This past Sunday I started taking some of the students through a study through the book of 1 Timothy. This study is a bit of a verse by verse expository teaching, in that we go through each verse/set of verses and I expound and give insight into what Paul was address. I also give some practical life application. I thought that it might be nice to write up what I taught, both so those who were there on Sunday can review and so those who were not there can learn as well. So this past week we started and we studied 1 Timothy 1:1-11:
To understand the letter of 1 Timothy we must first understand to who Paul was writing this letter. So to whom did Paul write this letter? For those of you who think this is a trick question, it is not...the books of Timothy was written to Timothy. So who was Timothy? Timothy was a young disciple that Paul took with him and trained up in the ministry. Paul first met Timothy in the region of Derbe and Lystra (see Acts 16). Paul and Barnabas, having just left the believers in Antioch, parted ways over a dispute on whether they should take John Mark with them. Barnabas took John Mark and went to Cyprus while Paul chose to take Silas with him and journeyed through Syria and Cilicia (see Acts 15). It was on this journey that Paul met Timothy's family and decided to take Timothy with him. Now Timothy was the son of a Greek man and a Jewish woman (she and her mother were Christians). The believers in the area spoke well of Timothy, but some of the no-believing Jews in the area did not receive Timothy because of his Greek father. The bible says that for this reason (the Jews) Paul circumcised Timothy (Acts 16:3). Many a scholar has wondered why Paul chose to do this, especially considering that just a few verses earlier Paul delivered a letter to the believers saying that non-Jews did not have to be circumcised. While no answer other than "because of the Jews in the area" is given for Paul's motivation in chosen to circumcise Timothy, I tend to look more at Timothy in the situation: He was so committed to the cause of Christ that he was willing to submit to Paul's unusual decision despite the obvious physical discomfort. How many of us are as sold out to God's call?
Paul and Silas took Timothy with him and mentored Timothy in the ministry. After a length of time, Paul left Timothy in Ephesus (to continue the ministry there) while he and Silas continued on to Macedonia. While there is more that we could discuss about Timothy, I believe that we will move on with our teaching.
1 Timothy 1:1-2:
"Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by command of God our Savior and of Christ Jesus our hope,To Timothy, my true child in the faith:Grace, mercy, and peace from God the Father and Christ Jesus our Lord."
I always find it interesting how Paul starts his letters. He always references who he is in Christ, and his commission. Whole studies can be completed on what it means as to when Paul introduces himself. In some letters he calls himself a "Servant of Christ" others an "Apostle of Christ" but he always indicates his position and his calling. Paul is a man who is absolutely sure on who he is, who called him and where his authority comes from. In this letter Paul introduces himself as an apostle of Christ, by God's command.
Verse two tells us that the letter was written to Timothy, whom Paul refers to as "My own true child in the faith." This instantly gives us a glimpse into Paul and Timothy's relationship. Paul did not see himself as Timothy boss, or teacher, or leader, or Apostle, but as a father. A father/son relationship is so much more than any of the other relationships Paul could have used. A father is the leader, the teacher, the trainer, the disciplinary (etc. etc.), but he is also the caregiver, the provider, and the security. A father trains his son to be the same thing (leader, teacher, supporter, caregiver, etc.) not for profit, or to see the ministry succeed, but to see the son succeed and become better. This is how Paul regarded his relationship with Timothy: He poured into Timothy, not to make Paul look better, but to see Timothy succeed in the ministry.
Verses 3-5
"As I urged you when I was going to Macedonia, remain at Ephesus so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine, nor to devote themselves to myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations rather than the stewardship[a] from God that is by faith. The aim of our charge is love that issues from a pure heart and a good conscience and a sincere faith."
In verse 3 we read that Paul had left Timothy in Ephesus "so that you may charge certain persons not to teach any different doctrine." The early church had many struggles, one of which was that there were several other groups of people travelling around saying they were sent out by the apostles to teach, but they would teach things contrary to what the Apostles were teaching. One of Paul, Barnabas and Silas' mandates was to go and clarify the doctrine of the early church. The had been charged by the other Apostles to go around teaching the truth. (See Acts 16) But there were groups of Judiazers who were travelling to many of the same regions teaching that all Christians needed to obey the law to be saved. These were some of the wrong doctrines that Timothy was charged with correcting while in Ephesus. Another issue arising was people getting caught up in "myths and endless genealogies, which promote speculations..." This may refer to the Gnostics which were gaining popularity, while I am not fully clear on their practices I have read that they were prone to put a lot of emphasis on family trees and praying to the correct person for the correct blessing based on where they fall in the family tree. What does come to mind when I read verse 4 is some practices and teachings of modern day cult: the LDS church (Mormons) who go to great length to trace family trees and then practice "baptism for the dead" where a living person can be baptized as a substitute for a relative who died in unbelief. Another modern day practice I think of is when people get caught up in tracing their family history in order to know what possible "generational curses" are upon them. I also think of people who think they are better (or worse) than certain people because of their family history. These are all wrong teachings. First there is only one mediator between God and man and that is the man Christ Jesus, the Son of GOD. There is no one else we should pray to, nor do we have to follow a long list of relatives, or angles, or saints to ensure our prayers are answered. Second, There is no biblical proof or evidence for the baptism for the dead. In fact it is quit the opposite. The bible teaches that man can only choose salvation during his or her natural life time: "As it is appointed for man to die once and after that comes judgment." Hebrews 9:27. Any time baptism is spoken of it is always an act that the individual must do, not something that one can do for another. There is nothing that a living person can do to change the judgement of someone who has already passed. This applies both to those who believe in baptism of the dead, and to those that seek to pay penance or ask for God's mercy upon a departed soul: God has already extended His mercy through Jesus, if that mercy was rejected there is nothing more that can be done for a persons salvation. Finally, while there is some truth to "generational curses", as Christians we are part of Abraham's family, we are heirs to his covenant. All curses and powers over us have been broken, we now have the authority over all things. Our lineage is no longer of the cursed, but of the blessed. Upon entering the covenant (receiving God's salvation), we have given up everything we have and receive everything God has. Because Jesus has suffered and died and paid the price, ALL CURSES are ENDED, and there remains only the blessings of the covenant for us. True we still live in an imperfect world, and we may suffer sickness and injury, but we have the authority over all things. Perhaps those curses may try to come back and bring us down again, we simply tell it were to go: take Authority over it. (That was a bit more information than I discussed on Sunday, but I was grading "Hebrews" exams so the covenant is in the for front of my mind.)
In verse 5 Paul reminds Timothy that our charge is to teach love that comes from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith. Those that would teach God's word must do so with the right motive. We do not teach for man's praise, but to draw men unto God. A pure heart is obtained by allowing God to correct your motives. A good conscience is received when we have entered into covenant and have a full understanding that we are the Righteousness of Christ. A sincere faith comes from hearing the word (studying God's word) until we are absolutely convinced that God is true to His word. In other words, the only way to obtain and teach love from a pure heart, a good conscience, and a sincere faith is to allow the WORD to have reign in your life. (This again is different from what I taught last Sunday, but hey we all grow and develop as we learn.)
Verses 6 & 7:
"Certain persons, by swerving from these, have wandered away into vain discussion, desiring to be teachers of the law, without understanding either what they are saying or the things about which they make confident assertions."
Even during the early church there were people who would get caught up in things they did not fully understand. I am sure we have all seen it. Some one comes up with a "new revelation" or a "new understanding" and begin teaching, but the teaching is either not fully formed, not based on solid biblical understanding, or just plain wrong (maybe you have been this person). I am sure we all know someone who tends to get caught up in discussing the finer points of whether it is Christian to where clothes made from a blend of fabrics all the while missing the truth of the scripture (much of my bible college years where spent in similar discussions). It is not wrong to desire to be a teacher, and in fact in later verses Paul encourages it, but what Paul is saying is that those who forget the basis of our teaching are prone to get caught up in vain discussions and teachings they do not fully understand. All those who seek to be teachers, or have something that they wish to teach, should ask themselves: 1. Does this build us in love? Is my teaching and instruction encouraging and edifying. This does not mean our preaching must always be "lovey dovey" or shallow, but it means our teaching must promote love. 2. Am I teaching this from a pure heart and a good conscience? A teacher must consider this: Is what I am teaching coming from a desire to encourage and build up, or is it because I begrudge someone something and am seeking to prove them wrong? What is my motive for the teaching. - 3. Does this come from sincere faith? Remember faith comes by hearing and hearing the word of God. A sincere faith is obtained by studying the word and allowing the word to shape you. Does the teaching come from a full understanding of God's covenant with us?
Vain discussions do not fit these criteria. Neither does teaching the law with out fully understanding the purpose of the law. Vain discussions are really any discussion or debates that arise in Christian circles that do nothing for our faith, and truly are more for someone to demonstrate their intellect. Vain discussions are those that cause confusion and doubts, especially among the less mature Christians. Vain discussions are those debates that cause strife and alienation. There is nothing wrong with having discussions (and even debates), if we keep our criteria in mind (does it build up love, does it come from a pure heart, etc.). There are many aspects of the biblical doctrine that much of the Christian church is unclear about and discussions and debates can serve to clarify these issues, but not if the reason for having the debate is to prove that you are smarter than someone else. I am reminded of something I was taught in Romans class: In Majors, Unity. In Minors, Diversity. In all things, love. In the major tenants of our faith we must all be unified. In the minor aspects of our faith we can allow for different understandings. But regardless we must live in Love.
Paul also warns against "teaching the law without understanding what (you) are saying or what the things about which (you are teaching)" (Italicized brackets, my edit/emphasis). When we teach in such a manner we are likely to lead others astray. Now this is not to discourage us from becoming teachers by saying, "You must be fully versed in everything you teach." For who then could become a teacher: very few, certainly not me. I believe Paul is encouraging Timothy to not make confident assertions when you do not understand what you are teaching.
Verses 8-11:
"Now we know that the law is good, if one uses it lawfully, understanding this, that the law is not laid down for the just but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and sinners, for the unholy and profane, for those who strike their fathers and mothers, for murderers, the sexually immoral, men who practice homosexuality, en-slavers, liars, perjurers, and whatever else is contrary to sound doctrine, in accordance with the gospel of the glory of the blessed God with which I have been entrusted."
Now Paul gives us an understanding of the intent of the Law: 1. The law is good if used correctly ("lawfully"). 2. The Law is not for the righteous, ("the just"). 3. The Law is for sinners. It is not those that live right that need rules, but those that live against "sound doctrine" The intent of the Law was to show humanity that we were all sinners. When I am living in love and holding the needs of my brother above my own I do not need the policeman to tell me that there is a law against murder or stealing. If I am stealing from my brother or if I am striking my sister then I am not living in Love. It is not those that live justly that need to be afraid of the judges gavel. Another example is a good prince does not need to concern himself with what the civil law states, he knows what his father, the king expects and behaves in the way of love (for his father). Similarly, we who are in the covenant, and have received sound doctrine, we who know the gospel of God's glory do not need to be reminded of the requirements of the Law...they no longer apply. It is those who are outside the covenant that need to be shown the Law. Much of these four verses list who it is that need the law, but as this adds little to the focus of my study we will not concern ourselves with this list. Instead what I really want to draw out is that the Law is good for showing the lawless what they truly are: lawless and sinners. The laws intention was to demonstrate that we are all sinners...but we have all be welcomed into God's covenant, where the payment for our transgressions has already been paid by the man Jesus Christ. We enter this covenant through faith, faith that God will keep His word true.
(Paul also once again reminds us that he has been commissioned by God to teach the Gospel.)
This is as far as we will go this week. Next week we will finish chapter 1.
(Again this is a bit more in-depth than I went last Sunday, thank you for staying with me until the end. *A boy Wonder)
Labels: 1 Timothy, Bible Teaching, VABC