As you study through 1 Timothy, feel free to post your thoughts and discoveries here:
who said that?
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Chapter 1: Paul’s Charge Concerning Doctrine.
PAUL, an apostle of Jesus Christ, by the commandment of God our Savior and the Lord Jesus Christ, our hope, To Timothy, a true son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord. Verse 1-2
In the opening salutations, it is interesting to read how Paul uses the words “commandment of God“ to declare his apostleship. In Ephesians 1:1 he states it like this “Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the will of God. Paul is clearly stating his self credentials as an “apostle“, he was an apostle by commandant-not just by commission but “by the commandment of God“. His authority had been given to him personally by the Lord Jesus Christ. Thought Paul did not know the Lord in His flesh, he did know the glorified Christ. And we remember that in the book of Acts it was Christ who told Paul, “Depart, for I will send you far from here to the Gentiles”.
As I urged you when I went into Macedonia; remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith. Verse 3-4
“Remain in Ephesus”. Its almost as if Timothy wanted to give up or leave the church of Ephesus. Question to you guys, have any of you guys ever felt like this? Felt like you just want to give up, felt like the pressures are to much? I know I have. Does everybody in ministry goes thru this sometimes? One of among many reasons I think the Lord has brought us all together is that we may with all “lowliness and gentleness, bear with one another in love“, that we may encourage one another to “fight the good fight of faith” and “wage the good warfare”.
Timothy was charged with a big task “Remain in Ephesus that you may charge some that they teach no other doctrine”. and with all that he probably had a great deal of internal and external pressure.
I am learning that God will allow us to be placed in these difficult situations that our faith may be strengthened. Listen to this “The trials that come from God are sent to prove and strengthen our graces and immediately illustrate the power of divine grace, to test the genuineness of our virtues and to add to their energy. Our Lord in His infinite wisdom and superabundant love sets such a high value upon His people’s faith that He will not protect them from those trials by which faith is strengthened“. (C.H.S)
And as ministers and Pastors (“wow it feels weird to say that“) we must set our minds to the difficult tasks that our laid before us. Such as, the lost, the building of God’s Kingdom, our church family & congregation, our city of West Covina, our Nation, & to stand on sound doctrine just to name a few.
When Paul had left Ephesus he had left Timothy with specific doctrine in which to teach, Paul says “Teach no other doctrine”. Paul knew the importance of doctrine in the eyes of God and that truth matters. And just as Paul warned the churches in Galatia in (Gal 1:6-9) he is telling Timothy to “Charge some that they teach no other doctrine, nor give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which cause disputes rather than godly edification which is in faith.
I believe Paul did this because doctrine is vitally important to God. I read this in a commentary “Today, what one believes – that is, their doctrine – is staggeringly unimportant to most people. This spirit of the modern age has also heavily influenced Christians. We live in a day where Pilate’s question What is truth? (John 18:38) is answered today, “Whatever it means to you.” But truth is important to God, and should be important to us“.
Wow this is such a great chapter, filled with so much. I hope I have not gotten carried away. But I am going to leave off at verse 3. I have some thoughts on verses 4-11 but I’m going to bed now.
Hmm, I’ve been trying to imagine the environment of that day. What it must’ve been like… “Hey Timothy, I’m taking off for Macedonia and I need you to stay here in Ephesus.” Timothy, I imagined replied, “Uh, OK.” I can almost see the expression on Timothy’s face. — sort of like the look I had on my face when I heard I would be Pastor of whatever it is I’m to be Pastor of (what am I Pastor of again?).
Consider what questions Timothy must’ve had. Or, like most, just go with the flow. I think he asked Paul why he wasn’t going with him. Perhaps pleaded with Paul to remain a little longer. And certainly Timothy had concerns about his own abilities (or the lack of).
I’m inspired by Timothy. I realize Paul has much to say about the matter and in time, as/if I continue on this journey, I will maybe play a role in someones life as Paul did in Timothy’s.
I to am inspired by Timothy, I feel I can relate to him.
Hi Jason. I’m interested to know how you can relate to Timothy.
Hey John, well one of the ways I feel I can relate to Timothy is this, and remember this is just a personal thought. Timothy was given big tasks to do, just as you & I have been given a big task to do, and everyone else for that matter. So in that regards I feel like I can relate to Timothy. And I love what Paul tells him, “Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, to which you were also called and have confessed the good confession in the presence of many witnesses”.
John what is it that inspires you about Timothy?
Basically, what inspires me about him (and most others that inspire me)is this, “If he can do it, so can I”. Here’s a thought: To say that I’m inspired does’nt necesarily mean that I’m motivated. Even being motivated does’nt cause reaction!
It would seem that Timothy may have become intimidated by some of those in his shepherdry. Some older, perhaps post-modernists felt that they could do a better job. Seeing that Timothy lacked surety or assertiveness, these few questioned Timothy’s authority. So Paul reminds Timothy the purpose of the law (v.8).
“But we know that the law is good…” I can’t count how many times I was faced with situations that had overwhelmed me because I had not heeded what the law (scripture) has to say about a thing. Or how many compromises reached due to a lack of interest of what God has commanded in His word! Pauls reminder to young Timothy, “I know how they can be. This is what works. Lovingly bring them back to what our Lord has to say in His word.”
I can only imagine what Timothy’s letter to Paul consisted of (whether there was a letter written or not, I’ve not read thus/yet), or whatever the means of conveyance,
Hello brothers. I sent an e-mail to you all on this topic, so what follows may be redundant to you. Still, Rande said you guys were hanging out here, so I am re-posting my e-mail to add to your discussion:
Timothy finds himself placed in a difficult situation when he is urged by Paul to stay in Ephesus and stand for the truth. Apparently, there are those who either have a different gospel or have lost their focus on God, and Timothy has been asked to shepherd them. Perhaps they do not respect him because of his age. In any case, the text suggests that Timothy did not want to stay, and is facing opposition.
Paul asks Timothy not to worry about what people think, and especially not to get into debates about things that distract from the gospel, or condone others doing so. Rather, he has been asked to simply stand in the truth, stay focused on Jesus, and keep those around him focused on Jesus as well.
I think that Paul is asking Timothy to set the correct tone for the church. One where the hypocrisy of the Pharisees is not allowed to creep in and the focus is not on things of men but things of God. So much so, that he reminds Timothy that he (Paul) has had to throw people out of the church who were apparently in serious error concerning their theology.
Therefore, the lesson from chapter one for me is to guard your heart and stay focused on Jesus, and not be afraid to stand for what is correct when faced with what is wrong.
Chapter two covers a lot of ground. Most striking to me is that Paul instructs Timothy to pray for all people, to intercede on their behalf. This is cool as Timothy and we are being asked to be like Christ.
Later in the chapter he says he wants men to pray with holy hands lifted up to God, free from anger or controversy. He also talks about how women should present themselves and their role in Church.
I believe once again, Paul is reminding Timothy that the focus is to be on God, and that he is to make sure that there are not distractions or problems in the body that will give inroads to Satan. Paul has experience in this, in the Church in Corinth as an example.