Gary Gleans

Paul writes the book of Ephesians from prison in order to remind the church of the basic doctrines and duties of the faith.  In many ways this book seems like an abridged version of Romans.  Of all the cities where Paul ministered, Ephesus was the place where Paul spent the most time.  It is also the place where he had an amazing impact on the people as well as the entire region.  Acts tells us that he spent two years teaching his disciples here and that he exercised great healing powers.  Many were healed by him personally and even cloths that were taken from him and given to sick people made many of them well.  This ministry was so effective and powerful that the entire region of Asia Minor heard the Gospel.  The city was the industrial center for the entire region which may explain why the Spirit of God originally prohibited Paul’s first attempts to go into Asia Minor in other locations.  It was also a very idolatrous city and the home of the ...

False doctrine is one of Satan’s favorite tools to attack believers and the church.  There may be many reasons behind why false teachers do what they do, ranging from financial gain to personal popularity.  However, the underlying and true motives behind false teaching are that Satan wants to destroy the church, destroy believers and keep unbelievers trapped in their sin.  The epistle of Galatians was written to a group of churches that Paul founded in the southern part of a region of the Roman Empire called Galatia, this is modern day Turkey.  This church was under attack by Judaizes who were trying to impose the Law on the Gentile believers as a means of salvation.  Paul had clearly taught them that justification is through faith in the finished work of Christ on the cross.  However, false teachers were coming in and preaching a salvation of works be keeping the Law.  In this letter Paul takes this heresy head on; exposing the false teachers and cal...

God is in the business of transforming lives.  The church in Corinth, as well as most churches all over the world throughout history, was desperately in need of transformation.  One of the key aspects of God’s transforming work in Corinth was the apostle Paul.  Initially, Paul spent about a year and a half ministering in the city and founding the church.  Unfortunately, the church, like the city, was a very immoral church.  Paul made every effort to call this church to repentance.  Apparently he wrote a letter that was lost, which was followed by the letter known as 1 Corinthians.  He then returned to Corinth for a personal visit that did not seem to be successful.  Paul refers to this as a painful visit because apparently the false teachers who were promoting immorality in the church insulted him and questioned his credentials as an apostle.  The painful visit was followed by a severe letter that was lost but apparently had a positive effec...

Wherever you have people you will have problems.  This was especially true of the church in Corinth.  We can be very thankful for this problematic church because Paul’s letters to them tell us how God wants us to deal with many of the problems that we face in churches and the lives of believers today.  Corinth was the main Roman city in Greece and was strategically located next to a narrow strip of land between two seas that provided a land bridge so ships would come through Corinth with their goods in order to save having to sail treacherous waters for weeks.  This made Corinth a thriving metropolis filled with a wide variety of people from many cultures and walks of life.  It was a shipping city so prostitution was a thriving business.  It was an idolatrous city with many different gods, the most prominent being Aphrodite, the goddess of Love.  It was a wealth city with many business men and aristocrats.  It was a working city with many slaves ...

Romans is, without a doubt, one of the most important books in all of Scripture.  Since Paul had never been to Rome at the time of the writing it seems he wants to make sure that he readers fully understand the doctrine of salvation and all of the implications for both the Jew and the Gentile.  He makes a logical presentation of the Gospel and his argument is very well organized.  There are several doctrines that are difficult for us to understand so it very important for us to approach the interpretation of this book with a big dose of humility.  It is a mistake to assume that we are capable of understanding and explaining everything about God.  Our languages and our minds are limited and are the only means we have of seeking to grow in our understanding of a limitless God.  However, the simplicity of being justified through faith is clearly taught and is the vital information that we need in order to be assured of eternal life.  We must seek to unde...

Luke picks up the book of Acts where he left off in the book of Luke.  The Gospels end with a great commission to make disciples in all nations.  Acts begins with the disciples continuing to ask about the timing of the kingdom.  Jesus does not scold them for the hope of the kingdom but informs them that the kingdom’s timing is not of their concern but that their focus needs to be on being His witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the ends of the earth.  The book of Acts is Luke’s description of how the Holy Spirit empowered these same disciples to accomplish exactly that.  As we read the early part of the book of Acts we cannot help but to stand in awe of the difference that the Holy Spirit’s indwelling and empowering made in the lives of the Apostles.  All through the Gospels we see them being slow to understand Jesus’ teachings, inconsistent in their obedience and fearful in the face of opposition.  In Acts they are laser focused on the mission...

John is most likely the last of the Gospel writers to write.  More than likely he had been exposed to the previous three Gospels and endeavored to clarify certain details about Jesus as well as record additional events that were not included in Matthew, Mark or Luke.  Much of John’s content is unique.  His language is simple and clear while at the same time very theologically profound.  John’s simple language should never be equated to shallow theology.  He clearly states his purpose for recording these events as being to promote belief in the Lord Jesus Christ and eternal life through Him.  He presents Jesus as the Son of God and clearly defends the divinity of our Lord Jesus.  The book is structured around his rendition of miracles performed by Jesus as well as His clear statements using the phrase “I AM” there can be no doubt that Jesus is God.  John wants us to know who Jesus is and that we are required to believe in Him.  This call to b...