1 Timothy Rather than addressing a church or group of churches, which has characterized Paul s letters up to this point, Paul addresses Timothy personally. Thus this is a pastoral letter, i.e., a letter addresses specifically to pastors or leaders of the churches. This is reflected throughout the remainder of the letter. NIV Compact Bible Commentary, Pg. 559 I. Watch Out for False Doctrine Part 1 (1) a. 1 Timothy 1:1 7 (ESV) 1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope, 2 To Timothy, my true child in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord. 3 As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, 4 nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship from God that is by faith. 5 The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith. 6 Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, 7 desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions. There were clearly problems in the church, and those problems appear to have involved a growing and powerful rogue leadership. These leaders used the law in their teaching, they curried favor from various church members, and they appear to have been paid well. Timothy, however, was still young, and the aging apostle Paul had some concerns about Timothy s ability to handle the situation. He knew that Timothy needed encouragement. Apparently, the church was fraying not just at the edges but at the seams. What should be done? Paul knew that Timothy needed to answer that question, so he wrote this letter. The Message of the New Testament, Location 6939 Immediately following this section, Paul gives a summary of the purpose of the Law. As in Galatians, he teaches that the Law is not bad, but good. The Law, however, is not for the righteous, but the unrighteous. b. 1 Timothy 1:18 20 (ESV) 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, 19 holding faith and a good conscience. By rejecting this, some have made shipwreck of their faith, 20 among whom are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan that they may learn not to blaspheme. FBC Durham Bible For Life Page 1
The basis of Timothy s leadership in the church at Ephesus, Paul says, must be his opposition to false doctrine and his teaching of the truth about Christ. The Message of the New Testament, Location 6952 II. Life in the Local Church Part 1 (2-3) a. 1 Timothy 2:1 7 (ESV) 1 First of all, then, I urge that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for all people, 2 for kings and all who are in high positions, that we may lead a peaceful and quiet life, godly and dignified in every way. 3 This is good, and it is pleasing in the sight of God our Savior, 4 who desires all people to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God, and there is one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, which is the testimony given at the proper time. 7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (I am telling the truth, I am not lying), a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth. When was the last time you prayed for, interceded for, or thanked God for those in authority over our nation? It would be good, according to the Bible, if you did, regardless of whether you are a Democrat, a Republican, or an Independent. Remember, Paul was telling these young Christians to pray for the Roman emperor, who would one day take off Paul s head. Paul exhorted them to pray, to intercede, and to thank God for this very one. The Message of the New Testament, Location 7033 In Paul s view, the church was the primary vehicle that God would use to accomplish his work before coming again. Jesus had promised as much, when in Matthew 16:18 20, he did not even give the gates of hell a chance of having a victory over the church he promised to build. The Promise-Plan of God, Location 8442 b. 1 Timothy 2:8 15 (ESV) 8 I desire then that in every place the men should pray, lifting holy hands without anger or quarreling; 9 likewise also that women should adorn themselves in respectable apparel, with modesty and self-control, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly attire, 10 but with what is proper for women who profess godliness with good works. 11 Let a woman learn quietly with all submissiveness. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to exercise authority over a man; rather, she is to remain quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve; 14 and Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and became a transgressor. 15 Yet she will be saved through childbearing if they continue in faith and love and holiness, with self-control. FBC Durham Bible For Life Page 2
Women are prohibited from teaching and ruling men for two reasons: because God created the man first, and because the woman sinned first. This does not mean that all Christian men have authority over all Christian women at all times. It simply means that in the context of the local church, the position of elder is restricted to men. The Message of the New Testament, Location 7042 I think preserve is a better view. She will be preserved is a better understanding. If a woman will accept the calling of being a mother and accept the calling of living in submission under the leadership structure of that God has established then she will be preserved through the rearing of children, continuing in the faith, love, holiness, self-control. In other words, what he has in view here is a woman s sanctification as she grows in Christ s likeness and lives our her salvation. God s Pattern for a Godly Woman, Sermon by Daniel L. Akin c. 1 Timothy 3:1-13 Qualifications of Elders & Deacons Elders Above reproach Husband of one wife Sober-minded Self-controlled Respectable Hospitable Able to teach Not a drunkard Not violent, but gentle Not quarrelsome Not a lover of money Manage his household well w/ submissive children Not a recent convert Well thought of by outsiders Deacons Not double-tongued Husband of one wife Dignified Not addicted to much wine Not greedy for dishonest gain Managing children and their own household well Hold to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience This is a list that all will find themselves falling short on at different times. This list describes a general adherence and desire of one s walk to see fulfill on a daily basis. So if someone s life is clearly not marked on a regular basis by these qualifications, then they should not be chosen by the church to serve in these positions. d. 1 Timothy 3:14 16 (ESV) 14 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 FBC Durham Bible For Life Page 3
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. A real leader must have the ability to help other people think of more than just themselves; indeed, he must lead others to think of the congregation as a whole. The Message of the New Testament, Location 7022 Verse 16 is perhaps an early Christian hymn, memorized by the saints for their worship services. The mystery of godliness is God s hidden program to bring godliness into the world. Of course, Christ is God s great Mystery, and this song exalts Him: His birth; His death and resurrection; His earthly ministry. This is a summary of the Person and work of Christ, and the idea is that the local church now continues the work which He began. The church on earth is the body of Christ on earth (see 1 Cor. 12:12, where Paul is speaking of a local church, not the church universal). Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the New Testament, Pg. 628 III. Watch Out for False Doctrine Part 2 (4) a. 1 Timothy 4:1 5 (ESV) 1 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. The continual battle within the church is to help people filter everything they see and hear. Just because someone references a bible verse, holds a Bible in their hand while speaking, claims their utter reliance on the Scripture, or prays in Jesus name does assure they are speaking truth. We are told that false teachers are like sheep in wolves clothing. This means they look like they are supposed to look. However, everything we hear and see should be filtered through the lens of Scripture. In this case, these false teachers are saying that certain pleasures must be denied in order to gain favor with God. Paul clearly says no. What God has created let us celebrate with thanksgiving. b. 1 Timothy 4:7 8 (ESV) 7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness; 8 for while bodily training is of some value, godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. FBC Durham Bible For Life Page 4
Right doctrine must be matched by right living. Our words together with our actions will teach either the truth or something else. The Message of the New Testament, Location 7013 IV. Life in the Local Church Part 2 (5-6) a. 1 Timothy 5:1 8 (ESV) 1 Do not rebuke an older man but encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity. 3 Honor widows who are truly widows. 4 But if a widow has children or grandchildren, let them first learn to show godliness to their own household and to make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God. 5 She who is truly a widow, left all alone, has set her hope on God and continues in supplications and prayers night and day, 6 but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives. 7 Command these things as well, so that they may be without reproach. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for members of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever. Paul teaches that widows are the primary responsibility of their families. When a family is not taking care of a widow in their midst, the family should be corrected. In the cases where there is no family or an outright rejection of duty by the family, the church should step in to care for the widow. b. 1 Timothy 5:17 21 (ESV) 17 Let the elders who rule well be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in preaching and teaching. 18 For the Scripture says, You shall not muzzle an ox when it treads out the grain, and, The laborer deserves his wages. 19 Do not admit a charge against an elder except on the evidence of two or three witnesses. 20 As for those who persist in sin, rebuke them in the presence of all, so that the rest may stand in fear. 21 In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus and of the elect angels I charge you to keep these rules without prejudging, doing nothing from partiality. So, how should a leader live? A leader should live for others. If you seek public office, you should seek that office for the good you will be able to do for others. If you exercise authority in the church, it should be exercised for the good of those over whom you have authority. Authority should not be given to people who are self-focused but to people who reflect the good and kind authority of God, thereby blessing those they serve by leading. The Message of the New Testament, Location 7071 FBC Durham Bible For Life Page 5
c. 1 Timothy 6:1 2 (ESV) 1 Let all who are under a yoke as bondservants regard their own masters as worthy of all honor, so that the name of God and the teaching may not be reviled. 2 Those who have believing masters must not be disrespectful on the ground that they are brothers; rather they must serve all the better since those who benefit by their good service are believers and beloved. Teach and urge these things. Paul says that we are to honor those we work for whether they are a believer or not. What a way to display the gospel since honoring a supervisor is a rare occurrence in our society. Paul tells the one who works for a believer to take special care so not to presume certain rights or challenge their authority because they are co-equal in Christ. However, they have an even stronger calling to serving their employer well. d. 1 Timothy 6:8 10 (ESV) 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content. 9 But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation, into a snare, into many senseless and harmful desires that plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evils. It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs. In the original the sentence is conspicuous by virtue of its beautiful alliteration. The constantly recurring letter p (π) strikes the eye and then the ear, and probably serves to fix the saying more firmly in the mind, as if we were to say: Those who desire to be opulent precipitate themselves into evil promptings and perilous pitfalls and into numerous precarious passions. These cravings, passions, or lusts of which the apostle speaks are described as such as plunge the members of the human race into ruin and destruction. New Testament Commentary : Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, Pg. 200 e. 1 Timothy 6:17 19 (ESV) 17 As for the rich in this present age, charge them not to be haughty, nor to set their hopes on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who richly provides us with everything to enjoy. 18 They are to do good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and ready to share, 19 thus storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the future, so that they may take hold of that which is truly life. Paul mentioned four ways to use wealth wisely. To do good involves using wealth in a positive way instead of letting it feed a life of personal luxury. To be rich in good deeds pointed the wealthy in the direction in which they were to be truly rich, in the doing of good deeds. These two verbs probably include more than benevolence. The need for benevolence is emphasized in the next pair of terms. To be generous demands a liberal sharing of wealth with others. One who is willing to share shows that the generous act of giving is to spring from internal generosity. FBC Durham Bible For Life Page 6
2 Timothy Paul was suggesting that genuine wealth is found in what we give, not what we have. 1, 2 Timothy, Titus, New American Commentary, Pg. 175-176 f. 1 Timothy 6:20 21 (ESV) 20 Timothy, guard the deposit entrusted to you. Avoid the irreverent babble and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge, 21 for by professing it some have swerved from the faith. Grace be with you. Paul concludes this first letter to Timothy as he started. Guard the gospel against false doctrine. It is not if false doctrine will sneak in, but when false doctrine sneaks in. It will masquerade as truth and will try to win the day arguing it is coming from a stronger position of better learning and understanding. We are to stick with what we were first taught from the Scriptures, and constantly guard it with vigilance. In 2 Timothy, Paul exhorts Timothy to clarify the message that he preaches, warns him that the journey ahead will be difficult, and urges him to follow his own example of faithfully preaching the gospel to the end. So Paul writes Timothy about three things: keeping the message, counting the cost, and continuing to the end. The Message of the New Testament, Location 7253 I. Renew Your Passion for the Gospel & Pass It On To Others (1-2) a. 2 Timothy 1:3 7 (ESV) 3 I thank God whom I serve, as did my ancestors, with a clear conscience, as I remember you constantly in my prayers night and day. 4 As I remember your tears, I long to see you, that I may be filled with joy. 5 I am reminded of your sincere faith, a faith that dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice and now, I am sure, dwells in you as well. 6 For this reason I remind you to fan into flame the gift of God, which is in you through the laying on of my hands, 7 for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and selfcontrol. Paul s second letter to Timothy has the distinct note to it that conditions in the churches were becoming troublesome and more urgent. On the one hand, godly leaders such as Timothy were coming close to losing heart. On the other hand, false teachers were becoming more and more impudent in their teaching and actions. Thus Paul begins his letter with an impassioned appeal to Timothy to fan into flame the gift of God and to not be timid Paul s solution to Timothy s need for encouragement is to stress the dimensions of the grace of God given him in the Gospel NIV Compact Bible Commentary, Pg. 563 FBC Durham Bible For Life Page 7
b. 2 Timothy 2:1 7 (ESV) 1 You then, my child, be strengthened by the grace that is in Christ Jesus, 2 and what you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses entrust to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. 3 Share in suffering as a good soldier of Christ Jesus. 4 No soldier gets entangled in civilian pursuits, since his aim is to please the one who enlisted him. 5 An athlete is not crowned unless he competes according to the rules. 6 It is the hard-working farmer who ought to have the first share of the crops. 7 Think over what I say, for the Lord will give you understanding in everything. The ministry is an effort of continually handing down the great truths of the gospel to those that are following. It isn t a side purpose, but a primary goal that is not to be lessened by the distractions that can popup. We can get caught doing a lot of good things, but failed to protect, promote, and pass-on the undefiled gospel. c. 2 Timothy 2:8 13 (ESV) 8 Remember Jesus Christ, risen from the dead, the offspring of David, as preached in my gospel, 9 for which I am suffering, bound with chains as a criminal. But the word of God is not bound! 10 Therefore I endure everything for the sake of the elect, that they also may obtain the salvation that is in Christ Jesus with eternal glory. 11 The saying is trustworthy, for: If we have died with him, we will also live with him; 12 if we endure, we will also reign with him; if we deny him, he also will deny us; 13 if we are faithless, he remains faithful for he cannot deny himself. This is no mere moralism, like loving your neighbor as yourself though Christ certainly taught that. Most fundamentally, the gospel of Christianity has to do with specific historical events, namely, the birth, the life and ministry, the death, and the resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus taught that he came to lay down his life as a ransom for the sin of whoever would turn and trust him. That is the message the apostles taught. After Christ was crucified and raised again, the apostles were filled with the Holy Spirit and they traveled to much of the known world to teach who Jesus is and what he has done. This is the gospel. The Message of the New Testament, Location 7277 The first conditional statement about dying with Christ assures us that we will also live with him. The second one assures us that enduring for Christ s sake will result in reigning with him. In the third condition, any disowning of Christ will result in his disowning us. However, even if we are unfaithful, Christ will remain faithful, for he cannot and will not deny himself. This latter reference seems to be to temporary lapses in the life of the believer. That condition was much different from the third one, which appeared to be about one who never even had a genuine relationship to Christ. That one Christ would disown. The Promise-Plan of God, Location 8624 FBC Durham Bible For Life Page 8
d. 2 Timothy 2:14 19 (ESV) 14 Remind them of these things, and charge them before God not to quarrel about words, which does no good, but only ruins the hearers. 15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth. 16 But avoid irreverent babble, for it will lead people into more and more ungodliness, 17 and their talk will spread like gangrene. Among them are Hymenaeus and Philetus, 18 who have swerved from the truth, saying that the resurrection has already happened. They are upsetting the faith of some. 19 But God s firm foundation stands, bearing this seal: The Lord knows those who are his, and, Let everyone who names the name of the Lord depart from iniquity. Paul is telling Timothy not to get consumed by discussions that take away from the primacy of the gospel. These come in many different forms. This doesn t mean that aren t to labor at understanding God s Word and wrestle in our studies over the difficult concepts and passages. Paul clearly tells Timothy that he is to rightly divide God s Word. II. Preach the Gospel With Boldness Through Diligent Preparation (3-4) a. 2 Timothy 3:10 17 (ESV) 10 You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, 11 my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me. 12 Indeed, all who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted, 13 while evil people and impostors will go on from bad to worse, deceiving and being deceived. 14 But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it 15 and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 16 All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, 17 that the man of God may be complete, equipped for every good work. These are important commands for us too. As with Timothy, the message entrusted to us is unique. If we alter it, we lose it. So we must be careful to guard it. You and I are not called to give out another message; or to come up with something that has more surface appeal; or to craft a gospel better suited to modern needs, as we see them. We are called to give the gospel of Jesus Christ alone. If the gospel of Jesus Christ is altered, it is lost. The Message of the New Testament, Location 7290 In Paul s view, the church was the primary vehicle that God would use to accomplish his work before coming again. Jesus had promised as much, when in Matthew 16:18 20, he did not even give the gates of hell a chance of having a FBC Durham Bible For Life Page 9
Bibliography victory over the church he promised to build. The Promise-Plan of God, Location 8442 b. 2 Timothy 4:1 5 (ESV) 1 I charge you in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and by his appearing and his kingdom: 2 preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching. 3 For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, 4 and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths. 5 As for you, always be sober-minded, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. What Paul requires of those who are entrusted with teaching and guarding the gospel in the church is pretty clear. Specifically, he points to six characteristics. First, a good teacher will cut straight the word of truth, as the word for correctly handle literally means. He does not avoid the difficult passages or twist words to suit the tastes of people. He says what the Bible says. Second, God s servant must be kind. Third, he must be able to teach. Fourth, he must not be resentful. Fifth, he must be a gentle instructor. Finally, he can do all these things because he is always mindful of his ultimate audience: present yourself to God (2:15). The Message of the New Testament, Location 7394 Dever, Mark. The Message of the New Testament: Promises Kept. Wheaton, IL: Crossway, 2005. William Hendriksen and Simon J. Kistemaker, vol. 4, New Testament Commentary : Exposition of the Pastoral Epistles, New Testament Commentary. Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1953-2001. Kaiser, Walter C. The Promise-plan of God: A Biblical Theology of the Old and New Testaments. Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2008. Thomas D. Lea and Hayne P. Griffin, vol. 34, 1, 2 Timothy, Titus; The New American Commentary. Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 2001. Sailhamer, John. NIV Compact Bible Commentary. Grand Rapids, (MI: Zondervan, 1994). Warren W. Wiersbe, Wiersbe's Expository Outlines on the New Testament (Wheaton, Ill.: Victor Books, 1997). The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (Wheaton: Standard Bible Society, 2001). FBC Durham Bible For Life Page 10