OUR FATHER WHOSE WORDS OVERTAKE  THOSE WHO FLEE FROM  THEM

Zachariah chapter 1 verses 1 - 11 begins with an introduction of the prophet Zachariah as the son of Berchiah who was the son of Iddo who was a prophet. The month and year of the reigning king (Darius) provides the timeline on which Zacharia gave his prophecy to the nation.

1 In the eighth month of the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet, saying, 2 “The Lord has been very angry with your fathers. 3 Therefore say to them, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Return to Me,” says the Lord of hosts, “and I will return to you,” says the Lord of hosts. 4 “Do not be like your fathers, to whom the former prophets preached, saying, ‘Thus says the Lord of hosts: “Turn now from your evil ways and your evil deeds.” ’ But they did not hear nor heed Me,” says the Lord.

Zacharia gave the word of the Lord to the people saying that they should give up their evi ways and turn back to God and that God would turn back to them.  

Nevertheless, the people did not listen to the word of the Lord and they did not turn back.

5 “Your fathers, where are they? And the prophets, do they live forever?

6 Yet surely My words and My statutes, Which I commanded My servants the prophets,

Did they not overtake your fathers? 

“So they returned and said: ‘Just as the Lord of hosts determined to do to us, According to our ways and according to our deeds, So He has dealt with us.’ ” ’ ”

The word of the Lord spoken by Zachariah  asked where the generation of their fathers was and if prophets lived forever.  This was to warn the people that all opportune times and seasons eventually pass and the generations disappear and if they reject the Lord in their day, they disappear without being saved.

7 On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, which is the month Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the Lord came to Zechariah the son of Berechiah, the son of Iddo the prophet: 8 I saw by night, and behold, a man riding on a red horse, and it stood among the myrtle trees in the hollow; and behind him were horses: red, sorrel, and white. 9 Then I said, “My lord, what are these?” So the angel who talked with me said to me, “I will show you what they are.”

10 And the man who stood among the myrtle trees answered and said, “These are the ones whom the Lord has sent to walk to and fro throughout the earth.”

11 So they answered the Angel of the Lord, who stood among the myrtle trees, and said, “We have walked to and fro throughout the earth, and behold, all the earth is resting quietly.

About 4 months after the first prophecy, a vision came to Zacharia and  he saw a man on a red horse near some myrtle trees and behind him were other horses colored red, sorrel and white. 

This scene puzzled Zachariah and he asked the angel who was talking to him to what the vision meant and the angel on the horse explained that they were the ones who had been sent into the earth to to move to and fro throughout the earth to assess its condition and the angels gave a report that the whole earth was resting quietly.

In the second half of chapter one, the Lord gives his thoughts on the earth being at ease while he was angry with them.

Amen.

2

 OUR FATHER WHO GIVES LIFE TO ALL THINGS

The apostle Paul concludes his first lettet to his protege Timothy with chapter 6 verses 11 - 21. He tells Timothy to run away from hazards of loving money but to occupy himself with with the pursuit of righteousness, godliness, faith , love, patience, gentleness. Timothy is famously exorted here to ˆfight the good fight of faithˆ and to grab onto the promise of eternal life to which he had been called and of which he had publically made the good confession.  Paul solemnly charges Timothy before God and before Christ Jesus to follow the commandment of fighting the good fight and to do so without reproach until the day that the Lord Jesus, the blessed and singular chief administrator, ruler and king and who will return at a time set within Godˋs own purview. Paul, with awe, writes of the Lord Jesus as the immortal and invisible God who dwells in unapproachable light and to whom are honor and everlasting power.

11 But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 13 I urge you in the sight of God who gives life to all things, and before Christ Jesus who witnessed the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep this commandment without spot, blameless until our Lord Jesus Christ’s appearing, 15 which He will manifest in His own time, He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.

17 Command those who are rich in this present age not to be haughty, nor to trust in uncertain riches but in the living God, who gives us richly all things to enjoy. 18 Let them do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to give, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good foundation for the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.

20 O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge— 21 by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith.

Grace be with you. Amen.

In some final points, Paul tells Timothy to tell those believers who were rich to to remain humble and not to place their trust in their wealth that is fleeting but rather to do good with their wealth so they can lay up treasures in heaven so as to be a good foundation for their eternal life to come. 

TImothy is also instructed to avoid being part of idle and profane discussions and arguments over contradictions found in false knowledge because even professing  this false knowldge has caused some to stray in their faith.

With that, Paul blesses Timothy by speaking grace over him.

Amen.

1

 OUR FATHER WHO BLESSES THOSE WHO ARE CONTENT

1 Timothy chapter 6 verses 1 - 10 says this,

1 Let as many bondservants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and His doctrine may not be blasphemed. 2 And those who have believing masters, let them not despise them because they are brethren, but rather serve them because those who are benefited are believers and beloved. Teach and exhort these things.

The apostle Paul passed some intructions to those who among the church who were slaves. He instructed them to honor their masters so that the name of God would not be associated with dishonor and rebellion. He also insructed that the slaves who had masters who were believers to honor them as well because the beneficiary of their honorable service would be believers.  

3 If anyone teaches otherwise and does not consent to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which accords with godliness, 4 he is proud, knowing nothing, but is obsessed with disputes and arguments over words, from which come envy, strife, reviling, evil suspicions, 5 useless wranglings of men of corrupt minds and destitute of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain. From such withdraw yourself.

Paul, aware that his counsel would have detractors, strongly conveyed to Timothy that those who spread a different ethic regarding how slaves were to relate to their masters, were prideful, obstreporous, envious, contentious, abusively critical, purveyors of evil intrigues, pointlessly political with no understanding of the truth and who viewed the path of righteousness as a means of materially benefitting themselves and he advised Timothy to avoid contact with such people.

6 Now godliness with contentment is great gain. 7 For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. 8 And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.

Paulˋs comment to Timothy was to teach believers to cultivate contentment with what ever they had and to avoid scrambling to gain material wealth which would invite temptation that would ensnare them in destructive lusts and their attendant consequences.

Paul, recapitulating the teaching of the Lord Jesus, tells Timothy that the love of money was the root of all types of evil. This establishes the concept that the love of money is what entrenches evil conduct in a community where the pursuit of money causes people to involve themselves in all manner of unsavoury practices that lead them away from the faith and cause them to suffer painful physical and spiritual injuries.

Amen.

2

 OUR FATHER WHO

In 1 Timothy  Chapter 5, the Apostle Paul turns the focus of his letter to Timothy onto the subject of whom it was appropriate to show honor.

First and foremost, Timothy, who was himself a young man at that time, was forbidden by Paul to rebuke an older man. Instead, he instructed Timothy to respectfully encourage the man towards correction as he would his own father. Similarly, older women were to be afforded the same respect and  young men and young women could be respectfully corrected as one would a brother or a sister.

1 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, with all purity.

Paul then counsels Timothy to ensure that proper honor was paid to widows who were genuinely widowed. He tells Timothy that if a widow had children or grandchildren, those people should be given the first opportunity to honor their mother or grandmother with caregiving which is good and acceptable before God. 

If, however, a widow was alone and trusted God and was continually active in prayers, it was appropriate for the church to provide for her.

On the other hand, Paul declared that a widow who sought pleasure and luxury was already dead so Paul directed Timothy to teach everyone these standards so that they could be blameless because the ones who needed to provide for their widowed parent but failed to do so, were repudiating of the faith and were in worse condition than unbelievers.

3 Honor widows who are really widows. 4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show piety at home and to repay their parents; for this is good and acceptable before God. 5 Now she who is really a widow, and left alone, trusts in God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day. 6 But she who lives in pleasure is dead while she lives. 7 And these things command, that they may be blameless. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

 Timothy is given additional criteria by which a widow would qualify for church assisatance;

• Over sixty years old
• Married to one man 
• Had a reputation for good works
• Raised children
• Hospitable to strangers
• Cared for travelling saints 
• Was merciful to the downtrodden and unfortunate
• Were diligent in attending to all good initiatives

9 Do not let a widow under sixty years old be taken into the number, and not unless she has been the wife of one man, 10 well reported for good works: if she has brought up children, if she has lodged strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has relieved the afflicted, if she has diligently followed every good work.

11 But refuse the younger widows; for when they have begun to grow wanton against Christ, they desire to marry, 12 having condemnation because they have cast off their first faith. 13 And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not. 

 For younger widows, Paul gave instructions to exclude them from church support giving the reason that they were using their free time to pursue idleness, gossip and uttering inappropriate words and in doing so, they carelessly discarded their faith in Christ.

The advice Paul gave was that younger widows should remarry, bear children and care for their housholds so that their lives would be beyond the reproachful scorn of the enemy. Without these standards, some widows had already been diverted into the service of the kingdom of darknes

The general principle that Paul established with Timothy was that the church was not to be overly burdened by the care of widows while their own family members were available to care for them.

14 Therefore I desire that the younger widows marry, bear children, manage the house, give no opportunity to the adversary to speak reproachfully. 15 For some have already turned aside after Satan. 16 If any believing man or woman has widows, let them relieve them, and do not let the church be burdened, that it may relieve those who are really widows.

 Paulˋs letter continues with a list of articles for Timothy to observe related to governance of the church;

• Honor and compensate those who served the church especially in teaching 
• Accusations against elders must be corroborated by two or three witness
• Publicly rebuke those sinning so that sinful conduct would be discourage
• Be fastidiously fair and impartial in enforcing the standards in the church
• Do not confer authority to people without careful observance and investigation
• Stay away from influencers trying to normalize sin but stay pure

17 Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine. 18 For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle an ox while it treads out the grain,” and, “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” 19 Do not receive an accusation against an elder except from two or three witnesses. 20 Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.

21 I charge you before God and the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels that you observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing with partiality. 22 Do not lay hands on anyone hastily, nor share in other people’s sins; keep yourself pure.

23 No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.

24 Some men’s sins are clearly evident, preceding them to judgment, but those of some men follow later. 25 Likewise, the good works of some are clearly evident, and those that are otherwise cannot be hidden.

After advising Timothy to drink a little wine for the stomach ailments he frequently suffered, Paul cryptically writes that some men are clearly headed for judgement because of their conspicuos sins while the sins of other men become evident later. 

Similarly, the good works of some men are conspicous and readily seen as the fruit of the Spirit while for other men, their good works, though done in secret, eventually percolate to the surface and become perceptible.

Amen.

2

 OUR FATHER WHO IS THE SAVIOUR OF ALL MEN ESPECIALLY THOSE WHO BELIEVE

1 Timothy chapter 4 verses 1 - 15 says this;

1 Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be refused if it is received with thanksgiving; 5 for it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.

6 If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed. 7 But reject profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise yourself toward godliness. 8 For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come. 9 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance. 10 For to this end we both labor and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of those who believe. 11 These things command and teach.

12 Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 13 Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine. 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you, which was given to you by prophecy with the laying on of the hands of the eldership. 15 Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.

The Apostle Paul alerted Timothy of a specific detail that the Holy Spirit expressed which was about the way that that parts of the body of Christ would drift away from faith in the gospel and adopt the false doctrines of demons.

The false doctrines would include dietary and marital strictures that these false doctrines would be administered by people who had contravened their own consciences so greatly that they would have been numbed to normal understanding of spiritual truth. 

For example, Paul mentions the people who had seared their concsciences would forbid certain foods as a route to acquire righteousness but this would be an obvious deception because food over which thanks had been given for by those who had believed and knew the truth, was santified by the word of God and prayer.

Paul encourages TImothy by telling him that he would be a good minister if he followed and taught such doctrine and rejected fables. Paul counsels Timothy to exercise godliness in his life similar to the way one would do physical exercise except that physical exercise gave temporal benefits while godliness provided benefits in this life and in the eternal life to come. 

The apostle mentioned that their efforts in the kingdom undertaken in hardship and resistance was done in trust in God who was the saviour of all men and particularly those who believed. This implies that there is a stratification that will occur where some people are saved to a greater placement by their faith in Christ while there are others who will be generally saved who trusted in God but by means other than by faith.

Paul tells Timothy, in spite of his youth, to be an example in behaviour, love, spirit, faith and purity and to keep up with reading, teaching and with the observance of doctrine.

Paul reminds Timothy not to neglect the gift that was bestowed on him by the elders when they laid hands on him, Paul informs Timothy that meditating on those things continually and commiting wholly to them would yield noticable spiritual growth.

Pauls also writes that Timothy should be self-aware and careful about his own affairs and to be attentive to doctrinal issues because by doing this, he would save himself and those who are reached by his ministry.

Amen.

1

 OUR FATHER WHO MANIFESTED IN THE FLESH AND WAS SEEN BY ANGELS

1 Timothy chapter 3 verses 14 - 16;

14 These things I write to you, though I hope to come to you shortly; 15 but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth. 16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness:

God was manifested in the flesh,

Justified in the Spirit,

Seen by angels,

Preached among the Gentiles,

Believed on in the world,

Received up in glory.

Amen.

4

 OUR FATHER WHOSE SERVANTS SHOULD CARRY A GOOD TESTIMONY

1 Timothy chapter 3 verses 1 - 13 says this;

1 This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, temperate, sober-minded, of good behavior, hospitable, able to teach; 3 not given to wine, not violent, [c]not greedy for money, but gentle, not quarrelsome, not covetous; 4 one who rules his own house well, having his children in submission with all reverence 5 (for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?); 6 not a novice, lest being puffed up with pride he fall into the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good testimony among those who are outside, lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

8 Likewise deacons must be reverent, not double-tongued, not given to much wine, not greedy for money, 9 holding the mystery of the faith with a pure conscience. 10 But let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons, being found blameless. 11 Likewise, their wives must be reverent, not slanderers, temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus. 

Amen.

1

OUR FATHER WHO IS ONE AND WHO APPOINTED ONE MEDIATOR (THE MAN JESUS CHRIST) BETWEEN HIMSELF AND MAN

1 Timothy chapter 2 verse 1 - 15 

1 Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence. 3 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time, 7 for which I was appointed a preacher and an apostle—I am speaking the truth in Christ and not lying—a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

8 I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; 9 in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, 10 but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works. 11 Let a woman learn in silence with all submission. 12 And I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man, but to be in silence. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression. 15 Nevertheless she will be saved in childbearing if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with self-control.

Amen.

1

OUR FATHER WHO IS ETERNAL AND WISE

In 1 Timothy chapter 1 verses 12 - 20, the Apostle Paul recounts his former deeds as an insolent  blashemer and persecuter of the people of God and he thanks the Lord Jesus for for the mercy and abundant grace he was shown. The Lord Jesus counted Paul as faithful and entrusted  a ministry into his hands even though he was initially a violent and vociferous  sinner to  demonstrate Christ's longsuffering to believers.

 Paul emotionally declares that the eternal, immortal and invisible king and the only wise God was due honor and glory forever.

12 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, 13 although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 14 And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 15 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. 16 However, for this reason I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might show all longsuffering, as a pattern to those who are going to believe on Him for everlasting life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.

18 This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare, 19 having faith and a good conscience, which some having rejected, concerning the faith have suffered shipwreck, 20 of whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I delivered to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.

Paul solemnly confers the authority of the ministry upon Timothy (the one he is addressing in his letter), in keeping with the prophecies that were made about him so that he (Timothy) would be able to fight the good fight of faith and with a good conscience and against the blasphemers and those who rejected the tenets of the faith and consequently suffered shipwreck of their faith. 

Paul revealed that there were some over whom he had removed the spiritual covering of the church so that they would be exposed unshielded to the kingdom of darkness so that they would cease taking for granted the immeasurable value of their place in the family of God.

Amen.

1

OUR FATHER IN WHOM WE ARE HOME THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD

WE ARE HOME IN GOD THROUGH JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD

OUR FATHER WHO PROVIDES GRACE MERCY AND PEACE

1 Timothy chapter 1 is a personal letter which begins with a greeting from the Apostle Paul to his protege, Timothy, who was in the town of Ephesus. Paul starts with a formal introduction of himself and his role as an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ and a blessing of grace mercy and peace from God. 

He also calls Timothy a ˋtrue son of the faithˋ  who he had appointed to be an overseer of the doctrines being prescibed among the Ephesians because Paul had learned that false doctrine were infiltrating the body of believers and wanted a strong believer to steer the doctrinal beliefs of the Ephesians in the right direction which was where conduct was governed by love rather than governed by the law and its enforcement.

1 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope,

2 To Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

3 As I urged you when I went into Macedonia—remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, 4 nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. 5 Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, 6 from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, understanding neither what they say nor the things which they affirm.

8 But we know that the law is good if one uses it lawfully, 9 knowing this: that the law is not made for a righteous person, but for the lawless and insubordinate, for the ungodly and for sinners, for the unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, 10 for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.

The apostle instructed Timothy to help the Ephesians understand that their fellow believers were not to be subjected to the law but rather the people in the world needed the law to instruct them of their need for Christ.

Amen.

1

OUR FATHER WHO CANNOT BE MOCKED

Galatians chapter 6 concludes the apostle Paulˋs letter to the Galatians. Having explained to them that they must avoid walking in the flesh and instead, walk in the spirit, Paul then explains how to deal with someone in the midst who trips up and walks in the flesh.

He prescribes that those who are in the Spirit should gently restore the one who has walked in the flesh but cautions the spirit lead people that proximity to activities of the flesh can tempt them to step down into fleshly living.

Paul then establishes a principle to be followed by those who walk in the Spirit and that is that they must be self-sufficient and self-regulating but must also keep watch over their brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul also established that even as they walked in the Spirit, if they benefitted from any of their brothers or sisters, they should should freely recompense them with good things to register appreciation and acknowledgement of the value they have received. This principle is an extention of the principle of sowing and reaping where believers who sow into the lives of others would reap their appreciation and get the credit that God issues to those who sow as they play out the life of the Spirit.

1 Brothers and sisters, if someone is caught in a sin, you who live by the Spirit should restore that person gently. But watch yourselves, or you also may be tempted. 2 Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ. 3 If anyone thinks they are something when they are not, they deceive themselves. 4 Each one should test their own actions. Then they can take pride in themselves alone, without comparing themselves to someone else, 5 for each one should carry their own load. 6 Nevertheless, the one who receives instruction in the word should share all good things with their instructor.

7 Do not be deceived: God cannot be mocked. A man reaps what he sows. 8 Whoever sows to please their flesh, from the flesh will reap destruction; whoever sows to please the Spirit, from the Spirit will reap eternal life. 9 Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up. 10 Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all people, especially to those who belong to the family of believers.

11 See what large letters I use as I write to you with my own hand!

As his letter ends, Paul comments on the oversize font he was using to write to them likely as a revelation of his failing eyesight and he recapitulates his opposition to the false doctrine that they had entertained from people who had gained accolades from their pursuit of the law (as well as avoided persecution) and thus these people were trying to induce the Galations to follow their example.

Paul intructs them not to capitulate to the false doctrine but to do as he did and boasted only in the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ because they were new creations in Christ.

12 Those who want to impress people by means of the flesh are trying to compel you to be circumcised. The only reason they do this is to avoid being persecuted for the cross of Christ. 13 Not even those who are circumcised keep the law, yet they want you to be circumcised that they may boast about your circumcision in the flesh. 14 May I never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, through which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world. 15 Neither circumcision nor uncircumcision means anything; what counts is the new creation. 16 Peace and mercy to all who follow this rule—to the Israel of God.

17 From now on, let no one cause me trouble, for I bear on my body the marks of Jesus.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit, brothers and sisters. Amen.

Paul, now weary of the struggle, requests that he not be troubled with problems having himself already absorbed a large amount of physical punishment for the gospel but he finalizes his letter by blessing the Galatians as his brothers and sisters with the grace of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Amen.

1

OUR FATHER WHOSE SPIRIT IN US BRINGS FORTH FRUIT OF LOVE, JOY AND PEACE

In Galatians chapter 5 verses 16 - 26, the apostle Paul gives a presccription to believers walk in the Spirit as the way to bypass the lusts of the flesh. Believers have two modes; Walking in the flesh or Walking in the Spirit.  

To walk in the flesh is our default mode and even when we are born-again, we can persist in the life of the flesh where our identity remains centered around our fallen nature. This mode yields adultery, fornication, uncleaness, lewdness, idolatry, sorcery. hatred, contentions, jealousies, wrath, selfish desires, ambitions, dissensions, heresies, envy, murders, drunkeness, revelries and other forms of short-sighted and selfish behaviour.

Believers, however, can practice living in the spirit where the center of their identity is their born-again spirit and in that mode, they walk according to the promptings and guidance of the Spirit of God. 

16 I say then: Walk in the Spirit, and you shall not fulfill the lust of the flesh. 17 For the flesh lusts against the Spirit, and the Spirit against the flesh; and these are contrary to one another, so that you do not do the things that you wish. 18 But if you are led by the Spirit, you are not under the law.

19 Now the works of the flesh are  evident, which are: adultery, fornication, uncleanness, lewdness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God.

22 But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, 23 gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. 24 And those who are Christ’s have crucified the flesh with its passions and desires. 25 If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. 26 Let us not become conceited, provoking one another, envying one another.

Paul, having urged the believers in Galatia to center their identities on their new spirit, gives a warning about living in the Spirit because life in the Spirit can cause us to become conceited as we find ourselves becoming more bouyant in life due to the blessings of walking in the Spirit and Paul encourages us not to compare ourselves with one another in our spiritual growh which can lead us to showboating in order to prompt each other to envy us and we ourselves can be led into envying others.

Amen.

1

OUR FATHER IN WHOM THERE IS LIBERTY

Galatians chapter 5 verses 1 - 15 carries the apostle Paulˋs urging to the believers in Galatia not to fall for the trap of trying to add to their salvation by following the strictures of the law for he said that following any part of the law in order to obtain righteousness would obligate them to follow the whole of the law and would thus be in a state where they have fallen from grace. 

1 Stand fast therefore in the liberty by which Christ has made us free, and do not be entangled again with a yoke of bondage. 2 Indeed I, Paul, say to you that if you become circumcised, Christ will profit you nothing. 3 And I testify again to every man who becomes circumcised that he is a debtor to keep the whole law. 4 You have become estranged from Christ, you who attempt to be justified by law; you have fallen from grace. 5 For we through the Spirit eagerly wait for the hope of righteousness by faith. 6 For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision nor uncircumcision avails anything, but faith working through love.

7 You ran well. Who hindered you from obeying the truth? 8 This persuasion does not come from Him who calls you. 9 A little leaven leavens the whole lump. 10 I have confidence in you, in the Lord, that you will have no other mind; but he who troubles you shall bear his judgment, whoever he is.

11 And I, brethren, if I still preach circumcision, why do I still suffer persecution? Then the offense of the cross has ceased. 12 I could wish that those who trouble you would even cut themselves off!

13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another. 14 For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this: “You shall love your neighbor as yourself.” 15 But if you bite and devour one another, beware lest you be consumed by one another!

Paul asks the Galatians who in particular brought them them false doctrine for he certainly did not bring to them anything like what they were cultivating in their midst.

Paul prescribes for them a way to think about the new culture of love that they had been initiated into through faith in christ that had set the baseline of conduct around the principle of loving their neighbours as themselves. 

In the absence of this loving culture, the apostle warns the Galatians that they would end up turning on  one another and they would bite and devour one another until they were ultimately consumed. 

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHOSE PROMISE IS FREEDOM FROM BONDAGE

The Apostle Paul, in Galatians chapter 4 verses 21 - 31, continuing with his teaching about the insuficiency of the law to bring about righteousness,  uses for a sublime metaphor from the story of the two sons of Abraham one of whom was born to a  bondwoman (Hagar) and the other to a freewoman (Sarah).

Ishmael was born to the bondwoman by an action of the flesh while Isaac was born to the freewoman through the promise God gave him.  The bondwoman represented the route of trying to gain righteousness via the Law of Mount Sinai while the freewoman represented the route of gaining righteousness by believing the promise of God.

21 Tell me, you who desire to be under the law, do you not hear the law? 22 For it is written that Abraham had two sons: the one by a bondwoman, the other by a freewoman. 23 But he who was of the bondwoman was born according to the flesh, and he of the freewoman through promise, 24 which things are symbolic. For these are the two covenants: the one from Mount Sinai which gives birth to bondage, which is Hagar— 25 for this Hagar is Mount Sinai in Arabia, and corresponds to Jerusalem which now is, and is in bondage with her children— 26 but the Jerusalem above is free, which is the mother of us all. 27 For it is written:

“Rejoice, O barren,

You who do not bear!

Break forth and shout,

You who are not in labor!

For the desolate has many more children

Than she who has a husband.”

28 Now we, brethren, as Isaac was, are children of promise. 29 But, as he who was born according to the flesh then persecuted him who was born according to the Spirit, even so it is now. 30 Nevertheless what does the Scripture say? “Cast out the bondwoman and her son, for the son of the bondwoman shall not be heir with the son of the freewoman.” 31 So then, brethren, we are not children of the bondwoman but of the free.

We, who came to believe in Christ, are represented by Isaac who was born of the freewoman and was thus himself free from the bonds of the law but also an heir  to the promise. In fact, the son of the bondwoman was to be cast out so that he would not in anyway have a share of the inheritance that was coming to the son of the freewoman.

Paulˋs summation to the Galatians was that they were children of the freewoman having believed in the pomise of salvation through Christ and therefore were heirs and as such, needed to avoid the retrogression to the obligations of the bondage of the law.

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OUR FATHER BEFORE WHOM WE ARE JUSTIFIED BY FAITH

In Galatians chapter 4 verses 1 - 20, the Apostle Paul continued expositing to the believers in Galatia the privileged position that  their faith in Christ had made availabel to them. 

He is alarmed about their vulnerability to false doctrine which was leading them to veer away from the riches to which they were heirsthrough faith in Christ and to veer towards legal frameworks to obtain righteousness.

1 Now I say that the heir, as long as he is a child, does not differ at all from a slave, though he is master of all, 2 but is under guardians and stewards until the time appointed by the father. 3 Even so we, when we were children, were in bondage under the elements of the world. 4 But when the fullness of the time had come, God sent forth His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those who were under the law, that we might receive the adoption as sons.

6 And because you are sons, God has sent forth the Spirit of His Son into your hearts, crying out, “Abba, Father!” 7 Therefore you are no longer a slave but a son, and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ.

8 But then, indeed, when you did not know God, you served those which by nature are not gods. 9 But now after you have known God, or rather are known by God, how is it that you turn again to the weak and beggarly elements, to which you desire again to be in bondage? 10 You observe days and months and seasons and years. 11 I am afraid for you, lest I have labored for you in vain.

12 Brethren, I urge you to become like me, for I became like you. You have not injured me at all. 13 You know that because of physical infirmity I preached the gospel to you at the first. 14 And my trial which was in my flesh you did not despise or reject, but you received me as an angel of God, even as Christ Jesus. 15 What then was the blessing you enjoyed? For I bear you witness that, if possible, you would have plucked out your own eyes and given them to me. 16 Have I therefore become your enemy because I tell you the truth?

Paul explained that as sons of God, they were no longer slaves to the law such as the fulfilling of calendar dates and seasons. Paul expresses his concern because the Galatians, of all people, had been so hospitable to him when he came to them with challenges with his eyesight and they adored him so much that they would have, if possible, donated their own eyes so that he could see.

It is in this context that Paul reprimands them for heeding contrary voices and forsaking the true gospel that they had first believed. They were watering it down with elements of the law as though the law could suppliment what Christ had given them.

17 They zealously court you, but for no good; yes, they want to exclude you, that you may be zealous for them. 18 But it is good to be zealous in a good thing always, and not only when I am present with you. 19 My little children, for whom I labor in birth again until Christ is formed in you, 20 I would like to be present with you now and to change my tone; for I have doubts about you.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER OF WHOM WE ARE SONS THROUGH FAITH IN CHRIST

The Apostle Paul, in Galatians chapter 3 verses 15 -  29, writes that Godˋs promise to Abraham was to his ˋseedˋ which is singular noun and that singular seeds was not the many who descended from Abraham but to the One who descended from Him who is Christ. Because this covenant between God and Abraham was made before the advent of the Law of Moses, it superceded the law of Moses in its efficacy as a vehicle of Gods promises.

15 Brethren, I speak in the manner of men: Though it is only a man’s covenant, yet if it is confirmed, no one annuls or adds to it. 16 Now to Abraham and his Seed were the promises made. He does not say, “And to seeds,” as of many, but as of one, “And to your Seed,” who is Christ. 17 And this I say, that the law, which was four hundred and thirty years later, cannot annul the covenant that was confirmed before by God in Christ, that it should make the promise of no effect. 18 For if the inheritance is of the law, it is no longer of promise; but God gave it to Abraham by promise.

19 What purpose then does the law serve? It was added because of transgressions, till the Seed should come to whom the promise was made; and it was appointed through angels by the hand of a mediator. 20 Now a mediator does not mediate for one only, but God is one.

Paul then asks the pregnant question; If Abrahamic faith is sufficient for the accrual of Godˋs promises, then what was the Law for? 

Paulˋs reply to his own question is eye opening: The law was introduced in order that transgressions could be  identified and diagnosed in the human race. The law was brought to man as a mirror to show him his fallen condition and his servitude to the law of sin and death. 

The law taught us what was wrong with us and taught us what we needed in order to have a remedy to our sentence of death. The law also clearly pointed to Christ but once we were redeemed by faith in Christ, the law was no longer our teacher or task master.

Paul then asked if the law was in competition with Abrahamic faith in the sense that it could provide an alternate route to achieving rightousness. 

Paul argued that was not the case either because if the law could have provided righteousness in some fashion, then the law would have been the singular route used to bring men to righteousness without the need to crucify the Son of God and subject Him to death. 

But the points of the law were the landing landing-lights on the runway of faith in Christ who fulfilled the law and who made a way for all mankind to escape death.

21 Is the law then against the promises of God? Certainly not! For if there had been a law given which could have given life, truly righteousness would have been by the law. 22 But the Scripture has confined all under sin, that the promise by faith in Jesus Christ might be given to those who believe. 23 But before faith came, we were kept under guard by the law, kept for the faith which would afterward be revealed. 24 Therefore the law was our tutor to bring us to Christ, that we might be justified by faith. 25 But after faith has come, we are no longer under a tutor.

26 For you are all sons of God through faith in Christ Jesus. 27 For as many of you as were baptized into Christ have put on Christ. 28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is neither male nor female; for you are all one in Christ Jesus. 29 And if you are Christ’s, then you are Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.

All humans who have faith in Christ whether they are  slave or free, male or female, Jew or Gentile, are in Christ as Abrahamˋs seed and full heirs of the promises that God made to Abraham.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER BEFORE WHOM THOSE WHO LIVE BY FAITH SHALL BE JUSTIFIED

Galatians chapter 3 verses 1 - 14 says this;

1 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you that you should not obey the truth, before whose eyes Jesus Christ was clearly portrayed among you as crucified? 2 This only I want to learn from you: Did you receive the Spirit by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect by the flesh? 4 Have you suffered so many things in vain—if indeed it was in vain?

The Apostle Paul, aghast at the Galatians for drifting towards legalism as the means by which they accounted themselves righteous, calls them foolish. He rhetorically asked them if there were any works they did that brought the Spirit of God to them.  Clearly, they had done no such thing but rather a simply believed in the message of faith that was preached to them.

5 Therefore He who supplies the Spirit to you and works miracles among you, does He do it by the works of the law, or by the hearing of faith?— 6 just as Abraham “believed God, and it was accounted to him for righteousness.” 7 Therefore know that only those who are of faith are sons of Abraham. 8 And the Scripture, foreseeing that God would justify the Gentiles by faith, preached the gospel to Abraham beforehand, saying, “In you all the nations shall be blessed.” 9 So then those who are of faith are blessed with believing Abraham.

Paul explains that all the supernatural blessings they had received were through faith and not by any attempt to fulfil the strictures of the law of Moses. In fact, faith, being the vehicle of righteousness unto salvation, was encoded into the story of salvation right from the very beginning during the life of Abraham who  believed the word of God upon hearing it and as such was the one through whom all those who came after in faith were blessed. 

10 For as many as are of the works of the law are under the curse; for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who does not continue in all things which are written in the book of the law, to do them.” 11 But that no one is justified by the law in the sight of God is evident, for “the just shall live by faith.” 12 Yet the law is not of faith, but “the man who does them shall live by them.”

13 Christ has redeemed us from the curse of the law, having become a curse for us (for it is written, “Cursed is everyone who hangs on a tree”), 14 that the blessing of Abraham might come upon the Gentiles in Christ Jesus, that we might receive the promise of the Spirit through faith.

The attempt to gain justification by the law is futile because the law is a curse upon those who are under the law and who are unable to fulfil it.

But in our state, Christ, who was hanged on a tree, became a curse for us so that we were not longer cursed to be under the law that we could not fulfil but rather, by believing in the message of Christˋs victory on the cross, we could recieve the promise of the Spirit.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHOSE SON LOVED US AND GAVE HIMSELF FOR US 

Galatians chapter 2 verse 11 - 21;

11 Now when Peter had come to Antioch, I withstood him to his face, because he was to be blamed; 12 for before certain men came from James, he would eat with the Gentiles; but when they came, he withdrew and separated himself, fearing those who were of the circumcision. 13 And the rest of the Jews also played the hypocrite with him, so that even Barnabas was carried away with their hypocrisy.

14 But when I saw that they were not straightforward about the truth of the gospel, I said to Peter before them all, “If you, being a Jew, live in the manner of Gentiles and not as the Jews, why do you compel Gentiles to live as Jews? 15 We who are Jews by nature, and not sinners of the Gentiles, 16 knowing that a man is not justified by the works of the law but by faith in Jesus Christ, even we have believed in Christ Jesus, that we might be justified by faith in Christ and not by the works of the law; for by the works of the law no flesh shall be justified.

17 “But if, while we seek to be justified by Christ, we ourselves also are found sinners, is Christ therefore a minister of sin? Certainly not! 18 For if I build again those things which I destroyed, I make myself a transgressor. 19 For I through the law died to the law that I might live to God. 20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. 21 I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law, then Christ died in vain.”

Amen.

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 OUR FATHER WHO DOES NOT SHOW FAVOURISTISM TO ANY MAN

Galatians chapter 2 verses  1 - 10

1 Then after fourteen years I went up again to Jerusalem with Barnabas, and also took Titus with me. 2 And I went up by revelation, and communicated to them that gospel which I preach among the Gentiles, but privately to those who were of reputation, lest by any means I might run, or had run, in vain. 3 Yet not even Titus who was with me, being a Greek, was compelled to be circumcised. 4  And this occurred because of false brethren secretly brought in (who came in by stealth to spy out our liberty which we have in Christ Jesus, that they might bring us into bondage), 5 to whom we did not yield submission even for an hour, that the truth of the gospel might continue with you.

6 But from those who seemed to be something—whatever they were, it makes no difference to me; God shows personal favoritism to no man—for those who seemed to be something added nothing to me. 7 But on the contrary, when they saw that the gospel for the uncircumcised had been committed to me, as the gospel for the circumcised was to Peter 8 (for He who worked effectively in Peter for the apostleship to the circumcised also worked effectively in me toward the Gentiles), 9 and when James, Cephas, and John, who seemed to be pillars, perceived the grace that had been given to me, they gave me and Barnabas the right hand of fellowship, that we should go to the Gentiles and they to the circumcised. 10 They desired only that we should remember the poor, the very thing which I also was eager to do.

Amen.

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 OUR FATHER WHO SINGLES US OUT FROM OUR MOTHERˋS WOMB

Continuing in Galatians chapter 1, the Apostle Paul explains that the gospel he brought to the Galations was not from a human source but rather it came to him as a revelation of the Lord Jesus Christ and he went to the wilderness of Arabia where he had a protracted re-learning of his lifeˋs purpose having previously been zealous for God but by ignorance, wound up striking at the very work God.

11 But I make known to you, brethren, that the gospel which was preached by me is not according to man. 12 For I neither received it from man, nor was I taught it, but it came through the revelation of Jesus Christ.

13 For you have heard of my former conduct in Judaism, how I persecuted the church of God beyond measure and tried to destroy it. 14 And I advanced in Judaism beyond many of my contemporaries in my own nation, being more exceedingly zealous for the traditions of my fathers.

15 But when it pleased God, who separated me from my mother’s womb and called me through His grace, 16 to reveal His Son in me, that I might preach Him among the Gentiles, I did not immediately confer with flesh and blood, 17 nor did I go up to Jerusalem to those who were apostles before me; but I went to Arabia, and returned again to Damascus.

18 Then after three years I went up to Jerusalem to see Peter, and remained with him fifteen days. 19 But I saw none of the other apostles except James, the Lord’s brother. 20 (Now concerning the things which I write to you, indeed, before God, I do not lie.)

21 Afterward I went into the regions of Syria and Cilicia. 22 And I was unknown by face to the churches of Judea which were in Christ. 23 But they were hearing only, “He who formerly persecuted us now preaches the faith which he once tried to destroy.” 24 And they glorified God in me.

Amen

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OUR FATHER WHO RAISED JESUS FROM THE DEAD

In Galatians chapter 1 verses 1 - 10, the Apostle Paul begins his address to the churches in Galatia by identifying himself and his office in Christ and conveys a warm blessing  of grace and peace to them.

He summarizes their common understanding of the gospel where the Lord Jesus died for our sins so that we could be eternally set free from the bondage of the age into which we were born.

Paul expressed surprise that the Galatians, having accepted the good news of the availability of redemption, had now accepted a different gospel that was distorted and perverted from its intent and message.

Paul strongly denounces the gospels that are circulating among the Galatians that were different from what they had first believed. He declares to them that if angels or even he himself came with a variation of the original gospel they believed, they should reject it. Paul even curses any person who comes among them to proclaim a false gospel.

1 Paul, an apostle (ne ot from men nor through man, but through Jesus Christ and God the Father who raised Him from the dead), 2 and all the brethren who are with me,

To the churches of Galatia:

3 Grace to you and peace from God the Father and our Lord Jesus Christ, 4 who gave Himself for our sins, that He might deliver us from this present evil age, according to the will of our God and Father, 5 to whom be glory forever and ever. Amen.

6 I marvel that you are turning away so soon from Him who called you in the grace of Christ, to a different gospel, 7 which is not another; but there are some who trouble you and want to pervert the gospel of Christ. 8 But even if we, or an angel from heaven, preach any other gospel to you than what we have preached to you, let him be accursed. 9 As we have said before, so now I say again, if anyone preaches any other gospel to you than what you have received, let him be accursed.

10 For do I now persuade men, or God? Or do I seek to please men? For if I still pleased men, I would not be a bondservant of Christ.

Amen.

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OUR FATHER WHO OPENS DOORS FOR US TO CARRY HIS WORD

Colossians chapter 4 verses 1 - 18 concludes the Apostle Paulˋs letter to the believers in Colossae with the first verse seeming to have been erroneously separated from the last portion of chapter 3.  

In that portion, Paul is giving a prescription for the relationships that the believers had with one another for example the relationship between husbands and wives, children and parents, bondservants and masters and finally, believers and Christ.

In this case, the first verse in Chapter 4 concludes a theme on the requirement of the relationship between a master and his bondservant to be just and fair because the master must remember that he too has a master in heaven.

The final passages of the letter contains a request for prayer that he and his companions would have doors opened to speak the mystery of Christ. Paul also offers guidance to walk in wisdom towards unbelievers and to be ready to give answers to questions posed to them. 

He then commends fellow servants to the Colossians and passes messages to them from other saints like Luke the beloved physician. He also passes an important massage to  a believer called Archipus that urges him to take the ministry he received from the Lord seriously so that he could fulfil it.

Paul then signs off with a blessing of grace.

1 Masters, give your bondservants what is just and fair, knowing that you also have a Master in heaven.

2 Continue earnestly in prayer, being vigilant in it with thanksgiving; 3 meanwhile praying also for us, that God would open to us a door for the word, to speak the mystery of Christ, for which I am also in chains, 4 that I may make it manifest, as I ought to speak.

5 Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. 6 Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.

7 Tychicus, a beloved brother, faithful minister, and fellow servant in the Lord, will tell you all the news about me. 8 I am sending him to you for this very purpose, that he may know your circumstances and comfort your hearts, 9 with Onesimus, a faithful and beloved brother, who is one of you. They will make known to you all things which are happening here.

10 Aristarchus my fellow prisoner greets you, with Mark the cousin of Barnabas (about whom you received instructions: if he comes to you, welcome him), 11 and Jesus who is called Justus. These are my only fellow workers for the kingdom of God who are of the circumcision; they have proved to be a comfort to me.

12 Epaphras, who is one of you, a bondservant of Christ, greets you, always laboring fervently for you in prayers, that you may stand perfect and complete in all the will of God. 13 For I bear him witness that he has a great zeal for you, and those who are in Laodicea, and those in Hierapolis. 14 Luke the beloved physician and Demas greet you. 15 Greet the brethren who are in Laodicea, and Nymphas and the church that is in his house.

16 Now when this epistle is read among you, see that it is read also in the church of the Laodiceans, and that you likewise read the epistle from Laodicea. 17 And say to Archippus, “Take heed to the ministry which you have received in the Lord, that you may fulfill it.”

18 This salutation by my own hand—Paul. Remember my chains. Grace be with you. Amen.

Amen.

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