From Paul, appointed by God to be an apostle of Christ Jesus in his design to promise life in Christ Jesus; to Timothy, dear child of mine, wishing you grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Christ Jesus our Lord.
Night and day I thank God, keeping my conscience clear and remembering my duty to him as my ancestors did, and always I remember you in my prayers. That is why I am reminding you now to fan into a flame the gift that God gave you when I laid my hands on you. God’s gift was not a spirit of timidity, but the Spirit of power, and love, and self-control. So you are never to be ashamed of witnessing to the Lord, or ashamed of me for being his prisoner; but with me, bear the hardships for the sake of the Good News, relying on the power of God who has saved us and called us to be holy – not because of anything we ourselves have done but for his own purpose and by his own grace. This grace had already been granted to us, in Christ Jesus, before the beginning of time, but it has only been revealed by the Appearing of our saviour Christ Jesus. He abolished death, and he has proclaimed life and immortality through the Good News; and I have been named its herald, its apostle and its teacher.It is only on account of this that I am experiencing fresh hardships here now; but I have not lost confidence, because I know who it is that I have put my trust in, and I have no doubt at all that he is able to take care of all that I have entrusted to him until that Day.
In 2 Timothy 1:1-3, 6-12, we delve into a passage where the Apostle Paul, writing to his beloved disciple Timothy, offers words of encouragement, exhortation, and personal reflection. This letter, believed to be one of Paul's final writings before his martyrdom, carries deep significance as a testament to the enduring bond between mentor and disciple. Let's explore this passage through five key points:
Greetings and Blessings: Paul begins with customary greetings, identifying himself as an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God and extending grace, mercy, and peace to Timothy (1:1-2).
Thanksgiving for Timothy's Faith: Paul expresses gratitude for Timothy's genuine faith, which he acknowledges as a heritage passed down from his grandmother Lois and his mother Eunice (1:3).
Stir Up the Gift of God: Paul urges Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God, which he received through the laying on of Paul's hands, emphasizing the Spirit of power, love, and self-discipline (1:6).
Do Not Be Ashamed: Paul encourages Timothy not to be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of Paul, His prisoner, but to join in suffering for the gospel by the power of God (1:8).
Guard the Good Deposit: Paul reminds Timothy to guard the good deposit entrusted to him by the Holy Spirit, exhorting him to rely on the Spirit's power rather than on fear (1:12).
2 Timothy 1:1-3, 6-12 offers a poignant reflection on the relationship between Paul and Timothy, as well as timeless lessons on faith, courage, and perseverance in the face of adversity. As believers, we are called to emulate Timothy's steadfast faith and to rely on the power of the Holy Spirit to fulfil our calling and guard the deposit of faith entrusted to us. May this passage inspire us to fan into flame the gifts God has given us and to remain faithful witnesses to the gospel, even in the midst of trials and persecution.
Some Sadducees – who deny that there is a resurrection – came to him and they put this question to him, ‘Master, we have it from Moses in writing, if a man’s brother dies leaving a wife but no child, the man must marry the widow to raise up children for his brother. Now there were seven brothers. The first married a wife and then died leaving no children. The second married the widow, and he too died leaving no children; with the third it was the same, and none of the seven left any children. Last of all the woman herself died. Now at the resurrection, when they rise again, whose wife will she be, since she had been married to all seven?’
Jesus said to them, ‘Is not the reason why you go wrong, that you understand neither the scriptures nor the power of God? For when they rise from the dead, men and women do not marry; no, they are like the angels in heaven. Now about the dead rising again, have you never read in the Book of Moses, in the passage about the Bush, how God spoke to him and said: I am the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob? He is God, not of the dead, but of the living. You are very much mistaken.’
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