Ephesians 1 15-23

 Universalism in the New Testament

03/22 ~ From New Testament Letters

  🕊️ (In the Order Believed Written)

       Paul’s Letter To The Ephesians

                  (paraphrased)

15 - Because I’ve heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks when remembering you in my prayers! 17 Prayers that the God of our Lord Jesus, the Father of glory, may give you the Spirit of wisdom, and of revelation in the knowledge of him . 18 Having the eyes of your hearts opened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you! And what is the great wealth of his glorious inheritance in the saints. 19 And what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward us! Toward we who believe. And this according to the working of his great might, 20 the same as he worked in Christ, when he raised him from death and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly realm 21 far above all rule, authority, power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all [pas] under his feet and gave him as head over all [pas] the church, 23 which is his body, the one all in all filling [both, pas. Translators (due to partial dis-belief(?) changed “all” into “all things” whenever possible, inserting the word things, changing a word into a phrase.]

                          ~ * ~

🗝️ [  ] - word/language insights, usually from biblehub dot com - peering through translator partial unbelief; cross references, etc.

      {  } - thots

Tomorrows verses - Ephesians 2:1-9

My own studies. Been neglecting Psalms (jan 1-20, feb-20’s, mar-30’s, apr-40’s, etc. dec-120-150) and the Prophets.

Colossians 4 1-18

 03/19 ~ From New Testament Letters

  🕊️ (In the Order Believed Written)

       Paul’s Letter To The Colossians

                  (paraphrased)

1 - Masters, treat your bondservants (working off a loan of money or land) justly and fairly, knowing that you have a Master in heaven, as well. 2 Continue faithfully in prayer, being watchful, with thanksgiving. 3 And pray for us! That God may open a door to us for the word/message, to make known the mystery of Christ, for which I am in prison, 4 and that I may make the mystery clear, which is how I ought to speak.

     5 Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of time. 6 Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so you may know how to answer any person.

     7 Tychicus will make known to you concerning me. He’s a beloved brother and faithful in the Lord. 8 I have sent him to you for this very purpose, that you may know how we are and that he may encourage your hearts, 9 and with him Onesimus, our faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will tell you of everything that has taken place here.

10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, and Mark (a helper as scribe for Paul, Peter, likely Luke, and compiled a gospel account, but early on quit the first missionary journey of Paul, the cousin of Barnabas, concerning whom you have received instructions—if he comes to you, welcome him. (Paul and Barnabas quarreled when it came time for the 2nd trip.. so much so they split in their travels.. but all had made amends later as we can see.) And Jesus who is called Justus. These are the only men of the circumcision among my fellow workers for the kingdom of God, and they have been a comfort to me.12 Epaphras, also one of you, and a servant of Christ Jesus, greets you, always struggling on your behalf in his prayers, that you may stand mature, steadfast, and fully assured in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician greets you, as does Demas. 15 Give my greetings to the brothers at Laodicea, and to Nympha and the church in her house. 16 And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans; and see that you also read the letter from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, “Be sure to fulfill the ministry that you have received in the Lord.”

     18 I, Paul, write these last words with my own hand. Remember my chains. The Lord’s grace be with you.

                          ~ * ~

🗝️ [  ] - word/language insights, usually from biblehub dot com - peering through translator partial unbelief; cross references, etc.

      {  } - thots

Tomorrows verses - Ephesians 1:1-10

A.M. Gospel verses 

P.M. from the letters, in order

Through Acts & Revelation regularly.

My own studies. Been neglecting Psalms (jan 1-20, feb-20’s, mar-30’s, apr-40’s, etc. dec-120-150) and the Prophets.

JOHN 8 33-47

  🍃🕊️ 03/18 - GospeL Verses 🕊️🍃

                   (paraphrased)

33 - The leaders said to him, “We are offspring of Abraham and have never been enslaved to anyone. How is it you say, ‘You will become free’?”

     34 Jesus answered them, “Truly, I tell you, everyone who practices sin is a slave to sin. 35 And a slave doesn’t remain in the house forever, but the son remains forever. 36 So if the Son sets you free, you’ll be free indeed! 37 I know you are offspring of Abraham. Yet you seek to kill me because my word finds no place in you. 38 I speak of what I have seen with my Father, and you do what you have heard from your father.”

     39 They answered him, “Abraham is our father.” Jesus said, “If you were Abraham's children, you would be doing the works Abraham did, 40 but now you seek to kill me, a man who has told you the truth that I heard from God. This is not what Abraham did.

     41 You are doing the works your father did.” They said to him, “We were not born of fornication! We have one Father, God.” 42 Jesus answered, “If God were your Father, you would love me, for I came from God and here I am. I came not of my own accord, but he sent me.

     43 And why do you not understand what I say? It’s because you cannot bear to hear my message. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires.” {Now the desire is still “I will ascend” and the ancient dream of Total World Domination. One POWER - filled by him and his.} “He was a murderer from the beginning” {of creation, God having SO patiently waited for the first, bound-TO-occur rebel thought to mature into full blown seditious sentiment, ripe for acting} “and he does not stand in the truth, because there’s no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of himself [idios - private, personal, peculiar, (his) own] “for he is a liar and the father of lies. 45 But because I tell the truth, you don’t believe me. 46 Which one of you can convict me of sin? If I speak truth, why do you not believe me? 47 Whoever is of God, hears his words. The reason why you are not hearing his message is because you are not being [eimi -to be present, exist, happen, to be, being] of God.”

                       ~ * ~

🗝️ [  ] - word/language insights, usually from biblehub dot com - peering through translator partial unbelief; cross references, etc.

      {  } - thots

Tomorrows verses - John 8:48-59

My own studies. Been neglecting Psalms (jan 1-20, feb-20’s, mar-30’s, apr-40’s, etc. dec-120-150) and the Prophets.

JOHN 8 21-32

 🍃🕊️ 03/17 - GospeL Verses 🕊️🍃

                  (paraphrased)

21 - Jesus told the people again, “I’m going away. And you’ll look for me, but you’ll die in your sin [hamartia - missing the mark]. Where I’m going, you cannot go.” 22 So they said, “Will he kill himself? Since he says, ‘Where I’m going, you can’t go’?” 23 He said to them, “You are from below” {thiS is the below, and the “lower part of earth” is the grave, originally the hebrew sheol - “where there is no doing nor knowing/awareness” - if visited by a no longer here loved one it’s from another dimension called the future(?) - and a direct verse quote only exchanging the greek hades for the hebrew sheol, shows hades is the same place and condition as sheol (Ps.16:10, Acts 2:27), Jesus was in the grave for three days and nights, his visit to those locked into destruction during the one hundred years of Noah’s building of the ark, was whiLe the ark was being built (1Pet.3:19-20) as (logically?) he went and preached via Noah “a preacher of righteousness” (2Pet.2:5) - other than that, pre-flood was hands off}.

     “I am from above. You’re of this world, but I’m not of this world. 24 I told you that you would die in your imperfection/missing the mark, for unless you believe that I am he, you will die in your missing the mark (of perfection. So will rise into the GWT judgment ‘day’ (“aionion”) - INITIALLY - still in the missing the mark condition. That God iS life is the iron/unbreakable natural law, number one. And number two, is he “is perfect”. So imperfect is entropy a process (crucible) that does not quit/reverse. BUT. No option to stray in Eden, and creation would be an ant farm. So the remedy - strong enough to appease eveRy conscience (for imperfect is also an abyss of potential - so the remedy) was built in. During pre-flood even cannibaalism was rife? “Covering angels” of animals joined the “covering angel over Eden” in his rebellion, so some animals turned predator? And if man had not become carnivore, mankind would’ve become prey? How low can we (each of us) go? Depends where God blocks the shaft to the abyss with his hand?}

     25 So they said to him, “Who are you?” Jesus answered, “Just what I’ve been telling you from the beginning. 26 I have many things to tell you and to judge concerning you. But he who sent me is true and genuine, and what I speak to the world is what I hear from him.” 27 But they didn’t understand he was talking to them about the Father. 28 So Jesus said, “When you have lifted up the Son of Man, then you will know that I’m he, and that I do nothing on my own, but I say what the Father has taught me. 29 And he is with me. He has not left me alone, for I always do what is pleasing to him.” {And perfect, an immutable law.} 30 As he was saying these things, many believed in him.

                       ~ * ~

🗝️ [  ] - word/language insights, usually from biblehub dot com - peering through translator partial unbelief; cross references, etc.

      {  } - thots

Tomorrows verses - John 8:33-47

My own studies. Been neglecting Psalms (jan 1-20, feb-20’s, mar-30’s, apr-40’s, etc. dec-120-150) and the Prophets.

Romans 16 13-27

  03/06 ~ From New Testament Letters

   🕊️ (In the Order Believed Written)

         Paul’s Letter To The Romans

(Paul continues signing off with greetings.) 13 - Greet Rufus, chosen in the Lord! Also his mother, who has been a mother to me as well. 14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them. 15 Greet Philologus, Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the believers who are with them. 16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the churches of Christ send to you their greetings.

     17 I appeal to you, brothers and sisters, to watch out for those who cause divisions, and create obstacles that are contrary to the teaching that you were taught, avoid them. 18 For such persons don’t serve our Lord, but their own selves, and by smooth talk and flattery they deceive the hearts of the naive. 19 For your obedience {to “the way”} is known to all, so I rejoice over you! But I want you to be wise as to what is good and innocent as to what is evil. 20 The God of peace will soon crush the adversary [satan, satanas - adversary, accuser] under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you! 21 Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you; so do Lucius and Jason and Sosipater, my kinsmen.

22 I Tertius, who wrote this letter for Paul, greet you in the Lord. 23 Gaius, host to me and to the whole church, greets you. Erastus, the city treasurer, and our brother Quartus, greet you.

     25 Now to he who is able to strengthen you according to the gospel I proclaim, of the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages 26 but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— 27 to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

     {Farewell dear Romans! Hopefully I will see you soon! …In the Acts weekly study, Paul is about to “appeal to Caesar” against his Jerusalem accusers, his adversaries, so adept at division, accusation ..hate speech?}

                          ~ * ~

🗝️ [  ] - word/language insights, usually from biblehub dot com - peering through translator partial unbelief; facts, cross references, etc.

      {  } - thots

Tomorrows verses - Philemon 1:1-16

My own studies. Verses paraphrased.

Romans 15 22-33

  03/04 ~ From New Testament Letters

  🕊️ (In the Order Believed Written)

         Paul’s Letter To The Romans

22 - This is the reason why I have so often been hindered from coming to see you. 23 But now, since I no longer have opportunity for work in these regions, and since I’ve longed for many years to come to you, 24 I hope to see you in passing as I go to Spain, and to be helped on my journey there by you, once I have enjoyed your company for a while. 25 At present, however, I’m going to Jerusalem to bring some aid there for the saints/believers/followers. (There had been a drought.) 26 For Macedonia and Achaia have been pleased to make some contribution for the poor among the saints at Jerusalem. 27 For they were pleased to do it, and indeed it seems right, for if the Gentiles have come to share in their spiritual blessings, why not be of service to them in material blessings? 28 When therefore I’ve completed this and have delivered to them what has been collected, I’ll leave for Spain by way of Rome. 29 I know when I come to you I’ll come in the fullness of the blessing of Christ. 30 I ask you, brothers and sisters, by our Lord Jesus Christ, and by the love of the Spirit to strive together with me in your prayers to God on my behalf, 31 that I may be kept safe from the unbelieving leaders in Judea, and that my service for Jerusalem may be acceptable to them, 32 so that by God's will I may joyfully come to you at last and be refreshed in your company as we seek his rest together. 33 May the God of peace be with you all! Amen.

                         ~ * ~

🗝️ [  ] - word/language insights, usually from biblehub dot com - peering through translator partial unbelief; facts, cross references, etc.

      {  } - thots

Tomorrows verses - Romans 16:1-12

My own studies. Verses paraphrased.

Romans 15 14-21

03/03 ~ From New Testament Letters

  🕊️ (In the Order Believed Written)

         Paul’s Letter To The Romans

14 - I myself am satisfied about you, my brethren, that you yourselves are full of goodness and knowledge, so are able to instruct one another. 15 But on some points I have written to you very boldly by way of reminder, because of the grace given to me by God 16 to be a minister of Christ Jesus to the Gentiles/nations in the priestly service of the gospel of God, so that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable, sanctified by the Holy Spirit. 17 In Christ Jesus, then, I have reason to be proud of my work for God. 18 For I am determined to speak of nothing but what Christ has accomplished through me to bring the Gentiles to obedience—by word and deed, 19 by the power of the Spirit if God, by the power of signs and wonders, so that from Jerusalem and all the way around to Illyricum I have fulfilled the ministry of the gospel of Christ. 20 And so I make it my ambition to proclaim the gospel, not where Christ has already been named, the foundation already laid, 21 but as it’s written, “Those who have never been told of him will see. And those who have never heard will understand.” {Still true. Especially so during the “8th ‘day’” the “last great day” - Lev.23:36, Jn.7:37 - which has to be a thing! As just when is GWT judgment ‘day’? ..The universe as accelerated big bang as complete but like a clock not running, then set in motion. ..If creation included NO option to stray, it would be only an ant farm? So six millennial days for things to run course and prove God right.. Then two days remaining.. Rev.20 is written like describing the crests of waves but not in between. Lev.23 - Spring and Holy Days - 1st and 2nd advent..}

                          ~ * ~

🗝️ [  ] - word/language insights, usually from biblehub dot com - peering through translator partial unbelief; facts, cross references, etc.

      {  } - thots

Tomorrows verses - Romans 15:22-33

My own studies. Verses paraphrased.

Romans 14 1-7

  02/27 ~ From New Testament Letters

   🕊️ (In the Order Believed Written)

         Paul’s Letter To The Romans

1 - As for those who are weak in faith, welcome them! But not to quarrel over opinions. 2 One person believes he may eat anything, while the person with the more sensitive conscience, eats only vegetables. 3 Let not the one who eats despise/feel superior to the one who abstains! And let not the one who abstains - pass judgment/feel superior - to the one who eats! For God welcomes both. 4 Who are you {any of us} to pass judgment on another of the Lord’s servants? It is before their own master that they stand or fall. And they will stand, for the Lord is able to make them stand.

     5 One person judges one day as better than another, while another judges all days to be alike. LeT, each one be fuLLy convinced in their - own - mind. 6 The one observing the day, is observing it to the Lord. The one observing all days alike, is also observing into the Lord. The one who eats, eats in honor of the Lord, since they give thanks to God. While the one who abstains, abstains in honor of the Lord, and also gives thanks to God. 7 For none of us lives to our self, and none of us dies to our self. (Next verse - for we live or we die unto the Lord.)

                          ~ * ~

🗝️ [  ] - word/language insights, usually from biblehub dot com - peering through translator partial unbelief; facts, cross references, etc.

      {  } - thots

Tomorrows verses - Romans 14:8-23

My own studies. Verses paraphrased.

Romans 13 1-8

 02/25 ~ From New Testament Letters

  🕊️ (In the Order Believed Written)

         Paul’s Letter To The Romans

{Dear Roman brothers and sisters, although pagan concepts, we all renounce, are woven into the civil order} 1 - Let every person be subject to the governing powers, not being disorderly and rebellious. For order is from God,. 2 Therefore whoever resists the order resists what God has appointed, and those who resist will incur judgment/suffer the consequences. 3 Authorities are not a terror to good conduct, but to bad. Would you have no fear of the authority? Then do what is good, and you’ll receive approval, 4 for he is a servant for your good. But if you do wrong, be afraid, for he doesn’t police in vain but is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer. 5 Therefore we must subject ourself, not only to avoid God's wrath {suffer consequences} but also for the sake of conscience. 6 We pay taxes for the same reason, for the authorities are ministers of God, attending to this very thing. 7 {What I mean is} Pay to all what is owed to them, taxes to whom taxes are owed, revenue to whom revenue is owed, respect to whom respect is owed, honor to whom honor is owed.

     8 Owe no one anything! Except to love each other, for those who love their fellow person has fulfilled the law.

                          ~ * ~

🗝️ [  ] - word/language insights, usually from biblehub dot com - peering through translator partial unbelief; facts, cross references, etc.

      {  } - thots

Tomorrows verses - Romans 13:9-14

My own studies. Verses paraphrased.

Romans 12 1-9

  02/23 ~ From New Testament Letters

   🕊️ (In the Order Believed Written)

         Paul’s Letter To The Romans

1 -  I appeal to you therefore, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, pure, sacred and acceptable to God, which is our spiritual worship. 2 Don’t conform to this world. But be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what’s the will of God, what is good, acceptable and perfect.

     3 By the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourselves more highly than you should, but let your thinking be with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has allotted. 4 For we are like one body, with many members, and each part of the body has a different function, 5 so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members of one another. 6 So having gifts that differ according to the grace given to us, let us use them. If prophecy, in proportion to our faith, 7 if service, in our serving. The one who teaches, in their teaching. 8 The one who encourages [parakaleó - call to one's side, exhort, encourage, comfort, urge] in their encouraging and urging. The one who contributes, in generosity. The one who leads, with zeal, and the one who does acts of mercy, with cheerfulness. 9 Let love be genuine! Abhor what is evil and hold tightly to what is good.

                          ~ * ~

🗝️ [  ] - word/language insights, usually from biblehub dot com - peering through translator partial unbelief; facts, cross references, etc.

      {  } - thots

Tomorrows verses - Romans 12:10-21

My own studies. Verses paraphrased.

Romans 8 3-10

  02/07 ~ From New Testament Letters

  🕊️ (In the Order Believed Written)

          Paul’s Letter To The Romans

3 - For God has done what the law, weakened by the human (missing the mark) nature, couldn’t do. He did this by sending his own Son {only straight out from God, one} in the likeness of sinful flesh and for sin, he therefore passed judgment upon and condemned sin/missing the mark in the imperfect nature, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled - in us - who walk not according to carnality {and the self first and foremost nature} but walk according to the Spirit. 5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit. 6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace. 7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it doesn’t submit to God's law. Indeed, it cannot. 8 Those who are in the flesh cannot please God. {In carnality. This does not mean in the body, which after all God designed. Matter is not the problem, imperfection, an abyss of POTENTIAL is.}

     9 You, however, are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if in fact the Spirit oF God (His Spirit/Presence) dwells in you. Anyone who does not have the Spirit of Christ, does not belong to him. 10 But if Christ is in you, although the body is dead because of sin, the Spirit is life because of righteousness.

                          ~ * ~

🗝️ [  ] - word/language insights, usually from biblehub dot com - peering through translator partial unbelief; facts, cross references, etc.

      {  } - thots

Tomorrows verses - Romans 8:11-16

My own studies. Verses paraphrased. What we pursue is what we conform to?

Romans 5 6-10

  01/29 ~ From New Testament Letters

  🕊️ (In the Order Believed Written)

         Paul’s Letter To The Romans

6 - For while we were still weak, at the appointed time Christ died for the ungodly. 7 For one will scarcely die for a righteous person, though perhaps for a good person one would dare to. 8 But God - shows his love for us - in that while we were still sinners [hamartólos (hamartians, lol, still) - missing the mark] Christ died for us. 9 Since, therefore, we have been justified [dikaioó - justified, acquited] by his blood, much more shall we be saved by him from the wrath of God. {Imo, cause and effect. Greek orge - passion — cause and effect as opposed to creation as some sort of cardboard replica/ant farm?}

     10 Because, if it was while we were (aLL) at odds with God, that we were reconciled to him by the death of his Son {the remedy hAs to be Strong Enough to appease eveRy conscience and get them in line, now or later, Rev.7:9,4} how much more, now that we aRe reconciled, shall we be saved - by his life?

                          ~ * ~

🗝️ [  ] - word/language insights, usually from biblehub dot com - peering through translator partial unbelief; facts, cross references, etc.

      {  } - thots

Tomorrows verses - Romans 5:11-15

By Necessity Paraphrased

A Daily ‘Enter the Story’ N.T. Letter Reading & Study

Romans 4 14-18

01/26 ~ From New Testament Letters

  🕊️ (In the Order Believed Written)

         Paul’s Letter To The Romans           

14 - For if it’s the adherents of the law who are to be the HEIRS, then faith is null and the promise is void. 15 For the law brings wrath {cause and effect! imo} but if there were no law there is no breaking it.

     16 That’s why it depends on faith, in order that the promise may stand on grace, and be guaranteed - to all his offspring. Not only to the adherent of the law, but also to the one who shares the faith Abraham had. (Before circumcision! Which circumcision represents the spiritual, and literal,  self first and foremost removed from humanity/each person.) Father Abraham, father of us all! 17 As it’s written, “I have made you a father of many nations” [Gen.17:5]. And he walked before God/in his Presence, in whom he believed. In He who gives life to the dead, and calls into existence the things that don’t (yet) exist. 18 In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told - “So shall your offspring be.” (Abraham lived in the desert, and one starry night when Abraham was an old man, God told him, “I will make your descendants as numerous as the stars in the heavens” and “I will make you a father of a multitude of nations”.

     [Galatians 3:16 and 29 - “The promises were made to Abraham and to his seed (offspring). Not ‘to offsprings’ as many, but referring to one. ‘And to your offspring’ which is Christ.” (THE seed ..implanted.) “And if you are Christ's, then you are Abraham's offspring, and HEIRS according to promise.” (And not according to works/earning. Life is a gift, not earned. God cannot ‘owe’ us.)]

                          ~ * ~

🗝️ [  ] - word/language insights, usually from biblehub dot com - peering through translator partial unbelief; facts, cross references, etc.

      {  } - thots

Tomorrows verses - Romans 4:19-25

By Necessity Paraphrased

A Daily ‘Enter the Story’ N.T. Letter Reading & Study

MATTHEW 9 1-8

    🍃🕊️01/26 - GospeL Verses 🍃🕊️

1 - And getting into a boat Jesus crossed back over and came to his own town. 2 And some people carried to him a paralytic, lying on a bed. And when Jesus saw their faith, he said to the paralytic, “Take heart, my son, your sins are forgiven.” 3 And some of the scribes thought to theirselves, “This man is blaspheming!” 4 But Jesus, knowing their thoughts, said, “Why think evil [ponéros- evil, wicked, bad, malicious] in your hearts? 5 For what is easier to say, ‘Your sins are forgiven,’ or, ‘Rise up and walk’? 6 But so you may know the Son of Man has authority on earth to forgive sins”—he then said to the paralytic—“Rise, pick up your bed and go home.” 7 And he rose, picked up his bed/mat, and went home. 8 When the crowd of people saw it, they marveled and glorified God, who had given such authority to man.

                 ~ * ~

🗝️ [  ] - word/language insights, usually from biblehub dot com - peering through translator partial unbelief; facts, cross references, etc.

      {  } - thots

Tomorrows verses - Matthew 9:9-17

By Necessity Paraphrased

A Daily ‘Enter the Story’ Gospel Reading & Study

Romans 2 17-29

 01/19 ~ From New Testament Letters

  🕊️ (In the Order Believed Written)

        Paul’s Letter To The Romans                 

17 - But if you call yourself a Hebrew {important - in that day, teachers of the law} and rely on your standing, and boast in God, 18 and know his will and approve what is excellent, because you are instructed in what’s written, 19 and if you are sure that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, 20 an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of children, having the embodiment of knowledge and truth, 21 you then who teach others, do you teach yourself? While you preach against stealing, do you steal? 22 One must not commit adultery, do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? 23 If your boast is in the law, do you dishonor God by breaking the law? 24 For, as it is written, “The name of God is blasphemed among the nations because of you.” [“None are righteous, no not one.”] - {We cannot earn Life. Imperfect cannot make itself perfect, if we think we can, think we are superior, we mislead ourself. Life is a gift from God. HE is the key. We are pardon (humble) and judged to be innocent “righteousness imputed” free to be born anew as reconciled to, and growing in -> God, all through Jesus and he crucified. It’s all about Him.}

     25 For circumcision indeed is of value if you obey the law, but if you break the law, your circumcision becomes uncircumcision. 26 So, if one who is uncircumcised keeps the requirements of the law, will not their uncircumcision be regarded as circumcision? 27 Then the one who is physically uncircumcised but keeps the law, will condemn you who have the written code, and circumcision, but you break the law! 28 For no one is a Hebrew who is merely one outwardly, nor is circumcision outward and physical. 29 But a Hebrew is one inwardly. And circumcision is of the heart. And is - by the Spirit - not, by the law. And the praise is not from man, but from God.

                          ~ * ~

🗝️ [  ] - word/language insights, usually from biblehub dot com - peering through translator partial unbelief; facts, cross references, etc.

      {  } - thots

Tomorrows verses - Romans 3:1-6

By Necessity Paraphrased

A Daily ‘Enter the Story’ N.T. Letter Reading & Study

MATTHEW 6 1-21

    🍃🕊️01/19 - GospeL Verses 🍃🕊️

1 - “Be careful not to do your kindnesses in front of others to be seen by them, for then you’ll not have reward from your Father in heaven. 2 If you help someone or give to someone in need, don’t sound a trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the meeting places and in the streets, so they’ll be praised by others. Truly, I tell you, they have already received their reward. 3 So when you give to the needy, don’t even let your left hand know what your right hand is doing! 4 Then your giving will be in secret and your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 5 Likewise when you pray. You mustn’t be like the hypocritical. For they like to stand and pray in the meetings and at the street corners, that others may see them. Truly, they’ve received their reward. 6 So when you pray, go to your room and shut the door and pray to your Father, the one who is hidden, and your Father who sees the hidden will reward you.

     7 And when you pray, don’t repeat empty words as the Gentiles do, for they think they’ll be heard for their many words. 8 Don’t be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. 9 Pray like this: ‘Our Father in heaven, hallowed be your name. 10 May your kingdom come, and your will be done, upon earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread, 12 and forgive us our debts and failings, as we also forgive other’s failures and debts. 13 And let us not be led into temptation, but deliver us from evil. 14 For if you forgive others their trespasses, your heavenly Father will forgive you, 15 but if you don’t forgive others their trespasses and failures, neither will your Father forgive you.

     16 When you fast, don’t put on a long face like the hypocritical, for they disfigure their faces so their fasting may be seen by others. Truly, I tell you, they have received their reward. 17 But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, 18 so your fasting may not be seen by others but by your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

     19 Don’t lay up for yourselves treasure upon earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves can break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasure in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves cannot break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, that is where your heart will be also.”

                     ~ * ~

🗝️ [  ] - word/language insights, usually from biblehub dot com - peering through translator partial unbelief; facts, cross references, etc.

      {  } - thots

Tomorrows verses - Matthew 6:22-34

By Necessity Paraphrased

A Daily ‘Enter the Story’ Gospel Reading & Study

2 Corinthians 11 30 - 12 5

01/08 ~ From New Testament Letters

  🕊️ (In the Order Believed Written)

30 - If I boast, I think I should be boasting of the things that show my weakness! 31 The God and Father of the Lord Jesus, he who is blessed forever, knows that I’m not lying about all I’ve been through. 32 Then there was the time at Damascus, the governor under King Aretas was guarding the city in order to seize me. 33 But I was let down in a basket through a window in the wall and escaped from his hands.

     12:1 - Though there’s nothing to be gained by it, this acting the fool and boasting, I’ll go on to visions and revelations of the Lord. 2 Be aware of a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven—whether bodily, or without the body I don’t know, God knows. 3 And I know that this man was caught up into paradise—whether bodily or without of the body I don’t know, God knows, 4 and he heard things that are beyond understanding, which man cannot express. 5 On behalf of this man I’ll boast, but on my own behalf I will not boast, except of my weaknesses—

                          ~ * ~

🗝️ [  ] - word/language insights, usually from biblehub dot com - peering through translator partial unbelief; facts, cross references, etc.

      {  } - thots

Tomorrows verses - 2 Corinthians 12:6-12

By Necessity Paraphrased

A Daily ‘Enter the Story’ Reading & Study

2 Corinthians 11 1-9

01/06 ~ From New Testament Letters

  🕊️ (In the Order Believed Written)

1 - I hope you will bear with me in a little foolishness! 2 For I feel a divine jealousy for you! For I betrothed you to one husband, to present you as a pure virgin to Christ. {🗝️ to Rev.14:4; 7:9,4; and also key to God being a “jealous God”, which is a - good - thing!} 3 But I’m fearful that as the serpent {seraphim?} [ophis - snake; symbolizing deceit, danger, and evil; serpent] deceived Eve by his cunning, that your thinking will be led astray from the sincere and pure devotion to Christ! 4 For if someone comes and proclaims another Jesus than the one we proclaim, or if you receive a different spirit from the one you first received, or if you accept a different gospel (different message) from the one you accepted, you put up with it readily enough! 5 Let me say {foolishly} that I consider I am not in the least inferior to these ‘superior apostles’ {claiming levels and assigning theirselves as on a higher level than the others is no sign of maturity or superiority}. 6 Even if I were unskilled in my words, I am not so in knowledge. Indeed, we have made this plain to you in many ways and in all things.

     7 Or do I commit a sin in humbling myself so you might be lifted up in your spirit? Or because I preached and taught God's message to you free of charge? 8 I accepted from other churches in order to serve you. 9 And when I was with you and was in need, I didn’t burden anyone, for the brothers who came from Macedonia supplied what I needed. So I refrained and will continue to refrain from burdening you in any way.

                          ~ * ~

🗝️ [  ] - word/language insights, usually from biblehub dot com - peering through translator partial unbelief; facts, cross references, etc.

      {  } - thots

Tomorrows verses - 2 Corinthians 11:10-29

By Necessity Paraphrased

Daily ‘Enter the Story’ Reading & Study

JOHN 3 1-12

    🍃🕊️01/06 - GospeL Verses 🍃🕊️

1 - Now there was a man of the Pharisee party whose name was Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews. 2 He came to Jesus by night and said to him, “Rabbi, we know that you’re a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do, unless God is with him.” 3 Jesus answered, “Truly, I tell you, unless one is born again they cannot see the kingdom of God.” 4 Nicodemus said, “How can a person be born when they are old? Can they enter a second time into their mother's womb to be born again?” 5 Jesus said, “Unless one is born of water, and, of the Spirit, they cannot enter into the kingdom of God. 6 That produced by flesh is flesh {that which is mortal is mortal} and that which is produced of the Spirit is spirit. 7 Don’t wonder that I said, ‘You must be born again.’ 8 The wind blows where the wind blows, and you hear the sound of it, but you don’t know exactly where it comes from or where it goes. So it is with everyone having been born of the Spirit.”

     9 Nicodemus said, “How can this be?” 10 Jesus answered him, “Are you a teacher of Israel and yet you don’t understand? 11 Truly, I tell you, what is known is what is spoken, and what is seen is what is borne witness to. But my witness/testimony isn’t received. 12 If I’ve told you of earthly things and you don’t believe me, how will you believe me if I tell you of heavenly things?

                          ~ * ~

🗝️ [  ] - word/language insights, usually from biblehub dot com - peering through translator partial unbelief; facts, cross references, etc.

      {  } - thots

Tomorrows verses - John 3:13-24

By Necessity Paraphrased

Daily ‘Enter the Story’ Reading & Study

2 Corinthians 10 7-18

01/05 ~ From New Testament Letters

  🕊️ (In the Order Believed Written)

7 - Remember what I told you before, which is so evident. If anyone is confident that they are Christ's, let them remind theirself that just as they are Christ's, so also are we. 8 For I am not ashamed, even if I boast a bit too much about our authority. Which authority the Lord gave for building you up, not for tearing you down. 9 I don’t want to appear to be frightening you with my letters. 10 For they say, “His letters are weighty and strong, but his bodily presence is weak, and his speech of no account.” 11 Let such a person understand that what we say by letter when absent, we also do when present. 12 Not that we dare to classify or compare ourselves with some of those who are commending themselves. But when they measure themselves by one another and compare themselves with one another, they are without understanding. {Competing.. putting down Paul and others to build theirselves up is not a fruit of the Spirit but of the lower and mortal human nature. Creating levels and assigning self to the higher than others level is no sign of maturity.}

     13 But! We will not boast without limit, but will boast only with regard to the area of influence God assigned to us! To reach you, 14 for we are not overextending ourselves, as though we didn’t reach you. For we were the first to come all the way to you with the gospel (good news) of Christ. 15 We don’t boast beyond limit in the labors of others. But our hope is that as your faith increases, our influence among you may become greater, 16 so we may move on to preach the gospel in lands beyond you, without boasting of work already done by another. 17 “Let the one who boasts, boast in the Lord.” 18 For it’s not the one who commends theirself who is approved, but the one whom the Lord commends [sunistémi and sunistanó - commend, establish, demonstrate, prove, hold together; from sýn - union, together with, and hístēmi - to stand, stand together, referring to facts lining up with each other to support (commend)]. {He builds upon what he teaches..}

                          ~ * ~

🗝️ [  ] - word/language insights, usually from biblehub dot com - peering through translator partial unbelief; facts, cross references, etc.

      {  } - thots

Tomorrows verses - 2 Corinthians 11:1-9

By Necessity Paraphrased

Daily ‘Enter the Story’ Reading & Study