scholarship. serving. ministry.
The epistle for Trinity 14 in Year A is Romans 13:8–14. It is a further bundle of practical teaching in the light of God’s grace, but clusters around two ideas. The first is love as the fulfilment of the law, and in emphasising this, Paul is echoing strongly the teaching of Jesus, without actually quoting … Continue Reading
In the lectionary reading for Trinity 13 year A, Romans 12.9–21, Paul sets out a remarkable vision of life in the redeemed community, using a particularly powerful rhetorical style. Instead of argumentation and logical connectives, Paul bundles together a series of punchy statements using infinitive and particle phrases. Just as striking is his use of … Continue Reading
The epistle for Trinity 2 is the same as it was for Lent 3, Romans 5.1–8, so I link here the video discussion we previously recorded. The gospel is Jesus’ calling and sending the Twelve into the harvest field in Matthew 9.35–10.8. In Romans 5, Paul effectively sets out his stall for the second main … Continue Reading
The lectionary gospel reading for Easter 6 in Year A is the next section of John 14.15–21. The split of the passage for the two Sundays is a little odd, in that last week’s was twice the length, and contained three massive issues to address! This week’s is much shorter and more straightforward. (The lectionary … 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 letters of John form a remarkable collection of writing, usually place towards the end of the New Testament. The imagery is powerful; the language is engaging; and the teaching is immensely practical. I can still remember the impact of studying these letters in a small group not long after I came to faith as … Continue Reading
The lectionary reading for Easter 6 in Year B is the second half of what appears to be a single section of Jesus’ teaching, in his ‘Farewell Discourse’, John 15.9–17. On the one hand, it seems strange to have divided this teaching into its two halves. On the other, whilst there is a continuing overarching … Continue Reading
The lectionary reading for Easter 6 in Year B is the second half of what appears to be a single section of Jesus’ teaching, in his ‘Farewell Discourse’, John 15.9–17. On the one hand, it seems strange to have divided this teaching into its two halves. On the other, whilst there is a continuing overarching … Continue Reading
The gospel lectionary reading for Lent 4 in Year B is John 3.14–22, the monologue ending of Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, which includes perhaps the best-known verse in the New Testament at John 3.16. It is intimidating to talk about such a well-known passage—can we say anything new?—but also to deal with such a large … Continue Reading
The gospel lectionary reading for Lent 4 in Year B is John 3.14–22, the monologue ending of Jesus’ conversation with Nicodemus, which includes perhaps the best-known verse in the New Testament at John 3.16. It is intimidating to talk about such a well-known passage—can we say anything new?—but also to deal with such a large … 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
This blog is reader supported, not funded in any other way. Why not make a one-off or regular donation. You do that directly through PayPal
or through Ko-fi.
Gospel commentary index Lectionary Year A
Andrew Goddard Bible biblical interpretation Biblical literacy biblical theology 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 power preaching Revelation same sex marriage same sex unions sexuality theology video Year A Year B Year C
