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2 Timothy 3 Danger Within during Difficult Times
χαλεπός – chalepos –
- perhaps from G5465 through the idea of reducing the strength; difficult, i.e. dangerous, or (by implication) furious:—fierce, perilous.
But Mark This:

The Apostle Paul continues in his second epistle to pastors, beginning a central section we label, 2 TIMOTHY 3, with a reminder of danger announced in the NIV, “But mark this: ..”

But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days.

2 Timothy 3:1 NIV

You should know this, Timothy, that in the last days there will be very difficult times.

2 Tim 3:1 NLT

This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come.

2 Tim 3:1 KJV

But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of stress.

2 Tim 3:1 RSV

The great enemy of God is not Nation or Ruler who turns upon God’s people from without, but the strong-speaking leader weakening the Lord’s elect from within.

Roger@TalkofJesus.com

Last Days and Difficult Times
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The last days — eschatos hēmera, difficult times — chalepos kairos... 
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We will not speculate (as do so many) when these last days were, are or will be. The emphasis of Paul’s added reminder is NOT the last days, but his long list of evidences found in the unfaithful, whether in the first century, the time of Moses or in the 21st century of this Common Era.

Further HEADINGS of this from various Bibles:
- A warning of what to expect – J.B. Phillips New Testament
- Godlessness in the Last Days – ESV
- The Tasks of a Man of God – New Catholic Bible
  - Repulse the Onslaughts of False Teachers – [sub-heading] NCB
AND in verse 2, Paul immediately gets to his long list of characteristics (or perhaps I should say, lack of character) against which the Apostle warns.

3:2 ἔσονται γὰρ οἱ ἄνθρωποι

For men [anthrōpos – lit. human beings, whether male or female] shall be…

2 Timothy 3:2 gar anthrōpos esomai – For men shall be

Familiar (yet Infrequent) Warnings to the Church

first, from their Greek words and the King James English translation,
1. philautos – lovers of their own selves
2. philargyros – covetous
3. alazōn – boasters
4. hyperēphanos – proud
5. blasphēmos – blasphemers
6. apeithēs goneus – disobedient to parents
7. acharistos – unthankful
8. anosios – unholy
9. astorgos – Without natural affection
10. aspondos – trucebreakers
11. diabolos – false accusers
12. akratēs – incontinent
13. anēmeros – fierce
14. aphilagathos – despisers of those that are good
15. prodotēs – traitors
16. propetēs – heady
17. typhoō – highminded
18. philēdonos mallon – lovers of pleasures more
19. ē philotheos – than lovers of God;
echō morphōsis eusebeia – Having a form of godliness,

de arneomai ho dynamis autos – but denying the power thereof:

2 Timothy 3:2-4,5a Transliterated – KJV – source BLB.org
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Paul urges Timothy not to accept soft faith threating the church like a ship in a storm.
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kai toutous apotrepō – from such turn away.

2 Timothy 3:1-5

A warning of what to expect

secondly, J.B. Phillips taking these oft-forgotten concepts directed into our more familiar English.

But you must realise that in the last days the times will be full of danger. Men will become

utterly self-centred, greedy for money, full of big words.

They will be proud and contemptuous,

without any regard for what their parents taught them.

They will be utterly lacking in gratitude, purity and normal human affections.

They will be men of unscrupulous speech and have no control of themselves.

They will be passionate and unprincipled, treacherous, self-willed and conceited, loving all the time what gives them pleasure instead of loving God.

They will maintain a facade of “religion”, but their conduct will deny its validity.

You must keep clear of people like this.

J.B. Phillips New Testament

Some English Synonyms and Scriptural Reminders

Considering a few descriptive adjectives:

Honestly, who doesn’t have some love of himself [philautos].. or love of money [philargyros] to pay our creditors?

But do you love me, Jesus asks a disciple?

Now the Pharisees, who were lovers G5366 of G5366 money G5366, were listening to all these things and were scoffing at Him [Jesus}.

Gospel of Luke 16;14
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You likely know the Old Testament command using this same word, covetous:
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Thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s house, thou shalt not covet thy neighbour’s wife, nor his manservant, nor his maidservant, nor his ox, nor his ass, nor any thing that is thy neighbour’s.

Exodus 20:17 KJV
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[hyperēphanos alazōn] Proud boasters WE know, not only in politics and business but in our own church. 
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God resisteth the proud, G5244 but giveth grace unto the humble.

Epistle of James 4:6

Blasphemers

Blasphemy is an even more serious offense, much neglected in this Common Era.
- scurrilous
  - once commonly descriptive of those known for vulgar, coarse, or abusive language, especially of a malicious or slanderous nature
- or (specially) impious (against God)
But he that shall blaspheme against the Holy Ghost hath never forgiveness, but is in danger of eternal damnation:

Gospel of Mark 3:29 KJV – a warning of Jesus

Disobedient to Parents
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Doesn't seem so serious, does it? 
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5:16 כַּבֵּד אֶת־אָבִיךָ וְאֶת־אִמֶּךָ

Honour thy father and thy mother, as the LORD thy God hath commanded thee

Deuteronomy 5:16a,b – Masoretic text, KJV

Commandment of the LORD and the Law of Israel.

If a man have a stubborn and rebellious son, which will not obey the voice of his father, or the voice of his mother, and that, when they have chastened him, will not hearken unto them: .. lay hold on him, and bring him out unto the elders of his city,.. And they shall say unto the elders of his city, This our son is stubborn and rebellious, he will not obey our voice.. And all the men of his city shall stone him with stones, that he die: so shalt thou put evil away from among you; and all Israel shall hear, and fear.

Deuteronomy 21:18-21 excerpt KJV

Unthankful, Unholy, ‘Unaffectionate’.. unChristian?

Every believer associates with christians who do NOT imitate Christ.
- Are YOU one of them at times?
- Do you lack affection or appear unholy to others?
Other hints of false teachers:
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We cannot cover the entire list.
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Incontinent.
- powerless, i.e. without self-control:—incontinent.
- Lacking sexual restraint; unchaste.
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Such sins (though known, even obvious to church leaders) remain veiled to the saints, until sudden revelation unveils that their witness for Christ always fell short of the Way and the Truth of JESUS. 
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Trucebreakers and Traitors.

These christians want to do ‘their own thing’ without public vow, or covenant.

AND they will not be convinced to refrain from such worldly things that malign Christ.

Judas wanted to follow Jesus his own way as long as the Lord led him as a conquering King of Israel.
- We can use that money for better things.
- Why should You sacrifice your Life for sinners?
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Do these descriptions point to some Judas influencing ideas behind a world-like vision of your church?
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διάβολος – diabolos

When you hear, ‘FALSE ACCUSERS’ on Paul’s list, you may not consider the weight of the Apostle’s adjective.

Recognize the ‘accuser of the brethren’ — diabolos.

[Simon Peter responds] And we believe and are sure that thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God.

Jesus answered them, Have not I chosen you twelve, and one of you is a devil? G1228

Gospel of John 6:69-70 KJV

Avoid such people!

YES, they may be prominent members, even Elders, leaders, priests or pastors in Christ’s church where you worship.

They will maintain the outward appearance of religion but will have repudiated its power. So avoid people like these.

2 Timothy 3:5 New English Translation

a Warning to single moms!
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No, you won't find that HEADING for 2 Timothy 3:6-7 in your Bible because the very concept is false teaching of a social gospel. 
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This danger to a first century Ephesian or Corinthian saint we might label: ‘a Warning to our Widows.’

For of this sort are those who creep into households and make captives of gullible women loaded down with sins, led away by various lusts,

always learning and never able to come to the knowledge of the truth.

2 Timothy 3:6-7 NKJV
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Those first century saints were vulnerable socially and economically moreso than 21st c. women who lead their husbands, initiate divorce amd refuse to be bound by vows of marriage. 
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Paul’s point: whether the man or woman claiming Christ, the danger is lusts.

Enemies to the Truth

The Apostle points back to Moses who also faced such opposition, as did Timothy.

John MacArthur in his commentary points out that although Exodus shows no record of Jannes and Jambres, that Paul may know of them from other Jewish writings and traditions.

Because Jannes perhaps means “he who seduces” and Jambres “he who makes rebellion,” those may have been symbolic names given to these men at a later time. Jewish tradition holds that they pretended to convert to Judaism in order to subvert Moses’ divine assignment to liberate Israel from Egypt, that they led in making and worshiping the golden calf while Moses was on Mt. Sinai receiving the Law from God, and that they were slaughtered by the Levites along with the other idolaters (see Ex. 32).

New Testament Commentary 2 Timothy, John MacArthur, p.120

The Apostle then assures the Church and Timothy:

But they won’t get away with this for long.

Someday everyone will recognize what fools they are, just as with Jannes and Jambres.

2 Timothy 3:9 NLT

NEXT: Standing Strong against Apostasy

Talk of JESUS . com

Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel
January 28, 2026
Who IS this KING OF THE JEWS nailed to a Roman Cross?
“Are you the king of the Jews? ” the governor asked him. Jesus answered, “You say so.”
— Matthew 27:11 (CSB)

Religion — Mingled with Politics – A.D. 30’s style
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You know the old expression about mixing religion and politics -- ('Don't do it' all warn. Yet in every century our religious and political leaders rely on it.) 
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Today, Good Friday 2025 of the Common Era, we will address both!

—The POLITICS of ROME mingling with the RELIGION of JEWISH rulers of first century Jerusalem.

First, ROME and the rule of Pilate, the Roman Governors, several Caesars and captive/cooperative kings. This of course would include several King Herod’s and various Governor Herod‘s.

The cooperative nature of the Roman peace made strange bedfellows, so to speak.

Although it all comes to its pinnacle in the trial of Jesus Christ, the politics of these Roman and faux-Jewish governors and subject-kings will continue to affect the Apostles and saints well beyond Jerusalem’s destruction by Rome just forty years from this pivotal day in history.

The Politics of Religion – Righteousness on Trial
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For MORE insight into the politics of first century Jerusalem take a look at the above post from September, A.D. 2020. - RH 
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The Governor’s Examination of the Jewish King Jesus

From Pilate’s early-morning awakening by Jerusalem’s Jewish officials it began like this (as reported by Matthew, Jesus’ Disciple who had himself had an official tax-collecting post for Rome).

After tying him [Jesus] up, they [the chief priests and elders of Jerusalem] led him away and handed him over to Pilate, the governor.

— Matthew 27:2 (CSB)

At this point Matthew reports nothing more of the examination of Jesus by Pilate.

Let’s look at the testimony of the other Gospels.

So Pilate asked him, “Are you the king of the Jews? ”

He answered him, “You say so.”

3 And the chief priests accused him of many things.

Pilate questioned him again, “Aren’t you going to answer? Look how many things they are accusing you of! ”

But Jesus still did not answer, and so Pilate was amazed.

–– Mark 15:2-5 (CSB)
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(The Gospels witness this mix of the Jewish false charges and the examination of the Governor in this brief early-morning balcony scene of sorts.) 
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Let’s move back a bit further in the transition of the actions which brought the accused King Jesus of the Jews before the Roman Governor.

Luke 23:

Then the whole company of them [the gathering of the Council] arose and brought him before Pilate. And they began to accuse him, saying,

“We found this man [Jesus] misleading our nation and forbidding us to give tribute to Caesar, and saying that he himself is Christ, a king.”

And Pilate asked him,

“Are you the King of the Jews?”

And he answered him, “You have said so.”

Then Pilate said to the chief priests and the crowds,

“I find no guilt in this man.”

But they were urgent, saying,

“He stirs up the people, teaching throughout all Judea, from Galilee even to this place.”

Gospel of Luke 23:1-5 ESV

Do you see the political manipulation here?

Can you see the contemptable REJECTION of Pilate’s authority by the same religious officials?

They falsely claimed that JESUS would not allow Jewish followers to pay a Roman tax to Caesar — a tax which of course funds the Roman Governor and legions overseeing this captive city of Jerusalem.

Therefore the next POLITICAL move of both the Governor and these Jewish religious officials is to send the case to a more mutually agreeable jurisdiction – that of the Roman-appointed King legitimately appointed by the Caesar’s from the ruling family of the Herod’s.

The King’s Examination of King Jesus
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We refer, of course, to political Judean King receiving Jesus, the Christ of the Jews! 
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(How volatile this judgment challenging who is king?)

And when he (the Roman Governor Pilate) learned that he [Jesus of Galilee] belonged to Herod’s jurisdiction, he sent him over to Herod, who was himself in Jerusalem at that time.

When Herod saw Jesus, he was very glad, for he had long desired to see him, because he had heard about him, and he was hoping to see some sign done by him. So he questioned him at some length, but he [Jesus] made no answer.

The chief priests and the scribes stood by, vehemently accusing him. And Herod with his soldiers treated him [the Jewish Christ or Messiah, Jesus] with contempt and mocked him. Then, arraying him in splendid clothing, he [King Herod] sent him [Christ Jesus] back to Pilate [the Roman Prefect/Governor].

And Herod and Pilate became friends with each other that very day, for before this they had been at enmity with each other.

Gospel of Luke 23:7-12 ESV
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Yes, 'strange bedfellows' indeed, but not so out of the ordinary for the great Herod's - Kings of the Jews!
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Friends, Romans and Jewish countrymen.. (let us make pax–shalom)..

Pilate then called together the chief priests and the rulers and the people, and said to them,

“You brought me this man as one who was misleading the people. And after examining him before you, behold, I did not find this man guilty of any of your charges against him.

Neither did Herod, for he sent him back to us.

Look, nothing deserving death has been done by him. I will therefore punish and release him.”

Luke 23:13-16 ESV

a political verdict and sentence

NOT Guilty .. but we will punish Him.

Jerusalem Evangelical Witnesses Political Action Committee –

JEWPAC
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Now don't get all bent out of shape over my fictional illustration of the San Hedren of A.D. first century Jerusalem -- religious leaders beholden to the politics of Rome. 

WE all know and recognize the function of Political Action Committees -- even 21st century C.E. Christian Evangelical PAC's 

-- they raise and spend MONEY to influence a political outcome desired by leaders holding the purse-strings of THE PEOPLE. 
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“What will you give me if I deliver him over to you?” And they paid him [Judas Iscariot] thirty pieces of silver.
Gospel of Matthew 26:15 ESV

Let’s take a quick look back to how the religious leaders of Jerusalem sought to bring Jesus to trial and the Cross.
- ἐγκαίνια – the Feast of Dedication
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instituted by Judas Maccabaeus [164 BC] in memory of the cleansing of the temple from the pollution of Antiochus Epiphanes 
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source

Jesus was walking in the temple, in the colonnade of Solomon. So the Jews gathered around him and said to him,

“How long will you keep us in suspense? If you are the Christ, tell us plainly.”

Jesus answered them, “I told you, and you do not believe…

“I and the Father are one.”

The Jews picked up stones again to stone him.,,

Again they sought to arrest him, but he escaped from their hands.

Gospel of John 10:22-39 ESV excerpt
- Jesus’ Parable of the Wicked Tenants
One day, as Jesus was teaching the people in the temple and preaching the gospel, the chief priests and the scribes with the elders came up..

“.. But when the tenants saw him, they said to themselves, ‘This is the heir. Let us kill him, so that the inheritance may be ours.’ ..”

The scribes and the chief priests sought to lay hands on him at that very hour, for they perceived that he had told this parable against them, but they feared the people. So they watched him and sent spies, who pretended to be sincere, that they might catch him in something he said, so as to deliver him up to the authority and jurisdiction of the governor.

Gospel of Luke 20 ESV excerpt

Buying Betrayal

Then Judas Iscariot, who was one of the twelve, went to the chief priests in order to betray him to them. And when they heard it, they were glad and promised to give him money. And he sought an opportunity to betray him.

Gospel of Mark 14:10-11 ESV

Later Bribery against Truth
- A man called Barabbas was in prison with the insurrectionists who had committed murder in the uprising.
  - Governor Pilate had already ordered crosses readied for Barabbas and two others,
- the chief priests stirred up the crowd to have Pilate release Barabbas
  - and to have Jesus executed
- the crowds gathered before Pilate’s house …
  - source
and they cried out—the whole multitude—saying, “Away with this One, and release Barabbas to us,” .. Pilate again then—wishing to release Jesus—called to them, but they were calling out, saying,

“Crucify! Crucify Him!”

Gospel o f Luke 23:18-21 Literal Standard Version
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Surly, a pre-meditated placement of party members loyal to its leaders pressing against true judgment -- shouting down all opposition in order to create a consensus of social truth opposed to the True Savior of Jew and gentile. 

These Chief Priests of Jerusalem had party leaders and blind sheep in their political pocket! 

No Jew would dare oppose the mammon of their political power and leadership.
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Buying the lies of status quo

AFTER Jesus burial and resurrection these same Political Action Committee-men would have to counter true witness of over five hundred men who knew that the Christ – Jesus of Nazareth – was no longer in the grave.

HE IS RISEN!

.. some of the guards went into the city and told the leading priests what had happened.

A meeting with the elders was called, and they decided to give the soldiers a large bribe. They told the soldiers,

“You must say, ‘Jesus’ disciples came during the night while we were sleeping, and they stole his body.’ If the governor [Pontius Pilate] hears about it, we’ll stand up for you so you won’t get in trouble.”

So the guards accepted the bribe and said what they were told to say.

Their story spread widely among the Jews, and they still tell it today.

[.. reports the Disciple Matthew Levi, who recorded his Gospel in Hebrew about 30 years later.

Matthew 28:11-15 NLT

Who IS this CHRIST JESUS –crucified for our sins and Risen?

What must we do?

TalkofJESUS.com
April 18, 2025
Matthias – Scripture fulfilled in Jerusalem – מַתַּתְיָה
Choosing Matthias

And they drew lots for them, and the lot fell to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.
Acts 1:26 NASB20

Matthias fills a position of an Apostle from off the bench (so to speak) as a substitute for Judas who had betrayed Christ and then took his own life. This new Twelfth Apostle gets little mention as we could readily move on to some of the more miraculous events of Acts. (Luke mentions Matthias only twice in these verses.)

What I missed before Peter’s great preaching at Solomon’s Portico in the Temple was the Apostle’s taking up the mantle of leadership of the Church in an upper room in Jerusalem.

Peter Preaching in the Upper Room

After Ten Days Peter finally Acts: Shepherding Christ’s Flock

Acts 1:

Acts of ALL with one accord

The Apostles & others have waited ten days after Jesus’ ascension.

And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples, and said, (the number of names together were about an hundred and twenty,)
Acts 1:15 KJV *Note: μαθητής – mathētēs translated as disciples in the KJV refers to learners of a teacher, not to be confused with Apostles; other versions translate as ἀδελφός adelphos–generally translated as brethren (in Christ)

Why replace Judas?

After a hundred disciples of Jesus returned to Jerusalem and waited together, we can suppose that the Holy Spirit reveals to Simon Peter why Judas must be replaced by a twelfth Apostle.

“Brothers, the Scripture had to be fulfilled, which the Holy Spirit foretold by the mouth of David concerning Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus. For he was counted among us and received his share in this ministry.”
Acts of the Apostles 1:16-17 NASB – Simon Peter preaching to the hundred in Jerusalem

What had David said that applied to Judas now, a thousand years later?

Peter preaches by the same Holy Spirit who inspired David of what is written in the Psalms.

.. the Holy Spirit through the mouth of David foretold about Judas, who became a guide to those who arrested Jesus.17 For he was one of our number and shared in this ministry.”

18 Now this man acquired a field with his unrighteous wages. He fell headfirst, his body burst open and his intestines spilled out. 19 This became known to all the residents of Jerusalem, so that in their own language that field is called Hakeldama (that is, “Field of Blood”). 20 “For it is written in the Book of Psalms:

Let his dwelling become desolate;
let no one live in it; and
Let someone else take his position.

Recalling Judas’ betrayal in the upper room and in Gethsemane

In his first account Luke records Judas’ betrayal of Jesus nearly two months prior to Peter anointing his replacement shortly after Christ’s ascension into heaven.

Luke 22:

Then entered Satan into Judas surnamed Iscariot, being of the number of the twelve..

“This cup, which is poured out for you, is the new covenant in My blood.

But behold, the hand of the one betraying Me is with Mine on the table. For indeed, the Son of Man is going as it has been determined; but woe to that man by whom He is betrayed!”
Gospel of Luke 22:21-22 – Jesus foretells His betrayal by Judas at the last supper

That fateful night two months past in Gethsemane

23 And they began to debate among themselves which one of them it was who was going to do this.

While he was still speaking, suddenly a mob came, and one of the Twelve named Judas was leading them. He came near Jesus to kiss him, but Jesus said to him, “Judas, are you betraying the Son of Man with a kiss?”

49 When those around him saw what was going to happen, they asked,

“Lord, should we strike with the sword?” Then one of them struck the high priest’s servant and cut off his right ear.

(We know that it was Peter who cut off the ear of Malchus.)

51 But Jesus responded, “No more of this!” And touching his ear, he healed him.

Preaching Scripture

Peter had learned well from Jesus the lessons of Scripture for three years.

During more than a month following Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection the Lord certainly must have instructed His disciples of the great significance of events recorded in the Bible (their Old Testament or Old Covenant).

Luke records Jesus’ routine of teaching in Jerusalem, which Peter and the Apostles most certainly would have followed during these first days of the Church.

Now [days] during the day [Jesus] He was teaching in the temple, but [nights] at evening He would go out and spend the night on the [hill] mountain that is called [Olive Grove] Olivet.
And all the people would get up very early in the morning to come to Him in the temple to listen to Him.
Gospel of Luke 21:37-38 NASB [incl. footnotes]

Did you miss this during all the times you have heard the gut-wrenching drama of Christ’s Passion during the Lord’s last week in Jerusalem?

I did.

And you may have even wondered about Jesus preaching about David in Psalm 110 from Luke 20.

Peter also points back to David and Psalms in his understanding of replacing Judas recorded by Luke in Acts.

Jesus and Judas, Like David’s enemy

Psalm 41:

All who hate me whisper together against me;
They plot my harm against me, saying,

“A wicked thing is poured out upon him,
So that when he lies down, he will not get up again.”

Even my close friend in whom I trusted,
Who ate my bread,
Has lifted up his heel against me.
Psalm 41:9 NASB

How Peter and the Eleven must have also suffered in failing to discern the betrayal of their fellow Apostle.

Psalm 69:

May their camp be desolated;
May there be none living in their tents.
For they have persecuted him whom You Yourself struck,
And they tell of the pain of those whom You have [pierced] wounded.
according to [lilies] Shoshannim. A Psalm of David. 69:25-26 NASB20

Psalm 109:

A Psalm of David.
God of my praise,
Do not be silent!

.. In return for my love they act as my accusers;
But I am in prayer.

So they have [laid upon me] repaid me evil for good,
And hatred for my love.

May his days be few;
May another take his office.
Psalm 109:8 NASB – quoted by Peter in Acts 1:20

Peter connects David’s Psalm to Judas

Acts 1:

14 They all were continually united in prayer..

Now Peter by the Holy Spirit speaks of replacing the Apostolic office of Jesus’ betrayer.

21 “Therefore, from among the men who have accompanied us during the whole time the Lord Jesus went in and out among us— beginning from the baptism of John until the day he was taken up from us—from among these, it is necessary that one become a witness with us of his resurrection.”

YES, during the three years of Jesus’ earthly ministry MANY disciples followed the Lord, believed His teaching and witnessed His acts of miraculous signs only possible through the Lord God.

So they proposed two: Joseph, called Barsabbas, who was also known as Justus, and Matthias.
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A helpful early church history linked below provides insight about casting lots used by the Apostles to choose Matthias over Joseph. 
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Matthias: an Apostle by Providence

“The lot is cast into the lap, but its every decision is from the Lord.”
Proverbs 16:33

It was crucial to the remaining 11 Apostles that the number 12 Jesus had chosen be completed again. They chose as candidates two equally qualified disciples, prayed, cast lots and Matthias was chosen.
Sandra Sweeny Silver – EARLY CHURCH HISTORY—LIFE IN ANCIENT ROME & THE EARLY CHRISTIANS – CASTING LOTS IN THE BIBLE

24 And they prayed and said,

“You, Lord, who know the hearts of all people, show which one of these two You have chosen to [take the place of] occupy this ministry and apostleship from which Judas turned aside to go to his own place.”

And they [gave] drew lots for them, and the lot fell [upon]to Matthias; and he was added to the eleven apostles.
Acts of the Apostles 1:26 NASB – the selection of Matthias as a twelfth Apostle

Matthias

Μαθθίας

Matthias = “gift of God” -the apostle elected to fill the place of the traitor Judas [Acts 1:23, 26]

– apparently a shortened form of G3161; Matthias (i.e. Mattithjah), an Israelite:—Matthias.
- Mattathias = “gift of Jehovah”
  - the son of Amos, in the genealogy of Christ
  - Mattathias was the son of Semei in the genealogy of Christ
LUKE records in his Gospel genealogy, beginning at 3:23

And Jesus himself began to be about thirty years of age, being (as was supposed) the son of Joseph, which was the son of Heli, which was the son of Matthat, which was the son of Levi.. which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Amos.. which was the son of Maath, which was the son of Mattathias, which was the son of Semei.. which was the son of Nathan, which was the son of David.. [ etc.. ] the son of Adam, which was the son of God.

Of Hebrew origin מַתַּתְיָה (H4993)
- Mattithiah = “gift of Jehovah”
- Mattithiah occurs in 8 verses in the KJV, always a son of the priestly line of the Levites.
Matthias – a post script

We do not read of Matthias again in Acts or the pastoral letters; but aren’t you wondering what awaited this important Apostolic ministry for this new twelfth Apostle?

Here is a reliable, little-spoken historical account (though not by Luke).

The Apostles in Jerusalem & all the world
- About two thousand Christians, with Nicanor, one of the seven deacons, suffered martyrdom during the “persecution that arose about Stephen.”
  - God-willing, we will read more about Steven in Acts 7.
- James the son of Zebedee was martyred about ten years later in A.D. 44.
  - As mentioned in my introduction to Acts, Luke had not yet recorded even his Gospel until about A.D. 60.
- Philip thrown into prison [in Phrygia] , and afterwards crucified, A.D. 54.
- The Apostle and Gospel-writer Matthew was slain with a halberd [a two-handed battle axe] in the city of Nadabah, [Ethiopia] A.D. 60.
- At the age of ninety-four [James the Less] was beat and stoned by the Jews; and finally had his brains dashed out with a fuller’s club.
Matthias
Of whom less is known than of most of the other disciples, was elected to fill the vacant place of Judas.

He was stoned at Jerusalem and then beheaded. *

SOURCE: FOX’s BOOK of MARTYRS
https://www.ccel.org/f/foxe/martyrs/fox101.htm
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* Other traditions claim that Matthias was martyred in Cappadocia [modern day Turkey]. 
-- St. Jerome and the early Christian writers Clement of Alexandria and Eusebius of Caesarea attest that Matthias was among the 72 disciples paired off and dispatched by Jesus. - Source: Britannica 

* OR Died	c. AD 80
Jerusalem, Judaea or in Colchis (modern-day Georgia) 
-- The tradition of the Greeks says that St. Matthias planted the faith about Cappadocia and on the coasts of the Caspian Sea, residing chiefly near the port Issus. Source: Wikipedia
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NEXT: The Acts of Pentecost
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To be continued...
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September 30, 2021