This is the close of what many people celebrate as the greatest teaching about Christ in the New Testament. Martin Luther and John Wesley were especially moved by this letter.
Most of the passage is expressing gratitude for those who were especially close to St. Paul. The woman’s name, Phoebe, in verse 1, means “The Radiant One.”By our own shining faces and living in joy, we make God’s face shine to others. Your radiance of God’s faithful love is what people need to see. Recall verse 5 from Psalm 34 of yesterday: “Look to God and be radiant; so your[ faces shall never be ashamed.”
Get in touch with Paul’s burst of joy in the final verse: “May the glory be to God, who alone is wise! May the glory be to him through Jesus Christ forever! Amen.”
Check out Study Tools in BibleGateway.
I especially recommend the free resource
in Matthew Henry’s Commentary.
Thursdays are dedicated to the letters of Paul, other letters,
the Book of Acts, and the Book of Revelation.
These Firestarters are from a new edition of The Bible Through the Seasons being developed for families with children. For the Firestarters in the original edition, I recommend the ebook. You will have the entire program of well over a thousand of these introductions with you on your phone or table! Check the menu options at the site for more information.
The Bible Through the Seasons 