Christ – Three Minute Bible

August 28, 2026August 27, 2026

2 Timothy 1:1b – Been There Done That

Jesus and Nicodemus converse at night (Grok)

… according to the promise of the life which is in Christ Jesus…

Summary: Paul’s wording in this passage gives us a reason to pause and ponder.

Paul doesn’t waste any time in this letter. Already, before the ink is dry on his first sentence, I have questions about what he is saying. At least this time I am not alone!

Translators have issues with this sentence, too. The translation used for the passage above is the World English Bible (WEB). The NIV says it almost the same way:

“…in keeping with the promise of life that is in Christ Jesus…”

The Darby Translation says it a bit differently and may capture the intent of the Greek better than most:

“Paul, apostle of Jesus Christ by God’s will, according to promise of life, the [life] which [is] in Christ Jesus…”

Let’s go with this translation for now. What is the life which is in Christ Jesus? Jesus says:

“I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will still live, even if he dies.” (John 11:25, WEB)

There is a technical phrase for what this sentence does to the human brain. It is “cognitive dissonance.” A more colloquial way to put it would be, “Jesus, you grind my gears!”

How can I still live, even if I die?

It turns out that there are two kinds of life and death. The one we all know about is the kind of life we have when our body is working well, and the death we experience when the body stops working. But what about our inner self? What about the invisible, spiritual, personal “ME” that is inside of me and is where my thinking and feelings occur?

The invisible part of us doesn’t just go out when we die, like blowing out a candle. Instead, it continues to exist only without the complications of a physical body. How do I know this?

The best evidence is Jesus Christ himself. That he lived two thousand years ago is not contested. Some people claim that he didn’t really die on the cross, but the evidence that he did is overwhelming. Nobody survives being whipped to near death, crucified, and then run through to the heart with a lance.

It is Jesus himself who provides evidence of life after death, and it is his conversation with Nicodemus that explains why he knows:

“ I have spoken to you of earthly things and you do not believe; how then will you believe if I speak of heavenly things? No one has ever gone into heaven except the one who came from heaven—the Son of Man.” (John 3:12-13)

He has “been there, done that,” as they say.

Application: Trust Jesus—he knows!

Food for Thought: What does the word “life” mean the way Paul is using it in his sentence?

Please click ‘’Continue Reading” for comments.

August 11, 2026August 10, 2026

1 Timothy 6:13b – Good News!

Cartoon of man shouting "Good News!" (Grok)

… and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession …

Summary: Paul’s reference to the ‘good confession’ points us to the essential core of the Gospel message.

Ah yes… the “Good Confession.” What, exactly, is Paul talking about?

The record of Jesus’ conversations with Pilate is fascinating. John, especially, shares a great deal of detail about what happened.

Pilate is curious. Looking at the impoverished carpenter turned itinerant rabbi, he seems to be almost amused. “Are you the king of the Jews?,” he asks, somewhat incredulously. He has obviously heard the Jews muttering this about Jesus even though they didn’t bring charges against him officially.

Jesus responds with, “My kingdom is not of this world.”

Jesus is not a threat to anybody, especially someone like Pilate. But why are the Jews so stirred up? Jesus has often taught about the ‘kingdom of God’ and because of his royal entry into Jerusalem on a donkey, the Jewish leaders have accused him of being a ‘wannabe king.’ Pilate, no doubt, had heard of these mutterings.

All Jesus confessed was the Truth. His kingdom is not of this world.

Timothy made a “good confession,” too.

What was his “good confession”?

Paul doesn’t quote Timothy’s exact words, but he does tell us what it was about:

“Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” (1 Timothy 6:12)

How do we ‘take hold’ of eternal life?

In Paul’s second letter to Timothy, he writes:

“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel…” (2 Timothy 2:8)

Jesus, the Christ (the promised Messiah), descended from David (promised by God — a kingdom “established forever”*), and raised from the dead (Acts 2:32). This explains what the gospel (the Good News) is. Jesus explains why it is good news:

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)

These are not ‘magic words’ one says as an incantation. Far from it! These words — or words like them — are a confession of what we believe to be true. They are words that, if believed when spoken, change the course of a person’s life … forever.

Application: Believe and be saved.

Food for Thought: If the kingdom of God (Jesus) is not of this world, where is it?

*2 Samuel 7:16

Please click ‘’Continue Reading” for comments.

June 20, 2026June 22, 2026

1 Timothy 5:11b – A Beautiful Thing

For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry.

Summary: Digging into this passage reveals the kindness behind Paul’s age restriction on the “Widow’s List.”

This is an interesting passage because Paul begins to explain the reasoning behind the “over sixty” age limit we have discussed already.

March 28, 2026March 31, 2026

1 Timothy 2:6b – In God’s Time

The Earth as seen from space, floating against a vast background of stars, with a beautiful antique gold pocket watch hanging from a chain positioned next to the Earth (Grok)

This has now been witnessed to at the proper time.

Summary: While different translators handle this passage in different ways, the key concepts of timing and validation remain clear.

This verse, 1 Timothy 2:6, is one of the passages that translators struggle with. Let’s look at a few of the many variations:

February 20, 2026February 21, 2026

1 Timothy 1:16 – What God Can Do

Picture of an old yardstick labeled "GOODNESS" (Grok)

But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his immense patience as an example for those who would believe in him and receive eternal life.

Summary: Paul’s conversion and life for Christ is an example for all of us.

Why would God put up with you or me or anyone else, for that matter? Why would he be patient with people who disrespect him, even when they are trying to do what is right?

February 17, 2026February 18, 2026

1 Timothy 1:14b – A Gem Called Jesus

A large beautiful gem with a cross in the center (Grok)

… along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Summary: Paul points us to the idea that Jesus needed faith, too.

In addition to God’s grace, or perhaps part of it, is the “faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.”

January 3, 2026January 4, 2026

Philippians 4:23b – The “Amen!” at the End

Amen.

Summary: The word “Amen,” is handy to know for several reasons. In our closing meditation, we look at a few things Paul mentions in his letter.

As we come to the end of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, it is worth taking a few minutes to look back over Paul’s words to us. (He is, after all, a messenger of God to you and me.)

November 13, 2025November 13, 2025

Philippians 4:1b – In the Lord (Part 2)

Picture of a man with the cross of Christ glowing within his chest. (Grok)

… stand firm in the Lord in this way, dear friends!

Summary: As we consider the rest of this passage, we rediscover the wisdom Paul shared in Chapter 3.

In the first part of our meditation on this passage, we looked at the phrase, “in the Lord.” In this meditation, let’s look at the phrase, “in this way.”

What does Paul mean?

November 8, 2025November 10, 2025

Philippians 3:21a – Under Control

Picture of a lit candle against a black background (Pixabay)

…the Lord Jesus Christ, who, by the power that enables him to bring everything under his control,

Summary: Power is desired by those who want control over others. Jesus shows us that real power is revealed when we can control our desire for power over others.

Consider what Paul is saying in this passage: Jesus Christ has the power to bring everything under his control.

Wow.

October 30, 2025October 30, 2025

Philippians 3:15b – Who’s In Charge?

And if on some point you think differently, that too God will make clear to you.

Summary: Ultimately, God is in charge. There is a great deal of comfort in that.

Some time ago, a man was leading a small study group at his church. In the course of preparing for the study, he wrestled with a Biblical passage that dealt with the nature of sin.