1 & 2 Timothy

1 Timothy 2

I didn’t do this last week but who is Timothy.  Acts 16:1-2 says, “Paul came to Derbe and then to Lystra, where a disciple named Timothy lived, whose mother was Jewish and a believer but whose father was a Greek. 2 The believers at Lystra and Iconium spoke well of him.”

Read verses 1 – 2

1. Paul starts off with pointing out that true worship starts with prayer. He goes on to list four different types of prayer.  Often we use these words interchangeably but they are not exactly the same.

   1. Petitions (NIV) or Supplications (NKJV) or Entreaties – Asking or even begging for something in earnest – a felt need.

   2. Prayers – Talking to God as a form of worship – reverence.

   3. Intercession – Drawing near to God and speaking on someone’s behalf.

   4. Thanksgiving – Praising God for answering prayer or meeting a need.

2. At the end of verse 1, Paul tells us who we should be praying for. He says “ALL people”.  There isn’t a person alive today that doesn’t need prayer.  Often we do not know what the person sitting beside us in the pew is going through.

3. Paul continues in verse 2 by adding people we do not think about praying for. He says pray for our leaders (kings and those in authority).  Often we forget about these people.  When I think about the president, congress and judges, I think of how they can make our lives even more difficult than we could imagine.  I don’t think of praying for them.

4. Paul points out that praying for leaders can help us live “a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.” I don’t know about you but that sounds pretty good to me.  I think that we should add the people that bring us the news on this list.  When I watch the news, I think that they are sensationalizing it just to get a reaction out of us or they give us fake news for the same reason.  We should pray that they report the news accurately and without bias.

Read verses 3 – 7

5. In verses 3 and 4, Paul says that our communication with God through prayer on other people’s behalf is goodand it leads to salvation through Jesus.  2 Peter 3:16 tells that God wants all people to come to the saving grace of Jesus, so it is good.

“God’s desire for all men to be saved is conditioned by His desire to have a genuine response from human beings. He won’t fulfill His desire to save all men at the expense of making men robots that worship Him from simply being programmed to do so.” (Guzik)

6. In verse 5, Paul says that there is one God and one mediator, Jesus who intercedes on the behalf of mankind. In Romans 8:34, Paul says that Jesus “is at the right hand of God and is also interceding for us.”  If we know Jesus and we pray for others then Jesus is speaking on behalf of the person that we are praying for.  How much better could it be for that person.

7. In verse 6, Paul says that Jesus is our mediator or intercessor but He freely gave up His life so that all people could have salvation. Not only did He die for us but He was resurrected so that we too can be resurrected.  1 Corinthians 15: “20 But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. 21 For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. 22 For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive.”

8. Verse 6b says that Jesus life, death and resurrection all happened at the appropriate time which was set by God. In Galatians 4:5, Paul says it this way, “4 But when the set time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman, born under the law, 5 to redeem those under the law, that we might receive adoption to sonship.”  Just as things happen in our lives according to God’s schedule, things happened to Jesus according to God’s schedule.

9. In verse 7, Paul testifies to the fact that everything that he has taught is true. He was chosen by Jesus to be a missionary to the Gentiles and that the Gospel message that he has taught since meeting Jesus on the road to Damascus is the true Gospel.

Read verse 8

10. Two things stand out in verse 8. First, Paul says, “I want the men everywhere to pray”.  Prayer is critical in the life of a Christian for both men and women.  Paul may specify men in this verse but there are numerous biblical examples of women praying.  Hannah prayed for a son and she gave birth to Samuel the prophet (1 Samuel 1).  Esther prayed for the protection of her people.  Mary’s (Jesus’ mother) prayer is recorded in Luke 1:46-55. Other women prayed and they are recorded in the Bible, Deborah, Sarah, Elizabeth, and many others, demonstrating that prayer was a significant practice for women throughout the Bible.  In 1 Thessalonians 5, Paul says, “16 Rejoice always, 17 pray without ceasing, 18 give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” 

11. The second thing that stands out in verse 8 is the way that we should go to God in prayer. We are to come humbly to a holy    Holman New Testament Commentary says, “As followers of Jesus Christ, we are encouraged to “approach the throne of grace with confidence” (Heb. 4:16) and to come with the affection and security of a child, by the Spirit crying, “Abba, Father” (Rom. 8:15). Even so, we must remember that in prayer we are approaching God himself. Along with reassurance comes warning: we must be in proper relationship with our holy God.”

12. The term “Abba, Father” is similar to “Daddy”, both denote that personal Hosea 6:6 says, “For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.”  The Israelites did not understand that God wanted a personal relationship with them.  He wanted love and obedience and not some ritual like sacrificing.  With the sacrificing of animals, God wanted them to do it out of love and obedience and not as one of the steps to salvation.

13. Paul says to go to God in prayer “without anger or disputing”. Praying an “angry” prayer would be wishing for bad things to happen to someone.  This type of prayer should never be prayed.  It speaks to the heart of the person praying it.

14. The second way that you should not pray is with disputing or also doubt. The Greek word used here is “dialogismos”.  “Dialogismos” means “a deliberating, questioning about what is true”.  So it can mean doubting or   Doubting makes the most since to me.  Pastor Brian has said, “Pray like you know that God will answer your prayer.”

Read verse 9 – 10

15. This section is labeled “Women Instructed” in the NASB Bible. When we

studied Paul’s letters to the Corinthian church, he said that “God is not a God of disorder but of peace—as in all the congregations of the Lord’s people.”               (1 Cor.14:33)  Paul is viewed as a male chauvinist but you have to consider the time.  At this time in history in this region, women are little more than slaves.  Marriage was a transaction between the father of the bride and the groom.

16. Paul begins this section with the appropriate way for a woman to dress. The Seventh Day Adventist church still abides by what Paul is saying here.  They say a woman should not dress in a way that draws attention away from God.  They ban jewelry and makeup at church.  Consider the women of the Pentecostal churches of God, they wear long dresses.  From “LearnReligions.com, “The basic reason for modesty of dress is to subdue the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eye, and the pride of life,” the UPCI document continues. “The exposed body tends to arouse improper thoughts in both wearer and onlooker.”  I am not saying you should switch to any of these churches but they have captured what Paul is saying here in 1 Timothy 2.

17. I could go on and on with churches that focus on these verses. Guzik simplifies these verses, “Women should emphasize spiritual preparation and beauty more than physical preparation and beauty.”  Paul is saying if you are dressing up then what is the purpose of it?  You should be impressing God with how you are living your life and not impressing those around you with what you are wearing.

Read verse 11 – 15

18. In verse 11, Paul says, “Women should learn quietly and submissively.” Consider that in the first century, women were expected to take care of the household and have and raise children.  In the U.S., women were not allowed to vote until 1919.  Before this, they were expected to “learn quietly and submissively”.  My dad was raised this way.  He took care of everything except the household but when he was home, there was no doubt that he was the head of the household.

“Full submission has to do with the overall decorum of women. It has nothing to do with their ability to think or the importance of one person over another. Rather, God has an order for leadership and a preference for character which, in the case of women, includes the qualities of peacefulness, gentleness, and the willingness to surrender questions of spiritual authority to the male. Women were free to question, contemplate, and formulate ideas, but the characteristics of peace and submission were to prevail.” (Holman New Testament Commentary)

19. Verse 12 is used by many to justify not calling women pastors or having women as elders or in our case deacons. Paul was not saying that women are inferior to men.  Paul is doing what he did for the Corinthian church, he is trying to get them organized in their worship.

20. Remember God is not a God of disorder. He is using the Word of God to get them organized.  He says that the reason men should be the spiritual leaders of the church is because God created Adam first.  “The same hierarchy of authority is extended to the home in Eph. 5:22–33; Col. 3:18–19; and 1 Pet. 3:1–7, with clear commands and responsibilities extended to the husband. (Holman New Testament Commentary)

21. Reverend Jim Allison, a former interim pastor in our church, used to say, “He was the head of his household but Wilda, his wife, was the neck that turned the head. This may be true but Paul is saying, “Wives, do not try to show your leadership in a public setting in the church, be submissive.”  In Paul’s mind, it was ok for a husband and wife to discuss to their heart’s content at home but in the church the man should speak for the family.

22. In verse 14, Paul gives full credit to Eve for the deception in the Garden of Eden. He says point blank, “it was not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into transgression.”  Ouch!  If Adam would have behaved as the head of his household or Garden as Paul is saying in these verses, then sin would not have entered mankind.  He followed Eve’s lead.

“Both Adam and Eve sinned in the Garden of Eden, and Eve clearly sinned first. Yet, the Bible never blames Eve for the fall of the human race, but always blames Adam (through one man sin entered the world, Romans 5:12). Adam is responsible because of there was a difference of authority. Adam had an authority Eve did not have; therefore he also had a responsibility Eve did not have. Adam failed in his responsibility in a far more significant way than Eve did.” (Guzik)

23. Remember back in Genesis 3:4-5, “You will not certainly die,” the serpent said to the woman.⁵ “For God knows that when you eat from it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.”  Adam just went along with it.  It doesn’t say that he was in a different part of the garden and was tricked.  He knew what he was doing and he should have stopped it.  Then he did the human thing and blamed

24. Verse 15 says, “But women will be saved through childbearing, assuming they continue to live in faith, love, holiness, and modesty.” (NLT) This verse is confusing to many theologians.  Merely having children does not bring salvation.  Some say that Paul “Has mostly in mind that child-bearing, not public teaching, is the peculiar function of woman, with a glory and dignity all its own.” (Robertson) “The idea is that one should let the men teach in church and let the women have the babies.” (Guzik)  All I am going to say is, consider Paul’s audience and the time in history

1 Timothy 3

Read verse 1

1. Paul says, “If a man aspires to become an overseer (NIV, NASB) or bishop (NKJV) or church leader (NLT) it is a noble task or a good work or an honorable position. Part of the problem with this verse is the Greek word used by Paul is “episkopē” which as you see can be translated as “overseer” or “bishop”.  Today many translate it as “pastor”.  It is one who leads the church.  For our church, it works well to say the word translates as “pastor”, who is our spiritual leader.

2. Paul says in this verse that it is a noble task or a good work but it is a hard Holman New Testament Commentary says, “Scripture has listed the duties for this position in a number of places: to lead (Acts 20:28); equip (Eph. 4:12); rule (1 Tim. 3:4–5); teach (1 Tim. 3:2; 2 Tim. 2:15); shepherd (1 Pet. 5:1–4); and to set an example for others (1 Pet. 5:3). With these serious responsibilities, it is no wonder the qualifications were high.”

3. Pastor Larry’s grandfather, a Baptist pastor said, “If you are called to be a pastor then don’t do anything else but if you are not called, then do anything but become a pastor!” It is a calling.  Paul uses the word “aspire” (NIV) but I believe it is more.

4. Pastors are held to a higher standard than anyone else in the church, blameless.   James 3:1 says, “Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.”  This applies to pastors too.  Together with verse 1, it is good to want to be a pastor but make sure that you know that God will hold you accountable for leading your flock in the wrong direction.

5. Last week when Paul covered prayer, he said to pray for your leaders. Do you pray for your pastor?  He has a God given responsibility for his flock.  He has to make sure that he does not lead them through the wide gate that leads to destruction.

Read verse 2

6. In verses 2 through 7, Paul gives us the qualities of a pastor. Some people think that the pastor should behave like Jesus  We must always remember that our pastor is a special person but should not be put upon a pedestal.  The pastor is still a human and just like us he can make mistakes too.

7. In verse 2, Paul says the qualities of a pastor include being “above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach.” The term “above reproach” does not mean perfect but his background or his habits cannot cause concern in the church. 

8. He must have one wife. This was written at a time when men, especially Gentile men, took more than one wife and there is nothing biblical about multiple wives.  It was also written at a time when a man could divorce his wife on a whim.  Some people believe that divorced men could not be a pastor but I don’t believe that this is what Paul is saying.  Consider a man who is married to a woman who is not a believer or does not want the life as a pastor’s wife.  Paul would say that these couples should not stay together but it should not make it impossible for him to answer the call of God as a pastor.  I believe that Paul is saying that a pastor should be devoted to his wife.

9. The next qualities are based on behavioral aspects of the pastor. The NASB says that a pastor should be “temperate, prudent, respectable, hospitable”.  Oxford Languages defines “temperate” as “moderation or self-control”.  Holman’s commentary says the word “temperate” “comes from a word meaning “sober,” or “calm in judgment.” It carries the idea of objective thinking and clear perspective.”

10. So far none of these qualities would keep you from being hired in the secular world and they would be difficult to determine in a couple of interviews. The pastor and his wife are a team and in most cases they are interviewed together.  The NLT says, “He must exercise self-control, live wisely, and have a good reputation.” 

11. A pastor should be hospitable which the NLT says, “He must enjoy having guests in his home” and Holman says, “open to strangers”. From this quality you get a sense that a pastor should be welcoming or a people person.

12. The final quality of a pastor in verse 2 is “he must be able to teach.” This is what I consider Paul’s greatest gift.  Sometimes he may have been a little weak in interpersonal skills but then Paul did not desire or aspire to become an overseer.  He would get the church started and then move on.  He would insert Timothy or Titus in to pastor the church.  The Apostle John was the pastor of the church at Ephesus for a while.

Read verses 3 – 7

13. In verses 3 through 7 the list of pastoral qualities Below is a list of these qualities from the NASB.  I could go into detail about each of these qualities but I view them as self-explanatory.

1. Not addicted to wine or pugnacious (The NLT says, heavy drinker or be violent).

2. but gentle, peaceable

3. free from the love of money.

4. He must beone who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignity.  Verse 5 says that if a man cannot manage his own household then how can he be expected to manage God’s household.

5. not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into the condemnation incurred by the devil. 

6. And he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.

Read verses 8 – 10 and 12 – 13

14. In these verses, Paul gives the qualities of a deacon. Holman defines a deacon as “those who serve people in the name of Christ and the church. He did this so the church would know how to select for this office men and women who serve well and please God.”  The deacons in our church fit in as spiritual leaders like an elder or overseer but also serve as deacons or servants of the church.  They fit somewhere between an overseer and a deacon as defined by Paul.

15. The word “deacon” translates as a servant. In the Bible, deacons were originally selected to ensure that widows had food and take care of the practical part of ministry so that other disciples could focus on teaching and spreading the Gospel message.  Acts 6:1-6 describes the first time that deacons were chosen to serve.

16. A deacon should possess many of the same qualities seen in an overseer or pastor. Paul may have said it slightly different but many qualities are the same.

1. Men of dignity – NLT says “well respected”.

2. Not double-tongued – NLT says “has integrity” or Gusik says “A man who speaks the truth the first time, with no intent to deceive.”

3. Not addicted to much wine – Just like an overseer, not a drunkard.

4. Not fond of sordid gain, but holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. NLT says, “dishonest with money. They must be committed to the mystery of the faith now revealed and must live with a clear conscience.” 

5. Husbands of only one wife – Just like an overseer

6. Good managers of their children and their own households. 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. – Just like an overseer

17. Verse 10 says that a deacon should be tested. Holman says, “This is not a formal, written exam but the test of public scrutiny. A life which withstands observation is the best credential for a ministry of service. If no charge can stand, then the person is free to serve.”  The way he lives his life is to be looked at.  In our church, no one can serve on a board in the church without attending for at least one year.  This is the test.  We must get to know him.

18. Many of the qualifications for becoming a deacon are the same as becoming a pastor or overseer. Today, the biggest difference would be the educational background. Although it may not be necessary, pastors go through seminary.  A deacon is selected from the congregation while a pastor is called from outside the church.  Although Paul doesn’t say it but much prayer is necessary before calling either a deacon or a pastor.  Filling either position should not be taken lightly.

Read verse 11

19. In the middle of Paul’s discussion of deacon qualifications, Paul adds a verse to discuss women. The NLT actually says “wives” but most theologians believe that Paul is speaking specifically about the wives of deacons and some believe that Paul is speaking about “deaconesses”.  The Greek word used is “gynē “ which can mean woman or wife.

“The big debate swirling around this verse is whether these qualifications were intended for the wives of deacons or for women who served in the church in some official capacity. We cannot argue too conclusively for either position.”  Holman New Testament Commentary

20. In Romans 16, Paul mentions a woman named Phoebe who the NIV calls a deacon and most other translations call her a woman who is a servant. The NIV says, “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, a deacon of the church in Cenchreae.”  The NASB says, “I commend to you our sister Phoebe, who is a servant of the church which is at Cenchreae”.  There have been women deacons in our church in the past.

Read verses 14 – 16

21. In these verses, Paul gives the reason for his instructions. The first reason is in case Paul is delayed at reaching Ephesus.  “This verse makes it clear that Timothy’s position was a temporary one; he was acting as St. Paul’s representative at Ephesus.” (White)

22. The second reason is so that Timothy knows how to conduct himself as a leader in the church at Ephesus. Paul refers to the church at Ephesus as the “household of God” and “church of the living God.”  Guzik says that it is God’s church because:

• He is the Architect.

• He is the Builder.

• He lives there.

• He provides for it.

• He is honored there, and He rules there.

23. Pastor Mickey was once asked, “So, is this your church?” He replied, “It is God’s church and he lets me preach here.”  We should always come here and expect to see God.

24. Guzik calls verse 16 “an early hymn to express the foundation of Christian truth.” The NIV says, “Beyond all question, the mystery from which true godliness springs is great”.  To true believers, the Gospel message is “Beyond all question”.  There are times that Satan attacks and makes you doubt your salvation but most of the time you doubt whether or not you are good enough.  The true Gospel says that “Everyone who calls on the name of the lord will be saved.” (Romans 10:13)  Salvation comes from what Jesus did on the cross and not what Satan tells you.

25. Let’s break down the next 6 statements in this verse.

1. “He appeared in the flesh,” – Jesus was born of a woman. He walked this earth, just like us.

2. “was vindicated by the Spirit,” – Matthew 3:16-17 tells us, “As soon as Jesus was baptized, he went up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him, and behold, a voice out of the heavens said, “This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased.” The Spirit of God called Jesus, “My Son“.

3. “was seen by angels,” – Mark 1:13 says that after Jesus was tempted by Satan then He was attended to by angels. When He was in the Garden, Luke wrote “Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him, strengthening Him.” (Luke 22:43)

4. “was preached among the nations,” – Paul can testify to this statement, preaching all around the Mediterranean Sea.

5. “was believed on in the world,” – Again Paul can testify to this statement, having been considered one of the greatest believers ever and having converted an unmeasurable number of people to Christianity.

6. “was taken up in glory.” – This statement tells us of Jesus’ ascension. (Luke 24:51 – “While he was blessing them, he left them and was taken up into heaven.”) There were witnesses there when Jesus was taken up.

Takeaways:

• Church leaders are meant to be models in character, family life, and relationships.

• There are clear guidelines about how church people should live and behave. Church leaders have a greater weight of responsibility because of their influence on others.

• Our Christian commitment is based upon the life of Christ—his incarnation, ascension, and redemptive achievements.

• We are God’s people on earth, his representatives. We must live in close relationship with him. Our lives should model the intimacy and power we receive from him.”

Larson, Knute. Holman New Testament Commentary – 1 & 2 Thessalonians, 1 & 2 Timothy, Titus, Philemon . B&H Publishing Group. Kindle Edition.

1 Timothy 4

Read verses 1 – 3

1. Paul gives us a warning from the Holy Spirit. Paul says, “There will come a time when people will fall away from having faith in Jesus.”  This is called an apostasy.  Apostasy means a falling away or abandonment of religious belief.  This is not the Great Apostasy mentioned in 2 Thessalonians 2:3 which says, Don’t let anyone deceive you in any way, for that day will not come until the rebellion occurs and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the man doomed to destruction.”  This verse in 2 Thessalonians is talking about End Times prophecy.  Paul is speaking about an apostasy that happens with time.

2. Paul continues in verse 1 that along with the apostasy, people will “follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.” If you compare sharing the Gospel with people in the U.S. today to people 60 years ago, you would see a big difference.  Today more and more people are not being raised in a Christian  The number of people attending church since Covid is down significantly even though it was declining before Covid.

3. Look at the number of cults and pastors teaching things that are not biblical in churches today. Consider God warned Adam and Eve in Garden that if they ate from the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, they would surely die.  He didn’t mean that they would be struck dead at that moment. He meant that death would enter the world.  Paul is saying something similar.  He was saying that at some future time, then number of new believers would start   At the time of Paul’s writing, the number of believers was less than 1000 but by 350 AD, today the number of believers is estimated to be 34 million.  At some point, Christian growth will become Christian decline.

4. In verse 2, Paul continues his thought from verse 1. There will be those that do not teach the true Gospel and have “abandoned the faith”, as well as “follow deceiving spirits and things taught by demons.”  “These people are hypocrites and liars, and their consciences are dead.” (NLT)  These people are of Satan, the master of deception.

5. This verse is Paul’s version of what Jesus said in John 8:44, “You belong to your father, the devil, and you want to carry out your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, not holding to the truth, for there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks his native language, for he is a liar and the father of lies.” Again, there are so many people preaching false Gospels  They can sound close to the true Gospel, like Mormons, Jehovah Witnesses, 7^th Day Adventists, prosperity Gospel and many would add Catholism to the list.

6. At the end of verse 2, Paul says that these false teachers have no conscience. The NLT says that their consciences are dead.  The NASB says that their consciences were seared with a branding iron.  They are able to teach what they know is not in the Word of God and aren’t bothered by it.

7. In verse 3, Paul continues speaking about the things that false teachers will teach. He says, “They forbid people to marry and order them to abstain from certain foods.”  Guzik says, “This describes the legalistic teaching of those who have departed from the faith. They taught that it was by following this list of man-made rules that one was justified in God’s sight — that you would be more holy to God if you didn’t marry, and if you did not eat certain foods.”

8. In Acts 10, Luke records visions by Peter and a Roman centurion named Cornelius. The visions are given by God to teach Peter that there isn’t anything that God has created that is unclean, both men and for food. Paul is teaching the same thing.  Paul is speaking about man-made laws.  Remember from the laws of God, man increased the number to more than 600.  Many of these laws were meant to suck the pleasure out of life.

9. Paul covered marriage in 1 Corinthians 7:8-9, “Now to the unmarried and the widows I say: It is good for them to stay unmarried, as I do.9 But if they cannot control themselves, they should marry, for it is better to marry than to burn with passion.”  He was not opposed to marriage, it just wasn’t for him.  He felt that it would distract him from God.

10. Paul concludes that nothing is forbidden as long as it is “received with thanksgivingby those who believe and who know the truth.”  James 1:17 tells us that “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above”.  Paul is saying the same thing but he adds that we should thank God for all of the blessings that we receive.

Read verses 4 – 5

11. Paul continues with these same ideas. Paul says what God had to teach Peter in Acts 10, God does not make any unclean things, either people or food.  When God created in Genesis 1, He finished by saying “it was good.”  At no point did God create and say “Oh this is a bad one.”

12. We are the ones that make it bad by not being thankful or wasting it. Again Paul tells Timothy that whatever we get from God is good if we thank God for it.

13. In verse 5, Paul spells it out why it is good when we are thankful. He says, “it is made acceptable by the word of God and prayer.”

Read verse 6

14. In verse 6, Paul says that we are to teach others the correct way to live. If they are not living right then we should point it out to them.  Instructing them to live can be by example.  When Jesus taught His disciples how to be a servant leader, he did not preach to them.  He showed them.  He lead by example.  John 13:4-5 says, “so he got up from the meal, took off his outer clothing, and wrapped a towel around his waist. 5 After that, he poured water into a basin and began to wash his disciples’ feet, drying them with the towel that was wrapped around him.”  He didn’t say “You go do it.”

15. In order to teach them from God’s Word, then Timothy must remain grounded in God’s Word. Just like Timothy then we should do the same.  It is more than just listening to a sermon once a week.  It is doing what you can to grow as a Christian.  Spending time in God’s Word.

16. I keep going back to this but how do we know that what Pastor Brian is teaching from the pulpit is correct if we don’t spend time reading and studying God’s Word. Just because the Bible uses the example of us being sheep, we don’t want to follow blindly. As it says in verse 6, “you will be a good minister of Christ Jesus, nourished on the truths of the faith and of the good teaching that you have followed.”

Read verses 7 – 10

17. During Paul’s time in this region, almost everything had a myth connected to it. Paul is saying don’t get caught up in these things, focus on things that help you grow in godliness.  Sound familiar?  Jesus said something similar in Matthew 6:19-21.  He said, 19 “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. 20 But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moths and vermin do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”

18. When we studied Tony Evans book on “Living as an Overcomer”, he devoted an entire chapter to “some practical applications for not only pursuing godliness but for continuing to grow in godliness.” (Chapter 12) Our goal is to be like Jesus.  Our godliness can never be as good as Jesus but we have to move in His direction.  He will give us some practical applications of pursuing and growing in godliness.

19. In verse 8, Paul says that don’t just focus on the physical aspects of life but they have limited value. Godliness will impact every aspect of your life.  The Holman New Testament Commentary says, “Godliness affects everything: our view of self, marriage, parenting, business, civic responsibilities, environmental outlook, relationship with our next-door neighbors.”

20. As we read above in Matthew, godliness has benefits in Heaven. We are to store up treasures in Heaven and godliness is one of those treasures.  Godliness is not just beneficial in the present and future here on Earth, it has benefits in Heaven.  It is the only thing that we can take with us when we die.

21. Paul says in verse 9 that striving for godliness is the best thing. We and Timothy should accept it this statement fully.  Paul uses this statement several times in 1 Timothy.  He says that “spiritual godliness has value for all things” is just about as important as these things.

1. 1 Timothy 1:9 – “We also know that the law is made not for the righteous”

2. 1 Timothy 1:15 – “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners—of whom I am the worst.”

22. Verse 10 gives the reason to strive for spiritual godliness which that we “have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, and especially of those who believe.” We learned in Revelation that when it comes to Christianity, we are to be all in, not lukewarm (Laodicean church).  James 4:4 says that “friendship with the world means enmity against God”.

Read verses 11 – 14

23. In verse 11, Paul says it straight out. Timothy and a church leaders job is to “Command and teach” others about Jesus.  Holman’s Commentary says, he is to command and teach about our Savior and that “Grace is no side issue. Legalism is no weak enemy. Rules are great for discipline but not for righteousness.”

24. This verse gives Timothy the right to take control of the church at Ephesus. He tells Timothy not to give his opinion but to preach the true Gospel. He is not to water down the Gospel message.

25. In verse 12, Paul says for Timothy not to let others belittle him because of his age. Physical age has nothing to do with spiritual growth.  I have seen boys with more spiritual develop than men.  For some reason, people associate age with spiritual growth.  Timothy was estimated to be in his late 20’s or early 30’s.  He was about the same age as Charlie Kirk at the peak of his ministry.

26. In verse 13, Paul tells Timothy to spend his time waiting for Paul’s arrival in Ephesus by preaching and teaching the Gospel message. The NIV also says public preaching.  Unless he goes out into the public to preach, then he is not going to reach the lost.  Interesting though, the KJV and NKJV says, “Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”  The NASB is like the KJV except is says, “public reading of the scriptures”.  This is not like what Jesus warned us about, being seen praying or reading the scriptures so that people could see you doing so.  He wants Timothy to publicly read the Word of God so that the people of Ephesus could hear what it says.  There is power in the Word of God to change  In Romans 10:17, Paul said, “So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.”

27. When Paul says “public reading of the scriptures”, he is also saying that the Word of God should be read in the church. It should be read during the worship services.  It should be read during Sunday School and VBS.  We should never get to the point as Israel did.  During the reign of King Josiah, they were surprised when they found the Word of God in the Temple.

28. In verse 14, Paul tells Timothy and us not to neglect his spiritual gifts. We can neglect or even waste our spiritual gifts if we do not recognize what they are and ask God to help us use them to the fullest.  Guzik says that “At Timothy’s ordination service, when church leaders performed the laying on of the hands, they recognized God’s call on Timothy’s life to ministry.”  If you haven’t done so, then you should be sure to take a spiritual gifts test that can help lead you to knowing your spiritual gifts.

29. In verse 15, Paul tells Timothy and us to “meditate on what Paul is teaching about the ministry within the church.” There are types of meditations that are not acceptable in Christianity.  They usually include emptying your mind to decrease your stress as in Zen or Yoga.  Paul is telling Timothy to meditate on what Timothy is telling him in this letter so that they can become a part of his life.  If we meditate, it should be on a verse or verses from the Word of God.

30. If Timothy makes Jesus, God’s Word and Paul’s teachings his focus then it will be life changing. It will become obvious to others that he knows and encounters that Timothy is growing in his walk with Christ.  They will see that he knows and has a personal relationship with Christ.  They will know that they can trust what Timothy is teaching them.

31. In verse 16, Paul tells Timothy and every teacher and pastor today to examine (take heed) yourself and doctrine to make sure that you are teaching and leading your flock what is right and true and comes from God. The NLT says, “Keep a close watch on how you live and on your teaching.” 

32. This is similar to what Jesus taught in Matthew 7:13-14, “13 “Enter through the narrow gate. For wide is the gate and broad is the road that leads to destruction, and many enter through it.14 But small is the gate and narrow the road that leads to life, and only a few find it.”  If Timothy stays true to the Gospel in how he lives and what he teaches then he will be on the road that leads to salvation or entering the narrow  Paul adds that not only will Timothy get salvation but so will those that hear and live what Timothy is teaching.

“The outward life of a person flows from his or her inner spirit. Those who discipline themselves to follow after Jesus Christ, who are focused on living out the truth of God’s revelation, will develop a life of growing intimacy with Christ. They will delight God, producing goodness and godliness in what they do.”

 (Larson, Knute. Holman New Testament Commentary)

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