Category: 1 Timothy

The theme of ungodliness versus godliness is prevalent throughout 1 Timothy 6. As we have seen throughout this book, there can be a slow, gradual drift away from what Scripture teaches and toward a life of ungodliness. 

In teaching the Word to others, it is very dangerous to teach something that is not in line with Scripture. Sometimes there are people who claim to be teaching the Word, but it is slightly different from what the Bible actually says. “Teaching” in this way leads to conceit, envy, slander, evil, ungodliness, and friction; because false prosperity gospels provide imaginary means of gain. Just take a look at Matthew 4:1-11, where Satan twisted God’s Word to fit his own agenda. Jesus knew better than to listen to these lies. He knew the dangers of taking Scripture out of context and twisting it for personal gain. How did Jesus respond? By dismissing the false words and standing firm upon God’s true Word. 

Another reminder in this chapter is that no matter how hard we try, we can never gain godliness by our own means. Can a perfect resume get us to heaven? What about giving all our money to the poor? Moving across the world to spread the gospel? The answer to each of these questions, apart from Jesus, is an emphatic NO! As Ephesians 2:8-9 states, salvation is a gift from God which cannot be earned. This chapter calls us to pursue godliness along with righteousness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness, good deeds, and generosity in order to take hold of what is truly life. 

Imagine being content with only the things you needed in order to survive. When we start to pursue things we don’t need (but rather want), discontentment forms. Not having the right house, the right job, or the right status. All of these earthly things will be brought to nothing some day. Our discontent shines a light on the fact that we are not finding our full contentment in Jesus. So how do we fight? We flee these things. And we pursue the good life as defined by Jesus rather than the idea of the good life that the culture feeds us.

In Paul’s first letter to Timothy at the church in Ephesus, we have seen Paul instruct Timothy primarily on how to deal with false teachers and how the gospel shapes our lives. Today, we move into the portion of the book in which Paul gives Timothy instructions on how to deal with specific groups within the church. Verses 1-2 provide basic principles for interpersonal relationships, while the rest of the chapter deals with widows and elders.

One thing we can pull from this text is that our sin has a detrimental effect on our witness to a non-believer. Ephesians 4:1 admonishes the believer to live in a manner worthy of their calling. If our eternity has been changed, and we have moved from death to life, then there should be a noticeable difference in our lives. We are to have “a reputation for good works” (v. 10) and not be “self-indulgent” (v. 8). It is important to note, though, that our good works do not save us—that happens by grace through faith (Ephesians 2:8-9). Our works are evidence of our salvation and our faith. James 2:26b tells us that faith apart from works is dead.

So what happens when the believer is living in open and unrepentant sin? They are to be rebuked. Look back in verse 20: “But those elders who are sinning you are to reprove before everyone, so that the others may take warning.” This is rooted in Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 18:16-17, in which we are instructed to “widen the circle” in order to resolve conflict due to unrepentant sin. 

Verses 24-25 close this passage by reminding the believer that sins can be hidden and appear later, but sin will always rear its ugly head. This is why it is critical to confess sin consistently in your community. It is interesting to note that good works are also never unseen. Jesus says this during his Sermon on the Mount: “Your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” Therefore, in order to live in a manner worthy of our calling, we must have reputations for good works (v. 10) and give the adversary no occasion for slander (v. 14). 

If you have ever needed a big dose of encouragement, look no further than this chapter, which is a letter of instruction to Timothy as he leads the church in Ephesus. Paul had been so impressed with this new Christian that Timothy became one of his closest disciples, and Paul wrote in Philippians that there was no one else like him. But Paul also knew that Timothy was younger in age and spiritual maturity and Timothy likely felt like he was up against more than he could handle in the hostile environment of the Ephesian church. He was acting with a spirit of timidity, and Paul knew he needed to be reminded of the power given to him through the Holy Spirit (see 2 Timothy 1).

Timothy’s fears and doubts are understandable. He was facing older Ephesians who were more experienced in their theology, so not only was he facing the challenges of younger age and immaturity, he was also far less experienced in defending this new faith that he had accepted. The church was off track in both morality and theology, and Paul had dropped Timothy in the middle of it, putting him in charge and tasking him with getting everything on track. No easy task for sure!

When God asks us to do something that seems insurmountable, whether physically or mentally or spiritually, it is good to remember what Paul tells Timothy: It doesn’t matter your age or your experience. It doesn’t matter if you feel inadequate or unprepared. If God is asking you to do it, devote yourself to the task before you and use the gifts He has given you. Be diligent. Give yourself wholly to that task. Keep a firm grasp on your character and your integrity, and don’t get distracted. 

Whatever it is that God is asking us to do today, our fears and doubts are smaller than His assurances and power. He has not given us a spirit of timidity. Romans 8:11 tells us that God has given us His Spirit, the very same Spirit and power that raised Jesus from the dead, to dwell within us. If we truly believe that, then why would we fear? Let’s bravely get to the task set before us today!

In reading 1 Timothy, there is a temptation for some to skim over chapter 3. Even worse is the temptation to strictly read this passage as instructions for others or as an excuse to judge others without first examining the log in one’s own eye. One might use reasonings such as, “I’m not in ministry” or “this wasn’t written for me” to justify this behavior, but this is an incorrect reading of the text. 1 Timothy is still God’s Word, and the Lord has something to teach each Christian from each page of Scripture.

All Christians are in ministry whether they are a minister by vocation or not. We even see this in the word choice Paul makes here with “deacon.” The Greek word for deacon, “diakonous”, literally means “servant.” While there is an office of the “deacon” here, this applies to all of those who serve in the Lord’s house, the family of God. These lists are not simply for those in vocational ministry but also for those who do ministry with their entire lives!

That being said, this isn’t something we can attain through sheer effort. In fact, if you try and go at this through effort alone, you will fail, guaranteed. However, Paul places a key detail in the middle of the list for deacons:

         “They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.” (1 Tim. 3:9)

The Greek word that is translated here, “deep truths,” is the word “mysterion” which is where we get the word “mystery.” In fact, this is the exact same word that is later translated to “mystery” when Paul talks about the mystery of godliness.

The point being, at the core of all of these qualifications, those doing ministry must have their eyes fixed on Jesus and their minds fixed on the mystery that was revealed in God coming to Earth in flesh as the person of Jesus Christ, dying for us, rising again on the third day, and taking His rightful place at the right hand of the Father in heaven. When one fixes his or her heart on this truth, this “mysterion,” one will start to, by the power of God the Spirit, show these qualifications.

God is not looking for those already qualified, but rather for those He wills to qualify by the renewal of their entire being.

Today’s reading can be slightly confusing without context. Paul sent Timothy to the church he planted in Ephesus to help correct some false doctrine that was being taught (1 Tim 1:3). The city of Ephesus had a large temple dedicated to the goddess Artemis, and it’s safe to say the people were obsessed with worshipping her (Acts 18:28). Her temple was run by women who asserted their authority over men in negative ways. The city was diverse ethnically, philosophically, and religiously. The Greek and Roman influences of the city valued pluralistic thought. New believers were easily influenced and confused by these overwhelming, competing ideas. As a result, some Christians began to act like the pagans surrounding them in Ephesus.

So, when Paul gives instruction here, he reminds these believers what it means to be a Christian. Christ followers are to stand out in a world gone mad, not fit in. Paul says that the goal for Christians in Ephesus is to “live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness” because God’s main desire is for “all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth” (v. 3-4). If a Christian’s main purpose is to show people Jesus so that they come to faith in Him, then living godly, peaceful, and holy lives is the best way to do it.  

What did this mean for the Christ followers in Ephesus? It meant they needed to act opposite of the culture. The pagan men around them fought and tore each other apart, so Paul encouraged the Christian men to use their hands to worship and pray instead. The pagan women in Ephesus were immodest, flashy, and over-asserted themselves in a flaunting manner, so Paul encouraged the Christian women to live humble, quiet, modest lives full of good deeds and worship. Believers couldn’t show people Jesus if they were living like the pagans around them. They had to look different. They had to act like Jesus.

The Christian call is to be in the world, not of the world; to be a part of culture, but not completely influenced by it. The world in Ephesus isn’t drastically different from the world we live in today. Our culture celebrates pluralistic thought where “your truth” is all that matters. Many believers are easily confused by the many diverse thoughts surrounding religion, doctrine, ideologies, sexuality, and gender. Jesus followers who are swept away by the overwhelming secular influence in culture today begin to act just like the non-believers around them. After all, it’s easier to fit in than it is to stand out.

The exhortation from Paul to Timothy is the same to us today. We are to live peaceful, quiet, godly, and holy lives so that, instead of being influenced by the culture around us, we can influence it for Jesus.

On his missionary journeys, the Apostle Paul would go from city to city, preaching the Gospel message and establishing churches in each new place. Over the years, he made many close friends but one in particular stuck out: Timothy. Timothy became Paul’s apprentice along the way. He learned from Paul, co-labored alongside him, and then eventually took over the church at Ephesus. 

This is one of Paul’s three pastoral epistles (or letters), with 2 Timothy and Titus being the other two. It’s more personal than a letter like Romans or Philippians, which were written for entire congregations to read. This letter from Paul to Timothy gives us a glimpse not only into their relationship, but also into what was happening in the church at Ephesus at this time. This first letter from Paul to Timothy primarily focuses on the local church. In it, Paul explains the functions of the church, leadership within the church, and some threats to the church. He concludes the letter with a sober warning for Timothy to guard what has been entrusted to him and to stay focused on what truly matters.

There is so for us to learn from Paul’s letter to Timothy. Each of these chapters are loaded with theological truths and practical applications for us. Pay attention to every word on the page–you don’t want to miss anything. Thanks for journeying along with us!