“PAUL, AN APOSTLE OF CHRIST JESUS”: The term “apostle” means literally “one sent forth”. Although Timothy already respects Paul's authority as an apostle, this authority is asserted because Paul is not just writing for Timothy's benefit, but for Christians in every age. His authority as an apostle i... [ Continue Reading ]
“TO TIMOTHY, MY TRUE CHILD IN THE FAITH”: There is. definite personal warmth as Paul addresses Timothy. Paul was not Timothy's physical father (Acts 16:3); rather Paul had begotten Timothy spiritually through the gospel (1 Corinthians 4:14; Philemon 1:10). The term “true” means “genuine, legitimatel... [ Continue Reading ]
THE CHARGE 1 Timothy 1:3 “As. urged you upon my departure for Macedonia”: The congregations in Macedonia would have included Philippi and Thessalonica; these congregations had been in existence for over 15 years when Paul makes this trip. “Timothy either had been traveling with Paul up until their... [ Continue Reading ]
“NOR TO PAY ATTENTION TO MYTHS”: To give attention to something involves an attending to and giving oneself up to. These “myths” are termed “Jewish” in Titus 1:14 and “old wives fables” in 1 Timothy 4:7. 1. The traditions of the Jews contained many fables and myths. The traditions of the Jews, hand... [ Continue Reading ]
“BUT THE GOAL OF OUR INSTRUCTION”: The aim, purpose, and outcome of the charge given in 1 Timothy 1:3, and the goal of all Biblical teaching. The term “instruction” in this verse means “order, command, precept” _(Arndt p. 613)._ The root word here for “instruction” is the same as the word “instruct”... [ Continue Reading ]
“FOR SOME MEN”: (1 Timothy 1:3). 1 TIMOTHY 1:6 “STRAYING FROM THESE THINGS”: The language here indicates that these persons had once been on the right path. To “stray” is to “deviate, depart”. See 1 Timothy 6:21; 2 Timothy 2:18. “These things” is the goal mentioned in 1 Timothy 1:5. Every false doc... [ Continue Reading ]
“WANTING TO BE TEACHERS OF THE LAW”: That is, they want to be viewed as experts concerning the Law of Moses (Luke 5:17; Acts 5:34). They desired and coveted the respect that was given to the official teachers of the Law of Moses and this desire indicates that his apostasy came from Christians of. Je... [ Continue Reading ]
“BUT WE KNOW”: Paul, Timothy, and other faithful Christians are not ignorant as the false teachers, rather they “know” the following. 1 TIMOTHY 1:8 “THAT THE LAW IS GOOD”: The origin of these errors is not found in the Law itself, but in the wrong use of the Law. Paul did not condemn the Law just be... [ Continue Reading ]
“REALIZING THE FACT THAT LAW IS NOT MADE FOR. RIGHTEOUS PERSON”: It would appear that this principle of truth applies to the Law of Moses as well as law in general. The righteous man is of course the Christian, the person justified by his obedient faith in God and the person who keeps God's commands... [ Continue Reading ]
“AND IMMORAL MEN”: That is, those involved in sex outside the marriage relationship, including fornication, adultery, and prostitution. The word here is the word rendered “sexual immorality” or “fornicators” in other passages. 1 TIMOTHY 1:10 “HOMOSEXUALS”: “One who lies with. male as with. female”... [ Continue Reading ]
“ACCORDING TO THE GLORIOUS GOSPEL”: In the Greek the last phrase is literally “the sound doctrine”, which means that “sound teaching” is another name for the gospel message. This also means that there is not any difference between what composes the gospel and what composes sound doctrine, they are o... [ Continue Reading ]
Paul's example is. tremendous illustration of the power of the glorious gospel (1 Timothy 1:11). The Law of Moses did not produce the great apostle nor his conversion but the gospel of Jesus Christ did! “His thanksgiving for the privilege of ministering the Gospel reminded him of the utter differenc... [ Continue Reading ]
“EVEN THOUGH. WAS FORMERLY A”: “His description of himself must not be attributed to false humility or exaggeration, but was undoubtedly the way he felt about his past life. Those who live closest to God are usually the most keenly aware of their own faults” _(Kent pp. 89-90)._ The word “formerly” i... [ Continue Reading ]
“AND THE GRACE OF OUR LORD WAS MORE THAN ABUNDANT”: Even sins committed in ignorance by conscientious people need abundant grace. His ignorance did not make his sins any less sinful or any less in need of God's grace. Compare with Romans 5:20. Grace was extended to Paul when Jesus appeared to him (G... [ Continue Reading ]
“IT IS. TRUSTWORTHY STATEMENT, DESERVING FULL ACCEPTANCE”: See 1 Timothy 3:1; 1 Timothy 4:9; 2 Timothy 2:11; Titus 3:8. Hearty and full acceptance is the type of reception such. faithful saying would trigger. “This saying about to be quoted is entitled to wholehearted and universal personal applicat... [ Continue Reading ]
“YET FOR THIS REASON. FOUND MERCY”: Seeing that Paul was the foremost or chief of sinners, God could use him as an example or pattern for all to follow. If the chief sinner can be forgiven then all other sinners can be forgiven, as well, if they only repent. “Paul becomes the ‘specimen' sinner as an... [ Continue Reading ]
“NOW TO THE KING ETERNAL, IMMORTAL, INVISIBLE, THE ONLY GOD”: The term “immortal” means “not liable to corruption or decay”, and is used of God in Romans 1:23. God is called “invisible” in other passages as well (Colossians 1:15). Thus we see the foolishness of the person who will not believe in God... [ Continue Reading ]
RESTATING THE CHARGE TO TIMOTHY: 1 TIMOTHY 1:18-20 1 Timothy 1:18 “This command. entrust to you, Timothy, my son, in accordance with the prophecies previously made concerning you”: 1 TIMOTHY 1:18 “ENTRUST”: To deposit, entrust, or commit to one's charge. To entrust something to someone for safekeep... [ Continue Reading ]
“KEEPING FAITH AND. GOOD CONSCIENCE”: Fighting the good fight includes continuing to trust in God and His revelation. “The evangelist must be uncompromising on the matter of sound doctrine” _(Kent p. 96). _“Keeping”: Steadfast adherence, holding fast. In fighting error the preacher must make sure th... [ Continue Reading ]
__ 1 Timothy 1:20 “Among these are Hymenaeus and Alexander”: WHICH INDICATES THAT THESE TWO MEN ARE NOT THE ONLY ONES IN THIS CATEGORY, “AMONG THESE ARE”. THIS IS PERHAPS THE SAME HYMENAEUS AS IS MENTIONED IN 2 TIMOTHY 2:17. WHO TAUGHT THAT THE RESURRECTION WAS ALREADY PAST. ONE WAY OF CLAIMING THA... [ Continue Reading ]