by Gary L. Evans
(8/1/2023)
Timothy — Part 1
Timothy was a boy of fifteen when he was converted at Lystra, and was probably about thirty-five years of age when this Epistle was addressed to him. Paul, who never married, taught him as his own son and grew very fond of him over the years because of his faith and dedication to study, and sent him to begin his own ministry as the Pastor and teacher of an assembly.
These two are doctrinal letters that Paul wrote to his best student, Timothy.
1Ti 1:1-2 Paul, an apostle of Jesus Christ by the commandment of God our Saviour, and Lord Jesus Christ, which is our hope; Unto Timothy, my own son in the faith: Grace, mercy, and peace, from God our Father and Jesus Christ our Lord.
The word, “apostle,” is from the Greek, “ap-os’-tol-os,” which means an ambassador of the Gospel and is from the word, “ap-os-tel’-lo,” which means, “set apart, that is, (by implication) to send out (properly on a mission) literally or figuratively.”
So an apostle was someone who was consecrated and sent on a mission.
The name, “Timothy,” is from, “tee-moth’-eh-os,” which means, “dear to God; Timotheus, a Christian.”
Since Paul addresses this letter directly to Timothy who was his own protege and who had been a disciple of Christ and The Word of God for twenty years, then we should conclude that it is addressed to The Very Elect, not to the general public.
1Ti 1:3-4 As I besought thee to abide still at Ephesus, when I went into Macedonia, that thou mightest charge some that they teach no other doctrine, Neither give heed to fables and endless genealogies, which minister questions, rather than godly edifying which is in faith: so do.
Paul reminded Timothy how he had already advised him to demand that members of the assembly teach no other doctrines except those taught by the Apostles of Christ, because they only cause confusion and debate instead of building up their knowledge and understanding of The Truth.
1Ti 1:5-7 Now the end of the commandment is charity out of a pure heart, and of a good conscience, and of faith unfeigned:
The word “heart” is from “kar-dee’-ah” which means “the heart, that is, (figuratively) the thoughts or feelings (mind); also (by analogy) the middle.” So it means our mind.
The word “unfeigned” means “not dissembled.” And the word “dissembled” means “concealed under a false appearance; disguised.” So unfeigned means sincere, as opposed to hypocritical.
Jesus taught us that The Greatest Commandment is to Love God with all of our hearts and minds, and The Second Greatest Commandment is to Love one another as ourselves. And our Love must be from sincere hearts and not hypocritical.
1Ti 1:6-7 From which some having swerved have turned aside unto vain jangling; Desiring to be teachers of the law; understanding neither what they say, nor whereof they affirm.
The term “vain jangling” is from “mat-ah-yol-og-ee’-ah” which means “random talk, that is, babble.”
The term “teachers of the law” is from “nom-od-id-as’-kal-os” which means “an expounder of the (Jewish) law, that is, a Rabbi.”
The word “law” is from “nom’-os” which means “(to parcel out, especially food or grazing to animals); law (through the idea of prescriptive usage), generally (regulation), specifically (of Moses [including the volume]; also of the Gospel), or figuratively (a principle).” This word includes all of God’s Word, both The Old Testament and The New Testament, because all of God’s Word teaches us regulations, precepts, and principles.
Some people within the assemblies had become apostate while presuming to be able to teach others but were only speaking meaningless babble, and even arrogantly imagining themselves to be Expert Teachers of God’s Word, when they really didn’t know what they were talking about.
Before anyone can apply The Law, he must first develop a mastery of The Law.
For examples, The Lord said that judgment must be perfectly fair and just, as an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth and a life for a life.
So if a man unjustly put out the eye of another man, then he should lose his own eye. What is the judgment? Must we poke out that man’s eye? No, of course not. Instead the guilty man must Redeem his own eye by paying a reasonable price for the eye of the man who lost his. And the Redemption Price could be in money or in service, such as working for that man for a set number of years.
But what it the man was acting in self defense? What if the other man was attacking him unjustly and trying to kill him? And in self defense the man hit the attacker in the face and put out his eye. So should the man who while defending himself put out the other man’s eye be guilty and required to redeem his own eye? No, of course not. He did not injure him out of hate, but in self defense.
But what if a man committed first degree murder? The Lord said that Justice required life for life. So must we put the guilty man to death? Yes, because he cannot redeem his own life.
So one must not declare himself to be a lawyer unless he truly is a master of God’s Law, because he will be judged by God’s Law.
1Ti 1:8-11 But we know that the law is good, if a man use it lawfully; Knowing this, that the law is not made for a righteous man, but for the lawless and disobedient, for the ungodly and for sinners, for unholy and profane, for murderers of fathers and murderers of mothers, for manslayers, For whoremongers, for them that defile themselves with mankind, for menstealers, for liars, for perjured persons, and if there be any other thing that is contrary to sound doctrine; According to the glorious gospel of the blessed God, which was committed to my trust.
The purpose of God’s Law is to teach us about God’s Righteousness and in turn to teach us about the definitions of sin so that we can learn how we must behave in order to please God. It warns us not to behave in the manners that Paul mentioned as examples, so when we study The Law, when we learn that we have been in error, we repent and change our behavior to be more pleasing to God. After we have gained a good understanding of The Law and have purified ourselves from sin, then we have a clear conscience before God in our prayers, knowing we are doing our best to become more like our Heavenly Father every day as His dear children. So The Law is to us like our school master. And this is the purpose of The Law.
1Ti 1:12-14 And I thank Christ Jesus our Lord, who hath enabled me, for that he counted me faithful, putting me into the ministry; Who was before a blasphemer, and a persecutor, and injurious: but I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief. And the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant with faith and love which is in Christ Jesus.
Paul is thankful that The Lord forgave him his sins done in ignorance and enabled him to minister The Gospel. Paul, whose name was Saul, was a Pharisee, and a brilliant scholar of The Old Testament and The Law, having studied at the feet of Gamaliel, perhaps the greatest scholar at that time, and had been persecuting Christians, because he believed that they were teaching people to become apostate from the faith in God’s Word. But The Lord appeared to Saul and showed him how he was in fact persecuting Christ Jesus Himself, and not just Christians. And Saul repented, and his name was changed to Paul.
The name “Saul” means “desired.” It is from the Hebrew word “shaw-ool’” which means “asked.” The name “Paul” is of Latin origin, the word “pow’-los” which means “little.” So during his conversion, the man “Desired” was humbled and renamed “Little.”
Paul mentions an important doctrinal point when he said, “I obtained mercy, because I did it ignorantly in unbelief.” People who do not believe are protected by a cloak of ignorance in a sense. Because how can we believe what we do not know is true? So sins committed by unbelievers in their ignorance, not knowing that they are sins, are forgivable upon repentance.
1Ti 1:15-16 This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief. Howbeit for this cause I obtained mercy, that in me first Jesus Christ might shew forth all longsuffering, for a pattern to them which should hereafter believe on him to life everlasting.
Paul humbles himself and says that he was one of the worst sinners, but had received forgiveness. So this was so that Christ Jesus could use him as an example to demonstrate His Everlasting Mercy to all who would later believe in Him and repent.
1Ti 1:17-18 Now unto the King eternal, immortal, invisible, the only wise God, be honour and glory for ever and ever. Amen. This charge I commit unto thee, son Timothy, according to the prophecies which went before on thee, that thou by them mightest war a good warfare;
Paul commissioned Timothy into the ministry of The Gospel.
1Ti 1:19-20 Holding faith, and a good conscience; which some having put away concerning faith have made shipwreck: Of whom is Hymenaeus and Alexander; whom I have delivered unto Satan, that they may learn not to blaspheme.
Hymenaeus and Alexander had become apostate and were teaching falsehood, even claiming that the resurrection was over and other such things that actually destroyed the faith of people who heard them. Paul taught Timothy to throw all such false teachers out of the assembly.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
Timothy — Part 2
1Ti 2:1-2 I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men; For kings, and for all that are in authority; that we may lead a quiet and peaceable life in all godliness and honesty.
We should give thanks to our Father every day for all that He has given to us, and also pray for other people including people in authority over us.
1Ti 2:3-6 For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Saviour; Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time.
The Lord desires that everyone be saved by coming to The Knowledge of God’s Word and The Gospel of The New Covenant sealed with The Blood of Jesus Christ.
1Ti 2:7-8 Whereunto I am ordained a preacher, and an apostle, (I speak the truth in Christ, and lie not;) a teacher of the Gentiles in faith and verity. I will therefore that men pray every where, lifting up holy hands, without wrath and doubting.
So we should pray every day in faith.
1Ti 2:9-11 In like manner also, that women adorn themselves in modest apparel, with shamefacedness and sobriety; not with broided hair, or gold, or pearls, or costly array; But (which becometh women professing godliness) with good works. Let the woman learn in silence with all subjection.
Women should focus their attention on serving The Lord, not spending a lot of time on decorating their bodies.
The word “silence” is from “hay-soo-khee’-ah” which means “stillness, that is, desistance from bustle or language.”
Women (and men also) should avoid idle talking and gossiping, which causes distractions in the assembly. Everyone should pay attention to what is being taught.
1Ti 2:12-15 But I suffer not a woman to teach, nor to usurp authority over the man, but to be in silence. For Adam was first formed, then Eve. And Adam was not deceived, but the woman being deceived was in the transgression. Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety.
The phrase “to usurp authority over” is from “ow-then-teh’-o” which means “to act of oneself, that is, (figuratively) dominate.”
So women (and also men) should not be domineering, but instead be quiet and listen while in the assembly. And there is a God given natural order since The Garden of Eden, the husband, then the wife, then the children, so the key is to maintain order in the assembly so that everyone can hear and learn.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
Timothy — Part 3
1Ti 3:1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work.
The word “bishop” is from “ep-is-kop-ay’” which means “inspection (for relief); by implication superintendence; specifically the Christian episcopate.”
The Bishop has an honorable position to be the superintendent of one or more assemblies, which was the equivalent of the ruler of one or more synagogues. It is a position with many responsibilities to oversee to insure that the meeting rooms are clean and prepared for every meeting. And he would be one of the primary teachers and serve as the leader of the assembly to maintain an orderly proceeding when he was present at the meeting.
1Ti 3:2-7 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
A Bishop must be a sincere Christian of the highest integrity and mature in God’s Word.
1Ti 3:8-9 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience.
The word “deacons” is from “dee-ak’-on-os” which means “an attendant, that is, (generally) a waiter (at table or in other menial duties); specifically a Christian teacher and pastor (technically a deacon or deaconess).”
A Deacon may have various duties ranging from tending to manual tasks needed to maintain and prepare the meeting room for the assembly, to being a qualified Teacher or Pastor of the assembly. So a Deacon must be of good character and a Christian of good faith, and depending on his or her duties have a good mastery of The Scriptures.
What is The Mystery of The Faith? Good question to ponder.
1Ti 3:10-13 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
A new convert must be observed for a long time to insure that their faith is sincere. And so naturally trusting someone with a position of responsibility must only be done after the assembly is convinced that the person is truly a good Christian of sound mind.
1Ti 3:14-15 These things write I unto thee, hoping to come unto thee shortly: But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth.
The word “church” is from “ek-klay-see’-ah” which means “a calling out, that is, (concretely) a popular meeting, especially a religious congregation (Jewish synagogue, or Christian community of members on earth or saints in heaven or both).”
Paul hopes that he can come to visit Timothy soon, but until then he has written to him to instruct how he should manage and maintain order in the assembly, because it is The House of God for the meeting together of The Lord’s Called Out Ones.
1Ti 3:16 And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.
And this is The Great Mystery of our Faith: God came in the flesh, and was shown to be Righteous by The Holy Spirit in Him, seen and tended to by angels, preached to both Israel and to Gentiles, believed on everywhere in the world, and ascended after His Death, Burial, and Resurrection into Heaven.
Mat 1:21-23 And she shall bring forth a son, and thou shalt call his name JESUS: for he shall save his people from their sins. Now all this was done, that it might be fulfilled which was spoken of the Lord by the prophet, saying, Behold, a virgin shall be with child, and shall bring forth a son, and they shall call his name Emmanuel, which being interpreted is, God with us.
The angel that appeared to Joseph told him to name the Child, Jesus, which means Jehovah Savior, in order to fulfill the prophesy that His name would be called, Emmanuel, which means, God With Us. Jesus never said that He was God, because The Antichrist will do that. Jesus did give numerous hints but left His Full Identity a Mystery. Paul revealed His Identity explicitly.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.
Timothy — Part 4
1Ti 4:1-2 Now the Spirit speaketh expressly, that in the latter times some shall depart from the faith, giving heed to seducing spirits, and doctrines of devils; Speaking lies in hypocrisy; having their conscience seared with a hot iron;
The “latter times” are The Last Days, when there will come a Falling Away from the Faith, The Apostasy. Men will seek familiar spirits, devils, and their doctrines, and they will be hypocritical liars having no conscience. Paul is referring to The Sixth Seal.
1Ti 4:3-5 Forbidding to marry, and commanding to abstain from meats, which God hath created to be received with thanksgiving of them which believe and know the truth. For every creature of God is good, and nothing to be refused, if it be received with thanksgiving: For it is sanctified by the word of God and prayer.
The word “meats” is from “bro’-mah” which means “food (literally or figuratively), especially (ceremonial) articles allowed or forbiden by the Jewish law.”
So the hypocrites in The Last Days would be forbidding people to get married, and commanding them to not eat certain foods which God has created to be eaten. Naturally Paul is referring to vegetables, fruits, and nuts, and the clean animals, birds, and fish which God gave us as food, and for which when we eat them, we are thankful to God. But the hypocrites would be making up their little laws and rules which contradicted God’s Law, and thus they were committing a terrible sin by doing this. Note that The Last Days have been the last two thousand years.
1Ti 4:6 If thou put the brethren in remembrance of these things, thou shalt be a good minister of Jesus Christ, nourished up in the words of faith and of good doctrine, whereunto thou hast attained.
So we should warn the assembly about how much confusion the antichrists would cause through such false teaching in their hypocrisy.
1Ti 4:7-8 But refuse profane and old wives’ fables, and exercise thyself rather unto godliness. For bodily exercise profiteth little: but godliness is profitable unto all things, having promise of the life that now is, and of that which is to come.
We must avoid all doctrines invented out of men’s minds and stay faithful to The Truth of God’s Word. Because only in Christ do we have the hope of Eternal Life.
1Ti 4:9-11 This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptation. For therefore we both labour and suffer reproach, because we trust in the living God, who is the Saviour of all men, specially of those that believe. These things command and teach.
We put our trust in The Living God and Savior of all people, especially those who believe while dwelling in flesh bodies. And we must continue to emphasize these things regarding sound doctrine.
How is it that Christ Jesus, The Living God, is also the Savior of those who do not believe? People who do not believe at first may one day have a change of heart and begin to believe in Christ. Christ waits patiently for everyone to repent and come to Him. But even those who reject The Lord right up to the end of this world so that they cannot partake of The First Resurrection, after the change of body from flesh to angelic, will still have one thousand years during The Millennium to repent and come to The Knowledge of God. Then will come The Judgement and The Second Resurrection into Eternal Life.
1Ti 4:12-13 Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. Till I come, give attendance to reading, to exhortation, to doctrine.
According to Hebrew tradition, any man less than forty years old was considered a youth. So Paul advises Timothy not to let his young age bother him, but to set a good example for the assembly to follow.
1Ti 4:14-16 Neglect not the gift that is in thee, which was given thee by prophecy, with the laying on of the hands of the presbytery. Meditate upon these things; give thyself wholly to them; that thy profiting may appear to all. Take heed unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; continue in them: for in doing this thou shalt both save thyself, and them that hear thee.
The most important matter a teacher must focus on is to teach sound doctrine. And to do this requires much study of The Scriptures and careful attention to what we say. Our commission is to save the souls of people, and in doing so, we are also saved.
Whosoever has eyes to see and ears to hear, let him hear.