1 Timothy Review

The book of 1st Timothy was written by Paul to Timothy, and also to all others who read the book, though Paul did not know that he was writing to Christians for all time.  He wrote under the inspiration of God, and it was God’s word that he wrote.

In the book, he wrote a lot to instruct Timothy in how he was to live spiritually as a preacher.  This also applies to preachers today.  Timothy was to live so that he would be a positive example to other Christians, but he was to also realize that he wasn’t better than any other Christian just because he was a preacher.  Preachers or pastors today should live so that they will be a positive example to other people and should never believe that they are spiritually superior to any other Christian.  

Paul gave Timothy the requirements for those who would be pastors and teachers, but also for those who would be deacons.  They were basically the same requirements.  Paul spoke about those who aspired to be preachers, but I believe that he had to have meant those who felt called to be preachers.  I also believe that deacons should feel called by God to serve, and that neither should believe themselves to be better than any other Christian.   This will always be true.   

Paul warned Timothy to beware of people who attempted to proclaim anything other than the gospel.  There would be some who set themselves as religious authorities who would pervert the gospel, and there are still people do this today.

Paul warned Timothy not to get caught up in vain genealogies and old wives' tales.  There are many people today who would love to have us believe that it is important who are ancestors were, but this has nothing to do with whether we are a follower of Christr or not.  As Christians, we are all brothers and sisters in Christ.  Some people believe in astrology, but as believers, we know that the stars have nothing to do with controlling our life, and we should be guided by God’s word under the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

Paul gave Timothy God’s requirement for how Christians should treat their masters, or bosses we would say today.  They were to do their best in working for them so that God would be glorified.  Of course, the opposite was also true.  Masters, or bosses, were to treat those under them with fairness, again so that God might be glorified.  We as followers of Christ should do the same today.

Paul also instructed Timothy in how Christians were to treat widows and made distinguishments between certain widows based on age and family circumstances.  Those over sixty and those without family were to be cared for, and those under sixty and with family were to rely on family to help them.  I believe that we are to help widows today, especially those who are older and without family to help them, even though women have more rights today than they did in Paul’s day.  We should rely on the leadership of the Holy Spirit to guide us in helping them and how much help we offer. 

Paul told Timothy of the danger of loving money and material things.  If a person puts more faith in money or earthly riches instead of God, they will be led astray and never find true contentment.  True contentment comes only from putting our faith in Jesus Christ and obeying the leadership of the Holy Spirit.

Paul also had a warning to the rich to not put their faith in their riches, but to put their faith in God alone.  He also said God expected them to use their riches to help others and not just for their own desires.  This is still what God expects of people today.

I am sure there are more things we can learn from this book, but I will close with these, and next we will look at 2nd Timothy.

1 Timothy 6:17

1 Timothy 6:17 says, Charge them that are rich in this world, that they be not highminded, nor trust in uncertain riches, but in the living God, who giveth us richly all things to enjoy;  Timothy was to also charge the rich to not be high minded or to trust in their riches but to put their faith in God alone.  I believe this means that the rich are not to live like they are entitled to more than anyone else and are to use their riches in obedience to God's word.  Earthly riches are but a temporary thing.  

Verse eighteen adds, That they do good, that they be rich in good works, ready to distribute, willing to communicate;  Still continuing to speak to the rich, Timothy was to tell them that God expected them to be rich in good works, helping those in need, and speaking to all people the same way. This still applies to people today.  

Verse nineteen continues, Laying up in store for themselves a good foundation against the time to come, that they may lay hold on eternal life.  Paul told Timothy that if the rich followed God’s commandments that they would lay up a good foundation in His kingdom.  They were not promised any more than anyone else who obeys God’s word, no matter what their status in the world might be.  Our work for God in obedience to His word will not get us to heaven, since only faith in Jesus Christ will, but we are still expected to do good works for His glory and to help all those that we can.  

Verse twenty states, O Timothy, keep that which is committed to thy trust, avoiding profane and vain babblings, and oppositions of science falsely so called:  God then called on Timothy to keep the commandments of God and not to be pulled astray by the vain babblings of others.  We need to be just as committed to obeying God’s word today, from preachers and teachers to all Christians.  

Verse twenty-one adds, Which some professing have erred concerning the faith. Grace be with thee. Amen.  Paul warned Timothy that some people professing to believe in God’s word had erred in their understanding of what His word teaches.  They had erred in the faith.  There are still people today who profess to be Christians, but they are not obedient to God’s word.  We don’t need to be led astray by them.  Paul also asked that God's grace be with Timothy, and we as Christians are always under the grace of God.  Paul then closed his letter to Timothy with an amen, or so be it.  God’s word will always be true, so we must put our faith in it and live by its standards.

1 Timothy 6:11

1 Timothy 6:11 says, But thou, O man of God, flee these things; and follow after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, meekness.  God through Paul told Timothy that he as a man of God was to flee these things.  He was instead to follow after righteousness, Godliness, faith, love, patience and meekness. As Christians, we should be men and women of God, and these should be the things we seek today instead of chasing after wealth and power.   

Verse twelve adds, Fight the good fight of faith, lay hold on eternal life, whereunto thou art also called, and hast professed a good profession before many witnesses.  Paul told Timothy that he was to fight the good fight of faith, which he had professed before many witnesses and that he was to lay hold of eternal life.  We as followers of Christ today should have professed our faith to Him publicly and are now in a battle against evil in the world.  We need to fight the good fight by allowing the Holy Spirit to guide and empower us.  We can never win by our own power but can only win by allowing God’s power to bring us victory today and an everlasting victory when our life ends or when Jesus Christ returns in victory.

Verse thirteen continues,  I give thee charge in the sight of God, who quickeneth all things, and before Christ Jesus, who before Pontius Pilate witnessed a good confession;  Paul said he was going to give Timothy a charge in the sight of God to be a good witness just as Jesus Christ was before Pilate.  He also said that God was the One Who gave life to everything and He alone was worthy of our worship.  As Christians, we have the charge, or commission, from God to be a good witness for Him, since He gives us everlasting life with Him and to stand by faith even if we are brought before the rulers of the world to defend our faith.  

Verse fourteen states, That thou keep this commandment without spot, unrebukable, until the appearing of our Lord Jesus Christ:  Paul also told Timothy that he was to keep this commandment without blemishing it.  This should still be our charge today, even though we may often fall short of doing so.  

Verse fifteen adds, Which in his times he shall shew, who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings, and Lord of lords;  Paul said that Jesus Christ was the only true Potentate, or ruler, and would one day return to reveal this to the whole world.  

Verse sixteen continues, Who only hath immortality, dwelling in the light which no man can approach unto; whom no man hath seen, nor can see: to whom be honour and power everlasting. Amen.  Paul said that those who lived in immorality, or without accepting God's gift of salvation, would not see God.  The only way the lost can see God today is when He calls them to salvation, and if they reject that call, they will never see the glory of God until it is too late.  

1 Timothy 6:6

1 Timothy 6:6 says, But godliness with contentment is great gain.  Paul told Timothy that Godliness with contentment was great gain.  He did not say that Godliness with a lot of material blessings or anything else was great gain, but that if people were Godly, or obeying God, that they would be content no matter what.  This is still true today.  As Christians, we should be content no matter what our lot in life may be.  

Verse seven adds, For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  Paul told Timothy that just as no one brings anything into this world, no one would take anything out.  No matter what we may amass in life, when we die, it will all be left behind.  

Verse eight continues, And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.  Paul told Timothy that if people had food and clothes that they should be content.  He did not say if they had a fine house or a fine chariot that they should be content, but only food and clothes.  Christians today often have a fine house and a fine car but still are not content.  

Verse nine states, But they that will be rich fall into temptation and a snare, and into many foolish and hurtful lusts, which drown men in destruction and perdition.  God said riches could lead people to destruction because riches would make them foolish, which I believe means failing to put their faith in Him.  Riches themselves were not the cause of the destruction and perdition of people, but their worshipping them instead of God was.  

Verse ten adds, For the love of money is the root of all evil: which while some coveted after, they have erred from the faith, and pierced themselves through with many sorrows.  Though often quoted as money being the root of all evil, it is the love of money that is.   A person does not even have to be rich for this to apply.  Anyone who puts the love of money above a love of God is guilty of this.