63 AD

• Some historians have estimated that half of the population of the Roman Empire was composed of slaves.
• Many of these people were educated and cultured, but legally they were not considered persons at all.
• The Gospel message of salvation and freedom in Christ appealed to the slaves, and many of them became believers.
• When slaves were able to get away from their household duties, they would fellowship in local assemblies where being a slave was not a handicap (Gal. 3:28).
• But there was a problem: Some slaves used their newfound freedom in Christ as an excuse to disobey, if not defy, their masters.
• They needed to learn that their spiritual freedom in Christ did not alter their social position, even though they were accepted graciously into the fellowship of the church.[1]

 
HONORING MASTERS
1 TIMOTHY 6
1 All who are under the yoke as slaves should regard their own masters as worthy of all respect, so that God’s name and his teaching will not be blasphemed.

• Paul is encouraging Christian slaves to be role models for the unbelieving masters.
• God’s kindness leads to repentance.

2 Let those who have believing masters not be disrespectful to them because they are brothers, but serve them even better, since those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved.

• Sometimes we believe because we are working for a Christian boss that we don’t have to work as hard.
• We have the same rights that they do because we are both believers.
• We should have the desire to serve believing masters even more than others.

 
FALSE DOCTRINE AND HUMAN GREED
Teach and encourage these things. 3 If anyone teaches false doctrine and does not agree with the sound teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the teaching that promotes godliness,

• 1) They must teach the Bible.
• Isaiah 8:20 -  Go to God’s instruction and testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, there will be no dawn for them. [2]
• They are totally in the dark.
• Everything must filter through the 66 books.
• Don’t believe what I am saying.
• Filter my notes, interpretation, and opinions.

4 he is conceited and understands nothing but has an unhealthy interest in disputes and arguments over words.

• 2) There is an attitude that is conveyed.
• Proud vs humble
• Brain vs heart
• Argumentative vs listening and instructing.
• Conceited, ignorant and desired confrontation over the little things.
• This attitude destroys any sense of community.

From these come envy, quarreling, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant disagreement among people whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness is a way to material gain.

• The heretics viewed religion as a means of making a quick dollar.
• In character they were greedy and materialistic.
• Paul’s strong words described false teachers who exploited the church for their own ends without caring about the havoc they created[3]
• Do you not think Satan uses the same tactic today?
• One of the top reasons men don’t come to church.
• The church is always needing their next dollar.

6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

• Financial guys in the room.
• They have much more to offer than growing your account.
• There is a spirit about them.
• Even Cory…
• Ecclesiastes 1:18 - 18 For with much wisdom is much sorrow; as knowledge increases, grief increases.[4]

7 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out.

• Job, David & Solomon all said this.

8 If we have food and clothing, we will be content with these.

• What is our level of contentment?
• “What do you want for Christmas?” “I’m good”
• Too many of us know the “price of everything and the value of nothing.”
• We are so glutted with luxuries that we have forgotten how to enjoy our necessities.[5]
• We have moved into a throw away society.
• If it’s broke… get a new one… even cars.

9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs.

• Money is not evil… it is the love of money that is evil.
• It is a dangerous thing to use religion as a cover-up for acquiring wealth.
• God’s laborer is certainly worthy of his hire (1 Tim. 5:17–18), but his motive for laboring must not be money.[6]
• “A” root… my trees have multiple roots.
• Where does that craving come from?...

 
FIGHT THE GOOD FIGHT
11 But you (Timothy - utter contrast), man of God (identity), flee from these things,

1. The word “flee” that Paul used here did not refer to literal running, but to Timothy’s separating himself from the sins of the false teachers.[7]

and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, endurance, and gentleness.

1. Separation without positive growth becomes isolation.[8]

• Character and conduct
• Gentleness… it is through kindness…

12 Fight the good fight of the faith.

• Present tense… continuous struggle.
• Who is this fight with?
• Ask this question every time you get in an argument?
• Who is real struggle against?
• The evil one

Take hold of eternal life to which you were called and about which you have made a good confession in the presence of many witnesses.

• Paul was encouraging Timothy to fight through his timidity.

13 In the presence of God, who gives life to all, and of Christ Jesus, who gave a good confession before Pontius Pilate, I charge you 14 to keep this command without fault or failure until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• Like a commander in the military giving orders.

15 God will bring this about in his own time. He is the blessed and only Sovereign, the King of kings, and the Lord of lords, 16 who alone is immortal (not subject to death) and who lives in unapproachable light, whom no one has seen or can see, to him be honor and eternal power. Amen.

• Exodus 33:18-23 - 18 Then Moses said, “Please, let me see your glory.”
• He said, “I will cause all my goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim the name ‘the Lord’ before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” 20 But he added, “You cannot see my face, for humans cannot see me and live.” 21 The Lord said, “Here is a place near me. You are to stand on the rock, 22 and when my glory passes by, I will put you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with my hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take my hand away, and you will see my back, but my face will not be seen.” [9]
• Colossians 1:27 – 27 God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.[10]

 
INSTRUCTIONS TO THE RICH
17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous and willing to share, 19 storing up treasure for themselves as a good foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of what is truly life.
 

• Paul closes his letter to Timothy with this…

GUARD THE HERITAGE
20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding irreverent and empty speech and contradictions from what is falsely called knowledge. 21 By professing it, some people have departed from the faith.

• This is a great week for us to be reminded of our conversations and in who we put our trust.

 
Grace be with you all.[11]

• It is with us.
• Receive it and share it.

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 233–234). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] Christian Standard Bible (Is 8:20). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, p. 167). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[4] Christian Standard Bible (Ec 1:18). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 235). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[6] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 235). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 235–236). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[8] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 236). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[9] Christian Standard Bible (Ex 33:18–23). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[10] Christian Standard Bible (Col 1:27). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[11] Christian Standard Bible (1 Ti 6:1–21). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.

63 AD

• Timothy sends word to Paul in Colosse that the Ephesian church is being ravaged by false teachers.
• “There is also a problem with respect to how the widows are being cared for in the church.
• Some of the widows have adopted the heresy, and others have family members who are able to care for them. Still worse, some of the younger widows who decided not to remarry are acting promiscuously.

 
1 TIMOTHY 5
1 Don’t rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and the younger women as sisters with all purity.

• Much of what Paul advised here involved action based on sensible maturity.[1]
• Timothy was obviously much younger than many in the church at that time.
• Don’t be afraid to have a bold conversation with older men. Be honest and sensitive to them.
• Be kind in your conversations.
• Speak with respect to others.
• Speak without emotion.
• Even a child is wise in how they speak to their parents. When and how...

 
THE SUPPORT OF WIDOWS
3 Support widows who are genuinely in need.

• A woman whose husband has died and who has no male relative (e.g., a father, brother or son) to support her.[2]
• The other qualifier is one who displayed fruit of the Spirit rather than selfish pleasures.
• God’s special care for the widows is a recurring theme in Scripture (Deut., Ps., Is., & Mal.).
• It was only right that the local church show compassion to these women who were in need.[3]

4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, let them learn to practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God.

1. This is a Spirit-led act
2. This is repayment for your own raising
3. This pleases God
4. This has more to do with leaving a legacy

5 The widow who is truly in need and left all alone has put her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers; 6 however, she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.

• It is not so much about specific disciplines as much as it is living out of their true identity.
• Those living by the Spirit vs those living by their flesh.
• This puts the believer/leader in judgment over people.
• Self-indulgent = spiritually dead.

7 Command this also, so that they will be above reproach.

• A good public reputation

8 But if anyone does not provide for his own family, especially for his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

• The sense of urgent importance in Paul’s words suggests that widows were causing some of the problems in Ephesus.[4]
• Is there anything worse than an unbeliever?
• Yes! Those who refuse to provide for their family.
• Even unbelievers support their family members.
• This is still within the guidelines of walking by the Spirit or walking in the flesh.
• There is both spiritual provision as well as financial provision.

9 No widow is to be enrolled on the list for support unless she is at least sixty years old, has been the wife of one husband, 10 and is well known for good works—that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the saints’ feet, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to every good work.

• These are a result of the fruit of the Spirit.
• Older women that probably would not remarry and were recognized as serving in the church.
• Marriage statement was the same one associated with elders and deacons in chapter 3.

11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when they are drawn away from Christ by desire, they want to marry 12 and will therefore receive condemnation because they have renounced their original pledge.

• Original pledge – First love being Jesus.
• They are pursuing sensual desires more than spiritual desires. (flesh vs spirit).

13 At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips and busybodies, saying things they shouldn’t say.

• Idleness vs serving in the church.
• Entitlement – expectations of the church.

14 Therefore, I want younger women to marry, have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us. 15 For some have already turned away to follow Satan. 16 If any believing woman has widows in her family, let her help them. Let the church not be burdened, so that it can help widows in genuine need.

• Some who had pledged a commitment to widowhood were not living as the true widow of vv. 5, 9–10.
• They had abandoned their trust in God.[5]
• “accuse us” – The church will be judged by society.
• Judgement many times comes falsely.
• Most the time out of guilt.
• Make the other person look just as bad or worse than you.

 

• Speak with Kim Schilling, Meg Patton & Wanda Pontious.

 
HONORING THE ELDERS
17 The elders who are good leaders are to be considered worthy of double honor, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

• Elders were a permanent feature of Jewish synagogues. It would have been natural for churches to adopt this office into their congregational government.[6]
• Paul’s practice was to use elders in organizing the churches he founded, not only in Jewish regions but also in Gentile territory (e.g., Acts 14:23).
• Jews would easily have understood this system of organization.
• Gentiles, who knew that local governments were controlled by officials who resembled elders, would not find Paul’s system strange or totally unacceptable.[7]

18 For the Scripture says: Do not muzzle an ox while it is treading out the grain, and, The worker is worthy of his wages.

• Matthew 10:10 – ”Don’t take a traveling bag for the road, or an extra shirt, sandals, or a staff, for the worker is worthy of his food.”[8]

19 Don’t accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.

• Hearsay… not good…
• Facebook… not good…
• One person’s testimony may be skewed by a bad experience.
• Know what is actually being taught

20 Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will be afraid.

• This is still in reference to “elders” and especially if they are in a teaching role.
• Those who continue to sin… a chance for correction and repentance?

21 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism.

• You put the Gospel in jeopardy with society if you waiver on the Truth.

22 Don’t be too quick to appoint, anyone as an elder, and don’t share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. 23 Don’t continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

• Medicinal purposes

24 Some people’s sins are obvious, preceding them to judgment, but the sins of others surface later. 25 Likewise, good works are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden. [9]

• Genuine character, like cream, always rises to the top.
• These words represent a warning against hasty rejection.[10]

 
Paul giving clarity to Timothy in organization, leadership, procedures and house cleaning.

[1] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, p. 145). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[2] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (1 Ti 5:3). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 229). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[4] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, p. 148). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[5] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, pp. 152–153). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[6] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, pp. 154–155). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[7] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, p. 155). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[8] Christian Standard Bible (Mt 10:10). (2020). Holman Bible Publisers.
[9] Christian Standard Bible (1 Ti 5). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[10] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, p. 159). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

63 AD
- Timothy sends word to Paul in Colosse that the Ephesian church is being ravaged by false teachers.
 
The “Boomer” generation has a hard time filtering truth from false.

• We grew up trusting everything we read, saw and heard.
• Now are world is saturated with deception.

 
DEMONIC INFLUENCE
1 TIMOTHY 4
1 Now the Spirit explicitly says (a prophecy that Paul had previously received) that in later times (this was in reference to the “end times” but Paul and Timothy thought they were already living in the end times) some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, 2 through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared.

• “Depart from the faith” – apostasy
• Let’s look at that section of people who “depart from the faith.”
• Based upon filtering all 66 books, I believe one cannot lose their salvation.
• If that is the case, a mere profession of faith does not guarantee the actual possession of eternal life.[1]
• If they are believers, then they have a season of walking by their flesh.
• Many times you will see believers going in and out living by the Spirit or walking by their flesh.
• Is there a line? Where is the line? I’m not the judge.
• Wiersbe says: “A true church seeks to win converts to Jesus Christ and to build them spiritually; conversely, a cult proselytizes, steals converts from others, and makes them servants (even slaves!) of the leaders of the cult. However, not all apostates are in cults; some of them are in churches and pulpits, teaching false doctrine and leading people astray.”[2]
• The evil ones scheme is to water down the church.
• The evil one loves when we “play church”.
• Because there is definitely no freedom in that.
• I absolutely believed people are getting “saved”
• But at a miniscule rate.
• Imagine if they heard the Good News… and that was it.
• Then we add on all the “ministry teams”, “meetings”, titles (don’t get caught up in titles).
• It’s not about titles or responsibilities. Paul just finished talking about that in Chapter 3.
• We’ve become professional church planters, with good intentions but the wrong purpose.
• The evil one loves this…
• Mediocrity…
• Let’s be honest here… Leavener is not getting much bigger than this group right here.
• I didn’t expect it to be this big.
• When crisis comes, you typically turn your head to me or others in the room with wisdom and trust.
• On Thursday, at 4:40 PM, Stacy Christiansen called me…
• “I didn’t come for your future… I cam for your salvation.”
• “Rescued”
• Video of rescue
• I appreciate the vote of confidence, but the truth is I am not going to meet your needs and I am going to point you back to Jesus every time.
• I get you need your hand held… I need my hand held.
• I have 2 hands… the body of Christ has many.
• You have the same Spirit that I have. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead.
• If we continue to “play church”, we consciously play into the devil’s hand.

3 They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods that God created to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth.

• They were demanding celibacy and for young widows to not remarry.
• They were sticking to laws of food that were “clean” and “unclean”

4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing is to be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 since it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.
 
A GOOD SERVANT OF JESUS CHRIST
6 If you point these things out to the brothers and sisters, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith and the good teaching that you have followed.

• St. Patrick’s Day – Friday Night
• Michelle spent the evening trying to figure out what the Spirit is leading the women to study next.

7 But have nothing to do with pointless and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness. 8 For the training of the body has limited benefit, but godliness is beneficial in every way since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come.

• We have to filter everything that is a resource because we are not looking for water-downed truth or false teaching that is weaved into truth.

9 This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance. 10 For this reason we labor and strive, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all people, especially of those who believe.

• He doesn’t say we are going to sit still and do nothing.
• He doesn’t say we are going to do programs either.

 
INSTRUCTIONS FOR MINISTRY
11 Command and teach these things. 12 Don’t let anyone despise your youth, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love,, in faith, and in purity. 13 Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching. 14 Don’t neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy, with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. 15 Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for in doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.[3]

• Every Thursday Night for the last 10 years, my friend Joe would greet every person for dinner at 6:30 PM
• We’d pray and eat together as a family (15-40 people)
• At 7:25 he began to pass out questions that had been e-mailed over specific passage of Scripture we were studying.
• At 7:30 we circled around “Father Joe” and he greeted us… “Greetings from the WalMart parking lot.”
• Then he would tell a joke.
• Then we would read the Bible.
• Then we would process what it said by using the questions he prepared in advance.
• Then we would pray for each other.
• My brother modeled 1 Timothy 4.
• I can’t wait to hear, “Greetings from heaven…”

[1] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, p. 129). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 224). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[3] Christian Standard Bible (1 Ti 4:1–16). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.

63 AD
- Timothy sends word to Paul in Colosse that the Ephesian church is being ravaged by false teachers.

Crisis in Ephesus
Provocation: In this letter, Paul reminds Timothy how the believers ought to behave themselves in the community (3:15).

• He encourages Timothy to be faithful to his ministry, and exhorts him to combat the proto-gnostic heresy that is spreading like a cancer in Ephesus.
• Paul gives Timothy practical instructions on how to do it.
  • Paul calls for the need to select new overseers (3:1ff) and exhorts the church to give respect to those overseers who are serving well (5:17ff).

 
QUALIFICATIONS FOR OVERSEERS AND DEACONS
1 TIMOTHY 3
1 This saying is trustworthy: “If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work.”

• “aspires” – sets their hearts to
• “Delight yourselves in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4
• “Elder” is the translation of the Greek word presbutes, which means “an old man.”[1]
• Probably the overseer served over a single house-church with the group of overseers from within a city constituting “the overseers.”[2]
• This is not a position that one tries to qualify himself for or applies to.
• It is one that comes natural because of character and situation.
• Paul did not take this lightly. He gave 15 qualifications for the role of Pastor/Elder

2 An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not an excessive drinker, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy. 4 He must manage his own household competently and have his children under control with all dignity. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and incur the same condemnation as the devil. 7 Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the devil’s trap.

1. Blameless – “Above reproach” - This word literally means “nothing to take hold upon”

- No man living is sinless, but we must strive to be blameless, or “above reproach
- Criticized publicly.
- Reputation is important
- Protect yourself from criticism

1. The husband of one wife – Paul could be referring to polygamy even though that was a given even to be included in the church.
   • Paul could be talking about being divorced and remarried. But he could have also used the term for divorce.
   • It is better to see Paul having demanded that the church leader be faithful to his one wife.[3]
2. Self-controlled/vigilant – Keep your head in all situations.

- Sensible judgment in all things.
- Cool and collectible

1. Prudent/sober – Serious attitude about certain things.
   • Do not cheapen the Gospel message with a foolish behavior.
   • Trustworthy and sensible
   • Balanced in judgment
2. Respectable – Demands dignity and orderliness in behavior.
   • Orderly outward life is a reflection of inward stability.
3. Hospitable – Necessary as Christians traveled and spread the Gospel message.
   • The task for caring for missionaries and strangers was respectable in both the Christian and Greek cultures.
4. Able teacher – demands competence and skill in communicating Christian truth.
   • One who can teach others needs also a willingness to accept teaching.
   • An overseer needed the ability both to explain Christian doctrine and to refute or oppose error.
5. Not addicted to wine – The word describes a person who sits long with the cup and thus drinks to excess.
   • The fact that Paul advised Timothy to use wine for medicinal purposes (1 Tim. 5:23) indicates that total abstinence was not demanded of believers.
   • Sad to say, some of the members of the Corinthian church got drunk, even at the love feast that accompanied the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:21).
6. Not a bully but gentle – Paul was actually referring to a physical displays.
   • Do not punch people.
   • Gentle is in reference to compassionate in how you communicate.
7. Not Quarrelsome – Peaceful attitude
   • This was important to combat false teaching
8. Not Greedy – It is possible to use the ministry as an easy way to make money, if a man has no conscience or integrity.
   • Covetous pastors always have “deals” going on outside their churches, and these activities erode their character and hinder their ministry. One who manages his own household completely
9.  Having children under control with all dignity - The verb for “manage” carries the idea of governing, leading, and giving direction to the family.
   • The term demands an effective exercise of authority bolstered by a character of integrity and sensitive compassion.
   • Its use in v. 5 with the verb “take care of” defines the quality of leadership as related more to showing mercy than to delivering ultimatums.
   • It demands primarily a character and manner of discipline that develop a natural respect.
10. Manage the church – A pastor will manage the church just as he does his own family.
11. Not a new convert - it would be important to select leaders with enough maturity to avoid the pitfalls of pride.
    • The danger of appointing a recent convert to a place of leadership is that he may become a victim of conceit that comes with his important new position.
    • To be “conceited” (typhoō) means to be blinded.
    • The pride in a prominent position produces a blindness that blunts spiritual alertness.[4]
12. Good reputation - The “good reputation” is literally a “good witness.”
    • This is an appeal that the church leader have a good name and standing in the wider community.
    • The mention of the leader’s name should not cause flare ups among the opponents of the gospel.

The behavior of the leader should provide an example of integrity and commitment to the gospel he professes.[5]
8 Deacons,

• The English word deacon is a transliteration of the Greek word diakonos, which simply means “servant.”
• It is likely that the origin of the deacons is recorded in Acts 6.
• The first deacons were appointed to be assistants to the Apostles.
• In a local church today deacons relieve the pastors/elders of other tasks so that they may concentrate on the ministry of the Word, prayer, and spiritual oversight.[6]

likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical (no gossip), not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, 9 holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. 11 Wives, likewise, should be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, faithful in everything. 12 Deacons are to be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. 13 For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

• I do not refer to our people as deacons (other than Luke Dunnuck).
• But I do refer to our people as though they are deacons/servants.
  
  

THE MYSTERY OF GODLINESS
14 I write these things to you, hoping to come to you soon. 15 But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to conduct themselves in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 And most certainly, the mystery of godliness is great:
He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated in the Spirit, (empowered)
seen by angels, (messengers)
preached among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.[7]

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 219). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, p. 109). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[3] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, p. 109). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[4] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, p. 113). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[5] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, p. 114). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[6] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 221). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[7] Christian Standard Bible (1 Ti 3:1–16). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.

Man – Woman Forms
 - Quickly write down a characteristic, trait or role that you associate with each word.
 
Timothy had no doubt heard Paul’s testimony before, but Paul apparently never tired of telling the story of the power of God’s grace in his life.

• No matter where you came from or what you did, if you trust in Jesus as your substitutionary sacrifice, you too have a testimony of grace to proclaim.[1]

PAUL’S TESTIMONY
1 Timothy 1
12 I give thanks to Christ Jesus our Lord who has strengthened me, because he considered me faithful, appointing me to the ministry--13 even though I was formerly a blasphemer, a persecutor, and an arrogant man.

• Persecutor – hunted down Christians like wild animals. Violent man – bully.
• Paul was describing his life before his conversion.
• “I am the worst of all sinners.”

But I received mercy because I acted out of ignorance in unbelief, 14 and the grace of our Lord overflowed, along with the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus.

• Paul received grace first, then faith and love was established in Paul through Jesus’ presence in him.

15 This saying is trustworthy and deserving of full acceptance: “Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners”—and I am the worst of them.

• The only time Paul refers to himself as a sinner.

16 But I received mercy for this reason, so that in me, the worst of them, Christ Jesus might demonstrate his extraordinary patience as an example to those who would believe in him for eternal life.

• Quote from Augustine: “God does not choose a person who is worthy, but by the act of choosing him he makes him worthy [translation mine].”[2]

17 Now to the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only God, be honor and glory forever and ever. Amen.
 
ENGAGE IN BATTLE
18 Timothy, my son, I am giving you this instruction in keeping with the prophecies previously made about you,

• Most likely Paul is referring to an experience in Timothy’s early days whereby he was recognized to have received the gift of the Spirit for ministry, a recognition that was made clear through some prophecies.[3]

so that by recalling them you may fight the good fight, 19 having faith and a good conscience, which some have rejected and have shipwrecked their faith.

• There is always going to be distractions and distortions in teaching Scripture.
• Biblical worldview – so many interpretations.

20 Among them are Hymenaeus (him-men-nay-us) and Alexander, whom I have delivered to Satan, so that they may be taught not to blaspheme. [4]

• They will not repent, so Paul has no other choice but to put them out of the church because they are damaging the faith of some of the believers. (2 Tim 2:17-18)
• Delivered to Satan – handed over.
• There was nothing Paul could do because they weren’t even listening to Paul.
• Sounds evil, but I’ve heard it said, “I am here to feed sheep, not coral goats.”
• Paul was encouraging Timothy to make the best of his time and energy.

 
INSTRUCTIONS ON PRAYER
2 First of all, then, I urge that petitions, prayers, intercessions, and thanksgivings be made for everyone,

• “Then” – In reference to the 2 men who had been turned over to Satan because of their lack or repentance.
• He was not outlining church organization, but he was confronting errors and heresies already underway[5]
• “First of all” – Pray
• “everyone” – For God so loved the world!

2 for kings and all those who are in authority, so that we may lead a tranquil and quiet life in all godliness and dignity.

• Godless Emperor Nero was on the throne at that time, and yet the believers were supposed to pray for him!
• We are on the verge of WWIII. We need to be praying for Putin and Zelensky.
• Even when we cannot respect men or women in authority, we must respect their offices and pray for them.[6]
• Praying for them is for our own good – to live in peace with ourselves.

3 This is good, and it pleases God our Savior,

• Because our lives would be based upon love and respect.
• “I can’t respect…” still focused on you.
• You miss this and you live in torment… not peace.

4 who wants everyone to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.

• The term “all/everyone” in v. 4 must refer to the same group as the reference to “everyone” in v. 1.
• The petitions of v. 1 are to include all human beings, and the objects of Christ’s death must include the same group.
• It would certainly include all persons without distinctions of race or social standing, but it also refers to all persons individually[7]

5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus,

• “Mediator” necessary
• “mankind” – identifies with us

6 who gave himself as a ransom for all, a testimony at the proper time.

• John 3:16 – “that He gave His only Son…”

7 For this I was appointed a herald, an apostle (I am telling the truth; I am not lying), and a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and truth.

• If God did this for Paul, then certainly there is hope for everyone.

 
INSTRUCTIONS TO MEN AND WOMEN
8 Therefore, I want the men in every place to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or argument.

• Morally pure hands
• Not in dispute with others.
• Sometimes this is a posture in prayer.
• Our traditional posture of bowing the head, folding the hands, and closing the eyes is nowhere found or commanded in Scripture.
• Actually, there are many prayer postures found in the Bible: standing with outstretched hands (1 Kings 8:22); kneeling (Dan. 6:10); standing (Luke 18:11); sitting (2 Sam. 7:18); bowing the head (Gen. 24:26); lifting the eyes (John 17:1); falling on the ground (Gen. 17:3).
• The important thing is not the posture of the body but the posture of the heart.[8]

9 Also, the women are to dress themselves in modest clothing, with decency and good sense, not with elaborate hairstyles, gold, pearls, or expensive apparel, 10 but with good works, as is proper for women who profess to worship God.

• Acceptable standards of modesty will vary with place and generation.
• Most people can even see through “classy”.
• Paul’s point is that genuine faith in God should display itself in holiness.[9]
• He did not forbid the use of nice clothing or ornaments.
• He urged balance and propriety, with the emphasis on modesty and holy character.[10]
• Women will pursue other women.
• Do you want to be pursued because of your style or behavior?
• Do you want to be pursued because of your maturity and wisdom?
• We must never underestimate the important place that godly women played in the ministry of the church.
• The Gospel message had a tremendous impact on them because it affirmed their value before God and their equality in the body of Christ (Gal. 3:28).
• Women had a low place in the Roman world, but the Gospel changed that.
• There were devoted women who ministered to Jesus in the days of His earthly ministry (Luke 8:1–3).
• They were present at His crucifixion and burial, and it was a woman who first heralded the glorious news of His resurrection.
• In the Book of Acts we meet Dorcas (Acts 9:36ff), Lydia (Acts 16:14ff), Priscilla (Acts 18:1–3), and godly women in the Berean and Thessalonian churches (Acts 17:4, 12).
• Paul greeted at least eight women in Romans 16; and Phebe, who carried the Roman epistle to its destination, was a deaconess in a local church (Rom. 16:1).
• Many believing women won their husbands to the Lord and then opened their homes for Christian ministry.[11]

11 A woman is to learn quietly with full submission.

• “Silence” is an unfortunate translation because it gives the impression that believing women were never to open their mouths in the assembly.
• This is the same word that is translated “peaceable”[12]
• Paul was not demanding physical silence but a teachable spirit.[13]
• “Submission” – We have made this such a negative term in relation to women. I get it.
• But we have also distorted the idea of “submission”
• It is about the rank of the “role”… not the rank of value or ability.
• You submit every day… if you don’t… you can look at the news and see what happens.
• Submit to what? Those who were in Biblical authority.
• They were being taught freedom with the Gospel but they interpreted that as “freedom with their flesh” rather than “freedom with their spirit”.

12 I do not allow a woman to teach or to have authority over a man; instead, she is to remain quiet.

• It’s not a rule. Paul says he does not allow.
• What is his reasoning?
• Women are permitted to teach.
• Older women should teach the younger women (Titus 2:3–4).
• Timothy was taught at home by his mother and grandmother (2 Tim. 1:5; 3:15).
• But in their teaching ministry, they must not “lord it over” men.
• There is nothing wrong with a godly woman instructing a man. (Acts 18:24–26 - 24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native Alexandrian, an eloquent man who was competent in the use of the Scriptures, arrived in Ephesus. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord; and being fervent in spirit, he was speaking and teaching accurately about Jesus, although he knew only John’s baptism. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue. After Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained the way of God to him more accurately.[14])
• But the women never assumed authority in the church and try to take the place of a man.
• She should exercise “quietness” and help keep order in the church.[15]
• This would be referring to the gossip of the church.

13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not deceived, but the woman was deceived and transgressed. 15 But she will be saved through childbearing, if they continue in faith, love, and holiness, with good sense.[16]

• She will receive fulfillment through her role as a parent in the household.

How I led my youth ministry for years has influenced how I lead Leavener currently.
 
How I lead my family will influence my family to come.

• Cory

1.      How would you describe how your Mom and I manage our family?
•   When things hit the fan, Dad usually steps up to the crisis.
•   Mom handles on the day to day basis that fits her skills.
•   Kids pick and choose who they go to during emotional crisis… depending on situation.
•   To Mom when health issues and stressful… Dad when he has relationship problems or need to fix something.
•   Day to day roles are divided
2. Who is the teacher?
•   Both are teachers… it was hard to learn from you when I was kid.
•   Mom helped me school stuff more… Mom taught Bible stories… Dad taught more spiritual stuff
•   Mom taught me how to do daily essentials… laundry, cooking, etc… Dad was more technical.
3. What is the one thing that defines our marriage?
•   Never gave up on each other… focused on importance on being one… always being on the same page… one flesh.
4. What is the one thing I could work on in our marriage?
•   What Mom would want… words of affirmation. You are never ooey gooey with Mom.
5. What would it look like if Mom was the leader?
•   It would shut you down which would be problematic and make it uneasy in the house. It wouldn’t be natural… awkward situations.
6. What is the one thing that has been modeled that you want to carry on to your family?
•   You guys had times when you didn’t get along but you never did that in front of us. You created a sense of stability and peace. You have to be evenly yoked.
7. What is the one thing that has been modeled that you don’t want to carry on to your family?
•   Can’t think of anything…Involved al ot at church because of job… extracurricular activities
8. Would you say your mom submits to me?

• Yah

9. Is it a bad thing? Why?
•   No… I think you submit to each other… but at the same, when you have a family or a group of people, you have to have a person who makes decisions.

[1] Evans, T. (2019). The Tony Evans Study Bible (p. 1432). Holman Bible.
[2] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, p. 73). Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[3] Fee, G. D. (2011). 1 and 2 Timothy, Titus (pp. 57–58). Baker Books.
[4] Christian Standard Bible (1 Ti 1:12–20). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, pp. 84–86). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[6] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 215). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[7] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, p. 89). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[8] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 216). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[9] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (1 Ti 2:10). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[10] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 218). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[11] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 218). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[12] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 218). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[13] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, p. 98). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[14] Christian Standard Bible (Ac 18:24–26). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.
[15] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 218). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[16] Christian Standard Bible (1 Ti 2:1–2:15). (2020). Holman Bible Publishers.

James (The Lord’s Half-Brother) Is Martyred

• Porcius Festus dies in office. (Roman provincial governor)
• This account comes from the Jewish historian Josephus and the church historian Eusebius.
• Albinus is slated to replace Festus.
• But it will take at least five weeks for the news to travel from Judea to Rome and at least five more weeks for Albinus to travel from Rome to Judea.
• During this three-month waiting period, Ananus the high priest convenes the Sanhedrin and brings “James the Just” (the half-brother of Jesus) and some others in Jerusalem before the council.
• Before the Sanhedrin, Ananus accuses James of blaspheming the Law.
• James is brought to the pinnacle of the temple, thrown down, and is clubbed and stoned to death.
• Since James was held in high regard in Jerusalem as being a “Torah-true Jew,” the fair-minded Jews in the city are offended by his execution.
• Albinus takes office, and Ananus is deposed for illegally convening the Sanhedrin.

 
63 AD – 70 AD

• Peter and Silas have been spending time traveling in northwest Asia bordering the Black Sea (modern Turkey)—specifically the regions of Pontus, North Galatia, Cappadocia, and Bithynia where there are churches mixed with Jewish and Gentile believers. (1 Peter 1:1)
• Peter and Silas now come to Rome where they join John Mark. (1 Peter 5:12-13)

 
63 AD

• After spending two years of house arrest in Rome, Paul is released for lack of evidence to convict him.
• Upon his release, Paul makes his long-awaited trip to Spain. (Romans 15:24)
• The visit is brief, and no churches are planted. (There are no records of Pauline origins)
• Paul travels southeast and meets Titus on the Island of Crete.
• Both men minister to the churches on the island.
• The churches are undergoing an assault of false teaching.
• As a result, they are falling apart.
• Paul leaves Titus on the island to strengthen the churches and to select overseers (elders) who will be able to care for the church when Titus leaves.
• Paul travels northeast and spends some time in Asia Minor.
• He visits Miletus where he begins preaching the gospel.
• Paul sends a message to Trophimus in Ephesus to meet him in Miletus to help with the work.
• Trophimus joins him and a church is planted in Miletus—a community who expresses Jesus Christ.
• Regrettably, Trophimus gets sick.
• Paul heads off to Colosse as he had promised, (Philemon 22)
• But he leaves Trophimus behind in Miletus. (2 Timothy 4:20)
• Timothy sends word to Paul in Colosse that the Ephesian church is being ravaged by false teachers.
• Paul meets Timothy in Ephesus and excommunicates two men from the church, Hymenaeus and Alexander.
• These men are blaspheming and teaching that the resurrection of the believers has already passed.
• They will not repent, so Paul has no other choice but to put them out of the church because they are damaging the faith of some of the believers. (1 Timothy 1:20 & 2 Timothy 2:17-18)
• Alexander, who is a metal-worker, retaliates by opposing Paul’s message and causing him great harm. (2 Timothy 4:14-15)
• A brother in the church in Ephesus named Onesiphorus is of great help to Paul. (2 Timothy 1:16-18)
• Paul leaves Timothy in Ephesus and instructs him to combat the false teachers in the church who are ambitious to teach the Law (yet know little about it).
• These men are teaching myths that pervert the creation account and they are debating over genealogies. (1 Timothy 1:3-7; 2 Timothy 4:4)
• Paul heads off to Macedonia.
• On his way to Macedonia, Paul visits the church in Troas and stays in the home of Carpus. Paul departs Troas, but he leaves behind his winter coat, some scrolls, and some parchments at Carpus’ home.
• Paul arrives in Macedonia and visits the church in Philippi as he had planned to do while in prison.
• Crisis in Ephesus Despite Timothy’s attempt to re-center the church of Ephesus back on Christ, the problems worsen.
• Paul’s warning to the elders in Ephesus is finally coming to pass.
• Five years earlier he forewarned the Ephesian elders that wolves would penetrate the church and draw disciples after themselves with perverse teachings. (Acts 20:28-30)
• The wolves have appeared in Ephesus. (1 Timothy 1:3-7; 6:3-5)
• The heresy they are teaching is a kind of Jewish proto-gnosticism. (Gnosticism will make its appearance in the second century. According to gnosticism, full salvation comes through special knowledge—gnosis—that only the initiated possess.
• In Ephesus, an embryonic form of the heresy has emerged.) (1 Timothy 6:20)
• Here is what they are teaching:
• 1) It is a sin to eat meat and to engage in marriage. (1 Timothy 4:1-3)
• 2) Eve is both a mediator and redeemer figure who pre-existed Adam. (1 Timothy 2:5, 13-14)
• 3) Man came into existence because of a woman, and he was given enlightenment through the woman.
• 4) Since Eve was the first to take a bite from the Tree of Knowledge, she is the bearer of special spiritual knowledge (called gnosis).
• 5) Women are called to lead people to the illuminating gnosis which was represented by the Tree of Knowledge.
• Redemption completely reversed the effects of the Fall so that men are no longer subject to earthly authorities and women are no longer subject to their husbands. (Paul refutes this in 1 Timothy 2:9-15)
• Those in the Ephesian church who are accepting this heresy prefer the leadership of women over men.
• Male teachers were the first to spread the false doctrine in Ephesus. (1 Timothy 1:20; 2 Timothy 2:17)
• But it finds fertile ground among the women in the church. (1 Timothy 4:7; 2 Timothy 3:6-9)
• The homes of the Ephesian women provide a network by which the heresy is spread rapidly through “gossip.” (1 Timothy 3:11; 5:13-15)
• Some of the women are teaching the heresy in the church meetings and are lording it over (dominating) the men.
• They have also accepted the ideals of the “new women” of the Roman Empire.
• They are dressing in an immodest and exploitive way (like that of prostitutes) and are defying other accepted norms regarding marriage and family.
• There is also a problem with respect to how the widows are being cared for in the church.
• 40% of women between the ages of 40 and 50 are widows.
• As a group, they compromise 30% of women in the ancient world.
• The Christian community in Ephesus decided that only women who were at least 60 years old should be supported by the Church.
• Some of the widows have adopted the heresy, and others have family members who are able to care for them.
• Still worse, some of the younger widows who decided not to remarry are acting promiscuously.
• Consequently, Timothy wants to know which widows the church ought to be responsible for.
• Further, some of the rich brethren in the church are trusting in their riches and are influencing their poorer brethren to desire wealth.
• The church in Ephesus is in crisis and Timothy writes Paul about it.
• Upon hearing the news, Paul wishes to return to Ephesus. But he cannot.
• So he responds to Timothy by letter.

 
From: Philippi in Macedonia
To: Timothy who is in Ephesus
Provocation: In this letter, Paul reminds Timothy how the believers ought to behave themselves in the community (3:15).

• He encourages Timothy to be faithful to his ministry, and exhorts him to combat the proto-gnostic heresy that is spreading like a cancer in Ephesus.
• Paul gives Timothy practical instructions on how to do it.
• One solution is to forbid the women who are peddling the false doctrine from teaching in the meetings.
• He also addresses the problem of the Ephesian women accepting the ideals of the “new women” in their dress (2:9ff).
• Paul calls for the need to select new overseers (3:1ff) and exhorts the church to give respect to those overseers who are serving well (5:17ff).
• He exposes the spirit behind the present heresy and predicts that it will increase in the future (4:1ff).
• Paul exhorts Timothy to let no one despise his youth, but rather, to boldly proclaim the truth in the face of error.
• He also gives Timothy instructions on caring for the widows (5:1ff).
• Paul closes the letter by admonishing the contentious and the rich (6:3ff).
• Luke is with Paul and serves as his recorder to pen the letter.
• This letter, along with Titus and 2 Timothy, are written to Paul’s coworkers rather than to a church.
• This fact, along with Luke’s penmanship, account for the uniqueness of vocabulary and style in the so-called “Pastoral Epistles.”
• While Paul was responsible for the content, Luke shaped the vocabulary and style.

Excerpt from: Viola, Frank. “Untold Story of the New Testament Church.” Destiny Image, Inc., 2010-03-10. iBooks.
​
GREETING
1 Timothy 1
1 Paul,

• A missionary to the Gentiles and the writer of 13 NT letters. Paul’s ministry is the focus of Acts 13–28.

an apostle of Christ Jesus by the command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope:

• One commissioned for a particular task and given the authority to carry out the task.
• Having appointed Timothy as leader of the churches in Ephesus, Paul refers to himself as an apostle to remind those under Timothy’s leadership of his authority[1]

2 To Timothy, my true son in the faith.

• Timothy’s father was Greek
• Timothy’s mother was Jewish Christian (taught OT)
• Timothy became a believer in Lystra.
• Began traveling with Paul to Macedonia, Ephesus, Corinth & Asia Minor. Maybe even to Jerusalem.
• Was with Paul during his 1st Roman imprisonment.
• Ended up in Ephesus to deal with chaos.

Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord.
 
FALSE DOCTRINE AND MISUSE OF THE LAW
3 As I urged you when I went to Macedonia, remain in Ephesus

• At least 8 years after Paul’s 3 year stay in Ephesus.

so that you may instruct certain people not to teach false doctrine 4 or to pay attention to myths and endless genealogies.

• Don’t teach theology based upon man.
• Teach the doctrine that we have always taught.
• These false teachers have no good news for lost sinners.
• Instead of producing love, purity, a good conscience, and sincere faith, these novel doctrines were causing division, hypocrisy, and all sorts of problems.
• They seek instead to lead Christians astray and capture them for their causes.[2]
• We have no cause here at Leavener.
• We don’t need you for anything other than building community under the banner of Jesus.

These promote empty speculations rather than God’s plan, which operates by faith. 5 Now the goal of our instruction is love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith.

• Where does a pure heart, good conscience, and a sincere faith come from?
• W. Hendriksen calls the love:
• 1) “a personal delight in God,
• 2) a grateful outgoing of the entire personality to him,
• 3) a deep yearning for the prosperity of his redeemed,\
• 4) an earnest desire for the temporal and eternal welfare of his creatures.”[3]

6 Some have departed from these and turned aside to fruitless discussion. 7 They want to be teachers of the law, although they don’t understand what they are saying or what they are insisting on. 8 But we know that the law is good, provided one uses it legitimately.

• They were leading believers out of the liberty of grace (Gal. 5:1ff) into the bondage of legalism, a tragedy that still occurs today.
• The flesh loves religious legalism because rules and regulations enable a person to appear holy without really having to change his heart.
• Paul listed fourteen kinds of people who were condemned by the Law

9 We know that the law is not meant for a righteous person, but for the lawless and rebellious, for the ungodly and sinful, for the unholy and irreverent, for those who kill their fathers and mothers, for murderers, 10 for the sexually immoral and males who have sex with males, for slave traders, liars, perjurers, and for whatever else is contrary to the sound teaching 11 that conforms to the gospel concerning the glory of the blessed God, which was entrusted to me.

• The lawful use of the Law is to expose, restrain, and convict the lawless.
• The Law cannot save lost sinners (Gal. 2:21; 3:21–29); it can only reveal their need for a Savior.
• When a sinner believes on Jesus Christ, he is freed from the curse of the Law (Gal. 3:10–14); and the righteous demands of the Law are met by the indwelling Holy Spirit as a believer yields to God (Rom. 8:1–4).[4]

[1] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (1 Ti 1:1). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 211). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[3] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, p. 68). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[4] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 211). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.

63 AD
- Some historians have estimated that half of the population of the Roman Empire was composed of slaves.

• Many of these people were educated and cultured, but legally they were not considered persons at all.
• The Gospel message of salvation and freedom in Christ appealed to the slaves, and many of them became believers.
• When slaves were able to get away from their household duties, they would fellowship in local assemblies where being a slave was not a handicap (Gal. 3:28).
• But there was a problem: Some slaves used their newfound freedom in Christ as an excuse to disobey, if not defy, their masters.
• They needed to learn that their spiritual freedom in Christ did not alter their social position, even though they were accepted graciously into the fellowship of the church.[1]

 
1 Timothy 6
1 All who are under the yoke as slaves must regard their own masters to be worthy of all respect, so that God’s name and His teaching will not be blasphemed.

• Paul is encouraging Christian slaves to be role models for the unbelieving masters.
• God’s kindness leads to repentance.

2 Those who have believing masters should not be disrespectful to them because they are brothers, but should serve them better, since those who benefit from their service are believers and dearly loved.

• Sometimes we believe because we are working for a Christian boss that we don’t have to work as hard.
• We have the same rights that they do because we are both believers.
• We should have the desire to serve believing masters even more than others.

 
Teach and encourage these things. 3 If anyone teaches other doctrine and does not agree with the sound teaching of our Lord Jesus Christ and with the teaching that promotes godliness,

• 1) They must teach the Bible.
• Isaiah 8:20 - To the law and to the testimony! If they do not speak according to this word, there will be no dawn for them.[2]
• They are totally in the dark.
• Everything has to filter through the 66 books.
• Don’t believe what I am saying.
• Filter my notes, interpretation and opinions.
• “Hacksaw Ridge” – “Murder is worst sin of them all. It is an abomination to the Lord.”
• Immediately discussed as false after the movie.

4 he is conceited, understanding nothing, but has a sick interest in disputes and arguments over words.

• 2) There is an attitude that is conveyed.
• Proud vs humble
• Brain vs heart
• Argumentative vs listening and instructing
• Conceited, ignorant and desired confrontation over the little things.
• This attitude destroys any sense of community.

From these come envy, quarreling, slander, evil suspicions, 5 and constant disagreement among people whose minds are depraved and deprived of the truth, who imagine that godliness is a way to material gain.

• The heretics viewed religion as a means of making a quick dollar.
• In character they were greedy and materialistic.
• Paul’s strong words described false teachers who exploited the church for their own ends without caring about the havoc they created[3]
• Do you not think Satan uses the same tactic today?
• One of the top reasons men don’t come to church.
• The church is always needing their next dollar.

6 But godliness with contentment is a great gain.

• Financial guys in the room.
• They have much more to offer than growing your account.
• There is a spirit about them.
• Even Cory, moving up to accelerated level.
• Ecclesiastes 1:18 - For with much wisdom is much sorrow; as knowledge increases, grief increases. [4]

7 For we brought nothing into the world,
and we can take nothing out.

• Job, David & Solomon all said this.

8 But if we have food and clothing,
we will be content with these.

• What is our level of contentment?
• “What do you want for Christmas?” “I’m good”
• Too many of us know the “price of everything and the value of nothing.”
• We are so glutted with luxuries that we have forgotten how to enjoy our necessities.[5]

9 But those who want to be rich fall into temptation, a trap, and many foolish and harmful desires, which plunge people into ruin and destruction. 10 For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil, and by craving it, some have wandered away from the faith and pierced themselves with many pains.

• It is a dangerous thing to use religion as a cover-up for acquiring wealth.
• God’s laborer is certainly worthy of his hire (1 Tim. 5:17–18), but his motive for laboring must not be money.[6]
• “A” root… my trees have multiple roots.
• Where does that craving come from?...

 
11 But you (utter contrast), man of God (identity), run from these things,

1. The word “flee” that Paul used here did not refer to literal running, but to Timothy’s separating himself from the sins of the false teachers.[7]

and pursue righteousness, godliness, faith,
love, endurance, and gentleness.

1. Separation without positive growth becomes isolation.[8]

• Character and conduct
• Gentleness… it is through kindness…

12 Fight the good fight for the faith;

• Present tense… continuous struggle.
• Who is this fight with?
• Ask this question every time you get in an argument?
• Who is real struggle against?
• The evil one

take hold of eternal life
that you were called to
and have made a good confession about
in the presence of many witnesses.

• Paul was encouraging Timothy to fight through his timidity.

13 In the presence of God, who gives life to all, and of Christ Jesus, who gave a good confession before Pontius Pilate, I charge you 14 to keep the command without fault or failure until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ.

• Like a commander in the military giving orders.

15 God will bring this about in His own time. He is
the blessed and only Sovereign,
the King of kings,
and the Lord of lords,
16 the only One who has immortality (not subject to death),
dwelling in unapproachable light;
no one has seen or can see Him,
to Him be honor and eternal might.
•Amen.

• Exodus 33:18-23 - 18 Then Moses said, “Please, let me see Your glory.”

19 He said, “I will cause all My goodness to pass in front of you, and I will proclaim the name Yahweh before you. I will be gracious to whom I will be gracious, and I will have compassion on whom I will have compassion.” 20 But He answered, “You cannot see My face, for no one can see Me and live.” 21 The Lord said, “Here is a place near Me. You are to stand on the rock, 22 and when My glory passes by, I will put you in the crevice of the rock and cover you with My hand until I have passed by. 23 Then I will take My hand away, and you will see My back, but My face will not be seen.” [9]

• Colossians 1:27 – God wanted to make known among the Gentiles the glorious wealth of this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.[10]

17 Instruct those who are rich in the present age not to be arrogant or to set their hope on the uncertainty of wealth, but on God, who richly provides us with all things to enjoy. 18 Instruct them to do what is good, to be rich in good works, to be generous, willing to share, 19 storing up for themselves a good reserve for the age to come, so that they may take hold of life that is real.

• Share with me your stories of this passage…
• Paul closes his letter to Timothy with this…

20 Timothy, guard what has been entrusted to you, avoiding irreverent, empty speech and contradictions from the “knowledge” that falsely bears that name. 21 By professing it, some people have deviated from the faith.

• This is a great week for us to be reminded of our conversations and in who we put our trust.

Grace be with all of you.[11]

• It is with us.

Receive it and share it.

[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 233–234). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Is 8:20). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[3] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, p. 167). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[4] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Ec 1:18). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[5] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 235). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[6] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 235). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[7] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, pp. 235–236). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[8] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 236). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[9] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Ex 33:18–23). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[10] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Col 1:27). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[11] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (1 Ti 6:1–21). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.

63 AD
- Timothy sends word to Paul in Colosse that the Ephesian church is being ravaged by false teachers.

• “There is also a problem with respect to how the widows are being cared for in the church.
• Some of the widows have adopted the heresy, and others have family members who are able to care for them. Still worse, some of the younger widows who decided not to remarry are acting promiscuously.

 
1 Timothy 5
1 Do not rebuke an older man, but exhort him as a father, younger men as brothers, 2 older women as mothers, and with all propriety, the younger women as sisters.

• Much of what Paul advised here involved action based on sensible maturity.[1]
• Timothy was obviously much younger than many in the church at that time.
• Don’t be afraid to have a bold conversation with older men. Be honest and sensitive to them.
• Be kind in your conversations.
• Speak with respect to others.
• Speak without emotion.
• Even a child is wise in how they speak to their parents. When and how...

 
3 Support widows who are genuinely widows.

• A woman whose husband has died and who has no male relative (e.g., a father, brother or son) to support her.[2]
• The other qualifier is one who displayed fruit of the Spirit rather than selfish pleasures.
• God’s special care for the widows is a recurring theme in Scripture (Deut., Ps., Is., & Mal.).
• It was only right that the local church show compassion to these women who were in need.[3]

4 But if any widow has children or grandchildren, they must learn to practice godliness toward their own family first and to repay their parents, for this pleases God.

1. This is a Spirit-led act
2. This is repayment for your own raising
3. This pleases God

5 The real widow, left all alone, has put her hope in God and continues night and day in her petitions and prayers; 6 however, she who is self-indulgent is dead even while she lives.

• It is not so much about specific disciplines as much as it is living out of their true identity.
• Those living by the Spirit vs those living by their flesh.
• This puts the believer/leader in judgment over people.
• Self-indulgent = spiritually dead.

7 Command this also, so they won’t be blamed. 8 But if anyone does not provide for his own, that is his own household, he has denied the faith and is worse than an unbeliever.

• The sense of urgent importance in Paul’s words suggests that widows were causing some of the problems in Ephesus.[4]
• Is there anything worse than an unbeliever?
• Yes! Those who refuse to provide for their family.
• Even unbelievers support their family members.
• This is still within the guidelines of walking by the Spirit or walking in the flesh.

9 No widow should be placed on the official support list unless she is at least 60 years old, has been the wife of one husband, 10 and is well known for good works —that is, if she has brought up children, shown hospitality, washed the saints’ feet, helped the afflicted, and devoted herself to every good work.

• These are a result of the fruit of the Spirit.
• Older women that probably would not remarry and were recognized as serving in the church.
• Marriage statement was the same one associated with elders and deacons in chapter 3.

11 But refuse to enroll younger widows, for when they are drawn away from Christ by desire, they want to marry 12 and will therefore receive condemnation because they have renounced their original pledge.

• Original pledge – First love being Jesus.
• They are pursuing sensual desires more than spiritual desires. (flesh vs spirit).

13 At the same time, they also learn to be idle, going from house to house; they are not only idle, but are also gossips and busybodies, saying things they shouldn’t say.

• Idleness vs serving in the church.
• Entitlement – expectations of the church.

14 Therefore, I want younger women to marry, have children, manage their households, and give the adversary no opportunity to accuse us. 15 For some have already turned away to follow Satan. 16 If any believing woman has widows in her family, she should help them, and the church should not be burdened, so that it can help those who are genuinely widows.

• Some who had pledged a commitment to widowhood were not living as the true widow of vv. 5, 9–10.
• They had abandoned their trust in God.[5]
• “accuse us” – The church will be judged by society.
• Judgement many times comes falsely
• Most the time out of guilt.
• Make the other person look just as bad or worse than you.

 
17 The elders who are good leaders should be considered worthy of an ample honorarium, especially those who work hard at preaching and teaching.

• Elders were a permanent feature of Jewish synagogues. It would have been natural for churches to adopt this office into their congregational government.[6]
• Paul’s practice was to use elders in organizing the churches he founded, not only in Jewish regions but also in Gentile territory (e.g., Acts 14:23).
• Jews would easily have understood this system of organization.
• Gentiles, who knew that local governments were controlled by officials who resembled elders, would not find Paul’s system strange or totally unacceptable.[7]

18 For the Scripture says:
Do not muzzle an ox
while it is treading out the grain, and,
the worker is worthy of his wages.

• Matthew 10:10 - 10 “Don’t take a traveling bag for the road, or an extra shirt, sandals, or a walking stick, for the worker is worthy of his food.” [8]

19 Don’t accept an accusation against an elder unless it is supported by two or three witnesses.

• Hearsay… not good…
• Facebook… not good…
• One person’s testimony may be skewed by a bad experience.
• Know what is actually being taught

20 Publicly rebuke those who sin, so that the rest will also be afraid.

• Those who continue to sin… a chance for correction and repentance?

21 I solemnly charge you before God and Christ Jesus and the elect angels to observe these things without prejudice, doing nothing out of favoritism.

• You put the Gospel in jeopardy with society if you waiver on the Truth.

22 Don’t be too quick to appoint anyone as an elder, and don’t share in the sins of others. Keep yourself pure. 23 Don’t continue drinking only water, but use a little wine because of your stomach and your frequent illnesses.

• Medicinal purposes

24 Some people’s sins are obvious, going before them to judgment, but the sins of others surface later. 25 Likewise, good works are obvious, and those that are not obvious cannot remain hidden.[9]

• Genuine character, like cream, always rises to the top.
• These words represent a warning against hasty rejection.[10]

 
Paul giving clarity to Timothy in organization, leadership, procedures and house cleaning.


[1] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, p. 145). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[2] Barry, J. D., Mangum, D., Brown, D. R., Heiser, M. S., Custis, M., Ritzema, E., … Bomar, D. (2012, 2016). Faithlife Study Bible (1 Ti 5:3). Bellingham, WA: Lexham Press.
[3] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 229). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[4] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, p. 148). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[5] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, pp. 152–153). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[6] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, pp. 154–155). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[7] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, p. 155). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[8] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (Mt 10:10). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[9] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (1 Ti 5). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.
[10] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, p. 159). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.

63 AD
- Timothy sends word to Paul in Colosse that the Ephesian church is being ravaged by false teachers.
 
1 Timothy 4
1 Now the Spirit explicitly says (a prophecy that Paul had previously received) that in later times (this was in reference to the “end times” but Paul and Timothy thought they were already living in the end times) some will depart from the faith, paying attention to deceitful spirits and the teachings of demons, 2 through the hypocrisy of liars whose consciences are seared.

• “Depart from the faith” – apostasy
• Let’s look at that section of people who “depart from the faith.”
• Based upon filtering all 66 books, I believe one cannot lose their salvation.
• If that is the case, a mere profession of faith does not guarantee the actual possession of eternal life.[1]
• If they are believers, then they have a season of walking by their flesh.
• Many times you will see believers going in and out living by the Spirit or walking by their flesh.
• Is there a line? Where is the line? I’m not the judge.
• Wiersbe says: “A true church seeks to win converts to Jesus Christ and to build them spiritually; conversely, a cult proselytizes, steals converts from others, and makes them servants (even slaves!) of the leaders of the cult. However, not all apostates are in cults; some of them are in churches and pulpits, teaching false doctrine and leading people astray.”[2]
• The evil ones scheme is to water down the church.
• The evil one loves when we “play church”.
• Because there is definitely no freedom in that.
• I absolutely believed people are getting “saved”
• But at a miniscule rate.
• Imagine if they heard the Good News… and that was it.
• Then we add on all the “ministry teams”, “meetings”, titles (don’t get caught up in titles).
• It’s not about titles or responsibilities. Paul just finished talking about that in Chapter 3.
• We’ve become professional church planters, with good intentions but the wrong purpose.
• The evil one loves this…
• Mediocrity…
• Let’s be honest here… Leavener is not getting much bigger than this group right here.
• I didn’t expect it to be this big.
• When crisis comes, you typically turn your head to me.
• I appreciate the vote of confidence, but the truth is I am not going to meet your needs and I am going to point you back to Jesus every time.
• I get you need your hand held… I need my hand held.
• I have 2 hands… the body of Christ has many.
• You have the same Spirit that I have. The same Spirit that raised Jesus from the dead.
• If we continue to “play church”, we consciously play into the devil’s hand.

3 They forbid marriage and demand abstinence from foods that God created to be received with gratitude by those who believe and know the truth.

• They were demanding celibacy and for young widows to not remarry.
• They were sticking to laws of food that were “clean” and “unclean”

4 For everything created by God is good, and nothing should be rejected if it is received with thanksgiving, 5 since it is sanctified by the word of God and by prayer.
 
6 If you point these things out to the brothers, you will be a good servant of Christ Jesus, nourished by the words of the faith and the good teaching that you have followed.

• This was the life of my brother, Joe Harding.

7 But have nothing to do with irreverent and silly myths. Rather, train yourself in godliness, 8 for
the training of the body has a limited benefit,
but godliness is beneficial in every way,
since it holds promise for the present life
and also for the life to come.

• Joe and his half-priced books.

9 This saying is trustworthy and deserves full acceptance. 10 In fact, we labor and strive for this, because we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of everyone, especially of those who believe.

• He doesn’t say we are going to sit still and do nothing.
• He doesn’t say we are going to do programs either.

 
11 Command and teach these things. 12 Let no one despise your youth; instead, you should be an example to the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, win faith, in purity. 13 Until I come, give your attention to public reading, exhortation, and teaching. 14 Do not neglect the gift that is in you; it was given to you through prophecy, with the laying on of hands by the council of elders. 15 Practice these things; be committed to them, so that your progress may be evident to all. 16 Pay close attention to your life and your teaching; persevere in these things, for by doing this you will save both yourself and your hearers.[3]

• Every Thursday Night for the last 10 years, my friend Joe would greet every person for dinner at 6:30 PM
• We’d pray and eat together as a family (15-40 people)
• At 7:25 he began to pass out questions that had been e-mailed over specific passage of Scripture we were studying.
• At 7:30 we circled around “Father Joe” and he greeted us… “Greetings from the WalMart parking lot.”
• Then he would tell a joke.
• Then we would read the Bible.
• Then we would process what it said by using the questions he prepared in advance.
• Then we would pray for each other.
• My brother modeled 1 Timothy 4.

I can’t wait to hear, “Greetings from heaven…”

[1] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, p. 129). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[2] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 224). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[3] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (1 Ti 4:1–16). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.

63 AD
- Timothy sends word to Paul in Colosse that the Ephesian church is being ravaged by false teachers.

Crisis in Ephesus
Provocation: In this letter, Paul reminds Timothy how the believers ought to behave themselves in the community (3:15).

• He encourages Timothy to be faithful to his ministry, and exhorts him to combat the proto-gnostic heresy that is spreading like a cancer in Ephesus.
• Paul gives Timothy practical instructions on how to do it.
  • Paul calls for the need to select new overseers (3:1ff) and exhorts the church to give respect to those overseers who are serving well (5:17ff).

 
1 Timothy 3
1 This saying is trustworthy: “If anyone aspires to be an overseer, he desires a noble work.”

• “aspires” – sets their hearts to
• “Delight yourselves in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart.” Psalm 37:4
• “Elder” is the translation of the Greek word presbutes, which means “an old man.”[1]
• Probably the overseer served over a single house-church with the group of overseers from within a city constituting “the overseers.”[2]
• This is not a position that one tries to qualify himself for or applies to.
• It is one that comes natural because of character and situation.
• Paul did not take this lightly. He gave 15 qualifications for the role of Pastor/Elder

2 An overseer, therefore, must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, self-controlled, sensible, respectable, hospitable, an able teacher, 3 not addicted to wine, not a bully but gentle, not quarrelsome, not greedy — 4 one who manages his own household competently, having his children under control with all dignity. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a new convert, or he might become conceited and fall into the condemnation of the Devil. 7 Furthermore, he must have a good reputation among outsiders, so that he does not fall into disgrace and the Devil’s trap.

1. Blameless – “Above reproach” - This word literally means “nothing to take hold upon”

- No man living is sinless, but we must strive to be blameless, or “above reproach
- Criticized publicly.
- Reputation is important
- Protect yourself from criticism

1. The husband of one wife – Paul could be referring to polygamy even though that was a given even to be included in the church.
   • Paul could be talking about being divorced and remarried. But he could have also used the term for divorce.
   • It is better to see Paul having demanded that the church leader be faithful to his one wife.[3]
2. Self-controlled/vigilant – Keep your head in all situations.

                   1. Sensible judgment in all things.
                   2. Cool and collectible

1. Prudent/sober – Serious attitude about certain things.
   • Do not cheapen the Gospel message with a foolish behavior.
   • Trustworthy and sensible
   • Balanced in judgment
2. Respectable – Demands dignity and orderliness in behavior.
   • Orderly outward life is a reflection of inward stability.
3. Hospitable – Necessary as Christians traveled and spread the Gospel message.
   • The task for caring for missionaries and strangers was respectable in both the Christian and Greek cultures.
4. Able teacher – demands competence and skill in communicating Christian truth.
   • One who can teach others needs also a willingness to accept teaching.
   • An overseer needed the ability both to explain Christian doctrine and to refute or oppose error.
5. Not addicted to wine – The word describes a person who sits long with the cup and thus drinks to excess.
   • The fact that Paul advised Timothy to use wine for medicinal purposes (1 Tim. 5:23) indicates that total abstinence was not demanded of believers.
   • Sad to say, some of the members of the Corinthian church got drunk, even at the love feast that accompanied the Lord’s Supper (1 Cor. 11:21).
6. Not a bully but gentle – Paul was actually referring to a physical displays.
   • Do not punch people.
   • Gentle is in reference to compassionate in how you communicate.
7. Not Quarrelsome – Peaceful attitude
   • This was important to combat false teaching
8. Not Greedy – It is possible to use the ministry as an easy way to make money, if a man has no conscience or integrity.
   • Covetous pastors always have “deals” going on outside their churches, and these activities erode their character and hinder their ministry. One who manages his own household completely
9.  Having children under control with all dignity - The verb for “manage” carries the idea of governing, leading, and giving direction to the family.
   • The term demands an effective exercise of authority bolstered by a character of integrity and sensitive compassion.
   • Its use in v. 5 with the verb “take care of” defines the quality of leadership as related more to showing mercy than to delivering ultimatums.
   • It demands primarily a character and manner of discipline that develop a natural respect.
10. Manage the church – A pastor will manage the church just as he does his own family.
11. Not a new convert - it would be important to select leaders with enough maturity to avoid the pitfalls of pride.
    • The danger of appointing a recent convert to a place of leadership is that he may become a victim of conceit that comes with his important new position.
    • To be “conceited” (typhoō) means to be blinded.
    • The pride in a prominent position produces a blindness that blunts spiritual alertness.[4]
12. Good reputation - The “good reputation” is literally a “good witness.”
    • This is an appeal that the church leader have a good name and standing in the wider community.
    • The mention of the leader’s name should not cause flare ups among the opponents of the gospel.
    • The behavior of the leader should provide an example of integrity and commitment to the gospel he professes.[5]

 
8 Deacons,

• The English word deacon is a transliteration of the Greek word diakonos, which simply means “servant.”
• It is likely that the origin of the deacons is recorded in Acts 6.
• The first deacons were appointed to be assistants to the Apostles.
• In a local church today deacons relieve the pastors/elders of other tasks so that they may concentrate on the ministry of the Word, prayer, and spiritual oversight.[6]

likewise, should be worthy of respect, not hypocritical (no gossip), not drinking a lot of wine, not greedy for money, 9 holding the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 And they must also be tested first; if they prove blameless, then they can serve as deacons. 11 Wives, too, must be worthy of respect, not slanderers, self-controlled, faithful in everything. 12 Deacons must be husbands of one wife, managing their children and their own households competently. 13 For those who have served well as deacons acquire a good standing for themselves, and great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus.

• I do not refer to our people as deacons (other than Luke Dunnuck).
• But I do refer to our people as though they are deacons/servants.
• Tuesday, I was at Discount Tire…

 
14 I write these things to you, hoping to come to you soon. 15 But if I should be delayed, I have written so that you will know how people ought to act in God’s household, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and foundation of the truth. 16 And most certainly, the mystery of godliness is great:
He was manifested in the flesh,
vindicated in the Spirit, (empowered)
seen by angels, (messengers)
preached among the nations,
believed on in the world,
taken up in glory.[7]


[1] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 219). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[2] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, p. 109). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[3] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, p. 109). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[4] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, p. 113). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[5] Lea, T. D., & Griffin, H. P. (1992). 1, 2 Timothy, Titus (Vol. 34, p. 114). Nashville: Broadman & Holman Publishers.
[6] Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 2, p. 221). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
[7] The Holy Bible: Holman Christian standard version. (2009). (1 Ti 3:1–16). Nashville: Holman Bible Publishers.