Shining a light on the weekly Bible Lessons published in the Christian Science Quarterly®
Spirit
It is the Spirit who gives life; the flesh profits nothing.—New King James Version®
After multiplying food for a huge crowd and identifying himself with spiritual bread, Christ Jesus presents a detailed explanation of this image to Jewish inquisitors (see vv. 5–14, 32–35, 48–51). He concludes with this unequivocal assertion about the sovereignty of Spirit and the impotence of matter, a radical teaching that prompts many believers to leave him. But Peter, representing his fellow disciples, confirms their understanding of Jesus’ God-given role and recommits to following him (see vv. 66–69).
Resources quoted in this issue
GT: New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
RR: Buttrick, George Arthur, Nolan B. Harmon, et al., eds. The Interpreter’s Bible: A Commentary in Twelve Volumes. Vol. 9, Acts, Romans. Nashville: Abingdon, 1951–57; Barrett, C. K. Black’s New Testament Commentaries: A Commentary on the Epistle to the Romans. London: A & C Black, 1957.
Cit. 15: Barclay, William. The Daily Study Bible: The Letters to Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians. Edinburgh: Saint Andrew, 1955. Revised and updated by Saint Andrew, 2001. Reprinted as The New Daily Study Bible: The Letters to Philippians, Colossians, and Thessalonians. Louisville, KY: Westminster John Knox, 2001–04.
Cit. 16: Marsh, John. The Gospel of St. John. Harmondsworth, England: Penguin Books, 1977.
Cit. 19: Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary Collection. Vol. 20, Acts. Macon, Georgia: Smyth & Helwys, 2000–2016.
COPYRIGHT
Scriptural quotations marked Contemporary English Version are taken from the Contemporary English Version, copyright © 1991, 1992, 1995 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.
Scriptural quotations marked Common English Bible are taken from the Common English Bible, copyright © 2011 by Common English Bible.
Scriptural quotations marked New Living Translation are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Scriptural quotations marked International Children’s Bible are taken from the International Children’s Bible®. Copyright © 1986, 1988, 1999 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Scriptural quotations marked Good News Translation are taken from the Good News Translation in Today’s English Version—Second Edition, copyright © 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by permission.
Scriptural quotations marked Amplified® Bible are taken from the Amplified® Bible, copyright © 2015 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org.
Scriptural quotations marked New International Reader’s Version are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Reader’s Version™, NIrV™. Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998, 2014 by Biblica, Inc. Used with permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Scriptural quotations marked New Century Version are taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
© 2022 The Christian Science Publishing Society. The design of the Cross and Crown is a trademark owned by the Christian Science Board of Directors and is used by permission. Bible Lens and Christian Science Quarterly are trademarks owned by The Christian Science Publishing Society. Unless otherwise indicated, all scriptural quotations are taken from the King James Version of the Holy Bible.
