“Owe no one anything, except to love each other, for the one who loves another has fulfilled the law” (Romans 13:8 ESV). Paul wrote to believers in Rome about their responsibilities toward governing authorities, neighbors, and one another. In the previous verse, he had instructed them to pay what they owed, including taxes, revenue, respect,

“For dogs encompass me; a company of evildoers encircles me; they have pierced my hands and feet. I can count all my bones. They stare and gloat over me; they divide my garments among them, and for my clothing they cast lots” (Psalm 22:16–18). David wrote Psalm 22 out of genuine personal suffering, describing himself

“And how are they to believe in him of whom they have never heard?” (Romans 10:14 ESV). Paul wrote to the believers in Rome explaining that saving faith was not faith in a vague deity or general religious truth. It was faith in the crucified and risen Jesus revealed through the gospel. Paul’s wording may

“For Christ is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes” (Romans 10:4 ESV). Paul wrote to believers in Rome to explain how the gospel revealed God’s righteousness through faith in Jesus Christ. In the verses immediately preceding this statement, Paul described Israel’s tragic error. They were “ignorant of the righteousness of

“Wine is a mocker, strong drink a brawler, and whoever is led astray by it is not wise” (Proverbs 20:1 ESV). Solomon warned about alcohol’s deceptive and controlling power. He personified wine as a mocker and strong drink as a brawler. Wine mocked those who trusted its promises of pleasure, relief, or confidence, only to

“Cease to hear instruction, my son, and you will stray from the words of knowledge.” (Proverbs 19:27 ESV) Solomon warned his son and the young people of Israel about the danger of abandoning wise instruction. The word translated “stray” meant to wander, err, or go astray. The proverb described a clear cause-and-effect relationship: Stop listening

“This God, his way is perfect; the word of the LORD proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him” (Psalm 18:30 ESV). David wrote Psalm 18 after the Lord had delivered him from Saul and his other enemies. Looking back over years of danger, delay, conflict, and deliverance, David

“For there is no one who does not sin” (2 Chronicles 6:36 ESV). Solomon spoke these words in his prayer of dedication of the temple he had built for the Lord. He had witnessed the glory of God fill the temple, yet he did not assume that Israel’s worship, sacrifices, priests, or covenant privileges would

“And when the song was raised, with trumpets and cymbals and other musical instruments, in praise to the LORD the house of the LORD, was filled with a cloud, so that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud, for the glory of the LORD filled the house of God” (2 Chronicles

Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the LORD that will stand (Proverbs 19:21 ESV). Solomon wrote this proverb to instruct Gods people in the way of wisdom. He acknowledged that people naturally devise many plans, goals, and strategies for their lives. Yet he reminded his