Day 16 - I Timothy 3:1-2

A Daily Devotional Study of I Timothy

Character Counts

I Timothy 3:1-2 

¹This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. ²A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach.

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aul now addresses the need for quality leadership in the Church. It is interesting that, in the criteria he lists for leaders, he does not mention the gift of prophecy, the gift of healing, great preaching, beautiful singing, or any of the traits that many believers today, especially charismatics, tend to hold in high esteem. Except for the ability to teach, the criteria are all related to character; that is, not greedy, a good reputation with non-Christians, hospitable, not prone to losing one’s temper, and so on. When it comes to leadership in the Church, character counts.

Bishop: Not a Church Office

The word “bishop” is translated from the Greek word episcopas from which we get “Episcopal” and “Episcopalian.” Episcopas literally means “to watch over.” When Paul used the word it was not a church office, but merely a word that described the responsibility of the leaders to “watch over” the Lord’s people. The word was not unique to the Biblical writers but was a part of the vocabulary of the ancient Greek-speaking world. In Paul’s day it was used of a tutor who was responsible to “watch over” the education of a student; of watchmen on walls who were responsible to “watch over” the surrounding territory for signs of enemy activity; of army scouts; and of the superintendent of a building project. Paul uses the word for Christian leaders, both men and women, who are responsible to watch over the affairs of the congregation. This is why the word is sometimes translated as “overseer,” as in Acts 20:28.

Functions of Leadership, not Offices

In the New Testament the word bishop (episcopas) is a generic term used in reference to any leader who has responsibility of oversight. For example, in Acts 20:17, 28, Paul uses the word interchangeably with the words for elder (presbuteros) and pastor (poimen) in referring to the same leaders. The fact that Paul uses bishop, elder, and pastor interchangeably indicates that, at this early date, these are designated functions that people fulfill rather than offices that they fill. Only as the Church institutionalized over time did these become separate and distinct offices. Interestingly, neither the word “office” nor the word “man” is in the original of 3:1, but both have been inserted by the translators. The verse literally reads, If anyone aspires to have oversight . . .. 

A Leader Must be Blameless

Paul begins his list of leadership criteria by saying that an overseer must be “blameless.” Blameless is from the Greek word anepilempton, which literally means, “not to be laid hold of.” The NIV translates the word as above reproach. The NLT reads, whose life cannot be spoken against. Paul’s point is that the leader must be of such sterling character that the enemies of God can find nothing about him or her that they can use to malign the Christian community and message. Some commentators, like Dr. Gordon Fee, see this as a general term for the list of criteria that follow: the husband of one wife, not greedy for money and gain, hospitable, not quarrelsome, sober and serious, etc. The Church today—particularly the charismatic church—is in desperate need of leaders who have, not just gifts, but also character.

Prayer & Reflection

O Lord, raise up men and women of character to feed and lead Your people. May Your leaders be people of purity as well as power, character as well as charisma, and may they demonstrate the fruit as well as the gifts of the Spirit. We ask this in Jesus’ Name! Amen! 

Day 15 - I Timothy 2:13-15

A Daily Devotional Study of I Timothy

Pagan Feminism

h 1 Timothy 2:13-15    h

¹³For Adam was formed first, then Eve. ¹⁴And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. ¹⁵Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.

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hen Eve saw her co-likeness lying flat, she showed pity upon him and said, “Adam, live! Rise up upon the earth!” Straightway her word became a deed. For when Adam had risen up, he immediately opened his eyes. When he saw her, he said, “You will be called the mother of the living, because you are the one who has given me life.” 
(taken from I Suffer Not a Woman by Richard & Catherine Clark Kroeger)

The above quotation is from writings that archaeologists have unearthed from the region and period in which Paul wrote his letter. The writings are Gnostic, an early heresy that mixed Christian teachings with pagan myths. Interestingly, all the creation accounts from this literature give preeminence to Eve and present her as the one who gives life to Adam and instructs him.

These discoveries help clarify why Paul used a strange Greek word, authentein, in verse 12. It is the word from which we get “author” and “authentic,” and it refers to the origin of a person or thing. It also carried connotations of dominance and control. In one situation, it referred to a murderer, who was said to have authenteined the victim. Aware of this, we can more accurately identify the false teaching being confronted in Ephesus.

Remember that Ephesian culture gave primacy to the female. This was because the culture of Ephesus was rooted in the worship of Artemis, the most famous goddess of the ancient world. Her massive temple in Ephesus was one of the 7 Wonders of the Ancient World. Portrayed as self-sufficient, she was a fertility goddess, and could reproduce without the help of a male cohort. According to one ancient source, the legendary female army, the Amazons, originated in Ephesus, and Artemis was their role model. Because of the preeminence of Artemis in Ephesus, female primacy permeated all areas of Ephesian life and culture.

Syncretism Ran Rampant in the Ephesian Church

What the Gnostic literature demonstrates is that the ideas of Artemis and her female primacy have become intertwined with the Biblical account of creation. This mixture of different beliefs is known as syncretism and it had become the basis for the continuation of female primacy among the Christians in Ephesus. In other words, a radical feminist movement, based in pagan myths mixed with Biblical stories, is running rampant in Ephesus. According to 1:3, correcting this false teaching is the reason Paul left Timothy in Ephesus.

Why Paul Uses a Strange Greek Word

This would explain why Paul uses the strange Greek word authentein in this passage (2:12). This is the only place in the New Testament that this word is found because this is the only place and time where its use was relative and appropriate. By using authentein, Paul is saying that he does not allow a woman to teach that the female authored the male, thereby, claiming superiority and control. This is what the false teachers in Ephesus are propagating. Paul is setting the record straight (v. 13-14), pointing to the Genesis account of Adam being formed, then Eve. He merely points out that Eve was not Adam’s teacher, as the false teachers claim, but was actually deceived by the serpent. 

Stop Abusing Scripture 

This passage (I Timothy 2:11-15), therefore, should never be used to place restrictions on women today. To do so is to misuse and abuse Scripture. To do so is a failure to rightly divide the word of truth as Paul commanded in II Timothy 2:15. Paul is here addressing a local situation that is directly related to the city of Ephesus at that time. Nonetheless, there are things that we can learn from this passage. 

Confronting the Same Issues Today

There is a pagan or secular feminism today that we must distinguish from the Biblical truth of equality. Secular feminism has no standard of truth and will draw on myths, legends and all kinds of even conflicting sources to try and make their point. It often comes across as angry and in-your-face. Biblical equality, on the other hand, is based on (1) the creation account of Genesis 1-2 where there is gender equality and mutuality; (2) an understanding that gender inequality came with the fall of Genesis 3; and (3) that Jesus came to restore things as they were before sin entered the world and that He is the true liberator of both men and women.

Reflection & Prayer

Thank you, O Lord, for liberating both women and men through your death and glorious resurrection. Thank you for giving us understanding that Paul, in this passage, is not limiting or restricting all women but is dealing with a particular situation of false teaching in the city of Ephesus. Thank you for helping us to “rightly divide the word of truth” so that we will bring your glorious freedom to men and women everywhere. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

Day 14 - I Timothy 2:11-12

A Daily Devotional Study of Paul's 1st Letter to Timothy

Paul's Liberating View of Women

h 1 Timothy 2:11-12    h

¹¹Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. ¹²And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence.

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hese are some of the most controversial verses in Scripture. Wrenched from their historical and literary setting, these verses have been used throughout history to marginalize women and exclude them from teaching and leadership roles in the Church. When considered in their context, however, it is clear that Paul is not making a universal statement applicable to all women everywhere. These verses, rather, are tied to the situation that he and Timothy are confronting in Ephesus.

Paul Addresses A Particular Woman

In vs. 8-11, there is a progressive change in the words Paul uses to address different groups among the believers in Ephesus. In vs. 8, he addresses the men and uses the plural word for males, andras. Then in vs. 9-10, he addresses the women and uses the plural form, gunaikas. Then beginning with vs. 11, he changes to the singular and addresses a woman, using the singular form, gunē. This has led some commentators to postulate that Paul is addressing a particular woman in Ephesus, one who is a ringleader of the false teaching. Instead of turning her over to Satan, as he did the two men in chapter one, Paul instructs Timothy to let her learn in silence with all submission. In his excellent commentary, The IVP Background of the New Testament, Craig Keener points out that the way for any disciple to learn was with a quiet and teachable attitude, and that what is counter-cultural here is Paul advocating the education of a woman, something almost unheard of in the ancient world.

Silence Does Not Mean “No Talking”

The Greek word for “silence” in these verses is hesuchia and it is the same word used in 2:2 where it is said to be God’s will for all His people. It refers to a life without upset, tumult, and turmoil. Paul wants this woman to be able to learn in a quiet and peaceful environment, without upset and turmoil.

Authentein, a Strange Greek Word

The word “authority” in v. 12 is a translation of the Greek word authentein, a word found only this once in the New Testament. The normal New Testament word for “authority” is exousia, a word Paul uses over 100 times in his letters. This is the only place that Paul, or any New Testament writer, uses this word. This fact begs the question; “If Paul is addressing the normal exercise of authority in the Church, why doesn’t he use the normal word that he and all other Biblical writers commonly use? Why does he use this strange word?” The answer seems obvious. The fact that he uses this different and strange word is another indication that he is addressing the unique situation that exists in Ephesus at the time.

Conclusion

There will be more on this passage in tomorrow’s posting, but for now, suffice it to say that Paul is addressing a local situation that exists in Ephesus at the time—the situation he spoke of in 1:3. He is most likely addressing a woman who is propagating false teachings. The temporary solution is to stop her from teaching. The long range solution is let her learn without upset and turmoil. To, therefore, apply this verse to all women everywhere is a clear example of the terrible ramifications of lifting a Scripture out of its historical context. Paul actually had a liberating view of women in Christ as we shall see in further postings.

Prayer &Reflection

O Lord, we thank you for the freedom you have purchased for both men and women through Your death and glorious resurrection. Help us to lay aside our prejudices and traditions in this area and rightly divide the word of truth, as your servant Paul admonished us in II Timothy 2:15. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

Day 13 - I Timothy 2:8-10

A Daily Devotional Study of I Timothy

The Call to Orthopraxy
 Also Known as Holiness

h 1 Timothy 2:8-10    h

⁸I desire therefore that men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting; ⁹In like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or costly clothing, ¹⁰but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.

Christianity requires, not only orthodoxy, which is right believing, but also orthopraxy, which is right behavior or practice. Orthopraxy is actually just a fancy, theological word for "holiness." The point is that Paul in this letter confronts, not only the erroneous doctrine of the Ephesian believers, but also their bad behavior.

Holy Hands

In verse 8, Paul exhorts the men to pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands without wrath and doubting. Hands are an expression of the person. When a person is angry, he or she will often ball their hand into a fist. When a person is distressed, he or she will often wring their hands. In the Old Testament, lifting up one’s hands was a common expression of worship toward God. Paul wants the people to lift up their hands in prayer, but he wants their uplifted hands to be an expression of a holy or consecrated life. This passage reminds me of Psalm 24, where David asks the question of who may stand in the holy place of God’s presence, and in verse 4 responds by saying such a person is the one who has clean hands and a pure heart. This is Paul’s desire for the people in Ephesus.

Without Wrath & Disputing

In this same verse, Paul wants prayer and worship that is without wrath and doubting. The Greek word for doubting is dialogismou and it means to argue or dispute. The word for “wrath” in this verse, orges, is also the word for anger. This passage reminds us of 1:4 where Paul warned them against giving heed to myths and endless genealogies which cause disputes rather than godly edification. It seems that the Ephesian Christians, particularly the men, are an angry, argumentive bunch. This is not appropriate behavior for those who name the name of Christ.

Paul’s Instructions for the Women

Paul now directs his exhortations specifically to the women and focuses on their dress. To paraphrase Paul, he is merely telling the Christian women not to dress like hookers. Prostitution was very common in the ancient world and was often associated with the worship of female deities such as Diana in Ephesus. Remember that worship of Diana was at the very core of the culture in Ephesus and she influenced every area of life, including the way the women dressed. Christian women, however, were not to be guided by the fallen, sinful culture. Paul says, in verse 10, that they should dress in such a way that is appropriate for women who express godliness with good works. The Greek preposition translated “with” is actually dia meaning through. In other words, they are to express their faith through their good deeds, i.e., their orthopraxy.

Conclusion

Paul is concerned, not only about the false doctrine of the Ephesians, but also their unsavory behavior. In Acts 1:8, Jesus said we would be empowered to be His witnesses. In other words, our lifestyle is to be a testimony of our faith in Jesus. This is orthopraxy, also known as holiness.

Reflection & Prayer

Oh Lord our God, You have promised to empower us by Your Holy Spirit to be Your witnesses, not just by the words we speak, but by the lives we live—by how we act, speak, dress and behave. Through Your empowering presence, may we be Your witnesses and bring glory and honor to the name of Christ whom we profess as our Lord and Savior. Amen! 

Day 12 - I Timothy 2:5-7

Daily Devotional Study of I Timothy

Faithfulness to the Heavenly Call

h 1 Timothy 2:5--7    h

⁵For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, ⁶Who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, ⁷For which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

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n this passage, Paul moves from emphasizing the universality of salvation that is available to “all,” to presenting the narrow door through which all may obtain this salvation. In a polytheistic world filled with gods and goddesses, Paul declares that there is one God and one Mediator between God and men (people), the Man (Person) Christ Jesus.

Christ Shares in Our Humanity

The Greek word for “men” and “man” in verse 5 is anthropos, a generic word that literally means “people” or “humanity.” The gender specific word for man as male is aner and the word for woman is gune. The NRSV accurately translates verse 5 as, For there is one God; there is also one mediator between God and humankind, Christ Jesus, himself human.  Paul here uses anthropos of Christ because, in His mediatorial work for all humanity, what is significant is not His maleness, but His humanity. In a world deeply divided by gender (many pagans believed that women had evolved from a lesser, inferior source), Paul adroitly makes the point that men and women share a common humanity and both have one great Mediator before God who shares in their humanity.

The Price Has Been Paid for All

Verse 6 points out that this one Mediator is the same one who gave Himself a ransom for all. The word “ransom” is from the Greek word antilutron, which referred to that which was given in exchange for the redemption or freedom of another. Paul uses it here of Christ’s death as the price that was paid to purchase the freedom of the human race. The price was paid for all, but will be realized only by those who lay hold of it in faith and repentance.

The Divine Call

After presenting this brief, but clear, synopsis of Gospel truth, Paul, in verse 8, reinforces his right to confront the false teachers in Ephesus. He declares that he was appointed (by God) a preacher, an apostle, and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. This was Paul’s special assignment from the Lord. At the time of his conversion, in Acts 9:15, God had said that Paul would, Bear My name before the Gentiles . . .. Paul referred to himself as an apostle to the Gentiles (Rom. 11:13) and even the apostles in Jerusalem recognized his special calling to the Gentile world (Gal. 2:9). When giving his defense before King Agrippa, Paul enumerated his conversion and call from God and then said, Therefore, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision. Paul is profoundly aware of a divine call and this gives him the sense of confidence, right, and responsibility in confronting the false teachers in Ephesus. Every true minister of Jesus Christ should have a similar conviction of a heavenly call.

Prayer & Reflection

O Lord, fill us with a sense of Divine destiny and purpose. May our hearts not be entangled with the temporal fantasies of this world, but may we live and speak from a sense of eternity. Like Paul, may we not be disobedient to the heavenly vision.

Day 11 - I Timothy 2:1-4

Daily Devotional Study of I Timothy

Praying for Government Leaders

h 1 Timothy 2:1:4    h

¹Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, ²For kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. ³For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

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n this passage, Paul uses the word “all” in referring to God’s desire for the salvation of all humanity. Timothy is to pray for all people and for all who are in authority because God desires all to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth. Question? What does praying for government officials have to do with God's desire for all people to be saved and come to the knowledge of the truth? The answer is that political and social unrest in a nation hinders the spread of the Gospel and the work of teaching and training. Just look at nations in the world today where there is political and social turmoil. The spread of the Gospel is hindered and Christians are often driven underground. Political and social stability will facilitate the spread of the Gospel and such stability is contingent on the prayers of God's people. 

Our Prayers Will Bring Social Stability

Paul wants Timothy to pray for those in authority (government officials) so that God’s people can lead a quiet and peaceable life. The word “quiet” in this verse is from the Greek word hesuchia and it refers to a life without turmoil and upset. This word also appears in 2:11, where Paul says a woman should be allowed to learn in hesuchia, that is, without turmoil and upset. As we will learn in a later lesson, Paul is not silencing women in this letter, but demanding that they be allowed to learn it a quiet and peaceful setting--and that was revolutionary in Paul's day. In this passage, Paul uses it to refer to the sort of calm and stable life that is God’s will for all his people. Hesuchia, in this instance, will come as a result of God’s people praying for kings and all those in authority.

Four Kinds of Prayer

Paul mentions four kinds of prayers in this passage. The first one is “supplications” from the Greek word deeseis, which refers to prayer as “the expression of our needs and desires.” The second is “prayers,” from the Greek word proseuchas, the general term for prayer, referring to any kind of communication with God. The third is “intercession,” from the Greek word enteuxeis and means “to have a meeting with someone” or “to draw near to converse intimately.” The fourth is eucharist, which means “to give thanks.” Paul wants all these kinds of prayer to be made for government officials.

Social Unrest Hinders the Spread of the Gospel

Paul then ties our prayers for government leaders to God’s desire for all humanity to be saved. The point is that when there is social instability and unrest, it hinders the propagation of the gospel and the work of discipleship. Through Timothy’s prayers for kings and all in authority, hesuchia (quietness, stability) can come to the society, and this will facilitate the work of preaching the gospel to all humanity.

Let’s See the Bigger Picture

When Paul wrote this letter to Timothy, most of the kings and those in authority were pagans. Nonetheless, Timothy is to pray for them, and through his prayers, stability (hesuchia) will come and the work of spreading the gospel will be made easier. In North America today, many Christians will only pray for those government leaders who are of their political party or of their political persuasion. This comes from a narrow, political mindset. Our purpose in praying for government leaders is not political--to get our guys or gals elected. Our purpose in praying for government leaders is eternal, so that the Gospel may not be hindered by social and political unrest. We must see the bigger picture and pray for all who are in authority so that our society will be stable and we can freely carry on the work of the gospel.

Prayer & Reflection

O Lord our God who reigns over the nations of the earth, have mercy on our president, our congressmen, our senators and our judges. Fill their hearts and minds with your wisdom. Cause them to make good decisions that will lead to peace and stability in our land, that we may freely proclaim the Good News of Jesus Christ freely and without any hindrance. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen!

Day 10 - I Timothy 1:18-20

A Daily Devotional Study of I Timothy

Don’t Shipwreck the Faith

h 1 Timothy 1:18-20    h

¹⁸This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, ¹⁹having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, ²⁰of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

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he word “charge” in verse 18 is the same Greek word (parangeleis) as “charge” in verse 3 and “commandment” in verse 5. In other words, the phrase this charge in verse 18 is referring to Timothy’s “charge” to confront the false teaching in Ephesus. This “charge” is in line with certain prophecies that were spoken over him, perhaps at the time of his baptism in the Spirit (2 Tim. 2:6) or maybe at the time of Paul’s departure from Ephesus. Paul wants Timothy to remember this and be encouraged in the difficult task at hand.

Maintain a Good Conscience

Paul again emphasizes the importance of faith and a good conscience. A person with a good conscience lives according to their internal sense of right and wrong. Our conscience may be sensitized by giving our attention to it and modified by our growth in knowledge and grace. It also may be seared or deadened by continually ignoring and violating it.

The Faith is of Utmost Importance

Paul says that some in Ephesus have rejected the notion of faith and a good conscience and have suffered shipwreck in the faith (NRSV). What has been shipwrecked is not their ability to believe God, but the gospel itself, which they have perverted. This is made clear by the definite article with the word “faith.” In other words it is the faith they have shipwrecked. As far as Paul is concerned, their shipwreck of the faith amounts to blasphemy.

Delivered Unto Satan

Paul singles out two particular leaders of the church in Ephesus who are responsible for this shipwreck of the faith and says, Whom I delivered unto Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. Roman Catholics view this passage as excommunication from the Church, outside of which there is no salvation and which is Satan’s domain. Those from a Brethren or Anabaptist background view this as the Ban wherein a sinning brother or sister is shunned by all other members until the offender repents. Today, some see this as an exercise of apostolic authority, although there is no evidence for this interpretation. Contrariwise, in 1 Cor. 5:5, a similar act was carried out by the entire Christian community in Corinth. Such an act could not be carried out glibly, but under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, in a spirit of humility, and in agreement with others who are spiritually minded.

Let’s Guard the Faith

This passage reminds me of Jude 3 where we are exhorted to earnestly contend for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints. In other words, we must be diligent today to make sure the faith we profess is the faith of the New Testament and we must not allow the faith to suffer shipwreck in our lives or in the lives of others. We must guard the Faith.

Prayer & Reflection

O Lord our God, thank you for the Faith--that body of truth--that has come to us through the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ as found in the New Testament. May we, as Jude exhorted, be diligent in our day to contend for and guard the Faith that we have received. In Jesus’ name we pray! Amen!

Day 9 - I Timothy 1:14-16

Daily Devotional Study of I Corinthians

Overflowing Grace

h 1 Timothy 1:14-16    h

¹⁴And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.  ¹⁵This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. ¹⁶ . . . that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life.

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aul loves to talk about God’s grace. It appears again and again in his letters. He was forever amazed at God’s free and sovereign work of salvation in his own life and in the lives of others. In this passage, he describes God’s grace toward him as exceedingly abundant. “Exceedingly abundant” is from one Greek word huperepleonasen, which literally means “super abounded.” The NRSV translates it as “overflowed.”

God’s Grace Does Not Come in a Trickle

The point is that God’s grace does not come to us in a trickle, just enough to get us through “the pearly gates.” Instead, God’s grace overflows toward us in such super abundance that it can make a violent blasphemer like Paul, the chief of sinners, into the most selfless of saints and a faithful servant of Christ. In Eph. 1:8, Paul speaks of God’s grace as being lavished on us (NIV). He tells Timothy, in 2 Tim. 2:1, to be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. When we understand the magnitude of God’s overflowing grace, then we can be courageous and confront all of our adversaries with confidence.

From the Chief of Sinners to the Chief of Christ’s Witnesses

In vs. 15, Paul refers to himself as the “chief” of sinners. The Greek word for “chief” is protos, from which we get the prefix “proto,” meaning “first.” In other words, Paul is saying that, of all the sinners in the world, he was at the front of the line when He met Jesus on the Damascus Road. As such, he sees himself as an example or pattern of what God’s grace can do in a person’s life. In other words, if God’s grace can reach to a violent man like Paul and change him, the chief of sinners, into the chief of Christ’s witnesses, then just think what His grace can do in your life and mine!

Trust in His Grace Today

“Grace” means that God does not deal with us according to our performance, but this does not mean God is not concerned about our performance. He is concerned because it is bad and sinful choices that destroy people’s (including Christians) lives “Grace” is favor or blessing that is unmerited or unearned, and it provides the power we need to overcome sin, as Paul wrote in Roman 6:14. For sin shall not have dominion over you, for you are not under law but under grace. We must learn to relate to God on the basis of His overflowing grace that has been unleashed upon us through our Lord Jesus Christ. Our every need can be met and, like Paul, we too can live victorious lives because of God’s grace.

Grace, grace, God’s grace!

Grace that is greater than all our sins.

Grace, grace, God’s grace!

Grace that will pardon and cleanse within.

Prayer & Reflections

We thank you O Lord today for your overflowing grace. For the person reading this who is in despair, may they know now—at this moment--that your grace is sufficient for whatever trial they may be facing; and that you, by Your sovereign grace, will supply all they need to see them through as they look to You and You alone to supply their every need.

Day 8 - I Timothy 1:12-13

Daily Devotional Commentary on I Timothy

Saved to the Uttermost

1 Timothy 1:12-13

¹²And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, ¹³Although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man: but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.

I

n this passage Paul speaks of what he was formerly, before his life in Christ. The portrait he paints is not pretty. He describes himself as a blasphemer in that he had railed at and spoken against Jesus Christ and his followers. He also describes himself as a persecutor in that, like a bounty hunter, he had traveled to strange cities to hunt down Christians and have them imprisoned and put to death. He also describes himself as an insolent man. “Insolent” is translated from the Greek word hybristen, which means “violent.” To 1^st century Christians, Paul was their foremost enemy out to wipe them from the face of the earth. But God had plans for Paul! Let us never limit the awesome reach of God’s grace and power.

The Great Enabler

In vs. 12, Paul says that God enabled me. In our contemporary culture, the word “enabler” has taken on negative connotations of one who enables another in bad behavior. God, however, enables us to carry out His will and do what is right and good. The Greek word for "enabled" is endunamosanti, which is a form of dunamis (“power”) and the prefix en (“in”), literally reading “power in.” In other words, God empowered or “put power in” Paul, which was why he was able to transition from a violent blasphemer to a chosen minister of Jesus Christ.

Today, God will enable you to do what He has called you to do. This is the promise of Acts 1:8, But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.

Faithfulness

Even as a blasphemer and persecutor, Paul was living according to what he thought was right. Jesus predicted this when He said in Jn. 16:2b, The time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. This was the case with Paul. He says, in vs. 13, that he did those terrible acts ignorantly in unbelief. Paul was faithful to what he believed to be true and, once he saw the truth of Jesus Christ, he was immediately 100% committed to living and proclaiming that truth. In vs. 12 he says that God enabled him, because He counted me faithful. Faithfulness is a virtue that must be cultivated if we want to be used of God. My brother-in-law, Peter Stubbs, signs all of his emails, “Yours to count on.” Can God and other people count on you and me? That is faithfulness!

Saved to the Uttermost

Heb. 7:25 says that God, Is also able to save to the uttermost those that come to God through Him (Christ). The “uttermost” is as far as you can go from your point of departure. It is not God's plan to just barely to get us to heaven. He plans to save us to the uttermost. He will not stop working on us until we stand in His likeness. Like Paul, we are being saved from the guttemost to the uttermost.

Prayer &Relfection

Lord, empower every person reading this study with your grace, love, and power. Let them experience the reality of your “power in.” Enable them to be faithful in all their responsibilities to you and to others this day. Thank you for saving them to the uttermost. In Jesus’ name, amen!

Day 7 - I Timothy 1:8-11

A Daily Devotional Commentary on I Timothy

Living Under a New Covenant

1 Timothy 1:8-11

⁸For we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, ⁹knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane . . .¹⁰for fornicators for sodomites, for kidnappers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, ¹¹according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.

A

“holiness” preacher once discussed with me “the sins” of women wearing pants, cutting their hair, wearing make-up, etc., and he quoted Old Testament passages, such as Deuteronomy 22:5, to buttress his argument. I suggested that, if his assessment were true, he too was probably breaking the Old Testament law by the shirt he was wearing. I then referred him to Leviticus 19:19, which reads, Do not wear clothing woven from two different kinds of fabric (NLT). We checked his shirt and, sure enough, it was made of cotton and polyester, a direct violation of this passage!

The Old Testament is Not a Rule Book

My point was that it is wrong to look at the Old Testament as a book of rules that we, as Christians, must identify and keep. This was the approach of the Pharisees who had identified 613 rules that they sought to impose on the people of Israel. Those who approach it in this manner inevitably fall into legalism and fail to keep all the rules themsleves. The Scriptures, including the Old Testament, must be approached relationally, as Jesus did.

What Is the Believer’s Relationship with the Old Testament?

Paul says in this passage that the law is not made for a righteous person. Think about it! If everyone in your city were absolutely righteous and were walking in selflessness and love, most laws could be eliminated. It is by means of laws that we restrain wicked behavior and evil people. According to Paul, The Old Testament Law was given for two reasons: to restrain evil (Gal. 3:23-25) and to give knowledge of sin (Rom. 7:7). The Law showed God’s people what to do, but did not give them the power to do it. It was meant to bring them to an awful sense of their own sinfulness and cause them to cry out for a Redeemer, and lead them to Jesus Christ.

God, therefore, gave the Old Testament to reveal a Person--His Messiah--to the people of Israel, and then to the world. This is clearly borne out in Luke 24:27 where, on the road to Emmaus, Jesus took the two disciples from Genesis to Malachi and expounded to them in all the Scriptures the things concerning Himself. Ask God to show you Jesus Christ when you read the Old Testament; and always interpret the Old Testament in the light of Jesus and the New Testament.

We Live Under a New Covenant

Under the Old Covenant, God’s law was outward, written in stone and in the Torah (1^st five books of the OT). However, even during the Old Testament period, God spoke through Jeremiah about a coming change, Behold the days are coming, says the Lord, when I will make a new covenant with the house of Israel and with the house of Judah . . . But this is the covenant that I will make with the house of Israel after those days, says the Lord: I will put My law in their minds, and write it on their hearts; and I will be their God and they shall be My people.

The New Covenant is a heart thing. God imparts His Life and Nature to us so that we delight to do His will. Whereas the Old Testament was like a well, the New Testament is like an artesian spring. Romans 8:4 says that the righteous requirements of the law are fulfilled in those who walk, not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. If we live according to the new life and nature we have received in the new birth, we will please God in all things and fulfill His will.

Prayer & Reflection

 Oh God our Savior, we thank you for the new Life you have brought to us through the Lord Jesus Christ. May we walk in this new Life and love You all the days of our life. Thank you for making it real in us by the power of Your Holy Spirit. In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen!