Milo

1 Timothy

NOVEMBER 18

Reading 322

TRANSFORMING TRUTH 1 Timothy 1

“Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst” (1 Tim. 1:15).God’s truth transforms.

Background

Itinerancy in the first century.

It’s popular to speak of Timothy and Titus as “pastors” of local churches. In fact neither Timothy nor Titus settled down into a pastoral role. Each of these younger companions of Paul served as a trouble-shooter, sent by Paul to correct abuses or give additional instruction to congregations the apostle had founded. Timothy and Titus were much more like the modern “bishop” or “district superintendent” than like local church pastors. It’s difficult for us to recapture the role of the itinerant Christian leader of the Apostolic Age. Letters of Polycarp, dating to aboutA.D 115, show that significant changes in church structure had already taken place by his time. Many, many more changes have taken place since. However, the basic framework of first-century church life and ministry are relatively clear. Christians met in houses in smaller groups, which may infrequently have met together. Local elders guided the church in the wider community, and the terms “elder” and “bishop” were used interchangeably to identify them. The churches also developed the office of “deacon.” Their function seems to have centered on charity and on those administrative tasks required in any organized group. The life of these early churches was enriched by many intinerant teachers and preachers, who traveled from city to city visiting the house-churches. The itinerant teacher would stay for a while with a Christian family, share his special teaching, and then move on—often helped along his way with a gift of funds or food. But one problem with itinerants was that false teachers could and did pose as Christians. Some, particularly those with a Jewish background who argued that Old Testament Law was binding on Christians, succeeded in subverting the faith of young congregations. The Apostles followed the itinerant pattern, though they and their representatives were rightly viewed as having special divine authority. Timothy and Titus were two of these “sub-apostles,” by whom Paul sent special messages to the churches he founded. Paul also sent them to correct doctrinal errors introduced by false teachers, and to call believers back to a dedicated Christian lifestyle. In reading the Pastoral Epistles, then, we are reminded of the needs of all Christian churches, not just the situation in a single church pastored by Timothy, or by Titus. What we read here applies to the church of Jesus Christ everywhere, at all times. Thus it applies, not just to leaders, but to you and to me as well, and the congregations of which we are a part.

Overview

Paul warned Timothy (1:1–2) against false teachers (vv. 3–7) who misunderstood the nature of the Law (vv. 8–11). The Gospel emphasizes transforming grace (vv. 12–17) and calls for commitment (vv. 18–20).

Understanding the Text

“Timothy my true son in the faith” 1 Tim. 1:1–2. The word translated “true” here means “genuine.” It was frequently used in first-century letters to indicate affection and appreciation. Timothy was the young son of a Jewish mother and Greek father whom Paul met on his second missionary journey (Acts 16:1–3). Paul invited Timothy to join his missionary team, and within a few years Timothy was trusted as an emissary Paul could send to visit churches in his stead. Paul said of the faithful Timothy in Philippians 2:20: “I have no one else like him, who takes a genuine interest in your welfare.” This letter was written to Timothy to give him special instruction and encouragement while he was on a mission for Paul in Ephesus. “Myths and endless genealogies” 1 Tim. 1:3–7. This phrase, with the observation that many in Ephesus were devoting themselves to “empty chatter,” suggests that some in the church there had begun to follow Jewish teachers who used an allegorical method of interpreting the Old Testament. It was not uncommon in late Judaism or in early Christianity to look for “spiritual” meanings assumed to be hidden in the literal words and narratives of Scripture. The great Jewish philosopher, Philo, and the second-century Christian theologian, Origen, are both examples of this tendency. But the great problem with speculative approaches to Scripture is that there is no check on a person’s interpretation—and that such approaches fail to promote faith. The meaning of the events of Scripture, as of the teaching of the Prophets and Apostles, is found in the plain intent of the words of the Bible, not in some hidden meaning discovered by supposedly gifted interpreters. Those who ignore the plain meaning of God’s Word show that “they do not know that they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.” “The goal of this command is love” 1 Tim. 1:5. In the Pastoral Epistles Paul often emphasized the importance of teaching “sound doctrine” (cf. v. 10) as well as of silencing those who teach “false doctrines.” His reason was not just that sound doctrine is true, and false doctrine is not. Paul noted that teaching sound doctrine produces a distinctive lifestyle—and that teaching false doctrine does not! The product of sound doctrinal teaching is “love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith” (v. 5). This conviction was the foundation of Paul’s ministry. Teaching the truth will transform human beings. God’s truth has the power to stimulate faith, to cleanse the conscience, and purify the heart. A person touched by truth will become a loving, caring individual. We’re not to fight for God’s truth. We are to open our hearts to the truth, and let it transform us. “Law is made not for good men” 1 Tim. 1:8–10a. The allegorical approach of the teachers Timothy was to silence emphasized Law, not faith (cf. v. 4). Paul was not anti-Law. But he insisted Law be given only its rightful place. Law is something like the iron bars that make a tiger’s cage. The bars are there to keep the tiger in. Thus Paul said, “law is made” for “lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful,” and went on to list their terrible crimes. You need a cage for people like this. The cage is there to protect others from the harm the loose tiger would do. But what if the tiger has been transformed into a puppy dog? You don’t need a cage for a friendly puppy. A friendly puppy barks and wags his tail in welcome, and leaps up to lick your face. No one puts a puppy behind iron bars, because the puppy will do them no harm. This was Paul’s point. The non-Christian needs the Law: it provides some restraint against harmful behavior. But why would Christians need Law? The Christian has been made good by Christ: our tiger has been tamed! What you do with a Christian is throw the cage away, and let him or her love you! It may sound religious, holy, and dedicated to speak up for the Law. But the Law, which says, “Thou shalt not,” is irrelevant for Christians, who “will not” anyway! “The glorious Gospel of God” 1 Tim. 1:10b-11. How glorious the Gospel of God is! God has given us a truth that transforms human nature itself. “Holding on to faith and a good conscience” 1 Tim. 1:18–20. Paul had discussed, and illustrated (see DEVOTIONAL) the revolutionizing power of the Gospel. Now he urged Timothy, and us, to “fight the good fight” for God’s transforming truth. Two things are necessary if we are to serve God effectively. We must “hold on to faith,” that sound doctrine Paul affirmed. And we must hold to “a good conscience.” Simply put, we must hold sound doctrine—and let it get a hold on us. Being doctrinally correct has no value to us or to others unless we are also doctrinally corrected: unless the lives we lead are as pure as the truth we embrace.

DEVOTIONAL

Was . . . and Am(1 Tim. 1:12–16)

I love those diet ads on TV and in the newspapers that feature “before” and “after” pictures. Sometimes they are obviously staged. The fatter “before” person slouches and thrusts out the tummy. The leaner, meaner “after” shows a side view, with his chest stuck out, his tummy tucked in. In other diet ads the young woman featured (it’s almost always young, very attractive women), looks like she never had a “before.” She’s like our 98-pound friend, Carol, who’s always moaning she’s 2 pounds overweight, and claiming with a straight face that 2 pounds on her tiny frame are as bad as 60 extra on my six foot two. The Gospel makes “before” and “after” claims too. And here Paul presented himself as an example. Before he was “a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man.” After, having met Christ and experienced the overflow of His grace, Paul became a different man. This is what is unique about the truth of the Gospel. It isn’t just a collection of true facts, or a compilation of doctrinal data. The truth of the Gospel is vital, transforming, dynamic. It is the living, active Word of God that when welcomed into our hearts works an inner alchemy. Violence is transmuted into compassion. Blasphemy is altered to praise. Persecution is commuted into brotherly love. Paul said, “Jesus Christ came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.” You and I may not be able to pose with Paul for the “before” picture. But let’s make sure we’re right there with him for the “after.”

Personal Application

What you were isn’t as important to God or others as what you are.

Quotable

“He that gives good admonition and bad example builds with one hand and pulls down with the other.”—Francis Bacon

1 Timothy

INTRODUCTION

Paul’s two personal letters to Timothy and one letter to Titus are called the “Pastoral Epistles.” Each gives advice to younger coworkers of Paul who served as his representatives, visiting and giving guidance to churches in various cities of the Roman Empire. First Timothy was written some time between Paul’s release from prison about A.D. 62 and his execution under Nero in A.D. 68. The letter warned against false teachers, gave qualifications for local church leaders, and dealt with a variety of other practical issues related to healthy, vital congregational life. This book is especially helpful to those in any leadership position.

OUTLINE OF CONTENTS

I.	Timothy’s Task	1 Tim. 1
II.	Guiding the Church	1 Tim. 2–3
III.	Personal Encouragement	1 Tim. 4
IV.	Relationships in Church	1 Tim. 5–6

NOVEMBER 17

Reading 321

THE DAY OF THE Lord 2 Thessalonians 2–3

“For that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawless-ness is revealed” (2 Thes. 2:3).Holding to Christian teachings involves remembering what lies ahead.

Background

The Day of the Lord.

This phrase, that was picked up from the Old Testament has great theological significance. In its broad sense, it identifies any period of time in which God actively rather than providentially intervenes to shape the flow of history. Most often in prophetic passages, however, it is used of the end times, that final period associated with the return of Christ, the crushing of man’s final rebellion by God, the restoration of Israel and universal peace, the last judgment, and the establishment of a new heaven and earth as the dwelling place of the saved. As noted earlier, these events fit in a span of time, not in a point of time. A number of years, not simply a 24-hour day, is intended when “Day of the Lord” is used. And any Old or New Testament passage mentioning the Day of the Lord is likely to focus on any one of these major aspects of that period. We must then interpret Paul’s references to the “man of lawlessness” as a marker indicating that the Day of the Lord has come in total context. Some folks at Thessalonica interpreted the persecutions they experienced as evidence that the Day of the Lord had arrived. Paul said simply, “Look around. Do you see counterfeit miracles? Do you see the Man of Lawlessness in control? This is not the Day of Lord.” Many Christians throughout the ages have experienced persecution even sharper than that suffered by the Thessalonians, and have wondered if what they experienced might be a sign of the end. Paul’s teaching reminds us that in this world, we can expect suffering. But, because in Christ we fix our eyes in a future beyond this world, even in suffering we have hope.

Overview

The Day of the Lord will be marked by the appearance of a “lawless” one and counterfeit miracles (2:1–12). Till then believers are to engage in “every good deed” (vv. 13–17), sure of protection from the evil one (3:1–5). The church is to discipline those who will not work (vv. 8–18).

Understanding the Text

“And our being gathered to Him” 2 Thes. 2:1. There’s nothing like persecution (1:4) to make people eager for Jesus’ return. And there’s nothing like momentary prosperity to drain our sense of urgency. Then when troubles come—a job is lost, a serious illness strikes, an accident takes a loved one—we remember again how vulnerable we are. In one of his psalms David prayed that God would help him to “know his end,” and remember “how frail I am.” The prayer isn’t morbid at all. It reflects a vital need that each of us has to keep life on earth in perspective. When you and I do this, we look eagerly for Jesus to return, whatever the state of our health or our bank account. “The man of lawlessness is revealed” 2 Thes. 2:1–4. The reference here is clearly to a person commonly referred to as the Antichrist. He is introduced in Daniel 9:25–27, and his introduction of an abominable image in a Jerusalem temple plays a key role in Jesus’ prophetic teaching (cf. Matt. 24; Mark 13). He appears again in Revelation 13, and is discussed here by Paul, and mentioned by John in 1 John 2:18. Here Paul picked up the emphasis seen in Daniel and in Christ’s utterances: the Antichrist arrogantly “opposes and exalts himself over everything that is called God or is worshiped, and even sets himself up in God’s temple.” I’ve been fascinated to notice in recent Evolution/Creationism debates how some scientists oppose and exalt themselves over everything called God—pushing Him into the realm of the “merely religious” and thus irrelevant. And then such people set themselves up in God’s place, announcing their own answers to the mystery of origins and their own predictions about the future of the universe. What is most fascinating, of course, is their insistence that only they have the right to make such “scientific” pronouncements, and that the Creationist point of view must not even be permitted a hearing. The arrogant spirit of antichrist is deeply rooted in mankind, even though the individual called the Antichrist has not yet appeared. It is good to remember that the Antichrist, and all who act as he will, are “doomed to destruction.” God will be victorious in the end. “The secret power of lawlessness is already at work” 2 Thes. 2:5–7. When terrible things happen to God’s people, it is important to remember one thing. When persecution comes—when the courts decided that permitting a group of Christian young people to meet in a classroom after school hours for Bible study must not be permitted, but that it’s all right for a gay and lesbian teen organization to meet—when a major network determines that it is against their policy to show any program rooted in Christian values—when we see the “spirit of lawlessness” at work—we can take comfort. Paul knew that even then there was one who held back the full expression of that spirit in society (v. 7). Nearly all commentators agree that the restraining power is exercised by the Holy Spirit. And many suggest that the Spirit’s power is exercised through His church. If this is true, then you and I need to be involved in social issues that affect our faith. We need to take a stand, lovingly and graciously, but firmly, and let the Holy Spirit exercise His restraining influence through us. “In accordance with the work of Satan” 2 Thes. 2:8–12. The end times will be marked by the sudden emergence of the supernatural into the realm of nature. Miracles will be performed. But this time, by the Antichrist, through power provided by Satan. It’s strange. People who scoff at the supernatural when we Christians speak of it will be entranced by the counterfeit miracles performed by the Antichrist. Paul said God will send them “a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie.” But note. The delusion is sent only to those who have previously “refused to love the truth and so be saved.” Our only protection against Satan is found in Christ. But in Christ, our protection is guaranteed. The Lord Jesus will overthrow the Antichrist and Satan as well “by the splendor of His coming.” “Through belief in the truth” 2 Thes. 2:13–17. The willing victims of the Antichrist’s campaign refused to believe the truth. What about those of us who do believe? Paul says we are loved by the Lord. We are chosen by Him. We experience salvation through the Spirit’s sanctifying work. We have been given hope and encouragement by God, and one day we will even share Christ’s glory. We Christians are the new humanity: God’s new breed of mankind. You and I as God’s new breed are to demonstrate our nature to all in a most simple way. We are to give ourselves to “every good deed and word.” This is undoubtedly the real miracle that God performs daily. He snatches men and women from Satan’s realm, human beings who have lived selfishly, driven by personal passions, and through Christ makes us truly good. He transforms us, until we are moved to do good in every deed, and every word. No miracle Satan can empower can match the miracle that is taking place in you and me. “Not everyone has faith” 2 Thes. 3:1–5. It’s important to pray, as we wait for Jesus to return and the end to come, that we will be delivered from “wicked and evil men.” God will guard us from Satan. But we may experience persecution from those who are in his camp. When we do, Paul has a simple prescription. Keep on loving God. Keep on persevering for Christ’s sake. And keep on living the kind of good life that Paul’s letters exhort.

DEVOTIONAL

Take This Job(2 Thes. 3:6–15)

The country song must have reflected the frustration many felt with their jobs. “Take This Job and Shove It,” the husky voice echoed from stations all over the land. “I ain’t working here no more.” Many in Thessalonica felt that way. Jesus coming back? Great! “I quit.” They did quit. And, since they had to eat, they just sponged off other Christians. And passed their time gossiping. Paul had a simple response. They won’t work? Then don’t feed them. Each person should earn his own bread. Warn each idler lovingly, as a brother. But don’t feed him. I intended, when I started this devotional, to write about the sanctity and the fulfilling nature of work. But I think Paul is making another vital point here. That point? If we fail to practice real love, we hurt rather than help those we love. The real culprits in Thessalonica may not have been the folks who quit work, but the people who fed them! If no one fed the hungry slacker, I suspect they would have gone back to work mighty quickly! It’s the same with so many things in our lives. We complain about what our kids eat. But then we make them a cheese sandwich instead of saying, “Eat the roast I’m serving tonight or go hungry.” Rather than set a policy, no TV till after the homework is done, we let a child watch “my very favorite show” first—and then are upset the next morning when somehow homework was forgotten. Paul’s instructions to the church at Thessalonica remind us. If someone in the family has bad habits, just don’t contribute to them. Unless you or I take a stand that forces others to suffer the consequences of their own bad choices, they’ll keep on making those choices. And, at least in part, it will be our fault.

Personal Application

Don’t feed other’s bad habits by contributing to them.

Quotable

“Did I but live nearer to God, I could be of so much more help.”—George Hodges

2 Thessalonians

NOVEMBER 16

Reading 320

GOD IS JUST 2 Thessalonians 1

“God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you and give relief to you who are troubled, and to us as well” (2 Thes. 1:6–7).A wishy-washy God is a fiction that appeals to the guilty, not the godly.

Overview

Paul praised perseverance (1:1–4), and promised that those who persecute believers will be punished when Jesus returns (vv. 5–10). Paul prayed that till then the Thessalonians would live to glorify God (vv. 11–12).

Understanding the Text

“Your faith is growing more and more” 2 Thes. 1:3.

“Faith” seems to be a rather hard thing to measure in normal circumstances. It remains quite invisible—quite “inside.” Even when others are living by faith, what they say and do may seem quite ordinary to us. Only if we could look deep inside would we see what it costs them to maintain an ordinary life. Don’t be discouraged if others don’t realize how much of your life is lived by faith. God knows and will reward you. “Love . . . is increasing” 2 Thes. 1:3. Unlike faith, love is visible in the most ordinary of situations. When Paul said, “The love every one of you has for each other is increasing,” he was talking about something that can be seen and measured. We see love in the smile of welcome when friends meet. We see it in the phone call, just to say, “I’m thinking about you. How are you doing?” We see love when a friend says to the harried mom of preschoolers, “Let me stay with your kids today. You need a break.” We see love when the snow is shoveled from an older person’s walk, and in the time spent with a shut-in. We see love in listening, in reaching out a hand to touch, in a comforting hug, a heartfelt prayer. While faith is hidden in ordinary life, it is through the ordinary things of life that love is most clearly revealed. “Perseverance and faith in all the persecutions and trials you are enduring” 2 Thes. 1:4. Faith, invisible in ordinary life, is clearly revealed in persecutions and trials. The Christian family in rural Colombia that refuses to grow plants that the cartel will turn into drugs—and suffers not only economic loss but also threats of death from the drug lords, displays faith. The Protestant pastor in Rumania, who defied an order to be silent and stimulated the revolt that overthrew the Communist regime in December of 1989, displayed faith. The Christian in the mental institution in Russia, who refuses to stop witnessing, or the parents there who see their children’s hope of higher education lost because they stand fast in their commitment to Christ, display faith. When trials come, and Christians remain committed to Christ, then the invisible becomes visible, and the world sees that Christian faith is real. When your turn comes, through personal tragedy or national disaster, stand firm, and hold the banner of your faith high. “Evidence that God’s judgment is right” 2 Thes. 1:5. God has declared all who believe in Jesus righteous in His sight. He has declared us citizens of His kingdom, brothers and sisters of His Son. When we persevere in our faith, despite persecutions, we vindicate God’s declaration of innocence. We show that knowing Christ does make a difference; that God has made us “new creations” indeed (2 Cor. 5:17). Our suffering for His kingdom’s sake is evidence, not to God, but to the world. And throughout church history, the willingness of believers to suffer and even die painful deaths for Jesus’ sake has moved many to believe in Him. It has been said, and often proven, “The blood of martyrs is the seed of the church.” “God is just: He will pay back trouble to those who trouble you” 2 Thes. 1:6–7. The justice of God is displayed in two ways. One is in His balancing of the moral books by “paying back” those who do evil. This, Paul said, will happen when Jesus returns. The other is in His balancing the moral books by taking on Himself the punishment due those who do evil. This has already happened, and God’s willingness to suffer for us has been displayed on Calvary. Whether an individual is in the group to whom payment is due, or in the group for whom payment has already been made, is not up to God. It’s up to the individual. In Christ, God has been more than fair to the wicked. Now it is up to each man or woman to choose to take advantage of God’s unfair provision of salvation, or to demand fair treatment—and be condemned (see DEVOTIONAL). “To be glorified in His holy people” 2 Thes. 1:10. While punishment of sin is associated with Christ’s second coming, Paul did not say Jesus will return in order to punish. Instead, Jesus will return “to be glorified in His holy people.” One peculiar feature of diamonds is that, in the rough, they look like dull, ordinary stones. One might pick them up, look at them, and throw them away as valueless. But when cut by a master jeweler, a brilliant stone is revealed. Held to the light, it reflects splendor from every facet. The world places very little value on Christians. To others we often seem dull, ordinary, valueless. In fact, the more committed to Christ we are, the less we seem to fit into the world’s scheme of things, and the less value we seem to have to people of the world. But when Jesus returns, He will hold us up to His light, and suddenly the facets that trials and persecution have carved will flash with scintillating light. This is why Jesus will return: to hold us up and “be glorified in His holy people.” And to be “marveled at among all those who have believed.” “We pray constantly for you” 2 Thes. 1:11–12. This is another of those prayers of Paul which teach us how to pray for others. This prayer focuses on “follow-through.” Christians often have good intentions. We’re often moved by a desire to help, to act, to accomplish something special for Jesus or His people. But that desire often fades just as quickly, and our good intentions are forgotten. Paul asked, and we can pray, that God may fulfill “every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.” Just think. If every Christian’s good intentions were translated into action, how greatly God would be glorified in our lives.

DEVOTIONAL

God Is (Not) Nice(2 Thes. 1:5–10)

You won’t find it in the Bible. I don’t know of a single text that says, “God is nice.” Particularly when we define “nice” in terms of its synonyms—agreeable, congenial, favorable, and pleasant. God is gracious, yes. And compassionate. But nice? Never. Some folks, however, want to think of God as being nice. Much too nice to get angry or upset at people. Much too nice to punish sin. Maybe the “God of the Old Testament” was harsh. But, they say, the “God of the New Testament” is loving. And what they mean by loving is “nice.” He’s candy-sweet, and all too innocuous to fear. Second Thessalonians 1:5–10 must come as a shock to the proponents of “God is nice” theology. What’s this about Jesus coming “in blazing fire and with His powerful angels” to “punish those who do not know God”? What’s this about being “punished with everlasting destruction and shut out from the presence of the Lord”? Why, that doesn’t sound nice at all! It isn’t nice. But it is just, and it is right. And most of all, it’s coming. God the loving is also God the Judge. God the tender is God the tough. God the compassionate is God the severe. And when Jesus comes, those who have accepted the Gospel and those who have not will display these desperate aspects of the character of our God. Then we will shout that God is gracious. And others will confess that God is just. But no one will assume that “God is nice.”

Personal Application

Maintain your respect for God: don’t fall into the trap of dismissing Him as “nice.”

Quotable

“The demand that God should forgive such a [sinful] man while he remains what he is, is based on a confusion between condoning and forgiving. To condone an evil is simply to ignore it, to treat it as if it were good. But forgiveness needs to be accepted as well as offered if it is to be complete: and a man who admits no guilt can accept no forgiveness. “In the long run the answer to all those who object to the doctrine of hell, is itself a question: ‘What are you asking God to do?’ To wipe out their past sins and, at all costs, to give them a fresh start, smoothing every difficulty and offering every miraculous help? But He has done so, on Calvary. To forgive them? They will not be forgiven. To leave them alone? Alas, I am afraid that is what He does.”—C.S. Lewis

2 Thessalonians

INTRODUCTION

Paul’s second Letter to Thessalonica was sent a few months after his first. Some had assumed Jesus’ second coming was so near they could quit work. Paul corrected this misunderstanding, and emphasized the importance of using the present time wisely.

OUTLINE OF CONTENTS

I.	God’s Justice	2 Thes. 1
II.	The Man of Lawlessness	2 Thes. 2
III.	The Command to Work	2 Thes. 3