1 Timothy 4:4b-5 – Achin’ for Bacon

A young boy sneaks a piece of bacon from a platter on the table (Grok)

… and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

Summary: Paul’s instruction about food provides a jumping-off place for understanding the frictions between Jew and Gentile and a warning against falling under false “religious laws.”   

When I was about five years old, my parents moved to a small mill town on the Willamette River. Our house overlooked the river, and the street we lived on was named “River Street.” Most of the property around our house was undeveloped woods, but nearby was another house owned by the town dentist. He had two children about the same age as my brothers and me. 

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Philippians 3:2a – Old and New

a stone bridge between to land masses. The side of the bridge spells out the word "HISTORY." It is a symbolic connection between the old a the new. In the middle of the bridge is the cross and the on the cross is Jesus. (Grok)

For it is we who are the circumcision…

Summary: Understanding what Paul means by “we who are the circumcision” requires a brief look back at the history of the Bible.   

In the Old Testament, circumcision was given by God to Abraham and every male that was with him (Genesis 17:10). When we talk about circumcision of the flesh in the Old Testament sense, we are talking about something that is uniquely male. Interestingly, when we talk about circumcision in the New Testament sense, it can apply to both men and women.

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Colossians 4:6b – Salty Talk

Picture of salt being shaken out of a salt shaker.

[Let your conversation be]…seasoned with salt …

Summary: “Seasoned with salt” is a phrase that sounds interesting but lacks a connection with our modern world. Taking a look at the history of salt in biblical times might help us understand better what Paul meant. 

Let’s begin this meditation with a question asked by Job many thousands of years ago: 

“Can that which is unsavoury be eaten without salt? or is there any taste in the white of an egg?” (Job 6:6, KJV) He goes on to say, “I refuse to touch it; such food makes me ill.”

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