WEEK 5 HOOK 1 Timothy 3:14 4:5 Historical Event: On Nov. 22, 1963, President John F. Kennedy was fatally shot while traveling with his wife, Jacqueline, in a presidential motorcade in Dallas, Texas. Two seconds following the fatal gunshot, Secret Service agent Clint Hill ran from the car traveling directly behind and leaped onto the back of the presidential limousine. Once in the car, Hill shielded the president and first lady. In 1975, during an interview on 60 Minutes, Hill said, If I had reacted maybe a second faster, I wouldn t be here today, because he would have taken the third (fatal) shot. And that would have been fine with me. If I had just reacted a little bit quicker, and I could ve I guess. 1 Why does the president need protecting and what makes him worthy of such protection? What does guarding the president entail? How can the Church guard the truth of God s Word? If the Church fails, what are the consequences? Personal Story: Share with the class a time in your life when you needed to defend either a person or a biblical truth. Describe the situation, particularly the opposition faced. In this personal story, be specific so your class understands how you knew the person, why the issue was important, and the outcome of your conversation. Make a point to tell your class what the consequences would have been had you failed to defend God s truth. 1 60 Minutes, 1975: Secret Service Agent #9, www.cbsnews.com.
WEEK 5 BOOK 1 Timothy 3:14 4:5 Background: Paul pauses to state the purpose of his letter and in so doing reveals its central focus. How one ought to behave in the church appropriately summarizes the instructions to groups in the church (2:1 3:13; 5:1 6:2), the instructions to Timothy, and the warnings against false teachers (1:3 20; 4:1 16; 6:3 20). True doctrine leads to right living. 1 Timothy 3:14 16 I hope to come to you soon, but I am writing these things to you so that, 15 if I delay, you may know how one ought to behave in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, a pillar and buttress of the truth. 16 Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up in glory. ESV Study Bible: In this very significant verse, Paul states his reason for writing 1 Timothy, providing one of the key NT descriptions of the church s identity and mission. The use of household (Gk. oikos) and related words to describe the church and its ministry is common in Paul (cf. 1 Cor. 4:1; Gal. 6:10; Eph. 2:19; as well as 1 Tim. 3:4 5, 12, 15; 5:4, 8, 14; cf. 1 Pet. 4:17). It describes the church as God s family, especially with reference to authority and responsibility within the church and the home. The stress is on God s authority over the church and the behavior of people in the church. The mystery of godliness refers to the entire content of God s revealed plan of salvation (cf. note on v. 9). Next comes a poetic exposition of that great gospel message. great indeed, we confess. This introduction may implicitly call upon the Ephesian church to affirm this confession and therefore the ethical and doctrinal implications drawn from it throughout the letter. The exact structure of this hymn is debated, but the basic idea is clear. God the Son has been revealed in human flesh (resulting in the crucifixion, line 1), but he was vindicated by the resurrection (line 2) and afterward was displayed in victory before heavenly beings (line 3; cf. Eph. 1:20 21; Phil. 2:9 11; Heb. 1:3 4; 1 Pet. 3:21 22; Rev. 5:6 14). Why is it important that the household of God behave rightly? Whom do we represent?
What do each of the verses in the hymn refer to? Why is this called a mystery? 1 Timothy 4:1 5 Now the Spirit expressly says that in later times some will depart from the faith by devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons, 2 through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared, 3 who forbid marriage and require abstinence from foods that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 for it is made holy by the word of God and prayer. ESV Study Bible: The later times (Gk. hysterois kairois) in view here clearly include Timothy s day (see the similar phrase in 2 Tim. 3:1). As is typical in the NT, later times refers to the time that began with the outpouring of the Spirit after the work of Christ. Those who hold to the false teaching depart from the faith, which shows that this teaching is outside the bounds of true Christianity. Furthermore, the source of the error is demonic, for these teachers follow deceitful spirits. The false teaching and resultant apostasy are no surprise. God said this would happen, so his church should not panic but should carry on in faithfulness (see 2 Tim. 2:17 19). Paul reveals some of the content of the false teaching, though he does not explain the overall view that led to these prohibitions. Questions of propriety in regard to foods and marriage were significant issues elsewhere in Paul s letters (see Romans 14; 1 Cor. 7:25 35; 8:1 10:33; Col. 2:16 23). The false teaching seems to gauge holiness by what is denied or given up. In response, Paul affirms the goodness of everything created by God and the propriety of enjoying it as a gift from him (cf. Eccles. 9:7 9). Made holy translates Greek hagiazō ( sanctify, make holy, consecrate ). Ordinary food should be considered made holy by God, and Christians have the privilege of eating such holy food every day. What happens to those who leave the family of God for their own interests? What specific false teachings was Paul preparing Timothy to fight? What are the current false teachings we must fight against? What should be our reaction when others add rules to our faith in Christ? What allows us to make all of God s creation accepted, holy and usable?
Another Perspective: Bible Knowledge Commentary: This truth about godliness being a mystery means that it was hidden but now is revealed. Further, it is a great (mega, large, important ) mystery in that it is overwhelmingly large in scope and sublimely important in significance (cf. Eph. 5:32). Paul cited the content of this truth in the form of an excerpt from an early hymn about Christ, who is the essence of the mystery (Col. 1:27). Whether the fragment should be divided into two or three parts is disputed. Whichever one chooses, the six elements of the excerpt are as follows: (1) Appeared in a body refers to the Incarnation of Christ. (2) Was vindicated by the Spirit refers to God s demonstration through the Resurrection (cf. Acts 2:24 36), by the Holy Spirit (cf. Rom. 8:11), that the crucified Jesus is Lord and Messiah. (3) Was seen by angels refers to His exaltation before the heavenly realm (cf. Phil. 2:9 11; Col. 2:15; Heb. 1:6). (4) Was preached among the nations (cf. Col. 1:23) and (5) was believed on in the world refer to the progressive fulfillment of God s redemptive plan through His preordained means (cf. 1 Cor. 1:18 2:5). (6) Was taken up in glory refers to the Ascension (Eph. 4:10). 2 Class Discussion: Have your class discuss how this great mystery is now understood. Ask class members to share what questions they had about life before they received Christ. Questions might include, What is my purpose in life? Is there a God? and Is there an afterlife? Show how all those questions have now been answered in Christ. Holman New Testament Commentary: Paul began chapter 4 of 1 Timothy with a scathing description of people who teach false ideas in the guise of truth. He called them hypocritical liars, people without conscience, followers of demonic speculations. What Paul detected in these teachings, however, was an attack upon the person of God and his grace toward mankind. In his own time, it was the possible infiltration of an early expression of gnosticism which posed a threat. Paul kept current with the philosophies and religious thinking of his time. Those philosophical systems which contained resemblances of Jewish or Christian faith posed the greatest threat because they easily infiltrated and polluted the singular Christian outlook. By knowing the popular theories of life, origins, and ultimate purpose, he was able to detect deviations from truth and protect the purity of the gospel. We must also proclaim and live the righteousness of Christ. 3 Class Discussion: Have the class discuss which modern semi-christian movements are of the greatest threat to new or weak believers. Note that forms of health and wealth theology and the poverty Gospel are growing among different generations. Share how you keep up-to-date on what could destroy your family and faith. 2 A. Duane Litfin, "1 Timothy", in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures, ed. J. F. Walvoord and R. B. Zuck, 1 Ti 3:16 (Wheaton, IL: Victor Books, 1985). 3 Knute Larson, vol. 9, I & II Thessalonians, I & II Timothy, Titus, Philemon, Holman New Testament Commentary, 214 (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2000).
WEEK 5 TOOK 1 Timothy 3:14 4:5 In Today s World: The Washington Post published an article by Marc Handley Andrus, bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of California, in which he states: On marriage equality, our church has traveled on pilgrimage with our culture. Sometimes we have led in advocacy for marriage equality, and sometimes we have learned from the culture and from leaders outside the church. We have developed rites for blessing and marriage for all, and we have extended the support of the church to LGBT people in the form of premarital counseling and the integration of same-sex couples into loving communities of faith. The historic social prominence of The Episcopal Church lays some extra responsibility on us to use our influence for good. Thus we have advocated with courts and lawmakers at every level of government to promote marriage equality. 4 How should the Church respond when God s Word is opposed by culture? Class Exercise: Have your class explain how they would approach a believer who advocates gay marriage. Like this bishop, many in our culture view same-sex marriage as a civil rights issue or simply a matter of tolerance and progressive thinking. Explain the importance of loving, listening and praying for those who disagree with God's word while providing a clear explanation of God's truth on the subject. Challenge: Ask your class to spend time specifically asking this question: If all Scripture is the truth of God (and this passage is true), then how should I act as a result? What steps of obedience must I take? Charge them to be aware of what they will say when God presents them with the opportunity to speak with people who deny God s Word. 4 Marc Handley Andrus, The Episcopal Church s gay rights pilgrimage, www.washingtonpost.com