THE ETERNAL WISDOM OF GOD, THE GLORIOUS HUMILIATION OF CHRIST, AND REVELATION THROUGH THE SPIRIT ... more THE ETERNAL WISDOM OF GOD, THE GLORIOUS HUMILIATION OF CHRIST, AND REVELATION THROUGH THE SPIRIT 6 Yet among the mature we do impart wisdom, although it is not a wisdom of this age or of the rulers of this age, who are doomed to pass away. 7 But we impart a secret and hidden wisdom of God, which God decreed before the ages for our glory. 8 None of the rulers of this age understood this, for if they had, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory. 9 But, as it is written, "What no eye has seen, nor ear heard, nor the heart of man imagined, what God has prepared for those who love him"-10 these things God has revealed to us through the Spirit. For the Spirit searches everything, even the depths of God. 11 For who knows a person's thoughts except the spirit of that person, which is in him? So also no one comprehends the thoughts of God except the Spirit of God. 12 Now we have received not the spirit of the world, but the Spirit who is from God, that we might understand the things freely given us by God. 13 And we impart this in words not taught by human wisdom but taught by the Spirit, interpreting spiritual truths to those who are spiritual. 14 The natural person does not accept the things of the Spirit of God, for they are folly to him, and he is not able to understand them because they are spiritually discerned. 15 The spiritual person judges all things, but is himself to be judged by no one. 16 "For who has understood the mind of the Lord so as to instruct him?" But we have the mind of Christ. {ESV} The theology of the cross builds throughout the chapters, with (1) 1:18-31 looking at the 1 wisdom of God displayed in multifaceted humility in contrast to the folly of man's pride (2) 2:1-5 being a theology of preaching centering on Christ's death and (3) 2:6-16 explaining the Spirit's inspiration and illumination of the gospel in preaching and inscripturated revelation.
Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer ... more Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. To draw near to listen is better than to offer the sacrifice of fools, for they do not know that they are doing evil. 2 Be not rash with your mouth, nor let your heart be hasty to utter a word before God, for God is in heaven and you are on earth. Therefore let your words be few. 3 For a dream comes with much business, and a fool's voice with many words. 4 When you vow a vow to God, do not delay paying it, for he has no pleasure in fools. Pay what you vow. 5 It is better that you should not vow than that you should vow and not pay. 6 Let not your mouth lead you into sin, and do not say before the messenger that it was a mistake. Why should God be angry at your voice and destroy the work of your hands? 7 For when dreams increase and words grow many, there is vanity; but God is the One you must fear. [English Standard Version] Of this passage Derek Kidner writes, the Preacher's "tone is quiet, though his words are razorsharp." He's absolutely right and remarkably, that is just how our worship is to be -calm and 1 peaceful but weighty and piercing. This is a particularly somber passage; it could be counted among the most sober and heavy passages within all of Scripture. The reason for such solemnity -a solemnity we see again at the end of the book -is because here the Preacher (Qoheleth) addresses how we are to come to God in worship. The worship of God is the reason for our salvation and the center of our life in Christ. For those reasons we should expect such soberness and weight attached to the subject of worship. These seven verses are the center of Ecclesiastes; they are integral to the book. As the centering 2 hinge of the book, the conclusion in ch. 12 is an expansion of the main exhortation here -to fear God. 3
Philippians 1:12-18 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served ... more Philippians 1:12-18 I want you to know, brothers, that what has happened to me has really served to advance the gospel, 13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ. 14 And most of the brothers, having become confident in the Lord by my imprisonment, are much more bold to speak the word without fear. 15 Some indeed preach Christ from envy and rivalry, but others from good will. 16 The latter do it out of love, knowing that I am put here for the defense of the gospel. 17 The former proclaim Christ out of selfish ambition, not sincerely but thinking to afflict me in my imprisonment. 18 What then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is proclaimed, and in that I rejoice. {ESV} Scripture is a theology of the cross. Philippians, however, is one of the books where the theology of the cross is particularly dominant and pervasive. The theology of the cross is the polar opposite of the thinking of this unbelieving world. Unbelief says "God helps those who help themselves." The theology of the cross says God gives grace to the humble. The world tells you "Cry, and you cry alone." The theology of the cross tells you God is near to those brokenhearted over their sin. Man proclaims "Survival of the fittest." The theology of the cross proclaims that the meek shall inherit the earth. Man tells you that he comes first and that you need to be number one. The theology of the cross assures you the first will be last and the last will be first. The world claims they deserve the best because they are good. The theology of the cross pronounces blessed are those who mourn for their sin. The theology of glory says trust in yourself, assert yourself, esteem yourself. The theology of the cross says to boast in the Lord and to deny yourself. A theology of glory (unbelief) says glory now. A theology of the cross (Christian theology) promises suffering now, glory in the age to come. This self-sacrifice runs all through this letter. It begins with Christ who denied himself his own place of glory and humbled himself in love to the point of sacrificing himself on the cross to save us from God's wrath and cleanse us from our sins. And then this humility and selflessness is manifested in Christ's servants who are committed to the truth of the gospel and the church Christ died for. In vv.12-14, as soon as Paul finishes his thanksgiving and prayer for the church at Philippi, he demonstrates this theology of the cross with three benefits/gifts Christ is accomplishing through his imprisonment. I. Paul's Imprisonment for Christ, vv.12-14 a. The gospel is being advanced, vv.12-13 The priority for Paul is the gospel. The church at Philippi knew Paul was in prison 1 awaiting trial. They were concerned about him (4:10) and the first thing Paul tells them about himself directs them to that which held first place for Paul -the gospel. 2 How so? v.13 so that it has become known throughout the whole imperial guard and to all the rest that my imprisonment is for Christ For Paul's guards to have learned why he was imprisoned would not be what it is for the gospel to be advanced. Paul didn't care about his guards knowing about him; he was after the message about Christ being spread. And that's what he used his imprisonment for -to tell these soldiers inside the Roman empire who would otherwise not heard the gospel Paul used his imprisonment as an opportunity to spread the gospel to soldiers inside the Roman empire who would otherwise not heard the gospel. Word even spread beyond the guards to those whom Paul refers to as all the rest meaning other Roman officials, that he was in chains for preaching Christ crucified and risen. Paul's union with Christ was such that news about him was news about Christ. According to God's providence, it was by him being confined that the gospel was to advance throughout the Roman military. So Paul's chains were no setback to his ministry; they were a means of the gospel's progress. And you know what? Some of those in the Roman empire were elect -they came to faith in Christ. Look over at Phil 4:22 and how Paul closes the letter: "All the saints greet you, especially those of Caesar's household." Even in captivity, the Lord is bearing fruit through Paul. We see the same focus in Rom 1:5 when he says the aim of his apostleship is the obedience of 1 faith among the nations for the sake of Christ's name and in his summary of the gospel: "For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received" (1 Cor 15:3 cf. his view of the gospel's primacy and authority in Gal 1:6-9). As he would say to the elders at Ephesus, "But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of God" (
But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, digni... more But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. 9 Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. 15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you. {ESV} Having heard what God calls for in older men and women, we now come to look at what he says to the younger men and women along with how the Christian is to conduct himself at work. Titus 2 is Paul's vision for the church. This is the fruit Paul wants to see from the ministry of the word. And if this is the word of God -and it is -we can do better and say this is what God wants to see in his people. This is the character that is not only pleasing to Christ, but it is the conduct that Christ died for. This is to be the life of Christ's redeemed people. Better yet, we should put it like this: The virtues Paul calls for in this passage are themselves the work of God's saving grace in us; godliness in this age is part of our salvation that Christ gave himself for. This chapter is about our sanctification. Sanctification is the doctrine concerning the process of our growth in holiness and our fight against sin. The key passage on sanctification is Rom 6 but I would submit to you that this passage follows on the heels of Rom 6 for what it teaches us about the relation of godliness and Christ's work in the gospel. We see this in vv.11-14. Make no mistake, these four verses make up a brief portion of this passage, but they stand behind it as the reason for all that it says. Vv.11-14 are indispensable to this passage as they provide the indicative
But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, digni... more But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. 9 Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. 15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you. {ESV} So what is Titus supposed to teach and declare with all authority? Before we answer that, look back at 1:12. "One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, 'Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.'" Titus was ministering in a highly depraved setting, not much unlike our own. This is what those in the church came out of. This is what they were. Having believed in Christ and been redeemed by him, they are to be different from the unbelievers around them and show them the power of God's saving grace. Their transformed life in Christ is a testimony to the truth of the gospel. That means this passage has an evangelistic function. Would you like to see God call his elect to salvation from the world around you? Then be different from the world. If the church wants to see the elect come to faith, then the church needs to be counter-culture. And that is precisely what we have here. Paul covers the entire church here: Old, young, male, female. There are no less than 20 exhortations here: 7 for the men, 10 for the women, and 3 for bondservants. I want to add one other thing: Notice that the passage divides up the church between young and old. There is no in-between. Scripture knows nothing of what is called adolescence. God has not designed life so that there is a period of carefree existence where everything revolves around friends and good times. Scripture speaks of children, the younger, and the older. You ask, "Where is the break
But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, digni... more But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine. 2 Older men are to be sober-minded, dignified, self-controlled, sound in faith, in love, and in steadfastness. 3 Older women likewise are to be reverent in behavior, not slanderers or slaves to much wine. They are to teach what is good, 4 and so train the young women to love their husbands and children, 5 to be self-controlled, pure, working at home, kind, and submissive to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be reviled. 6 Likewise, urge the younger men to be self-controlled. 7 Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, 8 and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that an opponent may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us. 9 Bondservants are to be submissive to their own masters in everything; they are to be well-pleasing, not argumentative, 10 not pilfering, but showing all good faith, so that in everything they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior. 11 For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation for all people, 12 training us to renounce ungodliness and worldly passions, and to live self-controlled, upright, and godly lives in the present age, 13 waiting for our blessed hope, the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave himself for us to redeem us from all lawlessness and to purify for himself a people for his own possession who are zealous for good works. 15 Declare these things; exhort and rebuke with all authority. Let no one disregard you. {ESV} Titus 2 is a critical passage for at least two reasons. One, it tells us how the Lord wants his people to conduct themselves in all the settings we live in: the home, the world, and the church. In other words, it's a picture of godliness. Two, it insists that this godliness is rooted in the work of Christ. That is, we cannot think about life in Christ or live as Christians as something separate from the gospel. I am not saying we "live the gospel" -speaking in such terms is not helpful -rather, our growth in Christ is as much by grace as is our salvation for our sanctification is in fact part of our salvation broadly conceived. What Paul will say in vv.11-14 is the our new life in Christ is as much by grace as is our forgiveness of sin is by grace. This is Christ's vision for the people he redeemed -the church -and the way he ordains that it be brought to fruition is through the ministry of the word.
But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore it s... more But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore it says, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." 9 In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. {ESV} This is a passage that has had quite an impact in the church over the past few decades. It is also a passage that has been misunderstood so its use has been deteriorating. Eph 4 is alongside the foundational passages in the Pastoral Epistles (PE) that establish the form and aim of the ministry. The PE and this passage are the canon if you will for the ministry. All other passages pertaining to the life of the church must be read in light of them. Unfortunately, that is not how many have come at this passage. Instead, it has been thought of as the real "ministry" as being done by every person in the church. That means what Paul writes in vv.12ff is not about the ministry of a man of God, but the ministry of the entire body. Glaringly 1 On the evangelical atmosphere of self-trust and independency, see Nathan O. Hatch, The 1 Democratization of American Christianity (Yale, 1991). I discovered afterwards that T. David Gordon pointed to this same work near the end of his article "'Equipping' Ministry in Ephesians 4?" JETS 37 (1994): 77 n.9. In commending this important book, I am constrained to also mention two caveats. One, it is a historical study. As such it is insightful but not authoritative. Two, Hatch gives the impression that the ministry is an esteemed profession reserved only for those who have graduated from a prestigious university. He makes no mention of the Spirit's gifting, a man's faithfulness to the Scriptures, or his piety... which is the emphasis Scripture places on entering the ministry. It is the work of the Spirit in a man -not the social standing of his family in the community -that mark him out as one given to serve the church. Hatch seems to accept the worldly thinking that relies on the flesh for putting a man into the ministry. The carnal ambition of such elite families would fill that church with what Samuel Miller deemed "drones and pests" in An Able and Faithful Ministry (1812), vi.
But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore it s... more But grace was given to each one of us according to the measure of Christ's gift. 8 Therefore it says, "When he ascended on high he led a host of captives, and he gave gifts to men." 9 In saying, "He ascended," what does it mean but that he had also descended into the lower regions, the earth? 10 He who descended is the one who also ascended far above all the heavens, that he might fill all things. 11 And he gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12 to equip the saints for the work of ministry, for building up the body of Christ, 13 until we all attain to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ, 14 so that we may no longer be children, tossed to and fro by the waves and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by human cunning, by craftiness in deceitful schemes. 15 Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ, 16 from whom the whole body, joined and held together by every joint with which it is equipped, when each part is working properly, makes the body grow so that it builds itself up in love. {ESV} So ends the reading of the word of God. How do you know a man is called to the ministry? It is one of the most important questions we can ask within the life of the church. There are a few different ways we can go about formulating an answer, but this passage enables us to answer the question in one word. You know a man is called to the ministry because Christ's body sees him and his work -especially his labor in the word -as a gift. He's a man whom Christ has gifted to build up his people in the faith through the ministry of the word so that we are united by our faith in Christ. There have been a few men of God I've had the joy of sitting under or at least reading, who when I think of them, I can only say, "They are such a gift!" From the bottom of my heart, I am so thankful that God has given a gift to me in the form of these men imparting the knowledge of Christ to the church. 1 They did not set out with the hope of people praising them for being such a gift. They proved to be a gift 1 because they so loved God that they studied his word to know him and spread that knowledge of him to the church. A man who wants to be loved by the church or a man who does not labor in the word to know the mind of God is not a gift to the church. A man who pushes himself upon the church and uses the church to serve himself is a curse (see 3 Jn 9-12; Mk 10:42-45). This difference is evidenced by 1 Cor 12 and Rom 12 ascribing the gifts as coming from the Spirit while 2 Eph 4 ascribes these gifts (= men) as from Christ. As head of the church (5:23), Christ appoints men to the ministry.
I am beginning at v.32 and reading down to v.40 because this passage is about confessing/ receivi... more I am beginning at v.32 and reading down to v.40 because this passage is about confessing/ receiving Christ. This is the word of God, let us listen carefully: 32 So everyone who acknowledges Me before men, I also will acknowledge before My Father who is in heaven, 33 but whoever denies Me before men, I also will deny before My Father who is in heaven. 34 Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 40 Whoever receives you receives Me, and whoever receives Me receives him who sent Me. [English Standard Version] The Holy Spirit has seen fit to put these words of Christ in the Gospels eight times. What does 1 that tell you about the significance of this passage in knowing Christ? Jesus strikes at the heart of what it is to be his disciple -self-denial. You cannot follow Christ without denying yourself. The 2 essence of the gospel is Christ's self-denial -Christ humbled himself and laid down his life to redeem his people -and in walking with him we give up ourselves to him. What we have in Jesus' words is thinking absorbed in the gospel. When Jesus called us to eternal life, he called us to faith in him that would put our life in this world to death; he began dividing us from this world so that we would live in him and have a heavenly mind that thinks contrary to the self-centered world. As he does elsewhere, Jesus confronts us with a stark boldness. In no uncertain terms he says, "Do not think wrongly of Me. Don't imagine I have come to bring peace to this world. I have not." But this appears to be a particularly hard passage, especially in light of the misquote of Lk 2:14 that we read on Christmas cards: "Peace on earth." (See end notes) How could Jesus condone a division between a father and a son? ("Isn't this incompatible with the Decalogue that commands us to honor our father and mother?" [Matt 19:19]) Jesus says he did not come to bring peace, but a sword. ("But when Peter drew his sword and cut off the ear of a Roman soldier who came to arrest Jesus, didn't Jesus tell Peter those who live by the sword will die by the sword?" [Matt 26:52]) This turns the moralistic view of Jesus on its head. Unbelievers, the earthly-minded, would surely have us throw it out. "What good could come from talk like this?"
For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all th... more For this reason, because I have heard of your faith in the Lord Jesus and your love toward all the saints, 16 I do not cease to give thanks for you, remembering you in my prayers, 17 that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of glory, may give you a [the] Spirit of wisdom and of revelation in the knowledge of him, 18 having [had] the eyes of your hearts enlightened, that you may know what is the hope to which he has called you, what are the riches of his glorious inheritance in the saints, 19 and what is the immeasurable greatness of his power toward [in] us who believe, according to the working of his great might 20 that he worked in Christ when he raised him from the dead and seated him at his right hand in the heavenly places, 21 far above all rule and authority and power and dominion, and above every name that is named, not only in this age but also in the one to come. 22 And he put all things under his feet and gave him as head over all things to the church, 23 which is his body, the fullness of him who fills all in all. Vos said, "The apostle affords a classical example of the unique spiritual inspiration which a truly religious mind can draw from high doctrinal thinking." We see this throughout Paul's letters and 1 it is especially evident in his prayer here: The sincere and deep devotion of a theologically rich mind. Weighty prayer is one of the things theology should be producing in us. Theology is the knowledge of God and prayer is crying out in faith to God who has revealed himself in his word so there is an inherent connection between theology and prayer.
10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours se... more 10 Concerning this salvation, the prophets who prophesied about the grace that was to be yours searched and inquired carefully, 11 inquiring what person or time the Spirit of Christ in [among] them was indicating when he predicted the sufferings of Christ and the subsequent glories. 12 It was revealed to them that they were serving not themselves but you, in the things that have now been announced to you through those who preached the good news to you by the Holy Spirit sent from heaven, things into which angels long to look. {ESV} Peter has given us two letters in the NT in which he makes much of the OT. To give a few 1
Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For ... more Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says, "In a favorable time [time of acceptance] I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. 11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. 13 In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also. [English Standard Version] Along with the second half of ch. 11, this passage before us is one of Paul's highly personal résumés that takes us inside his ministry, putting before us some of the things Luke wrote of Paul in Acts. We are brought to the ground floor as it were, where the ministry of reconciliation God gave to Paul is opened up for us by Paul himself. This is Christ's life in Paul. This is what Paul's ministry looked like and by it he shows us what a true servant of God is. This passage functions a little bit like the qualifications for elders in 1 Tim 3/Titus 1. The qualifications for elders serve to identify a man who is worthy to become an elder. Of course there is the expectation that once he is an elder, he remains the kind of man spelled out in 1 Tim 3. What Paul does here is a little more profound in that he holds himself up to characterize the existence of a servant of God. In other words, this is not the life of a man before he enters the ministry; this is the life of a man as he labors in the ministry. This is what he should expect. With that we can look at v.3. 1 grace of salvation and the suffering of Christ's ambassadors. Herman Ridderbos, Paul and Jesus (P&R, 1977), 64. Paul's ministry is just as eschatological as is his 1 message. The preaching of Christ in this time of acceptance is brought to an end with the next and final event of redemptive history, the judgment of the Last Day (see 1:14; 5:10-11).
From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Chr... more From now on, therefore, we regard no one according to the flesh. Even though we once regarded Christ according to the flesh, we regard him thus no longer. 17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. 18 All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation; 19 that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting to us the message of reconciliation. 20 Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us. We implore you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God. 21 For our sake he made him to be sin who knew no sin, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God. 6:1 Working together with him, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain. 2 For he says, "In a favorable time [time of acceptance] I listened to you, and in a day of salvation I have helped you." Behold, now is the favorable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. 3 We put no obstacle in anyone's way, so that no fault may be found with our ministry, 4 but as servants of God we commend ourselves in every way: by great endurance in afflictions, hardships, calamities, 5 beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, sleepless nights, hunger; 6 by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, the Holy Spirit, genuine love; 7 by truthful speech, and the power of God; with the weapons of righteousness for the right hand and for the left; 8 through honor and dishonor, through slander and praise. We are treated as impostors, and yet are true; 9 as unknown, and yet well known; as dying, and behold, we live; as punished, and yet not killed; 10 as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, yet possessing everything. 11 We have spoken freely to you, Corinthians; our heart is wide open. 12 You are not restricted by us, but you are restricted in your own affections. 13 In return (I speak as to children) widen your hearts also. I don't like to concentrate on only two verses, but with there being so much in vv.1-2 and v.2 in particular being such a critical verse within NT theology, I have no choice. 1
So I exhort the elders [presbyteros] among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings... more So I exhort the elders [presbyteros] among you, as a fellow elder and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, as well as a partaker in the glory that is going to be revealed: 2 shepherd [poimaino] the flock [poimnion] of God that is among you, exercising oversight [episkopeo], not under compulsion, but willingly, as God would have you; not for shameful gain, but eagerly; 3 not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock. 4 And when the chief Shepherd appears, you will receive the unfading crown of glory. 5 Likewise, you who are younger, be subject to the elders. Clothe yourselves, all of you, with humility toward one another, for "God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble." Like Paul in 1 Th 5 and 1 Cor 16, Peter comes to the close of his letter and turns to address the elders. This passage functions as a kind of Petrine qualification for elders like those of Paul's in the Pastoral Epistles.
For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But though we had al... more For you yourselves know, brothers, that our coming to you was not in vain. 2 But though we had already suffered and been shamefully treated at Philippi, as you know, we had boldness in our God to declare to you the gospel of God in the midst of much conflict. 3 For our appeal does not spring from error or impurity or any attempt to deceive, 4 but just as we have been approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel, so we speak, not to please man, but to please God who tests our hearts. 5 For we never came with words of flattery, as you know, nor with a pretext for greed-God is witness. 6 Nor did we seek glory from people, whether from you or from others, though we could have made demands as apostles of Christ. 7 But we were gentle among you, like a nursing mother taking care of her own children. 8 So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us. 9 For you remember, brothers, our labor and toil: we worked night and day, that we might not be a burden to any of you, while we proclaimed to you the gospel of God. 10 You are witnesses, and God also, how holy and righteous and blameless was our conduct toward you believers. 11 For you know how, like a father with his children, 12 we exhorted each one of you and encouraged you and charged you to walk in a manner worthy of God, who calls you into his own kingdom and glory. [English Standard Version] Given the relatively small size of the NT, the amount of space given to discussions of the ministry is rather remarkable: Portions of Gal, Phil, Eph, Col, 1 Cor, and much of 2 Cor. Even passages in the Gospels and Acts speak to the pastoral ministry. And of course there are the last letters of Paul which he wrote to Timothy and Titus, termed the Pastoral Epistles. And here, in the second chapter of his second canonical letter, Paul gives us a look into his ministry.
We will begin reading at 1:15. 15 You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, amo... more We will begin reading at 1:15. 15 You are aware that all who are in Asia turned away from me, among whom are Phygelus and Hermogenes. 16 May the Lord grant mercy to the household of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chains, 17 but when he arrived in Rome he searched for me earnestly and found me-18 may the Lord grant him to find mercy from the Lord on that Day!-and you well know all the service he rendered at Ephesus. 1 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. {ESV} This passage in Paul's last canonical letter seems to be a follow-up to a passage in his first letter to Timothy. Paul returns to the matter of elders that he dealt with in 1 Tim 5:17ff to emphasize the importance of ordaining men to the ministry who are, as he says here in v.2, faithful. Paul knew that so far as human responsibility goes, everything begins with the elders. If the elders are unfaithful, the church will run amuck. To guard and nurture the church, then, Paul calls Timothy to carefully consider the nature of the ministry and the suffering that is involved. The two most important words in this passage are 'grace ' and 'faithful' in vv.1-2. What Paul writes here is in view of the things that he has faced in the ministry (1:8-18) and that Timothy will likewise experience. Paul brings together themes from the opening of his letter concerning his ministry and issues three imperatives in the first three verses: • Be strengthened by Christ's grace, v.1 • Entrust the ministry to faithful men, v.2 • Share in suffering for Christ, v.3 These are followed by three illustrations to show Timothy what it is to be faithful in the ministry in vv.4-6. If there was ever an experimental verse about the ministry, this is it! Be strengthened (endynamoo) by the grace that is in Christ Jesus With his first exhortation Paul clears everything away and tells us what the ministry is all about -Christ's grace upon a man. The ministry does not hinge upon a man's degrees or personality or cleverness or business smarts or anything else. The ministry is not about the man, but is wrapped up in the power of Christ's grace upon him. 1 This exhortation is like that in Eph 5 -"be filled with the Spirit" -or Gal 5 -"walk by the Spirit." The ministry cannot be fueled by money or desire for power and prestige for Christ said, 2 "Apart from Me you can do nothing" (Jn 15:5). A man of God is not made effective by simply being theologically sharp or following 'the tradition.' Trusting Christ for the forgiveness of his own sins, knowing him in the word, and walking with him is what makes a man of God; that is how a man is strengthened by grace. In 2 Tim 3:1 Paul assures Timothy that the ministry will be difficult (cf. 2 Tim 4:3-4). This is why the strength for ministry resides only in fellowship with Christ. If a man is empowered by something other than grace, it is not going to be a godly ministry. It can't be because godlinessin life and ministry -is from grace. The Lord's blessing is not necessarily seen in numbers or a sphere of influence and it's not about opportunities or size of a budget. People commonly identify those things as the Lord's blessing but that is not Christian thinking. Is the success of Starbucks or Apple indicative of the Lord's pleasure? A blessed ministry is a ministry with men of God who are filled with grace. The Lord says right here that he wants men serving the church who are empowered by grace. And these are the kind of men the church needs to want shepherding them. And how is a man strengthened by grace? By the means of grace, especially prayer and the word. Through pouring out your heart to the Lord in prayer and seeking God in his word is a man built up and receives grace to faithfully serve the Lord in the church. In vv.2-3 Paul addresses two aspects of ministry that require grace from Christ for a man of God to be strengthen so carries out the ministry and it progresses as the Lord would have it. When Paul tells of how Christ strengthened (endynamoo) him when he was on trial (2 Tim 4:17), he is 1 saying that Christ poured out his grace upon him. It is in our weakness that Christ shows the power of his grace (2 Cor 12:8-10). 2 Tim 2:1 is paralleled by 1:6-8. Paul calls Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God (1:6). The gift of God 2 is the Spirit of power he has given as testified to by the elders when Timothy was ordained (1:7). So when Paul encourages Timothy to share in suffering for the gospel by the power of God (1:8), this power is from the Spirit whom God has given to his servants. When 2:1 is read in light of this, we see that strength in the ministry is Christ's grace and he gives that grace through the Spirit.
Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in ... more Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, "You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain," and, "The laborer deserves his wages." 19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. 21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. 22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 23 (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) 24 The sins of some men are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden. {ESV} When you hear a passage like this read, you may think to yourself, "I'm not an elder. I have no desire to enter the ministry. What use if this passage to me?" Even if you are not in the ministry, this passage is still important for you to hear. When Paul wrote this to Timothy, he intended for the whole church to hear the letter read aloud when they were gathered for worship on Sunday morning. He was writing to Timothy with a view toward the church body listening in. The benefit of a passage such as this one for you is in it telling you what to expect from your pastors. It shows you what the ministry is to look like. If you know what elders are called to, Paul's words here will help you benefit from their ministry. This may be indicative of a chiasm. See Appendix A.
Jude 22-25 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the... more Jude 22-25 20 But you, beloved, building yourselves up in your most holy faith and praying in the Holy Spirit, 21 keep yourselves in the love of God, waiting for the mercy of our Lord Jesus Christ that leads to eternal life. 22 And have mercy on those who doubt; 23 save others by snatching them out of the fire; to others show mercy with fear, hating even the garment stained by the flesh. 24 Now to him who is able to keep you from stumbling and to present you blameless before the presence of his glory with great joy, 25 to the only God, our Savior, through Jesus Christ our Lord, be glory, majesty, dominion, and authority, before all time and now and forever. Amen. Satan attacks the church from without by physical persecution and the simple folly and wickedness of the world and from within by the poisonous and blasphemous deceptions of false teachers. You see, persecution takes two forms. The first would be the physical and verbal which we immediately think of when we hear the word 'persecution.' The other form of persecution is spiritual. It is not merely an outright unbelieving denial of the word of God like what we hear from the world, but a potentially more subtle and sophisticated perverting of the Christian faith and life by those who claim to be followers of Christ. This persecution of the church -this attack on the biblical revelation of God -is the battle between Satan's seed and the godly seed that God foretold in the Garden. Listen to the Lord's pronouncement of judgment upon Satan in Gen 3:15.
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