Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man …
Summary: The change in Paul that occurred on the road to Damascus is not all that different than what we commonly call a “wake up call.”
How does a person go from seeing himself as a virtuous defender of “All That Is Right” one day, and the next, find themselves believing that their whole life has been a horrible mistake?
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:13a – A Single Blast of Light”
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord [for] … appointing me to his service.
Summary: Paul’s appointment to the Lord’s service opens the door to an important conversation about the use of the word “martyr.”
When Paul was confronted by Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, he was appointed to the Lord’s service.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:12d – All That Matters”
[I thank Christ Jesus our Lord,] … that he considered me trustworthy…
Summary: Wondering why God considered Paul trustworthy leads us down an interesting and fruitful rabbit-trail.
What if Paul had not been trustworthy? How would God know?
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:12c – Uncompromising”
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength…
Summary: Language is like a bridge made out of puzzle pieces. It only works if the pieces are put together correctly.
Believe it or not, there is a ton of stuff to talk about in this short passage. Let’s begin with the question, “The strength to do what?”
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:12b – Plugged in to Jesus”
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord…
Summary: We don’t always know how dark it is until someone turns on the light.
With these six words, “I thank Christ Jesus our Lord,” Paul is about to launch into a self-portrait of his own shortcomings and the power of Christ to forgive and restore us to his kingdom.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:12a – Twice Owned”
… which he entrusted to me.
Summary: Paul didn’t have an instruction book on how to share the Gospel. He just did it.
Question: What was entrusted to Paul?
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:11b – Remembering Rowan”
[…the sound doctrine] that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God…
Summary: Paul’s definition of sound doctrine depends on an understanding of the Gospel.
Paul began this passage talking about using the law “properly” (1 Timothy 1:8). This inspired a frenzy of meditations dealing with judging, law, covenants, and Paul’s examples of what the law is used for.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:11a – Good News!”
… and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine…
Summary: Paul and Timothy both know what “sound doctrine” is. You can see it in the letter that Paul writes to Timothy.
Since this is part of one of Paul’s famous “paragraph long” sentences, let’s look back and see how we got here. He begins with an introduction: “We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.” Then he starts his sentence with, “We also know that the law is made… for lawbreakers and rebels…” Eventually, he gets around to “…and for whatever else is contrary to … sound doctrine…”
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:10b – Sound Doctrine”
[The law is made for]… lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers …
Summary: Paul’s list of examples of false teachers who violate the law closely parallels God’s Ten Commandments.
If you squint when you look at this passage, it is possible to “see” the law Paul is talking about.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:9b-10a – Squinting”
We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for …
Summary: As Paul leads us into his list of people the law was made for, it is good to pause and consider our personal role in the Body of Christ.
Paul’s sentences can be difficult to follow. He says: ”We also know that the law is made not for the righteous but for …”
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:9a – Challenge Enough”