(Eph.
4:32) Be kind to one another, tender-hearted, forgiving
each other, <just as> (God in Christ also has forgiven you).
(Rom. 12:1)
I urge you <therefore>, brethren, (by the mercies of
God,) to present your bodies a living and holy sacrifice, acceptable
to God, which is your spiritual service of worship.
(1 Jn. 4:11)
Beloved, <if> (God so loved us), we also ought to love one another.
(Phil. 2:12,13*) So
then, my beloved, just as you have always obeyed, not as in my presence
only, but now much more in my absence, work out your salvation with fear
and trembling; <for> (it is God who is at work in you, both to
will and to work for His good pleasure).
Note: "Work
out" (katergazomai) was used by the Roman historian Strabo
to refer to mining operations. It assumes that something is already inside;
the idea is to bring it out into view. "Fear and trembling"
connotes recognition of powerlessness (see 1 Cor. 2:3) and sincerity and
respect (Eph. 6:5).
(Matt. 28:18-20)
"(All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on
earth). Go <therefore> and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit,
teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and (lo, I am with
you always, even to the end of the age).
(2 Peter 1:2-7)
Grace and peace be yours in abundance through the knowledge of God and of
Jesus our Lord.3 (His divine power has given us everything we need for life
and godliness through our knowledge of him who called us by his own glory
and goodness.4 Through these he has given us his very great and precious
promises), so that through them you may participate in the divine nature
and escape the corruption in the world caused by evil desires.5 <For
this very reason>, make every effort to add to your faith goodness;
and to goodness, knowledge;6 and to knowledge, self-control; and to self-control,
perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness;7 and to godliness, brotherly
kindness; and to brotherly kindness, love.
[Teacher's Note: Verse 4 is in
the subjunctive mood, it's not an indicative. It is the mood of
possibility -- if they live out the indicatives by doing the imperatives
-- not certainty.]
(Heb. 10:19-25)
Therefore, brethren, <since> (we have confidence to enter the holy
place by the blood of Jesus, by a new and living way which He inaugurated
for us through the veil, that is, His flesh), and <since> (we have
a great priest over the house of God), let us draw near with a sincere
heart in full assurance of faith, (having our hearts sprinkled clean
from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water). Let us
hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, <for> (He
who promised is faithful); and let us consider how to stimulate one another
to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is
the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you
see the day drawing near.
(Col. 3:1-15)
<Therefore if> (you have been raised up with Christ), keep seeking
the things above, where Christ is, seated at the right hand of God.
Set your mind on the things above, not on the things that are on earth.
<For> (you have died and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When
Christ, who is our life, is revealed, then you also will be revealed with
Him in glory). <Therefore> consider the members of your earthly
body as dead to immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and greed, which
amounts to idolatry. <For> (it is because of these things that
the wrath of God will come upon the sons of disobedience, and in them you
also once walked, when you were living in them). <But now you also>,
put them all aside: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and abusive speech
from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, <since> (you laid
aside the old self with its evil practices, and have put on the new self
who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One
who created him--a renewal in which there is no distinction between Greek
and Jew, circumcised and uncircumcised, barbarian, Scythian, slave and freeman,
but Christ is all, and in all) . . . <So>, (as those who have been
chosen of God, holy and beloved), put on a heart of compassion, kindness,
humility, gentleness and patience; bearing with one another, and forgiving
each other, whoever has a complaint against anyone; <just as>
(the Lord forgave you), so also should you. 16 Let the word of
Christ richly dwell within you, with all wisdom teaching and admonishing
one another with psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing with thankfulness
in your hearts to God. 17 And whatever you do in word or deed, do all in
the name of the Lord Jesus, giving thanks through Him to God the Father.
