[1] 1:1 apostle A follower of Jesus chosen to represent him in a special way. During his earthly ministry, Jesus named twelve men as apostles, to whom he gave the specific responsibility and authority to represent him and proclaim his message throughout the world. Later, he appeared to Paul and gave him a similar commission, especially to non-Jewish people. Barnabas, Paul's missionary companion, and James, the brother of Jesus, are also called apostles, as well as several others in the New Testament. Some of these occurrences of the word, however, have the more general sense of "messenger" or "emissary."

[2] 1:1 church Literally, "assembly" or "community," the people who have been brought together as God's family through their common faith in Jesus Christ. The word often refers to a group of believers who meet together or who live in the same area, but it is also used to mean the worldwide community of all believers in Christ.

[3] 1:1 holy people Literally, "saints" or "holy ones," a term used in the New Testament to describe followers of Jesus Christ as God's special people. They are holy because they have been made pure through Christ and belong only to God. See "holy."

[4] 1:1 Achaia The region in the southern part of Greece where the ancient cities of Athens and Corinth were located.

[5] 1:2 grace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don't deserve.

[6] 1:8 Asia The geographical area, sometimes called Asia Minor, that is now the western part of modern Turkey.

[7] 1:12 grace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don't deserve.

[8] 1:16 Macedonia The northern part of Greece, where Thessalonica and Philippi were.

[9] 1:20 Amen A Hebrew word meaning "That's right," "True," or "Yes." It is used to express strong agreement with what has been said.

[10] 1:20 glory A word that refers to the special qualities of God. Often it means brightness, referring to the way he appears to people. Sometimes it means majesty or power, referring to a kind of greatness that cannot be compared to anything in human experience. It can also include the ideas of honor, fame or respect, especially in expressions of praise.

[11] 1:21 gave us his special blessing Literally, "anointed us."

[12] 1:22 Spirit See "Holy Spirit."

[13] 2:11 Satan A name for the devil meaning "the enemy," or "the accuser."

[14] 2:12 Good News In the gospels this is usually the news about the coming of God's kingdom (see above) or its representative Jesus Christ. In other places it is, more specifically, the news or message of God's grace-that he has made a way through Jesus Christ for people to be made right with him and enjoy his blessings now and forever.

[15] 2:13 Macedonia The northern part of Greece, where Thessalonica and Philippi were.

[16] 2:17 message See "Good News."

[17] 3:3 Spirit See "Holy Spirit."

[18] 3:3 stone Meaning the law that God gave to Moses, which was written on stone tablets. Also in verse 7. See Ex. 24:12; 25:16.

[19] 3:6 agreement A contract or agreement from God to his people. The agreement that God gave his people at Mount Sinai, based on the law of Moses, became the most important for the Israelites or Jews. It replaced or incorporated all other agreements, such as that given earlier to Abraham. In the New Testament it is referred to as the "old" or "first" agreement. After Jesus Christ came and offered his life as payment for the sins of all people, God was able to offer a "new" and "better" agreement based on Christ's sacrifice.

[20] 3:7 agreement In verses 7-11 literally, "service" or "ministry."

[21] 3:7 glory A word that refers to the special qualities of God. Often it means brightness, referring to the way he appears to people. Sometimes it means majesty or power, referring to a kind of greatness that cannot be compared to anything in human experience. It can also include the ideas of honor, fame or respect, especially in expressions of praise.

[22] 3:7 Moses One of the most important leaders of the Israelites during the time of the Old Testament. God used him to give the people his law, which is often called "the law of Moses."

[23] 3:7 Israel The Israelite nation, descendants of the twelve sons of Jacob, who was also called "Israel."

[24] 3:8 Spirit See "Holy Spirit."

[25] 3:14 old agreement See the Word List. Here, it is used to mean the law of Moses on which that agreement was based.

[26] 4:3 Good News In the gospels this is usually the news about the coming of God's kingdom (see above) or its representative Jesus Christ. In other places it is, more specifically, the news or message of God's grace-that he has made a way through Jesus Christ for people to be made right with him and enjoy his blessings now and forever.

[27] 4:4 The ruler Literally, "The god."

[28] 4:4 ruler of this world See Satan.

[29] 4:4 divine greatness Literally, "glory," a word that refers to the special qualities of God. See "glory."

[30] 4:9 persecute To hurt, cause trouble for, or do bad things to someone, especially because of their beliefs.

[31] 4:13 Scripture Part of the Scriptures or "Holy Writings"-the Old Testament.

[32] 4:13 Quote from Ps. 116:10.

[33] 4:15 grace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don't deserve.

[34] 4:15 glory A word that refers to the special qualities of God. Often it means brightness, referring to the way he appears to people. Sometimes it means majesty or power, referring to a kind of greatness that cannot be compared to anything in human experience. It can also include the ideas of honor, fame or respect, especially in expressions of praise.

[35] 4:17 glory A word that refers to the special qualities of God. Often it means brightness, referring to the way he appears to people. Sometimes it means majesty or power, referring to a kind of greatness that cannot be compared to anything in human experience. It can also include the ideas of honor, fame or respect, especially in expressions of praise.

[36] 5:5 Spirit See "Holy Spirit."

[37] 5:17 When anyone . world Or, "Anyone who is in Christ is a new creation."

[38] 5:21 sin Or, "an offering for sin."

[39] 6:1 grace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don't deserve.

[40] 6:6 Holy Spirit Also called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, and the Comforter. In union with God and Christ, he does God's work among people in the world.

[41] 6:15 the devil Literally, "beliar," a form of the Hebrew word "belial," which means "worthlessness" and came to be used as another name for Satan. See "Satan" in the Word List.

[42] 6:16 God's temple God's house-the place where God's people worship him. Here, it means that believers are the spiritual temple where God lives.

[43] 6:16 idol A statue of a false god that people worship. It can also mean anything that is more important to a person than God.

[44] 7:1 holy Set apart or chosen for a special use; especially, belonging to God or used only for him. Also, pure or perfect, worthy of God and fit for his service. In the New Testament God's people are holy because they have been made pure through Christ and, with the help of the Holy Spirit, keep themselves from sin and live only for God.

[45] 7:5 Macedonia The northern part of Greece, where Thessalonica and Philippi were.

[46] 8:1 grace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don't deserve.

[47] 8:1 church Literally, "assembly" or "community," the people who have been brought together as God's family through their common faith in Jesus Christ. The word often refers to a group of believers who meet together or who live in the same area, but it is also used to mean the worldwide community of all believers in Christ.

[48] 8:1 Macedonia The northern part of Greece, where Thessalonica and Philippi were.

[49] 8:15 Scripture Part of the Scriptures or "Holy Writings"-the Old Testament.

[50] 8:18 church Literally, "assembly" or "community," the people who have been brought together as God's family through their common faith in Jesus Christ. The word often refers to a group of believers who meet together or who live in the same area, but it is also used to mean the worldwide community of all believers in Christ.

[51] 8:18 Good News In the gospels this is usually the news about the coming of God's kingdom (see above) or its representative Jesus Christ. In other places it is, more specifically, the news or message of God's grace-that he has made a way through Jesus Christ for people to be made right with him and enjoy his blessings now and forever.

[52] 8:19 glory A word that refers to the special qualities of God. Often it means brightness, referring to the way he appears to people. Sometimes it means majesty or power, referring to a kind of greatness that cannot be compared to anything in human experience. It can also include the ideas of honor, fame or respect, especially in expressions of praise.

[53] 9:2 Macedonia The northern part of Greece, where Thessalonica and Philippi were.

[54] 9:2 Achaia The region in the southern part of Greece where the ancient cities of Athens and Corinth were located.

[55] 9:9 Scripture Part of the Scriptures or "Holy Writings"-the Old Testament.

[56] 9:13 message See "Good News."

[57] 9:14 grace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don't deserve.

[58] 10:14 Good News In the gospels this is usually the news about the coming of God's kingdom (see above) or its representative Jesus Christ. In other places it is, more specifically, the news or message of God's grace-that he has made a way through Jesus Christ for people to be made right with him and enjoy his blessings now and forever.

[59] 10:17 Quote from Jer. 9:24.

[60] 11:2 bride Literally, "virgin."

[61] 11:4 Spirit See "Holy Spirit."

[62] 11:4 message See "Good News."

[63] 11:5 apostle A follower of Jesus chosen to represent him in a special way. During his earthly ministry, Jesus named twelve men as apostles, to whom he gave the specific responsibility and authority to represent him and proclaim his message throughout the world. Later, he appeared to Paul and gave him a similar commission, especially to non-Jewish people. Barnabas, Paul's missionary companion, and James, the brother of Jesus, are also called apostles, as well as several others in the New Testament. Some of these occurrences of the word, however, have the more general sense of "messenger" or "emissary."

[64] 11:7 Good News In the gospels this is usually the news about the coming of God's kingdom (see above) or its representative Jesus Christ. In other places it is, more specifically, the news or message of God's grace-that he has made a way through Jesus Christ for people to be made right with him and enjoy his blessings now and forever.

[65] 11:8 church Literally, "assembly" or "community," the people who have been brought together as God's family through their common faith in Jesus Christ. The word often refers to a group of believers who meet together or who live in the same area, but it is also used to mean the worldwide community of all believers in Christ.

[66] 11:9 Macedonia The northern part of Greece, where Thessalonica and Philippi were.

[67] 11:10 Achaia The region in the southern part of Greece where the ancient cities of Athens and Corinth were located.

[68] 11:14 Satan A name for the devil meaning "the enemy," or "the accuser."

[69] 11:14 angel of light Messenger from God. The devil fools people so that they think he is from God.

[70] 11:22 Hebrews . Israelites Other names for the Jewish people.

[71] 11:22 Abraham The most respected ancestor of the Jewish people. Through him God promised to make a great nation and bless all the people of the earth. Read Gen. 12:1-3.

[72] 11:26 believer Where this word is marked, it is literally "brother," a term used by followers of Jesus Christ to refer to fellow members of God's family.

[73] 11:28 church Literally, "assembly" or "community," the people who have been brought together as God's family through their common faith in Jesus Christ. The word often refers to a group of believers who meet together or who live in the same area, but it is also used to mean the worldwide community of all believers in Christ.

[74] 12:1 vision Something like a dream used by God to speak to people.

[75] 12:1 revelation An opening up (making known) of truth that was hidden.

[76] 12:2 a man In 12:2-5 Paul is probably talking about himself.

[77] 12:3-4 paradise A wonderful place of blessing, where God's people go when they die.

[78] 12:7 painful problem Literally, "thorn in the flesh."

[79] 12:7 Satan A name for the devil meaning "the enemy," or "the accuser."

[80] 12:9 grace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don't deserve.

[81] 12:10 persecute To hurt, cause trouble for, or do bad things to someone, especially because of their beliefs.

[82] 12:11 apostle A follower of Jesus chosen to represent him in a special way. During his earthly ministry, Jesus named twelve men as apostles, to whom he gave the specific responsibility and authority to represent him and proclaim his message throughout the world. Later, he appeared to Paul and gave him a similar commission, especially to non-Jewish people. Barnabas, Paul's missionary companion, and James, the brother of Jesus, are also called apostles, as well as several others in the New Testament. Some of these occurrences of the word, however, have the more general sense of "messenger" or "emissary."

[83] 12:12 sign See "miraculous sign."

[84] 12:12 wonders Miracles that cause people to react with amazement and fear of God.

[85] 12:12 miracle An amazing act done by the power of God.

[86] 12:13 church Literally, "assembly" or "community," the people who have been brought together as God's family through their common faith in Jesus Christ. The word often refers to a group of believers who meet together or who live in the same area, but it is also used to mean the worldwide community of all believers in Christ.

[87] 13:1 Quote from Deut. 19:15.

[88] 13:12 the special greeting of God's people Literally, "a holy kiss."

[89] 13:12 holy people Literally, "saints" or "holy ones," a term used in the New Testament to describe followers of Jesus Christ as God's special people. They are holy because they have been made pure through Christ and belong only to God.

[90] 13:13 grace The love and kindness that God shows in his complete willingness to give people favors he does not owe them and blessings they don't deserve.

[91] 13:13 fellowship This can mean a sharing or participation in the Holy Spirit or the loving association and unity among believers that is created by the Spirit.

[92] 13:13 Holy Spirit Also called the Spirit of God, the Spirit of Christ, and the Comforter. In union with God and Christ, he does God's work among people in the world.

© Copyright 2004 World Bible Translation Center.