the Fifth Week after Easter
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December 9 - Straight Thru the Bible
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2 Corinthians 13
Chapter 13
Examine Yourselves
1 (C1)This is the third time that I am coming to you. (C2)ON THE (F1)TESTIMONY OF TWO OR THREE WITNESSES EVERY MATTER SHALL BE CONFIRMED.2 I have previously said when I was present the second time, and though now absent I say in advance to those who have (C1)sinned in the past and to all the rest as well, that (C2)if I come again I will not (C3)spare anyone,3 since you are (C1)seeking proof of the (C2)Christ who speaks in me, who is not weak toward you, but (C3)mighty in you.4 For indeed He was (C1)crucified because of weakness, yet He lives (C2)because of the power of God. For we too are (C3)weak (F1)in Him, yet (C4)we will live with Him because of the power of God directed toward you.
5 (C1)Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith; (C2)examine yourselves! Or do you not recognize this about yourselves, that Jesus Christ is in you—unless indeed you (F1)(C3)fail the test?6 But I expect that you will realize that we ourselves (F1)do not fail the test.7 Now we pray to God that you do nothing wrong; not so that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, though we may (F1)appear unapproved.8 For we cannot do anything against the truth, but only for the truth.9 For we rejoice when we ourselves are (C1)weak, but you are strong; this we also pray for, (F1)that you (C2)become mature.10 For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present (C1)I need not use (C2)severity, in accordance with the (C3)authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down.
11 (C1)Finally, brothers and sisters, (F1)rejoice, (C2)mend your ways, be comforted, (C3)be like-minded, (C4)live in peace; and (C5)the God of love and peace will be with you.12 (C1)Greet one another with a holy kiss.13 (C1)All the (F1)saints greet you.
14 (C1)The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the (C2)love of God, and the (C3)fellowship of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.
Galatians 1:1-4:11
Chapter 1
Introduction
1 Paul, (C1)an apostle ((C2)not sent from men nor through human agency, but (C3)through Jesus Christ and God the Father, who (C4)raised Him from the dead),
2 and all (C1)the brothers who are with me,
3 (C1)Grace to you and peace from (F1)God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ,4 who (C1)gave Himself for our sins so that He might rescue us from (C2)this present evil (F1)age, according to the will of (C3)our God and Father,5 (C1)to whom be the glory forevermore. Amen.
Distortion of the Gospel
6 I am amazed that you are so quickly deserting (C1)Him who called you (F1)by the grace of Christ, for a (C2)different gospel,7 which is not just another account; but there are some who are (C1)disturbing you and want to distort the gospel of Christ.8 But even if we, or (C1)an angel from heaven, should preach to you a gospel contrary to what we have preached to you, he is to be (F1)(C2)accursed!9 As we (C1)have said before, even now I say again: (C2)if anyone is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, he is to be (F1)(C3)accursed!
10 For am I now (C1)seeking the favor of people, or of God? Or am I striving to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a (C2)bond-servant of Christ.
Paul Defends His Ministry
11 For (C1)I would have you know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel which was preached by me is (C2)not (F1)of human invention.12 For (C1)I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but I received it through a (C2)revelation of Jesus Christ.
13 For you have heard of (C1)my former way of life in Judaism, how I (C2)used to persecute (C3)the church of God beyond measure and (C4)tried to destroy it;14 and I (C1)was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries among my (F1)countrymen, being more extremely zealous for my (C2)ancestral traditions.15 But when (F1)He who had set me apart even from my mother's womb and (C1)called me through His grace was pleased16 to reveal His Son in me so that I might (C1)preach Him among the Gentiles, (C2)I did not immediately consult with (F1)(C3)flesh and blood,17 (C1)nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went away to Arabia, and returned once more to (C2)Damascus.
18 Then (C1)three years later I went up (C2)to Jerusalem to (F1)become acquainted with (F2)(C3)Cephas, and stayed with him for fifteen days.19 But I did not see another one of the apostles except (F1)(C1)James, the Lord's brother.20 (Now in what I am writing to you, (F1)I assure you (C1)before God that I am not lying.)21 Then (C1)I went into the regions of (C2)Syria and (C3)Cilicia.22 I was still unknown by (F1)sight to (C1)the churches of Judea which are (C2)in Christ;23 but they only kept hearing, "The man who once persecuted us is now preaching (C1)the faith which he once (C2)tried to destroy."24 And they (C1)were glorifying God (F1)because of me.
Chapter 2
The Council at Jerusalem
1 Then after an interval of fourteen years I (C1)went up again to Jerusalem with (C2)Barnabas, taking (C3)Titus along also.2 (F1)It was because of a (C1)revelation that I went up; and I submitted to them the (C2)gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but I did so in private to those who were of reputation, for fear that somehow I might be (C3)running, or had run, in vain.3 But not even (C1)Titus, who was with me, though he was a Greek, was (C2)compelled to be circumcised.4 Yet it was a concern because of the (C1)false brothers secretly brought in, who (C2)had sneaked in to spy on our (C3)freedom which we have in Christ Jesus, in order to (C4)enslave us.5 But we did not yield in subjection to them, even for an hour, so that (C1)the truth of the gospel would remain with you.6 But from those who (F1)were of considerable (C1)repute (what they were makes no difference to me; (C2)God shows no favoritism)—well, those who were of repute contributed nothing to me.7 But on the contrary, seeing that I had been (C1)entrusted with the (C2)gospel (F1)to the uncircumcised, just as (C3)Peter had been (F2)to the circumcised8 (for He who was at work for Peter in his (C1)apostleship (F1)to the circumcised was at work for me also to the Gentiles),9 and recognizing (C1)the grace that had been given to me, (F1)(C2)James and (F2)(C3)Cephas and John, who were (C4)reputed to be (C5)pillars, gave to me and (C6)Barnabas the (C7)right (F3)hand of fellowship, so that we might (C8)go to the Gentiles, and they to the circumcised.10 They only asked us to remember the poor—(C1)the very thing I also was eager to do.
Peter (Cephas) Opposed by Paul
11 But when (C1)Cephas came to (C2)Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he (F1)stood condemned.12 For prior to the coming of some men from (F1)(C1)James, he used to (C2)eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he began to withdraw and separate himself, (C3)fearing those from the circumcision.13 The rest of the Jews joined him in hypocrisy, with the result that even (C1)Barnabas was carried away by their hypocrisy.14 But when I saw that they (C1)were not (F1)straightforward about (C2)the truth of the gospel, I said to (C3)Cephas in the presence of all, "If you, being a Jew, (C4)live like the Gentiles and not like the Jews, how is it that you compel the Gentiles to live like Jews?(F2)
15 "We are (C1)Jews by nature and not (C2)sinners from the Gentiles;16 nevertheless, knowing that (C1)a person is not justified by works of (F1)the Law but through faith in Christ Jesus, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by (C2)faith in Christ and not by works of (F1)the Law; since (C3)by works of (F1)the Law no (F2)flesh will be justified.17 "But if, while seeking to be justified in Christ, we ourselves have also been found (C1)sinners, is Christ then a servant of sin? (F1)(C2)Far from it!18 "For if I rebuild what I have once destroyed, I (C1)prove myself to be a wrongdoer.19 "For through (F1)the Law I (C1)died to (F1)the Law, so that I might live for God.20 "I have been (C1)crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but (C2)Christ lives in me; and (F1)the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in (C3)the Son of God, who (C4)loved me and (C5)gave Himself up for me.21 "I do not nullify the grace of God, for (C1)if righteousness comes through (F1)the Law, then Christ died needlessly."
Chapter 3
Faith Brings Righteousness
1 (F1)You foolish (C1)Galatians, who has bewitched you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ (C2)was publicly portrayed as crucified?2 This is the only thing I want to find out from you: did you receive the Spirit by works of (F1)the Law, or by (C1)hearing (F2)with faith?3 Are you so foolish? Having begun (F1)by the Spirit, are you now (F2)being perfected by the flesh?4 Did you (F1)suffer so many things in vain—(C1)if indeed it was in vain?5 So then, does He who (C1)provides you with the Spirit and (C2)works (F1)miracles among you, do it by works of (F2)the Law, or by (C3)hearing (F3)with faith?
6 Just as (C1)Abraham (C2)BELIEVED GOD, AND IT WAS CREDITED TO HIM AS RIGHTEOUSNESS.7 Therefore, recognize that (C1)it is those who are of faith who are (C2)sons of Abraham.8 The Scripture, foreseeing that God (F1)would justify the (F2)Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel beforehand to Abraham, saying, "(C1)ALL THE NATIONS WILL BE BLESSED IN YOU."9 So then, (C1)those who are of faith are blessed with (F1)Abraham, the believer.
10 For all who are of works of (F1)the Law are under a curse; for it is written: "(C1)CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO DOES NOT ABIDE BY ALL THE THINGS WRITTEN IN THE BOOK OF THE LAW, TO DO THEM."11 Now, that (C1)no one is justified (F1)by (F2)the Law before God is evident; for, "(F3)(C2)THE RIGHTEOUS ONE WILL LIVE BY FAITH."12 (F1)However, the Law is not (F2)of faith; on the contrary, "(C1)THE PERSON WHO PERFORMS (F3)THEM WILL LIVE BY (F3)THEM."13 Christ (C1)redeemed us from the curse of the Law, having become a curse for us—for it is written: "(C2)CURSED IS EVERYONE WHO HANGS ON (C3)A (F1)TREE"—14 in order that (C1)in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles, so that we (C2)would receive (C3)the promise of the Spirit through faith.
Intent of the Law
15 (C1)Brothers and sisters, (C2)I speak (F1)in terms of human relations: (C3)even though it is only a man's (F2)covenant, yet when it has been ratified, no one sets it aside or adds (F3)conditions to it.16 Now the promises were spoken (C1)to Abraham and to his seed. He does not say, "And to seeds," as one would in referring to many, but rather as in referring to one, "(C2)And to your seed," that is, Christ.17 What I am saying is this: the Law, which came (C1)430 years later, does not invalidate a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to nullify the promise.18 For (C1)if the inheritance is (F1)based on law, it is no longer (F1)based on a promise; but (C2)God has granted it to Abraham by means of a promise.
19 (C1)Why the Law then? It was added on account of the (F1)violations, having been (C2)ordered through angels (C3)at the hand of a (F2)mediator, until (C4)the Seed would come to whom the promise had been made.20 Now (C1)a mediator is not (F1)for one party only; but God is only one.21 Is the Law then contrary to the promises of God? (F1)(C1)Far from it! For (C2)if a law had been given that was able to impart life, then righteousness (F2)would indeed have been (F3)based on law.22 But the Scripture has (C1)confined (F1)everyone under sin, so that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe.
23 But before faith came, (F1)we were kept in custody under the Law, (C1)being confined for the faith that was destined to be revealed.24 Therefore the Law has become our (F1)(C1)guardian to lead us to Christ, so that (C2)we may be justified by faith.25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a (F1)(C1)guardian.26 For you are all (C1)sons and daughters of God through faith in (C2)Christ Jesus.27 For all of you who were (C1)baptized into Christ have (C2)clothed yourselves with Christ.28 (C1)There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is (F1)neither male nor female; for (C2)you are all one in (C3)Christ Jesus.29 And if (C1)you (F1)belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's (F2)descendants, heirs according to (C2)promise.
Chapter 4
Sonship in Christ
1 Now I say, as long as the heir is a (F1)child, he does not differ at all from a slave, although he is (F2)owner of everything,2 but he is under guardians and (F1)managers until the (F2)date set by the father.3 So we too, when we were children, were held (C1)in bondage under the (F1)(C2)elementary principles of the world.4 But when (C1)the fullness of the time came, God sent His Son, (C2)born of a woman, born (C3)under (F1)the Law,5 so that He might redeem those who were under (F1)the Law, that we might receive the adoption as (C1)sons and daughters.6 Because you are sons, (C1)God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying out, "(C2)Abba! (F1)Father!"7 Therefore you are no longer a slave, but a son; and (C1)if a son, then an heir (F1)through God.
8 However at that time, (C1)when you did not know God, you were (C2)slaves to (C3)those which by nature are not gods.9 But now that you have come to know God, or rather to be (C1)known by God, (C2)how is it that you turn back again to the weak and worthless (F1)(C3)elementary principles, to which you want to be enslaved all over again?10 You (C1)meticulously observe days and months and seasons and years.11 I fear for you, that perhaps I have labored (F1)over you in vain.<
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