Topics

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Romans 12:1–3, 6–21

Therefore I urge you, brothers, on account of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God, which is your spiritual service of worship. / Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what is the good, pleasing, and perfect will of God. / For by the grace given me I say to every one of you: Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but think of yourself with sober judgment, according to the measure of faith God has given you.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Romans 13:8–14

Be indebted to no one, except to one another in love. For he who loves his neighbor has fulfilled the law. / The commandments “Do not commit adultery,” “Do not murder,” “Do not steal,” “Do not covet,” and any other commandments, are summed up in this one decree: “Love your neighbor as yourself.” / Love does no wrong to its neighbor. Therefore love is the fulfillment of the law.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Romans 14:19–21

So then, let us pursue what leads to peace and to mutual edification. / Do not destroy the work of God for the sake of food. All food is clean, but it is wrong for a man to let his eating be a stumbling block. / It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or to do anything to cause your brother to stumble.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Romans 15:1, 2

We who are strong ought to bear with the shortcomings of the weak and not to please ourselves. / Each of us should please his neighbor for his good, to build him up.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles 1 Corinthians 8:1

Now about food sacrificed to idols: We know that we all have knowledge. Knowledge puffs up, but love builds up.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles 1 Corinthians 10:7–10, 24, 28, 29, 31, 32

Do not be idolaters, as some of them were. As it is written: “The people sat down to eat and to drink, and got up to indulge in revelry.” / We should not commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and in one day twenty-three thousand of them died. / We should not test Christ, as some of them did, and were killed by snakes.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles 1 Corinthians 14:20

Brothers, stop thinking like children. In regard to evil be infants, but in your thinking be mature.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles 1 Corinthians 16:13, 14

Be on the alert. Stand firm in the faith. Be men of courage. Be strong. / Do everything in love.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles 2 Corinthians 13:7

Now we pray to God that you will not do anything wrong—not that we will appear to have stood the test, but that you will do what is right, even if we appear to have failed.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Galatians 5:1, 16

It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be encumbered once more by a yoke of slavery. / So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Galatians 6:1, 2

Brothers, if someone is caught in a trespass, you who are spiritual should restore him with a spirit of gentleness. But watch yourself, or you also may be tempted. / Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Ephesians 4:1–3, 26–32

As a prisoner in the Lord, then, I urge you to walk in a manner worthy of the calling you have received: / with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love, / and with diligence to preserve the unity of the Spirit through the bond of peace.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Ephesians 5:1–6, 11, 15, 17–21

Be imitators of God, therefore, as beloved children, / and walk in love, just as Christ loved us and gave Himself up for us as a fragrant sacrificial offering to God. / But among you, as is proper among the saints, there must not be even a hint of sexual immorality, or of any kind of impurity, or of greed.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Ephesians 6:10, 11, 13–18

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power. / Put on the full armor of God, so that you can make your stand against the devil’s schemes. / Therefore take up the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you will be able to stand your ground, and having done everything, to stand.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Philippians 1:27, 28

Nevertheless, conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of Christ. Then, whether I come and see you or only hear about you in my absence, I will know that you stand firm in one spirit, contending side by side for the faith of the gospel, / without being frightened in any way by those who oppose you. This is a clear sign of their destruction but of your salvation, and it is from God.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Philippians 2:2–8, 12–16

then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being united in spirit and purpose. / Do nothing out of selfish ambition or empty pride, but in humility consider others more important than yourselves. / Each of you should look not only to your own interests, but also to the interests of others.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Philippians 4:6, 8, 9

Be anxious for nothing, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. / Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think on these things. / Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me, put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Colossians 2:6, 16, 20–23

Therefore, just as you have received Christ Jesus as Lord, continue to walk in Him, / Therefore let no one judge you by what you eat or drink, or with regard to a feast, a New Moon, or a Sabbath. / If you have died with Christ to the spiritual forces of the world, why, as though you still belonged to the world, do you submit to its regulations:

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Colossians 3:1, 2, 5, 8, 9, 12–17, 23

Therefore, since you have been raised with Christ, strive for the things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. / Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things. / Put to death, therefore, the components of your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires, and greed, which is idolatry.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles 1 Thessalonians 3:12

And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone else, just as our love for you overflows,

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles 1 Thessalonians 4:1, 3, 5, 6, 9–12

Finally, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus to live in a way that is pleasing to God, just as you have received from us. This is how you already live, so you should do so all the more. / For it is God’s will that you should be holy: You must abstain from sexual immorality; / not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God;

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles 1 Thessalonians 5:6, 8, 12–22

So then, let us not sleep as the others do, but let us remain awake and sober. / But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on the breastplate of faith and love, and the helmet of our hope of salvation. / But we ask you, brothers, to acknowledge those who work diligently among you, who preside over you in the Lord and give you instruction.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles 2 Thessalonians 2:15

Therefore, brothers, stand firm and cling to the traditions we taught you, whether by speech or by letter.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles 2 Thessalonians 3:6–15

Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from any brother who leads an undisciplined life that is not in keeping with the tradition you received from us. / For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not undisciplined among you, / nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it. Instead, in labor and toil, we worked night and day so that we would not be a burden to any of you.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles 1 Timothy 1:4

or devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculation rather than the stewardship of God’s work, which is by faith.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles 1 Timothy 2:1, 2, 8–12

First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgiving be offered for everyone— / for kings and all those in authority—so that we may lead tranquil and quiet lives in all godliness and dignity. / Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands, without anger or dissension.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles 1 Timothy 3:2–13

An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, / not dependent on wine, not violent but gentle, peaceable, and free of the love of money. / An overseer must manage his own household well and keep his children under control, with complete dignity.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles 1 Timothy 4:1–7, 12–16

Now the Spirit expressly states that in later times some will abandon the faith to follow deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, / influenced by the hypocrisy of liars, whose consciences are seared with a hot iron. / They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from certain foods that God has created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles 1 Timothy 5:1–14, 16–21

Do not rebuke an older man, but appeal to him as to a father. Treat younger men as brothers, / older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity. / Honor the widows who are truly widows.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles 1 Timothy 6:11–14, 17–20

But you, O man of God, flee from these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. / Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made the good confession before many witnesses. / I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who made the good confession in His testimony before Pontius Pilate:

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles 2 Timothy 1:13, 14

Hold on to the pattern of sound teaching you have heard from me, with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. / Guard the treasure entrusted to you, with the help of the Holy Spirit who dwells in us.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles 2 Timothy 2:19, 22–25

Nevertheless, God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord must turn away from iniquity.” / Flee from youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, together with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart. / He must gently reprove those who oppose him, in the hope that God may grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles 2 Timothy 3:2–5

For men will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, / unloving, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, without love of good, / traitorous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God,

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Titus 1:5–14

The reason I left you in Crete was that you would set in order what was unfinished and appoint elders in every town, as I directed you. / An elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, having children who are believers and who are not open to accusation of indiscretion or insubordination. / As God’s steward, an overseer must be above reproach—not self-absorbed, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not greedy for money.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Titus 2:2–5, 9–12

Older men are to be temperate, dignified, self-controlled, and sound in faith, love, and perseverance. / Older women, likewise, are to be reverent in their behavior, not slanderers or addicted to much wine, but teachers of good. / In this way they can train the young women to love their husbands and children,

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Titus 3:1, 2, 8

Remind the believers to submit to rulers and authorities, to be obedient and ready for every good work, / to malign no one, and to be peaceable and gentle, showing full consideration to everyone. / This saying is trustworthy. And I want you to emphasize these things, so that those who have believed God will take care to devote themselves to good deeds. These things are excellent and profitable for the people.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Hebrews 6:1, 11, 12

Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith in God, / We want each of you to show this same diligence to the very end, in order to make your hope sure. / Then you will not be sluggish, but will imitate those who through faith and patience inherit what has been promised.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Hebrews 10:22–25

let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled to cleanse us from a guilty conscience and our bodies washed with pure water. / Let us hold resolutely to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful. / And let us consider how to spur one another on to love and good deeds.

Open passage

Commandments: Precepts of Paul--Explicitly Stated or Implied in Didactic Epistles Hebrews 13:1–3, 5, 7, 9, 15–17

Continue in brotherly love. / Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained angels without knowing it. / Remember those in prison as if you were bound with them, and those who are mistreated as if you were suffering with them.

Open passage