Mark Index

Mark was the traveling companion of both Paul and Peter, and wrote this Gospel from the Roman perspective. He was a seasoned veteran of the Christian walk, well versed in apostolic teaching, and had extensive missionary experience under wise guides. He was the cousin of Barnabas (Colossians 4:10) and participated in early stages of Paul’s first missionary journey. For some reason he did not finish the journey, but went back to Jerusalem (Acts 13:13). Later on, Paul would not have Mark on his mission team because of this desertion (Acts 15:38). Yet in later years he and Paul were reconciled (Colossians 4:10; Philemon 24). Paul regarded him as one of the few who were faithful to his ministry to the end (2 Timothy 4:11). There is good evidence that this gospel reflects Peter’s contributions, and that they had close ties (1 Peter 5:13). Tradition holds that Mark wrote primarily for a largely Gentile audience resident in Rome, as he seeks to encourage them to follow and keep following Jesus Christ.

Mark 1

1:1-8 John the Baptist prepares the way
1:9-11 The baptism of Jesus
1:12-13 The temptation of Jesus
1:14-20 Jesus calls four fisherman
1:21-28 Jesus casts out demons
1:29-34 Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law
1:35-39 Jesus on preaching tour
1:40-45 Jesus cleanses a leper

Mark 2

2:1-12 Jesus heals a palsied man
2:13-14 Jesus calls Levi
2:15-17 Jesus eats with sinners
2:18-22 The question about fasting
2:23-28 The purpose of the Sabbath

Mark 3

3:1-6 Jesus heals on the Sabbath
3:7-12 Many healed at the seaside
3:13-21 Jesus chooses his disciples
3:22-30 The unpardonable sin
3:31-35 Jesus’ true kin

Mark 4

4:1-20 The parable of the sower
4:21-25 A candle under a bushel
4:26-29 The parable of the seed
4:30-32 The parable of the mustard seed
4:33-34 Jesus’ use of parables
4:35-41 Jesus quiets the sea

Mark 5

5:1-20 The Gadarene demoniac healed
5:21-43 Jesus raises Jairus’ daughter and heals a woman

Mark 6

6:1-6 Unbelief in Nazareth
6:7-13 Jesus sends the twelve to preach and to heal
6:14-29 John the Baptist is beheaded
6:30-44 Jesus feeds five thousand
6:45-52 Jesus walks on the sea
6:53-56 Jesus heals many at Gennesaret

Mark 7

7:1-23 Jesus explains what defiles
7:24-30 The Syrophoenician woman’s faith
7:31-37 Christ heals a deaf and dumb man

Mark 8

8:1-10 Jesus feeds four thousand
8:11-13 The demand for a sign
8:14-21 The leaven of the Pharisees
8:22-26 Christ heals a blind man
8:27-30 Peter’s confession
8:31-38 Christ foretells his death
Mark 9

9:1-13 The transfiguration
9:14-29 The powerlessness of the disciples
9:30-32 Christ again speaks of his death
9:33-41 Who is the greatest?
9:42-50 Temptations to sin

Mark 10

10:1-12 Jesus on divorce
10:13-16 Christ blesses children
10:17-31 The rich young ruler
10:32-34 Christ again speaks of his death
10:35-45 The request of James and John
10:46-52 Blind Bartimeus receives sight

Mark 11

11:1-11 The triumphal entry into Jerusalem
11:12-14 Christ curses a fig tree
11:15-19 Christ cleanses the temple
11:20-26 The lesson from the withered fig tree
11:27-33 Christ’s authority questioned

Mark 12

12:1-12 The parable of the wicked husbandmen
12:13-17 The question of tribute to Caesar
12:18-27 The question about the resurrection
12:28-34 The great commandment
12:35-37 The question of David’s son
12:38-40 Christ denounces the scribes
12:41-44 The widow’s offering

Mark 13

13:1-23 Signs of the end
13:24-37 The coming of the Son of man

Mark 14

14:1-2 The chief priests plot against Jesus
14:3-9 Christ anointed at Bethany
14:10-11 The conspiracy of Judas
14:12-25 Jesus Christ eats the passover with his disciples
14:26-31 Peter’s denial foretold
14:32-42 Gethsemane
14:43-52 The betrayal and arrest of Christ
14:53-65 Christ before the high priest
14:66-72 Peter denies Jesus

Mark 15

15:1-5 Jesus Christ before Pilate
15:6-19 Christ sentenced to die
15:20-41 The crucifixion
15:42-47 The burial of Jesus

Mark 16

16:1-8 The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
16:9-13 Christ appears to his disciples
16:14-18 Christ commissions the eleven
16:19-20 The ascension

Luke Index

Luke was Paul’s physician and one of his missionaries and the author of one of the four Gospels contained within the Word of God. He writes with the Greek mentality in his view points. His writings are distinct and specific in the recording of events, and he is thought of by many as a true historian of his time. Although he was not an eyewitness to the gospel events, he had access to both the actual eyewitnesses and the writings concerning the things of Jesus Christ. He expertly recorded and preserved the facts of Christ, as he laid the factual ground and gave meaning to these events. Luke stresses the perfect plan of the LORD GOD and the connection between Israel, Christ and the church. He puts special emphasis on the salvation of the faithful, and he gives special attention to women, children, the poor and the disreputable. He stresses the Holy Spirit, both in the life of Jesus and the early church. In his exact and commanding way, Luke covers the suffering and death of Jesus Christ in detailed writings, and presents God’s saving Will and Works to the “Gentiles” and “Greeks” of the world.

Luke 1

1:1-4 Introduction
1:5-38 The birth of John the Baptist foretold
1:39-45 Mary visits Elisabeth
1:46-56 The Magnificat
1:57-66 The birth of John the Baptist
1:67-80 Zechariah’s prophecy

Luke 2

2:1-7 The birth of Jesus
2:8-20 The shepherds and the angels
2:21-24 The presentation in the temple
2:25-40 Simeon and Anna give praise
2:41-52 The boy Jesus in the temple

Luke 3

3:1-20 The preaching of John the Baptist
3:21-22 John baptizes Jesus
3:23-38 The genealogy of Jesus

Luke 4

4:1-15 The temptation of Jesus
4:16-30 Jesus teaches in Nazareth
4:31-44 Jesus heals many in Capernaum

Luke 5

5:1-11 The miracle of the fishes
5:12-15 Jesus heals a leper
5:16-26 Who can forgive sins?
5:27-29 Jesus calls Levi
5:30-39 The scribes and the Pharisees question Jesus

Luke 6

6:1-11 Jesus and the Sabbath
6:12-19 Jesus chooses the twelve
6:20-26 The Beatitudes
6:27-36 Love for enemies
6:37-42 Judging others
6:43-45 A tree is known by it’s fruit
6:46-49 The house built on a rock

Luke 7

7:1-10 Jesus heals a centurion’s servant
7:11-18 Jesus raises a widow’s son
7:19-35 John the Baptist asks about Jesus
7:36-40 Jesus is anointed by a sinner
7:41-50 The parable of the creditor

Luke 8

8:1-3 Jesus ministers widely
8:4-15 The parable of the sower
8:16-18 The parable of the candle
8:19-21 Christ’s true kin
8:22-25 Christ quiets a storm
8:26-40 Christ casts out demons in Gadara
8:41-56 Christ raises Jairus’ daughter, heals a woman

Luke 9

9:1-6 The twelve are to preach and to heal
9:7-9 The death of John the Baptist
9:10-17 Christ feeds a multitude
9:18-22 Peter’s great confession
9:23-27 The terms of discipleship
9:28-36 The transfiguration
9:37-56 Lessons for the disciples
9:57-62 Tests of discipleship

Luke 10
10:1-16 Jesus sends forth the seventy
10:17-24 The return of the seventy
10:25-37 The parable of the good Samaritan
10:38-42 Martha and Mary

Luke 11

11:1-13 Jesus teaches about prayer
11:14-28 A divided house cannot stand
11:29-36 Greater than Jonah
11:37-54 Christ denounces the Pharisees

Luke 12

12:1-12 Whom to fear?
12:13-21 The parable of the rich fool
12:22-30 Care and anxiety
12:31-40 “Seek ye first the kingdom of God”
12:41-48 The unfaithful servant
12:49-59 Peace or division?

Luke 13
13:1-5 Repent or Perish
13:6-10 The parable of the barren fig tree
13:11-17 Christ heals a woman on the Sabbath
13:18-19 The parable of the mustard seed
13:20-30 The parable of the leaven
13:31-35 Christ laments over Jerusalem

Luke 14

14:1-6 Jesus heals a man with dropsy
14:7-14 Christ teaches humility
14:15-24 The parable of the great supper
14:25-35 Counting the cost

Luke 15

15:1-7 The parable of the lost sheep
15:8-10 The parable of the lost coin
15:11-32 The parable of the lost son

Luke 16

16:1-18 The parable of the dishonest steward
16:19-31 The rich man and Lazarus

Luke 17

17:1-6 Jesus teaches forgiveness
17:7-10 The servant’s duty
17:11-19 Christ heals ten lepers
17:20-37 When will the kingdom come?

Luke 18

18:1-8 When will the kingdom come? (continued)
18:9-14 The parable of the Pharisee and the publican
18:15-17 Jesus receives children
18:18-30 The rich young ruler
18:31-34 Christ foretells his passion
18:35-43 Christ heals a blind man

Luke 19

19:1-10 Jesus and Zaccheus
19:11-27 The parable of the ten pounds
19:28-40 Christ enters Jerusalem
19:41-44 Christ weeps over Jerusalem
19:45-48 The cleansing of the temple

Luke 20

20:1-8 The question of Jesus’ authority
20:9-18 The parable of the wicked husbandman
20:19-26 The question of the tribute money
20:27-38 The question of the resurrection
20:39-47 The question of David’s son

Luke 21

21:1-4 The widow’s two mites
21:5-24 Signs of the end
21:25-28 The coming of the Son of man
21:29-33 The parable of the fig tree
21:34-38 Watch and pray

Luke 22

22:1-6 The plot against Jesus
22:7-23 The last supper
22:24-30 Who is great?
22:31-38 Christ foretells Peter’s denial
22:39-46 Christ prays in the garden
22:47-53 Jesus Christ is betrayed and arrested
22:54-65 Peter denies Christ
22:66-71 Christ before the council

Luke 23

23:1-12 Jesus before Pilate and Herod
23:13-25 Jesus Christ sentenced to die
23:26-49 The crucifixion
23:50-56 The burial of Jesus

Luke 24

24:1-12 The Resurrection of Jesus Christ
24:13-35 On the road to Emmaus
24:36-48 Jesus Christ appears to his disciples
24:49-53 The ascension

Acts Index

The Acts of the Apostles in the King James Bible presents an extensive view of early church life and history. It’s focus is primarily on the acts of two apostles, Peter and Paul. It’s purpose is to show the continuation of works through the teachings of Jesus and the Holy Spirit in the establishment of the church. The author is the same as the author of Luke, with the Gospel of Luke and the Book of Acts forming a single, two-volume work. Luke wrote to convince Theophilus, probably a Gentile official, of the certainty of the Things of Jesus Christ that had been told to him. He also wrote to provide a unity between Christ’s works in the Gospels and the apostles’ labors after His ascension. And finally, Luke wrote to show the Roman world that Christianity is not a subversive political movement. Few biblical books are as misused as the Book of Acts, and some denominations have created distinctive and divisive teachings from their interpretations.

Acts 1

1:1-5 The continuing ministry of Christ
1:6-11 The Ascension
1:12-14 The upper room
1:15-26 The selection of Matthias

Acts 2

2:1-13 The coming of the Holy Spirit
2:14-42 Peter’s address at Pentecost
2:43-47 Life among the believers

Acts 3

3:1-11 The lame man healed
3:12-26 Peter appeals to the Jews to repent

Acts 4

4:1-4 Peter and John imprisoned
4:5-12 Peter before the high priest
4:13-22 Threatened and released
4:23-37 Unite in praise and prayer

Acts 5

5:1-11 Ananias and Sapphira
5:12-16 Many signs and wonders
5:17-32 The apostles imprisoned and liberated
5:33-42 Gamaliel’s advice

Acts 6

6:1-7 Provision is used for the widows
6:8-15 Stephen is arrested

Acts 7

7:1-53 Stephen’s defense
7:54-60 The martyrdom of Stephen

Acts 8

8:1-4 Saul persecutes the church
8:5-25 The Gospel preached in Samaria
8:26-40 Philip and the eunuch

Acts 9

9:1-18 The conversion of Saul
9:19-22 Saul testifies in Damascus
9:23-31 Saul escapes to Jerusalem
9:32-35 Aeneas healed
9:36-43 Dorcas restored to life

Acts 10

10:1-8 The vision of Cornelius
10:9-23 The vision of Peter
10:24-33 Peter meets Cornelius in Caesarea
10:34-43 Peter preaches to the Gentiles
10:44-48 The Gentiles receive the Holy Spirit

Acts 11

11:1-18 Peter is rebuked by the Jewish Christians
11:19-30 The church in Antioch

Acts 12

12:1-19 Herod kills James and imprisons Peter
12:20-25 The death of Herod

Acts 13

13:1-3 Paul’s first missionary journey
13:4-13 Paul and Barnabas in Cyprus
13:14-43 Paul and Barnabas at Antioch of Pisidia
13:44-52 Opposition by the Jews

Acts 14

14:1-7 Paul and Barnabas at Iconium
14:8-23 Paul stoned in Lystra
14:24-28 Paul and Barnabas return to Antioch

Acts 15

15:1-35 The council at Jerusalem
15:36-41 Paul and Barnabas part company

Acts 16

16:1-10 Paul and Silas are Joined by Timothy
16:11-18 Lydia is led to believe
16:19-24 The imprisonment at Philippi
16:25-40 The conversion of the Philippian jailer

Acts 17

17:1-9 The uproar in Thessalonica
17:10-15 Paul and Silas at Berea
17:16-21 Paul at Athens
17:22-34 Paul on Mars’ Hill

Acts 18

18:1-22 Paul at Corinth and Ephesus
18:23 Paul begins his third missionary journey
18:24-28 Apollos at Ephesus

Acts 19

19:1-23 Paul at Ephesus
19:24-41 Demetrius causes trouble at Ephesus

Acts 20

20:1-5 Paul goes to Macedonia and Greece
20:6-12 Paul at Troas
20:13-16 Paul’s voyage to Miletus
20:17-38 Paul address the Ephesian elders

Acts 21

21:1-26 Paul warned about returning to Jerusalem
21:27-36 Paul seized by the Jews
21:37-40 Paul’s defense before the people

Acts 22

22:1-5 Paul’s defense before the people (continued)
22:6-16 Paul tells of his conversion
22:17-29 Paul’s call to the Gentiles
22:30 Paul before the council

Acts 23

23:1-11 Paul before the council (continued)
23:12-22 The Jews vow to kill Paul
23:23-35 Paul sent to Felix the governor

Acts 24

24:1-27 Paul before Felix

Acts 25

25:1-9 Paul before Festus
25:10-12 Paul appeals to Caesar
25:13-27 Paul before Agrippa and Festus

Acts 26

26:1-11 Paul before Agrippa
26:12-26 Paul testifies of his conversion
26:27-32 Almost thou persuadest me to be a Christian

Acts 27

27:1-13 Paul sails for Rome
27:14-38 The storm at sea
27:39-44 The shipwreck

Acts 28

28:1-15 Paul on Melita
28:16-31 Paul in Rome

Romans Index

Romans has been called “The Constitution of Christianity,” “The Christian Manifesto,” and “The Cathedral of the Christian Faith.” It is known as the most complete collection of Christian doctrine. The Epistle of Romans was written by Paul during his third missionary journey to Corinth. Paul was intending on making a fourth missionary journey to the western extremity of the Roman Empire. He wanted the Roman church to assist him with making that journey and wrote this epistle to establish contact with the Roman church in preparation for the anticipated visit. The church at Rome was primarily made up of Gentiles and had very little central organization or local church government. Small groups of believers met all over the city, and this is the reason that Paul addressed his epistle to the “saints” rather than to the “church”.

Romans 1

1:1-7 Greetings
1:8-15 Paul’s affection for the Roman Christians
1:16 The power of the gospel
1:17-32 The guilt of mankind

Romans 2

2:1-9 To judge others is to condemn self
2:10-16 God is no respecter of persons
2:17-29 The Jew and the law

Romans 3

3:1-8 What advantage has the Jew?
3:9-20 There is none righteous
3:21-31 Righteousness through faith

Romans 4

4:1-12 Abraham’s justification
4:13-25 The promise realized through faith

Romans 5

5:1-11 Results of justification
5:12-21 Sin through Adam-Salvation through Christ

Romans 6

6:1-13 Freedom from sin’s power
6:14-23 Christians are under grace, the Spirit’s law

Romans 7

7:1-6 The law and sin
7:7-12 The problem of indwelling sin
7:13-25 The struggle of two natures

Romans 8

8:1-27 Life in the Spirit
8:28-39 More than conquerors

Romans 9

9:1-33 The Jew and the Gospel

Romans 10

10:1-5 Zeal but no righteousness
10:6-21 Righteousness is by faith in Christ

Romans 11

11:1-10 The remnant of Israel
11:11-12 Salvation is come to the Gentiles
11:13-24 The Gentiles are warned
11:25-33 The restoration of Israel
11:34-36 The almighty God

Romans 12

12:1-2 Living sacrifices to God
12:3-21 The service of love to all

Romans 13

13:1-7 Honor authority
13:8-14 Walk in love

Romans 14

14:1-8 Let every man be fully persuaded in his mind
14:9-23 Christ is the only Judge

Romans 15

15:1-6 Unity in Christ
15:7-13 The Gospel to the Gentiles
15:14-21 Paul speaks of his ministry
15:22-33 Paul hopes to visit Rome

Romans 16

16:1-24 Personal greetings
16:25-27 Concluding doxology

1 Corinthians Index

The City of Corinth was a thriving metropolis filled with a pluralistic society and many cult religions. It also had a synagogue and a large contingency of Jews. The city’s moral depravity was legendary, and it was filed with every sin and immorality imaginable. In the midst of this cesspool, Christians assembled together in their faith and practice of following Jesus Christ. Unfortunately, these assembled Christians became divided over misconceptions regarding the nature of the body of Christ, the message of the gospel, and the nature of the ministry. Paul responded to their questioning letters and reports of dissent by writing the assembled at Corinth to put a stop to the division, and to instruct, correct, rebuke and edify where it was needed. Throughout 1 Corinthians, Paul speaks on the need for discipline and submission to the authority of Christ, as he uses words such as knowledge, wisdom, discern, love, holy and sanctify often in his epistle.

1 Corinthians 1

1:1-9 Introduction and greeting
1:10-12 The Corinthian problem: divisions
1:13-31 Paul speaks against divisions

1 Corinthians 2

2:1-16 Wisdom is God’s gift

1 Corinthians 3

3:1-4 Carnal minds hinder the growth of the spirit
3:5-10 Christians are co-laborers
3:11-15 Jesus Christ the only foundation
3:16-23 You are God’s temple

1 Corinthians 4

4:1-5 Real judgment
4:6-21 The authority of the apostles

1 Corinthians 5

5:1-13 Moral standards

1 Corinthians 6

6:1-8 Christians and the civil law
6:9-20 Purity among believers

1 Corinthians 7

7:1-40 Problems of the married and the unmarried

1 Corinthians 8

8:1-13 Christian freedom and brotherly obligations

1 Corinthians 9

9:1-6 Paul’s apostleship
9:7-18 Apostolic rights and obligations
9:19-27 All things to all men

1 Corinthians 10

10:1-13 Israel: a warning example
10:14-22 Flee from idolatry
10:23-33 Do all to the glory of God

1 Corinthians 11

11:1-16 The veiling of women
11:17-34 Concerning the Lord’s supper

1 Corinthians 12

12:1-11 Spiritual gifts
12:12-26 The body and it’s many members
12:27-31 Ye are the body of Christ

1 Corinthians 13

13:1-13 The wave of love

1 Corinthians 14

14:1-25 Prophecy superior to tongues
14:26-40 Order in worship

1 Corinthians 15

15:1-19 The resurrection of Christ
15:20-34 The assurance of the believer
15:35-58 The spiritual body

1 Corinthians 16

16:1-4 The contribution of the saints
16:5-12 Personal plans
16:13-20 Exhortations
16:21-24 Salutation and benediction

2 Corinthians Index

Paul’s second letter to the Corinth’s is actually the fourth letter that he wrote to them, and is known for it’s intensely personal and autobiographical nature. He wrote this epistle to the assembly that was established on his first visit to the city. Problems with worldliness, internal wranglings and doctrinal defections continued to fester in spite of his efforts in the first epistle. Opposition to Paul’s ministry leveled charges of fickleness, authoritarianism, ministering without proper credentials, cowardice, failure to maintain proper clerical dignity, presumption and fleshliness against him. Paul focused on his accusers corruption of the Word, their deceptiveness, their own ministry, and their lack of spiritual courage to step out and start a ministry. In the light of these problems, Paul wrote 2 Corinthians to justify and establish his authority as an apostle, and to bring about their full reconciliation with himself.

2 Corinthians 1

1:1-2 Salutation
1:3-11 Paul’s affliction
1:12-24 Postponement of his visit

2 Corinthians 2

2:1-4 Postponement of his visit (continued)
2:5-13 Forgiveness for the offender
2:14-17 Triumphant in Christ

2 Corinthians 3

3:1-18 Ministers in the New Testament

2 Corinthians 4

4:1-6 God’s power in the ministry
4:7-18 Living by faith

2 Corinthians 5

5:1-21 Ministers of reconciliation

2 Corinthians 6

6:1-10 Paul’s summary of the ministry
6:11-18 Paul pleads for separation from unbelievers

2 Corinthians 7

7:1-16 Paul’s joy at the Corinthians’ repentance

2 Corinthians 8

8:1-24 The collection for the other Christians

2 Corinthians 9

9:1-15 God loves a cheerful giver

2 Corinthians 10

10:1-18 Paul speaks of his spiritual authority

2 Corinthians 11

11:1-15 Paul warns of false leaders
11:16-33 Paul’s suffering as an apostle

2 Corinthians 12

12:1-10 Paul’s thorn in the flesh
12:11-13 Paul demonstrates his apostleship
12:14-18 Paul plans a third visit
12:19-21 Paul seeks repentance from the Corinthians

2 Corinthians 13

13:1-10 Paul speaks of his coming and warns of sin
13:11-14 Conclusion and benediction

Galatians Index

Paul had led the Galatians to Christ. They had made a good start in the Christian life and were doing well spiritually. Later, some Jewish teachers (called Judaizers) taught the Galatians that to be saved one must not only believe in Christ, but must also obey the Mosaic Law, the sign of which is circumcision. In preaching this heresy, they also attacked Paul’s apostleship and gospel. Their false teachings begin to hinder the Galatian’s obedience to the LORD GOD, and they were starting to observe some parts of the law, as well as considering a complete acceptance of the law.

Paul writes his epistle to expose the error of the Judaizers’ gospel and their impure motives. His ultimate goal is to prevent the readers from embracing a false gospel and to encourage them to retain their spiritual freedom in Christ. Paul’s focus is the justification by God’s grace through faith, the true message of salvation received directly from Jesus Christ.

Galatians 1

1:1-5 Greeting
1:6-10 There is no other gospel
1:11-24 Paul’s ministry of the true gospel

Galatians 2

2:1-10 Paul’s ministry of the true gospel (continued)
2:11-14 Paul rebukes Peter at Antioch
2:15-21 Justification is not of the law

Galatians 3

3:1-5 Freedom from the law
3:6-18 God’s covenant with Abraham
3:19-29 Purpose of the law

Galatians 4

4:1-7 Purpose of the law (continued)
4:8-20 Faith and the law
4:21-31 The allegory of Hagar and Sarah

Galatians 5

5:1-15 Living by faith
5:16-26 Walking in the Spirit

Galatians 6

6:1-10 Applications of new principles
6:11-18 Paul glories in the cross

Ephesians Index

Epaphras, a leader in the Colossian church, visited Paul while a prisoner at Rome to seek his apostolic help in dealing with the Colossian heresy. In response, Paul wrote the Colossians in opposition to their doctrinal error. Part of the defense of his position pictured Christ as head of the universe and of the church. After completing Colossians, Paul, with this idea of Christ’s headship still fresh in mind, wrote Ephesians to spell out the logical outcome of this doctrine: if Christ is the church’s Head, then Christians are members of His body; that is, believers enjoy an intimate relationship with Him, and thus have a unique relation with one another. Paul seeks to present the church as members of Jesus’ body, possessing the closest possible relationship with Him and each other. Paul also stresses that both the Jewish and Gentile Christians share the same intimacy in God’s family, and stand before Him on the same common ground of grace. These two doctrines join to make the theme of Ephesians that Jewish and Gentile believers are “one new man”.

Ephesians 1

1:1-2 Greeting
1:3-14 Spiritual blessings in Christ
1:15-23 Prayer for knowledge and understanding

Ephesians 2

2:1-10 Grace and faith
2:11-22 The unity of all believers

Ephesians 3

3:1-13 Paul’s mission to the Gentiles
3:14-21 Prayer for inner growth

Ephesians 4

4:1-13 The unity of the Spirit
4:14-32 The new life in Christ

Ephesians 5

5:1-21 The ways of the believer
5:22-33 Marriage is symbolic of the church

Ephesians 6

6:1-9 Advice to children and servants
6:10-20 The whole armor of God
6:21-24 Final greetings

Philippians Index

Paul planted the church in Philippi about A.D. 50, on his second missionary journey. Their love for Paul was reciprocated often in full measure, and they were considered by him to be his beloved brethren. The Philippian assembly was in good spiritual health, and their only flaw is a lack of complete harmony among some of their members. Hence, Paul often summons them to unite and cautions them of the potential danger of their enemies.

Paul wrote this epistle to offer sincere thanks to his beloved converts for their gifts and support to him when he was in prison in Rome, and to relieve some of their anxiety when Epaphroditus (one of their own congregation) fell deathly ill as he was ministering to Paul. The resulting distress among the congregation at word of Epaphroditus’ illness, created an added burden for Paul. As a result, Paul writes this epistle thanking them for their gifts, and sends Epaphroditus home prematurely in order that all three parties may be relieved of unnecessary anxiety for each other. Epaphroditus arrived back in Philippi with Paul’s letter of thanks in hand, and the congregation at Philippi had both their beloved brother and a letter from Paul, encouraging them to be joyful in their spirits.

Philippians 1

1:1-2 Salutation
1:3-11 Thanksgiving and prayer
1:12-26 To me to live is Christ
1:27-30 Exhortation to steadfastness

Philippians 2

2:1-11 Christ’s
humiliation and exaltation
2:12-18 Shining as lights in the world
2:19-30 Timothy and Epaphroditus

Philippians 3

3:1-21 Pressing toward the mark

Philippians 4

4:1-7 Rejoice in the Lord
4:8-9 Think on these things
4:10-20 Appreciation for the gift
4:21-23 Greetings and benediction

Colossians Index

The Colossian Christians had been led to Christ by Epaphras. The majority were Gentiles who were progressing in their new faith. Paul rejoiced over their good spiritual condition, but the Colossian church was being exposed to a local heresy that threatened to deprive them of their spiritual blessings. Epaphras either visited Paul in Rome, or was imprisoned there with him. He informed Paul of the dangerous theological error circulating in the churches of Colossae and Laodicea. In response to Epaphras’ plea for help, Paul writes this epistle to the Colossians, which is also to be read at the church at Laodicea, in an attempt to check the heresy’s influence, to demonstrate the pre-eminence of Christ, and to confirm the addresses in the Christian faith.

Colossians 1

1:1-2 Salutation
1:3-13 Prayer for spiritual wisdom
1:14-19 The pre-eminent Christ
1:20-22 Reconciliation in Christ
1:23-29 Paul’s service in Christ

Colossians 2

2:1-3 Paul’s service in Christ (continued)
2:4-23 Warning against false teaching

Colossians 3

3:1-11 The new life in Christ
3:12-17 The Christian virtues
3:18-25 Advice for domestic life of the Colossians

Colossians 4

4:1 Advice for domestic life of the Colossians (continued)
4:2-6 Personal greetings to the Colossians
4:7-18 Closing exhortation to the Colossians