Summary: In this biblical passage, the Acts of the Apostles describes a difference of opinion that emerges when Paul is traveling back to Jerusalem, believing that he does so in obedience to God’s intentions for him. A group of Christians in the city of Tyre implores him “through the Spirit” not to follow through on his plans. The difference of opinion does not result in a fight or a sense of failure. It reminds us that disagreements can prompt us to reexamine our perceptions together and perhaps to recommit ourselves to the well-being of those with whom we disagree.
Read the full article, and listen to an accompanying podcast, in the “Everything You Wanted to Know about the Bible but Were Afraid to Ask” section of Enter the Bible.
Sorry, Presidential Candidates: Hope Resides in Groans, Not in Your Rhetoric (Romans 8:22-27)
Summary: Political campaigns and commencement ceremonies seem designed to rouse feelings of hope from within us, giving us the energy and courage to move toward a better future. But when the Apostle Paul speaks about hope, he anchors it solely in God’s determination to deliver us from the decay and oppression wrought by sin and death. We know this divine determination because of what God has done through Jesus Christ and because God continues to be among us in the Holy Spirit, restlessly groaning in concert with all creation to express dissatisfaction with the status quo.
Read the full article, which is part of the ON Scripture–The Bible project, on The Huffington Post and ON Scripture.
Bible commentary: general audience
apostle paul commencement creation election season holy spirit hope letter to the romans paul pentecost romans 8:22-27