False Teachers and True Contentment

This bible study is part of a series on the book of 1st Timothy, in order to see the full series please check out our “epistle” page or alternatively please check out our page dedicated to the book of 1st Timothy for other studies in this book.

When I set this blog up my intention was to explore the epistles and do the occasional bible study based on what I had studied and learned, what you are reading below is notes I have made. I have to confess that this bible study is basic in its content and is not prepared by a pastor and I have to admit I have no theological training; my hope in prayer is that someone will be blessed by the notes below.

Let’s start in verse three of the sixth chapter of First Timothy.

False Teachers and True Contentment

Teach and urge these things. 3 If anyone teaches a different doctrine and does not agree with the sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness, 4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 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.

Even today we have the problem of false teachers in the church. Paul closes the letter in the same vein that he began, warning Timothy to be vigilant against those who would teach contrary to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

These teachers would usually be subtle; they would teach a gospel similar to those who taught the truth and the changes would lead into heresy and false teaching. As Timothy was in charge of doctrines he was charged with controlling that only the truth was taught, both from the front of the assembly and crucially also in smaller group settings or individual conversations.

Timothy had to be careful to keep people and their doctrine straight, to deal quickly and decisively with the heretic who promotes his own ideas that are contrary to sound doctrine. Those types of heretics can usually be corrected with a correction of their doctrine. One does wonder on the study habits of those who do not understand or attempt to teach a bible study on a contravening fashion to what the bible actually says.

Here we get into the problem of opinion over God’s word, God’s word is infallible, inerrant and reliable and man’s opinion is simply not. (Even this one!) It is flawed, it can change and in terms of reliability it is a difference of night and day between the two, Gods work will always trump the opinion of man.

A modern day example of this is the ordination of people who were never meant to be ordained or even placed in the pulpit in the first place are allowed to go against Gods word due to a “shift in man’s opinion”. The word of God has not changed but man’s opinion, to quote the character Moriarty in the hit TV series “Sherlock” is “Soooo changeable.”

Paul goes on to say that even the “sound words of our Lord Jesus Christ and the teaching that accords with godliness” are not being heeded. This may sound obvious but surely if you are calling yourself a Christian then the words of Christ himself must be foremost in your life? Christianity is not a journey that ends at conversion but a daily battle between our flesh and holiness.

Some are not openly denying Gods word; some do more subtle things such as explain away God word such as trying to apply human logic to the truths of God. (An example of this would be the ones who try to explain the creation of God by adding science to stretch Gods word or link the two, and theories such as the “gap theory”)

God’s word is not to be ignored or used as a plaything to try to prove a point in contentious issues; it is not a toy to be used and abused as we in our human sinful heart does not appreciate its true worth. It is not to be ignored or denied, we are either in this life 100% or we are not. Yes we do fall off the horse and need to repent but a continual state of rebellion is just not on.

Here is the deal, we can be like the Pharisees and know the word of God to the letter and period, we can know what it says, and we know its truths and still miss the message. We have to believe that this book has the power to transform my life and is not just a book of knowledge or a historical factual book. This is why Paul writes about the proud man…

V4 he is puffed up with conceit and understands nothing. He has an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.

Haven’t we all been there? Being proud of what we think we know or whatever miniscule achievement we have managed on our own wee puff of steam that we have gathered. A pastor once said to me when we were sharing a fast food meal “the man who doesn’t think he struggles with pride struggles more than you would think because he hasn’t admitted it to himself yet” and there is a lot of truth in that.

Yes by all means have confidence in your knowledge of the LORD but please make sure the word changes your life. We covered the man who has “an unhealthy craving for controversy and for quarrels about words, which produce envy, dissension, slander, evil suspicions, and constant friction among people who are depraved in mind and deprived of the truth, imagining that godliness is a means of gain.” We covered this when we spoke about what the word was not, we all want to be seen as knowledgeable and in the worst case I have seen someone I respect lie about their credentials in order to try prove a point.

Paul speaks about these folks who do not ask questions or post scripture to help others or to be helped; they are doing this to flex their theological intellectual muscles. They wish to debate or show how smart they are in this chosen area that they wish to foist upon the folks who end up discussing it. Often times they cause more division than edification and end up splitting Gods children as opposed to bringing them together under a common faith.

Often times those folks will also attack those in the church who are serving for their own ends. Different people have different motivations so the motivations maybe as varied as follows…

Envy – they believe they should be up front instead of the leader
Dissension – the caused strife and contention with who they were
Slander – They would spread stories in order to destabilize the body
Evil suspicions – They would make assumptions about motives in the leadership
Constant friction – they would be the epicenter of any drama.

V5b imagining that godliness is a means of gain. 6 But godliness with contentment is great gain, 7 for we brought nothing into the world, and we cannot take anything out of the world. 8 But if we have food and clothing, with these we will be content.

Paul goes on to talk about the difference between heavenly gain (godliness) and material gain (man’s wishes) and let me assure you right off the bat that there is no material gain from godliness. Jesus never meant it that way and he stated that in the gospel of Matthew chapter 6…

Matthew 6:19 (ESV) “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust  destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

God’s word and church is not a “get rich quick scheme” very few of us get paid by the church to do what we do and these people are motivated by how quickly they can secure a paycheck or “what can this faith do for me?” these people usually disappear when the going gets tough and the blessings are not raining down on them. We cannot be in it for what we get, we have to be in it for the faith that it is.

And I know we covered this before in a previous chapter but the saying is true regarding material wealth “you can’t take it with you” We have to be content with what God has provided us with, yes your brother at church may have a nicer car/pool/house/tech gadgets/whatever but we are commanded not to covet and this is exactly why.

This is why I talk about contentment, because the human psyche will convince ourselves that if we had “just a little more” we would be happy, if we could get to this financial landmark, if we could get this car in the driveway, if we could get a house with this square footage, if I could have this cell phone, this computer and this size of TV with these many channel package on the cable or satellite then I would be happy. That is a lie! Regardless of the material things that we have it will NEVER make us happy.

That is not to say we should “Go Amish” and reject all possessions. We have to stake our hope, our happiness and our life on something that is not moved by a barometer of success that only moves when we amass more stuff. This is only found in Gods committed relationship with us and finding contentment in a complete surrender in his will for our lives.

Really the kicker to whether it is a good thing for you individually is to ask yourself the honest question “This thing, it is bringing me closer to God or further away?” some people are not affected by the pull of materialism and do not have that drug inducted type compulsion to have it in the same way an addict needs their next fix. If that replaces God then we have a problem.

Contentment is tough; Paul goes further on this topic in the book of Philippians…

Philippians 4:10 (ESV) I rejoiced in the Lord greatly that now at length you have revived your concern for me. You were indeed concerned for me, but you had no opportunity. 11 Not that I am speaking of being in need, for I have learned in whatever situation I am to be content. 12 I know how to be brought low, and I know how to abound. In any and every circumstance, I have learned the secret of facing plenty and hunger, abundance and need. 13 I can do all things through him who strengthens me.

And that is a bullet point of what I am trying to say “I can do all things through him who strengthens me.” And that has to be the glue that holds our Christian life together is that sold out faithful dependence on the living Christ. Do I do it right all the time every time? Actually no, I am a sinful human who messes up more than I get it right, however I am praying for contentment in what I have.

There are no guarantees that God will bless you with more if you become content, it is possible but I would not like to second guess what God’s plan is in your life. But the root of what I am saying is that we have to take our eyes off the things we have surrounded ourselves with and find contentment in heavenly things. Really we have to “renew our mind” As Paul writes in Romans 12.

I hear it sometimes that I need this possession or that one “for ministry” and I am not suggesting that all comforts are wrong. For example in my agape bible study I use a laptop, my TV, my musical keyboard all for ministry. The use of these gifts also coupled with the use of my wife using our cooker to cook them a meal blessed these people. Those were bought out of our abundance and we are living above the “contentment standard” of just food and clothing.

V8 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.

Here is what it comes down to and would you be happy in this situation, if you have clothes to wear and food to eat you are being provided for, there is no mention of that big house, big car, cell phone, tablet or whatever else we have made it so that we cannot “live without”,

This is an extreme obviously, but I think it would be a good idea to unplug for even a weekend and just get away from it, no cell phones, no computers and just get away from this arena of desire for more and more, to consume more than we need. To actually have a simpler life for a short time and just be in the Word of God. That to me would be awesome.

V9 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.

Paul follows on with the adverse effects of the desire to be rich, it becomes an all-consuming passion and temptation to those who have fallen into it. Jesus states about serving money (or riches) in Matthew 6:

Matthew 6:24 (ESV) “No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and money.

Money itself is not evil; it is the love of money. We are warned in the next verse (verse 10) as well as in the book of Hebrews…

Hebrews 13:5 (ESV) Keep your life free from love of money, and be content with what you have, for he has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”

If we are seeking after what we do not have and have this wanton lust or covetousness for temporary things we will never be satisfied. There will always be a bigger model, a newer model; a model with more features to whatever it is we covet. That goes for cars, houses, pools, TV’s, whatever you think of.

I don’t single out one particular vice as different people have different hot buttons. I would ask this question and say if you had $10,000 to blow in a day, how would you blow it? You are not allowed to invest it and you can only buy items that you have wanted. Once that day is gone, you lose what you have not spent and you cannot invest it. One man may want to spend his money of guns and sports pursuits, another may buy a jumbo TV and sound system, another may put down money on a sports car, another may pay down a bigger pool, another may put towards a house, put simply, what comes to the top of your mind and they possession that you long for in your heart is what I mean.

Is it bad to want nice things? No, if the LORD has blessed you with abundance then praise the LORD, it is the fruits of your hard work, and however you may want to check if you are using your funds to build your kingdom or Gods?

If you are poor it does not mean that you are less godly than the man who lives in a big house. This should not be the desire of your heart; the riches we have to go after are treasures in heaven. I have found that when I have stopped being so self-centered and actually just serve others and do what God has called me to do, in his strength then I am so much more fulfilled than if I just spent the last hour looking through a catalogue lamenting what I do not have. Jesus spoke on this in the gospel of Matthew…

Matthew 6:19 (ESV) “Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal, 20 but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. 21 For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Paul explains that the money, the dollar bills, the pound notes or whatever currency you peddle is not the problem. It is our attitude and heart toward that money that is the issue. If we love the money and give it a place that it should never occupy then that is the root of all kinds of evil. This type of heart no longer thinks on a godly plain and there are many things that we would do for the reward of money that we would never consider otherwise.

I am reminded of this with a skit I saw on TV with two men and the first said to another “would you kill someone for me?” and the second said “of course not” first replied “if you wouldn’t get caught and I gave you a million pounds, would you?” Second man thinks and says “Okay then” first one replies and said “what about for a pound?” Second man said “Of course not” First man delivers a hammer blow by stating “Well I already know you could be a murderer, we just have to agree on the price!”

Paul then makes a list of how people have problems reconciling faith in Jesus with a love of money. He writes the following “It is through this craving that some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pangs”.

This is exactly what we have been talking about as far as the lack of satisfaction. I liken it to having a choice between grabbing a soda and grabbing a water when you are working outside when it is 104F. One of these drinks will satisfy your thirst and another will give you a brief respite before making you thirst again. Only the water will hydrate you and this is similar to the living water that we have access to.

John 4:7 (ESV) A woman from Samaria came to draw water. Jesus said to her, “Give me a drink.” 8 (For his disciples had gone away into the city to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “How is it that you, a Jew, ask for a drink from me, a woman of Samaria?” (For Jews have no dealings with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God, and who it is that is saying to you, ‘Give me a drink,’ you would have asked him, and he would have given you living water.” 11 The woman said to him, “Sir, you have nothing to draw water with, and the well is deep. Where do you get that living water? 12 Are you greater than our father Jacob? He gave us the well and drank from it himself, as did his sons and his livestock.” 13 Jesus said to her, “Everyone who drinks of this water will be thirsty again, 14 but whoever drinks of the water that I will give him will never be thirsty again. The water that I will give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life.” 15 The woman said to him, “Sir, give me this water, so that I will not be thirsty or have to come here to draw water.”

Which is exactly what Paul is writing about, we cannot have reliance on the temporary things of this world but our reliance must be on the one who delivers “living water”. We have to base our lives on that solid foundation, our messiah Jesus Christ.

Thank you again for finding this article and I pray these bible studies are a blessing. Please feel free to comment, like or share as the LORD leads you to.
TGBTG
TTE

Be a Christian in the workplace

This bible study is part of a series on the book of 1st Timothy, in order to see the full series please check out our “epistle” page or alternatively please check out our page dedicated to the book of 1st Timothy for other studies in this book. 

When I set this blog up my intention was to explore the epistles and do the occasional bible study based on what I had studied and learned, what you are reading below is notes I have made. I have to confess that this bible study is basic in its content and is not prepared by a pastor and I have to admit I have no theological training; my hope in prayer is that someone will be blessed by the notes below.

Let’s start in verse one of the sixth chapter of First Timothy.

Give masters their due honor

1 Timothy 6:1 (ESV) 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.

But I am not a slave?

Yes you may not be a slave under the terms written about here, however I do ask you one quick question. “Are you employed?” “Do you have a contract of employment with someone?” “Are you bound to be there a certain hour level a week in order to retain employment?” If the answer to these questions is “yes” then these circumstances apply to you.

Your masters in this case are your supervisors or your bosses; do we give our employers their due honor? Are we respectful in the workplace? Does our actions when we are supposed to be diligent at work reflect the faith that we hold dear?

Does our lives and the way that we tackle the work the LORD has blessed us with (because there is a lot of unemployment and if you do not respect or love your job there is a line of people that will happily fill in for you and let you go elsewhere- make no mistake, having a job, any job is a blessing!) make others wonder and want to explore the faith we hold dear?

Paul speaks of this in his letter to the Colossian church in chapter three…

Colossians 3:22 (ESV) Bondservants, obey in everything those who are your earthly masters, not by way of eye-service, as people-pleasers, but with sincerity of heart, fearing the Lord. 23 Whatever you do, work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men, 24 knowing that from the Lord you will receive the inheritance as your reward. You are serving the Lord Christ.

Again more confirmation from the pen of Paul a good biblical truth. We as Christians are supposed to be a good example to the world around us. Paul writes and states that we should be working for our employers as if the LORD Jesus Christ was our direct supervisor.

Are we a walking advert for Jesus? Are we an advert for hiring Christians? Are we diligent in a way that when we work other see Christ in what we do and even our work itself is a silent testimony to our Savior?

Are we only working when we are watched? Are we respectful of our bosses? Do we arrive on time? Do we work hard within our parameters? Do we try to excel in all we do? Are we praying for the success of our companies? Really we are trying to glorify God in all that we do! 

Conversely, to quote the Christian Scientist Kent Hovind “We are all serving in one way or another, but are we serving as a bad example?” and that could be the case for our individual walks, are we causing unbelievers to not work hard as they are following our bad example?

What if my boss is a believer?

This command so far talks under the assumption that the employer is not a believer, but Paul also covers what would happen if your manager is a believer and stands next to you at church?

V2 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.

I ask myself this question when I look at this line of scripture, “Would I shirk off if I worked for my father?”, “Would I slack off if my boss was my brother?” “Would I disrespect a member of my family?” If the answer is no then why would we do it if our manager or our company owner is a believer?

I love the show “Duck Dynasty” it is by far one of the best shows on TV. I am not the usual demographic for this show as I am not Southern, full bearded, a hunter, a gun fanatic and I rarely am seen outdoors. I am what Phil would call a “yuppie”. But the show does make me “Happy, Happy, Happy” when I watch it. Compared to most other things on the TV it is decent, wholesome and it is an honest to goodness family who loves the LORD and always has God in the center of what they do.

One concern I have though is the work ethic of the two younger brothers Jase and Jep and the example they give of Christian work ethics. The boss man Willie seems to work hard and has to consistently reign in his brothers as they goof off, go hunting, go fishing, disappear in the middle of the day and encourage the non-family members who work alongside to do likewise. It makes for good entertainment I guess but it doesn’t paint Christians in a very good light in the workplace.

Before the DD fans invade this place and say I am slamming the show, I am not! I just wish this part of the show was done better because I love the show and have many seasons on DVD and I am 99% happy with the show and believe the characters to be awesome believers, they just let themselves down in this area!

My boss will show me Christian grace!

That is a misnomer and I would have a hard time with a boss that would do so. Slacking off and taking advantage just because your boss is a Christian is a really bad abuse of a fellow brother or sister in the LORD. We should want to work just as hard if not harder for our brother in the faith and ensure he has a roof over his head to as we would for a non-believer! Using someone’s faith as an excuse to be lazy is not on!

Hence why I entitled this “My boss will show me Christian grace” and I hear of the converse part of that also when someone gets laid off or sacked because they were not fulfilling what they were supposed to be getting paid for the cry is “They are supposed to be a Christian”. “Where is the love?” and people do not examine their own role in why they were let go.

We are called to love one another; we should show that love by being in submission to the authority that God has placed us under. We are part of a missionary team (along with the boss) to show the work ethic of the Christian and we should be blessing our brother with our hard work and being one that he would look to promote due to our diligence and hard work.

On the subject of promotion, we shouldn’t be looking for any special favors because our boss is a brother, we should be working at 110% to make sure that any progression is not viewed with contempt and is above reproach. We should be the top of our game and working to the best of our abilities at all times.

Teach and urge these things

Paul finished this part with the words “Teach and urge these things.” and you can see why, in the Roman era we had quite a mixed group coming through the church we had slaves and free, rich and poor men, Jews and Gentiles, Romans and non-Romans and in the church we did not have these distinctions. The church was the one place a slave could talk to a free man, a master could talk to a poor man and a former Jew could converse with a Roman all as brothers in Christ.

Regardless of the status of the person, regardless of the background or ethnicity they had one thing on common, the faith in Jesus Christ.  Paul expected that regardless of whom they were outside of the assembly, that in their Christian dealings they would be treated the same way. It was Timothy’s job to teach these things to everyone regardless of rank, file or association of the member.

Thank you again for finding this article and I pray these bible studies are a blessing. Please feel free to comment, like or share as the LORD leads you to.
TGBTG
TTE

Keep these rules without prejudging

This bible study is part of a series on the book of 1st Timothy, in order to see the full series please check out our “epistle” page or alternatively please check out our page dedicated to the book of 1st Timothy for other studies in this book.  

When I set this blog up my intention was to explore the epistles and do the occasional bible study based on what I had studied and learned, what you are reading below is notes I have made. I have to confess that this bible study is basic in its content and is not prepared by a pastor and I have to admit I have no theological training; my hope in prayer is that someone will be blessed by the notes below.

Let’s start in verse twenty one of the fifth chapter of First Timothy.

Do not show partiality 

1st Timothy 5:21 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.

We have to deal swiftly, accurately and decisively with such things in the church as such things being allowed to fester and to rot will erode a man’s ability to serve, teach and whilst something hangs over his head, his very credibility will be in doubt. No one should be above correction as we are human and we are beings that have no “perfect” or “sinless” setting.

We have to be accountable, we have to know and let it be known that sin will be dealt with in a biblical basis, that we believe that the very words we speak, the words we read from, the holy and inerrant word of God is infallible and the standard in which we attempt to attain. We cannot shield or suppress that which would harm the ministry and we must be above reproach in all that we do.

I state that as the churches who do suppress, hide sin, defer discipline and spiral out of control are the ones who regularly crash and burn. They see man’s reputation and man’s opinion as above what we read in the holy word of God. That is a slippery slope as we cannot discard the bible in one area and vigorously defend it in another.

James talks of this in his epistle…

James 2:1 (ESV) My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my beloved brothers, has not God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom, which he has promised to those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Are not the rich the ones who oppress you, and the ones who drag you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who blaspheme the honorable name by which you were called? 8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well. 9 But if you show partiality, you are committing sin and are convicted by the law as transgressor. 

Really states and wraps up what I was saying much better than I ever could. (Remember the whole part about elevating leaders unto a pedestal)

Be careful who you promote into leadership

V22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 23 (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) 24 The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

We have to be careful who we let into leadership, we have to choose men who have served diligently and are above reproach (see chapter three) there must not be a fast track dependent on who people are or prior reputation. (Often times it is pastors who want their sons in ministry with them or their family members) That we should let God move in our hearts and choose people who are called as opposed to those who are liked.

We have to allow the gifts to be demonstrated and be evident. Would we send someone who is not musically talented to be a worship leader? Then why would we allow someone who is not called to leadership to be a leader?

We have to keep ourselves pure and Paul gives an important reminder to Timothy here when he is assessing the gifts of others that he assesses himself and keeps himself clean. He has to be pure as to avoid any backchat from those he wishes to lead by stating “well what about xxx sin in your life?”

And to take this further as Paul does, he is not (we also) to share in other peoples sins, we cannot be pure if we are joining in a communal sin. We can be a bad example, we can sin in a way that would encourage them to fall, we can “respect persons” and reject others, we can reject the teachings of the word of God, we can fall into heresies, and there are countless ways this could be done.

Wine for the sake of your stomach

V23 (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) 24 The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

Timothy was abstaining from alcohol in order to be a good example (see chapter three) and Paul would have known of any gastroenterological problems that were being caused by the water situation in Ephesus. Paul is stating here that it may be better to have something that is fermented and not just water in order to settle his stomach.

What this advice is not

Is an open door to take wine as a recreational drug, we have to have a balance of what Paul is saying here. Do you fall into the same situation that Timothy has here and do you not have access to clean drinking water? Whether you get it from a tap/faucet or by way of a bottle. Will the water you drink cause you to have internal problems causing sickness in your body?

If the answer is no then I would proceed with caution as you would most likely follow the guidelines in chapter three. If the answer is yes then I would still be cautious and drink carefully and sparingly. Alcohol is a very tricky drug and it is so easy t become addicted. Please take it from someone who knows.

What the advice is

Is an advice from one friend to another in order to ease his discomfort. He knew that Timothy would exercise moderation in his doses of the “medication” and would not be found lying under the table in a stupor. I can’t exercise enough the advice to be cautious and be very careful if you choose to medicate in this fashion.

V24 The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

Let me state here first and foremost by stating I don’t have it down yet! I am not perfect and if you want testimony of that then please consult my wife. Some sins are more obvious than others and some can be concealed better. If you are like me and have had addiction problems you go into “survival mode” and do tend to conceal things much better than others, whether that be information, feelings or whatever it would be.

Paul makes the comparison between good works and sin and states that good works are conspicuous, that good works will not remain hidden. This gives me hope, but I do wish to implore you to do good works for good works sake, without the hope of being noticed. I say that as one who has done things with impure motives and been disappointed when I have not been recognized as I thought I should have been.

Exhortation for leaders

It is important to use God’s discernment and cover everything in prayer, not everything we see on the outside may follow what is going on the heart and if there is a check in your spirit then investigate fully. It is important to equip the saints for the work of the ministry and the leadership must be proactive in doing so. They must bring the right people in based on the callings and skills the LORD has blessed them with and always go for the called option as opposed the popular one.

If someone is trying to go in a way the LORD is not leading then the leadership has to be strong and encourage the believer in a direction that is more suitable to their capabilities and callings. That way both parties know where they stand, rather than just not developing that person and deferring more pain along the way. Leaders have to be pure as they can be so that they can do the work of the LORD without stain or blemish to God’s truth.

Thank you again for finding this article and I pray these bible studies are a blessing. Please feel free to comment, like or share as the LORD leads you to.
TGBTG
TTE

Give elders due honor

This bible study is part of a series on the book of 1st Timothy, in order to see the full series please check out our “epistle” page or alternatively please check out our page dedicated to the book of 1st Timothy for other studies in this book. 

When I set this blog up my intention was to explore the epistles and do the occasional bible study based on what I had studied and learned, what you are reading below is notes I have made. I have to confess that this bible study is basic in its content and is not prepared by a pastor and I have to admit I have no theological training; my hope in prayer is that someone will be blessed by the notes below.

Let’s start in verse seventeen of the fifth chapter of First Timothy.

Give elders due honor

1st Timothy 5:17 (ESV) 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. 22 Do not be hasty in the laying on of hands, nor take part in the sins of others; keep yourself pure. 23 (No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for the sake of your stomach and your frequent ailments.) 24 The sins of some people are conspicuous, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others appear later. 25 So also good works are conspicuous, and even those that are not cannot remain hidden.

Paul continues his thought on honoring widows by talking about the body of Christ’s relationship with the eldership of the church. The first consideration you have to make is that there are two types of elder model within the church then and even today.

Teaching elder – one who is a fill in pastor/teacher when the pastor either needs to take time off or the congregation needs to hear a fresh voice. This type of elder is either someone who is training to be a pastor or someone who is called to be an elder but also has been blessed with the gift of teaching. (I am meaning of course one who is teaching at the main body of the church as opposed to those being hospitable and teaching in a small group bible study session)

Leading elder – An elder who is in charge of the admin side of the church, one who co-ordinates, one who is a small group leader, one who has tasks delegated to him from the pastor. One who coordinates the volunteers who want to serve in the body, one who enjoys serving more than others.

Neither are better than the other and both are a worthy calling. The church needs a good balance of both sets of elder and in smaller churches elders quite often have a foot in both camps. Both are callings and both are worthy of equal respect. I say this as people have a natural tendency to elevate those who teach to a higher level than those who serve, it is human nature but it is not how it should work in the church, because let’s face it if the whole leadership team of a church was to teach, imagine the chaos it would be!

Should leadership be paid?

Paul states here the following…

V17 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.”

So the elder is due “double honor” in the same way that Paul states that honor when providing for widows means provisions, then this would lead to believe that yes if they are working for the fellowship then they should be paid for their services.

I see it much in the same way a church would pay a plumber or a builder if they required facility repairs done on site, so why would you not pay those who labor and are called to do work on behalf of the church. We give honor to those who are abroad serving in a foreign climate by subsidizing their salary through “missionary donations” so what is different from having a pastor/elder on salary or on a full time ministry staff if he does much more in the community and much more than he would do if he was in a “tent making” phase of his life.

Not all pastors will be paid, not all teachers or elders will be paid, the circumstances of the ministries they are in may not allow for this. Like I say I have no issue with this as long as they are not doing the following.

Getting rich off the church – The leader who bankrupts the church for personal gain, has an exorbitant salary, cars and houses paid for by the church and is in it for their own gain. (Paul also warns against this) 

Lazy preacher – the one who does it instead of doing real work, only wants to see the fellowship at the prescribed times and is anonymous as a leader

Piggy bank pastor – the one who thinks the LORDs money is his, rejects accountability and has it set up and loaded in his direction to not allow for dissent.

These are extreme circumstances and those leaders usually don’t last long. People see through the cracks, the ones who need help and don’t get help, the ones who see problems that are never dealt with and those who reject what they see will usually attempt to deal with it and in extreme circumstances leave that fellowship.

If we are paying people in the church and they are effectively using the time God has blessed them with in ministry to do God’s work, then that is an investment. If the paid pastor is using that time to minister, study the word to shepherd the flock and train the saints for the work of the ministry then that is an investment rather than a salary.

Important question that looks into the heart

I have a question for those who look at ministry as a job or a career. Would you do what you are required to do if you were doing it for free? That question looks at the heart to see if you are there for a paycheck or if you are there as a service to others and obviously the LORD.

Of course, many pastors have done it for free in so much that when they have planted churches or started in ministry, they started in a small group setting with a handful of folks and prepared bible studies during down time or when everyone else is asleep. But once you are paid and it becomes “what pays your bills” then it is a whole new dynamic and stress to a ministry that you love.

I am careful to not call it “your church” or “your ministry” as it is not yours, regardless of how long the LORD loans it to you as a pastor/elder you are merely a custodian, you are just a caretaker, God will accomplish the work, he is just choosing to use you for this season. Many folks when they are taken away from a ministry that they thought was theirs become bitter and get mad at God. It is easy to do so and we have to remind ourselves that we don’t see the bigger picture, God is at work and we may not see why things happen but we have to have faith in the bigger plan.

Ministry is not for the faint hearted and you will be attacked both internally and externally, you will be accused and you will be maligned. I once heard a pastor state that if he kept 80% of the people happy he would be exceeding his own expectations, Paul touches on this in the next verses…

V19 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.

Paul states that we should not “admit a charge against an elder” we have to look at what he is saying here, he is looking at when an elder is accused and accused with cause. I say this because the church is rife with rumor peddlers and people who like to spread gossip. Regrettably mud sticks and I have seen people being accused of things they had very little part in.

We have to be careful that we do not “pedestal our leaders” that we do not elevate them beyond their human state and assume that they can’t do anything wrong and that when they entered leadership they somehow shed the ability to not sin. They will sin, they will fail you, so please have the same grace that you would have for a fellow brother and sister and please remember that they are “innocent until proven guilty”.

That is why Paul states that there has to be sufficient evidence and appropriate witnesses in order assess the worthiness of a claim against an elder. This is consistent with step two of Matthew 17, and of course if the sin is proven and they are unrepentant then we have to bring the sin before the congregation. I have seen elders do this and it being a blessing to the church family as they supported that family in their tough time and I have also seen elders who slipped quietly out of leadership after being admonished and it raised more questions than answers.

Notice that Paul says “witnesses” rather than just two or three others. We have to be careful when rumors are flying around that the information we have relating to a man’s reputation is correct, that we do not have a “witch hunt” or a “gossip group”. I state this because it is important that the pastor is not approached by a group that have colluded or corroborated their story and after gossiping against this elder decided to go to the pastor. It has to be verifiable evidence.

We also have to look at the situation with the main aim to get to the heart of the truth as opposed to just getting rid of the allegation. Personal reputations are not as important as getting the truth and either helping the elder or perhaps in extreme cases church discipline. On the other hand, if the elder is correct, we also cannot allow false rumors to keep circulating.

Thank you again for finding this article and I pray these bible studies are a blessing. Please feel free to comment, like or share as the LORD leads you to.
TGBTG
TTE

The older and younger widows

The older and younger widows

This bible study is part of a series on the book of 1st Timothy, in order to see the full series please check out our “epistle” page or alternatively please check out our page dedicated to the book of 1st Timothy for other studies in this book. 

When I set this blog up my intention was to explore the epistles and do the occasional bible study based on what I had studied and learned, what you are reading below is notes I have made. I have to confess that this bible study is basic in its content and is not prepared by a pastor and I have to admit I have no theological training; my hope in prayer is that someone will be blessed by the notes below.

Let’s start in verse nine of the fifth chapter of First Timothy.

1st Timothy 5:9 (ESV) Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband, 10 and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work. 11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry 12 and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. 13 Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. 14 So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. 15 For some have already strayed after Satan. 16 If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.

If you saw the last article you will see that we spoke about the order in how the church was to deal with widows…

Family to help first

If family is unable to help then the church would.

Now Paul will complete is thought by separating the widows into two categories 

Old

Now if you fall into the category of the “old” don’t be offended! I am not calling you old; I am just using the word to categorize one age group from another. The reason Paul categorizes one from another is that they should be treated differently by the church as regards to being helped.

Paul states the following… “Let a widow be enrolled if she is not less than sixty years of age, having been the wife of one husband…” (V9) and the idea behind this is that if she is under that age of sixty then she is still within an age where she could be working or maybe even get remarried if that was possible. The church was not required to support them.

Of course like everything else there will be grey areas, ladies may be unwell to work, they maybe disabled, they may have no relations, and they may have no one else but the church. Individual leaders would grant individual cases special dispensation.

Verse 10 tells us that…

V10 and having a reputation for good works: if she has brought up children, has shown hospitality, has washed the feet of the saints, has cared for the afflicted, and has devoted herself to every good work.

Paul talks about the character of the recipient:

1) She has a reputation for good works
2) She has brought up children
3) She has shown hospitality
4) She has washed the feet of the saints
5) She has cared for the afflicted
6) She has devoted herself to every good work

Wow! What a woman huh? She had fulfilled her role as keeper of his home well. This woman, although she was widowed still continued to work within the assembly, the help that she was getting from the church was not just an act of charity, it was helping one of the faithful servants who was fulfilling a great service within the assembly. (Remember how we spoke about the great value of the elder men and ladies in the fellowship)

It doesn’t state whether the “bringing up children” refers to just her own or that with the heart that she had perhaps she adopted children of those who were parentless. Regardless, it gives a character testimony that shows where that ladies faith lies.

Paul had a different scenario for the younger widows

The younger widows

V11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when their passions draw them away from Christ, they desire to marry 12 and so incur condemnation for having abandoned their former faith. 13 Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not. 14 So I would have younger widows marry, bear children, manage their households, and give the adversary no occasion for slander. 15 For some have already strayed after Satan.

Paul of course again is talking about the roll of support (or the burden roll) when he mentions this is verse 11. The reason is the converse of the reason for the older women, whilst the older women would not be expected to remarry, the younger could support themselves either by work or they could remarry and have a head of the home support for them. Paul lists reasons why in the text…

1) Their passions drive them away from Christ
2) They abandon their former faith
3) They become idlers, gossips and busybodies

Paul is concerned about the young widows and this is why he writes what he writes. He is not concerned about young widows marrying again; Paul is concerned with how they get the husband! Being so used to having that someone, he is concerned about the courting practices and whether the young women are conducting their courtship in a manner befitting who they claimed to be in God.

In this scenario they get into a bad relationship in order to just have companionship. Paul states that “their passions draw them away from Christ” this gives all the indication you need as to what type of relationships they were getting into in order to just “have someone”. The type of man they were attracting was not bringing them closer to God; it was pulling them further away.

It’s a slow fade

I am always reminded of the Christian song that has the above text in lyrics, once compromise enters the arena in one area then it doesn’t take long to fade into other sins. You may remember how we stated that God loves the believer who works hard and provides, we see the opposite of this when Paul writes…

V13 Besides that, they learn to be idlers, going about from house to house, and not only idlers, but also gossips and busybodies, saying what they should not.

So they have lots of time on their hands where they could be providing for themselves, but they choose to use their time foolishly, their conduct is not becoming of a woman of the faith and basically spend their whole lives in other people’s lives and their business. They cause themselves to be involved in talk that is not edifying and it is another example of how the young lady who does this is not displaying purity of speech. After all the mouth is the overflow of the heart. 

This type of lady does not build trust in the fellowship (if she is even still there) as you know that someone who spends so much time in gossip about others, if she is offloading about other to you, you can be guaranteed that she is doing the same about you to someone else. Such things drive wedges in friendships when the chickens come home to roost and in the worst case scenario it will hurt whole fellowships. 

Paul advises that they are saying what they should not, so basically they are causing problems, perhaps from inside the fellowship and perhaps from outside, but regardless it has to be taken care of and most certainly not endorsed or enabled by supplying help to this bad situation. Paul rounds it off with his own thoughts that “For some have already strayed after Satan” (V15)

If the family can do it, let them do it

V16 If any believing woman has relatives who are widows, let her care for them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it may care for those who are truly widows.

Paul talks again about family or relational involvement, he also brings forward the notion that if there is more than one widow in the one family it would be more profitable for them to join together and pool their resources rather than burden the church. The idea of this is to allow those who have absolutely no one else be cared for by the church.

Paul returns to his earlier thought and states that the family should be the first port of call of help for the widow; Paul wished the stewards of the money do it well and use the offerings given for the true work of the LORD. LORD let us have the same heart when we are dealing with our finances, both the ones you grant to us personally and the ones you have us give in tithes and offerings!

Thank you again for finding this article and I pray these bible studies are a blessing. Please feel free to comment, like or share as the LORD leads you to.
TGBTG
TTE

Instructions for the church family

Instructions for the church family

This bible study is part of a series on the book of 1st Timothy, in order to see the full series please check out our “epistle” page or alternatively please check out our page dedicated to the book of 1st Timothy for other studies in this book. 

When I set this blog up my intention was to explore the epistles and do the occasional bible study based on what I had studied and learned, what you are reading below is notes I have made. I have to confess that this bible study is basic in its content and is not prepared by a pastor and I have to admit I have no theological training; my hope in prayer is that someone will be blessed by the notes below.

Let’s start in verse one of the fifth chapter of First Timothy.

Instructions for the Church 

1st Timothy 5:1 (ESV) 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.

I have heard people question if this is a contradiction in the bible that Timothy is told to command the congregation and lead by example and here we read that he is not to rebuke an elder. The two commands are one and the same. Paul is telling Timothy that he has to have a respect and reverence for those who are elder.
 
Dealing with Elder men

Really, like so much else it is about the heart that you approach it in. A young leader may wish to show his dominance by making a mark on the older generation but that is not wise in the slightest. If these men are aged and more aged in the faith than you are, then they are a valuable resource. A young leader can learn from their mistakes, their experience and have access to a valuable resource.

If the elder man is a new believer and in error then he must be dealt with as any other man in error, with love and respect. Not with berating and dishonor. The word is also translated “to strike out or strike at” and is similar to the English term, “to lash out” and this is not an effective form of correction. Let’s face it we all are knuckleheads and get things wrong, that is us being human, but we are not to berate or tear down in our exhortations.

Paul states that Timothy should “encourage him as you would a father, younger men as brothers” and that is what we have stated above, it should be done in love and in a relational status. We have to be gentle in our rebukes, yes Titus does state to “rebuke without fear” but you will have to use wisdom as to what approach to use. If you are approaching a brother for the first time about his sin it would not be good practice to go in all guns blazing. (If that would be an effective practice at all)

Dealing with Elder ladies

Paul also deals with the relationships between Timothy and the women when he states “older women as mothers, younger women as sisters, in all purity” and although this may seem obvious to the experienced Christian, Paul sets the bar for dealing with women in the church. I find it amusing when critics of the church advise that it is a “male orientated religion” and that “women are 2nd class citizens” and Paul is keen for that to be established.

Like the older men, Paul states that the older women had to be treated with reverence and respect, they should be treated as mothers in the faith. They must be honored and treated with the respect that they are due as elder women in the faith. I have seen in my experience that they have ministered to their husbands and their husbands have ministered to church leadership so all in all I see a valuable role for these ladies (much as Paul did)

These ladies also have an invaluable role in counselling and guiding the younger women in the faith. Much like the older men they have a wealth of experience and they can pass on lots of valuable things to the current generation of the church. They have much value and are a valuable resource to be used for Gods work.

Dealing with younger ladies 

The younger are to be treated as sisters, Paul is much like any godly man and has younger ladies in his fellowship that he sees as younger sisters and wanted the men of the fellowship to treat them as such.  Much as the standards for overseers states that he has to be above reproach and keep his conduct “above board”.

That is to say that he should not engage with any conduct that would compromise himself, the young lady or either ministry for the LORD. They have to be accountable and often times if I am messaging a sister in the LORD I will copy in my wife (or perhaps speak to that lady and their husband) as too not have any doubt that anything that would be regarded as impropriety has occurred. It is not for my reputation that I am concerned with, but the reputation of the other party or the witness or ministry that we are doing in the LORD’s name as to not cause an affront. You can’t be too careful and these are sensible precautions to take.

We have to use the three standards when dealing with younger ladies…

Not flirtatious or provocativeBe above reproach in actions and wordsHave clean conduct with a pure heart. 

Honor the widows

V3 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

Paul talks about what we would call today “social assistance” and in those days the old were not really cared for in the way they are now with things such as a Government pension and other things that can help with retirement. In fact there were no retirement plans and if you were not a rich person, once you were past working age it was very uncomfortable for you in your old age.

The widows with families

If she has family to help her, then it is both honorable and right to let her be helped by them first. Not only is this a good stewardship but it creates a certain responsibility and ownership of families to look after their own people if they are unable to provide for themselves. Paul uses the term allowing the children to “make some return to their parents, for this is pleasing in the sight of God” which is true, these people raised the children and now it is their turn to be helped.

Of course these days we have such things as retirements and people save for those “golden years” in which they will no longer be working, but you have to remember that this was quite the burden on the churches at that time. In the Ten Commandments we are commanded to “honor our mother and father” and how honorable would it be to let them not have the basics. This is basic theology at the most basic level.

Really when the man of the house has gone, the widow should be taken care of by the son (usually the eldest son) but if it is too much of a burden for one child to bear then it should be taken on by them all in a cooperative fashion. We are commanded to “love one another” and how could anyone who professes this and leaves their mother destitute be one and the same?

The widows with no families

V5 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.

Paul is talking about these people, the ones who are truly widows, and the ones that have no-one to help them. Paul is essentially stating that the church should provide for “the least of these”. Paul is fully aware of the heart of man and knows that people will try to get something for nothing so in the next few verses he makes recommendations to test if they really need help from the church.

The word honor is similar to the word sustain or provide and this is a literal meaning in this case. These people are still people at the end of the day and should be treated with no less honor than the less affluent, (See the book of James on that one!) but these circumstances are difficult for those who genuinely need help and these people still need a little respect. Yes the church should help and they should be gracious (not lord over the one who needs help) but at the same time be conservative and be careful and be a good steward of the LORDs money.

I have been in this situation where I have had more month than money as the saying goes. I have had people helping me and it is humbling when the people of God get together and help one another. The ones who truly need it and are truly in a bind are the ones who follow up with you, and the ones who thank you.

I say being conservative with Gods money because, let’s face it, people are not always honest. To quote the great fictional doctor “Gregory House M.D.” Everybody lies and it would be naive to believe that even in the church we would see that. Don’t discount this as a notion as the church is filled with people much like you and me, imperfect sinners some of whom have found their savior and some have yet to make that choice. Paul mentions this possibility in the verse below…

V6 but she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.

And herein lies the danger and this can only be judged by the recipient and God, they could bring a very good story and seem very holy and ask as if they are asking in the right way and for the right things but are asking without a genuine need or asking in order to use her money not for the essentials of life but to use them for self-indulgence or frivolous things.

We have to be wise and help people but we also have to have wisdom as to not enable people in their bad choices. If someone is spending money like Congress and seeking help from the church, that is not going to fly for too long. There has to be growth on a personal level and assistance has to help.

This does not mean also that the church will also help, if a church is for example supplying all the groceries to a house that uses their grocery money to buy drugs or alcohol and there is no move in the direction to provide the basics for their family after a period of time, it would be appropriate for the church to back away and no longer enable them to make bad choices.

I have heard of a situation before when a family requested help and when the Pastor visited on an unrelated matter he realized that the family had an expensive hobby and could have easily have provided for their family by selling some of the more expensive pieces they used for that hobby. They could have made what I make in six months had they been willing to live within their means. The Pastor used wisdom in that situation by advising them accordingly.

Worse than an unbeliever

V7 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.

Strong words from Paul at the end up here! Much as stated before he who does not provide for his relatives, Paul opens it up to the whole family first and then for members of his own household has denied the faith. So Timothy has to teach these things, that we should be working hard to provide for our own and if we don’t we are worse than the unbeliever.

Paul sets the minimum standards that should be expected from the Christian men, to provide for his family. It is God’s will that we do this. If someone in the assembly is on low pay or has no work, then we should be helping that man (if he is able and willing) to find better ways of providing for his family. 

Then and only then if he is too lazy to do this then he is denying the faith.

Thank you again for finding this article and I pray these bible studies are a blessing. Please feel free to comment, like or share as the LORD leads you to.
TGBTG
TTE

Do not anyone despise your youth

This bible study is part of a series on the book of 1st Timothy, in order to see the full series please check out our “epistle” page or alternatively please check out our page dedicated to the book of 1st Timothy for other studies in this book. 

When I set this blog up my intention was to explore the epistles and do the occasional bible study based on what I had studied and learned, what you are reading below is notes I have made. I have to confess that this bible study is basic in its content and is not prepared by a pastor and I have to admit I have no theological training; my hope in prayer is that someone will be blessed by the notes below.

Let’s start in verse eleven of the fourth chapter of First Timothy…

1st Timothy 4:11 (ESV) Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift you have, which was given you by prophecy when the council of elders laid their hands on you. 15 Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress. 16 Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. 

Command these things

Paul again exhorts Timothy to “Command” not advise, not gently push, but teach with authority, teach with the same authority of it was coming from Paul himself. He was Paul’s man in that area and he was also a messenger declaring the gospel of Jesus Christ. As fearless as the gospel is, Timothy had to be that bold, he could not dress it up to be palatable to the audience, he had to deal straight with the people and not compromise.

Which is an issue in the church today, often times we will try to “soften” the message, or make it more “user friendly” to reach society. I have no issue with making the gospel relevant or teaching the truth to someone who needs it, applying scripture to someone’s life or reaching someone at their level, however I do object to is evangelism that does not present the gospel in a true light, its almost like a “lying evangelism” to get them interested and when people find out what it is all about, they scatter because they didn’t sign up for that in the first place.

Win a Harley

It’s not just about reaching them at any cost, it’s presenting them with the truth and letting them choose based on a full knowledge of what it is all about. I see it often times in youth ministry but occasionally in outreaches, I have seen people try to use gimmicks to get them in the church building and the gospel being sold as if it is some kind of multi-level marketing deal. Not a good deal for all involved. I will give you an example, if you are going to say a Sunday service or a say a church conference and you went based on the headline “WIN A FORD F150” or “WIN A HARLEY DAVIDSON” then you are only passing time until that ticket is pulled and you really are not seeking God at all. Next week when you don’t have a $30,000 prize that seat will be empty! 

Be an example Timothy

Paul touches why Timothy may not be seen with respect when he states “Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity.” This for years has been used as a rallying call or oft quoted (and misquoted) verse to gee up youth groups and enable youth into areas they were not mature enough to do and I have seen negative effects in this by having the youth do things they were never meant to do, making mistakes, not learning and eventually burning out and leaving the faith. They only quote the first part and stop at the word “youth”, this does a disservice to the text. 

Paul states that he should not be looked down because of his youth not because of his age, but the character of man that Timothy is. Timothy has already proven himself in his character but Paul knew that being young he would have attracted criticism and Paul gave him a list of criteria that would help him overcome this. He already has his doctrine in a row and Paul wants to keep him above reproach and keep him above petty criticism and allow him to focus on the task that God has set before him in Ephesus. Let’s look at the criteria given to Timothy by Paul…

But set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity – Similar to what Paul stated about the qualifications for Pastors in chapter three Timothy has to be an example in three specific areas. 

Speech – Luke 6:45 states that “for out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” and this highlights how important it is for Timothy to keep his heart pure, because as we learn the heart and mouth are connected.

As a leader you have to be careful what you say, you cannot be malicious that is obvious but there are subtle overtures that Paul alludes to (such as criteria like being sober minded) such as humor as I have learned living in a country that is not my own that some things don’t translate well.

You have to give a good counsel of the gospel, be honest in all things, let your speech be compassionate but truthful, people have to be able to trust their leaders and know that their theology is honest.

Conduct – As well as “what you say” Paul urges Timothy to watch “what you do”. This of course is in addition to the conditions in chapter three regarding overseers. Paul wanted Timothy to be behaved in an exemplary fashion, he would have to work harder, be more sober minded, he would have to be a 110% at all times in order to show good conduct and please some people.

Paul knew that Timothy was at a disadvantage due to how people would see him due to his age. He wanted to ensure that as much as he could that Timothy would not fall into issue in offense to the detriment of the gospel. This echo’s Paul’s life when he said of himself…

1st Corinthians 9:20 (ESV) To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. 21 To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. 23 I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings.

The important thing is the gospel is preached, individuals are not important. Asking Timothy to watch his conduct was a small price to pray for the eternal value he was being used to create.

Love – Being a leader is hard, you will give a lot and receive back little. Timothy is called to love just like Jesus taught us to in the gospel of John when he said…

John 13:34 (ESV) A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another. 35 By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. 

It is not easy to love when you are not being loved back, Pastors have a tough gig, they are fulfilling a difficult calling, often timells they will be attacked, they will be complained about, they will be slandered and very rarely will they be praised but yet as part of the job description they have to love all and serve all.

With Timothy being you Paul takes extra care to make sure this is included that he has to lean of God in prayer for strength when times are hard. One thing we can do for our pastors is pray for them, intercede on their behalf.

Faith – Timothy had to be faithful, he has to show his faith as an example and he will have to lead men who are elder to him. He has to be a leader and teach these men faithfully about the doctrines of Christ Jesus.

Purity – Timothy has to remain pure, that  not to say that he will never sin again, but he has to be so immersed in the word of God, guard his mind and heart against all impurity! In his relationships as well as his personal conduct, he had to respect the women in the assembly and do nothing that would compromise himself or them and again had to be above reproach.

What Timothy was told to do

Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation, to teaching. – We just read what Timothy was not to do; now let’s look at what he was to do. He was to devote himself to the public reading of Scripture, exhortation and teaching, each of these things center on one thing – The Word of God! I touched a little on this on the “purity” bullet point but he had to lean on the Word of God as his first authority.

If Timothy was in the word of God and built his fellowship on the Word of God then he could not be in error. He had to make sure that in addition to teaching these things publicly and being a figure at the front of the assembly he had to make sure that in his private life this was as real as it was when he spoke publically about it! He had to practice what he preached.

Paul stated that “Until he came” Paul was planning to come soon to check if he was paying attention to these things, he was also coming to endorse Timothy in person as his man in Ephesus as long as he was doing these things.

Do not neglect the gift you have – This is timely advice for us all, that we should not waste the gifts that God gives us. I know that in my life I have taken “hiatuses” or taken time off that I could have been using my gifts to help others and serve and I had no good reason not to. 

We have to trust in God even when times get tough, that God will give us the strength to get over what we need to get over. We all have different gifts, we are not all going to be pastors, worship leaders or deacons, some will serve in whatever way they have been gifted. It is our responsibility to identify those gifts, be happy in them and use them as the LORD leads.

Practice these things, immerse yourself in them, so that all may see your progress – Paul knows that Timothy would be criticized because of his age, but he has to rise above that, prove himself and keep in the good things and show progress in the LORD.

Give a maximum effort

Mediate on the things of God, give it all, be all in, give a maximum effort, a question to ask is that in your life, are you all in? Have you been giving it all and is your progress evident for others to see? We have to hand everything over in its entirety to God! We have to be sold out to his will and surrendered that he knows what is best for us.

Keep a close watch on yourself and on the teaching. – Timothy is commanded to keep the doctrine straight, do not allow himself to be corrupted and teach only the true doctrine. This is a theme in the entire letter that the doctrine has to be correct.

Paul concerns himself with Timothy’s wellbeing, his conduct and his doctrine, and this shows as much as the character of Paul as it does his concern for Timothy as a child in the faith.

Persist in this, for by so doing you will save both yourself and your hearers. – This is the wrap up and circles the reasoning behind why he is telling Timothy to do this. Timothy was there to fulfil a mission, he was to teach the word of God and be an example to those who were hearing him.

Paul wanted Timothy’s skeptics to not only respect him and listen to him, but he wanted them to see Timothy’s example and follow him as a leader in the faith. Timothy was to be diligent and not fall into a groove and neglect the important things of ministry. This letter was preserved so this tells me that it was used as a reference point at different times in Timothy’s life.

Thank you again for finding this article and I pray these bible studies are a blessing. Please feel free to comment, like or share as the LORD leads you to.
TGBTG
TTE

Timothy’s instruction in ministry

Timothy’s instruction in ministry

This bible study is part of a series on the book of 1st Timothy, in order to see the full series please check out our “epistle” page or alternatively please check out our page dedicated to the book of 1st Timothy for other studies in this book.

When I set this blog up my intention was to explore the epistles and do the occasional bible study based on what I had studied and learned, what you are reading below is notes I have made. I have to confess that this bible study is basic in its content and is not prepared by a pastor and I have to admit I have no theological training; my hope in prayer is that someone will be blessed by the notes below.

Let’s start in verse six of the fourth chapter of First Timothy.

A Good Servant of Christ Jesus

1st Timothy 4:6 (ESV) If you put these things before the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed. 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. 9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

Paul ties up his previous thoughts and gives the exhortation that if he instructs (or put these things before the brothers) then he will be doing what he is called to do and be a good servant of Jesus Christ. He was calling Timothy to instruct in words, deeds and actions. He had already stated the standard of conduct in chapter three.

For me the greatest leaders or best pastors are those who lead from the front, who not only instruct the word but they live the word and let their lives be a testimony, they pray hard, they trust more and they are more likely to equip the saints for the work of the ministry, they will be mentors, they will be trainers, they will be teachers and they will be shepherds.

Being trained in the words of the faith

This is just the foundation though; the important part comes next…

V6b …being trained in the words of the faith and of the good doctrine that you have followed…

Timothy will do well if he follows those principles, but he has to remember the main thing that he has to do all these things but he has to use the good doctrine, the doctrine that he got straight from Paul and minister to where he has been planted. He must remain grounded in God’s word, much like a ship with an anchor; he has to use this as his sure foundation. The next part shows what Paul means…

Nothing to do with silly myths

V7 Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths. Rather train yourself for godliness;

As stated prior; we (Timothy also) have to have our priority on God’s word and not the daily rumor mill that will change from day to day. If we have our foundation on something that is so changeable as the words of man, whether it be what we call news, whether it be entertainment, whether it be philosophies that have no eternal value. That is really the crux of what he is saying to Timothy that he has to stay on point. This point that he has to remain focused on God’s infallible word. God is truth and God never changes and man’s word is so unreliable.

Train yourself for godliness

You have to ask yourself, would you base your life’s philosophy on what is said on Fox News? Or what is on the NFL channel? Or is it based on your favorite sports team’s results? Or what movies are playing? Or what your favorite celebrities are saying?  These things will all change tomorrow; it is easy to get caught up in it. (My hot buttons are politics and sports)

What I am asking is “Are you passing time or are you fighting the LORDs fight?” Is your focus on the eternal things or the earthly temporary things? Paul covers this when he states to “Have nothing to do with irreverent, silly myths” and Paul states what should replace that. Paul states that you should “train yourself for godliness” and then explains what he means by this using a culture that was prevalent at that time and one that we can recognize today.

Godliness is of value in every way

V8 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.

Paul is speaking to a culture that placed a lot of credence in body sculpting and personal fitness. The Roman army chose the finest specimens in the empire to serve in the Imperial army! So much so that in that culture having a fit body and becoming fitter and fitter was an overriding passion and an idol in so many people’s lives.

Don’t get me wrong, I would like to drop a few pounds (or 50/60) and I am covetous of (or certainly admire) those who have kept better shape than I have and I do have it as an ambition of mine to become in better shape, but I want to do it for my service to the LORD and in order to better serve my wife and daughter rather than wishing to compete in any competition. This is not the only time Paul talks about training like an athlete, Let’s look at Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth…

Perishable prize

1st Corinthians 9:24 (ESV) Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one receives the prize? So run that you may obtain it. 25 Every athlete exercises self-control in all things. They do it to receive a perishable wreath, but we an imperishable. 26 So I do not run aimlessly; I do not box as one beating the air. 27 But I discipline my body and keep it under control, lest after preaching to others I myself should be disqualified.

Explains what I explained although much better!

Finding Godly contentment

We have to be careful that we don’t find our contentment in things that are not Godly! Paul talks about an idol of the day and whilst that gives a temporary accomplishment, it will eventually not be as fulfilling as before.

Paul has a great attitude about this; he equates the training that one does for a competition as how we should train ourselves for godliness. We should have that same desire, same drive for success and same discipline that an athlete has when they are trying to better themselves, not for a crown or a piece of gold, but for eternal reward!

Paul promises that godliness is the only life that holds promise both in this life and the life to come, to those who believe. Our life has meaning and has eternal value once we believe and have faith that Jesus did in fact paid it all. God does not desire that any should perish but have everlasting life. We won’t all be in heaven because some men have hard hearts and will not believe in the lifesaving power of the cross. Which is how Paul finishes this passage…

Set your hope on the living God

V9 The saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance. 10 For to this end we toil and strive, because we have our hope set on the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

It reminds me of a story that my father told me about a man who was evangelizing in a big city and wished to find out the effectiveness of handing out flyers for his Christian event, so he and a friend handed out flyers promising that if people met them in a certain place in about 6 hours from when they received that flyer they would receive a free gift of 5 pounds (UK money) all they had to do was turn up at the appointed time with the invite (the flyer) and accept the free gift.

Now he had money to pay if everyone turned up, and he estimated that he handed out about 500 flyers and he stood there and waited at the appointed time and very few people came to claim their prize. It cost them nothing and the price was bared by the man who offered the free gift!

Jesus offered us a free gift too, eternal life! It cost us nothing but cost him everything! The Christian life isn’t easy, when we accept Jesus we are not no longer affected by toil and strife, we will still have earthly issues distracting and getting us down. So Paul is correct, we do toil and strive in this life, being a Christian doesn’t mean an easy life it means that we are forgiven in our sins and will still have issues.

But this life is no longer the end of the road for us; we have our hope set on a heavenly existence eternally with our creator God, for me it sounds awesome and a much better alternative to an existence in the lake of fire!

From my point of view, I have tried a life of sin and it left me really unfulfilled, when I was in alcohol I had a temporary high (that felt good, I am not going to lie) and then came a huge low (when the after effects kicked in) it profited me little as I was destroying myself and it also had no heavenly value.

Which is the question I leave you with, do you live your life in a way that has eternal worth? All that the earth offers, wealth, fame, fortune, notoriety none of that will matter when you pass from this earth, as Greg Laurie says “you don’t ever see a U-Haul following a funeral car!” Which is the truth, you can’t take it with you! What will your legacy be? Will it be a life lived for you or a life lived for Christ?

Thank you again for finding this article and I pray these bible studies are a blessing. Please feel free to comment, like or share as the LORD leads you to.
TGBTG
TTE

A 1% compass error is still wrong

April 10, 2015

This bible study is part of a series on the book of 1st Timothy, in order to see the full series please check out our “epistle” page or alternatively please check out our page dedicated to the book of 1st Timothy for other studies in this book.

When I set this blog up my intention was to explore the epistles and do the occasional bible study based on what I had studied and learned, what you are reading below is notes I have made. I have to confess that this bible study is basic in its content and is not prepared by a pastor and I have to admit I have no theological training; my hope in prayer is that someone will be blessed by the notes below.

Let’s start in verse one of the fourth chapter of First Timothy.

Some Will Depart from the Faith

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.

Even although Paul wrote this to Timothy nearly 2000 years ago, this letter is as relevant today as it was when the ink was still wet. I can’t switch on a computer (A lot of the news groups I subscribe to on Facebook and Twitter are Christian) without seeing some of what Paul mentions here, today!

Paul advises that “in later times some will depart from the faith,” much like we did in chapter three, lets break this down as Paul states in the verses…

1) Devoting themselves to deceitful spirits and teachings of demons – The people who are leaving will be deceived, much like Eve was in the Garden of Eden. They will follow their own way rather than God’s way.

Demons are very powerful and as we mentioned Eve was tripped up by someone who knew exactly what God said and knew that that person did not have their theology straight. The deceit will start with a very small percentage of a lie with a large portion of the truth (could be 99% true and 1% twisted) and that small dilution of what is pure will be enough to steer someone’s faith off course.

An example of this would be a tracker who is not using GPS and is reliant on basic navigational tools such as a compass. If he was set to go on a journey at 0 degrees North and misreads the compass and sets off at 1 degree North, when he travels 5 miles he will be far away from where he is seeking to go. That is how important that 1% is.

They will give themselves away from the faith of Jesus Christ and follow the teaching of demons. They will go from a backsliding state into a full rebellion of God. They will follow those who have already rebelled against God on that oft trodden path to an eternity without God. How tragic.

We have to be alert to not fall into the snare of false teaching. Doctrines that do not recognize Jesus as the messiah, doctrines that state that Jesus is not the messiah or that there are many ways to heaven. False religions, cults, and anything else that is a lie from the pit of hell, we cannot be involved in it!

Please take it from me, one who has left the faith and I am in the low percentage. I am one who came back after sampling the world! Once they leave the church and decide that the church has nothing for them and they decide not to believe the truth of the gospel of Jesus Christ then they will continue to follow their own path. (I know I did for about a decade – for more information check out my “testimony” page)

2) Through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared – Paul tells it how it is, once they leave they will use the insincerity of their own lies to justify their new lifestyle. As the standards slip and they take a slow fade (some slower than others) into sin, they will embrace all manner of contortions in order to justify their actions.

In my case I tried to lead a double life, I lived the church life on a Sunday and even hung out with folks in the fellowship as occasion demanded. But my real self was living a party life and I reconciled that by keeping in with God on a Sunday. I tried to do a weird balancing act which simply was not doing anyone any favors.

Eventually I stopped reading the bible, threw out the theology and went my own way. As Paul states here when he speaks of the conscience, there would have been a time when I would have had a theological check that I was doing something in error, I had seared my conscience to a point that I had justified “my version of the truth” and was dead to feeling what the living word had to say to me.

Paul knew all about this, I bet that before Damascus he had justified in his own heart that what he was doing to the Christians was correct, the persecution, torture and death of these people that once his eyes had been opened, he realized how much he had grieved the LORD. He was also grateful for God’s mercy that he was counted able to be used.

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 – You will remember in a previous article I spoke on those who would try to convert the Gentiles into Jews by have them follow the Law in addition to their Christian faith, Paul touches on this as an example to Timothy here.

Paul always will maintain the truth, which it is the grace of God and not the rules we keep that will make us righteous with God. What the legalists forget is that their Savior when he was on this earth had most to say about the ones who thought they were holier than God. Here is the deal! We need God more than he needs us.

God will never owe us anything and we can’t work our way to “out holy” God. We will never be like the LDS church claims and be Gods. That lie is the very reason why Lucifer is no longer leading worship in the heavenly choir, he knew he was beautiful and wanted to be God.

V3b) that God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth

The fact that they will depart does not mean that they will leave that assembly and go elsewhere. Paul is stating that they will depart and not return to any assembly, that they will depart from the faith and slide into apostasy. Many will meet on their own, some will not meet at all and it will be a rainbow of unbelief and false religion all stemming from that 1% lie. (See how dangerous this is?)

Unfriendly fire from the outside

Even although these people will not wish to be part of the assembly, this will not stop them commenting about things that still go on in the assembly that they wished not to be a part of. They will be the legalists, they will be the mockers. I know it sounds like I am talking about both groups in the same way, but I am mentioning two opposite ends of a spectrum based on people who leave. They will either leave to their own sins, or leave to pursue their own doctrine and their own version of religious extremism.

V4) 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.

Paul flips the last point made (Point # 3) around by giving the truth, that what we eat is not what makes us holy. It is the heart behind how we receive them. In modern day Christianity we say grace before every meal, but I challenge you, how grateful are you for that meal that was put down in front of you? Are you grateful for the clothes you wear, the roof over your head, the vehicle you drive and even the device you are reading this article on.

Robotic prayers

Please be careful that it does not get ritualistic a kind of “Dear Jesus, thanks for this food, please let it bless our bodies” (Let me cover all the holy bases before I say Amen) Jesus warns about this in Matthew 6, especially in verse 5 and 7…

Matthew 6:5 (ESV) “And when you pray, you must not be like the hypocrites. For they love to stand and pray in the synagogues and at the street corners, that they may be seen by others. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. 6 But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret. And your Father who sees in secret will reward you. 7 “And when you pray, do not heap up empty phrases as the Gentiles do, for they think that they will be heard for their many words. 8 Do not be like them, for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Basically search your heart, talk to God, and tell him what’s on your heart and what you are grateful for. (Might get a bit awkward if you have guests over!)  Paul states that the food is holy due to the word of God and prayer, so let’s bless the food. Don’t make a show and go too far the other way, but be grateful to God for all he has provided for us.

We have liberty in what we eat

We are told that nothing is to be rejected on the grounds of religious curtail, we are not limited by diet, God will see us no more righteous if we eat fish on a Friday or Steak pie! This is in line with Acts 10 which reads….

Acts 10:9 (ESV) The next day, as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the housetop about the sixth hour to pray. 10 And he became hungry and wanted something to eat, but while they were preparing it, he fell into a trance 11 and saw the heavens opened and something like a great sheet descending, being let down by its four corners upon the earth. 12 In it were all kinds of animals and reptiles and birds of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him: “Rise, Peter; kill and eat.” 14 But Peter said, “By no means, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.” 15 And the voice came to him again a second time, “What God has made clean, do not call common.” 16 This happened three times, and the thing was taken up at once to heaven.

That is not to say that if we eat fast food 24/7 and drink soda instead of water that we won’t have health issues. God has given us license to make our own decisions regarding our food and drink but we also have a responsibility to ourselves to eat in a balanced fashion.

Thank you again for finding this article and I pray these bible studies are a blessing. Please feel free to comment, like or share as the LORD leads you to.
TGBTG
TTE

The Mystery of Godliness

This bible study is part of a series on the book of 1st Timothy, in order to see the full series please check out our “epistle” page or alternatively please check out our page dedicated to the book of 1st Timothy for other studies in this book. 

When I set this blog up my intention was to explore the epistles and do the occasional bible study based on what I had studied and learned, what you are reading below is notes I have made. I have to confess that this bible study is basic in its content and is not prepared by a pastor and I have to admit I have no theological training; my hope in prayer is that someone will be blessed by the notes below.

Let’s start in verse fourteen of the third chapter of First Timothy.

The Mystery of Godliness

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 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.

Paul has just finished (in the last two articles) giving Timothy the criteria for the people who were to serve in leadership with him. (I am careful to make sure that you are aware that serving in leadership is serving, not an opportunity to shirk responsibility or delegate opportunities to serve to suit selfish ambitions)

Another level

Some see Pastors, overseers, deacons, bishops or whoever is in leadership as “another level”, yes they are worthy of respect and worthy to be listened to, but they are just like you and me in many ways, they will disappoint, they are human, they won’t always get it right.

I remember visiting a church and hearing a Pastor who has recently gone to be with the LORD! And he stated (at the foundation of a new church, church was maybe about a year old at that point) that in that fledgling church if he was able to please people about 80% of the time he would be doing better than he himself thought he would.

You see, people assume because someone has taken a calling to be a pastor or a deacon that they are somehow enamored with this new ability to not error or make mistake. They are not sinless guys (There was only one of them and he is our Savior Jesus Christ) They will tick you off, they will hurt your feelings and in many cases will not make it good because many folks will not let them know.

I say this because people are leaving churches in droves, most are not meeting with the pastor, some are letting them know by text, email or even a phone call, which dependent on the pastor may be okay, but it is always best to meet with the person and love them enough to share what is going on.

Some of this is good and some of this is not as good as discussing today’s passage. Paul hopes to see Timothy soon, but Paul is fully aware that we are not guaranteed tomorrow (especially someone with as many people who hated him and wanted to see him wiped out as Paul) so he wrote this letter to Timothy, the church in Ephesus and now for us.

How to behave in the household of God

Paul writes to give these guidelines for Timothy so that “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.” Paul wanted the church to be singular; regardless of the city the church was planted in he wanted some things to be constant. Paul gives guidelines to Timothy in order to know how he should set the church up, start it on the right foot and how things should run.

Paul reminds Timothy that it is not Paul’s house, not Timothy’s house; they are merely custodians of the house of God. This is a sobering reminder as I am guilty as anyone at admiring men with awesome ministries and seeing what God has accomplished through them. (As if they had done it themselves) But as Paul states, they are simply custodians, on a temp job if you will – This is God’s house!

Not only is it God’s house, but they are called together under the same purpose to be a “pillar and buttress of the truth” both the buttress (ground, foundation, what the place is built upon) and the pillars (what holds the building up and stops the roof crashing in) is truth. There are some churches that need to revisit this because if we are not giving the full counsel of the gospel, we are not serving our believers well.

The truth and the whole truth

Also, anyone who comes looking for truth, if the church is not giving the whole truth then people may miss out on the salvation message of their Savior Jesus Christ. The church is where the truth should be exalted, held up and defended; if the church is not doing so then there will be no truth as we cannot trust the world to give an accurate account of the gospel.

V16 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.

And here is the truth! Let us look at the mystery of godliness…

1) Manifested in the flesh – This is the beautiful part of the Immaculate Conception when Jesus was born of a virgin in the City of David, in Bethlehem and became man in order to begin his mission here on earth to atone for our sins. He was no less God, no less the Son in the Trinity, no less due all the honor and glory that his deity demands, but now was manifest in the flesh in the same way all of us were, born of a woman.

2) Vindicated by the Spirit – Jesus was not like the rest of us, as in justified after he had sinned by the Holy Spirit. Jesus never sinned and was he was who he was always supposed to be, completely justified and vindicated by the spirit and in constant communion with the Father God. (Matthew 3:16; 1st Peter 3:18; Acts 2:32-33)

3) Seen by angels – If we look at passages in Matthew Mark and Luke we see that Jesus had contact with angels, they ministered to him and they escorted him home to heaven. (Matthew 28:2-7, Mark 1:13, Luke 22:41-43)

4) Proclaimed among nations – Paul himself did this as did the other apostles (and Timothy also) where they would preach to the Jew first and then once they were unable to do this then they preached to the Gentile, bringing the nations to repentance. If we were not converted from Judaism then we are part of this ongoing process and I thank the LORD for the faithfulness of the apostle Paul.

5) Believed on in the world – As a result of this preaching, men believed having their hearts convicted by the Holy Spirit; we are not here to replace the Jews but to encourage the Jews into faith in their messiah Jesus Christ.

6) Taken up in glory – Jesus when he had completed his mission ascended to heaven (Luke 24:51) He prays and intercedes for us still on behalf of the Father (1 John 2:1) His last words before he died on the cross were “It is finished” which meant he had done what the father had sent him to do.

Jesus = literal fulfillment

Jesus fulfilled this and more and his witnesses when he was resurrected showed the world that this was not just some common criminal who died a common criminal death, but he was who he stated he was. Death could not hold him and he is alive today at the right hand of the father. He is the only one who can save you from your sins. Do you know where you are going if you were to pass away tonight?

Paul gives these six reasons why it is beyond all controversy, even within two generations of Christ’s crucifixion there were still heretics and naysayers stating that the historical fact did not happen. Even today people set out to drive a hole in an infallible bible and inerrant truth. Paul does 1st century apologetics in order to give a reasonable defense for what was believed. Praise God that he did!

Thank you again for finding this article and I pray these bible studies are a blessing. Please feel free to comment, like or share as the LORD leads you to.
TGBTG
TTE