Olive Tree Staff, Author at Olive Tree Blog

App Tips

Notes in the Olive Tree Bible App

Notes are an essential part of Bible study. Typing out your thoughts will help you remember what you learn — and if you don’t remember, you can go back and look. Since note taking is incredibly important, we’ve given it priority in the Olive Tree Bible App. There are many…

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New Testament

What Were Roman Prisons Like in Paul’s Time?

In the New Testament, we hear a lot about Christians being imprisoned—especially Paul. In fact, he wrote his letter to the Philippians while in a Roman prison! We’ve gathered information from the ESV Archaeology Study Bible for you to learn more about Roman jails were like. PAUL WRITING THE PHILIPPIANS…

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Topical

Yet I Will Rejoice – Habakkuk

Habakkuk’s story can be used as a mirror for us. Even if we see difficult times ahead, can we still remain thankful? Can we echo Habakkuk’s sentiment? “Yet I will rejoice.” SCRIPTURE Though the fig tree does not bud and there are no grapes on the vines, though the olive…

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What Does It Mean to Fear the Lord?

A frequent command given to God’s people in the OT is to “fear God” or “fear the Lord.” It’s important that we understand what this command means for Christ’s followers today. Only as we truly fear the Lord will we be freed from all destructive and satanic fears. By fearing…

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Old Testament

Misguided Convictions about Daniel

If you’ve ever taken the time to study the book of Daniel, maybe you’ve had difficulty in interpreting issues of authorship and prophecy. Conversely, perhaps your assumptions are based on what others have told you about the text. John E. Goldingay included his thoughts on some misguided convictions about Daniel…

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Old Testament

The Avalanche of Sin in Genesis

There is an avalanche of sin in Genesis. It includes pride, murder, sexual immorality to name a few. But what is the significance of these stories? Read this excerpt by Gordon J. Wenham. We found it in the Word Biblical Commentary. THE IMPORTANCE OF GENESIS The ancient [Near Eastern] background…

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New Testament

Paul’s Cutting Remarks

Richard N. Longenecker walks through Galatians and Paul’s “cutting” remarks. You’ll find that Galatians is more applicable than you know. Check out this excerpt from the Word Biblical Commentary below. Paul’s “Cutting” Remarks you were running well. Who cut in on you to be keeping you from obeying the truth?”…

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Topical

A Call For God’s Protection

Psalm 56, written by David, is a call for God’s protection. Read this Psalm and learn more about the meaning behind the Hebrew words from the CSB Study Bible. Be gracious to me, God, for a man is trampling me;he fights and oppresses me all day long.My adversaries trample me…

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Commentaries

A Romans Rivalry: The Law vs Faith

The Law vs Faith — one of the main conflicts Paul seeks to resolve in his letter to the Romans. Dig deeper into Romans 3:27-31 with Marvin C. Pate and this remarkable excerpt from his contribution to the Teach the Text Commentary Series. Where, then, is boasting? It is excluded.…

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New Testament

Obedience and Holiness in 1 Peter 1:14-16

This excerpt from the IVP New Testament Commentary covers the themes of obedience and holiness in 1 Peter. Before digging into the commentary, check out this passage of Scripture: As obedient children, do not conform to the evil desires you had when you lived in ignorance. But just as he…

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