“1 Timothy 1:3, 4”

Monday, July 17, 2017

1 Timothy

Selecting one memory passage from 1 Timothy proves itself to be difficult not because of any lack of great teaching, but due to the many statements that are made which give direction, admonishment, practical advice, and comfort. Notice a partial list of some of the great statements found in 1 Timothy below.

• 1:5, 6, “Now the purpose of the commandment is love from a pure heart, from a good conscience, and from sincere faith, from which some, having strayed, have turned aside to idle talk.”
• 1:15, “This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief.”
• 1:17, “Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, to God who alone is wise, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.”
• 1:18, “This charge I commit to you, son Timothy, according to the prophecies previously made concerning you, that by them you may wage the good warfare.”
• 2:1, 2, “Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men, for kings and all who are in authority, that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and reverence.”
• 2:5, 6, “For there is one God and one Mediator between God and men, the Man Christ Jesus, who gave Himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.”
• 2:8-10, “I desire therefore that the men pray everywhere, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting; in like manner also, that the women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with propriety and moderation, not with braided hair or gold or pearls or costly clothing, but, which is proper for women professing godliness, with good works.”
• 3:1, “This is a faithful saying: If a man desires the position of a bishop, he desires a good work.”
• 3:5, “(for if a man does not know how to rule his own house, how will he take care of the church of God?)”
• 3:13, “For those who have served well as deacons obtain for themselves a good standing and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.”
• 3:15, “but if I am delayed, I write so that you may know how you ought to conduct yourself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.”
• 4:1, “Now the Spirit expressly says that in latter times some will depart from the faith, giving heed to deceiving spirits and doctrines of demons.”
• 4:6, “If you instruct the brethren in these things, you will be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished in the words of faith and of the good doctrine which you have carefully followed.”
• 4:8, “For bodily exercise profits a little, but godliness is profitable for all things, having promise of the life that now is and of that which is to come.”
• 4:12, “Let no one despise your youth, but be an example to the believers in word, in conduct, in love, in spirit, in faith, in purity.”
• 4:13, “Till I come, give attention to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.”
• 4:15, “Meditate on these things; give yourself entirely to them, that your progress may be evident to all.”
• 4:16, “Take heed to yourself and to the doctrine. Continue in them, for in doing this you will save both yourself and those who hear you.”
• 5:1, “Honor widows who are really widows.”
• 5:17, “Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.”
• 5:20, “Those who are sinning rebuke in the presence of all, that the rest also may fear.”
• 6:6, 7, “Now godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.”
• 6:10, “For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, for which some have strayed from the faith in their greediness, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.”
• 6:12, “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.”
• 6:20, 21, “O Timothy! Guard what was committed to your trust, avoiding the profane and idle babblings and contradictions of what is falsely called knowledge—by professing it some have strayed concerning the faith. Grace be with you. Amen.”

Rather than assigning the entire book of 1 Timothy, I want to highlight two verses that are not on this list. It’s meaning and intent surfaces frequently from Paul’s pen to Timothy and Titus and compliments the thoughts expressed by Paul to be delivered from unreasonable (amiss, out of place) men (2 Thess. 3:2, 3). Where Paul ended the book of 1 Timothy is essentially where he began this letter.

I fear, too many preachers do not give long and sober consideration to this warning and chase after things that are unprofitable and out of place. How many preacher-training programs spend time with young men in warning them not to strive over words and engage in profitless pursuits akin to fables, endless genealogies, idle babblings and contradictions of false knowledge? Our classes need to be “Bible Classes” where we guard against thinking beyond what is written (1 Cor. 4:6). We must strive to have Bible classes that actually study the Bible and are not transformed into “idle babble studies.” Pursue lessons that explain doctrine, edify godly living, apply and expound on words of the Holy Spirit giving the sense (Neh. 8:8). Let us refuse the urge to decorate our discussions and discourses with opinions and vain speculations of men. Other than discouragement and deception, the devil seeks to distract us away from the truth and our solemn duty to it. Let us, therefore, commit to memory:

“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” (1 Tim. 3:3, 4).

IMMEDIATE CONTEXT: 1:3-11

THEMATIC WARNING: 1, 2 Timothy and Titus (1 Tim. 4:6, 7; 6:4, 20; 2 Tim. 2:14-16; 4:2-5; Titus 1:10-14; 2:1, 8, 3:9-11).

--Steven J. Wallace

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