Ephesians 2:1-22 It took a lot of reading and re-reading of different translations for me to finally understand the next two verses: But now in Christ Jesus you who once were far off have been brought near by the blood of Christ. For He Himself is our peace, who has made us both one and …
Author Archives: Fred
October 27 / Ephesians 1:1-23
Ephesians 1:1-23 …even as He chose us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him. In love He predestined us for adoption to Himself as sons through Jesus Christ, according to the purpose of His will… (vv. 4-5) I don’t get into “predestination” discussions much. Bible …
October 26 / Colossians 4:1-18
Colossians 4:1-18 For me, in my comments below a lot of clarification as to Paul’s location when he wrote Philemon, Colossians, and Ephesians. These names are all somewhat familiar: Tychicus, Onesimus, Aristarchus, Epaphras… We’ll see more of them in Ephesians. See also: August 28 / Colossians 4:7-18
October 25 / Colossians 3:1-25
Colossians 3:1-25 Here is the verse that Archbishop Beach cited in yesterday’s AWFTL: And whatever you do, in word or deed, do everything in the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through Him. (v. 17) His summary message had to do with how others see us, especially how non-Christians view …
October 24 / Colossians 2:1-23
Colossians 2:1-23 For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form, and in Him you have been made complete, and … in Him you were also circumcised with a circumcision performed without hands … having been buried with Him in baptism … you were also raised with Him …And … He made …
October 23 / Colossians 1:1-29
Colossians 1:1-29 Paul’s many parenthetical expressions often make for difficult reading. Here is what I distilled today by leaving out some of those expressions: …the gospel…in the whole world…is bearing fruit and increasing… (vv. 5b-6a) Paul is reporting on the spread of the Gospel “in the whole world”. He knows (without personal mention) that he …
October 22 / Philemon 1-25
Philemon 1-25 I mentioned last year in my final comment below that Mark Bruner would be visiting St. Andrew’s for his Asbury graduation in November. That visit did not happen, but as circumstances would have it, I can now report again that Mark will be visiting next month! He will be here on November 7, …
October 21 / Acts 28:1-31
Acts 28:1-31 And when he had said these words, the Jews departed, having much dispute among themselves. (v.29) This verse may be new to you depending on the translation that you are reading. The NASB has it, but the ESV does not. The ESV indicates in a footnote that “some manuscripts” add this verse. But, …
October 20 / Acts 27:27-44
Acts 27:27-44 My comments from last year are helpful in understanding just exactly what was going on with the ship being battered from the wind and waves. From yesterday’s reading, Paul speaking: Men, you should have listened to me and not have set sail from Crete… (v. 21b) I think many of us hate it …
October 19 / Acts 27:1-26
Acts 27:1-26 Not much to add to today’s reading that I did not already cover below. However, I am intrigued by what it must have been like back then to be a sailor or a passenger on a ship, totally at the mercy of the winds and the waves. No wonder Paul went overland as …