Tag: love

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2 Timothy 1:7b – More Gifts From God

A bulldozer with a heart does powerful work (Grok)

… but of power, love, and self-control.

Summary: These three gifts from God are intertwined and interdependent.   

When Paul writes that Timothy was given a spirit of power, love, and self-control, I am assuming he is talking about the impact that the Holy Spirit can have in a person’s life. And what a collection of gifts from God! 

“Power,” is not to be taken lightly. In mechanical terms, we define power in terms of how fast a physical object can be moved. In spiritual terms, power translates into how fast God can move a mountain. 

Most of the mountains we meet in our lives come in the form of personal challenges. Returning to Paul’s challenge to Timothy (1 Timothy 1:3-4), his “mountain” was people teaching false doctrines and devoting themselves to myths and genealogies. Paul makes it clear that Timothy, who was fairly young, did not have to rely on his own power, but instead on the power of God’s Holy Spirit. 

One of the reasons God’s power is so effective is that it is rooted in love (agapē). Power by itself is just that—power. Power rooted in love is power that is grounded in God’s will. When that happens, power takes on meaning and direction. It has a purpose, which is to further the kingdom of God. 

Finally, Paul includes “self-control.” This is essential for the proper use of power. It is the throttle that controls how fast the power is applied. It is the brake pedal that slows down the use of power when less power is more. 

Interestingly, the words Paul used for power and love are consistently translated as “power” and “love” in English translations. However, when we come to “self-control,” there is more variety in translation. Other English translations use words like “sound-mind,” soberness, sound judgment, and self-discipline. Other translations use “prudence,” and one says simply, “a good mind” (NLV). 

Whichever word you use, the inference is that all three: power, love, and the ability to apply them all correctly come from God. The other inference is that we are willing to receive them and use them for God’s glory. What about you? What will you do with power, love, and self-control from God? 

Application: Accept God’s gifts and use them wisely.  

Food for Thought: How are these three gifts intertwined? What happens if we try to use one without the others?

Please click ‘’Continue Reading” for comments. Quotes are from the World English Bible (Public Domain) unless otherwise noted.

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2 Timothy 1:3b-4 – Unceasing Petitions

A street full of petitioners, carrying candles and pictures of Christ (Grok)

How unceasing is my memory of you in my petitions, night and day longing to see you, remembering your tears, that I may be filled with joy; 

Summary: Paul’s words to Timothy provide a glimpse into God’s love for each of us.   

Our God is a passionate God and is one who loves us deeply. His apostle, Paul, is also passionate, and he also loves deeply. This is obvious in the words Paul wrote to express his love and concern for Timothy. 

In one sense, this is a deeply personal passage. It is so personal that even now, hundreds of years later, it is almost embarrassing to read. Clearly, Paul has a deep affection for Timothy as a son. 

In another sense, this passage reflects the way that Jesus feels about each of us, individually. 

Do you think I exaggerate? 

“Unceasing is my memory…”

“Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.” (Luke 12:6-7, NIV)

“…of you in my petitions…”

“My prayer is not that you take them out of the world but that you protect them from the evil one.” (John 17:15)

“…night and day longing to see you, remembering your tears, that I may be filled with joy…”

“I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one— I in them and you in me—so that they may be brought to complete unity.” (John 17:22-23)

There are a lot of distractions in life. It is easy to forget and lose sight of what is important. Friends come and go, family moves away, and it becomes harder to stay in contact. 

None of that distracts Paul from his focus on Timothy. He is constantly mindful of the challenges Timothy faces and the work that is always before him. Paul is only human. He can’t be in two places at one time. 

But God can. 

We can rely on God to look after those we love, just as Paul does when he prays unceasingly for Timothy. Just as Jesus prays for us. 

Application: Love as God loves us.  

Food for Thought: If God cares deeply for us, why doesn’t he remove all the pain and frustration in our lives? 

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1 Timothy 6:11 (Part 4) – Love

A crystal heart with a Cross in the center (Grok)

But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness. 

Summary: Love, the poet says, is a ‘many splendored thing.’ Yet when it comes to describing what those ‘splendors’ are, we sometimes get stuck.   

One thing we can be fairly confident of when we focus on Paul’s advice to Timothy is that he wasn’t suggesting Timothy pursue romantic love. 

Sometimes, of course, it is the other way around. Romantic love pursues the man! Many a young pastor has discovered that they are more popular with the fair sex than they could have imagined. Sometimes even older ones fall victim to this trap. (Satan isn’t proud when it comes to subverting God’s church. There is nothing he will not stoop to.)

The kind of “love” Paul recommends pursuing is quite different. 

When we talk about the love Paul is referring to, it is easy to ‘zone out’ and let our minds wander to some other topic. Godly love can sound ‘churchy’ and maybe even a bit stuffy. After all, we are talking about a God who has been around a long, long time and who in ancient times was responsible for plagues, people dying in battle, and sending Jesus to the cross. 

Maybe if we substitute “nice” for the word “love,” God will let us get by with that. 

The word Paul actually used is, of course, the Greek word “agapē.” Agapē is often referred to as “godly love” to set it apart from other forms of love. It includes affection but runs very deep in terms of being willing to make sacrifices for the one you love. 

One way to think of agapē is as a kind of ‘selfless love.’ 

This makes sense when we consider the two Great Commandments as Jesus summarized them.* The first is to love God above all else, including yourself. This means that we put God’s will above our own. Interestingly, putting God first guarantees our thoughts and actions will reflect his love because “God is love” (1 John 4:8). 

The second Great Commandment does something similar. It simply says we are to love our neighbor as ourselves. Here again we sacrifice putting ourselves first so that we can treat our neighbors as God would have them treated. 

Application: Love well.  

Food for Thought: What does loving our neighbor look like?

* Matthew 22:37-40

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1 Timothy 3:2b – Faithfulness

An elderly couple walk down a country road hand-in-hand (Grok)

Now the overseer is to be … faithful to his wife…

Summary: As Paul begins to outline the qualities of an overseer, the first one he turns to is the marriage relationship in a man’s life.   

This passage is an excellent example of how the Bible defines itself. 

So far, Paul has told us that being an overseer is a noble calling and that an overseer must be “above reproach.” Now he begins to tell us what “above reproach” means. 

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1 Timothy 2:15 – Living by Faith

Portrait of a family (Pixabay - courtesy of Alisa Dyson Family)

But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

Summary: Paul’s words can feel challenging, yet if we look at them in the fullness of his meaning, we discover a message that is both egalitarian and demanding. 

Paul’s view of men and women is interesting.

Earlier in verse eight, Paul says he wants men to pray, lift up holy hands, and do this without anger or disputing. Prayer requires a man to rely on God instead of themselves. Lifting up “holy hands” means our hands are clean — we haven’t been doing something we shouldn’t. Doing anything without anger and disputing can be challenging. But Paul is not finished yet. He goes on by telling women how he wants them to address their challenges, and then he says this:

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1 Timothy 2:1b – In the Game

Picture of a high school football player sitting alone on the bench (Grok)

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

Summary: Christians don’t “fight” like normal people. Instead of trying to dominate others, we strive to submit ourselves to God’s will.   

Christians “fight” in ways that are different than the ways of the world. Instead of knowing the best techniques for kicking and punching, we strive to be expert at “petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving.” 

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1 Timothy 1:5d – The Headwaters of Love

Picture of three separate water streams forming one stream (Grok)

[The goal of this command is love, which comes from]… a sincere faith. 

Summary: Wrapping up our discussion of Paul’s three reasons for his “command,” we come to the question of faith. What is it and why is it important?  

Writing to Timothy about the need to “command” misguided believers in Jesus not to do certain things,* he says the goal is love (agapē). He then explains that there are three sources, three artesian springs if you will, where the headwaters of love spring from. The three sources are: 

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1 Timothy 1:5a – Commanded to Love

Picture of old signpost with multiple signs pointing different ways to God. (Grok)

The goal of this command is love, (which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.)

Summary: When Paul tells us that the goal of the command he has given to Timothy is love, he forces us to think deeply about what love is and who we are supposed to love.  

Before we dive into a closer look at what Paul says in this verse, let’s step back for a moment to gain some perspective. 

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