1 Timothy (Written)

Monday, 13 November 2017

And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant, with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus. 1 Timothy 1:14

Paul has explained his “from” and “to” status. He went from a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man. He went to one who was placed into the ministry because he was counted faithful. Now he attempts to explain the incomprehensible nature of what came about in that transformation by saying, “And the grace of our Lord was exceedingly abundant.” The single Greek word translated as “exceedingly abundant” is found only here in Scripture. It gives the sense of superabundance. It is as a number which cannot be counted.

In other words, Paul is stating that the grace upon him could not be properly explained. Only a descriptive word which asks the mind to reach off into infinity could be used in an attempt to describe it. And then along with that, he adds, “with faith and love which are in Christ Jesus.” These are the two principle tenets which came to exemplify the life and apostleship of Paul. They are set in contrast to his former life.

He was a blasphemer, now he was a man of faith. He was a persecutor and an insolent man, and now his life was marked with love. The transformation was as complete as that of going from utter darkness to brilliant light.

Life application: How did coming to Christ change you? Did you simply go from being a regular person, stepping from unbelief in His work to a belief in it, calling on Him as Lord? If so, you are saved by that belief and the call that you made. Or, did you go from being a really wicked person to a person who was completely transformed? If so, you are saved as well, but you probably have a burning desire to serve the Lord. The fact is that all, those who felt they were just regular folks, and those who felt they were the worst of all people, were in exactly the same boat. In both, there was an infinite separation from God; and in both, there is a complete reuniting to Him. Let us all come to the realization of this, and let us all be willing to expend ourselves in this life for the furtherance of the gospel. And in this, let us be people of faith and love which is found in Christ Jesus.

It was an infinite gulf between the two of us, O God. The chasm was impassible, and I stood dead in sin. But then came Christ. With His divine hand, He reached out to You – infinitely pure and holy. And in His human hand, he reached down and cleansed a miserable sinner like me. Now, this Bridge has reconciled me to You. Thank God for Calvary’s cross, and the blood which was shed there. Thank You, O God, for what You have done through Christ Jesus my Lord. Amen.

Sunday, 12 November 2017

…although I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an insolent man; but I obtained mercy because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. 1 Timothy 1:13

Paul now contrasts his state in Christ to his life before Christ. He just said in verse 12, “He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry.” In contrasting words, he explains his life as a Pharisee, and as a strict adherent to the Law of Moses, saying words which place Christ Jesus as the object of his words. He begins with, “although I was formerly a blasphemer.”

As an observant Pharisee, how could he be a blasphemer? Unless Christ is the end of the law for all who believe, which He is, this couldn’t be the case. But in failing to come to Christ, he had rejected the entire purpose of the law. His words here show that adherence to the law is enmity with the Lord! The two are incompatible. God cannot smile upon one who attempts to be justified by the deeds of the law when Christ has fulfilled that law. It is blasphemy to attempt to do so.

After this, he says he was “a persecutor.” The first word, blasphemer, applies to his conduct toward God. This word now applies to his conduct towards God’s people. The word he uses, dióktés, is only found here. It is a person who pursues and hunts down another. His actions in this regard are well described in the book of Acts.

And then next, he says that he was “an insolent man.” This word, hubristés, is found only here and in Romans 1:30. One can see the modern word “hubris” in it. It indicates “someone ‘damaging’ others by lashing out with a nasty spirit.” It is someone who revels in hurting others. Again, as noted above, Paul uses these words to describe himself as a man strictly adhering to the Law of Moses.

How is it that those who feel they are right with God by adhering to the law think that they are acceptable to God? Such is not the case. It shows that all, including law-observers, are in need something else. It is something that Paul says he found with the words, “…but I obtained mercy.” One who obtains mercy is a person who needed mercy. Paul found this, despite his wretched condition. Through the law comes the knowledge of sin, but in Christ both grace and mercy are found. Paul then qualifies his statement by saying, “because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.”

The word “ignorantly” gives the sense of lacking the proper knowledge of the matter. He looked at the law as a means to an end, failing to see that Christ is the end of the law. His efforts were intended to please God through the law, and through destroying those who were not in conformity with it. But he found that he was the one who was in the wrong. It was those he persecuted who were adhering to the “fulfilled law” found in Christ. The law wasn’t a means to an end, it was ended.

Paul’s words here are contemplated by some to indicate that ignorance of a law will lead to a mitigation of the punishment, or even complete forgiveness of the penalty for infractions of the law. This is not Paul’s intent here. Though it is true that those who sin in ignorance may receive a lessening of punishment, it is not true that one will stand guiltless for ignorant violations of the law. Atonement of sin must be granted, and that can only be found in Christ the Lord. Those not covered in Christ will be judged accordingly.

Life application: In Christ, even the worst of offenses can be forgiven. If you have a sin which wears you down because of its enormity, you must realize that it has been forgiven if you have come to Him. Do not be so presumptuous as to assume that your sin is greater than His ability to forgive. Cast away the feeling of guilt, and replace it with an attitude of confidence in your forgiveness, and of praise for how it came about!

Lord God, at times we bear a heavy guilt in our hearts for things we have done against You. But Your word tells us that in Christ we are forgiven, completely and wholly, for such things. Help us never to think in such a twisted way as to assume that our misdeeds are greater than Your mercy which is found in Christ. Instead, help us to simply be grateful for our cleansing, and filled with praises for what You have accomplished through Him. Amen.

Saturday, 11 November 2017

And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord who has enabled me, because He counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry, 1 Timothy 1:12

Paul bursts into praise because of the words he just said in the previous verse – “…according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust.” He probably stopped for a moment and thought, “God counted me – even me – worthy of this honor. How can it be?”

As readers of the word, we may place Paul on a super-spiritual level, but he certainly didn’t feel that way. He will explain his time before Christ in the coming verses, but for now he says, “And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord.” To thank someone for something generally means that they have obtained from the person something they did not previously possess. Paul directs his thanks to the Lord because it is He, as he says, “who has enabled me.” The word translated as “enabled” is one which indicates that an outward source of strength is bestowed. The word “empowered” conveys the thought well.

In this, Paul claims that the strength required to conduct his affairs in conveying the gospel came from Christ and not from himself. This is in accord with the words of the Lord when He spoke to the disciples the words of John 15:5, “without Me you can do nothing.” Paul confirms this in his own life as an apostle.

Next, he states why the Lord enabled him. It is “because He counted me faithful.” As the Lord is omniscient, this is not an “after-conversion” judgment, but a “pre-conversion” judgment. The Lord saw the makeup of Paul, and knew that it was exactly what was needed to meet the grueling demands of the office which would be placed upon him. In the verses ahead, Paul will describe some of his negative traits, showing his unworthiness to hold the position he was placed in. However, Jesus looked at his positive attributes and knew that with the proper guidance, Paul was the right man for the task which lay ahead.

Because of this, Paul says that it was for this reason that the Lord put him “into the ministry.” What may be a better translation is that the Lord had “appointed him to His service.” The word translated here as “ministry” is not simply one used as a reference to a religious duty. Rather, it is a general word which covers both secular and religious affairs. Paul was called into the service of the Lord, having been appointed by Christ specifically because he was reckoned as faithful.

Life application: Each of us has a general makeup which determines who we are. The Lord knows that makeup, and He will use it for His purposes. If we run ahead and jump into a ministry that fails, we shouldn’t be upset at the Lord. Rather, we should praise Him for ending something that was not meant to be. Having said this, there are many “ministries” which are highly successful, but which are not conducted in accord with the words of Paul in the pastoral epistles. Success in a ministry which is not in accord with the word of God is not a successful ministry at all. Let us not delude ourselves into thinking that a church is sound because it is growing, popular, well-funded, etc. A successful ministry is one which is first and foremost aligned with the word of God.

Heavenly Father, help us to evaluate our ministers and the ministries we see in accord with the word of God alone. May we never assume that a ministry is successful because it is popular, increasing in number, or for any other reason. A ministry which is not in accord with your word may be successful by worldly standards, but it is actually just another worn stone laying on the side of Apostasy Avenue. Help us to remember this and to adhere to Your word alone when evaluating pastors and churches. Amen.

Friday, 10 November 2017

…according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God which was committed to my trust. 1 Timothy 1:11

Paul is summing up his thoughts of verses 3-10 now, but the words “according to” are more specifically directed to verses 8-10. He has been speaking of the law as being an instrument not intended for righteous people, but for those who are unrighteous. This was its full intent and purpose. And this concept is nothing invented by him, as if he had found some new meaning in it. No! In fact, he had served under this law all his life, striving for righteousness, and falling short of it continuously. And then came Christ Jesus! When Paul found true righteousness in Him, he also found the true intent of the law. Thus, his words concerning the law in relation to the unrighteous are “according to” this precept.

After this, the English translation of the NKJV is argued to break down. Rather than it saying, “according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God,” Greek scholars say it is better translated as, “according to the gospel of the glory of the blessed God.” This then speaks of “the glory” in relation to God. In other words, the gospel which tells of righteousness apart from the law is seen in “the glory of the blessed God.” It is a reference to the work of Christ Jesus who is “the light of the knowledge of the glory of God” (2 Corinthians 4:6). The gospel may be glorious, but it is only in relation to the One who brought it forth.

It is Christ Jesus who is this “glory of the blessed God.” The glory of God, in His infinite grace and mercy, is seen in and through the work of Christ. Apart from God’s works in Christ, these things would be unknown, and unattainable. But because of Him, we can see a glory which transcends the marvel of creation. We can see that all of the majesty of creation is only a container for man to exist in, and into which God Himself would enter and demonstrate the fullness of His glory to us. Understanding this, Paul notes that this amazing treasure, the gospel which reveals these things, “was committed to my trust.”

These words set his message apart from the false teachers noted in verses 3-7. They had a false gospel which revealed no glory at all. Instead, adherence to the law which they proclaimed was a part of earning salvation (or even a convoluted misuse of the law), was only a means of obscuring the glory of God, not a means of revealing it. What they put forth was only darkness and damnation, but that which Paul put forth was light and life. This trust given to him, and to the other apostles, is the true and marvelous gift of God, revealing the Person and work of Jesus Christ on our behalf.

Life application: Again we need to consider Paul’s words. If the gospel of Jesus Christ reveals the glory of the blessed God, and if the law is simply an instrument intended for the unrighteous, then why O’ why would we shun the cross of Christ and place ourselves under the law? Who on earth would throw away salvation in hopes of gaining condemnation? And yet, this is exactly what those who hold to the Law of Moses are doing. Be freed from this heresy! Turn to Christ, and be saved through a reliance on His finished work!

Great, glorious, and gracious God! How we treasure our hope of glory – Christ in us! We are freed from condemnation because of His fulfillment of the law. When His body died on the cross, the law died with Him. And in His burial, there it too was buried. Help us to be wise, and to leave the law there. It didn’t resurrect! But Christ did! May we only put our hope in Him, trusting in His merits alone for our entrance into Your glorious presence. Great are You, O God, and greatly are You to be praised. Hallelujah and Amen!

Thursday, 9 November 2017

…for fornicators, for sodomites, for kidnappers, for liars, for perjurers, and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine, 1 Timothy 1:10

Paul continues his lengthy list of who the law is intended for. His next target is “fornicators.” The word is pornos. Specifically, it means a male prostitute, however, it is more appropriately speaking of anyone engaging in sexual immorality.

Following this comes “sodomites.” The Greek word, arsenokoites, comes from two separate words which translate as “a male,” and “a bed.” Thus it refers to a man in bed with another. More specifically, it is the perversion which today we call “homosexuality.” Although termed “acceptable” in apostate churches of today, the word of God stands, and such who participate in this perversion are exactly who the law was written for. It is to show them God’s standard, and to reveal to them the punishment due for their abominable actions.

Paul’s next class are “kidnappers.” The Greek word is used only here. It signifies a slave, such as a man taken in war and sold into slavery. What is probably on Paul’s mind here is a person who steals free men and sells them into slavery, or one who steals the slaves of others and re-sells them. The Eighth Commandment refers to stealing. Among all theft, this would be one of the most repugnant types, if not the most repugnant of all.

Paul then goes to “liars.” Here the Ninth Commandment is referred to. In John 8:44, Jesus calls the devil a liar, and the father of all lies. Obviously then, a liar is one for whom the law is written. Should someone follow the path of lying, the penalty of the law is intended to instruct him of his just due for that misconduct.

Next, he notes “perjurers.” Again, it is a word only found here in Scripture, epiorkos. It is derived from two words indicating “against” and “oath.” Thus is is a person who swears falsely. This is also aligned with the Ninth Commandment.

Paul could continue on for a lengthy time with more specific types of people for whom the law is written. Entire chapters of Leviticus identify specific laws, and the penalties for violating those laws. Deuteronomy repeats many of these, and builds upon them. But to sum up his thoughts, he simply says, “and if there is any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine.” The word translated as “doctrine” is used by Paul 19 times in his letters. He uses it 15 times in the 3 pastoral epistles, and it is found only 2 other times in the New Testament. It means “instruction,” or “teaching.”

The high use of the word in the pastorals shows us the importance of proper teaching in the church, and especially in regards to those in leadership positions. The other two times it is used apart from Paul, it is seen in Jesus’ words when speaking of those leaders in Israel who teach “as doctrines the commandments of men” (Matthew 15:9). The teaching of God’s people is to be from the word of God; and it is to be taught carefully, in context, and according to the proper dispensation. In the case of the Gentile-led church age, the proper doctrine is to be from Paul’s epistles first and foremost.

Life application: It is those who are referenced in his lengthy list of offenders for whom the law is written. How can it be that pastors and teachers throughout the world, and throughout the history of the church age, have continuously picked out select portions of the law as binding upon those in the church? Some go so far as to mandate that the entire law of Moses is still in effect. But this is completely contrary to the sense of what Paul presents. Those in Christ are not at all for whom the law is written. Reintroducing the law is shown to be beyond ridiculous when taken in its proper context. Stand firm and fast on the grace of Jesus Christ alone. Stand firm in the liberty by which Christ has made us free. Do not be entangled again with the yoke of bondage, which is the law.

Lord God, there is liberty in Christ which is so wonderfully marvelous. We have been freed from the yoke of bondage, which is the law, and brought into son-ship with You through His fulfillment of that law. We can see that the law is written for offenders, not for those who are declared “not guilty.” Help us to remember this lesson, and to live holy lives to You because of Christ and His magnificent work! Amen.