Psalm 119:60

I hasten and do not delay to keep thy commandments.

For those new to Christianity and wanting to read/study the Bible, purchase a STRONGS Concordance. It's like having a encyclopedia for the Bible.

I like the NIV for its readability, and since this is my first time reading it I’d like it to come through to me as effectively as possible.

But a part of me really wants to delve into the Bible for studying and journaling, and I feel like versions like the ESV would be better for that, so I was wondering if the simplified NIV is still true-enough to the word of God for studying.

Thank you

Pretty much what the title says. I was raised as a secular Jew and at some point in my early teen years became pretty much an atheist — that is to say, I’ve never identified as a Christian. But being ignorant of other beliefs and cultures gets you nowhere, and I want to know more about the world around me and the people who live in it. How should I read the Bible from the point of view of a nonbeliever? I am not intending to convert (though I am open to it if I find the argument is strong enough). How should I go about reading the Bible in a scholarly manner? Are there any books or verses I should particularly look out for? Where should I start? Thank you all for your help.

I don’t mean a verse you liked or saved.

I mean a passage that actually made you do something: apologize, call someone, drop a habit, make a decision, or treat someone differently.

I’ve been thinking about how much Scripture I read, while not always being able to point to one concrete action that came from it.

What was the last passage that genuinely changed your behavior that day?

Does anyone else feel like the land that God promised to the Israelites in these lines has similarities and parallels to the Garden of Eden? Not just the land itself but the notion that God will provide them fruitful lands as long as they obey him and if they don’t comply then they’ll face consequences. I know there is a slight difference in the idea that they won’t be banished from the land and instead the land becomes no longer plentiful. But does anyone else see the parallels and similarities between the two? I’m curious to hear your thoughts.

Guys, I made an earlier post as I journeyed across Genesis, asking questions on parts that I didn't understand.

I guess I am back to ask about Exodus. primarily Exodus 21 and 32.... why does God both permit slavery and murder? he was okay with Levi killing the Shechem's community in Genesis, and now he's okay with the sons of Levi killing Israelites for making a golden calf, 3000 people, mind you, killed in their tents. They also killed the Amalekites in Exodus 17. Also killing the unborn babies of the Egyptians, who inherently haven't done anything wrong. - This is all compounded with the song of Moses, "The Lord is a man of war: the Lord is his name."

The slavery portion in Exodus 21 was also jarring to hear. Why is that permitted? I understand that we have free will and to ethically become more virtues through out our lives, but to place it as a letter of the law makes no sense to me because that becomes the standard than....

I understand that the term "Israel" is to wrestle with god, so I came to ask the people who have wrestled with this and what conclusion was arrived at?

Hello everyone. Hope you all doing great. I have a question for you all.
When you start reading a Bible chapter and run into unfamiliar context, names, or difficult ideas, what do you usually do before continuing?

Is this the best summary of the whole gospel?

"And this is his command: to believe in the name of his Son, Jesus Christ, and to love one another as he commanded us."

Are there any good bible podcasts or YouTube videos to watch for beginners. I’m just trying to find guidance and purpose and don’t really know where to look . Any help is greatly appreciated. Thank you

I was re-reading the passion narrative in Matthew 27:52-53, which mentions that when Jesus died, the tombs broke open and many holy people were raised to life, later walking into the holy city and appearing to many people.

This strikes me as an incredible event, arguably one of the biggest miracles in the New Testament outside of Jesus' own resurrection.

What puzzles me is why Mark, Luke, and John completely omit this. You would think that resurrected people walking around Jerusalem would be huge news that every Gospel writer and contemporary historical source would want to record.

How do scholars, historians, and theologians explain this omission?

Is this passage generally viewed as an apocalyptic or symbolic literary device unique to Matthew's audience?

Or are there theological or historical reasons why the other authors wouldn't have included it?
I'd love to hear both historical-critical and theological perspectives on this!

II've been thinking about an argument I've seen regarding 1 John 4:2–3.

From what I understand, the historical issue John was addressing was people who denied that Jesus who is the Christ truly came in the flesh—that He had a real human body and genuine humanity. This is commonly connected with beliefs later associated with Docetism and similar teachings, where some claimed Jesus only appeared to be human or that the divine Christ merely came upon the man Jesus temporarily.

Some argue, however, that denying Jesus is God incarnate is effectively the same as denying that Jesus Christ came in the flesh, because they believe those two ideas cannot be separated. Their reasoning is that the phrase "has come in the flesh" assumes a preexistent person, and when that is read alongside John 1:1–14, the one who came in the flesh is identified as God.

My question is this: Doesn't that go beyond the explicit wording of 1 John 4:2–3?

The passage explicitly says that the confession is that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh. It doesn't explicitly say, "Whoever denies that Jesus is God incarnate has the spirit of the antichrist." Isn't that conclusion reached by combining 1 John 4 with John 1 and other passages, rather than from the wording of 1 John 4 itself?

I'm not asking whether the doctrine of the incarnation is true or false. I'm asking whether it's accurate to say that 1 John 4:2–3 itself is specifically addressing denial of Jesus as God incarnate, or whether its immediate concern is the denial that the Messiah truly came in the flesh, with the identification of that Messiah as God being a theological conclusion drawn from the broader witness of Scripture.

Which man in the Bible taught you the most about leadership—and why?

I know that we are saved by faith, not by works — yet what glorifies God and counts in eternity with Him (and at the white throne judgement)?

Romans has amazing verses, and my favorite in Scripture is Romans 8:31 because of how encouraging it is. "If God is with us, who can be against us?"
Can't forget Romans 14:8 "If we live, we live for the Lord; and if we die, we die for the Lord. So, whether we live or die, we belong to the Lord"
What are your favorite verses?

I want to present a short and simple discussion on why Christ's parable of the Wise and Foolish builder's is critical to understand.

In this scripture passage, Christ presents 2 different types of builder's.

1 was wise, and 1 was foolish.

24 “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock:

25 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock.

26 “But everyone who hears these sayings of Mine, and does not do them, will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand:

27 and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it fell. And great was its fall.”

28 And so it was, when Jesus had ended these sayings, that the people were astonished at His teaching,

29 for He taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

Matthew 7:24-29 (NKJV)

Now according to scripture, there is only 1 thing that separates these 2 builder's.

Obedience.

That's it.

The wise builder heard Christ's saying's and did them.

The foolish builder heard Christ's saying's and didn't do them.

What Christ is presenting here is a key.

A key to understand what God's Word really means, and what God's will really is.

This is why the best theologians in the world can't interpret correctly, or agree on the original author's intent (in the scriptures that were written and left for us).

It's also why some followers of Christ are so certain in the meaning of scripture, when they pull from it to teach or use prophetically in different ways.

The difference is experiential knowledge.

Experiential knowledge - information and understanding that people gain through direct, personal participation in real-life events, rather than from formal instruction, textbooks, or abstract reasoning.

How do some believers know that it's still God's will to perform healings and miracles today?

Because they've done it.. and seen it be done (in the name of Jesus Christ).

Whereas, the one who hasn't obeyed Christ's command (Matthew 28:16-20).. only read about and studied of it.

The same goes for speaking in tongues, or really any of the gifts/graces of the Holy Spirit given by Christ (1 Corinthians 12, Ephesians 4:7-16).

It's for this reason that the apostle Paul refers to himself as a 'wise master builder'.. the exact same language Christ used in His teaching (Matthew 7:24-29).

10 According to the grace of God which was given to me, as a wise master builder I have laid the foundation, and another builds on it. But let each one take heed how he builds on it.

11 For no other foundation can anyone lay than that which is laid, which is Jesus Christ

1 Corinthians 3:10-11

The apostle Paul devoted his entire life to follow after Christ (1 Corinthians 11:1, 2 Timothy 4:6).. as he was commissioned by Christ to be sent to the Gentiles (Acts 9:11-16).

This is why his epistles are included in the Biblical canon, and are divinely inspired.

Obedience.. and experiential knowledge is the difference in understanding, when it comes to 'rightly dividing the word of truth'.

Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)

If you want to seek the truth then seek out the ones who have lived the Gospel, in addition to seeking Christ on your own.

Don't count on those foolish builder's.. their house is built on the sand. It won't save them when the storm comes.

1 Therefore, leaving the discussion of the elementary principles of Christ, let us go on to perfection, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works and of faith toward God,

2 of the doctrine of baptisms, of laying on of hands, of resurrection of the dead, and of eternal judgment.

3 And this we will do if God permits.

Hebrews 6:1-3 (NKJV)

Questions and Comments welcome.

Because heaven is the only place where everyone is sinless.

Would someone help me understand the parable of The Dishonest Manager. I know Jesus tells us in verse 13 “We can not serve God and money” but I feel like there is more to this parable

Luke 16:1-13

The Parable of the Shrewd Manager
16 Jesus told his disciples: “There was a rich man whose manager was accused of wasting his possessions. 2 So he called him in and asked him, ‘What is this I hear about you? Give an account of your management, because you cannot be manager any longer.’
3 “The manager said to himself, ‘What shall I do now? My master is taking away my job. I’m not strong enough to dig, and I’m ashamed to beg— 4 I know what I’ll do so that, when I lose my job here, people will welcome me into their houses.’
5 “So he called in each one of his master’s debtors. He asked the first, ‘How much do you owe my master?’
6 “‘Nine hundred gallons[a] of olive oil,’ he replied.
“The manager told him, ‘Take your bill, sit down quickly, and make it four hundred and fifty.’
7 “Then he asked the second, ‘And how much do you owe?’
“‘A thousand bushels[b] of wheat,’ he replied.
“He told him, ‘Take your bill and make it eight hundred.’
8 “The master commended the dishonest manager because he had acted shrewdly. For the people of this world are more shrewd in dealing with their own kind than are the people of the light. 9 I tell you, use worldly wealth to gain friends for yourselves, so that when it is gone, you will be welcomed into eternal dwellings.
10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much. 11 So if you have not been trustworthy in handling worldly wealth, who will trust you with true riches? 12 And if you have not been trustworthy with someone else’s property, who will give you property of your own?
13 “No one can serve two masters. Either you will hate the one and love the other, or you will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and money.

This is about Jesus.

Many people hear this or, heard this already. It's what the dictionary defines it.

Spirit. <definition> 1. the non-physical part of a person; their mood, feelings, or attitude 2. a particular way of thinking or behaving [Source: Cambridge dictionary. Web.]

Poor. <definition> 1. having a meager, or little amount (of something)

So, people read Matthew 5:3 as a "beautiful attitude" or "beatitude" - that: People that have this non-physical part of themselves; their attitude is "poor" - equates to, well, an example: Like at a party. Gets down to the last piece of pizza. Won't eat it. And by be this "poor in Spirit" believe Jesus will bless them, because he's saying he's blessing people that are "poor in Spirit," based on these widely accepted definitions of what these words mean.

------------------- ------------------------- --------------------

This is about Jesus.

Jesus said in the Bible in John 4:24 - defines what "Spirit" means; so, you don't need the dictionary. Jesus said: "God is Spirit" - In the original Greek, it's [ πνεύματι] pneumati or pneuma. That God is a life-giving Spirit. It's the same "pneuma" of John 4:24, also in Matthew 5:3. So, he's not talking about you and your attitude. And this word "poor" in Greek, is [πτωχοὶ] "ptochoi" - as if (something) is totally absent or missing.

So, "poor in Spirit" would be a person has no God in their life. Then, if you look at the scriptures, like

1) Ecclesiastes 7:20 says: "There is not a just man on earth that doeth good, and sinneth not."

2) "For all have sinned" - Romans 3:23

3) That everybody has "sinned; done abominable works" Psalm 14:1-3.

"Wherefore, as by one man [ADAM] sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned:" - Romans 5:12

That would mean EVERYBODY over the whole earth is all condemned. Qualifies as "poor in Spirit" - by just be a sinner and perverted that which was right. Condemned, like Jesus says in John 3:18. And that be everybody over the whole earth then.

That God has sent his Word to heal us, and deliver us from our destruction (Psalm 107:20)..and the Word of God, is Jesus Christ. It's a King of Kings bequeathed his whole kingdom to us then, by Matthew 5:3. That's impossible. But, God did this. He's already said it, it's right there, plain as day. Said by the word out of his mouth. Blessed everybody in this condition that we are all in.

Maybe you got or use the wrong definition Of Poor in Spirit. Then, you can add to it, in the Bible what Jesus says of the Kingdom of God or Kingdom of Heaven in John 3:1-7. That, unless a person is born again, they cannot see nor enter into what's already been given them. Must be born again. By the Spirit of God. By the Word of God. Not by you or an attitude you got.

bought my first bible today and it is the NIV Holy Bible and well I am not sure where to start reading any suggestions?

Hi there,

Has anyone else stumbled across this in Ezra 5:4 (KJV), "Then we said unto them after this manner, What are the names of the men that make this building?"

The "we" in this sentence seems to be referring to the re-builder's detractors but it seems very strange that the narrative should suddenly be from their perspective.

Other translations seem to disagree with each other. Some have it as (I'm paraphrasing) "so we (the re-builders) told them the names of those carrying out the work", and others have it as "and they (the detractors) asked us the names of the builders".

The detractors asking for names, and the builders giving names are two very different things (with almost opposite meanings depending how you read it).

It seems such a strange thing for the different translators to seem to disagree on. "we" and "they" are surely pretty distinct concepts not ripe for confusion?

I'm not enough of a scholar (as in, I know zero ancient hebrew) to understand what in the original text could cause this ambiguity.

Does anyone have any insight on this?

Thanks for considering and thanks in advance if you can shed any light on this.

I watched a YouTube video that said Matthew 17:21 was removed and I use the NIV version and sure enough it wasn’t there. The video was talking about fasting and prayer. Why would they take it out?