Gary Gleans

Let a woman learn quietly   with all submissiveness.    I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet.    For Adam was formed first,   then Eve;   and Adam was not deceived, but   the woman was deceived and became a transgressor.    Yet she will be saved through   childbearing—if they continue in   faith and love and holiness, with self-control. There is certainly controversy and confusion about this passage in many churches today.  The idea of a distinction between men and women and their roles in the family and church certainly goes against the flow of many cultures around the world.  Some would argue that the literal and plain teaching of this passage is no longer applicable to today’s culture.  However, it is always dangerous to discard biblical teaching or try to interpret Scripture based on the cultures in which we live.  Certai...

I desire then that   in every place the men should pray,   lifting   holy hands without anger or quarreling;   likewise also   that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, but with what is proper for women who profess godliness—with good works.    It is important to remember that the general subject of this passage is prayer.  Paul has given clear instructions about that things we need to take before the Lord in prayer.  Praying for our authorities, the salvation of others, and ministers of the Gospel is something that should be true of both our private and public prayers.  This passage turns to the subject of the prerequisites Paul places on those who will exercise the ministry of public prayer. PUBLIC PRAYER FOR MEN: Prayer in general and public prayer should be marked by a reverence and recognition that we are talking...

First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and   dignified in every way.    This is good, and   it is pleasing in the sight of   God our Savior,   who desires   all people to be saved and   to come to   the knowledge of the truth.    For   there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus,   who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is   the testimony given   at the proper time.    For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying),   a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.   Prayer is one of the greatest privileges believers have and it should be one of our greatest priorities.  Too often our lives are more often marked by complaining ab...

This charge   I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with   the prophecies previously made about you, that by them you may   wage the good warfare, holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have   made shipwreck of their faith,   among whom are   Hymenaeus and   Alexander, whom I   have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to   blaspheme.   Faith is the fundamental key to the Christian walk.  It will determine how far and how long a believer will go.  Scripture and history demonstrate this truth repeatedly.  Building up the faith of the people we are seeking to disciple is of vital importance.  Walking with the Lord and being active in ministry will bring about struggles and involve suffering.  There will be days when we will question if it is worth it.  It is only by faith that we will be able to determine that it most absolutely is worth ...

I thank him   who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me faithful,   appointing me to his service,   though formerly I was a blasphemer,   persecutor, and insolent opponent. But   I received mercy   because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,   and   the grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the   faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.    The saying is   trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus   came into the world to save sinners,   of whom I am the foremost.    But I received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him for eternal life.    To   the King of the ages,   immortal,   invisible,   the only God,   be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.   Paul is constantly sharing his testimony of God’s grace...

Now we know that   the law is good, if one uses it lawfully,   understanding this, that the   law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers,   the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to   sound doctrine,   in accordance with   the gospel of the glory of   the blessed God   with which I have been entrusted.   The law was established for a purpose.  Unfortunately, corrupt man will take that which is holy and corrupt it so that it is no longer serves the purpose for which it was given.  When people use the gifts of God in ways which they were not intended to be used, the end up brining harm and condemnation on themselves and others.  The illegitimate use of God’s gifts is what Paul is asking Timoth...

As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not   to teach any different doctrine,   nor   to devote themselves to myths and endless   genealogies, which promote   speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.    The aim of our charge is love   that issues from a pure heart and   a good conscience and   a sincere faith.    Certain persons, by   swerving from these, have wandered away into   vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law,   without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions.   There will always be false teachers that come into the church attempting to distract people from the truth and destroy people’s faith.  When this happens, it is the job of spiritually mature leaders to confront these false teachers and correct their teachings. ...

Paul,   an apostle of Christ Jesus   by command of   God our Savior and of Christ Jesus   our hope, To Timothy,   my true child in the faith:   Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. The true sign of maturity is multiplication.  Believers, churches, and ministries that do not reproduce are not demonstrating true maturity.  One of the key characteristics we can identify in Paul’s ministry is that he was constantly reproducing godly believers who were faithfully following the Lord.  Evangelism, discipleship, and leadership training are the hallmarks of mature ministers and ministries.   THE APOSTLE: Paul was called by God to be an Apostle.  Though Paul converted after the resurrection and assentation of Jesus, he met Jesus in the road to Damascus and was instructed by Jesus in the desert.  Paul considered himself to be the least of the Apostles because he persecuted the chu...

Now may   the Lord of peace himself   give you peace at all times in every way.   The Lord be with you all.    I, Paul, write   this greeting with my own hand. This is the sign of genuineness in every letter of mine; it is the way I write.    The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Paul’s benediction in his final inspired writings to this church emphasize important aspects of God’s provisions in the lives of believers.  Paul desires the best for this church and for every believer.  The gifts of God are too numerous to be able to list, but grace and peace are certainly two of the greatest gifts believers receive from the Lord.  PEACE FROM GOD: The God of peace makes that peace available to those who place their faith in Christ.  Rarely do people think of God as being the God of peace.  Too often people only think of God as being of judgment or wrath.  While it is true that God does ...