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The lectionary epistle for Easter 4 is 1 Peter 2.19–end. Peter sees out a challenge call for us to endure suffering following the example of Jesus. But to make proper sense of this, we need to read it in its context, and notice the different language that Peter uses of us as slaves of God, … Continue Reading
The lectionary epistle for Easter 3 in Year A is 1 Peter 1.17–23. In this section, Peter begins by reflecting on the significant of the impartiality of God’s love—he is not like a king who shows favouritism to some, by lifting their bowed face to look at him, but treats all equally—as Peter discovered in … Continue Reading
The NT epistle reading for Palm Sunday in this Year 3 is the so-called ‘Christ hymn’ in Phil 2.5–11. This is a fitting parallel to the account of Jesus’ non-triumphal entry into Jerusalem in Luke 19.28–40. The introduction to this ‘hymn’ is also very carefully poetically structured, which suggests that the whole passage is by … Continue Reading
The lectionary epistle for Lent 5 in Year A is Romans 8.6–11, a slightly odd choice in cutting out verse 5, or even in missing verses 1 to 4. Paul is expounding here different aspects of the two ‘realms’ of flesh and the Spirit, corresponding to ‘this age’ and ‘the age to come’, this fallen … Continue Reading
Lent 4 is also Mothering Sunday in the calendar, and the readings for Mothering Sunday in Year A are 2 Corinthians 1.3-7 and the dedication of Jesus in Luke 2. In 2 Cor 1, Paul begins this letter by exploring the inter-relation between experience affliction (tribulation), and receiving comfort from the God of all compassion. … Continue Reading
The epistle for Lent 3 is Romans 5.1–11; the gospel is Jesus’ encounter with the woman at the well in John 4. In Romans 5, Paul effectively sets out his stall for the second main section of the letter, chapters 5 to 8. This is not about the consequences of justification, so much as what … Continue Reading
The lectionary for Lent 2 in Year A is Romans 4.1-5, 13-17. The structure of Paul’s argument here is complex, but the main idea is simple: Abraham is father of both Jews and Gentiles, and the order of events in his life teaches us about the nature of grace. He trusted God as was justified, … Continue Reading
The epistle for Lent 1 in Year A is Romans 5.12–19. Paul draws a series of striking contrasts between what it means to be ‘in Adam’, as fallen humanity under the power of Sin and Death, and what it means to be ‘in Christ’, given the gift of life and under the power of Grace. … Continue Reading
The lectionary epistle for the Sunday before Lent in Year A is 2 Peter 1.16–21. It is a fascinating passage, as it appears to preserve an eye-witness testimony to the transfiguration which coheres with the gospels accounts but is independent of them. From this, Peter teaches us not so much about Jesus’ resurrection but about … Continue Reading
The epistle for Epiphany 4 is 1 Cor 1.18—31 (the end of the chapter). Having painted the picture of the amazing things that God has done for the Corinthians in the first verses, Paul has then confronted them with their factions. He now draws on language that echoes the teaching of Jesus, and deep from … Continue Reading
The lectionary epistle for Epiphany 3 in Year A is the next part of 1 Corinthians, verses 10 to 18. Having prepared his canvas in the previous verses with all the amazing things God has done for his readers, Paul now paints in the details of the problems of factionalism. He challenges the idea of … Continue Reading
Ian Paul: theologian, author, speaker, academic consultant. Associate Senior Research Fellow, Kirby Laing Centre for Public Theology; Associate Minister, St Nic's, Nottingham; Managing Editor, Grove Books; member of General Synod and Archbishops' Council. Mac user; chocoholic. Tweets at @psephizo
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Gospel commentary index Lectionary Year A
Andrew Goddard Bible biblical interpretation Biblical literacy biblical theology Christmas Church of England culture discipleship discussion doctrine eschatology evangelism gay General Synod Grove guest Hermeneutics History hope interpretation James Blandford Baker Jesus John's gospel Justin Welby leadership lectionary Luke Luke's gospel Matthew ministry mission New Testament Paul politics preaching Revelation same sex marriage same sex unions sexuality theology video Year A Year B Year C
