Archive for September, 2006
Paul gives Timothy some words of instruction. First, PRAY FOR EVERYBODY!!!! Yes, government leaders. The boss? Yep. This way we’ll live peaceful lives. I’ve noticed that when I dispute with those in authority, it can cause my life to be un-peaceful.
Paul reminds Timothy that he’s not lying; he’s [...]
Part of the pastoral letters, in which Paul is addressing particular individuals. In this case he is addressing Timothy, his "true son in the faith."
Paul is again battling false doctrine, and urging Timothy to command people not to pay attention to "myths and endless genealogies." Paul characterizes this as "meaningless talk," and contasts it with [...]
This chapter is awesome. Paul is trying so patiently to help the Corinthians understand, they need to change their ways!
The Corinthians were testing Paul and he was going to prove to them just how Christ was speaking through him, by not sparing those who continued to sin after he warned them. Just like God [...]
I started out reading this and my first thought was that Paul has a big ego and he is a whiner. Truthfully, I am pretty much convinced that he is both. However, I am also convinced that God used this whiner with a big ego in amazing ways. Paul even seemed to know that he [...]
A few weeks ago, I was commenting on another blog about how I think we may be asking the wrong questions about God when it comes to the idea that specific answers to prayer are promised. I have become more and more convinced that prayer is really about changing us. Prayer is really [...]
(I have been unable to comment on posts this week too, OE. I’ll have my husband email everyone notification if I explode.)
Paul tells the Corinthian believers that he is jealous for them. I take it that he didn’t like the thought of any rival to that of the gospel he preached to them. If [...]
All of us who are contributing to this blog, either as authors or as commenters, are by definition writers. I have found that my writing style is significantly different from my speaking style. Part of this is, as others have observed, a writer is more prone to say things more bluntly than a speaker. (That’s [...]
Paul is talking to the Corinthians about giving as they had said they would. The Corinthians said they would take up a collection and give it to the church in Jerusalem. Paul sent men to follow up and make sure that the collection was happening so that they may be prepared to give. Not giving [...]
The Macedonian churches, after surviving a tremendous trial, experienced great joy and this welled up into generosity. They gave themselves to God, then to others in His will.
So, when we go through a trial, giving ourselves to God and His will, does this mean we will naturally feel generous? I have experienced this, [...]
After ending chapter 6 by talking about being yoked with unbelievers, chapter 7 begins with a reference to purifying ourselves.
Paul then launches into a defense – “we have wronged no one, we have corrupted no one, we have exploited no one” (verse 2). He then references a previous letter (again, I personally think that he’s [...]
