Perrydox.com is devoted to the pursuit of truth, whether plain or paradoxical, whether simple or sublime, or simply absurd yet absolute.
PHall | March 1, 2024
Peter and Paul’s Different Reasoning for Us Submitting to Government Authorities Both Peter and Paul argue that as Christians we are to submit to governmental authorities. And while there are similarities in their instructions, when we ask, “How does this submitting to governmental authorities fit into the themes of each book?” And, “Why do these […]
PHall | August 22, 2023
Romans (theological) – “not saved by works” (Romans 4:2) means, our works cannot fundamentally change God to save us because of faith in our works. James (practical) – “saved by works” (James 2:24) means, God fundamentally changes us in salvation to have works because of our faith in God. Other succinct ways of saying […]
PHall | December 25, 2020
Love Does No Harm Love Does No Harm (Rom.13:8-10) Notice what this pericope follows – Government punishing and rewarding based upon law (13:1-7). Government does not act upon a principle of love, but necessity (i.e., taxes) and laws. Government “justifies” on the basis of works – what have you done. God justifies on the basis […]
PHall | February 27, 2020
Matthew’s biography of Jesus has the end meet the beginning, bookends if you please. These are aimed at the shame of the recipients. Matthew 1 famously has the genealogy of Jesus showing his regal credentials as the King of the Jews. But notice these two divergent aims: 1) Matthew 2 we have the “king of […]
PHall | February 17, 2020
Romans 16:7 contains the only mention of Junia (NIV, CSB) or Junias (NASB, ESV). For someone mentioned only once, there is no shortage of controversy over this person.Male or Female? If the latter spelling is correct then this person is male. Most translations use the former female spelling which is better supported by the Greek […]
PHall | January 17, 2020
My favorite verse on peace – “If possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.” (CSB’17 Romans 12:18)1. Peace is possible but not always possible2. Peace depends on me but not only on me.3. Peace is the presence of something – “live” – not just the absence of conflict.4. Peace […]
PHall | December 17, 2019
“For I am not ashamed of gossip, for it is the power of self-righteousness to everyone who believes in their superiority, first to the finger-pointer and also to their followers. For in it the unrighteousness of Man is revealed from fault to fault, just as it is not written: “The self-righteous will live by other’s […]
PHall | December 17, 2019
A gift is free and not earned, by definition. Have you wondered if there are implications of gifts? Specifically of salvation being a gift? Do gifts imply reciprocity?• “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (CSB’17 Romans 6:23).1. Not all gifts are […]
PHall | August 23, 2019
Your familiar with 1 Corinthians 16:1-3 about a collection for the saints; but how familiar are you? This is not the only time Paul spoke about this collection. Another is 2 Corinthians 8-9 which is rich in the gospel. A more neglected passage is Romans 15. I like word studies, so let’s “word up” on […]
PHall | March 22, 2019
“So the word of God spread, the disciples in Jerusalem increased greatly in number, and a large group of priests became obedient to the faith” (CSB Acts 6:7). This is a neglected but powerful verse. Let’s notice 5 points for us imitate: 1. This comes after the church solves an internal problem (6:1-6). Strife, stress, […]