1 Timothy

Friday, 29 December 2017

…forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from foods which God created to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth. 1 Timothy 4:3

Paul, understanding human nature, and having seen various sects of his own faith and of others, knew that control of the faithful comes through certain aberrant observances. By controlling the family of the faithful, both sub-leaders and congregants, and by controlling their diet through the imposition of certain laws, there would be a type of bondage instilled in them. Through these things, other areas of control would be so much easier to instill in them as well. And so Paul preempts them in the church by giving these words. And yet, because people fail to read their Bible, or fail to take it in proper context, they fall into exactly the same trap as Paul warns against.

He first notes that these people who depart from the faith, and who then give heed to deceiving spirits and the doctrines of demons, will control those below them by “forbidding to marry.” Control the natural human sexuality and family structure of the followers, and you have immediately brought the person into a submission which will lead to any other control one desires to impose. It is that simple. The Essenes imposed this on their followers at Paul’s time. The gnostic heretics would later follow suit, along with countless other aberrant cults. But it is also a major tenet of Roman Catholicism where priests are not allowed to marry; nuns are not allowed to marry; etc.

In this, the entire congregation is led into a belief that these people are more holy than the lay people. There then becomes a multi-tiered level of supposed holiness leading up to divine authority at the top of this unholy pyramid. Paul warned against it, and yet over a billion people have been duped into accepting this false teaching; this doctrine of demons. Anytime someone goes beyond the limits of Scripture concerning human sexuality and approved family life, it should be the very first clue that their teaching is not of God and should be rejected entirely.

From there, Paul then states, “and commanding to abstain from foods.” The second trap to ensnare those within religion is through the stomach. The Old Testament had a set of dietary laws which confined the people of Israel. This was both limiting on them, and it was instructive. It was intended maintain separation from the nations, and it was to lead the people to understanding the Person and work of the coming Messiah in a more perfect way.

However, in the New Covenant, all such dietary laws eliminated. Paul speaks of this elsewhere. For example, in Romans 14, he says the following –

“Receive one who is weak in the faith, but not to disputes over doubtful things. ² For one believes he may eat all things, but he who is weak eats only vegetables. ³ Let not him who eats despise him who does not eat, and let not him who does not eat judge him who eats; for God has received him. ⁴ Who are you to judge another’s servant? To his own master he stands or falls. Indeed, he will be made to stand, for God is able to make him stand.” Romans 14:1-4

As there are no biblical food restrictions levied upon New Covenant believers, anyone who imposes dietary restrictions is teaching the doctrine of demons. This includes those who reinsert Old Testament dietary laws which were fulfilled in Christ. As Christ fulfilled them, and as the Old Covenant is now obsolete and annulled, to reimpose those standards is against Christ’s work, and is – by default – a demonic doctrine.

Other aberrant cults and sects add in their own flavors of dietary restrictions. Seventh Day Adventists, Mormons, etc., all have their own restrictions on their people. Some are based on the Old Testament, while others make up restrictions as they go. And once again, we have the largest branch of Christianity, the Roman Catholic Church, which imposes dietary restrictions at certain times of the year. There is nothing Scriptural concerning their traditions, but rather there is the intent of control. As noted above, when one can control the diet of adherents, even if in a limited way, it becomes much easier to control other aspects of the people’s lives as well.

Paul understood that marriage and food are very important tenets which are to be biblically based and free from any other restrictions, that he singles them out here in his letter to Timothy. To stray from his words will immediately bring about bondage and control by those who have evil intent instilled in their minds.

Instead, we are to understand that any food “which God created” is “to be received with thanksgiving by those who believe and know the truth.” The Lord has given all foods into the hands of man for consumption. We are to receive what He has created, we are to be thankful for it, and we are to learn and know the truth of these things, never turning from them in order to supposedly become “more” holy. We are made acceptable through the Person and work of Christ. Is that not sufficient? Yes, it is all sufficient.

Life application: In marriage and in food, we are to hold to the standards of the New Covenant, as defined in the New Testament epistles; and we are not to add to or subtract from what is stated there.

Lord God, how can eating certain foods, or not eating certain foods, make us “more holy?” Christ has done everything necessary to make us acceptable to You. As Your word has declared all foods acceptable because of His work, we shall enjoy what You have created with thanksgiving. We are told that imposed dietary restrictions are “the doctrine of demons.” May we never attempt to follow that unholy path. Thank you for the wonderful delights of food that we are free to enjoy! Amen.

Thursday, 28 December 2017

…speaking lies in hypocrisy, having their own conscience seared with a hot iron, 1 Timothy 4:2

The Greek correctly reads, “through the hypocrisy of men who speak lies…” It is tied to the previous thought. There is a hypocrisy which comes through from the demons, and which is then transmitted by liars. These people willingly and intentionally lie about the truth by giving heed to deceiving spirits and the doctrines of demons. What they teach is not freedom in Christ, but bondage. Their intent is to hold those under their sway captive with their lies. How they do this will be seen in the coming verse, but the fact that they teach such things, knowing them to be false, shows that they have “their own conscience seared with a hot iron.”

The idea here is that of being branded. The word is used just once in Scripture, and it means that one has an implement which is burning hot applied to him, marking him. At the same time, it destroys their nerve impulses of pleasure or pain. Figuratively Paul is saying that their spiritual nerve endings have been destroyed. They no longer care that God is watching, they don’t care that they are leading others to destruction, and they have no regard for any truth or goodness in the message of Christ. Though their words may speak of Christ, they are false words which have been deadened to the truth.

Life application: The words of this verse are being applied to a certain group of people whose teachings will be described next. How frightful it is to think that someone is so willing to openly and brazenly teach what is contrary to the truth. Although the next verse is speaking of something different, just think of those who teach that homosexuality, or any other aberrant doctrine which is now being taught in the church, is somehow acceptable. These people have no shame, and no spiritual feeling that they are wholly displeasing to God. We must know what Scripture teaches in order to know what is a lie.

Lord God, how can we know if what the pastor of our church is teaching is correct? It is his job to study Your word and to properly explain it to us. But what if he is mishandling it? What if we are being told that which is untrue? Where can we go to know if this is the case? Lord, we already know that answer, but it takes effort on our part – great effort. Help us to be responsible followers of You, and help us to be willing to do our part by reading and carefully studying Your word. Better to trust You, than a thousand eloquent deceivers. Grant us this desire to be pleasing to You. Amen.

Wednesday, 27 December 2017

Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons, 1 Timothy 4:1

The words of Chapter 4 now show a contrast to the ending thoughts of Chapter 3. Paul had been writing of the high standards and qualifications for men entering the ministry, focusing on their faith, and on their faithfulness. He then wrote about the “mystery of godliness.” In contrast to that, he says, “Now the Spirit expressly says…” The word “but” rather than “now” is used by some translations to show this stark contrast. The mystery of godliness has been revealed, and it is a revelation which should direct the hearts and souls of men at all times. The focus of the believer should be on Christ, and the greatness of what He has done. Instead, there is a contrast which he will now state, which is “that in the latter times some will depart from the faith.”

The term, “in the latter times” is not some nebulous time which will occur all of a sudden, and which will somehow indicate that the rapture is close at hand, or some thought similar to this. These words are often used to support such a conclusion – “See the things that Paul wrote about are happening now. We must be in the ‘latter times.’”

Rather, the things Paul will describe have been occurring since the Lord departed. In fact the epistles are written to expressly refute much of what Paul will mention in these coming verses. It may be true that wickedness is filling the world more and more as the end draws near, but that is not the context of Paul’s words now. The truth of this is seen in the words of past scholars. In fact, Charles Ellicott said several centuries ago, “The errors foreseen then, have more or less affected the internal government of the Church during the eighteen hundred years which have passed since St. Paul’s words were written. In no age, perhaps, have they been more ostentatiously thrust forward than in our own.”

In the latter times (as indicated), he says that “some will depart from the faith.” Departure from the faith has already been noted as an occurrence by Paul in verses 1:18-20. Hymenaeus and Alexander had shipwrecked their faith. And in his next letter, Demas will be said to have departed from Paul, “having loved this present world” (2 Timothy 4:10).

Such a departure is to walk away from the faith, or it also includes adding to or subtracting from the faith. All of these are addressed by Paul in his letters. This is nothing that is solely expected in the extreme end times, but is a constant theme of the age since Christ ascended. That a much larger departure is occurring as time goes by simply shows that the church itself has grown to the point where a large departure is to be expected – even on a national scale – as is the case with many national denominations.

Paul then explains that such a departure from the faith involves, “giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.” The words, “giving heed to deceiving spirits” are set in contrast to giving heed to the Spirit of God. The Spirit of God has spoken to us through the writing of Scripture. Therefore, anything which is codified into a church law or book of discipline which contradicts the word of God, adds to it, or subtracts from it, is to be considered in this category.

The words, “doctrines of demons” may include that which concerns demons, or that which is taught by demons. It could therefore include odd things which are inculcated from other religions, such as spiritual reliance on eastern meditations, the reading of palms for divination, and etc. It could also refer to the worship of other “deities” in place of Christ, such as worshiping the Virgin Mary, adoring the saints, etc. Paul’s words are certainly inclusive of all such things. Anything not based on Scripture, and an adherence to Jesus Christ, would fall into the category of these words.

By default, any faith-directed worship which is not of Christ, is ungodly; it is satanic. The devil and his armies are working actively to destroy sound doctrine. He is there inserting his own perverse doctrine. The spiritual warfare which is on-going in this world is described by Paul in the book of Ephesians. Paul explains this clearly in Ephesians 2 –

“And you He made alive, who were dead in trespasses and sins, ² in which you once walked according to the course of this world, according to the prince of the power of the air, the spirit who now works in the sons of disobedience, ³ among whom also we all once conducted ourselves in the lusts of our flesh, fulfilling the desires of the flesh and of the mind, and were by nature children of wrath, just as the others.” Ephesians 2:1-3

He further describes the spiritual battle the church faces in Ephesians 6. There, he tells how to defend against it, and even go forward in battle against it. His thoughts, in particular, center on the word of God, and holding fast to the doctrine which is found there. But the devil and his armies have their own twisted view of what is correct. Paul will give several of the false doctrines which they promote in the words which lie ahead. Understanding these things is an important part of not getting misdirected by the lies of the devil.

Life application: We must hold to Scripture alone for our doctrine. If we fail to do this, we can become swayed away from soundness in our faith very easily. Let us be faithful, reliable readers and followers of the word of God in order to not be duped by the things Paul so carefully warns against.

Lord God, Your word warns that anything which is not based in Scripture can very easily draw us away from right living and soundness of faith. May we never hold to catechisms, books of discipline, church canons, or any other teachings which do not align with the truth of Your word. In doing so, we are told that we are following deceiving spirits and the doctrines of demons. Help us in this, O God. May we follow that word which leads us to the truth of Jesus Christ alone. Amen.

Tuesday, 26 December 2017

Received up in glory. 1 Timothy 3:16g

To close out “the mystery of godliness” which he has been describing, Paul now speaks of Christ’s final act of His earthly ministry. He was “Received up in glory.” The actual record of this is found in Acts 1. There it records, just after his final words to the disciples, that momentous event –

Now when He had spoken these things, while they watched, He was taken up, and a cloud received Him out of their sight. ¹⁰ And while they looked steadfastly toward heaven as He went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel, ¹¹ who also said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand gazing up into heaven? This same Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will so come in like manner as you saw Him go into heaven.” Acts 1:9-11

Being received up in glory means this was an actual event for us to contemplate, and it is not just a minor add on by Paul. Instead, it is to show that this Man, fully human, had prevailed in His earthly ministry. The ascension confirms what the resurrection speaks of. He was crucified, and He was raised. And to further demonstrate God’s approval, He was not only raised, but He was taken up in glory. The Man, Jesus, is the One who was accepted because of the perfection of His life and work. As a sign of that acceptance, He was taken up directly to heaven where He will remain until the appointed time for His return.

Until then, He sits at the right hand of the Father with all power and authority at His command. The record of the ascension is a vital part of the mystery of godliness because in that record is also included the record of His promised return. It is not that He simply ascended and will bring Himself to us as we die, but that there is a true and literal return expected as well. It is a time when the blessings of the messianic kingdom will be realized on earth. Until that time, we have the sure and complete promise that He now sits at the right hand of God.

Life application: Are you (or someone you know) facing your own mortality? Is death’s hand close to you? If you (or your loved one) are in Christ, death is not the end of your story. The mystery of godliness which speaks of Jesus Christ also speaks of you. If you are in Christ, you are under the safe care of the Ruler of the universe. Every promise He has made has a 100% guarantee of being fulfilled. Rest easy in the surety that all is well with your soul.

Lord God, surely all is well with the soul of the one who is in Christ Jesus. There is no greater surety that exists than the promises which are granted to those whose faith is placed in Him. Death cannot hold us, the devil has no authority over us, and glory awaits us – all because of the work of Another; all because of Jesus’ most kind hand upon our lives. Thank You, O God, for Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

Monday, 25 December 2017

Believed on in the world, 1 Timothy 3:16f

The fact that Christianity is believed at all is almost incomprehensible. A man, believed to be God, is said to have entered the stream of humanity, been born of a virgin, never held any high position, was supported by women as he taught, stayed within a very confined geographic area, was eventually rejected by His own people, and was then nailed to a cross where He died… and then He came back to life. The entire account seems almost too incredible to imagine. And yet, it is exactly this message which is understood to be the only cure of the fallen human condition.

The message of Christ has been “believed on in the world” because it makes sense. Humanity understands its disconnect from God. It understands the concept of sin. It understands the idea of substitution, atonement, and justification. These things don’t take a rocket scientist to understand. They also don’t take a certain culture to grasp. The child, barely old enough to leave mommy’s watchful presence for a few minutes will get the simple gospel. The lost soul in Asia, the Americas, in Europe, or in Africa – or even in the remotest island in the ocean – all hear the message and respond.

Different cultures, languages, and traditions all seem to have hints tucked away in them which point directly to what God has done in Christ, being realized after the message is revealed. It is as if God has woven the tapestry of humanity together so that when the message is heard, people say, “I get this; I need this.” The message is truly “believed on in the world.”

And the message is believed on by those who have offended God in a very small way, as well as by those who have done so with the greatest of offenses. In fact, it is often the case that the greatest offender becomes the most ardent believer. The more depraved a person felt they were, the more resolutely they hold onto the message as the cure to their illness.

The simple message of grace through faith in the finished work of Christ is a message that heals the human soul, repairs the infinite rift, and it brings gladness to both sinner and angel. It is the message of God which is found in the giving of His Son, Jesus Christ for the sin of the world. And this message is “believed on in the world.”

Life application: The wisdom of God is revealed in the belief by humanity in the gospel. Surely, the mystery of godliness is great.

Most glorious, gracious, and exalted heavenly Father – what an incredible thing to believe! The gospel seems like the least likely thing to change hearts at first, but when it is spoken and believed, it has cured the deepest wounds, reconciled the greatest sinner, and changed the course of nations and peoples. Thank You for the wisdom of the simple gospel message – we are saved by grace through faith in the work of another; in the work of Jesus Christ our Lord. Hallelujah and Amen.