Bible Diary - 2 Timothy 4:9-22
March 18, 2008
Paul apparently has had a couple of appearances in court to make his defense, but most of his supporters have left him alone before the authorities. The sole exception seems to be Luke. Paul knows by now how this last chapter in his earthly life will end, but he doesn’t flinch from it. He wants to see Timothy one more time. Paul must have been reconciled with Mark somewhere along the line, because he asks Timothy to bring Mark with him when he comes to visit. I may be forgetting something, but I don’t think Paul ever got his reunion with Timothy and Mark.
Travel Plans and Concluding Greetings
4:9 Make every effort to come to me soon. 4:10 For Demas deserted me, since he loved the present age, and he went to Thessalonica. Crescens went to Galatia and Titus to Dalmatia. 4:11 Only Luke is with me. Get Mark and bring him with you, because he is a great help to me in ministry. 4:12 Now I have sent Tychicus to Ephesus. 4:13 When you come, bring with you the cloak I left in Troas with Carpas and the scrolls, especially the parchments. 4:14 Alexander the coppersmith did me a great deal of harm. The Lord will repay him in keeping with his deeds. 4:15 You be on guard against him too, because he vehemently opposed our words. 4:16 At my first defense no one appeared in my support; instead they all deserted me – may they not be held accountable for it. 4:17 But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message would be fully proclaimed for all the Gentiles to hear. And so I was delivered from the lion’s mouth! 4:18 The Lord will deliver me from every evil deed and will bring me safely into his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever! Amen.
4:19 Greetings to Prisca and Aquila and the family of Onesiphorus. 4:20 Erastus stayed in Corinth. Trophimus I left ill in Miletus. 4:21 Make every effort to come before winter. Greetings to you from Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, Claudia, and all the brothers and sisters. 4:22 The Lord be with your spirit. Grace be with you.
I admit to feeling pretty smug and safe from having to undergo anything like what Paul had to endure. As usual for one whose life is hidden with Christ in God, this feeling is an admixture of faith and presumption, faith the free gift of the risen Lord and presumption the result of not really knowing what tomorrow will bring.
Paul ends his letter with greetings and a benediction, and that is the last we hear from the Apostle, if it is true that 2 Timothy is the last of Paul’s letters. Tradition has it that Paul was martyred by Nero on his second visit to Rome.
Dave, curious about what Alexander the coppersmith did.
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Bible Diary - 2 Timothy 4:1-8
March 17, 2008
Again, Paul charges Timothy to “stay on message” and persevere in the face of false teaching. He can expect others to turn away from him to teachers who tell them what they want to hear. He is to “be ready whether it is convenient or not” for unexpected opportunities to share the gospel. As Paul has learned, a pastor’s calling is sometimes a lonely calling when the flock just doesn’t want to hear his voice.
Finishing the Race; Keeping the Faith
4:1 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus, who is going to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 4:2 Preach the message, be ready whether it is convenient or not, reprove, rebuke, exhort with complete patience and instruction. 4:3 For there will be a time when people will not tolerate sound teaching. Instead, following their own desires, they will accumulate teachers for themselves, because they have an insatiable curiosity to hear new things. 4:4 And they will turn away from hearing the truth, but on the other hand they will turn aside to myths. 4:5 You, however, be self-controlled in all things, endure hardship, do an evangelist’s work, fulfill your ministry. 4:6 For I am already being poured out as an offering, and the time for me to depart is at hand. 4:7 I have competed well; I have finished the race; I have kept the faith! 4:8 Finally the crown of righteousness is reserved for me. The Lord, the righteous Judge, will award it to me in that day – and not to me only, but also to all who have set their affection on his appearing.
Paul seems to know that he is facing execution. His poignant words to his beloved Timothy in the last verses of this passage must have given comfort to countless persecuted Christians through the ages. I am especially moved by Paul’s feeling of “being poured out” as his days near their end. It has a triumphant ring to it. Finished the race; kept the faith. Hallelujah!
Dave
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Bible Diary - 2 Timothy 3:10-17
March 15, 2008
Paul’s character was forged during years of teaching and proclaiming the gospel under some pretty rough conditions. His faith, patience, and love grew, and he had learned to endure the bad stuff and look beyond it, believing that the Lord he served was already delivering him out of it. Now that is faith! Now it was time for Paul to pass on what he had learned to Timothy and another generation.
Continue in What You Have Learned
3:10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my way of life, my purpose, my faith, my patience, my love, my endurance, 3:11 as well as the persecutions and sufferings that happened to me in Antioch, in Iconium, and in Lystra. I endured these persecutions and the Lord delivered me from them all. 3:12 Now in fact all who want to live godly lives in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. 3:13 But evil people and charlatans will go from bad to worse, deceiving others and being deceived themselves. 3:14 You, however, must continue in the things you have learned and are confident about. You know who taught you 3:15 and how from infancy you have known the holy writings, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 3:16 Every scripture is inspired by God and useful for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 3:17 that the person dedicated to God may be capable and equipped for every good work.
Even while the “evil people and charlatans” around him go from bad to worse, Timothy was charged to keep his eye on the ball and perfect his swing. (Sorry - it’s baseball time again.) He has Scripture as the perfect training manual for support. Many of us have learned 2 Tim. 3:16-17 as memory verses to remind us of the power and authority of Scripture.
As part of the Reformed franchise of the Christian faith, I believe that the absolute sovereignty of God and the reliable authority of Scripture form a sure foundation for my life and my faith. As with all of life, however, the devil is in the details, and I expect the struggle with those details will be never ending in this life. Someone once said, “If you are starting to feel despair, just sneak a peek at the back of the Book.) Everything is under control.
Dave, trying to keep his eye on the ball.
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Bible Diary - 2 Timothy 3:1-9
March 14, 2008
“The last days” is an enigmatic term. Jesus promised his followers that he would return, and the early church naturally hoped it would be sooner rather than later. Paul warns Timothy that most people, not knowing Jesus, could care less and are living out their lives in selfish ignorance, just doing what comes naturally. It is safe to assume that the last days began with the birth of Christ and will end at his promised return. We are still living in the last days.
Ministry in the Last Days
3:1 But understand this, that in the last days difficult times will come. 3:2 For people will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, arrogant, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, 3:3 unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, savage, opposed to what is good, 3:4 treacherous, reckless, conceited, loving pleasure rather than loving God. 3:5 They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these. 3:6 For some of these insinuate themselves into households and captivate weak women who are overwhelmed with sins and led along by various passions. 3:7 Such women are always seeking instruction, yet never able to arrive at a knowledge of the truth. 3:8 And just as Jannes and Jambres opposed Moses, so these people – who have warped minds and are disqualified in the faith – also oppose the truth. 3:9 But they will not go much further, for their foolishness will be obvious to everyone, just like it was with Jannes and Jambres.
Paul’s long list of the characteristics of a wayward people can easily be applied to the world I see around me, both inside and outside the church. And, indeed, too often to myself. I think that Timothy had no trouble seeing these things around him, and Paul reminds him that when Jesus returns their foolishness will become obvious to all, just as it was with Jannes and Jambres (the traditional names of a pair of Egyptian magicians who opposed Moses prior to the Exodus).
If I flip the coin of Paul’s list of godless activities, I see the church as it should be. I believe this is the real message of Paul to Timothy and his flock, and it is certainly the message to the church today, entangled as we are in the mesh of a godless culture. If people look at the church and can’t see much difference from the Rotary club, we need to drop to our knees.
Dave
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Bible Diary - 2 Timothy 2:20-26
March 13, 2008
The idea that I am a “vessel,” fit for service (or unfit as the case may be) takes a little getting used to. It’s definitely a counter-cultural concept. I naturally want to “fit in” with the expectations of those around me. I want to be comfortable, but Paul is telling Timothy (and me) that there is still work to be done, because the only approval that counts is that of the Lord’s.
2:20 Now in a wealthy home there are not only gold and silver vessels, but also ones made of wood and of clay, and some are for honorable use, but others for ignoble use. 2:21 So if someone cleanses himself of such behavior, he will be a vessel for honorable use, set apart, useful for the Master, prepared for every good work. 2:22 But keep away from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faithfulness, love, and peace, in company with others who call on the Lord from a pure heart. 2:23 But reject foolish and ignorant controversies, because you know they breed infighting. 2:24 And the Lord’s slave must not engage in heated disputes but be kind toward all, an apt teacher, patient, 2:25 correcting opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance and then knowledge of the truth 2:26 and they will come to their senses and escape the devil’s trap where they are held captive to do his will.
It’s a matter of knowing what to stay away from and what to pursue. Knowing and doing are different matters, of course. Young Timothy might have found it more difficult to stay away from youthful passions than I do, since I am neither youthful nor especially passionate, but I do yearn to be better at such things as being an apt teacher and correcting opponents with gentleness.
What is the “devil’s trap?” I think it is simply doing what comes naturally, worshiping ourselves rather than God. Paul makes it clear that God wants to use us to help others avoid this trap. What a wonder!
Dave, scouring away.
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Bible Diary - 2 Timothy 2:14-19
March 12, 2008
How can we be sure that we are teaching the truth accurately, whether it be while leading a Bible study or just chatting with our friends? I think Paul’s answer is that we must present ourselves first to God, the ultimate judge of our actions, and trust him to guide us. If Timothy can teach unashamed and confident in his understanding of the truth, I don’t think it’s too much of a stretch to apply it closer to home. Like to me.
Dealing with profane chatter
2:14 Remind people of these things and solemnly charge them before the Lord not to wrangle over words. This is of no benefit; it just brings ruin on those who listen. 2:15 Make every effort to present yourself before God as a proven worker who does not need to be ashamed, teaching the message of truth accurately. 2:16 But avoid profane chatter, because those occupied with it will stray further and further into ungodliness, 2:17 and their message will spread its infection like gangrene. Hymenaeus and Philetus are in this group. 2:18 They have strayed from the truth by saying that the resurrection has already occurred, and they are undermining some people’s faith. 2:19 However, God’s solid foundation remains standing, bearing this seal: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from evil.”
Today’s bookshelves are loaded with profane chatter. How am I to sift through the clutter and separate truth from nonsense? I doubt that the mind I was born with is up to the task. Maybe this is why Paul talks about being “transformed by the renewing of your mind” in Romans 12. Discerning spiritual wheat from chaff takes a renewed mind.
Dave, up for renewal.
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Bible Diary - 2 Timothy 2:8-13
March 11, 2008
This is Paul’s cut to the chase message for Timothy, a message from one who is pouring himself out for the sake of the gospel and the church. Paul’s body may be chained to the wall of his cell, but his words are free to go to Timothy to encourage him to continue spreading the hope in Jesus Christ. This is a microcosm of how the fire of the gospel spread in the first century.
2:8 Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, a descendant of David; such is my gospel, 2:9 for which I suffer hardship to the point of imprisonment as a criminal, but God’s message is not imprisoned! 2:10 So I endure all things for the sake of those chosen by God, that they too may obtain salvation in Christ Jesus and its eternal glory. 2:11 This saying is trustworthy:
If we died with him, we will also live with him.
2:12 If we endure, we will also reign with him.
If we deny him, he will also deny us.
2:13 If we are unfaithful, he remains faithful, since he cannot deny himself.
I’m thinking that Paul’s “saying” could be reduced to computer pseudo-code logic, starting with “if dead to sin then alive in Christ else you’re really dead.” Maybe some day I will try to complete the logical chain.
The last “if” statement is an example of God’s paradoxical logic. Even when my faithfulness falters, as it will from time to time, God’s faithfulness to his promise through Jesus Christ never wavers. It is a constant, not a variable in the equation of faith. One of the necessary conditions is that God cannot deny or contradict himself. If he could, he would not be God.
Of course, trying to reduce God’s truth to cold computer logic is futile in the end, missing as it must some of the important nuances of the mystery of faith. But it helps.
Dave, needing all the help he can get.
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Bible Diary - 2 Timothy 2:1-7
March 10, 2008
Just think about it. A man sent by God preached to a few thousand people in the Galilean hills 2000 years ago. The Apostles passed it on to the likes of Timothy. The four gospels were written while eyewitnesses to the resurrection were still alive, and here we are, more than 60 generations later, soldiering on to train yet another generation. Miraculously, the message stays the same and the results are the same.
Take your suffering as a good soldier
2:1 So you, my child, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. 2:2 And entrust what you heard me say in the presence of many others as witnesses to faithful people who will be competent to teach others as well. 2:3 Take your share of suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 2:4 No one in military service gets entangled in matters of everyday life; otherwise he will not please the one who recruited him. 2:5 Also, if anyone competes as an athlete, he will not be crowned as the winner unless he competes according to the rules. 2:6 The farmer who works hard ought to have the first share of the crops. 2:7 Think about what I am saying and the Lord will give you understanding of all this.
History shows that teaching others the gospel often involves suffering. For many, like Paul, it was extreme suffering. I like the soldiering metaphor, because the Army trains and prepares its recruits to expect and withstand suffering. Paul talks about Timothy’s share of suffering, noting that many callings are calls to suffer, citing the farmer and the athlete as examples.
The understanding the Lord gives throughout all of Scripture involves a paradox, that joy accompanies suffering. The martyrs learned this the hard way.
Dave, soldiering on.
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Bible Diary - 2 Timothy 1:6-18
March 8, 2008
A movement with its leader languishing and facing execution in a far-off prison would not seem to have a very bright future, if a future at all. New believers in Jerusalem, Ephesus, Antioch, Thessalonica, Phillipi, and elsewhere can’t be blamed for being a little afraid and even a little ashamed of Paul for letting them down. At least that would be a normal, human reaction. Timothy was standing in the gap at Ephesus, and Paul wanted to encourage him.
1:6 Because of this I remind you to rekindle God’s gift that you possess through the laying on of my hands. 1:7 For God did not give us a Spirit of fear but of power and love and self-control. 1:8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me, a prisoner for his sake, but by God’s power accept your share of suffering for the gospel. 1:9 He is the one who saved us and called us with a holy calling, not based on our works but on his own purpose and grace, granted to us in Christ Jesus before time began, 1:10 but now made visible through the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus. He has broken the power of death and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel! 1:11 For this gospel I was appointed a preacher and apostle and teacher. 1:12 Because of this, in fact, I suffer as I do. But I am not ashamed, because I know the one in whom my faith is set and I am convinced that he is able to protect what has been entrusted to me until that day. 1:13 Hold to the standard of sound words that you heard from me and do so with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. 1:14 Protect that good thing entrusted to you, through the Holy Spirit who lives within us.
1:15 You know that everyone in the province of Asia deserted me, including Phygelus and Hermogenes. 1:16 May the Lord grant mercy to the family of Onesiphorus, because he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my imprisonment. 1:17 But when he arrived in Rome, he eagerly searched for me and found me. 1:18 May the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that day! And you know very well all the ways he served me in Ephesus.
It’s obvious that Paul’s thoughts were not on himself. Instead, he rehearses for Timothy’s sake the spiritual reality of the situation. It is the Spirit of God that can be trusted to nourish the church long after Paul is gone from them. Paul knows and trusts the object of his faith, Jesus the Christ. Suffering is Paul’s present lot, as it may be for every believer at times. Timothy knew all these things, of course, but I’m sure he was blessed by hearing them again. In the same manner I am blessed when I hear once again the familiar good news of the gospel. Timothy had been called by God to proclaim this same gospel to the flock in his charge.
These words of Paul help me reflect on my own calling and prepare me for any suffering I may be called on to endure for Christ’s sake.
Starting with verse 16, we are given a few details about Paul’s situation. Without a trace of whining or self-pity, Paul tells Timothy that many, but not quite all, of his fellow Christians have deserted him. He mentions Onesiphorus, who has remained loyal and continues to serve Paul’s needs in prison.
Dave
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Hale-Bopp revisited
March 7, 2008
Credit & Copyright: A. Dimai, (Col Druscie Obs.), AAC
The Great Comet of 1997 was photographed from the Dolomite mountains near Cortina d’Ampezzo, Italy., The image was chosen as the AstronomyPicture of the Day on March 2, 2008. (Click image to enlarge)
On Sunday night, April 6, 1997, I was over the North Atlantic, flying to Brussels on the way to Israel and a 12 day study tour of the Holy Land. All through that short night, Hale-Bobb hung over the left wing tip as I gazed out of my window and thought about God’s cosmos. My puny earth-bound mind struggled to conceive of God as creator of not only Earth, but of ‘heavens’ of which man still knows only a smidgen, orbiting telescopes notwithstanding.
Such scientific knowledge of God’s cosmos is not essential to my salvation, but it sure is an important lesson in humility.
Part of my morning on-line routine is studying a bit of Scripture and gazing at the Astronomy Picture of the Day. The NETBible and APOD have permanent tabs on my Firefox browser for my daily lesson in humility.
Dave, tiny speck.
