law – Three Minute Bible

February 4, 2026February 5, 2026

1 Timothy 1:9b-10a – Squinting

Picture of a digital rendering of the Ark of the Covenant (Pixabay)

[The law is made for]… lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral, for those practicing homosexuality, for slave traders and liars and perjurers …

Summary: Paul’s list of examples of false teachers who violate the law closely parallels God’s Ten Commandments.

If you squint when you look at this passage, it is possible to “see” the law Paul is talking about.

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 …”

February 2, 2026February 3, 2026

1 Timothy 1:8 – Part II: Cleaning House

Picture of a farmer puzzled by various tools - rake, shovel, hammer, and saw. (Grok)

We know that the law is good if one uses it properly.

Summary: Using the law to clean up our behavior is a good thing. Before something can be cleaned, though, it has to want to be cleaned.

Now that we have briefly looked at the different kinds of law that both Paul and Timothy were aware of, let’s examine how the law is used “properly.”

December 23, 2025December 23, 2025

Luke 1:37 – Merry Christmas, Part 1

Picture of Jesus teaching (AI / Pixabay)

For no word from God will ever fail.

Summary: In this meditation, we look back on why Jesus had to become a man and what it means for us.

The Gospel accounts of Matthew, Mark, and John are all written from the perspective of a first or second-hand account of Jesus’ life on earth by people who knew him. Luke’s Gospel is different.

October 18, 2025October 19, 2025

Philippians 3:9c – Son Glasses

A pair of sunglasses on the beach with the ocean in the background. (Pixabay)

… but that which is through faith in Christ—the righteousness that comes from God on the basis of faith.

Summary: How we see things can change everything.

Have you ever noticed how polarized sunglasses cut out the glare? It is really quite amazing! The effect is most noticeable on water.

October 11, 2025October 12, 2025

Philippians 3:6b – Faultless

… as for righteousness based on the law, faultless.

Summary: Understanding the difference between the law and love is not as simple as it sounds.

How can anyone say that they are “faultless?”

Really?

Faultless?!

October 9, 2025October 12, 2025

Philippians 3:5e – Before He Met Jesus

… in regard to the law, a Pharisee;

Summary: Paul reminds us that he was a Pharisee before he met Jesus.

What does Paul mean by saying “in regard to the law, a Pharisee?” The answer, it turns out, requires that we understand the story behind the Pharisees.

September 17, 2025October 1, 2025

Philippians 3:3e – Taking a Break

Two deck chairs overlooking the ocean (GROK)

… though I myself have reasons for such confidence.

Summary: Today, we take an inside-out look at Paul’s statement about confidence. We are also taking a break from blogging.

Taken in context, Paul is referring to his spiritual “credit rating” under the Old Covenant Law. He has a lot to be proud of! He could trace his lineage back to Abraham. He was schooled under the best instructor, Gamaliel. He was apparently a good student. And as far as enthusiasm goes, his Zeal Factor was off the charts. When it came to enforcing the Law, there was no one better.

September 13, 2025September 14, 2025

Philippians 3:3b – Serving God

Picture of the Holy Spirit represented by a dove (Pixabay)

…we who serve God by his Spirit…

Summary: The concept of serving God is clearly explained in the Old Testament. In the New Testament, obedience becomes more Spirit-driven.

If you ever wonder why it takes us so long to get through a short book of the Bible, this passage is a great example of why.

September 12, 2025September 12, 2025

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.