“He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation” (Colossians 1:15 ESV). In the opening chapter of Colossians, Paul breaks into a majestic hymn exalting Christ (Col. 1:15–20). Writing from prison, he wanted the believers at Colossae—who were being tempted by false teachings that diminished Christ—to fix their eyes on His
“All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar’s household” (Philippians 4:22 ESV). Paul closes his letter to the Philippians with a warm benediction, passing along greetings from the believers in Rome. Remarkably, he singles out “those of Caesar’s household.” Paul is writing these words while under house arrest in Rome, chained to imperial guards,
“But this is the one to whom I will look: he who is humble and contrite in spirit and trembles at my word” (Isaiah 66:2b ESV). In Isaiah’s day, the people of Judah took great pride in the temple and its sacrifices. They assumed that because they had the house of God in Jerusalem, His
“For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 2:21 ESV). Paul wrote to the Philippians about his desire to send Timothy to them. Unlike others who were concerned with their own affairs, Timothy stood out as a rare example of one who genuinely sought the things of Christ. In a
“Who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even
“Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save, or his ear dull, that it cannot hear; but your iniquities have made a separation between you and your God, and your sins have hidden his face from you so that he does not hear” (Isaiah 59:1–2 ESV). Isaiah reminded Israel that God’s power
“[Pray]…that words may be given to me in opening my mouth boldly to proclaim the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains, that I may declare it boldly, as I ought to speak” (Ephesians 6:19–20 ESV). The apostle Paul wrote from a Roman prison. He asked the Ephesian believers to
“He was oppressed, and he was afflicted, yet he opened not his mouth; like a lamb that is led to the slaughter, and like a sheep that before its shearers is silent, so he opened not his mouth” (Isaiah 53:7 ESV). Seven hundred years before Christ’s birth, Isaiah prophesied with astonishing accuracy about the Messiah’s
“I gave my back to those who strike, and my cheeks to those who pull out the beard; I hid not my face from disgrace and spitting” (Isaiah 50:6 ESV). The prophet Isaiah foresaw the coming of the Servant of the Lord, who would willingly endure great suffering and humiliation. Written over 700 years before
“By wisdom a house is built, and by understanding it is established; by knowledge the rooms are filled with all precious and pleasant riches” (Proverbs 24:3–4 ESV). The writer of Proverbs taught that a home is not built with wood, brick and nails alone, but by wisdom, understanding and knowledge. Wisdom is the foundation, understanding