Hermeneutics with Jim Leffel - Week 9

Hermeneutics
with Jim Leffel

Week Nine: Epistles

Review epistle structure

Nature and purpose of epistle overview

Answers the question: "Why was the letter written?"

Provides basic context for understanding the purpose of paragraphs by connecting them with the broader concerns of the letter

Overview of 2 Timothy

Author	Audience	3^rd Parties
Paul the Apostle (1:1) A prisoner (1:8,16:2:9) Preacher and apostle (1:11) History of suffering for Christ (1:8,12;2:3,9;3:11) Facing likely death (4:6), though previou`sly escaped execution (4:17) Only Luke is now with him (4:11)	Timothy, Paul’s "beloved son" (1:2) Believing mother/grand-mother (1:5;3:15) Received a "gift" through Paul (1:6), and is a worker (2:15) with a ministry to fulfill (4:2,5) Probably experiencing struggles in his work (1:6,7;2:1,3,22) Should try to visit Paul (4:9,21), bringing the cloak and books (4:13)	Those who abandoned Paul (1:15; 4:10); and stayed with Paul through imprisonment (1:16; 4;11) Heretics, such as Hymenaeus and Philetus (2:17,18) Alexander the coppersmith (4:14,15)

Summary observations

Themes	Repetition or development
Paul/Timothy relationship	Intimate relationship (1:2;2:1) of seasoned leader to young leader (1:6) Follow me in suffering (1:8,2:3) 1:8,12,15;2:9,10;3:11,12;4:6—8,16—18) Retain my words (1:13) and guard the entrusted treasure (1:14); entrust to others (2:2); consider what I say (2:7) Continue in the things I taught you (3:10—14)
Character of God’s workman	1:7 Call to boldness, power, love, discipline (see 2:4—6) 1:8 enter into suffering (2:3;3:10—12) Be diligent with the Word (2:15;4:2) Avoid wrangling (2:14—18;23—26), realizing the "day" (3:1ff) Flee youthful lusts, pursue righteousness (2:22—26)
Centrality of the Word	1:13,14 Retain sound words; Guard the "treasure" 2:15 word of truth; God breathed (3:15), making one adequate as a servant (3:17—4:4)

Summary: Why was this letter written? A personal appeal to a struggling worker for renewed zeal for the gospel in light of intense opposition

Paragraph structure

Purpose of paragraphs

Conveys a complete unit to thought, consisting of a main point (thesis statement) and supporting point

Main point establishes what—the paragraph is about or what to do

Supporting points establish why the main point is true or how it is to be accomplished—answers the because, or here’s what it looks like questions

Paragraph identification is not scientific

Hints from outline help—but are not absolutely conclusive

Identification of main and supporting points should provide a comprehensive accounting of each statement in the paragraph

Note that in a letter, paragraphs connect to each other as the author extends the argument. Previous paragraph can serve as a supporting point for the main point of the subsequent paragraph

E.g.: 2 Tim. 2:1, therefore (cf. 1:15—18)

Sometimes summary is given of a previous paragraph (1:12 "for I know whom I have believed"—cf. 1:9, 10)

Recognizing paragraph structure: 1 Timothy 1

NASB	NIV
1:1—2	1:1—2
1:3—14	1:3—7
	1:8—12
	1:13—14
1:15—18	1:15—18

Paragraph structure for chapter 1

1:1—2 Greeting

1:3—7

Main point: What Timothy is being called on to do

v. 6 "kindle afresh the gift of God" ("for this reason"; imperative)

Supporting points: Why Paul calls on Timothy to do it

3,4. Paul’s persistent prayers for Timothy, his longing for a joyful reunion (because the love enjoyed by co-workers is motivating)

5. Timothy’s spiritual legacy (because Timothy must be mindful of the fact that his faith is in part the consequence of their zeal)

6. Paul’s ordination of Timothy (because Timothy is set apart for God’s work through Paul)

7. God has given a spirit of power, love, and discipline (because God has provided us with the needed character)

1:8—11 Note that this passage is one sentence with vs. 8 an independent clause

Main point: What Paul is calling Timothy to do

v. 8 "join with me in suffering for the gospel" (positive imperative juxtaposed to what Timothy is not to do)

Supporting points: Why Timothy is to do what Paul calls him to

8. "therefore" draws in vs. 7—a spirit of power, love, discipline (because God has prepared Timothy for suffering)

8. Do not be ashamed of the testimony of the Lord or of Paul’s testimony (because suffering is God’s way in this world)

8b—10 "according to the power of God": (because there is a reason for suffering—something worth suffering for)

9. who saved us

9. called us to a holy calling

9. not by works

9. according to His purpose and grace

9. granted by Christ

9, 10. from all eternity, but now revealed by His appearing

10. abolishing death, bringing life, immortality, and light

11. Paul was called to be a apostle and teacher of the gospel (because we suffer for the sake of our calling)

1:12—14 Note that there are two imperatives following an indicative verse

Main points: What Timothy is to do

vs. 13 "Retain the standard of sound teaching in faith and love"

vs. 14 "Guard the treasure entrusted to you"

Supporting points: Why is Timothy to do it?

12. Paul suffers for the gospel without shame

because of his calling (from v. 11, "for this reason")

because he knows whom he has believed (summary of 9, 10)

because he has entrusted his ministry to God who will guard it

Question: how is vs. 12 relevant to 13, 14?

Theology (muscle) see Inductive Study: Epistles worksheet

1:3—7

Unfamiliar and key words

"kindle afresh" (anazopureo, keep in full flame)

"gift" (charisma)

"laying on my hands" (see also 1 Tim. 4:14)

Theology of the main point

God commissions his people to ministries for which are to be fanned into a bonfire—imagery suggesting both light and growing into effectiveness

Theology of supporting points

vs. 6 God works through the church in directing our ministries

vs. 7 Essential elements in maintaining vigilance in ministry is

power (dunamis, zeal)—emotion

love (agape)—will and ethics

discipline (sophronismos, soundness of mind)—rational

Other relevant passages

1 Tim. 4:14ff

Application (skin)

Application centers on the main point, not supporting points!

How did Paul intend Timothy to be affected by this paragraph?

How is this text relevant to me/my group?

Inductive study: exercise—2 Tim. 2:1—6, 2 Tim. 2:7—14

Teaching epistles—applying inductive study worksheet to teaching

Assignment:

Complete inductive study worksheet on paragraphs in 2 Tim. 2:15—26

Provide a complete teaching outline for one paragraph