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...

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. Paul continually brought along traveling companions, fellow-laborers in his ministry. He was not a lone ranger. Silvanus...

2We give thanks to God always for all of you, making mention of you in our prayers; 3constantly bearing in mind your work of faith and labor of love and steadfastness of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ in the presence of our God and Father … Thankfulness was a...

… 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...

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...

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...

9For they themselves report about us what kind of a reception we had with you, and how you turned to God from idols to serve a living and true God, 10and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead, that is Jesus, who rescues us from the...

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...

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...

5For we never came with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed—God is witness— 6nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority. The God who...

… 6nor did we seek glory from men, either from you or from others, even though as apostles of Christ we might have asserted our authority. Glory seeking comes in many forms. We see it clearly in others, blind to it in ourselves. To talk about it without...

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...

8Having so fond an affection for you, we were well-pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become very dear to us. 9For you recall, brethren, our labor and hardship, how working night and day so as not to...

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...

… 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...

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...

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...

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,...

… 15who both killed the Lord Jesus and the prophets, and drove us out. They are not pleasing to God, but hostile to all men, 16hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved; with the result that they always fill up the measure of their...

17But we, brethren, having been taken away from you for a short while—in person, not in spirit—were all the more eager with great desire to see your face. 18For we wanted to come to you—I, Paul, more than once—and yet Satan hindered us. Persecution had...

19For who is our hope or joy or crown of exultation? Is it not even you, in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? 20For you are our glory and joy. Christian ministry at its best—that’s the impression one gets from reading this letter. Paul was...

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...

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...

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...

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...

9For what thanks can we render to God for you in return for all the joy with which we rejoice before our God on your account, 10as we night and day keep praying most earnestly that we may see your face, and may complete what is lacking in your faith?...

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...

… 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,...

… 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...

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...

1 … as you received from us instructions as to how you ought to walk and please God (just as you actually do walk), that you excel still more. 2 For you know what commandments we gave you by the authority of the Lord Jesus. 3For this is the will of God, your...

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...

… 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...

6… just as we also told you before and solemnly warned you. 7For God has not called us for the purpose of impurity, but in sanctification. A great amount of teaching in the church is the ministry of reminding. The fundamental truths of the gospel and the new...

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...

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...

… 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...

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...

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...

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...

16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet...

16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet...

16For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. 17Then we who are alive and remain will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet...

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....

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. Scripture does reveal some facts for end-time events,...

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...

4But you, brethren, are not in darkness, that the day would overtake you like a thief; 5for you are all sons of light and sons of day. We are not of night nor of darkness … If God hasn’t given us the details about when Christ is returning, then what is the...

… 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...

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...

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. Why are faith, love, and hope so essential in preparing for the Lord’s return? Note it well, that our preparation is...

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...

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...

11Therefore encourage one another and build up one another, just as you also are doing. So how does one encourage others? Have you noticed how we all struggle with things that constantly threaten to tear us down and hamper us from living a “meaningful,...

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...

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...

14We urge you, brethren, admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, be patient with everyone. As the apostle Paul moves to concluding his letter, he quickly gives the recipients a list of things for their attention. In keeping with the...

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...

16Rejoice always; 17pray without ceasing; 18in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Young Christians wrestle with knowing God’s will for their lives. This is seen in their struggle to find a life mate, choose a career, or...

16Rejoice always; 17pray without ceasing; 18in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. When studying Scripture, three operative questions are helpful, like mental crowbars. The first is, “What does the passage mean?” In our...

16Rejoice always; 17pray without ceasing; 18in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. Are we to give thanks for everything that happens to us, good or bad? Actually, that is not what verse 18 says at all. The text says, “in...

19Do not quench the Spirit; 20do not despise prophetic utterances. 21But examine everything carefully; hold fast to that which is good ... Much debate goes on between charismatic or non-cessationist Christians and non-charismatics or cessationists; between...

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...

23Now may the God of peace Himself sanctify you entirely; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved complete, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. 24Faithful is He who calls you, and He also will bring it to pass. Along with grace,...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

3We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brethren, as is only fitting, because your faith is greatly enlarged, and the love of each one of you toward one another grows ever greater; 4therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of...

... 4therefore, we ourselves speak proudly of you among the churches of God for your perseverance and faith in the midst of all your persecutions and afflictions which you endure. 5This is a plain indication of God’s righteous judgment so that you will be...

6For after all it is only just for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, 7and to give relief to you who are afflicted and to us as well when the Lord Jesus will be revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in flaming fire, 8dealing out...

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...

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...

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...

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...

1Now we request you, brethren, with regard to the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, 2that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit or a message or a letter as if from us, to the effect...

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...

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...

8Then that lawless one will be revealed whom the Lord will slay with the breath of His mouth and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming; 9that is, the one whose coming is in accord with the activity of Satan, with all power and signs and false...

11For this reason God will send upon them a deluding influence so that they will believe what is false, 12in order that they all may be judged who did not believe the truth, but took pleasure in wickedness. Deep are the mysteries of God that He would send a...

13But we should always give thanks to God for you, brethren beloved by the Lord, because God has chosen you from the beginning for salvation through sanctification by the Spirit and faith in the truth. 14It was for this He called you through our gospel, that...

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...

16Now may our Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father, who has loved us and given us eternal comfort and good hope by grace, 17comfort and strengthen your hearts in every good work and word. Free-flowing is an apt description of this letter from the...

1Finally, brethren, pray for us that the word of the Lord will spread rapidly and be glorified, just as it did also with you; 2and that we will be rescued from perverse and evil men; for not all have faith. If dependence on God was characteristic of the...

2 … for not all have faith. 3But the Lord is faithful … Sometimes faith is unseen. We cannot always see whether what others do is done in faith or not. We can go by the outward evidence and by the words spoken, but the reality is that not everyone who calls...

3But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one. 4We have confidence in the Lord concerning you, that you are doing and will continue to do what we command. 5May the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God and into...

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...

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...

… 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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 Christ be with you all. In our devotion to the Word of God, we sometimes overlook seemingly...

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...

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...

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...

3As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines, 4nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

… 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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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. Pivotal is this verse in changing how we do religion—that is, how we approach living and...

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...

8Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension. Division and judgment among Christians are not uncommon. Some theological issues rightly divide, as does unrepentant sin. Hand raising, ironically, seems...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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. Paul addresses behavior in the fellowship of believers called the church. This is not a...

13For it was Adam who was first created, and then Eve. 14And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. The issue of gender roles causes much consternation in the broad Christian world today. Denominations split...

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...

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...

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...

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...

… 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,...

… 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....

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...

11Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. 12Deacons must be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. 13For those who have served well as deacons obtain...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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. Benevolence in...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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.”...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

15You are aware of the fact that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16The Lord grant mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains; 17but when he was in Rome, he...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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,...

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,...

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...

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,...

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...

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...

24The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, able to teach, patient when wronged, 25with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, 26and they...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

8Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, rejected in regard to the faith. 9But they will not make further progress; for their folly will be obvious to all, just as Jannes’s and Jambres’s folly was...

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!...

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...

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,...

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. Today’s passage is one of the most important in Scripture, but...

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...

… 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...

… 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...

… 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...

3For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers in accordance to their own desires, 4and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to...

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...

6For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. 7I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith … The call to sober endurance in ministry comes from a man who wrote from...

… 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...

… 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...

9Make every effort to come to me soon; 10for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Turning to personal comments, Paul shares intimately with Timothy about the...

11Only Luke is with me. Pick up Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. 12But Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. 13When you come bring the cloak which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments. Luke was...

14Alexander the coppersmith did me much harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. 15Be on guard against him yourself, for he vigorously opposed our teaching. 16At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted...

17But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth. 18The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring...

17But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth. 18The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring...

19Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. 20Erastus remained at Corinth, but Trophimus I left sick at Miletus. 21Make every effort to come before winter. Eubulus greets you, also Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brethren. 22The...

1Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, 2in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago … With a...

1Paul, a bond-servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, for the faith of those chosen of God and the knowledge of the truth which is according to godliness, 2in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago … Introductions...

1… the faith of those chosen of God … Who are the “chosen of God” and what is that all about? Theologians debate what is called “the election of the saints.” While we cannot delve deeply into this topic in our space here, we do not shy away from making some...

… 2in the hope of eternal life, which God, who cannot lie, promised long ages ago, 3but at the proper time manifested, even His word, in the proclamation with which I was entrusted according to the commandment of God our Savior, 4To Titus, my true child in a...

5For this reason I left you in Crete, that you would set in order what remains and appoint elders in every city as I directed you … The apostle Paul at times functioned like a field general, directing his disciples into specific ministry locations where...

5 … appoint elders in every city as I directed you, 6namely, if any man is above reproach, the husband of one wife, having children who believe, not accused of dissipation or rebellion. 7For the overseer must be above reproach as God’s steward, not...

10For there are many rebellious men, empty talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision, 11who must be silenced because they are upsetting whole families, teaching things they should not teach for the sake of sordid gain. 12One of themselves,...

  15To the pure, all things are pure; but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure, but both their mind and their conscience are defiled. 16They profess to know God, but by their deeds they deny Him, being detestable and disobedient and...

1But as for you, speak the things which are fitting for sound doctrine. This refrain, in so many words, echoes throughout Paul’s letters to both Timothy and Titus. This surely is not the first time the latter had heard this sort of teaching from his mentor....

2Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in perseverance. Sound doctrine is now fitted in practical ways to older Christians first and then to the younger. This is how believers can honor the right teaching of truth in...

3Older women likewise are to be reverent in their behavior, not malicious gossips nor enslaved to much wine, teaching what is good, 4so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5to be sensible, pure, workers at...

…4so that they may encourage the young women to love their husbands, to love their children, 5to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, so that the word of God will not be dishonored. Difficulty arises in addressing...

6Likewise urge the young men to be sensible; 7in all things show yourself to be an example of good deeds, with purity in doctrine, dignified, 8sound in speech which is beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be put to shame, having nothing bad to say...

9Urge bondslaves to be subject to their own masters in everything, to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10not pilfering, but showing all good faith so that they will adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in every respect. Much debated in Christian circles,...

11For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, 12instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, The great purpose in life, which we should all should strive...

… 13looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus … Continuing from the truth that God has graciously brought “salvation to all men” (Titus 2:11), we were instructed in five ways (vs. 12), and now we...

… 14who gave Himself for us to redeem us from every lawless deed, and to purify for Himself a people for His own possession, zealous for good deeds. Forward looking grows out of backward reflection; the two combine into an ever-present and eternal reality....

15These things speak and exhort and reprove with all authority. Let no one disregard you. All that Paul has taught Titus, the latter must now teach others; this parallels the first part of 2 Timothy 2:2, namely that those taught should be faithful to teach...

1Remind them to be subject to rulers, to authorities, to be obedient, to be ready for every good deed, 2to malign no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing every consideration for all men. Repeatedly hearing the truth—that is what we need: over and over,...

3For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. Not given to condescending rhetoric, the apostle Paul includes himself in the “we”...

4But when the kindness of God our Savior and His love for mankind appeared, 5He saved us, not on the basis of deeds which we have done in righteousness, but according to His mercy, by the washing of regeneration and renewing by the Holy Spirit, 6whom He...

8This is a trustworthy statement; and concerning these things I want you to speak confidently, so that those who have believed God will be careful to engage in good deeds. These things are good and profitable for men. The doxology of verses 4–7 is a...

9But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and strife and disputes about the Law, for they are unprofitable and worthless. 10Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, 11knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being...

10Reject a factious man after a first and second warning, 11knowing that such a man is perverted and is sinning, being self-condemned. Feel-good Christianity runs rampant today, but the sharpness and soberness of Scripture cannot be avoided. The effort in...

12When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, make every effort to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there. 13Diligently help Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their way so that nothing is lacking for them. 14Our people must also...

1Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker … Curious book that it is, this one-chapter letter of Paul’s provides an apostolic example of the use of rhetoric, that is, the art of persuasion,...

1Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved brother and fellow worker, 2and to Apphia our sister, and to Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house: 3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and...

3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. How you begin your letters or emails to fellow Christians sets the tone for what you are about to say. Of course, many communications between people are rather perfunctory, just conveying...

3Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. The Trinity is vitally involved in our relationships with other Christians. If God can transform a master-slave relationship through brotherly love, is there any problematic relationship...

4I thank my God always, making mention of you in my prayers, 5because I hear of your love and of the faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints … A life of gratitude characterizes a man or woman of God. On the one hand, this passage...

… 6and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake. The fellowship of your faith” proves to be a unique phrase, used only here in the Bible, and thus only here by...

… 6and I pray that the fellowship of your faith may become effective through the knowledge of every good thing which is in you for Christ’s sake. 7For I have come to have much joy and comfort in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed...

8Therefore, though I have enough confidence in Christ to order you to do what is proper, 9yet for love’s sake I rather appeal to you—since I am such a person as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus … With Paul’s stated confidence in...

10I appeal to you for my child Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my imprisonment, 11who formerly was useless to you, but now is useful both to you and to me. 12I have sent him back to you in person, that is, sending my very heart, 13whom I wished to keep...

15For perhaps he was for this reason separated from you for a while, that you would have him back forever, 16no longer as a slave, but more than a slave, a beloved brother, especially to me, but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord. While...

17If then you regard me a partner, accept him as you would me. 18But if he has wronged you in any way or owes you anything, charge that to my account; 19I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand, I will repay it (not to mention to you that you owe to me even...

20Yes, brother, let me benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, since I know that you will do even more than what I say. Having referred to Onesimus as his spiritual child (vs. 10), and...

22At the same time also prepare me a lodging, for I hope that through your prayers I will be given to you. I once visited in a home where the man of the house and a college student boarder had an intense conflict. The two carried on a vigorous personal...

23Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you, 24as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow workers. 25The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Paul did not see himself as just a prisoner, though he was clearly incarcerated....

We have studied the letters of the apostle Paul to the Thessalonian believers and to three individuals, Timothy, Titus, and Philemon. They occur together in sequence in our Bibles, but they cover a variety of theological and practical ground. We summarize...