Exploring the invitation to Follow Jesus - to ‘Pursue Holiness’ by controlling / guarding our reactions and emotional responses
General Introduction
In this series we are building what we will refer to as the ‘One Page New Testament’ - #onepagenewtestament. Our approach is building a pictorial summary of the main messages for disciples of Jesus in a systematically derived, structured form. We aim to keep the descriptive text to a minimum and share with you the different Themes that are being created. We will consider the scriptures on their own merit, Theme by Theme, without introducing much in the way of theology. Within each Theme, we will let the scriptures speak for themselves - hopefully in a way that demonstrates the validity of the analysis.
Introduction to this Faith Article
This article is the thirteenth in a series that is unpacking some of the analysis work currently being undertaken to draw out the main teachings from the New Testament from a personal discipleship perspective. The previous articles can be found in the reference at Note [1] and they focus upon the New Testament’s teaching that corresponds to the challenges of what we have so far called ‘Kingdom Fundamental 1 [KF1]’ - ‘Love God’, and ‘Kingdom Fundamental 2 [KF2]’ - ‘Follow Jesus’.
We have previously introduced that we consider there are four Kingdom Practices under the invitation to Follow Jesus [KF2]:
Submit to Jesus’ Lordship - [KP3] (explored previously in Systematic Discipleship Parts 3 to 9)
Pursue Holiness - [KP4]
Live out kingdom values - [KP5]
Exercise discernment - [KP6].
In the last article (Systematic Discipleship - Part 12) we were exploring further the Kingdom Practice to ‘Pursue Holiness’ - [KP4], building upon Parts 10 and 11. We have derived seven Kingdom Actions (sub-Themes) that sit below this heading which come from our ongoing analysis of the New Testament:
Control / guard our eyes (what we look at / watch / read) - [KA13]
Control / guard our tongues (what we say / write) - [KA14]
Control / guard our ears (what we hear / listen to) - [KA15]
Control / guard our hands and feet (what we touch / where we go) - [KA16]
Control / guard our reactions / emotional responses to issues / events / circumstances - [KA17]
Control / guard our hearts / thoughts / minds (our focus) / knowledge - [KA18]
Control / guard our character (act with integrity) - [KA19].
The elements we will cover in this article focus on KA17 and are shown in light blue (encouragements) and pink (warnings) in Figure 1.
If readers take away nothing else from these articles than the sense, logic, and directive actions in the Figures - for disciples to put into practice in the strength God gives - we will hopefully have achieved our initial objective.
Figure 1 - Investigating the Kingdom Practice to ‘Pursue Holiness’ - [KP4]
As we highlighted above, there are seven areas that we can consider as aspects of trying to live in a holy way (KA13-KA19). These Kingdom Actions describe how we should try to manage and control our senses, our emotions and thoughts to the external stimuli we experience, and ultimately how we present ourselves to others through our character. We will address our behavioural responses in more detail as we explore Kingdom Practice 5 - ‘Live out kingdom values’ in future articles. Whilst we will never live up to a standard of perfect holiness, as the Holy Spirit enables us, we can continue to try!
We need to be aware that working towards holy living is separate and distinct from being made holy by God - through the forgiveness we receive as we repent from our sins and accept Jesus as our personal Saviour and Lord. We considered this aspect of holiness in Systematic Discipleship Part 7 [1].
Moving forward, let’s continue to explore what holy living might require by considering some of the Greek words and scriptures that point us towards this.
The part of the analysis presented in this article represents a summary of the most complex of all the work undertaken so far. In performing the detailed consideration of this topic, we reviewed the complete range of Greek words and idioms that have been grouped under the heading of ‘Attitudes and Emotions’ in [2] and related words in [3]. It has involved the consideration of some 296 Greek words and idioms at Level 4 (and over 6200 verse reference checks) and 270 Greek words and idioms at Level 5 (some duplicated from the level 4 work and representing over 3700 verse reference checks). These investigations have helped to create and support the headings we have developed.
Kingdom Action 17 - Control / guard our reactions / emotional responses to issues / events / circumstances
Things that we see, read, hear and touch (and smell and taste?) all act as inputs and stimuli to our minds and thoughts. They will generally impact upon how we respond - whether in what we say, write, or do. Sometimes we react instinctively or emotionally, whether out of love, compassion, or anger or frustration. We need to try and think things through before we do this so that we don’t do something that we regret later. We will consider aspects of managing our minds and thoughts [KA18] in the next article.
In doing so, we have drawn out three more detailed headings (at level 4 in our structure) as follows:
Respond appropriately to kingdom issues / events circumstances [KA17.1]
Beware of our inappropriate responses / negative emotional reactions to issues / events / circumstances [KA17.2]
Expect non-believers’ negative emotional reactions to kingdom issues / events / circumstances [KA17.3]
We explain each of them below, together with further lower-level information (at level 5) for each one.
Kingdom Action 17.1 - Respond appropriately to issues / events / circumstances
We have identified 105 Greek words and idioms that fit under this heading. Some example scriptures [4] are set out below and some of the Greek words we have reviewed are shown emboldened with the Strong’s reference numbers in brackets. We have used the same approach for each of the sub-Themes set out subsequently and have not provided the Strong’s details to help keep this document simple.
Matthew 1:19 - Because Joseph her husband was faithful to the law, and yet did not want (Strong’s 2309) to expose her to public disgrace, he had in mind to divorce her quietly.
Matthew 15:31 - The people were amazed (2296) when they saw the mute speaking, the crippled made well, the lame walking and the blind seeing. And they praised the God of Israel.
Acts 15:3 - The church sent them on their way, and as they traveled through Phoenicia and Samaria, they told how the Gentiles had been converted. This news made all the believers very glad (5479).
Galatians 5:5 - For through the Spirit we eagerly await (553) by faith the righteousness for which we hope.
Colossians 3:1 - Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on (2212) things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
1 John 3:21 - Dear friends, if our hearts do not condemn us, we have confidence (3954) before God.
We have found more than 550 verse references where relevant Greek words and idioms appear supporting this sub-Theme.
We have also generated 4 lower-level sub-Themes (at layer 5 - see Figure 1) to which we have given the following titles:
Demonstrate contentment / patience - [KA17.1.1]
Rejoice / be joyful / be glad - [KA17.1.2]
Be prepared to marvel / wonder when we see God at work - [KA17.1.3]
Show reverent fear on kingdom matters / circumstances - [KA17.1.4].
Here we set out a range of verses that characterise each one.
Kingdom Action 17.1.1 - Demonstrate contentment / patience
There are 8 Greek words that can be considered to apply under this title:
Matthew 5:6 - Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be satisfied (5526) - (NASB).
Colossians 3:12 - Therefore, as God’s chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience (3115).
Philippians 4:11 - I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content (842) whatever the circumstances.
Hebrews 13:5 - Keep your lives free from the love of money and be content (714) with what you have, because God has said, “Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you.”
James 5:7-8 - Be patient (3114), then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waits for the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently (3114) waiting for the autumn and spring rains. You too, be patient (3114) and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
We have identified 28 verse references where relevant Greek words appear which reflect this subject.
Kingdom Action 17.1.2 - Rejoice / be joyful / be glad
We have identified 10 Greek words that fit with this topic and examples for some of them are given in the verses below:
John 16:20-22 - Very truly I tell you, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy (5479). A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy (5479) that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy (5479).
Acts 2:46 - Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad (20) and sincere hearts.
Acts 21:17 - When we arrived at Jerusalem, the brothers and sisters received us warmly (780).
2 Corinthians 13:11 - Finally, brothers and sisters, rejoice (5463)! Strive for full restoration, encourage one another, be of one mind, live in peace. And the God of love and peace will be with you.
1 Peter 4:13 - But to the degree you are sharing the sufferings of Christ, keep on rejoicing, so that also at the revelation of His glory you may rejoice with exultation (21) - Legacy Standard Bible.
We have identified around 120 verse references where relevant Greek words appear.
Kingdom Action 17.1.3 - Be prepared to marvel / wonder when we see God at work
Under this heading we have found 8 Greek words that are applicable. Some are represented in these example scriptures:
Mark 1:22 - The people were amazed (1605) at his teaching, because he taught them as one who had authority, not as the teachers of the law.
Mark 5:20 - So the man went away and began to tell in the Decapolis how much Jesus had done for him. And all the people were amazed (2296).
Luke 4:36 - All the people were amazed (2285) and said to each other, “What words these are! With authority and power he gives orders to impure spirits and they come out!”
Acts 3:10 - they recognized him as the same man who used to sit begging at the temple gate called Beautiful, and they were filled with wonder and amazement (1611) at what had happened to him.
Acts 10:45 - The circumcised believers who had come with Peter were astonished (1839) that the gift of the Holy Spirit had been poured out even on Gentiles.
There are 73 verse references where Greek words appear that reflect this particular topic.
Kingdom Action 17.1.4 - Show reverent fear on kingdom matters / circumstances
Again we have identified 8 Greek words of relevance that fit under this heading and some scripture examples are provided here:
Matthew 14:26 - When the disciples saw him walking on the lake, they were terrified. “It’s a ghost,” they said, and cried out in fear (5401).
Luke 2:9 - And an angel of the Lord stood before them, and the glory of the Lord shone around them; and they were terribly frightened (5399) - Legacy Standard Bible.
Luke 8:47 - Then the woman, seeing that she could not go unnoticed, came trembling (5141) and fell at his feet. In the presence of all the people, she told why she had touched him and how she had been instantly healed.
Luke 21:9 - When you hear of wars and uprisings, do not be frightened (4422). These things must happen first, but the end will not come right away.
Hebrews 10:26-27 - If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful (5398) expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.
There are 84 verse references where relevant Greek words reinforce this subject.
Kingdom Action 17.2 - Beware of our inappropriate responses / negative emotional reactions to issues / events / circumstances
We have judged that there are 47 Greek words that have verses which have something to say about our potential negative reactions to events. Examples include these scriptures:
Luke 9:26 - Whoever is ashamed (1870) of me and my words, the Son of Man will be ashamed (1870) of them when he comes in his glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels.
Romans 6:12 - Therefore sin is not to reign in your mortal body so that you obey its lusts (1939).
2 Corinthians 12:20 - For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy, fits of rage (2372), selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.
Galatians 2:12 - For before certain men came from James, he used to eat with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he began to draw back and separate himself from the Gentiles because he was afraid (5399) of those who belonged to the circumcision group.
Galatians 4:9 - But now that you know God—or rather are known by God—how is it that you are turning back to those weak and miserable forces? Do you wish (2309) to be enslaved by them all over again?
There are more than 100 verse references where Greek words are found that we consider are relevant here.
As with KA17.1 we have created 5 lower-level sub-Themes (at layer 5 - see Figure 1) which we have given the following titles:
Do not to be fearful / be frightened of others - [KA17.2.1]
Do not be jealous / envious of others - [KA17.2.2]
Be guilty / regretful / grieved / sad only in the right circumstances - [KA17.2.3]
Do not harbour bitterness / hatred towards others - [KA17.2.4]
Do not boast / be haughty / arrogant / conceited / contemptuous / proud / despise others - [KA17.2.5]
We will look at each of these in the sections below.
Kingdom Action 17.2.1 - Do not be fearful / be frightened of others
There are 3 Greek words that relate to being frightened of others and these can be illustrated by the following verses:
Luke 12:4 - “I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid (5399) of those who kill the body and after that can do no more.”
John 19:38 - Later, Joseph of Arimathea asked Pilate for the body of Jesus. Now Joseph was a disciple of Jesus, but secretly because he feared (5401) the Jewish leaders. With Pilate’s permission, he came and took the body away.
Acts 9:26 - When he came to Jerusalem, he tried to join the disciples, but they were all afraid (5399) of him, not believing that he really was a disciple.
Romans 8:15 - The Spirit you received does not make you slaves, so that you live in fear (5401) again; rather, the Spirit you received brought about your adoption to sonship. And by him we cry, “Abba, Father.”
Philippians 1:28 - without being frightened (4426) in any way by those who oppose you. This is a sign to them that they will be destroyed, but that you will be saved—and that by God.
There are 17 verse references where these 3 Greek words appear under this heading.
Kingdom Action 17.2.2 - Do not be jealous / envious of others
5 Greek words and idioms have been identified for this sub-Theme concerned with jealousy and envy.
Matthew 6:23 - But if thine eye be evil (Idiom - evil eye - 3788 & 4190), thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness! - (King James Version).
2 Corinthians 12:20 - For I am afraid that when I come I may not find you as I want you to be, and you may not find me as you want me to be. I fear that there may be discord, jealousy (2205), fits of rage (2372), selfish ambition, slander, gossip, arrogance and disorder.
Galatians 5:26 - Let us not become conceited, provoking and envying (5354) each other.
1 Peter 2:1 - Therefore, rid yourselves of all malice and all deceit, hypocrisy, envy (5355), and slander of every kind.
James 4:2 - You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet (2206) but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God.
We have identified 10 verse references where they appear, supporting this subject.
Kingdom Action 17.2.3 - Be guilty / regretful / grieved / sad only in the right circumstances
Following our analysis we have considered that there are 10 Greek words that apply to this sub-Theme. Some are presented below:
Matthew 19:22 - When the young man heard this, he went away sad (3076), because he had great wealth.
Matthew 21:29 - He answered and said, ‘I will not,’ but afterward he regretted it (3338) and went - King James Version.
Acts 2:37 - When the people heard this, they were cut to the heart (2588) and said to Peter and the other apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?”
1 Corinthians 5:2 - And you are proud! Shouldn’t you rather have gone into mourning (3996) and have put out of your fellowship the man who has been doing this?
2 Corinthians 7:10 - Godly sorrow brings repentance that leads to salvation and leaves no regret (278), but worldly sorrow brings death.
We have found 44 verse references for these words that support this topic.
Kingdom Action 17.2.4 - Do not harbour bitterness / hatred towards others
In terms of bitterness and hatred there are 7 Greek words that can be considered, with some examples verse instances here:
Luke 6:35 - But love your enemies (2190), do good to them, and lend to them without expecting to get anything back. Then your reward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High, because he is kind to the ungrateful and wicked.
Ephesians 4:31 - Get rid of all bitterness (4088), rage and anger, brawling and slander, along with every form of malice.
Colossians 3:19 - Husbands, love your wives and do not be harsh (4087) with them.
Titus 3:3 - At one time we too were foolish, disobedient, deceived and enslaved by all kinds of passions and pleasures. We lived in malice and envy, being hated and hating (3404) one another.
James 3:14 - But if you harbor bitter (4089) envy and selfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.
21 verse references for these Greek words have been assessed to be appropriate for this sub-Theme.
Kingdom Action 17.2.5 - Do not boast / be haughty / arrogant / conceited / contemptuous / proud / despise others
Our work has identified 16 Greek words that apply to this sub-Theme. Scriptures that illustrate this are presented below:
Romans 12:16 - Live in harmony with one another. Do not be proud (5308), but be willing to associate with people of low position. Do not be conceited.
Romans 14:3 - The one who eats everything must not treat with contempt (1848) the one who does not, and the one who does not eat everything must not judge the one who does, for God has accepted them.
1 Corinthians 8:1 - Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that “We all possess knowledge.” But knowledge puffs up (5448) while love builds up.
1 Corinthians 11:22 - Don’t you have homes to eat and drink in? Or do you despise (2706) the church of God by humiliating those who have nothing? What shall I say to you? Shall I praise you? Certainly not in this matter!
James 4:16 - As it is, you boast (2744) in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting (2746) is evil.
We consider that there are around 30 verse references where these Greek words appear that support this topic.
Kingdom Action 17.3 - Expect non-believers’ negative emotional reactions to kingdom issues / events / circumstances
We found 28 Greek words that apply under this heading. Here are some example verses where some of them appear:
Matthew 21:32 - For John came to you to show you the way of righteousness, and you did not believe him, but the tax collectors and the prostitutes did. And even after you saw this, you did not repent (3338) and believe him.
Mark 14:55 - Now the chief priests and the entire Council were trying to obtain (2212) testimony against Jesus to put Him to death, and they were not finding any.
Luke 8:37 - Then all the people of the region of the Gerasenes asked Jesus to leave them, because they were overcome with fear (5401). So he got into the boat and left.
Acts 12:3 - When he saw that this met with approval (701) among the Jews, he proceeded to seize Peter also. This happened during the Festival of Unleavened Bread.
Acts 17:5 - But other Jews were jealous (2206); so they rounded up some bad characters from the marketplace, formed a mob and started a riot (2350) in the city. They rushed to Jason’s house in search of Paul and Silas in order to bring them out to the crowd.
There are in excess of 80 verses where the set of Greek words we have grouped under this heading highlight this subject.
Under this KA17.3 Theme we have further analysed the information to generate 5 further sub-Themes:
Expect others to be angry / rage / show fury toward us - [KA17.3.1]
Expect others to be jealous / envious - [KA17.3.2]
Realise that some may be fearful when they see God at work - [KA17.3.3]
Expect others to be bitter / hate us - [KA17.3.4]
Expect others to be proud / arrogant / boastful / contemptuous / scoffers - [KA17.3.5]
Information on each of these are shown in the sections below.
Kingdom Action 17.3.1 - Expect others to be angry / rage / show fury toward us
We have identified 8 applicable Greek words here and some are shown in these verse examples:
Luke 4:28 - And all the people in the synagogue were filled with rage (2372) as they heard these things - (NASB).
Luke 15:28 - The older brother became angry (3710) and refused to go in. So his father went out and pleaded with him.
Acts 4:2 - They were greatly disturbed (1278) because the apostles were teaching the people, proclaiming in Jesus the resurrection of the dead.
Acts 7:54 - When they heard these things, they were cut to the heart (1282 & 2588), and they gnashed on him with their teeth - (King James Version).
Romans 2:8 - But for those who are self-seeking and who reject the truth and follow evil, there will be wrath (3709) and anger (2372).
We have only found about 10 verse references where relevant Greek words appear to support this subject.
Kingdom Action 17.3.2 - Expect others to be jealous / envious
For this sub-There we have linked 5 Greek words and idioms that we consider relevant. Each one is represented in the scriptures below.
Mark 7:22 - Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye (Idiom - evil eye - 3788 & 4190), blasphemy, pride, foolishness - (King James Version).
Mark 15:10 - For he knew that the chief priests had handed Him over because of envy (5355).
Acts 5:17 - Then the high priest and all his associates, who were members of the party of the Sadducees, were filled with jealousy (2205).
Romans 11:11 - I say then, have they stumbled that they should fall? Certainly not! But through their fall, to provoke them to jealousy (3863), salvation has come to the Gentiles.
1 Corinthians 13:4 - Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy (2206), it does not boast, it is not proud.
We have identified 15 verse instances where these Greek words appear, supporting this topic.
Kingdom Action 17.3.3 - Realise that some may be fearful when they see God at work
There are 3 Greek words that relate to this sub-Theme illustrated by these scriptures:
Matthew 9:8 - But when the multitudes saw it, they were afraid (5399), and glorified God, who had given such authority unto men.
Luke 8:35 - and the people went out to see what had happened. When they came to Jesus, they found the man from whom the demons had gone out, sitting at Jesus’ feet, dressed and in his right mind; and they were afraid (5399).
Acts 2:43 - Everyone was filled with awe (5401) at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles.
Acts 5:5 - When Ananias heard this, he fell down and died. And great fear (5401) seized all who heard what had happened.
Acts 16:29 - And the jailer asked for lights and rushed in, and trembling with fear (1790), he fell down before Paul and Silas.
There are 15 verse references where relevant Greek words can be linked with this subject.
Kingdom Action 17.3.4 - Expect others to be bitter / hate us
For this sub-Theme we identified 5 Greek words that were applicable. Scriptures that show some of them include:
Matthew 10:22 - You will be hated (3404) by everyone because of me, but the one who stands firm to the end will be saved.
Luke 6:45 - A good man brings good things out of the good stored up in his heart (2588), and an evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in his heart. For the mouth speaks what the heart (2588) is full of.
John 15:18 - If the world hates (3404) you, keep in mind that it hated (3404) me first.
Acts 14:2 - But the Jews who refused to believe stirred up the other Gentiles and poisoned (2559) their minds against the brothers.
Romans 3:14 - “Their mouths are full of cursing and bitterness (4088).”
There are 25 verse references where these Greek words appear that reinforce this sub-Theme.
Kingdom Action 17.3.5 - Expect others to be proud / arrogant / boastful / contemptuous / scoffers
From our work we have found 8 Greek words and idioms that apply under this topic heading. Example verses that show this include:
Mark 7:22 - Thefts, covetousness, wickedness, deceit, lasciviousness, an evil eye, blasphemy, pride (5243), foolishness - (King James Version).
Luke 18:9 - Now He also told this parable to some people who trusted in themselves that they were righteous, and viewed others with contempt (1848).
Luke 23:35 - The people stood watching, and the rulers even sneered (1592) at him. They said, “He saved others; let him save himself if he is God’s Messiah, the Chosen One.”
Romans 1:30 - slanderers, God-haters, insolent, arrogant (5244) and boastful (213); they invent ways of doing evil; they disobey their parents.
Hebrews 10:29 - How much more severely do you think someone deserves to be punished who has trampled the Son of God underfoot (2662), who has treated as an unholy thing the blood of the covenant that sanctified them, and who has insulted the Spirit of grace?
There are 17 verse references where relevant Greek words appear supporting this subject.
Summary
In this thirteenth Faith Article, we have explored some of the Greek words and idioms (presented in Louw and Nida’s [2] and Mounce’s [3] reference materials), and scriptures that can be used to support our analysis which expands the Theme that we have called ‘Kingdom Practice 3 - Pursue Holiness’. We have looked at verse that encourage us to try to consider our reactions and emotional responses to events and circumstances that we will encounter in life.
Just as with many English words, Greek words can have more than one meaning and consequently when translated into Biblical texts can be used to convey several different sentiments. Which is used is dependent upon the context.
Ultimately, this analysis and these groupings are subjective, as will be the inclusion (or exclusion) of many verses within each Theme and sub-Theme. We should note that some verses have a much stronger relevance to the derived Themes than others.
During this analysis, the aim has been to restrict the number of Themes that can be associated with any specific Greek word to eight or less - as any more implies poor analysis technique and the wrong heading choice / naming process.
In the next Faith Article, we shall begin to explore Kingdom Practice 4 further, by considering KP18 (Control / guard our hearts / thoughts / minds (our focus) / knowledge). As ever, the aim will be to try and make it informative, but manageable, in terms of the time and effort needed to look at and understand each area.
Any constructive thoughts on this Article, the process being undertaken, and related constructive feedback are welcome.
Notes:
[1] - All previous Faith Articles focusing on the One Page New Testament can be found at this page: www.teachthemtoobey.co.uk/blog/
[2] - “Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, based upon Semantic Domains” Volumes 1 and 2 - Louw and Nida - Published by and © United Bible Societies - 1988
[3] - “Mounce’s Complete Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words” - © William D Mounce, 2006 - Published by Zondervan
[4] - Unless otherwise stated, all scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.TM used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The “NIV” and “New International Version” are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.TM.
The Bible references presented are illustrative rather than aiming to be ‘proof texts’. They are examples only as there are, generally, many more we could look at. Please note that when looking at any Bible verse references, you should ideally consider more than one translation / respected version to get a more rounded view, and look at the wider context for each verse too. When Greek words are translated, Bible scholars do not always use the same English word every time it appears in the Greek. This is why it is useful to look at more than one Bible version.
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