S – Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead, ¹⁴ I pursue as my goal the prize promised by God’s heavenly call in Christ Jesus.

Phipippians 3:13–14 CSB

O – Commentary:

What is behind” (niv) belongs to Paul’s image of the race; to win, one must keep one’s eyes on the finish line; Greek runners often ran in a straight line and back.

3:14. At the end of each race, officials had their heralds proclaim the winner and call him up to receive his prize (in the Olympic games, a palm branch). (“Above” or “upward” also alludes to Christ in heaven, 3:20; cf. Col 3:1–2.) In Paul’s metaphor, the prize is the full revelation of Christ at the resurrection (3:10–11).

 Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, Second Edition (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2014), 564.

A – In our relationship with Christ, we are going to have to leave the past behind.  Victories, wins, challenges and defeats.  We cannot live in the past – we must live in the present with the future in our vision. We can learn, understand and grow from the past but then we need to move on to what is before us today.  

R – Heavenly Father, you are the God of the past, present and future.  We surrender the things of the past to you.  We will not live today allowing the memories of the past to dictate our words, thoughts and actions.  Empower us to face today with your Holy Spirit.

S – Do nothing out of selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility consider others as more important than yourselves. ⁴ Everyone should look not to his own interests, but rather to the interests of others. 

 Philippians 2:3–4 CSB

O – Commentary:

Nothing was to be done out of selfish ambition (v. 3). The same word (eritheian) appears in 1:17 to describe the attitude of those who opposed Paul. Without question such behavior is of the flesh and not the Spirit (cf. Gal. 5:20, which uses the same word). Vain conceit, meaning “empty glory,” was probably the root cause of their selfish ambition.

The two negatives are followed by a positive exhortation: in humility consider others better than yourselves. But, a word of contrast, introduces these words. Humility before God and man is a virtue every child of God needs to strive for. A spirit of pride in human relations indicates a lack of humility before God. Paul exhorted the Philippians to consider others before themselves (cf. 1 Peter 5:5–6). “This will go far toward removing disharmony” (Homer A. Kent, Jr., “Philippians,” in The Expositor’s Bible Commentary, 11: 122).

Paul explained how humility can be expressed (Phil. 2:4). Instead of concentrating on self, each believer should be concerned for the interests of others in the household of faith (cf. Rom. 12:10). Preoccupation with oneself is sin.

 Robert P. Lightner, “Philippians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 653–654.

A – This is a difficult challenge.  We are born into a nature that prioritizes ourselves.  Our basic instinct of protect and serve ourselves is true in food, clothing, shelter and basically, “What is best for me?”  This takes it a step further to elevate ourselves above God and/or others.  Humility recognizes our place with God and the value of others.  We can still take care of ourselves but we can also honor God and esteem others at the same time.

R – Heavenly Father, You are the One, True God.  Thank you for providing for our basic needs and for the relationship we have with you.  Empower us to elevate our thoughts and attitudes towards humility.  It isn’t thinking less of ourselves.  It is thinking more of You and others.

S – Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with a promise, ³ so that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life in the land.^,

Ephesians 6:2–3 CSB

O – Commentary:

The promise for those who obey their parents is that they enjoy a prosperous and long life on the earth. This states a general principle that obedience fosters self-discipline, which in turn brings stability and longevity in one’s life. (Stated conversely, it is improbable that an undisciplined person will live a long life. An Israelite who persistently disobeyed his parents was not privileged to enjoy a long, stable life in the land of Israel. A clear example of this was Eli’s sons Hophni and Phinehas [1 Sam. 4:11].) Though that promise was given to Israel in the Old Testament, the principle still holds true today.

 Harold W. Hoehner, “Ephesians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 642.

A – There is no age limit to this command.  We should value and revere our parents as long as they are alive.  This is challenging for those whose parents are not in the same faith or where there are relational challenges.  Verse four addresses that by challenging the fathers not to stir up anger in the child.  We need to find the things they did that we can honor and allow that to be the foundation.  Parenting is usually based in sacrificing for the betterment of the child – we should be grateful.

R – Heavenly Father, you are a good Father.  Thank you for caring and providing for us like children.  You know what we need and what is best for us.  Help us to grow in our gratitude and honor of you.

S – This mystery is profound, but I am talking about Christ and the church. ³³ To sum up, each one of you is to love his wife as himself, and the wife is to respect her husband. 

Ephesians 5:32–33 CSB

O – Paul sums up the relationship of the church is parallel to a husband and wife.  Jesus is the husband and loves his church.  The bride should respect her husband which means the church should respect, submit and respect God.

A – It may sound basic and an equation in the relationship between God and man.  This does not negate the other aspects of relationship we have with God – love, faith, trust, intimacy and communication. It does give a great foundation – do you respect God enough to obey, trust, and do what he says no matter the experience or circumstances?

R – Heavenly Father, you are the Great I Am.  We honor  and respect you.  We revere who you are and choose to put our faith and trust in you.  Help us to obey and follow your Word with a loving heart.

S – I pray that he may grant you, according to the riches of his glory, to be strengthened with power in your inner being through his Spirit, ¹⁷ and that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, ¹⁸ may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, ¹⁹ and to know Christ’s love that surpasses knowledge, so that you may be filled with all the fullness of God. 

Ephesians  3:16–19 CSB

O – Commentary:

 Old Testament accounts associated the Spirit especially with prophetic endowment but also with purity, strength and prowess or ability to fulfill whatever God calls one to do; the Old Testament sometimes also presents internalizing the Bible as a way to overcome sin (e.g., Ps 119:11). Israelite piety also recognized God as the source of strength…

3:18–19. Many take “breadth and length and height and depth” to describe how all creation is filled with God’s glory or as a description of the immeasurable vastness of his love. 

 Craig S. Keener, The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, Second Edition (Downers Grove, IL: IVP Academic: An Imprint of InterVarsity Press, 2014), 548.

A – If we truly could comprehend the totality and size of God’s love for us, there would be nothing but worship and surrender towards him.  It is a massive love that has relationship with us intimately, empowers us to fulfill his plans and purposes and sacrificed Jesus so we could have the relationship.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you alone.  Thank you for a love for us that we cannot even grasp its size or application.  Give us hearts to reciprocate back to you the love you demonstrate for us.  

S – When Jesus had received the sour wine, he said, “It is finished.” Then bowing his head, he gave up his spirit.

John 19:30 CSB

O – Commentary:

The sixth word or saying that Jesus spoke from the cross was the single Greek word tetelestai which means It is finished. Papyri receipts for taxes have been recovered with the word tetelestai written across them, meaning “paid in full.” This word on Jesus’ lips was significant. When He said, “It is finished” (not “I am finished”), He meant His redemptive work was completed. He had been made sin for people (2 Cor. 5:21) and had suffered the penalty of God’s justice which sin deserved. Even in the moment of His death, Jesus remained the One who gave up His life (cf. John 10:11, 14, 17–18). He bowed His head (giving His seventh saying, “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit” [Luke 23:46]) and then dismissed His spirit. This differs from the normal process in death by crucifixion in which the life-spirit would ebb away and then the head would slump forward.

 Edwin A. Blum, “John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 340.

A – “Paid in full.”  Whatever you think would keep you from God, Jesus paid the price so you could come to him.  What a humbling and exciting principle.  God knows our mess and still wants relationship with us.  There are no exceptions to that would exclude us from his love.

R – Heavenly Father, you are our Savior.  Thank you for the sacrifice of Jesus and the shedding of his blood so we could have a relationship with you.  Empower us to walk in relationship in a way that brings honor and glory to your name.

S – You are a king then?” Pilate asked. 

“You say that I’m a king,” Jesus replied. “I was born for this, and I have come into the world for this: to testify to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” 

³⁸ “What is truth?” said Pilate

John 18:37–38 CSB

O – Commentary:

Since Jesus spoke of a kingdom, Pilate seized on the word “king.” You are a king, then? Jesus answered that question in the affirmative, and then clarified that His kingdom is not like Rome’s. It is a kingdom of truth which overshadows all kingdoms. He said, Everyone on the side of truth listens to Me. Jesus in a few words asserted His divine origin (I was born … I came into the world) and ministry (to testify to the truth). Later He became Pilate’s judge

“John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – Jesus is king of kings.  There is none higher than him.  Pilate saw that as a threat to his ruling and to Caesar’s in Rome.  We are challenged by that because we want to “rule” our own lives and be king/queen over our own kingdom – ourselves.  In pointing us to the truth, Jesus shows us that God is the ruler of all things and we should surrender our lives to him.

R- Heavenly Father, you are the King of kings.  We surrender to you today all that we are.  As we seek truth in you, help us to grow in our wisdom, knowledge and understanding.  This will translate into a deeper and stronger relationship with you.

S – This is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and the one you have sent—Jesus Christ.

John 17:3 CSB

O – Commentary:

Eternal life, as defined here by Jesus, involves the experience of knowing the only true God through His Son (cf. Matt. 11:27). It is a personal relationship of intimacy which is continuous and dynamic. The word know (ginōskōsin) here in the present tense, is often used in the Septuagint and sometimes in the Greek New Testament to describe the intimacy of a sexual relationship (e.g., Gen 4:1, “lay”; Matt. 1:25, “had … union”). Thus a person who knows God has an intimate personal relationship with Him. And that relationship is eternal, not temporal. Eternal life is not simply endless existence. Everyone will exist somewhere forever (cf. Matt. 25:46), but the question is, In what condition or in what relationship will they spend eternity?

“John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – Jesus shares part of the mystery of eternity.  Those who know God will have an intimate relationship Him.  We get to see a glimpse of that on earth as we accept Christ and walk with the Holy Spirit each day.  The Bible says in I Corinthians “For now we know in part…”  When we are in heaven with Christ, we will know in full.  

R – Heavenly Father, you are the One, true God. We invite the Holy Spirit to walk with us today so we can know you more and grow our relationship with you.  Give us the courage to grow our faith and trust in you.  

S – When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth. For he will not speak on his own, but he will speak whatever he hears. He will also declare to you what is to come. ¹⁴

John 16:13–14 CSB

O – Commentary:

But … the Spirit of Truth (cf. 15:26) would come after Jesus’ death to lead the apostles into the truth about Jesus and His work.

The Spirit, Jesus said, would not teach the disciples on His own (i.e., on His own initiative) but would teach only what He hears from the Father. This points up the interdependence of the Persons in the Trinity. The Father would tell the Spirit what to teach the apostles about the Son.

Also the Spirit would teach what is yet to come. This statement helps one understand the promise, He will guide you into all truth (lit., “all the truth”). This was a promise to the apostles that their partial understanding of the person and work of Jesus as the Messiah would be completed as the Spirit would give them insight into the meanings of the soon-to-come Cross and the Resurrection as well as truths about Jesus’ return (cf. 1 Cor. 2:10). The New Testament books are the fulfillment of this teaching ministry of the Spirit.

  “John,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – The interdependence of the Holy Spirit on the Father to tell him what to say is similar to Jesus. It is fascinating to see how the trinity interacts.  We can ask for the Holy Spirit to reveal more of God’s heart and character as we build our relationship with Him.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you.  We want to know you more.  Please allow us to see more of your heart and character through your Holy Spirit.  Give us the ability know and grow closer to you in relatioonship.