New Testament Survey: 1Timothy thru Hebrews
CCEA
School of Discipleship
October
20, 2024
Introduction
If you were in person for the class, you’d be given a chance to share what
you’ve picked up from the homework this week – our reading assignment in
Halley’s Bible Handbook.
We are going to continue our overview of Paul’s various letters.
The next three letters are what we call the “Pastoral Epistles”
The Pastoral Epistles
The letters of 1Timothy, 2Timothy, and Titus are called the “Pastoral
Epistles”.
This comes from the fact that they are written to Timothy and Titus, men
who were the “pastors” of their local churches.
They not only contain exhortations to these specific men, but the
instructions on “how to do church”.
Paul is aware that his time on earth is coming to a close,
and he wants to make sure that he instructs these younger men on the best ways
of leading their churches.
Background
We believe the pastoral epistles were written around the years AD 63-66.
These will be the last three letters that Paul will write, with 2Timothy
being Paul’s final letter.
The history recorded in the book of Acts ends around AD 60, with Paul still
being confined to an apartment, under house arrest, in Rome. Church tradition
has it that Paul was soon afterwards released from arrest and allowed to
travel.
We can piece together some of what happened to Paul from these last letters
that he wrote.
(map)
After having been released from his first imprisonment in Rome, Paul visits
Ephesus (1Tim. 1:3), and left Timothy there to run the work.
(1 Timothy 1:3
NKJV) As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus …
Paul then went on to Macedonia (northern Greece), and
writes his first letter to Timothy around AD 65.
Then Paul went on to the island of Crete, leaving Titus in charge there.
(Titus 1:5)
(Titus 1:5 NKJV) For this
reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are
lacking…
Paul’s next stop was Nicopolis in Achaia (southern Greece) and wrote to Titus either from
Macedonia while on the way to Nicopolis, or from Nicopolis (AD 65 Tit. 3:12).
(Titus 3:12 NKJV) …be diligent
to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.
We’re not sure about whether Titus met with Paul in Nicopolis, but we do
know that Titus would go on to Dalmatia (Serbia) where he would raise 101 dogs
(just kidding) before eventually heading back to Crete.
(2
Timothy 4:10 NKJV) for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has
departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.
Paul then went to Troas (2Tim. 4:13), where he was rearrested.
Then Paul was taken to Rome, and imprisoned again.
Paul would write to Timothy who was in Ephesus:
(2 Timothy 4:13
NKJV) Bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas when you come—and the books, especially the parchments.
Paul is no longer in his own “apartment” in Rome, but
is being held in the Mamertine Prison.
It’s from this prison in Rome that Paul writes his second letter to Timothy
(AD 66), his final letter before dying.
We can piece together all this by digging into these pastoral epistles.
1Timothy
Timothy
Paul may have first met Timothy on his first missionary journey when Paul
and Barnabas were travelling through the region of Galatia, establishing
churches in cities like Derbe, Lystra, and Iconium.
Timothy may have been sixteen years old or so at that time.
The real connection took place on Paul’s second missionary trip, when Paul
and Silas returned to the area of Galatia and there in the
area of Derbe and Lystra, Paul decides to take Timothy with him on his
journey. (Acts 16:1-5)
(Acts 16:1–5 NKJV)
—1 Then he came to Derbe and Lystra. And behold, a certain disciple
was there, named Timothy, the son of a certain Jewish woman who
believed, but his father was Greek. 2 He was well spoken of by the
brethren who were at Lystra and Iconium. 3 Paul wanted to have him go on with him. And he took him and
circumcised him because of the Jews who were in that region, for they all knew
that his father was Greek. 4 And as they went through the cities, they delivered to them the
decrees to keep, which were determined by the apostles and elders at Jerusalem.
5 So the
churches were strengthened in the faith, and increased
in number daily.
Timothy’s name means “honored of God”.
He was part Jew (from his mom) and part Gentile (from his dad).
At this point, Timothy is probably around 18 years old.
Though it would seem that Timothy was greatly
influenced by the faith of his Jewish mother and grandmother (2Ti. 1:5), at
this point in Timothy’s life he had not been circumcised as a Jew, but was uncircumcised.
Part of their ministry will be to go to the churches that have already been
established, and give them the “decrees”, or the decision of the Jerusalem
Church Council (Acts 15), which was to clarify that salvation is only by faith
in Jesus, not in circumcision or keeping the law.
Paul has Timothy circumcised so that he will be able to more effectively
minister to the Jews they will encounter on their travels.
Paul’s ministry was predominantly to Gentiles, but he would always enter a
city and first preach the gospel in the local synagogue to any Jews who would
listen to him.
Even though salvation isn’t through circumcision or the keeping of the law,
Paul didn’t want Timothy’s uncircumcision to close doors to Paul’s preaching to
the Jews.
Timothy would travel with Paul and Silas into the area of Macedonia, where
they would plant new churches in Philippi, Thessalonica, and Berea (Acts 17)
When Paul moved on to Athens, he sent Silas and Timothy back to the
Macedonian churches to encourage them.
We read about some of this when we studied 1&2 Thessalonians, which
were written after Timothy reported back on how things were going.
Timothy would join Paul in Corinth where a church had been planted, and the
apostles stayed for a year and a half to build up the church. (Acts 18)
On Paul’s third missionary journey, Timothy was there when Paul established
the church in Ephesus. (Acts 19)
Paul would stay in Ephesus for three years.
At one point, Timothy was sent on a quick mission to Macedonia to once
again check on the churches. (Acts 19:22)
(Acts 19:22 NKJV) So he sent
into Macedonia two of those who ministered to him, Timothy and Erastus, but he
himself stayed in Asia for a time.
When Paul would leave Ephesus for Macedonia, look
who is with him:
(Acts 20:4 NKJV) And Sopater
of Berea accompanied him to Asia—also Aristarchus and Secundus of the
Thessalonians, and Gaius of Derbe, and Timothy, and Tychicus and Trophimus of
Asia.
When Paul wrote his letters to the Romans (from Corinth) and the
Corinthians (from Ephesus), Timothy was with him. (Romans 16:21; 2Cor. 1:1)
(Romans 16:21 NKJV)
Timothy,
my fellow worker, and Lucius, Jason, and Sosipater, my countrymen, greet you.
(2 Corinthians 1:1
NKJV) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy our
brother, To the
church of God which is at Corinth…
During Paul’s first imprisonment in Rome, Timothy was with Paul, as Paul
wrote to the Philippians (1:1) and the Colossians (1:1):
(Philippians 1:1
NKJV) Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the
saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons:
(Colossians 1:1
NKJV) Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God, and Timothy
our brother,
It was after this first imprisonment that Paul was released, went to
Ephesus, and left Timothy in charge of the church there.
Church tradition holds that in the year AD 97, while still the pastor at
Ephesus, the 80 year old Timothy tried to stop a
procession to honor the goddess Artemis by preaching the gospel.
The angry mob beat him, dragged him through the streets, and stoned him to
death.
Book Outline
I’m going to pretty much follow Henry Halley’s outline of 1Timothy.
1Timothy 1 – False Teachers
Paul warns Timothy not to pay attention to people coming up with new
doctrines that only lead to division.
Instead, be faithful to teach the Word, which results in love.
(1 Timothy
1:5 NKJV) Now the purpose of the commandment is love from
a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith,
1Timothy 2 – Prayer & Women
Paul encourages Timothy to stir up prayer in the church –
Key Verse Alert! This is worth memorizing!
(1 Timothy
2:1 NKJV) Therefore I exhort first of
all that supplications, prayers, intercessions,
and giving of thanks be made for all men,
Lesson
Prayer at church
Prayer is an important part of church.
Paul is encouraging Timothy as the pastor to make sure that prayer is going
on at church.
It’s not just what the pastor prays for from the pulpit.
It’s not even how you get prayed for if you go to the
prayer room.
We ought to make it our goal each time we come to church to look for people
we should pray for.
It will happen if you simply take the time to talk to
others before and after church.
When they mention something that sounds like a problem,
stop them right there and pray for them.
Prayer is one of the main reasons we ought to be getting together with
other believers.
Paul mentions four types of prayer:
supplications –
deesis – need, want; prayer based on personal
needs.
prayers – proseuche – sacred prayer addressed to God
intercessions –
enteuxis – a childlike confidence in a
conversation with God, confident access to God.
giving of thanks – eucharistia –
thankfulness; the giving of thanks
These types of prayers are how we pray for everyone we pray for.
Do we know what that person “needs”?
Do we have confidence in God’s answers?
Are we thankful for God’s response?
When it comes to praying for “all men”,
Don’t make it too general – “Dear God, I pray that all men would be saved.”
When Paul says “all men”, he
means, “all that you are praying for”.
Expand your prayers a little.
Don’t just pray for the three people closest to you,
though that’s a good place to start.
Know your limits.
If you take “all men” too literally, you will find
yourself praying through the phone book.
It’s better to pray for 20 people well, then
to pray for 3,000 people very little.
Prayer is powerful. It changes things. It changes people. Praying
with others at church will come much easier if you are
also learning to pray while you are alone at home.
1Timothy 3 – Leaders
As the pastor of the church, Timothy needs to be careful in who he chooses to
help lead the church.
Paul lists qualifications for “elders” and “deacons”.
There are those who feel that theirs is the “true” church because of how
their church is organized – a fancy word for this is “polity”.
Some will say, “Ours is the true church because we have “apostles”.
Others will say, “Our church is led by a group of elders, not just one
pastor”
All these groups mean well, but the Bible doesn’t actually
lay out a specific structure for church government.
The terms Paul uses here for “overseers”, “elders”, or “deacons” can cover
a multiplicity of roles. They might apply to paid or unpaid pastors. They might apply to unpaid ministry leaders.
The big thing is that leaders need to be mature.
(1 Timothy
3:2 NKJV) A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of
one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach;
1Timothy 4 – Coming Apostacy
Paul gives Timothy a warning about the false teaching that’s coming:
(1 Timothy
4:1 NKJV) Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter
times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and
doctrines of demons,
Then Paul encourages Timothy to make sure that he stays on track:
(1 Timothy 4:13 NKJV) Till I come, give attention to
reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
1Timothy 5 – Widows & Elders
In these ancient times, there was no social
security or anything available to help a widow survive. So the church took
care of widows.
Paul lays out some practical guidelines of who should be part of the
church’s support – they should be “widows indeed”, or women who had absolutely
no one else to support them.
Normally it is a family’s responsibility to take care of their widows:
(1 Timothy
5:8 NKJV) But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has
denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.
Paul also gives more guidance about how to pick and treat those called
“elders”
(1 Timothy
5:22 NKJV) Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in
other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.
1Timothy 6 – Slaves & Riches
Slaves (employees) are to be sure to give honor to their masters (or, employers - 6:1).
Those who are wealthy ought to be sure to do good works with what God has
given them:
(1 Timothy
6:18 NKJV) Let them do good,
that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share,
2Timothy
Background
This will be Paul’s final letter before he is killed.
Play Paul’s Execution Map Video
Paul was now being held in Rome, in the Mamertine prison.
When it came time for his execution, he will be
led out to the Ostian Way
(the road to Ostia to the west), and beheaded two
miles outside Rome.
There’s a church called “The Church of Saint Paul Outside the Walls” at
that location.
His death occurred somewhere around AD 66-67.
Here’s the account of Paul’s death from Foxe’s Book of Martyrs:
Paul, the apostle, who before was called Saul, after his great travail and
unspeakable labors in promoting the Gospel of Christ, suffered also in this
first persecution under Nero. Abdias, declareth that
under his execution Nero sent two of his esquires, Ferega
and Parthemius, to bring him word of his death. They,
coming to Paul instructing the people, desired him to pray for them, that they
might believe; who told them that shortly after they
should believe and be baptized at his sepulcher. This done, the soldiers came
and led him out of the city to the place of execution, where he, after his
prayers made, gave his neck to the sword.
Here’s an account by the Greek scholar A.T. Robertson:
“The details are all wanting. Tradition supplies only a few, which may be
true or not. The story is that Paul was beheaded on the Ostian Road. In Rome it was
customary for criminals of prominence to be executed several miles out of the
city so as to avoid the crowds. We may picture the
event in a possible manner. One day in late spring or early June the
executioners came to Paul’s dungeon and led him out of the city. One is
reminded of Jesus as he bore his cross along his Via Dolorosa. Paul, as a condemned
criminal, would be the victim of the rabble’s sport.
He would have no defender. We do not know if Luke was with Paul to the very last. We may at least hope so. If he could, he would surely
walk along as near Paul as would be allowed. But no band of Christians followed
with him now. He was going out of Rome on his way to the true Eternal City. He
knew Rome well, but his eyes were fixed on other things. Outside the city the
busy, merry life of the time went on. The crowds flowed into town. Some were
going out. Paul was only a criminal going to be beheaded. Few, if any, of the
crowds about would know or care anything about him. At a good place on the road
some miles out the executioners stopped. The block was laid down. Paul laid his
head upon it. The sword (or axe) was raised. The head of the greatest preacher
of the ages rolled upon the ground. Tradition says that a Roman ‘matron named
Lucina buried the body of St. Paul on her own land, beside the Ostian Road.’ Be that as it may, no Christian can come to
Rome, especially by the Ostian Road, without tender
thoughts of Paul, the matchless servant of Jesus.”
(A.T. Robertson, Epochs In The
Life Of Paul, pp. 316-317).
In
2002, an 8 foot marble sarcophagus inscribed with
the words “Paulo Apostolo Mart” (“Paul Apostle Martyr”) was discovered in
excavations around the “Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls”.
The sarcophagus contained pieces of incense, purple and blue linen, and
small bone fragments. The bones were radiocarbon dated to the 1st or
2nd century.
Book Outline
2Timothy 1 – Not Ashamed
Paul reminds Timothy to stir up the gift inside of him because God hasn’t
given us a spirit of fear, but of power, love, and a sound mind.
Paul reminds Timothy that even though he, Paul, is suffering, he has no
regrets.
(2 Timothy
1:12 NKJV) For this reason I also suffer these things; nevertheless I am not ashamed, for I know whom I have
believed and am persuaded that He is able to keep what I have committed to Him
until that Day.
2Timothy 2 – Advice to Timothy
Paul encourages Timothy to endure and to remember that it’s a good thing to
keep nudging people toward right living.
Key Verse Alert!
One of my favorite passages is what Paul tells Timothy about the kind of
man he should be when he faces opposition:
(2 Timothy 2:24–26
NKJV) —24 And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all,
able to teach, patient, 25 in humility correcting those who are
in opposition, if God perhaps will grant them repentance, so that they may know
the truth, 26 and that they may come to
their senses and escape the snare of the devil, having been taken
captive by him to do his will.
Quiz Alert! Here’s the quiz answer…
Lesson
Attitude is everything
There are going to be times when we face “opposition”.
It may be opposition to us, or to the work of God.
How will we respond?
I think that most of the time we want the right thing, but we just don’t
know how to go about it.
Like this fellow who knows how to start a lawnmower, but has never used a
vacuum cleaner before:
Paul would tell us the way to work with people is with “humility”.
humility – praotes – mild and gentle friendliness
It is the attitude of mind and behavior which, arising
from humility, disposes one to receive with gentleness and meekness
whatever may come to him from others or from God.
This “humility” or “gentleness” is the attitude that
allows us to correct others without arrogance, impatience, or anger.
Paul used the same word here –
(Galatians
6:1 NKJV) Brethren, if a man is overtaken in any trespass, you who are
spiritual restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness, considering
yourself lest you also be tempted.
Sometimes we are not so “humble” when we face a difficult person.
Illustration
It was his first day on the job. He was a new clerk in the
green goods department of a supermarket. A lady came up to him and said she
wanted to buy half of a head of lettuce. He tried to dissuade her from that
goal, but she persisted.
Finally he said, “I’ll have to go
back and talk to the manager.”
He went to the rear of the store to talk to the manager,
not noticing that the woman was walking right behind him. When he got into the
back of the store, he said to the manager, “There’s some stupid old bag out
there who wants to buy half a head of lettuce. What should I tell her?”
Seeing the horrified look on the face of the manager, he
turned about and, seeing the woman, added, “And this nice lady wants to buy the
other half of the head of lettuce. Will it be all right?”
Considerably relieved, the manager said, “That would be
fine.”
Later in the day, he congratulated the boy on his quick
thinking. He then asked, “Where are you from, son?”
The boy said, “I’m from Toronto, Canada, the home of
beautiful hockey players and ugly women.”
The manager looked at him and said, “My wife is from
Toronto.”
The boy said, “Oh, what team did she play for?”
-- Bruce Thielemann,
"Because," Preaching Today, Tape No. 105.
When we challenge people with arrogance or hostility to their face, we back
them in a corner and it’s less likely we’re going to get the desired result,
which is for them to turn around.
2Timothy 3 – Perilous Times
Just like his first letter, Paul warns Timothy about the difficulties
coming in the last days.
Then Paul tells Timothy what his best tool is to minister to people in
terrible times – it’s God’s Word:
(2 Timothy 3:16–17
NKJV) —16 All Scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is
profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in
righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete,
thoroughly equipped for every good work.
2Timothy 4 – Final Words
Paul’s last words are to encourage Timothy to fulfill his ministry
(2 Timothy
4:5 NKJV) But you be watchful in all things, endure
afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry.
Paul also hints that he knows he is going to die soon.
(2 Timothy
4:7 NKJV) I have fought the good fight, I have finished
the race, I have kept the faith.
I hope we can all say something like this at the end of our lives.
Paul ends with various greetings to and from those
he cares about, including Prisca and Aquila (Priscilla and Aquila), who
probably were carrying his letter from Rome.
This video clip is from the movie “Paul, Apostle of Christ” (free on Prime
Video). It’s a picture of how Paul died.
Play Video Clip: Paul Apostle of Christ – Paul’s Death
As sad as this was, the filmmakers immediately cut into Paul awake in
heaven, seeing loved ones waiting for him, as well as seeing Jesus.
Titus
Background
If you recall our introduction to these Pastoral Epistles, Paul wrote these
letters after his first imprisonment in Rome.
This would have been written around the time that Paul wrote his first
letter to Timothy, AD 65
He wrote 1Timothy from Macedonia.
Then he took Titus to Crete and left him in charge of the church there
(Titus 1:5)
(Titus 1:5 NKJV) For this
reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order the things that are
lacking…
Paul then headed to Nicopolis in Achaia and wrote to Titus either from
Macedonia while on the way to Nicopolis, or from Nicopolis.
(Titus 3:12 NKJV) …be diligent
to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.
We’re not sure about whether Titus met with Paul in Nicopolis, but we do
know that Titus would go on to Dalmatia (Serbia) where he would raise 101 dogs
(just kidding) before eventually heading back to Crete.
(2 Timothy 4:10
NKJV) for Demas has forsaken me, having loved this present world, and has
departed for Thessalonica—Crescens for Galatia, Titus for Dalmatia.
We often think of Timothy as being Paul’s “son” in the faith.
Paul had quite a few men that he not only brought to Jesus,
but had discipled and mentored.
All we know about Titus is through the fragments mentioned of him in Paul’s letters (not in Acts), though we have more
than a few mentions of him.
His name appears 12 times in Paul’s letters outside of this letter.
I’ll have more in my notes that I’ll send out this week…
It would seem that Titus might even predate Paul’s
relationship with Timothy, and may have been older
than Timothy.
The earliest mention of Titus is in Paul’s letter to the Galatians.
Paul was talking about his conversion, and years later attending the first
major church conference held in Jerusalem in AD 50.
The purpose of this council was to decide whether or not
Gentile converts should be circumcised or not.
The details of the conference are in Acts 15 (though Titus isn’t
mentioned by name).
(Galatians 2:1–3
NKJV) —1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. 2 And I went
up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel
which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of
reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain. 3 Yet not even
Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised.
Titus is called a “Greek”, meaning he was not a
circumcised Jew.
It has been suggested that Titus may have come to Christ
in the early days of the church in Antioch, Syria.
Titus became the “test case” for that church council –
they didn’t require Titus to become circumcised.
Titus is also mentioned nine more times in Paul’s second letter to the
Corinthians.
Paul had some rough situations to deal with among the Corinthians, and
Titus was one of Paul’s men on the scene.
Paul had sent Titus to Corinth after the first letter, to make sure that
the Corinthians were responding properly to Paul’s concerns for them.
Paul was expecting Titus to meet back
up with him as Paul was heading towards Corinth, and for a time, it seemed like
they might meet in Troas.
(2
Corinthians 2:12–13 NKJV) —12 Furthermore, when I came to Troas to preach
Christ’s gospel, and a door was opened to me by the Lord, 13 I had no
rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my brother; but taking my leave
of them, I departed for Macedonia.
So Paul finally moved on from
Troas and met up with Titus in Macedonia.
(2
Corinthians 7:5–7 NKJV) —5 For indeed, when we came to Macedonia, our
bodies had no rest, but we were troubled on every side. Outside
were conflicts, inside were fears. 6 Nevertheless
God, who comforts the downcast, comforted us by the coming of Titus, 7 and not only
by his coming, but also by the consolation with which he was comforted in you,
when he told us of your earnest desire, your mourning, your zeal for me, so
that I rejoiced even more.
When Paul got Titus’ report of
how things were going in Corinth, he was greatly encouraged.
Paul then sends Titus back to Corinth to encourage them to
do like the other churches have been doing, and
contribute funds to help the poor in Jerusalem.
(2
Corinthians 8:6 NKJV) So we urged Titus, that as he had begun, so he would also complete
this grace in you as well.
Several more times Paul mentions
Titus’ name to the Corinthians in connection with the handling of this
offering.
When Paul writes to the Corinthians, he calls Titus:
“his brother” (2Cor. 2:13)
(2 Corinthians 2:13
NKJV) I had no rest in my spirit, because I did not find Titus my
brother; but taking my leave of them, I departed for Macedonia.
“partner” and “fellow worker” (2Cor. 8:23)
(2 Corinthians 8:23
NKJV) If anyone inquires about Titus, he
is my partner and fellow worker concerning you. Or if our brethren are
inquired about, they are messengers of the churches, the glory of Christ.
Book Outline
Titus 1 – Elders
Very similar to 1Timothy, Paul gives Titus
instructions about how to choose elders.
(Titus 1:5 NKJV) For this reason I left you in Crete, that you should set in order
the things that are lacking, and appoint elders in every city as I commanded
you—
Titus 2-3 – Good Works
Even though we are saved by grace, Paul puts great emphasis on good works.
Why? Perhaps because the people of Crete had a reputation for being liars
and all around lazy.
The Greeks had even coined a word to “cretanize”,
meaning to lie.
(Titus 2:11–14
NKJV) —11 For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should
live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age, 13 looking for
the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus
Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless
deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good
works.
Philemon
Background
This letter was written at the same time as the prison epistles (Ephesians,
Philippians, and Colossians) from Rome around AD 60.
Philemon was a wealthy man and a convert of Paul. He lived in Colossae.
While Paul was imprisoned in Rome, he “just happened” to run into Onesimus,
a runaway slave who had belonged to Philemon.
Onesimus becomes a believer, and Paul sends him back to his master in
Colossae.
Book Outline
There’s only one chapter here.
Philemon 1 – Receive the Slave
Paul is encouraging Philemon to be gracious, and perhaps even give Onesimus
his freedom.
(Philemon 15–16
NKJV) —15 For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that
you might receive him forever, 16 no longer as a slave but more than a
slave—a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the
flesh and in the Lord.
Tradition has it that Onesimus would become the bishop (pastor) of Berea.
Hebrews
Background
1. Who wrote the
letter?
There are lots of possibilities
since the author doesn’t tell us who he is.
Paul
The most popular view is
that Paul wrote it, but there are some problems with this idea, including the
fact that the author’s use of Greek is more polished than any of Paul’s
letters, and this book is better organized than most of Paul’s letters.
Yet many favor Paul,
including many of the early church fathers.
Clement of Alexandria (2nd
century) wrote that he and his teacher Pantaenus both
felt that Paul was the author.
But … it isn’t introduced
like Paul’s other letters, which mention him as the author.
The style of Greek used
in Hebrews is more polished than Paul’s usage of Greek.
The
early church father Origen wrote that Hebrews “lacked the apostle’s rudeness of
expression” and that it was a much more polished Greek, closer to that of
Luke’s writing.
‘lacked
the apostle’s rudeness of expression’ and that it ‘is more idiomatically Greek
in the composition of its diction’ (cf. Eusebius, Hist. Eccl., vi.25.11f.). [1]
Paul used both the Hebrew
and Septuagint versions of the Old Testament when he quoted scripture, the book
of Hebrews uses the Septuagint version exclusively.
Paul tends to go on
rabbit trails from time to time in his writings, while this writer is much more
highly organized and sticks to his overall outline.
Barnabas
Paul’s traveling
companion during the early missionary journeys.
He was considered an
apostle. (Acts 14:14)
(Acts 14:14 NKJV)
—14 But when the apostles Barnabas and Paul heard this, they tore their
clothes and ran in among the multitude, crying out
The ancient historian
Tertullian (died 240 AD) quoted from Hebrews and said it was written by
Barnabas.
Barnabas was a Levite
(Acts 4:36) and hence would have had good knowledge of the Jewish sacrificial
system.
Apollos
He was the one who
reasoned powerfully with the Jews. (Acts 18:24-28)
Being from Alexandria, he
may have been trained in rhetoric and possibly philosophy.
This letter has the best
usage of Greek on par with Luke & Acts.
He was moving from Rome
through Crete a few years before the letter was written.
(Titus 3:13 NKJV) Send Zenas
the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that
they may lack nothing.
During the Reformation,
Martin Luther felt that Apollos was probably the author, and in response to
Luther’s assertion the Council of Trent (Roman Catholic) declared that the
letter was definitely written by Paul.
Other candidates include
Barnabas, Apollos, Clement
of Rome, Priscilla, Aquila, Philip, Peter, Silas, and the list goes on and on.
The ancient church father
Origen said, “Only God knows who wrote Hebrews”.
2. When was it
written?
Timothy was apparently
still alive (13:23). He died in AD 97,
so it was written before then.
(Hebrews 13:23
NKJV) Know that our brother Timothy has been set free, with whom I
shall see you if he comes shortly.
Clement of Rome quotes
Hebrews in AD 95, so it was written before then.
36. This is the way, dearly-beloved,
wherein we found our salvation, even Jesus Christ the High-priest of our
offerings, the Guardian and Helper of our weakness. 2Through Him let
us look stedfastly unto the heights of the heavens;
through Him we behold as in a mirror His faultless and most excellent visage;
through Him the eyes of our hearts were opened; through Him our foolish and
darkened mind springeth up unto the light; through
Him the Master willed that we should taste of the immortal knowledge; Who being the brightness of His majesty is
so much greater than angels, as He hath inherited a more excellent name. 3For
so it is written; Who maketh His angels spirits and His ministers a flame of fire; 4but
of His Son the Master said thus; Thou art My Son, I this day have begotten
Thee. Ask of Me, and I will give Thee
the Gentiles for Thine inheritance, and the ends of the earth for Thy
possession. 5And again He saith unto Him; Sit Thou on My right hand, until I make Thine enemies a footstool for
Thy feet. 6Who then are these enemies? They
that are wicked and resist His will.[2]
The book does not mention
the end of the Old Testament sacrificial system which occurred in AD 70 when
Jerusalem was destroyed, so it was written before then.
We’d put it around AD
64-68.
Persecution against the
church has started (AD 64), yet the Temple in Jerusalem is still standing (AD
70).
3. Who was it written
to?
Jewish believers (hence
the title “Hebrews”).
The earliest copies of
the letter have the title “to the Hebrews”.
The author expects the
readers to be well acquainted with Levitical worship and sacrifice.
He will constantly quote the Old Testament in a way that expects that the
reader understands what he’s talking about.
The author seems to be speaking to a specific group of Jewish believers.
He talks about how they had lost property and wealth (10:33-34), their
attitudes toward their leaders (13:17), their generosity (6:10), and issues
about marriage (13:4-5).
Some have suggested this
might have been written to the church in Jerusalem, Alexandria, or even Rome
(and about a dozen other places as well).
Others even suggest it might have been written to some in the Qumran community
who had believed in Jesus.
Yet we don’t know who
specifically it is addressed to.
These Jewish believers
were undergoing persecution. They wanted
to leave Christianity and go back to Judaism in order to
escape persecution. They are exhorted to
stay with Jesus!
4. The Value of Hebrews
Connecting the Testaments
Some people think the Old Testament is irrelevant.
There is a sense in which the Old Testament is obsolete…
Hebrews itself says,
(Hebrews
8:13 NKJV) In that He says, “A new covenant,” He has made the first
obsolete. Now what is becoming obsolete and growing old is ready to vanish
away.
And yet, the entire book of Hebrews is built upon the clear foundation of
the Old Testament.
You aren’t going to understand the book of Hebrews if you don’t understand
the Old Testament.
You will find that you aren’t going to have a proper understanding of the
New Testament unless you have a proper understanding of the Old Testament.
The Superiority of Jesus
Jesus is not just one of many options when it comes to being “religious”.
Jesus is the only option.
Enduring Difficult Times
The readers of this letter were experiencing persecution and beginning to
wonder if it was really worth it to follow Jesus.
You and I will experience times of great difficulty
and we too will be tempted to quit.
We’re going to see that as believers, we have much
to gain strength from and reasons to keep going.
Book Outline
Hebrews 1 – Jesus is God
(Hebrews 1:8 NKJV) But to the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter
of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
This is God the Father calling Jesus “God”.
Hebrews 2 – Jesus is human
(Hebrews 2:17–18
NKJV) —17 Therefore, in all things He had to be made like His
brethren, that He might be a merciful and faithful High Priest in things pertaining
to God, to make propitiation for the sins of the people. 18 For in that
He Himself has suffered, being tempted, He is able to aid those who are
tempted.
He is fully God and fully human. Because He is human, He knows what we are
going through and sympathizes.
Hebrews 3 – Psalm 95
The author gives an exposition of Psalm 95, which is a warning against
hardening your hearts.
(Hebrews 3:12–13
NKJV) —12 Beware, brethren, lest there be in any of you an evil heart of
unbelief in departing from the living God; 13 but exhort
one another daily, while it is called “Today,” lest any of you be
hardened through the deceitfulness of sin.
Hebrews 4 – Sabbath Rest
The author continues his exposition of Psalm 95 and shows that there is
still a “Sabbath Rest” in the future.
Key Verse Alert!
Then there’s this gem –
(Hebrews
4:12 NKJV) For the word of God is living and
powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the division
of soul and spirit, and of joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the
thoughts and intents of the heart.
In context, the author is showing that we need to pay attention to
Scripture, like Psalm 95, because it’s the word of God and it can deal with our
hearts.
Hebrews 5 – Priest Forever
Jesus is a better high priest than those from the line of Aaron, which can
die.
Jesus is from the “order of Melchizedek”
Then he gently rebukes his readers that they are really
immature children and should have been more grown up by now …
(Hebrews
5:14 NKJV) But solid food belongs to those who are of full
age, that is, those who by reason of use have their senses exercised to
discern both good and evil.
Hebrews 6 – Don’t Fall Away
There’s a difficult warning here
(Hebrews 6:4–6
NKJV) —4 For it is impossible for those who were once enlightened,
and have tasted the heavenly gift, and have become partakers of the Holy
Spirit, 5 and have tasted the good word of God and the powers of the age to
come, 6 if they fall away, to renew them again to repentance, since they
crucify again for themselves the Son of God, and put Him to an open
shame.
Does this mean we can lose our salvation? I’m going to leave you hanging on
that one…
Hebrews 7 – More Melchizedek
The writer gives more teaching using the picture of Melchizedek from
Genesis 14.
There’s this gem:
(Hebrews
7:25 NKJV) Therefore He is also able to save to the
uttermost those who come to God through Him, since He always lives to make
intercession for them.
Jesus is praying for you.
Hebrews 8 – New Covenant
Not only is Jesus a better high priest, He is the
one who brings in the New Covenant as prophesied by Jeremiah.
Hebrews 9 – Old and New Covenants
Just as a measure of cleansing from sin came from the Old Testament
sacrificial system, there is a greater cleansing that comes through the
sacrifice of Jesus for us.
(Hebrews 9:13–14
NKJV) —13 For if the blood of bulls and goats and the ashes of a heifer,
sprinkling the unclean, sanctifies for the purifying of the flesh, 14 how much more shall the blood of Christ, who through the eternal
Spirit offered Himself without spot to God, cleanse your conscience from dead
works to serve the living God?
Hebrews 10 – Once for all
Jesus didn’t have to offer sacrifices over and over
for us, but because He is God and He laid down an infinite life, He paid for
all our sins. Once for all.
(Hebrews 10:14
NKJV) For by one offering He has perfected forever those who are being
sanctified.
Hebrews 11 – Heroes of Faith
This is that famous chapter about the great heroes of the Old Testament.
They did great things because they had faith. They trusted God.
(Hebrews
11:6 NKJV) But without faith it is impossible to
please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that
He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Hebrews 12 – Eyes on Jesus
I think that chapter 12 is the climax of what the author is building to.
Lesson
Keep Going
As Jewish believers in Jesus, the author’s readers are experiencing
persecution.
They have been tempted over and over to quit
following Jesus. So
the author writes,
(Hebrews 12:1–3
NKJV) —1 Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of
witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us,
and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, 2 looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith,
who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame,
and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. 3 For consider
Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become
weary and discouraged in your souls.
The Christian life isn’t a sprint to see who is the fastest. It’s a marathon to see who doesn’t quit.
Illustration
This is like the experience of Bill Broadhurst, who entered the Pepsi
Challenge 10,000-meter road race in Omaha, Nebraska. Ten years earlier, surgery for an aneurysm in
the brain had left him paralyzed on his left side. Now, on a misty July morning
in 1981, he stands with 1,200 men and women at the starting line. The gun cracks! The crowd surges forward. Bill throws his stiff left leg forward,
pivots on it as his right foot hits the ground.
His slow plop-plop-plop rhythm seems to mock him as the pack fades into
the distance. Sweat rolls down his face,
pain pierces his ankle, but he keeps going.
Six miles and two hours and twenty-nine minutes later, Bill reaches the
finish line. A man approaches from a
small group of bystanders. Bill
recognizes him from pictures in the newspaper.
He's Bill Rodgers, the famous marathon runner. "Here," says Rodgers, putting his
newly won medal around Bill's neck.
"You've worked harder for this than I have." Broadhurst had also been
a winner.
As believers, our lives are marathons, not sprints.
One of the hardest things to endure is when we have difficult people in our
life.
Illustration
SECRET TO A LONG MARRIAGE
A couple was celebrating their golden wedding anniversary. Their domestic
tranquility had long been the talk of the town. A local newspaper reporter was
inquiring as to the secret of their long and happy marriage. “Well, it dates
back to our honeymoon,” Explained the man. “We visited the Grand Canyon and
took a trip down to the bottom of the canyon by pack mule. We hadn’t gone too
far when my wife’s mule stumbled. My wife quietly said, “That’s once.” We
proceeded a little farther when the mule stumbled again. Once more my wife
quietly said, “That’s twice.” We hadn’t gone a half mile when the mule stumbled
a third time. My wife promptly removed a revolver from her pocket and shot him.
I started to protest over her treatment of the mule when she looked at me and
quietly said, ‘That’s once.’”
Is that how you handle difficult people?
So the author tells us to keep our eyes on Jesus.
Illustration
In the early morning hours of July 4, 1952 a
powerful swimmer named Florence Chadwick attempted to become the first woman to
swim from Catalina Island to the California coast. The 21-mile swim through shark-infested
waters began on a foggy morning. Less
than a half-mile from the finish, however, Chadwick
had to be pulled from the water. Later she said she hadn’t been defeated by
fatigue, but by the fog. “If I could have seen land, I might have made
it.” Two months later, she made it! Again, fog limited Chadwick’s vision—but this
time she overcame despair by keeping a picture of the coast in her mind.
We face the adversity in our race by keeping our eyes on Jesus.
Hebrews 13 – Gracious Exhortations
There are lots of quick, short every day
principles laid out for us.
(Hebrews
13:15 NKJV) Therefore by Him let us continually offer the
sacrifice of praise to God, that is, the fruit of our lips, giving
thanks to His name.
We no longer have to offer animal sacrifices to cover our sins, but we can
offer another type of sacrifice – our praise.
Sometimes it isn’t easy to praise God, but we do it
anyway.
When David bought the land on which the Temple would
eventually be built on, the owner initially offered to just give it to
David. But David replied…
(2 Samuel 24:24 NKJV) …“No, but I
will surely buy it from you for a price; nor will I offer burnt
offerings to the Lord my God with
that which costs me nothing.”
Sometimes our praise is costly because it isn’t easy. But we praise anyway.
Quiz
Fill in the blank:
When it comes to dealing with people who oppose you, ________ is
everything.
Homework
Assignment: Read in HBH the introductory material to the letters of James,
1&2Peter, 1,2,3 John, and Jude. The
introductory material is the page or two before Halley
starts talking about each chapter of that book.
Have you picked your memory verse out yet?