Thought for the Week
Each week Brother Joe Norton shares his inspirational insights to Scripture.
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Third in a series of studies in 1 Timothy 5
“Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine” (1 Timothy 5:17). The context shows clearly that the word “elders” here means those who have the oversight of a congregation in contrast to the use of “older men” in verse 1. The word “rule” does not imply that elders are to serve as dictators; rather, it means the elders are the ones who stand before a congregation as leaders. Elders lead by example, provide edification, show concern for the souls of the members, and oversee the work in which a congregation is involved. Some have described them as “leading servants.” Those who do their job well are “worthy of double honor.” The first honor is the honor and privilege of serving in such a position of leadership; the second honor is receiving financial assistance for those elders who are especially absorbed with the responsibilities of their position. As with the categories of people designated earlier in this chapter, elders should receive love, care, and respect from those whom they serve. Joe First in a series of studies in 1 Timothy 5
“Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, the younger men as brothers, “the older women as mothers, the younger as sisters, with all purity” (1 Timothy 5:1-2). Referring to age and not to an office in the church, Paul here begins a series of instructions about relationships, the first of which is about social relationships. He instructs the young evangelist about how he is to approach people in different age groups. “Rebuke” means “to strike at” or “to smite.” Since Paul places no limitations or restrictions on the word, his teaching includes striking at physically and/or verbally. Paul says that in no situation is a younger man to attack an older man. Rather, he is to approach an older man with respect, such as he would do if he were approaching his own father. The custom of the day was to show respect for fathers. As well, Paul continues his discussion about the treatment of older and younger women—he does so by, once again, using family relationships as a guide. What Paul teaches here about relationships is no different from what Jesus teaches about our treatment of others nor from what other scriptures teach throughout the Bible: in all relationships, we are to show the utmost in love, care, and respect. Joe “For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another” (Galatians 5:13).
Having clearly established that this discussion is a contrast between the son of the bondwoman and the son of the freewoman—between those who lived under the law of Moses and those who are living under the law of Christ—Paul speaks once again of the liberty in Christ. This liberty, then, means freedom from the constraints of the law of Moses as well as freedom from the burden of past sins—in Christ, all who have obeyed Christ have been freely forgiven, something the Old Law could not provide. The message is that the Galatians are not free to use this liberty as an excuse to indulge in the sins of the flesh—they are not free to do anything they want to do. Rather, they are to practice the law of love in caring for one another. Even those living under a law of liberty must submit to the conditions established within that law. In establishing this principle contained in the law of Christ, Paul reinforces other passages and makes clear for all living in the Christian Age the idea that liberty is not a license to sin but a structure to be honored Joe Second of a two-part study of 1 Corinthians 13:8-10
“For we know in part and we prophesy in part. But when that which is perfect has come, then that which is in part will be done away” (1 Corinthians 13:9-10). Paul speaks from the viewpoint of himself, the other apostles, and even others who have received special gifts as he further explains the importance of understanding priorities: those special gifts would end when the revelation is completed. “In part” means the completed revelation has not yet been received. “That which is perfect” refers to the time when the New Testament revelation would be completed; and they, along with all truth seekers, would have access to it and would be able to understand and communicate God’s complete plan for the salvation of mankind. We live in that time today. And if we desire to make heaven our eternal home, we can do so because we have God’s completed will for us. We may be taught by others who understand His will, or we may study His will for ourselves and determine what the Lord wants us do if we really want to go to heaven. Joe A two-part study of 1 Corinthians 13:8-10
“Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away” (1 Corinthians 13:8). Having explained the importance of emphasizing the right priorities at the end of chapter twelve of this letter, the Apostle Paul further explains himself in this passage. That which is important does not end: less important things will end—and miraculous gifts are included in this list. “Prophecies” are the ability to speak God’s word without having studied, “tongues” are the ability to speak a language not studied and/or the ability to interpret, and “knowledge” is the ability to “know” without having studied. Some Corinthians have elevated spiritual gifts above more important factors in their Christianity, and envy has arisen among them. Yet spiritual gifts were temporary—they will “fail,” meaning pass away. Paul teaches that “lasting elements” should be the most important part of their spiritual concern. And, so, we learn two important lessons from the apostle: love is a lasting element in the Christianity and spiritual gifts were intended to be temporary, even from their beginning. Joe A two-part study of 1 Corinthians 13:8-10
“Love never fails. But whether there are prophecies, they will fail; whether there are tongues, they will cease; whether there is knowledge, it will vanish away” (1 Corinthians 13:8). Having explained the importance of emphasizing the right priorities at the end of chapter twelve of this letter, the Apostle Paul further explains himself in this passage. That which is important does not end: less important things will end—and miraculous gifts are included in this list. “Prophecies” are the ability to speak God’s word without having studied, “tongues” are the ability to speak a language not studied and/or the ability to interpret, and “knowledge” is the ability to “know” without having studied. Some Corinthians have elevated spiritual gifts above more important factors in their Christianity, and envy has arisen among them. Yet spiritual gifts were temporary—they will “fail,” meaning pass away. Paul teaches that “lasting elements” should be the most important part of their spiritual concern. And, so, we learn two important lessons from the apostle: love is a lasting element in the Christianity and spiritual gifts were intended to be temporary, even from their beginning. Joe “Consider the ravens, for they neither sow nor reap, which have neither have storehouse nor barn; and God feeds them. Of how much more value are you than the birds?” (Luke 12:24).
As Jesus teaches His disciples to develop a more intense faith and trust in God, He provides this example of how God takes care of an element of nature: Ravens. God cares for them; so, Jesus says He will certainly take care of His disciples. A deep abiding faith is difficult to attain and sometimes even more difficult to maintain. Yet God has always taken care of His people, according to His plan. At times, we pray diligently for things to work out a certain way. And, as every Christian knows, things don’t always turn out the way we thought they should. This is the point at which we make a decision that determines our level of spiritual satisfaction for the rest of our lives. Either we trust God and accept that things will work out for the best, or we doubt Him and take a path that can lead us to disbelief. This must be one of the reasons the scriptures insist that we continually strengthen our faith. Joe “Death and life are in the power of the tongue,
And those who love it will eat its fruit” (Proverbs 18:21). The preacher Solomon is not alone in teaching about the power of the tongue in this scripture. Several passages in the New Testament teach the same truth. The way we use our tongue can chart the happiness and quality of life we enjoy in this life as well determining even our eternal destiny. “Death” means a tongue that imparts hurt to others or to ourselves, leading to misery in this life or even our physical death if our words are offensive enough. “Life” means a tongue that imparts wise, gentle, and encouraging words to others, leading to wholesome relationships and personal peace. Whichever we choose, we will “eat its fruit,” meaning we will reap the consequences of our words. So, we have control—that is, we do have a choice: bad words that will lead to “death” or good words that will lead to “life.” Joe “For if the word spoken through angels proved steadfast, and every transgression and disobedience received a just reward, how shall we escape if we neglect so great a salvation, which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed to us by those who heard Him” (Hebrews 2:2-3).
Setting up a conditional clause for emphasis, the writer quickly moves into his main point about the absolute necessity of not neglecting the opportunity for salvation made available first by the Lord and then by the Apostles. All disobedience has always been punished appropriately; so, he questions his readers, some of whom are evidently considering leaving the Lord, about how they think they will escape condemnation if they return to worship under the Law of Moses. This profound message, of course, reverberates throughout the New Testament: we can’t neglect the “great salvation.” The way to the heart of God and, indeed the way to heaven, is through obedience to the gospel and a continuing faithfulness to the teachings in the Word Joe “The Book of the Law shall not depart from your mouth, but you shall meditate in it day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written in it. For then you will make your way prosperous, and then you will have good success” (Joshua 1:8).
Having just taken the reigns of leadership over God’s people, Joshua receives this assurance from God: he will be successful if he follows God’s instruction to listen to, to meditate upon, and to obey what is written. While the instruction to Joshua came with the understanding of God’s miraculous blessing, the promises God gave him still ring true today for all who will meet the conditions, all three of which are repeated in the New Testament. If our sincere desire is to go to heaven, we must listen to what God has to say to us through His word, meditate upon the messages so that we can reach a deeper understanding of the full meaning for us, and obey the commands contained in those messages. Then heaven can be our eternal home. Joe |
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