Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
I urge, then…
Summary: The first three words of chapter two require that we stitch together the threads of Paul’s letter so far so that we can see the whole tapestry.
A lot is going on in this passage, and we will examine several parts of it in detail. For now, let’s look at the first three words, “I urge, then…”
Continue reading “1 Timothy 2:1a – How We Fight”
Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.
Summary: Paul’s language in this passage may seem abrupt, but it is rooted in deep biblical precedent. God sometimes uses what feels like a curse to teach us the consequences of disobedience.
There are a lot of questions that come to mind as we read Paul’s words in this passage. Who were Hymenaeus and Alexander? What had they done? What does it mean to “blaspheme”? What does it mean to have someone over to Satan? What can Satan teach us, and how does he do it?
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:20 – Curse or Consequence?”