The Teachings of Paul (TOP)

[GWH]

TOP #157: Christ gave various gifts regarding teaching God’s Word so that God’s people would grow spiritually and become mature. [Eph. 4:7-15, cf. TOP #202 &255] Although salvation is by faith, becoming spiritually mature is by good works or continuing to cooperate with the loving Spirit of God (cf. 2:10).

TOP #163: Instead of stealing, Christians must earn a living and share surplus with worthy needy brethren. [Eph. 4:28] We can infer that lazy folks do not deserve to have such sin abetted but must reap what they do not sow (cf. TOP #226).

TOP #164: Christians should not speak coarsely or unlovingly, but rather helpfully. [Eph. 4:29 & 5:4] James states this teaching in terms of moral filth and controlling one’s tongue (Jam. 1:21 & 3:8-10).

TOP #165: Do not grieve God by exhibiting any form of hatred. [Eph. 4:30-31] The forms of hatred include bitterness, rage, brawling and slander.

 

[GWH]

TOP #166: Imitate God/Christ by being kind, compassionate and forgiving. [Eph. 4:32-5:2] These are forms of love (cf. TOP #138).

TOP #167: Those who claim to be Christians but typically sin are I-dolaters bound for divine wrath. [Eph. 5:3&5-6, Phil. 3:18-19] Paul said not to be partners or associate with such pseudo-Christians (v.7).

TOP #168: Sinfulness is signified by darkness and savedness by light, which is goodness and truth. [Eph. 5:8-9]. Such imagery is significant enough to include and view as a teaching.

 

[GWH]

TOP #169: Find out what pleases God, which is radiating the light of His Word. [Eph. 5:10 & 17] This is the opposite way of stating TOP #165. The way to please God is by exposing the deeds of darkness, although they are shameful to mention (v.11-12). Paul connected light with awaking from the dead and living wisely (Eph. 5:14-17a). Jesus taught Christians to be the light of the world (Matt. 5:14-16).

TOP #170: Do not get drunk on wine (alcoholic spirits), but instead be filled with the Holy Spirit. [Eph. 5:18] This command certainly would apply to any other type of drug or medicine.

TOP #171: Sing spiritual songs and make music in your heart to the Lord. [Eph. 5:19, Col. 3:16] This may be the only NT reference to what was a theme in Psalms.

TOP #172: Always give thanks to God the Father for everything in the name of our LJC. [Eph. 5:20, Col. 3:15-17] This is also commanded in 1Thes. 5:18.

 

[GWH]

The following series of commands through TOP #178 is found also in Col. 3:18-4:1.

TOP #173: Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ. [Eph. 5:21-33, Col. 3:18-19] Paul elaborates by saying wives should respect husbands, and husbands should love wives.

TOP #174: Marriage is a man and woman leaving their parents and becoming one flesh. [Eph. 5:31] Paul compares the marital relationship to that of Christ and the church. Jesus taught this concept of marriage in Matt. 19:4-6, citing Gen. 2:24.

TOP #175: Children should honor and obey their parents in the Lord. [Eph. 6:1-3, Col. 3:20] The phrase “in the Lord” may refer to Christian parents who are assumed to give godly guidance. Paul notes that this OT commandment is accompanied by the promise that obedience will result in prosperity and long life.

TOP #176: Fathers (parents) should not exasperate their children but instead raise them in accordance with the instruction of the Lord. [Eph. 6:4, Col. 3:21] That “fathers” includes mothers is implied by v.1, and the the “instruction of the Lord” implies loving discipline like that described in Heb. 12:5-11.

TOP #177: Slaves (employees) should obey their earthly masters (bosses) as though they were obeying God/Christ. [Eph. 6:5, Col. 3:22, 1Tim. 6:1-2, Tit. 2:9] Slavery was common when Paul wrote, but his hope for Onesimus to be freed (in Philemon v.8-18) as well as the reference to being free in v. 8 indicates that this command should apply to freed slaves or employees.

TOP #178: Masters or bosses should treat their slaves or employees the way Christ would. [Eph. 6:9, Col. 4:1] Christ/God is the Master of both without favoring either.

 

[GWH]

TOP #179: Be strong in the Lord by putting on the armor of God in order to defeat the devil’s schemes. [Eph. 6:10-17, 2Pet. 1:5-9] Each piece of armor relates to the word of God as follows: belt of truth, breastplate of righteousness, shoes of the gospel, shield of faith, helmet of salvation and the sword of the Spirit.

TOP #180: Pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers. [Eph. 6:18-20, Col. 4:2-4] The kinds of prayers found in Scripture include: confession, praise, thanksgiving, petition and intercession, which is the type of petition Paul requests be done for him.

Paul ends Ephesians by saying that he is sending Tychicus, presumably the bearer of the epistle.

 

[GWH]

Paul begins Philippians by greeting the saints, especially the overseers and deacons, by saying that his prayers for them express joy and thanksgiving because of their faith, and by praying that their love and insight may increase, so they will have discernment and be filled with the fruit of righteousness (PHP 1:1-11).

He refers to being in chains because of his defense of the gospel of Christ (which is called apologetics) and to some who preach Christ motivated by envy and rivalry (1:12-18). Then he expressed a belief that can serve as a teaching for all to emulate.

TOP #181: To live provides the opportunity to witness for Christ and edify believers, but to die means that we gain heaven. [Phil. 1:21-26] Paul said he was convinced he would remain alive and be with the Philippians again.