James 3:1-18 But if you have bitter jealousy and selfish ambition in your hearts… (v. 14) and For where jealousy and selfish ambition exist… (v. 16) I wonder what’s going on in James’ world that he would point out jealousy and selfish ambition twice here. Back in Galatians Paul seemed to imply that this was …
Author Archives: Fred
July 28 / James 2:1-26
James 2:1-26 James writes that in keeping the Law but failing in one point a person is guilty of the whole Law. He uses an example: If you do not commit adultery but do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. (v. 11b) For our 21st-century society that example needs to be flipped: …
July 27 / James 1:1-27
James 1:1-27 Welcome to the Epistle of James! Sin, with a number of verses (seemingly?) reflecting temptations from outside and from inside… First, from outside: Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds… (v. 2) and Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial… (v. 12) [I’m sure brothers …
July 26 / Gal. 6:1-18
Galatians 6:1-18 My daily pattern is to read through two translations and notes and sidebars of our scheduled reading, then to read my comments from last year, then to read a third translation and post new comments. With this pattern it is often the case that in my first readings I do not understand a …
July 25 / Gal. 5:16-26
Galatians 5:16-26 When we did our “Three Streams” series at St. Andrew’s last March during Lent it was Archbishop Foley Beach who spoke on the third “stream”, the Pentecostal/Charismatic stream – the Spirit-filled life. And as he spoke of the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives, he was clear in distinguishing the manifestations …
July 24 / Gal. 5:1-15
Galatians 5:1-15 When I read this section last year I was really confused by verse 11. I looked at another translation, and the first paragraph in my comments in the link below helped me to understand what Paul was saying. There are a few other confusions in today’s reading. Please read on. I wish those …
July 23 / Gal. 4:1-31
Galatians 4:1-31 In the same way we also, when we were children, were enslaved to the elementary principles of the world. (v.3) And: But now that you have come to know God … how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless elementary principles of the world…? (v. 9) Although it’s confusing, it …
July 22 / Galatians 3:15-29
Galatians 3:15-29 This gets confusing. Paul bases his argument in today’s reading on his translation of the word “offspring” (or “seed” as in many translations): Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings, referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who …
July 21 / Galatians 3:1-14
Galatians 3:1-14 Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? (v. 2b) Our Men’s Group has been on a “Three Streams” mission; currently our topic is the “Spirit-filled stream”. We are looking at the work of the Holy Spirit in the Gospels, in Acts, and in the Epistles. …
July 20 / Galatians 2:1-21
Galatians 2:1-21 About Paul’s time line… Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along with me. (v. 1) Scholars can make different arguments as to when this event occurred – some that this 14-year trip occurring when Paul and Barnabas brought an aid gift to the Jerusalem church …