“Consider what I say; and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.”
— 2 Timothy 2:7 (KJV)
This may be one of the most overlooked commands in the Bible.
Paul doesn’t say,
• Consider everyone’s teaching.
• Consider every religious tradition.
• Consider human philosophy.
He says:
“Consider what I say…”
Why?
Because the risen Lord entrusted Paul with a special revelation for the Church, the Body of Christ.
▪️WHY DID PAUL SAY THIS?
Some people think emphasizing Paul’s epistles somehow diminishes Jesus.
The opposite is true.
To consider what Paul says is to consider what the glorified Christ revealed through him.
Paul writes:
“For I speak to you Gentiles, inasmuch as I am the apostle of the Gentiles…”
Romans 11:13 (KJV)
If Christ Himself appointed Paul as the apostle of the Gentiles, then Paul’s message deserves our careful attention.
▪️PROPHECY VS MYSTERY
Throughout the Old Testament and the Gospels, God was carrying out His prophetic program concerning Israel.
But after Israel’s rejection of her Messiah, the glorified Christ revealed something that had been hidden.
The Mystery.
A new agency.
A new dispensation.
The Body of Christ.
That is why Paul says elsewhere:
“According to the dispensation of God which is given to me for you, to fulfil the word of God;”
Colossians 1:25 (KJV)
The revelation of the Mystery was committed to Paul.
Understanding that changes how we read the entire Bible.
▪️ISRAEL VS THE BODY OF CHRIST
When we fail to distinguish Israel from the Body of Christ, confusion follows.
Kingdom promises are applied to the Church.
Israel’s ordinances are imposed upon believers today.
Tribulation passages are used to undermine eternal security.
But when we consider what Paul says, the distinctions become clear.
God’s Word fits together beautifully.
▪️LAW VS GRACE
Paul teaches believers that we are:
• Not under the Law, but under Grace.
• Blessed with all spiritual blessings in Christ.
• Sealed unto the day of redemption.
• Complete in Christ.
These truths belong to the present Dispensation of Grace.
They are part of the revelation Christ gave to Paul for the Church today.
▪️THE GOSPEL FOR TODAY
The heart of Paul’s message is the Gospel of Grace.
“How that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures.”
1 Corinthians 15:3–4 (KJV)
This is the message God is reconciling the world through today.
Not by works.
Not by religious ceremonies.
Not by law-keeping.
But by faith in the finished work of Christ.
▪️THE LORD GIVES UNDERSTANDING
Notice the rest of the verse:
“…and the Lord give thee understanding in all things.”
Paul doesn’t tell Timothy to accept his words blindly.
He tells him to consider them.
As we thoughtfully study Paul’s writings in light of the whole Bible, the Lord gives understanding.
This is why Paul also instructs us:
“Study to shew thyself approved unto God… rightly dividing the word of truth.”
2 Timothy 2:15 (KJV)
Understanding comes through diligent study of God’s Word, rightly divided.
▪️THE BLESSED CONCLUSION
If you want to understand God’s will for the Church today…
Consider what Paul says.
If you want to understand Grace…
Consider what Paul says.
If you want to understand the Mystery…
Consider what Paul says.
Because the glorified Christ entrusted His revelation for this present dispensation to the apostle of the Gentiles.
Right division doesn’t exalt Paul above Christ.
It recognizes the ministry that Christ Himself gave to Paul for the Body of Christ.
Consider what Paul says.
The Lord will give you understanding.
