Digging Deeper

Week 96

Monday , 2 Timothy 3:1 - 4:22   

In chapter 3, Paul returns to some of the signs of the “last days.” Even in Paul's time, these things were beginning, but in our own time, we see them more clearly. In this passage, Paul speaks of the character of men and women, or lack of, in the last days. Though we must continue to witness to all people concerning the gospel of Christ, Paul warns Timothy not to closely associate with such people. Many of these will claim to be believers, but will have no faith at all. That may be their greatest deception, to worm their way into the hearts of gullible believers and mislead them. In his letter to the Thessalonians Paul said that there will come an antichrist with more power than all of the rest. If that antichrist is able to gather the power that Scripture indicates, then it must be that there will be many people who will fall victim to the sins that Paul describes here.

Paul refers to Jannes and Jambres, but they are not found in Exodus. They were apparently two of the Egyptian magicians who competed against Moses in his confrontations with Pharaoh. Their story, however, was part of Jewish tradition and writing not found in Scripture.

Verse 13 is in a way tragic. Those who depend on their own evil devices to make their way in the world will continue to be deceived by their own egos and by Satan. Paul says they will “go from bad to worse.” They will cause great tribulation for the saints of God, but in the end their own fall will be eternal and without hope of rescue.

In addition to being signs of the last days, Paul's personal advice to Timothy indicates that some of these problems and people were already present in Ephesus , and that the youth needed to be wise to their presence and how to deal with them. Verses 5-9 especially seem to be speaking of specific men. Verses 10-17 are a specific encouragement to Timothy as to God's power to guide him and strengthen him in the fight against any and all troubles and troublemakers.

In chapter four Paul gives his final command to Timothy to continue the “good fight” which Paul himself is about to leave. Paul's final tidings in much of the chapter seem to indicate that he knows that this time he will not leave Rome for more travels. He asks Timothy two times to come to him as quickly as possible. Apparently, Paul either knows or suspects that it will be some time before his execution since he asks Timothy not only to make the trip to Rome , but also to bring some personal items and books along. Many who were associated with Paul's ministry are mentioned. Some we know, but others are only names that make us wonder what stories about Paul are lost to us. It is a joy to see that Luke was with Paul at the end; the physician who had traveled with him early in his missionary career and wrote the story of his ministry in Acts. Though we will read more of Paul's letters, the closing words of 2 Timothy are most likely the last words of Paul preserved in Scripture.  

Tuesday, Titus 1:1 – 16

Paul said in his letter to the Galatians that Titus had been a partner in ministry when he traveled to Jerusalem . Paul also sent Titus to the Corinthians to see how things were going. Titus traveled to Crete with Paul after Timothy had been left to minister in Ephesus . In Paul's second letter to Timothy, we learn that the final assignment for Titus was in Dalmatia . So we find that Titus was a well known student of Paul who carried out his instructions and undoubtedly carried on the gospel ministry after Paul's death. While we don't know exactly when or from where Paul wrote this letter to Titus, it was probably a few years before Paul's final imprisonment—perhaps around A.D 64.

We find in verse 5 that not only did Titus travel to Crete with Paul, but that he was left there with instructions to finalize the basic teaching and structure of the Cretan churches, and that he was performing that task when Paul's letter came to him. He was to appoint elders as well as make sure that proper doctrine would continue to be taught. Having seen how quickly many young churches could be set upon by false teachers, we can see how important a task had been given to Paul's student. Paul also repeats his instructions concerning the proper conduct and character of one seeking the office of church leader. The importance of these qualifications becomes clear in verse 10 where we find that the Cretan Judaizers were already at work in Crete 's infant congregations. 

By his reference to “one of their own” Paul probably referred to Epimenides, a Cretan poet and philosopher from the sixth century B.C. whose words had come down through the centuries as a general description of the Cretans' reputation. In fact, the Greeks employed a term based in the word “Cretan” to mean, “to lie.” ( From A. Duane Litfin's commentary on Titus ) Titus' words had to be strong in order to effectively renounce the false teachers who were challenging the gospel, trying to lure believers into their error

Wednesday, Titus 2:1 – 15

Verses 11-14 seem to declare that there is no longer any boundary preventing us from the proper behavior and witness described in verses 1-10. Jesus has come and has revealed both the Father and salvation from sin. Not only has He done this, He has lived life with us! He has instructed us by His words and by His own conduct as to how to live life well. Verse 15 is a strongly worded encouragement to Titus not to be intimidated, but to teach and reprove with the authority granted not only by Paul an apostle, but by God in His call of Titus into ministry.

Thursday, Titus 3:1 – 15

One cannot help but be struck by Paul's frequent use of the term “foolishness” in his writings. So much of what we have been taught by the world to value is but foolishness to God. We are indeed “enslaved to various lusts and pleasures” ( NASB ) as the popularity of the many “enhancement” drugs illustrate, or the vehicles we drive—let's face it, nobody “needs” to drive a Hummer or a BMW—and it's hard to imagine that a 4,500 square foot house is a necessity. Before we all sink into a morose mood of guilt, note that Paul does not say that sex or the toys of wealth are bad, unless we have become “deceived” or “enslaved” by them. If we lust after them or set their acquirement above our desire to “engage in good deeds” then we have been seduced by “foolishness”.

Verses 1 and 2 tell us what is far more valuable than our worldly desires and possessions, and in verses 4-7 Paul tells us why we are able to please God by living lives dedicated to His will. We are now the children of God and no longer trapped in a life of greed, deceit, envy, hatred, or lust. Because of our deliverance by Jesus and the enabling guidance of the Holy Spirit we now can choose to follow the will of the Father. God will help us, forgive us when we fall flat on our faces, and lift us up to live each day as new creatures in Him.

F riday, Philemon 1:1 – 25

New Christians often feel compelled to go back to those they have harmed in the past, but this isn't in order to work toward their salvation, which is already theirs. Often the Holy Spirit, when it is possible to heal wounds and wrongs, compels us to act. There is also the importance for others, both Christians and non- Chris tians, to see a demonstration of the new life in us that Christ has begun.

Onesimus acted as a Christian ought, and at the same time cleared his life for ministry. Before his return to Colossae and Philemon, Onesimus was a fugitive and therefore of limited use to God and to Paul. It was a fearful thing for the slave to return. If he was a thief, as some commentators believe, then he faced the possibility of execution.

The letter to Philemon traveled with Paul's major epistle to the church at Colossae . His wisdom and persuasiveness is obvious as we read this short, personal note. Paul specifically and strongly connects himself to the renegade slave. It appears that Paul himself led the young man to Chris t. Paul also emphasizes his relationship to Philemon. Stopping short of ordering Philemon to accept Onesimus as a brother in Chris t, Paul leaves the final decision to the slave owner. While allowing options to Philemon, Paul clearly communicates that his expectation is a caring reunion between the two. Paul even expresses his desire that Onesimus be allowed to return and continue his ministry in behalf of the apostle.

Onesimus himself, along with Tychicus, carried the two letters bound for Colossae . One can imagine Onesimus' courage, fear, and trust in the Lord as he approached the man from whom he had fled.

Though Paul was imprisoned as he wrote this short letter, it was the first of his imprisonments, around 60 A.D. or so, and he confidently asks Philemon to prepare lodging for him when he next visits. Paul also sends greetings from Demas who, as we learned in 2 Timothy 4:10, would eventually desert Paul, probably about six years later when Paul was arrested the second time. It appears from Paul's words in his letter to Timothy that Demas may have left out of fear for his own life.

Saturday, Hebrews 1:1 – 14

Many people assume that Paul wrote most of the New Testament and therefore must have authored Hebrews as well. This is most probably not the case. Paul always identified himself in his letters, but this author does not. There are also verses which indicate a different background than Paul's. Though we don't know for sure who penned Hebrews, we can safely assume that he was well respected within the church and seen as one with authority and wisdom. One of the early church fathers, around A.D. 200, indicated that Barnabas was the author. This would make sense. He was the companion of Paul on his first missionary journey and later was a missionary who worked at the same time as Paul. He introduced and defended Paul to the Jerusalem saints. Another possible author, put forth by Martin Luther, is Apollos, whom Luke described as a wise man and great orator with a deep knowledge of Scripture. He also was well known and respected in the Christian community. Both of these men were Jewish Christians and well able to speak to the Hebrew Christians whom this epistle addresses.

Was Hebrews an early letter? We know that it was written prior to A.D. 70 when the Romans destroyed Jerusalem and the temple. The author's subject matter makes it impossible to assume that he would not have mentioned such an important event concerning Judaism and its practices.

In chapter 1, we note immediately the author's emphasis on Jesus' person. He was chosen by God; He created the world along with the Father; He was praised by the Old Testament writers; He has revealed the true nature of the Father to the world; He has brought salvation to His people; He sits at the right hand of the Father. We also see in chapter 1, a facet of this author less prevalent in Paul, the missionary to the Gentiles. The author of Hebrews pens a lengthy list of quotations from the Old Testament, obviously in an encouragement to Christians who have spent their lives with the Old Testament writings.

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