The Surprising God

This post exegetes 1 Timothy 6:3-19  ( the RCL Epistles reading for Sept. 25, 2022) drawing on multiple sources including commentary from John Stott. "St. Paul Writing His Epistles" (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) In 1 Timothy 6:3-19, the apostle Paul instructs Timothy concerning how Christ-followers should relate to material possessions. The instruction addresses several groups within the church at Ephesus: covetous teachers (vv3-5), Christian poor (vv6-10), Timothy himself (vv11-16), and Christian rich (vv17-19). Instruction to covetous teachers (6:3-5)  3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, 4 they are conceited and understand nothing. They have an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions 5 and constant friction between people of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness ...

This post is a study of the Greek words used to speak of sanctification in the epistles credited to Paul. For a related series of posts on this blog, click here . "The Master's Touch" by Greg Olsen (used with artist's permission) The declarative sense of sanctification Most frequently, the apostle Paul uses the Greek word  hagios to refer to objects and persons as holy , including scripture (Ro. 1:2); the Spirit of God (Ro. 5:5; 9:1; 1Cor. 2:13); the law and commandments (Ro. 7:12); first-fruits/lumps and roots/branches (Ro. 11:16); living sacrifices (Ro. 12.1); kisses of greeting (Ro. 16:1); the temple (1Cor. 3:17 of the physical temple, and Eph. 2:21 of the church as spiritual temple); children in a Christian family (1Cor. 7:14); unmarried Christian women (1Cor. 7:34); Apostles (Eph. 3:5); the church (Eph. 5:27); and a Christian’s calling (2Tim. 1:9). In these instances where  hagios is used as a designation/appellation, the thought is of the special character/statu...

This post exegetes 1 Timothy 2:1-7 (the RCL Epistles reading for 9/18/22), drawing on multiple sources including commentary from Thomas F. Torrance and John Stott. The church at worship (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction We begin by reading 1 Timothy 2:1-7: 1 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles. As followers of Jesus we take seriously our Lord...

This post provides an exegesis of Hebrews chapter 10. It draws on multiple sources, including commentary from Warren Wiersbe (The Bible Expository Commentary), F.F. Bruce (The Epistle to the Hebrews), and D.A. Carson (New Bible Commentary).    "Lamb of God" by Zubaran (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction Prior to the tenth chapter of Hebrews, the writer emphasized that Jesus’ priesthood belongs to a better order , functioning on the basis of a better covenant , in a better sanctuary . But all these depend on what is now addressed in chapter 10, namely Jesus’ superior sacrifice . The writer addesses this important topic by describing three benefits that demonstrate why Jesus’ sacrifice under the new covenant is superior to the sacrifices offered under the old covenant (the Law of Moses). In the midst of this explanation, the writer offers a powerful warning, and a hope-filled exhortation concerning living by faith in Jesus, who is the perfect and final...

Drawing on commentary from John Stott, this post addresses the RCL Epistles reading for 9/11/22 by exegeting the longer passage of 1 Tim. 1:1-20. "Jesus Speaks Near the Treasury" by Tissot (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction Because it is a key aspect of the strength of the church, its historic, otrhodox biblical teaching (doctrine) must be carefully guarded and passed along. In that regard, Paul had grave concerns about some of the teachings within the church in Ephesus. For that reason, Paul begins his letter to Timothy by exhorting him to *command certain men not to teach false doctrine any longer* (3b). Paul is willing to take action to protect the church and its doctrine from false teachers (19-20).  The church today faces similar challenges. We live in a post-Christian, post-modern culture that increasingly sees truth as relative. It seems that everyone has their own 'truth' and the culture asks that each be held as equally valid. In consequence, ...

This post from Torrance scholar Geordie Ziegler  summarizes chapter five of Space, Time and Resurrection  by T. F. Torrance. This post was written for a meeting of the  Torrance Reading Group . For addtional chapter summaries, click on the number:  1 ,  2 ,  3 ,  4 , 6 , 7 ,  8 . "Jesus Ascending to Heaven" (public domain via Wikimedia Commons) Introduction In the fifth chapter of Space, Time and Resurrection,  Torrance addresses the Ascension of Christ. In doing so, he emphasizes that Christ’s kingly office was always present, but in the background to his prophetic and priestly functions. However, with the ascension, his kingly office (ministry) is supreme and his ministry as Priest and Prophet are brought to their fullness in the consummation of his Kingship. Torrance comments:   "It is with his ascension that Jesus Christ was fully installed in his kingly Ministry....  The priesthood of Christ is a Royal Priesthood, and the procl...