Week 51
Philemon, 1 Timothy 1-3
The small book of Philemon was written by Paul from prison, and it was addressed to one of his friends who lived in the city of Colossae, who was also a convert to Christ because of Paul. Philemon was apparently well to do, and Paul had run into a man named Onesimus in Rome, who was a run-away slave of Philemon’s. Onesimus became a Christian and helper to Paul, however when Paul found out his whole story, he decided to send him back to Philemon with this letter. Paul asks Philemon to accept Onesimus back as a Christian brother, and to charge whatever might be owed him to Paul’s account, even though he could have legally put Onesimus to death for running away. This is a beautiful short letter, where Paul encourages Philemon to do the right thing.
In addition to Paul’s letter to Philemon, he also wrote personal letters to Timothy and Titus, who had been sent out by Paul to minister in cities where he had previously founded new churches. These letters are referred to as the pastoral epistles, as Paul is providing these two men with spiritual advice for leading the churches he had sent them to. Timothy was acting as the pastor in the Ephesus.
Timothy is charged with the responsibility for the Ephesian church, and Paul warns him to be on the constant lookout for divisive people who would try to bring all kinds of false beliefs into the church. The opposition in Ephesus was strong, as it was a center of pagan worship, which had destroyed many, and Paul warned Timothy to be on guard against such who would try to come in and destroy the church. Paul also gives Timothy various instructions regarding proper administration of the church, and maintaining godly behavior of the people. He also gives Timothy a set of guidelines for choosing elders and deacons within the church. Paul reminds Timothy that the Word of God is all written under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, as if God were pushing the pens of the men who wrote.
1 Timothy 4-6, Titus
He continues with various instructions for leading the church, and dealing with various issues that crop up with the people. He said that there will be horrible times in the last days, with evil multiplying in every direction, which we see getting worse and worse in our own time. He instructs Timothy on leading with widows in the church, and which of them should be financially helped, versus which should remarry or go to work. He also talks about believing slaves and servants, and how those who serve must do so as working directly for Jesus. Those who strive to be rich suffer many things, as the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. The wealthy need to learn humility and service, doing good things in service to Christ Jesus.
Titus was another of Paul’s disciples and trusted representative, who ministered much to the Corinthian church, and who carried letters between them and Paul, as well as to other cities where Paul had established churches. Paul’s short letter to Titus is similar in tone to what he wrote in his first letter to Timothy, and provides instructions on pastoring Christ’s church. He also gives Titus instruction on choosing elders and pastors, and how the older believers (who are mature in Christ) should contribute to the instruction of younger Christians. He also warns Titus to guard against those who would bring divisions into the church, and people who insist on arguing about their own interpretation of spiritual things, who should be rejected from having access or influence in the church.
2 Timothy
It is generally believed that Paul wrote this 2nd letter to Timothy fairly close to the time of his second trail before Caesar, and that this was probably the last epistle that he wrote before his execution in Rome. He encourages Timothy to keep the faith and work of the gospel until the end, and to guard against those who would come in to divide or hurt the church. Chapter 3 provides a vivid picture of the conditions that will exist on the earth in the last days, which we can see as a very good description of the way things are in our own times.
Paul tells him that he is nearing the end of his life, and that he had been faithful in his service to Christ, so as to finish his race well. This should be the goal of every disciple of Jesus, to serve Him well until we each stand before Him at the Judgement Seat of Christ. He had been abandoned by almost everyone, as Luke was the only one with him in Rome, and he asked Timothy to bring his coat and books before winter set in.
1 Peter
While Paul was considered the apostle to the Gentiles, Peter has been called the apostle of the circumcision, with his evangelical focus primarily on Jews. This epistle is not specifically written to either Jews or Gentiles, but to the many believers who had been dispersed throughout the Roman empire. It is a general epistle, in that it provides instruction and doctrine to all believers, and was not written to address specific issues or questions in any given church. It is generally believed to have been written in the mid-60s AD, maybe 5-6 years before the destruction of Jerusalem and the temple.
He tells his readers to be patient in their persecutions, which was the cause of so many having to flee from Jerusalem, and other Roman cities, and which will prove to their benefit when they stand before Jesus.
Peter urges all of us to live as strangers in this world, since we belong to the kingdom of Christ in heaven, where we will be welcomed and honored in that day. This means that we do not become attached to the things and ways of this world, seeking to serve the Lord Jesus Christ in what we say and do. Always be ready to tell others about the good things God has done for you. Maintain an attitude of likemindedness with Christ, being willing to suffer in this life for His Name, since He did so for us without reservation.
Leaders (Pastors, Teachers, and Elders) are instructed to lead just like the Good Shepherd, Who gave Himself for the flock, and loved us all.
Everyone is admonished to resist the devil, and he will run away - this is most effectively done with scripture, just as Jesus quoted the word of God to satan in the wilderness trial.
Jude, 2 Peter
The very short book of Jude was written by one of (at least) two men - Judas the apostle (Thaddeus), or Judas the half-brother of Jesus, however which is not known, and each are argued by various scholars. The subject of this letter is focused on evil persons who creep into churches to bring destruction and division, and there is much of this book that is extremely similar to things that Peter wrote in his second epistle. It is in this book that Jude gives various historical examples of such evil doers, and he also reveals that Enoch was preaching about the 2nd Coming of Jesus (not the first coming) in the days before the flood of Noah. We are warned to keep guard against carnal teachings, and people who would bring divisions.
It is believed that Peter wrote his second epistle within a year or so of his death in the late 60s AD. He wrote it to the same audience as the first, so it is also considered a “general epistle”.
In chapter 1 Peter gives us a great key to being victorious in our Christian walk, where he tells us that the Divine power of Jesus is sufficient for everything we need in life and godliness. In verses 5-10 he tells us to add the following things to our faith - moral excellence, knowledge (of God), self-control, perseverance, godliness, brotherly kindness, and (God’s) love. He says that if we do these things, we will never stumble!
Like the other apostles, he warns of false prophets and wolves who will come into the church to try and destroy it, teaching many carnal things that neither Christ or His apostles ever taught. He uses some of the same examples that Jude used, and it’s possible that Jude was quoting from Peter.
He also warns against unbelievers and mockers who will come in the last days, laughing at the idea that Christ will return for His church, or that He will execute judgement on the earth. They will point to the amount of time that we’ve been waiting, and argue that God does not intervene in the affairs of men, even though He did exactly that when He flooded the whole world and only saved 8 people in Noah’s ark. The Day of the Lord will come suddenly, and Jesus will execute judgement upon the earth exactly as He has promised.
Hebrews 1-5:10
In many ways this book was written as a witness of Jesus Christ to the Jews, which proves from the Old Testament scriptures the superiority of Christ over all - greater than the prophets, than angels, than Moses, Abraham, and Joshua, Who’s priesthood is superior to Aaron’s, Who serves in a better Sanctuary, Who administers a better covenant, and Who’s sacrifice was infinitely superior to the blood of bulls and goats.
The authorship of this book is not known, and heavily debated. Many scholars believe it was written anonymously by the apostle Paul, and other scholars are divided on different alternatives, such as Luke, Barnabas, Apollos, etc…. In spite of this debate, there is no question that the book is Divinely inspired.
In chapter 1 Jesus is described as the radiance of God’s glory, Who holds all things together by the word of His power, and who made sacrifice for sins once and for all before sitting down at the right hand of the Father in heaven. He is shown to be superior to the angels through chapter 2.
In chapters 3-4 Christ is shown to be superior to both Moses and Joshua, and that God’s rest can be found in Jesus, even though Israel never successfully entered into the rest that was designed for them.
Jesus was also designated by His Father as a priest forever, after the order of Melchizedek, who was king of Salem and priest of God in the days of Abraham, who Abraham bowed down to, and gave tithes.
Hebrews 5:11-9:28
There is an expectation that believers grow into spiritual maturity, and remain faithful in their Christian walk throughout the remainder of their lives. The writer continues in chapter 7 with his commentary on how Jesus fulfilled the prophecy of David (Psalm 110:4), in being the priest of God after the order of Melchizedek, making Him God’s priest and king for all men. It is shown how Melchizedek’s priesthood was superior to the first Jewish High Priest Aaron, in that Aaron (effectively) tithed to Melchizedek when he was still in the loins of Abraham. The writer of Hebrews also points out the fact that there were no men in Israel’s history who were both priest and king, as those positions descended from different patriarchs (Levi for the priests, and Judah for the kings), but they are brought together in the One Christ.
In chapter 8 the writer quotes from Jeremiah 31:31, where God had promised to institute a new covenant, where the laws of God would be written upon the hearts of men. This new covenant was initiated by Jesus on the night He was betrayed, when He told His disciples that in His blood the new covenant (contract with God) was established. This new covenant made the rules and regulations of the old law obsolete, however in no way did it eliminate any of God’s law. It showed that man was not able to keep his part of the old law, and only through the work of Jesus Christ’s sacrifice could forgiveness be achieved, and men could be reconciled with God.
In chapter 9 it is shown that men have been given direct access to God, through the shed blood and broken body of Jesus Christ, which was demonstrated when the temple veil was ripped in two by God at the moment Jesus died on the cross. That veil had separated men from having access to the presence of God, but now it is gone, and anyone can freely go to Him in the righteousness of Jesus Christ.