AN APOSTLE OF CHRIST JESUS. One purpose of this letter was to show Timothy's authority, so Paul makes it plain that he writes as an apostle. BY ORDER OF GOD. The _circumcision party_ tried to undermine the authority of Paul. For this reason, he often repeats the fact that it was by God's own order t... [ Continue Reading ]
TO TIMOTHY. Paul calls Timothy "my true son," because: (1) he brought him to Christ (1 Corinthians 4:15-17); (2) the followers of the prophets were called _sons_ of the prophets.... [ Continue Reading ]
I WANT YOU TO STAY IN EPHESUS. Timothy was not a "bishop" in the modern sense, but a teaching evangelist (_compare note on_ Ephesians 4:11). It was his mission to teach the new Christians, to appoint church leaders (elders), to train workers, and to oppose false doctrines. YOU MUST ORDER THEM TO STO... [ Continue Reading ]
TELL THEM TO GIVE UP. The _circumcision party_ had picked up elements of Greek mysticism and blended these with Jewish tradition. They used this to "prove" that salvation comes only through obeying the Law of Moses. See note on Titus 1:14. LEGENDS. These are myths invented by the teachers of the Law... [ Continue Reading ]
THE PURPOSE. Love is not produced by the things which the circumcision party were teaching. Since love is so vital to the life of the church (see notes on Revelation 2:4-5), Timothy must stop those who teach these divisive things. Instead, they are to arouse the love that every Christian MUST have!... [ Continue Reading ]
HAVE TURNED AWAY. They have completely missed the target at which they ate shooting! They have lost their way, as these foolish discussions have blinded them to what is TRUE!... [ Continue Reading ]
THEY WANT TO BE TEACHERS. They are "saviors of mankind," who think they are doing God's will by their devotion to the Law of Moses. BUT THEY DO NOT UNDERSTAND either the results of their words, or the nature and meaning of the Law about which they speak. 8, WE KNOW. "The Law itself is good; and bo... [ Continue Reading ]
IT MUST BE REMEMBERED. "Law" is not given to put men right with God, but to stop those who do evil and to punish them. See note at the end of Romans 3:31.... [ Continue Reading ]
THAT TEACHING. The true teaching. The Good News of Jesus Christ is based on the FACTS of God's act in him to set men free. The true teaching is based on the AUTHORITY of Christ. These false teachers claimed they were teaching the gospel (see Galatians 1:6-9 and notes).... [ Continue Reading ]
WHO HAS GIVEN ME STRENGTH. "I cannot talk about my part in preaching the gospel without thanking God for forgiving my sins and mistakes, and for appointing me to serve Him and giving me the strength to do it!... [ Continue Reading ]
EVEN THOUGH IN THE PAST. Neither Paul himself (nor his enemies) could ever forget what he had done. BUT GOD WAS MERCIFUL TO ME. Not only in forgiving Paul's sin, but in allowing him to serve Him! Note that even when Paul persecuted and insulted Christ (Christ's church), he did not do it to rebel aga... [ Continue Reading ]
HIS ABUNDANT GRACE. The point is that God's grace outweighs Paul's sin!!! It may be that Paul's enemies (especially the circumcision party) tried to discredit and disqualify his _apostleship_ by pointing to his great sin in trying to destroy Christ's church. GAVE ME THE FAITH AND LOVE. By _faith,_ P... [ Continue Reading ]
THIS IS A TRUE SAYING. Compare Titus 1:9 and note. CHRIST JESUS. This is a "statement of faith!" Paul, a sinner who had been saved, was a proof of this _statement._ I AM THE WORST OF THEM. Probably his enemies said this. But Paul has no false modesty. The more you learn about God, the more you reali... [ Continue Reading ]
FOR THIS VERY REASON. See notes on Acts 9:1-2. If God was willing to save "Saul the Destroyer," it ought to serve as proof that God is willing to save all who come to Him through Christ!!!... [ Continue Reading ]
TO THE ETERNAL KING! This is Paul's _song of praise_ to the God who forgave him and saved him! Compare Romans 16:25-27; 1 Timothy 6:16. INVISIBLE. This _identifies_ the ONLY GOD from the idols who were visible.... [ Continue Reading ]
I ENTRUST THIS COMMAND TO YOU. What Paul said in 1 Timothy 1:3; 1 Timothy 1:5. ACCORDING TO THE WORDS OF PROPHECY. Compare Acts 13:1-3 and notes. The Holy Spirit selected Timothy (speaking through the prophets), and these words spoken _identified_ Timothy as one who had the potential to do the work.... [ Continue Reading ]
AND CLEAR CONSCIENCE. "To fight the good fight, you must keep your faith, but also a clear conscience. You can do this by refusing to use the unethical methods of the false teachers." HAVE NOT LISTENED. "Faith is a ship, and conscience is the pilot. Some men have not listened to their pilot, and hav... [ Continue Reading ]
HYMENAEUS AND ALEXANDER. _MacKnight_ thinks these belong to the circumcision party. Hymenaeus is mentioned again in 2 Timothy 2:17-18; and Alexander is probably the one mentioned in 2 Timothy 4:14-15. TO THE POWER OF SATAN. That is, put out of the church, but compare note on 1 Corinthians 5:5. Apost... [ Continue Reading ]