Paul writes in the 2nd letter to Timothy in chapter 3:15-17: „From childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.“

With the term “ the sacred writings ” Paul means the Jewish Bible – i.e. the Tanakh, consisting of the five books of Moses (Torah), the prophets (Nevi’im) and the Scriptures (Ketuvim). The Tanakh was the Bible of the first followers of Jesus. Continue reading The understanding of the Scriptures of the early Christians →

(Ephesians 5:1-20)

We are set free to a new life as God’s beloved children (Ephesians 5:1). Jesus accepted the consequences of our transgression by offering himself as a sacrifice on the cross (Ephesians 5:2).

This does not mean, however, that we should now live haphazardly, but that we should live as children of the light (Ephesians 5:8). This life is marked by love (Ephesians 5:4), gratitude (Ephesians 5:4), goodness, justice, truth (Ephesians 5:9) and wisdom (Ephesians 5:15).

Instead of spreading meaningless gossip (Ephesians 5:6), we always give thanks to Heavenly Father for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ (Ephesians 5:19).

We have been transported from the kingdom of death into the kingdom of God where Jesus lights the way for us. Paul does not say: You were in darkness, but: You were darkness. Now you are light (Ephesians 5:8).

But the darkness has not been eradicated, not even among the new people in Christ, otherwise the author would not have to mention it.

The environment of the church in Ephesus at that time was characterized by immorality, greed and ungodly gossip. That is why Paul encourages an opposite way of life.

We should keep the clarity and radiance, even if everyone around us lives something else.