This week’s “Come, Follow Me” research information covers 1 and 2 Timothy; Titus; and Philemon, which incorporates the apostle Paul’s writings on bishops, endurance and overcoming worry by religion.
Church Information lately dug by archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints to study what leaders and students have stated about these chapters.
The pastoral epistles and gnosticism
“Paul most likely meant bishops when he referred to ‘pastors’ (Ephesians 4:11). The ‘pastoral epistles,’ Paul’s letters to Timothy and Titus, title the qualities to search for in bishops: A bishop have to be revered by each Christians and non-Christians, a profitable household man with common sense in social conditions, a pacesetter of absolute integrity and private self-control, and one fortunately concerned with individuals who additionally reads and has the capability to show (see 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:7-9).”
— Richard Lloyd Anderson, former professor of historical scripture at Brigham Younger College, within the August 1976 Ensign article, “Clement, Ignatius, and Polycarp: Three Bishops Between the Apostles and Apostasy”
“The pastoral epistles give extra proof that apostate doctrines had been widespread in Christianity even whereas Paul was nonetheless alive. A significant supply of heretical educating was gnosticism.
The time period ‘gnosticism’ comes from the Greek noun ‘gnôsis,’ which suggests ‘information.’ Gnostics believed that they’d secret ‘information’ that had been handed on to them by Jesus or the Apostles. They held that it was by this gnôsis that one was saved, for it enabled him to rise above the evil bodily world. Paul might have been warning Timothy to watch out for such false ‘information’ when he wrote: ‘O Timothy, preserve that which is dedicated to thy belief, avoiding profane and useless babblings, and disputations of what’s falsely referred to as information [gnôsis]’ (1 Timothy 6:20).
“In 1 Timothy 1:3-4, Paul endorsed Timothy to show others to keep away from ‘fables and limitless genealogies.’ Equally, he admonished Titus to ‘keep away from silly questions, and genealogies’ (Titus 3:9). We all know that family tree for worthy functions was identified amongst early Christians. … What Paul was referring to right here was fairly totally different, since he denounced it within the context of speculative doctrinal rivalry that was ‘unprofitable and useless’ (Titus 3:9).
“Gnosticism’s dualism of pure spirit on one excessive and evil matter on the opposite gave rise to an intensive family tree of subordinate deities, every descending from another holy than himself. In some second-century gnostic programs, there have been as many as 365 ranges on this chain of divine beings. Many commentators imagine that Paul’s prohibition in opposition to ‘limitless genealogies’ refers to this sort of construction. Such diverting speculations don’t edify in religion, Paul stated, however ‘minister questions’ (1 Timothy 1:4).
“The pastoral epistles present different indicators of the recognition of false doctrine within the Church. Paul warned Timothy of those that train concepts aside from the phrase of Jesus Christ. Those that achieve this are obsessive about ‘questions and strifes of phrases,’ out of which come ‘perverse disputings of males of corrupt minds’ (1 Timothy 6:3-5; see additionally 2 Timothy 2:23). He instructed Titus: ‘For there are a lot of unruly and useless talkers and deceivers, specifically they of the circumcision:
“‘Whose mouths have to be stopped, who subvert entire homes, educating issues which they ought not. …
“‘Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they might be sound within the religion,
“‘Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of males, that flip from the reality’ (Titus 1:10-11, 13-14).”
— Kent P. Jackson, former professor of historical scripture at Brigham Younger College, within the December 1984 Ensign article, “Early Signs of the Apostasy”
1 Timothy 4
“After our declaration of our beliefs, we should observe the counsel given to us in 1 Timothy 4:12: ‘However be thou an instance of the believers, in phrase, in dialog, in charity, in spirit, in religion, in purity.’ …
“Our lives needs to be examples of goodness and advantage as we attempt to emulate His instance to the world. Good works by every of us can do credit score each to the Savior and His Church. As you might be engaged in doing good, being honorable and upright women and men, the sunshine of Christ will likely be mirrored by your lives.”
— Elder L. Tom Perry, October 2011 normal convention, “Perfect Love Casteth Out Fear”
1 Timothy 6
“We would ask ourselves, residing as many people do in societies that worship possessions and pleasures, whether or not we’re remaining aloof from covetousness and the lust to amass an increasing number of of this world’s items. Materialism is only one extra manifestation of the idolatry and satisfaction that characterize Babylon. Maybe we are able to study to be content material with what’s enough for our wants.
“The Apostle Paul warned Timothy in opposition to individuals who suppose ‘that acquire is godliness’ (1 Timothy 6:5).
“Mentioned he, ‘We introduced nothing into this world, and it’s sure we are able to carry nothing out.
“‘And having meals and raiment allow us to be therewith content material’ (1 Timothy 6:7–8).”
— Elder D. Todd Christofferson, October 2008 normal convention, “Come to Zion”
An undated aerial view of the Colosseum in Rome, Italy. “Come, Observe Me” for Oct. 23-29 covers 1 and a pair of Timothy; Titus; and Philemon, which had been every written from Rome.
2 Timothy
“Paul’s ultimate letter, written to his beloved affiliate Timothy, was penned whereas the aged Apostle awaited his execution in Rome. On this pathetic setting, Paul spoke of the apostasy as having already begun. He warned Timothy in opposition to ‘profane and useless babblings: for they’ll improve unto extra ungodliness. And their phrase will eat as doth a canker’ (2 Timothy 2:16-17). He talked about two males responsible of spreading false doctrine who had ruined the religion of some by educating that the Ultimate Resurrection had already taken place.
“Maybe Paul’s most sorrow-filled phrases are these present in 2 Timothy 1:15: ‘This thou knowest, that each one they that are in Asia be turned away from me.’ His alternative of phrases is grim proof of apostasy among the many church buildings in Asia. Paul had taught the gospel there 13 years earlier, and the folks had accepted it in large numbers (Acts 19:8-22). However now they had been turning from him, and from his message as properly (see 2 Timothy 2:16-18, 23-26). He noticed the time when the church buildings would change into corrupted, ‘having a type of godliness; however denying the facility thereof’ (2 Timothy 3:5).”
— Kent P. Jackson, former professor of historical scripture at Brigham Younger College, within the December 1984 Ensign article, “Early Signs of the Apostasy”
2 Timothy 3
“After the demise of Christ, Paul was transformed and have become a terrific missionary. He had a junior companion, whom he liked as a father loves his personal son. Once we choose up their story in 2 Timothy, they’re separated of their service. Timothy is lonely and afraid — being a missionary is usually a fearful enterprise. Paul is in jail in Rome. He writes Timothy a letter: ‘To Timothy, my dearly beloved son. …
“‘I thank God … that with out ceasing I’ve remembrance of thee in my prayers evening and day;
“‘Drastically needing to see thee, being aware of thy tears’ (2 Timothy 1:2-4).
“Isn’t {that a} tender letter? Fake it’s coming to you from one who’s aware of your tears.
“Paul then goes on to remind Timothy of his strengths: ‘I name to remembrance the unfeigned religion that’s in thee’ (2 Timothy 1:5). He reminds Timothy that each his grandmother and his mom had been girls of religion.
“Consider a number of the strengths that your grandmothers and mom have handed on to you.
“Then Paul asks Timothy to recollect to make use of the reward of the Holy Ghost: ‘I put thee in remembrance that thou fire up the reward of God, which is in thee by the placing on of my palms’ (2 Timothy 1:6).
“Are you remembering that you’ve had palms laid in your head — that you’ve been given a present? Use that reward to overcome your fears!
“After which my favourite a part of the letter: ‘For God hath not given us the spirit of worry; however of energy, and of affection, and of a sound thoughts’ (2 Timothy 1:7).
“Are these simply the belongings you need if you end up fearful — energy, love, the power to suppose clearly?
“Paul ends one in all his letters: ‘All which are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us within the religion. Grace be with you all. Amen’ (Titus 3:15).
“All which are with me salute you. We love you and are conscious of your fears and your religion. I bear you my witness that Jesus Christ is our Savior, that he loves me, that he loves every of you and that he’ll assist us to interchange our fears with religion.”
— Sister Virginia H. Pearce, October 1992 normal convention, “Fear”
“The scriptures train us the right way to keep away from false teachings. For instance, in Paul’s letter to Timothy we learn:
“‘All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is worthwhile for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
“‘That the person of God could also be excellent, throughly furnished unto all good works’ (2 Timothy 3:16-17).
“This doctrine is to the Church like a battery is to a mobile phone. Once you take away the battery out of your mobile phone, it turns into ineffective. A church during which true doctrine is not taught is equally ineffective. It can’t information us again to our Heavenly Father and our everlasting residence.”
— Elder L. Tom Perry, October 2013 normal convention, “The Doctrines and Principles Contained in the Articles of Faith”
“Absolutely we need to keep away from priestcraft. However the Apostle Paul warned us of one other hazard. He warned that in our day there will likely be these ‘having a type of godliness; however denying the facility thereof’ (2 Timothy 3:5).
“How can we as priesthood holders have a type of godliness however deny the facility thereof? May it’s that we maintain the priesthood however don’t train it? Go to our households moderately than residence train them? Pray for somebody in an ordinance or ordination as an alternative of blessing them? Do the Lord’s work one of the best ways we all know how with out first pleading to know and do His will in His approach? …
“Fortunately, the Lord teaches us the right way to be fruitful, the right way to make a distinction. ‘He that abideth in me, and I in him, the identical bringeth forth a lot fruit’ (John 15:5). If we train His priesthood in His approach, following the route that we obtain from His servants and His Spirit, we will likely be good and devoted servants!”
— Elder Stanley G. Ellis, October 2006 normal convention, “He Trusts Us!”
2 Timothy 4
“Enduring to the top requires faithfulness to the top, as within the case of Paul, who instructed Timothy, ‘I’ve fought a very good combat, I’ve completed my course, I’ve stored the religion’ (2 Timothy 4:7). Clearly, this isn’t a straightforward activity. It’s meant to be tough, difficult, and, finally, refining as we put together to return to stay with our Father in Heaven and obtain everlasting blessings.
“Enduring to the top is unquestionably not a do-it-yourself mission. … We should all the time keep religion and hope in Christ to endure to the top, and among the many some ways we do that are praying, fasting and studying the scriptures. These practices will fortify us in opposition to the delicate schemes and fiery darts of the adversary.”
— Elder L. Tom Perry, April 2008 normal convention, “The Gospel of Jesus Christ”
“Paul’s ultimate prophecy of the abandonment of true faith is discovered within the final chapter of 2 Timothy, the place he talks about males changing ‘sound doctrine’ with ‘fables.’ Once more, Paul noticed a willful rejection of true doctrine and its substitute by doctrines that had been unfaithful however extra to the liking of the hearers. Discover that the folks concerned, though unwilling to place up with appropriate teachings, desired teachings nonetheless. Having ‘itching ears’ — a need to listen to faith — they might purchase lecturers whose doctrines had been acceptable to them.”
— Kent P. Jackson, former professor of historical scripture at Brigham Younger College, within the December 1984 Ensign article, “Early Signs of the Apostasy”
Titus
“Apparently, each Timothy and Titus had been presiding officers over sure native models of the church — hyperlinks between the apostles and native church officers. …
“1 Timothy and Titus had been written probably between the time of Paul’s first and second imprisonments in Rome, between A.D. 62 and 66; whereas 2 Timothy was written when his demise was imminent, about A.D. 67 or 68. …
“The predominant theme of Titus is the admonition to attempt for godliness and to ‘keep good works’ (Titus 2:12, Titus 3:8). As a pacesetter, Titus himself was to indicate ‘a sample of fine works’ (Titus 2:7) and to boldly train sound doctrine (Titus 2:1, 15), encouraging the saints to ‘stay soberly, righteously, and godly, on this current world’ (Titus 2:12, 15).”
— J. Lewis Taylor within the April 1976 Ensign article, “New Testament Backgrounds: Thessalonians through Hebrews”
Titus 3
“Persevering with after the Savior’s ministry, the Apostles urged the Saints to be orderly and law-abiding. Writing to Titus, Paul declared, ‘Put them in thoughts to be topic to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be prepared to each good work’ (Titus 3:1).
“As Church members, we stay below the banner of many alternative flags. How necessary it’s that we perceive our place and our place within the lands during which we stay! We needs to be conversant in the historical past, heritage and legal guidelines of the lands that govern us. In these nations that permit us the proper to take part within the affairs of presidency, we must always use our free company and be actively engaged in supporting and defending the rules of fact, proper and freedom.”
— Elder L. Tom Perry, October 1987 normal convention, “A Meaningful Celebration”
The Pantheon in Rome, Italy. “Come, Observe Me” for Oct. 23-29 covers 1 and a pair of Timothy; Titus; and Philemon, which had been every written from Rome.
Philemon 1
“I’ve all the time been uplifted by studying the brief epistle of Paul to Philemon; it teaches us a precept and a spirit regarding gospel brotherhood. Philemon’s servant, Onesimus, had run away from his grasp and joined Paul in Rome. Paul transformed Onesimus to the gospel and in sending him, a modified man, again to Philemon, Paul took the event to show each males some necessary truths. Paul wished to show Onesimus, the servant, the need of being obedient to legislation, and he wished to show Philemon the necessity for higher love, a love enough to make his servant free, even his equal: ‘I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I’ve begotten in my bonds:
“‘Which in time previous was to thee unprofitable, however now worthwhile to thee and to me:
“‘Whom I’ve despatched once more: thou due to this fact obtain him. …
“‘For maybe he due to this fact departed for a season, that thou shouldest obtain him for ever;
“‘Not now as a servant, however above a servant, a brother beloved, specifically to me, however how far more unto thee, each within the flesh, and within the Lord?
“‘If thou rely me due to this fact a companion, obtain him as myself.
“‘If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account. …
“‘Yea, brother, let me have pleasure of thee within the Lord. …
“‘Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, understanding that thou wilt additionally do greater than I say’ (Philemon 1:10-12, 15-18, 20-21).
“What a spirit of brotherhood is taught by this nice missionary, this apostle of Jesus who additionally spoke elsewhere to the Corinthians that he would even change his consuming habits if that will imply the distinction between protecting somebody with the Lord or turning him away by misunderstanding! (See 1 Corinthians 8.)
“It’s an inspiration and pleasure to see this identical spirit at work all through the Church, to see the Saints embrace and assist and help and pray for individuals who day by day enter the dominion of our Lord. Proceed to achieve out to one another — and the numerous extra who will enter the Church. Welcome them and love and fellowship them.”
— President Spencer W. Kimball within the September 1975 Ensign article, “Always a Convert Church: Some Lessons to Learn and Apply This Year”
