First Thessalonians

Second Thessalonians

First Timothy

Second Timothy

FIRST THESSALONIANS

51 AD

“Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands . . .
so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and
so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”4:11

Author: Paul
Written From: Corinth
Sent To: The Church in Thessalonica

Purpose: Provide further instruction and encouragement for recent converts from paganism in Thessalonica

Theme: Paul’s Relationship with the Thessalonian Church and the Return of Jesus

Basic Outline:

• Chapter One, Paul reviews the Thessalonian church
• Chapter Two, Paul discusses his ministry
• Chapter Three, Timothy’s visit and good report
• Chapter Four, Paul answers the Thessalonians questions
• Chapter Five, Paul discusses eschatology and gives final instructions

Memorable Verses:

• “We continually remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” 1:2
• “For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you.” 2:3
• “You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed.” 2:5
• “Surely you remember, brothers, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you” 2:9
• “We wanted to come to you – certainly I, Paul, did, again and again – but Satan stopped us.” 2:18
• “Night and day we pray most earnestly that we may see you again and supply what is lacking in your faith.” 3:10
• “It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality; that each of you should learn to control his own body in a way that is holy and honorable.” 4:3, 4
• “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.” 4:11, 12
• “We believe that Jesus died and rose again and so we believe that God will bring with Jesus those who have fallen asleep in him.” 4:14
• “We who are still alive and are left will be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air.” 4:17
• “You, brothers, are not in darkness so that this day should surprise you like a thief.” 5:4
• “Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.” 5:16-18
• “Do not put out the Spirit’s fire; do not treat prophecies with contempt.  Test everything.  Hold on to the good.” 5:19-21

Greek Words:

• ‘upomonh – hupomone – enduring, patience, patient continuance, 1:3.
• ‘arpazw – harpadzo - caught up, catch away, carry of by force, pluck, pull, to rapture, 4:17.
• cronoV – chronos – a space of time, expresses time in duration as in a season or a space of time, focus is on the time period and particular date or time of prophecies fulfillment, 5:1.
• kairoV – kairos – season, time, a fixed or definite period of time, the focus here may be on the character or quality of the time or season including the signs and events, 5:1, 2:17.

Healthy Doctrine:

• Sanctification  
• The Lord’s Coming

Second Thessalonians

52 AD

“We ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come form us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come.”  2:2

Author: Paul
Written From: Corinth
Sent To: The Church in Thessalonica

Purpose: Encourage the young church which is facing persecution, correct doctrinal error concerning eschatology which includes telling some of the people to get a job

Theme: Eschatology (18 of 47 verses are eschatological)

Basic Outline:

• Chapter One, Encouragement in the midst of affliction
• Chapter Two, Reject and correct a false prophetic letter written by someone posing as Paul
• Chapter Three, Correct idleness among believers

Memorable Verses:

• “This will happen when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven in blazing fire with his powerful angels.” 1:7
• “By his power he may fulfill every good purpose of yours and every act prompted by your faith.” 1:11
• “We ask you, brothers, not to become easily unsettled or alarmed by some prophecy, report or letter supposed to have come from us, saying that the day of the Lord has already come.” 2:2
• “Then the lawless one will be revealed, whom the Lord Jesus will overthrow with the breath of his mouth and destroy by the splendor of his coming.” 2:8
• “God sends them a powerful delusion so that they will believe the lie.” 2:11
• “Stand firm and hold to the teachings we passed on to you, whether by word of mouth or by letter.” 2:15
• “We command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us.” 3:6
• “We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone’s food without paying for it.  On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you.” 3: 7, 8
• “If a man will not work, he shall not eat.” 3:10
• “I, Paul, write this greeting in my own hand, which is the distinguishing mark in all my letters.  This is how I write.” 3:17

Greek Words:

• basileia – basileia – kingdom, reign, 1:5.
• krisiV – krisis – judgment, accusation, condemnation, damnation, 1:5.
• ’oleqroV – olethros – destruction, 5:3.
• ’episunagwgh – episunagoge – assembling or gathering together, collection, meeting 2:1.
• ’apostasia – apostasia – apostasy, falling away, rebellion, revolt, forsake, 2:3.
• ’apwleia – apoleia – damnable, damnation, destruction, ruin, doom, die, perdition, 2:3.

Healthy Doctrine:

• Return of Jesus Christ
• End Time Judgment
• Leading Responsible and Productive Lives

The Man of Lawlessness
Details of the Anti-christ in Second Thessalonians 2:3-12

• He is revealed after the rebellion, departure or apostasy has happened or has began
• He is doomed to destruction
• He will oppose everything called God
• He will exalt himself over everything called God
• He sets himself up in God’s temple
• He proclaims himself to be God
• He will be revealed at the proper time
• He is being held back by “the one” and will be revealed when “he” is taken out of the way
• He will come in accordance with the work of Satan: counterfeit miracles, signs and wonders
• He will come with every sort of evil that deceives those who rejected truth
• He will be overthrown by the breath of the mouth of the Lord Jesus
• He will be destroyed by the splendor of the coming of the Lord Jesus

FIRST TIMOTHY

62 AD

“God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.”  3:15

Author: Paul
Written From: Macedonia
Sent To: Timothy, who was leading the church in Ephesus

Purpose:  When Paul went to Macedonia, Timothy was left in Ephesus to teach against false doctrine.  This letter detailed Timothy’s responsibilities which included teaching, refuting false teaching and overseeing the organization of the church.

Theme: Instructions for establishing the church

Basic Outline:

• Chapter One, Preparing Timothy to stand against false doctrine and lead the church
• Chapter Two, Instructions about men and women in church services
• Chapter Three, Qualifications for Church Leader
• Chapter Four, Description and Defense against False Doctrine
• Chapter Five, Pastoral responsibilities concerning church members:
• Chapter Six, Final instructions and guidance for Timothy

Memorable Verses:

• “Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding onto faith and a good conscience.” 1:18
• “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone – for kings and all those in authority.” 2:1
• “God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.” 2:4
• “There is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.” 2:5
• “The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” 4:1
• “If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus.” 4:6
• “For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.” 4:8
• “Command and teach these things.  Don’t let anyone look down on you, because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. “ 4:12
• “Devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching.” 4:13
• “Do not neglect your gift.” 4:14
• “Watch your life and doctrine closely.” 4:16
• “Godliness with contentment is great gain.” 6:6
• “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.” 6:10
• “Fight the good fight of faith.” 6:12
• “Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care.” 6:20

Greek Words:

• mesithV – mesites – mediator, 2:5.
• ’episkopos – episkopos – overseer, bishop, 3:2.
• diakonoV – diakonos – servant, minister, deacon, 3:8, 12; 4:7.
• ’antilutron – antilutron – ransom from two Greek words: ’anti anti meaning substitution and lutron lutron meaning ransom of a slave.  Antilutron is the payment given in substitution for the slave,

Healthy Doctrine:

• Church Organization
• Church Leadership Qualifications
• Jesus as Mediator

SECOND TIMOTHY

67 AD

“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage.”  4:2

Author: Paul
Written From: Rome in prison
Sent To: Timothy, who was leading the church in Ephesus

Purpose: Ask Timothy to come to visit Paul in the Roman prison and to urge him to hold to sound doctrine, defend it against error and endure hardship.

Theme: Stir up your gift and advance sound teaching

Basic Outline: 

• Chapter One, Paul encourages Timothy and uses himself as an example
• Chapter Two, Paul gives several images for Timothy to imitate
• Chapter Three, Paul identifies the coming apostasy and how to combat it
• Chapter Four, Paul tells Timothy to preach the word of God and makes some personal comments

Memorable Verses:

• “I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God.” 1:6
• “God, who has saved us and called us to a holy life.” 1:9
• “I know whom I have believed, and am convinced that he is able to guard what I have entrusted to him for that day.” 1:12
• “Everyone in the province of Asia has deserted me.” 1:15
• “Jesus Christ raised form the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, . . .” 2:8
• “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.” 2:15
• “They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.” 2:18
• “Flee the evil desires of youth.” 2:22
• “Mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.” 3:1
• “All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the man of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 3:16, 17)  
• “I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season.” 4:2
• “The time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine.” 4:3
• “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.” 4:7
• “Do your best to come to me quickly.” 4:9
• “When you come, bring the cloak that I left with Carpus at Troas, and my scrolls, especially the parchments.” 4:13

Greek Words:

• ’epifaneia – epiphaneia – manifestation, appearing, brightness, 1:10; 4:1, 8.
• paraqhkh – paratheke – a putting with, a deposit, 1:12, 14.
• parakalew – parakaleo – urge, admonish, exhort, comfort, entreat, pray, 4:2.
• ‘ugiainw – hugiaino – healthy, whole, sound, 1:13, 4:3.
• plhroforew – plerophoreo – to carry full, fully known, to make full proof, to accomplish, most surely believe, 4:5, 17.
• biblion – biblion – a scroll or a small book written on papyrus (paper) from the stem of the papyrus plant, 4:13.
• membrane – membrane – parchment, a piece of skin (of a sheep or goat) or vellum (from the skin of a calf) prepared for writing.  It was a technical term for a codex which were pages of parchment sown together in an early form of a book, 4:13.

Healthy Doctrine:

• Spiritual gifts and empowerment
• Inspiration of Scripture

Examples and Character of a Servant of God
(2 Timothy 2)

Verse

Image

Character Trait

2:1,2

Paul

• Strong in Grace
• Multiply and Equip Workers

2:3,4

Soldier

• Endure Hardships
• Single-minded

2:5

Athlete

• Disciplined
• Obedient to Rules of the Game

2:6

Farmer

• Hardworking
• Partakes in the harvest

2:8

Jesus

• Faithful
• Resurrected
• Reigning

2:14-19

Workman

• Prepared and Approved
• Correctly Handles Word of Truth

2:20-23

Vessel

• Sanctified
• Set apart for noble purposes
• Set apart from sin & worthless pursuits

2:24-26

 Servant

• Gentle
• Able to teach