Christ's Instructions

Webers_Home · Apr 14, 2025

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390) 2Tim 2:16 . . Avoid worldly, empty chatter; for it will lead to further
impiety.

The Greek word for "worldly" refers to heathenism, i.e. secular thinking.

What he's talking about there are bull sessions wherein untrained people
discussing the Bible haven't a clue what they're talking about; and their
perpetual deliberations-- consisting of sophistry, conjecture, theory, and
personal opinions --never get to the bottom of anything.

Well, truth isn't meant to be learned by means of discussion; it's meant to
be learned by instruction, taught by someone especially enabled by God for
that purpose. (Eph 4:11-14)

● 1Cor 12:29 . . Are all teachers?

The answer to that is a great big NO!

Some years ago I was invited to a home Bible study. Before considering his
invitation; I asked the man if his group was led by a competent Bible
teacher. He said: We don't have a leader. The group teaches itself. In other
words: we speak as the Spirit leads us to speak.

They say iron sharpeneth iron. But that doesn't work when both irons are
soft; they just end up chafing each other. That's why files are hardened and
tempered. Well; that man's group lacked a file, so to speak; so I declined.
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Webers_Home · Apr 15, 2025

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391) 2Tim 2:19 . . Let everyone who names the name of The Lord abstain
from wickedness.

The wickedness he's talking about in this particular instance regards
unskilled use of the Bible along with sophistry, conjecture, semantic double
speak, wild-eyed posits, theories, flimsy science, and lines of spiritual
rhetoric that sound very convincing but are nevertheless quite spurious.
_

Webers_Home · Wednesday at 5:40 PM

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392) 2Tim 2:22 . . Flee from youthful lusts, and pursue righteousness, faith,
love and peace, with those who call on The Lord from a pure heart.

"youthful" is translated from a Greek word which, in the USA, pertains to
folks under the age of 18. But most folks are typically youthful way beyond
that age. For example middle age usually doesn't kick in till somewhere
around the age of 40 or 45.

The Greek word translated "lusts" is somewhat ambiguous. It can refer to
both inordinate longings and legitimate longings. For example; the same
word is used at Luke 22:15 referring to Christ's desire for one last Passover
dinner with his apostles.

Anyway, the kinds of lusts that Christian youngsters might consider avoiding
are those that fall in the scandalous category.
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Webers_Home · Thursday at 12:30 PM

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393) 2Tim 2:23 . . Refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, knowing that
they produce debating.

Not all speculation is forbidden; only the kind that's absurd and uneducated.

I seriously doubt that 2Tim 2:23 is addressing one's IQ, but rather, the
propensity of some to shoot from the lip without really knowing what they're
talking about and/or having the slightest basis for their perspective.

So; if Christians are to refuse foolish and ignorant speculations, then they
really ought to avoid spouting their own too.

Anyway, the focus is upon debating which, at its worst, consists of running
gun battles, food fights, endless rebuttals, and perpetual bull sessions that
never get to the bottom of anything.

Academic debates are quite a bit different. Neither side interrupts the other,
nor do they shout to be heard, nor strive to get in the last word; rather,
opponents take turns presenting what they believe to be evidence
supporting their argument until there comes a sensible point in the
discussion when both sides "rest" which is a legal term for concluding all
arguments when neither side has any new evidence to submit.

Sensible discussions are peaceful and orderly whereas running gun battles,
food fights, endless rebuttals,and perpetual bull sessions typically
deteriorate into quarreling, demeaning comments, anger, frustration,
animosity, malice, reciprocity, recriminations, accusations, antagonism, and
hurt feelings.

● Phil 1:27 . . Conduct yourselves in a manner worthy of the gospel of
Christ.
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Webers_Home · Saturday at 5:49 PM

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394) 2Tim 2:24a . . The Lord's bond-servant must not be quarrelsome

The Greek word translated bond-servant means slave; ether voluntary or
involuntary. Bond servants are different than captive slaves. A bond servant
is typically someone who's entered into a service agreement with minimal
compensation; usually to satisfy a debt.

Although the choice to translate the Greek to indicate a bond servant was
probably done so arbitrarily, it fits the Christian concept of one's allegiance
to Christ.

As regards quarreling:

Sometimes it's best to follow Han Solo's advice and let the Wookie win one.
In other words; when one is wise; two are happy. Be the wise one and pick
your fights carefully. Don't expend your energies on hot button topics; they'll
just lead to anger, frustration, demeaning comments, and flaming remarks.

Especially avoid getting into discussions with obtuse individuals driven by a
rather annoying propensity to challenge everything you say simply because
they thrive on endless questions.

Another thing: Do we really have to be right all the time? People are entitled
to a second opinion so let them have one. It's good diplomacy; which can be
defined as skill in handling affairs without arousing hostility, i.e. tact. In
other words: make an effort to not be one of those in-your-face types for
whom every disagreement is an act of war to be won at any cost.
_

Webers_Home · Sunday at 12:07 PM

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395) 2Tim 2:24b-26 . . The Lord's servant must . . be kind to all, apt to
teach, patient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in
opposition, if perhaps God may grant them a change of heart leading to the
knowledge of the truth, and they may come to their senses and escape from
the snare of the Devil, having been held captive by him to do his will.

The all in "be kind to all" really should be taken to mean all in Christian
congregations rather than all in the world. The reason being, according to
Eph 4:11-16, Christ doesn't dispense his servants for the world's benefit,
rather, for his body's benefit.

For the above reason; Sunday school teachers need to treat the people in
church who oppose them with the same sympathy and consideration as they
would patients in a mental hospital who lack the faculties to know what
they're doing and/or to think for themselves; hence the instructions to be
kind, gentle, and patient because according to the last words in that
passage, those folks are entangled in a bit of paranormal activity not easily
overcome by argument.

* Compare Heb 5:2 where it's said that a high priest is able to deal gently
with those who are ignorant and are going astray.
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Webers_Home · 2025-04-21T12:04:15-0500

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396) 2Tim 3:12-15 . .You, however, continue in the things you have learned
and become convinced of, knowing from whom you have learned them; and
that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to
give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ
Jesus.

The "sacred writings" upon which Timothy cut his teeth are of course the old
testament's collection; which Paul affirms is useful to Christians.

● Rom 15:4 . .Whatever was written in earlier times was written for our
instruction that we, through patience and the encouragement of the
scriptures, might have hope.

NOTE: The Greek word translated "hope" means to anticipate (usually with
pleasure and confidence). In other words: this kind of hope doesn't cross its
fingers and pray for the best while in the back of its mind dreading the
worst. No; this hope speaks of having something to look forward to with the
bold unreserved expectation of obtaining it.
_

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Christ's Instructions

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