1Ti 1:12-14: Notice in 1Ti 1:11 that Paul had been entrusted by God with the gospel; what does it mean to entrust someone with something? See also 1Ti 1:12. We often speak of putting our faith in God, who is completely faithful and never fails us; is that relationship reciprocal? Would God consider us faithful…
1Ti 1:5-7 What instruction (literally command) does Paul refer to in 1Ti 1:5? See 1Ti 1:3, 18. What does Paul say was the goal (lit. end, conclusion) of the command? In what ways would the avoidance of speculative teachings be a practical manifestation of God’s love? See also 1 Cor 8:13. What three root characteristics are…
1Ti 1:1 Why was it important for Paul to identify himself as an apostle of Christ Jesus in this letter to Timothy, who was one of his closest and most trusted companions? Hint: “you” in 1Ti 6:21 is plural in the Greek. How was Paul unique in the history of the Church, and why would…
Pastorals The pastoral epistles consist of Paul’s two letters to Timothy and his letter to Titus. They are grouped together because of similar teaching, similar phrases and other language, and similar time of composition. They have been termed the “pastoral” epistles because of their pointed instruction to those who would succeed the apostle Paul in…
Phil 4:10-13 Paul had been in prison for almost four years at the time of this writing (two in Caesarea and two in Rome); what circumstances may have prevented the Philippians from having the opportunity to render assistance to him until now? How might a fleshly person have felt in the intervening time to not…
Phil 4:1-3: List everything in Phil 4:1 that highlights Paul’s affection for the Philippians. What do Paul’s words in this verse teach us is the greatest admonition we can give to those we love the most? See also Phil 1:27, 1 Cor 16:13, Gal 5:1, 1 Thess 3:8, 2 Thess 2:15. What can we learn from Phil 4:3…
Phil 3:12-14 What was it that Paul pressed on to lay hold of, for which also Christ had laid hold of him? See also Phil 3:11. Considering the exemplary life Paul lived for Christ, what do his words teach us about attaining absolute perfection in this life? Did such a realization prevent him from continuing…
Phil 3:1 Notice the preceding and following context of Paul’s admonition in this Phil 3:to rejoice in the Lord, and recall Paul’s circumstances as he was writing; is our joy as Christians dependent upon circumstances? What (or Who) is it dependent upon? See also Phil 1:15-18, 4:4. Note: in 2 Cor 13:5 Paul admonishes us to…
Phil 2:19-24 For what purpose does Paul say in Phil 2:19 that he planned on sending Timothy to the Philippians? Why was he concerned about their condition? See Phil 1:27, 2:2-3. Why would good news of their condition be an encouragement to him in his present circumstances? For what other purpose did he want to…
Phil 2:14-16 Note: In Phil 2:15 NASB “prove yourselves” (KJV “be”) is literally “become” (see NASB text note). NASB “above reproach” (KJV “without rebuke”) means unblemished or without defect, and is the word found throughout the OT to describe the sacrifices acceptable to God (e.g. Ex 29:1, Lev 1:3); see also Eph 5:27, Col 1:22,…