Lets talk about Paul

[Rainrider]

Titus 2
1 But as for you, speak the things which are proper for sound doctrine:
2 that the older men be sober, reverent, temperate, sound in faith, in love, in patience;
3 the older women likewise, that they be reverent in behavior, not slanderers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things--
4 that they admonish the young women to love their husbands, to love their children,
5 to be discreet, chaste, homemakers, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be blasphemed.
Much of what Paul teaches us comes from Torah, this is no exception.
6 Likewise exhort the young men to be sober-minded,
7 in all things showing yourself to be a pattern of good works; in doctrine showing integrity, reverence, incorruptibility,
8 sound speech that cannot be condemned, that one who is an opponent may be ashamed, having nothing evil to say of you.
9 Exhort bondservants to be obedient to their own masters, to be well pleasing in all things, not answering back,
10 not pilfering, but showing all good fidelity, that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Savior in all things.
11. For the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared to all men,
12 teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly in the present age,
13 looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing of our great God and Savior Jesus Christ, 14 who gave Himself for us, that He might redeem us from every lawless deed and purify for Himself His own special people, zealous for good works.
15 Speak these things, exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no one despise you.
A good friend of mine once made note that we can not stop a person from despising us. However as other translations change that to disregard what you say, we are forced to find both true understanding, as well as a way to explain it. The word is filled with passages that can be seen in more than one way should we fail to study the whole of a topic. As this study is coming to a close, it is my prayer, that you stop and listen. Not to me,or any other man, rather to the Spirit of truth. Read every passage on a topic with open heart and mind. HaShem wants nothing more than to show us His truth, to teach us His way, and for us to know Him. Not the words of man, not the teachings of a church, or denomination, Him.

 

[Rainrider]

Titus 3
1 Remind them to be subject to rulers and authorities, to obey, to be ready for every good work, 2 to speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.
Here Paul makes a point we should all work on. Many times in this forum, people become so intent that they are 100% right, they are willing to take upon them self the authority to condemn others. Passing judgments about matters only HaShem can judge. Don't get me wrong, we to judge others on their action, however, if a person dosen't fall into your idea of salvation, keep in mind, you can't look into the book of life, hold your judgement for things you can see.
3 For we ourselves were also once foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving various lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful and hating one another.
4 But when the kindness and the love of God our Savior toward man appeared,
5 not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us, through the washing of regeneration and renewing of the Holy Spirit,
6 whom He poured out on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Savior,
7 that having been justified by His grace we should become heirs according to the hope of eternal life. 8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I want you to affirm constantly, that those who have believed in God should be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable to men. 9 But avoid foolish disputes, genealogies, contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and useless.
We once more see Paul speak of good works, a theam that can be found in all his letters. He also brings up a point that many have debated, (at lest people seeking truth do) and has remained a question in my mind for years. "If we all read the same book, walk after the same Spirit, and seek 100%truth from the Word, why are there so many theologies, and doctrines?" After all, The Word only holds one truth, not many. True it is called the Living Word with good reason. As we grow, the Spirit leads us to new understandings. Please keep in mind, that if we fall in a rut, and refuse to climb out, that is where we stay.
10 Reject a divisive man after the first and second admonition,
11 knowing that such a person is warped and sinning, being self-condemned.
12 When I send Artemas to you, or Tychicus, be diligent to come to me at Nicopolis, for I have decided to spend the winter there.
13 Send Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey with haste, that they may lack nothing. 14 And let our people also learn to maintain good works, to meet urgent needs, that they may not be unfruitful.
15 All who are with me greet you. Greet those who love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

 

[Rainrider]

Philemon
1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother, To Philemon our beloved friend and fellow laborer,
2 to the beloved Apphia, Archippus our fellow soldier, and to the church in your house:
3 Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.
4 I thank my God, making mention of you always in my prayers,
5 hearing of your love and faith which you have toward the Lord Jesus and toward all the saints, 6 that the sharing of your faith may become effective by the acknowledgment of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.
7 For we have great joy and consolation in your love, because the hearts of the saints have been refreshed by you, brother.
8 Therefore, though I might be very bold in Christ to command you what is fitting,
9 yet for love's sake I rather appeal to you--being such a one as Paul, the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ--
10 I appeal to you for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten while in my chains,
11 who once was unprofitable to you, but now is profitable to you and to me.
12 I am sending him back. You therefore receive him, that is, my own heart,
13 whom I wished to keep with me, that on your behalf he might minister to me in my chains for the gospel.
14 But without your consent I wanted to do nothing, that your good deed might not be by compulsion, as it were, but voluntary.
15 For perhaps he departed for a while for this purpose, that you might receive him forever, 16 no longer as a slave but more than a slave--a beloved brother, especially to me but how much more to you, both in the flesh and in the Lord.
17 If then you count me as a partner, receive him as you would me.
18 But if he has wronged you or owes anything, put that on my account.
19 I, Paul, am writing with my own hand. I will repay--not to mention to you that you owe me even your own self besides.
20 Yes, brother, let me have joy from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in the Lord.
21 Having confidence in your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I say. 22 But, meanwhile, also prepare a guest room for me, for I trust that through your prayers I shall be granted to you.
23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, greets you,
24 as do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas, Luke, my fellow laborers.
25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
As this letter from Paul is a request for his own son, some have said it shouldn't have been added as it teaches little. However, that is not true. Keeping to my habit the simple way to see this leter is that Paul could simply send his son, and that be that. Yet Paul shows us just what we should already know about HaShem by acting in a manner He knows HaShem would. Rather than Dictate, or direct, he ask. Giving room for the free will of Philemon. Just as HaShem gave us free will and the right to decide if we wanted to follow him in all His ways, or follow after our own wants.
I know that some will say I should follow up with Hebrews. The thing is, this was a study of Paul. As there are so many things that leads one to understand Hebrews was not written by Paul, and most scrollers agree it wasn't, I see no reason to include that Book in this study. I do pray that HaShem's work was done with this thread, and that it has given poss, or reason for more study for every one that has read it.
May HaShem take this, and complete what ever work He meant for this to do for Him.