(The previous post concluded with the Theme of Chapter 3: Paul explained to Timothy the roles of bishops and deacons in the church.)
1 Timothy 4
1 But the Spirit saith expressly, that in later times some shall fall away from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of demons,
(The Spirit spoke expressly that in the end times, some shall depart from the faith. The falling away will come from within the church, people forfeiting their Salvation. Notice, central to this falling away will be doctrines of demons: doctrines that are not God's non-contradictory Biblical Doctrines.)
2 through the hypocrisy of men that speak lies, branded in their own conscience as with a hot iron;
(If these people state that they are following God's Doctrines, but they cannot support it with the Bible...and they continue to justify themselves instead of considering they are wrong, they will become hypocrites. Jesus said hypocrites go to hell: Matthew 24:51. Notice, continuing to justify one's self in this error while holding others to a higher standard (hypocrisy) would lead to these people having their consciences seared over. These people will eventually be unable to feel guilt or the conviction from the Holy Spirit. People who are unable to feel conviction to the extent they confess and repent are people who have prevented themselves from receiving Salvation.)
3 forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God created to be received with thanksgiving by them that believe and know the truth.
(These people will place laws on others. Notice the two Doctrines that become corrupted: Marriage and dietary.)
4 For every creature of God is good, and nothing is to be rejected, if it be received with thanksgiving:
5 for it is sanctified through the word of God and prayer.
(The food we receive, if received with thanksgiving, is good. Paul covered this in detail over three chapters in 1 Corinthians 8-10. Next, Paul gave his solution to dealing with this.)
6 If thou put the brethren in mind of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished in the words of the faith, and of the good doctrine which thou hast followed until now:
(Paul told Timothy to put the believers in mind of these things: make them aware of these issues. That was what would make Timothy a "good minister of Christ Jesus." Notice also that being nourished in the words of faith (God's Word) and His Doctrine would continue to help these believers. Doctrine is important and valuable.)
7 but refuse profane and old wives' fables. And exercise thyself unto godliness:
8 for bodily exercise is profitable for a little; but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life which now is, and of that which is to come.
9 Faithful is the saying, and worthy of all acceptation.
(Physical exercise profits little (short term). Godliness is profitable to all things. Godliness is profitable in the long term.)
10 For to this end we labor and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of them that believe.
11 These things command and teach.
12 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an ensample to them that believe, in word, in manner of life, in love, in faith, in purity.
(Paul explained how working now was tied to our eternal destination. Next, Paul stated youth should not be despised. Believers, young and old, ought to be examples in word (say), manner of life (do), love, faith, and purity.)
13 Till I come, give heed to reading, to exhortation, to teaching.
(Paul told Timothy to "give heed" (do) to reading, exhorting, and teaching (Doctrine) from the time he read this letter until Paul came to visit.)
14 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery.
(We all have gifts that have been imparted onto us. Paul was not going to re-impart these gifts. That would be like re-sowing the same seed. These gifts had already been imparted. We ought to not neglect these gifts, which means we ought to remember and stir up these gifts. We ought to incubate these gifts so that they manifest.)
15 Be diligent in these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy progress may be manifest unto all.
(Meditate on these things (verses 12-14) and do them so your profitability appears to all.)
16 Take heed to thyself, and to thy teaching. Continue in these things; for in doing this thou shalt save both thyself and them that hear thee.
(Doing and growing in God's Doctrine shall save you and those who hear (understand) you.)
(Theme of Chapter 4: Paul warned Timothy that there would be a falling away of believers before the end. Paul explained that understanding God's Word and doing God's Doctrines would help believers not be deceived by seducing spirits and doctrines of demons.)
1 Timothy 5
1 Rebuke not an elder, but exhort him as a father; the younger men as brethren:
(Do not rebuke (to strike upon, beat upon) an elder. This usage of "rebuke" was the Greek word epiplēssō and this was the only time it was used in the New Testament. This word may have not only meant a "physical" strike or beating but it was clearly something that was not in the long term best interest of the elder. An "elder" ought to be confronted by a person coming along side him: exhort.)
2 the elder women as mothers; the younger as sisters, in all purity.
3 Honor widows that are widows indeed.
4 But if any widow hath children or grandchildren, let them learn first to show piety towards their own family, and to requite their parents: for this is acceptable in the sight of God.
(Children and grandchildren ought to first show piety (actions of reverence) towards their widowed grandmothers before this became the church's responsibility.)
5 Now she that is a widow indeed, and desolate, hath her hope set on God, and continueth in supplications and prayers night and day.
6 But she that giveth herself to pleasure is dead while she liveth.
7 These things also command, that they may be without reproach.
8 But if any provideth not for his own, and specially his own household, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an unbeliever.
(We should be providing for our own families, especially those in our own homes. To provide meant "to perceive before, foresee, think of beforehand, to take thought for, care for a thing." These were all effects of putting one's family's best interest ahead of his own.)
9 Let none be enrolled as a widow under threescore years old, having been the wife of one man,
10 well reported of for good works; if she hath brought up children, if she hath used hospitality to strangers, if she hath washed the saints' feet, if she hath relieved the afflicted, if she hath diligently followed every good work.
(Paul's advice was to only employ women who had been widowed and were sixty years or older.)
11 But younger widows refuse: for when they have waxed wanton against Christ, they desire to marry;
12 having condemnation, because they have rejected their first pledge.
13 And withal they learn also to be idle, going about from house to house; and not only idle, but tattlers also and busybodies, speaking things which they ought not.
14 I desire therefore that the younger widows marry, bear children, rule the household, give no occasion to the adversary for reviling:
15 for already some are turned aside after Satan.
(Paul was concerned that women younger than sixty would want to remarry. Their attempt to focus on working for the church would actually lead to idleness and being busybodies which would cause them to follow Satan. Paul supported his belief by saying this had already occurred.)
16 If any woman that believeth hath widows, let her relieve them, and let not the church be burdened; that it may relieve them that are widows indeed.
17 Let the elders that rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and in teaching.
(Elders that rule were what we would today call pastors. We saw in the Book of Acts that elders were similar to modern day pastors because the church was supposed to be led by many pastors, not just one. Elders will be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who do the word and teaching (Doctrine). What about elders who do not the word and teaching (Doctrine)? If elders who rule well are given double honor, it is Just for elders who do not rule well to lose double honor.)
18 For the scripture saith, Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. And, The laborer is worthy of his hire.
19 Against an elder receive not an accusation, except at the mouth of two or three witnesses.
(Paul referenced Deuteronomy 25:4. These verses make more sense when seen as dealing with pastors. Pastors (elders) ought to be able to gain from their work for the church, just like an ox can eat while working. Paul stated that no one should accuse an elder/pastor unless it was with two or three witnesses.)
20 Them that sin reprove in the sight of all, that the rest also may be in fear.
(Those that sin should be reproved in front of all. Notice, this verse came after Paul's advice on accusations against elders/pastors would state that if the elders/pastors were in sin, they ought to be reproved in front of the entire church. Verses 19-20 were a concise version of Matthew 18:15-17.)
21 I charge thee in the sight of God, and Christ Jesus, and the elect angels, that thou observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing by partiality.
(Do these things (verses 19-20) in order and without prejudice. This meant that all believers were subject to being confronted when they trespassed against another believer, including elders/pastors. Confronting everyone except elders/pastors would actually be proving that the elders/pastors were the least excellent/worthy people in the church.)
22 Lay hands hastily on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.
(Doctrine: Keep thyself pure. This was the contrastive way of stating "flee fornication.")
23 Be no longer a drinker of water, but use a little wine for thy stomach's sake and thine often infirmities.
(Paul stated there was a medicinal benefit from drinking wine.)
24 Some men's sins are evident, going before unto judgment; and some men also they follow after.
25 In like manner also there are good works that are evident; and such as are otherwise cannot be hid.
(Theme of Chapter 5: Paul covered specific guidelines for dealing with elders/pastors and widows.)
1 Timothy 6
1 Let as many as are servants under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor, that the name of God and the doctrine be not blasphemed.
(Servants should count their masters worthy of honor. The best modern day application is to think of employee and employer.)
2 And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but let them serve them the rather, because they that partake of the benefit are believing and beloved. These things teach and exhort.
(Servants of believing masters should be more inclined to serve because they will have a share in the master's honor.)
3 If any man teacheth a different doctrine, and consenteth not to sound words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;
4 he is puffed up, knowing nothing, but doting about questionings and disputes of words, whereof cometh envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,
5 wranglings of men corrupted in mind and bereft of the truth, supposing that godliness is a way of gain.
(Verses 3-5 described false teachers. Notice, their doctrine was according to unsound words. Sound words were words that mean what they appeared to mean, words that had a right definition. Ultimately, false teachers were focused on physical gain (what) and attempted to pervert godliness to attain their goal (how/why). These people were deceivers because they appeared to have a right what, but they were actually using a wrong how/why.)
6 But godliness with contentment is great gain:
(Doctrine: Godliness with contentment is great gain. There are two parts to the gain that ought to matter: Godliness with contentment, which is a right what with a right how/why. Contentment is a belief that you have a perfect condition of life in which no aid or support is needed. This belief could only come by godliness being the cause.)
7 for we brought nothing into the world, for neither can we carry anything out;
8 but having food and covering we shall be therewith content.
(Doctrine: Having food and cover should let us be content. These were the specifics that should be provided for our families (1 Timothy 5:8). We do not need more than food (food and water) and cover (protection from the elements). Our culture wants to think that we deserve more than these things, or that parents ought to provide more than these things to their children.)
9 But they that are minded to be rich fall into a temptation and a snare and many foolish and hurtful lusts, such as drown men in destruction and perdition.
10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil: which some reaching after have been led astray from the faith, and have pierced themselves through with many sorrows.
(The love of money was making money the cause. A little bit of money makes things better. Believing that enough money will make things perfect was also known as "the deceitfulness of riches"..."if I only had more, I would be happy." Notice, this was deception because the individual themselves were driving this foolish and hurtful pursuit, not the enemy.)
11 But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.
(Flee these things (verses 9-10) and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness (humility). "Follow after" these meant focusing on them: things God would direct people to do when they made loving God their cause. Paul consistently wrote about fleeing fornication and pursuing a list of attributes that were best summed up in Galatians 5 and known as the "fruits of the Spirit.")
12 Fight the good fight of the faith, lay hold on the life eternal, whereunto thou wast called, and didst confess the good confession in the sight of many witnesses.
13 I charge thee in the sight of God, who giveth life to all things, and of Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed the good confession;
14 that thou keep the commandment, without spot, without reproach, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:
(Keeping the commandment meant loving God and loving others, the First and Second Commands, respectively.)
15 which in its own times he shall show, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;
16 who only hath immortality, dwelling in light unapproachable; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honor and power eternal. Amen.
(Verses 17-19: instructions for the rich.)
17 Charge them that are rich in this present world, that they be not highminded, nor have their hope set on the uncertainty of riches, but on God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;
18 that they do good, that they be rich in good works, that they be ready to distribute, willing to communicate;
19 laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on the life which is life indeed.
(Paul's instructions were for Timothy to help the rich in this world to focus on gaining riches spiritually.)
20 O Timothy, guard that which is committed unto thee, turning away from the profane babblings and oppositions of the knowledge which is falsely so called;
21 which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with you.
(Theme of Chapter 6: Paul explained that great gain was godliness with contentment. Physically, this meant food and covering. Paul gave instruction in how to deal with people who did have physical riches.)
(The first epistle to Timothy was the tenth book of the Section of the New Testament known as the Pauline Epistles. Paul wrote this letter around 67 AD from Macedonia, making this letter, chronologically, later than all the previously covered of Paul's epistles. This was also the first letter of the section known as the Pastoral Epistles. Remember, Paul's letter to the Corinthians was to the entire church. The purpose of this letter was to specifically give one person (Timothy) direction in pastoring and leading a church. The overarching theme covered teaching the believers an understanding of God's Word and God's Doctrine so that they would not be deceived into forfeiting their Salvation.)
Day 345
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