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1 Timothy Chapter 1-3
December 24, 2008
Pastor Jake Diede
  
1 Tim 1:1-11
1:1 PAUL, AN apostle (special messenger) of Christ Jesus by appointment and command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus (the Messiah), our Hope,
2 To Timothy, my true son in the faith: Grace (spiritual blessing and favor), mercy, and [heart] peace [be yours] from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
1. Jewish maxim: He who teaches the law to his neighbor’s son is considered by the Scripture as if he had begotten him.
3 As I urged you when I was on my way to Macedonia, stay on where you are at Ephesus in order that you may warn and admonish and charge certain individuals not to teach any different doctrine,
1. A bad seed had been sown in the church by the Judaizing teachers, probably members of the Church of Ephesus
4 Nor to give importance to or occupy themselves with legends (fables, myths) and endless genealogies, which foster and promote useless speculations and questionings rather than acceptance in faith of God's administration and the divine training that is in faith ( in that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence) —
1. The Jews had carefully preserved the genealogical tables from David to Jesus, and other Jews tried to claim this decendency.
2. We are told that Herod destroyed the public registers: he, being an Idumean, was jealous of the noble origin of the Jews; and, that none might be able to reproach him with his descent, he ordered the genealogical tables, which were kept among the archives in the temple, to be burnt.
3. Many, no doubt, employed much of that time in inquiring who were their ancestors, which they should have spent in obtaining that grace by which, being born from above, they might have become the sons and daughters of God Almighty.
4. In other words, what had Jewish genealogies to do with the Gospel, since salvation had nothing to do with ancestry. The Jews depended much on this; (“we have Abraham as our father”)
5 Whereas the object and purpose of our instruction and charge is love, which springs from a pure heart and a good (clear) conscience and sincere (unfeigned) faith.
1. These genealogical questions lead to strife and debate, whereby the dispensation of God leads to love both to God and man, through faith in Christ.
6 But certain individuals have missed the mark on this very matter [and] have wandered away into vain arguments and discussions and purposeless talk.
7 They are ambitious to be doctors of the Law (teachers of the Mosaic ritual), but they have no understanding either of the words and terms they use or of the subjects about which they make [such] dogmatic assertions.
1. Teachers: to be esteemed or celebrated as rabbis: They desired to be cunning in solving knotty questions and enigmas, which answered no end to true religion.
2. The rabbinical teaching was full of this.
3. Example Gen 1:15 This reads thus in the Jerusalem Targum: And God made two great lights, and they were equal in splendour twenty-one years, the six hundred and seventy-second part of an hour excepted: and afterwards the moon brought a false accusation against the sun, and therefore she was lessened; and God made the sun the greater light to superintend the day, etc.
8 Now we recognize and know that the Law is good if anyone uses it lawfully [for the purpose for which it was designed],
1. If one uses it properly: That is, interpret it according to its own spirit and design, and use it for the purpose for which God has given it; for the ceremonial law was a schoolmaster to lead us unto Christ, and Christ is the end of that law for justification to everyone that believes. Now those who did not use the law in reference to these ends, did not use it lawfully-they did not construe it according to its original design and meaning.
9 Knowing and understanding this: that the Law is not enacted for the righteous (the upright and just, who are in right standing with God), but for the lawless and unruly, for the ungodly and sinful, for the irreverent and profane, for those who strike and beat and [even] murder fathers and strike and beat and [even] murder mothers, for manslayers,
10[For] impure and immoral persons, those who abuse themselves with men, kidnapers, liars, perjurers — and whatever else is opposed to wholesome teaching and sound doctrine
1. Those who defile themselves with man, a sodomite, a pervert, homosexual
2. Whatever else: Every species of vice and immorality.
11 As laid down by the glorious Gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrusted.
1 Tim 1:12-20
12 I give thanks to Him Who has granted me [the needed] strength and made me able [for this], Christ Jesus our Lord, because He has judged and counted me faithful and trustworthy, appointing me to [this stewardship of] the ministry.
1. Ministry: diakonia: deaconship, the service of mankind.
13 Though I formerly blasphemed and persecuted and was shamefully and outrageously and aggressively insulting [to Him], nevertheless, I obtained mercy because I had acted out of ignorance in unbelief.
1. Not having considered the nature and evidences of Christianity, and not having believed that Jesus was the promised Messiah, I acted wholly under the prejudices that influenced my countrymen in general.
2. God therefore showed me mercy, because I acted under this influence, not knowing better.
3. This extension of mercy, does not, however, excuse the infuriated conduct of Saul of Tarsus
14 And the grace (unmerited favor and blessing) of our Lord [actually] flowed out superabundantly and beyond measure for me, accompanied by faith and love that are [to be realized] in Christ Jesus.
15 The saying is sure and true and worthy of full and universal acceptance, that Christ Jesus (the Messiah) came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am foremost.
1. If Jesus Christ, with whom there can be no respect of persons, saved Saul of Tarsus, no sinner need despair.
16 But I obtained mercy for the reason that in me, as the foremost [of sinners], Jesus Christ might show forth and display all His perfect long-suffering and patience for an example to [encourage] those who would thereafter believe on Him for [the gaining of] eternal life.
17 Now to the King of eternity, incorruptible and immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever (to the ages of ages). Amen (so be it).
1. Invisible: One who fills all things, works everywhere, and yet is invisible to angels and men; the perfect reverse of false gods and idols, who are confined to one spot, work nowhere, and, being sticks and stones, are seen by everybody.
2. [Be honour] All the respect and reverence that can be paid by intelligent beings, ascribing to him at the same time all the glory excellences, and perfections, which can be possessed by an intelligent, unoriginated, independent, and eternal Being; and this forever and ever-through eternity.
18 This charge and admonition I commit in trust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with prophetic intimations which I formerly received concerning you, so that inspired and aided by them you may wage the good warfare,
1. It was predicted that he should have this high and noble calling; but his behaviour in that calling was a matter of contingency, as it respected the use he might make of the grace of his calling.
2. The apostle therefore exhorts him to war a good warfare, etc. He was now called to that estate to which the prophecies referred; and now he is to act worthily or unworthily of that calling, according as he fought or did not fight the good warfare, and according as he held or did not hold faith and a good conscience.
19 Holding fast to faith ( that leaning of the entire human personality on God in absolute trust and confidence) and having a good (clear) conscience. By rejecting and thrusting from them [their conscience], some individuals have made shipwreck of their faith.
1. So holding the truth as to live according to its dictates, that a good conscience may be ever preserved.
2. As the apostle had just spoken of the Christian's warfare, so he here refers to the Christian armour, especially to the shield and breastplate; the shield of faith, and the breastplate of righteousness. See the note at Eph 6:13, etc., and 1 Thess 5:8.
20 Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have delivered to Satan in order that they may be disciplined [by punishment and learn] not to blaspheme.
1. Does this refute the notion of once saved always saved? Thousands of texts and facts refute this doctrine.
2. What this sort of punishment was no man now living knows. There is nothing of the kind referred to in the Jewish writings. It seems to have been something done by mere apostolical authority, under the direction of the Spirit of God.
3. Hymeneus, it appears, denied the resurrection, see 2 Tim 2:17-18; but whether this Alexander is the same Alexander the coppersmith, 2 Tim 4:14, or the Alexander, Acts 19:33, cannot be determined.
a. Probably, he was the same with the coppersmith. Whether they were brought back to the acknowledgment of the truth does not appear.
b. From what is said in the second letter the case seems extremely doubtful. Let him who most assuredly standeth, take heed lest he fall for he that is self-confident is already half fallen.
c. He who professes to believe that God will absolutely keep him from falling finally, and neglects watching unto prayer, is not in a safer state.
d. He who lives by the moment, walks in the light, and maintains his communion with God, is in no danger of apostasy.
1 Tim 2:1-3:1
2:1 FIRST OF all, then, I admonish and urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be offered on behalf of all men,
1. Thanksgiving: It is probable that Paul gives directions for public worship.
2 For kings and all who are in positions of authority or high responsibility, that [outwardly] we may pass a quiet and undisturbed life [and inwardly] a peaceable one in all godliness and reverence and seriousness in every way.
1. Good rulers have power to do much good, bad rulers have power to do much evil, we pray that they may be prevented from thus using their power.
2. So, whether good or bad, Duty of all Christians to pray for them.
3 For such [praying] is good and right, and [it is] pleasing and acceptable to God our Savior,
1. Prayer for all legally constituted authorities is useful to ourselves and to the public at large.
4 Who wishes all men to be saved and [increasingly] to perceive and recognize and discern and know precisely and correctly the [divine] Truth.
5 For there [is only] one God, and [only] one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus,
6 Who gave Himself as a ransom for all [people, a fact that was] attested to at the right and proper time.
1. This doctrine which in its own time shall be delivered to all the inhabitants of the earth.
7 And of this matter I was appointed a preacher and an apostle (special messenger) — I am speaking the truth in Christ, I do not falsify [when I say this] — a teacher of the Gentiles in [the realm of] faith and truth.
1. He was appointed, or ordained, set apart, but not by the hands of men.
2. Paul received his commission from Jesus.
3. Called not to the Jews, but to the nations of the world.
4. Preaching the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.
8 I desire therefore that in every place men should pray, without anger or quarreling or resentment or doubt [in their minds], lifting up holy hands.
1. It was thought, Jewish superstition, at first, that no prayer could be acceptable that was not offered at the temple at Jerusalem.
2. Afterward, this was extended to the Holy Land
3. Later, when they became dispersed among the nations, they built oratories, or places of prayer, principally by rivers and by the seaside, and in these they allowed public prayer, but nowhere else.
4. In opposition to this, Paul, by the authority of Christ, commands men to pray everywhere.
5. They allowed standing, sitting, leaning, lying, walking by the way, and during work, not just kneeling, or lying prostrate.
6. It was common custom to lift up, or spread out their arms and hands in prayer, among Jews, but also pagans.
a. Paul probably alludes to Jewish custom of laying their hands on the head of animal brought for a sin-offering; this they lifted up to God as a sacrifice to sin.
b. Now lift hands to Jesus, by faith, as a sacrifice.
9 Also [I desire] that women should adorn themselves modestly and appropriately and sensibly in seemly apparel, not with [elaborate] hair arrangement or gold or pearls or expensive clothing,
1. Roman & Grecian adorned themselves very suggestively, with much jewelry and elaborately twisting and entwining hair with much jewelry.
10 But by doing good deeds (deeds in themselves good and for the good and advantage of those contacted by them), as befits women who profess reverential fear for and devotion to God.
1. Good works are the only ornaments with which women professing Christianity should seek to be adorned.
2. Jewish matrons were accustomed to cry to the bride: “There is no need of paint, no need of braided hare, she herself is most beautiful.
3. The eastern women use a preparation of antimony, which they apply both to the eyes and eyelids, which gives a wonderful luster to the eye itself.
11 Let a woman learn in quietness, in entire submissiveness.
12 I allow no woman to teach or to have authority over men; she is to remain in quietness and keep silence [in religious assemblies].
1. A woman should attempt nothing, either in public or private, that belongs to man as his peculiar function; this was prohibited by the Roman laws.
2. It was lawful for men in public assemblies to ask questions, or even interrupt the speaker if they didn’t understand the speaker, but this liberty was not granted to women.
3. It was a Jewish ordinance, women were not permitted to teach in the assemblies, or even ask questions; this was their condition until the time of the gospel, when according to Joel, the Spirit of God was to be poured out on the women as well as men,
4. All that the apostle opposes here is their questioning, finding fault, disputing, etc, in the Christian church, as the Jewish men were permitted to do in their synagogues; together with the attempts to usurp any authority over the man, by setting up their judgment in opposition to them;
5. for the apostle has in view, especially, acts of disobedience, arrogance, etc., of which no woman would be guilty who was under the influence of the Spirit of God.
13 For Adam was first formed, then Eve; [Gen 2:7,21,22.]
1. God fitted man, by the robust construction of his body, to live a public life, contend with difficulties, and to be capable of great exertions.
2. The structure of woman’s body proves she wasn’t designed for these exertions.
3. This is the only “inferiority” so to speak of a woman’s body.
14 And it was not Adam who was deceived, but [the] woman who was deceived and deluded and fell into transgression. [Gen 3:1-6.]
1. It doesn’t appear that Satan tempted the man in this way, Adam new he was transgressing, but was not deceived, however, the woman led the way.
15 Nevertheless [the sentence put upon women of pain in motherhood does not hinder their souls' salvation, and] they will be saved [eternally] if they continue in faith and love and holiness with self-control, [saved indeed] through the Childbearing or by the birth of the divine Child.
1. Without faith it is impossible to please God, or to be saved.
2. Without love it will be impossible to obey; faith & love are essential to holiness and propriety.
1 Timothy 3
3:1 THE SAYING is true and irrefutable: If any man [eagerly] seeks the office of bishop (superintendent, overseer), he desires an excellent task (work).
1. It’s strange that the overseer, or bishop position was so sought after when it was a place of danger, severe labor, persecution, and death.
2. Maybe the Spirit of God designed these words more for the ages that were to come.
3. Excellent task: the office should be maintained and respected.
2 Now a bishop (superintendent, overseer) must give no grounds for accusation but must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, circumspect and temperate and self-controlled; [he must be] sensible and well behaved and dignified and lead an orderly (disciplined) life; [he must be] hospitable [showing love for and being a friend to the believers, especially strangers or foreigners, and be] a capable and qualified teacher,
3 Not given to wine, not combative but gentle and considerate, not quarrelsome but forbearing and peaceable, and not a lover of money [insatiable for wealth and ready to obtain it by questionable means].
4 He must rule his own household well, keeping his children under control, with true dignity, commanding their respect in every way and keeping them respectful.
5 For if a man does not know how to rule his own household, how is he to take care of the church of God?
6 He must not be a new convert, or he may [develop a beclouded and stupid state of mind] as the result of pride [be blinded by conceit, and] fall into the condemnation that the devil [once] did. [Isa 14:12-14.]
1. It is impossible that one who is not long and deeply experienced in the ways of God can guide others in the way of life.
2. Pride or self-conceit was the cause of the Devil's downfall.
3. In Ecclesiastucus 10 there are some excellent sayings concerning pride: "Pride is hurtful before God and man." "Why is earth and ashes proud?" "The beginning of pride is when one departeth from God." "For pride is the beginning of sin; and he that hath it shall pour out abomination." "PRIDE was not made for MEN
7 Furthermore, he must have a good reputation and be well thought of by those outside [the church], lest he become involved in slander and incur reproach and fall into the devil's trap.
8 In like manner the deacons [must be] worthy of respect, not shifty and double-talkers but sincere in what they say, not given to much wine, not greedy for base gain [craving wealth and resorting to ignoble and dishonest methods of getting it].
1. Deacons & bishops, or presbyters, have nearly the same qualifications.
9 They must possess the mystic secret of the faith [Christian truth as hidden from ungodly men] with a clear conscience
1. Mystery: musteerion of the faith: pistis..
10 And let them also be tried and investigated and proved first; then, if they turn out to be above reproach, let them serve [as deacons].
1. 1 Tim 3:10[Let these also first be tried, or proved] Let them not be young converts, or persons lately brought to the knowledge of the truth.
2. This is the same in spirit with what is required of the bishops, 1 Tim 3:6.
3. Let no man be put into an office in the church until he has given full proof of his sincerity and steadiness, by having been for a considerable time a consistent private member of the church.
11[The] women likewise must be worthy of respect and serious, not gossipers, but temperate and self-controlled, [thoroughly] trustworthy in all things.
12 Let deacons be the husbands of but one wife, and let them manage [their] children and their own households well.
13 For those who perform well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves and also gain much confidence and freedom and boldness in the faith which is [founded on and centers] in Christ Jesus.
1. They have been tried, and have shown themselves faithful.
14 Although I hope to come to you before long, I am writing these instructions to you so that,
15 If I am detained, you may know how people ought to conduct themselves in the household of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and stay (the prop and support) of the Truth.
16 And great and important and weighty, we confess, is the hidden truth (the mystic secret) of godliness. He [God] was made visible in human flesh, justified and vindicated in the [Holy] Spirit, was seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, [and] taken up in glory.
1. [Justified and vindicated in the Spirit] By the miracles which were performed by the apostle in and through the name of Jesus; as well as by his resurrection from the dead, through the energy of the Holy Spirit, by which he was proved to be the Son of God with power.
2. Christ was justified from all the calumnies of the Jews, who crucified him as an impostor.
3. All these miracles, being performed by the power of God, were a full proof of his innocence; for, had he not been what he professed to be, God would not have borne such a decisive testimony to his Messiahship.
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