1 Timothy 1:20 “Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.” (ESV) Understanding 1 Timothy 1:20 Before we delve into why the Apostle Paul pronounces such a severe judgment, let us first understand the context and the character of those involved. Paul writes to Timothy, urging him to maintain a strong faith combined with a good conscience (1 Timothy 1:19): “Holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.” (ESV) The phrase “a good conscience” refers to the internal witness within a person that what they do is right or wrong. When someone has a good conscience, they are sensitive to sin and quick to repent when they err. Conversely, those without a good conscience suppress this inner conviction and continue in sin with hardness of heart. Who Were Hymenaeus and Alexander? These two men were not accidental or ignorant heretics. They deliberately twisted the truth of the gospel to lead others astray. Paul gives us examples of their false teaching: Hymenaeus taught that the resurrection of the dead had already happened, thus undermining the Christian hope of eternal life (2 Timothy 2:16-18): “They have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened, and they upset the faith of some.” (ESV) Alexander was known as a fierce opponent of Paul’s ministry and is believed to have been an active adversary spreading false doctrine (2 Timothy 4:14-15): “Alexander the coppersmith did me great harm; the Lord will repay him according to his deeds. Beware of him yourself, for he strongly opposed our message.” (ESV) What Does “Handed Over to Satan” Mean? This expression does not mean that Paul personally gave these men over to the devil, but that God removed His protective hand from them, allowing Satan to have a measure of influence over their lives as a form of divine discipline. This disciplinary action could involve various forms of hardship such as illness, misfortune, or even social and spiritual ruin — much like Job’s experience when God allowed Satan to test him (Job 1:12). The purpose is redemptive: to bring these men to repentance and to prevent further harm to the church. The severe consequence is a demonstration that God takes willful, persistent heresy and blasphemy very seriously. Theological Significance Church Discipline and Authority:The church, under Christ’s authority, is called to protect the purity of the gospel. When a believer persistently spreads false teaching and refuses to repent, the church may “hand them over to Satan” as a last resort for discipline (1 Corinthians 5:1-5). This means removing them from the fellowship to allow the consequences of sin to lead them to repentance. Conscience and Repentance:A good conscience is essential for faith to flourish. Those who reject their conscience become hardened and incapable of genuine repentance, thus endangering not only themselves but others as well. God’s Sovereignty in Discipline:Even when God allows Satan to afflict His people, it is under His sovereign control for a greater good — that of correction and eventual restoration (Hebrews 12:6). Application and Exhortation This passage warns all believers to take sin seriously, especially deliberate sin that distorts the gospel. It encourages us to: Guard our faith with a good conscience, remaining sensitive to God’s conviction. Beware of false teachings and those who twist Scripture for their own gain. Support church discipline not as an act of condemnation but as a loving tool for restoration. Closing Prayer May the Lord grant us true faith and a pure conscience, that we might live honorably before Him, uphold the gospel, and lovingly confront error when it arises.Shalom.
Question: What does this verse mean? Answer:The person described here is someone who grows their wealth through unjust means—by charging interest or profit in a way that exploits the vulnerable, particularly the poor. This behavior is essentially taking advantage of those who are already in difficult circumstances for personal gain. Biblical law clearly forbids such exploitation. For example, God instructed the people of Israel not to charge interest (usury) on loans to the poor among their own community. They were commanded to lend without seeking profit from their needy brothers and sisters, though interest could be charged to foreigners (Exodus 22:25, NIV): “If you lend money to one of my people among you who is needy, do not treat it like a business deal; charge no interest.” Also see Leviticus 25:35-37 and Deuteronomy 23:19-20 for similar injunctions. Theological and Practical Reflection: Despite God’s clear commands, history shows that many have disregarded these laws. Wealthy individuals amassed great fortunes through unjust practices—extorting interest and profits from the poor. Their wealth accumulated “like dust on the ground” (Proverbs 28:8) — vast yet ultimately meaningless and fleeting. However, Scripture assures us of divine justice. People who unjustly gain riches at the expense of the poor will not keep them forever. The Book of Job (27:13-16) and other passages warn that God will eventually take from the greedy and redistribute to those who show mercy to the needy. This divine rebalancing reflects God’s heart for justice and compassion. Why does this happen? The Bible teaches that earthly wealth is temporary and can “fly away” like a bird (Proverbs 23:5). Wealth not used rightly—especially when hoarded or gained through injustice—will be lost. The Master in Jesus’ parable warns that talents (resources) not used for God’s purposes, including mercy and justice, will be taken away and given to those who are faithful (Matthew 25:28, ESV): “For to everyone who has, more will be given, and he will have an abundance. But from the one who has not, even what he has will be taken away.” What does this teach us? If we are people who act justly and show compassion to the poor by sharing what we have, we should be encouraged that God already has prepared blessings for us. The riches of those who selfishly hoard wealth through exploitation will ultimately be transferred to those who honor God’s commands of mercy and justice. This also reveals a profound spiritual truth: those who delight in giving to others have great treasure on earth and in heaven (Luke 6:38). God honors generosity and kindness to the poor. Final Encouragement: May the Lord help us to understand these divine principles and inspire us to love and serve the poor with genuine hearts. Let us be diligent stewards of what God has entrusted to us, using our resources not for selfish gain but to bless others. In doing so, we align ourselves with God’s justice and mercy—qualities that reflect His own nature. Shalom.
Scripture:“Having eyes full of adultery, insatiable for sin, enticing unstable souls, they have hearts trained in greed. They are accursed children.” (2 Peter 2:14, ESV) QUESTION: What does it mean when the Bible speaks of those who “entice unstable spirits” (or “deceive weak souls”) in 2 Peter 2:14? ANSWER: In this passage, Peter warns of a particular group of people present in the last days—those who deceive others spiritually, especially targeting those with unstable or weak souls. To deceive here means to mislead or cause someone to stray from the truth. Weak or unstable spirits refers to individuals who lack spiritual stability and maturity; they are vulnerable and easily swayed because their faith is not firmly rooted. The word “unstable” or “weak” in this context describes those whose hearts are accustomed to sinful desires and who do not have a lasting, resilient faith. They are like a shoe made of cheap plastic rather than durable leather—unable to withstand trials and temptations over time. DEEPER THEOLOGICAL INSIGHT: Peter continues to describe these deceivers in verses 15-17: “They have left the straight way and wandered off to follow the way of Balaam, the son of Beor, who loved gain from wrongdoing, but was rebuked for his own transgression; a mute donkey speaking with a human voice restrained the prophet’s madness. These are wells without water, clouds that are carried with a tempest, for whom is reserved the blackness of darkness forever.” (2 Peter 2:15-17, ESV) The “way of Balaam” is symbolic of following a path motivated by selfish gain rather than God’s will. These deceivers are like dry wells and storm-driven clouds—promising refreshment but bringing spiritual drought and confusion. Their destiny is eternal darkness because of their persistent rebellion. APPLICATION TO THE LAST DAYS: In the last days, the Bible predicts that there will be certain people whose work is to deceive “unstable souls.” These are believers who have accepted Christ but whose faith is fragile and unsteady. They may be zealous one day and indifferent the next; they attend church irregularly and easily fall back into worldly behaviors. These unstable believers are prime targets for the devil’s schemes. Just as Balaam enticed Israel to sin through sexual immorality and idolatry (Numbers 31:16), today’s deceivers lure unstable believers into sin, causing spiritual backsliding and destruction. A CALL TO SPIRITUAL MATURITY: Paul exhorts believers:“Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong.” (1 Corinthians 16:13, ESV)And he prays:“May the Lord make you increase and abound in love for one another and for all, just as we do for you, so that he may establish your hearts blameless in holiness before our God and Father, at the coming of our Lord Jesus with all his saints.” (1 Thessalonians 3:12-13, ESV) Believers must cultivate a mature, unwavering faith that resists deception and stands firm in trials. A strong faith is like a deep-rooted tree that cannot be easily uprooted by storms or temptations. FINAL CHALLENGE: If you recognize yourself among those with weak or unstable faith, repent and commit fully to following Christ with perseverance. These are perilous times, and the Lord promises to purify those who remain steadfast. Reject a shallow or superficial Christianity that costs nothing and demands little. Stand firm in the truth of the gospel. Cultivate spiritual discipline and accountability. Resist the subtle deceptions of the enemy. Let your faith be unwavering, your love abundant, and your heart fully devoted to God. Shalom.
Question:I dream that I am waiting at a specific place to preach, but then I get delayed or distracted by other things and don’t make it on time. What could this mean? Answer:Dreams like this are common among people who have a responsibility to serve others, especially leaders and preachers. They often come in different forms: some dream they are waiting to preach at a meeting but get delayed by minor issues—such as waiting in line, distractions from people, or unimportant matters. Others dream they are supposed to go up to the pulpit but find themselves naked, searching for clothes, unable to prepare, and eventually miss the opportunity to preach before the audience disperses. Theologically, such a dream signals that your readiness to fulfill the role God has assigned you is insufficient. There are spiritual or practical hindrances preventing you from stepping fully into your calling. This can reflect a lack of preparation, distractions, or even internal struggles that delay you from fully serving God’s purpose for you. Paul’s exhortation to Timothy speaks directly to this issue: 2 Timothy 4:2 (ESV):“Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching.” This verse highlights the importance of constant readiness and perseverance in ministry, regardless of circumstances or timing. You are called to be prepared always, not waiting for “the perfect moment.” To address this, you must identify and remove the obstacles—whether they are external distractions or internal doubts—that keep you from being fully available and ready to serve. Spiritually, this involves putting on the whole armor of God to stand firm against any forces that seek to delay or prevent your service. Paul reminds believers in Ephesians of the necessity of spiritual preparedness: Ephesians 6:13-15 (NIV):“Therefore put on the full armor of God, so that when the day of evil comes, you may be able to stand your ground, and after you have done everything, to stand. Stand firm then, with the belt of truth buckled around your waist, with the breastplate of righteousness in place, and with your feet fitted with the readiness that comes from the gospel of peace.” In other words, your spiritual preparation is as crucial as physical readiness. You must actively cultivate truth, righteousness, peace, faith, and salvation daily so that you can stand unmoved when challenges arise. The dream calls you to a deeper level of commitment and spiritual discipline. It challenges you to examine your life for anything that hinders your readiness—practical delays, distractions, fear, or lack of faith—and to commit yourself fully to God’s timing and calling. Reflection:Are you fully prepared and spiritually equipped to stand firm and preach God’s word when called upon? Or are there things in your life that need adjustment to align you more closely with God’s purpose? May God strengthen you, remove every hindrance, and fill you with His readiness and courage to fulfill your calling faithfully. Blessings in Christ.
Shalom. Blessed be the name of the Lord. It is both wise and spiritually enriching to study the character of God so that we, as His children, may grow in Christlikeness and strive toward perfection, just as He is perfect (Matthew 5:48). Today, we will explore one particular attribute of God that may seem surprising at first glance, but carries a profound lesson for how we should conduct ourselves as believers. Let us begin in the book of Genesis. After God completed the creation of the heavens and the earth, He declared everything He had made to be “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Yet, just one chapter later, we read these striking words: “Then the Lord God said, ‘It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.’”—Genesis 2:18 (ESV) This raises an important question: If all of God’s creation was declared “very good,” how can something suddenly be “not good”? Was there an error in creation? Was something left incomplete? The answer is no. God was neither surprised nor uninformed. In fact, Genesis 1:27 reveals that humanity—male and female—had already been conceived in His mind and purpose from the beginning: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”—Genesis 1:27 (ESV) So why does God, who is omniscient, speak as though He is just realizing Adam’s need? Theologically, this reveals a divine teaching method. God is not showing ignorance, but modeling humility and deliberation. He intentionally presents the situation in a way that invites reflection. He is teaching us that the willingness to acknowledge the need for improvement is not weakness—it is godliness. Too often we equate change or correction with failure. But in God’s nature, we see that embracing correction is a divine virtue. It is a gift that leads to greater completeness and maturity (Hebrews 12:10–11). If we live our lives with no desire to grow, no pursuit of deeper transformation, we are rejecting one of the core attributes of God: the love of continuous improvement. Now consider another striking example. When the wickedness of Sodom and Gomorrah reached its peak, God revealed His plan to Abraham. But notice how God approached the situation: “Then the Lord said, ‘Because the outcry against Sodom and Gomorrah is great and their sin is very grave,I will go down to see whether they have done altogether according to the outcry that has come to me. And if not, I will know.’”—Genesis 18:20–21 (ESV) Think about that. The all-knowing God says, “I will go down and see.” Why would God, who sees all and knows all (Hebrews 4:13), need to “go down” to verify something? Again, this is not an admission of uncertainty, but a display of divine patience, justice, and mercy. God models for us the importance of not making rash decisions based solely on reports or appearances. He does not act impulsively. He gives room for investigation, for mercy, and even for intercession—because within the doomed cities, there was still a righteous man: Lot. And because of this intentional delay and divine deliberation, Lot and his family were spared (Genesis 19:15–17). Had God rendered judgment immediately upon receiving the report—without pausing to “go down”—Lot would have perished along with the rest. This shows us that God’s justice is always measured, and His mercy is always active, even in judgment (2 Peter 2:7–9). What Should We Learn from This? Many of us ruin relationships, destroy reputations, and make damaging choices because we react too quickly to what we hear or see. We pass judgment the moment we receive information, without investigation, reflection, or prayer. For instance, if you hear that a friend or family member has spoken against you, don’t be quick to retaliate with anger or resentment. Even if the accusation is true, practice divine patience. Create space between the information and your response. Ask: What caused them to speak this way? Could I have played a role in their frustration? That kind of reflection opens the door for reconciliation, forgiveness, and intercession. The same principle applies in church matters. If you hear something troubling about your church or its leaders, don’t make hasty decisions like leaving the fellowship. First, bring it to God in prayer. Seek counsel from spiritual mentors. Remember, God shared His plan with Abraham—He invites us to process concerns in community, with wisdom and discernment (Proverbs 11:14). This applies equally to your workplace, family, or social circle. Even if the information is true, godliness calls for calm, discernment, and Spirit-led responses—not emotional reactions. Create room between what you hear and how you respond. Ask the Holy Spirit to guide you (John 16:13). You may find that what initially stirred your anger could become a path to healing, or that what seemed offensive could be an opportunity for growth. A Final Encouragement Make it a discipline to build “space” in your heart. Not everything that comes in needs an immediate reaction. It is better to process a hundred offenses and respond wisely to one, than to react to all and regret them later. If even the Lord chose not to act instantly on the reports He received, who are we to rush our judgments? “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”—James 1:19 (ESV) May the Lord give us the grace to imitate His patience, humility, and wisdom in all our decisions. Shalom.
What Does It Mean when Jesus say No one come to me unless the father enables them in (john 6:65) In biblical terms, being “granted” or “enabled“ refers to receiving divine empowerment to do something that a person cannot accomplish through natural effort or intellect. The Greek word used in John 6:65 for “enabled” is “δίδωμι” (didōmi) which means “to give, grant, bestow.” It implies that spiritual capacity is a gift, not a human achievement. 1. Salvation Is a Gift, Not a Human Decision John 6:65 (NIV):“He went on to say, ‘This is why I told you that no one can come to me unless the Father has enabled them.’” Jesus spoke these words after many of His disciples walked away due to His challenging teachings (John 6:60–66). He clarified that faith in Him is not merely a personal choice, but something that the Father must initiate and empower. This echoes: John 6:44 (NIV):“No one can come to me unless the Father who sent me draws them, and I will raise them up at the last day.” The word “draws” (Greek: helkō) implies an active pulling or attracting. Human beings, by nature, are spiritually dead (Ephesians 2:1), and only God can awaken the heart to seek Him (see also 1 Corinthians 2:14). Salvation, then, is by grace: Ephesians 2:8–9 (NIV):“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can boast.” 2. Spiritual Understanding Is Divinely Given Matthew 13:11 (NIV):“He replied, ‘Because the knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to them.’” Jesus distinguishes between general hearing and spiritual understanding. While many heard the parables, only the disciples received insight into their true meanings. The word “given” again shows this is not natural comprehension, but divine revelation. 1 Corinthians 2:14 (NIV):“The person without the Spirit does not accept the things that come from the Spirit of God but considers them foolishness…” Spiritual truths require the illumination of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13). That’s why theological education alone—without spiritual regeneration—can lead to head knowledge without transformation (Romans 12:2). If you understand God’s Word correctly, this is cause for humility and gratitude, not pride. 3. Ministry Is Empowered by God’s Strength 1 Peter 4:11 (NIV):“If anyone speaks, they should do so as one who speaks the very words of God. If anyone serves, they should do so with the strength God provides…” Here, the apostle Peter instructs all ministry to be spiritually sourced. No matter how gifted someone is, true ministry only bears fruit if it is done through God’s grace and power (see also Romans 12:6–8). The apostle Paul reinforces this: 2 Corinthians 3:5–6 (NIV):“Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God.” 4. Singleness for God’s Kingdom Is a Special Calling Matthew 19:11 (NIV):“Jesus replied, ‘Not everyone can accept this word, but only those to whom it has been given.’” Jesus was responding to the disciples’ reaction to His teaching on divorce. He affirmed that celibacy for God’s kingdom is not a command for all but a spiritual calling granted to some. Paul echoes this in: 1 Corinthians 7:7 (NIV):“I wish that all of you were as I am. But each of you has your own gift from God…” Remaining unmarried for the sake of undivided devotion to the Lord (1 Cor. 7:32–35) is a special gift—not a superior status but a specific calling for some believers. Final Reflection: Respond When God Speaks When you feel God stirring your heart—whether it’s through conviction, understanding, or desire to seek Him—don’t ignore it. That moment may be evidence of God’s grace drawing you. Hebrews 3:15 (NIV):“Today, if you hear his voice, do not harden your hearts.” Even people who witnessed miracles firsthand did not always respond: Pharaoh saw plagues but hardened his heart (Exodus 9:12). Judas Iscariot lived with Jesus for 3.5 years, yet betrayed Him (John 17:12). It’s not enough to be near spiritual things—you must respond to God’s grace when it is given. Call to Action: Obey the Gospel While You Can If God’s voice is moving within you today, respond immediately: Repent – Turn from sin (Acts 3:19). Be Baptized – In full water immersion, in the name of Jesus Christ (Acts 2:38). Receive the Holy Spirit – A promise for all who believe and obey (Acts 2:39). Salvation is not something we can initiate, but when God opens the door, we must walk through it. Prayer: May the Lord grant you grace to hear, believe, and obey His voice. May He not pass you by. May you be found ready when He calls. Shalom.