1 Timothy 2:2 For Kings

1 Timothy 2:2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.

In 1 Timothy 2:1 Paul urges prayer for all sorts of people. In this second verse of the chapter Paul tells us two things more. Firstly, among the all sorts of people that Paul wants the believers to pray for are kings and all those in authority. The first term is pretty specific and no doubt speaks of the Emperor but the second is not and so would include Queens, Presidents, Prime Ministers, Ministers of State, MPs, Peers, Senators, Congressmen, Judges, Magistrates, Local councillors, etc, etc. Anyone who has any influence or power over people, however small it may be, is someone we can and ought to pray for. Secondly, the thing to pray for us is that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. We are to pray primarily for believers. We are to pray primarily for peaceful and quiet lives for them. The goal of this request is godliness and holiness. That is Paul's concern. He knows, of course, that godliness and holiness can flourish when there is no peace and no quiet but the order is to ask first for leaders to promote peace and quiet for believers. Members and ministers, the ministers taking the lead, should pray like this. We sometimes forget what an impact for good those in power have.

1 Timothy 1:18 Fight well

1 Timothy 1:18 Timothy, my son, I am giving you this command in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by recalling them you may fight the battle well,

Here Paul speaks in a very personal way to his son in the faith, Timothy. He gives him a command or, to be more accurate, entrusts him with it - the command to deal with the false teachers in Ephesus, making proper use of the law. Paul does this in keeping with the prophecies once made about Timothy, which he refers to again, later in the letter (1 Timothy 4:14). In New Testament times, when there was no New Testament, there were still prophecies (although Paul could be using the term more loosely). Today we would think of ordination promises and charges. In both cases, these things must be recalled. Paul's hope is that by recalling them Timothy may fight the battle well or more traditionally  fight the good fight that is the fight of faith. The place of memory can easily be overlooked. It is an important weapon, however, that the minister can and must use in his war on Satan. Too often the buzz of ordination day is forgotten in the hurly burly of the real world. There is no need for that to happen and it is detrimental when it does. The Christian life is a fight, a fight we will win if we make right use of the helps God provides.

1 Timothy 1:11 The Gospel

1 Timothy 1:11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

In 1 Timothy 1:8-10 Paul says that the law is good if one uses it properly. It was made not for the righteous but for wicked people and Paul gives examples of such wickedness (those who kill their fathers or mothers ... murderers ... the sexually immoral, etc) rounding off with the catch all whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine. Verse 11 then states that this sound doctrine conforms to the gospel .... In other words, there is no conflict between law and gospel. There is a big difference between seeking to be saved through the gospel and seeking to be saved through the law, of course, but law and gospel in and of themselves are not in conflict. The other things he says about the gospel or good news, the evangel, are that it concerns the glory of the blessed God and, he says, was entrusted to me. The gospel reflects glory on God as it shows his kindness, mercy and love as well as his justice. As an apostle, Paul was entrusted with its wonderful message. So too are those who faithfully preach it today. They must preach it in a way that is trustworthy, a way that glorifies God and a way that is not in conflict with the law. Here are three good tests for a man to use in order to measure his ministry. Am I trustworthily delivering the message? Am I doing it in a way that glorifies God? Am I doing it in a way that does not conflict with the law?

Titus 3:9 To Avoid

Titus 3:9 But avoid foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law, because these are unprofitable and useless.

Here Titus is given a list of things he must avoid with a reason for doing so. The four things in the list are foolish controversies and genealogies and arguments and quarrels about the law. Not all controversies are foolish but many are. An example might be a controversy over what to wear to church. it is not that we have no guidelines on the subject but this is such a minor matter and not one that we have any detailed guidance on. Many Jews at the time were very interested in genealogies - genealogies in the Bible and drawing strange doctrines from them or their own family trees. This is typical of the modern obscurantist who tries to base big assumptions on poor evidence. Arguments and quarrels about the law again suggest a Jewish background but it is not only Jews who can argue about the law - what it is and how it applies. Again, for a pastor to waste time on this sort of thing would be wrong and foolish. All such arguments are unprofitable and useless. Even if you win the argument how does it serve to actually take forward the kingdom of God?

2 Timothy 4:18 Salvation Glory

2 Timothy 4:18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

As Paul comes to the end of the letter he expresses his absolute confidence in the Lord. He does not suppose that he will escape evil attack but he is sure that the Lord will rescue him from everyone of them that may come his way. He is equally confident that whatever may happen the Lord will bring him safely to his heavenly kingdom. These wonderful words are spoken by faith. Paul truly believed these two things and gave glory to God for them. How could he be so confident? Did he think he was invincible? He had certainly known some amazing escapes in his life - several shipwrecks, many times in prison, in danger of being stoned, even stoned once and left for dead. He did not know what lay ahead but he reasoned that in every case God would either rescue him in some obvious way or take him to be with himself. Whatever happened he knew that soon he would be brought safely to God's heavenly kingdom. To see things that way is a tremendous asset to the Christian minister. He recognises that not a shaft can hit until the God of love sees fit and so he is confident not of facing no trouble but of being rescued and at the end being brought safely to the heavenly kingdom at last. This not only gives him confidence but sets his mind on God and his glory. Every minister, indeed every Christian, can have the same confidence as Paul had. Paul's response to this revelation is not a self centred one but a To him be glory for ever and ever. He sees that this is to the glory of God. The Amen serves to underline his rock solid confidence in this truth and his earnest desire to honour God for such mercy. What an example to us he is to us all.

2 Timothy 2:22 Flee, Pursue

2 Timothy 2:22 Flee the evil desires of youth and pursue righteousness, faith, love and peace, along with those who call on the Lord out of a pure heart.

Here Timothy is given a double command. The first part is negative and the second part is positive. Negatively, he is to flee the evil desires of youth. One thinks here of sexual immorality but youth are typically guilty of many other sins besides that one. Laziness, over-confidence and brashness, for example. At this time Timothy was probably still a young man technically (under 40) and so the call is appropriate. It is chiefly a call to leave behind the immaturity of youth. Positively, he is to pursue four things -  righteousness, faith, love and peace. Righteousness speaks of an obedient and upright lifestyle, faith of confidence in God and love both of desire for God and compassion towards all. Peace is found in God but when dealing with men it is important to handle things in a way that will promote peace rather than destroying it. What Paul calls on Timothy the pastor to pursue is something that Paul wants all who call on the Lord out of a pure heart to pursue. The way he phrases this suggests how such things are to be pursued - by earnest prayer and with a pure or sincere heart. No doubt Timothy's example will spur others on in the same direction.

Hapax Titus

And again

Titus 1:2	ἀψευδής	ἀψευδὴς	truthful
Titus 1:5	ἐπιδιορθόω	ἐπιδιορθώσῃ	to set right
Titus 1:7	ὀργίλος	ὀργίλον	inclined to anger
Titus 1:8	φιλάγαθος	φιλάγαθον	loving good
Titus 1:8	ἐγκρατής	ἐγκρατῆ	self-controlled
Titus 1:10	ματαιολόγος	ματαιολόγοι	talking idly
Titus 1:10	φρεναπάτης	φρεναπάται	deceiver
Titus 1:11	ἐπιστομίζω	ἐπιστομίζειν	to silence
Titus 1:16	βδελυκτός	βδελυκτοὶ	detestable
Titus 2:3	πρεσβῦτις	πρεσβύτιδας	older woman
Titus 2:3	κατάστημα	καταστήματι	behavior
Titus 2:3	ἱεροπρεπής	ἱεροπρεπεῖς	reverent, venerable
Titus 2:3	καλοδιδάσκαλος	καλοδιδασκάλους	teaching what is good
Titus 2:4	σωφρονίζω	σωφρονίζωσιν	encourage, urge
Titus 2:4	φίλανδρος	φιλάνδρους	loving one's husband
Titus 2:4	φιλότεκνος	φιλοτέκνους	indulgent
Titus 2:5	οἰκουργός	οἰκουργοὺς	busy at home
Titus 2:7	ἀφθορία	ἀφθορίαν	soundness
Titus 2:8	ἀκατάγνωστος	ἀκατάγνωστον	not to be condemned
Titus 2:12	σωφρόνως	σωφρόνως	soberly, moderately
Titus 2:14	περιούσιος	περιούσιον	chosen, especial
Titus 2:15	περιφρονέω	περιφρονείτω	disregard, despise
Titus 3:3	στυγητός	στυγητοί	despicable
Titus 3:8	φροντίζω	φροντίζωσιν	to be intent on
Titus 3:10	αἱρετικός	αἱρετικὸν	factious
Titus 3:11	ἐκστρέφω	ἐξέστραπται	to pervert
Titus 3:11	αὐτοκατάκριτος	αὐτοκατάκριτος	self-condemned