The Lord has been giving Moses detailed instructions for constructing the tabernacle and its furnishings on Mount Sinai. After describing the bronze altar for burnt offerings, the courtyard layout, and provisions for the lampstand's oil, God commanded Moses to consecrate Aaron and his sons as priests through specific rituals involving sacrificial animals and special garments. The consecration ceremony required seven days of offerings and included anointing with oil and blood to sanctify the priests and altar. God then established regulations for daily burnt offerings, promising to meet with Israel at the tabernacle entrance and dwell among them, and provided instructions for building a golden altar of incense to be placed before the veil separating the Holy Place from the Most Holy Place.
[22] Moreover the Lord spoke to Moses, saying: [23] “Also take for yourself quality spices—five hundred shekels of liquid myrrh, half as much sweet-smelling cinnamon (two hundred and fifty shekels), two hundred and fifty shekels of sweet-smelling cane, [24] five hundred shekels of cassia, according to the shekel of the sanctuary, and a hin of olive oil. [25] And you shall make from these a holy anointing oil, an ointment compounded according to the art of the perfumer. It shall be a holy anointing oil. [26] With it you shall anoint the tabernacle of meeting and the ark of the Testimony; [27] the table and all its utensils, the lampstand and its utensils, and the altar of incense; [28] the altar of burnt offering with all its utensils, and the laver and its base. [29] You shall consecrate them, that they may be most holy; whatever touches them must be holy.
The author has been reflecting on the limitations of human understanding and the need for divine wisdom to comprehend God's will and purposes. He acknowledges that mortal thoughts are uncertain and human reasoning is inadequate, particularly when trying to understand heavenly things. The passage follows a prayer requesting God's holy wisdom, which was present at creation, to guide righteous judgment and decision-making. The author emphasizes humanity's dependence on God's spirit and wisdom to know what pleases Him and to be saved through understanding His ways. The speaker is addressing God in prayer, seeking wisdom to govern justly.
[13] For what man is he that can know the counsel of God? or who can think what the will of the Lord is? [14] For the thoughts of mortal men are miserable, and our devices are but uncertain. [15] For the corruptible body presseth down the soul, and the earthy tabernacle weigheth down the mind that museth upon many things. [16] And hardly do we guess aright at things that are upon earth, and with labor do we find the things that are before us: but the things that are in heaven who hath searched out? [17] And thy counsel who hath known, except thou give wisdom, and send thy Holy Spirit from above? [18] For so the ways of them which lived on the earth were reformed, and men were taught the things that are pleasing unto thee, and were saved through wisdom.
[1] She preserved the first formed father of the world, that was created alone, and brought him out of his fall, [2] and gave him power to rule all things.
While Apollos ministers in Corinth, Paul travels through the interior regions of Asia Minor and arrives at Ephesus, a major city on the western coast. During his previous brief visit to Ephesus, Paul had promised to return if God willed, and he now fulfills that promise. Upon arriving, Paul encounters a group of disciples who appear to have incomplete knowledge of Christian teaching. Their spiritual experience seems limited, as they have only received John the Baptist's baptism of repentance and have not heard about the Holy Spirit's availability to believers. This situation presents Paul with an opportunity to provide fuller instruction about Jesus Christ and the complete gospel message that includes the gift of the Holy Spirit promised to all who believe.
[1] And it happened, while Apollos was at Corinth, that Paul, having passed through the upper regions, came to Ephesus. And finding some disciples [2] he said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?”
So they said to him, “We have not so much as heard whether there is a Holy Spirit.”
[3] And he said to them, “Into what then were you baptized?”
So they said, “Into John’s baptism.”
[4] Then Paul said, “John indeed baptized with a baptism of repentance, saying to the people that they should believe on Him who would come after him, that is, on Christ Jesus.”
[5] When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. [6] And when Paul had laid hands on them, the Holy Spirit came upon them, and they spoke with tongues and prophesied. [7] Now the men were about twelve in all.
The disciples are hiding behind locked doors in Jerusalem, gripped by fear of the Jewish authorities who had orchestrated Jesus's crucifixion just days earlier. Earlier that same Sunday morning, Mary Magdalene discovered the empty tomb and reported it to Peter and John, who confirmed the grave clothes were left behind but did not yet understand the resurrection. Mary Magdalene then encountered the risen Jesus in the garden and brought word to the disciples that she had seen the Lord. Despite her testimony, the disciples remain secluded and anxious about their safety, uncertain of what these reports mean and what will happen next. The evening of this first day of the week has now arrived, and the disciples are gathered together in their fear-driven isolation. Jesus is addressing the disciples.
[19] Then, the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled, for fear of the Jews, Jesus came and stood in the midst, and said to them, “Peace be with you.” [20] When He had said this, He showed them His hands and His side. Then the disciples were glad when they saw the Lord.
[21] So Jesus said to them again, “Peace to you! As the Father has sent Me, I also send you.” [22] And when He had said this, He breathed on them, and said to them, “Receive the Holy Spirit. [23] If you forgive the sins of any, they are forgiven them; if you retain the sins of any, they are retained.”
Paul continues his argument that both Jews and Gentiles stand guilty before God, having just established that God judges impartially based on deeds rather than mere knowledge of the law. He has warned his readers against hypocrisy, pointing out that those who judge others while committing the same sins condemn themselves. Paul has emphasized that God's kindness is meant to lead people to repentance, not to be presumed upon, and that divine judgment will be rendered according to each person's works. He now addresses the distinction between possessing the Mosaic law and actually obeying it, preparing to demonstrate that Jewish possession of the law provides no automatic advantage if obedience is lacking. Paul is addressing the Roman church, which included both Jewish and Gentile believers.
[12] For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law [13] (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; [14] for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, [15] who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) [16] in the day when God will judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ, according to my gospel.
[17] Indeed you are called a Jew, and rest on the law, and make your boast in God, [18] and know His will, and approve the things that are excellent, being instructed out of the law, [19] and are confident that you yourself are a guide to the blind, a light to those who are in darkness, [20] an instructor of the foolish, a teacher of babes, having the form of knowledge and truth in the law. [21] You, therefore, who teach another, do you not teach yourself? You who preach that a man should not steal, do you steal? [22] You who say, “Do not commit adultery,” do you commit adultery? You who abhor idols, do you rob temples? [23] You who make your boast in the law, do you dishonor God through breaking the law? [24] For “the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles because of you,” as it is written.
Jesus has just calmed a violent storm on the Sea of Galilee, demonstrating his authority over nature and prompting his disciples to marvel at his power. After crossing to the other side of the sea, Jesus arrives in the region of the Gadarenes, a predominantly Gentile area on the eastern shore. This journey marks one of Jesus's first significant ventures into Gentile territory during his ministry. The disciples have witnessed Jesus teaching with authority, healing various diseases, cleansing a leper, healing a centurion's servant from a distance, curing Peter's mother-in-law of fever, and casting out demons from many people. His fame has spread throughout the region, drawing large crowds seeking healing and teaching. The crossing of the sea itself was marked by Jesus sleeping during the storm until the frightened disciples woke him, after which he rebuked the winds and waves, creating complete calm.
[28] When He had come to the other side, to the country of the Gergesenes, there met Him two demon-possessed men, coming out of the tombs, exceedingly fierce, so that no one could pass that way. [29] And suddenly they cried out, saying, “What have we to do with You, Jesus, You Son of God? Have You come here to torment us before the time?”
[30] Now a good way off from them there was a herd of many swine feeding. [31] So the demons begged Him, saying, “If You cast us out, permit us to go away into the herd of swine.”
[32] And He said to them, “Go.” So when they had come out, they went into the herd of swine. And suddenly the whole herd of swine ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and perished in the water.
[33] Then those who kept them fled; and they went away into the city and told everything, including what had happened to the demon-possessed men. [34] And behold, the whole city came out to meet Jesus. And when they saw Him, they begged Him to depart from their region.
Mary, a virgin betrothed to Joseph, becomes pregnant through the Holy Spirit before they come together as husband and wife. When Joseph discovers Mary's pregnancy, he initially plans to divorce her quietly rather than expose her to public disgrace, demonstrating his righteousness and compassion. However, an angel of the Lord appears to Joseph in a dream, revealing the divine nature of Mary's conception and instructing him not to fear taking Mary as his wife. The angel explains that Mary will bear a son who will save His people from their sins. The angel is addressing Joseph.
[18] Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: After His mother Mary was betrothed to Joseph, before they came together, she was found with child of the Holy Spirit. [19] Then Joseph her husband, being a just man, and not wanting to make her a public example, was minded to put her away secretly. [20] But while he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. [21] And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.”