1 John 3-5 Eternal Life in Christ

TMS Acts 1:8 Holy Spirit Power

Acts 1:6 “Therefore, when they had come together, they asked Him, saying, "Lord, will You at this time restore the kingdom to Israel?" 7 And He said to them, "It is not for you to know times or seasons which the Father has put in His own authority.

8 But you shall receive power

when the Holy Spirit has come upon you;

and you shall be witnesses to Me

in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth."

9 Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. 10 And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, 11 who also said, "Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven."

Observations: 1:8 The disciples had forsaken all to follow Jesus with the expectation of receiving power and glory. Jesus had promised them reward in the Sermon on the Mount, and in His calls to discipleship, and spoke of His kingdom which He would share with them, so they were anxious to receive His promised power/authority. Jesus said it wasn't the right time for the restoration of the OT kingdom promised to Israel, but if they wanted power, they would get it when the Holy Spirit came upon them. As a result (use of kai for a consecutive sequence), they would be witnesses to Christ. They should start where they were, with those most similar to themselves, and then branch out to the surrounding areas, and finally reach to the ends of the earth. This is what happened in the book of Acts (see additional comments on Acts 1:8). Believers in Jesus all have the Holy Spirit (Eph 1; 1Cor 12) and as a result should be witnesses to Christ, first to those around them, and then as they mature to others that are dissimilar. A witness is someone who has heard, seen, or experienced something. Every Christian should have an abiding relationship with God in which they are experiencing things about God which they can share with others.

Application: God works in our lives so we can be witnesses of Him to those around us.

Prayer: Lord, thanks for Your work in my life; please guide me in sharing You and Your work in my life with others. Amen.

1John 3-5 John continues to build the confidence of believers in the apostolic message against the false teaching of the anti-Messiahs. John gives a number of “tests” or validations that the experience of the believers is the real deal, so they won't fall for the devil's deceptions. Among those are victory over sin as a result of an abiding relationship with Christ, based upon obedience; a Christlike love for other believers; a vibrant prayer life; ministry to the sinning; inner conviction of the Holy Spirit that they are pleasing to God, validated by their love and obedience. John also affirms that God had given them eternal life in His Son, so they should continue to believe in Him, and not in any false gods the false teachers present.

1John 3 No Need to Sin

3:1 Behold, how great a love the Father has bestowed on us,

that we should be called children of God!

For this cause the world doesn’t know us,

because it didn’t know Him.

2 Beloved, now we are children of God,

and it is not yet revealed what we will be.

But we know that, when He is revealed,

we will be like Him;

for we will see Him

just as He is.

3 Everyone who has this hope

set on Him

purifies himself,

even as He is pure.

4 Everyone who sins also commits lawlessness.

Sin is lawlessness.

5 You know that He was manifested to take away our sins,

and in Him

is no sin.

6 Whoever remains in Him

doesn’t sin.

Whoever sins hasn’t seen Him,

neither knows Him.

7 Little children, let no one lead you astray.

He who does righteousness is righteous,

even as He is righteous.

8 He who sins is of the devil,

for the devil has been sinning from the beginning.

To this end the Son of God was manifested, that He might destroy the works of the devil.

9 Whoever is born of God doesn’t commit sin,

because His seed remains in him; and he can’t sin,

because he is born of God.

10 In this the children of God are revealed,

and the children of the devil.

Whoever doesn’t do righteousness is not of God,

neither is he who doesn’t love his brother.

11 For this is the message which you heard from the beginning,

that we should love one another;

12 unlike Cain, who was of the evil one, and killed his brother.

Why did he kill him?

Because his works were evil,

and his brother’s righteous.

13 Don’t be surprised, my brothers, if the world hates you.

14 We know that we have passed out of death

into life,

because we love the brothers.

He who doesn’t love his brother

remains in death.

15 Whoever hates his brother is a murderer,

and you know that no murderer has eternal life remaining in him.

16 By this we know love,

because He laid down His life for us.

And we ought to lay down our lives for the brothers.

17 But whoever has the world’s goods, and sees his brother in need, and closes his heart of compassion against him,

how does the love of God remain in him?

18 My little children, let’s not love in word

neither with the tongue only,

but in deed and truth.

19 And by this we know that we are of the truth,

and persuade our hearts before him,

20 because if our heart condemns us,

God is greater than our heart,

and knows all things.

21 Beloved, if our hearts don’t condemn us,

we have confidence toward God;

22 and whatever we ask, we receive from Him,

because we keep His commandments

and do the things that are pleasing in His sight.

23 This is His commandment,

that we should believe in the name of His Son, Jesus Christ,

and love one another, even as He commanded.

24 He who keeps His commandments

remains in Him,

and He in him.

By this we know that He remains in us,

by the Spirit which He gave us.

Observations: 3:1-6 Believers are children of God, but the future blessings they will have as a result of that status aren't yet seen. When Christ is revealed in His glory, those who are pure in heart will see Him (one of the beatitudes - Mt 5:8). Those who have this hope of glory, purify themselves so as not to be disqualified (1Pt 1:22; 1Tim 1:5; Heb 10:22). The purpose in Christ coming wasn't to die for our sins, but remove them from us so we could have a relationship with God. In Christ there is no sin, since He is holy. Those who abide/remain in union with Him (“in Him”) don't sin. If we are drawing our motivations and strength from the vine, there's no room to sin. Whoever sins hasn't “seen” (used in 1:1, 2, 3 to describe the fellowship the apostles had with Christ) nor “known” Christ. There are three lines of interpretation. No one who read chapter 1 would claim sinless perfection, since that is refuted there. The more common view is to translate the present tenses as “habitual” which means those who know Christ don't continue to habitually sin. That view has some merit, but misses John's point. The view closer to John's thinking is that those who abide or remain in Christ don't wander off into trouble. A child staying contentedly on a parent's lap isn't going to get themselves into all kinds of trouble that would displease the parent (see comments on abiding in John 15).

3:7-15 To prevent the false teachers from leading abiding believers astray John points out that the believer who does what is right in God's sight is righteous, but the one who sins is of the devil (drawing their motivation from him, and his world). The devil has been sinning since before the Garden, and the Son of God was manifested, as promised in Genesis 3, to destroy the devil and His works of deceiving people into being unfaithful to God. The atoning work, and the indwelling Spirit of Christ put the devil out of business in the lives of those who abide in Christ. Whoever is born of God doesn't sin, because the seed of the word of God, energized by the Holy Spirit (1Pt 1:23; John 3:6) remains/abides in the believer. Those whose actions are sourced in God, don't sin. Those who don't do what is right in the sight of God, have their actions sourced not in God, but the devil. This particularly applies to those who don't love their brother (like Cain). Those who don't love are akin to murderers (Mt 5:21-22), and do not have eternal life (dominion of the Age, reward in the Messianic Kingdom) remaining in him. This is not about losing forgiveness, which is a permanent possession of those who are justified/born again, but it is about losing reward in the the Messianic Kingdom as Jesus taught in the Sermon on the Mount.

3:16-24 Jesus sets the standard for the love glory-bound believers need to have for each other: self-sacrificial for the others' benefit. Those who love in word/truth and deed gain an assurance of their future reward, as well as confidence in praying. Those who keep God's commands, and do what is pleasing in His sight also have the assurance of answered prayer. This is because they are so in tune with God's will, that when they ask Him for help in doing what He wants them to do, He is more than happy to help them. John summarizes what God wants us to do: believe in the name/character/glory of His Son, Jesus the Messiah, and love one another as He commanded. The one who does this, abides/remains in Him, and He in them. Another source of confidence is the work of the Spirit (Phil 2:13).

John 14:21 He who has My commandments and keeps them, it is he who loves Me. And he who loves Me will be loved by My Father, and I will love him and manifest Myself to him."

Application: Those who abide in Christ don't sin; if you find yourself sinning, you might want to move closer to God and do things His way.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thanks for Jesus, Your word, and Your Spirit, which make abiding in You possible, may I draw all my motivation and strength from You exclusively as I love others with a pure heart according to Your will. Amen.

1John 4 Victory

4:1 Beloved, don’t believe every spirit,

but test the spirits,

whether they are of God,

because many false prophets have gone out into the world.

2 By this you know the Spirit of God:

every spirit who confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is of God,

3 and every spirit who doesn’t confess that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is not of God, and this is the spirit of the Antichrist, of whom you have heard that it comes.

Now it is in the world already.

4 You are of God, little children, and have overcome them;

because greater is He who is in you

than he who is in the world.

5 They are of the world.

Therefore they speak of the world, and the world hears them.

6 We are of God. He who knows God listens to us.

He who is not of God doesn’t listen to us.

By this we know the spirit of truth, and the spirit of error.

7 Beloved, let us love one another,

for love is of God;

and everyone who loves is born of God,

and knows God.

8 He who doesn’t love

doesn’t know God,

for God is love.

9 By this God’s love was revealed in us,

that God has sent His one and only Son into the world

that we might live through Him.

10 In this is love,

not that we loved God,

but that He loved us,

and sent His Son

as the atoning sacrifice for our sins.

11 Beloved, if God loved us in this way,

we also ought to love one another.

12 No one has seen God at any time.

If we love one another,

God abides in us,

and His love has been perfected in us.

13 By this we know that we remain in Him and He in us,

because He has given us of his Spirit.

14 We have seen and testify that the Father has sent the Son as the Savior of the world.

15 Whoever confesses that Jesus is the Son of God,

God remains in Him, and He in God.

16 We know and have believed the love which God has for us.

God is love,

and he who abides in love

abides in God,

and God abides in him.

17 In this love has been made perfect among us,

that we may have confidence in the day of judgment,

because as He is, even so are we in this world.

18 There is no fear in love;

but perfect(ed) love casts out fear,

because fear has punishment.

He who fears is not made perfect in love.

19 We love Him,

because He first loved us.

20 If a man says, "I love God," and hates his brother, he is a liar;

for he who doesn’t love his brother whom he has seen,

how can he love God whom he has not seen?

21 This commandment we have from Him,

that he who loves God should also love his brother.

Observations: 4:1-6 God has given us His Spirit, but that doesn't mean that every prophetic spirit is from God, because there is a world of evil spirits around us. Therefore, believers should apply this simple test to those “spirits” speaking though prophets: every spirit who confesses/acknowledges that Jesus is the promised Messiah who has come into the world in the flesh, is of God. Those that don't are anti-Messiah, empowered by the Anti-Messiah/Christ, Satan's chief agent. He is already in the world, but believers have nothing to fear, because greater is the One who is in them: the Holy Spirit, the Spirit of Truth, the Spirit of Glory. Verse 4 is a good one to memorize and meditate upon. The false teachers draw their motivation and message from the world (and the evil one who runs this present age -Eph 2:1-3) therefore the worldlings listen to them, rather than to the apostolic teaching. Those who are sourced in God, listen to revealed truth. So one can discern the spirit of truth and the spirit of error based receptivity.

4:7-15 The one who is born of God not only listens to truth and doesn't sin, but loves as God has modeled and commanded. The one who doesn't love, doesn't know God, since God is the source and expression of love, as expressed in Jesus dying for our sins. God's love for us is the standard for us loving each other. If we do so, God abides in us, and His love is perfected (brought to fulfillment/completion). When we love like God intended, the inner witness of the Holy Spirit confirms to our conscience that we are abiding, and doing what pleases God. The apostles have seen/know and testify that the Father sent Jesus (His beloved Son in whom He is well pleased) to be the Savior of the world (as in everyone, not just a select few - John 3:16). Whoever acknowledges/confesses that Jesus is the Son of God has the abiding relationship with God, that is only possible through Jesus.

4:16-21 The one who abides in love (and thus maintains an intimate relationship with the God of love) has love perfected or brought to its intended purpose, so that the believer can have confidence on Judgment Day. That confidence comes about from loving as God loved, which is the standard to which we are held. The one who has loved “perfectly” or in whom love has been “perfected” has nothing to fear on judgment day, because hitting and maintaining the standard God requires (which is only possible through an abiding relationship with the Vine), eliminates any possible negative consequences. The one who fears judgment needs to work on perfecting their love. The one who loves God is loyal to God (Jn 14:15) in response to the love God has shown him/her (hesed). The love God wants us to have will overflow into a love for other children of God. The one who doesn't desire what is in another's best interest, doesn't love God.

Application: Love of truth and other believers (reflected in our ministry to them) are hallmarks of those who will do well on Judgment Day.

Prayer: God, thanks that Your Spirit dwells within me and is far greater than Satan or any of his minions; keep me from his deceptions, and guide me in loving others as You would. Amen.

1John 5 Life in the Son

5:1 Whoever believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God.

Whoever loves the Father also loves him who is born of Him.

2 By this we know that we love the children of God,

when we love God and keep His commandments.

3 For this is the love of God,

that we keep His commandments.

His commandments are not grievous.

4 For whatever is born of God overcomes the world.

This is the victory that has overcome the world: your faith.

5 Who is he who overcomes the world,

but he who believes that Jesus is the Son of God?

6 This is He who came by water and blood, Jesus Christ;

not with the water only,

but with the water and the blood.

It is the Spirit who testifies, because the Spirit is the truth.

7 For there are three who testify: 8 the Spirit, the water, and the blood;

and the three agree as one.

9 If we receive the witness of men,

the witness of God is greater;

for this is God’s testimony which He has testified concerning his Son.

10 He who believes in the Son of God has the testimony in himself.

He who doesn’t believe God

has made Him a liar,

because he has not believed in the testimony

that God has given concerning His Son.

11 The testimony is this,

that God gave to us eternal life,

and this life is in His Son.

12 He who has the Son

has the life.

He who doesn’t have God’s Son

doesn’t have the life.

13 These things I have written to you who 
believe in the name of the Son of God,

that you may know that you have eternal life,

and that you may continue to believe in the name of the Son of God.

14 This is the confidence which we have toward Him,

that, if we ask anything according to His will,

He listens to us.

15 And if we know that He listens to us,

whatever we ask,

we know that we have the petitions

which we have asked of Him.

16 If anyone sees his brother

sinning a sin not leading to death,

he shall ask,

and God will give him life for those who sin not leading to death.

There is a sin leading to death.

I don’t say that he should make a request concerning this.

17 All unrighteousness is sin,

and there is a sin not leading to death.

18 We know that whoever is born of God

doesn’t sin,

but he who was born of God

keeps himself,

and the evil one doesn’t touch him.

19 We know that we are of God,

and the whole world lies in the power of the evil one.

20 We know that the Son of God has come,

and has given us an understanding,

that we know Him who is true,

and we are in Him who is true,

in His Son Jesus Christ.

This is the true God,

and eternal life.

21 Little children, keep yourselves from idols.

Observations: 5:1-3 Belief in Jesus as the Messiah promised in the OT (especially as the provision for our sins, the atoning sacrifice of Isaiah 53) results in being born again (Jn 1:12 the chiastic center of the prologue). Whoever loves the Father loves His children. When we love God and keep His commandments, we will love others. When our values change so that the sacrifices of love are not burdensome, we know we are loving as God desires.

5:4-10 The one who is born of God overcomes the world because of their faith in God's revelation. That revelation tells us that Jesus is the Son of God (the heir) who gives the Spirit to those who believe in Him, which makes overcoming and victory possible. Jesus came or was testified to by water and blood. When He was baptized, the voice of the Father testified that He was well pleased with His Son (Mt 3:17). The blood or sacrificial death and subsequent resurrection also testified to His identity, as did the ministry of the Holy Spirit in authenticating His works and His spokesman (particularly on the Day of Pentecost). Verse 7 has additional words in some versions which are most likely added in the eighth century, and are omitted in the WEB text above. The point is that there is more than one witness to the Sonship of Jesus, given by both men (the apostles) and God (in the life of Jesus). The one who believes has the testimony in themselves (their own lives), but the one who doesn't believe is calling God a liar, who authenticated Jesus.

5:11-15 The testimony is that God gives believers eternal life (dominion in the Age of the Messiah). This life is in His Son, the ruler of the Millennial Kingdom. The one who has an abiding relationship with the Son, has the life God promised. The one who doesn't have the relationship John has been talking about in the letter, doesn't have the life. It's one or the other. John says he is writing to those who believe in the name of the Son of God (Jesus -Jn 1:12) so that they may know they have eternal life (dominion in the coming Age), and that they may continue to believe, (so they don't forfeit what God has given them, like Israel did).

A relationship with God isn't just about what happens in the future, but has benefits in the present, like a vibrant prayer life. If we are abiding and knowing and doing His will, then asking anything according to His will gets a sure positive response from God.

5:16-21 While on the subject of praying according to God's will, if someone sees their brother in Christ sinning, he/she should intercede for the sinning believer, and God will give him life for those who are not sinning in such as way that they are headed to the discipline of deprivation of life. All unrighteousness is sin, but some have greater consequences than others. The one who is born of God, and in whom God's seed/Spirit remains/abides, doesn't sin (or continue to sin in the weaker alternative view). The one born of God keeps/guards him/herself so the evil one doesn't influence him/her. Believers are sourced in God's power, while worldlings are subject to the power of the evil one. Believers know that the Son of God has come in the flesh, and given them understanding so that they know Him who is true, and abide in Him who is true, that is Jesus the Messiah, the Son of God. This is the testimony of the true God, and the testimony of eternal life. John closes with an admonition to keep themselves from idols which are false gods, rather than the true God.

Application: Loving and obeying the Lord Jesus, the coming Messiah, is the best way to live happily ever after.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, thanks for giving me life in Jesus, both now and in the future; may I be on my guard and abide in You so that I may have confidence and joy when You return. Amen.

Digging Deeper

God in a nutshell: God gives us life in His Son when we believe, and gives us ample testimony to base our belief in Him.

Build-a-Jesus: Jesus is the authenticated Son of God, in whom God gives us forgiveness and eternal life.

Us in a nutshell: We need to abide in Christ, obeying His commands, particularly loving other believers if we expect to live the victorious Christian life in this world, and the abundant life in the next.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

1 Peter 3-5 Passport to Glory

TMS 2 Corinthians 4:5 Talking About Jesus

2 Cor 4:4 “the god of this age has blinded the minds of the unbelieving, lest the light of the gospel of the glory of Christ, Who is the image of God, should shine on them.

5 For we do not preach ourselves,

but Christ Jesus the Lord,

and ourselves your bondservants

for Jesus' sake.

6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

Observations: 4:5 We should serve the needs of others for the sake of Jesus. We should talk about Him, rather than ourselves, except to authenticate the message. If we call Him our Lord, then we should live like His servants, and serve others in His name. The surrounding context (see post on 2Cor 4-5 details the motivation for such self-denying behavior, namely the reception of the glory of God.

Application: When we talk about our Lord, we should live like His servants.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, may I serve and love others as You have loved and served me, so I may be effective in sharing Your truth with them. Amen.

1 Peter 3-5 There is a lot to digest and apply in these chapters for those who seek to be recipients of the glory of God. From submissive and humble relationships to suffering and spiritual warfare, there are many ways we can be tripped up on our path to glory. Peter gives some commands and instruction to help us get to where God wants us to be. For those of you who want to take your Bible Study skills to the level of being able to trace an author's argument through a book, there are some 10MinuteBible.com YouTubes on these chapters. I started using video to answer questions I would get from folks in our church who were doing exegetical Bible Study, beginning with chapter 3 of 1 Peter, so that one starts out fairly slowly. You might want to view the video Fun with Dick and Jane first to understand the method. The videos contain information not in the post, and one which traces the argument through the first half of the book to understand the Noah and baptism section in 3:20-21. Whatever you do, don't skimp on mastering 1Peter; it is both a intensely practical book, and immensely important theologically. It is your passport to glory.

1 Peter 3 Sanctification for Glorification

3:1 In the same way, wives, be in subjection to your own husbands; so that, even if any don’t obey the Word, they may be won by the behavior of their wives without a word; 2 seeing your pure behavior in fear/reverence. 3 Let your beauty be not just the outward adorning of braiding the hair, and of wearing jewels of gold, or of putting on fine clothing; 4 but in the hidden person of the heart, in the incorruptible adornment of a gentle and quiet spirit, which is in the sight of God very precious. 5 For this is how the holy women before, who hoped in God also adorned themselves, being in subjection to their own husbands: 6 as Sarah obeyed Abraham, calling him lord, whose children you now are, if you do well, and are not put in fear by any terror. 7 You husbands, in the same way, live with your wives according to knowledge, giving honor to the woman, as to the weaker vessel, as being also joint heirs of the grace of life; that your prayers may not be hindered.

8 Finally, be all like-minded, compassionate, loving as brothers, tenderhearted, courteous, 9 not rendering evil for evil, or insult for insult; but instead blessing; knowing that to this were you called, that you may inherit a blessing. 10 For, "He who would love life, and see good days, let him keep his tongue from evil, and his lips from speaking deceit. 11 Let him turn away from evil, and do good. Let him seek peace, and pursue it. 12 For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and his ears open to their prayer; but the face of the Lord is against those who do evil."

13 Now who is he who will harm you, if you become imitators of that which is good? 14 But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. "Don’t fear what they fear, neither be troubled." 15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts; and always be ready to give an answer to everyone who asks you a reason concerning the hope that is in you, with humility and fear/respect: 16 having/holding a good conscience; that, while you are spoken against as evildoers, they may be disappointed who curse your good way of life in Christ. 17 For it is better, if it is God’s will, that you suffer for doing good than for doing evil.

18 Because Christ also suffered for sins once, the righteous for the unrighteous, that he might bring you to God; being put to death in the flesh, but made alive in the spirit; 19 in which he also went and preached to the spirits in prison, 20 who before were disobedient, when God waited patiently in the days of Noah, while the ark was being built. In it, few, that is, eight souls, were saved through/by (dia) water.

21 This is a symbol of baptism, which now saves you—not the putting away of the filth of the flesh, but the pledge/inquiry of a good conscience toward God, through the resurrection of Jesus Christ, 22 who is at the right hand of God, having gone into heaven, angels and authorities and powers being made subject to him.

Observations: 3:1-7 With the same trust in the God who judges righteously and rewards those who suffer for doing good, a wife should submit to (line up under the God-given authority of) her husband. Even if the guy is a spiritual dolt stumbling in darkness, he can be won to the light by the radiant behavior of his wife, without a nag, whine, or word. The word for “fear” is the same as that in 1:17; 2:18; 3:14, and 15, and is probably a reference to fear of God, rather than of man (which yields the respect translation). A wise woman would not find herself in the situation, of having to win her husband to obedience, being careful to seek God's will in a mate, and only developing a relationship with someone they would be willing to follow (see Prince Charming on truthbase.net). A woman's adornment should not be merely (appropriately added by translators) external, but priority should be given to the inner radiance which outshines any perishable externals, and is also very attractive to God (and godly guys). This is how holy women adorned themselves, with a gentle/meek and tranquil/peaceable spirit vis-a-vis their husbands. The model is Sarah submitting to Abraham, probably in Genesis 20 where she put herself in danger to protect Abraham, carrying out his plan to say she was his sister, a half-truth (although the only time she specifically called him “lord” was Gen 18:12). NT believing women are her “children,” sharing in her blessings, by following her example, doing what is good, and not fearing the consequences, since God will take care of them.

Husbands are not the “lords of their castle,” since only Jesus is Lord, but the husband has the responsibility to take the lead in following the Lord. In a similar way, doing what is good, and trusting that God is watching, husbands need to live with their wives in an understanding manner, giving honor to them as the “weaker” (without power) vessel. This is not a reference to physical or emotional strength, but in the context to the “subordinate” position God has assigned to the wife. Therefore the husband must “honor” her by seeking her input and preferences, and then do what is in her best interest (regardless of whether he or she likes it). Paul expressed this as husbands loving their wife as Christ loved the church and sacrificed Himself for her highest benefit (see Eph 5:25 comments and the Family Life Resources on Truthbase.net). God might assign a temporary functionality that is subordinate (see Submission: The S-word if you haven't already done so), but He gives an eternal status that is total equality, joint heirs/inheritors of the grace of life/dominion (which Peter told them to fix their hope on in 1:13). If a husband fails to heed God's command to give honor to his wife, his prayers will be hindered (literally “cut off” as in having one's heavenly hotline disconnected).

3:8-12 All believers should live in a harmonious manner with each other in the fear of God (Eph 5:21) knowing that they were called to inherit a blessing, and bad behavior forfeits one's blessing. Peter quotes Psalm 34:12-16 to make the point that blessing (life, glory, dominion) requires being blessable, in behavior and speech, because the Lord listens to the righteous (those who are careful to do what's right in His sight), and opposes those who do what displeases Him. People who are ignorant of this reality don't have vibrant prayer lives.

3:13-17 If we are doing what is good, we shouldn't be harmed, but sometimes we do have to suffer for doing what is right. In such cases of smart suffering (persecution, martyrdom, and the general opposition one experiences swimming upstream against the world and carnal Christians), God promises to make it up to us with blessing (Matt 5:10-12; Heb 11). Therefore, we need not fear, nor be troubled, but we need to set apart (sanctify) the Lord as God in our hearts (where we make our decisions, His will rules), and be always ready to make a defense/answer (apologia) for the hope that is in us. This is not about making the case for the existence of God, necessity and reliability of Scriptures, etc., (although you should be able to do that, if not see the 7QUESTIONS in the Sidebar), but the apologia is for the hope of blessing/reward that is in us, which motivates us to endure suffering for doing good. Chapter 1 is a good place to start your “defense.” Our response should be in humility and fear of God (or respect towards the questioner, both are good ideas). Peter elaborates that we must hold on to a good conscience (sensitive and obedient to God's will) so that if accused, the accusation will be unjust and undeserved, which paves the way for blessing and witness. It just could be God's will that we suffer for doing good (like Jesus did), which is far better than suffering for doing what is evil. Note that these are instructions to born-again believers.

3:18-22 The reason it is better to suffer for doing good is because it not only follows the example of Christ, but results in blessing in the presence of God. Verse 18 is a great verse to memorize and use in sharing the Bridge to Life Illustration. Christ was totally righteous and suffered once (on the cross) for our sins so that He might bring us into a relationship with God. He was put to death in the realm of the flesh, and made alive in the realm of the spirit. Note the parallelism. There are a couple of 10MinuteBible.com videos (part 1) on YouTube that explain the context and passage in more depth than I'll do in this post, so click on them (part 2) for more. (There are also sermons on 1Peter on Truthbase.net.) In the realm of the spirit, Christ preached through Noah to those who were disobedient in his day (Noah, the preacher of righteousness -2Pt 2:2) Peter singles out those of Noah's day, because he wants to use the audience and ark illustration for the present day. Those persecuting the NT believers were those to whom Christ had preached directly and through John and the apostles but they rejected the message. So He is patiently waiting until the day of judgment, when believers will reap the final aspect of their salvation, and those who reject God will be negatively judged. The ark might correspond to the church (1Pt 2:5-6). Noah and his family were saved through or by the judgment of water, which destroyed the evildoers around them. The preposition dia denotes the channel or means by which an action occurs. The salvation was accomplished by means of the water (not the ark). If Peter wanted to say the ark saved them from the water, he would have used ek or apo. The righteous NT believer would be saved from their corrupt generation, just like Noah was from his, by the water. So much for the audience allusion.

Next Peter says that baptism is an anti-type (antitupos), something that corresponds to an image or type in the OT (only other use of the word is Heb 9:24 to refer to the OT sacrificial system). Corresponding to the water that saved Noah from his generation, baptism saves us from our generation. It is not getting wet (which means it is not referring to the immersion or sprinkling of water that gets the external dirt off us, but the “pledge” or seeking (the word means to make an inquiry rather than “answer”) of a good conscience toward God, based upon the resurrection of Christ. Keeping in mind the context of the book (always a good thing to do) believers who have their hope fixed upon their reward, which they gain by faithful behavior and forfeit by bad behavior, pledge or seek a good conscience which results in God rewarding them, as He did Jesus (Phil 2:9-12). To live holy lives, one must distance themselves from their pre-Christian behavior and those who live just for this world (the generation of the Christ-rejecting Jews who were persecuting them). The way to do that in the early church was baptism, the first step of discipleship for those who were born-again by faith in Christ's death for them. Paul elaborated on the picture in Romans 6, that one died to the old way of life, when they were buried with Christ in baptism, and then rose up from the water to walk in newness of life. Peter is clearly writing to born-again believers (1:3), instructing them that they need to live righteously if they want to reap the reward God has planned for them. That will involve suffering for doing what is good, which requires a death to self so one can live for God. Baptism is a picture of that, not the getting wet, but the seeking of the heart which motivates the obedience in getting wet. When believers were baptized, the persecution normally intensified. But the holy living would result in their salvation/glorification. The opening verses of the next chapter should validate this interpretation if you're not already convinced.

Application: Die to your old values, and pledge to live for what God values, particularly in your relationships with those around you.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, Amen.

1 Peter 4 Mental Armor and Obedient Behavior

4:1 Forasmuch then as Christ suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves also with the same mind; for he who has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin; 2 that you no longer should live the rest of your time in the flesh for the lusts/cravings of men, but for the will/desire of God. 3 For we have spent enough of our past time doing the desire/will of the Gentiles, and having walked in lewdness, lusts, drunken binges, orgies, carousings, and abominable idolatries.

4 They think it is strange that you don’t run with them into the same excess of riot, blaspheming: 5 who will give account to him who is ready to judge the living and the dead. 6 For to this end the Good News was preached even to the dead, that though they might be judged according to men in the flesh, but they might live according to God in the spirit.

7 But the end of all things is near. Therefore be of sound mind, and watchful for the purpose of (eis) prayer. 8 And above all things be earnest in your love among yourselves, for love covers a multitude of sins. 9 Be hospitable to one another without grumbling. 10 As each has received a gracething, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the grace of God in its various forms. 11 If anyone speaks, let it be as it were the very words of God. If anyone serves, let it be as of the strength which God supplies, that in all things God may be glorified through Jesus Christ, to whom belong the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

12 Beloved, don’t be astonished at the fiery trial which has come upon you, to test you, as though a strange thing happened to you. 13 But because you are partakers of Christ’s sufferings, rejoice; that at the revelation of his glory you also may rejoice with exceeding joy. 14 If you are insulted for the name of Christ, you are blessed; because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. On their part he is blasphemed, but on your part he is glorified. 15 For let none of you suffer as a murderer, or a thief, or an evil doer, or a meddler in other men’s matters. 16 But if one of you suffers for being a Christian, let him not be ashamed; but let him glorify God in this matter. 17 For the time has come for judgment to begin with the household of God. If it begins first with us, what will happen to those who don’t obey the Good News of God? 18 "If it is hard for the righteous to be saved, what will happen to the ungodly and the sinner?" 19 Therefore let them also who suffer according to the will of God in doing good entrust their souls to him, as to a faithful Creator.

Observations: 4:1-3 Since Christ suffered in the flesh in order to receive glorification by the Father (exalted to the right hand, ready to rule the future Kingdom), those who follow Him should arm themselves with the same mindset. Those who have died to their old values, and suffered in the pursuit of glory, have ceased (perfect tense, action completed in the past with ongoing results into the present) from sin. Mental armor is necessary since the battle is won or lost in our thinking. Peter tells his readers that they've had enough time to do what those who don't know God do, and realize it's not worth it. Some people are slow learners. It took Solomon a while to figure out that there was nothing under the sun that gave lasting pleasure apart from God (Ecclesiastes), but then he forgot his own advice. We need to keep this truth central in our thinking.

4:4-6 The former companions of the believers think it strange that those who learned to delight in God aren't as attracted to playing in the mud, and speak against them. But all will have to give account to God, who will judge (1:17) the living and the dead. The edited translation above is more in line with the Greek and context than most you'll find. In preparation, the Good News of the coming Kingdom was preached to all, including those who are now dead (possibly as a result of persecution) so that (purpose statement), even though they might or may be judged (subjunctive mood is that of uncertainty) on the one hand (a Greek particle, Strong's #3303 omitted by most translations) according to the standards of men in the realm of the flesh (by being martyred), they might live according to God's standards in the realm of the spirit (by believing the good news about the Kingdom). Note that “judged” is parallel to “live,” and the additional parallelism of “according to” and “in” is taken into account; as well as the immediate context of the Good News being proclaimed to them, the further context of living, and holy life, and the book context of gaining glory. It would be difficult to find another interpretation that takes the argument, grammar, syntax, and contexts into account.

4:7-11 The culmination of all things is near (which is how every generation should view things so as not to get complacent), therefore believers need to govern their life and actions by the objective of doing well at the judgment seat (be sound-minded), and have an accurate view of reality (sober) so they can pray appropriately and not just dribble meaningless words. Particularly believers need to be obeying the command to love each other, for such a love corrects and covers/hides (as in prevents) a multitude of sins (Js 5:20). Greater love has no one than this, that they risk rejection and ridicule and a diminished relationship by reproving (bringing to light) the flaws of a self-deceived believer. Hell knows no fury like a hypocrite exposed. Believers should use whatever gracething (charisma) they have for the benefit of their fellow believers, so that God is glorified. That means being a good steward of God's grace and using whatever the Spirit has given (see 1Cor 12) to accomplish His purposes in building up others, be it speaking God's words, or serving with the strength God supplies.

4:12-19 Recalling the opening theme of their faith being refined by trials so they will gain greater reward (1:7), Peter reminds them that suffering frequently is the will of God for those who follow Christ to glory. But it is worth it, for to the degree they suffer, they will share in the glory. This is clearly teaching differential rewards for different levels of service (1Cor 15). Those who aren't suffering outward trials can join in the fun by daily denying themselves for the benefit of others. There's plenty of abuse to go around for those who seek to spur others on to Christlikeness. If one is insulted for the name of Christ, they are actually blessed, because the Spirit of Glory (note the name) rests upon them. The Holy Spirit is the first installment of our inheritance (Eph 1:13) which implies that future payments will be additional bestowals of the Spirit, to do God's will in the Millennium and beyond. The glory or power or energy of God is the only imperishable thing in the universe given to us. Note too, that the Spirit rests upon and remains with the faithful believer. The unfaithful and unbelieving will always speak against those serving God because faithful servants make the unprofitable servants feel guilty, and blame is a good way to balance out the guilt (repentance would be a better way). But on the part of the faithful, God is glorified, because when He pours out His glory as a reward, He is displaying it, which is what God being glorified is all about (He is inherently glorious). So if a believer is going to suffer, they should do so smartly or meritoriously, not stupidly or deservedly. The reason is because the time is coming for judgment to begin with the household of God, those who are His servants in His household. If the good guys are judged, what will be the outcome for those who don't obey (not don't believe) the gospel? The Good News is that Christ is coming to judge and reward His faithful followers (Isa 40:10). Believing that Jesus is the Messiah is one thing. Obeying Him is another. It is hard for the righteous to be saved/glorified, because it requires sacrifice and self-denial (see the Sermon on the Mount Mt 5-7). This salvation of which Peter speaks, is of works, hard work. Those who take the broad and easy road cannot look forward to glory, but to unpleasantness. The ungodly and sinner are those among the believers who don't know and do what God wants, but instead do their own thing. To fail to see this is to fail to receive one's eternal reward. Those who can't see that this passage is intended to motivate believers to obedience are demonically deceived and in all probability living in disobedience. But those who live in obedience, and suffer according to the will of God, should continue to do good, and commit their souls/interests to their faithful Creator, who created them in Christ Jesus for this purpose.

Application: One needs the same mental armor that helped Christ live sound-mindedly (knowing God would justly reward) to keep on the path of obedient suffering which is the only route to glory.

Prayer: Lord, may I be strong and focused on doing Your will, and not my own, on my way to happily ever after. Amen.

1 Peter 5 Glory for the Vigilant and Humble

5:1 I exhort the elders among you, as a fellow elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and who will also share in the glory that will be revealed. 2 Shepherd/pastor the flock of God which is among you, exercising the oversight, not under compulsion, but voluntarily, not for dishonest gain, but willingly; 3 neither as lording it over those entrusted to you, but making yourselves examples to the flock. 4 When the chief Shepherd is revealed, you will receive the crown of glory that doesn’t fade away.

5 Likewise, you younger ones, be subject to the elders. Yes, all of you clothe yourselves with humility, to subject yourselves to one another; for "God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble." 6 Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God, that he may exalt you in due time; 7 casting all your worries on him, because he cares for you.

8 Be sober and vigilant/self-controlled because your adversary, the devil, walks around like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. 9 Withstand him steadfast in your faith, knowing that your brothers who are in the world are undergoing the same sufferings.

10 But may the God of all grace, who called you to his eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a little while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you. 11 To him be the glory and the power forever and ever. Amen.

12 Through Silvanus, our faithful brother, as I consider him, I have written to you briefly, exhorting, and testifying that this is the true grace of God; stand fast in it. 13 She who is in Babylon, chosen together with you, greets you; and so does Mark, my son. 14 Greet one another with a kiss of love. Peace be to you all who are in Christ Jesus. Amen.

Observations: 5:1-4 Peter addresses the elders (who, as leaders, were singled out for grief by the external opponents and internal rebels), exhorting them as a fellow-elder (not pope). He saw the sufferings of Christ, and knows that he will share in the glories that follow (1:11) because he has been faithful (following his own advice). Peter tells the elders, to shepherd and oversee the flock, the same two tasks Paul entrusted to the elders in Acts 20:28 (see comments there, and in Ephesians 4). To shepherd is the word for pastor, and to oversee is the word for bishop. Both tasks are entrusted to elders (plural). There is not a separate “office” for each. He doesn't give the qualifications for elders that Paul gave Timothy and Titus for the Greek churches, since Peter is writing to a Jewish audience that had an elder leadership structure in both the villages and synagogues. Governance was carried out by the mature, who served and shepherded those under their care. When the chief Shepherd (this is the only legitimate occurrence of ”Senior Pastor”) is revealed with His glory -1:7 He will share it with those who have obediently done His will. He might not feel as gracious toward those who have used the flock as a source of worth and value (ego and monetary) nor those who've usurped His title when He's been away. The glory is described as a crown (rulership) that doesn't fade like earthly crowns of leaves.

5:5-7 The younger folks are commanded to be subject (imperative) to the elders and submissively (participle) be humble (imperative) to each other (cf Eph 5:21). The reason is because God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. James quoted Proverbs 3:34 to his readers (4:6) with an emphasis on the temporal grace, but Peter stresses the future grace/glory that God gives the humble obedient.

Proverbs 3:32 "For the perverse person is an abomination to the LORD, But His secret counsel is with the upright. 33 The curse of the LORD is on the house of the wicked, But He blesses the home of the just. 34 Surely He scorns the scornful, But gives grace to the humble. 35 The wise shall inherit glory, But shame shall be the legacy of fools."

One humbles themselves by yielding their will for the benefit of another, rather than proudly questing for temporal worth and value. God will exalt the humble in due time, but in the meantime, they can cast the cares and concerns for the current and future well-being upon God (as Jesus did), because He cares for them.

5:8-11 Like James, Peter links pride with waving a red flag in front of the devil. If a lack of humble trust in God's goodness could trip up the highest created being, then we mere mortals are even more susceptible. (The same warning applies to the desires of the flesh from the life of world's wisest man, Solomon, in 1 Kings 10-11). Therefore believers need to be on their guard against the devil, having an accurate view of reality (a drunk person doesn't see clearly, nor accurately assess risks and rewards). Our adversary, the devil is described as a roaring lion, who roams about, seeking to devour the proud and disobedient. He also surreptitiously takes believers captive to do his will (2 Timothy 2:26) and inveigles false teachers into the church (Acts 20:29-30). Satan was defeated at the Cross, but is a lame duck ruler until the Messiah comes back, imprisons and finally destroys Him (Revelation 20:1-3). See Spiritual Warfare: Defense Against the Dark Arts on Truthbase.net for resources, so you don't become a statistic. Peter gives another piece of mental armor in addition to those in verse 8. Believers should resist him, firm in their faith (1 John 4:4), knowing that suffering isn't something strange and alien to the Christ-following life, but rather the common experience of those who please God.

However, the suffering is temporary, and after what will seem like a very short time from the perspective of eternity (although suffering can seem to go on forever), the God of all grace/glory, who has called/invited them to the glory of the Messianic Age (same word as eternal) will perfect (bring to completion as in glorify them), establish, strengthen,and establish them (most likely a reference to their placement in the Millennial kingdom based upon the order and introduction to the prayer/benediction).

5:12-14 Peter writes through Silvanus, testifying that the glory believers will receive is the “true grace” of God. Then he commands them to stand fast in it (imperative according to the oldest manuscripts but distorted by many translations). Peter is not telling them the glory of God is something they all automatically have, but rather something they need to take their stand in by obeying his instructions in the epistle. Most people who bandy about the term “grace” haven't a clue about the true grace Peter described in this epistle, and will most likely miss it. See a Survey of Grace on Truthbase.net for the whole picture. Commentators are divided regarding the identity of “she who is in Babylon, some arguing for the literal city on the Euphrates, others seeing a veiled reference to his location at Rome. John Mark, Barnabas' cousin is considered to have written the second gospel under Peter's direction. Paul normally ended with an exhortation to a holy kiss to express affection among believers; Peter uses the term agape kiss, underscoring the self-sacrificial behavior they should have toward each other rather than superficial relationships. He concludes with a wish for the covenantal blessing of peace for all those who are in union with Christ Jesus.

Application: Believers who live in humble unity and obedience will experience Satanic opposition, but eventually reach their final destination as glorified servants in the Messiah's Kingdom.

Prayer: God, thanks that You care for me, and I can entrust all my concerns to You; may I be vigilant and victorious in my faith until I realize my hope of Your glory. Amen.

Digging Deeper

God in a nutshell: God will judge both the living and the dead, to reward those who are faithful to Him. In this judgment, the righteous are saved/glorified with difficulty, the outcome for those who don't obey the good news isn't positive. God resists the proud and gives grace and glory to the humble.

Build-a-Jesus: Jesus suffered to bring us into a relationship with God, so we could be blessed. He is coming back to reward those loyal to Him.

Us in a nutshell: We are invited/called to inherit a blessing, but will only receive it if we are worthy of it, by demonstrating Christ-like behavior. Submissive suffering for the sake of Christ and righteousness is meritorious, and results in Millennial glory. Believers need to draw upon the strength God provides to do His will, and lovingly serve each other. Those who don't will miss out.

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net

1 Timothy 1-3 God Wants All Saved and True

1 Timothy 1-3 God Wants All Saved and True

TMS 1 Peter 5:7 Put Your Whole World in His Hands

1 Peter 5:7 “Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for " God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." 6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,

7 casting all your care upon Him,

for He cares for you.

8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour."

Observations: 5:7 This is an easy verse to memorize, and not that difficult to start doing. The difficulty lies in refraining from taking back your cares and concerns from God's hand. The word for casting is used only one other time in the NT (Lk 19:35) of the disciples tossing their cloaks upon the Psalm Sunday colt. “Cares” are the concerns for things of this world which choke the word and make it unfruitful (Mt 13:22; Mk 4:19; Lk 8:14). In the context of 1Peter 5 (see comments there), it describes the concern for one's status and reputation, and what will happen if one actually does submit. Whatever makes you anxious is legitimate from the broader context of the gospels and other passages (i.e., Phil 4:6-7). Failure to obey this admonition, particularly as it relates to pride and humility, is an open invitation for the devil to devour you (5:8).

Application: Step one: Know that God is far better able to care for us, and the things that concern us, than we are. Express that conviction to God in prayer.

Step two: Tell God that you are trusting Him to take care of each specific item that concerns you, and visualize yourself placing it in His hands.

Step three: Ask God what He wants you to do, this day, about any of the items.

Step four: Do whatever He reveals, and leave all the cares in His capable hands.

Step five: Enjoy His peace, and thank Him.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, I praise You that You are so mighty and capable of taking care of all that concerns me; I trust that You will take care of X, Y, Z, and work it out for good; please show me whatever You want me to do about these things; thanks for Your promises of peace. Amen.

1 Timothy 1-3 The letters to Timothy and Titus comprise the Pastoral Epistles, giving advice on issues of church life. Each letter gives qualifications for church leadership (elders) and there is a practical guide to those marks of godliness under Digging Deeper. Paul writes to encourage and empower Timothy in his task of building up the churches so they function as God desires. Both corporate and individual applications appear, as well as truth designed to encourage those who serve God.

1 Timothy 1 The Goal of Instruction

1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the authoritative order of God our Savior, and Christ Jesus our hope; 2 to Timothy, my true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 As I urged you when I was going into Macedonia, stay at Ephesus that you might command certain men not to teach a different doctrine, 4 neither to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which cause disputes, rather than godly edification, which is in/by faith—

5 but the goal of this command is love, out of a pure heart and a good conscience and sincere faith; 6 from which things some, having missed the mark, have turned aside to vain talking; 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, though they understand neither what they say, nor about what they strongly affirm. 8 But we know that the law is good, if a man uses it lawfully, 9 as knowing this, that law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 for the sexually immoral, for homosexuals, for slave-traders, for liars, for perjurers, and for any other thing contrary to the sound doctrine; 11 according to the Good News of the glory of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.

12 And I thank him who enabled me, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he counted me faithful, appointing me to service; 13 although I was before a blasphemer, a persecutor, and insolent. However, I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 The grace of our Lord abounded exceedingly with faith/trust and love which is in Christ Jesus. 15 The saying is faithful and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first, Jesus Christ might display all his patience, for an example of those who were going to believe in him for eternal/of the Age life/dominion. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

18 This instruction I commit to you, my son Timothy, according to the prophecies made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare; 19 holding faith and a good conscience; which some having cast away have suffered shipwreck concerning the faith; 20 of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I delivered to Satan, that they might be taught not to blaspheme.

Observations: 1:1-4 Paul write to his “true born” son in the faith, Timothy, giving him written authority to set the Ephesian church plant in order. Like any growing plant, some pruning and structure is necessary for proper growth. Too much structure stifles growth, too little results in lack of fruit. Paul tells Timothy to ensure purity and priority of sound teaching, by confronting those who teach inaccurately or major on the minors. Biblical teaching builds faithful reproductive disciples. Anything less is not God's will. The edification of which Paul speaks is that which follows upon faith in the revelation of Christ (about Him and by Him), rather than the law (Judaizers are everywhere). Paul is an apostle by God's authoritative order/command Acts 26:17 I will deliver you from the Jewish people, as well as from the Gentiles, to whom I now send you, 18 to open their eyes, in order to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who are sanctified by faith in Me.'

Note God as Savior -Ps 24:5. He wishes Timothy the usual blessings of grace and peace, but adds mercy (which is the Greek translation of the Hebrew hesed), God's loyal covenantal love. As Timothy combats the enemies of truth, an awareness of God's loyalty to those who do His will would be energizing and encouraging.

1:5 The goal of the command to restrain false and frivolous teaching is for believers to be built up so they manifest agape (loyal Christlike love), which sums up the requirements of the law and obeys the great command given by Christ (John 13:34-35). If teaching doesn't equip believers to love biblically, it isn't biblical. Agape must come from a pure/cleansed heart (whose values reflect God's values, not the world's), a good conscience (a guilt-free consciousness of doing what is pleasing in God's sight, mentioned six times in the Pastorals; see comments on Acts 24:16), and a faith that is unfeigned (also used to modify love). A pure heart is a function of obeying the truth (1Pt 1:22). The faith necessary for agape love (sacrificing oneself to do what is in another's best interest) must be sincere, unfeigned, undisguised, and not hypocritical. This is not a reference to genuineness of belief in Christ's atonement (that is almost never an issue in the NT), nor even that of consistency between belief and behavior (although that is a frequent issue), but in this context is most probably a reference to an unreserved adherence to the revelation about and by Christ (rather than that of the law). Such faith would be consistent with Galatians 5:6 (faith working through love) and Hebrews 11:6 (faith that God rewards those who diligently seek Him).

1 Peter 1:22 Since you have purified your souls in obeying the truth through the Spirit for sincere love of the brethren, love one another fervently with a pure heart,

1:6-11 The people Timothy needed to shut up were those who had turned aside from love, obedience (conscience) and faith (as delivered by Jesus) to teach the law and its rituals. As many today, they don't understand what they are saying (parroting) and affirming (shouting about). Law (no article in the Greek) is not set in place for the righteous, but to restrain the wicked (see comments on the Law being a guardian until Christ in Gal 3:23). The list of lawless acts echos Paul's list of the deeds of the flesh (Gal 5:19) and the sins which cause believers to lose their inheritance/reward (1Cor 6:9; Eph 5:5). All these behaviors are contrary to sound teaching/doctrine, and not according to the good news/gospel of the glory that faithful believers will receive. Remember Paul's commission in Acts 26 is so that the Gentiles would obtain an inheritance among those sanctified by faith in Christ (not law-keeping).

1:12-17 Paul explains why God entrusted him with the gospel even though formerly he was chief of sinners: God had shown him mercy because he had acted in ignorance, and then considered him faithful with the grace God had shown him (1Cor 15:10), which abounded with the faith/trust and love in/by Christ. It is a trustworthy saying that Jesus came into the world to save sinners, so they might believe and eventually receive dominion in the Messianic Age. Paul considered himself a showcase for God's gracious patience with those who believe. Therefore Paul praises God the King of the Ages, who is incorruptible, and transcendent (beyond the physical realm, thus invisible), the only wise God, to whom belong glory and honor forever. If Paul was entrusted with his ministry because he was faithful with what God had given him, then Timothy must also be faithful (a word used sixteen times in the Pastorals).

1:18-20 Paul commits this instruction to his son in the faith, reminding him of the prophesies made concerning Timothy, (referred to 4:14 and 2Tim. 1:6) to which he too must be faithful. By recalling how God had put him in His service, Timothy could draw encouragement from God's placement of Timothy as Paul's deputy. Believer's today do not need any such prophecy or “call” to service since God has already given them a written invitation and commission (Mt 28:19-20, and all the one-another commands; see 2Tim 2:2). Even though God had specifically designated Timothy as He had Paul, Timothy needed to wage battle against Satan and his agents, holding on to his belief in the truth and a good conscience (obeying what he knows - Acts 24:16). If he abandoned those his faith would suffer shipwreck (as in not get him to his destination of glory -Heb 2:1 miss the destination). A shipwrecked faith doesn't cause one to be unborn again, but does cause one to miss out on inheritance/reward in the Kingdom. Two such shipwrecked saints were Hy and Al, whom Paul delivered to Satan for discipline, so they might not speak against the truth and Paul (1Cor 5:5).

Application: If we hold onto our belief in God's promises, and obey what we know (good conscience) we will sail safely through turbulent waters to future glory.

Prayer: God, thanks that You provide the truth and grace I need to do Your will, particularly in loving others; please help me use it to Your glory. Amen.

1 Timothy 2 Saved and True

2:1 I exhort therefore, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and givings of thanks, be made for all men: 2 for kings and all who are in high places; that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior; 4 who wills/desires all people to be saved and come to full knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all; the testimony in its proper time; 7 to which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth in Christ, not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. 8 I desire therefore that the men in every place pray, lifting up holy hands without anger and disputing.

9 In the same way, that women also adorn themselves in modest clothing, with honor and propriety; not just with braided hair, gold, pearls, or expensive clothing; 10 but (which becomes women professing godliness) with good works. 11 Let a woman learn in quietness with all submission. 12 But I don’t permit a woman to teach, nor to exercise authority over a man, but to be in quietness. 13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve. 14 Adam wasn’t deceived, but the woman, being deceived, has fallen into disobedience; 15 but she will be saved through her childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and sanctification with soundmindedness.

Observations: 2:1-4 In light of the spiritual battle believers face, Paul emphasizes the priority of prayer for all, especially those in authority, so that believers may live in peace and dignity. This is good and right in the sight of God our Savior, who desires that all people be saved, and (wait there's more!) come to an experiential knowledge of the truth (see comments on Titus 1:1). God's desires/wills (Strong's #2309 thelo: resolve, determine, purpose) for all to be saved is based on the fact that Jesus was given as a ransom for all people (not just the Jews or a select few -2Pt 3:9). There is only one way to God (John 14:6; Acts 4:12) and that is through the one mediator (middle man) between God and men, Jesus, and only Him. This eliminates all other mediators or need for one. Those who don't have a relationship with Jesus will think that praying to someone else to intercede for them will help, but that's idolatry. Praying to anyone else but God, in the name of Jesus, is to ignore God's revelation, which is a guaranteed way to have God ignore you. The God-Man Jesus is the only provision/ransom (Mt 20:29; Lk 10:45) God has provided for man's sin, and the only death He'll accept in our place.

Don't miss the other desire/will of God, which is experiential knowledge of the truth, an intimate, sanctified relationship with Him, based upon the truth (rather than tradition). God's will is that people go beyond justification and walk in the revealed truth of the Spirit.

Lot's of deceived people miss these three truths, so here they are again:

• There is only one Mediator, Jesus (that's you-Jesus-Father) no one else in-between;
• God wills all people to be saved (not just a select few);
• God wills for saved people experience and walk in the truth/light.

Anything other than the above is not God's will, although people are free to refuse His will and do their own thing, but they will suffer the sovereign consequences He's attached to their choices. Paul was appointed to give testimony to the Gentiles, teaching them the will of God in the sphere of faith and in the sphere of truth (corresponding to the will of God in verse 4). Paul indeed brought the Gentiles to both faith in Christ, and transformation in the truth (cf Titus 1:1). Therefore he asks for prayer for the fulfillment of his purpose. The admonition to pray without anger or disputing is a counter to the disunity in 1:5, and stresses the need for righteous relationships with others if we expect God to answer what we request (Mt 5:24). Men frequently seek worth and value by being better than other men, rather than being better than they used to be in God's sight.

2:9 Similarly, women frequently compete with other women, to get worth and value by being attractive from a human rather than Divine perspective. It's not mere appearance which is attractive in the sight of God (and a godly man), but an honorable character, engaged in good works (God's purpose in saving us -Eph 2:10). Braiding the bristles of a pig, and dressing it in jewels and silk, doesn't make it beautiful. Paul addresses the role of women in the church in a manner similar to 1Corinthians 14:34 (see observations there). It might be worth noting that both the OT and NT elevated the status of women far above cultural norms, and it was the Woman's Christian Temperance Unions that led to women's right to vote. As mentioned previously, function makes no comment about worth or value of a person (see Submission: The S Word on Truthbase.net). Paul says that women should learn in quietness and submission, should not teach, nor exercise authority over men (in the church is the context 3:15). According to the Holy Spirit inspired apostle, women are to be under authority (as are all believers). In they church they are not to teach, nor serve as authoritative leadership (as a governing board). The reason Paul gives is not cultural (see comments on 1Cor 11) but universal. Doing what is right in God's sight is far more important, than human recognition, and the source of eternal worth and value. In contrast to leadership roles in the church, the sphere in which a woman reaps rewards is in the family, through the raising of the next godly generation (not just having babies). Saved in this context is not justification, but glorification, dependent also upon continuance in faith, love, sanctification/holiness, with soundmindedness (a Greek term for a life governed by principled objectives). See more on this subject on Trustbase.net and the upcoming Catacomb Church. A woman can serve in “official” capacity, even on a church board, under the delegation of Biblically qualified men (see next chapter). She could be asked or given permission to share things that build up the Body, even from a public platform (such as a missionary or ministry experience), and still fit under Paul's injunction. Women encouraging men in the truth ( Aquila and Priscilla -Acts 18:26) would be a good idea, but publicly leading men in churches in matters of truth would not.

Application: God desires that all people not just be justified, but experience all His communicated truth in their lives.

Prayer: God, may I fulfill Your desire for me by walking today, and everyday in Your truth; show me where I'm missing it, and please guide me into it. Thanks. Amen.

1 Timothy 3 Models of Godliness.

3:1 This is a faithful saying: if a man seeks the office of an overseer/bishop, he desires a good work. 2 The overseer therefore must be without reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, sensible, modest, hospitable, apt to teaching; 3 not a drinker, not violent, not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; 4 one who rules his own house well, having children in subjection with all reverence; 5 (but if a man doesn’t know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the assembly of God?) 6 not a new convert, lest being puffed up he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Moreover he must have good testimony from those who are outside, to avoid falling into reproach and the snare of the devil.

8 Servants/deacons, in the same way, must be reverent, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for money; 9 holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 Let them also first be tested; then let them serve if they are blameless. 11 Their wives in the same way must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Let servants be husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For those who have served well gain for themselves a good standing, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.

14 These things I write to you, hoping to come to you shortly; 15 but if I wait long, that you may know how men ought to behave themselves in the house of God, which is the assembly of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 16 Without controversy, the mystery of godliness is great: God was revealed in the flesh, justified in the spirit, seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, and received up in glory.

Observations: 3:1-13 God's plan for church leadership are mature models of godliness, who have been receptive to the objective will of the Holy Spirit in their own lives, and thus able to discern His will in church matters. No gifting or calling is specified nor required. Paul gives Timothy this list (compare the similar list in Titus), so Timothy has the authority to recognize those people in whom the Holy Spirit has been working, and who he can appoint to lead the church. Eventually as the Body matures, they would be able to use this list to recognize the godly leaders without direct apostolic appointment. These are not just requirements for elders, but for all believers, hence the title “Models of Godliness.” All believers should strive to have these qualities in their lives (this is more obvious in Titus), because they form the basis of gaining eternal reward (3:13). The list below under Digging Deeper is written so any individual can evaluate their own life, and that of a prospective elder. You'll find a lot more on this topic in the Catacomb Church, since Biblical leadership is the defining mark of a Biblical church. There you'll also find out suggestions for what to do if there is no godly male leadership.

The general requirement for an elder is to be above reproach (un-indictable, not enough pattern of evidence of wrongdoing for a conviction), but not perfect. The “disqualifications” are explained in the list below, but a comment about marriage is worth noting. Church leaders should be married with godly kids (although the list below could be used for evaluating someone not in that position). The reason for godly kids, is one needs to manage one's household well (proof in the pudding) before one can manage God's household. Parenting is a team sport, and if a guy can't have a unified approach to parenting with his wife, he's not going to be capable of reaching consensus with other leaders about more subjective church issues. The secret to godly kids is vigilant, loving confrontation and correction of sin. (See Parenting resources on Truthbase.net, especially the Proverbial Parent.) This is the skill necessary to be a good shepherd of God's sheep. “Husband of one wife” translates “one woman man,” which means that a guy's sexual attention is directed solely toward his wife. The need for a good reputation with outsiders is so one doesn't try to get worth and value at the expense of others in the church. Anyone who wants the job for status is unqualified to do it.

Deacons (the Greek word is “servant”) are not necessarily a permanent office, but more ad hoc ministers to needs in the Body (see comments on Acts 6). Requirements for their wives are mentioned, because deacons are often involved in meeting personal needs and gossip could ruin the reputation of folks.

See comments on Leadership in Acts 20 for more on the tasks of shepherding/pastoring and overseeing/bishoping being entrusted solely to elders (also 1 Peter 5:1-5). See the evaluative compilation of this list and Titus 1 in Marks and Models of Godliness below under Digging Deeper.

3:14-16 Paul gives his purpose in writing, so that Timothy would have an authoritative basis for correcting the church. Paul describes the Body/assembly of believers (not the building) as the household of the living God, the supporting pillar of the truth. Paul then elaborates on that truth which the church upholds, calling it the mystery (previously unrevealed information) of godliness (knowing and doing what God requires -see Titus 1). The mystery consists of the incarnation, (death), resurrection, glorification, revelation to the nations, reception by the world, and enthronement of Jesus Christ, the Messiah. This the foundation on which every Biblical church rests.

Application: Go through the marks of godliness under Digging Deeper and honestly evaluate yourself (male or female, young or old) and see what kind of model you are for others. Take any corrective action necessary.

Prayer: God, thanks that You make possible all You expect me to do and be; may I draw upon Your grace to obey and serve You, for Your glory. Amen.

Digging Deeper

God in a nutshell: God wants all to be saved and come to an experiential knowledge of the truth.

Build-a-Jesus: Jesus is the only ransom and mediator between God and man (no intermediaries). He is God in the flesh, now enthroned in glory.

Us in a nutshell: Believers are the household of God, and must operate according to His organizational structure, in unity and harmony.

Models of Godliness - Elder Qualifications 

1Tim 4:7 train yourself to be godly 6:11 pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love... Titus1:1 apostle for faith...and experiential knowledge of the truth which leads to godliness, 2Pt 1:3  add to your faith...perseverance, godliness...not unfruitful...rich welcome

Titus 1:6  elder must be blameless, the husband of but one wife, a man whose children believe & are not open to the charge of being wild & disobedient.
I Timothy 3:2-5 Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife... 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. 5 (If anyone doesn't know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God's church?)

I. BLAMELESS (Above reproach, Unindictable)
A. Is there anything in his life that has not been dealt with in a biblical manner? Could you charge him with any uncorrected wrongdoing? Is there any way in which he is not a model of godliness?
B. If so, follow the principle of Matthew 18.
C. Can he limit his natural desires to do what God desires or what is best for others?
D. Is he a model of godliness, in the sense that he is characterized by consistent experiential knowledge (application) of truth?
E. Does his behavior indicate that his actions are based upon a strong hope or expectation of eternal rewards? (Titus 1:2)

II. HUSBAND-OF ONE WIFE (One woman man)
A. Are his attentions and delights focused solely on his wife?
B. Do his interactions with other women indicate that he is a one-woman man?
C. Does his relationship with his wife indicate that he would not drift towards an actual or fantasized affair?
D .Do the observable parts of his life provide evidence that he has control of his desires?
E. Does he limit his desires, for the benefit of his wife?

III. BELIEVING CHILDREN (Passing on the faith)
A. Has he passed on his faith to his children (and others)?
B. Is his relationship with Jesus such that it is attractive to others?
C. Is he free from hypocrisy so that he's the same at church and at home?

IV. BEHAVING CHILDREN (Passing on the lifestyle)
A. Has he passed on the sound-minded control of his emotions and desires to his children?
B. Do his children (disciples) demonstrate the ability to limit their desires for a higher objective (wild = not saving)?
C. Has he passed on the lifestyle of submission to authority? Or are his children rebellious?
D. Do his children obey him with God-fearing respect?
E. Do his children honor their parents?

V. MANAGING FAMILY WELL
A. Does his family exhibit the Biblical pattern for families (Eph 5-6; Col 3) Is it a model for others?
B. Does his wife respond to his leadership with respect and submission?
C. Is he disciplining and training his children to fear the Lord?
D. Would you want the church to be like his family life?
E. Does he take the initiative in solving family difficulties or does he let things smolder until things explode?
F. Is his home in such an order that it can be used as a base for ministry?

Titus 1:7 Since an overseer is entrusted with God's work, he must be blameless--not overbearing, not quick-tempered, not given to drunkenness, not violent, not pursuing dishonest gain. I Timothy -3:3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

VI. STEWARD/ENTRUSTED WITH GOD'S WORK
A. If you were God. would you hire him and entrust him with your property or business?   B. Why or why not?

VII. NOT OVERBEARING (Self-willed, Self-pleasing)
A. Does he insist on having his own way?
B. Does he patiently persuade or force his opinion on others?
C. Is he open to new ideas?
D. Does he nit-pick the little things under the guise of being right?
E. Does he make decisions based on what's right or what pleases him?./
F. Is he sensitive to what is in another's best interest as well as their feelings and preferences?

IX. NOT QUICK-TEMPERED
A. Can he endure injustice and ill-treatment?
B. Does he insist on being right?
C. Does he have to tell you what he thinks or can he control his anger?
D. In the face of sheer stupidity can he channel his outrage constructively?
E. Does irritation quickly flare up into anger?

X. NOT BESIDE WINE (Escapism)
A. Does he avoid or escape his responsibilities through procrastination?
B. Does he comfort himself or alter his experience or reality through alcohol, food, TV, travel, computer games or other forms of amusement?
C. Can he face and do the unpleasant?
D. Does he avoid and run away from failure or overcome and learn from it?

XI. NOT VIOLENT (Hasty in striking an opponent)
A. When wronged, does he lash out or seek to get even or get revenge?
B. Can he attack a position without attacking the person?
C. Has he freed himself from unrighteous anger, hate or hostility?
D. Can he disagree without being disagreeable?
E. Would you call him a peacemaker who can reconcile relationships?
F. Does he seek to understand another's position and the reasoning (or lack thereof) behind it before attacking the position?

XII. NOT PURSUING DISHONEST GAIN
A. Is he free from the love of money? Is he a workaholic?
B. Would he compromise a principle to add to his principal?
C. Does he live within a budget?
D. Does he tithe, recognizing God's ownership of all he has?
E. Will he compromise (not forsake) the truth so others will like him?
F. Does he base his estimate of himself and others on their income?
*G. Does he place his job ahead of his family or spiritual responsibilities, or does he neglect spiritual service for work?

Titus 1:8 Rather he must be hospitable, one who loves what is good, who is self-controlled, upright, holy and disciplined 
I Timothy 3:2 temperate self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach

XIII. HOSPITABLE (Lover of strangers)
A. Does he seek out strangers and visitors and make them feel welcome?
B. Can he develop a relationship with a stranger to the point where he can discern & help accomplish God's purposes for that person?
C. Does he use his home as a base for ministering to other's needs?
D. Is he growing in his circle of acquaintances and friendships?
Rom 12:13 Share with God's people who are in need. Practice hospitality  Heb 13:2 Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some people have entertained strangers without knowing it. 1Pt 4:9 Offer hospitality to one another without grumbling.

XIV. LOVER OF GOOD
A. Is he attracted toward what is good?
B. What good works have you seen demonstrated in his life?
C. Does he have a disdain for what is not good?
2Tim 3:2 People will be lovers of themselves, lovers of money, boastful, proud, abusive. disobedient to their parents, ungrateful unholy, 3 without love, unforgiving, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not lovers of good, 4 treacherous, rash, conceited, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God--5 having a form of godliness but denying its power. Have nothing to do with them. 7 always learning but never able to acknowledge the truth.

XV. SOUND MINDED (Self-controlled)
A. Does he govern his life by principles and objectives or by natural drives, appetites, and lusts. (i.e., sex or security)?
B. Is it obvious that he limits what he could be doing in order to do what God wants?
C. Can he explain the thinking behind his actions or does he just go with the flow?
D. Does his mind control his feelings and actions or does he react and then rationalize?
E. Does he think before he acts, making decisions based on accurate information?
F. Does he have grasp of the big picture so that he knows when he has enough information to make a decision that pleases God?
Mk 5:15 When they came to Jesus, they saw the man who had been possessed by the legion of demons, sitting there, dressed and in his right mind,- and they were afraid. (see also 2 Cor 5:13)  Ac 26:25 "I am not insane, most excellent Festus, ' Paul replied. "What I am sayingis true and reasonable. Rm 12:3 For by the grace given me I say to every one of you.- Do not think of yourself more highly than you ought, but rather think of yourself with sober judgment, in accordance with the measure of faith God has given you. 2Tim 1 7 For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power and of love and of self-discipline. Titus 2:2 each the older men to be temperate, worthy of respect, self-controlled, and sound in faith, in love and in endurance. Titus 2:5 to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands so that no one will malign the word of God. 12 It teaches us to say "No " to ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in this present age,

XVI. JUST (Upright)
A. Has he taught himself to automatically know what is right and just and fair in the common circumstances of life (through steeping his values in Proverbs)?
B. Does he exhibit justice and fairness in dealing even with his opponents?
C. Does he operate according to God's standards and principles in all spheres of his life'?
D. Does he make decisions based on God's perspectives and values?

XVII. HOLY
A. Does he know or seek out what God wants or desires when faced with a decision?
B. Could you say that he does what Jesus would do in any given situation?
C. Would he be known as devout or pious?
D. Does he exhibit a concern for pleasing God?
E. Is he a model of personal holiness?
F. Do his speech and values indicate that he is in the world but not of the world?
G. Doss he care more about what God thinks than what others think?
Eph 4:22 You were taught, with regard to your former way of life, to put off your old desires; 23 to be made new in the attitude of your minds; 24 and to put on the new self, created to be like God in true righteousness and holiness.
]Tim 2:10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed.
I Tim 2:81 want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.
Heb 7:26 Such a high priest meets our need-one who is holy, blameless, pure, set apart from sinners, exalted above the heavens.

XVIII. DISCIPLINED (Power under control)
A. Does his will control his life so that he does what God wants even when his emotions and past experiences point in another direction?
B. Is there evidence that he can make or break a habit?
C. Does he consistently practice the disciplines of the Christian life: devotional time, Scripture memory, Bible study, and prayer?
D. Is self-control evident in his eating, exercise, and speech habits?
E. Can he inhibit or exhibit a desire at will?
F. Is it obvious that he is in training for the prize?
G. Is he controlling his life or are others or circumstances ruling it?
Ac 24:25 As Paul discoursed on righteousness, self-control and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid and said 'that's enough for now! You may leave. When I find it convenient, I will send for you. "
1Co 7:9 But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to bum.
1Co 9:25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. 7hey do it to get a crown that will not last,- but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. Gal 5.-22 But the fruit of the Spirit is ..self-control.
2Pe 1:5 For this very reason, make every effort to add to your faith goodness; and to goodness, knowledge, and to knowledge, self-control, and to self-control, perseverance; and to perseverance, godliness

I Timothy 3:2 ...able to teach…   Titus 1:9 He must hold firmly to the trustworthy message as it has been taught, so that he can encourage others by sound doctrine and refute those who oppose it. 10 For there are many rebellious people, mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group. 11 They must be silenced, because they are ruining whole households by teaching things they ought not to teach--and that for the sake of dishonest gain.

XIX. ABLE TO TEACH

A. KNOWING THE WORD
1. Can he accurately represent what God has said?
2. Is he a diligent student of the Word of God?
3 . Is he on a path which over the course of a lifetime will lead to mastery of the Truth?
4. Is he mining fresh truth or recycling platitudes?
5. Does he know the whole counsel of God, or just ride hobbyhorses?
6. Does he emphasize what God emphasizes?

B. APPLYING THE WORD

1. IN EXAMPLE
a. Is his lifestyle such that he has credibility?
b. Does he practice what he preaches (model godliness)?
c. Is he an embodiment of sound doctrine? (hold firmly to the message)?

2. IN TEACHING
a. Is he able to limit his preferences and overcome obstacles to communicate so others understand?
b. Is his teaching geared to knowledge or obedience?

3. IN ENCOURAGING (calling alongside)
a. Does his teaching provide Biblical motivation for obedience?
b. Does he encourage others with the word (sound doctrine) or what they want to hear (pious platitudes)?
c. Does he encourage others in the Lord or build dependence on himself or other temporal props?

4. IN REPROVING
a. Does he love people enough to confront unbiblical thinking/actions even when he knows he won't be liked or
accepted (and may even be misunderstood and slandered)?
b. Is he more concerned about his reputation with God than with what others think of him?
c. Are his arguments based upon the Scriptures or his preferences?
d. Does he exhibit gentleness and long-suffering in his rebuking?
e. Does he bring things to light (reproof) before rebuke?
f. Does he allow time for repentance?
g. Does he follow up rebuke with encouragement if there's repentance or with initiating church discipline (Mt 18) if not?
h. Is his goal restoration or condemnation?

I Timothy 3:1 Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.

XX. ASPIRE/DESIRE
A. Does he seek to be used by God in leading/serving others or does he act like he's doing God and others a favor?
B. Does he approach serving as worshipful service or a holy hobby?

I Timothy 3:6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil.

XXI. MATURE/HUMBLE
A. Has he had time to develop mature fruit of the Spirit in his life?
B. Is he prone to conceit or does he have a proper view of himself'.?
C. Has he eagerly sought service in the shadows as well as in the spotlight?

I Timothy 3:7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil's trap.

XXII GOOD REPUTATION
A. Does he present the same picture at work or at home as he does at church?
B. Are his business practices above reproach?
C. Does his non-church life draw others to church and Christ?
D. Can he handle responsibility without it going to his head?
E. Would his boss fill out a recommendation form for him?

1Tim 3:8 Deacons. likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain.

XXIII. RESPECTABLE
A. Is he worthy of respect due to his accomplishments and competence?
B. Has he done anything to undermine his respect?

XXIV. SINCERE (Not slanderers)
A. Does he keep his promises?

XXV. TEMPERATE
A. Can he restrain and control his appetites and desires?
B. See under "Escapism", "Sound-minded", and "Self-control".

XVI. NOT GREEDY FOR A QUICK BUCK
A. See under "Not Pursuing Dishonest Gain".

XXVII. KNOW THE TRUTH & APPLY THE TRUTH  A. See under "Able to Teach".

I Timothy 3. 1 0 They must first be tested, and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.

XXVIII. TESTED
A. Has he demonstrated faithfulness in other "unofficial" tasks'?

XXIX. BLAMELESS See above #I.
ITim 3:11 Same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers, but temperate & trustworthy in everything.

XXX. WIFE WASHERS (Ephesians 5)
A. Has he been a stimulus to his wife's Christlikeness by both example and word?
B. Has he helped her grow in her obedience to the word and service?
C. Does his wife exhibit order and respectability'?
D. Is his wife known for her gracious edifying speech rather than indiscreet gossip or critical talk?
E. Can his wife be trusted with a secret or a responsibility?

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. Are all believers models of godliness?  Is godliness automatic or do we have to do something to achieve it? How do you get it?
2. Why the emphasis on family? How does a woman reflect on her husband? What can you tell about a person from their spouse>
3. What is “spiritual leadership”? Is it important? Should all men strive to become elders?  Should all believers strive to become godly?
4. What can you do to increase your GQ (godliness quotient) and that of those around you? Are you a model of godliness?

Where to Go for More:

Truthbase.net