Are there things God cannot do?

So when God desired to show more convincingly to the heirs of the promise the unchangeable character of his purpose, he guaranteed it with an oath, so that by two unchangeable things, in which it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled for refuge might have strong encouragement to hold fast to the hope set before us.

When God wanted to show the heirs of the promise unmistakable proof of the unchangeable nature of His plan, so He further guaranteed it with an oath. Now with these two unchangable things, and the fact that it is impossible for God to lie, we who have fled to Him for refuge are amply encouraged to remain firm in the hope that we have before us.

The entire book of Hebrews is about “holding fast” and not losing faith or “falling away.” In this immediate context the writer is providing evidence/reasons why the Christian should remain faithful. The very next verse describes Him as a “sure and steadfast anchor.”

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the sake of the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth, which accords with godliness, in hope of eternal life, which God, who never lies, promised before the ages began and at the proper time manifested in his word through the preaching with which I have been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;

Paul, a servant of God and apostle of Christ, ministering to the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of His word that teaches godliness in the hope for eternal life which God, who cannot lie, promised before the ages began and at the proper time revealed by His word through the preaching with which I’ve been entrusted by the command of God our Savior;

Paul is writing to a young preacher, Titus. After giving these qualifications for a church elder, he continues to give instruction regarding behavior to certain segments/groups within the church: older men (2:2), older women (2:3), younger women (2:4), younger men (2:6), and finally slaves (2:9). With all of these, their behavior is to be exhibited as would “accord with sound doctrine” (1:9, 2:1, 2:10).

This is the message we have heard from him and proclaim to you, that God is light, and in him is no darkness at all.

This is the message we first heard from him [Jesus] and proclaim to you, that God is light and there is no darkness in Him.

The Apostle John’s opening in a letter written to Christians encouraging them to love each other (as God loves) and resist false teaching. His instruction appears to be to individual Christians (not a particular church) and he’s concerned about them losing fellowship with God (vs 3) and ultimately losing their joy (vs 4). In this context, “light” is righteousness (e.g. “walk in light” vs 7) and “darkness” is sin or unrighteousness (e.g. not practicing the truth vs 6).

You who are of purer eyes than to see evil and cannot look at wrong, why do you idly look at traitors and remain silent when the wicked swallows up the man more righteous than he?

(Habakkuk addressing God) You whose eyes are too pure to tolerate evil, why do you sit by and do nothing while traitors and wicked consume someone more righteous than themselves?

The book records a conversation between Habakkuk and God. The prophet is questioning God’s tolerance of the sin of Judah. In this context, God has said (vss 5-11) that he will respond to their sin by raising up the Chaldeans (e.g. Babylonians).

Let no one say when he is tempted, I am being tempted by God, for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one.

No one when tempted should say that they are tempted by God, since God cannot be tempted and Himself tempts no one.

James is writing to brethern encouraging them to be doers and not just hearers of God’s “perfect law of liberty” (vs 25). Here he is defining the nature of sin (vss 14-15) and warning to avoid it.

The Lord said to Cain, Why are you angry, and why has your face fallen? If you do well, will you not be accepted? And if you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door. Its desire is for you, but you must rule over it.

God asked Cain why he was angry with his face fallen and explained that if he did well he would be accepted (by God). However, if he did not do good sin would be ready to take advantage since its seeking control; he must rule over it.

The creation account and introduction of Adam and Eve’s offspring after their disobedience and the curse of sin.

O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, the city that kills the prophets and stones those who are sent to it! How often would I have gathered your children together as a hen gathers her brood under her wings, and you would not!

Oh, Jerusalem! The city that kill and stone those sent by God to preach to them! How often I [Jesus] would have gathered your children together for safety but you resisted.

Jesus addressing the crowds and disciples (vs 1) that includes a scathing rebuke of the Pharisees – considered the religious elite of the day. Luke also records this in Luke 13:31-35.

The times of ignorance God overlooked, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent, because he has fixed a day on which he will judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.

God overlooked a time of ignorance in the past, but now He commands everyone to repent since He has appointed a day that He will judge the world in righteousness by a man that He designated, testifying to all by raising Him from the dead.

Paul’s sermon to the Athenians from Mars Hill while he awaited his companions to join him from Macedonia during his second missionary journey.