Unable to return to Thessalonica as planned, Paul felt compelled to explain his reasoning behind sending Timothy ahead instead of visiting the small Roman town himself. The apostle’s concern involved both the Thessalonians and the enemy who continued to ambush young believers or those of weak faith. Paul shares his sorrow and sacrifice as he […]
Category Archives: Bible Studies
Thessalonians 2:13-20 The Thessalonians’ Conversion and Ongoing Salvation
Deeply concerned for the Thessalonians who found themselves under attack by the enemy in an attempt to discredit the gospel taught by Paul, the truth about Jesus resurrection and second coming. The apostle preached a simple message based on love, and the fulfillment of a thousand year old prophecy. In the section of his epistle […]
Thessalonians 2:1-12 Paul’s Character and Preaching in Thessalonica
Having delivered a standard greeting to his audience in Thessalonica Paul now shifts focus on his own ministry, more importantly he writes about the way the gospel itself was delivered as well as the character of its preacher, Paul himself. At the time he wrote this letter the apostle was in Corinth, around A.D. 52 […]
Thessalonians 1:1-10 Good Example of the Christian Faith
This epistle is known to be the first letter written by the apostle Paul while in Corinth, shortly after the Thessalonians church was founded, around A.D. 51. This epistle was written before the Roman, Galatian and the Corinthian Letters. He begins by identifying himself, Silvanus and Timothy as respectively the authors and editors of Paul’s […]
Colossians 4:7-18 Final Greetings and Blessing
In this letter to the believers in Colosse and Laodicea Paul wanted to serve a warning to those in Christ, that all should hold steadfast as each one works out his or her salvation. Because they were constantly exposed to Greek philosophers and gnostics who preached a gospel based on works or knowledge or other […]
Colossians 4:1-6 Christian Graces and Mission
Previously in his letter to the believers in Colosse and Laodicea the apostle Paul addressed both Christian character and their home. Now he focuses on employment, more specifically employers or “masters.” Often believers are referred to servants more so than masters, in spite of the fact some among us are indeed masters of servants, or […]
Colossians 3:18-25 The Christian Home
The believers in Colosse and Laodicea were under spiritual attack by false teachers, mainly Gnostics who preached a different gospel than Christ’s. Declaring God and his creation as both imperfect, they relied on philosophy instead of faith. Paul already described the character of a believer, now he focuses on the Christian home and God’s expectation […]
Colossians 3:12-17 Walking & Speaking in the Character of Christ
Paul now addresses the character of those in Christ, which should not only be in the image of our savior, through actions and behavior but also deep beneath the skin in a believer’s heart. There you should find Christ also. The focus in this section of Paul’s epistle applies to all Christians, yet written for […]
Colossians 3:1-11 Not Carnal Desires But Christ
The believers in Colosse and Laodicea had been exposed to false teaching from the philosophers of the region, who received wages to teach a distorted form of salvation. Since the church in Colosse was made of new converts, Paul was concerned Gnostic philosophy based on corporal rather than spiritual salvation might seem justified to a […]
Colossians 3:1-11 Not Carnal Desires But Christ
The believers in Colosse and Laodicea had been exposed to false teaching from the philosophers of the region, who received wages to teach a distorted form of salvation. Since the church in Colosse was made of new converts, Paul was concerned Gnostic philosophy based on corporal rather than spiritual salvation might seem justified to a […]