Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.
Summary: Paul’s claim of being a herald, apostle, and teacher requires that we decide whether or not to believe him.
How do we know what Paul is saying is true? He says he is telling the truth! He even tells us, “I am not lying…” Are you convinced?
Continue reading “1 Timothy 2:7 – Wild Claims”
[This is good, and pleases God our Savior,] … who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
Summary: Paul’s words to Timothy are among the most hopeful and inspiring in all of the Bible.
Perhaps there is no better description of Jesus’ reason for being born a man and dying on the cross than this passage: [God our Savior]… “wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”
Continue reading “1 Timothy 2:4 – Knowing Jesus”
I urge, then…
Summary: The first three words of chapter two require that we stitch together the threads of Paul’s letter so far so that we can see the whole tapestry.
A lot is going on in this passage, and we will examine several parts of it in detail. For now, let’s look at the first three words, “I urge, then…”
Continue reading “1 Timothy 2:1a – How We Fight”
Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man …
Summary: The change in Paul that occurred on the road to Damascus is not all that different than what we commonly call a “wake up call.”
How does a person go from seeing himself as a virtuous defender of “All That Is Right” one day, and the next, find themselves believing that their whole life has been a horrible mistake?
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:13a – A Single Blast of Light”
I thank Christ Jesus our Lord [for] … appointing me to his service.
Summary: Paul’s appointment to the Lord’s service opens the door to an important conversation about the use of the word “martyr.”
When Paul was confronted by Jesus Christ on the road to Damascus, he was appointed to the Lord’s service.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:12d – All That Matters”
[I thank Christ Jesus our Lord,] … that he considered me trustworthy…
Summary: Wondering why God considered Paul trustworthy leads us down an interesting and fruitful rabbit-trail.
What if Paul had not been trustworthy? How would God know?
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:12c – Uncompromising”
Paul …
Summary: As we begin to explore Paul’s first letter to Timothy, it is interesting to note the relationship between Paul and Timothy. Paul’s adoption of Timothy as a son colors everything we will read here.
Paul begins his letter to Timothy in the formal style of his day. If you squint your eyes when you look at his letter, it really isn’t much different from our letters today.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 1:1a – Father Paul”
Amen.
Summary: The word “Amen,” is handy to know for several reasons. In our closing meditation, we look at a few things Paul mentions in his letter.
As we come to the end of Paul’s letter to the Philippians, it is worth taking a few minutes to look back over Paul’s words to us. (He is, after all, a messenger of God to you and me.)
Continue reading “Philippians 4:23b – The “Amen!” at the End”
Greet all God’s people in Christ Jesus.
Summary: This passage requires us to strap in for a linguistic roller coaster ride.
It would be easy to gloss over this sentence and instead look at the entire verse or even the next two verses. However, on close examination, there is a lot to chew on here.
Continue reading “Philippians 4:21a – Greetings”
Amen.
Summary: The word “amen,” is unusual in that it is common to many languages. It doesn’t matter much where you are; if you shout, “Amen!” people know what you mean.
The “Blue Letter Bible” website entry on Strong’s G281, “amen,” includes this quote from Dr. Henry M. Morris (1918–2006) about the word, “Amen:”
Continue reading “Philippians 4:20b – Amen”