2 Timothy 3:5 is an important verse that warns believers about having an appearance of godliness but denying its true power. To properly understand this verse, we need to examine the context and key phrases in detail. The Context of 2 Timothy 3:5 2 Timothy was written by the apostle Paul to his young protégé Timothy. In chapter 3, Paul describes the perilous times that will come in the last days. He gives a sobering list of all kinds of evil behaviors that people will engage in (2 Tim 3:1-5). This includes being lovers of self, lovers of money, boastful,…
Author: Aaron Chin
The Mosaic Law contained in the Old Testament lays out many dietary restrictions regarding the consumption of certain meats. One of the most well-known prohibitions was against eating pork or swine meat. Leviticus 11:7-8 states, “And the pig, though it has a divided hoof, does not chew the cud; it is unclean for you. You must not eat their meat or touch their carcasses; they are unclean for you.” This dietary restriction puzzled ancient Israelites, and it continues to perplex modern readers today. Why exactly did God prohibit His people from eating pork? There are several views on the reasons…
Mariolatry refers to the worship or veneration of Mary, the mother of Jesus Christ, as a goddess or deity. The term combines the name “Mary” with the Greek word latria meaning “worship.” Mariolatry is generally considered idolatrous and heretical by most Protestant denominations, who argue that worship should be directed to God alone. However, the Catholic and Orthodox churches encourage strong devotion to Mary, defending it as veneration and not idolatry. The issue of Mariolatry stems from disagreements over the appropriate role and status of Mary within Christianity. Critics argue that some Marian doctrines and devotional practices too closely resemble…
The use of musical instruments in church worship is a topic that often generates much debate among Christians. There are differing opinions on whether or not the Bible condones or condemns the use of instruments during corporate worship. While there are no direct prohibitions against using instruments in the New Testament, some believe the lack of mention indicates they should not be used. Others point to Old Testament references of instruments being commanded for use in temple worship as justification for their inclusion. There are good-faith arguments on both sides of this issue, and Christians have differed in practice throughout…
The conviction of sin refers to the work of the Holy Spirit in bringing awareness and understanding of one’s sin before God. It involves being convinced of the reality of sin, both individual sins and the sinful nature, and God’s judgment upon it. Conviction leads to repentance and faith in Christ for salvation. The Reality of Sin The Bible makes it clear that all people are sinners and fall short of God’s glory (Romans 3:23). Sin entered the world through Adam’s disobedience (Genesis 3) and spread to all mankind (Romans 5:12). The heart of man is inclined toward evil from…
The Sea of Galilee, also known as the Sea of Tiberias or Lake Gennesaret, is an important geographical location in the Bible, especially in the Gospels. Located in northern Israel, it was the center of Jesus Christ’s early ministry and where many of His disciples were fishermen. The Sea of Galilee is mentioned several times in the Old and New Testaments, underscoring its spiritual and historical significance. Here are 9 key points on the importance of the Sea of Galilee in the Bible: 1. Jesus grew up around the Sea of Galilee The Gospels mention that Jesus grew up in…
The Ten Commandments, which are outlined in Exodus 20 and Deuteronomy 5, are some of the most well-known and foundational laws in the Bible. They were given to Moses by God on Mount Sinai after the Israelites fled from slavery in Egypt. On the other hand, the forty-two principles of Ma’at were a collection of moral ideas that were a part of the religious tradition in ancient Egypt. Ma’at represented truth, balance, order, harmony, law, morality, and justice in ancient Egypt. While there are some broad similarities between the ethics emphasized in the Ten Commandments and the precepts of Ma’at,…
The Bible has a lot to say about the power of our words and the connection between the tongue and life and death. Several verses point to the incredible power that our speech carries, for both good and evil. Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.” (Proverbs 18:21 ESV) This is one of the most well-known verses about the power of the tongue. It tells us plainly that both life and death are contained in the words we speak. Our tongues have the power to speak…
The Genesis flood narrative found in chapters 6-9 of Genesis describes a worldwide flood that God sent to destroy all life on earth except for Noah, his family, and the animals aboard the ark he built. According to Genesis, God was grieved by mankind’s wickedness and decided to send a cataclysmic flood to wipe the earth clean and start over. This flood narrative is one of the most well-known stories in the Bible. Over the centuries, scholars have identified many ancient flood legends from cultures all around the world that have similarities to the Genesis account. Many of these legends…
The Bible does not give an exact date for the birth of Paul, also known as Saul of Tarsus. However, we can estimate the approximate time period based on some details provided in Scripture about Paul’s life and ministry. We know that Paul was active as a persecutor of the early Christian church prior to his dramatic conversion described in Acts 9. The stoning of Stephen, which Paul consented to, is generally dated around 34-35 AD (Acts 7:58-8:3). So Paul must have been old enough to be an active participant in the persecution of Christians at that time. Most scholars…