Look at the Book
Episodes
Why Does Paul Prefer the Name ‘Christ Jesus’? 2 Timothy 1:1–2, Part 3
20 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When Paul refers to Jesus, the title he loves to use the most is “Christ Jesus.” Why was this name so significant for Paul?
How Great Is Paul’s Apostolic Authority? 2 Timothy 1:1–2, Part 2
17 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What is an apostle? An apostle is an official representative selected by Christ to mediate his authority on earth and herald his message to men.
The Poignant Setting of Paul’s Last Letter: 2 Timothy 1:1–2, Part 1
13 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What is the setting for Paul’s second letter to Timothy? Paul is imprisoned in Rome, he wants Timothy to come to him, and he is ready for death.
The Great Crescendo of Faith and Love and the Glory of God: 1 Timothy 6:20–21, Part 4
10 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
What is Paul’s ultimate concern in 1 Timothy? To encourage faith that awakens godliness that is passionate about the glory of God.
How Do We Guard the Precious Deposit of Truth? 1 Timothy 6:20–21, Part 3
06 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
You don’t guard the word of God like you would some other ancient document. You guard it by doing it, protecting it, and passing it on.
What Is the Good Deposit Entrusted to Timothy? 1 Timothy 6:20–21, Part 2
03 May 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Paul’s final exhortation in 1 Timothy is to “guard the deposit entrusted to you.” What is “the deposit” the apostle has in mind?
What Emotional Health Is in the Word ‘O’! 1 Timothy 6:20–21, Part 1
29 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
In the little word “O,” Paul brings us into a whole world of emotional complexity. He models for us healthy, godly affections for others.
How Do We Lay Up Treasure in Heaven? 1 Timothy 6:17–19, Part 2
26 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Christian generosity grows out of hearts that place their hope in God. When he is the source of our joy now and forever, we are free to radically give...
Why and How to Hope in God, Not Riches: 1 Timothy 6:17–19, Part 1
22 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Those who look to riches to uphold their hopes will be deeply disappointed. Worldly wealth is fleeting and uncertain. Only God can ground our hope.
Serving and Adoring a God Without Rivals: 1 Timothy 6:13–16, Part 2
19 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If you belong to the King of kings and Lord of lords, you are as safe as you could possibly be. No one rivals your God.
A Call to Courageous Ministry: 1 Timothy 6:13–16, Part 1
15 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Courage does not come from knowing an opponent to be weak. It comes from knowing our God to be strong. God gives us life, and he sustains it.
Fight for Faith! Take Hold of Life! 1 Timothy 6:11–12, Part 2
12 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How do you take hold of eternal life? You have faith in Jesus. You believe in him, hold tight to him, treasure him, and refuse to let him go.
The Christian Life as Fleeing and Pursuing: 1 Timothy 6:11–12, Part 1
08 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The Christian life is one of fleeing and pursuing: flee anything that does not proceed from faith, and pursue what pleases God.
How Is the Love of Money the Root of All Evils? 1 Timothy 6:6–10, Part 4
05 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
How can Paul say that the love of money is the root of all evils? Because the kind of heart that loves money abandons faith, and anything not of faith...
Are You Content with Food and Clothing? 1 Timothy 6:6–10, Part 3
01 Apr 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Christians can be happy with little — yet we are happy not because we have little but because we have God. He, not minimalism, is our portion.
Out of the Womb Penniless, Out of the Tomb Penniless: 1 Timothy 6:6–10, Part 2
29 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Those who seek to make godliness a means of monetary gain miss an all-important point: we entered the world with nothing, and we will leave the same w...
How Is Godliness Great Gain? 1 Timothy 6:6–10, Part 1
25 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Does being a Christian bring benefit in the present life? Absolutely. Peace, contentment, and joy are some of the weighty gains of godliness.
The Roots of False Teaching: 1 Timothy 6:3–5
22 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Three primary desires give rise to false teachers: “I want to be well known.” “I want to be preeminent over others.” “I want to amass power ...
Slavery in View of the Whole New Testament: 1 Timothy 6:1–2, Part 3
18 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The New Testament does not abolish the social shell of slavery. But it does transform it so radically that a property-owner relationship becomes unthi...
How Shall a Christian Slave Relate to a Believing Master? 1 Timothy 6:1–2, Part 2
15 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The gospel did not abolish slavery immediately, but it did radically reform the master-slave relationship by making both brothers.
How Slaves Pursue the Salvation of Their Masters: 1 Timothy 6:1–2, Part 1
11 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When Paul addresses Christian slaves, he calls them to obey even unbelieving masters. Why?
Choose Pastors Without Carelessness or Perfectionism: 1 Timothy 5:21–25, Part 3
08 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When discerning whether a man should be an elder, be cautious, testing thoroughly, but don’t be paralyzed by fear of choosing imperfectly.
Use a Little Wine for Your Stomach Ailments: 1 Timothy 5:21–25, Part 2
04 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Sometimes, Christians pit doctors and divine healing against one another, as if relying on natural remedies reveals a lack of faith. Does Scripture su...
The Immeasurable Weight of Choosing Elders: 1 Timothy 5:21–25, Part 1
01 Mar 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Choosing elders is a serious business. Paul charges us to do so knowing we are in the presence of God, Jesus Christ, and the elect angels.
Find the Truth to Protect Both Elders and Sheep: 1 Timothy 5:19–20
25 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When accusations arise, Paul would have churches refuse to let elders be destroyed by liars — and refuse to let lying elders destroy sheep.
Don’t Muzzle Your Grain-Treading Ox-Pastor: 1 Timothy 5:17–18, Part 2
22 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Paul sees a connection between hardworking pastors and oxen laboring in the field. Both deserve to be rewarded for their work.
Honor Your Pastors by Paying Them Enough: 1 Timothy 5:17–18, Part 1
18 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Pastors deserve to be paid for their labor. They spend themselves to edify the flock, so the flock should spend to provide for them.
Compassion and the Christian Work Ethic: 1 Timothy 5:11–16, Part 2
15 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
The grace of God is not an excuse for laziness. It gives not only pardon for sin but power for Christ-honoring work.
Why Not Enroll Younger Widows? 1 Timothy 5:11–16, Part 1
11 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When Paul instructs Timothy to care for widows in the church, he tells him not to enroll younger widows in the support network. Why?
An Official Order of Seasoned Widows: 1 Timothy 5:9–10
08 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Older women who are seasoned in service, devoted to good works, chaste, courageous, and humble deserve special honor in the church.
The ‘Christian’ Who Is Worse Than an Unbeliever: 1 Timothy 5:3–8, Part 4
04 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
When Paul says that professing believers who do not provide for their relatives deny the faith, what does he mean?
True Widows Are Women of Hope and Prayer: 1 Timothy 5:3–8, Part 3
01 Feb 2025
Contributed by Lukas
God shows special care for the most destitute among his people, such as widows without living relatives. How might local churches follow his example?
Learning to Care for Your Widowed Mom: 1 Timothy 5:3–8, Part 2
28 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Paul had no notion of godliness without fruit. Real godliness shows itself in the overflow of good works, especially to the neediest.
Honor Your Widowed Mother with Financial Help: 1 Timothy 5:3–8, Part 1
25 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
God gives children as a reward to parents. In both the joy they bring and the long-term provision they give, godly children bless their father and mot...
How a Pastor Corrects Men and Women, Old and Young: 1 Timothy 5:1–2, Part 2
21 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Men and women, old and young are not the same — nor do they call for the same kind of pastoral care. Mature pastors exhort each one appropriately.
Why Should We Honor the Aged? 1 Timothy 5:1–2, Part 1
18 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
We ought to honor the elderly; the Bible makes that clear. But why? Do we honor the aged because they are often wiser, or does the reason go deeper?
How to Save Yourself and Your Hearers: 1 Timothy 4:11–16
14 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Why is it so important for elders to attend to their own souls? Because as the elders go, so goes the church.
Why Strive for Godliness If Salvation Is a Gift? 1 Timothy 4:6–10, Part 4
11 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
If salvation is a gift, why does Paul place such emphasis on pursuing godliness? Because godliness confirms that faith is real.
How Is Godliness Good for This Life and the Next? 1 Timothy 4:6–10, Part 3
07 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Keeping your body fit provides some benefits. But training yourself to be godly is immeasurably better — better now and better in the life to come.
What Is Godliness? 1 Timothy 4:6–10, Part 2
04 Jan 2025
Contributed by Lukas
Many of us say that we want to be more godly. But what is godliness in the first place?
How Shall the Servant of Christ Be Trained? 1 Timothy 4:6–10, Part 1
31 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Healthy pastors not only communicate the word of God — they love it. They both serve the meal and eat it. They are coworkers in joy.
Paul’s Alternative to Asceticism: 1 Timothy 4:1–5, Part 3
28 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The alternative to demonic asceticism is to receive God’s good gifts in ways that show his worth and lead us into deeper enjoyment of him.
How to Believe in the Teachings of Demons: 1 Timothy 4:1–5, Part 2
24 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
False teachers forsake godliness as the goal of knowledge. And when that happens, consciences are seared and people swerve from the truth.
Why Such Bleak Predictions of the End Times? 1 Timothy 4:1–5, Part 1
21 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The New Testament makes it clear that the end times will become increasingly bleak. But God is not caught off guard; his great plan holds true.
The Greatness of Christ-Exalting Truth: 1 Timothy 3:14–16, Part 2
17 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When Paul steps back to assess the truth about all that God is for us in Jesus, truth that the church upholds, his response is to say, “Great indeed...
The Household of God Is a Pillar of Truth: 1 Timothy 3:14–16, Part 1
14 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Buildings do not make a church — people do. And God has established his people to proclaim his truth to a world that desperately needs it.
Serving Well Gains Good Standing and Great Confidence: 1 Timothy 3:8–13, Part 3
10 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How do godly deacons gain great confidence in Christ? By serving in the strength God supplies, they repeatedly prove his willingness to equip where he...
Qualifications for Deacons: 1 Timothy 3:8–13, Part 2
07 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What are the qualifications to serve as a deacon in the church, and how do those qualifications match the office?
Did the Deacons Include Women? 1 Timothy 3:8–13, Part 1
03 Dec 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Paul presents the qualifications for deacons in 1 Timothy 3, but what exactly do deacons do? And does the office include women?
Revered at Home, Respected in the World: 1 Timothy 3:1–7, Part 5
30 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If a man cannot lead his family well and gain the respect of his neighbors, he is not fit for the office of elder.
Not Driven by Appetite or Money: 1 Timothy 3:1–7, Part 4
26 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What is the main virtue displayed by elders in the church? Self-control. They are not ruled by anything other than God and his word.
Irreproachable and Husband of One Wife: 1 Timothy 3:1–7, Part 3
23 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Any man who would be a leader in Christ’s church must be above reproach. But what does “above reproach” mean?
What Kind of Desire Leads to Godly Leadership? 1 Timothy 3:1–7, Part 2
19 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What kind of desire sends men into ministry and keeps them there? Durable desire, servant-hearted desire, holy desire, informed desire, mature desire.
Pastors Are Doing a Worthy Work: 1 Timothy 3:1–7, Part 1
16 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do you honor your pastors? If they are doing what God calls them to do, they are doing good work, worthy work, work you should be thankful for.
The Woman Shall Be Saved Through Childbearing: 1 Timothy 2:11–15, Part 3
12 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When Paul says women “will be saved through childbearing,” what does he mean?
How Paul Roots a Woman’s Submission in Creation: 1 Timothy 2:11–15, Part 2
09 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The God-appointed callings of men and women are not arbitrary. They find their foundation in the very beginning, grounded in how God created us.
‘I Do Not Permit a Woman to Teach’: 1 Timothy 2:11–15, Part 1
05 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When Paul encourages women to be quiet, what does he mean? Not total silence, but the kind of submissive speech that does not contradict the calling o...
What Should Women Wear? 1 Timothy 2:8–10, Part 2
02 Nov 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When we dress to get attention, we signal our neediness. But the godly have their deepest needs already met, and they dress accordingly.
Holy Men, Modest Women: 1 Timothy 2:8–10, Part 1
29 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Men and women may wrestle with different kinds of temptations, but the end goal for both remains the same: holiness adorned with good works.
Paul, a Teacher of the Nations: 1 Timothy 2:5–7, Part 2
26 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why did God appoint Paul to be a herald, an apostle, and a teacher? So that the offer of Christ’s ransom might be taken to the ends of the earth.
One God, One Mediator, One Ransom for All: 1 Timothy 2:5–7, Part 1
22 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In what sense is Jesus the ransom “for all,” as Paul says, if many are never reconciled to God?
If God Desires All to Be Saved, Why Aren’t They? 1 Timothy 2:1–4, Part 5
19 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If God desires all to be saved, but many are not saved, does God have a deeper desire that governs his desire for universal salvation?
What Does It Mean to Be Godly and Dignified? 1 Timothy 2:1–4, Part 4
15 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What does a life of godliness and dignity look like? Such a life is marked by God-directed reverence, serious joy grounded in weighty truth, and settl...
How Should We Pray for Rulers? 1 Timothy 2:1–4, Part 3
12 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Paul encourages Christians to pray for kings and rulers, but to what end? What should we ask God to do in and through those who hold power?
Should Exiles Pray for the King? 1 Timothy 2:1–4, Part 2
08 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In this world, Christians live as sojourners and exiles, citizens of heaven under the lordship of Christ. So, how should we relate to earthly rulers?
Start with God, Stay with God: 1 Timothy 2:1–4, Part 1
05 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Our prayers should exclude no one. Kings and laymen, enemies and friends, rich and needy, wicked and righteous, near and far — we should pray for al...
How Satan Saves Sinners: 1 Timothy 1:18–20, Part 4
01 Oct 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In the sovereignty of God, even Satan can serve as a means of sanctification. But when is it right to surrender egregious sinners into his hand?
How Does Rejecting Conscience Wreck Faith? 1 Timothy 1:18–20, Part 3
28 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When someone silences the voice of conscience and repeatedly prefers sin over the glory of the blessed God, faith ends up shipwrecked.
Pastor, Soldier, Athlete, Farmer, Manager: 1 Timothy 1:18–20, Part 2
24 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What images does the New Testament use to depict leaders in the church? Paul gives us several in the Pastoral Epistles, and they are all needed.
Wage War by Faith and a Good Conscience: 1 Timothy 1:18–20, Part 1
21 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When Paul talks about waging the good warfare, what does he mean? Where is the battle — and who are the combatants?
Why Paul Soars into Doxology: 1 Timothy 1:17
17 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Paul handles glories all the time, touching majesty in almost every line. Yet what kind of reality compels Paul into a soaring doxology? Eternal life.
Why Did God Allow Paul to Become a Persecutor? 1 Timothy 1:12–16, Part 4
14 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why did God allow Paul, whom he would later call as an apostle, to become a Christ-persecutor and Christian-killer first?
Faith and Love Are the Overflow of Grace: 1 Timothy 1:12–16, Part 3
10 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
By his grace, God unites believers with Christ, and from that vital union, the Christian life of faith and love flows forth.
Do Ignorance and Unbelief Deserve Mercy? 1 Timothy 1:12–16, Part 2
07 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Paul says that he received mercy because he “acted ignorantly in unbelief.” What does that mean? Did Paul’s ignorance merit God’s mercy?
Was Paul Found Faithful or Made Faithful? 1 Timothy 1:12–16, Part 1
03 Sep 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We live the Christian life in the strength of another. When we believe, Christ not only saves us but also empowers us for fruitful labor.
What Difference Does God’s Happiness Make? 1 Timothy 1:8–11, Part 3
30 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The happiness of the triune God beats at the very heart of reality: the Father has always delighted in the Son by the Spirit. All Christian joy finds ...
What Is Healthy Teaching? 1 Timothy 1:8–11, Part 2
27 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What is healthy teaching? Teaching that fits with the gospel, agrees with the words of Jesus, and promotes the hearers’ godliness.
How Did the False Teachers Misuse the Law? 1 Timothy 1:8–11, Part 1
25 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
God’s old-covenant law is good, but it can be applied in bad ways — such as by demanding that those justified by faith in Christ must keep it.
Where Does Empty Talk Come From? 1 Timothy 1:5–7
23 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What does the state of our heart have to do with the content of our speech? Everything.
God’s Household Plan for His Church: 1 Timothy 1:3–5, Part 2
20 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
In his word, God has laid out his household plan, which aims to cultivate love, faith, and purity in his people. Do you know what that plan is?
The Problem with Christian Speculations: 1 Timothy 1:3–5, Part 1
18 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What separates sound doctrine from speculations? Sound doctrine serves godliness, accords with the gospel, and agrees with the words of Jesus.
The Fatherhood of God and the Lordship of Christ: 1 Timothy 1:1–2, Part 4
16 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Christians experience — not simply know — that God is our Father and Jesus is our Lord by the indwelling witness of the Holy Spirit.
How Is Timothy Paul’s Child? 1 Timothy 1:1–2, Part 3
13 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Some relationships run much deeper than blood. The bond between a spiritual father and his children is forged in Christ and lasts forever.
God Is Our Savior from What? 1 Timothy 1:1–2, Part 2
11 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Christians love to refer to Jesus as our Savior. But what exactly does Jesus save us from?
An Apostle by Command: 1 Timothy 1:1–2, Part 1
09 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why does Paul begin his letter to Timothy by identifying himself not only as an apostle, but as an apostle “by command of God”?
Paul’s Authenticating Scars: Galatians 6:14–18, Part 5
06 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
When Paul argues that he is an authentic apostle of Jesus, he points to the marks of persecution written on his flesh.
Walk by Faith, Not Works: Galatians 6:14–18, Part 4
04 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Faith results in two wonderful blessings for the believer: a new standing before God and a new life empowered by the Spirit.
Did Paul Really Boast Only in the Cross? Galatians 6:14–18, Part 3
02 Aug 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Why should Christians boast only in the cross? Because everything that we have as believers comes through the cross.
What Is the New Creation? Galatians 6:14–18, Part 2
30 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Only Christ can take an instrument of death and make it the place where a new creation comes into being. The way of life runs through the cross.
The World Crucified to Me and I to the World: Galatians 6:14–18, Part 1
28 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What does Paul mean when he says that the world has been crucified to him and he to the world? He no longer trusts and treasures the world. He trusts ...
Requiring Circumcision and Breaking the Law: Galatians 6:11–13
26 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Legalism in Paul’s day and legalism in our own day share a similar root: the desire to impress fellow humans.
Hell and Heaven Are at Stake with Money: Galatians 6:6–10, Part 1
21 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
We may think that what we do with money matters little, but Paul teaches that where we choose to invest has eternal consequences.
Is Boasting Good or Bad? Galatians 6:1–5, Part 4
19 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
The New Testament treats much boasting as sinful, but it also calls us toward a holy kind of boasting. So, how should Christians boast?
Don’t Be Energized by Comparison: Galatians 6:1–5, Part 3
16 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Do not determine the value of your work by comparing yourself with others. God calls each person to unique acts of faith, and comparison sours and spo...
What Is the Law of Christ? Galatians 6:1–5, Part 2
14 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
What is “the law of Christ” — and how does our fulfilling of this law relate to justification by faith alone?
How to Restore a Sinning Saint: Galatians 6:1–5, Part 1
12 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Christian love is not passive. When love sees a brother or sister caught in sin, it does not shrink away but confronts in order to renew and restore.
If We Have the Spirit, Why Commands? Galatians 5:22–26, Part 3
09 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If Christians have the Spirit of God leading and guiding them, why does the New Testament issue over four hundred commands to obey?
Keep in Step with the Spirit: Galatians 5:22–26, Part 2
07 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
Those made alive by the Spirit will keep in step with the Spirit. They will walk by the Spirit, sow to the Spirit, bear the fruit of the Spirit.
The Fruit of the Spirit Is the Fruit of Faith: Galatians 5:22–26, Part 1
05 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
If the fruit of the Spirit is a miracle that God produces in his people, what can we do to cultivate that fruit?
How Do We Inherit the Kingdom? Galatians 5:19–21, Part 2
02 Jul 2024
Contributed by Lukas
How do Christians inherit the kingdom of God? Not by our work or merit, but by our union with the Son of God and offspring of Abraham.