Gospel Light Christian Church Thru-The-Bible Series (26.4)

The First Epistle of Paul to Timothy

1 Timothy 5:21-25 - Read this Bible passage once through before referring to the notes below.

Further instructions

v21-25  In the remaining part of this chapter, Paul gives Timothy instructions on four specific areas.  First, a specific charge not to be partial in discharge his duties as pastor of the church. It will be disastrous if pastors become partial is discharging his duties, for then the rich and the famous will be well treated while the poor will be neglected. 

The Lord himself has never been partial in his dealings with men, and neither should the church.  Paul treats this as very important, for the charge not to be partial is given to Timothy before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, and the elect angels.

Secondly, Timothy should not be hasty in ordaining ministers.  The qualifications for elders and deacons are already dealt with in chapter 3, and that includes the requirement that those seeking such offices should first be proved. 

If ministers are ordained in a rash manner, without first checking on their qualifications for such office, and if they should later be found to be unsuitable because of gross sins, then the one who did the ordination is guilty of being partaker of other men’s sins. It is thus important for Timothy to keep himself pure and not be rash in ordaining ministers.

Next, Timothy is charged to take care of his own body. You have a duty to take good care of your body, for you are bought with a price, and your body is the temple of the Holy Spirit. 

Lastly, Paul instructs Timothy on how to deal with sinners in his congregation. Some men’s sins are so obvious that there is no problem for the church to censure them publicly.  Others are not so obvious.  So a minister needs wisdom from God to do with various kinds of sins. Some will publicly repent after the public rebuke, others will not, but for the latter, God will deal with them.

1 Timothy Chapter 6:1-8 - Read this Bible passage once through before referring to the notes below.

Instructions concerning servants

v1-2 This chapter starts with instructions concerning servants and their duties towards their masters.  Notice that servants are said to be under the yoke, implying both subjection and work.  Servants are to be subject to their masters, and are to work, not to idle. Believing servants are to count their own masters worthy of all honour.  Failure to do so results in the name of God and his doctrine to be blasphemed. 

If a believing servant has a believing master, that servant is still under the yoke of servant hood.   That master-servant relationship is not dissolved just because both are believers. Paul tells Timothy these things teach and exhort.

Teachers motivated by greed

v3-5  Here follows a description of teachers who are motivated by greed. First, these are people who do not teach and exhort what Paul tells Timothy to do so in the previous verses.  They consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ.  Here learn that the words of our Lord are wholesome words, able to heal the soul.   Note further that the words of our Lord Jesus Christ constitute doctrine which is according to godliness. These words promote godliness in us, and thus teachers who reject these wholesome words do not have godliness in mind, but are motivated by greed. 

Secondly, such teachers are proud people. The irony is that they think they know everything, but Paul describes them as knowing nothing, but doting about with questions and strife of words.  They do not understand the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ, but rather than admitting that, they find fault with the very doctrine which is according to godliness, thereby causing envy, strife, railings evil surmisings, perverse disputings of men of corrupt minds, and destitute of the truth.

How will they achieve this?  By disputing the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, questioning and casting doubts and adding in words of human wisdom.  The reason for their action is plainly stated here, supposing that gain is godliness. Does this remind us of the modern day wealth and prosperity preachers?  And what is Timothy to do with such people?  Paul says from such withdraw thyself.  If they teach not the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ, then separate from them; have no fellowship with such people. 

Importance of contentment

v6-8  Teachers motivated by greed think that gain is godliness.  Paul now tells Timothy what constitutes great gain.  He says that godliness with contentment is great gain.  Ministers of the Lord are to teach the doctrine which is according to godliness, even the wholesome words of our Lord Jesus Christ.  And they must do it, not with greed in mind, but simply to be contented with what the Lord will bless them with.

Paul had earlier said that elders that rule well and are faithful in teaching and preaching are worthy of double honour, and that they are to be supported by the members of the church.  This is what the Lord provides, and this is what they should be contented with.  Having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

The problem is that many people are motivated by greed, making a business out of the pulpit with their constant appeals for money.  To such people, Paul has this to say: For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out.  We come into this world naked (with no possession), and it is certain that we return naked (without any possession) as well.  In between birth and death, whatever we have come from God.  At death, the richest man may get a better coffin, a better burial suit, and a grandest funeral, but he cannot bring a single cent with him to wherever his soul goes after death.  So why shouldn’t we be content with what God bless us with in life?  Why seek after wealth with great greed when we have to leave everything behind upon death?