15 December   

Bible In 365 Days                                

1 Timothy 1-6

 

1 Timothy 1

This letter is an Apostle's letter to a young minister having oversight of the church in Ephesus. The first part of the letter deals with the Church, its doctrine, its devotions, and its ministry. Difficulties existed in that "certain men" were teaching erroneous doctrine. In all probability, the reference was to the Gnostic heresies. The Apostle shows the relation of "sound doctrine" to the law which the Gnostics were misinterpreting. Enumerating the evils resulting from such false teaching, he shows how, they are contradictory to that "sound doctrine" which is according to the "Gospel of the glory of the blessed God." Let Timothy charge these men not to teach the "different doctrine" which has such evil results, for the Gospel is a helpful doctrine.

Mention of the Gospel calls forth an exceedingly beautiful passage which is at once a song and a testimony. The Apostle illustrates the beauty of the Gospel from his own experience. He had passed through stages, having been first a blasphemer, then a persecutor, and, finally, injurious. His salvation had come through faith. On that personal experience he now dogmatically affirmed the trustworthiness of the Gospel. He summarizes the Gospel in the simple statement, "Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners." Addressing Timothy as a captain of the host of God, he charges him to wage a good war. This he will accomplish by "holding faith, and a good conscience." The apostle emphasized the urgency of the charge by a warning in which he cited instances of those who had failed.

 

1 Timothy 2

The Apostle then turned to the public devotions of the Church. As the Church is the medium for proclamation of the doctrine of truth, so also is it the instrument of intercession as between men and God. The Apostle used words that cover the whole ground, "supplications," "prayers," "intercessions," "thanksgivings." Christians in those days were being charged with rebellion against earthly government. The prayers of the Church disproved the charge. Such prayer is according to the will of God, and harmonizes with the perfect provision He has made for salvation.

Turning to the matter of the demeanor and position of women, we must remember that Paul was dealing with affairs in Ephesus. Behind the picture of the Christian woman as here portrayed is that of many of the women of the Greek communities, and it was to save the women of the Church from any conformity to debased ideals that these passages were written. The adornment of women in the Church must not be external decoration, but the general demeanor. The word "apparel" in this connection has reference to much more than mere raiment. It is the garbing of the whole life in its external manifestation. This garbing should result from internal sobriety, which means the perfect equipoise and control of life. The true place of woman is indicated by a reference to the original order in the case of Adam and Eve. Out of that history comes the occasion of woman's travail, and the apostle declared that in that supreme sorrow she will be saved, if her character is what has been already described.

 

1 Timothy 3

Turning to the government of the Church, the Apostle deals with two orders, bishops and deacons. The bishop is an overseer, whose duty it is to watch over the flock. The apostle describes the qualifications necessary to fulfil the office:

(1) character (1 Timothy 3:2-3),

(2) temperament (1 Timothy 3:4-5),

(3) experience (1 Timothy 3:6), and

(4) reputation (1 Timothy 3:7).

The description of the deacon has unquestioned reference to the order instituted in the early days, as recorded by Luke (Acts 6:1-15). According to this, they were to be "men of good report, full of the spirit of wisdom." There is not the slightest warrant for looking on the office in any sense as inferior. Its function was different, but not less important. The business of the Church ever needs to be carried on by men of highest character and deepest spirituality. All this will be seen as the instructions of the apostle are pondered.

The purpose of all the Apostle had written was that men might know how to behave themselves in the Church. A remarkable and singularly beautiful description of the Church follows. It is the house of God, and therefore it is the pillar and ground of truth. The essential glory of the Church is "the truth." Having shown this, the Apostle describes the truth in words which constitute a verse of perfect poetry.

"Who is flesh was manifested, Pure in Spirit was attested; By angels' vision witnessed, Among the nations heralded; By faith accepted here, Received in glory there!"

 

1 Timothy 4

Having thus dealt with the Church, the Apostle showed Timothy how he was to fulfil his responsibility. He had a duty toward the truth, and therefore toward the Church. In order to correct errors which would arise, Timothy was to give definite instruction. Abstinence from lawful things is a matter for personal decision and action, and must never be made a necessity of religious life or godliness. The Apostle then described the secrets of strength for those who were called upon to defend the truth against error. A faithful saying, and worthy of acceptation, is that God is "the Saviour of all men, specially of them that believe."

The teacher must be such a man as to carry conviction. The injunction, "Let no man despise thy youth," has the force of, "Do not be despicable." How Timothy may fulfil this injunction is then stated. He is to be an example of the believers in godliness of life The Apostle's final instructions concerning Timothy's duty to the truth are strikingly comprehensive in their description of the true method and habit of the Christian minister. They may be divided thus:

(1) his public work (1 Timothy 4:13),

(2) his private work (1 Timothy 4:14-15), and

(3) his general attitude, and its consequent issue (1 Timothy 4:16). The greatest power of the preacher is personality; continuity in his work is the way of his salvation, and so also the way of salvation for others.

 

1 Timothy 5

Timothy's demeanor toward men and women was now described, and demands careful study and attention. As for men, seniors are to be treated with respect, while the younger men are to be treated as brethren.

Of women, he is to treat the elder as mothers, and the younger as sisters. The large section devoted to widows indicated peculiar local conditions and dangers. Hence the careful instructions.

At verse 1 Timothy 5:17 we find the term "elders" used in a more specific sense, referring undoubtedly to those who held office in the Church. These were to be held in honor and provided for. Order must be maintained, and discipline enforced, yet in such a way as befits the elders' honorable position. The true Church order must ever be "first pure, then peaceable." The responsibility resting on Timothy was so great that the apostle charged him to act in the sight of God, of Jesus Christ, and the elect angels. Apparently turning aside for a moment, and thinking of Timothy's "often infirmities," he gave him personal and practical advice.

 

1 Timothy 6

The final injunction of the Apostle concerning Timothy's duty toward his flock had to do with his dealing with Christian slaves. The master must not treat them with contempt. They are to recognize that the slaves are serving Christ, and so make their service the opportunity of testimony to the power of the' Gospel. Service will be rendered more readily and faithfully because impulsed by love.

The Apostle then reverted to the prime occasion of Timothy's appointment to Ephesus, which was the presence and action of false teachers. To these he referred in scathing words. In this connection occurs a sentence which flashes a fierce light into the inner working of the minds of these teachers as the apostle refers to them as "supposing that godliness is a way of gain." To this evil the Apostle opposes the great truth that "Godliness with contentment is great gain." The contrasting ideas are arresting. According to these false teachers, godliness is a means of gaining much. According to Paul, godliness is the gain of being content with little.

An appeal is then made to Timothy, who is addressed, "O man of God." The note of the appeal is threefold, "flee," "follow," "fight." He is to flee the things of evil, to follow those of truth, and thus to fight the good fight of faith. The strength for the conflict is found in the life eternal. Moreover, there is to be a great epiphany, when the supreme and absolute Lordship of Jesus is to be revealed. That is to be the supreme inspiration of service and of conflict.

The final charge to Timothy brought to the mind of the Apostle the peril which threatened those who were rich. He describes the true attitude of the Christian man possessed of wealth, showing

(1) his true state of mind,

(2) his proper use of wealth, and

(3) the secret strength of realization. The epistle closed in an outburst of personal appeal full of force and beauty.