Sept. 5 1 Corinthians 1

Sept. 5

1 Corinthians 1

1Co 1:1 Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ through the will of God, and our brother Sosthenes,

1Co 1:2 to the assembly of God which is at Corinth; those who are sanctified in Christ Jesus, called to be saints, with all who call on the name of our Lord Jesus Christ in every place, both theirs and ours:

1Co 1:3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

1Co 1:4 I always thank my God concerning you, for the grace of God which was given you in Christ Jesus;

1Co 1:5 that in everything you were enriched in him, in all speech and all knowledge;

1Co 1:6 even as the testimony of Christ was confirmed in you:

1Co 1:7 so that you come behind in no gift; waiting for the revelation of our Lord Jesus Christ;

1Co 1:8 who will also confirm you until the end, blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ.

1Co 1:9 God is faithful, through whom you were called into the fellowship of his Son, Jesus Christ, our Lord.

1Co 1:10 Now I beg you, brothers, through the name of our Lord, Jesus Christ, that you all speak the same thing and that there be no divisions among you, but that you be perfected together in the same mind and in the same judgment.

1Co 1:11 For it has been reported to me concerning you, my brothers, by those who are from Chloe's household, that there are contentions among you.

1Co 1:12 Now I mean this, that each one of you says, "I follow Paul," "I follow Apollos," "I follow Cephas," and, "I follow Christ."

1Co 1:13 Is Christ divided? Was Paul crucified for you? Or were you baptized into the name of Paul?

1Co 1:14 I thank God that I baptized none of you, except Crispus and Gaius,

1Co 1:15 so that no one should say that I had baptized you into my own name.

1Co 1:16 (I also baptized the household of Stephanas; besides them, I don't know whether I baptized any other.)

1Co 1:17 For Christ sent me not to baptize, but to preach the Good News--not in wisdom of words, so that the cross of Christ wouldn't be made void.

1Co 1:18 For the word of the cross is foolishness to those who are dying, but to us who are saved it is the power of God.

1Co 1:19 For it is written, "I will destroy the wisdom of the wise, I will bring the discernment of the discerning to nothing."

1Co 1:20 Where is the wise? Where is the scribe? Where is the lawyer of this world? Hasn't God made foolish the wisdom of this world?

1Co 1:21 For seeing that in the wisdom of God, the world through its wisdom didn't know God, it was God's good pleasure through the foolishness of the preaching to save those who believe.

1Co 1:22 For Jews ask for signs, Greeks seek after wisdom,

1Co 1:23 but we preach Christ crucified; a stumbling block to Jews, and foolishness to Greeks,

1Co 1:24 but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

1Co 1:25 Because the foolishness of God is wiser than men, and the weakness of God is stronger than men.

1Co 1:26 For you see your calling, brothers, that not many are wise according to the flesh, not many mighty, and not many noble;

1Co 1:27 but God chose the foolish things of the world that he might put to shame those who are wise. God chose the weak things of the world, that he might put to shame the things that are strong;

1Co 1:28 and God chose the lowly things of the world, and the things that are despised, and the things that are not, that he might bring to nothing the things that are:

1Co 1:29 that no flesh should boast before God.

1Co 1:30 But of him, you are in Christ Jesus, who was made to us wisdom from God, and righteousness and sanctification, and redemption:

1Co 1:31 that, according as it is written, "He who boasts, let him boast in the Lord."

"THE FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY" Introduction by Mark Copeland

                     "THE FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY"

                              Introduction

AUTHOR:  The apostle Paul, as stated in the salutation (1:1).  The 
internal evidence certainly supports Paul as the author, especially
references to his earlier life (1:13), and the close relationship
between the author and Timothy (1:2; cf. Php 2:22).  Early sources in
church history that attribute this letter to Paul include:  Eusebius
(300 A.D.), Origen (250 A.D.), Clement of Alexandria (200 A.D.),
Tertullian (200 A.D.), Irenaeus (200 A.D.), the Muratorian Fragment
(180 A.D.).  References to the epistle are also found in the writings
of Theophilus of Antioch (180 A.D.), Justin Martyr (160 A.D.), Polycarp
(135 A.D.), and Clement of Rome (90 A.D.).

RECIPIENT:  Timothy, Paul's "true son in the faith" (1:2,18).  We are
first introduced to Timothy in Ac 16:1-3, where we learn that his
mother was Jewish (cf. also 2Ti 1:5; 3:14-15) and his father Greek.
Well spoken of by the brethren at Lystra and Iconium, Paul desired that
the young disciple travel with him and therefore had him circumcised to
accommodate Jews they would seek to evangelize.  This began a long
relationship of service together in the work of the Lord, in which
Timothy served Paul as a son would his father (Php 2:19-24).  Such
service included not only traveling with Paul, but remaining with new
congregations when Paul had to leave suddenly (Ac 17:13-14), going back
to encourage such congregations (1Th 3:1-3), and serving as Paul's
personal emissary (1Co 16:10-11; Php 2:19-24).  He had the honor of
joining Paul in the salutation of several epistles written by Paul (2
Col 1:1; Php 1:1; Col 1:1; 1Th 1:1; 2Th 1:1), and from such epistles we
learn that Timothy had been with Paul during his imprisonment at Rome.
Such faithful service helps us to appreciate why Paul would leave him
in Ephesus (1:3)

TIME AND PLACE OF WRITING:  Some commentators (such as Barnes) believe
that Paul may have penned 1st Timothy after his extended stay at
Ephesus and departure to Macedonia on his third missionary journey (cf.
Ac 19:1-41; 20:1-3). This would place its composition around 58-59 A.D.

The general consensus, though, is that Paul wrote this epistle from
Macedonia, following his first imprisonment in Rome (cf. Ac 28:16,
30-31).  Paul was released and allowed to travel for several years
before being arrested again and finally put to death by Nero.  It is
possible to conjecture from several references in his epistles that he
went to places like Philippi (Php 1:26; 2:24), Colosse (Phm 22), and 
even Spain (Ro 15:24,28).  With more certainty his destinations 
included Ephesus (where he left Timothy, 1Ti 1:3), Macedonia (where he
wrote 1st Timothy, 1Ti 1:3), Crete (where he left Titus, Tit 1:5),
Miletus (2Ti 4:20), Corinth (2Ti 4:20), and a winter at Nicopolis (2
Tit 4:20).  Any attempt to determine the exact order of these visits is 
pure speculation, however.  If 1st Timothy was indeed written during
this period, the date would be around 63-64 A.D.

PURPOSE OF THE EPISTLE:  Paul had left Timothy behind at Ephesus with
an awesome responsibility:  to charge some not to teach anything 
contrary to the "sound doctrine" which was according to the "glorious
gospel of the blessed God" (1:3-11).  Fulfilling this charge was made
difficult by Timothy's youth and natural timidity (4:11-12; cf. 2Ti 
1:7-8).  While Paul hoped to come himself, he writes Timothy to guide
him in the meantime (1Ti 3:14-15).  Therefore, Paul writes:

   * To instruct Timothy on how to conduct himself while administering
     the affairs of the church (3:14-15)

   * To encourage Timothy by providing counsel concerning his own 
     spiritual progress (4:12-16)

THEME OF THE EPISTLE:  This letter is addressed to a young evangelist
charged with the responsibility of working with a congregation and 
guiding them in the right way.  Everything that is written is designed
to aid both him and the congregation in doctrine and conduct.  An 
appropriate theme for this epistle might therefore be:

          "SOUND DOCTRINE FOR A CONGREGATION AND ITS PREACHER"

KEY VERSES:  1 Timothy 3:14-15

   "These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly;
    but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought
    to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of
    the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth."

OUTLINE:

INTRODUCTION (1:1-2)

I. CHARGE CONCERNING SOUND DOCTRINE (1:3-20)

   A. TEACHING SOUND DOCTRINE (1:3-11)

   B. THANKSGIVING FOR THE LORD'S GRACE AND MERCY (1:12-17)

   C. TIMOTHY'S RESPONSIBILITY (1:18-20)

II. GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING THE CHURCH (2:1-3:13)

   A. THE PRACTICE OF PRAYER (2:1-8)

   B. INSTRUCTIONS FOR WOMEN (2:9-15)

   C. QUALIFICATIONS FOR CHURCH OFFICERS (3:1-13)
      1. For bishops (3:1-7)
      2. For deacons (3:8-13)

III. ADVICE TO TIMOTHY (3:14-4:16)

   A. PAUL'S PURPOSE IN WRITING (3:14-16)

   B. REMEMBER THE SPIRIT'S WARNING OF APOSTASY (4:1-6)

   C. EXERCISE YOURSELF UNTO GODLINESS (4:7-16)

IV. INSTRUCTIONS CONCERNING MEMBERS OF THE CHURCH (5:1-6:19)

   A. MAINTAIN PROPER RELATIONSHIPS (5:1-2)

   B. CONCERNING WIDOWS (5:3-16)

   C. CONCERNING ELDERS (5:17-25)

   D. CONCERNING SERVANTS (6:1-2)

   E. CONCERNING TEACHERS MOTIVATED BY GREED (6:3-10)

   F. CONCERNING THE MAN OF GOD HIMSELF (6:11-16)

   G. CONCERNING THE RICH (6:17-19)

CONCLUDING CHARGE TO TIMOTHY (6:20-21)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE INTRODUCTION

1) Where do we first read about Timothy?
   - Acts 16:1-3

2) What was the name of his grandmother and mother? (2Ti 1:5)
   - Lois (grandmother)
   - Eunice (mother)

3) How did Paul affectionately regard Timothy? (1:2)
   - As his true son in the faith

4) Where was Timothy when Paul wrote this epistle? (1:3)
   - Ephesus

5) What is the general consensus for the time and place that Paul wrote
   this letter?
   - After his first Roman imprisonment, sometime around 63-64 A.D.
   - While in Macedonia, shortly after leaving Ephesus

6) What two-fold purpose does Paul have in writing this epistle?
   - To instruct Timothy on how to conduct himself while administering
     the affairs of the church
   - To encourage Timothy by providing counsel concerning his own
     spiritual progress

7) What is the theme of this epistle, as suggested in the introductory
   material?
   - Sound doctrine for a congregation and its preacher

8) What are the key verses?
   - 1Ti 3:14-15

9) According to the outline proposed above, what are the main points of
   this epistle?
   - Charge concerning sound doctrine
   - General instructions concerning the church
   - Advice to Timothy
   - Instructions concerning members of the church

Think and act, BEFORE, its too late

Point made!!!  Soon our currency will be worth little more than toilet paper!  If this should prove to be true someday (God forbid) we would naturally ask the question: "Why"?  The answer can be seen in these passages....

Haggai, Chapter 1 (WEB)

  3 Then the Word of Yahweh came by Haggai, the prophet, saying,  4 “Is it a time for you yourselves to dwell in your paneled houses, while this house lies waste?  5 Now therefore this is what Yahweh of Armies says: Consider your ways.  6 You have sown much, and bring in little. You eat, but you don’t have enough. You drink, but you aren’t filled with drink. You clothe yourselves, but no one is warm, and he who earns wages earns wages to put them into a bag with holes in it.”

  7 This is what Yahweh of Armies says: “Consider your ways.  8 Go up to the mountain, bring wood, and build the house. I will take pleasure in it, and I will be glorified,” says Yahweh.  9 “You looked for much, and, behold, it came to little; and when you brought it home, I blew it away. Why?” says Yahweh of Armies, “Because of my house that lies waste, while each of you is busy with his own house.

see also...

1 Corinthians, Chapter 3 (LITV)

  1 And, brothers, I was not able to speak to you as to spiritual ones, but as to fleshly ones, as to babes in Christ.  2 I gave you milk to drink, and not food, for you were not then able, but neither now are you yet able. 3 For you are yet fleshly. For where among you isjealousy, and strife, and divisions, are you not fleshly and walk according to man?  4 For when one may say, Truly I am of Paul, and another, I of Apollos; are you not fleshly? 

  5 What then is Paul? And what Apollos, but ministers through whom you believed, and to each as the Lord gave?  6 I planted, Apollos watered, but God made to grow.  7 So as neither he planting is anything, nor he watering, but God making to grow.  8 So he planting and he watering are one, and each one will receive his own reward according to his own labor.  9 For we are fellow workers of God, a field of God, and you are a building of God.  10 According to God's grace given to me, as a wise master builder, I laid a foundation, but another builds on it . But let each one be careful how he builds. 

That America is failing is evident.  Twenty three million Americans are without work or underemployed.  Some politicians say we are better off that we were 4 years ago.  They lie!!!  Yes, the problem is with our current leadership, but the problem goes deeper than that.  Christians are taking God for granted; they are allowing the godless to do things that are contrary to virtually ANY standard of Christianity.  We can print all the money we want, make up any programs we can dream of, but, if we don't change, don't look to following God and build up HIS house (that is, ourselves) then we will fall.  I hope that all who read this will understand that sin destroys a nation and righteousness builds it up.  This is a nationwide and a church and a personal concept.  Repent of sin and really change; before its too late.  Individually, start today, collectively, start today and nationally, start the change in November!!!  Please; before the country is worth nothing!!!  It would break my heart to see America flushed down the toilet along with its worthless paper!!!!

Sept. 4 Psalms 36-39

Sept. 4

Psalms 36-39

Psa 36:1 An oracle is within my heart about the disobedience of the wicked: "There is no fear of God before his eyes."

Psa 36:2 For he flatters himself in his own eyes, too much to detect and hate his sin.

Psa 36:3 The words of his mouth are iniquity and deceit. He has ceased to be wise and to do good.

Psa 36:4 He plots iniquity on his bed. He sets himself in a way that is not good. He doesn't abhor evil.

Psa 36:5 Your loving kindness, Yahweh, is in the heavens. Your faithfulness reaches to the skies.

Psa 36:6 Your righteousness is like the mountains of God. Your judgments are like a great deep. Yahweh, you preserve man and animal.

Psa 36:7 How precious is your loving kindness, God! The children of men take refuge under the shadow of your wings.

Psa 36:8 They shall be abundantly satisfied with the abundance of your house. You will make them drink of the river of your pleasures.

Psa 36:9 For with you is the spring of life. In your light shall we see light.

Psa 36:10 Oh continue your loving kindness to those who know you, your righteousness to the upright in heart.

Psa 36:11 Don't let the foot of pride come against me. Don't let the hand of the wicked drive me away.

Psa 36:12 There the workers of iniquity are fallen. They are thrust down, and shall not be able to rise.

Psa 37:1 Don't fret because of evildoers, neither be envious against those who work unrighteousness.

Psa 37:2 For they shall soon be cut down like the grass, and wither like the green herb.

Psa 37:3 Trust in Yahweh, and do good. Dwell in the land, and enjoy safe pasture.

Psa 37:4 Also delight yourself in Yahweh, and he will give you the desires of your heart.

Psa 37:5 Commit your way to Yahweh. Trust also in him, and he will do this:

Psa 37:6 he will make your righteousness go forth as the light, and your justice as the noon day sun.

Psa 37:7 Rest in Yahweh, and wait patiently for him. Don't fret because of him who prospers in his way, because of the man who makes wicked plots happen.

Psa 37:8 Cease from anger, and forsake wrath. Don't fret, it leads only to evildoing.

Psa 37:9 For evildoers shall be cut off, but those who wait for Yahweh shall inherit the land.

Psa 37:10 For yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more. Yes, though you look for his place, he isn't there.

Psa 37:11 But the humble shall inherit the land, and shall delight themselves in the abundance of peace.

Psa 37:12 The wicked plots against the just, and gnashes at him with his teeth.

Psa 37:13 The Lord will laugh at him, for he sees that his day is coming.

Psa 37:14 The wicked have drawn out the sword, and have bent their bow, to cast down the poor and needy, to kill those who are upright in the way.

Psa 37:15 Their sword shall enter into their own heart. Their bows shall be broken.

Psa 37:16 Better is a little that the righteous has, than the abundance of many wicked.

Psa 37:17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken, but Yahweh upholds the righteous.

Psa 37:18 Yahweh knows the days of the perfect. Their inheritance shall be forever.

Psa 37:19 They shall not be disappointed in the time of evil. In the days of famine they shall be satisfied.

Psa 37:20 But the wicked shall perish. The enemies of Yahweh shall be like the beauty of the fields. They will vanish-- vanish like smoke.

Psa 37:21 The wicked borrow, and don't pay back, but the righteous give generously.

Psa 37:22 For such as are blessed by him shall inherit the land. Those who are cursed by him shall be cut off.

Psa 37:23 A man's goings are established by Yahweh. He delights in his way.

Psa 37:24 Though he stumble, he shall not fall, for Yahweh holds him up with his hand.

Psa 37:25 I have been young, and now am old, yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his children begging for bread.

Psa 37:26 All day long he deals graciously, and lends. His seed is blessed.

Psa 37:27 Depart from evil, and do good. Live securely forever.

Psa 37:28 For Yahweh loves justice, and doesn't forsake his saints. They are preserved forever, but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.

Psa 37:29 The righteous shall inherit the land, and live in it forever.

Psa 37:30 The mouth of the righteous talks of wisdom. His tongue speaks justice.

Psa 37:31 The law of his God is in his heart. None of his steps shall slide.

Psa 37:32 The wicked watches the righteous, and seeks to kill him.

Psa 37:33 Yahweh will not leave him in his hand, nor condemn him when he is judged.

Psa 37:34 Wait for Yahweh, and keep his way, and he will exalt you to inherit the land. When the wicked are cut off, you shall see it.

Psa 37:35 I have seen the wicked in great power, spreading himself like a green tree in its native soil.

Psa 37:36 But he passed away, and behold, he was not. Yes, I sought him, but he could not be found.

Psa 37:37 Mark the perfect man, and see the upright, for there is a future for the man of peace.

Psa 37:38 As for transgressors, they shall be destroyed together. The future of the wicked shall be cut off.

Psa 37:39 But the salvation of the righteous is from Yahweh. He is their stronghold in the time of trouble.

Psa 37:40 Yahweh helps them, and rescues them. He rescues them from the wicked, and saves them, Because they have taken refuge in him.

Psa 38:1 Yahweh, don't rebuke me in your wrath, neither chasten me in your hot displeasure.

Psa 38:2 For your arrows have pierced me, your hand presses hard on me.

Psa 38:3 There is no soundness in my flesh because of your indignation, neither is there any health in my bones because of my sin.

Psa 38:4 For my iniquities have gone over my head. As a heavy burden, they are too heavy for me.

Psa 38:5 My wounds are loathsome and corrupt, because of my foolishness.

Psa 38:6 I am pained and bowed down greatly. I go mourning all day long.

Psa 38:7 For my waist is filled with burning. There is no soundness in my flesh.

Psa 38:8 I am faint and severely bruised. I have groaned by reason of the anguish of my heart.

Psa 38:9 Lord, all my desire is before you. My groaning is not hidden from you.

Psa 38:10 My heart throbs. My strength fails me. As for the light of my eyes, it has also left me.

Psa 38:11 My lovers and my friends stand aloof from my plague. My kinsmen stand far away.

Psa 38:12 They also who seek after my life lay snares. Those who seek my hurt speak mischievous things, and meditate deceits all day long.

Psa 38:13 But I, as a deaf man, don't hear. I am as a mute man who doesn't open his mouth.

Psa 38:14 Yes, I am as a man who doesn't hear, in whose mouth are no reproofs.

Psa 38:15 For in you, Yahweh, do I hope. You will answer, Lord my God.

Psa 38:16 For I said, "Don't let them gloat over me, or exalt themselves over me when my foot slips."

Psa 38:17 For I am ready to fall. My pain is continually before me.

Psa 38:18 For I will declare my iniquity. I will be sorry for my sin.

Psa 38:19 But my enemies are vigorous and many. Those who hate me without reason are numerous.

Psa 38:20 They who also render evil for good are adversaries to me, because I follow what is good.

Psa 38:21 Don't forsake me, Yahweh. My God, don't be far from me.

Psa 38:22 Hurry to help me, Lord, my salvation.

Psa 39:1 I said, "I will watch my ways, so that I don't sin with my tongue. I will keep my mouth with a bridle while the wicked is before me."

Psa 39:2 I was mute with silence. I held my peace, even from good. My sorrow was stirred.

Psa 39:3 My heart was hot within me. While I meditated, the fire burned: I spoke with my tongue:

Psa 39:4 "Yahweh, show me my end, what is the measure of my days. Let me know how frail I am.

Psa 39:5 Behold, you have made my days handbreadths. My lifetime is as nothing before you. Surely every man stands as a breath." Selah.

Psa 39:6 "Surely every man walks like a shadow. Surely they busy themselves in vain. He heaps up, and doesn't know who shall gather.

Psa 39:7 Now, Lord, what do I wait for? My hope is in you.

Psa 39:8 Deliver me from all my transgressions. Don't make me the reproach of the foolish.

Psa 39:9 I was mute. I didn't open my mouth, because you did it.

Psa 39:10 Remove your scourge away from me. I am overcome by the blow of your hand.

Psa 39:11 When you rebuke and correct man for iniquity, You consume his wealth like a moth. Surely every man is but a breath." Selah.

Psa 39:12 "Hear my prayer, Yahweh, and give ear to my cry. Don't be silent at my tears. For I am a stranger with you, a foreigner, as all my fathers were.

Psa 39:13 Oh spare me, that I may recover strength, before I go away, and exist no more."

Sept. 4 Romans 16

Sept. 4

Romans 16

Rom 16:1 I commend to you Phoebe, our sister, who is a servant of the assembly that is at Cenchreae,

Rom 16:2 that you receive her in the Lord, in a way worthy of the saints, and that you assist her in whatever matter she may need from you, for she herself also has been a helper of many, and of my own self.

Rom 16:3 Greet Prisca and Aquila, my fellow workers in Christ Jesus,

Rom 16:4 who for my life, laid down their own necks; to whom not only I give thanks, but also all the assemblies of the Gentiles.

Rom 16:5 Greet the assembly that is in their house. Greet Epaenetus, my beloved, who is the first fruits of Achaia to Christ.

Rom 16:6 Greet Mary, who labored much for us.

Rom 16:7 Greet Andronicus and Junias, my relatives and my fellow prisoners, who are notable among the apostles, who also were in Christ before me.

Rom 16:8 Greet Amplias, my beloved in the Lord.

Rom 16:9 Greet Urbanus, our fellow worker in Christ, and Stachys, my beloved.

Rom 16:10 Greet Apelles, the approved in Christ. Greet those who are of the household of Aristobulus.

Rom 16:11 Greet Herodion, my kinsman. Greet them of the household of Narcissus, who are in the Lord.

Rom 16:12 Greet Tryphaena and Tryphosa, who labor in the Lord. Greet Persis, the beloved, who labored much in the Lord.

Rom 16:13 Greet Rufus, the chosen in the Lord, and his mother and mine.

Rom 16:14 Greet Asyncritus, Phlegon, Hermes, Patrobas, Hermas, and the brothers who are with them.

Rom 16:15 Greet Philologus and Julia, Nereus and his sister, and Olympas, and all the saints who are with them.

Rom 16:16 Greet one another with a holy kiss. The assemblies of Christ greet you.

Rom 16:17 Now I beg you, brothers, look out for those who are causing the divisions and occasions of stumbling, contrary to the doctrine which you learned, and turn away from them.

Rom 16:18 For those who are such don't serve our Lord, Jesus Christ, but their own belly; and by their smooth and flattering speech, they deceive the hearts of the innocent.

Rom 16:19 For your obedience has become known to all. I rejoice therefore over you. But I desire to have you wise in that which is good, but innocent in that which is evil.

Rom 16:20 And the God of peace will quickly crush Satan under your feet. The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you.

Rom 16:21 Timothy, my fellow worker, greets you, as do Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my relatives.

Rom 16:22 I, Tertius, who write the letter, greet you in the Lord.

Rom 16:23 Gaius, my host and host of the whole assembly, greets you. Erastus, the treasurer of the city, greets you, as does Quartus, the brother.

Rom 16:24 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all! Amen.

Rom 16:25 Now to him who is able to establish you according to my Good News and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery which has been kept secret through long ages,

Rom 16:26 but now is revealed, and by the Scriptures of the prophets, according to the commandment of the eternal God, is made known for obedience of faith to all the nations;

Rom 16:27 to the only wise God, through Jesus Christ, to whom be the glory forever! Amen.

"THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS" Chapter Three by Mark Copeland

                "THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE THESSALONIANS"

                             Chapter Three

OBJECTIVES IN STUDYING THIS CHAPTER

1) To notice the importance of prayer in spreading the Word and in
   assisting the spiritual development of brethren

2) To examine the purpose and methodology of discipline in a local
   congregation

SUMMARY

In this last chapter we first find Paul soliciting prayer in his
behalf, that the word of the Lord might have free course and be 
glorified, and that he might be delivered from unreasonable and wicked
men (1-2).  Confident in the Lord to establish and guard them from the
evil one, he is also confident that they will do the things he commands
them (3-4).  He follows with a prayer that the Lord direct their hearts
into the love of God and into the patience of Christ (5).

One last item needs to be discussed, and that is the need for
disciplinary action towards those who are walking disorderly and not
according to the tradition received from Paul.  Reminding them of his
own example of laboring night and day while with him, he charges that 
if anyone will not work, neither should he eat (6-10).  Paul had heard
there were members who had stopped working, and had become busybodies.
He exhorts such members to work in quietness and eat their own bread.  
If they do not, the others are to note such persons and not keep 
company with them, that they may be ashamed.  Such disciplinary action
was to be administered in a brotherly way, not as toward an enemy 
(11-15).

Paul closes his second epistle to the Thessalonians by first asking 
that the Lord of peace give them peace always in every way (16).  He 
then offers a salutation in his own handwriting as a sign of
authorship, followed with a prayer that the grace of the Lord be with
them all (17-18).

OUTLINE

I. A REQUEST FOR PRAYER, AND A PRAYER FOR THEM (1-5)

   A. PAUL REQUESTS THEIR PRAYERS (1-2)
      1. That the word of the Lord may have free course and be 
         glorified, as it was in their case (1)
      2. That Paul and his companions be delivered from unreasonable
         and wicked men, for not all are believers (2)
   
   B. AN EXPRESSION OF CONFIDENCE (3-4)
      1. In the faithfulness of the Lord (3)
         a. Who would establish them (3a)
         b. Who would guard them from the evil one (3b)
      2. In them (4)
         a. That they do the things he commands them (4a)
         b. That they will do the things he commands them (4b)

   C. A PRAYER FOR THEM (5)
      1. That the Lord direct their hearts (5a)
      2. Into the love of God and the patience of Christ (5b)

II. A CHARGE TO DISCIPLINE THE DISORDERLY (3:6-15)

   A. WITHDRAW FROM THOSE WHO ARE DISORDERLY (6-9)
      1. Commanded in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (6a)
      2. To be administered toward those...
         a. Who do not walk according to apostolic tradition (6b)
         b. Who do not follow apostolic example (7a)
            1) For Paul was not disorderly among them (7b)
            2) For Paul was not a burden to them, but gave them an
               example (8-9)

   B. ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO WILL NOT WORK (10-12)
      1. They had been commanded:  If anyone will not work, neither
         shall he eat (10)
      2. Yet there were some not working at all, but were busybodies
         (11)
      3. Such are commanded and exhorted to work in quietness and eat
         their own bread (12)

   C. SUMMATION CONCERNING CHURCH DISCIPLINE (13-15)
      1. Do not grow weary in doing good (13)
      2. For those who do not obey the apostolic teaching in this 
         epistle... (14a)
         a. Note that person (14b)
         b. Do not keep company with him (14c)
         -- That he may be ashamed (14d)
      3. Count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother (15)

III. CONCLUDING REMARKS (16-18)

   A. ANOTHER PRAYER IN THEIR BEHALF (16)
      1. May the Lord of peace give them peace always in every way
         (16a)
      2. May the Lord be with them all (16b)

   B. A CONFIRMATION OF HIS AUTHORSHIP (17)
      1. His own salutation with his own hand (17a)
      2. As he writes in every epistle (17b)

   C. FINAL BENEDICTION (18)
      1. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with them all
      2. Amen (so be it)

REVIEW QUESTIONS FOR THE CHAPTER

1) What are the main points of this chapter?
   - A request for prayer, and a prayer for them (1-5)
   - A charge to discipline the disorderly (6-15)
   - Concluding remarks (16-18)

2) For what two things does Paul ask them to pray in his behalf? (1-2)
   - That the word of the Lord may have free course and be glorified
   - That he might be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men

3) In what way is the Lord faithful, or trustworthy? (3)
   - He will establish them and guard them from the evil one

4) What confidence did Paul have in the Thessalonians? (4)
   - That they both do and will do the things he commands them

5) What did Paul ask the Lord to do for the Thessalonians? (5)
   - To direct their hearts into the love of God and into the patience
     of Christ

6) What did Paul command them to do?  In whose name? (6)
   - To withdraw from every brother who walks disorderly and not 
     according to the tradition received from Paul
   - In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ

7) What example did Paul himself set while he was with them? (7-9)
   - Worked with labor and toil night and day, so as not to be a burden
     to any of them

8) What had Paul commanded them, even when he was with them? (10)
   - If anyone will not work, neither shall he eat

9) What had Paul heard was going on among the brethren at Thessalonica?
   (11)
   - That some were walking disorderly, not working at all, but were
     busybodies

10) What did Paul command and exhort such busybodies to do? (12)
   - To work in quietness and eat their own bread

11) What did Paul exhort the rest of the brethren to do? (13)
   - To not grow weary in doing good

12) What did Paul charge them to do if anyone did not obey his word in
    this epistle? (14)
   - To note that person
   - To not keep company with him

13) What is the reason for such disciplinary action? (14)
   - That he may be ashamed

14) What final instructions does Paul give in regards to such 
    disciplinary action? (15)
   - Do not count him as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother

15) For what does Paul pray in behalf of the Thessalonians? (16)
   - May the Lord of peace Himself give them peace always in every way
   - May the Lord be with them all

16) What served as a sign of Paul's authorship of this epistle? (17)
   - His salutation with his own handwriting

17) What is Paul's final benediction to his beloved Thessalonians? (18)
   - The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all.  Amen.