Posts Tagged ‘Pastoral Epistles (2010)’
Pastoral Epistles 15 – Erroneous Doctrines
When we become Christians, we are incorporated into Christ. Some teachers preach a perverted Christianity which is not a part of life in Christ, and we are told to avoid such things and those who traffic in them. These errors may be allowed to persist so that we may be challenged to hold to God’s…
Read MorePastoral Epistles 14 – Analogies for the Christian Life
Paul tells us to be strengthened by the grace of the Holy Spirit, but to expect to suffer as Christians. Paul also instructs Timothy to pass on the message that he has taught to trustworthy men. Paul uses several analogies for the Christian life, the farmer who must work hard, the soldier who must detach…
Read MorePastoral Epistles 13 – Testifying to the Faith
Paul is in prison and has been abandoned by some of his prior compatriots. We must never be ashamed to testify to our faith in God. This testimony comes from the Holy Spirit, but we must act on this spirit. We do have the ability to reject God’s will, but if we choose to testify…
Read MorePastoral Epistles 12 – Second Timothy Introduction
Paul’s Second Letter to Timothy comes later in his life, as he is nearing his death. The content is markedly different, though the language suggests it may have been written by the same scribe. Paul connects the Christian’s life to that of God. We are to not be timid but to be prepared to act…
Read MorePastoral Epistles 11 – Slavery
Those who came to Christ in slavery were asked to continue in the same way. It was not possible for the Church to afford the complete release of slaves at that time. Christians are asked to tame their passions and use them for the Lord. Even a rich man may be generous with money and…
Read MorePastoral Epistles 10 – Fidelity
The widows who dedicate themselves to the Church should be ones were were dedicated to one man in marriage. Similarly, while the overseers (a position in the church that would later become the position of bishop) of the Church may have work besides preaching, they should receive double honor for their fidelity to work in…
Read MorePastoral Epistles 09 – Care of Widows
In the society surrounding the early Christian community, there was no support network for widows. Paul instructs that if an older woman’s husband dies, and this woman devotes herself to the work of the Church and vows never to marry again, the community should support that woman if the woman’s family is not present. Younger…
Read MorePastoral Epistles 08 – Unnecessary Restrictions on the Congregation
Paul returns to the subject of a particular heresy that is threatening the church at that time, but he instructs Timothy not to engage the arguments about it and does not specify the heresy here. We know that they were talking in part about food laws and imposing further restrictions on the Church. These restrictions…
Read MorePastoral Epistles 07 – Character of Authority
Authority in the Church comes from men, and while it does not preclude the wise counsel of women, this particular kind of authority can come only from men. A priest should not be a drunkard or quarrelsome or greedy and desirous of money. He should not be a recent convert and must be held in…
Read MorePastoral Epistles 06 – Salvation for the Multitudes
Paul reminds the men that Christ’s death was a ransom for the multitudes, and that there is no limitation on who may be saved by a secret knowledge or ancestry. This does not mean that we may worship God however we please. Those who attend the Mass must do so in a respectful manner. We…
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