1 Timothy Exposition, NASB

8/6/2019 1 Timothy Exposition, NASB

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An Expostion of 1 TimothySteven Svendsen, Sr.

1

The unfolding of your words gives light.

Living in Gods House


An Exposition of Paul First Letter to Timothy

1:1Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior, and

of Christ Jesus, who is our hope

a

,

2

To Timothy, mytrue child in the faith

b

: Grace, mercy andpeace from God the Father and Christ Jesus ourLord.3As I urged you upon my departure

for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesusc

so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strangedoctrines

d,

4nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise to

mere speculation rather than furtheringthe administration of God which is by faithe.a5But the goal

a1:1 Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus according to the commandment of God our Savior,

and of Christ Jesus, who is our hope. While this was addressed to Timothy, the formal natureof the letter makes it clear that it was intended to be read by a larger audience. Timothy wasgoing to read it to the congregation at Ephesus. It is comforting when, as a pastor, you do nothave to say, My personal opinion is You can say, Do this because I have Gods authority

behind me. Timothy had a letter from Paul that was also Scripture.Acts 9 records the event when Paul received this commandment. Paul expanded on the

specifics of this commission to be an apostle in Acts 26:

But get up and stand on your feet; for this purpose I have appeared to you, to appoint you a minister and a

witness not only to the things which you have seen, but also to the things in which I will appear to you;rescuing you from the Jewish people and from the Gentiles, to whom I am sending you, to open their eyes sothat they may turn f rom darkness to light and from the dominion of Satan to God, that they may

receive forgiveness of sins and an inheritance among those who have been sanctified by faith in Me. Acts26:16-18

b1:2 To Timothy, mytrue child in the faith. Paul uses the words translated true child of Titus

as well (Titus 1:4). Timothys biological father was evidently not his father in the faith. Acts 16:1and 3 say only describe him with these words: his father was a Greek. Only Timothys motherand grandmother are mentioned in Scripture as having taught him Gods word (2 Timothy 1:5;3:14-15).c 1:3 As I urged you upon my departure for Macedonia, remain on at Ephesus. This eventmust have taken place after the events recorded by Luke in Acts. Paul was evidently checking onPhilippi and the other churches in Macedonia and left Timothy to shepherd the flock at Ephesus.d

1:3 so that you may instruct certain men not to teach strange doctrines.There can be nodoubt that Paul believed Timothys primary shepherding function in Ephesus was teaching. Theword translated instruct (used five times in this letter) is a directive word, used commonly of thegiving of commands. The word translated strange doctrines simply means different doctrines(also used in 6:3). The teacher was writing the teacher so he could instruct teachers (see Acts20:17-35; 2 Timothy 2:2).e

1:4 nor to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies, which give rise tomere speculation rather than furtheringthe administration of God which is by faith. Theword Paul used when calling the Ephesian elders to Be on guard (Acts 20:28) is used negativelyhere to challenge Timothy to not pay undue attention to extra-biblical literature. Myths and (see

1 Timothy 4:7; 2 Timothy 4:4; Titus 1:14; 2 Peter 1:16) of the variety Paul speaks turn peopleaway from Truth and endless genealogies (see Titus 3:9) that bring about speculation, raisinglots of questions without providing answers. This is a likely reference to the rise of Gnosticteaching that distracted people from the cross.

The administration of God is probably a reference to the stewardship or management ofthe ministry Paul and other shepherds have been given (1 Corinthians 9:17; Ephesians 3:2;Colossians 1:25). Getting sidetracked by peripheral issues hinders good stewardship of Godsgrace.


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of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faithb.

6For some

men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussionc,

7wanting to

be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either what they are saying or thematters about which they make confident assertions

d.

8But we know that the Law is good, if one

uses it lawfullye,

9realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who

are lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who

kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers

f

10

and immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers

a1:1-4 Many Bible-believing churches and church leaders assume that Christian liberty allows us

the stick to the same message, but behave unrestrained when it comes to methodology. Thisletter shows us that God has also prescribed methods.

The purpose of Timothy staying on at Ephesus was to fight a battle against error. Whetheryou are a church leader or part of the flock there are certain things you ought to expect of yourleaders:

1. They ought to prize following and building a heritage. Your life is a composite sketch ofthose who invested in you. Not every piece of that is good, but everyone ought to have aPaul and a Timothy for Jesus sake. If you did not have a good mentor you can becomeone.

2. They ought to know their mission. Paul and Timothy both had a commission, as did the

elders of Ephesus. Peripheral duties are a distraction.3. They ought to stick to a Christ-centered message. Leaders should focusing on Godsintent rather than forcing meaning on the Bible. Those who spend time unfolding theScriptures will have no time to stray.

b1:5 the goal of our instruction is love from a pure heart and a good conscience and a

sincere faith. The word for instruction here is the noun form of the word instruct in versethree. Here it means an announcement or proclamation. Paul appears to be talking about Bibleteachinginstruction from the law (compare this verse with verses three, seven and eight).

The word goal is the same word Paul used in Romans 10:4 of Christ being the end of thelaw. Notice that Paul did not think good behavior or even holy living was the end goal of pastoralministry. He had heart change in mind. He had love in mind. Notice the three loving ends Paulhad in mind for students of the Bible:

This love needs to come from a pure heart. This is the fruit of what Jesus talked about in theSermon on the Mount (Matthew 5:8). Paul later told Timothy that those who flee youthful lustspursue faith, love and peace come from those who call on the Lord from a pure heart (2 Timothy2:22). A pure heart is the driving force in a person that has been cleansed and redirected.

A good conscience leaves us without a voice inside our heads saying something is wronghere. The conscience is a gift of God to every person that helps them discern good and evil.

Sincere faith is the precise thing Paul said dwelt in his mother and grandmother (2 Timothy1:5). Faith in God and His word starts with love for God that makes one believe what He says.c

1:6 some men, straying from these things, have turned aside to fruitless discussion.Theword strayed means to deviate orto miss the mark. For them the word of God did not needprecise communication. What else is there for a preacher to discuss? Plenty when your goal ismerely external change. Paul calls this kind of talk fruitless or empty. Commenting on this text,John Calvin criticized the fruitless discussions of religious leaders in his day, saying: With greaterboldness do they affirm their purgatory than the resurrection of the dead.

d 1:7 wanting to be teachers of the Law, even though they do not understand either whatthey are saying or the matters about which they make confident assertions.Those whowant to teach Gods word want something good (1 Timothy 3:1), but the responsibility is great(James 3:1).e

1:8 we know that the Law is good, if one uses it lawfully. There is a right way and a wrongway to teach the Bible.f1:9 realizing the fact that law is not made for a righteous person, but for those who are

lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those


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and liars and perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound teachinga,

11according to the

glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have been entrustedb.c12

I thank Christ Jesus ourLord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me faithful, putting me intoservice

d,

13even though I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor

e.

Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelieff;

14and the grace of ourLord was

more than abundant, with the faith and love which are foundin Christ Jesusg.

15It is a trustworthy

who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers. Paul is not saying that there are righteouspeople (Read Romans 3 if you doubt that fact). He is saying that a proper approach to teachingthe law presupposes that the student has a core corruption in need of redemption. He getsspecific in case anyone wonders what comes out of lawless rebels.a

1:10 immoral men and homosexuals and kidnappers and liars and perjurers, andwhatever else is contrary to sound teaching.Every sin problem is a theological problem. Thatis why Paul says that sound teaching is the opposite of these kinds of sins. Sound meanshealthy(Luke 5:31; 7:10; 15:27; 1 Timothy 1:10; 6:3; 2 Timothy 1:13; 4:3; Titus 1:9, 13; 2:1, 2; 3John 1:2), like our phrase being of sound mind and body. Note that Pauls view of sounddoctrine has as much to do with lifestyle as it does professed belief. He communicates the sameidea in 1 Timothy 6:3 and Titus 2:1.b

1:11 according to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, with which I have

been entrusted. The glorious gospel is the goal of the teaching of the law. It provides thesolution to unsounddoctrine.c

1:5-11 Since Paul is showing Timothy how important teaching is to pastoral ministry, he pointsout the right and wrong way of teaching Gods word. Here is the attitude the teacher and thestudent should have as they approach a study of Scripture:

1. People are crooked. Confess this: There is something inside me that needs to change.2. People do not like to hear that they are crooked. Confess this: I am very tempted to talk

about something other than Gods solution to my real problem.3. There is only one hope for crooked people. Confess this: The evil things that exist in my

life call me to focus on the cross as the solution to my problem.

d1:12 I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who has strengthened me, because He considered me

faithful, putting me into service. Paul was thankful to be in the service of the King as a

vocation. This does not say that God saved Paul because he had the right talents to be apreacher. God saved Paul and made him useful. God did the same with Lydia after her heart hadbeen opened to respond to the gospel. Lukes account says [my emphasis]:

And when she and her household had been baptized, she urged us, saying, "If you have judged me to befaithful to the Lord, come into my house and stay." And she prevailed upon us. Acts 16:15

e1:13 I was formerly a blasphemer and a persecutor and a violent aggressor.The contrast

is great between what Paul was and what God made him. As a blasphemerhe spoke evil of theLord Jesus and tried to force believers to do the same. As apersecutorhe sought death andimprisonment for believers. As a violent aggressorhe breathed out threats. Here is his testimony:

So then, I thought to myself that I had to do many things hostile to the name of Jesus of Nazareth. And this is just what I did in Jerusalem; not only did I lock up many of the saints in prisons, having received authority

from the chief priests, but also when they were being put to death I cast my vote against them. And as Ipunished them often in all the synagogues, I tried to force them to blaspheme; and being furiously enraged at

them, I kept pursuing them even to foreign cities. Acts 26:9-11f1:13 Yet I was shown mercy because I acted ignorantly in unbelief.Scripture has stern

words for those who have professed faith in Christ but have turned away (Hebrews 10:26-39).Paul had lived his life doing what unbelievers do naturally. You should be thankful that someunbelievers are kind, but you should not be shocked when people live out what they are.g

1:14 the grace of our Lord was more than abundant, with the faith and love which arefoundin Christ Jesus. Gods grace was overflowing on this sinner. He went from being theworst enemy of the Church to the human author of 13 inspired books of the Scriptures.


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statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners,among whom I am foremost of all

a.

16Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the

foremost, Jesus Christ might demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those whowould believe in Him for eternal life

b.

17Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only

God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amenc.d18

This command I entrust to you,Timothy

e, myson, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you

f, that by

them you fight the good fight

g

,

19

keeping faith and a good conscience

h

, which some have rejectedand suffered shipwreck in regard to their faithi.

20Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander,

whom I have handed over to Satana, so that they will be taught not to blaspheme

b.c

a1:15 It is a trustworthy statement, deserving full acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into

the world to save sinners, among whom I am foremost ofall.The word trustworthy here isthe same word translated faithful in verse 12. This is the message Luke also gives: Jesus cameto seek and save the lost (Luke 19:10).b

1:16 Yet for this reason I found mercy, so that in me as the foremost, Jesus Christmight demonstrate His perfect patience as an example for those who would believe in Himfor eternal life. Pauls salvation testimony is a comfort to those who have lived wicked lives. Heis saying that God uses him as an example that He can save anyone. Take heart that God hasspared those unbelievers you know until now. He saves the worst of sinners.c

1:17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and gloryforever and ever.Amen. You see here how Gods salvation ought to affect those who are beingsaved. It brings them to honor God for His attributes. He is eternal. He cannot die. He livesforever outside the physical universe. He is the one true and living Godd

1:12-17 Observe the biblical accounts of people God saved and understand that these are thekind of people God wants in His Church. This knowledge changes your perspective in severalways:

1. It changes the way you look at yourself. It is humbling to know that God saved youbecause of His decision, not yours. The biblical doctrine of unconditional election isimportant to point out here. There is nothing God saw in you that made you inherentlysavable.

2. It changes the way you look at lost people. Would you be offended if God transformedyour worst enemy before they had to pay the consequences for their wrongs? Grace is ascandalous thing because we tend to be l ike Jonah, who wanted God to save morelikeable people.

3. It changes the way you look at God. He is not looking for people who are useful. He is allabout bringing Himself glory. The saved who know how deep was their debt make themost delighted worshippers.

e1:18 This command I entrust to you, Timothy. This is the same command (orannouncement,

translated instruction in verse eight), the goal of which was love.f1:18 in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you.Timothy had

been recommended by members of his home church (Acts 16:2). This prophecy may have simplybeen godly people commending Timothy to Paul and saying, God is going to greatly use thatyoung man.g

1:18 that by them you fight the good fight. Paul uses a military word here in its verb andnoun forms (see the both forms in 2 Corinthians 10:3-4). This is the same counsel Paul gave

Timothy in 1 Timothy 6:12, though using different fighting words. There Paul told Timothy to fleethe love of money. This fight is part of the put on. It was his own testimony at the end of his life(2 Timothy 4:7).h

1:19 keeping faith and a good conscience.These qualities spring from love according toverse five. To keep the faith is to persevere or continue believing. Paul is telling Timothy it is afight to keep your inner life in order.i1:19 which some have rejected and suffered shipwreck in regard to their faith.Now Paul

will give some concrete examples of those who did not fight the good fight. Some had rejected


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2:1First of all, then, I urge that entreaties

dandprayers

e, petitions

fandthanksgivings

a, be made on

behalf of all menb,

2for kings and all who are in authority

c, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet

or pushed away the faith. They were not victims of unbelief. They actively pursued it. Thepicture of a faith shipwreck is particularly fitting here because of all that such an event meant inthe first century. Paul himself had experienced this at least three times (2 Corinthians 11:25). Justas the destruction of a ship means great loss of past investment and future hope, so theabandonment of Christianity by one-time professors of faith causes great heartache in those whohave given much of themselves to them in the discipling process.a

1:20Among these are Hymenaeus andAlexander, whom I have handed over to Satan.These are likely the same theological troublers of the church in Ephesus mentioned again in 2Timothy. Hymenaeus whose empty chatter and false teaching were spreading like gangrene (2Timothy 2:17). Alexander the coppersmith (or metalworker) is mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:14-15who did Paul much harm by opposing his teaching. He could be the member of the Ephesianassembly who was at the center of the riot Luke records (Acts 19:33). The handing over to Satanis what Paul prescribed as an act of church discipline toward the unrepentant sinner in Corinth (1Corinthians 5:4-5). When the church treats someone as an outsider they would appear by Paulswords to live in dangerous territory. This should also serve as a warning that none of usevenchurch leadersare immune from behaving shamefully. John Calvin, in his commentary on theseverses, concurs:

it explains very well the force of excommunication; for, since in the Church Christ holds the seat of his

kingdom, out of the Church there is nothing but the dominion of Satan. Accordingly, he who is cast out of theChurch must be placed, for a time, under the tyranny of Satan, until, being reconciled to the Church, he returnto Christ.

b1:20 so that they will be taught not to blaspheme. These men were guilty ofblasphemyor

evil speaking. Notice that even in excommunication the church should have an eye towardrestoration (2 Corinthians 2:1-10).c

1:18-20 This text demonstrates why you need to see the Christian life as warfare:1. You need training to equip you for service. Timothy had been trained in his home church

and by Paul and Silas. Paul urged him to remember his training.2. You need to see that you take responsibility in the work. Your battles will be primarily in

the arena of the mind, but physical weariness will come as you follow the dictates of abiblically trained heart.

3. You need to identify the enemy. This does not mean you must be continually suspiciousof others in the church. It means that you need discernment to identify dangerousteachings and teachers.

4. You need to see that there are clear consequences to being on the losing side. Thosewho are on the outside of the church are not safe. They are subject to false teaching andfree to live out their passions.

d2:1 First of all, then, I urge that entreaties. There are a few texts like this one in the New

Testament that use more than one word referring to prayer (2 Corinthians 1:11; Ephesians 6:18;Philippians 4:6; Colossians 4:2; Hebrews 5:7). The word translated entreaties is used in the New

Testament only of those requests addressed to God.e2:1 prayers. This prayer word appears to be used of more disciplined seasons of prayer like the

activity in the temple (Mark 11:17), the habits of Jesus (Luke 22:45) and the discipline of the earlychurch (Acts 2:42; 1 Corinthians 7:5). This is what the church was doing for Peter when Herodhad him arrested (Acts 12:5).f2:1 petitions. The word translatedpetitions is only used twice in the New Testament (1 Timothy

4:5), but it does not always mean prayer. It carries the idea of a meeting or conversation. Besidesformal requests and disciplined seasons of prayer, there is a time for quiet listening after


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life in all godliness and dignityd.

3This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our

Saviore,

4who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth

f.g5For there

speaking. Meetings with God need not be one-way conversations. Those with the intercession oftheir great High Priest may come boldly before the throne of God.a

2:1 thanksgivings.Thanksgivings are just that. In addition to asking on behalf of the people onyour prayer list you may also spend time in thanksgiving. This does not necessarily mean you arethanking God for that person, although that is not a bad idea. Blessing God means you arelauding Him for His great character that makes it possible for you to pray and for men to besaved. Colossians 4:2 uses this word to describe the attitude those who pray should have as theyapproach God.b

2:1 be made on behalf of all men. This is the first of three alls (see also verse four and six) inhis section of the letter. Does this mean you pray through the phone book or is all limited bycontext? You should pray for all types of people because Jesus died for all types of peopleRevelation 5:9).c

2:2 for kings and all who are in authority. The specific kinds of people Paul mentions hereare earthly authorities. In Timothys day these were the people most likely to cause trouble or puta stop to trouble for the church. Ephesus had seen this even among leaders who were not

believers (Acts 19:35-41).d 2:2 so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.We pray fortheir salvation and we pray for quiet lives. As Paul told the Thessalonians (1 Thessalonians 4:11),it is a good goal to lead a quiet life, to work hard and to mind your own business.e

2:3 This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior.We live our lives coramdeobefore the face of God. Paul tells us what God likes to see. He likes to see tranquil livingand repentant sinners.f2:4 who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.This verse

is cited (along with Ezekiel 18:23 and 2 Peter 3:9) by some as proof that Jesus died for everyoneequally. Without agreeing with that view (which logically ends in universalism), let me say that agood cross-reference is Mark 10:21, which shows Jesus lovingly looking at a man who persistedin his unbelief.

Has God decreed for His own glory the salvation of specific individuals and also beenglorified in the destruction of His enemies (Proverbs 16:4; Romans 9:16-18)? Yes. But there arethings which displease God that still happen within His active providence in His universe. Did itplease God that Jacobs sons abused Joseph or that Judas betrayed Christ? But did He alsoorder these events as part of a bigger, better plan?

The word Paul uses here is thelo, very different from the one (boulomai) in 2 Peter 3:9 (thereGod decreedthat none should perishreferring to the elect).

The bottom line as I see this text is that Paul wants those who pray to see the character ofthe God to Whom they pray. It pleases Him when sinners repentit reveals to the world the workof Jesus on the cross.g

2:1-4 At issue here is not the question Who can be saved? but Who is this God? Rememberthis is the Master who cried out Woe to you!in Matthew 11 just before He cried out Come to me!When you pray you are not in a position to ask God to save the elect even though you know theelect are the only ones who will ultimately be saved. All you can see is the character of God andthe sinner in front of you. So pray knowing that your God has shown you mercy and is mighty to

save even the worst kind of sinner.So here is the way you pray for those despicable Democrats and wretched Republicans:1. Do more than complain to others about your rulers. Complain to God.2. Spend a lot of time praying individually and corporately.3. Commune with God as you feel the weight of the needs of public officials.4. Ask God to keep us at peace with our authorities.5. Appeal to the mercy of the one on Whom you call.


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is one God, andone mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesusa,

6who gave

Himself as a ransom for allb, the testimony given at the proper time

c.

7For this I was appointed a

preacher and an apostled

(I am telling the truth, I am not lyinge) as a teacher of the Gentiles in

faith and truthf.

8Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands

g, without

wrath and dissensionh.i9Likewise, I wantwomen to adorn themselves with proper clothing

a,

a 2:5 For there is one God, andone mediator also between God and men, the man ChristJesus. The unity of God is an essential Christian doctrine. The catechism of Hebrew childrenbegan with Deuteronomy 6:4: Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one! TheWestminster Shorter Catechism paraphrases this: There is one God, the living and true God.

The Scripture also teaches the unity of the Trinity and that Jesus is the only way to the Fatherfor salvation as well as in prayer. This means that our access in prayer comes only through Godthe Son. That is the message of the book of Hebrews. No human intercessor dead or alive isworthy.b

2:6 who gave Himself as a ransom for all. The word ransom is used only here in the NewTestament, but it comes from a similar word used in Jesus description of His ministry purpose in(Mark 10:45):

For even the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.

The ransom is a substitute or sacrifice. The picture is one dying in place of another. Thereason Christ is the only mediator is that He is the only substitute. Those who argue that we areunworthy to approach God are correct, but some go further and assert that this is why we need topray to saints like Mary who have power to intercede upon our behalf (Catholic Answerswebsite, http://www.catholic.com/library/Common_Catholic_Prayers.asp). This denies the infinite worth of the sacrifice ofour great high priest.

All classes of men may approach God through the priest who shed His own blood to provideaccess to the Father. This highlights the true unity of all believers in Christ.c

2:6 the testimony given at the proper time. The word testimony comes from the same asthe word witness. The word time (kairos) usually refers to an opportunity as opposed to aprecise moment. It has not yet appeared what is the identity of all those for whom Christ died, butPaul wanted to make the most of his moments to preach and to pray and to let God do His workbringing in the lost sheep.d

2:7 For this I was appointed a preacher and an apostle. This is the message. Paul was notappointed to try to change people and their habits. He was appointed to proclaim the message ofthe ransom.e

2:7 I am telling the truth, I am not lying. Paul did not need to say this because he had a habitof lying but because he wanted people to understand through the emphasis of an oath that he didwhat he did by direct command of God.f2:7 a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.Paul is called the apostle of Gentiles

(Romans 11:13; Galatians 2:7-8). The message appears to be that anyone reading this letter(Jew, Gentile, ruler, slave) who has turned in faith to the Truth found in Christ can call on theFather because of the Lord Jesus.g

2:8 Therefore I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands.This is a pictureof the public worship of God. The word men here is not the generic term that can also refer towomen. It speaks of males. It is the role of the men of the church to lead in prayer.h

2:8 without wrath and dissension. Wrath is outward (wrath of God in Romans 1:18) and

dissension is inward (speculations in Romans 1:21). This phrase must refer to the way menshould pray. Their hearts need to be right before God.i2:5-8 This text expands on the thought of the previous one. The reason we can pray for all these

people in all these ways is because of our great high priest.We have a high priest who sacrificed Himself for us. What do you do with that knowledge?1. Spread the message thickly. The price is paid.2. Pray. You have access to the almighty maker of heaven and earth.3. Keep your heart pure. You have an audience.


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modestly and discreetlyb, not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments

c,

10but rather

by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim to godlinessd.

11A woman must

quietly receive instruction with entire submissivenesse.

12But I do not allow a woman to teach or

exercise authority over a man, but to remain quietf.

13For it was Adam who was first created, and

then Eveg.h14And itwas not Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell into

a2:9 Likewise, I wantwomen to adorn themselves with proper clothing. Do not cry

legalism any time a discussion of fitting apparel for Christians is brought up. Pauls use of theword likewise puts the adorning of women in the same category as the praying of men.

Adorn is a verb that commonly refers to putting something in order like a house (Matthew12:44), a public monument (Matthew 23:29), the temple (Luke 21:5) or a bride for her husband(Revelation 21:2). Our word cosmetic comes from the same word. It is used by Peter as ametaphor of a woman adorning herself with certain character qualities in 1 Peter 3:5.

Proper is an adjective that comes from the same root as adorn. It is used only elsewherein the very next chapter of this letter as a description of the respectable reputation of a worthychurch leader (1 Timothy 3:2).b

2:9 modestly and discreetly. There is no getting around the reality that while God sees ourhearts, we do communicate our priorities by the way we dress. This is not limited to women

except that in this text Paul is addressing the women of the church. Attire is apparently a largerproblem among women (note how few Scriptures direct men in this area).c

2:9 not with braided hair and gold or pearls or costly garments. These are examples ofareas of extremes rather than a list of prohibitions. Women who spend more time and money onhair and jewelry and clothing than in their service to others are not godly. We should be carefulthat we do not go beyond what is written here. The question is What should you wear? and theanswer is good works.d

2:10 but rather by means of good works, as is proper for women making a claim togodliness. Women who wish to attract attention to their outward appearance cover up what is onthe inside. Good works that come from godliness are better attire than the most expensiveclothing, jewelry, makeup or hairstyles. Unmarried men who are wise find ways to identifyprospects for marriage based on godly habits.e

2:11A woman must quietly receive instruction with entire submissiveness.The wordtranslated quietly does not mean silently. It is used as an adverb here and is descriptive of lowvolume as opposed to loudness (Acts 22:2; contrasted with the loud woman of Proverbs 7:11)and a manner of life (2 Thessalonians 3:12).

The larger text here shows that Paul is speaking of the assembly of believers. This does notforbid a woman from serving in leadership or teaching men in other arenas (such as a workplaceor in academic settings) nor does it mean she may not open her mouth in church. Paul uses theword submissiveness to say that in the church women are under the authority of the elders.Paul elsewhere speaks of this authority and its symbolism (1 Corinthians 11:10).f2:12 I do not allow a woman to teach or exercise authority over a man, but to remain

quiet. The word quiet is the same one used in the previous verse. Ladies must not assume therole of teaching men in a church context. As you look at the larger content of 1 Timothy you willsee it taught that bishops (elders/pastors) are to be men. Remember that Priscilla taught Apollosalongside her husband, but that was under his authority (Acts 18:26).g

2:13 For it was Adam who was first created, andthen Eve. This statement makes it

impossible to dismiss the commands of this text culturally. This is about order in creation, whichpredates any isolated cultural aberrations. Eve was created to be Adams helper. This does notput every woman under the authority of every man. It does establish Gods order in the home andin the church.h

2:9-15 Ladies, you will find great satisfaction in the family of God when you become an expert atwhat God has given you to do:

1. Be careful what you are trying to communicate with your wardrobe.2. Invest your resources on the fashions in heaven.


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transgressiona.

15But women will be preserved

bthrough the bearing of children

cif they continue

in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraintd.a

3. Satisfy yourself with being a student.

a

2:14A

nd itwas not

Adam who was deceived, but the woman being deceived, fell intotransgression.Paul is not blaming the fall on Eve (see Romans 5:12). Adam walked into sin with

a clear mind and a high hand. Eve, on the other hand, fell prey to deception. Adams role asprotector of his wife is no different than the mans role in the church and home now.

The natural role evidently became more difficult for the woman to follow after she became asinner. As being a mother was part of the blessing of filling the earth there would be pain in theprocess.b

2:15 But women will be preserved. The word preserved means saved or delivered. Weshould ask Who will be saved? and Saved from what?

The answer to the who question is the woman. Here the word women has been insertedby the translators, but the preserved is singular and should be the woman from the previousverse if anything.

Genesis 3:16 records Gods words to Eve after the fall:

I will greatly multiply your pain in childbirth, in pain you will bring forth children; yet your desire will be for yourhusband, and he will rule over you.

The woman of Genesis 3:15 is Eve, but the prophesy speaks generically of the female sex.We should read this passage the same way. The woman will be saved.

Now we tackle the idea what kind of saving is presented here. Some argue that thisaddresses the natural fear of death associated with the birth process. This is a reality in our daybut would have been especially pertinent in the first century. The verb (sozo) can mean simpledeliverance from trouble (see the storm-tossed disciples in Matthew 8:25). But if this is a promiseof physical salvation, no believing woman would ever die or lose a child in the birth process.

Another view is that keeping her place in the home and church saves the woman from theinsignificance that started with the deception of Eve. This may have some merit as a biblicalphilosophy, but is very hard to prove from the plain meaning of this text.

Remember that this chapter is a discussion of the outward behavior of insiders and the

spiritual salvation of outsiders (see verse four).I want to point out that this statement follows a discussion of creation and comes in a largercontext of the role of women in the church. The discussion of pain in childbearing takes us backto Genesis 3. This pain is the result of Adam and Eves fall into sin. I do not believe it is possibleto interpret this verse apart f rom understanding Genesis three.c

2:15 through the bearing of children. We should note that Paul was pro-woman. He urgesmen and the church (particularly in chapter five) to provide care for godly women who arevulnerable (particularly widows). In that chapter (5:4, 10, 14) he extols the virtue of marriage andchild-rearing.

This is a difficult statement that has given Bible teachers and students quite a challenge. Thephrase through the bearing of children could also be translated through the childbearing.Based on our immediate context, this may speak of an eventnamelythe incarnation and workof the offspring of Eve sent to deliver His people. Having rejected the unbiblical notion that thereis saving merit to having babies, we turn in the context to the prophesied seed of the woman:

And I will put enmity between you and the woman, and between your seed and her seed; He shall bruise youon the head, and you shall bruise him on the heel. Genesis 3:15

As the curse on Adam related to his primary responsibility to till the ground, so the womanscurse related to her primary role: the bearing of children. But the hope for Eve beyond the pain ofchildbearing was that the Deliverer would come with the birth of a child (the seed of the woman).d

2:15 if they continue in faith and love and sanctity with self-restraint.Notice they. If thechildbearing speaks of salvation through the promised Messiah, this perseverance (continue)


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3:1It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine work he

desires to dob.

2An overseer, then, must be above reproach

c, the husband of one

speaks of the fruit of that salvation. It has been rightly said no one will ever be saved by works,but no one will ever be saved without them. Real faith works.

As serving her husband was a delightful work given before the fall, Eves sinful desire (usedin Genesis 4:7 of sins desire to dominate) would tempt her to manipulate her husband and hewould seek to dominate her. Only in the biblical teaching of a husbands love and a wifessubmission is this conflict resolved.

So the desire of the woman ought to be the pursuit of godliness rather than the pursuit ofcontrol. Faith and love are marks of any genuine Christian. Sanctity means sanctification or asetting apart. Self-restraint here comes from the same word as discreetly in verse nine and isused to describe serious message to Festus in Acts 26:25.a

2:14-15 Those evangelicals who try to explain away texts like this on cultural grounds fail toanswer the question of just why God ever included them in the Bible. These are timeless truths.Here are some good ways to survive being born a woman:

1. Rejoice in the truth that God made you a woman. He did not make a mistake. The manygodly women God used throughout history, particularly on the pages of Scripture, provide

good examples of why you do well to stick with Gods plan.2. Find contentment in motherhood. Be the primary influence in your childs daily life.3. Seek Christian virtues rather than control. What will you do with your time? Faith, love,

sanctification and self-restraint are actions.

b3:1 It is a trustworthy statement: if any man aspires to the office of overseer, it is a fine

work he desires to do. The opening statement could have been a conclusion to the precedingthoughts, but Paul uses this as an introduction in 1 Timothy 1:15 to tell us that Christ came intothe world to save sinners. There is no good reason to think it is any different here. We can beassured that Christ came to save sinners and we can be assured that pastoral office is a goodthing to desire. Aspiration is usually not listed among the qualifications for this office, but heartdesires should not to be discounted in this matter. You learn a lot about a man when you hearwhat he wants. The word aspires comes from a word (orego) that means to stretch. It is used

later in this letter (6:10) to describe those ministers who long for money.The overseer (or bishop) is another name for the pastor (shepherd) or elder (presbyter). The

terms are used interchangeably in Acts 20:28 and 1 Peter 5:1-3. Each name shines light on adifferent aspect the same office rather than promoting some sort of church hierarchy.

It should also be noted that Paul calls this work. This is not an honorary title but an officethat carries great responsibility, as the following qualifications will show. John Calvin commentedon this work of shepherding:

It is no light matter to be a representative of the Son of God, in discharging an office of such magnitude, theobject of which is to erect and extend the kingdom of God, to procure the salvation of souls which the Lord

himself hath purchased with his own blood, and to govern the Church, which is Gods inheritance.

c3:2An overseer, then, must be above reproach. According to Strongs definition the word

means not arrested or not culpable. The Amplified New Testament reads must give nogrounds for accusation. The KJV uses the word blameless. We might say, This man has no

skeletons in his closet. This does not mean an overseer does not have a past of which he isashamed. It does not mean that he has no ordinary human faults. It does mean that he has dealtwith his past in such a way that people no longer question his reputation. This word is only usedin 1 Timothy in the New Testament. In 1 Timothy 5, Paul describes as without reproach (verseseven) the men who care for those vulnerable ones under their charge (see verse eight for thecontext).

A positive biblical example is Daniel. When you read Daniel 6:1-5 you learn that Daniel hadsuch a good reputation that his enemies knew the king would not believe any charge they brought


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wifea, temperate

b, prudent

c, respectable

d, hospitable

e, able to teach

f,

3not addicted to wine or

pugnaciousg, but gentle

a, peaceable

b, free from the love of money

c.

4He mustbe one

up against him. The only way they could entrap him was to make faithfulness to God illegal. Thinkabout that. A negative biblical example is John Mark. He abandoned Paul and Barnabas (Acts

13:13). The good news is that he once again became useful (2 Timothy 4:11).a3:2 the husband of one wife. Certainly in the first century this was a prohibition of polygamy in

church leadership. But it is also a character trait. This is a description of the kind of husband thepastor should be: a one-wife husband. More than a prohibition for a divorced or widowed andremarried man, being a one-woman man is a positive quality that should be publicly evident.

This would have disqualified from eldership many of our biblical heroes, but falls short ofcondemning them. Instead it sheds light on the great responsibility we have under the NewCovenant to uphold Gods design for the homeparticularly by the example of our shepherds.b

3:2 temperate. This can mean watchful or not drunk. Either translation carries with it the ideaof alertness. The temperate man is like a watchman on the city wall, aware of potential dangers.

A negative biblical example is Nadab and Abihu, the sons of Aaron who served as priestsand did not treat their office with the seriousness it deserved. They were judged for approachingthe Lord with unauthorized fire, perhaps even while drunk (Leviticus 10:1-11).c

3:2 prudent. This compound word is translated sensible in other texts regarding the characterof men and women in the church (Titus 1:8; 2:2, 5). The word itself points to the way people think,legitimately rendered soberminded in other Bible translations. A prudent man can be veryemotional, but will master his emotions rather than be governed by them.

Paul used the mind part of this word to urge the Corinthians (1 Corinthians 14:20) to bemature in their thinking regarding the use of tongues in the assembly. A negative biblical example(and there are many) is King Uzziah (2 Chronicles 26), who demanded entrance to the holy placein the temple and flew into a rage when some courageous priests confronted him. Leprosy brokeout on his body and he was isolated from the worship of Israel to the day of his death.

A positive biblical example is Paul and Barnabas, who kept their heads in extreme conditionsand responded with worship (Acts 16:16-34).d

3:2 respectable.The word (kosmios) is translated adorn (of women) in 2:9. This looks likesomething outward (ever wonder where we got the word cosmetics?), but it is a character issuebecause modesty is about the way people handle themselves.

For example, Timothy himself was well spoken of by the people in his home church. Basedon that reputation, Paul allowed Timothy to accompany him. Herod Agrippa, on the other hand,wearing his royal robes, had a merely outward adornment that showed a proud heart and lefthim subject to an immediate judgment from God (Acts 12:19-23).e

3:2 hospitable. We tend to think of hospitality as inviting friends into our homes for food. Whilethat certainly is part of the idea, in the first century there were vulnerable people who foundrefuge in the homes of people who were hospitable (the word means stranger lover).

Even carnal Lot saw the danger in his city and opened his home to angelic visitors he thoughtwere mere men (Genesis 19:1-3).f3:2 able to teach. This is the only quality on Pauls list that deals with ability, although the

teacher is not able to teach if his character repels his students. Simply put, elders teach Godsword and handle it skillfully.

Something everyone noticed about ourLord is that, in contrast to the certified Bible

teachers, He taught with authority (Matthew 7:29).g3:3 not addicted to wine or pugnacious. Being, as I draw on a word from my childhood a

wino (legitimate translation) is self-explanatory, but pugnacious is not a word you often hear.Titus 1:7 uses the same word. It could be translated bruiser, but describes someone who isquarrelsome. A different word is translated quarrelsome in 2 Timothy 2:24, but carries the sameidea about the suitability of Gods ministers. This is more a disqualification than a qualification,but a man with a reputation for a hot temper or substance abuse should not occupy the office ofpastor.


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who manages his own household well, keeping his children under control with all dignityd5(but if a

man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of the church of

Addictions bring people under the control of something outside themselves. In this case theaddictive substance (wine) is a common beverage used for celebration and enjoyment. When it isabused, however, it controls and destroys people. Drunkenness is described vividly in Proverbs

23:29-35. Leaders cannot be trusted to shepherd Gods flock if they have chronic habits thatrender them incapable of leading.

Anger is a related sin of the flesh. Nabal, the husband of Abigail (1 Samuel 25) was apugnacious man. His surly and selfish personality put him and those under his authority indanger.a

3:3 but gentle. Notice the contrast from the previous disqualifications. Pastors need to bestrong in their convictions but gentle in their manner. Though Paul used a different word forgentleness in 2 Timothy 2:25, this same idea is there when he says the shepherd should bepatient when wronged, with gentleness correcting those who are in opposition. In 2 Corinthians10:1 Paul uses the word in its noun form (here it is an adjective) of the gentleness of Jesus.

A good biblical example that elders (and the rest of us) should follow is the way Jesus treatedHis disciples when they raised a trio of ridiculous proposals about who was greatest, raining fireon a village and preventing exorcisms in Jesus name by outsiders (Luke 9:46-55). Rebuke may

be in order, but it does not need to be angry rebuke. Jesus patiently taught them.b 3:3 peaceable.This goes along with gentle. The word can mean invincible (StrongsLexicon, G269), but this context gives us the meaning uncontentious. More than the idea ofbeing a peacemaker, this word reinforces the earlier notpugnacious.

At one point when Paul stood trial before the Sanhedrin, Ananias the high priest ordered himslapped. At this assault Paul called the high priest a whitewashed wall, but backed down andadmitted his error when he learned the identity of his tormentor (Acts 23:1-5). That kind ofpeaceable humility made him hard to pick a fight with and a is worthy example for church leaders.c

3:3 free from the love of money. Oddly, this word (only one word is translated into the wholeEnglish phrase) is used in succession with gentle and peacable as a contrast to the angry,drunken words before them. Paul thought greed should be placed in the same category withoutbursts of anger. This is another item on the list that appears to be more a disqualification thana qualification.

How do you know if a man is greedy? Certainly in vocational ministry a man may be temptedto become demanding regarding his compensation. He may be particularly susceptible to get-rich-quick schemes or even gambling.

The prophets Elijah and Elisha served (Elisha probably coming from wealth) dependent onthe care of God and His people. They are the good biblical examples of being free from the loveof money as Demas (2 Timothy 4:10) is a bad example because he left ministry with this on hisresume: Demas, having loved this present world, has deserted me and gone to Thessalonica.d

3:4 one who manages his own household well keeping his children under control with alldignity. This statement is less about parenting than it is about management. The wordmanages points to the fathers role of governing or superintending the affairs of his home.Leadership in the home is not limited to children, but certainly children are the one of the clearestindications of what goes on there (see more in Titus 1:6). This does not restrict the office ofoverseer to married men with children, but it certainly shows that f irst century bishops werecommonly family men. Paul told the church at Corinth that most of the apostles and other

vocational ministers were married and had a right to financial support for their families (1Corinthians 9:5).

The two words translated under control mean in submission. Church leaders should nothave child-centered homes. Christ-centered homes have order and peace. Dignity is the sameword used in 1 Timothy 2:2 to describe the quiet life we should pray for. Homes that are managedwell are stable, peaceful and dignified.

It is hard to find positive examples of family life in Scripture, but they do exist. Philip, themessenger God used to explain the gospel to the Ethiopian eunuch (Acts 8:5, 26-40), ceased his


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Goda?),

6andnot a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into

the condemnation incurred by the devilb.

7And he must have a good reputation with those outside

the church, so that he will not fall into reproach and the snare of the devilc.d8Deacons likewise

itinerant ministry at Caesarea and started a new ministry: husband and father. After the accountof the eunuch we run into him again many years later at Caesarea. Luke records that Phillip andhis wife had four daughters who were skilled at communicating Gods word (Acts 21:8-9). Talentis not a mark of a strong home, but knowledge is Gods word and faithful service is.

On the other hand, Eli the priest honored his sons above the Lord (1 Samuel 2:12, 29). Theirbehavior disqualified him from service.a

3:5 if a man does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take careof the church of God? Paul says that church leadership and home leadership are related. Afather who would rather not attend to his children will not attend to Gods.b

3:6 not a new convert, so that he will not become conceited and fall into thecondemnation incurred by the devil. A great mistake among Christians in our day is to makeimmediate heroes out of celebrities who profess faith in Christ. It is a very difficult challenge for anew believer to be thrust into a position where he is in the public eye and receives much praise

for his work. The part of us that says, Whats wrong with being showered with praise? is the partof us that plunders glory that should be set aside for God. This is hard enough for maturebelievers. It is downright dangerous for new converts.

No one likes criticism, but praise is often the greater trial. Proverbs 27:21 says The crucibleis for silver and the furnace for gold, and each is tested by the praise accorded him. The devilscondemnation resulted from his pride. He was the first glory thief (Isaiah 14:12-14). It is bothunkind and dangerous to put new believers into that place of temptation.

Notice that Paul does not put a number of years to this requirement. The necessaryprerequisite is training for converts so they can be tested before being put into leadership.

Aarons older sons and Elis sons became proud and failed at the priesthood (and were judged)not so much because they were young but because they were undisciplined.c

3:7 he must have a good reputation with those outside the church, so that he will not fallinto reproach and the snare of the devil.Of course this does not mean that church leaders areloved by everyone. If that were so, persecuted pastors would be disqualified from ministry. This isabout respect. After the judgment on Ananias and Sapphira, the people of the community heardand stayed away from the Christians, but still respected them (Acts 5:13).

This complements the importance of managing children. Good leadership is also aboutmaintaining relationships outside the church in things such as paying bills, getting along withneighbors and involving onself in the community.

Notice the use of devil again. Paul uses this term of unbelievers who are trapped (2 Timothy2:26). Perhaps this means that the bad reputation of a believer in the community is a trap of thedevil that keeps men in darkness. That is why we are called to shine the light of good worksamong the pagans (Matthew 5:16; 1 Peter 2:12)d

3:1-7 Rather guidelines for pulpit committees, this list of qualifications should infuence the entirecongregation.

1. Churches.a. This should influence the way a church identifies leaders. When you are entruasting

the soul-care of your congregation to these men you need to do more than ask if theycan hold a crowd.

b. This should transform the way a church makes disciples. There is a goal. More thanprograms that attract people we must have programs that equip people.

c. This should affect the demands you make on church leaders. If family managementis part of the ministry, church leaders should not be allowed to neglect their familiesfor the sake of ministry.

2. Men.


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must be men of dignitya, not double-tongued

b, or addicted to much wine

cor fond of sordid

gaind,

9butholding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience

e.

10These men must also

a. This helps men see that leadership has demands. Church leaders are not a board ofdirectors who gather and make decisions for others. Like fathers, they are shepherdswhose task is to teach, protect the flock and act in their best interests.

b. This challenges younger men to live for more than pleasure and establish a long-termvision for their own homes.

c. This shows men a pattern leading the family and the church. Passivity is not anoption for Gods kind of men.

3. Women with children.a. This provides the standard for bringing up sons and grandsons. The help you give

your husband (or your grown children) in this area makes your home and your churchstronger.

b. Commitment to these standards sends a message to our sons and daughters thatGods standards cross generational and gender boundaries. It communicates thatfathers, mothers and grandparents are unified in their goals.

4. Unmarried women.a. This helps you set standards for the kind of man you should marry. Our culture has

changing standards for what makes a good mate. God does not.b. This helps you serve under the direction of church leaders because you know that

effort has been made to identify those whothough they are sinners who are subjectto errorhave the best interests of the flock in mind as they lead.

a3:8 Deacons likewisemustbe men of dignity. The best biblical parallel to the New Testament

deacon is the Levites who assisted the priests in Israel. Look at what God told the sons of Aaronabout the important role the Levites played for the nation:

But bring with you also your brothers, the tribe ofLevi, the tribe of your father, that they may be joined withyou and serve you, while you and your sons with you are before the tent of the testimony. And they shall thus

attend to your obligation and the obligation of all the tent, but they shall not come near to the furnishings ofthe sanctuary and the altar, or both they and you will die. They shall be joined with you and attend to theobligations of the tent of meeting, for all the service of the tent; but an outsider may not come near you.

Numbers 18:2-4

These men made the job of the priests easier. The first deacons after Pentecost served torelieve the apostles. They satisfied a legitimate need among the widows for material assistance(Acts 6). These men were required to have a good reputation and to be full of wisdom and theHoly Spirit. Now the Scripture gives the church specific instruction on what it should look for inthese servants.

The word translated dignity is related to the word that describes the dignified way overseersshould manage their children (3:4). Like bishops, deacons must also have the respect of thecongregation.b

3:8 not double-tongued. This word is could be translated two-worded and is only used herein the New Testament. The meaning of the word here probably refers to those we would call two-faced or hypocrites.c

3:8 notor addicted to much wine. Here Paul uses a few more words to say the same thingabout deacons as he did about bishops. Addictions cancel out the respect we ought to have for

those who serve us.d3:8 notfond of sordid gain. Titus 1:7 adds this to the list of qualifications for an overseer. For

the deacon, who is entrusted with much of the church financial management, this quality isessential.e

3:9 holding to the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience.The word mysteryis notused in the Bible the way we often use it. Rather than an unsolved crime it speaks of things thatare hidden. Usually the word is used in a text that uncovers the mystery (Matthew 13:11; Romans11:25; 16:25; 1 Corinthians 2:7; 1 Timothy 3:16). So the mystery of the faith is likely a reference


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first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they are beyond reproacha.

11Women must

likewise be dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful in all thingsb.

12Deacons must

be husbands ofonlyone wife, andgood managers oftheirchildren and their ownhouseholds

c.

13For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standing

and great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesusd.e14

I am writing these things to you,hoping to come to you before long

f;

15but in case I am delayed, I write so that you will know how

to a mans understanding of the basic doctrines of the Christian faith. Even though these men arenot the teachers of the church, they must still have good theology. They would of necessity bestudents of the Scriptures.a

3:10 These men must also first be tested; then let them serve as deacons if they arebeyond reproach. The testing here is not a written examination but a public observation thatmay take time. The word is used of examining yourself before communion (1 Corinthians 11:28),qualifying those who will be trusted with money (1 Corinthians 16:3) and testing spirits (1 John4:1). Many churches ordain deacons in a similar way that churches ordain elders.b

3:11 Women must likewisebe dignified, not malicious gossips, but temperate, faithful inall things. The word women could be translated wives. This raises the question of whetherPaul here speaks of the wives of the deacons and bishops or if he says it is fitting for a woman to

serve as a deacon or deaconess. The proper translation relies on context and careful scholarsare divided on the issue.What we do know is that the role of the deacon is not a teaching or leadership role in the

church that Scripture does not permit (1 Timothy 2:11-12). At the very least, even if we do notcreate an office of deacon for women, these qualities certainly make for good feminine rolemodels in the church.c

3:12 Deacons must be husbands ofonlyone wife, andgood managers oftheirchildrenand their own households.Like the overseer, the man who serves in an official capacity in thechurch is to be the head of a stable Christian home.d

3:13 For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a high standingand great confidence in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. John Calvin says that the deaconsmight be the nursery out of which presbyters were taken. Certainly you can see that in Stephenand Phillip.e

3:8-13 If you have an interest in the way your church operates (and you should), thesequalifications have practical implications for you.

1. Deacons are the pattern for those who serve in the church. If every member is a minister(see the biblical lists of spiritual gifts), even those who do not hold office need to see whatmakes a person fit for service in the church.

2. Deacons serve so that the elders may do their jobs. The job of overseer is not better thanthe job of deacon any more than the position of quarterback is better than the position ofleft tackle.

3. Deacons serve to put down dissension in the church. The role of deacons in Acts 6 wasto communicate love and mercy. Deacons who fulfill their responsibility will keep thechurch from being charged with not caring for people.

4. Deacons serve the temporal needs of the church. The serving of tables necessitates ahandling of finances. Just as the church is charged in 1 Timothy with the care of widows,the church in Acts used faithful men to manage this. The Apostles/elders gladly

delegated these tasks.

f3:14 I am writing these things to you, hoping to come to you before long.This is a

statement of Scripture that shows the very human authorship of inspired texts. This commitmentof Paul is not for us. We should not expect Paul to show up. On the other hand, an interpreter cantake the following statements about the mission of Christ as timeless promises. Compare this to 2Timothy 4:2 and 13. In the verse two Paul gives a timeless command: preach the word. In verse13 his command bring the cloak is limited to Timothy in that context.


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one ought to conduct himself in the household of Goda, which is the church of the living God,

the pillar and support of the truthb.

16By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness

c:

He who was revealed in the fleshd,

Was vindicated in the Spirite,

Seen by angelsf,

Proclaimed among the nationsg,

Believed on in the world

h

,Taken up in gloryi.j

a3:15 in case I am delayed, Iwrite so that you will know how one ought to conduct himself

in the household of God. Paul intended to come and teach the church in Ephesus the orderthey should have in their assembly. The word translated here by the two words conduct himselfis used in Ephesians 2:3 of the behavior of unbelievers and in 2 Corinthians 1:12 of the behaviorof believers. Paul is laying down house rules for those who serve in the family of God.b

3:15 the church of the living God, the pillar and support of the truth. Pillars are whatsupport a large structure like a house or even the Jerusalem temple (or the temple of Diana inEphesus). Figuratively, Paul called Peter, James and John pillars (Galatians 2:9). In thiscontext, these are sobering words to those who shepherded Gods flock at Ephesus and now to

those who do it in your church. It is not some papal hierarchy that determines and protects sounddoctrine. The local church itself (like the one in Ephesus) is the place God entrusted with thattask. This is why Paul gave such a stern warning to the church (a reference to a corporate body,not an individual) at Corinth:

If any man destroys the temple of God, God will destroy him, for the temple of God is holy, and that is whatyou are.1 Corinthians 3:17

We are the church. We are the Body of Christ. We are the physical representation of Jesus inthis world, which means that it is our corporate responsibility to guard what has been entrusted tous. Notice that it is the church, not individuals, charged with managing the truth.c

3:16 By common confession, great is the mystery of godliness.The word confession hereis closely related to the command to confess our sins (1 John 1:9). Churches that hold commonconfessions, even those as simple as the Apostles Creed, proclaim this mystery. This mystery(see note on 3:9) is a summary of all the promises of God that found their fulfillment in the personof Christ.d

3:16 He who was revealed in the flesh. This is a message to the first century Gnostics whoquestioned the humanity of Christ. John also emphasized the humanity of Christ, without whichHe could not have suffered for our sins. This fact was witnessed by more persons than Paul, ashe now reports.e

3:16 Was vindicated in the Spirit. The Holy Spirit witnessed the identity of Christ when Hedescended at His baptism (Matthew 3:16).f3:16 Seen by angels. The angels witnessed the identity of Christ at His birth, at His temptation

and at His resurrection (Luke 2:9-14; Matthew 4:11; Matthew 28:5-7).g

3:16 Proclaimed among the nations.The message of the gospel that was witnessed by theHoly Spirit and by angels was finally heralded before men. Theirs was not to judge the truth but tobelieve it.h

3:16 Believed on in the world. The message being put before men bore fruit. The change in

the hearers of the gospel is one more witness that Jesus is Who Paul proclaims Him to be. This islike Johns testimony: And the Word became flesh, and dwelt among us, and we saw His glory,glory as of the only begotten from the Father, full of grace and truth (John 1:14).i3:16 Taken up in glory. When the mission was accomplished the Lord returned to heaven.

j3:14-16 Notice in this text how our conduct in the church is related to the identity of our Savior.

Because Jesus is God in human flesh, we have a connection with the apostles, are part of theonly Body that represents the truth about Jesus in our world. If these things about Jesus are true,we should


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4:1But the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith

a, paying

attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demonsb,

2by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared

in their own conscience as with a branding ironc,

3men who forbid marriage and

advocate abstaining from foods which God has created to be gratefully shared in by those whobelieve and know the truth

d.

4For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected

if it is received with gratitude

e

;

5

for it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer

a

.

b

1. Make sure we are getting the message right. If we are the pillars of Gods house andGods truth, we ought to be sure we are preaching the same message the apostles did.This is why the teaching of theology to our church members and church leaders is not anoption for us.

2. Make sure we are getting the message out. No one else has been charged withproclaiming Jesus among the nations.

3. Make sure we are not getting in the way of the message. The way we behave in thechurch is regulated by Scripture for a reason. There are certainly things that change inchurch because of culture, but God has not left us without a prescribed order in doctrineand practice.

a

4:1 the Spirit explicitly says that in later times some will fall away from the faith.Paulspoke as he was moved by the Holy Spirit, understanding that he spoke prophetically. The Spiritsaid there would be church leaders (based on the context) who would turn away from thecommon confession mentioned in the previous verse.

It is accurate to say that we are living in the last days because they had already begun whenPaul wrote this. He had warned the elders of this very congregation that savage wolves fromtheir own ranks would teach what is false and steal from the flock (Acts 20:29-30). Peter quotedthe prophet Joel and implied that the last days began on Pentecost (Acts 2:17) and before hisdeath warned (2 Peter 3:3). When John wrote 1 John 2:18 he said we were already in the lasthour.

To fall away means simply to leave. So, to fall away from the faith is simply to abandon thebasic doctrines of Christianity. The faith itself would be the standard by which Timothy and theother leaders could know if a man was falling away.b

4:1 paying attention to deceitful spirits and doctrines of demons.This phrase gives thereason for the falling away. Demonic spirits may deceive those who teach others. The devil andhis angels are in the habit of snatching away good teaching and replacing it with false teaching(Matthew 13:19; Ephesians 6:10-20). Paul pointed this out to the Corinthian church when hewarned them of the demonic influence of idol worship (1 Corinthians 10:18-21).c

4:2 by means of the hypocrisy of liars seared in their own conscience as with a brandingiron. We often think of the conscience keeping us from behavior we have been taught to avoid.Here the matter has to do with the body of doctrine a man believes. You conscience tells youwhen something is not right, but take that away and you readily accept what you should know iswrong. The dull conscience of the false teacher results from a steady diet of lies. An example ofthis from Scripture is Ahabs seduction at the hands of the prophet Zechariah (see this humorousexchange in 1 Kings 22:1-28).d

4:3 who forbid marriage and advocate abstaining from foods which God has created tobe gratefully shared in by those who believe and know the truth. One common mark of cults

is that they put great emphasis on performance and works-based righteousness. Christianssometimes have food fights, holding their eating habits up as examples of righteous living as ifsomehow you can come closer to God when you eat right. God designed marriage for more thanreproduction and food for more than survival. You should enjoy what God has intended for yourpleasure and give Him glory for such a satisfying design.e

4:4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is receivedwith gratitude. This is part of a biblical theology of food. Food is not simply for survival. It issomething that brings joy and should promote praise and worship.


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6In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus

c,

constantlynourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have beenfollowing

d.

7But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women

e. On the other hand,

discipline yourself for the purpose of godlinessf;

8for bodily discipline is only of little profit,

but godliness is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for thelife to come

g.

9It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance

h.

10For it is for this we labor

and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God

i

, who is the Savior of all men,especially of believersj.a

a4:5 it is sanctified by means of the word of God and prayer. The food you eat does not take

on physical change when you pray, but i t is set apart when you acknowledge where it camefrom.b

4:1-5 How to combat false teaching in your church:1. Tell yourself, It can happen here.2. Refuse to tolerate it. That is how you get a seared conscience.3. Delight yourself more in God and His work than yourself and your work.

c4:6 In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Christ

Jesus. Conscientious undershepherds know that there is trouble afoot, the sheep need to be

reminded. What needs to be pointed out is. Gods shepherds need to feed the flock what is safeand nourishing. It is the responsibility of shepherds to repeatedly communicate that the substanceof the gospel is the main thing.d

4:6 nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have beenfollowing. Notice that Paul compares good teaching to a healthy meal. The great privilege ofthose who teach Gods word is to feed on it themselves as they prepare the feast.e

4:7 have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. An example of a worldlyfable would the claim that fleshly techniques (like yoga) can bring you closer to God. Thesefables are attractive advertisements that beguile nave people.

This caricature may make you uncomfortable because it appears to take a jab at elderlywomen. Paul had very kind words for elderly women in this very letter (1 Timothy 5:2). In truth theillustration is effective because we can easily picture the kind of religious myths spoken of and thekind of people who spread them. The man who preaches the word has no time for the kind of

frivolity mentioned here.f4:7 On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness.This kind of

discipline stands in contrast to feeding on worldly fables. Those who teach slide up to a table withmany choices. Some items in the menu are life-giving and nourishing. Others are deadly. Stillothers are not dangerous, but take up space that could be used more profitably.g

4:8 bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness is profitable for all things, sinceit holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. Athletes in training do goodfor their bodies. Disciplined Christian soldiers become fit for heaven.h

4:9 It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance.Paul used this trustworthystatement phrase when he spoke of Gods gracious act of saving sinners (1:15). Here it points tothe hope believers have beyond this world.i4:10 it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living God.

Like an athlete focuses on a goal, Gods servant must as well. Paul told the Colossians (1:28-29)

that he worked with the energy God provided and looked forward to the day when he would standbefore God with his students. He told the Philippians that they should be looking for the Lord fromheaven:

For our citizenship is in heaven, from which also we eagerly wait for a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ; who

will transform the body of our humble state into conformity with the body of His glory, by the exertion of thepower that He has even to subject all things to Himself. Philippians 3:20-21

j4:10 who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. There is a sense in which Jesus

has preserved the entire race of men, but not all will know Him as their Deliverer.


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11Prescribe and teach these things

b.

12Let no one look down on your youthfulness

c, but rather

in speech, conduct, love, faith andpurity, show yourself an example of those who believed.

13Until

I come, give attention to thepublicreading of Scripture, to exhortation and teachinge.

14Do not

neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you through prophetic utterancewith the laying on of hands by the presbytery

f.

15Take pains with these things; be absorbedin

them, so that your progress will be evident to allg.

16Pay close attention to yourself and to your

a4:6-10 Since this is both a letter written for shepherds and sheep Here is how you recognize

Christs undershepherd as He teaches:1. He warns the flock of dangers. He does need to create dangers to scare them there are

plenty of real ones.2. He eats what the sheep eat. He and the flock grow together.3. He avoids non-essential fads. The task of feeding and warning is too important to get

sidetracked.4. He points the sheep toward the goal. Good teachers regularly remind the students that

they should live with eternity in mind.

b4:11 Prescribe and teach these things.We often think of a prescription as something related

to medicine, but the word here means to order. It was used of Jesus ordering a demon to leave aman (Luke 8:29) and of Jesus directing people to sit down before he fed them (Matthew 15:35).

These things that Timothy was to order are the things contained in this authoritativeapostolic letter (see also 4:6).c

4:12 Let no one look down on your youthfulness. We cannot know how old Timothy was atthis time, but he was evidently on the younger end of the elders he led. As the coming versescommunicate, Timothys position, his gifts and Gods word gave him the right to give orders in thechurch.d

4:12 but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith andpurity, show yourself an example ofthose who believe. Timothy was to live the kind of life worthy of imitation. The word examplemeans type orpattern. He was to say the kind of things he wanted the people of the church tosay. He was to behave like he knew the congregation and its leaders should behave. He was todemonstrate Gods love and His worthiness to be trusted as a pattern for the church. He was tolive a clean life (see 5:2). This may seem like a lot of pressure on church leaders, but we shouldexpect no less from those charged with the soul care of the flock of God.e

4:13 Until I come, give attention to thepublicreading ofScripture, to exhortation andteaching. This is a reference to the public reading of the Scriptures so common in Israel(Deuteronomy 31:10-13; Joshua 8:34-35; Nehemiah 8:5-8; Acts 13:15; 2 Corinthians 3:14). Thismakes it clear that the communication and the explanation of the Scriptures is not an option forchurch leaders.f4:14 Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed on you

through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery.The elders hadrecognized Timothys abilities, but there is more here than recognition. God called Timothy to theministry and his gifting was the result, as the language here states, of God working throughothers as they placed their hands on him. This looks like what happened when Elijahs mantle

was shed and picked up by Elisha (2 Kings 2:11-14).g4:15 Take pains with these things; be absorbedin them, so that your progress will be

evident to all. The word translated take pains means to pay special attention and was usedelsewhere of medical treatment and studying. The second command calls the teacher to be inthem. It is elsewhere translated immerse yourself in them (ESV). Pastoral ministry is not a workwhere a time card can be punched.

The word progress means just that. Growth in ministry is measurable. Timothy was to getbetter at his task over time


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teachinga; persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both for yourself

and for those who hear youb.c

5:1Do not sharply rebuke an older man

d, but ratherappeal to him as a father, to the younger men

as brotherse,

2the older women as mothers, andthe younger women as sisters, in all purity

f.

a4:16 Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching.Pay close attention carries the

idea ofholding on to something. In this case Paul tells Timothy that he should pay close attentionto what he teaches and how he behaves. This summarizes all that this passage has been saying.The lifestyle and the theology of Gods ministers are vitally important.b

4:16 persevere in these things, for as you do this you will ensure salvation both foryourself and for those who hear you. This clarifies rather than clouds the biblical doctrine ofperseverance. Jesus called people to continue in the word (John 8:31-32) and to endure to theend (Mark 13:13). In this case, real saving faith in a preacher is demonstrated by his faithfulnessin discharging his duty of ministering Gods word. This does not take away from a salvation that isall of God but communicates that Gods salvation results in perseverance and change. God usesmeans.

A good illustration of this is found in Acts, where Paul encourages the storm-tossed

passengers on a ship that they will all be saved (Acts 27:24), but later warns that they will not besaved without sailors.

Unless these men remain in the ship, you yourselves cannot be saved. Acts 27:31 c

4:11-16 Notice all the words Paul uses here to tell Timothy how important it is to do his jobconscientiously: give attention, do not neglect, take pains, pay close attention, persevere.Here is laid out Gods goal for church leaders: Live an exemplary life. Master the Scriptures (andlet them master you). Be a good steward of what is in your hand. Grow. Stay on the road thatleads to heaven.

This letter was certainly written to an individual, but it would be incorrect to assume that thereis nothing here for the church member to apply. This is a task list for church leaders as well as amessage for those who are being led. For instance:

1. If Timothy was to let no one look down on his youth, the challenge for the flock is torespect elders regardless of age.

2. Because Paul told Timothy to be a good example, Gods people should learn to followgood examples.

3. Since Timothy was to make much of reading and teaching the Bible, the congregationshould develop an appetite for such things.

4. If Timothy found his salvation in perseverance in Gods word, the people of the churchought to see the urgency of living changed lives.

d5:1 Do not sharply rebuke an older man. This assumes Timothy would at times need to

correct older men. His attitude toward that responsibility was important.The words sharply rebuke come from a compound word meaning to beat upon. This is

certainly used as a metaphor, but you can l ikely remember a time when you were verballyassaulted. Paul says this has no place in the practice of a shepherd who has to correct an olderman.

e 5:1 appeal to him as a father, to the younger men as brothers. This word appeal is whatPaul did to Timothy in calling him to stay at Ephesus (1 Timothy 1:3) and urging him and thecongregation at Ephesus to pray (1 Timothy 2:1). A brother might not require the same approachas a father, but the picture is correction of family members rather than outsiders or enemies.f5:2 the older women as mothers, andthe younger women as sisters, in all purity.This

family relationship among church members is a good picture for the whole family to call to mind,but particularly the leaders. Respect for older men and women and purity and gentleness towardyounger women is an attitude that makes a church leader easier to follow.


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3Honor widows who are widows indeed

a;

4but if any widow has children or grandchildren, they

must first learn to practice piety in regard to their own family and to make some return to theirparents; for this is acceptable in the sight of God

b.

5Now she who is a widow indeed and who has

been left alone, has fixed her hope on God and continues in entreaties and prayers night andday

c.

6But she who gives herself to wanton pleasure is dead even while she lives

d.

7Prescribe

these things as well, so that they may be above reproache.

8But if anyone does not provide for his

own, and especially for those of his household, he has denied the faith and is worse than anunbelieverf.g

a5:3 Honor widows

Documents

1 Timothy Exposition, NASB