There is a word used in the New Testament which, of itself, is of no great import. It is the Greek word poikilos and it is the word commonly used to describe “divers” diseases (cp Mark 1:34). The word is also used of the divers miracles of God (Heb 2:4) and of divers and strange doctrines that w…
The Manifold Grace of God Read More »
By grace are ye saved through faith
Understanding the contextual framework of the times should also deepen our appreciation of the powerful concepts that Paul is speaking about in the following reference: “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift o…
Grace, and its First Century Context (Part 3) Read More »
Re-evaluating the Bible’s teaching on grace in light of this First Century context
When the New Testament writers used the term “grace” they were doubtless aware of how the concept of grace was understood in society. They were not inventing a new theory to describe how God dea…
Grace, and Its First Century Context (Part 2) Read More »
Our reading contains some challenging words of the Lord: “Why do you call me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ and do not do the things which I say? I will show you what he is like who comes to me and hears my words and puts them into practice. He is like a man building a house who dug down deep and laid the fou…
Doing the Will of God – Luke 6 Read More »
It was most likely 64-67 AD and toward the end of his life when the Apostle Peter sat down and penned the letter we know as Peter’s 2nd epistle. The experienced apostle wrote to those “that have obtained like precious faith with us through the righteousness of God and our Saviour Jesus Christ”…
Grow in Grace: 2 Peter 1 Read More »
E. The implications of his gospel (2:17–21)
As we saw last time, Paul is keen to move on, and set out the true relationship between the promises and the Law (3:1–5:1). But he could not conclude his narrative without addressing one of the most obnoxious Judaist arguments (2:17–18). Now h…
Paul’s Epistle to the Galatians Part VII Read More »
The factors of justification are three: all are definable in scriptural language. We are “justified by grace”, we are “justified by faith” and we are “justified by the blood of Christ”. These are not alternative ways of justification; the terms all converge on the one act by which God ch…
Justification by Grace Read More »
