Did Paul exhort Christians to study the Apocrypha?

[unworthyservant]

16 hours ago, farouk said:

Until the 19th century, the King James was usually printed with the Apocrypha. But of course the books are not canonical.

Correct. You speak of non-canonical, meaning not a part of the "canon" approved by modern churches. Actually the word canon wasn't even used in  context of religious scriptures, meaning a set of accepted or authoritative texts, until the late 18th century. The question wasn't if they were "canonical" or not (obviously they are not, thus the controversy). The question was did Paul urge Timothy (and by extension all Christians) to study them. In other words when Paul said "all scripture" did that mean the Apocrypha as well. Taking into account there was no "canon" in those days and that Paul was a Pharisee and the Pharisees were known to read the apocryphal books, it seems entirely possible.

[unworthyservant]

11 hours ago, Anne2 said:

So the Pharisees did not always deny the Greek scriptures

Interesting point about the disagreement between the Pharisees and the Essenes over the over the dating of Pentecost. That would make a great thread for a discussion in itself. You also note that the Pharisees did not always dent the Greek scriptures. I hold out that they didn't always and there's no evidence suggesting that they never denied them. Thus the question, did Paul exhort us to study them?

[Anne2]

2 hours ago, unworthyservant said:

Interesting point about the disagreement between the Pharisees and the Essenes over the over the dating of Pentecost. That would make a great thread for a discussion in itself. You also note that the Pharisees did not always dent the Greek scriptures. I hold out that they didn't always and there's no evidence suggesting that they never denied them. Thus the question, did Paul exhort us to study them?

I do not know. The Pharisees could be quite hypocritical. Use it to support themselves at one or two points, then deny them to support themselves at another. Can't tell

[farouk]

Some traditionalist Jews would look down upon the Greek Septuagint, preferring always the Hebrew text of the OT.

Interestingly, in the NT, the Lord Jesus Himself quoted the Septuagint.

[Anne2]

I always try to look at the Greek. The new testament is in Greek.

[irishbeast]

Interesting

 

All sciptres is likely the Law, Prophets, and Writings, possibly via the Septuagint, which included the Apocrypha.  Paul was familiar with these texts, but he never quotes the Apocrypha directly, focusing instead on scriptures pointing to Christ (Romans 15:4).

While early Christians, Catholics, and some Protestants valued the Apocrypha for instruction, their canonicity was debated, and most Protestants now exclude them, prioritising the Hebrew canon. Paul’s exhortation to study scripture doesn’t explicitly include the Apocrypha, so Protestants rejecting them aren’t necessarily missing his intent.

 

Still, they might overlook valuable historical and ethical insights from books like Sirach or 1 Maccabees. Ultimately, discernment and tradition guide their use, as scripture equips us for faith and good works.

[enoob57]

The best part of Scripture is God's Own seal of promise
2 Timothy 3:15 (KJV)

[15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

[16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

[17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

To generalize the statement, it is all we need in this place...

[Daniel Marsh]

good all,  I need to rest now. My wife is pulling out of my chair to rest.   I am still recovering from lung surgery,  https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSDXDywb7DOtYgilWIKMQU-xGp2WvS0h-FOog&shttps://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQqHVWd-ncIlsYeKZH06YnQOqeEpZwBW8ZT6A&shttps://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcROB3E0tfqwSN-pW5Lk91f1wlKH25s1DEXuAQ&shttps://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcRplTMNnIj4dPHDjQhnwFDOagWYoBKkVu4ukw&shttps://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSV4VPXSjGGw3y1PwzHB2T5pvh-VAd_x9HURQ&shttps://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQfIG4qWIk5-me4XLflZGBIo9K6O0NB6C97hQ&s

[Anne2]

On 4/11/2025 at 6:59 AM, enoob57 said:

The best part of Scripture is God's Own seal of promise
2 Timothy 3:15 (KJV)

[15] And that from a child thou hast known the holy scriptures, which are able to make thee wise unto salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.

[16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:

[17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.

To generalize the statement, it is all we need in this place...

 

Hmm, Timothy's father was Greek.

Acts 7:1 Then came he to Derbe and Lystra: and, behold, a certain disciple was there, named Timotheus, the son of a certain woman, which was a Jewess, and believed; but his father was a Greek:
2  Which was well reported of by the brethren that were at Lystra and Iconium.
3  Him would Paul have to go forth with him; and took and circumcised him because of the Jews which were in those quarters: for they knew all that his father was a Greek.
His Grendmother Greek name Grandmother lois

Origin, Meaning, And History Of Lois

Lois, traditionally a feminine name, is a gender-neutral name in modern times. The feminine variant is prevalent in English, where etymologists believe it originates from the Greek word “loion,” meaning ‘better’ or ‘more desirable.’

Historians believe the masculine variant to have Galician origins for Louis, which is the French form of Ludovicus and the Latinized form of the German name Ludwig. Ludwig is derived from the Germanic word “Hludwig,” symbolizing ‘famous in battle.’

His mother also a Greek name

Eunice

Greek

• According to 2 sources

Eunice, a popular female given name of Greek origin, derives from the Greek name ‘Eunike,’ which means ‘good victory.’ The name is composed of ‘eu,’ which means ‘good,’ and ‘nike,’ which means ‘victory.’ In the New Testament, Eunice is mentioned as Timothy’s mother.

Timothy's mother probably spoke Greek as well as Timothy. The Septuagint perhaps? It is possible.

He would have been an asset for Paul among Greek speaking people.

Acts 21:36  For the multitude of the people followed after, crying, Away with him.
37  And as Paul was to be led into the castle, he said unto the chief captain, May I speak unto thee? Who said, Canst thou speak Greek?
 

Never thought of that until now.

Wouldn't his Mother have been considered a Grecian Jewess? Perhaps also his Grandmother? Or Hellenists?

Edited May 4 by Anne2

[Anne2]

He had to be Greek speaking for this.....Absolutely!

Thessolonika Greek.

1 th 3:1  Wherefore when we could no longer forbear, we thought it good to be left at Athens alone;
2  And sent Timotheus, our brother, and minister of God, and our fellowlabourer in the gospel of Christ, to establish you, and to comfort you concerning your faith:
 

And we know the prejudice there was against Greek speaking Jew's

Ac 6:1  And in those days, when the number of the disciples was multiplied, there arose a murmuring of the Grecians against the Hebrews, because their widows were neglected in the daily ministration.

The rest of Apostles were unlearned  in the the Hebrew scriptures, let alone the Greek.

Ac 4:13  Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.
 

Edited May 4 by Anne2