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Tag: Nero

I have finished my course – the Apostle Paul
The Apostle now closes his final letter to Timothy noting that his course redirected by Christ on a road to Damascus so many years before — his marathon race of missions into all the world — indeed even the end of the Apostle’s mortal life is at hand.

δρόμος – I am spent
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in the N. T. σπένδεσθαι, to be offered as a libation, is figuratively used of one whose blood is poured out in a violent death for the cause of God
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Paul, with Timothy about five years earlier, had written to the church in Philippi:

Do all things without grumbling or disputing, so that you will be blameless and innocent, children of God without blemish in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world, holding fast the word of life, so that in the day of Christ I will have reason to boast because I did not run in vain nor labor in vain.

But even if I am being poured G4689 out G4689 as G4689 a G4689 drink G4689 offering G4689 upon the sacrifice and service of your faith, I rejoice and share my joy with you all.

And you also, rejoice in the same way and share your joy with me.

Epistle of Paul and Timothy, slaves of Christ Jesus,

To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi 2:14-18 LSB

The Apostle had then sent Timothy and Epaphroditus to the church at Philippi.

~ A.D. 66

And now Paul again writes to Timothy:

ἐγὼ γὰρ ἤδη σπένδομαι καὶ ὁ καιρὸς τῆς ἀναλύσεώς μου ἐφέστηκεν

For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure has come.

2 Timothy 4:6 – Greek NT, LSB:

Although Paul was formerly housed in Rome for some time as a citizen having appealed to Caesar, the Apostle is now imprisoned with many others awaiting the whim of a merciless new Caesar Nero.

I have fought the good fight,
I have finished the race,
I have kept the faith.
Second Epistle of the Apostle Paul to Timothy 4:7 NKJV

I have fought the good fight

ἀγωνίζομαι – agōnizomai –
- to struggle, literally (to compete for a prize), figuratively (to contend with an adversary), or genitive case (to endeavor to accomplish something):—fight, labor fervently, strive.
That would be the Apostle Paul alright. Every saint of the church recognized his example which the Apostle expected them to follow, as they would Christ, who said:

“Strive G75 to enter through the narrow door, for many, I tell you, will seek to enter and will not be able.

Gospel of Luke (the physician who traveled with Paul who had written his Gospel while accompanying the Apostle) 13:24 LSB

Paul had written to the saints in Corinth [~A.D. 55] some ten years ago:

Now everyone who competes G75 in G75 the G75 games G75 exercises self-control in all things. They then do it to receive a corruptible crown, but we an incorruptible.

Therefore I run in such a way, as not without aim; I box in such a way, as not beating the air; but I discipline my body and make it my slave, so that, after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified.

1 Corinthians 9:25-27 LSB

I have finished the course

However, I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace.

Acts of the Apostles 20:24 NIV – Paul’s Farewell to the Ephesian Elders

Paul, since his conversion by Christ on the road to Damascus is, if nothing else, consistent in his persistence for the Gospel, even though the Apostle’s mortal life seems always in peril.

I have fought a good fight,
I have finished my course..
2 Timothy 4:7a KJV

τελέω – teleō – finish
- to bring to a close, to finish, to end
  - to do just as commanded, and generally involving the notion of time, to perform the last act which completes a process, to accomplish, fulfill
Luke recounts what Jesus had told the Twelve prior to His crucifixion:

“I came to bring fire on the earth, and how I wish it were already set ablaze! But I have a baptism to undergo, and how it consumes me until it is finished [or accomplished – teleō]!

Do you think that I came here to bring peace on the earth?

No, I tell you, but rather division.

Gospel of Luke 12:49-51 CSB

And in his second account Paul’s physician reports of Christ’s crucifixion, where the Lord Himself spoke, “It is finished,”

When they had carried out [teleō] all that had been written about him, they took him down from the tree and put him in a tomb. But God raised him from the dead, and he appeared for many days to those who came up with him from Galilee to Jerusalem, who are now his witnesses to the people.

Acts of the Apostles 13:29-31 CSB – from Paul’s Sermon in Antioch of Pisidia

I have kept the faith

What does that mean to you?

Do you have the Apostolic faith of Paul.. or Timothy?

Who can say, “I have kept my heart pure,

I am clean from my sin”?

Proverbs 20:9 LSB

“If you keep My commandments, you will abide in My love;

just as I have kept My Father’s commandments and abide in His love [agapē].

These things I have spoken to you so that My joy may be in you,

and that your joy may be G4137 complete G4137.

John 15:10 -11 LSB – JESUS

And PAUL personally addressed Timothy earlier in this second letter:

… I unceasingly remember you in my prayers night and day, longing to see you, having remembered your tears, so that I may be filled [plēroō ] with joy, receiving remembrance of the unhypocritical faith within you.

Second Epistle of Paul to Timothy 1:3b-5a LSB

At last the champion’s wreath

Paul finishes his final epistle:

Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day,

and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing.

2 Timothy 4:8 NKJV

NEXT: Paul’s last personal pleas

Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel
February 28, 2026
2 Peter 1 – Last Will and Testament of Simon Peter
For where there is a legal ‘will,’ there must also be a death brought forward in evidence—the death of him who made it.

Hebrews 9:16 Weymouth New Testament

In the year of our Lord, 54

The New and convincing Testament of the Apostle Peter

The Apostle writes his final testimony from Rome, providing convincing truth of Christ which many of us have sought as a new testament of good news.

Hearing now a second Epistle read in our church from Simon Peter, the saints consider assurance of their salvation.

Even the Jews will agree that Jesus had died some thirty years ago now. But among them many also maintained their faithful testimony of the Lord’s resurrection on the third day after Jesus’ crucifixion.

Furthermore hundreds of Jews, Gentiles and Romans alike had reported numerous appearances of the risen Christ Jesus during a time of forty days after the Cross and His burial in Jerusalem.

Jews see a fulfillment of prophetic Scripture and Greeks amazingly now seem included in a New Covenant as elect in the fellowship of the church — chosen and elect to eternal life by God the Father of all creation in the Sacrifice of His Only Son Jesus Christ for our sins.

And Peter has confirmed this!

Witnesses to Jesus Risen! – Simon Peter

The Last Will of Peter – Remember His Teaching

Simon Peter, a prisoner for the Gospel in Rome, has good reason to believe that this second epistle may be the Apostle’s last letter to the church.

Historical context of Peter’s Second Epistle
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Recent AD First Century Historical Events (all dates approximate)
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- ~ AD 30-33 – Resurrection of Jesus Christ witnessed by Simon Peter and the Apostles and more than 500 witnesses (some still living at the time of Peter’s two Epistles).
  - Peter & John jailed in Jerusalem for their testimony of Christ as the risen Messiah of Israel
- ~ AD 37 – Caligua Caesar declares himself a god
- ~ AD 40 Peter proclaims the Gospel to the Gentiles in Joppa and other towns
- ~AD 41-54 – Claudius Caesar rules the Roman Empire
- ~AD 44 – the Apostle James, brother of John also of Jesus’ inner circle, is martyred
- ~ AD 49 – Jews (including followers of “the Way”) expelled from Rome
- ~ AD 54-68 – Nero Caesar rules the Roman Empire
- AD 50’s – John Mark, a scribe to Peter who had previously accompanied Paul on his first missionary journey, writes his GOSPEL which is read in churches as testimony primarily of the Apostle Peter.
- ~ AD 60 – Paul is brought to Rome, placed under house arrest and later released.
- AD 60’s – The Apostle Matthew records his GOSPEL.
- AD 60’s – Luke, an esteemed gentile physician to Paul, records his GOSPEL followed by a second volume detailing the ACTS of the Apostles.
- ~AD 62 – James, leader of the Jerusalem church, author of his own epistle and half-brother of Jesus is martyred.
- AD 64 – Peter and Paul remain diligent in sending several epistles (from Rome)to the church
19 JULY, 64 AD – a great fire burns for six days, consuming many structures in Rome.

2 Peter 1:

Simeon Peter, a slave and apostle of Jesus Christ,

To those who have received the same kind of faith as ours, by the righteousness of our God and Savior, Jesus Christ:

Therefore, I will always be ready to remind you of these things, even though you already know them, and have been strengthened in the truth which is present with you.

I consider it right, as long as I am in this earthly dwelling, to stir you up by way of reminder, knowing that the laying aside of my earthly dwelling is imminent, as also our Lord Jesus Christ has indicated to me.

And I will also be diligent that at any time after my departure you will be able to call these things to mind.

2 Peter 1:12-15 LSB

meta emos exodos

.. ‘after my decease,’ translates the King James.

‘to have these things always in remembrance.’

v.15 KJV

What this Apostle of Christ Jesus is about to tell those chosen for eternal life reminds us of the Apostolic faith we must remember. Peter’s witness stands against those like the Caesar’s — Caligula and Nero — idolatrous men who declare that they have become gods.

Peter’s testament here In his second epistle stands firmly against a false gospel and philosophies seeping into the churches.

One false gospel seeking to undermine the Way and Truth will later claim to be a “Gospel of Peter,” introducing heresies opposed to the true faith of the Apostles.

So Peter reminds of of his unique witness of the Divine Jesus of Nazareth.

Peter’s Testimony of Christ’s Divine Nature

For we did not make known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, following cleverly devised myths,

but being eyewitnesses of His majesty.
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Peter testifies to his EYEWITNESS of the GOOD NEWS previously recorded in THREE GOSPELS.
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For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory:

“This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.”

2 Peyer 1:17 NKJV

and we ourselves heard this utterance made from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.

v. 18 LSB

Apostolic testimony or idios interpretation?

And so we have the prophetic word made more sure, to which you do well to pay attention as to a lamp shining in a dark place, until the day dawns and the morning star arises in your hearts.

2 Peter 1:19 NASB20

Know this first of all,
that no prophecy of Scripture comes by one’s own interpretation [idios epilysis].
2 Peter 1:20 LSB

For no prophecy was ever made by the will of man, but men being moved by the Holy Spirit spoke from God.

The Stage is set for the Debate of False Prophets

As I have pointed out from this current historical context of Peter’s second epistle to the Church, not only do Rome and local communities oppose the true gospel, but in fact, many Christians trained in Jewish culture have an agenda of their own to convert Christ’s church to more palatable heresies desired by many.

The Greeks and Romans did not care whether their gods really existed. They were myths and they knew they were myths.
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(May I interject that the same applies to Hindus, Buddhists, Universalists and many other compromising polytheistic or atheistic religions of this century.)
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[Referring to vs.16-18]

Peter was not ready to put off his mortal tent for a myth but for that which he had witnessed.

RC Sproul 1-2 Peter – An Expositional Commentary, p.203

NEXT: Accepting Apostolic Testimony OR Following False Prophets

Talk of JESUS . com

Comment on Scripture – Share the Gospel
November 7, 2025
Commandments of Relationships in the Church 1 Corinthians 7
The Apostle clearly states both his authoritative advice AND commandments from the risen Christ Jesus.

I say this to give you permission. It is not a command.

1 Corinthians 7:6 ICB

Commandments for Christians from the Lord

Now I give this command for the married people. (The command is not from me; it is from the Lord.)
A wife should not leave her husband.
1 Corinthians 7:10 International Children’s Bible

Paul previously has already conceded to those who are single, ‘..because of sexual immorality, let each man have his own wife, and let each woman have her own husband.’ – 1 Corinthians 7:2 NKJV
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The New King James Version HEADS this section of Paul's Epistle: Keep Your Marriage Vows
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NOW Paul must address how a corinthianized saint of Christ’s Church in Corinth ought to apply such commands of the Lord.

‘Do NOT be unequally yoked’ is good pre-marital advice from the Bible.

Roger@talkofJesus.com

– referring to Paul’s Second letter to the Corinthians 6:14

Divorce

A wife is not to depart from her husband. 11 But even if she does depart, let her remain unmarried or be reconciled to her husband.

And a husband is not to divorce his wife.

Let’s be clear on this command:
- For most of history ONLY the HUSBAND could sign a certificate of divorce.
- In this Common Era a WIFE is JUST AS LIKELY to sue her husband for divorce.
OR a ‘liberated‘ woman may simply leave (or evict) the husband of her vows, rather than seeking to reconcile their marital relationship as commandments of the Lord and scripture clearly state.

Any Exceptions or Advice?
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(In deference to our own vows before the Lord, sometimes the hardness of a heart is that of our spouse.)
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12 To the rest I say (I, not the Lord) that if any brother has a wife who is an unbeliever, and she consents to live with him, he should not divorce her.

13 If any woman has a husband who is an unbeliever, and he consents to live with her, she should not divorce him.

The Apostle also makes clear his desire for fidelity in marriage between a CHURCH MEMBER and an unbeliever.

Scripture is clear: DO NOT commit adultery applies to HUSBAND and WIFE alike.

What about the kids?

The husband who is not a believer is made holy through his believing wife.

And the wife who is not a believer is made holy through her believing husband.

If this were not true, then your children would not be clean. But now your children are holy.

1 Corinthians 7:14 International Children’s Bible

Sanctified, the King James Version instructs.
ἁγιάζω – Strong’s G37 – hagiazō – From ἅγιος (G40) the same word scripture uses for ‘Holy’ and for ‘saint,’ the name identifying members of Christ’s church.
- to separate from profane things and dedicate to God
- to purify by expiation: free from the guilt of sin
- to purify internally by renewing of the soul
MARRIAGE is HOLY, ITS TWO SAINTS ONE with each other and with CHRIST.
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The saints of the church are Christ's SANCTIFIED ones, yet are our christian MARRIAGES a HOLY witness of CHRIST?
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The Good News About Marriage also reveals the divorce rate among those active in their church is 27 to 50 percent lower than among non-churchgoers.

Jeff Feldhahn, husband of Shaunti Feldhahn, marriage researcher in 2019 CBN interview

Which spouse claiming to be christian while embracing adultery is NOT ACTIVE in worship in their local church?

So they divorce, often calling themselves, ‘single mom’ or ‘single dad,’ as if they had never been bound to any vow.

And they witness falsely to the world that they are ‘christians‘ (though in name only) who DIVORCE as FREELY and frequently as the rest of the world, those who vilify Christ our Lord, His Church and every Christian family.

but IF the ..

ἄπιστος apistos – (note some meaning from various translations)

[departs, insists on leaving, leaves, separates, wants a divorce],

χωρίζω chōrizō – let him depart

.. A brother or a sister is not under bondage in such cases: but God hath called us to peace.

1 Corinthians 7:15b KJV

ἄπιστος apistos
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And what does the Bible call this person breaking their vows of marriage by divorce?
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- unbelieving or unbeliever, KJV & NKJV
- the husband or wife who isn’t a believer, NLT
- unbelieving one, LSB
- unbelieving partner, AMP & RSV
- infidelis, VUL
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In fact, since 
they trouble Christ, 
divide the saints and
cast chaos into the world of witness in Jesus Christ, 
those church members who DIVORCE become anti-Christs in the eyes of the world.
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Let it be so. – 7:15b NIV

Concerning Change of Status

When this happens, the brother or sister in Christ is free. God called us to a life of peace. 16 Wives, maybe you will save your husband; and husbands, maybe you will save your wife. You do not know now what will happen later.

1 Corinthians 7:15c International Children’s Bible

This is the rule I lay down in all the churches.

Each of you should continue to live in whatever situation the Lord has placed you, and remain as you were when God first called you. This is my rule for all the churches.

1 Corinthians 7:17 New Living Translation
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Paul addresses the men - Jewish saints of the church as well as Greek or Roman converts to Judaism, now also saints adopted into Christ.
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Circumcision is nothing and uncircumcision is nothing. Keeping God’s commands is what counts. 20 Each person should remain [abide] in the situation they were in when God called them.
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This, of course, opens another relational question for women, as well as questions of status of Jews the circumcision, Greek Corinthians and Roman Corinthians, both the uncircumcision.
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Slaves – δοῦλος –doulos

Rome had slaves.
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(Most Bible translations prefer the less-offensive word, servants), but even employee labor is bought by your employer.) Some are slaves to their work. Others, slaves to
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Lose a war, as the Greeks had to the Romans, and your citizens become subject to a government over which you have no control. Jews, whether in Corinth or Jerusalem were also either Roman citizens, free aliens or slaves to a Roman, Greek or other master, their lord.

doulos
1. a slave
2. metaph., one who gives himself up to another’s will those whose service is used by Christ in extending and advancing his cause among men
3. devoted to another to the disregard of one’s own interests
For he who was called in the Lord as a bondservant is a freedman of the Lord.

Likewise he who was free when called is a bondservant of Christ.
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So note here Paul's all-important metaphor:
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You were bought with a price; do not become bondservants [doulos] of men.

So, brothers, [v.29 meaning ‘brothers and sisters’] in whatever condition each was called, there let him remain with God.

1 Corinthians 7:23 ESV

The Apostle uses ABIDE once again in v.23, his fourth of five times in 1 Corinthians 7.

Situation of the unmarried and widowed

25 Now I write about people who are not married. I have no command from the Lord about this, but I give my opinion. And I can be trusted, because the Lord has given me mercy.

Remedies for this present distress

I suppose therefore that this is good because of the present distress—
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Paul's advice is both personal AND circumstantial: to the single (virgins and unmarried men), engaged (betrothed), married, widowed (no longer bound to a spouse), divorced (once again single and unbound to another).
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- 27 Are you pledged to a woman?
  - Do not seek to be released.
- 28 Are you free from such a commitment?
  - Do not look for a wife.
- 28 But if you do marry, you have not sinned;
- and if a virgin marries, she has not sinned.
  - But those who marry will face many troubles in this life, and I want to spare you this.
    
    NIV
The time is short
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We do not have much time left. So starting now... 1 Corinthians 7:29b International Children's Bible
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What’s the historical context of which Paul speaks? (This seems somewhat prophetic, but certainly the handwriting on the wall is whispered in every province of the Empire.)

AD 55 – Six years ago Caesar Claudius had expelled some of the Jews from Rome. And now Nero has succeeded him as Emperor.
- ‘Nero Claudius Caesar Augustus was self-indulgent, cruel, and violent as well as a cross-dressing exhibitionist.’
- Nero planned his mother’s death with great care
- After Nero and [his second wife] argued late one night (Nero liked to stay out late), he supposedly kicked her in the stomach, killing both her and the unborn child.
  - READ more from our source
And, of course we know Nero’s evil reputation best from an incident about to take place in the burning of most of Rome just nine years from now [AD 64] and more malicious persecutions of Christ followers, including Paul, who viewed Nero as an anti-Christ.

The Apostle writes twice to the Corinthians during turbulent times.

..the time is short, so that from now on

even those who have wives should be as though they had none,
- those who weep as though they did not weep,
- those who rejoice as though they did not rejoice,
- those who buy as though they did not possess,
- and those who use this world as not misusing it.
For the form of this world is passing away.

Paul’s first Epistle to the Corinthians 7:29-31 NKJV

Free from earthly cares
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Again, a list from Paul confirming motivations of men and women in their relationships - freedom apart from the commandments of the Law and rules concerning marriage.
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A wife is bound by law as long as her husband lives;
1 Corinthians 1:39a NKJV
- The unmarried man is concerned about the work of the Lord, how he can please the Lord. – 1 Cor 7:32b BSB
  - But the married man is concerned about the affairs of this world, how he can please his wife, – v.33
- The unmarried woman careth for the things of the Lord, that she may be holy both in body and in spirit:
  - but she that is married careth for the things of the world, how she may please her husband. – v. 34b KJV
cautions for your profit and not restraint

to promote propriety and undistracted devotion to the Lord.

If anyone thinks that he is not behaving properly toward his betrothed, if his passions are strong, and it has to be, let him do as he wishes: let them marry—it is no sin. – v.36 ESV

But if he has decided firmly not to marry and there is no urgency and he can control his passion, he does well not to marry. – v.37 NLT

So then, he who marries the virgin does right, but he who does not marry her does better.

1 Corinthians 7:38 NIV – Paul’s advice for uncertain times

.. but if her husband dies, she is at liberty to be married to whom she wishes, only in the Lord.

1 Corinthians 7:39b NKJV
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Once again, from the KJV, Paul's fatherly Apostolic opinion:
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40 But she is happier if she so abide, after my judgment: and I think also that I have the Spirit of God.

NEXT: a Corinthian Culinary Conscience
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