S – But have nothing to do with pointless and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness. ⁸ For the training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come

 1 Timothy 4:7–8 CSB

O – Exercise your journey of growing more like Christ.  Physical exercise is good but work, discipline, pain, stretching and resistance in your spiritual relationship with Christ will reap benefits today and eternally.

A – All those aspects are what make my relationship with Christ challenging.  You don’t grow unless there is loss or resistance.  There isn’t new strength if there isn’t pain and tearing of the muscle fibers.  Rest is important in both physical and spiritual training.  

R – Lord, help me to be more disciplined and lean into training spiritual growth as  I am with physical training.

S –  ¹⁶ And most certainly, the mystery of godliness is great: 

He was manifested in the flesh, 

vindicated in the Spirit, 

seen by angels, 

preached among the nations, 

believed on in the world, 

taken up in glory. 

1 Timothy 3:16 CSB

O – 

• mystery of our faith (or mystery of godliness): See note on 2:2.

• Christ (literally He who; other manuscripts read God): Jesus Christ is the only source of godliness. • vindicated by the Spirit (or vindicated in his spirit): Christ’s resurrection (Rom 1:4) answers the apparent weakness of his life and death as a human, and affirms his teaching.

• seen by angels: This emphasizes Jesus’ sovereign rule in the heavenly realm (see also Eph 1:21; Phil 2:9–11; Heb 1:3–4; 1 Pet 3:22; Rev 5:8–14).

• announced to the nations: Christ’s provision of salvation and sovereign rule must be proclaimed and accepted in the earthly realm as well (cp. 2:1–7).

• believed in throughout the world: The mission to the nations is successful, but it does not guarantee universal acceptance.

• Christ was taken to heaven (Luke 24:51; Acts 1:2, 11, 22) and was exalted in glory (cp. Acts 7:55–56). Christ’s saving work is crowned with success in the world and with glory in heaven.

 New Living Translation Study Bible 

A – It is refreshing and humbling to see the work of Jesus laid out like this.  God has a plan.  When you look at each of these qualities of God’s “mystery,” it is amazing to see the results.  Yet, it came at a great price.  One that was sealed with Christ’s obedience and submission to go through.    I need to recognize His plan and purpose today.  And, be submitted to obey.

R – Lord, help me to do this.

S – First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, ² for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity

1 Timothy 2:1–2 CSB

O – “Kings and those in authority” – We should pray and be grateful for those who are in civil leadership over us.  We should pray for their salvation and ability to do their job.  This principle carries over to all leadership. 

A – I recognize the fallibility of man.  Yesterday, Paul said he was the chief among sinners.  We are all broken and in our own journey in our relationship with Christ.  This makes sense that we should lift up those making decisions and strategies that affect us.  

R – Lord, help me to do this.

S – “This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them. ¹⁶ But I received mercy for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his extraordinary patience as an example to those who would believe in him for eternal life.

 1 Timothy 1:15–16 CSB

O – Paul lays out God’s personal relationship with him:

• This is a true statement.
• Christ saves sinners – I am the worst of them.
• I received His mercy
• In believing in Him, he receives eternal life.

A – Interesting that Paul says he is the worst of sinners, while he is one of the most prominent leaders in church history.  It is present tense “I am” the worst of them.  It is healthy for us to recognize our past – we should confess, receive forgiveness and grow from it.  We should wrestle with our daily temptations and sin – it keeps us humble and reliant on God. We should keep our value in ourselves high because God has a plan and purpose for us.  This should not be expressed with arrogance but confidence in God working in us.

R – Lord, help me to do this today.

S – For we hear that there are some among you who are idle. They are not busy but busybodies

 2 Thessalonians 3:11 CSB

O – idle:  pĕriĕrgazŏmai: to work all around, i.e. bustle about (meddle)

    Busybodies – The apostles had heard more than once (this is the force of the pres. tense of hear,     akouomen) that some in the church were not working to support themselves. They were     busybodies instead of being busy. Instead of tending to their own business of earning a living  they were meddling in the business of others.

The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scripture

A – It is not good for a person to be idle.  They were busier “not working” and being involved in other people’s affairs than trying to provide for themselves.  This translates to personal growth and spiritual matters as well.  We can often be busy trying to “fix” others when we should start with ourselves first.

R – Lord, help me to do this today.

S – For this reason God sends them a strong delusion so that they will believe the lie, ¹² so that all will be condemned—those who did not believe the truth but delighted in unrighteousness. 

 2 Thessalonians 2:11–12 CSB

O – Because they rejected the truth in vs. 10, people will turn to a strong delusion.

strong delusion—Greek, “the powerful working of error,” answering to the energizing “working of Satan” (2 Th 2:9); the same expression as is applied to the Holy Ghost’s operation in believers: “powerful” or “effectual (energizing) working” (Eph 1:19).

Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible, 

A – They key is to know the Truth and accept His truth.  Also, interesting that the supernatural power. works both ways.  This is because God allows the enemies power to work, even the power of the Holy Spirit is superior.

R – Lord, help me to know and walk in your Truth and power of the Holy Spirit today.

S – “…so that the name of our Lord Jesus will be glorified by you, and you by him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.”  2 Thessalonians 1:12 CSB

O –

• Glorify – ĕndŏxŏs, in glory, i.e. splendid, (fig.) noble:— glorious, gorgeous [-ly], honourable

• In the Bible the name stands for the person named, his character, conduct, reputation, and everything else about him. In praying thus, Paul was asking that God would fully glorify Jesus Christ in these saints

            The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, 

A – How can I live today that makes the name, character, conduct and reputation of Christ splendidly honorable today?  I cannot add more to His volume of this but I can reflect it for others to see.  If I do that, God will reciprocate by adding more of Him in me.

R – Lord, help me to do this today.

S – Now we ask you, brothers and sisters, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, ¹³ and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves

1 Thessalonians 5:12–13 CSB

O – Paul gave three exhortations to the church regarding their proper attitude toward their leaders.

1.  Respect them.  (eidenai) “to know,” appreciating and respecting them and their work.

2.  Esteem, value. Greek: hold them in the highest regard (hēgeisthai autous hyperekperissōs).  The highest respect is due these leaders, and it is to come from an attitude of affection (in love) for them, again, because of their work.

3. Live in peace with each other. This results from obeying the former instructions. The idea here is to maintain rather than to initiate peace. The command is imperative. Much dissension in modern churches is traceable to church members disobeying these commands

The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – This is not a free pass for ministers or church leaders.  This is God recognizing the “price tag” put on those who fulfill these roles.  Recognize the concepts – the person, the work and the fruit.  I must lead today in a way that starts with my personal relationship with God.  Then, my work must be done with a pure heart and excellence.  Finally, my role is to build relationships that bring peace to the body.

R – Lord, help me to do this today.

S – For God has not called us to impurity but to live in holiness. ⁸ Consequently, anyone who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who gives you his Holy Spirit. 

1 Thessalonians 4:7–8 CSB

O – Some great Commentary:

To impurity:  Better, for uncleanness; ἐπὶ denoting aim or intention. The intention is viewed as the basis of the act

In holiness:  Note the change of preposition. Sanctification is the characteristic life-element of the Christian, in which he is to live. Comp. in peace, 1 Cor. 7:15; in hope, Eph. 4:4.

Word Studies in the New Testament

God Paul’s instructions about holiness are based not on human philosophy or tradition, but on God’s holy character as the standard for behavior (1 Pet 1:14–16 – “Be holy, because I am holy.”)

 Faithlife Study Bible 

A – In calling us to his character, God looks at our intentions as much as our actions.  Only God can see the heart.  Holiness is one of those characteristics (like hope and peace) in which God exists in us through the Holy Spirit.  Even though we are not perfect, we must move towards holiness and not our own human nature.

R – Lord, help me to do this today.

S – “For now we live, if you stand firm in the Lord.”

1 Thessalonians 3:8 CSB

O – For Paul, his afflictions and toils of ministry were worth it to hear that the church of Thessalonica was remaining strong.   “Stand firm” in Greek:  stēkō, stay´-ko; to be stationary, i.e. (fig.) to persevere:— stand (fast)

A – I can relate to this as a minister and a believer.  We all face trials, temptations and just challenging life situations.  Jesus tells us there will be trouble in Matthew 6.  So what are you going to do?  You can choose to go forward with God or go it alone.  I choose “Steko.”  My life goes better when I choose God.  

     As a minister, I am challenged when someone chooses to go forward without God.  With God, you have unlimited love and resources going for you.  Without God, you have only yourself and your resources.  You have total control…but of what?  It hurts to see someone go their own way.  Yet, I have come to realize that only Jesus is their savior.  I can point them to Jesus but they must make a choice.

R – Lord, help me to do this today.