Posts by Josh Moody
1 Timothy 3:8-18: Deacons
Ezra 7, Proverbs 5, Luke 14:15-24, 1 Timothy 3:8-18 1 Timothy 3:8-18: Paul now describes the necessary qualifications for the role of deacons. Basically, they are similar to that which he described for an overseer with this important distinction: while an overseer must be able to teach, a deacon need only “keep hold of the deep truths of…
Read More1 Timothy 3:1-7: An Overseer
Ezra 6, Proverbs 4, Luke 14:1-14, 1 Timothy 3:1-7 1 Timothy 3:1-7: The Bible reading program that we follow in our devotionals suggests that this reading goes to verse 10 (and then the next from verses 11 to 18). But the more natural way to divide this chapter is at verse 7 – see the “similarly” at verse…
Read More1 Timothy 2: Christ Centered Worship
Ezra 4-5, Proverbs 3, Luke 13:22-35, 1 Timothy 2 1 Timothy 2: This chapter begins a section of Paul advising Timothy how he is to conduct worship in (as he calls it at the end of the section) “God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.” To put it…
Read More1 Timothy 1:1-11: Defeating False Teaching
Ezra 1-2, Proverbs 1, Luke 13:1-9, 1 Timothy 1:1-11 1 Timothy 1:1-11: In this (and its companion letter 2 Timothy), Paul is writing to the young Timothy to give him specific instructions regarding how to shepherd the church under his care in the great ancient city of Ephesus. In particular, Timothy will need to correct the false teachers…
Read MorePhilippians 4:14-23: Partnership in the Gospel
2 Kings 24-25, Psalm 122, Luke 7:1-10, Philippians 4:14-23 Philippians 4:14-23: Paul concludes this letter as he has begun with an emphasis on “partnership in the gospel” (compare Philippians 1:5 with 4:15). What is partnership in the gospel and why is he so joyful? Partnership in the gospel begins with a real spiritual encounter with Christ. Do you know Christ?…
Read MorePhilippians 4:8-13: An Exhortation and an Example
2 Kings 22-23, Psalm 121, Luke 6:43-49, Philippians 4:8-13 Philippians 4:8-13: Paul here gives the Philippians (and us) two great pieces of advice—one by means of exhortation and the other by means of personal example. His exhortation is simple: what is true (honorable, just, pure, lovely—he keeps on heaping up the words until we gain a picture of…
Read MorePhilippians 4:1-7: Five Ways to Develop Greater Biblical Unity
2 Kings 20-21, Psalm 120, Luke 6:37-42, Philippians 4:1-7 Philippians 4:1-7: Paul has given the Philippians a strong exhortation to Christian maturity and rejoicing in the Lord and continuing to strive for that which is heavenward for them in Christ Jesus. No resting on your laurels! How do you “stand firm in the Lord”? By continuing to move…
Read MorePhilippians 3:15-21: Why Focus on Heaven?
2 Kings 18-19, Psalm 119:169-176, Luke 6:27-36, Philippians 3:15-21 Philippians 3:15-21: Paul has been calling the Philippians to a life of joy, to rejoicing in the Lord, utilizing the examples of Timothy and Epaphroditus, and then his own example, to focus on heaven and strive towards heaven. Now he tells them even more explicitly to follow his example,…
Read MorePhilippians 3:10-14: Desires and Goals
2 Kings 16-17, Psalm 119:161-168, Luke 6:17-26, Philippians 3:10-14 Philippians 3:10-14: Paul is continuing his fight against legalism by urging the Philippians to rejoice in the Lord—not in some simplistic, sentimental way, but profoundly and deeply and truly. Now, Paul takes the trajectory of such joy in Christ into the future. He reveals his real desire and his…
Read MorePhilippians 3:1-9: How Joy Kills Legalism
2 Kings 14-15, Psalm 119:153-160, Luke 6:1-16, Philippians 3:1-9 Philippians 3:1-9: Legalism is a great enemy to joy. Technically, legalism is the teaching that—in one way or another—tells you that the way to be saved is by obeying the law. Many non-Christian religions basically teach a form of legalism. But legalism is also prevalent in Christian denominations and…
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