If one word could be used to define Christianity, that word would have to be grace. Understanding the operation of grace leads to the wisdom and will of God. God’s will is manifested from a throne of grace. His grace reigns through righteousness (Rom 5:21).
Contents
- 1 The Power of Grace
- 2 Grace Reigns through Righteousness
- 3 God’s Will is Manifested by Grace
- 4 Grace is Not …
- 5 Contending for the Faith
- 6 God’s Redemptive Program
- 7 Definition of Grace
- 8 Grace and the Need of Man
- 9 State of Grace
- 10 Grace Provides for Daily Needs
- 11 Equipped by Grace
- 12 Discipline of Grace
- 13 Grace, Sin, and Legalism
- 14 Scriptures of Grace
The Power of Grace
For the Christian, God’s grace is all that God has freely done for us through the gospel of Jesus Christ (1 Cor 15:3-4; Eph 2:8-9; Rom 1:16). Being “in Christ”, we share His eternal life. The union created by our spiritual baptism into Him, and our subsequent regeneration, bring us into the family of God. We now have available to us over 50 things that result from our “so great salvation.” He who has begun a good work in you (salvation) will bring it to completion (glorification) at the day of Christ (rapture) (Phil 1:6).
The operative principle from the cross, through our abiding walk, to the presence and glory of Jesus Christ and life eternal – is grace. The operative principle of Christianity, and the only path to communion with God, is by grace through faith. Grace and faith are inseparably linked. His grace abounds in our life when we choose faith, trust and dependence upon Him.
Grace saves (Rom 3:24; Eph 1:7; Titus 3:7), instructs and disciplines our lives (Titus 2:11), provides power (2 Cor 12:9), works (1 Cor 15:10) and strengthens (Heb 13:9). In the area of giftedness, our gifts are both grace gifts (Rom 12:6) and of the Spirit (1 Cor 12:7). “Grace and Spirit, then, stand for the dominant power of the new age. To Iive by grace, by the Spirit, and by Jesus Christ, come to one and the same thing; but when grace is mentioned, Paul probably wants to stress the surprising generosity in which the gift of power is given.” [1]
The principle and power of grace can never be blamed for the lazy or the (seemingly) constantly carnal Christian. The one who understands grace, knows the cost of all that we receive “in Him.” The reality of what Jesus has done on our behalf, and the knowledge that we will stand before Him, with the spiritual sacrifice of our lives as our only offering (Rom 12:1), is humbling indeed. His grace, His love and our own growing communion with Him leads to the exaltation of Jesus in our life and an ever-growing awareness of our own depravity and need. This humility is a necessary virtue to move us to dependence upon Him. Only He can truly meet our every need. He does this in grace.
If any action is not done in, or by grace, we can safely say that God is not in it. The grace that saved now operates to strengthen and provide all that is needed by sinful, yet spiritually growing man to fulfill the Father’s desire in our walk and service to others. We have been saved by grace and seated with Him in the heavenlies “so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness towards us in Christ Jesus.” (Eph 2:7)
His abounding grace reigns! The Father rules from a throne of grace. Thanks be to God for His indescribable gift! (2 Cor 9:15)
Grace Reigns through Righteousness
but where sin increased, grace abounded all the more, so that, as sin reigned in death, even so grace would reign through righteousness to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. Rom 5:21b
Grace is God’s answer to the reign of sin in death. Grace exercises a reigning power to secure eternal life by means of the righteousness of Jesus Christ. The Father imputes (credits) the righteousness of Jesus to our account upon our justification through faith in the gospel. In this verse, “we see the exercise (by grace) of God’s righteousness in (declaring) the believing sinner righteous on the ground of the death of Christ.” [2]
For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God. For what does the Scripture say? “ Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness … Rom 4:2
For this reason it is by faith, in order that it may be in accordance with grace, so that the promise will be guaranteed to all the descendants, not only to those who are of the Law, but also to those who are of the faith of Abraham, who is the father of us all … Rom 4:16
Salvation has always been based on the promise of a savior, so that it would be of faith and never about works or merit (Rom 11:6; 2 Tim 1:9; Rom 5:1-2). Beginning with the promise of the seed of Gen 3:15, this savior (Jesus) was to come through Abraham in the Covenant, and fulfill over 300 prophecies, in both His life and death. Those who lived prior to Christ’s physical birth and death knew of Him through these writings and were saved based on their faith that the promise was true. The law was temporary until the coming of the seed, Jesus Christ, to those to whom the promise has been made (all believers of all generations). (Gal 3:19)
God’s Will is Manifested by Grace
Grace initiates (Rom 3:24; Eph 1:7; 2:5-10; 2 Tim 1:9; Titus 2:11, 3:7; Heb 2:9), sustains (Rom 5:2; 2 Cor 12:9; 2 Thess 2:16; Heb 4:16; 13:9), and completes the spiritual life (1 Cor 15:10; 2 Cor 12:9; 2 Tim 2:11; 1 Pet 4:10; 5:12). From reading the Scriptures, we come to the inevitable conclusion that the fullness of the will of the Father is brought to completion by grace (Eph 1:5, 7, 11; Phil 2:13; Heb 13:21; James 1:17-18.) Jesus Christ said, “I have come to make all things new.” Today, He is the source of all light, life, and love through grace.( 2 Thess 2:16).
The foundation of the Father’s throne is righteousness and justice (Ps 89:14). Through the work of Jesus Christ, now, His love, mercy and kindness flow out before Him to undeserving man from a throne of grace (Heb 4:16).
“Indeed, all of God’s saving and forgiving, His calling and commissioning, His electing and justifying, are of grace. In the light of Paul’s use of the word, we may say that “grace” refers to all that God is and does on behalf of His children. Reflect for a moment on this utterly amazing decision by God: He has chosen to adopt, justify, forgive, renew, and glorify us as His new creation in Christ.” [3]
Grace is Not …
Grace is not license to sin (Rom 6:1-7, 14-15; Jude 1:4). Grace is not mercy. Grace is receiving what we don’t deserve (riches of God); mercy is not receiving what we do deserve (wrath). These distinctions are not small matters, but must be accurately defined for clarity and understanding. Grace does not overlook sin nor make excuses for it. The standards of grace are greater than law. It is not just overt actions, it is the “thoughts and intents of the heart.” Grace accomplishes what love could not do. Strombeck, in Disciplined by Grace, states: “Grace, then, is more than love; it is love operating righteously in view of the fact that the penalty for sin has been paid. (God) became free to fully exercise His love, without compromising His justice.” [4] The work of Jesus, in paying the price of sin by His death and exhibiting His victory by His resurrection, propitiated the Father’s wrath and satisfied His justice. Now grace has set free the Father’s desire to love, show mercy, and provide for those who share His divine life.
Contending for the Faith
A man, who eventually became a Buddhist, had gone to see a Christian Pastor and pleaded with him to explain the essence of Christianity. The man was at the end of his rope. His question was born of desperation and a sincere desire to know. The Pastor pushed the Bible toward this seeker, and told him to “follow Scripture and to lead a good life.” Disgusted by the Pastor’s trite sayings, devoid of any life or love, the man walked away. He determined from that meeting the Christian God had nothing to offer him.
God’s Redemptive Program
Explaining the motive and manner of God’s redemptive program can be made much easier by starting with the core issue: the character of God, His essence (of love, mercy, justice, and holiness) versus the sinful state of man, and the resulting great gulf/divide that separates the two. The cross satisfies the justice of God for “the wages of sin is death.” God has done the work of salvation through the substitution of Jesus’s death for ours. Now, the death penalty that His justice demands has been set aside, He is free, with mercy motivated by His love, to offer salvation to all men. This work is God’s gift to us; there is nothing we can do to earn or keep it. We receive this free gift of salvation by grace through faith. At salvation, we are saved (Past) from the penalty of sin; in sanctification, we are being saved (Present) from the power of sin; and in glorification, we will be saved (Future) from the presence of sin. Grace is operational in all three tenses of salvation.
God’s motive for redemption is His love and mercy. Without grace, His love and mercy, by themselves, would be unable to provide a way for God and man to have a relationship. A relationship is possible with a holy God only by grace through faith. Several basic explanations for grace include: “God’s Riches At Christ’s Expense,” “unmerited favor,” “favor freely given,” and “receiving of a gift we do not deserve.”
Definition of Grace
“Grace, like truth, life, and light, is so great a term that it defies an all-inclusive definition. The following is suggested as being helpful. Grace is the unmerited, abounding provision of the unrestrained operation of God’s infinite love through Jesus Christ on behalf of man, especially those who depend on Him” [5]
- Grace is the operation of God’s infinite love
- Grace is unmerited
- Grace is the free and unrestrained operation of God’s love
- Grace on behalf of man, especially those who believe (Rom 3:26; 4:16; Titus 2:11)
- Grace is through Jesus Christ (John 1:16-17; Eph 1:3; Eph 1:7; Rom 3:24; 8:32) [6]
People often mislabel permissive will as grace; do not confuse these terms. Grace never overlooks sin; the price has been paid by another.
By the operation of His grace we :
- Are Saved, 1 Cor 15:9-10
- Strengthened, 2 Tim 2:1
- Endure suffering, 2 Cor 12:9
- Find help in every need, Heb 4:16
Riches of Grace
Any steps toward legalism and away from grace robs us of the fellowship and the light, life and love of Jesus Christ (Gal 5:1-6). By trusting Christ, we become spiritually rich.
- Rich in grace, Eph 1:17
- Rich in His glory, Eph 1:18, Phil 4:19
- Rich in His wisdom, Rom 11:33
- Rich in the “unsearchable riches of Christ”, Eph 3:8
- Share in all the treasures of knowledge and wisdom, Col 2:3
- Complete in Him, Col 2:10
Operation of Grace in our Standing and State
Salvation Abiding Walk
Position (Standing) Condition (State)
Union “in Christ” Communion “Christ in me”
Grace Generation Yes Yes
Divine Requirement Faith Faith
Object of Faith Person &Work of Christ Word of God, LJC
Human Works Rejected Rejected
State of the Soul Gratitude, Rest Gratitude, Moment By Moment Rest
Work of God Removal Barrier of Sin Transformation, fruit, service and work
Result of Faith Redemption, Reconciliation, Fellowship
Propitiation, Justification Filling
Grace and the Need of Man
Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Heb 4:16
God rules from a throne of grace.
God responds to our need – not to our merit, work or persistence [7]
He responds to our predicament of sin and suffering with mercy and our need with grace.
At birth, man’s need for redemption is manifested as he enters a life destined for sin, misery and death. This need is far greater than his own abilities. As a believer, we still struggle with our sin nature even with the status, privileges, and inherent/indwelling power of the Holy Spirit (that we permanently possess). The sin nature is enticed and seduced by the world (Rom 12:2) as it is animated by its ruler, Satan, the enemy of God. Grace is God’s response to man’s need for salvation[8]. Our salvation includes the sanctification of our walk: freedom and victory over sin, power for obedience in daily life, daily provision, and to walk worthy of the call He places on us.
State of Grace
Therefore, having been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ, through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand; and we exult in hope of the glory of God. Rom 5:1-2
In salvation, we have been moved from a state of condemnation to one of grace (Rom 8:1-2). The sphere of death is sin and law. The sphere of grace is His life, His truth and the Spirit. Instead of laws, rules, and external conduct, the focus of grace is the life, light, and love of Jesus Christ. When believers have fallen from grace (chosen to live outside God’s will for their lives whether that be carnality or legalism), they are no longer behaving as if their standing in grace is true. The operating principle and power of the believer is grace [9], His Spirit and truth.
You have been severed from Christ, you who are seeking to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. For we through the Spirit, by faith, are waiting for the hope of righteousness. For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything, but faith working through love. Gal 5:4-6
Grace Provides for Daily Needs
Living Grace
2 Cor 12:9-10 Power of Christ dwells within us. His power is perfected in our weakness
Heb 4:15-16 In our time of need, draw near to the throne of grace to receive mercy and grace
Phil 4:19 God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Jesus Christ
Grace Ministry
Gift:
1 Pet 4:10-11 Serve and minister to others through the spiritual gift we have received from God’s grace.
Eph 4:7-8 Our spiritual gift is given by the grace of God. We cannot earn or seek it. It is a gift.
Rom 12:3,6 Each is to exercise our gift according to the grace given to us.
Work or Exercise of Gift:
1 Cor 15:10 We recognize that it is God’s grace and power that works in us and through us in our labor. All results come from Him.
Spiritual Growth Grace
2 Pet 3:18 We are to be continually growing in the grace and experiential knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
Heb 5:11-14 We must not become dull of hearing the Word. The meat of the word are for the spiritually mature who have their senses trained to discern good and evil.
Heb 13:9 It is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace.
1 Pet 2:2 Long for, hunger, and thirst for the word of God; for by it you will grow with respect to salvation.
Equipped by Grace
Jesus Christ provides divine resources that both enable and equip us for the life He calls us into. He enables us by giving grace (Heb 4:14-16) and equips us to do His will (Heb 13:20-21). [10]
Therefore let us draw near with confidence to the throne of grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need. Heb 4:16
Now the God of peace, who brought up from the dead the great Shepherd of the sheep through the blood of the eternal covenant, even Jesus our Lord, equip you in every good thing to do His will, working in us that which is pleasing in His sight, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Heb 13:20-21
How does He equip us?
- Word of God – 2 Tim 3:16-17, Rom 10:17.
- Prayer – 1 Thess 3:10, Phil 4:6-7, 1 Pet 5:7.
- Suffering – 1 Pet 5:10, Rom 5:3-5.
- Other Saints – Gal 6:1-2; Gal 5:14; John 13:34-35 [11]
The Greek word used here for equip has three possible meanings: the setting or mending of a broken bone, the supply of needed provision as in outfitting a ship for voyage, and the training and arming of a soldier for battle.
- Prayer benefits the believer. Cast our anxieties on Him. 1 Pet 5:7.
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God and the peace of God, which surpasses all comprehension, will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus. Phil 4:6-7.
- Suffering and tribulations produce in us the character of Christ. The mission, purpose and destiny of the saint is to become more like Christ in His humanity.
And not only this, but we also exult in our tribulations, knowing that tribulation brings about perseverance; and perseverance, proven character; and proven character, hope; and hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out within our hearts through the Holy Spirit who was given to us. Rom 5:3-5
Endurance is required under adverse circumstances or times of testing.
- Other Saints – We serve the brethren through our spiritual gifts given by the Spirit in grace (1 Cor 12:7). All gifts function in love (1 Cor 13). The words of Paul to Timothy are instructive to us as well as these first century Jewish believers.
Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ … 1 Tim 6:12-14
How do we fight the good fight of faith? Taking hold of eternal life means we are to abide in Him. As we abide in Him, He will abide in us ( John 15:1-8). As He abides in us His light, life and love becomes a witness to the world. This witness continues as the world observes us loving the brethren with His agape love. Out of this abiding, brothers in His body will experience His love through each other…
A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another, even as I have loved you, that you also love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. John 13:35.
Discipline of Grace
For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. Titus 2:11-14
Here it is grace that instructs us to deny ungodliness and to live righteously. Looking for the appearance of Jesus is the greatest purifier of our walk.
God requires … that the saved one, by reason of being a citizen of heaven, should live according to the standards of heaven (cf. John 13:34; Eph. 4:1, 30; 1 Thess. 5:19). [12]
There are two broad types of instruction in the Bible: the first, expresses what God has done for man in terms of the gospel and divine provision; the second is an exhortation of what the Christian is expected to be and do as a result of the working out of salvation (Phi 2:12-13). We must walk worthy of the call He places upon us. This stress/ emphasis tells believers the level of importance God places upon our recognition of the high cost of salvation and His desire for us to engage in an abiding walk of faith.
Therefore, prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ. As obedient children, do not be conformed to the former lusts which were yours in your ignorance, but like the Holy One who called you, be holy yourselves also in all your behavior; because it is written, “ You shall be holy, for I am holy.”
If you address as Father the One who impartially judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves in fear during the time of your stay on earth; knowing that you were not redeemed with perishable things like silver or gold from your futile way of life inherited from your forefathers, but with precious blood, as of a lamb unblemished and spotless, the blood of Christ. 1 Pet 1:13-18
Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God and of Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence. For by these He has granted to us His precious and magnificent promises, so that by them you may become partakers of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world by lust. 2 Pet 1:3-4
Our life should reflect the holy nature of the God who called us and regenerated us.
The high cost paid for our salvation calls believers to live in reverent fear before God. Holy living is motivated by God-fearing faith. We should recognize what was purchased at so great a cost. [13]
This fear is reverence and awe, never to be associated with punishment, judgment, or wrath. It is a fear of displeasing the One who has done all for us (2 Cor 5:11).
Grace, Sin, and Legalism
Paul’s message is that grace is never a danger to the Christian life; however, legalism is. Its doctrines teach the power of the Christian life comes from the external enforcement of laws, rules and standards of what we do and don’t do. Constant uncertainty results from whether you’ve broken the rules or not, and creates a life governed by peer pressure and futile attempts to control or “clean up” the old man. Grace is about the death of the old man. When we are awed by grace, our desires are naturally curtailed as we willingly seek to please Christ. Grace means living life through the power of God and resting from our work (Rom 6:1-11; Heb 4:10-11). We are created for good work; but the work is His, not ours (Eph 2:10). Grace controls our life when we yield our inner man to the control of the Holy Spirit. We are free from law (Gal 5:1,4) and, yet ,through grace the law is fulfilled . Read Romans 8:1-25.
The inner discipline of grace is far better than the external discipline of man-made rules. Legalism may succeed for a short time, but eventually the sin nature will begin to rebel. [14]
Thanks be to God for His abounding grace!
Scriptures of Grace
Provision of Grace – What God has Done for Man
Rom 3:24 Justified as a gift by His grace through the redemption in Christ Jesus
Rom 5:2 Therefore having been justified by faith we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ through whom also we have obtained our introduction by faith into this grace in which we stand
2 Cor 12:9 And He has said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me
Gal 1:6 (He) who called you by the grace of Christ
Eph 1:7 In Him we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace which He lavished on us. In all wisdom and insight He made known to us the mystery of His will, according to His kind intention which He purposed in Him
Eph 2:4-9 But God, being rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in our transgressions, made us alive together with Christ ( by grace you have been saved), and raised us up with Him, and seated us with Him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus, so that in the ages to come He might show the surpassing riches of His grace in kindness toward us in Christ Jesus. For by grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is the gift of God; not as a result of works, so that no one may boast.
Col 1:6 Gospel is constantly bearing fruit and increasing, even in you since you heard and understood the grace of God in truth
Phil 4:19 My God will supply all your needs according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus
2 Thess 2:16 Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word.
Titus 3:7 so that being justified by His grace we would be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life
Heb 2:9 so that by the grace of God He might taste death for everyone.
Heb 13:9 for it is good for the heart to be strengthened by grace, not by foods
1 Pet 4:10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
Walk of Grace – Exhortation to an Abiding Walk
Rom 3:27 No boasting in grace for it is a work of God
1 Cor 15:10 I labored even more than all of them, yet not I, but the grace of God with me
2 Cor 4:15 so that the grace which is spreading to more and more people may cause the giving of thanks to abound to the glory of God.
Eph 2:10 For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand so that we would walk in them.
Eph 4:29 Words of edification give grace to those who hear
Phi 2:12-13 work out your salvation with fear and trembling; for it is God who is at work in you, both to will and to work for His good pleasure.
2 Thess 1:12 so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
2 Tim 2:1 be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus.
Titus 2:11-14 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds.
1 Pet 1:13 prepare your minds for action, keep sober in spirit, fix your hope completely on the grace to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.
1 Pet 4:10 As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.
1 Pet 5:5 -7 all of you, clothe yourselves with humility toward one another, for God is opposed to the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you at the proper time, casting all your anxiety on Him, because He cares for you
1 Pet 5:12 I have written to you briefly, exhorting and testifying that this is the true grace of God. Stand firm in it!
2 Pet 1:2-3 Grace and peace be multiplied to you in the knowledge of God andof Jesus our Lord; seeing that His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness, through the true knowledge of Him who called us by His own glory and excellence.
2 Pet 1:5-7 Now for this very reason also, applying all diligence, in your faith supply moral excellence, and in your moral excellence, knowledge, and in your knowledge, self- control, and in your self- control, perseverance, and in your perseverance, godliness, and in your godliness, brotherly kindness, and in your brotherly kindness, love. For if these qualities are yours and are increasing, they render you neither useless nor unfruitful in the true knowledge ofour Lord Jesus Christ.
Saving Grace
Acts 13:43, 15:11; Rom 3:24, 4:16, 5:15-17; Eph 1:7, 2:8-9; Titus 2:11, 3:7
Living Grace
2 Cor 12:9-10; Heb 4:15-16; Phil 4:19
Grace Ministry
Gift: 1 Pet 4:10-11; Eph 4:7-8; Rom 12:3,6
Work or Exercise of Gift: 1 Cor 15:10
Spiritual Growth Grace
2 Pet 3:18; Heb 5:11-14, 13:9; 1 Pet 2:2
Notes:
[1] International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, 2nd Edition
[2] Vine, W.E., Collected Writings of W.E. Vine (Romans), Thomas Nelson Publishers, 1996
[3] ISBE, 2nd Edition
[4] The Strombeck Collection, Disciplined by Grace, Grace Gospel Press, 2013, 353
[5] Ibid, 351
[6] Ibid, 352-354
[7] Dwight Pentecost, Things that Become Sound Doctrine (Grace), Kregel Publications, 1965
[8] Ibid
[9] Ibid
[10] Warren Wiersbe, The Bible Expository Commentary (Hebrews), Victor Books,1989
[11] Ibid
[12] L.S. Chafer, Systematic Theology (Vol 7), Kregel Publications, 1976, 179
[13] John Walvoord and Roy Zuck, Bible Knowledge Commentary, 1 Peter
[14] Wiersbe, The Bible Expository Commentary (Galatians), Victor Books, 1989
