God’s Grace to Israel (Acts 13:13-41)
By Zane Hodges Just as Paul became prominent in works in vv 4-12, so now he becomes prominent in word in vv 13-41. The risen Christ continues to do and teach through Paul. Paul’s Sermon Paul’s sermon in Antioch of Pisidia falls naturally into a threefold division: Andres Israēlitai kai hoi phoboumenoi ton Theon (vv […]
The Whirlpool’s Deadly Trap: Disenfranchising Jesus
Zane C. Hodges1 I. INTRODUCTION In his famous epic poem the Odyssey, Homer describes Odysseus’ danger-filled return from the Trojan War to his home in Ithaca. Among the legion of dangers he faced was the whirlpool called Charybdis. Odysseus was warned that his ship must pass between two great rocks no farther apart than a […]
Teach the Truth — 1 Timothy 4:6-16
By Zane C. Hodges Regarding the Minister of Christ In 1 Tim 3:14–4:5 the Apostle sets forth the importance of his instructions about the truth itself, while in 4:4–16 he sets forth their importance to Timothy himself. If Timothy is faithful in teaching and charging these things, they will truly make him a good servant […]
Be Strong — 2 Timothy 2:1–13
By Zane C. Hodges Find Faithful Men 2:1. The Apostle commences with an emphatic you (su) and an inferential therefore (oun). In the light of the weakness and defection of others, “you, therefore, be strong.” Paul derives a challenge both from the weakness of the many and the courage of one (Onesiphorus). Consequently, Timothy is […]
Do Not Be Ashamed (2 Timothy 1:1–18)
By Zane C. Hodges Salutation (1:1–2) 1:1. In Paul’s salutation to Timothy, the Apostle presents both the medium of his apostleship and its measure. The phrase by the will of God (dia thelēmatos Theou) is the divine medium, while according to the promise of life (kat’ epangelian zōēs) suggests the divine measure or […]
Of Elders and Deacons (1 Timothy 3:1–13)
By Zane C. Hodges Function and Maturity 3:1. The discussion of privilege in the public gatherings of the Church as they relate to men and women leads quite naturally to the discussion of another privilege—that of spiritual oversight. It is a good work (kalou ergou). An ascending scale is seen. Just as public prayer and […]
Assurance Undermined
When the Gospel is so presented that the necessity for ongoing good works is stressed, it becomes a gospel that can no longer offer true assurance of eternal life. The individual who professes faith in Christ cannot possess, at the moment of faith, a certainty about his eternal destiny. Under some forms of theology, he […]
What Motivates You?
From a human perspective, man will not live as God desires him to live unless he is threatened with uncertainty about his eternal destiny. As popular as this notion is, however, it is false. It reflects a weak view of the power of God’s truth to create a new creature at the moment of saving […]
Who’s Friend are You?
Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. James 4:4 What emerges from the epistle is a portrait of Christian readers many of whom are materialistic in outlook, cultivating connections with […]
God’s Sovereignty in Missions (Acts 18:1-28)
By Zane C. Hodges Introduction This section (Acts 18:1-17) concludes the second missionary journey. The first missionary journey (13:5–14:28) gave prominence to the worker; the second (16:6–18:17) to the work. In the first, we are occupied with God’s choice for His work; in the second, with God’s control of His work. That is, in 13:5–14:28, […]