1 Timothy

Saturday, 17 February 2018

Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. 1 Timothy 6:12

Paul has just previously exhorted Timothy with direct words of what he should do. He now continues to exhort him with strong and direct challenges to grow in the faith in a steadfast and hearty way. He begins with, “Fight the good fight of faith.” Actually, there is an article in front of “faith,” and so it should read, “Fight the good fight of the faith.”

He is using the terminology of the Grecian games here, having done this at other times in his epistles. They were as well known then as the Olympics are for us today. In this expression, he is equating Timothy to a fighter on a set team (the faith) and he is encouraging him to fight that good fight on its behalf. The goal of this fight is to “lay hold on eternal life.”

Again, there is an article in front of “eternal,” and so it more rightly says, “lay hold of the eternal life.” All people will live out an eternity somewhere. For those who are not in Christ, it will be an eternity, but not one of life. Instead, it will be one of corruption, but it will be eternal nonetheless. This is another reference to the Grecian games. Just as the crown of victory is held out to the victor to lay hold of, Timothy is exhorted to grasp this far more worthy prize. It is that which the victor will possess forever.

He then notes that it is this eternal life, “to which you were also called.” There are two aspects to this. The first is spiritual and inward. It is the call of any believer, who then responds to that call – accepting Christ Jesus and coming to salvation. In Timothy’s case, that call then transferred to a greater inner call to the ministry. In conjunction with this, there is also the outward calling which came by those who recognized his inward calling, confirming it in him as a minister of the Lord. This is evidenced by the words, “and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.”

In these words, Paul could be referring to Timothy’s conversion and baptism, or he could be referring to his acceptance into the ministry. What is more likely is that Paul is thinking of both. He is looking at the entire process of Timothy’s conversion, growth, inner desire to serve, review by those who would eventually ordain him, and his actual ordination process. In this, Timothy confessed the good confession at various times, and certainly “in the presence of many witnesses.”

The entire thought is one which is united, from beginning to end. Paul is exhorting Timothy based on who he is as a believer, and the process of his walk in Christ which brought him to the position he now is in. He is to continue that good fight, and continue to lay hold of the eternal life as the prize which is set before him.

Life application: How willing are you to continue to lay hold of that which you already possess? Is it wearisome to grasp what Christ has offered and pursue it continuously? Or is it your heart’s desire to grab it, hold it fast, and not let it go for a second? Don’t be the faithless Christian that says, “Yes, I’m saved. I’m good with that.” Instead, let the fire burn inside you always. “Yes, I’m saved. I will do all I can to continue to work out this salvation with joy and zeal.” May it ever be so in your life.

Lord God, for those of us who have called on Christ, may we never just be content with that. Instead, stir our hearts to not just “get saved,” but to pursue that salvation. Give us the hunger to read Your word, share in Your goodness, tell others about Your glory, hold fast to Your precepts, and never depart from a walk which is pleasing to You. Help us to be like those in a contest, striving to be the best that we can at all times. To Your glory, may this be so. Amen.

Friday, 16 February 2018

But you, O man of God, flee these things and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, gentleness. 1 Timothy 6:11

In verses 9 & 10, Paul relayed words to Timothy which concerned those people who followed after riches instead of pursuing Christ. His words spoke of some who had actually strayed from the faith at that early time in church history. In contrast to taking such a sad and painful path, he now addresses Timothy directly with, “But you, O man of God.”

Paul knew Timothy well enough that he could confidently call him a “man of God.” He had proven himself faithful, and he was a faithful servant of the Lord. However, Paul still says, “But…” This shows us that Timothy was not above turning to such things as Paul had just mentioned. Paul himself spoke of the inward desires which warred in him in 2 Corinthians 11:29. There was nothing “super spiritual” about these men of God, and they were not above falling into temptation. This is the reason for the warning and admonition now given. Paul tells Timothy to “flee these things.”

Those things which are harmful to a right walk with the Lord, meaning those things which he has just described concerning loving money and pursuing worldly wealth, were to be fled from. Fleeing is an active action. Timothy wasn’t simply told to not pursue those things, but to flee from them. He was to put a distance between himself and such things, and to continue to increase that distance at all times. And while fleeing from those things, at the same time he is instructed to “pursue righteousness.”

Timothy (and each of us) don’t have to simply flee from unhealthy desires, but while doing so, we can pursue that which is proper at the same time. This same basic sentiment is found in Romans 12:21, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” In pursuing righteousness, the desires of worldly gain will be lessened. One overcomes the other. The righteousness which Paul speaks of is that of which God is the Source. It is a divine righteous which comes with the approval of God as one pursues it.

Along with this, Paul tells him to pursue “godliness.” This is the “inner response to the things of God which shows itself in godly piety” (HELPS Word Studies). It is a godly response of the heart to those things God is pleased with.

Likewise, Timothy is instructed to pursue “faith.” The word signifies being persuaded. It is not the same as belief, but the two are similar. Hebrews 11:1 says that “faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” This is something that Timothy is charged to pursue, and it is something that every believer is to pursue as well.

Next Paul adds in “love.” The word signifies love which centers in moral preference. In this case Paul is certainly referring to divine love. In pursuing this, the believer will then be able to live out that which is attained through pursuit. To understand what this means, Paul’s words of 1 Corinthians 13 should be referred to.

Following love, Paul instructs him to pursue “patience.” The word signifies endurance and steadfastness. This is especially because God makes it possible for the believer to endure those challenges which are allotted to us in this life. Paul has noted Timothy’s infirmity already (1 Timothy 5:23). He gave him advice concerning it, but here he adds to that (and indeed any challenge) by telling Timothy to pursue endurance in and through such things.

And finally, Paul notes “gentleness.” The word signifies “meekness which expresses power with reserve and gentleness” (HELPS Word Studies). Timothy is in a position of authority, and yet he is to wield that authority in a meek and gentle manner. Where he could be severe, he should consider being mild.

Paul’s words to Timothy are to keep him on the right path, and to keep him from desiring that which is unhealthy and unproductive in his life as a minister, a man, and a servant of the Lord Jesus Christ.

Life application: Though Timothy was in a position of authority in the church, the same words of this verse can (and should) be applied to our own lives as we live in the presence of the Lord. In pursuing these noble things, we will be restrained from pursuing that which is contrary to what God would desire for us.

Lord God, help us to live our lives in a way which is pleasing to You. Give us the wisdom to flee that which is unhealthy, and to pursue that which is noble, righteous, and godly. Help us to understand that we are not above falling into temptation, and to always fix our eyes, our hearts, and our attention, on that which is good. To Your glory we pray. Amen.

Thursday, 15 February 2018

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows. 1 Timothy 6:10

The first clause here is widely translated. Several examples are:

For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. (NKJV)
For the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil. (NLT)
For the love of money is the root of all evil: (KJV)
But the root of all these evils is the love of money. (Aramaic Bible)
For a root of all the evils is the love of money. (YLT)

The Greek reads, “Root indeed of all the evils.” There is no article in front of “root,” but Charles Ellicott says that by not including it, one is watering down the intent. He says that “the article disappears before the predicate, in accordance with the well-known rule respecting subject and predicate.” Vincent’s word studies disagrees saying this is incorrect because, “It is not the only root.” Vincent’s is correct; the KJV is incorrect. The love of money is not the root of all evil. Money did not cause Satan to fall, nor did money cause man to eat the forbidden fruit. Pride was the cause of those evils.

The Aramaic and the YLT attribute the “evils” to the preceding verses. This is both interesting and probably correct. In this, they follow the logic of Charles Ellicott concerning the inclusion of the article, but they do so based on what has been said. Further, the adjective “evil” is plural, and so “evils” is correct.

But most other translations shy away from even this specificity, and they say simply that money is a root of all sorts of evils. One thing is for sure, the KJV is wrong. Instead, loving money is either the root of the evils Paul has written about (a truth in itself), or it is a root of those evils and all sorts of other evils (also a truth). One way or another, the evil produced by the love of money, Paul says, is the end result by “which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness.”

It is not “the love of money” for which these have strayed, but for the money itself. This is not an error, but an explanation. It is the love of money which then takes the opportunity to attain the money that is desired. In this, these people “have strayed from the faith.” The idea is that we can only direct our eyes and affections to one thing at a time. If we are looking west, we are not looking east. This is what Paul is saying. Instead of looking to the glory of God, they are looking at earthly gain. They have left their first love and gone after a harlot. And this is a result of “their greediness.”

The heart attitude is misdirected, and they are not “hungry for the Lord.” Instead, they are “greedy for gold.” As a result, Paul then says that they have “pierced themselves through with many sorrows.” The word peripeiró, translated as “pierced,” is found only here in the Bible. It is used when putting meat on a spit, and thus it signifies “to wound deeply.” The people Paul is speaking of are real people that he is describing to Timothy. However, his words describe any believer who has gone down this sad path.

In pursuing money, there is found to be a nagging conscience of the wrong which is being pursued, and of the judgment for that wrong which lies ahead as well. But this is not always the case. Some people (think of the perverse televangelists) have completely seared their consciences to the point where they no longer consider this. Therefore, what Paul is probably referring to is the future judgment which lies ahead of them. He is saying it as an accomplished fact. They think they have great gain, but in their judgment, there is to be only great loss.

Life application: If you want to help a greedy televangelist, don’t send him your money.

Lord God Almighty, and indeed you are almighty, why would we forsake a faithful commitment to You and pursue worldly wealth instead? As You are almighty, then You are the Source of all things. Money is just a thing, and it is transitory and corruptible. Help us to be wise in our pursuits in this life. May we only seek after that which is glorifying of You and worthy of rewards in Your presence. Those rewards will be eternal. Help us to think clearly, and then to act on that clear thinking. Amen.

Wednesday, 14 February 2018

But those who desire to be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition. 1 Timothy 6:9

Paul has been speaking of our state in this life, and that we should be content with “food and clothing.” Now he adds in a qualifying thought on this by beginning with, “But those who desire to be rich.” He does not say here, nor does he ever say, that it is wrong to be rich. It is the desire, not the possession, which is being noted. When one has a desire for wealth which consumes a person beyond their desire for honoring God, then things are upturned. The schools of asceticism took the opposite view, and supposed that if being rich brought about a conflict with one’s relationship to God, then through a purposeful vow to poverty, one would be brought nearer to God. Paul’s words here dispel that notion. It is desire which is being discussed.

This desire to be rich will lead a person to “fall into temptation.” If someone looks to wealth as their heart’s desire, then they will be tempted to do whatever it takes to become wealthy, even if it is not legally or morally right. The Lord doesn’t include this in His model prayer. Instead He said, “Lead us not into temptation.” The one desiring wealth acts in a manner contrary to the guidelines of properly honoring God.

Paul then says they will also fall into “a snare.” Birds and animals are caught in snares. They are tempted by something which is in the snare, and they head into danger without even realizing what lies ahead. This is what Paul is saying here. People who are tempted by riches will find themselves entrapped without even having seen the snare which is lying there waiting to capture them. The idea of a snare is found throughout Scripture, warning God’s people to be attentive and not get trapped. Solomon speaks this way about men who are not attentive –

“For man also does not know his time:

Like fish taken in a cruel net,

Like birds caught in a snare,

So the sons of men are snared in an evil time,

When it falls suddenly upon them.” Ecclesiastes 9:12

Paul next continues with the thought that such people fall “into many foolish and harmful lusts.” These are the things which a desire for wealth, and often the attainment of wealth, produce in the human heart. The word translated as “harmful” is found only here in Scripture – blaberos. It signifies something injurious.

With wealth often comes the temptation by others to misuse that wealth. They do this so they can also benefit from the riches. Women will tempt men (or vice versa) because of their wealth. Those who deal in drugs will tempt the wealthy in order to drain them of their wealth. When one has an expensive sports car, they will be tempted to speed in it and drive recklessly. The list could go on all day. A person desiring wealth, or who has attained his desire, is drawn into “foolish and harmful lusts which drown men in destruction and perdition.”

The Greek word translated as “drown” is one found only here and in Luke 5:7. It means to sink, submerge, or drown. If one thinks of something being plunged into the deep, that is the idea which well describes this. Paul’s words are carefully selected to show the inevitable outcome of those whose desire is to attain wealth. Inevitably, they drown in “destruction and perdition.”

The word “perdition” is not appropriate here. That gives the thought of an eternal damnation. This is not the intent. Instead “ruin and destruction” gives the sense. The idea is that the person who has his priority on riches will normally end up ruining himself, his wealth, and the things that he touches, such as family and friendships. To get the sense of what this is relaying, all one needs to do is to think on the many televangelists whose priority is money. How often do they end up shamed, penniless, or imprisoned. They may actually be saved, but they got misdirected by wealth, and they suffered the consequences of their failings.

Life application: In all things, a balance is needed. There is nothing wrong with being wealthy, and so giving up all one’s goods for a life of asceticism is ridiculous. But there is nothing wrong with not being rich. And so to strive for wealth can be a hugely detrimental thing for a person to pursue. In the end, if we have our basic needs met, then with this we should be content.

Lord God, help us to not desire wealth and riches which perish. Rather, help us to desire the true riches, and the eternal wealth, which comes through a faithful life of pursuing You, May we direct our heart, our affections, our eyes, and our efforts towards holiness in Christ Jesus our Lord. In this, we will surely attain the greatest riches of all! Amen.

Tuesday, 13 February 2018

And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content. 1 Timothy 6:8

Paul just cited the thought of writers like Job and Solomon who noted that we brought nothing into this world, and we will not be carrying anything out when we finally kick the bucket. This is why we kick the bucket instead of carrying it along with us full of stuff. As we are simply passing through without the hope of any material gain on the way out, then what we have in that regard is really not that important. Our walk here is a few short years, and our walk in the next life will be for all eternity. A million years isn’t a scratch on the surface of what we can anticipate.

With this in mind, he says, “And having food and clothing, with these we shall be content.” The Greek word translated as “we shall be content” indicates sufficiency. Those things that are necessary for meeting our needs are sufficient for the conduct of our lives. The words “food and clothing” are intended as the meeting of those general needs, whatever they may be. We cannot do without food, and we should not do without clothing. Food is a necessary thing to keep us physically fit, and clothing is a necessary thing to keep us morally covered.

Thus, if we have the things which are necessary for our physical lives, and the things which are needed for our spiritual lives, we should be content, for they are sufficient for meeting our main needs. Medicine would fall under the “food” category. The Bible would fall under our “clothing” category. The first attends to our physical needs, the second attends to our spiritual needs. In understanding what things are actually necessary to meet these needs, we can discover which things are actually superfluous in our lives. It is those things that we ought not give great priority to. Instead, if we have them, we can (and should) be grateful for them, but we should not let them consume who we are.

Life application: Tickets to a sporting event, a nice TV, lipstick, a new car… such things are not a part of our necessary needs. They may make life fun, easier, more pleasing, and so on, but they add nothing of true value to our walk towards glory. Let us keep these things in mind, and let us be attentive to the things that are truly important first. And then, let us show gratitude for the extra blessings which have come our way.

Lord God, there are things which are necessary for our physical and spiritual lives, and then there are things which are simply blessings which benefit us in a temporary way. Help us to understand the difference between the two, and to not let things which are actually unimportant for our walk towards eternity consume us and divert us from keeping our eyes on You. Instead, help us to be grateful for our blessings, but not consumed by them. Amen.