Love does no evil to a neighbor; therefore love is the fulfillment of the law. Truth to Learn Unselfish love is what God wants from us. Behind the Words “Love” is translated from agape, which refers to “good will” or “benevolence.” In other words, it refers to acts of...
Romans 12:21 – Good Versus Evil
Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good. Truth to Learn The proper way for a Christian to combat evil is with good. Behind the Words The word translated “overcome” is nikaō, a verb form of the noun nikē, which refers to “a conquest or victory.”...
Romans 12:17 – Reactive or Proactive?
Repay no one evil for evil, giving thought to do what is good in the sight of all men. Truth to Learn We should be benevolently proactive, not selfishly reactive. Behind the Words The word translated “repay” is apodidomi, which is a compound word made up of apo, meaning...
Romans 12:9 – Sacrificial Evidence
Let love be sincere. Abhor what is evil. Cling to what is good. Truth to Learn Here is the evidence of a living sacrifice. Behind the Words The word translated “sincere” is the Greek word anupokritos, which is a compound word made up of a, meaning “without” and a...
Romans 7:21 – The “Badness” Law
I find then a law, when I desire to do what is right, that evil is present with me. Truth to Learn There is a “law of sin” that can control our actions. Behind the Words The word translated “a law” is the Greek word nomos, which means “something...
Romans 7:19 – Surrender to Him
For the good that I determine to do, I do not do; but the evil I determine to not do, that I practice. Truth to Learn Overcoming our enemy, our sin nature, is not ours to do. Behind the Words Back in verse sixteen we looked at the word...
Romans 2:9 – Payment for Worthless Deeds
tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who accomplishes evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; Truth to Learn Tribulation and anguish are coming to those who reject God. Behind the Words The words “tribulation and anguish” are interesting in that, for three of the...
1 Peter 3:11 – In Pursuit of Peace
Let him turn away from evil and do good; let him seek peace and pursue it. Truth to Learn Peter commands us to turn completely away from evil, doing good instead. He also admonishes us to pursue peace with a vengeance. Behind the Words The words “turn away” are...
1 Peter 3:9 – Blessings for Insults
not returning evil for evil or insult for insult, but on the contrary blessing, because you were called to this, that you may inherit a blessing. Truth to Learn The proper response when someone insults you is to bless them. Behind the Words The word translated “returning” is the...
1 Peter 2:16 – Free to Submit
as free, yet not having freedom as a cloak of evil, but as bondservants of God. Truth to Learn We are free from the penalty of sin, but we are God’s servants. Behind the Words The word translated “free” is eleutheros, meaning “unrestrained” or “able to move about freely.”...