2 Timothy 1:15-18 (NET)
1:15 You know that everyone in the province of Asia deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. 1:16 May the Lord grant mercy to the family of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my imprisonment. 1:17 But when he arrived in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me. 1:18 May the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day! And you know very well all the ways he served me in Ephesus.
Notes:
1. Everyone in asia deserted him... Is he being literal, or figurative? He may be referring to the leaders, or to all. It seems to me that he is referring to the leaders and elders he had in place in Asia. Why did they desert him? There are two valid theories, one is that they deserted him because they doubted and downplayed his authority in Christ as their leader. Paul addresses this several times in his letters, and refers to people speaking badly about him. The other is that the people were scared and in hiding under the persecution of Nero, who was executing Christians en masse. Either way, Paul was left nearly alone, the people who were supposed to be there for him were not. He must have felt very alone. Yet, he clung to the Lord, and did not give up himself. He allowed Christ to be his strength, and even in the midst of his suffering and solitude, he was encouraging Timothy and building him up. He allowed himself to be used as an example of how to endure persecution, of how to cling to Christ through suffering.
2. Onesiphorus was one man who stood by Paul in his imprisonment. He was a man of Godly character. He was bold and not ashamed to be called a christian, and not ashamed to be associated with Paul. He must have set himself at great risk to travel through rome asking people where he could find Paul, especially during those times, when the Emperor had Christians burned as torches for his court and fed to lions and did all sorts of horrible things to them. I want to be bold and unafraid/unashamed like that.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
2 Timothy 1:11-14
2 Timothy 1:11-14
1:11 For this gospel I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher. 1:12 Because of this, in fact, I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, because I know the one in whom my faith is set and I am convinced that he is able to protect what has been entrusted to me until that day. 1:13 Hold to the standard of sound words that you heard from me and do so with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 1:14 Protect that good thing entrusted to you, through the Holy Spirit who lives within us.
Notes:
1. Paul was appointed an apostle and teacher FOR the gospel... He was appointed to protect it and keep it and teach it, and keep it pure and Holy. We need to take a stand for the truth of the Gospel, for the Truth of the Bible, we need to protect and defend it. We need to do our research and be ready to give a defense for our faith, and our faith in the Bible and it’s veracity. God may not have appointed each of us as a teacher or an apostle, but he has entrusted each of us with His word. Lord, fill me with knowledge of your word, teach it to me, help me to know how to prove its veracity. Make me a protector of your word, at least to those around me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
2. Because of that, Paul suffered... We need to expect to suffer for the gospel.
3. Paul was not ashamed, even though he would suffer, why? Because he know THE ONE in whom his faith was set, and was convinced that GOD was able to protect what GOD had entrusted to Paul until the end... and He has! God has protected His word, it’s one of the most well-preserved and documented texts in the history of the world. We need to trust that God is not going to let Christianity fall by the wayside and let his word be trampled down.
4. Hold to the standard of sound words... with faith and love that are in Christ. We, as Christians know the truth, we need to hold fast to it, and not be swayed by new doctrines or new ideas or new info about the bible, etc... And we need to do that with Faith in God and love towards others, not be harsh, or defensive, but trusting that God is in control, and we don’t need to defend him, we need to hold fast and teach the truth in Love.
5. Protect that good thing entrusted... through the Spirit. Through the spirit of God, we need to protect what God has entrusted us with. His message, His hope...
1:11 For this gospel I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher. 1:12 Because of this, in fact, I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, because I know the one in whom my faith is set and I am convinced that he is able to protect what has been entrusted to me until that day. 1:13 Hold to the standard of sound words that you heard from me and do so with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 1:14 Protect that good thing entrusted to you, through the Holy Spirit who lives within us.
Notes:
1. Paul was appointed an apostle and teacher FOR the gospel... He was appointed to protect it and keep it and teach it, and keep it pure and Holy. We need to take a stand for the truth of the Gospel, for the Truth of the Bible, we need to protect and defend it. We need to do our research and be ready to give a defense for our faith, and our faith in the Bible and it’s veracity. God may not have appointed each of us as a teacher or an apostle, but he has entrusted each of us with His word. Lord, fill me with knowledge of your word, teach it to me, help me to know how to prove its veracity. Make me a protector of your word, at least to those around me. In Jesus’ name, amen.
2. Because of that, Paul suffered... We need to expect to suffer for the gospel.
3. Paul was not ashamed, even though he would suffer, why? Because he know THE ONE in whom his faith was set, and was convinced that GOD was able to protect what GOD had entrusted to Paul until the end... and He has! God has protected His word, it’s one of the most well-preserved and documented texts in the history of the world. We need to trust that God is not going to let Christianity fall by the wayside and let his word be trampled down.
4. Hold to the standard of sound words... with faith and love that are in Christ. We, as Christians know the truth, we need to hold fast to it, and not be swayed by new doctrines or new ideas or new info about the bible, etc... And we need to do that with Faith in God and love towards others, not be harsh, or defensive, but trusting that God is in control, and we don’t need to defend him, we need to hold fast and teach the truth in Love.
5. Protect that good thing entrusted... through the Spirit. Through the spirit of God, we need to protect what God has entrusted us with. His message, His hope...
Friday, February 1, 2008
2 Timothy 1:9-10
2 Timothy 1:9-10
1:9 He is the one who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not based on our works but on his own purpose and grace, granted to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 1:10 but now made visible through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus. He has broken the power of death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel!
Notes:
1. God is the one who saved us, through Christ... He is also the one who called us. It seems fairly clear that God’s involvement in bringing us around to faith, and thus salvation, is more than simply having put the message out there, and whomever finds it and believes will be saved. No, God has put the message out there, but it is also He who calls us, He who draws us, by His Holy Spirit, according to His purpose.
This leaves us with the question of why God would choose some of us, but not others. Is it as the calvinists assume, and solely by His discretion, and He chooses whom He will and lets the rest burn? I don’t see that as lining up with the character of the God of the Bible, the loving God who “wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” 2 Tim 2:4, Not to mention the fact that scripture clearly states in several places that ALL who believe in the name of Christ will be saved. I can see how one could come to that conclusion, but for me to get there, I have to take individual portions of scripture out of the context of the rest of the scripture and the overall message of the Bible...
So, we have to reconcile this. God chooses us, but at the same time, we have to choose Him. Some assert that He called a people for himself, not specifying which specific people, but a nation for himself, of those who would believe. And out of that, He calls people to himself by his Spirit, and those who respond are saved. This is a valid argument, but I’m not sure that I can get there myself. There seems to be too many references to personal calls for me to fall there. Where I currently stand, and I am by no means stating that I am definitely correct in this, we won’t ever fully know the truth about this until we get to heaven, is that God is the God who searches the hearts of man. He knows us better than we know ourselves, and He, out of his knowledge of us, calls us and draws us to himself based on His knowledge of us, based on His knowledge of whether we will choose Him or not, based on His knowledge of our hearts. And once He calls, we have the choice of whether to accept His gift or not... It could be a general call, and he may not be referring to specifics here. God may call many... actually, scripture does say that many are called, but the chosen are few. Why would God call many and only choose a few? Because the chosen are the ones who accept his call or invitation... more on this later
2. He has broken the power of death and brought life and immortality to light... How cool! God has died for us, so that we don’t have to fully die, and can live as immortals with Him in eternity. The gospel, the good news about Jesus, is what brought this to light.
1:9 He is the one who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not based on our works but on his own purpose and grace, granted to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 1:10 but now made visible through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus. He has broken the power of death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel!
Notes:
1. God is the one who saved us, through Christ... He is also the one who called us. It seems fairly clear that God’s involvement in bringing us around to faith, and thus salvation, is more than simply having put the message out there, and whomever finds it and believes will be saved. No, God has put the message out there, but it is also He who calls us, He who draws us, by His Holy Spirit, according to His purpose.
This leaves us with the question of why God would choose some of us, but not others. Is it as the calvinists assume, and solely by His discretion, and He chooses whom He will and lets the rest burn? I don’t see that as lining up with the character of the God of the Bible, the loving God who “wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” 2 Tim 2:4, Not to mention the fact that scripture clearly states in several places that ALL who believe in the name of Christ will be saved. I can see how one could come to that conclusion, but for me to get there, I have to take individual portions of scripture out of the context of the rest of the scripture and the overall message of the Bible...
So, we have to reconcile this. God chooses us, but at the same time, we have to choose Him. Some assert that He called a people for himself, not specifying which specific people, but a nation for himself, of those who would believe. And out of that, He calls people to himself by his Spirit, and those who respond are saved. This is a valid argument, but I’m not sure that I can get there myself. There seems to be too many references to personal calls for me to fall there. Where I currently stand, and I am by no means stating that I am definitely correct in this, we won’t ever fully know the truth about this until we get to heaven, is that God is the God who searches the hearts of man. He knows us better than we know ourselves, and He, out of his knowledge of us, calls us and draws us to himself based on His knowledge of us, based on His knowledge of whether we will choose Him or not, based on His knowledge of our hearts. And once He calls, we have the choice of whether to accept His gift or not... It could be a general call, and he may not be referring to specifics here. God may call many... actually, scripture does say that many are called, but the chosen are few. Why would God call many and only choose a few? Because the chosen are the ones who accept his call or invitation... more on this later
2. He has broken the power of death and brought life and immortality to light... How cool! God has died for us, so that we don’t have to fully die, and can live as immortals with Him in eternity. The gospel, the good news about Jesus, is what brought this to light.
Thursday, January 31, 2008
2 Timothy 1:3-8
Study:
2 Timothy 1:3-8 (NET)
1:3 I am thankful to God, whom I have served with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, when I remember you in my prayers as I do constantly night and day. 1:4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 1:5 I recall your sincere faith that was alive first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I am sure is in you.
1:6 Because of this I remind you to rekindle God’s gift that you possess through the laying on of my hands. 1:7 For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control. 1:8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me, a prisoner for his sake, but by God’s power accept your share of suffering for the gospel.
Notes:
1. Paul remembered Timothy in his prayers constantly... night and day. Paul was a man of prayer, he took time for it, he made it a priority. He also seemed to put a lot of focus on others in his prayers. Night and day he prayed for others and spent time with the Lord in prayer. I want to be like that. Lord, help me to make prayer a priority in my life.
2. Paul longed to see Timothy, he cared for him, remembering his tears, which seems to be a personal note, and I’m not sure what that refers to. But, Paul was a relational man. He had deep meaningful relationships with people, and here paul says that he would be filled with joy to see Timothy. He also was not afraid to call people out... he held Timothy, his dear friend, accountable to stirring up his gift, and not being fearful or timid, but powerful and full of love, and not ashamed of the Gospel. This is definitely something I need to work on, is my willingness to call people out. Help me in this Lord, as much as I hate asking that, because I’m sure you will give me an opportunity to do that now... :-)
3. Paul calls Timothy to account “Because of this”, because of what? Because of his sincere faith... He’s saying, “Timothy, I know you have a sincere faith, because of that, I encourage you to live it, remember the gift you have, remember the power of the spirit, and be bold!” He’s saying, “I know you want to follow Christ, I know that’s where your heart is, You desire His glory and kingdom. Because of that, I want to remind you...” A good way to start a confrontation with a brother, remind them first that you know they desire to follow Christ, and that they have a good heart there, then remind them about the thing you need to confront them on.
4. What does Paul remind Timothy? To rekindle the gift given him, to not be timid and fearful, but be full of power and love and self-control, which are not our possessions, but are given us by the Spirit. He says to not be ashamed of the testimony about Christ or Paul, but by God’s power to accept the sufferings that may come his way by doing the right thing and by being bold in his faith. This is a lesson I really need to learn in my heart. I get so scared of what people will think. I don’t live with the knowledge of the Spirit’s power living in me... I forget that He lives inside, and gives me power, love and self-control when I need them... Help me with this, Lord.
5. How do these three things apply to being bold in the gospel? Power: Being bold and stating the truth, letting the Spirit speak through you and convict the person. Love: an understanding and non-judgmental heart, kindness and love even when they disagree or harm or threaten to harm you. Self-Control: not getting angry, not responding violently, not speaking out of your own ideas, but letting the Spirit speak.
2 Timothy 1:3-8 (NET)
1:3 I am thankful to God, whom I have served with a clear conscience as my ancestors did, when I remember you in my prayers as I do constantly night and day. 1:4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, so that I may be filled with joy. 1:5 I recall your sincere faith that was alive first in your grandmother Lois and in your mother Eunice, and I am sure is in you.
1:6 Because of this I remind you to rekindle God’s gift that you possess through the laying on of my hands. 1:7 For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control. 1:8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me, a prisoner for his sake, but by God’s power accept your share of suffering for the gospel.
Notes:
1. Paul remembered Timothy in his prayers constantly... night and day. Paul was a man of prayer, he took time for it, he made it a priority. He also seemed to put a lot of focus on others in his prayers. Night and day he prayed for others and spent time with the Lord in prayer. I want to be like that. Lord, help me to make prayer a priority in my life.
2. Paul longed to see Timothy, he cared for him, remembering his tears, which seems to be a personal note, and I’m not sure what that refers to. But, Paul was a relational man. He had deep meaningful relationships with people, and here paul says that he would be filled with joy to see Timothy. He also was not afraid to call people out... he held Timothy, his dear friend, accountable to stirring up his gift, and not being fearful or timid, but powerful and full of love, and not ashamed of the Gospel. This is definitely something I need to work on, is my willingness to call people out. Help me in this Lord, as much as I hate asking that, because I’m sure you will give me an opportunity to do that now... :-)
3. Paul calls Timothy to account “Because of this”, because of what? Because of his sincere faith... He’s saying, “Timothy, I know you have a sincere faith, because of that, I encourage you to live it, remember the gift you have, remember the power of the spirit, and be bold!” He’s saying, “I know you want to follow Christ, I know that’s where your heart is, You desire His glory and kingdom. Because of that, I want to remind you...” A good way to start a confrontation with a brother, remind them first that you know they desire to follow Christ, and that they have a good heart there, then remind them about the thing you need to confront them on.
4. What does Paul remind Timothy? To rekindle the gift given him, to not be timid and fearful, but be full of power and love and self-control, which are not our possessions, but are given us by the Spirit. He says to not be ashamed of the testimony about Christ or Paul, but by God’s power to accept the sufferings that may come his way by doing the right thing and by being bold in his faith. This is a lesson I really need to learn in my heart. I get so scared of what people will think. I don’t live with the knowledge of the Spirit’s power living in me... I forget that He lives inside, and gives me power, love and self-control when I need them... Help me with this, Lord.
5. How do these three things apply to being bold in the gospel? Power: Being bold and stating the truth, letting the Spirit speak through you and convict the person. Love: an understanding and non-judgmental heart, kindness and love even when they disagree or harm or threaten to harm you. Self-Control: not getting angry, not responding violently, not speaking out of your own ideas, but letting the Spirit speak.
New Series - 2 Timothy
I've decided to do something new for a little bit, and go through a book of the Bible... I'll show the scripture verse, and then my notes on it. These are just my thoughts and observations, but I would love to hear anyone else's as well!
So, here's the first one! The bible translation used for this is the NET bible, available for download from http://www.bible.org. I highly recommend checking this translation out, as it includes all the translators notes, over 60,000 of them to assist in understanding why they translate certain words and phrases the way they do.
Study:
2 Timothy 1:1-2
1:1 From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to further the promise of life in Christ Jesus, 1:2 to Timothy, my dear child. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord!
Notes:
1. Paul was an apostle by the will of God, not his own will. He did not decide he wanted to be an apostle, and work really hard to get there, he was placed there by God. - I need to remember this, my life, work, and especially ministry are not things that I am to set personal goals for, or try hard to achieve my own standards for, they are things that are to be determined solely by my relationship with God. I need to find out where he wants me to be, What He wants me to be, Who He wants me to be, and be those things through Him. Not of my own strength, because that robs Him of the Glory, and my business on this earth should be about giving God the glory. Lord, help me to remember this and to do it.
2. Paul was chosen and placed as an apostle of God to further the promise of life, or in NKJV “According to the promise of life” - could be either way because of the structure of the greek sentence(see NET note at bible.org), so the translation is either that he was placed as an apostle to spread the news of the promise of life in Christ, or by the promise of life... not sure where to go with that one. Is the promise of life the Spirit, which makes Paul an Apostle by His working? Or is it that his apostleship gives him the purpose of furthering the promise of life in Christ? Either works.... But, if it is by the promise of life, and that refers to the Spirit, it is a reminder that God will bring about His purposes by His strength, not ours, in those who are willing to allow Him to.
3. Why did Paul ask for or bestow “Grace, Mercy, and Peace” on Timothy from God and Jesus? Peace is understandable... he wanted Timothy to have the peace of God, the peace which passes understanding. Grace, I can say that I believe that that is because we need grace every day, not because we are sinners, Christ died for our sin once and for all, but Grace is more than just a covering for sin, that was a one-time act. Grace is the bestowing of God’s favor on us, “unmerited favor”.. it includes strength, love, the Spirit, and everything we need to live in Christ. Mercy, that’s a tough one, is he asking for Mercy for the times Timothy sins? Is he asking mercy for his past sin? No. Is he asking God just to deal mercifully with Him? I think that may be it. We need God to be merciful toward us every day... we need Him to not carry out just judgment on us every day.
So, here's the first one! The bible translation used for this is the NET bible, available for download from http://www.bible.org. I highly recommend checking this translation out, as it includes all the translators notes, over 60,000 of them to assist in understanding why they translate certain words and phrases the way they do.
Study:
2 Timothy 1:1-2
1:1 From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, to further the promise of life in Christ Jesus, 1:2 to Timothy, my dear child. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord!
Notes:
1. Paul was an apostle by the will of God, not his own will. He did not decide he wanted to be an apostle, and work really hard to get there, he was placed there by God. - I need to remember this, my life, work, and especially ministry are not things that I am to set personal goals for, or try hard to achieve my own standards for, they are things that are to be determined solely by my relationship with God. I need to find out where he wants me to be, What He wants me to be, Who He wants me to be, and be those things through Him. Not of my own strength, because that robs Him of the Glory, and my business on this earth should be about giving God the glory. Lord, help me to remember this and to do it.
2. Paul was chosen and placed as an apostle of God to further the promise of life, or in NKJV “According to the promise of life” - could be either way because of the structure of the greek sentence(see NET note at bible.org), so the translation is either that he was placed as an apostle to spread the news of the promise of life in Christ, or by the promise of life... not sure where to go with that one. Is the promise of life the Spirit, which makes Paul an Apostle by His working? Or is it that his apostleship gives him the purpose of furthering the promise of life in Christ? Either works.... But, if it is by the promise of life, and that refers to the Spirit, it is a reminder that God will bring about His purposes by His strength, not ours, in those who are willing to allow Him to.
3. Why did Paul ask for or bestow “Grace, Mercy, and Peace” on Timothy from God and Jesus? Peace is understandable... he wanted Timothy to have the peace of God, the peace which passes understanding. Grace, I can say that I believe that that is because we need grace every day, not because we are sinners, Christ died for our sin once and for all, but Grace is more than just a covering for sin, that was a one-time act. Grace is the bestowing of God’s favor on us, “unmerited favor”.. it includes strength, love, the Spirit, and everything we need to live in Christ. Mercy, that’s a tough one, is he asking for Mercy for the times Timothy sins? Is he asking mercy for his past sin? No. Is he asking God just to deal mercifully with Him? I think that may be it. We need God to be merciful toward us every day... we need Him to not carry out just judgment on us every day.
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