v.3 “This unbiblical asceticism arose out of the mistaken belief that the material world was evil – a central belief of the Gnostic heresy”[1] v.6 “The first paragraph begins by gathering up what has been said from 2:1 to 4:5 and urging Timothy to point these things out to the brothers.  The brothers, of course, [...]

v.3 “This unbiblical asceticism arose out of the mistaken belief that the material world was evil – a central belief of the Gnostic heresy”[1] v.6 “The first paragraph begins by gathering up what has been said from 2:1 to 4:5 and urging Timothy to point these things out to the brothers.  The brothers, of course, [...]

Submitted by Helen Kim, Gracepoint Berkeley In 1 Timothy 3, Apostle Paul gives specific guidance on how to behave as overseers, deacons and wives of such people.  He tells them to:  be above reproach, husband of one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, [...]

Submitted by Michelle Sun, Gracepoint Berkeley Growing in Godliness v. 12  “…set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity.” v. 15-16  “Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress.  Watch your life adn doctrine closely. Persevere in them, [...]

vv. 1-2 “The same word is used here for older man as is used later on of the church officials called ‘elders’.  But Paul’s advice here concerns older members of the congregation.  The verb rebuke harshly (epiplesso) is a strong one meaning ‘censure severely’ and those advanced in years should be spared such treatment.  If [...]

vv.1-2 “For the church to have encouraged slaves to revolt against their masters would have been fatal.  It would simply have caused civil war, mass murder, and the complete discredit of the Church.”[1] “In communities where membership included numerous slaves together with some of their masters, the relationship between them was a pressing problem.  Slaves [...]

Submitted by Jessica Chao, Gracepoint Berkeley vv.13-14 O: What do younger widows become in addition to being idlers? Gossips and busybodies D: What does this say about the nature of sin? Often it’s not just an isolated sin.  Especially with something like idleness, it opens the door for one to commit other sins.  I thought [...]

Submitted by James Chao, Gracepoint Berkeley What illusions about money do people who want to get rich have?  How does eagerness for money cause a person to wander from the faith? Money can give me a sense of false sense of security about my life. In practical life, money is so important, not only for [...]