S – The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; ¹²  if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; ¹³  if we are faithless, he remains faithful— for he cannot deny himself. 

2 Timothy 2:11–13 ESV

O – Commentary:

The quotation sets forth four couplets, the first two of which are positive: (1) If we died with Him, we will also live with Him expresses the idea so powerfully portrayed in the rite of baptism and explained in Romans 6:2–23. The reference is not to martyrdom for Christ, but rather to a believer’s mystical identification with the death and life of Christ (cf. Col. 3:3). (2) If we endure (hypomenomen; cf. 2 Tim. 2:10), we will also reign with Him furthers the believer’s identification with Christ. In the previous couplet the focus is on the contrast between death and life; here the parallel contrast is between suffering and glorification (Rom. 8:17). Christ endured and will one day reign (1 Cor. 15:25), and those saints who endure will one day reign with Him (Rev. 3:21). The last two couplets are negative: (3) If we disown Him, He will also disown us speaks of the possibility of apostasy (cf. 1 Tim. 4:1; Heb. 10:38–39; 2 John 9) and the Lord’s ultimate rejection of those who professed Christ only temporarily (cf. Matt. 10:33). Instead of identifying with Christ, the apostate finally dissociates himself with Christ. (4) If we are faithless, He will remain faithful speaks not of the apostate, but of a true child of God who nevertheless proves unfaithful (cf. 2 Tim. 1:15). Christ cannot disown Himself; therefore He will not deny even unprofitable members of His own body. True children of God cannot become something other than children, even when disobedient and weak. Christ’s faithfulness to Christians is not contingent on their faithfulness to Him.

 A. Duane Litfin, “2 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), 753–754.

A – Strong couplets that give a clear picture of God character.  Paul sums it up with a simple but foundational statement – “He cannot deny himself.” What a comfort to know that God will always be the same – his love, mercy, strength and even his judgement.  We know exactly what we get when we connect with him in relationship.  

R – Heavenly Father, you are the same today, yesterday and tomorrow.  Thank you for your

S – But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. ¹² Fight the good fight of the faith.

1 Timothy 6:11–12 ESV

O –  Paul is speaking directly to Timothy now.  He is charging him to flee the things contained in the letter above and pursue the qualities of righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness and gentleness.  He reminded him that it will be a battle.

A – It is rare in life when we feel like we are “still.”  Usually we are moving from something or towards another.  The Christian walk is very much a battle.  With our own selfish nature, others trying to figure out their journey or the enemy throwing curveballs of temptation or accusation.  If we pursue the things listed above, our battle will be won as we become more like Christ.

R – Heavenly Father, you are holy and righteous.  Empower as we prepare to go into a fight today.  Help us to embody each of these qualities in our lives.  We want to know you more so we can share your love with others.

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.