key – Page 2 – Three Minute Bible

March 18, 2026March 19, 2026

1 Timothy 2:1e – The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly

A picture of Jesus praying over the people of the world -- all of us! (Grok)

[I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving]… be made for all people…

Summary: Paul’s instruction on prayer includes praying for “all people.” At first blush, this might seem counter-intuitive. However, if we remember our place in the universe, this command starts to make sense.

What, exactly, does Paul mean by “all people”? Does he have any idea what he is saying? Does he actually mean to be “thankful” for people who have beaten him, imprisoned him, stoned him, and left him for dead (2 Corinthians 11:24-26)? And what about the people preaching false doctrine (1 Timothy 1:3)? What about the people Paul wished would emasculate themselves (Galatians 5:12)?

March 11, 2026March 13, 2026

1 Timothy 1:19c – Sheets & Tillers

Picture of a sailboat on the open sea (Grok)

[…holding on to faith and a good conscience]…which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck with regard to the faith.

Summary: Paul uses a metaphor to help explain the importance of maintaining control over our thoughts and actions.

This passage brings up a sensitive topic for many people. They read these words Paul wrote and wonder, “Does this mean we can lose our faith?” Others take the question one step further and ask, “What about salvation? Does this mean we can lose our salvation?”

March 9, 2026March 13, 2026

1 Timothy 1:19a – Trusting God (Part II)

… holding on to faith …

Summary: The story of Peter walking on water takes on a whole new meaning as we step back and take a look at the bigger narrative in the Gospel accounts.

Looking back on our last meditation, “Trusting God (Part I),” there are a few unanswered questions that it might be helpful to consider. For example:

February 23, 2026February 24, 2026

1 Timothy 1:16c – The Way Home

Picture of St. Paul standing by the side of the road with a sign that says "This Way Home." (Grok)

…and receive eternal life.

Summary: Taking a closer look at Paul’s words, we take a moment to review what it means to have eternal life.

Jesus called Paul to be an Apostle — one who is “sent” to teach others about the kingdom of God. We might not ever be called to appear before a king in this life, but we will in the next, and we need to understand what is involved so that we can be prepared.

February 6, 2026February 10, 2026

1 Timothy 1:11a – Good News!

Picture (painting) of Jesus being followed by a sheep. (Pixabay)

[…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.

February 3, 2026February 4, 2026

1 Timothy 1:9a – Challenge Enough

a picture of a kitten playing with a ball of colored "yarn" except that the words of 1 Timothy 1 are on the yarn. (Grok)

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 …”

January 30, 2026January 31, 2026

1 Timothy 1:7 – Part IV: Whose Law?

Moses carrying the two stone tablets with the Ten Commandments on them (Grok)

They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

Summary: When we talk about being a teacher of the law, it is important to consider the source of the laws we are teaching. They are not all the same.

Before we move on, we need to spend a few minutes talking about the difference between God’s laws and man’s laws.

January 29, 2026January 30, 2026

1 Timothy 1:7 – Part III: Teachers of the Law

A college professor stands at the blackboard writing the word "LAW." (Grok)

They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

Summary: Teaching others is a wonderful calling and profession, if we are teaching God’s truth. For those who teach otherwise, there are consequences.

Now that we have discussed what evil actually is and have a better understanding of what the law is, let’s look at what it means to be a “teacher of the law.”

January 28, 2026January 29, 2026

1 Timothy 1:7 – Part II: What is Evil?

Picture of a hand holding a baby snake (Pixabay)

They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

Summary: Deciding what is “evil” seems easy to most of us. “Evil” is anything we don’t like or don’t approve of. But what about God’s definition of “evil?”

If the law is a signpost that warns us against evil, what is evil? This is the next BIG question. Did the serpent lie about that, too?

January 27, 2026January 28, 2026

1 Timothy 1:7 – Part I: What is the Law?

Picture is of a woodland trail with a sign beside it saying "Stay Out! Evil Ahead!" (Grok)

They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

Summary: The topic of the law opens the door to many related questions. The first one we will deal with has to do with the nature of the law itself.

In our last meditation, we discussed the meaning of the verb “judge.” The Bible instructs us to make good judgments about the things we say and do, but warns us against making moral judgments about other people.