The Apostle, in his present reduced circumstances, is not afflicted with an identity crisis.

He knows exactly who he is. More importantly, he knows exactly whose he is.

First, he has temporarily been given the title prisoner. It is important to note here the Authority Paul recognizes. It is that of our Lord, not of Rome.

By the Authority of our Savior Christ Jesus, he acknowledges his appointment to three intertwined roles: preacher, apostle, and teacher.

The year was 67 Anno Domini.

The place was Rome, during a horrific time in the history of Christians who found themselves under the dominion of the Roman Empire.

The Apostle Paul was situated in the deepest, darkest hole in the entire empire, the "guest" of the emperor himself.

Paul writes what will be his last letter to Timothy in Ephesus.

The first indicator of false witness is inconsistency.

The doctrine to which Paul refers in today's lesson has two touchstones, but one Cornerstone.

The words of Jesus Christ, and godliness are two definitions of the same criteria.

Godliness is that state to which we all aspire, but cannot attain in this world. The Gospel, made manifest in the teachings of Jesus here on earth, is the perfect expression of godliness.

The institution of slavery is a reality, in the first century Roman Empire, and in the twenty-first century world in which we live.

There are a lot of people that say that race is the foundation of slavery. 

In a slavery relationship, there must be a “greater” and there must be a “lesser”. 

Paul has always placed a high value on the elders, or overseers, of the flock in Ephesus.

His concern reaches back to his journey from Miletus to Jerusalem, when he stopped in Ephesus, and called the elders to him, as described in Acts 20:28-31.

Paul rightly considered the elders the first line of defense against the “savage wolves”, the purveyors of false doctrines.

Widows are important.

How do we know? Well, for one thing, the subject is brought to mind in the Bible as early as Genesis 38.

To really understand the nature and substance of “widowhood” (yep, it’s a word), one should put oneself back in a time long past.

The first widow named was Tamar, Judah’s daughter-in-law.

Welcome to Episode 52 of At Home In The Word!

This lesson is dedicated to all of you who were there a year ago, when we launched this podcast with Then They Will Know. 

This time, we review Paul's lesson to Timothy about discipline from 1 Timothy 4.

May we all share in this understanding of God's meaning, as we continue our journey with Him.

Paul continues to spell out for Timothy the clear choice to be made by the Ephesian church.

There is no middle ground.

There is no grey area.

It is for the Ephesians, and us, a Time of Choosing.

To anchor the instructions he is giving Timothy for the church in Ephesus, Paul declares a confession.

Some call 1 Timothy 3:16 "a hymn", to be sung by the church.

In its essence, the single verse declares what every Christian should agree about Jesus Christ.

So, what do you believe?

Timothy and the Ephesian church are engaged in active spiritual warfare.

For the battles, Paul knows there needs to be leaders in place who have strong moral character.

Listen to the instructions Paul gives Timothy on discerning the right leaders for Christ's church.