BIBLETEXTS.COM - Online Bible Commentary


Bible Lesson Study Aid

for Sunday, July 15, 2001 (version 2.04)


What is included in this Bible Lesson Study Aid and in the actual Bible lesson?

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The Bible Lesson Questions for this week's Bible Lesson may be found at http://www.bibletexts.com/bt/bq010715.htm.

The weekly Bible Lesson itself has three components: (1) the current Christian Science Quarterly magazine, (2) the Bible, and (3) Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures (by Mary Baker Eddy). All three can be read or purchased at any Christian Science Reading Room. A worldwide listing of Reading Rooms is available at http://168.203.8.11/Church.qry?function=form. The Christian Science Quarterly is published by the Christian Science Publishing Society (Boston, MA, USA) and contains three months of weekly Bible Lessons. Each week's Bible lesson begins with a Golden Text and Responsive Reading and then lists six sections of (a) readings from the Bible and (b) correlative readings from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, which help to explain each section's Bible passages.


"The Bible" and the 3 Bible versions used on this webpage

The original Hebrew and Greek texts are what actually constitute "the Bible." All other versions, whether in Latin, English, Chinese, or Aramaic, whether produced in 384 A.D. or in 1611 A.D. or in 1996 A.D., are merely translations indirectly derived from those original Hebrew and Greek texts. The BibleTexts Online Bible Commentary at http://www.bibletexts.com/bt.htm provides verse-by-verse textual corrections that are based upon the most current knowledge of those original Hebrew and Greek texts. Most of those corrections are relevant only to the KJV, because most modern versions such as the NRSV and the TEV were translated from Hebrew and Greek texts that are much more consistent with "the original texts" than those Hebrew and Greek texts from which the 1611 KJV was translated. In the KJV most of the substantive errors are due to the faulty Hebrew and Greek texts from which the KJV was translated. (See S&H 139:15.) For more details on these issues, you can browse http://www.bibletexts.com/kjv-tr.htm.

Wherever there are substantial differences between the wording of the KJV and the NRSV, the NRSV should be considered as more accurately representing the wording of the original texts. Of the three English language Bible versions used below (the KJV, the NRSV, and the TEV), the NRSV gives the best word-for-word representation of the wording of original texts, and the TEV gives the best phrase-by-phrase representation of the originally intended meaning of original texts.


Bible Lesson Study Aid

<GT> Eze 28 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 22 …I will be glorified in the midst of thee:..

NRSV - 22 ...I will gain glory in your midst...

TEV - "Prophecy against Sidon" - 20 The LORD said to me, 21 "Mortal man, denounce the city of Sidon. 22 Tell the people there what I, the Sovereign LORD, say about them: I am your enemy, Sidon; people will praise me because of what I do to you. They will know that I am the LORD, when I show how holy I am by punishing those who live in you. 23 I will send diseases on you and make blood flow in your streets. You will be attacked from every side, and your people will be killed. Then you will know that I am the LORD."


<RR1> Psa 50 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 1 The mighty God, even the Lord, hath spoken, and called the earth from the rising of the sun unto the going down thereof.

7 Hear, O my people, and I will speak;…

14 Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High: 15 And call upon me in the day of trouble: I will deliver thee, and thou shalt glorify me.

23 Whoso offereth praise glorifieth me: and to him that ordereth his conversation aright will I shew the salvation of God.

NRSV - 1 The mighty one, God the LORD, speaks and summons the earth from the rising of the sun to its setting.

7 "Hear, O my people, and I will speak,...

14 Offer to God a sacrifice of thanksgiving, and pay your vows to the Most High. 15 Call on me in the day of trouble; I will deliver you, and you shall glorify me."

23 Those who bring thanksgiving as their sacrifice honor me; to those who go the right way I will show the salvation of God."

TEV - "True Worship" - 1 The Almighty God, the LORD, speaks; he calls to the whole earth from east to west. 2 God shines from Zion, the city perfect in its beauty.

7 "Listen, my people, and I will speak; I will testify against you, Israel. I am God, your God. 8 I do not reprimand you because of your sacrifices and the burnt offerings you always bring me. 9 And yet I do not need bulls from your farms or goats from your flocks; 10 all the animals in the forest are mine and the cattle on thousands of hills. 11 All the wild birds are mine and all living things in the fields. 12 "If I were hungry, I would not ask you for food, for the world and everything in it is mine. 13 Do I eat the flesh of bulls or drink the blood of goats? 14 Let the giving of thanks be your sacrifice to God, and give the Almighty all that you promised. 15 Call to me when trouble comes; I will save you, and you will praise me."

22 "Listen to this, you that ignore me, or I will destroy you, and there will be no one to save you. 23 Giving thanks is the sacrifice that honors me, and I will surely save all who obey me."


<RR2> Psa 86 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 3 Be merciful unto me, O Lord: for I cry unto thee daily.

7 In the day of my trouble I will call upon thee: for thou wilt answer me.

9 All nations whom thou hast made shall come and worship before thee, O Lord; and shall glorify thy name. 10 For thou art great, and doest wondrous things: thou art God alone. 11 Teach me thy way, O Lord; I will walk in thy truth: unite my heart to fear thy name. 12 I will praise thee, O Lord my God, with all my heart: and I will glorify thy name for evermore.

NRSV - 3 be gracious to me, O Lord, for to you do I cry all day long.

7 In the day of my trouble I call on you, for you will answer me. 8 There is none like you among the gods, O Lord, nor are there any works like yours.

9 All the nations you have made shall come and bow down before you, O Lord, and shall glorify your name. 10 For you are great and do wondrous things; you alone are God. 11 Teach me your way, O LORD, that I may walk in your truth; give me an undivided heart to revere your name. 12 I give thanks to you, O Lord my God, with my whole heart, and I will glorify your name forever.

TEV - "A Prayer for Help" - 3 You are my God, so be merciful to me; I pray to you all day long. 4 Make your servant glad, O Lord, because my prayers go up to you. 5 You are good to us and forgiving, full of constant love for all who pray to you. 6 Listen, LORD, to my prayer; hear my cries for help. 7 I call to you in times of trouble, because you answer my prayers. 8 There is no god like you, O Lord, not one has done what you have done. 9 All the nations that you have created will come and bow down to you; they will praise your greatness. 10 You are mighty and do wonderful things; you alone are God. 11 Teach me, LORD, what you want me to do, and I will obey you faithfully; teach me to serve you with complete devotion. 12 I will praise you with all my heart, O Lord my God; I will proclaim your greatness forever. 13 How great is your constant love for me! You have saved me from the grave itself. 14 Proud men are coming against me, O God; a gang of cruel men is trying to kill me -- people who pay no attention to you. 15 But you, O Lord, are a merciful and loving God, always patient, always kind and faithful. 16 Turn to me and have mercy on me; strengthen me and save me, because I serve you just as my mother did.


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<B1> Jer 23 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 23 Am I a God at hand, saith the Lord, and not a God afar off? 24 Can any hide himself in secret places that I shall not see him? saith the Lord. Do not I fill heaven and earth? saith the Lord.

NRSV - 23 Am I a God near by, says the LORD, and not a God far off? 24 Who can hide in secret places so that I cannot see them? says the LORD. Do I not fill heaven and earth? says the LORD.

TEV - "Jeremiah's Message about the Prophets" - 23 "I am a God who is everywhere and not in one place only. 24 No one can hide where I cannot see him. Do you not know that I am everywhere in heaven and on earth? 25 I know what those prophets have said who speak lies in my name and claim that I have given them my messages in their dreams. 26 How much longer will those prophets mislead my people with the lies they have invented? 27 They think that the dreams they tell will make my people forget me, just as their fathers forgot me and turned to Baal. 28 The prophet who has had a dream should say it is only a dream, but the prophet who has heard my message should proclaim that message faithfully. What good is straw compared with wheat? 29 My message is like a fire and like a hammer that breaks rocks in pieces.


<B2> Isa 45 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 22 Look unto me, and be ye saved, all the ends of the earth: for I am God, and there is none else.

NRSV - 22 Turn to me and be saved, all the ends of the earth! For I am God, and there is no other.

TEV - "The LORD of the World and the Idols of Babylon" - 22 "Turn to me now and be saved, people all over the world! I am the only God there is. 23 My promise is true, and it will not be changed. I solemnly promise by all that I am: Everyone will come and kneel before me and vow to be loyal to me. 24 "They will say that only through me are victory and strength to be found; but all who hate me will suffer disgrace. 25 I, the LORD, will rescue all the descendants of Jacob, and they will give me praise.


<B3> Isa 43 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 10 Ye are my witnesses, saith the Lord, and my servant whom I have chosen: that ye may know and believe me, and understand that I am he: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me. 11 I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no saviour.

NRSV - 10 You are my witnesses, says the LORD, and my servant whom I have chosen, so that you may know and believe me and understand that I am he. Before me no god was formed, nor shall there be any after me. 11 I, I am the LORD, and besides me there is no savior.

TEV - "Israel Is the LORD's Witness" - 10 "People of Israel, you are my witnesses; I chose you to be my servant, so that you would know me and believe in me and understand that I am the only God. Besides me there is no other god; there never was and never will be. 11 "I alone am the LORD, the only one who can save you. 12 I predicted what would happen, and then I came to your aid. No foreign god has ever done this; you are my witnesses. 13 I am God and always will be. No one can escape from my power; no one can change what I do."


<B4> Psa 55 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 22 Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

NRSV - 22 Cast your burden on the LORD, and he will sustain you; he will never permit the righteous to be moved.

TEV - "The Prayer of a Man Betrayed by a Friend" - 20 My former companion attacked his friends; he broke his promises. 21 His words were smoother than cream, but there was hatred in his heart; his words were as soothing as oil, but they cut like sharp swords. 22 Leave your troubles with the LORD, and he will defend you; he never lets honest men be defeated. 23 But you, O God, will bring those murderers and liars to their graves before half their life is over. As for me, I will trust in you.


<B5> Psa 30 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 2 O Lord my God, I cried unto thee, and thou hast healed me.

11 Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness; 12 To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee for ever.

NRSV - 2 O LORD my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me.

11 You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy, 12 so that my soul may praise you and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to you forever.

TEV - "A Prayer of Thanksgiving" - 1 I praise you, LORD, because you have saved me and kept my enemies from gloating over me. 2 I cried to you for help, O LORD my God, and you healed me; 3 you kept me from the grave. I was on my way to the depths below, but you restored my life.

8 I called to you, LORD; I begged for your help: 9 "What will you gain from my death? What profit from my going to the grave? Are dead people able to praise you? Can they proclaim your unfailing goodness? 10 Hear me, LORD, and be merciful! Help me, LORD!" 11 You have changed my sadness into a joyful dance; you have taken away my sorrow and surrounded me with joy. 12 So I will not be silent; I will sing praise to you. LORD, you are my God; I will give you thanks forever.


<S&H> - The Christian Science Quarterly contains readings from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures that help explain the Bible passages in this section of the Bible Lesson.


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<B6> Gen 12 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 1 Now the Lord had said unto Abram, Get thee out of thy country, and from thy kindred, and from thy father's house, unto a land that I will shew thee: 2 And I will make of thee a great nation, and I will bless thee, and make thy name great; and thou shalt be a blessing:

4 So Abram departed, as the Lord had spoken unto him;…

NRSV - 1 Now the LORD said to Abram, "Go from your country and your kindred and your father's house to the land that I will show you. 2 I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing.

4 So Abram went, as the LORD had told him;...

TEV - "God's Call to Abram" - 1 The LORD said to Abram, "Leave your country, your relatives, and your father's home, and go to a land that I am going to show you. 2 I will give you many descendants, and they will become a great nation. I will bless you and make your name famous, so that you will be a blessing. 3 I will bless those who bless you, But I will curse those who curse you. And through you I will bless all the nations." 4 When Abram was seventy-five years old, he started out from Haran, as the LORD had told him to do; and Lot went with him. 5 Abram took his wife Sarai, his nephew Lot, and all the wealth and all the slaves they had acquired in Haran, and they started out for the land of Canaan. When they arrived in Canaan, 6 Abram traveled through the land until he came to the sacred tree of Moreh, the holy place at Shechem. (At that time the Canaanites were still living in the land.) 7 The LORD appeared to Abram and said to him, "This is the country that I am going to give to your descendants." Then Abram built an altar there to the LORD, who had appeared to him.


<B7> Heb 11 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 8 By faith Abraham, when he was called to go out into a place which he should after receive for an inheritance, obeyed; and he went out, not knowing whither he went.

10 For he looked for a city which hath foundations, whose builder and maker is God.

NRSV - 8 By faith Abraham obeyed when he was called to set out for a place that he was to receive as an inheritance; and he set out, not knowing where he was going.

10 For he looked forward to the city that has foundations, whose architect and builder is God.

TEV - "Faith" - 8 It was faith that made Abraham obey when God called him to go out to a country which God had promised to give him. He left his own country without knowing where he was going. 9 By faith he lived as a foreigner in the country that God had promised him. He lived in tents, as did Isaac and Jacob, who received the same promise from God. 10 For Abraham was waiting for the city which God has designed and built, the city with permanent foundations.


<B8> Heb 6 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 10 For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have shewed toward his name, in that ye have ministered to the saints, and do minister. 11 And we desire that every one of you do shew the same diligence to the full assurance of hope unto the end: 12 That ye be not slothful, but followers of them who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 13 For when God made promise to Abraham, because he could swear by no greater, he sware by himself, 14 Saying, Surely blessing I will bless thee, and multiplying I will multiply thee. 15 And so, after he had patiently endured, he obtained the promise.

NRSV - 10 For God is not unjust; he will not overlook your work and the love that you showed for his sake in serving the saints, as you still do. 11 And we want each one of you to show the same diligence so as to realize the full assurance of hope to the very end, 12 so that you may not become sluggish, but imitators of those who through faith and patience inherit the promises. 13 When God made a promise to Abraham, because he had no one greater by whom to swear, he swore by himself, 14 saying, "I will surely bless you and multiply you." 15 And thus Abraham, having patiently endured, obtained the promise.

TEV - "Warning against Abandoning the Faith" - 9 But even if we speak like this, dear friends, we feel sure about you. We know that you have the better blessings that belong to your salvation. 10 God is not unfair. He will not forget the work you did or the love you showed for him in the help you gave and are still giving to your fellow Christians. 11 Our great desire is that each one of you keep up his eagerness to the end, so that the things you hope for will come true. 12 We do not want you to become lazy, but to be like those who believe and are patient, and so receive what God has promised.

"God's Sure Promise" - 13 When God made his promise to Abraham, he made a vow to do what he had promised. Since there was no one greater than himself, he used his own name when he made his vow. 14 He said, "I promise you that I will bless you and give you many descendants." 15 Abraham was patient, and so he received what God had promised. 16 When a person makes a vow, he uses the name of someone greater than himself, and the vow settles all arguments. 17 To those who were to receive what he promised God wanted to make it very clear that he would never change his purpose; so he added his vow to the promise. 18 There are these two things, then, that cannot change and about which God cannot lie. So we who have found safety with him are greatly encouraged to hold firmly to the hope placed before us.


<B9> Gal 3 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 16 Now to Abraham and his seed were the promises made. He saith not, And to seeds, as of many; but as of one, And to thy seed, which is Christ.

29 And if ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed, and heirs according to the promise.

NRSV - 16 Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring; it does not say, "And to offsprings," as of many; but it says, "And to your offspring," that is, to one person, who is Christ.

29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham's offspring, heirs according to the promise.

TEV - "The Law and the Promise" - 15 My brothers, I am going to use an everyday example: when two people agree on a matter and sign an agreement, no one can break it or add anything to it. 16 Now, God made his promises to Abraham and to his descendant. The scripture does not use the plural "descendants," meaning many people, but the singular "descendant," meaning one person only, namely, Christ. 17 What I mean is that God made a covenant with Abraham and promised to keep it. The Law, which was given four hundred and thirty years later, cannot break that covenant and cancel God's promise. 18 For if God's gift depends on the Law, then it no longer depends on his promise. However, it was because of his promise that God gave that gift to Abraham.

"The Purpose of the Law" - 26 It is through faith that all of you are God's sons in union with Christ Jesus. 27 You were baptized into union with Christ, and now you are clothed, so to speak, with the life of Christ himself. 28 So there is no difference between Jews and Gentiles, between slaves and free men, between men and women; you are all one in union with Christ Jesus. 29 If you belong to Christ, then you are the descendants of Abraham and will receive what God has promised.


<S&H> - The Christian Science Quarterly contains readings from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures that help explain the Bible passages in this section of the Bible Lesson.


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<B10> 1Jo 5 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 20 And we know that the Son of God is come, and hath given us an understanding, that we may know him that is true, and we are in him that is true, even in his Son Jesus Christ….

NRSV - 20 And we know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding so that we may know him who is true; and we are in him who is true, in his Son Jesus Christ...

TEV - "Eternal Life" - 18 We know that no child of God keeps on sinning, for the Son of God keeps him safe, and the Evil One cannot harm him. 19 We know that we belong to God even though the whole world is under the rule of the Evil One. 20 We know that the Son of God has come and has given us understanding, so that we know the true God. We live in union with the true God -- in union with his Son Jesus Christ. This is the true God, and this is eternal life. 21 My children, keep yourselves safe from false gods!


<B11> Joh 14 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 8 Philip saith unto him, Lord, shew us the Father, and it sufficeth us. 9 Jesus saith unto him, Have I been so long time with you, and yet hast thou not known me, Philip? he that hath seen me hath seen the Father; and how sayest thou then, Shew us the Father? 10 Believest thou not that I am in the Father, and the Father in me? the words that I speak unto you I speak not of myself: but the Father that dwelleth in me, he doeth the works.

13 And whatsoever ye shall ask in my name, that will I do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

NRSV - 8 Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father, and we will be satisfied." 9 Jesus said to him, "Have I been with you all this time, Philip, and you still do not know me? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. How can you say, "Show us the Father'? 10 Do you not believe that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I say to you I do not speak on my own; but the Father who dwells in me does his works.

13 I will do whatever you ask in my name, so that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

TEV - "Jesus the Way to the Father" - 5 Thomas said to him, "Lord, we do not know where you are going; so how can we know the way to get there?" 6 Jesus answered him, "I am the way, the truth, and the life; no one goes to the Father except by me. 7 Now that you have known me," he said to them, "you will know my Father also, and from now on you do know him and you have seen him." 8 Philip said to him, "Lord, show us the Father; that is all we need." 9 Jesus answered, "For a long time I have been with you all; yet you do not know me, Philip? Whoever has seen me has seen the Father. Why, then, do you say, "Show us the Father'? 10 Do you not believe, Philip, that I am in the Father and the Father is in me? The words that I have spoken to you," Jesus said to his disciples, "do not come from me. The Father, who remains in me, does his own work. 11 Believe me when I say that I am in the Father and the Father is in me. If not, believe because of the things I do. 12 I am telling you the truth: whoever believes in me will do what I do -- yes, he will do even greater things, because I am going to the Father. 13 And I will do whatever you ask for in my name, so that the Father's glory will be shown through the Son. 14 If you ask me for anything in my name, I will do it.


<B12> Luk 17 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 12 And as he entered into a certain village, there met him ten men that were lepers, which stood afar off:

14 And when he saw them, he said unto them, Go shew yourselves unto the priests. And it came to pass, that, as they went, they were cleansed. 15 And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, 16 And fell down on his face at his feet, giving him thanks:...

NRSV - 12 As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance,

14 When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were made clean. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 16 He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him...

TEV - "Jesus Heals Ten Men" - 11 As Jesus made his way to Jerusalem, he went along the border between Samaria and Galilee. 12 He was going into a village when he was met by ten men suffering from a dreaded skin disease. They stood at a distance 13 and shouted, "Jesus! Master! Have pity on us!" 14 Jesus saw them and said to them, "Go and let the priests examine you." On the way they were made clean. 15 When one of them saw that he was healed, he came back, praising God in a loud voice. 16 He threw himself to the ground at Jesus' feet and thanked him. The man was a Samaritan. 17 Jesus spoke up, "There were ten men who were healed; where are the other nine? 18 Why is this foreigner the only one who came back to give thanks to God?" 19 And Jesus said to him, "Get up and go; your faith has made you well."


<S&H> - The Christian Science Quarterly contains readings from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures that help explain the Bible passages in this section of the Bible Lesson.


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<B13> Psa 136 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 1 O give thanks unto the Lord; for he is good: for his mercy endureth for ever.

5 To him that by wisdom made the heavens: for his mercy endureth for ever. 6 To him that stretched out the earth above the waters: for his mercy endureth for ever.

25 Who giveth food to all flesh: for his mercy endureth for ever.

NRSV - 1 O give thanks to the LORD, for he is good, for his steadfast love endures forever.

5 who by understanding made the heavens, for his steadfast love endures forever; 6 who spread out the earth on the waters, for his steadfast love endures forever;

25 who gives food to all flesh, for his steadfast love endures forever.

TEV - "A Hymn of Thanksgiving" - 1 Give thanks to the LORD, because he is good; his love is eternal. 2 Give thanks to the greatest of all gods; his love is eternal. 3 Give thanks to the mightiest of all lords; his love is eternal. 4 He alone performs great miracles; his love is eternal. 5 By his wisdom he made the heavens; his love is eternal; 6 he built the earth on the deep waters; his love is eternal. 7 He made the sun and the moon; his love is eternal; 8 the sun to rule over the day; his love is eternal; 9 the moon and the stars to rule over the night; his love is eternal.

23 He did not forget us when we were defeated; his love is eternal; 24 he freed us from our enemies; his love is eternal. 25 He gives food to every living creature; his love is eternal. 26 Give thanks to the God of heaven; his love is eternal.


<B14> 1Co 9 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 4 Have we not power to eat and to drink?

25 And every man that striveth for the mastery is temperate in all things….

NRSV - 4 Do we not have the right to our food and drink?

25 Athletes exercise self-control in all things;...

TEV - "Rights and Duties of an Apostle" - 3 When people criticize me, this is how I defend myself: 4 Don't I have the right to be given food and drink for my work? 5 Don't I have the right to follow the example of the other apostles and the Lord's brothers and Peter, by taking a Christian wife with me on my trips? 6 Or are Barnabas and I the only ones who have to work for our living? 7 What soldier ever has to pay his own expenses in the army? What farmer does not eat the grapes from his own vineyard? What shepherd does not use the milk from his own sheep?

23 All this I do for the gospel's sake, in order to share in its blessings. 24 Surely you know that many runners take part in a race, but only one of them wins the prize. Run, then, in such a way as to win the prize. 25 Every athlete in training submits to strict discipline, in order to be crowned with a wreath that will not last; but we do it for one that will last forever. 26 That is why I run straight for the finish line; that is why I am like a boxer who does not waste his punches. 27 I harden my body with blows and bring it under complete control, to keep myself from being disqualified after having called others to the contest.


<B15> 1Co 10 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 26 For the earth is the Lord's, and the fulness thereof. 27 If any of them that believe not bid you to a feast, and ye be disposed to go; whatsoever is set before you, eat, asking no question for conscience sake.

31 Whether therefore ye eat, or drink, or whatsoever ye do, do all to the glory of God.

NRSV - 26 for "the earth and its fullness are the Lord's." 27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you are disposed to go, eat whatever is set before you without raising any question on the ground of conscience.

31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.

TEV - "Warnings against Idols" - 23 "We are allowed to do anything," so they say. That is true, but not everything is good. "We are allowed to do anything" -- but not everything is helpful. 24 No one should be looking out for his own interests, but for the interests of others. 25 You are free to eat anything sold in the meat market, without asking any questions because of your conscience. 26 For, as the scripture says, "The earth and everything in it belong to the Lord." 27 If an unbeliever invites you to a meal and you decide to go, eat what is set before you, without asking any questions because of your conscience. 28 But if someone tells you, "This food was offered to idols," then do not eat that food, for the sake of the one who told you and for conscience' sake -- 29 that is, not your own conscience, but the other person's conscience. "Well, then," someone asks, "why should my freedom to act be limited by another person's conscience? 30 If I thank God for my food, why should anyone criticize me about food for which I give thanks?" 31 Well, whatever you do, whether you eat or drink, do it all for God's glory. 32 Live in such a way as to cause no trouble either to Jews or Gentiles or to the church of God. 33 Just do as I do; I try to please everyone in all that I do, not thinking of my own good, but of the good of all, so that they might be saved.


<S&H> - The Christian Science Quarterly contains readings from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures that help explain the Bible passages in this section of the Bible Lesson.


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<B16> Mat 19 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 1 And it came to pass, that when Jesus had finished these sayings, he departed from Galilee, and came into the coasts of Judaea beyond Jordan; 2 And great multitudes followed him; and he healed them there. 3 The Pharisees also came unto him, tempting him, and saying unto him, Is it lawful for a man to put away his wife for every cause? 4 And he answered and said unto them, Have ye not read, that he which made them at the beginning made them male and female, 5 And said, For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh? 6 Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.

NRSV - 1 When Jesus had finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went to the region of Judea beyond the Jordan. 2 Large crowds followed him, and he cured them there. 3 Some Pharisees came to him, and to test him they asked, "Is it lawful for a man to divorce his wife for any cause?" 4 He answered, "Have you not read that the one who made them at the beginning "made them male and female,' 5 and said, "For this reason a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh'? 6 So they are no longer two, but one flesh. Therefore what God has joined together, let no one separate."

TEV - "Jesus Teaches about Divorce" - 1 When Jesus finished saying these things, he left Galilee and went to the territory of Judea on the other side of the Jordan River. 2 Large crowds followed him, and he healed them there. 3 Some Pharisees came to him and tried to trap him by asking, "Does our Law allow a man to divorce his wife for whatever reason he wishes?" 4 Jesus answered, "Haven't you read the scripture that says that in the beginning the Creator made people male and female? 5 And God said, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and unite with his wife, and the two will become one.' 6 So they are no longer two, but one. Man must not separate, then, what God has joined together." 7 The Pharisees asked him, “Why, then, did Moses give the law for a man to hand his wife a divorce notice and send her away?” 8 Jesus answered, “Moses gave you permission to divorce your wives because you are so hard to teach. But it was not like that at the time of creation. I tell you, then, that any man who divorces his wife for any cause other than her unfaithfulness, commits adultery if he marries some other woman.”


<B17> Eph 5 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 1 Be ye therefore followers of God, as dear children; 2 And walk in love, as Christ also hath loved us, and hath given himself for us an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweetsmelling savour.

17 Wherefore be ye not unwise, but understanding what the will of the Lord is.

19 Speaking to yourselves in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord; 20 Giving thanks always for all things unto God and the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ; 21 Submitting yourselves one to another in the fear of God.

31 For this cause shall a man leave his father and mother, and shall be joined unto his wife, and they two shall be one flesh.

33 Nevertheless let every one of you in particular so love his wife even as himself; and the wife see that she reverence her husband.

NRSV - 1 Therefore be imitators of God, as beloved children, 2 and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself up for us, a fragrant offering and sacrifice to God.

17 So do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

19 as you sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, singing and making melody to the Lord in your hearts, 20 giving thanks to God the Father at all times and for everything in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ. 21 Be subject to one another out of reverence for Christ.

31 "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two will become one flesh."

33 Each of you, however, should love his wife as himself, and a wife should respect her husband.

TEV - "Living in the Light" - 1 Since you are God's dear children, you must try to be like him. 2 Your life must be controlled by love, just as Christ loved us and gave his life for us as a sweet-smelling offering and sacrifice that pleases God. 3 Since you are God's people, it is not right that any matters of sexual immorality or indecency or greed should even be mentioned among you. 4 Nor is it fitting for you to use language which is obscene, profane, or vulgar. Rather you should give thanks to God. 5 You may be sure that no one who is immoral, indecent, or greedy (for greed is a form of idolatry) will ever receive a share in the Kingdom of Christ and of God.

15 So be careful how you live. Don't live like ignorant people, but like wise people. 16 Make good use of every opportunity you have, because these are evil days. 17 Don't be fools, then, but try to find out what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Do not get drunk with wine, which will only ruin you; instead, be filled with the Spirit. 19 Speak to one another with the words of psalms, hymns, and sacred songs; sing hymns and psalms to the Lord with praise in your hearts. 20 In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, always give thanks for everything to God the Father.

"Wives and Husbands" - 21 Submit yourselves to one another because of your reverence for Christ. 22 Wives, submit yourselves to your husbands as to the Lord. 23 For a husband has authority over his wife just as Christ has authority over the church; and Christ is himself the Savior of the church, his body. 24 And so wives must submit themselves completely to their husbands just as the church submits itself to Christ. 25 Husbands, love your wives just as Christ loved the church and gave his life for it. 26 He did this to dedicate the church to God by his word, after making it clean by washing it in water, 27 in order to present the church to himself in all its beauty -- pure and faultless, without spot or wrinkle or any other imperfection. 28 Men ought to love their wives just as they love their own bodies. A man who loves his wife loves himself. (29 No one ever hates his own body. Instead, he feeds it and takes care of it, just as Christ does the church; 30 for we are members of his body.) 31 As the scripture says, "For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and unite with his wife, and the two will become one." 32 There is a deep secret truth revealed in this scripture, which I understand as applying to Christ and the church. 33 But it also applies to you: every husband must love his wife as himself, and every wife must respect her husband.


<B18> Eph 4 [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 32 And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ's sake hath forgiven you.

NRSV - 32 and be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you.

TEV - "The New Life in Christ" - 28 The man who used to rob must stop robbing and start working, in order to earn an honest living for himself and to be able to help the poor. 29 Do not use harmful words, but only helpful words, the kind that build up and provide what is needed, so that what you say will do good to those who hear you. 30 And do not make God's Holy Spirit sad; for the Spirit is God's mark of ownership on you, a guarantee that the Day will come when God will set you free. 31 Get rid of all bitterness, passion, and anger. No more shouting or insults, no more hateful feelings of any sort. 32 Instead, be kind and tender-hearted to one another, and forgive one another, as God has forgiven you through Christ.


<S&H> - The Christian Science Quarterly contains readings from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures that help explain the Bible passages in this section of the Bible Lesson.


[********** 6 **********]

<B19> Isa 60 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 21 Thy people also shall be all righteous: they shall inherit the land for ever, the branch of my planting, the work of my hands, that I may be glorified. 22 A little one shall become a thousand, and a small one a strong nation: I the Lord will hasten it in his time.

NRSV - 21 Your people shall all be righteous; they shall possess the land forever. They are the shoot that I planted, the work of my hands, so that I might be glorified. 22 The least of them shall become a clan, and the smallest one a mighty nation; I am the LORD; in its time I will accomplish it quickly.

TEV - "The Future Glory of Jerusalem" - 19 "No longer will the sun be your light by day Or the moon be your light by night; I, the LORD, will be your eternal light; The light of my glory will shine on you. 20 Your days of grief will come to an end. I, the LORD, will be your eternal light, More lasting than the sun and moon. 21 Your people will all do what is right, And will possess the land forever. I planted them, I made them, To reveal my greatness to all. 22 Even your smallest and humblest family will become as great as a powerful nation. When the right time comes, I will make this happen quickly. I am the LORD!"


<B20> Isa 54 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 13 And all thy children shall be taught of the Lord; and great shall be the peace of thy children. 14 In righteousness shalt thou be established:…

NRSV - 13 All your children shall be taught by the LORD, and great shall be the prosperity of your children. 14 In righteousness you shall be established;...

TEV - "The Future Jerusalem" - 11 The LORD says, "O Jerusalem, you suffering, helpless city, with no one to comfort you, I will rebuild your foundations with precious stones. 12 I will build your towers with rubies, your gates with stones that glow like fire, and the wall around you with jewels. 13 "I myself will teach your people and give them prosperity and peace. 14 Justice and right will make you strong. You will be safe from oppression and terror. 15 If anyone attacks you, he does it without my consent; whoever fights against you will fall.


<B21> Psa 36 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 7 How excellent is thy lovingkindness, O God! therefore the children of men put their trust under the shadow of thy wings.

NRSV - 7 How precious is your steadfast love, O God! All people may take refuge in the shadow of your wings.

TEV - "The Goodness of God" - 7 How precious, O God, is your constant love! We find protection under the shadow of your wings. 8 We feast on the abundant food you provide; you let us drink from the river of your goodness. 9 You are the source of all life, and because of your light we see the light. 10 Continue to love those who know you and to do good to those who are righteous. 11 Do not let proud men attack me or wicked men make me run away.


<B22> Psa 145 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 4 One generation shall praise thy works to another, and shall declare thy mighty acts.

7 They shall abundantly utter the memory of thy great goodness, and shall sing of thy righteousness.

9 The Lord is good to all: and his tender mercies are over all his works.

NRSV - 4 One generation shall laud your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. 7 They shall celebrate the fame of your abundant goodness, and shall sing aloud of your righteousness.

9 The LORD is good to all, and his compassion is over all that he has made.

TEV - "A Hymn of Praise" - 4 What you have done will be praised from one generation to the next; they will proclaim your mighty acts. 5 They will speak of your glory and majesty, and I will meditate on your wonderful deeds. 6 People will speak of your mighty deeds, and I will proclaim your greatness. 7 They will tell about all your goodness and sing about your kindness. 8 The LORD is loving and merciful, slow to become angry and full of constant love. 9 He is good to everyone and has compassion on all he made.


<B23> Psa 90 - [To use other Bible research tools to further explore this citation - click here]

KJV - 16 Let thy work appear unto thy servants, and thy glory unto their children. 17 And let the beauty of the Lord our God be upon us: and establish thou the work of our hands upon us; yea, the work of our hands establish thou it.

NRSV - 16 Let your work be manifest to your servants, and your glorious power to their children. 17 Let the favor of the Lord our God be upon us, and prosper for us the work of our hands -- O prosper the work of our hands!

TEV - "Of God and Man" - 13 How much longer will your anger last? Have pity, O LORD, on your servants! 14 Fill us each morning with your constant love, so that we may sing and be glad all our life. 15 Give us now as much happiness as the sadness you gave us during all our years of misery. 16 Let us, your servants, see your mighty deeds; let our descendants see your glorious might. 17 LORD our God, may your blessings be with us. Give us success in all we do!


Bible Lesson Questions (version 2.04)

for the Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lesson for Sunday, July 15, 2001

The answers to all of these questions can be found (1) in the Bible Lesson itself, (2) in the Bible Lesson Study Aid at http://www.bibletexts.com/bl.htm, or (3) in other webpages on the BibleTexts.com website, the homepage of which is at http://www.bibletexts.com.


Golden Text and Responsive Reading

  1. How does "Teach me, LORD, what you want me to do, and I will obey you faithfully" (Responsive Reading citation #2) differ in intent and result from our efforts to search the Bible or other religious writings to find justification for the way we already are acting, speaking, and thinking?


Section 1

  1. What are the practical results of knowing that the one and only God is everywhere, all-knowing, and all-powerful at every moment?
  2. How available is God to you?
  3. How available are you to God?


Section 2

  1. How was Abraham's faithfulness illustrated in Bible citation #6?
  2. How was God faithful to Abraham?
  3. According to Bible citation #9, how does our belonging to Christ benefited by God's faithfulness to Abraham?


Section 3

  1. What does it mean to "live in union with God -- in union with his Son Jesus Christ," as described in Bible citation #10?
  2. What did Jesus mean when he said, "Whoever has seen me has seen the Father"?
  3. After the ten men with leprosy were healed, whom does Bible citation #12 say one of the men praised? Whom did he thank?


Section 4

  1. How does Paul's athletics analogy ("Every athlete in training submits to strict discipline") in Bible citation #14 relate to being faithful to God -- and to the rewards of being faithful to God?
    1. For another example of Paul's using an athletic analogy with a very similar meaning, see Phi 3:12-14.

  2. Paul in Bible citation #15 tells us, "Whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God." How does our being faithful to God in this way help promote genuine fellowship and unity with others?


Section 5

  1. As illustrated in Bible citation #16, why wasn't Jesus satisfied with teaching merely legalistic morality, as did many of the Jewish religious and political authorities of his day and as do many of modern religious and political authorities of our day?
  2. Why did Jesus consider divorcing a spouse to be a form of adultery, except maybe in the case of the other spouse's unfaithfulness (which would include abuse)?
  1. What is the relationship between faithfulness to one's spouse and faithfulness to God?
  2. As described in Bible citations #17 and 18, what does love and forgiveness as a faithful Christian have to do with love and forgiveness as a faithful spouse?


Section 6

  1. What are the responsibilities of Christian parents?
  2. What is the value of parents who are faithful Christians, faithful spouses, and faithful parents?


Weekly Question

  1. How does the Reverend Irving Tomlinson's explanation of the composition of the Bible Lesson apply to this week's Bible Lesson?

      From 1888 to 1899 the Christian Science Bible Lesson Committee simply had directly copied to the Christian Science Quarterly the Bible citations that had been prepared by the multi-denominational International Lesson Committee [ILC] for the weekly International Sunday School Lessons used by Protestant churches. (The Church of Christ, Scientist, had no representation on that committee.) To those Bible Lessons the Christian Science Bible Lesson Committee added correlative citations from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures, which provided explanations of the Bible texts chosen by the ILC. Until 1898 the ILC-based Bible Lessons were a key component of both Christian Science church services and Christian Science Sunday School, which until 1895 included adult Sunday School classes.]

      To read the Rev. Tomlinson's complete article, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/articles/j040p483.htm. To read more about the history of the Christian Science Quarterly Bible Lessons, including the official use of other translations in addition to -- and for one entire year replacing -- the King James Version, browse http://www.bibletexts.com/bl-ver.htm.)]


Other Relevant Webpages File name Comments
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Sunday School preparation aid http://www.bibletexts.com/sundayschool.htm This is an optional aid for preparing for Sunday School.
Articles about the Bible Lessons and the Bible -- from early issues of the periodicals http://www.bibletexts.com/articles/bl.htm This webpage includes excerpts from some articles, links to the full text of other articles, and a listing of some other articles.
Homepages (the first two) and backup homepages (the last two) of the BibleTexts website http://www.bibletexts.com

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