BIBLE STUDY -- PAUL USED HELPS?

BIBLE STUDY – PAUL USED HELPS?

Wednesday, September 16, 2015

1Corinthians 2:1-16 And I [Paul], brothers, when I came to you, did not come with excellency of speech or of wisdom, declaring to you the testimony of God. For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. And I was with you in weakness and in fear, and in much trembling. And my speech and my preaching was not with enticing words of man's wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power, so that your faith should not stand in the wisdom of men, but in the power of God. But, we speak wisdom among those who are perfect; yet not the wisdom of this world, nor of the rulers of this world, that come to nothing. But we speak the wisdom of God in a mystery, which God has hidden, predetermining it before the world for our glory; which none of the rulers of this world knew (for if they had known, they would not have crucified the Lord of glory). But as it is written, "Eye has not seen, nor ear heard," nor has it entered into the heart of man, "the things which God has prepared for those who love Him." But God has revealed them to us by His Spirit; for the Spirit searches all things, yea, the deep things of God. For who among men knows the things of a man except the spirit of man within him? So also no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God. But we have not received the spirit of the world, but the Spirit from God, so that we might know the things that are freely given to us by God. These things we also speak, not in words which man's wisdom teaches, but which the Holy Spirit teaches, comparing spiritual things with spiritual. But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; neither can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned. But he who is spiritual judges all things, yet he himself is judged by no one. For who has known the mind of the Lord, that he may instruct Him? But we have the mind of Christ.

2Timothy 2:1-2 [Paul wrote] Therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit the same to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.

Psalm 119:20; Matthew 23:24; Mark 1:5

  We now know Paul encouraged “Study earnestly to present yourself approved to God, a workman that does not need to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth. But shun profane, vain babblings, for they will increase to more ungodliness.” (2Tim.2:15-16)

  But in reading 2Timothy how many of us take note that he also wrote? “When you come, bring the cloak that I left at Troas with Carpus, and the books, especially the parchments.” (4:13)

  Is it assuming too much to suppose the books and parchments were not novels, crossword puzzles, sports magazines, but that they were books of OT Scripture, or possibly Bible study helps of some sort?    

  Considering the person and life-work of Paul (1Cor.2:2), in my opinion they may have included study helps.

  Considering that Paul was a Pharisee much learned in the Old Testament, possibly they were his own notes, diagramming, cross referencing?

  Knowing The Author, God, was just giving new testimony Word, could we consider the parchments may have included writings of some of Paul’s contemporaries?

  If study helps in whatever form, what does this say to those adamantly holding the position “I only read the Bible!”?  EBB4