1 Corinthians 10:1 For I do not want you to be unaware, brothers and sisters, that our fathers were all under the cloud and they all passed through the sea; ² and they all were baptized into Moses in the cloud and in the sea; ³ and they all ate the same spiritual food, ⁴ and all drank the same spiritual drink, for they were drinking from a spiritual rock which followed them; and the rock was Christ. ⁵ Nevertheless, with most of them God was not pleased; for their dead bodies were spread out in the wilderness.”

Paul is going to warn the Corinthian believers that they could fall from grace, so he uses the example of the Israelites in the 40 years of wandering in the wilderness. The Israelites were baptized also, but in the cloud and the Red Sea. How is that? “Baptized” in Greek is baptizó: To baptize, to immerse, to dip. They had the cloud above them and the walls of the Red Sea on both sides of them as they passed through, so literally they were “immersed” in the cloud and the sea. The Israelites ate the manna in the wilderness, their “spiritual food”, just as the Corinthians ate Jesus, the bread of life. John 6:⁴⁸ I am the bread of life. ⁴⁹ Your fathers ate the manna in the wilderness, and they died. ⁵⁰ This is the bread that comes down from heaven, so that one may eat of it and not die. ⁵¹ I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.” The Israelites drank the water from the rock which “followed them”. (AI) “The idea that a single rock followed the Israelites in the wilderness is an ancient Jewish interpretation of the Bible. In the Bible, Moses struck two rocks in the wilderness, one at Rephidim and one at Kadesh, and named both “Meribah”. Some ancient Jewish interpreters concluded that these two rocks were actually one and the same rock, and that it followed the Israelites as a portable water source.” That rock was Christ. Was Jesus in his pre-incarnate form actually in that rock, or is it just a type of how Jesus gave the water of life to the Corinthians? John 4:¹³ Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, ¹⁴ but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” Here is a picture of the “split rock at Horeb (Mt Sinai in Saudi Arabia east of the Gulf of Aqaba that some say could be the rock that water flowed from in the wilderness.

So the Israelites were blessed spiritually just as the saved Corinthians. God redeemed them from slavery in Egypt just as he redeemed the Corinthians by the blood of Jesus. “Nevertheless” (alla: but, rather, on the contrary), in spite of the blessings of God and His continual provision for them in the wilderness, they disobeyed God and God was not pleased with them. He punished them by making them wander in the wilderness for 40 years and. everyone 20 and older would die in the wilderness. There were about 1 1/2 million Israelites who came out of Egypt. According to Exodus 12:37 there were 600,000 fighting men (age 20 and older)who came out of Egypt. So probably the same number of women age 20 and older. So possible 600,000 husband and wives. If they just had one child, that’s 600,000 children. You can see why some estimate that there were over 2 million Isrealites who came out of Egypt. But that means that about 1.2 million men and women age 20 and older died in the wilderness. There were 1.2 million bodies scattered all over he wilderness during the 40 years they wandered.

On a side note, is there any archaeological evidence of the exodus from Egypt? Any evidence of the corpses for 1.2 million bodies in the Sinai wilderness? There is some evidence of chariot wheels found on the bottom of the Gulf of Aqaba where Israel crossed the Red Sea, but other than that there is no archaeological evidence. Here is a site (https://www.discovery.global/chariot-wheels-discovered-in-the-red-sea) that claims evidence of chariot wheels similar to those of the 18th century Egyptian dynasty, and human and horse bones in the Gulf of Aqaba, which means that the real location of Mt Sinai is east of the Gulf of Aqaba in Midian, which is now Saudi Arabia. Here is a site that discusses the real location of Mt Sinai east of the Gulf of aqaba. https://www.discovery.global/the-real-mount-sinai-in-saudi-arabia

Should we not find archaeological evidence for he 1.2 million bodies in the wilderness? Not necessarily so.. “The last stage of decomposition is skeletonization, which leaves behind nothing but, you guessed it, a skeleton. This can take anywhere from 1 month to several years, depending on the environment, burial, etc. You may be wondering: will a skeleton also decompose? The answer is yes. If animals do not destroy or move the bones, skeletons normally take around 20 years to dissolve in fertile soil. However, in sand or neutral soil, skeletons can remain intact for hundreds of years.” (From https://crimeclean-up.com/blog/human-decomp-without-embalming That’s just normal decomposition rates. If God can bring water from a rock and manna from heaven, then He can decompose bodies at any rate He chooses. But even with natural decomposition rates in a hot wilderness desert, the 1.2 million corpses could have completely decomposed and left no trace that they were ever even there. Just speculating!

Back to the real lesson in 1 Corinthians 10. The Israelites coming out of Egypt were saved from slavery, blessed with manna and water, protected by God. All they had to do was trust and obey God and they could in a short time have entered and possessed the Promised Land of Canaan. But they didn’t and God punished them with 40 years wandering in the wilderness and everyone 20 and older died. The Corinthians had been baptized, partaking of the spiritual manna of Jesus, drinking the water of eternal life. All they needed to do was trust and obey and they could enter the Messianic “rest” of Hebrews 4:1 Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us fear lest any of you should seem to have failed to reach it. ² For good news came to us just as to them, but the message they heard did not benefit them, because they were not united by faith with those who listened.” It is fascinating that there is a parallel between the 40 years in the wilderness and the 40 years from 30-70 AD. 70AD and the destruction of the temple and of Jerusalem would be a critical date for those believers living in this transition period from 30-70 AD. The Hebrew Christians were tempted to leave Christ and fall away as 70 AD approached. Hebrews 10:²⁴ and may we consider one another to provoke to love and to good works, ²⁵ not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as a custom of certain [is], but exhorting, and so much the more as ye see the day (day of judgment in 70 AD) coming nigh. ²⁶ For we — willfully sinning after the receiving the full knowledge of the truth — no more for sins doth there remain a sacrifice, ²⁷ but a certain fearful looking for of judgment, and fiery zeal, about to (mello) devour the opposers.” The Hebrew writer is saying that there is “about to be” (mello) a judgment which could only refer to 70 AD judgment on the evil Jews. The Corinthian believers would most likely not have been caught in the siege of Jerusalem by Titus in 70 AD, but the event still had a significant impact on them. 1 Corinthians 15 tells how Christ would come at the “end” of the Jewish Age (70 AD), destroying spiritual death, and giving immortality to believers dead or allve. Paul said in 1 Corinthians 15:⁵¹ lo, I tell you a secret; we indeed shall not all sleep, and we all shall be changed; ⁵² in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, in the last trumpet, for it shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we — we shall be changed: ⁵³ for it behoveth this corruptible to put on incorruption, and this mortal to put on immortality; ⁵⁴ and when this corruptible may have put on incorruption, and this mortal may have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the word that hath been written, `The Death was swallowed up — to victory” So the Corinthian believers needed to remain faithful till they would receive their immortality at the 2nd coming in 70 AD.

Paul then gives several examples where Israel disobeyed God in the wilderness. The Corinthians would be tempted in the same way to disobey God. 1 Corinthians 10:⁶  Now these things happened as examples for us, so that we would not crave evil things as they indeed craved them. 

1) Idolatry and sexual immorality: The golden calf. ⁷ Do not be idolaters, as some of them were; as it is written: “The people sat down to eat and to drink, and rose up to play.”  That would be the incident of the golden calf in Exodus 30:When Moses was up on Mt Sinai receiving the 10 commandments, the poople persuaded Aaron to make them a golden calf to worshp. Exodus 30:⁶ So the next day they got up early and offered burnt offerings, and brought peace offerings; and the people sat down to eat and to drink, and got up to engage in lewd behavior.”

2) Sexual Immorality: The sin at Peor. ⁸ Nor are we to commit sexual immorality, as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in one day.” Balak, the king of Moab, had hired the prophet Balaam to curse Israel as they passed through Moab on the way to Canaan. Balaam tried 4 times to curse Israel, but the Spirit each time blessed Israel through Moab. But Balaam got his money later. He counseled Balak to get the Israelites intermingling with the Moabites at Peor, which led to having sex with the Moabite women. God sent a plague among the Israelites which was only stopped when Phinehas rammed a spear through an Israelite man having sex with a Moabite woman brazenly in the camp. Numbers 25:⁷ When Phinehas the son of Eleazar, the son of Aaron the priest, saw it, he rose up from the midst of the congregation and took a spear in his hand, ⁸ and he went after the man of Israel into the inner room of the tent and pierced both of them, the man of Israel and the woman, through the abdomen. So the plague on the sons of Israel was brought to a halt. ⁹ But those who died from the plague were twenty-four thousand in number.”

3) Complaining: The snakes and the bronze serpent. ⁹ Nor are we to put the Lord to the test, as some of them did, and were killed by the snakes.” As they were passing around the land of Edom on the last leg to Canaan, even the new generation after the 40 years began to complain. Numbers 21:⁵ So the people spoke against God and Moses: “Why have you brought us up from Egypt to die in the wilderness? For there is no food and no water, and we are disgusted with this miserable food (i.e. the manna). ⁶ Then the Lord sent fiery serpents among the people and they bit the people, so that many people of Israel died.” It was then that God told Moses to put the bronze serpent on a staff so that someone bitten could, if he had faith, look at the serpent and be healed. Jesus referred to this in John 3:¹⁴ And just as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up, ¹⁵ so that everyone who believes will have eternal life in Him.”

4) Grumbling: Korah’s rebellion. ¹⁰ Nor grumble, as some of them did, and were killed by the destroyer.” This incident would be Korah’s rebellion in Numbers 16 (not the incident with the 12 spies as some have suggested). Korah, a Levite, and 250 leaders of Israel complained about the power God had given Moses and Aaron (especially the high priesthood given to Aaron and his sons). Numbers 16:²⁸ Then Moses said, “By this you shall know that the Lord has sent me to do all these deeds; for it is not my doing. ²⁹ If these men die the death of all mankind, or if they suffer the fate of all mankind, then the Lord has not sent me. ³⁰ But if the Lord brings about an entirely new thing and the ground opens its mouth and swallows them with everything that is theirs, and they descend alive into Sheol, then you will know that these men have been disrespectful to the Lord.” ³¹ And as he finished speaking all these words, the ground that was under them split open; ³² and the earth opened its mouth and swallowed them, their households, and all the people who belonged to Korah with all their possessions. ³³ So they and all that belonged to them went down alive to Sheol; and the earth closed over them, and they perished from the midst of the assembly. ³⁴ Then all Israel who were around them fled at their outcry, for they said, “The earth might swallow us!” ³⁵ Fire also came out from the Lord and consumed the 250 men who were offering the incense.” But the grumbling mentioned in 1 Corinthians 10:10 occurred on the next day. Numbers 16:⁴¹ But on the next day all the congregation of the sons of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron, saying, “You are the ones who have caused the death of the Lord’s people (i.e. Korah, Dathan, Abiram and the 250 leaders)!” Because of their grumbling, God sent a plague among them. The plagued was only stopped when Aaron put incense from the table of incense in the tabernacle on his censer, making atonement for the people, and ran into the assembly, standing between the living and the dead. Numbers 16:⁴⁹ But those who died by the plague were 14,700 in number, besides those who died on account of Korah. ⁵⁰ Then Aaron returned to Moses at the entrance of the tent of meeting, for the plague had been brought to a halt.” “The destroyer” of 1 Corinthians 10:11 would be the “angel of death”, the “destroying angel”, called Shammael by the Jews. This would be the same “angel of death” that destroyed the 185,000 Assyrians who were sieging Jerusalem in Hezekiah’s reign. 2 Kings 19:35 Then it happened that night that the angel of the LORD went out and struck 185,000 in the camp of the Assyrians; and when the rest got up early in the morning, behold, all of the 185,000 were dead.”

The Warning. Paul then makes the application to the Corinthians. 1 Corinthians 10:¹¹ Now these things happened to them as an example, and they were written for our instruction, upon whom the ends of the ages have come. 

Idolatry. Sexual immorality. Complaining. Grumbling. These were the sins that caused Israel to fall. The Corinthians were guilty of the same sins as the letter constantly points out. The example of the Israelites was “written” for instructing the Corinthians (and any readers of the Old Testament). Thank God for his written word. Romans 15:⁴ For whatever was written in earlier times was written for our instruction, so that through perseverance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.” The warning: 1 Corinthians 10:¹² Therefore let the one who thinks he stands watch out that he does not fall.”

Apparently the Corinthians were an arrogant group who did not think they could fall from grace. From AI: Yes, the Corinthian church, as depicted in Paul’s letters, exhibited traits of arrogance and pride, which were significant problems for the church’s health and unity. 

Evidence of Arrogance in the Corinthian Church:

Disregard for the Cross:The Corinthian church was tempted to embrace worldly philosophies and values, diminishing the importance of Christ’s crucifixion. 

Spiritual Superiority and Boasting:Some Corinthians boasted about their spiritual gifts and knowledge, creating divisions and factions within the church. 

Disregard for Paul’s Authority:Some questioned or even denied Paul’s authority as an apostle, indicating a lack of humility and respect. 

Sexual Immorality:The Corinthians were known for their tolerance of sexual immorality, even exceeding the norms of the surrounding pagan culture, which Paul condemned as a sign of spiritual immaturity. 

Legalistic Disputes:The church members engaged in lawsuits against each other, demonstrating a lack of love and a reliance on worldly legal systems instead of resolving conflicts within the church. 

Misuse of the Lord’s Supper:The Corinthians were criticized for their disorderly and uncaring participation in the Lord’s Supper, turning a sacred act into a social event. 

Emphasis on Human Wisdom:Some in the Corinthian church were more interested in human wisdom and philosophy than in the simplicity of the Gospel message, which Paul saw as a sign of spiritual immaturity. 

Am I guilty of arrogance and pride, thinking that I can’t fall? From David Guzik: “Temptation works like rocks in a harbor; when the tide is low, everybody sees the danger and avoids it. But Satan’s strategy in temptation is to raise the tide, and to cover over the dangers of temptation. Then he likes to crash you upon the covered rocks.” We staying in Tamarindo in Costa Rica for a few days. Our beach was a very rocky beach like the one below. When the tide was in, the sea covered all the sharp lava rocks and it looked like you could swim safely in the water. When the tide was out, you could see the dangerous rocks that would have dashed you into pieces if you had swam when the tide was in, when it looked safe.”

The Encouragement. 1 Corinthians 10:¹³ No temptation has overtaken you except something common to mankind; and God is faithful, so He will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will provide the way of escape also, so that you will be able to endure it.“

After reading the example of the Israelite sins, I’m thinking, “I do those sins all the time! How am I going to keep from falling?” We see the temptations others face, but we tend to think that our temptation is worse or unique. Nope. Others have experienced the same temptation. But this verse sounds like God will not let you ever face a temptation that we would succumb to. But He is not doing a good job if that is the case since I give in to temptation often! But the truth is that, with enough faith and trusting God’s wisdom, I could handle every temptation I face without sinning. Satan would use temptation to totally destroy our faith and get us to fall if he was allowed to. But, as with Job, God put limits on how much he could test Job with. Job handled the loss of everything he had, including his children, and the terrible boils all over his body and the pain. But maybe there was some temptation or test that Job simply could not handle. God would not let Satan use that test. So I think there could be a temptation that God knows that, even with faith and trusting God’s wisdom, I could not handle. For example, if my 3 children, their mates, Deborah’s mother and brother and sister, and all 10 grandchildren died in a house fire at a party while I was on my way home from school, I don’t know if I could handle that like Job did. That might be my breaking point. God knows the breaking point of each believer. Maybe that’s Jesus’ prayer: “Lead us not into temptation”.

God will provide a way of escape.From Guzik: ” Barclay says the word for a way of escape is really a mountain pass, with the idea of an army being surrounded by the enemy, and then suddenly seeing an escape route to safety. Like a mountain pass, the way of escape isn’t necessarily an easy way.” But one must be looking for the way of escape. Then he must choose to run to the way of escape instead of just staying in the midst of the temptation. From Guzik: “At a market, a little boy standing by some candy looked like he was going to put some in his pocket and walk out the door. A clerk watched the boy for a long time, and finally spoke to him. “Looks like you’re trying to take some candy,” the clerk said. The boy replied, “You’re wrong, mister. I’m trying not to.” For the time being, he was able to bear it.”

1 Corinthians 10:¹⁴ Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” This verse leads into a temptation that the Corinthians were facing over the eating of meats, the weak/strong brother issue. So I will save the. rest of the chapter for future blog. But the “therefore” tells us that the last warning is tied to vs 1-13 and the bad examples of Israel in the wilderness. Apparently idolatry was the worst of the sins he cited. Idolatry might be the worst of sins in the church today. I close with these verses from Paul in Ephesians 5:³ But sexual immorality or any impurity or greed must not even be mentioned among you, as is proper among saints; ⁴ and there must be no filthiness or foolish talk, or vulgar joking, which are not fitting, but rather giving of thanks. ⁵ For this you know with certainty, that no sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, which amounts to an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” Greed is idoltry b/c we end up worshipping the things we lust after.

First of all, who is Bart Ehrman. (AI) “Bart Ehrman is an American New Testament scholar who studies the historical Jesus, the origins of Christianity, and the New Testament’s textual criticism. He is a James A. Gray Distinguished Professor of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.”

According to Bart Ehrman, Jesus was a false prophet. ” Historical scholars for over a century have maintained that Jesus predicted that the end of history as we know it was to come in his own generation. Conservative Christians — laypeople and scholars alike — have insisted that this is a complete misportrayal of Jesus. And many people — possibly most? — believe that if Jesus really did preach this message, not only was he obviously wrong but also Christianity cannot possibly be true. A Jesus who was *demonstrably* mistaken about a central element of his preaching could not be a prophet of God, let alone the Savior of the world.” (Bart Ehrman Blog, May 1, 2023).

“But then God would intervene in an act of cosmic judgment in which he destroyed the forces of evil and set up a good kingdom here on earth, an actual physical kingdom ruled by his representative. This cataclysmic judgment would affect all people. Those who had sided with evil (and prospered as a result) would be destroyed, and those who had sided with God (and been persecuted and harmed as a result) would be rewarded.Moreover, this future judgment applied not only to the living but also to the dead. At the end of this age, God would raise everyone from the dead to face either eternal reward or eternal punishment. And so, no one should think they could side with the forces of evil, prosper, as a result, become rich, powerful, and influential, and then die and get away with it. No one could get away with it. God would raise everyone from the dead for judgment, and there was not a sweet thing anyone could do to stop him.And when would this happen? When would the judgment come? When would this new rule, the Kingdom of God, begin? “Truly I tell you, some of you standing here will not taste before you see the kingdom of God come in power.” The words of Jesus (Mark 9:1). Jesus was not talking about a kingdom you would enter when you died and went to heaven: he was referring to a kingdom here on earth, to be ruled by God. Or as he says later, when asked when the end of the age would come, “Truly I tell you, This generation will not pass away before all these things take place.”” (Bart Ehrman blog, April 2,2022).

Of course, the test for a false prophet is found in Deuteronomy: “When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously….that prophet shall die” (Deuteronomy 18:22, 20). So, Bart Ehrman would be correct in saying that Jesus is a false prophet and certainly not the Savior of the world. Christianity would fall also since it is built on Jesus Christ.

The Quest for the Historical Jesus was written by Albert Schweitzer (Lutheran theologian, 1875-1965 AD). He believed that Jesus and his followers expected the world to end soon and that Jesus believed he was living at the end of time. Schweitzer’s book The Quest of the Historical Jesus summarizes his views on the subject: Schweitzer studied and cross-referenced many Bible verses that promised the Son of Man’s return. For example, he noted that Jesus told his disciples that the world would end before their generation passed. First-century Christian: Schweitzer believed that first-century Christians literally believed that Jesus’s promise would be fulfilled soon. Modern Christianity: Schweitzer believed that modern versions of Christianity ignore the urgency of Jesus’s message.

Schweitzer’s views on Jesus were different from those of his liberal contemporaries. He believed that Jesus was a heroic figure driven by an apocalyptic vision.” But, of course, Schweitzer believed that Jesus and the apostles were mistaken about their predictions of an imminent 2nd coming. Schweitzer would conclude that Jesus was a “heroic figure” but a false prophet nonetheless.

Schweitzer is technically correct when the says that “modern versions of Christianity ignore the urgency of Jesus’s message.” Allow me to explain why I say that.

Jesus only made 4 predictions about a “2nd coming” or “coming again”.

Matthew 10:²³ `And whenever they may persecute you in this city, flee to the other, for verily I say to you, ye may not have completed the cities of Israel till the Son of Man may come.” This states that the “2nd coming” must occur within the generation of the apostles and their commission to preach the gospel to all of Israel and to the whole world.

Matthew 16:²⁷ `For, the Son of Man is about to come in the glory of his Father, with his messengers, and then he will reward each, according to his work.” The Greek for “about to” is mello and it always means something about to happen or about to be in a certain place.” https://parousiafulfilled.com/mello-about-tohappen/index.php#:~:text=Clearly%20the%20authors%20of%20the,very%20SOON%E2%80%A6%20in%20their%20lifetime. Jesus clearly predicted that He was “about to come” back in judgment. BTW only Young’s LIteral Translation and a few others translate mello consistently as “about to”, including its usage in “end of time” eschatological passages like this one. Most translatations just translate it as “certainly will come” when it is used with eschatological passages although they translate it as “agout to” in non-eschatological passages. Why would they do that? Probably because the translators realize the implications if Jesus falsely predicted an imminent 2nd coming that did not happen soon.

Matthew 24:³⁰ and then shall appear the sign of the Son of Man in the heaven; and then shall all the tribes of the earth smite the breast, and they shall see the Son of Man coming upon the clouds of the heaven, with power and much glory; ³⁴ Verily I say to you, this generation may not pass away till all these may come to pass.” The Greek word for generation is genea and it always means a period of about 40 years or the people living in a period of about 40 years. Thayer explains it, giving Matthew 24:34 and Mark 13:30 as examples, “the whole multitude of men living at the time . . . used especially of the Jewish race living at one and the same period” (Joseph Henry Thayer, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament, Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan Publishing House, 1979, p. 112). G. Abbott-Smith writes that the Greek word genea means “race, stock, family,” but in the New Testament always “generation” (G. Abbott-Smith, Manual Greek Lexicon of the New Testament, 2nd ed., Edinburgh: T.&T. Clarke, 1923, p. 89). Arndt and Gingrich note that the term means “literally, those descended from a common ancestor,” but “basically, the sum total of those born at the same time, expanded to include all those living at a given time, generation, contemporaries” (W.F. Arndt and F.W. Gingrich, A Greek-English Lexicon of the New Testament and Other Early Christian Literature, Chicago: University of Chicago Press, 1957, p. 153). (From Thayer explains it, giving Matthew 24:34 and Mark 13:30 as examples, “the whole multitude of men living at the time . . . used especially of the Jewish race living at one and the same period“. From Jews for Judaism, which is not a Jewish Christian site. Here Jewish non Christians are saying that Jesus definitely predicted that his 2nd coming would be within the next 40 or so years and that Jesus was mistaken. It also says that any attempt to make the word generation mean simply “race” is wrong and goes against reputable Greek lexicons.

Mark 8: ³⁸ for whoever may be ashamed of me, and of my words, in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also shall be ashamed of him, when he may come in the glory of his Father, with the holy messengers.’ Mark 9:1  And he said to them, `Verily I say to you, That there are certain of those standing here, who may not taste of death till they see the reign of God having come in power.'” Jesus clearly predicted that some of those he was speaking to would still be alive when he came back (his “2nd coming”). If someone still wants to say that generation just means “race”, and that Jesus is only predicting that the Jewish race will still exist at his 2nd coming, this verse is a killer. It says that some would still be alive. Period. That is either true of Jesus is a false prophet.

Matthew 26:⁶⁴ Jesus saith to him, `Thou hast said; nevertheless I say to you (i.e. Caiaphas the high priest), hereafter ye shall see the Son of Man sitting on the right hand of the power, and coming upon the clouds, of the heaven.'” We don’t know for sure how long Caiaphas lived, but I believe Jesus that he lived long enough to at least see the beginning of the events of the 2nd coming. Or else Jesus is a false prophet.

There are no other predictions (other than the parallel passages in Mark and Luke which read the same) from Jesus about his 2nd coming or the time of his 2nd coming. That’s it. Any doctrine about the 2nd coming must be taken from these passages. Period.

Schweitzer is right that “modern versions of Christianity ignore the urgency of Jesus’s message.” In other words, most Christians and Christian scholars simply read these predictions and ignore the fact that Jesus is clearly saying that his 2nd coming will be within the next 40 or so years. They might try to use the “generation” is “the Jewish race” but we see that isn’t the Greek meaning, and that doesn’t explain Mark 8:38-9:1 “some will still be alive”. Or they may say, “yes, Jesus predicted an imminent 2nd coming but postponed it due to his rejection by the Jews”. But Hebrews refutes that idea: Hebrews 10:³⁵ Ye may not cast away, then, your boldness, which hath great recompense of reward, ³⁶ for of patience ye have need, that the will of God having done, ye may receive the promise, ³⁷ for yet a very very little, He who is coming will come, and will not tarry (chronizó: To delay, to tarry, to take time); ³⁸ and `the righteous by faith shall live,’ and `if he may draw back, My soul hath no pleasure in him,’ ³⁹ and we are not of those drawing back to destruction, but of those believing to a preserving of soul.”

Some might be so bold to say that “Jesus did predict an imminent 2nd coming but was “mistaken”. The classic on this is from C.S.Lewis who claimed that Mattew 10:23 and 24:34 were the most embarrassing verses in the Bible b/c Jesus was mistaken, thinking that his 2nd coming was imminent and within the generation of those he was speaking to. So, even though Lewis became a Christian, here is how he tried to explain Jesus’ mistaken beliefs: …” But there is worse to come. ‘Say what you like,’ we shall be told, ‘the apocalyptic beliefs of the first Christians have been proved to be false. It is clear from the New Testament that they all expected the Second Coming in their own lifetime. And, worse still, they had a reason, and one which you will find very embarrassing. Their Master had told them so. He shared, and indeed created, their delusion. He said in so many words, “this generation shall not pass till all these things be done.” And He was wrong. He clearly knew no more about the end of the world than anyone else.’

It is certainly the most embarrassing verse in the Bible. Yet how teasing, also, that within fourteen words of it should come the statement ‘But of that day and that hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels which are in heaven, neither the Son, but the Father.’ The one exhibition of error and the one confession of ignorance grow side by side. That they stood thus in the mouth of Jesus Himself, and were not merely placed thus by the reporter, we surely need not doubt. Unless the reporter were perfectly honest he would never have recorded the confession of ignorance at all; he could have had no motive for doing so except a desire to tell the whole truth. And unless later copyists were equally honest they would never have preserved the (apparently) mistaken prediction about ‘this generation’ after the passage of time had shown the (apparent) mistake. This passage (Mark 13:30–32) and the cry ‘Why hast thou forsaken me?’ (Mark 15:34) together make up the strongest proof that the New Testament is historically reliable. The evangelists have the first great characteristic of honest witnesses: they mention facts which are, at first sight, damaging to their main contention.

The facts, then, are these: that Jesus professed Himself (in some sense) ignorant, and within a moment showed that He really was so. To believe in the Incarnation, to believe that He is God, makes it hard to understand how He could be ignorant; but also makes it certain that, if He said He could be ignorant, then ignorant He could really be. For a God who can be ignorant is less baffling than a God who falsely professes ignorance. The answer of theologians is that the God-Man was omniscient as God, and ignorant as Man. This, no doubt, is true, though it cannot be imagined. Nor indeed can the unconsciousness of Christ in sleep be imagined, nor the twilight of reason in His infancy; still less His merely organic life in His mother’s womb. But the physical sciences, no less than theology, propose for our belief much that cannot be imagined.”

Wow! Lewis says that Jesus was mistaken in his belief in an imminent 2nd coming, but that’s okay b/c he then said that Jesus admitted his ignorance since “no man, not even the Son, knew the exact day of his 2nd coming. That is not an acceptable explanation! Jesus did not say that he “might be coming back soon”. He said that he was coming back soon. The test for a false prophet is Deuteronomy 18:“When a prophet speaketh in the name of the LORD, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the LORD hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously….that prophet shall die” Jesus would be a false prophet to be stoned to death if his prediction did not come true. Period. William Miller predicted that Jesus was coming back on March 23, 1843 and it didn’t happen. He will go down in history as a false prophet. Why would our assessmenet of Jesus be any different? Jesus added that he did not know the exact day, but that doesn’t take away his prediction about the 2nd coming to happen within that generation whild some were still alive. Jesus gave signs to look for the 2nd coming, but he never gave the exact date of it. If he gave the exact date, most would wait till that day to repent! I’m glad C.S.Lewis became a Christian in spite of his questioning of Jesus’ predictions, but he was wrong, and any atheist, Muslim, Jew, or agnostic can see the fallacy of his reasoning.

So, Jesus predicted he would come back (his 2nd coming) within that generation (Matthew 24:30,34)that he was speaking to (within the next 40 years or so), while some listening to him were still alive (Mark 9;1). Well did he? Yes. He came in judgment on the wicked Jewish nation in 70 AD when He sent the Romans to destroy the temple and the city of Jerusalem, which they did under Titus.

That coming is described with a lot of figurative language similar to judgments on nations in the Old Testament. For example, Matthew 24:²⁹ “But immediately after the tribulation of those days the sun will be darkened, and the moon will not give its light, and the stars will fall from the sky, and the powers of the heavens will be shaken. ³⁰ And then the sign of the Son of Man will appear in the sky, and then all the tribes of the earth will mourn, and they will see the Son of Man coming on the clouds of the sky with power and great glory.” That had to occur within that generation (24:30), within the next 40 years or so. But did the “stars fall from the sky” withiin the next 40 years? Not literally. But Isaiah 13 predicted the fall of Babylon, which happened in 539 BC, using similar language. Isaiah 19:10 For the stars of heaven and their constellations Will not flash their light; The sun will be dark when it rises And the moon will not shed its light.” Did the stars quit shining (there are billions of stars) when that predicttion was fulfilled? No. That is tyypical apocalyptic figurative language, a way of saying a big catastrophic event was going to occur, a change in the way things were governed on earth. Isaiah 34:4 is another example: “For the stars of heaven and their constellations Will not flash their light; The sun will be dark when it rises And the moon will not shed its light.” This again was a judgment on nations back in Isaiah’s time. So the stars did not have to fall in 70 AD for Matthew 24:30-34 to be fulfilled in 70 AD.

I hope this challenges you to study this topic if you haven’t already done so. Too many Christians just ignore the seriousness of this topic. We must defend Jesus as a true prophet. The alternative is that he was just another false prophet and our faith in Christianity is void and He is not the Savior of the world.

 

2 Timothy 4:1  I do fully testify, then, before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who is about to judge living and dead at his manifestation and his reign —² preach the word; be earnest in season, out of season, convict, rebuke, exhort, in all long-suffering and teaching, ³ for there shall be a season when the sound teaching they will not suffer, but according to their own desires to themselves they shall heap up teachers — itching in the hearing, ⁴ and indeed, from the truth the hearing they shall turn away, and to the fables they shall be turned aside. ⁵ And thou — watch in all things; suffer evil; do the work of one proclaiming good news; of thy ministration make full assurance,

Another one of those “full preterism” verses in 4:1. Jesus is “about to” (mello, always means about to happen or about to be at a place). https://parousiafulfilled.com/mello-about-to-happen/index.php#:~:text=So%2C%20whenever%20something%20was%20%E2%80%9Cabout,(Matt%2017%3A12). For example For example, when Jesus prophesied his coming crucifixion, he told his disciples that the Son of Man “is about to” [Gk: μέλλει : mellei] suffer at the hands of certain men (Matt 17:12). Matthew 3:7 – But when he saw many of the Pharisees and Sadducees coming to his baptism, he said to them, “You brood of vipers! Who warned you to flee from the wrath to [Gk: μελλούσης : mellouses : which is about to] come (i.e. the judgment on the Jews in 70 AD). But mello is used in several eschatological passages like 2 Timothy 4:1 (a judgment of the living and the dead passage at his manifestation (epiphaneia: Appearing, Manifestation; used in 2 Thess 2:8 NAS: and bring to an end by the appearance of His coming) so this is a 2nd coming judgment passage. Matthew 16:27 – the Son of Man is going to i [Gk: μέλλει : mellei : is about to] come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.” Acts 17:31 – because he has fixed a day on which he will i [Gk: μέλλει : mellei : is about to] judge the world in righteousness by a man whom he has appointed; and of this he has given assurance to all by raising him from the dead.”Check the site just given for more uses. Luke 21:36 – But stay awake at all times, praying that you may have strength to escape all these things that are going to i [Gk: μέλλοντα : mellonta : are about to] take place, and to stand before the Son of Man.” Luke 21 is all about the end of the age in 70 AD and the destruction of the city and the temple in 70 AD, so the use of mello in 21:36 makes sense. Revelation 1:19 YLT – Write the things that thou hast seen, and the things that are, and the things that are about to [Gk: μέλλει : mellei : is (are) about to] iii ) come after these things.” Revelation was written in about 63 AD about things “shortly to take place” (Rev 1:1-3), so mello makes sense here also.

Preach (kérussó: To proclaim, to preach, to herald) the word. The verb κηρύσσω (kérussó) is used in the New Testament to describe the act of proclaiming or announcing a message publicly. It often refers to the preaching of the Gospel. That is something an “evangelist” like Titus would do, to preach the gospel (good news) message to sinners. We call our sermons “preaching”, but technically our sermons are just teaching (occasionally preaching the gospel good news of the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus and how to be saved), but not preaching. Semantics I guess. I’m sure Titus preached the basic gospel message to unconverted sinners everywhere he could. There would be a season when people will not listen to sound (hugiainó: To be sound, to be healthy, to be well; the word we get “hygiene” from) teaching. They will have “itching ears” and will “heap up teachers” that will scratch their itching ears. (AI) “In the Greco-Roman world, rhetoric and philosophy were highly valued, and speakers often tailored their messages to please their audiences. This cultural context helps illuminate the metaphorical use of “knéthó” in the New Testament, where it warns against the tendency to seek out teachings that align with personal desires rather than divine truth.”

The number of false prophets and false teachers is amazing. Marshall Applewhite of Heaven’s Gate cult; Jim Jones of People’s Temple (Guyanaa tragedy). David Karesh of Branch Davidians cult. Charles Manson and the Manson Family. David Berg of the Children of God cult. Bhagwan Shree Rajneesh and the Rajneeshpuram,cult. Here is a site that discusses each of these false prophets and cults. https://www.teenvogue.com/story/most-famous-cults-history These are just a few of the many! Add Joseph Smith of the Mormons. Ellen G. White of the 7th Day Adventists. Rutherford and Russell of the Jehovah’s Witnesses. Mary Baker Eddy of the Christian Science. L Ron Hubbard and Scientology. Warren Jeffs of the Fundamentalist Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. That list doesn’t include the many, many false prophets who falsely predicted dates for the 2nd coming.

But what is amazing to me is why so many people can be drawn to these false prophets. These false prophets and cult leaders obviously had charismatic appeal to people. But what was it that caused so many to be drawn to Joseph Smith and his Book of Mormon. Or to Marshall Applewhite and to Jim Jones, joining in mass suicide. (AI) “Cults prey upon the vulnerable among us, such as teenage runaways, drug addicts, abuse survivors, those who have lost someone close to them through death or a breakup, those suffering from insecurity or mental health issues, or anyone who feels disconnected from society.” But many are just well meaning people who like the personality and teachings of some preacher. Surprisingly the majority of those drawn to cults have higher education. Most have less religious and spiritual upbringing. Again it just amazes me that so many people would fall into the false teaching of cults and cult leaders. I’m not sure what the “fables” in 4:4 are that the false teachers are teaching, but the fables of the Book of Mormon would to me be a prime example. There are 17 million Mormons worldwide.

Next Paul turns to his expected imminent death. 2 Timothy 4:⁶ For I am already being poured out as a drink offering (spendó: To pour out as a drink offering, to make a libation, and the time of my departure has come. ⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; ⁸ in the future there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” The Law had drink offerings (Exodus 29:40), libations poured out in worship to God. His death would be like that. The Christian life is a constant battle against sin and evil. Paul fought the good fight. It is a race filled with obstacles and difficulties. Paul finished the course. It is life filled with doubt and bad things that challenge your faith in God. Paul kept the faith. He would get his crown stephanos: Crown). (AI) “In the New Testament, “stephanos” primarily refers to a crown or wreath, symbolizing victory, honor, or reward. Unlike a royal diadem, which signifies sovereignty, a “stephanos” is often associated with the wreath awarded to victors in athletic contests or given as a mark of honor and celebration. It is used metaphorically to describe the eternal rewards and honors bestowed upon believers by God.”

Next is Paul’s personal concerns. Remember that this is last winter, spent in a Roman dungeon. He wants Timothy to come to him in prison soon,, before he dies. He is sending Tychicus to Ephesus, probably with this 2 Timothy letter, to relieve Timothy in his work there so that Timothy can come see Paul in prison. He is cold and wants his overcoat he left in Troas. He feels deserted by many. He is lonely, having only Luke with him at the time he wrote. We wonder why he left his books and parchments in Troas, but he wants Timothy to bring them. We are happy to see that Paul says that Maark is useful him for service. We assume that is John Mark who deserted Paul and Barnabas on the 1st missionary journey. That caused a big argument between Paul and Barnabas over whether to take Mark with them on the 2nd journey as Paul refused to take him. Paul and Barnabas split up after that, with Paul taking Silas on his 2nd journey and Barnabas taking John Mark with him on a journey somewhere. In his hour of need, Demas deserted Paul, having loved this present world. Maybe that means that Demas was afraid to stick around with Paul in prison for fear that he also might end up in prison. He was deserted by all at his first defense (possibly a trial during his 2nd imprisonment in Rome). Can we even fathom how Paul felt in his last few months in a cold dungeon in Rome? If you were writing your last letter before you died, who would you write to and what would you say?

Paul did not expect to get out of prison this time like he did after house arrest in Acts 28. He expected to be released from the 2 year house arrest of Acts 28. He wrote Philippians during that 2 year house arrest, his 1st imprisonment, and wrote Philippians 1:²¹ For to me to live is Christ, and to die is gain. ²² If I am to live in the flesh, that means fruitful labor for me. Yet which I shall choose I cannot tell. ²³ I am hard pressed between the two. My desire is to depart and be with Christ, for that is far better. ²⁴ But to remain in the flesh is more necessary on your account. ²⁵ Convinced of this, I know that I will remain and continue with you all, for your progress and joy in the faith, ²⁶ so that in me you may have ample cause to glory in Christ Jesus, because of my coming to you again.” Not so this time in his 2nd imprisonment. But even if he died in prison this time he expected to be brought safely into the heavenly kingdom (i.e. wherever eternal life is).

2 Timothy 4: ⁹ Make every effort to come to me soon; ¹⁰ for Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica; Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. ¹¹ Only Luke is with me. Take along Mark and bring him with you, for he is useful to me for service. ¹² But I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. ¹³ When you come, bring the overcoat which I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments. ¹⁴ Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. ¹⁵ Be on guard against him yourself too, for he vigorously opposed our teaching.

¹⁶ At my first defense no one supported me, but all deserted me; may it not be counted against them. ¹⁷ But the Lord stood with me and strengthened me, so that through me the proclamation might be fully accomplished, and that all the Gentiles might hear; and I was rescued out of the lion’s mouth. ¹⁸ The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed, and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom; to Him be the glory forever and ever. Amen.

A reminder of Paul’s possible 4th journey after he was released from 2 years in house arrest in Rome (Acts 28). Notice Troas which is where he left his overcoat, books, and parchments. He left Titus in Crete and Timothy in Ephesus. He went through Troas where he left his overcoat and books and parchment. He planned to spend the winter in Nicopolis (Titus 3:¹² When I send Artemas or Tychicus to you, do your best to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there) and apparently did not make it there before being arrested and carried to Rome for his last winter during which he wrote 2 Timothy. He would have written the letter to Titus and the 1st letter to Timothy probably from Macedonia on his way to Nicolopis.

If you just had to try to read Paul mind as he is about to die, what do you think were his main concerns? 1 Timothy had a lot of instructions for Timothy to teach to the church about elders, deacons, roles of men and women members, widows, and false teachers. But 2 Timothy is more about instructions to Timothy to not be ashamed of Paul in prison, to be strong, to peach the word and rebuke false teachers. It is more personal as Paul mentioned Timothy’s mother and grandmother. He is very concerned about Timothy carrying on the work.

That concludes the study of 2 Timothy. Hope you enjoyed it.

2 Timothy 3: 1 But realize this, that in the last days difficult times will come. ² For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, slanderers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, ³ unloving, irreconcilable, malicious gossips, without self-control, brutal, haters of good, ⁴ treacherous, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, ⁵ holding to a form of godliness although they have denied its power; avoid such people as these. ⁶ For among them are those who slip into households and captivate weak women weighed down with sins, led on by various impulses, ⁷ always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth. ⁸ Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men of depraved mind, worthless in regard to the faith. ⁹ But they will not make further progress; for their foolishness will be obvious to all, just as was that also of Jannes and Jambres.

More verses on the last days. 2 Peter 3:3-4 ESV Knowing this first of all, that scoffers will come in the last days with scoffing, following their own sinful desires. They will say, “Where is the promise of his coming? For ever since the fathers fell asleep, all things are continuing as they were from the beginning of creation.” 1 Timothy 4:1 ESV 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,” Hebrews 1:2 ESV But in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed the heir of all things, through whom also he created the world.” Micah 4:1 ESV It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and it shall be lifted up above the hills; and peoples shall flow to it.” Hosea 3:5 ESV Afterward the children of Israel shall return and seek the Lord their God, and David their king, and they shall come in fear to the Lord and to his goodness in the latter days.” Isaiah 2:2 ESV It shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the house of the Lord shall be established as the highest of the mountains, and shall be lifted up above the hills; and all the nations shall flow to it.” Daniel 10:14 ESV And came to make you understand what is to happen to your people in the latter days. For the vision is for days yet to come.” 1 Peter 1:20 ESV He was foreknown before the foundation of the world but was made manifest in the last times for the sake of you.” Jude 1:18 ESV They said to you, “In the last time there will be scoffers, following their own ungodly passions.” Jeremiah 30:24; 23:20  ESV The fierce anger of the Lord will not turn back until he has executed and accomplished the intentions of his mind. In the latter days you will understand this.” 1 Corinthians 10:11 ESV Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.” Ezekiel 38:⁸ After many days you will be mustered. In the latter years you will go against the land that is restored from war ¹⁶ You will come up against my people Israel, like a cloud covering the land. In the latter days I will bring you against my land, that the nations may know me, when through you, O Gog, I vindicate my holiness before their eyes.” Daniel 2:28 But there is a God in heaven who reveals secrets, and He has made known to King Nebuchadnezzar what will be in the latter days. Your dream, and the visions of your head upon your bed, were these.”

My church taught that the “last days” was the Christian Age that started in 30 AD in Acts 2 and is still going. I believe the phrase refers to the last days of the Jewish Age, the period from 30-70 AD. In 70 AD In 70 AD the temple and city of Jerusalem were destroyed. Hebrews 8:¹³ When He said, “A new covenant (Jeremiah 31:31-34),” He has made the first obsolete. But whatever is becoming obsolete and growing old is about to disappear.” That was written in about 60 AD. Some say the old covenant ended in 30 AD, but this verse clearly says that the old covenant did not disappear till shortly after 60 AD, which would fit 70 AD as the date it disappeared. So we start to see that it makes more sense that the last days are the last days of the Jewish Age, ending in 70 AD.

The passage that really shows that is Acts 2:17 ‘And it shall be in the last days,’ God says, ‘That I will pour out My Spirit on all mankind; And your sons and your daughters will prophesy, And your young men will see visions, And your old men will have dreams; ¹⁸ And even on My male and female servants I will pour out My Spirit in those days, And they will prophesy. ¹⁹ And I will display wonders in the sky above And signs on the earth below, Blood, fire, and vapor of smoke. ²⁰ The sun will be turned into darkness And the moon into blood, Before the great and glorious day of the Lord comes. ²¹ And it shall be that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’” Peter was quoting Joel 2:28-32.

The “great and terrible day of the Lord” was predicted by Malachi 4:⁵ “Behold, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and terrible day of the Lord.” Of course, the coming of Elijah was fulfilled figuratively in John the Baptist. Matthew 11:¹⁴ And if you are willing to accept it, John himself is Elijah who was to come.” 17:¹⁰ And His disciples asked Him, “Why then do the scribes say that Elijah must come first?” ¹¹ And He answered and said, “Elijah is coming and will restore all things; ¹² but I say to you that Elijah already came, and they did not recognize him, but did ^[d]to him whatever they wanted. So also the Son of Man is going to suffer at their hands.” ¹³ Then the disciples understood that He had spoken to them about John the Baptist.” That great and terrible day of the Lord would be when Jesus came in judgment on the evil Jewish nation, using the Romans, in 70 AD, killing a million Jews in the siege and destruction of Jerusalem. That would be his 2nd coming. A lot of people say that the last days were the days between the 1st and 2nd coming, which is correct. They just think the 2nd coming has not happened yet. If you understand that the 2nd coming happened in 70 AD, then the last days were the days between the 1st and 2nd coming. See my blog articles on the “2nd coming” if what I just wrote sounds heretical! That imminent judgment day on the Jews in 70 AD is why Peter would cap off his sermon with a warning: Acts 2:⁴⁰ And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on urging them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” It was that generation of evil Jews that would be judged. Matthew 23: ³⁴ “Therefore, behold, I am sending you prophets and wise men and scribes; some of them you will kill and crucify, and some of them you will flog in your synagogues, and persecute from city to city, ³⁵ so that upon you will fall the guilt of all the righteous blood shed on earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zechariah, the son of Berechiah, whom you murdered between the temple and the altar. ³⁶ Truly I say to you, all these things will come upon this generation.”

I think that establishes that the last days were the last days of the Jewish Age from 30 to 70 AD. We are not living in the “last days” today as many would have you believe. The apostles believed that they were living in the last days, and it doesn’t make sense that the last days would last going on 2,000 years now. During those last days the miraculous gifts of the Holy Spirit would be poured out on “mankind”. Of course, that would mean that it was available to all mankind b/c the only way the miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit was given was by the laying on of the apostles’ hands. In the OT only a few received the miraculous power of the Holy Spirit (prophets mainly and Moses and the 70 men), but in the early church the miraculous would be given to all believers, men and women, servants and masters, as long as the apostles laid their hands on them. In Acts 8 the Samaritans were baptized but Acts 8:¹⁴ Now when the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent them Peter and John, ¹⁵ who came down and prayed for them that they would receive the Holy Spirit. ¹⁶ (For He had not yet fallen upon any of them; they had simply been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus.) ¹⁷ Then they began laying their hands on them, and they were receiving the Holy Spirit.” Paul laid his hands on the 12 men in Acts 19:1 Now it happened that while Apollos was in Corinth, Paul passed through the upper country and came to Ephesus, and found some disciples. ² He said to them, “Did you receive the Holy Spirit when you believed?” And they said to him, “On the contrary, we have not even heard if there is a Holy Spirit.” ³ And he said, “Into what then were you baptized?” And they said, “Into John’s baptism.” ⁴ Paul said, “John baptized with a baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in Him who was coming after him, that is, in Jesus.” ⁵ When they heard this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ⁶ And when Paul had laid hands upon them, the Holy Spirit came on them and they began speaking with tongues and prophesying. ⁷ There were about twelve men in all.” They received the miraculous indwelling of the Holy Spirit. The only exception to this practice was when God directly poured the Holy Spirit, the miraculous, on Cornelius to show the Jewish brethren and Peter that the Gentiles could be saved just s they were. Also God poured out the miraculous on Saul when Ananias came that Saul might be filled with the Holy Spirit (Acts 9). Ananias was not an apostle so I assume God just gave Saul the Spirit.

It would make sense that, since the miraculous gift of the Holy Spirit was given by the laying on of the apostles’. hands that the gifts would cease as they died off. Peter says in Acts 2 that the miraculous would be poured out during the last days from 30-70 AD, so that fits perfectly. Plus it is obvious that the miracles of those last days are not being done today.

As I said, my church taught that the last days was the Christian Age that started on 30 AD and is still going today until the 2nd coming. That’s a real problem since my church is mostly cessationist (i.e. the miracles ceased in the first century). According to Joel 2 and Acts 2, the miraculous would be poured out in the last days. If we are still in the last days, then the miraculous should still be abundant today, the same miraculous gifts found in the early church (1 Corinthians 12-14). But my church doesn’t believe they do exist today. The charismatics who believe in the miraculous today see that inconsistent interpretation and scoff at us. A correct understanding of the last days eliminates this problem.

That’s a long way to get back to 2 Timothy 3:1 but I thought it was a good place to basically do a study of the “last days” in the Bible. So Paul is saying that in the last days from 30-70 AD that all these sins would be rampant. There would be a falling away, an apostasy before 70 AD. Jesus predicted that: Matthew 24:⁹ “Then they will hand you over to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations because of My name. ¹⁰ And at that time (i.e. the time of the end in 70 AD) many will fall away, and they will betray one another and hate one another. ¹¹ And many false prophets will rise up and mislead many people. ¹² And because lawlessness is increased, most people’s love will become cold. ¹³ But the one who endures to the end is the one who will be saved. ¹⁴ This gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all the nations, and then the end will come.” All that had to happen within that generation of Jews: Matthew 24:³⁴ Truly I say to you, this generation will not pass away until all these things take place.” Also 1 Timothy 4:1 But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons.” Paul spoke of this in 2 Thessalonians 2:1Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, regarding the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our gathering together to Him, ² that you not be quickly shaken from your composure or be disturbed either by a spirit, or a message, or a letter as if from us, to the effect that the day of the Lord has come. ³ No one is to deceive you in any way! For it will not come unless the apostasy comes first, and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction, ⁴ who opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he takes his seat in the temple of God, displaying himself as being God.” That “apostasy” could be the rebellion of the Jews against the Romans in the years before 70 AD that led to the destruction of the temple and city, or it could be an apostasy of believers (as Jesus predicted) who don’t endure in the face of persecution from the Jews and Romans.

As Jesus predicted in Matthew 24:9-12, this apostasy and falling away of believers would be led by false teachers who “slip into households and captivate weak women who are led on by various impulses”. They would “oppose the truth” just as the magicians, Jannes and Jambres, did when Moses came to Pharoah. Their names are not mentioned in Exodus, but they are here.

Then on a personal note to Timothy: 2 Timothy 2:¹⁰ Now you followed my teaching, conduct, purpose, faith, patience, love, perseverance, ¹¹ persecutions, and sufferings, such as happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra; what persecutions I endured, and out of them all the Lord rescued me! ¹² Indeed, all who want to live in a godly way in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. ¹³ But evil people and impostors will proceed from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived.” Paul commends Timothy. Paul makes an interesting observation: All who want to live godly in Jesus will be persecuted”. That has been the general rule for the 2,000 years of church and Christian history. Martyrdom and persecution of believers has been the rule not the exception. The church was its strongest in the first 3 centuries before Constantine legalized Christianity. It got weaker when it became fashionable to become a Christian. Millions of Christians are still being persecuted for their faith in India, North Korea, Muslim countries, Iran, China, and many other places. The lack of persecution of the church in the U.S. has made the church weaker actually.

Paul closes with one of my favorite passages on the inspiration of the Scriptures. 2 Timothy 3:⁴ You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them, ¹⁵ and that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. ¹⁶ All Scripture (graphé: Scripture, writing) is inspired (theopneustos: God-breathed, inspired by God) by God and beneficial for teaching, for rebuke, for correction, for training in righteousness; ¹⁷ so that the man or woman of God may be fully capable, equipped for every good work.” This is the only one occurrence of this Greek word theopneustos, but the idea of “inspiration” of Scripture is found elsewhere. 2 Peter 1:²⁰ But know this first of all, that no prophecy of Scripture becomes a matter of someone’s own interpretation, ²¹ for no prophecy was ever made by an act of human will, but men moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.” “Men moved by the Holy Spirit to speak and write God’s word.” 1 Corinthians 2:¹⁰ For to us God revealed them through the Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, even the depths of God. ¹¹ For who among people knows the thoughts of a person except the spirit of the person that is in him? So also the thoughts of God no one knows, except the Spirit of God. ¹² Now we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, so that we may know the things freely given to us by God. ¹³ We also speak these things, not in words taught by human wisdom, but in those taught by the Spirit, combining spiritual thoughts with spiritual words.” Notice that inspiration was in words. The Holy Spirit somehow allowed the inspired writers and speakers to use their own vocabulary and thoughts but guided their thoughts and words so as to give the actual word of God, without errors (infallible). The apostles were promised this inspiration of the Holy Spirit: John 16: ¹³ But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” So the Scriptures are verbal (in error free words) plenary (full truth, not just parts of the Bible but all of the Bible) inspiration (God breathed words by the Holy Spirit). Of course, only the original writings of the NT writers were error free. The copies and translations are not. However, a study of the transmission of the original writings will show that we have very, very accurate copies and translations even though we don’t have the originals We have over 5,000 partial or full manuscripts to use in making translations today.

This is AI and long but I think it is worth including:

The rejection of the inspiration of scriptures, often called biblical criticism or skepticism, stems from various viewpoints that challenge the traditional understanding of the Bible’s divine origin and authority. 

Reasons for Rejection:

• Historical and Literary Criticism:Some scholars argue that the Bible is a product of human authorship influenced by the historical and cultural contexts of its time, questioning its divine inspiration or inerrancy. 
• Scientific and Archaeological Discoveries:Some findings in science and archaeology have been interpreted as contradicting or challenging biblical accounts, leading some to question the Bible’s accuracy or reliability. 
• Moral and Ethical Concerns:Critics point to passages in the Bible that they consider morally problematic, such as violence, slavery, and discrimination, questioning its divine origin or relevance for modern society. 
• Internal Contradictions and Inconsistencies:Some argue that the Bible contains internal contradictions, inconsistencies, or errors that challenge its claim to be divinely inspired. 
• Humanist Perspective:Humanists, who emphasize human reason and experience, often reject the Bible’s claim to be divinely inspired, considering it a product of human culture and history. 

Consequences of Rejection:

• Loss of Authority:Rejecting biblical inspiration can lead to questioning the Bible’s authority as a source of moral guidance and religious truth. 
• Doubt and Uncertainty:Rejection of the Bible’s divine origin can create doubt and uncertainty about religious beliefs and practices. 
• Shifting Perspectives:Rejecting the Bible’s inspiration can lead to alternative interpretations of religious texts, emphasizing human agency and reason over divine revelation. 
• Conflict and Debate:The rejection of biblical inspiration can lead to conflict and debate between those who believe in the Bible’s divine origin and those who do not. 

Different Approaches to Biblical Interpretation:

• Literal Interpretation:Some believe the Bible should be interpreted literally, accepting its words as historically accurate and divinely inspired. But that doesn’t mean that there aren’t figurative parts of the Bible. Context determines literal or figurative.
• Figurative Interpretation:Others argue that the Bible should be understood figuratively, recognizing its symbolic and metaphorical language.This method means that the Bible can’t be taken literally period.

The “sacred writings” that Timothy was taught from childhood would have been the OT scriptures, the 39 books of the OT as arranged into 22 books in 3 divisions: the Law, the Psalms, and the Prophets (Luke 24:27). But as time went on, the writings of the NT inspired writers would be considered Scripture also. 2 Peter 3:¹⁴ Therefore, beloved, since you look for these things, be diligent to be found spotless and blameless by Him, at peace, ¹⁵ and regard the patience of our Lord as salvation; just as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given him, wrote to you, ¹⁶ as also in all his letters, speaking in them of these things, in which there are some things that are hard to understand, which the untaught and unstable distort, as they do also the rest of the Scriptures, to their own destruction.” Here Peter is saying that Paul’s writings are Scripture just like the OT writings were Scripture. Paul was an inspired apostle although he was not one of the original 12.

It is the responsibility of parents to teach the word of God to their children, just as Timothy’s mother and grandmother did (2 Timothy 1:5). A correct understanding of the OT Scripture would lead one to faith in Christ. Romans 10:⁴ For Christ is the end of the Law for righteousness to everyone who believes.” John 5:³⁹ You examine the Scriptures because you think that in them you have eternal life; and it is those very Scriptures that testify about Me; ⁴⁰ and yet you are unwilling to come to Me so that you may have life.” The Law would convict men of sin and their inability to save themselves by animal sacrifices. The Prophets or Writings would make many messianic predictions which were all fulfilled with 100% accuracy although written hundreds of years ahead of time. The OT and NT Scripture is beneficial for correction and training so that the man or woman of God might be fully capable, equipped for every good work. The Scriptures do have all the basic doctrines of truth, but the ultimate goal of the Scriptures is to equip us to do good works for God.

This was AI interesting: According to a 2022 Gallup poll, 49% of Americans believe the Bible is inspired by God, but not everything in it is to be taken literally: Fables, history, and moral precepts: 29% of Americans say the Bible is a collection of fables, history, and moral precepts recorded by man. Literal word of God: 20% of Americans believe the Bible is the actual word of God to be taken literally.” There is a lot of semantics here that can confuse the issue. I consider myself to be a literalists, but there are many portions of Scripture that are figurative and not literal. Such as the predictions in Matthew 24 that the stars would fall within that generation (24:34) which was obviously figurative. A lot of that 49% probably consider the Bible to be inspiring but not the word of God, and perhaps not completed inspired but full of errors. Groups like the LGBQT movement obviously do not believe that the Bible is word for word the word of God.

2 Timothy 2:²⁰ Now in a large (megas: Great, large, mighty, from which we get “mega”) house there are not only gold and silver implements (skeuos: Vessel, implement, container, instrument), but also implements of wood and of earthenware, and some are for honor while others are for dishonor. ²¹ Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from these things, he will be an implement for honor, sanctified, useful to the Master, prepared for every good work. ²² Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. ²³ But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. ²⁴ The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, skillful in teaching, patient when wronged, ²⁵ with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.”

Let’s make this practical. In our house, our kitchen has several different types of vessels or containers that hold things. We have the fancy Christmas dishes that stay in a cabinet above the frig to be pulled out at Christmas only. We have some fancy crystal drinking glasses over in an antique china cabinet that we pull out for special occasions only. We heave regular dishes, glasses, cups plates, and saucers that we use all the time. We have regular cooking pots but then we also have fancy cooking pots. Obviously we have some vessels that are held in higher honor than others. But we also have a garbage bin or trash can that we put leftover food and trash in. We have a garbage disposal that we put leftover or bad food in. They do not have much honor in our kitchen. Even these vessels are needed and part of our kitchen.

It is the same with God’s vessels, i.e. Christians. Some Christians are very special to God, useful for doing His work. Some will bear more fruit and do more good works for God, but they are “useful”, “prepared for every good work”. Matthew 13:²³ But the one sown with seed on the good soil, this is the one who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces, some a hundred, some sixty, and some thirty times as much.” Some Christians are not useful at all. They might still be saved by God’s grace, but they bear little or no fruit. Maybe Luke 8:14 they are the thorny soil that is so preoccupied by the worries, riches and pleasures of this life that they bear no fruit. 1 Peter 1:⁸ For if these qualities (moral excellence, knowledge, self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, love) are yours and are increasing, they do not make you useless nor unproductive in the true knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. ⁹ For the one who lacks these qualities is blind or short-sighted, having forgotten his purification from his former sins.”

So how does a Christian become more “useful”, sanctified (i.e. set apart for special use), prepared for every good work? 1) By cleansing ourselves from worthless debates over words and issues, and foolish and ignorant speculations 2:23. 2) By cleansing ourselves from “youthful lusts” (youthful b/c Paul is writing to a young man Timothy but lusts apply to all of us. Then, once you have done a “self-cleansing”, pursue ” righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart.” Back to the kitchen analogy. You might have a special Christmas pot, but it has some very old moldy food in it from being in the frig several days. It is of no use until you get rid of the old food, cleanse it (wash it), and then you can use it to put the meat or potatoes that you just cooked. But you must get rid of the bad food, cleanse it, and then you can use it for good food. Too many of us who are supposed to be special vessels of the gospel for God to us are of no value b/c we have so many hidden sins. Our motives for even going to church are not pure. We must get rid of the bad sins and pursue the good things Paul spoke of. Then we will be of use for the Master.

2 Corinthians 4:⁷ But we have this treasure (the saving gospel) in earthen containers (skeuos: Vessel, implement, container, instrument, same as 2 Tim 2:20), so that the extraordinary greatness of the power will be of God and not from ourselves.” It is amazing that God would send His Son to die horribly on the cross for our sins but then entrust the spreading of the gospel with weak, fallible humans. If God wants everyone to hear the gospel, which he does, and be saved, why not some miraculous way that doesn’t depend on humans? I can’t imagine how that could be. At least in the first century, He gave miraculous gifts to apostles, prophets, evangelists, elders and teachers (Eph 4:11) to spread the gospel and deliver the once for all time truth. But then (I am a cessationist who believe those miracles have ceased) the miracles stopped by the end of the first century and since then it is uninspired, fallible men who have interpreted and spread the Bible and the gospel. Not only that, men have engaged in endless debate over the Bible and what it means. Others have gone off into “foolish speculation” (like the book of Mormon) and cults. So if you are trying to teach the Bible and the gospel to others, it can easily end up in debate, arguments, quarrels, pride, dissention, division, etc. So how does that special vessel of the gospel handle such debates? 2 Timothy 2:²³ But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. ²⁴ The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, skillful in teaching, patient when wronged, ²⁵ with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.” With a gentle, loving disposition. Not argumentative or quarrelsome. Patient. Skillful in teaching (you must know the book backward and forward). You can’t let your pride get in the way. If the false teacher attacks you, you must turn the other cheek and turn it over to God. Be kind, not overly aggressive or pushy. Be a good listener and try to find points of agreement if there are any. I’m afraid a lot of the preachers in my denomination didn’t do all that. Many of them stood in the pulpit openly judging and condemning people in different denominations. Their attitude hindered many from accepting truth even if they were teaching truth. Many times they were too blind to see the legitimate points of the opponent.

So, an interesting section.

1 Timothy 6:¹¹ But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance, and gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of faith;take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ¹³ I direct you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, ¹⁴ that you keep the commandment without fault or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, ¹⁶ who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.”

Those who teach and preach the word must “flee” (pheugó: to flee, escape, avoid: it can be translated “run away from”) from “controversial questions and disputes about words, from which come envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions” and pursue (diókó: To pursue, persecute, chase, press forward) the good things mentioned. Paul uses this idea of “fleeing” certain things elsewhere. 2 Timothy 2:²² Now flee from youthful lusts and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. ²³ But refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that they produce quarrels. ²⁴ The Lord’s bond-servant must not be quarrelsome, but be kind to all, skillful in teaching, patient when wronged, ²⁵ with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition, if perhaps God may grant them repentance leading to the knowledge of the truth, ²⁶ and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.” There is the “gentleness” of 1 Timothy 6:11 things to pursue. 1 Corinthians 6:¹⁸ Flee sexual immorality. Every other sin that a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. ¹⁹ Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God, and that you are not your own? ²⁰ For you have been bought for a price: therefore glorify God in your body.” 1 Corinthians 10:13: “No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it”. The word flee can also be translated “escape”. 1 Corinthians 10:¹⁴ Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.” Remember: Ephesians 5:⁵ For this you know with certainty, that no sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, which amounts to an idolater, has an inheritance in the kingdom of Christ and God.” Greed (the desire for more) is idolatry, the worship of things ahead of God. Luke 12.15: “Then he said to them, “Watch out! Be on your guard against all kinds of greed; life does not consist in an abundance of possessions.” Joesph fled from temptation: Genesis 39:7-22 (KJV)And it came to pass about this time, that Joseph went into the house to do his business; and there was none of the men of the house there within. And she caught him by his garment, saying, Lie with me: and he left his garment in her hand, and fled, and got him out.” You can’t just stand there and think about whether you should do something or not. You should already have the conviction that you will not get near something bad. You will be aware of the danger when you see it. When you are caught in a tornado, you know to run, drive away as fast as you can in the opposite direction. You look for an “escape” route when there is a fire in a building. All this applies to temptation and to getting caught up in “controversial questions and disputes about words, from which come envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions”.

“Fight the good fight of faith”. As he sat in a Roman prison (his 2nd imprisonment after being released from his 2 years of “house arrest” of Acts 28), awaiting imminent beheading by Nero, he wrote this: 2 Timothy 4:⁷ I have fought the good fight, I have finished the course, I have kept the faith; ⁸ in the future there is reserved for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day; and not only to me, but also to all who have loved His appearing.” So Paul lived what he preached. “I have fought the good fight” is also significant for believers today because it serves as a stark reminder that the Christian life is a struggle against evil—within ourselves and in the world: I think that is what the “good fight” is, i.e the fight against evil-within ourselves and in the world. The Greek word for “fight” is agónizomai: To strive, to struggle, to fight, to labor fervently (from which we get “agonize”). It can be translated “compete” as in 1 Corinthians 9:NAS: Everyone who competes in the games exercises self-control”. It can be used of fighting in warfare. From gotquestions.org “Our battle is not with flesh and blood “but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12). The Christian life is a fight in that Christians face a never-ending struggle against evil—not an earthly military campaign, but a spiritual battle against Satan. This is why we must “take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day” (see Ephesians 6:13-18).” Paul was a warrior in spiritual battle. He fought or contended with false teachers in the church. He fought with those trying to kill him or persecute him. He fought through many dangers without quitting, surrendering, or turning back. Our battle is not with flesh and blood “but against principalities, against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this age, against spiritual hosts of wickedness in the heavenly places” (Ephesians 6:12).” Paul reminded Timothy to “endure hardship as a good soldier of Jesus Christ” (2 Timothy 2:3). We are fighting evil in our own spiritual battles, but we are also fighting the Lord’s battles against evil as His soldiers. The Israelites soldiers went out fighting the Lord’s enemies, but they were fighting the Lord’s battles. But can you imagine a soldier during WWII sitting around in a nice cozy office while a battle is raging right around them? Is that us? We have become complacent. We still go to church and believe in the right doctrines, but we compromise so much. We don’t really fight to put off sin in our lives. We don’t fight to defend the truth against all the false doctrine that is out there. We are not bad people. We just don’t really get our hands dirty in the spiritual warfare out there.

What is the “good confession” that Paul told Timothy to be faithful to? 6:12 “take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and for which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. ¹³ I direct you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate.”  What was the confession Jesus made before Pilate? I believe that is found in Matthew 26:⁶² The high priest stood up and said to Him, “Do You offer no answer for what these men are testifying against You?” ⁶³ But Jesus kept silent. And the high priest said to Him, “I place You under oath by the living God, to tell us whether You are the Christ, the Son of God.” ⁶⁴ Jesus *said to him, “You have said it yourself. But I tell you, from now on you will see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of power, and coming on the clouds of heaven.” Jesus confessed to Pilate “You got it right Pilate, I am the Christ the Son of God.” Peter made the good confession in Matthew 16: ¹⁵ He *said to them, “But who do you yourselves say that I am?” ¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷ And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” Martha made the good confession” John 11:²⁷ She *said to Him, “Yes, Lord; I have come to believe that You are the Christ, the Son of God, and He who comes into the world.” It is a public confession of faith. Romans 10:9–10 “If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.”

Timothy was to “take hold (epilambanomai: To take hold of, to seize, to grasp, to help) of the eternal life to which he was called.” (AI) “The verb ἐπιλαμβάνομαι is used in the New Testament to describe the act of taking hold of something or someone, often with a sense of urgency or purpose. It can imply a physical grasp, as well as a metaphorical or spiritual seizing. The term is used in contexts where there is an intervention, assistance, or a decisive action taken.” The Christian pursuit of eternal life is not a passive thing that we just sit back and let God do all the work saving us (as Calvinism teaches). We can’t earn eternal life, but we must actively reach out and grab it. If someone is handing you a package that is really important, then you don’t just sit back and admire it. You reach out and grab it so you can possess it and enjoy what’s in the package.

1 Timothy 6:¹⁴ that you keep the commandment without fault or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵ which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, ¹⁶ who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.” This quite an expression of praise to God the Father, the only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords. The Father would bring about the 2nd coming at the proper time. He alone possesses immortality. I do not believe that every person born has an eternal “soul” that, when he dies, must exist eternally after death. The Hebrew word for soul just means “life force”. God breathed into man and he became a living soul. But the same word is used for the life in animals, and they don’t have eternal souls. God only promises immortality to believers in Jesus. 1 Corinthians 15:⁵³ For this perishable must put on the imperishable, and this mortal must put on immortality. ⁵⁴ But when this perishable puts on the imperishable, and this mortal puts on immortality, then will come about the saying that is written: “Death has been swallowed up in victory. ⁵⁵ Where, O Death, is your victory? Where, O Death, is your sting?” ⁵⁶ The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the Law; ⁵⁷ but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.”

God dwells in “unapproachable light”. What does that mean? We know that “God is light” but what does that mean? God is a spirit who fills the universe, but He is not some bright light everywhere in the universe. What did Moses see when God put him behind a rock and let his see God’s “back side”? It had to be some bright shining light. Moses would talk to God face to face and then come out with his face shining. Was God a bright light in that tent of meeting with Moses? Maybe in the spiritual world of the “heavenlies” God is a bright light, but we just can’t see in now in the flesh. We can only see it when we die and go into the presence of God in the heavenlies.

You would think the letter would end with that great praise, but Paul has one last charge for Timothy. Maybe he was about to end the letter and thought of this last charge. 1 Timothy 6:²⁰ Timothy, protect what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly, empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called “knowledge”— ²¹ which some have professed and thereby have gone astray from the faith.” What are the arguments of what is falsely (pseudónumos: Falsely named, false from which we get pseudonym, a fictitious name) called knowledge (gnosis, knowledge) From bibleref.com
“Paul also repeats a common theme of his instructions to church leaders: steer clear of false knowledge and shallow arguments. Among the false teachings in Ephesus was a philosophy which would soon be known as Gnosticism, named from the Greek root word for “knowledge.” Gnostic ideas presented matter as evil and spirit as good. Depending on the flavor of Gnostic teaching, the sins committed in the body either did not matter or all pleasures of the body were inherently wrong. Timothy was to stay away from such false teachings which contradicted the “sound doctrine” Paul had taught him (1 Timothy 1:8–11).” (AI) “The use of “pseudónumos” in the New Testament reflects a concern with false teachings that were prevalent in the early church. These teachings often masqueraded as legitimate Christian doctrine but were contrary to the apostolic teaching. The early church faced various heresies and false teachings, such as Gnosticism, which claimed to offer secret knowledge.” “In the Greco-Roman world, knowledge was highly valued, often associated with philosophy and intellectual pursuit. In the context of early Christianity, “gnósis” took on a distinct meaning, emphasizing not just intellectual understanding but also experiential and relational knowledge of God. This was in contrast to the Gnostic heresies that emerged in the early church, which claimed secret knowledge for salvation.” Gnosticism didn’t fully develop until the 3rd century, but the roots of it were present even in the first century. Gnostic ideas have impacted Western philosophy and spirituality, particularly through the rediscovery of the Nag Hammadi library. Books like the Gospel of Thomas consist of secret sayings given only to the apostle Thomas. It was not written by Thomas, probably written in the 3rd century, as were other gnostic books. Colossians 2:⁸ See to it that there is no one who takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception in accordance with human tradition, in accordance with the elementary principles of the world, rather than in accordance with Christ. ²⁰ If you have died with Christ to the elementary principles of the world, why, as if you were living in the world, do you submit yourself to decrees, such as, ²¹ “Do not handle, do not taste, do not touch!” ²² (which all refer to things destined to perish with use)—in accordance with the commandments and teachings of man? ²³ These are matters which do have the appearance of wisdom in self-made religion and humility and severe treatment of the body, but are of no value against fleshly indulgence.”

I end my articles on 1 Timothy the same way Paul ended the letter.

“Grace be with you”. I hope you benefited from at least some of the articles.

1 Timothy 6:³ If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, ⁴ he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a sick craving for controversial questions and disputes about words, from which come envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, ⁵ and constant friction between people of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. 

I found this: “The doctrine that conforms to godliness is a pure and purifying doctrine that aims to teach a proper way of life and a right state of mind. It is more than a collection of intellectual truths, but rather a way to promote spiritual growth and well-being. 

In the Bible, 1 Timothy 6:3-8 describes the doctrine that conforms to godliness as a sound instruction that is free of corruption and error. It says that those who teach a different doctrine or disagree with the words of Jesus Christ are puffed up and do not understand. It also says that these people are more interested in word disputes and controversial questions, which can lead to envy, strife, and abusive language. 

Godliness is defined biblically as conforming to God’s character in thoughts, feelings, actions, and desires.”

“Sound” (hugiainó: To be sound, to be healthy, to be well: used in Luke 7:10 they found the slave in “good health”) words. The pastoral epistles (1,2 Timothy and Titus) are full of admonition to teach sound words, sound doctrine. 1 Timothy 1:10; 6:3, 2 Timothy 4:3; Titus 1:9, 13; 2:1,2). The sound words of “our Lord Jesus Christ”. That would be the 4 gospels. The core teaching of Christianity are the teachings of Jesus as found in the gospels. Sure, there are a lot of issues, commands, etc. that Jesus did not cover. He left the Holy Spirit with the apostles to preach the completed gospel message (the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus. John 16:¹³ But when He, the Spirit of truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth; for He will not speak on His own, but whatever He hears, He will speak; and He will disclose to you what is to come.” Jesus teaches about the things that really matter: love, service, faith, sacrifice, suffering, surrender, peace, the new birth, compassion, forgiveness, the kingdom of God, discipleship, repentance, prayer, humility, judgement, riches, lust, denying self, sin, His Deity, His death/burial/resurrection, obedience, kingdom living (the sermon on the mount Mt 5-7), eternal life, the Holy Spirit, fear, worry, joy, etc. But Jesus left the details of applying those teachings in churches with all the issues and problems that go along with bringing sinners into one saved body of believers from different backgrounds. Acts tells of the apostles preaching the gospel, witnessing the resurrection, establishing churches, doing mission work. 1 Corinthians deals with church division, law suits among member, immorality in the church, strong/weak brother issues, marriage issues, women’s role, Lord’s Supper problems, miraculous gifts problems, assembly problems, resurrection issues. Romans deals with Judaizers who are leading believers back to the Law instead of salvation by grace through faith. Ephesians gets into some heavy theological doctrines like predestination. Colossians fights the heresy facing the church there. 2 Thessalonians mainly deal with the 2nd coming issues. 1 Timothy gives basic instructions about women’s roles, elders, deacons, widows, the basic creed of the church (3:16). Revelation is about the destruction of Jerusalem in 70 AD, the fulfillment of Jesus’ predictions in Matthew 24.

But all those topics, issues, and problems dealt with in the book of Acts and the other 22 letters of the New Testament have been the source of endless debates. Calvinism vs Arianism. Catholicism vs Protestantism. How to be saved. Women’s roles in the church. Church governance. Baptism: sprinkling, pouring, immersion, of infants, purpose of baptism. Fulfillment of prophecy today: eschatology (study of end times, many different views). Marriage and divorce. Inspiration of the Scriptures. Deity of Jesus: first few councils dealt with multiple “heresies” about the nature of Jesus. Catholicism vs Orthodox split (11th century) issues. Catholicism vs Reformation differences. Catholicism vs Church of England bloody history. Religious wars. Pacifism or not. Role of Israel and Bible prophesy. Gay marriage and homosexuality. LGBQT. The abortion issue.

Most of these debates are healthy as honest, sincere, God fearing leaders seek to understand the word of God for the church for all times and cultures. But many of these debates had led to “a sick craving for controversial questions and disputes about words, from which come envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, ⁵ and constant friction between people of depraved mind and deprived of the truth”. What is the source of these things? Church leaders and preachers “who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.” The bottom line: men and women leading the church and preaching for money. Men depraved of “the truth”, i.e. the basic core truth of the gospel as delivered by Jesus and the apostles. Of course, I believe I have most of the correct answers on most of the controversial issues! I try to teach the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15), but I also get caught up in debates over words. I believe Calvinism is wrong. I am a full preterist and I believe most all latter day eschatology teaching is wrong. I believe the LGBQT movement is wrong. I believe in the verbal, plenary (full) inspiration of Scripture, including the writings of the apostle Paul. I believe in baptism (immersion) for the forgiveness of sins of those old enough to believe, not infants. I believe that Jesus is the head of the church, not the Pope. I believe that Jesus is the Son of God. I believe that life begins at conception and that abortion is taking the life of a living being. In other words, basic conservatism! Basic fundamentalism.

I realize that there are many godly, sincere leaders and preachers who disagree with some or all of my positions. Most things we can “agree to disagree”. But some things are essential to salvation. The LGBQT issue, for example. To me, that is black and white. Anyone who promotes homosexuality and homosexual marriage is “depraved of the truth”. The abortion issue is another black and white thing to me. The thing that really bothers me is how much money is collected in church contributions in the name of Jesus that is used “as a means of godliness”. The recent split in the Methodist church over the LGBQT debate for example. The truth on that issue is so plain that it makes me wonder if it is all about preachers keeping their jobs, and church leaders controlling the flock and the money collected. Maybe we should address the whole issue of the paid preacher system that has helped promotes a lot of false teaching. Maybe we would be better just to have our house churches with no paid preacher system: just sincere believers studying and searching for the truth of God’s word, for free!

Take a look at all the cults and latter day prophet movements over the past 2,000 years of church history. Joseph Smith and Mormonism. David Koresh and the Branch Davidians (Waco). Jim Jones and the Peoples’ Temple (the Guyana tragedy). Many, many more. What were the motives of most of those false prophets? Some were just sincerly trying to interpret the Bible prophecies. Like William Miller who thought he had Daniel 8 figured out and taught that the 2nd coming would be in 1843 AD, which it wasn’t. I don’t think he was preaching that for money. He was just sincerely wrong and admitted so. But in the end, most of the time the motivation of false teachers was pride, sex, power, and money.

2 Peter 2:1-3 But false prophets also arose among the people, just as there will be false teachers among you, who will secretly bring in destructive heresies, even denying the Master who bought them, bringing upon themselves swift destruction. And many will follow their sensuality, and because of them the way of truth will be blasphemed. And in their greed they will exploit you with false words. Their condemnation from long ago is not idle, and their destruction is not asleep.”

Those verses say it all. Sex (sensuality), money (greed), power and control (explot you). Titus 1:11 They must be silenced, since they are upsetting whole families by teaching for shameful gain what they ought not to teach.” 2 Corinthians 2:17 For we are not, like so many, peddlers of God’s word, but as men of sincerity, as commissioned by God, in the sight of God we speak in Christ. Acts 20:29-30 I know that after my departure fierce wolves will come in among you, not sparing the flock; and from among your own selves will arise men speaking twisted things, to draw away the disciples after them. Matthew 7:15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. And there will always be an audience to follow and pay those false teachers. 2 Timothy 4:2-4 Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.

I believe that, more than ever, we need to follow 1 John 4:1 Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world.” I am proud of the conservative, anti-LGBQT churches that have made a stand and we need to support them. I have a co-worker who has been crushed by her church’s liberal decisions. I need to encourage her that she is doing the right thing. With all the “liberalism” in churches today, it is time for the conservative, fundamentalists to stand up and be counted.

1 Timothy 6:⁶ But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. ⁷ For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it, either. ⁸ If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content. 

What a great truth: “godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment”. The gain of godliness is eternal life, not material or monetary blessings in this life. Jesus made that plaiin. Matthew 16:26 “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?” Matthew 19:²⁷ Then Peter responded and said to Him, “Behold, we have left everything and followed You; what then will there be for us?” ²⁸ And Jesus said to them, “Truly I say to you, that you who have followed Me, in the regeneration when the Son of Man will sit on His glorious throne, you also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel. ²⁹ And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or farms on account of My name, will receive many times as much, and will inherit eternal life.” It is not a “reward” system based on works, but there is a great reward. Hebrews 11:⁶ And without faith it is impossible to please Him, for the one who comes to God must believe that He exists, and that He proves to be One who rewards those who seek Him.” Paul adds “when accompanied by contentment”. Why do you think he added that? Is it maybe because many who follow Jesus do so grudgingly, out of guilt, and not joyfully? They go to church and act religious but they are miserable. They give some money to the church, but inside they are greedy. The Greek word pleonexia means “the desire for more” (often more of what others have, i.e. coveting what they have). Godliness is a means of great gain, both in this life and in the life to come. Jesus came that we might have life, and have it more abundantly (John 10:10). We should be content with our wages, our standard of living, our clothes, our homes, our jobs. That doesn’t mean that we can’t try to improve those things, but the key is being content with what we do have even if we can’t improve those things. Phlippians 4:¹¹ Not that I speak from need, for I have learned to be content in whatever circumstances I am. ¹² I know how to get along with little, and I also know how to live in prosperity; in any and every circumstance I have learned the secret of being filled and going hungry, both of having abundance and suffering need. ¹³ I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.” Are you content?

Back then Paul goes right back to the money thing. ⁹ But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge people into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰ For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.” It’s not just the preachers preaching for money here. This applies to all of us, clergy and laity. Money is not the “root of all evil”. It is the “love of money”. The love of money is what motivates people to lie, steal, cheat, gamble, embezzle, and even murder. People who have a love for money lack the godliness and contentment that is true gain in God’s eyes. Ecclesiastes 5:10-12 Those who love money and wealth will never be satisfied and will gain nothing except to look at their riches. The more wealth people have, the more friends they have to help spend it.” Even being rich is not condemned by God. Abraham, the father of believers, was rich in herds and sheep. Being rich can be a blessing as you pass the riches on to others on behalf of God. But Jesus warns: “Truly, I say to you, only with difficulty will a rich person enter the kingdom of heaven. Again I tell you, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for a rich person to enter the kingdom of God” (Matthew 19:23–24). This is a hard saying, especially for 21st-century people living in North America. Jesus is saying that wealth is one of the biggest obstacles to coming to faith in Christ. The reason is obvious: wealth becomes a slave master in our lives and drives us to do all sorts of things that drive us further and further away from God. The good news is that what is impossible for man, entering into the Kingdom of God, is possible with God (Matthew 19:26). (From gotquestions.org). I’m sure all of us know someone who was a faithful Christian until they got a lot of money and they left the faith and became preoccupied with their money and materialism.

In the U.S., most of us middle class church Christians are so blessed with material goods and money. That can be a great blessing as we share those things with others. We give millions to organizations that drill wells for clean water, print Bibles to preach the gospel, feed the poor, rescue child force prostitution kids, give food to people in refugee camps due to war/conflict. Of course, we spend 80% of what churches collect on ourselves, which I think is really bad, but that is another subject. But most of us must heed Jesus’ warning. Has our love of money and greed (desire for more) taken over our motives, our time, our spending? Are we like the thorny soil in Luke 8: ¹⁴ And the seed which fell among the thorns, these are the ones who have heard, and as they go on their way they are choked by worries, riches, and pleasures of this life, and they bring no fruit to maturity.” We spend way too much on pleasures. Materialism just produces a lot of worry also. Worry about not losing our wealth. I think I was more devoted to God’s work and saving souls back in my 20’s when we did mission work, living on the poverty level income (though comfortable), with no church health insurance or retirement plan for my new family. Now, I have more than ever, blessed by God even though I never took a job b/c of what it paid or turned down a job (the Lord’s work somewhere in missions or in Christian education) b/c of what it paid. But then I worry about insuring cars and houses and health and paying utilities and taxes and how much it takes now just to pay the bills that maintain our relatively high standard of living (we have been blessed with a nice house and cars). So now I am less committed to the Lord’s work and saving souls. Maybe even not as content as back in my 20’s when we had very little.

Skipping around a little, we go down to 1 Timothy 6:¹⁷ Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to set their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. ¹⁸ Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, ¹⁹ storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life.” Seems to me like these verses should go right after verse 11. That phrase: “the uncertainty of riches”.  Proverbs 11:28 warns that “he who trusts in his riches will fall.” Proverbs 23:4–5 adds, “Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, cease from your consideration of it. When you set your eyes on it, it is gone. For wealth certainly makes itself wings, like an eagle that flies toward the heavens.” Proverbs 23:5 “Cast but a glance at riches and they are gone. For they will certainly sprout wings and fly off like an eagle.” Jesus warned: Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal …” (Matthew 6:19-20). Part of one’s riches back then was expensive garments, which moths or rats could destroy. Rust could destroy metallic gold or silver coins. Stock markets go up and down, even crash. Banks fail. Tornados, fires, and hurricanes destroy homes. An embezzler depletes your 401K plan. You are fired from a high paying job. A thief breaks into your home and steal precious jewelry. You have an uninsured medical emergency that wipes out your savings. (AI) “Your riches and money could fail through various means, including economic downturns or a depression, poor investment choices, unexpected expenses, legal issues and lawsuits, lifestyle inflation, business failures, natural disasters, and even simply not managing your wealth wisely, potentially leading to significant losses or depletion of your funds.” Identity theft. Phone scams. Don’t set your hope on the uncertainty of riches, which could be here today, gone tomorrow.

Set your hope on God. He adds, “who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy”. That is an important phrase. The Gnostics said that all fleshly things were evil and that one should deny himself of all normal pleasures. God said that we can enjoy things as long as we don’t set our hope on those things, as long as those things don’t master us and make us greedy. Ecclesiastes 5:19-20 (ESV)Everyone also to whom God has given wealth and possessions and power to enjoy them, and to accept his lot and rejoice in his toil—this is the gift of God. For he will not much remember the days of his life because God keeps him occupied with joy in his heart.” Tell the rich to focus on being rich in good works, not rich in money. To be generous and ready to share. To store up treasure in heaven that will help you to receive eternal life. That is the only life that really matters, i.e. eternal life, “truly life”.

A good closing warnin from Deut. 8.10-14: “When you have eaten and are satisfied, you shall bless the Lord your God for the good land which He has given you. Beware that you do not forget the Lord your God by not keeping His commandments and His ordinances and His statutes which I am commanding you today; otherwise, when you have eaten and are satisfied, and have built good houses and lived in them, and when your herds and your flocks multiply, and your silver and gold multiply, and all that you have multiplies, then your heart will become proud and you will forget the Lord your God who brought you out from the land of Egypt, out of the house of slavery.”

Something for me to think about! What about you?

1 Timothy 5:1 Do not sharply rebuke (epipléssó: To rebuke, to reprove, to chide: It implies a strong, often public, expression of disapproval or correction) an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, and to the younger men as brothers, ² to the older women as mothers, and to the younger women as sisters, in all purity.” Paul would tell Timothy: 2 Timothy 4:² preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; correct, rebuke, and exhort, with great patience and instruction”. So there might come a time when he would need to publicly correct or rebuke a church member, but how he should do it is important. Instead of being harsh and dictatorial, try to approach them in love as you would a family member, as you would your own father or mother, respecting their age. Or a family brother, in love. Especially be careful how you correct a younger women, in all purity. Too many church preachers have gotten into sexual temptation while counseling a woman.

I often wonder what Paul is thinking as he wrote his letters. What was his flow of thoughts? He had just commented on older members and younger members in 5:1-2. Did that lead him into “how to approach widows”? Obviously caring for widows was of special importance to Paul. To God also. (AI) “In the Old Testament, the care of widows was considered a significant responsibility, with the Bible repeatedly instructing people to treat widows with compassion, provide for their needs, and protect them from exploitation, essentially portraying God as a defender of the widow and expecting his people to do the same; this included leaving food for them in the fields and setting aside a special tithe for their support.” Deuteronomy 14:28,29: ²⁸ “At the end of every third year you shall bring out all the tithe of your produce in that year, and you shall deposit it in your town. “You are to set aside a portion for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow in your land, so that they may eat and be satisfied; then the Lord your God will bless you in the land you are entering to possess.” Exodus 22:22:“Do not mistreat any widow or fatherless child.” Psalm 68:5:“A father to the fatherless, a defender of widows, is God in his holy dwelling.” Deuteronomy 26:12-13 Every third year, the year of the tithe, give a tenth of your produce to the Levite, the foreigner, the orphan, and the widow so that they may eat their fill in your cities. And then, in the Presence of God, your God, say this: I have brought the sacred share, I’ve given it to the Levite, foreigner, orphan, and widow. What you commanded, I’ve done. I haven’t detoured around your commands, I haven’t forgotten a single one.” Jeremiah 7:⁶ if you do not oppress (or expoloit) the stranger, the orphan, or the widow, and do not shed innocent blood in this place, nor follow other gods to your own ruin, ⁷ then I will let you live in this place, in the land that I gave to your fathers forever and ever.” Zechariah 7:⁹ “This is what the Lord of armies has said: ‘Dispense true justice and practice kindness and compassion each to his brother; ¹⁰ and do not oppress the widow or the orphan, the stranger or the poor; and do not devise evil in your hearts against one another.’” Malachi 3:⁵ “Then I will come near to you for judgment; and I will be a swift witness against the sorcerers, the adulterers, against those who swear falsely, those who oppress the wage earner in his wages or the widow or the orphan, and those who turn away the stranger from justice and do not fear Me,” says the Lord of armies.” Deuteronomy 24:17-21 “You shall not pervert the justice due to the sojourner or to the fatherless, or take a widow’s garment in pledge, but you shall remember that you were a slave in Egypt and the Lord your God redeemed you from there; therefore I command you to do this. “When you reap your harvest in your field and forget a sheaf in the field, you shall not go back to get it. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow, that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat your olive trees, you shall not go over them again. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you shall not strip it afterward. It shall be for the sojourner, the fatherless, and the widow.” Ruth “gleaned” in the fields of Boaz. Isaiah 1:17 Learn to do good; seek justice, correct oppression; bring justice to the fatherless, plead the widow’s cause.” Isaiah 10:1 Woe to those who make unjust laws, to those who issue oppressive decrees,2 to deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed of my people, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless.”

James 1:27 Pure and undefiled religion in the sight of our God and Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their distress, and to keep oneself unstained by the world.” The Greek word for “visit” is episkeptomai: To visit, to look after, to care for. (AI) “In the Greco-Roman world, visiting someone was not merely a social call but often carried the connotation of providing support or assistance. This cultural understanding is reflected in the New Testament usage, where visiting is often linked with acts of mercy, care, and oversight. In Jewish tradition, visiting the sick and caring for the needy were considered acts of righteousness and piety, aligning with the biblical emphasis on love and community responsibility.” You visit a widow with the intent of seeing what they need and then helping them.

So we come to some special instructions concerning widows. 1 Timothy 5:³ Honor widows who are actually widows; ⁴ but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to show proper respect for their own family and to give back compensation to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God. ⁵ Now she who is actually a widow and has been left alone has set her hope on God, and she continues in requests and prayers night and day. ⁶ But she who indulges herself in luxury is dead, even while she lives. ⁷ Give these instructions as well, so that they may be above reproach. ⁸ But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.” What does he mean by “actually widows” or “actually a widow”? He is talking about a widow who meet certain qualifications that would make them eligible for regular assistance from the church. First of all, she must “be left alone” with no family members that could take care of her. But what if there is a family member who could take care of a family widown but doesn’t? I’m sure Paul would say “take care of that widow”, but he would say “don’t put her on the list of widows to be given regular assistance”. Secondly, she must not be a widow who “indulges herself in luxury”.

The Old Testament had instructions for the care of widows, even a tithe every third year for the care of widows and orphans. There would no such laws for the care of widows in the Roman Empire when. Paul wrote 1 Timothy. There was no “state welfare” system. Family members were expected to take care of their widows. Paul expected family members to take care of their own widows. But the early church had a “list” of “actually widows” or “widows indeed” (KJV ) who received regular help and food. Acts 6 is an example of this. The Grecian widows were being neglected so 7 men were chosen to provide food for those widows, no doubt on a daily basis such as “meals of wheels” today takes food every day to the needy elderly. Widows in the U.S. often don’t even need help from family members. My mom was widowed twice, but she did not need financial help from me. She had social security, a teacher’s retirement benefit, and a surviving widow’s benefit from the military. She did not “indulge in luxury” (1 Timothy 5:6) but she had enough money to take care of herself in her own apartment. She did not need help from me or the church. But many widows in the U.S. maybe only have social security (or perhaps no social security depending on having worked or a deceased husband’s social security).

But which widows could be put on this list for regular church help? 1 Timothy 5:⁹ A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, ¹⁰ having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work. ¹¹ But refuse to register younger widows, for when they feel physical desires alienating them from Christ, they want to get married, ¹² thereby incurring condemnation, because they have ignored their previous pledge. ¹³ At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also they become gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention. ¹⁴ Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, have children, manage their households, and give the enemy no opportunity for reproach; ¹⁵ for some have already turned away to follow Satan. ¹⁶ If any woman who is a believer has dependent widows, she must assist them and the church must not be burdened, so that it may assist those who are actually widows.“

Pretty stringent requirements for a widow to be placed on this list. “At least 60 years old” would be a key one. Qualified widows apparently had to make a pledge of some kind to be put on the list. I would love to see what that pledge was. He mentioned younger widows having “physical desires” (sexual), wanting to get married. So the pledge was probably that the widow would pledge to abstain from sex, courting a man, etc. Paul says that the younger widows tended to have those physical desires, be idle gossips and busybodies, talking about things they should not mention. He tells the younger widows to get married, have children, and manage their households. Younger widows who behaved badly was apparently a problem in the church when Paul wrote b/c “some had already turned away to follow Satan”.

(AI) “Early Christian Church leaders did embrace the obligation to care for the most vulnerable—the third century Didascalia Apostolorum outlined numerous provisions of the responsibilities of the bishops towards widows and orphans, who were interestingly also considered Church officials.” Support: The church provided material support for widows. Community: The church incorporated widows into the community. Honor: The church honored widows’ contributions to the common good. Special status: Widows enjoyed a special status in the church and were able to serve in a particular manner. Order of Widows: The church organized formal groups of widows as part of its orders of ministry. “By the 3rd century (by 250 AD) the church at Rome had over 1500 registered widows and recipients of alms. The city was divided into seven administrative districts, or diaconiae, under the care of seven deacons. Instead of the Roman state distributing bread, the deacons looked after it.” Here is a great article from Christian History Institute on this topic. https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/new-era-in-roman-healthcare

The Romans looked to the god Asclepios, the god of medicine and healing, for immediate healing but there was nothing in place for long term caring for widows and orphans. Unwanted childen were often left out in the cold to die. Widows were left to die. The sick had not hospitals to go to. It was Christians who started hospitals and care facilities. “In the early fourth century, lay Christian orders began to appear in the large cities of the Eastern Roman Empire. The two best known were the spoudaioi (“the zealous ones”) and (in Egypt) the philoponoi (“lovers of labor”). The mission of these groups, drawn mostly from the lower classes, was to reach out to the indigent sick in cities such as Alexandria and Antioch. These cities had a large population of homeless sick and dying on the streets. The philoponoi would distribute food and money to them and take them to the public baths, where their basic hygienic needs could be met and they could find warmth in winter. None had medical training, but they were motivated by compassionate concern. Over time they became an intermediate order between clerical orders and laymen, and in the sixth and seventh centuries they were attached to large churches in the major cities of the Byzantine Empire and continued the long tradition of church-centered diaconal care of the sick.” (from the CHI article) “Many movements in the history of Christian philanthropy have drawn on the legacy of early Christian medical care. Roman Catholics have excelled in organizing and institutionalizing medical charities, including hospitals, most of them maintained by religious orders of women. The Sisters of Charity, founded by St. Vincent de Paul (1580–1660), became a major force in caring for the sick.”

Here is another CHI article about the Christians and the church establishing places to help the poor and the sick, which would include widows. https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/from-poorhouse-to-hospital

Here is another CHI article: https://christianhistoryinstitute.org/magazine/article/timeline-healthcare-and-hospitals

This article gives a timeline for a timeline of “healthcare and hospitals in the mission of the church”:

Early 2nd century: Christians by this time have developed church infrastructure to assist the sick. This assistance is usually led by deacons and deaconesses and focuses on palliative care.

— Late 2nd century: Galen (c. 131–201) practices as a physician and publishes the medical treatises that will form the basis of Western medicine for centuries.

— 250–51: Devastating plague spreads throughout the Western Roman Empire, causing the church to expand its program of benevolence. The church at Rome is said to minister to 1,500 widows and others in need, spending annually an estimated 500,000 to 1,000,000 sesterces.

— 4th century: Bishops in the eastern half of the empire begin to establish xenodocheia as Christian welfare institutions for the sick and poor.

— 330: Basil of Caesarea (c. 330–379) is born into a Christian family from Cappadocia in Asia Minor (central Turkey).

—360: Basil founds his hospital in Cappadocia; he is ordained bishop in 370.

— The decades after 370: In Constantinople, Alexandria, and throughout the Eastern empire, many hospitals are founded on the example of Basil’s great “Basileum.”

— Late 4th century: John Chrysostom (c. 349–407) tells us that the Great Church in Antioch, Syria, supported 3,000 widows and unmarried women, as well as the sick, the poor, and travelers.

— Late 4th century: Fabiola (d. 399?) establishes first Roman hospitals.

In the U.S., many widows need financial help, but often they don’t need financial help and are neglected by the church. My mom was an example of that. She did not need financial help but she loved the few visits that she received from a few, only a few, church members. One man and his wife, Keith and Jamie Coates, visited her every month without fail. Dorothy Minor, the wife of Hugh Minor, a long time ministry associate of mine, would visit my mom every week for Bible study (mom teaching her). Those visits helped my mom so much. That was what she needed; not money or food. But how many members of our church at that time visited my mom, a widow, or any other widows, on a regular basis. Or how many widows did I visit and look after emotionally and spiritually, if not financially.

5:17-22 is about elders and I included thoughts on these verses in the 1 Timothy 3 article on elders.

Actually 5:23-24 sounds connected to 5:17-22. It seems that Paul is stll talking about elders who sin and need to be rebuked. So it is intersting that between 5:22 and 5:24 Paul says: ²³ Do not go on drinking only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.” Why throw that in here? Sometimes we may be talking to someone about a topic and remember something that we wanted to tell them about something else, so we pause and do a BTW on the 2nd topic. And then we resume the first topic. For whatever reason, Paul wanted to tell Timothy to use a little wine for his stomach and frequent ailments. Wine was a common drink in the early church. Even elders and deacons could drink wine as long as not too much wine and not addicted to wine. But apparently Timothy was a “tee-totaler” and drank no wine. Was he concerned that drinking wine might hurt his influence? Here is an article that discusses the many benefits of red wine, especially for heart health and digestion. https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/265635 Maybe Paul found this out from his traveling companion, Dr. Luke. Of course, drinking too much alcohol can cause a lot of problems, including addiction and cirrhosis of the liver. Paul condemned drunkenness: Galatians 5:¹⁹ Now the deeds of the flesh are evident, which are: sexual immorality, impurity, indecent behavior, ²⁰ idolatry, witchcraft, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambition, dissensions, factions, ²¹ envy, drunkenness, carousing, and things like these, of which I forewarn you, just as I have forewarned you, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.” Ephesians 5:¹⁸ And do not get drunk with wine, in which there is debauchery, but be filled with the Spirit.” Romans 13:¹³ Let’s behave properly as in the day, not in carousing and drunkenness, not in sexual promiscuity and debauchery, not in strife and jealousy.” 1 Peter 4:³ For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles, having pursued a course of indecent behavior, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries. ⁴ In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them in the same excesses of debauchery, and they slander you.” The Greek for “debauchery” is asótia: Dissipation, debauchery, profligacy, reckless living. These comments from biblehub.com on asotia: “Usage: The term “asótia” refers to a lifestyle characterized by excess, indulgence, and a lack of moral restraint. It implies a squandering of resources, both material and spiritual, in pursuit of hedonistic pleasures. In the New Testament, it is used to describe behaviors that are contrary to the disciplined and righteous life expected of believers. Cultural and Historical Background: In the Greco-Roman world, “asótia” was often associated with the behavior of those who lived extravagantly and without regard for societal norms or personal responsibility. Such lifestyles were typically marked by excessive drinking, sexual immorality, and wastefulness. The term would have been understood by early Christians as a warning against adopting the hedonistic practices prevalent in the surrounding pagan culture.” Drunkenness leads to debauchery or reckless living. These verses sound a lot like today’s society. Binge drinking is basically getting drunk. Large amounts of alcohol in a short period of time.

Particularly concerning is drinkin alcohol among college students ages 18-22. Prevalence of Drinking: According to the 2022 National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH), 49.0% of full-time college students ages 18–22 drank alcohol in the past month.¹

Prevalence of Binge Drinking: According to the 2022 NSDUH, 28.9% of full-time college students ages 18–22 reported binge drinking in the past month.¹

Prevalence of Heavy Alcohol Use: According to the 2022 NSDUH, 7.4% of full-time college students ages 18–22 reported heavy alcohol use in the past month.²

From alcohol help.com https://www.alcoholhelp.com/resources/college-alcohol-abuse/

“A large percentage of college students consume alcohol by binge drinking. Binge drinking is defined as when a person consumes an excessive amount of alcohol in a short timeframe. For men, binge drinking involves drinking five or more alcoholic beverages in two hours. On the other hand, binge drinking for women is considered four or more drinks within a two-hour time period.

The high-risk period of binge drinking for college students is during the first six weeks of their freshman year. Many of these students fall into peer pressure and begin drinking soon after the first day of classes. Alcohol use is commonly viewed as the “college experience” that students desire. They want to fit in and make new friends, so they keep drinking without thinking about the potential consequences involved.

Within the last couple of decades, college students have started consuming more hard liquor than beer. Rather than drinking to socialize, an increasing number of young adults are drinking to get drunk. Since liquor has one of the highest alcohol percentages by volume, it takes fewer drinks to feel its effects. The end goal for some is to drink as much as possible or black out. These outcomes are extremely dangerous and can possibly lead to life-threatening effects, such as alcohol poisoning.

Consequences Of Heavy Drinking In College: Nearly every college student has been impacted by alcohol use during their academic career – even if they have never drank themselves. For instance, a person can witness a friend’s drinking pattern worsening over time, gradually taking over their life. Heavy drinking affects more than just an individual; it can destroy anything in its path, including friendships and relationships. Excessive alcohol consumption can take a toll on a student’s academics. Drinking may even become a priority over attending classes, completing homework and studying for exams. An estimated one in every four college students admit to having poor grades or other academic problems because of their drinking behavior. Alcohol-related problems begin to arise when an individual drinks excessively and puts their health – and the health of others – at risk. Several consequences associated with heavy drinking in college are:

Performing Poorly In Classes

A lack of effort in school can make a difference in whether a student passes or fails a class. It can cost thousands of dollars to retake a course or change majors due to bad grades. In addition, failing classes will push back a student’s graduation, taking more time and money to complete the degree program.

Risking Injury

Drinking can increase a person’s risk of injury, ranging from minor cuts to broken bones or concussions. The higher someone’s blood alcohol content (BAC) level, the greater the chance of getting injured. Each year, close to 600,000 college students unintentionally injure themselves due to heavy drinking. Injuries can involve bruising, fractures, muscle sprains and other similar issues.

For those who struggle with depression or anxiety, alcohol consumption can cause life-threatening effects. Students who face extreme mental instabilities are most at risk of attempting to commit suicide or other acts of self-harm. Alcohol can significantly alter a person’s mind, which can make them act irrationally.

Becoming A Victim Of Assault

Alcohol is known to lower a person’s inhibitions and therefore, makes them more vulnerable to physical or sexual assault. Close to 700,000 students between the ages of 18 and 24 are assaulted by a student who had been drinking prior to the offense.

Another serious crime linked closely to alcohol use is sexual assault. All too often, perpetrators prey on victims who have been drinking. Victims are sometimes too incoherent to fight back or pass out before knowing what happened. Sexual assault can have a lasting effect on someone emotionally and physically, including getting a sexually transmitted disease (STD), having an unwanted pregnancy, or causing lasting psychological damage.

Committing Criminal Activities

When someone is under the influence of alcohol, their actions may be entirely different from how they would normally behave. This involves committing a crime, no matter how minor it may be, that a person wouldn’t have committed if they were sober. Highly intoxicated college students usually partake in vandalism, property damage, driving under the influence and other criminal activities.

Sometimes though, alcohol-related crimes can be extremely serious and put other people in danger. Harmful criminal activities involve battery, kidnapping and homicide. College students who commit crimes while intoxicated can face legal punishments such as fines, probation, suspended license and jail time.

Developing Health Issues

The effects of heavy drinking do not always happen immediately. It may take months or even years for some effects to occur. Nearly 150,000 college students develop some type of alcohol-related health problem every year. This may include liver damage, high blood pressure, inflammation of the pancreas and other health complications.

College students who participate in frequent drinking activities are also more likely to develop a dependency on alcohol later in life. Although alcoholism typically results from years of drinking, it can also happen during periods of heavy and frequent drinking during college. Bad drinking habits in college can evolve into other issues, like alcoholism, in the future.

College Drinking Statistics

Roughly 20% of college students meet the criteria for having an alcohol use disorder (AUD). Close to 60% of college students between the ages of 18 and 22 admitted to drinking in the past month. Of those, nearly two in every three engaged in binge drinking. A little less than 2,000 college students ranging from 18 to 24 years old die from unintentional, alcohol-related injuries each year.”

This is alarming information about drinking in college. Parents tend to send their kids off to college without monitoring their drinking habits in college. How many of these 28.9% of college students who got drunk in the last month or of the 20% of college student who have AUD (addiction to alcohol) hide their alcohol consumption from their parents? More than ever parents should consider Christian colleges. I’m sure there is some drinking and drunkenness there also, but it is monitored more closely there. “Christian colleges can and often do expel students for drunkenness, as most Christian colleges have strict alcohol policies that consider public intoxication a serious violation of their code of conduct, potentially leading to disciplinary actions including expulsion depending on the severity of the offense and the institution’s specific guidelines.” Students who drink in Christian colleges either hide it well or drink off campus, but it is monitored more closely than in public colleges. Apparently no one would ever be expelled from a public college just for drunkenness unnless it led to other serious infractions.

What about addiction to alcohol (AUD)?

“Globally an estimated 237 million men and 46 million women suffer from alcohol-use disorders with the highest prevalence among men and women in the European region (14.8% and 3.5%) and the Region of Americas (11.5% and 5.1%). Alcohol-use disorders are more common in high-income countries.” Alcoholism is the third-leading cause of preventable death in the United States. Every day, 385 Americans die from excessive alcohol use, with 83.9% of those deaths occurring in adults aged 35 or older. Of all deaths attributable to alcohol, 28% were due to injuries, such as those from traffic crashes, self-harm and interpersonal violence; 21% due to digestive disorders; 19% due to cardiovascular diseases, and the remainder due to infectious diseases, cancers, mental disorders and other health conditions.”

Maybe Timothy was wise to be “tee-totaler”! My church’s preachers condemned any drinking of alcohol, even in moderation, as a sin. But the Bible doesn’t condemn drinking in moderation. It only condemns drunkenness. The Law of Moses actually encouraged drinking of wine or strong drink in meals to be enjoyed at the tabernacle or temple. Deuteronomy 14:²⁶ And you may spend the money (tithe money) on whatever your ^[heart desires: on oxen, sheep, wine, other strong drink, or whatever your heart desires; and there you shall eat in the presence of the Lord your God and rejoice, you and your household.” But it also condemns drunkenness as one of the sins of Israel: Isaiah 28:7 And these also reel with wine and stagger from intoxicating drink: The priest and the prophet reel with intoxicating drink, They are confused by wine, they stagger from intoxicating drink; They reel while having visions, They stagger when rendering a verdict. ⁸ For all the tables are full of filthy vomit, without a single clean place.” Isaiah 5:11 Woe to those who rise early in the morning so that they may pursue intoxicating drink, Who stay up late in the evening so that wine may inflame them! ¹² Their banquets are accompanied by lyre and harp, by tambourine and flute, and by wine; But they do not pay attention to the deeds of the Lord, Nor do they consider the work of His hands.”

Perhaps more than ever we need to encourage not drinking alcohol at all (unless you need it for your stomach ailments). It just leads to so many sinful things. Even if you drink in moderation at a social gathering, others are getting drunk. They might even mock and make fun of you for not getting drunk such as the Gentiles did in 1 Peter 4:⁴ In all this, they are surprised that you do not run with them in the same excesses of debauchery, and they slander you.” So avoid “drinking parties” 1 Peter 4:3 ³ For the time already past is sufficient for you to have carried out the desire of the Gentiles,having pursued a course of indecent behavior, lusts, drunkenness, carousing, drinking parties, and wanton idolatries.” It can only hurt your influence as a Christian to drink moderately in such parties. Also you might never intend to get drunk, but you get persuaded by others to drink too much, and then bad things happen, especially to women as seen in the sexual assault statistics above.

Enough said. Go practice “pure and undefiled religion: to visit (to care for) widows and orphans”. If you drink alcohol, drink in moderation, but it is probably wiser to not drink at all.

A GOOD MINISTER’S DISCIPLINE

1 Timothy 4:⁶ In pointing out these things to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the good doctrine which you have been following. ⁷ But stay away from worthless stories that are typical of old women. Rather, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness; ⁸ for bodily training is just slightly beneficial, but godliness is beneficial for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. ⁹ It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. ¹⁰ For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all mankind, especially of believers.”

Timothy was an evangelist, not a full time located paid preacher! 2 Timothy 4:⁵ But as for you, use self-restraint in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist (euaggelistés: Evangelist: a missionary, bearer of good tidings.), fulfill your ministry.” The word ‘evangelist’ is found three times in the N.T. It is an anglicized form of a Greek word which has the same root as the word translated ‘gospel’ or ‘good news.’ Thus, an evangelist is ‘one who tells good news’ or ‘a proclaimer of the gospel.’ The Greek word for gospel is euangelion (εὐαγγέλιον), which translates to “good news”. The word is a compound of eu, meaning “good”, and angelion, meaning “announcement”. The primary work of an evangelist was to proclaim, preach, or announce the gospel, the good news that Jesus saves. . If was one of the 5 miraculously gifted leadership positions in the early church. Ephesians 4:¹¹ And He gave some as apostles, some as prophets, some as evangelists, some as pastors and teachers”. Evangelists were not full time located paid preachers. They traveled around preaching the gospel although they might be sent to a church to give them further instructions or rebuke false teachers. Paul left Timothy in Ephesus to do just that. 1 Timothy 1:³ Just as I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, to remain on at Ephesus so that you would instruct certain people not to teach strange doctrines.” The church there would have had elders to shepherd the flock, but Paul felt that they needed Timothy for at least a while. Timothy was familiar with the church at Ephesus, having spent 3 years at Ephesus with Paul, probably spreading the gospel to surrounding areas.

Paul told Timothy to “point (hupotithémi: To lay down, to suggest, to propose, to set before)out these things to the church”. What things? Paul had just stated the creed of the church in 3:16 and warned about the falling away that was inevitable. So that would be “these things”. He was to be constantly nourished (entrephó: To bring up, to nurture, to train) on the words of “the faith” and good doctrine. Sounds a little misogynistic, but he was to “stay away from worthless stories typical of old women”! Paul had already talked about such myths. 1 Timothy 1:³ Just as I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, to remain on at Ephesus so that you would instruct certain people not to teach strange doctrines, ⁴ nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to useless speculation rather than advance the plan of God, which is by faith, so I urge you now.” “‘ Coupled here with ‘ endless genealogies ,’ Paul may be referring to legends about well-known figures in the Old Testament found in many non-canonical Jewish writings of the Second Temple period. He may also be referencing ‘genealogies’ and ‘stories’ about the Greek gods propagated by the Temple of Artemis.” Paul may have been referring to speculative genealogies about spiritual beings that were developed by Gnosticism.” I think he is saying that these myths were no better than some “old wives’s tales” there were pure speculation not based on facts. Such as: An apple a day keeps the doctor away. Don’t go out with wet hair or you’ll get sick. Putting onions in your socks to cure a cold. Eat carrots for better eyesight. White spots on your nails are caused by calcium deficiency. Your baby’s heart rate can predict its sex. Just to name a few. A great example of such a “worthless story” (4:7) would be the Mormon legends found in the Book of Mormon. “Latter-day Saints believe the Book of Mormon to be a record of God’s dealings principally with another group of Israelites he brought to the Western Hemisphere from Jerusalem about 600 b.c. They anticipated the birth and coming of Jesus Christ and believed in his Atonement and gospel.” The book is about as long as the New Testament. (AI) “According to the Book of Mormon, an angel named Moroni visited Joseph Smith and told him about the book, which was buried in a hill near Joseph’s home. Moroni revealed that the book was written on gold plates in an ancient language and contained the history of early Americans and teachings from Jesus Christ. The book was written by prophets, with Moroni being the last to contribute. Joseph Smith translated the book into English using special stones called “interpreters” that were buried with the plates. Smith claimed that he did not write the book, but instead translated it under divine guidance.” “The Book of Mormon is considered the “keystone” of Mormon religion, as it serves as a second witness to Jesus Christ, confirming the Bible’s teachings while providing additional details about his life and ministry, particularly his appearance to the ancient inhabitants of the Americas, which is seen as a restoration of lost truths about the gospel and a validation of Joseph Smith’s prophetic calling as the instrument through which it was revealed; essentially, it is a central pillar of their faith, proving the divinity of Jesus Christ and the legitimacy of their church.” So, this unproven myth is the cornerstone of Mormonoism, proving that Joseph Smith was a prophet and confirmin the legitimacy of their church. So millions of Mormons spend time studying the book of Mormon. Mormon “elders” are trained to spread and teach the book of Mormon all over the world. Sounds exactly what Paul was telling Timothy to stay away from. I know some devout Mormons who bear the. fruit of the Spirit as much as I do, but I feel sorry for them that they are so indoctrinated with the Mormon mythology. They have been grounded and nourished with the teachings of Joseph Smith and the book of Mormon.

“Rather discipline (gumnazó: To train, exercise, discipline: Derived from γυμνός (gumnos), meaning “naked” or “bare,” which relates to the practice of exercising unclothed in ancient Greek culture. The word we get “gymnasium” from) yourself for the purpose of godliness (eusebeia: Godliness, piety, devotion)”.   (AI) “ In ancient Greek culture, physical training was highly valued, and gymnasiums were central to education and social life. The Greeks believed in the harmony of body and mind, and physical exercise was seen as essential for developing both. This cultural backdrop provides a vivid metaphor for spiritual discipline in the New Testament, where believers are encouraged to pursue godliness with the same dedication as an athlete.” (AI) “In the New Testament, “eusebeia” refers to a reverent and devout attitude towards God, characterized by a life that reflects His holiness and commands. It encompasses both an inner piety and outward conduct that aligns with God’s will. This term is often associated with living a life that is pleasing to God, marked by moral integrity and spiritual devotion.”

Then Paul gives one of his 5 “trustworthy sayings”. 4:⁸ for bodily training is just slightly beneficial, but godliness is beneficial for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. ⁹ It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance”.

Christ Came to Save Sinners – 1 Timothy 1:12-17 “Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.”

A Noble Task – 1 Timothy 3:1-7 “Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task.”

The Value of Godliness – 1 Timothy 4:8-10 “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come. 9 This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance.”

He Remains Faithful – 2 Timothy 2:11-13 “Here is a trustworthy saying: If we died with him, we will also live with him; if we endure, we will also reign with him. If we disown him, he will also disown us; if we are faithless, he remains faithful, for he cannot disown himself.”

Saved by Grace. Now What? – Titus 3:1-8 “But when the kindness and love of God our Savior appeared, he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit, whom he poured out on us generously through Jesus Christ our Savior, so that, having been justified by his grace, we might become heirs having the hope of eternal life. This is a trustworthy saying.”

“Bodily exercise (gumnasia: Exercise, training, discipline) is only slightly beneficial but godliness is beneficial for all things in this life and in eternal life”. Certainly bodily exercise is valuable for good health in this life, but that’s it. It won’t help you in eternity when you lose your physical body. (AI) “Today, there is a significant emphasis on exercise as a crucial component of overall health, with a growing awareness of its benefits for physical and mental well-being, including reducing the risk of chronic diseases, improving mood, enhancing cognitive function, and promoting better sleep, leading to widespread encouragement to incorporate regular physical activity into daily life; health professionals often consider exercise as important as medication for maintaining good health.” Athletes push their bodies with constant exercise, weight lifting, running, etc. to compete. Even health conscious people workout regularly, even have personal trainers. Many of them practice godliness with the same diligence, but many ignore their spiritual discipline. So what are the “spiritual disciplines” or training techniques? In Celebration of Discipline by Richard Foster, he has divided twelve prominent Christian Disciplines into three movements of the Spirit: inward (meditation, prayer, fasting, and study), outward (simplicity, solitude, submission, and service) and corporate (confession, worship, guidance, and celebration). Dallas Willard divides the disciplines into two classes: disciplines of abstinence (solitude, silence, fasting, frugality, chastity, secrecy, and sacrifice) and disciplines of engagement (study, worship, celebration, service, prayer, fellowship, confession, and submission). These will help you have a mature, joyful faith in this life and prepare you for eternal life. So enjoy your workout but then go home and practice these spiritual disciplines! 4:¹⁰ For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all mankind, especially of believers.” Our God-man Jesus is the Savior of all mankind, i.e. 2:⁵ For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony given at the proper time. But “especially of believers”. Paul was not a universalist (i.e. all people will be saved). He told the Jews they would be lost if they did not believe in Jesus. Paul said in Romans 10:1Brothers, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for them is that they may be saved (after saying all but the remnant were “vessels prepared for destruction”. Romans 9:²² What if God, desiring to show his wrath and to make known his power, has endured with much patience vessels of wrath prepared for destruction.” So Jesus died for all men and God’s desire is that all men might be saved. 1 Timothy 2:³ This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, ⁴ who wants all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.” But it is only the believers who will be saved, so his death is “especially” (malista: Especially, chiefly, most of all) for believers as they are the only ones who will benefit from his death.

1 Timothy 4:¹¹ Prescribe and teach these things. ¹² Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith, and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. ¹³ Until I come, give your attention to the public reading, to exhortation, and teaching. ¹⁴ Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was granted to you through words of prophecy with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. ¹⁵ Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress will be evident to all. ¹⁶ Pay close attention to yourself and to the teaching; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will save both yourself and those who hear you. If Timothy was in his early 20’s when he joined Paul on his 2nd missionary journey, then he is in his middle 30’s when Paul wrote this, still a young man by Jewish standards. It was important for Timothy to not do or say anything that would hurt his teaching of the word. Notice the 5 areas that all Christians should be an example to unbelievers: speech, conduct (everything you do), love, faith, and purity. Believers did not have personal copies of the old testament or of the gospels and letters being circulated and copied among all the churches. So it was important to have “public” reading of whatever scriptures they had. I often hear a philosophical sermon and think, “why don’t we just have the reading of the Scriptures” and let the Holy Spirit speak to us through the written word. Timothy had a “spiritual gift”, i.e. a miraculous gift of teaching, no doubt given to him by the laying on of Paul’s hands. The apostles and Paul were the only ones who could impart spiritual gifts to baptized believers (Acts 8:¹⁴ Now when the apostles at Jerusalem heard that Samaria had received the word of God, they sent to them Peter and John, ¹⁵ who came down and prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, ¹⁶ for he had not yet fallen on any of them, but they had only been baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ¹⁷ Then they laid their hands on them and they received the Holy Spirit.) Acts 19:⁴ And Paul said, “John baptized with the baptism of repentance, telling the people to believe in the one who was to come after him, that is, Jesus.” ⁵ On hearing this, they were baptized in the name of the Lord Jesus. ⁶ And when Paul had laid his hands on them, the Holy Spirit came on them, and they began speaking in tongues and prophesying. ⁷ There were about twelve men in all.” Some group (council) of elders had laid hands on Timothy, commissioning him to be an evangelist. Even Paul and Barnabas had been “set apart” for mission work by the laying on of hands of teachers and prophets at Antioch. Acts 13: Now there were in the church at Antioch prophets and teachers, Barnabas, Simeon who was called Niger,^[a] Lucius of Cyrene, Manaen a lifelong friend of Herod the tetrarch, and Saul. ² While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.” ³ Then after fasting and praying they laid their hands on them and sent them off.” “Take pains” is meletaó: To meditate, to care for, to practice, to study: from which we get “meditate”. His progress should be evident to all: prokopé: Progress, advancement, furtherance. prokopḗ (from 4253 /pró, “in front of” and 2875 /kóptō, “cut, chop down”) properly, advance (progress) literally, “advancement by chopping down whatever impedes progress”; furtherance.” (AI) “The idea of moral and spiritual progress was significant in early Christian teachings, emphasizing the transformation and growth of individuals and communities in their faith journey.” When someone has a difficult task, we might ask him “are you making any progress”. Or we might observe his work and say “you’ve made a lot of progress on that”. We should not be satisfied with complacency in our spiritual growth. We should always be advancing to a deeper relationship with God and Jesus and more faith and good works. Such that an observer might say, “wow, you have really grown spiritually”. Pay attention (epechó: To hold upon, to hold fast, to pay attention to, to give heed to.) to both yourself and others. Often an evangelist is to bent on saving souls (which is good) but he ignores his own spiritual growth and falls into sin. (AI) “In the Greco-Roman world, the concept of focusing one’s mind or attention was significant in both philosophical and practical contexts. Philosophers often emphasized the importance of contemplation and reflection as means to attain wisdom and virtue. In a biblical context, this idea is extended to spiritual matters, encouraging believers to focus their minds and hearts on the teachings and person of Christ.”

Thanks for reading.