Look at the Book
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Look at the Book
Look at the Book is John Piper's ongoing series of 8-12 minute videos to help you learn to read the Bible for yourself.
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1369 episodes
How Can Our Waiting for the Coming of Jesus Be Sure? 1 Corinthians 1:4–9, Part 5
In this age, the Christian life is a waiting life. But we wait full of confidence that Christ will return and bring us into our eternal home.
How Rich Are Christians? 1 Corinthians 1:4–9, Part 4
How do the Corinthian church’s riches in word and knowledge serve to confirm the testimony of Christ? Their beautiful speech shows a beautiful Savior.
What Is God’s Grace? 1 Corinthians 1:4–9, Part 3
Grace is God’s favor toward us, his power for us, and his gifts to us. What kind of response does this stunning display of God’s goodness call for?
Why Was Paul Such a Thankful Man? 1 Corinthians 1:4–9, Part 2
Paul’s supernatural gratitude came from his wholehearted love for God and his work among the Corinthian church. How can we become thankful like him?
Why We Can Wait Confidently for the Appearing of Christ: 1 Corinthians 1:4–9, Part 1
Why should Christians wait confidently to the end? Because not only has God equipped us with many gifts, but he will preserve us in his faithfulness.
Christian, You Belong to Believers in Every Place: 1 Corinthians 1:1–3, Part 6
Because God calls all Christians, all Christians call on God. Our one Lord and one confession unite us with all believers across time and space.
Consider Your Calling, Christians! 1 Corinthians 1:1–3, Part 5
When we became Christians, what happened to us? By calling us from darkness to light, God gave us an everlasting reason to boast in Jesus Christ.
What Does It Mean to Be Sanctified in Christ Jesus? 1 Corinthians 1:1–3, Part 4
Before launching into his first letter to the Corinthians, Paul describes this local church as sanctified. What does that mean, for them and for us?
In What Sense Is the Church God’s Church? 1 Corinthians 1:1–3, Part 3
How did a church come to exist in the carnal, immoral, idolatrous city of Corinth, and why did Paul love it enough to write it a letter?
What Does the Name ‘Christ Jesus’ Mean? 1 Corinthians 1:1–3, Part 2
Sometimes we can hear a name so often that we forget what it was originally meant to communicate. What does Paul mean by “Christ”?
Understanding Paul Is Understanding the Word of God: 1 Corinthians 1:1–3, Part 1
When Paul writes to the Corinthians, he writes as a man who once persecuted the church, who then encountered Christ, and who now writes the words of G...
The Heart of the Matter: Fearless Love from True Faith: Philemon 1–25
When Philemon walks away from Paul’s letter, what kind of response does Paul want to see — mere compliance or a heart full of faith in God’s promises?
Fellow Workers Full of Grace for Philemon: Philemon 23–25, Part 2
What do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, and Luke have to do with Philemon and his runaway slave? Paul shows Philemon what gospel-shaped friendships look lik...
Epaphras: Founder, Pastor, Prisoner, Greeter: Philemon 23–25, Part 1
Alongside all the other ways Paul encourages Philemon to love, he also adds greetings from Epaphras, a man Philemon would have deeply respected.
Paul’s Paradoxical Way of Being Refreshed: Philemon 18–22
In seeking a welcome for the runaway slave, Onesimus, Paul banks on his history with Philemon, and risks his own resources, modeling radical Christian...
Can We Always Know the Purposes of Providence? Philemon 15–17, Part 3
Reading God’s providence rightly takes great faith in the power and wisdom of God, and communicating it kindly takes great humility. Paul displays bot...
How the New Testament Transformed Slavery: Philemon 15–17, Part 2
While the New Testament never explicitly abolishes slavery, it is full of teachings and commands that revolutionized the master-slave relationship.
Receive Onesimus No Longer as a Slave but as a Brother: Philemon 15–17, Part 1
Paul wanted Philemon to welcome Onesimus back — but did it matter how? Paul’s radical reasoning has big implications for Onesimus’s status as a slave.
How to Motivate Without Commanding: Philemon 8–14, Part 4
Although Paul refuses to command Philemon, he strengthens his appeal with seven personal reasons why his dear friend should receive Onesimus like a br...
Does Commanding Ever Serve Love? Philemon 8–14, Part 3
Jesus commanded us to love one another, but Paul seems to imply that commanding diminishes love. So, which does love prefer — commands or appeals?
Why Does Not Commanding Serve Love? Philemon 8–14, Part 2
Paul knows what he wants Philemon to do, but he chooses not to command it. Why? He wants something deeper than rote obedience: genuine love.
Faith Is the Freedom to Love: Philemon 8–14, Part 1
Paul could have commanded Philemon, with all the force of an apostle, to treat his runaway slave with love. So, why does Paul prefer to appeal to Phil...
The Ripple Effect of Christian Refreshment: Philemon 4–7, Part 2
How does Christian love touch and refresh all our relationships? Springing up from personal delight in Jesus, love overflows to do good to others for...
The Saints Are Refreshed and Christ Is Glorified: Philemon 4–7, Part 1
Why does Paul think of Philemon as the sort of man who would welcome back a runaway slave? Because he has heard of Philemon’s refreshing faith.
Why Is It Right to Read a Personal Letter to Philemon? Philemon 1–3, Part 2
When Paul wrote to Philemon on a personal matter, he intended the entire church — including us — to receive grace and peace through his words.
Who Was the Apostle Paul? Philemon 1–3, Part 1
Paul is an apostle of Jesus Christ, with all the authority that commission entails. But as he writes to Philemon, he approaches as a friend.
What Is the Letter to Philemon About? Philemon 1–25
Why did Paul write his letter to Philemon? A delicate matter between a master and his slave becomes teaching that nourishes the worldwide church.
The Final Words and Main Theme of Paul’s Letter to Titus: Titus 3:12–15
A strong message rings through Paul’s letter to Titus like the toll of a great bell: Let Christians devote themselves to good works in the grace of Go...
Unprofitable Controversies and Those Who Cause Them: Titus 3:8–11, Part 2
When good doctrine produces good works, the church flourishes — but dissent and controversies cause division. That worthlessness needs to be stopped.
How the Gospel Serves Excellent Deeds: Titus 3:8–11, Part 1
God’s message of salvation is utterly trustworthy. But what should his promises produce in those who have received them by faith?
How Spectacular and Satisfying Is Eternal Life? Titus 3:4–7, Part 8
By justifying us through Christ’s blood, God has made us heirs of eternal life. But what is that life, and why does it matter?
Justified by Grace in Hope of Eternal Life: Titus 3:4–7, Part 7
When we think of God’s grace in salvation, how does justification by faith lead to our adoption as children of God and the gift of eternal life?
How We Experience the Rich Outpouring of the Holy Spirit: Titus 3:4–7, Part 6
When the Bible tells us to be renewed, how is that supposed to happen? The Holy Spirit works in us to make us taste and enjoy God’s great love for us.
Does ‘Washing of Regeneration’ Refer to Baptismal Regeneration? Titus 3:4–7, Part 5
Does regeneration come from washing, or does washing come from regeneration? When God gives us new life, he also makes us clean by his power.
Why Can’t Our Good Works Save Us? Titus 3:4–7, Part 4
Why do our good works in Christ please God when even our best works outside Christ added to our guilt? John Piper explores the insufficiency of works...
Don’t Miss the Diamonds in the Chest of Salvation: Titus 3:4–7, Part 3
Mercy, regeneration, justification, grace, inheritance, hope, eternal life — salvation is full of wonders for us to study and enjoy.
Saved from What? Titus 3:4–7, Part 2
For Christians, the word “saved” is so common that we might easily overlook its sobering implications. From what danger did God rescue us?
What Kind of God Was There Before Creation? Titus 3:4–7, Part 1
The God who devised the plan of salvation through Jesus’s life, death, and resurrection must be a certain kind of God. Come and see his kindness.
Paul’s Despicable History: Titus 3:3
God’s mercy shines all the brighter against the darkness of our sinful past, when our rebellious desires drove us into every kind of malice and envy.
Can a Gentle, Meek, Non-Combative Person Rebuke? Titus 3:1–2, Part 2
A Christian’s meekness comes not from a certain disposition but from the Holy Spirit — the same Spirit who sometimes moves us to rebuke.