Hebrew Bible
New Testament
Hebrew Bible
New Testament
The question of what the Bible teaches about interracial marriage is both timely and significant in our diverse global community. As we explore this topic, it’s essential to understand that the Bible’s teaching focuses not on racial distinctions but on…
Pronunciation Guide: ek-dap-an-ah’-o (emphasis on the “ah”) Basic Definition Strong’s G1550: The Greek verb ἐκδαπανάω (ekdapanaō) describes the act of completely expending or utterly spending oneself for another’s benefit. It carries the powerful connotation of sacrificial giving to the point…
Pronunciation Guide: dee-ah-ZONE-noo-mee Basic Definition Strong’s G1241: διαζώννυμι (diazōnnymi) refers to the act of girding oneself thoroughly, specifically to bind or fasten around completely with a belt, girdle, or towel. It carries a special connotation of preparation for service or…
Pronunciation Guide: gon-yooce’ (with emphasis on the second syllable) Basic Definition Strong’s G1118: The Greek word γονεύς (goneus) refers to a father or mother, essentially a parent or progenitor. In biblical usage, it almost always appears in the plural form…
Pronunciation Guide: gay-tone (with emphasis on the first syllable) Basic Definition Strong’s G1069: The Greek word γείτων (geitōn) refers to a neighbor or one who lives in close proximity. It describes someone who dwells nearby, typically within the same community…
Pronunciation Guide: ah-schey-mon-EH-oh Basic Definition Strong’s G807: To behave in an unseemly, improper, or indecent manner that violates social or moral standards. The word carries connotations of acting dishonorably or bringing shame through one’s conduct. It specifically relates to behavior…
Pronunciation Guide: ah-STOR-gos Basic Definition Strong’s G794: ἄστοργος (astorgos) describes someone devoid of natural or familial affection, particularly referring to the absence of the instinctive love and care that naturally exists between family members, parents and children, and close relations.…
Pronunciation Guide: ah-sthen’-ay-mah (emphasis on ‘then’) Basic Definition Strong’s G771: A moral or spiritual weakness, infirmity, or frailty that requires support and understanding from stronger believers. The term specifically denotes areas where faith or conscience may be underdeveloped, requiring patient…
Pronunciation Guide: ah-po-stoo-GEH-oh Basic Definition Strong’s G655: ἀποστυγέω (apostugeō) expresses an intense, passionate hatred or abhorrence of something, particularly evil. The word combines the preposition ἀπό (indicating separation or intensity) with στυγέω (to hate, abhor), creating a forceful term for…
Pronunciation Guide: ah-pel-PID-zō (ἀπελπίζω) Basic Definition Strong’s G560: ἀπελπίζω is a compound verb that literally means “to hope from” or “to despair of receiving back.” In the New Testament, it uniquely appears in Luke 6:35 where it carries the specialized…
Pronunciation Guide: an-el-eh-AY-mone Basic Definition Strong’s G415: ἀνελεήμων describes someone who is unmerciful, merciless, or without compassion. This compound word combines the negative prefix ἀν- with ἐλεήμων (merciful), literally meaning “not merciful.” It represents a hardened heart that lacks natural…
Pronunciation Guide: ah-nah-keh-fah-lah-YOH-oh Basic Definition Strong’s G346: ἀνακεφαλαιόω (anakephalaioō) means to gather up diverse elements into a unified whole, to bring things together under one head, or to sum up completely. This profound verb beautifully expresses God’s ultimate purpose of…
Pronunciation Guide: an-ad-EK-om-ahee Basic Definition Strong’s G324: ἀναδέχομαι (anadechomai) describes the act of receiving or welcoming someone with genuine warmth and hospitality, often implying taking responsibility for their care and comfort. It carries the nuance of deliberately choosing to extend…
Pronunciation Guide: ah-moy-BAY Basic Definition Strong’s G287: ἀμοιβή refers to the act of reciprocating or repaying, specifically in the context of children or grandchildren showing gratitude and providing care for their parents or elderly family members. It carries the deeper…
Pronunciation Guide: al-lay-LONE Basic Definition Strong’s G240: ἀλλήλων (allēlōn) is a reciprocal pronoun expressing mutual relationship and interaction between multiple parties. It fundamentally means “one another” or “each other,” emphasizing reciprocal actions, feelings, or responsibilities between members of a group.…
Pronunciation Guide: ah-lay-THEW-oh Basic Definition Strong’s G226: ἀληθεύω (alētheuō) means to speak or tell the truth, to be truthful in speech and conduct, and to deal faithfully with others. It carries the connotation of being authentic and genuine in one’s…
Pronunciation Guide: ah-LAB-ah-stron Basic Definition Strong’s G211: ἀλάβαστρον refers to a flask or vessel made of alabaster, specifically designed to store precious perfumes and ointments. This specialized container was typically crafted from fine-grained, translucent gypsum or calcite, known for its…
Pronunciation Guide: ah-GAH-pay Quick Answer: ἀγάπη (agapē) is the Greek word for love that appears 116 times in the New Testament, representing God’s unconditional, self-sacrificing love for humanity and the divine love believers are called to express toward God and…
ἀγαπάω – Pronunciation Guide: ah-gah-PAH-oh Basic Definition Strong’s G25: To love unconditionally and sacrificially, expressing a deliberate choice to put another’s highest good above one’s own interests. This love transcends mere emotion or affection, representing a profound commitment to actively…
When Hospitality Becomes Holy Resistance What’s 3 John 1 about? This tiny letter captures a leadership crisis in the early church where hospitality wasn’t just about being nice—it was about choosing sides in a battle for the soul of Christianity…
A Love Letter with Teeth What’s 2 John about? This tiny letter packs a punch – it’s John’s urgent memo about protecting the church from false teachers while keeping love at the center. Think of it as spiritual quality control…
Love’s Reality Check What’s 1 John 4 about? John delivers the ultimate litmus test for authentic Christianity: love isn’t just a nice idea—it’s the DNA of God himself, and if you don’t have it, you don’t have him. This chapter…
When Life Gets Hard, Remember Who You Are What’s 1 Peter 4 about? Peter writes to Christians scattered across hostile territory, reminding them that suffering for Jesus isn’t a bug in the system—it’s a feature. When the world pushes back…
When Faith Goes Viral What’s 1 Thessalonians 1 about? Paul writes his first letter to a brand-new church in Thessalonica, and he’s absolutely blown away by how their faith has spread like wildfire throughout the entire region. This isn’t just…
Walking in Love When the World Goes Dark What’s Ephesians 5 about? Paul shifts from theory to practice, showing what it actually looks like to live as God’s beloved children in a broken world. This isn’t just about personal morality…
Love Isn’t What You Think It Is: Paul’s Revolutionary Take on Love What’s 1 Corinthians 13 about? Paul takes a church obsessed with spiritual showboating and drops the most profound definition of love ever written. It’s not romantic poetry—it’s a…
Food, Freedom, and Love: Why Your Dinner Choices Matter More Than You Think What’s 1 Corinthians 8 about? Paul tackles a heated debate in Corinth about whether Christians can eat meat that’s been sacrificed to idols. But this isn’t really…
When Faith Meets Food Courts: Why Romans 14 is the Bible’s Ultimate Guide to Getting Along What’s Romans 14 about? Paul tackles one of the messiest questions in church life: what happens when sincere believers disagree about lifestyle choices? Using…
When Caesar Meets Christ: Navigating Faith in the Empire What’s Romans 13 about? Paul’s most controversial chapter tackles a question that still makes Christians squirm today: How do we live faithfully under governments that might not share our values? Written…
Living Sacrifice: When Faith Gets Messy and Real What’s Romans Chapter 12 about? Paul drops the theology textbook and gets practical – after eleven chapters of heavy doctrine, he’s basically saying “Okay, now what does this actually look like when…
The Breakfast That Changes Everything What’s John 21 about? After Jesus’ resurrection, Peter and the disciples go fishing but catch nothing all night. Jesus appears on the shore (though they don’t recognize him at first), tells them where to cast…
When Love Got Down and Dirty: The Night Jesus Washed Feet What’s John 13 about? This is the chapter where Jesus flips the script on leadership forever. Just hours before his crucifixion, he grabs a towel, gets on his knees,…
When Faith Breaks All the Rules: The Surprising Stories of Luke 7 What’s Luke 7 about? Luke 7 is where Jesus completely upends expectations – healing a Roman centurion’s servant through long-distance faith, raising a widow’s son from the dead,…
When Love Grows Up What’s Song of Songs 8 about? This final chapter of the Song of Songs shows us what mature love looks like – it’s not just passionate romance anymore, but something deeper, stronger, and unshakeable. It’s love…
When Love Gets Poetic (and Personal) What’s Song of Songs 7 about? This chapter captures one of the most intimate and celebratory moments in all of Scripture – a husband’s passionate praise of his beloved wife’s beauty, followed by her…
When Beauty Becomes Overwhelming What’s Song of Songs 6 about? This chapter captures that moment when love’s intensity becomes almost too much to bear – the beloved’s beauty is so overwhelming that even the lover needs a moment to catch…
When Love Won’t Let You Sleep What’s Song of Songs 3 about? Picture a young woman tossing and turning in bed, her heart racing because the one she loves isn’t there. She gets up in the middle of the night…
When Love Gets Poetic What’s Song of Songs 2 about? This chapter captures love in full bloom – the woman and man trading poetry about each other with all the passion and beauty of springtime. It’s raw, honest, and surprisingly…
Genesis 29 – When Love Gets Complicated: Jacob’s Messy Family Drama What’s this book, chapter, or verse about? Jacob arrives in Haran looking for a wife and finds love at first sight with Rachel – but her father Laban has…