The Skeptics Annotated Bible (952 page)

14 Whereunto he called you by our gospel, to the obtaining of the glory of our Lord Jesus Christ.

15 Therefore, brethren, stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught, whether by word, or our epistle.

16 Now our Lord Jesus Christ himself, and God, even our Father, which hath loved us, and hath given us everlasting consolation and good hope through grace,

17 Comfort your hearts, and stablish you in every good word and work.

3
Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:

2 And that we may be delivered from unreasonable and wicked men: for all men have not faith.

3 But the Lord is faithful, who shall stablish you, and keep you from evil.

4 And we have confidence in the Lord touching you, that ye both do and will do the things which we command you.

5 And the Lord direct your hearts into the love of God, and into the patient waiting for Christ.

6 Now we command you, brethren, in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, that ye
withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh
disorderly, and
not after the tradition which he received of us.

(3.6) “Withdraw yourselves from every brother that walketh … not after the tradition which he received of us.” Shun those that disagree with the views expressed in this epistle. (See also 3.14)

7 For yourselves know how ye ought to follow us: for we behaved not ourselves disorderly among you;

8 Neither did we eat any man’s bread for nought; but wrought with labour and travail night and day, that we might not be chargeable to any of you:

9 Not because we have not power, but to make ourselves an ensample unto you to follow us.

10 For even when we were with you, this we commanded you, that
if any would not work, neither should he eat.

(3.10) “If any would not work, neither should he eat.” Those who will not or cannot work should starve to death.

11 For we hear that there are some which walk among you disorderly, working not at all, but are busybodies.

12 Now them that are such we command and exhort by our Lord Jesus Christ, that with quietness they work, and eat their own bread.

13 But ye, brethren, be not weary in well doing.

14 And
if any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him
, that he may be ashamed.

(3.14) “If any man obey not our word by this epistle, note that man, and have no company with him.”

15 Yet count him not as an enemy, but admonish him as a brother.

16 Now
the Lord of peace
himself give you peace always by all means. The Lord be with you all.

(3.16) “The Lord of peace.”
99 Is God warlike or peaceful?

17 The salutation of Paul with mine own hand, which is the token in every epistle: so I write.

18 The grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen.

Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. —
1 Timothy 2.11-12

First Timothy is one of the post-Pauline Pastoral Epistles (the others are 2 Timothy and Titus). Though all three claim to have been written by Paul, they weren’t. They were written in the second century, long after Paul had died.

Still, First Timothy has important information for women, slaves, and dieters. Women are not allowed to have authority over men, must dress modestly and be silent in church (
2.11-12
). They can’t teach, braid their hair, or wear expensive clothes or jewelry (
2.9
). Every woman is inferior to every man in every way. But there is a bright side: they are saved in childbearing! (
2.13-15
)

Slaves must obey their masters; otherwise God is somehow blasphemed (
6.1
).

And for all you health freaks out there: Eat meat (
4.1-4
), don’t exercise (
4.8
), and stop drinking water. Drink wine instead. (
5.23
)

Here are the highlights:

• Ignore “fables and endless genealogies.” (Like
  Gen 10
  ,
  1 Chr 1-9
  ,
  Mt 1
  , and
  Lk 3
  )
  1.4
  
• Homosexuals are lawless, disobedient, unholy, and profane.
  1.10
  
• “Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.”
  1.20
  
• Women are to dress modestly, “with shamefacedness”—“not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array.”
  2.9
  
• “Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection. But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence.”
  2.11-12
  
• Men are superior to women since Adam was made before, and sinned after, Eve. But even though women are inferior to men, they shouldn’t be discouraged because they shall “be saved in childbearing.”
  2.13-15
  
• “In the latter times some shall depart from the faith” by becoming vegetarians.
  4.1-4
  
• “Bodily exercise profiteth little.”
  4.8
  
• Real widows are “desolate” and pray “night and day.” But those widows that experience pleasure are “dead while [they] live.”
  5.5-6
  
• You should help a widow only if she: is over 60 years old, had only one husband, has raised children, has lodged strangers, has “washed the saints’ feet,” has relieved the afflicted, and has “diligently followed very good work.” Otherwise, let them starve. “But the younger widows refuse [to help]: for … they will marry; having damnation.” Besides the young widows are always idle tattlers—“busybodies, spreading things which they ought not … Some are already turned aside after Satan.”
  5.9-15
  
• Publicly humiliate those who sin by announcing their sins in front of God and everybody so “that others may also fear.”
  5.20
  
• Stop drinking water. Drink wine for your stomach’s sake.
  5.23
  
• “Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honour, that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.”
  6.1
  
• “Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be … ready to distribute.”
  6.17-18
  
• Avoid science, especially that which disagrees with the Bible (“science falsely called”).
  6.20
  

1
Paul
, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope;

2
Unto Timothy
, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.

(1.1-2)
“Paul … Unto Timothy”
Although First Timothy claims to have been written by Paul, most scholars believe that it was written after his death.

3 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine,

4
Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies
, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.

(1.4)
“Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies.”
If we follow this advice we would ignore most of the Bible—especially the genealogies found in Gen 10, 1 Chr 1-9, Mt 1, and Lk 3.