Tag Archives: Spiritual Growth

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Memorize Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:3-5

In Paul’s final chapter of 1 Timothy, he returns to the original topic of the letter, the need for Timothy to address the false teachers that are infiltrating the Ephesian church.

You can see this week’s passage in 1 Timothy 6:3-5:

1 Timothy 6:3-5

The Problems

Paul has just instructed Timothy to teach “these things,” in verse two. In contrast to that command, the next portion of his letter address the false teachings that have permeated his entire letter. This teaching is different from what Timothy is to stand firm upon, because it “does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ.” Nor does it conform to “godly teaching.” Paul’s word “sound” literally means “healthy.” In other words, Timothy is to provide doctrine that promotes spiritual health. The false teachers are not doing so. These false teachers are not promoting a life of reverence or worship to God; in fact, what they are teaching is just the opposite, and have abandoned the truth of the gospel of Christ. This is their underlying error.

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Memorize Scripture: 1 Timothy 6:1-2

The beginning of the final chapter of Paul’s letter to Timothy continues his instructions concerning church relationships. He has already addressed widows and elders. He now turns to slaves.

See the passage for yourself at 1 Timothy 6:1-2:

1 Timothy 6:1-2

Slavery in New Testament times was significantly different than it has been in recent centuries, especially as experienced in the US. As a result of this, we have very little comprehension of just what it was like to be a slave in those days. We can’t even imagine what it must have been like.

Slavery in the New Testament had very little to do with nationality, ethnicity or skin color. It was more based upon economic circumstances, or because of war. In fact, it was not a rare occurrence for a person to sell themselves into slavery to improve their situation or pay a debt. Slavery to a good master was often a better place to be than a poor free person.

Slaves made up a significant portion of many of the early churches written to in the New Testament, and Paul addressed slavery in many of his letters, such as 1 Corinthians 7:21-24, Colossians 3:22-25, Ephesians 6:5-8, and Titus 2:9-10. Peter also addressed slavery in 1 Peter 2:18-25.

But why would Paul address slavery in this letter to Timothy? It may be that some problems had arisen among slaves and master, similar to those issues and attitudes among the younger widows, which Paul spends some time discussing.

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Classic Bible: My Favorite Passages From Philemon

This is part of the Classic Bible: Favorite Stories & Passages series. Read more from the series!

The shortest of all Paul’s letters is his personal correspondence with Philemon concerning his slave, Onesimus, who had run away. Though short, Paul skillfully weaves several key Christian principles into the fabric of this letter.

Shackles

Onesimus, a slave, had run away from his owner and escaped. Over the course of time, he met Paul, who introduced him to Jesus, and accepted him as Lord and Savior.

This places Paul in a bind, both legally and spiritually. Paul is obligated to report to his friend and Christian brother, Philemon, that he has found Onesimus, and is sending him home. But what if Philemon didn’t accept Onesimus in a favorable manner? What if there were extenuating circumstances, as verse 18 seems to imply? And is seems that Paul may even want Philemon to release Onesimus, perhaps even to assist Paul in his ministry.

Out of this dilemma, Paul writes this brief masterpiece. He writes to Philemon to appeal to his love as a Christian for Onesimus, encouraging him to release him from slavery. In fact, it seems that Paul could require this, as indicated by the suggestion that Philemon owes his own conversion to Paul’s efforts as well.

By the fact that this letter was preserved in the canon of Scripture, we can assume that Philemon complied to this request. And, in the early second century, there is an Onesimus who is mentioned as a bishop of the Ephesian church. It is not provable if this is the same Onesimus, but the timing certainly fits.

Out of this brief letter, which takes only moments to read, I find a couple of passages to be extremely encouraging. Here are my favorite passages from the letter to Philemon:

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Memorize Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:23-25

Chapter five of 1 Timothy closes with what seem to be a personal recommendation from Paul to Timothy. After this brief digression, he returns to the discussion on elders for one final thought, before moving on to the topic of slavery.

Take a look at 1 Timothy 5:23-25:

1 Timothy 5:23-25

Drink a little wine…

Paul interrupts himself on the topic of elders to give a little fatherly advice to Timothy. There are a couple of different possibilities for his reasoning here. First, Timothy may have been taking Paul’s admonishment for elders and deacons not to abuse wine as support for his practice of only drinking water. But since those comments are also in this letter, that reasoning doesn’t seem likely.

It’s more likely that Timothy may have been influenced by the legalistic tendencies of the false teachers that he was addressing. Their teaching may have prohibited any wine or stronger drink, and to drink only water.

Paul mentions Timothy’s illnesses. There is no indication whatsoever what these illness could have been. They may have been a stomach issue resulting from drinking only water. In New Testament times, wine was seen as medicinal in nature as well as a social drink. The water wasn’t often clean and pure, and the alcohol in wine, weak though it might be, may have been an effective prescription for dealing with whatever bugs might be taken in with the water.

A third possibility is that Paul may have known that Timothy would have a difficult time dealing with church leaders, and encouraged him to float away his troubles… No, of course not!

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Classic Bible: My Favorite Passages From Nehemiah

This is part of the Classic Bible: Favorite Stories & Passages series. Read more from the series!

One of the most encouraging stories in the Old Testament is the story of Nehemiah.

Tied in closely with the book of Ezra, this short piece of the Old Testament is an amazing bit of history.

Rock Wall

The nation of Judah was taken into captivity by Babylon somewhere around 587 BC. Fifty years later, Cyrus sent some of the people back to rebuild the temple of God. During this time, Zerubbabel rebuilt the temple, Ezra brought the Law back into the life of Israel, and Nehemiah rebuilt the wall around Jerusalem, making it secure in the face of intense conflict and opposition.

Nehemiah’s abilities in administration and perseverance helped him mold the Jewish people back into the people of God so they could obey God’s commands and have a distinction from the people around them.

This is really the beauty of the story. Not only did Nehemiah have to rebuild a wall around the city, he had to rebuild a people to the point where they could stand on their own as an independent nation, following God’s lead.

Although the book is only thirteen short chapters in length, it is full of sage wisdom and leadership advice. You will gain much by studying this incredible little book.

Here are a few of my favorite passages from the book of Nehemiah:

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Memorize Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:21-22

As Paul wraps up his instructions concerning elders who need correction, he states his charge to Timothy. Some feel that this is a charge concerning all of Paul’s teaching in the letter to this point. However, the context suggests that this is more in line with his discussion of the elders in the previous few verses.

You can see the passage in 1 Timothy 5:21-22:

1 Timothy 5:21-22

Paul’s charge is a solemn charge, carrying the weight of responsibility for Timothy’s leadership in the Ephesian church. In a way, this charge is given before God, Christ and the angels as witnesses. That indicates the seriousness of this responsibility that Paul is bestowing upon his young friend.

The idea here is that Timothy is called to judge others; but he is to keep in mind that he will be judged himself as well. With that in mind, let’s look at the areas that Timothy needs to watch.

Do nothing with partiality

Partiality conveys the idea that the case has been already judged and closed. Partiality indicates that the decision has been made. Paul warns Timothy to avoid this at all costs.

Do not show favoritism

The idea of favoritism suggests that there is the inclination to side with one side over the other. Again, Paul tells Timothy that this isn’t an acceptable characteristic for a leader to have, and warns Timothy against it.

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Memorize Scripture: 1 Timothy 5:19-20

Paul has already addresses elders in 1 Timothy. However, he returns to the topic to give some further instruction in the fifth chapter. This isn’t as much a job description, as in chapter three, but seems to be more corrective in nature.

Take a look for yourself in 1 Timothy 5:19-20:

1 Timothy 5:19-20

In the previous couple of verses, Paul’s concern is for the care and compensation of elders who give their lives wholly to the ministry, forsaking other means of generating an income. Paul expects the church that Timothy is directing to take charge and help these men provide for their families.

But in these verses, his tone changes. Here he is addressing the steps to be taken when an elder is found to be in sin.

He gives Timothy two guidelines to follow: