James said, “Have you not made distinctions (οὐ διεκρίθητε) among yourselves (ἐν ἑαυτοῖς)? Have you become judges (καὶ ἐγένεσθε κριταὶ) with evil thoughts (διαλογισμῶν πονηρῶν)?” James seemed to scold his readers with these questions. Have they made distinctions among themselves? Have they become evil minded judges regarding other people? They had become judges of other people, assuming the worst of some people. They were prejudging people by their clothes and wealth. How do you judge people?
In two and a half months, I have finished reading and commenting on the Letter to the Hebrews. I have now finished the New Testament four canonical gospels, Matthew, Mark, Luke, and John, plus the Acts of the Apostles, and Paul’s letters to the Romans, as well 1 Corinthians and 2 Corinthians, Galatians, Ephesians, Philippians, Colossians, 1Thessalonians and 2Thessalonians, 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and now Hebrews. Every time I finish commenting on a book of the Bible, I send a thank you blog. I usually post five blogs a day covering a verse of the biblical books. So far, I have posted over 15,275 blogs about the individual paragraphs of all the 46 books of the Old Testament, plus the individual verses of the first 19 books of the New Testament. It has taken me nine years to get this done, since I first began in 2013.
256 people follow this blog every day. Many people have visited this site. There have been over 83,000 hits on this blog since its inception. I just want to thank all of you. Word Press sent me a compilation that showed that about 52,200 people from 174 other countries have visited this web site since its inception.
I realize that over 14,500 people have left comments in 2021, but I have not responded to them. Some of you might want to moderate my comments, which is fine with me. If you want to contact me directly, my email is efinne1540@gmail.com.
I want to thank all of you who have sent emails to me these past few months, especially
This author ended with a prayer that the God of peace should be with them. They were to do the good will of God through Jesus Christ. They had listened to his words. Timothy was now free. They were to greet their leaders with a greeting from those people in Italy. May grace be on all of them. Do you pray for peace?
This author said that we should obey our leaders. They will have to give an account. Pray for us that we may have a clear conscience! We try to act honorably in all things. Thus, we can be reunited again. Do you obey your leaders?
This author reminded his readers that that they should remember their leaders. Imitate their faith! Jesus Christ is always the same, yesterday, today, and forever. Watch out for strange teachings! Do not get involved with food problems. We have a new altar. The bodies of the sacrificed animals were burned outside the camp. So too, Jesus suffered outside the city gate. Let us bear abuse! We have no lasting city on earth. Let us continue to offer a sacrifice of praise to God by doing good and sharing. Are you faithful to Jesus Christ?
This author said that we must continue with mutual love. We must not neglect hospitality, since we might be entertaining angels. Remember those in prison and being tortured. Keep marriage sacred. Stay away from the love of money. Remember that the Lord is your helper. Are you a loving host or hostess?
This author said that they should not refuse the one speaking to them from heaven. His voice shock heaven and earth. What cannot be shaken will remain. Our heavenly kingdom is not a shaky earthly kingdom. We must give thanks to God with an acceptable worship, reverence, and awe because our God is a consuming fire. Do you respect God?
This author said that they have come to the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem assembly. They have come to the firstborn, Jesus Christ, the mediator of the new covenant. His blood is better than Abel’s. Are you part of the new alliance with Jesus Christ?
This author said that that you cannot touch God. This is not a blazing fire, darkness, gloom, a trumpet sound, or a strange voice. Their ancestors had begged to hear no more words. They were not to touch the mountain. They trembled with fear. They went to Mount Zion. They were afraid of the old alliance. Are you afraid of God?
This author said that we should pursue peace and holiness with everyone. Obtain the grace of God without bitterness or trouble. Do not be like Esau! He sold his birthright for a single meal. He never got a chance to repent. What would you do for a good meal?
Eugene Finnegan Bible Project 