1 Timothy 6:11-21

¹¹But you, man of God, flee from all this, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance and gentleness.

In verse 1 Paul is talking to Timothy when he states ‘But you, man of God’. Continuing from the previous passage Paul is urging Timothy to flee from the love of money and the troubles that money brings, but rather to pursue things pertaining to the truth that will build up treasures in heaven such as: righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.

¹²Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called when you made your good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

Despite opposition within the church and people who are rising to be false teachers or ‘wolves in sheep’s clothing’ Paul advices Timothy to fight the good fight of the faith, which is in Christ, to keep himself pure. He encourages him to be strong by holding on to the promise of eternal life when he became a christian. In the same way we can take advice from our elders in the church when we are waging war with those that go against the truth.

Proverbs 20:18 “Make plans by seeking advice; if you wage war, obtain guidance.”

2 timothy 4:1-8 “In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who will judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I give you this charge: Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—with great patience and careful instruction. For the time will come when men will not put up with sound doctrine. Instead, to suit their own desires, they will gather around them a great number of teachers to say what their itching ears want to hear. They will turn their ears away from the truth and turn aside to myths. But you, keep your head in all situations, endure hardship, do the work of an evangelist, discharge all the duties of your ministry. For I am already being poured out like a drink offering, and the time has come for my departure. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day—and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”

¹³In the sight of God, who gives life to everything, and of Christ Jesus, who while testifying before Pontius Pilate made the good confession, I charge you ¹⁴to keep this command without spot or blame until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, ¹⁵which God will bring about in his own time—God, the blessed and only Ruler, the King of kings and Lord of lords, ¹⁶who alone is immortal and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see. To him be honor and might forever. Amen.

Paul charges Timothy to keep his faith by always being prepared in the eyes of God so that when Jesus comes again he will be counted worthy before him. He mentions the characteristics of God, only Ruler, King of all kings, Lord of all lords, so that Timothy is reminded and fully aware that it is God who is the ultimate one whom he will give account to when the day comes that he will appear again, even though there are many rulers, many kings, many lords, that Timothy may have to account to, it is God who is above all else.

¹⁷Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. ¹⁸Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. ¹⁹In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

In the previous passage Paul mentions the love of money and the dangers that come from such greed, however in verse 17 we find Paul talking about those who happen to be rich in wealth and how to minister to them. He mentions that it is God who gives and provides them with all things they need, so not to put their hopes in money even though they have money. Instead they are to be rich in deed, generosity, and willingness to share with others.

A good example of this application is Acts 4:32-35 “All the believers were one in heart and mind. No one claimed that any of his possessions was his own, but they shared everything they had. With great power the apostles continued to testify to the resurrection of the Lord Jesus, and much grace was upon them all. There were no needy persons among them. For from time to time those who owned lands or houses sold them, brought the money from the sales and put it at the apostles’ feet, and it was distributed to anyone as he had need.”

²⁰Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to your care. Turn away from godless chatter and the opposing ideas of what is falsely called knowledge, ²¹which some have professed and in so doing have wandered from the faith.
Grace be with you.

Timothy was chosen to care for the church in Ephesus after Paul had left. He was chosen to lead and minister to the people in the church, as well as appoint other leaders. Here Paul tells Timothy to turn away from false knowledge causing some to wander from the true faith. This brings us back to the beginning of this letter to Timothy in 1 Timothy 1:5-7 “The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.”

2 timothy 2:14-19 “Keep reminding them of these things. Warn them before God against quarreling about words; it is of no value, and only ruins those who listen. Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth. Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

Filed under: 1 Timothy, 1 Timothy, 1 timothy 6, Bible study, God, Jesus, New Testament, Paul, timothy

1 Timothy 6:3-10

³If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, ⁴he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions ⁵and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.

Continuing from Paul’s last passage here he discusses those who teach false doctrines and the characteristics of those type of people, and lastly the fruit of their words. Similarly in Matthew 7:12-20 Jesus makes this statement about false prophets “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.”

One of the biggest concerns Paul had for the church of Ephesus were those that were wolves in sheep’s clothing as can be read in Acts 20-29-31 “I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.“

The characteristics:

• Conceited
  
• Understands nothing
• Unhealthy interest in controversies
• Quarrels about words

The fruit:

• Envy
• Strife
• Malicious talk
• Evil suspicions
• Constant friction between men of corrupt mind (think godliness is a means to financial gain)

⁶But godliness with contentment is great gain. ⁷For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. ⁸But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that.

In regards to money, Paul states here that being godly and content with what you have is great gain as opposed to thinking that godliness is a way for you to get more and more money. Those who think that being godly is a means for financial gain have a corrupt mind.

Luke 12:33 “Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will not be exhausted, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys.”

Acts 3:4-6 “Peter looked straight at him, as did John. Then Peter said, “Look at us!” So the man gave them his attention, expecting to get something from them.  Then Peter said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I have I give you. In the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.”

Acts 8:20-23 “Peter answered: “May your money perish with you, because you thought you could buy the gift of God with money! You have no part or share in this ministry, because your heart is not right before God. Repent of this wickedness and pray to the Lord. Perhaps he will forgive you for having such a thought in your heart. For I see that you are full of bitterness and captive to sin”

⁹People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. ¹⁰For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

The love of money as Paul states here is the root of all different kinds of evil, and people who want to get rich fall into temptation, which ends up being their destruction. When the person who wants to get rich, attains such wealth, more problems and evil desires, discontentment with what they have, and greed happen.

This is contrary to what Jesus teaches recorded in Acts 20:35 “In everything I did, I showed you that by this kind of hard work we must help the weak, remembering the words the Lord Jesus himself said: ‘It is more blessed to give than to receive.’ “

Luke 18 :22 “You still lack one thing. Sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven.”

Filed under: 1 Timothy, 1 Timothy, Bible study, God, Jesus, New Testament, Paul, timothy

1 Timothy 5:1- 6:2

¹Do not rebuke an older man harshly, but exhort him as if he were your father. Treat younger men as brothers, ²older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.

Paul is speaking to Timothy who he left in charge to oversee the church of Ephesus. Here in verse 1 Paul gives Timothy instructions on how he is to treat and communicate with people of varying ages. Because Timothy was young and Paul had mentioned to him in the previous passage not to let people look down upon him because of his age but to set an example, it appears that here Paul is advising him on how to deal with such people. For older men he should speak to them as if he were his father. For younger men (especially his age) as his own brothers, and likewise with the women.

³Give proper recognition to those widows who are really in need. ⁴But if a widow has children or grandchildren, these should learn first of all to put their religion into practice by caring for their own family and so repaying their parents and grandparents, for this is pleasing to God. ⁵The widow who is really in need and left all alone puts her hope in God and continues night and day to pray and to ask God for help. ⁶But the widow who lives for pleasure is dead even while she lives. ⁷Give the people these instructions, too, so that no one may be open to blame. ⁸If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

In these verses Paul identifies with the widows of the church. He gives Timothy instructions on the order in which the church should care for widows so that the congregation can function in harmony. He states that family members of a widow should be first taken care of so that the widows who are without immediate family have their needs attended to. Paul is teaching Timothy how to prioritize tasks so that all people involved are cared for and no one is left out.

Exodus 22: 22-24 “Do not take advantage of a widow or an orphan.  If you do and they cry out to me, I will certainly hear their cry.  My anger will be aroused, and I will kill you with the sword; your wives will become widows and your children fatherless.”

In verse 5 Paul describes the widow in whom the church should prioritize to help. This is the widow that spends time with God day and night. As opposed to the widow mentioned in verse 6 who thinks that because of their old age they can spend their time in pleasurable activity without any regard for doing God’s will. Timothy is instructed to tell the church about this so that no one will be open to blame.

1 John 3:17 “If anyone has material possessions and sees his brother in need but has no pity on him, how can the love of God be in him?”

⁹No widow may be put on the list of widows unless she is over sixty, has been faithful to her husband, ¹⁰and is well known for her good deeds, such as bringing up children, showing hospitality, washing the feet of the saints, helping those in trouble and devoting herself to all kinds of good deeds.

Apparently to be considered a widow the woman must have fulfilled certain criteria. If she fulfilled those things as mentioned then she may be put on the list of widows in whom the church would then offer support. In this way not everyone could just assume assistance from the church but only those who really needed it. Not only this but this particular widow is now devoting herself to God’s will and has no intention to re-marry.

¹¹As for younger widows, do not put them on such a list. For when their sensual desires overcome their dedication to Christ, they want to marry. ¹²Thus they bring judgment on themselves, because they have broken their first pledge. ¹³Besides, they get into the habit of being idle and going about from house to house. And not only do they become idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying things they ought not to. ¹⁴So I counsel younger widows to marry, to have children, to manage their homes and to give the enemy no opportunity for slander. ¹⁵Some have in fact already turned away to follow Satan.

Continuing Paul then mentions that younger women who are widowed should re-marry as it would be better for them to re-marry than to be single and still have many years ahead in which their sensual desires would arise. It is also good for them so that they won’t be idle and gossipers. This is why Paul mentions that some have turned to follow Satan, because some have turned to being idle, gossipers, and women of pleasure.

¹⁶If any woman who is a believer has widows in her family, she should help them and not let the church be burdened with them, so that the church can help those widows who are really in need.

Paul gives this instructions to family members as mentioned above so that the church can prioritize the list of widows and whom the church can offer support.

¹⁷The elders who direct the affairs of the church well are worthy of double honor, especially those whose work is preaching and teaching. ¹⁸For the Scripture says, “Do not muzzle the ox while it is treading out the grain,” and “The worker deserves his wages.” ¹⁹Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses. ²⁰Those who sin are to be rebuked publicly, so that the others may take warning.

In these several verses Paul is speaking about elders (not in age, but elders as in leaders and overseers of the congregation).  Here Paul is saying that the elders are worthy to be paid their wages. Because of all the work that they do for the church “treading out the grain” they should and are entitled to receive a blessing in return for blessing others “do not muzzle the ox” or don’t deny the elders of such blessings. However an elder can turn down the payments in order to help the church better.

1 Corinthians 9:7-12 “Who serves as a soldier at his own expense? Who plants a vineyard and does not eat of its grapes? Who tends a flock and does not drink of the milk? Do I say this merely from a human point of view? Doesn’t the Law say the same thing? For it is written in the Law of Moses: “Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain.” Is it about oxen that God is concerned? Surely he says this for us, doesn’t he? Yes, this was written for us, because when the plowman plows and the thresher threshes, they ought to do so in the hope of sharing in the harvest. If we have sown spiritual seed among you, is it too much if we reap a material harvest from you? If others have this right of support from you, shouldn’t we have it all the more?”

In regards to accusations against elders Deuteronomy also states in Deuteronomy 19:15 “One witness is not enough to convict a man accused of any crime or offense he may have committed. A matter must be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.” The result for elders that have sinned is to be rebuked amongst other believers so that all may see the result of sin and the effect on the church. This will help the rest of the church by taking warning, and also to ensure elders take special care at keeping themselves pure.

²¹I charge you, in the sight of God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels, to keep these instructions without partiality, and to do nothing out of favoritism.

God is watching. Basically the one who oversees the overseers, leaders, and elders of the church is God the Father, Jesus Christ, and even the elect angels, so Paul gives charge to Timothy to keep the instructions regarding elders knowing that it isn’t the men of the church in which he and other elders are trying to please but it is God who watches over them.

²²Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, and do not share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure.

Paul is telling Timothy not to allow just anyone in roles of leadership as some still keep sins that need to be repented of before they can do ministry. If they allowed them hastily then they would share in their sins and Paul is urging Timothy to remain pure.

²³Stop drinking only water, and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

Here Paul goes a little left field to what he was talking about with elders and encourages Timothy to not just drink water (which Timothy would have done to avoid drunkenness) but to use a little wine as a medicine for his stomach illnesses.

²⁴The sins of some men are obvious, reaching the place of judgment ahead of them; the sins of others trail behind them. ²⁵In the same way, good deeds are obvious, and even those that are not cannot be hidden.

Then Paul comes back to his discussion about elders by continuing with his instructions on selecting appropriate elders for the church. The sins of some are obvious while others aren’t, so Timothy should evaluate each person. In the same way he will be able to distinguish the good deeds done by men who are worthy to lead.

^6:1All who are under the yoke of slavery should consider their masters worthy of full respect, so that God’s name and our teaching may not be slandered. ²Those who have believing masters are not to show less respect for them because they are brothers. Instead, they are to serve them even better, because those who benefit from their service are believers, and dear to them. These are the things you are to teach and urge on them.

Lastly Paul addresses those who are slaves who have come to the faith, that they should continue to serve and do good things for their masters and not take their freedom in Christ lightly so as to show less respect to their masters because they are now brothers in Christ. Paul encourages that they love them by doing good deeds.

Filed under: 1 Timothy, 1 Timothy, Bible study, God, Jesus, New Testament, Paul, timothy

1 Timothy 4:1-16

¹The Spirit clearly says that in later times some will abandon the faith and follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons. ²Such teachings come through hypocritical liars, whose consciences have been seared as with a hot iron.

Paul writes to Timothy on certain particulars on instruction to the church of Ephesus. In verse 1 Paul gives Timothy a prophetic word that in later times (future events) some people will abandon their faith in Christ that they had once received and follow spirits that deceive them. In turn they will follow false teachings of demons that are made present through teachers that are hypocritical liars. It is evident that these things will occur as Paul affirms it in the Spirit.

³They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and who know the truth. ⁴For everything God created is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, ⁵because it is consecrated by the word of God and prayer.

To continue Paul mentions a couple of false teachings that will appear such as forbidding marriage and abstaining from certain food. These teachings contradict God’s word in such scriptures as:

Genesis 2:24 “For this reason a man will leave his father and mother and be united to his wife, and they will become one flesh.”

Hebrews 13:4 “Marriage should be honored by all, and the marriage bed kept pure, for God will judge the adulterer and all the sexually immoral.”

Genesis 1:29-30 “Then God said, “I give you every seed-bearing plant on the face of the whole earth and every tree that has fruit with seed in it. They will be yours for food. And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food.” And it was so.”

Note that everything is to be received with thanks/prayer, and by the word of God.

⁶If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, brought up in the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed. ⁷Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales; rather, train yourself to be godly. ⁸For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

Here Paul states that those who are faithful to Christ can point out false teachings and help those who have strayed from the path. In doing so they will be good ministers of Christ. He also states not to believe in myths and tales taught by men, but rather to prepare yourself to be godly (of things in the Spirit and conduct in ways people should behave) following the ways of Jesus Christ. This benefits the believer forever as he makes his comparison to physical training (possibly because the Greeks paid a lot of attention to bodily training) where it has value for some things, but not all things especially pertaining to the life to come. Note Paul is not saying, don’t do physical training at all, but rather it is used as an example of the higher worth of training oneself to be godly as opposed to physical training that has only some value in this life while we are in the perishable flesh.

⁹This is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance ¹⁰(and for this we labor and strive), that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.

In comparison to the previous verse it can also be noted that the training the Ephesians/Greeks spent on physical training could be used for training in things pertaining to God more so. Such as what Paul is saying in verse 10 that they labor and strive for God for this purpose: so that they will be saved for their belief and faith in Christ.

¹¹Command and teach these things. ¹²Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith and in purity. ¹³Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. ¹⁴Do not neglect your gift, which was given you through a prophetic message when the body of elders laid their hands on you.

Here Paul is talking specifically to Timothy rather than making general statements. Paul tells Timothy to preach and teach and be an example of the faith as it is an appointing by God when Timothy was baptized with the Holy Spirit (when the body of elders laid hands on him).

In regards to the laying of hands Acts 8:14-17 says “When the apostles in Jerusalem heard that Samaria had accepted the word of God, they sent Peter and John to them. When they arrived, they prayed for them that they might receive the Holy Spirit, because the Holy Spirit had not yet come upon any of them; they had simply been baptized into the name of the Lord Jesus. Then Peter and John placed their hands on them, and they received the Holy Spirit.”

¹⁵Be diligent in these matters; give yourself wholly to them, so that everyone may see your progress. ¹⁶Watch your life and doctrine closely. Persevere in them, because if you do, you will save both yourself and your hearers.

Paul encourages Timothy to devote his entire self to truthful scripture and matters of God as opposed to the beginning of this passage where there will be those who will fall away to be deceived. In this way by his hard work and successful progression those who he leads and those who watch him can see the favor of God and be witnesses of the true faith in Christ Jesus.

Psalm 1:1-3 “Blessed is the man who does not walk in the counsel of the wicked or stand in the way of sinners or sit in the seat of mockers. But his delight is in the law of the Lord, and on his law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.”

Filed under: 1 Timothy, 1 Timothy, Bible study, God, instructions, Jesus, New Testament, Paul, timothy

1 Timothy 3:1-16

¹Here is a trustworthy saying: If anyone sets his heart on being an overseer, he desires a noble task.

This passage is about those who seek to be an overseer or deacon in the church. Basically it is wanting to become a servant of God to administer to the rest of the church and congregation. Paul declares that those who seek to be servants of the church seek a noble task.

In the next several verses Paul begins to note down specific qualifications in order to be an overseer. Not just anyone can become an overseer, but according to this passage they must have a mindset and an honest heart that abides by the principles given.

Paul is also speaking about men overseers not women, as referred to the previous passage on Paul’s stance on women in authority. Please consider the previous passage on different views of women in authority.

²Now the overseer must be above reproach, the husband of but one wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, ³not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money.

The first set of qualifications an overseer must have are the following:

1. Above reproach: To be above criticism, accusation, disapproval, blame, and shame.
2. Husband of one wife: Married to one wife only. In those days people were marrying off to multiple partners (committing adultery according to the law). If a man was converted to Christianity and wanted to be an overseer, yet had multiple wives due to his previous life before Christianity he couldn’t serve as an overseer. This is different to a man whose first wife had passed away, for the scripture says in Romans 7:2 “For example, by law a married woman is bound to her husband as long as he is alive, but if her husband dies, she is released from the law of marriage.“
   
3. Temperate: Not given to anger. Proverbs 22:24-25 “Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.”
4. Self-controlled: 1 Thessalonians 5:8 “But since we belong to the day, let us be self-controlled, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet.”
5. Respectable: Respect from Christians and non-Christians. 1 Thessalonians 4:11-12 “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so that you will not be dependent on anybody.”
6. Hospitable: Romans 12:13 “Share with God’s people who are in need. Practice hospitality.”
7. Able to teach: Would need to have a firm understanding of subjects regarding Christianity.
   
8. Not given to drunkenness: not indulging in alcohol lest not his brother would stumble. See also verse 9 in regards to Deacons.
   
9. Not violent but gentle: Being gentle and kind hearted the way Jesus was.
10. Not quarrelsome: Not someone given to arguments and fights.
11. Not a lover of money: Matthew 6:24 “No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.”

⁴He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him with proper respect. ⁵(If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?)

In verse 4, Paul makes a statement that the one seeking to be an overseer must be able to manage his family well and his reasoning is somewhat like a test, that if he can manage his family he would be able to hand God’s church, where there are many more people to administer to and care for. If the overseers children obey him with ‘proper’ respect (one of love) then how much more would people outside of his family.

⁶He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. ⁷He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.

It is clear that the person must not be a recent convert, but should spend time learning the faith and truth with submission just as Christ had done as he was growing up, he had spent time growing in wisdom, stature, and in favor with God and men, before the beginning of his ministry at the age of 30.

⁸Deacons, likewise, are to be men worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. ⁹They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. ¹⁰They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons. ¹¹In the same way, their wives are to be women worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything. ¹²A deacon must be the husband of but one wife and must manage his children and his household well.

Likewise Deacons should seek those same principles that Paul had mentioned above. They are also to undergo testing of each quality, and refined in the fire so to speak, before they can serve.

¹³Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus.

Paul makes this judgment that those who have served well, will gain two things:

1. Excellent standing: This is their standing with God and with men. That they will be able to fulfill other higher duties for the church. Quite like promotion to a higher office due to their commitment and ability to manage themselves and others well according to the principals outlined by Paul.
   
2. Great assurance of their faith: Because of being able to have served well they have acquired the ability to go forth boldly in their faith. They would have been assured in their faith in Christ because they wouldn’t have been able to accomplish such tasks without faith in Christ to get them through.
   

¹⁴Although I hope to come to you soon, I am writing you these instructions so that, ¹⁵if I am delayed, you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth.

Paul is speaking to Timothy saying that he hopes to come and visit the church of Ephesus. He also notes why he had written the instructions down, so that people will be able to conduct themselves properly and in line with the faith. It will also allow them to move on in their walk with God rather than having to wait for Paul to arrive. In doing so the church of God will be built, as the household is the church of God, not a building or a place, but the people that form that household.

¹⁶Beyond all question, the mystery of godliness is great: He appeared in a body, was vindicated by the Spirit, was seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed on in the world, was taken up in glory.

Lastly Paul ends with Jesus Christ and what he had done as the heart of all things. “He” (God), appeared in a body (Jesus Christ), was vindicated (justified, power of God raised him) by the Spirit, seen by angels (at the tomb where he was buried), preached (to both Jews and Gentiles – one new man), believed (people put their faith in what he did for mankind), taken in glory (rose to be seated at the right hand of the Father).

Filed under: 1 Timothy, 1 Timothy, Apostle Paul, Bible study, God, Jesus, New testatment, Overseer, Scripture

1 Timothy 2:1-15

¹I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone— ²for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. ³This is good, and pleases God our Savior, ⁴who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.

Due to false teachers of the law and those who forsake faith as mentioned by Paul in the previous passage in 1 Timothy 1. Here Paul urges that all kinds of prayers be made for everyone, not just those who believe but also for those who don’t believe in Christ and also those who have slipped from the faith to follow false doctrine. He specifically mentions that the Ephesians pray for those in leadership and authoritative positions, whether in the church or in the wider community. The result will be a blessing from God to live in peace, quietness, godliness, and holiness. This will also help others who are not apart of the church to come to know the true God and be saved.

John 17:20-21 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you.”

⁵For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, ⁶who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time.

Having motioned Timothy to tell people of Ephesus to pray, here Paul declares the authoritiative nature of God the Father who answers all prayer requests, through Jesus Christ whom came from God and was sent as a man to save and mediate for those who would believe in him. However this mediation is not only to do with prayer requests, but the mediation also by the Father sending Jesus in the flesh, so that those who are born under the law can be saved and are now under God’s grace, just as it is mentioned in verse 6 where it states that Jesus gave his life as a ransom for men, in that those who believe are bought by the blood shed by Christ.

Philippians 2:7-8 “but made himself nothing, taking the very nature of a servant, being made in human likeness. And being found in appearance as a man, he humbled himself and became obedient to death – even death on a cross!”

⁷And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a teacher of the true faith to the Gentiles.

The purpose that Paul talks about here is the proclamation of the gospel of Christ – at its proper time – as mentioned in the previous verse, to the gentiles. He was appointed by God on the Damascus road. He affirms that he is truthful as if some were accusing him of lying.

⁸I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.

To life up holy hands is a spiritual act of worship, being moved by the Spirit of God. Paul asserts that those who believe should do this as they pray, without anger or disputing with one another. This doesn’t mean that people have to do this, but that he would want them to.

Psalm 28:2 “Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.”

⁹I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, ¹⁰but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

Paul here speaks in terms of church congregations, where he is encouraging the women to dress decently in their church. He mentions specific attire which was worn by women during that time, however his point was not to adorn oneself for the sake of appearances. But rather with good deeds.

¹¹A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. ¹²I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent. ¹³For Adam was formed first, then Eve. ¹⁴And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. ¹⁵But women will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

The context in which Paul is speaking here is  to the church congregation, specifically during a time when women in that culture were not allowed to be in authority in public office. The order of authority is that men should be the head and women should learn in submission of them. This is also similar to what was written in Ephesians in regards to wives and husbands, and children and their parents. In the same respect there is an order in which Paul teaches on submission that he has encouraged them to follow. Having said that in Ephesians 5:21 he states ” Submit to one another out of reverence for Christ.” This speaks of both men and women in regards to each other. 

Paul’s reasoning in verse 13 is in regards to Adam and Eve in the book of Genesis where Eve was first deceived by the serpent (devil) and therefore her childbearing would be painful due to her disobedience and sin, however Paul is stating that God will save (help) women through childbearing if they continue in their faith, love, and holiness with propriety.

In other scriptures Paul teaches that women can teach such as in Titus 2:3-5  and also in 1 Corinthians 11 Paul talks about women prophesying in church. From these examples although it is required that a woman be submissive to men in the church setting, it is evident by scripture that it does not mean that she is unable to teach, pray, worship, serve, prophecy, and do many duties that have been blessed onto her by God. However she should do so in submission to the men who have been placed in authority over her.

Filed under: 1 Timothy, 1 Timothy, Bible study, God, Jesus, New Testament

1 Timothy 1:12-20

¹²I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has given me strength, that he considered me faithful, appointing me to his service.

Paul continues from the last passage where he tells Timothy to be aware of false teachers contrary to the gospel of God that was entrusted to him. In verse 12 Paul gives thanks to God for choosing him to serve and giving him the strength to carry out the gospel message.

¹³Even though I was once a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent man, I was shown mercy because I acted in ignorance and unbelief. ¹⁴The grace of our Lord was poured out on me abundantly, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

Before Paul was saved he at the time was known as Saul of Tarsus, who persecuted the Christians and sought their death. This is why in verse 13 he confesses to his previous self where he was once a blasphemer and persecutor and violent man. Paul goes on to say that the Lord Jesus had shown him great mercy, love, and faith, and had basicallly turned his life around on the Damascus road to become known as the apostle Paul (not one of the twelve aposltes), who was chosen to preach to the gentiles. These verses show the power that is in Christ to change the hearts and attitudes of people no matter how ‘sinful’ or ‘dreaded’ they appear to be. It also shows the abundant grace and patience Jesus has with people who are against him. 

Acts 9:1-6 “Meanwhile, Saul was still breathing out murderous threats against the Lord’s disciples. He went to the high priest and asked him for letters to the synagogues in Damascus, so that if he found any there who belonged to the Way, whether men or women, he might take them as prisoners to Jerusalem. As he neared Damascus on his journey, suddenly a light from heaven flashed around him. He fell to the ground and heard a voice say to him, “Saul, Saul, why do you persecute me?” ”Who are you, Lord?” Saul asked. ”I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting,” he replied. “Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do.”

¹⁵Here is a trustworthy saying that deserves full acceptance: Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst. ¹⁶But for that very reason I was shown mercy so that in me, the worst of sinners, Christ Jesus might display his unlimited patience as an example for those who would believe on him and receive eternal life. ¹⁷Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory for ever and ever. Amen.

Paul affirms and encourages here that there is still hope for any unbeliever to come to Christ. That even though you can carry the burden of personal sin, Jesus has so much love and patience that he waits until you are ready to call upon him and accept his love. Paul displays this by stating that he was the worst of sinners, but even still, God showed him greater mercy and long-suffering. In verse 17 Paul praises God with attributes that are noteworthy. For example where he states that God is an eternal King. In other scripture Jesus is noted as being the King of kings, which denotes his sovereignity above all. For example in Revelations 17:14 “They will make war against the Lamb, but the Lamb will overcome them because he is Lord of lords and King of kings—and with him will be his called, chosen and faithful followers.” Paul also states that God is immortal, in that God lives forever and ever.

Paul states that God is an invisible God, in which humans can’t see him. This is true, however, note also that when Jesus came into the world he had made God known to those who would believe. Though he is invisible, he exists, and is present. John 14:7 “If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him.”

¹⁸Timothy, my son, I give you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies once made about you, so that by following them you may fight the good fight, ¹⁹holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith.

Here Paul mentiones to Timothy that he has instructions for him to keep in following with the gospel so that Timothy can handle cetain issues within the church of Ephesus. We also find that prophecies were made about Timothy and his future service for God’s kingdom. Paul also says in verse 19 that some of these people in Ephesus have rejected faith and a good conscience, something they should have held dear, which he then states that these people had shipwrecked (damaged) their faith in Christ and hence the warnings of false teachers mentioned in the previous passage, and also the instructions to follow.

²⁰Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.

Here Paul actually mentions two people who had shipwrecked their faith, but what is interesting is Paul had handed them over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme against God. It appears that to hand someone over to Satan is to pull someone away from the protection of Christ – or to ex-communicate someone . This as it seems is intended as a form of discipline, as it is mentioned that it is a teaching to them.

2 Timothy 2:16-19 “Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some. Nevertheless, God’s solid foundation stands firm, sealed with this inscription: “The Lord knows those who are his,” and, “Everyone who confesses the name of the Lord must turn away from wickedness.”

Filed under: 1 Timothy, 1 Timothy, Bible study, God, Jesus

1 Timothy 1:1-11

 ¹Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,

Paul as mentioned in verse 1 is one of the twelve apostles and had been appointed by God to preach the Word to the gentiles. Paul generally starts his letters making mention of God the Father and Jesus Christ together. Note that the commandment of apostleship came from both the Father God and the Son God. Though it is a quick mention this helps us see the relationship between God the Father and Jesus, as being both in authority and one and the same. This command lets the reader – Timothy – know that Paul is a man under orders of the Lord Jesus and as such is not moving on his own will but in acceptance of God’s will. 

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

The letter has been directed to Timothy, a follower of Jesus Christ who had been an accompaniment of Paul while on his missionary journeys to preach the Word to the gentiles. Note how Paul calls him his son in the faith. Just as a Father watches and teaches his son, Paul had been a leader to Timothy and ‘fathered’ him in matters of the Christian way of life. Obviously Timothy was a faithful servant, one in whom Paul could then depend on later to lead other churches after he had left. Timothy was also half Greek so was able to speak to the Greek churches at the time.

 ³As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer ⁴nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God’s work—which is by faith.

Here Paul gives urgency to tell cetain men not to teach false doctrines due to the effect that it creates in the church and the followers of Christ. Such as, controversies, doubt, and speculation of the true gospel. This will cause people to wander away from the faith. Paul also gave warning about this matter to the Ephesian church in Acts 20:28-31 “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers. Be shepherds of the church of God, which he bought with his own blood. I know that after I leave, savage wolves will come in among you and will not spare the flock. Even from your own number men will arise and distort the truth in order to draw away disciples after them. So be on your guard! Remember that for three years I never stopped warning each of you night and day with tears.”

Similarly Paul writes a letter to the churches in Galatia about false doctrines from both men and angels: Galatians 1:6-9 “I am astonished that you are so quickly deserting the one who called you by the grace of Christ and are turning to a different gospel— which is really no gospel at all. Evidently some people are throwing you into confusion and are trying to pervert the gospel of Christ. But even if we or an angel from heaven should preach a gospel other than the one we preached to you, let him be eternally condemned! As we have already said, so now I say again: If anybody is preaching to you a gospel other than what you accepted, let him be eternally condemned!”

⁵The goal of this command is love, which comes from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith.

Paul mentions here that the end goal for the believer is to love God and to love their neighbour. In verse 5 we read that this love eventuates from three things: faith, good conscience, and a pure heart.

Acts 24:16 “So I strive always to keep my conscience clear before God and man.”

Acts 15:9 “He made no distinction between us and them, for he purified their hearts by faith.”

⁶Some have wandered away from these and turned to meaningless talk. ⁷They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.

Paul continues to mention that there are some in the church of Ephesus who have wandered from love, faith, and a pure heart, and have rather entertained meaningless talk. Their desire is not to love God or their fellow man but rather to be teachers and people of authority, possibly to get recognition for things that they “know” or confidently affirm.

2 Timothy 2:17-18 “Avoid godless chatter, because those who indulge in it will become more and more ungodly. Their teaching will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, who have wandered away from the truth. They say that the resurrection has already taken place, and they destroy the faith of some.”

1 Timothy 6:3-5 “If anyone teaches false doctrines and does not agree to the sound instruction of our Lord Jesus Christ and to godly teaching, he is conceited and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy interest in controversies and quarrels about words that result in envy, strife, malicious talk, evil suspicions and constant friction between men of corrupt mind, who have been robbed of the truth and who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.”

 ⁸We know that the law is good if one uses it properly. ⁹We also know that law is made not for the righteous but for lawbreakers and rebels, the ungodly and sinful, the unholy and irreligious; for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, ¹⁰for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers—and for whatever else is contrary to the sound doctrine ¹¹that conforms to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which he entrusted to me.

Paul encourages that the law is good as it supports and complements the gospel of Jesus Christ. Contrary to what false teachers would use the law for, when it is used properly, it can help the unholy, irreligious, and those who sin, to turn to love, faith, and purity. However in context of this passage Paul is talking about the intentions of false teachers who use the law as a means of condemnation to their brothers, vanity, or other false interpretations – “myths and endless geneologies”.

Matthew 23:15 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You travel over land and sea to win a single convert, and when he becomes one, you make him twice as much a son of hell as you are.”

Matthew 23:25 “Woe to you, teachers of the law and Pharisees, you hypocrites! You clean the outside of the cup and dish, but inside they are full of greed and self-indulgence.”

Galatians 3:23-25 “Before this faith came, we were held prisoners by the law, locked up until faith should be revealed. So the law was put in charge to lead us to Christ that we might be justified by faith. Now that faith has come, we are no longer under the supervision of the law.”

Galatians 3:21-22 “Is the law, therefore, opposed to the promises of God? Absolutely not! For if a law had been given that could impart life, then righteousness would certainly have come by the law. But the Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin, so that what was promised, being given through faith in Jesus Christ, might be given to those who believe.”

Hebrew 8:10-12 “This is the covenant I will make with the house of Israel after that time, declares the Lord. I will put my laws in their minds and write them on their hearts. I will be their God, and they will be my people. No longer will a man teach his neighbor, or a man his brother, saying, ‘Know the Lord,’ because they will all know me, from the least of them to the greatest. For I will forgive their wickedness and will remember their sins no more.” 

Filed under: 1 Timothy, 1 Timothy, Bible study, God, Jesus

Intro to 1 Timothy

The apostle Paul had visited several cities being foretold by God that he was going to preach the Word of God to the gentiles. From his journey’s we read about churches growing in the faith and many people coming to Christ. In many cases Paul would send out his fellow companions and followers of Jesus Christ to the people in these churches to find out how the church was progressing. In this particular letter Paul had previously sent Timothy to the church of Ephesus to help with the leadership of its congregation and now Paul writes to Timothy in regards to certain pastoral and leadership issues being dealt with in the church. Among these issues were false teachers, money, order, and worship.

Filed under: 1 Timothy, 1 Timothy, Bible study, God, Jesus