Category: New Testament
First, apostles…
Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors-and-teachers. (Eph 4:11) Here are some of…
Charismata: What are they?
Introduction The New Testament provides various lists of gifts and roles in the church. The shortest, if you can call it a list, is Peter’s…
Charismata: Introduction
Paul’s discussion in 1 Corinthians 12 speaks of the Spirit accomplishing three things through the divine distribution of gifts: (1) proclaiming that Jesus Christ is Lord, (2) producing the common good in a congregation, and (3) maintaining unity with a healthy diversity in a congregation that is made of of many members.
Characteristics of Love (1 Cor 13:4–7)
Virtue & Love These virtue lists, and in particular, the fruit of the Spirit, remind us of another list in Paul’s writings, one where he…
Fruit of the Spirit: Self-Control
Nature of Self-control Self-control (ἐγκράτεια/enkrateia) is a fruit reminding us that though this is the outgrowth of life in the Spirit it bears fruit in…
Fruit of the Spirit: Gentleness
Nature of Gentleness, meekness, humility Gentleness (πραΰτης/prautēs) is a characteristic of God himself, which takes root in the Christian life and work. As Christians living…
Fruit of the Spirit: Faithfulness
A blog in a series on “Fruit of the Spirit,” this one on faithfulness (πίστις/pistis).
Fruit of the Spirit: Goodness
Nature of Goodness English translations render the term ἀγαθωσύνη/agathōsynē as “goodness” (NLT, ESV, etc.), or as “generosity” (NRSV). The term occurs only four times in…
Fruit of the Spirit: Kindness
One in a series of blogs on the “Fruit of the Spirit,” this one on “Kindness” or “Goodness”
Fruit of the Spirit: Patience
One of a series of blogs on the “Fruit of the Spirit,” this one on “Patience.”