Jeff Englund

January 17, 2026January 19, 2026

1 Timothy 1:3-4a – Stick to the Truth

Picture: A young boy and girl make their way through a dark and scary forest (Grok)

[As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people] … not to teach false doctrines any longer or to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies.

Summary: The question of who Timothy is supposed to “command” comes into better focus as we examine what he is up against.

Timothy is staying in Ephesus to help strengthen and guide the church there. It also seems clear from Paul’s opening words to Timothy that he is also there to protect and defend the church from anything that would distract or confuse the Gospel.

January 16, 2026January 17, 2026

1 Timothy 1:3b – In Defense of the Gospel

Image of Roman soldier representing "commands" (Pixabay - AI generated)

… so that you may command certain people …

Summary: Giving commands sounds easy until someone takes offense.

Let’s regroup and read Paul’s entire sentence so far:

“As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain people …”

January 15, 2026January 15, 2026

1 Timothy 1:3a – Connecting Dots

A hand holds a pen and is about to connect one large dot to another (Grok)

As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus …

Summary: Sometimes it is helpful to “connect the dots” when we read Scripture, as long as we remember that the lines connecting the dots are just guesses and not facts.

What is going on?

When did Paul leave Timothy in Ephesus while he went on to Macedonia? This timing is not a critically important point to understand, but it does provide some context for Paul’s letter.

January 14, 2026January 15, 2026

1 Timothy 1:2e – The Curious Cat

Four cats looking down at the camera - curiously! (Pixabay - AI)

… from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Summary: Warning: This meditation delves into dangerous waters.

Have you ever wondered why Paul didn’t write, “Grace, mercy and peace from God,” and leave it at that?

January 13, 2026January 13, 2026

1 Timothy 1:2d – The Daily Gift

An elaborately dressed servant stands at the door with a gold tray and three gifts. (Grok)

… peace …

Summary: Peace is something everyone seems to want, but very few people have. God’s peace is something everyone can have if only we will accept it.

The third gift from God that Paul offers in his salutation to Timothy is peace. Like the other two gifts, the peace that Paul is talking about is from God.

January 12, 2026January 12, 2026

1 Timothy 1:2c – God’s Mercy

Picture of a little bird in a next being held in a pair of protective hands (Pixabay)

Grace, mercy and peace …

Summary: Finding the word “mercy” in Paul’s salutation to Timothy sets this letter apart from those written to the churches.

Our word for the day in our last meditation was “grace.” In this meditation, we will focus on the second word in Paul’s triad of blessings, “mercy.”

January 10, 2026January 11, 2026

1 Timothy 1:2b – The Itch

Three monkeys are grooming each other (scratching their itch!) - Pixabay

Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.

Summary: Paul is only on verse two, and already he is using words that we need to think about before we move on.

As mentioned earlier,* it is always helpful to define terms, especially when we are discussing something important like legal matters or things such as our relationship with the Creator of All Things.

January 9, 2026January 11, 2026

1 Timothy 1:2a – Two for One

Picture of two small birds on a tree branch (Pixabay)

To Timothy my true son in the faith:

Summary: Luke’s historical account in the Book of Acts provides important clues that help us understand what Paul means by calling Timothy his “true son in the faith.”

To say that Paul and Timothy had a special relationship is an understatement. In today’s passage, Paul calls Timothy, “my true son in the faith…”

January 8, 2026January 8, 2026

1 Timothy 1:1d – Our Hope

…and of Christ Jesus our hope,

Summary: Paul’s words are carefully chosen, and as we look at them, we are able to catch a glimpse of how Paul sees his Lord and Savior.

Let’s begin our meditation with a review of Paul’s entire opening words so far:

“Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope …”

January 7, 2026January 7, 2026

1 Timothy 1:1c – God’s Command

Picture of Paul, cold, wet, beaten and being threatened by bandits (Grok)

…by the command of God our Savior …

Summary: Being an apostle is not all it’s cracked up to be. The work is hard, and the pay is lousy — at least from a worldly perspective.

Why would anyone become an apostle of Jesus Christ?

Does being an apostle give you status? Are people impressed by you being an apostle?