Conflicts are not to attain our privileges but to maintain ourselves in the joy of them.

1 TIMOTHY 1, Verses 1-11

We will read only the first Epistle to Timothy to keep in line with our steps in the believer's life. Ephesians has taught us our heavenly calling, and the warfare which will result from following the Lord in this heavenly position, while we're still here on earth. 1st Timothy was written when everything was in order in the assemblies, and so it tells us that (verse 3) there is no room for private opinions; no other doctrine taught. Sad to say, today we see hundreds of denominations, all claiming the support of the Word of God for the doctrine which they hold on to. John 7:17 says that if any person really wants to know God's will, God will tell it to that person. The problem is that we let our will work. Even Jesus said "Not my will, but thine be done", when He was praying to His Father. Luke 22:42.

Ephesians and 1st Timothy show us God's one church (God's church is made up of every believer in the Lord Jesus Christ on earth), in its perfect condition as seen by God Himself.

1 Tim 1:3-4 Paul encourages Timothy to remain at Ephesus, because those at Ephesus had been given a wonderful revelation of truth, (Epistle to the Ephesians). Timothy is told to be faithful in standing for the truth and in warning those who would oppose it. No opinions were to be allowed!

1 Tim 1:4 Our hearts can be taken up with "fables" rather than the truth, if we are not careful.

1 Tim 1:7 One way to turn believers from God's truth is for them to go back to the law. It is easy to do, because it then gives us some credit, but the Lord Jesus must have all.

1 Tim 1:7-11 The law was never intended to bring salvation, but to show how very guilty man was before a holy God.

#390

Our conflict has two purposes... 1) To put us in the enjoyment of our privileges... 2) To help us deliver God's people who have been brought under Satan's power through their own unfaithfulness.

1 TIMOTHY 1, Verses 12-20

Paul surely takes a low place. He realizes that it is only because of the Lord's grace that he was given power to go into this service. Three things that he was, before he was saved. He did what he did through ignorance and unbelief.

1 Tim 1:14-15 In verse 13 he had received "mercy" (this was when he was not yet saved) but here we read of "grace", "faith" and "love" when he has been saved. "Mercy" is for us when we were dead, "grace" is for us when we are alive in Christ. He was the chief sinner. (Paul, before his conversion, had been a very moral man - see Phil. 3:6), but he had hated Christ so that had made him the worst of sinners.

1 Tim 1:16 Paul, an example to all others of the grace of God.

1 Tim 1:18-20 "This charge" refers back to verse 3. And Timothy is encouraged to keep faith and a good conscience - which we all need.

#391

Purifying comes through sifting.

1 TIMOTHY 2

1 Tim 2:1-2 Remember these verses in days like today. We are to pray for "kings" (those who are in authority in every country), for the people of God who are in every land. The purpose of our prayer is that God's people may be able to live in all godliness and honesty.

1 Tim 2:4 God desires, not only that men might be saved, but come to the knowledge of the truth. Let us who are believers, obey His Word that we might come to such a knowledge. He desires that all believers would grow to know the truth; it is almost like being saved in a new way. Don't forget the second one of these two things.

1 Tim 2:5 In spite of what others might teach, it is false and vain to pray to Mary or to the saints - for there is but one Mediator between God and men.

1 Tim 2:8 We can pray anywhere, "holy hands" would remind us that our life should be clean and pure if we wish God to answer our prayers. There should be no anger nor doubting in our hearts.

1 Tim 2:9 The proper apparel for women is not described, but it is said to be modest. Let us remember this, for there is a lack of modesty in women's clothes amongst the unsaved. The adornment too, should be that of good works, not outward show.

1 Tim 2:12 This is God's instruction and not the ideas of Paul. A woman is neither to teach a man, nor to be in a job where she is a boss over him. This applies in ordinary things of life as well as in spiritual things.

1 Tim 2:15 Genesis 3:16 shows the sorrow that has come upon Eve and her descendants because of her sin. The believing woman should remember Eve's sin, and conduct herself in godliness and thank God for this promise.

#392

God seems to find it harder to empty a vessel than to fill it.

1 TIMOTHY 3

1 Tim 3:1 "The office of a bishop" was really being a shepherd or overseer among the people of God. It is not now an official position because there are no apostles or their delegates to appoint them. Secondly, we should remember that these men were elders only in the local assembly. And thirdly, there were always more than one in each place (or assembly). Why would one desire such an office? Surely not for any honour to himself, but because he loved God's people, and wished to be of help to them.

1 Tim 3:2-7 Timothy is reminded that if a person was to be an overseer among the people of God, his life must be without blame.

1 Tim 3:8-13 Though this official position no longer exists, may each of us want to encourage other believers. Also there were men who took special care of the material needs of those who were in the assembly. They had to be honest and faithful in distributing what was offered to the Lord, to those needy ones. (An example of verse 13 is Stephen - Acts 6:5).

1 Tim 3:15 The assembly is: - first, the house of God. God dwells in it - Eph. 2:22. Second - the church of the living God. It is His! And He is living! Let us not add to it with the names of men who are dead, nor with the name of a doctrine. Third - it is the pillar and base of the truth.

1 Tim 3:16 The secret of godliness is Christ. Let us follow His perfect example... true godliness will result.

#393

The heart is separated by trial to God through grace.

1 TIMOTHY 4

1 Tim 4:1 We know we are in "the latter times" because those who once professed faith, and were considered Christians, are departing from the faith. We hear of men in pulpits today who claim to be Christian men, but who deny the faith. Probably the greatest danger among believers today is the giving up of the absolute authority of the Word of God.

1 Tim 4:3 Let us beware of any teaching that is not according to God's Word, even though it may seem to be very pious and religious.

1 Tim 4:6 Three times, from here to the end of the chapter "doctrine" is mentioned. To be able to detect false doctrine,(the word means "what is taught") we need to be well acquainted with "good doctrine". The more you live the truth you know, the more you will be able to detect error.

1 Tim 4:8 Bodily exercise, profits just for a little time. But godliness is profitable unto all things, here and for eternity. No doubt Paul got plenty of bodily exercise in his endless work for the Lord and His people!

1 Tim 4:10 In the verse the word "Saviour" does not mean Saviour from sins, but "Preserver" or the One who gives and sustains life.

1 Tim 4:12 Timothy is told how to behave so that he will not be despised... this would be so if his conduct was consistent with what he was teaching.

1 Tim 4:13-16 Let us be diligent in reading and meditating; first for our own need and then to help others.

#394

All knowledge of God must flow from revelation, for man by wisdom knows not God. 1 Co 1:21.

1 TIMOTHY 5

The Bible is not simply a book of doctrines, but is filled with the most practical instruction. It would be a wicked thing to pretend to be sound in doctrine and careless in our behaviour.

1 Tim 5:1 Timothy was a young man, and he was to remember this in his attitude toward others. Those who are young should thank the Lord for older believers. And those who are older should remember that the young would be encouraged if they saw a godly example in the older person's life.

1 Tim 5:3-16 The responsibility of the assembly toward widows. Some of them were in need, and they were to be helped financially by the assembly. Some, when they had lost their husband, did not recognize that God had something to teach them. If they acted as in verse 13, it was a sad evidence that their dependence on the Lord was lacking.

1 Tim 5:14 Let us remember that in our days of so much immorality and rebellion against God, this is still the purpose of marriage.

1 Tim 5:22 We are not to make a big fuss over a new convert. We should go slowly.

1 Tim 5:24 All lives will be reviewed. Some unbelievers have lived openly wicked lives, and others seem upright, but God will reveal all. As with believers... the good things they do may not be known by others now. But they shall be shown later by the Lord.

#395

We may weep with Him now... but we shall rejoice with Him forever.

1 TIMOTHY 6

1 Tim 6:1 Our behaviour to our employer ought to be such that he would want to hear the gospel. If we profess to know the Lord and do not obey our boss he will mock the name of God because of us.

1 Tim 6:2 And if we work for a believing employer, let us be just as faithful in our work. The Lord takes note of such matters!

1 Tim 6:6 What does "great gain" mean to you? God tells us what it should mean.

1 Tim 6:8 Again "content". It is so rare today; people are going on strike because they are not content.

1 Tim 6:9-10 Needed words for us today. Believers possess riches which cannot be taken away.

1 Tim 6:11-12 Timothy is told to "flee", to "follow" and to "fight". He is to flee the covetous spirit that is natural to us all. He is to follow the wonderful qualities listed here. He is to fight the good fight of faith. Timothy had learned how rich he was in spiritual things; he was to hold onto these things.

1 Tim 6:13-16 We who know the Lord Jesus should remember the majesty that is His. How utterly foolish to turn from representing such an One, to be taken up with the passing (but not lasting) honours or wealth of this world.