3-john-1:2,luke-12:49-56,matthew-10:38-39

Persecutions (1375) (diogmos from dioko [word study] = to chase, to pursue) literally refers to a chase or pursuit and figuratively means to put to flight or to pursue with repeated acts of enmity. See Related Resources on Persecution: Persecution Predicted by Jesus in the Sermon on the Mount Persec... Read More

Tested (1381) (dokimazo from dokimos = tested, proved or approved, tried as metals by fire and thus purified from dechomai = to accept, receive) means to assay, to test, to prove, to put to the test, to make a trial of, to verify, to discern to approve. Dokimazo involves not only testing but determi... Read More

Confirm (4741) (stērízō from histemi = to stand as in 1 Pe 5:12 "stand firm in" the true grace of God. Histemi also root of "Resist" - anthistemi and of "firm" - stereos, both used by Peter in 1 Pe 5:9) means to make firm or solid, to set fast, to fix firmly in a place, to establish (make firm or st... Read More

Tested (1381) (dokimazo from dokimos = tested, proved or approved, tried as metals by fire and thus purified from dechomai = to accept, receive) means to assay, to test, to prove, to put to the test, to make a trial of, to verify, to discern to approve. Dokimazo involves not only testing but determi... Read More

X. 1. His twelve disciples - Hence it appears that he had already chosen out of his disciples, those whom he afterward termed apostles. The number seems to have relation to the twelve patriarchs, and the twelve tribes of Israel. Mark 3:14; ; Luke 6:13; . Verse 2. The first, Simon - The first who was... Read More

"Blessed are the pure in heart: For they shall see God. "Blessed are the peacemakers: For they shall be called the children of God. "Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. "Blessed are ye, when men shall revile you, and persecute you, and ... Read More

Caesar Augustus was having trouble with his tax income. Prices were high and armies of occupation, plus each soldier's need of a special bonus for danger money, kept the treasury low. Caesar needed cash! This could be part of the trouble that furrowed the brow of Herod, vassal-king in the Roman-occu... Read More

DISCOVERY OF THE FACTS 1. Zaccheus Seeking Jesus, vv. 1–4 Whither was Jesus journeying as He passed through Jericho? For what purpose was He going to Jerusalem? How much was He taken up with the object of that journey? (Mark 10:32; Luke 12:50.) For what purpose did He delay in the journey and the ex... Read More

DISCOVERY OF THE FACTS 1. Our Lord, the Giver of the Living Water, vv. 37–39 To what day does the 37th v. take us? What and why did our Lord cry on the last day of the feast? What ceremony suggested the invitation? (Lev. 23:36.) Could a mere man give such an invitation as that? Why could our Lord? (... Read More

IT IS IMPERATIVE that a believer know he has a spirit, since, as we shall soon learn, every communication of God with man occurs there. If the believer does not discern his own spirit he invariably is ignorant of how to commune with God in the spirit. He easily substitutes the thoughts or emotions o... Read More