I Timothy 5:1-10 So what’s to discuss with today’s reading…? We have different household arrangements today than they did in the 1st century. Widows were in an unenviable situation back then, dependent on their families and (to some extent) the larger society for their welfare. Paul saw that the church needed to step in for …
Category Archives: RTB 2020 – Epistles
September 24 / I Timothy 4:12-16
I Timothy 4:12-16 Let no one look down on your youthfulness… (v. 12a, NASB). I don’t think anyone reading this verse needs to apply it directly to him/herself! HOWEVER, we would do well to always give heed to the younger members of our congregation. I believe that we do that at St. Andrew’s – maybe …
September 23 / I Timothy 4:6-11
I Timothy 4:6-11 … for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (v. 8) I hope and trust that I am pursuing godliness – that I have even moved somewhat along that scale …
September 22 / I Timothy 4:1-5
I Timothy 4:1-5 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared… (vv. 1-2) The words in these verses are stronger than words that I might use in applying Paul’s …
September 21 / I Timothy 3:14-16
I Timothy 3:14-16 We’ve only got three verses today – but they’re powerful! … I am writing these things to you so that … you may know how one ought to behave in the … church of the living God… (vv. 14-15) It’s always helpful for me to edit out incidental phrases in Paul’s letters …
September 20 / I Timothy 3:8-13
I Timothy 3:8-13 We saw in Acts 6 that the early church had appointed deacons (although they were not named as such) to serve in more mundane, “earthly” matters. The qualifications for these deacons were few in number, but no less demanding: …pick out from among you seven men of good repute, full of the …
September 19 / I Timothy 3:1-7
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, …
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 …