Timothy

Just came out of the sun where I was getting my vitamin D and reading Paul's letters to Timothy. I love Timothy. Paul is always telling him to be bold. Timothy had received a gift through the laying on of hands of the elders and affirmed by prophecy. But he just didn't have the boldness. Paul told him "God didn't give you the spirit of fear...but you have power!!!!! love!!!! a sound mind!!!!!"

Hey, it's tough being bold. Anyone can preach the gospel. But how many of us can walk into a room and try to be bold and command sickness to leave someone's body?

Anyways, came upon some neat things that gave me food for thought.

1) 1 Timothy 2:11-13
In the original greek the verse reads: "I don't permit a wife to teach or have authority over her husband." By translating it, "I don't permit a woman to teach or have authority over a man."...well, what is about a family situation becomes a doctrine for the church...which I'm not sure it should be. After all, Paul says somewhere else that in Christ there is no male or female. And then there was Prisca who taught Apollos. Amazing how a different translation can create all kinds of issues. It seems Paul is saying that no matter how wise you --a woman-- are, do not try to enlighten your husband. Pray for him, affirm him, but don't teach him. Share...but let God do the work.

2)
1 Timothy 4: 3
They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods.
2 Timothy 3: 6
For among those are those who make thier way into households and captivate silly women, overwhelmed by their sins and swayed by all kinds of desires, who are always being instructed and can never arrive at a knowledge of the truth.
I won't even say who these verses might be referring to.

3)
1 Timothy 3: 6
He must not be a recent convert (or a new believer) or else he may become puffed up and conceited.
How many young ministers and bishops are out there?

4)
1 Timothy 5:9
Let a widow be on the list if she is not less than sixty years old ...so command the younger widows to marry.
Uhm, how many Bible-believing churches who say they follow Christ actually have a list of all the old widows and disabled folks that they are to provide for? Also, people talk a lot about Paul saying folks shouldn't marry...but here he is talking about people marrying.

5)
2 Timothy 1: 15
You are aware that all who are in Asia have turned away from me.
2 Timothy 4: 16
At my first defense no one came to my support, but all deserted me.
WOW!!!!!!!!