S – 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 – Commentary:

As valuable as physical fitness (training is gymnasia, “exercise,” used only here in the NT) may be (and Paul did not disparage it), spiritual fitness, or godliness, is much more valuable. Physical fitness is profitable only, literally, “for a little.” But godliness is profitable for all things, not merely in this present transient life but in the life to come, that is, for eternity. Godliness colors all aspects of temporal and eternal life, bestowing its blessing on all it touches

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), 740.

A – Training in “holiness” or godliness has benefits that far exceed our bodies, minds and thoughts.  It affects all those plus eternity and the spiritual realm.  As I grow in my godliness, it has a positive affect on the physical realm as I experience joy and peace.  I have greater understanding and faith in the spiritual realm.

R – Heavenly Father, you are a holy and just God.  Help us to grow in our godliness today.  We invite your Holy Spirit to coach us through our training as we grow in our godliness and holiness.  As we do this, give us courage and strength to pursue you.

S – 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 – Commentary:

(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 – When we recognize the entirety of what Jesus accomplished in his time on earth, it is astounding.  The spiritual realm was just as shaken as the earthly one.  The mystery of God was revealed so man could be in relationship with Him.  

R – Heavenly Father, you are the one, true God.  Thank you for coming to earth in the form of a man, taking our sins upon you, dying as our sacrifice and resurrecting to demonstrate your power over death.  Your love for us is amazing and humbling.

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 – Commentary:

With Nero’s growing resentment toward Christians—which came to full bloom after the fire in Rome in July, a.d. 64—and the general disintegration of the Roman Empire due to Nero’s profligacy, Christians began to suffer persecution from the Roman authorities. Having recently been released from his Roman imprisonment, Paul was greatly aware of the deteriorating political atmosphere. Thus he urged prayer for the salvation of all men, but especially rulers, so that the stable, noninterfering environment of previous days might be recovered. This is the minimum requirement if Christians are to live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

 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 – With all that is going on in the world, praying for our leaders in all areas that affect our lives is a good idea.  Whether at work, government or business, praying for those who help shape our lives invited God into each area we interact with on a regular basis.  We shouldn’t just pray.  We should model our faith in a way that it also influences our areas of life.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you.  As we go into all the aspects of our lives, we pray for the leaders of those areas – leaders, bosses, pastors, coaches, teachers – anyone who brings influence to something we care deeply about.  We pray that they would know you in a personal relationship and would invite you Holy Spirit to help lead them.  And, we commit to living a life that exemplifies our love for you.  Thank you God for being with us today.

S – In view of this, we always pray for you that our God will make you worthy of his calling, and by his power fulfill your every desire to do good and your work produced by faith,

2 Thessalonians 1:11 CSB

O – Commentary:

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

 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 – Love the commentary – we do not live a life for Christ to “obtain” but in response to a love that is amazing.  He is worthy of our lives and love aligning with his will and purpose.

R – Heavenly Father, we love you for who you are.  Not just for what you can do for us or the benefit of knowing you.  Give us strength and a fortitude to live a life that glorifies you alone today.

S – In fact, when we were with you, we told you in advance that we were going to experience affliction, and as you know, it happened. 

1 Thessalonians 3:4 CSB

O – Commentary:

Afflictions—common to all (Job 5:7; 14:1; Ps. 34:19); are for the good of men (James 1:2, 3, 12; 2 Cor. 12:7) and the glory of God (2 Cor. 12:7–10; 1 Pet. 4:14), and are to be borne with patience by the Lord’s people (Ps. 94:12; Prov. 3:12). They are all directed by God (Lam. 3:33), and will result in the everlasting good of his people (2 Cor. 4:16–18) in Christ Jesus (Rom. 8:35–39).

 M. G. Easton, Illustrated Bible Dictionary and Treasury of Biblical History, Biography, Geography, Doctrine, and Literature (New York: Harper & Brothers, 1893), 23.

affliction:  thlibō, thlee´-bo; akin to the base of 5147; to crowd (lit. or fig.):— afflict, narrow, throng, suffer tribulation, trouble

 James Strong, The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words (Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 1996).

A – Interesting verse – Paul told them they would suffer afflictions.  Situations, relationships, words and actions that challenge our faith in God.  Yet, they are directed by God to bring everlasting good.  This is where our faith is tested to its core and we have a choice.  Either we believe God is Lord and has our best interest in all situations or we don’t.  This is one of the most difficult parts of the Christian walk.

R – Heavenly Father, we worship and surrender to you as the one and only true God.  Life is hard and has its afflictions.  Your word says you are in them and that they are for our benefit.  Sometimes, that challenges us to our core.  Empower us to put our trust in you in all things and let our love for you grow daily.

S – As you know, like a father with his own children, ¹² we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to walk worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. 

1 Thessalonians 2:11–12 CSB

O – Commentary:

Paul also compared their behavior to that of a father. Here the implication is that they trained and instructed the Thessalonians as a responsible father disciplines his children. The word tekna, translated children, emphasizes the believers’ immaturity as well as the apostles’ affection. This verse is the fourth time Paul wrote you know (cf. 1:5; 2:2, 5).

2:12. The training provided included strong positive appeals (encouraging, parakalountes), soothing encouragement (comforting, paramythoumenoi), designed to cheer up and to inspire correct behavior, and solemn, earnest entreaty (urging, martyromenoi). Such a combination of appeals proved effective in moving the Thessalonians to action by the Holy Spirit’s convicting power.

The appeal to lead lives worthy of God is the highest of all for those who have tasted God’s grace in salvation. Paul heightened his exhortation by reminding his readers that they had been specially called by God, called to enter and be partakers in His kingdom and called to glorify and share in God’s glory.

 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), 695.

A – We need to encourage one another.  Following Christ comes with a price tag.  The enemy’s job is to “rob, kill and destroy” and he uses temptation, shame, fear and accusation to do it.  When we slow down and recognize someone else’s pain or challenge, we can do what Paul did – encourage, comfort and urge them to follow God genuinely.  This is why we are a body and not just individuals – we need each other.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the Great I Am.  Help us to see past our own challenges to really understand what other people are going through.  We can be a catalyst for someone else to feel love and supported.  Give us the ability to that as your Holy Spirit leads us.

S – …for they themselves report what kind of reception we had from you: how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God 

1 Thessalonians 1:9 CSB

O – Commentary:

These believers had turned to God, the only true God, from idols. This strongly suggests that many of those believers had been pagan Gentiles. The Jews, of course, abhorred idolatry. Someone has observed that humans have the freedom to choose who their master will be, but they do not have the freedom to choose no master. The Thessalonians had chosen to serve the living and true God rather than God’s creatures or satanic powers (cf. Rom. 1:18–23). The fact that God is a living Person was precious to the Jews and to Paul; this is the characteristic by which God is most often distinguished from so-called gods in the Old Testament. He is the only living God; all other gods are not alive and therefore not worthy objects of worship

 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), 692–693.

A – While these people chose to not serve idols that were statues or figures, we need to make the same choice for the idols we face today.  Anything that elevates itself above God in our lives is an idol.  We need to choose that God is only true God in our lives.  We can have things we enjoy and even love but not more than him.  

R – Heavenly Father, you are the one, true God.  We choose you above everything else today.  Thank you that you are “personal” in our relationship with you.  Help us to keep you first in our lives today.

S – He erased the certificate of debt, with its obligations, that was against us and opposed to us, and has taken it away by nailing it to the cross. ¹⁵ He disarmed the rulers and authorities and disgraced them publicly; he triumphed over them in him.

Colossians 2:14–15 CSB

O – Commentary:

the record of charges against us: The Greek phrase suggests an IOU that we have all signed. Since we are unable to pay what we owe, it stands against us. The law of God required obedience that people are unable to give, but God has forgiven our debt through the work of Christ (2:13).

2:15 he disarmed: Or he stripped off. • He shamed them publicly (literally he led [them] in triumphal procession): The Roman army would celebrate a great victory with a triumphal procession. The victorious Roman general would lead the humiliated captives from his campaign into the conquered city. The image vividly captures the glorious victory that God, through the cross of Christ, has won over all hostile spiritual powers 

 New Living Translation Study Bible (Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., 2008), Col 2:14–15.

A – Two strong concepts – Jesus nailed our IOU to the cross with him and he triumphed over all the forces who would enforce or remind us of the debt we owed.  We can live in victory and confidence knowing these truths.  It helps us to recognize that when the enemy challenges, tempts, shames and guilts us, he is speaking from a place of “already defeated.”  We can live from a place of complete victory knowing that Christ defeated the devil and all of his followers once and for eternity.

R – Heavenly Father, you are the victorious, risen Savior.  Thank you for paying our debt for our sin.  Your love for us in doing so allows us to walk in victory and confidence in your power to forgive our sins.  Empower us to do the same for others – forgive them when they sin against us.