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May 3 - December 27, 2024
3Even though Tituse was a Syrian,f they accepted him as a brother without demanding that he first be circumcised. 4I met with them privately because false “brothers” had been secretly smuggled into church meetings. They were sent to spy on the wonderful freedom that we have in Jesus Christ. Their agenda was to bring us back into the bondage of religion. 5But you must know that we did not submit to their religious shackles,g not even for a moment, so that we might keep the truth of the gospel of grace unadulterated for you. 6Even those most influential among the brothers were not able to add
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21So that is why I don’t view God’s grace as something peripheral.w
Or “Aramean,” which is an Aramaic-speaking gentile. Syrians are Arameans, but Greeks are not. Most Greek manuscripts identify Titus as a Greek when, in fact, he was Syrian. It is believed that the Greek scribes changed Titus’ ethnicity to Greek, but the Aramaic text correctly identifies him as a Syrian. g2:5 Or in Aramaic “their efforts to enslave us” or “their oppression.” h2:6 Or “God does not accept the face (mask) of a man.”
28And we no longer see each other in our former state— Jew or non-Jew, rich or poor,r male or female—because we’re all one through our union with Jesus Christ.
9But now that we truly know him and are intimately known by him, why would we for a moment consider turning back to those weak and feeble principles of religion, as though we were still subject to them?
17Can’t you see what these false teachersh are doing? They want to win you over so you will side with them. They want you divided from me so you will follow only them. Would you call that integrity? 18Isn’t it better to seek excellence and integrity always, and not just only when I’m with you?
Or “whispering enemies.”
19The behavior of the self-life is obvious: Sexual immorality, lustful thoughts, pornography, 20chasing after things instead of God,j manipulating others,k hatred of those who get in your way, senseless arguments, resentment when others are favored, temper tantrums, angry quarrels, only thinking of yourself, being in love with your own opinions, 21being envious of the blessings of others, murder, uncontrolled addictions,l wild parties, and all other similar behavior. Haven’t I already warned you that those who use their “freedom” for these things will not inherit the kingdom realm of God!
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24Keep in mind that we who belong to Jesus Christ have already experienced crucifixion. For everything connected with our self-lifeu was put to death on the cross and crucified with Messiah. 25If the Spirit is the source of our life, we must also allow the Spirit to direct every aspect of our lives. 26So may we never be arrogant, or look down on another, for each of us is an original. We must forsake all jealousy that diminishes the value of others.v
There is clear textual inference that the “fruit” (singular) of the Holy Spirit is love, with the other virtues displaying aspects of the greatest quality of Spirit-life, agape love.
2Love empowers us to fulfill the law of the Anointed One as we carry each other’s troubles.
10Take advantage of every opportunity to be a blessing to others,
The Greek text implies giving finances.
17I pray that the Father of glory, the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, would impart to you the riches of the Spirit of wisdom and the Spirit of revelationt to know him through your deepening intimacy with him. 18I pray that the light of God will illuminate the eyes of your imagination,u flooding you with light, until you experience the full revelation of the hope of his callingv— that is, the wealth of God’s glorious inheritances that he finds in us, his holy ones!
2With tender humility and quiet patience, always demonstrate gentleness and generousb love toward one another, especially toward those who may try your patience.
10Now my beloved ones, I have saved these most important truths for last: Be supernaturally infused with strength through your life-union with the Lord Jesus. Stand victorious with the forcei of his explosive power flowing in and through you. 11Put on God’s complete set of armorj provided for us, so that you will be protected as you fight against the evil strategies of the accuser!k 12Your hand-to-hand combat is not with human beings, but with the highest principalities and authorities operating in rebellion under the heavenly realms.l For they are a powerful class of demon-godsm and evil
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The words joy and rejoicing occur eighteen times in this book.
Paul’s main theme in this letter is the gospel, a word that appears more often in this letter than any of his other letters.
The words “joy” and “gladness” are found nineteen times in this book!
At the heart of this letter is the famed Christ Hymn (2:6–11)— a soaring melody of worship, adoration, and revelation of the majesty and superiority of Christ as Lord over all. This hymn expresses in lofty, lyrical language the story of Jesus from his preexistent glory to the universal praise of him as Lord paved by his obedience to death on the cross.
9I continue to pray for your love to grow and increase beyond measure, bringing you into the rich revelation of spiritual insightj in all things. 10This will enable you to choosek the most excellent way of alll— becoming pure and without offense until the unveiling of Christ.m
j1:9 The Greek word for “insight” (aisthēsis) is a hapax legomenon in the New Testament and used numerous times in the Septuagint referring to practical understanding linked to life. It is a word that implies walking out the truth that insight reveals. It could also be translated “experience,” or “to experience the reality of something and apply it to life.” k1:10 The Greek word for “choose” (dokimazō) means “to examine, to discern, or approve after testing.” It comes from a root word that means “accepted” or “pleasing.” So discernment becomes the path to finding what God approves, not simply
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2Look at how much encouragementa you’ve found in your relationship with the Anointed One! You are filled to overflowing with his comforting love. You have experienced a deepening friendship with the Holy Spirit and have felt his tender affection and mercy.b
19Yet I’m trusting in our Lord Jesus that I may send Timothy to you soon, so I can be refreshed when I find out how you’re doing. 20Timothy is like no other. He carries the same passion for your welfare that I carry in my heart. 21For it seems as though everyone else is busy seeking what is best for themselves instead of the things that are most important to our Lord Jesus Christ.
a2:1 The Greek word paraklesis can also mean “exhortation” or “comfort.” b2:1 Or “sympathies.” The Aramaic can be translated “your heart flutters with his compassion.”
20But we are a colonyj of heaven on earth as we cling tightly to our life-giver, the Lord Jesus Christ, 21who will transform our humble bodiesk and transfigure us into the identical likeness of his glorified body.l And using his matchless power, he continually subdues everything to himself.m
4Be cheerful with joyous celebration in every season of life. Let your joy overflow! 5And let gentlenessf be seen in every relationship, for our Lord is ever near.g
f4:5 The Greek word means “fairness;” the Aramaic “humility.” g4:5 Or “approaching.”
9Since we first heard about you, we’ve kept you always in our prayers that you would receive the perfect knowledge of God’s pleasurec over your lives, making you reservoirs of every kind of wisdom and spiritual understanding. 10We pray that you would walk in the ways of true righteousness, pleasing God in every good thing you do. Then you’ll become fruit-bearing branches, yielding to his life, and maturing in the rich experience of knowing God in his fullness! 11And we pray that you would be energized with all his explosive power from the realm of his magnificent glory, filling you with great
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15Then Jesus made a public spectacle of all the powers and principalities of darkness, stripping away from them every weapon and all their spiritual authority and powerl to accuse us. And by the power of the cross, Jesus led them around as prisoners in a procession of triumph. He was not their prisoner; they were his!m
19They refuse to take hold of the true source. But we receive directly from him, and his life suppliesr vitality into every part of his body through the joining ligaments connecting us all as one. He is the divine Head who guides his body and causes it to grow by the supernatural power of God.s
Literally “governments and authorities.”
The Greek word used here is epichoregeo, which interestingly can be translated as “to lead the chorus,” or “choir director.” It was used to denote a person who paid for the expenses of a Greek drama, and who supplied all their needs throughout its production. Similarly, Jesus tunes us up to heaven’s notes, and draws out of us the melody of his divine symphony. He supplies the music to us, and imparts the wisdom for us to play it under his direction. This is the artful picture of how Jesus orchestrates his body with its many members.
18Let every wife be supportive and tenderly devotedq to her husband, for this is a beautiful illustration of our devotion to Christ. 19Let every husband be filled with cherishing love for his wife and never be insensitiver toward her.
The Greek word, hupotasso, can be translated “submitted,” “attached,” or “supportive.”
4Employers, treat your workers with equality and justice as you know that you also have a Lord and Master in heaven who is watching you.
5Walk in the wisdom of God as you live before the unbelievers,b and make it your dutyc to make him known. 6Let every word you speak be drenched with graced and tempered with truth and clarity.e For then you will be prepared to give a respectful answer to anyone who asks about your faith.
b4:5 The Aramaic could be translated “as you live in the wilderness.” c4:5 The Aramaic can be translated “sell your last crust of bread,” which is a metaphor for making a full commitment (i.e., giving all you’ve got). d4:6 The Aramaic word could also be translated “compassion.” e4:6 Literally “seasoned with salt.” This is an idiom that means “friendly, clear, and making people thirsty for truth.”
True ministry is caring for others with a father’s love and a mother’s love—not exerting control or abusive authority over those whom we serve.
3God’s will is for you to be set apart for him in holiness and that you keep yourselves unpolluted from sexual defilement. 4Yes, each of you must guard your sexual puritya with holiness and dignity, 5not yielding to lustful passions like those who don’t know God. 6Never take selfish advantageb of a brother or sister in this matter, for we’ve already told you and solemnly warned you that the Lord is the avenger in all these things.
Or “Each of you must possess your vessel equipment.” Some see the “equipment” as a wife, but in the context it is sexual purity, not marriage, that is in view. The “vessel” is our body, including sexual urges that must be kept pure and holy with self-respect.
3For while some are saying, “Finally we have peace and security,” sudden destruction will arrive at their doorstep, like labor pains seizing a pregnant woman—and with no chance of escape!
20And don’t be one who scorns prophecies,m 21but be faithful to examine them by putting them to the test, and afterward hold tightly to what has proven to be right.n
The Aramaic can be translated “Regard everything seriously and choose what is best.”
2Now, regarding the cominga of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to him,b we plead with you, beloved friends, 2not to be easily confused or disturbed in your minds by any kind of spirit, rumor, or letter allegedly from us, claiming that the day of the Lordc has already come. 3Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. Before that day comes the rebelliond must occur and the “outlaw”e— the destructive son—will be revealed in his true light. 4He is the opposing counterpart who exalts himself over everything that is called “God” or is worshipedf and who sits enthroned in God’s templeg
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Or “a [power] working of error.” The Aramaic can be translated “God will dispatch to them servants of deception.”
2And pray that God will rescue us from wickeda and evil people, for not everyone believes the message.
6Beloved brothers and sisters, we instruct you, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to stay away from believers who are unrulyg and who stray from all that we have taught you.h
11Now, we hear rumors that some of you are being lazyj and neglecting to work—that these people are not busy but busybodies!
14Take special note of anyone who won’t obey what we have written and stay away from them, so that they would be ashamed and get turned around.m
