I Timothy

I and II Timothy, along with Titus are referred to as “pastoral epistles.” They are letters written by Paul, the “elder statesman,” who was mentoring younger men, such as Timothy, in the ministry. In this letter Paul provides guidelines on how to choose a leader for the church and offers guidance to Timothy concerning some issues in the church in Ephesus. Now Timothy was a young man, the son of a Greek father and Jewish mother who had been taught Scripture since childhood. Paul refers to him as “my true son in the faith” (1:2). You can sense the affection that he had for Timothy. You will also notice that in his greeting he does use his official title of Apostle to underscore his authority. So this seems to have been an official correspondence, not a casual personal note.

1:3-4 “As I urged you when I went into Macedonia, stay there in Ephesus so that you may command certain men not to teach false doctrines any longer nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies. These promote controversies rather than God’s work.”

How often have you heard a pastor preach against certain false teachings or teachers? So much of what is on “Christian” television is, in my opinion, nonsense. And a sad thing for me to see is ladies in the church gathering for Bible study using some of the resources from these broadcasters. When I was describing my four years in a cult and mentioned its monthly magazine, The Plain Truth, someone spoke up and said, “I get that magazine. Should I not be reading it? I said that you can usually find something of value in some of these publications, but why would you read it when there are so many good publications without the error in it that are available? I guess you could dive into a dumpster behind a restaurant and find something to eat, but why would you risk the contamination when you can go in the front door and sit at a table and eat a wholesome, safe meal?

In this church, in Ephesus, they were focusing on “myths and genealogies” rather than important issues. They were teaching false doctrines and “majoring in the minors.” Too often they argue over insignificant issues which only distract the church from more important issues. 

1:7 “They want to be teachers of the law, but they do not know what they are talking about or what they so confidently affirm.”

Paul makes a similar point in Romans 10:2. Paul says, “For I can testify about them that they are zealous for God, but their zeal is not based on knowledge.” Some of the most zealous false teachers are not only wrong in their teachings, but also among the most arrogant, thinking that they and only they have the true knowledge of God. Here is what Herbert W. Armstrong wrote about his ministry: “Of all the religions and all the more than 250 denominations and sects in ‘Christianity,’ NOT ONE, except the Worldwide Church of God, knows WHO and WHAT God is ....what, and why, MAN IS....the TRUTH about the nation Israel...the TRUE GOSPEL Christ proclaimed.. what happens in there hereafter....what salvation really is!”

You can sense the zeal and passion in this statement by his frequent use of capital letters and explanation marks. Yet few know that Herbert W. Armstrong was a high school dropout, with no formal training in theology. He was largely “self-taught.” It reminds me of a physician in a hospital in Tanzania. I was told that he had an eighth grade education, “but,” I was told, “he is bright and well read.” This is one reason why when I go to Belarus or Tanzania on a mission trip I purchase medical evacuation insurance. If I get hurt or sick I will be transported out of the country for medical care. 

1:18-20 “. . . so that by following them you may fight the good fight, holding on to faith and a good conscience. Some have rejected these and so have shipwrecked their faith. Among them are Hymenaeus and Alexander, whom I have handed over to Satan to be taught not to blaspheme.”

Here Paul is actually naming names of false teachers. Hymenaeus taught that the resurrection had already come (II Tim 2:17-18). If someone told me that today, I’d be disappointed. I’m hoping for something better than what I now have when I’m resurrected. When Paul said that he “handed over to Satan” meant that he administered church discipline (Matt 18:17, I Cor 5:5, 13) by excluding him from the congregation in the hope that he would repent so that he could return. 

2:1-2 “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone-for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness.” 

Part of our civic duty is to pray for our leaders; not that they succeed in every endeavor, but that we may live peaceful and quiet lives. I certainly would not be praying for the success of an evil or corrupt leader, such as Hitler or Stalin. 

2:5 “For there is one God and one mediator between god and men, the man Christ Jesus.”

This is a passage that is used to challenge the idea that Christians have to pray to others, such as Mary, in order to get to God. 

2:8 “I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing.”

So, do you lift up your hands when you pray? I’ve been in some groups where some raise both hands; others only raise on hand. I say to myself, “What’s that all about? Is the guy who raises both hands more righteous than the other?” Can you pray with one, two, or no hands raised? Of course we can. What Paul is saying is that when we pray, we should not be angry and in conflict with others.

We have to be careful to make the distinction between a description and a prescription. When you go to a doctor and get a prescription there is usually a symbol that looks like “Rx.” If I recall correctly from my days in an Air Force Pharmacy this symbol means “TAKE,” it’s an order! When we read that Jesus wore sandals, that is a description, but it is not a prescription, telling us what to do. “You do want to be like Jesus, don’t you?” So let’s all wear “Jesus Sandals.” Maybe we can start a new line of footwear, and market them as “The Official Footwear of the Messiah!” Or we can claim that they are “The Messiah’s Miracle Sandal, where you get closer to God with every step you take.” If any of you take my idea and make money with it, be sure to send me a royalty.

2:9 “I also want women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.”

Here is a passage that some have used to prohibit the wearing of jewelry. The point of this passage is that we should not use jewelry inappropriately, such as when it is part of an immodest outfit. One’s beauty should come from their inward lives and character, rather than outward adornment with expensive jewelry. I think it is significant that he uses the term “expensive” in this passage. Should a Christian be spending money on expensive jewelry when there are so many people in need, doing without the basic for life? How much is too much? 

2:11 “A woman should learn in quietness and full submission. I do not permit a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; she must be silent.”

In this passage, “woman” and “man” are better translated “wife” and “husband.” So it appears that this passage is dealing with the same subject as seen in I Cor 34:34-35. Here is one suggestion as to how this passage could be paraphrased:

Your wives must be at peace in the assembly. It isn’t permitted for them to be continuously talking or chatting, but rather be responsible and yield themselves to whatever is taking place, as it shows though the scriptures. And if there is something they want to question their husband about, let them ask their husband later: for it is disgraceful for wives to be continuously making a disturbance which distracts the assembly.

I don’t think that this passage is a universal and permanent prohibition against women speaking or teaching in the church. Rather, I think it teaches against disturbing chatter by wives at church meetings. There may have been aggressive women in Ephesus who were teaching false doctrine, which was another concern in Ephesus. I think Paul is dealing with a specific setting/issue because we do find women have served as prophets (Luke 2:36; Acts 21:9; I Cor 11:5). Elsewhere we see women teaching, such as Priscilla who taught Apollos (Acts 18:26) and Phoebe had a leadership position in the church. And, we are told, women will be serving again as prophets in the end times (Acts 2:17-18). We also see in I Cor 14:26, where it says, “When you come together, everyone has a hymn, or a word of instruction, a revelation, a tongue or an interpretation.” Notice it says “everyone,” which must include women.

Now I realize that some churches teach that women can teach only children. I’ve been a member of one such church. If you limit teaching by women to children, then you have to decide, at what age can the young no longer be taught by the women? What is the upper age limit? Other churches teach that women can teach people of all ages, as long as they are under the leadership of a man.

2:15 “But women will be saved through childbearing-if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.”

I like what one commentary says on this verse, “This verse is obviously a difficult one to explain.” At first glance, it appears to say that the way to salvation is obtained through childbirth, but we know that is not the case. A better translation would be, “she shall be saved through the childbearing,” with the emphasis on the word THE. It is a specific childbearing, referring to the birth of Jesus. But, being a difficult passage, you know that there must be another explanation. Salvation can mean more than “eternal salvation.” I can be saved from poverty by saving some money. I can be saved from head injury by wearing my helmet on my motorcycle. Another possible interpretation is that it means she will be saved from becoming prey to the social evils by having children, in other words, the party-girl is saved from corruption when she settles down after she has a baby.

3: This chapter provides the qualification of a pastor. This subject is addressed in the Frequently Asked Question tab under the article, “What is the Role of a Pastor in the Church?” This article goes into the qualification and duties of a church leader.

4:10 “. . . we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.”

One of the big questions that people have is, “What is the eternal fate of those who have never heard the name of Jesus?” Can people be saved by their faith if it is only on general revelation (Rom 2:14-15)? Many believe that the unborn that die before birth, infants, the mentally handicapped, etc. are all saved, as if by default. If this is true, then why aren’t those who have never heard the name of Jesus or the Gospel? Aren’t they at the same disadvantage as those who are aborted, or who die young or have a serious developmental disability? This passage in I Timothy seems to support this view. If this is so, then the people who are eternally condemned are limited to those who willingly and knowingly reject the light they have been given, whether it is general revelation or the Gospel.

4:13-14 “Until I come, devote yourself to the public reading of Scripture, to preaching and to teaching. Do not neglect your gift. . .”

What is your gift? Are you using it or neglecting it?

5:1 “Do not rebuke an older man harshly . . . treat younger men as brothers, older women as mothers, and younger women as sisters, with absolute purity.”

5:8 “If anyone does not provide for his relatives, and especially for his immediate family, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.”

Here in these two verses Paul is giving practical advice on dealing with others.  As for verse 8, I think that there are times when pastors neglect their families and can even justify it by claiming, “I’m doing the work of God. Is there anything more important that this?” Pastors can justify becoming workaholics, after all, someone’s eternal salvation is at stake. Do you know people who are so busy with church work that they do not provide for their own families, especially emotionally?

5:19 “Do not entertain an accusation against an elder unless it is brought by two or three witnesses.”

What is this I hear, conflict in a church? I’m shocked! Some churches have a reputation for being very nasty in their dealings with pastors. A retired pastor friend of mine had that experience in his last assignment. When I introduce him to others I refer to him as “a recovering pastor,” rather than a “retired pastor.” He’s recovering from the carnal, immature church members who made his ministry so difficult. 

5:23 “Stop drinking only water and use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.”

I’ll refer you to an article entitled, “Does the Bible Forbid the Drinking of Alcoholic Beverages?” in the Frequently Asked Questions section of this website.

6:5 “. . . who think that godliness is a means to financial gain.”

The church today is plagued by “prosperity preachers,” who teach that God wants all of us to be healthy and wealthy. And of course, the way to get wealth is to show faith in God by sending them money. What a sham, what a shame.

6:6 “But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil.”

How do you define a wealthy person? A wealthy person is someone who is content with what he has. It isn’t easy to be happy with what we have, especially when we are bombarded all day with commercials promoting this or that product. Paul tells us in Phil 4:11-12 that he had to learn to be content, whatever his situation, whether enjoying plenty or struggling in want. Paul then goes on to say that those who want to get rich quick, fall into a trap. Do you know anyone with a gambling problem? I’ve known one. He always had a “system” to pick the winners at the race track. He would tell me of his recent wins. Of course, he never mentioned his losses and at the age of 50, he had a net worth of zero. But he always wanted to get rich fast. Paul then goes onto to say that it is the love of money that is a root of all kinds of evil. Money isn’t a root of all evil, only the love of it.

6:18 “Command them (those who are rich) to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share.

There is some very practical advice in this pastoral letter. If you are ever on a search committee looking for a new pastor, don’t get too impressed with speaking ability or personality. Look for Christian maturity and the ability to teach.  It might save you and your church a lot of headaches later on.