) What an indictment Paul has laid on Demas! It’s not just the phrase, in love with this present world. It’s also Paul’s use of the word “deserted”. That’s a loaded term! To me it points …
October 14 / II Timothy 4:1-8
II Timothy 4:1-8 …the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (vv. 6b-7) According to the authors of The Chronological Study Bible and other scholars, we are reading Paul’s last written words. He knows that he will soon be executed and …
October 13 / II Timothy 3:10-17
II Timothy 3:10-17 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted… (v. 12) I have often contrasted the life that Carol and I live with the life that Mark and Tommie Bruner have. Mark and Tommie are constantly beset with problems (yes, some of their own making) and …