Apicontent

A. Overview and Summary.

1. Titus is one of three so-called “pastoral letters” written to a young pastor named Titus. The other two were written to Timothy. Date of the writing is believed to be between 62-64 AD by Paul from either Corinth or Nicopolis (3:12). Titus had served with Paul on both his first and second missionary journeys and like Timothy, had become a true son in the faith (1:4). Paul mentions Titus in 2 Corinthians where he refers to Titus as “my brother” (2:13) and “my partner and fellow worker” (8:23). Altogether, Titus is referred to by Paul 13 Ames in the New Testament; 9 Ames in 2 Corinthians alone.
2. In a similar fashion to 1st and 2nd Timothy, Paul gives encouragement and counsel to a young pastor, who, although well-versed in doctrine, faced opposition from ungodly men within the churches where he ministered. Although not a doctrinal book, Paul affirms election (1:1), saving grace (2:11), Christ’s deity and second coming (2:13), Christ’s substitutionary atonement (2:14), and the regeneration of believers by the Holy Spirit (3:5).
3. The last mention of Titus in the New Testament indicates he was with Paul during Paul’s final Roman imprisonment. From there, he was sent to Dalmatia (2 Timothy 4:10), now called Serbia and Montenegro. He was a Gentile born of a Greek father on the island of Crete. Church tradition has him die of natural causes, but the year is disputed as either 96 AD or 107 AD. A relic, reportedly his skull, is kept at the Church of Saint Titus in Heraklion, Crete.

B. Chapter One.

1. In his opening salutation to Titus, Paul states the purpose of his apostleship: “to build up the faith of God’s elect and their knowledge of the truth that leads to godliness, in the hope of eternal life that God, who cannot lie, promised before time began” (1:1-2). He goes on to say that the reason he left Titus in Crete was to appoint elders in every town (1:5). He enumerates the qualifications of an elder: “one who is blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of wildness or rebellion. For an overseer, as God’s administrator, must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not addicted to wine, not a bully, not greedy for money, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled, holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it” (1:6-9).
2. Although similar to the qualifications listed for an elder in 1 Timothy 3:17, there are minor differences. In Timothy, there is mention that he should: conduct himself in good taste; not be offensive to others; be gentle; not be a new convert, and have a good reputation in the community. In Titus, there is mention that he is God’s administrator, not self-willed, loves good, upright, and holy. Titus does not contain qualifications for deacons. That may be due to the fact that the qualifications given in 1 Timothy are almost identical except for the ability of an elder to teach.
3. He goes on to warn Titus: “For there are also many rebellious people, full of empty talk and deception, especially those from Judaism. It is necessary to silence them; they overthrow whole households by teaching what they shouldn’t to gain money dishonestly” (1:10-11).
4. He closes the chapter with: “To the pure, everything is pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; in fact, both their mind and conscience are defiled. They profess to know God, but they deny Him by their works. They are detestable, disobedient, and disqualified for any good work” (1:15-16).

C. Chapter Two.

1. Paul admonishes Titus to teach sound Christian principles. He describes the characteristics of older men and women before proceeding to discuss the principles of living for younger men and women, as well as slaves. He makes note of such things as level-headedness, respect, and being sound in faith. And for the women, to be reverent, and to teach the younger women to love their husbands and children. (2:1-5). He tells Titus, “Make yourself an example of good works with integrity and dignity in your teaching. Your message is to be sound beyond reproach, so that the opponent will be ashamed, having nothing bad to say about us” (2:7-8).
2. He concludes the chapter with: “For the grace of God has appeared with salvation for all people, instructing us to deny godlessness and worldly lusts and to live in a sensible, righteous, and godly way in the present age, while we wait for the blessed hope and appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ. He gave Himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to cleanse for Himself a people for His own possession, eager to do good works. Say these things and encourage and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you (2:11-15).

D. Chapter Three.

1. Paul gives instructions about Titus’s teaching as to how his church should conduct themselves towards those outside of the church: “Remind them to be submissive to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, to slander no one, to avoid fighting, and to be kind, always showing gentleness to all people. For we too were once foolish, disobedient, deceived, enslaved by various passions and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, detesting one another” (3:1-3).
2. He presents the pure gospel: “ But when the kindness of God our Savior, and his love toward man, appeared, not by works done in righteousness, which we did ourselves, but according to his mercy he saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit, which he poured out upon us richly, through Jesus Christ our Savior; that, being justified by his grace, we might be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life. Faithful is the saying, and concerning these things I desire that thou affirm confidently, to the end that they who have believed God may be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men” (3:4-8).
3. He then gives a warning: “shun foolish questionings, and genealogies, and strife, and fighting about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain. A factious man after a first and second admonition refuse; knowing that such a one is perverted, and sinful, being self-condemned” (3:9-11).
4. He closes the book with instructions about other co-workers and a final blessing: All that are with me salute thee. Salute them that love us in faith. Grace be with you all” (3:15).

E. Discussion Questions, Application and Passing it on.

1. Do you profess to know God but deny Him by your works? (1:16). This is a serious matter and may be an indication of your true salvation.
2. If you are a church leader, do you possess the attributes listed by Paul. There are many church leaders who have secret sins that they are not dealing with. Do you have any?
3. When would it not be appropriate to submit to rulers and authorities? (3:1).

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This New Testament survey was provided by Joshua Nations (JoshuaNations.org)

A. Overview and Summary.

1. Paul wrote this first epistle to the church at Thessalonica from Corinth about 51 AD. Thessalonica was a city on the northern reaches of the Aegean Sea. Today, Thessaloniki, also known as Salonica, is a modern city with over one million inhabitants, making it the second-largest city in Greece. Thessalonica was founded in 315 BC by Cassander of Macedon, King of Macedonia from 305 to 297 BC, who named it after his wife, Thessalonike who was the sister of Alexander the Great. The city became the capital of the Roman Province of Macedonia in 148 BC. It was made a free city of the Roman Republic by Mark Anthony in 41 BC and was on an important trade route. Its population in Paul’s day was 200,000. It had a large population of Jews and from the 16th to the 20th Century, it was the only European city with a majority of a Jewish population. It was conquered by the Ottoman Empire in 1430 and remained a multi-ethnic municipality and seaport during the five centuries of Turkish rule. It was turned over to Greece in 1912.
2. Paul and his traveling companions founded the church during his second missionary journey (Acts 17:1-9). Because of its large Jewish population, Paul sought out the synagogue upon his arrival to teach the Jews about Jesus as Messiah on three Sabbaths. His preaching resulted in the conversion of some Hellenistic Jews and wealthy women (Acts 17:4). However, his success resulted in the Jews, moved by jealousy, causing some “vile fellows of the rabble” (Acts 17:5) to raise a commotion, which eventually led to Paul being evicted from the city.
3. The epistle has a strong apologetics theme, a theme of the church, and also of end times with a missionary theme of gospel proclamation and church planting.

B. Chapter One.

1. After Paul’s greeting, he opens with praise for the church: “We give thanks to God always for you all, making mention of you in our prayers; remembering without ceasing your work of faith and labor of love and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, before our God and Father; knowing, brethren beloved of God, your election, how that our gospel came not unto you in word only, but also in power, and in the Holy Spirit, and in much assurance” (1:2-5). Paul’s mention of election is an important topic, but it’s crucial to understand it within the context of God’s foreknowledge. While God chooses those who respond to His call, this election is always in conjunction with the human free will that God gave. We are saved through God’s grace, made available through faith in Jesus Christ. Ephesians 1:4-5 speaks of God choosing us before the foundation of the world, but we must remember that this does not mean some are irrevocably predestined to salvation or condemnation. We don’t know who is elected on this side of eternity, and that is why it remains vital for us to preach the gospel to everyone and to continually pray for others, trusting that God desires all to come to repentance (1 Timothy 2:4). Our role is to faithfully share the good news, knowing that God works in and through us to bring others to salvation.
2. Paul continues his praise for them: “As a result, you became an example to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia, for the Lord’s message rang out from you, not only in Macedonia and Achaia, but in every place that your faith in God has gone out. Therefore, we don’t need to say anything, 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 and to wait for His Son from heaven, whom He raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath” (1:7-10).
3. To “turn from idols to serve the living a true God” was truly a high praise for the Thessalonians. Idol worship was rampant. Mankind prefers a “god” that they can see and touch. This tendency also permeated Israel up to the time of the Babylonian captivity. Paul’s mention that “Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath” is also a great promise. There is a coming wrath from God that will impact the entire inhabited earth. We have confidence that Jesus will rescue us from that.

C. Chapter Two.

1. Paul opens the chapter with a reminder of how the brothers conducted themselves and encouraged them while at Thessalonica: “You are witnesses, and so is God, of how devoutly, righteously, and blamelessly we conducted ourselves with you believers. As you know, like a father with his own children, we encouraged, comforted, and implored each one of you to walk worthy of God, who calls you into His own kingdom and glory” (2:10-12).
2. Paul has the boldness to declare the truth of his message, as being from God: “This is why we constantly thank God, because when you received the message about God that you heard from us, you welcomed it not as a human message, but as it truly is, the message of God, which also works effectively in you believers” (2:13).
3. Paul likens the persecution he and his companions received from the Jews to what the Thessalonians are receiving from their own countrymen: “hindering us from speaking to the Gentiles so that they may be saved. As a result, they are always completing the number of their sins, and wrath has overtaken them at last” (2:16). The phrase “completing the number of their sins” would indicate that God has a certain amount of sin that He will allow a people, a nation or a person to accumulate before His wrath comes. We see that in Genesis 15:16, where the Israelites could not come back to Palestine because “the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete”. God’s wrath would fall upon the Jews, which happened in 70 AD, when Jerusalem was destroyed by the Romans. This lesson needs to be in our thinking even today as believers, as our lives could be cut short by sin or lengthened by righteous living (Proverbs 10:27; Ephesians 6:2-3; 1 Chronicles 10:13,14). This may be what is implied by “a sin that leads to death” (1 John 5:16).
4. Paul concludes the chapter with: “But as for us, brothers, after we were forced to leave you for a short time (in person, not in heart), we greatly desired and made every effort to return and see you face to face. So, we wanted to come to you—even I, Paul, time and again—but Satan hindered us. For who is our hope or joy or crown of boasting in the presence of our Lord Jesus at His coming? Is it not you? For you are our glory and joy!” (2:17-20).

D. Chapter Three.

1. Paul relates to them after they fled to Athens, he was concerned about their wellbeing and sent Timothy to inquire about them: “For this reason, when I could no longer stand it, I also sent him to find out about your faith, fearing that the tempter had tempted you and that our labor might be for nothing” (3:5).
2. Timothy returned with a good report: “But now Timothy has come to us from you and brought us good news about your faith and love and reported that you always have good memories of us, wanting to see us, as we also want to see you. Therefore, brothers, in all our distress and persecution, we were encouraged about you through your faith. For now, we live, if you stand firm in the Lord” (3:6-8).
3. Paul concludes the chapter with a prayer of blessing for the church: “Now may our God and Father Himself, and our Lord Jesus, direct our way to you. And may the Lord cause you to increase and overflow with love for one another and for everyone, just as we also do for you. May He make your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all His saints. Amen.” (3:11-13). Paul alludes to Christ’s return and his coming with all His saints (Revelation 19:11-16).

E. Chapter Four.

1. Paul opens with a call to sanctification: “Finally then, brothers, we ask and encourage you in the Lord Jesus, that as you have received from us how you must walk and please God—as you are doing—do so even more. For you know what commands we gave you through the Lord Jesus” (4:1-2).
2. He then reminds them about refraining from sexual immorality, unlike the Gentiles who do not know God (4:3-5). He continues by warning not to sin against one’s brother in because God is an avenger in these offenses (4:6). This is because God has called us not to impurity but to sanctification, and one “who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who also gives you His Holy Spirit” (4:7-8).
3. He then praises them for their love for one another and then admonishes them “to seek to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business, and to work with your own hands, as we commanded you, so that you may walk properly in the presence of outsiders and not be dependent on anyone” (4:11-12).
4. He closes the chapter with a strong word of encouragement about the rapture. Since Paul’s visit to Thessalonica, some believers had died and the other living believers were concerned that they would miss what has been called the rapture: “We do not want you to be uninformed, brothers, concerning those who are asleep, so that you will not grieve like the rest, who have no hope. Since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, in the same way God will bring with Him those who have fallen asleep through Jesus. For we say this to you by a revelation from the Lord: We who are still alive at the Lord’s coming will certainly have no advantage over those who have fallen asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the archangel’s voice, and with the trumpet of God, and the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are still alive will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air and so we will always be with the Lord. Therefore encourage one another with these words” (4:13-18).
5. The word “rapture” does not appear in the English translations of the New Testament. It comes from the word “rapturo” used in the Latin translation of this verse. In Greek, the word used is “harpazo” which literally means to “snatch or take away”. From this, end-times Bible teacher Hal Lindsey calls the rapture “the great snatch.” There is disagreement between Bible teachers if the rapture of the church is different from the glorious appearing of the Lord at the end of the Great Tribulation. However, if they are one and the same, it would mean believers would have to go through the Great Tribulation with all of its suffering. This would not be an “encouragement” to them (4:18). The best interpretation of the rapture is found in the pre-tribulation view in which the church is raptured before the tribulation. This fits perfectly with the doctrine of the “imminent” return of Jesus Christ which means He can come at any time. If the rapture is at the end of the Great Tribulation, there are a number of milestones that would have to take place and would remove the imminency of Christ’s return. We will explore this topic more in the synopsis of the book of Revelation.

F. Chapter Five.

1. Paul opens with a word about the Lord coming as a thief in the night: “About the times and the seasons: Brothers, you do not need anything to be written to you. For you yourselves know very well that the Day of the Lord will come just like a thief in the night. When they say, “Peace and security,” then sudden destruction comes on them, like labor pains come on a pregnant woman, and they will not escape. But you, brothers, are not in the dark, for this day to overtake you like a thief. For you are all sons of light and sons of the day. We do not belong to the night or the darkness” (5:1-5). The “Day of the Lord” always refers to the second coming of Christ. In chapter four, we have discussed the rapture which is different from this. Paul affirms that we will escape the wrath that is coming from God: “For God did not appoint us to wrath, but to obtain salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ, who died for us, so that whether we are awake or asleep, we will live together with Him. Therefore, encourage one another and build each other up as you are already doing” (5:9-11).
2. He then exhorts them: “Now we ask you, brothers, to give recognition to those who labor among you and lead you in the Lord and admonish you, and to regard them very highly in love because of their work. Be at peace among yourselves. And we exhort you, brothers: warn those who are irresponsible, comfort the discouraged, help the weak, be patient with everyone. See to it that no one repays evil for evil to anyone, but always pursue what is good for one another and for all” (5:12-15).
3. He continues with specific admonishments: “Rejoice always; pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus to you-ward. Quench not the Spirit; despise not prophesyings; prove all things; hold fast that which is good; abstain from every form of evil” (5:16-22).
4. He concludes the epistle with: “And the God of peace himself sanctify you wholly; and may your spirit and soul and body be preserved entire, without blame at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ. Faithful is he that calleth you, who will also do it. Brethren, pray for us. Salute all the brethren with a holy kiss. I adjure you by the Lord that this epistle be read unto all the brethren. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you” (5:11-13).

G. Discussion Questions, Application and Passing it On.

1. Throughout the New Testament, the term “election” is used referring to God’s choosing His people. How does this resonate in your thinking? Some say God is not fair as those not chosen will spend eternity in hell. How would you respond to this?
2. Do you believe Paul’s writings are a message from God (2:13). See 2nd Peter 3:15-16 for additional insight.
3. Is your heart blameless before God? (3:13). What is the Holy Spirit instructing you as to what you should do if the answer is no?
4. This epistle contains a major word about the rapture. What is your viewpoint after reading this synopsis?
5. Do you have a realization that Jesus could return at any time? How should that impact how you are living your life?

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This New Testament survey was provided by Joshua Nations (JoshuaNations.org)

A. Overview and Summary. It is believed Paul wrote this epistle shortly after he wrote 1^st Thessalonians in 51 AD or early 52 AD. Please see the synopsis of that book for information about the city of Thessalonica. Paul must have been in contact with the church through messengers or disciples who traveled through the area and he received information about their condition. The book has a strong focus on end times. Apparently, there were some in Thessalonica who spread false teaching about the Lord’s return. Paul wrote this to address that false teaching. The church was also experiencing persecution, so Paul also wrote to encourage the believers.

B. Chapter One.

1. Paul first praises them for their faith in persecution: “We must always thank God for you, brothers. This is right, since your faith is flourishing and the love each one of you has for one another is increasing. Therefore, we ourselves boast about you among God’s churches—about your endurance and faith in all the persecutions and afflictions you endure” (1:3-4).
2. He then encourages them that their persecution will result in worthiness for the Kingdom of God: “It is a clear evidence of God’s righteous judgment that you will be counted worthy of God’s kingdom, for which you also are suffering, since it is righteous for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you and to reward you who are afflicted, along with us. This will take place at the revelation of the Lord Jesus from heaven with His powerful angels” (1:6-7).
3. He continues with the fact that those who are afflicting them, who don’t know God and do not obey the gospel, will be judged by God with flaming fire. This will take place when the Lord returns with His powerful angels (1:7-8).
4. He closes the chapter with: “And in view of this, we always pray for you that our God will consider you worthy of His calling, and will, by His power, fulfill every desire for goodness and the work of faith, so 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” (1:11-12).

C. Chapter Two.

1. Paul then gives a word of clarification about the Lord’s return and the man of sin who we commonly called the “Antichrist”, here Paul calls him the man of lawlessness: “Now concerning the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ and our being gathered to Him: We ask you, brothers, not to be easily upset in mind or troubled, either by a spirit or by a message or by a letter as if from us, alleging that the Day of the Lord has come. Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way. For that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction. He opposes and exalts himself above every so-called god or object of worship, so that he sits in God’s sanctuary, publicizing that he himself is God” (2:1-4). Many believe this man will be revealed before the rapture and will sit in God’s newly constructed temple in Jerusalem. Others point to the doctrine of the eminency and say that if the man of sin appears, believers will know exactly the return of Christ. Because of the Thessalonians undergoing persecution, it seemed as though the end times persecution was happening. Paul gave this word to refute that.
2. The Greek word translated as “apostacy” in 2:3 is “apostasia,” which means a turning away from a former position or abandonment of loyalties. In this usage, it is the denial of the truth of the gospel. That is happening more and more in our age, as former mainstream solid denominations are rejecting the validity of Scripture.
3. Paul then talks about the one who restrains the man of sin: “Don’t you remember that when I was still with you, I told you about this? And you know what currently restrains him, so that he will be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness is already at work, but the one now restraining will do so until he is out of the way, and then the lawless one will be revealed” (2:5-8a). The Thessalonians apparently knew what is meant by the “one now restraining”. There is much debate about this, but the best answer is the Holy Spirit within the church, which, when raptured, will allow the lawless one to emerge.
4. Paul continues with more information about the lawless one and why he will be exalted: “The coming of the lawless one is based on Satan’s working, with all kinds of false miracles, signs, and wonders, and with every unrighteous deception among those who are perishing. They perish because they did not accept the love of the truth in order to be saved. For this reason, God sends them a strong delusion so that they will believe what is false, so that all will be condemned—those who did not believe the truth but enjoyed unrighteousness” (2:9-12).
5. Paul encourages the believers to remain steadfast in their faith: “We must always thank God for you, brothers and sisters loved by the Lord, because from the beginning, God has chosen you for salvation through the sanctifying work of the Spirit and through belief in the truth. He called you to this through our gospel, so that you might share in the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, brothers, stand firm and hold to the traditions you were taught, whether by our message or by our letter” (2:13-15). While the phrase “chosen from the beginning” underscores God’s initiative in salvation, it should be understood in light of God’s universal offer of grace. God’s call to salvation is extended to all, but the response of faith is what makes it effective in the lives of believers. Foreknowledge is not causation. This passage encourages believers to respond to God’s calling with perseverance and hold fast to the truths they have received through the gospel.

D. Chapter Three.

1. Paul opens the final chapter with a request for prayer for them: “Finally, brothers, pray for us that the Lord’s message may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you, and that we may be delivered from wicked and evil men, for not all have faith. But the Lord is faithful; He will strengthen and guard you from the evil one” (3:1-3).
2. He continues with a warning against irresponsible behavior: “Now we command you, brothers, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, to keep away from every brother who walks irresponsibly and not according to the tradition received from us. For you yourselves know how you must imitate us: We were not irresponsible among you; we did not eat anyone’s food free of charge; instead, we labored and struggled, working night and day, so that we would not be a burden to any of you” (3:6-8).
3. He mentions some who are not working but depending upon others and interfering with their work. But also, not to grow weary of doing good: “In fact, when we were with you, this is what we commanded you: ‘If anyone isn’t willing to work, he should not eat’. For we hear that there are some among you who walk irresponsibly, not working at all, but interfering with the work of others. Now we command and exhort such people by the Lord Jesus Christ that quietly working, they may eat their own food. Brothers, do not grow weary in doing good” (3:10-13).
4. He then gives a strong word about avoiding such a person before closing with a blessing: “And if anyone does not obey our instruction in this letter, take note of that person; don’t associate with him, so he may be ashamed. Yet don’t treat him as an enemy, but warn him as a brother. May the Lord of peace Himself give you peace always in every way. The Lord be with all of you. This greeting is in my own hand—Paul. This is a sign in every letter; this is how I write. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with all of you” (3:14-18). That he mentions a “greeting in my own hand” may indicate the “thorn in his flesh” which may be possible damage to his eyes when he was temporarily blinded (Acts 9:1-9).

E. Discussion Questions, Application and Passing it On.

1. Are you facing suffering for the gospel? If so, do you have a sense this is for your worthiness for the Kingdom of God? (1:5).
2. The difference between the rapture and the glorious appearing of Jesus Christ (Titus 2:13) at the end of the Tribulation has been a great area of disagreement between Bible teachers. What is your view based upon both epistles to the Thessalonians?
3. Do you grow weary in doing good? (3:13). How can you prevent that?

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This New Testament survey was provided by Joshua Nations (JoshuaNations.org)

A. Overview and Summary.

1. This epistle from Paul is one of two he wrote to Timothy, whom he considered his beloved son in the faith. This is one of three so-called “pastoral letters,” including 2^nd Timothy and Titus. “Pastoral”, as both Timothy and Titus functioned as pastors, or shepherds in local churches. Timothy, whose name means “one who honors God”, received it from his mother Eunice and his grandmother Lois who were devote Jews and in whom dwelt genuine faith (2 Timothy 1:5). They taught Timothy the Old Testament Scriptures from his childhood (2 Timothy 3:15). His father was Greek, which explains why Timothy was not circumcised until Paul circumcised him because of the Jews and because he wanted Timothy to go with him Acts 16:3).
2. Timothy was from Lystra, a city in the Roman province of Galatia, part of modern Turkey. Paul met him while on his first missionary journey. Paul may have led him to Christ as he calls Timothy “his beloved son” in several places in his epistles. Paul does acknowledge Timothy’s faith and the influence of his mother and grandmother, but also makes mention of stirring up the gift of God that Timothy received from Paul by the laying on of his hands (2 Timothy 1:6).
3. Paul often sent Timothy to churches as his representative. This epistle is addressed to Timothy while he was serving as a pastor in Ephesus (1:3) from Paul while he was in Macedonia (1:3). As Timothy had been thoroughly immersed in theology from Paul, this letter contains practical pastoral instruction from Paul. The epistle does address important theological truths including the proper function of the law (1:5-11); salvation (1:14-16; 2:4-6); attributes of God (1:17); the fall of man (2:13-14); the person and nature of Christ (3:16; 6:15,16); election (6:12) and the second coming of Christ (6:14-15). Timothy was also to deal with false doctrine that had crept into the church (1:3-7; 4:1-7; 6:3-5), address disorder in worship (2:1-15), establish qualifications for church leaders (3:1-14), and confront materialism (6:6-19).

B. Chapter One.

1. After his opening greeting, Paul admonishes Timothy to address false doctrine: “As I urged you when I went to Macedonia, remain in Ephesus so that you may instruct certain people not to teach different doctrine or to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies. These promote empty speculations rather than God’s plan, which operates by faith. Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Some have deviated from these and turned aside to fruitless discussion” (1:3-6).
2. These “certain people” were Judaizers who were teaching the law without proper understanding. Paul says the “law is good, provided one uses it legitimately” (1:8). He then tells Timothy the law is for the “unrighteous, the ungodly, the rebellious for the unholy and irreverent, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers, for the sexually immoral and homosexuals, for kidnappers, liars, perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching based on the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was entrusted to me” (1:9-11). We can use the Law today legitimately to convict someone of their sin before a righteous God.
3. Paul continues with his testimony noting he was “one who was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an arrogant man. But I received mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief” (1:13). He gives praise to God: “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen (1:17).
4. He closes this chapter with a charge to Timothy to “strongly engage in battle according to prophecies previously made about him” (1:18). He mentions two individuals who have made their faith shipwreck: “Some have rejected these and have suffered the shipwreck of their faith. Hymenaeus and Alexander are among them, and I have delivered them to Satan, so that they may be taught not to blaspheme” (1:19-20). This can be a difficult passage to understand. Paul, using his apostolic authority, apparently put these men out of the church to remove their negative influence. In doing so, they were removed from the protection and insulation of God’s people. They were no longer in the environment of God’s blessing to the church, but vulnerable to Satan’s control and influence. Church discipline, if administered properly, will accomplish the same. The goal of disfellowship is repentance and restitution not destruction of the individual(s). Nothing else is mentioned in Scripture about these two men, but the hope is that they learned not to blaspheme.

C. Chapter Two.

1. Paul begins this chapter with instruction on prayer: “First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone, for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good, and it pleases God our Savior, who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth” (2:1-4). This passage has raised a common question, if God wants “everyone to be saved” why doesn’t He? In Ephesians 1:4, Paul tells us that in eternity past, God “chose us before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and blameless before Him in love”. This is called predestination, or election (Romans 8:29-30). This was before we were born, before we sinned. That is not the issue. What is the issue is why or how did He chose some and not others. God obviously did not choose everyone, or else everyone would come to a saving knowledge of Christ. Some, He left to their own desires to continue in rebellion and reject Christ. If He did not choose us, we all would be in such a condition.
2. There are at least two common theories to God’s choosing. One view which is called the prescient, or foreknowledge view, says that God in His omniscience, knows who in time will by their own free will, chose to put their faith in the saving grace of Jesus Christ. He therefore choses them in eternity past based upon this. The second theory is called the Augustinian view, named after Augustine, the Bishop of Hippo (396-430) who said about predestination “He did this according to the good pleasure of His will, so that nobody might glory concerning his own will, but about God’s will towards himself”. In other words, God for His own purposes and for his glory, not for ours, chooses some to bestow grace upon them so that by faith, they would come to a saving knowledge of Christ. Theologians have disagreed about predestination for centuries without resolution.
3. Some argue that this means many will suffer in Hell for eternity because they were not chosen. God is just, and there will be no one in Hell who does not deserve to be there. Our free will allows us to make decisions throughout our lives as to whether to sin, rebel, or glorify God. Mankind will be judged according to their works (Revelation 20:13; Psalm 62:12; Proverbs 24:12; Jeremiah 17:10; 32:19; Matthew 16:27; Romans 2:6). No one will be able to say that God is not fair according to our thinking. Regardless, we do not know this side of eternity, who is chosen and who is not. Therefore, it does not change our responsibility to share the gospel with all that we possibly can.
4. The passage in 1 Timothy 2:8-14, which addresses the role of women in the church, has often been a subject of debate. It is essential to understand that Paul’s instructions must be read in their cultural and historical context. While Paul addresses leadership and authority within the church, his teaching is not a blanket prohibition on the spiritual gifts and ministries that women can exercise in the body of Christ. Armenian evangelical theology values the full equality of men and women in Christ (Galatians 3:28), and it is crucial to affirm that women have an essential role in ministry. While Paul highlights a specific order in church leadership, this should not be interpreted as a restriction on women’s ability to serve in significant roles within the church, such as teaching, evangelism, discipleship, and leadership. Women, like men, are called and equipped by God to serve His kingdom in powerful ways. It is essential to acknowledge that cultural norms and historical context influenced Paul’s directives; therefore, these teachings should not be applied in a legalistic manner in modern contexts where cultural and social conditions differ. The full participation of women in ministry is not only consistent with Scripture, but it also reflects the abundant gifts that the Holy Spirit has given to all believers, regardless of gender. God calls both men and women to serve and lead in His church in accordance with their gifts and calling. While the question of church leadership positions may still vary by denomination or tradition, we are encouraged to uphold the biblical principle that all believers are equally valued and equally empowered to serve God in His Kingdom. Women’s spiritual gifts should not be disregarded or undervalued, and their role in ministry should be celebrated and supported.
5. Paul again writes a controversial passage: “But she will be saved through childbearing, if she continues in faith, love, and holiness, with good judgment” To be saved in child bearing would refer to the natural role that women have in giving birth and rearing godly children and not to eternal salvation which is in Christ alone. In context with the preceding verses, this would mean that instead of demanding authority roles, women will find fulfillment in raising children to love and honor God and to manage the household wisely (5:14).

D. Chapter Three.

1. This chapter contains the qualifications of elders (overseers) and deacons. For an elder: “If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work. An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher, not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy—one who manages his own household competently, having his children under control with all dignity. (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the Devil. Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the Devil’s trap” (3:1-7). Above reproach means that he must have a godly reputation not clouded by past indiscretions or sins. This does not mean perfection, but he must be recognized as one who has an excellent reputation. Husband of one wife could mean that he is not a polygamist, but the Greek carries with it the connotation that he is a one-woman man, not someone who is chasing other women either openly or covertly. The one attribute that differs from the attributes of a deacon is that he must have the ability to teach the Word. The other attributes are self-explanatory.
2. For a deacon, the attributes are similar except for teaching, as previously mentioned. Both must be able to manage their own households, as this is an indication of how well they can manage the affairs of the church. If tested faithfully, a deacon may eventually become an elder.
3. Paul closes with: “I have written so that you will know how people ought to act in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 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” (3:15-16).

E. Chapter Four.

1. Paul discusses things that will creep in at the end times: “Now the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared. They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods that God created to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth: (4:1-3). Many have pointed out that the practices of the Roman Catholic denomination regarding the celibacy of priests and nuns seem to match this prophecy. This requirement has caused much sin among those individuals as not all have the gift of celibacy. They also forbid meat on certain days. But the focus of this passage is on the influence of demons. We are surrounded by demons, and we must be diligent not to be deceived by them. This is accomplished by prayer and by setting boundaries in our lives to keep us from sinning.
2. Paul gives Timothy instruction in godliness: “If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith and the good teaching that you have followed. But have nothing to do with irreverent and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness, for the training of the body has a limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come” (4:6-8). Bodily exercise does have benefits. Regular exercise can result in years of healthy living for ministry. But Paul’s point is that his focus should be on godliness training.
3. Paul gives Timothy instructions for his ministry: “Command and teach these things. Let no one despise your youth; instead, you should be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching. Do not neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy, with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. Practice these things; be committed to them, so your progress may be evident to all. Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers” (4:11-16). These are good words for anyone in ministry. The gift that was in Timothy is the Holy Spirit, which all genuine believers possess. However, we can neglect it by not focusing on prayer and the study of the Word.

F. Chapter Five.

1. Paul gives instructions regarding the rebuke of older men and the treatment of younger men and women. He also gives lengthy advice on widows, with the concern that younger women would become idle. He specifically says that the church should support no widow unless they are 60 years old and is well known for good works (5:9-10).
2. He mentions support for elders involved in full-time ministry: “The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. For the Scripture says: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain, and the worker is worthy of his wages” (5:17-18).
3. He addresses how to deal with accusations against elders: “Don’t accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses. Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will also be afraid. I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism. Don’t be too quick to appoint anyone as an elder, and don’t share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. Don’t continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses” (5:19-23). Those in leadership positions will receive criticism. Some will be correct, but some not. The test for true accusations is that the offense is confirmed by two to three witnesses. Timothy apparently had frequent stomach illness. Water was often impure. Common practice was to add wine containing alcohol to the water to purify it.
4. Paul ends the chapter with an interesting comment: “Some people’s sins are obvious, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others surface later. Likewise, good works are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden” (5:24-25). In the United States, we have seen this with former prominent preachers. One world-famous theologian and apologist passed away, and his grievous sins came to light only afterwards and destroyed what would have been his legacy. Others, still living, are facing their previously hidden sins, which are now coming to light and destroying their ministry.

G. Chapter Six.

1. Paul gives an opening word about slaves and the need for respect for their masters (6:1-2). He continues with a strong word about those who bring in false doctrine and says: “he is conceited, understanding nothing, but has a sick interest in disputes and arguments over words. From these come envy, quarreling, slander, evil suspicions, and constant disagreement among people whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness is a way to material gain” (6:4-5).
2. He brings a word about material things: “For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with these” (6:7-8). He cautions about the temptation of desiring riches and warns: “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains” (6:10). Note he says the love of money is the root of all evil and not money itself. The ministry requires money, and we need to manage it correctly for the sake of God’s Kingdom.
3. He tells Timothy: “But you, man of God, run from these things, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness. Fight the good fight for the faith; take hold of eternal life that you were called to and have made a good confession about in the presence of many witnesses” (6:11-12).
4. He admonishes Timothy: “I charge you to keep the command without fault or failure until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ. God will bring this about in His own time. He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, the only One who has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light; no one has seen or can see Him, to Him be honor and eternal might. Amen” (6:14-16).
5. He gives instructions to the rich: “Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share, storing up for themselves a good reserve for the age to come, so that they may take hold of life that is real” (6:17-19).
6. He closes with a final word to Timothy: “Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding irreverent, empty speech and contradictions from the “knowledge” that falsely bears that name. By professing it, some people have deviated from the faith. Grace be with all of you” (6:20-21). Paul’s mention of “knowledge” most likely has a connection to the false knowledge of Gnosticism. That he says “Grace be with all of you” indicates that the epistle was to be read by the church and not just Timothy.

H. Discussion Questions, Application and Passing it On.

1. Does your church practice appropriate church discipline? Many churches do not and the leaven of those who sin within the church can impact negatively the entire church body (Galatians 5:9). What is the proper method to confront sin or offense in the church? See Matthew chapter 18 for guidance.
2. Evangelist Ray Comfort references the Ten Commandments frequently in his ministry outreach. He points to 1st Timothy 1:8, saying this is using the Law “legitimately”. Are you able to use the Ten Commandments in this way?
3. What is your understanding or interpretation of God’s election?
4. Does your church select elders and deacons in accordance with the criteria listed in chapter three? Have you seen issues when those attributes are not present in those who have been appointed?
5. Do you exercise yourself for godliness? If not, what are your next steps?
6. What is your attitude towards money? Do you let it rule over you or do you use it not only for your needs, but to further the Kingdom of God?

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This New Testament survey was provided by Joshua Nations (JoshuaNations.org)

A. Overview and Summary.

1. This is the second of Paul’s letters to Timothy (please see the synopsis for First Timothy) written from Rome shortly before his martyrdom about 67 AD. This was the second time Paul was imprisoned in Rome. During his first imprisonment, he was under house arrest and allowed a degree of freedom to interact with people and conduct ministry (Acts 28:16-31). During that time, he expressed confidence in his future deliverance (Philippians 1:19,25,26; 2:24; Philemon 22). It is believed he was released for a short period of time during which he wrote 1 Timothy and Titus. He possibly journeyed as far west as Spain, but there is no documentation in Scripture other than an expression of his desire to go there (Romans 15:24).
2. During the time of this epistle, Nero had begun intense persecution of Christians, even to the extent of blaming the burning of Rome on them. For this reason, Paul’s tone is more despondent, telling how many had deserted him except for Luke (4:9-11a). But, he proclaims that he has the assurance “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. There is reserved for me in the future the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give me on that day, and not only to me, but to all those who have loved His appearing” (4:7-8).
3. He desires to see Timothy, whom he calls his “dearly beloved son” (1:2), one more time and urges him to come with Mark (4:11b). He also instructs him to bring a cloak he had le` behind as well as the parchments (4:13). It is not known if Timothy was able to come before Paul was martyred. There is nothing in Scripture regarding a visit by Timothy, although the anonymous author of Hebrews mentions Timothy’s release from prison (13:23), which could mean he was imprisoned in Rome. He may have been afraid, which is why Paul encourages him not to be (1:7).
4. In this epistle, knowing that his end is near, he passes the mantle of ministry to Timothy. He charges him to be faithful in his duties (1:6), keep sound doctrine (1:13-14), including avoidance of error (2:15-18), accept persecution for the gospel (2:3-4; 3:10-12), and to preach the Scripture (3:15-4:5).

B. Chapter One.

1. Paul says that: “he thanks God whom I serve with a clear conscience did as my ancestors” (1:3). Paul is connecting his Jewish ancestors’ faithful service to God with Paul’s ministry to the Gentiles. His ancestors served God, looking forward to the Messiah, while Paul’s service to the Gentiles proclaims that Jesus is the Messiah. He then connects Timoth’s mother’s and grandmother’s faith to this. He goes on to admonish Timothy to stir up the gift within him, as God has not given us a spirit of fearfulness (1:7).
2. He then charges Timothy: “Be not ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, nor of me his prisoner: but suffer hardship with the gospel according to the power of God; who saved us, and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to his own purpose and grace, which was given us in Christ Jesus before times eternal, but now has been manifested by the appearing of our Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death, and brought life and immortality to light through the gospel” (1:8-10).
3. He closes the chapter with: “This you know, that all in Asia turned away from me; of whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. The Lord grant mercy unto the house of Onesiphorus: for he often refreshed me, and was not ashamed of my chains” (1:15-16). It is not known if Phygelus and Hermogenes departed from the faith, or if they had only deserted Paul. But Onesiphorus was not afraid and sought out Paul in prison to minister to him.

C. Chapter Two.

1. Paul opens the chapter with a charge that many have taken to heart: “Thou therefore, my child, be strengthened in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things which thou hast heard from me among many witnesses, the same commit thou to faithful men, who shall be able to teach others also” (2:1-2). The phrase commit to faithful men the things heard from Paul is a key to successful discipleship. Making disciples is the mission given to us by Jesus (Matthew 28:19-20). Unfortunately, this mission has mostly become an omission for many believers.
2. He continues with a promise if we endure: “Therefore, I endure all things for the elect’s sake, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. Faithful is the saying: For if we died with him, we shall also live with him: if we endure, we shall also reign with him: if we shall deny him, he also will deny us: if we are faithless, he abides faithful; for he cannot deny himself” (2:10-13). The word for endurance is from the Greek word “hypomenomen”, and includes the idea of remaining, lasting, or suffering. This theme is found throughout 2 Timothy. True believers will reign with Christ in the millennial kingdom (Revelation chapter 20). Most Bible teachers believe those who deny Christ mentioned here are nonbelievers and He will deny them before the Father (Matthew 10:33). But within the context of Paul’s words here, he is talking about believers who do not endure. It could be that although saved, they are denied by Jesus to rule and reign with Him. However, we also see the stern warning of, “if we shall deny him, he also will deny us.” All believers should take heed not to fall away from their obedient faith in Jesus.
3. He exhorts Timothy to: “Give diligence to present yourself approved to God, a workman that needs not to be ashamed, handling rightly the word of truth. But shun profane babblings: for they will proceed further in ungodliness, and their word will eat as does gangrene: of whom is Hymenaeus and Philetus; men who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of some” (2:15-18). We should all strive to have our work approved by the Lord. In 1 Timothy (1:18-19), Paul warns about a Hymenaeus along with an Alexander. It is most likely that this Hymenaeus is the same person, this time linked with a Philetus. All three men were false teachers and their influence was like gangrene which eats away health tissue as an analogy of destroying the faith of some.
4. Paul closes the chapter with: “Flee from youthful passions, and pursue righteousness, faith, love, and peace, along with those who call on the Lord from a pure heart. But reject foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they breed quarrels. The Lord’s slave must not quarrel, but must be gentle to everyone, able to teach, and patient, instructing his opponents with gentleness. Perhaps God will grant them repentance, leading them to the knowledge of the truth. Then they may come to their senses and escape the Devil’s trap, having been captured by him to do his will” (2:22-26).

D. Chapter Three.

1. Paul gives a warning about difficult times that will follow: “But know this: Difficult times will come in the last days. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, ungrateful, unholy, unloving, irreconcilable, slanderers, without self-control, brutal, without love for what is good, traitors, reckless, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, holding to the form of godliness but denying its power. Avoid these people!” (3:1-5).
2. He continues with: “In fact, all those who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. Evil people and impostors will become worse, deceiving and being deceived. But as for you, continue in what you have learned and firmly believed. You know those who taught you, and you know that from childhood you have known the sacred Scriptures, which are able to give you wisdom for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus” (3:15).
3. He closes the chapter with a strong word about the Divine inspiration of Scripture: “All Scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, for rebuking, for correcting, for training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work” (3:16-17). This passage elevated and later canonized the writings of Paul and other Apostles. The authors of the New Testament wrote under the direction and inspiration of the Holy Spirit.

E. Chapter Four.

1. Paul gives Timothy some parting words in this last chapter: “Proclaim the message; persist in it whether convenient or not; rebuke, correct, and encourage with great patience and teaching. For the time will come when they will not tolerate sound doctrine, but according to their own desires, will multiply teachers for themselves because they have an itch to hear something new. They will turn away from hearing the truth and will turn aside to myths. But as for you, be serious about everything, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (4:2-5).
2. He finishes with a confidence that “The Lord will rescue me from every evil work and will bring me safely into His heavenly kingdom. To Him be the glory forever and ever!” (4:18). He then closes the book with greetings towards faithful co-workers and a request for Timothy to come before winter.

F. Discussion Questions, Application and Passing it On.

1. This epistle finds the aged Apostle in chains in a Roman prison. Many have deserted him and he is writing to a faithful son in the gospel. Do you have such faithful ones in your Christian life who will not desert you if you are in difficult situations? If not, what must you do to gain some?
2. 2 Timothy 2:2 is a strong word about how to do discipleship. Are you able to find and commit to such men and women what you have gained from your study and knowledge of Scripture? How can you find such people?
3. Are you a faithful person who can endure much for the sake of the gospel? Does the promise to rule and reign with Christ encourage you to be such a person?
4. The verse which is stated in chapter three (3:16) as “God inspired” could also be translated as “God breathed”. Do you realize being emersed in God’s Word can fill you with His Holy breath? Do you have a daily habit of reading the Bible? If not, make that to become a priority.
5. Paul charged Timothy to proclaim the message regardless if it was convenient or not. Do you proclaim the message? If not, what is preventing you from doing so?

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This New Testament survey was provided by Joshua Nations (JoshuaNations.org)

A. Summary and Overview.

1. The epistle of Paul to the church in Colosse is one of Paul’s prison letters written from Rome along with Philippians, Ephesians, and Philemon. This would put the date of its writing about 60 to 62 AD. Colosse was a city in Phrygia, in the Roman province of Asia, which is now modern Turkey. It was located about 100 miles east of Ephesus in the region of the seven churches of Revelation chapters two and three. At one time, the city had been located on an important trade route, but by Paul’s time, the main route had been relocated to nearby Laodicea which led to its decline. The population was mainly Gentile, but had a large Jewish population and both groups were represented in the church at Colosse. This mixture contributed to heretical doctrines which was the primary reason Paul wrote this epistle.
2. The church in Colossae was established by Epaphras (1:7), who, by tradition, was converted in Ephesus and planted the church upon returning to his hometown. The church faced several doctrinal challenges, including Jewish legalism, the issue of circumcision, and a blend of Jewish and Gentile pagan mysticism. Additionally, the church struggled with an emerging heresy that would later be recognized as Gnosticism. The term Gnosticism comes from the Greek word “gnosis,” meaning “knowledge”, and it emphasized mystical knowledge as the path to enlightenment and salvation. According to this heresy, while God was seen as good, they believed that material matter was inherently evil. Gnosticism claimed that this secret knowledge, which they held to be superior to Scripture, was necessary for salvation. It also denied the full divinity of Jesus Christ, asserting that He was a lesser being than God and, in doing so, rejected His true identity as both fully God and fully man. Concerned about this dangerous teaching, Epaphras made the long journey to Rome (4:12-13) to seek counsel from Paul. In response, Paul sent this epistle back to Colossae through Tychicus, who also accompanied the runaway slave Onesimus on his return to his master, Philemon, who was a member of the church (4:7-9).
3. The epistle presents doctrinal truths including the deity of Christ, reconciliation, redemption, election, forgiveness, and the nature of the church as well as addressing Gnosticism. These will be discussed in the chapters that follow. Modern cults that deny the deity of Christ, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses and Mormonism, often point to verse 1:15 where Paul says that Jesus is the “first-born over all creation”. We will deal with this in the narrative of the first chapter below.

B. Chapter One.

1. Paul opens his epistle with a greeting from him and Timothy. He begins with thanks to God for their faith in Christ and their love for all saints and the hope that is reserved in heaven for them (1:3-5). He then gently introduces the proper knowledge of God to offset the false knowledge of Gnosticism: “For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we haven’t stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding, so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God” (1:9-10). He also addresses redemption and the forgiveness of sins: “He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son He loves. We have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, in Him” (1:13-4).
2. He then presents a picture of the glory of Christ: “who is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn of all creation; for in him were all things created, in the heavens and upon the earth, things visible and things invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers; all things have been created through him, and unto him; and he is before all things, and in him all things consist. And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the preeminence. For it was the good pleasure of the Father that in him should all the fulness dwell; and through him to reconcile all things unto himself, having made peace through the blood of his cross” (1:15-20a). As was mentioned in the introduction, the phrase “firstborn of all creation” is used by the cults to attempt to deny Christ’s deity. The fact Christ is the creator (John 1:10) means He cannot be both the creator and the created. In Biblical times, “firstborn” referred to the heir who had priority over all things. This is Christ’s position before the Father.
3. Paul expresses his thoughts that God’s desire “to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before Him— if indeed you remain grounded and steadfast in the faith and are not shifted away from the hope of the gospel that you heard. This gospel has been proclaimed in all creation under heaven, and I, Paul, have become a servant of it” 1:22b-23). That Paul gives the “if indeed” here is a statement of his concern regarding the heresies that are impacting the church.
4. He closes the chapter with: Now I rejoice in my sufferings for you, and I am completing in my flesh what is lacking in Christ’s afflictions for His body, that is, the church. I have become its servant, according to God’s administration that was given to me for you, to make God’s message fully known, the mystery hidden for ages and generations but now revealed to His saints” (1:24-26) The phrase “completing what is lacking in Christ’s affliction” is puzzling. How could Christ’s suffering on the Cross be lacking? Many Bible teachers believe Paul was talking about his own sufferings, which had not yet conformed to those of Christ. Other translations make this clearer: “I am glad when I suffer for you in my body, for I am participating in the sufferings of Christ that continue for his body, the church” (NLT).

C. Chapter Two.

1. Paul gets to the heart of the heresy facing the Colossians in this chapter. He begins with his desire that those who have not seen him face to face “may have all the riches of assured understanding and have the knowledge of God’s mystery—Christ. All the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Him” (2:2-3). He presents God’s mystery to offset the mystical teachings they face and affirms that wisdom and knowledge are hidden in Christ.
2. He continues with “Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elemental forces of the world, and not based on Christ. For the entire fullness of God’s nature dwells bodily in Christ, and you have been filled by Him, who is the head over every ruler and authority. You were also circumcised in Him with a circumcision not done with hands, by putting off the body of flesh, in the circumcision of the Messiah (2:8-11).
3. He addresses the practice of the Judaizers and worship of angels. “Therefore, don’t let anyone judge you in regard to food and drink or in the matter of a festival or a new moon or a Sabbath day. These are a shadow of what was to come; the substance is the Messiah. Let no one disqualify you, insisting on ascetic practices and the worship of angels, claiming access to a visionary realm and inflated without cause by his unspiritual mind (2:16-18).

D. Chapter Three.

1. Paul admonishes them to set their minds on the things above and not upon the earth (3:2). He then exhorts them to purity and calls them to unity: “Therefore, put to death what belongs to your worldly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desire, and greed, which is idolatry. Because of these, God’s wrath comes on the disobedient, and you once walked in these things when you were living in them. But now you must also put away all the following: anger, wrath, malice, slander, and filthy language from your mouth. Do not lie to one another, since you have put off the old self with its practices and have put on the new self. You are being renewed in knowledge according to the image of your Creator. In Christ there is not Greek and Jew, circumcision and uncircumcision, barbarian, Scythian, slave and free; but Christ is all and in all (3:5-11).
2. He gives words about the Christian life: “put on heartfelt compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience, accepting one another and forgiving one another if anyone has a complaint against another. Just as the Lord has forgiven you, so you must also forgive. Above all, put on love—the perfect bond of unity. And let the peace of the Messiah, to which you were also called in one body, control your hearts. Be thankful. Let the message about the Messiah dwell richly among you, teaching and admonishing one another in all wisdom, and singing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs, with gratitude in your hearts to God” (3:12-16).
3. He closes with practical instruction and a warning: “Wives, be in subjection to your husbands, as is fitting in the Lord. Husbands, love your wives, and be not bitter against them. Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well-pleasing in the Lord. Fathers, provoke not your children, that they not be discouraged. Servants, obey in all things them that are your masters according to the flesh; not with eyeservice, as men-pleasers, but in singleness of heart, fearing the Lord: whatsoever you do, work heartily, as unto the Lord, and not unto men; knowing that from the Lord you shall receive the recompense of the inheritance: you serve the Lord Christ. For he that does wrong shall receive again for the wrong that he has done: and there is no respect of persons (3:18-25).

E. Chapter Four.

1. Paul continues with a word to masters but then gives a request for prayer for himself and his companions: “Masters, render unto your servants that which is just and equal; knowing that you also have a thanksgiving; praying for us also, that God may open unto us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in bonds; that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak. Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming (making most of) the time. Let your speech be always with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer each one” (4:1-6).
2. He closes the epistle with a word about Tychicus and Onesimus who will carry the epistle back to Colosse. Then he sends greetings from a number of people with him in Rome, and then gives salutations as well. He requests that this epistle be read among the church of the Laodiceans and that the epistle to them be read at Colosse as well (4:16). The epistle to the Laodiceans has not yet been found.

F. Discussion Questions, Application and Passing it On.

1. Gnosticism, although originating in the 1st century, has evolved into a comprehensive challenge to the church, particularly within the New Age movement. It has infiltrated mainstream denominations and drawn many away from the solid truths in the Bible. How would you address anything that you may see in your local church from what you have learned from Colossians?
2. How would you speak to someone who uses Colossians 1:15 in an attempt to deny the deity of Christ?
3. Do you redeem the time (4:5)? The context would indicate using the time you are in communication with unbelievers. However, there are several ways this verse could be interpreted. How would you redeem or make the most of your time?

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This New Testament survey was provided by Joshua Nations (JoshuaNations.org)

Coming Soon…

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This New Testament survey was provided by Joshua Nations (JoshuaNations.org)

A. Overview and Summary.

1. Ephesians is one of the so-called “prison letters” written by Paul from his imprisonment in Rome along with Philippians, Colossians, and Philemon. This would put the writing about 60-62 AD. The city of Ephesus was the old capital of Asia Minor, now in modern-day Turkey. It was located on the east side of the Aegean Sea at the mouth of the Cayster River, which later silted up and caused the eventual decline of what was once a thriving trade center. It was known for the temple to Artemis, or the goddess Diana, which was the center of pagan worship of that false deity. Paul’s preaching resulted in a riot led by the silversmith Demetrius, as recorded in Acts 19:24-41.
2. The first three chapters focus on theology, or Christian doctrine, while the last three chapters are on Christian practical behavior. A key theme of the book is the mystery, or previously unrevealed truth, that the church is comprised of Gentiles who are part of the body of Christ and are partakers of God’s promise in Christ through the gospel.

B. Chapter One.

1. Paul opens with a strong word about God’s predestination: “Praise the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who has blessed us in Christ with every spiritual blessing in the heavens. For He chose us in Him, before the foundation of the world, to be holy and blameless in His sight. In love, He predestined us to be adopted through Jesus Christ for Himself, according to His favor and will, to the praise of His glorious grace that He favored us with in the Beloved” (1:3-6). If God chose us before the foundation of the world, how could He ever un-choose us?
2. He continues with a solid statement of the gospel: “We have redemption in Him through His blood, the forgiveness of our trespasses, according to the riches of His grace that He lavished on us with all wisdom and understanding” (1:7-8). He then gives us a validation of our inheritance in Christ: “When you heard the message of truth, the gospel of your salvation, and when you believed in Him, you were also sealed with the promised Holy Spirit. He is the down payment of our inheritance, for the redemption of the possession, to the praise of His glory” (1:13-14).
3. He prays that the believers in Ephesus would receive a spirit of wisdom and revelation in the knowledge of Him. That they may know “what is the hope of His calling, what the glorious riches of His inheritance are among the saints, and what is the immeasurable greatness of His power to us who believe, according to the working of His vast strength” (1:18b-19).
4. The chapter concludes with: “He demonstrated this power in the Messiah by raising Him from the dead and seating Him at His right hand in the heavens—far above every ruler and authority, power and dominion, and every title given, not only in this age but also in the one to come. And He put everything under His feet and appointed Him as head over everything for the church, which is His body, the fullness of the One who fills all things in every way” (1:20-23).

C. Chapter Two.

1. He begins by reminding us that we were dead in our trespasses and sins but that Christ has made us alive in Him and that we were saved by grace through faith, not of ourselves, but it is God’s gift, not of works, so that no one can boast (2:8-9).
2. He addresses unity and reminds the Gentiles that they were without a Messiah, excluded from the citizenship of Israel, foreigners of the covenants of promise, without hope and without God in the world (2:12). “But now in Christ Jesus, you who were far away have been brought near by the blood of the Messiah. For He is our peace, who made both groups one and tore down the dividing wall of hostility” (2:13-14).
3. Paul concludes this line of argument with “He did this so that He might reconcile both to God in one body through the cross and put the hostility to death by it. When the Messiah came, He proclaimed the good news of peace to you who were far away and peace to those who were near. For through Him we both have access by one Spirit to the Father. So, then you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with the saints, and members of God’s household” (2:16-19).

D. Chapter Three.

1. Paul explains that the Gentiles are now “coheirs, members of the same body, and partners of the promise in Christ Jesus through the gospel. I was made a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace that was given to me by the working of His power” (3:6-7). He continues with: This grace was given to me-the least of all the saints—to proclaim to the Gentiles the incalculable riches of the Messiah, and to shed light for all about the administration of the mystery hidden for ages in God who created all things” (3:8-9).
2. Paul reveals his desire for them in his prayers: “For this reason I kneel before the Father from whom every family in heaven and on earth is named. I pray that He may grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with power in the inner man through His Spirit, and that the Messiah may dwell in your hearts through faith. I pray that you, being rooted and firmly established in love, may be able to comprehend with all the saints what is the length and width, height and depth of God’s love, and to know the Messiah’s love that surpasses knowledge, so you may be filled with all the fullness of God” (3:14-19).
3. He concludes this chapter with: “Now to Him who is able to do above and beyond all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us—to Him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus to all generations, forever and ever. Amen” (3:20-21).

E. Chapter Four.

1. The chapter begins with Paul urging the Ephesians to: “walk worthy of the calling you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, accepting one another in love, diligently keeping the unity of the Spirit with the peace that binds us. There is one body and one Spirit—just as you were called to one hope at your calling—one Lord, one faith, one baptism, one God and Father of all, who is above all and through all and in all” (4:1-6).
2. He then presents the concept of Christ first descending into Hades and then ascending to heaven. He refers to Psalm 68:18: “When He ascended on high, He took prisoners into captivity; He gave gifts to people” (4:8). His full text on this is: “But what does “He ascended” mean except that He descended to the lower parts of the earth? The One who descended is also the One who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things” (4:9-10). From this portion of Paul’s text, a portion of what is called the “Apostle’s Creed” was developed in 5th-century Gaul. It is called the Apostle’s Creed, not because the Apostles developed it, but because it contains the Apostles’ teaching. Many churches, both Roman Catholic and Protestant, use the Apostles’ Creed in their liturgical services. It states the essentials of the Christian faith, including the Trinity, the virgin birth, the forgiveness of sins, Christ’s eventual return, and judgment.
3. The full text of the Creed says that Christ “descended into hell,” but many churches omit this phrase as they deem it offensive. That is because they do not understand the difference between “hell” and “Hades”. The Hebrew text of the Old Testament calls the place where the souls of men go as “Sheol” or place of the dead. When the Old Testament was translated into Greek, the Greek word “Hades” was used. The Lord Jesus provided additional insight on Hades. In Luke 16:19-31, Jesus tells of a man called Lazarus and of one just referred to as a rich man. They both die and Lazarus is carried by the angels to Abraham’s side while the rich man is carried to a place of torment in Hades. Abraham’s side, or “bosom” as some translations call it, is the comfortable portion of Hades or Paradise. The rich man went to hell, or the place of torment. The rich man asks Abraham to send Lazarus with water to ease his torment, but Abraham replies this is impossible due to a great chasm between where he and Lazarus are (Paradise) and the place of torment in Hades called hell. Jesus referred to Paradise on the Cross in His dialogue with the repentant thief: “today, you will be with me in Paradise” (Luke 23:43).
4. Many Bible teachers believe, based upon this passage in Ephesians 4:8, the soul of Jesus descended into Hades (Paradise) while His body remained in the tomb for three days. While in Hades, He preached a message of judgment upon those in torment in hell. These same teachers believe when He ascended, he took “captive” all the souls with him to heaven thereby emptying Paradise. This viewpoint is not accepted by all Bible teachers. However, it is not a crucial item of the faith as the New Testament reveals when we die, we will be with Jesus wherever He is (Philippians 1:22-24).
5. Paul tells us that Jesus gave different gifted individuals to the church. He lists five: apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers (Ephesians 4:11). These gifted individuals are often referred to as comprising “the five-fold ministry.” What is often overlooked is these gifted individuals’ mission is “for the training of the saints in the work of ministry, to build up the body of Christ, until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of God’s Son, becoming mature with a stature measured by Christ’s fullness. Then we will no longer be little children, tossed by the waves and blown around by every wind of teaching, by human cunning with cleverness in the techniques of deceit” (4:12-14). But often, these gifted ones only minister to their particular church body and do not train others to minister themselves.
6. There is ongoing discussion about whether the gifts of apostles and prophets are still active today. Some believe these gifts ceased after the first century with the original apostles, as their foundational mission was completed. However, others believe these gifts continue in the church today, though their role may look different from the foundational apostles and prophets of the early church. The Old Testament provides a test for prophets: if their prophecies do not come to pass, they are considered false prophets. In the New Testament context, the term “apostle” can also refer to “sent ones”, such as missionaries or leaders sent by a church or fellowship to spread the gospel. The gift of pastor, often translated as “shepherd,” is a key role in the church, focusing on the care and guidance of God’s people, though it is mentioned only once in this letter. Teachers and evangelists continue to serve in the church today, but it is essential for these gifted individuals to not only minister to the church but also to equip others for ministry, to build up the body of Christ so that more can be sent out to carry the gospel forward.
7. Paul spends the rest of the chapter presenting instructions about living the new life in Christ. He admonishes not to walk as the Gentiles walk in the futility of their thoughts (4:17). He tells them they have put off the old way of life and are being renewed in the spirit of their minds (4:22-23). He tells us to speak truth to our neighbors, to be angry but not let the sun go down on our anger. He speaks against thievery and not allowing foul language to come from our mouths. He says not to grieve the Holy Spirit and “be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving one another, just as God also forgave you in Christ” (4:32).

F. Chapter Five.

1. Paul continues with his instruction by telling us to “be imitators of God, as dearly loved children” (5:1). He cautions strongly that sexual impurity and greed should not be heard among us. He continues by telling us that course and crude joking are not suitable but rather the giving of thanks (5:3-4). As previously warned in his epistles to Corinth: “For know and recognize this: Every sexually immoral or impure or greedy person, who is an idolater, does not have an inheritance in the kingdom of the Messiah and of God” (5:5). As explained in the synopsis of the book of 1^st Corinthians, many Bible teachers believe this applies to an unsaved person. Although this is true, consider the example in the Old Testament of Esau, who lost his inheritance for a bowl of stew. Or Jesus’ parable of the Prodigal son who wasted his inheritance on sinful living. For a saved person who continues in sinful living, this pertains to rewards at the judgment seat of Christ.
2. He warns us again: “Let no one deceive you with empty arguments, for God’s wrath is coming on the disobedient because of these things. Therefore, do not become their partners. For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Walk as children of light— for the fruit of the light results in all goodness, righteousness, and truth—discerning what is pleasing to the Lord” (5:6-9).
3. Paul continues with words to married couples and compares the relationship to the church and Christ: “Wives, submit to your own husbands as to the Lord, for the husband is the head of the wife as Christ is the head of the church. He is the Savior of the body. Now as the church submits to Christ, so wives are to submit to their husbands in everything. Husbands, love your wives, just as Christ loved the church and gave Himself for her to make her holy, cleansing her with the washing of water by the word. He did this to present the church to Himself in splendor, without spot or wrinkle or anything like that, but holy and blameless. In the same way, husbands are to love their wives as their own bodies. He who loves his wife loves himself. For no one ever hates his own flesh but provides and cares for it, just as Christ does for the church, since we are members of His body (5:22-30).

G. Chapter Six.

1. In the final chapter to the Ephesians, Paul opens with advice to children and fathers. He admonishes Children to obey their parents as they would obey Christ. His words to fathers are not to stir up anger in their children but to bring them up in the training and instruction of the Lord (6:1-4). He also instructs slaves and masters in their relationship to each other (6:5-9).
2. The chapter concludes with words about spiritual warfare and the armor of God: “Finally, be strengthened by the Lord and by His vast strength. Put on the full armor of God so that you can stand against the tactics of the Devil. For our battle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the world powers of this darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavens” (6:10-12). He gives an analogy using armor of soldiers: “Stand therefore, having girded your loins with truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and having shod your feet with the preparation of the gospel of peace; taking up the shield of faith, by which you shall be able to quench all the fiery darts of the evil one. And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God: with all prayer and supplication praying at all seasons in the Spirit, and watching in all perseverance and supplication for all the saints” (6:14-18).

H. Discussion Questions, Application and Passing it On.

1. Have you ever considered the opening words of this epistle about God choosing us in eternity past before the foundation of the world as a strong promise we will never lose our salvation? This was before all of your sins past, present and future occurred. This confirms your salvation is all of God and not according to your works. Pass this truth on to someone who may be wavering in their faith about the security of their salvation.
2. Is the explanation of the difference of what is meant by Hell and Hades helpful? Would you be able to explain that to someone else?
3. If you are a “gifted one” as listed in chapter four, are you ministering to others to build them up and train them to minister themselves?
4. Do you put on “the whole armor of God” in your personal spiritual warfare?

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This New Testament survey was provided by Joshua Nations (JoshuaNations.org)

A. Overview and Summary.

1. The Apostle Paul wrote this letter to churches located in the region of Galatia, which is modern-day Turkey. This is the only epistle written to more than one church in a city. Most scholars put the date of its writing about 50 AD. This is due to his mention of his going up to the Jerusalem Council (2:1), which is believed to have occurred in 49 AD, so it is believed this epistle must have been written shortly afterward. The region of Galatia was populated by Gentiles descended from a migration of Celtic people from Gaul or modern-day France in the third century BC. Paul had previously established churches in Galatia: Pisidian Antioch, Iconium, Lystra and Derbe during his missionary journeys as recorded in the book of Acts.
2. It is the only one of Paul’s epistles not including a commendation to the churches because of his great concern they had drifted into heresy. The foundation of the Christian faith is justification by faith: by grace through faith in Jesus Christ alone. The Galatians were Gentiles, but they had been influenced by Jews who claimed they must adopt the Jewish practices of the Law in order to be saved (see 1:7; 4:17,21; 5:2-12; 6:12-13). The basis of man-made religion is always justification by works, or what man is capable of. The true gospel is centered on what God has done through His Son Jesus Christ.

B. Chapter One.

1. Paul opens the book by expressing his authority as an Apostle: “not from men or by man, but by Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead” (1:1). After greeting them with grace from God the Father and Jesus Christ he gets right into the purpose of his writing which is to confront false teaching: “I am amazed that you are so quickly turning away from Him who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel—not that there is another gospel, but there are some who are troubling you and want to change the good news about the Messiah. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach to you a gospel other than what we have preached to you, a curse be on him! As we have said before, I now say again: If anyone preaches to you a gospel contrary to what you received, a curse be on him! (1:6-9).
2. Paul continues by stating he did not receive the gospel from man but by revelation from Jesus Christ. He relates how, after his conversion, he went to Arabia and then back to Damascus, and only after three years, did he go up to Jerusalem, where he stayed with Peter for 15 days and did not see any of the other Apostles except James, the half-brother of Jesus (1:17-19). The chapter concludes with: ‘I remained personally unknown to the Judean churches in Christ; they simply kept hearing: ‘He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith he once tried to destroy.” And they glorified God because of me’” (1:22-24).

C. Chapter Two.

1. Paul continues with his defense of the gospel he preaches: “Then after 14 years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, taking Titus along also. I went up according to a revelation and presented to them the gospel I preach among the Gentiles—but privately to those recognized as leaders—so that I might not be running, or have run the race, in vain” (2:1-2). “This issue arose because of false brothers smuggled in, who came in secretly to spy on the freedom that we have in Christ Jesus, in order to enslave us. But we did not give up and submit to these people for even an hour, so that the truth of the gospel would be preserved for you” (2:4-5).
2. Paul relates how he did not receive anything from the other Apostles except an agreement that they would minister to the circumcised (the Jews) while he was to go to the Gentiles (2:6-9). He makes mention of how he opposed Peter to his face when he came to Antioch and ate at first with the Gentiles but when men came from James in Jerusalem, he withdrew so as not to offend them. Paul confronts Peter with: “If you, who are a Jew, live like a Gentile and not like a Jew, how can you compel Gentiles to live like Jews?” (2:14b).
3. He continues with a strong word about the true gospel: “We who are Jews by birth and not “Gentile sinners” know that no one is justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ. And we have believed in Christ Jesus so that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law, because by the works of the law no human being will be justified” (2:15-16).
4. He concludes the chapter with: “For through the law I have died to the law, so that I might live for God. I have been crucified with Christ, and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God, for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died for nothing” (2:19-21).

D. Chapter Three.

1. Paul opens with very harsh words: “You foolish Galatians! Who has hypnotized you, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was vividly portrayed as crucified? I only want to learn this from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law or by hearing with faith? Are you so foolish? After beginning with the Spirit, are you now going to be made complete by the flesh? (3:1-3). He reminds them how Abraham believed God and it was credited to him for righteousness (3:6). He continues with the blessing to Abraham that through him all the nations would be blessed (3:8).
2. He sharply reminds them all those who rely upon the law are cursed as no one is justified by the law but by faith (3:11) and that Christ redeemed us from the curse of the Law by becoming a curse for us by hanging on a tree (crucified) (3:13). He continues: “Before this faith came, we were confined under the law, imprisoned until the coming faith was revealed. The law, then, was our guardian until Christ, so that we could be justified by faith. But since that faith has come, we are no longer under a guardian, for you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus” (3:23-26). This “guardian” Paul refers to, is an analogy of the practice of wealthy people who would have a trusted servant or slave escort their children to school thereby keeping them safe. He is saying the Law’s purpose was to show us what righteousness means until Christ could fulfill that function by giving us righteousness through His death and resurrection.

E. Chapter Four.

1. After telling the Galatians in the previous chapter that they are heirs of the promise (3:29), he instructs them if the heir is a child, they are no different from a slave although they own everything until the time appointed by their father. In the same way, he continues, we were in slavery until the time appointed when “God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons. And because you are sons, God has sent the Spirit of His Son into our hearts, crying, “Abba, Father!” So you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir through God” (4:b-7). The phrase “Abba” is a term of endearment which the gospel gives us such a right to call our heavenly Father.
2. He then expresses his concern they have gone back to practices which have no value such as special days, seasons, months and years and his time with them was wasted (4:10-11). He expresses his frustration: “My children, I am again suffering labor pains for you until Christ is formed in you. I would like to be with you right now and change my tone of voice, because I don’t know what to do about you” (4:19-20).
3. He then goes into an analogy of Abraham’s two sons. One born of the flesh from a slave and one born by promise of a free woman. These two women represent two covenants; the slave (Hagar) bearing children into slavery. The other (Sarah), bearing children into the freedom of promise. He closes the chapter with: “Therefore, brothers, we are not children of the slave but of the free woman” (4:31).

F. Chapter Five.

1. He opens with a strong admonition: “Christ has liberated us to be free. Stand firm then and don’t submit again to a yoke of slavery” (5:1). He then disparages the practice of circumcision which was a sign of obedience to the Law and the only thing that matters is faith working through love (5:2-6).
2. He continues: “For you were called to be free, brothers; only don’t use this freedom as an opportunity for the flesh, but serve one another through love. For the entire law is fulfilled in one statement: Love your neighbor as yourself. But if you bite and devour one another, watch out, or you will be consumed by one another” (5:13-15).
3. He continues with a comparison of walking by the Spirit or by the flesh: “I say then, walk by the Spirit and you will not carry out the desire of the flesh. For the flesh desires what is against the Spirit, and the Spirit desires what is against the flesh; these are opposed to each other, so that you don’t do what you want. But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law” (5:16-18).
4. He warns them of the fruits of the flesh: Now the works of the flesh are obvious: sexual immorality, moral impurity, promiscuity, idolatry, sorcery, hatred, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, selfish ambitions, dissensions, factions, envy, drunkenness, carousing, and anything similar. I tell you about these things in advance—as I told you before—that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God” (5:19-21).
   In line with Paul’s warning, it’s important to understand that these sinful practices can cause a believer to forfeit their spiritual inheritance—eternal rewards and fellowship with God in His Kingdom. While this does not necessarily imply the loss of salvation itself, it highlights the serious consequences of willfully living according to the flesh. As seen in 1 Corinthians 6:9-10, Paul also warns that those who persist in such behavior without repentance are at risk of being excluded from God’s kingdom. However, salvation is secure for those who continue in faith, but it requires a continual walk of repentance, holiness, and obedience to Christ. The Bible makes it clear that salvation is not a one-time event but a journey of faith, one that demands perseverance in love and righteousness. Salvation is available through faith but requires active perseverance. As 1 Corinthians 3:15 reminds us, one’s works will be tested by fire, and while a believer may experience the loss of rewards for unfaithfulness, they will still be saved, though as though through fire. Therefore, this passage should not be interpreted as indicating that those who struggle or fall into sin were never truly saved. Instead, it is a call to live in accordance with the Spirit, to actively pursue holiness, and to repent when we fall short. Our walk with Christ involves continual growth and transformation by the Holy Spirit, who empowers us to live in victory over the works of the flesh.
5. He closes the chapter with words demonstrating the fruits of the Spirit: But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faith, gentleness, self-control. Against such things, there is no law. Now those who belong to Christ Jesus have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. Since we live by the Spirit, we must also follow the Spirit. We must not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another (5:22-26).

G. Chapter Six.

1. He opens the final chapter with: “Brothers, if someone is caught in any wrongdoing, you who are spiritual should restore such a person with a gentle spirit, watching out for yourselves so you also won’t be tempted” (6:1). He continues about caring for one another: The one who is taught the message must share all his good things with the teacher. Don’t be deceived: God is not mocked. For whatever a man sows he will also reap, because the one who sows to his flesh will reap corruption from the flesh, but the one who sows to the Spirit will reap eternal life from the Spirit. So, we must not get tired of doing good, for we will reap at the proper time if we don’t give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, we must work for the good of all, especially for those who belong to the household of faith” (6:6-10).
2. He concludes with reference about writing in large letters which some have interpretated to mean that he still had some suffering in his eyesight which may have been the thorn in the flesh he refers to in 2nd Corinthians 12:7. He continues: “But as for me, I will never boast about anything except the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ. The world has been crucified to me through the cross, and I to the world” (6:14). He closes the epistle with: “Brothers, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen” (6:18).

H. Discussion Questions, Application and Passing it On.

1. Many Christians inadvertently live in a sort of a law to themselves such as certain practices they have. But freedom in Christ means we are set free from such things. Not to walk according to the flesh, but according to the Spirit. How are you walking?
2. There are many gospels out there, such as Mormonism, the beliefs of Jehovah’s Witnesses, Buddhism, etc. They all depend upon self-work for justification or attainment of something. Do you believe the true gospel? Are you able to convey that to others? Do you truly believe Paul’s words that those who present such false gospels are truly cursed?
3. What are your thoughts about Paul’s warning of the various sins that can prevent us from inheriting the kingdom of God? Do you view that as a genuine possibility if you do not take action to renounce the sin in your life?

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This New Testament survey was provided by Joshua Nations (JoshuaNations.org)

A. Overview and Summary.

1. This is actually the third epistle the Apostle Paul wrote to the church at Corinth. As was explained in the synopsis of 1st Corinthians, the very first letter from Paul has never been discovered, although he references it in 1 Corinthians 5:9. It is believed that Paul wrote this letter in late 55AD or possibly early 56AD from Philippi during his third missionary journey.
2. Whereas 1st Corinthians is a corrective letter pertaining to Paul’s confrontation of moral decay in the Corinthian church, this epistle is Paul’s defense of his apostleship and confrontation of heresy brought in by false teachers. Although not a doctrinal book overall, many scholars consider 5:21 the clearest and most concise rendering of the substitutionary atonement of Christ in a single New Testament verse.

B. Chapter One.

1. The chapter opens by Paul stating he is an Apostle by “God’s will” which is the first mention of his defense of his apostolic status. He writes mentioning Timothy as a co-sender of the epistle (1:1). He then presents his viewpoint of suffering under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, saying that He comforts us in our affliction so that we may be a comfort to others (1:4). He then relates how he suffered greatly: “For we don’t want you to be unaware, brothers, of our affliction that took place in Asia: we were completely overwhelmed—beyond our strength—so that we even despaired of life. Indeed, we personally had a death sentence within ourselves, so that we would not trust in ourselves but in God, who raises the dead. He has delivered us from such a terrible death, and He will deliver us. We have put our hope in Him that He will deliver us again while you join in helping us by your prayers” (1:8-11). It is believed that this occurred while he was in Ephesus, as recorded in Acts chapter 19. He also suffered on many other occasions for the sake of the gospel.
2. He then says his conscience testifies he and his companions conducted themselves towards the world and to the Corinthians in sincerity and purity and not by fleshy wisdom but by God’s grace (1:12). He then discusses his travel plans to Corinth which was postponed but encourages them with: “Now it is God who strengthens us, with you, in Christ and has anointed us. He has also sealed us and given us the Spirit as a down payment in our hearts (1:21-22). The indwelling Holy Spirit is a tremendous validation that God will complete the work of perfection in us (Philippians 1:6).

C. Chapter Two.

1. He discusses the man who had greatly sinned and how he had written to them in 1 Corinthians about the need to discipline him as a church. They followed his instructions and now he writes: “The punishment inflicted by the majority is sufficient for that person. As a result, you should instead forgive and comfort him. Otherwise, this one may be overwhelmed by excessive grief. Therefore, I urge you to reaffirm your love to him” (2:6-8).
2. He concludes with: “But thanks be to God, who always puts us on display in Christ and through us spreads the aroma of the knowledge of Him in every place. For to God, we are the fragrance of Christ among those who are being saved and among those who are perishing. To some we are an aroma of death leading to death, but to others, an aroma of life leading to life” (2:14-16). This is an analogy to a victorious military parade where the triumphant procession of victors would lead captives along a parade route to the destination where the captives would be executed. Incense would be burned along the way so to the victorious, it would be an aroma celebrating victory. But to those who would perish, it would be an aroma of coming death. To those being saved, Paul and his companions were like an aroma of eternal life. But to those who rejected the gospel, it was an aroma of coming death and eternal torment.

D. Chapter Three.

1. He opens the chapter by likening the Corinthians to living letters: “You yourselves are our letter, written on our hearts, recognized and read by everyone. It is clear that you are Christ’s letter, produced by us, not written with ink but with the Spirit of the living God—not on stone tablets but on tablets that are hearts of flesh” (3:2-3). He then presents his competence of the ministry of the New Covenant, not of letters but of the Spirit (3:6).
2. He then discusses the New Covenant by comparing it to the Old Covenant under Moses. When Moses would commune with God, his face would take on a radiance. But afterward, Moses would cover his face with a veil so that as the radiance faded, the Israelites would not see that happening and lose heart. He says that even today, a veil is over the heart of those hearing the Law being read, “but whenever a person turns to the Lord, the veil is removed. Now the Lord is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom. We all, with unveiled faces, are looking as in a mirror at the glory of the Lord and are being transformed into the same image from glory to glory; this is from the Lord who is the Spirit” (3:16-18).

E. Chapter Four.

1. He opens with a statement of the truth of his ministry: “we have renounced shameful secret things, not walking in deceit or distorting God’s message, but commending ourselves to every person’s conscience in God’s sight by an open display of the truth (4:2). He continues with likening his body as a clay jar containing God’s treasure: “Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us. We are pressured in every way but not crushed; we are perplexed but not in despair; we are persecuted but not abandoned; we are struck down but not destroyed. We always carry the death of Jesus in our body, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our body” (4:7-10).
2. He concludes with: Therefore, we do not give up. Even though our outer person is being destroyed, our inner person is being renewed day by day. For our momentary light affliction is producing for us an absolutely incomparable eternal weight of glory. So, we do not focus on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (4:16-18).

F. Chapter Five.

1. He writes of his longing to put on his dwelling in heaven. He confirms God’s promise to us through the Spirit given to us as a down payment of eternal life with Him (5:2-5). He gives what will become a very famous verse: “we walk by faith, not by sight” and a charge to be well pleasing to Him (5:7;9). A stern admonition follows this: “For we must all appear before the tribunal of Christ, so that each may be repaid for what he has done in the body, whether good or bad” (5:10). This points us back to what we are building with in chapter 3.
2. He gives us an encouraging word which many have chosen to memorize: “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and behold, all things have become new” (5:17). He then gives us a ministry: “Everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation” (5:18). He concludes this chapter with the forementioned verse (in the introduction) that gives us a concise statement of the substitutionary atonement of Christ: “He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him” (5:21).

G. Chapter Six.

1. Paul gives us a summary of the character of his ministry: “giving no occasion of stumbling in anything, that our ministry not be blamed; but in everything commending ourselves, as ministers of God, in much patience, in afflictions, in necessities, in distresses, in stripes, in imprisonments, in tumults, in labors, in watching, in fasting; in pureness, in knowledge, in longsuffering, in kindness, in the Holy Spirit, in love unfeigned, in the word of truth, in the power of God; by the armor of righteousness on the right hand and on the lee, by glory and dishonor, by evil report and good report; as deceivers, and yet true; as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as chastened, and not killed; as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing all things” (6:4-10).
2. He warns us not to be in partnership with unbelievers: “Do not be mismatched with unbelievers. For what partnership is there between righteousness and lawlessness? Or what fellowship does light have with darkness? What agreement does Christ have with the Devil? Or what does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? And what agreement does God’s sanctuary have with idols? For we are the sanctuary of the living God” (6:14-16a).

H. Chapter Seven.

1. Paul opens with an admonition: “Therefore, dear friends, since we have such promises, let us cleanse ourselves from every impurity of the flesh and spirit, completing our sanctification in the fear of God” (7:1). He continues with praise for the Corinthians with confidence and pride of them in all Paul’s and his companion’s afflictions.
2. He goes on to say that the previous letter he sent, although grieved them, he does not regret sending it (7:8). He concludes the chapter by expressing comfort over the joy that Titus had when he came because his spirit was refreshed by them (7:13b).

I. Chapter Eight. The chapter is devoted to Paul’s appeal to the Corinthians to complete the collection begun a year ago for the brothers in Jerusalem. He concludes with some details about how the funds collected will be administered with the assistance of Titus whom the churches in Macedonia trust with such a large amount (8:7).

J. Chapter Nine.

1. Paul continues with instructions about giving: “The person who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and the person who sows generously will also reap generously. Each person should do as he has decided in his heart—not reluctantly or out of necessity, for God loves a cheerful giver. And God is able to make every grace overflow to you, so that in every way, always having everything you need, you may excel in every good work” (9:6-8).
2. The chapter concludes with a promise: “Now the One who provides seed for the Sower, and bread for food will provide and multiply your seed and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for all generosity, which produces thanksgiving to God through us. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints, but is also overflowing in many acts of thanksgiving to God. They will glorify God for your obedience to the confession of the gospel of Christ, and for your generosity in sharing with them and with others through the proof provided by this service” (9:10-13).

K. Chapter Ten.

1. Paul defends his apostolic authority. He has some in mind whom he wishes to confront when he plans to come who are accusing Paul and his companions of unspiritual behavior (10:2). He reminds them our weapons of spiritual warfare are not worldly but powerful through God for the demolition of strongholds. He is ready to punish any disobedience once it has been confirmed (10:4-6).
2. He says that he does not mean to terrify them with his letters. He refers to some who say: “’His letters are weighty and powerful, but his physical presence is weak, and his public speaking is despicable.’ Such a person should consider this: What we are in the words of our letters when absent, we will be in actions when present” (10:10-11).
3. He concludes with: “But we have the hope that as your faith increases, our area of ministry will be greatly enlarged, so that we may proclaim the good news to the regions beyond you, not boasting about what has already been done in someone else’s area of ministry. So, the one who boasts must boast in the Lord” (10:15b-17).

L. Chapter Eleven.

1. Paul introduces his concern that the Corinthians are being led astray by false teachers: “But I fear that, as the serpent deceived Eve by his cunning, your minds may be seduced from a complete and pure devotion to Christ. For if a person comes and preaches another Jesus, whom we did not preach, or you receive a different spirit, which you had not received, or a different gospel, which you had not accepted, you put up with it splendidly!” (11:3-4). He then reminds them he did not take support from them but “robbed other churches by taking pay from them to minister to you” (11:8).
2. Paul concludes the chapter with his qualifications and the many sufferings he has endured including being beaten, shipwrecked, stoned, receiving 39 lashes from the Jews, and a multitude of dangers from many sources. And not to mention, the daily pressure on him for the care of the churches (11:22-28).

M. Chapter Twelve.

1. Paul opens with a narrative of a man with a vision. Although he does not claim to be that man, most Bible scholars believe it was Paul. Possibly a vision given to him when he was stoned and left for dead. “I know a man in Christ who was caught up into the third heaven 14 years ago. Whether he was in the body or out of the body, I don’t know, God knows. I know that this man—whether in the body or out of the body I don’t know, God knows— was caught up into paradise. He heard inexpressible words, which a man is not allowed to speak” (12:2-4).
2. To avoid boasting or self-exaltation, Paul tells us of a physical ailment that he suffered, which he calls a “thorn in the flesh”. “I would not exalt myself, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to torment me so I would not exalt myself. Concerning this, I pleaded with the Lord three times to take it away from me. But He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me” (12:7b-9). Many bible scholars believe this describes an ailment that Paul had with his eyes. He often uses a scribe and signed the letter to the Galatians with “large letters” (Galatians 6:11). This might be a besetting symptom from his Damascus experience when a light forced him to the ground and he was blind for a few days.
3. He continues to defend his apostolic status: “The signs of an apostle were performed with great endurance among you—not only signs but also wonders and miracles” (12:12). He closes with his love for the Corinthians and his desire that they would be built up in the faith (12:19). He expresses his sorrow for those who have not repented of their former sins: “I will grieve for many who sinned before and have not repented of the moral impurity, sexual immorality, and promiscuity they practiced” (12:21b).

N. Chapter Thirteen.

1. This chapter contains Paul’s final warnings and exhortations. He begins with: “Every fact must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses. I gave a warning when I was present the second time, and now I give a warning while I am absent to those who sinned before and to all the rest: If I come again, I will not be lenient, since you seek proof of Christ speaking in me. He is not weak toward you, but powerful among you” (13:1b-3). “Test yourselves to see if you are in the faith. Examine yourselves. Or do you yourselves not recognize that Jesus Christ is in you? —unless you fail the test” (13:6).
2. He closes with an exhortation and a blessing: “Finally, brothers, rejoice. Become mature, be encouraged, be of the same mind, be at peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the saints greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, and the love of God, and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with you all” (13:11-13).

O. Discussion Questions, Application and Passing it on.

1. Do you understand what the “Substitutionary Atonement of Jesus Christ” is? A suggestion is to memorize 2 Corinthians 5:21, which, as explained before, is a concise presentation of that doctrine in one verse. Be able to use that verse and be able to explain what it means in your personal evangelistic outreach.
2. Chapter two describes how Paul and his companions were an aroma of life and death, presenting this as an analogy to a military parade with burning incense, with victorious soldiers but captives being led to their execution. How do you view yourself? Are you an aroma bringing life to some by the gospel, yet also an aroma of death to those who are perishing?
3. Chapter four opens with Paul declaring that they have renounced shameful and secret things and are not walking in deceit or distorting God’s message. As you look at the current Christian culture, what evidence do you see that this is not being followed by many in prominent positions in Christian ministry? Have you renounced such things yourself?
4. Are you ready to stand before the Judgment Seat of Christ and account for the things done in your body after salvation? (2Cor. 5:10). If not, what steps do you need to begin now?
5. In Chapter six, Paul cautions against joining yourself to an unsaved person (mismatched or, as older translations say, unequally yoked), which is like yoking together two animals that are not the same. How might you apply this to your life in dating or in future marriage?
6. Chapter nine presents a spiritual truth that if you sow, or distribute, sparingly, you will reap accordingly and if you sow generously, you will also reap accordingly. How might this apply to how you manage your finances, health, or time for God’s kingdom work?
7. Chapter eleven warns against false teachers. How could you recognize false teachers today? Do you know some who preach the “prosperity gospel” or a message that is unbalanced and inconsistent with the whole context of Scripture?
8. Have you repented of your former sins of moral impurity, sexual immorality, and promiscuity you practiced? (12:21).
9. Have you tested yourself to ensure you are in the faith? (13:6). How would you have the assurance that you truly are in the faith?

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This New Testament survey was provided by Joshua Nations (JoshuaNations.org)