1 Timothy 01

The pastoral epistles are personal as opposed to letters to churches. 1 Timothy, one of three pastoral epistles (2 Tim. and Titus) was probably written in free time between Paul’s first and second Roman imprisonment, about AD 63. This letter is on church etiquette, how to run the loose assembly and to stop false doctrine.
v 1. Paul was under orders from the Lord, not his own ambitions. Christ is our only hope for reaching glory, Col. 1:27.
v 2.  Acts 16 1-3 states that Timothy’s father was a Greek Gentile. Paul probably led Timothy to the Lord at Lystra on his first missionary journey, Acts 13:19,20. 1 Tim 1:2 and 1 Cor. 4:17 show him a convert, spiritual son of Paul. The salutation contains the usual grace and peace (shalom) from God, but mercy has been added in 1&2 Tim. and Titus.
v 3. Paul liked to have Timothy with him, but left him in Ephesus to admonish leaders who had begun teaching incorrect doctrine. The apostolic period was drawing to a close, and it was urgent that the Church be grounded in correct doctrine.
v 4. Which of the weird Jewish fables we don’t know. Some placed high stress on genealogies, trying to find hidden meanings, as people try to find the meaning of 666. Much teaching time can be wasted on things which may not harm, but do not edify.
v 5-7. Whereas Paul’s object was love springing from purity of heart conscience and faith, some had wandered off into purposeless teaching. They were ambitious doctors of Mosaic ritual, but like the Pharisees, lacked understanding, Mt. 22:15-22.
v 8-11. Paul defended the law if it were not used for salvation. It is a system of penalties, for sins of which Paul lists only some prominent ones. It covered anything not in the wholesome teachings of Paul. The men stealers or kidnappers referred here  especially to slave dealers, and liars included those under oath as a well as those not.
v 12,13. Paul as Saul certainly didn’t blaspheme God, but he had, ruthlessly,  against Christ. Christ had mercy on his ignorant unbelief and gave him this ministry.
v 14,15. Paul finds the overflowing grace of God to him to be remarkable, in view  of his past, but he recognizes the potential of the old nature when he says I am, not I was, chief of sinners. Christ seeking for sinners is seen also Lk. 19:10 and Mk. 2:17, the Gospel in a nut shell. å
v 16. Paul concludes that Christ showed mercy and used him for a pattern to show that no matter what his sin of blaspheming Christ and persecuting believers etc., all could be saved who believed on Him. As we sing “Why should He love me so?” all we believers should realize we are to be a like pattern.
v 17. As Paul is reminded of this great grace and mercy of God, he breaks out into a doxology glorifying God, right in the midst of his letter. Then he goes on with a charge to Timothy.
v 18. The duty entrusted to Timothy was not just of Paul’s choosing, but had been designated by the Holy Spirit  through some who still had the gift of prophecy. Inspired and aided by them, he should go forth with the confidence of one trained to battle.
v 19. True faith is centered in Christ, and holding to that, he could have a clear conscience. Some had thrown off the restraint which the Holy Spirit had on their lives, & as a result were beginning to deny the faith. Theological error rooted in moral failure.
v 20. The two men guilty of this error were apparently excommunicated from the church, and God permitted Satanic trials. This was for remedy, not for punishment.

1 Timothy 02

v 1. It was important that both Timothy and the church at Ephesus should pray. Supplication is to have a need supplied. Prayers include adoration, confession, praise, worship etc. Intercessions is asking on behalf of someone else, and giving thanks for others is something we frequently neglect even for those near to us.
v 2. Pray for leaders on all levels of government, bad presidents as well as the good, and even for dictators. Pray for good decisions to make life more stress free.
v 3. God ordained human government, so is pleased when we pray for them.
v 4. He is especially pleased if we pray for their salvation. See 2 Pet. 3:9.
v 5. Gnostics believed there were angel or other mediators, and the Roman church believes various saints mediate between man and Mary, and Mary mediates between men and Christ. But Christ is the only mediator with God.
God <--------the “God <--> Man” (Christ) <--------Man
v 6,7. He gave his life for all, but only those who accept the free gift receive it. Our job is to proclaim it to others, even as Paul was leader in proclaiming it to Gentiles.
v 8. This is not exclusively but especially to men because they had the place of leadership and authority in public worship. Solomon prayed in this position, but the emphasis is not on posture as much on the spiritual condition, clean hands because of a pure heart. The church is not the place for prayers of vengeance. Weakness of faith is not meant, but denial of the Lord’s power to answer prayer.
v 9,10. This is not exclusively but especially to women. Men too should dress modestly, the attire of some men, and especially some entertainers is repulsive. Pagan women had influence in proportion to her ability to attract men. Believers are not to call attention to themselves by what they wear, whether shoddy or luxuriantly. Women should dress nicely with proper restraint, and with development of character and personality being their primary goal. See 1 Pet. 3:3,4 and Prov. 31:31. 
v 11,12. Women newly emancipated from pagan limitations were expressing themselves more freely than proper and causing disturbance. “Emancipated” women of today may face a similar problem. Learning with subjection means with submission, not with subordination. While women were not to teach and dominate over men, they have many areas of ministry including teaching. Even Priscilla, along with Aquilla, helped council the erring Appolos privately. But some cults have been led by women. More on silence in 1 Cor. 14:34,35; 2 Thess. 3:12;  Acts 22:2. 
v 13-15. All doubt about this still applying is removed by the divine order of creation and the matter of being deceived. Adam ate of the fruit with full knowledge it meant death, but he chose to be with Eve and received God’s condemnation, Gen. 3:17. Woman’s special penalty was twofold: a. Suffering in childbirth; b. Subjection in the family. It can well be argued that some women are good leaders, but their job is to assist their husbands to be leaders. There is a wealth of service in the home and community that can be performed by women, but the best thing was the promise of God to Eve. Though it is important, the emphasis is not that through woman, not man, that the Redeemer  was to come. The context hinges on several virtues. So it must mean that she is preserved from insignificance by her role in the family.

1 Timothy 03

 In Acts 20:17, 28 elders and overseers are the same. In Titus 1:5,7 bishops and elders are the same. Thus, bishops, elders and overseers refer to the same office. Baptists consider this to mean the pastor(s) of the church, with other offices being deacon and trustee, the latter two sometimes combined. Some other equally sound believers feel that other spiritual leaders of the church besides the pastor are considered elders and are involved with spiritual decisions & leadership. Deacons too  have some spiritual responsibilities & specifically the material duties as trustees. 
v 1. It is right and proper for a man to desire the office of a bishop if he chooses it as a means of service, and not for prestige and personal honor or gratification.
v 2. The bishops life should be beyond true reproach as far as he lives it, but it may be impossible to be above critics. Being  husband of one wife would rule out remarriage after divorce but not necessarily after a death. He must be watchful of his own example as well as sincere in guarding the flock. Good behavior would include discretion in difficult situations, handling them in a spiritual and proper manner. Many situations require a pastor to show hospitality rather than seeking what’s in it for him. Teaching is the major way in which he can feed the flock. Some believe this infers  that he is also teachable.
v 3. Refraining from alcoholic beverages, which lead to violence, is important in his own life as well as setting an example for others. Patience as opposed to stirring up the pot. Unfortunately many pastors have done that upon resignation. Worldly gain should not be his object and he needs to be on guard against coveting it. 
v 4,5. Ruling well does not mean excessive discipline, but handling the family in such a way that they love and respect him and behave themselves accordingly. Many examples are known of pastors who failed in this to the detriment of their churches. Some have even left the ministry because of this problem. Eli and Samuel had good personal ministries, but ultimately, lack of parental control affected all the people.
v 6. Many an inexperienced pastor has become proud of his thesis and scholastic achievements or even some original results of his ministry. Satan may turn success into a snare, and that ministry may suffer.
v 7. Though the world may reject his doctrine, they should have respect and confidence in him. Too many times pastors are looked upon as not paying their bills, spending their time running around and nosing into other people’s business.
v 8. The qualifications of deacons are really very similar to that of bishops, first of which is grave, or of a sincerity to inspire respect and confidence of others. He should not have a difference of speech or jokes among Christians or unbelievers or saying what is “politically correct” for the two groups. A fellow salesman praised a customer for her delicious cookies, then as we went down the street, he said how terrible they were. Liquor and greed are obviously out of place for one serving the Lord.
v 9.  Whenever they are called upon to teach they should have purity of doctrine exhibited by purity of life. Mystery - deep things of the Word, see v 16. Hidden from ungodly.
v 10. Novice deacons (and pastors) have sometimes let the idea of power instead of service go to their heads, and considered their selection a mandate to push their own agenda. Blameless is living above true reproach, not sinless perfection.
v 11. Whether this merely means the wife of a deacon or if she is considered a deaconess, the qualifications are very similar to that of her husband. Slanderers would parallel the double-tongued warning of deacons. Faithfulness was important in view of them distributing charitable goods from the church.
v 12, 13. This compares to the responsibility of bishops, verse 4. This might not necessarily limit the office to those who had a wife or had children, but the experience of both would be valuable in their service. Doing a good and faithful job results in greater service and blessing, sometimes being the push that starts them into a field of “full time” Christian service.
v 14, 15. Timothy was probably as anxious for Paul to come as Paul was to go, but in the mean time, Paul gave him sound instruction for the spiritual leadership of the church. Important because this was not simply a local church, but was also a part of the True Church.
v 16. The mystery of godliness is not an act or condition, but a person, the Lord Jesus Christ. 1 He was deity manifest in the flesh at his birth. 2 He was justified in the Spirit at His resurrection. 3 Angels were prominent in His life.  a. To shepherds at His birth.  b. Appearances to Joseph and the Wise Men.  c. After the 40 day temptation.          d. When He prayed in the garden and perhaps unnamed times.  4. He was preached among all nations at Pentecost.  5. There had been a progressive fulfillment of the gospel plan as among both Jews and Gentiles some believed. 6. The climax of His earthly ministry when he was caught up in the clouds to reenter heaven.

1 Timothy 04

v 1. The gift of prophecy was still in effect, and there had been direct revelation from the Holy Spirit that in later days before the Rapture, there would be this increase in apostasy with people falling for false doctrine and satanic deception.
v 2. False teachers will hypocritically proclaim religious themes because their consciences have been cauterized so they are insensitive to evil. 
v 3. The Essenes did not  marry, perpetuating their group by adoption. They and early gnostics would eat grass or die before eating meat. Some Christians would not eat meat from the market place because it had been offered to idols, but there was no sin in doing it, Rom. 14:3.  The Roman Church still practices unmarried clergy and abstaining from meat on certain days.  Some other religious groups are vegetarians, others for unproved medical reasons. Even Christ ate freely all the law allowed.
v 4,5. God created animals and other natural resources to be used by man, they are just to be used by good stewards with thanksgiving. By the Word of God and prayer, food is set apart, not merely for pleasure, but gives strength to live for the Lord. This obviously eliminates asking the blessing on tobacco, drugs and alcohol.
v 6. Believers need to be warned against error, and reminded of the doctrinal truths, declaring the whole council of God, which also strengthens the one teaching. If we just stay with favorite scriptures, we will be spiritually malnourished.
v 7. These include Pharisaic additions to the Word of God  and the Roman church’s miracle stories etc. Prayer is work. We need to train our minds in Godly thinking as an athlete would train his body.
v 8,9. Gymnastic exercise is beneficial to the body but only develops half a man. Godliness develops the complete man in body, soul and spirit. It benefits our present life, but also for eternity. That statement is reliable and worth acceptance by all.
v 10. Paul suffered much to be able to proclaim that Jesus died to save every one. However only those who receive Him will be saved. A boat may have life jackets for every one, but they only help those who make use of them.
v 11. This reinforces verse 6. He did not have his own message but was to speak with the authority of the Word of God.
v 12. In that day the young were looked upon as inferior to the elders. In some respects, and for good reason, youth still need to prove themselves. Young believers can do this by being an example to others in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity.
Plain and simple. 1 Timothy 4:12.   Give no one an occasion to look down on you because of your youth. See that they look up to you because you are an example to believers in your speech and behavior, in your love, in spiritual mindednes, in your faith and your purity.
The word “spirit” is not in the original manuscripts, but it summarizes spiritual mindedness.
v 13. Both privately and in public, read Scripture with expression & reverence. He was to preach with personal appeal and being firm on doctrine.
v 14. The Holy Spirit imparted a gift by prophecy to Timothy at the time he was ordained by the elders, but we too should faithfully use our gifts to the glory of God. Our ordinations today symbolize this by the laying on of hands.
v 15. Timothy and ourselves need to meditate on these things and put them into practice. We will gain a deeper spiritual life which will be obvious to others.
v 16. Again Timothy’s personal life must be in harmony with  the stress on doctrine. By doing this, he and his hearers will be saved from error or becoming useless.

1 Timothy 05

v 1,2. Paul now moves from Timothy’s personal conduct to relationships with others in the church. Sharpness should not be used against the older men of the church, just as one would not use sharpness against a father. The young men should not be looked down on, but as a part of the fellowship, brothers. The older women should also be treated with respect. In a day when temple maidens were prostitutes, it was doubly important that these young ladies be treated with the purity of sisters.
v 3,4. Honor to widows who have no relatives involves material assistance. Blood relatives of a widow have an obligation to see that her needs are met. See v 16.
v 5-7. Additionally, a widow indeed would be one with genuine spiritual interests. In contrast, those who are simply living in pleasure should not expect church support. Some of these even may revert to immoral living because of their loneliness.
v 8. Most elderly or handicapped today have their needs provided through social security etc., but if there is more need at any age, it is shameful for family not to assist, because even many unbelievers do that much.
v 9,10. The idea of sixty years old was not to refuse aid, but that after that age, there was little likelihood that they would marry. This is probably only a partial list of duties they could perform in service to the Lord. They were to be one man women just as bishops, 3:2 and deacons, 3:12, were to be one woman men. At least not divorced. Some Jews looked down on second marriages, but notice Paul’s endorsement, v 14.
v 11-13. Problems with younger widows included the probability of growing weary of spiritual service and remarrying. Spinsters and those not remarrying are apt to be  idle and go about the neighborhood prying and spreading gossip. Even the intent to go about to find need & help others could be turned into occasion for gossip.
v 14,15. They would be better off raising families than to cause the reproach of those outside the church. Some had already slipped spiritually in these things.
v 16. The church should not be obligated to support those who have family help.
v 17,18. These older men were church leaders, probably bishops, and they were to receive ample compensation for their work according to the extent of their labor. There were various tasks, but teaching the word & doctrine was of special importance.
v 19. No one should be falsely accused, but great care should be made in accusing one in the ministry, because of repercussions in the church and community.
v 20. This could apply to elders as well as others. The rebuke should be in the open with the only punishment being loss of fellowship.
v 21. Sometimes it may be difficult not to show partiality, but do as God, Act.10:34.
v 22. Don’t place immature and inexperienced in places of responsibility. Don’’t participate in the sin of those who do. Purity on a personal level is vital for Timothy and other Christian leaders.
v 23.  Wine could be juice still in the grape, freshly pressed, ready to be bottled, or when ferment has begun. The latter, used as a medicine, was weakened with water. Sometimes it was a syrup reconstituted. This in no way allows for an occasional beer.
v 24. Things are not always what they seem to be. Some are obviously sinners  while others appear righteous but there sins are temporarily hidden.
v 25. The good deeds of some are conspicuous, while others may be shy and modest, but their worth eventually becomes evident.

1 Timothy 06

V 1,2. This was a day of slavery, and masters and slaves being united together in church posed a problem. Slaves were not to disrespect masters now as brothers in Christ, but if any thing were to serve with increased faithfulness and respect.
v 3. Paul changes topic back to those who teach false doctrines as in 1:3-11.
v 4,5. Don’t split hairs over technicalities and useless debates that merely cause dissension. Withdraw from those who use religion to bring financial gain.
v 6. Contentment is part of the gain that goes with godly living.
v 7, 8. We tend to base our necessities according to the standard of living about us, but true necessities our food and clothing, with adequate shelter assumed. 
v 9. Desire for wealth can snow ball until it controls us, even resorting to practices that are questionable, or at the least, rob us of our relationship with God and family.
v 10. Money is not evil, it is needed. But the uncontrolled love of it leads people at every income level to do what they have to do to get more.
v 11. A cartoon shows a man fleeing from a dog named “Love of money”, but the man is chasing after righteousness, godliness, faith, love, patience, and meekness. Each man of God must make the choice as we look  about at prosperity, Ps. 73:1-17.
v 12. Sometimes we must flee, other times fight, and it may be an inner struggle. Holding fast to our assurance of eternal life, we too are sometimes in situations where we have to make a public commitment of our faith.
v 13,14. This is the strongest of Paul’s charges to Timothy, being witnessed by the Godhead. He was to keep the whole body of truth, both by teaching and by his life. Apparently Paul expected that the coming of Christ was imminent.
v 15,16.  Here Paul recognizes the timing to be in God’s hands, and this description of Christ shows Him and God the Father to be one. Of men who have walked the earth, only Christ has immortality. Even in us as mortals there is that part, soul, that is immortal, absent from the body and present with the Lord, 2 Cor. 5:8.
v 17. The early church had all classes, but then as now, the rich have an added danger of pride and trusting their wealth rather than God.
v 18,19. The rich have an added responsibility as well as privilege, to distribute to the needs of others and of the church. In so doing, they, along with all other income levels, can lay up treasures in heaven in the assurance of their eternal life to come.
v 20,21. The Gospel was committed to Timothy’s trust to be shared with others. Theories by the Gnostics or others which are based upon speculation or insufficient evidence come under the category of false science and false knowledge. We see this continuously in evolutionary scientist’s claims which cannot be proven and are contrary to what can be proven by the Word of God. Many cults with their false prophets and doctrines have professed God, but have also erred from the faith.

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In the early 90's I started studing the bible by taking college courses, because I believe the Lord wanted me to become a pastor in a Nazarne Church. My goal has changed with all my studies. My wife and I have both joined the Catholic Church. I have read and compared numerous translations and commentaries in my many years of studying the bible. Some of these authorities disagree with each other. I come across information on studies and classes that I have taken 15 to 20 years before and I have no documentation of where it came from. Plus I have given away or returned many books for college classes that I have taken. So if I have failed to give someone the credit that is due them I ask for their forgiveness. The following is a list of translations and commentaries that I still have and use.

1. Apocrypha
2. Confessions of St Augustine
3. Divine Comedy of Dante (Henery Carytr)
4. King James Bible
5. LDS (Mormons)
6. Martin Luther
7. St John of the Cross
8. Budhist
9. Christian-King James
10. Hindu
11. Islam
12. Judaism
13. Sikh
14. Tao
15. Zoroastrian

OUR ETERNAL HOME by Richard W. Dehaan,
PROPHECY STUDY BIBLE by Tim Lahaye
READER'S DIGEST JESUS AND HIS TIMES by the Readers Digest Association Inc,
REFLECTING GOD STUDY BIBLE By Zondervan Corporation;
SAINT JOSEPH EDITION OF THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE by Catholic Book Publishing Co.
SEVEN KEYS TO FAMILY POWER by Billy Joe Daugherty,
SIX HOURS ONE FRIDAY by Max Lacado,
THE AMPLIFIED BIBLE by the Zondervan Corporation;
THE BATTLE BELONGS TO THE LORD by Jocyce Meyer,
THE BIBLE PROMISE BOOK by Babbour Publishing Inc,
THE BOOK OF COMMON PRAYER by Charles Mortimer Guilbert
THE BOOK OF HOPE by Tyndale House Publishiers, Inc,
THE BORN AGAIN CATHOLIC by Albert H. Boudreau,
THE CASE FOR CHRIST by Lee Strobel,
THE CATHOLIC ANSWER BOOK by Peter MJ Stravinsiasi
THE COMPLETE BOOK OF BIBLE KNOWLEDGE by Mark D. Taylor;
THE DAY CHRIST DIED by Jim Bishop,
THE GREAT BIBLE QUESTION AND ANWERS BOOK by Playmore Inc
THE HOME BIBLE STUDY COURSE by Dr. Harold L. Wilmington;
THE KING JAMES BIBLE ARCHAIE WORDS DEFIND by David W. Daniel
THE KING JAMES BIBLE COMPANION by David W. Daniels;
THE KING JAMES STUDY BIBLE by Thomas Nelson Publishers,
THE LAYMAN’S BIBLE  DICTIONARY by George W. Knight and Rayburn W. Ray;
THE LAYMAN’S PARALLEL NEW TESTAMENT by Zondervan Bible Publisher
THE LAYMAN'S LIST by Calance Stucup
THE MESSAGE BIBLE by Eugone H. Peterson,
THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE by World Catholic Press;
THE NEW AMERICAN BIBLE Saint Joseph Edition;
THE NEW STRONG’S EXHAUSTIVE CONCORDANCE OF THE BIBLE by James Strong LL. D S.T.D.;
THE RISKS AND REWARDS OF INTERRELIGIOUS DIALOGUE by Cardinal Francis Arinze
THE TRINITY by Rose Publish
THE VERY FIRST ESTER by Paul L. Maier,
THE WAY CATHOLIC LIVING BIBLE by Tyndale House Publishers;
UNCHRISTIAN by David Kennan and Gabe Lyon
UNDERSTANDING GOD’S LOVE by Ronald Greib
VINE’S EXPOSITORY DICTIONARY OF OLD AND NEW TESTAMENT WORDS By W. E. Vine;
WHAT’S SO SECRET ABOUT THE RAPTURRE? By Christian Record Services, INC
WHEN GOD WINKS AT YOU by Tomas Nelson
WILLMINGTON’S GUIDE TO THE BIBLE by Dr. H.L. Willmington,
WOMAN OF FAITH STUDY BIBLE by Zschech/Heillsong
YESTERDAY TODAY AND FOREVER by New Leaf Press
YOU WERE BORN FOR THIS by Anthony Wilhen

08/19/2011