Category: Chapter a Day

Titus 1 (day 1130) 3 February 2013           1-4: Paul’s introduction of himself in Titus is longer than in his other letters. He sees himself as the God-appointed defender of the true faith. Titus, like Timothy, was one of Paul’s most faithful companions and helpers. Paul refers to him in verse 4 as “my loyal… Continue reading Titus (day 1130-1132)

2 Timothy 1 (day 1126) 30 January 2013 1-2: The greeting in this letter is much like that of 1 Timothy, but there Paul was an apostle by the command of God while here his apostleship is by the will of God. Reading Paul’s letters it is often difficult to decide whether he felt invited… Continue reading 2 Timothy (day 1126-1129)

1 TIMOTHY (day 1120-1125)             Here are all the references to Timothy in the New Testament outside the two letters addressed to him: Acts 16:1: “Paul went on also to Derbe and to Lystra, where there was a disciple named Timothy, the son of a Jewish woman who was a believer; but his father… Continue reading 1 Timothy (day 1120-1125)

2 Thessalonians 1 (day 1117) 21 January 2013           Although called the second letter to the Thessalonians, many scholars are reluctant to ascribe the present epistle to Paul, citing a number of stylistic and content differences.           1-2: The greeting is nearly identical to the one of 1 Thessalonians, the only difference being the double… Continue reading 2 Thessalonians (day 1117-1119)

1 Thessalonians 1 (day 1112) 16 January 2013           Paul’s stormy visit to Thessalonica is described in Acts 17. He was run out of town after only a few weeks and fled to Beroea where he was chased out again. He was spirited off to Athens then, leaving Timothy and Silas behind. Later, he sent… Continue reading 1 Thessalonians (day 1112-1116)

Colossians 1 (day 1108) 12 January 2013           Colossae was situated on the Lycus River in southwest Asia Minor (Turkey), about 100 miles east of Ephesus. So far as we know Paul did not start the church there and never visited it (although the comment in 2:1 may simply be a reference only to latecomers… Continue reading Colossians (day 1108-1111)

Philippians 1 (day 1104) 8 January 2013           Philippi was located on the northern shore of the Aegean Sea in Macedonia. It was established by Philip, father of Alexander the Great, and was later the site of the victory of Antony over Cassius. The Battle of Philippi secured the Roman Empire some 40 years before… Continue reading Philippians (day 1104-1107)

Ephesians 1 (day 1098) 2 January 2013           Ephesus was located at the western end of Asia Minor (Turkey) on the Aegean Sea. Paul’s visit there is described in Acts 19. He stayed for about 3 years (Acts 20:31), longer than in any other place. Still, owing to certain vocabulary differences, many scholars doubt that… Continue reading Ephesians (day 1098-1103)

Galatians 1 (day 1092) 27 December 2012           Here is a list of the ways in which Paul starts his letters. Romans: “Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, set apart for the gospel of God…” 1 Corinthians: “Paul, called to be an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of… Continue reading Galatians (day 1092-1097)

2 Corinthians 1 (day 1079) 14 December 2012           Scholars are divided over whether 2 Corinthians represents one letter or is an amalgamation of several letters. These are questions that need not concern the casual reader but is an interesting debate for those who wish to dig deeper. The primary difference between 1 and 2… Continue reading 2 Corinthians (day 1079-1091)