Luke 15:24 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)24 For my son here was dead [spiritually], but is [now] alive again. He was lost [from me], but [now] is found.’ And they began to celebrate. See the chapterMore versionsKing James Version (Oxford) 176924 for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. See the chapterAmplified Bible - Classic Edition24 Because this my son was dead and is alive again; he was lost and is found! And they began to revel and feast and make merry. See the chapterAmerican Standard Version (1901)24 for this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. See the chapterCommon English Bible24 because this son of mine was dead and has come back to life! He was lost and is found!’ And they began to celebrate. See the chapterCatholic Public Domain Version24 For this son of mine was dead, and has revived; he was lost, and is found.' And they began to feast. See the chapterDouay-Rheims version of The Bible - 1752 version24 Because this my son was dead, and is come to life again: was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry. See the chapter |
And do not offer the parts of your bodies [i.e., hands, eyes, etc. See Matt. 5:29-30] as tools for [accomplishing] evil purposes; but [instead] offer yourselves to God, as [people who are] alive from the dead [i.e., no longer under the power of sin] and the parts of your bodies as tools for [accomplishing] righteous purposes for God.
And when you were [spiritually] dead because of your sins and your lack of being physically circumcised [Note: This refers to their having been unconverted Gentiles and therefore outside of a relationship with God], God made you alive [again] together with Christ, having forgiven us for all of our sins.
These people are like rotten spots [contaminating the food] at your love feasts, while they gorge themselves without fear [i.e., unashamed of their selfish indulgence]. [Note: This passage may mean “like selfish shepherds, looking out only for themselves,” even eating the grain set out for the animals]. They are like clouds that blow over without producing rain; [they are like] trees in the fall that do not produce any fruit and have been uprooted, [thus] being dead twice [i.e., fruitless and rootless].
“And write [this] to the angel of the church at Sardis: These are the words of Him who has the seven Spirits of God [i.e., Jesus, who has the Holy Spirit] and the seven stars [i.e., the seven angels of the seven churches. See 1:20]: I know about your deeds, that you have a reputation for being [spiritually] alive, but you are [really] dead.