1st Chapter of
1st Timothy (ESV: English Standard
Version)
(1Ti 1:1) Paul, an
apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our
hope,
SALUTATIONS
Paul, qualified apostle (Apostolos"
= One commissioned to
continue in a specified work.) by command of God! The primary qualifications are listed in Act_1:21-22 when they
sought a replacement for Judas Iscariot. Notice that only Judas is replaced.
When an apostle has died as faithful, he continues to be an apostle in Heaven,
not needing replacement on Earth, for their words continue to testify to the
commission assigned by Jesus. According to 2Co_12:12 apostles were able to perform great
signs and wonders.
Paul probably felt his calling was somewhat special since
Jesus appeared to him last of all (1Co_15:8-10), yet that made him an apostle by command of God, since it
wasn't Paul's choice (Act_9:11-15).
I can imagine Paul writing this and including all these
qualifications not only to remind Timothy of his commission, but to remind himself
of the ministry given to him.
Notice also how God is the one called "our
Savior/deliverer" and Jesus "our hope/confidence". This is yet
another passage in the Bible that equates Jesus with God, since Jesus is called
"Savior" many times throughout the NT and now here and in other
passages God is also given that title.
It is ultimately the Godhead as a whole who has delivered
us from the penalty of sin we incurred, and it is in the work of the Son of
God, Jesus, that we have confidence or hope, since through His personal
sacrifice we have been given the opportunity to be delivered.
(1Ti 1:2) To
Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the
Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
Timothy is considered a true son by Paul, which shows the
intimate relationship they had. This letter is specifically directed to him as
an evangelist.
The big three spiritual fruit that proceed only from the
Father and Jesus; and that we are to distribute amongst each other:
Grace (Charis): "unmerited favor" - a
divine influence on the heart and its reflection upon life, usually producing
gratitude, joy and pleasure because of the knowledge of being accepted by God
as a son. Rom_5:1-21 explains this
grace of God exquisitely.
Mercy (Eleos): kindness or good will towards the miserable
and the afflicted, joined with a desire to help them. In general providence;
the mercy and clemency of God in providing and offering to men salvation by
Christ (Tit_3:5).
Peace (Eirene): prosperity, quietness and rest. This
is the kind of peace Jesus gives (Joh_14:27;
Joh_16:33), which is not like
the world gives.
(1Ti 1:3) As I
urged you when I was going to
TIMOTHY'S CHARGE
Paul gets right into the matters he needs to address to
Timothy.
1- Charge (paraggellō: to transmit a message, that is, (by
implication) to enjoin: - (give in) charge, (give) command (-ment), declare) certain
people not to teach different doctrine (heterodidaskaleō:
to teach differently;
teach otherwise; deviate from the truth).
In order to carry out these charges entrusted to him,
Timothy was to remain (prosmenō: remain in a place, with a person; figuratively to adhere
to, persevere in: - abide still, be with, cleave unto, continue in) in
(1Ti 1:4) nor to
devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations
rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith.
2- Charge certain people not to devote (prosechō:
to hold the mind towards,
that is, pay attention to, be cautious about,
apply oneself to, adhere to: -beware, be
given to, give (take) heed (to, unto) have regard) themselves to myths (muthos:
a tale, that is, fiction
(“myth”): - fable) and endless genealogies
(tracing by generations).
Apparently there were many tales of old Jewish origin that
were being circulated and taken as part and parcel of God's Word. Along with
this came the endless (interminable) genealogies whereby many tried to
prove direct descent from biblical characters just to prove themselves
worthy or significant. Obviously this lead to quarrels and
speculations that uncovered more and more controversy rather than edification
by God's Word. Gal_3:28 teaches that it doesn't matter what our ancestry is, only
that we are all one in Christ.
Discussing any other thing rather than God's Word promotes
speculation. Speculation (guessing) doesn't proceed from faith (using
the mind objectively) but from assumptions and emotional impulses (the heart).
Assumptions usually don't come from knowledge or wisdom, but from gossip,
subjective thinking and fear. Instead of giving knowledge and reassurance,
false teachings create questions in the mind which generate doubt. Doubt will
not promote maturity nor salvation.
What the evangelist is to promote are things that come from
faith, namely stewardship (oikonomia:
specifically a (religious)
“economy”: - dispensation, stewardship).
Stewardship from God concerns our spiritual discipline which promotes purity in
heart and a good conscience that comes from sincere faith. This is seen in the
next verse. Things contrary to being a godly steward are described in verses 9
and 10.
(1Ti 1:5) The aim
of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a
sincere faith.
The purpose of this charge that was to be given to certain
people was to promote love out of a pure heart, good conscience and sincere
faith. False teachers do not promote these things, but rather the opposite:
Selfishness, doubt, compromised consciences and hearts. See 1Jo_5:3. The
Evangelist needs to promote the truth in the church and uphold Jesus and love
for God and one another (Rom_13:10). 1Jo_4:7-8 teaches that we need to promote God's love and therefore
God's commands that come from love, not man-made teachings that produce fruit
contrary to love. 1Co_13:4-8 teaches what the fruit of love is. This fruit will be
evident where the truth is taught. False teachers promote and teach and bear
the opposite fruit of true love.
What is the source
of True Love?
True love comes from:
Pure Heart (clean
or clear heart: thoughts, feelings or emotions; sometimes mind. The subjective part of ourselves). Jesus says only those
with a pure heart will see God (Mat_5:8). Earnest love only proceeds from a heart rid of the
impurities that come from selfishness and subjective thinking (1Pe_1:22). Young
people in particular are more prone to follow their hearts, which is why the
command is given to Timothy to flee these passions and to call on the Lord from
pure heart (2Ti_2:22). How does one purify the heart, which is where all evil
things come from (Jer_17:9-10)? Psa_24:3-4 gives us some clues. Psa_15:1-5 also teaches about purity of heart.
Good Conscience -
moral consciousness, or co-perception (to see completely, be informed). Jesus
speaks of those who are full of light (Luk_11:33-36). They are able to see what others cannot, because they
are full of light, they are aware; conscious of good and evil and able to
choose rightly since they have a good conscience. Even though they may have
feelings or are presented with tempting options, they will choose what is right
since they can see good. A good conscience can only
come from obedience to the Gospel, having appealed to God for it (1Pe_3:21). False
teachers have guilt (1Ti_4:1-3) which can lead to a seared conscience if they don't
repent. Only an honest reliance on the blood of Jesus can cleanse our
conscience (Heb_9:14). There can be no genuine love of God or for people if a
person's conscience is not clear (if they are living in sin). Whatever a false
teacher does (hypocrite) is not in keeping with honesty and what the Bible
promotes. Hypocrites are just playing the part, which is why a false teacher
cannot teach the truth since they carry a guilt laden conscience. They do not
trust the cleansing and redeeming power of the blood of Jesus.
Sincere Faith - faith without hypocrisy, unfeigned. This is the faith that does not waver or doubt (Jam_1:6). It is not
fair weathered, but strongest through trouble and testing (Jam_1:2-4). This is
the faith that sincerely believes in the resurrection of our Lord and in His
Lordship (Rom_10:9-10). The faith that always says "Yes" to Christ (2Co_1:20). Those with
sincere faith have true confidence and trust in God. They believe in Jesus and
believe Jesus. They trust Jesus. Those who promote love in the church have
genuine (sincere) faith. They bring peace and patience and kindness - they
promote love, just like their Lord Jesus. 1Pe_2:21 teaches us that Jesus suffered to
give us an example of how to live as a true disciple when we are wronged. False
teachers will not promote this, but will promote division because they hold
onto bitterness and offenses. Jam_2:14-26 speaks of true faith and its qualities.
True love can come from a person who possesses these three
qualities. True disciples and peacemakers in the church possess these but false
teachers will not and hence will bear the ugly fruit which is opposite of love.
True disciples promote the true Word of God. They hear the word and obey it
without trying to make it better or more applicable to their tradition (Jam_1:22).
These are the big three that are to be promoted throughout
the body and every fellowship or assembly.
All our charges towards the brethren must meet these three
criteria that the work of God may grow and bring glory to Jesus, who is our Head.
(1Ti 1:6) Certain
persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion,
When a pure heart, good conscience and sincere faith are absent
or negligent, people will turn to vain discussion (mataiologia: foolish talk, empty, random, vain jangling).
Notice that what we call "small talk" can very well be classified as
this. Random conversation about nothing, just to make conversation, is vain and
unproductive. We need to talk about what's important and what edifies. A church
where its members are always engaging in faithful, loving conversation is a
church that is growing, as opposed to members who's talk is no different from
the office conversations or worldly chatter (Eph_5:4).
If your conversation is turning to the godless chatter that
others vainly speak (about self; what you do and what you have [1Jo_2:16]), then make
sure your heart and mind are right before God so that what comes from your
mouth is God's agenda (Mat_12:34; Mat_15:18; Luk_6:45).
(1Ti 1:7) desiring to
be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or
the things about which they make confident assertions.
Here's a peek into the hearts of those whose mind has
wandered away from good stewardship in Christ.
Not only are they foolish talkers, but also have a desire to teach and
share their foolishness with others. They are full of themselves and love to
hear themselves and draw people after themselves. They only are repeating what
they hear other foolish talkers say, since they don't really make an effort to
understand what God's Word or will is. They only like controversy and attempt
to appear assertive in their talk whilst in their minds they are completely
uninformed and ignorant. These people are the ones susceptible to being
influenced by demonic doctrine (1Ti_4:1-7) since they are ignorant of the truth and only are
interested in themselves. Their confidence is in the flesh, not in Christ (Phi_3:3-4), and
therefore they boast about themselves and what they do (Jam_3:14).
(1Ti 1:8) Now we
know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully,
THE PURPOSE OF GOD'S LAW
The Law is good if it is used properly, but if misused, it
can cause much damage! The sword can be used to kill as opposed healing. In Act_15:5-10 there were
some that were teaching that you had to become a Jew first in order to be
saved. Peter told them they were not understanding
God's purpose. Remember you need to learn to handle the word of God accurately
(2Ti_2:15-16; 2Ti_2:24-26).
How do we use the law properly?
Prophecies
dealing with the Messiah. Teach how Jesus' coming was predicted in Gen 3 when Adam
and Eve sinned and God promised the Messiah. Jesus was going to strike the
fatal blow to Satan. Isa_9:6 prophecies about his birth and identity, as well as in
Isaiah 53 which talks about his end on earth.
Rom_3:20 says we
become conscious of sin through the law. It's
purpose is to show the righteousness and holiness of God and how unholy and
sinful we are.
Rom_7:7 says that without the law we wouldn't know sin.
Gal_3:24 says the law leads us to Christ
that we may be justified by faith. How does the law lead s to Christ? Hebrews
shows the meaning of all things in the law and how they pointed to Jesus, all
were shadows of the reality in Jesus.
Gal_3:10-13 says the
law demands perfection. There is no mercy in the law, therefore the law cannot
save you, it only condemns. But Jesus rescued us from that by becoming a curse
for us!
Rom_8:1 shows that in
Christ the law cannot condemn you anymore since your hope and faith is in Jesus
Christ.
Jos_6:1-5 and Heb_11:30 show us that
listening and obeying God's word is the show of true faith.
2Co_5:21 shows us the
purpose of the law of God, that we may become the righteousness of God, so our righteousness doesn't come
from the law anymore, but from Jesus, who is the fulfillment of the law.
Tit_2:11-14 teaches that all this was possible through the grace of
God that now we can become better and above the law!
The false teachers were not promoting Christ, but following
rules and regulations. Their focus was on behavior and their own righteousness,
not the righteousness that comes by Christ through faith in Him! So when you
hear much teaching concerning rules and regulations you know you re dealing
with teachings that are devoid of love, faith and good conscience.
(1Ti 1:9) understanding
this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and
disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those
who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers,
Here's an interesting concept that is certainly
controversial with those in the world: the law is primarily for those who are
disobedient to begin with. Paul issues a long list of what he means by
"disobedient". He mentions
this because those who have swerved from a pure heart, good conscience and
sincere faith continue to talk and teach as if they are law abiding, when in
fact they are the first law-breakers, abandoning the goodness and lawful use of
the law. They use the law to their advantage, not because they believe in
goodness, purity and faith. So we, who
are pure in heart, good in conscience and sincere in faith need to use the law
to hold the disobedient accountable in this life and toward the next! That's
how you use the law lawfully! To teach
the disobedient to be pure in heart, good in conscience and sincere in their
faith! It can be done, but we need to be bold and hold their feet to the fire
of the law before the fires of hell consume them! This is how you confront and
teach and love the hypocrites (Mat_15:7-11)! Be careful you don't fall into this category of
rebelliousness!
Those who wish to promote peace and the authority of God's
Word are the just (dikaios: upright, righteous, virtuous,
keeping the commands of God; innocent, faultless, guiltless; used of him whose
way of thinking, feeling, and acting is wholly conformed to the will of God,
and who therefore needs no rectification in the heart or life). The false teachers want to bend and break the law for
their own gain or purposes, or to try and cover their guilt. They are first of
all lawless (anomos: departing from the law, a
violator of the law, lawless, wicked), since
they don't hold to the law, and disobedient (anupotaktos:
unsubdued, that is, insubordinate
(in fact or temper): - disobedient, that is not put under, unruly).
A list of characteristics that accompany the false teachers
is given here by Paul and it is worthy of our attention. These are the marks of
the false teacher; all these things promote the opposite of love and cause the
opposite fruit of love to be disseminated amongst the people of God:
·
ungodly (asebes: irreverent,
that is, (by extension) impious or wicked: - destitute of
reverential awe towards God) - Ungodly are
those who tell raunchy jokes and delight in what is perverse. They watch, hear
and imbibe in things that are not in accordance to what is godly living.
·
sinner (hamartolos: someone who is devoted to sinning,
to indulging in their fleshly passions and desires) - If you are caught
up in a sin and have not repented, you are sinning. If we are in Christ we are
pure, under the grace of God. We need to make sure we don't live like those who
have no hope and therefore, confess and repent of any wickedness we find in
ourselves that God's grace may not be in vain for us. This goes to show you
that someone who is a false teacher and promotes ungodliness and whatever is
opposite to sound doctrine may have lost their grace before God and therefore
their salvation.
·
unholy (anosios: wicked, like the world;
imitating the world; unlike God) - This applies to those who are no
different from the world in their desires, behavior and mindset. It shoes
through their fashion, their talk and customs and superstitions.
·
profane (bebelos: unholy; common, public, as in a
public place; something you can step on. Not special.) - Whatever is
profane is what is considered commonplace for the world. The world may not
think that cursing is out of place, but we know it is profane; not right for
the people of God. Profanity is unholiness.
·
those who strike their parents (patraloas - parricide or patricide
and metraloas - matricide: that is, those who murder their own parents)
- This applies to people who do not honor their parents and treat them
profanely, even to the point of striking them or wanting them dead. Even if you
do not actually murder, remember that Jesus said if you hate someone you have
murdered them (Mat_5:21-26; 1Jo_3:15).
·
murderers (androphonos: murderer; manslayer) -
Murderers are first of all haters of people, treating people with contempt and
holding onto bitterness because of thinking of being wronged. Murderers are
totally wrapped up in themselves. You are a murderer if you hate your brother.
Remember this has nothing to do with feelings, but with actions. If you are not loving, you are hating.
(1Ti 1:10) the
sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, enslavers, liars, perjurers,
and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine,
·
sexually immoral (pornos: male prostitute; whoremonger; man who indulges un unlawful sexual
intercourse, a fornicator) - These are the people who care not for the
sanctity of relationships as established by God. The sell themselves for pleasure
and take advantage of the brethren for their own pleasure as well (1Th_4:1-8).
·
homosexuals (arsenokoites: a man who lies with a male as
with a female, sodomite, homosexual) - This
very clearly condemns those who have any homosexual thoughts or actions and
indulges in them.
·
enslavers (andrapodistes: a slave-dealer, kidnapper,
man-stealer; one who unjustly reduces free men to slavery; can also refer to
one who steals the slaves of others to sell them)
- This can speak of those who subordinate men against their will, or treat them
unfairly as to extract something from them against their will. Also can refer
to the greater charges of kidnapping or unlawful imprisonment. Notice that
there are no justifications for doing any of these things. This is the fruit of
those who follow man-made teachings.
·
liars (pseustes: a falsifier of information; one
who breaks faith; a liar, a false and faithless man) - Of course, false
teachers are the biggest liars, disseminating misinformation (made up
information) and passing it as truth. Appropriately defined, they break the
faith.
·
perjurers (epiorkos: a false swearer,
one who's oath is proven false) - These are the ones that on top of
lying, swear they have told the truth and are worse than liars, they are
perjurers.
You can see the 10 commandments interwoven within this list
of sinful attitudes and actions, except for the Sabbath, which was abolished (Col_2:16).
What an interesting list of the fruit of those who are
pursuing false teachings and promoting things contrary to God's doctrine!
Whatever is contrary to sound doctrine, which can be a lot more than what Paul
lists here, is to be judged as standing against the holy law of God and needs
to be judged since it represent what is contrary. This means we cannot sit idly
by while some of these things continue to happen in the church. The evangelist
must judge it as contrary to the truth and contrary to promoting love and
peace.
(1Ti 1:11) in
accordance with the glorious gospel of the blessed God with which I have been
entrusted.
The overall point the Holy Spirit makes through Paul is the
fact that we need to examine everything that happens through the filter of the
Gospel of Jesus. Whatever promotes the Gospel and uplifts the Gospel and helps
spread the Gospel is safe and keeps us safe within the Gospel. Anything else is
misleading and a ruse to distract us from the mission for holding out the Word
of life to unbelievers.
Paul took his charge as an apostle seriously and his
mission as one of trust from God. We, as a church, have been also entrusted
this mission and we need to make sure our preaching is not polluted by the
world and our fleshly desires.
With so many things in this world competing for our
attention, our talents and our devotion, how sure are you about the mission God
has given you? How thankful are you that God has put you in the church and has
given you a calling above any other in this world? If your thankfulness centers
on the fact that God has considered you faithful enough to carry out the job of
preaching the Gospel then you are blessed.
Don't allow Satan to distract you with other reasons to be thankful,
like a promotion, or a better paying job, or a college degree or even awards or
certificates issued because your talents cause you to excel in the world. Where
we need to excel is in the job God has entrusted to us: HE TRUSTS YOU TO DO IT!
(1Ti 1:12) I thank
him who has given me strength, Christ Jesus our Lord, because he judged me
faithful, appointing me to his service,
PAUL'S GRATEFULNES IN CHRIST
Now Paul focuses on the mercy and grace he has received
from Jesus. He is thankful and grateful to God for sparing him and loving him.
Every chance he gets Paul expresses his thankfulness to Jesus and has never
forgotten where he came from and the kind of person he was without Christ.
Paul trusts Jesus appointment of him for the purpose of
preaching the Gospel. Notice how much he trusts that appointment, over his own
judgments of himself! What gives him strength? Even though Paul may have doubts
about himself because of what he used to do the mere fact that Jesus appointed
him is enough for him to trust that appointment by faith. Jesus judged Paul as
faithful and able to carry out the task.
When someone trusts you above yourself to carry on
something, doesn't that give you strength? Even though I may have doubts about
my abilities or character, God gives me a shot of confidence by reminding me He
picked me for this. Wow! Satan's efforts to undermine me are laid to waste!
Paul has the focus of being thankful because he does not
rely on his own strength. He relies on the strength of Jesus through His
Spirit. (Phi_4:12-13 applies when you are at your worst and still you are
thankful in Jesus) Paul thanks Jesus above all for considering him faithful for
the work of the Gospel. Paul is humbled that God has the faith in Paul's
character to do the job. This gave Paul the amazing confidence and strength he
had to do the job. Paul recalls his former life and marvels that God considered
him despite his past. God did not judge him according to his ignorance, but
according to his character and integrity. Paul was a soul winner and a church
planter. Through perilous times he continues headstrong and more determined
than ever to accomplish the task of spreading the Gospel (2Co_11:23-30). Rom_8:33-39 shows that
nothing was able to separate him from the love of God. Paul was faithful and
motivated by the love and faithfulness of God in Him
(1Ti 1:13) though
formerly I was a blasphemer, persecutor, and insolent opponent. But I received
mercy because I had acted ignorantly in unbelief,
Paul reviews his past life to show that despite all this,
God showed him mercy. Mercy is not for those who consider themselves righteous,
but for those who look at themselves honestly and are justified in Christ and
not by themselves or their own actions.
Paul describes himself as a blasphemer (railing
against God), persecutor (of Jesus and His church) and insolent
opponent (despiteful of God's plan). This was his former life! Paul knows
himself and knows that without Jesus he would still be these things, without a
hope in this life!
We can understand the gratefulness of Paul when we know the
kind of mindset he had before meeting Jesus on that road to
The changing and motivating factor in Paul's mind was the
mercy he received from God, despite his ignorance and unbelief!
It is God’s desire to display His mercy toward us because of His great love (Joh_3:16; Rom_9:16). God’s motivation is His love for us, therefore He is very patient, waiting for all to come to the knowledge of the truth and be saved (2Pe_3:9)! Lam_3:21-26 best describes the mercy (compassion) of God:
1- Produces hope in us
2- Are new every day (He allows us to start fresh every day)
3- Shows us how faithful God is to us
4- Allows us to choose Him as our inheritance (portion)
5- Teaches us to be patient (to wait quietly for Him)
6- Teaches us to say “no” to the world and our passions (Tit_2:11-12)
7- By His mercy we are excluded from the wrath to come (Rom_9:22-23)
(1Ti 1:14) and the
grace of our Lord overflowed for me with the faith and love that are in Christ
Jesus.
Paul says he received the grace of God in abundant manner,
along with the faith and love that are in Christ. His heart was melted by all
this grace and his heart beckoned to follow God in faith. The grace of God
motivated Paul to love God and love what God loves: people.
The second most important motivating factor was the grace
God had for Paul. "Grace" comes from the Greek word "charis", which means "unmerited favor" - a divine influence
on the heart and its reflection upon life, usually producing gratitude, joy and
pleasure because of the knowledge of being accepted by God as a son. Rom_5:1-21 explains
this grace of God exquisitely.
Notice that God's grace can be appreciated by the faith and
love we find in Christ! Only when we have a deep relationship with God through
Jesus can we appreciate His grace and mercy, which motivates us toward
imitating Him and changing ourselves to be more like Him!
In Jesus we find faith:
Our salvation is accomplished through our faith in Jesus; grace being the gift from God that allows it to happen when you believe. Apart from the grace of God there cannot be any salvation, no matter how much faith you may have. Our response of faith is a thankful response in realization of the grace of God extended to us (Eph_2:8).
God extends grace – our response is faith – the result salvation
In Jesus we find love (agape: unmerited favor): 1Co_13:4-8 describes
the active love we find in Jesus. It is not a feelings
based love, but a knowledge and action based love. Knowledge on the part of us,
believing that Jesus has given us grace and mercy because of Who He is, not who
we are or what we do; and active on our part, expressing our thankfulness in
response to the received grace by loving one another as described in 1Co_13:4-8.
(1Ti 1:15) The
saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came
into the world to save sinners, of whom I am the foremost.
Paul prefaces the statement he makes as trustworthy and
deserving the acceptance of all. When Paul prefaces statements with these words
we need to ask ourselves why. These are important and basic truths about the
Gospel of Jesus.
Paul had no doubt that Jesus coming into the world was a
very personal thing for him. He doesn't see Jesus as a general Savior but as a
personal one, doing him a personal favor which makes him forever grateful to
His Lord.
Paul considered himself the worst of all sinners since he
persecuted the
(1Ti 1:16) But I
received mercy for this reason, that in me, as the foremost, Jesus Christ might
display his perfect patience as an example to those who were to believe in him
for eternal life.
Paul uses his life as part of his ministry: he is the
perfect example of Christ's unlimited patience (longsuffering = Gk. makrothumia).
Therefore Paul imitates that love of Jesus and with unlimited patience on the
part of His Lord he perseveres to preach the Gospel.
False teachers make themselves the center of their
teaching, exalting their own understanding and making themselves out to be
perfect, but true teachers glory in their weakness, as
they exalt Jesus. False teachers lack patience and therefore love, but Paul's
message was: If God can save me he can definitely save you!
Paul allowed himself to be a visual aid of God's grace and
mercy. We ought to share our own stories as well to show how God has made us
new and has changed us through His grace and mercy. Our own lives can be used
to take away the excuses others try to make if we are ever increasing in the
glory we reflect from the Lord (2Co_3:18).
(1Ti 1:17) To the
King of ages, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and
ever. Amen.
A doxology by Paul
- thanking Jesus and God for all His grace and mercy. Paul's' love for God and
thankfulness overflows.
The King eternal - God
is God for ever. Satan wants you to only keep your thoughts in the present, not
what is to come.
God is immortal -
Satan will have his end
God is invisible - our
enemies here are visible. God reigns over the eternal and permanent. What is
invisible is what is true and permanent! What holds real hope!
There is one God -
only one way. His way. Get into His way!
I want to honor God forever and glorify him. My life is to bring Him praise and honor for ever and
ever.
Amen - Let it be so.
Whenever Paul mentions Jesus he gets very theological -
reminding the receivers of this letter who it is that we serve and the reasons
why we serve and are in the presence of Christ. Jesus always needs to be in the
picture - we need to bring Him in whenever we are in a situation where others
cannot recall.
(1Ti 1:18) This
charge I entrust to you, Timothy, my child, in accordance with the prophecies
previously made about you, that by them you may wage the good warfare,
THE CHARGE OF THE EVANGELIST
What is the charge? Well, Paul finished telling Timothy
two things here:
1.
That he had been
entrusted a grace to preach the Gospel
2.
That he received
mercy and grace explicitly for one reason while he was on earth: To be an
example of God's perfect patience to those who believe.
At the beginning of the letter Paul charges Timothy to
preserve the ancient Gospel by:
1.
Commanding people
not to teach falsehood
2.
Commanding people
not to live falsely
In order for Timothy to be able to do this his life was
to be an example of God's forbearance, that he may fight (strateuomai: to serve in a military campaign, to execute the
apostolate, to to go war) the good fight. This
was probably what the prophecies Paul mentions were about. These
prophesies were from God so Timothy was to execute his duties with all
intent as a soldier goes to war: with no doubt and with no looking back.
Once a soldier gets his orders he does not question them
but carries them out dutifully as his commanding officer wishes - even if the
order is to execute his own family for being traitors. Just as Abraham was
going to sacrifice Isaac on God's command, we as soldiers are not to questions
our commanding officers wishes and need to carry out our charge as going to
war.
(1Ti 1:19) holding
faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of
their faith,
Our warfare is to be fought holding onto our faith and a
good conscience. These are extremely important elements that will guide us
while we wage war by following our orders.
If we do not hold onto faith our war will be waged from the heart, which
will cause us to hurt and kill, not heal and restore. Phi_1:9-10 teaches
that heart, or gut feeling alone cannot help us in this fight. Our heart will
lead us astray in this fight (Jer_17:9).
Whatever is not from faith is sin (Rom_14:23), and
whatever is not of faith is from the heart, since out of the overflow of the
heart the mouth speaks (Mat_15:18; Luk_6:45) when it is not guided from knowledge and depth of
insight (discernment) (Heb_5:14). A good
conscience only comes by training our flesh that we may mature by the
spirit, not the flesh (1Co_9:27) knowing that our salvation is by obedience of the will
of God (1Pe_3:21). Those who teach falsehood and following deceptions
have seared consciences (1Ti_4:1-3). Luk_6:26 speaks of how false prophets
are well liked because they appease men's consciences instead of presenting the
truth to their consciences.
Remember that a good conscience and sincere faith is what
helps our love be the kind of love that God approves of. A
love that is not "feeling" based, but Bible based.
If you reject this training by faith and good conscience,
your faith will be destroyed (nauageo:
shipwrecked). It
will be useless since you would be following your heart and your own mind.
False teachings will do that. Compromising the truth will do that. Some claim
that is legalistic but the Bible says its holiness. This also shows that the
false doctrine that claims "once saved always saved" is unbiblical.
Satan has been trying to destroy faiths since the
beginning by way of false doctrine and creating doubt in people's minds. From
the beginning Satan tries to put a question mark where God puts an exclamation
point (Gen_3:1-3). If we reject the things of God that come only by faith
and a good conscience then our faith is useless and shipwrecked.
Part of the work of the Evangelist is to tell people the
truth and to correct those who teach lies. Psa_119:89 says that God's Word is forever
settled in heaven. So there is no negotiating truth. Truth needs to be
defended: we have to fight with faith and a good conscience.
(1Ti 1:20) among whom
are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over
to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme.
These two men were probably teaching false doctrine. Paul
mentions Hymenaeus in 2Ti_2:17-18 as
spreading false teachings. Alexander is also mentioned in 2Ti_4:14 as having
done great harm to Paul, probably as Paul was trying to establish the truth but
he opposed him.
When you compromise the truth you blaspheme God. When you
abandon a good conscience you are a blasphemer. Paul handed them over to Satan
- they were disfellowshipped. If someone doesn't stop from teaching false
doctrines they need to be removed from the fellowship by God's authority.
Disfellowship shows that God has already removed them from His fellowship and
that their faith is shipwrecked. It is the opposite of what happened in Col_1:13-14. They are
being removed from the church in a physical level and removed spiritually from
Jesus' dominion into the dominion of darkness.