Weekly Scripture

1 Timothy 6:6–19

Exploring the Scripture In the verses before today’s lection, Paul asserts that anyone teaching something other than the words of Jesus is conceited and promotes controversy. False teachings lead to envy, arguments, and seeking “godliness [as] a means [of] gain,” or religion for profit (v. 5). Our lection begins by affirming that godliness does lead to gain—spiritual gain—but only if one...
1 Timothy 2:1–7

Exploring the Scripture Paul (or a disciple writing in Paul’s name) seeks to provide wise counsel to Timothy, new in the ministry. Having shared the testimony of his conversion to Christianity, Paul stresses first that a good minister prays for everyone, without exception (v. 1). It’s easy to focus only on the needs of family, friends, and place. Christians must look...
1 Timothy 1:12–17

Exploring the Scripture Saul of Tarsus tried to destroy the new Christian church by persecuting followers of Jesus Christ. After his conversion, he left his old life and Hebrew name behind and became Paul. The testimony of Paul’s conversion in verses 12–17 shows God’s grace to Saul, the persecutor. The story presented here is consistent with Paul’s accounts in Galatians 1:13...
Philemon 1–21

Exploring the Scripture Paul wrote from prison, seeking a personal favor from Philemon, a respected church leader. Christians met in Philemon’s home, so he was among the wealthy. Philemon is the only personal letter included in the New Testament canon. Paul addresses him as a “dear friend and co-worker” (v. 1) who had brought joy to Paul and other saints (v....
Hebrews 13:1–8, 15–16

Exploring the Scripture The final chapter of Hebrews reminds Christian disciples to put their faith into practice in their communities. Disciples must live their faith. Jesus is the model for living in a sacred community. Everything begins with mutual love. Early Christian communities, like our own, sometimes were broken by conflict, power struggles, and misunderstandings. Only when a community is built on...
Hebrews 12:18–29

Exploring the Scripture The verses just before today’s passage speak of Esau, who sold his birthright (inheritance) for a bowl of soup because he returned from work hungry. Today’s lection begins by saying Christ’s disciples are not dealing with something tangible, like soup, but spiritual realities. The author is taking them on a pilgrimage with two possible destinations. Do they wish to...
Hebrews 11:29—12:2

Exploring the Scripture This week’s lection continues to share models of faith in Jewish history. As with the previous verses, Hebrews 11:29–31 begins with the words by faith to stress that each character trusted God’s direction and their religious convictions in difficult circumstances. The enslaved Israelites crossed the Red Sea, trusting God to hold back the waters. The Israelite army trusted that Jericho would...
Hebrews 11:1–3, 8–16

Exploring the Scripture Hebrews 11 explores the meaning of “faith” against the constant persecution of Christians. Faith has many meanings and uses. It’s a firm belief in a set of religious ideas; a human response to God’s gift of grace; an understanding that transcends learning; and an anchor in life’s difficulties. A well-known definition is Hebrews 11:1: “Faith is the assurance of...
Colossians 3:1–11

Exploring the Scripture Chapter 3 of Colossians begins with a gentle wordplay around the verb “to rise.” Paul reminds the Colossians that having been “raised with Christ, seek the things that are above” compared to things “on earth.” The intent is not to ignore the earthly reality in which we live. This is the world God loves and continues to care for. Jesus came...
Colossians 2:6–19

Exploring the Scripture The Gentile church members in Colossae struggled with the relationship between Christianity and Judaism. Was Christianity a special form of Judaism? A corollary to a Gnostic view of secret knowledge and elemental spirits? Or was it a new faith tradition? Jewish teachers insisted Gentiles must be circumcised Jewish and keep the laws of Judaism to be Christian. Teachers influenced...

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