Latest Commentaries

Paul asks Philemon to forgive any debt that Onesimus owes him. He also promises to pay Philemon back, if necessary. Paul adds that he would consider Philemon’s forgiveness of Onesimus as a full return of blessing for Paul’s sharing of the gospel with Philemon.

Paul requests that Philemon emancipate Onesimus and receive him as a beloved brother.

Paul requests that Philemon return Onesimus back to Rome, where he can continue serving the gospel and ministering to Paul in his imprisonment. Paul does not wish to take advantage of Philemon. For this reason, he sent Onesimus back so that Philemon could decide what to do and have the opportunity to choose for himself what is good.

Paul begins his personal request of Philemon. He asks him to forgive Onesimus, the slave that ran away from Philemon. Paul appeals to Philemon’s love. Using affectionate and familial terms Paul informs Philemon that Onesimus was born into Christ’s family and had become a believer when he met the apostle during his house arrest in Rome.

Paul commends Philemon for his faith in Jesus and his service toward other believers. Paul tells him that he thanks God for the blessing Philemon is to the church and that he continues to pray that Philemon’s faith and knowledge will become even more effective in doing good.

Paul and Timothy greet Philemon, Apphia, Archippus, and the church that meets in Philemon’s house with his signature salutation of "grace" and "peace." Paul identifies himself "a prisoner of Christ Jesus" without mentioning his apostleship.

The prophet uses the recent locust/army invasion to predict the day of the LORD, a time in which God will intervene in the world to judge His adversaries.

Joel addresses the priests, urging them to lament the disaster caused by the locust plague/invading army.

Joel addresses the farmers and the vinedressers, urging them to lament the disaster caused by the locust plague of invaders.

Joel addresses the worshipers, urging them to lament the disaster caused by the locust plague.

Joel addresses the drunkards of Judah, urging them to lament the disaster caused by the locust plague.

The prophet Joel calls the nation of Judah to give undivided attention to his message because a locust plague will certainly devastate the land.

The prophet Joel receives a revelation from God for the people of Judah.

Peter states the qualifications for Judas’ replacement: he must be someone who followed Jesus from His baptism until His return to Heaven. Two men are nominated. They pray for God’s guidance, draw straws, and choose a man named Matthias.

As they wait for the Holy Spirit, Peter speaks to the other followers of Jesus. He quotes two Psalms to point to the fact that Judas, the twelfth disciple, is dead, and someone needs to fill his position.

The disciples return to Jerusalem and wait. The eleven apostles are there, as are the women who had closely followed Jesus, and His mother Mary, and His half-brothers.

The disciples watch as Jesus is lifted up into the sky and disappears behind a cloud. Angels tell the disciples that they shouldn’t stand watching, they need to get about the business of obeying what Jesus told them to do, and that Jesus will return one day.

The disciples ask Jesus if He will establish His kingdom in Israel now. Jesus answers that God has set that time in the future, and it is not for them to know it. Their job is to first wait for the Spirit to come to them, then to tell the world about Jesus’s death and resurrection.

Luke begins his second account. His first was about the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ. This account is about the acts of the disciples and the Holy Spirit. Jesus tells His disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the Holy Spirit to come to them.

The LORD pronounces judgment on the inhabitants of Israel because they commit greed, unjust oppression, gross immorality, and idolatry.