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Church discipline
How Does Jesus’ Condemnation of Food Sacrificed to Idols in Revelation 2 Compare with Paul’s More Lenient Approach?
Have you ever found yourself puzzled by what seems like contradictory teachings in Scripture? The apparent tension between Jesus’ words in Revelation about food sacrificed to idols and Paul’s seemingly more relaxed approach in his letters has confused believers for…
Understanding Διοτρεφής (Diotrephes) Strong’s G1361: The Power-Loving Leader Who Opposed Apostolic Authority
Pronunciation Guide: dee-ot-ref-ACE Basic Definition Strong’s G1361: Διοτρεφής (Diotrephes) refers to a first-century church leader mentioned only in 3 John 1:9 who loved preeminence and rejected apostolic authority. The name itself carries significant meaning as a compound of “Διός” (Dios,…
Understanding γάγγραινα (ganggraina) Strong’s G1044: The Deadly Spiritual Disease That Spreads Through False Teaching
Pronunciation Guide: gang’-gri-nah (with a hard ‘g’ sound in both instances) Basic Definition Strong’s G1044: γάγγραινα (ganggraina) refers to a deadly medical condition characterized by the death of bodily tissue, which spreads rapidly and consumes healthy flesh if left untreated.…
Understanding αὐτοκατάκριτος (autokatakritos) Strong’s G843: Self-Condemned Individuals in Biblical Context
Pronunciation Guide: ow-tok-at-AK-ree-tos Basic Definition Strong’s G843: Αὐτοκατάκριτος (autokatakritos) describes someone who is self-condemned, having pronounced judgment against themselves through their own actions or beliefs. The term uniquely conveys the idea of a person whose behavior so clearly contradicts their…
Understanding ἄτακτος (ataktos) Strong’s G813: The Biblical Call to Order and Divine Purpose in God’s Kingdom
Pronunciation Guide: ah-TAK-tos Basic Definition Strong’s G813: ἄτακτος describes someone who is disorderly, undisciplined, or out of proper spiritual and social alignment. This term, drawn from military imagery, refers to a person who has stepped out of their appointed place…
Understanding ἅρπαξ (harpax) Strong’s G727: The Predatory Nature that Reveals Divine Protection
Pronunciation Guide: har-pax (ˈhɑrpæks) Basic Definition Strong’s G727: ἅρπαξ describes a ravenous predator or one who lives by plunder, characterizing both literal predatory animals and metaphorically describing people who greedily take advantage of others through deception or force. The word…
Understanding ἀποτόμως (apotomōs) Strong’s G664: The Severe and Sharp Rebuke that Reveals God’s Restorative Discipline
Pronunciation Guide: ah-pot-OM-oce Basic Definition Strong’s G664: An adverb meaning “severely, sharply, curtly.” The word conveys the concept of decisive cutting or severe rebuke, often used in contexts of disciplinary action or correction. It carries the sense of something being…
Understanding ἀποδιορίζω (apodiorizo) Strong’s G592: The Divisive Spirit that Separates Believers and Threatens Church Unity
Pronunciation Guide: ah-po-dee-or-ID-zo (emphasis on ID) Basic Definition Strong’s G592: A compound verb meaning to disjoin, separate, or make distinctions that cause division. It specifically refers to the act of creating separations or boundaries between people in a way that…
Understanding ἀναξίως (anaxiōs) Strong’s G371: The Profound Warning Against Taking the Lord’s Supper Unworthily
Pronunciation Guide: an-ax-ee’-oce Basic Definition Strong’s G371: ἀναξίως is an adverb that describes actions performed in an unworthy, irreverent, or inappropriate manner, particularly in sacred contexts. It carries the weighty connotation of treating holy things with disrespect or approaching sacred…
Understanding ἀνάθεμα (anathema) Strong’s G331: The Divine Judgment that Reveals God’s Holy Justice
Pronunciation Guide: ah-NAH-theh-mah Basic Definition Strong’s G331: ἀνάθεμα (anathema) refers to something or someone devoted to divine judgment, set apart for destruction, or placed under God’s curse. This term carries profound theological weight, indicating complete separation from the covenant community…
Understanding ἀλλοτριεπίσκοπος (allotriepiskopos) Strong’s G244: The Peculiar Sin of Meddling in Others’ Affairs
Pronunciation Guide: al-lot-ree-ep-IS-kop-os Basic Definition Strong’s G244: A meddler in other people’s affairs; one who takes oversight of matters that don’t belong to them. This rare compound word literally means “an overseer of others’ matters.” It describes someone who assumes…
Understanding αἱρετικός (hairetikos) Strong’s G141: The Biblical Warning Against Those Who Create Divisions Through False Teaching
Pronunciation Guide: hahee-ret-ee-KOSS Basic Definition Strong’s G141: αἱρετικός (hairetikos) refers to someone who creates divisions by promoting self-chosen beliefs or doctrines that deviate from established truth. It describes a person who maintains divisive teachings, causing factions within the community of…
1 Timothy Chapter 5
When Church Gets Messy: A Manual for Real Relationships What’s 1 Timothy 5 about? Paul gets brutally practical about church relationships – how to treat older members, younger ones, widows who need help, and leaders who mess up. It’s like…
1 Timothy Chapter 1
When Paul Dropped Everything to Write an Urgent Letter What’s 1 Timothy 1 about? This isn’t just Paul giving pastoral advice—it’s a veteran missionary writing an urgent letter to his protégé who’s drowning in church drama. Paul’s basically saying, “Timothy,…
2 Thessalonians Chapter 3
When Faith Meets the Daily Grind What’s 2 Thessalonians 3 about? Paul tackles one of the most practical problems in Christian community: what do you do with believers who’ve gotten so excited about Jesus’ return that they’ve stopped working? His…
Galatians Chapter 2
When Apostles Collide What’s Galatians 2 about? Paul drops a bombshell: he publicly confronted Peter, the rock of the early church, calling him out for hypocrisy. This isn’t just ancient church drama—it’s the defining moment when the gospel’s radical inclusiveness…
2 Corinthians Chapter 13
Paul’s Final Exam: When Love Gets Tough in 2 Corinthians 13 What’s 2 Corinthians 13 about? Paul’s closing chapter reads like a final warning before a difficult conversation – he’s coming to Corinth for the third time, and this visit…
2 Corinthians Chapter 7
When Godly Grief Leads to Joy: The Beautiful Paradox of 2 Corinthians 7 What’s 2 Corinthians 7 about? Paul celebrates the Corinthians’ response to his painful letter – their godly grief led to repentance and renewed relationship. It’s a masterclass…
2 Corinthians Chapter 2
When Love Gets Messy: Paul’s Radical Guide to Church Discipline What’s 2 Corinthians 2 about? Paul tackles one of the hardest parts of community life – what do you do when someone messes up badly? His answer isn’t what you’d…
1 Corinthians Chapter 5
When the Church Gets Messy: Paul’s Hard Conversation About Church Scandal What’s 1 Corinthians 5 about? Paul addresses a shocking case of sexual immorality in the Corinthian church – a man sleeping with his stepmother – and the community’s troubling…
1 Corinthians Chapter 4
When Ministry Gets Personal: Paul’s Raw Truth About Leadership What’s 1 Corinthians 4 about? Paul drops the diplomatic gloves and gets brutally honest about what true apostolic ministry looks like – spoiler alert: it’s not glamorous. He contrasts the Corinthians’…
Matthew Chapter 18
When Little Kids Teach Kingdom Adults How to Lead What’s Matthew 18 about? This is Jesus’ masterclass on what true greatness looks like in God’s kingdom – and it starts with becoming like a child. He addresses everything from humility…