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New Testament

Thumbnail image for Hebrews 2:9 – Separated by Grace (Part 4)

Hebrews 2:9 – Separated by Grace (Part 4)

3 August 2009 Biblical Studies

χωρίς has a claim to originality based on a number of internal criteria. While it is less common than χάρις in the New Testament, it is actually more common than χάρις in Hebrews.

Tagged as: hebrews, textual criticism

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Thumbnail image for The Epistles of John (Part 45): 1 John 5:2-3

The Epistles of John (Part 45): 1 John 5:2-3

1 August 2009 Biblical Studies

Some may read this, growl at their screens, and say, “Nuh uh! What is all of this business about commandments? I thought that we were interested in community and fellowship.” It’s true, I really think that the heart of God, as expressed in 1 John is about two things: community and idolatry (we’ll see idolatry especially in the final sentence of the epistle). However, part of that community and part of avoiding idolatry is obedience, willfully submitting to the commands that he has written on our hearts.

Tagged as: 1 john

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Thumbnail image for Hebrews 2:9 – Separated by Grace (Part 3)

Hebrews 2:9 – Separated by Grace (Part 3)

27 July 2009 Biblical Studies

When we turn to internal evidence, however, the argument no longer favors χάριτι; indeed, as Bart Ehrman has argued regarding χωρίς, “there can be no doubt concerning the superiority of this poorly attested variant.” This certainty can be illustrated best if we assume the priority of one variant and then attempt to explain how it was altered or corrupted into the other.

Tagged as: hebrews, textual criticism

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Thumbnail image for The Epistles of John (Part 44): 1 John 5:1

The Epistles of John (Part 44): 1 John 5:1

25 July 2009 Biblical Studies

The author here is interested in community and in community he sees family. When we confess that Jesus is Christ (the Messiah, the Anointed One, King, Liberator, Savior, etc.) we are “born of God.” This is a powerful statement. God is taking us under his wing, so to speak.

Tagged as: 1 john

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Thumbnail image for Hebrews 2:9 – Separated by Grace (Part 2)

Hebrews 2:9 – Separated by Grace (Part 2)

20 July 2009 Biblical Studies

What then is the external evidence in favor of each reading? The manuscript evidence in support of χάριτι θεοῦ is very strong. The major manuscripts that favor this reading include P46 א A B C D 33 81 330 614 itar,b, comp, d, v vg copsa, bo, fay, as well as others.

Tagged as: hebrews, textual criticism

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Thumbnail image for The Epistles of John (Part 43): 1 John 4:20–21

The Epistles of John (Part 43): 1 John 4:20–21

19 July 2009 Biblical Studies

Again the author is stressing the importance of love. It is by the love that we show to our “brothers” that we will be recognized — not by words, but by the love that we have, the love that we share.

This leads me to two questions:

  • What is meant by “brother” in this passage?
  • What is this type of love that we are talking about?

Tagged as: 1 john

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Thumbnail image for The Epistles of John (Part 42): 1 John 4:18–19

The Epistles of John (Part 42): 1 John 4:18–19

15 July 2009 Biblical Studies

By telling us why we love, 1 John 4:18–19 sets right the nature of the relationship between humans and God. The difficulty, of course, is the word “fear” which has been an important term in Christianity from the get-go, mostly due to the phrase: “fear of God.” While it is healthy for us to have a certain type of fear (e.g., a reverence or respect for God’s awesome power), it is not healthy for the believer to live in constant fear.

Tagged as: 1 john

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Thumbnail image for Hebrews 2:9 – Separated by Grace (Part 1)

Hebrews 2:9 – Separated by Grace (Part 1)

13 July 2009 Biblical Studies

Part one of the series “Hebrews 2:9 – Separated by Grace.” Bruce M. Metzger’s A Textual Commentary on the Greek New Testament explains why the committee behind the text of Nestle-Aland’s Novum Testamentum Graece (NA) and the United Bible Societies’ Greek New Testament (UBS) chose one reading over another. However, as Metzger himself admits, given [...]

Tagged as: hebrews, textual criticism

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Thumbnail image for The Epistles of John (Part 41): 1 John 4:16–17

The Epistles of John (Part 41): 1 John 4:16–17

13 July 2009 Biblical Studies

The Day of Judgment is not something that we like to talk about. We look at depictions of it, such as the one by Michelangelo to the right, and are enthralled by the severity of God’s punishment of the wicked. We are appalled by the reality of Hell and the notion that an all-loving God could even conceive of something such as judgment.

Tagged as: 1 john

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Thumbnail image for The Epistles of John (Part 40): 1 John 4:15

The Epistles of John (Part 40): 1 John 4:15

7 July 2009 New Testament

I chose to set this verse aside for its own examination, even though it largely deals with themes found in the previous chunk, because of one word: confess (ὁμολογέω). This word has so many meanings in English, and I think it’s appropriate that we try to nail it down and understand it within the context of Early Chistianity.

Tagged as: 1 john

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