The Surprising God

This post exegetes Romans 8:17-27 , providing context for the Epistle reading on July 19, 2026. Insights are drawn from "Romans: God's Good News for the World" by John Stott, and from "The Expositor’s Bible Commentary." "Come Holy Spirit" (public domain via Wikimedia Commons Introduction Romans chapter 8 addresses the ministry of the Holy Spirit in our sanctification (which, as noted in chapter 7, is something the law is incapable of doing). This transforming ministry of the Spirit has multiple aspects and brings us multiple blessings—several of which are enumerated in Romans 8:1-17.  But at the end of verse 17, Paul introduces a part of our sanctification that we often find troubling—the suffering we experience as Christians. Why do we suffer in this life? Paul now turns to this important question and points out that for a Christian, suffering is not meaningless, nor an indication that God has abandoned us—rather, through the indwelling Spirit, our su...

This post exegetes Romans 8:1-17 , providing context for the Epistle reading on July 12, 2026. Insights are drawn from "Romans: God's Good News for the World" by John Stott, and from "The Expositor’s Bible Commentary." "Pentecost" by El Greco (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction Having discussed in Romans chapter 7 the frustrations of seeking to live for God under the law, Paul now turns in chapter 8 to the blessings that come through living for God in the Spirit. Paul contrasts the law and the Spirit—showing that the law has no power to save or to deliver from indwelling sin, whereas the Spirit does both. Thus Paul points Christians away from living under the law to a life animated, sustained, directed, transformed and enriched by the Holy Spirit. In Romans 8:1-17 he describes multiple and glorious blessings of life in the Spirit. No condemnation  Romans 8:1  The first blessing is related to what Paul wrote in chapter 5: 'Therefore, ...

This post exegetes Matthew 11:2—12:50 , providing context for the Gospel reading on July 5, 2026. Insights are drawn from Craig Keener ("IVP Bible Background Commentary New Testament"), TR France ("New Bible Commentary") and Louis Barbieri ("Bible Knowledge Commentary"). "The Pharisees Question Jesus" by Tissot (public domain via Wikimedia Commons)  Introduction Leading up to Matthew chapter 11, the apostle focuses on Jesus as the kingdom’s king. Now his focus shifts to examine people’s response to Jesus’ kingdom ministry. Responses include doubt, glad acceptance, hostile accusation, enthusiasm, and even sheer puzzlement. The response that Jesus is looking for is deep commitment. Doubt  Matthew 11:2-19 2 When John heard in prison what Christ was doing, he sent his disciples 3 to ask him, "Are you the one who was to come, or should we expect someone else?" 4 Jesus replied, "Go back and report to John what you hear and see: 5 The bli...

The post exegetes Matthew 9:35 — 11:1, providing context for Gospel readings on June 21 and 28, 2026. Insights are drawn from Craig Keener ("IVP Bible Background Commentary New Testament"), TR France ("New Bible Commentary") and Louis Barbieri ("Bible Knowledge Commentary"). "Christ with His Disciples" by Mironov (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction In the preceding section, Matthew tells us of Jesus’ kingdom power (and authority). Now he shows that Jesus’ followers are called to join their Lord in his kingdom mission. There is a price to be paid to do so, but the reward is great. 1. Join with Jesus  Matthew 9:35-38 35 Jesus went through all the towns and villages, teaching in their synagogues, preaching the good news of the kingdom and healing every disease and sickness. 36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, ...