Second Timothy Chapter 4

I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 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. As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up 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. Do your best to come to me soon. For Demas, in love with this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica. Crescens has gone to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia. Luke alone is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, for he is very useful to me for ministry. Tychicus I have sent to Ephesus. When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, also the books, and above all the parchments. Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message. At my first defense no one came to stand by me, but all deserted me. May it not be charged against them! But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. The Lord will rescue me from every evil deed and bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be the glory forever and ever. Amen. Greet Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus remained at Corinth, and I left Trophimus, who was ill, at Miletus. Do your best to come before winter. Eubulus sends greetings to you, as do Pudens and Linus and Claudia and all the brothers. (2 Timothy 4:1-21 ESV)                 

4:1-8

   .

Verses 1-2.   Paul could not stress this point more!   Timothy is to preach “Scripture” (see point above) – and not just teach it, but with it also “reprove, rebuke and exhort.  

 

.

Verses 3-5.  There are always those who are certain God in Scripture is not as wise as they are.  There are always those seeking something new and different (a COMMON criticism of “intellectual Greeks” who like modern westerners always seek the LATEST book).  There will always be those who seek those that will tell them what they want to hear (“You can be rich!”  “You can avoid all evil and hardship”  “You should be proud of how good you are” etc., etc., etc.).  

 

“Sober minded”   To be humble in our thinking and our self-evaluations.  “Humility is the basis of all good theology” – Luther.

 

Verses 6-8.  Is Paul aware of his eminent death?   Scholars often date this book during Paul’s second Roman imprisonment, a matter of months before his death.  We don’t know WHY Rome executed Paul, but tradition says he was executed (no doubt by beheading) on the same day and at the same place as was Peter (by crucifixion – upside down).  Oddly, they were not buried together.  

 

4:9-22

 

 

.

Especially with “informal” letters as this (Paul doesn’t seem to be working from an outline), we MAY find that there is more scroll available than necessary communications.   That invites things of a “Post Script” nature.   Of all Paul’s letters, only those at the end of Romans are longer than the ones here.  There’s nothing here of any particular theological or practical nature – although we learn something of the personality of Paul here, and something of Paul’s GREAT concern and heart for the church and for truth!

 

 

 

.

Some of the names here are otherwise unknown, but several do stand out:

TITUS (v. 10).  A coworker.  Paul wrote an epistle to him; more about him next week.

LUKE (v. 11)  A coworker with Paul and author of Luke/Acts.  He is with Paul and Peter in Rome in these final days of their life.

MARK (v. 11)  Traditional author of the Gospel of Mark and an early coworker with Paul.

ALEXANDER (v. 12) is mentioned briefly in 1 Tim. 1:20 as here one who is a false teacher.

PRISCILLA and AQUILA (v. 19)  Coworkers with Paul.  See Acts 18:18, 26

ERASTUS (v. 20)  See Romans 16:23.  

 

.

Verses 17-18.  Again, Paul seems to feel that death is imminent.   Paul is very sensitive to those who have abandoned the faith – and him.  

Find our place

Last Sunday!  We looked at two of the parables of Jesus in Luke 15:1-10, parables with the theme of lost and found....  It's important to "find our place" in parables, to determine where Jesus would "cast" us in the story, where we fit best.   In these stories/illustrations, there are 3 general roles:  The lost (lamb or coin... there is a difference), the finders/seekers (the shepherd or housewife) or the audience to whom the stories are told (turns out, they feld FOUND but UNFINDING).  We spoke of wondering..... finding/seeking..... feeling found but unfinding - and how all that can "fit" us.   But the POINT is clear:  Jesus calls on us to CARE, to love. And for that to lead to action.

Second Timothy Chapter 3

Godlessness in the Last Days

 

1But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. 2For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, 4treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, 5having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people. 6For among them are those who creep into households and capture weak women, burdened with sins and led astray by various passions, 7always learning and never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 8Just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these men also oppose the truth, men corrupted in mind and disqualified regarding the faith. 9But they will not get very far, for their folly will be plain to all, as was that of those two men.

All Scripture Is Breathed Out by God

10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 12Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work.

3:1-9

1.     Verses 1-5.  The Return of Christ is a major topic in the New Testament – the Gospels and the Epistles.  “The Last Days” can be understood in two ways:  1) The last “act” in a play, the final “stage” in a process.  In this sense, ALL the time since Pentecost is “the last days.”  2)  The FINAL hours prior to His return.   Some texts probably CAN be understood in both ways, although this one  is likely in the sense of #1.  In verse 2, Paul uses the future tense, but concludes this paragraph in verse 5 in the present tense.  

2.    Verse 6-9.  “Weak women.”   We have little to help us understand why Paul is especially singling out women here.   There is some evidence that religious charlatans (all too common in the Greco-Roman world) especially “targeted” women; Paul may simply be noting that – without suggesting that they are right to so target them.  Or Paul may be suggesting that because of their (typical) lesser education made them more vulnerable (a point often made by Jewish rabbis).  In any case, it’s made more difficult by the example Paul uses – which is of two MEN – whom Paul notes were “corrupted in mind and disqualified in matters of doctrine.” 

3.    As we look at the “cults,” we often find that “cults” do well with people who place considerable value on things spiritual and the importance of such, who have average (not below or above) knowledge of religion (such as Christianity), and who easily “buy into” a concept of authority.  They are people willing to “swallow” what they are fed by one who seems to have great authority.   BEWARE of “teachers” with new doctrine (things no Christian “saw” for 2000 years!), and who present SELF as somehow unaccountable. 

4.    Verse 9.  Some DO get far, unfortunately.  

3:10-17

1.     Verses 10-14.   No, Paul is NOT holding himself up, as such (that would conflict with MUCH that Paul stresses).  But, we DO need to note what the Apostles taught – under Christ.   Where do we learn what the Apostles taught? 

2.    Verse 15-17.   SCRIPTURE is the “rule” (straight edge), the “canon” (measuring stick).  Hold up what is taught to the words of Scripture.   We well versed in Scripture (the WORDS – not adding or subtracting).  Check doctrine to the WORDS found in Scripture. 

3.    Scripture is RELIABLE and useful.  USE it for teaching, for “reproof” (showing to be WRONG), or “correction” and for “training in righteousness” (third  use of the Law).  Paul is telling them – above all – to use SCRIPTURE for this, not simply to swallow whatever we are fed by the one who insists that we do. 

4.    Note that “Scripture” was undetermined at this time – and yet the principle is wise and good!   Look to SCRIPTURE (even though exactly what IS Scripture was not certain).   Paul writes this book in the late 60’s – about the time when the New Testament was quickly coming together, about the same time as Matthew, Mark, Luke,  Acts, James, 1 & 2 Peter were being writing, and one of the last of Paul’s 13, but there was no “set” idea of the New Testament yet.  Such didn’t fully exist for the Old Testament either.  While the content of our 39 was accepted by most Jews (some only accepted the first 5 books), there were some two dozens other books often accepted.  This was not “sorted out” until 90 AD when the JEWS decided – essentially – to toss out all the “extras” and stick with the 39 most Jews accepted.   But that was a JEWISH meeting that it seems most Christians were not even aware of.  As it turns out, the seriously disputed books never really made any difference anyway!   But even in this milieu with it NOT being obvious what IS and IS NOT Scripture, Paul can state this principle.   It is even more sound now – now that the “dispute” is pretty irrelevant (except for the LDS). 

4:1-8

We are Family!

Last Sunday!  We celebrated our 40th Anniversary as a church family!   We shared songs, pictures, memories - but most of all God's faithfulness!   In the message, we looked at our clear identity as FAMILY, a Christ-centered FAMILY, and at the 4 "core values" that have moved us for 40 years:  Reaching out to OUR community!  Teaching GOD'S WORD!  Caring for each other!   Sharing God's love! 

Second Timothy Chapter 2

A Good Soldier of Christ Jesus

 

1You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 5An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything.

8Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 10Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11The saying is trustworthy, for:

If we have died with him, we will also live with him;

12 if we endure, we will also reign with him;

if we deny him, he also will deny us;

13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful—

for he cannot deny himself.

 

A Worker Approved by God

 

14Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. 15Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 16But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. 19But God’s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity.”

20Now in a great house there are not only vessels of gold and silver but also of wood and clay, some for honorable use, some for dishonorable. 21Therefore, if anyone cleanses himself from what is dishonorable, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart as holy, useful to the master of the house, ready for every good work.

22So flee youthful passions and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 23Have nothing to do with foolish, ignorant controversies; you know that they breed quarrels. 24And the Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome but kind to everyone, able to teach, patiently enduring evil, 25correcting his opponents with gentleness. God may perhaps grant them repentance leading to a knowledge of the truth, 26and they may come to their senses and escape from the snare of the devil, after being captured by him to do his will.

 

 Notes for Chapter 2

2:1-13

1.

Verse 1.  Again, note the “my child.”   This not only suggests that Timothy was significantly younger than Paul (who may have been in his 50’s or 60’s) but indicates a close, loving, intimate relationship.  Timothy is more than an assistant in ministry.

2.

“Be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus.”  “Grace” may be used in two ways.  In terms of justification, “grace” means God’s unmerited love, mercy, favor and blessings.   In terms of sanctification, “grace” means the empowering God grants to us to grow and more than conquer.   But here, Paul may have in mind both meanings!   We ARE encouraged as we think of God’s unmerited, unmerited, unlimited love, mercy and favor!  When we remember what God has done for us, we are encouraged and motivated to do for Him and others!  Keeping HIS love before us is a powerful thing!   But Paul is ALSO reminding Tim of the strength God supplies for his ministry.  When times get challenging or tough, we need to remember His grace!

3.

Verse 2.  Sound teaching and faithful teachers are critical to the church!   What is ultimately important is not that a pastor is charming or a good dancer or even causes the church to grow and lots of money to come in.  What matters, above all, is that he is a SOUND teacher of the TRUTH.   His Word will not return to Him void.  

4.

Verse 3.  Roman soldiers were hated, feared and the enlisted at least (most slaves of dubious character) were near the bottom of respectability.  Even Roman officers thought little of them and considered a BIG part of their job to control them.  So, it’s a bit unusual that Paul here uses soldiers as a “model.”   The character of most ROMAN soldiers aside, the illustration fits.  We ARE at war!  We DO have a commander!   We ARE to fight the good fight of faith!   This paradigm of Christian as solder is one of the oldest in Christianity, constant through the centuries.   Many Christians consider themselves paying guests of a cruiseship, Paul says we are warriors on a battle ship.

5.

Verses 4-7.  Paul uses 3 illustrations:  the soldier, the athlete, the farmer – all to show that success requires focus, dedication, faithfulness.  

6.

Verse 8.   It’s called CHRISTianity because it’s all about CHRIST!   HIS love, HIS mercy, HIS forgiveness!   HIS work, HIS life, HIS death, HIS resurrection!  HIS Cross, HIS Blood, HIS sacrifice.  He is the alpha and the omega – the beginning and the end of the whole thing.  It’s NOT about what I do.  It’s NOT about some denomination.  It’s not about hoops.  It’s ALL about JESUS.  

7.

Verse 10.  Our objective may be to fill up heaven.   It is unlikely we’ll have to “endure” much – unlike Paul who suffered much for the sake of Jesus – but like him, it is our objective, our mission.   “GO and make disciples…..”  

8.

Verses 11-13.  This is a quote, of something obviously well known to Timothy.   It is not claimed that it’s from Scripture (and it’s not), only that the words are sound.   The words are in the form of a poem and so many think they are the lyrics of a VERY early Christian hymn!  

9.

Verse 13.   Is there something God CANNOT do?   Not just WILL NOT do, but CANNOT?  

2:14-26

1.

“Don’t quarrel over words.”  “Avoid irreverent babble.”  “Their talk spreads like gangrene.”  On the one hand, words matter because TRUTH matters!   On the other, people can easily fall in love with their own opinions, spins, theories, speculations.   The early “Fathers” often warned of “saying too much” “confusing opinion with truth.”  It has always been a problem among us.  Word games.   Falling in love with the brain of self.   Confusing “I think” with “God says.”  Causing divisions.  

2.

Verse 15.  Note the emphasis on “the word of truth” (probably a reference to Scripture).  Make this our goal:  to be faithful stewards of the word.

3.

Verse 17.  Nothing is known  of these two “teachers,” they are not otherwise mentioned in Scripture, history or tradition.  We know that one of the major “issues” in the earliest church was the Return of Christ.  People quite universally believed that Return would happen very soon – any day now – certainly within their lifetime.   Paul is writing this letter a full generation after Jesus’ prophecy, some 30 or 35 years later.  Already there was the cry, “What happened?”  “Why hasn’t the Return and the resurrection of the dead not happened?”  One view was that it did!  It all happened!  But in some spiritual, invisible sense.  These two “teachers” appear to have been promoters of that view.  

4.

Verse 19.  The first (loose) quote is from Numbers 16:5, the source of the second is unknown although the POINT is a common Scriptural one.  Paul does not claim either as Scripture, although the first clearly is.   We believe that the church is the total corpus of all believers – all Christians throughout the centuries and continents.  Of course, who – exactly – is a believer?  Ultimately, we don’t “KNOW.”  God knows who are His own.  WE “operate” on the basis of what people CLAIM.  God will sort this all out according to His perfect knowledge.  

5.

Verses 20-21.  Jesus spoke of throwing out a net and catching “fish” of every kind – God later sorting out the good from the bad.   In the church, we cast the net – and haul in as many as we can.  Of course, ALL of them are sinners but some of them aren’t Christians.  Some will honor Christ and be useful to the Gospel, some will dishonor Him and His Gospel and Church.  Life in this fallen world.  But there is hope.  Even those who are unfaithful, dishonorable, destructive can repeat and turn to God and become good and sound and faithful!   We live in a fallen world, but we live in grace and mercy.  Don’t be so focus on what we DID but on what we can now DO by His grace.  Take the same attitude toward others.

6.

Rather than sinful passions and quarrels and divisions and prideful words, make this our goal, our passion:  righteousness, faith, love, peace, purity, servanthood, kindness, gentleness, humility.  Common themes for Paul – and indeed of Jesus and of Christianity.  

2 Timothy Chapter 1

2 Timothy 1:1-17

Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God according to the promise of the life that is in Christ Jesus, To Timothy, my beloved child: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control. Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord, nor of me his prisoner, but share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God, who saved us and called us to a holy calling, not because of our works but because of his own purpose and grace, which he gave us in Christ Jesus before the ages began, and which now has been manifested through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel, for which I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher, which is why I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have believed, and I am convinced that he is able to guard until that Day what has been entrusted to me. Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who dwells within us, guard the good deposit entrusted to you. You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me— (2 Timothy 1:1-17 ESV)

Notes for Chapter 1

  

1.

Ancient letters were written similar to modern day business memos.   At the “front” is the “To” and the “From,” but in lieu of the date was some kind of greeting (similar to the “dear” in modern letters) but often quite elaborate and “flowery”.  Often, there was something that indicated the authority or capacity of the writer – giving the letter appropriate “weight.”  This is more than a simple informal personal letter or likely Paul would have written, “From Paul – your friend.”  Because he writes, “an Apostle of Jesus Christ” he means for it to have some weight.

 

2.

“Grace, mercy and peace from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord” is Paul’s usual blessing – varying only slightly.   Grace, mercy and peace – are in a theological order.  First God gives us His undeserved, unmerited love and favor.  His mercy flows from that.  And peace results – both objective (we ARE reconciled with God) and perhaps subjective (we feel this, and extend it in our relationships with others).

 

1:3-7

 

1.

See Philippians 1:3-4.   Whether it is Paul’s theology or simply his wise psychology, Paul always beings his communications with PRAISE and THANKSGIVING.  What can WE learn from that?  Paul also constantly PRAYS for people – and tells them so.  What can we learn there?  How does that change our relationship to them, from our perspective (and perhaps theirs as they are aware of it)?

 

2.

What’s being conveyed in verse 4?   What can we learn there?

 

3.

Verse 5.  Timothy’s mother (Eunice) and grandmother (Lois) are otherwise entirely unknown, but their names have been recorded by the Holy Spirit in His Scripture for all time – for a very good, very praiseworthy reason:  They shared faith with their children.   Acts 16:1 indicates that Eunice was a Christian convert from Judaism; so SOME theorize by this praise that Lois converted first, brought the Gospel to her daughter, Eunice who also became a Christian, and that Eunice then brought Timothy to faith.  Since Paul seems to be speaking of one faith here – that’s very possible.  But some suggest that Paul isn’t speaking SPECIFICALLY of distinctively Christian faith but is simply noting that these mothers brought up their children “in the faith” and thus blessed them; Timothy is now a man of sincere, great faith because his mother taught and modeled such – as did her mother.  Either way, Paul is praising parents and noting their importance is bringing up children of faith.   Some have said that “faith is more taught than caught” and looking at faith – there seems some truth in that.  While it IS possible for people to come to faith IN SPITE OF their parents (happens much more now than before), it is still true that the GREAT majority of Christians were raised as such in Christian homes.  The reverse also is largely true.  Paul is praising how parents give their children the greatest gift of all, the greatest blessing of all: faith.  What does this say to parents today?  To those who insist, “I’ll let them choose if they want to believe or not?”  

 

4.

Timothy has his mother and grandmother to thank.  Who do YOU have to thank?  

 

5.

Verses 6-7.  The “gift” Paul alludes to here is his office as a pastor.  This comes from God and is conveyed by ordination (“the laying on of hands).   The exercise of this office is not to be marked by “timidity” but by power and love, accompanied by self-discipline.   What’s the difference between “timidity” and humility?   Do “with power” and “with love” contradict each other?   Why is ‘self-discipline” so important here?

 

1:8-12

 

1.

Verse 8.   OUR “suffering” does NOT save us; we are saved by CHRIST’S suffering for us on the Cross; we don’t contribute or add anything (including our suffering) to Christ’s work to somehow finish it or validate or complete it.   However, a point made in several Scriptures, OUR suffering (and more to the point, how we handle that) can be a powerful testimony to others, and a great opportunity for God to convey faith to others.  It is not a tool for OUR salvation but God may use it as a tool for that of OTHERS.

 

2.

Verse 9a.  Two DIFFERENT things here:   1)  GOD saved us (justification).  2) GOD calls us to grow in love and morality.  BOTH because of His love for us.   Don’t confuse the two!  

 

3.

Verse 9b – 10.  “Grace” is GOD’S unmerited, undeserved, love and favor.  It flows from God as a free GIFT.  [Beware:  Catholics use the word all the time but define it as, “the gas God puts in your tank so you can get where God tells you to get.”  Note the nearly opposite meanings] .  Grace is “GIVEN” to us, Paul insists, in view of Jesus Christ.  But it was “given” before the beginning of time.   “Time” is always a difficult issue in theology since “time” doesn’t apply to God at all, but in the Bible, “time” is always mean from OUR perspective (as creatures governed by time and in time), so this could mean “Before Creation, God’s grace existed.”   Before Creation, God already knew us and LOVED us.  Before Creation, God already knew about the Fall, already knew about the Cross, already readied our gift of faith.  What’s “cool” about that?  What comfort is there in that?  What does that say about our EARNING grace?

 

4.

Verse 10.  But nowhere is grace more evident than in Christ: where Law and Gospel “meet,” where justice and mercy “meet.”  Get down on your knees, at the foot of the Cross, if tears permit, see Jesus; hear His words, “Father, FORGIVE them….”  We then begin to understand grace….

 

5.

Verse 11.  Paul says it is because of this grace, in view of this grace, as a consequence of this grace that he is a “herald” of Gospel – as an Apostle and as a teacher.   It’s the reason for our ministry, too – whatever that may be.

 

1:13-18

 

1.

Verses 13-14.   Timothy is commanded to be “faithful to the Message.”  He is directed to what Paul taught him (we can’t delete Paul and insert me or my denomination here!).  We should remember what Jesus and the Apostles taught – that good deposit of faith in Christ.  Where do we find their teachings?  We are to “GUARD” that Message with the power of the Holy Spirit.  Because….. people, the world, the devil will do all they can to mess it up!   Really mess it up!  

2.

Verse 15.  Probably hyperbole, but Paul may have FELT like that!    Timothy was in Ephesus – the capitol of the Roman Province of Asia in very western modern day Turkey.  Nothing in Scripture, tradition or history is known of the two men specifically mentioned here.

 

3.

Verses 16-18.  See 4:19.  Nothing more is known of this man.  

Happy Labor Day

Last Sunday 9/1/13

We celebrated the MINISTRY of labor!   Few realize that WORK - the nature of such - was a major issue in the Reformation.  Jews, Greeks/Romans, the Roman Catholic Church, Martin Luther and John Calvin all had very differentideas of work - with VERY practical and enormous implications for our lives - not JUST during the 40 hours we may be at our "job" but for the WHOLE of our lives!    We spoke of those various views and the enormous implications they have for society and especially for our lives and the meaning of our lives.   We looked at the difference between the "Protestant Work Ethic" (which is ACTUALLY the Calvinist Work Ethic) and the view of Lutherans. And of the distinction between the Catholic and Lutheran views of "work."   ALL to inspire Labor Day to be a CELEBRATION - perhaps not of the Union Movement so much as in OUR joyous ministry of God's blessed providence.