If a person who has never been married is party to committing adultery with someone who is married, does that make both parties adulterers and disqualify the unmarried person from ever marrying? Adultery (moichao) is defined as having unlawful intercourse with a married person.  Fornication (porneia) is defined as unlawful sexual intercourse in general, which… Read More Bible Q&A: A Question About Adultery and Matthew 19:9

At what time in his life did Jesus know he was Jesus? Was he a perfect baby? How did Mary mother a perfect son? The writer of Hebrews wrote that Jesus “learned obedience” (Heb. 5:8).  “Learned” (manthano) literally means “to learn, to increase one’s knowledge, to be increased in knowledge.”  Luke also wrote that as a child Jesus “increased in… Read More Bible Q&A: When Did Jesus Know Who He Was?

Did any of the apostles pastor a church? The term “pastor” (poimein in Greek) literally means “to shepherd.”  Ephesians 4:11 lists it as an office in the church alongside apostles, prophets, evangelists, and teachers.  The Greek term is used when Paul and Peter told elders of the church to “shepherd” the flock of God which is among them (Acts 20:28;… Read More Bible Q&A: Did Any of the Apostles Pastor a Church?

Jesus talks about losing your life for his sake and finding eternal life (Luke 9:23-24). Is this referring solely to spiritual death? Contextually, Jesus had just finished informing his disciples about his upcoming physical death (Luke 9:21-22).  The following verses (vs. 25-27) make implicit references to death by persecution in that Jesus speaks of “gaining… Read More Bible Q&A: Is Luke 9:23-24 Referring Solely to Spiritual Death?

Jesus said, “Pray that your flight doesn’t take place on the Sabbath or in winter” (Matt. 24:20). Why say this if the Sabbath was to be taken out of the way? Contextually, Jesus was warning His Jewish disciples about the upcoming destruction of the temple and Jerusalem by Roman armies (Matt. 24:1-34; Lk. 21:20ff).  He… Read More Bible Q&A: A Question About Matthew 24:20 and the Sabbath