Great is Mystry of All Goodliness
16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness:
sHe5 was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated6 by the Spirit,7
tseen by angels,
uproclaimed among the nations,
vbelieved on in the world,
wtaken up in glory.
GOD The supreme being and Creator of the universe. Known by the personal name Yahweh. The New Testament sees God as Father, the Son Jesus Christ, and Holy Spirit.
1. This God, Immanuel is seen in creation of the universe by command fit for humans made in his image and likeness.
2. This God Carefully Created human beings. Forming man and woman as a master craftsman. Gen 2:4
3. This God establishes a personal relationship with human beings. - Gen 3
Genesis 2:4 pictures a different setting for creation, concentrating on the creation of human beings. He carefully forms (יצר, ytsr) the man, and then the woman, as would a master craftsman (Gen 2:7–8, 19; 2 Kgs 19:25; Isa 22:11; Jer 1:5; Amos 4:13; Hab 2:18; Zech 12:1; Psa 74:17). In Genesis 3 it also becomes apparent that the transcendent, enthroned God of Genesis 1 is an intimate God who walks in the Garden of Eden among His creation (Gen 3:8).
Further biblical references to God’s creative acts include:
• Yahweh is Creator of all things (Jer 51:19), including wind, mountains, thoughts (Amos 4:13), people, animals, and birds (Gen 2:7–8, 19).
• God can use the creatures He made, like locusts, to punish His people (Amos 7:1).
• He created the world to be inhabited peacefully, not to be made into chaos (Isa 45:18).
• God is not like the other gods because He created everything (Jer 10:16); He is the only Creator (Isa 44:24).
Some of the central passages about Yahweh as Creator include: Psalms and Isa 40–55. In most cases, Israel use
4. Sin cause a break in the personal relationship between an and God resulting in the need for justice to be applied. His Character points to a just God that loves and holds accountable his creation, for all their actions.
Characteristics of God
A recurring description of God’s relationship to Israel demonstrates His character: “Yahweh, Yahweh, God who is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, and abounding with loyal love and faithfulness, keeping loyal love to the thousands, forgiving iniquity and transgression and sin” (Exod 34:6b–7; compare Neh 9:17; Pss 86:15; 103:8; 145:8; Joel 2:13; Jonah 4:2; Nah 1:2–3). Characteristics include:
• Merciful (רחום, rchwm)—Expresses deep compassion that leads to action. Most occurrences of the word רחום (rchwm) are in descriptions of God. The result of God’s mercy or compassion is forgiveness and new relationship.
• Gracious (חנון, chnwn)—Represents the emotional experience that leads a person to help another person in need (Exod 22:27). Even when His people threatened to return to Egypt from the wilderness, God’s graciousness and compassion made Him ready to receive them back and forgive them (Neh 9:17).
• Slow to anger (אַפַיִם אֶרֶךְ, aphayim erekh)—Literally “long of nostrils,” depicts self-control. God is patient with His disobedient, rebellious people.
• Abounding in loyal love (חֶסֶד, chesed)—A covenant term for trust and faithfulness. Loyal love represents that which ties together family, friends, and associates. God’s granting of success, answering prayer, and fulfilling His promises expresses such love and commitment (e.g., Exod 34).
• Faithful (אמת, 'mt)—Refers to what is true and consistent, what is trustworthy and reliable. The faithful one is morally upright and can be trusted to do what is right even when the other person has done wrong. For example, God accepted and renewed covenant vows even after His people had built a golden calf (compare Josh 24:14).
• Forgiving (נָשָׂא עָוֹן, nasa' awon)—Refers to lifting or forgiving iniquity, transgression, and sin (Psa 85:2; compare Lev 5:17; 17:16).
While God encompasses all of these characteristics, He nevertheless holds His creation accountable (see Num 14:18). He holds both mercy and justice in His hands. Throughout His interaction with Israel, God shows His loving side and His merciful side to His people, but also judges them. He cannot be good unless He is just—justice is required of a God that is good since a restraint of justice allows for more evil to exist in the world (and thus is not “good”).
5. This God is Holy, Sovereign and has complete authority. There is no limit to our God.
Holy Authority
God’s unique holy nature separates Him from all humans and prevents humans from approaching God directly. “Holiness” (קדשׁ, qdsh) refers to God’s otherness: that He is awesome and worthy of respect, completely removed from anything profane. Holiness also indicates something belonging to God, something needing to be removed from ordinary use, something consecrated and set apart.
The members of God’s heavenly council are “the holy ones” who share in God’s purity; however, like humans, they do not share in the transcendent, holy nature that only God possesses. For example, the seraphim in Isaiah 6 praise Yahweh as holy. His unique holy nature and His creative power, among other reasons, show that He is the absolute ruler and authority over the world (Pss 47; 96–99).
Sovereignty
Ancient Near Eastern pantheons, such as those of Mesopotamia and Egypt, often include a high god who occupies the throne; this god is attended by a multitude of gods responsible for different elements of the universe. Frequently, the sun god (or the moon god) is the ruling god, and the earthly king is regarded as a son of the high god.
The prophets, particularly Isaiah, emphasized that Yahweh never lost power and sovereignty, and never would be replaced by another. As the Creator God, He would remain powerful and sovereign even when the nation of Israel lost political power—like during the exilic period. In contrast to the other ancient Near Eastern perceptions of their deities, Yahweh’s power was not reduced when the temple was burned.
6. This is God is ONE God manifested in three Persons: Det 6:4, Ephesians 1:1–14; Gen. 1–2; Col. 1:15–20)
Jesus also proclaimed the idea of God as three persons—the Father, Son, and Spirit. For example, He spoke of the Holy Spirit as God’s presence in the individual believer and in the Church community (John 14). Jesus also demonstrated that He had the power and characteristics of God and indicates that the Holy Spirit also does (John 14–17). Many New Testament passages point to God as three persons, including:
• Matt 3:16–17; 16:16–17, 27; 20:23; 24:36; 28:19
• Mark 2:7
• Luke 5:21, 24; 10:21
• John 3:34, 36; 10:25–38; 12:44–50; 13:31–32; 15:26; 16:5, 32; 20:17, 28
• Acts 1:4–5; 2:22, 33, 36
• Rom 5:5, 8
• 1 Cor 1:3–4, 9; 2:6–16; 6:11; 8:4–6; 12:1–6; 12:28; 15:24–28
• 2 Cor 13:4
• Gal 1:1–4; 3:14; 3:4–6
• Eph 1:17; 2:14–22
• Phil 1:2, 23; 2:6, 11
• Col 1:3–14; 2:2–3, 9
• 1 Thess 3:11
• 1 Tim 2:5
• Titus 2:13; 3:4–6
• Heb 1:1–14; 9:14
• 1 Pet 1:2–3, 17, 21
• 1 John 2:1, 22–24; 4:2–3, 7–16; 5:1–20
• 2 John 3:9
• Jude 1, 4, 25
• Rev 2:18, 27–29; 3:5, 21–22; 7:10
These Scriptures crediting Jesus and/or the Spirit with divine names, titles, and activities led the Church to confess Jesus as Lord and God, and to confess the Holy Spirit as God with us
6. This God is incarnate, He became flesh and dwelt among His creation.
Jesus of Nazareth is understood within Christian belief to be the living God in flesh, fully God and fully human, as well as the promised Messiah who is the ultimate (not just temporary) salvation from sin. Jesus shows God’s mercy and justice at the same time: He bears the sin of many, lifts their iniquities, and is pierced for transgressions, becoming the offering required by the Old Testament (compare Isaiah 53). This is seen in his suffering, death, and resurrection.
Jesus’ way of living and teaching brought constant conflict with the Jewish leaders, particularly the Pharisees. Jesus addressed God as “Father,” and spoke to Him in prayer as a son would speak to His father. Assuming much of the understanding of God projected by the Old Testament and much of the cultural diversity of the Judaism of His day, Jesus proclaimed the coming of God’s kingdom to the people of Israel.
Jesus also proclaimed the idea of God as three persons—the Father, Son, and Spirit. For example, He spoke of the Holy Spirit as God’s presence in the individual believer and in the Church community (John 14). Jesus also demonstrated that He had the power and characteristics of God and indicates that the Holy Spirit also does (John 14–17). Many New Testament passages point to God as three persons, including:
• Matt 3:16–17; 16:16–17, 27; 20:23; 24:36; 28:19
• Mark 2:7
• Luke 5:21, 24; 10:21
• John 3:34, 36; 10:25–38; 12:44–50; 13:31–32; 15:26; 16:5, 32; 20:17, 28
• Acts 1:4–5; 2:22, 33, 36
• Rom 5:5, 8
• 1 Cor 1:3–4, 9; 2:6–16; 6:11; 8:4–6; 12:1–6; 12:28; 15:24–28
• 2 Cor 13:4
• Gal 1:1–4; 3:14; 3:4–6
• Eph 1:17; 2:14–22
• Phil 1:2, 23; 2:6, 11
• Col 1:3–14; 2:2–3, 9
• 1 Thess 3:11
• 1 Tim 2:5
• Titus 2:13; 3:4–6
• Heb 1:1–14; 9:14
• 1 Pet 1:2–3, 17, 21
• 1 John 2:1, 22–24; 4:2–3, 7–16; 5:1–20
• 2 John 3:9
• Jude 1, 4, 25
• Rev 2:18, 27–29; 3:5, 21–22; 7:10
Immanuel: God with us
IMMANUEL (עִמָּנוּאֵל, immanu'el; Ἐμμανουήλ, Emmanouēl). Means “God is with us.” Occurs primarily in Isa 7:14 (which is quoted in Matt 1:23).
Biblical Significance
In Isa 7:14, “Immanuel” is a symbolic name given to a child who was to be born in the reign of King Ahaz of Judah. Isaiah 8:8 repeats the name and Isa 8:10 echoes it. Matthew 1:23 claims that the baby Jesus fulfills Isa 7:14, especially with reference to His virgin birth.
Matthew 1:23
Matthew quotes Isa 7:14, stating that it has been fulfilled in the virgin birth of Jesus. Luke 1:31–32 alludes to the language of Isa 7:14 and Isa 9:6–7. Luke 1:34–35 mentions the virgin birth separately and gives it as a reason for Jesus being Son of God (Stendahl, “Quis et Unde?” 94n1). There is no tradition in Intertestamental times of a messianic use of Isa 7:14 (Brown, Birth of the Messiah, 147n42).
4 dCertainly not! Indeed, let eGod be 2true but fevery man a liar. As it is written:
g“That You may be justified in Your words,
And may overcome when You are judged.”
Romans 3:21
God’s Righteousness Through Faith
21 But now uthe righteousness of God apart from the law is revealed, vbeing witnessed by the Law wand the Prophets,
Romans 4:25
25 cwho was delivered up because of our offenses, and dwas raised because of our justification.
Romans 5:18–19
18 Therefore, as through 8one man’s offense judgment came to all men, resulting in condemnation, even so through xone 9Man’s righteous act the free gift came yto all men, resulting in justification of life. 19 For as by one man’s disobedience many were made sinners, so also by zone Man’s obedience many will be made righteous.
Romans 6:10
10 For the death that He died, oHe died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, pHe lives to God.
Romans 7:5–6
5 For when we were in the flesh, the sinful passions which were aroused by the law ewere at work in our members fto bear fruit to death. 6 But now we have been delivered from the law, having died to what we were held by, so that we should serve gin the newness of the Spirit and not in the oldness of the letter.
Romans 7:18
18 For I know that pin me (that is, in my flesh) nothing good dwells; for to will is present with me, but how to perform what is good I do not find.
Romans 8:3–6
3 For ewhat the law could not do in that it was weak through the flesh, fGod did by sending His own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh, on account of sin: He condemned sin in the flesh, 4 that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who gdo not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. 5 For hthose who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, ithe things of the Spirit. 6 For jto be 2carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.
Romans 8:9
9 But you are not in the flesh but in the Spirit, if indeed the Spirit of God dwells in you. Now if anyone does not have the Spirit of Christ, he is not His.
Romans 8:11
11 But if the Spirit of mHim who raised Jesus from the dead dwells in you, nHe who raised Christ from the dead will also give life to your mortal bodies 4through His Spirit who dwells in you.
Romans 8:13
13 For pif you live according to the flesh you will die; but if by the Spirit you qput to death the deeds of the body, you will live.
Romans 8:32–33
32 wHe who did not spare His own Son, but xdelivered Him up for us all, how shall He not with Him also freely give us all things? 33 Who shall bring a charge against God’s elect? yIt is God who justifies.
Romans 8:38
38 For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor eprincipalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come,
Romans 9:5
5 jof whom are the fathers and from kwhom, according to the flesh, Christ came, lwho is over all, the eternally blessed God. Amen.
Romans 10:8–10
8 But what does it say? h“The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” (that is, the word of faith which we preach): 9 that iif you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.
Romans 10:12
12 For kthere is no distinction between Jew and Greek, for lthe same Lord over all mis rich to all who call upon Him.
Romans 10:14–15
Israel Rejects the Gospel
14 How then shall they call on Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear pwithout a preacher? 15 And how shall they preach unless they are sent? As it is written:
q“How beautiful are the feet of those who 2preach the gospel of peace,
Who bring glad tidings of good things!”
Romans 10:18
18 But I say, have they not heard? Yes indeed:
s“Their sound has gone out to all the earth,
tAnd their words to the ends of the world.”
Romans 11:25
25 For I do not desire, brethren, that you should be ignorant of this mystery, lest you should be awise in your own 6opinion, that bblindness in part has happened to Israel cuntil the fullness of the Gentiles has come in.
Romans 14:9–11
9 For jto this end Christ died 2and rose and lived again, that He might be kLord of both the dead and the living. 10 But why do you judge your brother? Or why do you show contempt for your brother? For lwe shall all stand before the judgment seat of 3Christ. 11 For it is written:
m“As I live, says the LORD,
Every knee shall bow to Me,
And every tongue shall confess to God.”
Romans 15:9
9 and lthat the Gentiles might glorify God for His mercy, as it is written:
m“For this reason I will confess to You among the Gentiles,
And sing to Your name.”
Romans 16:25–26
Benediction
25 7Now ato Him who is able to establish you baccording to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, caccording to the revelation of the mystery dkept secret since the world began 26 but enow made manifest, and by the prophetic Scriptures made known to all nations, according to the commandment of the everlasting God, for fobedience to the faith—
1 Corinthians 1:23
23 but we preach Christ crucified, jto the Jews a 9stumbling block and to the 1Greeks kfoolishness,
1 Corinthians 1:30
30 But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who became for us wisdom from God—and prighteousness and sanctification and redemption—
1 Corinthians 2:4
4 And my speech and my preaching dwere not with persuasive words of 2human wisdom, ebut in demonstration of the Spirit and of power,
1 Corinthians 2:7–8
7 But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, the hidden wisdom which God 3ordained before the ages for our glory, 8 which none of the rulers of this age knew; for ghad they known, they would not have hcrucified the Lord of glory.
1 Corinthians 2:11–12
11 For what man knows the things of a man except the kspirit of the man which is in him? lEven so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but mthe Spirit who is from God, that we might know the things that have been freely given to us by God.
1 Corinthians 3:11
11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than nthat which is laid, owhich is Jesus Christ.
1 Corinthians 3:16
16 rDo you not know that you are the temple of God and that the Spirit of God dwells in you?
1 Corinthians 4:9
9 For I think that God has displayed us, the apostles, last, as men condemned to death; for we have been made a ispectacle 5to the world, both to angels and to men.
1 Corinthians 5:5
5 gdeliver such a one to hSatan for the destruction of the flesh, that his spirit may be saved in the day of the Lord 3Jesus.
1 Corinthians 6:11
11 And such were fsome of you. gBut you were washed, but you were 4sanctified, but you were justified in the name of the Lord Jesus and by the Spirit of our God.
1 Corinthians 6:16–17
16 Or do you not know that he who is joined to a harlot is one body with her? For p“the two,” He says, “shall become one flesh.” 17 qBut he who is joined to the Lord is one spirit with Him.
1 Corinthians 7:37
37 Nevertheless he who stands steadfast in his heart, having no necessity, but has power over his own will, and has so determined in his heart that he will keep his 5virgin, does well.
1 Corinthians 9:27
27 oBut I discipline my body and pbring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become qdisqualified.
1 Corinthians 11:34
34 But if anyone is hungry, let him eat at home, lest you come together for judgment. And the rest I will set in order when I come.
1 Corinthians 14:25–26
25 7And thus the secrets of his heart are revealed; and so, falling down on his face, he will worship God and report qthat God is truly among you.
Order in Church Meetings
26 How is it then, brethren? Whenever you come together, each of you has a psalm, rhas a teaching, has a tongue, has a revelation, has an interpretation. sLet all things be done for 8edification.
1 Corinthians 15:3–8
3 For eI delivered to you first of all that fwhich I also received: that Christ died for our sins gaccording to the Scriptures, 4 and that He was buried, and that He rose again the third day haccording to the Scriptures, 5 iand that He was seen by 1Cephas, then jby the twelve. 6 After that He was seen by over five hundred brethren at once, of whom the greater part remain to the present, but some have 2fallen asleep. 7 After that He was seen by James, then kby all the apostles. 8 lThen last of all He was seen by me also, as by one born out of due time.
1 Corinthians 15:11–12
11 Therefore, whether it was I or they, so we preach and so you believed.
The Risen Christ, Our Hope
12 Now if Christ is preached that He has been raised from the dead, how do some among you say that there is no resurrection of the dead?
1 Corinthians 15:14
14 And if Christ is not risen, then our preaching is empty and your faith is also empty.
1 Corinthians 15:41
41 There is one glory of the sun, another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for one star differs from another star in glory.
1 Corinthians 15:43
43 tIt is sown in dishonor, it is raised in glory. It is sown in weakness, it is raised in power.
1 Corinthians 15:47
47 xThe first man was of the earth, ymade 9of dust; the second Man is 1the Lord zfrom heaven.
1 Corinthians 15:51
51 Behold, I tell you a 4mystery: eWe shall not all sleep, fbut we shall all be changed—
2 Corinthians 1:19
19 For xthe Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us—by me, ySilvanus, and zTimothy—was not Yes and No, abut in Him was Yes.
2 Corinthians 3:3
3 clearly you are an epistle of Christ, dministered by us, written not with ink but by the Spirit of the living God, not eon tablets of stone but fon tablets of flesh, that is, of the heart.
2 Corinthians 3:7–8
Glory of the New Covenant
7 But if nthe ministry of death, owritten and engraved on stones, was glorious, pso that the children of Israel could not look steadily at the face of Moses because of the glory of his countenance, which glory was passing away, 8 how will qthe ministry of the Spirit not be more glorious?
2 Corinthians 3:11
11 For if what is passing away was glorious, what remains is much more glorious.
2 Corinthians 3:16
16 Nevertheless wwhen one turns to the Lord, xthe veil is taken away.
2 Corinthians 3:18
18 But we all, with unveiled face, beholding aas in a mirror bthe glory of the Lord, care being transformed into the same image from glory to glory, just as 2by the Spirit of the Lord.
2 Corinthians 4:5–6
5 iFor we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and jourselves your bondservants for Jesus’ sake. 6 For it is the God kwho commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has lshone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.
2 Corinthians 5:19
19 that is, that xGod was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not 4imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
2 Corinthians 5:21
21 For zHe made Him who knew no sin to be sin for us, that we might become athe righteousness of God in Him.
2 Corinthians 6:16
16 And what agreement has the temple of God with idols? For syou 6are the temple of the living God. As God has said:
t“I will dwell in them
And walk among them.
I will be their God,
And they shall be My people.”
2 Corinthians 7:1
7 Therefore, ahaving these promises, beloved, let us cleanse ourselves from all filthiness of the flesh and spirit, perfecting holiness in the fear of God.
2 Corinthians 8:9
9 For you know the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, ithat though He was rich, yet for your sakes He became poor, that you through His poverty might become jrich.
2 Corinthians 10:3
3 For though we walk in the flesh, we do not war according to the flesh.
2 Corinthians 13:10
10 pTherefore I write these things being absent, lest being present I should use sharpness, according to the qauthority which the Lord has given me for edification and not for destruction.
Galatians 1:16
16 vto reveal His Son in me, that wI might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with xflesh and blood,
Galatians 2:2
2 And I went up 1by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but bprivately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means cI might run, or had run, in vain.
Galatians 2:8–9
8 (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the mcircumcised nalso oworked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), 9 and when James, 3Cephas, and John, who seemed to be ppillars, perceived qthe grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, rthat we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised.
Galatians 2:20
20 I have been hcrucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh iI live by faith in the Son of God, jwho loved me and gave Himself for me.
Galatians 3:3
3 Are you so foolish? bHaving begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by cthe flesh?
Galatians 3:26–28
Sons and Heirs
26 For you iare all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For jas many of you as were baptized into Christ khave put on Christ. 28 lThere is neither Jew nor Greek, mthere is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all none in Christ Jesus.
Galatians 4:3–4
3 Even so we, when we were children, awere in bondage under the elements of the world. 4 But bwhen the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, cborn 1 dof a woman, eborn under the law,
Galatians 4:9
9 But now lafter you have known God, or rather are known by God, mhow is it that you turn again to nthe weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?
Galatians 4:19
19 vMy little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you,
Galatians 4:29
29 But, as fhe who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, geven so it is now.
Galatians 5:16–24
Walking in the Spirit
16 I say then: uWalk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For vthe flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, wso that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But xif you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.
19 Now ythe works of the flesh are evident, which are: 4adultery, 5fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, 6murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that zthose who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.
22 But athe fruit of the Spirit is blove, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, cgoodness, dfaithfulness, 23 7gentleness, self-control. eAgainst such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s fhave crucified the flesh with its passions and desires.
Galatians 6:2
2 bBear one another’s burdens, and so fulfill cthe law of Christ.
Galatians 6:8
8 For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap keverlasting life.
Ephesians 1:3–14
Redemption in Christ
3 aBlessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly places in Christ, 4 just as bHe chose us in Him cbefore the foundation of the world, that we should dbe holy and without blame before Him in love, 5 ehaving predestined us to fadoption as sons by Jesus Christ to Himself, gaccording to the good pleasure of His will, 6 to the praise of the glory of His grace, hby which He 1made us accepted in ithe Beloved.
7 jIn Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins, according to kthe riches of His grace 8 which He made to abound toward us in all wisdom and 2prudence, 9 lhaving made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His good pleasure mwhich He purposed in Himself, 10 that in the dispensation of nthe fullness of the times oHe might gather together in one pall things in Christ, 3both which are in heaven and which are on earth—in Him. 11 qIn Him also we have obtained an inheritance, being predestined according to rthe purpose of Him who works all things according to the counsel of His will, 12 sthat we twho first trusted in Christ should be to the praise of His glory.
13 In Him you also trusted, after you heard uthe word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, vyou were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, 14 wwho 4is the 5guarantee of our inheritance xuntil the redemption of ythe purchased possession, zto the praise of His glory.
Ephesians 1:20–23
20 which He worked in Christ when hHe raised Him from the dead and iseated Him at His right hand in the heavenly places, 21 jfar above all kprincipality 7and 8power and 9might and dominion, and every name that is named, not only in this age but also in that which is to come.
22 And lHe put all things under His feet, and gave Him mto be head over all things to the church, 23 nwhich is His body, othe fullness of Him pwho fills all in all.
Ephesians 2:6–7
6 and raised us up together, and made us sit together min the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, 7 that in the ages to come He might show the exceeding riches of His grace in nHis kindness toward us in Christ Jesus.
Ephesians 2:11
Brought Near by His Blood
11 Therefore remember that you, once Gentiles in the flesh—who are called Uncircumcision by what is called uthe Circumcision made in the flesh by hands—
Ephesians 2:14
Christ Our Peace
14 For He Himself is our peace, who has made both one, and has broken down the middle wall of separation,
Ephesians 2:19–22
Christ Our Cornerstone
19 Now, therefore, you are no longer strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints and members of the household of God, 20 having been abuilt bon the foundation of the capostles and prophets, Jesus Christ Himself being dthe chief cornerstone, 21 in whom the whole building, being fitted together, grows into ea holy temple in the Lord, 22 fin whom you also are being built together for a gdwelling place of God in the Spirit.
Ephesians 3:3–11
3 bhow that by revelation cHe made known to me the mystery (as I have briefly written already, 4 by which, when you read, you may understand my knowledge in the mystery of Christ), 5 which in other ages was not made known to the sons of men, as it has now been revealed by the Spirit to His holy apostles and prophets: 6 that the Gentiles dshould be fellow heirs, of the same body, and partakers of His promise in Christ through the gospel, 7 eof which I became a minister faccording to the gift of the grace of God given to me by gthe effective working of His power.
Purpose of the Mystery
8 To me, hwho am less than the least of all the saints, this grace was given, that I should preach among the Gentiles ithe unsearchable riches of Christ, 9 and to make all see what is the 2fellowship of the mystery, which from the beginning of the ages has been hidden in God who jcreated all things 3through Jesus Christ; 10 kto the intent that now lthe 4manifold wisdom of God might be made known by the church mto the 5principalities and powers in the heavenly places, 11 naccording to the eternal purpose which He accomplished in Christ Jesus our Lord,
Ephesians 3:18–19
18 xmay be able to comprehend with all the saints ywhat is the width and length and depth and height—19 to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled zwith all the fullness of God.
Ephesians 4:7–10
Spiritual Gifts
7 But ito each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Christ’s gift. 8 Therefore He says:
j“When He ascended on high,
He led captivity captive,
And gave gifts to men.”
9 k(Now this, “He ascended”—what does it mean but that He also 4first descended into the lower parts of the earth? 10 He who descended is also the One lwho ascended far above all the heavens, mthat He might fill all things.)
Ephesians 5:14
14 Therefore He says:
t“Awake, you who sleep,
Arise from the dead,
And Christ will give you light.”
Ephesians 5:19
19 speaking to one another bin psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making cmelody in your heart to the Lord,
Ephesians 5:32
32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church.
Ephesians 6:12
12 For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against mprincipalities, against powers, against nthe rulers of 3the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places.
Ephesians 6:19
19 and for me, that utterance may be given to me, zthat I may open my mouth boldly to make known the mystery of the gospel,
Philippians 1:15
15 Some indeed preach Christ even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill:
Philippians 1:19
To Live is Christ
19 For I know that ithis will turn out for my deliverance through your prayer and the supply of the Spirit of Jesus Christ,
Philippians 1:22
22 But if I live on in the flesh, this will mean fruit from my labor; yet what I shall choose I 4cannot tell.
Philippians 1:24
24 Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you.
Philippians 2:5–11
The Humbled and Exalted Christ
5 iLet this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, 6 who, jbeing in the form of God, did not consider it 2robbery to be equal with God, 7 kbut 3made Himself of no reputation, taking the form lof a bondservant, and mcoming in the likeness of men. 8 And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and nbecame oobedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. 9 pTherefore God also qhas highly exalted Him and rgiven Him the name which is above every name, 10 sthat at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, 11 and tthat every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
Philippians 2:15
15 that you may become blameless and 6harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as blights in the world,
Philippians 3:3
3 For we are ethe circumcision, fwho worship 1God in the Spirit, rejoice in Christ Jesus, and have no confidence in the flesh,
Philippians 4:19
19 And my God bshall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus.
Colossians 1:6
6 which has come to you, has it has also in all the world, and iis bringing forth 2fruit, as it is also among you since the day you heard and knew jthe grace of God in truth;
Colossians 1:15–20
15 He is dthe image of the invisible God, ethe firstborn over all creation. 16 For fby Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or gdominions or 5principalities or 6powers. All things were created hthrough Him and for Him. 17 iAnd He is before all things, and in Him jall things consist. 18 And kHe is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, lthe firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence.
Reconciled in Christ
19 For it pleased the Father that min Him all the fullness should dwell, 20 and nby Him to reconcile oall things to Himself, by Him, whether things on earth or things in heaven, phaving made peace through the blood of His cross.
Colossians 1:22–23
22 tin the body of His flesh through death, uto present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight—23 if indeed you continue vin the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are wnot moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard, xwhich was preached to every creature under heaven, yof which I, Paul, became a minister.
Colossians 1:26–27
26 ethe 8mystery which has been hidden from ages and from generations, fbut now has been revealed to His saints. 27 gTo them God willed to make known what are hthe riches of the glory of this mystery among the Gentiles: 9which is iChrist in you, jthe hope of glory.
Colossians 2:1–3
Not Philosophy But Christ
2 For I want you to know what a great aconflict 1I have for you and those in Laodicea, and for as many as have not seen my face in the flesh, 2 that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, and attaining to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the knowledge of the mystery of God, 2both of the Father and of Christ, 3 bin whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge.
Colossians 2:5
5 For dthough I am absent in the flesh, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing 3to see eyour good order and the fsteadfastness of your faith in Christ.
Colossians 2:8–10
8 Beware lest anyone 5cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to ithe tradition of men, according to the jbasic principles of the world, and not according to Christ. 9 For kin Him dwells all the fullness of the Godhead 6bodily; 10 and you are complete in Him, who is the lhead of all 7principality and power.
Colossians 2:15–23
15 sHaving disarmed tprincipalities and powers, He made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them in it.
16 So let no one ujudge you in food or in drink, or regarding a 1festival or a new moon or sabbaths, 17 vwhich are a shadow of things to come, but the 2substance is of Christ. 18 Let no one cheat you of your reward, taking delight in false humility and worship of angels, intruding into those things which he has 3not seen, vainly puffed up by his fleshly mind, 19 and not holding fast to wthe Head, from whom all the body, nourished and knit together by joints and ligaments, xgrows with the increase that is from God.
20 4Therefore, if you ydied with Christ from the basic principles of the world, zwhy, as though living in the world, do you subject yourselves to regulations—21 a“Do not touch, do not taste, do not handle,” 22 which all concern things which perish with the using—baccording to the commandments and doctrines of men? 23 cThese things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and 5neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.
Colossians 3:4
4 fWhen Christ who is gour life appears, then you also will appear with Him in hglory.
Colossians 3:16
16 Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly in all wisdom, teaching and admonishing one another fin psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with grace in your hearts to the Lord.
Colossians 4:3
3 dmeanwhile praying also for us, that God would eopen to us a door for the word, to speak fthe 1mystery of Christ, gfor which I am also in chains,
1 Thessalonians 1:9
9 For they themselves declare concerning us nwhat manner of entry we had to you, oand how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God,
1 Thessalonians 4:16
16 For zthe Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with athe trumpet of God. bAnd the dead in Christ will rise first.
2 Thessalonians 1:7
7 and to give you who are troubled hrest with us when ithe Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels,
2 Thessalonians 1:10
10 when He comes, in that Day, lto be mglorified in His saints and to be admired among all those who 4believe, because our testimony among you was believed.
2 Thessalonians 2:7
7 For ithe 4mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only 5He who now restrains will do so until 5He is taken out of the way.
1 Timothy 1:2–3
2 To Timothy, a atrue son in the faith:
bGrace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
No Other Doctrine
3 As I urged you cwhen I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may 1charge some dthat they teach no other doctrine,
1 Timothy 1:11
11 according to the glorious gospel of the jblessed God which was kcommitted to my trust.
1 Timothy 1:15–2:2
15 sThis is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that tChrist Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. 17 Now to uthe King eternal, vimmortal, winvisible, to 5God xwho alone is wise, ybe honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Fight the Good Fight
18 This 6charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, 20 of whom are zHymenaeus and aAlexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to bblaspheme.
Pray for All Men
2 Therefore I 1exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 afor kings and ball who are in 2authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and 3reverence.
1 Timothy 2:4–7
4 ewho desires all men to be saved fand to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 gFor there is one God and hone Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 iwho gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 7 jfor which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth 4in Christ and not lying—ka teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
1 Timothy 2:10
10 obut, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.
1 Timothy 2:12
12 And pI do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.
1 Timothy 3:2
2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;
1 Timothy 3:4–5
4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?);
1 Timothy 3:9
9 holding the 6mystery of the faith with a pure conscience.
1 Timothy 3:12–13
12 Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For those who have served well as deacons cobtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
1 Timothy 4:2
2 bspeaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience cseared with a hot iron,
1 Timothy 4:7–8
7 But ereject profane and old wives’ fables, and fexercise yourself toward godliness. 8 For gbodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, hhaving promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.
1 Timothy 4:10
10 For to this end 3we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, iwho is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe.
1 Timothy 4:13
13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to 6doctrine.
1 Timothy 4:16
16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.
1 Timothy 5:21
21 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the 7elect angels that you observe these things without iprejudice, doing nothing with partiality.
1 Timothy 6:3
Error and Greed
3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to bwholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, cand to the 1doctrine which accords with godliness,
1 Timothy 6:5–7
5 2useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. 3From dsuch withdraw yourself.
6 Now godliness with econtentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, 4and it is fcertain we can carry nothing out.
1 Timothy 6:11–12
The Good Confession
11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
1 Timothy 6:15–16
15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only 5Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in iunapproachable light, jwhom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.
2 Timothy 1:10–11
10 but ohas now been revealed by the appearing of our Savior Jesus Christ, who has abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, 11 pto which I was appointed a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher 3of the Gentiles.
2 Timothy 1:14
14 That good thing which was committed to you, keep by the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.
2 Timothy 1:16
16 The Lord grant mercy to the uhousehold of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain;
2 Timothy 2:8
8 Remember that Jesus Christ, hof the seed of David, iwas raised from the dead jaccording to my gospel,
2 Timothy 2:11–13
11 This is a faithful saying:
For pif we died with Him,
We shall also live with Him.
12 qIf we endure,
We shall also reign with Him.
rIf we deny Him,
He also will deny us.
13 If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He scannot deny Himself.
2 Timothy 2:15
15 uBe diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
2 Timothy 2:19–20
19 Nevertheless xthe solid foundation of God stands, having this seal: “The Lord yknows those who are His,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of 7Christ depart from iniquity.”
20 But in a great house there are not only zvessels of gold and silver, but also of wood and clay, some for honor and some for dishonor.
2 Timothy 3:5
5 chaving a form of godliness but ddenying its power. And efrom such people turn away!
2 Timothy 3:12
12 Yes, and qall who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
2 Timothy 4:2
2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season. cConvince, drebuke, eexhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.
2 Timothy 4:11
11 Only Luke is with me. Get tMark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for ministry.
2 Timothy 4:17
The Lord is Faithful
17 xBut the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, yso that the message might be preached fully through me, and that all the Gentiles might hear. Also I was delivered zout of the mouth of the lion.
Titus 1:1
Greeting
1 Paul, a bondservant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect and athe acknowledgment of the truth bwhich accords with godliness,
Titus 1:3–4
3 but has in due time manifested His word through preaching, which was committed to me according to the commandment of God our Savior;
4 To dTitus, a true son in our common faith:
Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and 1the Lord Jesus Christ our Savior.
Titus 1:11
11 whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole households, teaching things which they ought not, ifor the sake of dishonest gain.
Titus 2:11–14
Trained by Saving Grace
11 For gthe grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, 12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 hlooking for the blessed ihope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 jwho gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed kand purify for Himself lHis own special people, zealous for good works.
Titus 3:4–5
4 But when dthe kindness and the love of eGod our Savior toward man appeared, 5 fnot by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through gthe washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
Titus 3:7
7 that having been justified by His grace iwe should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Philemon 16
16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the iflesh and in the Lord.
Hebrews 1:1–4
God’s Supreme Revelation
1 God, who 1at various times and ain various ways spoke in time past to the fathers by the prophets, 2 has in these last days spoken to us by His Son, whom He has appointed heir of all things, through whom also He made the 2worlds; 3 bwho being the brightness of His glory and the express cimage of His person, and dupholding all things by the word of His power, ewhen He had 3by Himself 4purged 5our sins, fsat down at the right hand of the Majesty on high, 4 having become so much better than the angels, as gHe has by inheritance obtained a more excellent name than they.
Hebrews 1:6
6 But when He again brings jthe firstborn into the world, He says:
k“Let all the angels of God worship Him.”
Hebrews 2:9–14
9 But we see Jesus, nwho was made 6a little lower than the angels, for the suffering of death ocrowned with glory and honor, that He, by the grace of God, might taste death pfor everyone.
Bringing Many Sons to Glory
10 For it was fitting for Him, qfor whom are all things and by whom are all things, in bringing many sons to glory, to make the captain of their salvation rperfect through sufferings. 11 For sboth He who 7sanctifies and those who are being sanctified tare all of one, for which reason uHe is not ashamed to call them brethren, 12 saying:
v“I will declare Your name to My brethren;
In the midst of the assembly I will sing praise to You.”
13 And again:
w“I will put My trust in Him.”
And again:
x“Here am I and the children whom God has given Me.”
14 Inasmuch then as the children have partaken of flesh and blood, He yHimself likewise shared in the same, zthat through death He might destroy him who had the power of adeath, that is, the devil,
Hebrews 3:5–6
5 dAnd Moses indeed was faithful in all His house as ea servant, ffor a testimony of those things which would be spoken afterward, 6 but Christ as ga Son over His own house, hwhose house we are iif we hold fast the confidence and the rejoicing of the hope 1firm to the end.
Hebrews 4:15
15 For pwe do not have a High Priest who cannot sympathize with our weaknesses, but qwas in all points tempted as we are, ryet without sin.
Hebrews 5:7
7 who, in the days of His flesh, when He had hoffered up prayers and supplications, iwith vehement cries and tears to Him jwho was able to save Him from death, and was heard kbecause of His godly fear,
Hebrews 5:9
9 And mhaving been perfected, He became the author of eternal salvation to all who obey Him,
Hebrews 7:7
7 Now beyond all contradiction the lesser is blessed by the better.
Hebrews 7:26
26 For such a High Priest was fitting for us, rwho is holy, 9harmless, undefiled, separate from sinners, sand has become higher than the heavens;
Hebrews 8:1
The New Priestly Service
8 Now this is the main point of the things we are saying: We have such a High Priest, awho is seated at the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens,
Hebrews 9:14
14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal Spirit offered Himself without 6spot to God, xcleanse your conscience from ydead works zto serve the living God?
Hebrews 9:26
26 He then would have had to suffer often since the foundation of the world; but now, once at the end of the ages, He has appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself.
Hebrews 9:28
28 so rChrist was soffered once to bear the sins tof many. To those who ueagerly wait for Him He will appear a second time, apart from sin, for salvation.
Hebrews 10:20
20 by a new and oliving way which He consecrated for us, through the veil, that is, His flesh,
Hebrews 12:2
2 looking unto Jesus, the 1author and 2finisher of our faith, dwho for the joy that was set before Him eendured the cross, despising the shame, and fhas sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:9
9 Furthermore, we have had human fathers who corrected us, and we paid them respect. Shall we not much more readily be in subjection to othe Father of spirits and live?
Hebrews 13:2–3
2 bDo not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing csome have unwittingly entertained angels. 3 dRemember the prisoners as if chained with them—those who are mistreated—since you yourselves are in the body also.
1 Peter 1:8–10
8 twhom having not 4seen you love. uThough now you do not see Him, yet believing, you rejoice with joy inexpressible and full of glory, 9 receiving the end of your faith—the salvation of your souls.
10 Of this salvation the prophets have inquired and searched carefully, who prophesied of the grace that would come to you,
1 Peter 1:12
12 To them it was revealed that, not to themselves, but to 5us they were ministering the things which now have been reported to you through those who have preached the gospel to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven—things which wangels desire to look into.
1 Peter 1:20
20 dHe indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was 8manifest ein these last times for you
1 Peter 2:5
5 you also, as living stones, are being built up a spiritual house, a holy priesthood, to offer up spiritual sacrifices acceptable to God through Jesus Christ.
1 Peter 2:21–24
21 For wto this you were called, because Christ also suffered for 5us, xleaving 6us an example, that you should follow His steps:
22 “Who ycommitted no sin,
Nor was deceit found in His mouth”;
23 zwho, when He was reviled, did not revile in return; when He suffered, He did not threaten, but acommitted Himself to Him who judges righteously; 24 bwho Himself bore our sins in His own body on the tree, cthat we, having died to sins, might live for righteousness—dby whose 7stripes you were healed.
1 Peter 3:18–4:1
Christ’s Suffering and Ours
18 For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring 6us to God, being put to death in the flesh but made alive by the Spirit, 19 by whom also He went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20 who formerly were disobedient, 7when once the Divine longsuffering waited in the days of Noah, while the ark was being prepared, in which a few, that is, eight souls, were saved through water. 21 yThere is also an antitype which now saves us—baptism z(not the removal of the filth of the flesh, abut the answer of a good conscience toward God), through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who has gone into heaven and bis at the right hand of God, cangels and authorities and powers having been made subject to Him.
4 Therefore, since Christ suffered 1for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind, for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin,
1 Peter 4:17
17 For the time has come rfor judgment to begin at the house of God; and if it begins with us first, swhat will be the end of those who do not obey the gospel of God?
1 Peter 5:4
4 and when ithe Chief Shepherd appears, you will receive jthe crown of glory that does not fade away.
2 Peter 1:3
3 as His ddivine power has given to us all things that pertain to life and godliness, through the knowledge of Him ewho called us by glory and virtue,
1 John 1:1–2
What Was Heard, Seen, and Touched
1 That awhich was from the beginning, which we have heard, which we have bseen with our eyes, cwhich we have looked upon, and dour hands have handled, concerning the eWord of life—2 fthe life gwas manifested, and we have seen, hand bear witness, and declare to you that eternal life which was iwith the Father and was manifested to us—
1 John 1:9
9 If we qconfess our sins, He is rfaithful and just to forgive us our sins and to scleanse us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 2:1
2 My little children, these things I write to you, so that you may not sin. And if anyone sins, awe have an Advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.
1 John 2:15
Do Not Love the World
15 vDo not love the world or the things in the world. wIf anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him.
1 John 3:2
2 Beloved, dnow we are children of God; and eit has not yet been revealed what we shall be, but we know that when He is revealed, fwe shall be like Him, for gwe shall see Him as He is.
1 John 3:5
5 And you know jthat He was manifested kto take away our sins, and lin Him there is no sin.
1 John 3:8
8 mHe who sins is of the devil, for the devil has sinned from the beginning. For this purpose the Son of God was manifested, nthat He might destroy the works of the devil.
1 John 4:1–3
4 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but atest the spirits, whether they are of God; because bmany false prophets have gone out into the world. 2 By this you know the Spirit of God: cEvery spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God, 3 and every spirit that does not confess 1that Jesus 2Christ has come in the flesh is not of God. And this is the spirit of the Antichrist, which you have heard was coming, and is now already in the world.
1 John 5:6–8
The Certainty of God’s Witness
6 This is He who came iby water and blood—Jesus Christ; not only by water, but by water and blood. jAnd it is the Spirit who bears witness, because the Spirit is truth. 7 For there are three that bear witness 2in heaven: the Father, kthe Word, and the Holy Spirit; land these three are one. 8 And there are three that bear witness on earth: mthe Spirit, the water, and the blood; and these three agree as one.
1 John 5:19–20
19 We know that we are of God, and zthe whole world lies under the sway of the wicked one.
20 And we know that the aSon of God has come and bhas given us an understanding, cthat we may know Him who is true; and we are in Him who is true, in His Son Jesus Christ. dThis is the true God eand eternal life.
2 John 7
Beware of Antichrist Deceivers
7 For gmany deceivers have gone out into the world hwho do not confess Jesus Christ as coming in the flesh. iThis is a deceiver and an antichrist.
Revelation 1:10
10 yI was in the Spirit on zthe Lord’s Day, and I heard behind me aa loud voice, as of a trumpet,
Revelation 1:17–18
17 And nwhen I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But oHe laid His right hand on me, saying 9to me, “Do not be afraid; pI am the First and the Last. 18 qI am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, rI am alive forevermore. Amen. And sI have the keys of 1Hades and of Death.
Revelation 3:12
12 He who overcomes, I will make him ca pillar in the temple of My God, and he shall dgo out no more. eI will write on him the name of My God and the name of the city of My God, the fNew Jerusalem, which gcomes down out of heaven from My God. hAnd I will write on him My new name.
Revelation 7:9
A Multitude from the Great Tribulation
9 After these things I looked, and behold, ha great multitude which no one could number, iof all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, jclothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands,
Revelation 17:5
5 And on her forehead a name was written:
nMYSTERY,
BABYLON THE GREAT,
THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND OF THE ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH
Revelation 17:7
The Meaning of the Woman and the Beast
7 But the angel said to me, “Why did you marvel? I will tell you the 3mystery of the woman and of the beast that carries her, which has the seven heads and the ten horns.