II Timothy 4:1-8 …the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. (vv. 6b-7) According to the authors of The Chronological Study Bible and other scholars, we are reading Paul’s last written words. He knows that he will soon be executed and …
Category Archives: RTB 2020 – Epistles
October 13 / II Timothy 3:10-17
II Timothy 3:10-17 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted… (v. 12) I have often contrasted the life that Carol and I live with the life that Mark and Tommie Bruner have. Mark and Tommie are constantly beset with problems (yes, some of their own making) and …
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 7 / II Timothy 1:1-7
II Timothy 1:1-7 Another oft-quoted verse: …for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. (v. 7) Not fear of whatever it is, but Holy Spirit power over it! Not fear of ?that person?, but Jesus’ love toward him or her. Not fear of whatever it is, but …
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 …