john-15:16-17

It takes a special measure of dedication to be excellent. This is particularly true of the Christian life. Excellence in Christianity does not happen by accident. It requires commitment and strong motivation. Yet every Christian has this high calling --the calling to excellence. Paul said, "I press ... Read More

One thing is clear from Scripture: God loves to answer prayer. He works overtime to get us to believe that. Too often we believe Him to a point, and then quit. There is nothing which we start and quit more than prayer. Why do we do that: quit short of God's answer? What is even harder to believe is ... Read More

“Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you, that ye should go and bring forth fruit” (John 15:16). Many sincere Christians think bearing fruit means simply to bring souls to Christ. But to bear fruit means something much larger even than soulwinning. The fruit Jesus is talking a... Read More

Jesus told his disciples, “I chose you and appointed you that you should go and bear fruit” (John 15:16). Then he quickly added these solemn words: “That your fruit should remain.” These words of Christ apply to his disciples right up to this day. He is saying, in essence, “Be sure that your fruit w... Read More

Abide (3306)(meno) in simple terms means to remain in the same place or position over a period of time. It means to reside, stay, live, lodge, tarry or dwell. Meno describes something that remains where it is, continues in a fixed state, or endures. Meno can mean "to take up permanent residence" or ... Read More

Can do (2480) (ischuo from ischus = might) means to be strong in body or in resources. Ischuo can speak of physical power (Mk 2:17, 5:4, 9:12). It can speak of having the required personal resources to accomplish some objective as here in Php 4:13 or conversely with the negative speaks of that which... Read More

To love (25) (agapao - see related study of noun agape) means to love unconditionally and sacrificially as God Himself loves sinful men (John 3:16), the way He loves the Son (John 3:35, 15:9, 17:23, 24). Note that agapao is a verb and by its verbal nature calls for action. This quality of love is no... Read More

Blameless (677) (aproskopos [word study] from a = not + proskopto = strike at, to trip, dash against as foot against a stone) literally means without offense, without stumbling, not stumbling or not tripping. Not causing others to stumble or fail. Not giving offense (thus inoffensive). NIDNTT adds t... Read More

Chose (1586) (eklego from ek = out, out of, out from + légo = select, choose) (see also word study on related word eklektos) means literally to select out, single out or choose out of. The idea in eklego speaks of the sizable number from which the selection is made. It implies the taking of a smalle... Read More

Church (1577)(ekklesia from ek = out + klesis = a calling, verb = kaleo = to call) literally means called out (but see note by Louw-Nida below) and as commonly used in the Greco-Roman vernacular referred to citizens who were called out from their homes to be publicly assembled or gathered to discuss... Read More