The Epistle of Philemon is one of Paul's shortest letters which teaches lessons about forgiveness, love, grace, and the transforming power of the gospel. Paul encourages Philemon to receive Onesimus, a former slave who had become a Christian, as a beloved brother in Christ. Paul starts greeting Philemon, Apphia, Archippus and the church which meets there in their home. Paul says that he prays that they might be active in sharing their faith and says he is overjoyed because "you have refreshed the hearts of the saints... and I appeal to you Philemon on the basis of love for my son Onesimus... for he has become useful both to you and me... so I am sending him to you... although I would have liked to have kept him here... but not without your consent... so take him back no longer as a slave but as a brother in the Lord... so welcome him as you would welcome me... confident of your obedience... prepare a guest room for me... and the grace of the Lord be with your spirit".
Saturday, 10 October 2026
Titus 3 (résumé): Doing what is Good
"Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities... be obedient, slander no-one, be considerate showing humility... when the kindness and love of God appeared he saved us from all malice and envy through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit... so be devoted to doing what is good... avoid foolish controversies... and avoid divisive people... our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good... Grace be with you all".
Titus 2 (résumé): What must be taught to different groups
"You must teach sound doctrine Titus... teach the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, love and endurance... teach the older women to be reverent, not to slander or drink too much, and teach what is good... and they can train the younger women to love their families, be self-controlled and pure, be busy at home, be kind and subject to their husbands... encourage the young men to be self-controlled and be an example... show integrity in your teaching and be serious... teach slaves to be obedient to their masters... and not to steal from them... and the grace of God brings salvation to all... so say no to ungodliness and live upright lives... these are the things you need to teach with authority".
Titus 1 (résumé): Titus' task on Crete
Paul had left co-worker Titus on the island of Crete to organize the church there and he wrote to him there: "The knowledge of the truth leads to godliness... and God who does not lie brought his word to light through the preaching entrusted to me... to Titus, my true son in our common faith... I left you in Crete to straighten things out there... appointing elders as leaders who must be blameless, only have one wife, whose children are believers... he should not be quick-tempered, not drink too much, non-violent or dishonest... an elder must be hospitable, love good, be self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined... he must be trustworthy in sound doctrine... so silence mere talkers and deceivers... and propagators of Jewish myths... and combat those whose minds and consciences are corrupted. They claim to know God but their lives deny it".
2 Timothy 4 (résumé): Personal remarks and greetings
"Preach the Word always... correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience... for the time is coming when people will not want sound doctrine... but will organize preachers that say what they want to hear... but you must keep your head, evangelize and discharge all the duties of your ministry... for I have fought the fight.. finished the race and kept the faith... so I await the crown of righteousness... so come as soon as possible because Demas has deserted me because he loved the world...only Luke is with me... bring Mark... bring my cloak... and my scrolls and parchments... and be on your guard against Alexander the metalworker... at my first defence everyone deserted me... but the Lord was with me and gave me strength... to God be glory... greet Priscilla and Aquila and do your best to get here before winter... Grace be with you".
2 Timothy 3 (résumé): Godlessness in the Last Days
"There will be terrible times in the last days... people will be lovers of self and of money... lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God... with a powerless form of apparent godliness... gaining control over weak-willed women... always learning but never acknowledging the truth... men of depraved minds who oppose the truth... but you know how I endured persecution... but the Lord rescued me... for sure everyone who lives a godly life will be persecuted... but you continue in what you have learned... for all Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness so that the man of God be equipped for every good work".
2 Timothy 2 (résumé): A Workman approved by God
Paul starts chapter 2 saying to Timothy: "Be strong in the grace of Christ Jesus... endure hardship as a soldier... run as an athlete... work hard like a farmer... remember that Jesus was raised from the dead and I am chained for his gospel... but God's word is not chained... so endure everything for the sake of the elect... for if we die with him we will also live with him... and if we endure we will also reign... if we disown him he will disown us... and if we are faithless he will remain faithful... so do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who doesn't need to be ashamed handling correctly the word of truth... avoid godless chatter... for God's solid foundation stands firm... and everyone who confesses Jesus must turn away from wickedness... and be an instrument for noble purposes made holy and useful to the Master... but flee the evil desires of youth... and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace... don't get involved with arguments and quarrels but be kind and teach the truth... in the hope that sinners will come to repentance".