Episode 42 (Oct. 28-Nov. 3) “Be Thou an Example of the Believers”
or here:
iTunes: https://itunes.apple.com/us/podcast/savior-said-weekly-musing-observations-on-new-testament/id1447685351?mt=2
Stitcher: https://www.stitcher.com/podcast/lexie-austin/the-savior-said-weekly-musings-and-observations-on-the-new-testament
History of these epistles:
Bible Dictionary about TImothy and Titus: These epistles, known as the pastoral epistles, deal mainly with questions relating to the internal discipline and organization of the Church and with the ideal of the pastoral office. We learn from them that Paul was set free from his first imprisonment in Rome and revisited his old friends in Greece and Asia Minor. During this interval of freedom 1 Tim. and the epistle to Titus were written.
NT Made Easy: Epistle written between 64-65 AD
Who was Timothy:
The son of a Greek father and Jewish mother (Eunice) living at Lystra (Acts 16:1–3; 2 Tim. 1:5);
circumcised by Paul in order that he might be of greater use for evangelistic work among Jews (Acts 16:3);
spoken of by Paul as his own “son in the faith” (1 Tim. 1:2, 18; 2 Tim. 1:2);
He was at Philippi (Philip. 2:22); at Beroea (Acts 17:14); sent to Thessalonica (1 Thes. 3:2); with Paul at Corinth (1 Thes. 1:1; 2 Thes. 1:1); sent to Macedonia (Acts 19:22); to Corinth (1 Cor. 16:10); with Paul in Macedonia when he wrote 2 Cor. 1:1, 19; and at Corinth (Rom. 16:21); followed him to Troas (Acts 20:4–5); at Rome (Philip. 1:1; 2:19; Col. 1:1; Philem. 1:1); at Ephesus (1 Tim. 1:3); Paul wished him to come to Rome (2 Tim. 4:9, 21);
set at liberty (the details of the imprisonment are unknown) (Heb. 13:23).
Timothy was perhaps Paul’s most trusted and capable assistant, as in Philip. 2:19–23.
1st Timothy: Bible Dictionary: In the course of his travels after his first imprisonment Paul came to Ephesus, where he left Timothy to check the growth of certain unprofitable forms of speculation, intending (3:14) afterwards to return. As a delay might occur, he writes to him, perhaps from Macedonia (1:3), to give him counsel and encouragement in the fulfillment of his duty.
2nd Timothy: Bible Dictionary This epistle was written during Paul’s second imprisonment, shortly before his martyrdom. It contains the Apostle’s last words and shows the wonderful courage and trust with which he faced death.
Who was Titus:
A Greek
Apparently converted by Paul, perhaps at Antioch (Titus 1:4).
Attended the conference at Jerusalem about circumcision (Gal. 2:1);
probably with Paul on his third missionary journey; sent by him to Corinth as the bearer of 1 Cor. (2 Cor. 7:6–7, 13, 15).
He then returned to Paul in Macedonia and was again sent to Corinth with 2 Cor. and with instructions about a collection for the poor of Jerusalem (2 Cor. 8:4–7).
After this we have no mention of him for eight years.
At the conclusion of Paul’s first imprisonment at Rome, Titus joined him at Ephesus, and they went together to Crete, where Titus remained and where he received a letter from Paul with instructions about his work and asking him to come to Nicopolis (Titus 1:5; 3:12).
Later on he was sent on a mission to Dalmatia (2 Tim. 4:10).
Who was Philemon:
Of Colosse (Col. 4:9; Philem. 1:10), converted by Paul (Philem. 1:1). He was the owner of the slave Onesimus, who ran away and joined Paul and was sent back by him with a letter to his master.
NT Made Easier says, “This brief letter consists of just one chapter and gives us a rather delightful insight into Paul’s tenderness, pleasant sense of humor, and spunk.”
Epistle was written while Paul was imprisoned in Rome.
Paul was executed during the extreme persecution the Christians faced from Nero, the Roman Emperor. The date of Paul's death is believed to have occurred after the Great Fire of Rome in July 64, but before the last year of Nero's reign, in 68.[3] According to several apocryphal books, Paul was beheaded in Rome. A legend later developed that his martyrdom occurred at the Aquae Salviae, on the Via Laurentina. According to this legend, after Paul was decapitated, his severed head rebounded three times, giving rise to a source of water each time that it touched the ground, which is how the place earned the name "San Paolo alle Tre Fontane" ("St Paul at the Three Fountains").[113][114] Also according to legend, Paul's body was buried outside the walls of Rome, at the second mile on the Via Ostiensis, on the estate owned by a Christian woman named Lucina. It was here, in the fourth century, that the Emperor Constantine the Great built a first church. The present-day Basilica of Saint Paul Outside the Walls was built there in 1800.
Bible Dictionary Summary about the Pauline Epistles: Summary: It is from Paul’s writings that we learn the most about the New Testament Church, but it must be remembered that they were written for the use of men who were already members of the Church. The New Testament presupposes on the part of its readers at least an elementary knowledge of gospel truth. Paul’s life is characterized by an extraordinary zeal for the Lord. His greatest contribution is what he tells us about Jesus.
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Let’s talk about Paul and Women:
1 Timothy 2
9 In like manner also, that awomen adorn themselves in bmodest capparel, with dshamefacedness and sobriety; not with ebroided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array;
NT Made Easier: It is obvious that Paul’s counsel regarding women’s hairstyles, jewelry, etc in verse 9 is given in the context of local culture. It should not, for instance, be taken out of context and used to demand that women in our culture not be allowed to braid their hair. Perhaps braided hair in the local culture in which the Ephesian Saints lived represented a sinful lifestyle just as a woman with a shaved head represented that she was an adultress in Corinth.
10 But (which becometh women professing agodliness) with good works.
11 Let the woman learn in asilence with all subjection.
12 But I suffer not a woman to ateach, nor to busurp authority over the man, but to be in csilence.
13 For Adam was first aformed, then Eve.
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being adeceived was in the btransgression.
15 Notwithstanding ashe shall be saved in bchildbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and choliness with dsobriety.
NT Made Easier; These verses can become a source of contention and hurt if not read in the larger context of the scriptures and the words of the modern prophets. Specifically verses 11 and 12 do not reflect the teachings of the modern prophets and apostles with respect to women and their vital role in our society and the Church, including teaching and leading in many ways. Therefore, we are left to assume that Paul was counseling TImothy with respect to rather drastic local problems where women were being very contentious or exercising unrighteous dominion over men (see the phrase ‘usurp authority over the man’- may be a clue as to what is going on in the Ephesus Ward).
NT Made Easier says, A possible interpretation of versus 11 and 12
11. Let the woman learn to listen, rather than being contentious and constantly interrupting with proper respect toward local priesthood leaders.
12. But I Paul do not allow a woman to take what properly belongs to another, to domineer, but to be in silence (meaning not meddling in the affairs of others).
13-14
13 For Adam was first aformed, then Eve.
14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being adeceived was in the btransgression.
For many centuries in many cultures verses 13-15 have sometimes been used by men as the “scriptural justification” for abuse of women. Many cultures and religions criticize and condemn Eve for her role in the Fall of Adam and Eve. Our true gospel teaches us great respect for Eve and her role in furthering the purposes of God and making it possible for us to come to earth.
Eve was no doubt deceived in some ways as indicated in verse 14. Perhaps Satan deceived her into believing that mortality and raising children would not ever be difficult. Perhaps he fooled her into believing that it was not that hard to cook for that many people or to deal with 27 children who had the stomach flu all at the same time, or to help Adam prepare a family home evening lesson and activity when she was bone weary from having been up with sick children nightly for two weeks.
Whatever the case, we are taught that Eve was actually not completely deceived when it came to the choice presented to her and Adam in the Garden of Eden. In Moses 4:6, we read that Satan “sought” to deceive Eve. Sought means that he tried to. It implies that Lucifer was not completely successful. Apostle John A Widtsoe explains this as follows: “Such was the problem before our first parents: to remain forever at selfish ease in the Garden of Eden, or to face unselfishly tribulation and death, in bringing to pass the purposes of the Lord for a host of waiting spirit children. They chose the latter...this they did with open eyes and minds to the consequences. The memory of their former estates may have been dimmed, but the gospel had been taught them during their sojourn in the Garden of Eden ...the choice that they made raises Adam and Eve to preeminence among all who have come to Earth.
In the Encyclopedia of Mormonism, under the topic of EVE, we are taught “Satan was present to tempt Adam and Eve, much as he would try to thwart others in their divine missions; and ‘he sought also to beguile Eve, for he knew not the mind of God, wherefore he sought to destroy the world” (Moses 4:6) Eve faced the choice between selfish ease and unselfishly facing tribulation and death. As befit her calling, she realized that there was no other way and deliberately chose mortal life so as to further the purpose of God and bring children into the world.
15
15 Notwithstanding ashe shall be saved in bchildbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and choliness with dsobriety.
Regarding the word transgression, as used in connection with the fall of Adam, Joseph Fielding Smith said, “I’m very very grateful that in the Book fo Mormon and I think elsewhere in our scriptures, the fall of Adama has not been called a sin. It wasn’t a sin...What did Adam do? The very thing the Lord wanted him to do; and I hate to hear anybody call it a sin for it wasn’t a sin. Did Adam sin when he partook of the forbidden fruit? I say to you, no, he did not! Now let me refer to what is written in the book of Moses in regard to the command God gave to Adam (Moses 3:16-17). Now this is the way I interpret that: The Lord said to Aam, here is the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. If you want to stay here, then you cannot eat of that fruit. If you want to stay here, then I forbid you to eat it. But you may act for youself and you may eat of it if you want to. ANd if you eat it, you will die. I see a great difference between transgressing the law and committing a sin.” (JFS Fall-Atonement-Resurrection-Sacrament” in the Charge of Religious Educators, p. 124. Also see the Doctrines of the Gospel Student Manual, page 20.
Also note the JST makes a significant change to 15. He changes the word “she” to “they”, thus the verse applies to Adam and Eve, not just to Eve in a subservient role.
15 Notwithstanding THEY shall be saved in bchildbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and choliness with dsobriety.
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1 Timothy 4:10–16
If I am “an example of the believers,” I can lead others to the Savior and His gospel.
Timothy was relatively young, but Paul knew that he could be a great Church leader despite his youth.
What counsel did Paul give to Timothy in 1 Timothy 4:10–16?
See also Alma 17:11.
1 Timothy 4:10–16
New Testament
10 For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe.
11 These things command and teach.
12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity.
13 Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
15 Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all.
16 Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
Alma 17:11
Book of Mormon
11 And the Lord said unto them also: Go forth among the Lamanites, thy brethren, and establish my word; yet ye shall be patient in long-suffering and afflictions, that ye may show forth good examples unto them in me, and I will make an instrument of thee in my hands unto the salvation of many souls.
How can this counsel help you lead others to the Savior and His gospel?
-Trust in God, and let others see that trust
- Be a good example- “Preach the Gospel at all times. When necessary, use words.” - St. Francis of Assisi
- Neglect not the gift> Use your specific talents and gifts to serve the Lord
- Save thyself and them that hear thee.
ALMA
Be patient in long suffering and afflictions, be good examples, the Lord will use your gifts and talents to bring salvation to many souls
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2 Timothy
“God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.” 2 Tim 1:7
2 Timothy is believed to be the last epistle Paul wrote, and it seems that he knew his time on earth was short (see 2 Timothy 4:6–8).
6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.
7 I have fought a good afight, I have bfinished my course, I have kept the faith:
8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a acrown of brighteousness, which the Lord, the righteous cjudge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.
As you read this epistle, think about how Timothy might have felt knowing that he might soon be without his trusted mentor and leader.
Scared, overwhelmed, unworthy
What did Paul say to encourage him?
2 Tim 3: 14 But acontinue thou in the things which thou hast learned and hast been assured of, knowing of whom thou hast learned them;
What do Paul’s words teach you about facing your own trials and fears?
TRUST.
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Philemon
Followers of Christ forgive one another.
Have you ever been in a situation when someone sought your forgiveness?
Kids
Think about that situation as you read the epistle to Philemon. What did Paul teach Philemon about why he should forgive Onesimus? Are there any messages to you in this epistle?
Philemon 1: 21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.
See also 1 Nephi 7:16–21; Mosiah 26:30–31; Gospel Topics, “Forgiveness,” topics.lds.org.
Lexi, I love all the things you had to say about Mother Eve. Thanks for sharing and preparing every week to encourage us.
ReplyDeletePaul is considered next to Isaiah in his complexity of writing. I loved this interpretation provided in the Meridian Magazine podcast by Scot and Maurine Proctor - Adam is Christ and Eve is the Church. You can find the transcript of what they had to say here - https://latterdaysaintmag.com/come-follow-me-podcast-42-be-thou-an-example-of-the-believers-1-and-2-timothy-titus-philemon/
This makes so much more sense to me knowing what we know about Paul, that he loved and appreciated women.
That is a great interpretation!!! Thanks so much for sharing!!!
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