In the ministry there are many false teachers who are in it for their own personal gain and recognition. Paul tells Timothy not to be like those guys who are leading the people astray. “But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses…O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust…”

Paul also writes a letter to Titus who Paul left on Crete, so that he would “set in order the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded you.”

Paul too warns Titus of the false teachers who are teaching what “ought not, for the sake of dishonest gain…They profess to know God, but in works they deny Him, being abominable, disobedient, and disqualified for every good work.”

Paul tells Titus to rebuke these false teachers and to promote right teaching. “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men, teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.”

Paul says that once we also were “foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another. But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared, not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ

our Savior, that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life.”

Paul wraps up his letter to Titus telling him to “avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.”

We end today’s reading with Paul writing another letter to Timothy “shortly before his death in Rome, which probably occurred in AD 64 during the persecution of Nero” (note from the OYCB). Paul, probably knowing that death is near, encourages Timothy to stand firm in his faith, “which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also. Therefore I remind you to stir up the gift of God which is in you through the laying on of my hands. For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.”

More from Paul to Timothy tomorrow. Keep reading.

(1 Timothy 6:11-21, Titus 1:1-3:15, 2 Timothy 1:1-18)

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Today Paul gives Timothy standards for choosing church elders and deacons as well as the guidelines for the caring of widows.

Elders – “Must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; not given to wine, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.”

Deacons – “Must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience…Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well.”

Widows – Paul says to let her family take care of her first but if she does not have a family, the church is to provide for her. But Paul tells them to refuse the young widow; “For when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully.”

We end the reading with Paul stressing the importance of being content with what the Lord has given you in this life. “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”

Tomorrow we conclude this first letter to Timothy, Paul writes a letter to Titus, and then we begin Paul’s second letter to Timothy. Keep reading.

(1 Timothy 3:1-6:10)

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Satan is looking to devour as many souls as possible. We saw his tactics back in the garden, when he tempted Eve by the lust of the eye (the fruit looked good), lust of the flesh (it would be good for the belly), and the pride of life (she would know as much as God). Eve fell for it hook, line, and sinker. And Adam, who was passively standing by her, also ate from the forbidden tree resulting in the fall of humankind.

Pride and arrogance of humans are a huge stumbling block. That is why James quotes Proverbs 3:34 today – “God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.” James says we should “submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw near to God and He will draw near to you.”

James goes on to highlight the power of prayer. “Is anyone among you suffering? Let him pray. Is anyone cheerful? Let him sing psalms…Confess your trespasses to one another, and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The effective, fervent prayer of a righteous man avails much.”

Now back to Paul. The OYCB notes – “Many scholars believe that Paul was released from imprisonment after some two years in Rome, that he wrote 1 Timothy and Titus during this time, and that he made his hoped-for trip to Spain as well.”

In Paul’s letter to Timothy, “a true son in the faith,” he warns against false teachers in the church. He mentions two false teachers, “Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.” These false teachers were kicked out of the church in order to protect the church. However, if they repent and turn to the Lord they will be saved.

Paul goes on to give instructions regarding the church structure. He tells the men to pray and worship without wrath and doubting and the women to dress modestly and not seductively within the church. He also says that the women should not teach men or exercise authority over men within the church. “For Adam was formed first, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.” So although we are all equal in Christ, we do have different roles and responsibilities. (This part of scripture is highly debated. “Paul has a specific context for his restriction about women teaching men in this letter, but it does not contradict his permitting women from prophesying and praying in the assembly in his letter to the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 11).” ~ Iva May)

More from Paul to Timothy tomorrow. Keep reading.

(James 4:1-5:20, 1 Timothy 1:1-2:15)

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In Paul’s letter to the Philippians, he says that he is sending Timothy, a man of proven character, to them “that I also may be encouraged when I know your state.” Paul also sends Epaphroditus, who was once sick to the point of near death, to them “since he was longing for you all, and was distressed because you had heard that he was sick.”

Paul, writing while still imprisoned in Rome, instructs the Philippians not to have confidence in the flesh because anything that is apart from Christ is pointless. “Yet indeed I also count all things loss for the excellence of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord, for whom I have suffered the loss of all things, and count them as rubbish, that I may gain Christ and be found in Him, not having my own righteousness, which is from the law, but that which is through faith in Christ, the righteousness which is from God by faith; that I may know Him and the power of His resurrection, and the fellowship of His sufferings, being conformed to His death, if, by any means, I may attain to the resurrection from the dead.”

Paul goes on to say that he is not perfect “but I press on, that I may lay hold of that for which Christ Jesus has also laid hold of me… I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.”

Paul tells them not to walk in the ways of this world. “For our citizenship is in heaven, from which we also eagerly wait for the Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, who will transform our lowly body that it may be conformed to His glorious body, according to the working by which He is able even to subdue all things to Himself.”

Before signing off, Paul wraps up the letter encouraging the Philippians by telling them to “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus.”

“Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy-meditate on these things. The things which you learned and received and heard and saw in me, these do, and the God of peace will be with you.”

Tomorrow we begin reading a letter written by James, Jesus’s brother, so keep reading!

(Philippians 2:12-4:23)

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Paul, who has a heart for equality, writes a letter to Philemon in hopes of altering the servant/master relationship. Onesimus, Philemon’s slave, fled to Rome where he encountered Paul and converted to Christianity. Paul says in the letter that possibly the Lord brought Onesimus to Rome so that he could receive Christ and return to his master, still as a servant but one that is free in Christ and equal to his master as brothers in Christ. “For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, no longer as a slave but more than a slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.”

Paul ends the letter with assurance that Philemon would be obedient and receive Onesimus as his fellow brother in Christ.

While still imprisoned in Rome, Paul next writes a letter to the Philippians. He comforts the Philippians by telling them “that the things which happened to me have actually turned out for the furtherance of the gospel, so that it has become evident to the whole palace guard, and to all the rest, that my chains are in Christ; and most of the brethren in the Lord, having become confident by my chains, are much more bold to speak the word without fear.” See, God wastes nothing! He even uses Paul’s imprisonment to further His name.

Paul goes on to say that it would be better for him to die bc he would be in heaven with Jesus Christ. “Nevertheless to remain in the flesh is more needful for you. And being confident of this, I know that I shall remain and continue with you all for your progress and joy of faith…” Paul knows that the Lord has kept him alive for a purpose and he lives a life joyfully fulfilling that purpose regardless of his circumstances.

Paul’s life is an example to the Philippians. He instructs them to “let your conduct be worthy of the gospel of Christ…that you stand fast in one spirit, with one mind striving together for the faith of the gospel, and not in any way terrified by your adversaries…For to you it has been granted on behalf of Christ, not only to believe in Him, but also to suffer for His sake, having the same conflict which you saw in me and now hear is in me.”

He encourages the Philippians to be humble like Jesus was humble while He was on earth. “Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus, who, being in the form of God, did not consider it robbery to be equal with God, but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross. Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” 🙌

Let’s live boldly for Jesus in light of THAT day, when every knee will bow to Him! Keep reading!

(Philemon 1:1-25, Philippians 1:1-2:11)

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Today Paul tells the Colossians to walk in Christ, “rooted and built up in Him and established in the faith, as you have been taught, abounding in it with thanksgiving.” Then he warns them to “Beware lest anyone cheat you through philosophy and empty deceit, according to the tradition of men, according to the basic principles of the world, and not according to Christ.”

Paul says that being a Christian isn’t about following outward rules regarding what to do or not do in the ways of how you worship or what you touch, eat or drink. “These things indeed have an appearance of wisdom in self-imposed religion, false humility, and neglect of the body, but are of no value against the indulgence of the flesh.” Following rules can give the appearance of holiness but it is still man trusting in his own abilities to be holy. Our sins are forgiven through the blood of Jesus Christ and our ability to overcome them is provided by the Lord through the power of the Holy Spirit.

Therefore Paul tells them to “Set your mind on things above, not on things on the earth… put to death your members which are on the earth.” Paul explains how to die to the flesh by instructing the Colossians what to put off and what to put on:

Put off – anger, wrath, malice, blasphemy, filthy language, and lying.

Put on – tender mercies, kindness, humility, meekness, longsuffering, forgiveness. “But above all these things put on love, which is the bond of perfection. And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to which also you were called in one body; and be thankful.”

Paul concludes the letter to the Colossians by encouraging them to continue in prayer, “praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak… Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.”

Tomorrow Paul writes a letter to Philemon, a wealthy Christian in Colosse, regarding his runaway servant. Keep reading.

(Colossians 1:24-4:18)

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Today Paul tells the Ephesians to submit to one another. However, being submissive can be really hard for us to do in our human, fleshly nature. But if our eyes are on Jesus and we trust the Lord, that He is good and for our good, then submitting becomes life giving and freeing. Remember, that’s the reason why Jesus submitted to His father and died on that cross for us…to give us new and eternal life!

Therefore, Paul instructs the church body to submit “to one another in the fear of God.” He calls wives to submit to their husbands, “as to the Lord. For the husband is the head of wife, as also Christ is head of the church, and He is the Savior of the body.” Then Paul tells the husbands “to love your wives, just as Christ also loved the church and gave Himself for her…So husbands ought to love their own wives as their own bodies.” And children are to “obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right.”

Paul goes on to instruct bondservants to be obedient to their masters “as bondservants of Christ, doing the will of God from the heart…knowing that whatever good anyone does, he will receive the same from the Lord, whether he is a slave or free.” And masters are to “do the same things to them, giving up threatening, knowing that your own Master also is in heaven, and there is no partiality with Him.”

So we see that everyone is called to submit. And submitting is much easier when everyone is being obedient (i.e. easier for a wife to submit to a husband who is submitted to Christ or an employee to submit to a boss who is submitted to Christ) BUT we know that this is not always the case. However, we as Christ followers are called to submit to each other out of our love for Jesus and trust the Lord with the hearts of the ones to whom we are submitting. You never know the impact your life as a Christian can have on those around you, especially when you are submitting through the difficult.

Paul ends his letter to the Ephesians by telling them that in order to walk in this present, dark world where Satan is the ruler, they must put on the whole armor of God at all times. “…And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God; praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, being watchful to this end with all perseverance and supplication for all the saints.”

Next we begin the letter to the Colossians that Paul writes while imprisoned in Rome after news that false teaching was impacting the church at Colosse. Therefore, in the beginning of the letter, Paul elevates Jesus Christ. “For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him…And He is the head of the body, the church, who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead, that in all things He may have the preeminence…And you, who once were alienated and enemies in your mind by wicked works, yet now He has reconciled in the body of His flesh through death, to present you holy, and blameless, and above reproach in His sight— if indeed you continue in the faith, grounded and steadfast, and are not moved away from the hope of the gospel which you heard…” And this hope is the reality that one day we will stand face to face with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ!

More to the Colossians tomorrow. Keep reading.

(Ephesians 5:15-6:24, Colossians 1:1-23)

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Today Paul tells the Ephesians that he is imprisoned on their behalf because his calling is to preach to the Gentiles. He says this was once a mystery but after his encounter with Jesus on the road to Damascus, the mystery became known; that Jews and Gentiles are one in Christ. So Paul says, “Therefore I ask that you do not lose heart at my tribulations for you, which is your glory.”

Paul prays that the Ephesians will “know the love of Christ which passes knowledge; that you may be filled with all the fullness of God.” Then he reminds them of God’s greatness and power. “Now to Him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the church by Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever.”

Paul encourages the Ephesians to be unified. “There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called in one hope of your calling; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all.” He goes on to tell them that each person is gifted by the Lord to be used “for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ, till we all come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to a perfect man, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ.”

Paul urges them to put off their old ways of walking in darkness like the people around them “and be renewed in the spirit of your mind, and that you put on the new man which was created according to God, in true righteousness

and holiness.” “For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light (for the fruit of the Spirit is in all goodness, righteousness, and truth).”

Tomorrow we conclude the letter to the Ephesians and Paul writes a new letter to the Colossians. Keep reading.

(Ephesians 3:1-5:14)

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The natives on the island of Malta are very welcoming to the 276 men who are shipwrecked. And Paul shows the natives the love of God by healing their sick during his 3 month stay on the island.

“Now when we came to Rome, the centurion delivered the prisoners to the captain of the guard; but Paul was permitted to dwell by himself with the soldier who guarded him.” Paul reaches out to the Jewish leaders “to whom he explained and solemnly testified of the kingdom of God, persuading them concerning Jesus from both the Law of Moses and the Prophets, from morning till evening. And some were persuaded by the things which were spoken, and some disbelieved…Then Paul dwelt two whole years in his own rented house, and received all who came to him, preaching the kingdom of God and teaching the things which concern the Lord Jesus Christ with all confidence, no one forbidding him.”

While imprisoned in Rome, Paul writes a letter to the Ephesians. Paul tells them, “In Him you also trusted, after you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation; in whom also, having believed, you were sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise, who is the guarantee of our inheritance until the redemption of the purchased possession, to the praise of His glory.” Paul goes on to pray that the Lord will give them “wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him.”

Paul says that we were all once dead in our trespasses, conducting “ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others. But God, who is rich in mercy, because of His great love with which He loved us, even when we were dead in trespasses, made us alive together with Christ (by grace you have been saved), and raised us up together, and made us sit together in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus…For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast. For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand that we should walk in them.”

After the fall, back in the garden of Eden, we all inherited Adam’s and Eve’s sin problem. We are born deserving of death. But God, in His love for us, sent His son to take on the wrath that we deserve so that we may be alive in Christ. And we are made alive in Christ not just for the sole purpose of eternal life; we are also made alive in Christ to carry out the good works He has planned for us. So if you are in Christ and you woke up this a.m., that’s your job!

More from Paul to the Ephesians tomorrow so keep reading.

(Acts 28:1-31, Ephesians 1:1-2:22)

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Today Paul, Luke, and a brother in Christ named Aristarchus, along with other prisoners, board a ship to Rome. On the way they encounter severe weather. “Paul advised them, saying, ‘Men, I perceive that this voyage will end with disaster and much loss, not only of the cargo and ship, but also our lives.'” But the centurion, helmsman, and the ship owner ignore the warning and continuing sailing into more bad storms which cause damage and loss to the ship.

“But after long abstinence from food, Paul stood in the midst of them and said, ‘Men, you should have listened to me, and not have sailed from Crete and incurred this disaster and loss. And now I urge you to take heart, for there will be no loss of life among you, but only of the ship. For there stood by me this night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve, saying, ‘Do not be afraid, Paul; you must be brought before Caesar; and indeed God has granted you all those who sail with you.’ Therefore take heart, men, for I believe God that it will be just as it was told me. However, we must run aground on a certain island.'”

After 14 days Paul encourages the men to eat. “‘Therefore I urge you to take nourishment, for this is for your survival, since not a hair will fall from the head of any of you.’ And when he had said these things, he took bread and gave thanks to God in the presence of them all; and when he had broken it he began to eat. Then they were all encouraged, and also took food themselves. And in all we were two hundred and seventy-six persons on the ship.” However, when the ship runs aground, the soldiers plan to kill the prisoners to avoid anyone escaping. But the centurion, wanting to keep Paul alive, tells the prisoners to swim or float to land.

We end the reading with everyone safely on the island of Malta. And tomorrow Paul arrives in Rome. Keep reading.

(Acts 27:1-44)

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