A Daily Bible Study in 7-Day Sections with a Summary-Commentary, Discussion Questions, and Daily Application

Sunday (Galatians)

Salutation

1:1 From Paul, an apostle (not from men, nor by human agency, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised him from the dead) 1:2 and all the brothers with me, to the churches of Galatia.

1:3 Grace and peace to you from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 1:4 who gave himself for our sins to rescue us from this present evil age according to the will of our God and Father, 1:5 to whom be glory forever and ever! Amen.

Occasion of the Letter

1:6 I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are following a different gospel—1:7 not that there really is another gospel, but there are some who are disturbing you and wanting to distort the gospel of Christ.

1:8 But even if we (or an angel from heaven) should preach a gospel contrary to the one we preached to you, let him be condemned to hell!

1:9 As we have said before, and now I say again, if any one is preaching to you a gospel contrary to what you received, let him be condemned to hell!

1:10 Am I now trying to gain the approval of people, or of God? Or am I trying to please people? If I were still trying to please people, I would not be a slave of Christ!

Paul’s Vindication of His Apostleship

1:11 Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that the gospel I preached is not of human origin.

1:12 For I did not receive it or learn it from any human source; instead I received it by a revelation of Jesus Christ.

1:13 For you have heard of my former way of life in Judaism, how I was savagely persecuting the church of God and trying to destroy it. 1:14 I was advancing in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my nation, and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my ancestors.

1:15 But when the one who set me apart from birth and called me by his grace was pleased 1:16 to reveal his Son in me so that I could preach him among the Gentiles, I did not go to ask advice from any human being, 1:17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to see those who were apostles before me, but right away I departed to Arabia, and then returned to Damascus.

1:18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to visit Cephas and get information from him, and I stayed with him fifteen days. 1:19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James the Lord’s brother.

1:20 I assure you that, before God, I am not lying about what I am writing to you!

1:21 Afterward I went to the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 1:22 But I was personally unknown to the churches of Judea that are in Christ. 1:23 They were only hearing, “The one who once persecuted us is now proclaiming the good news of the faith he once tried to destroy.” 1:24 So they glorified God because of me.

Prayer

Lord, Yours is the one and only Gospel, all others are frauds designed by the enemy to deceive people to block their path to truth and to salvation. May I be faithful in sharing and teaching Your Gospel that many will be saved and then also equipped to “go forth”.

Summary & Commentary

Paul greeted the fellowship of believers in Galatia emphasizing that he spoke only from God, Who “raised (him) from the dead” [dead in sin], and that it was Jesus the Christ Who sacrificed to save them from “this present evil age”

[Note: This phrase is variously understood by some to refer to the “end times”, that period of history from the ascension of Jesus to His return, and by others to the larger time-span of alienation of humankind from the Lord God - beginning with the Fall in Eden and onward to the heavenly-admission of those whose names are written in “The Lamb’s Book of Life”.

Paul chastised them for tolerating false teachings since they knew what was right from him.

He declared that any being, man or angel, who preached a gospel other than the one God had given him to give to them, should be “condemned to hell”.

Paul reminded them of his former persecution of Christians, and of the Lord God’s call that he become an ally instead.

He also explained that he was not subservient to other apostles as the Lord God had sent him to preach, and that “... they Glorified God because of me” when they heard the reports of his [Paul’s] conversion and preaching.

[Note: Paul refers to “Arabia” in 1:17. The NET translator’s Notes explain “As a geographical region Arabia included the territory west of Mesopotamia, east and south of Syria and Palestine, extending to the isthmus of Suez. During the Roman occupation, some independent kingdoms arose like that of the Nabateans south of Damascus, and these could be called simply Arabia. In light of the proximity to Damascus, this may well be the territory Paul says he visited here.”]

Interaction

Consider

Why the relative ease with which believers may be lured into a faulty gospel by a clever orator?

Discuss

Can an individual believer, or a body of believers, best defend themselves against false teaching through the knowledge of the Word?

Reflect

The anger of the Lord God at false teachers must have been great to cause Him to instruct Paul to identify them as worthy of condemnation to hell.

Share

When have you observed an effort made by a clever speaker to “preach another gospel”? How was a fellowship, or an individual, either led astray or able to stand on truth and overcome the deception?

Faith in Action

Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you, from among the sources you trust for Biblical counsel and teaching, any that are providing deliberately-false and/or carelessly-faulty content.

Action:

Today I will Biblically-challenge anyone who is deliberately distorting the gospel and if they prove unteachable when shown their error, I will make their error known to others and I will flee their influence.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

Monday (Galatians 2)

Confirmation from the Jerusalem Apostles

2:1 Then after fourteen years I went up to Jerusalem again with Barnabas, taking Titus along too. 2:2 I went there because of a revelation and presented to them the gospel that I preach among the Gentiles. But I did so only in a private meeting with the influential people, to make sure that I was not running—or had not run—in vain. 2:3 Yet not even Titus, who was with me, was compelled to be circumcised, although he was a Greek. 2:4 Now this matter arose because of the false brothers with false pretenses who slipped in unnoticed to spy on our freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, to make us slaves. 2:5 But we did not surrender to them even for a moment, in order that the truth of the gospel would remain with you.

2:6 But from those who were influential (whatever they were makes no difference to me; God shows no favoritism between people)—those influential leaders added nothing to my message. 2:7 On the contrary, when they saw that I was entrusted with the gospel to the uncircumcised just as Peter was to the circumcised 2:8 (for he who empowered Peter for his apostleship to the circumcised also empowered me for my apostleship to the Gentiles) 2:9 and when James, Cephas, and John, who had a reputation as pillars, recognized the grace that had been given to me, they gave to Barnabas and me the right hand of fellowship, agreeing that we would go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 2:10 They requested only that we remember the poor, the very thing I also was eager to do.

Paul Rebukes Peter

2:11 But when Cephas came to Antioch, I opposed him to his face, because he had clearly done wrong.

2:12 Until certain people came from James, he had been eating with the Gentiles. But when they arrived, he stopped doing this and separated himself because he was afraid of those who were pro-circumcision. 2:13 And the rest of the Jews also joined with him in this hypocrisy, so that even Barnabas was led astray with them by their hypocrisy.

2:14 But when I saw that they were not behaving consistently with the truth of the gospel, I said to Cephas in front of them all, “If you, although you are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you try to force the Gentiles to live like Jews?”

Jews and Gentiles are Justified by Faith

2:15 We are Jews by birth and not Gentile sinners, 2:16 yet we know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by the faithfulness of Jesus Christ. And we have come to believe in Christ Jesus, so that we may be justified by the faithfulness of Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no one will be justified.

2:17 But if while seeking to be justified in Christ we ourselves have also been found to be sinners, is Christ then one who encourages sin? Absolutely not!

2:18 But if I build up again those things I once destroyed, I demonstrate that I am one who breaks God’s law.

2:19 For through the law I died to the law so that I may live to God.

2:20 I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So the life I now live in the body, I live because of the faithfulness of the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

2:21 I do not set aside God’s grace, because if righteousness could come through the law, then Christ died for nothing!

Prayer

Lord, You came in the form of the humankind—which You created and who rebelled against You in the Garden—in order to provide a way to reconciliation and restoration. May I remember that Your grace is offered to everyone who will repent and surrender, without regard to age, gender, national origin, race, or social status.

Summary & Commentary

Paul reported that after fourteen years of ministry he traveled to Jerusalem to deal with a threat from the “Judaisers” who were attempting to impose pre-Christian Jewish rituals upon Christians.

He observed that once the leaders there understood that he had been called to the non-Jews by the very same God Who had called Peter to the Jews they became supportive.

Paul later found it necessary to rebuke Peter in front of the other leaders for drifting into the camp of the Judaisers out of fear and the influence of James.

Paul instructed them all that one is justified in Christ alone, to add anything whatsoever to that is to question the faithfulness of Christ and makes one guilty again before the law.

Paul wrote “I have been crucified with Christ, and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So the life I now live in the body, I live because of the faithfulness of the Son of God, Who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside God’s grace, because if righteousness could come through the law, then Christ died for nothing!”

Interaction

Consider

Peter suffered a chronic weakness, the fear of fellow man, which caused him to make bad choices as a leader. This was in contrast to the consistent strength of Paul who was steadfast in obedience to Christ no matter the cost.

Discuss

What are some attitudes, habits, and traditions in your fellowship that distract members from focus on Christ, or even worse, that directly contradict Biblical teaching? Who is promoting them and why are the leaders not intervening effectively?

Reflect

What do Paul's words "I have been crucified with Christ …" mean to you?

Share

When have you had the experience that your growth in Christ was blocked or slowed by non-Biblical attitudes, habits, and/or traditions in a family or fellowship? Once you were set free from those distractions how did the Holy Spirit bless you with growth?

Faith in Action

Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to your a place where you are distracted or deceived into wrong thinking due to non-Biblical attitudes, habits, and/or traditions.

Action:

Today I will repent of any part I have had in tolerating those distractions and/or deceptions and if I cannot cause a change I will seek a more Biblically-faithful fellowship.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

Tuesday (Galatians 3:1-22)

Justification by Law or by Faith?

3:1 You foolish Galatians! Who has cast a spell on you? Before your eyes Jesus Christ was vividly portrayed as crucified!

3:2 The only thing I want to learn from you is this: Did you receive the Spirit by doing the works of the law or by believing what you heard?

3:3 Are you so foolish? Although you began with the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by human effort? 3:4 Have you suffered so many things for nothing?—if indeed it was for nothing.

3:5 Does God then give you the Spirit and work miracles among you by your doing the works of the law or by your believing what you heard?

3:6 Just as Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, 3:7 so then, understand that those who believe are the sons of Abraham.

3:8 And the scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, proclaimed the gospel to Abraham ahead of time, saying, “All the nations will be blessed in you.”

3:9 So then those who believe are blessed along with Abraham the believer.

3:10 For all who rely on doing the works of the law are under a curse, because it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not keep on doing everything written in the book of the law.”

3:11 Now it is clear no one is justified before God by the law, because the righteous one will live by faith.

3:12 But the law is not based on faith, but the one who does the works of the law will live by them.

3:13 Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us (because it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”) 3:14 in order that in Christ Jesus the blessing of Abraham would come to the Gentiles, so that we could receive the promise of the Spirit by faith.

Inheritance Comes from Promises and not Law

3:15 Brothers and sisters, I offer an example from everyday life: When a covenant has been ratified, even though it is only a human contract, no one can set it aside or add anything to it.

3:16 Now the promises were spoken to Abraham and to his descendant. Scripture does not say, “and to the descendants,” referring to many, but “and to your descendant,” referring to one, who is Christ.

3:17 What I am saying is this: The law that came four hundred thirty years later does not cancel a covenant previously ratified by God, so as to invalidate the promise. 3:18 For if the inheritance is based on the law, it is no longer based on the promise, but God graciously gave it to Abraham through the promise.

3:19 Why then was the law given? It was added because of transgressions, until the arrival of the descendant to whom the promise had been made. It was administered through angels by an intermediary.

3:20 Now an intermediary is not for one party alone, but God is one.

3:21 Is the law therefore opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that was able to give life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law.

3:22 But the scripture imprisoned everything and everyone under sin so that the promise could be given—because of the faithfulness of Jesus Christ—to those who believe.

Prayer

Lord, You promised Adam and Eve a redeemer, and you promised the same to Abraham. You gave the law as a step to Your Redeemer, a convicting-tool, as You kept Your promise to Adam and Eve and Abraham.

Summary & Commentary

Paul chastised the Galatians further, challenging them to answer if they had received the Holy Spirit as a result of the law or grace.

He continued his challenge, asking “… you began with the Spirit, are you now trying to finish by human effort?”

Paul reminded them everyone who fails to complete every letter of the law without a single failure is condemned by the law, but Abraham was blessed because he believed, therefore all who believe are co-heirs to the blessing promised the “sons of Abraham”.

He reinforced his point by reminding them that “Christ redeemed us from the curse of the law by becoming a curse for us (because it is written “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”).

Paul gave them a history lesson, noting that the law came 430 years after God’s promise and did not apply to the One [the promise specified a singular descendant—because He would keep it perfectly as the God-Man] and Who would thereby have the right to claim the promise on behalf of those who would believe, repent, and surrender.

He did note that the purpose of the law was to separate arrogant and rebellious people from any notion that they could earn their salvation nor that they possessed any special standing before the Lord God that could empower them to bypass His unyielding qualifications for entry into Heaven.

[Note: It was for relationship that the Lord God created mankind and while it was a “law” that Adam and Eve violated - the consequence was a breach of relationship due to their failure to “believe” the Lord God over the lies of the Serpent. Therefore, felicity to the law could not be sufficient to restore the broken relationship; only a genuine-belief that includes absolute surrender to the Lordship of Christ is necessary, which is what Jesus provided via the Cross, resurrection and ascension.]

Interaction

Consider

The purpose of the law and the folly of those who, because of fear and tradition, who tried to reinstate it after Jesus had granted them the grace of their salvation. [Could this be what was intended by “Blaspheming the Holy Spirit and/or “another gospel?”]

Discuss

Humankind has a long pattern of attempting to arrogantly declare parity with the Lord God, that was at the heart of the serpent’s deception in the Garden, it was the sin of the builders of the Tower of Babel, it was in the rebellion against Moses by the Israelites, and it was the sin of the religious leaders in Jesus’ time. Setting up “works” to earn salvation was a scheme to pretend to declare himself worthy though mere human effort.

Reflect

The Lord God’s longing has been to restore a right-relationship with His creation. One Lord God, one Redeemer, one path to salvation.

Share

When have you experienced a circumstance where someone in a fellowship attempted to impose a human “law” upon believers saved by grace. What was the result?

Faith in Action

Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to search my attitudes and habits for any evidence that I am living as though my salvation depends upon anything other than belief in and submission to Jesus.

Action:

Today I will ask a fellow believer to pray in agreement with me for complete repentance and to walk with me through reconciliation to a purely Biblical faith walk.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

Wednesday (Galatians 3:23—4:7)

Sons of God Are Heirs of Promise

3:23 Now before faith came we were held in custody under the law, being kept as prisoners until the coming faith would be revealed.

3:24 Thus the law had become our guardian until Christ, so that we could be declared righteous by faith.

3:25 But now that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian.

3:26 For in Christ Jesus you are all sons of God through faith.

3:27 For all of you who were baptized into Christ have clothed yourselves with Christ.

3:28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female—for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.

3:29 And if you belong to Christ, then you are Abraham’s descendants, heirs according to the promise.

4:1 Now I mean that the heir, as long as he is a minor, is no different from a slave, though he is the owner of everything. 4:2 But he is under guardians and managers until the date set by his father. 4:3 So also we, when we were minors, were enslaved under the basic forces of the world.

4:4 But when the appropriate time had come, God sent out his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 4:5 to redeem those who were under the law, so that we may be adopted as sons with full rights.

4:6 And because you are sons, God sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, who calls “Abba! Father!”

4:7 So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if you are a son, then you are also an heir through God.

Prayer

Lord, You provided the 'container' of the Law to show us that we were dependent upon You and how we must live so that we could be in right-relationship with You, but Jesus the Christ came and brought us saving-grace and we are no longer law-keeping works-righteousness people but children of grace who obey in loving gratefulness. May my heart be continually-reminded that everything that has value comes from You and is a gift to me for which my right-choices are my thanks to You.

Summary & Commentary

Paul concluded Chapter 3 with a reiteration of the obliteration of worldly boundaries among believers “There is neither Jew or Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female—for all of you are one in Christ Jesus.”

In the first seven verses of Chapter 4 Paul used the illustration of a minor child or a slave under the authority of another to describe God-sensitive people prior to their opportunity for salvation—they awaited the Lord God’s determination of the perfect time for Jesus to come.

He then concluded that we become “sons” into whom God sent “the Spirit of his Son into our hearts” so that we became “heirs through God”.

Interaction

Consider

Paul’s teaching that the Lord God watches over those who have hearts sensitive toward Him, hearts that respond to truth.

Discuss

How is your life different from what it was prior to salvation? What it was that the Lord God touched in you to prompt your acceptance of His lordship and your surrender of everything else?

Reflect

God's multiple repetitions through Jesus, Paul, and others of His obliteration of boundaries between Jews and non-Jews, slaves and free men, males and females as applies to His family of believers.

Share

What does it mean to you to be considered a “son” [or “child”] or God?

Faith in Action

Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you a specific person who has been considering-Christ and whose heart He has prepared to repent of their sin, reject the things of this world, and to accept the Lordship of Christ.

Action:

Today I will pray earnestly for the one whom the Holy Spirit has identified, they will take the final step to eternity in perfection with God, and if-appropriate that He will allow me to be His instrument in leading them through a clear commitment and some of their early steps of discipleship (baptism, learning, participation).

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

Thursday (Galatians 4:8-31)

Heirs of Promise Are Not to Return to Law

4:8 Formerly when you did not know God, you were enslaved to beings that by nature are not gods at all.

4:9 But now that you have come to know God (or rather to be known by God), how can you turn back again to the weak and worthless basic forces? Do you want to be enslaved to them all over again?

4:10 You are observing religious days and months and seasons and years. 4:11 I fear for you that my work for you may have been in vain. 4:12 I beg you, brothers and sisters, become like me, because I have become like you. You have done me no wrong!

Personal Appeal of Paul

4:13 But you know it was because of a physical illness that I first proclaimed the gospel to you, 4:14 and though my physical condition put you to the test, you did not despise or reject me. Instead, you welcomed me as though I were an angel of God, as though I were Christ Jesus himself!

4:15 Where then is your sense of happiness now? For I testify about you that if it were possible, you would have pulled out your eyes and given them to me!

4:16 So then, have I become your enemy by telling you the truth?

4:17 They court you eagerly, but for no good purpose; they want to exclude you, so that you would seek them eagerly. 4:18 However, it is good to be sought eagerly for a good purpose at all times, and not only when I am present with you.

4:19 My children—I am again undergoing birth pains until Christ is formed in you! 4:20 I wish I could be with you now and change my tone of voice, because I am perplexed about you.

An Appeal from Allegory

4:21 Tell me, you who want to be under the law, do you not understand the law?

4:22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons, one by the slave woman and the other by the free woman. 4:23 But one, the son by the slave woman, was born by natural descent, while the other, the son by the free woman, was born through the promise.

4:24 These things may be treated as an allegory, for these women represent two covenants. One is from Mount Sinai bearing children for slavery; this is Hagar.

4:25 Now Hagar represents Mount Sinai in Arabia and corresponds to the present Jerusalem, for she is in slavery with her children.

4:26 But the Jerusalem above is free, and she is our mother. 4:27 For it is written:

“Rejoice, O barren woman who does not bear children; break forth and shout, you who have no birth pains, because the children of the desolate woman are more numerous than those of the woman who has a husband.”

4:28 But you, brothers and sisters, are children of the promise like Isaac.

4:29 But just as at that time the one born by natural descent persecuted the one born according to the Spirit, so it is now.

4:30 But what does the scripture say? “Throw out the slave woman and her son, for the son of the slave woman will not share the inheritance with the son” of the free woman.

4:31 Therefore, brothers and sisters, we are not children of the slave woman but of the free woman.

Prayer

Lord, You have made freedom from the enemy and the Law possible, and You have taught us all about that through Your Gospel. Only the gift of eternal spiritual salvation through Christ can save anyone. May I be faithful to Your Word and never accept anything but Your Gospel.

Summary & Commentary

Paul warned the Galatians to not drift back into the worship of, therefore slavery to, powerless idols.

He reminded them that he had become a child of the Lord God the same as they and appealed to them to not abandon the blessings of faithfulness to God.

Paul reminded them that he arrived with a physical impairment but rather than “despise or reject” him, they instead “welcomed me as though I were an angel of God”. [Verse 4:15b implies a vision problem.]

He noted that those who were trying to “recruit” the believers were doing so “for no good purpose”, that he was “again undergoing birth pains until Christ is formed” in them, and that he was “perplexed about” them.

Paul concluded with an allegory from the two women who bore Abraham children, Hagar the slave woman, and his wife, Sarah.

He asked them to view Hagar as representing those who are enslaved to the world and her naturally-conceived (she was young and fertile) and birthed son representing those who harass believers.

He asked them to view Sarah as representing those whose “son” (or children) was (were) born of a miracle of God (she was elderly and not fertile), as a promise-kept, and as the target of the persecution of the God-resistant natural world.

Interaction

Consider

The temptation for Christians to drift back into old patterns of bad choices and bad thinking is not new.

Discuss

What are some ways that believers may resist the temptation to back slide?

Reflect

Paul’s allegory is a valuable tool to help people to understand the fundamental gap between believers and non-believers.

Share

When have you experienced a situation where someone entered your fellowship and attempted to recruit believers into a non-Biblical doctrine and/or lifestyle. What happened?

Faith in Action

Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you a believer who needs to confessed to you, and Him, that they are struggling against the temptation to back slide in some area.

Action:

Today I will commit to pray in agreement with that believer that they will allow the Holy Spirit to be their strength.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

Friday (Galatians 5)

Freedom of the Believer

5:1 For freedom Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not be subject again to the yoke of slavery.

5:2 Listen! I, Paul, tell you that if you let yourselves be circumcised, Christ will be of no benefit to you at all! 5:3 And I testify again to every man who lets himself be circumcised that he is obligated to obey the whole law.

5:4 You who are trying to be declared righteous by the law have been alienated from Christ; you have fallen away from grace! 5:5 For through the Spirit, by faith, we wait expectantly for the hope of righteousness. 5:6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision carries any weight—the only thing that matters is faith working through love.

5:7 You were running well; who prevented you from obeying the truth?

5:8 This persuasion does not come from the one who calls you!

5:9 A little yeast makes the whole batch of dough rise!

5:10 I am confident in the Lord that you will accept no other view. But the one who is confusing you will pay the penalty, whoever he may be.

5:11 Now, brothers and sisters, if I am still preaching circumcision, why am I still being persecuted? In that case the offense of the cross has been removed. 5:12 I wish those agitators would go so far as to castrate themselves!

Practice Love

5:13 For you were called to freedom, brothers and sisters; only do not use your freedom as an opportunity to indulge your flesh, but through love serve one another.

5:14 For the whole law can be summed up in a single commandment, namely, “You must love your neighbor as yourself.”

5:15 However, if you continually bite and devour one another, beware that you are not consumed by one another.

5:16 But I say, live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh.

5:17 For the flesh has desires that are opposed to the Spirit, and the Spirit has desires that are opposed to the flesh, for these are in opposition to each other, so that you cannot do what you want.

5:18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

5:19 Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, impurity, depravity, 5:20 idolatry, sorcery, hostilities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish rivalries, dissensions, factions, 5:21 envying, murder, drunkenness, carousing, and similar things. I am warning you, as I had warned you before: Those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God!

5:22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 5:23 gentleness, and self-control. Against such things there is no law.

5:24 Now those who belong to Christ have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 5:25 If we live by the Spirit, let us also behave in accordance with the Spirit.

5:26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, being jealous of one another.

Prayer

Lord, You have given so much to us, yet we often look everywhere but You for value. May I be intentional in my daily pursuit of Your approval and to make myself a useful instrument of Your ministry in this lost ad dying world.

Summary & Commentary

“For freedom Christ has set us free.” In a phrase Paul defined his plea to the Galatians. He then warned those who choose the legalistic path of the Judaisers that their choice created an obligation on their part to keep the whole law and to live apart from the blessings of Christ.

Paul challenged them to recognize that those who had been trying to lead them away from the freedom of grace and back to the slavery of the law were agitators and were not sent from God.

He was so angry that he declared that those calling for the legalistic requirement of circumcision for new believers, especially applied to Gentiles, should castrate themselves [Paul was being sarcastic, since castration would have been a physiological amplification of circumcision, therefore should be what they should do as a works-righteousness gesture].

Paul calls upon the Galatians to turn instead toward loving one another and reminded them “... to live by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desires of the flesh.”

[Note: The Bible elsewhere states that it is impossible for one to have the Holy Spirit and to not show “the fruit of the Spirit.”]

He declared that “... the works of the flesh are obvious”

• sexual immorality
• impurity
• depravity
• idolatry
• sorcery
• hostilities
• strife
• jealousy
• outbursts of anger
• selfish rivalries
• dissensions
• factions
• envying
• murder
• drunkenness
• carousing
• and similar things

He reminded them that such unrepentant sinfulness defined them prior to salvation and that those who continued to be so defined were obviously not saved and “... will not inherit the kingdom of God!”

Paul then listed for them to corollary, those things that were evidence of the truly-saved person, one in whom the Holy Spirit indwelt:

“... the fruit of the Spirit is …

• “love”
• “joy”
• peace”
• “patience”
• “kindness”
• “goodness”
• “faithfulness”
• “gentleness”
• “self-control”

He concluded with a warning against believers becoming “... conceited, provoking one another, being jealous of one another.”

Interaction

Consider

Compare and contrast, the list of “the works of the flesh” and “the fruit of the Spirit”.

Discuss

What is the power that “living in love” gives to believers to resist the efforts of evil-doers to lead astray?

Reflect

Why is there a problem within, or between, fellowships with believers becoming “... conceited, provoking one another, being jealous of one another”?

Share

When have you experienced “the works of the flesh” causing you to struggle? How has the Holy Spirit led you instead to be a vessel of positive “fruit”?

Faith in Action

Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to identify an item from "the works of the flesh" list which defines some part of your life.

Action:

Today I will ask a fellow believer to pray in agreement with me as I partner with the Holy Spirit to purge “the works of the flesh” from my life.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

Saturday (Galatians 6)

Support One Another

6:1 Brothers and sisters, if a person is discovered in some sin, you who are spiritual restore such a person in a spirit of gentleness. Pay close attention to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too.

6:2 Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.

6:3 For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself.

6:4 Let each one examine his own work. Then he can take pride in himself and not compare himself with someone else. 6:5 For each one will carry his own load.

6:6 Now the one who receives instruction in the word must share all good things with the one who teaches it.

6:7 Do not be deceived. God will not be made a fool. For a person will reap what he sows, 6:8 because the person who sows to his own flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. 6:9 So we must not grow weary in doing good, for in due time we will reap, if we do not give up.

6:10 So then, whenever we have an opportunity, let us do good to all people, and especially to those who belong to the family of faith.

Final Instructions and Benediction

6:11 See what big letters I make as I write to you with my own hand!

6:12 Those who want to make a good showing in external matters are trying to force you to be circumcised. They do so only to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ.

6:13 For those who are circumcised do not obey the law themselves, but they want you to be circumcised so that they can boast about your flesh.

6:14 But may I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.

6:15 For neither circumcision nor uncircumcision counts for anything; the only thing that matters is a new creation! 6:16 And all who will behave in accordance with this rule, peace and mercy be on them, and on the Israel of God.

6:17 From now on let no one cause me trouble, for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body.

6:18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

Prayer

Lord, You call us into a believing community for accountability, discipleship, encouragement, and support—it is in our best interest in this world and for our right-relationship with You. May I invest in building a healthy community-relationship with fellow Biblical-Christians.

Summary & Commentary

Paul provided the Galatians with a Biblical philosophy to manage those “... discovered in some sin”, he provided a checklist:

• you who are spiritual
• Restore such a person
• in a spirit of gentleness
• Pay close attention to yourselves, so that you are not tempted too.
• Carry one another’s burdens
• If you think that you are something when you are nothing you are deceived
• Examine your own work and take pride in yourself
• Do not compare yourself with someone else
• Each one carry his own load

Paul instructed them to “... share all good things” with the one who teaches [accurately] the Word of God.

He warned them that one who “... sows to his own flesh” is either selfish, or pretends to be a trustworthy teacher but who is more interested in money and prestige, therefore will be seen to only “... reap from the flesh”.

Paul contrasted that with one who “... sows to the Spirit receives eternal life”, then encouraged to not “grow weary” and to not “give up” doing good [as defined by the Bible, not man]

He included an odd parenthetical, not unique for Paul, where he observed that his handwriting forms “big letters”. He has made reference elsewhere to others writing for him. [Note: One may speculate that this comment may either underline the prior inference of poor vision or suggest another ailment as a result of beatings, illnesses, or age. There is nothing in the text that supports any hidden spiritual meaning.]

Paul returned to his warning against the Judaisers, noting that they demand circumcision for new believers so that they may brag about them [as a salesman brags of new sales] but that while these men are circumsized they fail to live according to the law [so how important could the law be to them after all.

Paul also observed a second motive, fear of persecution from the majority Judaisers.

Paul proclaimed again that circumcision or uncircumcision is nothing, that all that matters if the “new creation”.

He concluded his letter instructing them “no one cause me trouble, for I bear the marks of Jesus on my body”, and a prayer:

“The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. “Amen.”

Interaction

Consider

No matter how Consider Paul's additional signposts for a false teacher; they are focused on money and prestige and their fruit is found in the flesh.

Discuss

What are some practical implementations of Paul’s checklist for dealing with a brother or sister in sin? What is the difference between the instruction to “6:2 Carry one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.” and “6:5 For each one will carry his own load.”?

Reflect

What does Paul’s admonition that we “not grown weary in doing good” mean to a Biblical Christian?

Share

When have you observed an example of a leader within a fellowship who was more concerned about numeric growth than spiritual growth, personal profit or prestige, and/or pleasing men to avoid criticism or other threats. What was the result?

Faith in Action

Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to identify an area where You are feeling weary in need prayer and words of encouragement and someone whom He has prepared to walk alongside you for a time.

Action:

Today I will humbly allow a fellow believer to pray for and to encourage me from the Word and I will later share with them how it made a real difference.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

All Bible text is from the NET unless otherwise indicated—http://bible.org

Note 1: These Studies often rely upon the guidance of the NET Translators from their associated notes. Careful attention has been given to cite that source where it has been quoted directly or closely paraphrased. Feedback is encouraged where credit has not been sufficiently assigned.

Note 2: When NET text is quoted in commentary and discussion all pronouns referring to God are capitalized, though they are lower-case in the original NET text.

Commentary text is from David M. Colburn, D.Min. unless otherwise noted.

Copyright © 2011 by David M. Colburn. This is a BibleSeven Study—Section 2 of the series, “Acts”—prepared by David M. Colburn and edited for bible.org in October of 2011. This text may be used for non-profit educational purposes only, with credit; all other usage requires prior written consent of the author.

A Daily Bible Study in 7-Day Sections With a Summary-Commentary, Discussion Questions, and Daily Application

A Daily Bible Study in 7-Day Sections with a Summary-Commentary, Discussion Questions, and Daily Application

Sunday (1 Thessalonians 1)

Salutation

1:1 From Paul and Silvanus and Timothy, to the church of the Thessalonians in God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. Grace and peace to you!

Thanksgiving for Response to the Gospel

1:2 We thank God always for all of you as we mention you constantly in our prayers,

1:3 because we recall in the presence of our God and Father your work of faith and labor of love and endurance of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.

1:4 We know, brothers and sisters loved by God, that he has chosen you,

1:5 in that our gospel did not come to you merely in words, but in power and in the Holy Spirit and with deep conviction (surely you recall the character we displayed when we came among you to help you).

1:6 And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, when you received the message with joy that comes from the Holy Spirit, despite great affliction.

1:7 As a result you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia. 1:8 For from you the message of the Lord has echoed forth not just in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place reports of your faith in God have spread, so that we do not need to say anything.

1:9 For people everywhere report how you welcomed us and how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God 1:10 and to wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus our deliverer from the coming wrath.

Prayer

Lord, You have told the story of Creation, the history of humankind in relationship with You, have given us examples of right and wrong living through characters in the old and new testaments, humbled Yourself to come in mere human form to set us free, and have given us the apostles and early believers as role models. May I be found as faithful as the Thessalonians in sharing Your truth with others.

Summary & Commentary

Paul offered a praise report for the Thessalonians, noting that when he brought the Lord God’s message of Christ to them they responded “... despite great affliction”.

He had delivered the gospel “... with deep conviction” he also performed miracles “power” and the presence of the Holy Spirit was made obvious.

[Note: Paul does not provide any detail but from his earlier writings this reference could suggest prophesy and tongues, it could suggest that the Holy Spirit had “prepared the harvest” as Jesus explained to His disciples, or both.]

Paul commended them “And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, when you received the message with joy that comes from the Holy Spirit …”. Once saved they accepted the mission and lived in the promise that God confirms via His indwelling Holy Spirit - as a result they “... became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and in Achaia.”

He celebrated their “ultrafidian” (beyond saving-faith) response, one that was so profound that everywhere Paul and his associates traveled word of their faith and faithfulness preceded.

Interaction

Consider

The Holy Spirit of God partners with those whom He sends as His emissaries, we are never alone as believers engaged in sharing the gospel.

Discuss

What are some practical ways that you, and members of your fellowship, may become better imitators of the apostle Paul and of the Lord?

Reflect

The boldness of the Thessalonians, discerning the truth in Paul’s earnest presentation of the gospel and immediately acting to separate themselves from their old lives and to begin living in the new.

Share

When have you observed an example of a population of people who responded to the gospel in a similarly radical way? What was the impact within their immediate community and perhaps a wider population - directly or via media coverage?

Faith in Action

Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you a specific area where you have not been a good imitator of Paul and Jesus (and the Thessalonians).

Action:

Today I agree to partner with the Holy Spirit, and an accountability/prayer partner, as I explore and implement disciplines to enhance my spiritual maturity in practical ways.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

Monday (1 Thessalonians 2:1-16)

Paul’s Ministry in Thessalonica

2:1 For you yourselves know, brothers and sisters, about our coming to you – it has not proven to be purposeless. 2:2 But although we suffered earlier and were mistreated in Philippi, as you know, we had the courage in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in spite of much opposition.

2:3 For the appeal we make does not come from error or impurity or with deceit,

2:4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we declare it, not to please people but God, who examines our hearts.

2:5 For we never appeared with flattering speech, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed – God is our witness –

2:6 nor to seek glory from people, either from you or from others,

2:7 although we could have imposed our weight as apostles of Christ; instead we became little children among you. Like a nursing mother caring for her own children,

2:8 with such affection for you we were happy to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us.

2:9 For you recall, brothers and sisters, our toil and drudgery: By working night and day so as not to impose a burden on any of you, we preached to you the gospel of God.

2:10 You are witnesses, and so is God, as to how holy and righteous and blameless our conduct was toward you who believe.

2:11 As you know, we treated each one of you as a father treats his own children,

2:12 exhorting and encouraging you and insisting that you live in a way worthy of God who calls you to his own kingdom and his glory.

2:13 And so we too constantly thank God that when you received God’s message that you heard from us, you accepted it not as a human message, but as it truly is, God’s message, which is at work among you who believe.

2:14 For you became imitators, brothers and sisters, of God’s churches in Christ Jesus that are in Judea, because you too suffered the same things from your own countrymen as they in fact did from the Jews,

2:15 who killed both the Lord Jesus and the prophets and persecuted us severely. They are displeasing to God and are opposed to all people,

2:16 because they hinder us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. Thus they constantly fill up their measure of sins, but wrath has come upon them completely.

Prayer

Lord, You tested the heart – the motives of Paul – as he promoted Your Gospel. You found him without greed or lust. May I examine my own motives to that will also be found free of the same and therefore a worthy instrument to share Your saving-truth.

Summary & Commentary

Paul greeted the Thessalonians again, reminding them that his only motive was to please God by rightly delivering His Word.

He could have misused his authority as an apostle but chose instead to emulate Jesus, coming to them as humble as a child and as loving as a mother to her children; images evoked by Jesus of Himself.

In Verse 2:9 Paul reminded them that to prevent any false-comparison of his motives with those of others who had come with “... a pretext for greed” he chose to be “... working night and day” then to preach “the gospel of God”.

He celebrated that they received the message not as one from men but from God, which it truly was.

Paul reflected upon the way that the Thessalonians were mistreated by their peers, similar to the mistreatment of believers in Judea by theirs, yet they stood with Christ.

Interaction

Consider

The growth in maturity and numbers of the Thessalonians came despite fierce resistance from the unbelievers all around them.

Discuss

In what other circumstances might a Christian leader choose to set-aside a “right” for the sake of his or her ministry?

Reflect

Paul chose to allow the Lord God’s Word to speak authoritatively, he was it’s humble messenger who served them from genuine love, therefore he modeled Jesus before them.

Share

When have you observed examples of both the right and the wrong way to lead? (The right way is Paul’s model. The wrong to make the momentary human leader the focus of authority and trust rather than the Lord God and His Word.)

Faith in Action

Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you, and to affirm His direction through at least one fellow believer whose spiritual maturity whom you have Biblical-cause to trust, where you need to sacrifice a “right” in order to become a more effective servant of Christ.

Action:

Today I will prayerfully pursue the necessary steps to actualize the sacrifice the Holy Spirit has asked of me for the sake of the Gospel.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

Tuesday (1 Thessalonians 2:17 – 3:13)

Forced Absence from Thessalonica

2:17 But when we were separated from you, brothers and sisters, for a short time (in presence, not in affection) we became all the more fervent in our great desire to see you in person.

2:18 For we wanted to come to you (I, Paul, in fact tried again and again) but Satan thwarted us.

2:19 For who is our hope or joy or crown to boast of before our Lord Jesus at his coming? Is it not of course you?

2:20 For you are our glory and joy!

3:1 So when we could bear it no longer, we decided to stay on in Athens alone. 3:2 We sent Timothy, our brother and fellow worker for God in the gospel of Christ, to strengthen you and encourage you about your faith, 3:3 so that no one would be shaken by these afflictions. For you yourselves know that we are destined for this.

3:4 For in fact when we were with you, we were telling you in advance that we would suffer affliction, and so it has happened, as you well know. 3:5 So when I could bear it no longer, I sent to find out about your faith, for fear that the tempter somehow tempted you and our toil had proven useless.

3:6 But now Timothy has come to us from you and given us the good news of your faith and love and that you always think of us with affection and long to see us just as we also long to see you! 3:7 So in all our distress and affliction, we were reassured about you, brothers and sisters, through your faith.

3:8 For now we are alive again, if you stand firm in the Lord. 3:9 For how can we thank God enough for you, for all the joy we feel because of you before our God?

3:10 We pray earnestly night and day to see you in person and make up what may be lacking in your faith.

3:11 Now may God our Father himself and our Lord Jesus direct our way to you.

3:12 And may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we do for you,

3:13 so that your hearts are strengthened in holiness to be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.

Prayer

Lord, You allow Satan to be active in the world over which he is the temporary prince, but You limit his impact on Your children and/or their mission for You. May I be fearless, knowing that You have the ultimate power, and that Your will shall be done no matter what Satan does.

Summary & Commentary

Paul reminded them of his effort to return to Thessalonica, along with a report that Satan had actively blocked him several times.

[Note: The NET Translator’s notes include Greek and Hebrew which affirm that the original text intended to communicate a being called Satan as intentionally keeping Paul from the Thessalonians, rather than a generic human opposition rhetorically labeled as “Satan”. The Lord God provided Paul a way around the opposition but otherwise permitted it.]

He celebrated that they were his “... hope or joy or crown to boast of before our Lord Jesus at his coming”.

Paul sent Timothy in his stead to “... encourage you about your faith, so that no one would be shaken by their afflictions.” He celebrated the good news of their faithfulness despite “affliction”.

He concluded with a prayer “... may the Lord direct our way to you. And may the Lord cause you to increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we do for you, so that your hearts are strengthened in holiness to be blameless before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.”

Interaction

Consider

The active interference of Satan versus Paul is evidence that the enemy is still active. Did you put on your “full armor of God” today?

Discuss

What are some practical ways to strengthen your faith so that when trouble comes you may stand - like the Thessalonians?

Reflect

Could Paul’s prayer be the Lord God’s prayer for every fellowship?

Share

When have you observed an example of someone who faced challenges that might have shaken their faith but who stood strong because of their knowledge of an love for God, and their trust that He would sustain them?

Faith in Action

Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you a person, group, or fellowship for whom He wants you to pray Paul’s prayer.

Action:

Today I will pray Paul’s prayer for one revealed to me and I will ask others to join me

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

Wednesday (1 Thessalonians 4:1-12)

A Life Pleasing to God

4:1 Finally then, brothers and sisters, we ask you and urge you in the Lord Jesus, that as you received instruction from us about how you must live and please God (as you are in fact living) that you do so more and more.

4:2 For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus.

4:3 For this is God’s will: that you become holy, that you keep away from sexual immorality,

4:4 that each of you know how to possess his own body in holiness and honor,

4:5 not in lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God.

4:6 In this matter no one should violate the rights of his brother or take advantage of him, because the Lord is the avenger in all these cases, as we also told you earlier and warned you solemnly.

4:7 For God did not call us to impurity but in holiness.

4:8 Consequently the one who rejects this is not rejecting human authority but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

4:9 Now on the topic of brotherly love you have no need for anyone to write you, for you yourselves are taught by God to love one another.

4:10 And indeed you are practicing it toward all the brothers and sisters in all of Macedonia. But we urge you, brothers and sisters, to do so more and more,

4:11 to aspire to lead a quiet life, to attend to your own business, and to work with your hands, as we commanded you.

4:12 In this way you will live a decent life before outsiders and not be in need.

Prayer

Lord, You see us – through Christ – as cleansed and made-holy in heaven, and You ask us to conduct ourselves in such a way as to grow toward that goal. May I be found pressing-away sin, seeking-after righteousness, and maturing in my daily walk.

Summary & Commentary

Paul challenged the Thessalonians to increase the degree to which they “... live and please God.”

He listed the elements of right living before God, to

“...become holy”:

“... keep away from immorality”

“... each ... possess his own body in holiness and honor”

“... not ... lustful passion like the Gentiles who do not know God”

“... no one should violate the rights of his brother, or take advantage of him, because the Lord is the avenger in these cases”

He summarized his admonitions “For God did not call us in impurity but in holiness ... the one who rejects this is not rejecting human authority but God, who gives His Holy Spirit to you.”

Paul celebrated their brotherly love “... toward all the brothers and sisters in all of Macedonia.” but still challenged them to do so even more.

He challenged them to “... aspire to lead a quiet life, to attend to your own business, and to work with your hands”

Paul’s goal for them was integrity and self-sufficiency, for the sake of a positive witness to a watching and not-yet-saved world, and to prevent dependency upon that world.

Interaction

Consider

The challenge of Paul, one he applied to himself, that in holy and righteous living before God good is to be celebrated - but better is to be sought.

Discuss

Jesus and Paul both condemned sloth. What are some ways that you could lead a more quiet/peaceful life and also be self-sufficient - not dependent on an unbelieving world or becoming an unnecessary (due to sloth) burden upon believers?

Reflect

Do you need to address any of Paul’s list of elements of right living before God, to “...become holy” in your life?

Share

When have you observed a practical example of someone who violated the rights of a brother (or sister, in the faith) or took advantage of them? How did God avenge that misdeed?

Faith in Action

Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal an element of Paul’s list for holiness in your life upon which you need to work, or identify an area of brotherly love and/or peaceful and self-sufficient living where you are doing well.

Action:

Today I will address the area(s) needing work and seek ways to do even better in those where I am doing well. I will ask a fellow believer for accountability and prayer support.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

Thursday (1 Thessalonians 4:13-18)

The Lord Returns for Believers

4:13 Now we do not want you to be uninformed, brothers and sisters, about those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest who have no hope.

4:14 For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also we believe that God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep as Christians.

4:15 For we tell you this by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive, who are left until the coming of the Lord, will surely not go ahead of those who have fallen asleep.

4:16 For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first.

4:17 Then we who are alive, who are left, will be suddenly caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord.

4:18 Therefore encourage one another with these words.

Prayer

Lord, You will return, You will restore those who have been “asleep” and unaware of the passage of time, and You will gather with them those who are alive in the flesh – because that is why You endured the Cross and empowered Easter. May my faith be renewed every time I remember what You have done and what You will do.

Summary & Commentary

Paul explained that the dead in-Christ would be raised first to Christ, the living would then be raptured to join them, and that both will enjoy eternity with Him.

He cautioned them to understand that the dead in Christ are “asleep” in an eternal sense - so they must not “... grieve like the rest who have no hope.” because their hope is in a risen Lord Who is God.

He reminded them that “... we believe that Jesus died and rose again, so also we believe that God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep as Christians.” - reconciliation has always been the plan of the Lord God.

Paul declared “... we tell you this by the word of the Lord” that the living will wait for the dead to be resurrected before they are raptured. He gave no reason for the sequence.

He wrote “For the Lord himself will come down from heaven with a shout of command, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God”, then will come the resurrection of the dead followed by the rapture of the living - “... together ... in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And so we will always be with the Lord.”

He concluded “therefore encourage one another with these words.”

Interaction

Consider

Physical death is similar to sleep for a saved person, they are unawares until resurrected by God, and they have not died spiritually.

[Note: Linear time, as we know it, did not exist prior to Creation and will cease to exist after the Great White Throne Judgment. Where one reads Biblical text that suggests immediate presence with God at death one must understand that such is written from a heavenly rather than earthly perspective.]

Discuss

Imagining the return of Christ, how incredible will be your awe at His appearance, the resurrection of the dead, and the rapture of His children (including you)?

Reflect

There is a peace-bringing perspective from knowing that the death of those whom we love (who are also fellow believers, the most-true family of a Christian) is only a temporary place of waiting for His return to bring them (and us) to a perfect eternity with Him.

Share

When have you observed an example of a celebration of the life of a believer, who has died, where those gathered truly celebrated both their life and the promise of eternity together with them and Jesus?

Faith in Action

Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to bring you to a more-Biblical understanding of death and the resurrection

Action:

Today I will prayerfully contemplate what I have been taught and share it with a fellow believer and look at the Word together, in-person or electronically.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

Friday (1 Thessalonians 5:1-11)

The Day of the Lord

5:1 Now on the topic of times and seasons, brothers and sisters, you have no need for anything to be written to you.

5:2 For you know quite well that the day of the Lord will come in the same way as a thief in the night.

5:3 Now when they are saying, “There is peace and security,” then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains on a pregnant woman, and they will surely not escape.

5:4 But you, brothers and sisters, are not in the darkness for the day to overtake you like a thief would.

5:5 For you all are sons of the light and sons of the day. We are not of the night nor of the darkness.

5:6 So then we must not sleep as the rest, but must stay alert and sober.

5:7 For those who sleep, sleep at night and those who get drunk are drunk at night.

5:8 But since we are of the day, we must stay sober by putting on the breastplate of faith and love and as a helmet our hope for salvation.

5:9 For God did not destine us for wrath but for gaining salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ.

5:10 He died for us so that whether we are alert or asleep we will come to life together with him.

5:11 Therefore encourage one another and build up each other, just as you are in fact doing.

Prayer

Lord, we are to be at peace about our salvation, and assured of Your return – not worrying about the day but invested in right-living. May I build-up fellow believers, invest my time wisely in the things that You value, and tell Your story to the lost.

Summary & Commentary

Paul addressed the problem of speculation about the “... times and seasons” as to when Jesus will return. He told them to forget about it as Jesus will return “... the same way as a thief in the night”, without warning, and with negative consequences for those who are not under protection.

[Note: For those whose sense of security comes from the world - the confrontation with Christ will be shocking, for those who know Him as their savior the moment will be exhilarating.]

Paul then revisited elements of an earlier teaching about the “armor of God” as tools to

“... stay alert and sober ... because we are of the day” ...

“... by putting on the breastplate of faith and love”

“... and as a helmet our hope for salvation.”

He reiterated his central message about the return of Christ “He died for us so that whether we are alert or asleep [meaning saved people physically alive or dead, or living rightly or in rebellion] we will come together with Him” [via resurrection or rapture].

Paul concluded this section by again celebrating their faithfulness and encouraging them to continue.

Interaction

Consider

We have the Lord God’s promise in-hand, so we are not to worry about the return of Christ - unbelievers should - as that is the end of the line for them.

Discuss

What are some practical ways to “... stay alert and sober”?

Reflect

There is an uncertain but impending deadline faced by the unsaved - and our commission is to reach them first!

Share

What are some examples of people you know who are entirely invested in the world for their sense of purpose and value and who will face a devastating and eternal shock at the return of Christ? Do you remember when that was you?

Faith in Action

Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you one person who faces eternal separation from the Lord God for whom He wants you to pray.

Action:

Today I will pray for them to hear and to respond to His gospel of salvation. I do not presume to know how and through whom the Lord God will work - I will simply pray for their salvation.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

Saturday (1 Thessalonians 5:12-28)

Final Instructions

5:12 Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to acknowledge those who labor among you and preside over you in the Lord and admonish you,

5:13 and to esteem them most highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. 5:14 And we urge you, brothers and sisters, admonish the undisciplined, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient toward all.

5:15 See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all.

5:16 Always rejoice,

5:17 constantly pray,

5:18 in everything give thanks. For this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.

5:19 Do not extinguish the Spirit.

5:20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt.

5:21 But examine all things; hold fast to what is good.

5:22 Stay away from every form of evil.

Conclusion

5:23 Now may the God of peace himself make you completely holy and may your spirit and soul and body be kept entirely blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

5:24 He who calls you is trustworthy, and he will in fact do this.

5:25 Brothers and sisters, pray for us too.

5:26 Greet all the brothers and sisters with a holy kiss.

5:27 I call on you solemnly in the Lord to have this letter read to all the brothers and sisters.

5:28 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Prayer

Lord, You bring peace and stand ready to commune with us through prayer; asking that we remember to pray, to avoid evil, and to honor one-another. May I be found frequently-faithful and less-frequently unfaithful as I grow in spiritual maturity.

Summary & Commentary

Paul addressed the right-treatment of spiritual leaders (elders) among the fellowship of believers “... acknowledge those who labor among you and preside over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them most highly in love because of their work.”

He reminded them once-again to “Be at peace among yourselves.”, followed by a series of summary instructions:

“... admonish the undisciplined”

“... comfort the discouraged”

“... help the weak”

“... be patient toward all”

“See that no one pays back evil for evil to anyone”

“... Always pursue what is good for one another and for all.”

“Always rejoice”

“... constantly pray”

“... in everything give thanks.”

Paul paused to cite his authority for his instruction “For this is God’s will for you.” He wanted them to be clear in the understanding that these were not suggestions.

Then he exhorted them “Do not extinguish the Spirit.”, which would be the consequence of failing to pray, failing to be in the Word (as they had it at that time), failing to be in fellowship, failing to worship, and failing to cooperate with the Holy Spirit as He led them forward in maturity and service.

Paul warned them “Do not treat prophesies with contempt.” as they were evidence of the Lord God’s perfection from the past and His guiding lighthouses to the future.

He counseled them “But examine all things; hold fast to what is good. Stay away from every form of evil.”, meaning that they were responsible for their choices and the consequences; to partner with the Lord God or with the enemy, in every choice they made.

Interaction

Consider

A fellowship of believers may “Be at peace among yourselves.” if they make the right choices.

Discuss

What are some practical ways to “... acknowledge those who labor among you and preside over you in the Lord and admonish you, and to esteem them most highly in love because of their work.” without displacing our sovereign Lord through a form of idolatry toward a mere human servant-leaders of His?

Reflect

How have you experienced the practical working-out of Paul’s instruction “... examine all things; hold fast to what is good. Stay away from every form of evil.”?

Share

When have you experienced obedience blessing your fellowship, and/or disobedience causing discord.? Has the former been celebrated and the latter addressed appropriately and promptly?

Faith in Action

Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to identify a spiritual leader (preferably within your local fellowship or community) whom He wishes you to “esteem”, and also one element of Paul’s summary instruction where you excel and one where you struggle with a compromise in your life where you are failing to “Stay away from every form of evil.”

Action:

Today I am committing to “esteem” the identified spiritual leader through prayer and a more-mature walk with Christ built upon His teaching of the Word. I will celebrate where I excel and partner with the Holy Spirit to address where I struggle. I will immediately and intentionally act to purge that “dark place” (as King David phrased it) from my life.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

All Bible text is from the NET unless otherwise indicated - http://bible.org

Note 1: These Studies often rely upon the guidance of the NET Translators from their associated notes. Careful attention has been given to cite that source where it has been quoted directly or closely paraphrased. Feedback is encouraged where credit has not been sufficiently assigned.

Note 2: When NET text is quoted in commentary and discussion all pronouns referring to God are capitalized, though they are lower-case in the original NET text.

Commentary text is from David M. Colburn, D.Min. unless otherwise noted.

Copyright © 2012 by David M. Colburn. This is a BibleSeven Study – Section 1 of the series, “Thessalonians” – prepared by David M. Colburn and edited for bible.org in March of 2012. This text may be used for non-profit educational purposes only, with credit; all other usage requires prior written consent of the author.

A Daily Bible Study in 7-Day Sections with a Summary-Commentary, Discussion Questions, and Daily Application

Sunday (1 Timothy 1)

Salutation

1:1 From Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, 1:2 to Timothy, my genuine child in the faith. Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord!

Timothy’s Task in Ephesus

1:3 As I urged you when I was leaving for Macedonia, stay on in Ephesus to instruct certain people not to spread false teachings,

1:4 nor to occupy themselves with myths and interminable genealogies. Such things promote useless speculations rather than God’s redemptive plan that operates by faith.

1:5 But the aim of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.

1:6 Some have strayed from these and turned away to empty discussion.

1:7 They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or the things they insist on so confidently.

1:8 But we know that the law is good if someone uses it legitimately,

1:9 realizing that law is not intended for a righteous person, but for lawless and rebellious people, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers,

1:10 sexually immoral people, practicing homosexuals, kidnappers, liars, perjurers – in fact, for any who live contrary to sound teaching.

1:11 This accords with the glorious gospel of the blessed God that was entrusted to me.

1:12 I am grateful to the one who has strengthened me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he considered me faithful in putting me into ministry,

1:13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor, and an arrogant man. But I was treated with mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief,

1:14 and our Lord’s grace was abundant, bringing faith and love in Christ Jesus.

1:15 This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners” – and I am the worst of them!

1:16 But here is why I was treated with mercy: so that in me as the worst, Christ Jesus could demonstrate his utmost patience, as an example for those who are going to believe in him for eternal life.

1:17 Now to the eternal king, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever! Amen.

1:18 I put this charge before you, Timothy my child, in keeping with the prophecies once spoken about you, in order that with such encouragement you may fight the good fight.

1:19 To do this you must hold firmly to faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and so have suffered shipwreck in regard to the faith.

1:20 Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

Prayer

Lord, You had mercy on me to demonstrate Your patience, and to use my story to illustrate the redemptive power of Your Gospel. May I cling to You to persevere and tell Your story wherever I go.

Summary & Commentary

Paul was writing to Timothy in Ephesus, whom he labeled as “... my genuine child in the faith”. He asked him to combat false teachings and “... useless speculations”.

He specifically addressed those who “... occupy themselves with myths and interminable genealogies. Such things promote useless speculations rather than God’s redemptive plan that operates by faith.”

[Note: The obsession with genealogy fed a desire of some to assert a right to speak with greater authority or to claim special standing before God (because they claimed to be related to a famous descendant), was distracting from the Gospel which taught salvation through grace by faith—without regard to any other variable.]

Paul amplified the importance of evaluating those who teach based on their character and knowledge “... the aim of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.”

He defined the failures of the opposition “Some have strayed from these and turned away to empty discussion. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not understand what they are saying or the things they insist on so confidently.”

Paul noted that the legitimate purpose of the law is to convict the unsaved, “... any who live contrary to sound teaching” of their sin.

He reminded them that he had, prior to salvation “... acted ignorantly in unbelief, and our Lord’s grace was abundant, bringing faith and love in Christ Jesus.” God’s purpose was to take “... the worst of them” [Paul] and through grace “... demonstrated His utmost patience”.

Paul reminded Timothy that he was called to ministry as a fulfillment of God’s prophesy to work through men to “... fight the good fight” by holding “... firmly to faith and a good conscience”.

He further noted “some have rejected”, failed in, (“... holding “... firmly to faith and a good conscience”) “... and so have suffered shipwreck in regard to the faith. Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I handed over to Satan, to be taught not to blaspheme.”

[Note: Paul does not appear to be suggesting the loss of salvation but the loss of the Lord God’s blessings, including protection, and also fellowship. This may be seen in his use of “... taught not to blaspheme” since there would be no point in teaching a permanently-lost person.]

Interaction

Consider

The contrast between Timothy bringing the true gospel with a right heart versus those who had “... strayed from the faith” and were promoting distracting and empty teachings.

Discuss

What are some practical ways that one may earn a reputation like that of Timothy for “... a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.”?

Reflect

Paul’s reminded that that the legitimate purpose of the law is to convict the unsaved, “... any who live contrary to sound teaching” of their sin.

Share

What is an example of your prior-to-salvation life where you “... acted ignorantly in unbelief” but God’s grace washed that away once you received salvation from faith?

Faith in Action

Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you someone who has drifted into the teaching of “... useless speculations rather than God’s redemptive plan that operates by faith ... not understand(ing) what they are saying or the things they insist on so confidently.” so that they do not “... suffer shipwreck in regard to the faith ...” and irk God to the point of being “... handed over to Satan, to be taught not to blaspheme.”

Action:

Today I am choosing to pray for th eone whom the Holy Spirit has identified and I will, in confidence, ask at least one other believer to add their prayers in-agreement with mine.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

Monday (1 Timothy 2)

Prayer for All People

2:1 First of all, then, I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people,

2:2 even for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

2:3 Such prayer for all is good and welcomed before God our Savior,

2:4 since he wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

2:5 For there is one God and one intermediary between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, himself human,

2:6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, revealing God’s purpose at his appointed time.

2:7 For this I was appointed a preacher and apostle – I am telling the truth; I am not lying – and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

2:8 So I want the men to pray in every place, lifting up holy hands without anger or dispute.

Conduct of Women

2:9 Likewise the women are to dress in suitable apparel, with modesty and self-control. Their adornment must not be with braided hair and gold or pearls or expensive clothing,

2:10 but with good deeds, as is proper for women who profess reverence for God.

2:11 A woman must learn quietly with all submissiveness.

2:12 But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man. She must remain quiet.

2:13 For Adam was formed first and then Eve.

2:14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman, because she was fully deceived, fell into transgression.

2:15 But she will be delivered through childbearing, if she continues in faith and love and holiness with self-control.

Prayer

Lord, You ask us to pray for others – including leaders – because we want them to choose You and therefore be our brothers and sisters. May I be wise in my prayers to desire the blessing of salvation rather than the curse of trouble upon those who trouble me.

Summary & Commentary

Paul addressed prayer “I urge that requests, prayers, intercessions, and thanks be offered on behalf of all people ... since he wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.”

He added “... even for kings and all who are in authority ... since he wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.”

And so “... that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.”

Then “Such prayer for all is good and welcomed before God our Savior, since he wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”

Paul then reviewed the unique work of Christ “For there is one intermediary between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself as a ransom for all, revealing God’s purpose at his appointed time.”

He reviewed his personal role and credibility “For this I was appointed a preacher and apostle—I am telling the truth; I am not lying—and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.”

Paul summarized his teaching on prayer “So I want the men to pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without anger or dispute.”

[Note: There are two keys necessary to unlocking Paul’s context and intent. First, his use of “Likewise” could imply that he had addressed the matter of men’s conduct, and that text is missing—or that, he was referring to his instruction “... I want men to pray in every place, lifting up holy hands without anger or dispute”—his emphasis on “... without anger or dispute”, also a topic of self-control. Second, that he was using “So,” to link back to “... since he wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.”]

He then addressed the sensitive matter of women within the Christian fellowship “Likewise the women are to dress in suitable apparel, with modesty and self-control,”

Paul offered an example of simple versus excessive “adornment” and of drawing attention to oneself, specifically one’s appearance, versus intentional “... good deeds, as is proper for women who profess reverence for God”

[Note: Paul could have used the same phraseology for men, and given his use of “likewise”, essentially did so—“... without anger or dispute as is proper for men who profess reverence for God.”

It appears plausible to understand “... suitable apparel, with modesty and self-control” as layered on top of a common instruction to men and women. Or, “Likewise” could mean that he was now giving a discrete/separate instruction to the women about public interaction.

[Note: Paul (and Jesus) breached the existing cultural subjugation of women by allowing them to learn the Bible, to participate fully in commerce, and to serve in certain forms of leadership (to minor children and other women) within a fellowship.]

He encouraged the participation of women in learning about God, something not allowed by the traditional patriarchal and legalistic authorities (common to both Jewish and Gentile cultures) “A woman must learn ...” then he added “... quietly with all submissiveness.”

[Note: The implication here is of a local problem with women in the fellowship becoming argumentative. Paul elsewhere instructed the older men to teach the younger men and the older women the younger women, so clearly he did not intend to bar women from learning. One may observe elsewhere in the Word circumstances of cross-gender discipleship (e.g. Timothy was discipled by two female family members). Some have speculated that Paul’s phrase “... quietly with all submissiveness.” applied specifically to women when they were learning from men. (There is an inference in the text immediately-following that this is his possible intent.)]

Paul addressed the relationship of men and women in both Christian discipleship and in Christian life “But I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man. She must remain quiet.”

[Note: This is culturally-controversial in modern times, and some have speculated that it may have been an accommodation to cultural norms of his time; however, Paul did not seem to avoid challenging local traditions where they violated the teachings of Christ and the text following does not appear to support that view. “She must remain quiet.” does appear to modify a woman’s relationship to a man in authority, especially in circumstances where a matter of Biblical teaching and Biblical authority were involved. Elsewhere, Paul narrowed a similar phrase to public gatherings and to married women interacting with their husband in public.]

He provided the reason for his submission of a woman to a man in matters of learning and teaching, “For Adam was formed first and then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman, because she was fully deceived, fell into transgression.”

[Note: This is even more culturally-controversial in the modern cultural than is his teaching about silence and submission. Paul appears to not only denote a hierarchy based on the ancient order of Creation (of Adam and Eve) but also one based on the circumstances of the Fall; Eve chose to accept the accusation of Satan against God and to directly disobey the Lord God by eating of the forbidden fruit—thus already breaching the law and triggering the consequences—at least upon herself. Eve then multiplied her violation by recruiting Adam to repeat her rebellion. (There is no evidence in the Biblical text that Adam was directly confronted by the serpent. See the Genesis Study of Chapter 3.)]

Paul concluded “But she will be delivered through childbearing, if she continues in faith and love and holiness with self-control.”

[Note: As the NET translator’s notes observe this has historically been a difficult phrase to interpret. If one begins at the end “... if she continues in faith and love and holiness with self-control.” one gets a good sense of the parallel with Paul’s instructions to the men. Looking at the first half “... delivered through childbearing” may have been Paul’s cryptic link back to vs 2:4 “... since he wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.”, the same motive as for the men—. So one might read this text as follows “If the woman continues in faith and love and holiness with self-control, because the Lord God wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth, she (a euphemism for fallen humankind) will be delivered through childbearing – the birth of Jesus to Mary.”

Interaction

Consider

Prayer for leaders and the conduct of Christian men and women is emphasized “... since he wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.”

Discuss

Do you (or your fellowship) take Paul’s teaching “So I want the men to pray in every place, lifting up holy hands, without anger or dispute.” to also apply to women since he says “*Likewise* the women are to dress in suitable apparel, with modesty and self-control” or as two separate instructions to two separate genders?

Reflect

The unique work of Christ “For there is one intermediary between God and humanity, Christ Jesus, himself human, who gave himself as a ransom for all, revealing God’s purpose at his appointed time.” informed Paul’s instructions to men and women to be intentionally holy in everything that they did “... since he (God) wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.”

Share

When have you observed an example of women freed from the yoke of learning-oppression, perhaps heard during a report from foreign missionaries? What blessings that flowed into and through those women once they were allowed to study the Word of God?

Faith in Action

Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to show you a place in your life where you are failing to pray for leaders with a right heart.

Action:

Today I will recognize “... since he wants all people to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.” I must select at least one leader for whose salvation I will pray. I will recruit at least one other to join me in that prayer.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

Tuesday (1 Timothy 3)

Qualifications for Overseers and Deacons

3:1 This saying is trustworthy: “If someone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a good work.”

3:2 The overseer then must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher, 3:3 not a drunkard, not violent, but gentle, not contentious, free from the love of money.

3:4 He must manage his own household well and keep his children in control without losing his dignity.

3:5 But if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for the church of God?

3:6 He must not be a recent convert or he may become arrogant and fall into the punishment that the devil will exact.

3:7 And he must be well thought of by those outside the faith, so that he may not fall into disgrace and be caught by the devil’s trap.

3:8 Deacons likewise must be dignified, not two-faced, not given to excessive drinking, not greedy for gain,

3:9 holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.

3:10 And these also must be tested first and then let them serve as deacons if they are found blameless.

3:11 Likewise also their wives must be dignified, not slanderous, temperate, faithful in every respect.

3:12 Deacons must be husbands of one wife and good managers of their children and their own households.

3:13 For those who have served well as deacons gain a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

Conduct in God’s Church

3:14 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these instructions to you

3:15 in case I am delayed, to let you know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, because it is the church of the living God, the support and bulwark of the truth.

3:16 And we all agree, our religion contains amazing revelation: He was revealed in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.

Prayer

Lord, You desire “overseers” to serve as the spiritual leaders of fellowships of believers and “deacons” to support them, and members to respect them. May I serve when called and follow when led.

Summary & Commentary

Paul presented the qualifications for “Overseers” and “Deacons” and reminded Christians of the reason for the Lord God’s expectations of them “in the household of God.”

He honored ones desire to serve an an “Overseer”, an apparent higher rank than that of Deacon as Paul chooses to add the phrase “... care for the church of God”, whereas he did not in his description of a Deacon.

An Overseer may be thought of as the one selected to be the leader of the Deacons or perhaps as the shepherd (pastor) of a fellowship, serving both as the Overseer of the Deacons and as Overseer of the discernment of God’s message and specific local ministry for God’s local “Church” (fellowship of believers).

[Note: The Bible elsewhere describes an “Elder” as a spiritual leader and a “Deacon” as one who cares for other matters in the fellowship. It is unclear if the intent is for the roles to be merged in a small fellowship and divided in a larger fellowship; this was the circumstance when the Lord God led Jethro to encourage Moses to delegate (Exodus 18), and later the Apostles to delegate in Acts 6:1-7. Acts 20:28 also shares some common text together with the term “Overseers”.]

Qualifications include:

“... above reproach” [Living intentionally to honor God, though not perfectly so.]

“... the husband of one wife” [See discussion below.]

“... temperate” [Abusing no substance, including food intake, elsewhere labeled “gluttony”.]

“... self-controlled” [Not impetuous nor prone to surges of erratic behavior or speech.]

“... respectable” [Respectful of social mores, responsible, mature, ethical, moral.]

“... hospitable” [Friendly, welcoming, sociable, generous.]

“... an able teacher” [Communicates well, explains well, models and encourages learning.]

“... not a drunkard” [No substance abuse.]

“... not violent” [Improperly so with his family or others. Does not mean a pacifist, nor non-discipline of a disobedient or disrespectful child.]

“... but gentle” [Considerate of others, listening, encouraging, many more “hugs” than “hits”.]

“... not contentious” [Not always needing own way, not seeking arguments, not a critical spirit.]

“... free from the love of money” [A good steward but not fearful of need, covetous of wealth.]

“He must manage his own household well and keep his children in control without losing his dignity.” [Without hysteria, neglect, or tyranny, all of which would cause him to lose “his dignity”.]

“He must not be a recent convert ...” [Paul warns that rushing a new believer into the role of an Overseer may set him up to fail to the point of immature blasphemy leading to the chastisement of God. The NET translator’s notes direct one to 1 Tim. 1:20 for clarification.]

“He must be well thought of by those outside the faith, so that he may not fall into disgrace and be caught by the devil’s trap.” [His testimony and witness should be consistent.]

Paul’s qualifications for Overseer included one controversial (in modern times), though unnecessarily considered controversial, element “... the husband of one wife”. The text only requires this if a candidate is married that he not be polygamous. (This was, apparently, a significant concern in certain regions at the time.)

[Note: Nothing in the text requires that one be married nor that one never have been divorced, any more than it requires that he never have been widowed or poor (the extreme of “free of the love of money”) or that he abstain totally from any form of alcohol (the extreme form of “not a drunkard”). Trustworthy scholarship requires that one apply a standard equally to all of the text and not selectively due to a preconceived extra-Biblical template, imposing the preferences and/or traditions of man upon the sovereign text of God.]

The qualifications for the office of Deacon are similar to that of an Overseer. The apparent intent of Paul is to contrast the role of Deacon to that of an Overseer as he chose “... care for the church of God” to set them apart.

Paul concluded with a reminder that the Lord God’s expectations of Christians “... in the household of God” was because “... it is the church of the living God, the support and bulwark of the truth.”

And finally, a summary of the creed of the Christian Church (every believer) “And we all agree, our religion contains amazing revelation. He was revealed in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among Gentiles, believed on in the world, taken up on glory.”

Interaction

Consider

Do you see evidence of Paul’s checklist for Overseers and Deacons in those under whose authority you sit? If not you need to prayerfully consider relocating to where your leaders meet the Biblical mandate.

Discuss

What are some practical ways to evaluate potential Overseers and Deacons, however your fellowship may denote the roles (e.g. bishop, shepherd, pastor, minister, elder, deacon)?

Reflect

The Lord God’s expectations of Christians “... in the household of God” is because “... it is the church of the living God, the support and bulwark of the truth.”

Share

When have you observed a process that has resulted in the selection of fully qualified Overseers and Deacons versus one where the Biblical requirements were either not enforced or were somehow distorted? Compare and contrast the consequences.

Faith in Action

Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you if the Lord God is calling you to some form of leadership, and if so, to apply Paul’s checklist to your walk with Christ.

Action:

Today I will remember that grace applies, that repentance and forgiveness remove condemnation and exclusion, and that the Lord God never expects perfection of us in this world.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

Wednesday (1 Timothy 4)

Timothy’s Ministry in the Later Times

4:1 Now the Spirit explicitly says that in the later times some will desert the faith and occupy themselves with deceiving spirits and demonic teachings,

4:2 influenced by the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared.

4:3 They will prohibit marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.

4:4 For every creation of God is good and no food is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving.

4:5 For it is sanctified by God’s word and by prayer.

4:6 By pointing out such things to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, having nourished yourself on the words of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.

4:7 But reject those myths fit only for the godless and gullible, and train yourself for godliness.

4:8 For “physical exercise has some value, but godliness is valuable in every way. It holds promise for the present life and for the life to come.”

4:9 This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance. 4:10 In fact this is why we work hard and struggle, because we have set our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of believers.

4:11 Command and teach these things.

4:12 Let no one look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, and purity.

4:13 Until I come, give attention to the public reading of scripture, to exhortation, to teaching.

4:14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift you have, given to you and confirmed by prophetic words when the elders laid hands on you.

4:15 Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that everyone will see your progress.

4:16 Be conscientious about how you live and what you teach. Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.

Prayer

Lord, You have warned us that some will lose sight of grace and drift into legalism and the idolatry of preference and tradition. May I be alert to such distortions and bold in challenging them.

Summary & Commentary

Paul delivered a warning from the Holy Spirit of troubles to come, “liars” will lead people to “desert the faith and occupy themselves with deceiving spirits and demonic teachings”

Additional elements of their false teachings:

“They will prohibit marriage ...”

“They will ... require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.”

He then defined the freedom of the believer through grace and truth “... every creation of God is good and no food is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving. For it is sanctified by God’s word and by prayer.”

Paul mentored Timothy to lead “By pointing out these things to the brothers and sisters ...”

“... reject those myths fit only for the godless and gullible”

“... train yourself for godliness”

“Command and teach these things.”

“Let no one look down on you because you are young …”

[Young in age, yet an early-in-life “elder” due to Paul’s mentoring.]

“... set an example for the believers in your speech, conduct, love, faithfulness, and purity.”

“... give attention to the public reading of scripture”

“... give attention ... to exhortation”

“... give attention ... to teaching”

“Do not neglect the spiritual gift you have” [To exhort and teach and model right-living.]

Paul amplified the modeling-purpose of Timothy’s ministry “Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that everyone will see your progress.”

[Note: Leaders are required by the Lord God to demonstrate their own spiritual growth as a model for those whom have been entrusted to them. No leader “has arrived”, no leader should pretend to be without the need to learn and to grow, and no leader should be fearful about acknowledging areas needing improvement; thereafter, demonstrating progress toward maturity. A leader who fails to model their own “progress” is acting out of fear and/or arrogance and is not in obedience to God.]

He concluded “Persevere in this, because by doing so you will save both yourself and those who listen to you.”

[Note: Timothy would be speaking to the saved, so their salvation was not at risk, so what they would be saved from is chastisement from the Lord God if they drifted into the influence of the false teachers.]

Interaction

Consider

The constant threat of the enemy using deceit to lead people astray, especially through those who misrepresent themselves as men and women of God.

Discuss

What are some ways that you, and your fellowship, may better defend itself against the fads and falsehoods of careless and false teachers.

Reflect

Timothy was expected to walk confidently, yet transparently, teaching fearlessly the truth of God while modeling God’s continuing work in his own life.

Share

A practical example of a leader whom you have observed who lived as Paul instructed Timothy. Did you observe a positive impact upon those who followed this leader?

Faith in Action

Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal a place in your walk as a Biblical-Christian where you have drifted into fads or falsehoods which are not consistent with the pure truth of the Lord God and to also reveal to you any place where you are modeling or teaching things (perhaps entertainment or lifestyle-choices) that are not clearly Biblical, or have been pretending to be perfect rather than transparently allowing others to see God’s maturing work in you—as an encouragement to them.

Action:

Today I will ask a fellow believer to pray in agreement, and to hold me accountable, as I move toward a more intentionally-Biblical and mature walk with Christ in these areas.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

Thursday (1 Timothy 5)

Instructions about Specific Groups

5:1 Do not address an older man harshly but appeal to him as a father. Speak to younger men as brothers,

5:2 older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters – with complete purity.

5:3 Honor widows who are truly in need.

5:4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, they should first learn to fulfill their duty toward their own household and so repay their parents what is owed them. For this is what pleases God.

5:5 But the widow who is truly in need, and completely on her own, has set her hope on God and continues in her pleas and prayers night and day.

5:6 But the one who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.

5:7 Reinforce these commands, so that they will be beyond reproach.

5:8 But if someone does not provide for his own, especially his own family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

5:9 No widow should be put on the list unless she is at least sixty years old, was the wife of one husband,

5:10 and has a reputation for good works: as one who has raised children, practiced hospitality, washed the feet of the saints, helped those in distress – as one who has exhibited all kinds of good works.

5:11 But do not accept younger widows on the list, because their passions may lead them away from Christ and they will desire to marry,

5:12 and so incur judgment for breaking their former pledge.

5:13 And besides that, going around from house to house they learn to be lazy, and they are not only lazy, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things they should not.

5:14 So I want younger women to marry, raise children, and manage a household, in order to give the adversary no opportunity to vilify us.

5:15 For some have already wandered away to follow Satan.

5:16 If a believing woman has widows in her family, let her help them. The church should not be burdened, so that it may help the widows who are truly in need.

5:17 Elders who provide effective leadership must be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard in speaking and teaching.

5:18 For the scripture says, “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain,” and, “The worker deserves his pay.”

5:19 Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless it can be confirmed by two or three witnesses.

5:20 Those guilty of sin must be rebuked before all, as a warning to the rest.

5:21 Before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, I solemnly charge you to carry out these commands without prejudice or favoritism of any kind.

5:22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily and so identify with the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

5:23 (Stop drinking just water, but use a little wine for your digestion and your frequent illnesses.)

5:24 The sins of some people are obvious, going before them into judgment, but for others, they show up later.

5:25 Similarly good works are also obvious, and the ones that are not cannot remain hidden.

Prayer

Lord, You set-apart leaders and hold them accountable to a higher-standard as they speak with authority into the family of Your children. May I be careful to honor You and Your Word.

Summary & Commentary

Paul continued his mentoring of Timothy as a leader.

“Do not address an older man harshly but appeal to him as a father ...”

“Speak to younger men as brothers ...”

“Speak to ... older women as mothers ...”

“Speak to ... younger women as sisters—with complete purity.”

“Honor widows truly in need ...”

“... children and grandchildren ... repay parents” [Care for parents rather than dumping them on others.}

“... the one (widow) who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives.” [Not deserving support.]

“... if someone (a believer) does not provide for his own (a believing and God-honoring parent or fellow believing widow in genuine need) ... he has denied the faith (is in rebellion, not lost to salvation) and is worse than an unbeliever.” [An unbeliever doesn’t know any better, a believer does.]

“No widow should be put on the list unless she is at least sixty years old [A presumption of her capacity to remarry or to earn a living somehow.], was the wife of one husband, [If she was polygamous she was both in rebellion against God and still has at least one husband to support her.] and has a reputation for good works;

“... who has raised children

and/or

“... who has ... practiced hospitality”

and/or

“... who has ... washed the feet of the saints”

and/or

“... who has ... helped those in distress”

such that they are

“... one who has exhibited all kinds of good works.”

“But do not accept younger widows on the list ...”

[Note: Paul wanted to avoid younger widows living off of the fellowship, based on a pledge to devote the rest of their lives to service, only to respond to the flesh and break that pledge by remarrying. He instead encouraged them to remarry]

Paul also reminds a believing woman of her responsibility to “... widows in her family” so that she does not misunderstand the responsibility to be only that of the men or others in the fellowship.

He continued “Elders who provide effective leadership ...” [The title “Elder” is imprecise as it may refer either to a Deacon or an Overseer, as described earlier in Paul’s first letter to Timothy; however, the term elsewhere tends to refer to one who is more of a spiritual leader than a helper and given the text immediately following appears to emphasize specifically preachers and teachers, but not exclusively so.]

“... must be counted worthy of double honor [respect and financial compensation], especially those who work hard in speaking and teaching.” Paul cited Deut. 25:4 as his authority.

“Do not accept an accusation against an elder unless it can be confirmed by two or three witnesses. Those guilty of sin must be rebuked before all, as a warning to the rest.” [Paul elsewhere outlined the process for bringing and evaluating charges against a brother.]

“... carry out these commands without prejudice or favoritism of any kind.”

“Do not lay hands on anyone hastily ...” [To avoid an apparent problem he had observed among other leaders-of-leaders choosing poor leaders.]

Paul noted that not all sins are immediately obvious but that good works are, therefore Timothy was to be patient in calling people into leadership—giving time for hidden sin to show itself while good works added to their good report.

Interaction

Consider

Paul set boundaries for the care of widows—most critical that they be elderly, they be believers, they not have other means of support, and that they have a history of serving others.

Discuss

How is an “elder”, spiritual leader, defined within your fellowship and how does an “elder” receive the “double honor” due him—as described by Paul?

Reflect

Paul mentored Timothy using directives and explanations, and he insisted that Timothy avoid “prejudice or favoritism of any kind.”

Share

When have you observed an example of either the care of widows, or one of cautious-patience in the calling of leaders, and how that worked-out—well or poorly—in your fellowship?

Faith in Action

Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you someone in leadership at your fellowship with whom he wants you to compare and contrast the instructions of Paul with the policies and practices of your fellowship.

Action:

Today I will discuss this chapter with the one whom the Holy Spirit has identified. It may be an ‘official’ elder or one who has retired from active leadership or perhaps the spouse of an elder. If we discover differences we will prayerfully discern if there is a need for change. If I cannot meet with a person in leadership I will do the comparison myself and pray that the leadership will respond appropriately to the prompting of the Holy Spirit to bring policy and/or practice into line with the Word of God.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

Friday (1 Timothy 6:1-10)

6:1 Those who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters as deserving of full respect. This will prevent the name of God and Christian teaching from being discredited.

6:2 But those who have believing masters must not show them less respect because they are brothers. Instead they are to serve all the more, because those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved.

Summary of Timothy’s Duties

Teach them and exhort them about these things.

6:3 If someone spreads false teachings and does not agree with sound words (that is, those of our Lord Jesus Christ) and with the teaching that accords with godliness,

6:4 he is conceited and understands nothing, but has an unhealthy interest in controversies and verbal disputes. This gives rise to envy, dissension, slanders, evil suspicions,

6:5 and constant bickering by people corrupted in their minds and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a way of making a profit.

6:6 Now godliness combined with contentment brings great profit.

6:7 For we have brought nothing into this world and so we cannot take a single thing out either.

6:8 But if we have food and shelter, we will be satisfied with that.

6:9 Those who long to be rich, however, stumble into temptation and a trap and many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction.

6:10 For the love of money is the root of all evils. Some people in reaching for it have strayed from the faith and stabbed themselves with many pains.

Prayer

Lord, You provide all that we need to be contented wherever we are, and You show us how to be godly as well. May I not be envious of others and thereby discontent, nor drawn into their worldly ways and thereby less-godly.

Summary & Commentary

Paul reminded those who are slaves (or bondservants) to an unbeliever must interact with their human “master” with full respect, so that their testimony as Christians will not be compromised.

[Note: This may be extrapolated to an employee-boss relationship where the boss is an unbeliever. Also, if one cannot serve ones boss with respect, either due to an unacceptably (spiritually) vexing work environment or demands by their boss that they violate the ethical standards of the Lord God then one must leave, rather than remain and be disrespectful.]

He instructed those with believing “masters” to serve even more respectfully because they are both children of a loving God.

[Note: Again, this may be extrapolated to the employee-boss relationship. Also, if a believing boss does not conduct himself/herself in a Biblically appropriate manner, and they are un-teachable—the believing employee may need to change jobs rather to remain where respect is difficult or impossible.]

Paul reviewed Timothy’s duty to “teach them and exhort them about these things”:

“... someone who spreads false teachings ... corrupted in their minds ... suppose that godliness is a way of making a profit ...

“Those who long to be rich, however, stumble into a trap and many senseless and harmful desires ... For the love of money is a root of many evils ...”

[NET Translator’s Notes: This latter phrase is sometimes rendered “For the love of money is the root of all evils.” but that hyperbole lends itself to all manner of misunderstanding, so the superior rendering has been provided.]

Interaction

Consider

Paul’s emphasis in Timothy’s teaching presents a consistent message for slave, non-slave, rich and poor man alike—if you are a Christian then live like one. Treat others with honor and respect, no matter their station in life.

Discuss

What are some practical ways to apply Paul’s teaching in the workplace, especially where the circumstances are sometimes challenging?

Reflect

The linkage between “... someone who spreads false teachings” and Paul’s description that they are “... corrupted in their minds” implies spiritual deception – or worse.

Share

What is an example of a challenging workplace and how you handled a difficult relationship with a saved or unsaved boss? If you have been blessed to serve a good saved boss how was that experience unique?

Faith in Action

Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you where you are doing well or poorly at His assignment to treat others with honor and respect no matter their station in life.

Action:

Today, where I discover that I fall short, I will ask the Holy Spirit to guide and chastise me until I get right with Him.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

Saturday (1 Timothy 6:11-21)

6:11 But you, as a person dedicated to God, keep away from all that. Instead pursue righteousness, godliness, faithfulness, love, endurance, and gentleness.

6:12 Compete well for the faith and lay hold of that eternal life you were called for and made your good confession for in the presence of many witnesses.

6:13 I charge you before God who gives life to all things and Christ Jesus who made his good confession before Pontius Pilate,

6:14 to obey this command without fault or failure until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ

6:15 – whose appearing the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, will reveal at the right time.

6:16 He alone possesses immortality and lives in unapproachable light, whom no human has ever seen or is able to see. To him be honor and eternal power! Amen.

6:17 Command those who are rich in this world’s goods not to be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain, but on God who richly provides us with all things for our enjoyment.

6:18 Tell them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, to be generous givers, sharing with others.

6:19 In this way they will save up a treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the future and so lay hold of what is truly life.

Conclusion

6:20 O Timothy, protect what has been entrusted to you. Avoid the profane chatter and absurdities of so-called “knowledge.”

6:21 By professing it, some have strayed from the faith. Grace be with you all.

Prayer

Lord, You informed Pontius Pilate, Your disciples and apostles, and all of the world Who You Are and why You came. May I be as faithful as Timothy to share Your Gospel and to live according to the faith You have affirmed in me through Your indwelling Holy Spirit.

Summary & Commentary

Key elements of Paul’s reference to “Christ Jesus who made his good confession before Pontius Pilate” may be found in Matthew 27 and John 18. Pilate was a functionally-secular leader trapped between Jesus and the religious leaders. The spiritual warfare was so profound that Pilate’s wife “... suffered greatly as the result of a dream” and sent him a note warning him that Jesus was innocent.

The specific text to which Paul referred was “18:36 Jesus replied, “My kingdom is not from this world. If my kingdom were from this world, my servants would be fighting to keep me from being handed over to the Jewish authorities. But as it is, my kingdom is not from here.” 18:37 Then Pilate said, “So you are a king!” Jesus replied, “You say that I am a king. For this reason I was born, and for this reason I came into the world – to testify to the truth. Everyone who belongs to the truth listens to my voice.” 18:38 Pilate asked, “What is truth?”“

Paul returned to the positive for Timothy:

“Instead, pursue righteousness ...”

“... godliness”

“... faithfulness”

“... love”

“... endurance”

“... and gentleness”

“Compete well for the faith ...”

“Command those who are rich in this world’s goods to not be haughty or to set their hope on riches, which are uncertain but on God ... to be rich in good deeds ... In this way they will save up a treasure for themselves as a firm foundation and so lay hold of what is truly life.”

Paul concluded his first letter to Timothy with a plea for continued faithfulness and a prayer “Grace be with you all.”

Interaction

Consider

If you are a Christian then live like one. “Instead, pursue righteousness ... godliness ... faithfulness ... love ... endurance ... and gentleness”. “Compete well for the faith ...”

Discuss

Would it help you, or members of your fellowship, to remain strong in Christ if they were reminded now and then of the testimony of Jesus before Pilate (in John 18), since Paul thought it would help Timothy?

Reflect

Timothy was young and surrounded by immature, selfish, and vain people – typical of fallen humankind – yet was challenged to live and to teach righteousness.

Share

When have you observed a 'Timothy'? A young person sold-out to the Lord yet challenged all-about to sell-out?

Faith in Action

Prayer:

Ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you where you are doing well or poorly at His assignment to “.. pursue righteousness ... godliness ... faithfulness ... love ... endurance ... and gentleness …” and to ... “Compete well for the faith ...”.

Action:

Today, where I discover that I fall short, I will ask the Holy Spirit to guide and chastise me until I get right with Him.

Be Specific ______________________________________________________

All Bible text is from the NET unless otherwise indicated—http://bible.org

Note 1: These Studies often rely upon the guidance of the NET Translators from their associated notes. Careful attention has been given to cite that source where it has been quoted directly or closely paraphrased. Feedback is encouraged where credit has not been sufficiently assigned.

Note 2: When NET text is quoted in commentary and discussion all pronouns referring to God are capitalized, though they are lower-case in the original NET text.

Commentary text is from David M. Colburn, D.Min. unless otherwise noted.

Copyright © 2012 by David M. Colburn. This is a BibleSeven Study – The series, “1 Timothy” – prepared by David M. Colburn and edited for bible.org in March of 2012. This text may be used for non-profit educational purposes only, with credit; all other usage requires prior written consent of the author.