Spiritual Quote of the Day (St. Paul to Timothy, Praying for ‘All Those in Authority’)

“I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.”— 1 Timothy 2:1-2 (New International Version)

St. Paul had good reason to appeal to officeholders at all levels: to the extent that he was able to move about freely and preach to any extent, it was because, according to the Acts of the Apostles, he invoked at key moments his legal status as a Roman citizen as protection against the persecution already enveloping the early Christian community.

In the end he could not escape martyrdom, any more than modern Christians around the world are able to placate political authorities. Denunciations, harassment, and even death continue to await so many.

The 1612 image accompanying this post, Apostle St. Paul, was painted by the Spanish Renaissance painter, sculptor, and architect El Greco (1541-1614), and hangs in Museo del Greco, Toledo, Spain.

Spiritual Quote of the Day (St. Paul to Timothy, on Salvation)

“God our Savior…wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.”—1 Timothy 2: 3-4 (New International Version)

The 1612 image accompanying this post, Apostle St. Paul, was painted by the Spanish Renaissance painter, sculptor, and architect El Greco (1541-1614), and hangs in Museo del Greco, Toledo, Spain.

Spiritual Quote of the Day (St. Paul’s Epistle to Timothy, on What to Seek)

“Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, gentleness.”—1 Timothy 6:11. (New Revised Standard Version Catholic Edition)

(The 1612 image accompanying this post, Apostle St. Paul, was painted by El Greco, and hangs in Museo del Greco, Toledo, Spain.)

Quote of the Day (St. Paul, on Scripture’s Inspiration and Usefulness)

“Every scripture inspired of God is also profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for instruction which is in righteousness. That the man of God may be complete, furnished completely unto every good work.”—St. Paul, 2 Timothy 3: 16-17 (American Standard Version)

(The 1612 image accompanying this post, Apostle St. Paul, was painted by El Greco, and hangs in Museo del Greco, Toledo, Spain.)

Quote of the Day (Paul to Timothy, on What God Has Given Us)

“For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline.  Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for the gospel according to the power of God, who has saved us and called us with a holy calling, not according to our works, but according to His own purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from all eternity.”—2 Timothy 1: 7-9 (New American Standard Bible translation)

(Painting of St. Paul by El Greco)

Quote of the Day (St. Paul, Warning Against “The Uncertainty of Riches”)

“Instruct the wealthy of this age not to have a superior attitude, nor to hope in the uncertainty of riches, but in the living God, who offers us everything in abundance to enjoy, and to do good, to become rich in good works, to donate readily, to share, to gather for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may obtain true life.”—1 Timothy 6: 17-19