Print
Search for page by title (auto-completes)
Advanced search
  
Translate into

The Bible

OT Overview

NT Overview

OT Books

NT Books

OT History

NT History

OT Studies

Pentateuch Studies

History Books Studies

Studies in the Prophets

NT Studies

Studies in the Gospels

Acts and Letters Studies

Revelation Studies

Inductive Study

Types of Literature

Geography

Early Church

British Museum

Museums

Historical Documents

Life Questions

How to Preach

Teaching

SBS Staff

Advanced Search
Search for word or phrase within each page
Search by OT book and chapter
Search by NT book and chapter


Romans VII - Travel plans and Greeting (15:14 - 16:27)

Julian Spriggs M.A.

Related articles

Introduction
I: Paul and his Gospel (1:1 - 17) II: The Bad News (1:18 - 3:20)
III: The Good News (3:21 - 5:21) IV: Sanctification (6:1 - 8:39)
V: Election and Mercy (9:1 - 11:36) VI: Living the Gospel (12:1 - 15:13)
VII: Travel plans, Greeting (15:14 - 16:27)

Prev - Romans VI

Section Introduction

Before coming to the greetings, Paul includes a substantial section about his own ministry and travel plans. He is wanting to come to Rome on his way to Spain, but only after he has returned to Jerusalem. He has collected a financial offering from the Gentile believers for the poor believers in Jerusalem. This is to bring practical help, but is also a practical demonstration of the unity between Gentile and Jewish believers.

Travel plans - Jerusalem, Rome, Spain (15:14 - 33)

Gospel fully proclaimed from Jerusalem to Illyricum (15:14-21)

As the letter draws to a close, he encourages the Roman believers, saying that they are full of goodness and knowledge (v14). They were a people strongly established in their faith, and a testimony to the world (1:8). However, in this letter, Paul has written rather boldly by way of reminder (v15). As the apostle to the Gentiles, he has had to address some issues of disunity between the Jewish and Gentile believers in Rome. He desires that the offering of the Gentiles may be acceptable (v16), both to God and to the Jewish believers. The offering can be seen in both spiritual and physical terms, the offering of Gentiles becoming part of the people of God, and the material collection for the saints in Jerusalem.

Even though boasting was excluded earlier (3:27), Paul does see that he can boast about his work for God, his ministry to the Gentiles (11:13-14). His overriding desire is to see obedience from the Gentiles (v18, 1:5, 16:26). By the power of the Spirit, he has proclaimed the Gospel from Jerusalem to Illyricum (eastern Adriatic). There is no mention of Paul visiting Illyricum in the Book of Acts. This shows us that Luke has been selective in what he included in Acts. It appears that Paul travelled even more widely than Luke records, so his missionary journeys included more places than we normally see on the maps. He must have visited Illyricum during either the second or third missionary journeys.

Strong churches had been established in all the major cities, such as those in Galatia, Ephesus, Philippi, Thessalonica, Beroea, and Corinth. Paul now sees that his work in this region is finished, and can leave it to these churches to bring the Gospel to their surrounding areas. His apostolic call is to preach the Gospel where it has not been proclaimed before (v20), so his planned visit to Rome would merely be a stepping-stone to ministry in new areas in the western Mediterranean.

Desire to come to you and sent on to Spain (15:22-29)

He repeats several of the points he made in his original thanksgiving in chapter one (1:8-15). He sees that his work for the Gospel in the eastern Mediterranean is completed, and now wants to fulfil his long-term ambition to come to Rome. As stated before, he desires to enjoy their fellowship, and receive their support for his planned ministry to Spain and the west. Although he does not say so explicitly, it is likely that he would like Rome to become the sending church for this new phase in his ministry, just as the church in Antioch was before (Acts 13:1). This could explain why he expounded the Gospel message that he preaches in such detail to the church in Rome.

Before he can come to Rome, he needs to return to Jerusalem. During his third missionary journey he revisited many of the churches that he had established during his first two journeys. He had been making a financial collection for the poor believers in Jerusalem. This was aimed to bring them practical help (v26), but was also a statement of unity in the face of Jewish opposition to Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles. Jesus came as the Messiah to the Jews, and now the Gentiles can also enjoy their blessing, to share the rich root of the olive tree (11:17). Gentiles had received spiritual blessings from the Jews, so it was only right to the share their material blessings with the Jewish believers in Jerusalem (v27). Paul also wrote about this collection in his two letters to the Corinthians (1 Cor 16:1-4, 2 Cor 8-9). It is most likely that he wrote the letter to the Romans while in Corinth (Acts 20:3). After Corinth, he travelled towards Jerusalem accompanied by representatives from the Gentile churches he had established in Beroea, Thessalonica, Derbe, Lystra (Timothy), and Asia (probably Ephesus) (Acts 20:4-5). The presence of this mixed group of Jewish and Gentile believers in Jerusalem would act as a strong testimony to their unity in Christ. After delivering this collection to Jerusalem, he will be free to come to Rome at last (v28-29).

Join me in earnest prayer on my behalf (15:30-33)

He asks the Roman believers to pray earnestly for him because he knows his return to Jerusalem is contentious and potentially dangerous. His prayer request has three parts (v31-32): The first that God would rescue him from unbelievers in Jerusalem. All through his ministry, Paul had faced often violent opposition from Jews, who objected to his ministry to the Gentiles. The second part of the prayer is that his ministry in Jerusalem would be acceptable to the saints. This could refer to the collection, that the Jewish believers would accept his gift, as well as embracing its wider purpose of a demonstration of the unity of Jewish and Gentile believers in Christ. The third part follows as a consequence of the first two: that he will be able to come to Rome and enjoy their fellowship.

We can ask whether his prayers were answered. They were, but not perhaps in the way he desired or expected. His life was preserved in Jerusalem, even though some Jews made oaths to kill Paul (Acts 23:12), and the chief priests arranged to ambush him (Acts 25:3). Romans soldiers had to arrest him for his own safety (Acts 21:27-36), and he appealed to the emperor to avoid being tried in a Jewish court (Acts 25:8-12). We have no idea whether the collection was accepted, as Luke makes no mention of it in the Book of Acts. We do know he came to Rome, but as a prisoner (Acts 28). However, he was still able to be effective in ministry for Jesus (Phil 1:12-14).

Whether Paul visited Spain is not certain. Clement, bishop of Rome, says this in his letter to Corinth (AD 96): "After he had been seven times in chains, had been driven into exile, had been stoned, and had preached in the East and in the West, he won the genuine glory for his faith, having taught righteousness to the whole world and having reached the farthest limits of the West." (1 Clement 5:6-7). The farthest limits of the West is probably Spain (the Straits of Gibraltar?), but could possibly refer to Britain.

Greetings to Roman Christians (16:1-27)

A note has already been made about the status of chapter 16 in the Introduction to Romans. Paul greatly expands the normal greeting section of the letter to include a long list of people he greets in the church in Rome. He also includes a strong warning against people causing dissensions, greetings from the people with him in Corinth, and a powerful doxology to conclude the letter.

I commend sister Phoebe, welcome her (16:1-2)

Paul writes a brief introduction to commend Phoebe. Such letters of commendation were common if someone was moving to a strange town; or in the Christian world, visiting a church in another town. Phoebe was a deaconess at the church of Cenchreae, the eastern seaport of Corinth, and was probably the post-woman, who was carrying the letter to Rome. The Roman church was requested to help her. She is spoken well of by Paul as a benefactor, or patroness.

Greetings to believers in Rome (16:3-16)

Paul greets twenty-six people by name in the churches in Rome, giving us a fascinating insight into the composition of the church. The majority of the names are Gentile, but there also a number of Jews. There was a mixture of slaves and free, as well as a number of people who probably have connections with the imperial household. Thirteen of all the names mentioned also occur in inscriptions or documents that have connections with the Emperor's palace in Rome. There is no easy way to determine whether they are the same people as named here. We know that the church had certainly penetrated Caesar's household (Phil 1:13, 4:22). He greets nine different women, four of whom are commended for their labour in the Lord, Mary (v6), Tryphaena and Tryphosa (v12) and Persis (v12). It is clear that women also had an important part to play in the Lord’s work.

1 & 2. Prisca & Aquila (v3) arrived in Corinth because of the edict by Claudius that Jews should leave Rome (Acts 18:2). Aquila is a Latin name meaning eagle, but he was a Jew, so he would also have had a Jewish name. Howver it seems that his wife was not Jewish. Luke uses the diminutive familiar form Priscilla. When Paul arrived in Corinth, they established a friendship that would continue for many years. They, like Paul, were tent makers. When Paul left Corinth for Ephesus on the second missionary journey, Priscilla and Aquila travelled with him. He left them there while he visited Jerusalem, during which time they ministered to Apollos, "... teaching the way of God more accurately" (Acts 18:26). Around AD 55, Priscilla and Aquila were still in Ephesus where they had a church in their house (1 Cor 16:19). From this passage, it is clear that they were back in Rome, where Paul's describes them as fellow workers. He says they risked their necks for his life, but we do not know when this happened, the riot in Ephesus is a possibility. Many Gentiles give thanks for them, and they have a church in their house. By the mid-sixties, they were once again back in Ephesus (2 Tim 4:19).

3. Epaenetus (v5) is otherwise unknown. The fact that he was Paul's first convert in Asia, probably in Ephesus on the third missionary journey, made him special to Paul.

4. Mary (v6) was a common Jewish name and there is no evidence to relate this to any other Mary in the New Testament. Paul describes her as a hard-working lady, indicating that she had been a believer for some time.

5 & 6. Andronicus and Junia (v7) were probably a husband and wife team, who are both referred to as apostles. They would have been saved soon after (if not at) Pentecost. "My relatives" means they were Jews. During their ministry they had shared one of Paul's many imprisonments. They had an outstanding ministry and were well known among those who were called apostles, perhaps being commended by the apostles in Jerusalem. There is a debate over the name Junia. Traditionally it has been translated Junias, a male name, which is otherwise unknown in the Roman world. If it is Junia, then a woman is described by Paul as being prominent among the apostles.

7. Ampliatus (v8) is unknown, other than that he was beloved by Paul. Ampliatus was a common slave name, and often used in the imperial household. In the earliest of the Christian catacombs, there is a decorated tomb with a single name Ampliatus. The single name implies that he was a slave, while the fact that his tomb was decorated shows he was of high rank in the church.

8. Urbanus (v9) is unknown fellow-worker in the church. His name means that he belongs to the urbs or city, meaning that he is a citizen of Rome.

9. Stachys (v9) An otherwise unknown woman, beloved by Paul. Stachys was an unusual woman’s name, but others of this name have been found in association with the imperial household.

10. Apelles (v10) is a very common Jewish name, meaning approved or tested in Christ. He is otherwise unknown.

11. Those who belong to the family of Aristobulus (v10). Aristobulus may have been one of the seventy disciples sent out by Jesus. He later preached in Britain and become a bishop, and by tradition is buried in Wales. The family of Aristobulus would either mean his household or a church meeting in his house. There was a grandson of Herod the Great called Aristobulus, brother of Herod Agrippa I. He was a quiet man and did not inherit any of Herod's land, but there is no way of telling whether this was the same individual.

12. Herodian (v11). A Jewish believer in Rome, no more known about him. Described as a relative of Paul, either meaning a fellow-Jew, or actually a physical relative. His name might indicate some link with the family of King Herod.

13. The family of Narcissus (v11). It is not known whether this refers to a family or to a church. It is interesting to note that Paul says to greet those "in the Lord". Perhaps not all of the family of Narcissus were Christians. Narcissus was a common Gentile name. There was a Tiberius Claudius Narcissus who was a secretary to Claudius. He amassed almost £4 million because letters to Claudius passed by him. Nero compelled Narcissus to commit suicide to get his wealth. Paul may be referring to the slaves and servants of this man. If so, then Christianity was well established in Caesar's household.

14 & 15. Tryphaena & Tryphosa (v12) These are both women in Rome who were 'workers'. Their names mean 'Dainty' and 'Delicate', so they were probably sisters, or even twins, as their names have the same root. These names have also been found in the imperial household.

16. Persis (v12) was another Gentile woman in Rome who is beloved and worked hard. Her name means 'Persian woman'.

17. Rufus (v13) is a very common name meaning 'Red or red haired'. Simon of Cyrene, who carried Jesus’ cross, is described as the father of Alexander and Rufus (Mark 15:21). Mark wrote his gospel for the Roman Christians and mentioned these three people by name perhaps because they were known to them. His Mother (v13) is otherwise unknown. Paul refers to her as 'his mother', indicating that he must have known her personally some time in the past. Paul had not yet been to Rome but there was a Simeon called Niger (black) in the church in Antioch (Acts 13:1). If this was Simon of Cyrene, then Paul could well have known the family there and Rufus' mother may have cared for him. They could then have moved to Rome, and as Simon is not mentioned, it seems that Simon was not alive when Romans were written, or was elsewhere.

18 & 19. Asyncritus and Phlegon (v14) are also unknown Gentiles.

20. Hermes (v14) was a common slave name, named after Hermes, the god of good luck.

21. Patrobas (v14), an abbreviation of Patrobius, a name of a wealthy freedman of Nero.

22. Hermas (v14) was a very common name. Jerome identifies him as the same Hermas who later wrote The Shepherd of Hermas, a popular Christian allegory: "Hermas whom the apostle Paul mentions in writing to the Romans "Salute Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas and the brethren that are with them" is reputed to be the author of the book which is called Pastor and which is also read publicly in some churches of Greece. It is in fact a useful book and many of the ancient writers quote from it as authority, but among the Latins it is almost unknown." (Lives of Illustrious Men 10). All five names in v14 are Greek. The brethren with them could be the elders of one of the Gentile fellowships in Rome.

23 & 24. Philologus and Julia (v15) are otherwise unknown, and are probably a married couple.

25. Nereus (v15). Nothing else is known about him. However, In AD 95 two of the most distinguished people in the city were condemned for being Christians, Flavus Clemens and his wife Domatilla. Nereus was the name of the chamberlain, who was probably a slave, who perhaps had led them to Christ. The father of Flavius Clemens was Flavius Sabinus, who was Nero's executioner. Nothing else is known about his unnamed sister (v15).

26. Olympas (v15) nothing else known about him. Philologus, Julia, Nereus, his sister, and Olympus were probably members of the same family: father, mother, two sons and a daughter, or otherwise leaders of the church. The saints with them (v15) would be a church that met in their house or under their leadership.

Warning about those causing dissensions (16:17-20)

Between all the greetings comes a strong warning against those who are causing dissensions. Paul urges the believers to be vigilant, to protect the Gospel from falsehood and the community of believers from disunity. He describes the false teachers as greedy (as Phil 3:19), flatterers and deceivers. It is often possible to identify false teachers by their attitude towards physical possessions. He calls the believers to discernment: to be wise in what is good, and guileless in what is evil.

Greetings from Paul’s friends (16:21-23)

These are the people with Paul in Corinth, who are sending greetings to the believers in Rome. The first four are all Jews (v21), the others are Gentiles.

1. Timothy (v21), Paul’s loyal co-worker, was also with Paul in Corinth when he wrote Romans.

2. Lucius (v21). A man named Lucius was one of those praying with Paul and Barnabas when they were set apart for the first missionary journey (Acts 13:1). This may be the same man. If so he is from Cyrene in Libya, North Africa.

3. Jason (v21) is unknown, unless he is the same Jason who was host to Paul in Thessalonica (Acts 15:5-9). He house was attacked and he was dragged before city authorities. He could well have been with Paul in Corinth.

4. Sosipater (v21) may be the Sopater of Beroea (Acts 20:4), who was with Paul on his return to Jerusalem at the end of the third missionary journey.

5. Tertius (v22) was Paul's scribe in Corinth, and wrote his greeting himself.

6. Gaius (v23) is a name mentioned in several places in the New Testament (Acts 19:29, 20:4, 3 John 1), but these are unlikely all to be the same person. Paul baptized a man named Gaius in Corinth (1 Cor 1:14), one of the few people who was baptized by Paul, who is likely to be the same man. He was Paul's host in Corinth when this letter was written. He was also host to the whole church, meaning either that Gaius was leader, or that it met at his house.

7. Erastus (v23) was the City Treasurer of Corinth, a prominent civic position. A Latin inscription on a paving block was found in Corinth in 1929, saying, "Erastus, in return for his aedileship (appointment as commissioner for public works) laid this pavement at his own expense".

8. Quartus (v23) is an otherwise unknown believer in Corinth. Quartus (meaning fourth) may have been the younger brother of the writer of the letter, Tertius (meaning third) (v22), indicating that these were both born as slaves. How dehumanising to name your children first, second, third and fourth!

Doxology: To God who can strengthen you (16:25-27)

Some manuscripts have an extra verse (v24) here: "The grace or our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Amen". The book finishes with a powerful doxology, which is missing in some manuscripts. In his praise for God, Paul restates much of which is declared in the introduction (1:1-6). Again he mentions the revelation of the mystery which was hidden in ancient times, but is now made known through the Gospel, particularly to the Gentiles, the aim of which is to bring about, "the obedience of faith"(as 1:5, 15:18).

Prev - Romans VI

Related articles

Introduction
I: Paul and his Gospel (1:1 - 17) II: The Bad News (1:18 - 3:20)
III: The Good News (3:21 - 5:21) IV: Sanctification (6:1 - 8:39)
V: Election and Mercy (9:1 - 11:36) VI: Living the Gospel (12:1 - 15:13)
VII: Travel plans, Greeting (15:14 - 16:27)

The Bible

Pages which look at issues relevant to the whole Bible, such as the Canon of Scripture, as well as doctrinal and theological issues. There are also pages about the Apocrypha, Pseudepigrapha and 'lost books' of the Old Testament.

Also included are lists of the quotations of the OT in the NT, and passages of the OT quoted in the NT.

Why These 66 Books?
Books in the Hebrew Scriptures
Quotations in NT From OT
OT Passages Quoted in NT
History of the English Bible
Twelve Books of the Apocrypha
The Pseudepigrapha - False Writings
Lost Books Referenced in OT

Old Testament Overview

This is a series of six pages which give a historical overview through the Old Testament and the inter-testamental period, showing where each OT book fits into the history of Israel.

OT 1: Creation and Patriarchs
OT 2: Exodus and Wilderness
OT 3: Conquest and Monarchy
OT 4: Divided kingdom and Exile
OT 5: Return from Exile
OT 6: 400 Silent Years

New Testament Overview

This is a series of five pages which give a historical overview through the New Testament, focusing on the Ministry of Jesus, Paul's missionary journeys, and the later first century. Again, it shows where each book of the NT fits into the history of the first century.

NT 1: Life and Ministry of Jesus
NT 2: Birth of the Church
NT 3: Paul's Missionary Journeys
NT 4: Paul's Imprisonment
NT 5: John and Later NT

Introductions to Old Testament Books

This is an almost complete collection of introductions to each of the books in the Old Testament. Each contains information about the authorship, date, historical setting and main themes of the book.

Genesis Exodus Leviticus
Numbers Deuteronomy

Joshua Judges Ruth
1 & 2 Samuel 1 & 2 Kings Chronicles
Ezra & Nehemiah Esther

Job Psalms Proverbs

Isaiah Jeremiah Lamentations
Ezekiel Daniel

Hosea Joel Amos
Obadiah Jonah Micah
Nahum Habakkuk Zephaniah
Haggai Zechariah Malachi

Introductions to New Testament Books

This is a collection of introductions to each of the 27 books in the New Testament. Each contains information about the authorship, date, historical setting and main themes of the book.

Matthew's Gospel Mark's Gospel Luke's Gospel
John's Gospel

Book of Acts

Romans 1 Corinthians 2 Corinthians
Galatians Ephesians Philippians
Colossians 1 & 2 Thessalonians 1 Timothy
2 Timothy Titus Philemon

Hebrews James 1 Peter
2 Peter 1 John 2 & 3 John
Jude

Revelation

Old Testament History

Information about the different nations surrounding Israel, and other articles concerning Old Testament history and the inter-testamental period.

Canaanite Religion
Israel's Enemies During the Conquest
Syria / Aram
The Assyrian Empire
Babylon and its History
The Persian Empire
The Greek Empire
The 400 Silent Years
The Ptolemies and Seleucids
Antiochus IV - Epiphanes

Old Testament Studies

A series of articles covering more general topics for OT studies. These include a list of the people named in the OT and confirmed by archaeology. There are also pages to convert the different units of measure in the OT, such as the talent, cubit and ephah into modern units.

More theological topics include warfare in the ancient world, the Holy Spirit in the OT, and types of Jesus in the OT.

OT People Confirmed by Archaeology
The Jewish Calendar
The Importance of Paradox
Talent Converter (weights)
Cubit Converter (lengths)
OT People Search
Ephah Converter (volumes)
Holy War in the Ancient World
The Holy Spirit in the OT
Types of Jesus in the OT

Studies in the Pentateuch (Gen - Deut)

A series of articles covering studies in the five books of Moses. Studies in the Book of Genesis look at the historical nature of the early chapters of Genesis, the Tower of Babel and the Table of the Nations.

There are also pages about covenants, the sacrifices and offerings, the Jewish festivals and the tabernacle, as well as the issue of tithing.

Are chapters 1-11 of Genesis historical?
Chronology of the Flood
Genealogies of the Patriarchs
Table of the Nations (Gen 10)
Tower of Babel (Gen 11:1-9)

Authorship of the Pentateuch
Chronology of the Wilderness Years
Names of God in the OT
Covenants in the OT
The Ten Commandments
The Tabernacle and its Theology
Sacrifices and Offerings
The Jewish Festivals
Balaam and Balak
Tithing
Highlights from Deuteronomy
Overview of Deuteronomy

Studies in the Old Testament History Books (Josh - Esther)

Articles containing studies and helpful information for the history books. These include a list of the dates of the kings of Israel and Judah, a summary of the kings of the Northern Kingdom of Israel, and studies of Solomon, Jeroboam and Josiah.

There are also pages describing some of the historical events of the period, including the Syro-Ephraimite War, and the Assyrian invasion of Judah in 701 BC.

Dates of the Kings of Judah and Israel
King Solomon
The Kings of Israel
King Jeroboam I of Israel
The Syro-Ephraimite War (735 BC)
Sennacherib's Invasion of Judah (701 BC)
King Josiah of Judah
Differences Between Kings and Chronicles
Chronology of the post-exilic period

Studies in the Old Testament Prophets (Is - Mal)

Articles containing studies and helpful information for the OT prophets. These include a page looking at the way the prophets look ahead into their future, a page looking at the question of whether Satan is a fallen angel, and a page studying the seventy weeks of Daniel.

There are also a series of pages giving a commentary through the text of two of the books:
Isaiah (13 pages) and Daniel (10 pages).

Prophets and the Future
The Call of Jeremiah (Jer 1)
The Fall of Satan? (Is 14, Ezek 28)
Daniel Commentary (10 pages)
Isaiah Commentary (13 pages)
Formation of the Book of Jeremiah


Daniel's Seventy Weeks (Dan 9:24-27)

New Testament Studies

A series of articles covering more general topics for NT studies. These include a list of the people in the NT confirmed by archaeology.

More theological topics include the Kingdom of God and the Coming of Christ.

NT People Confirmed by Archaeology
The Kingdom of God / Heaven
Parousia (Coming of Christ)
The Importance of Paradox

Studies in the Four Gospels (Matt - John)

A series of articles covering various studies in the four gospels. These include a list of the unique passages in each of the Synoptic Gospels and helpful information about the parables and how to interpret them.

Some articles look at the life and ministry of Jesus, including his genealogy, birth narratives, transfiguration, the triumphal entry into Jerusalem, and the seating arrangements at the Last Supper.

More theological topics include the teaching about the Holy Spirit as the Paraclete and whether John the Baptist fulfilled the predictions of the coming of Elijah.

Unique Passages in the Synoptic Gospels
The SynopticProblem
Genealogy of Jesus (Matt 1)
Birth Narratives of Jesus
Understanding the Parables
Peter's Confession and the Transfiguration
Was John the Baptist Elijah?
The Triumphal Entry
The Olivet Discourse (Mark 13)
Important themes in John's Gospel
John's Gospel Prologue (John 1)
Jesus Fulfilling Jewish Festivals
Reclining at Table at the Last Supper
The Holy Spirit as the Paraclete

Studies in the Book of Acts and the New Testament Letters

A series of articles covering various studies in the Book of Acts and the Letters, including Paul's letters. These include a page studying the messages given by the apostles in the Book of Acts, and the information about the financial collection that Paul made during his third missionary journey. More theological topics include Paul's teaching on Jesus as the last Adam, and descriptions of the church such as the body of Christ and the temple, as well as a look at redemption and the issue of fallen angels.

There are a series of pages giving a commentary through the text of five of the books:
Romans (7 pages), 1 Corinthians (7 pages), Galatians (3 pages), Philemon (1 page) and Hebrews (7 pages)

Apostolic Messages in the Book of Acts
Paul and His Apostleship
Collection for the Saints
The Church Described as a Temple
Church as the Body of Christ
Jesus as the Last Adam
Food Offered to Idols
Paul's Teaching on Headcoverings
Who are the Fallen Angels
The Meaning of Redemption
What is the Church?
Paul and the Greek Games

Romans Commentary (7 pages)

1 Corinthians Commentary (7 pages)

Galatians Commentary (3 pages)

Philemon Commentary (1 page)

Hebrews Commentary (7 pages)

Studies in the Book of Revelation

Articles containing studies and helpful information for the study of the Book of Revelation and topics concerning Eschatology (the study of end-times).

These include a description of the structure of the book, a comparison and contrast between the good and evil characters in the book and a list of the many allusions to the OT. For the seven churches, there is a page which gives links to their location on Google maps.

There is a page studying the important theme of Jesus as the Lamb, which forms the central theological truth of the book. There are pages looking at the major views of the Millennium, as well as the rapture and tribulation, as well as a list of dates of the second coming that have been mistakenly predicted through history.

There is also a series of ten pages giving a detailed commentry through the text of the Book of Revelation.

Introduction to the Book of Revelation
Characters Introduced in the Book
Structure of Revelation
List of Allusions to OT
The Description of Jesus as the Lamb
Virtual Seven Churches of Revelation
The Nero Redivius Myth
The Millennium (1000 years)
The Rapture and the Tribulation
Different Approaches to Revelation
Predicted Dates of the Second Coming

Revelation Commentary (10 pages)

How to do Inductive Bible Study

These are a series of pages giving practical help showing how to study the Bible inductively, by asking a series of simple questions. There are lists of observation and interpretation questions, as well as information about the structure and historical background of biblical books, as well as a list of the different types of figures of speech used in the Bible. There is also a page giving helpful tips on how to apply the Scriptures personally.

How to Study the Bible Inductively
I. The Inductive Study Method
II. Observation Questions
III. Interpretation Questions
IV. Structure of Books
V. Determining the Historical background
VI. Identifying Figures of Speech
VII. Personal Application
VIII. Text Layout

Types of Literature in the Bible

These are a series of pages giving practical help showing how to study each of the different types of book in the Bible by appreciating the type of literature being used. These include historical narrative, law, wisdom, prophets, Gospels, Acts, letters and Revelation.

It is most important that when reading the Bible we are taking note of the type of literature we are reading. Each type needs to be considered and interpreted differently as they have different purposes.

How to Understand OT Narratives
How to Understand OT Law
Hebrew Poetry
OT Wisdom Literature
Understanding the OT Prophets
The Four Gospels
The Parables of Jesus
The Book of Acts
How to Understand the NT Letters
Studying End Times (Eschatology)
The Book of Revelation

Geography and Archaeology

These are a series of pages giving geographical and archaeological information relevant to the study of the Bible. There is a page where you can search for a particular geographical location and locate it on Google maps, as well as viewing photographs on other sites.

There are also pages with photographs from Ephesus and Corinth.

Search for Geographical Locations
Major Archaeological Sites in Israel
Archaeological Sites in Assyria, Babylon and Persia
Virtual Paul's Missionary Journeys
Virtual Seven Churches of Revelation
Photos of the City of Corinth
Photos of the City of Ephesus

Biblical Archaeology in Museums around the world

A page with a facility to search for artifacts held in museums around the world which have a connection with the Bible. These give information about each artifact, as well as links to the museum's collection website where available showing high resolution photographs of the artifact.

There is also page of photographs from the Israel Museum in Jerusalem of important artifacts.

Search Museums for Biblical Archaeology
Israel Museum Photos

Difficult Theological and Ethical Questions

These are a series of pages looking at some of the more difficult questions of Christian theology, including war, suffering, disappointment and what happens to those who have never heard the Gospel.

Christian Ethics
Never Heard the Gospel
Is there Ever a Just War?
Why Does God Allow Suffering
Handling Disappointment

How to Preach

These are a series of pages giving a practical step-by-step explanation of the process of preparing a message for preaching, and how to lead a small group Bible study.

What is Preaching?
I. Two Approaches to Preaching
II. Study a Passage for Preaching
III. Creating a Message Outline
IV. Making Preaching Relevant
V. Presentation and Public Speaking
VI. Preaching Feedback and Critique
Leading a Small Group Bible Study

Information for SBS staff members

Two pages particularly relevant for people serving as staff on the School of Biblical Studies (SBS) in YWAM. One gives helpful instruction about how to prepare to teach on a book in the SBS. The other gives a list of recommended topics which can be taught about for each book of the Bible.

Teaching on SBS Book Topics for SBS