1 Timothy 5:23

B6 About wine

C1 God is against anything that lessens our judgment.

C2 For health some take medicine which may have a side effect that clouds judgment. We understand this, so does God.

C3 For Timothy’s health was recommended for his health.

D1 The Greek word for wine is οἶνος oînos.

D2 It means wine, the fermented grape juice. The percentage I find varies from 5-20% with most at 15-20%. Wine in the Ancient World at the page bottom is a pdf part 1 and part 2.

D3 Some verses

E1 Burst from the pressure: Matthew 9:17 NLT And no one puts new wine into old wineskins. For the old skins would burst from the pressure, spilling the wine and ruining the skins. New wine is stored in new wineskins so that both are preserved.

E2 For easing pain and anxiety: Mark 15:23 NLT They offered him wine drugged with myrrh, but he refused it.

E3 Researching wine or juice for Passover, I found that some Jews squeeze grape juice just a few hours before Passover so that it doesn’t ferment, while others use fermented wine, and still others either. If you want to research it for yourself, search under kiddush.

E4 John the Baptist did not drink either, but the Lord Jesus drank both: Luke 7:33-34 NIV For John the Baptist came neither eating bread nor drinking wine, and you say, 'He has a demon.' 34 The Son of Man came eating and drinking, and you say, 'Here is a glutton and a drunkard, a friend of tax collectors and sinners.'

E5 Jesus created wine: John 2:10 NET and said to him, "Everyone serves the good wine first, and then the cheaper wine when the guests are drunk. You have kept the good wine until now!"

F1 The Greek word for drunk is μεθύω methýō.

F2 It means from another form of G3178; to drink to intoxication, i.e. get drunk:—drink well, make (be) drunk(-en). (Source is Strong).

E6 A principle about eating and drinking. Some people will lie and say they are the weaker brother or sister, but if they see another Christian eating or drinking, their faith is not weakened, etc. Romans 14:21 NKJV [It is] good neither to eat meat nor drink wine nor [do anything] by which your brother stumbles or is offended or is made weak.

E7 We are commanded to not be drunk with wine. It is drunkenness that is condemned, for judgment, safety, etc. is altered. Being filled with the Spirit is not a mystical experience, it is knowing what God wants and upon being reminded by a Bible verse or whatever then doing what that verse says instead of what our flesh wants. Ephesians 5:18 NLT Don't be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit.

E8 It is not alcohol that is condemned but excessive alcohol that alters the mind. (Titus 2:3 is similar with elderly women being addressed). 1 Timothy 3:8 CSB Deacons, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical, not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money.

D4 Clear headed, alert, wise judgment, etc. verses:

E1 1 Corinthians 16:13 CSB Be alert, stand firm in the faith, be courageous, be strong.

E2 Take note. The verse does not say not to drink wine. It says do not drink wine before going into the Tabernacle. Also notice the penalty, “You will die.” Leviticus 10:8-9 NLT Then the LORD said to Aaron, 9 "You and your descendants must never drink wine or any other alcoholic drink before going into the Tabernacle. If you do, you will die. This is a permanent law for you, and it must be observed from generation to generation.

F1 A note from TSK:

The Hebrew shecher, Arabic sakar, or sukr, Greek [sikera] from shachar, to inebriate, signifies any kind of fermented and inebriating liquor beside wine. So St. Jerome informs us, that sicera in Hebrew denotes any inebriating liquor, whether made of corn, the juice of apples, honey, dates, or any other fruit. These different kinds of liquors are described by Pliny, who calls then vina factitia . One of the four prohibited drinks among the Mohammedans in India is called sakar, which denotes inebriating liquor in general, but especially date wine.

F2 Adam Clarke:

This is a strong reason why they should drink no inebriating liquor, that their understanding being clear, and their judgment correct, they might be always able to discern between the clean and the unclean, and ever pronounce righteous judgment. Injunctions similar to this were found among the Egyptians, Carthaginians, and Greeks. Indeed, common sense itself shows that neither a drunkard nor a sot should ever be suffered to minister in holy things.

E3 Too much alcohol or drugs alters one’s memory, will, judgment, etc. Proverbs 31:4-5 NET It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink, 5 lest they drink and forget what is decreed, and remove from all the poor their legal rights.

E4 An example of how alcohol alters the mind: Isaiah 28:7-8 NET Even these men stagger because of wine, they stumble around because of beer—priests and prophets stagger because of beer, they are confused because of wine, they stumble around because of beer; they stagger while seeing prophetic visions, they totter while making legal decisions. 8 Indeed, all the tables are covered with vomit; no place is untouched.

E5 The same command is given for church leaders and for the same reasons: Titus 1:7 NRSV For a bishop, as God's steward, must be blameless; he must not be arrogant or quick-tempered or addicted to wine or violent or greedy for gain.

E6 Judgment is destroyed. Prudence is lost: Proverbs 20:1 NLT Wine produces mockers; alcohol leads to brawls. Those led astray by drink cannot be wise.

C4 Some thoughts

D1 Some can use wine without problem, many cannot.

D2 Think, seek counsel, and act wisely. God is watching.

C5 Questions:

D1 What are some uses of wine and other alcohol?

D2 What are some prohibitions on using alcohol?

D3 When is alcohol forbidden? Why?

Devotional Notes Romans 8

B1 What does this mean?

C1 We Need to Live By Our Holy Spiritual Nature Not Our Fleshly Nature

D1 “...in Christ Jesus.” Some have difficulty with the idea of “in” Christ Jesus.

E1 Picture a set, say, a circle.

E2 Label it Christ Jesus.

E3 Put a dot somewhere inside the circle.

E4 The dot is in Christ Jesus.

E5 This illustrates agreeing and believing with His ways, lifestyle, leadership, and decisions. It includes living according to His rules and teaching the Gospel and the principles of the Kingdom of God to all people. This means we have to study. We are in His kingdom, ascribing to His laws, worldview, lifestyle, etc. See also: What does it mean to be in Christ?

D2 Note that those who are in Christ Jesus do not live by the desires of our flesh, even though some are OK in moderation such as eating, sleeping, etc. It is those who live by the Spirit, which is the desires of God as taught in the New Testament. Things God desires:

E1 Psalm 51:6 NRSV You desire truth in the inward being; therefore teach me wisdom in my secret heart.

E2 God would rather show mercy and for us to show mercy: Hosea 6:6 NIV For I desire mercy, not sacrifice, and acknowledgment of God rather than burnt offerings.

D3 The law of sin and death is Mosaic law, works, failure, sin, and death.

D4 The law of the Spirit of Life is the rules of Jesus in the New Testament. A couple of those laws. There are over 1,000.

E1 Colossians 3:5 NIV Put to death, therefore, whatever belongs to your earthly nature: sexual immorality, impurity, lust, evil desires and greed, which is idolatry.

E2 Colossians 3:8-9, 12 NIV But now you must also rid yourselves of all such things as these: anger, rage, malice, slander, and filthy language from your lips. 9 Do not lie to each other, since you have taken off your old self with its practices ... 12 Therefore, as God's chosen people, holy and dearly loved, clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience.

D5 Verse 3, no son of Adam could obey the Mosaic Law, so God sent His Son, who did obey perfectly in thoughts, desires, words, and deeds.

D6 Verse 4, since Jesus obeyed perfectly, those who believe have righteousness also. We deserved death, a substitute (our Passover Lamb—Jesus) was punished in our place. Jesus died, was buried, was resurrected, was ascended, and is returning for us.

D7 We are in Christ. We are justified (all punishment for sin has been fully paid).

D8 Verse 6-7, if Christians live by the desires of the flesh (carnal), it is offensive to God and results in death. It cannot obey God’s laws. (Some fleshly desires: see Mark 4:19, Mark 9:35, Mark 10:43, John 8:44, Galatians 5:24, 2 Timothy 4:3, and James 4:1).

D9 If Christians live by the desires and wishes of God, it results in peace and life. (Some spirit desires: see Luke 9:23 and Revelation 22:17).

D10 Verse 9, those who have the Holy Spirit are Christians. We have a helper, one who reminds us, one who gives us grace and desire to live by the Spirit. So, we must do so.

E1 John 14:16 NASB I will ask the Father, and He will give you another Helper, that He may be with you forever.

E2 Ephesians 3:16 NIV I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being.

D11 The body, in a sense, is dying—dead. It’s desires, motives, and deeds are doomed for death.

E1 Verses

F1 From breaking God’s laws (sin): Romans 6:23 NLT For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life through Christ Jesus our Lord.

F2 God’s angry judgment is eternal, conscious torment: John 3:36 NLT And anyone who believes in God's Son has eternal life. Anyone who doesn't obey the Son will never experience eternal life but remains under God's angry judgment.

E2 Article: Don Stewart What Is Spiritual Death?

D12 Verse 11-12 is the promise of resurrection. The proof is Christ raised and we are in Christ. So, there is no reason to live surrendering to our fleshly desires.

D13 verse 13, God’s ways lead to life, but any other way leads to death. There are only 2 kingdoms—God’s or the devil’s.

D14, Verse 14, lead refers not to some mystical experience but to the rules and principles of the New Testament. The Holy Spirit might bring a verse to memory, etc.

E1 Psalm 143:10 Amp Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God; let Your good Spirit lead me into a level country and into the land of uprightness.

E2 The Holy Spirit that lives in us has given us the gift to read and study the Bible: 1 John 2:26-27 BSB I have written these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you. 27 And as for you, the anointing you received from Him remains in you, and you do not need anyone to teach you. But just as His true and genuine anointing teaches you about all things, so remain in Him as you have been taught.

D15 Anything but God’s way is a way of slavery (think of addiction) to sin.

D16 Witness of the Spirit with our spirit:

E1 Olshausen beautifully says "in His comforting us, His stirring us up to prayer, His reproof of our sins, His drawing us to works of love, to bear testimony before the world, etc. On this direct testimony of the Holy Ghost rests, ultimately, all the regenerate man’s conviction respecting Christ and His work. (Source).

E2 Over a period of a few months, I visited two dying people—a man of 82 and a woman of 52. Neither wanted to die. Both were greatly loved by their families. Each had many reasons for wanting to keep on living. Along with many others, I prayed earnestly for their healing, but God had other plans.

As soon as these two people realized that God wasn’t going to heal them, I saw an amazing transformation in them. They both displayed a calm acceptance of death. Their faces took on a new glow, and from their lips came words of testimony and praise. They knew they were God’s children and had the assurance that they would soon be with Jesus in heaven. The peace and joy they radiated brought comfort to their loved ones and friends.

What was the source of such absolute certainty in the face of dying? It wasn’t what any of those who ministered to them said or did. It was supernatural grace imparted by the indwelling Holy Spirit. Paul put it like this: “The Spirit Himself bears witness with our spirit that we are children of God” (Romans 8:16).

Praise God! All who trust Christ and who walk in fellowship with Him need not dread the hour of death. —HVL

By: Herbert Vander Lugt (Source).

C2 The Holy Spirit Helps Us In Our Suffering

D1 In support of the preceding comment, we read about suffering. We have confidence and comfort because of grace from the Holy Spirit.

D2 Everything non-human waits until Jesus comes to restore all things.

D3 Verse 24, faith is believing God (for example, a promise); hope is the wish of it happening today.

D4 Verse 26, weakness helped by the Holy Spirit. Whether sorrow, suffering, sickness, etc. God gives grace to survive.

D5 Verse 27, God’s will is always done, because we are in God’s school and being taught God’s ways by God Himself.

D6 Verse 28, regardless of what happens to us. God does not abandon us (Hebrews 13:5). We may feel He has, but He has promised. Somehow, He uses all these things to teach us and mold us into the image of Christ (Romans 8:29).

D7 Image of Christ: Jack Wellman identifies this as: It is God’s Spirit that is shaping us, molding us, and forming us into the same image or likeness of Jesus Christ. Of course, we’ll not have the same glory that He has, but we should be living so much like Christ that if a person who had never met Christ saw you, they’d think it was Christ by the way you acted and the way you lived.

D8 Predestination= decide beforehand. God has a plan. His plans are always in wisdom, love, and holiness.

E1 Verses

F1 The Greek word for predestination is προορίζω proorízō. It means to decide beforehand.

F2 It is used 6 times in Scripture:

G1 Acts 4:28 NLT But everything they did was determined beforehand according to your will.

G2 Romans 8:29-30 NLT For God knew his people in advance, and he chose them to become like his Son, so that his Son would be the firstborn among many brothers and sisters. 30 And having chosen them, he called them to come to him. And having called them, he gave them right standing with himself. And having given them right standing, he gave them his glory.

G3 1 Corinthians 2:7 NIV No, we declare God's wisdom, a mystery that has been hidden and that God destined for our glory before time began.

G4 Ephesians 1:5, 11 NLT God decided in advance to adopt us into his own family by bringing us to himself through Jesus Christ. This is what he wanted to do, and it gave him great pleasure. ... 11 Furthermore, because we are united with Christ, we have received an inheritance from God, for he chose us in advance, and he makes everything work out according to his plan.

F3 God has plans and some of those are conditional but, as we read, some are unconditional

E2 Articles:

F1 Jabez Burns, “Conversation on Predestination”

F2 Harry A Ironside Answers Questions About Predestination, Election & Assurance

C3 God Loves Us and Helps Us To Be Conquerors

D1 God the Father loves the Son. Fathers love their children in a greater way than other children. If God so loved His Son to send Him to die the death we deserved, God shows His great love for us.

D2 Regardless of what we go through, He still loves us.

D3 God is the justifier. Who can accuse?

D4 Verses 38-39 are both a promise and a hope.

C4 Questions

D1 What is the difference between the fleshly nature and spiritual nature?

D2 What does it mean to be in Christ?

D3 How do we know what the Christian life is and how to live it?

D4 What does it mean that we are addicted to sin?

D5 In what ways does the Holy Spirit help us live a Christian life?

1 Timothy 5:22

B5 Ordain carefully

C1 Ordain defined

D1 To invest with ministerial or priestly authority; confer holy orders on. (Source)

D2 Ordain is also used to mean to recognize and establish an individual to a specific office and/or calling. Ministers are ordained to their offices by the laying on of hands (1 Tim. 4:14) and are thereby charged with the duties of that office. (Source)

C2 Laying of hands:

D1 Began in the Old Testament. An example is Joshua. Numbers 27:18-23 NET The LORD replied to Moses, "Take Joshua son of Nun, a man in whom is such a spirit, and lay your hand on him; 19 set him before Eleazar the priest and before the whole community, and commission him publicly. 20 Then you must delegate some of your authority to him, so that the whole community of the Israelites will be obedient. 21 And he will stand before Eleazar the priest, who will seek counsel for him before the LORD by the decision of the Urim. At his command they will go out, and at his command they will come in, he and all the Israelites with him, the whole community." 22 So Moses did as the LORD commanded him; he took Joshua and set him before Eleazar the priest and before the whole community. 23 He laid his hands on him and commissioned him, just as the LORD commanded, by the authority of Moses.

D2 Is the idea of blessing from “laying on of hands,” comes from: Nehemiah 2:8 NET and a letter for Asaph the keeper of the king's nature preserve, so that he will give me timber for beams for the gates of the fortress adjacent to the temple and for the city wall and for the house to which I go." So the king granted me these requests, for the good hand of my God was on me. (Compare Mark 10:16).

D3 Shows God’s protection: Ezra 8:31 NLT We broke camp at the Ahava Canal on April 19 and started off to Jerusalem. And the gracious hand of our God protected us and saved us from enemies and bandits along the way.

D4 Giving authority and recognition of the gifts of the Holy Spirit on believers for ministry: Acts 6:5-6 NLT Everyone liked this idea, and they chose the following: Stephen (a man full of faith and the Holy Spirit), Philip, Procorus, Nicanor, Timon, Parmenas, and Nicolas of Antioch (an earlier convert to the Jewish faith). 6 These seven were presented to the apostles, who prayed for them as they laid their hands on them.

C4 Be careful in whom we ordain.

D1 Must meet the Scriptural qualifications: See 1 Timothy 3:1-7, 1 Peter 5:1-4, Titus 1:5-9, Acts 20:28-32, 1 Thessalonians 5:12-13, Hebrews 13:17, and James 5:14-15.

D2 Use background checks and have them be a part of the congregation for a while.

D3 Beware of those who are deceivers. 2 Corinthians 11:13-15 NLT These people are false apostles. They are deceitful workers who disguise themselves as apostles of Christ. 14 But I am not surprised! Even Satan disguises himself as an angel of light. 15 So it is no wonder that his servants also disguise themselves as servants of righteousness. In the end they will get the punishment their wicked deeds deserve.

C5 If they are ordained when they are unqualified in God’s sight, it will be a sin that is remembered by God. We will have to give an account.

D1 The Greek word for partaker (participate, share, etc.) is κοινωνέω koinōnéō. It means to share, participate in, join, be associated with, etc. A few verses where the word is used. The bold font is my emphasis.

E1 Hebrews 2:14 WEL So then, as the children have flesh and blood in common, so he also likewise took of the same, so that through death he might make him inactive who holds the dominion of death, that is, the Devil 15 And deliver those who through fear of death were all their lifetime held in bondage.

E2 2 John 1:10-11 Do not receive into the house or welcome anyone who comes to you and does not bring this teaching; 11 for to welcome is to participate in the evil deeds of such a person.

C6 We are to be pure. Purity is God’s by definition. It applies to us on how we deal with our spouse and children, money, sex, work, criminal record, etc.

C7 Quotes:

D1 Clarke: It is a sin for any improper person to thrust himself into the sacred office; and he partakes of that sin who introduces, helps him forward, or sanctions him in it. O, what an account will rash, undiscerning, and prejudiced bishops, presbyters, and others, have to render to God for their ordinations! Their laying rash or careless hands "on skulls that cannot teach, and will not learn;" while probably they refuse inducting others well qualified for the Christian ministry.

D2 HOW A MAN MAYBE SAID TO PARTAKE OF OTHER MEN'S SINS

C8 Questions:

D1 What are some purposes of ordination?

D2 What are some qualifications?

D3 What are some dangers?

D4 What are some ways we might be “partakers of other’s sins?”

1 Timothy 5:17-21

B4 Support the ministry

C1 Elders and honorarium

D1 Unless agreed upon, there should be some honorarium given for the time served.

D2 Especially for those laboring in word (Scriptures) and teaching.

D3 It takes time to prepare and time to present.

D4 Scripture supports this:

E1 Deuteronomy 25:4 NRSV You shall not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.

E2 Luke 10:7 NRSV Remain in the same house, eating and drinking whatever they provide, for the laborer deserves to be paid. Do not move about from house to house.

D5 An honorarium is not to make the elders rich.

D6 That there is a honorarium needs to be known to the congregation.

C2 Elder misdeeds/sins

D1 This deals with the leaders, not individual Christians as Matthew 18.

D2 The accusation needs to be 2 or more witnesses. See also: 2 Corinthians 13:1-2 NLT This is the third time I am coming to visit you (and as the Scriptures say, "The facts of every case must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses"). 2 I have already warned those who had been sinning when I was there on my second visit. Now I again warn them and all others, just as I did before, that next time I will not spare them.

D3 The word elder would include pastors, deacons, and deaconesses.

E1 Spiritual respect carries responsible for Biblical morality. There is honor and influence, hence the higher standard expected of them. Honor:

F1 Romans 16:2 NLT Welcome her in the Lord as one who is worthy of honor among God's people. Help her in whatever she needs, for she has been helpful to many, and especially to me.

F2 1 Thessalonians 5:12 NLT Dear brothers and sisters, honor those who are your leaders in the Lord's work. They work hard among you and give you spiritual guidance.

E2 Pastoral abuse is rampant.

F1 These fake pastors love money. Beware of pastors who are at frequent conferences. Just saying.

F2 And often love power. 1Pe 5:3 ESV not domineering over those in your charge, but being examples to the flock.

F3 When people start questioning what they are doing, they abuse to shut them up.

F4 They have a certain respect, so they love to cover up their evil. John 3:19-21 “This is [the reason for] the judgment, because light is come into the world and people loved darkness rather than light, because their actions were evil. 20 “Everyone who does evil hates the light and doesn’t come to the light, so that his actions may be discovered and reproved [discovered and reproved is one word in Greek]. 21 “But the one who does the truth comes to the light, so that his actions may be plainly seen that they are done for God.”

F5 Imagine an abused person or even a child coming to meet their sexual molester, rapist, or abuser in private (Matthew 18). This would be a very great evil, and it MUST not be allowed.

D4 The rebuke needs to be public, not private. Public means to everyone in the congregation and outside it.

D5 Rebuke is needed.

D6 Fake pastors will not be ashamed or in godly fear. They will not repent or confess their sins usually.

D7 Some articles:

E1 Our pastor has sinned. The elders will not take action. What should we do? (I know nothing about this site).

E2 Lesson 18: Church Leadership: Keeping It Godly (1 Timothy 5:19-25)

E3 Nine Ways Church Elders are to be Held Accountable (I’m not familiar with this site).

C3 Both of these activities must be without prejudice or favoritism.

C4 God, the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels are watching and will testify against us if we do otherwise.

C5 Questions:

D1 How can church leaders take advantage of the brothers and sisters?

D2 Why is exposure of the evil actions of church leaders necessary?

D3 Why do a number of pastors work to cover up evil and start a campaign to silence those who reveal their evil?

D4 Does this rebuke rarely happen today?

Devotional Notes Romans 7

B1 What does this mean?

C1 We Are Not Under the Law But Are Under Jesus

D1 Law refers to Mosaic Law. Jesus has a new law for us to follow. D2 Brothers in verse 1 refer to fellow Jews.

D3 Verses 1-3 give an illustration from the Law. A married woman is bound by Mosaic Law to remain married. If she divorces and marries another man, she is an adulteress. But, the Law clearly notes that if her husband dies, then she is free to marry and is not an adulteress.

D4 Verses 4-6

E1 Show when those married (bound) to Mosaic law have died with Jesus Christ, now they are free from that law to serve Jesus’s laws.

E2 Consider some of the fruit from verse 4: Galatians 5:22-26 WEL But, the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, gentleness, goodness, faith, 23 Meekness, and self-control. There is no law against such things. 24 Those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and lusts. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also conform to the Spirit. 26 Let us not be longing for empty praise, irritating one another, and envying one another.

E3 Consider some of the fruit of death: Galatians 5:19-21 WEL Now the works of the flesh are obvious. They are adultery, sexual sins, moral corruption, unrestrained lust, 20 Idolatry, witchcraft, hatred, strife, provoking jealousy, hot anger, pushing to be first, selfish scheming, dissensions, heresy, 21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, wild partying, and so on, about which I have told you before, and as I have also told you in the past that those who practice such things will not inherit the Kingdom of God.

C2 Teaching About Our Spiritual Nature and our Fleshly Nature

D1 Mosaic Law brought death because the penalty for breaking the law was death. So, the Apostle asks if the Law is sinful because of the outcome.

D2 The importance of the Law was that it exposed people’s sin, so that I could repent and ask God for forgiveness.

D3 Came to life, that is, revealed. I knew I was a sinner.

D4 Because the Law exposed, revealed, uncovered, made me aware of sin, I could repent and believe, calling on the name of the Lord.

D5 Note, slave to sin.

E1 We are addicted and cannot free ourselves. Even if we do not want to sin, the principle is there and is usually stronger than reason. Consider how people would not murder, but some will if the reward is great enough.

F1 The heart is the core of our being. It has our emotions, our will, our motives, etc.

F2 It is incurable: Jeremiah 17:9 NLT The human heart is the most deceitful of all things, and desperately wicked. Who really knows how bad it is?

F3 Our sin nature is inherited: Psalm 51:5 NLT For I was born a sinner—yes, from the moment my mother conceived me.

E2 Sold to sin

F1 The Greek word for sold is πιπράσκω pipráskō. It means to sell including being sold as a slave. We are a slave to sin.

F2 John 8:34 NLT Jesus replied, "I tell you the truth, everyone who sins is a slave of sin.

F3 Galatians 4:3 NLT And that's the way it was with us before Christ came. We were like children; we were slaves to the basic spiritual principles of this world.

D6 Nothing good living in me, so I am completely corrupt and guilty. The will is as corrupt as the flesh. Will and flesh refer to desires.

D7 Paul is a believer, but his flesh is still bound to sin. The regenerated heart is not bound to sin. So there is the struggle.

E1 Romans 7:18 NIV For I know that good itself does not dwell in me, that is, in my sinful nature. For I have the desire to do what is good, but I cannot carry it out.

F1 The desire a Christian to do right originates from the new heart which seeks God and His kingdom.

F2 The flesh still exerts its desires.

E2 Galatians 5:17 NLT The sinful nature wants to do evil, which is just the opposite of what the Spirit wants. And the Spirit gives us desires that are the opposite of what the sinful nature desires. These two forces are constantly fighting each other, so you are not free to carry out your good intentions.

E3 The Holy Spirit giving grace gives us strength and the way to avoid sin.

F1 1 Corinthians 10:13 EMTV No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not permit you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation, He will also make the way out, so as for you to be able to bear it.

F2 Lamentations 3:22-23 NIV Because of the LORD's great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. 23 They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

F3 Hebrews 4:16 NIV Let us then approach God's throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.

F4 2 Corinthians 12:9 NET But he said to me, "My grace is enough for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." So then, I will boast most gladly about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may reside in me.

D8 Verses 24-25

E1 Paul wonders who is the one who can help him?

E2 Then Paul answers his own question.

E3 Psalm 100:4-5 NIV Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. 5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations.

C3 Questions:

D1 What is the principle of sin in our lives?

D2 How are we enslaved to sin?

D3 How can a Christian struggle between the flesh’s desire to sin and our new spirit’s desire to do God’s will?

1 Timothy 5:3-16

B3 Widows

C1 Most widows can be and must be assisted by family. A family who will not help is judged to be more evil than a nonbeliever. It is understood that the family of God (believers) do need to be aware of other’s needs—any type of needs. If we are able, we must help.

C2 Some widows have no family or that family will not help because the widow is a Christian. This is the true widow, the widow indeed, etc. They have no human to help, but they do trust in God to help them.

C3 Qualifications for the congregation to help.

D1 60 or greater is age.

D2 One-woman wife. This is only one husband at a time.

D3 Has and is doing good works. For example, raised children, hospitable to strangers, washed the feet of God's people, helped the afflicted, and diligence in doing so. These examples are for family first, Christians second, and non-Christian last. That is the order of priorities.

C4 Younger widows must be rejected, in most cases, because they might give a pledge, a promise, of serving others full time. If and when they want to get married, they forsake their promise.

C5 Be careful. A widow who is accepted in the registry, might, for whatever reason, turn against God and follow satan.

D1 Consider Paul’s assistant: 2 Timothy 4:10 PickNT for Demas, loving this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica—Crescens to Galatia, Titus to Dalmatia.

D2 Clarke adds: Some of these young widows, for he appears to be still treating of them, are turned aside to idolatry, to follow Satan instead of Christ. Slight deviations, in the first instance, from a right line, may lead at last to an infinite distance from Christ.

D3 A slight deviation for sure. A deviation over time usually develops further and further from the standard.

C6 Some concerns about widows

D1 Needing assistance from house repairs, family issues, financial, etc.

D2 Helping protect from abuse, being taken advantage of

D3 Needing assistance to help with loneliness

C7 Some verses about widows

D1 God cares for widows and those suffering: 2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, 4 who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.

D2 He is judge Psalm 68:5, Deuteronomy 10:18

D3 Raised the dead widow's son Luke 7:11-15

D4 God curses those who thwart justice for widows, non-Jews (in Israel), and orphans Deuteronomy 27:19 (an example in Isaiah 10:1-4)

D5 Against God's law to cause trouble or take advantage of widows Exodus 22:22-24

D6 Corrupt prophets (today we would understand these as church leaders) who taken financial advantage of widows Ezekiel 22:25 and Mark 12:38-40

D6 God required a special tithe in Israel for Levites, non-citizens, and widows Deuteronomy 14:28-29

D7 Example of caring for non-Jewish widows in the book of Ruth

D8 Taking care of the widow in Zarephath in the land of Sidon and Elijah (1 Kings 17:13-14)

D9 Office of deacon started in part due to need for helping widows (Acts 6:1)

D10 Example of helpful widow named Tabitha (Dorcas) Acts 9:36-41

D11 God observes how we treat orphans and widows/widowers: James 1:27 NIV Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

C8 Some suggestions

D1 Start a support group. This should be organized, headed, and maintained by widows and widowers.

D2 Listen. Do not give advice unless asked.

D3 Respect their opinions and decisions. They don’t need you to run their life.

D4 Understand that there are spiritual needs, emotional needs, physical needs (including sex). There should be means of discussing these and understanding Scriptural principles for these needs. There might even be a need for professional counseling. Grief has no timeline. There is always grief of some degree for life.

D5 Review Stephen Ministries resources. (Recommended).

C8 Articles

D1 Caring For Widows

D2 Widows in Ministry, Widows in Misery (This is a Bible study by Melanie Newton on Bible.org).

D3 Widows in Jewish Tradition

D4 10 things I wish someone had told me about becoming a widow (non-Christian article)

D5 Distinct Financial Concerns of Widows. See here (pdf).

D6 Financial Advice for Your First Year as a Widow (Secular)

C9 Questions

D1 Why does God care about widows?

D2 What does God’s care show about His kingdom, attributes, worldview?

D3 What doesn’t God help directly as making them rich or something? (Consider that God delegates, so maybe God opened the eyes of one who could help but refused. We shouldn’t blame God when it was some human who could have helped but refused).