Titus

Hebrews

TITUS

64 AD

“You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.”  1:17

Author: Paul
Written From: Corinth
Sent To: Titus who was working in the church on the isle of Crete

Purpose: Instruct Titus concerning issues and organization of the church in Crete

Theme: The grace of God that brings us salvation also teaches us to say “no” to ungodliness (2:11)

Basic Outline:

• Chapter One, Paul’s reason for leaving Titus at Crete: Appoint elders and stop false teachers
• Chapter Two, Teaching sound doctrine and application to different groups in the church
• Chapter Three, Teach believers to do good and be good citizens; Sound doctrine

Memorable Verses:

• “The reason I left you in Crete was that you might straighten out what was left unfinished and appoint elders in every town.” 1:5
• “There are many rebellious people mere talkers and deceivers, especially those of the circumcision group.  They must be silenced.” 1:10, 11
• “Rebuke them sharply, so that they will be sound in the faith and will pay no attention to Jewish myths or to the commands of those who reject the truth.” 1:13
• “You must teach what is in accord with sound doctrine.” 2:1
• “For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men.  It teaches us to say ‘No’ to ungodliness and worldly passions.” 2:12
• “Remind the people to be subject to rulers and authorities, to be obedient, to be ready to do whatever is good.” 3:1
• “He saved us through the washing of rebirth and renewal by the Holy Spirit.” 3:5
• “Warn a divisive person once, and then warn him a second time.  After that, have nothing to do with him.  You may be sure that such a man is warped and sinful; he is self-condemned.” 3:10, 11
• “Our people must learn to devote themselves to doing what is good, in order that they may provide for daily necessities and not live unproductive lives.” 3:14

Greek Words:

• ‘eklektoV – eklektos – elect, choosen, 1:1,
• fanerow – phaneroo – appear, manifestly declare, manifest, 1:3.
• marturia – marturia – testimony, witness, record, report, 1:13.
• loutpon – loutron – washing, bath, 3:5.
• paliggenesia – paliggenesia – regeneration, a birth again, new birth. Used by Stoics to refer to the seasonal restoration of nature.  Jews used it to refer to the renewal of all things when Messiah came, 3:5.
• ‘anakaigwsiV – anakainosis – renewing, making new, 3:5

Healthy Doctrine:

• Holy Spirit’s work in regeneration and renewing
• Importance of sound doctrine
• Church discipline

PHILEMON

62 AD

“I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.”  10

Author: Paul
Written From: Rome, in prison
Sent To: Philemon, a believer in Colosse

Purpose: Tell Philemon, a wealthy man and slave owner in Colosse, to accept his runaway slave, Onesimus, who has become a believer after being imprisoned with Paul

Theme: Redemption, Restoration, Forgiveness, Imputation

Basic Outline:

• Verses 4-7, Paul is thankful and encouraging to his friend Philemon
• Verses 8-9, Paul relationship with Philemon on the basis authority and love
• Verse 10, Paul mentions Onesimus for the first time and calls him “my son”
• Verses 11-13, Paul describes how “useful” Onesimus is and would like to keep him.
• Verses 14-16, Paul identifies Onesimus as Philemon’s property and a useful slave but also as a man and a brother in the Lord.
• Verses 17-21, Paul tells Philemon to welcome Onesimus back and to charge anything he owes to Paul’s account.  Paul reminds Philemon that he owes Paul is own life.
• Verse 22, Paul asks Phlemon to prepare a room for him because he plans on visiting when he is released from prison.

Memorable Verses:

• “Although in Christ I could be bold and order yo to do what you ought to do, yet I appeal to you on the basis of love.” 8, 9
• “I am sending him – who is my very heart – back to you.”
• “I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, who became my son while I was in chains.” 10
• “He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a man and as a brother in the Lord.” 16
• “If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me . . . I will pay it back – not to mention that you owe me your very self.” 18, 19

Greek Words:

• ’eucrhstoV – euchiestos – useful, serviceable, profitable, meet for use, 11.
• ’ellogew – ellogeo – imput, put on account.  This word was a technical term in business used to refer to charging to someone’s account.18.
• splagcnon – splagchon – the inner organs, inward affection, bowels, used to refer to the total person at the deepest levels, 7.

Healthy Doctrine:

• New man in Christ
• Imputation

The General Epistles Round Out Paul’s Teaching

Paul emphasized FAITH
The writer of Hebrews encourages GROWTH
James stressed DEEDS
Peter taught HOPE
John focused on LOVE
Jude’s message was PURITY

HEBREWS

68 AD

“Fix your thoughts on Jesus, the apostle and high priest whom we confess.”  3:1

Author: Unknown, maybe Barnabus
Written From: Unknown, maybe Corinth or Asia sent to Rome or in Rome sent elsewhere
Sent To: Jewish Christian leaders probably in a Messianic synagogue in an unknown city, maybe Rome or Corinth.

Purpose: A “word of exhortation” to encourage believers to continue to grow and mature and avoid returning to Jewish ceremonies, regulations, rituals and sacrifices

Theme: Jesus is supreme

Basic Outline:

• 1:1 - 4:13 – Superiority of Jesus to prophets, angels, Moses, Joshua
• 4:14-7:28 – Superiority of Jesus’ Priesthood
• 8:1-10:39 – Superiority of Jesus’ Covenant, Temple and Sacrifice
• 11:1-12:29 – Examples of Persevering Faith
• 13:1-21 – Christian Ethics and Behavior

Memorable Verses:

• “In these last days he has spoken to us by his Son” 1:2
• “We must pay more careful attention, therefore, to what we have heard, so that we do not drift away.” 2:1
• “Yet at present we do not see everything subject to him (man). But we see Jesus.” 2:8, 9
• “Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity.” 2:14
• “See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God.” 3:12
• “Now we who have believed enter that rest.” 4:3
• “For the Word of God is living and active.  Sharper than any double-edged sword, it penetrates even to dividing soul and spirit, joints and marrow; it judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart.” 4:12
• “Although he was a son, he learned obedience from what he suffered.” 5:8
• “We have much to say about this but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn.” 5:11
• “If perfection could have been attained through the Levitical priesthood . . . why was there still need for another priest to come.” 7:11
• “They serve at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven.” 8:5
• “When Christ came as high priest of the good things that are already here, he went through the greater and more perfect tabernacle that is not man-made.” 9:11
• “The law is only a shadow of the good things that are coming – not the realities themselves.” 10:1
• “Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” 10:25
• “Do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded.” 10:35
• “Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see.” 11:1
• “He (Moses) regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt because he was looking ahead to his reward.” 11:26
• “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith.” 12:2
• “Do not be carried away by all kinds of strange teachings.” 13:9

Greek Words:

• kreittwv – kreitton – better, best, superior.  This is a theme word of the letter of Hebrews.  It is used 13 times, 1:4; 6:9; 7:7, 19, 22; 8:6; 9:23; 10:34; 11:16, 35, 40; 12:24.
• ’apistia – apistia – unbelief, 3:12, 19.
• ’epaggelia – epaggelia – promise, 4:1, 6:12, 15, 17; 7:6; 8:6; 9:15; 10:36; 11:9, 13, 17, 33, 39.
• teleiothV – teleiotes – perfection, denotes fulfillment or completion, 6:1
• teleiow – telioo – perfect, 2:10; 5:9; 7:19, 28; 9:9; 10:1, 14; 11:40; 12:23.
• teleioV – teleios – mature, perfect, complete, that which has reached the end, 5:14, 9:11.
• fwtizw – photizo – enlightened, illuminate, make to see, 6:4; 10:32.
• ‘eteroV – heteros – other, some, strange, another of a different kind, 7:5.  This is similar but different that the word alloV allos which means another of the same kind.
• ‘upodeigma – hupodeigma – copy, example, pattern, 4:11; 8:5; 9:23.
• skia – skia – shadow, shadowy reflection, 8:5; 10:1.
• tupon – tupon – pattern, figure, form, print, the stamp or impression made by a seal, 8:5

Healthy Doctrine:

• The New Covenant
• High Priesthood of Jesus
• Sufficiency of Jesus
• Perseverance

2:1- 4

Do not ignore this
great salvation.

“If the message spoken by angels was binding and every violation and disobedience received its just punishment, how shall we escape if we ignore such a great salvation?” (2:2)

3:1-
4:13

Do not let unbelief keep you from entering the rest.

“See to it, brothers, that none of you has a sinful, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. . . We see that they were not able to enter, because of their unbelief.  Therefore, since the promise of entering his rest still stands, let us be careful that none of you be found to have fallen short of it.”
(3:12, 19; 4:1)

5:11-6:20

Do not be lazy or slow to learn.
(6:12; 5:11, nwqroi means dull, slow, sluggish, lazy)

“We have much to say about this, but it is hard to explain because you are slow to learn . . . you need someone to teach you the elementary truths of God’s word all over again.” (5:11-12)

10:26- 39

Do not keep rejecting Jesus.
Do not treat the blood of the covenant as an unholy thing.

“If we deliberately keep on sinning after we have received the knowledge of the truth, no sacrifice for sins is left, but only a fearful expectation of judgment and of raging fire that will consume the enemies of God.” (10:26, 27)

12:14- 29

Do not refuse the Holy Spirit when he calls you.

“See to it that you do not refuse him who speaks.  If they did not escape when they refused him who warned them on earth, how much less will we, if we turn away from him who warns us from heaven.” (12:25)