Chapter four contains one of the longest sections in Mark dedicated to Jesus’ teaching, apart from Passion Week. Even then, except for the last few verses, chapter four contains just four parables and the explanation of the purpose of Jesus’ parables. The purpose, first mentioned in Isaiah 6:9-10, was so that believers would receive new […]
Chapter twelve begins the final section of Paul’s letter, in which he took the immense doctrine taught in the first eleven chapters and provided several principles and commands that should drive the Christian lifestyle. The first step of true discipleship after initial saving faith is for a Christian to make the declaration that he is
Chapter five continues Paul’s admonition from chapter four. In Ephesians 4:32 he told us to forgive like God; in Ephesians 5:1-5 we are told to imitate God in every way, specifically in our love for one another. Connecting back to Ephesians 2:1-3 and Ephesians 4:19-20 (and reminiscent of Galatians 5:16-23), the believer’s life should not
