TITUS SURVEY
Sound Doctrine and Godly Living

Philippe R. Sterling
 
Qualified elders of the church are to counter false teaching and teach sound doctrine that leads to godly living.
 
Introductory Matters
 
Paul had visited Crete after his imprisonment in Rome and left the island with the work of organizing the local churches incomplete.  He left Titus in Crete to set things in order and appoint elders in every city (1:5).  He now writes to provide directions for the task.
 
Literary Structure and Content
 
I.   Opening: Paul writes to Titus to further the faith and knowledge of the truth that corresponds to godliness
     in accordance with the commandment of God (1:1-4). 

II.  Task of Titus: Establish order and appoint elders in the cities of Crete (1:5). 

III. Appointing Elders: Titus is to appoint qualified elders in the churches of Crete who will be able to teach
     sound doctrine and suppress false teaching (1:6-9). 

     A.  Qualifications of Elders: Elders are to be above reproach holding fast the faithful word (1:6-9a).  The qualities
          of being above reproach are expressed positively and negatively. 

     B.  Task of Elders: Elders who are above reproach and who hold fast the faithful word are able to teach
          sound doctrine and suppress false teaching (1:9b). 

IV. Establishing Order: Titus is to establish order in the churches of Crete by suppressing false teaching and
     teaching sound doctrine (1:10–3:11). 

     A.  Suppress false teachers (1:10-16). 

          1.  Qualified elders are needed to counter false teachers (1:10-11).

          2.  The Cretans needed severe reproof so as to be sound in faith (1:12-14).

          3.  Purity of doctrine produces purity of life and a polluted mind renders one worthless for any good deed
              (1:15-16). 

     B.  Teach sound doctrine (2:1–3:7). 

          1.  Statement of Task: Teach sound doctrine (2:1). 

          2.  Instruction to Various Groups: Instruct various groups in godly living (2:2-10) 

               a.  Older Men: Older men are to be temperate, dignified, sensible, sound in faith, in love, in
                    steadfastness (2:2). 

               b.  Older Women: are to be reverent, restrained in gossip and drink, teaching and training the
                    younger women (2:3). 

               c.  Younger Women: Younger women are to honor the word of God by lovingly fulfilling their roles as
                    wives and mothers (2:4-5).

               d.  Younger Men: Model and teach godly living to the younger men (2:6-8). 

               e.  Servants: Servants are to adorn the word of God by their service in good faith (2:9-10). 

          3.  The Grace of God and the Blessed Hope: Model and teach godly living in response to the appearing of
               the grace of God and in anticipation of the appearing of Christ (2:11-14). 

               a.  The Grace of God: The grace of God brings salvation and promotes godly living (2:11-12).
 
               b.  The Blessed Hope: Looking for the blessed hope and appearing of Christ motivates godly living
                    (2:13-14). 

          4.  Restatement of Task: These things speak and exhort and reprove (2:15).
 
          5.  Further Instructions: Respect authority and be ready for every good deed (3:1-2). 

          6.  Salvation by Grace not Works: We are justified by God’s grace apart from works (3:3-7).  The Holy
               Spirit regenerates and renews. 

     C.  Review of Task: Teach sound doctrine so that those who have believed in God will engage in good deeds,
          and suppress false teachers (3:8-11). 

V.  Closing: Paul addresses transition of leadership, hospitality for itinerant preachers, meeting pressing needs;
     and conveys final greetings and a benediction (3:12-15). 

Theological Reflection and Application
 
We can make the following observations and applications from Titus:
 

1. The word of God, the grace of God and the Spirit of God are sufficient to develop godly leaders and godly believers.

 
   2.   The character of leaders is vital for the instruction of believers in the faith and the suppression of false teachers.
 
   3.   False teaching is destructive and has to be countered in the church. 

   4.   We are justified by God’s grace. 

   5.   The Holy Spirit regenerates and renews. 

   6.   Grace enables us to live godly lives. 

   7.   The blessed hope of the rapture motivates our godliness. 

   8.   Believers are to engage in good works and present a good testimony. 

   9.   How do we recognize sound teaching? 
​

• It is in accordance with the word of God.
• It is centered on Christ.
• It is founded on grace.
• It promotes spiritual health in ourselves and others.
• It encourages good works.

SURVEY OF SECOND TIMOTHY
Paul’s Final Handoff of the Faith

Philippe R. Sterling
 
Do faithfully and fervently everything God has assigned and empowered you to do.
 
Introductory Matters
 
Paul writes to Timothy who was in Ephesus from a prison in Rome about AD 65-68.  With the time of his death approaching, he writes to encourage Timothy to fulfill his ministry and to come to him in Rome.  The letter has a very personal tone.
 
Literary Structure and Content
 
I.   Opening of the Letter: Paul greets his beloved spiritual son Timothy extending to him God’s grace, mercy and
     peace (1:1-2). 

     A.  The Sender (1:1) — Note how Paul, suffering in prison, identifies himself: he is an apostle; he holds his office
          by divine appointment; it is in accordance with the promise of life in Christ Jesus. 

     B.  The Recipient (1:2a) — Timothy is Paul’s beloved spiritual son. 

     C.  The Greeting (1:2b) — Paul desires that Timothy experience three blessings from God the Father and
          Christ Jesus the Lord: grace, mercy and peace. 

II.  Body of the Letter — Extended Exhortation: Do faithfully and fervently everything God has assigned
     and empowered you to do, and come to me (1:3–4:21a). 

     A.  Introduction to the Body of the Letter: Paul explains why he is writing (1:3-7). 

          1.  Paul thanks God for three things which he remembers about Timothy (1:3-5): 

               a.  Paul remembers the fatherly relationship which inspires his repeated prayers for Timothy (1:3). 

               b.  Paul remembers the tears which inspires his desire to see Timothy again (1:4). 

               c.  Paul remembers the multi-generational faith which inspires his confidence in Timothy (1:5). 

          2.  Paul exhorts Timothy about his gift from God involving his assignment and enablement (1:6-7). 

               a.  Stir the gift into flame — assignment from God that was affirmed publicly by the laying on of hands
                    (1:6; see Acts 16:1-3).  Stir up your God-given ability and use it — renewed intensity in service to God. 
                    In the NT “gift” often means divinely bestowed abilities for the service of God and the edification of
                    fellow Christians. 

               b.  Don’t hold back out of fear for God has equipped us for ministry with power, love, and self-control
                    through the Holy Spirit — enablement (1:7). 

     B.  Primary Content of the Body of the Letter: Do faithfully and fervently everything God has assigned
          and empowered you to do — fight the good fight of faith as Paul has done, fulfill your ministry and finish
          well (1:8–4:8). 

          1.  Be willing to endure suffering in order to protect and propagate the correct message — pass on the
               teaching to faithful people. (1:8–2:13). 

               a.  Be willing to suffer as Paul suffered in order to tell the good news (1:8-12). 

               b.  Continue to pattern your message after Paul’s and preserve it without change (1:13-14). 

               c.  Let God empower you, and entrust the message to loyal people (1:15–2:2). 

                    1)  Paul informs Timothy of wide-spread departure of many from him with the one exception
                         of Onesiphorus who provides a good example to follow (1:15-18).

                    2)  Let God empower you and entrust the message to loyal people (2:1-2). 

               d.  Be willing to suffer for Christ and gain the reward of reigning with Him (2:3-13). 

          2.  Keep reminding teachers of the correct message and charge them not to quarrel; and be sure that
               you yourself are the kind of person of whom God will approve — keep the faith pure from false
               teachers (2:14-26).

               a.  Remind teachers of the correct message and charge them not to quarrel; be sure that you are pleasing
                    to God by teaching the message correctly and by opposing what is bad (2:14-15). 

               b.  Avoid discussions which are unprofitable and detrimental to your proper service (2:16-19). 

               c.  Avoid what is defiling spiritually and resolutely do what is right (2:20-22). 

               d.  Avoid discussing foolish questions and gently teach the truth with a view to recovering some from
                    the devil’s trap (2:23-26). 

          3.  Be aware of future trends and conditions and turn away from those who practice evil (3:1-9). 

          4.  Continue in the truth in which you have been instructed (3:10-17). 

          5.  Fulfill your ministry especially by preaching the word (4:1-8). 

     C.  Secondary Content of the Body of the Letter: Paul expresses his desire that Timothy come to him soon
          (4:9-21a). 

          1.  Do your best to come to me soon (4:9-13). 

          2.  Expect opposition from Alexander and be on guard (4:14-15). 

          3.  The Lord will rescue me from everything bad and bring me safe to His heavenly Kingdom (4:16-18). 

          4.  Greet my friends there and make every effort to come before winter (4:19-21a). 

III.  Closing of the Letter: Paul expresses the greetings of others and closes with a benediction of grace (4:21b-22). 

Theological Reflection and Application
 
We often focus on a long-distance race as an illustration of the spiritual race of the believer.  There is another race that provides a parallel, the relay.  Passing the baton from one runner to the next is crucial for the success of the team.  Each runner must make sure that the succeeding runner has the baton.
 
Paul’s story showcases the need to train up a new generation of faithful believers.  On his first mission trip, he and Barnabas took John Mark with them (Acts 13:5).  On a later mission trip, he refused to take Mark again because he had abandoned them and left for home (Acts 13:13; 15:37-39).  He replaced him by picking up Timothy (Acts 16:1-3).  With the time of his death approaching, Paul writes a final letter to pass the baton to Timothy.  He summons Timothy to Rome and also asks him to bring along Mark who is now useful to him (2 Tim 4:9, 11).
 
We can pick up four statements of Paul which reflect the passing of the baton:
 
     1.  “Retain the standard of sound words which you have heard from me, in the faith and love which are in
          Christ Jesus” (1:13).  Hold on to the word.
 
     2.  “The things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men
          who will be able to teach others also” (2:2).  Entrust the word to others. 

     3.  “You, however, continue in the things you have learned and become convinced of, knowing from whom
          you have learned them” (3:14).  Abide in the word. 

     4.  “I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead,
          and by His appearing and His Kingdom: preach the word; be ready in season and out of season;
          reprove, rebuke, exhort, with great patience and instruction.  For the time will come when they will not
          endure sound doctrine; but wanting to have their ears tickled, they will accumulate for themselves teachers
          in accordance to their own desires, and will turn away their ears from the truth and will turn aside to myths.
          But you, be sober in all things, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry” (4:1-5).
          Preach the word. 

SURVEY OF FIRST TIMOTHY
How to Conduct Oneself in the Household of God

Philippe R. Sterling
 
I write so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.
 
1 Timothy 3:15
 
Introductory Matters
 
1 and 2 Timothy and Titus are designated as Pastoral Epistles.  Timothy and Titus were emissaries of Paul sent to assist churches with accurate teaching, polity and practice.  They were probably written after Paul’s release from his first imprisonment in Rome.  Paul writes 1 Timothy because of a possible delay in coming to Ephesus (see 1:3 and 3:14).  He needed Timothy to take care of matters such as false teaching in the church, leadership qualifications, and operational practices.
 
Literary Structure and Content
 
I.    Paul greets Timothy and blesses with grace, mercy and peace (1:1-2). 

II.  Paul charges Timothy (1:3–6:19). 

     A.  Oppose false teachers (1:3-20). 

          1.  Some have strayed from the truth and are incorrectly teaching about the administration of God which
               is based on faith and grace and not law (1:3-11). 

          2.  Paul was entrusted with a message of grace of which he is the foremost recipient (1:12-17). 

Note the doxology to God the Father:
 
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen (1:17).
 
          3.  Paul charges Timothy to fight the good fight and oppose those such as Hymenaeus and Alexander who
               have suffered shipwreck in regard to the faith (1:18-20). 

     B.  Organize the church for public worship and leadership (2:1–3:13). 

          1.  Public Worship: Paul instructs Timothy about how believers should act in public worship (2:1-15). 

               a.  Prayer: We are to pray publicly in the church for all people, especially for governmental authorities,
                    that we might live tranquil lives and bear witness of the man Christ Jesus, the one mediator between
                    God and man (2:1-7). 

               b.  Role of Men and Women: Men and women have complementary roles in the public worship of the
                    church (2:8-15). 

                    1)  Men: When believers gather together for worship, men are to pray in a holy manner without
                         dissension (2:8). 

                    2)  Women: When believers gather together for worship, women are to dress modestly and not try to be
                         in charge of men (2:9-15). 

This passage runs counter to prevailing feminist ideology.  Rather than argue, it may be best to simply present what the passage teaches about the conduct of believing women in the worship assembly of the local church. 
 
The manner in which believing women should conduct themselves in the worship assembly of the local church is two-fold.  First, they are to properly adorn themselves in their attire and attitude (2:9-10).  Second, they are not to teach or hold authority over men but instead receive instruction in quiet submission (2:11-12).  This arrangement is in accordance with the pattern of creation in which Adam was first formed (2:13) and Eve through deception fell into transgression (2:14).  Believing women who fulfill their assigned role will receive future eternal rewards (2:15).  “Childbearing” functions as a figure of speech in which the part represents the whole — representing the general scope of activities in which believing women engage.  Women may give instruction to men apart from the worship assembly, as Priscilla and her husband did in the case of Apollos (Acts 18:26).  Also women can share and pray in the worship assembly while honoring male headship (see 1 Cor 11:3-5).
 
          2.  Leadership: Paul instructs Timothy about the qualifications for leaders in the church (3:1-13). 

               a.  Elders are to have the right qualities and qualifications (3:1-7). 

               b.  Deacons and deaconesses are to have the right qualities and qualifications (3:8-13).
 
          3.  Statement of Purpose: Paul writes this letter so that believers would know how they should
               conduct themselves in the household of God which is the church (3:14-16). 

Note the hymn on Christ:
 
     He who was revealed in the flesh,
     Was vindicated in the Spirit,
     Seen by Angels,
     Proclaimed among the nations,
     Believed on in the world,
     Taken up in glory (3:16).
 
     C.  Oversee the church by properly dealing with different groups (4:1–6:19). 

          1.  Paul further warns about false teachers and instructs Timothy to be godly and teach rightly so as to
               ensure deliverance for both himself and those who hear him (4:1-16). 

          2.  Paul instructs Timothy about what he should teach to different groups of believers (5:1–6:19). 

               a.  Timothy is to treat older men as fathers, younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and
                    younger women as sisters in all purity (5:1-2). 

               b.  Paul gives instructions about older and younger widows (5:3-16). 

               c.  Paul gives instructions about honoring and rebuking leaders (5:17-25). 

               d.  Paul gives instructions about believers in servitude (6:1-2). 

               e.  Paul gives instructions about the danger of pursuing gain and the benefit of pursuing godliness (6:3-16).
 
Note the charge and doxology to God the Father:
 
 I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, which He will bring about at the proper time—He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen. (6:13-16)
 
               f.  Paul gives instruction about the rich — they should be rich in good works (6:17-19). 

III.  Paul entreats Timothy to stay faithful to the ministry entrusted to him and blesses with grace (6:20-21). 
 
Theological Reflection and Application
 
The letter presents doctrinal truth in several areas of theology such as Soteriology, Christology and Ecclesiology.  Note the following:
 

1. The lawful use of law is to reveal sin (1:9-11).
2. Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners (1:15).
3. We simply believe in Christ for eternal life (1:16).
4. Christians are called believers (4:10; 5:16; 6:2)
5. God our Savior desires all men to be saved (2:3-4).
6. The man Christ Jesus is the one mediator between God and men (2:5).
7. Jesus gave Himself as a ransom for all (2:6).
8. The living God is the Savior of all men, especially of believers (4:10).
9. The local church is the household of God, the pillar and support of the truth (3:15).
10. Believers are to conduct themselves in accordance with their proper roles in the household of God (3:15).

 

SECOND THESSALONIANS SURVEY
The Church and the Day of the Lord
 
Philippe R. Sterling

Pray and work while waiting for the coming of the Lord.
 
Introductory Matters
 
Paul’s first letter encouraged the believers in Thessalonica, but it did not provide all the answers to theological and practical problems.  The believers were enduring persecutions and afflictions.  Then a letter arrived as if from Paul stating that the day of the Lord had actually come.  The church was confused and disturbed.  Some of the believers reasoned that since the Lord’s coming was so near they ought to quit their jobs and wait for Him.  This put a burden on other believers to care for them.  The fact that the Rapture may happen at any time and the day of the Lord will begin does not mean that believers are free to live in an irresponsible manner.  Believers must keep their jobs and earn a living until the Lord comes.
 
2 Thessalonians has different features from 1 Thessalonians.  In 1 Thessalonians the emphasis in on the coming of the Lord in the air for believers and in 2 Thessalonians it is on the coming of the Lord with believers to the earth.  In 1 Thessalonians the coming of Christ stands out and in 2 Thessalonians the coming of the man of sin stands out.  In 1 Thessalonians comfort predominates and in 2 Thessalonians correction predominates.
 
Literary Structure and Content
 
I.   Greeting: Paul greets the Thessalonian believers and invokes God’s grace and peace (1:1-2). 

Paul opens the letter by identifying himself and his companions to the church in Thessalonica.  He will end the letter with a personally written greeting as a mark of genuineness.  Someone may have sent the church a letter written falsely in Paul’s name (see 2:2).
 
Paul mentions Silvanus and Timothy.  Silvanus also known as Silas was with Paul when he first came to Thessalonica.  Paul had sent Timothy to the Thessalonians on a previous occasion.
 
II.  Thanksgiving and Encouragement: Paul thanks God for the Thessalonians’ growth in faith and love,
     encourages them to persevere in their trials, and assures them of his prayers for them — God will reward them
     for their faithful endurance and will repay those who persecute them (1:3-12). 

      A.  Paul thanks God for the Thessalonians growth in faith and love but does not mention hope (1:3-4). 

In 1 Thessalonians Paul referred to their faith, love and hope.  Here he only mentions faith and love.  Perhaps that is because they had been shaken from their composure by people who taught that the Tribulation had already come.  Thus they lacked hope in Christ’s return at the Rapture to deliver them before that terrible time began.
 
      B.  Reward: God will reward believers who faithfully endure persecution and suffering (1:5). 

God will ultimately reveal His righteous judgment.  For believers it results in rewards.  For unbelievers it results in retribution.  By their persevering faith and love in persecution and affliction the Thessalonians are eligible for royal status in the Kingdom of God.
 
      C.  Retribution: God will repay those who afflict believers (1:6-10). 

The passage implicitly reflects a series of end-time events.  This includes the Tribulation, Second Coming, Millennium, Great White Throne Judgment and consignment of unbelievers to the Lake of Fire.  Paul will clarify that they are not currently in the Tribulation (2:1-12).  He had written of the Pre-Tribulation Rapture in 1 Thess 4:13–5:1.
 
           1.  God’s retribution involves Tribulation wrath (1:6-8). 

           2.  God’s retribution involves eternal destruction (1:9-10). 

Paul shifts from the Tribulation to the eternal fate of unbelievers.  The unbelievers will suffer “eternal destruction.”  They will be eternally separated from the presence of the Lord and the glory of His power.
 
      D.  Prayer: Paul and his companions pray that the Thessalonian believers would be worthy of their calling --
           that calling is to rule and reign with Christ in the Kingdom (1:11-12). 

The divine favor of ruling with Christ is something of which believers are to be “worthy” (vv. 5 and 11).  It is not automatic.  The work of faith is required.
 
III. Correction: Paul corrects the misconception of the Thessalonians that the day of the Lord has come (2:1-17). 

      A.  Don’t fear that the day of the Lord has already come — don’t be deceived about the order of events
           concerning the Rapture and the Tribulation (2:1-3a). 

The church at Thessalonica had a major end-time misconception.  False teachers were saying that the day of the Lord has come.  The day of the Lord refers to the Tribulation.  If the day of the Lord has come then they have missed the Rapture.  This is contrary to Paul’s teaching.
 
There are several views today about the timing of the Rapture.  The Pre-tribulation view is that the Rapture occurs prior to any part of the Tribulation.  The Mid-tribulation view is that the Rapture will occur in the middle of the Tribulation.  The Pre-wrath view is that the Rapture will occur towards the end of the Tribulation and that the Church will suffer the wrath of men but not the wrath of God.  The Post-tribulation view is that the Church will go through the entire Tribulation and at Jesus’ Second Coming He will first rapture the surviving believers and then immediately return with them to rule and reign on the earth.  In the following verses Paul defends the Pre-tribulation view.
 
      B.  The day of the Lord will not come until the man of sin is revealed (2:3b-5). 

Paul reminds the Thessalonians of two things he had taught them: the day of the Lord would not begin until the departure of believers and the revealing of the man of sin.  The man of sin will be a political ruler, whom the apostle John call “the beast,” whose work is supported by a religious leader known as “the false prophet.”  The revelation of the man of sin will be followed by a blatant display of blasphemy impossible to miss.
 
      C.  The present work of the Holy Spirit through the Church restrains the revealing of the man of sin (2:6-12).
 
The removal of the Church at the Rapture will be a removal of God’s restraining power.  The mystery of lawlessness is active but restrained during the Church age.  The lawless one will be revealed for a brief rampage during the Tribulation and then terminated at Christ’s Second Coming.  The coming of the lawless one will be in accord with the activity of Satan.
 
      D.  The Church will be saved from the day of the Lord (2:13-15). 

      E.  Prayer: May the Lord Jesus Christ Himself and God our Father comfort and strengthen you in every good
           work and word (2:16-17). 

IV.  Exhortation: Paul exhorts the Thessalonian to pray and to work as they wait for the coming of the Lord (3:1-15). 

      A.  Pray as you wait (3:1-5). 

           1.  Paul requests prayer for the spread of the word of God and for deliverance from evil people (3:1-3). 

           2.  Paul expresses confidence in the Thessalonians and prays for their steadfastness (3:4-5). 

      B.  Work as you wait — lead disciplined lives (3:6-15). 

           1.  Some believers live undisciplined lives (3:6, 11). 

           2.  Paul modeled and taught a disciplined life (3:7-13).
 
           3.  We are to admonish and exhort those who live undisciplined lives (3:14-15). 

V.   Closing: Paul gives a final prayer, certifies the letter and offers a blessing (3:16-18). 

      A.  Prayer: Paul prays for the Lord’s peace and presence (3:16). 

      B.  Certified Letter: Paul writes in his own hand the final greeting so as to certify the genuineness of this
           letter (3:17). 

      C.  Blessing: The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you all (3:18). 

Theological Reflection and Application
 
1 and 2 Thessalonians contribute to the development of this timeline of history: Ongoing Restraint of the Mystery of Lawlessness in the Church Age, Resurrection and Rapture of Believers, Revelation of the Man of Sin and Tribulation, Second Coming of Christ with Glorified Believers of the Church Age, Millennial Kingdom, Great White Throne Judgment and Consignment of the Unbelieving to the Lake of Fire, New Heaven and New Earth.
 
These affirmations and applications follow for those living in the Church age:
 

1. We need to remember that our calling is to rule with Christ in the Kingdom.  Our growing faith, love and hope in this life prepares us for the life to come.
2. God rewards persevering believers and justly repays those who afflict them. 
3. We should know and adhere to the truths of God’s Word so as not to be swayed by false teaching.
4. God wants us to know the general timeline of prophetic history.  This can strengthen our hearts for every good work and word.
5. We should engage in productive labor as we wait for the coming of the Lord.

FIRST THESSALONIANS SURVEY
Rapture Ready — Prepared for the Lord’s Return

Philippe R. Sterling
 
Pleasing God involves excelling in love and purity and living in anticipation of the Rapture. 
 
Introductory Matters
 
Paul was imprisoned in Philippi on his second missionary journey.  After a miraculous display of God’s power, the magistrates appealed to him to leave town.  Paul then went on to Thessalonica, the capital of the province of Macedonia.  He was there only a short time when he was forced out by a mob.  He went on to Berea and after several weeks of ministry there, agitators came from Thessalonica and stirred up a mob again against him.  Paul went on to Athens and while there sent Timothy to Thessalonica to find out how the believers there were doing.  Paul then went to Corinth.   Paul arrived in Corinth in weakness, in fear and in much trembling (1 Cor 1:23).  While at Corinth, Silas and Timothy arrived from Thessalonica with great news for him: the church there was doing well.  With joy, Paul sends this letter to them.
 
Literary Structure and Content
 
I.   Greeting: Paul greets the Thessalonian believers (1:1). 

II.  Thanksgiving: The Thessalonians had a faith worth talking about (1:2-10). 

      A.  Paul gives thanks for the Thessalonians work of faith, labor of love and steadfastness of hope (1:2-4). 

      B.  Paul mentions examples of their work of faith, labor of love and steadfastness of hope that had become
           well-known (1:5-8). 

      C.  Paul summarizes the spiritual course of the Thessalonians: they had turned away from their idolatry to
           serve the living and true God and they were waiting for God’s Son from heaven who would deliver them
           from the wrath to come, that is the Tribulation (1:9-10). 

III.  Body of the Letter: Paul encourages the Thessalonians to stay the course in serving God and waiting for His
      Son from heaven (2:1–5:11). 

      A.  Paul reviews his relationship and concern for the Thessalonians from the point of first sharing the good news
           of Christ with them to the present (2:1–3:13). 

           1.  Paul reminds the Thessalonians about the time he spent with them evangelizing, making disciples
                and planting a church — he provides principles by which anyone can engage in fruitful ministry (2:1-16).
 
                a.  Take the good news to those who have not heard (2:1-6). 

                     1)  Paul’s effort in Thessalonica though brief was not in vain (1).
                     2)  Paul boldly proclaimed the truth (2).
                     3)  Paul’s ministry was effective because it did not come from error, impurity or deceit (3).
                     4)  Paul’s aim was to please God (4).
                     5)  Paul did not come with flattering speech, greed or glory seeking (5-6). 

                b.  Build into the lives of those who believe (2:7-12). 

                     1)  Paul expressed the tenderness and affection of a mother (7-8).
                     2)  Paul expressed the example and exhortation of a father (9-11).
                     3)  Paul’s aim in ministering among them as a spiritual mother and father was that they would
                          walk worthy of God (12). 

                c.  Let God’s word do its work (2:13-16). 

                     1)  When the Thessalonians sat under Paul’s teaching, they welcomed it not as the word of men, but
                          for what it really is, the word of God which performs its work in those who believe (13).
                     2)  Sometimes people are so hostile to the grace of God that they not only reject it, but they also
                          actively oppose it, and incur God’s wrath (14-16). 

           2.  Paul expresses his concern for the Thessalonians spiritual health by sending a helper, sending
                letters, and praying — he provides key principles that promote spiritual health (2:17–3:13). 

                a.  I Want to Be With You: Paul was taken away from the Thessalonians and hindered from coming to
                     them (2:17-20). 

                b.  I Want to Know How You Are: Paul sent Timothy to strengthen and encourage the Thessalonians in
                     their faith (3:1-5). 

                c.  I Want to Complete Your Faith: Timothy brought back good news of the Thessalonians’ faith and
                     Paul wished to complete in person what lacked in their faith (3:6-10). 

                d.  I’m Praying for You: Paul prayed that God would direct his steps to the Thessalonians and that
                     they would be blameless at the coming of Christ (3:11-13). 

      B.  Paul exhorts the Thessalonians to excel at pleasing God (4:1-12). 

           1.  Excel in living to please God (1). 

           2.  Excel in purity (2-8). 

                a.  We have apostolic commands given by the authority of Christ (2). 

                b.  God’s will is our present sanctification (3a). 

                c.  A critical area of present sanctification is sexual purity (3b-8). 

           3.  Excel in love (9-10). 

                a.  We are taught by God to love one another (9). 

                b.  Those who practice brotherly love are to excel still more (10). 

           4.  Excel in work (11-12). 

                a.  God commands quiet diligence in everyday work (11). 

                b.  Our work is a witness (12). 

      C.  Paul encourages the Thessalonians to keep hoping in deliverance from the Tribulation by the Rapture
           (4:13–5:11). 

           1.  The Rapture: The Lord will one day descend from heaven and the dead in Christ will rise first and we
                who are alive and remain until His coming will be caught up together with them to meet the Lord in the
                air (4:13-18). 

                a.  Have a confident expectation of a future reunion with your loved ones who have died in Christ (13). 

                b.  The resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ is the basis of this confident hope (14). 

                c.  The Lord Himself has provided the comforting information about His coming from heaven to
                     gather believers together through resurrection and rapture to be with Him always (15-17). 

                d.  We are to comfort one another with this blessed hope (18). 

           2.  The Coming Wrath of God: Believers will escape the coming wrath of God, the Tribulation, and should
                await their deliverance by living in accordance with their identity as children of light (5:1-11). 

                a.  Wise Up to End Times Doctrine: God has promised to rescue believers from the end time calamities
                     that lie ahead (5:1-3, 9; 1:10). 

                b.  Live Up to Your Spiritual Identity: Believers have a standing as children of light and should not live
                     in spiritual stupor (5:4-7). 

                c.  Wait Up for the Rapture: Believers should equip themselves against the spiritual stupor that
                     characterizes the surrounding world by building each other up in faith, love and hope as they await
                     their deliverance from the wrath to come (5:8-11). 

 IV.   Closing Exhortations: Paul gives concluding exhortations in regards to leadership, fellowship and worship
       (5:12-22). 

      A.  Leadership: Paul requests of the Thessalonians to appreciate their leaders, esteem them highly in love for
           their work, and live in peace (5:12-13). 

      B.  Fellowship: Paul urges the Thessalonians to minister in a variety of ways to each other, depending on the
           state of the person who needs the ministry — admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the
           weak, be patient with all and seek the good of all (5:14-15). 

      C.  Worship: Paul names various elements of personal and public worship — rejoice always, pray
           continuously, give thanks in everything, yield to the Holy Spirit, receive revealed truth, tests all things, hold
           fast what is good, abstain from every form of evil 5:16-22). 

V.   Farewell: Paul’s farewell includes a prayer for the sanctification of the whole person so as to be blameless at
      the coming of Christ, a request for prayer, an encouragement to spiritual affection, a charge to read the letter,
      and a benediction of grace (5:23-28). 
​
Theological Reflection and Application
 
Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians conveys information about personal discipleship, spiritual development, and the eschatological events of the Rapture and the Tribulation.  Paul’s relationship with the Thessalonians provides a model for discipleship.  Paul balances the loving nurture of a mother with the encouragement and exhortation of a father.  The Thessalonians for their part receive the word and grow in faith, love and hope.  Pleasing God involves excelling still more in love and purity and living in anticipation of the Rapture.  Jesus will rescue believers from the wrath to come, the Tribulation. God makes possible the present sanctification of the cooperating believer so that there can be a blameless presentation at the coming of Christ.  Be ready for the Rapture.

COLOSSIANS SURVEY – ROOTED AND BUILT UP IN CHRIST

Philippe R. Sterling
 
Jesus Christ is supreme in His person and work and fully sufficient for the lives of those who have received Him by faith and live by faith in Him.
 
Introductory Matters
 
Colossae was an inland city in Asia Minor about 100 miles from Ephesus.  A trade route between East and West passed though the city.  There was a Jewish colony in Colossae.  Philosophical and religious ideas from East and West captivated minds of people living there.  Believers in Christ went to Colossae during the time of Paul’s ministry in Ephesus.  Epaphras and Philemon, two men Paul led to Christ, started a church.  During the time of Paul’s imprisonment in Rome, false teachers began to subvert the truth of Christ in Colossae.  Epaphras goes to Rome to seek Paul’s help.  Paul writes a letter to affirm the truth and attack the error.
 
Literary Structure and Content
 
Letter Opening: Paul greets and offers thanks and prayers for the Colossians (1:1-14).
 

1. Greeting: Paul and Timothy write to the faithful believers in Colossae by the will of God (1:1-2).
2. Thanks: Paul gives thanks for the faith, hope and love of the believers in Colossae of which he has learned from Epaphras (1:3-8).
3. Prayers: The good beginning of the Colossian believers leads Paul to pray for their increase in the knowledge of God’s will so they may live worthy of the Lord (1:9-14).

 
The believers of Colossae needed to know and do the will of God so as not to be attracted to false teaching.  Paul does not begin by attacking the false teachers but by exalting the Lord Jesus.
 
Letter Body: Christ is supreme and sufficient for the believer’s life (1:15 – 4:6).
 
I.  Declaring the Truth of Christ: Christ is supreme in His person and work (1:15 – 2:3). 

The mention of Jesus in v. 14 leads Paul to teach the Colossians about His supremacy and sufficiency for their spiritual life.
 
     A.  Person of Christ: Christ is supreme in His person (1:15-19). 

          1.  In relation to God, Jesus is His image – worship Him as God (15a).
          2.  In relation to creation, Jesus is its Creator – worship Him as Creator (15b-17).
          3.  In relation to the church, Jesus is its Head – worship Him as Lord (18-19). 

     B.  Work of Christ: Christ is supreme in His work (1:20 – 2:3). 

          1.  Reconciliation: Christ reconciles all things to Himself (1:20-23).
          2.  Proclamation: Christ completes his work of reconciliation through our proclamation of him (1:24 – 2:3). 

We fill up that which is lacking in Christ’s work by fully carrying out the preaching of the word of God.  He has committed to us the word of reconciliation (see 2 Cor. 5:18-21).
 
II.  Defending the Truth of Christ:  Believers need to guard against those who oppose the supremacy and sufficiency
     of Christ by their precepts and practices (2:4-23). 

Paul has established the truth of Christ’s supremacy and sufficiency.  He now attacks the false teachers who oppose His supremacy and sufficiency.
 
     A.  Believers need to be on guard against false teaching (2:4-5). 

False teachers can be persuasive.  We are to maintain good order and stability of faith in the face of false teaching.
 
     B.  Believers guard against false teaching by becoming established in true teaching (2:6-15). 

          1.  True teaching is based on faith (6-8). 

We need to continue in faith as we have begun in faith.  The best way of meeting persuasive argument is to walk in faith.  Human philosophy cannot answer the questions of origins, purpose, or the afterlife.  We know these things through divine revelation not human reasoning.
 
          2.  True teaching has Christ for its content – Christ is all . . . and all I need (9-12).

          3.  True teaching brings new life, forgiveness of sin, and spiritual victory (13-15). 

     C.  We guard against false teaching by preserving our freedom against legalism, mysticism and asceticism
          (2:16-23). 

          1.  We need to reject legalism (16-17).
          2.  We need to reject mysticism (18-19).
          3.  We need to reject asceticism (20-23). 

III. Displaying the Truth of Christ: Believers have life in Christ and need to express that life in daily living (3:1 – 4:6). 

Paul’s task is not complete with simply declaring and defending the truth of Christ.  Believers need to demonstrate the truth of Christ in their daily lives.  Paul applies the truth of the supremacy and sufficiency of Christ to the daily lives of believers.
 
     A.  Believers have life in Christ (3:1-4). 

     B.  Believers are to reveal their life in Christ in daily living (3:5 – 4:6). 

          1.  We are to reveal our life in Christ in our personal life (3:5-17). 

               a.  We are to put off the sins of the old life (5-11).
               b.  We are to put on the virtues of the new life (12-17). 

          2.  We are to reveal our life in Christ in our domestic life (3:18 – 4:1). 

               a.  We are to reveal our life in Christ through our relationships as husbands and wives (3:18-19).
               b.  We are to reveal our life in Christ through our relationships as parents and children (3:20-21).
               c.  We are to reveal our life in Christ through our relationships as employers and employees (3:22-25). 

          3.  We are to reveal our life in Christ in our public life (4:2-6). 

               a.  We are to pray for an open door for the word of Christ (2-4).
               b.  We are to conduct ourselves with wisdom towards outsiders (5).
               c.  We are to speak with grace to each person (6). 
​
Letter Closing: Paul closes the letter with personal commendations, instructions, and farewell (4:7-18).
 

1. Commendation: Paul commends his faithful fellow workers (4:7-15).
2. Instruction: Paul gives instructions for the distribution of this letter (4:16-17).
3. Farewell: Paul gives a personal farewell (4:18).

 
Theological Reflection and Application
 
One of the key features of the letter to the Colossians is its Christology. 
 

1. In Christ there is redemption and forgiveness of sins.
2. Christ is the image of the invisible God.
3. Christ is the Creator of the world.
4. Christ is the Head of the church.
5. Christ is the God-Man.  For in Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form (2:9).
6. Christ is seated at the right hand of God.
7. Christ will be revealed in glory.

 
Christ is supreme over all.  Christ is sufficient for all.  Jesus is all . . . and all I need!
 
We proclaim Him, admonishing every man and teaching every man with all wisdom, so that we may present every man complete in Christ (Col 1:28).

SURVEY OF PHILIPPIANS
Partnership in the Progress of the Gospel

Philippe R. Sterling
 
To further the work of the gospel believers must walk worthy of the gospel by standing together in the faith of the gospel and striving together for the faith of the gospel.
 
Introductory Matters
 
Philippi was founded by Philip of Macedon, the father of Alexander the great.  It was settled at the base of a cut through the mountains in Macedonia that divided the East from the West and became the center of the trade route known as the Egnatian Way between Europe and the Middle East.  It was a hub of industry and commerce.
 
Two centuries after the founding of Philippi, Rome conquered Macedonia.  In 42 BC two battles took place between Brutus and Cassius, defenders of the Roman Republic, and Antony and Octavian, avengers of Caesar’s death.  Anthony and Octavian were victorious and Brutus and Cassius dead.  After the battles Antony settled Roman soldiers there.  In 30 BC Octavian settled some people from Italy.
 
These Philippian residents received special privileges.  They were considered Roman citizens with all its rights including the right to appeal to the emperor, freedom from taxation, freedom to regulate their own civic affairs.  They spoke Latin and dressed in the Roman style.  They took pride in being Romans. Paul refers to a believer’s citizenship in 3:20, “Our citizenship in in heaven.”
 
It was in Philippi that Paul penetrated the continent of Europe with the gospel.  The first person to believe in Philippi was a woman named Lydia.  She was a seller of purple garments.  Such garments were expensive.  The dye came from a shellfish in the waters of Thyatira.  Each shellfish produced only one drop of the dye.  Since Philippi was a Roman colony it was a great market for purple garments.  Roman loved the color and with it trimmed togas and tunic.  Lydia must have been a wealthy woman to handle such an expensive product.  Lydia was a worshiper of God who met with some other women at a riverside for prayer.  There she met Paul, believed in Christ, and invited him and his party to stay at her home.
 
The next believer was a prison warden.  The witness of Paul and Silas singing praises to God after being beaten and jailed and the demonstration of God’s power in an earthquake that opened the prison doors prompted him to ask “What must I do to be saved?”  The business woman and the jailer became the first believers of the church at Philippi.
 
Paul only remained a short time in Philippi.  He visited briefly five years later.  Five more years elapsed until he wrote this letter.  Paul and the church at Philippi developed a close bond.  Paul had no mission board behind him when he set out to bring the gospel to Europe.  After his departure from Philippi to Thessalonica, the Philippians had more than once sent financial support (Ph. 4:15-16).  Their support of his ministry was a bond that united them.  In Phil 1:7 we find another bond.  Paul was a prisoner in Rome when he wrote this letter.  The Philippians had sent Epaphroditus to minister to his needs while under arrest (see 2:25 and 4:18).
 
Paul writes to thank the Philippians for their financial gift, to set their minds at ease concerning his present circumstances, and to exhort them to perfect even further their partnership in the proclamation of the gospel by standing together in unity and striving together for the faith.  That last purpose provides the main message of the letter (1:27).
 
Literary Structure and Content
 
I.   Invocation: Paul greets the believers and spiritual leaders in Philippi and invokes God’s grace and peace to
     them (1:1-2). 

II.  Prayer: Paul joyfully prays for the Philippians because of their partnership in the progress of the gospel (1:3-11). 

III. Personal Circumstances: Paul rejoices in his imprisonment in Rome because it has resulted in the greater
     progress of the gospel even among the Praetorian Guard (1:12-26). 

IV. Exhortation: Paul exhorts the Philippians to perfect their partnership in the progress of the gospel by walking
     in unity and steadfastness (1:27–4:9). 

     A.  Summary Exhortation: We must walk worthy of the gospel by standing together and striving together for the
          faith of the gospel (1:27-30). 
​
     B.  Extended Exhortation: We must walk in unity and steadfastness (2:1–4:1). 

          1.  We must stand together in the faith of the gospel (2:1-30). 

               a.  We must perfect our unity through humility (2:1-4).
               b.  We must pattern our relationships after our self-emptying and self-sacrificing Savior (2:5-11).
               c.  We must perfect our unity through much effort and reliance upon God (2:12-18).
               d.  We must pattern our relationships after the sacrificial and selfless service of Timothy and
                    Epaphroditus (2:25-30). 

          2.  We must strive together for the faith of the gospel (3:1–4:1). 

               a.  We must beware of those who supplement the gospel with human works (3:1-7).
               b.  We must receive the superior righteousness of Christ and pursue conformation to Christ (3:8-16).
               c.  We must imitate Paul and stand firm in the Lord (3:17–4:1). 

     C.  Concluding Exhortation: We must restore unity and live in tranquility (4:2-9). 

V.  Thank You Note: Paul joyfully thanks the Philippians for their partnership in the progress of the gospel
     through their generous financial gifts (4:10-19). 

VI. Benediction: Paul ascribes glory to God, sends greetings from the saints in Rome including those of
     Caesar’s household, and blesses the Philippians with the grace of the Lord Jesus (4:20-23). 

Theological Reflection and Application
 
The following are a few doctrinal and practical applications from Philippians:
 

1. Our fellowship must not only be social and spiritual but also financial for the progress of the gospel.
2. We can be confident that God will use our circumstances and our critics for the progress of the gospel.
3. Our identity as citizens of heaven imposes upon us the responsibility to conduct ourselves in a manner worthy of that citizenship.
4. We preserve oneness by practicing lowliness.  We maintain unity by showing humility.
5. If we clothe ourselves with humility at the present time, God will crown us with dignity at the proper time.  The way up is down.
6. We are to be Christ-like stars shining upon a dark world.
7. We are to be faithful, available and teachable.
8. Stand firm against those who would mutilate the gospel.
9. Our one objective is to press on to spiritual maturity.
10. We are to be heavenly minded so that we can be earthly good.
11. When we put our problems in God’s hands, He puts his peace in our hearts.
12. Jesus provides the strength for contentment in all circumstances.
13. When we give out of our poverty, God will give according to His plenty.

EXPOSITIONAL SURVEY OF EPHESIANS
The Creation and Commission of the Church
 
Philippe R. Sterling
 
The Triune God planned and created the Church as His dwelling in this age and commissions her to walk worthy of her calling in His power to the praise of His grace and glory now and in the ages to come.
 
Ephesians is one of the prison epistles Paul wrote during his first Roman imprisonment circa 60 to 62 AD.  In it he compares the Church to a building or temple that is built according to a divine plan for a glorious purpose in this age and in the ages to come.  Believers are living stones that are joined together to form the structure of the Church with Christ being the cornerstone and the apostles and prophets the foundation.  The call of the Church is to walk worthy of her calling and to stand strong in the Lord.  The body of the letter can for the purpose of exposition be divided as the blueprint of the Church, the building of the Church, and the business of the Church.
 
Invocation: The apostle Paul writes to the faithful believers at Ephesus invoking God’s grace and peace to
them (1:1-2).
 
I.   The Blueprint of the Church: To the praise of His glory, God conceived of the Church from eternity to reign
     with Christ (1:3-23). 

     A.  Praise for the Plan: Blessed be our Triune God who has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in
          Christ (1:3-14). 

          1.  Blessings: God has blessed us with every spiritual blessing in Christ (1:3). 

          2.  Blessings from God the Father: To the praise of His glory, God the Father planned the inheritance
               of the Church before He created the world (1:4-6).  The Father chose us in Christ and adopts us to
               reign with Christ. Praise God! 

          3.  Blessings from God the Son: To the praise of God’s glory, God the Son procured the inheritance
               of the Church (1:7-12).  The Son redeemed us and grants us an inheritance to reign with Him.  Praise God! 
​
          4.  Blessings from God the Holy Spirit: To the praise of God’s glory, God the Holy Spirit protects the
               inheritance of the Church (1:13-14).  The Holy Spirit seals those who believe and secures our
               inheritance. Praise God! 

Praise God from whom all blessings flow.
 
     B.   Prayer for Understanding: Pray for the greater comprehension of our blessings in Christ (1:15-23).
 
          1.   Encourage other believers by your faith and love (1:15-16).
 
          2.   Being enlightened, ask God for a greater comprehension of the Father and of the Church’s hope, riches,
               and power (1:17-23).
 
               a.  Pray that the Spirit would teach you about God through the revealed word (1:17). 

               b.  Being enlightened, pray that you would comprehend the hope of His calling, the riches of the glory of
                    His inheritance, and the greatness of His power that is in accordance with the power that raised Christ
                   and made Him head of the Church (1:18-23). 

Teach us Lord.
 
II.   The Building of the Church: To the praise of His glory, God creates the Church as His dwelling in this
      age (2:1 to 3:21).
 
     A.   Production of the Church: God takes spiritually dead people and transforms them into a living temple for
           His dwelling (2:1-22).
 
          1.   Creation of the Living Stones: God creates the Church by making spiritually dead people alive in
                Christ (2:1-10).
 
                a.   The Old Condition: We were great sinners (2:1-3).
 
                     1)  We were spiritually dead (2:1). 

                     2)  We were constitutionally depraved (2:2-3a). We lived according to the direction of the world (2a),
                         the dictation of the devil (2b), and the domination of the flesh (3a). 

                    3)  We were eternally doomed (3b). 

              b.   The New Creation: God saved us by grace through faith and created us as a Church for good
                    works (2:4-10).
 
                    1)  God saved us in Christ by His grace (2:4-6). 

                    2)  God saved us in order to show the riches of His grace in a new creation (corporate Church) appointed
                         to accomplish pre-designed good works (2:7-10).  God saved us in order to show the riches of
                         His grace (7).  God saved us by grace through faith, not as a result of works – salvation by grace is
                         the gift of God received through faith (8-9).  God makes and appoints the Church for good works (10). 

We are His workmanship created in Christ Jesus for good works. Amazing grace!
 
          2.   Construction of the Holy Temple: God fits together Jews and Gentiles to build a holy temple for His
               dwelling on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Christ as the cornerstone (2:11-22).

               a.  We were alienated from God and from each other (2:11-12). 

               b.  Jews and Gentiles have been reconciled to God and to each other through the cross (2:13-18). 

               c.   We are a new people built together as a living temple for God’s dwelling (2:19-22).  The temple is built
                     on the foundation of the apostles and prophets.  Jesus is the cornerstone.  We are living stones
                     (see 1 Peter 2:4-5).
 
      B.  Presentation of the Church: God unveils the mystery of the Church through the ministry of the apostles
           and prophets for the demonstration of His wisdom (3:2-13). Faithful Jews and Gentiles will have
           high-level administrative roles in the kingdom. 

    C.  Prayer for Enablement: Pray for strength in the power of the Spirit (3:1, 14-21).
 
          1.   Humbly approach the Father in prayer (3:1, 14-15). 

          2.   Appeal to the Father for inner strength from the Spirit, the enthronement of Christ in your hearts, and all
                the fullness that comes from God in your lives (3:16-19).
 
         3.   Ascribe glory to the One who alone can give the things we request (3:20-21).
 
Fill us with all the fullness that comes from You Lord.  To God be the glory!
 
III.  The Business of the Church: To the praise of His glory, God commissions the Church to walk and war worthy of
      her calling (4:1 to 6:20).
 
     A.  Walk of the Church: The Church is to walk worthy of her calling (4:1 to 6:9). 

         1.   Walk in Unity: Live undividedly together for the growth of the Church (4:1-16).
 
               a.  Be diligent to preserve the unity of the Spirit (4:1-3).  Cultivate three attitudes that help preserve
                    unity: humility, meekness, and patience.  Practice two acts that help preserve unity: forbearance to
                   one another in love, and diligence in maintaining peace. 

               b.   Focus on seven elements of unity centered on the three Persons of the Godhead (4:4-6).  The
                    One Spirit gives life to one body of believers who share one hope.  The One Lord is the object
                    of one faith which is pictured by one baptism.  The One God, the Father of all, is supreme over
                    all, operative through all and resides in all.
 
               c.  Exercise the diversity of gifts to enable the Church to grow (4:7-16).  Jesus endows the Church for
                   service and growth (7-11).  Believers enable the Church to grow through connected service (15-16). 

Use your gift to build up the Church.

         2.   Walk in Newness of Life: Live differently as new creations in God’s image    (4:17-32).
 
               a.   We Are Not to Live in Accordance with the Pattern of the Old Self That We Have Put Off: We are not
                    to live according to the carnal pattern of the old life we put off (17-24).  We can’t live the way we used
                    to live (17-19) since we are not who we used to be (20-24).  Our old life was dead spiritually, dark
                    mentally, depraved morally, and dissipated physically.
 
              b.   We Are to Live in Accordance with the Pattern of the New Self That We Have Put On: We are to live
                    in accordance with the spiritual pattern of the new life that we have in Christ (25-32).
 
                    1)  Having put aside the lie, we are to speak truth to one another since we are members of one
                         another (25). 

                    2)  We are to properly manage anger so as not to enable the devil to divide us (26-27). 

                    3)  Rather than stealing, we are to work diligently that we may give to others in need (28). 

                    4)  We must not speak corruptly, but speak what edifies so as to give grace to our hearers (29). 

                    5)  We are not to grieve the Spirit because He has sealed us until the Day God redeems the
                         purchased possession of the Church (30). We grieve the Spirit by living as unenlightened
                         unbelievers live. We please the Spirit through our thoughts, words, and deeds that edify. 

                    6)  We are to forsake destructive venting, and be kind and tenderhearted by forgiving each other in
                         the manner that God in Christ has forgiven us   (31-32).           

Live as the new people we are in Christ.
 
          3.  Walk in Love: Live devotedly in love and purity so as to inherit kingdom rewards (5:1-8a). 

               a.  Imitate the love of Christ (5:1-2). Love fellow believers in a similar way as Christ loved us and
                    offered Himself up for us. 

               b.  Shun immoral conduct and conversation (5:3-4). 

               c.  Believers who indulge in immoral conduct and conversation lose their special kingdom inheritance
                    having linked with unbelievers in the darkness of their former state instead of the light of their current
                    state (5:5-8a). 
 
          4.   Walk as God’s Enlightened Children: Live dedicatedly in truth (5:8b-14).
 
                a.  We should live as God’s enlightened children (5:8b). 

                b.  Bear the fruit of the light (5:9-10).  Reveal the spectrum of God’s light by your character, conduct,
                     and conversation. Show that you approve the things that please God. 

                c.  Expose others to the light (5:11-13).  Instead of participating in the deeds of darkness, expose darkness
                     to your light. 

               d.  Awake and arise from among unbelievers so that Christ will shine on you (5:14). Lethargic believers
                    are euphemistically asleep among spiritually dead unbelievers. Christ shines His word upon believers
                    who awake and arise. 

Rise and shine.
 
          5.   Walk as Wise People: Live dutifully in wisdom (5:15 to 6:9).
 
               a.  Be wise by living under the influence of the Holy Spirit (5:15-21). 

                   1)   Live sensibly (5:15-17).  Live carefully as prudent people (15).  Make the most of your allotted
                         time (16).  Understand what the will of the Lord is (17).
 
                  2)   Live spiritually (5:18-21).  Do not live under the influence of wine (don’t be drunk).  Live under
                        the influence of the Holy Spirit.
 
                        a)  Command: Be continuously filled by the Holy Spirit. The Spirit uses the word of Christ to bring
                             us to spiritual maturity – up to the fullness of God (5:18; see Col. 3:16; Eph. 3:14-19). 

                        b)  Consequences: Believers filled by the Holy Spirit sing to the Lord in their hearts, give thanks,
                             and submit to each other (5:19-21). 

Be filled by the Holy Spirit.
 
               b.   Behave wisely in life’s relationships (5:22 to 6:9).
 
                    1)   Live wisely at home (5:22 to 6:4).  Glorify God at home.
 
                         a)   Wives and Husbands:  Wives submit to their husbands as part of mutual submission
​                              (see vs. 21) and their submission to the Lord; husbands submit to their wives as part of mutual
                              submission by their sacrificial and sanctifying love like that of Christ for the Church (5:22-33).
 
                         b)   Children and Parents:  Children are in mutual submission by honoring their parents; parents are
                               in mutual submission by not provoking children to anger but providing training and instruction in
                              the word of the Lord (6:1-4).

                    2)  Live wisely at work (6:5-9). Glorify God at work. Servants submit as part of their service to
                         Christ knowing that He will reward them. Masters act graciously as part of their service to
                        Christ knowing that He is impartial.  

Honor authority at home and at work.
 
     B.   Warfare of the Church: The Church is to war against spiritual forces in the strength of the Lord (6:10-20).

          1.  Standing Strong in God’s Panoply: Be strong in the Lord by putting on God’s panoply so as to stand
               against the devil’s strategy (6:10-13).

               a.  Be strong in the Lord (10).  

               b.  Be strong in the Lord by putting on God’s panoply (11a).  

               c.  By putting on God’s panoply you will be able to stand against the Devil’s strategy and the wicked
                    spiritual beings we struggle against (11b-12).  

              d.  Put on God’s panoply so as to stand prepared for battle (13).  

          2.  The Elements of God’s Panoply: God’s panoply includes truth, righteousness, peace, faith, salvation,
               God’s word, and prayer (6:14-20).  

               a.  Belt, Breastplate, Sandals: Stand firm because you have been girded with truth and righteousness
                   and because the gospel that makes peace has prepared you (14-15).  

               b.  Shield: Believe God’s word which equips you to resist the devil (16).
 
               c.  Helmet and Sword: Keep in mind our by grace through faith salvation, and use the word of God (17).  

               d.  Prayer: Put on the whole armor accompanied by prayer for all believers that includes prayer for
                    boldness in speaking of the provisions of the gospel     (18-20).  

Benediction: Paul sends Tychicus to inform the church about his circumstances and blesses them with God’s peace, love, and grace (6:21-23).
 
We are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works,
​Which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them (2:10).

SURVEY OF GALATIANS
The Letter of Liberty

Philippe R. Sterling
 
Justification by grace through faith alone in Christ alone apart from the works of the Law is the foundation for spiritual liberty and successful Christian living by the power of the Holy Spirit.  This is the true gospel revealed to Paul by God.
 
Introductory Matters
 
Paul addresses the letter to the churches of Galatia.  Galatia was a Roman province in Asia Minor.  The churches were formed during Paul’s first missionary journey recorded in Acts 13:13–14:26.  False teachers who substituted law for grace had infiltrated the churches.  Paul writes to defend justification and sanctification by grace and to promote spiritual liberty.
 
Literary Structure and Content
 
The winner of best song in the 1966 Academy Awards was Born Free.  The song makes use of the phrases born free, stay free, and live free.  We can use these phrases as headings for the main points of Paul’s letter to the churches of Galatia.
 
I.   Born Free: Believers are born free in Christ (1:1-5). 

      A.  Address: The Apostle Paul writes to the churches of Galatia (1:1-2). 

     B,  Invocation: Paul invokes grace and peace from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ who gave Himself
          for our sins so that we might be rescued from the present evil age (1:3-5). 

Galatians has been called the Magna Carta of Christian Liberty.  It teaches that the grace of God in Jesus Christ enables us to escape the curse of sin and the Law and live a new life in the power of the Holy Spirit.  The message of Galatians is a message of liberation.
 
Paul concludes the opening paragraph with a statement concerning the liberating power of the work of Christ, Christ gave Himself for our sins to rescue us from the present evil age.  The gospel of grace is an emancipating message.
 
II.  Stay Free: Believers should defend their freedom in Christ (1:6–4:31). 

Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty!  Wendell Phillips said that at a Massachusetts antislavery meeting in 1852.  It is valid not only in the realm of the political but even more so in the realm of the spiritual.
 
     A.  Distortion: The good news of grace may be distorted by men or angels (1:6-10). 

          1.  Occasion: Some have deserted Christ for a distorted gospel (1:6-7). 

Paul gives the reason for writing his letter to the churches of Galatia in verse 6.  He is shocked that so soon after he has been with them, they are deserting Him who called them by the grace of Christ for a different gospel.  Paul blames false teachers, but he does not excuses the churches of Galatia for going along with them.  Paul says that they have accepted a different gospel, a counterfeit gospel.  This counterfeit gospel distorts the gospel of Christ by adding the works of the law, thus mixing law and grace.  Grace is a basic theme of the letter (see 1:3, 6, 15; 2:9, 21; 5:4; 6:18).
 
          2.  Imprecation: Paul calls for a curse of God upon people or angels who distort the good news of Christ (1:8-9).
 
The English word “accursed” translates the Greek word anathema.  This does not refer to eternal condemnation but to the here and now judgment of God.  False teachers under the curse of God should not receive financial support (see 6:6).
 
          3.  Motive: Paul’s motive is to please God not people (1:10). 

We may be tempted to compromise in order to attract and please people.  Paul was not a politician.  He was an ambassador.  His task was not to play politics but to proclaim a message as a bondservant of Christ.
 
     B.  Defense: Believers should defend the good news of grace (1:11–4:31). 

News analyst Elmer Davis in his book But We Were Born Free said, “This will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave.”  Paul was willing to contend for spiritual liberty.  We are commanded to contend for the faith which was once for all delivered to the saints (Jude 3).
 
          1.  Paul provides a personal defense of the good news of grace (1:11–2:21). 

Paul uses a twofold approach in his defense of the gospel of grace.  His first approach is personal.  He reviews his own personal experience with Jesus and the message of the gospel.  He points out that he had received the gospel independently from the Lord and not from the apostles, but that they had approved his message and ministry.  Furthermore Paul had defended the gospel of grace when Peter, the leading apostle, had compromised his earlier stand.
 
                a.  The gospel of grace Paul preached is the true gospel given to him by the direct revelation of Christ
                     (1:11-24).
                b.  The apostles in Jerusalem approved of Paul’s presentation of the gospel of grace (2:1-10).
                c.  Paul’s rebuke of Peter on the matter of freedom from the Law vindicated his understanding of the
                    gospel of grace (2:11-21). 

          2.  Paul provides a doctrinal defense of the good news of grace (3:1–4:31). 

Paul’s second approach is doctrinal.  Paul uses eight lines of reasoning to develop a theological defense of the gospel of grace.
 
               a.  The Galatians began by faith, and their growth in Christ should continue to be by faith (3:1-5).
               b.  Abraham was justified by faith, which applies for all who believe (3:6-9).
               c.  Christ has redeemed all who believe from the curse of the Law (3:10-14).
               d.  The Law does not nullify the promise made to Abraham (3:15-18).
               e.  The Law was given to drive people to faith, not to save them (3:19-22).
               f.  Believers in Christ are adopted children of God and no longer under the guardianship of the Law
                    (3:23–4:7).
               g.  The believers of the churches of Galatia should recognize their departure from the gospel of grace
                    and turn back to their original freedom in Christ (4:8-20).
               h.  Abraham’s two sons allegorically reveal the superiority of the Abrahamic promise to the Mosaic Law
                    (4:21-31). 

III.  Live Free: Believers should live free in Christ (5:1–6:18). 

     A.  Freedom from Law: Believers have been set free in Christ and are not to subject themselves to the Law
          (5:1-12). 

         1.  Exhortation: Stay free (5:1). 

         2.  Explanation: False teacher will seek to steal your freedom (5:2-12). 

     B.  Freedom for Life in the Spirit: Believers should not abuse their freedom for life in the flesh but should use
          their freedom for life by the Spirit in their personal and social spheres (5:13–6:10). 

          1.  Exhortation: Do not turn liberty into license but in love serve one another (5:13). 

Some think “free” means free to do as they please.  Christian liberty is freedom from sin and freedom to serve.  We are not to take liberties with our liberty. 
 
Patrick Henry shouted, “Give me liberty or give me death.”  Someone observed that the next generation shouted, “Give me liberty.”  The present generation shouts, “Give me.”
 
          2.  Explanation: Love fulfills the Law (5:14-15). 

The Holy Spirit enables us to fulfill the law of love.  The fruit of the Spirit is love (5:22).
 
          3.  Application: Live by the Spirit in your personal and social life (5:16–6:10). 

               a.  Personal Life: Live by the Spirit so as not to fulfill the lusts of the flesh (5:16-24). 

Since we still have the sinful nature indwelling us, we may fall to the sins that nature produces if we do not live by the Spirit.  The Spirit enables us to overcome the flesh.
 
The sins of the flesh fall into four categories.  First, Paul mentions three sexual sins: immorality, impurity, sensuality.  He then cites two religious sins: idolatry and sorcery.  He then lists eight social sins: enmities, strife, jealousy, outbursts of anger, disputes, dissensions, factions, envying.  Two sins associated with alcohol fall in a fourth category: drunkenness, carousing.  Finally to show that this long list is only representative and not exhaustive, Paul adds the words “and the like.”
 
Paul warns that those who habitually indulges in these fleshly sins will not inherit the Kingdom of God.  This does not say that a believer loses his salvation if he lapses into a sin of the flesh, but that he will lose his inheritance or reward in the Kingdom of God if he continues in that sin.
 
The Spirit enables us to produce fruit.  By the Spirit’s power we can produce a nine-fold fruit cluster of three triads.  The first triad concern inner qualities of the heart: love, joy, peace.  The second triad reaches out to others: patience, kindness, goodness.  The final triad guide our general conduct: faithfulness, meekness, self-control.  The word “fruit” is singular indicating that these qualities are unified and should all be found in a believer who lives under the control of the Spirit.
 
               b.  Social Life: Live by the Spirit so as to fulfill the law of Christ (5:25–6:10). 

We are free from the Law of Moses and possess liberty in Christ, but we are to fulfill the law of Christ in the power of the Spirit.  Such a life involves sharing the burden of other believers and supporting the teaching of the word.
 
                    1)  The law of Christ involves sharing one another’s burdens (5:25–6:5).

                    2)  The law of Christ involves supporting the teaching of the word and doing good (6:6-10). 

     C.  Freedom Brand: Willingly bear the brand-mark of Jesus (6:11-18). 
​
The teachers of a distorted gospel sought to compel circumcision for all believers.  Paul exclaims that neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything for the believer.  What is important is that we are a new creation in Christ.  He invokes peace and mercy upon those who follow this rule and upon the Israel of God.  The Israel of God are the faithful believing Jewish remnant which make up the church with believing Gentiles.
 
In Paul’s day followers of a god or goddess were sometimes branded with the mark of that idol.  Paul was “branded” for Jesus, but he did not receive his brands in the usual way.  They were the physical marks of suffering for declaring the gospel of grace.
 
Theological Reflection and Application
 
We are born free in Christ to live free in Christ.  Break free by believing the gospel of grace.  Walk free by continuing in the gospel of grace.  In Christ we are free.  Such freedom is priceless.  Never, never give it up.

 SURVEY OF SECOND CORINTHIANS
A Defense of the Apostolic Ministry

Philippe R. Sterling
 
Jesus builds the Church on the foundation of apostolic ministry such as that of Paul who was given apostolic authority by the Lord (see 13:10).
 
Introductory Matters
 
We can infer the following matters concerning Paul’s letters and visits to the church at Corinth:

1. First Visit: Paul founded and established the church in Corinth during his second missionary journey spending eighteen months there (Acts 18:1-11).
2. Previous Letter: Paul wrote a letter (lost) telling the church not to associate with immoral believers (1 Cor 5:9).
3. First Corinthians: Paul wrote First Corinthians from Ephesus during his third missionary journey to deal with a number of problems in the church reported to him and to answer doctrinal and practical questions sent to him in a letter from Corinth.
4. Painful Visit: Paul made a painful visit to Corinth but failed to accomplish his purpose (inferred from 2 Cor 2:1; 12:14; 13:1-2).
5. Severe Letter: Paul sent a “sorrowful” letter (lost) to Corinth by Titus (2 Cor 2:4).
6. Second Corinthians: Titus met with Paul in Macedonia with a good report from Corinth and in response Paul wrote Second Corinthians (2 Cor 7:5-13).
7. Third Visit: Paul likely made a third visit to Corinth towards the close of his third missionary journey (Acts 20:1-3).

 
Second Corinthians is the most autobiographical of the letters of Paul.
 
Literary Structure and Content
 
I.   Greeting: Paul presents himself as an apostle of Christ by the will of God who is addressing the church of
     God which is at Corinth (1:1-2). 

II.  Thanksgiving: Paul blesses the God of all comfort who comforts believers in all their afflictions so that they also
     can comfort others in their afflictions, and relates his own experience of comfort in his affliction (1:3-11). 

III. Explanation — The Apology of Paul: The Apostle Paul presents a defense of his conduct and calling to
     the Corinthians (1:12–7:16). 

     A.  Paul defends his conduct (1:11–2:17). 

          1.  The Change in Plans: Some accused Paul of vacillation when he changed plans to visit Corinth but he had
​               the pure motives of sparing further sorrow both to the Corinthians and to himself (1:12–2:4). 

               a.  Paul had pure motives (12-14).
               b.  Paul defends himself against the accusation of vacillation when he failed to follow through on plans to
                    visit Corinth by pointing to the faithfulness of God (15-22).
               c.  Paul changed his plans to go to Corinth to spare further sorrow both to the Corinthians and to himself
                    (23–2:4).  

          2.  The Case of the Offender: An offender who had caused sorrow and responded well to church
               discipline should be forgiven, comforted and reaffirmed (2:5-11).  

          3.  Parenthesis: Paul give thanks to God who always leads His servants who faithfully proclaim His
               word in triumph in Christ (2:12-17).  

     B.  Paul defends his calling (3:1–6:10).
 
          1.  The Glory of the Ministry: God has called the Apostles to a new covenant ministry in the Spirit that is
               more glorious than that of the Mosaic covenant (3:1–4:6).  

          2.  The Weakness of the Ministry: The Apostolic ministry is carried out amidst much suffering, in
               human weakness, and requires faithful diligence that will be properly recompensed at the judgment
               seat of Christ (4:7–5:10).  

          3.  The Practice of the Ministry: The ministry calls for proper motives, right message, and commending
               manner (5:11–6:10).  

               a.  Motives: The fear of the Lord, care for others and the love of Christ properly impels ministry (5:11-15).
               b.  Message: God has entrusted His ambassadors with a message of reconciliation (5:17-21).
               c.  Manner: God’s ambassadors are to conduct themselves well in all circumstances as servants of God
                    (6:1-10).  

     C.  Appeal: Paul appeals for reconciliation with the Corinthians and their separation from the defilement of the
          world (6:11–7:1).  

     D.  Comfort: Paul experienced comfort and joy from the report of Titus concerning the Corinthians (7:2-16).  

IV. Instruction — The Arrangement for the Offering: Paul gives instruction for the special offering for the believers
     in Jerusalem (8:1–9:15).  

     A.  Example: Macedonia overflowed in the grace of giving (8:1-6).  

     B.  Exhortation: Paul encourages the Corinthians to abound in the grace of giving as they abound in everything
          else (8:7-15).  

     C.  Preparation: Paul endorses the messengers who are handling the offering and urges the Corinthians to be
          well-prepared with a bountiful gift at their coming (8:16–9:5).  

     D.  Explanation: Generous giving is a good thing that God enables (9:6-14).
 
     E.  Illustration: The greatest example of generous giving is the gift of Christ (9:15).  

V.  Exhortation—The Authority of Paul: Paul exercises his apostolic authority in exhorting the Corinthians (10:1–13:11).  
     A.  Apostolic Activity: Paul answers the accusations that have been placed against him and points out the sphere
          of his apostolic activity (10:1-18).  

          1.  Accusations: Paul answers the accusations of meekness when present and boldness when absent,
               weighty letters and unimpressive presence by pointing out that his apostolic authority does not rest in
               the flesh but in Christ (10:1-11).  

          2.  Activity: God apportioned to Paul to be the first to preach the gospel to the Corinthians and to regions
               beyond (10:12-18).  

     B.  Apostolic Credentials: Paul’s knowledge, sacrificial service, sufferings, visions, and attesting signs all
          support the genuineness of his apostleship (11:1–12:18).  

     C.  Apostolic Exhortation: Paul exhorts the Corinthians to do what is right so that when he is present with them
          he need not use severity in accordance with his apostolic authority 12:19–13:10).  

     D.  Farewell Exhortations: Paul exhorts the brethren to be in order, be comforted, be likeminded, and be at
          peace so that the God of love and peace may be with them (13:11).  

VI. Greetings: Paul encourages the Corinthians to greet each other with affection and conveys the greetings of
     fellow believers (13:12-13).  

VII. Benediction: Paul extends the love, grace, and fellowship of the Triune God (13:14).  

Theological Reflection and Application
 
The following are a few doctrinal and practical applications from Second Corinthians:

1. Our ministry is glorious (3:7-11).
2. The New Testament believer is not under the law (3:7, 11).
3. We are not to draw attention to ourselves but to Christ (4:5).
4. Human weakness is not a barrier to serving Christ (4:7, 10, 11).
5. God provides sufficient grace for every trial (4:8-9).
6. A key to serving Christ is denial of self for others (4:12).
7. The aim of life is not worldly success but to be pleasing to Christ (5:9).
8. The judgment seat of Christ is a legitimate motive for service (5:10).
9. God has committed to us the message of reconciliation (5:19).
10. The example of others is a legitimate encouragement to giving (8:1).
11. Poverty is not an excuse for not giving (8:2-3).
12. Giving produces thanksgiving (9:11-13).
13. We are in a spiritual battle (10:3-5).
14. False teachers victimize people (11:19-20).
15. There are occasions when it is necessary to present credentials (12:11-12).