Christ's Instructions

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353) 1Tim 6:13-14 . . I charge you in the sight of God-- who gives life to
everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate
made the good confession --to keep this command without spot or blame
until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

The Greek word for "commandment" in that passage basically means an
injunction, i.e. an authoritative prescription. It's difficult to tell if Paul had a
specific instruction in mind or if he intended Timothy to accept his entire
epistle as the law of Christ. If the latter is the case, then the NLT seems the
better version; which reads like this:

"And I command you before God, who gives life to all, and before Christ
Jesus, who gave a good testimony before Pontius Pilate, that you obey his
commands with all purity. Then no one can find fault with you from now until
our Lord Jesus Christ returns."

The NLT's version encompasses all of Christ's expectations; from Acts to
Revelation.

* The Geek translated "without spot/purity" basically means unblemished. It
takes a pretty concentrated, uncompromising effort for a man to finish up a
life of Christian service with a flawless record. That's setting the bar pretty
high, but then it would be out of character for Christ to expect less.
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354) 1Tim 6:17-19 . . Command those who are rich in this present world not
to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God,
who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.

In other words; providence is where the real security is because it's controlled
by God rather than controlled by market fluctuations.

Webster's defines "conceit" as an excessive appreciation of one's own worth
and/or virtue. It's is all too common for the rich and famous to exhibit an
aristocratic masters-of-the-universe demeanor, so to speak. In other words:
conceited people think of themselves as self-reliant; they don't need God for
anything; no, they can get by just fine without Him. In their mind's eye, only
the weak need religion.

● 1Tim 6:18-19 . . Command them to do good, to be rich in good works, to
be generous and ready to share, storing up for themselves the treasure of a
good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is
life indeed.

"that which is life indeed" refers to the divine nature about which Peter
wrote at 2Pet 1:4, which offers a lasting return on one's investment.

● Prov 19:17 . . He who is gracious to a poor man lends to The Lord, and He
will repay him for his good deed.
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355) 1Tim 6:20 . . Avoid impious and vain babblings, and oppositions of
science falsely so called:

Not all science is false. The kind we need to be wary of typically shows up in
informal group discussions, i.e. forums, bull sessions, and brain storming;
wherein people shoot from the lip without really knowing what they're
talking about.

For example: one day at work a man in the break room said he believes it's
arrogant to assume there is no other intelligent life in the universe but that
found on earth. You know why he said that? Because he heard it said first by
someone he admires, ergo: he was perpetuating a logical fallacy in the form
of a credible opinion.

NOTE: On June 28, 2024, The US Supreme Court overturned a long held
opinion, the so-called Chevron Deference Doctrine, which was basically an
argument from authority, i.e. a logical fallacy which supposes that
someone's position, or their credentials, makes their views more important
and/or more likely to be correct than the views of lesser folks.

In a nutshell; just because someone is high up on the "expert" totem pole
does not eo ipso make them right and/or worth repeating. Caveat Lector.
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356) 2Tim 1:8a . . Do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord (cf.1Pet
4:16-19)

Christianity is rooted in Jesus Christ. So when people identify themselves as
Christians they're saying that they're his followers; i.e. they're aligned with
him and they accept his teachings and his claims as the God's truth; while at
the same time categorizing themselves as kooks and religious fanatics; and
thus open to mockery and unkind gossip.

It's tough, but we have to bite the bullet lest when we meet Jesus, he gives
us the same look he gave Peter on the night of the Lord's arrest. (Luke
22:61-62)

● Mark 8:38 . . If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous
and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when he
comes in his Father's glory with the holy angels.
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357) 2Tim 1:8b . . Don't be ashamed of me his prisoner; but Join with me in
suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.

Peter distanced himself from Christ on the night of the Lord's arrest, no
doubt fearing that if he were to admit to being one of the Lord's associates,
he'd be arrested too. It appears Paul was concerned that Timothy, who was
normally a loyal associate, would do the same to him while he was behind
bars.

The power of God is involved in one's suffering for the gospel when He sets
you up for it.

● Phil 1:29 . . For it has been granted to you on behalf of Christ not only to
believe on him, but also to suffer for him.

Suffering for the Gospel doesn't necessarily include martyrdom. The more
common forms of suffering are privation, fear, anxiety, despair,
despondence, humiliation, threats, hunger, loss of friends and family,
ostracizing, ridicule, mockery, harsh criticism, judgmental remarks, insults,
intimidation, name calling, demeaning comments, ugly insinuations, slander,
teasing, harassment, bullying, unfairness, prejudice, intolerance,
disassociation, treachery, and betrayal, etc.

NOTE: The Greek word translated "granted" basically means to bestow as a
favor, i.e. a gratuity. In other words: the adversities described above should
never be cursed as bad luck when they just might actually be providential
blessings.

● 1Pet 4:12-13 . . Beloved, think it not strange concerning the fiery trial
which is to try you, as though some strange thing happened unto you: but
rejoice, inasmuch as you are partakers of Christ's sufferings; that, when his
glory shall be revealed, you may be glad also with exceeding joy.
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358) 2Tim 1:13 . . Hold fast the pattern of sound words which you have
heard from me.

The Greek word for "hold fast" means to clutch, cling, or adhere to.

The word for "pattern" means a sketch; viz: a blueprint, a schematic
diagram, and/or an example, i.e. a model. (e.g. 1Tim 1:16)

When Noah was commissioned to build the ark, he wasn't left clueless as to
what it was supposed to look like. God gave him a design to work with. And
when Moses was tasked to fabricate articles of worship for the Tabernacle,
he too was given designs. In other words, Moses and Noah both made
everything according to God-given specifications; viz: Christianity is a God
given religion; He has not left it to human ingenuity.

What this boils down to is that modern churches have been handed down
from Paul, and to a certain extent from Peter, a God-given pattern for their
operations. When they depart from His pattern, then they are no longer
following Christ, rather; they are attempting to revise his ways.
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359) 2Tim 1:14 . . With the help of the Holy Spirit who lives within us;
carefully guard what has been entrusted to you.

This probably refers to congregations whose spiritual welfare is the
responsibility of church officers. The officers found in dereliction of duty are
known as non vigilant watchdogs and self-seeking, incompetent shepherds;
for example:

● Isa 56:10-11 . . Israel's watchmen are blind, they all lack knowledge; they
are all mute dogs, they cannot bark; they lie around and dream, they love to
sleep. They are dogs with mighty appetites; they never have enough. They
are shepherds who lack understanding; they all turn to their own way, each
seeks his own gain. (cf. John 10:11)

So; exactly what is the "help of the Holy Spirit". Well; I'd say it's a
motivation, to the point of obsession, because I think we can safely assume
that God is never half-hearted about His business, viz: a church officer who
lacks obsession with his congregation's spiritual welfare should probably not
be in a position to influence folks in that way.
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360) 2Tim 2:2 . . And the things you have heard me say in the presence of
many witnesses, entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach
others.

Paul's instructions were given to Timothy "in the presence of many
witnesses" indicating that his instructions were never intended to be
privileged information for the eyes-only of an elite category of super saints.
The things he taught were transferred publicly rather than deep inside a
secret chamber whose access was restricted to an elite clique of insiders.

I also suspect that Paul sand-bagged Timothy. By instructing him in the
hearing of witnesses, Timothy could never fall back on the tiresome old
excuse of saying "I didn't know I was supposed to do that." Well, witnesses
would certainly testify that he did know what he was supposed to do
because they themselves heard Paul instruct him with their own ears.

It's a wise church that fully understands a pastor's duties and responsibilities
just in case a time comes when they need to hold his feet to the fire;
especially a complacent pastor or one that's gotten mixed up in political
activism and civil disobedience. If a church doesn't know what a pastor's
sacred obligations are, then there's no way they can know whether or not
they're getting their money's worth. In my opinion, an ignorant church is a
private pond stocked with hatchery fish.

Paul's instructions in this matter were also a practical consideration as
nobody abides forever on this earthen globe. Pastors die; that's just a fact of
life. And they also get diseases like dementia, Parkinson's, and Alzheimer's.
It's a wise pastor busy training his replacements so that all his knowledge
and experience isn't lost to future church generations. Abraham was
commended for this very thing.

● Gen 18:18-20 . . For I have chosen Abraham, in order that he may
command his children and his household after him to keep the way of The
Lord.
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361) 2Tim 2:3-7 . . Endure hardship with us like a good soldier of Christ
Jesus. No one serving as a soldier gets involved in civilian affairs-- he wants
to please his commanding officer.

A soldier's primary responsibility is to accomplish the mission assigned by
their commanders. They don't give themselves leave to abandon their posts
to go off on their own personal agenda doing other stuff. Desertion and
dereliction of duty are courts martial offenses.

These days; successful activism depends to a larger and larger extent upon
the participation of evangelical Christians; hence the smart organizers make
recruiting them and their ministers a priority; and their numbers typically
end up in a poll somewhere; thus activists utilize religion as a sort of seal of
approval for their causes; like the way professional athletes sell their names
to endorse sports apparel.

Political activism and civil disobedience may seem like every Christian
citizen's duty when a "worthy cause" comes along; but those causes can be
treacherous sirens; leading to a shipwreck of the ministry of a man ordained
to serve Christ.
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362) 2Tim 2:8 . . Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, descendant
of David, according to my gospel

There are Bible-toting missionaries out there going door to door all over the
world teaching that Jesus Christ's crucified dead body wasn't restored to life;
they're saying it's still dead, and his remains are squirreled away somewhere
on Earth in a condition and a location known only to God.

That is NOT the kind of gospel that Christ wants to hear preached about
himself.

Others are adamantly opposed to any ideas that even so much as suggest
that Jesus Christ is one of David's paternal descendants. That too is NOT the
kind of gospel that Christ wants to hear preached about himself. In point of
fact, there is sufficient textual evidence to very easily prove that Jesus Christ
is not only David's biological offspring, but Adam's too.
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363) 2Tim 2:14 . . Command them in God's name to stop quarreling over
trifles.

In a Sean Connery movie titled "The Name Of The Rose" church dignitaries
assembled a meeting of the minds to reach a resolution on a theological
question which was: Did the Christ own the clothes that he wore or not?

Well, needless to say, the discussion turned into bickering wherein nothing
was resolved. Tempers flared, shouting ensued, feelings were hurt, and
people were alienated over the issue-- a rather superfluous issue at that.

Christians are often embroiled in arguments over things that in the grand
scheme of things have almost zero importance while all around them are
weightier matters begging their attention.

It's interesting that Paul didn't want Timothy's flock instructed to avoid
quarreling over trifles, rather, to stop. I can't help but wonder how many
Christians think to seek absolution for the sin of quarreling over trifles when
they go to God in prayer.
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364) 2Tim 2:15 . . Be diligent to present yourself approved to God, a worker
who does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.

Some folks construe rightly dividing the truth as instructions to keep the old
testament completely separate from the new. But that's not even close to
what Paul is instructing.

He was a blue collar tradesman: Paul fabricated portable shelters for a living
(Acts 18:3). The Greek word for "rightly dividing" means to make a straight
cut as opposed to a crooked cut; or a cut that misses the line and yields a
piece of material that's either too long, too short, or the wrong contour; thus
resulting in a tent whose pieces won't join properly when it comes time to
sew them together. The results? A distorted tent and a black mark for the
craftsman.

The intent is not one of severing the Bible in half and treating each as a
separate book, nor of breaking the new testament in two pieces with the
gospels in one and the epistles in the other; but to be accurate in the
whole's interpretations and applications so that it all fits together perfectly
from first to last, like a well made armoire instead of a hastily constructed
rabbit hutch.
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365) 2Tim 2:16 . . Avoid worldly, empty chatter; for it will lead to further
impiety.

The Greek word for "worldly" refers to heathenism, i.e. secular thinking.

What he's talking about there are bull sessions wherein untrained people
discussing the Bible haven't a clue what they're talking about; and their
perpetual deliberations-- consisting of sophistry, conjecture, theory, and
personal opinions --never get to the bottom of anything.

Well, truth isn't meant to be learned by means of discussion; it's meant to
be learned by instruction, taught by someone especially enabled by God for
that purpose. (Eph 4:11-14)

● 1Cor 12:29 . . Are all teachers?

The answer to that is a great big NO!

Some years ago I was invited to a home Bible study. Before considering his
invitation; I asked the man if his group was led by a competent Bible
teacher. He said: We don't have a leader. The group teaches itself. In other
words: we speak as the Spirit leads us to speak.

They say iron sharpeneth iron. But that doesn't work when both irons are
soft; they just end up chafing each other. That's why files are hardened and
tempered. Well; that man's group lacked a file, so to speak; so I declined.
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366) 2Tim 2:19 . . Let everyone who names the name of The Lord abstain
from wickedness.

The wickedness he's talking about in this particular instance regards
unskilled use of the Bible along with sophistry, conjecture, semantic double
speak, wild-eyed posits, theories, flimsy science, and lines of spiritual
rhetoric that sound very convincing but are nevertheless quite spurious.
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367) 2Tim 2:22 . . Flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith,
love and peace, with those who call on The Lord from a pure heart.

"youthful" is translated from a Greek word which, in the USA, pertains to
folks under the age of 18. But most folks are typically youthful way beyond
that age. For example middle age usually doesn't kick in till somewhere
around the age of 40 or 45.

The Greek word translated "lusts" is somewhat ambiguous. It can refer to
both inordinate longings and legitimate longings. For example; the same
word is used at Luke 22:15 referring to Christ's desire for one last Passover
dinner with his apostles.

Anyway, the kinds of lusts that Christian youngsters might consider avoiding
are those that fall in the scandalous category.
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368) 2Tim 2:23 . . Refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that
they produce debating.

Not all speculation is forbidden; only the kind that's absurd and uneducated.

I seriously doubt that 2Tim 2:23 is addressing one's IQ, but rather, the
propensity of some to shoot from the lip without really knowing what they're
talking about and/or having the slightest basis for their perspective.

So; if Christians are to refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, then they
really ought to avoid spouting their own too.

Anyway, the focus is upon debating which, at its worst, consists of running
gun battles, food fights, endless rebuttals. and perpetual bull sessions that
never get to the bottom of anything.

Academic debates are quite a bit different. Neither side interrupts the other,
nor do they shout to be heard, nor strive to get in the last word; rather,
opponents take turns presenting what they believe to be evidence
supporting their argument until there comes a sensible point in the
discussion when both sides "rest" which is a legal term for concluding all
arguments when neither side has any new evidence to submit.

Sensible discussions are peaceful and orderly whereas running gun battles,
food fights, endless rebuttals, and perpetual bull sessions typically deteriorate
into quarreling, anger, frustration, animosity, malice, reciprocity, recriminations,
accusations, demeaning comments, antagonism, and hurt feelings.

● Phil 1:27 . . Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of
Christ.
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369) 2Tim 2:24a . . The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome

The Greek word translated bond-servant means slave; ether voluntary or
involuntary. Bond servants are different than captive slaves. A bond servant
is typically someone who's entered into a service agreement with minimal
compensation; usually to satisfy a debt.

Although the choice to translate the Greek to indicate a bond servant was
probably done so arbitrarily, it fits the Christian concept of one's allegiance
to Christ.

As regards quarreling:

Sometimes it's best to follow Han Solo's advice and let the Wookie win one.
In other words; when one is wise; two are happy. Be the wise one and pick
your fights carefully. Don't expend your energies on hot button topics; they'll
just lead to anger, frustration, demeaning comments, and flaming remarks.

Especially avoid getting into discussions with obtuse individuals driven by a
rather annoying propensity to challenge everything you say simply because
they thrive on endless questions.

Another thing: Do we really have to be right all the time? People are entitled
to a second opinion so let them have one. It's good diplomacy; which can be
defined as skill in handling affairs without arousing hostility, i.e. tact. In
other words: make an effort to not be one of those in-your-face types for
whom every disagreement is an act of war to be won at any cost.
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370) 2Tim 2:24b-26 . . The Lord's servant must . . be kind to all, apt to
teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in
opposition, if perhaps God may grant them a change of heart leading to the
knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from
the snare of the Devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

The all in "be kind to all" really should be taken to mean all in Christian
congregations rather than all in the world. The reason being, according to
Eph 4:11-16, Christ doesn't dispense his servants for the world's benefit,
rather, for his body's benefit.

For the above reason; Sunday school teachers need to treat the people in
church who oppose them with the same sympathy and consideration as they
would patients in a mental hospital who lack the faculties to know what
they're doing and/or to think for themselves; hence the instructions to be
kind, gentle, and patient because according to the last words in that
passage, those folks are entangled in a bit of paranormal activity not easily
overcome by argument.

* Compare Heb 5:2 where it's said that a high priest is able to deal gently
with those who are ignorant and are going astray.
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371) 2Tim 3:12-15 . .You, however, continue in the things you have learned
and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them; and
that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to
give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ
Jesus.

The "sacred writings" upon which Timothy cut his teeth are of course the old
testament's collection; which Paul affirms is useful to Christians.

● Rom 15:4 . .Whatever was written in earlier times was written for our
instruction that we, through patience and the encouragement of the
scriptures, might have hope.

NOTE: The Greek word translated "hope" means to anticipate (usually with
pleasure and confidence). In other words: this kind of hope doesn't cross its
fingers and pray for the best while in the back of its mind dreading the
worst. No; this hope speaks of having something to look forward to with the
bold unreserved expectation of obtaining it.
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372) 2Tim 4:1-2 . . I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of
Christ Jesus-- who is to judge the living and the dead, and by His appearing
and His kingdom --preach the word; be ready in season and out of season;
reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.

Preaching and teaching are areas where pastors must take the reins. They
can't wait until their boards take a vote on it. No, the pastor's vote is the
only one that counts because left to themselves, congregations (and boards)
are just like any other flock of dim-witted sheep: they're prone to wander.

● 2Tim 4:3-4 . . For the time will come when they will not endure sound
doctrine; but wanting to have their ears rubbed, they will accumulate for
themselves teachers in accordance with their own desires; and will turn
away their ears from the truth, and will turn aside to fiction.

Once somebody adopts an error for themselves as the God's truth, they like
to hear it reinforced, over and over again so they feel good about
themselves rather than feeling like a fool for thinking a certain way.

That mindset is very difficult to correct. So, like it's said; the best remedy is
prevention; hence the instruction to "preach the word' lest by preaching
something else a pastor's congregation gets their heads full of wrong ideas,
and from then on they tune out everything that opposes those ideas and/or
fails to reinforce them.
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