1 Timothy 1:1-2… Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope; 2 to Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Commentary…
As the study of 1 Timothy begins there are a few introductions into key people that help us understand the remainder of scripture. God’s Word is filled with people through whom He has brought forth His inspired and inerrant Word. Letters, called epistles, in ancient days actually began with the name of the writer (whereas today we end our letters with our names). The writer identifies himself by name and his office, in this case it is “Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus.”
Paul is the writer of at least 13 New Testament letters, and what he wrote almost 2000 years ago is the basis for the Christian faith. He was Jewish, from the Hebrew line of Benjamin, a Roman citizen, and highly educated in Jewish Law and Greek literature and customs. In a word, he was brilliant. Prior to his conversion to Christ Paul took part in the murders of Christians. He hated them, and he wanted nothing more than for Christianity to be snuffed out. He had Christians arrested, tried, and murdered. Then he met Jesus Christ, and all that changed.
As an “apostle” Paul was “sent out” to preach about Jesus Christ. “Apostle” literally means “one sent,” and it can mean “ambassador.” Either way, Paul was an ambassador of Jesus Christ sent out to preach and die for Him. All of this was according “to the commandment of God.” God commanded and ordained that Paul should go out and preach Jesus Christ – his death, his resurrection, and obedience to him.
Paul calls God “our Savior.” Usually in the NT Jesus Christ is called savior, but Paul sees the two as one – all part of the triune nature of God. Jesus Christ is called “Christ Jesus our hope.” Christ precedes Jesus as a title for who he is, namely, the Messiah, the “anointed one.” He is “our hope” because what he accomplished at the cross solidifies our future with him. Biblical hope is not an empty “wishing,” it’s a confident belief in knowing the future.
The letter is addressed to Timothy which means “one who honors God.” Timothy was Paul’s companion throughout his converted life. He was with Paul during at least six of Paul’s writings, and he was the one Paul sent out as his “right hand man” because he was so faithful. Paul calls him his “true child in the faith” because Paul is the one who told him about Jesus Christ bringing about his conversion. As such, Paul claimed to be Timothy’s spiritual father. This same Timothy is the one Paul now writes to as they are now separated for a time. It’s a letter written from mentor to protégé. It contains valuable information for all Christians.
Food for Thought…
Looking into the lives of God’s inspired servants is a wonderful task. People today, the same as those of yesteryear, love to study other people. We have magazines out the whazoo today that contain brief and in-depth articles about people. There’s even a magazine called “People.” News magazine shows have great ratings for one reason: they interview and write about interesting people.
The next time you want a good story about a celebrity look no further than the Bible. Jane Fonda’s conversion to Christianity is incredible, but the Apostle Paul’s is even better. The heroism, faithfulness, and work ethic of athletes like Craig Biggio, Cal Ripkin, Jr., and Michael Jordan are great, but don’t overlook the real heroes like Timothy who faithfully served the Lord by serving behind the scenes to propagate God’s Word. He served Paul without fail, and Paul was a man who didn’t put up with slackers. The next time you want a good story, go the Bible.
1
Timothy 1:3-4… “As I
urged you upon my departure for
Commentary…
As Paul
writes to his faithful comrade Timothy he “urges” him to remain in
Paul wants
Timothy to stay at the church in
All of the bad teaching that Timothy was left behind to correct gave “rise to mere speculation rather than furthering the administration of God which is by faith.” That says it all, and it shows that the preoccupation with teaching or concentrating on anything other than faith in God in a worthless endeavor. Studying and promoting the teachings of this world is a waste.
Food for Thought…
False
teaching is everywhere. We expect it from the worldly universities and unsaved
government officials, but when it comes from those claiming to be Christian
preachers then our commission becomes the same as Timothy’s. I urge you today
to know God’s Word so that you can detect false teachings and not let them
infiltrate your life. There are way too many churches today and preachers on
television that dupe their audiences into believing garbage. As Christians we
have to know God’s truth in order to understand false teachings. If you let
yourself be taken asunder by the false teachings and beliefs of our modern day
society you might be one to whom Jesus addresses as “depart from me you
evildoers” (Matthew
1 Timothy 1:5-6… "But the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion…"
Commentary…
Whereas the goal of instruction for false teachers is to heap praise upon themselves and recognition that leads to fame and fortune, the goal of the Christian message is love. False teachers are not to be put down for the sake of winning an argument, they are to be put in their places by God’s orthodox teachers out of love for that person who is deluded and confused and out of the love for that false teacher’s audience who is being led astray. Oftentimes Christians study their Bibles so that they can gain ammunition to fight against a skeptic and win the argument, but if the goal of Christian rebuke isn’t love then it’s the wrong goal. Believers have love as their distinguishing characteristic. Jesus says in John 13:35 "By this all men will know that you are my disciples if you have love for one another."
Love has three elements in this passage. First, a pure heart. A pure heart is all about motives. What is the motive for doing good, giving to charity, coming to church, or correcting false teachers? If it comes from a zeal to serve God faithfully and a loving concern for His people then it’s a pure motive. If doing good earns recognition, if giving buys you fame, if coming to church is to be seen by others, and correcting false teachers is to win arguments then the motive is impure indeed. Love comes from a pure heart.
The second part of love in the passage has to do with a good conscience. The conscience is an incredible God-given faculty given for our own self-evaluation. Romans 2:14-15 says that it either affirms or accuses a man. One commentator says, "The mind knows the standard of right and wrong, and when that standard is violated, the conscience reacts to accuse, producing guilt, shame, doubt, fear, remorse or despair" (cf. Titus 1:15). The pure in heart have no problems with guilty consciences.
The final piece of the love puzzle is a "sincere faith." Correcting false teachers out of love has sincere faith – a faith that contains nothing dishonest – a faith that is real. Those with real and true faith in the One Real and True God have love that overflows to all those around.
Verse 6 explains the reason for having love: "For some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion." The word "straying" means to "miss the mark," and "turned aside" means "to go off course." False teachers, some of them completely unawares, have strayed from the Truth and must be rebuked and restored to orthodoxy.
Food for Thought…
In contrast to God’s perfect
standard for proper teaching and teachers, false teachers have impure motives, they have dirty hearts as it were. Their
consciences have all but vanished because that’s what happens to the conscience
when it is ignored over time. They have no sincere faith in God,
rather, their faith is in themselves. God’s teachers cannot be this way. They
must function in love because it’s what separates His children from Satan’s
(cf. John
The admonition is to know God, and to strive to know Him for the right reasons. Being a Bible-believing Christian isn’t about winning arguments and drawing attention to yourself. It’s about bringing glory to God, and love for others is what does that. Pray what King David prayed in Psalm 51:10 when he said, "Create in me a pure heart." He prayed another great prayer that we should pray in Psalm 139:23 when he said, "Search me, Oh God, and know my heart… see if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way of everlasting." Let that be your prayer.
1 Timothy 1:7-8: “…wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions. 8 But we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully…”
Commentary…
Speaking of false teachers, those that propagated false doctrines not according to scripture, Paul gives insight into these people’s hearts. They “wanted to be teachers of the Law.” When Law is capitalized as it is here it refers to the Mosaic Law – the laws given to Moses by God in the first five books of the OT. It’s basically the Ten Commandments. These false teachers wanted to be teachers of this Law, but they had no understanding of the Law itself. That didn’t seem to matter to them because their motives for teaching didn’t have anything to do with expounding on God’s Word and principles, rather it had more to do with gaining prestige – to be noticed by men. Such attitudes brought about Jesus’ rebuke in Matthew 23:5-7. These kinds of people were and continue to be the types of people who only seek man’s approval, not God’s.
Though these guys wanted to teach the Law they were unable to do so effectively. How can one who doesn’t even understand what he’s talking about teach about it? To make matters worse these ignorant false teachers taught what they did not understand with confident assurance! It’s bad enough to be ignorant but to be dogmatic about one’s ignorance is a complete sham. Yet that is what these men were, and unfortunately this confident teaching to people who didn’t know truth any better than their teachers is what duped them and led them astray. No wonder Paul was such a stickler about false teachers. He loved the people who were led astray.
The OT Law
is good according to Paul. It’s good simply because it is a reflection of God.
Paul writes in Romans 7:12 that the Law is holy, righteous, and good. Though
some in our modern day teach people to ignore the OT Law because they wrongly
believe it has no purpose in the age of grace, the false teachers of Paul’s day
believed that salvation came through the Law. In other words, they believed
performing the works the Law would save them. However, the Law is good and used
lawfully only when it is used to show us we are sinners (Rom.
Food for Thought…
The British theologian John R.W. Stott says this: “There are plenty of popular preachers, but not many powerful ones who preach the power of the Spirit. Is it because the cost of such preaching is too great? Its seems that the only preaching God honors, through which His wisdom and power are expressed, is the preaching of a man who is willing in himself to be both a weakling and a fool. God not only chooses weak and foolish people to save, but weak and foolish preachers through whom to save them, or at least preachers who are content to be weak and seem foolish in the eyes of the world. We are not always willing to pay this price. We are constantly tempted to covet a reputation as men of learning or men of influence; to seek honor in academic circles and compromise our old-fashioned message in order to do so; and to cultivate personal charm or forcefulness so as to sway the people committed to our care (The Preacher’s Portrait, Grand Rapids: Eerdmans, 1979, page 122).
James 3:1 says that not many should aspire to be teachers for they will be held to a much higher standard and degree of accountability. If Bible teachers have any motive other than love for God and His people then they have the wrong motives. If they think they can address God’s people regularly with an ability to speak and no knowledge about the matters about which they speak then they must be rebuked in love. With this nugget of truth in front of us we have many to rebuke and many letters to write to the televised false teachers who daily lead so many astray.
1 Timothy 1:9-11: “…realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous man, but for those who are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers 10 and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teaching, 11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.”
Commentary…
The Mosaic
Law in the OT is an interesting topic for Christians. On the one hand
Christians are not bound to it while on the other hand we are to uphold it. It
is God’s perfect standard of righteousness, but man is completely unable to
follow the Law entirely. It is a standard that cannot be attained, yet we are
to strive to do so anyway. The Apostle Paul says that the Law was not made for
righteous people. Of course the Law here can also be interpreted as just the
general law of the land – neither of which was put into place for Christians.
Why? Because Christians are by default law abiding people due to the God they
serve following salvation. Christians now walk according to the Spirit (Gal.
Paul teaches us exactly who the law is meant for here. He appears to intentionally base his teaching on the Ten Commandments, commonly known as the Decalogue (Ex. 20:1-17). In the Decalogue the first portion of commandments deal with offenses against God. The “lawless/rebellious” is related to “You shall have no other gods”; the “ungodly/sinners” is related to “You shall not make for yourself a graven image”; the “unholy/profane” is related to “You shall not misuse the name of the Lord your God” and “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.” In the fourth pair, the specific acts given are clearly relational with specific parts of the Decalogue: “murderers of fathers and of mothers = “Honor your father and mother”; “manslayers” = “You shall not kill”; “immoral persons and sodomites” = “You shall not commit adultery”; “kidnapers” = “You shall not steal”; “liars and perjurers” = “You shall not bear false witness against your neighbor”; “whatever else” = “You shall not covet” (some scholars have identified this last unspecific statement as referring to the commandment not to covet, since it does not receive a specific example in the list, probably because of the difficulty of identifying acts of covetousness).
Verse 11 says, “…according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.” What this means is that the standards for Paul’s teaching are not according to something he pulled out of thin air but according to God’s perfect standard of righteousness that He entrusted to Paul whose writings have been preserved for us. They contain no error.
Food for Thought…
The Law of
God was given to Moses to be given to
1 Tim 1:12-14… I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me into service; 13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor. And yet I was shown mercy, because I acted ignorantly in unbelief; 14 and the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which are found in Christ Jesus.
Commentary
After preaching to Timothy about false teachers and those who want to be recognized for knowing things they really are ignorant of, the Apostle Paul begins to express his thanks in the above passage for God’s gifts in his own life. Christ Jesus, who is Paul’s Lord, has given him strength because Paul was faithful, and he put him into service as a result. When God’s servants are faithful with the work He gives them they are rewarded with the strength they need not only to endure through ministry but also to move on to more responsibilities in ministry. The fact that Paul was in the ministry (service) of Jesus Christ was, and is, an extraordinary thing. Verse 13 reveals that this great man of God was once a slanderer of God through his hatred of Jesus Christ and His followers. Furthermore, he was a violent and aggressive man who sought out the deaths of those who placed their trust in Jesus Christ. The very same man Paul once was is what he is warning Timothy about with regard to false teachers!
The second half of verse 13 is the good news of Jesus Christ: mercy & grace. Paul, though one who slandered the name of God by persecuting Christians (even though he was very zealous for the God of Israel and spent his life learning the OT scriptures) was shown mercy because his hatred for Jesus Christ was a hatred bound in ignorance. In other words, Paul had no idea what he was doing in participating in the deaths of Christians and blaspheming the name of Jesus Christ because he did not understand that the God he served was one with the God he hated, namely, Jesus Christ. He was show mercy because he was ignorant of this fact.
In verse 14 Paul speaks of God’s mercy in hindsight by saying that God’s grace was more than abundant. Paul, knowing who he once was, could really understand to a large degree exactly how great God’s mercy was. Here he is – a man who has spoken evil of God, taken part in the murder of Christians, and wants nothing more than for all of them to die – here he stands as one saved by the God he once hated. You can almost detect his brokenness over the mercy shown him. Certainly God’s mercy and grace was more than abundant in the life of Paul – a life that many of us would deem “beyond salvation” in our modern day.
Food for Thought
Do you know a man or woman whom you believe is so spiritually lost and behaves in such a depraved and decadent way that you could never imagine God saving such a one? John Newton, the writer of the great hymn Amazing Grace was such a man. He was once a slave trader, an atheist, and a sexual pervert (his own words on his tombstone) who only sought to destroy the Christian faith. When he came to Jesus Christ a “wretch” who abruptly turned to serve Him. At the age of 82 when his memory and health were failing him he said, “My memory is nearly gone, but I remember two things: that I am a great sinner, and that Christ is a great Savior.”
Don’t give up on that person or person whom you believe is beyond salvation. Some of the greatest Christians who ever lived were in that condition prior to salvation. Actually, Paul the greatest missionary ever to have lived, was that way before Christ converted him.
1 Timothy 1:15-17… It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. 16 And yet for this reason I found mercy, in order that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience, as an example for those who would believe in Him for eternal life. 17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
Commentary
In the previous passage Paul spoke of his miraculous and unmerited salvation in Christ Jesus. He realized what a sinner he was and what a Savior Christ had been to him. As a result he comes up with a “trustworthy statement” that he believes deserves full acceptance: that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost of all. Now in one sense Paul meant himself as the foremost of sinners, but the statement is one we should all repeat. No one sinner is greater than another for we have all sinned and as such are the worst of sinners.
In verse 16
Paul says that his status as the foremost of sinners paved the way for God’s
mercy in his life. In other words, God used Paul’s wicked life prior to coming
to faith in Christ to demonstrate that He has perfect patience for those who
act the same way as Paul once did. Those who behave wickedly today and even
mock God’s existence for not killing them as a result are the recipients of
God’s mercy that comes as a result of His perfect patience. God is patient with
blasphemers – even those who kill, rape, and torture His children. We tend to
ask “Why would a good God allow such behavior,” but it only demonstrates God’s
patience. After all, we are not to fear those who do such things to the human
body, rather we are to fear God “who can destroy both body and soul in hell”
(Matthew
As a result of God’s grace in his life Paul closes his thought with a doxology. He calls God in verse 17 “eternal” which is a word denoting God’s timelessness. He calls God “immortal” which comes from a Greek word meaning “undecaying.” In other words, God is imperishable – He cannot die for he is unlike man. He calls God “invisible” and the “only God.” It’s interesting to note that though God is One Paul continually teaches that Jesus the Son and God the Father are One. The Father is invisible, and it is the Son through whom we see God. It is to this God that Paul gives honor and glory forever and ever. “Amen” means “let it be so.”
Food for Thought
The Apostle Paul was not so wrapped up in theology, writing, and reading books that he paid no attention to the basics of salvation. Too often many of us fall into that trap. We must all, those of us who have received God’s merciful patience in salvation, reflect on God’s grace in our lives. It should lead us to do one thing: worship our God and Savior Jesus Christ. We must heap the same praise upon God as Paul did after considering who we once were and who we now are. Do that today – do it right now.
Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen. What a great hymn that is!
1 Timothy 1:18-19a… “This command I entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may fight the good fight, 19 keeping faith and a good conscience…”
Commentary
All good
parents want the best for their children, and it should be no less for
spiritual parents who have led another person to Christ – we should commission
them to serve God faithfully. This is what the Apostle Paul is doing in this
passage. After leaving Timothy behind in a pagan city he is encouraging him in
every way he knows how. Paul gives him a command, and he calls Timothy his
“son” – a spiritual son who has served Paul well. The command given to him is
the same commission he was given by the body of elders
The good fight against sin in this world is a fight that many have undertaken. It’s a battle against decadence. It involves battles with the flesh, the mind, and the will. It’s a battle against pornography, adultery, murder, lying, stealing, and cheating. These sins are fought on a spiritual level for this is not hand to hand combat with machine guns and canons. The only way these battles can be won is by keeping one’s faith strong and maintaining a clear and good conscience. Without faith a man cannot please God (Hebrews 11:6). A good conscience is the ability to distinguish between right and wrong, so a warped conscience might be one that prevents that. Timothy’s commission is to maintain his faith and the ability to distinguish right from wrong. In a world that so heavily contradicts God’s Word it’s no surprise that many have gone astray after having their consciences dulled.
Food for Thought
Too often today churches send out missionaries and preachers to start churches and/or spread the good news with little or no concern for what they will say or do. Usually people are just happy to see others go and do the work they know they should be doing. Paul’s admonition to his young protégé was anything but that. He solemnly instructs him in many different ways throughout his two letters to Timothy while he himself goes on to other missionary endeavors.
The instructions given to this young pastor are instructions for us today because by them we fight the “good fight” effectively. With improper instructions from a sending church or twisted teachings from a local pastor we simply won’t have the proper artillery to fight the battle before us. No wonder so many pastors fall out of ministry while others fall into sexual misconduct. Right living and effective ministries stem from doctrinally sound teaching from God’s Word and proper doctrine which leads to increased faith and a good conscience. Without these virtues the battle is lost before it ever begins.
1 Timothy 1:19b-20: “…which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith. 20 Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered over to Satan, so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.
Commentary
In the previous passage Timothy was commanded by Paul to stay the course, to fight the good fight by keeping the faith and maintaining a clear conscience. The revelation of what becomes of those who fail to do this is given in the passage above. Far too many today have abandoned the truth, and what is true in our day was also true in Paul’s day 1900 years ago. Some had rejected Paul’s instructions as given to him by God, and Paul describes their faith as a result of such rejection: shipwreck. In other words, by rejecting right doctrine and choosing instead to teach heresy the faith they proclaimed in Jesus Christ was like a ship that had plunged into the rocks and was now sinking. Their bad theology was rooted in immorality.
The two men in verse 20, Hymenaeus and Alexander, who were guilty were “delivered over to Satan, so that they may be taught not to blaspheme.” This is harsh treatment, but it was done to teach them not to continue in their slanderous instructions of others.
Since it is
clear that the entire earth is under the power of the devil (1 John
Positive
examples of being handed over to Satan would be Job, Jesus, Paul, Peter, and
the Tribulation saints. Job was handed over to be an example of a godly man.
Jesus was handed over to prove his character so as to show that he would stand
true as the perfect and holy God-man (Matt 4:1-11). Paul was given a “thorn in
the flesh, a messenger of Satan” to keep him humble (2 Cor.
12). Peter was requested by Satan to be sifted like wheat (Luke
Negative
examples include King Saul, Judas Iscariot, and an unnamed member of the
Corinthian church. King Saul, due to blatant disobedience, was given an evil
spirit to torment him (1 Sam.
Food for Thought
God is not a deity that laughs at sin or winks at our “best efforts that come up short.” Sin is serious, and so is God. God is so serious about sin He died on our behalf so as to save us from it. Paul’s deliverance of the two men to Satan was done to teach them a lesson. What about you? Are the conditions you’re in today the result of having been handed over to Satan? We can’t blame all our troubles on this possibility, but if we stand firm in our rebellion and pet sins against God the consequences (bad health, bankruptcy, failed marriages, etc.) might very well be pointing to the fact that we have been handed over to Satan to be taught not to mock God.
1 Timothy 2:1-3a… First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, 2 for kings and all who are in authority, in order that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity. This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior…
Commentary
“First of all” is better rendered “of foremost importance” or “above all.” A simple reading through the text of Paul’s letters to Timothy shows that there is so second or third point, so what Paul begins with here is the first and foremost point of his message to Timothy. Basically he urges him to pray for the governing authorities and all the unsaved people he knows so that they can live a tranquil and quiet life. There is the commission (to pray), the reason (for peace), and the result (glorifies God). First let’s look at the commission to pray.
Paul uses four words that are basically synonymous, but each words contains subtle differences worth looking at. All four words relate to the Christian’s responsibility to pray for unsaved people. “Entreaties” comes from a Greek word that means “to be without” or “to be deprived.” This kind of prayer comes from recognizing a need, and if we know what is lacking, we plead with God to supply it. Anyone who lives in this country today can clearly see the need of salvation for the millions who are spiritually lost. “Prayers” is a word directly linked to God. It has to do with worship and reverence, and it relates to the lost here because prayer to God on their behalf is glorifying to God in that it brings more people to worship Him as a result of more being saved. “Petitions” comes from a Greek word that is only used twice in the scriptures, but its meaning has to do with “getting involved with something.” The verb form of this word is used in relation to the Holy Spirit’s and Jesus Christ’s intervening prayers on behalf of the saints (Rom. 8:26, 34). These two members of the Trinity become involved in the struggles of the saints and empathize and sympathize with our weaknesses. The final word, “thanksgivings,” has to do with the privilege of praying for and having a part in the salvation of the lost. People often ask in light of God’s election of those predestined for salvation from the foundation of the earth (cf. Eph. 1:3-14) why they should pray for or evangelize to the lost, but the word “thanksgivings” here shows that evangelism is not only obedience but also an honor & privilege.
Prayer for all the lost and our governing authorities is the commission, and the reason for this prayer is for a “tranquil and quiet” life. These two words are synonyms, and both refer to a calm, orderly, and peaceful life – a life free from all danger or trouble. These prayers and their desired result for peace come from a proper attitude (godliness) and proper behavior (dignity).
In keeping with the overall purpose of God’s plan verse 3 explains why these prayers are offered: it pleases God who is our Savior. “Acceptable” means “to receive gladly.” God gladly receives our prayers when we pray for those who need salvation.
Food for Thought
Our prayers today seem so far away from the biblical way of praying. Our prayers tend to center around what we want, and that usually involves money, health, and whatever else is selfishly coveted in our self-centered lives. As always, God’s mandate for prayer is different. He commands that we pray for those who need salvation – not just people we know and love. He also commands that we pray for those in authority over us. When Paul wrote these passages the evil emperor Nero was his governing authority. He was not leading an attempted coup to have Nero taken from authority. He wrote that Christians should pray for people like him. Let us do the same, for it brings glory to God and brings a peaceful life to us (cf. Rom. 13; Titus 3).
1 Timothy 2:3-4… This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.
Commentary
Speaking on the issue of praying for the unsaved and for our governing authorities, Paul says that this is good and acceptable to God our Savior. Normally in the NT it is Jesus Christ who is considered the “Savior,” but Paul sees the two as making up the one God. Though Paul in his zeal for God formerly blasphemed God by persecuting Jesus Christ, without knowing it he was slandering the name of the very God he had great zeal for. Slandering (blaspheming) the name of Jesus Christ is the same as slandering the name of God. God is our Savior because Jesus Christ is God, and his death on the cross paid for our sins in full.
Speaking of God here, Paul says that He “desires all men to be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth.” God’s “desire” here is not to be confused with God’s overall purpose, His sovereign decree. A thorough reading of scripture clearly indicates that God has sovereignly chosen some to salvation, meaning that many others are not chosen. However, this does not negate God’s desire for “all men to be saved” as the verse above clearly states. In human terms, we may desire to speak our minds to people and hold nothing back, but our higher purpose compels us to hold our tongues and keep our mouths shut. Of course we are much like the Apostle Paul in Romans 7 where we too tend to do the very things we hate and don’t want to do. God, however, makes His choices based solely on His eternal purposes and is not given to human weaknesses. God’s desire is that all be saved and come to a knowledge of the truth, yet in His “eternal purpose which He carried out in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Eph. 3:11), “He chose only the elect out of the world” (John 17:6), and passed over the rest, giving them over to the consequences of willfully rejecting Him (Rom. 1:18-32). God takes no pleasure in the death and damnation of the wicked (cf. Ez. 33:11) and desires for them to be saved. Furthermore, God is the “Savior of all men, especially of believers” (1 Tim. 4:10b). In other words, God saves all men temporarily but “especially believers” in an eternal sense.
What is to be understood about this verse in relation to the rest of the Bible is that God’s will of decree (His eternal purpose) is different from His expressed will of desire. The two Greek words used for “will” in the Bible clearly make this distinction, and the one used here (thelo) refer to God’s desire rather than His eternal decree. As one man has said, “It was never God’s desire that sin exist, yet the undeniable existence of sin proves that even sin fulfills His eternal purposes (Isa. 46:10) – though in no sense is God the author of sin (James 1:13).” It is clear that God has a desire for certain things to happen that most certainly won’t come to pass because He has not decreed that they come to pass.
Food for Thought
The mind of God is so far above the mind of man. His Word reveals who He is and what His desires are. Why God did not allow Himself all of His own desires is beyond human comprehension. However, our desire must model God’s. If God desires that all people everywhere be saved then that too must be our quest. Election and predestination are doctrines that cannot be refuted in the Bible, but since we don’t know who is and who isn’t elect we hold fast to these doctrines without forsaking the commission to pray for the lost, our governing authorities, and preach the message of Jesus Christ to everyone we come in contact with. After all, Jesus commanded it: Preach the truth of Jesus Christ to those who don’t know it, and teach all to obey his teachings.
1 Timothy 2:5-7…For there is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all, the testimony borne at the proper time. 7 And for this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.
Commentary
That there
is one God, and one God only, is one of the most basic and fundamental
teachings in scripture. The personal holy name of that God is Yahweh, signified in Hebrew by the
unpronounceable letters YHWH (some refer to the same God as Jehovah). He is holy, holy, holy as Isaiah 6 teaches, and His throne thunders with
flashes of lightning (Rev. 4-5). Though one God He exists as three distinct
persons, and each person (Father, Son, Holy Spirit)
makes up the one God. He is “eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God” (1
Tim.
The one true God has made one path to Himself, and that path is Jesus Christ. He is the “mediator” between God and man. That word refers to “one who intervenes between two people so as to restore peace.” This is a beautiful gift from the one true God to sinful man so that man can approach God Almighty. In other words, God is approached through one man, and that man’s name is Jesus Christ. As the perfect God-man, Jesus Christ brings God and man together. This makes the Christian faith very exclusive in that it is the only true faith by which a man can be saved. We do not approach God through Buddha, Mohammed, astrology, or even the Virgin Mary. None of these people and things are mediators between God and man – only Jesus is. It was this same Jesus “who gave himself as a ransom for all” people at the perfect and proper time. “Ransom” here means that there was a price paid to gain freedom from sin, and Jesus Christ paid that price with himself. He didn’t come up with a sum of money, he paid it with his own life. The fact that this ransom is said to be paid for all means just that – his death on the cross paid for the sins of ALL people. However, this passage is only a statement of the sufficiency of Christ’s death, not it’s efficiency. In other words, this passage does not teach that because Christ died for all that all are saved (universalism). Christ’s shed blood was unlimited as to its sufficiency, but it was limited as to its application and is given for salvation only to the elect of God.
The point of all this deep theological truth for Paul is not only for salvation but for proclamation. He says, “And for this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying) as a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.” This is the truth that he literally lost his head over as he preached Jesus Christ to the Gentiles (non-Jews). He was beheaded for doing so. It was no lie what he taught even though he was accused of teaching lies. His message was “in faith,” and it came from the “truth.”
Food for Thought
The entire
context of 1 Timothy 2:1-8 is about praying for the
lost. This kind of prayer recognizes that all must come to the one true God,
for it is in Him alone that salvation comes to man. With this in mind we should
all become keenly aware of the fact that there are many around us who need
prayer. People everywhere are lost. Yes, they have been atoned by the blood of
Jesus, but their salvation awaits their confession of him as Lord and Savior.
Don’t fail to pray for these folks. As the prophet Samuel once said, “As for
me, far be it from me that I should sin against the Lord by ceasing to pray for
you” (1 Sam.
1 Timothy 2:8… Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and dissension.
Commentary
The “therefore” in the passage above links it with the previous context and not the one that follows. It is a move to action following the teachings and admonitions in the previous verses. After spending some in-depth time on the importance of praying for the lost, Paul now tells us what kind of attitude we are to pray with. The “I want” cannot be translated “I desire” as verse 4 did speaking of God’s desire that all come to be saved. The Greek word here is a different word, and it is often translated as “I command” or as “I purpose.” This is the word that distinguishes between God’s “desire” and God’s preordained “purpose.” In other words, this passage is God’s sovereign and purposed will that men pray “lifting up holy hands, without wrath or dissension.” It isn’t His desire, it is His will.
Now what exactly does it mean to pray with holy hands being lifted up? Many today take this literally, and there is nothing wrong with that in and of itself. What is wrong is to admonish everyone to lift their hands in praise during church worship. In many churches and denominations this practice is way out of control, and it’s unfortunate that this verse is used to defend their actions.
First of
all, the passage addresses men only. The Greek word for “man” in a general
sense is not the word used here.
Rather, the word for “men” here is the word for “male” or “husband.” In other
words, a literal rendering of this text means that only men can lift their hands in prayer for the lost and worship to
God. Of course prayer and worship is not limited to men only, so there must be
a greater meaning – and there is. It’s important to know that “lifting up holy
hands” is used in many contexts throughout scripture but with the same meaning
– holiness. Quite simply “holy hands” represent a pure and holy life. Job spoke
of the pureness of his prayer because his hands were not involved in violence (
So, lifting up holy hands really refers to living a holy life in order to have our prayers heard by God. Prayers for the lost are to offered from those who live a “holy life” – those who serve the Lord with pure hearts and minds; those who, as Romans 12:1 says, have offered their “bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God.” This is what it means to “lift up holy hands,” and this is the task of the men only in the corporate gatherings of worship. In other words, when prayer is offered for the lost in corporate worship, it is the men who are to do so.
Food for Thought
Hebrews
1 Timothy 2:9-10… Likewise, I want women to adorn themselves with proper clothing, modestly and discreetly, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments; 10 but rather by means of good works, as befits women making a claim to godliness.
Commentary
Paul’s
letter to Timothy over 1900 years ago was given as a guideline for behavior in
the church. It instructs us to refute false teachers, to teach the true gospel
of Jesus Christ, to oversee conduct that is becoming for the church, to select
competent & qualified church leaders, and to promote righteous behavior
that stems from love on the part of both leaders and the laity. Each word in
this letter to Timothy is applicable to the church today, and each word and
sentence is God-breathed (cf. 2 Peter
In verse 9 “likewise” is a word that relates to the previous passage where the men were given the task of coming before God with pure and guilt-free lives to offer prayers on behalf of the spiritually lost – signified by having “holy hands.” Whereas verse 8 was addressed to men, verse 9 is addressed to women.
Though in the original Greek there is no verb in verse 9, it is clear that the verb “I want” from verse 8 carries over here. Paul’s desire for the women of that day has been misinterpreted by at least a handful of denominations in the modern day who do not allow their women to wear any makeup or do anything with their hair. In Paul’s day many of the women who gathered for worship used the time to flaunt their wealth and beauty. They wore their hair high upon their heads with pieces of gold and pearls intertwined throughout their hair in a way that brought a great deal of attention to them. In addition, some wore dresses that were not only expensive but so expensive that everyone noticed. In a nutshell, these women were using the public gathering of the worship of God to showcase their own bodies and wealth.
In verse 10 Paul instructs the proper way of women. Instead of wearing all the expensive garb carefully designed to bring attention to themselves, they were to “wear” good works – the works that come with being a godly woman. It’s not about telling women that they shouldn’t wear makeup or attempt look nice on the outside, rather it is a command to make that quest secondary. It is to be the primary goal of women who make the claim to be Christian to be noticed for their acts of worship and good works in the name of Jesus Christ.
Food for Thought
Though addressed to women, there is application for men as well here. What do people notice about you? Are you known for your nice cars, big home, fancy clothing, or inflated bank account? Or are you one of those people who continually notices and admires those who have such items to their credit – someone who notices how rich a person is and longs to be that way too? Have you ever considered desiring to be noticed for your godliness? The truth is that many Christians simply want to be noticed for the material possessions they have. As always, however, the godly desire is opposite of the worldly desire. Godly folks desire to bring glory to God and to be known for their good works that stem from a close relationship with Him. Pray today that you will be known first and foremost as one who has a healthy walk with our Lord Jesus Christ. The secondary issues like money and homes might bring attention to you, but you’ll be embarrassed by that in light of being noticed for your godliness.
1
Timothy 2:11-14…Let a
woman quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness. 12 But I do not
allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain quiet.
13 For it was Adam who was first created, and then
Eve. 14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being quite
deceived, fell into transgression (cf. 1 Corinthians
Commentary
Whereas the previous passage addressed women instructing them to be known for their good works in the name of Jesus Christ as opposed to being known for their beautiful dresses and fine jewelry, this passage addresses their behavioral responsibilities in corporate worship.
The teaching here is basically one
prohibition: women are to have no
authority over men in the formal worship gatherings. Verse 11 teaches that
a woman is to receive instruction with humility & quietness. In other
words, women are to be taught by the male leaders in church gatherings and not
vice versa. Since all scripture is inspired by God (cf
2 Tim.
The “for” in verse 13 is explanatory, and the explanation is not a cultural one as some have proposed but a theological one where Paul refers to the creation of man, not the changing culture and fads in various societies. Since Adam was created first, he is given priority, and Eve’s creation was to be Adam’s “suitable helper” (Gen. 2:18). Furthermore, as the passage states, it was not Adam who was deceived by Satan but Eve. And following the Fall of man God did not go to Eve, He went to Adam because the “buck” stopped with him. So it was the Fall of man that explains this difficult teaching, not that Paul was a male chauvinist who relegated women to second-class citizens. Taking his theology from the Fall in Genesis 3, Paul shows that Eve, representing all women here, was not suited by nature to assume the position of ultimate responsibility. She was highly susceptible when she moved out from under the leadership of Adam while being tempted by the devil to disobey God. The same principle is true today.
Verse 14 is very insightful in explaining some of what happened at the Fall. Adam was not the one deceived, the woman was, and it was she who sinned. Adam, however, was right there with her, and his sin was listening to his wife knowing that she had been deceived. In short, Adam was too spineless to speak up and assume his role as leader, and because he failed to do so, the entire human race fell into sin as a result. The point here is clear in regard to the church.
Food for Thought
As controversial as this passage is in our modern day, it is still a part of God’s inerrant Word. It’s not that God is restricting women for the purpose of punishment, rather, this is God’s ordained purpose for humans in worship of Him, and it stems from the creation of man. God didn’t ask us if we like it, and He didn’t consult us when He set the male/female roles in place. These principles are as unchanging as God is. When we worship God it must be worship as God has ordained worship – in spirit and truth. To do so in any other way is not worship at all.
Just as in Genesis man failed to heed one command and suffered the consequences, even today the church has failed to obey the command regarding women in corporate worship. You can tell a lot from a church with a female pastor – they’re unbiblical and in disobedience.
1 Timothy 2:15…But women shall be preserved through the bearing of children if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.
Commentary
The word for "preserved" above is literally "saved" ("women shall be saved…"). This, however, is not to be confused with the salvation of one’s soul through childbearing because there are clearly many women who are physically unable to have children, and there are other women who have taken a vow of celibacy. The word for salvation in the NT is used a handful of times without reference to spiritual salvation, and this is of course one of those instances. If it weren’t then the verse would be saying that that salvation comes through works, and for women that would come through bearing children. This is not the meaning of the text however. Quite simply, the point here is that though the woman may have led the human race into sin, women have the unique privilege of serving God through bearing children. But what does that mean?
Because there are many women who
cannot or do not have children, the meaning goes deeper than what the English
text seems to imply. The word for "childbearing" in the Greek text
represents what one commentator says is "the general scope of activities
in which a Christian woman should be involved." When Paul called Timothy
his "true son in the faith" he is speaking of the same type thing,
namely, that though he has no children, he has raised up a child in the faith.
This type of "childbearing" is what it means to "adorn oneself
with good works" (
The other condition for the woman’s preservation is to "continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint." It could be translated "if she does not waver in her belief in Christ." Because "faith" here has no definite article preceding it, it likely refers to a strong and ongoing commitment to Jesus Christ. The "love" is reflective of the horizontal relationship she has with the people around her as opposed to Jesus Christ, though that too cannot be shirked. "Holiness" here is most likely used primarily in a moral sense, referring to a life that is dedicated to God and characterized by a life that reflects such dedication. The whole verse may be paraphrased as follows: If she with a humble heart perseveres in her belief in Christ, continues to love her fellow believers, and maintains a blameless life, she shall make amends for what happened in the Garden of Eden.
Food for Thought
In our modern day little attention
is given to the sin of mankind. Even Christians who are keenly aware of their
sinful state (though forgiven by the blood of Jesus Christ) don’t reflect
enough on the ramifications of the original sin in
Let us not fret about the seeming injustice of the roles of men and women, but instead let us worship the Creator God who not only molded and made us but who has lovingly and graciously allowed us to call on Him for deliverance. He has set up His standards for corporate worship in the church today. Let us rejoice in the fact that we have been given the guidelines for worshipping Him in spirit and in truth, for that is who He seeks to worship Him (John 4:21-24).
1 Timothy 3:1… It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he desires to do.
Commentary
God is a God of order throughout the Bible. Paul’s letter to Timothy shows God’s carefully designed order for proper church behavior and worship. In chapter 3 God’s design for church leadership is spelled out. “Overseer” comes from the Greek word episkopos which is translated in English as both “overseer” and “bishop.” Synonymous with the Greek presbuteros (English elders) both words describe church leaders. The Presbyterian church uses “elders” as church authorities while the Episcopal church calls them “bishops.” Though the denominations see church government a bit different, the words they use are biblically synonymous. The word for “pastor” also pertains to church leadership, and though many times in the Bible where words differ slightly making huge theological differences, this is not the case here. Pastor, elder, and overseer are synonymous in all contexts throughout the NT.
“It is a trustworthy statement” is a phrase used only in the so-called pastoral epistles (1 & 2 Timothy and Titus). This simply introduces a basic truth, and it might even be an indicator of a common creed that had become evident to all in the Christian church at that time. Whatever the exact meaning may be for the phrase, Paul now calls attention to the high calling of those who are qualified to serve as church leaders.
Those being addressed here are men because the office of overseer is only for men throughout the Bible. Once again, it is not that women are unable to lead, it’s just not their God-given role within the family and church leadership. This “aspiration” for leadership in the church means “a passionate compulsion.” In other words, desiring to be an overseer in the church is not just something qualified men half-heartedly want to do, they must passionately desire the office. The fact that the church cannot be led by just any man should be evident. It is not for all men, but for qualified men of passion who are compelled to be in that particular ministry.
Overseers in church leadership are
always spoken of in plurality. In other words, there isn’t just one of them who
rules over a particular church. In the NT overseers, often translated
“bishops,” are always spoken of as plural in a singular church. There must be a
plurality of leaders in a local church, not just one governing pastor or
regional “bishop” as many churches practice. The “fine work” Paul speaks of in
this office is hard work. It is about ruling (1 Tim.
Food for Thought
Competent and qualified church leaders are hard to come by today. Men with many skeletons in their closets are put in positions of leadership as well as many women who were never intended to be there in the first place. Unqualified leaders in our churches today give the late night comedians all the material they need for a good laugh. Why? Because the highest calling in the universe has been handed over all too often to the most unqualified “leaders.”
Today, pray for your church leadership. The work of a committed pastor is a never-ending work. The difficulty cannot be described, but it’s work that has more joy than any other. Praying for your church leaders actually makes you an integral part of that joy. Do so today.
1 Timothy 3:2-3… An overseer, then, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious, but gentle, uncontentious, free from the love of money.
Commentary
The “overseers” (pastors) of a church are given one overall character qualification: to be above reproach. Now this doesn’t mean that they be sinless, for no one is sinless. To be above reproach is to have no skeletons in one’s closet, as it were. Simply put, there are to be no moral or legal accusations against a pastor that would disqualify him from being in church leadership. The “be” verb in the verse is a present infinitive verb tense meaning that the pastor must be in a present state of being above reproach as well as an ongoing state.
All that follows “above reproach” are examples of what being above reproach is to look like. First, the pastor is to be the “husband of one wife” – literally “a one-woman man.” If the office was for women then the passage would say “a one-man woman,” but this office is exclusively male. A “one-woman man” is not only a man who is married to one woman but a man who has eyes for only one woman, namely his wife. It’s impossible to be monogamous and be involved in pornography, for that would disqualify him as not being fully devoted to his one wife. Equally, he can’t be involved in an extra-marital affair. The point here is that the man must be above reproach in his marriage IF he is married. This does not disqualify single men (in my opinion) however, for both Paul and Jesus were unmarried yet fully qualified for this elite office.
The second character quality of church pastors is “temperance.” This word literally means “one who is sober; restrained.” In other words, pastors must be self-controlled not controlled by anger, alcohol, or sexual misgivings. Third, pastors are to be “prudent.” This word means to be “sensible or moderate in one’s behavior.” Prudence is about being even-keeled in thought and behavior – not whimsical or outrageous in personality. Fourth, pastors are to be “respectable” – a word that refers to moderate behavior and clothing that depicts maturity and sensibility. Fifth, pastors are to be “hospitable.” Now being hospitable is about loving strangers. The home of a pastor is to be a home where his character is revealed to both strangers and friends. Sixth, pastors are to possess the ability to teach. This is one of the primary tasks of the pastors of the church, and it’s the one quality that separates them from the deacons. Pastors must be skilled teachers whose effective teaching is tied to his moral character, for he cannot be divorced from what he says. Simply put, pastors must have the Spirit-given ability to teach.
The last few descriptions of an overseer who is above reproach are in verse 3. He not be a drunkard, and he is not be given to quarrels (“pugnacious”). He must be able to take criticism without taking offense, all the while showing gentleness as opposed to offense. And he must not be one who loves money. Of course this wipes out most of the pastors today in churches because so many just want to get rich, and they actually teach that being monetarily wealthy is the indicator of God’s love. A pastor must not fall into this trap, for in doing so he disqualifies himself from church leadership.
Food for Thought
Those who seek the office of elder must seek the work the office requires and not the prestige it sometimes brings. Pray that the pastors of your church would be above reproach and would remain that way. Their character affects you as well as them. You will reap the blessings of their character and their leadership just by praying for them. Also, hold them accountable to these high standards.
1 Timothy 3:4-7… He must be one who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity 5 (but if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of God?); 6 and not a new convert, lest he become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. 7 And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he may not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
Commentary
The qualifications of church leaders goes beyond what they do in public. Their home life must also be exemplary. Being above reproach means "managing one’s household well." Unfortunately the inability of many men to rule over, literally "preside over," their household well has disqualified them from church leadership, and if it hasn’t then it should. Most men don’t rule in their homes – their wives do, and this is to their detriment. A man who is in formal leadership in a church as an elder/pastor/overseer can’t rule in a church unless he rules in his home, and he must do it well. One way to determine if a man rules his home well is his children. "Keeping his children under control with all dignity" does not disqualify those without children, but it does keep those with children in check. "Under control" is actually a military term that speaks of lining up in rank under authority. An elder’s children must be well-behaved, respectful of authority, and disciplined. Whether they are children under the age of one or teen-agers, they are to be ruled over by their parents, not vice versa as is the case in far too many homes today.
Verse 5 is parenthetical and poses
the logical question of how can a man lead a church yet not manage his own home
well. In other words, if a man can’t manage his children, and if his wife is
the ruler in the home, how can he be expected to take care of the
Verse 6 continues with an elder’s qualifications in that he cannot be a recent convert to Christianity. Recent converts tend to become filled with pride, and they far too often look down on those who don’t know Christ – many times the same people they used to run with. Their new life in Christ causes them to be "puffed up," and since pride was the downfall of the devil, bringing about his condemnation, it is most certainly the downfall of many men who are recent converts to Christ. Of course many men who are lifelong Christians and who have never grown spiritually are still spiritually arrogant due to their lack of growth. The antidote of pride is humility, and humility is the mark of a mature Christian and one who should lead a church.
Verse 7 says, "And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he may not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil." Many Christian men have good reputations with those inside the church because they have duped others into thinking well of them with their outward appearances and "King James Version prayers." But the real mark of their character is what those outside the church say about the church leader. Does he conduct business fairly? What is his tax record with the IRS? What do his neighbors say about him? If the elder is above reproach among his secular neighbors then he won’t fall into the "snare of the devil." This is a trap set up by the devil for the very purpose of tripping up God’s leaders.
Food for Thought
We ought to pray that our church elders BE these men. These standards are lofty, and they can only be attained through walking with God every day through study and prayer. Our church leaders are to set a standard of behavior that the world, secular and Christian, loves and strives after. These are heroic character traits that everyone should strive to attain -- whether in leadership or not. Use the passage above as your prayer today for what you want God to make you into today.
1 Timothy 3:8-10… Deacons likewise must be men of dignity, not double-tongued, or addicted to much wine or fond of sordid gain, 9 but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And let these also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproach.
Commentary
After addressing the church overseers in the previous passages, Paul now turns his attention to the deacons of the church. Deacons is literally “servants” and refers to the specific office in the church of serving. Whereas the overseers/elders lead the church through preaching and teaching and setting of policy, the deacons primarily serve the congregation. Of course this is the task of all Christians, but this specific passage deals with the formal office of the deacon.
The first character trait of deacons is that they are to be “men of dignity.” This phrase translates a word that means “serious” as it relates to one’s character and state of mind. This character trait is opposite silliness, but it is also not one that promotes a cold and sullen personality. It describes a mature man.
The second character trait of deacons is “not double-tongued.” This basically means that they are not hypocritical. They live what they say and believe in the God they seek to serve. They are not “addicted to much wine” which, like overseers, means that they are not drunkards. In addition, deacons, like overseers, are not “fond of sordid gain” – they aren’t lovers of money or controlled by a insatiable lust for more. To be fond of sordid gain would show a willingness to cheat people out of their money while serving them or to have ulterior motives in service to those who are rich. Deacons serve God out of a heart overflowing with joy from the forgiveness they received when they trusted in Jesus Christ for salvation. That is their sole motive.
Verse 9 speaks of the “mystery of the faith.” Mystery simply refers to a previously hidden truth that is now revealed. This “mystery of faith” is the mystery of the New Testament. Since the revelation of Jesus Christ was not revealed in the OT, this mystery of the Incarnation of Jesus Christ and his indwelling of believers in his name is the hidden now revealed. Deacons are to hold to these truths with a “clear conscience,” that is they are not to just believe in the truth of Jesus Christ, they are to live it. It goes hand-in-hand with not being double-tongued.
Verse 10
speaks of deacons needing to be tested to determine whether or not they are
above reproach – a term that must describe all of God’s servants. Their testing
is described by an ongoing tense verb that can only mean that they are to be
continually tested as true servants in the
Food for Thought
We are all called to be servants in God’s church. It doesn’t matter if we fail to meet all the criteria for the formal office of overseer and deacon – we are to serve others. That’s what makes us ministers (servants). Though the formal office is for those who qualify, the responsibilities of living up to God’s perfect standards is not negotiable. These standards are for all of us to strive after. It certainly gives us something to pray about because these are lofty standards that we far too often fall way short of.
Be sure to hold your church leadership to these high standards. After all, they are biblical. But also pray that you will be held to these righteous standards. They reflect Jesus Christ.
1 Timothy 3:11-13… Women must likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all things. 12 Let deacons be husbands of only one wife, and good managers of their children and their own households. 13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.
Commentary
Whereas the
first ten verses have dealt with the male offices of leadership (overseers and
deacons), verse 11 addresses the women servants in the church. Some have said
that these women are the wives of the deacons, but this makes little sense in
light of the fact that the wives of the overseers are not singled out. Though
women are not to teach or have authority over a man in the church and are to
remain silent in worship gatherings (cf. 1 Tim. 2:9-15; 1 Cor.
The qualifications of women servants in the church are the same as those of elders and deacons. They are to be “dignified.” In other words, the women were to be mature and behave in such a way that they were noticed for their mature behavior (cf. 1 Tim. 2:9-10). Second, women were not to be given to gossip. “Gossip” translates a word that means “to slander falsely.” Men and women both are prone to gossip, so both sexes can benefit from this admonition. Third, women are to be “temperate” which is the same trait overseers are to strive after. It means to be “sober” – to be self-controlled as opposed to having one’s feelings and emotions controlled by someone or something else. Finally, Christian women who serve in the church are to be “faithful in all things.” It’s simply another admonition, this time to women, to be above reproach.
After this side-track on the character standards of Christian women in the church, Paul picks up again with the deacons in verse 12. Just like overseers, a deacon is to be a “one woman man.” He is to have one woman who catches his attention: his wife. And he must also manage his children well – a clear sign that he is a godly leader and servant. It doesn’t meant that he must have perfect children, it has more to do with what he does with his imperfect children. Having eyes only for his wife and dealing properly with his sinful children tells others exactly what’s inside of a man. What isn’t in the list for deacon qualifications is the ability to teach – a must requirement for elders, and the one quality that separates the two offices.
Verse 13 is explanatory when it says, “Those helpers who do their work well win for themselves a good standing and are able to speak boldly about their faith in Christ Jesus” (TEV). So the “helpers” here are those who serve God faithfully and after doing so can speak boldly about their faith. This is in stark contrast to those who continually sin, for they are completely unable to preach about the God they somehow believe they serve. Their consciences keep them from sharing with others because they don’t “do their work well.”
Food for Thought
Since the term “deacon” means “servant” we all must consider these qualifications. Yes, being appointed to the office of deacon is “official,” but it doesn’t negate any other Christian’s responsibility to serve God in their given role. God didn’t create us for our own glory but for His.
Our service to Him must be done with purity, character, and
diligence. God is a God of order, and His instructions to us through the pen of
the Apostle Paul are “so that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in
the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and
support of the truth” (1 Timothy
1 Timothy 3:14-15… I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long; 15 but in case I am delayed, I write so that you may know how one ought to conduct himself in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth.
Commentary
It is the
Apostle Paul who writes these words to his young protégé Timothy sometime
around AD 63. Paul is about 250 miles away in
Paul says something beautiful about the “household of God” in verse 15. Since we are given instructions on how we should behave in God’s household, it is important to know what that household is. God’s house is a group of people – it’s not a church building. Each individual Christian is a house for God, for that is where He dwells, and though God is omnipresent, His Holy Spirit resides in the hearts and lives of believers. When believers come together for the common goal of worship this too is the household of God. While in another person’s house we are careful to obey the rules and be on our best behavior, it should be no different with God’s house. We gather together to worship, and Paul’s letter to Timothy shows us how.
God’s household is called “the church of the living God” and “the pillar and support of the truth.” The word for church is literally “a group of people called out.” So here it is “a group of people called out of the living God.” The church is from God, and notice here that God is not dead and that this living God has called a group of people out who are to be His own. That’s an honor and a task, and since it is the living God who called them out, then they have a responsibility to follow the commands of the One who called them out. Hence this letter on how to behave in the household of God.
“The pillar
and support of the truth” modifies “church of the living God.” In
Food for Thought
Today people think of church and laugh. Instead of being viewed as the pillar and support of the truth it is scoffed at and mocked as just the opposite. It’s the place where narrow-minded people go and leave their brains in the parking lot, as it were. It’s the place where sexual scandal and financial rip-offs occur on a daily basis. How far we sinful people have strayed!
What the church really is is people – people called out by God to support and uphold the truth. Our responsibility is greater than any world leader who holds the security code to their nuclear weapons. It’s greater than any brain or heart surgeon who restores health. As Christians we hold all the answers the world seeks and longs after. Unfortunately we have tainted our credibility with the world to the point where they laugh at us and look everywhere else for truth. It’s time to behave accordingly. Timothy’s letter reminds us and instructs us of our labor.
1 Timothy 3:16… And by common confession great is the mystery of godliness: He who was revealed in the flesh, was vindicated in the Spirit, beheld by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory.
Commentary
"By common confession" is a Greek word that literally means "most assuredly." This opening phrase introduces a credo to what must or should be admitted and publicly acknowledged. This "common confession" is the mystery of godliness. Now in the NT "mystery" pertains to that which was once hidden but is now revealed. A clear example of a hidden truth in the OT that is revealed in the NT is the church – the pillar and foundation of the truth. The church is unseen and not revealed in the OT, and the formation of it in keeping with God’s eternal plan of salvation is a great mystery that was hidden in ages past but now revealed.
The "mystery of godliness" is quite simply Jesus Christ. Paul lists six revelations about him. First, Jesus was revealed in the flesh. In other words, God became a man. His being "revealed" simply means that He became visible. Jesus Christ made God visible to sinful man, and even though this was a new beginning for man, it was not a beginning for the Son of God, for He has always been and has no beginning or end.
The second "mystery of
godliness" is that Jesus was "vindicated in the Spirit."
Vindication simply means "to declare righteous." Jesus Christ was
declared to be righteous by his sinless life on the earth, AND by the testimony
of the Holy Spirit, the agent who raised him from the dead. This is his
vindication in the Spirit. Third, Jesus was "seen by angels." His
birth was foretold by an angel, these angels ministered to him during his
40-day trials in the wilderness, and he was strengthened by the angel in the
Fourth, Jesus was proclaimed among the nations. No other man’s influence has penetrated the world like that of Jesus Christ. From the day of His resurrection to the present his name and message have been preached all over the planet. Fifth, Jesus was believed on in the world. A simple reading of the Book of Acts shows how it all began, but it is clear that the message of Jesus Christ has not fallen on deaf ears. Though continually rejected throughout time, he continues to change lives because there is salvation in no other name under heaven. Finally, he was "taken up in glory." This refers to the account in Acts 1:9-10 where Jesus was taken away in the same way that he will return.
Food for Thought
The message of truth that the church upholds and proclaims today is the message of eternity. The six statements about Jesus Christ are what we call the "gospel" – the good news. Paul said this was a "common confession" – one that must be admitted and publicly acknowledged. Unfortunately, today many refuse to acknowledge this common confession, and yet some who refuse have no problem admitting the historicity of these six statements.
A church in
1 Timothy 4:1-2… But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons, 2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron…
Commentary
What the Holy Spirit clearly says about people falling away from the faith in the passage above is clearly seen today. This apostasy (falling away) has always been and will continue to the end of time. A quick read through the OT books of Kings and Chronicles reveals many kings who began with a heart devoted to the Lord but who, at the end of their lives, were following after other so-called gods. Even in the study of 1 Timothy we’ve seen two men, Alexander and Hymenaeus, who abandoned the faith. These people, without knowing it, and the many others like them, actually follow after “deceitful spirits and the doctrines of demons.” Any belief system or doctrine that is not biblical falls into this category, no matter how subtle.
Unfortunately
demons have been relegated to folklore and myth. This is unfortunate because
the Bible speaks of them as real, evil, and influential. Their influence is so
great that it has caused many to renounce their faith in Jesus Christ and turn
to myth. They have this power because, just like their master, Satan, they have
the ability to transform themselves into angels of light (2 Cor.
The
doctrines of demons are also not-so-subtle. For those who are willingly
pursuing blasphemy against God, demonic teachings also go to the extreme of
atheistic organizations and the deliverance the
The means
by which these demonic doctrines are foisted upon God’s people are through
other people. Demons have always used human agents to propagate their lies
because they themselves are not human and have no human form. These human
teachers are often college professors, high school/elementary teachers, and
even preachers (more often than not!). These preachers are hypocritical “liars
seared in their own conscience as with a branding iron.” Their consciences have
become so seared through years of speaking lies and non-truths,
they’re like calluses that feel no pain. Sitting under these teachers and
preachers is dangerous at best and has no value. Paul calls their teachings
“cancer” (2 Tim.
Food for Thought
Sadly, the world today is victimized by doctrines of demons. They’re in magazines, best-selling books, movies, and television. They are espoused from the church pulpit, and they run rampant in much of the church music that we sing. The devil is quite the clever being, and history have proven that he stops at nothing to deceive God’s people.
It’s not that real Christians can actually lose their salvation, for the Bible is clear that the elect of God, those chosen from the foundation of the world, are sealed by the Holy Spirit when they believe, and that Holy Spirit guarantees their redemption (Ephesians 1:3-14). However, there are clearly those that make a claim to faith in Christ and yet fall away after being led astray by the doctrines of demons. As always, the remedy to false teaching and falling away is God’s Word. Pick it up today and receive a dose of truth. Knowing truth will keep you from falsity.
1 Timothy 4:3: “…men who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods, which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.”
Commentary
In keeping with the prediction of the so-called Christians who turn away from the faith to the doctrines of demons introduced to them through hypocritical liars with no conscience (1 Tim. 4:1-2), the above passage deals specifically with two of the subtle teachings these demons introduce. This prediction of apostasy is Paul’s way of saying that it isn’t coming in the future but that the future is already here. Remember that Paul has already admonished Timothy to refute false doctrine and the teachers that propagate such things (1 Tim. 1:3-4).
The first demonic doctrine doesn’t sound evil at all, but since it contradicts God’s Word, it’s evil. “Men who forbid marriage” pertains to the Gnostic teachings that were so prevalent at that time (known today as the New Age Movement). Gnostics taught that all matter was evil and only spirit is good. As such, the body is evil, and the instincts of the body are evil, and the offspring of marriage is also evil because the offspring is matter, not spirit. Of course this is not to be confused with Paul’s teaching in 1 Corinthians 7 that it is good not to be married. In the same context he promotes the goodness of marriage and the proper way to be married. He only speaks of celibacy as a gift, a calling, and only for some, not all. The Gnostics taught that it was evil across the board. This teaching, espoused by some today in the feminist movement, is a doctrine of demons. Notice how subtle it is while at the same time being radical. It’s not a call to worship Satan but a teaching that contradicts scripture, calling what God made good, bad.
The second demonic doctrine Paul brings up is the “abstaining from foods.” Again, Gnostics believed that since food was matter, it was evil, and they abstained from food as much as they could because it fed the evil material body. Their food was the spiritual gnosis (Greek “knowledge”) that only the spiritual elite in their religion had access to. This food fed their spirits which was part divine in their minds. Today this demonic doctrine is not to be confused with vegetarianism if vegetarians don’t promote it as a doctrine of elite knowledge. In other words, vegetarians can be vegetarians as long as they don’t promote this practice as a spiritual calling from God that sets them up above the rest. Many vegetarians do this and look down on others who eat meat. When this happens it becomes a demonic doctrine taught by demons through the mouth of deceived man.
The two examples given, the perversion of marriage and food, are only two of the many demonic doctrines taught during Paul’s day, and to a large extent are also taught today. The important thing to recognize is that God has created both to be “gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth.” God’s declared all that He created “good,” and for man to teach otherwise is evil – a demonic doctrine.
Food for Thought
What kind of legalism do you struggle with? Avoiding certain foods because they’re “unclean” on certain days? Steering clear of all alcohol? Wearing your “Sunday best” for church on Sunday? All these are fine in and of themselves, but they are legalisms. If we teach people that they must obey these things to be beautiful in God’s eyes then we promote the doctrines of demons. The important thing, as always, is to know God’s truth and measure it against the legalisms of our day. The best way to recognize demonic doctrines is to be well-versed in the truth of God’s Word. That way when someone tells you that eating mammals is wrong, for instance, you’ll know that God’s Word says otherwise. You’ll know that it’s a demonic doctrine.
1 Timothy 4:4-5… For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it is received with gratitude; 5 for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.
Commentary
The underlying facet of all false teaching (demonic doctrine) is that it denies God’s divine revelation. In the context of abstaining from marriage and certain foods, Paul reminds Timothy that everything God created is good, and “nothing is to be rejected if it is received with gratitude.” To reject what God has made good is equal to taking a fine gift from a loved one and telling them “no thanks.” It’s insulting to the giver, and it deprives the receiver and the giver of the blessings that come with the gift. God gave marriage to those who believe in Him and understand His truth, and He gave all food as nourishment and enjoyment to those He loves.
God gave many things to man, but man has continually perverted what God made good. In the beginning God created all things and gave man dominion over His creation after He called it “good.” The first marriage was good, but man has perverted marriage and the sexual pleasure associated with marriage. God rested on the seventh day of His creation and commanded that man do the same. Though misinterpreted to mean that man cannot do anything that requires work, man has perverted the day of rest to become a day of regular work while ignoring any worship of God on that day. Man has perverted pleasure, work, marriage, money, and the freedom God gave. Most people think it’s a “right” to do as we please and enjoy the freedoms God gave us, but it’s really a gift and a privilege. When people preach their “right” to bear arms, their “right” to abortion, their “right” to civil liberties, they lose sight of God. In promoting these things as “rights” we promote the doctrines of demons if we do so legalistically.
All of
God’s creation is good, and nothing is to be rejected, “if it is received with
gratitude.” There’s the catch: it must be received with gratitude. Man’s
enjoyment of God’s creation must ultimately bring praise to God. As one man has
said, “By gratefully receiving God’s gracious gifts, believers fulfill that
noble intention for which those gifts were created.” Romans
Verse 5 speaks of what happens when we give thanks to God for His creation: “For it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer.” “Sanctified” translates a Greek word that simply means “holy” or “separate.” God’s creation is always holy because it came about by his “word,” and prayers of thanksgiving further separate it because it is received with gratefulness.
Food for Thought
Why would anyone reject what God has made good? In doing so they only cheat themselves out of the many blessings God has made available through His creation. If you reject fatty foods, for instance, for the purpose of your health, that’s great! But if you reject fatty foods as evil then you insult God. If you reject marriage, rest, work, play, alcohol, and/or certain foods on certain days for the purpose of holiness, then you reject God’s perfect creation and use your body and mouth as an instrument for the teachings of demons.
Today, give thanks over your food at each meal. Give thanks if God has blessed you with a marriage. Give thanks if He has set you apart to be single. All things are good because God’s word in creating them made them good. Don’t forget to thank Him and recognize Him for that creation. After all, when you create a meal, build a car, or make a baby, you want to be recognized as doing or creating something good. Any word from someone contrary to that, or even their silence, is insulting. It’s really no different with God. Give Him thanks and all glory.
1 Timothy 4:6… In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following.
Commentary
Paul’s letter to Timothy is a letter from an apostle (one who saw the resurrected Christ) to the young pastor. “These things” Paul speaks of refer back to verses 1-5 that speak of the necessity of correcting false doctrine, namely, the doctrines of demons that are purveyed through the mouths and lives of false teachers. In pointing out these false doctrines to other Christians Paul says that he will be a “good servant of Christ Jesus.” To literally “point out” is to “remind” or “suggest. ” This refers to a gentle and polite suggestion, and the present tense of the verb shows that Timothy (and all other pastors for that matter) was to continually “point out.” This humble action, if done continually, makes one a “good servant.” The word for “good” here can also be rendered as “excellent, noble, or admirable.” The word for “servant” here is literally “deacon,” but it is deacon in a general sense as opposed to the office of deacon. In other words, Timothy, as a pastor, would be considered a good pastor and servant of Jesus Christ if he continually points out the good from the bad doctrines.
A good servant of Christ Jesus is one who is “constantly nourished on the words of the faith and the sound doctrine…” The “words of faith” are quite literally the truths found in the holy scriptures, and “sound doctrine” is the accurate interpretation that stems from the scriptures. Here in this one verse is the job description and work performance evaluator of all elders and pastors – they study and preach God’s Word continually. In the same way that the human body craves nourishment to live, the soul of man has a continual need for God’s Word. As opposed to having the proverbial “pastor’s heart” that is more often than not involved in idle tasks of administration and continual meetings, the successful pastor spends his time being nourished on the words of faith and sound doctrine. The present tense of the verb once again shows that a pastor must continually spend his time studying God’s Word, praying through it, meditating on it, and mastering its teachings. This is the job description of the “good servant of Christ Jesus.” Now that’s a description of Christians, and even pastors today, that is far too uncommon.
Food for Thought
Today most pastors are rated on their ability to communicate. Oftentimes they are said to be great if they pastor a large church, have lots of alphabet soup behind their names to reflect their educational backgrounds, have authored many books, and have appeared on radio and/or television programs. That kind of “greatness,” however, is nowhere found in the pages of scripture. These “marks of success” are all too common, and because of it much of modern day preaching has become weak and lacking in authority. Too often today’s pastors have little commitment to the study of scripture, and consequently are not challenged to grow spiritually. How can they when they’re not nourished on the Words of God daily? The result is that church audiences reflect the shallowness of their leaders and perpetuate that shallowness to future generations. What is often called “Christian” today is a hollow shell of what once was, and since 90% of what most Christians know comes from their pastor, it makes perfect sense that these men are the cause of this shallowness.
It’s time to expect more from our church leaders. God calls them “shepherds,” and as one man has said, “the shepherds need to spend less time petting their sheep and more time feeding them.” If your pastor isn’t spending time being nourished on God’s Word, you won’t either.
1 Timothy 4:7… But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness;
Commentary
The
imperative form of the verb here (“have nothing to do with”) reveals Paul’s
concern over the danger that creeps into one’s theology when we dabble in myths
and worldly fables. This verb is a strong word that means to “reject” or to
“put away.” In other words, “Reject all worldly fables and myths.” The word for
“worldly” is a word that means “unholy” and is specifically referring to
anything that contradicts God’s Word as found in the Bible. This goes
hand-in-hand with the “doctrines of demons” Paul warns about in 4:1. The word
for “fables” comes from the Greek word mythos
where we get “myth.” Myths are quite simply the opposite of truth, and since
the church is the pillar and foundation of truth (1 Tim.
After giving Timothy the warning of what not to do, he now enlightens him in proper behavior. The literal translation of the verb translated into English as “discipline” here is actually the same word where we get our English “gymnasium.” It literally means to “exercise naked” in the original Greek text. Every Greek city had a gymnasium, and most young boys between the ages of 16-18 trained for athletic events. What Paul is saying is to do the very thing Greek athletes did in that day – run naked so as to not have any encumbrances to slow them down. Interpreted, this is a call to Christians to train for godliness in the same unimpeded way that an athlete trains for physical strength. What oftentimes hinders Christians is becoming involved in worldly events, money, stories, illustrations, and anecdotes. Paul says to put that away and train for “godliness” – a behavior reflecting accuracy, discipline, and piety. This is the pastor’s goal.
Food for Thought
Many Christians today attempt to run their race bogged down with all sorts of hindrances. Some are looking for just the right book to read, the right music group to listen to, and the perfect preacher to learn from. These are all worthy endeavors, but somewhere along the way something happens. They buy the wrong book, and it promotes a demonic doctrine. They begin to worship a musical group or individual who has a moral failure. They find the right preacher who has a great ability to speak and communicate but has nothing to say for lack of study and piety. Consequently, Christians get bogged down and tend to lose heart.
The answer for all this is God’s Word. It doesn’t take a cleric to interpret scripture, but it does takes time, study, prayer, and the Holy Spirit. Putting off everything that hinders us – things like top-selling novels and too much TV or other worthless wastes of time – puts us in the presence of God and His Word. It is when we find ourselves there that we begin to truly grow and become the godly people we admire others for being. In so doing we set an example to everyone else who desires that same lifestyle and witness. All it really takes is an inventory of how we spend our time and what we want from our lives. Usually what we have and what we do just hinders what we really want and what God requires of us. Consider it today.
1 Timothy 4:8-9… for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. 9 It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance.
Commentary
Reflecting on the previous verse about disciplining oneself for godliness, Paul says that bodily exercise is only a little bit good. In his day, as in ours, much time was spent on the physical body. There were gymnasiums in most cities, and the athletes trained quite regularly – naked! Paul uses this same imagery in the previous passage to admonish Timothy to not let anything hinder him in his quest for godliness – to train naked, as it were. In keeping with this thought, Paul makes a clear distinction between the body and soul here. Though he in no way teaches that the physical body is to be ignored, he does teach that it is secondary to the human soul. Physical exercise has only one benefit in that it is good for our brief time on the earth. However, godliness, which is the exercise of the soul, is beneficial for the present life and the life to come. King Solomon says the same thing in Proverbs 3:7-8: “Fear the Lord and shun evil; this will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones.”
In contrast to training one’s body for a fine physique – ultimately an act of polishing the brass on a sinking ship – training the soul for godliness has eternal ramifications. Though it is true that we take nothing physical with us after we pass on, we do take what we know in our minds and hearts. Every moment spent in prayer, study, worship, and service toward God goes with us because each one of these virtues trains the soul – the one thing we never lose.
Verse nine says that this is a “trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance.” This is a phrase that Paul uses five times – all in his letters to young pastors (the Pastoral Epistles). A trustworthy statement is a self-evident and obvious statement of truth. The statement Paul is speaking of is “bodily exercise is of some value, but godliness is profitable for all things.” Of course all of scripture is worth repeating and deserves to be in the category of “trustworthy statements,” but this small passage seems to sum up what is important in life, namely, godliness.
Food for Thought
There’s nothing wrong with going to the gym and working out. Many do it every day, others do it occasionally, and others just think a lot about it. Some people become so enamoured with their bodies that physical training becomes their passion and their god. They spend most of their time and energy “polishing the brass on a sinking ship” because the body will die. No matter how great it looks today, someday it will be gone, and there’s nothing we can do about that reality. It is the one thing we all have to do.
Isn’t it amazing how little time most people spend on their eternal souls? Even among Christians today, more time is spent at the gym or watching television than feeding our anemic souls. This is unfortunate because it is the soul that is eternal, and no matter how much time we spend on our physical bodies and no matter how great they may look, it is our soul that matters.
Make sure you don’t neglect your physical body today. It needs nourishment. But spend some time on your soul by feeding it the necessary food. If you spend a couple of hours per week in the gym and pay joining fees and monthly dues, make sure you spend a little more on your local church. In the end it will be quite embarrassing when we face God, and it’s our 24-Hour Fitness membership that took more of our time and money than our local church which is the “pillar and foundation of the truth.” One develops the body that will die, and the other develops the soul that lives forever. The choice on which one is more important seems quite clear.
1 Timothy 4:10-11… For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. 11 Prescribe and teach these things.
Commentary
“This labor” that Paul speaks of is godliness – the act of worshipping God in all circumstances. This quest is not something that takes a year or ten years but a lifetime. Paul says that he “labors” after this. This word means to “work to the point of weariness and exhaustion.” It is a present tense verb which indicates that it is a constant quest – a never-ending work. He also says that he “strives” after godliness. This word comes from the Greek word agonizomai which is where we get our English word “agony.” It means to “engage in a struggle.” In other words, Paul and his Christian brothers and sisters continually work to the point of exhaustion and agonize as they strive to attain the one thing that lasts forever: godliness. How do they do it? By “fixing their hope on the living God.” Their hope isn’t on their physical bodies, and it isn’t on their material possessions. Their hope – their confidence – is simply on God and what it takes to be like Him and to worship Him. How many of us can say that?
Paul says an interesting thing here about this God he strives and agonizes after. He is the “living God, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers.” God and Jesus are used interchangeably by Paul throughout the Pastoral Epistles, and each one is said to be the “Savior.” In Paul’s eyes they are one, and this is just a taste of the biblical doctrine of the Trinity.
But Paul says that God is the Savior of ALL men – especially of those who believe. This one verse is the key to the understanding what Jesus did on the cross for all of mankind. Clearly stated, Jesus died for the sins of ALL. He saved everyone but especially believers. Now since it is clear from scripture that all men are “saved,” it should be equally clear that not all men go to heaven after they die (cf. Adolph Hitler, Judas Iscariot, the final Antichrist, etc.). Believing the scriptures never contradict themselves, this passage, along with the rest of the Bible, must be carefully studied in order to understand it. The adverb “especially” clearly sets believers apart from non-believers in this passage. Non-believers are saved but only in a temporal sense. They are saved from God’s wrath temporarily, but God’s wrath will eventually come (cf. Rev. 6-19). In the same way that the annual Day of Atonement for the Jews covered over the sins of the nation, the death of Jesus covers over the sins of all mankind. However, ultimate and eternal salvation is for those who believe and place their trust in Jesus Christ. Though temporally saved on this present earth by the blood of Jesus Christ, unbelievers meet their ultimate death when Jesus returns in bodily form to take those who belong to Him to be with Him. God is the Savior of all men in a temporal sense, but He is the Savior of those who believe in Him in an eternal sense – and eternal life with Him is exclusively for those who believe.
Verse 11 reflects back on all that Paul has said when he says, “Prescribe and teach these things.” To “prescribe” means to “command,” and to “teach” is to “pass on the truth.” Pastors are never to shy away from what God has clearly given us to live by, and all believers are commanded to teach these things. We are not to be ashamed in any way of what God has said.
Food for Thought
We serve a great and mighty God. He is a good God, and He is so far beyond us. His ways are higher than our ways, and only He brings salvation. His Words are the words of life, and though they are many times difficult to comprehend, we must strive and agonize after them and the life they bring. This must be our quest. Godliness is the mark of believers.
1 Timothy 4:11-12… Prescribe and teach these things. 12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe.
Commentary
“These things” are the six qualities of a good servant of Christ Jesus found in verses 6-10. A good servant warns others of doctrinal error, masters the body of scripture, avoids teaching that is unholy, trains himself in godliness, works in ministry to the point of exhaustion, and teaches God’s truths with authority. A good servant “prescribes and teaches these things.”
In verse 12 Paul admonishes Timothy to not allow anyone to look down on his youthfulness. Timothy’s youthfulness is actually that of a man somewhere in his mid to upper thirties. He had been with Paul for about 15 years at this point, but he was considerably younger than Paul. In those days, as well as our own, youthfulness implies immaturity, and Paul’s advice to this young man was to thwart the way older people despised Timothy’s youth by behaving in a way that was more reminiscent of an older and more mature man. We see this today in some young people when they clearly stand out among their peers through their mature behavior.
God’s recipe for thwarting immaturity and showing true godliness is fivefold in the latter part of verse 12. First, the good servant of God is an example to others in “speech.” A minister can be the greatest teacher and best looking man in the world, but if his speech is tainted with foul words or immature jokes, he can never be taken seriously. He must avoid lying, angry speech, and slanderous words. His speech must be solid. Second, a good servant of Christ must be mature in his “conduct.” He must behave himself in a way that is consistent with pure doctrine. He can’t preach against lying and adultery and yet practice these sins. Given that people more often than not follow one’s behavior rather than one’s words, it is imperative that the servant of God behave accordingly. Third, a good servant must “love.” Now biblical love, known as agape love, is a far cry from the hollow emotion that people call love today. The love of the servant of God is an unconditional love that involves self-sacrificing service to others. It’s a love that expects nothing in return yet always perseveres and never fails. Many “servants” of God tend to lack this virtue, but without it we are nothing more than a “clanging cymbal.” Fourth, the servant of God is “faithful.” He doesn’t stray off of the path set before him, and he isn’t given to whims and peer pressure. He is a servant “above reproach,” and as such he always remains that way. Finally, a good servant of Christ Jesus shows himself as an example to others in his “purity.” This purity has to do with moral and sexual purity both in one’s actions and one’s intentions. This is a prime point of attack for Satan of course because it has taken many down.
Food for Thought
Since a good “servant” of Christ Jesus is anyone who calls themselves by the name of Christ (Christian), these qualities are not just for pastors and elders. However, any pastor who is not able to set the example of these biblical virtues has no business in church leadership – no matter how great a teacher he is. Ungodly behavior just lowers the standard and trips many people up. As one commentator puts it: “Setting the example of godly living that others can follow is the sine qua non of excellence in ministry. When a manifest pattern of godliness is missing, the power is drained out of preaching, leaving it a hollow, empty shell.”
Remember that today, even though you may not be a pastor, as a Christian you have the unique responsibility of representing Christ to others. It isn’t something to be taken lightly. Pray over these virtues and ask our Almighty God to make you sound in speech, conduct, and purity.
1 Timothy 4:13… Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, and teaching.
Commentary
It is
evident from the above passage that Paul had every intention of returning to
Timothy in
The first
commission to Timothy was to the public reading of scripture. In the Greek text
“Public” is not in the Greek text, but the fact that the definite article
precedes “reading” indicates that this reading is “the reading,” implying a
public reading. This was a normal practice because many people didn’t possess a
copy of the scriptures, and the public reading of it gave them a regular chance
to hear it. This practice dated back to the Exile of the Jews in 539 BC as
indicated by Nehemiah 8:1-8. When the church was established at Pentecost (Acts
2) the public reading of scripture was accompanied by the apostles teaching
(cf. Acts
The second commission to Timothy regarding public worship was “exhortation.” This word means “to comfort; to encourage.” In the context, it is a call to encourage the hearers of the public reading of scripture to move to action and to apply the truths of what they were hearing. It is a call to obedience, and a reminder that disobedience brings about God’s judgment. Exhortation can be associated with chiding, caution, and counseling, but it always involves love and concern for one’s soul.
The final commission for Timothy involved teaching in the public worship service. Though somewhat related to the reading of the passage of scripture, teaching is all about explanation and exposition. One of the qualities that sets an elder apart from the rest is his ability to teach. The entire point of being in ministry is telling others about God – about Jesus Christ, and having a knowledge of God is essential to teaching about God. Teaching involves a commitment to the biblical text, a simple and straightforward interpretation of that text, an application of the text, and an ability to preach without fear that comes from a life that is above reproach (see John Chrysostom). As Paul later says in 1 Timothy 5:17, “The men who work hard at preaching and teaching in the church are the ones who deserve the greatest honor.”
Food for Thought
The basis for worship in the church today encompasses three things: the reading of the Word of God, the exhortation to obey that Word, and the exposition and application of that Word. Isn’t is odd how most churches today don’t do any of these? Isn’t it odd how most sermons usually contain more illustrations and jokes than Bible exposition? Isn’t it odd how churches today, instead of following these three principles, are more concerned with music and ritual? As John Huxtable once said concerning preachers, “a man does not qualify to be a preacher of the Word by making weekly sallies into the good book to discover some peg on which to hang some scattered observations about men and affairs.” And yet that is exactly the title given to men today who stand in front of an audience on Sunday mornings in most churches.
1 Timothy 4:14… Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed upon you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.
Commentary
After commissioning Timothy to obey the standard of public worship, Paul commands him not to neglect the “spiritual gift” within him. There are many spiritual gifts, and all Christians who are truly born again has at least one of them. These gifts include administration, helps, faith, encouragement, and teaching to name only a few. These gifts (Greek charismata) are the means through which the Holy Spirit ministers to other people. God works through people, and these gifts enable all Christians to have a part in the full body of Christ. Timothy’s gift was teaching and leadership. Unfortunately Timothy appears to have been a very timid young man. Paul had to encourage Timothy to ignite his spiritual gift and not forget his mission as a follower of Jesus Christ.
Now the spiritual gift(s) of Timothy was “bestowed” upon him “through prophetic utterance.” In other words, there was a public affirmation of his gift(s) through God’s divine revelation. The circumstances surrounding this public affirmation, however, are not given to us in scripture, but it most likely took place during the early ministry of Paul when he met Timothy on one of his missionary journeys (cf. Acts 16:1-3). In the modern day God does not call people into ministry through a divine revelation (though many would beg to differ). God doesn’t set neon signs in the sky to call us into ministry, but he does do it through divine guidance. This guidance usually comes to a man or woman through a deep compulsion to teach God’s Word to those who have never heard it and/or never understood it. It is an unmistakable call due to the fact that it propels a person into ministry and keeps him/her miserable until they submit to such a call. It’s as unmistakable as any neon sign in the sky.
The final phrase in the passage is an interesting one. Timothy’s “gift” was bestowed on him “with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.” This is basically an ordination ceremony done by a group of men called “elders” (Greek presbuterion). Most likely somewhere around the time of the “prophetic utterance” concerning Timothy he was commissioned by the elders of a certain church to go forth into ministry. His calling in ministry was unmistakable, and for him to walk away from his ministry would have been a clear deviation from the consensus of the elders and those who had already benefited from his spiritual gift(s).
Food for Thought
All
Christians have at least one spiritual gift. Some people call them talents, but
if your talent works to promote the Word of God (i.e. a beautiful voice, etc.), then it is likely a spiritual gift too. Just as Timothy
had grown weary in ministry (as most ministers justifiably do from time to
time), he was commanded to stay in the game, as it were. He had spiritual gifts
that benefited the
So it is with us today. As Christians we have a job to do. We have a commission to use that which God has lovingly given to us to glorify His name. If you know your gift, use it. If you don’t know what your spiritual gift is, then you need to find out. The body of Christ is made up of many people – each one having unique gifts to offer for service. When one or more fails to use their gift(s) then the whole body suffers. It’s time for all Christians to enter into their given service. We are all “called” into ministry. Just going to church is not enough because that’s “receiving” the service of others. There’s another part of ministry: serving. Being served is only half of the equation. Get in there today and be served, but also serve. You are needed!
1 Timothy 4:15-16… Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things; for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.
Commentary
The present tense imperative of the verb “take pains” in verse 15 means to continually “care for; practice; study.” In other words, the minister’s task is never over – it is a continual struggle and quest in “these things” which obviously refers to what Paul has commissioned in the previous verses (public reading of scripture, exhortation, and teaching). Though the English says to “be absorbed” in these ministries, the Greek text literally says as an imperative, “be in them.” The emphasis here is total immersion in the tasks of ministry. A truly devoted minister of God is consumed by the work of the ministry and has no time for outside money-making endeavors. In so doing his “progress is made evident to all.” Of course anyone who takes pains in ministry and is absorbed in the tasks of such is recognized as growing spiritually and in maturity. If he isn’t, then either he is not absorbed in his ministry or it is merely an academic exercise.
Verse 16 is an admonition to monitor oneself and one’s teaching. An excellent minister of God continually watches himself with regard to personal holiness, and in some cases has others watch him too for accountability reasons. This makes perfect sense in light of the fact that his teaching means nothing if his life can’t back up what he so passionately teaches.
A good minister also watches his teaching. He carefully studies God’s Word, interprets words, looks at grammar, studies backgrounds, history, archaeology, and relates them to the present life. These things are often funneled through his own biases and can oftentimes stray from what the biblical text is actually teaching. Because of this, the excellent minister must watch his teaching and carefully and monitor what he preaches and why. He is to “persevere in these things,” for perseverance shows the genuineness of the truths of scripture. If his teaching is accurate and his life backs it up, he is an excellent minister indeed, and “his progress will be evident to all.”
The final phrase in verse 16 reads,
“for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for
yourself and for those who hear you.” The benefit of verse 15 and the first
part of verse 16 is revealed in the latter part of verse 16. It brings salvation. Now salvation is by the grace of God, through faith in Christ, and unto good works (Eph. 2:8-10). Salvation
has nothing to do with us, for it is all the work of God. At the moment we
place our trust in Christ we are saved and baptized in the Holy Spirit.
However, though salvation is a one time event brought about by God alone, it is
also a process. In other words, we are still being saved by a continual quest
for conformity to Christ’s image. What Paul is saying to Timothy here is to
continually “work out your salvation” by growing in Christ through obedience to
Him. His salvation is ensured through this process, and the message he preaches
will be the means through which God brings salvation to his audience in the
church at
Food for Thought
Christians today must be about the task of teaching God’s Word. Sometimes teaching comes without saying a word. Our life either mimics Christ and is a testimony to others, or it isn’t. If we’re Christians, yet remain indifferent, no one is changed by our testimony. If we’re Christians and act like pagans, then we thwart our testimony. If we “take pains” and are “absorbed” in what God has set before us, people notice, and instead of preaching to others we get asked to share with others. Take pains today and let your spiritual progress be noticed by all.
1 Timothy 5:1-2… Do not sharply rebuke an older man, but rather appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers, 2 the older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters, in all purity.
Commentary
One of the most prominent instructions given to the young pastor Timothy is to correct false teachings. As a pastor he was to teach God’s Word and correct those who didn’t. Far too often church leaders, in order to remain popular or to keep the boat from rocking, as it were, just ignore false doctrines whether they be in their own church or in a neighboring one. As difficult as it is, church leaders (elders) must correct false and misleading doctrines – teachings that Paul calls “the doctrines of demons.”
In
correcting that which is contrary to truth, Timothy was to be careful. The
passage above contains a strong verb that is translated “sharply rebuke.” To
sharply rebuke anyone, aside from children, rarely, if ever, brings about the
desired result. In
In the same
way that church leaders approach those in positions of authority when they are
out of line – respectfully – and treat them as their own fathers, they are
expected to treat younger men and women with no less respect. Younger men who
can fall into sin and doctrinal error as easy as older men are to be restored
and treated as “brothers.” Likewise, older women who are susceptible to sin, are to be treated the same way we would treat our mothers.
After all, the fifth commandment (Ex.
The final group Paul addresses are the younger women. They are to be treated “as sisters, in all purity” – a pertinent phrase that shows how delicate it is to deal with young women. In the possible scenario where Timothy had to correct a young woman he was to do so as he would his own sister. He was to be above reproach with them in terms of lust. There is nothing that takes a pastor down faster than sexual impurity, and Paul adds “in all purity” to remind Timothy of that.
Food for Thought
Confronting sin is a tough thing, but it is commanded of us in scripture. No one who identifies themselves with Christ is above being reprimanded when they sin. Those that confront the sin are given clear guidelines for confrontation of sin like the passage above (cf. Matt. 18:15-20; Gal. 6:1-2). This type of church discipline, if done correctly, is what keeps the church pure. Without it churches fall, and they fall hard. Unfortunately the sexual scandals in our churches today have been “swept under the carpet,” and as a result have suffered greatly. And when the church suffers greatly, God is not well-represented or glorified.
Correcting sin isn’t judging. Judging is about sentencing others to hell – a forbidden act (Matt. 7:1-6). When we correct sin, however, we act in obedience to God because it’s actually God that judges when we use His Word to correct sin.
1 Timothy 5:3-8… Honor widows who are widows indeed; 4 but if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family, and to make some return to their parents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God. 5 Now she who is a widow indeed, and who has been left alone has fixed her hope on God, and continues in entreaties and prayers night and day. 6 But she who gives herself to wanton pleasure is dead even while she lives. 7 Prescribe these things as well, so that they may be above reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.
Commentary
After addressing the issue of confronting sin, Paul now addresses the treatment of widows. The word for “widow” encompasses all women who have either lost their husbands to death or been abandoned by them. A true widow is one who is alone and without means, and the word “indeed” indicates that this is a true widow. Verse 4 teaches that all widows who have children and/or grandchildren are to be taken care of by those children. The very practice of taking care of our mothers/grandmothers is “acceptable in the sight of God” because it shows a respect for the fifth commandment to honor one’s mother and father. It is also religion put into practice. In other words, it’s more than words, it’s faith in practice.
Verse 5 teaches that true Christian widows who have no immediate family and little to no means of support fix their hope on God “and continue in entreaties and prayers night and day.” These women have no family and are in a permanent state of being without resources as the verb indicates. Women in the NT culture seldom had jobs, and if their husbands died or left them alone through abandonment, they were left destitute.
Verse 6 contrasts the godly widow with the ungodly. The ungodly widow gives herself to “wanton pleasure” following the death of her husband – a phrase that describes a person who cares only for selfish pleasure with no thought of right and wrong. Paul says that this kind of woman is dead even though she lives – a description of spiritual death.
In verse 7 Paul says to “prescribe these things as well.” In other words, teaching about how Christians ought to behave in church worship is noble, but teaching about who to take care of using church monies, namely widows, is noble too. The goal of this teaching is “so that they may be above reproach.” All widows along with the people of the church they attend are to be people who have nothing for which to be ashamed of. They are to be people who have no “skeletons in their closets” and are not susceptible to criminal charges. Why? Because the church’s reputation is at stake, and the church carries the name of Jesus Christ.
Verse 8 sums up the matter by saying, “But if anyone does not provide for his own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.” To deny the faith is not to lose one’s salvation but to deny the love that is at the heart of Christianity. To be worse than an unbeliever is to know the truth (something unbelievers don’t know) and do nothing with it. This makes Christians more responsible for sin than unbelievers.
Food for Thought
Jesus spoke to two people while on the cross: the dying thief and the Apostle John. After forgiving the thief, Jesus commissioned John to care for his widowed mother, whom he had been taking care of. Jesus thought of his mother while enduring the wrath of God on the cross. It may not seem like a huge deal to us in the present day, but the care of widows was & continues to be the very heart of God. After all, Jesus himself modeled his concern for widows. Shouldn’t we?
1 Timothy 5:9-10… Let a widow be put on the list only if she is not less than sixty years old, having been the wife of one man, 10 having a reputation for good works; and if she has brought up children, if she has shown hospitality to strangers, if she has washed the saints' feet, if she has assisted those in distress, and if she has devoted herself to every good work.
Commentary
Widows were most often women who had little to no financial means to support themselves. Verses 3-8 spoke frankly of the churches ministry to widows, but verses 9-16 speak of the widow’s ministry to the church. Their wisdom and wealth of life experience – and now their time to serve as a result of being alone – makes them valuable assets to the church.
Paul speaks of a “list” in verse 9. This list was not a list of those eligible for support but a list of those eligible for ministry in the church. All widows are to be considered for financial help in the church if they have no family to care for them. This list has to do with ministry eligibility, and the first requirement was that the widow be 60 years old or older. This is the age that most people in that culture retired, and it’s also the roundabout age where sexual passion in women began to wane, ensuring that she would not be driven by sexual desire.
The second quality of widows eligible for ministry was that they were to have been the wife of one man. This phrase is literally translated as a “one-man woman” meaning that she was devoted solely to her husband while he was alive. It does not disqualify women who had been married two or more times as a result of losing a husband because Paul himself counsels younger widows to remarry (1 Tim. 5:14). Widows in ministry had to be faithful to their husbands.
Verse 10 continues the
qualifications for widows in ministry. They must have a “reputation for good
works.” Now a reputation for good works is followed up by five clarifying
statements. First, she has to be one who has “brought up children.” Raising
children is a general characteristic of most women, but it in no way
disqualifies those who have the gift of singleness or those who have been
unable to have children. The latter women often reared orphans who would have
otherwise been sold as slaves. Raising children – whether their own or orphans
– is the very thing that saves women (1 Tim.
Second, she must have “shown hospitality to strangers.” This was a common need in that culture due to the often deplorable and dangerous conditions of the public inns. People oftentimes just depended on strangers to house them for a time. Third, she has to have “washed the saints’ feet.” Taken literally, this was the lowest of jobs, but the thrust here is humility, and pride has no place in ministry. Fourth, she has to have “assisted those in distress.” “Distress” here can mean physical or mental stress, and she had to have been sensitive to the needs of others in order to help out. Finally, she had to have “devoted herself to every good work.” Basically, this phrase indicates that the godly widow must have tirelessly pursued all good works.
Food for Thought
Just as God has ordained that godly men serve in leadership in the church, He has no less a standard for the women who are to serve Him there too. Each quality given for women leaders is parallel to that of the male. Women leaders, then as now, are desperately needed in our churches. Many churches give too much leadership to women while others thwart them. The biblical mandate is for women to serve in the church. Older women are to teach the younger women, and the younger women are to strive for the qualities listed above so that they too will be eligible for the ministry “list” as they grow in maturity. All leaders must strive for this.
1 Timothy 5:11-13… But refuse to put younger widows on the list, for when they feel sensual desires in disregard of Christ, they want to get married, 12 thus incurring condemnation, because they have set aside their previous pledge. 13 And at the same time they also learn to be idle, as they go around from house to house; and not merely idle, but also gossips and busybodies, talking about things not proper to mention.
Commentary
In the previous passage we saw that this “list” was most likely a list of widows who were eligible for ministry as opposed to just a list of widows. All widows who had no financial support from family were to be put on this list. In contrast to the modern day where widows receive life insurance policies from their deceased husbands along with most of their other belongings, the Mosaic Law put did not even consider widows for such. Numbers 27:8-11 lists in sequence those who were to receive the father’s belongings: son(s), daughter(s), brothers, the father’s brothers, and then the nearest relatives. The widows are not even mentioned.
In the present passage, Paul tells Timothy, in contrast to the older widows, to not even put younger widows on the “list.” These younger widows typically had lots of family still living who were able to give them plenty of support and a roof over their head. Paul primarily notes, however, the fact that these younger widows, though grieving and likely to take a vow of celibacy from that point on, would eventually be led away by their young sensual desires. When they would inevitably fall in love again and want to get married they would have to forsake their vow, and in doing so verse 12 states that they would “incur condemnation.” This condemnation would occur as a result of breaking the pledge made to God concerning celibacy. Thus, the church should encourage young widows to remarry. God takes all vows seriously, and when we don’t hold up our end of the “bargain,” we incur God’s chastening.
Verse 13 adds the fact that young widows are prone to spending their time – a time they once spent taking care of their husbands and their homes – in idleness, gossiping, being busybodies, and talking about “things not proper to mention.” This type of behavior is typical of anyone who has little to do with their time and who go about from house to house talking to others. The very youth of these young women makes them susceptible to immature talk that leads to gossip and eventually to more and more problems. As one commentator put it, “It takes serious-minded, mature, godly women to minister in homes to women and families. The secrets and problems of those families would be safe with them. For those reasons, as well as the danger that they will abandon their commitments to Christ, Paul forbids younger women to be put on the list.”
Food for Thought
Women’s ministry is nothing to be taken lightly. It is to be led by mature and godly women. Though the passage above is in the context of widows, the thrust behind it is about doing successful ministry to others. Women, just like men, who are young and prone to idleness, are to be taught by older women who are more mature than they. This is the need in churches today. Women teachers who have a firm grasp on their roles in the church have been scarce since NT times, but this ought not be. The church today needs mature women to teach exactly what the NT teaches them to teach, namely, to teach the younger women to “love their husbands, to love their children, to be sensible, pure, workers at home, kind, being subject to their own husbands, that the word of God may not be dishonored” (Titus 2:4-5). This is the NT model of ministry to women by women.
1 Timothy 6:1-2… All who are under the yoke as slaves are to regard their own masters as worthy of all honor so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against. 2 Those who have believers as their masters must not be disrespectful to them because they are brethren, but must serve them all the more, because those who partake of the benefit are believers and beloved. Teach and preach these principles.
Commentary
Slavery in
the first century was a thriving business. In the
In view of the slavery that existed in the first century, the Apostle Paul tells us that slaves who are under the authority of unbelieving masters are to give full respect to them with regard to their given responsibilities as slaves under authority. The word for slave (Greek doulos) is the same word used for Jesus in relation to his submission to the Father (Phil. 2:7), so it is clear that the word “slave” does not always carry a negative connotation. A slave’s master was worthy of “all honor,” and though the word “honor” in previous contexts (5:3, 17) refers to attitude and finances, in this context it can only refer to one’s attitude/conduct (slaves didn’t pay their masters). The reason slaves were to treat their masters with all honor is found in the phrase “so that the name of God and our doctrine will not be spoken against.” For a Christian slave to give anything but his best work – day in an day out – to his unbelieving master would give the unbelieving master a warped view of Christianity. On the other hand, quality work promotes it.
Verse 2 speaks to those slaves who have “believers as their masters.” These slaves were prone to give less respect to their masters by appealing to their status as believers. The word for “disrespectful” could also be translated as “unafraid” – meaning, “do not be unafraid” of believing masters. Slaves apparently had a tendency to be unafraid of their Christian masters because of God’s grace, and as a result often became lazy and unproductive. Their lack of fear took away their motivation, and their work suffered. Paul teaches just the opposite in that these slaves were to work all the harder because their masters were God’s children – those loved by God. Paul sums this teaching up by commanding Timothy to “teach and preach these things.”
Food for Thought
First century slavery is easily connected with modern-day employment. Christian employees have a responsibility to work their hardest so that God’s Word is not blasphemed. Remember that today your place of employment is your mission field. You needn’t go any further than where you work to present Christ. Your hard work attests to the God you serve, and if you give it any less than your best then believe it or not, God’s name is blasphemed. Your employer (and this includes homemakers who answer to their husbands) should see your commitment to Jesus Christ in your work. Your ability to get along with others and the quality of your work is your testimony. If you like to verbally preach it too, make sure your actions back it.
1 Timothy 6:3-5… If anyone advocates a different doctrine and does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness, 4 he is conceited and understands nothing; but he has a morbid interest in controversial questions and disputes about words, out of which arise envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction between men of depraved mind and deprived of the truth, who suppose that godliness is a means of gain.
Commentary
Throughout the book of 1 Timothy Paul has spoken of the importance of right doctrine and the cancer of false teachers who promote a misleading doctrine of demons. Verse 3 is the mark of false teachers, namely, those “advocates of a different doctrine [that] does not agree with sound words, those of our Lord Jesus Christ, and with the doctrine conforming to godliness.” The distinguishing mark of all false teachers is that their teachings stray away from that found in the Bible – the words of God. They may speak about the Bible, Jesus, and our Father, but they either add to it, take away from it, or butcher it. This is descriptive of all the major cults like Mormonism, Jehovah’s Witnesses, and those of the Prosperity Gospel as found on the popular Christian television networks (preachers like Bob Tilton, Kenneth Hagin, Benny Hinn, etc.). In a word, their teachings do not conform to godliness – right living that brings praise to God.
Whereas verse 3 speaks of the mark of false teachers, verse 4 speaks of the attitude of false teachers. The basic attitude of false teachers is arrogance and pride. The word “conceited” comes from a Greek word that means “wrapped in smoke” – a way of describing someone who cannot see and as a result has become one who “is full of hot air.” All false teachers are arrogant. One would have to be arrogant to promote their teachings over and above that of God’s inspired and inerrant Word as found in the Bible. They “understand nothing” in keeping with their arrogant mentality, and they always have an unhealthy interest in “controversial questions and disputes about words.” Of course this is obvious when we look at false teachers today because their main arguments focus on terminology. Their theorizing is pseudo-intellectual, and is never based in solid exegesis of the Word of God. One example of their theology is the ridiculous notion of macro-evolution that clearly takes more faith to believe than a Creator God who made the universe in six literal days. Other examples are those that deny the full humanity and deity of Jesus Christ (teachings of the Jesus Seminar), the Trinity, and the reliability of the Bible’s Words. All of these examples result from quibbles over words from those who deny God.
The effects of false teachers are evident in the fact that they always fail to produce godly behavior in their adherents. The passage above says that the effects are “envy, strife, abusive language, evil suspicions, and constant friction…” Envy reflects the jealousy someone feels for the popularity of one person over themselves. Strife is the natural result of envy which continues to snowball into language that is abusive and/or slanderous which continues to go downward into the evil suspicions that produce the slander, and of course it all dead ends into a continual friction between two or more parties. These are the types of behavior we would expect from those of “depraved minds” who are “deprived of the truth.” And as usual the main motive of all false teachers is “financial gain.” They all suppose that being “godly” is a means to wealth.
Food for Thought
Don’t be fooled by those who tell you to give your money so God will bless. You can apply the passage at hand to all those who do, and clearly see that they are false teachers who are filled with pride. They use “godliness” as a way to get wealthy, and it works! But it’s false.
1 Timothy 6:6-8… But godliness actually is a means of great gain when accompanied by contentment. 7 For we have brought nothing into the world, so we cannot take anything out of it either. 8 If we have food and covering, with these we shall be content.
Commentary
Contrasting the false notion that being a “good Christian” will always bring great financial wealth from verse 5, in verse 6 Paul says that true contentment comes when one’s priorities are lined up accordingly. The word for “godliness” means “piety,” “reverence,” or “likeness to God,” and this “godliness” actually does produce great wealth in a manner of speaking. “Means of great gain” come from a Greek word that means just that, and Paul, though appearing to contradict his teaching from verse 5, his additional phrase “when accompanied by contentment,” qualifies what he means. If striving to be a godly person has the selfish motive of getting rich, then the quest to be rich will override godliness. Godliness is never found in someone who just wants to get rich, and God doesn’t bless anyone with great piety when all they seek is wealth. However, when godliness in and of itself, is our ultimate goal, our passion, and our quest – if we are “content” without riches – then we are godly indeed. The Greek word for “contentment” in verse 6 was a favorite word for those of the Stoic persuasion. It expressed their belief that a man should be completely self-sufficient, and able, by the power of his own will, to overcome any and all outside forces ranging from great happiness to complete sadness. The Stoic sought to be content with an inner peace in any and all circumstances. For the Christian, if our goal is godliness and contentment with godliness it actually becomes “a means of great gain.” The “great gain” is not necessarily financial wealth but neither is it not. The great gain is the contentment is knowing God and growing in godliness – being like Christ.
Verse 7 is
a bit of common sense that most people forget. All the hard work in the quest
for more in this world will end, and since we brought none of it into the
world, we take nothing out either. In the Greek text the word “nothing” is the
first word of the sentence for emphasis. Job himself knew this truth well when
he expressed it by saying, “Naked I came from my mother’s womb, and naked I
shall return” (
Verse 8 flies in the face of those who continually preach the “prosperity gospel” because Paul says that if we have food and clothing, we are content with that. In our wealthy society food and clothing is just not enough. Yet Paul, one of the godliest men who ever lived, under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit said, “If we have food and covering, we shall be content.”
Food for Thought
If you’ve ever watched TV preachers then you’ve likely heard that God’s goal for our lives is health and wealth. If you’re not prosperous, then you’re a sinner with no faith, or you haven’t claimed these things by using the right formulas. These heretics have laid aside Jesus’ words, “You shall know them by their love” and have changed it to “You shall know them by their material possessions.” Their words are false, and they must be relegated to the category of heretics and blasphemers. The “prosperity gospel” is foreign to the scriptures.
Today, instead of praying for money or a raise, pray for godliness. Ask God to give you one motive in the days you have left on this earth. Ask him for a heart that is 100% devoted to Him with or without health and wealth. Make it your one passion in life to be godly. All the contentment you seek in riches and materialism will never come. God didn’t design wealth for happiness. Happiness and contentment comes as a result of walking with God on a daily basis.
1 Timothy 6:9-10… But those who want to get rich fall into temptation and a snare and many foolish and harmful desires which plunge men into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all sorts of evil, and some by longing for it have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.
Commentary
For those (and there are many!) who set out to be nothing but rich, this passage teaches their ultimate destination. They will all fall into temptation. The verb “fall” is a present tense verb indicating a continual fall – a fall into temptation and traps (“snare”). This greed and insatiable desire for more is the temptation that money brings. Those who pursue wealth never have enough, and it becomes their passion – a compulsion for more that dominates their lives. The “foolish and harmful desires” describes the behavior of those caught in the trap of the love of money. The word for “desires” is normally associated in the Bible with evil wants. They are evil because they are irrational. Those controlled by irrational desires are caught in the trap, and like an animal caught in a trap, they thrash around as victims caught in their own problems. Of course this usually leads them into the next phase: violence. Their violence and willingness to go to any length for more money and power reflects their foolishness, and before long it is quite clear that the happiness they sought in riches has turned out to be nothing but misery. The latter phrase in verse 9 says, “which plunge men into ruin and destruction.” The word for “plunge” is a word used in the NT to describe a ship that sinks (Luke 5:7), and it aptly describes a fool who seeks nothing but riches – he sinks. Not only that, but his “plunge” takes him into “ruin,” a word that describes an eternal death – a death that goes on forever. It also takes him into “destruction,” a word that can denote a “waste” and/or an eternal destruction. Actually, both definitions fit the context. Those who seek riches as a priority are to be described as persons created in the image of God with great worth and value, yet who wasted their lives in pursuit of nothingness.
Verse 10 sums up the matter, but notice that it’s not money that is the root of all evil, rather it is the love of money that is the root of all evil. Being rich is not the issue. It is the pursuit of riches and the love of them that has caused many to wander away from that which they once proclaimed as their first love. The “faith” here is the Christian faith, and these apostates (those who leave the Christian faith) actually replace God with gold. They are people who once claimed to love God but were actually people who loved money and the prestige they thought it would bring. Their pursuit of that money causes them to see no benefit in serving Jesus Christ. In so doing they “pierced themselves with many griefs.” Notice that it is they themselves who do the piercing – a word that means “to impale” or to “thrust through as with a sword.” Their piercings, however, consist of many “griefs” – quite the opposite of the happiness they sought.
Food for Thought
John D. Rockefeller once said, “The poorest man I know is the man who has nothing but money.” Even Henry Ford said, “I was happier doing mechanics work.” In contrast I like what William Barclay says: “Happiness comes when we escape the servitude to things, when we find our wealth in the love and the friendship and the fellowship of men, and when we realize that our most precious possession is our friendship with God, made possible through Jesus Christ.”
Jesus, in
Matthew 6:33 said, “Seek first the
1 Timothy 6:11-12… But flee from these things, you man of God, and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, perseverance and gentleness. Fight the good fight of faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called, and you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.
Commentary
In response
to the evils of society, Paul admonishes Timothy to “flee” from “these things”
– the evils associated with the love of money in verses 9-10. “Flee” is from
the Greek word phuego
where we get “fugitive.” The present tense verb denotes a continual quest. Paul calls Timothy “man of God.” This is
significant because Timothy is the only man called such in the NT. In the OT,
however, the phrase describes Moses, the Angel of the Lord, Samuel, King David,
Elijah, and Elisha. The Apostle Peter uses the term
“men of God” to refer to all the men who wrote the scriptures (2 Pet.
As noted in the term “flee,” a man of God is known by what he flees from, namely the love of money. He is also known by what he continually pursues. First, he pursues “righteousness.” It means “that which is right.” God’s man is known for doing that which is right – a lifestyle marked by obedience to His Word. Second, he pursues “godliness.” This term is used throughout Timothy, and it means to “be like God.” Whereas righteousness reveals an external attitude, godliness is the internal mode that manifests righteousness. A man’s behavior stems from his motives. Third, he pursues “faith,” and faith is quite simply a confident trust in God. To pursue faith is to pursue a knowledge of God and what He has said as recorded in the Bible. We can’t have faith in something if we don’t know what that something is. Fourth, he pursues “love.” This love (Greek agape) takes time to catch because it describes an unrestricted and unrestrained love for God, family, believers, and unbelievers. It is a selfless and unconditional action toward all people. Fifth, he pursues “perseverance.” Perseverance literally means “to remain under.” It describes a conquering, successful, and steadfast loyalty to the Lord while suffering. One who attains this virtue is able to endure all things. Finally, he pursues “gentleness.” This word basically means “kindness.” A man of God pursues kindness.
Verse 12
reflects back to
Food for Thought
If you ever needed a roadmap to happiness, you have it in the above passage. The mere pursuit of these virtues will cause you to lose sight of all that hinders you today. If your marriage suffers, your job, or anything else, put it on the back burner, and pursue God. As the hymn goes, “and the things of this world will grow strangely dim in the light of His glory and grace.”
1 Timothy 6:13-15a… I charge you in the presence of God, who gives life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who testified the good confession before Pontius Pilate, 14 that you keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ, 15 which He will bring about at the proper time…
Commentary
As Paul
encouraged Timothy to be about his pastoral duties, he reveals how solemn and
passionate he is about those duties by charging him “in the presence of God…”
and of “Christ Jesus.” It’s as if to say, “This isn’t just my opinion of how
you should lead the church in
The second
phrase of verse 13 says that God “gives life to all things” – a present active
participle that means “to continually give and sustain life.” In other words,
God the Father gives life to all, and contrary to our faulty logic that we are
in control of our lives, He also sustains life – He is the One who upholds and prolongs it. Also giving insight into
the second member of the Trinity, Paul says that Jesus Christ “testified the
good confession before Pontius Pilate.” What Jesus testified to Pontius Pilate
(the Roman governor of
Lest we get caught in the beautiful theology of the Trinity and how each member submits to the other, verse 14 is the actual commission to Timothy in the presence of the Holy Trinity. Timothy was to “keep the commandment without stain or reproach until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.” The commandment is not specified, so it is safe to conclude that it refers to all of God’s revealed Word – the words of scripture – the very thing Timothy was charged to preach (2 Tim 4:2). He was to do so without corrupting what it said, without straying from it’s mandates, and in the process to remain above reproach – to maintain a reputation that is impeccable. He was to continue on in this ministry, not for a few years but until the coming of Jesus Christ. This is mild evidence that Paul believed Christ would return in his lifetime, but the principle is still in effect 1900 years later. We continue on in the ministry of teaching God’s Word till Christ comes back to earth – a phenomena which God the Father “will bring about at the proper time.” In other words, God is not slow in his bringing the Son back to earth to His children home, rather, it is all in His perfect timing, and since He is the giver and sustainer of all life, knowing our birth and our death, He has the perfect day in store when Christ will return.
Food for Thought
First, we must recognize that God gives life, and he takes it away. It is in His hands, not ours. Second, in light of this, we are to be as bold with our lives as Jesus Christ Himself was when he made the bold confession to his executioner that he was in fact the King of the Jews. Our lives are not about making money and being “successful,” they are sustained by God, and if they’re not used for God, then they are worthless. Third, we are all commissioned to know and keep God’s Word while maintaining a life of integrity and honor so that God is not slandered. Finally, Christ is coming back. That is our hope, and He will come in God’s perfect time.
1 Timothy 6:15b-16: …He who is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings and Lord of lords, 16 who alone possesses immortality and dwells in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see. To Him be honor and eternal dominion! Amen.
Commentary
Giving further insight into the very essence of God, Paul calls Him “blessed and only Sovereign.” The word for blessed means “happy,” “content,” or “fulfilled.” This is in contrast to frustration, discontent, and depressed. When used of God, blessed means that God is satisfied and unmoved; He is at peace and perfectly fulfilled even in the midst of seeing a world that has gone astray. He controls all things, and nothing falls outside of His sovereign power. Those who line up with God as their God rest in the hands of a God who is in perfect control of all. God is the “only Sovereign” (literally “mono Potentate”) – derived from a word that means “power.” He is the only God, and no so-called “god” or creation of God can oppose Him. Even Satan – a creation of God, cast out of heaven and sentenced to eternal hell – does not dare approach God. All of his power come by permission from God the Father (cf. Job and Peter).
Going
further, God is the “King of kings and Lord of lords.” This phrase is
interesting because King is an adjective while kings is
a verbal participle (the same is true of Lord in relation to lord). In other
words, God is King and Lord over those who in the past, present, and future
govern our nations as rulers. He is King over those who reign as kings on the
earth, and He is Lord over those who govern the land. There is no qualification
on whether or not these kings and lords acknowledge God’s rule; He just rules
over them, and this can be seen throughout scripture, certainly with regard to
pharaoh (cf. Romans 9:17-18). God works through Satan, pagan nations, evil
spirits (1 Chron.
Verse 16
continues the revelation of God in that it modifies verse 15. God “alone possesses
immortality and dwells in unapproachable light.” This is important in a day
that takes God’s name in vain, questions His character, and slanders His Word.
Even Moses, after asking to see God, was forbidden to see His face because it
meant death. God is hidden and totally transcendent. He is a “consuming fire”
(Hebrews
Food for Thought
Many Christians today are unmotivated and unmoved by their so-called “relationship” with God. Our relationship with God is personal in the sense that it is intimate, but it is not to be taken casually. Don’t think for a moment that you know God fully – no matter how long you’ve called yourself a Christian. He is the God who is there, and He is knowable, but it takes a lifetime of seeking godliness to even approach what God has revealed to us in glory. Don’t take today for granted. It’s another day to walk with and seek after God. Don’t be casual with God, but respect Him, serve Him, and glorify Him. Let Him always be respected, and let His rule never end! So let it be.
1 Timothy 6:17-19… Instruct those who are rich in this present world not to be conceited or to fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share,
19 storing up for themselves the treasure of a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is life indeed.
Commentary
Whereas the previous admonitions concerning wealth had to do with those who sought wealth, the present passage has to do with those who already are wealthy. Paul uses the phrase “in this present world” to point out that he is speaking of earthly wealth and not the riches that go with pursuing godliness – an eternal wealth. Those that are rich are given various instructions in this passage. First, they are not to be “conceited.” The word means “high-minded” in the sense that they think more highly of themselves than they should. This is of course the trap that the large majority of rich folks fall into because they tend to throw money at any and all problems. It is rare indeed to find a wealthy person who is a servant, for they typically pay others to do most things for them. They are rarely humble, generally think better of themselves because of their accomplishments, and tend to have a cynical attitude toward others who have less than them, thinking them to be inferior to themselves. Wealth breeds conceit, and Paul teaches against it.
Second, the rich are not to “fix their hope on the uncertainty of riches.” In light of the fact that rich folks are generally very conceited people, just giving them instructions can be impossible at times because they tend to listen only to those who are as “successful” as they are. At any rate, they must be warned that riches are uncertain at best. The conceit that riches brings often blinds the wealthy to this fact. Stock markets crash, people take advantage, and companies go bankrupt. Riches do not bring happiness because, like anything else unspiritual, they are “uncertain” – granting no guarantees.
Third, wealthy people are to be admonished to fix their hope on God, “who richly supplies us with all things to enjoy.” This statement comes from a Paul who suffered many hardships and can hardly be put in the category of “wealthy.” Yet it is he who knows true contentedness and can relay his inspired knowledge of true happiness. It comes from knowing and walking with God who supplies all needs – then provides even more “things to enjoy.” This is the character of God. He not only provides for His children, He also gives good gifts for us to enjoy. We are to be content with food and shelter, but God always provides more.
The fourth instruction for the rich is that they “do good… rich in good works” (v. 18). God doesn’t provide riches without also demanding an accounting. The rich are to be rich in good works. They are to “give liberally” (generous and ready to share). Many wealthy people spend their money strictly on themselves and their own families, but God made them rich so that they would give liberally to all and not just serve themselves. Those that give to others till it hurts are truly happy in contrast to those who only spend on themselves for their own enjoyment.
Food for Thought
The reward for the rich and their giving? It’s in verse 19: they build their retirement in the eternal state of heaven. Their liberality in giving becomes a treasure chest of rewards when they come into the presence of Jesus Christ. In so doing, they take hold of the life that is truly life. This is in stark contrast to the life they seek through hedonistic ventures with their money. If you’re rich, God made you that way so as to give to others. You’ll not know true life till you get this, and your wealth will only bring you hardship in the end if not the present as well.
1 Timothy 6:20-21… O Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called "knowledge" – 21 which some have professed and thus gone astray from the faith. Grace be with you.
Commentary
Paul closes
his letter to Timothy with three reminders: his commission to fulfill, the controversy
to avoid, and the complications apostasy
brings. First, Timothy, and all pastors/elders for that matter, was to “guard”
what had been entrusted to him. The word means “to hold someone in close
custody” or “to watch out over; to defend.” It’s the same word used of Peter in
Acts 12:4 when describing the four squads of soldiers who guarded him. Timothy
was to do the same with the truth of God’s Word delivered to him. He was to
guard his flock (church) that had been “entrusted” to him. This word means
“deposit,” and it signifies the fact that the people of the church in
Second, Timothy was to “avoid worldly and empty chatter and the opposing arguments of what is falsely called ‘knowledge’.” This is his controversy to avoid. Whereas many Christians like to get into worldly philosophy and the so-called “wisdom” of the day (pop-psychology, self-esteem, etc.), Paul says to have nothing to do with this garbage. To “avoid” is literally “turn away.” Timothy was to recognize the worldly chatter in opposition to the truth of God, and “turn away” from it. He wasn’t to dabble in it or get a master’s degree in worldly philosophy, rather he was to avoid it like the plague, because like “the plague,” worldly views and empty chatter tend to turn a man’s heart away and lead him into apostasy. Paul said that these opposing arguments (we might liken them to Freud, Jung, Plato, Sagan, and others) are falsely called “knowledge” because though their adherents believed them to be knowledge, they were in fact garbage. We are to know the truth and avoid the non-truth.
Finally,
Timothy was reminded of the complications that apostasy brings. Paul reminds
him that some “have gone astray from the faith” as a result of getting tangled
up in worldly philosophy. While it is a biblical fact that no man can lose
his/her salvation, it is also clear from scripture that many proclaim to have
salvation and yet go astray. First John
Food for Thought
As always the Christian has a responsibility to principlize the commands of scripture. Though the admonitions to Timothy went out to Timothy 1900 years ago, they are highly relevant for pastors and Christians today as well. Pastors/elders must guard over what God has put into their care. Laymen in the church must guard over the truth delivered to them through obedience and a life that simply will not compromise that truth.
We live in a society that dances around with people and ideas that hate God, contradict His truths, and blatantly blaspheme His name. In the name of tolerance in our churches we endure sinful people and pastors/priests that not only fail to study God’s truth but who don’t even believe it fully. First Timothy reminds us of what Christians and worship must look like.