Mar
31
Matthew 1:18–21
18Now the birth of Jesus Christ was as follows: when His mother Mary had been betrothed to Joseph, before they came together she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. 19And Joseph her husband, being a righteous man and not wanting to disgrace her, planned to send her away secretly. 20But when he had considered this, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take Mary as your wife; for the Child who has been conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. 21“She will bear a Son; and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” Focused Thinking: What were the unique circumstances surrounding the birth of Jesus? 1:18—Mary was betrothed (engaged) to Joseph. 1:18—Before they came together (sexually) she was found to be with child by the Holy Spirit. How does Mary explain that one? How does Joseph believe that one? And Joseph her...
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30
Matthew 1:17
So all the generations from Abraham to David are fourteen generations; from David to the deportation to Babylon, fourteen generations; and from the deportation to Babylon to the Messiah, fourteen generations. Focused Thinking: The whole genealogy may be conveniently divided into three fourteens, each embracing one marked era, and each ending with a notable event, according to the Jewish annals. Such artificial aids to memory were familiar to the Jews, and much larger gaps than those here are found in some of the Old Testament genealogies. In Ezra 7:1–5 no fewer than six generations of the priesthood are omitted, as will appear by comparing it with 1 Chronicles 6:13–15. It should also be noted that the number fourteen had symbolic meaning to the Jews, for the numerical value of each of the Hebrew letters in David’s name equals fourteen. This shows the connection between David and Jesus. FYI…I would never learn this kind of stuff...
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29
Matthew 1:11–16
11Josiah became the father of Jeconiah and his brothers, at the time of the deportation to Babylon. Focused Thinking: Jeconiah was Josiah’s grandson, being the son of Jehoiakim, Josiah’s second son (1 Chron. 3:15); but Jehoiakim might well be dropped in such a catalogue because he was a mere puppet in the hands of the king of Egypt (2 Chron. 36:4). The “brethren” of Jechoniah here evidently means his uncles—the chief of whom, Mattaniah or Zedekiah, who came to the throne (2 Kings 24:17) is, in 2 Chronicles 36:10, as well as here, called “his brother” about the time they were carried away to Babylon (“of their migration,” for the Jews avoided the word “captivity” as too bitter a recollection, and Matthew studiously respects the national feelings). Personal Application: Again, I didn’t get much here except for historical background and a little insight into the Jewish perspective on their captivity in Babylon....
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28
Matthew 1:3–10
3Judah was the father of Perez and Zerah by Tamar, Perez was the father of Hezron, and Hezron the father of Ram. 4Ram was the father of Amminadab, Amminadab the father of Nahshon, and Nahshon the father of Salmon. 5Salmon was the father of Boaz by Rahab, Boaz was the father of Obed by Ruth, and Obed the father of Jesse. 6Jesse was the father of David the king. David was the father of Solomon by Bathsheba who had been the wife of Uriah. Focused Thinking: Four women are introduced; two of them clearly Gentiles by birth—Rahab and Ruth; and three of them with a blot on their names in the Old Testament—Tamar, Rahab and Bathsheba (Gen 38:24; Josh 2:1; 2 Sam 11:2–5). According to popular Jewish legend (repeated in the Talmud), Tamar was considered a Gentile, and Bathsheba, through marriage with Uriah, is linked with a Hittite. The Gentilic background for the Messiah is connected with God’s promise to Abraham that his seed would bless...
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27
Matthew 1:1
The record of the genealogy of Jesus the Messiah, the son of David, the son of Abraham: “Jesus” was the name given to our Lord at his circumcision (Lk 2:21). “Christ” was the proper name given by the angel to the shepherds (Lk 2:11). Used by the Lord Himself in Matthew 23:8 and Mark 9:41. Used by others near the end of his ministry in Matt 26:68 and Matt 27:17. “Jesus Christ” was used once by Jesus in John 17:3, but wasn’t used by others until after his ascension and the formation of churches in his name. Abraham’s family was the first prediction of the Messiah’s arrival (Gen 22:18). David’s family was the last prediction of Messiah arrival (2 Sam 7:12–16; Isa 9:6–7; Jer 23:5–6). To a Jewish reader these were the two great starting points of any true genealogy of the promised Messiah. From the nearest of those two fathers came that familiar name of the promised Messiah, “the son of David” (Lk 20:41),...
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26
Matthew intro research
Wiersbe’s Expository Outlines on the New Testament What are Matthew’s themes in chapter one? Matthew gives the human ancestry of Christ (1–17). Matthew describes the birth of Christ (18–25). Matthew describes Jesus as the “root and the offspring of David” (Rev 22:16). “The root” in that He is eternal God and brought David into being. The “offspring” in that His humanity is linked to David in His birth (Rom 1:1–4). What is the significance of Matthew giving the genealogy of Jesus? This genealogy is not a dull list of names. It is a record of the faithfulness of God in preserving the children of Abraham as the line through whom Christ could come into the world. Matthew’s genealogy is of Joseph, Jesus’ father in the eyes of the law. Luke gives Mary’s genealogy. Mary and Joseph were both descendants of David. What is the grace of God in this list of names? Mattnew 1:3—Tamar (Gen 38) Tamar was guilty...
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25
1 Timothy 5:17–22
17The elders who rule well are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching. 18For the Scripture says, “You shall not muzzle the ox while he is threshing,” and “The laborer is worthy of his wages.” 19Do not receive an accusation against an elder except on the basis of two or three witnesses. 20Those who continue in sin, rebuke in the presence of all, so that the rest also will be fearful of sinning. 21I solemnly charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of His chosen angels, to maintain these principles without bias, doing nothing in a spirit of partiality. 22Do not lay hands upon anyone too hastily and thereby share responsibility for the sins of others; keep yourself free from sin. Focused Thinking: What is the churches responsibility to pastors? 1 Corinthians 9:1–14 Deuteronomy 25:4 Luke 10:7 Elders who were faithful to do their work well should receive...
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24
1 Timothy 5:9–16
9A widow is to be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, 10having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints’ feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work. 11But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married, 12thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous pledge. 13At the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention. 14Therefore, I want younger widows to get married, bear children, keep house, and give the enemy no occasion for reproach; 15for some have already turned aside to follow Satan. 16If any woman who...
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23
1 Timothy 5:3–8
3Honor widows who are widows indeed; 4but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God. 5Now she who is a widow indeed and who has been left alone, has fixed her hope on God and continues in entreaties and prayers night and day. 6But she who gives herself to wanton pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7Prescribe these things as well, so that they may be above reproach. 8But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. Focused Thinking: What does the word “honor” mean in this context? The word “Honor” means, “to fix the value.” “Honorarium” means an amount paid for services. Acts 6; Acts 9:36–43; James 1:27 How does the church decide which widows are worthy of honor? Timothy...
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22
1 Timothy 5:1–2
1Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers, 2the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity. Focused Thinking: What is the context behind this statement, “Do not sharply rebuke an older man…”? Timothy is a younger man. Paul told Timothy in 4:12 not to let anyone look down on his youthfulness, but he wants Timothy to be wise. Timothy must correct men who are in error regardless of their age, but there is a wise way and an unwise way to do it. What is he recommending when he tells Timothy to appeal to him as a father? Fathers command respect. You must not disrespect your father, but that doesn’t mean you can’t disagree with your father. You must not disrespect your father, but that doesn’t mean you can’t correct your father. Again, he is simply telling Timothy that there is a wise and unwise way to rebuke people. He is telling...
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