NT SURVEY

THE FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY–NT SURVEY

Art Davison NT SURVEY 0 Comment
THE FIRST EPISTLE TO TIMOTHY
Introduction:

“Hitherto Paul’s epistles were directed to churches; now follow some to particular persons: two to Timothy, one to Titus, and another to Philemon—all three ministers…Their commission and work was much the same with that of the apostles, to plant churches, and water the churches that were planted; and accordingly they were itinerants, as we find Timothy was. Timothy was first converted by Paul, and therefore he calls him his ‘own son in the faith:’ we read of his conversion, Acts 16:3.

“The scope of these two epistles is to direct Timothy how to discharge his duty as an evangelist at Ephesus, where he now was, and where Paul ordered him for some time to reside, to perfect the good work which he had begun there. As for the ordinary pastoral charge of that church, he had very solemnly committed it to the presbytery, as appears from Acts 20:28, where he charges the presbyters ‘to feed the flock of God, which he had purchased with his own blood.’” — Matthew Henry.

“The Design of the First Epistle was:

1) To direct Timothy to charge the false teachers against continuing to teach other doctrine than that of the Gospel (1 Timothy 1:3-20; compare Revelation 2:1-6);

2) To give him instructions as to the orderly conducting of worship, the qualifications of bishops and deacons, and the selection of widows who should, in return for Church charity, do appointed service (1 Timothy 2:1—6:2);

3) To warn against covetousness, a sin prevalent at Ephesus, and to urge to good works (1 Timothy 6:3-19).” — Jamieson, Fausset, Brown.

Writer: The apostle Paul.

Date: uncertain.

Key Text: 1 Timothy 3:15, “But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”

Synopsis:

I. Legality and unsound doctrine rebuked, 1:1-20

A. Salutation, 1 Timothy 1:1-2.

1. Paul means to say that he is an Apostle under orders, v. 1.

2. Timothy, “my own son in the faith,” v. 2.

Exhortation concerning dealing with legalistic teachers:

1. Who emphasize “other doctrine” rather than real godliness; whose purpose was to stir up strife, 1 Timothy 1:3-6.

2. Who desire to be teachers of the law without understanding its significance, 1 Timothy 1:7-11.

NOTE: “The Judaizers here meant seem to be distinct from those impugned in the Epistles to the Galatians and Romans, who made the works of the law necessary to justification in opposition to Gospel grace. The Judaizers here meant corrupted the law with “fables,” which they pretended to found on it, subversive of morals as well as of truth. Their error was not in maintaining the obligation of the law, but in abusing it by fabulous and immoral interpretations of, and additions to, it.” — A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament.

C. Paul’s experience:

1. His call to the ministry while in active opposition to the gospel, 1 Timothy 1:12-13.

2. His acknowledgment of divine grace and confession of unworthiness, 1 Timothy 1:14-15.

3. Christ’s purpose in using him as a pattern of longsuffering, 1 Timothy 1:16.

D. The first solemn charge to Timothy, 1 Timothy 1:18-20.

II. Prayer and the divine order of the sexes enjoined, 2:1-15

A. Intercessory prayer for all men, 1 Timothy 2:1-4.

NOTE: “As the destruction of Jerusalem drew near, the Jews (including those at Ephesus) were seized with the dream of freedom from every yoke; and so virtually ‘blasphemed’’ (compare 1 Timothy 1:20) God’s name by ‘speaking evil of dignities’ (1 Timothy 6:1; 2 Peter 2:10; Jude 1:8). Hence Paul, in opposition, gives prominence to the injunction that prayer be made for all men, especially for magistrates and kings (Titus 3:1-3).” — A. T. Robertson, Word Pictures in the New Testament.

B. Christ the “Mediator” [literally, “go-between”], 1 Timothy 2:5-6; Romans 3:29; Ephesians 4:5-6; Hebrews 8:6; 9:15; 12:24.

1. One God, v. 5; Romans 3:30; Galatians 3:20.

2. Not only the Father gave Him for us, John 3:16.

3. But the Son gave Himself, v. 6; Philippians 2:5-8.

C. Paul the Apostle to the Gentiles, 1 Timothy 2:7.

D. The Duties of men and women, 1 Timothy 2:8-15.

1. “The men” [Gr. aner = male], v. 8; 1 Corinthians 11:14

2. “The women,” vv. 9-12; 1 Corinthians 11:15; 14:34-35.

III. The Qualifications of Elders and Deacons, 3:1-16

A. The qualifications of a bishop:

1. Personal character and habits 1 Timothy 3:2-3.

2. Attitude toward his family 1 Timothy 3:4-5.

3. Experience and good reputation 1 Timothy 3:6-7.

A. The qualifications of deacons:

1. Character, habits and Christian experience 1 Timothy 3:8-9.

2. Tested for a period 1 Timothy 3:10.

3. Having faithful wives, and proper authority in their own homes 1 Timothy 3:11-12.

4. The advantages of the diaconate 1 Timothy 3:13.

C. The purpose of the epistle 1 Timothy 3:15.

D. The mystery of the incarnation of Christ 1 Timothy 3:16.

IV. The walk of the “Good Minister,” 4:1-16.

A. A dreadful apostasy, 1 Timothy 4:1-3.

B. He treats of Christian liberty, 1 Timothy 4:4-5.

C. He gives Timothy divers directions: 1 Timothy 4:6-16.

1. With respect to himself, 1 Timothy 4:7-12.

2. With respect to His doctrine, 1 Timothy 4:13-14.

3. With respect to the people under his care, 1 Timothy 4:15-16.

V. The Work of the “Good Minister,” 5:1—6:21.

A. Courtesy to old and young, 1 Timothy 5:1-2.

B. The attitude of the church toward widows, 1 Timothy 5:3-16.

NOTE: “Evidently, as in Acts 6:1-6, so here in Ephesus there had arisen some trouble over the widows in the church. Both for individual cases of need and as a class Timothy is to show proper respect, to keep on honoring the widows.” — A. T. Robertson.

The duty to the church elders, 1 Timothy 5:17-20.

C. The Apostle gives a solemn charge concerning ordination, 1 Timothy 5:21-22.

D. Advice relating to personal matters, 1 Timothy 5:23-25.

E. Duties of servants, 1 Timothy 6:1-2.

F. Duty of separation from contentious teachers, 1 Timothy 6:3-5.

G. The blessings of contentment, 1 Timothy 6:6-8.

H. The peril of riches, and the duty of the minister to avoid covetousness; to seek Christian virtues, and to “fight the good fight of faith,” 1 Timothy 6:9-12.

I. A solemn charge to the young pastor, 1 Timothy 6:13-16.

J. A solemn charge concerning ordination, 1 Timothy 6:17-19.

K. A final charge to Timothy, 1 Timothy 6:20-21.

THE SECOND EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS–NT SURVEY

Art Davison NT SURVEY 0 Comment
The Second Epistle to the Corinthians

Introduction:

This epistle, according to the subscription at the end of it, was written from Philippi of Macedonia… for the apostle not finding Titus at Troas, as he expected, went into Macedonia, where he met with him, and had an account from him of the success of his first epistle; of the state and condition of the church, and of the temper and disposition of mind in which the members of it were, and which gave him great satisfaction; upon which he immediately wrote this second epistle, and sent it by the same person to them; see 2 Corinthians 2:12-13; 2 Corinthians 7:5-7; 8:6, 16-18.
The occasion of this epistle was partly to excuse his not coming to them according to promise, and to vindicate himself from the charge of unfaithfulness, levity, and inconstancy on that account; and partly, since what he had wrote about the incestuous person, had had a good effect both upon him and them, to direct them to take off the censure that had been laid upon him, and restore him to their communion, and comfort him; likewise to stir them up to finish the collection for the poor saints they had begun. — John Gill’s Expositor.
The theme of the book is somewhat hidden, but it is quite apparent that Paul had prominently in mind, the vindication of his apostleship when he was writing this book. Both epistles to the Corinthians indicate that there was an element in this church which tended to discredit his ministry and authority. This tendency is shown in the texts of this Chain of Scripture: 2 Corinthians 3:1; 5:12; 7:2; 10:2-3; 11:5-6 ; 12:11; 13:3.
This is one of the most personal of all of Paul’s epistles. He dwells largely upon his own ministry. He opens his heart and discloses his motives, his spiritual passion, and his tender love for the church.
Writer: the Apostle Paul.
Synopsis: There are no definite divisions of thought in the epistle, but the subject matter may be arranged under three headings.
I. The Characteristics of the Apostle’s Ministry.

A. Comforting, 2 Corinthians 1:4-7; 7:7, 13.
NOTE: The apostle in this verse gives a reason of the former thanksgiving, and at the same time confirms the above character of God, as “the God of all comfort,” by his own experience, and that of his fellow ministers; who, though they had been in great tribulation and affliction for the sake of Christ, and his Gospel, yet were not left destitute of divine help and support under their trials. — John Gill’s Expositor.
B. Suffering, 2 Corinthians 1:5-9; 4:8-12; 5:4; 6:4-10; 7:5; 11:24-28; 12:7-10.
C. Sincerity as in the presence of God, 1 Corinthians 5:8, “Therefore let us keep the feast, not with old leaven, neither with the leaven of malice and wickedness; but with the unleavened bread of sincerity and truth.” See also 2 Corinthians 1:12; 2:17; 4:2; 7:2.
D. Steadfast in the inward man, 2 Corinthians 1:17-19; 4:1, 16.
E. Solicitous, 2 Corinthians 2:3-4; 7:7-8; 11:2-3; 12:20-21.
NOTE: Instead of going in person to correct the evils which existed in the church of Corinth, he wrote to them that those evils might be corrected before he came, and thus his coming would be a source of joy to both parties. — Charles Hodge.
F. Triumphant, 2 Corinthians 2:14; 4:8-9; 12:10.
G. Self-sacrificing, 2 Corinthians 4:5, 11, 15; 5:13; 11:7, 9.
NOTE: The connection indicated by the particle for is with the main idea of the preceding verse. ‘Our gospel,’ says Paul, ‘is the gospel of the glory of Christ, for we do not preach ourselves, but him.’ To preach one’s self is to make self the end of preaching; that is, preaching with the design to attract to ourselves the admiration, the confidence or homage of men. This Paul declares he did not do, but he preached Christ Jesus the Lord. — Charles Hodge.
H. Love of Christ was the controlling motive, 2 Corinthians 4:11; 5:14.
I. Looking at the Unseen Spiritual things, 2 Corinthians 4:18; 5:16; 10:4.
J. Persuasive, 2 Corinthians 5:11, 20; 6:1; 10:1-2.
NOTE: “They endeavour to persuade them by the best arguments they are masters of, taken from the word of God, and their own experience, that they are in a dangerous state and condition, walking in a way that leads to destruction; that they are liable to the curses of the law, the wrath of God, and everlasting ruin.” – John Gill’s Expositor.
K. Reconciling, 2 Corinthians 5:19-21.
NOTE: “This expresses and explains the subject matter of the ministration of the Gospel, especially that part of it which concerns our reconciliation with God; and declares the scheme, the author, the subjects, the way, and means, and consequence of it.” — John Gill’s Expositor.
L. Demonstrated by earnestness, afflictions and good works, 2 Corinthians 5:13; 6:4-10; 12:12.
M. Authoritative, 2 Corinthians 10:1-11.
NOTE: “In this chapter the apostle has chiefly to do with the false teachers, and it is taken up in refuting their calumnies of him, and in exposing their boasting of themselves; and as he goes along, he takes notice of the efficacy of the Gospel, and of the success and extent of it, as it was preached by him, and other Gospel ministers, and points at the proper manner and ground of glorying.” — John Gill’s Expositor.
N. Self-supporting, 2 Corinthians 11:9.
II. Exhortations and Instructions Concerning the Collection for the Saints in Jerusalem and Judea, 2 Corinthians 8:1—9:15

NOTE: These two chapters are “concerned exclusively with the collection which the Apostle was raising in all the Gentile Christian communities for the poor of the Mother Church at Jerusalem. This collection had great importance in his eyes, for various reasons: it was the fulfillment of his undertaking, to the original Apostles, to remember the poor, Galatians 2:10, and it was a testimony to the saints in Palestine of the love of the Gentile brethren in Christ.” – Expositor’s Bible Commentary.
III. The Apostleship of Paul.

A. Paul was discredited by one element in the church, 2 Corinthians 10:7-10; 12:11; 13:3.
B. The Authority of Paul’s Apostleship, 2 Corinthians 2:9; 13:2.
C. Paul’s Apostleship Authenticated:
1. By the Lord, 2 Corinthians 1:1, 21-22; 3:5-6; 4:6.
2. By Unparalleled Sufferings for the Cause of Christ, 2 Corinthians 6:4-10; 11:23-27.
3. By Wonderful Revelations Received, 2 Corinthians 12:1-5.
4. By Mighty Deeds Performed, 2 Corinthians 12:12.
Choice Selections:

A. The ideal ministry, 2 Corinthians 4:1-18.
B. The triumph over death, 2 Corinthians 5:1-9.
C. The call to separation from the world, 2 Corinthians 6:14-18.
D. The list of sufferings endured by Paul, 2 Corinthians 11:24-33.

THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS–NT SURVEY

Art Davison NT SURVEY 0 Comment
THE FIRST EPISTLE TO THE CORINTHIANS
Introduction:
“CORINTH was the first Gentile city in which Paul spent any considerable time. It afforded him the opportunities he sought as a preacher of Christ. Lying, as it did, on the famous Isthmus which connected Northern and Southern Greece, and defended by an almost impregnable citadel, it became a place of great political importance. Its position gave it also commercial advantages.” — Expositor’s Bible.
“Looking’ towards the north, the eye rests on the mountains of Attica on the one hand, and north-eastern Greece on the other. The Acropolis of Athens was clearly visible at a distance of forty-five miles. As early as the days of Homer, Corinth was an important city. Its position made it, in a military point of view, the key of the Peloponnesus; and its command of a port on two seas, made it the centre of commerce between Asia and Europe. It became the chief city of Greece, not only in authority but in wealth, magnificence, literature, the arts, and in luxury. It was characteristic of the place, that while the temple of Minerva {Roman goddess of wisdom and the arts} crowned the Acropolis of Athens, the Acrocorinthus was the site of the temple of Venus. Of all the cities of the ancient world it was most notorious for licentiousness.
As Corinth was not only the political capital of Greece, but the seat of its commercial and intellectual life; the place of concourse for the people not only of the neighbouring cities but of nations; a source whence influences of all kinds emanated in every direction, it was specially important for the diffusion of the gospel. Paul therefore, leaving Athens, which he had visited in his second missionary journey, went alone to Corinth, where he was soon after joined by Silas and Timotheus, who came from Macedonia, Acts 18:5.” — Charles Hodge.
For more information about Corinth during the time before and after the time of the Apostle Paul, read The Life and Epistles of St. Paul by W. J. Conybeare.
Writer: The Apostle Paul.
Historical Occasion: The church at Corinth was founded by Paul on his second missionary journey. It had become infected with the evils which surrounded it in a licentious city. The Greeks were proud of their learning and philosophy, but at the same time were addicted to gross immorality. They were especially fond of oratory. It is apparent that Apollos, an eloquent Christian Jew, had come to Corinth and captured the imaginations of the Greek Christians, Acts 18:24-28. This fact led to the drawing of comparisons between him, with his silver tongue, and other religious leaders; especially to the discredit of Paul, whose bodily presence seems not to have been impressive, 2 Corinthians 10:10. This probably is the clue to the schisms in the church, 1 Corinthians 1:11-13. It was the desire of Paul to purify the church from factions and immorality, which was the primary cause of the writing of the epistle.
Here is a Chain showing the false conceptions of the ministry, 1 Corinthians 1:12-17; 3:4-7, 21-22; 4:6-7.
Synopsis:
I. The Cleansing of the Church from False Conceptions of the Ministry, Intellectual Pride, Social Evils, and other disorders, 1 Corinthians 1:1—11:1.
A. The salutation, 1 Corinthians 1:1-9.
B. The need of cleansing the church from…1 Corinthians 1:10-31.
1. Party divisions or schisms.
2. Man-worship.
3. Glorying in worldly wisdom.
C. Paul’s exemplary ministry. There was no attempt on his part to display worldly wisdom, but to declare the wisdom of God in a message revealed to him by the Holy Spirit, 1 Corinthians 2:1-16.
D. The strife over leaders is a mark of immaturity and carnality, 1 Corinthians 3:1-8.
E. The True View of the Ministry: Ministers should be regarded…
1. As dispensers of the truth, 1 Corinthians 3:1-2.
2. As the Lord’s keepers of His vineyard, 1 Corinthians 3:6-8.
3. As Co-laborers with God, 1 Corinthians 3:9.
4. As Character Builders, 1 Corinthians 3:10.
5. As Stewards, 1 Corinthians 4:1-2.
6. As Sufferers for Christ’s sake, 1 Corinthians 4:9-13; as examples, 1 Corinthians 4:16-17.
7. As Administrators of Discipline, 1 Corinthians 4:18-21.
F. The duty of cleansing the Lord’s churches:
1. From immorality, 1 Corinthians 5:1-13.
2. From a Brother going “to law before the unjust,” against another Brother in Christ, 1 Corinthians 6:1-8.
3. Believers as members of Christ’s body and Temples of the Holy Spirit, should purify themselves from all sensuality, 1 Corinthians 6:9-20.
G. The sanctification of marriage and all sexual relationships and the paramount claims of the spiritual life, 1 Corinthians 7:1-40.
H. Christian Ideals demand the Sacrifice of certain rights and privileges for the sake of the ignorant and weak. For instance, the eating meat that has been offered to idols, 1 Corinthians 8:1-13.
I. Paul’s example of surrender of certain rights and liberties for the sake of Winning Men to Christ, 1 Corinthians 9:1-27.
J. Israel’s example of Infidelity, a warning to New Testament believers, 1 Corinthians 10:1-15.
K. Fellowship at the Lord’s Supper demands separation from evil associations, 1 Corinthians 10:16-21.
L. Christian Influence to be guarded in the matters of eating and drinking, 1 Corinthians 10:23-33.
M. Social customs to be observed in matters of Dress, 1 Corinthians 11:1-16.
N. Cleansing of the Corinthian church from Disorders in connection with the Lord’s Supper, and its proper observance, 1 Corinthians 11:17-34.
II. Doctrinal Instructions and Advice.
A. Concerning the Diversity of Spiritual Gifts, 1 Corinthians 12:1-31.
B. The Pre-eminence of Love, 1 Corinthians 13:1-13.
C. The Pre-eminence of Prophecy over the gift of tongues, and the Importance of maintaining Proper Order in the Public Assemblies, 1 Corinthians 14:1-40.
D. The Doctrine of the Resurrection, 1 Corinthians 15:1-58.
E. Closing instructions and salutations, 1 Corinthians 16:1-24.