Month: November 2021

November 30, 2021

There is one God (1 Tim. 2:5)

“There is one God.

There is also one mediator

Between God

And humankind,

Christ Jesus,

Himself human.”

εἷς γὰρ Θεός, εἷς καὶ μεσίτης Θεοῦ καὶ ἀνθρώπων, ἄνθρωπος Χριστὸς Ἰησοῦς,

Paul said, “There is one God (εἷς γὰρ Θεός).  There is also one mediator (εἷς καὶ μεσίτης) between God (Θεοῦ) and humankind (καὶ ἀνθρώπων), Christ Jesus (Χριστὸς Ἰησοῦς), himself human (ἄνθρωπος).”  Only the Pauline letters used this word μεσίτης, that means an arbitrator, a mediator, intermediary, go-between, or arbiter.  Paul used strong monotheistic terms to explain the role of Jesus Christ.  There was only one God, as the Jews had proclaimed.  Just as there was one God, there was only one mediator between God and all us humans.  This mediator is quite simply the unique human man Jesus Christ.  Jesus Christ was the God-man who intercedes for us with God.  He is both divine and human at the same time.  He reconciled us worldly humans with God, the Father.  He has bridged the gap between divine and human so that now mere humans and God are no longer separated.  All humans can be reconciled with God through Jesus Christ.  Do you accept Jesus Christ as the only mediator between you and God?

November 30, 2021

God wants to save everyone (1 Tim. 2:4)

“God desires

Everyone to be saved

And come to

The knowledge

Of the truth.”

ὃς πάντας ἀνθρώπους θέλει σωθῆναι καὶ εἰς ἐπίγνωσιν ἀληθείας ἐλθεῖν.

Paul said, “God desires (θέλει) everyone (ὃς πάντας ἀνθρώπους) to be saved (σωθῆναι) and come (ἐλθεῖν) to the knowledge (καὶ εἰς ἐπίγνωσιν) of the truth (ἀληθείας).”  Only the Pauline letters used this word ἐπίγνωσιν that means recognition, knowledge, perception, or discernment.  Paul told Timothy that God wanted all men, everyone, to be saved.  This was not an exclusive club of a few select people.  The gospel of Jesus was universal, not for a particular group of people.  However, they had to come to the knowledge or correct perception of truth as taught by Jesus Christ and Paul.  Do you think that all people can be saved?

November 30, 2021

This is the right thing to do (1 Tim. 2:3)

“This is right

And acceptable

In the sight of God,

Our savior.”

τοῦτο καλὸν καὶ ἀπόδεκτον ἐνώπιον τοῦ Σωτῆρος ἡμῶν Θεοῦ,

Paul said, “This is right (τοῦτο καλὸν) and acceptable (καὶ ἀπόδεκτον) in the sight (ἐνώπιον) of God (Θεοῦ), our savior (Σωτῆρος ἡμῶν).”  Only this letter to Timothy used this unique word ἀπόδεκτον, that means acceptable, welcome, or pleasant.  Paul said that praying for the kings and other authorities was a good, right, and acceptable practice before God, who was the savior of all of them.  It was a good and pleasant thing to pray for the people in charge of civil society, even if they were not followers of Jesus Christ.  Everyone was in the presence or in front of God, our savior.  Do you think that it is right to pray for civil leaders?

November 30, 2021

Pray for kings (1 Tim. 2:2)

“Pray for kings,

And all who are in high positions.

Thus,

They may lead

Quiet

And peaceful lives

In all goodness

And dignity.”

ὑπὲρ βασιλέων καὶ πάντων τῶν ἐν ὑπεροχῇ ὄντων, ἵνα ἤρεμον καὶ ἡσύχιον βίον διάγωμεν ἐν πάσῃ εὐσεβείᾳ καὶ σεμνότητι.

Paul said, “Pray for kings (ὑπὲρ βασιλέων), and all (καὶ πάντων) who are in high positions (ἐν ὑπεροχῇ ὄντων).  Thus, they may lead (διάγωμεν) quiet (ἵνα ἤρεμον) and peaceful (καὶ ἡσύχιον) lives (βίον) in all (ἐν πάσῃ) goodness (εὐσεβείᾳ) and dignity (καὶ σεμνότητι).”  Only the Pauline letters used this word ὑπεροχῇ, that means projection, eminence, superiority, preeminence, or authority.  Only this letter to Timothy used this unique word ἤρεμον, that means quiet or tranquil, and the word ἡσύχιον, that means tranquil or peaceful, as well as the word διάγωμεν, that means to carry over, to pass time, spend time, or live, and the word σεμνότητι, that means seriousness, dignity, honor, or gravity.  Paul used a lot of unique words to explain that Timothy should pray for the kings and other civic authorities in important positions.  The prayer was simple that they might lead quiet peaceful good lives with dignity.  Paul wanted the kings and other leaders to lead stable peaceful lives without any disruptive wars or arguments.  This had been common among Jewish worshipers as well.  Good luck on that!  Do you know any civil leaders who live peaceful good dignified lives?

November 30, 2021

Pray for everyone (1 Tim. 2:1)

“First of all,

I urge

That these supplications,

Prayers,

Intercessions,

And thanksgivings

Be made for everyone.”

Παρακαλῶ οὖν πρῶτον πάντων ποιεῖσθαι δεήσεις, προσευχάς, ἐντεύξεις, εὐχαριστίας, ὑπὲρ πάντων ἀνθρώπων,

Paul said, “First of all (πρῶτον πάντων), I urge (Παρακαλῶ οὖν) that these supplications (δεήσεις), prayers (προσευχάς), intercessions (ἐντεύξεις), and thanksgivings (εὐχαριστίας) be made (ποιεῖσθαι) for everyone (ὑπὲρ πάντων ἀνθρώπων).”  Only this letter to Timothy used this unique word ἐντεύξεις, that means a petition, supplication, or intercession.  Paul talked about the importance of prayer to God.  Paul mentioned this as a priority, as he urged Timothy to pray with pleas, requests, intercessions, and thanksgivings.  He was not only to pray for his friends and acquaintances, but for everyone, all mankind.  His prayer should not have a limited scope.  We need to have a universal sense of all people before God.  Do you have a limited scope in your prayer life?

November 29, 2021

Turned over to Satan (1 Tim. 1:20)

“Among the shipwrecked

Are Hymenaeus

And Alexander,

Whom I have turned over

To Satan,

So that they may learn

Not to blaspheme.”

ὧν ἐστιν Ὑμέναιος καὶ Ἀλέξανδρος, οὓς παρέδωκα τῷ Σατανᾷ, ἵνα παιδευθῶσιν μὴ βλασφημεῖν.

Paul said, “Among the shipwrecked are (ὧν ἐστιν) Hymenaeus (Ὑμέναιος) and Alexander (καὶ Ἀλέξανδρος), whom I have turned over (οὓς παρέδωκα) to Satan (τῷ Σατανᾷ), so that they may learn (ἵνα παιδευθῶσιν) not to blaspheme (μὴ βλασφημεῖν).”  Paul then mentioned the names of two people in Ephesus who have been shipwrecked in their faith.  Paul wanted them turned over to Satan or thrown out of the Christian community at Ephesus.  They had to learn not to blaspheme.  Who were these guys?  Hymenaeus was mentioned again in the second letter to Timothy, chapter 2:17, where he was once again leading people into impiety.  This Alexander may have been the Ephesus Jewish person in Acts, chapter 19:33 or the one mentioned in 2 Timothy, chapter 4:14-15, who was an Ephesian coppersmith who opposed Paul.  Obviously, they were teaching or preaching a message that Paul considered heretical or not correct.  Do you know someone who is teaching incorrectly about Jesus Christ?

November 29, 2021

You have a good faith (1 Tim. 1:19)

“You have faith

And a good conscience.

By rejecting conscience,

Certain persons

Have suffered a shipwreck

In their faith.”

ἔχων πίστιν καὶ ἀγαθὴν συνείδησιν, ἥν τινες ἀπωσάμενοι περὶ τὴν πίστιν ἐναυάγησαν·

Paul said, “You have faith (ἔχων πίστιν) and a good conscience (καὶ ἀγαθὴν συνείδησιν).  By rejecting (ἀπωσάμενοι) conscience, certain persons (ἥν τινες) have suffered a shipwreck (ἀπωσάμενοι) in their faith (περὶ τὴν πίστιν).”  Only the Pauline letters have used this word that means to suffer shipwreck, shipwrecked, or ruined.  Paul explained to Timothy that he had faith and a good conscience.  However, there were some people in Ephesus that had rejected a good conscience, so that their faith ended up in a shipwreck.  Their faith was ruined.  Paul contrasted Timothy with those who had problems with their faith in Jesus Christ.  Do you have a good conscience?

November 29, 2021

Fight the good fight (1 Tim. 1:18)

“Timothy!

My child!

I am giving you

These instructions.

These are in accordance

With the prophecies

Made earlier

About you.

Thus,

By following them,

You may fight

The good fight.”

Ταύτην τὴν παραγγελίαν παρατίθεμαί σοι, τέκνον Τιμόθεε, κατὰ τὰς προαγούσας ἐπὶ σὲ προφητείας, ἵνα στρατεύῃ ἐν αὐταῖς τὴν καλὴν στρατείαν,

Paul said, “Timothy (Τιμόθεε)!  My child (τέκνον)!  I am giving you (παρατίθεμαί σοι) these instructions (Ταύτην τὴν παραγγελίαν)!  These are in accordance with the prophecies (κατὰ τὰς προαγούσας) made earlier (προφητείας) about you (ἐπὶ σὲ).  Thus, by following them (ἐν αὐταῖς), you may fight (ἵνα στρατεύῃ) the good fight (τὴν καλὴν στρατείαν).”  Only the Pauline letters used this word στρατείαν, that means a campaign, expedition, warfare, military service, or Christian warfare.  Paul called Timothy his child, as he had done in verse two of this chapter.  He was going to give Timothy some instructions that were according to the prophecies or revelations made about Timothy previously.  Apparently, Timothy had a special Christian mission, a lot like Paul.  If Timothy followed these instructions, he would be able to fight the good Christian fight.  He would be like a military warrior going out to battle against the evil ones.  Do you fight the good fight for Jesus Christ?

November 29, 2021

Honor and glory to God! (1 Tim. 1:17)

“To the king of ages!

Immortal!

Invisible!

The only God!

Be honor

And glory

Forever and ever!

Amen!”

Τῷ δὲ Βασιλεῖ τῶν αἰώνων, ἀφθάρτῳ ἀοράτῳ μόνῳ Θεῷ, τιμὴ καὶ δόξα εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων· ἀμήν.

Paul said, “To the king of ages (Τῷ δὲ Βασιλεῖ τῶν αἰώνων)!  Immortal (ἀφθάρτῳ)!  Invisible (ἀοράτῳ)!  The only God (μόνῳ Θεῷ)!  Be honor (τιμὴ) and glory (καὶ δόξα) forever and ever (εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων)!  Amen (ἀμήν)!”  Only the Pauline letters used this word ἀοράτῳ, that means invisible or unseen.  This sounds like a Jewish prayer that became part of the Christian liturgical service.  This is like Romans, chapter 16:27, where Paul finished with this blessing to the only wise God (μόνῳ σοφῷ Θεῷ) be glory (ᾧ ἡ δόξα) forever and ever (εἰς τοὺς αἰῶνας τῶν αἰώνων) through Jesus Christ (διὰ Ἰησοῦ Χριστοῦ)!  Amen (ἀμήν).”  and Ephesians, chapter 3:21, where Paul said, “To God be glory (αὐτῷ ἡ δόξα) in the church (ἐν τῇ ἐκκλησίᾳ) and in Christ Jesus (καὶ ἐν Χριστῷ Ἰησοῦ) to all generations (εἰς πάσας τὰς γενεὰς), forever and ever (τοῦ αἰῶνος τῶν αἰώνων).  Amen (ἀμήν).”  Here Paul called God, the king of ages who was immortal, invisible, and unique.  There was no other god like him.  Thus, he should have glory and honor forever.  However, there was no mention of Jesus Christ here.  In all three cases, Paul then ended this section with a prayer to God with a strong Hebrew amen that means let it be so.  What kind of prayer do you say to God?

November 29, 2021

I received mercy (1 Tim. 1:16)

“For that very reason,

I received mercy.

Thus,

In me,

The foremost sinner,

Jesus Christ

Might display

The utmost patience,

Making me

An example

To those who would come

To believe in him

For eternal life.”

ἀλλὰ διὰ τοῦτο ἠλεήθην, ἵνα ἐν ἐμοὶ πρώτῳ ἐνδείξηται Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς τὴν ἅπασαν μακροθυμίαν, πρὸς ὑποτύπωσιν τῶν μελλόντων πιστεύειν ἐπ’ αὐτῷ εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον.

Paul said, “For that very reason (ἀλλὰ διὰ τοῦτο), I received mercy (ἠλεήθην).  Thus, in me (ἵνα ἐν ἐμοὶ), the foremost (πρώτῳ) sinner, Jesus Christ (Ἰησοῦς Χριστὸς) might display (ἐνδείξηται) the utmost patience (τὴν ἅπασαν μακροθυμίαν), making me an example (πρὸς ὑποτύπωσιν) to those who would come (τῶν μελλόντων) to believe (πιστεύειν) in him (ἐπ’ αὐτῷ) for eternal life (εἰς ζωὴν αἰώνιον).”  Only the Pauline letters used this word ἐνδείξηται, that means to indicate to prove or show forth, and the word μακροθυμίαν, that means patience, long-suffering, or forbearance.  Only this letter to Timothy used this unique word ὑποτύπωσιν, that means an outline, sketch, an example, a pattern, or a sample.  Paul explained that he had received mercy from God even though he was the foremost or worst sinner.  Thus, Jesus Christ showed his full or utmost patience towards Paul, who then became an example for others.  Paul was a sample or living example of what might happen to others who would come to believe in Jesus Christ and eternal life.  God was using Paul and his life as a road map for others to follow.  Has God been merciful to you?