S – Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. ¹⁸ For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer deserves his wages.

1 Timothy 5:17–18 ESV

O – Commentary:

For their oversight all elders received a stipend; but those who excelled in this ministry of leadership were to be considered worthy of double honor, or twice the remuneration as the rest. Especially was this true of those who labored in preaching and teaching. While the leadership needs of a congregation extend far beyond the preaching and teaching of the truth, these are at the core of the ministry and are perhaps most important, which should be reflected by the double value given them by the congregation.

 A. Duane Litfin, “1 Timothy,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 744.

A – As someone who has worked in the church for over thirty six years, I am grateful that I am compensated to follow my calling.  It is a worthy calling that is with you at all times, every day.  You are a phone call or conversation away at any time of helping someone navigate life’s challenges in a biblical approach.  I love seeing people take a step toward a relationship with Christ.

R – Heavenly Father, you are my Lord and God.  Thank you for the calling on my life to serve you as a pastor and shepherd of people.  It is a high honor to be chosen by you to help people take a step toward you in relationship.  Empower me today to be the man of God and leader that will bring honor to you.

S – Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; ⁸ for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

1 Timothy 4:7–8 ESV

O – Commentary:

The biblical definition of  “Godliness” is a heart-centered devotion to God that results in a life honoring Him, combining reverent fear, love, and obedience.  Training ourselves to do this is valuable in our present life and life in heaven.

A – Expressing our relationship and love for God in the form of godliness does not come naturally for us.  We are human being in our flesh, mind and actions.  We must discipline our thoughts, words and actions to honor God and overcome the counter intuitive life we lead.  Like an athlete preparing for an event, we continuously discipline ourselves so that our lives align with God’s character, will and heart as it relates to our lives.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the one, true God.  Empower our thoughts, words and actions to become of your heart, character and will for us.  We want this life and the one to come to demonstrate our love and gratitude to you.

S – Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. 

1 Timothy 3:16 ESV

O – Commentary:

the six elements of the excerpt are as follows: (1) Appeared in a body refers to the Incarnation of Christ. (2) Was vindicated by the Spirit refers to God’s demonstration through the Resurrection (cf. Acts 2:24–36), by the Holy Spirit (cf. Rom. 8:11), that the crucified Jesus is Lord and Messiah. (3) Was seen by angels refers to His exaltation before the heavenly realm (cf. Phil. 2:9–11; Col. 2:15; Heb. 1:6). (4) Was preached among the nations (cf. Col. 1:23) and (5) was believed on in the world refer to the progressive fulfillment of God’s redemptive plan through His preordained means (cf. 1 Cor. 1:18–2:5). (6) Was taken up in glory refers to the Ascension (Eph. 4:10).

 A. Duane Litfin, “1 Timothy,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 739.

A – These fundamental elements describe the journey that Jesus took and how it affected heaven and the world.  He was playing “multi dimensional chess” between the natural and spiritual world the whole time.  This deepens our faith in him, knowing that He is the Lord of both realms.

R – Heavenly Father, you are Lord of the physical and spiritual realm.  There is no one higher or greater than you.  We worship you as our Lord and King today.  Help our lives be a reflection of your character and love.

S – For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶ who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time

1 Timothy 2:5–6 ESV

O –  Commentary:

Paul cited these unquestioned truths of the gospel: (1) There is only one God. (2) There is only one way for men to approach Him—through the Man who was God in the flesh, Christ Jesus. (3) This Jesus gave Himself up to die on the cross as a ransom (antilytron; cf. lytron, “ransom” for a slave or prisoner, in Matt. 20:28; Mark 10:45) for the human race… This act is a clear testimony, offered at just the right time (Gal. 4:4–5; Heb. 1:1–2), of God’s desire to save all men

 A. Duane Litfin, “1 Timothy,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 734.

A – The clarity of today’s scripture – One God, One Mediator, That man was Jesus who paid the ransom for all mankind.  This is the gospel boiled down to the very essence of it’s core.  As simple as it is, these simple facts have been wrestled with through generations.  There are so many tangents that people ascribe to a “higher power or source.”  It is clear – God is the one true God and there is no other.  

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you, the one, true God.  We choose to believe You and Your Word that you alone are God.  We choose to believe that Jesus is the mediator between us and You.  We alone hold that position.  We are grateful that you allow us to come to you in relationshp through Jesus.

S – Though formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief, ¹⁴ and the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus

1 Timothy  1:13–14 ESV

O – Commentary:

The reason this was so striking to the apostle was that he knew so well the pit from which he had been dug. When he said he was a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, he was not exaggerating for the sake of effect. (See Acts 22:4–5, 19–20; 26:9–11 for the vivid truth.) Yet Paul was shown mercy because his actions were the product of ignorance. Willful disobedience triggers God’s wrath (cf., e.g., Num. 15:22–31; Heb. 10:26). But God deals gently with the ignorant and misguided (Heb. 5:2). The German philosopher Nietzsche said, “If you could prove God to me, I would believe Him all the less.” No such willfulness characterized Paul’s unbelief.

1:14. Therefore the apostle received God’s mercy, not His wrath. God’s grace far outpaced even Paul’s grievous sin. Where there was once only unbelief, God poured out … faith … in Christ.

 A. Duane Litfin, “1 Timothy,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 732–733.

A –  We can make our own statement like Paul by erasing his description and putting in our own.  I could say, “Though formerly, I was a ignorant, self reliant, good person.”  I received Christ at the age of eleven.  I didn’t party, do illegal things, etc.  YET, I did not know about a relationship with God and was happy to let my “good person” approach be enough.  Whatever we put there – God’s grace and mercy meets us where we are and changes us.

R – Heavenly Father, you are merciful and just.  You extend mercy to meet us in our sin and lack of relationship with you.  You are just in that you will reward and punish people according to the decisions and lives.  Empower us to live a life that is in relationship with you and with hearts that connect with yours.

S – ¹⁶ Now may the Lord of peace himself give you peace at all times in every way. The Lord be with you all.

2 Thessalonians 3:16 ESV

O – Commentary:

Paul’s concern was for peace within the church through the unity of all members obeying the truth. The Lord is the source of peace (cf. 1 Thes. 5:23) and Paul prayed that He would bestow this on the Christians in Thessalonica. A Christian and a church enjoy peace when they are rightly related to the will of God. Paul prayed that this would be the Thessalonians’ condition at all times regardless of their circumstances, even in persecution.

In praying that the Lord would be with them all, Paul was not implying that God is with Christians only some of the time (cf. Matt. 28:20). Rather, he was praying that fellowship with Christ (that Christians can enjoy only as they obey His Word) might be the portion of each believer—not just of the obedient but also of those who were presently disobedient through idle living.

 Thomas L. Constable, “2 Thessalonians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 724–725.

A – Peace is an elusive part of our lives when we don’t know Christ.  Everything all falls back on us to either produce, maintain or create.  Knowing our Creator and God allows us to roll those things onto Him and release that burden.  He is near and ready to do this.  It is our choice to receive it and move towards him.

R – Heavenly Father, your are the Creator and God.  We choose to move towards you today.  We humble ourselves and invite you into all that face in people and situations.  Empower us with your peace in all things.  Thank you for this blessing and your presence.

S – So then, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions that you were taught by us, either by our spoken word or by our letter. 

2 Thessalonians 2:15 ESV

O – Commentary:

They were to stand firm (stēkete; cf. 1 Cor. 16:13; 1 Thes. 3:8). Christians are in constant danger of being swept downstream by the currents of ungodly culture. They are also prone to let the truths they know and the relationship they enjoy with God grow cold. They need to vigorously hold to what they have been taught by God’s servants. The Thessalonians were in danger of loosening their grip on the apostles’ teachings which they had received (cf. 2 Thes. 3:6) in person from the missionaries and from their letters. They were in danger of slipping backward in their Christian experience because of the pressures of their trials and the daily negative influences of the world, the flesh, and the devil.

 Thomas L. Constable, “2 Thessalonians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 721.

A – The challenge the Thessalonians faced is true with us today.  We are pulled in many directions as believers.  We must resolve in ourselves that we will stand firm, fight the enemy’s pull and distractions and make choices that solidify our choice in Christ.  We can do this!

R – Heavenly Father, you unchanging and the same yesterday, today and in the future.  Empower us with the resolve and tenacity to follow you.  You have given us so much and we do not want to take a step that will cause us to stumble.

S – To this end we always pray for you, that our God may make you worthy of his calling and may fulfill every resolve for good and every work of faith by his power, ¹² so that the name of our Lord Jesus may be glorified in you, and you in him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 

2 Thessalonians 1:11–12 ESV

O – Paul consistently made what God has done for believers the basis of his appeals for them to lead lives in keeping with their destiny. Christians do not live worthily in order to obtain salvation but because they have been granted salvation.

A second request was that God would bring to full expression every good purpose of theirs to glorify God, and every act motivated by their faith in God. Both motives and actions have their source in God (Phil. 2:13); thus they are accomplished by His power.

1:12. The ultimate purpose of this prayer is the glory of God.

 Thomas L. Constable, “2 Thessalonians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 716.

A – Strong Commentary.  We cannot forget or minimize what God has done for us.  We had no ability to save ourselves from sin. Christ willingly stepped in and paid the price with his own life. He gave it to us. Secondly, when our motives and actions align with God, it allows the Holy Spirit to endue us with power that surpasses our own abilities.  All of this glorifies God – not in our perfection but the desire and growth closer to him.

R – Heavenly Father, you are gracious and merciful.  Thank you for paying the price for our sin.  Empower us to live worthy of your calling today.  Let our motives, words and actions all point toward glorifying you.  

S – Rejoice always, ¹⁷ pray without ceasing, ¹⁸ give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

1 Thessalonians 5:16–18 ESV

O – Commentary:

God wants His people to be joyful and He gives them every reason to be. But Paul knew human nature well enough to sense the need for a reminder to rejoice at all times (cf. Phil. 3:1; 4:4). This is a command. A Christian’s joy does not spring from his circumstances, but from the blessings that are his because he is in Christ…These two words (pantote chairete) constitute the shortest verse in the Greek New Testament.

5:17. Continual prayer is not prayer that prevails without any interruption, but prayer that continues whenever possible. The adverb for continually (adialeiptōs, also in 1:3) was used in Greek of a hacking cough. Paul was speaking of maintaining continuous fellowship with God as much as possible in the midst of daily living in which concentration is frequently broken.

5:18. The two previous commands deal with one’s time (“always” and “continually”); this one deals with his circumstances. Christians are to give thanks to God in every circumstance of life. The fact that God works everything together for good for those who love Him (Rom. 8:28) is the basis for this entreaty.

These three exhortations in verses 16–18 are not just good advice; they are God’s will for every Christian. They are not the totality of God’s will, but they are a clear and important segment of it. God’s will means joy, prayer, and thanksgiving for those who are in Christ Jesus.

 Thomas L. Constable, “1 Thessalonians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 708–709.

A – In our time and circumstances, we need to recognize that God is working for our good.  It is hard when people or situations don’t meet our expectations.  However, if we are fully trusting God, we know that He is working even in those times to move us toward his will and purpose for our lives.

R – Heavenly Father, you are good and hold all things.  We can fully trust that you are working on our behalf for our good.  We know that you have a purpose and will for us that cannot be stopped or thwarted.  Empower us to be joyful, pray throughout the day and be grateful today.

S – For God has not called us for impurity, but in holiness. ⁸ Therefore whoever disregards this, disregards not man but God, who gives his Holy Spirit to you.

1 Thessalonians 4:7–8 ESV

O – Commentary:

A second reason to avoid sexual immorality is that it goes against God’s calling for a Christian. Paul’s first reason (v. 6b) looks forward to the prospect of future punishment, but his second reason looks back to the purpose for which God called each Christian to Himself. God’s plan for a Christian includes purifying his life. Sexual immorality frustrates the purpose of God’s call. Certain pagan cults promoted unclean ceremonies, but Christ’s plans for a Christian are to clean him up. A holy life demonstrates God’s supernatural power at work overcoming what is natural, and it glorifies God. The Greek noun hagiasmos (“holiness”) occurs here for the fourth time in eight verses

 Thomas L. Constable, “1 Thessalonians,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, vol. 2 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985), 702.

A – Salvation is a free gift – Jesus paid the price for our salvation.  Living for God does come with a price for us – our daily lives need to begin to look more like Christ.  God is holy. When we bring our physical bodies, minds and actions in alignment with God’s character, we reflect him to others which brings him glory.  It is work.  Yet, taking on his character in our own lives allows us a stronger relationship with him.

R – Heavenly Father, you are Holy.  Empower us to walk in purity.  Give us the resolve and the strength to overcome the sin and patterns in our lives that keep us from purity.  Thank you for the Holy Spirit who leads and gives the ability to do this.