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147 Bible verses to learn to live with Joy
May God, [the source] of hope, fill you with complete joy and peace as you believe [in Christ], so that you may have an abundance of hope in the power of the Holy Spirit.
But the fruit produced by the Holy Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, generosity, faithfulness,
gentleness and self-control. There can be no law against [practicing] these things.
I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in your hearts, and that your joy may be complete.
Be joyful as you hope [i.e., for future blessings]. Persevere in spite of the troubles you experience. Continue steadfastly in prayer.
You should be joyful at all times.
Never stop praying.
Thank [God] for everything, for this is what God wants for you in [the fellowship of] Christ Jesus.
Up until now you have not asked for anything in my name. [So now] ask, and you will receive, that your joy may be complete.
Although you have not seen Jesus, you [still] love Him and believe in Him, and this causes you to have an indescribable, glorious joy.
Your faith will [finally] bring about the salvation of your souls.
For God’s kingdom is not a matter of what people eat or drink, but [instead, it is a matter] of doing what is right, having peace [of heart] and having [inner] joy, which come from the Holy Spirit.
Each person should give what he has decided to in his heart, not grudgingly, nor out of a feeling that he has to, for God loves a cheerful giver.
Consider it [an occasion for] much joy, my brothers, when you experience various trials,
because you [should] know that when your faith is tested, it produces perseverance.
And not only this, but we also rejoice in our troubles, knowing that [experiencing] troubles produces endurance;
and endurance [produces God’s] approval; and [His] approval [produces] hope.
I leave you with peace; I give you my peace. I am not giving you peace like the world gives. Do not allow your hearts to be upset or afraid.
And every day they continued to meet together in the Temple [i.e., for teaching and worship]. They were enjoying their meals and the close fellowship they shared in the various homes, and were
praising God and enjoying favor with all the people [of the area]. And every day the Lord added to their number [i.e., to the church] those who were being saved [i.e., upon their obedience to the Gospel].
Speak to one another by using psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your hearts to the Lord.
Always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name [i.e., by the authority] of our Lord Jesus Christ.
Nevertheless, do not rejoice over the [evil] spirits submitting to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven [i.e., in the book of life. See Rev. 3:5; Heb. 12:23].”
And pray that I will [be able to] come to you joyfully, if it is God’s will, and have a refreshing visit with you.
But even if I am poured out like a drink offering [See Ex. 29:38-41] on the sacrifice and service produced by your faith, I am glad and will rejoice with all of you. [Note: Paul here likens the possible pouring out of his blood to the wine and oil of the Old Testament sacrifice, which is then likened to the Philippians’ faithful service to God].
And you should be glad and share your joy with me also.
Be happy at that time and jump for joy and realize that your reward in heaven will be great, for the forefathers [i.e., of your corrupt Jewish leaders] treated the prophets the same way.
But now I am coming to you, and I am speaking these things [while still] in the world, so that they [i.e., the apostles] may have my joy within them in all its fullness.
But the [newly won] disciples [of the Lord] were filled with joy and with the Holy Spirit.
Be happy with those who are joyful. Cry with those who are sad. Romans 12:16 Have the same [good] thoughts toward one another. Do not [always] be thinking you are a “big shot,” but lower yourself to accept humble tasks [or, humble people]. Do not think you are so smart.
Finally, my brothers, rejoice in [your relationship to] the Lord. It does not trouble me to write the same things to you again, because you will be safer if I do. [Note: These “same things” may refer to warnings against false teachers which Paul had either spoken to them or written about previously].
So, my dearly loved brothers [and sisters, See next two verses], those whom I long to see, [who are] my [reason for] being glad and [who are] my crown of victory; stand firm in [your devotion to] the Lord, my dear ones.
Then he brought them up into his house and prepared a meal for them. So, he and everyone in his household, who had believed in God [and were immersed], rejoiced greatly.
I have great confidence in talking to you; I have great pride in you and I am full of encouragement [over you] In all of our troubles I am overflowing with joy.
“Just as the Father has loved me, [so] I have also loved you. You should continue to receive [or, respond to] my love. [Note: The next verse tells how this can be done].
If you obey my commandments, [then] you will continue receiving my love; just as I have obeyed my Father’s commandments and [so] continue receiving His love.
I have said these things to you so that my joy may be in your hearts, and that your joy may be complete.
I tell you that, in the same way, there will be more joy in heaven over one sinful person who repents [i.e., changes his heart and life], than over ninety-nine persons who do not need to repent.
Therefore, just as sin came into the world through [the action of] one man [i.e., Adam] and [physical] death through that sin, so [physical] death has spread to all people, because all people have sinned. [Note: This difficult passage (verses 12-21) seems to be saying that the entire human race must experience physical death because of Adam’s sin (I Cor. 5:22), which is somehow considered to be everyone’s sin. See Murray, pp. 180-187, for a thorough discussion].
For we [Christians] are the [true] circumcision [i.e., the real “Jews” in God’s eyes. See Rom. 2:28-29]. We worship by means of God’s Holy Spirit [i.e., are empowered and motivated by the Holy Spirit], and boast in [the person and work of] Christ Jesus, and [we] place no confidence in the flesh [i.e., in any outward ritual or status for salvation].
And we know that God works out everything for the good of those who love Him and are called [to serve Him] in harmony with His purpose [for them].
After saying this, Jesus showed them His hands and His side, so they rejoiced when they saw the Lord [i.e., now convinced that He had indeed risen from the dead].
For we do not have [the right to] rule over your faith [i.e., to dictate concerning your personal relationship with God], but we want to work with you for your happiness. For you are [already] standing firm in your faith. [Note: This whole narrative alludes to some unresolved problems still existing there in Corinth]
So, being convinced of this, I know I will remain [in my body] and continue with all of you for your spiritual progress and joy in the faith,
Every good [thing that is given] and every perfect gift [received] is from above, coming down from the Father of [heavenly] lights, with whom there can be no change or shifting shadow [i.e., God always remains the same].
May the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ be praised, for He has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms in [fellowship with] Christ. [Note: The phrase “heavenly realms” is used somewhat differently throughout this book. Here it refers to Christians as part of the church on earth].
And the apostles worshiped Jesus, then returned to Jerusalem with great joy.
And they were there in the Temple [area] continually praising God [i.e., for the next ten days. See Acts 2].
and yet He did not leave them without evidence about Himself. He gave you good [things], brought rain from the sky, [provided] fruitful harvests and filled [your bodies] with food and your hearts with joy.”
So, you men also will experience grief [i.e., over my suffering and death], but I will see you again and your hearts will be glad. And no one will take away your joy.
But I offer thanks to God, who always leads us [preachers] to victory in [the service of] Christ, and through us makes known the “fragrant odor” of His knowledge everywhere.
What then should we conclude from this? [Just this]: If God is on our side, who can [successfully] oppose us?
His master replied, ‘Well done, you are a good and trustworthy servant. You have been trustworthy over a [relatively] few things, so I will place you over many things. Come and share in your master’s joy.’
And do not get drunk on wine, which results in ruined lives, but be filled with the Holy Spirit.
Speak to one another by using psalms, hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making music with your hearts to the Lord.
Always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name [i.e., by the authority] of our Lord Jesus Christ.
You should rejoice that you are sharing some of what Christ has suffered, so that you will get to rejoice all the more when He returns in His splendor.
And you became imitators of us and of the Lord. [And even though] you suffered much affliction, you welcomed the message with joy [given to you] by the Holy Spirit,