Author: Jim Cantelon

Read Galatians 4

Key Verse: Galatians 4:9 “But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage?” Paul’s discussion about the role of law and faith, as they relate to righteousness, continues. He reminds his readers that the promise God made to Abraham preceded the law given to Moses by 430 years (v.17). God, “in His grace”, gave a promise to Abraham (v.18), and it takes priority over any subsequent introduction or qualification of law. The law was introduced purely...

Read Galatians 3

Key Verse: Galatians 3:6 “Consider Abraham: ‘He believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness.'” (NIV) The key verse occurs in a context that stretches from chapter three, verse one to chapter four, verse seven. The discussion is about the role of law and faith as they relate to righteousness. And remember, Paul’s readers are Gentiles. As I said in the introduction, there were two competing faction in the Galatian churches, both undermining Paul’s work: the legalists (Judaizers) and the libertines (Gnostics). Most of Paul’s counterattack, however,...

Read Galatians 2

Key Verse: Galatians 2:10 “They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.” The first ten verses of this chapter ideal with Paul’s acceptance as an apostle by the leadership in Jerusalem. The discussion actually begins in chapter one, verse 11. In verses 15 and 16, he speaks of his conversion and then, three years later, going upon to Jerusalem “to get acquainted with Peter” (b.18). The “fourteen years later” of 2:1 probably refers to fourteen years after that visit to Peter. He went up to Jerusalem again...

March 8, 2021

Photo by Kevin Delvecchio on Unsplash I’ve been thinking of the impact of the home on a child’s life. Rather than my thoughts here’s something from a late 19th century theologian: “ The father and mother of an unnoticed family, who, in their seclusion awaken the mind of one child to the idea and love of perfect goodness, who awaken in him a strength of will to repel all temptation, and who send him out prepared to profit by the conflicts of life, surpass in influence a Napoleon breaking the world to his sway.” Parents have a “captive audience” of their children during...

Read Galatians 1

Key Verse: Galatians 1:11 “But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man.” The new Archbishop of Canterbury is a remarkably refreshing man who believes in “the physical resurrection of Christ” and calls the 1990’s the “decade of evangelism”. I called his office just after his election to see if I could arrange an interview and was told, “The Bishop has decided he will give no interviews to the media until after he actually becomes Archbishop. People were treating him as if he were already in...

March 3, 2021

Alms, Prayer, & Fasting 6:1-18 Our daily bread v.11 We’ve briefly looked at the first three of six petitions referencing God’s name, kingdom, and will. Now we’re going to look at our need for bread, forgiveness, and victory over evil. Daily bread comes first. If there is no bread there is no life. I’m no Greek scholar (nor are you, probably), but with a little digging in a Greek lexicon or two one can come up with a pretty good idea of what “daily bread” referred to. First of all, bread and “physical provision” are relatively synonymous. Daily...

February 24, 2021

Alms, Prayer, & Fasting 6:1-18 “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done” v. 10 (Part 2) The Kingdom is where God’s “will” is done — “Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven”. The omniscient Father who sees all, factors what he sees into his sovereign rule. This is why “God willing” (Deus Vult) has always been the heavenly qualifier for Christian choice. If we’re out of synch with heaven we’re out of synch with everlasting life. It should be said the “Thy will be done” is a great safeguard against getting...

February 17, 2021

Alms, Prayer, & Fasting 6:1-18 “Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done” v. 10 (Part 1) Jesus couldn’t have been clearer in expressing there purpose of his ministry: “I must proclaim the good news of the Kingdom of God…because that is why I was sent.” (Lk. 4:43). The “Kingdom” was everything. In one sense this terminology was readily understood by his audience — they all expected a future “Day of the Lord” where Messiah would establish his kingdom and rule from his throne in Jerusalem. This was their “eschatological”...

Read 2 Corinthians 13

Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 13:8 “For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.” The key verse occurs in the context of a challenge from Paul to the Corinthians that they “examine” themselves to see if they are “in the faith” (v.5). They are to “test” and see if “Christ Jesus is in” them. He then expresses the hope that they will discover that Paul himself has not failed the test (v.6). Next, he prays that they and he (implied) “will not do anything wrong” (v.7) Then comes the key verse. I don’t know if...

Read 2 Corinthians 12

Key Verse: 2 Corinthians 12:9 “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Paul continues reviewing his credentials. “I must go on boasting” says the NIV (v.1). “There is not a lot to be gained by this”, Paul says, “but now I’ll take about some of the spiritual credentials I have in terms of visions and revelations.” Then, for no apparent reason (perhaps modesty?) he switches into the third person to tell of an experience he had — “in the body or out of the body I do not know” — where...