Community in the Bible

The genealogies of Issachar, Benjamin, Naphtali, Manasseh, Ephraim, and Asher are recorded. Notable among Ephraim's descendants is Joshua son of Nun. These records establish the tribal identities for the post-exilic community.

A list of those who returned from exile and resettled in Jerusalem, including priests, Levites, gatekeepers, and temple servants. This chapter bridges the genealogies to the narrative, showing the restored community.

Warriors from various tribes, including some from Saul's own tribe of Benjamin, join David during his years as a fugitive. The chapter celebrates the diverse and growing support David received, culminating in the great assembly that made him king.

David organizes the 38,000 Levites into divisions for temple service: 24,000 as temple workers, 6,000 as officials and judges, 4,000 as gatekeepers, and 4,000 as musicians. Their duties are detailed.

David organizes the temple musicians into 24 divisions corresponding to the priestly divisions. The musicians include the families of Asaph, Heman, and Jeduthun, totaling 288 trained musicians who prophesy with instruments.

The gatekeepers and treasurers for the temple are organized. Gatekeepers from the Korahites and Merarites are assigned to various gates. Officials are appointed to oversee the temple treasuries and serve as administrators throughout Israel.

David's military and civil administration is organized: twelve army divisions of 24,000 men each rotate monthly. Tribal leaders, royal property overseers, and David's personal counselors are named, including Ahithophel and Hushai.

Paul addresses divisions in the Corinthian church where factions claim different leaders. He argues that the message of the cross is foolishness to the world but the power of God to those being saved. God chose the foolish things to shame the wise, so that no one may boast before Him.

Paul rebukes the Corinthians for their spiritual immaturity and factionalism—they are still infants in Christ. He explains that leaders are co-workers in God's field, each with different roles. The church is God's temple, and each person's work will be tested by fire.

Paul confronts a case of sexual immorality in the church that even pagans would not tolerate. He instructs the church to remove the unrepentant person for the sake of the community's purity. A little leaven leavens the whole lump—Christ is our Passover lamb.

Paul rebukes believers for suing each other in secular courts. He warns against sexual immorality, teaching that the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit. You were bought at a price—therefore honor God with your bodies. He lists sins that will not inherit the kingdom but celebrates that believers are washed and sanctified.

Paul addresses food sacrificed to idols, balancing knowledge with love. While idols are nothing and food does not bring us closer to God, knowledge puffs up while love builds up. Believers must not use their freedom to cause a weaker brother to stumble.

Paul warns against idolatry using Israel's wilderness failures as examples. He assures believers that God is faithful—He will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear, but will provide a way out. He teaches that participation in communion is participation in Christ.

Paul discusses head coverings in worship and corrects abuses of the Lord's Supper. He recounts Jesus' institution of communion—this is my body, this is the new covenant in my blood—and warns against partaking in an unworthy manner.

Paul teaches about spiritual gifts, using the metaphor of the body. Just as a body has many parts with different functions, so the church has diverse gifts—all given by the same Spirit. No part can say to another it is not needed. God arranged the parts as He willed.

Paul compares prophecy and tongues, arguing that prophecy builds up the church while uninterpreted tongues only build up the individual. He urges orderly worship where everything is done for edification. God is not a God of disorder but of peace.

Paul gives instructions for the collection for the Jerusalem saints and shares his travel plans. He urges the Corinthians to be watchful, stand firm in the faith, be courageous and strong, and do everything in love. He closes with greetings and the Aramaic prayer maranatha—come, Lord!

John writes about the Word of life, which he heard, saw, and touched. God is light, and in Him there is no darkness at all. He urges believers to walk in the light and have fellowship with one another. If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us and purify us from all unrighteousness.

Peter exhorts elders to shepherd God's flock willingly and humbly, not for gain. He urges younger believers to submit to elders. He commands all to cast all your anxiety on Him because He cares for you. He warns them to be alert—the devil prowls like a roaring lion seeking someone to devour.

The Ammonite king Nahash threatens to gouge out the right eye of everyone in Jabesh-gilead. The Spirit of God comes upon Saul, and he rallies all Israel to a decisive victory, confirming his kingship.

Paul defends his ministry among the Thessalonians, recalling how he and his companions shared not only the gospel but their very lives. They worked night and day so as not to be a burden. He describes his deep affection for them, like a mother nursing her children and a father encouraging them.

Paul outlines qualifications for overseers and deacons in the church, requiring them to be above reproach, temperate, respectable, hospitable, and able to teach. The church is the pillar and foundation of the truth. The mystery of godliness is great: God was manifested in the flesh.

Paul gives practical instructions for caring for widows, honoring elders, and handling accusations against leaders. He teaches that the church should provide for genuine widows while younger widows should remarry. Elders who serve well deserve double honor.

Hezekiah invites all Israel and Judah to celebrate Passover in Jerusalem — even sending messengers to the northern tribes. Though many mock the invitation, some humble themselves and come. God graciously accepts worshipers who are not ceremonially clean because their hearts are right.

Paul writes about restoring a repentant offender with forgiveness and comfort, lest Satan gain a foothold through unforgiveness. He describes the spread of the gospel as the aroma of Christ—a fragrance of life to those being saved and of death to those perishing.

Paul expresses joy at the Corinthians' repentance following his severe letter, delivered by Titus. He distinguishes between godly sorrow that leads to repentance and worldly sorrow that leads to death. His confidence in them is fully restored.

Paul holds up the Macedonian churches as models of generosity—out of severe trial and extreme poverty, they gave beyond their ability. He reminds Corinth of Christ's example: though He was rich, for your sake He became poor, so that through His poverty you might become rich.

Paul warns the Corinthians to examine themselves to see whether they are in the faith. He prays for their maturity and restoration. He closes with one of Scripture's most beloved benedictions: The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all.

John writes to the chosen lady and her children, urging them to walk in truth and love. He warns against deceivers who deny Jesus Christ coming in the flesh. He instructs believers not to welcome or support false teachers who do not bring the teaching of Christ.

Joab rebukes David's excessive mourning, warning it demoralizes his loyal troops. David returns to Jerusalem, pardons Shimei, clarifies Mephibosheth's loyalty, and honors old Barzillai. Tribal jealousy erupts between Judah and Israel.

Paul asks for prayer that the gospel may spread rapidly. He warns against idleness, commanding that anyone unwilling to work should not eat. He models diligent labor and instructs the community to gently correct the disorderly without treating them as enemies.

John commends Gaius for his faithful hospitality to traveling missionaries and criticizes Diotrephes, who loves to be first and refuses to welcome fellow believers. He praises Demetrius as a model of faithfulness. He affirms that those who do good are from God; those who do evil have not seen God.

The Holy Spirit is poured out at Pentecost with rushing wind and tongues of fire. Peter preaches powerfully, three thousand are saved and baptized. The early church is born, devoted to teaching, fellowship, breaking bread, and prayer, sharing everything in common.

Peter and John are arrested for preaching about Jesus. Peter, filled with the Spirit, boldly declares that salvation is found in no one else—there is no other name under heaven by which we must be saved. The believers pray for boldness, and the church shares possessions generously.

Ananias and Sapphira lie about their offering and fall dead. The apostles perform many signs and wonders. The Sanhedrin arrests them but an angel frees them. Gamaliel counsels caution, and the apostles rejoice that they are counted worthy to suffer for Christ's name.

The church appoints seven deacons, including Stephen and Philip, to serve tables so the apostles can focus on prayer and the word. Stephen, full of grace and power, performs wonders, and false witnesses accuse him of blasphemy. His face shines like an angel's before the council.

Peter receives a vision of unclean animals and the command to not call anything impure that God has made clean. He is sent to Cornelius, a Roman centurion, and the Holy Spirit falls on the Gentiles, demonstrating that God shows no favoritism—the gospel is for all people.

Peter defends his ministry to Gentiles before the Jerusalem church, recounting his vision and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Cornelius' household. The church in Antioch is established, where believers are first called Christians. Barnabas and Saul teach together in Antioch.

The Jerusalem Council debates whether Gentile believers must follow the Law of Moses. After testimony from Peter, Paul, and Barnabas, James proposes a compromise. The council writes a letter freeing Gentiles from circumcision. Paul and Barnabas separate over John Mark, doubling the missionary effort.

Paul arrives in Corinth, meets Priscilla and Aquila, and stays eighteen months planting the church. The Lord assures him in a vision not to be afraid. Apollos, an eloquent Alexandrian, begins preaching and is further instructed by Priscilla and Aquila in Ephesus.

In Ephesus, Paul encounters disciples who have not received the Holy Spirit. He teaches in the hall of Tyrannus for two years. Extraordinary miracles occur. The silversmiths riot because Paul's preaching threatens their idol-making business for Artemis, causing a city-wide uproar.

Paul travels through Macedonia and Greece, raising Eutychus from the dead in Troas. He delivers a farewell address to the Ephesian elders, warning of false teachers and declaring he has not hesitated to proclaim the whole counsel of God. He says it is more blessed to give than to receive.

Paul travels to Jerusalem despite warnings from prophets about his arrest. He visits James and the elders, who report the growth of the Jewish church. Paul is seized in the temple by a mob who falsely accuse him of defiling it by bringing Gentiles inside.

Paul urges persistent prayer and wise conduct toward outsiders. He sends greetings from his companions including Luke and Mark, and gives instructions to share the letter with the Laodicean church. He closes with a personal note written in his own hand.

Various laws address unsolved murders (a heifer ritual), rights of firstborn sons in polygamous households, rebellious sons (brought before elders), and the treatment of executed criminals whose bodies must not remain on a tree overnight. The ceremonial unsolved murder ritual demonstrates the seriousness of bloodguilt.

A collection of laws covers returning lost property, cross-dressing prohibition, protecting mother birds, building parapets on rooftops, and not mixing seeds, animals, or fabrics. Marriage laws address the case of a slandered bride, adultery, and sexual assault, with penalties distinguishing between consensual sin and victimhood.

Laws define who may enter the assembly of the Lord and exclude certain groups temporarily or permanently. Camp hygiene laws maintain purity in military camps where God walks. Escaped slaves must not be returned to their masters. Interest may not be charged to fellow Israelites, and vows must be fulfilled.

The Teacher observes oppression, envy, and loneliness under the sun. Two are better than one because they can help each other. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken. Better a poor but wise youth than an old but foolish king.

By grace you have been saved through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God, not by works, so that no one can boast. Paul describes how we were dead in sins but made alive in Christ. Jew and Gentile are united into one new humanity, with Christ as the cornerstone.

Paul urges believers to live worthy of their calling with humility, gentleness, and patience, maintaining unity in one body, one Spirit, one Lord, one faith, one baptism. Christ gave gifts—apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers—to equip the saints. Put off the old self and put on the new.

On the appointed day, the Jews successfully defend themselves against their enemies throughout the empire, killing over 75,000 attackers but taking no plunder. The feast of Purim is established to commemorate this deliverance for all future generations.

King Ahasuerus's greatness and Mordecai's rise to second in rank are summarized. Mordecai is described as working for the good of his people and speaking peace to all his descendants, a fitting conclusion to a story of God's hidden providence.

The craftsmen receive so many offerings that Moses has to issue a command to stop giving — the people have brought more than enough. The construction of the tabernacle begins with the linen curtains, goat hair coverings, frames, crossbars, and the inner veil separating the holy places.

A detailed census lists the families, priests, Levites, temple servants, and others who return from Babylon. The total is about 42,360 people plus 7,337 servants. They bring generous freewill offerings for rebuilding the temple.

The altar is rebuilt first, and sacrifices resume before the temple foundation is even laid. When the foundation is finally completed, the people celebrate with praise — but older men who remember Solomon's temple weep at the comparison.

Enemies of Judah offer to help rebuild but are refused. They then oppose the work through intimidation, legal challenges, and letters to the Persian king. The temple construction is halted for years until King Darius's reign.

Paul recounts his visit to Jerusalem where the apostles affirmed his mission to the Gentiles. He confronts Peter for hypocrisy in withdrawing from Gentile fellowship. He declares: I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me.

Paul instructs believers to gently restore those caught in sin and to carry each other's burdens. He warns that God is not mocked—whatever a person sows, they will reap. He urges doing good to all people, especially believers. He closes emphasizing the new creation over circumcision. Let us not become weary in doing good.

The people build the Tower of Babel to make a name for themselves, but God confuses their language and scatters them across the earth. The chapter then traces the genealogy from Shem to Abram, bridging the primeval history to the patriarchal narrative.

Final exhortations: keep loving one another, show hospitality to strangers, remember prisoners, honor marriage. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. Let us go to Him outside the camp, bearing His reproach. May the God of peace equip you with everything good for doing His will, working in us what is pleasing to Him through Jesus Christ.

The Ephraimites quarrel with Jephthah for not calling them to battle. Civil war erupts, and 42,000 Ephraimites are identified and killed by their pronunciation of Shibboleth. Three minor judges follow: Ibzan, Elon, and Abdon.

A Levite's concubine is brutally assaulted and killed by men of Gibeah in Benjamin. The Levite dismembers her body and sends the pieces throughout Israel to provoke outrage. This horrific event reveals the moral collapse of the nation.

All Israel assembles and demands justice from Benjamin for the atrocity at Gibeah. When Benjamin refuses, civil war erupts. After two devastating defeats, Israel finally prevails on the third day, nearly wiping out the tribe of Benjamin.

Jesus teaches the allegory of the vine and branches—apart from Him, we can do nothing. He calls His followers friends and commands them to love one another, declaring that the greatest love is to lay down one's life for friends. He warns them the world will hate them as it hated Him.

Jesus prays His high priestly prayer for Himself, His disciples, and all future believers. He prays for unity among believers, that they may be one as He and the Father are one. He asks the Father to protect them and sanctify them in truth.

Job responds to Eliphaz, defending the depth of his anguish. He compares his friends to unreliable seasonal streams and asks them to show him where he has sinned rather than offering empty comfort.

Israel is defeated at Ai because Achan took forbidden plunder from Jericho. God reveals the sin, and Achan and his family face judgment. Israel learns that one person's disobedience affects the whole community.

The tabernacle is set up at Shiloh and Joshua rebukes seven tribes for delaying to claim their inheritance. He sends surveyors to map the remaining land and distributes it by lot. Benjamin's territory is described.

The eastern tribes return home after helping conquer Canaan. They build a large altar by the Jordan, alarming the western tribes who fear idolatry. The eastern tribes explain it is a memorial, not for sacrifice, and conflict is averted.

Detailed instructions help priests diagnose various skin diseases and determine ceremonial uncleanness. Symptoms like swelling, rashes, and discolouration are evaluated through quarantine periods. Contaminated garments must also be inspected and may need to be destroyed. The affected person lives outside the camp crying unclean.

God calls Israel to be holy as He is holy and gives a wide-ranging collection of ethical, social, and religious laws. These include respecting parents, keeping the Sabbath, leaving gleanings for the poor, not stealing or lying, paying workers promptly, and the famous command to love your neighbour as yourself.

God establishes Israel's seven annual festivals: Sabbath, Passover and Unleavened Bread, Firstfruits, Feast of Weeks (Pentecost), Feast of Trumpets, Day of Atonement, and Feast of Tabernacles. Each festival commemorates God's acts and foreshadows His future plans for redemption.

Jesus teaches about humility, using a child as an example of greatness in the kingdom. He addresses sin within the community, outlines a process for reconciliation, and tells the parable of the unforgiving servant. He declares that where two or three gather in His name, He is there.

Nehemiah boldly asks King Artaxerxes for permission to rebuild Jerusalem's walls, and the king grants his request with letters and timber. Nehemiah secretly inspects the walls by night, then rallies the people: Let us rebuild! Opposition from Sanballat and Tobiah begins immediately.

A detailed account of the wall-building project lists each family and section. Everyone participates — priests, goldsmiths, perfume-makers, officials, and ordinary families — each rebuilding the section nearest their home.

Nehemiah confronts wealthy Jews who are exploiting their own people through excessive interest and foreclosure during the rebuilding. He demands they return the land and stop the usury. Nehemiah himself refuses the governor's food allowance to avoid burdening the people.

With the walls completed, Nehemiah organizes the city's security and appoints gatekeepers. He finds the original genealogical records of those who returned from exile. The census confirms the community's identity and continuity.

Ezra reads the Book of the Law aloud to all the people from dawn to midday. The Levites help the people understand. The people weep when they hear the Law, but Nehemiah and Ezra tell them: Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength. They celebrate the Feast of Booths.

The leaders, Levites, and people sign a binding covenant committing to keep God's Law. They specifically pledge not to intermarry with foreigners, to observe the Sabbath, to let the land rest every seventh year, and to support the temple with tithes and offerings.

To repopulate Jerusalem, lots are cast and one in ten people from the surrounding towns is chosen to live in the holy city. Others volunteer willingly. The leaders, priests, Levites, and gatekeepers who settle in Jerusalem are listed.

The walls of Jerusalem are dedicated with great celebration. Two choirs march in opposite directions along the walls, meeting at the temple with songs of thanksgiving. The joy of Jerusalem is heard far away. Provision for priests and Levites is organized.

God commands Moses to take a census of all men aged twenty and above who can serve in Israel's army. Each tribe is counted with the exception of Levi, who are set apart for tabernacle service. The total military count is 603,550 men.

God arranges the twelve tribes around the tabernacle in a specific camp formation, with three tribes on each side. Judah leads the eastern camp, Reuben the south, Ephraim the west, and Dan the north. The tabernacle and Levites are at the centre. This arrangement is maintained during travel.

God instructs Moses to make two silver trumpets for summoning the community and signalling camp movements. Israel finally departs from Sinai after nearly a year, marching in formation with the cloud leading. Moses invites his father-in-law Hobab to journey with them and serve as a guide.

After the plague, God commands a second census of the new generation. The total military count is 601,730 — slightly fewer than the first census. The entire first generation has died in the wilderness except Caleb and Joshua. Land is to be distributed by lot according to tribal size.

The tribes of Reuben and Gad request to settle east of the Jordan because the land is good for livestock. Moses initially rebukes them, comparing them to the faithless spies. They agree to cross the Jordan and fight alongside their brothers before returning to their eastern inheritance. Half of Manasseh also settles east.

God commands the Israelites to give the Levites forty-eight cities with pasturelands throughout the nation. Six of these are designated as cities of refuge where someone who accidentally kills another can flee for protection from blood revenge. The chapter distinguishes between murder and manslaughter.

Paul writes a personal letter to Philemon about his runaway slave Onesimus, who has become a believer and now a beloved brother. Paul appeals to Philemon to receive Onesimus back—not as a slave but as a brother in the Lord—and offers to cover any debts. This short letter demonstrates the gospel's power to transform social relationships.

Proverbs on the power of words and true friendship. The name of the Lord is a fortified tower; the righteous run to it and are safe. Death and life are in the power of the tongue. A man of many companions may come to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

Proverbs on fools, sluggards, and gossip. As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly. The sluggard turns on his bed like a door on its hinges. Gossip is like choice morsels that go down to the body's inmost parts.

Proverbs on friendship and self-awareness. Do not boast about tomorrow. Faithful are the wounds of a friend. As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another. As water reflects the face, so one's life reflects the heart.