#389
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. |