2 Thessalonians

This second letter to the church of Thessalonica was sent a relatively short period of time after the first.  Paul writes the letter to comfort and reassure the believers in Thessalonica concerning the second coming of Christ.  It seems that someone has tried to deceived them about the day of the Lord, saying that it has already come (2:2), so Paul provides truth about the day that is still yet to come and encourages them to continue living life and working hard.

"Therefore we ourselves boast about you in the churches of God for your steadfastness and faith in all your persecutions and in the afflictions that you are enduring.  This is evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be considered worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you are also suffering" 

-2 Thessalonians 1:4-5

OBSERVATIONS

What is the evidence of God’s righteous judgment?

Their steadfastness and faith in persecutions.

What is the surrounding context?

The main idea is that persecution is not in vain and God will bring justice/vengeance.

INTERPRETATION

What is meant by the judgment of God?

God’s decision to allow persecution to happen with the intention of repaying affliction to those afflicting.

How does their steadfastness and faith prove that God’s decision to allow persecution is good and right?

It brings God glory, encourages other believers, proves that the gospel is more powerful than anything man can do, and it’s a testimony to how much the afflicted cares for God.  It strengthens the church.

TIMELESS TRUTH

We should not fear persecution for God can use it with great power to strengthen his kingdom.

1 Thessalonians

This letter was written by Paul to the church in Thessalonica during his second missionary journey, while he was in Corinth, between 49 and 52AD.  Paul had founded the church in Thesslonica not long before he had written this letter.  He had been in Thessalonica about three weeks (Acts 17:2) before being chased out of town (Acts 17:5,10).  Despite the persecutions that the believers were facing in Thessalonica, they received the gospel in word, in power in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction (1:5,6).  The church quickly became an example for believers elsewhere (1:7).  Paul really had a heart for the people in this church (2:9).

"And you became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you received the word in much affliction, with the joy of the Holy Spirit"- 1 Thessalonians 1:6

OBSERVATION

What happens amidst affliction?

Thessalonians received the word with joy in the Holy Spirit, as it came to them in power, in word, in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.

INTERPRETATION

How would this encourage Paul?

It would be a good reminder that God works despite, through, and around persecutions.  Also, as he faces much of this throughout his life, it would be nice to know that he is not alone, a reminder that he is not the only one suffering for God, and that the gospel is so powerful that even those who have only just received it believe it worth suffering for.

TIMELESS TRUTH 

The gospel is more powerful than anything man can do and is worth suffering for.

Romans

This letter was written from Paul to the Roman church in 57AD.  He had not yet been to Rome. He did, however, know a few of the Christians in churches in Rome (Chapter 16).  The Roman church had likely come about from Jews who had been present in Jerusalem during Pentecost that brought back the good news.  So in the beginning, it’s likely that the churches were predominantly Jewish.  When Claudius Caesar expelled the Jews from Rome in 49AD, the Jewish believers were forced to leave, and by the time they came back in 54AD, they found that the Gentile believers had taken their positions of authority and had different ideas of the right way to worship, when to worship or what to eat.  Disagreements and disunity were prevalent and overpowering.  It was for this reason that Paul wrote the letter.  When he wrote it he was planning on going to visit the Romans on his way to Spain (15:28) but knew that he was going to be facing persecution in Jerusalem in the mean time (15:30-31).

"Do not present your members to sin as instruments for unrighteousness, but present yourselves to God as those who have been brought from death to life, and your members to God as instruments for righteousness."- Romans 6:13

OBSERVATION

What is being personified?

Sin.

How?

Paul is commanding the Romans not to set their members before sin as an instrument for unrighteousness.

INTERPRETATION

How does the personification enhance what Paul is saying?

It makes sin sound even more powerful and it emphasizes the fact that it is something that you choose to follow, something that you submit yourself to.  You either follow sin or you follow God.

TIMELESS TRUTH

You cannot choose both God and sin. 

2 Corinthians

This letter was written by Paul and Timothy while they were in Macedonia in 55AD to the church in Corinth.  By this time, Paul has had a lot of interactions with the Corinthian church.

The letter generally holds a defense of Paul’s ministry.  This was prompted by the appearance of super apostles in Corinth. The super apostles are people who claim to be apostles and servants of Christ, but they are preaching a different gospel (likely surrounding Moses).  They speak with lofty words and are everything that a Greek culture is looking for in a leader (they accept money, are likely physically appealing, exalt themselves, boast in visions).  Their presence is causing the Corinthians to question Paul’s authority and lead them away from their devotion to Christ.  Ultimately, they are making slaves of the Corinthians and taking advantage of them.  

"Anyone whom you forgive, I also forgive. Indeed, what I have forgiven, if I have forgiven anything, has been for your sake in the presence of Christ, so that we would not be outwitted by Satan; for we are not ignorant of his designs."-2 Corinthians 2:10-11

OBSERVATION

What is connected?

Not being outwitted by Satan because they are not ignorant of his designs.

What does the connective refer back to?

What Paul has forgiven (the same person the original readers have forgiven) has been for the sake of the Corinthians in the presence of Christ.

INTERPRETATION

Considering the context of Paul and the original reader's forgiveness, what do Paul’s connectives imply are Satan’s designs?

Unforgiveness. (bitterness, disunity etc.)

Why does Paul connect his choice to forgive with he and the original readers not being outwitted by Satan? Why not simply say that he forgives?

Paul may want to emphasize that choosing unforgiveness is a really stupid thing to do.  Outwitted in Greek means “to be taken advantage of or defrauded” in this case, by Satan.

So to choose not to forgive is a choice to be defrauded and defeated by Satan.

TIMELESS TRUTH

Unforgiveness is a harmful choice that we make to be defeated and defrauded by our enemy Satan.

1 Corinthians

This letter was written from Paul and Sosthenes in Ephesus between 53 and 55AD to the church in Corinth.  The church had been started up in the last five years and was having problems with allowing their old worldviews to permeate, and really infect, their faith. 

The city of Corinth in the first century AD was a recently re-founded Roman colony that, in large part because of its location (which made it an ideal stop on many well-used trade routes) quickly rose to prominence as the third most important city in the Roman Empire.  Because of the inevitable mesh of cultures (as it was visited by every nation in the civilized world) and the sheer number of people who traveled through there, it quickly became a city directed toward wealth and prosperity.  For Paul, this city was seen as an opportunity to spread the gospel to places where it could be heard by people from places that he would never have the opportunity to go.  That is likely why he stayed in this city with an overwhelming mix of cultures and worldviews and languages with a distinct reputation for wealth and commerce as well as sexual immorality for so long (over a year and a half (Acts 18:11)).  Corinth’s reputation was known around the empire for it’s complete lack of morals in regards to drinking and debauchery and its widely accepted unrestrained sexual license.  It's culture was heavily influenced by Greek culture, which meant that there were philosophers who would travel around from city to city speaking eloquently to draw in followers and students who they would charge to teach.

"For Christ did not send me to baptize but to preach the gospel, and not with words of eloquent wisdom, lest the cross of Christ be emptied of its power."-1 Corinthians 1:17

OBSERVATION:

How did Paul preach the gospel?

Not with words of eloquent wisdom.

For what reason did he avoid words of eloquent wisdom?

If he had preached with eloquent wisdom, the cross would have been emptied of its power.

INTERPRETATION:

What is Paul implying about eloquent wisdom?

It can’t be trusted.  When one hears eloquence and fancy speech, that is all there is, there is nothing behind it, nothing to it.  In order for something to be powerful, the thing itself must be powerful.

What does this implication tell the Corinthians about their society?

Those who have put their faith in the philosophers-that come and sound educated and charge money to teach others to think big thoughts and speak well-have put their faith in nothing.

How does this prime Paul for the rest of this letter?

He spends much time trying to make the Corinthians aware of the way that the views they held in their pre-Christian lives are impacting the way they are living now.  If he can at least discredit the philosophers, a very valued and respected part of their society, they can begin to think about how they need to begin tearing down their old thinking and replacing it with wisdom from God and with the truth of the gospel, which has power in itself.

TIMELESS TRUTH:

As Christians, we need to be sure that the views that we hold and the way that we live are consistent with the gospel, and biblical truth, rather than what is valued in our society or the things we’ve learned from the world through our upbringing. 

Ephesians

This letter was written by Paul during the time he was in Ephesus (54-57AD) to the churches that were being established around Asia.  Ephesus was an extremely influential city, being a port city and hub of spiritual activity.  As the gospel went out to all of Asia during the time when Paul resided in Ephesus (Acts 19:10), we can guess that there were new believers and new churches all over Asia who had been recipients of influence from this demonic worship-oriented city.  This letter was written to those churches.

"But God, being rich in mercy, because of the great love with which he loved us,  even when we were dead in our trespasses, made us alive together with Christ—by grace you have been saved— and raised us up with him and seated us with him in the heavenly places in Christ Jesus"- Ephesians 2:4-6

OBSERVATION:

What did God do because of his great love for us?

He made us alive together with Christ, and seated us with him in the heavenly places.

INTERPRETATION:

How would this be encouraging for the original reader, who has neighbors worshiping evil spirits and (in many cases) turn against the Christians because of their unwillingness to practice the cultural norms of worshiping the Greek gods and participating in cults?

It would be so encouraging!  They know that God has given them more power than all other forces and spirits, so they have nothing to fear.

TIMELESS TRUTH:

We should not be afraid!  We are seated with Christ above all other powers. :)

Acts

This letter is a continuation of the letter written from Luke to Theophilus (the book we know as "The Gospel of Luke"), and was probably not written long after (so the late 60'sAD).  
The book begins where Luke left off, with Jesus instructing the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until the coming of the Spirit (ch 1), and then follows the spread of the gospel by the power of the Holy Spirit from Jerusalem to the ends of the earth.  

2:36-38
^"Let all the house of Israel therefore know for certain that God has made him both Lord and Christ, this Jesus whom you crucified.”

Now when they heard this they were cut to the heart, and said to Peter and the rest of the apostles, “Brothers, what shall we do?” And Peter said to them,“Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit."

OBSERVATION

Emotion (2:37) "cut to the heart"

Who was cut to the heart?

Those listening to Peter.

What did Peter say to bring this about?

That the man they crucified was Lord and Christ.

How does Peter instruct them to respond?

Repent and be baptized for the forgiveness of their sins.

INTERPRETATION

What does this show about God's desires for these men?

He wants their sins to be forgiven and that they begin living life for him, no matter how bad their sins (and these men had committed the worst sin that we can imagine-crucifying Christ).

APPLICATION

Is there a timeless truth?

No matter how bad our past, God wants for us forgiveness and new life.

Philippians

This letter was written from Paul to the Philippian church during his Roman imprisonment in 61-62AD. This is the only church that Paul has been in a partnership with (4:15) and he cares for them very deeply (1:8).  They may be facing persecution (1:29).  It seems as though disunity(2:2), pride(2:3), and a lack of understanding about suffering for Christ (1:12-14) are what led Paul to write this letter.

2:2- "Complete my joy by being of the same mind, having the same love, being in full accord and of one mind."

OBSERVATION: Theme of Joy/Unity (Daily double!)

What does Paul say will bring him joy?

Unity amongst the Philippians: if they would have the same mind, love and be of one mind.

What has Paul said that the Philippians have done in the past that has brought him joy?

Being in partnership with him (1:4-5).

INTERPRETATION: 

So what really brings Paul joy?

Unity and close relationships amongst believers.

With the knowledge that they are about to face persecution, and Paul’s instruction to take it with joy, what would the 

Philippians be led to do, knowing that unity brings joy?

Be unified!

APPLICATION: 

Is there a timeless truth?

Unity brings about joy, so we should strive for it amongst all believers that our joy may increase.

Luke

This book is written by Luke, a physician (Colossians 4:14) to “most excellent Theophilus” (1:3), who was likely a Roman official.  Luke wrote the book from Rome between 64 and 68AD.   Luke says that he writes the book with the purpose of giving Theophilus an orderly account of the events surrounding Christ’s life so that he may have certainty concerning the things he’s been taught(1:3-4).  He gets his information from eyewitnesses and ministers of the word, and is very detailed in his writing, proving that he took great care in compiling this writing.  We can guess from the way that Luke writes (not explaining every mention he makes of the Old Testament) that Theophilus is also a Gentile, but one who has knowledge of the scriptures.

OBSERVATION:
Connective 1:3-4
"It seemed good to me also, having followed all things closely for some time past, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, that you may have certainty concerning the things you have been taught."

What is connected?
Luke's writing of an orderly account for Theophilus.

What does it refer back to?
His purpose of giving Theophilus certainty concerning the things he has been taught.

INTERPRETATION:
Considering the subject matter and quantity of Luke and Acts (both of which Luke wrote to Theophilus) what does this connective reveal about Luke's character?
That Luke's purpose in writing is not merely for information's sake but that he earnestly desired for Theophilus to know the truth and the love of Jesus.  Luke's willingness and effort put forth to write these books for the sake of giving Theophilus confidence in what he has already been taught demonstrates Luke's great love for Thelophilus.  Not only did Luke write two books, but he did so with great care, accuracy and attention to detail.  

How might Theophilus respond to the care, effort, and thoughtfulness that Luke put into writing these books for him?
Hopefully it would have had a great impact.  Knowing the time and effort that it must have taken, and being the recipient of this tangible expression of love would show Theophilus that the love of Jesus is truly for everyone.

APPLICATION:
Is there a timeless truth?
The time and effort that we do or do not put into our actions towards others can have a profound effect on how they feel loved.

Mark

Mark, who had been the interpreter of the Apostle Peter (Geulich), was the author of the Gospel of Mark.  He wrote it between 64A.D. and 67A.D. while he was in Rome, to his fellow believers in Rome.  The letter, however, would have been copied and distributed to other churches, as it was the first written account of Jesus’ life and teachings.  Mark himself did not know Jesus, but as he was close with Peter, had the opportunity to hear all about his ministry from one of his closest disciples.  (Hence the inclusion of stories that only the three disciples closest to Jesus would have known about. i.e. the Transfiguration 9:2-13). 

The initial recipients of this letter in Rome were facing harsh persecution under Nero’s rule- and harsh is an understatement.  They were being torn to pieces by lions and burned alive, used as human torches(Tacitus). Nero had blamed them for a fire in Rome in 64A.D. that had destroyed 7 of the 10 existing districts.  (An accusation which has been declared false by most historians today.)  And was now persecuting them relentlessly as punishment.  Rulers in Rome were often power-hungry, egotistical dictators who were received as gods, but Nero topped them all as a savage, homicidal tyrant. His rule extended from 54 A.D. until his death in 68 A.D. (Adams).

Geulich, Dict. Of Jesus, 514; quote from New Bible Dict. 728

Tacitus, Cornelius, Annals XV, 44

Adams, Tim.  Class lecture, October 16, 2012.

OBSERVATION

Theme (1:41) How Jesus cares for individuals

What happened?

Jesus touched a leper.

How does Jesus feel about the man?  He has pity on him.

What else does Jesus do?

Heals him.

INTERPRETATION

What did it mean to touch a leper in that day?

It made you unclean.  It was taboo. No one did it.

What statement is Jesus making by not only touching the leper, but healing him? 

In both actions he shows how much he cares for the man.  He’s willing to cross societal boundaries, even break traditions to display his love for him.

APPLICATION

Timeless Truth?

As Christ’s representatives in the world, we ought to be willing to go against societal expectations if it means that we can better show our love for others.  Also, actions can speak more powerfully than words, and they are what truly prove your feelings/beliefs. 

Galatians

Paul is writing this letter to the churches in Galatia (1:1-2) while he is in Antioch, before the Jerusalem Council has occurred (a council at which they debated the way we achieve salvation). He had planted the churches during his first missionary journey, and now he is frustrated and perplexed at how the people of the churches in Galatia are being so easily swayed toward a gospel that differs from the one he preached to them (1:6).  During this time, there is a lot of serious debate surrounding the question of whether or not circumcision is required for Gentiles.  So it makes sense that Paul is as emphatic and straightforward as he is during this letter, because he doesn’t want the Galatians to be confused.  He wants to be clear that the gospel he has been preaching is from God (1:1) and that it completely negates the necessity to adhere to the Jewish laws (2:16), especially circumcision (5:2).

"But when he who had set me apart before I was born, and who called me by his grace was pleased to reveal his Son to me, in order that I might preach him among the Gentiles" 1:15-16.

OBSERVATION:

What does Paul say about grace?

God called him by his grace and set him apart before he was born.  It also pleased God to reveal Jesus to Paul.

What was Paul like before he experienced God's grace?

He was a persecutor of the church and tried to destroy it.  He was a zealous Jew (1:13-14).

INTERPRETATION:

What does grace mean?

The Complete Word Study of the New Testament defines grace as a favor done without expectation of return.  Or unearned favor.

How did Paul experience unearned favor?

In being called out of his former life of enslavement and destruction by Christ Jesus himself-receiving complete forgiveness and being called to be a warrior and a pioneer for God's kingdom.  Salvation was something that came to Paul entirely by God's initiative, not his own.

APPLICATION:

Is there a timeless truth?

Salvation comes to us by God's initiative, not ours.

Also, each book we come up with a creative application to express one of the timeless truths that we have found from our studies.  This week I made a video.  It's short.  And awesome.

Titus

Paul wrote this book to Titus (1:1-4) during his fourth missionary journey while he was in Corinth .  At this time, Titus was in Crete, as Paul had left him there to set the churches on the island in order and appoint elders to each of them (1:5).  Crete, at that time, had a terrible reputation for drunkenness, insolence, untrustworthiness, lying, and gluttony (Barclay).  “One of the Cretans, a prophet of their own, said, ‘Cretans are always liars, evil beasts, lazy gluttons.’” (1:12) Paul emphasizes the importance of rebuking those who contradict sound doctrine (1:9).  This was especially important because of the existence of the Circumcision Party (1:10).  The circumcision party was made of Jews who taught that salvation was not through faith alone, but also through obeying the law (i.e. being circumcised). Paul also outlines what it ought to look like for different groups of people in the church to live out that sound doctrine (Chapter 2). He has to do this because the church has people who devote themselves to Jewish myths (1:14), and they deny God by their works (1:16).  He warns against following those with false teaching and falling into the sinful world that they are very much in the middle of (1:10-14). 

William Barclay, “The Letters to Timothy, Titus and Philemon” (Westminster John Knox Press, Kentucky), 1975 Page 242-243

So, as was true last week, we studied a LOT in class, but I am only going to draw out one aspect of one small portion of the book for you.

I'm going to focus on what Paul says in the first couple verses of the book, "Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ... in hope of eternal life".  There is more in there, but I am focusing on the fact that Paul is a servant in the hope of eternal life.

OBSERVATION

Connective-“in hope of eternal life” (1:2)

What 2 ideas are being connected?

Paul, a servant of God and an apostle of Jesus Christ, is connected to the hope of eternal life.

INTERPRETATION

How does having hope in eternal life affect Paul’s service to God and apostleship?

His hope in eternal life is the reason he is a servant of God.

This can be encouraging to Titus, to be reminded that, although he may be in the midst of opposition or difficult circumstances, there is a reason he’s doing this.

APPLICATION

What is the timeless truth?

Especially when we are discouraged in our ministries (but really at all times) we ought to keep in mind the reason why we have hope and are doing these things.  Christians need to live with an eternal perspective.  We are looking forward to heaven!

In light of a question I received, I would like to make some additional comments.
Here was the question:
Is our hope of heaven the only reason we serve the one true God?  Would we do it even if there was no hope of heaven?  What if this was all there was?  Would loving God be enough just because of who he is?

I asked around the YWAM base and here are some general thoughts:
-In John 17:3 it says, "And this is eternal life, that they know you the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom you have sent."  From this, it seems like eternal life is not only living on and on forever, but it is relationship with God.  Seeing as that is the reason we were created, to be in relationship with God, if there were no eternal life as it is defined here, there would be no reason to pursue/follow God.
-The idea of having an eternal perspective does not only apply to our own lives, but also in our interactions with others.  If we truly love others, we should be trying to bring them into a relationship with God, into eternal life as well. (not so much a thought on this question as a thought about the idea of having an eternal perspective)
-If this life was all that there was, but we could still have a relationship with God during this time, some say that it would be worth it for the peace that they feel living at the center of God's will, for the miracles that they see God bringing forth, and for the encouragement and excitement of having the Holy Spirit dwell within them.
-Others say that they would not, because without the hope of eternal life, temporary pleasure would take precedence, and they would probably follow the ways of the world.

So I guess, ultimately it's a matter of opinion.