The word of the day is “stood.”  St. Paul closes his second letter to Timothy in our reading of 2 Timothy 4:9-22. The passage is a collection of requests and reports of what has happened to Paul and his companions.  There seems to be no clear order to these topics. Paul brings them up as he thinks of them. However, the most dramatic of Paul’s news is his account of his first trial before the emperor. The apostle writes, “At my first defense no one stood with me.  But the Lord stood with and strengthened me” (vs. 17).  This short comment is the only account in the scriptures of what occurred when Paul was put on trial in Rome. Paul states that he stood in court…
The word of the day is “Scripture.”  In our reading of 2 Timothy 3:16-4:4, St. Paul declares that the Scriptures are effective for instructing the faithful. He states, “All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, and for instruction in righteousness” (vs. 16). Paul’s execution is in sight. He says, “The time for my departure is at hand” (vs. 4:6).  Knowing this, Paul passes on the mantle of his authority to the young Bishop Timothy. As he transfers his apostolic ministry to Timothy, Paul foresees the primary challenge that the young preacher and pastor will face. He says, “the time will come when many will have “itching ears.” (vs. 4:3). They will reject the…
The word of the day is “honorable.”  In today’s reading of 2 Timothy, 2:20-26, St. Paul teaches how to become a more useful servant of the Kingdom. The Apostle contrasts church members who are effective as “vessels of honor” and those who are “instruments of dishonor” (vs. 20), that is, “for common use” (NIV 2 Timothy 2:20). The term household “vessels” that Paul refers to are all sorts of utensils, not necessarily containers (Strong’s #4632, 232). Therefore, the comparison is not of the contents that the container holds.  The contrast is in the composition of the implements. What they are made of determines what they are used for.  One does not use a silver punch bowl as a washbasin or a…
The word of the day is “faith.”  Today’s reading from Hebrews is a memorial of the Old Testament saints who by faith persevered in the hope for the coming of the Messiah, the Christ.  In Hebrews 11:9-10, 17-23, 32-40, we read of the faithful witness of those who endured incredible suffering as they firmly clung to God’s promise, a pledge that is now fulfilled in the birth of the Savior. Heroes and Heroines of Faith In today’s passage, the writer of Hebrews names the ancients:  Abel, Enoch, and Noah. He recalls the patriarchs:  Abraham and Sarah, Isaac, and Jacob.  The apostle brings to mind:  Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, David, Samuel, and the prophets (vs. 11:4-32).  Then he recounts the sufferings…
The word of the day is “walk.” Today St. Paul teaches that there is a difference between having life in the Spirit and living in the Spirit.  Thus, in our reading of Galatians 5:22-6:22, St. Paul writes, “If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit (vs. 25). The Holy Mystery of Baptism grants the baptized the “seal of the gift of the Holy Spirit” and confers the power, illumination, and inspiration of the Spirit (Orthodox Church in America, “Baptism Service,” 2012).  From then on, those who are washed and renewed in the baptismal font, indeed, “live in the Spirit” (vs. 25).  Having died to the “old life” of sin and death, they now wear the white baptismal…
The word of the day is “immortality.” In today’s reading, we hear Paul proclaim the Gospel that Christ has “brought life and immortality” to light. Our reading of 2 Timothy 1:1-2, 8-18is a glorious beginning of Paul’s second letter to the young Bishop Timothy of Ephesus.  The Orthodox Study Bible notes that according to tradition, this was probably Paul’s last letter before His martyrdom in Rome about 67 AD. Paul himself says that his “departure” from this world is “at hand” (vs. 4:6). Paul begins his letter by recalling that God has both saved us and given us a holy calling (vs. 9). Once again, he sounds his constant theme that salvation has come to the faithful by the “purpose and grace” of God in…
The word of the day is “rich.” If you are rich, “be rich in good works” (vs. 18).  That is Paul’s instruction in today’s reading from 1 Timothy 6:17-21. In this passage, St. Paul closes his epistle with directives for the God-pleasing use of wealth. He says, “Let them [the rich] do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share (vs. 18). Two Kinds of Riches There are all sorts of riches. There are riches in this present age (vs. 17). These are the riches that many desire  (9), the riches of money (vs. 10),  the riches of the haughty (vs. 17), and the riches that many store up for themselves on earth (Luke 12:21). In contrast,  there are riches of the age to come (vs. 19). These are the riches…
The word of the day is “contentment.”  In our reading of 1 Timothy 5:22-6:11, St. Paul continues to instruct the young Bishop Timothy on establishing order in his congregation. Paul especially denounces the troublemakers who think they can earn material benefits from their godliness. Paul says that indeed, “Godliness with contentment is great gain” (vs. 6:5). But it is not the profit that the agitators in Ephesus seek. The word “gain” in the original Greek comes from the thought of providing for oneself (Strong’s #4200).  Thus, it refers to acquiring or gaining possession of something, such as money. Paul notes that the congregation’s troublemakers believe that they can profit materially from their supposed godliness, piety, and devotion (Strong’s #2150,106).  But their striving for…
The word of the day is “charge.” Today, we read 1 Timothy 5:11-21, and we find that Paul is continuing to instruct the young Bishop Timothy on establishing order and harmony in his congregation. In this passage, Paul recommends policies on sensitive matters that might disrupt the congregation’s life. Among these volatile topics are the treatment of young widows (vs. 11-15), the wages of the elders (presbyters) (vs. 17-18), accusations against elders (vs. 19), and the judgment against elders convicted of open sin (vs. 20). Today, we learn that the apostle’s instructions are not merely recommendations that can be “bent” to the leader’s own interests and purposes.  They are unbending commands for the good order of the church.  As a…
The word for the day is “widow.” In our reading of 1 Timothy 5:1-10, St. Paul gives practical instructions for caring for the widows in Timothy’s congregation who are especially vulnerable. Paul directs that the church should support widows who do not have a family to support them (vs. 3).  But the Apostle teaches that “If any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents…” (vs. 3). Both the Old and New Testaments pay special attention to the plight of widows. In ancient society, most often, women had no means of support besides their husbands. The word “widow” in Greek refers to those women who have suffered loss, are beret, or are left alone…