Caesar worshiped as savior and lord

Three questions. First, how loudly Philippians sets Jesus against Caesar. Wright and Bird read Philippians 2:6-11 as an implicit contrast with every human empire and call the church to live as "a counter-imperial colony of heavenly citizens". Keener, his notes and the ESV Study Bible root the titles Savior and Lord in Israel's language for God and treat the contrast as something the Philippians would hear. Second, who says peace and security in 1 Thessalonians 5:3. Keener hears an attack on "claims of earlier Roman emperors to have established peace and security", and Wright and Bird call it an imperial slogan. The ESV Study Bible allows imperial propaganda but thinks an echo of the false prophets of Jeremiah 6:14 and 8:11 more likely. Third, how hard the cult pressed on Christians in Revelation's Asia. The CSB Study Bible says Domitian made emperor worship mandatory. Carson, Moo and Morris think he made the confession lord and god a test of loyalty, yet find the evidence for persecution under him exaggerated. The cultural backgrounds article on the cult says no one hunted down absentees unless accused. Beale sees no widespread official demand, and Wright and Bird see pressure from local elites.

• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/luke-2-8-20\/","n":"Luke 2:8-20, Shepherds hear of a savior","s":"Angels announce to shepherds in the fields near Bethlehem the birth of a savior who is Christ the Lord, and the shepherds find the child lying in a manger as they were told.","r":"Luke 2:8-20"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/john-15-18-16-15\/","n":"John 15:18-16:15, Hated by the world and put out of the synagogue","s":"Jesus warns that the world will hate his followers as it hated him, that they will be put out of the synagogues and even killed by people who think they are serving God, and that the Advocate will prove the world wrong.","r":"John 15:18-16:15"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/john-20-19-31\/","n":"John 20:19-31, Locked doors, and my Lord and my God","s":"On the evening of the first day Jesus stands among the disciples behind locked doors, shows his hands and side, sends them as the Father sent him and breathes the Spirit on them. A week later Thomas sees the wounds and confesses him as Lord and God.","r":"John 20:19-31"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/acts-12-1-25\/","n":"Acts 12:1-25, Herod Agrippa, the prison and the king struck down","s":"King Herod Agrippa kills James and jails Peter at Passover, but an angel leads Peter out. Later, in Caesarea, the king accepts the crowd's cry that he speaks with a god's voice and is struck down.","r":"Acts 12:1-25"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/acts-17-1-9\/","n":"Acts 17:1-9, Another king in Thessalonica","s":"Paul argues from the Scriptures in the synagogue at Thessalonica that the Messiah had to suffer and rise. Some believe; opponents raise a mob, drag Jason before the city officials and accuse the believers of defying Caesar by proclaiming another king.","r":"Acts 17:1-9"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/acts-19-23-41\/","n":"Acts 19:23-41, Great is Artemis of the Ephesians","s":"Demetrius the silversmith rouses the craftsmen who make shrines of Artemis, warning that Paul's teaching threatens their trade and the goddess's honor. The city rushes into the theater chanting for two hours, until the city clerk calms them with a warning about Rome.","r":"Acts 19:23-41"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/romans-1-1-7\/","n":"Romans 1:1-7, A slave of the Messiah writes to Rome","s":"Paul opens with his name and titles, a short summary of the good news about God's Son, and a greeting of grace and peace to believers in Rome he has never met.","r":"Romans 1:1-7"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/romans-1-8-17\/","n":"Romans 1:8-17, Longing to see Rome","s":"Paul thanks God that the Roman believers' faith is spoken of everywhere, explains why he has not yet come, and states his theme: the good news is God's power to save everyone who believes, Jew and Greek.","r":"Romans 1:8-17"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/romans-5-1-21\/","n":"Romans 5:1-21, Peace with God, and Adam","s":"Justified by faith, believers have peace with God and are reconciled to him by the death of his Son. As sin and death came through Adam, grace and life come through Christ.","r":"Romans 5:1-21"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/romans-13-1-7\/","n":"Romans 13:1-7, The sword and the tax","s":"Paul tells believers to be subject to the governing authorities, whom God has put in place. The ruler bears the sword, and they should pay taxes and give honor where it is owed.","r":"Romans 13:1-7"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/romans-15-14-24\/","n":"Romans 15:14-24, To Spain by way of Rome","s":"Paul describes his priestly work of offering the Gentiles to God, from Jerusalem round to Illyricum, and his plan to visit Rome on his way to Spain and be helped on his journey there.","r":"Romans 15:14-24"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1corinthians-2-6-16\/","n":"1 Corinthians 2:6-16, The rulers of this age","s":"Paul speaks of a hidden wisdom of God, planned before time began, which the rulers of this age failed to grasp, or they would never have put Jesus to death.","r":"1 Corinthians 2:6-16"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1corinthians-8-1-13\/","n":"1 Corinthians 8:1-13, Knowledge, idols and the weak","s":"Answering those who know that an idol is nothing, Paul agrees there is one God and one Lord but warns that their freedom to eat sacrificial food, even in an idol's temple, can destroy a weaker believer.","r":"1 Corinthians 8:1-13"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/galatians-6-11-18\/","n":"Galatians 6:11-18, Large letters in his own hand, and the marks of Jesus","s":"Taking the pen himself, Paul writes in large letters that the rivals want the Galatians circumcised so they can boast in their flesh and avoid persecution, while he boasts only in the cross; he blesses those who follow this rule and the Israel of God, and says he bears the marks of Jesus.","r":"Galatians 6:11-18"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/philippians-2-1-11\/","n":"Philippians 2:1-11, The form of a slave, a cross, and every knee","s":"Paul urges humility and concern for others, then sets out Christ, who did not exploit his equality with God but took the form of a slave and died on a cross, and whom God exalted so that every knee will bow.","r":"Philippians 2:1-11"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/philippians-3-12-4-1\/","n":"Philippians 3:12-4:1, The race, citizens of heaven, and a Savior from there","s":"Paul pictures himself as a runner straining toward the prize, warns against those whose god is their stomach, and reminds a Roman colony that its citizenship is in heaven, from where it awaits a Savior who will transform its lowly bodies.","r":"Philippians 3:12-4:1"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1thessalonians-1-1-10\/","n":"1 Thessalonians 1:1-10, Turned to God from idols","s":"Paul, Silas and Timothy thank God for a young church that received the message in the middle of suffering, whose story is now told everywhere: they turned to God from idols to serve him and to wait for his Son from heaven.","r":"1 Thessalonians 1:1-10"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1thessalonians-5-1-11\/","n":"1 Thessalonians 5:1-11, A thief in the night, and peace and security","s":"Paul reminds the church that the day of the Lord comes like a thief in the night: while people say peace and security, sudden destruction comes like labor pains, but they are children of the day who keep awake and sober, armed with faith, love and hope.","r":"1 Thessalonians 5:1-11"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1timothy-2-1-7\/","n":"1 Timothy 2:1-7, Prayers for kings and all in authority","s":"Paul asks for prayers for everyone, kings and all in authority included, so that believers may live peaceful and quiet lives, because God our Savior wants all to be saved and there is one God and one mediator.","r":"1 Timothy 2:1-7"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1timothy-6-11-21\/","n":"1 Timothy 6:11-21, Fight the good fight, the King of kings, the rich, and the deposit","s":"Timothy, as a man of God, is to flee greed and fight the good fight of the faith, keeping his charge until the appearing of the Lord, the King of kings; the rich are to be generous, and Timothy is to guard what has been entrusted to him.","r":"1 Timothy 6:11-21"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/titus-2-11-3-8\/","n":"Titus 2:11-3:8, Grace has appeared, be subject to rulers, and the washing of rebirth","s":"God's grace has appeared, training believers to live with self-control now while they wait for Christ's glorious appearing; they are to respect rulers and be gentle to all, because God saved them by his mercy, giving them new birth and new life by the Holy Spirit.","r":"Titus 2:11-3:8"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1peter-2-11-17\/","n":"1 Peter 2:11-17, Foreigners among the nations; honor the emperor","s":"As foreigners and exiles the readers must keep their conduct good among the Gentiles, who slander them as wrongdoers. They are to submit to every human authority, the emperor and his governors, and so silence ignorant talk; they are free people, but slaves of God. Honor everyone, love the believers, fear God, honor the emperor.","r":"1 Peter 2:11-17"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1peter-4-12-19\/","n":"1 Peter 4:12-19, The fiery ordeal and the name Christian","s":"The readers should not be surprised at the fiery ordeal, but rejoice to share Christ's sufferings. No one should suffer as a murderer, a thief or a meddler, but anyone who suffers as a Christian should not be ashamed; judgment begins with God's household, so those who suffer should commit themselves to their faithful Creator.","r":"1 Peter 4:12-19"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/2peter-1-1-21\/","n":"2 Peter 1:1-21, A reminder before the tent is folded","s":"Simeon Peter writes to those who share a faith as precious as his, through whom they may share in the divine nature, and urges them to add virtue to virtue. Knowing his death is near, he means to remind them, for he was an eyewitness of Christ's majesty on the holy mountain, and the prophetic word is a lamp in a dark place until the morning star rises.","r":"2 Peter 1:1-21"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/1john-5-13-21\/","n":"1 John 5:13-21, The sin that leads to death, the evil one and idols","s":"John writes so that believers may know they have eternal life, and that God hears them. They are to pray for a brother or sister whose sin does not lead to death, though there is a sin that does. Those born of God are kept from the evil one, while the whole world lies under his power; the letter ends with a warning to keep away from idols.","r":"1 John 5:13-21"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/revelation-2-1-7\/","n":"Revelation 2:1-7, Ephesus and the Nicolaitans","s":"To Ephesus the one who holds the seven stars praises a church that tested false apostles and hates the works of the Nicolaitans, but warns that it has abandoned its first love and may lose its lampstand. The one who conquers will eat from the tree of life in God's paradise.","r":"Revelation 2:1-7"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/revelation-2-8-11\/","n":"Revelation 2:8-11, Smyrna, poor and slandered","s":"To Smyrna the risen Jesus says he sees their hardship and poverty and the abuse they suffer from local opponents claiming to be the true Jews, whom he condemns in harsh terms. Some will be jailed for a short time; if they stay loyal even to death he will reward them with life.","r":"Revelation 2:8-11"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/revelation-2-12-17\/","n":"Revelation 2:12-17, Pergamum, where Satan's throne is","s":"To Pergamum Jesus, who wields the sword of judgment, says they have stayed loyal in a city he calls Satan's seat, even after the martyrdom of Antipas. But some follow teaching like Balaam's that leads to idol meals and immorality. The faithful are promised hidden heavenly food and a white stone carrying a new name.","r":"Revelation 2:12-17"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/revelation-2-18-29\/","n":"Revelation 2:18-29, Thyatira, the guilds and Jezebel","s":"To Thyatira the Son of God, with eyes like fire and feet like bronze, praises a growing church but rebukes it for tolerating Jezebel, a self-styled prophetess who leads his servants into immorality and idol food. Those who hold fast are promised authority over the nations and the morning star.","r":"Revelation 2:18-29"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/revelation-4-1-11\/","n":"Revelation 4:1-11, the throne room and the twenty-four elders","s":"Through an open door John is called up to heaven and sees God on a throne, ringed by a rainbow, with twenty-four elders on thrones, four living creatures and a sea of glass. The creatures cry holy, holy, holy, and the elders lay down their crowns, saying the Lord and God is worthy because he created all things.","r":"Revelation 4:1-11"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/revelation-13-1-10\/","n":"Revelation 13:1-10, the beast from the sea","s":"A beast with ten horns and seven heads rises from the sea, built from Daniel's leopard, bear and lion, and the dragon gives it his power. One head seems to have had a fatal wound that healed, the whole earth follows it in awe, and it is allowed to blaspheme and to make war on God's people for forty-two months.","r":"Revelation 13:1-10"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/revelation-13-11-18\/","n":"Revelation 13:11-18, the beast from the earth, the mark and 666","s":"A second beast, harmless-looking like a lamb but speaking like the dragon, rises from the earth and drives everyone to worship the first beast, working wonders and making its statue speak. Trade is barred to anyone without its mark on hand or forehead, a mark tied to the beast's name and number, 666.","r":"Revelation 13:11-18"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/revelation-14-6-20\/","n":"Revelation 14:6-20, Babylon fallen, the harvest and the winepress","s":"Three angels announce an eternal gospel, the fall of Babylon and the undiluted cup of God's wrath for those who worship the beast, and a voice blesses those who die in the Lord. Then one like a son of man reaps the earth's grain with a sickle, and an angel gathers its grapes into the great winepress, from which blood flows as high as the horses' bridles.","r":"Revelation 14:6-20"}
• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/ancient-world-passages\/revelation-18-1-8\/","n":"Revelation 18:1-8, come out of her, my people","s":"A shining angel announces that Babylon the great has fallen and become a haunt of demons and unclean birds, because the nations drank her wine and the merchants grew rich on her luxury. A voice calls God's people to come out of her, and to pay her back double, since she boasts that she sits as a queen and will never be a widow.","r":"Revelation 18:1-8"}

• {"u":"https:\/\/jayms.com\/bible-study-tools-2\/gods-of-the-bible\/the-beast-from-the-earth-the-false-prophet\/","n":"The beast from the earth \/ the false prophet","s":"The second beast of Revelation, which looks like a lamb and talks like a dragon.","r":"Revelation 13:11-18"}