Ephesus/Corinth/Athens

「My defence to them that examine me is this.」

Believers are called to imitate God's holiness and love, as beloved children.

How does Paul in Romans argue the relationship between justification by faith and the old law?

Are faith and law opposed or complementary?

「For we can do nothing against the truth, but for the truth.」

A demonic entity that troubles people; in Tobit it is driven away by smoke from fish organs, showing God's power over evil.

Where does the Bible's authority come from?

2 Timothy on Scripture as God-breathed

「So then let us follow after things which make for peace, and things whereby we may edify one another.」

God's presence and favor; turning away His face signifies blessing or rejection, linked to one's treatment of the poor.

Do 2 Timothy 3:16-17 support 'Sola Scriptura'?

Key verses for sufficiency of Scripture, but what role do tradition and reason play in Reformation debates?

「When I was a child, I spake as a child, I felt as a child, I thought as a child: now that I am become a man, I have put away childish things.」

Believers are rooted and built up in Christ, established in faith, and abounding in thanksgiving as they were taught.

How is Romans 8:28 'all things work together for good' real in suffering?

God's 'working together' in brokenness often demands a long view.

「But to each one is given the manifestation of the Spirit to profit withal.」

Trust and loyalty toward the Lord Jesus and the saints, foundational to Christian belief and fellowship.

Does 'justification by faith' mean works are completely irrelevant?

Romans 3:28 is a core Protestant doctrine, often misinterpreted as excluding all works.

「For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was preached among you by us, even by me and Silvanus and Timothy, was not yea and nay, but in him is yea.」

Persistent devotion to prayer, combined with watchfulness and thanksgiving, a key spiritual discipline Paul emphasizes for the Colossian believers.

What does biblical inerrancy mean, and how do we account for diverse literary styles?

Faithful to the text and its genres—the interpretive balance.

「For if we have become united with him in the likeness of his death, we shall be also in the likeness of his resurrection;」

The revealed mystery of God is Christ Himself, in whom all treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden.

How does Paul in Romans argue the relationship between justification by faith and the old law?

Are faith and law opposed or complementary?

「Now the natural man receiveth not the things of the Spirit of God: for they are foolishness unto him; and he cannot know them, because they are spiritually judged.」

The new self, being renewed in knowledge after the image of the Creator, replacing the old self and its deeds.

Does Ephesians 2:8-9’s “grace through faith” exclude any role for works in salvation?

How can grace be both freely given and require response?

「Or know ye not that he that is joined to a harlot is one body? for, The twain, saith he, shall become one flesh.」

The Holy Spirit's act of renewing the soul, central to salvation, referred to as 'washing of regeneration' in Titus.

In 1 Corinthians 13, every description of love is in the present tense in Greek — what kind of love is this?

Greek love-verbs stay in the present — what does this imply for daily practice?

「And the world passeth away, and the lust thereof: but he that doeth the will of God abideth for ever.」

God's unveiling of hidden truth, especially the gospel mystery to apostles and prophets.

In 1 Corinthians 13, every description of love is in the present tense in Greek — what kind of love is this?

Greek love-verbs stay in the present — what does this imply for daily practice?

「yet, looking unto the promise of God, he wavered not through unbelief, but waxed strong through faith, giving glory to God,」

The merciful act of giving to the poor, portrayed in Tobit as a key expression of piety and deliverance.

Does the Eucharist repeat the sacrifice of Christ?

Examining the institution of the Lord's Supper in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 and the nature of the sacrifice in Catholic Eucharist.

「together with Onesimus, the faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They shall make known unto you all things that are done here.」

The good news of salvation through Jesus Christ, the core message for which believers labor together.

Which better discerns God's will—personal Bible reading or communal study?

Tension and complementarity between meditation and community.

「For neither is circumcision anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.」

In Tobit, almsgiving is a righteous act that purges sin and delivers from death, central to a life of faith.

In Ephesians 2:8-9, if salvation is 'by grace,' why emphasize it is 'not from yourselves'?

The relationship between divine grace and human responsibility

「The elder unto the elect lady and her children, whom I love in truth; and not I only, but also all they that know the truth;」

Title for Jesus Christ and God the Father, indicating the source and agent of salvation, used frequently in Titus.

How does justification by faith differ from works?

Paul's teaching on justification by faith in Romans

「(the Lord grant unto him to find mercy of the Lord in that day); and in how many things he ministered at Ephesus, thou knowest very well.」

The assembly of believers, the body of Christ, showing God's wisdom to heavenly powers.

Does Ephesians 2:8-9 on justification by faith exclude the role of works?

Faith is the start, not the finish—genuine faith inevitably bears fruit.

「Rejoice with them that rejoice; weep with them that weep.」

The righteousness that comes from God through faith in Christ, not by law-keeping.

Does Ephesians 2:8-9 on justification by faith exclude the role of works?

Faith is the start, not the finish—genuine faith inevitably bears fruit.

「For ye were once darkness, but are now light in the Lord: walk as children of light」

The everlasting life promised by God before time, granted through Christ to believers, the basis of Christian hope.

1 Corinthians 13 says love never ends — how does this fit with eternal punishment?

Is God's love universal? Does eternal punishment conflict with love's nature?

「who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove out us, and pleased not God, and are contrary to all men;」

Spiritual discipline of making requests known to God with thanksgiving, essential for communion with Him.

How does "Sola Scriptura" function in practice for Christians today?

When tradition and individual interpretation collide, how is biblical authority defined?

「When you did not hesitate to rise and leave your dinner in order to go and lay out the dead, your good deed was not hidden from me, but I was with you.」

In Johannine epistles, the divine reality that believers are to love, follow, and testify to, central to Christian life.

Does the Eucharist repeat the sacrifice of Christ?

Examining the institution of the Lord's Supper in 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 and the nature of the sacrifice in Catholic Eucharist.

「that aged women likewise be reverent in demeanor, not slanderers nor enslaved to much wine, teachers of that which is good;」

Christ's complete obedience culminating in his sacrificial death on the cross.

How do Sacred Tradition and Scripture work together in the life of the Church?

One faith, two channels—an ancient conversation.

「that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.」

Gentile believers share equally with Jewish believers in God's promises in Christ.

In Ephesians 2:8-9, if salvation is 'by grace,' why emphasize it is 'not from yourselves'?

The relationship between divine grace and human responsibility

「and last of all, as to the child untimely born, he appeared to me also.」

Moral fruits that demonstrate the reality of saving faith and glorify God, a key exhortation in Titus.

What is the dialectic between grace and works?

The rich meaning of salvation by grace in Ephesians

「For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prayeth, but my understanding is unfruitful.」

Believers are raised with Christ and seated with Him, seeking heavenly things since their life is hidden with Christ in God.

How do grace and works balance in Ephesians 2:8-9?

This passage emphasizes salvation by grace, but what role do works play in the Christian life?

「so that my bonds became manifest in Christ throughout the whole praetorian guard, and to all the rest;」

The entire fullness of God's nature dwells bodily in Christ, and believers are made complete in Him.

Does justification by faith alone make works irrelevant? Why or why not?

Pauline theology's core—the relationship between faith and works.