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bible study devotion

The greatest is love: devotion

Dr. Andrew C S Koh

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Prayer

Heavenly Father, open our spiritual eyes to see, ears to hear, minds to understand, and hearts to apply and obey the truth of Your words. Help us engage in Your word for the transformation of hearts and renewal of minds, in Jesus’ name, Amen. 

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. 2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and though I have all faith so that I could remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. 3 And though I bestow all my goods to feed the poor, and though I give my body to be burned, but have not love, it profits me nothing. 4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up; 5 does not behave rudely, does not seek its own, is not provoked, thinks no evil; 6 does not rejoice in iniquity, but rejoices in the truth; 7 bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things, endures all things. 8 Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away. 9 For we know in part and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away. 11 When I was a child, I spoke as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child; but when I became a man, I put away childish things. 12 For now we see in a mirror, dimly, but then face to face. Now I know in part, but then I shall know just as I also am known. 13 And now abide faith, hope, love, these three; but the greatest of these is love. Love is not a spiritual gift but it is the first fruit of the Spirit.

1 Corinthians 13:1-13

Commentary

1 Corinthians 13 is the love chapter.

The Greek word for love is agape, which means selfless, sacrificial love, and unconditional love. Agape is the highest form of love. 

Without love, speaking in tongues is noisy and irritating. Without love, prophesy, words of knowledge, faith, selfless giving, and even martyrdom are valueless in God’s eyes. 

Paul spelled out the 17 characteristics of what love is, what love is not, and what love does and does not do. Love is patient, kind, not jealous, not boastful, not proud, not rude, not abusive, not self-seeking, not easily angered, keeps no record of wrongs, does not rejoice in evil and injustice, rejoices in truth, never gives up, always trusts, always hopes, always persevere, never fails. Even, prophecies, tongues, and knowledge will fail but not love. 

On this side of eternity, we do not have full revelation, perfect vision, and comprehensive knowledge. Our speech, understanding, and thoughts are only partial at best. We are works in progress being sanctified by the Holy Spirit into spiritual maturity. 

Comparing the three virtues of love, faith, and hope, the greatest of these is love.

Application

Love is the first and greatest fruit of the Holy Spirit, Galatians 5:22-23. Love covers a multitude of sins, 1 Peter 4:8. Love is the greatest commandment, horizontal love to others, and vertical love to God, Matthew 22:23.

Do you love the Lord with all your hearts, souls, and minds? Do you love your neighbour as yourself? 

But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. Against such things, there is no law.

Galatians 5:22-23, NIV

And above all things have fervent love for one another, for “love will cover a multitude of sins.”

1 Peter 4:8

Jesus said to him, ‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.’

Matthew 22:23

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for teaching us to love. Help us to obey Your commandment to love You with all our hearts, souls, and minds and to love our neighbours as ourselves. Help us to love others just as Christ loved us and gave Himself for us, in Jesus’ name, Amen. 

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1 Corinthians: free book

Dr. Andrew C S Koh

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Amazon Ranking No 1 in King James Christian Bibles.

Foreword:

by Archbishop Ng Moon Hing, Anglican Archbishop of Southeast Asia

Many people, including Christians, are looking for a perfect church. Someone once said this aptly, ‘

If you find a perfect church, please do not join it; because once you join it, it will become imperfect.’

Christians today are always very critical of their church and leadership. They seem to think that the grass is greener next door. They are unconsciously hoping for a ‘Garden of Eden’ within their church. Unfortunately, some Christians resolve to leave their church, which is imperfect, and journey to the next church, which they think is better.

Reviews:

Dr. Andrew C S Koh has done a wonderful job in creating this Bible study on 1st Corinthians. As a Religious Studies major, this book of the Bible was one of my favorites to study and it was nice to have this book to revisit those favorite passages and dwell in thought on them

R E Creech, Goodreads, Bookbub, 5 stars

1 Corinthians is a Christ-centered, life-changing, Bible study, and daily devotional guide for readers from all walks of life. Dr. Andrew C S Koh emphasized that all Scripture is given by the inspiration of God, and all are given for us to learn and grow. The study is well-written, and broken down into units for each participant to review and learn from the word of God. I received this novel from StoryOrigin. This review is my honest opinion

P A Reinert, Goodreads, 5 stars

A Great Read and a very inspiring book on the teaching of Apostle Paul. A clear explanation of each chapter for a good Bible study. Apostle Paul did not mince words but was very direct in his words. His great love for God was shown in these teachings. There are inspiring prayers too in each chapter. I found this book very informative and better understand these teachings. I am on the ARC team. I leave an honest review. I also recommend this book to other readers

S Jeyaram, Amazon, 5 stars

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bible study devotion

My God shall supply: devotion

Dr. Andrew C S Koh

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2 rainbows

Philippians 4: 17-20

Introduction

Paul, the author of Philippians, wrote this thank you letter to the Philippians Christians between AD 60-62 in the Roman prison, chained to a Roman Pretorian guard, According to church tradition, Emperor Nero released Paul in AD 62, but rearrested and beheaded him in AD 66 at the Mamertine prison in Rome. 

This is one of the 4 Pauline prison epistles,. Philippians, Ephesians, Colossians, and Philemon. 

The theme of Philippians is “joy and rejoice in Christ”. 

Passage

17 Not that I seek the gift, but I seek the fruit that abounds to your account. 18 Indeed I have all and abound. I am full, having received from Epaphroditus the things sent from you, a sweet-smelling aroma, an acceptable sacrifice, well pleasing to God. 19 And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus. 20 Now to our God and Father be glory forever and ever. Amen.

Philippians 1:17-20

Reflection

Paul was not greedy for money. He encouraged the Philippians Christians, and us, to give generously out of a grateful heart, to receive God’s blessings in return. Paul was in chains, hungry, secluded, and needy, but his spirit soars like an eagle. He was contented, at peace, and grateful. He thanked his supporters  for their timely and generous support. God will supply all that he needed out of the abundant riches of Christ. God is no debtor to anyone. He owned every cattle on a thousand hills.  

 

“But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully”

1 Corinthians 9:6

“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom. For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back to you.” 

Luke 6:38

Memory verse

“And my God shall supply all your need according to His riches in glory by Christ Jesus”

Philippians 4:19

Application

What have you got to worry about? God knows all your needs and all your problems. He will supply all that you need. Surrender your life to Him. Let Him take over the driver’s seat of your life. God will replenish the things that Covid pandemic took away. and eaten Do not throw in the towel. Trust Him. Do nor fear, just believe.

Prayer

Heaven Father, thank You for abundant provisions. Help us to sow generously to the work of Your kingdom. Help us to store up treasures in heaven that lasts into eternity, in Jesus’ name, Amen

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bible study devotion

Rapture: devotion

Dr. Andrew C S Koh

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clouds

Rapture

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

16 For the Lord himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with God’s trumpet. The dead in Christ will rise first, 17 then we who are alive, who are left, will be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air. So we will be with the Lord forever (please read the rest of 1 Thessalonians 4 on your own).

1 Thessalonians 4:16-17

Reflection

Paul spelled out the end-time prophecy concerning the rapture in this passage. The word rapture is derived from the words caught up in verse 17. The Greek word for caught up is harpazo.  The Latin word for harpazo is raptura. Rapture comes from the Latin word raptura. The Thessalonians Christians were worried because many of them had died but Jesus did not come back. They wondered whether they had missed out on the second coming. Paul reassured them to the contrary.

Rapture is not the same as the second coming of Christ as these are 2 separate and different events. On the day of rapture, Jesus Christ will come down from heaven preceded by an angel’s shout and a loud trumpet blast. The trumpet is a shofar or ram horn. Christians will be caught up to heaven to meet the Lord in the sky. Two groups of Christians will be raptured, The first group will be those who had died before the rapture. The second group will be those who are still alive at the rapture. The rapture is imminent, meaning that it can happen at any time. No one is privy to the exact day or time, except God, the Father, Matthew 24:36, 41-21.

But no one knows of that day and hour, not even the angels of heaven, but my Father only.

Matthew 24:36

Then two men will be in the field: one will be taken and one will be left. Two women will be grinding at the mill: one will be taken and one will be left.

Matthew 24:41-42

The rapture will come suddenly, like a thief in the night, 1 Thessalonians 5:2. Those raptured will be transformed into spiritual, imperishable, and immortal bodies to meet the Lord in the sky, 1 Corinthians 15: 52-53. Even those who died a long time ago will be resurrected and raptured. How this is even possible is a mystery and God is revealing this to us. 

For you yourselves know well that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night.

1 Thessalonians 5:2

Behold, I tell you a mystery. We will not all sleep, but we will all be changed, in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we will be changed.For this perishable body must become imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. 

1 Corinthians 15:52-53

There are three theological positions on the timing of the rapture i.e. pre-tribulation, before, mid-tribulation, at the middle, and post-tribulation, at the end of the 7-year tribulation. The second coming of Christ will take place at the end of the 7-year tribulation, Revelation 19. Christ will set up His millennial kingdom on earth. for 1000 years, Revelation 20. This theological position is called pre-millennialism.

Application

If you subscribe to pre-tribulation rapture, the rapture is imminent, which means it can occur at any time. However, if you subscribe to mid or post-tribulation, it will not be imminent. Certain events must happen first, for example, the anti-christ appearing onto the world scene, the signing of the peace treaty, building of the the third temple, and so on before the rapture can occur. 

Are you rapture-ready? Are you sure, you will make it to the rapture? Are you sure, you not be left behind?

Today, if you hear His voice, do not harden your heart. If you are not a Christian yet, you can become one right now, right where you are. In a simple prayer, confess to Jesus that you are a sinner, acknowledge that you believe He died for you on the cross, and surrender your life to Him. Find a Bible-believing church near you, inform the pastor about your prayer, join in the fellowship of believers, and grow in the faith.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, thank You for the gift of salvation by grace and justification by faith in Jesus Christ. Thank You that You died on the cross to pay the penalty of our sins for us. Thank You for speaking to us through Your word. Help us to be ready before the rapture by accepting You as our Lord and Saviour. Help us be vigilant of world events even as they unfold and be aware of the times that we are in. We pray for mercy, grace, protection, wisdom, and knowledge, in Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.

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bible study books devotion you tube

Book: 1,2,3, John & Jude

book trailer

https://drandrewcskoh.dashnexpages.net/1-john-2-john-3-john-and-jude-a-verse-by-verse-bible-study-dr-andrew-c-s-koh/

A Christ-centred, life-changing, verse-by-verse expository commentary, bible study guide, and daily devotion on the book of 1 John 2 John 3 John, and Jude, by Dr. Andrew C S Koh

www.amazon.com/dp/B097KZXW7X/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_a_X1PNSWMSJQZJ7EVN81EG

What people are saying

“A very informative study on the Epistles of John and Jude. A great devotional and Bible study helps readers of all ages to study and meditate on these lessons of the Bible and put them into practice in our daily lives. I am on the ARC team and I leave an honest review. I recommend this book to other readers”

— J Sharmani, Goodreads, 5 stars

“A great Bible study of the Epistles of John and Jude. A very informative and well-written book that can be used for daily devotion and meditation on these chapters. Beautiful prayers accompany each chapter. I am on the ARC team and I leave an honest review. I recommend this book to other readers”

— J Sharmani, Bookbub, 5 stars

What people are saying

“I thank the author for highlighting the truth so clearly in the verse-by-verse exposition of 1, 2, 3 John, & Jude. This is a great work and excellent effort to assist Christians, especially to new and young believers, in the understanding of the Word of Truth

— Archbishop Ng Moon Hing, Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Southeast Asia

“1 John, 2 John, 3 John and Jude are books rarely studied by Christians. 1,2,& 3 John are very late writings of the apostle John and contain important teachings to counter false teachers and early Gnosticism. They are very applicable to our modern church because there are many false teachers and prophets who preach corrupt doctrines today”

— Rev. Ng Wah Lok, Ex-Principal of Tung Ling Seminary, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, 1999-2019

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bible study books devotion you tube

Book: Philippians

Rejoice always in the Lord

https://drandrewcskoh.dashnexpages.net/philippians-rejoice-always-in-the-lord-dr-andrew-c-s-koh/

A Christ-centred, life-changing, verse-by-verse expository commentary, bible study guide, and daily devotion on the book of Philippians: rejoice in the Lord always,, by Dr. Andrew C S Koh

Description

Philippians is an expositional bible study on the Epistle of Philippians. This book is a valuable teaching aid to Christians of all denominations of all levels of maturity for personal enrichment, to encounter the God of the Word through the word of God. I have given a clear background and simple explanations of Philippians on a verse-by-verse, paragraph-by-paragraph, and chapter-by-chapter basis in 11 lessons to be used as a bible study guide over 11 weeks. Any reader who goes through this study guide carefully will gain a good foundational understanding of one of Paul’s prison epistles Philippians.

What people are saying

“A great study of the bible on Apostle Pauls’s journey to Philippi where he converted Lydia and her family, the Philippians jailer and his family, and established the church there. This is an easy-to-understand and great book of devotion. I received this book free and I leave an honest review. I recommend this book to other readers”

— J Sharmani, Bookbub, 5 out of 5 stars

“This was the second missionary journey of Apostle Paul to Philippi. Here, the conversion of Lydia and her family took place. Apostle Paul was jailed after he exorcised a slave girl but God saved him. He converted the Philippians jailer and his family. The Philippians church was established by Apostle Paul with Lydia, the Philippians jailer, and his family. A beautiful study of the bible and the miracles Apostle Paul did in the Philippians. I received this book for free and I leave an honest review. I recommend this book to other readers”

— J. Sharmani, Goodreads, 5 out of 5 stars

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bible study books devotion you tube

Book: Ephesians

Every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm in Christ, by Dr. Andrew C S Koh

A Christ-centred, life-changing, verse-by-verse expository commentary, bible study guide, and daily devotion on the book of Ephesians: every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realm in Christ, by Dr. Andrew C S Koh

https://drandrewcskoh.dashnexpages.net/ephesians-every-spiritual-blessing-in-the-heavenly-places-in-christ-dr-andrew-c-s-koh/

Description

This book is an expositional bible study on Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians. It can be used as a daily bible study tool , expository commentary, or as a daily devotional aid. Paul’s Epistle to the Ephesians is expounded on a verse-by-verse basis, with clear backgrounds, and simple explanations, bringing the Bible to life. The 20 lessons can be used for a 2o weeks bible study. 

A careful study, meditation, and application of this bible study will help you to “grow in the grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ”, 2 Peter 3:18.

God rewards those who seek Him diligently through His words.

But without faith, it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him

Hebrews 11:16

1. Life changing, Christ centred Bible Study
2. Verse-by-verse into the Word
3. Encounter, Experience, Walk with God
4. Encounter, Experience, Walk with Christ
5. Transformed, renewed, refreshed
6. Exegesis, Hermeneutic, Interpretation, application
7. Encounter the Word of eternal life

What people are saying

“ A.great bible study of the Epistle of Ephesians written by Apostle Paul from prison. This is a daily devotion and a verse of daily lessons to build faith. I received this book for free and I leave an honest review. I recommend this book to other readers”

— J Sharmani, Goodreads, Bookbub, 5 out of 5 stars

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bible study books devotion you tube

Book: Colossians

He is the image of the invisible God

A Christ-centred, life-changing, verse-by-verse expository commentary, bible study guide, and daily devotion on the book of Colossians by Dr. Andrew C S Koh

Dashnex

https://drandrewcskoh.dashnexpages.net/colossians-he-is-the-image-of-the-invisible-god-dr-andrew-c-s-koh/

Amazon

www.amazon.com/dp/B093B7T1W6/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_a_2M6HY0EZCCJ0M5N51F0W

Description

If you want to study the Epistle of Colossians, read on:

This book is an expositional bible study on Paul’s Epistle to the Colossians. It can be used as a daily bible study tool or as a daily devotional aid. Paul’s Epistle to the Colossians is expounded with clear backgrounds and simple explanations, on a verse-by-verse basis over 13 lessons. Any reader who goes through this bible study guide carefully will gain a good foundational understanding of Paul’s Epistle to the Colossians.

A careful study, meditation, and application of this bible study guide will help you to “grow in the grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ”, 2 Peter 3:18.

God is a rewarder to those who seek Him diligently through His words.

“But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him’’, Hebrews 11:16.

1. Christ centred, life changing Bible study
2. Verse-by-verse Expositional commentary
3. Encounter Christ
4. Experience Christ
5. Walk with Christ
6. Encounter the Living word of eternal life
7. Be transformed, be conformed, be renewed, and be refreshed

What people are saying

“A very informative study on Apostle Paul’s Epistle to the Colossians. It can be used as a study guide or a devotional aid. You get a good understanding of Apostle Paul’s teaching and put it into practice for better faith. I am on the ARC team and I leave an honest review. I recommend this book to other readers”

— J Sharmani, Goodreads, and Bookbub, 5 out of 5 stars.

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bible study books devotion you tube

Book: Hebrews

the just shall live by faith, by Dr. Andrew C S Koh






A Christ-centred, Biblical-based, Life-changing commentary, bible study, and devition

by Dr. Andrew C S Koh

Amazon

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0981VJ6SZ/ref=cm_sw_r_awdo_navT_a_27PMARQ22ZPTW2PFQRM3

What people are saying

“A Great Read A well-written Bible study on the Epistle of Hebrews. A good study for reflection on each chapter. Each chapter is well explained and easy to understand. A prayer after each chapter makes this book a book of devotion. I am on the ARC team. I leave an honest review. I recommend this book to other readers”

— Sharmani Jeyaram, Amazon, 5 out of 5 stars

“This is not the first opportunity that I have had to read and learn from the works of Dr. Andrew CS Koh. His writing is clear, and he pulls no punches while he helps the reader to understand the written word. He has divided his work into 13 units following the 13 chapters of Hebrews. He assists the reader to understand the written word. He does not interpret it for you but rather assists you to understand the written word of our Lord, bringing us closer to him and the blessed word that he has brought to us through the Holy Bible. I received this book from Story Origin and this is my true and honest review”

— Pamela Anne Reinert, Bookbub, 5 out of 5 stars

What people are saying


Dr. Koh has written another wonderful book on another book of the Bible, Hebrews, that is engaging and informational. It is a wonderful study guide that is easy to read and makes another book of the Bible more accessible to the modern age of learning”

— Rowan E Creech, Bookbub, and Goodreads, 5 out of 5 stars

“The author here rightly appreciates and points out that the Author of the Book of Hebrews has intended to present Jesus Christ as the Son of God who is the Priest, Prophet and King. Jesus is the True High Priest of the order of Melchizedek, the True Prophet who is before and after Moses, and the King of Kings and Lord of Lords.

— Archbishop Ng Moon Hing Anglican Archbishop of Southeast Asia

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Bible Study: Hebrews 5

Day 5

Ephesians 5: 1-33

VV 1-4, 1Therefore be imitators of God as dear children. And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet-smelling aroma.But fornication and all uncleanness or covetousness, let it not even be named among you, as is fitting for saints; neither filthiness, nor foolish talking, not coarse testing which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. 

Given the positional truths in Ephesians 1-3, we must be imitators of God, walk in love as Christ loved and died for us. Christ gave Himself both as an offering for our sin and a sacrifice to God. We must not involve adultery, immorality, covetousness, doublespeak, and indecent jokes. We must talk about the Lord and be thankful to the Lord. 

VV 5-7, 5 For this you know, that no fornicator, unclean person, nor covetous man, who is an idolater, has any inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God. Let no one deceive you with empty words, for because of these things the wrath of God comes upon the sons of disobedience. Therefore do not be partakers with them.

No adulterer, no covetous man, and no idolater will inherit the Kingdom of God. We must not be deceived by empty talkers and have nothing to do with them.

VV 8-11, 8 For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth), 10 finding out what is acceptable to the Lord. 11 And have no fellowship with the unfruitful works of darkness, but rather expose them. 

We were once darkness, but now we are the light of the world. We must walk as children of light exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit. “But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such, there is no law”, Galatians 5:22-23. We must have nothing to do with the unfruitful works of darkness. 

VV 12-16, 12 For it is shameful even to speak of those things which are done by them in secret. 13 But all things that are exposed are made manifest by the light, for whatever makes manifest is light. 14 Therefore He says: “Awake, you who sleep, Arise from the dead, And Christ will give you light.” 15 See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, 16 redeeming the time because the days are evil.

When the light of Christ shines, all the secret and shameful things will be exposed and revealed. Hebrews 4:13, “And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account”. We must be awake and not be asleep or we will miss the blessing. We must walk wisely in the light of Christ. We must use our time wisely, redeeming the time because the days are evil. 

VV 17-21, 17 Therefore do not be unwise but understand what the will of the Lord is. 18 And do not be drunk with wine, in which is dissipation; but be filled with the Spirit, 19 speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody in your heart to the Lord, 20 giving thanks always for all things to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, 21 submitting to one another in the fear of God.

We must seek God’s will. We must not be drunk with wine but be filled with the Holy Spirit. We must sing to ourselves and one other, psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs of praise to the Lord. We must thank God always for all things in Jesus’ name submitting to each other. 1 Thess 5: 16-18, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you”. 

VV 22-28, 22 Wives, submit to your own husbands, as to the Lord. 23 For the husband is head of the wife, as also Christ is head of the church; and He is the Savior of the body. 24 Therefore, just as the church is subject to Christ, so let the wives be to their own husbands in everything.25 Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her, 26 that He might sanctify and cleanse her with the washing of water by the word, 27 that He might present her to Himself a glorious church, not having spot or wrinkle or any such thing, but that she should be holy and without blemish. 28 So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies; he who loves his wife loves himself. 29 For no one ever hated his own flesh, but nourishes and cherishes it, just as the Lord does the church.

The wife should submit to her husband, the husband should love his wife, and both should submit to Christ. The husband should love his wife as Christ loved the church and gave His life for the Church. The husband should sanctify his wife with the word, just as Christ sanctifies the Church with His word. The husband should love his wife as his own body, just as Christ loves the Church as His own body. 

VV 29-33, 30 For we are members of His body, of His flesh and of His bones. 31 “For this reason, a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and the two shall become one flesh.” 32 This is a great mystery, but I speak concerning Christ and the church. 33 Nevertheless let each one of you in particular so love his own wife as himself, and let the wife see that she respects her husband.

All Christians are members of Christ’s body, of which Christ is the head. The Church is the bride of Christ. Marriage is for eternity. Paul speaks of the marriage relationship as a great mystery. A man leaves his father and mother in marriage and cleaves to his wife.