Godliness with Contentment 1 Timothy 6:6

Paul the apostle wrote to Timothy concerning those who would “consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ and to the doctrine which is according to godliness”. He shared with Timothy the characteristics of those who would bring in heretical teachings including “supposing that gain is godliness”. Paul told Timothy, “from such withdraw yourself”, and in chapter six and verse six of his letter to him, Paul shared the benefit of “godliness with contentment” where we read:

But godliness with contentment is great gain.

The verse begins, “But godliness with contentment...” After declaring the traits of false teachers, Paul employed the word, “But” which tells us that what is about to be stated takes precedence over what was just written as he goes on to write, “godliness” which is “reverence, respect and piety toward God” “with contentment” which means “a perfect condition of life in which no aid or support is needed, sufficiency of the necessities of life and a mind contented with its lot”. True reverence and respect toward God is to be contented with the life that He has provided.

The verse goes on to say, “...is great gain” Paul went on to add, “is great” or “splendid, stately, of huge importance and esteem” “gain” which means “acquisition, furnishing, procuring and money-getting”. In other words, there is no greater “gain” than “godliness with contentment”, and Paul desired for Timothy to know and hold to that idea.

As we think through Paul's words, we may find his statement much easier to say than to live. Being contented with our allotment in life is not always easy. The desire for more whether it be material possessions, educational level, fame, fortune and notoriety seems to be a part of our nature. The false teachers who would be around Timothy thought their “gain” communicated their level of “godliness”, and Paul declared that “godliness with contentment” was “great gain”. Perhaps our prayer should be for the Lord Jesus to help us to be “contented” with that He has provided, and allow our desire for other things to be replaced by our desire for a closer relationship with Him. May He provide us with that closer contented relationship, in Jesus' name we pray, Amen.

Next time Paul what we brought into this world and what we will carry out, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

More Attributes of False Teachers 1 Timothy 6:5

Paul the apostle knew of men who taught ideas other than “wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ”. He knew they did not teach “the doctrine which is according to godliness”, and he desired for Timothy to know that the characteristics of those who did so. They were “proud”, “knowing nothing”, “doting about questions and strife”, and filled with “railings” and “evil surmisings”. In chapter six and verse five of his letter to Timothy, Paul continued his list of wicked attributes of those who taught other than the “words of Jesus” where we read:

Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth,

supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw yourself.

The verse begins, “Perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth,...” Paul continued with, “Perverse disputings” which means “constant contention, incessant wrangling, useless occupation and empty business” “of men” which refers to “males or females” “of corrupt” or “destroyed, ruined, consumed and changed for the worse” “minds” which refers to “the intellectual faculties of perceiving and understanding and those of feeling, judging, determining and considering”. Paul added, “and destitute” which is the Greek word “apostereō” and means “defrauded, robbed, despoiled” “of the truth” or “what is true in things appertaining to God and the duties of man which includes moral and religious truth”. No doubt Paul the apostle did not think much of these who taught other than the words of Jesus.

The verse goes on to say, “... supposing that gain is godliness: from such withdraw yourself.” Paul continued his list with, “supposing” or “holding by, owning as and following a custom or usage; to deem or think” “that gain” which means “acquisition, furnishing, procuring and money-getting” “is godliness” or “reverence, respect and piety towards God”. These heretical teachers believed that their acquisition of money and extensive gathering of material possessions demonstrated to others their level of respect toward God. Paul instructed, “from such” which means “from such as these or of this kind or sort” “withdraw yourself” or “stand off, remove, excite, revolt, stand aloof, go away, depart, shun, flee, and be absent” from the presence of these people.

While we meditate upon these words of Paul, we can see the seriousness of Paul's thoughts toward these false teachers. Paul wanted Timothy to be no where near these people. Many of them thought their affluence in the world demonstrated their level of “godliness” and their ability to bring about “disputings” showed their intellectual prowess. However, they were incessantly deceived because they had “corrupt minds” which were “ruined, destroyed and changed for the worse”. One thing is for certain, we do not want to be as these heretical teachers, and should we encounter anyone who demonstrates their characteristics, by the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, let us “shun, flee and be absent” from anything to do with them.

Next time Paul shares from where true contentment comes, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Proud, Knowing Nothing, Questions and Strife 1 Timothy 6:4

 

Paul the apostle gave Timothy some final instructions concerning those who “teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ”, and in chapter six and verse four of his letter to Timothy, Paul shared the characteristics of those who taught in such a manner. We read:

He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words,

whereof comes envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,

The verse begins, “He is proud, knowing nothing, but doting about questions and strifes of words,...” Paul began with, “He is proud” which literally means “to raise a smoke or to wrap in a mist” and refers to when a person is “insolent, haughty, blind with conceit, rendered foolish or stupid, beclouded and besotted”. Paul continued, “knowing nothing” or “acquainted with and understanding nobody, no one or no thing”. Paul added, “but” which means what is about to be stated takes precedence over what was just stated, “doting about” or “sick and with an ailment of the mind or to be taken with such an interest in a thing as amounts to a disease and having a morbid fondness” “about questions” or “debate, controversy, disputes and inquiries” “and strifes of words” which means “contending about words and wrangling about empty and trifling matters”. In other words, those who are in opposition to the “wholesome words...of our Lord Jesus Christ” are prideful, without understanding, and consistently sick in their minds about empty matters.

The verse goes on to say, “whereof comes envy, strife, railings, evil surmisings,...” Paul continued his evaluation of these heretics with, “whereof” or “out of, from or by which” “comes envy” or “results in bitterness, gall and rancor” “strife” or “contention and wrangling” “railings” which is the Greek word “blasphēmia” from which we get our English word “blaspheme” and means “slander, detraction, speech injurious to another's good name; impious and reproachful speech injurious to divine majesty” and finally “evil surmisings” which means “bad natured guessing, conjecture, speculation and concluding”. These who do not teach “wholesome words...of our Lord Jesus Christ” produce “bitterness, contention, slander and evil speculation” within those who follow their words.

While we think on these words of Paul, let us allow ourselves to see the importance of following the “words of our Lord Jesus Christ” rather than the teachings of false ideas. Too often the entrance of “worldly” and “fleshly” minded words have influenced people to trust in their own thoughts or the thoughts of a heretic rather than the words of our Lord Jesus. One of the best litmus tests for the words and ideas that are presented to us is to examine the fruit they produce. Do they cause “envy, strife, railings or evil surmisings” or do they produce the fruit of the Spirit, “love, joy, peace, long-suffering, gentleness, goodness, kindness, faith and temperance”? May the Lord Jesus help us to be good stewards of His words, and may we know the difference between His words and those that lead people astray from a relationship with our Heavenly Father.

Next time Paul shares more characteristics of these who teach “other than the words of Christ”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Teaching Other than the Words of Jesus 1 Timothy 6:3

Paul the apostle told Timothy that he was to “teach and exhort” the manner in which “servants” should serve their “masters” particularly if the “master” believed in Jesus Christ as his Savior and Lord. This would bring a good witness to those outside of the church even though the “servant” might be an overseer of the “master” within the church. In chapter six and verse three of his letter to Timothy, Paul began to share about a person who would teach other than “the words of our Lord Jesus” where we read:

If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;

The verse begins, “If any man teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words,...” Paul began with the phrase, “If any man” or “whoever or whatever” “teach otherwise” which means “deviate from declaring the truth” “and consent not” or “come, approach, draw near and assent to” “wholesome words” which literally means “sound, well and in good health” and refers to “Christians whose opinions are free from any mixture of error, and of one who keeps the graces and is strong”. Just as Paul has challenged Timothy to “teach and exhort” the truth, he knew there were those who would deviate from and declare heresies.

The verse goes on to say, “... even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness;” Paul specified more clearly the designation of “wholesome words” as he wrote, “even the words of our” which refers to “we, us and our” “Lord” or “he to whom a person or thing belongs, about which he has power of deciding and our master” “Jesus” whose name means “Jehovah is Salvation” “Christ” or the “anointed Messiah and Son of God”. Paul continued, “and to the doctrine” or “teaching, instruction and precepts” “which is according” or which is “down from, through out, toward and along” “to godliness” or “reverence, respect and piety towards God”.

Though this is the beginning of a thought from Paul, we can still meditate upon this group of people of whom he declares. Their characteristics are that they do not speak the truth; they deviate from the teachings of Jesus; and they vary from “doctrine” which promotes “godliness”. Though Timothy was to be a teacher of the truth of Jesus, not everyone else would be. We have those sort of teachers today. Rather than teach the truth and doctrine of Jesus Christ, they promote their own agenda or false teachings which lead men and women away from a relationship with the one and only true God. Since there were these “false teachers” in Paul's day, and Timothy was warned concerning them, should we not be just as aware as Paul desired him to be? May the Lord Jesus help us to know the word of God and His doctrine, lest we also be led astray by those who “teach otherwise”.

Next time Paul tells of the character of those who teach things other than “the words of Jesus Christ”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Believing Masters 1 Timothy 6:2

As Paul the apostle continued to instruct Timothy concerning people and relationships within the church, he began his last chapter with “servants” and “masters”. We may be more able to relate using the terms “employees” and “employers” so we understand what Paul is attempting to communicate. In chapter six and verse two of his letter to Timothy, Paul gives directions concerning “believing masters” where we read:

And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren; but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit. These things teach and exhort.

The verse begins, “And they that have believing masters, let them not despise them, because they are brethren;” Paul added to the previous verse with the word, “And” which means “but, moreover, in addition to” “they that have” or “hold, own or possess” “believing” which refers to “trusting, faithful and confiding” “masters” who are “lords and ones who have absolute power and control over servants” “let them not despise” which is the Greek phrase “kataphroneō mē kataphroneō” and means “do not allow them to contemn, despise, disdain or think little or nothing of” “them”. Paul went on to write, “because” or “that, since and on account of” “they are brethren” or “brothers in Christ”. It seems there was a tendency for “servants” to “despise” their “masters” particularly when the “masters” were believers in Christ, and Paul knew this error needed to be addressed.

The verse goes on to say, “but rather do them service, because they are faithful and beloved, partakers of the benefit.” Paul continued his thought with the disassociation conjunction, “but” which means what is about to be stated takes precedence over what was previously written, “rather” or “more, to a greater degree, more willingly, more readily and sooner” “do them service” which means “be a slave, serve, obey and submit to them”. This is in contrast to the way servants normally behave, and the reason they should act in this manner is, “because” or “that, since or on account of” “they are faithful” which means “trusty, faithful, believing and confiding” “and beloved” or “esteemed, dear, favorite and worthy of love”. Paul continued with, “partakers” or “those who lay hold of, hold fast and embrace” “of the benefit” which refers to “good deeds”. Paul declared the “believing masters” were worthy of being served because they were trusting in the Lord and well loved by Him.

Finally the verse says, “These things teach and exhort.” Paul finished this verse with, “These things” which refers to the ideas he just provided, “teach” which means “impart, instill, explain and expound” “and exhort” or “call to one's side, call for, summon, beg, entreat and beseech”. Timothy was not only to receive these ideas from Paul, but he was to be a faithful “teacher” and “exhorter” of the same.

While we think about Paul's words, it will be helpful to understand some of the dynamics which were occurring during the time of the writings. Sometimes “masters” were new to the faith and participants within the church, and “servants” were there for quite some time. In the church, “servants” were sometimes “elders” and part of the leadership of the church, and “masters” were part of the laity. This made for interesting relationships. At “work” a “servant” was under the leadership of the “master”, and at church, the “master” was under the leadership of the “servant”. Can we see how this would be a little difficult to manage? Sometimes believing “servants” thought they should be given special privileges because they were fellow-believers within the church, and when they were treated as “servants” they were being abused. Sometimes this happens with believing “employees” and “employers” as well. As Christians, we should always seek to do “whatever we do as unto the Lord and not unto men” regardless of whether our superior is a believer or not. We must remember, the Lord and people are watching us, and when we provide the service we should whether we are “servants” or “masters”, we are in alignment with the ways of Jesus Christ. May He give us the strength and wisdom to serve Him in the manner He deserves.

Next time Paul begins to share about those who teach things other than “the words of Jesus Christ”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Counting Masters Worthy of All Honor 1 Timothy 6:1

Paul the apostle has written instructions to Timothy his “son in the faith” concerning false teachers, his personal call and conversion, troublemakers, prayers and intercessions for leaders, women, bishops, deacons, latter times, heresies, personal devotion and gifts, widows and elders, and the sins and good works of men. In chapter six and verse one of his letter to Timothy, Paul turned his attention toward “servants” and “masters” where we read:

Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor,

that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.

The verse begins, “Let as many servants as are under the yoke count their own masters worthy of all honor,...” Paul began with “Let as many servants as are” which is the Greek phrase, “eisi hosos dulos hosos eisi” which has double emphasis meaning “allow, permit, give place to whoever, however many and all who are servants, bondmen or men in servile conditions” “under the yoke” or “beneath the burdened or bondage” “count” or “consider, deem, account and think” “their own” which means “pertaining to one's self, one's own and belonging to one's self” “masters” or “lords” “worthy” which means “weighing, having weight, having the weight of another thing of like value or worth as much” “of all honor” or “a valuing by which the price is fixed”. “Servants” were to esteem, count as precious and price at great value their “masters” according to Paul.

The verse continues, “...that the name of God and his doctrine be not blasphemed.” Paul continued by sharing the reason why “servants” must give honor to their “masters” - “that the name” or “the word and character which includes everything within the thoughts or feelings of which is aroused in the mind of the one it is directed to” “of God” or “the Godhead, trinity, God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit and spoken of the one and only and true God” “and his doctrine” which refers to “His teaching, instruction and precepts” “be not blasphemed” which is the Greek phrase “blasphēmeō hina mē blasphēmeō” and means “reproached, railed at, reviled, calumniated and evil spoken of”. The idea was that should a “servant” not “honor” his “master”, God Almighty and His word would suffer ridicule and reproach by those who observed the servant's behavior.

As we meditate upon these words of Paul, we may find it a little easier to relate to his direction if we use “employee” and “employer” in the place of “servant” and “master”. When we know Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord, we as employees are to “honor” our employers. Should we not do so, those who look upon us will at minimum wonder about our true faith and possibly ridicule our belief and trust in Jesus Christ. In other words, people are watching us, and they are observing how we manage our relationships with our employers. When we honor our employers, not only do we obey the word of God, but we also bear witness that we have a relationship with Jesus Christ that far exceeds any relationship we have upon the earth – including our employment. May the Lord Jesus bring us to the truth of His words, and may we be honoring employees and servants as He desires us to be.

Next time Paul tells Timothy how believing masters are to be treated, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Manifested Good Works 1 Timothy 5:25

After sharing concern for Timothy's physical well-being and writing about how “some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after”, Paul the apostle turned his attention toward those who do “good works”. We read in chapter five and verse twenty-five of his letter to Timothy:

Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand;

and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.

The verse begins, “Likewise also the good works of some are manifest beforehand;” Paul began with the word, “Likewise” which means “in like manner or in the same manner” “also” or “indeed, even or and” “the good works” which are the “beautiful, handsome, excellent, eminent, choice, surpassing, precious, useful, suitable, commendable and admirable business, employment, that which any one is occupied that which one undertakes to do, enterprise, undertaking, and anything that is produced by hand, art, industry or mind” “of some are manifested beforehand” which means “openly evident and known to all”. Just as there were “sins” which were openly and widely known among men, there are some “good works” which are well-known by others.

The verse goes on to say, “and they that are otherwise cannot be hid.” Paul continued with, “and they that are” referring to “the good works which are held, possessed or owned” “otherwise” or “are of a different sort” “cannot be hid” which means “in direct contrast are unable to hide, conceal or be escaped”. In other words, though some good works are unrevealed to others, they will be manifested at the time of the final judgment.

As we meditate upon Paul's words, we may think of the “good works” within which we or others have participated. Some of those “good works” other people know about, and some of them no one knows except the Lord Jesus. Paul's idea was that Timothy be a minister who acknowledged not only the widely known “sins” of men, but also the “good works” of them as well. Some of these “good works” would be openly revealed to him as a minister, and he should attend to them just as he was to attend to widely known “sins”. Some “good works” would only to be known by the Lord, and Timothy could be certain to know that our Heavenly Father would attend to them. Perhaps as we think through these things we will be challenged to be busy about “good works”, and whether they are known or unknown by others, we can be certain God above knows and will attend to all our good deeds.

Next time we begin the final chapter of Paul's first letter to Timothy where he writes concerning servants and masters, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Some Sins Before and Some After 1 Timothy 5:24

After telling Timothy to “take a little wine for your stomach's sake and often infirmities”, Paul the apostle directed his attention once again to the “sins” of men. In chapter five and verse twenty-four of his letter, Paul described how “some men's sins are open beforehand” and some men “follow after” where we read:

Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment; and some men they follow after.

The verse begins, “Some men's sins are open beforehand, going before to judgment;” Paul began with the phrase “some men's” which points to “certain human beings whether male or female and all who belong to the human race” “sin's” which literally means “to miss the mark” and refers to “errors, mistakes, violations and wrongs whether in thought or action” “are open beforehand” or “known to all, openly evident, plain, obvious and manifested”. Paul continued, “going before” which means “leading, preceding and bringing forth” “to judgment” which is the Greek word “krisis” from which we get “crisis” and means “a separating, sundering, separation, a trial, contest, selection or opinion or decision given concerning anything” In other words, there are “sins” people commit that everyone knows about and are brought to judgment, and nothing about them are hidden from public knowledge. There is, however, another category of sin which people commit which Paul includes in his words.

The verse goes on to say, “and some men they follow after.” Paul continued, “and some men” or “certain human beings whether male or female and all who belong to the human race” “they follow after” which literally means “to tread in one's footsteps” and implies “are close upon, imitated and accompanied”. In other words, though “some men's sins” are widely known and they are judged for them, the “sins” of other people are unknown and still close behind in the same sort of judgment the first group received.

While we think on Paul's words, let us use this opportunity to examine our own lives to discover if we have either “known” or “unknown” sins in our lives. There is no doubt that each of these categories will come into judgment. It is just a matter of time. Sometimes our sins are known by others, and opinion and penalty are the result from them, and sometimes our sins are unknown by people and yet well-known by God. We can bring our sins before Jesus Christ who died for all of them whether revealed or unrevealed and lay them at His cross. Forgiveness, pardon and cleansing are available for each of us through Jesus Christ, and may we seize these advantages while they are accessible to obtain.

Next time Paul shares how some good works are “open beforehand” and others that “cannot be hid”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Use a Little Wine for Your Stomach's Sake 1 Timothy 5:23

After several instructions concerning widows and elders, Paul the apostle turned his attention toward Timothy himself. In chapter five and verse twenty-three of his letter to Timothy, Paul told him how to care for his “stomach” and his “often infirmities” where we read:

Drink no longer water, but use a little wine for your stomach's sake and your often infirmities.

The verse begins, “Drink no longer water, but use a little wine...” Paul began with the Greek phrase, “hydropoteō mēketi hydropoteō” which literally means “Drink water no longer, no longer drink water”. Paul's two time emphasis upon this direction demonstrates his concern for Timothy to understand him, and he goes on to add, “but” which is the disassociation conjunction meaning that what is about to be stated takes precedence over what was just written, “use” or “receive, borrow or make use of” “a little” or “few, small, puny and light” “wine” which is the “fruit of the vine”. It may seem strange that Paul would give Timothy such an instruction in this area, however as we read on, we discover the reason why.

The verse continues, “...for your stomach's sake and your often infirmities.” Paul said, “for your stomach's sake” or “orifice, throat and opening of the stomach” “and your often” which means “frequent and recurring” “infirmities” or “lack of strength, weakness, frailty and feebleness of health or sickness”. Paul knew Timothy had stomach problems which caused him to be feeble and weak, so his solution was for Timothy to take a little wine which served as a medicinal cure for his illnesses.

As we meditate upon Paul's words, we can see where there could be great controversy over this verse. Some might say, “Paul told Timothy to drink wine, so we should drink wine as well”. Others may add, “Yes, but it was for medicinal purposes, not for pleasure”. The predominant theme of this verse was to aid Timothy in his illness. Paul knew how difficult it is to be a good minister while enduring a sickness of his own, and he desired to give Timothy a way to help in this weakness. If we lay aside the discussion concerning whether wine should or should not be consumed, we can see the extensive care Paul had for his “son in the faith”. Do we have this all-encompassing care for others? Regardless of which side of the wine issue people stand on, the one unifying factor is “care for others”, and this example of Paul's care for Timothy's physical well-being guides us as we care for others in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Next time Paul shares about the timing of men's sins being exposed, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Lay Hands Suddenly on No Man 1 Timothy 5:22

Paul the apostle continued to give instructions to Timothy concerning “elders” within the church in Ephesus. He told him the “elder” was “worthy of double honor”, “of his reward”, was not to be accused unless there were “two or three witnesses”, and if they sinned, they were to be “rebuked before all that others may fear”. Paul also “charged” Timothy to “observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality”, and in chapter five and verse twenty-two of his letter to Timothy, Paul told him to “lay hands suddenly on no man” where we read:

Lay hands suddenly on no man, neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep thyself pure.

The verse begins, “Lay hands suddenly on no man,...” Paul employed the Greek phrase, “epitithēmi cheir tacheōs epitithēmi” which interpreted is “lay” or “put on or set” “hands” or “by the help, means or agency of any one” “suddenly on” which means “quickly, briefly, shortly, soon or hastily set or put” “no man” or “nobody or no one”. The idea is “to ordain” no one hastily or quickly. Paul knew there was a tendency to put someone into the office of “elder” before they were examined for their “gifts and graces”, and often there was an inclination to reinstate a person who sinned before there was true repentance and remuneration observed.

The verse continues, “...neither be partaker of other men's sins: keep yourself pure.” Paul continued with, “neither be partaker” which means “to come into communion or fellowship with, to become a sharer or partner, to enter into fellowship or join one's self to an associate” “of other” or “belonging to another” “men's sins” or “that which is done wrong, sin, an offense, a violation of the divine law in thought or in act”. Paul added, “keep” or “to attend to carefully, take care of and guard” “yourself” which referred to “Timothy himself” “pure” or “with exciting reverence, venerable, sacred, clean from carnality, chaste, modest, apart from every fault, immaculate and clean”. Timothy was not to involve himself or indite himself in other men's sins. If he was to be a “good minister”, he was not to allow other men's sins to affect his own life by “ordaining” an “elder” too quickly, or hastily reinstating one who had fallen.

While we think on Paul's words, we see the two-fold idea which can be derived from his thoughts. Timothy was not to hastily “lay hands” or “ordain” an “elder”. Many mistakes have been made throughout the history of the church because a man was “ordained” before he should have been. There must be a testing or proving time before such an office is given. The Lord Jesus through His Holy Spirit is the one who truly “ordains” men to be pastors and elders, and people, usually the overseeing pastor or pastors, “ratify” them. In other words, men validate or formalize what God has already done. Also, there are times when men have been reinstated too quickly after they have sinned. There needs to be a time of restoration and repentance before this person is restored, and some men will never be restored to their previous state again. We understand the need for the Holy Spirit's guidance in these areas, and perhaps we will understand the gravity of Paul's words as we learn what the Lord Jesus has to say about those whom He has ordained. May the Lord Jesus lead us to His truth, and keep us “pure” from the sins of other men.

Next time Paul tells Timothy to “drink a little wine” for his “stomach's sake”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.

Charge Before God and the Lord Jesus 1 Timothy 5:21

As Paul the apostle continued to give instructions to Timothy his “son in the faith” concerning “elders” in the church, he told him not to “receive an accusation” against an “elder” unless there were two or three witnesses to confirm it. He also told him to “rebuke before all” them that sin “that others also may fear.” In chapter five and verse twenty of his letter to Timothy, Paul charges Timothy “before God and the Lord Jesus Christ” that he “observe these things” where we read:

I charge you before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels, that you observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.

The verse begins, “I charge you before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels,...” Paul began with the phrase, “I charge you” which means “attest, testify and solemnly and earnestly protest you” “before God” or “in the presence of and in the occupied space of God Almighty, the trinity composed of God the Father, God the Son and God the Holy Spirit” “and the Lord” or “master and Messiah” “Jesus” whose name means “Jehovah is Salvation” “Christ” or “the anointed messiah of God”. Paul continued with, “and the elect” or “picked out and chosen by God” “angels” which literally means “messengers, envoys or ones who are sent” and refers to “messengers from God”. Paul employs these three - God, Jesus Christ and elect angels to witness what he is about to charge Timothy.

The verse continues, “...that you observe these things without preferring one before another, doing nothing by partiality.” Paul then tells Timothy his “charge”, “that you observe” which means “guard and keep watch over” “these things” or “the instructions and directions concerning elders”. Paul added, “without preferring one before another” or “separate, apart from and besides having an opinion formed before the facts are known, a prejudgment or prejudice” “doing” or “making” “nothing by partiality” which means “down through, according to or toward an inclination or proclivity of mind or a joining the party of one”. Timothy was to have no inclination or preferential treatment toward one person over another when he observed the directions of Paul the apostle.

When we meditate upon these words of Paul, we can see how determined Paul was to have Timothy follow what he had to say. It was imperative for the maturing and growth of the church for Timothy not to have partiality when he presided over church members. The awesomeness of “God the Father, God the Son, and God the Holy Spirit” presiding over his observance of these instructions was ominous enough never-mind the fact that Paul employed “elect angels” as his witnesses too. If we were given these charges from Paul, how would we do? Would we understand the gravity of carrying them out? Would we know that God, the Lord Jesus Christ and the elect angels were watching? Perhaps as we think this through we will not only have a sense of humility within ourselves, but also toward those “elders” who are to keep such charges, and when we think of them, let us be known for keeping them in our prayers.

Next time Paul tells Timothy not to lay hands on any man suddenly, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

Look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, and the new devotional “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at http://www.mrzlc.com/bookstore.