As
we approach the study of the book of Second Timothy, it is important
to understand the background of the writing of these words. Paul the
apostle has been arrested by Rome for the second time, and he is in
a Roman prison as he writes. The sentiment of Rome towards him is
different this time, and he knows his death is imminent. This is
Paul's final epistle, and shortly after these words were stroked, he
was beheaded on the Appian way just outside of Rome. We begin our
study in the first verse as Paul declares his calling and “the
promise of life” as we read:
Paul, an
apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God,
according
to the promise of life which is in Christ Jesus,
The
verse begins, “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the
will of God,...” Paul the
apostle began most of his letters with his name, “Paul”
which means “small or little”, and he followed the customary way
to begin an epistle in that day. He continued with, “an
apostle” or “a delegate,
messenger or one sent forth with orders” and in this case “of
Jesus” whose name means
“Jehovah is Salvation” and title “Christ”
which means “the anointed one or Messiah” “by the
will” which means “what one
wishes or has determined shall be done or the will, choice,
inclination, desire and pleasure” “of God”
or “the Godhead and trinity consisting of God the Father, God the
Son and God the Holy Spirit”. Paul's election as “an
apostle of Jesus Christ” was
by the choice and desire of God the Father.
The verse
continues, “...according to the promise of life which is in
Christ Jesus,” Paul continued,
“according to” or
“down from, through out, toward and along” “the
promise” or “announcement or
blessing” “of life”
which means “the absolute fullness of life, both essential and
ethical life which is real and genuine, active, vigorous, devoted to
God, blessed, in the portion even in this world of those who put
their trust in Christ, but after the resurrection to be consummated
by new accessions (among them a more perfect body), and to last for
ever.” This eternal, age abiding life “which is in”
or “that is by and through” “Christ Jesus”
or “the anointed messiah” whose name means “Jehovah is
Salvation” was the stimulus for Paul's calling. Paul began his
final epitaph by declaring not only his calling as an apostle, but
also by making reference to the “promise”
of eternal life which is obtained by and through a relationship with
Jesus Christ.
When
we meditate upon Paul's words, let us imagine ourselves in his
position for a moment. What if we were in prison and knew our death
was imminent and only had a very short time to live. If we were to
write a letter, what would it say? Would it declare our calling and
election by Jesus Christ? Would we make refer to the “promise
of life” or “eternal life”
given by Him? While we ponder these things, let us be reminded that
the Holy Spirit of God inspired every word written by Paul, and as we
back away from Paul's words enough to realize “Almighty God” is
sharing with us, may we hear what His Spirit would say and be
obedient to whatever He declares.
Next
time we will see to whom this letter was directed and the blessing
Paul directs towards him, so read ahead, and we shall join together
then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look
for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From
Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be
Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the
Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com
; http://www.barnesandnobles.com
; download to e-books, and find it locally at
http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.
No comments:
Post a Comment