I Timothy 3:1-7 In today’s reading various translations use the term “bishop” or “overseer” in verses 1 and 2. However, I think that Paul is using that term to refer to the head of a congregation, so a better understanding would be “priest”. I draw this conclusion because Paul is writing to Timothy in Ephesus, …
Author Archives: Fred
September 18 / I Timothy 2:8-15
I Timothy 2:8-15 Taking out all the positives and negatives in verses 9 and 10, here is what we are left with: …women should adorn themselves … with good works. (vv. 9-10, edited) Thankfully, most of the women I know do these very things. We need another two verses for men, with the same ending, …
September 17 / I Timothy 2:1-7
I Timothy 2:1-7 Another oft-quoted verse: [God] … desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. (v. 4) A challenge for us today: I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for … kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a …
September 16 / I Timothy 1:12-20
I Timothy 1:12-20 Two verses in today’s reading are widely quoted. First, It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. (v. 15) The last portion of that verse beginning with “among” is often left off when that verse …
September 15 / I Timothy 1:1-11
I Timothy 1:1-11 Today we leave Paul’s “city letters” behind and move on to his “Pastoral Epistles” to Timothy and Titus for the next month or so. Today, I Timothy. First, an intro to this letter – there are two significant items worth noting. First, there is substantial controversy over whether Paul was the author …
September 14 / Ephesians 6:10-23
Ephesians 6:10-23 But that you also may know about my circumstances, how I am doing, Tychicus … will make everything known to you. (v. 21) This verse, together with Paul’s prisoner comment in verse 20 strongly suggests that Paul wrote Ephesians at the same time that he wrote Colossians and Philemon (see Colossians 4:7-9). I …
September 13 / Ephesians 6:1-9
Ephesians 6:1-9 Sometimes it’s hard to find anything to say with respect to Paul’s writings. I mean, how can you disagree with Children, obey your parents… (v. 1) or Fathers, do not provoke your children to anger… (v. 4)? Still, we might wonder about Paul’s counsel, Slaves, be obedient to those who are your masters …
September 12 / Ephesians 5:22-33
Ephesians 5:22-33 Twelve verses today – three to wives, nine to husbands (although some of those husband verses relate to Christ and His church). Maybe more verses to the men because it takes us longer to figure it out. Actually, given the gender roles in the first century Roman/Greek world, Paul would naturally spend more …
September 11 / Ephesians 5:15-21
…be filled with the Spirit, addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart, giving thanks always and for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, submitting to one another out of reverence for Christ. (vv. 18b-21) Thanks …
September 10 / Ephesians 5:8-14
Ephesians 5:8-14 Walk as children of light … and try to discern what is pleasing to the Lord. (vv. 8b-10) I’m not quite sure what I want to say about these verses, but they struck me. In one sense, it seems obvious what is pleasing to the Lord – prayer, first and foremost; Bible study …