TOMS: 2 Timothy 4

For an introduction to this series, click here.

October 29, 2007

Paul wraps up his final epistle with a strong word of encouragement for Timothy: 
"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: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and 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. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry." (4:1-5)

Paul is simply telling Timothy to keep preaching the Gospel faithfully and fearlessly. This is really all the Lord requires of any of us: to be faithful and fearless in our Christian walk. Notice what Paul says about the people who do not endure sound doctrine: they will find their own teachers who will tickle their ears for them. This is always been a temptation throughout history, and often teachers fall into the trap of serving this desire, sometimes without even realizing it.

"For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. 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. Do your best to come to me soon. For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments." (4:6-13)

We cannot be absolutely certain when Paul wrote this, but we know that he knew he was close to death. Most people assume that Paul knew he was about to be executed, and of course that is probably true. But it could also be true that he was physically going downhill as well. He doesn't say anything specifically about his health, but then he was never one to complain.

It is amazing all the names in this section. Not only Demas, who unfortunately left Paul and took off for greener pastures, but also all the names of the people Paul sent to various places. Paul was not alone in his ministry: he had a network of preachers all over Eastern Europe and Asia Minor. No one can do the ministry alone. We need fellowship with other believers.

At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! 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." (4:16-17)

"The lion's mouth" is basically a metaphor for life-threatening danger. There was a lot of danger in Paul's life, but he seemed to take it in stride. Paul was ready to take on anything if it meant that the Gospel could be further spread. The word "defense" is a probably a reference to a trial or hearing. That is sad that no one was with Paul at his trial, probably before Nero. But the Lord was there even when no other friends were there to support him.

TOMS: 2 Timothy 3

For an introduction to this series, click here.

October 27, 2007

Paul continues his instructions to his protege Timothy:
"But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people." (3:1-5)

Of course the "last days" Paul talks about are any time in the church age. Mankind is and always has been (at least since the Fall) depraved. Unfortunately, some people in the church are tolerant of evil and, in some cases, practice evil. These are the people Paul tells Timothy to avoid and, if necessary, separate from.

"For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men." (3:6-9)

Paul is not talking about sexual sin here. Instead he is talking about smooth-talking false teachers leading people, especially women, astray. Notice Paul says these women are "burdened with sins." These false teachers are very manipulative, and they use people's guilt against them. These teachers say nothing of the grace of God, and do not remind their hearers that God has already forgiven them and wants them to move ahead with their lives in His power. Instead they bring up the past against them. These teachers have a facade of intelligence, but they are foolish when it comes to the true wisdom of God

"Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 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. 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." (3:12-17, ESV)

This is of course one of the foundational passages that states the doctrine of inspiration. Inspiration means that God supernaturally oversaw the work of the writers of scripture. Don't get this confused with mechanical dictation. There are certainly examples - passages from the Old Testament prophets and John's book of Revelation are two - of instances where God told the writers what to write. On the other hand, the scribe who copied down the genealogies in Chronicles probably had no idea he was writing Scripture, but God directed what he wrote, too.

TOMS: 2 Timothy 2

For an introduction to this series, click here.

October 26, 2007

Here we have Paul wrapping up his legacy. Here is a piece of his advice to Timothy: 
"You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also." (2:1-2) 

This is a very important message. Yes, God has promised to preserve the church, but He preserves it through us. It is the responsibility of the leaders of the church to preserve sound doctrine. 

"Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops." (2:3-6)

The Christian life is not easy. Paul makes three analogies here, and all of them have a different message: the soldier, the athlete and the gardener. A soldier must learn to endure through all sorts of hardship and he must not be distracted by the things of civilian life that keep him from doing his work. The athlete must work to prepare and work to win the contest, but he must also play by the rules. The rules, of course, for the Christian are those found in the Bible that have been passed down by the faithful men. The gardener works hard all year, but there are rewards: he gets the first taste of the fruit. Even so, there are rewards for the Christian.

"Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 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." (2:8-10)

There are a few Christians who take the doctrine of election to such an extreme as to say there is no need for evangelism. And some who doubt election paint everyone who holds to it with that broad brush: that they don't believe in preaching the Gospel to the lost. Paul defies the stereotype: he believed in election and he was passionate about spreading the Gospel. Paul traveled hundreds of miles on foot, suffered beatings, imprisonments and all sorts of mistreatment so he could share in the reward of leading the elect to salvation.

"The saying is trustworthy, for:
If we have died with him, we will also live with him;
if we endure, we will also reign with him;
if we deny him, he also will deny us;
if we are faithless, he remains faithful—
for he cannot deny himself." (2:11-13)

This is an important passage about the judgment. God rewards us in the same way we act on earth. God is faithful and will not kick us out if we are really bad, but we will lose rewards. Whether or not it is possible for someone genuinely born again to deny Christ is something I leave to the experts. I don't think it is possible, but I guess that comes down to how you defy "deny." If someone cracks under extreme physical and mental duress, that is different from someone who openly and repeatedly denies Christ.

"Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. 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. But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some." (2:14-18) 

Paul was fearless when defending the faith, even mentioning false teachers by name. I think more good pastors and teachers need to mention some of the false teachers in our day by name and explain why they are wrong. You would need to be prudent about it, but people need to know to avoid false doctrine. Of course they will recognize false doctrine when they are taught the truth, as the first part of the passage tells us.

"Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work. So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels." (2:20-23, ESV)

I think what Paul is saying here is that in the visible body of Christ, the church at large (the "great house"), there are good and bad people, similar to Jesus' teaching in parables like the tares and the wheat and the fishing net. Those who are genuinely born again and striving to be a vessel for honor for the Lord will cast off the dishonorable vessels: false teachers, false believers, etc. I know this is very different from a similar analogy that Paul uses in Romans 9. But given the context, I think the lesson Paul wants us to learn here is that we can become a vessel of honor.

We are given a lot of advice when it comes to resisting temptation. But when it comes to sexual lust, there is only one solution: flee! We are playing with fire if we think we can handle this temptation. We need to avoid opportunities for temptation, and if we find ourselves in a situation, we need to get out of it like Joseph did.

Once again Paul mentions that Timothy needs to avoid getting bogged down in Biblical minutiae. This is good advice for us, too.

TOMS: 2 Timothy 1

For an introduction to this series, click here.

October 25, 2007

This is Paul's last epistle. It is not the last in order in our Bibles, but it was the last one he wrote. This epistle is more somber and at the same time more urgent, because Paul knows he is facing death.

You can really feel Paul's love for Timothy in the opening passage: 
"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. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 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. 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, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control." (1:3-7)

I like that Paul is telling Timothy not to be afraid. As we talked about earlier, Timothy seems to have had issues with fear and doubt. Meanwhile Paul is staring death in the face, and yet he doesn't change. He is more concerned about encouraging others than he is worried about himself. There are very subtle clues in this epistle that this was his last. Paul certainly didn't tell us that in his letter. He didn't gripe or complain about his situation or despair that this was the end.

"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, 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, and which 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, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, 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." (1:8-12)

Paul's motive for writing is purely encouragement of Timothy. And the reason both he and we can be confident in Christ is the fact that we were given "a holy calling...before the ages began." Salvation isn't our doing, it is the Lord's. We can be confident in our salvation because God is the one who chose us. If we could do anything to change God's saving purpose in our lives, none of us would have any hope of salvation. Our salvation originated with God and He is the one who keeps us until that great Day.

This epistle is intensely personal, almost as personal as Philemon: 
"Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me— may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that Day!—and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus." (1:13-18, ESV)

How shameful it would have been to hear your name in one of Paul's letters as turning away from him. I cannot imagine. On the other hand, it would be wonderful to hear your name read as one of Paul's dear friends and supporters. I wonder if Phygelus and Hermogenes knew how much they had hurt Paul. A lot of times we (or at least I) go through our lives and we are so focused on ourselves that we don't pay attention to others. It's not that we don't love or appreciate others, we are just too busy. If we are too busy to encourage others, we are too busy. We need to slow down and give more of our time to others. Or maybe that is just something I need to do.

TOMS: 1 Timothy 6

For an introduction to this series, click here.

October 24, 2007

Well I had a great time in Wisconsin the past few days, for those of you who may have been wondering where I was. The weather was nice (except for Monday) and it was great to see some of the things that have changed and some of the things that have stayed the same in Watertown and elsewhere. But of course the company I had was the best part of my time. But let's get busy here.

Here we have the conclusion of Paul's first letter to his young friend Timothy. Paul wraps up a few things, and, typical of Paul's style, they cover a wide variety of topics. Paul begins with an enlightening discussion of masters and slaves: 
"Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. 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. 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, 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, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain." (6:1-5)

Notice very carefully what Paul is saying here. In the broad context, which continues later in the chapter, the passage is talking about contentment. This passage gives us the best glimpse of Paul's view of slavery. He tells slaves to be content with their lot in life and not to try to lead a revolution. Apparently there were some teachers who were trying to stir up slaves against their masters, and Paul tells us that is not where the focus of Christians should be.

Greediness has been a temptation for all time. Man always wants more, wants something he can't have. And some teachers were apparently feeding into this fleshly desire, telling them that God wants them to be wealthy and successful in this world. Always be careful of preaching that appeals to your physical or social desires. Everybody wants to be rich, happy, and have lots of friends. God is not so much concerned about these things as He is about us being conformed to the image of Christ.

"But godliness with contentment is great gain, for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 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. 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." (6:6-10)

Contentment is the attitude the Lord wants us to have. That's not always easy, but the Lord knows what is best for us. Our flesh wants to have more and more, and many people throughout history have fallen into the never-ending cycle of wanting something, getting it, and then wanting something else. Love of money is not limited to rich people. Poor people can just as easily lead lives full of jealousy and covetousness as rich people can. It is a temptation common to everyone, and God calls us to resist that temptation and learn to trust Him for our needs and be content with the things He brings into our lives.

Notice that Paul's formula is "godliness with contentment." Most of us have problems with both of those, and some have a problem with the contentment part. But remember the warning to the church at Laodicea in Revelation. Those people had contentment without godliness. That is also wrong.

A lot of people have the idea that we are supposed to serve God just because we love Him, and of course that is a big part of it. But notice that Paul says that "godliness with contentment is great gain." Nowhere in the Bible will you find that we are told not to seek eternal rewards. On the contrary, this and many other passages tell us that God will be glad to give us the rewards we earn and we should strive to earn them.

"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. They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 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. O Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called 'knowledge,' for by professing it some have swerved from the faith." (6:17-21, ESV)

Here is another instance where Paul tells believers to seek heavenly rewards. He tells Timothy to tell the rich people in the church to use their wealth to gain eternal rewards. Compared to most people in the world, we Americans are rich. Shame on us if we don't use our wealth to carry forward God's work.

Paul ends his letter with another warning to Timothy about not getting involved in petty arguments about the Bible. Even back in his day, there were things difficult to understand that got people in trouble. And apparently Timothy was willing to take up those arguments, in good faith trying to win the person to sound doctrine. Paul tells him not to get sidetracked, but instead keep his focus on the important things. Things have only gotten worse in our time. People get bogged down over very minor issues and go off on tangents based on a verse or two. Don't fall into that trap. Keep your focus on pleasing the Lord and on teaching and practicing the simple gospel of the Lord Jesus. Sure there are things that we don't completely understand. But we do know that the Lord Jesus came into this world to save sinners, and that after we are saved we need to grow in grace. Fulfilling that goal will take a lifetime anyway. Getting sidetracked on secondary and tertiary issues is foolish.

TOMS: 1 Timothy 5

For an introduction to this series, click here.

October 19, 2007

Paul has a lot of specific instructions here in this chapter about people in the church: 
"Honor widows who are truly widows. But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever." (5:3-8)

I think if you look at the last verse of this passage, it is obvious that this passage is talking about the church supporting widows. Notice Paul says that if the widow has children let "them"- that is the children- show their piety by providing for their mother. For Paul, a "true widow" would be a widow without a family. This is the kind of person the church should provide for. Of course in our time the government takes care of everyone. Going into this much detail about providing for widows shows that the Lord intended for the church to take care of the poor. But the church let the government take its role, and we are the worse for it on all sorts of levels.

This context of church support of indigent members is important to remember when reading the next section: 
"Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. For some have already strayed after Satan. If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows." (5:9-16)

I think Paul's point about younger women learning to be idle explains what he is talking about. We have seen the disastrous results of welfare for single moms in our society. Paul warns against giving younger people a free ride, and lists the consequences that will happen. But I think it is most important to note that this is not talking about accepting younger single mothers into the membership of the church. A simple reading of this passage might lead you to think that, but deeper study will reveal the truth.

"Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says, 'You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,' and, 'The laborer deserves his wages.' Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear." (5:17-20) 

Paul says that elders, that is leaders of the church, be honored, but also that they be punished more severely if they do fall into sin. Also I want to point out that the second scripture quoted is a quote of Luke 10:7. Paul and the other church leaders immediately recognized that many of the writings being passed around among the churches were indeed Scripture, on a par with the Old Testament.

"No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments." (5:23)

Timothy apparently did have health problems. Whether these were a symptom of his poor self-esteem or were unrelated to anything else, there is no way we can know. If anything, this verse, along with several others, demonstrates that the Apostles were not teetotalers. Alcohol was very common in Roman society. Not only that, but alcohol was often used to purify and sweeten regular drinking water, which often came from cisterns or polluted wells. Paul makes this statement very matter-of-factly, not with some kind of secret agenda and not in a joking way.

"The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden." (5:24-25, ESV)

This is an interesting verse. It is an interesting comment on human nature and it is a more important comment on the nature of God. It is true that some people are very good at hiding who they are and not revealing the truth about themselves. Sometimes it is bad things they are hiding, and sometimes it is good things. But the Lord sees all, and He will reveal everything one day.

TOMS: 1 Timothy 4

For an introduction to this series, click here.

October 18, 2007

"Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer." (4:1-5)

Notice that Paul associates legalism with the apostasy of the last days. This is more of a reference to the general spirit of apostasy that has affected the church throughout history than about the final apostasy that leads to the rise of the antichrist. All of the apostle writers mention about the problems in "the last days" and I think it is instructive that Paul includes legalism here. Legalism is a dangerous threat to true Christianity at all times.

"If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe. Command and teach these things. Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." (4:6-12, ESV)

There is a lot of good stuff here. Have you ever heard a preacher whose whole sermon seemed to be one funny story after another? I think that is a lot of what Paul is aiming at here, with his remark about "silly myths." It is an easy trap to fall into: to let your teaching be dominated by irreverent stuff that is irrelevant to the gospel. 

The line "the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe" is the way Paul describes that the offer of salvation is made to all men, but is only applied to those who believe.

The last verse is part of Paul's instruction to encourage young Timothy. Timothy apparently had a lot of problems, and Paul is telling him here not to let other people get him down, but to move forward as a leader. Now most people probably did not look down on Timothy, but from this verse I think it is clear that Timothy felt intimidated because of his youth. In our time, verses like this teach us that we need to involve young people in the regular ministry of the church whenever we can, and not just keep them busy playing games in the youth department. How many 20-somethings leave our churches because we had programs for them when they were kids and teenagers, but now they are stuck without a program? I'm not against programs or against people having fun, but everyone needs to learn that the church is about service to the Lord and fellow believers, not about having fun or social networking. And the younger people learn that, the more good they will be to the church.

TOMS: 1 Timothy 3

For an introduction to this series, click here.

October 17, 2007

Most of this chapter deals with the qualifications for a pastor (bishop) and a deacon. Any study of this chapter should note that Paul dealt with the role of women at the end of the previous chapter. This chapter is an expansion of that discussion and a more specific application of those principles.

"The saying is trustworthy: If anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God's church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil." (3:1-7)

This overseer is one of or possibly the primary leader of the local assembly. He is obviously male ("husband of one wife"). A lot of modern teachers say that Paul's teaching here is just reflecting the times, and that since our society's attitudes about the role of women is different, then it is OK for women to lead a church. But remember Paul's primary argument at the end of Chapter 2 was that Adam was created first. That fact has not been changed by our society.

Paul has a lot to say in this passage about a pastor being well-respected in the community. This is a point that too many pastors and churches overlook. A couple of years ago I was working late at the paper office in Piedmont, and a prominent pastor and business man came in to talk to my boss. After he was through talking, I came in his office and my boss said, "It's a shame to say this about a pastor, but I can't sell him any advertising. He doesn't pay his bills." What a terrible testimony.

"Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well. For those who serve well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and also great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus." (3:8-13, ESV)

As you have probably read or heard me state before, I think many modern churches have totally missed the original purpose of a deacon. Yes, the root word for "deacon" is "servant" They are to serve the church and serve the pastor. But I think if you look at Stephen and Philip and the other original deacons, they did more than just sit around the church. They were active spiritual leaders. I think (and this is just my opinion) that the original intent of a deacon is more like we think of as an assistant pastor. This person takes part of the pastor's load but is also responsible for the spiritual well-being of the church. A lot of churches I have seen, the deacon board kind of acts as a board of directors. There is no one model of church government dictated by the New Testament, but most of the churches I know that have the "board of directors" model claim to be following the Bible literally and denounce others who have different views, so they set themselves up as easy targets.

TOMS: 1 Timothy 2

For an introduction to this series, click here.

October 16, 2007

This is a short chapter but it is chock full of stuff, much of it controversial.

"This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time." (2:3-6)

This passage can get tricky if we are not careful. Yes, God does want "all people to be saved," and Christ did give "himself a ransom for all." But if we only look at verses like this, we can come up with doctrines like universalism and purgatory: the idea that one day God will accept everyone into heaven, maybe after some temporary punishment. Don't believe it. There is so much scripture that tells us that not everyone will be saved. God's judgment is real and it will be eternal. That is a fact. 

Obviously this scripture also runs counter to the hyper-Calvinist position that God wills people into eternal punishment. This is not the case either. God does not want anyone to die without salvation, but He also will not accept anyone who does not come to Him through Jesus Christ.

Verse 5 is a critical verse of scripture. Lots of people, even Christians who want to sound enlightened, say that God can be found in any religion, and that anyone who sincerely follows their religion will go to heaven. Don't believe it. This passage makes it perfectly clear that there is only one mediator between God and men: Jesus Christ.

"I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works. Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. For Adam was formed first, then Eve; and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. Yet she will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control." (2:8-15, ESV)

See, I told you this was controversial. The reference to women's clothing, in context, probably refers to clothing worn at church. It is to be characterized by modesty and sobriety. In other words, it is not to draw attention to oneself. This is Paul's definition of modesty, not necessarily length or some other arbitrary standard, although of course clothing which shows off the body certainly draws attention, which is more of what Paul has in mind here. I have seen situations in churches where it seems the ladies are in competition to see who can outdress each other. That is the opposite of what Paul is talking about.

Next Paul talks about the role of women in the church. First of all, it should be noted that Paul says they are to learn. The ideal woman in Roman times rarely if ever left the house. She was not taught to read. Her whole life was to be wrapped up in domesticity. So Paul is actually involving women in the church more than was normal in Roman society. Secondly, Paul is talking about the office of teacher here, not the act of teaching. If a woman has something important to say, she should be allowed to say it. But she is not to be made a regular teacher over the whole church. It should also be noted this passage refers specifically to the church, and has nothing to do with the role of women elsewhere in society. 

Paul takes note of the creation order as justification for this. Notice that Paul mentions the creation order first and then the fall. A lot of men notice the fall first, and try to say that men are somehow superior to women. That is not Paul's point. The point is that Eve was created to be a complement to Adam, not the other way around. The fall demonstrates Paul's point, and he does note it as such, but should not be taken as the primary reason.

The word "saved" in the last verse clearly has nothing to do with spiritual salvation. Instead, this verse gives us a beautiful word picture. Yes, a woman was the first to lead the human race into sin. But an individual woman can remove that stigma in her life by rearing godly children. Traditionally women have more contact with children, and they have a great influence. They need to use this influence the right way.

TOMS: 1 Timothy 1

For an introduction to this series, click here.

October 15, 2007

Timothy, of course, was Paul's protege. He was very special to Paul, despite the fact that Timothy had a lot of issues. He had issues with confidence, with self-esteem, and he apparently had health problems as well. The main purpose of this letter is to encourage Timothy for the work that he is doing.

"As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith." (1:3-4)

Paul mentions a lot in this epistle about foolish questions. Apparently Timothy was often sidetracked by trying to fully answer every question brought to him, and Paul tells him not to worry about questions that have nothing to do with genuine doctrine or real life.

"The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions. Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted." (1:5-11)

First of all in this passage, notice that Paul says that many people are abusing the position of teacher in the church. This is something the leadership of the church has to take very seriously, more seriously than I have seen in many churches. Most churches, of course, don't have enough people interested in teaching, so any time somebody volunteers, they are usually allowed to just pick their position. But Paul says some people, apparently in the church at Ephesus where Timothy was ministering in at the time, were teaching without complete understanding of sound doctrine.

Secondly notice what Paul says about the law, namely the Law of Moses. It seems here that Paul is saying that the law's purpose is to condemn lost sinners, and not to bully believers, although others say that Paul's point is that those who are self-righteous cannot come to God for salvation. I would say that both of these statements are true, but the former statement fits the context better. We as believers are not subject to the Law. Paul is saying that teachers who try to put believers under the Law are treating their people like pagans.

"I thank him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful, appointing me to his service, though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost." (1:12-15)

Paul never got over the fact that the Lord redeemed him from what he was and made him an apostle.

"This charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme." (1:18-20, ESV)

This is a very interesting passage. I'm not really sure what it means to deliver someone to Satan. It could be simply church discipline, or it could be something that only an apostle could do.

TOMS: Philippians 2, Part 2

For an introduction to this series, click here.

September 26, 2007

"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, for it is God who works in you, both to will and to work for his good pleasure." (2:12-13)

This is the most profound juxtaposition of two seemingly contradictory statements that I can think of in Scripture. First of all, Paul tells us we are supposed to work out our own salvation. Clearly this does not mean that we are to do good works to stay saved, because if that was necessary, none of us would make it to heaven. 

To me this means a couple of things. First, we have to come to our own conclusions in our faith. If we try to live our lives exactly like someone else, we are not being true to ourselves nor to the Lord. Preachers or other leaders who try to press everybody into a mold to look just like them are doing a disservice to those who follow them. I have way more respect for someone who disagrees with me on several things but I can tell they came to their own conclusions after their own study than I do for someone who agrees with me on almost everything but they only think that way because their family or their church told them to think that way.

Secondly, it means that we are responsible for our growth. Yes, God is at work in our lives, as we will discuss in a second, but He is not going to drag us into something we do not want to do. We have to be willing to follow the Lord wherever He leads.

Now the second part. Thankfully, we do not have to generate spiritual maturity on our own, because we would never get there. And the few who did would be so proud of themselves that they would be useless. Thankfully the Lord is patient and works together with us to bring us to where we need to be. God is faithful and will do His work in our lives.

"I hope in the Lord Jesus to send Timothy to you soon, so that I too may be cheered by news of you. For I have no one like him, who will be genuinely concerned for your welfare. For they all seek their own interests, not those of Jesus Christ. But you know Timothy's proven worth, how as a son with a father he has served with me in the gospel. I hope therefore to send him just as soon as I see how it will go with me, and I trust in the Lord that shortly I myself will come also. I have thought it necessary to send to you Epaphroditus my brother and fellow worker and fellow soldier, and your messenger and minister to my need, for he has been longing for you all and has been distressed because you heard that he was ill. Indeed he was ill, near to death. But God had mercy on him, and not only on him but on me also, lest I should have sorrow upon sorrow. I am the more eager to send him, therefore, that you may rejoice at seeing him again, and that I may be less anxious. So receive him in the Lord with all joy, and honor such men, for he nearly died for the work of Christ, risking his life to complete what was lacking in your service to me." (2:19-30, ESV)

In context, Paul uses Timothy and Epaphroditus as further examples of selfless service, expanding on the example of the Lord Jesus earlier in this chapter. Timothy is a very interesting character. Paul seems to baby him at times. Timothy clearly had some problems with self-esteem, with taking the initiative as a leader in the church, and apparently physical problems as well. But yet Paul could see that Timothy had a heart for the Lord and worked with him for years. Epaphroditus seems to have been a wonderful man. He was probably the man Paul left in charge of the church at Philippi.

TOMS: I Corinthians 16

For an introduction to this series, click here.

August 13, 2007

This is the end of this epistle, and Paul had some final words. First of all, he had some interesting things to say about the project to raise money for the church at Jerusalem: 
"Now concerning the collection for the saints: as I directed the churches of Galatia, so you also are to do. On the first day of every week, each of you is to put something aside and store it up, as he may prosper, so that there will be no collecting when I come. And when I arrive, I will send those whom you accredit by letter to carry your gift to Jerusalem. If it seems advisable that I should go also, they will accompany me." (16:1-4) 

Often we see this passage referenced with respect to all sorts of giving to and through the local church. This is obviously talking about giving, but it is less about general giving than it is about the specific need for the saints in Jerusalem. There was a terrible famine in Israel that is mentioned briefly in Acts. This was a huge project for the church around the world. Paul mentions it in several of his epistles.

Paul said that he will likely come and visit, but probably not for long. But he said there is someone he is sending, and they are supposed to receive him well: 
"When Timothy comes, see that you put him at ease among you, for he is doing the work of the Lord, as I am. So let no one despise him. Help him on his way in peace, that he may return to me, for I am expecting him with the brothers." (16:10-11)

A very interesting study I have never seen done is a study on the personality of Timothy. Here is probably Paul's most significant protégé, and it seems every time Paul mentions him in his epistles, he is reminding the church to be nice to him or to treat Timothy as they would treat Paul. Timothy must have been a very timid young man. Paul's first epistle to Timothy is all about encouragement and building up his confidence. I find it very interesting that Paul saw something in Timothy and put up with his many weaknesses in order to encourage him in the Lord. It is certainly a lesson to us not to focus on the weaknesses of young believers, but rather to encourage them.

"I, Paul, write this greeting with my own hand. If anyone has no love for the Lord, let him be accursed. Our Lord, come!" (16:21-22, ESV) 
This is how the epistle ends. Those who do not love the Lord will certainly be accursed in the judgment, but I think this is probably referring to people attending the church who exhibit no real change of life or heart. Our job is not to do the condemning, but we can and need to exercise our own judgment and be discerning about people in the church and try to be an encouragement.

TOMS: Acts 16

For an introduction to this series, click here.

June 18, 2007

This chapter completes the transition to just following Paul in his ministry. 

The chapter opens with Paul meeting his protege, Timothy. Timothy was the son of a mixed marriage: his mother was a Jew and his father was a Greek. We are told that he was already a believer when Paul met him. Luke mentions that Paul circumcised Timothy (which has to be a harrowing experience) since he would be involved in ministry with Jews. 

Then they came to a fork in the road, figuratively and possibly literally. They wanted to keep going north from what is now Turkey into Asia, but the Spirit prevented them from doing so. So they stopped to try to figure out what to do. "And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, 'Come over to Macedonia and help us.' And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them." (16:9-10) Notice the word "we" in the passage. That means that Luke was traveling with Paul at this point.

Unfortunately, the Lord does not speak to us today in this way. I wish He would. We come to forks in the road all the time. In my experience, the best way is to take one direction while praying, "Lord, stop me if this is not the way you want me to go." There have been a few times when I have hit a brick wall like that, but that's OK, since I want to follow His leading. It's just frustrating at the time.

They traveled into Macedonia, and met Lydia, who was a businesswoman. In the same town, Philippi, they ran into a demon-possessed girl. This poor girl was owned by a group of hucksters who made lots of money off of her. She could tell fortunes, and apparently do a good job because of the supernatural spirits in her. This spirit had it in for Paul and his group, and followed them around day after day, saying, "These men are servants of the Most High God, who proclaim to you the way of salvation."(16:17) Paul finally got tired of it, and cast the demon out of her. This didn't sit well with her owners, who demanded that Paul and Silas be thrown in prison. Paul and Silas were beaten with rods and thrown into prison.

Well you probably know what happened next. Paul and Silas began praying and singing, and in the middle of the night there was an earthquake, and all the doors of the prison came open. The prison keeper saw that no one left, and everyone knew why it had happened: because God had intervened on behalf of Paul and Silas. The prison keeper, and we assume many of the prisoners, were saved.

Then Luke gives us an interesting detail: "But when it was day, the magistrates sent the police, saying, 'Let those men go.' And the jailer reported these words to Paul, saying, 'The magistrates have sent to let you go. Therefore come out now and go in peace.' But Paul said to them, 'They have beaten us publicly, uncondemned, men who are Roman citizens, and have thrown us into prison; and do they now throw us out secretly? No! Let them come themselves and take us out.' The police reported these words to the magistrates, and they were afraid when they heard that they were Roman citizens. So they came and apologized to them. And they took them out and asked them to leave the city." (16:35-39, ESV)

Paul and Silas were Roman citizens. As such, they were protected from public beatings or other punishments without a trial. And yet the Philippian authorities had beaten them on the word of the girl's owners and never talked to them.I have heard this section used as a justification for civic participation by Christians. I think you can use passages in Romans and elsewhere to justify civic participation (voting, political activism, etc.) but it is dangerous to use Acts as a justification for anything. Luke just gives us a record of what happened. What happened includes speaking in tongues, miracles, visions, and all kinds of other things that were specifically for that time. In this case, we are not told if Paul's actions were right and justified or were done out of pride or spite. Luke just tells us what happened with little to no comment.