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Ye are the light of the world. A city that is set on an hill cannot be hid.

Matthew 5:14 · KJV

What it means

In the Sermon on the Mount, after calling his disciples the salt of the earth, Jesus calls them the world's light. Like a hilltop town visible from afar, their lives are meant to be seen, so that others will glorify their Father (verse 16).

Background

In KJV English "ye" is plural, matching the Greek hymeis, which is placed first for emphasis. Jesus is addressing his followers together as a community, not as isolated individuals.

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Commit thy works unto the Lord, and thy thoughts shall be established.

Proverbs 16:3 · KJV

What it means

This saying belongs to a cluster in Proverbs 16 about human plans and God's oversight (compare 16:1 and 16:9). The sage teaches that entrusting one's work to the Lord leads to plans that are made firm.

Background

"Commit" translates the Hebrew verb galal, "to roll," picturing a person rolling a heavy load onto the Lord. The same verb appears in Psalm 37:5, "Commit thy way unto the Lord."

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And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men;

Colossians 3:23 · KJV

What it means

In instructions for households, the letter attributed to Paul addresses slaves in particular (3:22), urging them to work wholeheartedly, literally "from the soul," as service to the Lord rather than merely to the people who owned them, since the Lord will reward them (3:24).

Background

Colossians 3:18-4:1 is a "household code," a form of instruction on relations among husbands, wives, children, and slaves that also appears in Greco-Roman moral writing; Ephesians 5:21-6:9 contains a close parallel.

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And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free.

John 8:32 · KJV

What it means

Jesus speaks to Jews who had come to believe in him, saying that those who continue in his teaching are truly his disciples. Knowing the truth will bring them freedom, which he goes on to explain as release from slavery to sin (8:34-36).

Background

"Truth" (Greek alētheia) is a key theme in John's Gospel. Rather than an abstract idea, truth here is closely tied to Jesus himself, who later calls himself "the truth" (14:6).

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The Lord is nigh unto them that are of a broken heart; and saveth such as be of a contrite spirit.

Psalms 34:18 · KJV

What it means

In this psalm of thanksgiving attributed to David, the speaker assures listeners that the Lord is near people with shattered hearts and rescues those whose spirits are beaten down. The surrounding verses admit the righteous face many troubles but affirm God's deliverance.

Background

The psalm's heading links it to David feigning madness before "Abimelech." The account in 1 Samuel 21:10-15 names the king as Achish of Gath; many interpreters think Abimelech was a royal title.

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If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

James 1:5 · KJV

What it means

This letter, traditionally attributed to James the brother of Jesus and addressed to scattered believers, has just said trials produce endurance and maturity. Anyone lacking wisdom for these trials is invited to ask God, who gives generously and without scolding (the sense of "upbraideth not").

Background

James contains many echoes of Jesus' teaching, especially the Sermon on the Mount. This promise closely resembles "Ask, and it shall be given you" (Matthew 7:7).

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The Lord shall fight for you, and ye shall hold your peace.

Exodus 14:14 · KJV

What it means

Moses speaks to the frightened Israelites trapped between Pharaoh's advancing army and the Red Sea. He tells them the Lord will fight on their behalf; their part is to stand still and be quiet while God acts to deliver them.

Background

The phrase "hold your peace" renders the Hebrew verb charash, to be silent or keep still. The Song of Moses that follows the crossing celebrates this victory, calling the Lord "a man of war" (Exodus 15:3).

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Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new.

2 Corinthians 5:17 · KJV

What it means

Paul writes to the church in Corinth about the change brought by being united with Christ. Anyone "in Christ" belongs to a new creation: the old order of life has passed, and something genuinely new has begun, as part of God's work of reconciliation.

Background

The Greek word behind "creature" is ktisis, meaning a created thing or creation itself, so many translations read "new creation." Scholars often hear an echo of Isaiah 43:18-19, where God says he will do a new thing.

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