2 Timothy 1 (résumé): Encouragement to be Faithful

2nd Timothy was written by the apostle Paul to Timothy, his younger co-worker in ministry and son in the faith. Paul was imprisoned in Rome and realized that his death was approaching as is clear from what he says in the epistle. This letter is generally regarded as Paul's final written message. Paul encouraged Timothy to remain strong in faith, preach the Word of God faithfully, endure suffering, and continue serving the Lord despite opposition.

Paul starts chapter 1 saying that "I constantly remember you in my prayers... I long to see you... fan into flame the gift of God which is in you... as God gave you a spirit of power, love and self-discipline... so don't be ashamed of Jesus or of me his prisoner... for his grace was given us in Christ Jesus... and he destroyed death and bought life and immortality to light in the gospel... for I know in whom I have believed... so keep the pattern of sound teaching... guard the good deposit of the gospel... despite everyone in Asia abandoning me... and may God have mercy on Onesiphorus".

Jimny Jeep

Our 14-year-old Suzuki Jimny offroad 4-wheel-drive Jeep is returning today from the Honda Garage in Campina Grande where it has undergone an overhaul with the help of Deacon Hemerson who has done a great job.

I have now completed my chapter-by-chapter summaries of 94% of the Bible having finished Philippians, Colossians, 1st and 2nd Thessalonians, and 1st Timothy. That's 54 of the 66 books of the Bible done.

QPR drew away to West Ham 1 x 1 yesterday which was a pretty satisfactory result. 

1 Timothy 6 (résumé): Love of Money

 Now Paul gives Timothy advice concerning slavery. "Slaves should respect their masters especially if they are Christians... he who teaches false doctrines is conceited and understands nothing... but godliness with contentment is great gain... if we have food and clothing we will be content with that... people who want to get rich fall into a trap and plunge into ruin and destruction... for the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil... and some people eager for money have wandered from the faith... but you man of God flee from all this... pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness... fight the good fight of faith... keep the commandment until the coming of the Lord... to him be honour and might forever... command the rich not to be arrogant and not put their hope in wealth... but put their hope in God... may the rich do good and be rich in good deeds... be generous and willing to share... and thus you lay up treasure for the coming age... Timothy guard what has been entrusted to you... steer clear of godless chatter... Grace be with you".

1 Timothy 5 (résumé): Advice about widows, elders & slaves

 "Do not rebuke an older man harshly", says Paul at the start of chapter 5. "Treat younger men as brothers, younger women as sisters, and older women as mothers... give proper recognition to widows in need... but children and grandchildren should care for their elders... the widow in need puts her hope in God but the one who just lives for pleasure is dead... but if anyone doesn't provide for his family he has denied the faith... but no widow can be put on the list of widows unless she is 60+ and was faithful to her husband, and is known for her good deeds... but don't put young widows on the list so that they don't become idlers, gossips and busybodies... so I advise young widows to remarry... and the church should only help those widows really in need". Then Paul goes on to speak about elders. "Elders are worthy of double honour, especially those preaching and teaching... for Deuteronomy 25:4 warns not to muzzle the ox treading out the corn... the worker deserves his wages... but the one who sins should be rebuked publicly... don't be hasty in the laying on of hands... keep yourself pure... but drink a little wine".

1 Timothy 4 (résumé): Instructions to Timothy

Paul now tells Timothy that "in latter times some will abandon the faith... and follow things taught by demons... these have consciences seared by a hot iron... they forbid people to marry... and order people to abstain from certain foods... but everything God created is good... so teach these things... and have nothing to do with godless myths or old wives' tales... train yourself to be godly... for we have put our hope in the living God who is the Saviour of all men, especially believers... so don't let anyone look down on you... but be an example in everything... and devote yourself to Scripture reading, preaching and teaching... give yourself wholly to them... for then you will save yourself and others".

1 Timothy 3 (résumé): Overseers & Deacons

Paul now defines the qualities necessary in church leadership. An overseer must be the husband of one wife, self-controlled, respectable, able to teach, not given to much wine, non-violent, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his family well and have obedient children, and he must not be a new convert, and he must have a good reputation. Deacons likewise must be sincere, not indulging in much wine, and must have a grip of the deep truths of the faith, and they should go through a period of testing. Their wives should be temperate and trustworthy, and the deacon should only have one wife. The church is God's household and great is the mystery of godliness: "Jesus appeared in a body, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world and taken up to glory".

1 Timothy 2 (résumé): Instructions on Worship

Paul now gives Timothy instructions on worship saying: "Pray for everyone with requests, intercession and thanksgiving... pray for kings and those in authority so that we can live in peace... for God wants all men to be saved... and the one mediator between God and man is Jesus... and I was appointed herald and apostle of the true faith... but women should dress modestly and not with braided hair or gold or pearls... but put on good deeds appropriate to worshipping God... a woman should learn in silence and submission... and a woman can never teach... or have authority over a man... for it wasn't Adam who was deceived but it was Eve... but women will be saved through childbirth if they continue in faith, love and holiness".