Paul wrote the letter to the Philippians while he was imprisoned. Despite his circumstances, Paul exhibited an incredible sense of contentment that he attributes to his faith in Christ. The particular verse Philippians 4:11 says, “Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content.” This verse reveals a profound perspective on contentment that all believers can learn from. 1. Contentment comes from within, not from external circumstances The apostle Paul did not find contentment through favorable circumstances. Rather, his source of contentment was internal – rooted in his…
Author: Richard Curi
The image of the two-edged sword coming out of Jesus’ mouth is found in Revelation 1:16, which says, “In his right hand he held seven stars, from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword, and his face was like the sun shining in full strength.” This is part of the vision John received of the glorified, risen Christ. The two-edged sword is a powerful symbol that reveals key truths about Jesus Christ and His work. 1. The two-edged sword represents the word of God The Scriptures often depict God’s word as a sharp, two-edged sword (Hebrews 4:12; Ephesians 6:17). Since…
Galatians 6:9 says, “And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.” This verse encourages believers to persist in doing good works and serving God, even when it is difficult or discouraging. The key phrase is “do not grow weary” or “do not lose heart.” What does this mean for followers of Christ? 1. Doing good works can be tiring and thankless As Christians, we are called to continually do good deeds and serve others. This includes acts of charity, volunteering, donating resources, sharing the gospel, discipleship,…
The sons of Jacob play an important role in the biblical narrative, particularly in the Book of Genesis. Jacob, who was later named Israel, was the son of Isaac and the grandson of Abraham. He had 12 sons who went on to become the 12 tribes of Israel. The 12 sons of Jacob were: Reuben Simeon Levi Judah Dan Naphtali Gad Asher Issachar Zebulun Joseph Benjamin Each of these sons and their descendants went on to form the 12 tribes that settled in different regions of the Promised Land. The 12 tribes were named after the 12 sons. Reuben Reuben…
This command from God in Jeremiah 7:23 highlights an important aspect of our relationship with Him – obedience. When God tells His people to “obey my voice,” He is calling them into a covenant relationship rooted in listening to and following His word. There are a few key things to understand about this command: 1. It was given in the context of God’s covenant with Israel. Jeremiah was prophesying to the people of Judah during a time of idolatry and religious corruption. God had established His covenant with Israel when He delivered them out of Egypt, promising to be their…
The key passage regarding Peter wanting to make three tabernacles is found in Matthew 17:1-8 which says: And after six days Jesus took with him Peter and James, and John his brother, and led them up a high mountain by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, and his face shone like the sun, and his clothes became white as light. And behold, there appeared to them Moses and Elijah, talking with him. Then Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good that we are here. If you wish, I will make three tents here, one for you and one…
The phrase “I shall not be moved” comes from Psalm 16:8 in the Bible, which says “I have set the Lord always before me; because he is at my right hand, I shall not be shaken.” This verse expresses an attitude of unwavering faith and trust in God in the face of difficulty or adversity. Let’s explore the meaning and significance of this phrase in its biblical context. 1. The setting of Psalm 16 Psalm 16 is attributed to King David and is called a Miktam, which refers to a poem or song. The psalm reflects David’s faith during a…
The Bible has a lot to say about hell. Though interpretations vary, most Christians agree that hell is a place of eternal separation from God and torment for those who reject Christ. The Bible warns that we must make a choice in this life to either accept Christ or reject Him, and that choice has eternal consequences. Here is an overview of some key biblical teachings on hell: 1. Hell is a real place Jesus spoke about hell more than anyone else in Scripture, affirming its existence and warning people to take sin seriously to avoid going there (Matthew 5:22,…
What does the Bible say about looking down on others? The Bible has a lot to say about looking down on others or having pride and arrogance. Here is an overview of some of the key teachings: 1. Looking down on others is sinful Several verses point out that pride and arrogance are sinful attitudes in God’s eyes. For example: “Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves.” (Philippians 2:3 ESV) “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” (James 4:6 ESV) “The LORD detests all the proud of heart.…
The word “Gentile” appears numerous times throughout the Bible, referring to those who are not Jewish. The term originates from the Hebrew word “goy”, meaning “people, nation”. In the Old Testament, Gentiles were seen as outsiders to God’s chosen people of Israel. However, the New Testament radically redefines the concept of what it means to be a Gentile. According to the Old Testament, Gentiles were excluded from the covenants between God and Israel. They were considered “uncircumcised” and outside of God’s blessings (Ephesians 2:11-12). Israelites were commanded not to intermarry with Gentiles (Deuteronomy 7:3), as this would lead God’s people…
