Ephesus/Corinth/Athens

「For though I was free from all men, I brought myself under bondage to all, that I might gain the more.」

Believers are called to imitate God's holiness and love, as beloved children.

How does Paul in Romans argue the relationship between justification by faith and the old law?

Are faith and law opposed or complementary?

「The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the communion of the Holy Spirit, be with you all.」

A demonic entity that troubles people; in Tobit it is driven away by smoke from fish organs, showing God's power over evil.

Where does the Bible's authority come from?

2 Timothy on Scripture as God-breathed

「One man hath faith to eat all things: but he that is weak eateth herbs.」

God's presence and favor; turning away His face signifies blessing or rejection, linked to one's treatment of the poor.

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?

「But now abideth faith, hope, love, these three; and the greatest of these is love.」

Believers are rooted and built up in Christ, established in faith, and abounding in thanksgiving as they were taught.

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.

「And if the ear shall say, Because I am not the eye, I am not of the body; it is not therefore not of the body.」

Trust and loyalty toward the Lord Jesus and the saints, foundational to Christian belief and fellowship.

Does 'justification by faith' mean works are completely irrelevant?

Romans 3:28 is a core Protestant doctrine, often misinterpreted as excluding all works.

「yea, we ourselves have had the sentence of death within ourselves, that we should not trust in ourselves, but in God who raiseth the dead:」

Persistent devotion to prayer, combined with watchfulness and thanksgiving, a key spiritual discipline Paul emphasizes for the Colossian believers.

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

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

「and being made free from sin, ye became servants of righteousness.」

The revealed mystery of God is Christ Himself, in whom all treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden.

How does Paul in Romans argue the relationship between justification by faith and the old law?

Are faith and law opposed or complementary?

「that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God.」

The new self, being renewed in knowledge after the image of the Creator, replacing the old self and its deeds.

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?

「nor thieves, nor covetous, nor drunkards, nor revilers, nor extortioners, shall inherit the kingdom of God.」

The Holy Spirit's act of renewing the soul, central to salvation, referred to as 'washing of regeneration' in Titus.

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?

「He that saith, I know him, and keepeth not his commandments, is a liar, and the truth is not in him;」

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

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?

「(as it is written, A father of many nations have I made thee) before him whom he believed, even God, who giveth life to the dead, and calleth the things that are not, as though they were.」

The merciful act of giving to the poor, portrayed in Tobit as a key expression of piety and deliverance.

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.

「Epaphras, who is one of you, a servant of Christ Jesus, saluteth you, always striving for you in his prayers, that ye may stand perfect and fully assured in all the will of God.」

The good news of salvation through Jesus Christ, the core message for which believers labor together.

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

Tension and complementarity between meditation and community.

「For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.」

In Tobit, almsgiving is a righteous act that purges sin and delivers from death, central to a life of faith.

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

「for the truth's sake which abideth in us, and it shall be with us for ever:」

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

How does justification by faith differ from works?

Paul's teaching on justification by faith in Romans

「who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal,」

The assembly of believers, the body of Christ, showing God's wisdom to heavenly powers.

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.

「so we, who are many, are one body in Christ, and severally members one of another.」

The righteousness that comes from God through faith in Christ, not by law-keeping.

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.

「and have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather even reprove them;」

The everlasting life promised by God before time, granted through Christ to believers, the basis of Christian hope.

1 Corinthians 13 says love never ends — how does this fit with eternal punishment?

Is God's love universal? Does eternal punishment conflict with love's nature?

「but even as we have been approved of God to be intrusted with the gospel, so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God who proveth our hearts.」

Spiritual discipline of making requests known to God with thanksgiving, essential for communion with Him.

How does "Sola Scriptura" function in practice for Christians today?

When tradition and individual interpretation collide, how is biblical authority defined?

「Raph′ael Discloses His Identity “I will not conceal anything from you. I have said, ‘It is good to guard the secret of a king, but gloriously to reveal the works of God.’」

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

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.

「For the grace of God hath appeared, bringing salvation to all men,」

Christ's complete obedience culminating in his sacrificial death on the cross.

How do Sacred Tradition and Scripture work together in the life of the Church?

One faith, two channels—an ancient conversation.

「which he poured out upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Saviour;」

Gentile believers share equally with Jewish believers in God's promises in Christ.

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

「then he appeared to James; then to all the apostles;」

Moral fruits that demonstrate the reality of saving faith and glorify God, a key exhortation in Titus.

What is the dialectic between grace and works?

The rich meaning of salvation by grace in Ephesians

「Brethren, be not children in mind: yet in malice be ye babes, but in mind be men.」

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

How do grace and works balance in Ephesians 2:8-9?

This passage emphasizes salvation by grace, but what role do works play in the Christian life?

「being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.」

The entire fullness of God's nature dwells bodily in Christ, and believers are made complete in Him.

Does justification by faith alone make works irrelevant? Why or why not?

Pauline theology's core—the relationship between faith and works.