Paul wrote his first letter to Timothy to warn him and
the church in Ephesus against false teaching which promoted myths and endless
genealogies (1:3-11) and to put in order various matters of the church, so that
the church and its members may be able to wage good warfare and be trained as a
good servant of Christ (1:18;4:6). As
he addresses the congregation (2:1-3:16), he demonstrates that the gospel shows
the heart of God (2:1-15) and ought to have effect on prayers and upon the
women of the church. Since he desires
for the church in Ephesus to be put in order the character of its leaders is
essential since the church is the pillar and buttress of truth (3:1-16). In the following section (4:1-6:2a), Paul
gives more instructions to the church regarding widows and finally (6:2b- 21)
exhorts Timothy to pursue righteousness and flee from the pride of false
teaching.
Paul writes his second letter to the Thessalonian church
as he receives reports concerning teaching that Christ has already come (2:2). The author first encourages them that their
affliction will soon end at the revelation of Christ when they will marvel at
Him. While this is their end, those who
do not know God will suffer the vengeance of the Lord (1:1-12). Next, Paul argues that Jesus has not returned
since his return will be prefaced by a great apostasy by one claiming to be God,
leading others to love unrighteousness (2:1-12). In their case, the Thessalonians are able to
stand firm and be comforted since they are chosen to believe the truth of the gospel
(2:13-17). Since Christ will return,
believers are to refrain from idleness and burdening others and work diligently
(3:6-15). Peace even in persecution is
possible because the Lord is theirs (3:16-18).
Paul wrote his first letter to the church in Thessalonica
50-52 AD to
encourage the persecuted believers of the second coming of Christ (4:13-18) and
to communicate his authentic ministry (2:1-16) in order to implore them to
increase and abound in love (3:11-4:1) which precludes sexual immorality
(4:2-12), and includes a righteous work ethic (5:12-14). Because the Thessalonians are children of
light who have the blessed hope of eternal life (1:3; 5:9-10), they are to
anticipate deliverance from this age (5:3) and to wait for the sudden return of
the Lord (5:9), armoring their lives with the faith that is theirs in Christ
(5:7-8). Righteous living that is
pleasing to the Lord is secured because this faith that is theirs is based on
the faithfulness of the coming King (5:12-28).
Paul’s
letter to the Colossians presents a vivid picture of the preeminence of Christ over
all things (1:15-20), the redemption that is granted by Him (1:9-13), and the
new life that is afforded by the life that is hidden with Christ (3:1-3). Paul writes to guard against the kind of
Jewish, mystical, asceticism that was seeping into the church (2:8, 16-18,
21-23) since it does not hold fast to the Head and provides no value in
stopping the indulgence of the flesh (2:23).
Instead of embracing that which does not save, the Colossians ought to
recognize their position as being transferred into the kingdom of His beloved
Son so that they put off what is earthly in them (3:6-11) and put on characteristics
of maturity of their new life (3:12-4:6).
Upon seeing their completion in Christ who is complete himself, they are
able to walk in love (1:9-4:6) and commend those who do likewise (4:7-18).
Paul wrote to the church in Philippi so that the
believers would live as worthy citizens of the gospel of Christ (1:27-30) by
being humbly unified in their minds (2:1-5; 4:2-3) around the surpassing value
of Jesus (1:21; 3:7-8), even in suffering (1:29), for the gospel’s advancement
(1:25, 27). With reports of disunity
(4:2), and because of Paul’s deep love for them (1:8), he prays for them to
abound in love for Christ and for one another (1:9-11) so that the good work
that God began will bring forth fruit of righteousness (1:6; 4:1-9), as they
wait Jesus’ appearance (3:20-21). Paul
rejoices in Christ (4:10, 18), thanks them for their partnership (4:10-20), and
works for their continued progress and joy of their faith (1:25; 3:18), as he
bids them to look at Timothy (2:19-24), Epaphroditus (2:25-30) and himself
(3:17) as examples since they serve for their interests (2:4) and for Christ’s
interests (2:21, 30). Above all, they should
aim to follow (3:10) and enjoy (3:3, 18; 4:4) the humble Christ (2:5-11) who
alone is their righteousness (3:2-10).
