425. Colossians 1:11-20. Christ The Perfect One Loves Imperfect People. Reading for Sunday 20November 2022

Posted on September 13, 2022 by Jim Holbeck

Many of the Christians at Colossae had been influenced by false teaching. Paul’s letter to the church there contained some of the most powerful truths about the person of Jesus to be found in the Bible. The late scholar Professor FF Bruce described the Colossian heresy in these words, “All this was presented as a form of advanced teaching for a spiritual élite. The Christians of Colossae were urged to go in for this progressive wisdom and knowledge (gnōsis), to explore the deeper mysteries by a series of successive initiations until they attained perfection (teleiōsis). Christian baptism was but a preliminary initiation; those who wished to proceed farther along the path of truth must put off all material elements by pursuing an ascetic regimen until at last they became citizens of the spiritual world, the realm of light.” [Note 1].

Paul in his letter attempted to correct those with a false understanding of the Christian gospel by reminding them of the pre-eminence of Jesus as a person and of the perfection of the work He had come to do on earth. He begins here by pointing out the blessings that had come to the believers when they put their trust in Christ.

A].     WHO BELIEVERS ARE IN CHRIST

They Were Made Strong In Christ. Verses 11-12

Paul uses most of the words for power in just the one sentence in explaining the power given to believers in their conversion. I include them underlined here with the original Greek New Testament words to show the range of meanings. 11 “being strengthened [dynamoō; δυναμόω] with all power,[dynamis; δύναμις] according to his glorious might [kratos; κράτος], for all endurance [hypomonē; ὑπομονή] and patience [makrothymia; μακροθυμία] with joy; 12 giving thanks to the Father, who has qualified [hikanoō; ἱκανόω] you to share in the inheritance of the saints in light.”  [Note 2]. 

As a result of this strengthening by God, they were able to have endurance and patience with joy as they faced persecution. That meant having steadfastness in their faith and being long-suffering as they sought to live faithfully and joyfully as believers. They had already been qualified or enabled by God to share in their future inheritance in heaven.

They Had Been Set Free To Live For God

Paul went on to remind them of the freedom they had come to experience as believers. It was as though they had been captives in one dominion [of darkness] and been released into the freedom belonging to a new dominion, the kingdom of Christ. 13 “He has delivered [rhyomai; ῥύομαι] us from the domain [ἐξουσία exousia] of darkness and transferred [methistēmi; μεθίστημι] us to the kingdom [basileia; βασιλεία] of his beloved Son, 14 in whom we have redemption [apolytrōsis; ἀπολύτρωσις] the forgiveness  [aphesis; ἄφεσις] of sins.” [Note 3].

Again in just these 2 verses there is so much being said. Many of these single words have had books written on them.

B].     THE PERFECTION OF CHRIST IN HIS PERSON AND HIS WORK

Firstborn. 1:15

15 “He is the image [eikōn; εἰκών] of the invisible God, the firstborn [prōtotokos; πρωτοτόκος] of all creation.” Christ is the exact image or representation of God. Jesus said of Himself, “Whoever has seen me has seen the Father.” John 14:9.

“Firstborn” implies both Christ’s priority to all Creation (in time) and His sovereignty over all Creation (in rank). In Revelation 1:5, Christ is called “the Firstborn from the dead.” [Note 4]. 

Creator Of The Universe. 1:16

Whatever type of authority or power that may exist in the world, Christ reigns supreme over all of them. 16 “For by him all things were created, in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones [thronos; θρόνος] or dominions [kyriotēs; κυριότης] or rulers [archē; ἀρχή] or authorities [exousia; ἐξουσία] —all things were created through him and for him.”  [Note 5]. 

Paul makes the point here that every power of any sort was created by Him and for Him. He has allowed them to exist according to and for His purposes. He ultimately is in control of any power that exists or will ever exist in the universe.

Sustainer Of The Universe. 1:17

17 “And he is before all things, and in him all things hold together.” [synistaō; συνιστάω.] As the creator of the universe, Christ existed before all things and ranks before them. He not only created the universe, but He keeps it all going. He is both creator and sustainer of the universe.

Head Of The Church. 1:18

18  “And he is the head [kephalē;κεφαλή] of the body, the church. He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in everything he might be preeminent.” [prōteuō; πρωτεύω]. Christ has called all believers to belong to Him. They are the “called out ones.”  This is the meaning of the Greek word [ekklēsia; ἐκκλησία]. And He is the head of the body of believers who constitute the church. As such the members of the church are to be led by their head, Christ himself. He as the head of the body is meant to direct the members of the body as He determines. They are to live in subjection to Him. That applies to all created beings, “that in everything he might be preeminent.” [prōteuō; πρωτεύω] from [prōtos; πρῶτος] meaning the first or foremost in time, place, order or importance.

Christ has unique authority in the church and in the world and everyone needs to be willing to submit to His rightful authority. 

The Fulness Of God Is In Him. 1:19

19 “For in him all the fulness [plērōma; πλήρωμα] of God was pleased to dwell.” 

Why does Christ command the utmost respect and obedience of every person ever born? Because of who He is. This verse gives us the answer. He is divine. He is not only the perfect image of God but all the fulness of God exists in Him. There is nothing about God the Father that is not to be found in His Son. As Jesus said, “I and the Father are one. “John 10:30.

The Reconciler Of All Things. 1:20

20 “and through him to reconcile [apokatallassō; ἀποκαταλλάσσω] to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven, making peace by the blood of his cross.”

Reconciliation involves bringing together 2 parties who were previously estranged. We note here that it is God who effects the reconciliation. He alone was in the position to do so. He was the One sinned against and He alone can forgive those who sinned against Him. He made peace possible for those who would receive it in Him. He did it through His death on the cross, “making peace by the blood of his cross.” 

COMMENTS

What a fascinating passage of scripture this is. So much is given about the Person of Christ and about the work He came to do on earth in His reconciling a sinful world to Himself. It shows the magnitude of the love and grace of God in reaching out to sinners and bringing them back to relationship with Himself. He is the Perfect Person who offered the Perfect Sacrifice for sins in offering Himself to die on the cross. 

His letter should have had the effect of bringing misled sinners back to God through Christ as they repented of their rejection of His authority over them and as they recommitted themselves again wholeheartedly to Christ.

I am often amazed as I hear or read of some people who say they have no time for Jesus Christ, as though He was an optional extra. What a stupid attitude to adopt as mere creatures towards their loving Creator! It’s true that He lived on earth over 2000 years ago but He is alive today and is the ruler of the whole world. He is never an optional extra for “those who like that sort of thing.” Rather He is the unique Son of God, the long-promised Messiah who by His life on earth showed us how to live as humans, and who by His death paid the ultimate sacrifice for our sins. He offers Himself to be our Saviour but also demands that we submit to His rule over us. Then and only then, as we embrace him as Lord, can we have peace with God and an internal peace that passes all human understanding. May it be so in your life and in mine!

Christ the Perfect One DOES love imperfect people but He loves them so much that He will not leave them as they are! He wants them to have the joy and freedom of becoming more like Him!

NOTES

[Note 1]. 

F. F. Bruce, “Paul: Apostle of the Free Spirit” (Milton Keynes, UK: Paternoster, 1977), 413, 414.

[Note 2]. 

[dynamoō; δυναμόω] to strengthen

[dynamis; δύναμις] strength, power

[kratos; κράτος], might, dominion

[hikanoō; ἱκανόω] qualify, to enable, to make sufficient, to render fit

[Note 3]. 

[rhyomai; ῥύομαι] to rescue or deliver 

[ἐξουσία exousia] authority, delegated power, domain 

[methistēmi; μεθίστημι] to carry away, remove, transfer 

[basileia; βασιλεία] royal power, kingship, dominion, rule. It is Christ’s kingdom.

[apolytrōsis; ἀπολύτρωσις] redemption, deliverance, liberation procured by the payment of a ransom.

[aphesis; ἄφεσις] from [aphiēmi] meaning to let go, release, forgive. Thus remission, forgiveness, deliverance, liberty. Set free from sin.

[Note 4]. 

[eikōn; εἰκών] an image, figure, likeness. Christ is the exact image or representation of God. 

[prōtotokos; πρωτοτόκος] firstborn.

[Note 5].  

thrones [thronos; θρόνος] the seat of one in power, or in a position of authority.

dominions [kyriotēs; κυριότης] powers, governments, rulers. 

[archē; ἀρχή] first or chief in order of time, place, or rank.

[exousia; ἐξουσία] all those with delegated authority. 

Blog No.425 posted on Tuesday 13 September 2022

Posted in BIBLE PASSAGE OUTLINES, Bible verses. Comments, Creation, Evangelism, Faithfulness, Forgiveness, Glorification, Holy Spirit, Judgement, Justification, Lectionary Readings Year C [All years], Mental Health, New Covenant, Prayer, Salvation, Sanctification, Second coming of Jesus, spiritual warfare, Temptations | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

424 “The Necessity For Disciplined Living.” On 2 Thessalonians 3:6-13 For Sunday 13 November 2022

Posted on September 10, 2022 by Jim Holbeck

In any group of people, there are those who do so much more than the others. On the other hand, there are also those in the group who do much less and become a burden to the remainder.  When Paul came to bring the gospel message to the people in Thessalonica, he was determined not to be a burden on them but to set them an example of disciplined living that made no extra demand on those in that place.

In this epistle, he warns against idleness and suggests that those who are idle should not be encouraged in their idleness. The believers might even need to separate themselves from those who were not willing to fend for themselves. He also went on to address the idle “busybodies” and commanded them to earn their own living.

Warning Against Idleness. Verse 6

“Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that you keep away from any brother who is walking in idleness and not in accord with the tradition that you received from us.“ [Note 1].

Paul’s command here is quite strong. It is “in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.” In other words, this was God’s will for them, not to be idle. It was also contrary to the teaching Paul had left with them. The slackers, having been once warned and failing to heed that warning meant that the faithful believers should go to the next stage of discipline and cease to have contact with them.  This was to make them realise the loss they were experiencing in not having fellowship and to motivate them to change for the better. 

Paul went on in his letter to remind his readers of the good tradition he had set for the believers in Thessalonica which they needed to follow.

The Example Of The Good Tradition Paul Set. Verses 7- 9

Paul had set a good example of working faithfully

7 “For you yourselves know how you ought to imitate us, because we were not idle when we were with you.”

Paul was self-sufficient and catered for his own needs.

8  “nor did we eat anyone’s bread without paying for it, but with toil and labour we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you.”

Paul deliberately gave up his own personal rights to set a good example for them

9  “It was not because we do not have that right, but to give you in ourselves an 

example to imitate.”

Jesus had instructed His disciples to receive material support for their ministry in sharing the gospel when it was offered to them. “And in the same house remain, eating and drinking such things as they give: for the labourer is worthy of his hire.” Luke 10:7. 

Paul had followed that instruction by noting that the labourer was deserving of his wages,“For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The labourer deserves his wages.”1 Timothy 5:18. So it was Paul’s deliberate decision not to impose any burden on the believers in Thessalonica, even though he had a God-given right to do so. Now they should not support those who were not fending for themselves and thus placing burdens on them.

Discipline Is Hard But Necessary. Verses 10- 13

Paul obviously saw that the church in Thessalonica had a serious problem. He had previously taught them that those who failed to work should not be supported, 10 “For even when we were with you, we would give you this command: If anyone is not willing to work, let him not eat.” Later it seemed that some in Thessalonica had not followed Paul’s teaching and had chosen to be idle, 11 “For we hear that some among you walk in idleness, not busy at work, but busybodies.” [Note 2].

Commands For The Whole Church In Thessalonica

Paul finishes this portion of his letter with commands both to the idle and to the faithful. To the idle he wrote, “Now such persons we command and encourage in the Lord Jesus Christ to do their work quietly and to earn their own living.” This gave the busybodies another chance to repent of their idleness and to become productive so that they ceased to be a burden on their fellow believers.

But Paul also had an encouraging word for the faithful believers, 13 “As for you, brothers, do not grow weary in doing good.”  They had been doing good but they needed to continue to do good. One of the possible problems in the church is when the faithful folk have been doing more than their share of the tasks that face them are tempted to slacken off like some of the lax folk around them. God’s people need to be disciplined knowing they are working for the Lord and not just for themselves or for fellow humans. It is to be doing His will to His glory.

COMMENTS

It is probably true that in many parts of the world, the church is composed of the faithful and also of those who are more lackadaisical in their lives. But the church can only function properly when every member is playing their part and not some leaving it to others to fill in when they slacken off.

The commands in Paul’s letter give a great example that churches and indeed individuals should follow in their Christian experience. As Paul wrote to the church in Colossae, “Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.“ Colossians 3:23-24.

What a privilege it is to know that we are serving Christ as we live and work for Him. But always with privilege comes responsibility. What a difference it would make in the world if we as believers, were to always be conscious of our privileges as saved, redeemed people and fulfil our God-given responsibilities in serving the Lord Christ in ways that bring Him joy and exalt His name!

NOTES

[Note 1]. “Idleness” is an adverb from [ataktōs;  ἀτάκτως]  derived from [a] privative meaning the opposite and [tassō; τάσσω] meaning to arrange in an orderly manner. So they were leading disorderly lives instead of being responsible.  

[Note 2].  “Busybodies.” This is from [periergazomai; περιεργάζομαι] derived from [peri] meaning “around’ and [ergazomai] meaning to work or perform. It appears to mean walking about, being busy but accomplishing nothing.

Posted in BIBLE PASSAGE OUTLINES, Bible verses. Comments, Evangelism, Faithfulness, Forgiveness, Glorification, Holy Spirit, Judgement, Justification, Lectionary Readings Year C [All years], Prayer, Salvation, Sanctification, Second coming of Jesus, spiritual warfare, Temptations | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

423. On “Preparing For The Second Coming Of Jesus.” 2 Thessalonians 2:1-5, 13-17 for Sunday 06 November 2022

Posted on September 6, 2022 by Jim Holbeck

Throughout history there have been many aberrations of truth and some of it has been found in churches. False teaching had influenced the church in Thessalonica and St Paul wrote to correct this false teaching. It seems that some people had spread a view that the second coming of Jesus had already occurred. This had led to some in the church there being unsettled or even alarmed. Paul’s letter to them then, can help us know how to be aware of false teaching today.

The False Claim. Verses 1, 2.

1 “Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered together to him, we ask you, brothers, 2 not to be quickly shaken in mind or alarmed, either by a spirit or a spoken word, or a letter seeming to be from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. “ [Note 1]. 

Paul is stating that such false teaching about the coming of Christ does not come from him nor from any reliable source. He then goes on to explain what must take place before the second coming.

Events Before The Second Coming Of Jesus. Verses 3-5.

3  “Let no one deceive you in any way. For that day will not come, unless the rebellion comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, 

4 who opposes and exalts himself against every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, proclaiming himself to be God. 

5 Do you not remember that when I was still with you I told you these things.”

First there had to be a rebellion and the revealing of the man of lawlessness. This appears to be the AntiChrist. He is described as the son of destruction and one who is opposed to every so-called god or object of worship and exalts himself against them. This leads him to taking his seat in the temple and proclaiming himself to be God. This would be the evidence that the second coming of Jesus would follow after. It had definitely not already come as the false teaching suggested.

Paul was reminding them of what he had previously taught them as a means of settling their concerns and overcoming the alarmism that many in Thessalonica were experiencing.

Paul’s Confidence In The Thessalonians To Stand Firm In Coming Times. Verses 13-15.  He gives 2 reasons for this confidence.

a]. Because God had chosen them. Verse 13

13 “But we ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers beloved by the Lord, because God chose you as the firstfruits to be saved, through sanctification by the Spirit and belief in the truth.” There are a number of important truths in this single verse. Firstly, Paul says they are loved by God. What a wonderful reminder to the believers in Thessalonica as they were enduring persecution. Their opponents might hate them but Almighty God loved them.

Secondly he reminds them that God had chosen them. It was not that they had chosen God but rather that He had chosen them. It was what Jesus had said during His ministry on earth, “You did not choose me, but I chose you” John 15:16. [Note 2].

What an encouragement to those feeling the rejection of the Jews to be reminded that God Himself had chosen them in Thessalonica to belong to Him.

b]. Because God had called them. Verse 14 

14 “To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The gospel message had come to the Thessalonians and through it God had called them to Himself. The gospel message is from God in which He calls people to respond to His invitation to come to Him. [Note 3]. 

A Final Command. Verse 15

15 “So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter.” Paul’s words would have encouraged his readers in their faith pilgrimage. But there was still a need for them to remain faithful. This is the substance of this twofold command.  Firstly to “stand firm” and secondly, to “hold on to the traditions” they had been taught. [Note 4].

A Final Benediction. Verse 16.

16 “Now may our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God our Father, who loved us and gave us eternal comfort and good hope through grace, comfort your hearts and establish them in every good work and word.” This is a fine prayer for his readers, and the words contain some important truths. It combines the concept of Jesus Christ as “Lord” with the concept of God as “our Father.” 

It appears that the “who” refers to God our Father, as the word is singular and so too are the verbs which follow. God our heavenly Father loves His people and gives them eternal comfort and good hope through grace.  Paul is praying that this loving heavenly Father would continue to comfort their hearts as He had already done. But he adds to that, the prayer that God would establish them “in every good work and word.” [Note 5]. 

COMMENT

Living as believers in a world that is hostile to them is never easy. It doesn’t help when some of the information they have received has been just plain false. This was the situation for the believers in Thessalonica. Paul felt compelled to write to them to remind them of the truths he had shared with them when he first brought the gospel to them. He told them he praised God for their faithful witness to the truth and then brought the correction to the false teaching they had received.

They had been told that the second coming of Jesus had already occurred. Did that mean that they had missed out on the resurrection? No wonder they were shaken by that possibility. Paul assures them that Jesus had not come again and gave them some pointers that would herald His coming. 

 In verses 13, 14 Paul reminds them of the grace and love of God in choosing them and calling them through the gospel to surrender their lives to Him.

Finally he encouraged them to stand firm to what they had already received through Paul.

NOTES

[Note 1].  

  • “Coming” is from [parousia; παρουσία] from the present participle of [pareimi; πάρειμι] meaning to come, to be near, presence. It is used of Jesus’ second coming at the end of time to establish His unchallenged sovereignty over the universe.
  • “Being gathered together” is from [episynagōgē; ἐπισυναγωγή] meaning a gathering together or an assembling.  The only other occurrence of the word is in Hebrews 10:25 in the warning, “not neglecting to meet together.”  

[Note 2]. 

  • “Chosen” is from [haireomai; αἱρέομαι] meaning to make a choice or to prefer. 
  • “As the first fruits to be saved.” “First fruits” is from [aparchē; ἀπαρχή].  Other text scholars prefer the reading [aparchēn] meaning “from the beginning” which would make sense here.
  • “To be saved” shows God’s purpose for His people. It is literally “into [eis] salvation. [soteria.]”
  • “Through sanctification by the Spirit.” This shows that salvation stems from God’s grace and is His initiative. God saved them by setting them apart to belong to Him by the ministry of the Holy Spirit. However their response is “belief in the truth” which opened them to the sanctifying ministry of the Holy Spirit.

[Note 3]. 

  • “Called” is from [kaleō; καλέω]. God had called them to belong to Him and so they had become part of the “called-out” ones, the [ekklēsia; ἐκκλησία] the church. 2 Thessalonians 1:1. “To the church of the Thessalonians in God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.”

[Note 4].

  • “Stand firm,” [stēkō; στήκω] is the perfect tense form of the verb. This means a completed act with a present abiding result. They had taken a stand and now they were to renew that resolve and remain standing firm. 
  • “Hold to the traditions.” Here the verb is a present tense of the verb. That is, “keep on holding to the traditions.” 

[Note 5].

  • “Establish” is from [stērizō; στηρίζω] meaning to set fast, to make constant. Paul is praying that God would keep on working in their hearts so that they continually and constantly choose to always do and say what is glorifying to God.

Blog No.423 posted on Tuesday 06 September2022

Posted in BIBLE PASSAGE OUTLINES, Bible verses. Comments, Creation, Evangelism, Faithfulness, Forgiveness, Glorification, Holy Spirit, Judgement, Justification, Lectionary Readings Year C [All years], New Covenant, Prayer, Salvation, Sanctification, Second coming of Jesus, spiritual warfare | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

422 on “Praising God For His Ministry In People.” 2 Thessalonians 1:1-4, 11-12. A Reading for Sunday 30 October 2022.

Posted on September 2, 2022 by Jim Holbeck

In this passage, Paul goes on to share with his readers how he saw them as a church community which he was able to commend to other churches for their faith and love. His praise for them included praise for their past faithfulness, and for their present steadfastness in spite of many difficulties. Finally, he tells them what he is praying for them for their future.

Thanksgiving For Their Past. For their Growth In Faith And Love. v.3.

3 “We ought always to give thanks to God for you, brothers, as is right because your faith is growing abundantly and the love of every one of you for one another is increasing.” This was an answer to the prayer he told them in his previous epistle, he was praying for them, “and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you.” 1 Thessalonians 3:12.

The word for “growing abundantly” is the only occurrence of the word in the New Testament and refers to their obvious increase in faith. 

“Increasing” has the meaning to super-abound. Their love had not just increased, but it had increased abundantly. The word is [pleonazō; πλεονάζω] to make to increase, to superabound, [Note 1].

Praise For Their Present. For Their Steadfastness and Faith. v.4.

4 “Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.” [Note 2].

It’s always encouraging when someone mentions you favourably to other people especially when it is a hard-fought virtue they are mentioning. St Paul recognised the faithfulness of the Thessalonian believers evidenced in their steadfastness and faith in the difficulties they were facing.  They were certainly being persecuted but we are not told what difficulties they were facing. However, it seems that the Jews in Thessalonica were very antagonistic to the Christian believers and would have made life difficult for them. [See 1 Thessalonians 2:14 and Acts 17:5-9.] Paul tells the Thessalonian believers that he was boasting about their steadfastness and faith to the other churches he was in contact with, as a means of encouraging the latter. 

Paul saw the positive benefit of steadfastness [or endurance] as he expressed it in his letter to the church in Rome, “Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us.” Romans 5:3-5. That had certainly been a feature in the church in Thessalonica. They had suffered a great deal but their endurance had led to a great increase in Christian character and an outpouring of Christian love!

Prayer For The Future. For Their Right Response To God’s Calling To Them. v.11

11 “To this end, we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfil every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power.“ 

Paul told his readers what he was praying for them. He was praying that God would do 2 things for them, though obviously with their cooperation. Firstly that He would make them worthy of His calling. He had called them to belong to Him and they had responded in faith. In that sense, they were already worthy. But theirs would be a difficult road ahead and they would need God’s sustaining grace to keep on living lives worthy of their calling. That was Paul’s prayer for them.

Secondly, he prayed that God would “fulfil every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power.“  The believers in Thessalonica had been renowned for their “work of faith.” [See verse 3]. They already had the resolve to work for God and that was due to God’s work in them by His Holy Spirit. As Paul described in Philippians 2:12-13,” Therefore, my beloved, as you have always obeyed, so now, not only as in my presence but much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling.13 for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure.”  It is God Himself by His Spirit who works in His people to motivate them to resolve to work for Him. Then He works in them to give them the willingness and the ability to do so. [Note 3].

What Paul Prayed To Be The Result Of Their Faithfulness. Glory to God. v.12

What would be the result of these prayers for the Thessalonians? Paul tells us, “so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.“ 1:12.

Their lives touched by the love, mercy, grace and power of God would bring glory to Jesus’ name. That was the desire of the believers in Thessalonica, to glorify God and the name of Jesus by living lives that would bring glory to His name. It was already happening and Paul’s prayer was that it would continue to do so.

COMMENT

What a faith-filled church was that in Thessalonica. No wonder Paul used their example to encourage the saints in all the churches. They had grown in faith and increased in love and had remained steadfast in the midst of persecution and difficulties. 

What a contrast that is to so many Christian churches and groups in today’s world. They appear to have lost their desire to remain committed to Him and allow the world to set the agenda for their corporate life. Their love has but all disappeared as they criticise one another instead of loving one another. 

Yet in so many parts of the world are those churches or Christian groups that resemble this church in Thessalonica. Their faithfulness to God in the midst of persecution and other difficulties sets an example for today’s believers to repent of their lack of faith and love and to once again become totally committed to God for the remainder of their lives. In this way, the name of Jesus Christ will be exalted and glorified through their Christian witness and life.

NOTES

{Note 1}. “Growing abundantly,” [hyperauxanō; ὑπεραυξάνω] to grow exceedingly.

The normal word for growth is [auxanō; αὐξάνω] meaning to increase or grow.  However, with the [hyper] added to the front of the verb it means a great growth in faith. 

“Love” is [agapē; ἀγάπη] the word for God’s love given to humans. It is part of the fruit of the Spirit, [Galatians 5:22] and is poured into human hearts by the Holy Spirit when they become open to Him. [Romans 5:5.] The Thessalonians were loving each other, with God’s love being poured through them to one another.

“Increasing” is from [pleonazō; πλεονάζω] to make to increase, to superabound. It is the word used in Paul’s encouragement to them in the previous epistle to them, “and may the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, as we do for you.” 1 Thessalonians 3:12. 

[Note 2]. “Steadfastness” is from [hypomonē; ὑπομονή] meaning patient endurance or constancy.  

[Note 3]. “Resolve” is from [eudokia; εὐδοκία] delight, or good pleasure. Any human resolve to live for God comes ultimately from Him by His work in us by His Holy Spirit. As we saw in Philippians 2:12-13, He works within believers to give them the willingness and the ability to live for His pleasure. They work out in practice what He is working inwardly in them by His Holy Spirit.

Blog No.422. Posted on Friday 02 September 2022.

Posted in BIBLE PASSAGE OUTLINES, Bible verses. Comments, Evangelism, Faithfulness, Forgiveness, Glorification, Holy Spirit, Judgement, Justification, Lectionary Readings Year C [All years], New Covenant, Prayer, Salvation, Sanctification, Second coming of Jesus, spiritual warfare, Temptations | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

421. On 2 Timothy 4:6-8 & 16-18. How St Paul faced Imminent death. A Reading for Sunday 23 October 2022

Posted on August 27, 2022 by Jim Holbeck

Paul, as he writes this epistle, is in prison and he knows that he could be executed at any moment. We can only imagine what thoughts were going through his head as he awaited his imminent death. However, we do have some concrete ideas because he recorded them in his epistle. He was obviously thinking about his present precarious situation, but he was also reflecting on his past life and ministry. His mind also went to the future as he thought about the reward he would receive from the Lord when he entered into heaven. We look at what he recorded. 

Paul’s Thoughts About His PRESENT Situation. Verse 6

6 “For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. “ It seems that Paul was looking at his imminent death as being a sacrifice of his life to God. He was reminded of the drink offering in Numbers 28 in which two lambs were sacrificed each day as an offering to God. When the first lamb was slain in the morning there was also a drink offering offered to God, ”Its drink offering shall be a quarter of a hin for each lamb. In the Holy Place you shall pour out a drink offering of strong drink to the LORD.” Numbers 28:7. Paul saw his imminent death as being like a drink offering which was acceptable to God. 

Paul also likened his death to being a “departure” where the word used is 

[analysis; ἀνάλυσις] which can mean being unloosed from that which presently holds it, such as a ship being loosed from its moorings. His sacrificial death would be followed by a departure into a new life with God.

Paul’s Thoughts About His PAST. Verse 7

Paul’s mind also went back to the past, to his life and ministry. It is interesting how Paul described his previous ministry.  He uses 3 verbs in the perfect tense to do so. The perfect tense is used to describe a past completed act with a present abiding result. This is how Paul expressed his life and ministry in verse 7. 

“I have fought the good fight”, where both ‘fought” and “fight” have the same origin. “Fought” is the perfect tense of the verb [agōnizomai; ἀγωνίζομα] and “fight” is the noun [agōn; ἀγών ] meaning a conflict, a contest, a fight or a race.  Paul had finished the contest in which he was involved, which he describes elsewhere as the fight of fight, “Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” 1 Timothy 6:12.

“I have finished the race.” “Finished” is the perfect tense of [teleō; τελέω] meaning to complete.  Paul’s presence in prison meant that his ministry had perhaps come to an end. He was still in the race, though physically restricted.

“I have kept the faith.“ “Kept,” also in the perfect tense indicated that Paul had kept and was still keeping the faith. He had been faithful throughout his ministry.

What a great way for any servant of God to sum up their ministry as their life draws to a close! 

Paul’s Thoughts About His FUTURE. Verse 8

8 “Henceforth 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.” There is coming a “day” when Christ returns when He will reward His followers. Paul expects to receive the crown of righteousness which will be awarded to all those who loved His appearing. “Appearing” seems to be a reference to His appearing at His first coming. All those who trusted in Jesus for salvation will be accepted by God as righteous in His sight and will live with Him forever.

Paul’s Thoughts About GOD’S FAITHFULNESS. Verse 16-18

Paul’s thoughts then centre on God Himself. It is true that at Paul’s first trial, he was deserted by his friends, “At my first defence no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! “ 16. But the Lord did not desert him, “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed, and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. “ 17. God overruled so that Paul was able to exercise his ministry especially as the apostle to the Gentiles. He saw that, as being “rescued from the lion’s mouth.” Many times during his ministry Paul had faced death but God had rescued him each time. 

But would he ever be free again? Paul had an answer for that as well, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.” 18. Humans might be plotting to have Paul killed [an evil deed] but God would rescue him again. This time to take him safely into His heavenly kingdom. That was Paul’s confidence during his final days in prison.

COMMENT

Samuel Johnson once wrote what many others have observed, “Depend upon it, sir, when a man knows he is to be hanged in a fortnight, it concentrates his mind wonderfully.” [Samuel Johnson, The Life of Samuel Johnson LL.D. Vol 3].

We are grateful to God that St Paul was able to express his thoughts in this epistle to Timothy shortly before his death. We see how a seasoned warrior for God was able to reflect on his present circumstances, to recall his past and to express his confidence in God for the future. 

It is encouraging for those of us who are nearing the end of our lives to read these words in this passage. Like St Paul we can think about our present situations in which we know the Lord’s goodness and can look back at His grace being poured out on us throughout our Christian experience. How many were the answers we saw to our prayers. How often did His presence in difficult times lighten our load and enable us to carry on serving Him. How often did His love envelop us through the love of fellow believers. How often did we preach beseeching the Lord to open our hearers’ ears to understand the gospel and to accept the Christ of the gospel into their lives. And then to witness with joy, their growing in His grace and love. 

And the future? That is in the Lord’s hands! But we know as St Paul wrote in our passage, “The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom.”  No wonder St Paul could say, “For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain.” Philippians 1:21.

Posted on Saturday 27 August 2022. 

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420. On 2 Timothy 3:14 To 4:5. Preaching The God-breathed Scriptures. For Sunday 16 October 2022

Posted on August 26, 2022 by Jim Holbeck

Throughout history, culture has played an important part in the thinking and behavioural patterns throughout the world. Some cultures have not been helpful for the people in them to accept new ideas or to grow to maturity. For many their cultural background prevents them from seeing reality as it really is. So many people in our world have never heard of Jesus Christ or if they have, it has been in foul language uttered by some angry person. Others since childhood have been brought up with a negative attitude towards religion and the name of Jesus Christ has been barely mentioned in their family backgrounds.

As Paul wrote to Timothy he is cognisant of the fact that Timothy has had a healthy background to life and he urges Timothy to reflect on this fact, “But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.“ 3:14-15.

What had been Timothy’s background? From childhood he had been familiar with the sacred writings, the Jewish scriptures. Not only that but his family background had also helped him. As Paul had written earlier in this letter to Timothy, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.” These women would have helped Timothy to respect the scriptures and to gain knowledge of them through their encouragement and teaching. Later Paul himself had taught Timothy about the faith. Timothy had been well instructed!

What Value Does Paul Place On The Scriptures?

In verse 15 he stated that the scriptures were “able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.“ The scriptures point us to Jesus in whom salvation is to be found by exercising faith in Him. Wisdom depended on God revealing His truth to an unbelieving world and the fact that Timothy had been saved showed that he had been made wise for salvation through the scriptures. 

Then in verse 16 Paul affirms the inspiration of the scriptures, “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” The words “breathed out” come from one Greek word, [theopneustos;  θεόπνευστος] from [theos] for God and [pneō; πνέω] to breathe. In other words, God ‘breathed out’ the scripture truths and human writers were ‘inspired’ to record them. It shows the divine origin of the sacred scriptures. 

Paul also describes the characteristics of the scriptures. They are “profitable” for teaching. “Profitable” is from [ōphelimos; ὠφέλιμος] meaning helpful, or advantageous. The scriptures form the basis for Christian teaching and exposure to those truths is profitable in the lives of those who read or hear them.

They are also profitable for “reproof ” [elegchos; ἔλεγχος] meaning proof or 

conviction.  They help to correct wrong thinking or behaviour.

“Correction” is [epanorthōsis; ἐπανόρθωσις ] from [epi ] upon and [anorthoō; ἀνορθόω] to straighten up, meaning rectifying or making right. 

“For training in righteousness” is another characteristic of the scriptures. The scriptures contain much teaching on what constitutes a righteous life, a life pleasing to God. As people seek to live by the scriptures they are being trained by them in how to live righteously. 

What then is the purpose or result of the impact of the scriptures on a person? Paul tells us, “that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.” Living by the scriptures qualifies the man of God to be complete and equipped for any good work God has prepared for him to do.

 Paul’s Charge To Preach The Word. 4:1-5

4:1 “I 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: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.“  Preaching the word is preaching the truth of the scriptures, especially the truth about Jesus. This has to be done at all times yet with “complete patience and teaching.” Some of that ministry of the word will be in reproving and rebuking wrong belief and behaviour but it also involves positive encouragement. 

Paul then predicted a time in the future when people would not be willing to heed sound teaching, “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.” Verses 3, 4. The reason they will do so is that they want to listen to those whose messages don’t confront or challenge them. That will cause them to “wander off” [apostrephō; ἀποστρέφω meaning to turn away] into false teaching. 

This warning is relevant for all peoples throughout history. It is always uncomfortable to recognise that you have been wrong in your thinking or behaviour and it takes courage to admit it and determination to submit to the truths of sound teaching.

Four Things Timothy Needs To Be and To Do. Verse 5.

i]. Timothy needed to be “sober-minded.” [nēphō; νήφω] meaning to be watchful, well balanced and discreet.  He needed to be in control of his mind at all times.

ii]. He needed to be willing to “endure suffering.” Persecution was sure to come and Timothy needed to be ready to face and endure it. “As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfil your ministry.” 5.

iii]. He needed to “do the work of an evangelist.” The gospel had to be preached to all the world so Timothy was to play his part in sharing it with those who perhaps had never heard it. The evangelist preaches the evangel, the gospel, the good news about Jesus Christ.  That was to be Timothy’s ongoing work. 

iv]. He needed to fulfil his ministry. “Fulfil” is from [plērophoreō; πληροφορέω] meaning to carry out fully. Timothy was to bring to completion the ministry to which God had called him. That meant a total commitment to the task. It is interesting that the same word is used later in the chapter to describe Paul’s own ministry where he writes, “But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it.” 4:17. The message was fully proclaimed by Paul as the Lord strengthened him. Preachers fulfil their God-given ministry as the gospel is fully proclaimed through their ministries. 

COMMENT

This passage has meant a great deal to me over the 64 years I have been a believer. I had read as a brand new believer that the scriptures were divinely inspired but then I saw evidence of it very early in my Christian experience. I saw a workmate who was a hardened atheist with no time for Christian things changed in a matter of minutes as he was reading the New Testament. The picture is still firmly in my mind of the day he staggered out of the room where he had been reading the Bible, shaking like a leaf, ashen-faced and crying out to me, “It’s all true, isn’t it! What have I got to do?” God had convicted him of his unbelief, and he was converted to Christ on the spot. If God could do it in his life through His word, then He could do it in anyone’s life if they were exposed to the inspired word of God.

During a ministry that began in 1968 I have seen dozens of men, women and children come under the conviction of the Holy Spirit as they read or heard the Bible being preached and give their lives to Christ. I have also seen so many of them grow to Christian maturity as they focussed on the scriptures leading them to a closer walk with God and a desire to see Jesus Christ exalted in and through their lives.

Praise God for the power of His inspired word of God as it is applied to hungry hearts by the convicting and converting Holy Spirit of God.

Posted on Friday 26 August 2022

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419. On 2 Timothy 2:7-15. Focus On Jesus In Your Message And Stand Firm. Reading For Sunday 09 October 2022

Posted on August 25, 2022 by Jim Holbeck

In this passage, Paul instructs his younger protégé Timothy on how to live as a minister of the gospel and also how to instruct other preachers so that they might have effective ministries. His focus is on the person of Jesus and he urges Timothy to keep on remembering what Jesus had done in His death, resurrection and ascension. Paul was also aware of the damage that arguing over words might have on the spread of the gospel message for it removed the focus from Jesus as a person and from the work He had completed in His ministry on earth. One of the encouraging truths he mentions is this, that though believers might prove to be unfaithful, God remains faithful to His people, for that is His unchanging nature.

The Need To Focus On The Message Of Jesus. Verses 7,8.

7 “Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. 8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel.” [Note 1]. Paul’s preaching was centred on Jesus as the Christ, the Messiah who had come from the line of David as had been prophesied. He had been raised from the dead as Paul had always preached, “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received: that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the Scriptures.” 1 Corinthians 15:3-4.

His preaching had led to him being imprisoned for his faith but he was glad that the word of God was not imprisoned, “… [my gospel] 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! Verse 9. Thus he was able to endure his sufferings knowing that the elect would hear the gospel and come to trust in Jesus, “Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory.” Verse 10. [Note 2]. Their acceptance of the Christ of the gospel message had brought them to salvation.

Paul went on to affirm the gospel certainties and the union Christ’s followers had with Him. Verses 11 to 13. 

11 “The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 12 If we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.” It is true that those who die with Christ in a faith union with Him will also live in Him and reign with Him. As he wrote in Ephesians, “But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us, 5 even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved—6 and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus.” Ephesians 2:4-6. God sees believers now as being seated in Christ at the right hand of God in a place of acceptance, honour and authority. 

Jesus warned His followers about the danger of denying Him, “But whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven.” Mark 10:23. Denial involves a deliberate choice and makes one accountable to God for a deliberate sin.

However, there was a positive note in the next verse where Paul wrote, “if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself.” Verse 13. Jesus had promised to accept all those who came to Him and would never drive them away, “All those the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.” John 6:37. He would remain faithful in fulfilling His promises to His people even if they were faithless. Because He cannot deny Himself. He cannot make a promise that He will not fulfil. 

Workers Approved by God

Paul has a word for other preachers under Timothy’s influence. 14 “Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers.” Such argumentation would be a catastrophe for the spread of the gospel. [Note 3]. The problem with quarrelling about words is that it takes those involved from their commitment to the person of Jesus by focussing on individual words rather than being focussed on Jesus.  

Finally, Paul has a word for Timothy, “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” Verse 5.  Timothy was accountable to God as a minister of the gospel. He had to make every effort to come before God as one whom God would approve. He was to be a sincere worker with no sense of shame from slackness or unfaithfulness in his ministry. He had been called by God to be a preacher of the gospel message and that meant studying it under the guidance of the Holy Spirit and sharing it a way that was meaningful to the hearers. [Note 4].

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NOTES

[Note 1].  “Remember” is a present tense imperative of [mnēmoneuō; μνημονεύω] to recollect or bring to mind. 

That is, “Keep on remembering or recalling Jesus Christ who rose from the dead as the offspring of David” [from whose line the Messiah would come.]

[Note 2]. “Elect” is from [eklektos; ἐκλεκτός] derived from [ek] out of and [kaleo] I call. They were the “called out ones“ who heard the gospel and were called out of the unbelieving world to trust in Jesus. They were elect according to the foreknowledge of God. He knew in advance who would respond to the gospel message. 

[Note 3]. “Remind” is from [hypomimnēskō; ὑπομιμνήσκω] meaning to remind quietly, to bring to remembrance. As in Note 1 the verb is a present tense imperative meaning “keep on reminding” or keep on bringing to remembrance.”

“Quarrel about words” is from [logomacheō; λογομαχέ] derived from a combination of [logos] a word and from [machomai; μάχομα] to dispute or to make war.  The focus has to be on the person of Jesus not on disputes about the meanings of words.

“Ruins” is from [katastrophē; καταστροφή] meaning a catastrophe or destruction or a subverting of the gospel message. 

[Note 4]. “Rightly handling” is from [orthotomeō; ὀρθοτομέω] a compound of [orthos; ὀρθός] meaning straight, upright, and [témnō] meaning to cut. Thus to rightly or correctly divide. Arndt and Gingrich define the verb as meaning to ‘ “cut a path in a straight direction” or “cut a road across country (that is forested or otherwise difficult to pass through) in a straight direction”, so that the traveller may go directly to his destination’.

Blog No.419 posted on Thursday 25 August 2022.

Posted in BIBLE PASSAGE OUTLINES, Bible verses. Comments, Creation, Evangelism, Faithfulness, Forgiveness, Glorification, Holy Spirit, Justification, Lectionary Readings Year C [All years], Prayer, Salvation, Sanctification, Second coming of Jesus, Temptations | Tagged , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

418. On 2 Timothy 1:1-14. Faithful Ministry In A Hostile World. For Sun 02 October 2022

Posted on August 24, 2022 by Jim Holbeck

Greeting. 1-2.

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, 2 To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.”

This greeting is similar to those in the other Pauline epistles except for the mention of the word “mercy.” This is found in the greetings only in the 2 epistles to Timothy. It may be that because this is a personal message to his friend in ministry he includes it knowing that the judgment for ministers of the gospel will be more serious than on other believers.  They have a God-given opportunity to lead their people to a deeper commitment to Jesus or they might fail to do so. For that, they are accountable to God.

Thanksgiving To God For The Faith In Timothy’s Family. 3-5.

3 “I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. [Note 1].

His thinking about Timothy reminded him of a time when Timothy had shed tears, probably at their last parting, “As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy.“ 4. 

Paul was also reminded of Timothy’s sincere faith which had come through the influence of his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice, “I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well.” 5. What a godly family, showing the influence that godly people can have on those near and dear!

Fan Into Flame The Gift Of God In You. 6-10

Paul now encourages Timothy to become what God wanted him to be. 6 “For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands.” {Note 2]. He was to rekindle some gift of God that Timothy received through the laying on of Paul’s hands. It may have been a reference to the commissioning for ministry as Paul set him apart for that ministry. So Timothy should have been strong in the ministry God gave him through Paul. Paul explained, “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control.” 7. There may also have been a reference here to the Holy Spirit who was associated with the power of God and among whose fruit were both love and self-control. Galatians 5:22,23. 

Paul bid Timothy to be strong and to be willing to suffer for his faith

 “Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.” 8. This was a time when there was much persecution against the church and it was more than possible Timothy would be among those persecuted. But he would be able to face that opposition by the power of God.

Paul reminds Timothy of the purpose of God he was serving, “who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began.” 9. That purpose “now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel,.” 10. [Note 3]. 

Paul’s faithfulness to Christ the Faithful One. 11-12.

11 “for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 12 which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me. “

Paul once again affirms his credentials as an apostle and as a preacher and teacher of the gospel which had brought suffering to him. Having commanded Timothy not to be ashamed of “the testimony about our Lord” he tells him why he himself is not ashamed. It is because “I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that day what has been entrusted to me.“ He had come to know God through trusting in Jesus Christ and believed that God would protect him and his witness until that day. He does describe what “that day” is but it is probably a reference either to the day of his death or the day when Christ returns at His second coming.

In the final words in this passage we see Paul instructing Timothy to follow the example he had set in his faithful preaching of the gospel. 

Follow and guard the truth. 13-14.

13 “Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 14 By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you.” Follow my teaching Paul is telling Timothy, with the same attitudes I had, in faith and love. [Note 4].

Finally, Timothy was to guard “the good deposit.” The gospel message is a deposit of truth to be guarded against all who would spoil or destroy it. He could do it “by the Holy Spirit.” That probably means that as Timothy kept on being filled with the Holy Spirit he would have the courage and conviction to stand for the truth of the gospel message. 

SUMMARY

In this passage, we see the heart of St Paul as he instructs a younger colleague to remain faithful in the spreading of the gospel. Not only does he call him “My beloved child” but he told him that he was always praying for him. His instructions which follow, show the heart of an older pastor helping a younger colleague whom he valued, to remain faithful to his calling as a preacher and teacher of the gospel.

Paul does not try to lessen the responsibility Timothy held as a minister of the gospel and in fact urges him to be willing to suffer for the sake of the gospel.

In the final verse in this passage, he encouraged him by reminding him that he would be able to guard the gospel message by the Holy Spirit. God by His Spirit would help him remain faithful to his ministry and to the truth of the gospel. That is true for every minister of the gospel, even today, as they remain open to the guidance, leading and empowering of the Holy Spirit. 

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NOTES:-

[Note 1]. [Literally “As I hold [echo; ἔχω] you constantly in remembrance [mneia; μνείαν] in my prayers night and day.”

[Note 2]. “Fan into flame” is from [anazōpyreō; ἀναζωπυρέω] from [ana; ἀνά] up, [zōē; ζωή] life and [pyr; πῦρ] a fire. To kindle or stir up, hence “re-enkindle” or “fan into flame” the gift [charisma; χάρισμα] of God. We are not told what this gift was but Timothy would have known, for he was to rekindle something he already possessed.

[Note 3]. “Appearing” is from [epiphaneia; ἐπιφάνεια ] from which we get the English word “epiphany.” It means a manifestation or the appearing of Christ on earth in human form. Paul used this word here and in 4:8 to refer to Jesus’ first coming as a human and in 4:1 to refer to His second coming. 

[Note 4]. “Sound” is from [hygiainō; ὑγιαίνω] meaning to have sound health, to be healthy or whole. The gospel was full of sound, healthy, uncorrupt words and Paul had preached that wholesome message in the faith and the love that is in Jesus.

Posted on Wednesday 24 August 2022.

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417. Personal Memories Of Special Glad and Sad Days

Posted on August 21, 2022 by Jim Holbeck

Just two years ago today I wrote a deeply personal note regarding the special days in our lives. It was article No.364 on this blog site. I wrote about the significance for me of the 22nd day of the month each year.  For it was on the 22nd August 1964 that I proposed to my late wife Carole and she accepted my proposal. It would be another 17 months until we were married on the 22nd January 1966. In the article I reminisced on what those almost 54 years of marriage and ministry had meant for both of us. We both experienced the depths of human love in our relationship as well as basking in the love which God poured out on us as we sought to live for Him.

Losing your life partner, the one you vowed to love and be faithful to for the rest of your life is devastating. It is not possible to suddenly become bereft of the one you treasured above all others and not feel a very, very deep sense of sadness. It is sad too to go out to the cemetery where my beloved remains are buried and not feel a deep sense of grief and loss. But it is also true that as we turn to the Lord for His comfort and strength, that He provides that in abundance. 

It is probably true for all of us who have lost loved ones, especially our spouses, that as the time without them gets longer, we gain a greater appreciation of all the qualities that our loved ones possessed and how unsparingly they bestowed their love upon us. How blessed we were among all peoples to be the recipients of God’s love flowing through them to us. How blessed we were to be able to reach out in love to them and for that love to be returned to us by them. I remember part of the prayer in the Marriage service where the minister prays, “Lord, in Your love deepen their love” and hoping that the couple I was marrying would be humble enough to ask for and thus receive that divine agape love [God’s love] which would make their human love so much deeper and real. 

I discovered that my previous article No.364 written on this day in 2020 brought some help to some who were facing bereavement and other sadnesses. I pray that this short note might also be of help to those with sad hearts, as it points them to the great Comforter, God Himself.

“Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.” 2 Corinthians 1:3-4.

{Written in loving memory of Carole Ann Holbeck [nee Tapsell] 1943-2019.}

Blog No.417 Posted on Sunday 21 August 2022

Posted in BIBLE PASSAGE OUTLINES, Bible verses. Comments, Coping With Personal Grief, Faithfulness, Healing, Holy Spirit, New Covenant, Prayer, Real Life Stories, Salvation, Sanctification, TOPICS | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment

416. On 1 Timothy 6:1-19. “Wise Words For A Diverse Church.” Reading for 25 September 2022 

Posted on August 19, 2022 by Jim Holbeck

Introduction.

Paul wrote to Timothy to encourage him in his ministry. Timothy was the pastor of his church which had a diverse congregation. There was a mixture of people who were free and others who were still slaves. So Paul gives instructions to Timothy on how to minister to such a diverse congregation. They form a Christian set of teachings that can still be adapted and followed today.

Slaves Are To Respect Their Masters. Verses 1

6:1 “Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honour, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled.”

Paul knew that believers who were free or slaves were equal in the sight of God. But the world in which they lived was very conscious of the difference. They saw slaves as having no rights and almost as tools that could be disposed of at any time for no apparent reason. 

Slavery was abhorrent in the sight of God but it was a system that would take a long time to be abolished. So Paul’s instructions were given with the wisdom of God. In such a world, those who were slaves were to respect their masters and to honour them even though as believers they were equal in the eyes of God. Failure to do so would bring criticism and possible physical danger to such slaves who would have been seen as rebelling against their authority. 

Showing Humiliity Is Better Than Demanding Equality. Verse 2

 2 “Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things.” 

Paul here gives some reasons as to why the slaves were to act in such a humble way. He admits that as fellow believers they were equal before God but were not to be disrespectful towards their masters. Rather they were to serve their masters in ways that were beneficial to the latter as Christian believers. It would be acting in Christian love towards their masters. 

Showing humiliity in such situations would be better than demanding equality in a world that was not yet ready to understand or embrace this new way of thinking. 

The Danger Of False Teaching. Verses 3-5

3  “If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.“

Paul knew he was an apostle appointed by God and that his words and teaching were authoritative. So if anyone had a different doctrine to his or to the teaching of Jesus, the teaching that accords with godliness, then such a person would be a false teacher, puffed up with conceit with no understanding of the truth. Not only that but he would have an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words. [Note 1].

Such wrong teaching would have an adverse effect on the Christian community which Paul described as “envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions.”

It would lead to “constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.” Verse 5.

It is interesting to note that Paul says that such false teaching would cause friction between those who are depraved in mind because they have been deprived of the truth. 

[It is a point we need to keep in mind today when so many people seem to have beliefs that are far from the Christian message. It may be that they never have been exposed to the truth. Rather than our thinking that they know the Christian message and have deliberately rejected it!  It should affect our attitude to such people. We need to expose them to the gospel message believing that if they grasp hold of it they may change their way of thinking and become believers.]

It would seem that these false teachers also had a false understanding of the need for godliness. They imagined that it was a pathway to obtaining respect or riches. However, this is what Paul now corrects in the next few verses. 

The Blessing of Godliness With Contentment. Verses 6-8

6 “But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 

“Godliness” [eusebeia; εὐσέβεια] has the meaning of holiness or having respect towards God that makes the person more godly. As Peter wrote echoing so many verses in the Old Testament, “but as he who called you is holy, you also be holy in all your conduct, 16 since it is written, ‘You shall be holy, for I am holy.’” 1 Peter 1:15-16.

True godliness is accompanied by contentment which Paul describes as “great gain.” [Note 2]. 

The Danger Of Seeking False Godliness. Verses 9-10

Paul recognised that many people including some teachers sought satisfaction in the wrong way. They thought it would come to them in material possessions, in riches. Such an attitude Paul saw as leading into temptation and into a snare where they were trapped into having the wrong sorts of desires, “But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.” Verse 9.

He then gives a statement that is unfortunately wrongly quoted, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs.” Verse 10.

It is not money that is the root of all evils. Rather it is the love of money that is destructive. It is putting one’s trust in material things rather in God Himself Who is the supplier of all things.  

Fight The Good Fight Of The Faith. Verses 11 to 15a

Paul then used a number of metaphors to put his readers, especially Timothy, on the right path to true godliness. First of all they were to “flee” the destructive attitudes mentioned above, “But as for you, O man of God, flee these things.” Then they were to “pursue” positive qualities of “righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness.” Verse 11. 

Then they were to 12 “Fight” the good fight of the faith.” We often associate faith with quiet rest, trusting in God. But here Paul is urging Timothy to contend for the gospel message which is based on faith. Especially because of the danger of false teachers who would seek to divert believers from the faith. Fighting the good fight of the faith meant standing for the truth of the gospel about Christ. 

Paul urges Timothy to be committed to Christ in these words, “Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” Eternal life existed in Christ and in those who had received it in Him. Paul was urging Timothy to take hold firmly of what he already possessed and to receive all the benefits of life with Christ. 

 Paul’s Charge To Timothy

Paul issued a charge to Timothy to keep the commandment “unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ “It is unclear what is meant by the commandment which could refer to the whole of the Christian teaching. But it was a permanent obligation for Timothy to fight for the truth of the gospel until Christ returned in His good time, “I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who in his testimony before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, 14 to keep the commandment unstained and free from reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which he will display at the proper time.” Verses 13-15

A Doxology. Faith In A Powerful God. Verse 15b, 16

“[our Lord Jesus Christ] he who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honour and eternal dominion. Amen.” The uniqueness of Jesus is seen in these verses as He is “the only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light.” Maintaining the faith is important and possible because of who He is as the Sovereign Lord.

Charge The Rich To Trust In A Generous God Not In Uncertain Riches. Verses 17-19. 

Paul’s final instruction to Timothy here is that he should minister to the earthly rich to trust in God Himself, “As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy.” Verse 17.

That involves doing good, being rich in good works and being generous and ready to share. Such living would have its reward, “thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.”

SUMMARY

This whole passage is full of instructions for Timothy and those under his care to follow. Yet throughout the passage there are truths that are affirmed that provide the theological background as to why these instructions should be obeyed. Perhaps the most important of those truths occurs in the Doxology in verses 15-16 where Jesus is described as “the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, who dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has ever seen or can see. To him be honour and eternal dominion. Amen.” 

Such a Saviour and Lord is indeed worthy to be obeyed in a total commitment to Him by all who call upon His name for salvation and for entrance into His eternal life. 

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NOTES.

[Note 1]. “Controversy” is from [zētēsis; ζήτησις] meaning a searching or dispute.

“Quarrels” is [logomachia; λογομαχία] meaning the strife of words or the contending about words.  The dispute about trifles. 

[Note 2]. “Contentment” in verse 6 is from [autarkeia; αὐτάρκεια] meaning self-satisfaction, or a sense of sufficiency. “Content” in verse 8 is the verb form [arkeō; ἀρκέω] meaning to be satisfied or sufficient.

Blog No.416 posted on Friday 19 August 2022

Posted in BIBLE PASSAGE OUTLINES, Bible verses. Comments, Creation, Evangelism, Faithfulness, Glorification, Holy Spirit, Judgement, Justification, Lectionary Readings Year C [All years], New Covenant, Prayer, Salvation, Sanctification, Second coming of Jesus, Temptations | Tagged , , , , , , , , , | Leave a comment