key – Three Minute Bible

May 30, 2026June 2, 2026

1 Timothy 4:12e – Finding Faith

a cartoon like image of two wheat stalks and a tare. One wheat stalk is in the middle, his cartoon eyes have a worried look as he glances over at the tare. The tare has a cartoon eyes and a smile with a smug look and the other wheat stalk has a cartoon eyes and smile that look peaceful and happy. (Grok)

[but set an example for the believers] … in faith…

Summary: Paul’s instruction to set an example moves from things we can observe into a realm that is both less obvious and more substantial. Faith is both invisible and very personal. For the believer, it is the foundation of our relationship with God.

It is one thing to set an example in speech and conduct: we can see that. It is another to set an example in love (agapē): we can feel that. But when we get to faith, we are talking about a different kind of thing. We can’t see or feel someone’s faith in God. All we can do is observe them over time and try to discern with our minds why they do what they do.

May 28, 2026May 29, 2026

1 Timothy 4:12c – Faith & Feats

Picture of a man saying "Yes" out of one side of his mouth and "No" out of the other. (Grok)

[but set an example for the believers] … in conduct…

Summary: What we say and what we do are both important. What is best is when the two match up.

So far, the whole passage we are looking at reads:

“Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct…”

May 25, 2026May 28, 2026

1 Timothy 4:11 – Context Matters

Picture of a quiz on a student's desk. The question is "List 10 things Paul instructed Timothy to "command and teach" (Grok)

Command and teach these things.

Summary: Understanding Paul’s words in this passage involves humble self-reflection and an honest assessment of what our role is in the Body of Christ.

This verse has to be one of the shortest and most direct sentences that Paul has ever written!

May 23, 2026May 25, 2026

1 Timothy 4:10 – Why We Train

A picture of a man digging a deep hole. (Grok)

That is why we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.

Summary: This passage is a hum-dinger. Paul’s words leave us with a paradox wrapped up in a controversy.

This verse, like so many others in this letter to Timothy, is difficult. It can be analyzed from several different angles, but for the sake of this meditation, we are going to use a very simple analysis. Paul’s sentence can be divided into two parts. One is paradoxical, and the other is controversial.

May 22, 2026May 23, 2026

1 Timothy 4:9 – Focus on the Truth

This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.

Summary: Looking back at Paul’s ‘trustworthy sayings’ helps us gain perspective on his strategy for the Lord’s churches.

The words in this passage represent the third time Paul has pointed to a “trustworthy saying.”

May 20, 2026May 24, 2026

1 Timothy 4:7b – Training For Jesus

A fighter is working out with a punching bag. The bag has the word "SIN" on it in large letters -- perhaps drawn as if they were sewn into the bag. With each punch words fly out from the impact. These words include love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control. "Grok"

… rather, train yourself to be godly.

Summary: Learning to train ourselves to be godly requires thinking about spiritual training in a whole new way.

I would love to sit down with Paul and talk about the history of the church so far. It would be interesting to hear his take on what he would categorize as “godless myths and old wives’ tales.”

May 19, 2026May 20, 2026

1 Timothy 4:7a – The Line

The picture illustrates the line that runs between Calvary and the Lake of Fire. We call it "Choice." — The picture illustrates the line that runs between Calvary and the Lake of Fire. We call it “Choice.”

Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales…

Summary: Paul’s challenge to avoid “godless myths and old wives’ tales” makes us wonder how we tell the difference between truth and fiction.

What is the difference between the truth and a “godless myth”?

May 15, 2026May 16, 2026

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.

May 13, 2026May 14, 2026

1 Timothy 4:3 – Secret Decoder Ring

They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth.

Summary: Paul’s message in this passage might seem complicated to some, but to those who know God’s Word, he is pointing the way to the answers to our questions.

Before we dive too deeply into this passage, let’s review the larger context.