Early Church and Epistles

「Take heed lest there shall be any one that maketh spoil of you through his philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ:」

The living and everlasting God, the object of Tobit's praise, emphasizing God's eternity and sovereignty.

How is Romans 8:28 'all things work together for good' real in suffering?

God's 'working together' in brokenness often demands a long view.

「To which end we also pray always for you, that our God may count you worthy of your calling, and fulfil every desire of goodness and every work of faith, with power;」

Spiritual gifts given by the ascended Christ to the church for building up the body.

How should the Reformed doctrine of biblical inerrancy be responsibly interpreted amid historical and literary diversity?

Inerrancy does not erase genre, history, or progressive revelation.

「But Tychicus I sent to Ephesus.」

The divine promise given to Abraham and the patriarchs, forming the basis of the life of faith and pointing to the future heavenly city and eternal inheritance.

What is the dialectic between grace and works?

The rich meaning of salvation by grace in Ephesians

「For the mind of the flesh is death; but the mind of the Spirit is life and peace:」

Believers are raised with Christ and seated with Him, seeking heavenly things since their life is hidden with Christ in God.

Does Ephesians 2:8-9’s “grace through faith” exclude any role for works in salvation?

How can grace be both freely given and require response?

「As also the high priest doth bear me witness, and all the estate of the elders: from whom also I received letters unto the brethren, and journeyed to Damascus to bring them also that were there unto Jerusalem in bonds to be punished.」

God's act of raising Christ to the highest position, giving him the name above all names.

How does Scripture function as an authority in your life?

'All Scripture is God-breathed'—in a questioning age, what does this mean for believers?

「To him therefore that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.」

A spiritual discipline paired with prayer and almsgiving, signifying humility and dependence on God.

What continuity exists between Pentecost and believers' experience today?

Is the Spirit's work in apostolic times continuous with today?

「and delivered righteous Lot, sore distressed by the lascivious life of the wicked」

Liberation from sin and forgiveness through Christ's blood sacrifice.

What does biblical inerrancy mean, and how do we account for diverse literary styles?

Faithful to the text and its genres—the interpretive balance.

「all her lanes will cry ‘Hallelujah!’ and will give praise, saying, ‘Blessed is God, who has exalted you for ever.’”」

Speech marked by grace and seasoned with wisdom, symbolizing purity, preservation, and edifying power of Christian words.

In Ephesians 2:8-9, if salvation is 'by grace,' why emphasize it is 'not from yourselves'?

The relationship between divine grace and human responsibility

「Hereby know ye the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesseth that Jesus Christ is come in the flesh is of God:」

Moral uprightness according to God's will, linked with almsgiving and prayer, leading to fullness of life.

Does Ephesians 2:8-9 on justification by faith exclude the role of works?

Faith is the start, not the finish—genuine faith inevitably bears fruit.

「Do all things without murmurings and questionings:」

Human beings are made after the likeness of God. To curse fellow image-bearers while blessing God reveals an inconsistency that ought not to be.

How do you understand 'faith without works is dead'?

James says 'faith without works is dead'—does this contradict Paul, or complete his teaching?

「They were both alarmed; and they fell upon their faces, for they were afraid.」

The tenth Abraham gave to Melchizedek, demonstrating Melchizedek's superiority over the Levitical priesthood.

Why did the Holy Spirit descend on the fiftieth day, exactly ten days after Jesus' ascension?

Jesus told the disciples to wait, and on the day of Pentecost the Spirit came as tongues of fire and they began speaking in other languages.

「for, Whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.」

Christ, made perfect through suffering, becomes the source of eternal salvation for all who obey Him, bestowing everlasting redemption.

Does Ephesians 2:8-9 on justification by faith exclude the role of works?

Faith is the start, not the finish—genuine faith inevitably bears fruit.

「holding a form of godliness, but having denied the power thereof: from these also turn away.」

Healthy, correct teaching according to Scripture, essential for church leadership and refuting falsehood, emphasized in Titus.

Is "justification by faith" contradicted by James's "justification by works"?

How do we reconcile the Reformers' core doctrine with the Epistle of James?

「For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection;」

God's sovereign choice before creation to adopt believers as sons in Christ.

What is the dialectic between grace and works?

The rich meaning of salvation by grace in Ephesians

「For this cause we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray and make request for you, that ye may be filled with the knowledge of his will in all spiritual wisdom and understanding,」

Title for Jesus Christ and God the Father, indicating the source and agent of salvation, used frequently in Titus.

How do you understand 'faith without works is dead'?

James says 'faith without works is dead'—does this contradict Paul, or complete his teaching?

「For from you hath sounded forth the word of the Lord, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place your faith to God-ward is gone forth; so that we need not to speak anything.」

The altar of Christian worship, symbolizing Christ's sacrifice surpassing the rituals of the Old Testament tabernacle.

What does biblical inerrancy mean, and how do we account for diverse literary styles?

Faithful to the text and its genres—the interpretive balance.

「The Lord grant mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus: for he oft refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chain;」

God's unmerited favor that establishes the heart, not through external dietary rituals.

Does James 2:24 contradict justification by faith?

Catholicism emphasizes the cooperation of faith and works, and this passage is a key support.

「For I verily, being absent in body but present in spirit, have already as though I were present judged him that hath so wrought this thing,」

The great cloud of faith heroes whose testimony surrounds believers, inspiring perseverance in the race of faith set before us.

Where does the Bible's authority come from?

2 Timothy on Scripture as God-breathed

「But the Lord is faithful, who shall establish you, and guard you from the evil one.」

God's unveiling of hidden truth, especially the gospel mystery to apostles and prophets.

Is "justification by faith" contradicted by James's "justification by works"?

How do we reconcile the Reformers' core doctrine with the Epistle of James?

「Or did I commit a sin in abasing myself that ye might be exalted, because I preached to you the gospel of God for nought?」

Paul's imprisonment for the sake of proclaiming the mystery of Christ, showing suffering and sacrifice often accompany gospel ministry.

Is salvation by grace alone, or also through our works?

'By grace you have been saved'—how does this verse address the long debate over works and faith?

「If the whole body were an eye, where were the hearing? If the whole were hearing, where were the smelling?」

Christ is the exact imprint of God's substance, precisely expressing the essence and attributes of God.

Which better discerns God's will—personal Bible reading or communal study?

Tension and complementarity between meditation and community.

「Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.」

In Johannine epistles, the divine reality that believers are to love, follow, and testify to, central to Christian life.

Do 2 Timothy 3:16-17 support 'Sola Scriptura'?

Key verses for sufficiency of Scripture, but what role do tradition and reason play in Reformation debates?

「And after they had held their peace, James answered, saying, Brethren, hearken unto me:」

The new covenant established by God with His people, characterized by internalized law and forgiveness, superseding the old.

Does the Eucharist repeat the sacrifice of Christ?

Examining the institution of the Lord's Supper in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 and the nature of the sacrifice in Catholic Eucharist.

「beseeching us with much entreaty in regard of this grace and the fellowship in the ministering to the saints:」

The act of lovingkindness to strangers, which may unknowingly serve angels and reflect God's grace.

In 1 Corinthians 13, every description of love is in the present tense in Greek — what kind of love is this?

Greek love-verbs stay in the present — what does this imply for daily practice?