Wednesday, June 26, 2019

Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 56

Paul's Final Instructions and Prayer for Brother Timothy

2 Timothy 4:21-22 Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren. The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen. KJV

As the Apostle Paul prepares to write the final words to Timothy in this his second letter written to him, he cannot but proceed in exhorting him to come to him hurriedly in Rome, for Paul (as was the tone of this entire second letter) knew within his inner man that he would not leave his captivity this time in Rome alive, therefore, he writes this to Timothy, "Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren." (2 Timothy 4:21) (KJV). Paul was not concerned more about his creature comfort during the winter season, but that because sailing was the only means of making the Journey from Ephesus (which was most likely where Timothy was at this time). During the winter months the voyage would be even more dangerous, so Paul urged Timothy to get his affairs or business in order and set sail before winter because Paul wanted to see him one last time and more importantly Paul did not want Timothy to be hurt on his journey. Paul had recent bad experience with sailing into Rome when he was taken their as a prisoner (which he then was) and sailed into a violent storm that caused them to be shipwrecked, see Acts 27:13-44.

The little English phrase 'do thy diligence' is translated by the Greek word spoudazō meaning to use speed, that is, to make effort, be prompt or earnest. Although, we have these words of Paul in Scripture for our study and examination, we still don't have confirmation elsewhere in the Scripture if Timothy actually had the opportunity to make it to Rome before the Apostle Paul's execution. More than his cloke or coat, Paul wanted to see Timothy before he was executed, yet knowing that this might not happen, Paul wanted to leave nothing out of his final way of communicating to him in this second letter, he said it all here for Timothy to read, review, and recall for years to come he would always have the Apostle's council ever before him whenever he needed it. Paul again sends him greetings from other Christians there with Paul, they were perhaps Roman citizens who had been born again in Rome and were then discovered by the Roman Government to be Christian converts and were then imprisoned there in Rome where Paul had been brought also, for these Eubulus, Pudens, Linus, and Claudia are no where else mentioned in the Scripture except for here in this verse by Paul the Apostle.

Paul (as was his normal and regular custom) concludes his words to Brother Timothy in the most useful way for Paul and for Timothy and that was with this brief but mighty prayer for Brother Timothy, "The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen." (2 Timothy 4:22) (KJV). Paul uses 'Lord' to signify Christ singular authority over all things He has made, for this word is translated by the Greek word kurios meaning (supremacy); supreme in authority, that is, (as noun) controller: - God or Master. When Paul writes, 'be with thy spirit', he means to be with him in the inner man strengthening him for every Christian work and every spiritual battle with our enemy the devil as he wrote such to the Ephesian believers with these words, "For this cause I bow my knees to the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, of whom the whole family in Heaven and earth is named, that He would grant you, according to the riches of His glory, to be strengthened with might by His Spirit in the inner man; that Christ may dwell in your hearts by faith; that you, being rooted and grounded in love, may be able to comprehend with all saints what is the breadth and length and depth and height, and to know the love of Christ which passes knowledge, that you might be filled with all the fullness of God. Now to Him who is able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us, to Him be glory in the Church by Christ Jesus throughout all ages, forever. Amen." (Ephesians 3:14-21) (Modern King James Version). Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about this verse, "This is a prayer addressed to Christ by one of the most eminent of His Apostles; another proof of the untruth of the assertion, that prayer is never offered to Christ in the New Testament. He prays that Christ may be with his spirit, enlightening, strengthening, and confirming it to the end."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…






Wednesday, June 19, 2019

Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 55

Paul's Final Greetings to Brother Timothy

2 Timothy 4:19-20 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus. Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick. KJV

Paul the Apostle had known that this letter to Brother Timothy was perhaps his last chance at communication with him, so he wanted to exhort, and encourage him to do all that he could to get to Rome soon, but despite his personal desires, Paul wanted to still instruct the younger Timothy and to inform him with as much of his wisdom as he could on the parchment pages of this final letter. Therefore, here in the home stretch, it is all common place that we find Paul informing Timothy of believers in our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ that he should receive and welcome openly into his fellowship, for Paul knew that they were loyal and faithful followers of our Lord Jesus Christ and so he writes these words, "Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus." (2 Timothy 4:19) (KJV). Prisca or Priscilla was the wife of Aquila and Paul met them when he had left Athens and went to Corinth, for Aquila was also a tentmaker by trade just as the Apostle Paul was (Acts 18:1-3) and he spent about a year and a half there in Corinth (Acts 18:11) and Priscilla and Aquila remained there with him for that entire time until they all sailed into Syria (Acts 18:18), so Paul knew from experience with them that they were indeed trustworthy and faithful believers. Not anything is known about Brother Onesiphorus except this one thing Paul had to say about him to Timothy earlier in this very same letter with these words, "May the Lord give mercy to the house of Onesiphorus, for he often refreshed me and was not ashamed of my chain. But when he was in Rome, he sought me out very diligently and found me. May the Lord grant to him that he may find mercy from the Lord in that Day. And in what things he ministered to me at Ephesus, you know very well." (2 Timothy 1:16-18) (Modern King James Version).

Paul mentions two more of the brethren that he counted to be faithful and loyal to our Lord Jesus Christ as he writes with these words, "Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick." (2 Timothy 4:20) (KJV). Erastus was with Timothy and Paul when the riots broke out in Ephesus, so Paul sent both Timothy and Erastus to Macedonia (Acts 19:22). Trophimus was an Ephesian Gentile who was converted to Christ and then ministered with Paul on many of his missionary journeys and was the Gentile that the Jews supposed Paul had brought into the Jewish Temple, thereby (according to the then Mosaic Law) defiled the Temple of God as it is written and documented for us by Dr. Luke with these words, "And when the seven days were about to be completed, the Jews who were from Asia, having seen him in the temple, stirred up all the crowd and laid hands on him, crying out, Men, Israelites, help! This is the man who teaches all everywhere against the people and the Law and this place. And even he brought Greeks into the temple and has polluted this holy place. (For they had seen Trophimus the Ephesian with him in the city before, whom they supposed that Paul had brought into the temple.) And all the city was moved, and the people ran together. And laying hands on Paul, they drew him outside of the temple. And immediately the doors were shut. And as they were seeking to kill him, the news came to the chiliarch of the cohort, that all Jerusalem was in an uproar. He immediately took soldiers and centurions, and ran down to them. And seeing the chiliarch and the soldiers, they quit beating Paul. Then going near, the chiliarch laid hold on him, and commanded him to be bound with two chains. And he demanded who he was and what he had done. And others cried something else in the crowd, and not being able to know the certainty on account of the uproar, he commanded him to be carried into the fortress. And when he came on the stairs, it happened that he was carried by the soldiers, because of the violence of the crowd. For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him!" (Acts 21:27-36) (Modern King James Version).

Note: "The fact that the Apostle Paul (who had layed hands on people and they were raised from the dead (Acts 20:7-16)) left Trophimus 'sick' in Miletum is proof positive that Paul did not have the power to heal from sickness or disease within himself to be used at his will and desire, but it is proof positive that it was God the Holy Spirit doing the healing and raising from death through Paul as only God willed it to be done, for we can be sure that Paul wanted Trophimus healed and healthy enough to be with him at Rome, but that was not God's will for Brother Trophimus at that time." Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about Trophimus being left sick by Paul, "Even the apostles could not work miracles when they pleased; that power was but rarely given, and that for very special purposes. Trophimus was an Ephesian." Here is what John Wesley had to say about Trophimus being left sick by Paul, "Not having power (as neither had any of the Apostles) to work miracles when he pleased, but only when God pleased."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…





Wednesday, June 12, 2019

Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 54

Paul Declares the Faithfulness of our Lord Jesus Christ Act 2

2 Timothy 4:18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom: to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen. KJV

The Apostle Paul we saw in our last study/commentary was left at his first defence against the cruel and vile Roman Government alone to stand before their unjust body, yet he declares that he was never in actuality alone, for our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ was with him then and always during his earthly walk and now he testifies even more of the faithfulness of Christ Jesus our Lord to him and to every one of His redeemed, resurrected, and reborn children with these words speaking of himself at that time and place, "And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom: to Whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen." (2 Timothy 4:18) (KJV). Paul did not avoid suffering while he sojourned down here on the earth, but he was saved, sustained, and supplied with every earthly need by our Lord Jesus Christ, so that he would accomplish the entire will of God that had been mapped out or ordained for him. The English word 'deliver' is translated by the Greek word rhuomai which is the middle voice of an obselete verb that means (as used here) to rescue or deliver from some bad act or acts. The English word 'from' is translated by the Greek word apo which is a primary particle; meaning 'off', that is, away (from something near), in various senses (of place, time, or relation; literally or figuratively). The English word 'evil' is translated by the Greek word ponēros meaning (as used here) hurtful, that is, evil or malicious or wicked (properly in effect or influence). The English word 'work' used here is translated by the Greek word ergon meaning (as used here) by implication an act or deed.

So, in other words, Paul declares that our Lord Jesus Christ delivered or rescued him away from the evil and wicked influence or act or deed proffered to him by the devil, that is, presented to him for acceptance. Paul is not saying that our Lord Jesus Christ rescued him from every evil and wicked thing the devil did to him through evil men or two-legged devils, for we only have to remember these words written by him to the Corinthian believers speaking of what he had endured for the sake of the Gospel, "Five times from the Jews I received forty stripes minus one. Three times I was beaten with rods, once I was stoned, three times I was shipwrecked. I have spent a night and a day in the deep. I have been in travels often; in dangers from waters; in dangers from robbers; in dangers from my race; in dangers from the heathen; in dangers in the city; in dangers in the wilderness; in dangers on the sea; in dangers among false brothers. I have been in hardship and toil; often in watchings; in hunger and thirst; often in fastings; in cold and nakedness." (2 Corinthians 11:24-27) (Modern King James Version), no these evil and wicked things happened to him literally, but he was delivered always from the evil influence from the devil to get him to turn away from the truth and water down his message of the Cross and take the easy way as did some others who apostatized, that is, abandoned true faith in Christ Jesus our Lord.

Let us not forget that the devil tried to persuade even our Lord Jesus Christ to avoid the Cross and come into His Kingdom without suffering for the sin of the world, "And the Devil, leading Him up into a high mountain, showed Him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the Devil said to Him, All this power I will give you, and the glory of them; for it has been delivered to me. And I give it to whomever I will. Therefore if you will worship me, all shall be yours. And Jesus answered and said to him, Get behind me, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God, and Him only shall you serve.'" (Luke 4:5-8) (Modern King James Version). So we see that Paul declares that he too was protected by our Lord Jesus Christ Himself from every evil work of the devil against him and he writes that our Lord Jesus 'will preserve' him into His heavenly kingdom and this little English phrase 'will preserve' is translated by the Greek word sōzō which means 'safe'; to save, that is, deliver or protect (literally or figuratively): Therefore, after declaring this, Paul just begins to praise our Lord Jesus Christ for His Mighty Power, Love, and Faithfulness to him. The little English phrase 'be glory' is translated by the Greek word doxa which means dignity, glorious, honor, praise, worship.

Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about this verse, "None of the evil designs formed against me to make me unfaithful or unsteady, to cause me to save my life at the expense of faith and a good conscience, shall succeed; my life may go, but He will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom. A continuance on earth the Apostle expects not; but he has glory full in view, and therefore he gives God glory for what He had done, and for what He had promised to do." Here is what Dr. John Gill had to say about this verse, "From wicked and unreasonable men, and all their attempts upon him, and from all afflictions by them; not but that he expected afflictions as long as he was in the world, but he knew that God would support him under them; and in His own time and way deliver out of them; and at last entirely by death, when he should be no more attended with them; and from all the temptations of Satan, and his evil designs upon him, and from sin and iniquity; not that he expected to live free of Satan's temptations, or without sin, but he believed that he should be kept from sinking under the former, and from being under the dominion of the latter; and should not be left to deny his Lord, desert his cause, blaspheme His name, and apostatize from Him." 

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…



Wednesday, June 5, 2019

Paul's Exhortations & Instructions to Brother Timothy 2nd Letter Volume 53

Paul Declares the Faithfulness of our Lord Jesus Christ Act 1

2 Timothy 4:17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.  KJV

Although Paul found himself alone at his first defence against the evil Roman Government, yet he was never alone, because our Lord, Master, and Savior Jesus Christ was with him at every twist and turn of his earthly sojourn since He knocked him off his horse or donkey on the Demascus Road (Acts 9:3-6); so Paul declares with these words first the faithfulness of Christ Jesus our Lord, "Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion." (2 Timothy 4:17) (KJV). The little English phrase 'stood with' is translated by the Greek words paristēmi paristanō meaning (as used here) to stand beside, that is, (transitively) to exhibit, proffer, (specifically) recommend, (figuratively) substantiate; aid and assist. The English word 'strengthened' is translated by the Greek word endunamoō meaning to empower: - enable, increase in strength, make strong. The English phrase 'might be fully known' is translated by the Greek word plērophoreō meaning to carry out fully (in evidence), that is, completely assure (or convince), entirely accomplish: - make full proof of.

In other words, the Apostle Paul (though alone and absent of any human company) was aided and assisted by our Lord Jesus Christ who stood beside him the whole time of his ordeal at Rome and not only did He stand by Paul, but He empowered Paul and made him strong to endure the evil treatment he was enduring at the hand of the devil through the Emperor Nero. Let us remember that it was our Lord Jesus Christ who told Paul that He must go to Rome at this very time in his earthly pilgrimage, as it is written with these words, "And dissension arising, the chiliarch, fearing lest Paul should have been pulled in pieces by them, commanded the soldiers to go down and to take him from among them by force, and to bring him into the fortress. And the following night the Lord stood by him and said, Be of good cheer, Paul, for as you have testified of Me in Jerusalem, so you also must bear witness at Rome." (Acts 23:10-11) ( Modern King James Version). We see from this encounter with the Jews that Paul was then almost killed by these men, yet he was rescued and delivered by our Lord Jesus Christ because it was His will for Paul to get to Rome to bear witness of Him there. So we see that when the will of God is obeyed, the grace of God will be supplied in order that whatever evil is encountered, the child of God will be able to endure and carry out the will of God to completion.

Our Lord Jesus wanted the Gentiles of Rome to hear the Gospel and so did Paul declare it there for two (2) whole years being at first under house arrest, but able to receive visitors as it is written for us by Dr. Luke with these words, "Therefore be it known to you that the salvation of God is sent to the nations, and they will hear. And he having said these words, the Jews departed, having much discussion amongst themselves. And Paul remained two years in his own hired house. And he welcomed all who came in to him, proclaiming the kingdom of God, and teaching those things concerning the Lord Jesus Christ, with all freedom, and without hindrance." (Acts 28:28-31) (Modern King James Version). When Paul says that he was, 'delivered out of the mouth of the lion', it is a metaphor, that is, A figure of speech in which an expression is used to refer to something that it does not literally denote in order to suggest a similarity, and in this case the lion represents Satan working through the misguided Jews in Ephesus (Acts 19:21-41) (Acts 23:12-22) and the evil Emperor Nero in Rome all trying and even plotting to kill Paul, yet our Lord Jesus Christ was with Paul and no system, scheme, or strategy of the devil ever worked until Paul had finished his course and done the will of God on this earth. Our Lord Jesus is the one who holds every breath of every lung in every chest and determines if another will be taken, not the devil or any of his invisible devils or two-legged devils on the earth.

Here is what Adam Clarke had to say about this verse, "When all human help failed, God, in a more remarkable manner, interposed; and thus the excellency plainly appeared to be of God, and not of man. When called on to make his defense he took occasion to preach the Gospel, and to show that the great God of heaven and earth had designed to illuminate the Gentile world with the rays of His light and glory. This must have endeared him to some, while others might consider him an opposer of their gods, and be the more incensed against him. I escaped the imminent danger at that time. Probably he was seized in a tumultuous manner, and expected to be torn to pieces. The words to be rescued from the mouth or jaws of the lion, are a proverbial form of speech for deliverance from the most imminent danger. Several writers think Nero to be intended by the lion, because of his rage and oppressive cruelty. But Helius Caesarinus was at this time prefect of the city; Nero being in Greece. He was a bloody tyrant, and Nero had given him the power of life and death in his absence. The Apostle may mean him, if the words be not proverbial."

If you do not know the Lord Jesus Christ and His amazing healing power, pray this from your heart to the Lord Jesus Christ (you speaking directly to Him), Dear Lord Jesus, I confess to You that I am a sinner and I need Your forgiveness. I believe You shed Your Blood and died for my sins. I believe that You rose from the dead proving that You alone are God. I repent of my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I ask You Dear Lord Jesus to come into my heart and take control of my life. I want You to be my Lord, Savior, and my God. Amen...

Sincerely in Christ,

Clifford D. Tate, Sr.

Author of “Silent Assassins of the Soul - Are you Broken by Pornography and Masturbation? You can be Restored by the Lord Jesus Christ and brought into Deliverance, Freedom, and Victory! A Guide for Men and Women in the Enemy’s Crosshairs” e-book available now @ Amazon Kindle, @ Apple I Bookstore for IPod, Barnes and Noble for Nook, Reader Store for Sony Reade, Kobo, Copia, Gardners, Baker and Taylor, and eBookPie…