Daily Meditations on the Bible / We stand with Israel
…older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.
Summary: Paul’s words challenge men to treat women with purity, echoing the words of the Old Testament laws.
Paul’s instructions to Timothy provide clear guidance on how to treat people. Not only people in church, but all people. In this passage, Paul once again instructs Timothy about those older and younger than he is. This time, the focus is on women.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 5:2a – In Search of Purity”
[but set an example for the believers] … in purity.
Summary: Paul completes his example of Christian living with a simple word, “purity.”
The word “purity,” both in English and Greek, conveys two concepts. First is the idea of cleanliness; that is, being without contamination. The second is an absence of moral corruption, especially sexual immorality.
Continue reading “1 Timothy 4:12f – Pure Faith”
[Put to death] … impurity …
Summary: Paul’s reference to impurity draws us into an interesting study of dross and chaff.
Paul’s list of things belonging to the “earthly nature” and that deserve being put to death includes sexual immorality, impurity, and lust. Together it would seem that all three have a lot in common and, in fact, they do. But there are differences, too.
Sexual immorality is the use of our human sexuality in ways that God did not intend. Lust is the craving for sexual immorality. Impurity embraces both but, at the same time, encompasses more.
Continue reading “Colossians 3:5c – Choose Jesus”Understand, then, that those who have faith are children of Abraham.
Summary: Paul points us to two things in this passage: one is faith, and the other is Abraham. There is a connection between the two that is as strong as a blood bond.
Continue reading “Galatians 3:7 – Blood Bond”
To those who through the righteousness of our God and Savior Jesus Christ …
Summary: Our God is amazing. He is perfect in every aspect. Thankfully, his perfection extends to include perfect love and perfect forgiveness.
Continue reading “2 Peter 1:1d — The Righteousness of God”