Author: Charlie Garrett

Sunday, 29 April 2018

I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ, who will judge the living and the dead at His appearing and His kingdom: 2 Timothy 4:1

The opening words, “I charge you therefore before God and the Lord Jesus Christ,” are the same words that Paul used in 1 Timothy 5:1. This charge is a bit shorter in named witnesses, however, as it leaves off the words “and the elect angels.” But, it is longer in how it describes Christ Jesus in the second clause.

The word translated as “charge” bears more weight than the translation implies. It is rather, “solemnly charge.” It being a compound word comprised of “thoroughly” and “witness.” Thus, it is a solemn charge or an earnest testimony. Paul’s words then hold great weight as presented to Timothy. This is all the more seen by including both “God” and “the Lord Jesus Christ” as witnesses. He is making the most solemn charge possible by calling the infinite God, and His designated Mediator who comes from Him, to witness his charge to Timothy.

From there, he then describes the work of Christ by saying, “who will judge the living and the dead.” Christ Jesus is the one who holds the power over death. And so, whether alive at His coming, or already dead on that Day, it makes no difference. The souls of all men will be brought before Him for judgment. This will be “at His appearing and His kingdom.

In a careful study of the words of Paul, we see that his statement here is a general one which actually covers several events. There will be a rapture of believers, after which they will be judged, but not for salvation or condemnation. It will be a judgment for rewards and loss of rewards. There will also be the first resurrection which will occur after the seven-year tribulation period which will come upon the earth. And then finally, there will be what is called the Great White Throne judgment at the end of the millennium. Each judgment is in the Lord’s hands, and He will display perfect righteousness as He judges.

It is before God, and His designated Mediator, the Lord Jesus Christ, that Paul will next make his solemn charge.

Life application: If we look at our life and actions daily, considering them as a part of our judgment ahead, we will be more likely to live in a holy and circumspect manner. If we just take each day as an opportunity to please self, then when our time of judgment does come, we will have much to be ashamed for. Let us look ahead, and live out our lives as the Lord’s word directs us to do.

Heavenly Father, we tend for forget that a time of judgment awaits all of us. We get busy with life, desirous of attaining success, fame, or wealth, and we put the day on which we will stand before You out of our minds. Help us not to be so short-sighted. Instead, give us wisdom to contemplate our days, pursue You in them, and live in a manner which will be rewarded with favor. Help us in this, O God. Amen.

Saturday, 28 April 2018

…that the man of God may be complete, thoroughly equipped for every good work. 2 Timothy 3:17

Paul’s words here continue the thought of verse 16 concerning Scripture. It is given by inspiration of God, and it is profitable for doctrine, reproof, correction, and instruction in righteousness. And the end goal of that is “that the man of God may be complete.” The intent of the term “man of God” is debated. Is it speaking of ministers of the gospel, or is it speaking of all believers in Christ. The answer is “both.”

First and foremost, the term is taken from Old Testament symbolism (which is reaffirmed in 1 Timothy 6:11), and it is speaking of the man chosen by God to receive and pass along God’s word, meaning the prophet in Old Testament times. That transfers to the minister of the New Testament who has received, and then evaluates and instructs in that word. In the instruction of that word, those who hear it then also become “complete.”

The word Paul uses is unique in Scripture. It gives the sense of “ready because prepared.” If we think of a pump which is ordered to replace another pump, it may come needing to be wholly or partly assembled, or it may come prepared to function. It simply needs to be installed and it will work properly. This is the idea of the word. In having Scripture as given by God, and by knowing it, rightly dividing it, and rightly applying it, the man of God is ready to function. He is in a state of “right now” readiness, and thus he is “thoroughly equipped for every good work.”

The Greek word here is well translated. It gives the sense of all parts working together, correctly and harmoniously. In this verse, it is in the passive voice. This then stresses the end-impact of Scripture on the believer who is receptive to what is furnished. As HELPS Word Studies says, “Indeed the Bible thoroughly fits (‘furnishes’) each believer to live in full communion with God.”

In this, Paul is obviously applying the term “man of God” to Timothy, and to those who will follow him in the ministry. But he is also in anticipation that their state of being “fully equipped” will then be passed on to those they tend to. That is an obvious part of “every good work.”

It is Scripture which makes this possible. As it is obvious that up until just a few hundred years ago very few people had their own copy of the Bible, it is referring to those who have charge of Scripture, and then pass that knowledge on to others. Even today, where everyone can easily obtain the Bible, their lives will not always allow them time to become fully equipped apart from special teaching by those who are in full-time ministry. And more, there are always those who are ill-equipped to be in the ministry because of a lack of training or incorrect doctrine, and yet who go forth teaching that which is false.

Life application: Each of us is ultimately responsible for the doctrine we hold to. However, we need to learn it from somewhere. It is the rare soul who will pick up the Bible and become complete and thoroughly equipped in doctrine. There is a need, then, to listen to teachers, carefully evaluating them to see if what they teach is in accord with the word. Let us attentively listen, and then carefully evaluate what we hear. Let us reject that which is wrong, and hold fast to what is sound.

Glorious and awesome God of all power and wisdom! You have given us the greatest treasure in the pages of Scripture, and yet we are often not attentive to either studying it or applying it to our lives. What a great mistake this is! When things go wrong, we quickly blame You for the trouble, but the truth is that if we had applied Your word to our lives, things would go well. May we as individuals, and as collective groups, learn to put You and Your word first in our lives. Help us in this, O God. Amen.

Friday, 27 April 2018

All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness, 2 Timothy 3:16

This is certainly a “memory verse” if there ever was one. It should be committed to memory for those times when it will be needed. At the very least, the location of it is should be memorized, so that one can easily refer to it in order to obtain the exact quote.

In the previous verses, Paul noted to Timothy that the Holy Scriptures “are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” Now, speaking of that same marvelous body of writings, Paul says, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God.” It is to be remembered that at the time of his writing this, only the Old Testament Scriptures existed. This truth carries on for New Testament writings, but it is clearly and unambiguously showing that the body of writing we call the Old Testament is God’s word.

The Greek word translated as “inspiration of God” is theopneustos, or literally “God-breathed.” It is a term which was most probably coined by Paul, and which speaks of the sacred and holy nature of Scripture which contains the power to sanctify believers. It is of divine origin, having been breathed out by God in what is known as the process of inspiration. In the Greek, Paul uses the word in the singular. This then shows that “each part of speech (every inflected word-form, ‘reflex’) used in the Bible is God-breathed, i.e. inscripturated (written) under divine inspiration” (HELPS Word Studies). That is a technical way of saying that every iota of what was received by prophet or apostle is of divine origin. Peter explains this process in his second epistle –

“knowing this first, that no prophecy of Scripture is of any private interpretation, ²¹ for prophecy never came by the will of man, but holy men of God spoke as they were moved by the Holy Spirit.” 2 Peter 1:20, 21

As a point of doctrine, the words, “All Scripture is given by inspiration of God,” are more accurately translated as “Every Scripture inspired by God…” The reason for this subtle, but important, change is that it then does not exclude any writings beyond the Old Testament which were already in existence as transmitted by the apostles. It further does not exclude anything that would later come from the hand of the apostles. In this then, there would be the need to ensure that exactly what was contained in those writings be maintained exactly as they had been received. His words here are to be considered in that light, and they were to be kept as a protection against changing what had been received from the apostles’ hands. The words were God-breathed as they were received, and they remain God-breathed when being read. They are the word of God at all times.

After noting the inspiration of Scripture, Paul next says that this body of writings “is profitable for doctrine.” This means that they are to be used to teach the uninformed, correct the misguided, and renew the mind which has forgotten. These breathed-out words are to be what the believer uses to set his doctrine within the church. They are to be the final authority for church doctrine as well. The church cannot add to them, take from them, or amend them in any way. They are breathed out by God, and they belong to Him – being granted to us to use for our doctrine, but not for our manipulation. Paul then says that they are also “for reproof.”

The word used is found only here and in Hebrews 11:1. It signifies “inner conviction.” It “focuses on God confirming His inbirthing of faith” (HELPS Word Studies). If we hold to Scripture as God’s breathed-out word, God should internally persuade us through it of His intent for our life-practice and doctrine. Along with this, it is to be used “for correction.”

In this, Paul uses a word found only here in the Bible. It signifies “to make straight.” Thus, what is straightened becomes suitable once again because it has been restored to its original and correct position. In other words, there is a defect in man. The Bible is to be used to straighten that out. Further, even after coming to Christ, there are certainly defects in doctrine. The Bible is to be used to straighten them out as well. We can straighten ourselves out through the word, and we can also use the word to hopefully straighten others out. From there, Paul says that it is also to be used “for instruction in righteousness.”

The word for “instruction” speaks of the training and education of children. Therefore, the Bible is to be used as an instruction that will lead the believer to full maturity in their faith, doctrine, and practice. Just as a child needs to be disciplined and schooled in order to become a rationally thinking adult, all believers must grow in the word – applying it to themselves – until they are adults in the faith. But Paul notes that this instruction is to be “in righteousness.”

The Bible is often used by people as a means of divination as they look to determine the future. It is used as a secret code book to determine the mysteries of God. It is used by some as a place to find comfort during trials, but then put back on the shelf when the trials end. These and other uses miss the primary intent of Scripture. We are to have our noses in it, we are to open our minds to it, and we are to meditate upon it in order to understand righteousness, and then to apply that to our lives. God is the fount of all that is righteous, and we are to learn about Him in this capacity. Then we are to take this attribute of Him when it is rightly understood and emulate it.

Life application: Paul’s words of this verse are so important for us to remember, and to carry with us always. What we have in the pages of Scripture is the true and inspired word of God. Let us cherish it, care for it, exalt it, and pursue what it says all the days of our lives.

Lord God, You word is breathed out by You, and therefore it is exactly what we need for our lives. Nothing else can substitute it. Anything added to it is superfluous. Anything taken from it will leave us with a void. Help us to understand this, and to carefully hold to it as Your sacred and precious word, given to us to find righteousness and happiness as we live out our lives in Your marvelous presence. Amen.

Thursday, 26 April 2018

…and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus. 2 Timothy 3:15

Paul now reminds Timothy of where and when he began to learn concerning the truth of God. He says, “and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures.” The word translated as “childhood” rather means from infancy. It signifies a baby, or a child in arms. Before Timothy could walk, his mind was being enlightened with Scripture. So much so that he came to know it. It wasn’t as if he heard it once and then mom began to teach him about basket weaving. Rather, he was taught it to the point of it being infused (known) in him.

It must be understood that at the time of Timothy’s instruction, the “Holy Scriptures” consisted only of what is now known as the Old Testament. The New Testament didn’t exist. Timothy was instructed on this body of writings alone, and yet Paul then says that it is these “Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation.”

The verb translated as “which are able” is a present participle. Though Paul and other apostles are writing about the work of Jesus Christ, and though these writings are now a part of Scripture, Paul’s words here show us the enduring nature of the Old Testament to lead us, and to make us wise for salvation. They point to Jesus just as the New Testament points to Jesus. In Jesus, salvation is found. One should read the Old Testament, compare it to the Person and work of Jesus, and say, “I need Jesus.” This is true with the New as well. Either way, the entire body of Scripture points us to our need for Christ Jesus.

As Paul clearly states, it is this salvation which is “through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” One cannot hold to the Old Testament writings and be saved apart from Jesus Christ. There is no such thing as “dual-covenantalism” to be found in Scripture where one can be saved by adherence to the Old Testament law. That merely pointed to the need for the One who embodies the Law, Jesus Christ. As Peter states to the leaders of Israel in Acts –

“Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12

Life application: The entire body of Scripture points to our need for Jesus Christ. There is no salvation apart from Him, and we only diminish his work by attempting to be justified by the law, or by observing certain rituals as a part of the now obsolete Law of Moses. In Christ, the law is set aside, annulled, obsolete, and nailed to the cross. All of these are terms used in the New Testament to show that Christ is the end of the law for righteousness for all who believe. Let us rest in Him and His completed work, and let us never waffle on the doctrine of grace which is found in Jesus Christ our Lord.

Heavenly Father, Your word says that Christ Jesus is the end of the law for righteousness to everyone who believes. We cannot add to grace, and so why should we try? Help us to rest in Christ alone, without adding in precepts of a now obsolete law which could never save anyone. May we trust in Christ, and in Christ alone for our complete restoration with You. Thank You, O God, for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Wednesday, 25 April 2018

But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 2 Timothy 3:14

Paul spoke of the “evil men and impostors” who would “grow worse and worse” in the previous verse. Now he contrasts them and their wayward path. He said of them that they were “deceiving and being deceived.” Instead of this, he says now to Timothy, “But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of.”

Unlike those losers of verse 13, Timothy is to stand fast on the word of God, live out proper doctrine, and act in a holy and openly godly manner. He is to continue walking this path, teaching it to the next generation, and they are to follow suit with this throughout the ages ahead. His walk is to be one which trains their walk. It is to be a doctrinally sound path which does not deviate from the truth of the gospel.

Paul then says, “knowing from whom you have learned them.” The words here are words of surety. Timothy was instructed properly, Paul is aware of this, and he now admonishes his young protege to continue in that sound teaching. However, there is a dispute among the source texts as to whether the word “whom” is singular or plural. It is the difference of a single letter, tinōn or tinōs.

To be dogmatic here is probably not the best option. This is especially so when thinking of the possibilities of who “whom” is then referring to. If singular, is he speaking of himself? Or, is he speaking of the Lord through his word? In the coming verse, Paul refers to the Holy Scriptures. They are given by the Holy Spirit through men of God (2 Peter 1:21). If it is plural, then maybe he is referring to both the Holy Spirit and himself, or himself and Timothy’s grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice (see 2 Timothy 1:5).

Any of these is possible. A parent who knows the word, and who has also called on Christ would not purposefully teach incorrect doctrine. Paul wouldn’t refer to himself in this manner unless he was truthful and sound as an apostle and instructor. And the Holy Spirit, being God, is certainly the greatest Source of instruction if we pursue His word while being receptive to His leading. No matter which word Paul actually used, the precept remains true. Timothy was properly instructed, Paul knew this to be true, and he admonishes him now to follow faithfully on this sound path of proper doctrine.

Life application: What is stated here is that we are to follow the correct path of doctrine that we have been taught. Unfortunately, there are things that we were originally taught which are just plain wrong. It is almost universal that people will continue in their doctrine once it is set, and very few will ever change their position. But this is a bad path to follow if what they have been taught is unsound. We must be willing to rationally evaluate each precept we have learned, and then to compare it with what the Bible says. It is never good to blindly follow a teaching without being well versed in how that teaching aligns with a sound interpretation of Scripture.

Lord God, there are innumerable views on certain points of doctrine which stem from Your word. But that doesn’t mean Your word is uncertain. It is we who form opinions without carefully evaluating things in context. Give us sound teachers who will state what is correct, and then give us the wisdom to even check what they say. In the end, our ongoing relationship with You comes down to our application of Your word. Isn’t that worth our time and study? Help us to desire this close and personal walk with You. Amen.