Where in I suffer trouble, as an evil doer, even unto bonds; but the word of God is not bound.
Paul suffered trouble for the gospel as an evildoer or criminal, even unto bonds and imprisonment, but the word of God with him was not bound, confined, or restrained. While in bonds in Rome he was apparently cut off from public work and confined in a humble dwelling or lodging, yet his imprisonment did not stop the advance of the gospel. Within less than two years its influence went out from that confinement.
From there the gospel reached the emperor's, Nero's, king's, royal, and imperial household and palace, where people heard it and believed. Converts there openly confessed or embraced the faith and joined the church. No human imprisonment, prohibition, force, or command can bind, chain, silence, or restrain the word of God. Though God's messengers may be hindered, the word cannot be confined to one place.
Because it is not bound to one place, the Bible is to reach every part of the world and its sacred truths are to be studied everywhere. Luther lived out this truth by refusing to stop preaching because of the emperor's ban or prohibition. He reserved the right to preach the gospel while agreeing to obey in other matters and accepting whatever consequences followed, and he entered the pulpit again, showing the Word must not be chained or silenced.
The chapter containing the verse is to be impressed on the heart and brought into practical life when a special effort to proclaim the truth is underway. It calls every church member to draw near to God, search the heart by the Word, confess sin, live in harmony, clear the way, and help with means. It calls them to attend the meetings armed and equipped for service, speak with those who are interested, pray and work for the lost sheep, stay awake to obligation, draw strength from Christ, and labor together with Him rather than remaining self-satisfied, indifferent, and backslidden while the Word is presented. Its counsel shapes the church's practical life by calling believers to support evangelistic work through prayer, personal effort, and help for those proclaiming the truth.
The chapter answers foolish questions and discourages new, strange ideas born of human imagination. Questions about the sealing that go beyond what Scripture plainly reveals should therefore wait until what is essential is known. Salvation does not depend on side issues.
Paul suffered trouble for the gospel as an evildoer or criminal, even unto bonds and imprisonment, but the word of God with him was not bound, confined, or restrained. While in bonds in Rome he was apparently cut off from public work and confined in a humble dwelling or lodging, yet his imprisonment did not stop the advance of the gospel. Within less than two years its influence went out from that confinement.
From there the gospel reached the emperor's, Nero's, king's, royal, and imperial household and palace, where people heard it and believed. Converts there openly confessed or embraced the faith and joined the church. No human imprisonment, prohibition, force, or command can bind, chain, silence, or restrain the word of God. Though God's messengers may be hindered, the word cannot be confined to one place.
Because it is not bound to one place, the Bible is to reach every part of the world and its sacred truths are to be studied everywhere. Luther lived out this truth by refusing to stop preaching because of the emperor's ban or prohibition. He reserved the right to preach the gospel while agreeing to obey in other matters and accepting whatever consequences followed, and he entered the pulpit again, showing the Word must not be chained or silenced.
The chapter containing the verse is to be impressed on the heart and brought into practical life when a special effort to proclaim the truth is underway. It calls every church member to draw near to God, search the heart by the Word, confess sin, live in harmony, clear the way, and help with means. It calls them to attend the meetings armed and equipped for service, speak with those who are interested, pray and work for the lost sheep, stay awake to obligation, draw strength from Christ, and labor together with Him rather than remaining self-satisfied, indifferent, and backslidden while the Word is presented. Its counsel shapes the church's practical life by calling believers to support evangelistic work through prayer, personal effort, and help for those proclaiming the truth.
The chapter answers foolish questions and discourages new, strange ideas born of human imagination. Questions about the sealing that go beyond what Scripture plainly reveals should therefore wait until what is essential is known. Salvation does not depend on side issues.