Category Archives: bible

NT Doctrine — Ephesians 3

Posted on March 2, 2024 by ehurst

This is by necessity a rather short lesson. The primary subject of this chapter is some of Paul’s personal background and a prayer on the readers’ behalf, but very little doctrine. The doctrinal issue here is very difficult for most … Continue reading →

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on NT Doctrine — Ephesians 3

NT Doctrine — Ephesians 2

Posted on February 24, 2024 by ehurst

The theme continues to be uniting Hebrew and Gentile Christians. The previous chapter emphasized our unity as a single nation rooted in Heaven, pointing out how the Lord designed it on three levels: cosmic, global and individual. Here, the emphasis … Continue reading →

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on NT Doctrine — Ephesians 2

In Christ

Posted on February 18, 2024 by ehurst

Most people choke on Ephesians 1:3-14. It’s very dense, and frankly not good writing. People either gloss over it or get bogged down in the precise meaning of the grammar. One of the biggest issues for debate is trying to … Continue reading →

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , , , | 2 Comments

NT Doctrine — Ephesians 1

Posted on February 17, 2024 by ehurst

The final chapter of Galatians was encouragement but virtually no doctrine. We move on to Paul’s letter to the Ephesians as a letter to be shared across Asia Minor. Thus, there are no personal notes to anyone specifically by name. … Continue reading →

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on NT Doctrine — Ephesians 1

NT Doctrine — Galatians 5

Posted on February 10, 2024 by ehurst

In the previous chapter, Paul pointed out that we should not seek to place ourselves under the guardianship of the Law. Christ died on the Cross to claim His inheritance, and that’s you and I. He ended the Law and … Continue reading →

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , , , | Comments Off on NT Doctrine — Galatians 5

NT Doctrine — Galatians 4

Posted on February 3, 2024 by ehurst

Paul reiterates the imagery of preservation of an estate until the heir reaches the appointed time and condition of bequest. The emphasis is that all of God’s Elect, Jew and Gentile, were the estate, and Christ was the heir. But … Continue reading →

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on NT Doctrine — Galatians 4

NT Doctrine — Galatians 3

Posted on January 27, 2024 by ehurst

Notice a fundamental truth here: Paul is saying that the Covenant of Christ is not a continuation of Moses, but a continuation of the Covenant of Abraham. The Covenant of Abraham was reborn in Christ; He wasn’t merely the fulfillment … Continue reading →

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

NT Doctrine — Galatians 2

Posted on January 20, 2024 by ehurst

Paul continues the narrative of his dealings with the original Hebrew Apostles and the community they led in Jerusalem. After some 14 years of working without them in Syrian Antioch, the Lord commanded him to return visit Jerusalem again. We … Continue reading →

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , , , | 1 Comment

NT Doctrine — Galatians 1

Posted on January 13, 2024 by ehurst

The label “Galatia” refers to the first few churches Paul established in what we now call Central Turkey: Derbe, Lystra, Iconium and Pisidian Antioch, and any satellite churches those congregations may have established later. This is Paul’s earliest letter, likely … Continue reading →

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , , | Comments Off on NT Doctrine — Galatians 1

NT Doctrine — 2 Corinthians 7-13

Posted on January 6, 2024 by ehurst

The balance of Paul’s letter here is almost entirely personal in nature. It is by far the strongest defense of his apostleship. While very critical historically, telling us so much about Paul the man, and incidentally very much about the … Continue reading →

Posted in bible | Tagged , , , | Comments Off on NT Doctrine — 2 Corinthians 7-13