October 12 / II Timothy 3:1-9

II Timothy 3:1-9 Debbie’s comments yesterday have bearing today: “Chatter … is to me a distraction from our focus on God.” And Paul has a lot to say about chatter today!! Almost the entire reading has very few positive comments. But positive or not, two items stuck out for me. First,. (v. 5) having the …

October 11 / II Timothy 2:14-26

II Timothy 2:14-26 …not to quarrel about words… (v.14), …avoid irreverent babble… (v. 16), …have swerved from the truth (v. 18), …foolish, ignorant controversies (v. 23), …must not be quarrelsome… (v. 24). In all of these phrases in today’s reading Paul is chastising disputes and false teachings. This must have been a big problem in …

October 10 / II Timothy 2:1-13

II Timothy 2:1-13 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel. (v. 8) Two very different phrases here remind Timothy that Jesus was divine (risen from the dead) and that He was human (the offspring of David). Thanks to my Study Bible for pointing this out. …for …

October 9 / II Timothy 1:13-18

II Timothy 1:13-18 May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he … was not ashamed of my chains; … he searched for me earnestly and found me. (vv. 16-17) Here is more evidence of a second imprisonment, following a fourth missionary journey. In contrast we have Luke’s account of Paul’s Roman …

October 8 / II Timothy 1:8-12

II Timothy 1:8-12 Another verse segment that I have often quoted: …I know whom I have believed… (v. 12b) I think I mostly quote it as “I know Him in whom I have believed.” It’s a simple statement, but also full of power! It’s a personal statement, irrefutable in a discussion with a non-believer. It …

October 6 / Titus 3:9-15

Titus 3:9-15 Some scatter-shooting as we close out Titus… We haven’t heard much about Apollos (v. 13) since Acts 18-19, although he did get a number of mentions in I Corinthians. My Study Bible suggested that Zenas and Apollos may have delivered this letter to Titus, with Paul expecting them to stay on a bit, …

October 5 / Titus 3:1-8

Titus 3:1-8 “Good works”…! Again, twice mentioned in today’s reading – verses 3 and 8. That “divine echo” again! For we also once were foolish ourselves, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to various lusts and pleasures, spending our life in malice and envy, hateful, hating one another. (v. 3) Supposedly this is Paul writing to Titus (although …

October 4 / Titus 2:11-15

Titus 2:11-15 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men, instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus, who gave Himself …

October 3 / Titus 2:1-10

Titus 2:1-10 As I looked at Paul’s instructions to Timothy regarding older men, I paused and asked myself how I measured up on Paul’s six items. Then I asked myself further how Carol would evaluate me on those six items. That would probably be the better evaluation! …train the young women to love their husbands …