Timothy & Titus Intro

The letters of 1st and 2nd Timothy and Titus stand alone among Paul’s letters as having been written to individual coworkers, rather than to churches. We have come to know these letters as pastoral epistles.

Neither Timothy or Titus were pastors in the sense we think of pastors today. They functioned more as an apostle’s representative who spoke with the authority of Paul on matters of doctrine and practice. These letters were written to men who had spiritual oversight of the churches in Ephesus and Crete. These three letters address the issues that confront pastors in their ministries.

These three letters all claim to have been written by Paul and there are several reasons that exist that lead to this conclusion.

All three make this direct claim (1st Timothy 1:1, 2nd Timothy 1:1, and Titus 1:1)

All three have been consistently accepted as Paul’s writing for 1800 of the last 2,000 years.

The historical circumstances fit perfectly in the times of the early church.

These letters are too personal and too historically specific to have been written by others.

The theology fits well within the overall teaching of Paul, meaning they are more like Paul than any other NT writer.

The teachings here face the heresy known in the early churches. The false teachers confronted in both Ephesus (1st & 2nd Timothy) and on Crete (Titus) were bringing doctrine which appears to have been formed by Jewish & Greek (gentile) thought. Other epistles reflect such issues as those described for us here. Those false teachings appear later for us in Acts 20:28-31.

Paul expected the contents of the letters to be shared within the churches these men led. Proof is found in the plural “you” word found in “grace be with you” in 1st Timothy 6:21 & 2nd Timothy 4:22 and “grace be with you all” in Titus 3:15.

Who were these two men?

Timothy seems to have been a man younger than Paul. A deep and spiritually intimate love grew between the two. Timothy’s father was a gentile (Acts 16:1) and his mother, Eunice, was Jewish. She and her own mother, Lois, apparently came to faith in Jesus and both had a profound effect on Timothy (2nd Timothy 1:5). Their foundation in teaching him the Hebrew scriptures was an essential element in his faith later and his effectiveness in his ministry for the Lord (2nd Timothy 3:15). Paul found Timothy to be a disciple on his return to Lystra in Acts 16:1-2. We have no details given of the conversion of Timothy. He was known as a strong believer in his hometown which is the same town where Paul was stoned and left for dead. 

Paul became the spiritual father Timothy never had. Paul uses words of deep affection for this younger man. He called him “my beloved and faithful child in the Lord” (1st Cor 4:17), “my true child in the faith” (1st Timothy 1:2), “my son” (1st Timothy 1:18, and “my beloved son” (2nd Timothy 1:2). Paul called Timothy “my fellow worker” in Romans 16:21).

Titus does not receive as much attention, yet he was a trusted and proven coworker of the Apostle Paul. He was a gentile by birth and it seems likely his conversion came under the teaching of Paul. He traveled with Paul and Barnabus to Jerusalem where pressure was put on Paul to circumcise him. Paul refused (Gal 2:1-3). Titus played a key part in Paul’s ministry to the church in Corinth (2nd Cor 2:13) especially in collecting funds for the poor. Titus later shared in evangelistic ministry with Paul on the island of Crete and was then left there by Paul to care for the believers (Titus 1:5). Later he would go without Paul to Dalmatia to spread the Word (2nd Timothy 4:10). He later seemed to have returned to Crete and tradition says he became the first bishop of the island and died there as an old man. Titus is designated by Paul as “my true child in a common fight” (Titus 1:4). He was a genuine spiritual child of the Apostle Paul.

When were the letters written?

Precise dating cannot be found but it seems 1st Timothy and Titus were written between 63 & 65 A.D. 2nd Timothy seems to have been written nearer to 66 & 67 A.D.

Why were they written?

1st Timothy indicates it was written to enable and empower Timothy in his dealings with the false teachers in Ephesus and the letter also explains how believers should conduct themselves as God’s household. 1st Timothy 3:15 explains that it was written in case there was delay in Paul’s return to Ephesus.

Titus was written to enable and empower Titus to establish churches on Crete and in appointing elders in those churches (Titus 1:5). Paul is concerned to make certain the believers on Crete understand the importance of healthy doctrine (1:9 & 13) and healthy living (2:1).

2nd Timothy was written as a plea for Timothy to quickly come to Paul’s side in Rome (1:4 & 4:9 & 4:21) once his replacement arrived in Ephesus. He longed for Timothy and also wanted him to bring Paul’s warm cloak and reading material (4:13). Beyond these needs, Paul wanted to encourage Timothy to remain faithful  to Christ and the ministry of the gospel, even if it caused heartache and suffering (1:8 & 2:3 & 4:5). 2nd Timothy is known for its revealing Paul’s final words before departing this life.

Each of the letters was likely written with the intent that they would bring strength to Timothy and Titus as personal representatives of Paul in dealing with authority in matters confronting the early churches.

What do these letters teach us?

1st Timothy stresses right doctrine while Titus stresses right living. Timothy is more intimate and Titus is more businesslike. The battle against false teaching seems more desperate in 1st Timothy than in Titus.  As we trace how the Holy Spirit moved Paul to guide Timothy and Titus in the issues they were facing, we find in these letters an accurate, reliable, and sufficient guide for our lives.

First Timothy - Chapter 1

THEME: THE FAITH OF THE CHURCH

Paul’s emphasis here will be on a warning against false teachers in the local church. Here the introduction is far different than any other epistle he has written. He says he is an apostle by the commandment of God. Commandments express will. The will of God for His people is found in His ten commandments. In verse 8 we will see that Paul says that the law is good if a man use it lawfully. To use it lawfully means to understand that obedience to rules will not bring salvation. To accept Christ and to live by Him brings salvation. The law reveals sin but by the law is no flesh justified.

1:1-2

The command is of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope. Sent unto Timothy, Paul’s own son in the faith, are grace, mercy, and peace from the Father and the Son.

The hope mentioned here is only seen here and in Colossians 1:27 and refers to the constant hope of His return for which all Christians long. The three words given are a small trinity. Mercy is that from God which acts freely to save when the demands of His holiness are satisfied. Because God is merciful we can come to Him and find salvation from His grace. Peace is the result that flows from the first two.

1:3

The warning begins with Paul’s seeking Timothy to remain in Ephesus so that he may charge some men that no other doctrine be taught. This warning means no OTHER doctrine. The Judaizers were there bringing another gospel which Timothy must counter. From Pentecost onward we are taught that believers must remain in the apostle’s doctrine which are the basic rules of the faith.

1:4

The warning continues with the trouble of the false Judaizers rendering faith  of the church as more a continuation of the Jews, based upon only being saved because of  being born as sons of Abraham (genealogies). Paul is always consistent in teaching that faith in Christ makes one a son of Abraham by the will of God. John perfects this teaching in John 1:13, not “by blood”.

1:5

Love comes from a pure heart with a good conscience and is not something pretended. It is unfeigned. These are three wonderful graces and are as meaningful today as they were in the early church days.

1:6-8

Paul continues his warning against empty chatter which has no meaning. Those who do so do not understand the gospel and misunderstand the law. Under the law the best man in the world is fully condemned but under the gospel the worst man can be justified if he believes in the Lord Jesus Christ. The law is for moral conduct, not meant for salvation.

1:9-10

Knowing what has just been explained in verses 6-8, Paul now renders many characteristics that are contrary to sound doctrine, meaning the doctrine of salvation through Christ alone. Under the law, man could not measure up. No works allowed obedience by imperfect sinners. Under grace the imperfect are changed (transformed) into new creatures seeking only to conform to the Messiah sent for that single purpose, saving those who are lost.

1:11-17

Paul now prepares his own personal testimony to show how he himself has been changed and who changed him.

The gospel has been entrusted to him by God and he has been enabled by Jesus, who considered him faithful and placed him into His ministry. Paul is thankful and clearly states the Lordship of Christ.

He had been a blasphemer and persecutor and harmed believers, but he obtained mercy because of his ignorance in unbelief. Grace was abundant unto him with both faith and love extended toward him. He says this action is exactly why Christ Jesus came, to save sinners, and he freely admits that of all sinners he himself is chief. Here is our witness to those who say that they are too sinful for God to save. God has already saved the worst sinner ever known therefore all who came after him are not as bad as Paul was. This was a pattern sinners may follow to life everlasting and because this pattern has been made evident, honor and glory are forever in God.

1:18-20

Paul now charges Timothy to be aware that he should be aware of the prophecies that came before him and that by them he should bring spiritual warfare. He calls Timothy his son, and warns him to fight a good fight and not to make a shipwreck of the faith as some were doing.

Paul does not leave this point to generalities but rather gives the actual names of two men who are making the wreck he mentioned. These men have failed and were apostates, creating confusion and disorder and harming the true gospel message. Paul says he has delivered them unto Satan so that they may learn not to blaspheme. Here Paul means he has expelled these men from the church and placed them therefore outside it where Satan rules. This is authority given to Paul, and the other apostles, Paul further expresses this authority in 1st Cor 5:3-5 as he explains why such a one has been delivered to Satan, so that the spirit of the assembly might be saved. Peter also exercised this same powerful authority in Acts 5:1-11 as he confronted the lies of Ananias and Sapphira by removing them not only from the faithful living but from life itself.

First Timothy - Chapter 2

THEME: PRAYER REQUESTED AND WOMEN IN CHURCH

2:1-2

Paul commands prayer for all public officials. He shows no exceptions in this command and therefore prayers are to be made for even those who are corrupt and whose governing does not meet with our approval. He made no exception even for Nero, who ruled in the days of Paul and was likely the most brutal and despised of all Roman officials. He simply commands it for all who are in authority. By doing so, Paul teaches that we can live a quiet life peaceably and in doing so we indicate godliness and honesty. Not only does he command prayer but also thanksgiving.

2:3-4

Paul says this command when met is good and acceptable in the sight of God. He says God would like all men saved and come into the knowledge of gospel truth. We are to pray for all leaders regardless of who they are and our concern should be for their salvation.

2:5-6

Paul reminds Timothy that there is only one God and also only one mediator between God and man, with that mediator being Christ Jesus. In OT times there were many priests who stood as mediators between those who worship and God. Now we are to no longer go to any man to intercede for us because the Son of God has been made manifest to us for this purpose. Acts 4:12 teaches that there is no other name under which we may be saved. Hebrews 1:3 teaches that it is God’s will to no longer speak by any other except His Son.

This new mediator gave Himself as a ransom for all, meaning He paid the price of redemption for all sinners who come to the Lord through His gospel.

2:7

Paul has been ordained both a preacher and apostle and because of his appointment by Christ he had been made a teacher of the Gentiles in both faith and truth. He did not write this fact to the churches but reserved this fact for communication to his son of faith, Timothy. 

2:8

Now specific instruction begins by advising how men are to pray. He shows early church tradition of the lifting up of hands to reveal dedication in prayer. We note that he specifically mentions “holy hands” meaning hands dedicated to God’s service. He further instructs that prayer should be without wrath and doubting. Without wrath indicates that prayer is to be made with sincere confession and the heart should be found in true faith while praying, not doubting God in any way.

2:9-10

After instructing men, Paul now instructs women on prayer. This passage touches also on women’s dress and appearance in worship and prayer. We are well aware of God using women in a powerful way in the OT to extend His will. We remember Deborah, Queen Esther, Ruth, and others, all who well served God and brought His will to fruit. In Ephesus where Timothy was the church leader, women held strong positions in the religion of Diana. We also recall Anna the older prophetess in the Temple of God.

Paul commands women to dress in modest apparel, be serious, and have no braided hair or wearing gold, pearls, or other costly array. Paul says their good works will be their adornment.

2:11-12

Here Paul grants a command that is much discussed in Christian churches today. He says women are to learn in silence with all subjection. Women are not to teach or have authority over a man in worship, but to remain in silence. In 1st Cor 14:34 Paul also forbids women to speak in tongues.

Here might be an issue that brings interest as our own church dedicates itself in strict obedience to the commands of verses 11 & 12 while ignoring verses 9 & 10. Is selective obedience considered full obedience?

2:13-15

Paul places his reasons for these commands directly in front of believers. He said Adam was first formed and that Adam was not deceived but the woman was deceived and made the transgression in the fall of the garden. Because of that factor, all those born of woman receive and carry her sin. Women are however to grow in love and come to salvation exactly as every man does, by a heart changed and then dedicated to the Lord.

First Timothy - Chapter 3

THEME: OFFICERS IN THE CHURCHES

Our chapter begins with the words “This is a true saying” which might have also been translated as ‘This is a faithful saying” meaning it stands the test of time and is one you can depend upon.

The first office discussed is bishop which actually meant an overseer or superintendent. In the early church this position was called a presbyter, or elder, or shepherd, or minister, or pastor. In use of any of these titles the word “reverend” was never attached. A bishop in the early church never had authority over other bishops nor did he have authority over other churches. Even Paul never spoke of himself as bishop of any church.

3:1

Should a man desire the office, he desires a good work.

3:2

He must be blameless, not guilty of any accusation. He must be the husband of one wife which some in the early church meant he must be married before taking the position. Scripture tells us Paul was not married but most scholars are sure that he was married at one time and lost his wife to death. He could not have been a member of the Sanhedrin, the Jewish council, as a single man. He must be vigilant meaning temperate in nature, calm and even tempered. He had to be sober meaning serious. He must be of good behavior meaning orderly in his conduct and orderly in his approach to the business of the church. He should be given of hospitality, meaning willing to spend time with other bishops especially over common meals together. He must be apt to teach which means he loves the Word and has a particularly willing nature to teach it apart from just preaching it.

3:3

The bishop (pastor) must not be a drunkard, not violent in discussions, not hungry for money and should be a patient man which he will need to be successful.

He cannot wish to settle disagreements with fighting and should not covet.

3:4-5

The bishop must remain in control of his own household and raising children who are under his control. If he cannot properly handle his own home and family, how will he handle his duties in his church?

3:6

He should not be a recent convert. Caution should be the rule in appointing pastors who have some level of maturity and have grown in faith strongly as he will need those attributes to be a good pastor. If he comes to the office too soon after conversion it is possible his pride may lift him up in his own mind and be a good candidate for Satan to use his status against him.

3:7

A good report must be in place for him before he assumes the office else if any difficulties are in his background, he can be snared by Satan who will use such matters against him.

3:8-10

Now Paul represents the requirements for the office of deacon. These are similar to those for bishop but not quite as demanding. He must be serious in his approach to the office, and should be dignified. He cannot be two faced as such a must understand he cannot please everyone. He cannot tell people what they want to hear and must tell the same story to all people in his church. He cannot be given to much wine as scripture teaches temperance. Wine was used for some medicinal reasons in the early church days and in 1st Timothy 5:23 Paul will suggest wine for Timothy for his stomach issues. This man must also not be consumed with a love of money and show integrity toward finances, both personally and for the church.

The deacon must hold a pure conscience concerning the mystery of the faith, being well learned and able to engage each person in the congregation properly concerning education in those mysteries. Each deacon should not be new to the church and be thereby proved there and found without blame in past matters.

3:11-13

The wives of deacons must also be serious, be truthful and using no slander, and remain sober and faithful in approach to church matters. Deacons must also be husbands of one wife and have their household under control and peaceful. A deacon should exhibit boldness in the faith in Christ and should stand strongly for the faith, standing ready to defend the faith to others.

3:14-15

Paul was in Macedonia and Timothy was in Ephesus but Paul hoped to soon visit. If he finds it difficult to come as planned he has given Timothy the factors of how he should behave in the house of God and how he can implement the instructions given by him to Timothy to assure a stable and growing church. 

1st Timothy is a book about church order. Paul is writing to tell the church, and its leader how to act properly to proclaim the truth of God to the world outside. These plans have stood the test of centuries thereby assuring how important they are.

3:16

This verse seems to have been one of the creeds of the early church, to be understood, used, and repeated in worship time to remain in each heart of those in the assembly. Paul restates here the mystery that is without controversy. God was manifested (appeared) in flesh, and was justified in the Holy Spirit (from His baptism onward), was seen of angels, preached Himself to Gentiles, was believed on by those who came to Him, and was received up into glory.

Seen of angels means they saw Him (at His birth and numerous times afterward). The last point is powerful for believers because after He was received up He sits at the Father’s right hand (the position of power and authority) and will be our intercessor until the moment of our rapture and His second coming.

First Timothy - Chapter 4

THEME: APOSTASY (RENOUNCING FAITH) IN THE CHURCHES

When Paul was in Ephesus he had announced that wolves in sheep’s clothing would come among the believers and deceive them. John had announced that already there are many antichrists. Later in 2nd Timothy 3:1 we will see Paul write that in the last days perilous times would come. In this chapter and in the 2nd epistle, Paul delivers warnings on what he sees ahead for the churches.

4:1

A strong warning is given on those who will be leaders of heresy that will mislead many people. Paul mentions the same matter in 2nd Thessalonians 2 so his concern for the falling away is genuine and repetitive. What is responsible for this issue to face the churches? It is people giving heed to seducing spirits. Satan is a wandering vagabond of evil in our world until the millennium and he has his band of those who were once angels but now are demonic spirits whose work is to diminish the hearts of the faithful.

They have their own doctrines and John tells us in 1st John 4 that we are to try all spirits to discern whether they are from God or from Satan. If any spirit refuses to acknowledge Jesus is manifest in flesh, he is not from God. That type of spirit is seducing believers away from the faith toward apostasy.

4:2-5

One who has become apostate may appear to be pious and strongly religious. They speak with false authority, speaking lies as hypocrites pretending to be something they are not. In our first chapter we were taught that the marks of a faithful Christian are faith, love, and a good conscience. If these are not seen, care should be given about those who show otherwise.

Specific teachings were encroaching on the church of forbidding to marry and the eating of meat which God created for mankind. God’s spirits do not prohibit what God has before prepared for his people. God created marriage in the garden of Eden and he arranged approval for meat consumption after the flood. These who speak against God’s efforts are renouncing Him.

4:6-8

A good minister puts his members into remembrance of holy things which nourishes the words of faith and good doctrine. Old tales that may profane as fables accomplish nothing to build up the faithful so they should be refused as they do not support godly things. Godliness is profitable for faith and brings the promise of a better life now and a much better life later in the kingdom.

4:9-10

Paul summarizes by saying these warnings are a faithful saying and are worthy to be accepted. He basically says that these warnings are something you can count on in the journey of faith. Trust is placed in the living God who is the Savior of all who believe. Here Paul reminds Timothy that reproach will be suffered along the way but that should not diminish his labor for the Lord.

4:11-14

The clear instruction is for Timothy to command and teach these things in his ministry and not to be concerned about his youth for he is to be an example of the believers in word, conversation, charity (love), spirit, faith, and purity. The issue for young Timothy is not his age but his continuing as an example to be followed. He should exhort believers by the reading of holy scripture and the teaching of sound doctrine.

The gifts that are now in Timothy were given by prophecy and by the laying on of hands of men who seek holiness, which signifies a partnership in faith.

4:15-16

As Timothy proceeds he should meditate on all these things and give all  of himself to them so that he profits from them and what he has come to profit will be clearly seen by all who are with him. Continuing in these things and taking heed of them shall bring salvation to those that hear him. This last verse reconfirms the value of all those that were listed before and the goal of those verses which is to always be the changed heart for Christ and eternal salvation.

First Timothy - Chapter 5

THEME: DUTIES OF CHURCH OFFICERS

Paul now shifts his instructions for Timothy from qualifications for officers of the church to the duties these officers should perform. His new instructions are detailed and can be viewed as basic to the positions held. 

5:1

The first relation Paul relates is to the male elders of the congregation. Timothy is instructed to treat older men as a father and younger men as brothers. Any need to engage an elder in a matter of the faith should be done in private. Timothy needed to be tactful in dealing with the older men and his discussions with them are to be encouraging. A sweet relation to the younger men is required to relate well to them and maintain open dialog on church matters and matters of faith.

5:2

The same thoughts that were given on men are now given on women church members. Older women are to be treated as mothers and younger women as sisters.

5:3

Women who are widows are to be shown honor. Care of widows was clearly mentioned for the faithful in Acts 6. Here widows “indeed” means those in true need and deacons were to investigate before church funds were bestowed. Such care is unfortunately somewhat neglected in the modern church.

5:4-7

Children of widows and nephews of widows are to practice piety at home and to help their widowed lady. Nephews here actually means grandchildren. If children or grandchildren are in the home, they should be looked at first to provide help to the widowed woman in question before church resources are used.

The widow should remain in prayer if she is desolate and earnestly seek the Lord to show a way for her to be sustained. She should be godly. If she happens to seek pleasure instead of help, meaning being more social than needy, the church should reconsider direct care for her. This factor must be very clear as church care is considered. 

5:8

If anyone does not provide for his own family, meaning the widow, and has denied the faith in the Lord, he or they are to be considered worse than infidels.

5:9

Widows under 60 are to be very carefully considered for church help as they may well be able to do some work to earn a living and thereby not be added to the church roll of receiving church funds.

5:10

Here is the opposite of the previous verse. If she is older and if she may be unable to take work and she is in the faith, then do indeed render her help.

5:11-15

Widows who are younger should not be automatically accepted for church help. If they have begun to no longer be strong in faith they will remarry. These young widows are not to be allowed to be idle or to be gossips speaking things best left unspoken. These younger women are preferred to seek new husbands and thereby give no one opportunity to speak ill of her. Some of those types have already turned toward Satan.

5:16-18

Families who have widows in their own family should care for them so that they not be considered under the obligation of the church. Elders in general, especially those who study and labor in the Word shall be honored. They are worth their reward as quoted in Deut 25:4 & Luke 10:7. 

5:19

No accusations against elders shall be heard unless two or three witnesses bring forth the matter.

5:20

Those that are found in sin are to be rebuked before the church after accusations are found to be true so that others who may be doing the same things are fearful that they may be rebuked as well

5:21-22

Timothy is charged by Paul to do these instructed things and to do them without partiality to anyone. This charge is given before God and His elect angels.

He is not to confront anyone physically and should remain pure himself so that he is an example to others.

5:23

If some sickness arrives in the body, such as stomach distress, Timothy is told to use a little wine to help treat the matter.

5:24

Some men will be judged by God and that judgment may not be immediate but be done in God’s timing and in His manner. Timothy is not to be dismayed but to have faith in the Lord to dispose of these things.

5:25

The same principle of verse 24 works in the opposite way. Some men’s good works are not always seen as rewarded immediately by the Lord. Blessings may come clearly and quickly if the Lord sees fit. Blessings may also be held until the Lord calls the man home to bestow his rewards. Timothy is to be aware of both of these matters and to trust completely in the Lord to work in both matters. 

First Timothy - Chapter 6

THEME: CONCLUSION OF CHURCH OFFICER DUTIES

6:1-2

Paul now deals with the relationship between those who work and those for whom they work. He commands that a Christian should render a full day’s work for a full day’s pay. If the worker’s master is Christian, do them service because they are part of the faithful and thereby beloved, and they partake of a portion of the benefits of Christ.

6:3-5

Those who are proud by nature may also be trouble makers. Such men have corrupt minds thinking their material gains are a result of godliness. A true believer practices humility understanding that we were saved from depravity only by the grace of God and nothing else.

6:6-7

It is important that the child of God find contentment in his life for to do so is great gain for the mind and heart. A reminder comes next to help us recall that we bring nothing into the world and we leave with nothing of the world. All we may carry onward is our saved soul and if we have served the Lord, salvation rewards are waiting for the Lord’s humble servant.

6:8-9

Basic things such as food and clothing should bring us to thankfulness. Those who chase money may fall into temptation and the snare of Satan.

6:10-11

Here is given one of the most memorable sayings in all of the NT, which is that the love of money is the root of all evil. Notice Paul did not say money itself was the root, but rather that the love of it is the problem. Paul warns Timothy to flee such things and seek righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness. These are the spiritual virtues a man who follows Jesus should pursue.

6:12-14

Timothy is to fight the good fight which may be outward or inward or both. Paul tells him to grasp eternal life which is the result of the good profession Timothy has chosen. Paul sends another charge to the young preacher to keep the command until Jesus returns. He reminds Timothy that God makes all things alive, meaning giving life to those who were previously dead in trespasses and sin. Paul warns him to keep this instruction without stain or reproach. 

6:15-16

Jesus is the blessed and only king, King of kings and Lord of lords. He alone has immortality and through Him alone can mortal man discover it and treasure it.

6:17-19

Timothy is to charge rich people not to be high minded or to trust in the wealth of this world. They should be willing to spread the blessings given by God, helping others with their wealth which will lay up for themselves a good foundation in eternity. Paul says they are to give as they have been given.

6:20-21

A concluding summary by Paul to Timothy finalizes 1st Timothy in these two last verses. He reminds Timothy not to push for false knowledge (vain babblings and false science). Those who have rested on these have erred in the faith.

He then blesses the young man to whom he has conveyed so much by sending the warm words of “Grace be with thee”. 

Amen ends the book which literally means “so be it”.

First Timothy - Chapter 1 Summary

COUNTED FAITHFUL

1ST TIMOTHY 1:1-20

Application: The student will learn that God expects His children to be faithful no matter the situation or circumstance.

THIS LETTER IS SAID TO BE THE LAST EPISTLE WRITTEN BY PAUL, WRITTEN FROM ROME AROUND 68 A.D.

THE LETTER WAS SENT AFTER HIS FIRST PRISON SENTENCE AND IT IS GENERALLY BELIEVED HE HAD RESUMED HIS WORK IN ASIA MINOR AND MACEDONIA, AND EVEN POSSIBLY INTO SPAIN.

FALSE TEACHERS IN BOTH EPHESUS AND CRETE WERE HAVING GOOD LUCK IN OPPOSING THE GOSPEL MESSAGE.

TIMOTHY WAS THE PASTOR IN EPHESUS AND TITUS WAS THE PASTOR IN CRETE.

THESE LETTERS ARE KNOWN AS THE PASTORAL EPISTLES AS THEY WERE WRITTEN TO THESE PASTORS TO REINFORCE THEIR FAITH AND TO REASSURE THEM OF THE RIGHTNESS OF THEIR MESSAGES. 

IT WAS IN THESE YEARS THAT CHRISTIANS HAD BEGUN TO MAKE SERIOUS INROADS INTO THE POLITICAL LIFE OF ROME, WITH MORE THAN A FEW SERVING IN THE ROMAN SENATE, AND WERE SOLID IN THEIR OPPOSITION TO THE HORRIBLE TYRANT NERO.

IT IS THOUGHT THAT NERO HAD THE FIRE STARTED THAT BURNED HALF OF ROME IN ORDER TO BLAME IT ON CHRISTIANS AND THEREBY RID HIMSELF OF  THESE OPPONENTS.

HIS PERSECUTIONS OF CHRISTIANS AFTER THE FIRE WAS WITHOUT MERCY AND STILL TODAY IS AMONG THE BLOODIEST TORTURES & PERSECUTIONS EVER KNOWN.

HE COVERED CHRISTIANS IN TAR AND HUNG THEM ALIVE FROM POSTS AROUND ROME TO BURN AS STREETLIGHTS. 

HIS HORRID EFFORTS CONTINUED FOR YEARS.

THIS LAST MESSAGE COMES TO US IN THREE PARTS:

1. THE FUNDAMENTALS OF CHRISTIAN CHARACTER AND SERVICE IN CHAPTERS 1 & 2.

2. THE SOUNDNESS OF DOCTRINE & CHRISTIAN ENDURANCE, RIGHTLY DIVIDING THE WORD AND COMING PERILOUS TIMES, IN CHAPTER 3.

3. CLOSING THOUGHTS AND TESTIMONIES OF FAITH IN THE REMAINING PORTION OF THE LETTER.

AS IN MANY OF HIS WRITINGS, PAUL INTRODUCES HIMSELF IN VERSE 1 AS AN APOSTLE OF JESUS CHRIST, BY THE COMMANDMENT OF HIM WHO IS OUR HOPE.

HE IS STATING HIS CREDENTIALS TO SEND THE LETTER SO THAT THERE BE NO DOUBT AS TO HIS AUTHORITY.

WE NOTICE PAUL USES THE WORD SAVIOR TO DESCRIBE JESUS HERE WHICH IN THOSE DAYS WAS THE WORD DEMANDED BY ROMANS TO DESCRIBE THEIR EMPORERS.  

IN VERSE 2 PAUL REVEALS THE IDENTITY OF THE ONE TO WHOM HE IS WRITING, TIMOTHY:

• A TRUE SON IN THE FAITH, AND PAUL BEGINS BY SENDING HIM GRACE MERCY AND PEACE FROM THE FATHER AND JESUS OUR LORD.

IT IS LIKELY THAT PAUL HAD LED TIMOTHY INTO SALVATION, ALONG WITH HIS MOTHER EUNICE DURING HIS FIRST MISSIONARY JOURNEY DESCRIBED IN ACTS 14 & 16. 

TIMOTHY WAS THE SON OF A GREEK FATHER & JEWISH MOTHER WHO LIVED IN LYSTRA, A CITY IN THE PROVINCE OF GALATIA.

NOW IN VERSES 3-4 PAUL BEGINS BY URGING TIMOTHY TO STAY IN EPHESUS, EVEN THOUGH HIS TIME THERE WAS MOST DIFFICULT.

TIMOTHY WAS IN THE MIDDLE OF THOSE BRINGING THE FALSE TEACHINGS WHICH PAUL WARNS ARE CAUSING DISPUTES.

NOW PAUL IS VERY CLEAR THAT THE NUMBER ONE PRIORITY TIMOTHY HAD IN EPHESUS WAS TO ASSURE THAT THE TRUE DOCTRINE WAS TAUGHT AND THAT NO OTHER DOCTRINE WAS ALLOWED IN THE CHURCH.

DOCTRINE IS AMONG THE MOST IMPORTANT OF ALL PRIORITIES FOR ANY CHURCH UNDER JESUS. WHAT PEOPLE BELIEVE IS PRIMARY TO HAVE A SOLID CHURCH AND THE PEOPLE MUST KNOW WHY THEY BELIEVE WHAT THEY DO.

A HARSH REMINDER WAS GIVEN TO US IN THE CONVERSATION BETWEEN JESUS AND PILATE WHEN PILATE ASKED THE LORD, “WHAT IS TRUTH?'  

UNFORTUNATELY IN OUR MORE MODERN AGE, THIS QUESTION IS STILL BEING ASKED AS IF TRUTH IS RELATIVE. IT IS NOT.

JESUS TAUGHT THAT HE WAS THE WAY & THE TRUTH.

HE STILL IS.

SOME IN THE CHURCH WERE BEING CARRIED AWAY BY FABLES AND ENDLESS HISTORIES HAVING NOTHING TO DO WITH THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL AND THERE WERE ITCHING EARS LISTENING TO THESE FALSE TEACHERS.

THESE TEACHINGS WERE CAUSING DISPUTES RATHER THAN PROVIDING A GODLY BUILDING OF FAITH.

VERSES 5-7 GIVE THE TRUTH OF THE COMMANDMENT OF PURITY IN GOSPEL TEACHING.

IT IS A TEACHING ON THE INWARD CHANGE OF THE HEART FROM THE LOVE OF GOD FOR THOSE WHO ARE HIS.

IT COMES FROM A GOOD CONSCIENCE AND A SINCERE FAITH. FROM WHICH SOME HAVE STRAYED  AND TURNED TO IDLE TALK RATHER THAN CONTINUING IN THE TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL TEACHING.

OUR KING JAMES CALLS THIS TYPE OF TALK VAIN JANGLING, WHICH IS SIMPLY MEANINGLESS BABBLE.

NOW IN VERSES 8-11 PAUL CONDEMNS THOSE WHO REST ON LEGALISM IN THE LAW BUT HE IS CAREFUL NOT TO CONDEMN THE LAW ITSELF.

HE SAYS WE KNOW THE LAW IS GOOD IF ONE USES IT PROPERLY.

THE LAW WAS NOT PRODUCED FOR THOSE RIGHTEOUS BUT FOR THOSE WHO ARE LAWLESS, INSUBORDINATE, AND UNGODLY.

HE ADDS A LONG LIST OF OTHER THINGS WHICH THE LAW WAS MEANT TO POINT OUT AS APART FROM THE WILL OF GOD:

• UNHOLY PERSONS

• PROFANE PERSONS

• MURDERERS OF FATHERS & MOTHERS

• MANSLAYERS

• FORNICATORS

• SODOMITES

• KIDNAPPERS

• LIARS

• PERJURERS

AND ANY OTHER THING THAT OPPOSES SOUND DOCTRINE.

THE PURPOSE OF THE LAW WAS TO SHOW US OUR SIN AND PAUL REVEALS IN GALATIANS 3 THAT IT ACTUALLY REVEALED HIS OWN SIN TO HIMSELF.

SO THESE LEGALISTS HAVE PERVERTED THE REASON FOR THE LAW.

THIS IS EXACTLY WHY PAUL WANTED TIMOTHY TO STAY, BECAUSE IT WAS DIFFICULT AND REQUIRED A FAITHFUL ONE TO OPPOSE AND CORRECT THESE FAULTS FESTERING THERE INSIDE THE CHURCH.

HE WAS TO USE THE GLORIOUS GOSPEL OF GOD TO OVERCOME THESE MOST SERIOUS FALSE WAYS BEING TAUGHT AGAINST THE GOSPEL.   

THE REAL TRUTH OF THE GOSPEL MUST REMAIN & BE PRESERVED.

IN VERSES 12-14 PAUL ALLOWS WHY HE HAD BEEN ENTRUSTED WITH THE SPREAD OF THE GOSPEL ITSELF.

JESUS PUT PAUL IN THE MINISTRY EVEN THOUGH HE HIMSELF HAD BEEN A BLASPHEMER, A PERSECUTOR, AND AN INSOLENT MAN.

THE LORD HAD EXTENDED MERCY TO PAUL BECAUSE HE HAD DONE THESE THINGS IN IGNORANT UNBELIEF, AND HE WAS A LIVING EXAMPLE OF THE LOVE AND GRACE OF THE LORD.

NO MAN DESERVED LESS AND NO MAN OF HIS TIME WAS GIVEN MORE BY THE LOVE OF THE LORD.

JESUS HAD ENABLED PAUL AND HAD PUT HIM IN THE MINISTRY, WHICH IN THE GREEK ORIGINAL LANGUAGE MEANT JESUS HAD PUT PAUL INTO SERVICE.

HIS PAST, WHILE HORRIBLE, DID NOT DISQUALIFY HIM FROM SERVICE TO GOD.

THAT IS A FINE MESSAGE OF TRUTH TO ANY & ALL.

WE ARE ALL SINNERS WHO HAVE BEEN AFFORDED GRACE.

SO IF AT ANY TIME TIMOTHY FELT UNWORTHY TO SERVE, PAUL HIMSELF WAS FAR MORE UNWORTHY.

IT WAS NOT PAUL'S IGNORANCE THAT SAVED HIM BUT THE GRACE OF GOD ONLY.

IN VERSE 15 PAUL SUMMARIZES HIS PERSONAL EXPERIENCE IN THE GOSPEL.

“This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”

PAUL REVEALS THAT JESUS CAME NOT TO THOSE LIVING UNDER THE ILLUSION OF THEIR OWN RIGHTEOUSNESS. JESUS SAID IN MARK 2:17 THAT IT IS THE SICK WHO NEED A PHYSICIAN.

PAUL'S CONFESSION SHOWED US THAT WHILE ALL ARE SINNERS, NOT ALL ARE EQUALLY SINFUL.

SPURGEON SAID THAT ALL MEN ARE IN THE MUD AND MIRE BUT SOME HAVE SUNK DEEPER INTO IT THAN OTHERS.

PAUL'S CONFESSION INSPIRED SPURGEON TO PREACH THIS TRUTH.

PAUL EVEN CONFESSED HIS “CHIEF OF SINNERS” STATUS BEFORE KING AGRIPPA IN ACTS 26:11 :

“And I punished them often in every synagogue and compelled them to blaspheme; and being exceedingly enraged against them, I persecuted them even to foreign cities.”

SPURGEON SAID THAT NO MAN CAN NOW SAY HE IS TOO GREAT A SINNER TO BE SAVED BECAUSE THE CHIEF OF ALL SINNERS WAS SAVED 1800 YEARS BEFORE.

IN VERSE 16 PAUL THEN REMINDS TIMOTHY THAT HE WAS USED BY JESUS AS A PATTERN FOR THOSE WHO WILL BELIEVE.

IF GRACE CAN BE EXTENDED TO ONE SUCH AS PAUL, ALL OTHERS SHOULD KNOW THAT GRACE IS SURELY EASIER FOR THEM TO RECEIVE BECAUSE ALL ARE LESS SINFUL THAT HE WAS.

IN VERSE 17 PAUL SHOWS HIS PRAISE FOR GOD WHO HAD SAVED HIM.

HE SAYS HONOR & GLORY BE EXTENDED TO GOD FOREVER BECAUSE HE ALONE IS KING ETERNAL, IMMORTAL, INVISIBLE, AND HE ALONE IS WISE.

HE IS TEACHING TIMOTHY HERE THAT THIS GREAT GOD IS WORTHY OF TIMOTHY'S SERVICE AND HE WILL EMPOWER TIMOTHY TO SUCCEED THERE IF TIMOTHY REMAINS THERE IN FAITH.

IN VERSE 18 PAUL CHARGES TIMOTHY TO FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT, AND NOT TO GIVE UP.

THIS WORD “CHARGE” IS A MILITARY TERM MEANING AN ORDER FROM A SENIOR OFFICER.

BUT HE REMINDS TIMOTHY AGAIN THAT HE IS HIS OWN SPIRITUAL SON.

IN THIS VERSE AND VERSE 19 PAUL REMINDS TIMOTHY THAT THE PROPHETS ARE STILL IMPORTANT AND THAT TIMOTHY SHOULD WAGE THE GOOD WARFARE BY THEM.

IN VERSE 19 HE REMINDS TIMOTHY THAT THE WEAPONS OF THAT WAR ARE FAITH AND A GOOD CONSCIENCE.

TIMOTHY HAD TO HAVE THE FAITH THAT GOD WAS IN FULL CONTROL AND WOULD GUIDE HIM IN THE WAY HE INTENDED TIMOTHY TO GO.

NOW TO CLOSE HIS INITIAL THOUGHTS, PAUL PROVIDES TWO NAMES TO TIMOTHY WHO HAVE REJECTED THE TOOLS OF THIS WARFARE, HYMENAEUS & ALEXANDER.

PAUL HAD APPARENTLY DISCIPLINED BOTH FOR THEIR DISOBEDIENCE TO GOD IN HERESY AS BLASPHEMERS.

PAUL FURTHER REVEALS THAT HIS DISCIPLINE WAS NOT PUNISHMENT ENOUGH AND HE HAS THEREFORE DELIVERED THEM UNTO SATAN.

IN THIS FIRST LETTER WE ARE NOT GRANTED SPECIFICS AS TO THE SIN OF THESE MEN BUT IF WE LOOK AT THE NEXT LETTER TO TIMOTHY (2ND TIMOTHY 2:17-18) WE SEE THE CLEAR REASON ONE WAS REMOVED:

“And their word will eat as doth a canker: of whom is Hymeneaus, Who concerning the truth have erred, saying that the resurrection is past already, and overthrow the faith of some.”

AND IN 2ND TIMOTHY 4:14 WE SEE THE REASON THE OTHER WAS REMOVED:

“Alexander the coppersmith did me much evil: the Lord reward him according to his works.”

THEY WERE PUT OUT OF THE CHURCH, AND TURNED OVER TO THE EVIL ONE OF THE WORLD WHICH SEEMED TO BE THE PLACE THEY DESERVED HAVING REJECTED THE GOSPEL.

SO THE MAIN MESSAGE IS FOR US TO UNDERSTAND JUST AS PAUL WANTED TIMOTHY TO UNDERSTAND.

WHEN THINGS GET DIFFICULT WE ARE TO REMAIN THE THE FIGHT AND NOT TO WAVER AND TO BELIEVE THAT GOD IS IN FULL CONTROL OF ALL THINGS AND WILL CARRY US ONWARD.

PAUL GIVES TIMOTHY SIX DIFFERENT REASONS HE SHOULD STAY IN EPHESUS AND CONTINUE THE WORK OF THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST:

• BECAUSE THE PEOPLE THERE NEED THE TRUTH (3-7)

• BECAUSE YOU MINISTER IN A HARD PLACE (8-11)

• BECAUSE GOD USES UNWORTHY PEOPLE (12-16)

• BECAUSE YOU SERVE A GREAT GOD (17)

• BECAUSE YOU ARE IN A BATTLE AND SHOULD NEVER

• SURRENDER (18)

• BECAUSE NOT EVERYONE REMAINS IN FAITH AND 

• VICTORY IS GIVEN TO THOSE WHO DO (19-20)

First Timothy - Chapter 3 Summary

FAITHFUL BEHAVIOR

1ST TIMOTHY 3:1-16

Application: 

The student will understand the importance of choosing scripturally qualified leaders in the Lord's churches.

PASTOR & DEACON ARE THE TWO SCRIPTURAL OFFICES IN A NEW TESTAMENT CHURCH.

PAUL IN HIS LETTER TO TIMOTHY TO INSTRUCT HIM HOW TO BEST ARRANGE THESE OFFICES AT THE CHURCH IN EPHESUS HAS PROVIDED THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR BOTH OFFICES.

IT IS IMPORTANT THAT BOTH OF THESE OFFICES ARE CONSIDERED WORKS AND ARE NOT TO BE CONSIDERED A POSITION OF SPECIAL HONOR GRANTED BY PERSONALITY.

OUR STUDY BOOK IS VERY CLEAR IN ADVISING THAT NO MAN SHOULD BE ORDAINED TO EITHER OFFICE AS A WAY OF HONORING HIM.

BOTH OFFICES ARE TO BE CONSIDERED AS OFFICES OF SERVICE, FIRST TO GOD AND THEN TO THE CONGREGATION OF THE ASSEMBLY.

JESUS HIMSELF TAUGHT IN MATTHEW 20:25-27 THAT THE CHURCH SHOULD NOT OPERATE ACCORDING TO THE RULES OF THE WORLD.

SO IF A MAN FEELS HE IS CALLED TO PREACH THE WORD, HE IS DESIRING TO BE IN A POSITION OF GOOD WORK.

WE SAW LAST WEEK IN THE PREVIOUS LESSON THAT PAUL WROTE STRONG RESTRAINTS UPON THE PROPER POSITION OF WOMEN IN THE CHURCH.

JUST AS HE WROTE THAT WOMEN ARE NOT TO HOLD POSITIONS OF AUTHORITY WITHIN THE CHURCH, HE ALSO IS NOW WRITING THAT NOT JUST ANY MAN CAN HOLD THESE TWO OFFICES, SIMPLY BECAUSE HE HAPPENS TO BE A MAN. 

THERE ARE IMPORTANT QUALIFICATIONS TO HOLD THESE TWO OFFICES AND THIS IS THE REASON FOR THIS PORTION OF PAUL'S WRITING.

PAUL USES FIRST THE WORD “BISHOP” TO DESCRIBE WHAT WE NOW REFER TO AS “PASTOR”. 

THIS WORD ACTUALLY MEANS “OVER WATCHER” OR IN MORE MODERN USAGE “OVERSEER”.

SOME DENOMINATIONS REFER TO THIS POSITION AS “ELDER” OR EVEN “SHEPHERD” AS SEEN IN ACTS 20.

WE NOTICE THAT HERE IN THIS LETTER PAUL DOES NOT GRANT US INSTRUCTION AS TO HOW THESE TWO OFFICES ARE SUPPOSED TO INTERACT WITH EACH OTHER.

BY HIS NOT WRITING ON SUCH MATTERS HERE, MUCH FLEXIBILITY IS ALLOWED IN ACTUAL ORGANIZATION WITHIN A CHURCH.

THE MAIN THOUGHT HERE BY PAUL IS THAT ONE WHO SEEKS TO BECOME A PASTOR, SEEKS THIS WORK WHICH IS GOOD & NOBLE & HONORABLE.

THEREFORE TIMOTHY SHOULD SEEK ONLY GOOD & NOBLE & HONORABLE MEN TO BE PLACED TO ACCOMPLISH THE WORK NEEDED.

JOHN CALVIN SAID THAT THIS IS NO LIGHT MATTER FOR THIS PERSON REPRESENTS GOD'S SON IN THE GREAT TASK OF ERECTING & EXTENDING GOD'S KINGDOM HERE ON EARTH.

THERE ARE SPECIFIC & CLEAR QUALIFICATIONS FOR THIS WORK.

GOD NEVER TELLS HIS CHURCHES TO GO AND FIND THE MOST GIFTED MAN FOR THIS POSITION BUT RATHER TEACHES US IN 1ST COR 12:11 THAT THE GIFTS ARE GIVEN BY GOD THROUGH HIS HOLY SPIRIT TO THIS SPECIAL PERSON.

THIS IS A WORK OF SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP.

IS IT NOT NECESSARILY REQUIRED FOR A MAN TO HAVE SEMINARY TRAINING.

BEING A NATURALLY GOOD TALKER DOES NOT QUALIFY A MAN.

INITIAL ENTHUSIASM DOES NOT QUALIFY ONE FOR SPIRITUAL LEADERSHIP.

WHAT QUALIFIES A MAN FOR THIS WORK IS GODLY CHARACTER.

THIS CHARACTER MUST BE THE INITIAL QUALIFICATION AND THEN VERY SPECIFIC ITEMS ARE ADDED BY PAUL AS FURTHER QUALIFICATIONS.

THESE LATER QUALIFICATIONS ARE NOT OPTIONAL.

PAUL TELLS US THE MAN WHO BECOMES A PASTOR MUST BE:

BLAMELESS HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE

TEMPERATE SOBER-MINDED

OF GOOD BEHAVIOR

HOSPITABLE ABLE TO TEACH

NOT GIVEN TO WINE

NOT VIOLENT NOT GREEDY

GENTLE NOT QUARRELSOME

NOT COVETOUS RULING OF HIS OWN HOUSE WELL

HAVING HIS OWN CHILDREN IN SUBMISSION & REVERENT

NOT A NOVICE

• BEING OF GOOD TESTIMONY LEST HE FALL INTO REPROACH
  
  ALMOST ALL OF THESE QUALIFICATIONS ARE CLEAR & SELF EVIDENT, EASY TO UNDERSTAND.

THE PHRASE “HUSBAND OF ONE WIFE” IS POSSIBLY A PHRASE THAT IS SUBJECT TO SOME OPINION.

IT DOES NOT MEAN THAT HE MUST BE MARRIED. IF THAT WERE SO, THEN JESUS WOULD NOT QUALIFY, AND SOME SAY NEITHER WOULD PAUL HIMSELF.

IN OUR CHURCH HERE, THIS IS UNDERSTOOD TO MEAN HE COULD BE A WIDOWER, OR EVEN HAVE BEEN DIVORCED, AS LONG AS HE IS NOT OR DOES NOT REMARRY.

IN RECENT TIMES THERE ARE SOME CHURCHES THAT SAY THAT THIS QUALIFICATION MEANS THAT HE CAN HAVE BEEN DIVORCED AND REMARRIED, AS LONG AS HIS LOVE AND AFFECTION IS ONLY GIVEN TO ONE WOMAN, WHICH WOULD BE HIS LAWFUL WEDDED WIFE.

MT. VERNON DOES NOT SUBSCRIBE TO THIS POINT OF VIEW.

AS WE ALL KNOW THERE WAS GREAT ARGUMENT ON THIS MATTER SEVERAL YEARS AGO AT 1ST BAPTIST ATLANTA WHEN THE DIVORCE OF CHARLES STANLEY WAS FINAL IN 2000.

THIS MATTER ACTUALLY BROUGHT SUCH DISCORD THAT ANDY STANLEY WROTE THAT HE SAW A DEACON STRIKE HIS FATHER OVER THE ISSUE.

THE MATTER WAS DECIDED IN A FULL CHURCH VOTE AND BY A MAJORITY THE RESIGNATION OF CHARLES STANLEY WAS NOT REQUESTED.

SO THE ISSUE IS COMPLEX PERHAPS AND IS INTERPRETED IN DIFFERENT WAYS BY DIFFERENT BAPTIST CHURCHES.

THE ORIGIN OF THE MATTER IN LEGAL TERMS STRETCHES ALL THE WAY BACK TO LEVITICUS 21:13 WHEN GOD COMMANDED THAT A SPIRITUAL LEADER, A HIGH PRIEST, MUST HAVE ONLY ONE WIFE AND SHE MUST BE A VIRGIN, AND CANNOT BE A WIDOW OR DIVORCED WOMAN.

ONE OF THE INTERESTING IDEAS ON THIS MATTER OF DIVORCE AMONG OUR SPIRITUAL LEADERS IS THAT THE HEAVENLY FATHER ADMITTED HE HIMSELF IS DIVORCED.

THE CHOSEN PEOPLE WERE & ARE GOD'S BRIDE. 

AFTER JESUS CAME, GENTILES ALSO ARE ALLOWED TO BE  MEMBERS OF THE BRIDE OF CHRIST AFTER SALVATION.

WHEN ISRAEL SINNED SO TERRIBLY, GOD TOLD THEM THROUGH HIS HOLY PROPHET JEREMIAH THAT HE HAS DIVORCED THEM USING THAT EXACT LANGUAGE IN JEREMIAH 3:8.

AS WE KNOW, THERE WAS LARGE COMPLICATIONS WHEN BILLY GRAHAM'S DAUGHTER, ANNE GRAHAM LOTZ, WAS ORDAINED TO PREACH.

IN OUR OWN COMMUNITY AT LEAST ONE WOMAN ORDAINED TO PREACH HAS RECENTLY DONE SO AT 1ST BAPTIST GAINESVILLE.

NEXT PAUL ENTERS HIS INSTRUCTIONS INTO HIS LETTER TO TIMOTHY CONCERNING THE QUALIFICATIONS FOR THE WORK OF DEACON.

DEACONS ARE THE PRACTICAL SERVANTS OF THE CHURCH.

THESE WERE CREATED IN THE BOOK OF ACTS TO RELIEVE THE PASTORS FROM EVERYDAY CONCERNS AND TO FREE THE PASTORS UP TO PREACH & TEACH.

WE SEE THIS LESSON IN ACTS 6.

THE QUALIFICATIONS ARE VERY SIMILAR TO THOSE OF PASTOR.

PAUL EVEN USES THE WORD “LIKEWISE” TO DESCRIBE THIS WORK AND THOSE WHO UNDERTAKE IT TO SHOW THEY MUST BE LIKEWISE TO THE GODLY CHARACTERISTICS OF THE PASTOR.

THIS WORK IS NOT TO BE THOUGHT OF AS LOWER WORK BUT IS TO BE CONSIDERED AS DIFFERENT WORK, WITH SLIGHTLY DIFFERENT CALLING.

THEY ARE TO BE:

REVERENT NOT DOUBLE TONGUED

NOT GIVEN TO MUCH WINE (PASTORS TO NONE)

NOT GREEDY

HOLDING THE MYSTERY OF FAITH WITH A PURE CONSCIENCE

BEING FOUND BLAMELESS

HAVING REVERENT WIVES

NOT BEING OF SLANDER

TEMPERATE FAITHFUL

HUSBANDS OF ONE WIFE

LEADING HOMES AND CHILDREN WELL

WE SEE IN VERSE 13 THAT THERE IS A PROMISE FOR DEACONS.

GOD REMEMBERS THEIR FAITHFUL SERVICE, EVEN IN MENIAL TASKS WHICH WILL BRING GREAT REWARDS IN THE KINGDOM TO COME.

IN VERSES 14-15 PAUL ASSURES TIMOTHY THAT WHILE HE HIMSELF HAD INTENDED TO COME TO HIM SOON, HE IS DELAYED.

SO HE WRITES THAT TIMOTHY MAY UNDERSTAND SOME THINGS NOW.

HE IS TELLING TIMOTHY HOW HE SHOULD HIMSELF ACT IN THE CHURCH.

THE CHURCH IS WHERE GOD IS.

IT IS GOD'S HOUSE BECAUSE:

• HE IS THE ARCHITECT

• HE IS THE BUILDER

• HE LIVES WITHIN IT IN HIS SPIRIT

• HE PROVIDES FOR IT

• HE IS HONORED THERE AND RULES THERE.

IT IS A PILLAR AND GROUND OF TRUTH.

THE CHURCH HOLDS UP TRUTH FOR THE WORLD TO SEE IT.

THE CHURCH'S BOLDNESS FOR GOD'S TRUTH IS WHAT UPHOLDS THE GOSPEL IN A DARKER WORLD.

SO TIMOTHY SHOULD UNDERSTAND THESE MATTERS AND WELL SERVE THE LORD AS HE ADMINISTERS THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS.

AND IN VERSE 16 PAUL EXPLAINS HOW GREAT IS THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS SO THAT TIMOTHY SHOULD HAVE THESE THOUGHTS ALWAYS IN FRONT OF HIS MIND.

• GOD WAS MANIFESTED IN THE LIKENESS OF OUR FLESH

• HIS SPIRIT JUSTIFIES US

• HE WAS SEEN BY ANGELS

• HE PREACHED AMONG THE GENTILES

• HE IS BELIEVED ON IN THE WORLD

• AND WAS RECEIVED UP IN GLORY.

JESUS IS THE PERFECT FULFILLMENT OF ALL THE QUALIFICATIONS PAUL PROVIDED FOR PASTOR AND DEACON AND THE RELATIONSHIP WITH HIM IN THOSE WORKS ARE BEING CONFORMED TO HIS IMAGE.

First Timothy - Chapter 5 Summary

FAITHFUL INTERACTION

1ST TIMOTHY 5:1-25

Application: The student will learn how to interact scripturally with all people who are a part of his church.

PAUL IS WRITING TO HIS SPIRITUAL SON, TIMOTHY, THE BISHOP OF THE CHURCH AT EPHESUS.

PAUL IS STRONGLY FAMILIAR WITH THIS CHURCH AS WE ARE TAUGHT IN ACTS 20 WHEN HE ASKS THE ELDERS OF THIS CHURCH TO MEET WITH HIM ONE LAST TIME.

SO KNOWING THE CHURCH LEADERS AND KNOWING TIMOTHY SO WELL, PAUL SEEKS TO HELP TIMOTHY TO UNDERSTAND HOW TO BEST GET ALONG WITH ALL GROUPS HE WILL BE SEEING AND WORKING WITH AS HE PASTORS THE CHURCH.

OUR STUDY BOOK TODAY IS VERY FOCUSED UPON OUR NOT IGNORING ANY OF GOD'S WORD, EVEN IF WE FIND OURSELVES IN DIFFICULTY FOLLOWING. 

OUR PREFERENCES ARE NOT DOCTRINE BUT ARE OPINIONS ONLY.

THEY MAY BE STRONGLY HELD OPINIONS BUT THEY MUST ALWAYS BE SECONDARY TO TRUE SCRIPTURAL COMMANDS WHICH ALWAYS TEACH US BEST.

OUR FIRST SECTION IN VERSES 1 & 2 TEACH US HOW TO GET ALONG WITH OUR CHURCH FAMILY.

OUR FIRST COMMAND IS A NEGATIVE ONE.

WE ARE NOT TO REBUKE AN ELDER MAN, RATHER WE ARE TO TREAT HIM AS A FATHER. 

THE GREEK WORDS HERE MEAN WE ARE NOT TO STRIKE OUT AS IN VERBAL CONFRONTATION IN THE CONGREGATION. WE ARE TO HANDLE SUCH MATTERS QUIETLY & IN PRIVATE.

NEXT WE ARE TO TREAT YOUNGER MEN AS BROTHERS. THE SPECIAL BOND OF BROTHERS IN BLOOD SHOULD TRANSLATE INTO OUR NEW BROTHERS IN CHRIST.

OLDER WOMEN ARE TO BE TREATED WITH RESPECT AND AS WE WOULD TREAT OUR OWN MOTHERS. MOTHERS NORMALLY HAVE A SPECIAL PLACE IN OUR HEART SO WE SHOULD ACT THE SAME WAY TOWARD OUR MOTHER-LADIES IN CHRIST.

YOUNGER WOMEN ARE TO BE TREATED AS SISTERS. OUR BEHAVIOR TOWARD THEM IS TO BE FROM LOVE AND REVERENCE BUT MOST OF ALL IN PROTECTION OF THEM, JUST AS WE WOULD A BLOOD SISTER.

THESE INSTRUCTIONS ON CHURCH BEHAVIOR WILL BE CONSIDERED AS GODLY AND WILL BRING HARMONY TO OUR CHURCH FAMILY.

BOTH MOSES AND SOLOMON WROTE ABOUT THESE MATTERS LONG BEFORE PAUL AND WERE EVEN MORE CAREFUL IN THEIR INSTRUCTIONS.

LEVITICUS 19:32 :

“You shall rise before the grey headed and honor the presence of an old man, and fear your God: I am the Lord.”

PROVERBS 16:31 :

“The silver haired head is a crown of glory, if it is found in the way of righteousness.”

WE NOTICE HERE THAT PAUL DOES NOT INSTRUCT TIMOTHY NOT TO REBUKE AN ELDER. HE JUST SAYS TO DO IT PRIVATELY.

WE WILL LEARN IN OUR NEXT CHAPTER THAT PAUL DOES INSTRUCT TIMES WHEN IT IS NECESSARY TO REBUKE AN ELDER HARSHLY AND IN PUBLIC.

PREACHER SPURGEON TAUGHT THAT WE ARE TO WELCOME POSITIVE FEEDBACK NO MATTER OUR CHURCH POSITION AND TO WELCOME CONSTRUCTIVE CRITICISM AS A BLESSING AND BE GRATEFUL FOR IT AS WE GROW SPIRITUALLY FROM IT.

VERSES 3-8 ALLOW US PAUL'S TEACHING ON HOW TO GET ALONG WITH THOSE IN NEED.

WIDOWS ARE TO BE HONORED. HERE IN THESE DAYS, WIDOWS WERE NORMALLY CARED FOR BY THEIR OWN CHILDREN, BUT SOME WIDOWS HAD NO CHILDREN AND WERE TRULY ALONE.

THESE NEEDED SPECIAL CARE & ATTENTION.

OUR GREEK WORD HERE IS LITERALLY TRANSLATED AS “SUSTAIN”.

WHEN THEY ARE CARED FOR AND SUSTAINED BY THE CHURCH, THEY ARE TO ACT IN GODLY WAYS, THANKFUL & REVERENT TO GOD FOR HIS ASSISTANCE THROUGH HIS CHURCH.

A WIDOW UNDER SIXTY IS A SPECIAL CASE IN THAT IT IS POSSIBLE SHE MAY REMARRY SO CARE MUST BE USED IN HANDLING HER CASE.

IN VERSES 11-16 PAUL INSTRUCTS ON HOW TO INTERACT AND HELP YOUNGER WIDOWS.

THE CONCERN SEEMS TO BE NOT TO ALLOW THEM TO BECOME FULL TIME CHARITY CASES AND CERTAINLY NOT TO ALLOW THOSE WHO ARE NOT GODLY TO BECOME BURDENS ON THE CHURCH.

IT FURTHER SEEMS THAT THESE MAY BE SUBJECT TO REMARRIAGE AND FORMING NEW FAMILIES. BUT IN THEIR SEARCH FOR A NEW HUSBAND THEY ARE NOT TO ACT IN A WANTON WAY.

IN VERSES 17-18 PAUL INSTRUCTS ON THE CARE OF ELDERS.

THEY ARE TO BE HONORED ACCORDING TO SCRIPTURAL PRINCIPLES.

IF THEY ARE ABLE TO WORK WITHIN THE CHURCH, THEY ARE TO BE SUPPORTED AND GIVEN THE WORK AND AS A RESULT WILL RECEIVE DOUBLE HONOR. 

PAUL HERE IS USING BOTH DEUT 25:4 & LUKE 10:7 AS EVIDENCE.

IN VERSES 19-20  PAUL LEADS US INTO HOW TO HANDLE AN ELDER ACCUSED OF SIN.

THE ACCUSATION MUST BE RECEIVED BY TWO OR THREE WITNESSES.

IN THIS CASE, REBUKE IS REQUIRED BY THE CHURCH SO THAT EVERY MEMBER KNOWS THE MATTER HAS BEEN ADDRESSED,

AGAIN HERE WE COULD TAKE A SUGGESTION FROM PREACHER SPURGEON WHO TAUGHT THAT WHEN GOSSIP IS REPORTED TO A PASTOR, HE IS TO SAY, MY MEMORY IS NOT SO GOOD AND I WANT TO INVESTIGATE SO PLEASE WRITE IT DOWN FOR ME TO HELP ME REMEMBER.

9 TIMES OUT OF 10 THEY WILL WALK AWAY, NOT BEING WILLING TO COMMIT GOSSIP TO WRITING.

IN THE FIRST 1,000 YEARS OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH, ACCUSATIONS AGAINST THE PASTOR HIMSELF REQUIRED 72 WITNESSES TO TESTIFY.

IN VERSE 21 PAUL WARNS AGAINST SHOWING PREJUDICE OR PARTIALITY.

THE WARNING IS MOST SERIOUS.

HE CHARGES TIMOTHY BEFORE GOD AND THE LORD JESUS AND THE ELECT ANGELS.

THESE ARE THE ANGELS WE MEET IN JUDE 6 THAT JUDE TEACHES DID NOT SIN.

PAUL ALSO GIVES THIS SAME WARNING IN GALATIANS 3:26-29 WHEN HE SAYS PARTIALITY ACCORDING TO RACE OR GENDER IS A SIN.

IN VERSE 22 PAUL WARNS NOT TO QUICKLY APPROVE ANY MAN INTO THE MINISTRY.

HE SAYS DO NOT LAY HANDS ON HASTILY.

TAKE TIME TO ASSURE HE IS OF PROPER & GODLY CHARACTER.

TIMOTHY SHOULD  ALSO TAKE CARE TO KEEP HIMSELF PURE SO THAT HIS EXAMPLE SHOULD LIGHT THE WAY FOR OTHERS WHO MAY BE CALLED INTO THE MINISTRY.

HE IS NOT JUST TO HEAR THE COMMANDS BUT ALSO TO LIVE THEM.

HE IS NOT TO SHARE IN OTHER PEOPLE'S SINS.

PAUL SEEMS TO BE TEACHING THAT EACH OF US HAS ENOUGH SIN OF OUR OWN, AND WE DO NOT NEED MORE SIN BY JOINING THOSE OF OTHERS.

THERE ARE SEVERAL WAYS WE COULD FIND OURSELVES IN THIS SITUATION:

• WE SET A BAD EXAMPLE AND OTHERS FOLLOW IT.

• WE CAN APPROVE OR IGNORE OTHERS WHO ARE SINNING.

• WE CAN REMAIN IN A CHURCH THAT TEACHES FALSELY

• ON DOCTRINE THAT IS NOT SCRIPTURALLY PROPER

NOW IN VERSE 23 PAUL STRETCHES HIS TEACHING TO PROVIDE MEDICAL  ADVICE TO TIMOTHY.

• USE A LITTLE WINE FOR YOUR STOMACH'S SAKE.

HERE IS A VERY INTERESTING SUGGESTION THAT MAY SEEM NOT TO COMPLY WITH 1ST TIMOTHY 3:3.

BUT HERE PAUL IS WARNING HIM ACTUALLY ABOUT CONTINUAL WATER CONSUMPTION BECAUSE THERE WERE PLACES WHERE THE WATER WAS IMPURE AND HAD BACTERIA CAUSING MUCH SICKNESS.

NOTICE THE ADVICE IS “A LITTLE WINE”. 

IN THOSE DAYS CHURCH MEALS NORMALLY WERE SERVED WITH 20 PARTS WATER TO ONE PART WINE AS THE FERMENTED PORTION WOULD OVERCOME THE BACTERIA CAUSING ILLNESS.

PAUL IS SIMPLY TELLING TIMOTHY TO CARE FOR HIS BODY SO THAT HE CAN BETTER SERVE THE LORD.

WE SEE HERE ALSO THAT TIMOTHY HAD MANY INFIRMITIES AND PAUL WANTED HIM TO BE CAREFUL TO CARE FOR HIMSELF.

WE REMEMBER THAT WE LEARNED IN ACTS 19 THAT  PAUL HAD HEALING POWERS WHERE EVEN A TOUCH FROM HIS HANDKERCHIEF WOULD HEAL.

CLEARLY HE HAS NOT CHOSEN TO USE THIS POWER WHEN THE LETTER WAS WRITTEN FOR IF HE HAD HE WOULD HAVE SENT TIMOTHY A CLOTH TO HEAL HIM ALONG WITH THIS LETTER.

OR IT MAY BE POSSIBLE THAT PAUL ( WHO HAD HIS OWN THORN IN HIS FLESH THAT JESUS REFUSED TO REMOVE) THOUGHT THAT THESE INFIRMITIES IN TIMOTHY WERE SIMILAR & GIVEN BY THE LORD & THEREFORE NOT WITHIN PAUL'S POWER TO HEAL.

IN VERSES 24-25 WE SEE PAUL TEACHING OF THE DIFFICULTY OF LOOKING AT A MAN'S SIN AND HIS GOOD WORKS.

SOME MENS' SINS ARE CLEARLY EVIDENT AND YET THERE ARE SOME WHICH ARE WELL HIDDEN.

GOOD WORKS ARE EVIDENT AND ARE SEEN BY THOSE TO WHOM THE GOOD WORK IS DONE.

GOD'S HOLY SPIRIT IS CONTINUALLY WORKING WITHIN US TO HAVE CONVICTION OF SIN, HAVE IT CONFESSED, AND THEREBY FORGIVEN.

SOME WHO ARE LOOKED UPON AS HOLY ARE JUST BETTER AT HIDING SIN.

SUCH ADVICE PERTAINS IN PARTICULAR TO CHOOSING SPIRITUAL LEADERS BY TIMOTHY. 

THIS IS WHY SUCH CARE BE TAKEN AND THE CHOICES MADE OVER TIME BECAUSE TIME WILL PROVIDE A GOOD REPORT.

IN THIS HIGH HOLY TIME OF EASTER AND IN THESE DAYS OF SUCH DIVISION & DISCORD WITHIN OUR OWN NATION, IT MAKES GOOD SENSE TO REMEMBER THAT THERE STILL IS ONE TRUTH THAT OVERCOMES ALL FOR US.

THAT TRUTH IS GIVEN AS A REMINDER BY PAUL TO TIMOTHY IN OUR NEXT CHAPTER  (6:13-16) AND LET'S CLOSE WITH THOSE WORDS FROM OUR DAILY DEVOTIONAL FOR TOMORROW.

Second Timothy - Chapter 1

THEME: AFFLICTIONS OF THE GOSPEL

It is accepted that Paul wrote the second letter to Timothy in 67 A.D., the same year he was arrested again by Rome. The theme and tone of this second letter are arranged by two verses:

2nd Timothy 2:15:

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

2nd Timothy 4:2:

“Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine.”

What brings significance to this second letter is that it was the final communication of Paul. Because this was his last letter, Paul was very personal in it. In these four short chapters, there are 25 references to individuals. In this small book is seen a dark cloud coming over the spiritual horizon, apostasy. This renouncing of faith is not due to ignorance. It is heresy. It is a deliberate departure from the faith by those who know the truths of the gospel but have repudiated them.

Because of apostasy, Paul emphasizes the Word of God here more than in any other letter. The gospel rests upon a major fact which is that man is a depraved creature by natural birth, a lost sinner, unable on his own to overcome that lostness.

Man cannot be saved by perfect obedience for he cannot give it. Neither can he be saved by imperfect obedience, because God will not have it.

Therefore, the only solution is the gospel of the grace of God which reaches down and saves the sinner on the basis of the death and resurrection of Christ, the Messiah sent to bring the lost into the Kingdom. The true gospel brings all saved into the body of Christ as brothers and sisters in Christ. Paul knew and taught that God creates out of nothing. Until a man is broken into spiritual nothingness, God can make nothing of him. This is the point of this second letter and is why it is so important for our study.

1:1-4

Paul introduces himself once more by saying he is the apostle of Jesus Christ, according to the promise of eternal life. That life is implemented in us when we believe in Jesus as our Savior after we have been drawn to the Lord by the Holy Spirit. This is a gift, not earned nor deserved. He directs this letter to Timothy, his dearly beloved spiritual son, with mercy and peace from the Lord.

God is thanked for His allowing Paul to serve and Paul indicates his prayers are constant for the young pastor. Paul longs to see Timothy and knows that Timothy has tears for Paul after his arrest. Paul wishes to see Timothy so that he himself may be joyful.

1:5-6

Paul comments on the purity of the faith of Timothy which has been placed within Timothy by both his mother and grandmother. While Paul came out of Judaism to serve the Lord, Timothy was raised in a Christian home. We recall that Timothy’s father was Greek and we have no scripture teaching us whether the father was a follower of the Lord. Paul had made Timothy a partner in Christ by laying on him his own hands. Paul reminds Timothy to stir up his gift meaning he is to be strong in extending the gospel in Ephesus, a city of much idolatry.

1:7

Paul further reminds Timothy that this gift from God is not one of fear, but of power, love, and a strong mind. This particular word used for fear actually means “cowardice”. Timothy is to not retreat in the spiritual battle for souls.

1:8

Timothy is not to be ashamed of the testimony he has nor be ashamed of Paul himself who is the prisoner of God. Timothy is instructed to share the affliction of the gospel using the power God has extended.

1:9-11

A reminder appears to refresh the memory of Timothy that the calling of God is holy and not of works. It is only from the purpose of God in grace to accomplish His will and was prepared for us in Christ before the world began. We see in Revelation the vision of John is of a lamb slain before the foundation of the world. Here Paul previews that vision that will be written thirty years later. Paul again writes of the light and immortality of Jesus arranged for us to see in our Savior through the gospel message. Once more, Paul states his true purpose which is to teach the gentiles.

1:12

For that cause just stated, Paul now suffers but is not ashamed himself because he knows that Jesus is able to keep Paul’s life as a deposit of his faith in Christ until the day of judgment. All we are and all we have in the Christian life is held in His holy hands.

1:13-14

Timothy is told to hold fast the words Paul has taught him in the faith and love of Christ Jesus. What has been given by Paul to Timothy is a good thing and is sustained within Timothy by the Holy Ghost. 

1:15-18

Certain men have turned away from Paul and others have remained in faith with Paul not forsaking him, but seeking him out even as Paul was in chains. Those who abandoned Paul are named and are examples of the apostasy warned earlier by Paul. They knew the faith and the truth and left it.

Second Timothy - Chapter 2

THEME: BE ACTIVE IN SERVICE

The second chapter of Timothy is a delight. In these verses there are seven figures of speech that are used to describe the duty and activity of a believer. These need to be impressed more upon us as we draw nearer to the end of our individual time or perhaps the end of earth time for all believers.

These seven are: son, soldier, athlete, farmer, workman, vessel, and servant.

2:1

Paul asks Timothy, as a son, to be strong in the grace of Christ Jesus. Paul gives no rules and the Word of God is not based upon rules. It is based upon grace and that factor alone should provide our strength. Those who seem to worship rules among us are not fully informed on grace. Notice that Paul does not fail to remind Timothy that grace needed is IN Christ, not in ourselves.

2:2

Timothy is to take the lessons given to him by Paul and to render them onward to the faithful who then are able to teach others.

2:3-4

The Christian is a soldier by design. We are fighters of spiritual warfare on a daily and sometimes on a minute by minute basis. Paul devotes an entire chapter in Ephesians to the weapons available to the believer to defend the faith (Eph 6). Man should not be entangled too much with the affairs of everyday life but rather use his strength to war for the Lord. We are to recognize exactly what we are after conversion and accept the role of soldier for God.

2:5

As man fights the given fight he must strive for mastering the combat, which is never ending, and that striving is lawful and when he prevails a crown awaits him just as a reward awaits the athlete who has trained and then become victorious.

2:6

Similar to verse 5, a believer is a farmer who labors for God in the fields of souls and to do so must first be a partaker of the fruits. This means that after labor there is a harvest just as the dawn comes after the darkness. We are to till the field and sow the seed as a farmer for the Lord. Even those who simply witness once to a lost soul in need are master farmers for God.

2:7-8

If Timothy considers the teaching of Paul the Lord will grant him understanding. A reminder is given to recall that Jesus of Nazareth was of the seed of David and was raised from the dead as the gospel instructs. Timothy, as a strong believer, is very aware that Jesus was raised to sit upon the throne of David eternally just as the gospel brings to our hearts.

2:9-10

Paul was considered an evildoer when he preached the word and was in prison for that specific crime. He assures Timothy that he is enduring these things for the sake of the elect, that salvation should come to them through his efforts.

2:11-13

If and when we die for Christ we rise spiritually to live with Him. If such a choice causes us to suffer, then so be it. We must never deny Him for if we do so, He will deny us. Jesus abides faithful whether we believe or not. We must be genuine for Him with no hypocrisy in us as that was the way of the Pharisees.

2:14

Timothy is told to remember all these things and he is to convey the essential words of the gospel, unlike those who speak striving to subvert those who hear their words.

2:15-16

Timothy is to study and show himself approved unto God, being a workman who is not ashamed as he rightly divides the word of truth. Study will help one make sense of the scriptures and Timothy is told to be diligent in such study so that his teaching of others rightly explains scripture. He is warned not to allow profane and vain babblings into his study as they bring nothing but ungodliness.

2:17-18

Paul again uses the examples he names of those who have become in error of apostasy as they even say the resurrection has already arrived which overthrows the faith of some. He says their words are a canker eating away at the truth.

2:19

The Lord knows who are His and His foundation stands sure as those who reside in the name of Christ are to leave iniquity behind them.

2:20-21

Timothy is challenged to be a vessel and thereby usable by God. Such a vessel must not be concerned with treasures of gold or silver or wood or earth, as vessels made of these things are without honor. An honorable vessel of the Lord is sanctified and ready for the use of the Master, prepared to go forth in good works.

2:22-23

Timothy is to forego youthful lusts but cautioned to follow righteousness, faith, charity (love) and peace as those who follow those are pure of heart. He is to be unconcerned with foolish things, which only bring strife.

2:24-26

Paul says a believer must be like a servant, gentle to all men. We recall that Matthew teaches us that Jesus taught that those who intend to be great in heaven must be a servant here. Paul reminds again that there are serious snares of the devil set for those he can capture at his will. Those who wish to argue about the Word of God as you teach them are not to be disagreed with. When these appear Timothy is simply to keep giving those the true word and the Lord will do the rest, for spiritual increase is always given by God.

Second Timothy - Chapter 3

THEME: THE COMING APOSTASY (REJECTION) AND THE AUTHORITY OF SCRIPTURE

3:1

Paul warns against the apostasy, the rejection of Christ, that will come in the last days. He also gives the medicine needed to act against this heresy, which is the Word of God. 

We must remember the definition of the term “last days” to properly understand this warning. When used in the early church, this term meant the coming of the Messiah bringing His gospel, plus the coming of the Kingdom which meant the millennial Kingdom of 1,000 years, after the second coming of the Lord. Paul had warned the leaders of the church in Ephesus face to face of these facts in Acts 20:29-30. He said perverse speakers would arise within the church there to draw away followers from Christ. Paul says these times would be perilous. These days are still among us today and are as harsh as the moment Paul wrote this letter to Timothy.

3:2-8

To reflect the full value of all of Paul’s warning we can review it best by listing all that he warns against that men will become:

• lovers of their own selves

• covetous

• boasters

• proud

• blasphemers

• disobedient to parents

• unthankful

• unholy

• without natural affection

• trucebreakers

• false accusers

• incontinent

• fierce

• despisers of those that are good

• traitors

• heady

• high minded

• loving pleasure more than God

• having a form of godliness

• denying the power of God

• creepers into houses

• leading captive silly women

• leading women of sin away

• leading away with divers lusts

• ever learning, never knowing truth

• resisting truth

• having corrupt minds

• reprobate concerning faith

Paul even mentions the two Egyptian magicians by name that Pharaoh called in to withstand Moses. Exodus never gave us the names and we would have not known these names except for Paul providing them here. The point of this part of his comments is to clearly show that Satan gives some powers to some evil men.We cannot avoid noticing that included within the list is a clue to how it has its beginning, disobedience to parents. Disobedience toward parents while children will cause disobedience to God when children are adults.

3:9

All of these chosen disorders will be seen by all men as folly as should proceed no further.

3:10-13

In the last days the authority of scripture and the power it brings will be seen. Paul reminds Timothy that he has full knowledge of Paul’s doctrine, manner of life, purpose, long suffering, charity (love), and patience. This reminder is given to persuade Timothy to copy Paul in these matters to avoid all the apostasy listed previously.

Paul lists the afflictions he has endured in several cities which were persecutions toward him from which he was delivered by the Lord. Timothy knew these things as he and his family were residents of the areas Paul notes. Paul leaves no stone unturned here and reminds Timothy that all who seek to live godly lives in Christ shall so suffer. The evil men will not melt away but will continue to oppose the gospel and their attacks will grow worse and worse as they deceive. Here is scriptural warning that things of the world will not get better spiritually but will continue downhill until the rapture is done.

3:14-17

After giving such a long list of awful attitudes which will infest men’s lives in the last days, Paul now provides the medicinal antidote against such matters. That cure is holy scripture. Paul tells Timothy to continue in the scriptures where he has gained knowledge and sustaining faith since childhood. These writings are able to bring wisdom unto salvation through faith in Jesus and His gospel.

Paul defines this medicine clearly. All scripture has been given by inspiration of God. It is God breathing out His holy desire for those who seek Him.

Here “all” means “all”, not part. We are not allowed to pick and choose from scripture to guide our lives. His word is profitable for doctrine to teach and for conviction as it does so. Scripture corrects as we study and instructs us in its discipline to think and act according to God’s will.

When properly followed, scripture makes one perfect, not meaning sinless but meaning complete. Scripture has been given to refine us toward willingness to God’s ways rather than our own. It arranges the continual bending of our will toward His will as we study it and live by it which is sanctification.

Timothy has been instructed here in a most personal way, taught the Word of God by God’s apostle in order that he become able to declare the Word of God to the church.

Second Timothy - Chapter 4

THEME: INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE LAST DAYS

As we complete our study of Timothy, there is a degree of sadness found in these final verses. Paul brings his instructions for the last days as well as granting wisdom in what are likely his last written words. There is a feeling of loneliness as he resides in a Roman prison with his execution drawing close. He is cold and asks for his cloak to keep him warmer and wants his books so that he may fill his long last hours. There is also a note of victory as he gives Timothy the final charge, which are a last few instructions to his spiritual son.

4:1-2

Here begins a solemn charge to Timothy reminding him that in the appearing of Jesus judgment will be delivered to the quick (saved) and the dead (lost). To prepare Timothy, Paul tells him to proclaim the word constantly, convict with it, rebuke with it, and exhort with it as you preach the doctrine of salvation of the gospel.

4:3-4

Sound doctrine may not be fully believed in the future as men will pursue their own lusts, having itching ears for some other message. As they turn away from the truth of the gospel, their understanding will turn to fables.

4:5

Timothy is reminded not to simply consider himself a preacher of one church (Ephesus) but is to recall that he is also an evangelist just as he had been when he had accompanied Paul on missionary trips.

4:6-8

Here we have Paul’s deathbed testimony. He is ready to leave the world having finished his course and knows there is a crown of righteousness waiting for him above.

4:9-22

In these verses Paul seems to settle some scores. Some people have been good to him and supported him and others he lists by name that opposed him in his work. Paul clearly mentions no man stood with him as he appeared before Nero. Paul laments that he had to stand alone He does note that the Lord was with him and gave him strength and he had been spared originally in trial from the mouth of the lion, meaning from execution at that hearing. He assures the Lord will deliver him from every evil work and will preserve him for the heavenly kingdom.

His last words are comforting to Timothy, saying that the Lord Jesus Christ be with Timothy in spirit and that God’s grace is to be with Timothy, his spiritual son in the faith.

Second Timothy - Chapter 1 Summary

PRECIOUS MEMORIES

2ND TIMOTHY 1:1-18

Application: 

The student will be refreshed in his commitment to stand for the truth as he remembers past spiritual blessings.

1ST TIMOTHY WAS WRITTEN FROM MACEDONIA AROUND 65 a.d. 

2ND TIMOTHY WAS WRITTEN AROUND 68 a.d. AND WAS WRITTEN FROM THE DARKNESS OF A ROMAN DUNGEON.

ONE HALF OF ROME HAD BURNED AND THE EMPORER NERO DECIDED TO BLAME THE FIRE ON THE CHRISTIANS WHO HAD BECOME POLITICALLY ACTIVE AND SOME HAD COME TO ACTUALLY SERVE IN THE ROMAN SENATE.

NERO BROUGHT FORTH A TERRIBLE TIME OF PERSECUTION OF THE CHRISTIANS IN ROME AND THESE ACTUALLY CONTINUED IN ONE FORM OR ANOTHER UNTIL EMPORER CONSTANTINE WAS GRANTED A VISION OF THE CROSS OF CHRIST IN THE SKY BEFORE HIS GREAT BATTLE ALMOST 250 YEARS LATER IN 315 a.d.

HE WON THE BATTLE AND CONVERTED TO CHRISTIANITY AND MADE OUR FAITH THE FAITH OF THE EMPIRE.

PAUL HAD BEEN PLACED UNDER ARREST BY NERO AND CONDEMNED TO DIE BY BEHEADING.

WHILE AWAITING HIS EXECUTION, PAUL FOUND HIMSELF ALONE EXCEPT FOR LUKE WHO REMAINED FAITHFUL TO HIM.

THE STRUCTURE OF THIS 2ND LETTER IS:

CHAPTERS 1-2:

FUNDAMENTALS OF CHRISTIAN CHARACTER & SERVICE, SOUNDNESS OF DOCTRINE & ENDURANCE.

CHAPTER 3:

COMING PERILOUS TIMES & BLOODSHED.

CHAPTER 4:

CLOSING THOUGHTS FOR TIMOTHY AND LAST WORDS OF PAUL TO THE GENTILES.

PAUL HAD HOPED TO CONTINUE HIS MISSIONARY WORK IN SPAIN AS WE SEE FROM HIS NOTE IN ROMANS 15:24.

BUT THE HOLY SPIRIT HAD OTHER PLANS. 

RATHER THAN SEND PAUL TO SPAIN, THE SPIRIT SENT PAUL TO A ROMAN PRISON & HIS DEATH.

PAUL'S STRUGGLE IN THE PRISON WAS INTERNAL.

HE HAD SURVIVED SO MUCH, FLOGGINGS, SHIPWRECKS, STONING, HUNGER & THIRST, ROUGH TIMES OF NO PHYSICAL COMFORT.

HE IS HAUNTED NOW BY THE SHADOW OF HIS PAST HORRIBLE DEEDS OF CAPTURE AND MURDER OF THOSE WHO BELIEVED IN JESUS.

HE WONDERS IF HE HAS YET THE STRENGTH TO FINISH THE FAITH JOURNEY WELL, AND HE KNEW WELL THE HOLY SPIRIT HAD LED HIM TO THIS PLACE AND THIS FATE.

HE HAD BEEN STRONGLY LED BY THE SPIRIT FOR ALL OF HIS SERVICE, ONCE IN ACTS 16:6 BEEN COMMANDED BY THE SPIRIT NOT TO ENTER ASIA MINOR & INSTEAD GO TO MACEDONIA.

HE HAD ALSO DECIDED TO IGNORE THE ELDERS OF EPHESUS WHO TOLD HIM IN ACTS 21 THE HOLY SPIRIT HAD TOLD THEM TO WARN HIM NOT TO GO TO JERUSALEM BECAUSE THE SPIRIT HAD NOT SPOKEN TO HIM IN HIS SERVICE THROUGH OTHERS BUT ONLY DIRECTLY.

VERSE 1 IS A FAIRLY STANDARD GREETING BY PAUL, INTRODUCING HIMSELF AS AN APOSTLE OF JESUS CHRIST BY THE WILL OF GOD.

HE ALSO USES THE TERM “ACCORDING TO THE PROMISE OF LIFE” WHICH BECAUSE OF HIS PRESENT CIRCUMSTANCE NOW MEANT LIFE ETERNAL FOR HIS EARTHLY LIFE WAS SOON TO END AND HE KNEW IT.

IN VERSES 2-5 PAUL FINISHES HIS GREETING AND BEGINS HIS HAPPY REMEMBERANCE.

HE SAYS TIMOTHY IS A BELOVED SON (MEANING A SPRITUAL SON).

HE SENDS HIM HOPES OF GRACE, MERCY, & PEACE.

SPURGEON SAYS THIS VERSE PROVED THAT MINISTERS NEED MORE MERCY THAT OTHERS BECAUSE IF THEY ARE NOT FAITHFUL, THEY WILL BE CONSIDERED GREATER SINNERS AS SOULS WILL BE LOST FOR ETERNITY.

PAUL SAYS HE PRAYS FOR TIMOTHY BOTH NIGHT & DAY.

HE IS MINDFUL OF THE TEARS OF TIMOTHY, THAT HAD BEEN SHED AT THEIR LAST PARTING.

HE IS FILLED WITH JOY WHEN HE BRINGS TO REMEMBERANCE THE GENUINE FAITH THAT TIMOTHY HOLDS AND HE REMINDS TIMOTHY THAT THIS FAITH WAS FIRST SEEN IN TIMOTHY'S MOTHER & GRANDMOTHER, EUNICE & LOIS.

PAUL HAD MET TIMOTHY IN LYSTRA IN BOTH HIS 1ST & 2ND MISSIONARY JOURNEYS.

HE TOOK TIMOTHY WITH HIM AND BEGAN THE TEACHER/STUDENT RELATION WITH HIM THAT LASTED FOR LIFE.

PAUL'S REFERENCE TO THE GENUINE FAITH OF TIMOTHY WAS EVEN DESCRIBED MORE STRONGLY IN THE GREEK AS IT MEANS “FAITH OF NO HYPOCRISY”.    IT WAS REAL, NOT AN ACT OR IN APPEARANCE.

IN VERSES 1-6 PAUL BEGINS TO EXHORT TIMOTHY TO BE BOLD.

HE REMINDS HIM TO STIR UP THE GIFT OF GOD, WHICH HAD ARRIVED UPON TIMOTHY BY THE LAYING ON OF THE HANDS OF PAUL.

HERE IS DEEP & ABIDING LOVE FROM PAUL REMINDING TIMOTHY NOT TO SHRINK FROM EXPRESSING THE GOSPEL STRONGLY.

IN THE TWO LETTERS TO TIMOTHY THERE ARE 25 DIFFERENT PLACES WHERE PAUL ENCOURAGED TIMOTHY TO BE BOLD, NOT TO SHY AWAY, TO STAND UP FOR THE LORD'S MESSAGE.

NOTICE HERE THAT PAUL WAS QUITE SURE THE GIFT OF GOD WAS ALREADY WITHIN TIMOTHY BUT MAY NEED TO BE STIRRED UP TO BRING IT MORE FORWARD TOWARD THE SURFACE OF HIS PREACHING.

THIS THOUGHT IS NOT UNIQUE TO PAUL.

2ND PETER 1:13 & 3:1 BOTH SPEAK OF THE VERY SAME MATTER.

SOMETIMES FAITH IS LIKE A FIRE THAT HAS BURNED DOWN SLIGHTLY AND NEEDS TO BE STIRRED AGAIN TO MAKE IT FLAME AGAIN.

IN VERSE 7 PAUL BRINGS FORTH ONE OF HIS MOST PRECIOUS TEACHINGS.

HE SAYS GOD HAS NOT GIVEN US A SPIRIT OF FEAR, BUT OF POWER & LOVE.

OF ALL THE REMINDERS OF THE ENTIRE BIBLE THIS ONE REMINDER IS THE MOST USED.

365 TIMES IN BOTH TESTAMENTS WE ARE INSTRUCTED TO “FEAR NOT”.

NO OTHER INSTRUCTION EVEN COMES CLOSE IN USAGE.

THE POWER WE ARE GIVEN IS THE POWER OF THE LORD, NOT OF OURSELVES AS WE HAVE NONE THAT IS NOT GIVEN BY HIM.

HOW DOES HE GIVE US HIS POWER? IN LOVE.

IF WE RESIDE IN FEAR, WE WILL NOT USE THE POWER WE HAVE BEEN GIVEN AS HIS FOLLOWERS. WE CANNOT BE AFRAID TO WITNESS FOR HIM, EVEN IF OUR WITNESS BRINGS REJECTION.

IN VERSE 8, PAUL EXPANDS THE VERSE 7 TEACHING AND TELLS TIMOTHY NOT BE BE ASHAMED OF THE TESTIMONY HE HAS BEEN GRANTED, NOR OF PAUL WHO IS NOW IN PRISON BECAUSE OF IT.

HE CHALLENGES TIMOTHY TO SHARE IN THE SUFFERINGS THAT ARE SURE TO ARRIVE WHEN THE GOSPEL IS PREACHED.

WE NOTICE PAUL IS VERY CLEAR IN THIS VERSE TO SAY HE IS THE PRISONER OF THE LORD, NOT OF THE ROMANS.

IN VERSES 9-10 PAUL TEACHES TIMOTHY NOT TO BE ASHAMED OF GOD'S PLAN OF SALVATION.

THE LORD HAD SAVED THEM AND GRANTED THEM A HOLY CALLING NOT ACCORDING TO THEIR OWN WORKS BUT ONLY OF HIS PURPOSE AND GRACE.

NOTICE PAUL CLEARLY TEACHES HERE THAT THIS PLAN WAS IN PLACE BEFORE TIME BEGAN, AND WAS REVEALED BY THE APPEARING OF THE SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST WHO BROUGHT AN END TO DEATH AND GIVES LIFE & IMMORTALITY THROUGH HIS GOSPEL.

WE CANNOT LEAVE THIS VERSE WITHOUT REMEMBERING EPHESIANS 1:4 WHICH IS SO VERY CLOSE TO THIS TEACHING:

“According as He hath chosen us in Him before the foundation of the world, that we should be holy and without blame before Him in love.”

PAUL IS GIVING US A GREAT LESSON IN THESE TWO VERSES.

THE PLAN WAS MADE BEFORE BEFORE THE EARTH AND MAN WERE CREATED.

THE LORD JESUS, THE HOLY SPIRIT, AND THE FATHER ALL EXISTED TOGETHER AS THREE PERSONS BUT ONE ESSENCE IN ETERNITY PAST.

THOSE WHO BELIEVE WILL EXIST WITH THEM IN ETERNITY FUTURE.

AND FOR NOW, WE EXIST WITH THEM IN PRESENT TIME.

HERE IS THE TRUE GOOD NEWS OF THE GOSPEL

IN VERSES 11-12 PAUL SPEAKS OF HIS APPOINTED WORK AND HIS CONFIDENCE THAT GOD WOULD KEEP HIM CLOSE FOR HE HAS BEEN GRANTED A GREAT PRIVILEGE TO BOTH PREACH & SUFFER FOR CHRIST.

HE KNOWS WELL WHY HE IS SUFFERING.

ANANIAS HAD TOLD PAUL WHAT GOD HAS SAID WHEN HE WAS SENT TO BRING PAUL HIS SIGHT, THE HOLY SPIRIT AND HIS BAPTISM.

ACTS 9:16 SAYS JESUS TOLD ANANAIS THAT HE WOULD SHOW PAUL HOW GREAT THINGS HE MUST SUFFER FOR THE NAME OF CHRIST.

PAUL SAYS HE KNOWS IN WHOM HE BELIEVES AND HE TRUSTS HIM WITH HIS VERY LIFE WHICH WILL END SOON AND HE KNOWS THAT AS WELL.

IN VERSES 13-14 PAUL EXHORTS TIMOTHY TO REMAIN FAITHFUL TO THE TRUTH.

HE TELLS HIM TO HOLD FAST TO THAT WHICH PAUL HAS TAUGHT HIM.

PAUL TELLS HIM TO REMEMBER THAT HE SHOULD KEEP BY THE HOLY SPIRIT THAT INDWELLS US THIS GOOD THING HE HAS BEEN GIVEN.

NOW IN THE VERSES LEFT, PAUL REVEALS THAT THERE ARE SOME UNFAITHFUL MEN WHO HAVE TURNED AWAY AND DID NOT HOLD FAST.

PAUL ACTUALLY NAMES TWO OF THOSE WHO HAD TURNED AWAY,

MENTIONING PHYGELLUS & HERMOGENES.

THESE PEOPLE  WERE BELIEVERS THAT HAD COME TO ROME TO TESTIFY AT THE TRIAL OF PAUL IN HIS DEFENSE BUT WHEN THEY SAW HOW BADLY HIS TRIAL WAS GOING AGAINST HIM AND MAY END IN A DEATH SENTENCE FOR PAUL, FEARED FOR THEMSELVES & TURNED AWAY.

WE NEVER HEAR THESE TWO NAMES AGAIN IN SCRIPTURE. 

PAUL STRIVES TO BALANCE HIS LETTER HERE BY NAMING ONE WHO HAD BEEN FAITHFUL, A MAN NAMED ONESIPHOROUS.

HE HAD REFRESHED PAUL, WAS NOT SHAMED BY PAUL'S CHAINS, AND HE SOUGHT PAUL OUT TO HELP HIM AND PAUL'S PRAYER IS THAT THIS MAN WOULD FIND MERCY IN THE DAY OF THE LORD.

VERY INTERESTINGLY THE DIRECT TRANSLATION OF THIS MAN'S NAME IN THE ORIGINAL GREEK IS “BRINGER OF HELP”.

THIS MAN HAD TRAVELED TO ROME TO FIND PAUL AND WHEN HE FOUND HIM IN CHAINS IN THE ROMAN JAIL, HE STAYED CLOSE BY, HELPING PAUL, SEEING TO HIS NEEDS, MAKING SURE PAUL NO LONGER FELT ALONE.

HE WAS UNASHAMED OF PAUL'S STATUS, AND STAYED FAITHFUL TO HIM.

THIS MAN WAS A MEMBER OF THE CHURCH IN EPHESUS AND HAD DONE MUCH FOR PAUL WHILE PAUL WAS THERE ESTABLISHING THE CHURCH.

PAUL MENTIONS HIM TO REMIND TIMOTHY NOT TO BE ASHAMED AND TO REMAIN FAITHFUL BY GIVING HIM  AS AN EXAMPLE FOR TIMOTHY TO FOLLOW.

THE MESSAGE HERE OF PAUL TO TIMOTHY WAS A DIRECT CHALLENGE TO STAND FOR THE GOSPEL NO MATTER WHAT THE COST.
HE GIVES TIMOTHY BOTH NEGATIVE & POSITIVE EXAMPLES OF THOSE WHO HAVE DONE SO.

HIS MESSAGE IS AS CLEAR TODAY AS IT WAS THEN.

THERE IS NO COMPARISON TO THE REWARD OF THINGS TO COME WITH SUFFERINGS OF TODAY FOR THE GOSPEL.

Second Timothy - Chapter 4 Summary

PRECIOUS REWARDS

2ND TIMOTHY 4:1-22

Application: The student will learn to live in anticipation of the fulfillment of the promises God has made to those who serve Him.

PAUL IS NEARING THE END OF HIS LIFE.

HE HAS BEEN CONDEMNED TO DIE BY BEHEADING BY EMPEROR NERO AND HE WAS ACCEPTING THE COMING DEATH.

BUT BEFORE HE LEFT THE WORLD PAUL WANTED TO ONCE MORE SEND SOME WISDOM & THOUGHTS TO HIS SPIRITUAL SON, TIMOTHY.

EVEN THOUGH HE WAS MANY MILES FROM TIMOTHY PHYSICALLY, PAUL WAS CONTINUING TO ACT AS A SPIRITUAL FATHER AND TEACHER TO THE YOUNG MINISTER AT EPHESUS.

THESE PARTICULAR WORDS ARE THE LAST KNOWN WORDS OF PAUL IN OUR BIBLE SO IT MAKES SENSE FOR US TO SEE HIS MIND AT THIS PRECIOUS MOMENT.

PAUL HAD NO REGRETS AND HAD FORGIVEN THOSE NEEDING HIS FORGIVENESS.

HE FINDS JOY IN THOSE HE HAD LED & HELPED ALONG HIS JOURNEY.

SO NOW PAUL PROVIDES HIS FINAL TESTIMONY TO TIMOTHY HERE IN CHAPTER FOUR.

VERSE 1 IS A GOOD BEGINNING BECAUSE IT IS A SOLEMN CHARGE TO TIMOTHY, AN ORDER FROM HEADQUARTERS.

HE WANTS TO BE SURE TIMOTHY UNDERSTANDS THAT THE LORD JESUS WILL JUDGE BOTH THE LIVING AND THE DEAD WHEN HE RETURNS TO BEGIN HIS FINAL KINGDOM ON EARTH.

WE KNOW FROM PAUL'S TEACHING TO THE CHURCH MEMBERS AT THESSALONICA THAT HE BELIEVED THE RETURN OF JESUS WAS IMMINENT.

THIS IS THE REASON WE HAVE 2ND THESSALONIANS, TO EXPLAIN TO MEMBERS THAT THOSE WHO WERE DYING WERE GOING TO BE AMONG THOSE RAISED TO SEE JESUS AT THAT GREAT DAY.

HERE THE WORDS "SHALL JUDGE" MORE LITERALLY MEAN "IS ABOUT TO JUDGE" IN THE GREEK SO WE SEE PAUL STILL HELD TO HIS BELIEF THAT THE 2ND COMING WAS CLOSE.

NOW IN VERSE 2, PAUL INSTRUCTS TIMOTHY TO PREACH THE WORD.

HIS CHARGE IS AGRESSIVE AND STRONG.

BE READY IN SEASON OR OUT OF SEASON.

• CONVINCE   

• REBUKE   

• EXHORT   

• EVEN IN LONGSUFFERING 

• & TEACHING.

THIS REMINDER WAS COVERED CONSISTENTLY IN PAUL'S PREVIOUS WRITING TO TIMOTHY.

2ND TIMOTHY 1:8

DO NOT BE ASHAMED OF THE TESTIMONY OF OUR LORD.

2ND TIMOTHY 1:13

HOLD FAST THE PATTERN OF SOUND WORDS.

2ND TIMOTHY 2:15

COMMIT THE THINGS TO FAITHFUL ONES THAT YOU HAVE HEARD FROM ME. RIGHTLY DIVIDE THE WORD OF TRUTH.

2ND TIMOTHY 2:24

A SERVANT OF THE LORD MUST BE ABLE TO TEACH.

2ND TIMOTHY 3:16

ALL SCRIPTURE IS GIVEN BY INSPIRATION OF GOD.

TIMOTHY IS ADMONISHED TO BE READY ALWAYS TO PREACH THE WORD.

HE WAS TO BRING THE TRUE WORD OF GOD TO BEAR ON THE VERY LIVES OF THOSE LISTENING.

HIS JOB WAS TO PREACH IT AND TEACH IT AND THEN BE ASSURED THAT GOD WILL TAKE IT FROM THERE BY CHANGING HEARTS.

FAITH COMES BY HEARING BUT SALVATION IS THE GIFT TO THOSE WHO ARE CHOSEN AND DRAWN BY THE HEAVENLY FATHER.

VERSES 3 & 4 ARE GIVEN AS A GREAT REMINDER OF THE NEED OF FAITHFUL PREACHING.

MAN GENERALLY MAY NOT ENDURE SOUND DOCTRINE, BECAUSE MAN COMMONLY FOLLOWS HIS OWN DESIRES, HAVING ITCHING EARS.

EARS MAY BE TICKLED BY THE CURIOUSITY OF NEW AND FALSE TEACHING, CAUSING THE EARS TO ITCH FOR MORE SCRATCHING.

WHEN IT HAPPENS THOSE EARS WILL BE TURNED AWAY FROM THE TRUTH, TURNING TOWARD FABLES & UNTRUTH.

ARE WE NOT SEEING THIS FACT EACH & EVERY DAY IN AMERICA?

THESE FABLES ARE PRESENT AMONG US STILL TODAY, SUCH AS:

• YOU MUST EARN YOUR WAY TO HEAVEN

• GOD ONLY LOVES YOU WHEN YOU ARE GOOD

• CHRISTIANS ARE BETTER THAN OTHER MEN BY BIRTH

TIMOTHY WAS TO FULFILL HIS MINISTRY, BE WATCHFUL, ENDURE AFFLICTIONS, AND DO THE WORK OF AN EVANGELIST, REACH OUT AND TOUCH THE HEARTS OF ALL HE MET.

HE WAS NOT TO TURN AWAY AND TO BE STRONGLY SURE HE TOLD THOSE WHO DID TURN THAT THEY WERE WRONG AND SHOULD REPENT.

A MINISTRY CAN BECOME NO LONGER FULFILLED FOR SEVERAL REASONS:

• FEAR     

• UNBELIEF    

• CARES OF THE WORLD   

• CRITICISM 

• DISCOURAGEMENT       

• BESETTING SIN

ALL THESE MUST BE BATTLED DAILY WITH NO RETREAT.

NOW IN VERSES 6-7 PAUL ALLOWS HIS CONFIDENCE IN TRIUMPH TO SHINE THROUGH.

HE SAYS HE HIMSELF IS AN OFFERING TO GOD AND THAT HIS TIME OF DEPARTURE IS NEAR.

HE HAS FOUGHT THE GOOD FIGHT AND HAS FINISHED THE RACE.

HE HAS KEPT THE FAITH THAT HE HAD PASSED ONWARD TO TIMOTHY BY THE LAYING ON OF HIS OWN HANDS.

PAUL MENTIONS HIMSELF AS A DRINK OFFERING, HARKENING US BACK TO GENESIS 35:14 AND EXODUS 29:40.

HE IS CONNECTING HIS OWN MINISTRY TO THE ORIGINAL COMMANDS.

IN VERSE 8 PAUL REVEALS HE KNOWS A CROWN OF RIGHTOUSNESS IS LAID UP FOR HIM, AND WILL BE GIVEN TO HIM ON HIS ARRIVAL AFTER DEATH.

THE CROWN IS ALSO LAID UP FOR ALL WHO LOVE THE APPEARING OF THE LORD JESUS.

WE SHOULD REMEMBER THAT THE REVELATION TEACHES US IN 4:10 THAT THOSE SO CROWNED WILL CAST THEIR CROWNS AT THE FEET OF THE LORD.

PAUL IS REFLECTING ON ONE OF THE MOST PRECIOUS PROMISES FOR ALL BELIEVERS.

OUR MEETING WITH JESUS AFTER WE DRAW OUR LAST BREATH HERE IS CLEARLY AND SIMPLY A REWARD TIME.

THE JUDGEMENT OF BELIEVERS IS ONLY A MATTER OF GREATER OR LESSER REWARDS.

HOW DO WE KNOW THAT?

ROMS 8:1 TEACHES US THAT THERE IS NOW NO CONDEMNATION OF THOSE IN CHRIST JESUS.  

VERSES 9-13 ARE HIS LAST WORDS FROM PRISON.

HE ASKS FOR TIMOTHY TO COME TO HIM AND RFLECTS ON THOSE WHO HAVE FORSAKEN HIM, LOVING THE WORLD MORE THAN THE GOSPEL.

HE SAYS ONLY LUKE IS WITH HIM.

ALL OTHERS ARE GONE.

HE WANTS TIMOTHY TO GET MARK AND BOTH OF THEM TO COME TO HIM.

HERE WE SEE JOHN MARK HAS BEEN RESTORED IN THE HEART OF PAUL AFTER THE ISSUES BETWEEN THEM WE SEE IN ACTS 15.

HE ASKS TIMOTHY TO BRING HIS CLOAK THAT HE HAS LEFT AT TROAS WITH A MAN NAMED CARPUS. 

IT IS LIKELY THAT THERE WERE BOOKS OF SCROLLS WRAPPED WITHIN THE CLOAK AND HE WANTS TO HAVE THEM BEFORE HE LEAVES THIS WORLD.

HE NOW GIVES IN VERSES 14-15 A WARNING TO BEWARE OF ALEXANDER THE COPPERSMITH WHO HAS GREATLY RESISTED THE WORD OF GOD AND DID PAUL MUCH HARM.

IN 1ST TIMOTHY 1:20 PAUL REVEALED THAT THIS MAN HAD TURNED AGAINST PAUL.

MANY EARLY CHURCH WRITERS HAVE SAID THAT THIS IS THE MAN WHO TURNED PAUL IN TO THE ROMAN AUTHORITIES AND INFORMED AGAINST PAUL TO ASSURE A GUILTY SENTENCE WOULD BE MADE BY NERO.

PAUL ASKS THE LORD TO FIND A WAY TO REPAY ALEXANDER.

NOW IN VERSES 16-18 PAUL WRITES OF GOD'S FAITHFULNESS TOWARD HIM WHEN HE STOOD ALONE IN THE COURTROOM AND THE LORD GAVE HIM STRENGTH TO CONTINUE TO WITNESS FOR GOD.

PAUL ALSO ASKS FOR FORGIVENESS FOR ALL WHO FORSOOK HIM.

HE ALLOWED NO BITTERNESS TO RULE HIM NEAR HIS END.

HE MAKES VERY SURE TO SAY THAT ALL GLORY GOES TO GOD.

NOW PAUL ENDS BY PROVIDING CLOSING GREETINGS TO OTHER FRIENDS BY NAME.

WE NOTICE HE SPECIFICALLY MENTIONS ONE MAN, TROPHIMUS, WHO HE LEFT IN A SICKNESS CONDITION IN MILETUS.

WE KNOW BY THE TEACHING OF ACTS 14 AND 19 THAT PAUL WAS GIVEN POWER BY GOD TO HEAL.

BUT HE LEFT THIS FAITHFUL MAN SICK.

HE ALSO NEVER HEALED TIMOTHY OF HIS AFFLICTIONS.

THERE IS A GOOD LESSON HERE.

WE SEE THAT THIS GREAT APOSTLE AND TEACHER DID NOT HAVE THE HEALING POWER TO USE AT HIS OWN WILL.

HE COULD ONLY GIVE A GIFT OF HEALING IF IT WAS IN GOD'S WILL AND IN GOD'S TIMING.

SPURGEON PREACHED A POWERFUL SERMON ON THIS VERSE 160 YEARS AGO AND IN IT EXPLAINED THE MEANING FOR US:

1. IT IS THE WILL OF GOD THAT SOME GOOD MEN SHOULD BE IN ILL HEALTH.

2. GOOD MEN MAY BE LAID ASIDE BY ILL HEALTH EVEN WHEN THE NEED FOR THEIR EFFORTS SEEMS MOST CRUCIAL.

3. GOOD MEN ARE FULLY ASSURED THAT THE WORK OF GOD WILL GO ON WITH OR WITHOUT THEM.

SO THE LESSON FOR US HERE IS THAT WE MUST RESPECT THE SOVEREIGN WILL OF THE LORD WHO KNOWS BEST AND ALWAYS USES US FOR HIS OWN PURPOSE, NOT ALWAYS OURS.

NOW IN THE FINAL VERSES PAUL ASKS THAT THE LORD JESUS CHRIST BE WITH THE SPIRIT OF TIMOTHY AND THAT GRACE BE WITH HIM IN HIS WORK.

PAUL DEARLY LOVED THIS YOUNG MAN AND HIS PRAYER IS FOR THE LORD AND TIMOTHY TO GROW CLOSER AFTER PAUL IS NO LONGER HERE.

HE ENDS WITH HIS "AMEN" WHICH MEANS "SO BE IT" OR "MAY IT BE".

PAUL'S CONFIDENCE IS CLEAR AS HE ENDS WITH HIS THOUGHTS IN VERSE 18:

"And the Lord shall deliver me from every evil work, and will preserve me unto His heavenly kingdom: to whom be glory for ever and ever...".

PAUL KNEW WHERE HE WAS GOING WHEN HE DIED. 

HE KNEW HE WOULD SOON ENTER THE HEAVENLY KINGDOM, AND HE GAVE GOD THE GLORY FOR IT.

Titus Intro

As Paul opened this letter, he saw himself as two messengers at the same time. He first saw himself as one bending the knee to the will of God and also as someone raised up by God and given a mission of highest priority. He explains this dual role to Titus as serving God “… for the faith of those chosen by God.”

These two expressions in the opening carry strong OT tones. The first is his self description as “bond servant of God”. The second speaks of those “chosen of God”. These are expressed by Paul to send a strong signal  as to the authority he had as an apostle (one who had been sent).

Apparently Paul and Titus had been together in a ministry on the island of Crete (1:5). The fact that this ministry is not mentioned in Acts reveals to us that we do not have a complete record of all ministries there. Actually Acts contains a rather small record of all of the early church. Only the ministries of two of the apostles are focused there. Peter is focused in the first portion of Acts and Paul appears in the second portion. Even so, we are not given a full portion of either ministry of these two men mentioned. We must gain wisdom from information given to us in part.

Timothy was a Jew (defined by his mother being Jewish) who was circumcised by Paul and Titus was a Gentile who Paul refused to circumcise. Galatians 2 explains this difference is based upon the non Jewish status of Titus.

Later in Galatians 6 Paul makes his thoughts clear for us:

“For in Christ Jesus neither circumcision availeth anything, nor uncircumcision, but a new creature.” (Gal 6:15)

He had Timothy circumcised because they were going into the synagogues. But in the great council of Jerusalem, the gospel was at stake and Paul would not let one bit of legalism creep into that meeting and he refused to consider the procedure for Titus. (Acts 15)

Paul provides a strong message in three parts in the epistle to Titus:

• The church must have an orderly organization.

• The church must contain sound doctrine, preaching God’s word.

• The church must be pure in life, ready to accomplish good works.
  
  We see here that the summary of all these parts of the message is that the church is saved by grace, is to live by grace, and is to demonstrate her faith to the world by her good works. Until a church has all three of the aspects that Paul outlines, it has no claim to be called a New Testament church.

Titus Summary

CHAPTER 1:

1:1

Paul begins his second pastoral epistle (after Timothy) with an introduction of himself. He begins with the highest priority possible saying he is a servant of God. He is next an apostle of Jesus Christ and this is according to the faith of those who have been chosen of God, and then by the understanding of the truth (meaning the gospel) which follows godliness.

Paul is appealing to the faith of those who are saved and in this moment is not necessarily discussing the actual doctrine of election. He makes his understanding of the doctrine strongly clear in Romans 9:11:

(”For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil, that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth.”)

1:2-3

Paul reminds Titus that he is making these statements in the hope of eternal life which God (who cannot lie) promised before the world began. The symbol of that understanding is found in the Revelation when Jesus appears to John as a lamb slain before the foundation of the world. This promise is manifested by preaching of the gospel which has been given to Paul by God. The phrase “due time” means God has proclaimed the time of the arrival of His begotten Son who brought the gospel to earth from heaven.

1:4

Paul advises the direction of this reminder as it is clearly meant to be targeted to Titus, his own from the grace, mercy, and peace from both the Father and the Son.

CHAPTER 2:

If a church does not teach sound doctrine then it is not a church. In the first chapter we were told elders are to exhort the faithful and refute the heretics and now the focus is upon teaching the Word of God.

2:1-6

Paul uses the phrase “sound doctrine” over and over to mean the doctrine of the apostles. Mature men (elders) are to be sober (serious), grave (strong in faith), temperate (level minded), sound in faith and charity (love), and in patience. Mature women are to have similar aspects of character and they are to exhibit holiness and not be given to much wine, be teachers of good things to other women (meaning younger women). They are to be modest and keeper of the home, obedient to their husbands, and be sure the word of God not be blasphemed.

Young men are also warned to be sober minded, meaning to be serious concerning the gospel.

2:11-12

Paul places a foundation under the lives of all these people mentioned and that foundation is to be doctrine, hearing, understanding, teaching, and living the gospel of Christ. In order to assure this foundation is secure, the church must preach the grace of God and no other gospel. Paul reminds these members that the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared (shown forth) to all. That grace teaches us that we who are children of God are to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and thereby to live righteously and godly as long as we remain in the present world.

CHAPTER 3:

The letter reveals for us the summary of God’s wishes for His churches. As we began the letter we saw that God wanted His church to be orderly and in sound doctrine, and only after those commands are given God then commands His churches to perform good works.

3:1-7

Members are to be law abiding people, aware of the laws of the land and being obedient to man’s law unless it conflicts with the duty of the church to be obedient to the higher priority which is God’s commands. Church members are to be subject to the principalities and powers in civil government. This potential conflict must always be settled on the side of obedience to God’s commands. Peter was direct on this issue in Acts 5:29:

“We ought to obey God rather than man.”

His response was over the issue of Jewish spiritual rulers insisting that the disciples preach no more in the name of Jesus Christ.

This legal obedience to man is to be done in gentle meekness, speaking no evil. Members are to recall that at one time they themselves were sinfully chasing various lusts and living in hate in their own hearts. The humble kindness of Jesus Himself overcame them and caused the change that resulted in the conversion of members. The mercy of Jesus saved members and renewed them under the work of the Holy Ghost. This process is known as regeneration and brings justification by His grace according to the hope promised of eternal life.

Titus was appointed by Paul later to return to Corinth and complete the process of gathering donations to alleviate the poverty of the church at Jerusalem (2nd Cor 8:6). Here Titus glorified God and showed the good will of the mainly gentile churches that contributed (2 Cor 8:19). He had learned his lessons well. 

Titus - Chapter 1

THEME: THE CHURCH IS AN ORGANIZATION

1:1

Paul begins his second pastoral epistle (after Timothy) with an introduction of himself. He begins with the highest priority possible by saying he is a servant of God. He is next an apostle of Jesus Christ and this is according to the faith of those who have been chosen of God, and then by the understanding of the truth (meaning the gospel) which follows godliness.

We notice Paul does not say for the faith but rather says according to the faith. He is appealing to the faith of those who are saved and in this moment is not necessarily discussing the actual doctrine of election. He makes his understanding of the doctrine strongly clear in Romans 9:11:

(“For the children being not yet born, neither having done any good or evil,

that the purpose of God according to election might stand, not of works, but of him that calleth.”)

1:2-3

Next Paul reminds Titus that he is making these statements in the hope of eternal life which God (who cannot lie) promised before the world began. The symbol of that understanding is found in the Revelation when Jesus appears to John as lamb slain before the foundation of the world. This promise is manifested by preaching of the gospel which has been given to Paul by God. The phrase “due time” means God has proclaimed the time of the arrival of His begotten Son who brought the gospel to earth from heaven.

1:4

Paul advises the direction of this reminder as it is clearly meant to be targeted to Titus, his own from the grace, mercy, and peace from both the Father and the Son.

1:5-9

In these verses Paul will reconfirm to Titus the need for an orderly church, organized with elders making the order of the church sure. Paul reminds Titus that each church in each city in Crete has the identical need for such elders. Just as in Paul’s instructions to Timothy, he repeats the essential qualifications needed for an elder to serve in the church:

• husband of one wife

• having faithful children

• children not unruly

• blameless (not having accusations)

• a steward of God

• not self willed

• not soon to anger

• not given to wine

• not a fighting man

• not enamored of money

• a lover of hospitality

• a lover of good men

• sober (serious)

• just (even minded)

• holy (understanding he is set apart)

• temperate (level minded)

• holding fast to the Word

• able to exhort and convince

Such qualifications must be the basis of those chosen to lead a church in an orderly fashion and by meeting these attributes, success is more likely for the man and for the church itself. Paul is strongly particular in providing these ideas and these have well served the church for almost 2,000 years and are still considered important even today.

1:10-12

Now Paul will switch gears verbally from speaking of the good nature of elders chosen to help guide the church to express his disfavor of men in Crete generally. Paul is specific as to the behaviors he has observed of men on the island and takes great pains to pass his opinions onward to Titus. He says they are:

• unruly

• vain talkers

• deceivers (especially the Jews)

• subverters of whole houses

• teaching things untrue to gain money

• liars

• evil beasts

• slow bellies (lazy gluttons)

1:13-16

Paul confirms his witness on these men is true and they must be rebuked sharply if they can become sound in the faith. They must not remain believing in fables or commands of men that turn others away from the truth of the gospel. Nothing among them is pure because they are defiled and unbelieving and even their minds are defiles. They say they know God but deny Him by their works, which are abominable and disobedient to God. They express faith but their lives do not reflect or confirm what their mouths say. 

Titus clearly has his work before him to find men who meet the good qualifications needed from this group Paul says are defiled and liars.

Titus - Chapter 2

THEME: THE CHURCH IS TO TEACH AND PREACH THE WORD OF GOD

If a church does not teach sound doctrine then it is not a church. In the first chapter we found that the elders were to be able to do two things, to exhort the faithful and to refute the heretics. In this second chapter Paul will move his focus from refuting to focus upon the teaching of the Word of God.

2:1-6

Paul repeats his constant focus on sound doctrine and we must not miss the opportunity to define this term. Paul clearly uses the phrase over and over to mean the doctrine of the apostles. The first message here is for the senior citizens of the church. The aged men are to be sober (serious), grave (strong in faith), temperate (level minded), sound in faith, in charity (love), and in patience. Aged women are to have similar aspects of character and they are to exhibit holiness and not given to much wine, and be teachers of good things (teaching the gospel to other women). Their teaching should be to the younger women to love their husbands and children and also to be sober (serious). The women are to be modest and keeper of the home, obedient to husbands, and be sure the word of God not be blasphemed.

Young men are also warned to be sober minded, meaning to be serious concerning the gospel.

2:7-10

A pattern of good works is needed and a command is given to be sincere. Speech that is sound is to be accepted and servants are to be instructed to obey masters while seeking to please them in all they do.

Servants are to be honest, not purloining (stealing) which will show fidelity and by that aspect they will adorn God’s doctrine in their lives.

2:11-12

Paul now places a foundation under the lives of all these people mentioned and that foundation is to be doctrine, hearing, understanding, teaching, and living the gospel of Christ. In order to assure this foundation is secure, the church must preach the grace of God and no other gospel. Paul reminds these members that the grace of God that brings salvation has appeared (shown forth) to all. That grace teaches us that we who are children of God are to deny ungodliness and worldly lusts and thereby to live righteously and godly as long as we remain in the present world.

2:13

After acceptance of the instruction in the previous verse, members are to always be looking for the blessed hope and glorious appearing once again of Jesus who has promised to return to claim those who live within the gospel commands.

2:14

Paul does not miss an opportunity to remind all who hear his words that our Lord gave himself for us, that we might find redemption from iniquity and be purified as a peculiar people who celebrate good works for the faith.

2:15

Paul summarizes all of the above he has spoken to be sure to end his thoughts that these are the things that Titus must speak, exhort, and rebuke (well teach and correct) with all authority. In doing so, Titus must be sure that no man might despise him for the life he lives. His life and work is directed by Christ and Titus must be sure to teach those who may dispute him with honor and kindness.