The Skeptics Annotated Bible

by Wells, Steve

  2 TIMOTHY 4

  4 I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

  2 Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.

  3 For the time will come when they will not endure sound doctrine; but after their own lusts shall they heap to themselves teachers, having itching ears;

  4 And they shall turn away their ears from the truth, and shall be turned unto fables.

  5 But watch thou in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, make full proof of thy ministry.

  6 For I am now ready to be offered, and the time of my departure is at hand.

  7 I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith:

  8 Henceforth there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his appearing.

  9 Do thy diligence to come shortly unto me:

  10 For Demas hath forsaken me, having loved this present world, and is departed unto Thessalonica; Crescens to Galatia, Titus unto Dalmatia.

  11 Only Luke is with me. Take Mark, and bring him with thee: for he is profitable to me for the ministry.

  12 And Tychicus have I sent to Ephesus.

  13 The cloke that I left at Troas with Carpus, when thou comest, bring with thee, and the books, but especially the parchments.

  (4.14-15) God will “reward” Alexander for the “blasphemy” of disagreeing with “Paul”. (See 1 Tim 1.20 and 2 Tim 2.16-18)

  14 Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works:

  (4.14) “Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works.”

  15 Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.

  (4.15) “Of whom be thou ware also; for he hath greatly withstood our words.”

  16 At my first answer no man stood with me, but all men forsook me: I pray God that it may not be laid to their charge.

  17 Notwithstanding the Lord stood with me, and strengthened me; that by me the preaching might be fully known, and that all the Gentiles might hear: and I was delivered out of the mouth of the lion.

  18 And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto his heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever. Amen.

  19 Salute Prisca and Aquila, and the household of Onesiphorus.

  20 Erastus abode at Corinth: but Trophimus have I left at Miletum sick.

  21 Do thy diligence to come before winter. Eubulus greeteth thee, and Pudens, and Linus, and Claudia, and all the brethren.

  22 The Lord Jesus Christ be with thy spirit. Grace be with you. Amen.

  TITUS

  Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things. — Titus 2.9

  Although Titus claims to have been written by Paul, most scholars believe that it, along with the other Pastoral Epistles (1 and 2 Timothy), was written by someone else long after Paul’s death.

  There’s not much of interest here. But we do learn about liars (God can’t tell a lie, Jews and Cretans can’t tell the truth), Jewish fables and genealogies (disregard them), wives and slaves (must be obedient), and heretics (are condemned by God and should be avoided)

  Here are the highlights:

  God, like George Washington (but unlike the author of Titus who falsely claims to be Paul), cannot tell a lie. 1.2

  Jews are unruly liars “whose mouths must be stopped.” 1.10-11

  The people of Crete are “always liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.” 1.12

  Disregard “Jewish fables and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.” Like most of the Bible, maybe? 1.14

  “Teach the young women to be … obedient to their own husbands.” 2.4-5

  Slaves must obey their masters and “please them well in all things … showing all good fidelity.” 2.9-10

  “Avoid foolish … genealogies.” Like Gen 10, 1 Chr 1-9, and Lk 3? 3.9

  Heretics are to be rejected since they are subverted sinners who are condemned by God. 3.10-11

  TITUS 1

  (1.1-4) “Paul … to Titus” Although this epistle claims to have been written by Paul, most scholars believe that it was written pseudonymously after his death.

  1 Paul, a servant of God, and an apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the faith of God’s elect, and the acknowledging of the truth which is after godliness;

  2 In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began;

  (1.2) “God, that cannot lie” God, like George Washington (but unlike the author of Titus who falsely claims to be Paul), cannot tell a lie.

  139 Does God lie?

  3 But hath in due times manifested his word through preaching, which is committed unto me according to the commandment of God our Saviour;

  4 To Titus, mine own son after the common faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God the Father and the Lord Jesus Christ our Saviour.

  5 For this cause left I thee in Crete, that thou shouldest set in order the things that are wanting, and ordain elders in every city, as I had appointed thee:

  6 If any be blameless, the husband of one wife, having faithful children not accused of riot or unruly.

  (1.6) “The husband of one wife” A bishop should have only one wife. I guess it’s OK for laymen to have several.

  15 Did “Paul” change his mind about marriage?

  16 Is polygamy OK?

  7 For a bishop must be blameless, as the steward of God; not selfwilled, not soon angry, not given to wine, no striker, not given to filthy lucre;

  8 But a lover of hospitality, a lover of good men, sober, just, holy, temperate;

  (1.7-8) “A bishop must be … just.”

  33 Has the ever been a just person?

  9 Holding fast the faithful word as he hath been taught, that he may be able by sound doctrine both to exhort and to convince the gainsayers.

  10 For there are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision:

  11 Whose mouths must be stopped, who subvert whole houses, teaching things which they ought not, for filthy lucre’s sake.

  (1.10-11) “There are many unruly and vain talkers and deceivers, specially they of the circumcision: Whose mouths must be stopped.” Jews are unruly liars “whose mouths must be stopped.”

  12 One of themselves, even a prophet of their own, said, The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.

  (1.12) “The Cretians are alway liars, evil beasts, slow bellies.”

  13 This witness is true. Wherefore rebuke them sharply, that they may be sound in the faith;

  14 Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.

  (1.14) “Not giving heed to Jewish fables, and commandments” Disregard “Jewish fables and commandments of men, that turn from the truth.” Like most of the Bible, maybe?

  15 Unto the pure all things are pure: but unto them that are defiled and unbelieving is nothing pure; but even their mind and conscience is defiled.

  16 They profess that they know God; but in works they deny him, being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

  TITUS 2

  2 But speak thou the things which become sound doctrine:

  2 That the aged men be sober, grave, temperate, sound in faith, in charity, in patience.

  3 The aged women likewise, that they be in behaviour as becometh holiness, not false accusers, not given to much wine, teachers of good things;

  4 That they may teach the young women to be sober, to love their husbands, to love their children,

  5 To be discreet, chaste, keepers at home, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

  (2.4-5) “Teach the young women to be
… obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.”

  6 Young men likewise exhort to be sober minded.

  (2.6) “Young men … be sober minded.” I suppose it’s good for young men to be “sober minded.” But is it OK to have some fun now and then?

  7 In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works: in doctrine shewing uncorruptness, gravity, sincerity,

  (2.7) “In all things shewing thyself a pattern of good works … sincerity.”

  8 Sound speech, that cannot be condemned; that he that is of the contrary part may be ashamed, having no evil thing to say of you.

  9 Exhort servants to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again;

  10 Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity; that they may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour in all things.

  (2.9-10) “Exhort servants [slaves] to be obedient unto their own masters, and to please them well in all things; not answering again; Not purloining, but shewing all good fidelity.”

  336 Should we serve God alone?

  42 Does God approve of slavery?

  11 For the grace of God that bringeth salvation hath appeared to all men,

  (2.11) “The grace of God … hath appeared to all men.” At the time this statement was written, only a very small minority had seen or heard about Jesus. And still today there are those who have never heard his name.

  12 Teaching us that, denying ungodliness and worldly lusts, we should live soberly, righteously, and godly, in this present world;

  13 Looking for that blessed hope, and the glorious appearing of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ;

  (2.13) “The great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ”

  349 Is Jesus God?

  14 Who gave himself for us, that he might redeem us from all iniquity, and purify unto himself a peculiar people, zealous of good works.

  15 These things speak, and exhort, and rebuke with all authority. Let no man despise thee.

  TITUS 3

  (3.1-2) Do good works; be gentle toward others; avoid fighting or speaking unkindly about others.

  3 Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,

  (3.1) “Be ready to every good work.”

  2 To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.

  (3.2) “To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.”

  3 For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.

  4 But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,

  5 Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;

  (3.5) “Not by works … but … by the washing … of the Holy Ghost.” People aren’t saved by doing good things, but by the arbitrary decision of God. He decides who gets washed by the Holy Ghost and who doesn’t. Hasa diga eebowai.

  304 Is Salvation by faith alone?

  6 Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;

  7 That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.

  8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

  9 But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.

  (3.9) “Avoid foolish … genealogies.” Like Gen 10, 1 Chr 1-9, and Lk 3?

  (3.10-11) Heretics are to be rejected since they are subverted, sinners, and condemned by God.

  10 A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;

  (3.10) “A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject.”

  11 Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

  (3.11) “Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.”

  12 When I shall send Artemas unto thee, or Tychicus, be diligent to come unto me to Nicopolis: for I have determined there to winter.

  13 Bring Zenas the lawyer and Apollos on their journey diligently, that nothing be wanting unto them.

  14 And let our’s also learn to maintain good works for necessary uses, that they be not unfruitful.

  (3.14) “Maintain good works.”

  15 All that are with me salute thee. Greet them that love us in the faith. Grace be with you all. Amen.

  PHILEMON

  The bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother. — Philemon 7

  This short letter was written by Paul to his slave-owner friend and fellow believer, Philemon. Paul was writing about Onesimus, whom he had recently converted, and who happened to also be a runaway slave belonging to Philemon. Since Paul was in a position of authority among believers, this would have been a great opportunity for him (and God) to condemn slavery—if he (and God) had anything against it, that is. But apparently he didn’t. Instead he returned the slave to his owner without so much as a word against the institution of slavery.

  The only other thing of interest in this letter is the rather strange expression, “refresh my bowels in the Lord.” Okay, I know that Paul’s bowel trouble is just an artifact of the King James translation. But it sounds too funny to pass up.

  PHILEMON 1

  1 Paul, a prisoner of Jesus Christ, and Timothy our brother, unto Philemon our dearly beloved, and fellowlabourer, 2 And to our beloved Apphia, and Archippus our fellowsoldier, and to the church in thy house:

  3 Grace to you, and peace, from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

  4 I thank my God, making mention of thee always in my prayers,

  5 Hearing of thy love and faith, which thou hast toward the Lord Jesus, and toward all saints;

  6 That the communication of thy faith may become effectual by the acknowledging of every good thing which is in you in Christ Jesus.

  (7, 12, 20) Refreshing the bowels of the saints in the Lord

  7 For we have great joy and consolation in thy love, because the bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.

  (7) “The bowels of the saints are refreshed by thee, brother.”

  8 Wherefore, though I might be much bold in Christ to enjoin thee that which is convenient,

  9 Yet for love’s sake I rather beseech thee, being such an one as Paul the aged, and now also a prisoner of Jesus Christ.

  10 I beseech thee for my son Onesimus, whom I have begotten in my bonds:

  11 Which in time past was to thee unprofitable, but now profitable to thee and to me:

  12 Whom I have sent again: thou therefore receive him, that is, mine own bowels:

  (10-12a) “I beseech thee for my son Onesimus … Whom I have sent.” Paul returned the runaway slave, Onesimus, to his “rightful owner,” Philemon, asking him to receive him just as though he were Paul’s very “own bowels.” This was, of course, a great opportunity for Paul (and God) to condemn slavery—if he had anything against it, that is. But he didn’t. So he returned the slave to his owner without a word against the institution of slavery.

  42 Does God approve of slavery?

  (12b) “Receive him, that is, mine own bowels.”

  13 Whom I would have retained with me, that in thy stead he might have ministered unto me in the bonds of the gospel:

  14 But without thy mind would I do nothing; that thy benefit should not be as it were of necessity, but willingly.

  15 For perhaps he therefore departed for a season, that thou shouldest receive him for ever;

  16 Not now as a servant, but above a servant, a brother beloved, specially to me, but how much more unto t
hee, both in the flesh, and in the Lord?

  17 If thou count me therefore a partner, receive him as myself.

  18 If he hath wronged thee, or oweth thee ought, put that on mine account;

  19 I Paul have written it with mine own hand, I will repay it: albeit I do not say to thee how thou owest unto me even thine own self besides.

  20 Yea, brother, let me have joy of thee in the Lord: refresh my bowels in the Lord.

  (20) “Refresh my bowels in the Lord.”

  21 Having confidence in thy obedience I wrote unto thee, knowing that thou wilt also do more than I say.

  22 But withal prepare me also a lodging: for I trust that through your prayers I shall be given unto you.

  23 There salute thee Epaphras, my fellowprisoner in Christ Jesus;

  24 Marcus, Aristarchus, Demas, Lucas, my fellowlabourers.

  25 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.

  HEBREWS

  For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. — Hebrews 10.37

  Although the author of Hebrews never claims to be Paul (and wasn’t), he wanted people to think that he was (13.23). And it worked, which is why Hebrews is now part of the New Testament.

  I find the book tiresome to read, though there is some fun stuff in chapter 11. The author praises the most atrocious acts in the Hebrew Bible and credits them all to faith. If that’s what faith can do, it’s a good thing to stay away from.

  Here are the highlights:

  The author of Hebrews believed that he was living in the “last days.” 1.2, 9.26, 10.25, 10.37

  Every skeptic and nonbeliever has “an evil heart of unbelief.” 3.12

  It is impossible for fallen-away Christians to be saved. (Didn’t the author know about confession or the finality of being saved?) 6.4-6

  Apostates will burn in hell with all the other non-believers. 6.8

  Melchisedec had no father or mother. He was never born (he just appeared ready-made by God) and he never died. He’s still around somewhere. 7.3