August in 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon, and Hebrews

1. Introduction to the Pastoral Epistles & 1 Tim 1
2. 1 Tim 2
3. 1 Tim 3
4. 1 Tim 4
5. 1 Tim 5
6. 1 Tim 6
7. 2 Tim 1
8. 2 Tim 2:1-13
9. 2 Tim 2:14-26
10. 2 Tim 3:1-13
11. 2 Tim 3:14-17
12. 2 Tim 4
13. Titus 1
14. Titus 2
15. Titus 3
16. Philemon
17. Hebrews 1
18. Hebrews 2
19. Hebrews 3
20. Hebrews 4
21. Hebrews 5
22. Hebrews 6
23. Hebrews 7
24. Hebrews 8
25. Hebrews 9
26. Hebrews 10:1-18
27. Hebrews 10:19-39
28. Hebrews 11:1-16
29. Hebrews 11:17-39
30. Hebrews 12
31. Hebrews 13

Put Titus Back on the New Testament Shelf

Titus 3 - Godly Living

LINK: Titus 3 (Meditate on and memorize Titus 3:5-6)

BACKGROUND

The "them" referred to in this chapter are the believers on the island of Crete. The instructions are easy to understand. Believers were to obey the laws of the Roman Empire that did not conflict with their faith so that they might influence the whole community by living out their "sound doctrine" with godly behavior. 

He reminded them of their former state when they were foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved to lust, and unlovingly relating to others (1 Corinthians 6:9-11; Ephesians 4:17-24; Colossians 3:6-7). But God our Savior (the Father who saved us through Jesus Christ our Savior) appeared and saved us not because of our deeds but solely because He is merciful. “We neither did works of righteousness, nor were saved in consequence of them; but His goodness did the whole” [Theophylact]. (A Commentary, Critical and Explanatory, on the Old and New Testaments: Volume 2, Tit 3:5, p. 434)

He has washed us clean and given us the Holy Spirit, justifying us by His grace, making us heirs, and giving us the ability and motivation to live a godly life, practice good deeds, and avoid foolish arguments (and the divisive people who cause them). This is a central theme in the book! (In 3:8, Paul emphasizes this theme by giving another "trustworthy statement" as he did in 1 Timothy 1:15; 3:1; 4:9; and 2 Timothy 2:11.).

REFLECTION

While reflecting on God's mercy, I stopped to read The Temple by George Herbert (1593-1633), and it fit so providentially!

LOVE (III)
by George Herbert

Love bade me welcome, yet my soul drew back,
        Guilty of dust and sin.
But quick-ey'd Love, observing me grow slack
        From my first entrance in,
Drew nearer to me, sweetly questioning
        If I lack'd anything.

"A guest," I answer'd, "worthy to be here";
        Love said, "You shall be he."
"I, the unkind, the ungrateful? ah my dear,
        I cannot look on thee."
Love took my hand and smiling did reply,
        "Who made the eyes but I?"

"Truth, Lord, but I have marr'd them; let my shame
        Go where it doth deserve."
"And know you not," says Love, "who bore the blame?"
        "My dear, then I will serve."
"You must sit down," says Love, "and taste my meat."
        So I did sit and eat.  (http://www.luminarium.org/sevenlit/herbert/love3.htm)

APPLICATION

Sometimes it is healthy to remember what you once were before you met Christ. Tell God your testimony and praise Him for His great mercy as you do. Then go and tell someone else the great things God has done in you!

Does a greater realization of His mercy motivate you toward godly living and good deeds?

PRAYER

Thank You for asking us to dine with You. Amen. 

Titus 2 - Healthy Church Through Intimate Accountability

LINK: Titus 2

BACKGROUND 

Paul goes back to contrasting godly people who apply sound (healthy) doctrine with the ungodly false teachers. He addresses several groups: older men, older women, younger women, younger men, and slaves. I will briefly define each with the results of my Greek word studies of some of the characteristics:

Older men were to be temperate in the use of wine, serious-minded, worthy of respect, self-controlled, sane in mind, having faith that was free from error, loving, and unswerving from their deliberate purpose even during trials.

Older women were to act in a way that represented holy living by not being false accusers or slanderers (the root of the Greek word is where we derive the English word, diabolical!) or drunks. Instead of doing these pointless and idle things, they were to invest deeply in younger women by teaching them about loving their husbands, and children, living self-controlled, holy lives, and being active in household duties. This would be a wonderful witness to the watching world!

Younger men were to exercise self-control by curbing their passions and being of sound estimate about themselves (notice all four groups have been encouraged in self-control/sensibility). Titus was considered a younger man so Paul told him to be an example of living out his healthy faith through good deeds, a serious attitude, and speech that was not worthy of condemnation by anyone.

Slaves were to honor God by obeying, not talking back, or stealing.

Paul concludes the chapter by saying the grace of God has brought salvation to people from all walks of life, and we must live godly lives and practice good deeds; fixing our hope on Jesus and a future with Him. The world would be watching to see if Christ really made a difference in their behavior because it certainly did not make a difference in the lives of the false teachers.

REFLECTION 

On Mother's Day this year, I got a text:

Happiest of Mother's Day! I pray that you know how many spirits, souls, sons & daughters you have blessed :) Thank you for impacting me! Love u:)

I have only biological sons, but God has blessed me with many spiritual daughters who are learning a variety of things. This week I have had many investment times. I had a "telephone chat" with one who is learning contentment in singleness and the balance between ministry and soul renewal. I had a "coach chat" with another who is managing depression and making decisions about her future. I had a walk with another navigating the waters of a newly blossoming relationship while preparing to go overseas. I had an evening meeting with another preparing to go to the Middle East in one month and wondering whether the separation will make or break her current relationship. In our Jesus Community, my husband and I encourage a newlywed couple and another young couple where the wife is still transitioning from being a career woman to a stay-at-home mom. On top of that, we will have women who are on break from their jobs in China and India stay with us for extended amounts of time. As I type, another young woman is texting me and wanting to get together tomorrow night. Life is full of investment, the eternal kind.

I am not usually "idle" so I have no time to slander or gossip like many older women (not that I would want to). Paul is exhorting Timothy to exhort his flock to live interconnected in a healthy way that brings glory to God. We can get "healthy doctrine" from a Sunday morning sermon, but Paul wants us to let that truth lead to transformational living through intimate and accountable relationships with one another.

I heartily believe the best way to live this way is not using the excuse that you have never been discipled but to invest in someone who is even a little younger than you are spiritually. You have SO much to offer others. You just do not know it.

APPLICATION 

Do not wait for an older man or woman to pop into your life. Pray for it but be an older man or woman to someone else. In the process, you will be held accountable and grow too! 

Where is the younger man or woman that you can invest in? Pray and watch for God to provide him or her. 

PRAYER

Lord, I pray that everyone reading this blog can know the wonderful joy that comes through intimate accountability with another believer. Amen. 

Titus 1 - Godly Leadership in the Church

LINK: Titus 1

BACKGROUND

Titus

Paul wrote this letter to advise Titus on how to oversee and organize the churches on the island of Crete.

Titus was Paul's "true child in a common faith" (protégé in Greek). He was from a Gentile background (Galatians 2:3). He represented Paul when there was trouble in Corinth (2 Corinthians 2:13; 7:6-7; 13-15; 8:6, 16-17). Paul visited Crete between his two Roman imprisonments and left Titus behind to "set in order what remains" (1:5) much like he left Timothy behind in Ephesus. The only other thing we know about Titus is that he left Crete to travel to Dalmatia during Paul's second imprisonment (2 Timothy 4:10).

This letter was written at the same time as 1 Timothy, sometime between his first and second Roman imprisonments, maybe between A.D. 63-66. 

The keywords in this book are sound doctrine and deeds.

Titus 1

There were two reasons why Titus was left in Crete:

1. To set in order what remains
2. Appoint elders in every city

It would be helpful to define the words elder (1:5) and overseer (1:7):

. . . in the Christian churches, those who, being raised up and qualified by the work of the Holy Spirit, were appointed to have the spiritual care of, and to exercise oversight over, the churches. To these the term bishops, episkopoi, or overseers, is applied (see Acts 20:17, 28, and Tit. 1:5 and 7), the latter term indicating the nature of their work, presbuteroi their maturity of spiritual experience. The Divine arrangement seen throughout the New Testament was for a plurality of these to be appointed in each church, Acts 14:23; 20:17; Phil. 1:1; 1 Tim. 5:17; Tit. 1:5. (Vine's Expository Dictionary of Old and New Testament Words: Volume 2, p. 21).

By this definition, the elder was not to be a new convert but one who had walked as a believer and exhibited the qualities listed in this chapter. I will comment on some of the qualities that might be difficult to understand:

• Above reproach (anénklētos) - "'unaccused,' that is one whose character or conduct is free from any damaging moral or spiritual accusations. This first qualification also included in 1 Timothy, stands out as the fundamental qualification under which all other qualifications are subsumed. John Calvin's summary of this overarching qualification is worth repeating: '. . . he [Paul] does not mean someone who is free from every fault for no such man could ever be found, but one marred by no disgrace that could diminish his authority -- he should be a man of unblemished reputation'" (Biblical Eldership by Alexander Strauch, p. 228-229).
• Husband of one wife - This literally means a "one-woman man." It also seems to indicate that an elder was not to be divorced and remarried, but most commentators believe this does not refer to someone who remarried after the death of their spouse (Genesis 2:18; 1 Timothy 4:3) or for unmarried men. Some do not believe this refers to men who were divorced before they became followers of Jesus. This qualification also indicates that elders were men (1 Timothy 3:12).  (I know that causes much controversy, but I don't see anywhere they refer to women elders.) 
• Children who believe - "Having faithful children" is a better translation. "The contrast made is not between believing and unbelieving children, but between obedient, respectful children and lawless, uncontrolled children. The strong terms "dissipation or rebellion" stress the children's behavior, not their eternal state. . . Since 1 Timothy 3:4 is the clearer passage, it should be allowed to help interpret the ambiguity of Titus 1:6. 'Under control with all dignity' is closely parallel with 'having trustworthy children' . . . Those who interpret this qualification to mean that an elder must have believing, Christian children place an impossible burden upon a father. Even the best of fathers cannot guarantee that their children will believe. Salvation is a supernatural act of God. God, not good parents (although they are certainly used of God), ultimately brings salvation (John 1:12,13)" (Strauch, p. 229). 
• Not self-willed - Wanting your own way, arrogant, stubborn, inconsiderate of others' feelings or opinions.
• Not quick-tempered - "An angry man stirs up strife and a hot-tempered man abounds in transgressions" (Proverbs 29:22).
• Pugnacious - quarrelsome and contentious.

The rest of the qualities are easy to understand. Note the emphasis on character over knowledge and skill! 

Paul concludes the elder qualifications by stating "holding fast the faithful word which is in accordance with the teaching, so that he will be able to exhort in sound (healthy) doctrine and to refute those who contradict" (1:9). He is saying this to lead into his description of the rebellious people in 1:10-16 who are the opposite of the characteristics of an elder. 

The "circumcision group" (1:10) were the Judaizers: Jews who believed that Gentiles had to obey all the Jewish laws to become Christians. They were part of the larger group of "rebellious" false teachers who taught wrong (unhealthy) doctrine and led others into error, causing division and quarrels. Some did it out of ignorance while others did it to make money or gain power.

In 1:12, Paul is quoting a poem by Epimenides, a poet and philosopher, who lived on the island of Crete 600 years earlier. Cretans did have a bad reputation and were famous for their lying. How great that Titus was there to help them grow and mature! 

REFLECTION 

If you have been reading in the Bible Book Club, you might think, "Haven't I read this before?" 1 Timothy and Titus were written about the same time (see chart) and have parallel content that generally falls under these three categories:

• Ungodly False Teachers - 1 Timothy 1:6-11, 19-20; 6:3-5 and Titus 1:10-16; 3:9-11
• Godly Leaders - 1 Timothy 3:1-13; Titus 1:6-9
• Godly Believers - 1 Timothy 5:1-6:2; Titus 2:1-15

APPLICATION 

A good application might be to pray for the elders of your church and future elder selection. This is so important!

This application is bittersweet for me as my husband's last meeting as an elder is this coming Monday. I will miss interacting with these men who exemplify all these characteristics, and I will REALLY miss all their wives. I am having them all over for a Soup, Salad, and Supplication Supper while the men are meeting at our church. 

2023 Update: He was asked to serve another term after an eight-year break (he was working and living out of town during the week from 2013-2020). It has been great to be back in touch with the new elders and their wives. 

PRAYER

Lord, raise up godly leaders in our churches who can encourage others in sound doctrine and refute those in error. Amen. 

The first time through the Bible Book Club, Becky graciously wrote the post. Here is her take on Titus 1

Introduction to the Pastoral Epistles

Saint Paul Writing His Epistle by Valentin de Boulogne or Nicolas Tournier
About 16th Century, Blaffer Foundation Collection, Houston, TX
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/ec/File%22-Saint_Paul_Writing_His_Epistles%22_by_Valentin_de_Boulogne.jpg

The Pastoral Epistles are a little different from the other Pauline epistles we have been reading. They are personal letters written to pastors rather than churches. Paul wrote to Timothy and Titus to encourage these younger men as they shepherded the churches of Ephesus and Crete.  The letters focus more on the challenges of church life.

Here is a brief overview:

1 Timothy: Protecting the Faith

Written in Macedonia

A.D. 62-63

The Pastor and Church Government (1 Timothy 1-3)

The Pastor and Personal Progress (1 Timothy 4-6)

2 Timothy: Proclaiming the Faith

Written from Rome

A.D 67

The Pastor and Coming Apostasy 

Titus: Practicing the Faith
Written from Corinth
A.D. 63

The Pastor and Church Problems (Adapted from The Daily Walk, December 2008, p. 8)

While these are written to pastors, they are personally applicable to everyone!

Enjoy!

Titus 3 - Living with Grace

by Katrina

LINK: Titus 3

BACKGROUND
Here's the gist of what Paul's saying in this chapter.

How are believers to treat others?

• submit to authority
• be ready to do good deeds
• malign no one
• be uncontentious (don't argue)
• be gentle
• show every consideration for all men

Remember where you've come from. You were:

• foolish
• disobedient
• deceived
• enslaved to various lusts & pleasures
• spending your life in malice and envy
• hateful

But Jesus came and saved you. You no longer have to live that way. Remember, you did nothing good to earn your salvation, but purely by the mercy of God, you are saved. He washed you. He renewed you. He gave you the Holy Spirit. He justified you. He gives you eternal life. He has shown you great mercy and grace. Extend the same grace to others.

And one more thing - Don't waste your time and energy on arguments. And don't let argumentative people get a hold in the church.

REFLECTION
Usually the people we show the least grace to are those who live in our household or are close relatives. We tend to be more patient with friends and strangers than with our own families. But that is not how we should live. We should remember the grace God has extended to us -- and what great grace that is! -- and extend that grace to others.

APPLICATION
Do you need to be more patient with someone? Do you need to do good for someone? Let's show the kindness of our Savior to others. Let's show His love for mankind to those around us. Let's not waste our time and energy quarreling about meaningless things. Let's be considerate and gentle instead.

PRAYER
Lord, you have rescued us from a life of malice, envy, hatred, slavery to sinful desires, foolishness, and deception. By your grace, you have washed away all that sin and have enabled us to live different lives. May we extend that same grace to others, showing your love and kindness to the people around us. In the name of Jesus, amen.

Titus 2 - From Generation to Generation

by Katrina

LINK: Titus 2

BACKGROUND
How do we learn to live godly, sensible, righteous lives? How do we stay encouraged while waiting for the return of our Savior? What helps us get through the difficulties of life without losing our faith?  How do we learn to obey the Lord and do good deeds?

Although it's true that we learn much from studying scripture, and we have the help of the Holy Spirit, these are usually not enough. We need older, more experienced believers to teach the younger, less experienced ones. Older men and women should pass along their faith experiences to the younger generation.

REFLECTION/APPLICATION
Do you have any relationships in your Christian walk where you can learn or teach about living the Christian life? Many churches in our culture lack this, because we have such a spirit of independence. If you don't have these relationships, I challenge you to build them. They are extremely valuable!

I have an "older woman" who I know will always give me sound biblical counsel for my life.She doesn't have all the answers -- I don't expect her to, and it's not necessary. But she is of good Christian character and she loves Jesus. We meet regularly to discuss what the Lord is teaching us. We talk about our struggles to be holy. We encourage one another, and we pray together. I wouldn't trade it for anything! It strengthens our faith, and we both  highly value our "growth partner" relationship.

PRAYER
Thank you, Father, for placing us in your church for corporate growth as well as individual growth. Teach us to have enough humility to be open and draw encouragement from one another. May those with more experience be willing to share with the next generation of believers. Keep us growing in you! Amen.

Titus 1 - Belief Affects Behavior

by Becky

LINK: Titus 1

BACKGROUND

On the epistle -

Paul wrote to Titus, a young Greek convert that he'd mentored (Gal. 2:1-10), this letter of pastoral advice. Titus had become a kind of "trouble shooter," sent by Paul to solve difficulties in the churches. Titus was sent to Corinth first and then to Crete.

It isn't clear exactly when Titus was written. Tradition says that it was written at about the same time as 1 Timothy, in the mid-60s A.D., after Paul's release from his first imprisonment in Rome, and before his second imprisonment and death under Nero (not recorded in the Bible, but held traditionally). There are strong similarities in the two letters.

Do our beliefs matter? This book tells us they do. Titus makes clear the link between what we believe and what we do. If we have faith in the gospel of Christ, that faith transforms our practice. Titus uses that truth (the link between belief and behavior) as the foundation for discerning false teaching and for instructions about church leadership and Christian living.

On the chapter -

Paul recognizes in this chapter the difficulties that Titus faces in Crete. Paul quotes from a famous Cretan poet, probably Epimenides, to point out the Cretans' reputation for lying, gluttony, and animal passions. According to my ESV note, "Cicero also stated, 'Moral principles are so divergent that the Cretans … consider highway robbery honorable' (Republic 3.9.15)." Imagine the difficulty of ministering in a culture like that! Not only that, but the fledgling church was being influenced by false teaching, teaching that perverted the gospel with empty talk and deception - requiring ritual. However, Paul didn't give up on the church in Crete! He encouraged Titus to appoint church leaders in each town. The leaders were to be men who believed steadfastly in the truth of the gospel. That trust would be exhibited in their conduct; they would be men of good character.

Each elder was to be:

• the husband of one wife
• the father of believing children who were not wild or disobedient
• hospitable
• self-controlled or disciplined
• a lover of good
• upright - just, fair
• sensible - exhibiting good judgment
• holy - exhibiting purity in behavior
• firm in his grasp of God's message
• faithful to God's message

Conversely, he was not to be known for:

• arrogance
• being quick tempered
• drunkenness
• violent behavior
• greed - a desire for financial gain

These men would, through their character and words, point out the deception of the false teaching - encouraging the believers to continue in the truth of the gospel and opposing those in the church who spoke what was contrary to the truth.

REFLECTION

"The gospel by its nature produces godliness in the lives of believers. There is no legitimate separation between belief and behavior. ... One's deeds will either prove or disprove one's claim to know God." (ESV note on Titus)

This chapter contrasts those who know the gospel and live it (vv 5-9; 15a) with those who claim to know God but deny it in the way they live (vv 10-14; 15b-16).

So I've been thinking, just how does the gospel change the way I live?

I don't underestimate the parasitic power of sin. Sin looks attractive and pleasing until it consumes us. Anytime we think we can approach God on our own terms - when we redefine what He tells us - we sin.

In trusting in Jesus' death for me, in running to His grace and mercy, I have become at the same time both free and a slave. I am free from the power of sin and self and I am a willing slave to Him. He was crucified for me, so I am now crucified with Him - saying in essence that I no longer want to live for myself, but for Him. This is utterly different from those around me who don't believe the gospel. As I listen to how they frame their words, I'm seeing more and more that instead of the LORD being the focus, people (either self or others) become the focus. Saying I'm crucified with Him and living that way are two different things. Daily the Lord brings into my life people and circumstances that make me confront my willingness to live for the LORD Jesus - to deny myself and follow Him.

Believing the gospel gives me stability. Because I am certain that I belong to the One who is the Creator and Sustainer of the universe and yet who has chosen to draw near to me through Jesus, through the words of the Bible, and in the person of the Holy Spirit - I am able to live in hope. I know that God doesn't lie. I know that He has a purpose in all things. No matter what I face, He has a purpose in it.

I believe that verse that Katrina focused on last week in 2 Timothy 1: "I know whom I have believed and am convinced that He is able to guard what I have entrusted to Him until that day." Even when I am faithless, He is faithful.

There is a saying that if a father wants his children to know he loves them, he should love their mother. Well, that is true for believers, too. If we want others to know we love them, love the LORD. As we pursue Him in love He will help us to love others. Our love will be founded in truth and will reflect Him, not be manipulative and self-serving.

My whole view of life is changed. I realize that it's all about what God had done for me through the work of Jesus on the cross. It's truly not about me. That doesn't mean that I live life perfectly, but I do live with a different focus and that will affect my actions.

An artist friend of mine recently created a ceramic piece on which she inscribed words written by others about a time they acted in spite of fear. She asked me to write something. I think it applies here... an example of how the the Holy Spirit used the gospel to compel me to act:

She blew into Louisiana in late August. Cantankerous and mean spirited, Hurricane Katrina caused a commotion in the homes of many people. She was a taker and a user. But in her own way she strengthened those of us who met her. She made us face ourselves and our fears.

I was no exception. Until I met Katrina, I thought I was open and kind and hospitable. But when she left a volume of need in her wake and when she reshuffled the lives and locations of the folks of southeast Louisiana and people were left without homes and thrown out of their usual spots, I realized that it’s easy to not be afraid when life continues on, when the game is played by the rules. Like houses built from playing cards, the lives of many came tumbling down.

Our home was fine, but living in Baton Rouge meant we were right on the doorstep of disaster. Life didn’t continue on in its usual pattern. It assumed chaotic designs. Thousands of people were forced to evacuation centers. Thousands more were in hotels or with friends and families, trying to figure out what to do next. I was constantly confronted with change and need. Families with their plastic bags sat bewildered at tables in the food court at the mall. Cars pulled into remote sections of grocery story parking lots while weary, mussed people walked their dogs. Cars sat abandoned on the side of the road. Helicopters buzzed overhead and became as commonplace as the sound of mosquitoes at dusk, and sometimes as annoying. Sirens wailed round the clock.

We were told that people, run out of their own homes by Katrina, needed places to live. When we were contacted to house some international students from New Orleans, strangers set adrift in a strange land, I hesitated. I knew the need, but fear is a noisy emotion. Fear is loud and the more we hesitate, the louder it gets. So I faced my fear in silence and told my husband that we could keep some students. I had to. How could I live with myself before my LORD if I let fear rule me? He took me in when I was a stranger. Five strangers arrived and we took them in and in a day or two they weren’t strangers anymore. We were given a gift. Instead of fear we experienced joy. We grew particularly close to one young couple, from Turkey. They became part of our family – a blessing to us. Fear wanted to keep us from that and I think that giving into it would have made me smaller.

APPLICATION

This has been a long post! C.S. Lewis said this: "The Christian is in a different position from other people who are trying to be good. They hope, by being good, to please God if there is one; or - if they think there is not - at least they hope to deserve approval from good men. But the Christian thinks any good he does comes from the Christ-life inside him. He does not think God will love us because we are good, but that God will make us good because He loves us." (Mere Christianity)

Are you trying to be good to win God's or people's approval? Or does your behavior reflect your belief in the gospel that you've experienced? Have you been crucified with Christ so that you live for Him? Spend some time on your knees thanking Him for giving up His glory, for taking our sin, so that we can live free to serve Him.

PRAYER

Help us to go deeper and deeper into your gospel, Father. Help us to understand more and more of it. As you bring circumstances and people into our lives help us to love them with your love - for YOU! As you increase and we decrease make yourself evident in our character and actions.