Author's Note: All previous volumes of this series are here. The first 56 volumes are compiled into the book "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible." "Part Two," featuring volumes 57-113, was published in December 2022.
Hi, everyone! Thanks for clicking by. If you are joining us for the first time, you might be asking, “Why does a Bible study appear alongside all the political op-eds?” Great question. My answer is that a confluence of forces, led by God and the Holy Spirit (of which I am merely a vessel), connects with readers seeking truth and knowledge of His Word. So, if you are a loyal reader, thanks for joining us every week as we all please God and keep Townhall editors happy at the beginning of this study’s seventh year.
After years of laboring over this “quick” study, I have come to appreciate the beauty of St. Paul’s writing. It is poetry that conveys timeless truths about the Lord Jesus, the meaning of His sacrifice for our sins, and it has grown into the world’s largest religion. As a writer, I marvel at his talent, inspired by the Holy Spirit. So today, I was inspired to share what I consider the “best of Paul.”
Back in May 2021, I wrote Vol. 61: St. Paul’s Greatest Hits. Here, some of those passages are repeated, but one never grows tired of Paul’s exquisite verses, which can penetrate your soul. You can see or hear them, and later, when reading again, derive new meaning or comfort from the same passage because it speaks to what is happening in your life. Moreover, nearly every Bible study I write includes a passage from Paul because he was such a prolific writer, and his words always apply to whatever topic I am covering.
Paul is credited with writing 13 of the 27 New Testament books, letters to his brethren in early Christian communities. These early Christians faced persecution, division, uncertainty, and moral decline, and Paul addressed those issues. His words combine theological reflection on the meaning of Jesus’s teachings and His very existence with practical self-help guidance.
Due to the beauty and truth of Paul’s most popular verses, many have been incorporated into the secular lexicon. Thus, he is quoted without people realizing they are quoting the Bible. A good example of that is “money is the root of all evil.” The complete verse reads:
“For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs” (1 Timothy 6:10).
Before we review Paul’s “best” passages, here is a quick refresher about his background. Saul of Tarsus – later known as Paul – was born a Jewish-Roman citizen in Tarsus (modern-day Turkey). Aside from Jesus, he is most responsible for the explosive growth of early Christianity. And never forget that he initially persecuted Jews who believed that Jesus was the Jewish Messiah. In last week’s Vol. 302 about pain, I quoted Jesus saying about Saul/Paul:
“For I will show him how much he must suffer for the sake of my name” (Acts 9:16). Read more here, and in Vol. 60.
Now let’s turn to Paul’s “best” passages (or I should write “Myra’s favorites” because all Paul fans have their own list) beginning with:
“And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28).
I love this verse! It speaks to situations where you are defeated and trying to understand what has happened and why. Life’s ups and downs are viewed through God’s perspective, who knows our past, present, and future. God’s long view is always reconciled when, years later (or sometimes sooner) after you have experienced a major disappointment or calamity, you begin to see God’s perfection and why painful events had to line up the way they did.
The next verse is Paul’s deeply personal realization:
“I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. And the life I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me” (Galatians 2:20).
Paul understands that his Christian identity connects to Christ’s suffering. He speaks to all believers who are always seeking a closer personal relationship with Jesus.
It’s time for Paul’s most familiar passage, from (1 Corinthians 13:4-8) “the best of the best.” Over the years, I have observed that often, even at secular weddings, these magnificent words are read:
“Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.”
Paul’s famous “wedding passage” describes the essence of love: God is love, and, operationally, Jesus tells us to “love one another.” This verse is a behavioral guide for maintaining a loving relationship, a healthy marriage, or any relationship.
This next verse is another of the most widely quoted:
“I can do all things through Him who strengthens me” (Philippians 4:13).
Inner strength through faith is a secret of successful people. Reliance on Christ offers people a continuous opportunity to be motivated and reach beyond themselves. Paul’s following passage encapsulates Christianity’s foundational message:
“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 6:23).
In the late 1990s, I saw that verse on a highway billboard in North Carolina and didn’t understand its meaning then, but I do now. We are human, and we sin. However, because Jesus, who was sinless, took on our sins and the sins of the world for our sake, was resurrected, and defeated death, we will have His gift of eternal life IF you accept Him as your Lord and Savior.
Another of Paul’s verses is a universal truth. Sometimes it is used to justify countries' policies or actions:
“If God is for us, who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31).
The next verse perfectly explains the human condition:
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
This study could be pages long because Paul’s writings are among the best that humankind has to offer. Due to space constraints, I am omitting his famous “Armor of God” passage in Ephesians 6:10-18. It was recently discussed in Vol. 301 on New Year’s resolutions when I proclaimed that mine was to "wear the full armor of God." For more about the passage, see Vol. 81.
This study concludes with a passage that I had engraved on our wedding reception silver cups that says “Romans 8:39”:
“For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39).
Such a powerful verse emphasizes that Paul knew he would be martyred for that truth. The question I will leave you with: “Would you be martyred for the truth?”
Myra Kahn Adams is a conservative political and religious writer. Her book "Bible Study For Those Who Don't Read The Bible" reprints the first 56 volumes of this popular study. "Part 2," reprints Vols. 57 –113. Order it here.
Myra is also the Executive Director of the National Shroud of Turin Exhibit. You can help support our new exhibit in Orlando, Florida. Contact: Myraadams01@gmail.com
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