Equipping Believers for our Lord

Motivation of Glory – 2 Timothy 4:8

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… 8in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing. What a day it will be when the servants of the Lord stand before...

Crown of Righteousness – 2 Timothy 4:8a

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… 8in the future there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness … Retirees may receive a gold watch upon finishing forty years of employment, a slim reward for one’s life work. But when everything we do is framed in our minds and hearts as serving the Lord, the...

Final Charge! – 2 Timothy 4:5

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5But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. As Paul approaches the end of his letter, he finishes his ministry charges to Timothy with four quick, succinct, summary imperatives. Without going into detail, he...

Preach the Word (cont.) – 2 Timothy 4:2

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… 2preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. Readiness does not mean that the task of preaching is entirely up to us, so we better get it right. After all, Jesus did promise: “[D]o not worry...

Preach the Word (cont.) – 2 Timothy 4:2

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… 2preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. “Keruxon ton logon” is the transliteration of the Greek wording behind the phrase “preach the word.” It has a memorable, poetic ring to it,...

Preach the Word – 2 Timothy 4:2

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… 2preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction. No terser commandment can be found in Paul’s writing. He “charged” Timothy before God, in view of Christ’s return for judgment and setting up the...

Christians & Oaths – 2 Timothy 4:1

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1I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing and His kingdom … In our verse today, Paul lays on Timothy the most solemn obligation with the full weight of God Himself behind it....

Inhaling God’s Breath – 2 Timothy 3:16–17

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16All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; 17so that the man of God may be adequate, equipped for every good work. All of the Christian life—worldview, behavior, understanding,...

Choice of Authenticity – 2 Timothy 3:13–15

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13But evil men and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15and that from childhood you have known the sacred...

Model of the Faithful – 2 Timothy 3:10–12

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10Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, 11persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! 12Indeed, all who...

Honing in on Women? – 2 Timothy 3:6–7

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6For among them are those who enter into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, 7always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. Present-day gender sensitivity would mandate an explanation that...

Godly Form Avoidance – 2 Timothy 3:5

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5[These people will be] holding to a form of godliness, although they have denied its power; avoid such men as these. Truly unfortunate is the reality that some people can be described in one or all of the twenty characterizations of 2 Timothy 3:1–4 and yet pass...

Search My Heart – 2 Timothy 3:3–4

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3[Men will be] unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, 4treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God … With twenty descriptions in total, the list represents a reasonably complete...

Problem People Are Coming – 2 Timothy 3:1–2

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1But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 2For men will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, revilers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy … Depressing days are ahead? As positive as the new life in Christ is,...

Perhaps God – 2 Timothy 2:25b–26

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25… perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will. “Perhaps” seems a strange word for the apostle to use,...

Time-Wasting Arguments – 2 Timothy 2:23

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23But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. How often Christians fall into foolish arguments over speculative “theology”! Paul was certainly not one to hold back on his assertions to hold strongly to sound doctrine and resist...

A Positive Known For – 2 Timothy 2:22

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22Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Avoidance may seem like a weak strategy, unless it is accompanied by a strong alternative. Yet, avoidance as the start is the first...

Clean Up Our Act – 2 Timothy 2:20–22

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0Now in a large house there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also vessels of wood and of earthenware, and some to honor and some to dishonor. 21Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified, useful to the...

Known by God – 2 Timothy 2:19

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19Nevertheless, the firm foundation of God stands, having this seal, “The Lord knows those who are His,” and, “Everyone who names the name of the Lord is to abstain from wickedness.” The plight of the emperor penguins living and breeding in the bitter cold Antarctic...

Avoiding the Gangrene – 2 Timothy 2:16–18

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16But avoid worldly and empty chatter, for it will lead to further ungodliness, 17and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18men who have gone astray from the truth saying that the resurrection has already taken place, and they...

We Must Get It Right – 2 Timothy 2:14–15

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14Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of God not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers. 15Be diligent to present yourself approved to God as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, accurately...

He Remains Faithful – 2 Timothy 2:11–13

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11It is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we will also live with Him; 12If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He also will deny us; 13If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself. Suffering for the truth...

Beyond Suffering – 2 Timothy 2:8b–10

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8… according to my gospel, 9for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of God is not imprisoned. 10For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, so that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ...

Core Message: Risen Christ – 2 Timothy 2:7–8

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7Consider what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. 8Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel . . . Discipleship involves conveying the master’s teaching to the student. The former gives the...

Keeping Focused – 2 Timothy 2:3–6

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3Suffer hardship with me, as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No soldier in active service entangles himself in the affairs of everyday life, so that he may please the one who enlisted him as a soldier. 5Also if anyone competes as an athlete, he does not win the prize...

Faithful Discipleship (cont.) – 2 Timothy 2:2

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2The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Paul’s teaching reflects that of Jesus, who said, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in...

Faithful Discipleship – 2 Timothy 2:2

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2The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. How will the Christian movement carry on? This question is foremost in the aging Paul’s mind as he writes his protégé, his...

Be Strong in Grace – 2 Timothy 2:1

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1You therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. Spiritual strength is required for God’s work. That strength comes from God. He gives graciously, and we act obediently upon what He provides. That is the partnership. But the spiritual energy He...

Pattern of Sound Words – 2 Timothy 1:13–14

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13Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 14Guard, through the Holy Spirit who dwells in us, the treasure which has been entrusted to you. Paul’s admonition contains two interesting words. The...

Conviction and Confidence – 2 Timothy 1:10b–12

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10… the gospel, 11for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle and a teacher. 12For this reason I also suffer these things, but I am not ashamed; for I know whom I have believed and I am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that...

How Can We Not? – 2 Timothy 1:9–10

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8 …but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, 9who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity, 10but now...

Boldness and Power – 2 Timothy 1:8

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8Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God … The apostle most likely caused embarrassment to others because of his bold evangelism—otherwise why would he...

Overcoming Shame – 2 Timothy 1:8a (cont.)

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8Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner … Shame has become an import word in our day, being potent in affecting people deeply. A standard lexicon of the ancient Greek language (BDAG) describes the word underlying “be ashamed” in...

The Spirit of Testimony – 2 Timothy 1:7–8a

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7For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord … Witnessing to our faith is the natural inclination of the soul transformed by the grace of God. That doesn’t...

Come On, Light My Fire – 2 Timothy 1:5–6

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5For I am mindful of the sincere faith within you, which first dwelt in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am sure that it is in you as well. 6For this reason I remind you to kindle afresh the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my...

Thankful Relationships – 2 Timothy 1:3–4

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3I thank God, whom I serve with a clear conscience the way my forefathers did, as I constantly remember you in my prayers night and day, 4longing to see you, even as I recall your tears, so that I may be filled with joy. Thankfulness shows throughout Paul’s writings....

Humble Confidence – 2 Timothy 1:1–2 (cont.)

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1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus, 2To Timothy, my beloved son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. Notwithstanding his close relationship with Timothy, Paul...

Prison Time Writing – 2 Timothy 1:1–2

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1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, according to the promise of life in Christ Jesus, 2To Timothy, my beloved son: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. Prison affords a person much time to think, and in Paul’s case,...

Grace in the End – 1 Timothy 6:21b

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21 . . . Grace be with you. No more theologically rich verse can be found than Paul’s desire for his readers to know and grow in God’s grace. Truth and practice merge inseparably. Grace is more than the term we give to praying before a meal. We know it is central to...

Social Media “Theology” – 1 Timothy 6:20–21

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20O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”— 21which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith…. Paul’s message to Timothy here echoes a similar...

The Wealthy Last – 1 Timothy 6:17–19

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17Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to...

Thine Be the Glory – 1 Timothy 6:15b–16

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15… He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen. Words exhaust the majestic “otherness”...

Beyond Limited Words – 1 Timothy 6:15b–16

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15… He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen. Doxologies abound in the NT, this...

Charge Before God – 1 Timothy 6:13–16

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13I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15which He will...

Fight the Good Fight – 1 Timothy 6:12

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12Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. Christian living is not easy. From the get-go Satan attempts to pluck good seed from the roadside so faith does...

A Continual Pursuit – 1 Timothy 6:11

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11But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Paul’s instruction about contentment and avoiding the love of money are not just minor suggestions for Timothy and others to consider. We must...

Money, Money, Money – 1 Timothy 6:9–10

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9But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and...

Having All You Want – 1 Timothy 6:8

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8If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. Contentment is a commodity in short supply. As noted before, the dictionary defines this word as the state of desiring no more than what one has, to be satisfied with what one possesses. The advertising...

True Godliness – 1 Timothy 6:6–7

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6But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. 7For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. So, what good is godliness then? False teachers angle to use it as a stepping stone to some kind...

Depraved False Teachers – 1 Timothy 6:3–5

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3If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, 4he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes...

Christian Living Anywhere – 1 Timothy 6:1–2

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1All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against. 2Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren,...

Open and Shut Sins – 1 Timothy 5:24–25

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24The sins of some men are quite evident, going before them to judgment; for others, their sins follow after. 25Likewise also, deeds that are good are quite evident, and those which are otherwise cannot be concealed. Open sins, concealed sins. A spectrum of...

A Little Wine – 1 Timothy 5:23

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23No longer drink water exclusively, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments. Contrary to the sentiments of some Christians, this verse says nothing about the use of alcohol as a beverage. Other passages would be more suitable for...

No Hasty Leadership – 1 Timothy 5:22

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22Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin. Laying on of hands, as noted previously, was symbolic of affirming and empowering an individual for ministry. In this case, we infer that...

Leadership Sin – 1 Timothy 5:21

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21I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality. Paul again gives a solemn charge to Timothy. His instruction—particularly what he has just...

Holding Elders Accountable – 1 Timothy 5:19–20

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19Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. 20Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning. The subject of leadership in the local church is not complete...

Supporting Elders – 1 Timothy 5:17–18

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17The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. 18For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” Continuing on...

Younger Widows – 1 Timothy 5:11–16

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11But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married, 12thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous pledge. 13At the same time they also learn to be idle, as...

The Widow’s List – 1 Timothy 5:9–10

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9A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, 10having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if...

Widows: The Heart of God – 1 Timothy 5:9a

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9A widow is to be put on the list … Christlikeness transforms relationships; that is because, in Christ, we have received an eternity’s worth of blessings. The one who has been embraced and arrested by God’s grace instinctively becomes a conduit of that grace to...

Concentric Circle of Care – 1 Timothy 5:8

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8But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. Benevolence starts in the home. The primary care for the needy rests first and foremost with those closest to the...

The Giving Widow – 1 Timothy 5:5–7

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5Now she who is a widow indeed and who has been left alone, has fixed her hope on God and continues in entreaties and prayers night and day. 6But she who gives herself to wanton pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7Prescribe these things as well, so that they may...

Widows Indeed – 1 Timothy 5:3–4

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3Honor widows who are widows indeed; 4but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God. We are to honor three...

Motherly and Sisterly – 1 Timothy 5:1–2

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1Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers, 2the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity. Older women are not to be overlooked, as often happens in any religious or...

Fatherly and Brotherly – 1 Timothy 5:1–2

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1Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers, 2the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity. Blood is thicker than water” is an old saying of unknown origin that conveys the...

Use Your Gift! – 1 Timothy 4:14-16

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14Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. 15Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. 16Pay close...

Focus, Focus, Focus – 1 Timothy 4:13

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13Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. Reading Paul’s letters reveals great biographical data that help us construct the author’s movements. In this case, “Until I come” indicates the apostle was planning to...

Modeling Maturity – 1 Timothy 4:12

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12Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. Many are accustomed to thinking of Timothy’s age as late teens or early twenties, but is that true? He began traveling...

Teach Trustworthy Things – 1 Timothy 4:9–11

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9It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. 10For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. 11Prescribe and teach these things. Paul unmistakably shows...

True Godliness vs. Legalism – 1 Timothy 4:7–8

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7… On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; 8for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. Those forbidding marriage...

Being a Good Servant – 1 Timothy 4:6–7a

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6In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. 7But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women … All...

Repurposed Food – 1 Timothy 4:3b–5

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3 … foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. 4For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude; 5for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer....

Degradation of Godlessness – 1 Timothy 4:1–3

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1But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, 2by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron, 3men who forbid marriage...

Mystery of Godliness – 1 Timothy 3:16

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16By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, was vindicated in the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. The early church referred to “the rule of faith” or...

Local Church Instructions – 1 Timothy 3:14–15

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14I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; 15but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth....

Servants of the Church – 1 Timothy 3:8–10

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8Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, 9but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond...

Spiritual Maturity (cont.) – 1 Timothy 3:6–7

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… 6and not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. 7And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil. Spiritual...

Spiritual Maturity (cont.) – 1 Timothy 3:4–5

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… 3not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, peaceable, free from the love of money. 4He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5(but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he...

Spiritual Maturity – 1 Timothy 3:2

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2An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach … Local church leadership must be qualified leadership of the highest character. What Paul now lays out is an itemized standard to which...

Aspiring to Eldership – 1 Timothy 3:1

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1It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do. Beginning an extended section on leadership in the local church, the apostle Paul writes, “It is a trustworthy statement . . .” Speakers may use voice...

Other Interpretations – 1 Timothy 2:15

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15But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint. So what are the alternative interpretations of this verse that do not violate consistency with other Scripture? We must be clear that by...

Saved Through Childbirth – 1 Timothy 2:15

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15But women will be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint. While on the subject of gender roles in the church, we find this verse about childbirth. The word translated “preserved” is translated...

Out of Step With Whom? – 1 Timothy 2:11–12

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11A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. 12But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet. A literal interpretation of this verse is entirely out of step with our modern, Western culture. To be...

Women, Your Turn – 1 Timothy 2:9–10 (cont.)

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9Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, 10but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. Women need instructions...

Apostolic Authority – 1 Timothy 2:9–10

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9Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments, 10but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godliness. The emphasis on men in the...

Men, Get With It! – 1 Timothy 2:8 (cont.)

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8Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension. Paul’s command here is to men, that is males. First, the English word “man” he uses here renders the Greek word “andras,” which refers to an adult human male (or...

Apostolic Authority – 1 Timothy 2:7

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7For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. Paul was not a self-proclaimed apostle. True, he defended his apostleship at times, but that is not to be confused with his...

One and Only One Mediator – 1 Timothy 2:5–6

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5For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. The One to whom we pray is the one and only God. Prayer is not a worthwhile activity in and of...

Prayer According to His Will – 1 Timothy 2:3–4

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3This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. Prayer for political peace paves the way for the spread of the gospel. So the apostle Paul urged Timothy to pray for governmental...

Prayer for Peace – 1 Timothy 2:1–2

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1First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2for kings and all who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. Prayer is the lifeline to God, and...

Excommunication—Really? – 1 Timothy 1:20

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20Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme. Paul had detractors who flatly contradicted his teachings. Some might frame this situation as a typical theological feud, with the party in power...

Against Conscience – 1 Timothy 1:19b–20

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… 19keeping faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. 20Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme. Paul understood shipwreck,...

Obedience to Our Calling – 1 Timothy 1:18–19a

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18This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you fight the good fight, 19keeping faith and a good conscience … Commandments were not excluded by the apostle of grace, contrary to some...

Worthy of Glory – 1 Timothy 1:17

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17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. Doxology is the word used to classify statements like this one. Coined from the two Greek words for “glory” (“doxa”) and “word” (“logos”), it means to speak a word...

Mercy There Was Great – 1 Timothy 1:16

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16Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. Mercy there was great and grace was free. Pardon there was multiplied to me....

Worst of All Sinners? – 1 Timothy 1:15

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15It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Trustworthy statements are Paul’s way of telling us to take particular notice. He does this four other times in...

The Grand “Yet” – 1 Timothy 1:13b–14

by | TTT&P

13Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; 14and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus. The grand “yet” invades the fallen world of sin. God is the supreme interrupter who breaks into...

From Shame to Grace – 1 Timothy 1:12–13a

by | TTT&P

12I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service, 13even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor … Paul was a driven man. He wrote in another place, “If I preach...

Proper Use of the Law – 1 Timothy 1:8–11

by | TTT&P

8But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully, 9realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or...

Judging False Teachers – 1 Timothy 1:6–7

by | TTT&P

6For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion, 7wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions. False teachers are a...

Doctrine Must Lead to Love – 1 Timothy 1:5

by | TTT&P

5But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Right doctrine is essential. There were certain truths that Paul would give no quarter on. In military terms, to give quarter to prisoners meant to provide them...

Snapshot Bio of Timothy – 1 Timothy 1:2

by | TTT&P

2To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. Next to the apostles, Timothy is probably the best-known character in the NT church. His prominence comes, of course, through his connection with the apostle...

A Rainbow Selection – 1 Timothy 1:1–2 (cont.)

by | TTT&P

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope, 2To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. Paul opens with a full introduction...

An Introduction – 1 Timothy 1:1–2

by | TTT&P

1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope, 2To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. One of Paul’s later epistles, 1...

Peace to the Max – 2 Thessalonians 3:16–18

by | TTT&P

16Now may the Lord of peace Himself continually grant you peace in every circumstance. The Lord be with you all! 17I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand, and this is a distinguishing mark in every letter; this is the way I write. 18The grace of our Lord Jesus...

Special Dealings – 2 Thessalonians 3:14–15

by | TTT&P

14If anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take special note of that person and do not associate with him, so that he will be put to shame. 15Yet do not regard him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother. Difficult things in the life of a church...

Stop It! – 2 Thessalonians 3:13

by | TTT&P

3But as for you, brethren, do not grow weary of doing good. Many things cause weariness. Gideon and his select three hundred men, while pursuing the Midianites with God’s guidance, became weary (Judges 8:4). King David and his men became exhausted as they fled...

Get To Work! – 2 Thessalonians 3:11–12

by | TTT&P

11For we hear that some among you are leading an undisciplined life, doing no work at all, but acting like busybodies. 12Now such persons we command and exhort in the Lord Jesus Christ to work in quiet fashion and eat their own bread. Grapevine communications are not...

Work and Eats – 2 Thessalonians 3:9–10

by | TTT&P

… 9not because we do not have the right to this, but in order to offer ourselves as a model for you, so that you would follow our example. 10For even when we were with you, we used to give you this order: if anyone is not willing to work, then he is not to eat,...

Bi-Vocational Hard Work – 2 Thessalonians 3:6–8

by | TTT&P

7For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example, because we did not act in an undisciplined manner among you, 8nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with labor and hardship we kept working night and day so that we would not be a burden...

Grace and Commandments – 2 Thessalonians 3:6

by | TTT&P

6Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from every brother who leads an unruly life and not according to the tradition which you received from us. Since we are under God’s grace and not under law we are no longer to live...

Standing Firm – 2 Thessalonians 2:15

by | TTT&P

15So then, brethren, stand firm and hold to the traditions which you were taught, whether by word of mouth or by letter from us. Circling back to how he began this chapter, Paul encourages the believers at Thessalonica to stand firm. The discussion about end times,...

Eschatology of Hope – 2 Thessalonians 2:5–7

by | TTT&P

5Do you not remember that while I was still with you, I was telling you these things? 6And you know what restrains him now, so that in his time he will be revealed. 7For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work; only he who now restrains will do so until he is...

The Sinister Selfie – 2 Thessalonians 2:3–4

by | TTT&P

3Let no one in any way deceive you, for it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 4who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the...

A Worthy Prayer – 2 Thessalonians 1:11–12

by | TTT&P

11To this end also we pray for you always, that our God will count you worthy of your calling, and fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith with power, 12so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace...

The Glory of His Return – 2 Thessalonians 1:9–10

by | TTT&P

9… the glory of His power 10when He comes to be glorified in His saints on that day, and to be marveled at among all who have believed—for our testimony to you was believed. From the start, our Christian movement has been driven by testimony (Greek “martyrion”), the...

The Sensibility of Hell – 2 Thessalonians 1:9

by | TTT&P

9These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power … Contemporary, popular Christianity downplays hell, eternal destruction, and torment—if not embracing, at least tipping its hat to universalism or...

Horrors of Destruction – 2 Thessalonians 1:9

by | TTT&P

9These will pay the penalty of eternal destruction, away from the presence of the Lord and from the glory of His power … The apostle Paul had just written to the Thessalonian believers to encourage them that the Lord will “repay with affliction those who afflict you”...

Gratitude Attitude – 2 Thessalonians 1:2–3a

by | TTT&P

2Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3We ought always to give thanks to God for you … Gratitude accompanies Paul’s usual greeting of grace and peace, a heart of appreciation for his readers, the Thessalonian believers. Often...

Trinitarian Faith – 2 Thessalonians 1:1–2

by | TTT&P

1Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: 2Grace to you and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. This introduction, a powerful testimony of the deity of Christ, is often overlooked...

The Church! (cont.) – 2 Thessalonians 1:1

by | TTT&P

1Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ … God loves all believers (Rom. 5:8). Christ loves the church (Eph. 5:25). Paul loved the individual churches. While he doesn’t use that specific wording,...

The Church! – 2 Thessalonians 1:1

by | TTT&P

1Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ … The beginning of Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonian Christians is virtually identical to his first, with only one small word change. Again, he lists...

Ministry of Letters – 1 Thessalonians 5:27–28

by | TTT&P

27I adjure you by the Lord to have this letter read to all the brethren. 28The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you. Paul’s final words take on a weighty significance, due to his word usage. When he says, “I adjure you by the Lord,” he uses a common ancient oath...

The Holy Kiss – 1 Thessalonians 5:25–26

by | TTT&P

25Brethren, pray for us. 26Greet all the brethren with a holy kiss. “Brethren” is a common term the apostle Paul uses to address his readers, eighteen times in this letter. Admittedly, it was frequent back in his day, as it sometimes is used today in colloquial...

Test and Hold Fast – 1 Thessalonians 5:21–22

by | TTT&P

21But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good; 22abstain from every form of evil. Test and hold fast—this would make an excellent motto for new believers, especially in our religiously plural world. Even in Christendom, there are many...

A New Economy of Love – 1 Thessalonians 5:15

by | TTT&P

15See that no one repays another with evil for evil, but always seek after that which is good for one another and for all people. From the earliest teachings of Christ, we see this command not to repay evil for evil: “But I say to you, do not resist an evil person;...

Continuous Peace – 1 Thessalonians 5:13b

by | TTT&P

13 … Live in peace with one another. From the first bite of the fruit in the garden, the tranquility, the goodness, the harmony with God has been displaced by our sin. The quest for peace, ever since, echoes loudly in every human heart. The history of humanity seems...

Esteem Your Leaders – 1 Thessalonians 5:12–13a

by | TTT&P

12But we request of you, brethren, that you appreciate those who diligently labor among you, and have charge over you in the Lord and give you instruction, 13and that you esteem them very highly in love because of their work… Elders and local church leaders like this...

Encourage One Another – 1 Thessalonians 5:11

by | TTT&P

11Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. Again, Paul instructs his readers to continue doing something they are already doing. In this case, it is encouraging others. What a contrast with the believers in Corinth, from...

God’s Purpose for Us – 1 Thessalonians 5:9–10

by | TTT&P

9For God has not destined us for wrath, but for obtaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, 10who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. Destination: salvation! God’s assignment or appointment for believers is not...

Armor of the Believer – 1 Thessalonians 5:8

by | TTT&P

8But since we are of the day, let us be sober, having put on the breastplate of faith and love, and as a helmet, the hope of salvation. So how should we then live in light of Christ’s return? It is really nothing exotic. Paul doesn’t say sell your home and possessions...

Spiritual Slumber – 1 Thessalonians 5:5–7

by | TTT&P

… 5for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness … 6so then let us not sleep as others do, but let us be alert and sober. 7For those who sleep do their sleeping at night, and those who get drunk get drunk at night. Would that all...

No Fear for Believers – 1 Thessalonians 5:3

by | TTT&P

3While they are saying, “Peace and safety!” then destruction will come upon them suddenly like labor pains upon a woman with child, and they will not escape. The quest for world peace is ubiquitous. Any hints of it, though obscured by ever-increasing conflict, whether...

Specifics Set at Bay – 1 Thessalonians 5:1–2

by | TTT&P

1Now as to the times and the epochs, brethren, you have no need of anything to be written to you. 2For you yourselves know full well that the day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. Curiosity is killing us, or at least some of us believers. Many have...

The Certainty of Hope – 1 Thessalonians 4:15

by | TTT&P

15For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord, will not precede those who have fallen asleep. The great secret of the believer’s death is that it is a wonderful thing for that person. They have gone on...

Return of Believers – 1 Thessalonians 4:14

by | TTT&P

14For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep in Jesus. Jesus Christ is coming back, and He is bringing with Him those who have “fallen asleep in Jesus” (believers who have died). The first of these...

No Vain Hope – 1 Thessalonians 4:13

by | TTT&P

13But we do not want you to be uninformed, brethren, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve as do the rest who have no hope. Death assaults hope because of its seeming finality. Yet our hope is greater than the physical demise of our earthly bodies...

Ambitious Quiet Life – 1 Thessalonians 4:11–12

by | TTT&P

… 11and to make it your ambition to lead a quiet life and attend to your own business and work with your hands, just as we commanded you, 12so that you will behave properly toward outsiders and not be in any need. For a man and apostle whose life was typified with...

Accelerating Love – 1 Thessalonians 4:9–10

by | TTT&P

9Now as to the love of the brethren, you have no need for anyone to write to you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another; 10for indeed you do practice it toward all the brethren who are in all Macedonia. But we urge you, brethren, to excel still more...

Sex and the Word of God – 1 Thessalonians 4:8

by | TTT&P

8So, he who rejects this is not rejecting man but the God who gives His Holy Spirit to you. Mindful that his writing carries the authority of God, Paul strongly warns those who dismiss what he has written about sexual immorality. Some critics today have asserted that...

God is Serious About Sex – 1 Thessalonians 4:6

by | TTT&P

… 6and that no man transgress and defraud his brother in the matter because the Lord is the avenger in all these things, just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. The first reason to control our sexual desires is that this is God’s will; it pleases Him,...

Of Sex and Glory – 1 Thessalonians 4:3–5

by | TTT&P

3For this is the will of God, your sanctification; that is, that you abstain from sexual immorality; 4that each of you know how to possess his own vessel in sanctification and honor, 5not in lustful passion, like the Gentiles who do not know God … Sex is a fact of...

Pressing Ahead in Rest – 1 Thessalonians 4:1

by | TTT&P

1Finally then, brethren, we request and exhort you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received from us instruction as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. Paul was a spiritual challenger if he was anything. He...

Ministry End Game – 1 Thessalonians 3:13

by | TTT&P

… 13so that He may establish your hearts without blame in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. What is the ultimate end game of ministry? If we are all called to serve the Lord and His people using our various gifts...

The Sanctification Two-Step – 1 Thessalonians 3:12

by | TTT&P

… 12and may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another, and for all people, just as we also do for you … Continuing his prayer for the believers in Thessalonica, Paul’s words begin to sound more like a blessing. As we saw previously, his request...

Nugget of Prayer – 1 Thessalonians 3:11

by | TTT&P

11Now may our God and Father Himself and Jesus our Lord direct our way to you . . . Prayer became the apostle Paul. It was not an ornament displayed for all to admire in him, but it well suited a man captured by the idea of God’s grace. Captured by, enamored with,...

Life at Its Best – 1 Thessalonians 3:6–8

by | TTT&P

6But now that Timothy has come to us from you, and has brought us good news of your faith and love, and that you always think kindly of us, longing to see us just as we also long to see you, 7for this reason, brethren, in all our distress and affliction we were...

No Vain Ministry – 1 Thessalonians 3:4–5

by | TTT&P

4For indeed when we were with you, we kept telling you in advance that we were going to suffer affliction; and so it came to pass, as you know. 5For this reason, when I could endure it no longer, I also sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter...

God’s Fellow Workers – 1 Thessalonians 3:2–3

by | TTT&P

2… we sent Timothy, our brother and God’s fellow worker in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen and encourage you as to your faith, 3so that no one would be disturbed by these afflictions; for you yourselves know that we have been destined for this. The family of God...

Behind the Scenes – 1 Thessalonians 3:1–2a

by | TTT&P

1Therefore when we could endure it no longer, we thought it best to be left behind at Athens alone 2 and we sent Timothy … Paul appears to have been quite active in ministry after leaving Macedonia (comparing his comments here with Acts 17:14–18:5). His first stop was...

Imitation of Faith – 1 Thessalonians 2:14-15a

by | TTT&P

14For you, brethren, became imitators of the churches of God in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, for you also endured the same sufferings at the hands of your own countrymen, even as they did from the Jews, 15who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove...

Power of the Word – 1 Thessalonians 2:13 (cont.)

by | TTT&P

13For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe. Always mindful, fully...

Of Grace and Gratitude – 1 Thessalonians 2:13

by | TTT&P

13For this reason we also constantly thank God that when you received the word of God which you heard from us, you accepted it not as the word of men, but for what it really is, the word of God, which also performs its work in you who believe. Gratitude was a hallmark...

Prodding to Glory – 1 Thessalonians 2:11–12

by | TTT&P

… 11just as you know how we were exhorting and encouraging and imploring each one of you as a father would his own children, 12so that you would walk in a manner worthy of the God who calls you into His own kingdom and glory. Paul had a penchant for reminding people...

Authentic New Life – 1 Thessalonians 2:10

by | TTT&P

10You are witnesses, and so is God, how devoutly and uprightly and blamelessly we behaved toward you believers … Statement of fact with implied charge, Paul reminds the Thessalonian believers that they were eyewitnesses of his behavior. This takes on an interesting...

Power Inverter – 1 Thessalonians 2:6b–7

by | TTT&P

6 … even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority. 7But we proved to be gentle among you, as a nursing mother tenderly cares for her own children. Power structures exist at all levels of society. The pecking order is real, although not always...

Check Your Motive – 1 Thessalonians 2:3–4

by | TTT&P

3For our exhortation does not come from error or impurity or by way of deceit; 4but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not as pleasing men, but God who examines our hearts. Ever concerned with the clarity of his motive...

Downside of Preaching – 1 Thessalonians 2:1–2

by | TTT&P

1For you yourselves know, brethren, that our coming to you was not in vain, 2but after we had already suffered and been mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the boldness in our God to speak to you the gospel of God amid much opposition. We all want to be...

Great Commission in Action – 1 Thessalonians 1:8

by | TTT&P

8For the word of the Lord has sounded forth from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but also in every place your faith toward God has gone forth, so that we have no need to say anything. Great Commission in action! The Thessalonians exemplified the local church...

A Good Imitation – 1 Thessalonians 1:6–7

by | TTT&P

6You also became imitators of us and of the Lord, having received the word in much tribulation with the joy of the Holy Spirit, 7so that you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. Imitation, it is said, is the highest form of flattery. Thus...

Genuine Faith – 1 Thessalonians 1:4–5

by | TTT&P

… 4knowing, brethren beloved by God, His choice of you; 5for our gospel did not come to you in word only, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction; just as you know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. The doctrine of...

God in the City – 1 Thessalonians 1:1

by | TTT&P

1Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ: Grace to you and peace. With tripartite authorship, the apostle Paul being primary, this letter is one of the earliest of his writings (competing with his...

The Big Idea – 1 & 2 Corinthians

by | 1 & 2 Corinthians

Paul clearly laid out his operating principle in his ministry to the Corinthians. In fact, everything he taught is connected back to this truth. What is that truth? He states it three times in different words: For Christ did not send me to baptize, but to preach the...

The Goal – 2 Corinthians 13:10–11

by | 1 & 2 Corinthians

10For this reason I am writing these things while absent, so that when present I need not use severity, in accordance with the authority which the Lord gave me for building up and not for tearing down. 11Finally, brethren, rejoice, be made complete, be comforted, be...

Completion – 2 Corinthians 13:7–9

by | 1 & 2 Corinthians

7Now we pray to God that you do no wrong; not that we ourselves may appear approved, but that you may do what is right, even though we may appear unapproved. 8For we can do nothing against the truth, but only for the truth. 9For we rejoice when we ourselves are weak...

I Passed the Test! – 2 Corinthians 13:6

by | 1 & 2 Corinthians

6But I trust that you will realize that we ourselves do not fail the test. Yes, it is glorious for someone to “test” and “examine” him or herself and conclude, “I’ve passed, and not failed.” But each one must do this for himself. Paul, when subjecting himself to this...

Advent Meditations

by | Holidays

A few years ago, my daughter Shannon created a series of Advent Meditations through her blog–a space for entering more deeply into God’s story through Scripture, art, and creative response. They’re short and work their way chronologically through the...

Provocation – 2 Corinthians 9:1–5

by | 1 & 2 Corinthians

1For it is superfluous for me to write to you about this ministry to the saints; 2for I know your readiness, of which I boast about you to the Macedonians, namely, that Achaia has been prepared since last year, and your zeal has stirred up most of them. 3But I have...

All or Nothing – 2 Corinthians 8:5

by | 1 & 2 Corinthians

… 5and this, not as we had expected, but they first gave themselves to the Lord and to us by the will of God. Living is an all or nothing proposition! Well, actually, it is an “all” proposition or it is not giving at all. Paul teaches, using the Macedonians as an...