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Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Matthew 11:28-30 (Come to Me All Who Are Weary)
We read Matthew 11:28-30 as a profound invitation grounded in Christ's role as the ultimate fulfillment of the covenant of grace. Here, Jesus calls the weary and burdened to find rest in Him, highlighting His sovereign ability to provide what the law could not — true spiritual rest. This passage is
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Matthew 11:28-30 (Come to Me All Who Are Weary)
We read this passage in Matthew 11:28-30 as a profound proclamation of the Gospel. Here, Christ offers rest to the weary and burdened, which we understand as the sinner overwhelmed by the weight of the Law and sin. Jesus' invitation is pure Gospel, a promise of grace and rest found in Him alone, apa
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Matthew 11:28-30 (Come to Me All Who Are Weary)
We read Matthew 11:28-30 as a profound invitation from Christ to enter into the rest that He provides through His grace and the sacramental life of the Church. This passage is a call to receive the peace that comes from union with Christ, which is made present to us in a special way through the Euch
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Matthew 11:28-30 (Come to Me All Who Are Weary)
We read this passage as an invitation from Jesus, who stands in solidarity with the weary and oppressed. It is a call to come to a Savior who understands the burdens of poverty, discrimination, and systemic injustice. Jesus offers rest not in the form of passivity but as liberation from the crushing
Traditional Lens Commentary: Genesis 17:1-27
We read Genesis 17:1-27 as a pivotal moment in the Abrahamic covenant, where God Almighty — El Shaddai — reiterates His promises to Abraham and institutes circumcision as the covenant sign. This passage underscores the sovereignty of God in choosing Abraham to be the father of many nations and the p
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Genesis 17:1-27
We read Genesis 17:1-27 as a pivotal moment in the unfolding of the covenant of grace. Here, God sovereignly reaffirms His covenant with Abraham, a covenant that is not contingent on human action but solely on His divine promise. The sign of circumcision is introduced as a means of grace, signifying
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Genesis 17:1-27
We read Genesis 17:1-27 through the Lutheran Lens as a narrative that underscores both Law and Gospel. The Law is evident in God's command of circumcision, which exposes humanity's inability to fulfill God's covenant without divine intervention. The Gospel is seen in God's promise to Abraham, pointi
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Genesis 17:1-27
In Genesis 17:1-27, we read this passage as a profound expression of God's covenantal relationship with His people, prefiguring the New Covenant in Christ. The renaming of Abram to Abraham signifies a new identity and mission, highlighting God's transformative grace, which is central to our sacramen
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Genesis 17:1-27
In Genesis 17:1-27, we read God's covenant with Abraham as a foundational moment of divine promise that speaks directly to our experience of deliverance and hope. God, the Almighty, renames Abram to Abraham and Sarai to Sarah, signifying a transformation that echoes our own journey from bondage to l
Traditional Lens Commentary: 2 Timothy 1:6-14
We read this passage as a powerful exhortation to remain steadfast in the faith and to persevere in the calling we have received in Christ Jesus. Paul, under divine inspiration, charges Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God and to not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord. This passage unde
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: 2 Timothy 1:6-14
We read 2 Timothy 1:6-14 as a passage that highlights the necessity of perseverance in the gospel through the power of God's sovereign grace. Paul exhorts Timothy to 'fan into flame' the gift of God, recognizing that it is God who initiates and sustains this gift through His effectual calling. This
Lutheran Lens Commentary: 2 Timothy 1:6-14
We read this passage as an exhortation to remain steadfast in the Gospel through the lens of Law and Gospel. The Law is evident in the call to 'fan into flame the gift of God,' reminding us of our inability to sustain faith by our own efforts. The Gospel shines through in the assurance of God's grac
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: 2 Timothy 1:6-14
In the Roman Catholic Lens tradition, we read 2 Timothy 1:6-14 as a call to rekindle the gift of God received through the laying on of hands, which we interpret sacramentally as the grace bestowed in the sacrament of Holy Orders. This passage underscores the importance of apostolic succession and th
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: 2 Timothy 1:6-14
We read 2 Timothy 1:6-14 as a clarion call to fan into flame the gift of God that resides within us, a gift not of timidity but of power, love, and self-discipline. This passage speaks to the resilience and empowerment necessary for our community's ongoing struggle for liberation. We are reminded th
Traditional Lens Commentary: Galatians 5:22-23 (Fruit of the Spirit)
We read Galatians 5:22-23 as a clear call to exhibit the character of Christ through the fruit of the Spirit, which is evidence of sanctification in the believer's life. This passage outlines the virtues that the Holy Spirit cultivates within us as we walk in obedience to the Word of God. The Apostl
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Galatians 5:22-23 (Fruit of the Spirit)
We read Galatians 5:22-23 as a profound expression of the Spirit's work in the life of the believer, which is rooted in God's sovereign grace. This passage is not a mere list of moral attributes for us to achieve by our own strength but is the fruit borne out of the Spirit's effectual work in sancti
Traditional Lens Commentary: Matthew 5:43-48
We read this passage as a radical call to love that transcends our natural inclinations. Jesus commands us to love our enemies and pray for those who persecute us, demonstrating that God's love is impartial and all-encompassing. This teaching reflects the heart of the gospel, where the love of God i
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Romans 10:9-10 (Confess and Believe)
We read Romans 10:9-10 as a declaration of liberation and commitment to the transformative power of the gospel. Confessing 'Jesus is Lord' is a revolutionary act that defies all earthly powers, affirming our allegiance to a liberating Savior who stands with the oppressed. Believing in the heart is n
Traditional Lens Commentary: Joshua 1:1-9
We read Joshua 1:1-9 as God's commissioning of Joshua as a continuation of His covenantal promises to Israel. This passage emphasizes the necessity of courage and obedience to God's Word as Joshua leads the people into the Promised Land. We understand the text as highlighting God's faithfulness to H
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Joshua 1:1-9
We read Joshua 1:1-9 as a pivotal moment in redemptive history, where God's sovereign grace is manifest in the transition of leadership from Moses to Joshua. This passage underscores the continuity of God's covenant promises, as Joshua is charged to lead Israel into the Promised Land, a type of the
Lutheran Lens Commentary: Joshua 1:1-9
We read Joshua 1:1-9 as a text where the Law and Gospel are distinctly present. The command to 'be strong and courageous' is a clear presentation of the Law, which exposes our incapacity to fulfill God's demands on our own. Yet, within this command is the Gospel promise — God Himself will be with Jo
Roman Catholic Lens Commentary: Joshua 1:1-9
We read Joshua 1:1-9 as a profound invitation to trust in God's providential guidance and faithfulness to His covenant promises. Within the Catholic tradition, this passage is seen as a prefiguration of the Church's mission, guided by the Holy Spirit and rooted in the promise of Christ's abiding pre
Black Church Tradition Lens Commentary: Joshua 1:1-9
We read Joshua 1:1-9 as a mandate of liberation and empowerment for God's people. This passage speaks to us of the transition from the wilderness into the promise of freedom and land, echoing our journey from oppression to liberation. God commands Joshua to be strong and courageous, reminding us tha
Reformed (Presbyterian) Lens Commentary: Ephesians 6:10-18
We read Ephesians 6:10-18 through the lens of covenant theology, understanding this passage as an exhortation to stand firm in the strength of the Lord because of our union with Christ. The imagery of the armor of God is deeply rooted in the Old Testament, where God himself is depicted as a warrior.